Rev. 11.19 i Acts 24.25 k Rev. 11.18 Heb. 6.2 l Rev. 17.1 2. m Acts 16.29 30. n Rev. 11.13 o Psal 45.5 Acts 2.37 Heb. 4.12 p Rev. 11.13 Rom. 11.4 5. q Rev. 13.18 r Acts 1.15 Phil. 4.3 Isa 4.3 s Rev. 3.12 t Luk. 15.16 u Rev. 11.15 w Rev. 12.10 x Rom. 4.13 y Gal. 3.29 Lastly as the a World knoweth not the Subjects of Christs Kingdom so likewise do they not know the Kingdom it self to wit of b Grace according to the Covenant of Grace which none but the new born Children of God can see because it is not carnal neither cometh with outward observations therefore the unbelieving Jews rejected Christ to reign over them in his spiritual Kingdom in his Church as David in the Spirit foresaw being a Prophet and a Figure of Christ in his Kingdom which had it been of this World terrestrial as David's was then David in his Kingdom could be no figure of Christ contrary to David's Confession Mat. 22. who knowing Christ's Kingdom to be spiritual and greater in glory than his therefore though Christ was his Son yet in spirit he called him his Lord which the Jews perceived not but withstood it therefore Christ told them the Kingdom of God should be taken from them which Kingdom was not the civil Government which the Romans had taken from them already but it was that Kingdom the Primitive Churches had received which could not be f shaken to wit the Government of Christ in his Church where the Laws of the King of Saints can only be g kept in the performance of all his holy Ordinances whose Throne is among them and his Saints round about him serving the Lord acceptably by Jesus Christ with reverence and godly fear unto which Kingdom the Lord is a i Wall of fire for our God saith the Apostle is a consuming fire So then seeing the Saints have already received the Kingdom which is promised them on Earth a Kingdom of Priests a holy Nation therefore vain will be the hopes of such Christians that expect they shall be made temporal Princes on the Earth to ride on white Horses with golden Crowns on their Heads they must be told they are mistaken for where Christ rideth on a white m Horse is meant on the purity and powerful administration n of Righteousness in his Church in which work his Saints or Armies in Heaven follow him upon white Horses cloathed in fine Linnen which is the Righteousness of Saints imputed from Christ to them These Mysteries of Christ's Kingdom cannot these personal Reigners see to wit believe any more than the unbelieving Jews as H. Ainsworth on Levit. 26.11 sheweth from the Jews own confession who say the days of Christ are of this World and the World goes after the wonted manner save the Kingdom shall be restored to Israel Of this Opinion was Cerinthus a Jew who dreamed that the Kingdom of Christ should become earthly and that after the Resurrection Christ should reign on Earth Euseb lib. 3. cap. 25. lib. 4. cap. 14. lib. 6 7. cap. 24. See Mr. Meredith Hamner in his Book of Ecclesiastical Histories pag. 565. where he further saith out of the same Author that John the Apostle abhorred the presence of Cerinthus in the Year of Christ 75. a 1 John 3.1 b Luke 17.21 c John 3.3 Acts 1.3 7. d Mat. 22.46 e Mat. 21.53 f Heb. 12.28 g Rev. 12.17 and 14.12 and 22.14 h Rev. 4.2 Jer. 3.17 Heb. 12.22 i Zach. 2.5 k Luke 12.32 l Rev. 1.9 m Rev. 19.11 n Psal 45.4 o Mat. 18.1 2. p Col. 1.13 q Rom. 5.17 r Mica 4.7 These things we thought good to lay down in the explaining the Ordinance of Christ's Government in his Church to help the weak that are deluded in this Point by such as seek whether out of ignorance or not to demean the glory of Christ's Reign in his Church or Kingdom who do as good as say Christ hath no a Kingdom yet when we are told by John that he was in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ Rev. 1.9 and the Primitive Christians are said all of them to be delivered from the Power of Darkness to wit Satan's Kingdom afore proved and translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son Col. 1.13 That as Sin once reigned in them in Satan's Kingdom now being in Christ's Kingdom b Grace might reign in them through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ and thus Christ reigns over his Saints in Mount Sion for ever and ever Moreover as Christ is God c equal with the Father so all Civil Magistratical Government in Nations is ordained by him so that by him d Kings reign and Princes decree Justice And though Christ by demeaning himself for the work of Mans Redemption and Mediation for them in which work he did take our e Nature on him and became a servant to his own Ordinance in paying the Magistrates Tribute yet as he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords unto whom all Judgment is commited all Kings Princes must bow their Scepters to f him in believing in him and submitting to him in obeying his Commands in his Church or Kingdom in the practice of all his holy Ordinances And thus are all the Kings and Judges of the Earth to g serve the Lord with fear and rejoyce with trembling so to kiss the Son lest he be angry and they perish bringing their glory and honour to preserve his Church from outward Injuries as Nursing-fathers And thus the Lord in his mercy directs both high and low rich and poor to make an end of their salvation with fear and trembling that so every one may fight the good fight of faith and finishing their course in keeping the faith shall surely have the Crown of h Righteousness and Glory at the day of his appearing a Rev. 1.9 b Rom. 5.17 c Phil. 2.6 d Prov. 18.15 e Heb. 4.15 f Rev. 21.24 Isa 60.12 g Psal 2.10 11 12. h 2 Tim. 4.8 1 Pet. 5.4 VIII The next Ordinance in order to be performed in the Church