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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
duty_n	day_n	time_n	work_n	2,608	5	5.7529	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A35959	Truths victory over error, or, An abridgement of the chief controversies in religion which since the apostles days to this time, have been, and are in agitation, between those of the Orthodox faith, and all adversaries whatsoever, a list of whose names are set down after the epistle to the reader : wherein, by going through all the chapters of The confession of faith, one by one, and propounding out of them, by way of question, all the controverted assertions, and answering by yes, or no, there is a clear confirmation of the truth, and an evident confutation of what tenets and opinions, are maintain'd by the adversaries : a treatise, most useful for all persons, who desire to be instructed in the true Protestant religion, who would shun in these last days, and perillous times, the infection of errors and heresies, and all dangerous tenets and opinions, contrary to the word of God.	Dickson, David, 1583?-1663.; Sinclair, George, d. 1696.	1684 (1684)	Wing D1412; ESTC R3405	145,943	378

of the Ceremonial Law Exod. 16. 23. Thirdly because it was written with Gods own hand and inserted into the midst of the rest of the moral precepts and was put into the Ark of the Testimony with the other nine which honour was never conferred upon any precept meerly Ceremonial 4 Because all the reasons of this Command are intirely Moral He rested after six days and allowed us six days to work therefore in all equity we ought to rest after so many days work and give God a seventh 5 Because Christ confirms this Command in saying pray that your flight be not in the winter neither on the Sabbath day where the Lord insinuateth that as travelling is troublesome to the body in winter so would it be to the minds of the Godly to travel on that day specially and solemnly set apart for Gods worship Now if there were no sabbath to continue after Christs ascension or if it were not to be sanctified there would be no occasion of this grief and trouble that they behoved to travel on the Sabbath and durst not tary till that day were by-past and so no cause to put up this prayer which yet by our Lords exhortation seemeth to infer that the Sabbath was to be as certain in its time as the Winter And doubtless this cannot be meaned of the Iewish Sabbath for that was to be abolished shortly Next travelling on the Iewish Sabbath was to be no cause of grief unto them if indeed all days were alike neither would it be scroupled in such a case by the Apostles to whom he is now speaking Quest. XII WAS this one day in seven from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ the last day of the week Yes And was it from the Resurrection of Christ changed into the first day of the week Yes And is it to be continued to the end of the World as the Christian Sabbath Yes Gen. 2. 2 3. 1 Cor. 16. 1. 2. Acts 20. 7. Rev. 1. 10. Matth. 5. 17 18. Well then do not the Sabbatarians err who maintain that the Iewish Sabbath or the seventh day from the Creation is to be observed Yes Do not others likewise err who maintain that the observation of the Lords Day is only of Ecclesiastick and Apostolick institution Yes These Authors you see do confound and make two things really distinct to be but one namely Ecclesiastick and Apostolick institution By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the fourth Command standing wherein one day of seven is appointed the numbering is left free to God himself that the right and power may be reserved to Christ the Law-giver and to his Spirit for the change of the day and continuing the worship prescribed in the fourth Command 2 From the name it self for our Sabbath is called the Lords Day Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lords Day or on that Lords Day or Dominick Day or day which is the Lords pointing out a day singularly and a day which in a particular special manner is called His day even as the Lords prayer and the Lords Supper are so called because appointed by Christ the Lord. 3 Because God only can abrogate the Lords day the Adversaries granting so much therefore he that hath power to rescind hath power likewise to establish 4 Because there is an implicit Command concerning the observation of the Lords day 1 Cor. 16. 2. As I have saith Paul given order to the churches of Galatia even so do ye the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him From which place we reason thus that not the seventh but the first day is the chief solemn day for worship after Christs Resurrection because the Apostles did pitch particularly and eminently upon that day and that in diverse Churches as the fittest time for expressing their Charity He doth not think it indifferent what day it be done on nor that all dayes are alike but pitcheth on the first day not in one Church only but in many Next this command supposeth them to be already acquainted with some special priviledges of the first day beyond others and that there must be some peculiar thing in this day making it fit yea more fit for such a purpose rather than any other day 5 Because as the seventh day was instituted in remembrance of the works of Creation so the first day after the work of redemption was finished succeeded as most convenient for collating and comparing both Mercies together 6 Because Christ on the first day of the week appeared most frequently to his Disciples and blessed it with his presence Matth. 