Apostles did meet and assemble with the primitive Christians and such as came to hear the word of God preached in private Houses and upon Mountains and by the Sea side as well as other places and they left their manner of Christian Religious Meetings Assemblies and practises in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels upon Record in Scripture as an example for Christians to follow Because the Apostles of Christ who had the spirit and mind of Christ Jesus commands the true Christians and Believers in Christ to walk as they have them for example as by the Scripture is plainly apparent Phil. 3.17 For Christ and his Apostles met and assembled together with the Primitive Christians and others and preached in Houses and out of houses on Mountains and by the Sea side and in great multitudes as you may read Matth. 5.1,2 Matth. 3. Matth. 8.1 Matth. 11.1 Matth. 13.1,2,3 Matth. 19. Matth. 24.3,4 c. And again he entred into Capernaum after some dayes and it was noised that he was in the House and streight way many were gathered together in so much that there was no room to receive them not so much as about the Door and he preached the word unto them as you may read Mark 2.1,2 and he began to teach by the Sea side and there was gathered unto him a great multitude and he taught them there also as you may read Mark 4. see also Mark 10.1 and he came down with them and stood in the plain and the company of his Disciples and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem and from the Coast of Tire and Sidon came to hear him as it is written Luk. 6.17 and he arose from thence and cometh into the Coasts of Judea by the farther fide of Jordan and the people resorted to him again and as he was wont he taught them again Mark 1â— And when much people were gathered together and were come to him out of every City he preached unto them and he went thorough every City and Village preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdome of God and the twelve were with him as you may read Luk. 8.1,4 Whereby it is evident that Christ did not limit the people to come to Parish Churches to hear the Word preached nor the Ministers of the Gospel to preach it there neither did he ordain punishments for the Preachers or hearers if they did not preach and hear in Parish Churches and not else where but to the number of three or four for when they were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people in so much that they erode one upon another he began to say unto his Disciples first of all beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed neither hid that shall not be known as you may read Luke 12 Luke 15. Luke 8.1 And after Christs Death Resurrection and Ascention the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians did Assemble and meet together to preach and pray and performe religions exercise to the number of five and above and not in Parish Churches nor Chapels but in private houses and uper chambers and such like places and such godly Meetings were no seditious Conventicles but according to the example and practise ordained of Christ Jesus for he shewed himself alive after his passion unto them by many infallible proof being seen of them forty dayes and speaking of the things partaining to the Kingdome of God as you may read Acts 1.1,2,3 and being assembled with them after his Resurrection when he was ready to ascend up into Heaven he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the holy Ghost from Heaven the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me and they returned to Jerusalem in obedience to that command from the Mount called Olivet after Christ was ascended but they did not go into a Parish Church or a Chappel nor into the Temple at Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Father Therefore Christ did not command them to go into a Parish Church or Chappel nor into the Temple at Jerusalem to wait upon God to receive the promise for if he had no doubt but they would have obeyed his command in that respect They were commanded to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father and they did so in obedience to the command of Christ Jesus but they were not commanded by Christ to wait in the Temple at Jerusalem nor in a Parish Church for the receiving of the promise of the Father or the holy Ghost but rather in a private House Therefore neither the Temple at Jerusalem nor a Parish Church was the place appointed for them to meet in to wait for the promise of the Father but rather an uper Chamber or a private House Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet and when they were come in they went up into an uper Room where abode both Peter and James and John and Andrew Phillip and Thomas Bartholomew and Matthew James the Son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Judas the brother of James these were met together to perform service to God for they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the Women and Mary the Mother of Jesus and with his brethren and there were met and assembled together upon the account of the exercise of Religion to the number of five and above besideâ— them of the Houshold in that upper Chamber where they were together for in those dayes Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples and spoak the number of Names together were about one hundred and twenty and when the day of Pentecoast was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and the place where they were when they received the holy Ghost was neither a Parish Church nor a Chapel but a private House and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty Wind and it filled all the House where they were siting and there they received the promise of the Father for they were all filled with the Holy Ghost as both by the Scriptures and Liturgie is apparent and evident see for proof thereof Acts 1. and Acts 2. And to prove that the Liturgy alloweth of Meeting in upper Rooms and private Houses for the exercise of Religion as aforesaid because it alloweth of such godly Assemblies and Meetings though not in Parish Churches or Chappels as were practiced by the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians as aforesaid for proof thereof see in the Liturgie the Epistle for Whitsunday and for St. Mathias day the Epistle The Liturgie also alloweth of the manner of Meetings and Preaching both in great numbers and multitudes and in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels because it alloweth of the manner of Meetings and Preaching by Christ and his Apostles amongst the Primitive Christians and others First
