of cold water to any one of the lest of these Marke 9.41 in my Name saith the Lord shall not leese his reward but shall haue eternall life As it is written Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world For I was an hungrie and you gaue me meate I was a thirst and you gaue me drinke c. Yee did it to these saith he if but to the least of these my brethren yee did it to me Mat. 25.34 35 36. And againe Whosoeuer receiueth one of the least of these little ones in my Name saith the Lord receiueth me and with me him that sent me O happie man therefore that can perceiue and doe these things But hee that despiseth you despiseth me and him that sent me And this is it which Iohn meaneth He that saith he is in that light 1. John 2.9 and hateth his brother is in darkenes vntill this time But he which loueth his brother abideth in that light and there is none occasion of euill in him And againe Hereby we know that we are translated from death to life because we loue the brethren 1. Iohn 3.16 meaning the Lords brethren the little Sheepe to whom he will say Come yee blessed inherit the Kingdome for euer These loue their enemies Matt. 5.44 If they hunger they feede them if they thirst they giue them drinke if they curse they blesse if they persecute they pray and weepe for them And these are the light of the world Matt. 5.14 15. the Candle on a Candlesticke the Citie set vpon a Hill whereof Dauid spake when he said Glorious things are spoken of thee Psal 87.3 thou Citie of God and this if one will he may visibly see for a Citie set vpon a hil cannot bee inuisible And to this alone is power giuen to binde and loose Ioh. 20.23 to remit and to retaine sinnes euen to these I meane are these Keyes giuen whom God approueth and will approue for euer Indeede many are called but these are they that are chosen these loue one another and thereby doe they know each other to bee borne of God and to be loued of God and that they doe loue God I say for that they loue those that are borne of God 1. Iohn 2.5 As it is written Hereby we know that yee are in him And this is the kingdome which the Lord saith Iohn 3.3 No man can see but he that is borne againe And this is that house of Leui 1. Peter 29. Hebrew 12.23 that royall Priesthood spoken of the peculiar people the congregation of the first borne who are all written in heauen The chosen generation and people set at libertie If you will receiue it Mat. 18.4 Reuel 3.12 these are they that haue the preheminence these are all the Priests of God and serue in his Temple for euer These he hath made pillars in his house and shall goe no more out these are blessed and holy and haue al their parts in the first resurrection and shall not be hurt in the second death These are they that are risen with Christ Reuel 20.6 Reuel 2.11 and seeke those things which are aboue who are dead to sinne and crucified to this world these are they that haue ouercome the world and haue receiued the white stone and the new name of the Lord. And this is the little flocke to whom he saith Luke 12.32 Be of good cheere for it is your fathers pleasure to giue you a kingdome And this alone is that Citie of God Reuel 3.11 which onely is named the new Ierusalem and these are the Citizens and of these the scripture meanes which saith Where two or three be gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them And behold I am with you saith he vnto the end of the world But perhaps you will say if this bee the Church of Christ which you haue here described Obiection to whome the Keyes of the Kingdome of heauen and all those titles and priuiledges doe onely belong then was there neuer such a Church in the world in one fellowship congregated and constituted by baptisme pertaking together in the Lords supper and all other exercises of Religion consisting onely of such vnmoueable stones as you speake of For with the Lord himselfe and with his eleuen Apostles one was who did prooue a diuell And many also were with Christ before and were Baptised which fell away and afterwards with his Apostles also which fell away and were offended It is true indeed but what saith it Answere Ioh. 2.19 If they had bin of vs they would haue continued with vs but of that Church they neuer were that hath the preheminence and vnto whom those excellent titles and treasures of God doth belong for although they did partake with them in receiuing the word and beleeuing the truth thereof and of the elementish Baptisme and the signes of the Lords bodie and blood and all other such like common things yet were they neuer baptised in heart returned and became as little children neither yet did euer eat his flesh and drinke his blood Mat 18.3 truly and indeed by faith for want wherof they could neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen nor yet had euer life in them as it is written And therefore of that Church and kingdome they neuer were Iohn 6.53 nor yet did euer partake with them in their peculiar things nor neuer came into their courts of rest nor Citie of peace But to the returned little ones doe all those great things belong those excellent priuiledges euen to them that eate his flesh Iohn 6.54 and drinke his blood who haue all of them eternall life abiding in them whom the Lord Iesus will raise vp at the last day as he himselfe saith But how then did that Church iudge of them Question you will say while they were with them did they not beleeue that they were returned and did they not accompt of them as they did of those that were returned and borne againe that had eaten Christs flesh and drunke his blood vnto eternall life seeing they were baptised with them and did eate the same bread and drinke the same wine with them also did they not iustifie them and approue of them as of the rest That Church did neuer so approue of them Answere they were neuer so blind and desperatly bold as your Master Smith to iustifie and approoue of those whom God doth condemne they are not so rash as you and your Church to affirme they know not what They are better aduised and better taught then so That Church kingdome which we speake of was neuer so deceiued in her entercōmoners to account and approue them as borne againe because they did partake with her children in all these common things But she and her children iudged alwayes the truth of them and neuer were deceiued
