The Lord protesteth that such as refuse to obey his Calls to come out of Babylon shall partake of her Plagues Rev. 18. 4. 5. Where the Lord is not in respect of his special Presence and Grace there is no ground to expect any Blessing but God is not so in the midst of the Parochial Assemblies of England Where are the souls that are converted comforted strengthened stablished that are waiting at the doors of their house Though many will not see it yet a sad spirit of withering and visible decaies is to be found upon many that are waiting upon the teachings of the Ministers of this day And we hope the Lord will in mercy cause those that are indeed his to see it that they may remember from whence they have fallen repent do their first works and watch to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye for God hath not found their works perfect before him Argument 12. That the doing whereof is one step to Apostacy is not lawful to be done But the hearing the present Ministers of England is one step to Apostacy Therefore The Major Proposition will readily be granted by all The beginnings of great evils are certainly to be resisted Apostacy is one of the greatest evils in the world The Minor or second Proposition viz. That the hearing of the present Ministers of England is one step to Apostacy is evident 1. It cannot be done especially by persons of Congregational Principles without a relinquishment of Principles owned by them as received from God That the Church of England as National is a Church of the institution of Christ That persons not called to the Office of the Ministry by the Saints are rightful Ministers of Christ must be owned and taken for granted ere the conscience can acquiesce in the hearing of the present Ministers for we suppose 't will not be asserted by those with whom we have to do that there can be a true Ministry in a False Church or that False Ministers may be heard and yet the present Ministers are Ministers in and of the National Church of England and were never solemnly deputed to that Office by the suffrage of the Lords People 2dly Nor can it be done without the neglect of that duty which with others is eminently of the appointment of the Lord to secure from Apostacy instanc'd in by the Author to the Hebrews Hebr. 10. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching In which the duty of Saints assembling of themselves together as a body distinct from the world and its Assemblies as also their frequent and as often as may be exhorting one another as a medium to secure them by the blessing of the Lord thereupon from a spirit of Degeneracy and Apostacy from God is clearly asserted Whence it undeniably follows That the hearing of the present Ministers of England being inconsistent with the constant and diligient use of the means prescribed for the preservation of the Saints in the way of God for whilst they are attending upon their teachings they cannot assemble themselves according to the prescription of God in the forementioned Scripture is at least one step to the dreadful sin of Apostacy from God and therefore is it utterly unlawful for Saints so to do And thus far of the 12th Argument for the proof of the assertion under our maintenance viz. That t is not lawful for Saints to hear the present Ministers of England to which many others might be added But we doubt not to the truly tender and humble enquiring Christian what hath been offered will be abundantly sufficient to satisfie his conscience in the present enquiry We shall only in the close offer a few Queries to be in the fear of the Holy One considered by the intelligent Reader Quer. 1. Whether the Lord Jesus be not the alone Head King and Lawgiver to his Church 2. Whether the Laws Statutes Orders and Ordinances of Christ be not faithfully to be kept though all the Princes in the world should interdict and forbid it 3. Whether to introduce other Laws for the Government of the Church of Christ and the Worship of his House be not an high advance against and intrusion into his Kingship and Headship 4. Whether the Lord Jesus as King and Head over his Church hath not instituted sufficient Officers and Offices for the administration of Holy Things in his House to whom no more can be added without a desperate undervaluation and contempt of his Wisdome Headship and Soveraignty over it 5. Whether the Officers instituted by Christ are not onely Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers 6. Whether the Offices of Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Deans Sub-Deans Prebendaries Chancellors Priests Deacons as an order of the first step to a Priesthood Arch-Deacons Sub-Deacons Commissaries Officials Proctors Registers Apparitors Parsons Vicars Curats Canons Petty-Canons Gospellers Epistollers Chaunters Virgers Organ-Players Queristers be Offices any where instituted by the Lord Jesus in the Scripture 7. Whether the calling and admission into these last mentioned Offices their administration and maintenance now had and received in England be according to the Word of God 8. Whether every true visible particular Church of Christ be not a select company of People called and separated from the world and False Worship thereof by the Spirit and Word of God and joyned together in the Fellowship of the Gospel by their own free and voluntary consent giving up themselves to Christ and one another according to the Will of God 9. Whether a company of People living in a Parish though the most of them be visible Drunkards Swearers c. or at least strangers to the work of regeneration upon their souls coming by compulsion or otherwise to the hearing of Publick Prayers or Preaching are in the Scripture account Saints and a Church of Christ according to the Pattern given forth by him Or rather be not to be esteemed Daughters of the old Whore and Babel spoken of in the Scriptures 10. Whether in such a Church there is or can rationally be supposed to be a true Ministry of the institution of Christ 11. Whether the Book of Common-Prayer or stinted Lyturgies be of the prescription of Christ and not of mans devising and invention 12. Whether if one part of a Worship used by a People be polluted the whole of their Worship be not to be looked upon in a Scripture account as polluted and abominable according to 1 Kings 18. 21. 2 King 17. 33. Isa 66. 3. Hos 4. 15. Ezek. 43. 8. Zeph. 1. 5 so that if their Prayers be naught and polluted their Preaching be not so too 13. Whether a Ministry set up in direct opposition unto a Ministry of Christ which riseth upon its fall and falls by its rise can by such as so account of it be lawfully joyned unto 14. Whether such as have forsworn a Covenant Reformation
