Georgians Henry Nicholas and his 5 There be no created graces in the Saints Christ takes them out of their owne hands into his 6 There was no created graces in the human nature of Christ he was only acted by the God-head 7 The Image of God in Adam was not in holinesse but in being like to Christs manhood 8 No scripture warranteth Christs manhood to be now in heaven but the body of Christ is his Church So Saltm Sparkles of glory as before observed 9 We are united to Christ with the same union that Christs humanitie on earth was with his Godhead Joh. 17.21 that is right downe Christ and every Saint is one person then were the saints personally and really crucified dyed buryed rose again and ascended to Heaven with Christ. 10 No evidence of our good estate is either from absolute or conditionall promises 11 The Disciples were not converted before Christs death Matth. 18.3 12 The Law is no rule of life to a Christian. 13 There is no Kingdome of heaven but onely Christ. 14 There is a first ingraffing in Christ by union from which a man might fall 15 The first thing God reveales is to assure us of election 16 Abraham till he offered his son and saw the firmenesse and certainty of his election was not in the state of grace 17 Vnion to Christ is not by faith 18 All commands even of faith kill as the Law doeth Rom. 3.17 Contrary to the Gospel that gives life and commands faith in Christ also 19 There is no faith of dependance but onely that of assurance 20 A hypocrite may have Adams righteousnesse and perish and is obliged to keep the Law 21 There is no inherent righteousnesse in us 22 We are dead to all spirituall acts and onely acted by Christ. 23 Not being bound to the Law it is no transgression against the Law to sin for our sins are inward spirituall exceeding sinfull and onely against Christ. 24 Her own revelations about future events are as infallible as Scripture the Holy Ghost is author of both she is obliged with certainty of faith to beleeve the one as well as the other 25 So farre as a man is in union with Christ he can doe no duties perfectly and without the communion of the unregenerate part with the regenerate 26 Exhortations to worke out our salvation to make sure our calling and election by good works are given onely to those that are under a covenant of works M. Weld sheweth when preaching could not prevaile to gain Familists though thereby many were gained to the truth many doubting ones confirmed an assembly was appointed at Cambridge then called New-Towne M. Hooker and M. Bulkley were chosen Moderators The Magistrates sitting by as hearers and speakers when they saw fit Liberty being given to the people to hear that they especially might be satisfied in conscience touching the truth then controverted by wicked wits A place was appointed for all the Opinionists to come in and speak due order being observed Which if done by citation and the Ministeriall power of Jurisdiction as may be gathered from Matth. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. 1 Tim. 5.19 And they accused upon the Testimony of witnesses and publickly rebuked and not onely the Heresies condemned but the holders of such opinions ministerially and by authority and power given of Christ for edification 2 Cor. 10.8 declared publickly to be such as trouble the Churches and pervert soules Act. 15.24 and that the people of God beleeve no such lying opinions nor follow such wicked practices Act. 21.25 and if the Opinionists should refuse to heare the Church or Churches offended they should be excommunicated and holden for Heathen and Publicans as Matth. 18.15 16 17 18. 1 Cor. 5.1 2 3 4 5. that they leven not the whole lumpe of many Churches Gal. 5.9 10. compared with Gal. 1. v. 2. if I say so they had been dealt with it had been right But though this Synod did much work upon many the chiefe leaders remained obstinate When foure Elders were sent to Mistris Hutchison she with a fiery countenance asking whence they came received this answer We come in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ from the Church of Boston to labour to convince you Answered with disdaine from the Church of Boston I know no such Church call it the whore and strumpet of Boston no Church of Christ. As men turn to these abominable opinions God gives them up to vilde affections for divers of them became unclean M. Weld saith they had no prayer in their family no Sabbath insufferable pride hideous lying some of them convicted of five some of ten lies one smitten of God in the act of lying fell in a deep swoune and being recovered said Oh God thou mightst have struck me dead as Annanias and Saphira for I have maintained a lye Mistris Hutchison and others were excommunicated for lies others for other foule scandals Mistris Hutchison defended her twenty and nine errors in the Church of Boston openly with lyâ—ng knowne to many that heard her she brought forth deformed Monsters to the number of thirty Omnipotency of Divine Justice further interposeth a revenging hand from heaven for at Boston 1637. October 17. When God was beginning to take vengeance on persecuting Prelates and their adherents in Scotland for the Assembly of Glascow was convened the end of the next year Anno 1638. in which the Prelates of Scotland were excommunicated and the morning of Britans Reformation was dawning at this time the Wife of William Dyer a proper comely yong woman was delivered of a large woman childe as the Story saith Rise Reigne p. 43 44 it was still-born about two moneths before the time the child lived a few houres The child was a fearfull and rarely prodigious Monster It had no head but a face which stood so low on the brest as the eares most like an Apes eares grew on the shoulders the eyes and mouth stood farre out the nose was hooking upward the brest and back was full of sharpe prickles like a Thornback the Navell and all the belly with the distinction of the sex were where the lower part of the back and hips should have been and those back-parts were on the side the face stood the armes and hands were as other childrens but instead of toes it had upon each foot three claws with talons like a young foule upon the back above the belly it had two great holes like mouths and in each of them stuck out a piece of flesh it had no forehead but in the place thereof above the eyes foure hornes whereof two were above an inch long hard and sharpe the other two shorter The Father and Mother were the grossest and most active Familists malicious opposers of the godly the father of the Monster after a Moneths absence came to Boston the Lords day the just time when it was borne and the same day was convented before the Church for making Christ and the Saints a
in heaven The kingdome of God is the Spirit of Jesus Christ and that Christ would have shortly a glorious kingdome and that Paradise heaven and hell were within men and that heaven was the gifts of the minde the earth the goods of the bodie and their use which shortly should come to the Saints Another false Christ was Henry Nicholas who called himselfe as Ainsworth saith The Father of the Family of Love who saith of himselfe God hath wrought a wonderfull worke on the earth and raised up me Henry Nicholas the least among the holy ones of God which lay altogether dead and without breath and life among the dead and made me alive through Christ as also annointed me with his godly being Manned himselfe with mee and Goded me with him to be a living tabernacle or house for his dwelling and a seat of his Christ the seed of David And Behold and consider my beloved how wonderfully God worketh in his holy ones and how that now in this day or light of the love the judgement seat of Christ is revealed and declared unto us the household of love out of heaven to a righteous judgement upon earth from the right hand of God And how that on the same judgement seat of Christ that the Scriptures might be fullfilled there sitteth one now in truth the wretched impostor H. Nicholas in the habitation of David which judgeth uprightly thinketh upon equity and requireth righteousnesse And againe Behold in this present day is the Scripture fulfilled and according to the Testimony of the Scripture the raising up and the Resurrection of the Lords dead commeth also to passe presently in this same day through the appearing of the comming of Christ in his Majestie hee meaneth the false Christ Henry Nicholas which Resurrection of the dead seeing that the same is come to us To Henry Nicholas and the Family or Elders of Love from Gods grace wee doe likewise in this present day to an Evangelike or joyfull Message of the Kingdome of God and Christ publish in all the world under the obedience of love Sent. 9. In which Resurrection of the dead God sheweth unto us that the time is now fulfilled that his dead or the dead that are fallen asleepe in the Lord rise up in this day of his judgement and appeare unto us in godly glory which shall also from henceforth live in us H. N. and the Family of Love everlastingly with Christ and raigne upon the earth wherein the Scripture becommeth fulfilled in this present day like as there standeth written thereof The Lord shall judge his people c. One of the hearers of Randel a preaching Familist at London was asked If he beleeved the bodies of men dead and buried in the earth should be raised to life Answered I know not For Familists Mistresse Hutchison and hers say That the soules of men are by generation mortall like the beasts Eccles. 