A CONFESSION OF FAITH, Of the severall Congregations or Churches of CHRIST in London, which are commonly (though unjustly) called ANABAPTISTS. PƲBLISHED. For the Vindication of the truth, and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off of those aspersions which are frequently, both in Pulpit and Print, unjustly cast upon them. Ʋnto which is added, HEART—BLEEDINGS for Professors abominations: OR, A faithfull Generall Epistle (from the same Churches) presented to all who have known the way of truth, fore-warning them to flee security, and carelesse walking under the Profession of the same, discovering some of Satans wiles, whereby also wanton persons and their ungodly wayes are disclaimed.
The fourth Impression, corrected.
Printed at Leith, 1653.
To the impartiall READER.
THe consideration of those many errours that is this day abroad in the world, by which many poor souls are deluded through the instigations of Satan, together with the inventions of men, by reason of that grosse ignorance which over-spreads the hearts of people: we finde our selves engaged to bear witness to that truth of God which we professe and practise, which is so much mistaken, vilified and rejected: We therefore are willing to re-print this ensuing Confession of Faith, together with Heart-bleedings for Professors abominations; it being formerly set forth by the Churches assembling in the order of the Gospel in London as that which doth contain the principals and substance both of theirs and our Faith and Order. And surely if the Lord give an understanding heart, and enlightened eyes in the reading hereof, it will be a means to take off that prejudice which generally rests in the minds of many. We finde that most persons in these dayes are subject to one of these three extreams viz. To sit down in a state of wickednes, without God in the world, or else to clothe themselvs with a form of godlinesse, without the power of it: and so walk short of the golden rule of the Gospel in contenting themselvs in a Babylonish state, or become national under pretended enjoyments, trampling the Lord and his truth under-foot, as legall, and too contemptible for them to walk in: but if any hereby shall gain information and a heart made willing to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, God shall have the glory, themselves shall reap the benefit, and we shall receive our reward, who subscribe ourselves faithfull friends to all that wish well to Sion.
- THO. SPENSER.
- ABRA. HOLMES.
- THO. POWELL.
- JOHN BRADY.
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.
THere is nothing wherein Saints should be more conversant then in promoting the Honor of the Lord and his Christ, striving and studying to walk before him agreeable to the Truth, recorded in his Word; the consideration of which, is a strong inducement unto us to engage (to the utmost of our abilities) in this Work, that when other men content themselves by living below the Rule, we may strive to walk close thereunto, (sutable to the Pattern left us by God in his Word) and when many account it their glory to turn their backs upon what they professed to have received from Christ, we may [Page] strive to honor God, by a stedfast continuance in what we have received, and in diligent speaking the things which we have seen and heard from him; the weight of which at first prevailed upon us to declare unto the World this our Confession of Faith, and faithful Epistle, which we have again reprinted, and made publick, for the Reasons following.
First, The invitations and earnest solicitations of several of our Brethren, from all parts of the Nation, whose hearts long to behold (in publick) our stability and perseverance in the way and truth of our God, that by it they may have where▪ with, to put to silence those who have lately taken liberty to reproach and undervalue the Truth professed by us.
Secondly, That the World may behold that through Grace (by which alone we stand) we are preserved from backsliding or revolting from the way and truth, we for some years have followed God in, In which (through faith and obedience) we trust to be continued, unto the coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, That we might prevent Satan and his accomplices in their enterprises, who have of late abounded more then ordinary, with stratagems and inventions to circumvent poor Saints, in their stabili [...]y and love unto the Truth; amongst which, this was no small one (in severall rem [...]te parts that we had cast off all our former profession and practise, so that none remained together, worshipping God in his way, owning themselves the Churches of Christ, but were grown up to a further attainment and light (as they say) to live more immediatly with God and Christ, then in such low, mean and contemptible a way as Ordinances, thinking [Page] thereby to stumble and disharten many whose hearts were approved to God.
Fourthly, That we might take off prejudice from the hearts of those (many of which we have comfortable hopes) who are, or may be prejudiced against us, from these many invectives, and bitter unjust reproaches, we are▪ or may be (for worshipping our God according to our conscience and the rule of truth) exposed unto, and they if it be the good pleasure of our God) come to understand our practise, and subject themselves to the Lord in his commands.
Lastly, The remembrance of what good this our undertaking hath formerly done in the Countries where it hath been spread (of which we have had particular notice from several) whose hearts have been refreshed therewith) is n [...] small inducement to us to bring this forth again in print.
Courteous Friend, We desire thee soberly to weigh and consider what we have professed before Men and Angels, out of the simplicity of our hearts, and let not prejudice prevent thy profitting, but make it thy great care and study to give up thy understanding to love and receive the Truth, as it is in Jesus, delighting thy selfe in that Government, which is by his own hand established in his h [...]se; be not disheartened although thou shouldest hear of the miscarriage of some, knowing that in many things we sinne all, and come short of the Grace of our GOD, nor if thou shouldest be advertised of the falling away of any one, do but consider we live in the last ages of the [Page] world, Wherein many shall depart from the truth, neither is it a new thing for men to relinquish their profession)
But strive thou to follow GOD fully, and to stand fast in the simplicity of the truth; and GOD our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ be with thee, and be thy guide and Counsellour.
- William Kiffen,
- John Spilsbery,
- Joseph Sanson,
- Hugh Gosnell,
- Thomas Pault,
- Joseph Patshall,
- William Conset,
- Edward Harrison,
- Richard Graves,
- Edward Roberts,
- Thomas Waters,
- Henry Forty,
- Thomas Young,
- John Watson.
A CONFESSION of FAITH of the severall Congregations or Churches of Christ in London, which are commonly (though unjustly) called ANABAPTISTS.
I
THe Lord our God is but 1 Cor. 8. 6 Isa. 44. 6 Chap. 46 9 one God, whose Exod. 3. 14 subsistence is in himself; whose estence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; who onely hath immortal [...]ty, 1 Tim. 6. [...]6 dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto, who is in himself most Isa. 43. 15. holy, every way Psal. 147. 5 infinite, in Deut. 32. 3 greatness, Iob 3 [...]. 5 wisdome, Ier. [...]0. 1 [...] power, love; Exod. 3. 67 mercifull and gracious, long suff [...]ring and abundant in goodness and truth, who giveth Acts 17. 28 Ro [...]. 11. 36 being, moving and preservation to all creatures.
II
In this divine and infinite being, there is the Cor. 1. 3 Father, the Iohn 1. 1 Word, and the Chap 15. 26 holy Sp [...]rit, each having the whole divine Exod. 3. 14 essence, yet the essence undivided; all infinite without any beginning, therefore but [...] Cor. 8. 6 one God, who is not to be divided in nature, and being, but distinguished by severall peculiar relat [...]ve properties.
III
God hath Isa. 46. 10 Ephes. [...]. 11. Rom. 1 [...]. [...]3. decreed in himself, before the world was, concerning all things, Psal. 115 3 & 15. 6 to work, dispose, and bring them about (according to the counsel of his own will) to his glory: yet without c Psal. 33. 15 1 Sam. 10. 9. 26. being the Author of sin, or having fellowship with any [Page 2] therein) in which appears his wisedome in disposing all Prov. 21. 6. Exod: 21. 13 Prov: 16. 33 Psal: 144 Isai 4 [...]. 7 Jer: 14 12 Ma [...]: 6 2 [...], 30 Col. 1. 16, 17 Nu: 23. [...]9, 20 Rom 3. 4 Jer. 10. 10 Eph: 1. 4 5 Jude 46 Prov: 10. 4 things unchangeablenesse, power, and faithful [...]esse in accomplish [...]ng his decree: and God hath before the foundation of the world, fore-ordained some men to eternall life, through Jesus Ch [...]st, to the praise and glory of his grace; leaving the rest to act in their sin, to their just condemnation, and to the praise of his justice.
IV.