28. 9. Acts 1. 3. Iohn 20. 19 26. 7 Because on that day the holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles And on the same day Peter baptized three thousand Acts 2. 1 2 3 4 41. 8 Because the Church in the time of the Apostles did observe the first day of the week as holy Acts 20. 7. But the practise of the Apostles approven in Scripture is equivalent to a Divine Institution 9 Because Christ was seen of his Apostles fourty dayes after his Resurrection and spoke to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God during which time he hath taught them all things needful to be known and among the rest it is probable the change of the Sabbath and the institution of the first day of the week and that immediatly after his resurrection he hath either immediatly by himself institute that day or hath inspired his Apostles to observe it from that same very time 10 Because the Lord hath remarkably owned this Christian Sabbath in being remarkably avenged upon the breakers and profanners thereof as it is clear from several Histories Quest. XIII IS this Sabbath then kept holy unto the Lord when men after a due preparation of their hearts and ordering of their common affairs before hand do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works words and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations but are also taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his own worship except what is spent in the duties of necessity and mercy Yes Exod. 16. 23 25 26 29 30. Exod. 31. 15 16 17. Isa. 58. 13. Neh. 13. 15 16 18 19 21 22. Well then do not some err who think that after publick worship is ended the rest of the Lords day may be spent in ordinary exercises recreations and such like sports as are not unlawful on other dayes unless they be forbidden by the Church or Common-wealth wherein men live Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Lord says in the fourth Commandment in it thou shalt not do any work But ordinary recreations games and sports are our own works 2 Because Nature it self requires that we bestow as much of the Sabbath day on God who is the Lord of Time and of all things which we have as we can and use to bestow

maintain that good works flow only from God as a Moral Cause Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because Christ says ye can do nothing without me Iohn 15. 5. 2 Because of our selves we are not able to think a good thought 2 Cor. 3. 5. 3 Because it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Quest. IV. ARE they who are Regenerated to grow negligent as if they were not bound to perform any duty unless by a special motion of the spirit No. Ought they to stir up diligently the Grace of GOD which is in them Yes Phil. 2. 12. Heb. 6 11 12. 2 Peter 1. 3 5 10. Isa. 64. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 6. Acts 26. 6 7. Iude verse 20. 21 22. Well then do not the Quakers Familists and other Giddy-headed Persons err who maintain that Believers ought not to perform any duties in Religion unless the Spirit within move and excite them to those duties and that we ought to forbear when this is wanting Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Holy Ghost forbiddeth us to be slow in performing such duties nay commands us to stir up the gift which is in us and use all diligence to perform duties commanded by himself Phil. 2. 12. Iude verse 20. 2 Because the Prophet confesseth that as the great sin of the Lords people that there is none that calleth upon his name that stirreth up himself to take hold of him Isaiah 64. 7. 3 Because to neglect the worshipping of GOD is an evident sign and token of an Atheist Ps 14. 4. Ps. 53. 4. 4 Because the Lord hath threatned to pour out his fury upon the Heathen that know him not and upon the Families that call not on his Name Ierem. 10. 25. 5 Because the twelve Tribes which hoped to come to the promise made to the Fathers instantly served GOD day and night Acts 26. 6 7. And the Apostles gave themselves continually to Prayer and to the Ministry of the Word Acts 6. 4. 6 Because Christ himself who had always the Spirit was very frequent in all those Exercises and Duties as all the Histories of the four Evangelists do testifie Those Fanatick Recusants either have the Spirit of God in them or they want it This last they will not grant If then they have it why do they refuse to perform duties of Religion more then our blessed Saviour did when opportunitie and occasion did call him They have the Spirit but want the Impulse But contrarywise this impulse is never wanting when there is a call But the Spirits call is never wanting when opportunity is offered 7 Because Christ will have the Gospel preached to every creature Mark 16. 