THE FOURTH PRINCIPLE OF Christian Religion OR The FOVNDATION DOCTRINE OF Laying on of Hands Asserted and Vindicated by way of Answer to such Arguments as by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Hobson have been presented against this Gospel Ordinance Affectionately tendred to such enquiring souls as are desirous throughly to forsake Babylon notion and humane tradition and by universall obedience to follow the Lamb in all his righteous appointments By THO. TILLAM a Minister of Jesus Christ PSAL. 102.13 14. Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Zion for the time to favour her yea the set time is come For thy servants take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof LONDON Printed by E. C. for Henry Eversden and are to be sold by William Hucheson of Durham M.DC.LV. To all the espoused Virgins of the Prince of Peace whether Persons or Churches with such pretious panting Spirits as are breathing after his Divine embraces Heirs of Glory WHatsoever be your outward state yet since the distinguishing love of God hath enriched you with grace I dare confidently as his Ambassadour salute you with peace even that peace which the world can neither give nor take away the peace of God that passeth all understanding such peace as unbelieving disobedient ones never tasted neither can enjoy For however the Prince of darknesse transforming himself into an Angell of light doth now more then ever by strong delusions Captivate thousands in his airy region where fancied spirituall enjoyments possesse them with vehement desires to their conceited Paradise Yet alas Isa 44.20 True peace is a meer stranger they feed upon ashes deceived hearts have turned them aside that they cannot deliver their souls nor say Is there not a lie in my right hand While they boast of perfection light infallibility the enemy hath stoln their hearts from Evangelicall obedience I would in a word warn your pretious souls ye who desire to obey from the heart that forme of Doctrine which was delivered you beware of the great deceit of these dayes Rom. 6.17 wherewith Satan deceiveth multitudes to a sleighting that wholesome form of sound words and in the mean time leads them by the noses into the most pitifull formes that ever were invented as putting off the hat bowing the knee saying Sir Master Lord thou and such like And such as differ from them about these gnats shall presently discern the serpents sting full of deadly poyson denouncing Wrath Woe Damnation all the plagues of God But for the precious ordinances of Christ as Baptisme Church fellowship Love-feasts washing of feet breaking of bread singing of Psalmes Imposition of hands Church officers Sabbath Lords day Anointing with oil Holy kisse Christian salutes Censures and such like their very souls abhor them and their presumptuous tongues dare curse the pretious saints that use them But ye beloved building up your selves on your most holy faith Jude v. 10 21. praying in the Holy Ghost keep your selves in the love of God waiting for the second coming of Jesus Christ in all the wayes he hath appointed Be not found in the fire of foolish Virgins when the Bridegroom comes but labour to stand compleat in all the will of God lacking nothing To this end I here present you with a pretious Ordinance of Christ opposed by many professors and particularly by a Northern Gent. a Preacher whose arguments I do professe should never have received answer by me had not some boasted that because they were not therefore they could not be answered Whereupon at the earnest desires of some choise spirits I did engage with purpose to confine my self to a narrow compasse such as might be easily copied but the enlargements of that holy Spirit who is variously communicated through this Ordinance of Hands hath put me upon the necessity of making it more publick with which purpose I did acquaint my Antagonist that if he pleased he might alter any thing of forme in his arguments but after severall weeks expectation I heard of his absence far from home so that my occasions and present opportunities of the Presse have engaged me to publish the Gent. Arguments as they were first presented with my answer thereunto And now the God of truth accompany his own Precept with his own presence for the confirmation of those obedient souls who have greatly honoured Christ by early submission For the information of those pretious Spirits who are weeping and seeking the way to Sion with their faces thitherwards And for the mitigation of that bitter persecuting harsh imposing imperious spirit that so greatly rageth in many professors against the practice of this duty O that darknesse might be dispel'd and the true light shine in professors spirits lips and lives Let all that fear Christ beware of resting in that light so much cryed up by deluded souls The light in the