True LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE IS IN BONDAGE TO NO FLES [...]
HAVING formerly [...] upon sundry Articles in the Confession of Faith, owned and consented to by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches in the Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, [Page 16] Assembled by Delagation at Say-Brook; September 9th, 1708, &c. New-London, New-England: Printed by Thomas Short, 1710.
And in their Preface, page 3, say, It cannot be denied, that the usage of the Christian Church, whose Faith wholly rested upon the Word of GOD, respecting Confessions of Faith is very Ancient, &c. Page 4, 5, 6, 7. And when the light of Reformation broke forth, to the dispersing of Popish Darkness, the Re [...]ied Nation agreed upon Confessions [...] Faith, famous in the World, and of special [...]ervice to theirs, and standing Ages [...] and among those of latter Times [...] in our Nation most worthy of [...], and Acceptance we take to be [...] Confession of Faith, composed by the [...] Assembly of Divines, Conven'd at Westminster, with that of the Savoy, in the Substance and in Expressions for the most part the same; the Former professedly Assented, and Attested to by the Fathers of our Country by Unanimous Vote of the Synod of Elders and Messengers of the Churches met at Cambridge, the last of the Sixth Month, 1648, [Page 17] the latter owned, and consented to by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches Assembled at Boston, May 12th, 1680. The same we doubt not to profess to have been the constant Faith of the Churches in this Colony from the first Foundation of them; and that it may appear to the Christian World that our Churches do not maintain differing Opinions in the Doctrine of Religion, nor are desirous for any Reason, to conceal the Faith we are Perswaded of; the Elders and Messengers of the Churches in this Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, by virtue of the Appointment & Encouragement of the Honourable the General Assembly convened by Delegation at Say-Brook, Sept. 9th, 1708, unanimously Agreed, that the Confesson of Faith own [...]d and consented unto by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches Assembled at Boston, [...] New-England, May 12th, 1680, being the second Session of that Synod; be Recommended to the Honourable the General Assembly of this Colony at their next Session, for their Public Testimony thereto, as the Faith of the Churches, of this, Colony, which Confession, together with the Heads of Union, and Articles for the [Page 18] Administration of Church Government herewith Emitted were presented unto, and Approved and Established by the said General Assembly at New-Haven, on the 14th of October, 1708. This Confession of Faith we offer as our firm Perswasion, well and fully Grounded upon the Holy Scripture, and commend the same unto all, and particularly to the People of our Colony, to be Examined, Accepted and constantly Maintained; we do not Assume to our Selves that any thing be taken upon Trust from us; but commend to [...] People these following Counsels.
First, That you be immoveably and unchangeably Agreed in the only sufficient and unvariable Rule of Religion, which [...] the Holy Scripture, the fixed Cannon, [...]pable of Addition or Diminution, you [...]ight to account nothing Ancient that will not stand by this Rule, nor any thing New that will. Do not hold your selves bound to unscriptural Rights in Religion wherein Custom it self doth many times Misguide: Believe it to be the honour of Religion to Resign and Captivate our Wisdom and Faith, to divine Revelation.
[Page 19] Secondly, That you be Determined by this Rule in the whole of Religion. That your Faith be Right and Divine, the Word of God must be the Foundation of it, and the Authority of the Word the Reason of it. You may believe the most Important Articles of Faith, with no more than an Humane Faith; [...] this is evermore the cause, when the Pri [...]ple Faith is resolved into, is any other than the Holy Scripture. For an [...] Christian to resolve his Faith, into Education, Instruction, and the pers;wasion of others is not an higher Reason, than a Papist Mahometan, or Pagan can produce for his Religion.