3.8 But in regard of Christs purchase immortall and that those who are united to Christ in this life have new bodies and two bodies 1 Cor. 6.19 These who have union with Christ shall not rise with the same fleshly bodies 1 Cor. 15.44 And that the Resurrection spoken of 1 Cor. 15. and John 5.28 is not meant of the resurrection of the body but of our union here and after this life with Christ. That there is no kingdome of heaven in Scripture but onely Christ. So said Hymeneus and Philetus and the Libertines who made the resurrection a spirituall communion with Christ. Antinomians have never shewen their mind of the resurrection and the life to come and have never contradicted the Libertines and Familists in these and yet own their other opinions Yea Saltmarsh to me owneth no heaven but that which is in this life if a naked opinion were added to it For saith he The Spirit of Christ sets a beleever as free from hell the Law and bondage here on earth as if he were in heaven nor wants he any thing to make him so but to make him beleeve he is so So he wants nothing of heaven but beleeve he is in heaven and he is in heaven hee will not except the resurrection of and the glorifying of the body Phil. 3.19 20. nor the rooting out of originall sinne nor the immortality of the whole man nor freedome from sinning immunitie from sorrow sadnesse perfect joy pleasures for ever more seeing of God and injoying of him face to face the perfecting of love and of grace with glory all which he wanteth of heaven and hath here onely the first fruits of the Spirit and is absent from the Lord and sigheth in this tabernacle and since Saltmarsh professeth a finer free grace and a further revealing of the Gospel in its glory liberty c. Why doth he not once in all his Treatises mention the last and perfecting act of Free grace and Gospel-freedome that Christ will raise up the beleever at the last day 2. While Antinomians cleare us touching their mind of the sense the flesh sinning before men not in regard of faith or in Gods sight or account I must conceive they meane with Mistresse Hutchison and other Familists a sinning in the old body not in the new and in the old soule they have by generation not in the new soule or in the conscience as M. Denne saith which they have by Redemption I therefore attest them to cleare themselves in that distinction and either black the Familists or owne them as their owne 3. Calvin saith from Paul Wee are in this life saved in hope we have not heaven and life eternall in perfection and compleatly here we doe but wait for our full and finall redemption of soule and body at Christs comming whereas Libertines said we were compleatly saved in this life So say Saltmarsh and M. Towne who are angry that Protestant Divines say We are saved by right and in hope and really in Christ our head but they will have us fully compleatly perfectly saved in this very life though we have not the sense and feeling of it and we want nothing of eternall life but beleeve wee have it compleatly as the glorifyed and wee have it CHAP. LXXXIII Familists Libertines Anabaptists goe before Antinomians in denying all externall worship and obedience Paral. XV. HEnry Nich. called love the Being and Godhead of Christ which we received through the power of the Holy Ghost and that love within was all and that all externall obedience from the Letter of the Word was fleshly and Ceremoniall Just as Master Dell Ser. 19. rejecting all external Reformation calleth it hypocritical and carnal and refusing the Scriptures either Law or Gospel as meere carnall Letters devoles all on the Spirit and acknowledgeth no Lawes at all in Christs kingdome but the Law of nature 2. The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ which is the Spirit himselfe in
as Tirzah comely as Jerusalem terrible as an army with banners But now the tables are so far turned that our Generall Assembly is a Papall throne above Kings and Kesars and we our selves are worse then Egipt or Babylon Doth a fountaine send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter My brethren these things ought not so to be But what although Scotland be Egipt and Assyria Esaias saith ch 19.18 And in that day shall five Cities in the land of Egipt speake the language of Canaan and sweare by the Lord of hoasts And though we be Assyria as M. Burton the title page saith we like that better of the same Prophet v. 24. In that day shall Israel bee the third with Egipt and with Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land whom the Lord of hoasts shall blesse saying blessed be Egipt my people and Assyria the worke of my hands But I am afraid that Familists Antinomians Arminians Socinians whom M. Burton calleth the Saints shall not be found the onely true Israel of God 2. Wee passe not to bee judged the vilest of men by M. Burton or partakers with murtherers with rebells with Traitors Incendiaries underminers of the English Parliament Antichristian and Papall Tyranizers over the bodies estates consciences of the free borne English under the notion of Presbyterians For 1. M. Burton is but a man and speaketh thus from the flesh and hath three times changed his minde or profession touching Church-government and other points of tollerating Arminians Socinians and the like against which he gave a testimony in his Apologie and other writings hee that changeth thrice may change four times and ten times But if we should stand or fall by the Testimony of men I should rather name Apostolicke Calvin renowned Beza godly and learned Cartwright Propheticall Brightman with other worthies M. Dod M. Hildersam M. Dearing M. Greenham M. Perkins M. Baynes M. Pemble D. Ammes D. Sybs D. Preston I speake not of many eminent lights in Scotland who now shine in another firmament of M. Knox M. Bruce M. Welch and many the like worthies if these who are asleepe in the Lord were now living they would deny you and your Independencie and seperation your Schismes Atheisticall and Epicurean tenets of toleration of all Sects Religions false wayes your Antinomians Familists Socinians Arminians Arrians Antitrinitarians Antiscripturians Seekers Anabaptists all which I cannot but judge to bee yours because you are so farre from writing against them or denying them that in your bookes to write against them is to persecute the Saints of the most high few or not any of your way wrote ever one jot against them But you spend all the blood and gall of your pen on Presbyterians on the Scots the City of London the Assembly of Divines on Sion Colledge as against Egipt Assyria Babylon Antichrist tyrans over the conscience persecuters of the Saints such as would inslave England You plead for a toleration to them all they are the Saints the godly party the only Anointed ones I deny not but many carnall men may and doe crowd in amongst Presbyterians but are they owned by them plead they for them doe they booke them in their accounts as the godly party But the Presbyterians spread a thousand lies of them yea to say no more of them then what their Printed books speak which were never disclaimed by them They cannot be lyes when the Authors and Patrons who plead for toleration to them are not only silent but reply and duply in Presse and Pulpit for the vindication of their innocency But if Antitoleration may goe pari passu equall foot and pace with Antinomisme Arminianisme and Socinianianisme and such like heresies and false wayes as consistent with godlinesse and Saintship why should Presbyterians be blotted out of the Kalender of Saints and ought yee not also to restore them with the spirit of meeknesse to oppresse imprison fine and confine them to decourt them out of places judicatures offices societies is no persecution why should devouring pennes be sharped and inked with gall and venome of Aspes against them only as Antichristian Popish Tyrannicall prophane bloody-persecuters the sonnes of Pope and Prelate you are more debters to them for your lives free-holds estates victories free sitting Parliaments peace plenty freedome from grievous Taskmasters of Egipt ceremonies wil-worship and other toyes which the godliest rather tolerated then approved then to any sects in England Your Antinomians Familists Socinians Antiscripturists the Gedeons and Saviours of the land of whom the maids in their dance sing they have slaine their thousands and their tenne thousands when both Kingdomes were in the post way toward Babylon were as men buried and in the congregation of the dead and as still as salt we heard nothing then not one sound nor the least still whisper of the warres of the Lambe of a two edged sword in the hands of the Saints M. Del then to some purpose as a man in the streets might have said of men of these times what he most unâ—ustly and calumniously saith of the Reverent Assembly of Divines if they approve not his Familisme They are the enemies of the truth of Christ and he hopes the last prop of Antichrist in the Kingdome This is the bloodiest tongue-persecution ever I read of to lay such a charge on men godlier then himselfe because they cannot and dare not command their conscience to come up to the new light of H. Nicholas and such blasphemers yea at that time there were faint and cold counsells and incouragements given to their brethren for the prosecuting the innocent and harmelesse defensive warres of the Lambe Gideons sword was then among all the sects of England no better then an oaten reed not one sect then durst face the field against the Antichrist they were like silly Doves and fainting Does if I may have leave in humility to say it desiring that Christ lose not when Instruments gaine motions owe much to the first moover And posterity will know to the second comming of Christ from whence came the first stirring of the wheeles of Christs Chariot in Britaine and who first founded the retreat to returne backe againe from Babylon Partiall and lying stories cannot prevaile against a truth knowne to all the Christian world Europe and the Sunne are witnesses of lyes and partiall reports made on the contrary The sects were innocent men of conveening of a free Parliament Now the worst representation yee can put on our judgement of Antitolleration is that we maintaine that opinion not out of weaknesse and want of light as the Saints doe all their opinions which you plead ought to be tollerated but out of wickednesse and that we would with high hand force upon the consciences of others our opinions which is the most direfull persecution ever was heard of But brethren why doe yee breake windowes in our consciences to charge us with wickednesse in our opinion of Antitoleration and will have