The Liturgie saith it came to pass that as the People pressed upon him viz. Christ Jesus to hear the Word of God he stood by the Lake of Genesareth and saw two Ships standing by the Lake and he entered into one of the Ships which was Simons and he sate down and taught the People out of the Ship See the 5 th Sunday after Trinity the Gospel Whereby it appears that the Liturgie alloweth of the manner of meeting and preaching in a Ship and by the Sea side as aforesaid Therefore the Liturgy alloweth of the manner of Meeting and Preaching in other places besides Parish Churches and Chappels Secondly Great multitudes followed Christ as by the Liturgie appeareth See the 8 th Sunday after Trinity the Gospel and he preached unto them then drew near unto him all the Publicanes and Sinners for to hear him when he was in a Pharisees House and the Scribes and Pharisees murmured at him saying this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them then Jesus began to speak to them by a Parable as you may read see the third Sunday after Trinity the Gospel see also Luke the 14. and Luke 15. Chap. whereby it appeareth that Christ was ready to do good unto Sinners and refused not to preach unto them though he was not in a Parish Church but in a Pharisees House as aforesaid The Liturgie faith Peter opened his mouth and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him And where was Peter when he preached this Doctrine but in the House of Cornelius and not in a Parish Church or Chappel whereby it is evident that the Scriptures and Liturgy allowes of both Meeting and Preaching in private House as aforesaid see Acts 10. and Easter Munday the Epistle for proof of the same Again the Liturgie saith Christ preached on a Mountain and in great multitudes also see All-Saints day All Saints day the Gospel Whitsunday the Epistle Again for meeting in private Houses upon the account of the exercise of Religion the Liturgie saith that when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and it filled the house where they were siting and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance Whereby it is evident and apparent first That it was the practice of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians to meet in private House to wait upon the Lord. 2ly That God owned and honoured such Christian Religious meetings though they were not in Parish Churches or Chappels but in private Houses and that by sending the Holy Ghost from Heaven to them as aforesaid 3ly That the Scriptures and Liturgie alloweth and owneth the manner of such Christian and religious Meetings and practices though not in Parish Churches or Chappels but in a Houses as aforesaid Likewise the Liturgie saith That in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples and said the number of them by name being about one hundred and twenty Men and Brethren this Scripture must needs be fulfilled which the Holy Ghost spake by the mouth of David And where was Peter and about one hundred and twenty more when he said so unto them were they not met together in an upper Chamber see the Liturgie St. Mathias for the Epistle and Acts 1.12,13,14,15 c. Is it not therefore according both to the manner allowed by the Scripture and Liturgy for Christians to meet and assemble together upon the account of Religion to the number of five and above over and besides them of the houshold or family where they do meet and assemble together as aforesaid Many more examples of the manner of Christian religious Meetings might be instanced out of the Liturgy but I shall only mention one other instance out of the Liturgie which I judge may be sufficient as to that matter with a few more Scripture examples concerning the manner of Christian Religious Meetings and practices to prove the lawfulness of them That which the Liturgie declares to be very meet and right to be done must needs be allowed by the same but the Liturgie declares it to be very meet and right for Christians to meet together at all times and in all places for the Service of God therefore the Liturgie alloweth of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings at any time and in any place for the service of God as aforesaid that which is declared by the Liturgie to be the duty of Christians must needs be allowed by the Liturgie but it is declared by the Liturgie to be the duty of Christians at all times and in all places to give thanks or perform service to the Almighty God therefore the Liturgie must needs allow of the same at any time and in any place to be performed and done it is very meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places perform service unto the Lord for proof whereof see the Liturgie in that part called the Communion Seeing that the Liturgy alloweth of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings for the service of God at all times and in all places it allowes of Meetings in private Houses and in