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Or A CHRISTIAN and SOBER TESTIMONY AGAINST Sinfull Complyance WHEREIN The Unlawfulness of Hearing the present Ministers of England is clearly demonstrated Severall weighty Queries proposed Objections impartially weighed in the Ballance of the Sanctuary and found wanting By Christophilus Antichristomachus a Mourner in Sion waiting for the day of her Salvation and coming of her King Rev. 14. 9 10 11. If any man worship the Beast and his Image and receive his Mark in his forehead or in his hand the same shall drink of the Wine of the Wrath of God which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his Indignation and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascended up for ever and ever and they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his Image and whosoever receiveth the Mark of his Name Acts 2. 40. Save your selves from this untoward generation John 10. 3. The Sheep hear his Voice v. 5 and a stranger they will not follow 1 Joh. 4. 5. They are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world hears them Printed for the Author in the Year 1664. To the READER Candid Reader VVE are almost at the end of these Paper-Contests which are daily preaching their own Funeral 'T is in another way that Jehovah will shortly appear for he hath already sent his Harbingers before him to convince the world and worldly Church of their Wickedness and Adulteries whereby they provoke the pure eyes of his glory For behold the Lord cometh with Fire and with his Chariots like a Whirle wind to render his Anger with Fury and his Rebuke with flames of fire For by Fire and by Sword will the Lord plead with all flesh and the slain of the Lord shall be many Happy art thou if in the number of those that shall be able to live when the Lord doth this Alas Who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth Men as men will be at their wits ends when they behold the Earth to reel to and fro like a drunken man its foundatious being out of course the Mountains to Smoake and the Hills to melt away because of the terribleness of his Anger The Kings of the Earth who now as Pharoah of old are with delight drinking the blood of the Saints as sweet Wine and refuse to let them go from under their bonds to Sacrifice to the Lord according to his appointment and the Great men and the Rich men and the Chief Captains and the Mighty men and every Bond-man and every Free-man will then hide themselves in the Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains and cry to them to fall upon them and hide them from the Wrath of the Lamb. The day of whose Wrath is ready to spring forth though the wicked world think not so all the signs of the near approach thereof are already visibly fulfilled What Wars and rumors of Wars Nation fighting against Nation what strange Signes in the Heavens and in the Earth with great Earth-quakes in many places what a spirit of Persecution and Offence Brother even betraying Brother to death what declension and decaies of love to Jesus Christ amongst not only a professing but an once Zealous professing People do we daily see and hear of how doth Iniquity abound so that the Worlds fields are even white unto the harvest the Voice of the Daughter of Sion is louder than than ever crying out My flesh and my blood be upon the Daughter of Babylon the souls under the Altar are groaning How long O Lord God Holy and True will it be ere thou avenge our blood upon them that dwell on the Earth and will the Lord refrain himself and shut out the Prayers of his Prisoners of Hope I tell you nay but as a Lion and as a young Lion roaring on his prey when a multitude of Shepherds is called forth against him he will not be affraid of their voice nor abase himself for the noise of them so shall the Lord of Hosts come down to fight for Mount Sion and for the Hill thereof Vtterly to dethrone the Antichristian Beast and Whore who have made themselves drunk with the blood of the Saints for which he will make them drunk with blood even their own blood for they are worthy and to cause his poor oppressed ones to inherit the Throne of Glory in despite of their Oppressors Reader whoever thou art into whose hand this little Tract may come I cannot but crave thy stay out of pure love to speak a few things to thee in the Portal If thou art one that art a Scorner Derider Persecutor of the Saints under what denomination soever if thou art glad in thy heart as was wicked Edom and Tyâ—us of old at the sufferings of the People of the Lord yea if thou art but a civilized person or a meer outside Professor without any acquaintance with the work of Regeneration upon thy spirit and the Power and Mystery of Christianity and Godliness whatever thy enjoyments comforts hopes or confidences be know of a certainty that this day of the Lord's Wrath will sweep them away all and thou wilt utterly perish in the flames of his Indignation Oh then thou wilt cry out I Fool accounted their life madness and their end to be without honour but now they are numbred among the Children of God and crowned with glory but I am cast out to be tormented millions of millions of ages O that I could prevail with thee seriously to consider of thy state art thou able to meet and contend with the Most High to proceed no further in rebellion treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous Judgment of God O fling away thy Weapons kiss the Son that he be not angry with thee and thou perish in the way Content not thy self in being accounted a Christian that thou hast escaped the pollutions of the World nor in the performance of some dead formal sapless and spiritless service to the Lord which profiteth nothing Get an Interest in Christ freely tendred in the Gospel deep humiliation for thy former iniquities a spirit of Grace and Supplication inward Purity and Heart-uprightness or perish for ever Oh see that thou hast Oyl in thy vessel as well as in thy lamp or thou wilt not be able to dwell with devouring fire and everlasting burnings If thou art a Child of Light indeed begotten of the Lord acquainted and holding communion with him in his Ivory Pallaces O what cause hast thou to tryumph in God for his wonderful wonderful Grace to thee O how should'st thou love him how should'st thou praise him with what eagerness shouldest thou be prosecuting the concerns of his Glory how tenderly should'st thou be affected with his dishonour how full of Supplications and heart-groans
are not soley of the Institution of the Lord Jesus but that National are also to be accounted as the true Churches of Christ though they have no footing in the Scripture of the New-Testament from whence the Pattern of Gospel-Churches is soley to be deduced Yea 4thly That the Officers of Christ's Appointment are not sufficient for the Saints but together with them the help of false and Idol-shepherds is to be sought after than which what greater contempt can be poured upon the forementioned Institutions of our dear Lord Yet who sees not all this to be the language which is heard and goes forth into the Nations from the practice of our Brethren in the matter we are debating If they look upon Separation in the sense before-minded to be of the Institution of Christ can they offer a greater affront thereunto than to run into the Assemblies of the Nation If they judge it their duty to meet together distinct from the World and its VVorshippers why run they thereunto If they apprehend National Churches to be the result of humane prudence without bottom in the Scripture and the Ministers of Christ to be onely in contradistinction to the Ministers that are not of his Appointment attended unto why give they the right-hand of fellowship unto such Assemblies as profess themselves to be parts of such a National Church and hear