IN the first place mind what the word Gospel is, or doth hold forth unto us: and you shall find that it signifieth good, or glad-tydings, as appeareth Isai. 52.7. compared with Rom. 10.15. Luke 2.10, 11.

Now what is contained in this good-tydings is this, (according to the Scriptures) that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto him­self, not imputing their Trespasses unto them, 2 Cor. 5.19. and that Christ dyed for our sins, and was buried, and rose again the Third day, 1 Cor. 15.1, 2, 3, 4. and that in Christ Jesus there is Remission of sins, Luke 24.47. or for­giveness of sins, Acts 13.38. and everlasting Life, 46. this is the Gospel.

And this Gospel is to be preached to every Creature by the Commandement of the Lord, Mark 16.15. that is to say, to every Man and Woman that have ears to hear so as to under­stand; not to Infants, for the Lord speaks not unto (though of) them, Deut. 11.2. for they know neither good or evill, Deut. 1.39. which is agreeable to the testimony of the Angel of the Almighty, which brought good-tydings of great joy unto all people, Luke 2.10.

Furthermore, this Gospel was preached un­to all, yea unto them that received it not, (and that in all Ages) Gen. 3.15. 1 Pet. 3.19, 20. 2 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 4.2, 3, 17. Acts 2.5. Coll. 1.23. for Paul saith, it was necessary that the Word of God should be Preached unto them that rejected it; yet there was no less in that word than everlasting life, which they put from them, Acts 13.46. in much envy con­tradicting [Page 3]and blaspheming, and raising per­secution against the Apostles, so that at length, they shook off the dust of their feet against them, ver. 51. And you know that Christ saith, It shall be more toller able for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgement, then for such a people; So then the Gospel was preach­ed to them, that never received it, as well as to them that did receive it; therefore unto all.

Again the Parables, and comparisons in the Scriptures, proves that this good Tydings of eternall life, as 'tis in Jesus, is to be preached unto all, as it appeareth, Mat. 13. in the par­able of the sower; for there you may see it is declared unto all sorts of men, as the seed is sown in all sorts of ground; likewise in Mat. 22. the [...]arable bids all, even them also that would not, nor did not come, the bad as well as the good, for to come to the marraige. Also the comparison of the brazen Serpent sheweth, as that was lifted up for all, that all that were stung might look on it, andlive, Num. 21.8, 9. So is the Son of man, the Lord Jesus lifted up for all, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3.14, 15.

Again this is the condemnation of the world, namely, the not receiving the light that is in [Page 4]Jesus, held forth in the Gospel, John 12.46. John 3.19. And how shall they receive it, so as to beleive it without a preacher? Rom. 10.14. Therefore it is to be preached unto all.

Again Christ will judge all men according to the Gospel, Rom. 2.16. Acts 17.31. and he that heareth, and beleiveth, according to the Gospel, shall be saved, and he that will not believe shall be damned, as John witnesseth, that they that refuse to hear the word, so as to receive it, shall be condemned at the last day, by that word which they heard, and rejected, John 12.47.48. wherefore Christ judging all men at the last day by the word of the Gospel, and that according to righteousness, it fol­loweth plainly, that the Gospel must be preach­ed unto all men.

Well then, seeing the Gospel is to be preach­ed unto all, or this good tydings of peace, which is (as hath been shewed) that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and of­fereth everlasting life unto all in and through the death of his Son, it will follow that Christ died for all men, so as to seek to serve all men, Luke 19.10. Mat. 18.11. yea, to set all men and women in the way so as by his death they might have eternal life. I say, it will fol­low clearly, that Christ dyed for all men, for [Page 5]else the Gospel will be the tender of a lie, which is blasphemy to affirme. It will (I say) be the tender of a lie, because in the Gospel there is of­fered to all (as hath been shewed) remission of sins, and everlasting life, through a crucified Christ; but if Christ died but for some men, and this glad-tyding of peace in the Gospel be held forth for all men, as it is, then to some of these (all) it will be the tender of a lie; but that cannot be, therefore I conclude that Christ died for all men.

This further will appear, if you observe well, how that all men every where are commanded to repent, and beleive the Gospel, Mark 1.15. Act. 17.30. and that is witnessed in the Gospel to all men, both beleevers, and Unbeleevers, that there is eternal life in Christ, and that they who receive it not, make God a lier, 1 Joh. 5.10, 11, 12.

Again consider, that God doth bid all ear­nestly, and doth not mock any (untill first they reject him, Prov. 1.25, 27.) nor doth he deal as hypocrites, to bid men to his supper, having before decreed in himself, that they shall never taste thereof, but (I say) unfaignedly, and altogether truly doth the Lord bid and invite all persons to come to the marriage supper, and (saith he) for, All Things are ready: now if Christ died not for all, how could he invite all, [Page 6]even them that never came, saying, all things are ready, when as to them that came not, which are the greatest part of men, to them (I say) the only thing, was not ready; that is to say, a Christ crucified for their sins; and so whereas Christ saith, that all things are ready; this opi­nion which I contend against, declares, that there is nothing ready, for I am sure that with­out a crucified Christ there is no salvation for the sons of men; and moveover to conceive that Christ died but for some men, notwithstanding his so often calls, and loving invitations to all men whatsoever, to come unto him that they might be saved, Joh. 1.7. whether in the city, or in the lanes, or about the hedges; to conceive this I say, is to liken the Lord Jesus unto the vi­lest of men, who (as David saith, Psal. 55.21) have in their mouths words smoother then but­ter, but war in the heart, words softer then oyle, yet were as drawn swords.

Moreover the Scriptures holds forth plainly, that unbelief in the son of God is a great sin, yea, the cause of eternal condemnation, John 3.18. Joh. 8.24. Now if the son of God died not for the unbeliever, who is (saith Christ) con­demned already; because he believeth not on him, then the unbeliever is condemned for not be­lieving a lie; but this cannot possibly be the judg­ment of the righteous God, who condemns men [Page 7]for not receiving, and beleeving the truth, that they might be saved, 2. Thes. 2.10, 11, 12. Therefore again I conclude, that Christ died for all men.

Moreover we find Paul (that eminent light of the world) in great heaviness, and continual sorrow of heart, yea and wishing himself ac­cursed from Christ for his brethren the Jewes, that were shut up in unbelief, Rom. 9.2.3.32 33. Rom. 11.7, 8, 9, 10. To whom also he ac­knowledgeth did belong the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; now 'tis most plain that the Apostle doth (by ac­knowledging these so many, and excellent pri­viledges pertaining to the Jewes) declare, and clearly preach up, that there was a time when they might have been happy, had they (with others) sought after the righteousness of God by faith; but alas, alas, they obtained it not, wherefore? (because Christ died not for them, saith many) but saith the holy Apostle, because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law, ver. 31.32. And this is char­ged upon them as their great folly, which in­deed had been none at all, had they not (as well as others) been put into a capacity through the grace of a crurified Christ to have beleeved, [Page 8]and so eternally saved, which thing most asured­ly Paul understood touching them, and therfore he abode in great heaviness for them, yea, and wished himself accursed from Christ for them, knowing and beleeving, that God had sent his son Jesus to bless them, yea so far (mark I pray) as to turn every one of them from their iniquites, Act. 3.26. and indeed to conceive the Apostle to be of a contrary belief, that is to say, that Christ died not for his Brethren, that were shut up in unblief; (such a conception (I say) doth render the wise, and eminent Apostle Paul to be simple, and foolish, both by his great heaviness and continual sorrow of heart; for that which could not possibly be obtained, to wit, the salvation of his Brethren the Jewes; and also by his wishing himself accursed from Christ for them that could not possibly ever be blest; but God forbid that any sober minded man should hold any opinion that should thus render the wisdome of the wise of no effect; but however if men will thus foolishly presume, wisdome is justified of her children, who clearly understands that Christ died for all men; where­upon when they come to understand that men will not come unto him that hath died for them; that they might have life, Joh. 5.40. they understandingly (with holy Paul) greive, and are of a mournful heart for them, like the Lord himself; Luke 19.41, 42.

Moreover Peter the Apostle of the Lord, full of the Spirit declareth, That the Lord bought such as bring in damnable Heresies, and so bring upon themselves swift destruction, even damnation that slumbereth not, 2, Pet. 2.1, 2, 3. So then by this also it clearly appears, that Christ died for, or bought all men, since no man ques­tions his dying for such as shall be saved.

Furthermore, there is before you a cloud of witnesses eminently advancing the truth of this Particular, speaking after this manner; Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Pro­phets, and stonest them which were sent unto thee! How often would I have gathered thy Children together, as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings, and ye would not? Mat. 23.37, And when he beheld their City, so great was his love towards them, that he wept over it; Saying, if thou hadst known, even thou at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace; but now they are hid from thine eyes: Luke 19.41, 42. Oh that my people had hearkned unto me, and Israel had walked in my wayes, so should their time have endured for ever! Psal. 81.13.15. Oh that their were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my Commandements alwayes, that it might be well with them, and their Children for ever? Deut. 5129. Oh Je­rusalem, wilt thou not be made clean, when shall [Page 10]it once be? Jeremy. 13.27. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? How shall I deliver thee, Israel? As I live, saith, the Lord God, I have no plea­sure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live; turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die, oh House of Israel? Ezek. 33.11. And now O inhabitants of Jeru­salem, and men of Judah, Judge I pray you be­twixt me, and my Vinyard, what could have been done more, to my Vinyard, that I have not done in it? Jsa. 5.3.4. But when he looked that it should bring forth Grapes, it brought forth wild Grapes; As also Israel in the wilderness, Wherefore he was greived with that generation, and at length, sware in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest, because of Ʋn­belief, Heb. 3.10, 11, 19. Now that the Father, the Son, and the holy Spirit in the Prophets, should utter such deep desires, and large pro­fessions for the welfare of a People, with weep­ing, and great lamentations upon their neglect of that which should have been for their wel­fare, (Psal. 69.22.) Also confirming his desires by the immutable Oath of himself, and yet not­withstanding know them (even from the first) altogether uncapable of happiness and well-being, and that for want of that grace which himself is the only giver of; That God (I say) whose Attributes of love, and mercy are met [Page 11]together with truth, and righteousness, and kis­seth each other, Psal. 85.10. should thus de­clare himself, is altogether incredible; for if he sent not his Son to die for them, there is no o­ther Name given under heaven, whereby they might be saved, Act. 4.11, 12.

The sence of these things being much upon my heart, leads me forth yet further to question with you, viz. How the wise God, the Father, could grieve forty years long for a Peoples unbe­lief, if there was no Salvation for them to believe in? And how Christ the Son of God could mar­vel at the Peoples Unbelief, if he tasted not death for them, whereby they might believe, Mar. 6.6.

And how the holy Spirit, the gift of God, could strive with men for their good, if Christ, in whom is all good, was not intended for them? The Father, the Son, and the Spirit (according to the Scriptures of truth) in all ages plainly declareth, That he would have all men to be sa­ved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Tim. 2.4. in order to which he exercised much long-patience, sending his servants, calling upon them, and beseeching them to be reconciled unto himself, 2 Cor. 5.20. And so God pre­paring all things ready for them, and using a sufficiency of means, whereby they might come and receive it (according to the Parable) that is to say, might believe, and eternally be saved, Joh. [Page 12]1.7. Jo. 3.17.2 Thes. 2.10. they not coming, they not beleeving, the God of love in wisdome grei­veth for them, and upon good grounds sweareth in wrath, they shall not enter into his rest. Mark well; A mans not doing impossibilities, or not beleeving on that which is not, is no sober mans wonder, cause of grief, or ground of wrath; Wherefore all these things being considered, to­gether with the many more Scriptures that speak to this purpose, as also many Scriptures bearing plain Testimony, that Christ died for all, 1 Tim. 2.6. Heb. 2.9.2. Cor. 5.15.1. Joh. 2.2. Rom 3.22. And not so much as one Scripture that saith, he died but for some, therefore with wise and holy Peter, I conclude, that the Lord God is not willing that (any) should perish, but that all should come to repentance, 2 Pet. 3.9. and be saved through Christ the Saviour, who gave himself a ransome for all, to be testified in due time; Therefore let all men fear how they testifie against it.

Object. If Christ died for all, how is it then that all are not saved?

Answ. Bear with me I pray you, if I speak somewhat large to this Question, for I know that there is something in the understanding of those that ask this question, as the ground thereof, which is a great hindrance to the under­standing of this glorious truth of Gods love un­to [Page 13]all men; namely, that Adams sin brought him, and all his posterity into a state of eternal condemnation in Hell: which whosoever be­leiveth, cannot easily understand how Christ should die for all men, (say they) if he died for all, to free them from eternal punishment in hell, and Christ dye not in vain, then (say they) How can it be but that all must be saved?

First consider your mistake touching Adams sin; for 'tis plain, that his sin brought but the first death and the companions thereof, as fear, shame, sickness, eating bread in the sweat of the face, &c. together with the ground cur­sed for his sake, and not eternal torments in Hell, which saith the Scripture, is the second death, Rev. 20.14. First because the second death, or eternal torment in Hell was neither threatned to come upon him before his fall, Gen. 2.17. neither is it in the least signifyed in the sentence against him after his fall, Gen. 3.17.18.19. but rather this, Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return: this death therefore being only spoken of, which is the first death, let no man presume above what is written.

Secondly, observe the sence of the Apostle Paul, touching this Particular, who saith, That by one man (to wit Adam) sin entred in­to [Page 14]the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Rom. 5.12. Now in that he saith, that the death which came by Adam passed upon all, it followes with much plainness, that he under­stood it to be only the first death that entred into the world by Adams sin, because the se­cond death, or eternal torment in Hell, had not passed upon all, and so he could not mean the second death; for he right well knew, yea and all men do know, it had not passed upon Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with many o­thers that might be mentioned; no nor never shall. In vain will it be for any to go about to evade the force of this text, by conceiving that it is the desert of eternal death which pas­sed upon all, forasmuch as the Apostle in much plainness saith, That death passed upon all men, not only deserved death, but death it self passed also upon them, as their desert.

Thirdly, remember, and well consider that it is granted on all hands, that Adams sin from the beginning, did and now doth bring men down to the dust, or first death; and also well consider, that it is as generally beleived, that the second death, or Hell torments, is an e­ternal fence of misery both upon the soul, and body; or an eternal, horrible, dying, and never being dead: both which being consi­dered, [Page 15]you may easily see, that if God did in­tend Hell torment to be the portion of Adams sin, either you must imagine, that God did pur­pose, and decree, and so accordingly declare to Adam, that if he sinned he should for a time re­turn to the dust, and afterwards be raised up again from the dust, and so cast into Hell tor­ments, which is the second death; which ima­gination is very strange; and besides it presup­poseth a Resurrection without Christ; or else you must imagine, that God intended in his saying to Adam, — Thou shalt die: that his soul should go into hell torment, the second death; and his body to the dust, the first death: which Dagon-like Image shamefully falls before the Ark of truth.

First, because it renders the coming of Christ, the greatest of Gods gifts to man-kind, who come not to condemne the world, but that the world through him might be saved, Iohn 3.17. I say, it renders the coming of Christ to be the only cause of a horrible Judgement, without the least mixture of mercy, upon the bodies of those men, whose souls were cast in­to hell for Adams sin; that is to say, Christ by his coming raises their bodies from the grave, where they were without the fence of any misery, and casts them (without any cause) into everlasting torments.

Secondly, the imagination falls upon the account of Pauls words, Rom. 5.12. shewing that that death which came by that one man, Adams sin, passed upon all; wherefore it can­not be meant an eternal death upon the souls of men, for that passed not upon the souls of the holy Fathers, as aforesaid.

And thus you may see, that neither of these imaginations can stand either according to Scripture, or Reason; and therefore the truth only remains before you, as clearly proved by these considerations, namely, That Adams sin brought but the first death, as hath been shew­ed, and that mens loving darkness rather then the light, is the cause of a second death; and this may not be rejected, because Christ him­self saith, This is the condemnation, Iohn 3.19.

Fourthly, that Adams sin brought but the first death as aforesaid, also appeareth from the Apostles words, 1 Cor. 15.21, 22. where­in is plainly held forth, that Christ will bring all men to a resurrection from that death which comes upon all men by the first Adams sin; wherefore it cannot possibly be the second death which he speaks of as brought by Adam: for then it supposes all men brought to a resur­rection from the second death, or Hell tor­ment, and so preaches general salvation, [Page 17]which is folly to conceive: so then, (with the Prophet) I conclude, that the Son shall not die eternally for the iniquity of the Father, But the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him; (that is to say, upon him alone, and not his child, so as to bring it to eternal life) And the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him; (that is upon him alone, and not his child, so as to bring it to eternall death, Ezek. 18.20.

Well then, by this time 'tis necessary to mind again our Question; namely, That if Christ died for all men, How is it that all are not saved?

First, by what hath been said, you may see in what state man was in by his first Transgressi­on, even out of Gods favour, and in a state of misery condemned to the first death; But God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son to taste death for every man, Heb. 2.9. Rom. 5.18. and so destroyes him that hath the power of death, (that is the devil;) And thus there is purchased (by Christ) a re­surrection for all men from the first death, with the gift of God, which is eternal life: (and hence it is, that children dying in Infancy, can­not be condemned at the last day, for of such is the kingdome of God, Mat. 19.14.) But now men (having a being here through Christ) come to rebell against God, and going out of [Page 18]the way, so as there is none righteous, no not one, Rom. 3.12. they become the chil­dren of wrath; but such is the love of God, that he followes the creature with mercy, commanding the Gospel to be preached to e­very creature, which Gospel men not believing, the wrath of God abideth on them, John 3.36. the light of eternal life, and remission of sins in Jesus is held forth, but men loves darkness rather then light; the prize of glory is put into their hands, but they (like fooles) have no heart to it; and so, whereas the Objector asketh, how it is that all are not saved, if Christ dyed for all; the answer is in Christs words, This is thecon­demnation, John 3.19. that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather then light, because their deeds are evill.

Thus I judge that the seeming show of the objection vanisheth, and that the truth re­maineth in its power, and plainness, namely; That Christ died for all men; and so setteth all men in a way in which they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved; The truth of which will appear, if you shall take a view of the Scriptures, speaking of the Gene­rations from the beginning; as first, in the very day that Adam fell, Christ was promised by God, saying, The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head: and it is said of Abell, That [Page 19]by faith he offered a more excellent sacrifice, then Cain, Heb. 11.4. Shewing plainly, that Abell was enlightened touching the promised seed, to wit, Christ the true Sacrifice, in whom he believing, his sacrifice became more accepta­ble then that of Cain: also it is said of Enoch, that by faith he was translated, that he should not see death; and before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God; and not only so, but himself being enlightned touching Christ, we find that he Prophesieth also of the coming of Christ, with his faints to Judgement, Jude 14.

And so he was a preacher of the Gospel to o­thers, in his, and following Generations. In like manner we find Noah declared to be a preacher of Righteousness, and by Faith preparedan Ark, whereby he Condemned the World, and be­came heir of the righteousness which is by faith, 1 Pet. 3.18, 19, 20. 2 Pet. 2.5. Heb. 11.7. All which shewes, that Noah was such an eminent light in his Generation, that the whole world (then in being) was so taught, and instructed by him, (he being a Preacher of Righteous­ness) as that (they being disobedient thereun­to) are said thereby to be condemned. Also we find very cleerly, that the Gospel was Preached to Abraham, saying, In thee shall all Nations be blessed, Gal. 3.8. And afterwards [Page 20]unto his seed, (the children of Israel) in the wilderness, as appeareth, Heb. 4.2. Among which people God shewed such mighty, and wonderful power in saving, and delivering them, and destroying their enemies, as that thereby he declared to all the World, that he was Israels God, and approved of their Faith, and Worship; as to instance some of many, The Angel smote of the Campe of the Assyrians, an hundred four score and five thousand, 2 King. 19.35. Also God delivering Shadrach, Me­shach, and Abednigo from the fiery Furnace; as also Daniel being delivered from the Lions den; decrees were made, that Every People, Nation, and language, should tremble and fear before their God, and that his Kingdome shall never have an end, Dan. 3.29.6.26. More­over the Lord bringing his people out of the captivity of Babylon, stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, to make Proclamation in all the Kingdomes of the earth, that he was to build him (the only true God) a house at Je­rusalem, Ezek. 1.1, 2. Besides all such kinds of preaching, there was among them a continual Ministry of the holy Prophets, whose words, (saith Paul) went unto the ends of the world, Rom. 10.18. by which means some of every Nation under heaven were proselyted, devout­ly worshiping the true God, Acts 2.5.9, 10, [Page 21]11. And as God was present with the house of Israel in power and might as aforesaid; so also in giving great and wonderful wisdome, so that the Queen of the South, came from the uttermost parts of the earth, to hear the wisdome of Solo­mon, Mat. 12.42. yea, and all the Kings of the earth sought his presence, to hear the wisdome that God had put in his heart, 2 Chro. 9.23. By this cloud of witnesses, 'tis manifest, that the Gospel was made known to all people in all Generations down to the Apostles, in whose Generation, Christ commanded the Gospel to be preached to every creature, and saith the A­postle, it was preached to every creature under Heaven, Col. 1.23. And so it is evident, that God set all men, at all times, in a way by the Gospel, that they might come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved.

Object. Though it be true, that the Gospel was preached among the Nations, yet we cannot judge that they all had, or that all people now have a sufficiency of means, whereby to believe.

Answ. That all men had, and have a sufficien­cy of means so as to beleeve, and be saved, is evi­dent, and to you will appear if you keep well in your minds the agreement of Gods Attributes, so as that they may sweetly meet, and kiss each other in all that you beleeve; for you know the Scriptures holds forth, That God is not willing [Page 22]that any should perish, but that all should come to Repentance; yea, and sweareth by himself, that he desires not the death of the wicked, but rather that he turn, &c. 2 Pet. 3.19. Ezek. 33.11. Now all the means of Repentance, and Faith, and the grace to keep men from perishing, is from God, as you also confess, for him therefore to with-hold the means of Salvation from the poor creatures, whereby 'tis altogether impos­sible for them ever to miss eternally perishing; yet nevertheless to say, that he is long-suffering, and not willing that Any should perish, yea, and to swear that he desires not the death of the wicked; affectionately saying to them, Turn yee, turn yee; for why will yee dye? Whenas himself with-holds the means, without which they cannot return, and live; I say, for God thus to say, and swear, is altogether incredible, being that which calls in question the Attributes of the Almighty; and indeed is proper only to an unjust, deceitful man, and not to God: so then 'tis plain, that as God desireth the Salvation of men, (and sweareth that he wills not their con­demnation) so he affordeth a sufficiency of means in order thereunto.

Secondly, That there is a sufficiency of means for all, appears, because Christ charges persons not coming to him, so as to beleeve in him, upon the obstinacy of their wills, and not upon the [Page 23]want of means, as appeareth by these Scriptures, Joh. 5.40. Yee will not come unto me that ye might have life, Mat. 23.37. Oh Jerusalem, How oft would I have gathered thy Children, but ye would not, Joh. 4.48. Except ye see signs, and wonders, ye will not beleeve.

Thirdly, It appears also to be so, because those who are said to perish, shall be lest without ex­cuse, or claok for their sin, Rom. 1.20. Joh. 15.22. Which cannot be, in case they alwayes wanted means, or ability to beleeve, for of all cloaks, or excuses that possibly can be, what is a greater, or safer excuse, then an impossibility to do the thing required? Yea surely, it will be a fair plea before the Just, and Righteous God; but God will judge all men according to their works; therefore no such excuse or piea.