all your owne errors if they be errors to be vailed with meere weaknesse measure out to us some scruples and graines of charity if you would have pounds and talents of meeknesse and forbearance weighed out to your selves You will not buy and take in with a little weight and sell and give out with a great measure Double weights are abomination to the Lord. Give us but quarter measure and charge us not with persecution and slaughtering of the Saints because we judge a toleration to all even to such as will not come up to the unity of one faith and confession thereof that is Socinians Anabaptists fleshly Familists Antinomians Arrians Arminians Antiscripturians Enthusiasts Seekers and the like to be right downe Atheisme we conceive the godly Magistrate does not persecute the Saints if he draw the sword against adulteries murtherers rapts robberies even in Saints and we hope you at least some of you are of the same minde with us now spirituall whoredome perverting of the right wayes of the Lord Socinianisme professed and taught to others even in Saints to us is worse and more deserves the sword then adulteries for false teachers are evill doers and so to be punished with the sword Rom. 13.3 4. and called evill workers Phil. 3.2 such as rub the pest of their evill deeds upon others and therefore not to be received into any Christian society house or Army 2 Joh. 10. such as the Holy Ghost said under the Kingdome of the Messiah when the Spirit was to bee powred on the family of David and the fountaine opened should bee thrust through wounded and killed because they prophesie lies in the name of the Lord Zach. 13.1 2 3 4 5 6. c. 12.10 all the godly thinke of Antitoleration as a truth of God they are perswaded of in conscience must stand when the hay and stubble of Liberty of conscience Antinomianisme and the like shall be consumed with fire so doe the godly in the Churches of N. England thinke with us refute this opinion of ours and of these whom you esteem to be Saint-murtherers with reasonings and not railing nicknaming us Antichristians Babylonish Lords over the conscience to shame us out of this opinion which is the truth of Christ with the odious and bloody charge of persecuters of the Saints sonnes of Babel Tyrants over the consciences of the godly this is the heaviest club-law on the conscience and the saddest tongue-persecution we know else the sharpe arrows of the mighty and coals and firebrands of Juniper with which M. Burtons writings are salted against his sometimes dear brethren the Presbyterians the sometime Saviours and Redeemers of the oppressed and crushâ—d Saints are not persecution contrary to Psal 52.1 2 3 4. Ps. 120.2 3 4. Jobs friends persecuted him Job 19.20 sure they lifted neither sword nor speare against him whether our Brethren did counsell in private and publicke to send an Army against their brethren of Scotland to destroy them who in the sincerity of their hearts did sacrifice their lives for their safety peace liberties and Religion or no I leave to their owne consciences As for the forcing of our opinions upon the consciences of any It is a calumny refuted by our practise and whole deportment since wee came hither Our witnesse is in heaven it was not in our thoughts or intentions to obtrude by the sword and force of Armes and Church-government at all on our brethren in England but wee conceive that Master Burton and the renowned Kingdome of England are engaged by the oath of God to receive such a Government as is most agreeable to the word of God and the example of the best reformed Churches and are obliged sincerely really and constantly through the grace of God to endeavour in their severall places and callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland in doctrine worship discipline and government against our common enemy Now if M. Burton have sworne the covenant he hath ingaged himselfe in the first Article thereof really sincerely and constantly to endeavour in his calling the preservation of the like supremacy which the Pope himselfe claimeth over Kings Princes States Kingdomes commonwealâ—hs the preservation of infallible Generall Assemblies on earth of that spirit of Antichristian pride and tyranny of Rebellion and Treason in lifting up a Papall throne above Kings and Kesars above Kingdomes and Commonwealths to the enslaving of the whole Nation of England in their soules bodies and estates whereby the fundamentall Laws priviledges and power of Parliaments liberties and freedome of all true bred English subjects are brought under perpetuall bondage worse then that either of Egipt or Babylon Now I desire Burton to awake and all our brethren of the way of Liberty of conscience in England who I suppose have sworn the Covenant sincerely and really if a Preacher of the Gospel and Saints who preach cry print that the government of the Church of Scotland and of all the Reformed Churches is Antichristian Tyrannicall rebellious treasonable destructive to the liberties laws and freedome of the English subjects worse then that of Egipt and Babylon doe in their callings of preaching the Gospell professing the truth sincerely really and constantly indeavour the preservation of the government and discipline of the Church of Scotland O but they doe endeavour its preservation onely in their callings against the common enemy What is this but they sweare to defend Antichrist in the Presbyterial government against Prelates that is against Antichrist in Prelacie and yet blacke it as Antichristian and how in your severall callings now M. Burton and our brethrens calling is to preach and write for the truth then must their calling bear them to preach and print to the Prelaticall party and to Cavaliers that the government of the Church of Scotland is lawfull Apostolicke and of Divine right otherwise they cannot in their severall callings defend it against the common enemie for it is not Pastors calling nor I suppose a lawfull calling in our brethrens minde to defend it with the sword and must the preaching and printing to Antinomians Socinians Arminians to Saints hold forth an Antichristian a worse then Egiptian and Babylonish government exclame against it as undefendable and yet defend it against the common enemy the Prelates But whether our Brethren did sweare the Covenant with a purpose to keep it or no and whether they have not endeavoured not to preserve but to destroy and extirpate the Reformâ—d Religion doctrine worship discipline and government in Scotland and persecuted us because we assert it or if more can be done then the proposalls of the Army and the Parliament hitherto have done if they doe no more to promove all heresies and errors contrary to sound doctrine wee must remit in silence to the only finall determination of the most High They are stronger then we but I am confident the earth shall not cover the blood that is shed in Scotland but it shall
higher Spirit then that which speaketh in the letter of the Law it 's true it s the same infinite Spirit The Lord that speaketh in all Scripture but in the Law he saith nothing but either perfectly doe all or die eternally But in the Law as handed by the Prophets Christ and the Apostles the Lord condemneth and convinceth that we may flee to the suretie of a better Covenant Heb. 7.22 Now in this sense Law and Gospell called the word of God is not a dead letter in it selfe for Psa. 19.7 The Law of the Lord converteth the soule c. Rom. 1.16 The Gospell is the power of God to salvation to every one that beleeveth both to worke faith Rom. 10.17 and to give salvation Rom. 15.4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience and comforâ— of the Scriptures might have hope this must be the written scriptures 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Cor. 1.21 For after in the wisedome of God the world by wisdome naturall knew not God It pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that beleeve then is the word preached a mean to save the beleevers Act. 13.26 To you is this word of salvation sent Yet the Jews to whom it was sent Blasphemed and judged themselves unworthy of eternall life ver 46 Act. 20.32 I commend you to the word of his grace which is able to build you up 2 Cor. 10.4 For the weapons of our warefare are not carnall but mighty through God to the pulling downe of strong holds casting downe imaginations and every bâ—ight that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God That which is the strong weapons by which men fight word and discipline and is mighty through God is not a dead letter though these weapons be mighty through God so is the word a hammer and a sire and the people wood and the sword of the Spirit and sharper then a two edged sword to discerne the thoughts and intentions of the heart Ier. 5.14 Eph. 6.17 Heb. 4.12 Re. 1.16 Ps 45.3 The Rod of Christs lips by which he smites the earth Esa. 11.4 The Sceptor of his Kingdome all which evince that the word externally preached hath power in it selfe to destroy and being accompanied by the Spirit hath power to coÌ„vert and so is an instrument of the Spirit both wayes 3 Conclusion The Lord hath made and sanctified a ministery and ministers to be fathers of the second birth and instruments to save themselves and others 1 Cor. 4.17 1 Tim. 4.16 2 Cor. 3.2 Yee are our Epistle written in our hearts read of all men 4 Forasmuch as yee are manifestly declared to be the Epistle of Christ ministered by us written not with inke but with the Spirit of the living God not in tables of stone but in the fleshy tables of the heart 1 Thes. 2.19 For what is our hope or ioy or crowne of rejoycing are not even yee in the presence of our Lord Iesus Christ at his comming 20. For yee are our glory and crowne Swenckfield denyeth that he destroyeth Scripture or the ministery or preaching but saith he Epist. An. 1529 In a Christian there be two things 1 The new and internall man 2 The old or externall man called the flesh God dealeth