wonder you wold not receiue your baptisme first from some one of the Elders of the Dutch Anabaptists but you will be holyer then all and see how you haue marred all And you Church your selues you say and put a Church vpon your selues What strange doubtfull speech is this What kind of Church is that you put vpon your selues and Church your selues withall Doe you meane a Church of lime and stone made by mens hands Such a Church you may Church you withall and put vppon your selues when you will But that is not your meaning I dare say that is an abhomination in your eyes Your meane If I mistake not Two or three gathered together Doe pull Christ vnto them and so Church Christ and not themselues to speake sensiblie And is this your meaning indeede sir where read you or euer heard you of the like Christ saith to as good men as you none dispraised you haue not Chosen me Iohn 15.16 but I haue chosen you And vpon this Rocke will I not Master Smith and his company build my Church nor any company in the world else And the gates of Hell shall not prenaile against it And will yee know now to what Church he giueth these rules if ye call them so And I giue vnto it saith hee the Keyes of the kingdome of Heauen And where two or three be gathered together in my name I would you knew what this In my name doth intend there am I in the middest of them as if he had said where two or three of these little returned ones that beleeue in me whom my Fathers will is shall be saued doe at any time or in any place gather together in the same faith and considence put in my name there will I be in the middest of them that is there will I make my habitation my Church and my dwelling place Psal 95.7 This is the spirituall Canaan and land of rest and this is the little house whose vessells are all of gold and siluer Heb. 3.8.12.13 But in the groat house there are vessels of gold siluer wood and clay and they are but one in commons together but two in the speciall peculiar things Which are not distinguished by baptisme but by regeneration 1. Cor. 12.13 the birth of water and of the holy Ghost and other such like great and peculiar things And tell me are ye all entred into that rest Are ye all the free womans Children Are yee all borne of God 1. Iohn 29. Is there not one amongst you that loues not his brother 1. Cor. 11.19 Is there not one among you that maintaines Heresie which is a thing necessary that those which are approoued might bee knowne Is there neuer a one weake amongst you are yee all strong men in Christ Iesus Heb. 4.1.7 Is there none of you carnall and yet in your sinnes that had need be exhorted to vnharden his heart and to study to enter into that rest least he be depriued of his expectation Is there not one of all the to amongst you Are ye all as one one as alâ—â—s there neuer a better nor worse are ye al baptised with that one Baptisme spoken of pertakers of that first resurrection Is this your saying indeed Hath the water of Holland washed ye all so cleane ils Indeede if all these things be so then there is no toÌ„parison between the Iewes Church yours nor yet betweene the Church of the Apostles dayes and yours but great difference Though yet betweene the Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes and the Church of Christ vnder the law there was neuer any such difference as ye pretend For they had all the same Gospell and faith Heb. 4.2 Heb. 3.18 1. Cor. 10.2.3 Heb. 3.17 preached the same baptisme of repentance and purging of the holy Ghost euen the very same way of entring into his rest and some were made pertakers thereof and entred thereinto had the same keies committed vnto them that are still giuen to Christs Church Although with many of them that did pertake in Commons with them God was not pleased I meane those that were baptised in the Sea and circumcised in the skin and offered their sacrifices in common with them as did Cain and Abel And who might for bid Cain to offer or Ismael to be circumcised or the hard-hearted Isralites their baptisme in the Sea or the whole house of Israel to come and offer vpon the brasen Altar that stood in the Court of the temple So now likewise and in all times were and shall be common things for all and peculiar things for the peculiar The least grace is to be cherished none ought to be discouraged Act. 8.22 Simon Magus was exhorted to pray They that beleeued the Gospels truth were baptised Acts 2.41 and receiued the signes of Christs bodie and bloud also 1. Cor. 11.21 In these common things they did pertake with Christs holy Priesthood his peculiar Church But you say these things are not common now They were common once when trueth tooke place as the Scriptures by examples proue I meane to such as did beleeue the Gospell and did not professe the practise of iniquity but professed the Gospel and the truth thereof though they were not circumcised in heart regenerate and become as little children Ioh. 6.66 any more then the Disciples were that fell away from Christ and those who asked who should be the greatest and many other moe which the new Testaments examples proue Mat. 18.1 For tell me shall euery one that is baptised in the right forme and manner for that ye stand much on vpon the skinne bee saued And euery one that receiueth the Communion of the Lords