Fourthly, The Scriptures saith, that Christ mar­velled at the unbelief of some, (as hath been shew­ed) and also pronounceth condemnation to the unbeleever, because he beleeveth not, &c. Which may clearly prove to them, that honour God in all his Attributes, that he allowes a sufficiency of means to every man, to do the thing which he re­quireth: unless it may be safe to conceive, that Christ (the wisdome of God) did marvel at known impossibilites, and also that he will plunge men into hell for ever; for not doing that, which himself only worketh in the creature▪ (as you con­ceive) [Page 24]but God forbid such horrible blindness.

Fifthly, Christ commands men to beleeve in the Light, while they have the Light, that they may be the children of Light, Joh. 12.36. Now for a man to be exhorted to beleeve in the Light, that he may be a child of the Light; and he in such darkness as was the Egyptians, and as unable to help himself out of it as they were; would be a most unwise, vain, and deceitful Ex­hortation; unwise, and vain, it being known he could never beleeve; deceitful, in pretending that he might be the Child of Light, it being al­together unpossible: wherefore still I conclude, that Christs words are pure, and unfained, and so men every way made able through grace to be­leeve, and do the things which they are exhor­ed unto: Christ the Lord (whom we serve) be­ing no hard Master.

Sixtly, while men are treating about what means God doth allow in order to the doing his will; himself comes in, and pleads, What could I have done More, that I have not done? And yet will any man dare to say, that he had done Nothing in order to their Salvation? as he had not if he never made them able to beleeve: Oh do not say so, for in so doing, you will grievous­ly sin against God; who allowed such a suf­ficiency of means, as that (in his wisdome) he looked for that to be done which he command­ed; [Page 25]What, did he look for that which could not be? and also enter into judgment with them, laying them wast, and giving them up to blinded eyes, and hardned hearts, Isa. 5.4, 6, 7. Isa. 6.10. as a recompence unto them, Rom. 11.9. From all which I conclude, that Jesus Christ tasted death for every man, and that All men Every Where may repent, as they are commanded by him who is no hard Master; and that All men might beleeve; as in plain words is written, Joh. 1.7.

Moreover, as 'tis conceived, that the one part of mankind have not a sufficiency of means to beleeve, and so perish: so also the other part of mankind have an irresistible means making them to beleeve, and so they are saved. The latter of which is as inconsistent to truth, as the former, as lively appeareth from Christs words, Mat. 19.23, 24. saying, That it is easier for a Camel to go through the eye of an Needle, then for a rich man to enter into the kingdome of Heaven. For all cannot but know, that if God be the alone Agent in, and about mans conver­sion, and his ordinary way be to work irre­sistibly therein; all (I say) cannot but know that it is Alike easie for him to convert a rich man as a poor man. And besides, if Gods ordi­nary way to convert men be to work irresi­stibly, how he could appeal to Israel (who ac­cording [Page 26]to your sence, knew that this was his way) saying; what could I have done More, which I have not done? Whenas he had not wrought so much as in his ordinary way upon them; I judge no man can give a reasonable account to this. Therefore in brief I conclude, (in opposition to all those that imagine Gods ordinary way to convert men is unresistible) with Stephen, saying, Ye do alwayes resist the holy Spirit, as your fathers did, so do ye, Act. 7.51. and with the words of the Lord, I drew them with the cords of a man, with bonds of love, yet they refused to return, Hosea. 11.4, 5.

Object. But this which you have said, seems to cross the way of Gods Election, and reprobation, from the beginning; whose way is to hate some men before they have done either good, or evil; as is plainly held forth in that of Esau; and so impossible for them ever to beleeve, and be saved; For he hath mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.

Answ. For the better understanding of this Point, well consider the principal thing, which Paul treats of in that Chapter, Rom. 9. which is, that the fleshly seed of Abraham, are not the children of promise, or the Elect of God, ver. 7, 8. wherefore (saith the Apostle) though Esau was the child of Abraham according to the flesh, and that upon Isaacs side too, yet God [Page 27]hated him: therefore you Jewes that stand so much upon your brith priviledges, as being the seed of Abraham after the flesh, by this of Esau you may know, that it will not prove you to be the Elect of God, but you may be hated as Esau was, he being as truly a child of Abraham as you, but for his wickedness, (whether consider­ed as a Person, or as a Nation) God rejected him; I say, for his wickedness as appeareth, Obad. 9.10. For thy violence, (O Esau) against thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off for ever, Mal. 1.3, 4. Amos 1.11. Heb. 12.16, 17. Esaus wickedness there­fore (whether considered a person, or a Nati­on) I say, with the holy Prophets, was the cause why God hated him; whose wickedness, God that foreknoweth all things, foreknew in Re­becca's time, and thereupon said to her, Esau, or Edom, the elder shall serve the younger; which saying Paul being acquainted with, spake these words; to wit, That the children being not yet born, neither having done any good, or evil, that the purpose of God, according to Election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth; it was said unto her, as aforesaid, Rom. 9. shewing thereby, that God was so mindful, that his pu [...] pose according to Election might stand; (which the Jewes so mightily opposed) that he signified so long ago as Rebecca's time, before the children [Page 28]were born, or had done either good or evil, that (Esau) the elder, (foreseen to be wicked) should serve (Jacob) the younger, for his vio­lence against him; as (saith the Lord, Obadiah 9.10.) And therefore this Election by grace, (as if the Apostle should say) which I contend for, being as ancient as the Fathers, spoken of by God himself to Rebecca, you may in no wise re­ject, for I preach no new thing.

But alas, how is it, that men so stumble at these words spoken by Paul in this ninth Chapter to the Romans, as if God hated Esau before he was born, without respect unto his foreseen wickedness, as the cause thereof? I say, how is it, that you so conceive, and thus ima­gine vain things? for doth it in the least follow, that God so hated him, because 'tis said (if that might be granted) he hated him before he was born, or had done any evil? surely no: unless it could be found, that God hated him also be­fore he had done evil, without respect to fore­seen evil, in which is the main Controversie; and not so much whether God hated Esau be­fore he was born, or had done evil, yea, or nay; but rather what was the cause for which he was hated, to which this Text (in the Romans) doth not at all speak, only speaks of the time, to wit, before the Children were borne, &c. But as touching the cause wherein is our great Con­troversy, [Page 29]I tell you again, the text speaks not; wherefore it remaineth that you diligent­ly mind other Scriptures, which speaks as to the cause thereof, which plainly tels you, that Esau's violence &c: was the cause, Obad. 9.10. Now although this be spoken of him after he had personally transgressed, yet I question not but that you with me will acknowledge, that all his transgressions was known to God in Rebecba's time, (as also before) which if so, Why may it not be thus? for what is said in this place to the Romans, namely, that God foreseeing Esau, or Edoms wickedness in Rebecca's time, said up­on that account, the elder shall serve the youn­ger: yea verily, 'tis plain, that God did speak to her upon the account of foreknowledge, for faith he; Two Nations are in thy wombe, Gen. 25.23. which all cannot but know was no otherwise, but as God foresaw two Nations proceeding from the two Children, which only was in Rebecca's womb; and so also God cal­leth things that are not, as if they were, Rom. 4.17.

Further, to what you say, touching God ha­ving mercy on whom he will, and whom he will he hardeneth.

I freely grant it, but the Controversie is, whom God hath mercy on, and that is, beleeving men; and whom it is God hardneth, and that is, diso­bedient, [Page 30]unbeleeving men; (though they be Abrahams seed, that is after the flesh.) And this I believe was Gods righteous dealings in all ages; that is to say, God first manifested his tender loving kindness to them, with much long patience, and gentleness, waiting upon them in the use of means, bidding them to open their mouths wide, & he would fill it; but those that will not hearken, but reject his counsell, So God gives them up to their own hearts lusts, Psal. 81.10, 11, 12. So, that which should have been for their welfare, is become their trap, Psal. 69.22. God blinds their eyes, layes stumbling blocks before them, gives them up to hardness of heart, and Reprobates them for ever, as a recompence to them, for their wilful rebellion; the Only cause thereof, as preacheth this vein of Scriptures, Pro. 1.24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Jerem. 6.16, 17, 21. 2 Chron. 36.15, 16. Zech. 7.11, 12, 13. Mat. 13.13. Rom. 1.19, 20, 21, 26. 2 Thes. 2.11, 12.

These things I lay before you, because the question is, wherefore God hardens mens hearts; and not, whether he doth harden mens hearts, yea, or nay. For I do (and al­wayes did grant that; and the cause thereof is as aforesaid; namely, the creatures nelgect­ing, and putting from them so great salvation, [Page 31]as is freely tendered in Jesus, when as they ought to receive it with love thereunto; For This Cause, (saith the Apostle) God shall send them strong delusions, that they should beleive a lye; that so they might be damned, Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, 2 Thes. 2.10, 11. according to which all Nations are in the hand of God, as clay in the hand of the Potter, and so at what instant soever, God speaketh unto a people, shewing them, through the Gospel, that his pleasure is to build, and plant them, and so make them vessels for honour; if that people do evill in his sight, that they obey not his voice of good-will towards them, and so Marr themselves, (1 Sam. 6.6.) in the hand of God, he then repenteth of the good where­with he said he would benefit them, Ier. 18.4, 9, 10. so he gives them up to hardness of heart, so they become vessels for dishonour; when as others of the same lump, turning from the evil of their wayes, God maketh them vessels for honour, and so of the same lump one ves­sell for honour, and another for disho­nour.

But if not withstanding you shall yet turn the body of these Scriptures otherways, then be­hold its face; namely, That God did (before time) hate the greatest part of the world, without [Page 32]respect unto foreseen wickedness as the caus ther­of, and that (in time) he gives them up to hard­ness of heart, (without grace at any time wher­by to be saved,) and at the day of Judgement will cast them into everlasting Torments, be­cause of their wickedness and hardness of heart; and yet declare in his Word, (which you say is a word of truth) that he is good to all, and that his tender mercies are over all his works; that he is slow to anger, and of great mercy, Psa. 145.8, 9. Patient, long-suffering, &c. Exod. 34.6, 7. Not willing that Any should perish, 2 Pet. 3.9. swearing by himself, that he desireth not the death of the wicked, Ezek. 33.11. but would have all men saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Tim. 24. Forty years long griev­ing for the iniquity of his people, Heb. 3.17. Be­moaning their undone estate, Psal. 81.13. yea, even weeping for them, Luke 19.41. saying. What could I have done more, (for your good) that I have not done? Isa. 5.4. when as he knew, (according to your Tenent) that him­self had shut them up from all possibilities of believing unto Salvation, and that by his own, unresistible Decree, and purpose of Reprobati­on; Judge ye (friends) in this cause, and judge righteous judgement, and with fear, and trembling, weigh these things.

To return a little to the objection again; [Page 33]sider further, that though Thave proved that Esau's wickedness, and so the wickedness of all wicked men, was, (and is) the cause for which the Decree of Reprobation took hold of them; yet (mistake not for) I do not say, that 'twas fore­seen wickedness in them, that was the moving cause in God to Make the Decree of Reproba­tion, but rather the unutterable purity, and un­wordable holiness dwelling in himself, (which possibly could not admit of any wicked creature in his presence.) This I say moved him to Make the Decree, that all wickedness might be exclu­ded from happiness in his presence.

So having spoken of Esau, and how he, and all other wicked men are reprobated to Condemna­tion; it remains that I now speak of Jacob, and how he, and all other righteous men are elected to Salvation.

First therefore, I beleeve that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son to die for the world, whenas there was nothing in the world that did, or could move him thereun­to.

Secondly, the world being gone all out of the way, and coming short of Gods glory, God did purpose a gracious purpose of Election in Christ; namely, to chuse, or set apart beleeving men for glory, Psal. 4.3. Eph. 1.4. 2 Thes. 2.13. And so Jacob (with all other beleeving [Page 34]men) being found in Christ, Gods gracious pur­pose, and decree of Election takes hold of them, being such as are Elected from the foundation of the world to eternal Salvation; but by this (take notice) I do not say, that God foreseeing faith in Jacob, or in any other, was thereby moved to Make that decree of Election, as if the works of righteousness which we have done, first moved him so graciously to purpose, and decree for the good of beleeving men; I say not so, but rather the meer love, and compassion dwelling in God himself, moved him to purpose, and Elect beleevers in Christ to Salvation, a­greeable to the Apostles words, Ephes. 1.5. Having predestinated us, &c. according to the good pleasure of his will, ver. 9. purposed in him­self, and of himself, Rom. 9.11. nothing of worth in man first, or last moving him thereunto; and so our Salvation is of God, that sheweth mercy upon them that beleeve. And whereas this purpose reacheth in the beleever in Christ only, 'tis not because God saw such a worth, or mo­ving excellency in the creatures beleeving, but that he might (in shewing mercy unto men) not destroy his attributes, as of honour, and justice, which would have been blemished, had he chosen the unbeleeving, sinful man for himself, having before cast man out of his presence for sin: & so though the beleever only hath interest [Page 35]in Gods purpose of Election, yet the cause of his happiness is the tender love, and compassions of God, dwelling originally in himself.

Where then is bosting? It is excluded; by what law? by the law of Faith, for as much as Christ, who is the object of faith, is the meer gift of God, who also hath from of old decreed. from the meer grace dwelling in himself, and not from foreseen faith in the creature, to Elect, and chuse men unto Salvation, through (not for) the belief of the truth, 2 Thes. 2.13. whose belief also cometh by hearing the Gospel of Christ, which is to be preached to every crea­ture, for the obedience of faith, Rom. 16.26. So then, all being of him, and through him, not unto us, not unto us in the least, but to the Lord alone be glory for ever.

The next thing which I purpose, is somewhat touching the two Covenants, because I find that some stumble for want of a right understanding the old, and other some for want of a right un­derstanding of the new Covenant, wherefore for the good of each, this I declare, head it well I pray you.

You I mean that stumble about the Cove­nants, for have you not read, that Abraham had two Sons, the one by a Bond-maid, the other by a Free-woman: which things (saith Paul) are an allegory, for they are the two Covenants; the [Page 36]one from Mount Sinai, which is Hagar, who (you may remember) did abide with her son Ishmael for a time in Abrahams family; but when Isaac was borne, and Ishmael found mocking at him, he no longer must abide there, Gen. 21.9, 10. but Sarah a Free-woman, and her son Isaac a child of Promise, who indeed had more right to dwell in Abrahams family, then she that was a meer Bond-woman, and her son born after the flesh. Now being told by Paul, that these are the two Covenants, it followes plainly, that as there was a time for Hagar, and Ishmael to abide in Abrahams family, but must be cast out when found mocking at the true promised seed according to the flesh; so there was a time, when the first Covenant, and her children after the flesh, (held forth by Hagar, and Ishmael) had a being in Abrahams family, but at length being found mocking at the new Covenant, and her children after the promise, must be cast out; so the new Covenant remains, and her children (held forth by Sarah, and Isaac) with whom the Bond-woman, and her son shall not be heir.

But that you may the more cleerly under­stand the casting out of the first Covenant, and her Children; First, mind what the first Cove­nant is: and that is in a strict sence, the ten Pre­cepts, written upon the Tables of Stone, Exod. [Page 37]34.28, 29. Deut. 9.9. Heb. 9.1, 2, 3, 4. And in the largest sence the whole law of Moses given to Israel, when they came out of Egypt, Heb. 10.1. Deut. 31.24. Heb. 9.19, 20, 22. And those who were accounted children of this first Covenant, or Testament, were the Children of Abraham after the flesh, descending from Isaac, Gen. 17.9, 10, 11, 12. Jerem. 31.32, Exod. 19.3, 5. Deut. 4.8. Psal. 147.19, 20. Amos 3.1, 2. For they all were borne Heirs of the Land of Canaan, and so were commanded to be circum­cised, that the Token of the Covenant might be in the flesh; the truth of which is undeniably held forth by that touching Hagar, and Ish­mael, (as hath been said) whom the Apostle saith, signifieth the first Covenant, and her chil­dren, Gal. 4.23, 24, 25. Whereupon if Ishmael the son of a Bond-woman, born after the flesh, hold forth the Children of the first Covenant, which gendered to bondage; it must needs fol­low, that Abrahams seed after the flesh, were the children thereof; therefore (saith the Scrip­ture) cast out the Bond-woman, and her Son, (which saith Paul allegorically is the first Co­venant, and her children) who shall not be Heir with the son of the Free-woman; that is to say, the children of the new Covenant; now most sure I am, that if they were not fleshly, (but Spiritual) they should not be cast out, [Page 38]though by this I do not deny, but that many of Abrahams seed after the flesh did become, through beleiving, everlastingly happy, but not by the law, or first Covenant, the tenor of which is, Do, and thou shalt live, Rom. 10.5. but by the law of faith, Rom. 3.27. which excludeth boa­sting in birth previledges. So then the first Co­venant, was made with the fleshly seed of Abra­ham, the Priest-hood given to a fleshly line, (the seed of Aaron, Exod. 40.14, 15. Ezra 2.62.) the Sacrifices and Ordinances carnal, that is, fleshly, seeming for the purifying of the flesh, Heb. 9.10, 13. that they might stand before God, and not die, and enjoy the good land of Canaan, which God Covenanted to give to them, as they were the fleshly seed of Abraham.

Now the nature, or tenor of the first (or old) Covenant (as in the hand of Moses) was this; to wit, He that Doth these things shall live by them; (that is, should be blessed with long life, deliverance from all their enemies, with all other temporal blessings in the promised Land, Deut. 28. the nature of which law, Paul setteth in direct opposition to the law of faith, which (saith he) speaketh on this wise; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt Believe in thy heart, that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved, Rom. 10.5, 6, 9. And hence it is, that Israel seeking after [Page 39]righteousness as it were by the works of the law stumbled, and fell, shewing plainly, that the righteousness, which takes hold of eternal life, was not attainable by the law, Rom. 9.31, 32. for the law is not of faith, and so 'tis evident, that no flesh shall be justified by it in the sight of God, Gal. 3.11, 12.

Thus you see the tenor of the Law, as in the hand of Moses, was, Do, and thou shalt live; and so the Law, or first Covenant in that sence leading to bondage, (answering the Bond-woman) is cast out, with her fleshly chil­dren, (answering Ishmael, Abrahams seed after the flesh) and So it comes to pass, that Paul in plain words declareth, that the Law written, and engraven in stones, is done away, and abolished, 2 Cor. 3.7, 11, 13. Also saith the Apostle, he taketh away the first that he may establish the the second, Heb. 10 9.

But mistake not, for by this I do not import as if Christ came to destroy the Law, but rather to fulfill, and establish it: yea and now also the Law, so far as 'tis ministred in by Jesus, is to be ob­served (by Saints) as a righteous rule, in the doing of which God may have honour; but mind I pray you, the vast difference betwixt doing the law as ministred by Moses, from doing the Law as mi­nistred by Jesus▪ as thus, Do (saith Moses) and thou shalt live: but, Believe (saith Christ) and [Page 40] thou shalt live; and so when the creature comes to believe, and in believing hath life, he then having life, is to do whatsoever Christ teacheth him of the Law, as also all other things which he shall require him to do for the honour of his, and the Fathers name, 1 Cor. 10, 31. in the doing of which, Christ saith he shall abide in his love, John 15.10. But if he waxe wan­ton, and come to dishonour the father, and the Son, who hath given him life in believing, in his trespasse which he hath trespassed, and in his sin which he hath sinned, in them shall he dye.

All this being considered serves (by the way) first to remove the conscientious scruple risen in some, touching the now remaining of the se­venth day sabbath; for while they are won­dering how it can be that one of the ten Pre­cepts, should be taken away, and the other nine remain, the truth offers it self in, shew­ing that they all are done away, as ministred in the old Covenant by Moses, 2 Cor. 3.7, 11, 13. though remaining so far, and upon the account, as Christ teacheth them, who is the great, and alone Prophet, that is to be heard in all things whatsoever, He shall say to us.

Secondly, it serves for sharpe reproose to those who would be looked upon zealous for God, in that they contend for the sprinkling of [Page 41]infants: for if the fleshly seed of Abraham, are cast out, and so not admitted as members of the new Testament, or Church of Christ, meerly as such; (upon which account John the Baptist, put back the Pharisees from his Bap­tisme, as not fit members for the Church of Christ, upon their plea of having Abraham to their Father, Mat. 3.9.) how lame, weak, frothy, carnall, and confused a thing is it to receive little children into the Church by Bap­tisme, upon the plea, that they are the seed of Believers; What! all the fleshly seed of Abraham the father of the faithful cast out, and yet labour to receive in the fleshly seed of Abrahams children? be ashamed hereof, O ye Priests, for the Lord will not hold them guiltless that makes void his Commandements by their own traditions. But more to this elsewhere, Mat. 15.6. Now to return.

The sum of all is (as the Apostle saith) the Bond-woman, and her son, that is to say, the first Covenant and its children, is cast out, ever since the death, and resurrection of Christ, so henceforth know we no man after the flesh, 2 Cor. 5.16. because the son of the Bond-woman (Ishmael after the flesh) shall not be heir with (Isaac) the son of the free-woman; that is to say, with the children of the New Cove­nant or new Testament: wherefore it remain­eth [Page 42]in the next place, to consider what the new Covenant is, and who are the children thereof; since they only are heirs according to pro­mise.

The New Covenant, or New Testament, is in the strictest sence, that which is written in the 31 of Jer. 33, 34. vers. and Heb. 8.10, 11, 12. And in the largest sence, the Gospel, the glad­tydings, way, and ordinances thereof, as 'tis written in the books of the new Testament, whereof Paul was a Minister, 2 Cor. 3.6. Mat. 26.28. Heb. 9.16, 17, 18.

Now the Children of the New Covenant are penitent, believing, obedient men, and wo­men, such as are born again, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, John 1.13. New creatures, and these are the children of Abraham after the spirit, and heirs according to promise, John 8.39. Gal. 4.29. 2 Cor. 5.17. And with them, con­sidered such, God makes, or enters into Cove­nant, giving them his spirit, and so puts his Laws in their minds, and writes them in their hearts: and so he is a God unto them, and they only are his people, Heb. 8.10. And so they need not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother; saying, know the Lord; for all shall know him from the least to the greatest of them, verse 11. But mistake not, though all the [Page 43]children of the New Covenant need not to teach one another, so as to know the Lord, yet they ought to build, up one another, in the knowledge of the Lord, Jude 20. having re­ceived gifts from the Lord, they are to teach one another to grow in grace, and in the know­ledge of the Lord, exhorting one another, and so much the more as they see the day of Christ approaching; so by using of their gifts, they come to be established, and go on to perfecti­on: Heb. 5.12, 14. and 10.25. 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4.8, 11, 12.

Moreover, the Lord will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins, and their ini­quities will he remember no more, so that they may have free accesse to him through Christ, he being sacrificed for them; so that there is no need of a sacrifice as there was under the old Testament, for then there was a continual sacrificing, and so a remembrance of sin every year, and so the comers thereunto could not be made perfect, for it was not possible that the blood of Buls and Goats should take away sins, Heb. 10.1, 2, 3, 4. But Christ being come, by one offering, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified; so he takes away the first Covenant, that he might establish the Second, that the children of the second Covenant might stand before God, and die not, having a new [Page 44]and living way which he hath consecrated, or made through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all; and so they come be­fore the Lord with boldness, yea, enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus; and hav­ing an High Preist over the house of God, draw neer with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having their hearts sprinkled from an evil con­science, and their body washed in pure water, Heb, 10.9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22.

So then the children of the New Covenant have free accesse to God, worshipping of him in spirit, and in truth acceptably, without any sacrifice, as after the Law, or old Administrati­on, that being abolished and done away, 2 Cor. 3.11, 13. so sin is not remembred, and so they shall be eternally saved, if they hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering to the end; but if they sin wilfully, there re­maineth no more sacrifice for sins; but a Certaine fearfull looking for of judge­ment, and fiery indignation; which shall de­vour the adversaries; he that despised Moses Law died without mercy, under two or three witnesses, of how much sorer punishment suppose yee shall he be thought worthy, who hath troden under foot the son of God, and hath count­ed the Blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing; and hath done [Page 45]despight unto the Spirit of grace, verse 23, 26, 27, 28.