upper Chambers and other places as the Scriptures do or else the Liturgie would contradict and oppose the Scriptures and practices of the Apostles and Primitive Christians but they who have a reverend esteem of the Liturgie must needs say that what the holy Scriptures allowes of that the Liturgie allowes of and as the holy Scriptures allowes of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings Preachings and practices in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels so the Liturgie that it may be justified by the holy Scriptures concerning the manner of such Christian Religious meetings and practices alloweth of the same First The Apostles and Primitive Christians did meet together to preach and pray and perform duty and service to God and the manner of their Meetings were in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels and such meetings were no seditious Conventicles but lawful Assemblies Secondly They did meet and assemble together for the service and Worship of God after Christs Ascension in private Houses and upper Chambers as you may read Acts 1.13,14,15 Acts 2.1,2 Thirdly And when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness Acts 4.31,32 Fourthly They were lawfull Meetings though in private Houses and owned by the Lord because he filled them with the holy Ghost to speak the word of God with boldness whereby it is evident that godly Ministers are justified by the Lord and may preach the word of God boldly in uper Chambers and private Houses as you may
read Acts 20. That the Apostle Paul preached in a Chamber on the first day of the Week until midnight Acts 20.7,8 And Peter preached boldly and effectually in the House of Cornelius Acts 10 and Paul preached two yeares in his own hired House and received all that came unto him preaching the Kingdome of God and teaching those things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no man forbiding him as it is written Acts 28.30,31 whereby it is evident that God owns and justifies Meetings and preaching in Houses and that a Minister of Christ may preach in other places besides Parish Churches and Chapels and in his own hired House also and there receive such as come to be instructed by him in the matters of the Kingdome of God and our Lord Jesus Christ as aforesaid First It is evident and plain therefore by the holy Scripture and also by the Liturgie of the Church of England that preaching and meeting in Houses is owned and honoured by the Lord and ought not to be condemned but justified by the true Christians and believers in Christ for to condemn the Ministers of Christ and true Christians for preaching and meeting in Houses upon the account of Religion and worship of God would be to condemn the practise of Christ and his Apostles and Primitive Christians recorded in Scriptures and it would be to deny and disallow of what God Almighty and the holy Scriptures do evidently justify and own and therefore meeting and preaching in Houses ought not to be forbiden or punished by men because such Christian Religious Meetings preaching and practises are allowed by the Liturgy and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven Secondly That which is allowed by the Liturgie and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven ought not to be forbiden and condemned by men but Christian Religious Meetings and preaching in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels are allowed by the Liturgie and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven Therefore Christian Religious Meetings and preachings in Houses or in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels as aforesaid ought not to be forbiden and condemned by men Thirdly That the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians did frequently meet together after Christs Ascension in Houses to preach and pray and perform service to God and that such Christian Religious meetings and preaching in Houses were owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven is plain and clearly proved as aforesaid and therefore such Christian religious meetings and preachings are allowed by the Lord to be lawful assemblies and practises which ought to be allowed and tollerated by men because they are owned and justified by the great God of Heaven Fourthly The Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians to whom Christ appeared after his Resurrection and gave commandment to wait at Jerusalem untill they received the promise of the Father or the Holy Ghost from Heaven did in obedience to that Command return from the Mount Olivet after Christs Ascension unto Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Ghost from Heaven but they did not go into the Temple at Jerusalem nor into a Parish Church or Chappel to wait for the same but they entered into Jerusalem and went into an upper Room and was sitting together in a House when they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven as by the Scriptures are evident and plain Acts 1. and Acts 2. Whereby it appears or from hence we may observe and learn first That the Parish Churches and Chappels were not the places appointed by Christ at his Ascension to meet and assemble together in to wait upon God untill they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven 2ly That God is not bound or tyed up to Parish Churches or Chappels to wait upon him therein as the appointed place of his Worship 3ly That the Lord God Almighty hath signally owned and testified from Heaven that he owns and justifies meetings in Houses to wait upon him beause when they were met together as they sate in a House they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven and spake as the Spirit gave them utterance but we do not read in the Scriptures