In the Gen: 1 1 Col: 1. 16 Isai 45. 12 beginning God made all things very good, created man after his own 1 Cor: 15. 45, 46 Image, filled with all meet perfection of nature, and free from all sin, but Eccle: 7 29 long he abode not in this honour, Satan using the subtilty of the Gen: 3. 1, 4. 5 2 Cor. 11. 3 Serpent, to seduce first Eve, then by her seduci [...]g A [...]am; who without any compulsion, in eating the forbidden f [...]uit, 1 Tim. 2. 14 transgressed the command of God, and fell, whereby Gal. 3. 22 g Rom. 5. 12 18, 19 Chap. 6. 22 Ephes 2. 3 death came upon all his posterity, who now are conceived in sin, and by nature the Children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of g death, and other miseries in this world, & for ever, unless the Lord Jesus Christ set them free.
V.
God in his infinite Job 38. 11 power and wisedome, doth Isa [...] 46. 10 11 Eccles 3. 14 dispose all things to the end for which they were created, that neither any thing befalls any by chance, or without his Mat. 10. 29, 30 Exod. 21. 13 Pro. 16. 33 providence; and, that whatsoever befalls the Elect, is by his appointment, for his glory, and their Rom. 8. 28 good.
VI.
All the Elect being Jer. [...]. 2 loved of God, with an everlasting love, are Ephes. 1. 3, 7 Chap. 2. 8, 9 1 Thes. 5. 9 redeemed, quickned and saved, not by themselves, not their own works, least any man should boast, but onely and wholly by God, of his free Acts 13. 38 1 Cor. 5. 2 [...] Jer. 9. 23, 24 grace and mercy through Jesus Christ, who is made unto us by God, 1 Cor. 1. 30, 31. Jer. 23: 6. wisdom, righteousnesse, sanctification, and redemption, and all in all, that he that rejoyceth might rejoyce in the Lord.
VII.
And John 17. 3 H [...]b. 5, 9 this is life eternall, that we might know him the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent. And on [...] Thess 1. 8 John 6. 36 the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire to them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
VIII.
The rule of this knowledge, faith and obedience, concerning [Page 3] the worship of God, in which is contained the whole duty of man is (not Col. 2. 23 Mat. 15. 9, 6 mens laws or traditions, but) only the Word of God, contained in the holy John [...]. 39 2 Tim. 3. 15 16, 17 Isa. 8. 20 Gal. 1. 8 9 Act. 3. 22, 23 Scriptures, in which is plainly recorded whatsoever is needful for us to know, believe and practise, which are the onely rule of holinesse and obedience for all Saints, at all times, in all places to be observed.
IX.
The Lord JESUS CHRIST, of whom Gen. 3. 15 Chap. 22. 18 and 49. 10 Dan 7. 13. & 9. 24, 25, 26 Moses and the Prophets wrote, the Apostles preached) he is the P [...]ov. 8. 23 Jo [...]. 1. 1, 2, 3 H [...]b. 1. 8 Son of God, the brightnesse of his glory, &c. by whom he made the Wor [...]d, who upholdeth and governeth all things that he hath made; who also whe [...] the Gal. 4. 4. fulnesse of time was come, was made of a woman, of the Tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and Da [...]id; to wit, of the Virgin Mary, the holy Spirit-coming down upon her, the power of the most High Heb. 7. 14 Rev. 5. 5. with Gen. 49. 9, 10. Rom. 1. 3. and 9. 10. Mat. 1. 16. with Luke 3. 2, 26. Heb. 2. 16. Isai 52. 3, 4, 5. Heb. 4. 15. over-shadowing her; and he was also tempted as we are, yet without sin.
X.
1. Tim. 2. 5 Heb. 9. 15. John 14. 6 JESUS CHRIST is made the Mediator of the new & everlasting Covenant of grace between God and man, ever to be Isai 9 6, 7 perfectly & fully the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God for evermore.
XI.
Unto this Office he was appointed by Prov. 8. 23 Isa. 4 [...]. 6. and 49. 15 God from everlasting, and in respect of his Man-hood, from the womb called, separated Isa. 11. 2, 3▪ 4, 5. and 61. 1, 2. with Luke 4. 17▪ 22. John 1. 14, 16. and 3. 34. and anointed most fully and abundantly with all gifts necessary', God having without measure poured out his Spirit upon him.
XII.
Concerning his Mediator-ship, the Scripture holds forth Christs call to his O [...]fice: For Heb. 5. 4, 5 6 none takes this honour upon him, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron, it being an action of God, whereby a speciall promise being made, he ordains his Son to this Office, which promise is, that Chr [...]st should be made a sacrifice for sin, that he should see his Isa. 53. 10. 11 seed, and prolong his dayes, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand: John 3. 16 Rom. 8. 32 1 Tim. 2. 5 Heb. 7 24 all of meer free and absolute grace towards Gods Elect, and without any condition fore-seen in them to procure it.
XIII.
This Office to be Mediator, that is, to be Prophet, Priest, [Page 4] and King of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, that neither Dan. 7: 14 Acts 4. 1 [...] Luke [...] 33 John 1 [...]: 6 in whole, or any part thereof, it cannot be transferred from him to any other.
XIV.
This Office to which Chr [...]st is called, is threefold, as Deut. 8: 15 with Acts 3, 22, 23 a Prophet, H [...]b: [...]: 1 & 4. 14, 15 Priest, and Psal. 2. 6 King: this number and order of Offices is necessary; for in respect of our 2 Cor. 5. 20 Acts 26. 18 ignorance, we stand in need of his Prophetical O [...]fice: And in respect of our great Col. 1 21 al [...]enation from God, we need his Priestly Office to reconcile us: And in respect of our aversness and utter inability to return to God, we need his Kingly O [...]fice to Joh. 16. 8 convince, Psal. 110 3 subdue, Cant. 1. 3. John 6. 44. draw, Phil. 4. 13. uphold, and 2 Tim. 4. 18. preserve us to his heavenly Kingdom.
XV.
Concerning the Prophesie of Christ, it is that whereby he hath [...]ohn 1. 18. & 12. 49, 50 & 15. & 17. 8 D [...]ut [...]8 [...]5 revealed the will of God, whatsoever is needful for his Servants to know and Mat. 23. 10 obey; and therefore he is called not only a Prophet and Docto [...], and the Heb. 3. 1 Apostle of our Profession, and the Mal. 3 1 Angel of the Covenant, but also the very 1 Cor. [...]. 24 Col. 2. 3 Wisdome of God, in whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge, who for ever continueth revealing the same Truth of the Gospel to his People.
XVI.
That he might be a Prophet every way compleat, it was necessary John 1. [...]8 Acts 3. 2 [...] with Deut. [...]8. 15. Heb. 1. 1 he should be God, and also that he should be man: for unless he had been God, he could never have perfectly understood the will of God; and unless he had been man, he could not suitably have unfolded it in his own Person to men. That Jesus Christ is God is wonderful, clearly expressed in the Scriptures: he is called, The mighty God, Isa. 9. 6. That word was God, John 1. 1. Christ who is God over all, Rom. 9. 5. God manifested in the flesh, 1 Tim 3. 16. The same is very God, [...] Iohn 5. 20 He is the first, Rev. 1. 8 He gives b [...]ing to all things, and without him was nothing made, Iohn 1. 2 He forgives sins Ma [...] 9. [...]. He is before Abraham Ioh. 8. 58 He was, and [...]s, and ever will be the s [...]m [...], Heb. 13 8 He is alwaies with his to the end of the world, Mat: 28: 20 which could not be said of Jesus Christ if he were not God. And to the Son he saith, [...]hy Throne, O God, is for ever and ever, Heb▪ 1. 8 Iohn 1. [...]8. Acts 20. 28. Also, Christ is not only perfectly God, but perfect Man, made of a woman, Gal 4 4 made of the seed of D [...]vid, Rom. 1. 3. Coming out of [...]he loins of David, Acts 2. 30. [...]f Jesse and Iudah, Acts 13. 23. In that the children were partake [...]s of flesh and blood, he himself likewise took part with them, Heb. 2. 14. He took not on him the nature of Angels, but the seed of Abraham Vers 16. So that we are bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, Eph. 5. 30. so that he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one, Heb. 2. 11. see Acts 3. 22. Deut. 18. 15. Heb. 1. 1.