Pay also unto God the Worship, that will bear the Tryal of, and receive Establishment by this Rule. Have alway [...] [...]s Readiness a Divine Warrant for [...] Worship you Perform [...] God. Believe that Worship is accepted and that only, which is directed unto, and Commanded, and hath the promise of a Bissing from the Word of God. Believe that Worship not Divinely Commanded is in vain, [...] will answer the Necessities and expectations of a Christian, and is a Wor [...]hipping, [Page 20] you know not what. Believe in all Divine Worship, it is not enough that this or that Act of Worship is not forbidden in the World of God; if it be not Commanded, and you perform it, you may fear, you will be found Guilty and exposed to Divine Displeasure. Nadab, and Abihu paid dear for Offering in Divine Worship that which the Lord Commanded them not. It is an honor done unto Christ, when you account that only Decent, Orderly and Convenient in His House, which depends upon the Institution and Appointment of himself, who is the only Head and Law-giver of his Church, &c.
Having taken the above Quoted out of their Preface to said Confession; we may safely join with their advice in the general, and Examine their Articles, and according as we find them to agree, or disagree with the Holy Scriptures to bear Witness boldly.
And now I begin with the Confession of Faith of Boston, as in page next before their Preface as followeth.
At a General Court held at Boston, May 19th, 1680.
THIS Court having taken into serious Consideration, the Request that hath been presented by several of the Reverend Elders, in the Name of the late Synod, do approve thereof, and accordingly Order the Confession of Faith agreed upon at their second Sesson, and the Platform of Discipline consented unto by the Synod at Cambridge, Anno. 1648. To be Printed for the benefit of these Churches in present and after Times.
In the Preface of the form of Church Government, Page 4 they say, That we might Stand Perfect, and Compleat in all the Will of GOD, and we trust it is our sincere Desire that His Will, all His Will, and nothing else but His Will, might be done among us to the Law, and to the Testimony we do wholly refer our selves, and if any thing in the following Conclusion be Indeed found not to Speak according thereunto let it be Rejected: These Words to the Law, [Page 22] and to the Testimony, are in Isa. 8 20, The Words in the Verse are, To the Law, and to the Testimony, if they Speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no Light in them.
Thus far I have Quoted out of each Confession of Faith, and they both refer us to the holy Scriptures, and not barely to take upon trust from their Word; and I have compared both said Confessions together, and they are both one, being Chapter for Chapter, Paragraph for Paragraph, Word for Word, (mistakes in Printing excepted.) But in as much as in Boston Confession, they have not brought one Text to prove one Article, throughout their whole Confession. I have therefore made use of some Scripture Proof's out of Connecticut Confession to Confute both, they being both one, as is said Word, for Word; and they are Approved, and Established by the General Courts in each Colony.
First, the Elders, and Messengers of each Colony have Recommended them to the civil Government; and the civil [Page 23] Governments have taken them under their Protection to Defend them, that both Elders, and Messengers, and said General Courts, and civil Governments as they own and defend them, they all stand equally charged with an Answer.
Now let us take their Advice as was before Quoted; as also their Advice in said Preface, Page 8. And commend the same to your diligent Perusal that you be Established in the Truth, and your Faith rest upon it's proper Bases, the Word of GOD. Follow the example of the Noble Bereans, Search the Scriptures, &c. Acts 17, 11. These were more Noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of Mind, and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so, &c.
And now under the Consideration, that I have Written to all the Associations in this Colony of Connecticut; and have Journeyed from County, to County, and delivered in Writing to one of the Elders in each County, to be delivered to their several Associations, as followeth.
[Page 24] For as much as I have perused said Confession, and to me it appears, that there are many dangerous, and hurtful Principles, some of which I have Quoted, and presented before said Elders, to be delivered to their several Associations desiring their further perusal, and if they appear not to have Scripture Foundation, that they would Rectify them, but they disregarded my Request.
I therefore went to the General Court, to desire Them, under the Consideration of the danger of being seated upon, and contending for unsound Principles, &c. To put said Elders forward, to Answer my Request, which was as little Regarded as the other. And this is now near thirty Years past; and each Government goes on still in approving and defending each Confession.
And now GOD hath put it into my Heart, to reprove both Governments, by your own Confessions; by Rehearsing sundry of your Articles, and proving them to contradict the Scriptures; and some to wrest the Scriptures, and to teach another Doctrine than what was originally Given, &c.