that Almighty God did ever at any time so wonderfully manifest himself to People in a Parish Church or Chappel as in Houses he hath done since Christs Ascension into Heaven Fifthly The Lord hath so far owned and honoured Meeting and Preaching in House since Christs Ascension that the Hearers have received the Holy Ghost at meeting and preaching in Houses as by the Scripture is evident and plain therefore meeting and preaching in Houses ought not to be forbidden but when did the Lord so evidently appear and signally own meeting and preaching in Parish Churches and Chappels as then and therein to give the Holy Ghost to the Hearers as at preaching in Houses he hath done for when Peter was preaching in the houses of Cornelius the Holy Ghost fell on al them which heard the word as you may read Acts 10. from verse 19. to verse 49. whereby it appears that meeting and preaching in houses are owned and honoured of God as by the Scriptures is apparently proved Sixthly And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven and filled all the House where they were sitting whereby it appeares that they were assembled and met in a House and that Christian meeting was no seditious Conventicle but owned and honoured by the Lord from Heaven though they were not assembled in a Parish Church or Chapel but in a House whereby it appeares that God is well pleased with meeting and preaching in Houses for they were filled with the holy Ghost and spake as the spirit gave them utterance though some mocking of them said these men are full of new Wine but Peter standing up with the Elders lift up his voice and preached unto them and when they had heard him preach the word of God unto them they were pricked in their hearts and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship as you may read Acts 2.1,2 to the 43. Whereby it appears that the Word of God may be effectually preached in houses was there ever such a thing known at a meeting in a Parish Church or Chappel by the preaching of a Parish Priest in those places to convert at one Sermon three thousand Souls as was effectually done by the preaching of the Word by the Apostle Peter as aforesaid therefore it is apparent arid evident by the Scriptures that meeting and preaching in houses are lawful meetings and practices being so highly approv'd of and signally owned of the Lord and such meetings and preaching in Houses as are owned and approved of God ought not to be forbidden by men but rather allowed and tollerated by them Seventhly Though God Almighty did so evidently shew
are to preach it as freely as they have received it because he that hath the best right to send forth Ministers to minister from him to the people saith freely ye have received freely give fourthly The Ministers of Christ are to preach freely and the people are to hear them as freely so that they neither ought to be hindred from preaching nor the people from hearing And it is the duty of a Minister to preach as well as it is the duty of the people to hear 1 Thes 5.21 and they ought not to receive a Minister before they hear him nor there is no danger if the hearers receive not a Minister untill they have a true proofe and gospel commendation of him as a Minister by manifesting truth unto them in commending himself to their consciences in the sight of God as a Minister of the Gospel of Christ as aforesaid 2 Cor. 3. chap. 2 Cor. 4.1.2 But after God hath ordained and sent forth Ministers and given them a Ministry they are to attend upon it and if men forbid them to preach they must obey God rather then men Act. 4 17,18,19,20 2 Tim. 4.1 â— and in preaching the Word be instant in season and out of season as it is written therefore it is the duty of the true Gospel Ministers to preach when they are forbidden by men because they are to preach both in season and out of season And when is preaching the Word out of season but when by men it is dislik'd and forbidden for saith the Apostle the time will come when they will not endure sound Doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap up to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from the truth and shall be turned unto fables as by the Scriptures is evident and plain 2 Tim. 4.3,4 Now seeing the Ministers of the Gospel are to preach both in season and out of season they are to continue stedfast unto God in the work of the Ministry therefore they that give over preaching when men forbids them either never received any ministry from God or else in denying to preach they have denyed the Lord and those are not worthy to be either heard or any more received as the Ministers of God therefore there is no danger in rejecting of them because they have rejected the Lord Jer. 8.9 Hos 4.6 The Ministers of Christ are to be received after they be made manifest to the consciences of the people by manifesting the truth of the Gospel unto them in the sight of him that hath sent them and after they be so manifest the danger is great in rejecting of them Mat. 10.7.14,15 The Ministers of God ought not to be forbidden to preach the Gospel 2 Cor. 4. Math. 10.7.14,15 Mat. 10.40,41,42 Mar. 6.10,11 because they are to be known before they be received therefore it 's necessary that they should preach the word of God that the people may have a manifestation of them in order to the receiving of them because the receiving of them is as the receiving of God and hath the promise of a great reward and the rejecting of them or the forbiding of them to preach is as the rejecting of God therefore after the Minister of God be made manifest to the consciences of the people in the sight of God they ought to be received and yet though the danger of rejecting such be so great the punishment for rejecting of them is not to be inflicted by man but