of Christ is Baptism of Water which peculiarly belongeth to the Pastor or Teacher to perform and no other Since extraordinary Offices of Apostles and Evangelists are ceased therefore in order for the performance thereof there must be a true Administrator for these Reasons first because the visible Seals of the Covenant Baptism and the Lord's Supper may not be administred by any other than the Ministers of the Word according to the Command of Christ Mat. 28.19 saying Go teach all Nations and baptize c. In which place our Lord commandeth Apostolick Authority unto his Disciples for teaching the Covenant of the Gospel contained in the Prophets and sealing the same to all those the Promise did belong unto Act. 2.39 and hath no-where admitted any to baptize whom he sent not in Office to a preach these things therefore what God hath joyned together let no man put asunder The applying of the Seals is a greater work
when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were q unlearned men they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus who when he ascended up on high gave r gifts unto Men so now in the ordinary Ministry continued to his Church in the Office of Pastors and Teachers for the Work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ in the unity of the Faith and the knowledg of the Son of God which Knowledg is no less than Life eternal to them that attain to this Learning which all the Learning in Nature comes short of a Mat. 25.25 b Mat. 5.15 c Psal 92.12 to 15. d Psal 29.9 e 1 Cor. 14.12 f Acts 8.18 g Mat. 11.25 h Acts 13.26 27. i 1 Cor. 15.3 k 1 Cor. 1.23 24. l Mark 1.16 m Amos 7.14 n 1 Tim 3.1 to 15. Acts 6.3 Num. 8.10 Ezek. 33.2 o Acts 14.23 p 1 Tim. 3. with Tit. 1.5 6. q Acts 4.13 r Eph. 4.11 12 13. s John 17.3 t 1 Cor. 1.26 27. 1 Cor. 2.13 14. VI. Followeth the Ordinance of Contribution to be performed in the Church unto which the Deacon is chosen and put in office to a attend and therefore he seeketh unto the Lord by prayer to b sanctify the performance of the same and likewise to distinguish his Office from the Office of the Ministry of the Word and Ordinance of Prophecy And as there was none to go up to Jerusalem c empty the poor as well as the rich were bound d to manifest their faith by their obedience unto the Command of God who might thereby expect from the Lord a Blessing Even so are the Saints under the Gospel not to go to the Church of God or heavenly Jerusalem e empty therefore it is written Let every f one of you lay apart upon the first day of the week for the relief of the poor as God hath prospered him This must be done with a willing g mind If it be never so small it is accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not If it be but the poor widows h mite that did receive relief among the i fatherless or a farthing of our money we ought every one to shew the fruits of our Faith k in God's service by our obedience Even so likewise it is a duty in this Ordinance that every one of the Saints whether poor or rich as it is written Let l him that is taught in the Word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things that so the Minister may be fed of the Flock he feedeth and Vineyard m he dresseth and not mussel the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the Corn that so if they have sown unto us spiritual things they may reap of our carnal things And further saith the Apostle Do ye not know that they which minister about the holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar Even so hath the Lord ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel And this is likewise to be done willingly then accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that a man hath not Not grudgingly n or of necessity for God loveth a chearful giver And as it is an Ordinance in the Church of God to give to the Poor and also to the Minister so is it an odour a sweet smell a o sacrifice acceptable and well-pleasing to God Moreover as the Minister is left free as he knoweth the state of the Flock p what portion of Food for their Souls He gathereth with labour from the q Tree of Life and layeth before them as he shall account to the Lord Jesus the r chief Shepherd from whom he hath received his Charge s to watch over their Souls t according as the Lord hath appointed u in his Church Even so are the Flock left free what portion they shall give w out of what the Lord hath bestowed on them for his maintenance as they shall account to God for the same If they be able so to supply his Necessities with plenty that he may not be cumbered or intangled x with the Affairs of this Life that he may please him who hath called him to be a Souldier but it is the Ministers Duty if the Flock be poor and not able to labour with his own hands y to help to keep himself and to administer unto others and if need require to lay down his Life for the z Sheep in the service of the Lord in his Church See more of this matter handled in the time for Gospel-Worship or Christian Sabbath a Acts 6.2 3 5. b 1 Tim. 4.4 5. c Deut. 16.16 d Ezek. 44.30 e Heb. 12.22 f 1 Cor. 16.1 2. g 2 Cor. 8.12 1 Chron. 