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
Father who is aboue all and through all and in them all And these are entred into the kingdome of heauen Rom. 14.17 which is not meate and drinke and apparrell but righteousnesse and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Now let vs speake a little of the liberty and freedome of this kingdome This kingdome is free not in bondage but at liberty wheresoeuer she liueth in any kingdome or common-wealth and if the Magistracie thereof say eate they eate or drinke they drinke or put on they put on obserue and keepe touch or tast or handle or pay they obey If they forbid they also heare and forbeare both in these and all other things of the like nature And so are they obedient to all manner ordinances of man for the Lords sake against whose commandement else they should sinne Luk. 20.25 who saith Rom. 13.7 Giue vnto Caesar those things that are Caesars And there is no kingdome or state whatsoeuer where Christians are not in bondage if it bee a bondage to some of these And if there were which is vnpossible then were it left to their choise to take or leaue with moderation as please them as it is also vnder a gouernment where many things of the same nature are so left neither commanded nor forbidden And herein consisteth their liberty in that it toucheth not their conscience For whether they eate or eate not they sinne not for God requireth neither the one nor the other wherfore if we giue these things to Caesar we do wrong neither to God nor yet to our consciences but rather if we giue not being required as the Lord himselfe said in the like case Mat. 17.27 Pay it to them least wee offend And as Caesar must haue and be obeyed in whatsoeuer belongs to him so wee must giue vnto God whatsoeuer he requires and obey him in whatsoeuer he commands Now the greatest difficulty lieth in this to distinguish betweene the things of God and the things of Caesar that knowing them asunder we may the better know how wherein to obey both God and Caesar And herein by the grace of my God I will not say any thing for any respect in and of the world whatsoeuer but Gods truth and his Church seeing that I know it shal come to the tryal of such a touchstone which cannot erre Who will waigh it try it and condemne it if it be found corrupt or too light And although it be a common fault in men to respect the present and generall affection and the approbation of the most and greatest sway they as they will Yet insomuch as I know that God is in all times and seeth in al places be they neuer so secret and also that he hath eyes abroad that can see though many be blind and lyes goe as current as truth with many and seeing I know not onely this time but a better time shall try it I will therefore bee aduised and take heede what I say for assuredly there is no lye made by the cunningst inuenter of lyes whatsoeuer but shall once eyther sooner or later suffer death at the hands of truth And there is no stubble or straw whatsoeuer but shall bee consumed with the flame thereof Now let vs see first what are the things of God which doth belong to him And then we shall the easier see what are Caesars thinges that belong to him Iohn 4.23.34 The things of God are truth and spirit John 17.17 his truth is his word his worde is his law his law is of two sorts and therefore is called two Testaments Ioh. 4.23.24 17.17 The Testament and law of death and the Reuelation and Couenant of life All the Scriptures are true but all that is written therein is not the word of God For sometimes the holy Ghost sets downe the sinnes and practises of euill men Ier. 28. And sometimes he describeth vnto vs the lying wordes of the false prophets which when wee read we must not take it for the word of God but that it is true we must beleeue for they which wrote it could not erre therein and therefore truth it is but not the truth The word of God then and the truth we meane Is that which came from heauen whether that iust and holy law of commaundements which is called the minister of death because we could not fulfill it and therfore it could not giue vs life but the iust sentēce of death or that perfect law and testament of life Psal 19.7 which conuerteth soules I meane the Gospell which is in a more speciall and peculiar maner called the word of God then the law is or can be as where it saith Faith commeth by hearing Rom. 10.17 2. Pet. 1.19 and hearing by the worde of God And againe we haue a most sure worde of the Prophets vnto the which ye doe well that yee giue heed c. And in diuers other places both in the new and old Testament whereby nothing is meant by any meanes but the promise and word of life And therefore he saith Iohn 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy word thy word is the truth Now in these two Testaments is declared whatsoeuer God requireth eyther due to himselfe from vs whether it be faith or obedience And also our duetie to our neighbours of all sorts high and low good and bad and all the holy Prophesies Reuelations which came frō aboue and sacrifices and shadows whatsoeuer which 〈◊〉 scriptures do set forth vnto vs do tend to one or other of these two and both and all doe tend eyther to shew forth the riches of God in his bounty