with the Christian man internally by the word of Spirit and life he meaneth the substantiall word in whcih he reveales himselfe through Christ by the various riches of heavenly blessings but externally he dealeth with the flesh of man by the word of the letter and by preaching and by signes and seales So Saltm as if brought up at his feet saith free grace pag. 150. And this Gospell fits man who is made up both of flesh and Spirit and so hath need of a law without and in the letter aswell as in the heart and Spirit The law is spirituall but we are carnall Rom. 7 nor can such a state of flesh and Spirit be ordered by a law onely without for the word of the law and Spirit meerely is for a spirituall condition or state of glorie as Angels who onely liue by a law spirituall and word of revelation then both agree in this that the law is given to the outward man the flesh the body and the law of the Spirit of life to the inner man the soule and Spirit hence these foule consequences 1 The law belongs not to a beleever but to civill courts as Islâ—bius said 2 The word of God can lay no tye no band on the inner man to know God beleeve in Christ love God intend his glory long for heaven and Christs second appearance for the law is given to the flesh and the outward man nor can the letter of the Gospell bind him to any Gospell or heart obedience absurd 3 There can be no sinnes in spirit or soule or inner man because no law and so no obedience most absurd 4. All Ministry scripture is not to rayse an inward spirituall conformity between the Soule and the Gospel nor to make us lowly and meek in spirit as Christ is but to put on us an outside of externall conformitie between the flesh or outward man and the law how then is the law spirituall I should rather think that the spirituall law and commandements of the Gospel were given first and principally and most kindly to our spirits and thoughts and intentions and rather secondarily to the body and outward man so farre as the acts of the outward man fall under the dominion and command of the will and faculties of the inwardman 5. The spirit without the word is the law and only rule that regulateth man in all his inward and most spirituall actions and not the scripture and so the more spirituall the more lawlesse loose and carnall And Mr. Del goeth farther on with Swenckfeld for he will have the accomplishing of Gospel reformation that is the justification of a sinner and his conversion to Christ to be done by the spirit only without all power of man and so it is not visible nor ecclesiastick ser. pag. 4. It stands not in making lawes to consciences add Mr. Del contrary to the word of God act 15.22 23 28 c. by the sacred power or clergie by the messengers of Christ and of the Churches for externall conformity only and meerly externall its false wee aime at more in outward dueties worship and government and to have these confirmed by civill sanction To have Artaxerxes and Kings to ratifie and command under penalties the building of the house of God and to have Kings and Queenes nursefathers and mothers to the Church is lawfull and should be our aime and prayer to God 1 Tim. 2.1.2 3. and that the Kings of the earth bring their glory and honour to the New Jerusalem Revel 21.24 wee heartily desire though the Lord can build Jerusalem without the sword of sectaries and the arme of the Magistrate And Del sayth this Gospel reformation
Popery or what else is or shall be by law established without once promise of obedience in the Lord and according to the rule of holy Scripture They well knew that Puritans were hatefull to King James and all such as were non-conform to Prelacy and Ceremonies in either Kingdoms and therefore to ingrâ—tiate themselves into the Kings favour they raile in their fleshly manner against all the godly in England for which cause the Prelates did overlook them partly because they made work of controversies for the times and diverted many from eye-ing and considering the corruptions of Prelates partly because Prelates and they were common enemies to those that were truely godly and unjustly called Puritans and what shall we think of those that went for Puritans in England not many years agoe who now turn Familiâ—ts as many now adaies doe 2. They defy all to object any thing against them except disobedient Puritans who maliced them these 25 years and what marvell for Hen. Nichol. saith prophet of the Spirit c. 13. § 8. He can no more erre in what he saith than could the Prophets of God or Apostles of Christ He saith § 9. Almost all of his way were an uncleane whorish covetous and fleshly company 3 They acknowledge their obedience to Ceremonies sacraments and the Kings supremacie Yâ—t amongst them are neither Kings nor Masters H. Nicho. Spirit c. 34. Sect. 8. But are equall in all degrees among themselves as they say 4 Thâ—y say onely right gracious Soveraigne wee have read certaine bookes brought forth by a German Authour under the Characters of H. N. out of â—hich service or writings we be taught all dutifull obeâ—ience towards God and a Magistrate and to live a godly and honest life and to love God above all things and our Neighbour as our selves agreing therein with all the Holy Scriptures as wee understand them But nothing of the blessed Trinity is here nothing of the Gospel of Christ God man of the justification of the ungodly by faith and the rest of our Articles of faith but only of a mere legall way to heaven as if they were in the state of innocencie So they extoll fleshly Henry Nicholas and his doctrine that disclaimes all the protestant faith 2. They will not have the scriptures a rule of faith but as they understand them 5 They complaine that H. Nicho. is shamefully slandred and his disciples traduced persecuted and imprisoned 6 That nothing could ever bee proved against them But that was because they hold it lawfull to deny Christ and their religion before men what then could bee proved against them 7. They intreat the King to read H.N. his books and commit to learned men the examining of them and promise they will bring over some disciples out of Germanie who knew H Nicho. while hee lived to resolve the K. of hard phrases in his writings 8 That they maintaine no errors willfully 9 They desire inlargement upon baile out of prison Yet the Puritans maintaine errour willfully But the truth was the Prelats because the Familistâ— bowed to their Baal of conformity and hated Puritans and counted any religion indifferent fostered them and would neither refute them nor suffer any others to refute them which is the cause of all the fects this day in England they lay under warme prelacie spake nothing against their domination and now in this time of liberty they come out to the sunne and day-light CHAP. XV. Of the Familists and Antinomians of New England ABout the yeare 1630. The Christians of England who could not beare the Antichristian yoake of prelacy nor submit to the Popish Ceremonies and new inventions of infamous Laud the late persecuting Antichrist of Canterburie who for his Tyranny to soules and treason against the state dyed by the hand of the Hang-man on the Tower-hill of London were forced to remove from England and to plant themselves among the wild Americans with no intention as godly ministers informed me to pitch on a Church-government either that of Independencie or of the stricter Separation or any other different from the reformed Churches but only to injoy the ordinances of Christ in purity and power and to be freed of Prelatical Monarchy a plant never planted in the Lords Viniard by our heavenly Father they were not well established in New England when Antinomians sprang up among them for the Church cannot be long without enemies These were Libertines Familists Antinomians and Enthusiasts who had brought these wicked opinions out of Old England with them where they grew under prelacie I heard at London that godly preachers were in danger of being persecuted by Laud for striving to reclaime some Antinomians They held these wicked tenets especially that follow as may be gathered out of the storie of the Rise Reign and Ruine of the Antinomians and libertines that infected the Churches of New England penned as I am informed by M. Winthrope Governour a faithfull witnes and approved by M.T. Weld in his preface to the book 1 In the conversion of a sinner the faculties and workings of the soule on things pertaining to God are destroyed and instead of them the holy Ghost comes in and taketh place just as the faculties of the humane Nature of Christ doth 2 Love in the Saints is the very holy Ghost 3. As Christ was God manifested in the flesh so is he incarnate and made flesh in every Saint So saith Saltmarsh sparkles of glory opposing the Protestants p. 255. Others say Familists in opposition to Protestants as he cleareth p. 254. Christ in us is when we are made the anoynted of God which is the Christ or the whole intire Christ as one spâ—rituall new man 1 Cor. 12.12 and that the Image of Christ â—n us is Christ manifested in our flesh as to sufferings and death whereby the flesh is crucified in the power of God and of the Spirit and the outward man or the flesh is dying now Christ in the flesh 1 Cor. 12 12. is the mysticall body of Christ his Church and this is to Saltmarsh and Familists God manifested in the flesh 4. The New Creature or new man Love or the armour of God Ephes. 6. is not meant of grace but of Christ himself 5. The whole letter of the Scripture holdeth forth a Covenant of works By which beleevers under grace are not to hear or read the Scriptures nor to search them so Saltmarsh Sparkles of glory p. 247 268 269. 6. The Faith that justifieth hath not any actualâ— beeing out of Christ it is Christ beleeving in us 7 The due search and knowledge of holy Scripture is not a safe way of searching and finding Christ So also Saltmarsh Sparkles of glory p. 244 245. 8 The Law and preaching of it is of no use to drive men to Christ Saltâ— Spark of glory p. 235.236 237 238. 9. All Covenants to God expressed in words are legall Saltmar Spark p. 244. 10 A Christian is not bound to the Law as a rule