29.9 14. h Luk. 21.2 i Rev. 14.28 29. k James 2 17-26 l Gal. 6.6 m 1 Cor. 9.7 9 11 13 14. n 2 Cor. 9.6 7 8 9 10. o Phil. 4.18 p Prov. 27.23 q Rev. 22.2 Prov. 3.18 r 1 Pet. 5 4. s Act. 20.28 t Heb. 13.17 u Tit. 1.5 w Luke 8.3 10.7 x 2 Tim. 2.4 y Acts 20.34 35. z 1 John 3.16 John 10. VII Followeth the Ordinance of Christs Government in his Church performed by the a Ruling Elder who invocateth the Lord by prayer to sanctify this Ordinance of Christ being in the midst of them b on the c Throne of his Father David who figured Christ in his three Offices in Israel therefore David's Kingdom and Government was temporal as all Figures were but Christs Kingdom is spiritual so not of this d World as himself hath said Which David being a Prophet foresaw by the Spirit and therefore said the Lord said unto e my Lord Sit thou on my right-hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool Now these Enemies which the Father will make the footstool of Christ are the Elect who while they are in the state of Unbelief are enemies in their minds by wicked works Col. 1.21 Some as Persecutors of Christ in his members through the f zeal of ignorance these enemies are subdued to Christ not by carnal weapons 2 Cor. 10.4 but by the ministry of his Word and Spirit in his Servants who in Christ's spiritual warfare are like the g goodly Horse in the Battel shooting the Arrows of his Truth by the Word preached which pricketh their hearts that they fall under him at his feet crying Lord what wouldst thou have me to do Acts 9.6 and 2.37 Thus from enemies are they become friends of Christ doing the Lords h Will and not their own now no more under the i government of Sin and Satan but under the Government of Christ in his Church at his feet for God gave Christ to be Head over all things to his Church Eph. 1.22 As it was foretold The Sons of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee and they that despised thee shall how themselves at the
Ancient Truth REVIVED OR A true State of the Antient Suffering Church of Christ commonly but falsly called BROWNISTS living in London and other Places of this Nation WHEREIN I. Is shewed in the Preface the State of the Gospel-Church from the Time of Christ's Ascension to the End of the World gathered out of the Book of the Revelations II. The Confession of our Faith grounded on the Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets III. By vvhom the Gospel vvas first preached in this Island IV. Our Practice in the Worship of God according to the Practice of the Primitive Church with an Explanation of every Ordinance and vvho have right to administer the same V. The First Day of the Week proved to be the Gospel-Sabbath LONDON Printed in the Year 1677. A Table of some particular Things in this Treatise OF the Articles or Confession of our Faith from pag. 1 to 9. By whom the Gospel-Church was first planted in this Island pag. 10. A true Church of Christ described with her Right and Priviledges and how she is beautified with Titles and all the Promises in Christ confirmed to her pag. 11 12. That every Ordinance in the Church of Christ ought to be sanctified by Prayer and that Singing of Psalms in holy Scriptures is a Gospel-Ordinance pag. 13. The Pastors and Teachers Duty in the Ordinance of Reading and Doctrine pag. 14. Of the Ordinance of Prophecy in the Church by Men Membbers not in office and how it is Gods way and order for to fit Men for the Work of his Ministry pag. 15 16. Of the Deacons Office in the Ordinance of Contribution and that it is the Duty of the Flock according to their abilities to distribute in that Ordinance for their Ministers maintenance and relief of the poor Saints pag. 17. Of Christs spiritual Government in his Church sitting on the Throne of his Father David both Priest and King whose Kingdom is not of this World but distinguished from the Civil Government in Nations with the opening of many mistakes of Men concerning the same from pag. 18. to 24. Of the Ordinance of Water-Baptism Who is the true Administrator of it Where it ought to be performed And the Subjects thereof proved to be Men VVomen and Children with the Housholds the Apostles baptized proved to be Children from pag. 25. to 30. The Word Baptism opened in three several Baptisms and how presumptuous it is to limit the Word Baptism to one sence by comparing it to like Words in Scripture of like signification from pag. 31 to 34. Of the Difference between the Work of the Apostles and ordinary Pasters of Churches p 35. Who began Baptism by way of Dipping among the English People that call themselves Baptists viz. by one John Smith who baptized himself proved by several Testimonies And that Baptism came in the place of Circumcision and as none were circumcised that returned out of Apostacy so ought none to be rebaptized when they return out of Apostacy being baptized before How the Ministers and Members in a true Church are by the Wisdom of God in holy Order serviceable to the Body pag. 36. How to know a true Minister from a false pag. 37. How the Primitive Churches did in order performe very Ordinance on the first Day one after another And that the Covenant and not Water-Baptism is the Form of every true Church pag. 38. The first Day of the Week proved by Scripture and Reason deduced from the same to be the Gospel-Sabbath from pag. 39. to 46. And lastly the many counterfeit shews which the false Church uses to counterfeit the true pag. 47 48. A common Objection against Infant-Baptism answered taken from Mark 16.16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned From hence they conclude because Infants have not Faith that is actually to believe therefore they ought not to be baptized If it were true that Infants have not Faith how false is their Doctrine that say all Infants shall be saved when without Faith none can please God for by Mark 16.6 He that believeth not shall be damned Again if Mark 16.16 denieth VVater-Baptism to Infants because they cannot actually believe it also denieth their salvation because they cannot believe Again if it were true as these men further say that Profession of Faith only giveth right to VVater-Baptism then the Right is