body and blood I meane the signe thereof be saued I thinke you will say no then say I they are common As on the other side to beleeue in Iesus Christ to put our trust in God through him to eate his flesh and drinke his blood is eternall life and is peculiar to his Church alone Iohn 6.54 in the middest of whom he dwelleth Obiection But you say we iudge all so that are baptised though God iudge otherwise Doe you so indeed doth God iudge one thing and iudge you another doth God say one thing and say you another And doe you know one thing when God knoweth the contrary or dare yee affirme that which yee know not Answere I perceiue I must speake plainely vnto you you are so dull of hearing Tell me I pray you did euer Christs Apostles and true Church affirme any to be borne of God that prooued otherwise Did they euer iustifie whom God condemned or condemne whom God iustified Indeed the Lord saith to the Pharisees you iudge after the outward appearance Iohn 7.24 but iudge righteous iudgement Yee make cleane the outside saith he but if you would make cleane the inside Mat. 23.26 the outside should bee cleane also Luk. 11.42
and it answereth to Ierufalem which now is and she is in bondage with her children But Ierusalem which is from aboue is free which is the mother of vs all c. The meaning is That as there were two feeds euen from the beginning the seed of the serpent and the seede of the woman Gen 3.15 figured by Adams two first sonnes Gen. 4.3.4 Caine and Abell Caine going before with his sacrifice Abell comming after with his The one the sonne of the serpent the other the childe of woman the one the childe of the lawe of death the other the childe of the Testament of life for these two Testaments were before either Caine or Abell came to offer their sacrifice and were figured by the two trees that were in the midst of the Garden Gen. 2.9 the Tree of knowledge of good and euill representing the law oftenne commanddements For to the tenne comandements the tree of knowledge of good and euill one curse belonged viz. Reu. 2.7 Thou shalt die the death And the Tree of life representing the Testament and fruite of life as the Lord himselfe proueth when he saith To him that ouercommeth wil I giue to eate of the tree of life which is in the middest of the Paradise of God And as God did set before Adam life and death to chuse and he chose death to himselfe and all his posterity Gen. 2.16.7 so yet still and againe God hath set the same before vs as Moyses saith Behold Deut. 11.26 Deut 30.11.12.14.15 I haue set before you life and death curse and blessing to chuse And as Adam chose death euen so his generation for the most part chuse rather death cursing Rom 10.6.7.8 then life and blessing and are the bond-womans children and so will be like Caine and Ishmael I say as God did prefigure the two Testaments Gen. 19.10.12 and the two seeds to Adam and his feed vntill Abraham So did he then renew his couenants to Abraham figuring them by Agar and Sara and their seed by Ishmael and Isaack Which thing me thinks you M. Smith should not be ignorant of seeing you take such great matters vpon you Now these two sonnes doe not represent the naturall Iew Deut. 10.17 Iob. 34.19 Act. 10.34 35. and the naturall Gentile but the Spirituall Iewe and the Spirituall Gentile for God respects not of what Nation a man be of so he feare and seeke him his couenant shall be vnto him wheresoeuer he be as the Apostle proueth saying Rom. 2.14.15.16.26.27.28.29 If the Gentile doe by nature the things contained in the law that is be circumcised in heart he shall be found a Iew when the Iew circumcised in skinne but not in heart shall be found a Gentile For he is not a Iew that is one without but hee is a Iew that is one within and that is not circumcision that is on the skinne but that which is in the heart And these are the two seedes figured by the two sonnes Ishmael and Isaack and are not tyed either to times or places or Nations but are in all times and of all Nations wheresoeuer lesse or more Now the mothers of these two Children are said to be Hagar that is Sinai Gal. 4. and Sara that is Sion Ierusalem from aboue The one representing the Testament of commandements the other the Testament of mercy the one death the other life the one cursing the other blessing and these are the onely two Testaments of God And whether of these two you make circumcision to be the seale or signe of I cannot tell To be a seale of the promise of life or of any thing pertaining thereunto you flatly deny And to bee a seale of the commandements or of the curse pronounced with them Is as contrary as cursing blessing For circumcision was giuen to Abrahā as a seale of the righteousnes of faith Rom. 4.5 Psal 32.1.2 Rom. 4.11 which God performed not onely vnto him but to all his spirituall children as wel Iewes as Gentiles not only since Christs death but long before Not that circumcision did seale all Abrahams naturall Children to be the Children of promise nor yet any one of them nor Abraham himselfe But it was giuen as a seale not of their faithfulnes to God nor yet to seale their saluation vnto them but to seale God his faithfulnes in his promise to all those of Abrahams Children that vnhardned their hearts like Abraham Rom. 8.15 Whether male or female Iewe or Gentile which hee sealed in their hearts by his spirit of promise whereby they all cryed Abba Father And as the rayne-bow doth confirme Gods faithfulnes to the world not mans faithfulnes to God Euen as Baptisme now is a seale not of euery ones saluation that receiueth it but a seale of Gods faithfulnes in his Couenant of mercy made to all Abrahams seed baptised and circumcised in heart like him which he sealeth vnto their hearts by his spirit of promise not by baptisme And so baptisme doth come indeed truely in the roome