15. And hath commanded the administration of the Lords Supper even to his second coming 1 Cor. 11. 26. And will have the work of the ministry to continue in his Church for the perfecting of the Saints for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith c. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. 8 Because we are commanded to pray without ceasing 1 Thes. 5. 17 That is upon all opportunities and in all our necessities 9 Because we are commanded to trust in him at all times Psalm 62. 8. 10 if we shall forbear outward duties as prayer and such like then ought we to forbear inward exercises as Acts of Faith Love and Fear till we be moved thereunto which is most absurd for we are commanded as was cited to trust in him alwayes 11 What assurance can men have the next hour or to morrow more than in the present time of the Spirits motion on their souls or that they shall be thus at a greater advantage by putting off the duty till they have some inward motion and impulse thereunto than by waiting on the ordinary call of the Word or of Providence Quest. V. ARE they who in their obedience attain to the greatest hight which is possible in this life so far from being able to supererogate and to do more than God requires that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do Yes Luke 17. 10. Neh. 13. 22. Gal. 15. 17. Iob 9. 2 3. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain That a man regenerated can not only fulfil the Law of God perfectly but may do also more good than the Law of God requires of him This is their mad fancy of the works of Supererogation Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because no man living is able to fulfil the Law of God Psalm 143. 2. Isaiah 64. 6. 1 Iohn 1. 8. Far less is any man able to do more than the Law requires 2 Because we are obliged to seek remission of sins every day Matth. 6. 12. But to seek pardon for sin every day and to perform works of Supererogation are inconsistent together 3 Because Christ says when you shall have done all things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. 10. 4 Because according to this Doctrine of works of Supererogation we must accuse the Scripture and Law of God of imperfection as if they were not a perfect Rule of life and manners which is contrary to the Psalmist 19. 8. And contrary to 2 Tim. 3. 15 17. Deut. 4. 2. 5 Because whatsoever things are true honest just pure lovely of good report these are commanded as things necessary to all men therefore either the Works which the Papists call works of Supererogation are true honest just and pure and if they be such they are commanded by God in Scripture and not works of Supererogation or they are unhonest impure unjust and if such then no man is so mad as to call them Good-works much less Works of Supererogation Phil. 4. 8. Quest. VI. CAN our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life at the hands of God No. Rom. 3. 20. Rom. 4. 2 4 6. Eph. 2 8 9. Titus 3. 5 6 7. Rom. 8. 18. Psalm 16. 2. Iob 22. 2 3. Well then do not the Papists and some of the Quakers err who maintain that the Good works of Regenerate men do truely and properly Merit and deserve eternal life Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because there is no proportion between our imperfect works and life eternal between the work and the Reward 2 Cor. 4. 17. For our light afflictions worketh for us that is brings forth not of any Merit but of meer Grace for Christs sake see Rom. 8. 18. Rom 3. 28. 2 If by our good Works we deserved the pardon of sin we might have whereof to boast for if Abraham were justified by works he hath whereof to glory but not before God Rom. 4. 2 But the Scripture saith he that glorieth let him glorie in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 31. 3 Because no creature performing the most excellent Works can deserve any favour from God

there can be no midst Eph. 2. 12 13. And so there shall be no difference between the children of Believers and the children of Turks and Pagans 5 Because infants under the Old Testament had right unto the Covenant of Grace Gen. 17. 7 12. And children of Believers under the New Testament have lost no right to that covenant of Grace which children under the Old Testament had seeing the covenant of Grace now under the Gospel is not more strickly and sparingly administred than long since under the law Heb. 8. 6. Rom. 11. 12. 6 Because infants are commanded to joyn themselves to Gods ordinances Ioel 2. 16. 7 Because if Christ while an infant was head of the visible church then infants may be his members But the first is true from Isaiah 9. 6. Therefore the second must be true also 8 Because they whom the false Apostles would have to be circumcised after the manner of Moses and therefore infants were called Disciples Acts 15. 10. Quest. IV. IS there any ordinary possibility of Salvation out of the Visible Church No. Acts 2. 