naturall man will never save him no nor so much as shew him what he ought to do as a Christian No wonder then that those who so cry up that light live in such grosse disobedience to Gospell Ordinances But if natures highest attainers will know what they ought to do Act. 10.6 if they would be told words whereby they may be saved Act. 11.14 they must not be sent to the light within as deceivers say but they must send for a Gospell minister to tell them words But those that cry up the light in the Conscience are enemies to those words of Scripture Alas pitifull dark soules they know no light but that which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Joh. 1.5 but thy pretious soul thou Spouse of Christ canst witnesse the Gospell light that lightneth every man that cometh out of the world Joh. 15.19 by religious separation not by a voluntary Popish humiliation The former is a true light but naturall the latter light is truly evangelicall And this light is communicated through the Word and Ordinances and particularly through this holy Ordinance of Laying on of hands Psal 119.130 * Act. 9.17 to which light I leave thy enquiring soul to illuminate thy understanding in the knowledge of this Ordinance that through obedience to it thou mayest have more light to conduct thee into everlasting life through Christ thy King for whose sake I am thy servant Tho. Tillam This Question it seems was propounded to the Gent. WHether the laying on of hands upon all Believers be a standing Ordinance to continue in the Church of Christ and to be practised now by the Ministers of Christ yea or no. To which he returned these lines Your Quere doth not at all relate to the use of Laying on of hands for the designing of fit subjects to Offices according to these Scriptures Act. 6.16 13.3 1 Tim. 4.14 5.22 Nor to your laying hands upon the sick according to these Scriptures Jam. 5.14 Act. 28.8 Therefore in my answer I shall minde neither of them but singly your Quere as ye lay it down which is Whether
down a foundation Doctrine of Christ But let the true babes of Christ know to their comfort that the pwoer is not gone so long as this gift this best gift of the Spirit remains which is better then they all Wherefore get wisdome thou believing obedient soul Prov. 4.7 and with all thy getting get understanding forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee exalt her and she shall promove thee she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her He that thus counsels thee hath richly experienced the truth of what he assures thee he asked wisdome and God gave him a large heart and was so well pleased with his choice 2 Chron. 1.10 11 12. and desire that he added to his request the greatest wealth honour and royalty that ever was given to mortall man This pretious gift shall conduct the true Christian to the Bridegrooms Chamber yea into his Masters joy Matth. 25. Dan. 12.3 where he shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament for he made wisdome his choice and used all means all the appointments of Christ to attain it and did not finde those pipes empty which others slighted and neglected but through those channels his vessell was filled wherefore he now lifts up his head with confidence Heb. 5.9 and Christ is become what he promised even the authour of eternall salvation to his obedient soul While those who lived in the profession of some it may be many truths are found with empty vessels void of this excellent gift of wisdome as refusing the channell through which it passeth so that now Psal 45. Mat. 25.10 11 12. when all too late they would run to buy the Bridegroom enters his royall chamber the Bride with the wise Virgins attend him and the door is shut eternally shut Lord Lord open to us is all too late Because I have called and ye refused O read and tremble Prov. 1.24 c. Hos 14. ult Who is wise and he shall understand these things prudent and he shall know them for the wayes of the Lord are right and the just shall walke in them but the transgressors shall fall therein By this time possibly some gratious soul will confesse that the best and most excellent gifts of the Spirit are not ceased But this powerfull yea most powerfull operation is continued in this principall gift of Wisdome and seeing the necessity of it may possibly cry out O help me to wisdome or else I die Which way is my beloved gone in what path doth this most excellent gift of wisdome passe Why thou poor enquiring soul it is the Prince of gifts thou enquirest after he is free and I dare not confine him to any particular passage he hath many walkes but I can point thee out which way he hath gone namely in yonder path which is one of his principall walks termed Laying on of hands 't is a path of his own preparing and indeed a foundation Doctrine of his own lips His servant Joshua found him in this