by the Lord because it shall be more tollerable for Sodom and Gomorab in the day of Judgment then for such as Christ Jesus hath said The Ministers of Christ are not to be forbidden to preach because they are to commend themselves to the Consciences of those that receives them by manifesting the truth of the Gospel unto them and as it is the Ministers work so to commend themselves to the consciences of the people in order to reception they ought not to be forbidden to preach the Gospel of Christ because preaching the Gospel is the right way and means of manifesting the truth unto them and after they be made manifest to the consciences of the people in the sight of God as his Ministers then it 's the duty of the people Rom. 10.14,15 unto whose consciences they are so made manifest to receive them as the Ministers of God because in receiving of them it 's accounted as the receiving of him Mat. 10.40,41,42 First Mat. 10.7.40,41,42 Mar. 6.12 2 Cor. 7.1,2 They ought to preach the Word of God as well as they ought to be received because God commands it and that 's upon the account of God as it s said he that receiveth you receiveth me Secondly They ought both to preach and be received as they are Ministers of God and righteous Men because the Scriptures and the spirit of truth enjoynes to it and that 's upon the account of their uprightness both to God and Man as they are Gods true and faithfull Ministers First Because the true Ministers of Christ wrongeth no Man Secondly Because they corrupt no Man And thirdly Because they defraud no Man as you may read 2 Cor. 7.2 These therefore who pretend to be Ministers of God and are wrongers of Men and corrupt and defraud them are not to be received as the Ministers of Christ because they are not owned of God but testified against by the Scriptures and also by the spirit of Christ in the true Gospell Ministers Secondly The true Gospell Ministers do not seek to force in themselves upon the people but saith receive us we have wronged no man we have corrupted no man we have defrauded no man as by the Scriptures is evident and plain 2 Cor. 7.2 Mat. 7.15,16,20,21,22,23 2 Joh. 7,8,9,10,11 But the Ministers of Antichrist cannot truly say so because by their fruites the contrary is manifest therefore such ought not to be received but rather rejected being testified against by the Scriptures and also by the spirit of Christ in the true Gospel Ministers because they are not the Ministers of Christ but of Antichrist and therefore deceivers and wrongers of God and man as is evident and plain 2 Pet. 2. Thirdly 2 Cor. 4.1,2 1 Pet. 1.12 Act. 10.42,43 Act. 4 17,18,19,20 Those who are ordained and commanded by the great God of Heaven to preach the Gospel unto the soules of the people with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven if Men should forbid them to preach when God requires them to preach it is better in such a case to obey God rather then man for it was the duty and practice of the Ministers of the Gospel of Christ when they were forbiden by men in Authority to preach any more in the name of Jesus to disobey such commands or ordinances of men who forbad them to preach by preaching obedience to the command and authority of God who requires it of them as you may read
in the case of Peter and John therefore it is the duty and practice of the Ministers of the Gospel of Christ in preaching the word to be instant both in season and out of season according to the charge given before the Lord 2 Tim. 1.2 Fourthly The Ministers of Christ ought not to be prohibited from preaching the Word of God because by their preaching they are to be manifested to the Consciences of the people by a Gospel commendation that they may be received by them to whose consciences they are commended in the sight of God by manifesting the truth unto them but the Ministers of Antichrist ought to be rejected though they pretend to be the Ministers of Christ because they would come in by force upon the people to whose consciences they have not commended themselves as the Ministers of God by manifesting the truth of the Gospel unto them in the sight of God as the true Gospel Ministers do and afore-time did Fifthly 2 Cor. 2.21,21 Acts 10.42,43 The Ministers of Christ ought both to preach and be received as the Ministers of God because they are anointed and sealed of God as well as ordained and sent to Minister from him to the people for their salvation consolation and soul-satisfaction but the Ministers of Antichrist are not to be received but rejected though they pretend to be the Ministers of Christ because they are not ordained and sent of God secondly because they are not anointed and sealed of God and thirdly because they are not appointed by the Lord to Minister from him to the people for their salvation consolation and souls-satisfaction Sixthly They who are ordained anointed and sealed of God and sent forth to Minister from him to the soules of the people they ought to preach because they have the earnest of the spirit of God given into their hearts as a testimony that they are in Covenant with God and appointed to preach 2 Cor. 3.21,22,23 Act. 10.42,43 Seventhly they ought to preach the Word of God because they have not Dominion given them over the faith of their Hearers but are helpers of their joy for it is by faith that they stand as you may read 2 Cor. 2.24 8ly They ought to Preach because there is no falshood in their Doctrine but as God is true so is their Doctrine for it is not yea and nay as it is written 2 Cor. 2.18,19,21,22,23 but the Ministers of Antichrist are not ordained anointed and sealed of God or sent forth to minister from him to the Souls of the People for their Salvation consolation or souls satisfattion therefore they are not to be received