and mercy and the condition of those that turne obey his Gospell and loue his law or his seuerity and iustice in the condition of those that disobey both lawe and Gospell That the end of all might bee the glory of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ Now the speciall things of God that doe belong peculiarly to him alone are they that we must speake of His peculiar things are these first as from him we are gone astray and by his holy law pronounced dead so to him alone we must returne to seeke life for he alone can giue it vs In him alone we must beleeue and put our confidence to him alone wee must pray and hee onely must be our God and chiefe delight Him onely we must feare as God him only we must loue as God him onely wee must acknowledge for our Sauiour and Redeemer his commandements must be obeyed onely aboue all and hee onely worshipped with our whole spirits For he alone must haue our hearts and this is spirit ioyned with truth John 4.21 Neither this mountaine nor that doth hee require nor yet forbid what he commaundeth not Cesar may forbid what he forbiddeth not Cesar may command God requireth euery place alike Cesar may commaund a place for the publike so he doe forbid none in priuate God requireth
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
concerning them They receiued the word with ioy and gladnesse Mat. 13.20 Acts 2.41 Luke 9 62. They tooke the Plough by the hand indeed The foule spirit was gone the Sowe was washt the blade sprung vp These things the Church did see and know was true in them and so farre it did approoue of them did yeeld vnto them the common things and were of one accord therein together The Church stones of life looked for fruit from them but fruit they neuer saw They hoped the best till they saw the worst They knew not the tree but by the fruit and that not till it had brought forth either good or bad But by their fruit they do know them as it is written Doe men gather Grapes of Thornes or Figges of Thistles can a good tree bring foorth bad fruit or a bad tree good fruit no not possible A good tree cannot bring foorth euill fruit Mat. 7.16.17.18.19.20 neither can a bad tree bring foorth good fruit euery tree that bringeth not foorth good fruit is hewen downe and cast into the fire The Scripture doth neuer any where teach or speake like your Master Smith That euill trees may be knowen to be good trees by bearing of good fruit and yet be cut downe and cast into hell fire for bearing of euill fruit for you say that a tree which shall be hewen downe one that may fall away doth bring forth as good fruit as the good tree or good ground doth and that there can no difference be discerned by their fruits between them contrary to the Scripture which saith to the children of the kingdome Mat. 12.33 Yee shall know them by their fruits Meaning the good trees by the good fruit which they bring foorth from the trees that bring not foorth good fruit and from the euill trees which bring foorth euill fruite And as they knowe certainely the good tree by his good fruit and the euill tree by his euill fruit so they doe also know that those trees which growe in the Lords field Luke 13.6.7.8 standing as branches in the vine Iohn 15.2 and bring not foorth good fruit are accursed like the figge tree Mat. 21.19 Mat. 3.10 must be hewen downe with the euill trees and cast into euerlasting fire But perhaps you will say Obiection these trees cannot be so distinguish't and knowne till the end for the Lord saith Mat. 24.13 He that endureth to the end shall be saued And the righteous man may fall from his righteousnesse as testifieth the Prophet and die Eze. 18.24.26.27 And the vnrighteous man turne from his vnrighteousnesse and liue So that there can be no such certainty as you speake of vntill the end Heere I would first know of you Answere what ende you thinke the Lord doth meane whether the end of the world or the end of their life in the flesh If you mean the end of the world then Moses Elias the Prophets and Apostles might yet perish for to that ende they are not yet come But they are and shall bee saued therefore that end it cannot be what then the ende of their life in the flesh that end is it which you intend I dare say Then indeed there is no certainty in this world to be had till the houre of death then is the Doctrine of your fellowes the Dutch Anabaptists true who affirme that the most righteous man lustified and borne againe from aboue may fal away and perish at any time euen till his last howre then should mans saluation depend vpon his last gaspe Then no man can reioyce that his name is written in the Booke life till he be dead or else they may haue their names blotted out againe after they be written therein as indeede they doe affirme But man may be certainely assured of reconciliation with God Rom. 1.38.30 and that his name is written in the booke of life and sealed there by an indelible couenant before the moment or houre or day of his death therefore that end it cannot be But stay Obiection may not the righteous man fall from his righteousnes then Such righteous men as I told you of before Answere may fall from their righteousnesse Euill Trees and euill ground which neuer brought foorth good fruit As from some