Furthermore, the Ministers of the new Te­stament, are not by a fleshly line, as the Preists of the old Testament were; the sons of Aaron born by Generation, Exod. 29.9. Numb. 16.40. But they are made Ministers of the new Covenant meerly by gifts given from God, as appeareth, Eph. 4, 8, 11. where the Apostle sheweth, that the Lord Jesus ascended up on high, and gave gifts to men; he gave some A­postles and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, some Pastors, and Teachers; for the gathering together of the Saints, for the Work of the Ministry; for the edification of the body of Christ; till we all meet together in the unity of the faith; and knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ, vers. 12, 13. So then it is cleer from hence, that all the Ministers, or Preachers of the new Testament, are to preach or teach by gifts given from God, for they have gifts given for the work of the Ministry, and that in all ages till Christ comes; for all the saints cannot meet together in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, not untill Christ his coming; therefore the whole work of the Ministry is, to be performed by men gifted of [Page 46]God in all ages, and not by men of a fleshly generation, line, or by any humane learned Arts, for that is contrary to the new Covenant, for all her children are taught of the Lord.

And this will further appear, because (as the Apostle sheweth) the world by wisdome knew not God, 1 Cor. 1.21. Nor if all the humane arts in the world did not teach the knowledge of God, it followeth that all humane Arts cannot inable a man to preach, or declare the Gospel, the unsearchable riches that is in Christ; and so Paul though learned, ignorantly persecutes the Church of Christ; but by grace given him, he was made able to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph. 3.7, 8.

Again, Jesus rejoyced in Spirit, and gives thanks to his Father, that he had hid the things of the Gospel, or new Covenant, from the wise and prudent, or learned, and revealed them to Babes, Luke 10.21. And Paul saith, The things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2.11. And the Prophet Isaiah saith; That the vision of all is become as a book that is sealed; So that the learned and unlear­ned cannot read it; Isa. 29.11, 12. From all which it plaineth appeareth, that all Ministers of the new Covenant, are made able for the work of the Ministery, through the spirit, grace and gift of God; for the spiritual man judgeth [Page 47]all things, even the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2.10, 15. And so God hath not chosen the mighty men, or things of the world, which are highly esteemed among men, but chuseth the poor, foolish, weak, base, despised things, things that are not, to bring to nought things that are; That no flesh should glory in his presence, 1 Cor. 1.27, 28. Luk. 16.15.

So then mark well and see, the vast dispropor­tion between the Old Covenant and the New, the Old was of works, do and live long, so they doing it, Justification would have been of dept, Rom. 4.4. but the New is, Believe and live e­ternally, So Justification is by faith, that it might be by grace, Rom. 4.16. The Old Covenant is litteral and killeth, because all have broken it, but the new Covenant, is spiritual, and giveth life in Christ through beleeving, 2 Cor. 3.6. the Old was written in Tables of Stone, the New writeth the law of God in the heart; the sons and daughters of the Old Covenant, were Abra­hams seed after the flesh; the sons and daugh­ters of the new Covenant, are the seed of Abra­ham after the spirit, new borne, new crea­tures; God according to the Old Covenant, did know and chuse the family of Abraham after the flesh, above all the families of the earth, Amos 3.1, 2. Psal. 147.19, 20. but now according to the new Covenant, he knoweth no [Page 48]man after the flesh, 2 Cor. 5, 16. but every man of any Nation, that feareth God, and worketh righteousness is accepted with him, Act. 10.35. whether he be Jew or Gentile. The chil­dren of the old Covenant being after the flesh by generation, there was need to teach them to know the Lord; but the Children of the new Covenant, need not to be taught to know the Lord; for they all know the Lord, from the least to the greatest of them, as it hath been shewed; The old Covenant, or law, though just, holy, and good, yet weak through the flesh, hav­ing no strength to Justifie the Children thereof; God finding fault with them, because they had broken the Covenant, there was a place found for the new Covenant, established upon better promises, so through Jesus the High Priest and Mediatour of it, the Children thereof are Justi­fied; see Rom. 8.2, 3, 4. Heb. 8.6, 7, 8. The Sacrifices of the old covenant were carnal, flesh­ly, the bloud of Buls and Goats, and so could not make the comers thereunto perfect; so there was a Remembrance of sin every year, but the sacrifice of the new Covenant, is the Lord from Heaven, the man Christ, his Blood being the blood of the new Covenant, being shed for remission of sins, Math. 26.28. and so perfects for ever them that are sanctified; which are the children of the new Covenant, so that their [Page 49]sin is remembred no more, as it hath been shew­ed before; Heb. 10.12, 14. the High Priest of the old Covenant was after the order of Aaron, by generation after a fleshly line, and so ma­ny were made Priests, because they were not suffered to continue by the reason of death, but Jesus the High Priest of the new Covenant, is after the order of Melchizedec, & comes not to it by a fleshly line after the order of Aaron, (as the Preists of the Law did) as touching his Of­fice of the Preist-hood, he is without father or mother, without kindred, and hath neither be­ginning of dayes, nor end of life, but remaineth a Prieft for ever after the order of Melchizedec. So he is able also perfectly to save them that come to God by him, (as the children of the new Covenant do) seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them, Heb. 7.3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 16, 21, 24, 25. The Children of the old Covenant had blessings and promises after this manner; That the Lord would set them on high above all the Nations of the earth, blessed in the city, and in the field, blessed in the fruit of the body, flocks of sheep, and heards of cattel, and deliverance from their enemies, and long life in the land of Canaan, withall the riches thereof, Deut. 28. The blessings of the new Covenant, are after this manner; deliverence from the evil of temptation; 1 Cor. 10.13. Led into all [Page 50]truth, so as they experience that comfort, peace and joy that their names are written in the book of life, witnessed by the holy spirit, all things working together for good, no condemnation, for they walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, even eternal life, so as to reign in glory.

So then, all may see, that they that go about to be justified by the Law, Written upon tables of stone, or the Law of sacrifices, are fallen from grace; for if righteousness be by the Law, then Christ died in vain, Gal. 2.21. and 5.4. But Christ died not in vain, but God is just, and the Justifier of him only that beleeveth in Jesus, having that faith that worketh by love, Rom. 3.26. for such only are the sons and daughters of the New Covenant.

Also hence it clearly appeareth, how the Church of Rome is Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots, and abominations of the earth, she became so by bringing in a generati­onal fleshly seed, where Abrahams seed after the flesh is cast out, so she goes a whoring, in bring­ing in a false carnal seed, instead of a true spiritual seed, she bringeth in children into her Church, by baptizing them (as she calleth it) and so the matter of her Church is meerly car­nal, and her ministry by humane learning, and [Page 51]not by gifts given from Christ, and yet talks of spiritual matter, confounding the Old Covenant with the New, and making the commandments of God of none effect by her many inventions; and so national Churches that sprinkle their in­fants, bring in a false fleshly seed, and are her daughters, and so she is truly said to be Mystery Babylon, or Confusion, the mother of harlots, so she going a whoring after her own inventions, she hath made all Nations drunk with the wine of the wrath of herfornication, Rev. 2.5. and so according to that in Isa. 24.5. The earth is de­filed under the inhabitants thereof, because they have transgressed the lawes, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant, and therefore she shall be destroyed, Rev. 17.16. And the curse of the Lord God Almighty will devour the earth; Isa. 24.6, 19, 20. wrath shall come upon the Gentile nations to the utter­most, as it did upon the Jewes, yea, the Lord will make a full end of the Gentile nations, Jer. 30.11. O that men would lay these things to heart, and hear, and obey the Lord according to the Gospel, walking up orderly according to the new Testament in all things, in sincerity of heart, that they might escape the things that shall come to passe, and to stand in Judgement before the Son of man, Luke 21.36.

And that ye may be sons and daughters of God according to the New Testament in order, and so stand before the Lord with acceptance, observe well that the first Principle of the doctrine of Christ, is, Repentance from dead works, Heb. 6.1. For the Gospel is to be preached to all, as it hath been shewed before, that men may repent of all their dead works; now repentance is a change of the mind, from all that which is evill, to all that which is good; it hath in it a hearty sorrow for sin, and a con­fession of sin; and therefore John the Baptist preaching Repentance, they came confessing their sins, Math. 3. Repentance is such a thing as changes the man from an evil conversation, to that which is very good; and also from all false whorish wayes of Worship, to the pure Worship of God; it hath in it these seven things; As first, it bringeth forth a continual care, as not to commit evil, nor to omit good, yea, a readiness to every good work: secondly, clearing the matter of fact, if it be in wrong done to any man, by a wise just restitution, (if able) Luke 19.8. and by doing so no more, what ever sin it be, confessing it to God with brokenness of heart, turning from it. Thirdly, an inward indignation against all sin. Fourthly, the sear of God, which teacheth a man to de­part siom evil and to have a singular respect to [Page 53]all the Commandements of the Lord, so as to do them. Fiftly, a vehement hungring, thirst­ing desire after Righteousness. Sixtly, a zea­lous continuing in every good work. Seventhly, a holy revenge, in bringing the body under subjection by fasting, esteeming the Commande­ments of the Lord more then necessary food, 2 Cor. 7.11. And so it is repentance, or a change of the whole Man from dead works, for the wages of sin is death.

Furthermore, that men may do works ac­ceptably in the sight of God, the next Princi­ple, or teaching of Christ unseparably joyned with Repentance, is, Faith towards God; and that is, to beleeve that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dilligently seek him; and that Christ died for our sins, and that he was buryed, and that he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures; and that the blood of Christ, is, the Blood of the New Testa­ment Shed for the remission of sins; and that there is everlasting life, and a most glorious Kingdome, for all them that beleeve, and walk according to the Gospel, or New Testament; and so Faith is the substance or ground of things which are hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11.1, 6.1 Cor. 15.1, 2, 3, 4.1 John 2.4, 6. yea this faith is of a purifying nature; for every one that hath this hope, purify­eth [Page 54]himself as Chirst is pure, Chap. 3.3. Acts 15.9.

The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ, is the Doctrine of Baptismes; it is said to be Baptismes, because there is a Baptisme of af­flictions in a comparative sence, in the which Chirstians are dipped into, so as the waves goes over them, yet are raised out of it by the Lord; it is not every affliction, but some great afflicti­on, and yet this is common to Christians, Mat. 20.22, 23. Luke 12.50. Psal. 42.7. John 16.33.

There is also Baptisme or Dipping in Water, which is the one Baptisme in a litterall sence, which all Believers ought to practice; I say it is Dipping in Water, because the word in the Greek holds forth a washing by dipping, and not sprinkling, for it cannot be shewed in the Lexicons, as the learned confesse; and John Baptised in the River of Jordan; Mark 1.5. and Christ when he was Baptized, came up out of the water, of the river of Jordan, Mat. 3.13.16. and Philip and the Eunuch went down both into the water, and he baptized him in the water, Acts 8.38, 39. Baptisme in Water holdeth forth in a likeness, a buriall with Christ, Rom. 6.3, 4. All which declareth, that Baptisme, is Dipping the whole person in Water, and this learned Perkins, freely con­ffesseth in his Golden Chaine.

Furthermore, penitent Men and Women are the only Subjects of Baptisme, and not Infants.

That such as professe faith as aforesaid are to be Baptized, and not Infants, will appeare, because the Lord commands his servants, to Go teach all Nations Baptizing them, that learn the Gospel, so as to believe the same; but Infants cannot learn the Gospel by teaching, (for they know neither good nor evil, Deut. 1.39.) Therefore it is not lawful to Baptize them.

That Christ commands such to be Baptized, as believe through teaching, or preaching, is evident, from Mat. 28.19. in these words. Go and teach all Nations, Baptizing them, &c. That is, Them of the Nations that be­lieve, for they might not Baptize unbelieving Jewes, nor heathens; therefore Mark saith, being the same with that of Matthew, That Christ commands the Gospel to be preached to every creature, and He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; so then the Gospel is to be preached to all▪ for this end, that all may believe: but all do not, but they that hear so as to believe the Gospel, are to be Baptized and no other are in the Commission, or Com­mandenent of Christ for baptisme it is plain; so then, they that Baptize Infants, do that which they have no Law of Christ for; nay, [Page 56]it is against the Law of Christ, because they can­not beleeve through preaching, and so they have not faith, for there is but one faith, and that comes by hearing, Ephes. 4.5. Rom. 10.14.17.

Object. But some say, That Infants are a­part of the Nations, and Nations are to be bap­tized; therefore Infants.

Answ. So are unbeleeving Jewes, and Hea­thens part of the Nations, yet are not to be Baptized; and so it is plain, that Nations are not to be Baptized, as such; but beleeving men and women, as hath been shewed before; there­fore not Infants.

Object. But some men say, That Infants do beleeve from that Scripture, Mat. 18. in these words. But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in me, &c. From these words, Compared with ver. 2. some conclude that Infants may beleeve.

Answ. First note, That them that are newly come to the faith, or be weak in the faith, are called little children, Gal. 4.19.1. John. 2.12. yet are men and women. Again, Christians ought to be humble, and without malice is little children, 1 Cor. 14.20. And this is that which Christ teacheth, when his disciples strove who should be greatest in the kingdome of heaven, as appeareth, Math. 18.1. Compared with [Page 57] Luke 9.46. And therefore he taketh a little child, and sheweth them, except they be conver­ted from their ambitious thoughts, and become humble as little children, they shall not enter therein, ver. 2, 3. Also he sheweth, that he that humbleth himself as a little child is great in the kingdome of heaven; and whosoever shall re­ceive such a little Child in my name, receiveth me, John 13.20. that is, such a one as humbleth himself as a little child; and whosoever shall of­fend one of these little ones, which beleeve in Christ, that is, such a one as is humble, and be­comes as a little child, it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea; and this is said, ver. 4, 5, 6. and is the sence of the place; Now for any man to understand the place so, as that that little child which Christ set in the midst, or any other, did or do believe, they are much mistaken, for such an exposition of the place would cross many plain places of Scrip­ture, for Infants are not capable of hearing, and faith comes by hearing, Rom. 10.17. neither do they know good nor evil, nor their right hand from their left, as hath been shewed be­fore; neither doth the Scripture speak to In­fants, Deut. 11.2. though it speak of them; nei­ther can they work, and that faith is dead that worketh not, James. 2.17, 26.

Now if any question how Infants dying in infancy, can be saved, because they beleeve not? I say, that if you look back to what is said as touching Adams sin, you may see that all In­fants dying in Infancy shall be saved; for the son shall not die for the Iniquity of the Father, Ezek. 18. and the guilt of Adams sin shall be taken off from all at the Resurrection.

But to return, there is no Commandment in all the Scriptures (which are the word of God) for the Baptisme of Infants; and where there is no Law, there is no transgression, Rom. 4.15. therefore he that refuseth to baptize Infants, breaks no Law; Therefore no man can justly charge him with sin, for a commandment gives ground to duty; and examples are teaching to shew us how duties should be done; also note, that there is no example for infants Baptisme in all the Scripture; (and yet they are able to make us wise unto Salvation, 2 Tim. 3.15.) for the Apostles and servants of the Lord did Baptise such only as did profess faith, and did gladly receive the word of the Gospel, search and see, as the Bereans did, Acts. 17.11.

Object. But some say, That there is no Com­mand, nor Example for Women receiving the Lords Supper, yet they are to receive it; so may Infants be Baptized, though no Command nor Example for it.

Answ. In this objection it is granted, that there is no command, nor example for Infants Baptisme: also note, that beleeving baptised women are disciples, and are members of the Church of Christ, and so are commanded to break bread, Act. 1.14, 15. Chap. 8.12. Phil. 4.13. Act. 20.7. 1 Cor. 11.24, 25, 28. com­pare the 1 of Act. 14. with the 2 of Acts. 41, 42. you may see that women did receive the Lords Supper.

But if any should say, That Infants are Dis­ciples, and therefore are to be baptized. I an­swer, That Christ faith, that whosoever beareth not his cross, and followeth not after him, cannot be his disciple, Luke 14.27. but Infants can­not do so, therefore they cannot be his disci­ples.

I shall say no more to this Principle of the Doctrine of Christ at this place, because many have wrote very largely upon it, and there is no true consequence to be gathered from all the Scriptures for Infants Baptisme, for it is against Scripture, and crosseth the way of the New Testament, for it brings into the Church a flesh­ly seed, instead of a Spiritual: and so makes void the command of God as hath been shewed before.

But seeing it is so, that penitent, beleeving men and women, are only to be Baptized, let all the [Page 60]Churches in the fear of God, take heed that they Baptize no other but such as are truly penitent, beleeving men and women, that so all the mem­bers of the Church of Christ, may be new crea­tures, living stones taught of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Je­sus Christ himself being the Cheif corner stone, that all the building may be fitly framed toge­ther, growing unto an holy Temple in the Lord, 1 Pet. 2.5. Ephes. 2.20, 21. 2 Cor. 5.17.

There is also the Baptisme of the Spirit, which is a powerful falling down of the spirit, so as to be filled with it, enabling men to do some great work, as in Act. 1.5. compared with Chap. 2.1, 2, 3, 4. But this Baptisme of the Spirit is cal­led so comparatively, as Christ is called a door, John 10.7. but there is but one Baptisme really, and that is in water, Eph. 4.5.

The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ, is Prayer, with Laying on of hands; for the gift of the spirit; so as to abide with us, and to lead us into all truth, and bring all things seasonably to remembrance, and comfort us in all afflicti­ons, John 14.26. Ch. 16.13. note, it is the gift of the spirit, that is to be prayed for, not gifts, but the spirit as a gift, Luke 11.13. Act. 2.38. and so gifts follow, as it pleaseth the holy one of Israel; and so they that practice Laying [Page 61]on of hands, with prayer, shew that they do look upon Christ as the only Prophet, to teach them by his spirit according to his word, Act. 3.22, 23.

Now this of Laying on of Hands, was practi­sed upon all Beleevers Baptized; for the Church of Samaria, were under it, Act. 8.12, 15, 17. And the Church of Ephesus were under it, Chap. 19.6. and the Church of the He­brewes also, Heb. 6.2. therefore all the Chur­ches, for they all walked in one way and order, Ephes. 4.4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 4.17.

Object. But there is no Command for Laying on of Hands; therefore it ought not to be.

Answ. There is a Command from Christ for it, for the Author to the Hebrewes saith, it is a Principle of the Teaching or Doctrine of Christ, and so commanded by Christ, Heb. 6.2.

Object. But this Laying on of Hands spoken off, Heb. 6. is not that Laying on of Hands which followeth Beleevers Baptisme, or it is doubtful whether it be that or no?

Answ. First, understand that there was but three sorts of Laying on of Hands, practised by the Apostles, and they are these; Laying on of Hands to recover the Sick; and upon Offi­cers; and upon persons Baptized; Now it can­not be, the Laying on Hands upon the Sick, for [Page 62]men might be sick, and recovered through Laying on of Hands, and sick again, and so reco­vered again, and again, and so some men might be under this Laying on of Hands many times; but this in Heb. the 6. must not be practised above once, for it is said, Not laying again, the foundation of repentance from dead works, of Faith towards God, of the Doctrine of Bap­tismes, and Laying on of Hands.

Furthermore, it cannot be that Laying on of Hands on Officers, for it is said, that they that had laid this Laying on of Hauds spoken off, Heb. 6. had need to be taught the first Principles of the Word of God: but Officers could not be so ignorant, therefore it was not upon Offi­cers.

Moreover, the same that are exhorted to go on to perfection, had laid this Laying on of Hands, as you may see, if you read diligently the 1, and 2, verses; Now all are exhorted to go on to perfection; therefore all the Church of the Hebrewes were under this Laying on of Hands; so then it cannot be, that upon the Sick, nor that upon Officers; for men may go on to perfection, and never be under that Laying on of Hands for the Sick, nor yet that upon Officers; There­fore this Laying on of Hands spoken of, Heb. 6. is that only which followeth Baptisme; and to this agreeth the order of words, vers. 2. neither [Page 63]can it be thought on good grounds, that the holy spirit should rank any other Laying on of hands with these Principles, which are the beginning of a Christian man; so then it fol­loweth, that Prayer with Laying on of Hands, upon every Baptized person, is a Principle of the Doctrine, or beginning word of Christ, as hath been shewed before.

Object. But the end of Laying on of hands was, that the spirit might be given, so, as that some extraordinary gifts might follow, as there did, Acts 19. but we see none now; there­fore not to be practised.

Ans. By the same reason we may refuse Bap­tisme, for the Apostles promises the gift of the spirit to every penitent, believing, baptized person, Acts 2.38, 39. which then did fall down miraculously; but we see it not so now; There­fore no Baptisme,

Again, Mark saith that these signes shall fol­low them that believe the Gospel; in the name of the Lord Jesus they should cast out devils, & shall speak with new tongues, &c. Mark 16.16, 17, 18. But we see no man do any such thing now; Therefore by the same ground, you may say no man believeth; and then no sal­vation. Again, the Apostle saith, God hath set in the Church, miracle-workers, 1 Cor. 12.28. By the same rule no miracles, no [Page 64]Church; but mistake not, the Gospel & the Ordi­nances thereof, and the whole way thereof was at the first confirmed by signs and wonders, and divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost, Heb. 2.4. and all Believers are to walk up ac­cording to the Gospel, and all the Ordinances, and the whole way thereof, untill Christ come, 2 Tim. 2.2. 2 Pet. 3.2. Rev. 2.25. To con­clude this point▪ the Spirit of the Lord is pro­mised, so as to be given to all penitent, belieev­ing, baptized persons, Acts 2.38. Gal. 3.14. and the way and order of the Gospel is, to seek it by Prayer, and Laying on of Hands, Acts 8.15, 17. Chap. 19.6. 2 Tim. 1.6.

The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ, is the Resurriction of the dead; which is this, to believe that Christs very body that was crucifi­ed, did rise from the dead the third day, ac­cording to the Scriptures, John 20. and that our bodies shall also rise again from the grave, when Christ cometh in person again, accord­ing to that, in 1 Thes. 4.16, 17. The Lord him­self shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, & with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remains, shall be caught up together with them, in the cloud, to meet the Lord in the aire, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Now it is very plain, that the very body of Christ which was crucified, and buried, did rise again, he and not a spirit like that body, did ap­pear.

First, Because he commandeth his Disciples to handle him, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as I have; and so he shewed them his hands and his feet, Luke 24 39.40. and so he shewed Thomas the place of the nailes, bidding him, put his hand into his side; all making it appeare, that it was the very body that was nailed to the Crosse, and peirced with a spear, that did rise again.

Secondly, Because he did eat and drink with his Disciples, after he arose from the dead, Acts 10.40, 41. and was shewed openly several times, not only to the eleven Apostles, but to five hundred brethren at once, 1 Cor. 15.6.

So then, seeing Christs body is risen from the dead, so shall all mens bodies, the just and un­just also, shall be raised from the grave at the last day, Acts 24.25.

First, I say, that the bodies of the righteous shall rise from the grave according to that in the 26 of Isa. 19. Thy dead men shall live, to­gether with my dead body shall they arise, awake and sing, yee that dwell in the dust, for thy dew is as the dew of hearbs, and the earth shall [Page 66]cast out the dead, yea if the righteous in Christ have hope in this life only, they were of all men most miserable, 1 Cor. 15.19. Because of per­secution, and temptation and trialls, according to John 16.33. Christ tells the righteous, that in him they shall have peace, but in the world they shall have tribulation.

Therefore, they shall rise again to receive a reward, Heb. 11.26. or else it were better for them to eat and drink, for to morrow they shall die; yea, it cannot stand with the righte­ousness of God, that his should suffer afflicti­on, and persecution alwaies here on their bodies, for the testifying of truth, and their bodies ne­ver to rise to be freed from misery.