no more of Grace by Christ according to the Covenant of Grace handled in pag. 29 31. but of Debt merited by an actual Profession And so the Gospel by these mens Doctrine is made a secondary Law of VVorks Do this and live as is the Popish Faith concerning VVater-Baptism as the Fathers have decreed in the Council of Trent that if any shall say grace is not conferred by the work done let him be accursed Concil Trident. Sess de Sacr. in Gen. Can. 8. To the Reader GOD who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by his a Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds who after he had finished the Work of Redemption for the whole b World of his Elect that Abraham was Heir of that should in due time partake of the Faith of Abraham and so become the Children of c Christ of which number were his Churches established by the Doctrine of the Apostles The Covenant of Grace made with Abraham called the d Kingdom of God the Jews rejected which the believing Jews with the believing Gentiles were Possessors of unto whom Christ the King of his Church had given his Laws to observe with his Ordinances Ministry Time and Maintenance till his second Coming to Judgment He was pleased in his Mercy and Love to his Children to signify to John by his Angel to acquaint the Churches what should befall them and the Enemies of the same from the Time of his Ascension unto the End of the World in that heavenly Book of the Revelations As 1. in chap. 4. is shewed the happy Estate of his Church compared to the Figure of Moses's Tabernacle whilst Christ's glorious Throne was in the midst of the twenty four Elders according to the number of the twenty four Divisions of the Priests and Levites by f David now made a Royal g Priesthood by Christ enlightned with the h Lamps of God's Spirit The Book that is sealed to the i World to wit God's secret Counsel is opened to this Church by the k Lyon of the Tribe of Juda who only hath revealed our of the l Bosom of his Father all things fitting and needful for his Church to know m in this Life In which Book the Words and Phrases are generally taken out of the Prophets and applied to the Prophecies in this heavenly Book unto which we must have respect in the right understanding of the same a Heb. 1.1 2. b Rom. 4.13 2. Cor. 5.19 c Gal. 3.4
appointed in his Testament to be performed namely 1. Prayer 2. Singing of Psalms 3. The Pastor by office reading some part of the holy Scriptures giving the sense of the same with what else by doctrine as the time may permit the Teacher shall deliver and by the wisdom given him applying the same to the Consciences of the Hearers 4. The Men Members exercise their Gifts in Prophesying according to the ability given them of God by two or three at the most 5. The Deacons receiving the Contribution given by the Church for the Minister and the Poor 6. The ruling Elder governing the Affairs of the Church with the Pastor and Teacher in the time of Government 7. Water-Baptism if any were received in Members in the time of Government to be by the Pastor or Teacher administred on them 8. The performance of the Lords Supper after which by the example of Christ all the Church joyntly to sing a Psalm concluding the whole with Prayer All which Ordinances and Offices we find in the Testament of Christ and practised in the Churches wherein the Apostle Paul rejoyced to behold their Faith and the holy a Order they performed them in So that where the holy Doctrines of Christ in his Church are purely taught and all his Ordinances in order performed there is Christ beheld in his beauty and his Spouse at his right-hand in Gold of Ophir who for her incomparable beauty whilst she holdeth fast the Faith once given to the Saints according to the Covenant of Grace made with Abraham and his Infants the Faith of Gods Elect and walketh after Christ the Captain of her salvation in the heavenly Warfare of his glorious Gospel she looketh forth as the b Morning fair as the Moon clear as the Sun and terrible as an Army with Banners beautiful for c scituation the Joy of the whole Earth is this Mount Sion the City of the great King the Lords d House his e Temple and f Mountain of God a chosen g Generation a holy Nation a peculiar People the b Vineyard of the Lord his i Garden inclosed a Spring shut up the sealed Fountain and Orchard of Pomegranates abounding with the sweeet fruits of his Graces his k Heritage and l Kingdom his Spouse his m Queen his n Body Unto this Church belougeth all the o Promises in the Gospel made in Christ who is made unto her p Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption unto whom the Lord is a q Wall of fire his r Presence promised her his s Protection and even Life for evermore As these Scriptures shew to all them that will search the same a Col. 2.5 b Cant. 6.10 c Psal 48.1 2. d Heb. 3.6 e 2 Cor. 6.16 f Mica 4.1 Zach. 8.3 g 1 Pet. 2.9 h Isa 5.1 and 27.2 i Cant. 4.12 Isa 51.3 k Isa 19.25 l Col. 1.13 m Psal 45.9 n 1 Cor. 12.27 Eph. 1.23 o Gal. 4.28 1 Cor. 1.20 2 Pet. 1.4 Rom. 9.4 p 1 Cor. 1.30 q Zach. 2.5 Heb. 12.29 r Isa chap. 60. Ezek. chap. 47. Mat. 18.20 s Ezek. 48.35 Mat. 28.20 Esay chap. 62. Let us now with John in the Spirit ascend to the heights of the Mountains of Israel to behold the true Church of God the Bride the Lambs wife as she is held forth in the Scripture of the Prophets now following her Head and Husband in the performance of all his holy Ordinances in that holy Order Christ hath given her under the Gospel in his last Will and Testament how that all the glory of the Church of God in all Ages is applied to her in all the Promises of Life for her unmovable stability and eternal