this Son of God Iesus Christ That no Idolater can be saued is thus confirmed Confounded bee all they that serue grauen Images and that glory in Idols Psal 97.7 1. Sam. 12.21 Num. 25.2.9 For they are not onely thinges of naught and vanity but they bring confusion and curse vnto all that submit vnto them Yea the Lord saith That Idolaters shall no more inherite the Kingdome of Heauen then Adulterers Fornicators wantons 1. Cor. 6.9 Buggerers Theeues couetous Drunkards raylers nor Extortioners But Idolaters with the fearefull and vnbeleeuing and abhominable and Murtherers and Whoremongers and Sorcerers and all lyars shall haue their part in the Lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone Reuel 21.8 which is the second Death Therefore we are commanded to flye from Idolatry and seperate our selues 1. Cor. 10.14 and touch none vncleane thing and then God will be our God and Father and walke among vs 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and dwell there and wee shall be his Sonnes and Daughters Hauing thus in generall proued that no Idolater can be saued that wee may come a little nearer the thing let vs obserue how far Idolatry doth extend It is sufficiently knowne of many that Idololatria signifieth a seruice of any likenes not onely of God but also concerning the thinges of Gods worship which is truely acknowledged by the annotation in the English Bible in Quarto vpon 1. Iob. 5.21 Babes keepe your selues from Idols The wordes are meaning from euery forme and fashion of thing which is fet vp for any deuotion to worship God And a great aduersary of the Papists saith Dillingham against the Pa◠pa. 37. To serue God as we list and not as he will is Idolatry So that any formes or fashions of Deuotion in Gods worship that is not Gods or besides Gods are Idols and Christs Babes must keepe themselues from them else they will bring them to destructiō as before is proued therefore not onely they that worship stockes and stones as God or as similitudes of God are Idolaters subiect to the Curses pronounced but also all such as in Deuotion to God set vp formes or fashions to worship God by that God hath not commanded and this is plainly proued by those fearefull Iudgements pronounced against all such as worship those mysticall Idols The Beast or his Image spoken of Reuel 14.9 c. Which generally all acknowledge that these worshippers doe in wordes worship the true God For these Scriptures are applyed to those people that in words doe acknowledge both God and Christ yet saith the Holy Ghost These worshippers shall drinke of the wine of Gods wrath and bee tormented in Fire and Brimstone for euermore Which estate of confusion all must comeout of that will be saued For as it is a habitation of Deuils Reuel 18.2 so the worshippers therein are worshippers of Deuils Reuel 9.20 though it be in a great mystery and so perceiued of few Next it remaineth to proue that saluation is promised as to Faith in Christ as before is proued vpon Repentance of Idolatry as of all other sinne so also to obedience of Faith not to obedience of the Law but to obedience of the Gospell for that Faith that is not accompanied with Obedience Iam. 2.19 is not onely a dead Faith but it is the Deuils Faith that which shall neuer profit any man to Iustification Obedience to the Law had iustice in it felfe if any could haue kept it but obedience to the Gospell hath iustice in Christ to all that beleeue obey him who hath fulfilled the Law for them and by the workes of the Gospell wee are saued For this is the worke of God which shall inherite eternall life that wee beleeue in Iesus Christ Ioh. 6.29 Which Faith is accompanied with Obedience of * faith Rom. 1.5 16.26 It is written Not euery one that saith vnto mee Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdome of Heauen but hee which doth my Fathers will which is in Heauen Math. 7.21 And let it be well obserued that obedience to the Sonne is not properly the obseruing of those morall precepts contained in the second Commandement Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe for that God hath from the beginning written not onely in the Tables of stone but in the tables of mans heart That as a man would another should doe to him Math. 7.12 so he should doe to him againe and not that onely is written in euery mans heart but euen this also that man should loue his Creator aboue all but the manner of this loue consisting in obedience to his Commandements for his worship and seruice that was directed in the Law by Moses and the Fathers If the Gentiles would haue it they must come vnto the Iewes Rom. 3.2 For to them were of credit committed the Oracles of God But now in these last dayes God hath spoken or declared what worship he will haue by his Sonne Heb. 1.2 whome he hath made heyre of all thinges Cōmanding all to heare him who hath shewed what manner of persons he accepteth worship of what his worship is what Ministery he hath appointed and what a Church Gouernment hee hath constituted and all other thinges for the well being of his Church Which is his Body Ephes 5.23 of which hee is the Sauiour who ought to bee obedient to him in euery thing And as the seruant Moses and the Commandements giuen by him was worthy of Honor in that time and euery transgression receiued a iust recompence of reward Heb. 2.2 of which we read of diuers dreadfull examples Leuit. 10.1 1. Sam. 6.19 1. Chron. 13.7.10 2. Chron. 26.16 c. Num. 16. cap. 1. Sā 13.13 c. cap. 15. read Deut. 27.36 So is the Sonne worthy of more honour in his Commandements in these last dayes Heb. 3.3 and soter punishment are they worthy of that doe transgresse them This is the Kingdome Heb. 10.29 and power in Heauen and Earth that is giuen to this Sonne of God to wit Mat. 28.18 to rule ouer the bodyes and soules of men whom he hath redeemed by the scepter of his word This is the gouernment on his shoulder Esa 9.6 Heb. 12.28 Act. 2.30 1. Cor. 15.24 c. and the Kingdome that can not bee shaken On which hee sits for euer to order it euen till hee haue subdued all thinges and deliuer it vp to his Father and they that will not that he shall raigne ouer them by his owne Lawes shall be brought and slaine before him Luk. 19.27 Now if such be the estate of all those that obey not the Sonne in his Lawes as if the Scriptures be true it is then what is the estate and condition of such as in stead of obedience to him contemne his Commandements and submit to mens inuentions for matter of worship to God where now is place for that hypocriticall pretence of