Secondly, because the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 15. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; and so he saith, That corruptible, must put on incorruption; so I reason, That is it the same body that died, that shall be raised, only it shall be changed into a spiritual body; for there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body, as the Apostle sheweth, but it is that Same that is natural, that shall be made spiritual at the Resurrection; Therefore note what the Apostle saith I pray, and that is this, It is sown a natural body, It is raised a spiritual body; so it is, that every seed according to the comparison, that the Apostle makes of the [Page 67]seed hath his own body, and so the comparison of the seed, doth lively set it forth, for the corn doth not bring forth except it die, that is, be changed, for so the word die, holds it forth; so the natural body cannot be made a spiritual body except it die, or be changed, and so God giveth it another body as it pleaseth him, for he maketh that natural body, a spiritual body, and so it puts on immortality at the resurrecti­on day, and so the same flesh and blood, as it is a corruptible body, cannot inherit the king­dome of God; as the Apostle saith, flesh and bloud cannot inherit the kingdome of God; but that corruptible body of flesh, shall be an in­corruptible body of flesh, for it shall be flesh and bones after the Resurrection, for Christs body was so, after he was risen, Luke 24.39. So then it is the same body that dyeth, that shall be raised, only it shall be made incorrupti­ble, and in all perfection, for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal, must put on immortality, 1 Cor. 15.53. So it can­not dye, nor go down to death any more, and therefore when it riseth from the grave, or the dead, it triumpheth over death and the grave, as it appeareth at large, 1 Cor. 15. from vers. 35. to 57. And to this agreeth very sweetly that in Hosea 13.14. I will ransome them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from [Page 68]death; O death I will be thy death, O grave, I will be thy destruction; repentance shall be hid from mine eyes; God is not as man that he should repent, he will make good his promise, his name is Jehovah, making good his promises; note also I pray, that in Isa. 25.8. He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from all the earth, for the Lord hath spoken it.

Thirdly regeneration, or the knowledge of God in the highest degree that can be attained on this side the grave, is no where in Scripture called a Resurrection, therefore I conclude, that that is no Resurrection; and that this is good reasoning, it appeareth plainly, Heb. 1.8. and if we note the Scripture, we may see this only is a resurrection, which is the rising from the grave, or from the dead, after the breath is departed, because Job saith, that he shall See God in his flesh, and them very eyes, and no other shall behold him, for him, Job 19.25, 26. Note, that he saith, he shall see God in his flesh, which sheweth, that the same flesh shall rise again, and be made incorrupti ble, yea, immortall, and then shall see God­face to face, yea in his glory, Rev. 22.4.

Fourthly, that the dead shall rise at the comming of Christ, is shewn by many ex­amples we read of in the Scriptures, how the [Page 69]dead were raised, 1 Kings. 17. Elijah raised the widdowes Son, and in 2 Kings. 4. Elisha raised the Shunamites child from the dead; and chap. 32.21. Math. 27.52, 53. The graves were open­ed, and bodies of the Saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city & appeared unto ma­ny; note, the bodies of the Saints arose, therefore the bodies of the children of God shall rife from the dead, and so the Lord Jesus raised Lazarus his body from the grave, when he had been dead four dayes, Jo. 11.39, 44. Act. 9.37, 41. Peter raised Tabitha, so then the dead were raised in the time of the law, and by Christ, and his Apo­stles to the glory of God; which teacheth us, that it is not a thing incredible that God should raise again the dead, yea, seeing Christ the first fruits is raised, afterward they that are Christs at his coming, 1 Cor. 15.23.

Fifthly, Christ proves the resurrection by that which was written by Moses after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was dead, that God was a God to them though they were dead, yet God is not a God to the dead, but to the living; for all live unto him; therefore Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob must rise again, Luke 20.37, 38. & so many shall come from the East, West, North, and South, and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdome of God, Luk. 13.28, 29. [Page 70]so if the Scriptures be true, the dead must rise, but heaven and earth must pass away, but not one jot or tittle of his word shall not faile, Mat. 5.18. Ch. 24.39. Therefore the resurrection is certaine, and a blessed truth.

Sixtly, that the just and unjust shall rise from the dead, is plain, in that Christ saith, John the 5.28, 29. Marvaile not at this, for the hour shall come, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voyce, and they shall come forth that have done good unto the resurrection of life, but they that have done evil, unto the resurrecti­of condemnation; And Paul makes it the great Article of his faith, when he was accused of the Jewes, Act. 24.14. freely confessing unto the Governour, that after the way which they call heresie, so worshiped he the God of his Fathers, beleeving all things which are witten in the law and the Prophets, and had hope towards God, that the resurrection of the dead, (which they themselves look for also) shall be both of just and unjust; and so I conclude the just mans body shall be raised from the grave, or be chan­ged, and the unjust also.

The next Principle of the Doctrine of Christ is, the Eternal Judgment, and that is this; That every man shall be judged according to his works done in the flesh, be they good, or evil, Math. 16.27. for the Son of man shall come in the glory of [Page 71]his Father, with his Angels, and then shall he give to every man according to his deeds, Mat. 25.31, 32. When the Son of man cometh in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him; then shall he sit upon the Throne of his glory; and be­fore him shall be gathered all Nations, and he shall seperate them one from another, as a shep­heard seperateth the Sheep from the Goats; For we must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether they be good, or evil.

So that the Saints must give an account of all that they have done at the day of Judgment, after they are raised from the dead, (or changed being made immortal) For God will bring every work unto judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or evil, Eccl. 12.14. And to this Christ speaks very fully, Mat. 12.26. That of every idle word that men shall speak they shall give account at the day of judgment; For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned; So Paul saith, We shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, Rom. 14.10. so that God shall judge the se­crets of men by Jesus Christ, according to the Gospel, Rom. 2.16. but Saints sins shall not be mentioned so as to condemnation, but shall be blotted out at that good day, that day of re­freshing, [Page 72] Act. 3.19. So that through Christ, which is the substance of the Scape-goat, the Saints sins shall be seperated from them, and so they shall be presented before the father with­out spot or wriukle, or any such thing, holy, and without blame, Eph. 5.27. and so Paul saith to the Saints at Rome; That every one of us shall give account of himself to God, Rom. 14.12. and so the discovery of their good and bad works, they being brought to judgment, will exceed­ingly set out the love, goodness, mercy and com­passion of the Lord God, in forgiving the debt or payment for Christs sake, & his faithfulness, justice, and righteousness in making good his promise, in rewarding them according to their works, for he will not forget their work, and labour of love: This Doctrine doth teach the children of God to walk very circumspectly, redeeming the time, applying their hearts to wis­dome, cleansing themselves from all filthyness of flesh, and spirit; prefecting holyness in the fear of God; and to abound in love one towards a­nother, and towards all men; adding to faith vertue, and to vertue knowledge, and to know­ledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, & to godliness brother­ly kindness, and to brotherly kindness▪ Cha­rity, or love; For that faith which worketh by love is availeable to Justification, Gal. 5.6. and [Page 73]the duties done in love only will avail in the day of judgment, 1 Cor. 13. Therefore let us have respect to all the Commandements of the Lord, for in keeping of them in love, there is great re­ward; yea let us cloath our selves with righ­teousness as with a garment, reaching after that which is before, following hard towards the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus; giving up themselves to watch and pray, that so they may stand compleat in all the will of God.

So then they that die in the Lord, or are found in him at his coming, shall receive eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for the gift of God is eternal life, Rom. 6.23. and also eter­nal death will be the portion of them that obey not the Gospel, Mat. 26.46. 2 Thes 1.8, 9. yea they that are not found written in the book of life, shall be cast into the lake of fire, Rev. 20.15. and this is the eternal judgment, for it is unrevokable, and this shall be when Christ com­eth in his own person and not before, that very person that was peirced with a spear, yea, that very person that dyed and rose again from the dead the third day, which the Apostles did see and handle, yea, he was seen of five hundred brethren at once, and many (if not all) did see him aseend into Heaven, Act. 1.11. Zach. 12.10. Luk▪ 24.39, 40. Jo. 20.27. and so the A­postle [Page 74] Paul possitively asserts, from the word of the Lord, that the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, and with a voyce of the Archangel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first; yea, if you read from the 13 verse of that Chapter to the end, you will see that the same Jesus that died and rose again from the dead, shall descend from Heaven, and all the Saints shall be raised, and they that be alive at his coming shall be chan­ged, and shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the ayre, and so shall be ever with the Lord; and so shall be made perfect altogether, Heb. 11.40.

Object. But it is said by some, that it is not the person that shall be judged, and cast into tor­ments, or hell, but sin, or the lust of the flesh, and the tempter, which is Satan, and therefore they bring that in Revel. 20. Death and hell is cast into the lake of fire; not men (say they) but sin.

Answ. It is unjust men as they do consist of soul, body, and spirit, that shall be judged and cast into the lake of fire, and there shall be tor­mented for ever and ever, for their sin.

1. Because soul, body, and spirit may be blamed at the coming of Christ, 1 Thes. 5.23. and they that are then blamed, and set at the left hand of Christ, as goats, are cursed and de­livered [Page 75]over to everlasting torments, Math. 25.41, 45, 46.

2. Because the fearful, and unbeleeving, and whoremongers, and Idolaters, and murtherers, sorcerers, and all that loveth or maketh a lie, shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone, Rev. 21.8. and Ch. 22.15. it is not the sin, or the lie, but the sinner, and the liar, so it is the man that lusteth and so committeth sin, and repenteth not, he shall be punished for ever, for that is the second death; and so death is cast into the lake of fire, for the second death, or everlasting punishment for sin, is to be in the lake of fire, Rev. 20.14. And for hell, the grave and hell in the Scripture is ta­ken for all one, as it appeareth, ver. 13. So the earth shall be in the lake of fire, or a great part of it, when God causeth the elements to run to­gether again, 2 Pet. 3.10. and the Divel which is the tempter, shall be cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and false prophet, or man of sin, shall be in torments for evermore, Revel. 14.11. and 20.10.

These Principles or foundations Peices, or Pillars upon which wisdome builds her house, (Prov. 9.1.) are the Doctrine or commande­ment of Christ, and are laid down upon Jesus Christ the cheife Corner stone, Ephes. 2.20 Heb. 6.2.

And there is no man or woman that can be judged, or lookt upon as a Christian in order according to the Scriptures, nor to be received into communion with the Church, except he beleeve and practise this Doctrine; mistake me not, there may be some, that walk up to their light, and neglect not to know more, that may be precious in the sight of God; but we are to look to the order of the new Testament, and to walk accordingly, doing all things decently and in order, 1 Cor. 14.40. Therefore no man ought to be received into communion in a Church state, but those that do own and practise all the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, as a­foresaid.

And that this ought to be so; first consider, that all that began to be Christians, owned all this beginning Doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6.1. and therefore they are called the first Principles of the Word of God, and milk for Babes, Heb. 5.12, 13. or, the word of the beginning of Christ, and so the beginning of a Christian man; and the three thousand which gladly received the word were baptised, Act. 2.41, 42. that is dipped in water; and continued in the Apostles Doctrine, which is the Doctrine of Christ.

Secondly, As they under the Law of Sacri­fices were to walk up in all the Law, which did hold out Christ to come in the flesh, doing all [Page 77]the commandements, as the Lord commanded them in order, so were accounted righteous, and in order according to the Law, Exod. 12.48. Lev. 16. Deut. 6.25. 1 Chron. 15.12, 13. So even so, all they that, and will prove themselves visible Christians in order, since the Resurrection of Christ, must walk up in the Doctrine, or be­ginning word of Christ, and in all his Ordinances which declare Christ come in the flesh; John 1.31. Rom. 6.3, 4. 1 Cor. 11.2. Act. 2.41, 42. Chap. 3.23. 2 Thes. 2.15.

Thirdly, We are to give more heed to the word of Christ (so as to keep his Statutes wal­king in order according to them, Heb. 2.1, 2, 3. 1 Tim. 1.3. Chap. 6.3, 4.) then the children of Israel were to the Law; yet Moses was like to be slaine because he had not circumcised his son, Exod. 4.24, 25. and Ʋzza was slaine for touching the Arke, 1 Chr. 13.9, 10. because they carried it not in due order, Ch. 15.12, 13. and the Lord sharply reproveth the Jewes, for receiving into his house uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, Ezek. 44.7, 9. So then it is plain, that no uncircumcised person was to be received into communion under the Law, nor none of the house of Israel could stand before God with acceptance, but they that walked up according to the Law; and we are to give more diligent heed to Christ, then they [Page 78]unto Moses; therefore the Church of Christ ought to receive none into communion, but such as beleeve and practise all the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, professing from the heart o­bedience to that forme of Doctrine, Rom. 6.17. and they only are to abide in communion, that walk up in all the Commandements of the Lord orderly.

Fourthly, the Church of the Tessalonians is commanded in the name of the Lord Jesus, to withdraw from every brother that walks disor­derly, and not after the instructions received of the Apostles, 2 Thes. 3.6. Now if they were to be cast out of the Church that walk not after the instructions of the Apostles, it followeth, that they are not to be received into the Church, that never came up to the beginning of a Christian man, so as to own all the Principles of the Doctrine, or beginning word of Christ, for that were to build again the things we have destroyed, and so to make our selves transgres­sors, Gal. 2.18.

Object. But there are some in the Nations which holds Infants Baptisme, and submit not to the order of the Doctrine of Christ, yet are pre­cious in the sight of God, and have communion with him; therefore may have communion with the Church.

Answ. I grant that some in of the Nation [Page 79]may fear God, and have acceptance with him; yet it doth not follow that they may be in com­munion with the Church, for the Woman of Sa­maria had acceptance with God, yet had not communion with the Jewes, neither did Christ account her to be a child of the old Covenant, Mat. 15.26, 27, 28. and Cornelius prayers heard, and yet not received into communion with the Jewes, nor with the Church of Christ, untill he was Baptised, Act. 10.6, 47. and un­der the old Testament it was not enough to pro­fess the circumcision of the heart, but they must be circumcised in the flesh also, or no communi­on, as it is shewed before, and you may see, Exod. 4.24, 25, 26. Ezek. 44.7. Gen 17.14. So even so, none but such as profess faith in Christ, and are baptised into Christ, and so put on Christ, so made Disciples according to the Doctrine of Christ, John 4, 1, 2. 1 Cor. 12.13. Gal. 3.27. are to be received into the Church of Christ. Further, for the proof of this, note what the Apostle saith, Rom. 16.17. Mark them which cause divisions, and offences, contra­ry to the Doctrine that ye have learned, and a­void them: And the Apostles serperated the Disciples from all others, Act. 19.9. Note al­so, 1 Tim. 6.1, 3. Chap. 3.4, 5. And we are commanded to seperate, and to touch no un­clean thing, 2 Cor. 6.7. now to bring into the [Page 80]Church, believers seed in infancy, by baptising them, is to know them after the flesh, and so to touch an unclean thing; and so they that do it, are transgressours, yea very much crosse the plain way of the new Covenant in changing the Ordinance of Christ, to a false Subject, 2 Cor. 5.16, 17. John 6.45. Isa. 24.5. So then it is plain from the old and new Testament, that to professe holiness in conversation, is not e­nough so as to admit men into the Church of Christ; but there must be also obedience in order to the form of the Doctrine, or begin­ning word of Christ; so worshiping God, in spirit and in truth, according to the new Co­venant, Rom. 6.17. John 4.24. so they are to be received into the Church of Christ, and no otherwise; therefore let every man mark well, and behold with his eyes, and hear with his ears, what is said unto him concerning all the Ordinances of the house of the Lord, and all the lawes thereof, and mark well the enter­ing in of the house, with every going forth of the sanctuary, Ezek. 44.5.

Furthermore mind also; that though the Apostles did bear with the Churches in severall things of the Law of Moses, (because they were once commanded of God, and they being con­scientious to them, not being truly enlighten­ed) yet they did not receive into the Church, [Page 81]nor bear with them that did not obey Christ in his Ordinances, so as to walk up after the new Covenant, as it hath been shewed, and this further appeareth in many places of Scripture, take some for many, Phil. 3.17. 2 Thes. 2.15. Gal. 1.8, 9 1 John 2.4, 5, 6. 2 Pet. 3.2.

Object. But some men may say, I contend more for Baptisme, then for other Commande­ments of Christ.

Ans. To which I say, the Lord knowes I do not, but I do with a good conscience con­tend for those Ordinances, that men have made void by their tradition, of which Baptisme is one, for there is one Baptisme Eph. 4.5. which is Believers only, for sprinkling of Infants, or Baptizing them, is not the Ordinance of Christ, nor is no more accepted with God, then offer­ing a lamb, or any thing under the Law that had a blemish, Exod. 12.5. Lev. 22.20, 25. But for Believers Baptisme, it was as much honoured as any Ordinance, for Jesus himself being about thirty years of age was Baptized, & the spirit of God descending like a dove, lighting upon him; There came a voice from heaven say­ing, this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, Mat. 3.16, 17. Luke 3.23. Father, Son, and Spirit in a singular sence met at Baptisme, and so Christ was in a most excellent way vissi­bly declared to be the Son of God; and so e­very [Page 82]Believer in a singular sence at his Baptism, is visibly declared to be the Child of God.

Object. But some men have said, that we are not to practice this Doctrine because the Author to the Hebrewes sayes, not laying again these principles, but be led forward to perfecti­on; And the Epistles and commandements in the Scriptures, were for that age, and for the people that lived in the Apostles dayes, for the Epistles were written to several Churches; we being not those Churches, they do not concern us.

Ans. The Author to the Hebrewes exhorts them to their duty, and so all believers, to go on to perfection in the way of Christ, taking up the similitude of a building to make it out; and as in the building of an house there are Founda­tion, or Principle peices laid down, and accord­ing to the rule of these Foundations, or prin­ciple Peices, the builders of a Temporall house go up as farre as the Principles guid them, and then the house is come to perfection, or finish­ed; so even so, in this spirituall house, when we at the first have laid down these Principles, we are to go up to perfection, according to the rule of the Foundation Peices in the Doctrine of Christ, Jesus Christ being the cheife Corner Stone, on which the building fitly framed together, groweth up unto an holy Tem­ple in the Lord, Eph. 2.21. And when we are [Page 83]come as high as these Principles lead us, we are come to perfection; for when we injoy the Resurrection, and the eternal Judgement, we are then come to perfection; and as in a tem­poral house, none can finish it, so as to make it perfect, if they do not build according to the rule of the Principles or Foundation Peices laid down; so also in the spiritual house, if we go not up according to the rule of the Foundati­ons, how can we go up to perfection. And al­so, in a temporal house, if they leave out any of the Foundation Peices, they cannot build up to perfection; then how can any in the spiritu­al building, go up to perfection, if they leave out any of the Principles, for if they do, the house will be in danger to fall. Again, in a temporal building, when they have laid down the founda­tion of the house, if they build not upon them, but lye still, there can be no perfection, and so it is in the spiritual house also; and that was that which, the Author to the Hebrewes blames them for, their neglect in not going forward in the building of the spiritual house, Heb. 5.12. nei­ther would he have them to lay the Foundati­ons again, but to go forward to perfection, as they teach them for to do, for no other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ; and whosoever heares his word, and doth the same, builds up­on [Page 84]on him, the rock of ages, Mat. 7.24. Chap. 16.18. Psal. 62.2. 1 Cor. 10.4. And also the Scrip­tures were written for this end, to teach all men their duties in all ages till Christ come, and yet many times, the words thereof spoken to the People in present being, yet concerns all; as that w^ch the Lord saies to Eve, that she should bring forth in sorrow, Gen. 3.16. the word is spoken to her only, yet all women bring forth in sorrow.

Secondly, Christ speakes to his disciples which were then present with him at that time, that when the signes did appeare, which he had declared concerning his coming, they should lift up their heads, for their redemption draw­eth neer, Luke 21.28. Now these words though spoken to the present Disciples, are for the comfort of them especially that live a little before the coming of Christ; therefore the Scriptures are for to teach us upon whom the ends of the world are come, yea, even them that live when the last signes of Christs coming ap­pear, 1 Cor. 10.11.

Thirdly, Because the Lord Jesus exhorts the saints of Thyatira, to hold fast that burden that he laid upon them untill he come, Rev. 2.24, 25. And so Peter wrote his second Epistle, for to warn the saints to give diligent heed to the words of the Prophets, and the com­mandements of the Lord Jesus, delivered by [Page 85]the Apostle, for saith be, in the last dayes there shall come scoffers walking after their own lusts; saying, where is the promise of his com­ing? and he wrote this when his departing was at hand, 2 Pet. 3.2, 3. Chap. 1.14. And Jude bids the saints contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints, Jude 3. and John saith, that he that remaineth in him, ought even so to walk as he hath walked, 1 John 2.6. So it is evident, that whosoever is in Chirst ought to walk after him according to his word in all ages, and that he wrote no new Com­mandement, and that the old Commandement is the word, which they have heard from the be­ginning, vers. 7. So that it is evident, that in the Scriptures are all the commandements of God, for all the children of men to walk up in till Christ come in person, who is the bright morning star, Rev. 22.16. for there is no other Gospel then that which hath been preached, Gal. 1.8, 9. So Jesus Christ, yesterday, to day and the same for ever; therefore, be not carryed about with divers and strange Doctrines, for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, Heb. 13.8, 9. so I say with Paul (who wrote to Timothy a little before his death) that the Sciptures are able, to make a man (wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus, for all Scripture is given by in­spiration [Page 86]spiration of God, and is prositable for doctrine, for reproofe, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be per­fect, thorowly furnished unto all good workes, 2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17.

Object. But there is no walking up in these Or­dinances, because we cannot see any so sent of God to preach & work miracles as the Apostles did; & so there is no Adminstrator of Ordinances, for we do no see the signs following spoken of, Mark 16.

Answ. That the Lord Jesus doth give all power to those that do believe, that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and have through grace willing hearts to obey him, to preach and to administer all Ordinances, Mat. 16. John 20.21, 22. Yea they are the Church that do believe he is the King to rule them, and the Priest to make intercession by his bloud, speaking better things then that of Abell, and the alone Prophet, to teach them, they hearing him in all things, Mat. 17.5. so as to have fellowship, in breaking of bread, and prayer, Acts 3.22, 23. I say and witness with the Scrip­tures, that they which believe with all their hearts, that Jesus is the Christ, and have willing hearts to obey as aforesaid, may preach and ad­minister all Ordinances, orderly, and so become a Church, although they do not work Miracles.

Secondly, The Testament is bound up, and the [Page 87]law sealed among Disciples, Isa. 8.16. there­fore the Ordinances also, they that continue in the word of Christ, are his Disciples indeed, and they are the friends of Christ that do whatsoever he commands them, John 1.14, 31. Chap. 15.14. Now if they have not power to do his com­mands, they cannot continue in his word, and so no Disciples, nor friends; and so being not found in the old way, no rest for their soules: but the Lord God would have all men obey him and have respect to all his Command­ments, and the Lord Jesus is the Author of e­ternal salvation to all them that obey him, Heb. 5.9. Therefore he gives them that do believe, power to walk up in all his Ordinances.

Thirdly, They that do repent, & believe, & are ready to do all that the Lord commands by his Son (who speaks in these last times to all men) and so hearing the voice of Christ, are his sheep, Act 10.33. John 10. from the 4. to the 17. & so have Christ, which is the substance, in whom all the promises are yea, and amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. therefore the adminstration of Ordinances, and all is theirs, 1 Cor. 3.22. as aforesaid.