comfort in the 21th 22th chapters of the Revelations while she aboundeth in the work of the Lord. Therefore let us take a view how glorious this Church appeareth beautified with all God's Ordinances I. Prayer is a a sanctifying Ordinance ordained of the Lord given to his Church as a powerful means to prevail with the Lord for all things we stand in need of offered up by the mediation of Christ Jesus and also serveth to distinguish between every Ordinance as by the example of Christ in the Supper who prayed between the receiving the Bread and Wine And also Moses when the Camp removed sanctified the action by b Prayer and so likewise when it rested Unto which agreeth the Exhortation of the Apostle to the Churches d that by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving let your request be made known to God a 1 Tim. 4.4 Eph. 6.18 19. Act. 6.4 2.42 Zech. 8.21 22. Job 42.8 2 Chron. 6.24 1 Thess 5.17 Rev. 5.8 8.24 b Mat. 26.26 27. Numb 6.23 to 27. c Numb 10.35 36. d Phil. 4.6 with Mat. 6.5 to 15. II. Prayer being performed the Church together do sing with harmony of Voices some part of the Psalms in the holy Scriptures forasmuch as God created no a Faculty in vain but to be used to praise and glorifie the Name of the Lord in his Church where prayer and praises b wait for him for his Mercies and wonderful works of c Deliverance of his Church from the rage of d Pharaoh the Dragon making them to pass through the Sea as on dry e Ground who for their deliverance then sang his f praise So likewise ought the Saints now having received like precious Faith with them 2 Pet. 1.1 2 Cor. 4.13 in these Gospel-days stand on the Sea of g Glass having the Harps of God or like h Melody of joy in the Spirit to see in the Churches Deliverance of old how we were in them delivered by the seed Christ in the loins of the Church then preserved ought now to sing the song of Moses and the Lamb having gotten the victory over the Romish Beast and his Image of whom Pharaob was a i Figure and hereupon was that Psalm with others penn'd by the Spirit of God for the Saints now to sing as our deliverance which the Church of Israel did sing as their deliverance in the Churches deliverance of old many hundred years before they were born and could say by the same Spirit of Faith in Christ to come as we enjoy now he is come of that seed then preserved there did we k rejoyce in him to wit in God for our deliverance in them then delivered as saith the Prophet Except the Lord had left us a very small l Remnant we should have been as Sodom and Gomorrha But some will object that Singing of old was used with Instruments of Musick We answer so was Prayer with offering up of Incense therefore as Incense is ceased yet Prayer remaineth so by like reason though Musick is ceased yet Singing of Psalms remains as an Ordinance of God to his Church else Christ at the first institution of his last m Supper a Gospel-Ordinance would not with his Disciples have performed singing as a Pattern for all his Churches to follow his steps neither would the Apostles have instructed the Churches to employ themselves in
soals of thy feet Isa 60.14 As the Converts did in the Church of Corinth 1 Cor. 14.25 and in the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.9 who came and heard and attended upon the Ordinances of Christ in his Church where Christ as a k Prophet was represented in his Ministry in the Ordinance of Teaching working upon the knowledge of the Hearers that they may discern Sin and Righteousness 2dly as a Priest working upon the Will and Affections killing them a sacrifice that a new and reasonable Creature may be given up to God in his service Heb. 9.11 14. Rom. 12.1 3ly In this time of government now as a l King on his Throne effectually working upon their hearts that the things taught by Prophecy and applied by Priesthood may be orderly practised in a holy Life And thus the Man whose name is the m BRANCH shall bear the Glory and shall sit and rule upon his Throne And he shall be a Priest on his Throne and the Counsel of Peace shall be between them both And thus he must reign till he hath put all his Enemies under his Feet 1 Cor. 15.25 compared with Psal 110.1 fulfilling the words of the Angel to Mary according to the words of the Prophet Isa 9. Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and the Lord shall give unto him the Throne of his father David to reign over both Jews and Gentiles in the Church of God Luke 1.31 32. Rom. 15.12 whom David figured in his terrestrial warfare now spiritually fulfilled in the Church by Jesus Christ and therefore to the Church of God in Philadelphia it is written concerning Christ who is the King of Saints Rev. 15.3 and hath the Key of David that openeth the gates of the City New Jerusalem or Church of God that the Regenerate or Righteous Nation to wit the believing Parents and their Children may enter in in the time of Government who by Covenant do become the Lord's People Deut. 29.10 11. Act. 2.47 Thus in the Church when the Mysteries of Faith are purely taught and opened as the Truth is in Jesus and the Ordinances of Christ in holy Order performed then doth the Spouse or Queen of Christ at his right-hand Psal 45.9 behold the King in his Beauty Isa 33.17 Psal 27.4 90.17 Cant. 5.10 the chiefest among ten thousand Moreover because the Church or Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a Draw-Net that gathereth good and bad to wit some Hypocrites among the Elect. When any such appear to be in the Church and not of it according to God's Order such for their evil-deeds or Heresy being brought in order to the Throne of Christ in his Church