47. Well then do not the Enthusiasts Quakers and Libertines err who affirm that any man may be a true christian and be saved though he live within no Visible Church Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Lord IEHOVAH in his visible Church ordinarly commands the blessing even life for evermore Psalm 133. 3. 2 Because the visible church is the mother of all Believers Gal. 4. 26. By Ierusalem which is above I understand the true Christian Church which seeketh its salvation not by the first covenant of the law namely by the works of the law but by the second of the Gospel namely by the merits of Christ embraced by a true Faith which hath its orginal from heaven by the powerful calling of the Holy Ghost 3 Because they that are without the visible church are without Christ Eph. 2. 12. 4 Why are men and women joyned to the visible church but that they may be saved Acts 2. 47. 5 Because they that are without the visible church are destitute of the ordinary means of life and salvation Psalm 147. 19. 20. Quest. V. HATH Christ given to this Catholick-church-visible the Ministry Oracles and Ordinances of God for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints in this life to the end of the World Yes Shall there be alwayes a church on earth to worship God according to his will Yes 1 cor 12. 28. Eph. 4. 11 12 13. Mat. 28. 19 20. Matth. 16. 18. Psalm 72. 17. Psalm 102. 28. Isai. 59. 21. Well then do not the Socinians Anabaptists and Libertines err who affirm that the visible Church may fail and perish out of the world Yes Do not likewise the Scepticks commonly called Seekers err who affirm that the whole universal church which hath been upon the earth and all religious worship all external and outward preaching of the Word all administration of Sacraments and the use of all other religious things have perished a little after the Apostles times and are not to this day restored until Christ from Heaven shall send new Apostles with an extraordinary commission for restoring and raising up again the visible church And that in the mean time no man hath right or power to dispense the Word or administer the Sacraments or perform any Ecclesiastical duty and that they who are now called the preachers of the Gospel are not so Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Lord hath promised that his church shall endure so long as the ordinances of heaven shall continue Isaiah 66. 22. 2 Because Christ hath promised that the Gates of Hell shal not prevail against his church Matth. 16. 18. 3 Because there is no end to be put to the kingdom of Christ Luke 1. 33. And therefore no end to his church Isaiah 9. 7. 4 Because glory will be to him in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages world without end Amen Eph. 3. 21. 5 Because Christ who hath given power to his Ministers to teach his church and to administer the Sacraments hath promised to be with them to the end of the World Matth. 28. 19 20. 6 Because the Lord hath promised to preserve a people to himself to the end of the world which he shall rule and govern by his Word and Spirit Isaiah 59. 20 21. Isaiah 9. 6 7. 7 Because the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation where he will rest and dwell for ever Psalm 132. 13. 14. 8 Because Christ hath given some to be Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints till we all come into the unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God Eph. 4. 11. And he hath appointed a Ministry to continue even after the Apostles dayes as is evident from 1 Tim. 3 chapter From Titus first chapter where the Apostle sets down the ordinary qualifications of Ministers and the Rules for calling them to the Ministry 9 Because there is a general Rule set down for the government and discipline of Christs church which discipline and order is to continue in it to the end of the world Matth. 1 18. 10 Because the Lord commands that we forsake not the assembling of our selves together and hath promised to bless after a special manner any that are gathered together in his name any where but our assembling for hearing the word of God is done in the name of Christ Heb. 10. 25. Matth. 18. 20. Matth. 28. 20. 11 Because the death of Christ in the last supper is to be shewed till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26. 12 Because by the Word even preached Rom. 10. 17. we are born again 1 Peter 1. 23. Iames 1. 18. By Baptism we are ingrafted into Christ Rom. 6. 3 4. Gal. 3. 27. In the Lords Supper we have communion with Christ 1 Cor. 10. 16. See more to this purpose chap. 21. Question eight Quest. VI. HAth the Catholick church been sometimes more sometimes less Visible Yes Rom. 11. 3 4. Rev. 12. 6 14. Well then do not the Papists err who affirm that the church hath been is and shall be most gloriously Visible to all the whole world far and nigh Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the church of GOD in the Prophet Elijahs time was brought to that pass that he thought none remained but himself 1 Kings 19. 10. Rom. 11. 2 3 4. 2 Because for a long time Israel was without the true GOD and without a teaching Priest and without the Law 2 Chron. 15. 3. 3 Because the Lord often complains that his church and people have forsaken him have not known him that the faithful city hath become a harlot that scarce a man could be found to do justice and follow truth all which is inconsistent with that glorious condition of the visible church which the Papists dream of Isaiah 1. 3 4. Ierm 2. 29. Ierm 5. 1. 4 Because