as the Ministers of Christ but rejected as the Ministers of Antichrist 1. Because they have not the earnest of the Spirit of God given unto them neither are they guided thereby but do daily err and go astray from Gods own ways 2. Because they do not help the joy of Believers but rather fills them with sorrow and sadness by seeking to have dominion over their faith in seeking to force in themselves and their Doctrine and maintenance upon the People contrary to faith and a good Conscience whilest they themselves are miserable siners and daily offend against Gods holy Laws 3. They are subject to error both in matter and manner who have no saving health in them whose word and doctrine is not true but yea and nay according to the times and contrary to the doctrine of the true Gospel Ministers of Christ as aforesaid They who are ordained anointed and sealed of God and sent to Minister from him to the soules of the people Rom. 8.14,15,16,17 they have the spirit of God given unto them to guide them in their ministration Rom. 8.15,16,17 and if any pretend to be a Minister and have not the spirit of Christ he is no Minister of his Rom. 8.9 They who have received a Ministry from God they have also received a spirit suitable to such a Ministry that is to say the spirit of God whereby they know the things that are freely given unto them as it is written 1 Cor. 2.11,12 for what Man knoweth the things of a Man save the spirit of Man that is in him even so the things of God knoweth no Man but the spirit of God Now we have received the spirit of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God said the true Gospel Ministers which things we also speak not in the words which Mans wisedome teacheth but which the holy Ghost teacheth as yon may read the 1 Cor. 2.11,12 The holy Ghost hath a teaching office in and by the true Gospel Ministers therefore they ought to preach and none are sit to be Ministers before they receive the holy Ghost from Heaven for men are ignorant of the things of God untill then First because no man knowes the things of God but by the spirit of God so that the fpirit of God gives men the knowledg of the things of God in order to administration Secondly the spirit of God is given of God and received by them that are to minister from him to the soules of the people before they be sent forth as his Ministers and they that receive not the spirit of God receive not a Ministry from him therefore they who have hot the spirit of Christ are none of his Ministers as it is plain and clear by the Scriptures Rom. 8.9 Rom. 8.9 As it is the love of God to give his spirit so it is the duty of them to whom it is offered to imbrace and kindly receive such a gift for they who receive not the spirit of God without which they cannot know the things of God they are very unfit to be the Ministers of God First because the spirit of God gives men the knowledge of the things of God Secondly because the spirit of God both guides and inables the true Gospel Ministers to preach or speak the things that are given of God And Thirdly the spirit of God guides and inables the true Gospel Ministers to preach according to the mind of God because it teacheth and enableth them to preach the Gospel of Christ in the words which the holy Ghost teacheth and not in the words which mans wisedome teacheth the words which mans wisdome teacheth are not to be used in preaching the Gospel but that which the holy Ghost teacheth for the Gospel cannot be preached by the wisedome of man without the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven therefore no man can be a true Gospel Minister but such as have received and do receive a true Gospel Spirit to Minister withall as by the Scripture is evident and plain 1 Cor. 2.11,12,13 1. Pet. 1.10,11,12 Rom. 8.9 1 Cor. 2.11 â—2 13 1 Pet. 1.10,11,12 Rom. 8.9 The Scripture doth not enable men to be Preachers of Christ and the Gospel without the true Gospel Spirit which is the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven into the hearts of men for if
the Scriptures without the Spirit were sufficient to enable men by their own wisedome to preach the Gospel why should the holy Ghost be sent down from Heaven for men to preach the Gospell by without which it cannot be done as by the Scriptures aforesaid is plain Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation therefore the Scriptures are not to be interpreted in the words which mans wisedome teacheth but in the words which the holy Ghost teacheth so that man by his wisedome is no true Interpreter of Scriptures therefore the right of interpreting Scriptures belongs not to men by vertue of their humane learning that speaks and teaches the words of mans wisedome but the true right of interpreting Scriptures belongs to them that have received Gods holy Spirit to give them the knowledge of them and be a guide unto them both in the administration and interpretation of Scriptures for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man 2 Pet. 1.20,21 therefore man by his will cannot interpret the Scriptures but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost so that the Holy Ghost in them was the moving cause of their speaking forth Scriptures and without the Holy Ghost Scriptures cannot be rightly known and interpreted by Men for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God and God hath given his Spirit and also revealed deep things to his Ministers by his own Spirit for as no man can know the things of God but by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.9,10,11,12,13 so the Scriptues being of the things of God no man without the spirit can truly know them according to the mind of God therefore the right of interpreting Scriptures belongs unto men by vertue of the spirit