and weake yet they were contentious and Shismaticks ver 3 4. For one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo Sure Saltmarsh ordinarily expones Scripture by consequences which are fleshly and legal and phansies types by a spirit that contradicts the spirit speaking in the word 14 And the great and excellent designe saith hee speaking of the marrow of the Family of love or mind of God in all these things is only to lead out his people Church or Disciples from age to age from faith to faith from glory to glory from letter to letter from ordinance to ordinance from flesh to flesh and so to spirit and so to more spirit and at length to all spirit when the Sonne shall deliver up the Kingdome to the Father which is not only when the fulnesse of time or ages is come but in transacting and finishing in parâ—s and Members of the body of Châ—ist and is not oneâ— single act poynt or effusion of glory but a perâ—ecting and fulfilling it in severall members of Christ till the fulnesse of the stature of Christ for the day dawnes 1 Pet. 2.19.75 And for a Disciple to stay longer in any ministration then the Lord or the life and Spirit of Christ is in it is as if Lot should tarry in Sodome For saith he p 73. A Christian must crucifie each condition he passeth through We must then learn from Familists 1. That Christ was a legall and literall Saviour as David George said for he passed through all these ministrations And Saltmarsh must bee neerer to all Spirit then Christ and the Apostles 2. Saltmarsh growes in transitions to new Orbs and Heavens For in his Treatise of Free Grace we heard of nothing but Law and Gospel now he is upon the secrets of Familâ—sts and Enthusiasts to crucifie Scripture praying hearing writing and he is become all spirit And this is a third state I grant the Scripture saith that the Messiah shall Dan. 9.27 cause in the midst of the week the Sacrifice and the Oblation to cease and that shadows of good things to come shall be abolished when the body and life of ceremonies shall come But I desire one letter of Scripture that saith when the Spirit commeth even in this life he shall cause praying beleeving prophesying seales the Scriptures to cease and we shall be above and beyond all Gospel-Ordinances even in this life 3. For Familists that are all Spirit to hear bee baptizeâ— with water read is as unlawfull and fleshly as for Lot to stay in Sodome after the Lord had commanded him to depart 4 Then the delivering up of the Kingdom spoken of 1 Cor. 15. and the day of judgement is already begun and is in doing these many centuries of years So wee heard before H. Nicholas say even now in this present day doth the Lord sit in his Throne and judge the world I rather beleeve Paul then Saltmarsh or H. Nicholas For Paul saith 1 Cor. 15. speaking of the Resurrection of our bodies which I am sure the Familists have not yet seen 1 Cor. 15.24 then commeth the end 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Then when the resurrection of the body shall be Then shall bee the end when he shall render up the Kingdome to the Father So the rendring up of the Kingdome to the Father which Saltmarsh faith pag. 72. is even now when the day dawneth and the Day-starre ariseth shall not bee till the end and till the generall Resurrection of all bee And therfore Saltmarsh misseth a step in his new devised order except he say with Libertines and Hen. Nicholas that the resurrection is to be exponed spiritually as Hymaeneus and Philetus said and there shall be no more resurrection nor day of judgement nor rendering of the Kingdome nor heaven nor hell but such as we see in this life as it is most like Saltm beleeveth with al the Nation of the Familists for the administration of the spirit is in this lif as wel as the ministration of Law and Gospel were in this life The Scripture speakes of the day of judgement as of a thing not yet come 2 Thess. 2.2 Let no man trouble you neither by spirit nor by word nor by letter as from us as that the day of Christ is at hand Then some by the spirit of Scripturelesse revelation â—s now Anabaptists and Familists have said the day of judgement was neere or begun in this life yea the Scripture saith It is a day appoynted of God Acts 17.31 and sheweth us the fore-going tokens of that day beyond which there is no more time nor Gospel as 1 Thess. 5.1 2. Matth. 24.22 23 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47. Matth. 25.31 46. 2 Pet. 3.1.2 3 10 11 12 13 1 Cor. 15.24 25 26. And what needed the Holy Ghost bid us watch and be sober and beware that that day come not on us unawares and tell us if we have not oyle in our Lamps at that nick of time whâ—n the shout shall be given that the Bride-groome is entred in his chamber Matth. 25. there is no more place for repentance or buying oyle or any possibility of salvation when that day is once come because if the day of judgement bee now and the rendring up the Kingdome to the Father bee in this life how is it that so many daily repent and escape out of the snare of the Devill And the market of buying oyle in this life is not passed For Peter Act. 8. willeth Simon Magus while he liveth to repent and sue for pardon And so the time of the offered Gospel and the day of judgement cannot be both together Paul could never sâ—y 1 Cor. 3. I could not write to you as to spirituall but as to caâ—nall except he meant that he wrote to some spiritual man nor could he say the spiritual man discerneth al things except the last ministration which is the spirituall ministration were begun in the time that Paul wrote to the Corinthians and then began the ministration of the Spirit and our seeing of the Lord with open face 2 Cor. 3. and so then was the rising of the dead the rendring of the Kingdom to the Father And where are wee now If the dâ—â—d have beene a rising now these fifteene hundreth yeaâ—es and a dying all this 〈◊〉 For Saltmarsh asâ—ured uâ—â—hat the 〈◊〉 of the Kingdome is not in the end of 〈◊〉 â—orld when the fulâ—â—sâ—e of â—ime or ages is come but it is a 〈…〉 in parts till the fulnesse of the stature of 〈…〉 Ephes. 4.11 12 13. that we meete all in heaven and the Lord Jesus his mystâ—cal body be filled up and perfected and so long as Pastors teachers and a ministery shall bee on earth and when this shall be the scripture telleth when the end shall câ—me 1 Cor. 15.24 and when all rule power and Authority shall bee put downe and Christs enemies subdued and when all things shall be
by the word they must be the traditions of men and argue the imperfection of the word of God and if they bee another Gospel then though the Apostles or an Angel from heaven preach them let alone Familists we are to pronounce them as accursed knowing wel that the word of God is able to save our souls John 20.31 Luke 16.29 30 31. To make us perfect to salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. To convert the soule to make wise the simple Psa. 19.7 and that new spirit must involve us under a curse and the breach of a commandement if we adde to the word of God Revel 22.18 19. Deut. 12.32 chap. 4.2 Prover 30.6 And the spirit of God biddeth us not follow a rule cōtrary to the word 3 There is not any in this side of Heaven that need not a Temple nor Ordinances but such as need neither the light of the Sunne or of the Moone or of a Candel Revel 21.22 23. chap. 22.5 and so are freed of their bodies and glorified with the Lambe and such as see God face to face and are not in the dark moone-light of faith 1 Cor. 12 12. 2 Cor. 5.7 We read not of any clothed with clay-bodies all spirit all perfect or that can say they sinne not Pro. 20.9 1 Joh. 1.8 9 10. Eccles. 7.20 nor of any beyond the reach of praying beleeving growing in grace 4 Nor can there be any more in Heaven than the perfection 〈◊〉 Saints and the meeting of us all in the unity of Faith unto a perfect man and the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ. For the most perfect and most spirituall that are all Spirit shall have mortall and corruptible bodies till the blowing of the last Trumpet which must be changed in a moment in stead of dying 1 Cor. 15.51 52. and so cannot be perfect they must be watching and girding up the loynes of their mind and so ruled by ordinances 5. It is true Christ onely perfecteth as the principall cause but the Apostles and Ministers of Christ present men perfect in Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 1 Thess. 2.19 20. and they save themselves and others 1 Tim. 4.16 6. We have not Apostles now so eminent in gifts tongues miracles but a Ministery there is and beleevers till Christs second comming there shall be And if so their faith must come by hearing and hearing there cannot be without preaching and so ordinances of Preaching Preachers Sending Rom. 10.14 else the gates of hell must prevaile against the Church builded on the Rock Matth. 16. and therefore the Scripture warranteth us to think there were Apostles for the first age and Pastors and Teachers till Christs second comming 7. Saltmarsh exponeth or rather depraveth the place Matth. 28.20 with the help of the Greek Tongue then he must be a Legalist and in his Book give us Sparkles of Law Flesh Judaisme not of glory And sure his Interpretation comes not from all spirit nor must we take his allegories types corrupt glosses phansied consequences to be Discoveries of pure glorious light and all Spirit For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the world is not an age containing the life time of the Apostles only but it is the world For the sin that Mat. 12.32 is said not to be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come Mark 3.29 hath not forgivenesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it cannot be that it hath not forgivenesse for that age because it is punished with eternall damnation Matth. 