no lesse abhorre to seeke Iustice in our selues by keeping the Law for then Christ dyed for nothing and all that are bewitched with that cursed conceit are abolished from Christ are fallen from Grace But if they meant no more but that euerlasting Godlines were to doe Iustice loue mercy and humble our selues to walke with God Micah 6.8 Mat. 22.37 c. the somme of all which is to loue God aboue all by beleeuing to haue Iustice by the Death and bloodshed of his Sonne and obaying his Commandements for his worship and louing our neighbour as our selues wee vnfainedly desire to striue after these and doe according to our vttermost ability And the Consciences of diuers of these men if they were not past feeling will not deny this hauing formerly acknowledged the same by words and writings not onely that our profession leadeth to a holy life in our entrance in our not admitting any but such as manifest themselues to vs to be new Creatures but also in our progresse wherein if any sinne appeare in any we haue power from the Lord Iesus and doe execute the same power either to cast the sinne out of the party by Repentance or to cast the party out of our spirituall fellowship by Excommunication as we are cōmanded * Math. 18.17 c. 1. Cor. 5.13 And for our dealings and carriages among men we leaue that to the testimony of them among whom we liue wee had rather our actions should speake then our mouthes Men full of weaknesses we are we freely confesse with vnfained humility desiring to striue towards perfection wherein when we haue done what we can wee seeke our perfection in and through the perfection of CHRIST who is vnto vs all in all thinges without whom wee can doe nothing Ioh. 15.5 And this euerlasting righteousnes both towards God and man the Ordinances of Gods worship leadeth vs vnto though contemned of all Familists in which the more zealous we are the more doe we attaine to euerlasting righteousnes To the last that we contend against Godly ceremonies Their meaning is as afterwards they haue explained it in that wee contend against and submit not with our bodies vnto such obseruations for such Spirituall worship as the Turke the Pope or any other Superior power where we liue commaundeth That we should contend against all vaine inuentions for Gods worship and loue Gods Law Psal 119.113 The Holy Ghost teacheth vs For if wee should worship God by mens precepts God would account vs hipocrites Math. 15.9 and our worship vaine but of this at large in his due place in answer to their third taxation of vs for not submitting with our bodies to any outward seruice keeping our hearts to God This may suffice to cleare vs of the first Secondly you are without the Charity described 1. Cor. 13. Chap. FOr answer to which we say The particulers of Loue are many in that place and therefore till we are accused particularly wee can giue no answer We trust if they come to particulers we should rather proue them to bee lyers and false accusers then that they should proue such things against vs we know nothing herein by our selues that men can iustly taxe vs but we are not hereby iustified with God But thus much we may truely say that when our walking was no better then now it is some of these younglings in or towards the Family haue solemnly protested they neuer found the like loue as among vs with any people that euer they knew Thirdly you submit not to euery Ordinance of the Magistrate 1 Pet. 2.13 TO which we answer they are false accusers wee giue vnto Caesar thinges which are Caesars Mat. 22.21 but Christ commaundeth vs also to giue vnto God thinges which are Gods Now if we take away from Caesar either by words or practice any thing that is his we may iustly be accounted Rebels against Caesar And so all they that take away from the most high God the thinges which are his shall be accounted Rebels against the King of Kings who although hee be patient and long suffering and deferreth his wrath yet if once it burne Psal 2.12 Oh blessed are they that trust in him The right knowledge of what is Caesars what is Gods will be the best way of clearing our selues of this imputation for concerning this we not onely suffer the reproches of this wicked Family and all their wel-willers but also all our persecutions are inflicted vpon vs for this cause And without the distinct knowing of what is Gods what is Caesars men shall greatly doe amisse It is written here in Peter Submit your selues to all Ordinances of Man for the Lord So also in 1. Cor. 7.23 it is written Yee are bought with a price be not the seruants of men In some thinges we must submit vnto them and in other thinges wee must not submit vnto them for the Lord hath commaunded both therefore it is meete we should know the difference If there were no more but these places of Scripture they would sufficiently decide the controuersie