of God from whence Scripture prophecies proceeded 2 Pet. 1.20,21 1 Pet. 1.10,11,12 1 Pet. 4.10,11 1 Pet. 1.10,11,12 No man is to minister from God to the Souls of the People but them to whom the gift of Ministration is given and all men have a true right from God to minister from him to the People unto whom the gift of Ministration is given who are to preach the Gospel with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven for the Peoples Salvation of which Salvation the Prophets have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified before hand the suffering of Christ and the Glory that should follow unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven as every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one unto another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God 1 Pet. 4.10,11 whereby it is evident that Preaching is not an art but a gift and they have a true right to be Preachers unto whom the gift of Ministration for that end is given by the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven The Ministers of Christ unto whom the gift of Ministratio is given who are to preach the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven they ought not to be forbidden by Men nor punished for Preaching the Gospel And what Law doth prohibit the preaching of Gods Word and the Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same if any Law should do so would it not concontradict the Liturgy of the Church and the Lawes and Statutes of England because both the Liturgy of the Church and the Laws and Statutes of England allowes of Preaching the Gospel of Christ the power of God unto Salvation the pure Word of God and the Holy Scriptures and what is either agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon Then to preach the Gospel the pure Word of God and the Holy Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same is no matter of fact because it is not to preach contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom What the Liturgy of the Church of England allowes of that the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom allowes of but the Liturgy of the Church of England allowes of Christian Religions Meetings in greater or lesser numbers for the service and Worship of God according to the Scriptures and of Preaching the Gospel to render thanks unto God in Godly Assemblies or Christian Religious Meetings for the great Benefits that we have received at the hands of God to set forth his most worthy praise to hear his most holy Word and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary both for Soul and Body being the chiefe ends of Christian Religious Meetings as the Liturgy alloweth therefore the Scriptures and Lawes of the Kingdom alloweth of the same what the Scriptures doth allow of that the Liturgy of the Church of England alloweth of but the Scripture doth allow of gifted men to preach the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven therefore the Liturgy of the Church of England alloweth of the same for it is declared and said in the Liturgy that nothing is ordained to be read or observed but the very pure Word of God the holy Scriptures or that which is either agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon See that called the service of the Church See the Order for Morning Pâ—ayer See St. Peters day Collect. 1. Pet. 4.10,11 To Preach contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom is it seems matter of fact punishable by the late Act but to preach the Gospel of Christ or the very pure Word of God and the holy Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon is not it seemes to preach contrary to the Liturgy and Lawes of the Kingdom therefore it is no matter of fact nor punishable by the late Act for godly Ministers who are rightly ordained to preach the Gospel of Christ and the very pure Word of God not being contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom because both the Liturgy of the Church and the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom allowes of the same as the right matter of Preaching And as for the manner or places for godly Ministers to pray or preach in the Lord hath not limited or bound them up to Parish Churches and Chappels to assemble together to preach and pray in or else be forbidden and cast out by the great God of Heaven for refusing the same for though Solomon built him an House how be it the most High dwelleth not now in Temples made with hands as saith the Lord the Prophet Acts 7.47,48,49,50 Heaven is my throne and Earth is my footstool what house will you build me saith the Lord or where is the place of my rest hath not mine hands made all these things Acts
himself well pleased with meeting and preaching in Houses in the Primitive times as aforesaid yet the unbelievers and formal envious Professors who were out of love with the same and were against that which God did so signally own by apparent Testimonies from Heaven for the Jewes which believe not moved with envy took unto them certain leud fellowes of the baser sort and gathered a company and set all the City in an uproar and assaulted the house of Jason and sought to bring them out to the people and they drew Jason and certain Brethren unto the Rulers of the City crying these that have turend the World upside down are come hither also whom Jason hath received and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar saying that there is another King one Jesus and they troubled the people and the Rulers of the City when they heard these things as you may read Acts 17.5,6,7,8 Whereby it appears first that some were against meeting and preaching in houses when such Christian religious meetings and preaching in houses were so apparently owned by