21.19 Let no fruit grow on thee for ever 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saltmarsh his new Discovery of all Spirit must say the Figge-tree for all this might bring forth fruit the next age Luke 1.55 as he spake to Abraham and his seed for ever John 6.51 If any man eat of this bread he shall live 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever And must he but live one Age and die the next John 4.14 He shall not thirst for ever So is the same word John 8.51 ch 8.52 2. Saltmarsh by this new Discovery hath found a good way to make heaven and hell endure but for an age and then have an end For John 10 28. Christs sheep shall never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perish He that liveth saith Christ John 11.26 and beleeveth in me shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never die But doe Seekers and Familists think he shall die the next age and live the first age John 12.34 We have heard that Christ abides for ever John 14 16. The holy Ghost abides with you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever Demas hath loved this present world 2 Tim. 4.10 2 Cor. 4.4 Satan is called the God of this world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in opposition to the world to come 2 Pet. 2.17.17 To whom the mist of darknesse is reserved 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for ever The darknesse of hell endureth not for an age onely 3. And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is simply everlasting and that which hath no end John 3.16 He that beleeveth shall not perish 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but hath eternall life that is not life for an age onely So John 3.36 John 4.14 John 4.36 He gathereth fruit to life eternall John 5.24 John 6.40 v. 54. John 10.28 John 17.2 Acts 13.46 and yee judge your selves unworthy of eternall life Rom. 2.7 Rom. 6.22 4. The same expression that is here noteth the end of the world For it is that endurance beyond which there is nothing but heaven and hell Matth. 13.40 So shall it be in the end of the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The same expression is v. 49. v. 39. and the harvest is the end of the world And Matth. 24.3 What shall be the signe of thy comming and of the end of the world And here Lo I am with you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 even till the end of the world 5. And if Christ promised to be with his Church for an age so as Apostles doe cease in the next age then must there be no Saints on earth now but onely in the first age after Christs resurrection For this promise of Christs presence is extended not to Apostles only for Christ walketh with all true Churches Rev. 10.2 but to all the faithfull Then certainly Christ is the head of his body the Church Col. 1.8 but he hath no body he is a husband but hath no wife on earth he is a King and a King for ever but hath neither people nor kingdome nor Scepter of Word or Ordinances He reignes in the midst of his enemies by his Word slayeth the wicked with the rod of his mouth hath an everlasting kingdom hath dominion till all his enemies be subdued Psal. 110.1 2. Psal. 2.6.7 Heb. 1.8 Psal. 72.7 8 9. Esay 9.7 ch 11.4 And if there be no Ordinances no Church no word of righteousnesse preached which is the Scepter of his Kingdome no Sword of the Spirit comming out at his Mouth no word of the Kingdome no Embassadours no Ministers of the
Whereas Del saith the Words of Christ are Spirit and life Just so said the Libertines and cited the same Text as Calvine saith Instruct. advers Libertat cap. 10. pag. 442. Verbum Dei Spiritum esse aiant quia Dominus ait verba quae loquor Spiritus vita sunt Pag. 441. Verbum Dei nihil aliud quam Spiritum esse Pag. 451. Scripturam in naturali sensu suo acceptam literam mortuam esse ideâ— que missam faciendam ut ad Spiritum vivificantem veniamus Were they to Capernaum that stumbled at his words of life to Corazin and Bethsaida to the heardned Jewes and the blinded Pharisees Spirit and life they were death to them as well as the Law But saith he Christs words come from the Spirits and carry Spirit with them If he meane a Ministeriall and Propheticall Spirit not the killing Law came from the Spirit it is false Is not the Tenne Commandements as given by Moses a part of Scripture Exod. 20. Deut. 5. Math. 22. And is not all Scripture given by Divine inspiration no lesse then the Gospel 2 Tim. 3.16 And doth the Gospel ever carry Spirit with it Then unbeleevers the blinded and hardened hearers of the Gospel not onely resist the Ministeriall Spirit speaking in Christ the Prophets and Apostles but also the saving regenerating Spirit of Sanctification Arminians Socinians Jesuits Pelagians all enemies of free grace shall close with Del in this but Del shall not close with himselfe for he saith inward Reformation caryeth along with it the Omnipotent power of God that cannot be resisted pag. 8. 6. This opinion confoundeth the Gospel and the Spirit making the Gospel effectuall as if the Gospel were essentially life and did save all elect and reprobate and were essentially the irresistible speciall Spirit of Sanctification and so the Gospel cannot be the Gospel to these that stumble at the Gospel but the naked Letter which they say is proper to the Law and the Gospel shall bee no Letter at all no externall command urging us to obedience and indeed Del pag. 26. saith there is no Lawes in Gods Kingdome but Gods Lawes and hee speaks not one word of the Scripture and written and preached Gospel onely he acknowledgeth three Lawes in Christs Kingdome One that the Socinians acknowledge The Law of a new nature other two that the Enthysiasts and Antinomians acknowledge The Law of the Spirit of life that is in Christ and the third which the Familists call for to wit the Law of love Farewell then Scripture Law and Gospel And Towne goeth before him who saith If the Spirit be free why will you controule it by the Law To which I say because it is the lawlesse Spirit of Enthysiasts the murthering Spirit of Anabaptists Libertines Familists who kill all as Antichristian that are not of their way as Del threatneth all Presbyterians in his Preface that is a Spirit controuled or contradicted by the Law or written Word but not the true Holy Spirit FINIS Job 31.21 22. Conformities deformity p. 17 b Preface to the â— Major of London c Pag. 20.22 Juvenalis O sanctas â—entes quibus hoc nascuntur in hortis â—umiâ—a Confor defor pag. 20.21 A letter of M. Iohn Welsh An. 1605. Confor Defor Confor dâ—for Returne from the Parliament of England to the Commissioners of the Generall Assembly an 1642. Ordinance of Parl. an 1643. Feb. 9. Declarat of both Kingdoms an 1643. Declaration to the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland an 1642. Declarat to the Parl. of Scotland 1642. Declarat given to the Commissioners August 1643. Ordinance 1645. Oct. 20. Ordinance 1645. Mar. 14. Ordinance 1645. Nov. 9. Ordinance 1646. Feb. 4. Ordinan for Oxford 1647. May 1. Treatise between the Kingdomes Ordin 1643. Sep. 18. Declarat of the House of Com. an 1646. April 18. Letters of the Assembly to the Reformed Churches an 1644. Ordin 1644. Iun 3. Zach. 12. Antinomians in â—he Apostles time haâ—e their disceâ—â— from the old Katharoi called puritans The Libertines who spraâ—g up 〈◊〉 1525. of kiâ— to the Familiâ—â—s and Antinomians Finer Antinomians deny the Incarnation of the Sonne of God Coppinus Quintus Antonius Pocquius the first Libertines Anton. Pocquius a Priest the first libertine affected to be obscure and objected ignorance to Calvin that be could not understand his fooleâ—iâ—s Libertines and Antinomians in many things like other Libertines and Antinomians agree in opinionâ— in most things a Calvin adver libert cap 9. p. 441 442. b Calv. 442. c Ibid. e Rise reign â—r 2.3 Adv. libâ—râ— c. 9. p. 411. f Rise reign unsav speech â—r 8. Libertines say Angels are but motions of the minde Libertines make God the author of sinne Antinomians conspire with them g Rise reign er â— 3. h Rise reign â—r 11. i Thâ—l Germ. ca. 22. p. 52. Antinomians and Libertines have the same conceptioâ—s touching mortification and conscience of beleevers k Towne assert gr 97 98 99.115 116.42 43 Salâ—m free gr 83 84 85. Den. conference with the sicke man p. 30 31 32 33. Eaton honeycombâ— c. 8.171 172. l Town assert pag. 103. m Calv. aâ—ver liber c. 19. fo 453 454. m Denâ—ser man of sin p. 9 10 11 12. Saltm fr gr 142 Honey-combe c. 4.5 n Calvin adver lib. c. 21. o Salt fr. gr 140 Tâ—w ass gr p. 60. Mistris Hutchison Rise and reign p. 61 62 63. Nich. Stork Tho. Muncer his Rise and Tenets how sutable with Antinomian divinity p Rise aâ—d reigâ— p 36. q Del. sâ—r 26. Henry Pfeiffer and Muncer their sediâ—ious spirits and miserable end Great tumults to the killing of above an hundred thousand through Germany and about by the Antinomian spirits impulsion which waâ—tâ—th the light of Scripture Tenets of Hubmeir Tho. Schuker by the impulsion of a Spirit without Scripture beheaded his owne innocent brother Becold called John of Leiden his rise bloody attempts spirit wiâ—hout Scripture anâ— Tragicall end John Matthâ—z an Enthusiast Becolds spirit visioâ—s brâ—ng forth polygamy and haâ—iâ—g 〈◊〉 many wives Becold wouâ—d have dâ—ubâ—e the Apostles of Christ â—nd more Becolds bloody spirit A Bullinger adv Anabaptist l. 1.2.3 Sleidan hist. Heresbachius historia Anabaptistica Lambertâ—us Hortensius of the same Freder Spanhemii Diatribe historica de Anabap Ioan. Clopenburgius Gangrena Anabaptist M. Robert Baylie 2. Part of diswasive Anabaptisme the true fountaine of Independencie c. The Tenets of Anabaptists in which they side with Antinomians b. Seaven â—eaded policie by M. Gortin c. Towne assâ—r gr p. 60. Becon Catech. p. 139. he speaketh of our resurection as of a thing past p. 141.142 Rise reign p. 59. art 2 3 4 5. d. Towne ass p. 77 78. Hobson pract divin p. 87 88. Thelo German Bright star Salt Free grace p. 140. e Saltmar sâ—ad fleeing away p. 8. free grace .179 180 181. Familiâ—t Gortyn seven headed policiâ— 1. clases of Anabaptists Divers classes of Anabaptists all which hold somthing common with the