of Circumcision not that Circumcision was a type of baptisme but they are both types of one truth which is Circumcision or baptisme in heart As Hagar and Sinai were of another truth Euen of the Testament of Commaundements which was giuen vpon mount Sinai which gendreth or increaseth bondage Which answereth to Ierusalem Ierusalem to it not because it should be so but because they would bee so Chusing rather to be Hagars sonnes Children to Sinai which begetteth and bringeth forth to death Heb. 3.16.17.18.19 Heb. 4.2 then children of Sara and mount Sion which bringeth forth to life For as it is written the Gospell and word that is preached vnto vs was also preached vnto them but the word which they heard profited not them for they when they heard it prouoked him yet not al but with whom was he displeased forty years euen with those that hardned their hearts and wold not heare his voice Euen Hagars sonnes And as Dauid cryeth out to them of his tnne Psal 95.8 saying To day if ye wil heare his voice harden not your hearts as in the prouocation For the most of all Abrahams naturall seed which possessed the earthly Ierusalem and earthly Canaan did chuserather to bee the children of death and bondage figured by the bond woman and Sinai Then to be children of life and liberty figured by mount Sion and the free woman being all for the most part of them Rom. 10.3 ignorant of the righteousnes of faith sought altogether to establish their owne righteousnes framed according to the Law of commandements as they pretended which neither they nor their fathers did euer keepe Ioyning therewith the strict obseruation of the Ceremoniall law supposing their whole life and saluation consisted therein which were both giuen to another end then that which they intended For the Law of commandements was giuen Rom. 7.8 not
ought to learne to be baptised in heart be mercifull to all and bountifull as God is bountifull who giueth his sunne to shine vnto the good and the bad and the raine of his worde to fall vpon the iust and vniust To teach you and me and all of vs what we should doe The spirit saith Reuel 22.17 whosoeuer wil let him come Take you heed adde not to nor diminish from his word giue to all that come whatsoeuer you haue power to giue Christ gaue a greater thing to little children laying his owne handes vpon them seeing their parents came so willingly requested him them parents can now looke for at the hands of baptisme when they come bringing their children and request it Imbrace little children therefore and though you cannot giue them the greater giue them the lesser Did the Lord compare his little returned ones to a little child and dare you compare that child to a stone and a stocke a tree a mad man and a foole and say it is as lawfull to baptise the one as the other If you had liued in the Apostles daies had bin one of them you wold haue bin glad if the Iewes or heathen had come to you with willing minds to haue their children baptised to this end that they might loose the name of a Iew or heathen and be called a Christian But now it is so stale it stinckes with you Master Smith you are so bewitcht with this opinion that baptisme with water doth giue an entrance into the speciall kingdome of Heauen Mat. 18. which the Lord speaketh of when he saith Except ye returne and become as little children yee shal not enter into the kingdome of heauen that you runne into a hundred errors Iohn 3.5 Whereas regeneration onely is the entrance into that kingdome of heauen where into none come but such as shall bee saued And whereas baptisme of water giues but an entrance into the common Kingdome of heauen Mat. 13.47 compared to a net which catcheth fish of all sorts good and bad Mat. 5.45 and the bad haue as much grace conferred vnto them by that baptisme as the good Mat. 7.22 as they haue of his Sunne and raine for the bad are oftentimes more ful of knowledge by the light and can discourse more redily vpon the word of God then the good Paul may plant and Apollo may water but it is God by the Spirit of regeneration 1. Cor. 3.6 that giues the increase Are you Master Smith and your company the children of wisedome and discerne ye not neither do ye iustifie these things Are you a teacher in Israell and know not what it is to be borne againe Are ye those wise and prudent men of vnderstanding from whom these things are hidden that are reuealed vnto babes Is it not giuen to you to know the secrets of the kingdome of heauen what hath God forgot himselfe Mat. 11.25 Mat. 13.11 are you that Ierusalem from aboue and are these things hidden from you doth he not giue to his little ones great things Is hee not the same to day that hee was yesterday and shall he not be the same to morrow againe Yea hee is the same for euer and beholde I am with you saith he vnto the worlds end Mat. 28.20 John 14.16 Mat. 5.18 though Heauen and earth doe passe away yet his word shall not passe away vnfulfilled Beleeue ye not this I know ye beleeue it And I hope better of you though I so speake for God hath enlarged my heart and opened my mouth vnto you which putteth me in great hope that you are of that remnant which shall be saued But yet a little further for I haue somewhat more to say vnto you which is hard to be vttered because I say ye are dull of hearing and because it would take vp much time to set downe all wherein you misse and also it being a course wherin I take no pleasure I wil rather set downe what is the truth then tell of your falshood that by the grace of God beleeuing the one we may escape the other Now if you will know what difference there is yet more betweene the true Spouse and Church of Christ which he doth build himselfe against which the gates of hell shal not preuaile nor yet the second death to whom he hath giuen the keyes of the kingdome of heauen