the foules of the Aire catch away the seed that is sowne in their harts and they fall away Mat. 13.19.20.21.22 some by persecution are offended some the cares of this world doe choake And so the righteous man doth fall from his righteousnesse The washed sow is turned to wallow in the mire againe 2. Pe. 20.2 The dogge to his vomit againe He that tooke the Plough by the hand hath looked behind him and is made vnmeete for the kingdome of heauen for euer The vncleane spirit that was cast out Mat. 12.45 is returned with seauen worse then himselfe and re-entereth the house swept and the ende of this man is worse then his beginning It had beene better for him that he had neuerknowne the way of truth his condition was better before hee tooke the Plough in hand then it is now in this end of his wherein he hath giuen it ouer turned backe entertained his euill companion againe with seauen more worse then he Question But what is then the end which whosoeuer endureth vnto and doth attaine shall be saued The end therefore is the fruit as reaping is the end of Ploughing Answere And as wee looke for fruite after wee haue sowne our Corne in the earth So doth the Lord looke for fruit of the seede he hath sowne in vs. Such fruite as whosoeuer bringeth forth shall neuer be hewen downe and giuen to the burning fire But is like the tree planted by the riuer side Psal 1.3 which bringeth forth his fruit in due season whose leafe shall not fade And this is the plantation of God and these are his trees and the branches of his owne Vine Christ Iesues and euery branch that berareth fruit in him hee purgeth like a good husbandman Ioh. 15.1.2 that it may bring forth more fruit And if you aske what fruit that is I tolde you before yet if you will haue it againe It is Loue euen that new commaundement the perfection which the Lord commaundeth Mat. 5.48 saying Be ye perfect as your heauenly Father is perfect It is the first resurrection which whosoeuer attaineth is blessed holy for euer They that attaine to this end are blessed in their life Deut. 28.3.45.6 Mat. 9.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11 and blessed at their houre of death and blessed at the end of the world and blessed for euermore These righteous men neuer fall from their righteousnes their names are neuer rased out of die booke of life Mat. 18.14 but vnrighteous men may turne to their righteousnes And therfore these righteous men encourage all exhorte all hope all things endure all things forbeare and are gentle vnto all 1.
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
Nations as Christ saith for his name sake Leaue these differences and controuersies and leaue all Then let vs take our pleasure and shake hands with the world and looke after preferments in the earth and promotions as others doe Answere Vnwise man whatsoeuer thou at that doest make this obiection and doest so speake For tell me must thou needs erre on the right hand or on the left Because the law of our land doth not persecute thee for righteousnesse sake wilt thou therefore be disobedient and suffer for thy sinnes Because a godly life and persecution cannot be seperated in this world asunder as it is written 2. Tim. 2.12 Whosoeuer will liue godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution and whosoeuer will be his Disciple must take vp his crosse daily and follow him wilt thou therefore because thou knowest not how to take vp his Crosse nor how to liue godly in Christ Iesus Take vp a Crosse of thine owne making 1. Pet. 2.12 13.14.15.16.17 and because thou wilt be sure to suffer speake euill of them that are in authority resist the ordinance of God and so suffer for euill doing If thou be one of the Lords iustified faithfull ones thou shalt finde aduersaries enow euery day though law and authority should bee on thy side and take thy part Hee is the Minister of God for thy wealth Dauid though he were King himselfe and none in the world aboue him but God yet could hee not preuent the mockes and taunts and drunken songs that were of him nor yet the manifold enemies that pursued his soule night and day wherefore he crucified himselfe and prayed oft with a broken heart and a contrite spirit to him that was able to deliuer him frō all those his ghostly enemies watering his cheeks and bed full many a time and oft with teares Learne therefore to take vp Dauids Crosse to suffer and to be crucified with him with Christ his Lord learne to be Christs Disciple and seruants as Dauid was and to loue the Lord and walke in his waies as Dauid did and thou shalt haue enemies enow wil find thee out both naturall and spirituall thou shalt not neede to goe seeke them onely take vp thy Crosse willingly and with patience and then if thou so suffer with him thou shalt be sure also to raigne with him Shew me one word in all the new Testament that requireth thee to suffer for those thinges that thou pretendest or tell mee which of the Apostles or Christians in the Apostles times did suffer for speaking against or disobeying the law of ceremonies except it were vniustly Act. 25.7.8 and then Paul when the Iewes laide many and greeuous complaints against him which they could not proue answeres for himselfe That he had neither offended any thing