in this time of Government and by their obstinacy in sin are known to be dross then according to the Proverb purge out the drose And again Cast out the Scorner and Contention and Strife shall cease Prov. 25.45 22.10 and by this n order of Government Christ's Kingdom is purged the Church is preserved in peace and all confusion avoided the unclean or o leavened persons by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ put out from among them for the destruction or humbling of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus And whilst the Excommunicated person remaineth impenitent in such a condition he is not fit to be received in again until he repent a 1 Tim. 3.5 1 Cor. 12.28 b Mat. 18.20 Exod. 25.8 and 20.24 c Rev. 4.2 and 5.6 and 7.17 Luke 1.32 d John 18.36 e Mat. 22.42 43 44 45. Psal 100.3 f 1 Tim. 1.13 Rom. 5.10 g Zach. 10.3 Rev. 19.14 h Rom. 12.2 Psal 2.13 i Rom. 6 12 13 14 19. k Acts 3.22 l Rev. 19.16 m Zach. 6.12 13. n 1 Cor. 14.33 40. o Mat. 16.6 1 Cor. 5. Now then these things being so according as the Truth is in Jesus what a gross Mistake are some Men under who call themselves Baptists who have published in their Confession of Faith to the World from Rev. 11.15 presented to King Charles the II. from these Words That the Kingdoms of this World there spoken of which shall become the Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ's are say they the Kingdomes of this World which men so mightily strive after when all know that the Kingdoms of this World which men so mightily strive after are such Kingdoms as England Spain and Denmark and the like which are governed by Civil Magistrates according to Gods Ordinance whose Office and Sword they have received next under God to be Heads of their Kingdoms Whether such Magistrates be Believers or no a yet all Christians are bound to obey them not for b fear but for Conscience sake and that in the Lord. a Acts 25.11 b Rom. 13.5 2. To help these Men to see their Mistake in interpreting Prophecies literally and that others may not be deceived by them let the Reader further note That Christ hath his Office next under God to be a a Head and Mediator to his Church and the Magistrates have their Office next under God to be Heads of their Kingdoms These two Governments being both ordained of God yet so distinct the one from the other as they neither do nor can take in hand the Work peculiarly belonging unto one another for which cause it may appear that God divided his Laws into two Tables the one appertaining to the worship and service of God in his Church or Kingdom Christ by it spiritually governing the same the other concerning temporal matters in things appertaining to this Life between man and man which last Work appertaineth to the civil Magistrates Office therefore would not Christ meddle with the c civil Sword in Government d because his Kingdom was not to be of this World neither would he decide civil Controversies e though desired thereunto a Eph. 1.22 b Rom. 13. Job 12.24 c Mat. 26.52 d John 18.36 e Luke 12.14 3. On the other hand the Kings of Judah a might not meddle with the Priests work to burn Incense yet the Magistrates Office when Israel was under Heathen Governours might be performed by them in that Nation and the Israelites bound to b obey them in all their Commands according to the second Table of Gods Law as appeareth by their appointting c Officers judging Controversies and punishing d Malefactors and the Israelites bound to pray e for the peace of that Nation Therefore so long as the two Tables of Gods Law remain unjoyned together so long the Kingdom of Christ and the Kingdoms of this World which Christ's Kingdom is not of will remain distinct the one from the other for which cause Christ paid them Tribute f and commanded his Subjects so to do g teaching us that his Office was subordinate unto them in civil things and also to pray for their good both in body and soul And when it pleaseth the Lord in whose hands the hearts of all Kings and Magistrates are to turn their hearts to obey his Truth and they become
Members of Christ's Church as many Heathen Magistrates in the Apostles days were h then are they said to have their portion in the Holy Land and they do bring their honour and glory as the Gentiles their i riches in becoming Nursing-fathers k preserving the Church from outward Injuries while they in Spirit and in Truth l worshipthe Lord in keeping his Commandments and so the m Earth is said to help the Woman As these Scriptures shew a 2 Chron. 26.16 18. b Jer. 27.6 8 12. c Jer. 40.5 d Jer. 29.22 23. e Jer. 29.7 f Mat. 17.24 25 26 27. g Rom. 13.6 h Ezek. 48.21 i Isa 60.3 6. Rev. 21.24 k Numb 11.12 Isa 49.23 l John 4.24 Phil. 3.3 Rev. 22.14 m Rev. 12.16 Again there are three Kingdoms here on Earth first the Kingdom of Magistratical a Government in Nations secondly the Kingdom or spiritual b Government of Christ in his Church thirdly the Kingdom of c Darkness where Satan the d Prince of this World ruleth in the hearts of the children of e disobedience The two first Kingdoms or Governments are ordained of God the third was usurped of the Devil The time when his Kingdom began was so soon as Man fell by his means into f Sin and thus Satan as a strong Man armed took g possession in our first Parents until a stronger than he came upon him and dispossest him to wit Christ by God promised to them that the Seed of the h Woman to wit Christ should bruise the Serpents Head and God gave them faith to believe the same and thus Christ threw out i and took possession in his Elect Children whom the Father had given k him to dwell in their hearts l by faith Thus the War began