Peter saith Submit your selues to all humane Ordinances or to euery ordinance of Man a humane or worldly Ordinance it must be that wee must submit vnto Paul saith yee are bought with a price be not the seruants of men Christ hath bought vs and therefore wee must be his seruants This is confirmed in diuers Scriptures Rom. 7.4 That we should be vnto him that dyed for vs and rose againe Mat. 10.37 For if we loue Father mother wife magistrate or life more then he wee are not worthy of him And therefore did his seruants in the commaunds of God when they were contradicted by the Magistrates say Dan. 3.16.18 We are not carefull to answer thee O King in this matter Be it knowne vnto thee we will not fall downe nor worship Act. 4.19.20 c. And we cannot but speake the thinges we haue heard and seene Whether is it better to obey God or men iudge yee In matters of God wee must submit vnto Christ alone I am 4.12 hee is the one Law-giuer able to saue and to destroy The Father hath spoken by him in the last dayes giuing him all power in Heauen and in Earth Confirming it by voyce from Heauen This is my beloued Sonne heare him and he that will not that he shall raigne ouer him let him be brought and slaine before him The truth of this most euident not onely by the Scriptures but also acknowledged by many Superiours the chiefest ouer vs on Earth acknowledgeth the same The Kings most excellent Matie saith Apol. for the Oath of Allegiance pag. I vtterly deny that there is any earthly Monarch ouer the Church whose word must be a Law and who cannot erre by an infallibility of Spirit because earthly Kingdomes must haue earthly Monarchs it doth not follow the Church must haue a visible Monarch too Christ is the Churches Monarch and
speake sharply to them but consider the causes thereof They haue bene and are the greatest enemies of righteousnes that euer were faining a God and a Christ according to their owne fleshly hearts and haue more peruerted the straight way of the Lord then euer did any and therefore we hauing Christ and his Apostles for our example herein wee trust none will condemne vs but those that are touched for if any be offended at this our Discouery it is testimony sufficient what they are wee mention the names of none least they should haue colour to say we persecute them The wicked and hypocriticall Scribes and Pharises for whom was reserued the damnation of Hell Elimas the Sorcerer Mat. 23.33 Iannes and Iambres Hymeneus Philetus and all the rest whose fearefull iudgements are written are not so wicked in their blasphemies as these are as shall plainely appeare and therefore let all pronounce against them the iudgements that are written that others may heare and feare and doe no more such wickednes It is meerly for want of loue of the Truth that men are giuen vp to such fearefull delusions from which that we may be deliuered let vs follow the Truth and that in loue which truth is contained in the holy Scriptures and not in the Dreames of H.N. or any other Heb. 1.2 In these last dayes the Father hath spoken by his Son Iesus Christ who was faithfull as Moses Heb. 3.2 Act. 3.22 Mat. 17.5 Act. 3.23 Gal. 1.8 Moses sends vs to him The Father sends vs to him And hee that will not heare this Prophet shall be destroyed And cursed shall he be that teacheth otherwise then hee hath taught by himselfe his Apostles And his Name shall be taken out of the booke of Life that taketh from it Reuel 22.18.19 and the plagues which are writen shal be added to him that addeth to the wordes of this Sonne of God All which the Lords mouth hath spoken Thus haue we taken this paines for the sake of those that are ignorant of these things to the and that they seeing the Pit may be warned and saued from falling into it which God for his Christs sake Grant to euery soule Amen 〈…〉 A DISCOVERIE OF THE FAMILY OF LOVE THE wisedome of GOD not only forewarneth plentifully in the Scriptures To take heed of false Prophets Math. 7.15 and deceiuers in that many are gone out into the world 1. Ioh. 4.1 but also teacheth to make their madnes manifest to all men 2. Tim. 3.9 that their deceits and craftinesse whereby they lye in wait to deceiue being made known all may be preserued from their snare and bee able to denounce against them the Iudgements which are written Psal 149.9 Our Sauiour telleth vs that after the shortning of those dreadfull dayes of the abhomination of Desolation men shall say Loe heere is Christ loe there is Christ but beleeue them not Math. 24.22 c. goe not thither neither follow them And if any shall say he is in a Desert or in a secret place Goe not forth beleeue it not For as the Lightning commeth out of the East and is seene vnto the West so shall the comming of the Sonne of man bee euen that bright Comming spoken of 2. Thes 2.8 For the consuming of that man of Sinne. Where plainely wee are taught that the way of the Lord IESVS in the Gospell is plaine and manifest Esa 42.16 For he will leade the Blinde by the way that they knew not and will make darknes Light before them and crooked thinges straight and the light of the Moone shall be as the light of the Sunne Esa 30.26 and the light of the Sunne shall be 7. fold and as the light of 7. Dayes in the day that the Lord will binde vp the breach of his people and heale the stroake of their wound and thither must men goe that will finde Christ indeed For all his wayes are plaine to him that will vnderstand Pro. 8.9 and straight to them that would finde knowledge Pro. 14.6 and his Wisdome is easie to him that will vnderstand But where obscurity and darknesse is a people of a darke speach that thou canst not perceiue and of a stammering tongue that thou canst not vnderstand