them by which any man that denies his heresie and â—aiâ—h he beleeveth as the Church beleeveth is absolved which Familists do q Faith and a good conscience then are not the two chiefest jewells that God hath gâ—ven to men r The Prelates and prophane courtieâ—s and the multitude were their friends as they are to all licentious religions t Divers of the court of Queen Elizabeth and of K. James and some nobles were Familists I would these who now rule all by violence and force were not of that abominable way for enemies they had few or none except Puritans they lived under the shadow of Prelacie and court when many thousands of pretious Christians for nâ—n-conformity were silenced banished prisoned wasted w If the way of H. Nicholas beâ— thâ— only true way of salvation as here they say fidelitas decl c. 4 sect 11. the King should bee petitioned without delay to take it to his consideration as a matter to be preferred to all his most important Kingly affaires but they petition for a delaying triall because every one that doth evill hateth the light x Then they allow a share of the grace of Christ on all rulers for they except none though heathens and persecuters and on all mankinde on the universall earth x Grosse flattery y Then they can settle upon no Religion till K. Iames find leasure to try and read the hereticall and fleshly writings of H. Nicholas a In this they professe their zâ—ale to have K. Iames an illuminated Elder of the family of love as it would be their joy this day to have K. Charles of their way that so hee might compell all others to that way for they talke much of liberty of conscience to themselves but we finde when they have the sword they straine and squeeze to the blood the consciences of all contrary to their way b They conceive King Iames and all not of their way that are but Scripture-learned with the fleshly wisdome as they speak of the letter to be the very Antichrist and all lyes that the ungodded or unilluminated men out of the imagination or riches of their owne knowledge and of the learnednesse of the Scriptures bring forth Institute preach or teach See Evan. ch 32. ch 33.34 and H.N. Exhor c. 14. Sect. 9. c They doubt if there be any of their way and family in Germany which evidenceth that it is a notoâ—ions lie that H.N. saith Evan ch 34. that he is godded to publish the joyful messâ—ge in all the world And H.N. Exhor 12. sect 40. and Exhor 14. sect 9. that all the Kingdomes of the world should assemble them to this one Kingdome of peace and love and this same love service shall breake in among all Nations and let it selfe be heard over all lands but here they doubt if in one corner of Germany one man of this way can be had c All heretickes as Calvin noted of libertines delight to speake in uncouth language beside the Scripture that they may be the only spirituall men whom none can understand but spiritualists of their owne way d They clearly professe they will not suffer for familisme nor that which to them is the only true Religion and make K Iames the absolute and peremptory judge that if he find them hereticall they shall submit faith conscience and salvation to the King to leave or take the writings of Henry Nicholas as his Majesties Laws shall appoint them this is a Religion for the times and the flesh This well agreeth with the Familists of our time Del Saltmarsh Bâ—con Râ—ndel and others to whom profession of truth and of Christ before men is an externall and a forme in Religion and who cry out against formes and uniformity and teach that we should please one another in love in all these externalls we may doe or leave undone Sabbaâ—h preaching hearing Sacraments let them be inrolled in the Kallender of the late indifferent ceremonies since they are Jewish câ—â—nall literall fleshly and perish with the using and let the Service-booke bowing to altars the name of Jesus Episcopacy Socinianisme professed Acianisme be recalled these belong nothing say â—hey to Refoâ—mation or Religion Reformation is only in the heart Religion is 〈◊〉 of the minde The Kingdome of Christ is neither promoved nor hindered by these Familisticall love in the heart is all then surely the Nicodemites in Calvinâ— time these that buy a religion with every new-moon erre not e Then the Scriptures and H. Nicho. bids us follow the Kings religion what ever it be and denying of obedience to the King and his Lawes if they forbid a Religion that is the holy service of the love of God as they say is resisting and undutifull disobedience to the Law so must we obey men rather then God f They seek not the truth and cause of Christ to be cleared for the present but only present ease to the flesh and inlargement under baâ—le g They are willing to submit their câ—uâ—e to the Câ—ergy that is to the godly Prelâ—â—es who would be 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 them because they take the Puritans off from thinking upon their lordly domination and will-worship and the more enemies and persecuters the Puritans have the more ease and lesse contradicting of the Prelaticall cause as this day the Prelaticall party declare themselves willing to compâ—und wiâ—h Arrians Socinians Famâ—lists Antinomians Anabaptists Seekers Separatists and all so the Presbyterians that stand for the Covenant of God and reformation may fall h In all â—ges 〈◊〉 and Sectaries have called punishing of seducers or not receiving them in our house as being evil doers 2 Ioh. 10 and so â—ustly punishable Rom. 13 4 5. with the name of persecution i Yet they pâ—stered twelve Counâ—ies in England and would God they were few in number this day k Yet may Familists live in all sort of fleshlinesse and Idolatry murthers lying whoring c and if the Spirit help them not they are no more guilty then the maid forced in the field that did cry and there was none to helpe and so by Law she was innocent Document sent 6. c. 10. they cannot bring forth any thing but all good and love Document sent c. 2. sect 1. in many places H.N. extolls his disciples as Gods habitation the seale of Gods Majesty the holy City of peace the new Ierusalem one with God God one with them c. And whereas John maketh the love of the brethren a marke of these that are translated from death to life 1 Ioh 3.14 Yee may know Familists by their workes they are malitious haters as is evident in this petition of the truly godly in England whom they call their enemies these twenty five yeares l The Puritanes are the proud ones that King James is to subdue all others the Antichristian sect and the Familists only the house of God of love of the godly being c. m Twice they pray God for the King and his son that they may have long
stand before the Lord against such of the Kingdome of England for many generations who ingaged their faithfull and well-minded brethren in a blinde cause to establish abominable Liberty of conscience Familisme Antinomianisme Socinianisme Prelacy Popery c. And the righteous Judge of the world knowes wee never intended any such thing but we might have beleeved the words of King Charles who told us they minded not Religion in that war But now when we are wasted ruined dispeopled we are not only forsaken by these whose safety peace religion and happinesse we minded with losse of our owne lives I with many others dare appeale to the Sovereigne Judge of all the earth in the sincerity of our hearts but almost utterly destroyed yet divers of the Sectaries professe they had rather fight against the Scots as against Turkes O Earth cover not our blood arise O Judge of the world and plead the cause of the oppressed let all the Nations about and the Reformed Churches and all the generations not yet born bear witnesse to this oppression and violence For if such as did sweare the Covenant which was the only thing that engaged us had said ingenuously at that time we sweare to endeavour the extirpation of Popery Prelacie Superstition Heresie Schisme Prophanenes and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine lest we partake in other mens sinne But in the mean time wee purpose to plead print write preach and in our places endeavour both in Parliament and out of it in the Assembly and out of it in our Ministery and Christian walking for toleration and brotherly forbearance of Popery Prelacie Superstition Heresie seperation and gathering of Churches out of true Churches judging the Presbyterians of Scotland whom by the oath of God they are to defend the Schismatickes and indulgence by Law and otherwise to be yeelded to Papists Arminians Socinians Arrians Familists Antinomians Seekers Antiscripturists Enthusiasts c. but none to Presbyterians at all we should have blessed your right down ingenuity yet have our Brethren really so sworne and so practised But saith Burton the Scots are the vilest of men p. 17. partakers with murtherers with rebels with Traitors Incendiaries underminers of Parliament and City c. Words of butter and oil soft and sweet would sooner convince us and arguments of iron and brasse that are strong hard invincible should more edifie and perswade The truth is fire but not passion Burton speakes fire not alwayes truth These are not the words of such as warre under the banner and colours of love and fight the battells of the Lambe Passion is a paper-wall to a weake cause your Brethren stood once in your bookes for talents and pounds but now for halfpennies consider where the change is we was at that time the same you call Presbyterians now and professed the same to you Deare brethren be humble and lowly to your old friends bee not perjured for ill will to us we shall mourne to God for that wicked revenge the Covenant will pursue you and God in it dally not with God they shall all be broken and splitted upon the Covenant of God who labour to destroy it Now when you have the sword the purse the Army the Parliament for you insult not over your brethren Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem summisque negatum stare diu He was but an Atheist and a mis-interpreter of