and those her entercommoners I will tell you First let vs consider how things were in the Apostles dayes on earth for then I am sure truth was in place and practise both and I wil not labour to make it agree with these weake times but much rather labour and desire that we which liue in these corrupt times might agree with and become like it I say whosoeuer then gladly receiued the word as it is written were baptised Heb. 3.1 and were called of the Apostles generally by the names of holy brethren partakers of the heauenly vocation c. Insomuch as they were made partakers of the holy Ghost and consented to that heauenly calling Heb. 6.4.5 6 Heb. 10,29 being enlightened tasting of that heauenly gift were called holy in regard of these good beginnings which was wrought in them whereby their olde life was reformed And therefore the Lord compareth them that receiue the seed of his word some to the high way side some to stonie ground and some to thornie ground some to good ground which brought forth fruite Insomuch as they were sanctified and purged of some vncleannesse of spirit wherefore they are said by the Lord to be swept and garnished and by Peter said to be washed and to the Hebrewes sanctified and all this is wrought in them by the ministration of the good word of God which they had tasted of and by the operation of the holy Ghost whereof they were made partakers whereby also some of them wrought miracles and some cast out diuels Now these things are all cōmon Except the good fruite as well to those vncircumcised in heart the vnregenerate As to the circumcised in heart the little ones borne againe And although these things be effected by the Ministerie of the word and of the holy Ghost and do tend to his kingdome for the Lord doth nothing against his owne kingdome any more then Sathan doth worke against his kingdome yet it is not regeneration Mat. 1◠26. Ioh. 3,5 the birth of water and the holy Ghost spoken of nor yet the first resurrection And though this sowing of the word of the Lord and these effects of the spirit do tend to the kingdom yet is it not sowen in the high wayes nor in the stonie ground nor in the thornie ground to the end it should bring forth fruit like the good ground Thirty sixty and a hundred fold And although these foure sorts of ground are Communicants in these commons together and little difference can be discerned betweene them by these first
effects and beginnings for the raine doth fall on all and the Sunne shines without respect Yet when the fruite doth appeare after this generall blade Mar. 4 28. whereby the good ground is knowne from the bad as the wheat is from the tares and after this generall raine and sun-shine the good ground like good trees doth bring forth good fruit There doth appeare so great a difference betweene them as is betweene end and beginning betweene first and last betweene the blade and the fruite Betweene the kingdome compared to a Net wherein all sorts of fish is caught both good and bad and the kingdom compared to a field wherein lay a treasure hid of so great worth Mat. 13.44 that whosoeuer could get possession of it though it cost him all that euer hee had if it were neuer so much yet should his gaine be great and infinite And betweene those little ones who are borne againe whose loue is great for great respects Who know they are translated from death to life And those vnreturned ones 1. Ioh. 3.14.15 that loue not nor know whether they goe And as the difference is great in regard of the vncertainty of the one and the certaine euerlasting happinesse of the other So haue they a Charter so great and freedome so strong with so many priuiledges belonging thereunto as no Citie in the world Reu. 21. nor kingdome can afford the like And wherein those entercommoners on whom God hath shewed his bounty in giuing them Sunne and raine and haue not yet brought forth fruit can haue no part nor fellowship neither ought any more to presume to touch or meddle with then those that might not touch nor stay the Arke or him to whom Peter said thou hast no part nor fellowship with vs Act. 8.21 nor in this administration But those poore little rich fruitfull ones are the onely Priests of God the stay and pillars of his Arke of Arks not made of wood Reu. 1.5.6 which now is gone to wrack but of heauenly enduring matter and trees of life and although they be the pillars and stayes of it yet are they not the builders But the Lord alone Reu. 3.12 who saith vpon this rock will I build my Church Mat. 16.18 Now as these fruitfull trees and free-borne Citizens doe pertake and haue fellowship together in the priuiledges peculiar to this holy Church City of God 1. Pet. 2.9 being as one saith a chosen generation a royall Priesthood an holy Nation a people set at liberty So do they shew forth the vertues of him that hath called them whose loue is perfect in them whereby they know each other to be borne of God as S. Iohn saith Hereby we know that ye are in him 1. Ioh. 2.5 And as these are knowne either to other by their fruit which fruit I will not speake of heere seeing it is as I thinke plainly described before So out of the great heape of Commoners doe sometimes appeare euill trees who are knowne also to those that are borne againe by their euill fruit the fruit of death Luk. 6.43.14 to be vncurable euill trees That is so seene against the light and them that walke in it as that they shall receiue the sentence of eternall death euen while they liue trees twise dead Iud. 12. 