or oblige him to give any thing as due And according to the order of Gods justice he can receive no favor from us nor can any creature confer any benefit on him Ps. 16. 2. Iob 22. 2 3. Truely where there is no favour done there can be no Merit for merit presupposeth a benefit accepted 4 Because our works are imperfect as well as to Parts as to Degrees Gal. 5. 17 Is. 64. 7. Deut. 27. 26. A Perfection of parts is when we have a Part of every Grace and are renewed in some measure in every power and faculty of the whole man though we be not come to the just and due measure in any of them A perfection of Degrees consists in the compleat measure of our conformity and our exact correspondence to the Law of God in respect of all whatsoever it requires 5 Because Christ says so likewise ye when ye shal have done all those things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luke 17. 10. 6 Because the Good Works which we do are not ours but it is God that worketh in us both to will and to do 1 Cor. 4. 7. Gal. 5. 22. Phil. 2. 13. 7 Because that heavenly blessedness to be given to the saints is expresly attributed to the mercy and pity of God Plalm 103. 4. Matth. 5. 7. Titus 3. 5. Eph. 4. 6 7 8. 8 Because when the Apostle proclaims death to be the wages of sin he doth not affirm life eternal to be the reward of Good Works but the free and gracious gift of God which we obtain by Christ even in our sanctification whereof the Apostle here Rom. 6. 23. Which free Gift hath for its end eternal life Not that it merits this for then it should not be a gracious gift but because Christ hath merited this for us and shal of free Grace give it to us as the following words through Iesus Christ our Lord shew 9 Because God will have us to buy without money or price Wine Milk Honey that is to receive all things requisite and necessary for our spiritual life for Nothing and eternal life it self Isaiah 55. 1 2 3. 10 Because Christ should not be a perfect Saviour if any thing from us were to be added to the righteousness of his Merit But Christ is a perfect Saviour Eph. 1. 7. Eph. 2. 7 8 9. 1 Iohn 1. 7. Acts 4. 12. 11 Because our best works have such a mixture of corruption and sin in them that they deserve his curse and wrath so far are they from meriting Isa. 64. 6. But we are all saith the Prophet as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are like filthy raggs 12 If the works of regenerated men did deserve eternal life then should the whole contrivance of the Gospel be subverted and the same very way of Life layed down which was in the Covenant of works as is clear from 2 Cor. 5. 21. The Gospel is so contrived by the infinite Wisdom and Goodness of God that there is a judicial transferring of our sin as a debt on Christ the Cautioner and a translation of his righteousness and merit to be imputed to us for our justification without the least respect to our works Quest. VII ARE Works done by unregenerate men although for the matter of them they may be things which God commands and of good use both to themselves and others are they I say sinful and cannot please God Yes Hag. 2. 14. Titus 1. 15. Amos 5. 21. 22. Hos. 1. 4. Rom. 9. 16. Titus 3. 5. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that not only all the works of unregenerate men are not sinful but also that some of their Works do indeed Merit and deserve somewhat from God namely as they speak by Merit of Congruity that is as they are agreeable to the Law of God Yes There is also as they say a Merit of Condignity by which the works of the Regenerate which follow justification deserve eternal life not from the imputation of Christs righteousness but from their own intrinseck worth and proportionableness to the Reward Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because as a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt rotten tree bring forth good fruit Matth. 7. 18. 2 Because all unregenerate men are dead in Trespasses and sin Eph. 2. 1. 3 Because all the works of unregenerate men are done without Faith and so cannot please God Heb. 11. 6. Rom. 14. 23. 4 Because if unregenerate men were able to do Good Works or perform any duty which deserved somewhat from God than would it follow that a man were able to do some good of himself which is contrary to Iohn 15. 5. Phil. 2. 13. 5 Because it is clear from Scripture that before renewing grace all are the children of wrath who of themselves cannot have a good thought nor any active concurrence or putting themselves forth to the utmost for their own Conversion 2 Cor. 3. 5. Therefore no plea for merit by any improvement of mens natural abilities see Rom. 9. 