providence who said Victrix causa diis placuit sed victa Catoni Successe in an evill cause is not happinesse beleeve it Heresie when shee is heire to her mistresse is a burden that the earth trembles under yee know Heresies goeth with broad Peacocke wings through the Land and takes in Townes and Castles but they had good helpe from Presbyterians their Antichristian brethren as they like to call them Sects are courted multitudes take hold of the skirt of a sectary now adayes But the Court is paved with glasse and to you all the faithfull Ministers of Christ are but Antichrists Priests The white golden breathings of successe may blow you asleepe but cannot secure you your Brethren have beene low in Scotland for your cause I shall be satisfied without recrimination The Scots are not the vilest of men they are not partakers with murtherers but I shall onely answer that I judge that in England the Lord hath many names and a faire company that shall stand at the side of Christ as his conquesse in the day when he shall render up the Kingdome to the Father and that in that renowned Nation there be men of all rankes wise valourous generous noble heroick faithfull religious gracious learned And I hope to reap more peace in naming England from the choisest part then M. Burton can find comfort in his passion in denominating the Scots or their Army from the worst and vilest part not to deny but there be too much wickednesse and prophanenesse in both the Nation and Army yet shall I desire all the Sects whom M. Burton and his brethren would have tolerated to look at their brethren as men compassed with infirmities and let these of such as thus accuse them that are without sin cast the first stone at them which were a good way to try if Antinomians would not arise and stone to death so many as they were able to master alleadging God cannot see such violence and bloodshed to be sinne in them also we professe to be orthodox and a strong Presbyterian is but a poore old rotten Coach to carry men to heaven there is more required of these who shall be heires of salvation but this cannot justly impeach the Presbyterian way of Antichristianisme And wherein is the Generall Assembly of Scotland Papall and set up above Kings and Kesars and may bring Presbyterians under a premunire Had M. Burton any arguments to make out this sad charge against his brethren but the stollen and reprinted not reasons but railings of Prelates and Oxford opposers of Reformation and particularly out of a lying Treatise called Issachers burden the father of which was the excommunicated Apostate Jo. Maxwel sometimes pretended Bishop of Rosse for M. Burton hath nothing in this passionate Treatise of his own but is an Echo in grammer and matter to Whitegift Bancroft to lying Spotswood to the flattering time-serving Balaams who to gratifie King James and Bishop Laud and these of the Prelaticall gang objected the same with more nerves and blood against the Scottish-Geneva discipline then M. Burton does That booke of discipline was the Prelates eye-sore and Mr. Burton must bring the weapons of his indignation out of the Armory of Babylon against Presbyterians I love not to compare men with men only good Reader pardon me to name that Apostolicke heavenly and Propheticall man of God Mr. John Welch a Pastor of our Church who for this same very cause was first condemned to death and then the mercy of King James changed the sentence to him
without cause and Marrying another and in robbing the Widdow and Orphane and taking the Oxe away from the fatherlesse and so followeth his calling 2. Sinning according to sense and the flesh as lying and whoring are not sinnes according to Faith and before God sense is unbeliefe and a blind judge and reputeth that to be sin which is not sinne saith Eaton For Faith seeth them above sense to be utterly abolished 3. The beleever following his sense in Adultery rapine lying is under no law Ergo his following of his sense his being present at a Masse his robbing his brother cannot be a sinne then it must either be in it selfe lawfull and a following of his calling as the Libertine said or it is unlawfull The Antinomian must speake condictions to call that unlawfull which is against no Law 2. Randell a Familist setting forth a peece of Cusanus Intituled The Vision of God hath a Familists conscience to picture God himselfe and Clouds encircling him expressely forbidden in the second Command but it is no Command to him Master Denne Doctrine of John Baptist 65. retaineth the destinction of Clergy and Laicks condemned by all Protestant Divines and Pag. 66. hee saith Hee will condemne the removall of Images Idols Crucifixes of Wood Glasse of Stone but he mentions no command of God to justifie it for we are commanded no worship externall in the New Testament but Faith that is no sinne as sinne is forbidden but unbeliefe to this Towne assert grace pag. 94. cannot answer one word So H. Nicholas in his joyfull message of the Kingdome cap. 31.33.34 highly extolleth the Romish Church Pope Cardinals Bishops Priests c. Service Ceremonies till hot contention arose about them 3. We know Antinomians thinke nothing of Idolatry adding to the worship of God and that some of them speake their conscience when deterred from Adultery Murther Rapine they have said What Adultery God seeth no sinne in beleevers One of them in Scotland said hee would take the Lords Supper on the crowne of his head if Authority should command him Another said once dipping or ten times were indifferent Most of them are for libertie of all blasphemous religions and their saying is Beleeve in Christ and sin against the Law if thou canst This is to make sense that which Libertines call naturall inclination Yea all outward Commandements to Towne and Saltmarsh are but shaddowes the Spirit is all the beleevers obliging rule No externall Command can oblige a Beleever under perill of sinning against God in his court in foro Dei and wee know how broad and large their consciences bee in the matter of Marriage and Divorce CHAP. LXXXI Sundry Antinomians say Irish Papists ought to have liberty of conscience and to injoy their religion Parall XIII LIbertines said they knew that their soules were immortall and live for ever in heaven but Christ by his death hath taken away that opinion and hath restored life to us in that now wee know wee shall not die Antinomians cannot deny but wee die but they will have no death to be the execution of the righteous Lords sentence for sinne to the godly but that they returne to dust beleeving and neither feeling nor fearing sinne or punishment for sin for that is against the power faithfulnesse providence free grace sufferings of Christ faith all religion and Archer Saltmarsh Crispe upon the same grounds that the beleever committeth Adultery to his owne sense but his Adultery really and to his faith is no sinne so they are not to feare or feele any afflictions or death but to beleeve them to be shaddowes Now the removall of feare and the opinion of dying is imputed to Christs death so as Saltmarsh saith The Spirit of Christ sets a beleever as free from hell the Law and bondage here on earth as if hee were in heaven nor wants he any thing to make him so but to make him beleeve he is so for Sathan sinne sinnefull flesh and the Law are all so neere him that he cannot so walke by sight and in the cleare apprehension of it but the just doe live by Faith and Faith is the evidence of things not seene Then beside that it s his happinesse not his bondage that the Law is is so neere him that is it written in his inner parts and heart it must bee his sinne and feeling contrary to Faith which was one opinion and sense that hee knoweth and beleeveth hee must lay downe this tabernacle of clay And Towne saith Faith banisheth all the mists and vapours arising from these earthly members out of Gods sight and presence Thus I am a sinner and no sinner dayly I fall in my selfe and stand in Christ for ever But Towne lyeth in saying Hee is a sinner in himselfe and no sinner in Christ. For sinne in himselfe or to his flesh or sense is no sinne at all and against no Law his sense lyeth and deceiveth Faith by which he should walke doth truly say he is in himselfe and really no more a sinner then Christ is a sinner in himselfe and upon the same grounds sense of death and sicknesse and paine and feare are but deceiving opinions and errors contrary to faith and Christ came to dye and remove from us feare feeling opinion of all affliction and paine as contrary to faith Now it s a sinne not to walke by Faith then must the feeling of paine and death bee a sinne and Christ came to give us a sense dedolency and dulnesse of apprehending either sinne or ill of affliction and so say Libertines CHAP. LXXXII Libertines and Antinomians doubt of the Resurrection and life to come Paral. XIV LIbertines denyed the Resurrection and said with Hymeneus and Philetus That it was already done and in this life they mocked salvation in hope of the comming of the Lord they said To walke in newnesse of life was the Resurrection with Christ and all the resurrection wee are to looke for David Georgius saith As there was a revelation under Moses and the Prophets and a more cleare one under Christ and the Apostles So under himselfe the true David the Lyon of the tribe of Judah the stone hewed out of the Mountaine without hands there was now a farre more glorious revelation and most spirituall that he exceeded so farre Christ according to the flesh and the Apostles as that all Ordinances and externall worship and seales should cease when he comes because of the efficacie and spiritualnesse of his doctrine above Christ in the flesh and all the Apostles as the Spirit is above the flesh And the clouds in the which Christ was to come to judge the quicke and the dead must bee Allegorically expounded of the mindes of the Saints The Archangell that shall sound the Trumpet is the Doctrine and discipline of this David the Christ. And that the place of happinesse was in this earth not