very path and therein obtained this precious gift of wisdome which for the excellency of it beares his own name Deut. 34.9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdome for Moses had laid his hands upon him Was this transcendent gift of the Spirit conveyed through the Laying on of Moses hands Luk. 7.28 Why the least Gospell Minister is greater then Moses Object But Joshua was an Officer Answ He was a great Captain indeed and did conquer Canaan but there is not a Disciple of Christ but is a greater Captain even a King and a Priest and conquereth the world yea is more then a Conquerer through Christ Whatsoever priviledges the chiefest in Moses house enjoyed even the least member of Christs Kingdome is invested with that is to enter into the Sanctum Sanctorum or most holy place with boldnesse Heb. 10.19 which was the peculiar priviledge of their high Priests So that this way even through impositions of hands hath the blessed Spirit communicated wisdome his most excellent gift In the time of the Gospell we finde the great Apostle of the Gentiles rich in this gift A wise Master builder And St. Peter greatly admires this gift of Wisdome in him 2 Pet. 3.15 Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the Wisdome given unto him Quest But when was this Wisdome given unto him Answ At the same time when the Holy Ghost first filled him that is when the first Messenger was sent for this as the chief end from the Lord Jesus to him Brother Saul said Ananias the Lord Jesus hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost Act. 9.17 and accordingly the eyes of his mind as well as of his body were so enlightned with this choice gift of wisdome that he was able to preach Christ so that all which heard him were amazed he being so able presently to prove that he which bestowed this gift upon him is the very Christ So that here we have the precise time when this wisdome was given him Quest But how or by what means was this gift communicated Answ By that especiall Ordinance through which other gifts of the same Spirit were conveyed by Peter and John and Paul himself afterwards that is by imposition of hands Act. 9.17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him said c. So that here in two lively examples the way and means of communicating this principall gift is discovered to thy inquiring soul I shall add no more at present concerning this gift which I would be found in at the sound of the great trumpet but to counsell thee in the words of my Redeemer in another case Go and do thou likewise Luk. 10.31 The second best gift which is also continued to and must be more and more encreased in the Saints as we may see this day is Knowledge Dan. 12.4 As this is honoured in the next place to Wisdome so are they both lock'd up together for the newborn babe in the richest Cabinet that heaven hath even in the heart of the Lords Christ and our Jesus Col. 2.3 in whom are hid all the treasures of Wisdome and knowledge This is one of those choice acquirements for the building up of the Saints which whosoever wants is blind 2 Pet. 1.5 8. and in a perishing condition My people are destroyed for want of knowledge is the great Gods patheticall expression Hos 4.6 Take heed therefore thou dost not reject it nor the means by and through which it is attained for as it is treasured up in the same magazin or storehouse so it runs in the same channel with wisdome that is communicated through the same Ordinance Then shall we know Hos 6.3 Hab. 2.14 if we follow on to know the Lord. Faith is the third continued gift running through severall channels
suppositions or doubtfull suppositions wherein the Gent. so much toyls and entangles himself and his readers But have plainly and clearly proved that Laying on of hands is a doctrine of Christ or one of the words of the beginning of Christ a foundation Principle the Apostle teaching a command of the eternall King and he that hath an ear let him hear for it is the Spirit that speaks to the Churches But more dust in new doubts arise from the Gent. supposition or probability that Laying on of hands upon bare Disciples was rather concluded in the word Baptism then in the word Laying on of hands for if Laying on of hands be not one of the Baptisms here expressed he saith He would gladly know how we would make up Baptism according to the Scripture Heb. 6.2 Answ First I would demand of the Gent. whether ever he read that Laying on of hands is any where termed a Baptisme if not then it is a wilde supposition and hath no probability at all that Laying on of hands should be concluded as he phraseth it in the word Baptism Secondly I shall now I am set to it as gladly answer his demand that we can very currantly make up Baptism and never be beholding to imposition of hands for the matter There are three sorts of Baptisme Flaminis Fluminis Sanguinis