15. CHAP. XVII Of the Perseverance of the SAINTS Question I. CAN they whom GOD hath accepted in his beloved effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit either totally or finally fall away from the state of Grace No. Shall they certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved Yes Phil. 1. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 10. Iohn 10. 28 29. 1 Iohn 3 9. 1 Peter 1. 5. 9. Well then do not the Papists Socinians Arminians and some Ring-leaders among the Quakers err who maintain that the Saints may totally and finally fall away Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Saints are built upon the Rock and not upon the Sand therefore when temptations of any kind assault they can never fall nor can the gates of hell prevail against them Matth. 7. 24. Matth. 16. 16 18. 2 Because he that hath begun a good work in the Saints will finish it untill the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1. 6. 3 Because Paul says nothing can separate us from the love of God Rom. 8. 35 38 39. 4 Because they that fall away have never had true justifying Faith Luke 8. 13 16. 1 Iohn 2. 19. 5 Because it is impossible for the Elect to be seduced Matth. 24. 24. I say impossible not in respect of the will and power of the Elect themselves but in respect of the immutability of Gods Decree concerning them and of his purpose of keeping them powerfully against seduction according to his promises of which he cannot repent see Iohn 10. 28. Rom. 8. 38 39. 1 Peter 1. 5. 6 Because they that believe in the Son of God have life eternal 1 Iohn 5. 13. Iohn 6. 47 54 58. And they have passed from death unto life and shall never thirst nor hunger any more Iohn 6. 35. 7 Because God hath promised in his Covenant that though he chastise his own

therefore there must be such a distinct office by divine institution They must take special care of the Church of GOD 1 Tim. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 5. 2. 3. They are not to neglect the gift which is in them 1 Tim. 4. 14. They are to meditate on these things and to give themselves wholly to them 1 Tim. 4. 15. Acts 6. 2. 4. They are to preach the Word to rebuke to instruct gainsayers 2 Tim. 4. 2. 2 Tim. 2. 25. To administer the Sacraments Matth. 28. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 13. To ordain others for the Ministry by imposition of hands 1 Tim. 4. 14. To watch over the flock as those that must give an account Heb. 13. 17. 5 Because Christ requires peculiar distinct duties in the people in reference to their Ministers therefore the office of the Ministry must be of divine institution They must know and acknowledge those that are over them in the Lord 1 Thes. 5. 12. Highly to esteem them in love for their works sake 1 Thes. 5. 13. To obey them to encourage them Heb. 13. 7. To maintain them Gal. 6. 6. To pray for them 2 Thes. 3. 1. 6 Because GOD hath made peculiar promises to his Ministers as Lo I am with you alway even to the end of the world Matth. 28. 20. The promise of special assistance 2 Cor. 3. 5. 6. Of protection and defence in all aslaults Rev. 1. 20. The promise of the power of the keyes which promise was not limited to the Apostles as Apostles but was given to the Apostles as Ministers of the Gospel as is evident from Mat. 18. 17 18. The promise of special sympathy with them Matth. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. Iohn 13. 20. 1 Thes. 4. 8. Now would ever the Lord have promised to keep up and maintain that office in his Church which he had not set up and instituted The other thing to be made out is that the office of the Ministry is perpetually necessary 1 Because the ordinances are perpetually necessary by divine institution therefore the office of the Ministry to dispense these ordinances is perpetually necessary by divine institution For if God had only appointed the ordinances to continue in his Church then would preaching and administration of the Sacraments fail because that which is every mans work is usually and effectually no mans work The Lord doth not immediatly administer them himself neither are Angels employed for this work But he hath committed this service to men who are Stewards and dispensers of the mysteries of God It is evident that the preaching of the Word shall continue to the end of the world from Matth. 28. 20. Eph. 4 11 12 13. It is evident of Baptism and the Lords Supper which are conjoyned in the institution of Christ with the Ministery of the Word For to whom he gave commission to preach to them also he gave commission to administer the Sacraments Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament appointed by God himself For Iohn was sent to baptize God was the Author Iohn was only the Minister This was to continue perpetually as is evident from Christs promise and his precept Matth. 