[Page 25] But before I go any further, I think it not amiss to give some Account of my own Life from my Infancy, and of GOD's Dealing towards me; as David saith, Psal. 66.16. Come and hear all ye that fear GOD, and I will tell you what He hath done for my Soul. That was his Experiences of GOD's Goodness towards him. And as to my self, my Father lived about a Mile out of New-London Town; and my Mother was at home with only three little Children, I being the Youngest (about 10 Months old) she with the other two were Murdered by a youth about 16 years of Age, who was afterwards Executed at Hartford; and I was found (as was said) at my dead Mothers Breast.
And since in the course of my Life GOD hath preserved me out of many eminent Dangers, when there was but a Hairs breadth between Me and Death, which I have a particular Remembrance of to this Day; and the most of them by Water. And I was brought up in the Presbyterian way till I was about thirty Years old, and had four or five Children, but Baptised none; for reading the Scriptures, and as my Age gave me [Page 26] understanding to consider what I Read. It appeared to me by the Scriptures, that we must first Believe, before we were Baptised, and in our Baptism we must be Buried in Water. And now living to this Age in the neglect of Baptism, my Conscience accused me, so that I read the Scriptures that I might be fully Informed what was for me to do. And the more I read them, I was confirmed in my first Belief, and accordingly was Baptised by John Rogers, a Baptist Teacher.
And now as I had made a Profession thus far, and going on in my Christian Progress, I found no command in Scripture for the first day Sabbath; and therefore began to Work upon it, not thinking that the civil Authority would rise up against me. For though I was Baptised by said Rogers, and joined in Fellowship with that People that had suffered much for Conscience sake, by Whipping, Imprisoning and setting in the Stocks, and loss of Goods, and particularly, for Working on the first Day of the Week; yet of late, they had not been Molested as at the first, though they Work't as freely, and [Page 27] openly: but I was soon Presented, and brought before the Authority, and Fined, and then they would let me alone till after three first Day and then send for me, and Fine me, for three Days together; and now as the Battle grew hotter GOD gave me more Courage, and I grew stronger, and stronger, that what was said of Israel under the Oppression of Pharaoh, and the Egyptians was very lively with me, Exod. 1, 12. But the more they Afflicted them the more they Multiplied, and Grew; as also that of the House of Saul, and David, 2 Sam. 3, 1. Now there was long War between the House of Saul, and the House of David, but David waxed stronger, and stronger, and the House of Saul weaker, and weaker; and so it has proved between me, and the Authority, for the Consolation that I injoyed, set me over the loss of my Goods, and herein I could Witness with the Apostle, 2 Cor; 1, 5. For as the Sufferings of CHRIST Abound in us, so our Consolation also Aboundeth by CHRIST; for GOD gave me such a chearful Spirit in this Warfare, that when I had not the Knowlege that the Grand-Jury man saw me at Work, [Page 28] on said Day, I would Inform against my self before Witness, till they gave out, and let me Plow, and Cart, and do whatsoever I have occasion to this Day, and to this my Brethren can Witness, according to their Faith, as saith the Apostle, 1 John 5, 4 Whatsoever is Born of GOD overcometh the World, and this is the Victory that overcometh the World; even our Faith, and in this are we GOD's Witnesses, Isaiah 44, 8. Ye are even my Witnesses. Is there any God besides ME? yea there is no God, I know not any. And herein have we had GOD's Testimony, on our behalf, through the Answer of a good Conscience, and Gift of the Holy Ghost, in bearing Witness against your Scriptureless Sabbath. And now we Call for your Witness, as in Chap. 43, 9. Let them bring forth their Witnesses, that they may be Justified, or let them hear, and say it is Truth; or else be Convicted by the Prophet, Chap. 44, 9. They are their own Witnesses, they see not nor know that they may be Ashamed.
Concerning the Sabbath, &c.