thither must wee not goe nor such must we not follow Pro. 5.5 c For the pathes of a strange woman are moueable thou canst not know them keepe thy way farre from her and come not neare the doore of her house for her feete goe downe to Death and her steps take holde on Hell shee waigheth not the way of Life This were sufficient if there were no more to diswade all that will not wilfully perish from harkening vnto beleeuing or following those most obscure intricate and tedious deceipts of that people followers of that oldest Elder or ancient deceiuer Henry Nicholas who tearme themselues the family of Loue whose execrable blasphemies are broached so obscurely both by words and writings as hath been alwayes obserued by those that haue had to do with them that the depth of Sathan in them is of many not easily discerned Most true it is they haue much more poysoned this Kingdome in former times then of late yeares at which times diuers discoueries and confutations hath beene made but seeing now they spring afresh and that they haue destroyed the Faith of certain neare deare vnto vs as also that they haue challenged some of vs with great boasts and brags to combat with them and haue in Writing vnder their hands testified that we walke in so many euils the particulars whereof are hereafter named and answered that none fearing God may haue any fellowship with vs. In consideration of all which and to testifie our vnfained detestation of their profession as also to cleare our selues of their vniust accusations we trust no indifferent person will judge of vs otherwise thē wel for thus publickly dealing with them Therfore in the feare of God with reuerence of his Sacred mysteries with vnfained humiliation of our vnworthines with loue to Gods truth and a harty detestatiō of that which is euil we will proceed only to deale in such things as we haue by the now Family or their fauorites beene prouoked vnto And first of their Christ That they holde another Christ then the man Christ Iesus who gaue himselfe a Ransome for all men not onely H. N. hath published but also the present Family in England doe with stifnes iustifie H. N. and the Familyes Christ First H.N. their oldest Elder or rather their God as shall plainly appeare hath thus written This same true light is the Annoynted with the Holy Ghost Euang. Reg. Cap. 13. sect 2. which annoynted in Hebrew is named Messias and in Greeke Christus he was also in times past called of certain Rabbins among the Iewes H. N. Christ the perfection the Lord his Saboth And they say that the same Annoynted is
Hee did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth hee was that iust one Cap. 3.18 who appeared to take away our sinnes and in him is no sinne That he suffered for the sinnes of others although what is said be proofe sufficient yet if any thing might bee accounted plaine with these wofull men manifold testimonies might be added Esa 53.5.6 you see Christ appeared to take away our sinnes hee was wounded for our transgressions he was broken for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was vpon him and with his stripes are wee healed Vers 12 and the Lord laide vpon him the iniquity of vs all hee powred out his soule vnto the Death hee bare the sinnes of many and payed for the trespassers hee dyed for the vngodly Rom. 5.6.8.9.10 for Sinners his Blood iustifies others his Death reconciled vs when wee were his enemies hee was giuen to Death for vs for our Sinnes Rom. 8.32 2 Cor. 5.15 Gal. 3.13 4.5 1. Pet. 2.21.24 hee dyed for all that were Dead Christ redeemed vs from the Curse of the Law by his suffering euen the cursed Death of the Crosse that he might Redeeme them that were vnder the Law who his owne selfe bare our sinnes in his Body on the Tree 1. Pet. 3.18 4.1 1. Tim. 2.6 1. Ioh. 2.2 c. Christ the Iust suffered for the vniust and he hath suffered for vs in the Flesh hee gaue himselfe a Ransome for all men and hee is the reconciliation for the Sinnes of the whole world Secondly it is manifest that none can haue saluation but by Faith in those Sufferings of that man CHRIST IESVS Mar. 16.16 Hee that beleeneth and is Baptized shall be faued as many as receiues him to them Ioh. 1.12 hee gaue power to bee the sonnes of God euen as many as beleeue in his Name Ioh. 3.16 And whosoeuer Beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue euerlasting Life hee that beleeueth not is Condemned already Vers 18 Be it knowne vnto you men and Brethren that through this man is Preached vnto you forgiuenes of Sinnes and from all thinges from the which yee could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Act. 13.38.39 by him euery one that Beleeueth is iustified The righteousnes of God is manifest vnto all and vpon all that Beleeue Rom. 3.22 And Abraham the Father of the Faithfull he beleeued and it was imputed vnto him for righteousnes Rom. 4.24 And to vs also shall it bee imputed for Iustice which beleeue and the Iust shall liue by Faith Gal. 3.11 And wee are the sonnes of God by Faith in Christ Iesus Vers 26 What shall we need to alledge more testimonies who will not wonder that any mortall man professing the Scriptures should dare to set his face against God in these his euident testimonies when God saith The iust shall liue by Faith in his Sonne Christ Iesus who dare say this is a fable to seeke Iustice in another then in our selues and that by the Law men may bee justified before God as after it shall appeare they doe From all which testimonies we confidently affirme that neuer any Sinner was saued but by Faith in Christ either beleeuing him to come by the Promise of God to pay the ransome for mans sinne Or that he is come to performe the