against the law of the Iewes Act. 24.14 15. nor against the Temple nor against Caesar onely he sought Christ Iesus in whom all those things which the Iewes called heresie were accomplisht and the vse of them no more of necessity but were then become all indifferent Ver. 18.19.20 I say shew mee one that euer did suffer for those or the like things that you our Reformists or Separatists or Anabaptists doe now pretende That God by his Gospell and new Testament doth approue and we will then acknowledge ye haue the truth amongst you and doe suffer for righteousnesse Or else know this that you are they the Scripture speaketh of Makers of Sects fleshly hauing not the spirit and despise gouernement speaking euill of them that are in authority Luk. 19.8 separating your selues from others being puft vp knowing nothing doting about questions and strife of wordes whereof commeth enuy raylings strife and euill surmisings And are not those Luk. 20.21 that edifie themselues in the most holy faith praying in the holy Ghost and that keepe themselues in the loue of God looking for the mercies of the Lord Iesus Christ vnto eternall life Mat. 5.11.12 1. Pet. 3.17 And if ye suffer for these things blessed are ye Neither thinke that if thou giuest ouer thy contentions about these differences of thine and fightings with shaddows that then thou must needs take thy pleasure in this world and shake handes with it and looke after preferments in the earth and promotions as others some doe Neither take me as if I iustifie those that haue turned their heat into coldnes nor yet those that can play with both hands because they will keepe their credite with those that are zealous and not lose that neither which they gape for whensoeuer it fals who are fedde till they are grosse with fat and yet gape for more These are the cunninger sort of subscribing Reformers who speake euill of that in priuate which they conform to in publicke who vnder pretence of preaching the Gospell for the good of others preach and preferments who reigne in their spirits and word more like Lords then many of those whose places and titles and honours they spight and speake against because it is not theirs Neither do I iustifie any that hauing authority more or lesse doe raigne as Lordes ouer Gods heritage that loue salutations and greetings delighting to be called Lords affecting greatly the Title Rabby sporting themselues with the afflictions of Iacob that tread the holy Citie Ierusalem vnder their feete as the Popes and Lords of Rome haue done and doe For as I condemne no one for his greatnesse of place or Titles or power and authority whomsoeuer so no more doe I iustifie the euill workes of any but know and am assured that whosoeuer he be that doth loue the wages of Balam and doth post after Balakes preferment as Balam did is no better then hee And also whosoeuer doth the workes of the Pharisees and Scribes and of their generation the sonnes of the whore of Babylon shall be found as indeede they are the very of-spring of those Scribes and Pharisees and the children of that whore their moher though they disclaime her neuer so much and therfore thogh they come like sheep prophecying in the name of Christ preaching oftentimes his word and truth as Balam did and like those whom our Sauior speaketh of yet we must beware of them as of false Prophets And we shall know them hardly by their cloathing which is their preaching and doctrines for therein they can and doe oftentimes imitate the Sheepe But by their fruits saith the Lord yee shall know them And therefore especially this I iustifie wish and desire that all that professe Christ and his Gospell and the administration thereof would take heede they resist not the power seeing it is the Ordinance of God and that they would not bee high minded but feare And also that they that haue authority and power and haue a great place as they professe Christ and his Diuine word and the ministration thereof that they would doe the workes of Christ in meekenesse and lowlines of heart louing the righteous
a true Israelite So likewise in this new time there is the Baptisme of the skinne and the Baptisme of the heart but the Baptisme of the heart is the onely chiefe baptisme 1. Cor. 12.13 and they that are so baptised are the onely true Christians and Israel of God and is but one and the same for euer In comparison whereof that which is but outward on the skinne is none at all And tell mee Master Smith are not these thinges true indeede dare you to resist and gain-say them do you not know that which is of God shall stand Act. 5.38.39 and that which is of men shall fall and come to nought Take heede therefore least ye be found a fighter against God But you may say to me thou art a sinfull wretch and if I write against thee I write but against a wretched one It is true indeede and therefore vnworthy I am to write or speake of these holy things And as for me spare me not for my sinnes but yet let the truth goe free for the Lords sake whose it is and for his childrens sake to whom it may come and for your owne sake least you die Obiection But some will say perhaps Master Smith is too wise I trow to fight with or to yeelde to such a foole that hath not one maior or minor but all minimes