Ministers that have relation thereunto who have received as hath been proved no Mission from Christ to their Ministry If this be not evidently to pour contempt upon the Institutions of Christ and confessedly so we shall for ever dispair of success in the most facile and righteous undertaking As for the second Particular that hereby poor souls are hardened in a false way of Worship what can be thought less supposing the Worship in the Parish-Assemblies of England to be so as hath been proved when they shall see Professors that were wont to pray and preach together to profess and protest against Common-Prayer-Book-Priests and Worship to cry up or at least approve of Laws made for their ejection if guilty of no other crime than conforming to the Worship they now conform to and practise now flock unto their Assemblies and hear their Priests what can they imagine less than that these persons thus acting in a direct contrariety to their former judgement and practice do now see they were mistaken and are beginning at least to return unto those paths fom whence they departed and that these wayes in which they and their forefathers have walked are the Good Old Way in which rest is to be found Wo unto the world because of Offences wo also unto them by whom they come Nor is the third Particular viz. That hereby poor souls are hardened in their Rebellion and Blasphemy against God the Spirit his Tabernacle and them that dwell therein to be in the least questioned We every day hear to the breaking of our hearts stout words spoken against the Lord because of the practice of some in this thing What say the wicked of the world less than that Religion which many pretend to is but a Fancy that the Professors thereof are but a Generation of Hypocrites that will turn to any thing to save themselves that the spirit by which they are acted is but a spirit of Phanaticism and Delusion yea how do they bless themselves that they are not nor ever were and resolve so much the more they will never be of the number of such Professors Ask them a Reason of all this and they wonder you should ask them and speedily reply to you Do you not see how many of you for fear of Persecution have disserted your former Principles and are returned to our Assemblies and the Ministry thereof and that any of you stand out 't is from hence evident that it is from a spirit of Pride and Obstinacy and not as you pretend from Divine Tenderness and the Leadings of the Spirit of the Lord. And what can we say to all these things must we not with grief and sorrow confess that there is indeed too great an occasion administred to them for their thus speaking though this will be no plea for them in the day of Christ Blessed are they that are not offended in him It remaineth then that inasmuch as the hearing the present Ministers of England pours out contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions of Christ hardens persons in a false way of Worship Rebellion and Blasphemy against the Lord it 's utterly unlawful for Saints to be found in the practice thereof To all that hitherto hath been said we shall yet briefly add Argument 10. God calls his People out of and strictly charges them not to go to the places of False-Worship Therefore 't is unlawful for the Saints to attend upon the present Ministers of England The Antecedent is clearly proved Hos 4. 15. Amos 4. 4. The Reason of the Consequence is Because we cannot go to hear the present Ministers of England without we go to their places and assemblies of False-worship as the Common-Prayer-Book-Worship hath been proved to be Argument 11. That upon the doing whereof Saints have no promise of a Blessing not any ground to expect it is not lawful for them to do But in the hearing of these men the Saints have no promise of a Blessing nor ground to expect it Therefore The Major or first Proposition will not be denied As for the Minor or second Proposition That the Saints have no promise of a Blessing from God nor ground to expect it in the hearing of the present Ministers of England may many wayes be demonstrated If there be any promise of a Blessing upon them from God in their so doing let it be produced and we shall willingly confess there is no weight in this Argument But this we conceive to be no easie task for any to discharge and that for these Reasons 1. The Blessing of the Lord is upon Sion Psal 87. 2. and 78. 68. there he dwells Psal 9. 11. and 74. 2. Jer. 8. 19. Isa 8. 18. Joel 3. 17 21. the presence of Christ is in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. 12 13. and 2. 1. 't is his Garden in which he feedeth and dwells Cant. 6. 2. and 8. 13. and we are not surer of any thing nor will it be denied by our Conforming Brethren many of them than we are of this That the Assemblies of England in their present constitution are so far from being the Sion of God his Candlesticks his Garden that they are a very Wilderness and that Babel out of which the Lord commands his People to hasten their escape Rev. 18. 4. 2. God never promiseth a Blessing to a People waiting upon him in that way which is polluted and not of his appointment as we have proved the Worship of England to be 3. The Lord hath expresly said concerning such as run before they are sent That they shall not profit the People Jer. 23. 32. 4.
and 19. 37. and 20. 22. and 25. 18. and 26. 15 43. Deut. 4. 1 5 8. and 5. 1. and 7. 11. and 11. 1 32. and 12. 1. and 26. 16. and 30. 16. 1 Chron. 16. 12. and 28. 7. Psal 89. 30. Ezek. 5. 6. and 36. 27. Dan. 9. 5. 2ly That persons were appointed by the Lord to be chosen by the Congregation for the publick administration of Ordinances and Worship cannot be denied Thus were the Livites Exod. 13. 2 12 13. and 22. 29. Numb 3. 12. called therefore the Wave-Offering of the Children of Israel Numb 8. 9 10 11. because given up by them to the Lord as their Offering by solemn Ordination and Imposition of hands 3ly That persons thus invested into the Office of Priesthood were not left to the liberty of their own wills nor had they any dependance upon the Will or Authority of the sons of men one or other of them either in respect of the matter or manner of their Worship the whole whereof was purely of Sovereign Institution and Divine Appointment Exod. 25. 9 40. Numb 8. 5. Heb. 8. 5. 1 Chron. 28. 11. Exod. 8. 27. Lev. 10. 1. Exod. 39. 1 5 7 21 26 31 43. and 40. 23 25 27 29. Levit. 8. 9 13 17 21 29. Numb 8. 3 Exod. 35. 10 29. 36. 1 5. Isa 29. 13. Fourthly That this Church gathered by the Lord and wonderfully separated from the rest of the world though they had him nearer to them than any people had his Law made known amongst them did notwithstanding quickly depart from his pure Institutions mingling therewith the Inventions of men and Customs of the Nations after which they went a whoring is frequently remarked in the Scripture Of this the Lord sorely complains Deut. 32. 18. Jer. 2. 32. and 13. 25. and 18. 15. and 23. 27. Hos 4. 6. and 8. 14. and 13. 6. 2 Chron. 13. 10. Isa 1. 4. Jer. 1. 16. and 2. 17 19. and 9. 13. and 15. 6. Deut. 29 25. 1 Kings 11. 33. and 18. 18. and 19. 10. 2 Kings 22. 17. Ezra 9. 10. for this he severely threatens and punisheth them Deut. 29. 25. Judg. 10. 10. 1 Sam. 12. 10. 2 Chron. 12. 5. and 24. 20. and 34. 25. Jer. 16. 