same For they that were saued before his Comming did beleeue in him according to the promise of the Father but after he is come all must beleeue as himselfe saith That I am hee Ioh. 8 24. or else they shall dye in their sinnes All which is so euident that it may be maruailed at that the Deuill should so besot men with blindnes as that they should contradict so euident a Truth and the rather because in wordes they acknowledge the Scriptures and in their Writings plentifully quote them but indeed it is certaine it is but to blinde the eyes of the simple For as the Master saith Therefore it is assuredly all false and lyes H.N. Dialog cap. 16. sect 16. seducing and deceitfull what the vngodded or vnilluminate men out of the Imagination of their knowledge and out of the learnednes of the Scriptures bring forth institute Preach or teach They Preach indeed the Letter but not the worde of the liuing God Let them esteeme themselues as holy as they will they are all a false Christianity and a deuillish Synagogue or Schoole So say his Disciples That wee out of the Family of Loue vnderstand not one word in all the vniuersall Bible and that wee are in the way of infernall darknesse So that pretend what they will they reiect all Scripture further then may stand with H. N. and his fellow Elders in the Family of Loue. For thus further they write They ought to beware that that they distrust not the Eldest in the Family of Loue H. N. in 1. exhor cap. 13 Diuis 11. fol. 31. nor suspect any manner of euill or vnwisedome by him nor yet in any wise perswade themselues that the Exercises documents or Instructions which are taught or set forth before them by the Father of the Family of Loue or oldest Elder are too sleight too childish or too vnwise for them to follow after or to obay but with perfect hearts humbly and singly minded as good willing Children to receiue the same instructions proceeding out of the wisedome and Councell of the Eldest and to stand euen so submitted till they come vnto the manly oldnesse in the Loue. Againe he saith The Scripturely learned man hath no knowledge of Gods matters In the Prophesie cap. 8. hee cannot vnderstand any tittle much lesse interpret or expound the same to others it is giuen onely to the Family of Loue to vnderstand the secrets thereof Againe thus My Children and you Family of Loue giue eare to mee your Father liue according to my Doctrine Jn his 1. exhort cap. 11. sect 1.2 that it may goe well with you take heed to my Doctrine and what I doe set forth and teach that it may bee a Seale of life and a witnes of truth in your hearts for it is your Life And againe thus Let your selues now in all your being nature minde and disposition Crying voyce cap. 3. sect 11 become renued through the loue in her seruice and giue all your vnderstanding captiue vnder the obedience of the Loue. And so teacheth his Children to say O my Father in the Loue 1. Exhor cap. 13. sect 2. I submit my selfe and all my vnderstanding vnder the wisedome of thy Doctrine Let all iudge if these wretches abolish not the Scriptures to set vp their owne deuillish inuentions what shew of the Scriptures soeuer they make But they obiect against this strict Faith in this man Christ and his sufferings Rō 2.14.15 For when the Gentiles which haue not the Law doe by Nature the thinges contained in the Law hauing not the Law are a Law
Law and wee are saued by Grace through Faith Vers 8 And wee are freely iustified by his Grace through Christs redemption So that they doe as manifestly contradict God take away Gods fauour Christs iustice vnto vs through the Redemption of his precious blood and fet vp mans merite for Iustice with God as euer the wicked Iewes did but forasmuch as they are so confident in it let vs a little further prosecute this thing If euer any should haue had iustice with God through workes Abraham the Father of the righteous should but Abraham was not iustified by workes but by Beleeuing that was counted to him for Iustice Rō 4.2 c. now to him that worketh the wages is not counted by fauour but by debt So that if Iustification with God come by workes wee are not beholding to God for it he payeth vs nothing but our due Oh fearefull blasphemy But th'Apostle affirmeth that the promise made to Abraham of being the Father of all the righteous was not made to Abraham or his seede through the Law but through the righteousnes of faith Vers 14.16 c. For if they that be of the Law be heyres Faith is made voyde and the Promise is made of none effect Therefore it it by Faith that it might come by Grace to them which are of the Faith of Abraham c. Confirmed by the same Apostle who saith Gal. 2.15 c. we which are Iewes by Nature and not sinners of the Gentiles knowe that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the Faith of Iesus Christ euen wee haue beleeued in Iesus Christ that wee might bee iustified by the faith of Iesus Christ and not by the workes of the Law for by the workes of the Law no man shall be Iustified Therefore taking this detestable Doctrine as sufficiently confuted wee will conclude with the words of th'Apostle We do not abrogate the Grace of God for if Iustice bee by the Law then Christ dyed for nothing or without cause Gal. 2.21 Oh that this Scripture might be considered It is heere affirmed that if Christs Death make not men iust but the Law then Christ dyed for nothing all other thinges purchased by Christs Death if this be denyed are counted nothing and this is to abrogate the Grace of God This their stumbling blocke from Rom. 2. being taken out of the way of all those that will not wilfully perish the very foundation their new Christ is plucked vp by the rootes for there is