XVII.
Concerning his John 17. 19 Heb 3. 7. [...], 9, and 10. 12 Rom. 5. 19 Ephes. 5. 2 Coloss. 1. 20 Ephes. 2. 14, 15. 16 Rom. 8. 34 Hbe. 9. 24 and 8. 1. 1 Pet. 25 Joh. 4. 23, [...]4 Priesthood, Christ having sanctified himself, hath appeared once to put away sin, by that one offering of himself a sacrifice for sin, by which he hath fully fin [...]shed and suffered all things God required for the salvation of his Elect, and removed all rites and shadows, &c. and is now ent [...]ed within the vail into the Holy of Holies, which is the presence of God. Also he makes his people a spirituall House, an holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual Sacrifice, acceptable to God through him. Neither do [...]h the Father accept, or Christ offer to the Father any other wo [...]ship or worshippers.
XVIII.
This Priesthood was not legal or temporary, but according to the order of Heb 7 [...]7 Melchiledec, & is stable and perfect, not for a Heb. 7. 16, 18, 19, 20, 2 [...], 24. 25 time, but for ever, which is suitable to Jesus Christ, as to him that ever liveth: Christ was the Priest, Sacrifice and Altar: he was a Priest according to both Natures, he was a Sacrifice according to his Huma [...]e Nature; whence in Heb. 5. 6 Scripture it is attributed to his Body, to his Heb. 10. 10 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19 Col. 1. 20. 21 Bloud: yet the effectualness of th [...]s Sacrifice did depend upon his Divine Nature, therefore it is called the Bloud of God. He was the Altar according to his Heb. 9. 1 [...] Acts 20, 28 Divine Nature, it belonging to the Heb. 9. 14, & 13, 10, 12, 15 Mat. 2 [...]. [...]7 John 17, 19 Altar to sanctifie that which is offered upon it, and so it ought to be of greater dignity then the sacrifice it self.
XIX.
Concerning his Kingly Office, 1 Cor. 15, 4 1 Pet: 3, 21, 22 Mat. 28, 18, 19, 20 Luk: 24. [...] Acts 1: 1: & 5 30, 31: John 19 36: Rom: [...]4: 9 John 5: 26, 27 Rom: 5: 6, 7, 8 & 14, 17: Gal: 5: 22, 23: Mar: 1: 27. He: 1: 14 John 16, 15 Job 1. 8: Ro: 1 21, 17, [...] Eph: 4, 17, [...]8 2 Pet: 2 1 Cor: 15, [...]4 28: H [...]b 9, 28 2 [...]hess: 1, 9, 10 1 Thess: [...], [...]5 16, 17. Iohn 17. 21, 26 Ephes. 1. 14 Heb 5. 9. Mat. [...]2. 1. Ioh. 17. 6 Heb. 7. 25. 1 Cor 2. 12 Rom. 8. 29. 30 1 Ioh [...]. 12 Iohn 15. 13 Iohn 3 16. Christ being risen from the dead, and ascended into Heaven, and having all power in Heaven and earth, he doth spiritually govern his Church, and doth exercise his power over all Angels and men, good and bad, to the preservation and salvation of the Elect, and to the over-ruling and destruction of his enemies. By this Kingly power, he applyeth the benefits, virtue and fruits of his Prophesie and Priesthood to his Elect, subduing their sins, preserving and strengthening them in all their conflicts against Satan, the World, and the Flesh, keeping their hearts in faith and siliall fear by his Spirit; by this his mighty power he ruleth the vessels of wrath, using, limiting and restraining them as it seems good to his infinite wisedome.
XX.
This his Kingly power shalbe more fully manifested when he shal come in glory to reign among his Saints, when he shal put down al rule & authority under his feet, that the glory of the Father may be [Page 6] perfectly manifested in his Son, and the glory of the Father and the Son in all his Members.
XXI.
Jesus Christ by his death did purchase salvation for the Elect that God gave unto him: These have interest in him, and being called, have fellowship with him, for whom he makes intercession to his Father in their behalf, and to them doth God by his Spirit apply this Redemption, as also the free gift of Eternal life and glory is given to them, and none else.
XXII.
Faith is the a gift of God, wrought in the hearts of the Elect, Eph. 2. 8 Io [...]. 6 9. & 4. 10 Phil [...]. 29 G [...], 5, 22 Iohn [...]7, 17 Heb: 4▪ 11, 12 Iohn 6. 62 by the Spirit of God; by which they come to know and beleeve the truth of the b Scriptures, and the excellency of them above all other writings, and all things in the world, as they hold forth the glory of God in his Attributes, the excellency of Christ in his Nature and Offices, and of the power and fulness of the Spirit in its workings and operations, and so are enabled to cast their souls upon this truth thus beleeved.
XXIII.
All those that have this precious [Faith] wrought in them by Mat 7. 24, 29 John 1 [...], 10 Joh 10, 2 [...], 29 1 Pet, [...]: 4, 5, 6 Isa▪ 49, 13, 14, 15, 16 the Spirit, can never finally nor totally fall away, seeing the gifts of God are without repentance, so that he still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and flouds a [...]se and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock, which by faith they are fastned upon; notwithstanding, through unbeleef and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of this light and love be clouded and overwhe [...]med for a time; yet God is still the same, and they shal be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palms [...]f his hands, and the [...] Names having been written in the Book of life from all eternity.
XXIV.
Faith is ordinarily Rom, 10, 17 1 Cor: [...], 28 begotten by the preaching of the Gospel, or Word of Christ, without respect to Rom 9, 9 any power or agency in the creature; but it being wholly Ezek, 16, 16 Rom, 3, 12 passive, and dead in trespasses and sins, doth beleeve, and is converted by no less Rom, 1, [...]6 Ephes, 1. 19 Col, 2, 12 power then that which raised Christ from the dead.
XXV.
The preaching of the Gospel, to the conversion of sinners, is Joh. 3. 14, 15. & 1, 12 Isa. 55. 1 Joh. 7. 37 absolutely free; no way requiring as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, or terrors of the Law, or preceding Ministry of the Law; but only and alone the naked soul, a 1 Tim. [...]. 15 Rom. 4. 5 & 5. 8. Act. 5. 30, 31. & 2. 36. 1 Cor, 1. 22. 24 sinner and ungodly to receive Christ crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, who is made a Prince and a Saviour for such sinners as through the Gospel shall be brought to beleeve on him.
XXVI.
The same power that converts to faith in Christ, carrieth on the 1 Pet. 1. 5 2 Cor. 12, 9 soul through all duties, temptations, conflicts, sufferings; and whatsoever a Beleever is, he is by 1 Cor. 15. 10 Grace, and is carried on in all obedience, and temptations by the same. c Phil. 2. 12, 13. Joh. 15. 5 Gal. 2. 19, 20
XXVII.
1 Thess. 1: 1 Joh 17: 21 & 20: 17 Heb. 2: 11 1 Ioh. 4: 16 All Beleevers are by Christ, united to God; by which union, God is one with them, and they are one with him; and that all Beleevers are the Gal: 2: 19, 20 Sons of God, and joynt heirs with Christ, to whom belong all the promises of this life, and that which is to come.
XXVIII.
Those that have union with Christ, are justified from 1 Joh: 1: 7 Heb. 10: 14 & 9: 26. 28 or: 5: 19 Rom: 3: 23 Act: 13: 38, 39. Rom: 5: 1 & 3: 29, 30 all their sins by the blood of Christ; which justification is a gracious and full acquittance of a guilty sinner from all sin by God, through the satisfaction that Christ hath made by his death for all their sins, and this is to be applied to the Spirit through beleeving.
XXIX.