11. and 19. 4. the very truth is the Contests of God with that People from first to last are to be bottomed upon this foot of account Fifthly That notwithstanding their dreadful Apostacy from God they were usually confident That they were the only People Had not forsaken the Lord nor done any evil and could not bear the Prophecies and Rebukes of the Prophets and Servants of the Lord against their abominations Whom they persecuted and put to death as at last they did the Prince of Life and Glory for no other cause but for telling them the truth and bearing testimony against their Innovations and Apostacy from God the usual practice of persons degenerated from the Way and Spirit of the Lord Mal. 1. 6. Jer. 7. 4. Luke 3. 8. John 8. 39. Matth. 5. 12. Act. 7. 52. Sixthly That they had all along their corruption in Worship and degeneracy from the pure Wayes of God false Prophets who ran before they were sent prophesying smooth things to them in the Name of the Lord seeing lying vanities for them according to the desires of the hearts of them and their Rulers who were therefore in great esteem amongst them Isa 9. 15. 28. 7. Jer. 6. 13. 23. 11 28. 28. 10. Hos 9. 8. Jer. 2. 8 26. 5. 31. 14. 14. 23. 13 21. Ezek. 13. 2. 22. 25 28. Mic. 3. 5 6 7. Zeph. 3. 4. 2 Pet. 2. 1. Seventhly That in the height of their Apostacy God left not himself without a Witness having one or other extraordinarily raised up and spirited by him to testifie for his Name and Glory against all their Abominations and self-invented Worship reserving also a Remnant unto himself that were not carried away with the spirit of Whoredoms and Delusions 1. Kings 19. 14 18. 2 Kings 17. 13. Rom. 11. 3 4. Jer. 18. 11. and 25. 5. 35. 15. Eighthly That it was the sin of that People to hearken unto the teachings of such as were not sent by the Lord though they pretended never so much to be sent by him and the unquestionable duty of the Lord 's persevering Remnant to separate from them as also from all the false self-devised Worship of that day though commanded by their Kings and Rulers 2 Kings 17. 21 22. Hos 5. 11. The former is evident such Prophets were to be cut off from the midst of them Deut. 18. 20. and they are expresly forbidden to hear them Deut. 13. 3. Jer. 27. 9 16. So is the latter their devised Worship being a breach upon the Sovereign Authority of God must needs be a greivous sin as the names of Adultery Whoredom Idolatry Fornication by which the Spirit of the Lord doth frequently set it forth abundantly demonstrates Psal 73. 27. Isa 57. 3 8. Jer. 9. 2. Ezek. 23. 45. Hos 3. 7. and 7. 3. Lev. 20. 5. Jer. 13. 27. Ezek. 16. 17 20 30. Hos 1. 2. Rev. 14. 8. 18. 9 19 20. which without controversie the People of God were to separate from and have no communion with any in upon what pretence soever Which is solemnly charged upon them as their duty in the Scripture Hos 4. 15. Amos 5. 5. Prov. 4. 14. and 5. 8. Cant. 4. 8. What may rationally be inferred from these Positions so evidently comprized in the Scripture and by way of analogie at least be argued from them is evident to any ordinary understanding for our parts being resolved as was said to try out the matter in controvesie from such Rules and Soveraign Institutions as our dear Lord hath left his New-Testament Churches to walk by we shall not stand to make that improvement of them as else otherwise we might A few Queries upon the whole that hath been offered shall put a close to this Preface 1. Whether since the Apotomie or Unchurching the Nation of the Jews the Lord hath ever since so espoused a Nation or People to himself as that upon the account thereof the whole body of that People or Nation may be accounted his Church whether there be any National Church under the Oeconomie of the Gospel if so let it be shewed when and where it was instituted by the Lord what is produced by some to this purpose is but upon a slight view thereof of no moment it is Isa 49. 21. Kings shall be your Nursing-fathers c. which Prophecy waits the time of its accomplishment hitherto both before and since the rise of Antichrist being made drunk by the Whores intoxicating-cup they have been for the most part cruel Butcherers of the Saints and were we under its accomplishment a National Church would be far enough from being its result Of a Nations being born at once we shall not sure hear pleaded in this matter
Law-giver hath enjoyned to be observed touching the Orders and Ordinances of his House deny the Prophetical and Kingly Office of Christ Deut. 18. 18. Acts 3. 22. Isa 9. 6. But the present Ministers of England hearken and conform not to the Revelation Christ hath made touching the Orders and Ordinances of his House Therefore T is the minor or second Proposition that in the thoughts of some is capable of a denial but the verity thereof shines forth as the Sun in its brightness in the review of the Orders and Ordinances of the House of Christ appointed by himself and the present frame and deportment of the Ministers of England with respect thereunto Which of them have they not made void by their Traditions This is that which Christ hath said 1. That all power for the Calling Institution Order and Government of his Church is invested solely in him as the alone Lord Sovereign-Ruler and Head thereof Mat. 28. 19. 1 Tim. 6. 14 15. John 3. 35. Acts 3. 22. and 5. 31. T is upon this foot of account that Christ chargeth his Disciples not to be called of men Rabbi nor to call any Father viz. not to impose their Authority upon any or suffer themselves to be imposed upon by any in the matters of their God Mat. 23. 8 9 10. because one is their Master and Lord viz. Christ Hence also the Apostles lay the weight of their Exhortations upon the Commandment of Christ 1 Cor. 11. 23. and 14. 37. proclaim all to be accursed that preach any other Gospel Gal. 1. 8. yea though Angels from Heaven should they live and speak as such charge those to whom they write Not to receive any into their houses that bring any other Doctrine much more not to receive them as their Teachers 2 John 10. yea the Spirit of the Lord in the close of the last Revelation of his Will it pleased this great King and Lawgiver in such a way to give forth testifies That if any man shall adde unto these things the Lord shall adde unto him the Plagues that are written in his Book Rev. 22. 18. Do the present Ministers of England conform unto this great Institution in words indeed they do so But what meaneth the bleating of the sheep and lowing of the Oxen in our ears Do they not own other Lords Heads and Governors that have a Law-making power and would enforce the consciences of the Free-born Subjects of Christ over his Churches besides him What doth this less than evidently proclaim their disobedience and rebellion which is as the sin of Witchcraft against the KING of Kings and their rejection of his Scepter and Soveraign Authority over them But of this more hereafter 2. This great Prophet and King hath also revealed and proclaimed That 't is his Will that those whom he hath called by his Word should separate from the world walk together in particular Societies and Churches having given up themselves to the Lord and one another according to the Will of God for their mutual Edification and comfort in the Lord. The truth of this Soveraign Institution of Christ he that runs may reade in the Scriptures hereunto annexed 1 Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. John 15. 