not any Scriptures that they haue hopes will make for them although some haue alledged Iohn 1.9 This was the true the that lightneth euery man that commeth into the world But we hauing answered that this light is not any power in man but that man Christ Iesus Ioh. 1.14 Ioh. 8.12 9.5 who was made Flesh and dwelt amongst vs c. who is the light of the world This hath not been so much vrged also sometimes they alledge Cornelius for proofe of iustification without Faith in the blood of Christ but seeing themselues faile of proofe that he did not beleeue in the Messiah by looking for him for iustification therefore they let it rest concerning this and take it vp vpon another occasion which in due place we shall speake of These weake and wrested proofes being the best that euer wee heard them alledge for so great and weighty a matter the taking away of the purchase by the blood of Christ and therein mans euerlasting comfort they haue for the making of this more passable and to haue the better acceptance for indeed it is most odious to any Christian heart they haue wee say inuented this Position That if men walke vprightly as farre as they see in morrall thinges although they bee worshippers of Idols whether reall or mentall through ignorance and therein continue liuing and dying they may be saued which indeed is the same in effect with the former as the wise may discerne For if men may be saued that in words acknowledge or not acknowledge the Lord Iesus Christ both being in workes aduersaries to him then what is the profit more vnto those that beleeue in and obey the Lord Iesus and those that by word or workes deny him If both may be saued The wickednes of which wee shall also discouer plainely through the Grace of God No Idolater can bee saued except they leaue their Idolatry by hearty repentance and beleeue in and obey Iesus Christ ALL flesh desires to finde an easie way to Heauen and who would not dye the Death of the righteous But whosoeuer seekes Heauen by wayes of their own deuising they shall not finde it Indeed Christ saith My yoake is easie and my burthen light but that is to those who willingly deny themselues take vp his crosse and follow him otherwise straight is the Gate and narrow is the way that leadeth to Life and few finde it and many shall seeke to enter in and shall not be able The gates of the heauenly Ierusalem the Gospell or new Testament Gal. 4.24.26 are open continually they are not shut by Day nor by Night Yea the Spirit and the bride saying come and let whosoeuer will take of the water of Life freely Reuel 22. And wisedome cryeth without shee vttereth her voyce in the streets shee calleth in the street among the prease in the eate-rings of the Gates Pro. 9. and vttereth her wordes in the Citty saying O yee foolish how long will yee loue foolishnes c. So that there is mercy with God and plenteous redemption but it is by the way that God himselfe who is the giuer of it will bestow it Is not he worthy to haue power of directing vs how to come to life seeing hee himselfe giueth life and that freely of his fauour The question therefore now is whether any can haue saluation by their own wisdome walking in their owne wayes or by the way which the wisedome of God hath directed Wee haue already plentifully proued if Scriptures may be proofe That this is the Record of God which whosoeuer beleeueth not hath made God a lyer and this is the Record that God hath giuen vnto vs eternall life 1. Ioh. 5. and this life is in his Sonne He that hath the Sonne hath life and he that hath not that Sonne of God hath not life So that if any will yet affirme that any can haue Eternall life not confessing nor beleeuing in the Sonne of God they make God a lyer whose record is otherwise but this Record of God being beleeued it doth declare all such to be lyers as affirme saluation can be to any that Beleeue not in this Sonne of God If God haue secrets which no man knoweth concerning this thing we meddle not therewith we know none he hath but according to that will of God which is reuealed in his sacred Scriptures we dare be bolde to say no sinner can be saued but by Faith in
of these Principles and shew wherein we differ and leaue them to the iudgement of the Godly wise First concerning repentance from dead workes they teach that none need repent of performing any bodily seruice to any Idoll as before but that they ought to continue therein making all the beholders conceiue they doe as they inwardly and outwardly when as they in their hearts loath detest that seruice And when they are come to the Family they teach they sinne no more For they write That in this Citty of Communalty there is no more euill Spirit land Cap. 33. sect 9. nor euill suspition nor yet sight of euill in them for within the same one doth neither see nor thinke any thing but all good c. 2. Concerning their beliefe of God thus they write See and marke yee beloued H. Ns mans falling away c. sect 1. in the beginning when God made all things well then was the Lord one Lord of his Kingdome and one God of his workes there was also no more but one God and one Man and they were one and had in all one order being and nature For God was all that the Man was and Man was all that God was And elsewhere thus he writeth H. Ns Epist to 2. Daughters of Warwick sect 22 God had Created the Man that he should bee of one life one being one Spirit and of one Nature with God c. If this be the true Eternall euerlasting vnchangeable and incomprehensible God that had no other Order being and Nature then Man let all that know the true God iudge And concerning their beliefe of Christ we haue formerly related that they hold not the Man Christ that was