Fourthly, John the dipper did no miracle, yet all that he spake was true, John 10 41. and therefore the Pharisees and Lawyers reject­ed the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptised of him; so it is plain that it was a [Page 88]very great evil in any to refuse his Baptisme, though he wrought no miracle; so even so, they that preach the truth according to the word, are not to be rejected, but received, though they work no miracle, for the Scrip­tures speaking to us is as much, if not more, as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us, as it appears, if you mind what Peter saith, 2 Pet. 1.18, 19. which sheweth, that they heard a voyce from heaven, declaring Jesus to be the Son of God; and yet that we have a more sure word of the Prophets, to the which we shall do well, if we take heed; yea, we are to mind and keep the commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour, even unto the last dayes, when there shall be mockers, which will walk after their lusts, and say, where is the promise of his coming? and so forth, Chap 3.2, 3, 4. From all which it is clear and plain, that the Prophets and Apo­stles speaking in the Scriptures the command­ments of the Lord, are to be abeyed, as if a voyce from heaven spoke to us, and if we do not, we sin very greivously, though their be no miracles, for the Apostles writing the commandments of the Lord, it gives us sufficient authority for to administer Ordinances as aforesaid.

Fifthly, Moses Law being written, they that returned from the captivity of Babylon walked up in it, though there was no miracle, Ezra 2.63. [Page 89] Chap. 3.4. Neh. 8.14. No not any Preist that stood up with Ʋrim and Thummim, nei­ther had they extraordinary Prophets, for they had not Haggai, nor Zechariah when they be­gan to build the Temple, as it appeareth in the 4 of Ezra, compared with the 5. ver. 1, 2. and Hag. 1.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Zech. 1.1. So then the law written by Moses gave full authority, he being but a servant, Muth more Thrists Law being written, he being a Son; and heire of all things, we being heirs with him, as we walk up after the new Covenant, the ever­lasting Gospel, Rom. 8.17. Gal. 4.30. Rev. 14.6.

Sixtly, Beleevers in Christ, holding out the Doctrine of Christ, have all power to preach, and to administer Ordinances, yea, they only are sent of Christ, for John saith, 2 Epistle, 9.10. That he that bringeth not the Doctrine of Christ, ought not be received into the house, as a teacher, sent of God, and that he that abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God; and so he directech the elect Lady, and her Children, how they shall know who are sent of God, and they were such as did bring the Doctrine of Christ, and that they which did not, or do not bring the Doctrine of Christ, are not sent of God; so then it is not miracles alone that doth prove men to be sent of God, but the Doctrine they bring proves it, it is not miracles proves it, [Page 90]for Antichrist shall work miracles, 2 Thes. 2.9. Rev. 13.13, 14. Chap. 16.14. So then it fol­loweth, that they which bring the Doctrine of Christ, are sent by Christ, so as to preach, and to administer the Ordinances of Christ, whether they work Miracles or no, they preaching the truth, their Doctrine is to be received; for the Samaritans beleeved, when the woman of Sa­maria declared Christ to them, Jo. 4.39. and Jesus upbraided his Disciples for their unbeleif, when they beleeved not them that declared him risen from the dead, Mark 16.14. And Paul rejoyceth that Christ was preached, though out of envy, Phil. 1.15, 18. And the Scriptures are written, that men might beleeve, Jo. 20.31. So men beleeving as it is written, they speak, 2 Cor. 4.13. (For no man lighteth a candle and putteth it under a bushel, but on a candle­stick;) so turning men to righteousness, they shall shine as the starrs for ever and ever, Dan. 12.3. If any should say, the Scriptures are not the word of the Lord; J say, that I need not to bring arguments to prove it to be the word of the Lord, for the Prophesies that foretel things to come therein, God will bring to pass, so as men may be convinced of the truth of it.

So having shewed you the matter of a Church, and what a Church or congregation of Christ is, as namely, such as walk up in the Do­ctrine, [Page 91]or Commandments of Christ, in singleness of heart, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, & in prayers, Act. 2.41, 42. And that none ought to have communion in breaking of Bread, but such as own every Principle in the Doctrine of Christ.

Now the next Ordinance of Christ is Break­ing of Bread; Now the manner of Breaking Bread, is first to take Bread, and to bless it in the name of the Lord, and then to break it; and al­so the Wine in the next place, and bless it also; and then the Congregation are to divide it a­mong them, eating and drinking of it moderate­ly as a Supper at even, or about the even, having communion together, discerning the Lords body, for the time we are not to bind it down to an hour, but it is to answer as unto a supper, 1 Cor. 11.23, 24, 25, 26.

Secondly, We are to bless the Wine before we eat the Bread, in my understanding, because the Bread being blessed distinct apart from the Cup, before we eate up the Bread, sets out Christs Body broken and his Blood shed before our eyes in the sign; but if we eat up the Bread before we bless the Cup, then we eat up the Body of Christ in the sign, before we have the Cup, or Blood in the sign; for it is not the Cup of the new Testament, untill it is blessed, for it is sanctified by the word of God, and set apart by [Page 92]Prayer; yea, if we eat up the Bread before we blesse the Cup, we divide Christ, in our feeding upon the Bread, before we have the Cup; therefore we ought to blesse the Bread, and break it, and then blesse the Cup, and then eat and drink of it, eying Christ as his Body being broken, and his Bloud being shed for our sins; also take notice, that the order of words doth not prove, that the Bread must be eaten, before the Cup is blessed, for Paul speaks of the Cup first, 1 Cor. 10.16. and Mark saith, that when Christ had blessed the cup, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it, before he no­teth that Christ declared what it signified, chap. 14.23, 24. But it doth not follow in reason, that they did drink all of it, before he gave them to understand what the Wine (being set apart) signified; so it doth not follow, though Christ did blesse the Bread, and gave it to his Disciples, and bid them eat, that they did eat, before he blest the Cup; but rather the Bread being blessed, be blessed the Cup also, that they might eat of that Breád, and drink of that Cup, discerning the Lords Body broken, and his Bloud shed for remission of sins, 1 Cor. 11.26, 28.

Moreover, it ought to be a Supper with mo­deration, because it is said to be a Supper, and a Feast, 1 Cor. 5.7, 8. Ch. 11.20. and there [Page 93]is nothing in all the Scripture, that is said to be a Supper, if there be any eating at all, that is lesse then an eating to satisfaction with mode­ration.

Secondly, There is perfect satisfaction in Jesus the Saviour; therefore to eat to refreshment is the more lively and full.

Object. But it was not a Supper when Christ set it apart, for it was eaten after the Pass­over.

Answ. The Lord took them off from eating the Passover before they had done, for the Scripture saith; As they were eating, he took bread and brake it, and so the Paschal Lamb, and the Bread and Wine together made their Sup­per, for the two signes, the Paschal Lamb, and the Bread and Wine, one holding out Christ to be slain, the other, Christ as slain meet; Christ the substance being there; but when Christ was slain, the Passover was abolished, no more to be kept; the Ordinance of Bread and Wine, which is called the Lords Supper, only remain­eth, and is to be a Supper, as aforesaid; for so it holdeth out the substance Jesus excellently; but let every man eat so much of this Bread, and drink of this Cup, as it may be most helpful unto him, to discern the Lords Body broken, and his Bloud shed for his sins, and the benefits that come, and shall come thereby; but let every [Page 94]man take heed in the fear of God, that they do not eat and drink too much, as the Corinthians did, better it would be for to eat, and drink too little.

Also mind, That there is only Bread and Wine to be eaten at the Lords Supper, and no feast of other food, for that which Christ and his Disciples did eat before the Bread and Wine, was the Passover Lamb, as the Scripture saith, Mat. 26.18, 19. Mar. 14.12, 16. Lu. 22.13, 15. and Paul maketh mention only of Bread and Wine, in the 10. and 11. of the 1 Cor. and for the love feast that some talk of to be kept before they eat the Bread and drink the Wine, there is no such thing written in the Scripture; but there is a feast of charity spoken of, Jude 12. which is that feast that Christ commands, to call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, let him that is able, do this singular thing, for Christ saith, he shall be blessed; for the poor cannot recompence him, but he shall be recompenced at the Resurrection of the Just.

Also mind well, That it is Bread and Wine af­ter it is blessed, not changed into the Body and Bloud of Christ, as the Papists hold, though it be said, after it is blessed, This is my Body which was broken for you, and my Bloud which was shed for remission of sins; it is so said, because in a figure, or shaddow, it holdeth forth Christs [Page 95]Body broken, and his Bloud shed for remission of sins; and so the Passover Lamb did hold out the Lords passing over the first-born of Israel; yet is called the Lords Passover, it putting them in mind of the same, Exod. 12.21, 27. and also the Apostle saith, it is Bread and Wine, after it is blessed, 1 Cor. 11.27, 28. therefore not the reall Body and Blood of Christ; So let a man examine himself, whether he discern the Lords Body offered up as a Sacrifice for sin, to make an Attonement for him, and that he be in love and peace with all men; so that in belie­ving he may eat his Flesh, and drink his Bloud, so as that there may be a communion in one body, Christ being the Head, and so let him eat of that Bread, and drink of that Cup.

Moreover, for the better being of the Con­gregations of Christ, the Lord Christ hath ap­pointed, and given Overseers, and gifted men, and they are first Apostles, or Messengers, and Prophets, and Evangelists, and Pastors, and Teachers, for the Lord Jesus did ascend on high, and gave gifts unto men, for the gathering to­gether of the Saints, for the work of the Mini­stry, for the edification of the body of Christ, till we all meet together in the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, and unto the measure of the age of the [Page 96]fulness of Christ, Eph. 4.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 1 Cor. 12.28.

And for the word Apostle, it being Englished is Messenger, for so the word holdeth forth, and so it may be translated, and is so, 2 Cor. 8.23. they are to be chosen by the Congregation out of the Congregation, for so was Matthias cho­sen, Acts 1.23, 24, 25, 26. And the Spirit commanded the Church of Antioch, with the Prophets, to separate Saul and Barnabas, and send them forth, Acts 13.1, 2, 3. And that was the will, and way of God, for after that in Chap. 14.4, 14. they are both called Apostles and not before; and so the Church are to choose Messengers still, for the gathering the Church, and establishing of the same; so that they are to go forth to preach the Gospel, that all may know God in Christ, and own the truth as it is in Jesus.

Also it appeareth, that Messengers or Apo­stles, are to be in the Church till Christ comes, from that in Rev. 18.20. and Ephes. 4.10, 11, 12, 13. That in Rev. the 18. sheweth, that there shall be Apostles to rejoyce at the overthrow of Babylon, or the Whore, and that will be a little before the coming of Christ; and that in Eph. 4. sheweth, that they are for the gathering together of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edification of the Body [Page 97]of Christ, till we all meet together in the unity of the faith, and knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, and untill the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ; Until the coming of Christ in person: Therefore Messen­gers are to be till Christ come.

Again, If Pastors and Teachers are to abide in the Church, then Messengers, or Apostles; but Pastors and Teachers are to abide; There­fore Messengers also; for the Lord ascended up on high, and gave gifts to men, some to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers; one gift or office is to continue as long as the other, that is plain, if you note the Scripture, and that is till Christ cometh, as hath been shew­ed before.

Again, if you note the Scriptures you may see, that there were more Apostles then the twelve, for there was Paul and Barnabas, which were set apart by the Church of Antioch, and Titus, and others that were Messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ, 2 Cor. 8.23. If they were made Messengers only to carry the contribution of the Church, how can they be said to be the glory of Christ? Let the wise judge; they were great Preachers of the Go­spel with Paul, and Titus was left at Crete, to redress the things that remain, and to ordain Elders, Titus 1.5. Therefore they were not [Page 98]set apart to carry contribution only, (though they did it upon occasion as Paul did) but for the work of the Ministry; and Epaphroditus was a Companion in labour, and fellow Souldier with Paul; and the Messenger of the Church of the Philippians, Phil. 2.25. and the Church of Ephesus tryed some, which said they were Apostles, and found them liars▪ Revel. 2.2. Therefore there were many Apostles besides the twelve.

Again, there is very much need (if not as much as ever) of Messengers to preach the Go­spel, and to make out truth to the Nations in these last times; yea, the Gospel is to be preach­ed to every kindred, tongue and people; in these last times, for a witness unto all Nations, and then shall the end be, Matth. 24.14. Rev. 14.6. Therefore Messengers ought to be continued till Christ come; mistake not, for I do not mean extraordinary Apostles as the twelve, and Paul and Barnabas, but such as to perswade men to what is written, so to believe and obey the Gospel.

The way to chuse, and set apart Messengers, Elders, and Deacons, it is by electing them out of their own company, I mean the Church is to chuse them by a free consent (as in part hath been shewed before) and by fasting, and pray­er, and laying on of hands on them; they are [Page 99]so to be set apart to their several offices, Acts 1.23, 26. Chap. 6.5, 6. Chap. 14.23. where the word Election is left out in the new transla­tion, but it is in the old, and cannot be denied to be in the Greek, the Elders, or Pastors work is to feed the Flock of Christ, and to take care of the Church, and of every Member thereof, looking up the Sheep if they go astray, labouring in the work of the Ministry, giving in meat in due season, Matth. 24.45. being unto them that believe an ensample in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in zeal, in faith, and in pureness, 1 Tim. 4.12. Acts 20.28. Matth. 18.12. Not as though they were Lords over Gods heri­tage, feeding the Flock, not by constraint, but willingly, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, 1 Pet. 5.2, 3. let them be very dili­gent and faithful men in their places, for cursed is he that doth the work of the Lord negli­gently.

The Deacons office is to look to the poor, and to serve them with all necessaries, the Church giving them sufficient to do it, Acts 6. for qualifications of all the Officers; see the 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1.

The maintenance that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to have, is to be freely given them, Matth. 10.8. Gal. 6.6. that is, all things necessary, that they may be enabled to do [Page 100]the work of the Lord, and they also ought to endeavour to the uttermost, to make the Gospel without charge, 1 Cor. 9.18. Acts 20.34, 35. Their Maintenance ought not to be by Tythes, nor no forced Maintenance.

First, Because the way of Christ is a way of love, no duty is available, but that which is done in love, 1 Cor. 13. Gal. 5.6.

Secondly, The Priesthood being changed, therefore of necessity the Law, Hebr. 7.4.10.13.

Thirdly, The Levites had no lot nor inheri­tance in the Land of Canaan, Deut. 14.27. and their work and labour of body was great about the Sacrifices, and taught the people also, 2 Chron. 35, 11, 12, 13, 14. And therefore the Lord gave them Tythes, yet they were to give to the fatherless, and stranger, and widdow, a part of their Tithes; Therefore the Ministers of the Gospel being not Levites, neither have the Christians a Canaan to divide by lot, for they are not twelve Tribes springing from one man, neither are the Ministers of the Gospel the hundred part of the Nations, neither hath the Lord Jesus given them Tithes; Therefore they that take Tithes wrong their own souls, in doing that which is unlawful.

Fourthly, They that take Tithes, or force it to be paid, destroy or make void the Law of [Page 101]Christ, which is a Law of love; for forced ser­vice cannot be in love; therefore the Ministers of the Gospel, have received a gift to preach, and freely received, freely give, Matth. 10.8. Rom. 12.6. Ephes. 4.8, 11. And Christians truly knowing their duties, will freely give unto them of their goods, Gal. 6.6. or set before them that they need, Luke 10.7.

Fifthly, They that take Tithes bring in the service of the Law, which is done away, 2 Cor. 3.11. and the Levitical Priesthood which is changed, Heb. 5.6, 12. and so deny Christ come in the flesh; and forced maintenance, bringeth in compelled service, which is abhorred by God, and good men; therefore Tithes, nor any forc'd Maintenance, is not the Maintenance of the Ministers of the Gospel, neither let any man say, that the Magistrate hath power to force men to pay Tithes, from that of Christ, Matth. 17.27. and from that of Paul, that we are to pay custome, to whom custome belongs; I say, that in all civill things, we ought so to do, and rather then to offend, to pay upon a civil account, though it be not due as Christ did; but when it is required upon a spiritual account, as Tythes, or any forced maintenance for Mini­sters, we may and ought to refuse to pay, and the Magistrate sins against God, if he force men to pay it; for the Magistrate, as a Magistrate, [Page 102]hath not, nor never had power to judge in spi­ritual cases, Luke 22.25, 26. for that is by the Lord given to the Church, Mat. 18.17, 18. and he, as a Member of the Church, hath power to judge, as every Member hath, and no more; but more of this in another place.

Also, take notice of that Ordinance of Christ, of washing the Saints feet, it is commanded by Christ, and a blessing promised to them that do it, Exod. 13.14, 15, 16, 17. and therefore it ought to be done, and it setteth out Christs humility, and puts us in mind of the same; so declaring that the wayes of Christ are self-de­nying wayes; and this is a self-denying thing, and therefore serveth to humble the creature, and to beget familiarity, and love one with ano­ther, it being done decently and in order.

Also, as James saith, Is any among you afflict­ed, let him pray, is any merry, let him sing, is any sick among you, let him call for the El­ders of the Church; and let them pray for him, and anoint him with oyl in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sin it shall be forgiven him; Acknowledge your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed; for the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent, James 5.13, 14, 15, 16, [Page 103]17, 18. Mar. 6.13. You may see there is faith required in the actors in this Ordinance, and a­greement, and then the Lord will make good his promise; for he is faithful and cannot deny him­self.

Also Prayer with Fasting is a duty for the whole Church, Isa. 58. Luk. 5.33, 35. Act. 14.23. especially for every Saint in private, entering into the Closet, or some secret place, that he be not seen of men, Mat. 6.5, 6, 16, 17, 18. Let every child of God be often in this duty, 2 Cor. 6.5. he will profit very much thereby, they that neglect this duty, will not stand, or very hardly stand in these last times; the Lord put all his people upon this duty, that we may be able through grace to stand before the Son of Man, Luk. 21.36.

Also, the way to deal with Members of the Church if they sin against God, is as follow­eth.

First, if it be a private trespass, he that tres­passeth is to be told of it, as in Mat. 18.15. And if he repent he is to be forgiven, Luk. 17.3. for we ought to be like our heavenly Father, and if he hear not, he that is trespassed against, is to call [...] with him, one or two more as in Mat. [...] 16. But if he hear not, then tell it to the Church, and if he hear the Church, she is also to forgive him, 2 Cor. 2.7. but if he refuse [Page 104]to hear the Church, let him be unto the Church as a Heathen man, and a Publican; Also note, he that sinneth privately is speedily to be brought to the Church; the next Church meeting after he hath sinned if possible.

First, because we are not to suffer sin upon our brother, but plainly to rebuke him, Levit. 19.17.

Secondly, because he may not pray, that doth not confess his sin, and be reconciled to his Brother, for if he bring his gift to the Altar, Christ, and remember that his brother hath ought against him, let him not offer it, but first be reconciled to his Brother, Math. 5.23, 24. Heb. 13.10.

Further I say, he must be brought to the Church the next meeting, for else the Church will have communion with him that lieth in his sin, and he will be in fault, that brings him not orderly to the Church.

Also they that sin openly, are to be rebuked before all, that others also may fear, 1 Tim. 5.20. And so Paul blamed Peter before all men, Gal. 2.11, 14. And he that is admonished by the Church, and doth not hear the Church, is to be delivered to Satan, and so to withdraw from him; yea, not to have so much company as to eat common food; and so the Apostle exhorts and commandeth the Corinthians, to deliver the [Page 105]Fornicator that had his Fathers wife; And if any man that is called a Brother, be a Fornica­tor, or Covetous, or Idolater, or Railer, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, with such a one eat not, 1 Cor. 5.3, 10, 11. And so he commands the Thessalonians, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the instructions, which they received of him; and if any man obey not their sayings, that they should note him by let­ter, and have no Company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a Brother, 2 Thes. 3.6, 14, 15.

So it is plain, that they that sin, and will not hear the Church when they are brought be­fore them, so as to confesse their sin, and turn from it, yea, to make restitution if they be able, if they hear not, the Church is to deliver to Sa­tan, or to withdraw from him, or them, and then to admonish him two or three times so­lemnly, and in the fear of God, not counting him as an enemy, but admonishing him as a brother, with all long suffering; and if he then neglect to hear the Church, she is to reject him, and to let him be as a Heathen man, and a Publican; and a man being so rejected, or so cut off, I do not see how he can repent, yea, I am very much perswaded, that he will never repent.

I say, the Church must admonish two or three times, before she do reject or cut off, be­cause she ought to be like her heavenly father, merciful as he is meriful, and long suffering.

Again, he that is an Heretick, ought to have the first, and second admonition, before he is rejected; therefore all other ought to have two or three admonitions before any are reject­ed, or cut off, Titus 3.10.

Also I say, that the man that is under dealing, being three times wisely, and seriously ad­monished by the Church, and rejected; I do not see how he can repent: First, because whatsoever the Church binds on earth, shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever they loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven; now a man being once alive through believing, and then through sin, become as a heathen and a Publi­can, or as a dead man, and so bound, how can he live again, except a man twice dead may live again, Jude 12.

Secondly, No man cutteth a naturall mem­ber from a natural body, except it be rotten, and so endanger the whole body; even so also, in the spirituall body, the Church is to cut off them that will endanger the whole body, so as to carry them to hell, Mat. 18.8, 9. So a mem­ber of a natural body being cut off, cannot be set on again; so when a Church hath re­jected, [Page 107]or cut off a member, how can it be re­ceived in again.

Thirdly, If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha, had in execration, yea excommunicate to death, 1 Cor. 16.22. or as some translation reads it, that the meaning of the word may be this, let him be accurssed even to the coming of the Lord; that is to say, to his deaths day, even for ever; now he that loves not the Lord, is he that keepeth not his commandments, or his sayings, John 14.15, 23. and he that sinneth, and will not hear the Church, being so often admonish­ed, as the Lord hath appointed in his word, doth not keep the saying of Christ, and so loves not the Lord; therefore is to be rejected or ex­communicated unto death, till the Lord come; so according to that in Prov. 29.1. he that being often reproved, hardneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without reme­dy.

Also mind well, that the power to judge dif­ferences, and to deale with Members, lyeth in the Body, the Church, not in the Officers de­stinct a part from the Church; This will plain­ly appear.

First, because the Lord commands, Mat. 18.17. That the offender, and his offence, be brought to the Church, that they may judge [Page 108]it; now the company of Elders are not the Church, 1 Cor. 1.2. Therefore they have not the power apart from the Church.

Secondly, the Apostle writing to the Church of the Corinthians, commands them when they are gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver the Fornicatour (that had his fathers wife) to Satan, 1 Cor. 5. to the 6. Mark, he doth not command the Elders to do it, but the Congregation, being gathered to­gether to do it; therefore the power lieth not in the Elders alone, but in the Congregati­on.

Thirdly, The Lord Christ saith, that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles, exercise Lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them, but it shall not be so among you, but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant, and whosoever will be cheife of you, shall be servant of all, Mark 10.42, 43, 44. And therefore the Elders who are the cheife servants, are not to exercise Lordship over their Brethen, there­fore not to rule without the Body, the Church, for if they should rule without the Body, it would be like that evill that Solomon spake of, Eccl. 10.7. Servants upon horses, and Princes walking as servants upon the earth; and so [Page 109]indeed it hath been, and is where the Pope, and Lord Bishops, and Presbytery hath the power, they make the members of their National, Generational way, slaves to serve with great burdens, and many of them are very igno­rant.

But although it be so, that the power lieth in every particular Body, the Church, to govern according to the word of Christ, yet understand that with consent the Elders, and Messengers are to rule in love, and are to be obeyed, by every particular member, they exhorting and commanding duty, and declaring the sence of the Church, according to the word of Christ, Heb. 13.7, 17. and also, the Body, the Church, may command the Elders, or Pastours, and Mes­sengers, to look to their Ministry, which they have received in the Lord, that they fulfil it, Col. 4.17. And also note, it is good and safe for a particular Church, in things of high con­cernment, to call for, or desire help from sister Churches, and so Messengers who are to take care of all Churches, in an especial manner, are to go in such cases, Act. 15.

Quest. Hath not the Magistrates power in the Church, to set apart her Officers, and to punish Offenders as he seeth good, yea, with death if he please.