19. and 17. 6. Acts 2. 40. and 19. 9. Phil. 1. 5. Act. 2. 41. and 17. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 5. with many more In the proof of this matter we might be copious but that we study brevity The diligent Reader knows where to find this theam at large treated of by learned Ainsworth Bartlet Cotten Rogers c. How do the Ministers of England acquit themselves in respect of this Solemn Appointment of the Lord alas who sees not that they are in their practice at open defiance herewith have it in derision and contempt making no difference betwixt the Holy and Prophane admitting persons led captive by the Devil at his will that openly blaspheme the Spirit of the Lord and deride its effectual opperation in the consciences of men into their Society Are any too vile except such as truly fear God and desire to press after Holiness to be admitted by them into their Communion Is not their Church-State so unlike is it to the Institution of Christ a very Babel a Den of Dragons and Hold of Unclean-Beasts 3. That he hath entrusted them so called and united together with Power and given them Rules for the due and right exerting thereof for the carring on the Worship of his House to chuse Officers over them to act in the Holy Things of God for and to them of which more shall be spoken in its proper place to admit Members excommunicate Offenders c. all which we find shining forth in brightness in the ensuing Scriptures Act. 1. 23. and 6. 3 5. and 14. 23. 2 Cor. 8. 19. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. Do the present Ministers of England conform unto this Institution of Christ nothing less is there any thing like this in the whole oeconomie invented and practised by them do they not to the utmost of their power labour to break this Bond of Christ asunder cast away this Cord from them by stirring up the Magistrate to persecute by Fines Imprisonments Banishment c. the precious People of the Lord that desire to be found in the practice of this Law of Christ branding them with the odious names of Phanaticks Sectaries Schismaticks c. 4. That the Officers of his appointment are only such as these Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Widdows or Helpers Who as they are in one particular Congregation so they have not any Lordship or lordly Authority over each other being all Brethren Ephes 4. 11. Rom. 12. 7. and 16. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Acts 6. 5. and 15. 2. and 20. 17. and 28. 21 28. 1 Tim. 3 chap. and 5. 9 10 17. This Law of Christ so clearly revealed in the Scripture they are so far from subjecting to that they have neither the name nor thing required by him therein Set up other Officers and Offices as if in open contempt and defiance of his Authority of which it may righteously be said He did at no time command them neither did it ever enter into his heart so to do 5. That these Officers be chosen by the common Suffrage of the Church of Christ and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer this is evidently comprized in the ensuing Scriptures Acts 1. 15. and 6. 1 2 3 5. and 14. 23. and 1. 23 26. and 9. 26 27. In conformity whereunto we find the Saints for many centuries of years after Christ in the peaceable possession of this their Priviledge and Right Clemens in his Epistle to the Church of Corinth p. 57. saith Our Apostles also knew by our Lord Jesus Christ that contention will be about the name of Episcopal-Charge Therefore for this reason having received a full predetermination they constituted such as were fore nominated and in
Cringings Candles Altars c. all of which as it 's known owe their original unto the appointments thereof It remaineth That the present Ministers of England acting in the Holy Things of God by vertue of an Office-Power received from Idolaters and offering up to him a Worship meerly of humane composition once abused to Idolatry with the Rites and Modes of Idolaters are deeply guilty of the sin of Idolatry To which we adde Argument 3. Adoration in by or before a creature respectivè or with relation to the creature is Idolatry such as so adore or worship God are Idolaters But the present Ministers of England do adore or worship God in by or before a creature respectivè or with relation to the creature Therefore The major or first proposition being generally owned by Protestants it being the very same maxime they make use of and stop the mouth of the Papists with in the point of adoring God mediately by the creature we shall not stand upon the proof of it None that know what they say will deny it The minor Proposition viz. That the present Ministers of England do adore or worship God in by or before the creature respectivè or with relation to the creature will receive a quick dispatch Not to mention their bowing and cringing at the Altar That †Didoclavius p. 755. saith Genuflectere non modo excludit ritus institutionis sed etiam praeceptum secundum de vitandâ Idololatriâ multis modis violat which Maccovius assents to loc com p. 861. they kneel at the receiving of the Sacrament is known that they with their Communicants should do so is enjoyned by their Church That their so doing is an adoration or worshipping of God before the creature respectivè or with relation to the creature is too manifest to admit of a denial Nothing being more certain than that the Elements are the objectum significativè à quo or the motive of their kneeling which if they were not there they would not do Object To what hath been hitherto offered in this matter if it be said That the charging the present Ministers of England with Idolatry is exceeding harsh and that which is an argument of a very unchristian and censorious spirit Though this makes nothing to the enervating of what hath been offered yet we answer 1. That many words of Christ himself were accounted hard sayings and not to be born and that by such Hearers as were once his Admirers and did with seeming-great affection attend upon his Ministry That such poor worms as we should be recharged herewith is no great marvel it is enough for the Disciple to be as his Master 2dly We have in this matter said nothing but what is in Thesi over and over asserted by most or all Protestant VVriters upon the second Commandment who assert fully that the †Calvin Perkins Ames Maccovius Altingius Wendeline Paraeus Explicat Cate. p. 3. Q. 96. p. 528. saith Quid postulat secundum praeceptum Resne Deum ullâ imagine aut figurâ exprimamus neve ullâ alia ratione eum colamus quam quâ se in suo verbo coli praecepit 1 Sam. 15. 23. Deut. 12. 30. Mat. 15. 