betwixt Christ and Satan in Paradise a figure of the m Church and n Heaven it self so that in a Mystery it is written There was War in Heaven o Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon and the Dragon fought and his Angels and prevailed not neither was place found any more in Heaven for them Thus Christ in the purpose of God and in the fulness of time by his death spoiled p Principalities and Powers as it is written For this purpose the Son of God was manifest that he might q destroy the Works of the Devil Thus Christ by the Ministry of his Word as a r Prophet worketh upon the knowledge of his Elect Children that they may discern Sin and Righteousness as a Priest to work upon the Will and Affections s killing them a t sacrifice Which Work of Christ Abel by faith saw by killing the sacrifice he was worthy to die and by offering it up on the Altar he u confessed that Christ must die for his Sins but Cain who was not of the number of the Elect yet shewed he a form of Godliness offered his m Sacrifice as Hypocrites do without faith therefore it was not accepted as Abel's was for which cause he x slew his Brother so he is said to be of that wicked One in whose posterity Satan had his Kingdom called the World of y ungodly which perished in the Flood and their Spirits remain in prison in expectation of endless woe to have their portion with him they served a Rom. 13.2 b Psal 149.6 7 8 9. Mat. 18.18 c Rev. 16.10 Eph. 6.12 d John 14.30 e Eph. 2.2 f Gen. 3.1 John 3.8 g Luke 11.21 h Gen. 3.15 i Heb. 2.14 15. k John 6.37 39. l Eph. 3.17 m Cant. 4.12 n Luke 23.43 o Rev. 12.7 Dan. 12.1 p Col. 2.15 q 1 John 3.8 r Acts 3.22 s Phil. 2.13 t Rom. 12.1 u Heb. 10.4 Psal 40.6 7. Gal. 3.24 w Prov. 15.8 Isa 66.3 x 1 John 3.12 y 2 Pet. 2.5 1 Pet. 3.19 Mat. 25.41 Moreover after the Flood Satan began his Kingdom again in Noah's Son Canaan the Son of Ham whom Noah a cursed for his sin of tale-bearing who ought to have b concealed and not to have reproached his Father nevertheless in the Field of the c World God hath his Elect in whom as aforesaid Satan ruleth for a while until Christ by the Word of his Grace worketh Repentance in them to the acknowledgment of the Truth that they may be recovered out of the d snare of the Devil captivated by him at his will Thus we see the Work of Christ is to dispossess Satans Government or Kingdom out of the hearts of his Elect as is opened to us in Rev. 11. When Gods time was come that he would restore his Church by raising up of his Elect out of the e grave of sin wherein they lay f dead under the Antichristian Errors and Doctrines of Devils whom the Lord g awakened by the h Lightnings and thundering Power of his Law as was signified by the Temple of God being opened in Heaven and the voices of his servants signified under the seventh Angel sounding his true Doctrine out of the same which caused such an Earthquake or trembling that some like i Felix trembled yet not bettered but were angry to have the Doctrine of eternal k Judgment preached against the Romish Hirlot their Mother who had made all Nations drunk with the Wine or salfe Doctrine of her Fornication in this Earthquake Others like as the m Jaylor were converted insomuch that the tenth part of the City n fell from the belief of the Antichristian Errors to believe the Doctrine of Christ's Temple and Altar See the Preface to the Reader Thus the o Arrows of Gods Truth pricking the hearts of the Elect wrought so effectually that there was slain of Men or Names of Men p seven thousand now no more to be q named of the number of the Beast but of the number of the r Names that do follow the Lord Jesus on such is written a new s Name even the Name of the City of the Heavenly Jerusalem the Mother of all God's Children So that now in whom Satan had his Kingdom by ruling in them Christ by faith now dwelleth and ruleth which causeth the Angels who are round about the Throne of Christ in his Church to rejoyce at the conversion of poor sinners and so likewise do the Saints as it is written There were great voices in Heaven to wit in the Church saying The Kingdoms of this World are become the u Kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ and he shall reign for ever and ever And again Now is come salvation and strength and the w Kingdom of our God for the Accuser of our Brethren is east down And thus the Kingdom of the World that Abraham was Heir of to wit the World of the Elect which in the dispensation of times are brought into subjection to Christ by the faith of Abraham as it is written If ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and Heirs according to promise a Gen. 9.25 29. b Prov. 11.12 13. 17.19 c Mat. 13.28 d 2 Tim. 2.25 26. e Ezek. 37.13 John 5.25 f Rev. 20.5 Eph. 2.1 g Eph. 5.14 h Hos 6.5
one of those extraordinary Officers given for a time for the work of the Ministry this Office he had when he baptized Moreover he was authorized expresly and furnished with gifts of working Miracles Act. 8.13 That Ananias was a private Man as some suppose cannot be proved for he was by the Lord call'd and sent and enabled to work Miracles as Acts 9.17 18. Timothy also a Disciple when he was chosen and taken of Paul to assist him is not to be accounted a private man but an Evangelist 2 Tim. 4.5 sent and authorized by the Lord. Moreover if it were granted that he was a private man yet his action done by express command from God might not be followed by other private men any more than the action of Gideon in offering Sacrifice which belonged only to the Tribe of Levi might be followed by others of his Brethren of the Tribe of Manasses Judg. 6.15 25 26. That any private