conceiued borne of that Naturall woman the Virgin Mary for that is a thing ought not to be striuen about but the Perfection of H. N. and his fellow Elders of that louely Family or a Power in man whereby they can keepe the Law without Faith in the Blood of the man Christ This is H. N. and his followers Christ 3. Concerning Baptisine This he writeth Let your selues in all your being nature minde and disposition Crying voyce Cap. vlt. sect 11. become renewed through the loue in her Seruice and giue all your vnderstanding captiue vnder the obedience of the Loue and humble your selues so vnder her seruice to the end that yee all may become washed in the Loue with the pure water of the Loue for to become washed with her pure water is the vpright washing and the true Font of the Regeneration or new hirth So that to be captiuated in H. Ns. loue and her Seruice is the vpright Baptisme And where that commeth not to passe vnto them Epist to the 2 Daugh. sect 20. there is not the Christian seruice ministred let them make themselues so like fashioned to the Scriptures as they will And for the Ordinance of water he calleth that Epist sect 11.17 Ceremoniall Elementish and mens owne Baptisme And M. P. that mighty Prince of the Hebrewes as he calleth himselfe saith Iohns Baptisme is full of many great holy graue shewes M. P. burning light Cap. 13. sect 10. but in power weake as Water he can eate no mans meat drinke no Wine ne strong Drinke therefore must his Head be taken off for he shall not gouerne Disciples still we were glad therefore to depart from him for his going out was the comming in of Iesus 4. Touching their opinion of laying on of handes we are ignorant 5. Euang. Reg. Cap. 35. sect 8.9 Of the Resurrection of the Dead Thus they write Behold in this present Day is the Scripture fulfilled and according to the testimony of the Scripture the raising vp 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 Maiesty which resurrection of the Dead seeing that the same is come vnto vs from Gods Grace wee doe likewise in this present day to an Euangelie or ioyfull message of the Kingdome of God and Christ publish in all the world vnder the Obedience of the loue in which resurrection of the Dead God sheweth vnto vs that the time is now fulfilled that his dead or the Dead which are fallen asleepe in the Lord rise vp in this day of his Iudgement and appeare vnto vs in Godly glory which shall also from henceforth liue in vs euerlastingly with Christ and Raigne vpon the Earth So that all may plainely see the resurrection from the Dead is with these men or rather Deuils to get into H. Ns. Doctrine of the Loue. And because these Godded men that are Godded with H.N. their God doe dye aswell as others and being demaunded what becomes of their Bodies after their death some of their younglings haue answered vs they conceiue their iudgement is that the soule goes into God againe and so becōmeth God and their bodies lye and become as when they were not which opinion may well stand with all their other execrations For if the bodies rise not againe thē no question they may aswell worship an Idol as the true God and commit all their abhominations for after this life there is neither reward nor punishment for the bodies Oh fearefull wickednes Lastly Euang. Reg. Cap. 3. sect 2 3.4 concerning the Eternall Iudgement thus they say When as now in this same day the wicked world becommeth Iudged with the Lords mighty hand which wicked world is reserued or kept in store vntill this same day of the loue to the fire of Hell for to be condemned in the selfe same day of the Loue for euermore to her eternall cursing and iudgement of the fires cruell vehemency And againe Sect. 4. verily now in this same day when as now all vngodly and selfe-wise with all vnrepentant persons and false hearts of the Scripture-learned c. inherite with much smart and griefe in the vehement cruelty of the fire of Hell the terrible condemnation then shall the people of God Spirit land Cap. 27. sect 11.12 namely the whole cōmunialty of the loue c. reioyce them in all loue c. And further thus After this time no time more After the which there is no life more to be wayted for for the same life continueth for euermore This estate of H. Ns. loue and her Seruice it is with the Familists the Christ It is the Holy Ghost the Baptisme the Resurrection the euerlasting Life the eternall Iudgement and all in all Of all which wee are destitute yet herein we haue knowledge that they are abhominations fetcht out of the deepest pit of Hell such as we are perswaded were heuer before vttered by the mouth of any mortall man No maruaile now that H. Ns. Schollers say we vnderstand not one word in all the vniuersall Bible and that we are totally ignorant of the principles of the Family who to set a gloze vpon their wicked forgeries abuse and
peruert Heb. 6. and other holy Scriptures to their owne destruction Hauing now discouered some of H. Ns. principles The summe of the true Faith wee will in short set downe our Faith concerning these 6. Principles Heb. 6. First of Repentance from dead workes we doe beleeue that euery transgression of any Law of God is sinne 1. Ioh. 3.4 Rom. 6.23 and the wages of euery sinne is Death and so a dead worke That no man by reason of weake Flesh can keepe the Law Rom. 8.3 and therefore by transgression becommeth dead in Sinne Ephe. 2.1.3 and so by weake Nature the Childe of wrath For the Law causeth wrath Rom. 4.15 for where no Law is there is no transgression but the power of Gods word contained in the holy Scriptures 1. Cor. 15.34 Ephes 5.14 and not the Reuelations or Dreames of H.N. nor any others awaking man and setting his sinnes in order before