1. Cor. 16.22 and pluckt vp by the rootes of whom it is written Let him be cursed And as the good ground or trees do not appeare all at once out of the generall field of Commoners but when it pleaseth him who giueth the encrease some sooner some later So no more doe the euill trees appeare all at once but now and then when their euill fruite is ripe some breake forth betimes some stay longer some not at all to the Church I meane vntill the great day of account who then shall be found speechlesse without the wedding garment And as the euill seruant Mat. 22.12 Luk. 19.20 Mat. 25.8 that hid his Masters talent And as the fiue foolish virgins who found no oyle in their lamps when the bridegroome came supposing till then all was well Euen so likewise is there many of his beloued ones not knowne to others but the Lord himselfe vntill that day who then with the rest of their fellowes shall bee made manifest to all yea euen to those who shall then admire their glory and riches when themselues shall lye in dust and shame So that when the Lord saith in his Parable Mat. 13.26.27 That when the wheat did appeare by the fruit then did also appeare the tares his meaning is not that in the generall kingdome all the wheat appeares at once and all the tares but as I haue said before And therefore the seruants must not goe to weeding at the first sprout of the eare though some wheat and some tares doe euidently appeare least they plucke vp wheat with tares For some of both shall remaine vnknowne vnto them vntill the great haruest day And this is Ver 30 and shall be the condition of the common field vniuersity of Christians vntill that day and therefore the seruants must spare to iudge or iustifie till their fruits doe euidently appeare And as the Sunne doth shine and the raine doth fall equally vpon them I meane those Christians that shall proue tares as those that shall prooue good wheat Mat. 5.44.45 fit for the Lords owne barne So ought also his seruants to be kind to the vnkinde and mercifull to all Insomuch as in the first effects before mentioned there doth appeare little or no difference Now hauing thus distinguished betweene Christian and Christian Kingdome and Kingdome tree and tree Let vs see how matters doe fall out betweene them and how they doe agree and also how they ought to walke and carrie themselues toward each other And that we may the easier accomplish our purpose we will deuide these great company of Christians into two parts that is to say Some borne of God returned and become as little children to whom he hath giuen the keyes of the kingdome and all those priuiledges before spoken of and a thousand treasures more besides on whom the second death shall neuer haue power nor the gates of hell preuaile The other vnregenerate equall partakers with the regenerate in all the common first thinges before mentioned but not in the second effects the last and speciall things Now these kinde of brethren doe often times offend the little ones and despise them because they are little in their owne eyes and poore in their own spirit and are returned and become as little children because their fruits of loue appeare beyond theirs knowing their owne works to be euill and their brothers good wherefore the Lord saith to those brethren Mat. 18.10.11.12 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones these lost sheepe whom I haue sought out for I say vnto you howsoeuer you esteeme of them Their
truth for it is sharper then any two edged sword Take heede therefore and marke well the thinges that are heere written vnto you and search the Scriptures whether they be so or no for they are GODS witnesses and they tell the truth what euer man saies and I pray you take heede you mistake not the Lord for his word is a mistery especially these things which are called the secrets of the kingdome of heauen And beware that you affirme not any thing which he hath not said nor meant nor gain-say or diminish any thing from his intent and howsoeuer ye haue failed therein already yet considering as I perswade my selfe you are not of those louers and makers of lies for I hope farre better things of you M. Smith Reu. 22.15 and therefore that we may vnderstand the Lord and see his secrets euen the secrets of his kingdome Let vs intreate him with broken and humble hearts for the spirit of trueth that holy annointing which is true and not lying that as it doth teach vs euen so we may abide in him and so let vs write and speake Let vs annoint our eyes with eye salue that we may see euen with the water of a dissolued broken heart and we shall see better things then forme and fashion That we may discerne betweene those that haue but the forme of godlinesse and them that haue the power thereof That wee may see and know those little ones whom to receiue is to receiue the Lord and to loue them whom to loue is to loue the Lord and to loue the Lord is life for euermore And this is that loue without the which all knowledge and all faith doth but make vs as sounding brasse and tinckling Cimballs For by this loue 1. Cor. 13.1 2 3. we shall know that we are translated from death to life and by this loue we shal approue our selues to the little ones to haue that one peculiar faith with them the assurance of the loue of God vnto vs in Christ Iesus and of our reconciliation with God through him And this is the faith which one speaketh of in a certaine place to one that would haue beene esteemed Iam. 2.18.19.20 and no doubt esteeming of himselfe too as if he had that speciall peculiar faith which only the Lords redeemed haue Shew me saith he thy faith by thy works and I will shew thee my faith by my workes Thou hast faith I graunt thee and dost beleeue but what that there is one God well yea and one Lord Iesus Christ also and one holy spirit and one faith and one baptisme yea and one Church purchased and sanctified by the bloud of the Lord Iesus Christ And dost thou beleeue all these things indeed thou dost well but I tell thee the diuell doth beleeue it also and doth tremble for one may haue faith though not that speciall faith nor yet the fruites that follow the same