Ephes 4.5 of Spirit of Water of Bloud and these three agree in one 1 Joh. 5.8 The first is that heavenly birth qualifying the subject for Water Joh. 3.3 as I long since deliverd in his hearing at Muggleswik from Heb. 10.22 In this the eternall dove with his extended wings Isa 30.1 Luk. 1.35 covereth or overshadoweth the believing soul who like the blessed Virgin conceiveth with his Jesus by the hearing of the ear The second is that externall administration in which the Disciple of Christ is buried with him as our Lord commanded and his Ministers practised Mat. 28 19. Act. 10.47 48. The third is that bitter cup the drinking whereof first baptized our Redeemer in a sea of sorrows Luk. 12.50 His Fathers wrath forcing his vitall bloud in streams through every pore of his body falling down to the ground Luk 22.44 This is that cup and Baptism which the true servants of Christ must also submit unto Mat. 20.23 following their Lord without the Camp through many tribulations bearing his reproach Heb. 10.32 Call to remembrance the former dayes in which after ye were illuminated ye endured a great fight of afflictions It is observed by one that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which we translate illuminated and that truly is rendred in the Syriack Arabick and Aethiopick Baptized And that the Greek fathers do sometimes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baptizo But enough hath been said and proved in answer to the Gentlemans demand so that I hope he and others will see that we are put to no straight at all to make up the Doctrine of Baptisms of Spirit of Water of Bloud without any need of imposition of hands upon that account And therefore this doubtfull supposition is utterly vanished and the fourth Foundation Doctrine of Christ established as an eternall * Mar. 24 35. with Heb 6.1 2. decree of his own lips which the Church throughout all ages Ephes 3.21 is obliged faithfully to observe Mat. 28.20 But the Gent. goes on to answer an objection made from Apostolicall example 1 Cor. 4.16 10.1 Concerning which before I reply to his answers let this be observed That although Apostolicall example be sufficient ground to practise Christian duties yet we have in this particular of hands much more then bare examples namely the teachings of Christ and his Apostles for it is already fully proved and I hope will be retained in obedient hearts 1. Institution That this foundation Principle is the expresse Doctrine or word of Christ 2. That such as be babes in Christ had need to be taught this Doctrine 3. That this Doctrine was religiously taught and practised in the Churches of the Hebrews c. And 4. That the Spirit of God enjoyns all that are truly spirituall to embrace the things written by the Apostles as none other then the commands of Christ 1 Cor. 14.37 First And as for Apostolicall examples we look upon them as binding 1. If they were performed in the Churches of Christ Phil. 4.9 2. If those Apostolicall practises were never solemnly repealed for there were some cerimonies wherewith for a time they complyed which were afterwards utterly abolished Gal. 2.3 4 5 12 13. 4.9 10 11. 5.2 3. If such performances be not impossible such as miracles for Christ doth not command impossibilities his yoak is easie his burden light yea the Gent. himself confesseth that we are not commanded to follow in acts of power I suppose he means miraculous acts which may serve as a just reply to his first consideration for though Christ hath left us an example that we should follow his steps yet it is only in his morall not in his mediatory actions Moreover let it be observed That miracles are no part of the Ordinance for though many miracles did attend Preaching Baptism Supper Laying on of hands and other Ordinances yet I hope the Gentleman will not conclude that the cessation of miracles doth strip us of these mercies These things being premised 1 Cor. 4.16 10.1 2. I do confidently assert from the two Scriptures he mentions That the Apostles examples are obliging to all believers 1. Because we have no other warrant for many of our Ordinances then Apostolicall example There is no expresse command for observing the Lords day and but one Apostolicall example but this I fear too many ungratefull that I say not ungracious spirits would readily and willingly dispense with 2. Where have we ought but Apostolicall example for women to receive the Lords supper 3. What shall we do for authority to ordain officers by imposition of hands if we refuse Apostolicall Precedents Secondly We must observe Apostolicall examples because they have exactly followed the commands of Christ That which we have seen and heard saith John 1 Epist 1.3 declare we unto you touching fellowship We have not fellowed cunningly devised fables saith Peter 2 Epist 1.16 I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you saith Paul 1 Cor. 11.23 So that whatsoever I finde the Apostles practising except before excepted I shall freely and chearfully observe and expect the presence of the God of peace in so doing Phil. 4.9 And in the very case in hand touching the Fourth foundation Principle had I no more to rest upon but the bare example of the Apostles in the Churches I would faithfully obey for I hope enough hath been said punctually proving that what they so practised Christ commanded them and though I have heard much ignorance in the handling of this point yet I hope none will henceforth be so blasphemous as to charge the Apostles of will-worship but