him and the fearefull terror of Gods wrath against him Act. 2.37 16.30 Act. 2.38 3.19 causeth man to be pricked in his heart and to cry out what shall wee doe to be saued To which God answereth Repent of thy sinnes confesse them sorrow for them and reforme them But man seeing by the same holy Scripture that this his repentance or any other thing that he can doe cannot appease Gods wrath nor satisfie his Iustice for his sinne he is inuited hereupon to flye vnto Gods Grace by the Redemptiō purchased through the blood of his Sonne who is God ouer all and tooke our Nature vpon him and became Man Dyed for vs and is risen againe in his Body ascended into Heauen sitting at the right hand of his Father making intercession for his seruants euen for all that obey him Heb. 5.9 through whom alone wee haue Redemption euen the forgiuenes of our sinnes 2. Thus by Faith in the Blood of Christ is this Sinner sprinckled in his heart from an euill Conscience Heb. 10.22 and must also be washed in his Body with pure water 3. This is the Baptisme that saueth not onely the washing away the filth of the Flesh but in that a good Conscience maketh request vnto God 1. Pet. 3.21 by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ Yet not onely the good Conscience is Baptisme but also washing with materiall water into the Name of the Father c. For to enter into the Kingdome of Heauen which is the estate of Grace or true Christianity in this life called the Kingdome of Heauen Ioh. 3.5 Ephes 4.5 Wee must haue Water and Spirit Christ hath coupled them together as his one Baptisme and let no man seperate them 4. By laying on of handes wee conceiue is meant the whole ministery of the Church which consisteth of those Offices mentioned in Christs Testament All which are to be entred into by laying on of hands as these Scriptures teach * Act. 6.6 13.3 For other laying on of hands by which extraordinary guiftes were communicated vnto men wee vnderstand they were myracles giuen of God in the primitiue Church for the confirmation of the Apostles authority who taught thinges that neuer before were taught Heb. 2.5 which that they might be credited they did such thinges as neuer men did And if any Familist can doe Myracles as did th Apostles thē might they haue had some colour to write and bring into the world new Gospels as they are not ashamed to doe 5. Concerning the Resurrection from the Dead We beleeue that our soules shall be seperated from our bodies by naturall Death That the Body returnes to earth whence it came and the Spirit to God that gaue it Eccles 12.7 1. Cor. 15. vntill the day that Iesus Christ shall come againe to Iudge quicke and dead Then shall our Bodies rise againe euen these bodies Ioh. 19.25 c. and with these eyes shall wee see our Redeemer Lastly we doe beleeue and looke for to our great reioycing the blessed appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ to that Eternall iudgement wherein hee shall Iudge both quicke and dead according to their works done in this Flesh 2 Cor. 5.10 whether they be good or euill Reuel 20.12 to an Eternall being to wit Them that by continuance in wel-doing seeke glory and Immortality Rō 2.7 c. 1. Thes 4.17 Rom. 2.8 they shall come to Eternall Life where they shall bee euer with the Lord. But those that are contentious and disobey the Truth and obeyes vnrighteousnes haue done euill and haue not repented thereof They shall come forth to the resurrection of condemnation Ioh. 5.29 indignation and wrath shall bee vpon them burning in the Lake for euermore with the Deuill and his Angels Mat. 25.41 Now let all Iudge whether wee be totally ignorant of the 6. Principles Heb. 6. as these accusers doe suggest or rather that themselues are not only ignorant of them for if they were their sinne were the lesse but they deny them and that after their enlightning The 9. transgression they accuse vs of is Ninthly you will not bee reformed by the Light which God hath manifested in these latter times and whereof much is in the Booke of Common Prayer and in the Homilies and in the Booke of Ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons Answ VVEE hauing asked some of them what Light this is that in these latter times God hath manifested for we conceiue God neuer spake nor euer will after his speaking by his Sonne in these last dayes who by himselfe and his Apostles hath deliuered all the Counsell of God sealing it vp with these sentences If wee or an Angell from Heauen teach any otherwise then we haue Preached Gal. 1.8 9. let him bee accursed And if any adde to what they haue done Reuel 22.18.19 God will adde the plagues written by them or if any take away any of those their wordes God will take away their names out of the Booke of Life we say we hauing asked them concerning these thinges they haue answered vs God hath spoken to the world at three seuerall times First by Moses and the Fathers 2. By Christ and the Apostles And thirdly by an euerlasting Gospell in these last dayes alledging Reuel 14. Which what Gospell should it bee but the Gospell of the Kingdome which H. N. hath published to the world in which many of his poysoned Doctrines is broached concerning which hee hath giuen himselfe a stately stile farre exceeding the Apostles in all their writings full of blasphemies which is this H. N. through the Grace and mercy of God Euang. Peg. Cap. 1. and through the holy Spirit of the loue of Iesu Christ raised vp by the highest God from the Death according to the prouidence of God and his Promises annoynted with the Holy Ghost in the olde age of the holy vnderstanding of Iesu Christ Godded with God in the Spirit of his loue made heyre with Christ in the heauenly goods of