One may by faith cast out diuels and that in the name of Christ Iesus Mat. 7.22.23 and do many great wonders and yet a worker of iniquity What then Obiection doth not man liue by his faith alone doth works make his faith aliue Answere Man doth liue by his faith alone Heb. 10.38 Haba 2.4 yea the iust man and his faith doth make his works aliue as the branches of a Tree receiue their sappe and life from the roote But you will say Obiection what faith is this you meane are there many kindes of faith and the Scripture saith one faith one baptisme and so Answere The Scriptures meane one faith to life Ioh. 3.15 and one baptisme to life as it saith Whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not be confounded and that whosoeuer beleeueth in him shall not perish but haue eternall life And againe whosoeuer beleeueth and is baptised Mar. 16.16 shall be saued What then will you say is there a faith and baptisme which men may haue perish Yea for Iudas beleeued and was baptised Act. 8.13 Simon Magus beleeued and was baptised and many thousand more which yet shall be found the workers of iniquity Obiection You will say then what faith is that that you meane may it be distinguisht from the other It may But first Answer I will tell you what I take the word faith to meane as it is wrought in men in generall respecting God It is an vndoubted perswasion wrought in the heart by the force and power of the holy Ghost in the reuelation of the worde of God of the truth of all or some or any of the things thereby reuealed for faith is the ground of thinges hoped for Heb. 11.1 and also the euidence of the thinges not seene By faith men vnderstand that there is onely one God that the world was created by his word By faith men beleeue that whatsoeuer hath beene said or done in the world by God his seruants his Prophets and Apostles are all true and were done by the power of God yea by faith men haue and doe worke wonders themselues As all these things may be vnderstoode and done by faith and yet such beleeuers and workers for all their faithfulnesse may goe to hell So there is a mysterie reuealed that whosoeuer doth beleeue shall not perish but shall haue eternall life Esa 61.1.2.3 that is to say a word of great grace and mercy giuen out a couenant of life and peace of pardon and deliuerance made to the poore and broken in heart Mat. 11.5.28 Mat. 15.24 the weary and heauie loaden the lost sheepe the hungry and thirsty the contrite and broken spirited euen to him that doth repent And none can beleeue this word and promise of life and pardon assuredly to pertain vnto themselues but these alone And of this seeker alone is God found to him doth he looke for his sonnes sake the Mediator of his couenant Mat. 5.3 and doth write him blessed and doth assure him pardon and reconciliation by his promised spirit whereby he is sealed and hath set to his seale that God is true and is fully assured that God is true and is fully assured that God loueth him in Christ Iesus and that his name is written in the booke of life And this is faith also which doth beleeue this thing and this is the thing that doth distinguish betweene it and the other and this faith if you wil that I shall define in few wordes It is a full and certaine perswasion wrought in the poore and broken heart by the comforter of peace and reconciliation with God in and through Christ Iesus his Lord and this is the faith which worketh by loue and this is that peculiar faith spoken of before and is but one was euer the same Nowe concerning that one Baptisme a little more As in the olde time there was Circumcision of the skinne and Circumcision of the heart but the Circumcision of the heart was the onely chiefe Circumcision which whosoeuer had was onely
with all his trash is quite abandoned where all is reformed both life and doctrine And that is here with vs for we haue cast off all and haue beganne a new we baptise none but men of yeares and that doe make confession of our faith and are of vpright life wee haue strooke the right Couenant with him therefore he is here Then steppes vp the fift with a high spirit controuling al epecially the three last accusing them for wranglers and blasphemers saying ye are all lyers you are iangling contentious spirits ye seeke Christ without you seeke him within you you good thinking wise-ones you doe not so much as know what Christ is nor yet what Antichrist is you condemne that holy auncient father the Pope of Rome to bee the Antichrist the beast and man of sinne and all the holy orders of their Archpriests Priests and offices of good intentions hauing all names of good signification and all Images Sacrifices and Ceremonies of good information to bee all blasphemus Idolatrous and superstitious and so blaspheme the holy thinges vsed in the Catholicke Church of Rome Not knowing that as God did teach the world by the orders Sacrifices and Ceremonies vsed among the Iewes tell Christ came in the man Iesus So it pleased him also to teach the world by those Orders Images Sacrifices and Ceremonies vsed in the Catholique Church of Rome vntill the Christ came againe now in the end of the world according to his promises in his obedient man H. N. by whom hee hath appointed to iudge the world according to the Scriptures Not with fire and brimstone vpon mens heads as we suppose but with wise sentences with darke and parabolous saying deliuering high things with a high spirit teaching reproouing and condemning the whole word being the eight and the last breaker of the light The Archangel and the last Trumpe none in this third and last day wherein Christ is perfitted And is that Angell flying in the middest of heauen hauing an euerlasting Gospell to preach to them that dwell vpon the earth Saying Christ is not nor was not a man as yee suppose but holinesse