All Beleevers are an holy 1 Cor: 11 1 Pet. 2: 9 and sanctified people, and that sanctification is a special fruit of the Eph: 1: 4 1 Joh. 4. 16 Mat: 28 20 new Covenant, and an effect of the c love of God manifested in the soul, whereby the Beleever presseth after an Heavenly and Evangelical obedience to all the Commands, which Christ as Head and King in the new Covenant hath prescribed to them.
XXX.
Al beleevers through the knowledg of 2 Cor. 5: 19 Rom: 5: 9, 10 that justification of life given by the Father, and brought forth by the blood of Christ, have as their great priviledge of that new Isa: 54: 10: & 26: 12 Covenant, peace with God, and reconciliation, whereby they that were afar off are made nigh by Eph. 2. 13, 14 that blood, and have Eph. 4. 7 peace passing all understanding; yea, joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by [Page 8] whom we have received the attonement. Ro. 5. 10. 11
XXXI.
All believers in the time of this life, are in a continuall Rom. 7. 23, 24. Ephes 6. 10, 11, 12, 13 warfare and combat against sin, self, the world, and the Devill, and are liable to all manner of afflictions, Heb. 2. 9, 10 2 Tim. 3. 12 tribulations, and persecutions, being Rom. 8. 29 1 Thess. 3: 3 Gal: 2: 19, 20 2 Cor: 5: 7 Deut. 2. 5 predestinated and appointed thereunto, and whatsoever the Saints possesse or enjoy of God spiritually, is by faith; and outward and temporall things are lawfully enjoyed by a Civill right, by them who have 2 Tim. 4. 18 no faith.
XXXII.
The only strength by which the Saints are enabled to encounter with all oppositions and Joh 16; 33 tryals, is Joh. 15. 5 Phil. 4. 11 only by Jesus Christ, who is the Captain of their salvation, being made perfect through Heb. 2: 9, 10 sufferings, who hath engaged his faithfulnesse and strength to assist them in all their afflictions, and to uphold them in all their temptations, and to preserve them by his power, to his everlasting Kingdom, and glory.
XXXIII.
a Mat. 11. 11 2 Thess. 1. 15 & 1 Cor. 1. 2 Eph. 1. 1 Jesus Christ hath here on earth a spirituall Kingdom, which is his Church, whom he hath purchased and redeemed to himself as a peculiar inheritance, which Church is a company of visible Saints, Rom: 1: 7 Act. 19. 8, 9. and 26. 18. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev 18. 4. called and separated from the world, by the Word and Acts 2. 37. with 10. 37. Spirit of God, to the visible profession of the faith of the Gospel, Rom: 10, 10. Mat: 18: 19, 20 Act. 2. 42. being baptized into that faith, and joyned to the Lord, and each to other by mutuall consent in the Act: 9: 26. 1. Pet. 2. 5. practicall enjoyment of the Ordinances, commanded by Christ their Head and King.
XXXIV.
To this Church he Mat. 28. 18 19, 20. hath made his promises, and given the signs of his Covenant, 1 Cor. 11. 24 and 3. 21. 2 Cor. 6. 18. Rom. 9. 4. 5 Psal. 133. 3 presence, acceptation, love, c blessing, and Ro. 3. 7. 10 protection. Here are the fountains and springs of his heavenly graces Ezek. 47. 2. flowing forth to refresh and strengthen them.
XXXV.
And all his servants, of all estates (are to acknowledge him Act 2. 41, 47 [...]4. 3. 1 Co. 12. 6, 7, 12, 18 Ez. 20. 40. 37 to be their Prophet, Priest, and King;) and called thither to be enrolled among his houshold servants, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring their gifts God hath given them, to be under his heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in this walled sheepfold, and watered Cant. 4. 12. Garden, to have communion [Page 9] here with his Saints, that they may be assured that they are made Eph. 2. 19. R [...]m 12. 4, 5 6. Col. 1. 12. and [...]. 5, 6. [...]9 meet to be partakers of their Acts 20. 32. inheritance in the Kingdom of God; and to supply each others wants, inward and outward; (and although each person hath a Acts 5 4. propriety in his own estate, yet they are to supply each others wants, according as their Acts 2 44. 45. and 4 34, 35 necessity shal require, that the name of Jesus Luke 14 26. 1 Tim. 6. 1. Christ may not be blasphemed through the necessity [...]f any in the Church) and also being come, they are here by himself to be bestowed in their several order, due place, peculiar use, being fitly compact and knit together Ephes. 4. 16 according to the effectuall working of every part, to the edifying of it self in love.
XXXVI.
Being thus joyned, every Church Acts 1. 23. 26 & 6 3. with [...]5 22, 25. hath power given them from Christ, for their wel▪ being, to chuse amongst themselvs meet persons for Rom. 12. 7. 8. Elders and Deacons, being qualified according to the Word, 1 Tim. 3. 2 6, 7 8. 1 Cor. 12. 8. 28. [...]e 1 [...]. 7. [...]7 1 Pet. 5 1, 2, 3. as those which Christ hath appointed in his Testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of his Church. and that none have any power to 1 Pet 4 5. H [...]b 5. [...]. Iohn [...]0. 3. 4 Acts 20, 28▪ 29. Rom. 12. 7. 8. Heb. 13. 7. 17. 1 Pet 5. 1, 2, 3. impose on them either these or any other.
XXXVII.
That the Ministers lawfully called as aforesaid, ought to continue in their calling and place, according to Gods Ordinance, and carefully to feed the flock of God committed to them, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready minde.
XXXVIII.
Baptisme is an Ordinance of the Mat. [...]8 18. 19. Iohn 4 1. Mark 16. [...]5▪ 16 Acts 2. 37, 38 and 8 36, 37 38. and [...]8. new Testament, given by Christ, to be dispensed upon persons professing faith, or that are made Disciples; who upon profession of faith, and desiring of it, ought to be baptized, and after to partake▪ of the Lords Supper.
XXXIX.
That the way and manner of the Mat. 36. 16. Mark▪ [...]5 9 reads [into Jor [...]an] in Gre [...]k, John 3 23 Acts 8 38 dispensing this ordinance, is dipping or plunging the body under water, it being a sign, must answer the thing s [...]ified, which is, that interest the Saints have in the Rom 6. 3, 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 15. 28, 29. The word Baptiso, sign [...]fies to dip, or plunge ( [...]et so as convenient Garments be both upon the Administrator and subject with all modesty) which is also our practice, as many eye. witnesses can testifie. death, buriall, and resurrection of Christ: And that as certainly as the body is bu [...]ied under w [...]ter, & risen again, so certainly shal the bodies of the Saints be raised by the power of Christ b Rev 1. 5 & 7 14. w [...]th H [...]b. 10. 22. in the day of the resurrection to reign with CHRIST.
XL.
The person designed by Christ to dispense Baptism, the Scripture holds forth to be a Disciple; it being no where tied to a particular Church-Officer, or person extraordinarily sent, the Commission enjoyning the administration, being given to them as considered Disciples, being men able to preach the Gospel.
XLI.
Christ hath likewise given power to his Church to receive in, and cast out, any Member th [...]t deserves it, and this power is given to every Congregation, and not to one particular person, either member or officer, but in relation to the whole body, in reference to their faith and fellowship.
XLII.
And every particular Member of each Church, how excellent, great or learned soever, is subject to this censure and judgement; and that the Church ought not without great care and tenderness, and due advice, but by the rule of faith and truth, to proceed against her Members.
XLIII.
Christ for the keeping of this Church in holy and orderly communion, placeth some special men over the Church, who by their office are to govern, oversee, visite, watch, so likewise for the better keeping thereof, in all places by the Members, he hath given authority and laid duty upon all to watch over one another.
XLIV.
Also such to whom God hath given gifts in the Church, may and ought to prophesie according to the proportion of faith & so to teach publickly the Word of God, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church.
XLV.
Thus being rightly gathered, & continuing in the obedience of the Gospel of Christ. None are to separate for faults and corruptions (for as long as the Church consists of men subject to failings, there wil be difference in the true constituted Church) until they have in due order, and tenderness sought redress thereof.
XLVI.