thy Principles The Lord make my counsell acceptable to thee which is To live in the perpetuall exercise or practise of all thy Principles Yet mistake not I would not have thee set them up for Idols Judg. 17.13 and live upon them to say Now I know that the Lord will doe me good seeing I have got a Levite to my Priest Take heed of so practising any of thy Principles Now I have done enough once to believe a Magus may do so or repent Act. 8.13 Judas did it or be baptized so was Ananias and Sapphira In this respect Phil. 3.13 14. thou must forget what is behind and presse forward In this respect Heb. 6.1 thou must leave thy Principles and go on to perfection But how must thou leave thy Principles What never to look at them any more No such matter Mat. 19.5 But as thou must leave thy father and mother and cleave to thy wife so thou must leave thy Principles Whosoever shall teach thee in a marryed state to be disobedient to or utterly to leave and forsake thy Parents I shall bequeath to him the Legacie fit for a blind Pharisee Mat. 15.6 And the like portion to him that shall counsell thee to learn thy Six Principles but not to practise them or at any time to leave them so As for the first Principle which is Repentance Why thou poor soul as oft as thou callest for thy dayly bread so often thou must practise thy Repentance For thou dost dayly contract new flaines therefore thou must dayly go to that sountain * Zech. 13.1 Rev. 7.14 to wash thy robes and make them white in the bloud of the Lamb. Crying Father which art in heaven forgive my trespasses as I forgive others that is manifest forgivenesse seal my pardon satisfie my soul that all my sins are imputed unto Christ and his righte-ousnesse to me And can thy soul live a day without this satisfaction without this assurance The Lord would have thee aske to purpose not barely pardon but assurance that thou art pardoned Aske and ye may receive Joh. 16.24 that your joy may be full And thus thou must not leave but practise Repentance Secondly for Faith If ever thou didst receive it embrace it Rom. 1.5 and yeeld obedience to it be carefull constantly to live in the exercise of it Why thou no longer livest then thou believest Vers 17. therefore go thy wayes on from faith to faith in the mounting steps of Abrahams faith as one of the houshold of faith Rom. 4.12 Gal. 6.10 Take heed of Hymeneus sin * 1 Tim. 1.19 and let Pauls exercise be thine Act. 24.16 O beware of men that will yeeld thou shouldest learn it but not practise it As for Baptisme If ever thou was buried with Christ in it Rom. 6.4 one buriall will serve the turn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he that is once baptized or washed needeth not save to wash his feet * Joh. 13.10 compared with 2 King 5.10 14. Heb. 10.22 and yet there is dayly need of Mortification Col. 3.5 this thou must be practising all the dayes of thy Pilgrimage thou dost never learn it till thou practise it There 's dayly need of a holy walk in newnesse of life Rom. 6.4 Wherefore thou Baptized Believer whatever men say be thou dayly in the practise of this Principle A chast Virgin often resisted Satans temptation with this weapon Christiana sum I am a Christian As oft as the enemy makes his appoaches against thee tell him thou art espoused to Christ and hast not in thy childish infant state when perhaps thou wast asleep made a bold manly profession of thy subjection to him in this Ordinance What should I fear if truth speak truth Mark 16.16 I did I do believe I was Baptized I shall be saved And for this fourth Principle Be sure thou practise it as ever thou desirest a larger measure of the Spirit for the communicating of which it is appropriated If God do immediatly confer his gifts in or soon after the administration be carefull to improve them to his glory put them not under a bed of ease or a bushell of gain If he deal with thee as with those Hebrew babes keep thee long in thy childhood without some eminent manly gift yet practise this Principle in the exercises of patience waiting for a return to those prayers that did accompany this Ordinance and indeed is an essentiall part of it without which neither this nor any thing else is or can be