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
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