28 20. The ends for which Baptism was ordained are not temporary but moral and so perpetual Do not all Christians now need these means as the Christians during the age of the Apostles Are not Christians to be baptized into his death buried with him by Baptism that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life It is called by the holy Ghost a saving Ordinance and is unto believers and their seed in the New Testament as the Ark was to Noah and his family in the old World who being in the Ark was saved from perishing in the waters when the rest were drowned so Baptism doth now save us not only or mainly the outward part of it the putting away the filth of the flesh which is yet an Ordinance to further our salvation but when the Spirit of Regeneration effectually concurs so that we find there is a renewing of the holy Ghost and thereby the answer of a good conscience towards God 1 Pet. 3. 21. It is evident that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is to continue to the end of the world It was not only appointed for Apostles to whom it was first administred but unto all believers both Iews and Gentiles And not only for that age but for all generations succeeding for Believers are commanded to shew forth the Lords death till he come by eating this bread and drinking this cup. Therefore if these ordinances be appointed by God to continue to the end it follows evidently that he hath designed the office of the Ministry to hold up and hold forth his Ordinances to the end of the world 2 Because the promises which Christ hath made to uphold the Ministry are perpetual therefore the office must be perpetual Matth. 28. 20. Go teach and baptize all Nations and lo I am with you to the end of the world This promise cannot be limited to the particular age during the lives of the Apostles because the Holy Ghost useth three expressions to declare the perpetuity of this promise Aion that this promise shall continue so long as the world continues Secondly Synteleia Heos tes synteleias tu Aionos that this promise shall have no end till the world be consummat or brought to a Period Thirdly Pasas tas Hemeras all days and successions of times Not only Meth hymon hemeras hymon not only with you during your own dayes but all the dayes of the Gospel till time shall be no more And this promise was made not to the Apostles as Apostles nor to the Apostles as Believers but to the Apostles as ministers and Stewards of the Mysteries of God 3 Because the Elect require the office of the Ministry perpetually Our Natures are as bad as Iews and Pagans Eph. 2 3. Our judgements full of darkness and ignorance 1 Cor. 2. 14. Our wills stuborn and rebellious and so alienated that we rebel against the light The delusions of Satan are strong The multitude of false Teachers are very numerous so that they are ready to seduce the Elect themselves if it were possible 4 Because the ends for which Christ hath appointed a ministry are perpetually necessary The Elect must be called and gathered for there will be some still in every age to be added to the Church of them that shall be saved There are many sheep which are not yet brought into his fold many who belong to the Election who are not yet effectually called them also will Christ bring in both Iews and Gentiles that there may be one fold as there is one shephers Now God hath revealed no other ordinary way to convert and bring these into his fold but the Ministry of his word for how shall they believe without a Preacher Therefore if there be some Elect continually to be brought into

he look to the good and conversion of a whole Congregation 6 Because any one single congregation with one Pastor only hath not the power of Ordination an instance whereof cannot be given either from Precept or Practise in all the New Testament Nay the Ordination of Ministers in the New Testament was alwayes performed by a Colledge of Pastors associate together Acts 6. 6. Acts 13. 1 2 3. 1 Tim. 4. 14. 7 Because from this doctrine of the Independents these and the like absurdities will follow First that the Prophets must be censured and judged by way of authority not by other Prophets but by the multitude and vulgar of the Congregation which is contrary to 1 Cor 14. 32. 2 That all the Councils in the times of the Apostles which were convocated upon necessary occasions for matters which concerned many churches alike were but during the time and extraordinary and so not obliging succeeding churches though the occasions and causes why these Councils were convocated then are and will be to the end of the world 3 That private Believers must be the Bishops of their own Bishops Watch-men of their own Watch-men No communion or fellowship among Ecclesiastick Ministers That single and particular churches though they have defiled and pudled themselves with the most black and ugly Heresies with the most abominable faults and vices yet are not lyable to any Ecclesiastick Censure but must be refered to the immediate judgement of Christ at the last Day 4 That a Colledge of Pastors and Presbyters conveened together from several congregations shall have no more power of the keyes of the kingdom of Heaven than any one particular man that is able to look to the good of his brother 5 That a