And although the particular Congregations be distinct and severall 1 Cor. 4. 17 & 14. 33. 6. & 16. 1. bodies, every one as a compact and knit Ps. 122. 3. Eph [...]. 1 [...]. 19. with Re. 2 [...] City within it self; yet are they all to walk by 1. Tim. 3. 15. one rule of truth; So also they (by all means convenient) are to have the counsel and help, [Page 11] Act [...]5. 2, 3 Cant. 8. 1. 4. 13, 1 [...] one of another, if necessity require it, as members of one body, in the common faith, under Christ their head.
XLVII.
A Civil Rom: 13: 1, 2, 3, 5 1 Pet 2: 13, 1 [...] 1 Tim: 2. 1, 2, 3 Mag [...]stracy is an Ordina [...]ce of God, set up by him for the pun [...]shment [...]f [...]vil doe [...]s, and for the praise of them that do well; and that [...]n a [...]l lawfu [...] things, [...] manded by them, subjection ought to be given by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conicience sake; and that we are to make supplications, and prayers for Kings, and all that are in Authority, that under them we may live a qu [...]t and peaceable life, in all godliness & honesty.
XLVIII.
That we have great cause to bless God, and to be thankful for the peace and liberty we en [...]oy in the service of our God under the present Government; b [...]t if the Mag [...]strate should not favour us herein, Acts 2: 40, 41. & 4 19 & 5: 28, 29, 41. & 20: 23 1 Thess. 3: 3 Phil. [...]. 28, 29 Dan: 3: 16, 17 & 6, 7, 10. 22 23 yet we dare not suspend our practise; because we beleeve we ought to go on in obedience to Christ, in professing the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints, which [...]a [...]th is declared in the holy Scriptures, & this ou [...] Confession of Faith a part of them, and that we are to witness to the truth of the old and new Testament unto the death, if necessity require, in the midst of all trials and afflictions, as his Sai [...]ts of old have do [...]e; not accounting our goods, lands, wives, children, fa [...]hers, mothers, brethren, sisters; yea, and our own lives dear u [...]to us, so we may finish our course with joy, remembring alwaies that we ought to 1 Tim. 6: 13 14, 15 Rom: 12: 1 8 1 Cor: 14: 37 obey God rather then men, who will when we have fi [...]shed ou [...] course, and kept the faith, give us Rev▪ 2: 20 the crown of righteousness; to 2 Tim: 4: 6, 7 8. Rom: 14 10▪ 12. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Ps. 49. 7. Ps. 50: 22 Act: 8: 38. & 10: 1, 2. 35: 44. Rom: 16 23. Deut: 6: 13. Rom: 1. 9 2 Cor. 10, 11. Ier. 4. 2. Heb. 6: 16. 1 Thes. 4: 6. Rom. 13. 5, 6, [...]. Mat. 22. 21. Tit. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 15, 17. & 5: 5 Eph. 5. 21, 23 & 6. 1, 9 Tit. 3. 1, 2, 3 whom we must give an account of all our actions, and no man being able to discharge us of the same.
XLIX.
It is lawful for a Christian to be a Magistrate or Civil Officer; and also it is lawful to take an Oath, so it be in truth, in judgement, and in righteousness, for confirmation of truth, and ending of all strife; and that by rash and vain oaths the Lord is provoked, and this Land mourns.
L.
We are to give unto all men whatsoever is their due, as their place, age, estate requires; and that we do defraud no man of any thing, but do unto all men as we would they should do unto us.
1. There shall be a Act. 24. 15. 2 Cor. 3. 10. resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and every one shall give an account of himself to God, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
The Conclusion.
THus we desire to give unto Christ that which is his, and unto all lawful Authority that which is their [...]ue, and to owe nothing to any man but love, to live quietly and peaceably as it becometh Saints, endeavoring in all things to keep a good conscience, and to do unto every man (of what judgment soever) as we would they should do unto us; that as our practise is, so it may prove us to be a conscionable, quiet, and armless People, no wayes dangerous or troublesom to humane society, and to labour and work with our hands, that we may not be chargeable to any, but to give to him t [...] at needeth, both friends and enemies; accounting i [...] mere excellent to give then to receive. Also we confess that we k [...]ow but in part, and we are ignorant of many things, which we desire and seek to know, and if any shall do us that friendly part to shew us from the Word of God that w [...] see [...]et, we shall have cause to be thankful to God and them. But if any man shall impose upon us any [...]hing, that we see not commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we should in his strength rather embrace all reproaches and tortures of men, to be strip [...] [...]f all outward [...]m arts, and if it were possible, to die a thousand [...]ea [...]hs, [...]ather then to do any thing against the least tittle of the truth of God, or against the light of our own consciences. And if any shall call what we have sai [...] Heresie, then do we with the Apostle ack [...]wle [...]ge, That after the way they call Heresi [...], worship we the God o [...] our fathers, disclaiming all Heresies (rightly so called) becau [...]e they are against Christ, and to be stedfast and immovable, alwa [...]es [...]bounding in obedience to Christ, as knowing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.
Arise, O God, plead thine own ca [...]se; Remember how the foolish man blasphemeth thee daily.
O let not the oppressed ret [...]rn ashamed, but let the poor and needy praise thy Name.
Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
To all the Churches of God sanctified in CHRIST JESUS, called to be Saints, with all that in every place profess the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
HAving these many years, through the grace and free mercy of our God, been kept in the profession of the Name of Christ, contained in the Holy Scriptures of the Prophets, and Apostles; and finding the exceeding benefite and comfort of walking with God in some measure suitable to what he hath made known unto us; and well knowing that we are called to live in the last Ages of the world, where [...] iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxeth cold; as likewise considering those peculiar times spoken of, in the second of Tim. 3. 1, &c. are come upon us, wherein men who sometimes have made large profession of God and godlinesse, are turned aside to commit all manner of uncleannesse with greedinesse, having turned the grace of our Lord Jesus into lasciviousnesse, calling darknesse light, and light darknesse, by means of whom the way of truth is evill spoken of; and many poor souls through temptations ready to quite their professions, and to be taken with their snares; we thought it our duty to declare our utter dislike, abhorring and detestting of all such evill persons, and wayes, who shall under an [...] pretence whatsoever plead for, or practise any way of ungodlinesse.
And having been through the goodnesse of our God, enabled to discern the secret and subtill designes, and snares of Satan, which he hath laid to entrap poor souls in, by carrying them from step [Page 14] to step, untill they have been wholly captivated in his snares, and fitted by him to do him service.
We could do no lesse then according to that measure of light we have received from the Lord, to discover his Wiles, and Stratagems, and to Caution all that profess the fear of the Lord, to watch over their own hearts, and wayes, and take heed least they fall [...]nto the same condemnation.
For this we have found, that that way which God in his infinite wisdome, taketh to bring souls unto himself by, viz. the presenting unto men his great love, in giving Jesus CHRIST to suffer death, and his great salvation to all that believe on his Name, Satan that old Serpent through his instruments under the specious pretence of beating men off from all false rests, endeavours with all his strength to oppose and make void; perswading the sons and daughters of men, that what is declared concerning the death of Christ at Jerusalem, and his bearing our iniquitie [...] in his own Body upon the Cross, is but a meer hysto [...]y and shadow, that the Scriptures are but a Letter, and the Ordinances of God but fleshly forms, thereby labouring to beget in the peoples minds, a contempt, and slight esteem of Christ, his Word, and Ordinances; and that he might cheat them to purpose, tels them of a God within, and a Christ within, and a Word within: And that God and Christ and they are one, w [...]thout any true distinct knowledge of the true meaning of that which is expressed; whereby poor souls with great and swelling words of vanity, triumph in a great mystery of meer nothing but emptinesse, and confusion, speaking things whereof they know not; and many poor souls knowing such expressions to be Scripture Phrases, do greedily embrace them, without a true, distinct, and clear understanding the sense of what is spoken, having the persons of those who speak such language in great admiration, as the chief, tender, charitable, knowing, high and spirituall Christians; whereas indeed although the words spoken by them, are many of them true in themselves (without which Satan could not so effectually deceive) as that God and Christ, and the Spirit dwell in us, and that God and Christ, and the Saints are one; Yet are we to understand this union to be onely in a way of relation through participation of the same spirit, and this dwelling to be only in respect of grace, and powerfull operation and influence, [Page 15] working in the hearts of believe [...]s, recording to the tenor of the New Covenant, in making men holy and humble, purifying their hearts, causing them to walk in all good con [...]c [...]ence towards God and man, all which by them is trampled under foot, and another kinde of union, and indwelling driven at in their discou [...]ses, which although cover [...]ly expressed, untill by craft and subtilty, they have prepared the hearts of simple and unstable souls, to receive whatsoever they shall suggest into them; yet then is openly discovered, being indeed the root of all bitterness, and desperate prophaneness, and blasphemy, that can be imagined in the world: for from thence they conclud [...], that themselves are God and Christ, and what God is they are, and what they are God is; for say they, there is no Spirit but one, and so deny any created Angel or spirit, holding upon the same account the living soul in man to be uncreated, and so consequently to be God himself, and not created by God. Now this being the ground-work of their delusion, the building is answerable.