Answ. No, for Christ hath not said any [Page 110]where that he should so do, now if Christ have not said it, nor it be not in the Law and Testa­ment, as it is not, it may not be, Isa. 8.20. Heb. 1.5. Nay, for the Magistrate to set apart Officers in the Church, crosseth the Law of Christ, which is, that the Church, by a free choise, should set them apart as it hath been shewed before.

Again, Magistrates may not punish offen­ders, as in point of conscience, for Christ com­mands the contrary, Mat. 13.30, 38. For there he saith, that the children of the kingdome, and the children of the wicked one, shall both grow together in the field of the world, till the end; yea, the Jewes that blaspeme against Christ, are to be suffered, for they are beloved of God, for their fathers sake, though they be enemies to the Gospel, Rom. 11.28. and when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in, all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, ver. 25, 26. So then the Jewes be to have liberty, that is plain, there­fore all ought to have liberty of conscience, that's as plain.

So then the Magistrate hath not any power in the Church, more then any other member, but the power lieth in the whole Church, to cast out offenders, as hath been shewed; but in all civil affaires, as all sins against the second Table, yea in all things that be civil, that helongs to the [Page 111]Common-wealth, the Magistrate is supreme, and the whole Church is to obey him, and honour him, as the supreme in every civil thing, for the Lords sake, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 15. paying custome to whom custome belongeth, and tribute as he, or they hath and doth appoint, Mat. 22.21. Rom. 13. from ver 1. to 10. Yea, let them not dis­pute who is Cheif Magistrate, no not by any means, by warr, but rather submit to the cheif Magistrate in being, in every Nation.

So then from all this that hath been said, it doth appear and that very clearly, yea most ex­cellently from the Scriptures of truth, that God is a God of love and mercy, and is long suffer­ing, and the riches of his goodness, and bounty doth abound most freely, and graciously, to­wards all men, and would have none perish, but would have all come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved: and that the way of Christ is a way of love, in that he laid down his life for all men, yea though they were and are enemies, he tenders the word of the Gospel, even glad tydings of peace, beseeching by himself, and by his servants, (though they do abuse them) to be reconciled to God; O how meek, and lowly in heart was the Lord Jesus? how doth his love, and goodness appear, in that he being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with him, made himself of no reputation, and [Page 112]took upon him the forme of a servant; and was made in the likeness of man, and being found in the fashion of a man, he humbled himself, and be­came obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross; And so the Lord of life and Glory, by whom all things were created, beseecheth the creature, to be reconciled to God, and so to obey him in love, and walk up in the way of the Gos­pel, which is a way of love; for the love of God being spread abroad in the heart, men having from the God of love received gifts, the love of Christ constraineth to preach the Gospel, and to feed the flock of Christ, and to seek up them that go astray; and the Saints in love minister and communicate unto them what they want, and so Ministers are chosen in love, and their Doctrin is heard in love, and received in love, and the poor relieved in love, and them that sin are dealt with in love, and their meetings of the Church, and feasts are in love, and their Communion in Break­ing of Bread is in love, & so al duty is to be done (without murmurings, and disputings) in love, & so Faith in Christ is available working by love; & so the children of God receive the kingdome as a reward in love, given by the God of love; so all the way of Christ is a way of love, & his word is the Doctrine of love; So let all the Saints conclude with the Spouse, his mouth is most sweet, yea, he is altogether lovely, Cant. 5.16. [Page 113]And so this way of love, which is the good old way of the Gospel, was of old at first confirmed by signs, and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the holy Ghost, according to his own will, Heb. 2.4. Therefore let every man in the fear of God walk therein, and they shall find rest for their Souls, Jer. 6.16. Yea, let every member of the Church of Christ, put on the whole Armour of God, having their loynes girt about with truth, and their feet shod with the pre­paration of the Gospel of peace; and praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseve­rance, Eph. 5.13, 14.15, 16, 17, 18. O that every one would lay it to heart, and with fear and trembling, work out their Salvation; for in these last dayes, will be perrilous times, 2 Tim. 3.1. and many that have tasted of the good word of God, and been enlightned, so as to beleeve the truth, will fall away from grace; yea, from the true faith, so as that eternal death will be their portion; yea, some have fallen from the faith, therefore it is no new thing.

First, the warnings in Scripture proves this, exhorting men to take heed that they do not fall away from the grace of God, Heb. 12.15. and these warnings and exhortations are given to such as have received the truth, so as to be­lieve, as it appeareth, Heb. 2.1. 1 Cor 10. from [Page 114]6. to 12. Heb. 3.12. reads it thus, Take heed Brethren, least at any time there be in any of you, an evil heart, and unfaithful, to depart away from the living God, Heb. 4.1. 2 Pet. 1.5. Chap. 3.1, 2, 3. Jude 3. Rev. 3.2, 3. All these are war­nings given in Scripture, and very many more might be brought, which exhort men to take heed that they do not depart from the truth, which would be in vain, 2 Cor. 6.1. if men could not fall away, therefore they may, 1 Thes. 3.5.

Secondly, Threatnings, if any do fall away prove this, Rev. 2.21, 22, 23. Hebr. 10.26. reads it thus, If we sin willingly, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there re­maineth no more Sacrifice for sin: and chap. 6.4, 5, 6. is very full to this purpose, 2 Pet. 2.20, 21. For if after they have escaped the pol­lutions of the world, through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again intangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them then the beginning; for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then after they have known it, to turn fom the holy commandment delivered unto them, Rev. 3.3. Ezek. 18.26. you may read also, which plainly proves this point.

Thirdly, This appears by examples in Scrip­true of some that did fall away from the truth; yea, from the true faith, as Judas, Matth. 26.25. [Page 115] Acts 1.17, 18. and Demas, 2 Tim. 4.10. and Balaam who spake excellent things by the help of the Spirit of God, as the other Prophets of the Lord, Numb. 24. Jude 11, 12. and some making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience, 1 Tim. 1.19. and Hymeneus and Phyletus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying, the resurrection is past already, and over­throw the faith of some, 2 Tim. 2.17, 18.

Fourthly, The Scripture speaking prophe­tically, faith expresly, That in the latter times some shall depart from the Faith, 1 Tim. 4.1. and 2 Tim 4.3, 4. and 2 Thes. 2.10. 2 Pet. 2.1. Jud. 14, 15, 16. All these Scriptures do foretell of some, yea, many in the latter times shall fall away, so as to depart from the faith, and give heed to Doctrines of Devils, and shall privily bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them; and many more places might be brought for this purpose.

Fifthly, The Metaphors, and Proverbs in Scripture proves this also, as Prov. 26.11. Mat. 5.13. Mark 9.49, 50. and Mat. 12.43, 44. and 2 Pet. 2.20, 21. that in Peter sheweth, that they which have been freed of their vomit, and have been washed, yet turned as a Dog to it again, as a Dog to the vomit again, and the Sow to the wallowing in the mire.

Sixthly, if this were not so, no man could sin [Page 116]against the Spirit, nor none could be Reprobates, for the sin against the Spirit, is a sin of know­ledge, and against the conscience, they do that which they are convinced they ought not to do, as it appeareth, Mark 3.22, to 31. compared with John 7.20, 28. And also no man can be a Reprobate, except he have known the truth, or sinned willingly against that he knoweth, as it appears, Rom. 1.28. 2 Cor. 13.5. 2 Tim. 3.8.

Object. But it is but a seeming faith they fall from as the Scripture saith, Luk. 8.18. That shall be taken from him, which he seemeth to have.

Answ. That if it be but a seeming faith, then they do well in falling from it, but Paul saith to Timothy, 1 Tim. 1.19. That some did make Shipwrack of Faith, and a good conscience; and he exhorteth Timothy, to abide in that faith, which others have made Shipwrack of; And for that in Luke 8. the sence of it is, that they that do enjoy the light, or talent, that is given them, so as to hear the truth, and seem to make a good use of it, but do it not, I say, God will take away that Talent, or light, because he seemes to im­prove it, but doth it not; that this is so, it will appear if you compare Luk. 8.16, 17, 18. with Mat. 13.12. and Chap. 25. from vers. 24. to 30.

Object. But Paul saith, that he is perswaded, That neither Death, nor Life, nor Angels, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any things could separate him from the love of God; also, he demands, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect? for God Justifieth, Rom. 8.

Answ. Paul as he is a believer is parswaded, that nothing shall be able to separate him from the love of God, which is in Christ, and so are all true believers perswaded; but if they depart from the faith, nay if they do not go on adding to their faith vertue, and knowledge, &c. as it is 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7. they lose that perswasion, as Paul acknowledgeth, that he himself might be­come a cast-away, if he kept not his body under subjection, 1 Cor. 9.29. It is true none can lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect, for God doth and will justifie; but there is no man or woman Elected, but in and through beleeving, 2 Thes. 2.13. as it hath been shewed, and will appear if you mind the Scriptures, for the A­postle tells the Ephesians, that they were Elect­ed, yet the Lord Jesus saith to them, Rev. 25. that if they do not their first works, he would remove their candlestick; and John exhorts the Elect Lady, and her children, to look to themselves, that they lose not those things they have gained, but that they receive a full reward, 2 John 8. [Page 118]And so he that continues in the faith to the end, he shall be saved; for the just shall live by faith, Heb. 10.38. But if any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Object. But it is impossible to deceive the ve­ry Elect, therefore men cannot fall from the true faith, Mat. 24.24.

Answ. Christ speaks of such, as make their calling and election sure, by adding to their faith vertue, and to vertue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance pati­ence, &c. abounding in the bringing forth of fruit, giving all diligence to continue therein, according to 2 Pet. 1.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. they that do so shall never fall, for the Lord God will give grace, and deliver them from the evil of temptation, making a way to escape, that they may be able to bear it; and so there is no condemnation to them that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; and so none can lay any thing to those that so through Grace persevere to the end, God justifieth them, who can condemn them? yea, an entrance shall be mi­nistred unto them abundantly into the everla­sting Kingdome of our Lord, Psal. 84.11. 1 Cor. 10.13. Rom. 8. But,

Further observe, that such as have believed the Truth, and do run well, are called, The elect of God, 1 John 1.8. and are written for Hea­ven, [Page 119]in the Book of Life (which is the New Testament) if they go on, adding as aforesaid; but if they turn again to folly, and so turn from the holy Commandement, and so come to be dead, yea, twice dead, their names are blotted out of the Book of Life, Gal. 5.7. Exod. 32.33. Rev. 3.5. chap. 22.19. and this will be fulfilled upon many in these last dayes; for Christ saith, That false Christs, and false Pro­phets shall arise, and deceive many, Matth. 24.5, 11. Now if they were not in the way to life, they could not be deceived, for they cannot be deceived and led out of the way, which were never in it; so then this is the way of the new Covenant, they that through grace walk up af­ter it, are written for life, and them that do not abide in the truth of it, are written for death, for the Lord will be with men, while they be with him, but if they forsake him, he will for­sake them, 2 Chron. 15.2. John 15.2, 10. So men are elected in Christ through believing the truth, but they that depart from the faith depart from their election, and choice, for God hath chosen the godly man for himself, not per­sons simply, but godly persons, and decreed to save them that so make use of his Grace, so as to hold fast their confidence to the end, Hebr. 3.6. and no other.

Object. But the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, Rom. 11.29.

Answ. It is true, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoe­ver believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life, John 3.16. And while we were yet sinners Christ died for us, Rom. 5.8. So that God gave his Son freely for the world, and so he cals men freely to believe, that Christ died for them, and gives time and space to all to hear, and repent, and this he doth, whether men believe, and repent, or no; so it is Christs death that makes the peace with God, but it is made out by Faith, Rom. 4.16. And so eternal life is the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, for in and through Christs death, comes forth the glad tydings of Peace, and so by him are all things, 1 Cor. 8.6. for in him we live, and move, and have our being, and by Christs death we are saved alive, and are made able to believe; so that justification is not of works, but meerly of grace; yet understand, that Scripture in Rom. 11.29, speaks of the house of Israel, how that the Lord God hath decreed to call the Jews, and the whole House of Israel, and make them one Nation, and a glorious People, and of this he will not repent.

But for the clearing up of this, understand, that when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in, then the Deliverer shall come to Sion, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob, Isai. [Page 121]59.20. Rom. 11.26. Christ the Redeemer shall come, and gather the out-cast of Israel, and the dispersed of Judah from the four cor­ners of the earth, Isai. 11.12. And make the two Nations, of Israel, one Nation, neither shall they be divided into two Kingdomes any more at all, Ezek. 37.22. And perform the good thing to Israel, even the new Covenant, according to that in Jer. 31. Behold the dayes come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, not according to the Covenant that I made with their Fathers, when I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the Land of Egypt, (which my Covenant they brake, although I was an Husband unto them) saith the Lord: But this shall be the Covenant, that I will make with the house of Israel after those dayes, saith the Lord; I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they shall be my people; and they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord, for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. And so a Nation, even all them that re­main of Israel, shall be born at once, and so all Israel shall be saved, Isai. 66.8, 9, 10. [Page 122] Rom. 11.26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32.

Object. But if any should say, That these Scriptures were made good unto Israel, when they returned from the Captivity of Baby­lon.

Answ. That cannot be, because both the Houses of Israel returned not at that time, and so could not be made one Nation; but when these Promises are made good, the two Nations are made one, and shall abide so forever, and shall be moved no more at all out of their own Land, Jer. 31.40. Consider well the 37. of Ezekiel, especially from the 16. verse, to the end.

Also it cannot be, that these Scriptures can be fulfilled in the conversion of the Gentiles, they being so made Jews, for these Promises are made to the House of Israel, and the House of Judah, and the converted Gentiles are not cal­led the House of Israel, and the House of Ju­dah, in no place of Scripture.

Thirdly, These things that are here promised to Israel, and Judah, cannot be made good to the Gentiles, because the fulness of the Gentiles is to be come in, when these things shall be made good to Israel, Rom. 11.25. There the Apostle sheweth, that he would not have us ig­norant of this Mystery, (least we should be wise in our own conceits) that blindnesse in [Page 123]part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written.

Fourthly, These Scriptures in the 11 of Isa. 11. to the end, and chap. 59.20, 21. chap. 66.8, 9, 10. and Jer. 31. and Ezek. 37. and the Covenant in this place spoken of, doth belong to the house of Israel, and the house of Judah, and that will plainly appear, if you note well those Scriptures mentioned, for Paul sheweth us in the 11. of the Romans; All Israel shall be saved, as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Delieverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is my Covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. So the A­postle speaking of the 59 of Isai. the .20. ap­plying it only to the house of Israel, and that the Covenant of the Lord is to them; so as to take away their sins; yea it is plain, that he speaks of the house of Israel after the flesh, because he saith, as concerning the Gospel they are Ene­mies for your sakes, but as touching the Election, they are beloved for the fathers sake; so you may see as concerning the Gospel, they are Ene­mies, but as touching the Election they are be­loved for the Fathers sakes; that is, for Abra­ham, Isaac and Jacob sakes, for the Lords Cove­nant is with them, and so they are chosen, yea he speaks of them w^ch should come of them, which [Page 124]then were concluded in unbelief, ver. 32. which was the Jewes; therefore he speaks not of the Converted Gentiles, but of the house of Israel according to the flesh, for the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, vers. 33. So I say, the Lord God hath determined to call Israel, and of this he will never repent.

Again, this doth further appear, that God will call again Israel after the flesh, and teach them according to the new Covenant, so they shall know him and worship him in spirit and in truth; for Zechariah saith, Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, it shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the Inhabitants of many Cityes; and the Inhabitants of one City, shall go to another; saying, let us go speedly to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of Hosts, I will go also; Yea many People, and strong Nations, shall come to seek the Lord of Hosts, in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord; Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, in those dayes, it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all Languages of the Nations; even shall take hold of the the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, we will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you, Zech. 8.20, 21, 22, 23. And Micah faith, in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountaine of the house of the Lord shall be esta­blished in the top of the mountains, and it shall be [Page 125]exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it. And many Nations shall come and say, come and let us go up to the mountaine of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his paths; for the Law shall go forth of Sion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, Chap. 4.1, 2. But now men say, that these Scriptures were fulfilled when Judah retured from Babylon, for the Jewes after their return from Babylon ne­ver enjoyed such things unto this day; (search and see) and these Scriptures say, that they shall be fulfilled in the last dayes; and the Scrip­tures do not call them the last dayes that were before Christ came in the flesh; therefore not fulfilled; but before the house of Israel shall be called so as to believe the Gospel, as it hath been shewed, the Gospel of the king dome must be prea­ched in all the world, for a witness unto all Na­tions, Mat. 24.14. according to Revel. 14.6. And I saw another Angel flie in the middest of Hea­ven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them, that dwell on the earth; and to every Nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people; And this must be a little before, and in the time of the fall of the Whore of Babylon, and the rising of the man of sin, the Antichrist, as ap­peareth in vers. the 8, 9. And to this agreeth, Mark 13.10. The Gospel must first be preached [Page 126]among all Nations; compared with Mat. 24.14. and then the end shall be; So the Gospel a little before the end shall be preached in the pure way thereof to all Nations; so the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in: But it doth and will so come to pass, that now in this last of the last dayes, the Gospel that is and shall be preach­ed in the pure way thereof, and the Whore of Babylon falling, that the spirit of Antichrist doth and will more and more appear, and the Antichrist, the Man of Sin will come forth, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all power, and signes, and lying wonders, 2. Thes. 2. for the Antichrist or Man of Sin, is not the Whore of Babylon; and for the right understanding of this truth, mark well these seven Particulars.

1. First, Who is this great Whore of Baby­lon, and where her chief seat hath been, and is?

2. Secondly, Her fall and the means, how and by whom?

3. Thirdly, What is the spirit of Antichrist, and who hath that spirit?

4. Fourthly, That the Antichrist will be a single person.

5. Fifthly, The manner of his rising, and when?

6. Sixthly, Some of the great things he will doe.

7. Lastly, His fall, when, and by whom?

Of these things in order:

But first I freely confess▪ That many honest men, fearing God in those latter times, have been mistaken in saying, that the Romish Whore of Babylon is the Antichrist that the Scripture speaks of; but men may see in this latter part of the last time, with a diligent and serious search of the Scriptures, through grace, that the great Whore of Babylon is not the Anti­christ; And it being so, that God having shew­ed it me through the Scriptures, I being not ac­counted of in the world, knowing that God doth great things by them that are not esteem­ed among men, that no flesh should glory, &c. And considering, that this which I do in this work may be seasonable, and for much profit to the People of God, and for the praise and glo­ry of God; I shall shew in brief, that the Whore is not the Antichrist: And for the clearing up of this truth.

First, you may see who this great Whore of Babylon is, by noting her chief seat where it is, and that is at Rome, for John saith, Rev. 17. That the great Whore of Babylon, which sitteth upon many Waters, is that City which [Page 128] reigneth over the Kings of the earth; now Rome only was the chief City, and reigned over the Kings of the earth, when John wrote the Revelation; for when Christ was born, Au­gustus Cesar taxed all the world, Luke 2.1, 2, 3. And when Paul appeals to Cesar, they send him to Rome, Acts 25.11. Chap. 27.1. and 28.16. So it is plain by these Scriptures and many more, that when John wrote the Revelation, that Rome reigned over the kings of the earth; therefore the chief seat of this Woman the great Whore, the Mother of Whoredomes, is the City of Rome: so then the Pope and his Cardinals, Bishops, with the rest of the Clergy, (as they call themselves) and all Ministers that have Or­dination from them immediately, or by suc­cession, which stand in a Nationall way, is the Whore that sits upon many Waters; which is People, and Multitudes, and Nations, and tongues, Rev. 17.15.

Secondly, The Church of Rome, and all Na­tionall standing, is truly said to be Whorish, be­cause she bringeth in members, and accounteth them of the Body or Church of Christ by Ge­neration, and so maketh her Church Nation­all; whereas the Church of Christ is by Re­generation, or new birth, Titus 3.5. And so not National nor Dependant, but particular, or Independant.

Thirdly, This appeareth fully, that the Church of Rome is a Mother of Harlots, and all National Churches that spring from her, are Whorish, and so are her daughters because she baptiseth or springleth upon a fleshly account, and so accounteth of her Members in a fleshly way by generation, and so brings in Infants in a lineal way, bringing in the old covenant in a confused manner, and so receiveth false seed, and so knoweth her members, and her children in a fleshly way, contrary to the expresse way of Christ, as Paul sheweth, Rom. 9.8. saith he, They which are the children of the flesh are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. And 2 Cor. 5.15, 16, 17. he sheweth, that since the death of Christ, Henceforth know we no man after the flesh, yea though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more; therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature; old things are passed away, be­hold all things are become new.

Fourthly, The Church of Rome, the Lord Bi­shops, and Presbyters which spring from her, for they hold their Ordination which they had of her, and their Infant-Baptisme which the Church of Rome administred to them, and so shew themselves to be Whorish; they have forsaken the Lord Jesus Christ, (the Head) [Page 130]and his wayes, and have gone a whoring after their own inventions, as Israel did, Psal. 106.39. For the Lord Jesus ascended up on high, and gave gifts to men; and so sends forth a Mi­nistry by gifts, for the gathering together of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, and for edi­fication of the body of Christ, till we all meet to­gether in the unity of the faith, and the know­ledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, &c. Ephes. 4.8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. But this Har­lot contrariwise brings up her Ministry to hu­mane learning, in sending them to the Univer­sities, and there they learn Philosophy from Aristotle, a Heathen Author; and such like, and for them that are gifted by the Lord, if they preach, she forbids them. But on the contrary, note also, that the Ministers of Christ ministring by gift, Rom. 12.6, 7. being qualified accord­ing to this, 1 Tim. 3. and Titus 1. and appro­ved by the Congregation of the Lord, they are Chosen by them, and Ordained, and so made Bi­shops, or Elders, Acts 1.21. to the end, chap. 6.3. and 14.23. But this Harlot makes her Ministers, or rather Lords, without the consent of her Parishes, and forceth them in upon them whether they will or no, and so her Mainte­tenance is by Tythes forced from men, bringing in the old Priesthood; yea, in the time of the Law they did not imprison men, if they did not [Page 131]pay their Tythes that we find, and yet she doth; and so this Romish Harlot hath made all Nati­ons drunk with the wine of her fornication; her Children are children of fornication, ac­cording to the flesh by generation, a carnal seed consisting of Parishes, many of which consist of Swearers, Liars, Drunkards, Whoremongers, and such like; and a humane carnal ministry forced upon the people, and forced mainte­nance, and also her poor is maintained by force, and forcing men to worship with her, or else Fines, imprisonment, Banishment, or Death must be their portion; and also she hath changed the Ordinances, and the manner of administring them, and the subject, and so her way is not the way of love, and so not the way of Christ, and yet she saith in her heart and word, I am, and there is none else, I sit being a Queen, and am no Widdow, and shall see no sorrow; and so let every one weigh well what is said, that the Saints at Rome were once famous, Rom. 1.8. but in time they departed from their espoused Christ the Lord, and so came to change the Or­dinances; and yet she pretends to be the Spouse of Christ, having a shew of all the Ordinances, or the names of them, for Believers baptisme, she hath Infants sprinkling, and for Laying on of Hands, she hath Confirmation, or Bishoping, but the Presbyters have left this out, and in this [Page 132]they are nearer Antichrist then the Lord Bi­shops; and for Breaking of Bread, or the Lords Supper, that is in part ministred unto the Peo­ple, or Parish, and so to the wrong subject, be­ing not penitent, nor baptised persons; and in­stead of the true Call to her Ministry, she hath a humane way as hath been shewed, which is not mentioned in Scripture; and so Tythes and forced Maintenance, instead of that which is by free gift; and instead of singing with the Spi­rit, and with the understanding also, 1 Cor. 14.15. she hath singing in Rhime, in a carnal for­mall way, many together without understand­ing, the Psalms being collected into English meeter, by Tho. Sternhold, John Hopkins, and others; and so she hath a glorious shew, and a golden cup, and through the Popes supremacy, and the Peter-pence, and prayer to Saints, and doctrine of Purgatory, and such like trumpery, the Clergy is very rich, proud and covetous; and thus all may see the way of the Whore is National, Generational, Fleshly, Carnal, Hu­mane, after mens traditions; thus she goeth a whoring after her own inventions; and so you have a brief discovery of the Whore of Baby­lon, which is the Mother of National Churches, her Daughters, and abominations of the earth, and is drunken with the bloud of the Saints, and with the bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus, Rev. [Page 133]17.5, 6. & that is & will be the cause of her fall, and that brings me to the second thing, even the fall of this Whore of Babylon, & the manner how and by whom; and for the clearing up of this;

First, consider that this Woman sits upon a scarlet colloured Beast, full of the names of blas­phemy, which had seven heads and ten hornes, Rev. 17.3. Now note, that five of them heads, or kings were fallen, when John wrote the Re­velation, and the sixt was then in being, vers. 9, 10. Now this Woman the Harlot, was to sit upon the sixt head, and hath so done a long time, and so the beast that had seven Heads carrieth her & beareth her up, forthe Magistrates have support­ed her all along; understand also, that the fixt Head of the Beast hath reigned ever since the writing of the Revelation, but now is partly strong and partly broken; & that the sixt Head is not fallen, is plain if you note well, for the seventh Head when he cometh, he must con­tinue a short space; now that head of the Ro­man Monarthy which is in being, hath continu­ed long, even from before the birth of Christ; for Rome was governed by Emperours before the birth of Christ, Lnke 2.1. and the imperial power standeth yet, though it be translated into Germany; therefore the Imperial Head cannot be the seventh Head, because that hath con­tinued long; and that the seventh Head con­tinueth [Page 134]but a short space, note, Rev. 17.10. Five are fallen, and one is, and another is not yet come, and when he cometh, he must continue a short space; Also mark well, that the power of the Pope and his Clergy, cannot be the seventh Head, for they have continued long.