Pastor out of his own Congregation hath no power to administer the Sacraments or to preach the Word or exerce any Ministerial Act. From which Absurdities it follows evidently that this kind of Church Government labours under a manifest defect of the Means of Propagating the Gospel 6 That Christ hath as many visible bodies as there are particular congregations That Men and Women are to be accounted Members only of a particular congregation and not of the Church-Catholick And that those who are excomunicated are only casten out of a particular congregation not out of the Church Universal Quest. II. MAY not the Ministers of the Church of themselves by vertue of their office meet in Assemblies with other fit Persons upon delegation from their Churches when Magistrates are open enemies to the Christian Religion Yes Acts 15. 2 4 22 23 25. Well then do not the Erastians err who maintain that the Ministers of the Gospel have no right or power in themselves or by vertue of their office to meet in a Synod or Council Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because the Church of GOD in the primitive times had power in themselves to convocate their own Assemblies for Worship and Government not only without but against the consent of the civil Magistrate as is evident from the Acts of the Apostles and Church Histories 2 Though the power and right of meeting in church Assemblies be visible in the constitution and exercise yet it is intrinseck and within the church as well as the power of Preaching Quest. III. MAY Magistrates lawfully call a Synod of Ministers and other fit persons to consult and advise with about matters of Religion Yes Isa. 49. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. Matth. 2. 4 5. Prov. 11. 14. Well then do not the Papists err who maintain that the civil Magistrate hath no right or power to convocate Synods or Councils but that it belongs to the Bishop to convocate Diocesian Synods To the Metropolitan to convocate Provincial Synods To the Primate and Patriarch to convocate National Synods To the Pope onely to convocate and call Oecumenick and general Synods Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because under the Old Testament Councils and Synods were appointed and called by godly Kings 1 Kings 8. 1. 2 Kings 23. 1. 2 chron 29. 4. 2 Because it is the duty of the civil Magistrate being born within the church to take care that Peace and Unity be preserved and keeped in the Church that the Truth and Word of GOD be intirely and soundly Preached and obeyed that blasphemies and heresies be kept under and supprest that all corruptions in Worship and Discipline be reformed that all GODS Ordinances be lawfully established administred and preserved And if it should happen that both Church and State Iudicaturies should make an universal defection from the purity of doctrine and worship received and acknowledged it is the duty of a godly King by vertue of his Regal Power and Authority to set about a work of Reformation and to call and command all ranks of People to return to the true Worship and Service of GOD Isa. 45. 23. Psalm 122. 7 8 9. Ezra 7 23 25 26 27 28. Levit. 24. 16. Deut. 13. 5 6 12. 1 chron 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. 2 Kings 23. from the first verse to the 26. 3 From the example of Constantine that did convocate the first Nicene council From Theodosius the elder that did call the first council of Constantinople From Theodosius the younger that did call the first council at Ephesus From Martianus that did call the Chalcedon council Quest. IV. MAY all Synods or Councils since the Apostles dayes err Yes And have not many actually erred Yes Well then doth not the Popish Church err who maintain that councils confirmed and solemnised by the Popes authority cannot err neither in explaining Doctrines of Faith nor in delivering Precepts and Rules of Manners common to the whole Church Yes By what reasons are they confuted 1 Because all the Priests Levites and Prophets of the Iewish church who had the same Promises which the Christian church hath now under the New Testament 1 Cor. 10. 3 4. 2 Sam. 7. 16. Isaiah 49. 15 16. together with the High Priest have sometimes erred as is clear from the following Scriptures Isaiah 56. 10 11. Ierem. 6. 13. Ierem. 14. 14. Hos. 9. 7 8 9. Mic. 3. 9. The Lords Prophets that were immediately guided and inspired by him must be excepted 2 Because councils under the Old Testament lawfully called have often-times erred 2 Sam. 6. 6. 3. Ier. 26. 7 8 9. 1 Kings 22. 6. And under the New Testament Iohn 9. 35. Iohn 11. 47 48 52. Matth. 26 57 59 65 66. Acts 4. 5 6 17 18. 3 Because the Pope cannot shew a proof of infallibility Rom. 3. 4. 4 Because it is foretold in the New Testament that many Pastors and Teachers shall become false Prophets and turn Seducers and that Antichrist shall sit in the Temple of GOD shewing himself that he is God Mat. 24. 11 24. Acts 20. 29 30. 2 Peter 2. 1. 2 Thes. 2. 4. 5 It is most evident that many councils approven and authorized by the Pope have most foully erred and that