9. And afterwards he addeth Huic secundo Praecepto contraria sunt ea quae vero cultui divino adversantur 1. Idololatria quae est cultus numinis fictitius aut superstitiosus Sunt autem Idololatriae duae species praecipuae una crassior cum fictitium numen colitur haec species prohibetur in imo praecepto aliquâ ex parte in tertio altera est subtilior cum verus Deus coli fingitur sed errator in genere cultus hoc est cum vero Deo cultus fingitur praestari aliquo opere quod ipse non praecepit haec species Idololatriae hoc praecepto propriè damnatur nominatur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sive superstitio And pag. 529. Qui peccant contra secundum praeceptum peccant contra primum quia qui Deum aliter colunt atque vult coli illi fingunt Deum aliter effectum atque est hoc est alium Deum Ita non Deum sed cerebri sui commentum quod sic affectum esse sibi persuadent colunt fingere alium Dei cultum est aliam Dei voluntatem proinde alium Deum fingere c. worshipping God in a way not prescribed by him is Idolatry such as do so are Idolaters with our application hereof unto the present Ministers of England if they are guilty as that they are hath been abundantly demonstrated why should any be offended To speak Truth when our silence would be prejudicial to the souls of our Brethren methinks should not be accounted unchristian or censorious But 3dly What would these Objectors have said to Tertullian that renowned Servant and VVitness of the Lord Jesus in his day who is by far more nice in this point of Idolaty than we have declared our selves to be He in his Book De Idololatria chargeth such as make Statues or Images build or adorn Idols Temples though it were their trade Astrologers Schoolmasters that name the names of Idols making honorable mention of them in their Orations such as keep holydayes dedicated to Idolatrous service as their Saturnalia in the stead of which is the time with us called Christmass c. such as adorned their Gates Posts Houses after the Pagan manner at Festivals with Lawrel Ivy c. as sympolizing with Idolaters yet sure we are he could not justly be charged with an unchristian or censorious spirit If it be further said Obj. 2. But what shall we judge of Latimer Ridley Hooper and many other famous Witnesses and Martyrs of Christ who worshipped God after the same way of Worship that these do now were they also Idolaters how could they be saved then when the Scripture sayes that no Idolater shall inherit the Kingdom of God and we do not find that they repented hereof To this we answer 1. That the persons instanc'd in were eminent Witnesses of Jesus Christ in their day whose very Names are in our nostrils as sweet Perfume we readily grant and would be loth to speak one word to abate of that just esteem is due to their Names and Testimony for Christ 2dly That they are now with Christ and shall come with him and sit upon Thrones to judge their unjust Judges in the day appointed thereunto we have not the least scruple But 3dly they were but men encompassed about with many infirmities that they were guilty of the sin of Idolatry cannot from what hath been said herein it's evident be denied Yet 1. They were in that day but just peeping out of the Gates of Babylon beginning to arise and shake themselves out of the dust of the Abominations of the great Whore and 't is no wonder if some of the filth of her Fornications did cleave to them 2. They worshipped God in sincerity according to the light he was pleased in that day
12 13. and 10. 24 25. Lev. 19. 17. Mat. 18. 15 16 17. 4. When they notwitstanding all that they have done or can do being under an utter incapacity of proceeding further therein perceive them to persevere in their sin shall still continue to hold communion with them and not separate from them Rev. 18. 4. Come out of her my People lest being partakers of her sins ye receive of her plagues The abiding with obstinate persevering Offenders as it is against positive injunctions of the Most High Rom. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17. 1 Tim. 6. 5. Ephes 5. 8 11. Rev. 18. 4. So is it in the last place instacn'd in assigned by the Spirit to be one way of partaking with others in their sins Not to multiply more particulars let us in a few words make Application of these remarked To the business in hand Is there any thing in the world that carries a greater brightness and evidence with it than this That the hearing the present Ministers of England is to be partakers with them in their sin is not our so doing a secret consenting with them and encouraging of them in their evil deeds Is this to discharge those duties incumbent upon us if we indeed look upon them as Brethren for their reclaiming yea is this to come out of and separate from them what less So then except it can be proved that the particulars instanc'd in are not some of those wayes whereby persons do become guilty of partaking with other mens sins or that to attend upon the present Ministers of England is not what doth symbolize with some one more or all of them which can never be done it evidently follows that 't is not lawful for Saints to hear the present Ministers of England the doing whereof is apparantly a partaking with them in their evil deeds CHAP. IX A ninth Argument against hearing the present Ministers That it casts contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions of Christ hardens persons in a false way of Worship and Rebellion against God proved A tenth Argument produced That 't is not lawful to go into the Assemblies of false Worshippers proved An eleventh Argument that there is no promise of a Blessing upon the hearing these men proved A twelfth Argument proving that so to do is the first step to Apostacy Several Queries proposed Argument 9. THat the doing whereof doth cast contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions some one or more of them of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of Worship and Rebellion against him is utterly unlawful for the Saints to do But the hearing of the present Ministers of England is that the doing whereof doth cast contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions some one or more of them of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of VVorship and Rebellion against him Therefore The major Proposition is laid down in such full clear and evident expressions bottom'd upon Scripture and right Reason as carry a brightness with them that none but such as are desperately and judicially blinded will or can gainsay The minor or second Proposition viz. That the hearing of the present Ministers of England is the doing of that which doth cast contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of VVorship and Rebellion against him is by our dissenting-Brethren gainsayed Three things are therein asserted 1. That our hearing these persons is that which casts contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions of Christ 2dly That it hardens persons in a false way of VVorship 3dly That it hardens and encourages souls in their Rebellion against the Lord. As for the first a brief Observation of some of the Institutions of Christ clearly bottom'd upon the Scripture will abundantly evince its original to be from God First then That separation from the world and men of the world from all wayes of false VVorship and the Inventions of men thereabout until the Saints of the Most-High be apparently a People dwelling alone and not reckoned amongst the Nations however it be decryed and sound harsh in the ears of carnal men is one grand Institution a man may run and reade in the following Scriptures Numb 23. 9. Joh. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 17 19. Eph. 5. 8 11. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Hos 4. 