Man of Cyprus or Cyrene administred Baptism or the Lords Supper cannot be proved As for Apollos he cannot be accounted a private Man whom Paul joyned with himself nor Cephas a Planter and Minister whom the Corinthians followed as one of their chief Teachers 1 Cor. 1.12 2.6 4.6 To conclude the end of all As it appeareth by the Scriptures that God hath in all Ages permitted the Dispensation of the Sacraments or visible Seals of God's Covenant to the Ministers of the Word chosen and set apart for that purpose and not to all or any other They therefore that shall teach or preach or practise any otherwise shall walk in the sin of Jeroboam the Son of Nebat who sinned and made Israel to sin in whose days whosoever would consecrate himself might execute the Priests Office in the high places which thing turned to sin to root out Jeroboam's House from the face of the Earth 1 Kings 13.33 34. These things being written for all Christians learning Rom. 15.4 that none may presume out of a good intent as Vzza did to break God's Order lest God's Wrath break out against them in this life as it did upon Vzza they may hear the Sentence of Christ notwithstanding their preaching and boasting what Works they have done in his Name saying unto them I never knew you Depart from me ye workers of Iniquity Isa 1.12 13. Mat. 7.23 Forasmuch then as in these latter days we are taught by Christ that there shall be many saying Loe here and loe there is Christ but he commandeth us not to go after them because they follow not the Lamb on Mount Sion in his holy Order in the practice of his holy Ordinances Therefore for our better understanding in order to the performance of this Ordinance in the Church to wit Water-Baptism we may observe three things 1. The End wherefore it was ordained 2. What giveth persons right unto it 3. The Manner how it ought to be performed To the First Baptism of Water was ordained of God to manifest Christ to Israel John 1.31 And also it was a Sign of the Remission of Sins by the Blood of Christ to all those the Promises in the Gospel belong unto Acts 2.39 Secondly That which giveth any right to partake of the Sign or visible Seal of the Covenant of the Gospel is not by any Act of Man but by the free Grace and Love of God in Christ without any desert of ours to all those he pleased to accept into the Covenant of the Gospel to all such it is written that he will be merciful unto their unrighteousness and their sins and iniquities will he remember no more Heb. 8.12 Therefore as the Lord did ever accept into his Covenant the Fathers with their Children so have both equally the Promises belonging to them of the Pardon of their sins therefore have they by virtue of the Covenant a right to the Sign or visible Seal of the pardon of their sins even Baptism of Water and hereupon as the believing Parents with their Infants were accepted into God's Covenant therefore did the Apostles baptize Believers with their houshold which were their Children as anon shall be proved Moreover there is no Act of Man that can give him right to any Ordinance of God but only God's Mercy in Christ manifested in the Covenant of the Gospel from the days of Adam But if it be the pleasure of God as it was in all Ages to accept the Children with the Parents into the Covenant of Grace and therefore the Benefit of the Covenant ever belonged to them to wit the Seal of Faith with them and never forbidden the same only the outward Sign or Seal changed from Circumcision to Water-Baptism How dare any Man then deny the Infants of the Covenant the Sign of the Remission of their Sins which right they enjoy by the Covenant seeing they were with their Parents of old a holy even so they are b now a chosen Generation and holy Nation with them so c now d Olive Plants Buds or young e Branches in the Vice CHRIST So are Believers the Blessed of the Lord and their f Off-spring or Buds with them the Lord's g Heritage and of the Kingdom of God though vessels of small h quantity yet with their Parents are they a part of the Glory of Christ's House or Kingdom having faith in the bud else could they not i hope in God on their Mothers breasts which in due time was made manifest in their Childhood crying in the Temple k Hosanna to the Son of David that is O Lord save to the amazement of the carnal Professors then and also now who are offended at them so as they account the Children of Believers in the same estate with the Children of Turks and Pagans contrary to the Scriptures that ever accounted the Children of the Church of God holy sanctified from the Womb when as the Children of Unbelievers are unclean estranged from the Womb accounted l Liars from the birth Children of m Wrath in one estate with the World of n ungodly that perished in the Flood and their Spirits with their Parents are said to be in Prison as the Children of the Sodomites being accounted o unrighteous with their Parents suffered likewise with them the vengeance of eternal Fire But the Children of the Members of the Church of God Christ p blessed with his spiritual blessing towit the q Remission of their Sins as all in God's Covenant have the equal and alike benefit of being born in Covenant are said to be the Lords Children r baptized by one Spirit with their Parents in to Christ's Mystical Body so have they his Spirit else could they not be s Christ's or holy with their Parents a holy Nation So that we may conclude with the Apostle seeing these have received the t Spirit as well as we who shall forbid water that they should not be baptized a Ezra 9.2 b 1 Cor. 7.14 c 1 Pet. 2.9 Exod. 19.6 d Psal 128.3 e John 15.4 Luke 18.16 f Esay 65.23 g Psal