Testimonies from Heaven 2ly That if God Almighty should never so apparently and signally own such Christian religious meetings and practices as meeting and preaching in houses by never so clear and infallible Testimonies from Heaven yet notwithstanding some out of ignorance or wilfulness will be ready to contradict and oppose the same 3ly That they who were so opposit to the practices of the Apostles and Primitive Christians for meeting and preaching in Houses as aforesaid were unbelievers formal professors who were moved with envy against them and their practices 4ly That those unbelievers and formal professors that were moved with envy against the true Gospel Preachers and Hearers did take unto them certain leud fellows of the baser sort and gathered a company 1. to set the City in an uproar 2. to assault the house where the Primitive Christians were met together 3. to pull them out of the house and bring them unto the Rulers and 4. when they had pulled out the Brethren and Primitive Christians out of the house and brougt them and the man of the house unto the Rulers they begun to accuse them before the Magistrates 1. for being come into their City after that manner 2. for turning the world upside down 3. they accused Jason the man of the house for receiving of them and 4. they accused them all for doing contrary to the decrees of Caesar and lastly the Magistrates were ready to hear them or give credit to their Accusations against the true Gospel Ministers and Primitive Christians Eighthly Now seeing that envy in the unbelievers was the moving cause of taking to them the baser sort of people and certain lewd fellowes to make such an uproar and pull out the brethren and primitive Christians to bring them before the Magistrates to render them odious and worthy of punishment in their apprehensions and that there was a Magistracy ready to believe such things against the servants and people of God how may this instruct all true Christians and Christian Magistrates utterly to abhor detest and reject such wicked ungodly antichristian examples and practises as envy then moved or may now move unto in the unbelievers and baser sort of people against the godly examples and practises of the primitive Christians and how may this induce all true Christians and Christian Magistrates to tollerate justifie and own the example and practise of the true Gospel Preachers and primitive Christians to preach and pray and perform service to God by the word and spirit of God as they did in other places then Pavish Churches and Chapels for God that made the World and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands neither is worshiped with Mens hands as though he needed anything seeing he giveth unto all life and breath and all things as the Apostle hath testified Acts 17.24,25 Ninthly But when he which testified that God dwelleth not in Temples made with hands neither is worshiped with Mans hands as aforesaid was a strict zealous outward professor and unacquainted with God in the spirit he was zealous for the outward Temple and for the worship performed therein and could not endure meeting and preaching in Houses and to hear the outward Temple cryed down for he joyned with the chief Priests and consented with others to the death of Stephen for doing the same or as you may read Acts 6. chap. Acts 7. and as for Saul he made havock of the Church and entering into every House where they used to meet together and haleing out Men and Women committed them to Prison Acts 7.1,2,3 Whereby it is evident that Saul before his conversion and whilst he was ignorant of Christ within was against meeting and preaching in Houses and zealous for the outward Temple as many old formal professors before their conversion in ignorance are so that he could persecute the people of God to death for so doing as many stich like thorough ignorance of the way of the Lord are now ready to do 2. That old zealous professors before their convertion and inward acquaintance with Christ in the spirit are the greatest persecuters of them that are most acquainted with Christ Jesus within in the spirit and are most against meeting and preaching in Houses and are zealous for the outward Temple and Temple-worship which God hath by his Apostles testified against Acts 7.47,48 Acts 17.24,25 is evident and plain as aforesaid Tenthly They who were ignorant of Christ in themselves were most against meeting and preaching in houses and the greatest persecuters of them in whom Christ Jesus was manifest so that they in whom Christ Jesus was revealed did deny the outward Temple and assembled together to preach and pray in houses and were most opposed and persecuted by them that were most in an outward form of profession and ignorant of the life and power of Christ Jesus as aforesaid though Almighty God did apparently own his people in meeting and preaching in houses by signal Testimonies from Heaven as by the Scriptures aforesaid is evident and plain Lastly Though the Apostle Paul before his Conversion and whilst he had not the Revelation of Christ in himself did greatly esteem of the outward Temple and highly oppose meeting and Preaching in houses by making havock of the Church entering into every house and halling men and women committed them to Prison Acts 7.3 yet after his Conversion and when he had the Revelatiof Christ in himself that he might be a Preacher of him as it is written Gal. 1.15,16,17 Then he preached down the outward Temple Worship as you may read Acts 17.24,25 and he owned and practised Meeting and Preaching in Houses Acts 20.6,7,8 Acts 28.30,31 Whereby it is evident and plain that the best of the Ministers of the Gospel of Christ have preached down the outward Temple since Christs Ascension and have owned and practised meeting