Secondly, the Whore cannot be any of the Heads of the Beast, because she sits upon, and is carried by the Beast that hath seven Heads, and ten Horns, so she causeth the Beast to serve her, and maketh the Beasts and the Kings of the earth slaves to her, to do her will; so then the sixt Head of the Roman power is not fallen, though it be in part, and the seventh Head is now arising, which will take away the sixth, and doth, will, and must give some liberty to preach the Gospel, and to administer the Ordinances in the old way thereof; and so the Lord God will bring things to pass; for not one jot or tittle of his word shall fail; and so in the rising and reign of the seventh Head, and the ten Hornes, the Angel shall flie in the midst of Heaven, hav­ing the everlasting Gospel, to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every Nation, and kindred, and tongue and people; saying with a loud voyce, fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come, and worship him that made heaven and earth, the Sea, and the fountaines of waters, Rev. 14.6, 7. So the Gos­pel [Page 135]and the way thereof being preached, the Na­tions will be enlightned, and so God will put it into the hearts of the ten Hornes, or Kings, to hate the Whore, and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Rev. 17.12, 16. So through the preaching of the Gospel in the pure way thereof, the great Whore of Babylon falleth, and so the hour of her judgment is come; and to this agreeth that in Rev. 14.6, 7, 8. which sheweth, that after the Gospel is preached to the Nations, then shall follow another Angel saying, it is fallen, it is fallen, Babylon the great City, for she made all Nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, ver. 8. Much more might be spoken to this, but let this suffice as touching what the Whore is, and her fall, the manner how, and by whome?

In the next place, note diligently what the spirit of Antichrist is, and who have that spirit; now John in his first Epistle, Chap. 4. And ver. 3. doth declare what the spirit of Antichrist is; namely, every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God; and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard that he should come, and even now already is in the world. Also understand, that John did not intend the heathen that never did beleeve, nor the unbelieving Jewes, which never did acknow­ledge [Page 136]Christ come in the flesh; but those have the spirit of Antichrist, that went out from the Church of Christ, Chap. 2.18, 19. John shew­eth them that it is the last time, and as you have heard, that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time; They went out From us, &c. So that the spirit of Antichrist, is that spirit that is found in them that have been enlightned, and have known the truth, and go out from the Church of Christ, and in a mystery deny Christ come in the flesh, and so Paul speaketh of the Antichrist, or Man of Sin, 2 Thes. 2.7. saith, The Mystery of iniquity, doth already work &c. and Peter speaking to the Saints, saith (in his 2 Epi­stle. 2.1.) there shall be false teachers among you, who Privily, shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that Bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction; So the spirit of Antichrist denyes Christ come in the flesh secretly, and they that have this spirit, say, Christ is come in their flesh, and so say the light within them is Chuist; when at the best it is but the light of nature, and in many the spirit of errour; their light being become darkness, be­ing delivered up to strong delusion, to believe lyes, thinking they have Christ in them, when it is a spirit of errour, and so pervert the sence of the Scriptures, declaring the Annointing, and the [Page 137]Annointed to be all one, teaching up the spirit of Christ, apart from the Body of Christ, to be the Christ, or rather the spirit of error in them, to be the Christ come in their flesh; & so in a very de­ceivable secret way, deny Christcome in the flesh, in saying, he is the Christ that is within them, which is an evil spirit, so applying the Scriptures that speak of the spirit of Christ dwelling in men, to be that evil spirit in them; so decla­ring that spirit of errour in them apart from the body, or flesh of Christ, to be the Christ, & so deny Christ come in the flesh; but note well, what the Scriptures of truth saith, they declare that Jesus Christ was slain, Act. 2.22, 23. Chap. 3.15. Chap. 4.10. in Chap. 5.30. Peter who was full of the ho­ly Ghost, saith, the God of our fathers hath Raised up Jesus, whom ye flew, and hanged on a tree; & Paul saith to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. First of all, I delivered unto you, that which I re­ceived, how that Christ died for our sins, accord­ing to the Scriptures, and that he was Bursed, & that he Arose the third day according to the Scrip­tures; So it is plain, that the spirit apart from the body or flesh of Christ, is not the Christ; & there­fore again note, what Paul saith, 1 Tim. 2.5. There is one God, & one meditatour, between God & man, which is the Man Christ Jesus; and Heb. 10.10. sheweth, that the Hebrewes were san­ctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, ver. 19.20. Seeing therefore brethren, that by the [Page 138] Blood of Jesus, we may be bold to enter into the holiest; by the new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the vail, that is, his Flesh. So that Jesus, that was Baptised of John in the River Jordan, was anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellowes, Mat. 3.13, 16. Psal. 45.7. So Jesus the Saviour is the annointed of God, for he gave him not his Spirit by measure. John. 3.34. and so the spirit of the Lord did rest and abide upon the Man Christ Jesus, Isa. 11.2. John 1.32. So then the spirit of God, or of Christ, apart from the Body of Christ, is not the Christ.

Therefore most abominable is that which men say, that that which is in them is Christ, when it is a spirit of errour, and so men may see how through this Mystery of iniquity, men come to say they are Christ; for consider, if the spirit in some man be the Christ, what hindreth him to say he is Christ; and therefore some one presumes to say he is Christ; Let no man mistake me, for I say that the spirit of God doth dwell in the Saints, & that Christ doth dwell in their hearts by faith; but note, that faith is the substance of things ho­ped for, and the evidence of things not seen, Heb. 11.1. So the just live by faith, and look for the Son of God from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivereth us from the wrath to come. But to return, so as to shew yet further, who hath the spirit of Antichrist, & they [Page 139]are such as race out the Ordinances of Christ, which came in being when Christ came in the flesh, which plainly declare Christ come in the flesh, dead, and risen again, as baptisme of Water, and Breaking of Bread, which doth declare the Lords death till he come, 1 Cor. 11.26. Rom. 6.34. Col. 2.12. Now there are a sort of men which say, to know or acknowledge Christ in the pra­ctice of those Ordinances, is formal and sleshly. low, and carnal, and so reject the counsel of God, and will not be Baptised; and so not walking up in the Ordinances that did come in being, when Christ came in the flesh, and do so excellently de­clare him come in the flesh, and are to continue untill Christ come from heaven, and change our vile bodies, and make them like his most glorious body, Phil. 3.20, 21. I say, those that do slight and reject those Ordinances, and say, they are formal, and will not practice them, have the spirit of Antichrist, & do deny Christ come in the flesh; because they will not practice those Ordinances that declare Christ come in the flesh; yea, more fully then the Whore, for she hath a shew, and so a remembrance of the Ordinances; though she have changed the subject, & the manner as afore­said; but These root out the very being of them (as much as in them lieth) and so deny Christ come in the flesh, & so are discovered to have the spirit of Antichrist. Also those that have been en, [Page 140]lightened, and have believed the Resurrecti­on of the body, and also the eternal Judgment, and then come to question it, and deny it, and say the Judgment day is come, have the spirit of Antichrist, for Christ being put to death in the flesh, and rising again from the dead, so bringeth in the Resurrection of the Bodies of all men, & then cometh in the eternal Judgment, according to that in Act. 17.30, 31. He hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righ­teousness, by that Man whom he hath appointed, whereof he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead; so as by man came death, by man came also the Resurrecti­on of the dead; For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive, but every man in his own order; the first fruits is Christs, afterward they that are of Christ, at his coming, 1 Cor. 15.21, 22, 23. So Christ being come in the flesh, the Man Christ, Saviour, died and rose again, and so comes in the Resurrection, and no otherwise; therefore they that have been enlightned in the Resurrection, & the eternal Judgment, and come to say they are in the Resurrection, or that it is past already, and so deny the Resurrection of the body, deny Christ come in the flesh, and so have the spirit of Antichrist; and therefore John wri­ting to the Saints, warning them that they take beed of the Antichristian spirit, that they be not [Page 141]deceived, exhorteth them thus; Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the be­ginning; if that which you have heard from the beginning shall remaine in you; yea also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father, 1 John 2.24. read also for this purpose the whole Chapt. Now that which they heard from the beginning, was the beginning word of Christ, (according to that of Paul, 1 Cor. 15.3, 4. which he delivered first of all to the Corinthians, That Christ Died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, &c.) and the first Principles of the word of God, which is the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, to wit, Repentance from dead works, and of Faith towards God, the Doctrine of Baptismes, and of Laying on of Hands, and of the Resur­rection of the dead, and of eternal Judgment, Heb. 5.12. Chap 6.1, 2. Now these Principles of the teachings of Christ, came in being, by and through Christ, being manifest in flesh, his death and Resurrection, as hath been shewed before; therefore, whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ, hath not God, for he denies Christ come in the flesh, and so he hath the spirit of Antichrist, 2 John 6.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. and so there was many that had the spirit of Anti­christ in the Apostle Johns time, and so many Antichrists, they are said to be Antichrists, be­cause they have the spirit of the Man of Sin, the [Page 142]Antichrist, 1 John 2.18. Chap. 4.2, 3. But the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, shall be posses­sed will the Spirit of the Devil, above his fel­lows, and so is said to be, The Antichrist, The Man of Sin; And so having in part declared what is the Spirit of Antichrist, and who hath that Spirit, I come now to the fourth thing which is,

That Antichrist will be a single person.

And for the proof of this; first consider how the Antichrist is set out in Scripture, in the singular number, not in the plural; as the Man of Sin▪ 2 Thes. 2.3. not men, and Isa. 14.16. Is this the Man that made the earth to tremble, and did shake the Kingdomes, the Son of the morning, and Son of perdition? not sons; the vile Person, not Persons, Dan. 11.21. Isa. 24.12. there fell a great Star from Heaven, not Stars.

Object. This in Isa. 14. was fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel of Chal­dee.

Answ. That cannot be, for after this pow­er, that is there spoken of is faln, the whole world is at rest, and is quiet, they sing for joy; yea, the Furr-trees rejoyce at thee, and the Ce­dars of Lebanon, saying; since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us, vers. 7.8. Now the world did not enjoy such a rest as is [Page 143]there spoken of, so as that no Feller came up a­gainst the People of God no more; for since the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and that Mo­narchies fall, there hath come up many fellers, or destroyers of the Jewes, and the believing Gentiles, as is clear, that Antiochus and the Romans against the Jewes, and the Whore of Babylon against the Christians; and again the Apostle in 2 Thes. 2. takes up the same words in substance, and applies them to the man of sin, which is the Antichrist; therefore that in Isa. cannot be fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar; (for this compare Isa. 14.13, 14. with 2 Thes. 2, 4.) though he might be a type of Anti­christ.

Secondly, it appears that the Antichrist will be but one man (though many have his spi­rit, and so many Antichrists) because it will sute best with his way of delusion, for he will pretend he is the very Christ, and will cause fire to come down from Heaven on earth in the sight of men, Rev. 13.13. and so he will endea­vour to imitate Christ in all things, for as the Lord Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire, taking ven­geance on them that know not God, and that O­bey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: so the Antichrist, will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men, he will endeavour [Page 144]to make all the Scriptures that speak of Christs coming, and of his raign to meet upon him; So his coming will be after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved, 2 Thes. 2.9, 10. So, as there is the Man Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, which came in his Fathers name, Mat. 16.16. John 5.4, 3. without sin, 1 Pet. 2.22. So there will be the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, which will come in his own name, and profess to be the Christ, but will be directly an enemy against Christ and his People.

And so I come to the fifth thing; which is, the manner of Antichrists rising, and by what means; for the clearing up of this; First, con­sider that the Gospel, and the way thereof, is to be purely preached, and the Ordinances rightly administred, and so the Angel is to fly in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and People, Rev. 14.6. And so the Gospel being preached to the Nations, and the Ordinances Administred in the good old way, according to the Scriptures, men come to be enlightened, as many are in these [Page 145]nations where the Kingly power is fallen, that did support the Whore, and would not give liberty of conscience; so I say, as the Gospel comes to be ministred, in the old way thereof, men come to be enlightned, the power of the Whore falleth, and men slighting, and reject­ing the truth, and also many of them that do receive and obey the truth, fall and depart from the faith, and so receiving not the love of the truth that they might be saved; for this cause God doth, and will send them strong delu­sions, that they should believe a lye, 2 Thes. 2.10, 11. And so are given up to the Spirit of Antichrist; and so the Apostle Paul sheweth, that the day of Christs coming shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perditi­on, 2 Thes. 1.7, 8. Chap. 2.3. and so the Spirit speaking expresly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing Spirits, and Doctrine of Devils, speaking lies in hypocrisie, having their con­science seared with an hot Iron; forbidding to marry, &c. as in 1 Tim. 4.1, 2, 3. And the A­postle Peter writing to the Saints in his second Epistle, Chap. 2.1, 2. sheweth, that there shall be false teachers among you, who shall privily bring in damnable Heresies, even de­nying the Lord that bought them, and bring up­on [Page 146]themselves swift destruction; and many shall follow their pernitious wicked wayes; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of; and Chap. 3.3, 4. he saith, that there should be scoffers, walking after their own lusts, saying, where is the promise of his coming, &c. and so men transgressing and a­biding not in the Doctrine of Christ, fall from the faith of the Gospel; and so the spirit of God departs from them, and an evil spirit is sent unto them, which is the spirit of Anti­christ, so out from them that thus fall away, and go out from the Church, 1 John 2.19. and so seperate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit, as Jude hath it, vers. 19. and also from them that have been enlightened, and have neglected to walk up in truth, and so reject the counsel of God, as the Lawyers and Pharisees did, Luke 7.30. so I say, from them that so fall away, and neglect to hear and obey the Gospel, from them ariseth the Anti­christ, or man of sin.

Again, the sixth Head of the Roman Monar­chie, which is the imperial, or Kingly power, hath alwayes, and doth by the guidance of the Pope and the National Ministry (which rides upon the Beast as hath been shewed) persecute men for their Consciences, and so hath let and hindered the Gospel from being preached, and [Page 147]the Ordinances from being rightly administred, and so the light of truth was exceedingly kept back, and but few received it, and them that did receive it, she persecuted, some she put to death, others she banished, or caused to fly into strange Countries, and into howling wil­dernesses, others imprisoned, and fined, and so she cometh to be drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus, and so the Gospel could not be decla­red in the pure way thereof, to every Nation, kindred, tongue, and people, Rev. 14.6. And so also, if any did arise that had the spirit of Antichrist, she took him off also, and so she pluck'd up much wheat, and tares also, con­trary to that of Mat. 13.29, 30. Let both grow together until Harvest, &c. So the sixt Head of the Roman Monarchy being rid upon, & guided by the Whore, did let the Gospel from being preached, and the Antichrist from rising; and so I think that the fixth Head did hinder the com­ing in of the man of Sin in the Apostles dayes, for the Emperours being heathens then, perse­cuted the Saints, and so that sixth Head sup­porting, and carrying the Whore also, so as that it did let, and will let, until it be taken out of the way, 2 Thes. 2.6, 7. but now the sixth Head being in part taken away; and the seventh Head arising, he giving some liberty [Page 148]of conscience, the Gospel is preached, and truth appears, and many receive the know­ledg of it, and obey it, and many fall away from it, and so the spirit of Antichrist ariseth, and so the seventh Head of the Roman Beast shall take away the sixth Head, and shall conti­nue a short space, Rev. 17.10. and so the ten Horns also shall arise in one hour with the beast that was, and is not, even he is the Eighth, and is of the Seventh, vers. 11, 12. and so is the little Horn that Daniel speaks of, Dan. 7.11, 24, 25. and the last power, or Beast, the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, and so the seventh Head and ten Horns, or Kings giving liberty, the servants of God sends forth the truth as it is in Jesus, ministring in the Gos­pel glad tidings of the Kingdome to the Nati­ons, men come to know the truth, and so are enlightened with it, and so many may come to shine as Stars, and yet fall away as the An­tichrist, or man of sin, himself will be some notable man shining as a Star for a time, yet afterward falling from the truth, according to that in Rev. 8.10, 11. The third Angel sound­ed and there fell a great Star from Heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters, and the name of the Star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters [Page 149]became Worm-wood, and many men dyed of the waters, because they were made bitter. So the man of Sin falls from the truth, or true Church, as a great Star from Heaven, burning like a Lamp, through Satans transforming himself as into an Angel of light, and so falls upon the ri­vers, and fountains of waters, so that he ma­keth them bitter: so the sweet promises of the Gospel; and the way of Christ, in which men shall be made partakers of the waters of life, and so made glad in the City of God, are so made bitter like Wormwood, changing the taste of them, so that many men die of those waters, according to that of Jude 12. Twice dead plucked up by the roots; and thus he causeth men to fall, so that the third part of the Sun is smitten, and the third part of the Moon, and the third part of the Stars, so as the third part of them is darkned, and the day shone not for a third part of it, nor the night likewise, Rev. 8.12. The Sun is hear compa­red to the Church, because the Church or Saints through Christ are said to be the light of the world, Mat. 5.14. and so Jacob who is called Israel, according to Josephs dream, is compared to the Sun, Gen. 37.9, 10. The Moon I take to be the world, or the Whore, the false Church, which hath her light from the true Church, as the Moon hath her light from [Page 150]the Sun, the Stars are the eminent teachers in the Churches, Rev. 1.20. and this in the eight chapter before spoken of, is an allegory, because the waters are said to become Worm­wood, and yet men drink of them, which can­not be, if they were made Wormwood; there­fore it is Allegorical, that the word of the Gos­pel in the ministration of the Prophets is com­pared to water, look Ezek. 34.18, 19. Isa. 55.1. Rev. 22.17. So then a many of the Church will fall from the faith, and the Stars, the Elders, or chief teachers also, and many of the World, or false Church that shall be en­lightened, and will not obey, shall be darkned, and so shall lose that light they have, and so shall be given up to gross darkness, and so af­ter a great falling away from the truth; So the man of Sin, the Antichrist is revealed, and getteth the power and rule by flatteries, after the working of Satan, with all power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness; and So opposeth & exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worship­ed; so that He as God, sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God, Dan. 11.21. 2 Thes. 2.3, 4, 9, 10. And so I come to the sixth Particular, which is,

Some of the great things that the man of Sin willdo, with his false Prophet.

Which in the first place take what Daniel saith of him, setting him out by a little Horne, Chap. 7.8, 11, 24, 25. he saith, That he shall subdue three Kings, and he shall speak Great words a­gainst the most high, and shall wear out the Saints of the most high, and think to change times and lawés; and they shall be given into his hand, un­till a time, and times, and the deviding of times; And so he shall reign in full power three years and a half, for time is taken for one year, times, for two years, and half a time, for half a year, as in Dan. 4.25. some translation reads, for seven times, seven years, and so the woman Cloathed with the Sun, that flies from him into the wilderness, and is there three years and a half, Rev. 12.1, 14. so he shall presecute the Saints of the most high, ver. 11, 17. and the false prophet causeh the first beast whose deadly wound was healed, to be worshipped, and he doth great wonders, so that he maketh fire to come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men; & deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by means of those miracles, which he shall have power to do in the sight of the beast; saying, to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, & did live; & had power to give life, or breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as [Page 152]would not worship the image of the beast, should be killed; and he causeth all both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to give a mark in their right hands, or in their foreheads, and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the marke, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name, Rev. 13.11, to 18. So the Beast that hath a wound with a sword, that is, the seventh Head is slain to death, yet he having another which is of the seventh, and is the eighth, and so liveth; and so it is the Beast that was, and is not, and yet is, and so the false Pro­phet shall by miracles, cause the world to wor­ship the Beast, the man of sin, the Antichrist, as God, sitting in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God, 2 Thes. 2.4. and cause as many as will not worship the beast or his image, to be killed; and so the fallen Star before mentioned, which is the Beast, the Antichrist, ascendeth out of the bot­tomless pit, the key of the bottomless pit being given him, he openeth the bottomless pit, and then ariseth a smoak out of the pit, as the smoak of a furnace, and the Sun, and the air, will be darkned, by reason of the smoak of the Pit, Rev. 11.7. Chap. 9.1, 2. and neer the end of his raign, when the sixt Vial is poured, or pouring out, then shall come three unclean spirits like frogs out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the Beast, and out of the mouth of the [Page 153]false Prophet; for they are the spirits of Devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the Kings of the earth, and of the whole world, to gather them to the battel of that great day of God Almigh­ty; and he gathered them together to a place, called in the Hebrew tongue, Armageddon, Rev. 16.12, 13, 14, 16. which is into the Land of Canaan, according to Joel 3.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Multitudes, multtudes in the valley of decision; and so I come to the seventh parti­cular; which is.

The fall of the Beast or Man of Sin, and when, and by whom.