15. Rev. 18. 4. Prov. 14. 7. nor is it denied by some of our Conforming-Brethren Secondly That Saints separate from the world should frequently meet together as a distinct body therefrom for the edification and building up of each other in the VVay and VVill of God according to the gifts bestowed upon them is so evidently asserted as the Institution of our alone King and Lawgiver in the Scripture that it cannot be gainsayed Mal. 3. 16. 1 Thess 5. 11. Heb. 3. 12. Jude 20. Heb. 10. 24 25. 1 Cor. 12. 9. Acts 12. 12. 18. 23. Ephes 5. 19. Jam. 5. 16. 1 Thess 5. 14. Thirdly That particular Congregations or Assemblies of Believers gathered into one body for the Celebration of the Worship of God in opposition to any National Church or Churches whatsoever is of the Appointment of Christ is alike evident as the former Act. 8. 1 3. 12. 1. 13. 14. 15. 22. 18. 22. 20. 14 28. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 6. 4. Acts 9. 1. 1 Cor. 16. 19. Rom. 16. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 1. Gal. 1. 2. Acts 16. 4 5. 14. 23. 1 Cor. 11 12. 14. 4 5 12 19. 2 Cor. 1. 1. Rev. 1. 2 3 11. Fourthly That Christ hath appointed Officers of his own to act in the Holy-things of God in and over these Assemblies whom he furnisheth with Gifts every way suiting their Imployment to whom without turning aside to the voice of strangers or attending upon the Ministery of such as are not of his Appointment it 's the duty of Saints to hearken is very conspicuous in the ensuing Scriptures Eph. 4. 11. Heb. 13. 7 13. Mat. 24. 4 5 23 24. 1 Joh. 2. 18. 4. 1. 2 Joh. 10. Acts 20. 29 30 31. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. which exactly agrees with what was practised by primitive Believers who it seems received none without the Testimony of some Brethren of known integrity in the Churches 1 Cor. 16. 3. Act. 9. 26. Not to mention more let it be weighed whether the hearing of the present Ministers of England doth not cast contempt upon these Institutions of Christ VVhat is more evidently preached forth by such a practice than 1. That separation from the Assemblies of England though in their constitution carnal and worldly and the worship thereof although false and meerly of humane invention was and is our sin and evil 2dly That 't is not by vertue of any Soveraign Institution of Christ the duty of Saints to meet together as a body distinct without going out to other Assemblies to worship with them for their mutual edification in the Lord. 3dly That particular Assemblies
chosen and called by Christ to be an Apostle commissionated by him to preach but the present Ministers of England are not so as hath been proved So that this is not at all to the business in hand Object 6. But there are some good men amongst them and such as belong to God may we not hear good men To which briefly Answer 1. That there are some amongst the present Preachers of this day that are good men we shall not stand to deny Yet 2. We crave leave to say That they are all of them such as are sadly polluted and defiled by their Complyance in respect of their standing in the Ministry Antichristian whose teachings Saints have no warrant to attend upon 3. The greater hopes we have of their goodness the more cautelous should we be of encouraging them in a false way that they by our relinquishment of them and separating from them after we have discharged all other duties we are satisfied are incumbent upon us to perform towards them may come to see their sin repent and do their first works that God and we may again receive them 4. Yet the goodness of any as to the main is no warrant for any to hold communion with them or attend upon their teachings There are Brethren that walk disorderly whom 't is the duty of Saints to separate from that the very best of the Ministers of England do so will not be denied The Incestuous person 1 Cor. 5. was as to the main for ought I know a good man yet were not the Saints at Corinth to hold communion with him till upon his repentance he was again received 2 Cor. 2. 6. 5. 'T is utterly unlawful to communicate with a devised Ministry upon what pretext soever 6. So is it for any to partake in other mens sins as hath been proved but every usurped Ministry is the sin of him though never so holy a person that exerciseth it Object 7. But many Learned and Good men and such as in conscience could not conform to the Ceremonies of the Church of England have in dayes past and do now hear the present Ministers thereof To which we answer 1. That the greatest Scholars and most accomplished for humane Wisdom Parts yea visible Holiness have not been alwayes on the Lords side following him in paths of his own appointment but many times have been found the greatest Persecutors and Opposers of Christ the most stupendously ignorant of the Will of God in respect of the Truth and Work of their Generation of any persons in the world Witness the Scribes and Pharisees the Learned Rabbies and Profound Doctors of that day with what virulency did they oppose Christ and the Doctrine of the Gospel preached by him 2. That persons of as great Holiness and renown for Learning and all manner of Accomplishments as learned Ainsworth Cotton c. have been and are of the same apprehension with us in this matter Not to mention the Reformed Churches who generally renounce the Ministry of the Church of England not admitting any by vertue of it to the charge of souls as they speak But 3. To the Law and to the Testimony Isa 8. 20. if they speak not according to this Rule though Angels for knowledge and holiness they are not to be received or heeded One word from the Lord is of more weight to hearts made truly tender than the Example of an hundred Professors can be 't is possible these may erre be yea and nay but so cannot the Truth of God which is alwayes the same and will abide so for ever 4. The Apostle hath long since determined this case 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ So far as Saints follow Christ I may and ought to follow them but no further So that the Learning Parts or Holiness of any that attend upon the present Ministers of England is no warrant for me so to do nor will ever be a satisfactory answer to that enquiry Who hath required these things at your hands Object 8. But the Magistrate commands us and ought we not to obey Magistrates Answer 1. That Magistrates have no power to command in matters of instituted Worship where Christ is silent or to govern in his Church is affirmed by many 2. The Commands of Magistrates when contrary to the Will and Way of Christ are not to be subjected to This case is long since stated and resolved by the Apostle Acts 4. 19 20. and 5. 29. and Spirit of the Lord breathing long before in his renouned Witnesses Dan. 3. 16 17. and 6. 