too too little for his great capacity Alacke Master Smith regards it not he scarse looked on it it is so meane he will not file his hands to answer such a clownish discourse that hath not one artificiall argument in it and so void of learning that it hath not so much as method but plaine like the plough Alacke Master Smiths bringing vp hath not beene so Swineheard and Shepheard like He is a Scholler of no small reading and well seene and experienced in Arts. If hee thought his answere to Master Clifton would be the lesse esteemed for that hee is helde a weake man but that his allegations and reasons are the best plea of the greatest Rabbies themselues Thinke not that he will weaken his cause to answere thee If it were any of the Rabbies of England or any other harlot whatsoeuer you should see then what he would say to it for although Master Smith doe publish answeres to Master Clifton one of the separation on Master Iohnsons side chalenging them especially to the combat yet he proclaimeth saying Be it knowne to all the separation that wee account them in respect of their constitution to be as very an harlot as either her mother England or her grandmother Rome out of whose loines she came Answere As her Mother England whose sonne is Master Smith if one might aske where was hee borne and where had he his education and bringing vp In England yea in England Is this a kind sonne to vse his mother thus not onely to runne away from her like his followe brethren against whom also he doth protest but to raile against her so Is this your Logick sir was this your bringing vp hath Art caused you so much to forget Nature If not grace yet mee thinkes the light of nature should haue taught you better If you had beene borne in America or in Rome it selfe very nature might haue perswaded you that some might bee there that had rather die then worship diuels or bowe to Baal Much more in England though you be runne out for feare tell mee whether can any man runne in all the world to mend himselfe at this day And although your mother England hath too many disobedient and froward children yet if you had beene a Naturall sonne you would haue stayed at home and if you had receiued a greater light then the rest of your brethren Loue would haue forced you to haue laide downe your life for them rather then they should haue beene vntaught therein considering also what great hope is to bee conceiued of England aboue any one Nation in the world and not to leaue them in the darke and cry out a harlot a harlot no Church visible nor Christian to be seene no faith but the faith of diuels no Baptisme but the marke of the beaste no Church to bee seene in the world but I Iohn Smith and my Company Is this your shamelesse voice Dare you be so bold to set vp a flag of defiance against the City of God Be it knowne vnto you that the least Citizen thereof is able to meete both you and all your company in the field and through the strength of the Lord thereof without either bow or shield euen by the word of his mouth put you all to flight And for all your great bragges and flagges Bee it knowne vnto you and vnto all the world this day That his holy Citie is in England euen Ierusalem that is from aboue and although she hath many yea and too many entercommoners yet she hath free Denisons who pertake of her priuiledges whose feete walke in our streetes though the world regard it not and if ye will not beleeue me wipe but your eyes with Sackecloth and come and see and if you will doe neither answere in the field and although heere bee neither Art nor learning and therefore you know not how to frame your pen to stoope so low Remember where once you were from whence you came know that reason brought forth Art and therefore was before Let Art then beeing the daughter although shee be so high looke downe a little to her mother and let both and all and euery creature bend and yeeld vnto the word of the Lord which shall endure for euer And although it be none of the Rabbies but one of the vnlearned babies yet meete him seeing hee doth accept the challenge but looke well to your forehead for all your Artificiall Armes and skill to vse them for little Dauid beeing a keeper of sheepe though he knew not how to stir himselfe in such like armor yet comming in the name of the God of Israel from the sheepe with his sling and a stone stroake Goliah so deadly that hee fell downe and with his owne sword cut of his head wherefore looke vnto it it is dangerous striuing with trueth for although Kings be strong and Wine is strong and Women are stronger then either of both who beare Kings and the planters of Vines and all Masters of Artes and sciences whatsoeuer yet truth is stronger then all and all must bend and bow and yeeld to her least they die at the point thereof And though it come out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings yet it is stronger then Goliah withall his forces Not that I despise learning but reuerence it and doe acknowledge my selfe to be vnworthy thereof but only this It must not be so proud to thinke that trueth should learne of it or to thinke that reason must not rule it and if Art should thinke for it is like Nature very blind that truth and reason could ouershoot it selfe yet were