sanctifyed Luk. 11.13 and upon which pretious promises are entail'd Breaking bread is no ordinance of Christ 1 Cor. 12.11 without prayer and praise Remember the Spirits method who is a free Agent Dividing to every man severally as he will what how and when he pleaseth Some seed in some sort of ground will spring up speedily Though I do not say that is either the best seed or the best soil see Mat. 13.5 And such is the gift of tongnes to such as greedily gape after it and pettishly cast away the ordinance of hands if they may not have it That or nothing will please their palate But the Spirit hath another sort of seeds which may not so suddainly appear but possibly lie all winter under the clods and yet the ground very good and the seed lying so long in it makes it better and although it make not such speed in springing yet it is carefully kept Luk. 8.15 and brings forth fruit with patience At the first practise of this Principle the seed is sown Isa 45.19 and in a sutable season it will spring and appear Be patient therefore brethren unto the coming of the Lord Jam. 5.7 Behold the Husbandman waiteth for the pretious fruit of the earth and hath long patience for it untill be receive the early and latter rain We are at a great losse for want of waiting for returns of duties Having therefore yeelded obedience to this Ordinance let no man perswade thee thou longing soul to cast off the exercises of a patient waiting for a return but take up thy resolution with the Prophet Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his Saints but let them not turn again to folly If God have but bestowed so much wisdome upon thine obedience as to wait with faith and patience for fuller manifestations of himself then I am sure thou hast not found this ordinance empty The fifth Principle If thou be truly spirituall must be thy dayly practise It is a duty incumbent upon thee and beares a date as antient as thy visible profession and reall subjection to Christs commands Rom. 6.4 For in thy buriall with thy Redeemer in the Baptismall sountain 2 Cor. 5.17 Heb. 10.20 thou didst begin thy case in the similitude of his resurrection with an engagement so to run by the rules of the new creature in that new and living way all the dayes of thy life Thou wast a miserable polluted creature Ephes 2.1 before he met with thee dead in trespasses and fins but he hath breathed upon thee by his quickning Spirit and therefore in the power of the same Spirit dayly thou must practise the resurrection Rom. 3.11 If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the death dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Wherefore stop thy ears to any other Spirit that would dull the edge of thy devotion in the practise of the resurrection Live at present in the power of it and make use of all means with the Apostle Phil. 3.11 If by any means I might attain unto the refurrection of the dead Thy God will be found in the use of his own means Col. 3.1 If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things which are above And Lastly Let the eternall judgment be thy exercise continually Thou hast no other way in this world to avoid the horrour and terrour of it and this way whatever men talke to keep thee in idlenesse thou mayest escape it 1 Cor. 11.31 For if we would judge curselves we should not be judged Cheer up thy drooping spirit take courage and resolution and be as lively as possible in the practise and exercise of all thy Principles The more lively the more like Christ whose meat and drink was to do the will of his father and the more like Christ the more boldnesse thou shalt have in the day of judgement * 1 Joh. 4.17 Wherefore labour diligently to be found in all the will of thy God Let no man spoil thee of any truth but especially of one of thy Foundation principles What though this milk be never so mean 't is the more like a crucified Christ I confesse Laying on of hands is but a simple service Rom. 6.17 no more is its companion Baptisme but t is one of the first words of thy dear Redeemer a part of that form of Doctrine which he delivered and hath owned Act. 8. 19. and by signs and wonders confirmed which he would not so fignally have ratified had it not been a part of his owne service Let not mens conceits of the cessation of this holy Ordinance deprive thy pretious soul of those choice gifts which stream through it which thy panting spirit if thou be truly thirsty soul cannot but find as much need of as thy fellow saints sixteen hundred years since The promise runs as strenuously to this age and the Saints in it though we be those afar off as it did to them that were nigh * Act. 2.39 For he that made promise remains faithfull and what ever men dare affirme to the contrary yet he hath said that It is easier for heaven and earth to passe Luk. 16.17 then one tittle of the Law to fail THE END