For first, Concluding the reasonable soul to be God.
Secondly, They affirm that this soul being cloathed with their humane bodies, or flesh, is Christ, or God, or God in flesh, hereupon they imagine that Jesus Christ spoken of in the Gospel, as being born of the Virgin Mary, accused by the Jews, delivered by Pilate to be crucified, dying at Jerusalem upon the Crosse, rising the third day, and ascending into heaven; is only to be understood parabolically or figuratively, speaking of one thing, and [...]ntending another; pointing at, and prefiguring a work onely within us, conceiving the Virgin Mary, the Je [...]s, Pila [...]e, Jerusalem, the Crosse, Christ rising and ascending, spoken of in the Scriptures, to be al [...] within them, and no such thing substantially, or in truth without.
As they conclude all things spoken of Christ to be but in a ty [...]ical, or figurative manner, intending and typifying out this God within, or God incarnate in their flesh, still meaning their reasonable souls, conceiving this to be the substance of all those shadows; so also upon this ground they are forced to conclude the wh [...]le new Testament, with all the Doctrines, Laws, Rules, and Administrations of the same, to be but a shadow or figure, holding forth a substance within. As for instance, Moses and Aaron, being but figures of the substantiall Saviour, and Priest to come, so the administrations▪ [Page 16] of Moses as Mosaicall, were but fleshly and carnal administrations to be abolished when the substance was come, they being onely shadows of good things to come; in like manner do they understand Christ in his person, to be but a shadow of Christ within, and all his heavenly and spirituall Gospel to be but a Letter and carnall historie put to an end and abolished, when they once come to apprehend that the substance of all is within. They comming also to believe that the soul is God. do thence infer that they are perfect, and that they are in as happy estate as can be, and for this they urge, 1 Cor. 15. 24. to the 28. to shew when the Kingdome is delivered up to the Father, all his people come to a more immediate enjoyment of God the Father, and then Christ ceaseth his Mediatorship, and consequently, all his New-Testament ceaseth: Now they conclude, that all this is accomplished when they come to discern there is but one Spirit, and their soul that spirit, which is God, and then they are in the possession of all things.
And seeing that the Scripture declares that before our full possession of God and glory, there must be a temporall Death, and Resurrection of the Body, and eternall judgement, they upon the former grounds, judging themselves already glorified, doe understand this death of the body in all such Scriptures mystically, and that the resurrection and eternall judgement, are passed already in the soul, as Hymeneus and Philetus did, 2 Tim. 2. 18. compared with 1 Tim. 1. 19. Thence also they conclude, that faith and Justification by Christ, together with all the Ordinances of Christ are abolished, as fleshly forms, like unto Christ that appointed them, above and without all which, they triumphantly (in their own fancies) live when they once have attained this super-eminent life (as they speak) of being in the full fruition of God, comprehending that infinite Being (which they blasphemously affirm themselves to do) intruding themselves into things they are altogether ignorant of: Hereupon is it that they, as Peter saith, scoff at any second comming of Christ, 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4. and mock at the holy Scriptures, those heavenly Oracles of God, denying them to be the Word of God, or that Law by which they ought to conform their lives, conceiving and uttering that there is no Law nor Rule, but what is in man, his Light being his onely Law, that is to say, what ever that spirit that dwels within (which they call God within) dictates to [Page 17] them, that ought to be done by them, strengthening themselves with this opinion, That there is no sin but what contradicts a mans own light, (which is a mans onely law) and sin is only sin to him that thinks it so, and that there is no hell but that torment that men sustain through cros [...]ing their own light (which God k [...]owes is nothing but thick da [...]k [...]esse) from these principles the desperatly wicked and deceitfull hearts of men fortified in their sins, having now their conscience seared w [...]th an hut iron, accompt it their onely misery and hell, that they are troubled at any thing, be it never so abominable: thus casting off all trouble and remorse for sin, they follow the Law of their own minde, (as they needs must, conceiving their own souls to be the onely Eternall GOD) and whatsoever their evill hearts are naturally inclined to, whether Drunkennesse, Cursing, Swearing, or Whoredome, (although for a time their principles do not put such horrid impieties in execution) yet at length being violently hurried on through the assistance of the strong impulsions, and restlesse suggestions and instigations of the devil, (the judgments of God being also hei [...]htened upon them) they now commit the same with greedinesse, and that with such a high hand, as they accompt it their perfection, and the highest pitch of th [...]ir glory, to give up themselves to such abominations, pleading for them, ashrming that they have made a League and Covenant with sin, death, and hell, and have communion with God in all these, seeing all these, and what ever evils can be imagined, reconciled to God, and so good, accompting all their actions for good, being acted by their own spirits, which (as they think) are God, saying that God (but t [...]uly not God, but their own accursed spirits) willed that they should cur [...]e and swear, and be drunk, and fill themselves with all [...]ncleannesse, which they esteem to be perfect righteousnesse, calling that holiness and righteousness, which consists in a spotless conformity to the Laws of Christ revealed in the Scripture, which cur [...]s the insolency of the flesh, and the lusts of the [...]eart, a plaguy & nasty holiness, that must be destroyed: so that those amongst them, that can with the greatest impuden [...]y, without the least check or controll of conscience, commit the most horrid abominations, (which we tremble to think of) they are the most perfect, and the most swallowed up in the will of God; To justifie these their abominations, they say, the Angels of God sware with glory and Ma [...]esty, [Page 18] which Angels are God in them, (for all [...]reated Angels they deny) who therefore may swear as they wi [...]l, and that with glory and Majesty; Yea, so great is their thraldom and cap [...]iv [...]ty, that now the Prince of the power of the air, that [...] in the hearts of these children of disobedience, hath so far the mastery and dominion over them, as that they are ready, not [...]ne [...]y to fight against GOD himself in his spirituall Ordinances, but against C [...]oil Societies, violating the Bonds of Marria e, and Lawes of Families, aga [...]nst the very principles and li [...]ht of nature, which common justice remaining amongst the Heathens) wo [...]ld soon adjudge to merit severe punishment: and certainly those that shalt thus transgresse all Civill bonds, do not o [...]ely ly lyable to the just and fearfull judgment of God, but jus [...]ly incur the punishment of the Rulers [...]f this World.
Having thus laid open some of the principles and evill practices of these men, even that root of bitternesse, from which such their sinfull branches grow; by which every one whose eyes are opened, may discern what a fearfull thing it is to leave the Holy Word of God, and give heed to the motions of a deceitfull hea [...]t, and to the dictates of a lying spirit: we shall now endeavour briefly to make man [...]fest the sandinesse and dangerousnesse of the foundation whereupon t [...]ese things are built; which we shall essay to do by proving, That the soul of man is not God, but a creature, created and made by God: which will appear both by Scripture and reason, if you consider.