10. nor is it denied by any that are sober or juditious Whether the hearing of the present Ministers of England be contrary to the Word of God the Will and Way of Christ we leave from what hath been offered to the considerate Reader to judge And shall onely adde what was long since asserted by Augustine in this matter who August do Verb. Domini Serm. 6. was herein fully of the same mind with us Sed timeo inquies ne offendas Majorem time prorsus ne offendas Majorem non offendes Deum Quid enim times ne offendas Majorem Vide ne forsan major sit isto quem times offendere Majorem certe noli offendere quis est inquies Major eo qui me genuit a an ille qui Teipsum creavit qui enim resistit Potestati Dei Ordinationi resistit sed quid si illud jubeat quod non debes facere timondo postestatem ipsos humanarum rerum gradus advertite si aliquid jusserit Curator nonne faciendum est tam et si contra Proconsul jubeat at non utique contemnis potestatem sed eligis Majori servire nec hinc debet Minor irasci si Major praelata est Rursum si aliquid ipse Proconsul jubeat aliud subeat Imperator numquid dubitatur in illo contemptu illi esse serviendum Ergo si aliud Imperator aliud Deus quid judicatis solve tributum est mihi in obsequio rectè Sed non in Idolio in Idolio prohibet quis prohibet Major Potestas Da veniam tu cancerum ille gehennam minatur He tells us plainly that such as fear to offend their Superiours should much more fear to offend God who is greater than all The Emperours and Monarchs of the VVorld threaten us with a Prison if we disobey them the LORD threatens us with Hell upon our disobedience of Him Object 9. But the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers for they convert souls which the Apostle makes the Seal of his Ministry or Apostleship Therefore it is lawful to hear them To this we say That the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers is absolutely denied by us what is offered in this Objection proves nothing 1. Paul makes not the Conversion of the Church of Corinth singly a sufficient Demonstration or convincing Argument of his Apostleship he only useth it as what was most likely to win and
work upon their affections who upon other accounts could not but know that he was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus 2. Conversion of souls is no Argument either of a lawful Call to an Apostleship or Ministry of Christ For 1. Many have converted souls that were not Apostles as ordinary Ministers 2. The Lord hath used private Brethren Women yea some remarkable Providences as instruments in his hand for the conversion of many souls yet who will say that private Brethren Women or Divine Providences are Apostles or Ministers of the Lord Jesus But 3dly should it be granted that Conversion of Souls is an Argument of a lawful Ministry where are the Churches nay where are the particular persons converted by them we have not heard of any nor will it be an easie task for the Objectors to produce instances in this matter Object 10. But our Ministers are removed and we know not where to go to hear would you have us sit at home idle we cannot so spend the Lord's day Answer To which we would humbly offer a few things 1. That though we are not against any Ordinance of Jesus Christ yet we are afraid that those poor souls that know not how to spend the Lord's day without hearing do too much idolize that Ordinance of God and never knew what it was to spend that day with him 2. You need nor sit at home if you are enquiring after God and communion with his People you may soon hear of some one or other of the Assemblies of the Saints whither you may repair to wait upon the Lord with them 3. But thirdly VVere it or should it be otherwise Yet better be idle than do worse better do nothing than sin against God encourage others in their evil deeds pollute and wound thy own soul grieve the Saints stumble and harden the wicked and cause them to blaspheme God his Name Sanctuary and such as dwell therein But 4. There is no necessity of being idle If thou knowest not where to hear on that day hast thou no work to do save that 1. Art sure that God and Christ and Eternal Glory are thy portion and inheritance Thou walkest in the Light of Assurance or thou dost not if thou dost is one day in seven too much to spend in the solemn admiration of Grace that ever so vile a creature as thou should be accounted worthy of such unexpressible kindness and glory what O what will Eternity be then If thou dost not are not these worthy of thy utmost diligence to get Assurance of What stand idle and an Interest in God Christ and Eternal Glory to make sure of 2. Art thou sufficiently acquainted with thine own heart dost know so much of thy self as thou needest to know or judgest thou this to be a work that requires not thy utmost diligence and attendance 3. Hast thou no sin to be mortified no want to be supplied no grace to be quickned and strengthned in thee 4. Hast thou as much communion with God as thou desirest hast heard as often from him by the teachings of the Spirit the incomparably and infinitely best Teacher as thou dost wish or dost think that God will not manifest himself to and teach in a corner a poor soul that 's there waiting for him alone because there be no Assemblies of Saints he knows of to whom he might joyn himself and he dares not have communion with Adulterers If thou hast not fellowship with God thou desirest and teachings from him as who hath stir up thy self to lay hold on God groan and cry after him till he hath brought thee into his Chambers and afforded thee richer displayes of his Glory 5. Art thou altogether ready trimmed without more ado for the Coming and Kingdom of Christ Jesus what should I mention those important duties of reading the Scriptures meditation on them c. hast thou all this to do and much more that might be added and yet nothing to do on the Lord's day Set about these things in good earnest when thou livest in the Light of Assurance without the least doubt or clouding when thou art sufficiently acquainted with thine own heart the VVill and Scriptures of the Lord when thou hast as much communion with God in retirement as thou desirest and teachings from his Spirit when thou hast no sin to be mortified nor grace to be quickned and strengthned when thou art quite ready for the day of Christ and needest no further fittings we shall consider what may further be said to this Objection but till then it cannot be pleaded when souls have all this work to do that they must sit at home idle if they go not to hear the Preachers of this day But thus far of the Objections that are by some made against the Assertion of the Unlawfulness of attending upon the present Ministers of England which are all of any moment we have yet met with what of weight is in them must be left to the judgment of the Christian Reader to determine We shall add no more but this That we have spoken our judgement and conscience herein as in sincerity in the sight of God with what meekness Christian tenderness and fear of giving any just offence to the truly Conscientious he knows The sole of our aim in the whole is That Christ may be glorified in the recovery of any poor Lamb that is turned aside to the flocks of the Companions in this cloudy and dark day that others that have hitherto kept themselves from Idols might be further established in the Will of God and strengthned to follow Christ in his temptations that they may inherit that Kingdom and Glory prepared for them before the foundation of the world May we but in the least contribute by Divine Blessing hereunto what-ever becomes of these Papers or how ever they be by others accounted of we have our end and shall rest satisfied FINIS