is Christ And he that doth beleeue it is possible to keep all the ten commandements hath the right faith in Christ and they that doe attaine to the perfect keeping of them are risen from the dead according to the Scriptures and as holines is Christ and the sonne of God So sinne is Antichrist and the sonne of the diuell fight therefore against the Antichrist in your selues ouer come the beast which is the sinne and put on holines which is the Christ Put away therefore all your good thinkings and all your Scripture learnednese and come hether naked for here is cloathing enough for you for I tell your whosoeuer comes to learne at his schoole must be as simple and hold himselfe as ignorant as a little child for the tree of knowledge is the tree of death wherefore if ye will liue come hether did not the diuell tell you you should be as gods and will yee beleeue him still did he deceiue you once and will you not beware wherefore become fooles that yee may be wise And here take this booke but keepe it close for H. N. hath many enemies especially among this wrangling crue And therein thou shalt finde an interlude which if thou marke well shall teach thee all and harken no loner to those disturbing spirits who feed thee with nothing but the forbidden fruite Learne to liue againe in innocency wherein thou shalt not not be ashamed though thou shouldest goe naked as thou didst before and thou shalt know nothing but loue which shall neuer fade away and when thou hast attained to this thou shalt be in Paradice againe and then take of the tree of life and eate and liue for euer And tel me now Is no here Christ indeed and the very true Christ and haue I not also tolde thee what is the Antichrist and many other worthy thinges wherefore stay heere and thou shalt see wonders in the end These are strange and wofull times Are not these the dayes which the Lord fore-told here is Wolfes in sheepes cloathing on euery side and yet heere are not all but let others tell the rest for my part I am weary telling of these But which way is it possible for the little sheepe to escape these Wolues euen through a very narrow way and a straight gate which their Lord hath appointed and made easie for them for they must escape It is not possible the Elect should be deceiued the know them by their fruites These are the contentions of our dayes who shall end the cōtrouersie This we are sure of he that hath the bride is the bridegroome and shee which hath the bridegroome is the bride wheresoeuer shee be She hath begun to shew her face already a little and her voice hath beene heard euen in our land but the Wolues came so thick about her that shee was glad to retire a little into the wildernesse againe but when her appointed time and yeare is once come she shal come forth and end this controuersie whereby her little ones are so much dismayed in the meane time let her poore little children reioyce and be glad for her light shall shine euery day still more and more and as light comes in darknesse shall goe out howsoeuer things seeme to goe The night is euen passed the day begins to break it is but a little while the Sunne will shine for the morning and euening sacrifice must bee restored againe as in the former time and in the dayes of old And yet a little while and the King of Babell and his City both with all his army shall be ouerthrowne And the song of Moses shall be sung againe for the great City Rome shall be burnt with fire and like the great mill-stone which the Angell cast into the See be throwne downe and shall be found no more Then shall Israell sing in daunces as before saying Haleluiah Saluation and glory and power be to our God for hee hath triumphed gloriously The horse with his stately Rider is ouerthrowne and his pompe turned to the graue And then a very little while and that day so long looked for shall shew it selfe wherein that poore distressed and desolate woman tossed with tempest too fro who hath so long attended with many a wet eye and watchfull looke and her lamp alwaies ready burning for the cōming of her husband to the wedding day wherein he wil giue her a crowne of life and wipe her eyes for euer weeping more and giue her ioy and gladnesse in steed of mourning and beauty and euerlasting life and glory in stead of dust and desolation Great and meruailous are thy workes Lord God Almighty true and righteous are thy iudgements King of Saints who shall not feare thee oh Lord giue glory to thy name for thy iudgements are made manifest Let vs be glad and reioyce and giue glory to him for the mariage of the Lamb is come his wife hath made her selfe ready Esai 14. 4. 8. How hath the oppressor ceased and the gold-thirstie Babell rested Since thou wast laid low no hewer came vp against vs. FINIS To the Reader ANd if any man thinke heere is not so much said against them as their faults deserue Let him consider if one should lay open to others all his faults at once with their due deserts he would take it very vnkindly and very hardly euer receiue an admonition at his hands in good part that should so serue him Therefore to preuent this euill I haue rather laboured to tell them what they should be then to lay open what they are for loue hopeth the best till it see the worst And this I assure both thee them that no man euer was more forward and strict in outward obseruations nor more ready to contend about the forme and manner of religious exercises and carnall washings and all other commons of the Kingdome then the very hippocrite that neuer intended the purging of his heart nor yet to partake in her peculiar things though vnder the cloake of the one he doth pretend the greatest part in the other Make cleane then the inside first and the out-side shall bee cleane for whosoeuer is cleansed in heart neede not bee taught to wash his hands