1. That God is incomprehensible, the Heaven of Heavens canno [...] contain him, but the soul of man is comprehended and contained in the body.
2. God is Almighty, but the soul of man is not: what ever God will, that he can do; but man desires many things, and hath not power to accomplish them.
3. God knoweth himself, and all things, the secrets of all hearts, things past, present, and to come; but alas! the soul of man knows not the Being of it self, nor of the least creature, he knowes not what is done in another house next to him.
4. The soul is made and created, 1. Cor. 15. The first Adam was made a living soul, Jer. 38. 16. Isa [...]. 47. 16. It is written, As the Lord [Page 19] liveth that made us this soul, now to be made and created, argues a begining; but God is without begining, therefore the soul cannot be God.
5. God is the God of the spirits of all flesh, Num. 16. 22. there is a spirit in the body, of which God is the F [...]ther, Heb. 12. 9. which God forms within man, Zech. 12. 1. with which spirit the Spirit of God bears witne [...]s, Rom. 8. 16. wh [...]ch plainly proves our spirit or soul to be a creature: the truth of which further appears in that God can destroy the soul, or east it into hell fire, Mat. 10. 28. in that the soul may be converted, Psa. 19. 7. in that it stands in need of deliverance and redemption, Psal. 13. 19. 34. 22. 49 8. But now God cannot be destroyed, neither needs he any redemption at all. By this is it clear that mans soul is not God; and if not his soul, much less is his body, that is subject to such variety of distempers; and so neither body nor soul. Ol [...] therefore, what a horrid thing is it, for men to affirm, they are God, that made and created all things, that governs the World, and the like, and to father all their abominations upon the Lord, thinking him to be altogether such a one as themselves are [...] From hence we may safely conclude:
1. That if the spirit be created by God, and is united to the body, then those actions that are done by the body, are the actions of the man. Oh! how some men fighting against the light, cry out, that it is God in man only that acts, that shall be saved, and the like, whereas it is evident that it is the man that acts, either good things, viz. the man that beleeveth, prayeth, conformeth, and is blessed of God, or it is the man that sins and walks in disobedience, which man is the subject of destruction.
2. That if the spirit be created by God, it must be subject to the will and Law of the Creator: things created are for the praise of the Creator. We are made by God to shew forth his praise, and by our obedience to declare our selves to be his Children, we are not left at liberty to run from God: This was that that involved A [...]am at [...]st in misery, and still keeps his Off-spring in sorrow and confusion.
3. That sin is the defection, variation from, o [...] the transgression of the Law of our Creator, and not of our own willswhen we do the things God forbids, or leave undone the things commanded, we sin against God the Lord, the Creator of soul and body.
From the not right understanding of the creatures subjection, and [Page 20] relation unto God, flow also those vain allegorizings of those texts of Scripture that speak of Christ himself. For if we search the Scripture we shall see clearly, that Christ Jesus was not a figure or shadow of a substance to be e [...]joyed now or hereafter (as these men dream) but the true subst [...]ntial good it self, the tr [...]e Mediator God and man, the substance of a [...]l figures, and sh [...]dows under the Law, which was a Schoolmaster unto Christ, Gal. 3. 24 The Apostle tels u [...], The Aaministrations under the Law, were a shadow of good things to come, the body or substance whereof was Christ, or wa [...] in Christ; now it is against common sense & reason, that one shadow should tipe out another, and that as carnall and fleshly as it self, but the contrary hereof is most certain, for Moses and Joshua being tipicall Saviours, redeeming the spirituall Israel out of Egypt into earthly Canaan, must needs hold out a substantiall Saviour, that most effectually shall redeem the Spirituall Israel, for saith the Apostle, He is able to save to the utter most all that come to God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb. 7. 5. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Begi [...]ning and the ending, the first & the last, Rev. 1. 18. who said to John, Fear not, for I was dead, & am alive for evermore, Amen: and I have the keys of Hel and of Death. This Jesus is not only true man, as touching flesh, but also God over all, blessed for ever, or the most high God, Rom. 9. 5. John the Baptist test fying of Christ, Joh. 3. 31. saith He that commeth from above is above all, and this is true of Christ as touching his Godhead, who also is truly man, soul and body, consisting of a humane soul, and fleshly body, and that after his resurrection, as appe [...]rs Luk 24. 39. In reference to the Conjunction of both humane and divine nature, he saith, I lay down my life, and I tak [...] it up again: As man he died, as God he raised himself from the dead; now that a [...]y should be so vile and wretched as to count the everblessed Lord, who is the most high and blessed Saviour, a fleshly form and shadow, because according to the infin [...] wisedome and love of God, he assumed mans nature, that he might thereby become a more fi [...] & suitable Saviour unto them; we are wounded in our souls to think thereof and tremble to think what ha [...]dness of heart, ingratitude and blindness of minde, such souls are given up to; and though they may talke of being above the dispensation of Christ, the Kingdom being in them resigned up to the Father, they say they know not what; for before the office of Christs mediatorship ceases, and the Kingdom be resigned to the Father, the Scripture [Page 21] expresly tels us, all enemies must be subdued under his feet, Psal. 110. 1. Psal. 8. 6. 1 Cor. 15. 24, 25. Heb. 2. 6, 7. which is not yet effected, for Christs enemies, viz. the Devil, Sin, Babylon, Antichrist, the oppostie oppressing civill powers of the world, death, and the grave, and the rule and authority they bear rule with, are not yet wholly by Christ put down, therefore the Office of his Mediatorship still stand in force; Hence we may safely conclude.
[...]irst, That if Christ be a substantiall Mediotor, truly spirituall, his Gospel then, which he and his Apostles hath declared, is not a bare outward Re [...]ation, History, or carnall Letter, but a spiritual and substantial Truth and Mystery, containing the whole Minde, Will, and Law of God, for us and all Saints to believe and practise throughout all Ages.
Secondly, It must needs be as durable as the Mediator is, for the Law of Christs Priesthood is as durable as the Priesthood it self, the Law depending upon the Priesthood; for the change of the Priesthood and Law goes together, and so the Priesthood of old being changed, the Law then, and not till then was changed also, Heb. 7. 18. So when Christs Priesthood is changed, then the Law of that Priesthood, and not till then shall be changed also.
Thirdly, It must also be g [...]a [...]ted, That the Scriptures which do declare this great mystery of Jesus Christ and his Gospel, be the holy Scriptures, and the infallible Word of God, for it could never have entered into the heart of man to have known or manif [...]sted those hidden mysteries, had not God himself by his own Word revealed them from Heaven; now the Scriptures are Gods Word, declaring his minde, making known his Counsel, being able to make the people of God wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus, being given by the inspiration of God, and are profitable for Doctrin, for R [...]pro [...]f, for correction, for Instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly fur [...]sshed unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3. 15, 16. and therefore not to be slighted and undervalued, as a dead Letter, a bare History, a carnal empty Story. Therefore dear [...]y beloved brethren, we beg and intreat you, and every one that loves his soul, to fear & tremble at the thoughts of slighting and despising Christ and his Gospel, or any one of his laws, or holy commandments revealed in his word, for know, that God will set his son upon his holy Hill of Sion, Psal. 2. 8. and will call all his enemies that will not have him to reign over them, [Page 22] and slay them before him. He is to be received to rule over us as King, as well as to be an oblation for sin; as he is a Priest and Sacrifice, so also a Prophet and a King, to teach and govern his People, being the author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him. Therefore that man that departeth from the way of subjection to Christ in his holy Commandments and Ordinances, refuseth Christ to be his Lord and King, and judges himself unworthy of eternal life; Wherefore we in tender compassion to your souls, and zeal for the glory of God, do beseech and exhort you, That you still keep the holy Commandments, as they were d [...]livered unto you; that you do shew the same diligence to the end (for he that endueth to the end shall be saved) that ye stand fast, and earnestly contend for the Faith o [...]e del [...]vered to the Saints, that no man ta [...]e your crown from you, a [...]d that you take heed that ye be not led aside with the workers of [...]quity. Oh! let none of us dally with the wayes of God, lest we be given up to the error of the wicked, even to those horr [...]ble delus [...]ons before mentioned, for God is a just and holy God. Oh that God would give his People this w [...]sdom in all Nations, to keep his holy Commandments, for holin [...]ss becomes his house for ever. Oh that Gods severity might prevaile with all that profess his Name, to search their own hearts, lest not rece [...]ving the truth in the love thereof, they be given up to strong delusions, to beleeve a lye; lest they making sin their work and pleasure, God make cond [...]mnation to be their wages, and disannulling their league with hell and death, he pull them down from the top of their vanity, whither they have above the heights of the clouds exalted themselves, and laugh at their destruction, and mock when their fear coms.