Now Paul saith, that the Lord will consume him with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy him with the brightness of his coming, 2 Thes. 2.8. So when the enemy shall come in as a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard a­gainst him, Isa. 59.19. and so when the Lord himself shall descend from Heaven, with ten thousand of his Saints, to execute Judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, and of their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him, Jude 15. Then the Sun and the Moon shall be be darkened, and the Stars shall withdraw their shining; the Lord also shall roar out of Sion, and utter his voyce from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall Shake; but the [Page 154]Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the Children of Israel, Joel 3.15, 16. And in that day will the Lord make Jerusalem a burthensome stone for all People, all that burthen themselves with it, shall be cut in peices, though all the people of the Earth be gathered against it, Zech. 12.1, 2, 3, 4. Then the Lora Jesus, (that Died and Rose again,) himself shall des­cend from Heaven with a shont, and with the voyce of the Arch-angel; and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remaine, shall be caught up together with them in the Cloudes, to meet the Lord in the ayre, and so shall we ever be with the Lord, 1 Thes. 4.14, 15, 16, 17. And so as Zechary hath it, The Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with him, Chap. 14.5. And then the ten horns which received power as Kings in one hour with the Beast, the Man of Sin, These have one mind and shall give their Power and Strength unto the Beast, These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them; For he is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful, and so according to Rev. 19. The Lord Jesus, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, with his Armies which were in Heaven, following him upon white Horses, cloathed in fine Linnen, [Page 155]white and clean, descends from heaven against the Beast, the Man of sin; And the Kings of the earth, and their Armies gathered together, to make warr against him that sate on the Horse, the Man Christ, and against his Armies; and the Beast was taken, and with him the false Pro­phet, that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received, the marke of the Beast, and them that worshiped his image; These both were cast alive into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone; And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sate upon the Horse; Which sword proceeded out of his mouth; and all fowls were filled with their flesh; So the Beast, the Antichrist, the Man of Sin, and the false Prophet, which did work miracles be­fore him shall be taken alive, and cast into a lake of fire, burning with brimstone; and so Tophet is ordained of old, yea, for the King it is prepared, he hath made it deep and large, the pile thereof is fire and much wood, the breath of the Lord like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it, Isai. 30.33. And so, as men are threatned, in Rev. 14.9, 10. That if they worship the Beast, or his image, and receive his mark in their foreheads, or in their hands; 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 sire and brimstone, [Page 156]in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb; So it shall come to pass when the Lord Jesus shall appear; and there­fore take the 11 verse. And the smoak of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest day nor night who worship the Beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the marke of his name; For this purpose read Isai. 14.18.19. and Chap. 66.24. Ezek. 38.22, 23. Thus the Lord will magnifie himself, and san­ctifie himself, and he will be known in the eyes of many Nations, and they shall know that he is the Lord; And then in that day shall his ser­vants say. This is the Lord, we have waited for Him, we will be Glad in his Salvation, Isai. 25.9.

So then we may see, that the Whore is not the Antichrist, that the Scripture speaks of, for the Whore is set out in Scripture thus, as a Woman, a false Church, as a Queen, The Mother of Harlots, and ahominations of the earth; The Antichrist is set out thus; A Man of Sin, The man that did shake kingdomes, The Son of the Morning, The Son of Perdition.

Secondly, the sixth Head of the Roman Beast carrieth the Harlot, but the Antichrist, the Man of Sin is the eighth and last Beast, as hath been shewed.

Thirdly, The Whore confesseth Christ to be [Page 157]come in the flesh, and hath a shew, and a re­membrance of his Ordinances, though she have changed the subject and manner; but the An­tichrist denies Christ come into the flesh, and his Ordinances that declare him come in the flesh, as it hath been shewed.

Fourthly, The Woman, the Harlot, and her members that do worship according to her Traditions, and inventions, have space given them to repent, and many do repent; but they that do worship the Beast, the Antichrist, or receive his mark in their right hand, or in their fore-head, they cannot repent; they must drink of the wrath of God, &c. as it is Rev. 14.9, 10. and in Chap. 16.11. They repented not of their deeds; note, that the first vial is pou­red out upon the earth, and the men that had the mark of the Beast, and worshipped his I­mage, are plagued; therefore none of the vi­als are poured out until the Antichrist raigneth, vers. 1, 2.

Fifthly, The ten Horns hate the Whore, and destroy her, and make her desolate, Rev. 17.16. But the Antichrist is taken alive, when the Lord cometh, and punished with everlast­ing deflruction from the presence of the Lord, in a lake of fire, 2. Thes. 1.9. and Rev. 19.20.

And so to draw to a conclusion, I do desire [Page 158]all men to take heed to the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles, for they are able to make men wise unto Salvation; and if men speak not according to the Law and Testament, it is because they have no light in them. Isa. 8.20. O give heed to the most sure word of the Prophets, as unto a light shining in a dark place. until the day of Christ dawn, and the day Star arise in your hearts; noting diligently all things that are spoken of, that must come to pass, for when the signs concerning Christs coming are come to pass, the day of Christs personal appearing will dawn.

Secondly, is there such a spirit of delusion a­mong men, wherein is a mystery of iniquity? Then let all take heed, that they seek the Lord while he may be found, and to kiss the Son lest he be angry; and ye perish in the way; O do not neglect to read, and search the Scriptures, and walk up in that you do know, be not decei­ved, God will not be mocked; what a man sow­eth that he shall reap, for he that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting, Gal. 6.7, 8.

Thirdly, is it so, that God doth, and will give up men to a Spirit of delusion▪ that they should believe a lye, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had plea­sure [Page 159]in unrighteousness? Then he exhorted from hence, to forsake all unrighteous wayes in conversation, and all whorish inventions of men in point of Worship; for if Moses Law be abolished, which was given to him by the Lord, let no man think that he shall be excu­sed if he worship according to mens inventi­ons.

Fourthly, let all the Saints consider, and lay to heart what hath been spoken, and search the Scriptures, that they may be informed what is to come to pass, and so according to Christs exhortation, in Luke 21.36. Watch ye therefore, and pray alwayes, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the son of man.

Moreover when the Lord thus overthrows Antichrist and his Armies, and the Kings of the earth, as it hath been shewed before, and more plentiously appeareth in Scripture; When the whirle wind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a cutting whirle-wind, it shall remain with pain upon the head of the wicked; the fearce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have performed the intents of his heart; At the same time, saith the Lord, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people: For God hath loved them with an [Page 160]everlasting love, therefore with loving kind­ness he will draw them, Jer. 30.23, 24. Chap. 31.1, 2, 3. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great Trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come that are ready to perish in the land of Assyria; and the out-casts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jernsalem, Is. 27.13. So when the Enemies shall come in like a flood, great enemies being gathered by the beast, the Antichrist, ac­cording to Rev. 16.13, 14. being m [...] accor­ding to Joel 3.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him; then even then, the redeemer shall come to Sion and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord, Isa. 59.19, 20. compared with, Rom. 11, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32. Then at that day, the Lord himself which was dead and arose again, and is alive for evermore, Rev. 1.18. shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voyce of the Archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first, 1 Thes. 4.14, 15, 16. compared with Isa 27.13. and so as Zach. saith, The Lord my God shall come and all the Saints with thee, and his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem, Chap. 14.4, 5. then the Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Hosts, and Lord [Page 161]of Lords, and King of Kings, shall raign perso­nally upon the earth in mount Sion, and in Je­rusalem, and before his antients the house of Is­rael gloriously, Isa. 24.23. Rev. 17.14. Chap. 19.13, 14, 15, 16.

And for the further proof and clearing up of this truth, That the Lord Christ shall raign personally on the earth, more then a thousand years, and all the Saints with him, from Adam to his coming, which dyed in the faith, and are found in the faith at his coming, are to raign with him upon earth; First, consider and mark well what the Scripture saith in the letter of it, for the proof of the same, the Prophet Jer. saith, Behold the dayes come saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous branch, and a King shall raign and prosper, and exe­cute Judgment and justice in the earth; In his dayes Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name, the Lord our Righteousness, Chap. 23.5, 6. Ask of me and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy posses­sion, Psal. 2.8. In his dayes shall the righteous flowrish, and abundance of peace shall be so long as the Moon endureth; He shall have dominion also from Sea to Sea, and from the river unto the end of the earth; Yea all Kings shall fall down before him, all nations shall serve him, Pfal. [Page 162]72.7, 8, 9, 10, 11. verse 17. His name shall endure for ever, his name shall be continued as long as the Sun; and men shall be blessed in him: All nations shall call him blessed; and the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one, Zach. 14.9. Dan. 7.27. And the Kingdome and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdome un­der the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most high; whose Kingdome is an everlasting Kingdome; and all nations or dominions, shall serve and obey him; and Rev. 5.9, 10. saith, Thou hast made us unto our God Kings & Priests, & we shall raign on the earth, Chap. 11.15. And the seventh Angel sounded, and there were great voyces in heaven; saying, the Kingdomes of this world, are become the King­domes of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall raign for ever and ever, Rev. 20. sheweth at large, That the Saints shall raign with Christ a thou­sand years; which cannot be understood but to be on the earth.

So then the letter of the Scripture speaks much, that the Lord Christ shall descend from heaven, 1 Thes. 4.16. Acts. 1.11. and his feet shall stand upon mount Olives, which is before Jeru­salem, Zach. 14.4. and that he shall raign on the earth with his Saints; And that it may not appear a strange thing, observe well how the Scriptures were taken in the letter, [Page 163]that spake of Christ to come in the flesh, and his sufferings; as, A virgin shall conceive and bear a son, Isa. 7.14. Christ the King of Je­rusalem, and Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, riding upon an Ass, and upon a coult the foal of an Ass, Zach. 9.9. Mat. 21.5. of their giving him vineger to drink, Psal. 69.21. Mat. 27.48. again the selling of Christ the Lord of life and glory, for thirty pieces of silver, Zach. 11.12.13. Mat. 27.9. Much more might be said, to shew that strange things were fore-told by the Prophesies in the Scripture, concerning the coming of Christ in the flesh, and his suffering, and rising from the dead, plainly declared in the letter; yea, men hard­ly believed them until they were fulfilled. So then the Scriptures speaking plainly also of the Lord Christ descending from heaven to the earth, and to raign on the earth with his Saints, (as it hath been shewed before) why should it be thought to be uncredible.

Again there is a stream of Scriptures that de­clareth, that the Saints shall suffer persecution, and be in tribulation until the coming of Christ, John 16.33. 2 Tim. 3.12. Luke 14.2, 27. Acts. 14.22. Yea, the neerer the coming of Christ, the greater trouble to the Saints, 2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 13▪ Dan. 7.25. Luke 18.7, 8. Rev. 7.14. Also the Scriptures declare plentiously, [Page 164]that the Saints shall raign on the earth, and flourish exceedingly, and that a long time, Psal. 72.7. Isai. 65.21, 22, 23. Daniel 7.27. Psal. 149. Mat. 5.5. Rev. 2.26, 27. Chap. 5.10. Chap. 11.15.

Now observe it well, how can this stand or consist, that the Saints must from Christ com­ing in the flesh, to his coming to Judgment suf­fer persecution and tribulation, and yet must have a long time to raign and flourish, seeing reigning over the earth and flourishing, is incon­sistant, for men cannot be at one time in a per­secuted, troubled, afflicted condition, and in a raigning, flourishing state; therefore I say, that Christ must reign on the earth, and appoint his people a kingdome, Luke 22.29, 30. and so they shall reign with him on the earth.

Again there is a stream of Scriptures, that declareth, that there should be warrs, and ru­mors of warrs in the last dayes, Mat. 24.6, 7. Mark 13.7, 8. Dan. 2.40. Chap. 8. Chap. 11. Rev. 13. Chap. 17. Yea, the fourth Monar­chy, which is the Roman power, which did begin to raign before Christ, came in the flesh, and hath raigned in the sixth Head, and will raign in the seventh and eighth, which is of the seventh of that Roman power, untill Christ come as hath been shewed before; hath all a long brought in warrs, and doth and will to [Page 165]the coming of Christ; for the Scriptures shew, that this fourth power, will break in peeces and subdue all, and stamp the residue with the feet of it, Dan. 2.40. Chap. 7.7. So there hath been no long peace, but devision, and warrs, and is and will be more and more, untill the coming of Christ, Dan. 2.42, 43. Chap. 7.24, 25. Joel 3.9, 10. Exek 38. Chap. 39. Revel. 16.14. Chap. 19.17, 18, 19. So then, by the Scripture it appeareth from the coming of Christ in the flesh, to the coming of Christ from heaven, to judge the quick and the dead; there hath, and will be warr; and to this Histories agree also, that there hath not been no long peace in the world, since the Jewes cap­tivity in Babylon, but very much warr.

But the Scripture sheweth plentiously also, that there shall be a long peace in the whole world; Psal. 72.7, 8. in his dayes, shall the righ­teous flourish, and abundance of peace, so long as the Moon endureth, Zach. 9.10. Isai. 14.7. The whole world is at rest, and is quiet, they break forth into singing, Mich. 4.3, 4. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong Nations after off, and they shall beat there swords into plow-shares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up a sword against Nation, neither shall they learne Warr any More: But they shall sit every man [Page 166]under his vine, and under his fig-tree, and none shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it, Isa. 2.4. So then there hath been and will be warr untill Christ comes, & yet there must be a long time of peace, and this peace never was, nor cannot be untill Christ comes; (as the Scriptures of truth wit­nesse) and then if the earth be utterly destroy­ed, as some say, then that peace cannot be; But I say with the Prophet, that that peace must be, and it cannot be untill Christ comes; therefore Christ will raign with all his Saints on the earth personally, and then he will make warr to cease unto the ends of the earth, he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear asunder, he burneth the Chariot in the fire; saying, Be still and know that Lam God, I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth, Psal. 46.9, 10.

Again the whole house of Israel after the flesh, shall be called, as it hath been shewed before, which cannot be untill the fulness of the Gentiles be come in, and the appearing of Christ; and this will appear evidently if you well observe, what Isa. saith, 59.20, 21. com­pared with Rom. 11.25, 26, 27. for the Apostle sheweth, when the fulness of the Gentiles is come in; then the deliverer shall come to Sion, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; [Page 167]For this is my Covenant unto them, when I shall take away there sins; And that you may see the Apostle speaks of the whole house of Israel, that remains on the earth when the ful­ness of the Gentiles is come in; note well, the 25. verse, and so to the 33. And also what hath been said before, concerning this thing. So then the whole house of Israel shall be called to a glorious state here on earth, when the ful­ness of the Gentiles is come in; and then the deliverer the Lord Jesus Christ, shall come to Sion, & then shall they look upon him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his onely Son, Zach. 12.10. So then, from all this, (and much more might be said) it clearlly followeth, that the Lord shall reign per­sonaly on the earth, and so the Lord God shall give him the Throne of his Father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdome there shall be no end, Luke 1.33.33.

Now in the next place, take notice further of some of the excellent things that the Lord will do in that day for the house of Israel; In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent, and comely, for them that are escaped of Israel. And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Sion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall [Page 168]be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem; When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Sion, & shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of Judgment, and by the spirit of burning, Isai. 4.2, 3, 4.

Then shall health be restored unto Israel, and their wounds healed, saith the Lord, because they called thee an out-cast; saying, this is Sion whom no man seeketh after; Thus saith the Lord, behold I will bring again the captivity of Jacobs tents, and have mercy on his dwelling place, and the City shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof: And out of them shall proceed thanks­giving, and the voyce of them that make merry; and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few, I will also glorifie them, and they shall not be small, Jer. 30.17, 18, 19.

Again at this time, will the Lord make them one Nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel, and one King shall be a King to them all, and they shall be no more two Nations, nei­ther shall they be devided into two kingdoms any more at all; Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their Idols, nor with their detest­able things, nor with any of their trans­gressions; but I will save them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and [Page 169]will cleanse them; so shall they be my people, and I will be their God, Ezekiel 37.22, 23.

Again, Wait yea upon me saith the Lord, un­till the day that I rise up to gather the Nations; that I may Assemble the kingdoms to pour upon them mine Indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousie: For then will I turn to the people a pure Language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent; At this time I will bring you a­gain, even in this time that I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your cap­tivity before your eyes, saith the Lord, Zeph. 3.8, 9, 10.

Again, Look upon Zion the City of our so­lemnities, thine eye shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a Tabernacle that shall not be ta­ken down, not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords be broken: And the Inhabitants shall not say, I am sick, the people that dwell therein shall be for­given there iniquity; Isa. 33.20, 24.

Again, Hear the word of the Lord, O ye Na­tions, and declare it in the Isles afare of, and say, he that scattered Israel, will gather him, and keep him as a sheepheard doth his stock; For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob and ransomed him [Page 170]from the hand of him that was stronger then he: Therefore they shall come and sing in the hight of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord; for Wheat, and for Wine, and for Oyle, and for the young of the flock, and of the heard; and their souls shall be as a watered Gar­den, and they shall not sorrow any more at all, Jer. 31.10, 11, 12. Yea, in that day shall that song be sung by the house of Israel that is in the 12. of Isai; Yea they shall cry out and shout for joy, for great is the holy one of Israel, in the midst of them, verse the 6. Zeph. 3.15. They shall not see evil any more; then that in the 35. of Isai. shall be made good, and that in Isai. 60. and many other places which speak very clearly to these things; search and see, for Paul would not have us Ignorant of this my­stery, Rom. 11.25.

Moreover be not mistaken though it be so, that the fulness of the Gentiles under this dispen­sation shall come in before Christ come in per­son, and many shall be given up to blindness, and be destroyed at his appearing, (as it hath been shewed before) yet them that are left of the Nations, shall fall in with the people of Israel, and say; Come let us go up to the mountains of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his wayes; and we will walk in his pathes; For out of Sion shall go forth the [Page 171]law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem, Isai. 2.2, 3. Micah. 4.1, 2, 3. Yea, many peo­ple and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, in those dayes it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, say­ing, we will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you, Zach. 8.22, 23. yea Zach. saith, that when the Lord cometh and all the Saints with him, even then the Lord shall be King over. all the earth, in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one; and then it shall come to pass that every one that is left of all the Nations which came against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year, to worship the King the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Tabernacles, Chap. 14.9, 14. and this as I un­derstand was signified under the Law, when the males came up to Jerusalem to keep there feast, so the Nations shall come up from one new Moon to another, and from year to year, to worship before the Lord, Isai. 66.23. for then the Gentiles shall be Converted to the house of Israel, Isai. 60.5. For the house of Israel that are brought back and are called when Christ come, shall then be chief among the Nations, according to this Scripture, Isai. 19.24, 25. In that day shall Israel be the third, [Page 172]with Egypt, and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land; whom the Lord of Host shall bless saying, blessed be Egypt my people, and Assy­ria the work of my hands, & Israel mine Inheri­tance; so in that day, the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the Sea, Isa. 11.9.

So in that day when Christ raigns gloriously on the earth, there will be first all them that dyed in the faith, & are found in the faith at his coming, made immortal, and shall raign with Christ o­ver the whole earth, Dan. 7.27. injoying perfection in knowledge and purity, 1 Cor. 13.10, 11, 12. Ephes. 5.27. and be made free from all manner of imperfections, yea as David saith, They shall be abundantly satisfied with the Fatness of thy house, and thou shalt make them drink of the River of thy pleasures, Psal. 36.8. So they shall be compleatly happy injoying fulness of joy, for ever and ever.

Secondly, the house of Israel that is called when Christ appeareth (as hath been shewed) shall be under them, and governed and judged by them, Obad. 21. Mat. 19.28. Luke 22.28, 29, 30.

Thirdly, The nations that know the Lord shall be inferiour to the house of Israel, serving them in that day, Isa. 60.12, 14.

Fourthly, That there will be some of the na­tions [Page 173]in that day, that will not come to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and upon them shall come great judgments, Zach. 14.17, 18. Jer. 31.30. Isa. 65.20. So there will be in the kingdome of Christ (at least some of the time that he raigns on the earth, before he delivers up the Kingdome to the father) four sorts of people, but the Saints that come with Christ, shall raign most gloriously over them all.

So then, things being so, lets look back to what hath been said concerning Christ coming to raign; namely, that the Saints must be in a troubled, persecuted, afflicted estate, until Christ comes, and the neerer his coming, the more per­secution, and tribulations, Luke 18.7, 8. This serves to inform the fifth Monarchy men, that the Saints shall not have dominion of the earth, neither shall the fifth Monarchy be, un­til Christ comes, for the fourth Monarchy, or Beast in his Heads and horns, raigns until Christ comes, and presecutes the Saints, Dan. 7.25, 26. as hath been shewed.

Secondly, if there will be warr and rumors of warrs, and overturning of powers until Christ comes; that should teach the Saints, not to deceive themselves so as to conclude, they shall enjoy long rest and peace here on earth, before Christ comes, and so to seek great things for themselves; I say with the Prophet, Jer. Seek [Page 174]them not, for that the Lord hath built, he will break down, and that which he hath planted, will he pluck up, Chap. 45.4, 5. For the na­tions must drink Jeremies cup, them that are wicked to the sword, saith the Lord, Chap. 25. from the 15. to the 34.

Thirdly, This should teach us to buy the truth and not to sell it, and so to seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, in the first place, and to give all diligence to make our calling and e­lection sure; redeeming the time, that we be not found among those foolish Virgins that let their lamps go out; but of those wise, that stand with their Loyns girded about with truth, and their lights burning, as men that wait for their Lord when he shall return to the wedding; Mat. 25. Luke 12.35, 36, 37.

Furthermore take notice of some signes that go before Christs coming; First, observe that the Gospel being preached as it is now, (and shall be more fully hereafter) and many falling away from the truth, and the spirit of Anti­christ appearing, this is a sign of Christs coming, 2 Thes. 2.3.1 John 2.18.

Secondly, If we see and hear of warrs and ru­mors of warrs, and false Prophets, and false Christs appearing, and many run to and fro, and knowledge increase, and the great Whore of Babylon fallen, these things coming to pass [Page 175]are evident signs that the time of Christs com­ing is neer, Mat. 24.5, 11. Dan. 12.4. Rev. 14.6, 7, 8.

Thirdly, When we shall see false Prophets, and false Christs, saying; loe hear is Christ, or loe there; working mi­racles, and the Antichrist or man of sin arising or appearing; then may we certainly conclude the coming of Christ to be at hand; yea if we see the Whore of Babylon fallen, and the man of sin arising, we may certainly conclude, that before that generation shall go down to dust, the Lord will appear, Mat. 24.23, 24.2 Thes. 2.9. Rev. 14.9. Luk. 21.32.

Fourthly, When there shall be famins and pestalence, and earth-quakes in divers places, and the Jewes return into their own land, and the Antichrist (or man of sin) plant his tabernacle in the holy mount, Dan. 11.45. Mat. 24.7.

Fifthly, When the Man of Sin and the false Prophet shall set up an Image, and give the mark of the beast, and cause fire to come down from heaven in the sight of men, Rev. 13.13, 14, 15, 16. and the sixth vial poured out, and that false ministry of the beast go forth, and gather the nations to the battel of the great day, according to Chap. 16.12, 13, 14. Joel 3.9, 10, 11. and the Sun and Moon darkned, and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the Sea and waves roaring in an extraordinary manner, Isa. 13.10. Ioel 3.15: Luke 21.25, 26: When these changes begin to come to pass, especially the four last, then let us lift up our heads with joy, for our redemption draweth nigh, verse 28. And when the last appeareth, know that the Kingdome of God is neer, even at the very doors, Mat. 24▪ 33. Now from all these things, let every one be perswaded to walk up in all the commandments, and Ordinances of the Lord, improving all grace, so as to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear; yea let all the children of God, work out their sal­vation with fear and trembling; O let us give heed to the [Page 176] word of the Prophets, as a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day of Christ dawn, and the day Star arise in our hearts▪ that is, until Christ who is the bright morning Star he by his spirit; we giving heed to the word of the Prophet will cause us to understand the secrets of the Lord; yea the signs of his coming, as men that walk in the night know the day is neer, when they see the day Star arising; so the Lord will give us the morning Star, that we may know in an excellent measure the time of his coming, 2 Pet. [...].19. Rev. 22: 16. Chap. 2: 28 Psal. 25: 14.

But let no man be deceived, so as to account of the com­ing or receiving of the spirit in the most excellent manner, to be the coming of Christ; for the Corinths came behind in no gifts, yet waited for the coming of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor: 1.7: And the Apostle John sheweth, that there are but three sorts of Christians, the little ones; young men, and old men, in Christ; and old ought to wait and did wait for the com­ing of Christ, 1 Iohn 2: 28: Chap. 3: 2. and then they and we shall be like him, Phil. 3: 31: O let all these things be laid to heart, and let all the children of God receive council of the Lord Jesus, so as to watch and pray alwayes, that we may be accounted worthy, to escape all these things, that shall come to pass, and to stand before him acceptably, Luke 21.36.