Obj. But many may be ready to object, That those who have faln into such desperat abominations, were sometimes Members of our Congregations, and from thence are apt to contemn our Profession, and question whether our way be of God or no, saying, You see what your judgment leads to.
Sol. In answer to this we say,
1. That it is a great mistake to judge that those persons were all of our Societies, for this we can clearly evince, That mary, if not most of them were never Members with us.
2. Suppose they had been all of us (which yet is not so) yet we say, That none may thence reasonably condemn our Profession, nor our selves scruple it, as not of God; which we doubt not, but they will confess, if they consider:
1. That from the undeniable truths of God, and from the Churches gathered immdiately by the holy Apostles themselves (which by all are granted to be the purest) many Professors have gone astray, and faln into great condemnation: Hymeneus and Alexander made shipwrack of Faith and of a good Conscience, 1 Tim. 1. 19 affirming (as many of these in our dayes do) that the Resurrection was past already, destroying the faith of some, 2 Tim. 2. 18. several in Corinth denying any resurrection at all, 1 Cor. 15. 12. others falling into very great abominations; Jude tels us, v. 4. That there were certain men crept in unawars, before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. To add one instance more for all ( John saith) Little children it is the last time, and as you have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, wherby we know that it is the last time; they went out from us, but they were not of us, Joh. 2. 18, 19.
2. The Spirit of God forseeing such things should be, that we might not be stumbled when they come to passe, hath expresly foretold them; As to the Elders of Ephesus, Act. 20. 28, 29, 30. saith Paul by the Spirit, Take heed to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood; for I know this, that after my departing shall grievons wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock: Also, of your selves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them; so also by the Apostle Peter, 2 Pet. 2. 1, 2, &c. There shal be (saith he) false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction, and many shall follow their pernicious or lascivions wayes, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Jude excites the Saints to remember the words of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus, how they foretold there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts, separating themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit, vers. 17, 18, 19. And from whom shall they separate, but from the true Churches of Jesus Christ, professing the faith of Christ, and being paptized in his Name (the Scripture no where approving any other Churches that we read of) Paul also tels Timothy, the time would come (and surely those prophesits are now fulfilled) when they would not endure sound doctrine, but after their own [Page 24] lusts, heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, that should turn away their ears from the truth, giving heed unto fables.
3. God in his wisdome permits these things, that those which are approved, may be made manifest, and those that seem to be what they are not, may be discovered; for Hypocrites have and will be creeping into the Church. (and that no marvell, for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light) but because they receive not the truth in the love thereof, God sends them strong delusions, that they should believe a lye, that they all may be damned, who believe not the truth, but have pleasure in unrighteousnesse, 2. Thess. 2. 10, 11, 12 &c. 1 Job. 2. 18. 19.
4. We cannot wonder, that those who draw near to God in the visible profession of his Name, being destitute of the power of godlinesse, do thus fall away: for God wil be sanctified in them that draw nigh to him, either in making them conformable to his Will to the praise of his grace, or else in discovering their falshood, hypocrisie and madness, making them dreadful examples of his wonderfull severity, to the glory of his justice. Nadab and Abihu, for offering strange fire, which the Lord commanded not, were destroyed by fire from Heaven, Lev. 10. 1, 2, 3. The Lord himself proclaims from Heaven, that his ways are righteous, and the just shal walk in them, but transgressors shall fall therein, Hos. 14. ult. The narrow path of the Saints righteous walk, suits not with the licentious principles and interests of carnall men; and though sinners may be in Sion for a time, yet fear surprises them, and by reason of the purity and brightnes of the ways of God, they cannot abide therein, but cast Christs yoke from their necks, because it will not be subservient to their own lusts. A remarkable example of Gods severity against those that sometimes professed the truth, whose hearts were not right before God, we may see in Judas, and in Ananias and Sapphira, who for lying against the Holy Ghost, were suddenly destroyed, to the great fear of all the Church of Christ. As in Nature, the corruption of the best things is the greatest corruption, so the greater profession men make of the truth, when once they be corrupted, they fall into the grossest abominations. The truth is, this is no ground to suspect our profession, because some fall from it: for who is it that sins the unpardonable sin, but one that professed the truth of the Gospel, Joh. 1. 5, 6. Who are those that are twice dead, plucked up by the roots? except those that by profession were formerly alive in the truth.
Fifthly, and lastly, We do acknowledg, though some eminent Professors of the same truth with us have faln foully (which hath been the occasion of much grief to us) yet it hath been hitherto, and we hope ever shall be our care (as they have been by the righteous judgment of God discovered) according to our duty to put them from amongst us, endeavouring to preserve our selves from all iniquity, and not to have fellowship with the unprofitable works of darkness, but rather to reprove them. We conclude this, s [...]ying of them that are gone from us, and faln into such notorious wickednesse▪ as John saith, They went from us, because they were not of us; for if they had been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us, but they went out from us, that they might be manifest not to be of us.
If any shall judge what we have here declared doth savour of uncharitablenesse, rigidnesse, censoriousuesse and bitternesse of spirit to them that dissent from us, we desire all such seriously to take notice, that true love and charity is not the soothing of any in their sins, the healing of wounds slightly, the crying peace, peace, when sudden dest [...]uction is at hand; it is not the daubing with untempered morter, but it is a true love to the Truth, and to all for the Truths sake, consisting in plainnesse and simplicity, engaging us to endeavor the restoring of them that are faln, to pull them as brands out of the fi [...]e, to contend for the faith once delivered to the Saints, to note such persons that walk disorderly, to endeavour the preserving of them that are sound in the faith.
While some men cry out against us for uncharitableness, in crying down sin and sinfull practices, O how uncharitable in truth are they, that can suffer GOD to be dishonoured, his Son to be vilified, his Truth trampled under foot, his Ordinances fleighted, and their own and thousands of poor souls in danger of being utterly seduced, to their own destruction, and yet have not a heart to relent for such practices, nor a tongue to plead against them, whereby others might be fore warned of their swift approaching danger; our consciences bear witnes, that the honor of God, the love of his Truth, zeal for his Name, and if possible, the saving of souls from death, hath been the prevailing argument with us, thus to expresse our selves; beseeching the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, that by the same power which raised him from the dead, he would make this instrumentall to confirm those who yet abide in the Truth, to restore all the simple in heart, who are ready to turn aside from the voice of the true Shepherd, and to follow strangers, and the cunning sleights and devices [Page 26] of the Destroyer▪ that walks up and down as a roaring Lyon, seeking whom he may devour, who hath cast down many wounded, and st [...]n many strong men: And that it may also to all men more fully discover the desperate folly and madness of those who triumph in their pro [...]d imaginations against the Truth and Scepter of the Lord Jesus, that all may clearly see their house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death, least they (poor souls) through feigned speeches, being enticed to yeeld, and forced through the flattering of their lips, should go after them stra [...]ght way, As an Ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till a dar [...] strike thorow their liver, hasting as birds to the snare, not knowing that it is for their life; and we by uncharitable silence would become guilty of their bloud. Now brethren, we commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to bu [...]ld you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified, praying that you may stand upon your watch, cloathed with the whole armour of God, and that you may be kept blameless, living by faith, untill the coming of our Lord and [...]aviour Jesus Christ, not casting away your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward: For yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come, and w [...]ll not [...]arry. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Amen.