In your Confessions Chapter 22. 7 Paragraph, you say,—So by His Word in a positive moral, and perpetual Commandment, binding all Men in all Ages, He hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept Holy unto Him, which from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of CHRIST, (you say) was the last day of the Week, and from the Resurrection of CHRIST (you say) was changed into the first day of the Week, which in Scripture (you also say) is called the Lord's-Day.
Answer,
Whereas you say, So by His Word in a positive, moral and perpetual Commandment, binding all Men, in all Ages, He hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept Holy unto Him, &c. This is making GOD's Commandment of none Effect, which saith Expresly, Exod. 20.9, 10. Six Days shalt thou Labour, and do all thy Work, but the seventh Day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy GOD, in it thou [Page 30] shalt not do any Work, &c. But you open a Door of Liberty for every Man to Chuse which Day of the Seven he will keep for a Sabbath, and then set up your own Choice for the first Day of the Week, without the least word in Scripture for it, and Require all Men to Conform to it.
Secondly, you say,—Which from the beginning of the World, to the Resurrection of CHRIST was the last Day of the Week.
Answer,
There is Evening and Morning ascribed to all the six Days in which GOD Created all Things, Gen. 1. But to the seventh Day when GOD had finished all His Works, there is no Evening nor Morning ascribed to it, which shews it was not reckoned with the other six Days; and as the Scriptures inform us, Man was the last thing GOD Made, or His finishing Work: so that, that Mom [...]t that GOD Breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life, by which he became a living Soul, he immediately [Page 31] entered into GOD's Rest, or Sabbath, that had no Evening, or Morning ascribed to it, even a perpetual Rest; it was no Rest to Adam from any Work that he had done, for he had done no Work to Rest from; but it was GOD's Rest, or Sabbath, that GOD put Adam in possession of, when he was first Created, even the Day he Blessed, and Sanctified, Chap. 2. ver. 3. And GOD Blessed the seventh Day, and Sanctified it, because that in it He had Rested from all His Work, which GOD Created and Made. And as to the length of [...] that Adam continued in GOD's Rest or Sabbath; the Scripture is silent, neither is it needful for us to know but to know this, that GOD Created Adam in a state of Innocency, and set him in his own Rest, and through his Disobedience was turned out of it, to Eat his Bread by the Sweat of his Face; and we Read of no weekly, or seven Day Sabbath required of Man to be Kept, till in Exod. 16. When GOD first gave Israel Manna, then he set a part the seventh Day for a Sabbath, see ver. 26. Six Days ye shall gather it, but on the seventh Day which is the Sabbath, [Page 32] in it there shall be none. And it is good Evidence to us, that they had not lived in the practice of keeping a seventh Day Sabbath, nor that they had any knowlege of it till now, by their Averseness to it, as in Ver. 27. And it came to pass that there went out some of the People on the seventh Day for to gather, and they found none. Ver. 28, 29. And the Lord said unto Moses, how long refuse ye to keep my Commandments and my Laws: See for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth Day, the Bread of two Days; abide ye every Man in his place, let no Man go out of his place on the seventh Day. And for a final Confirmation, let us take Moses's Testimony, Deut. 5.2, 3. The Lord our God made a Covenant with us in Horeb, the Lord made not this Covenant with our Fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this Day.
Thus it is sufficiently Proved that GOD's Church had no six Days Labour, and seventh Day Sabbath given them to be observed, till it was given by [Page 33] Moses, which by Scripture Date was 2513 Years after the beginning of the World.
And as to your Scripture Proof, Exod. 20, 8, to 11. Remember the Sabbath-Day, to keep it Holy, six Days shalt thou Labour, and do all thy Work, but the seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God, in it thou shalt not do any Work, Thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, thy Man-Servant, nor thy Maid-Servant, nor thy Cattle, nor thy Stranger that is within thy Gates, &c.
In the 16th Chap. we read only of their being forbidden to gather Manna on the seventh Day, or Sabbath; but now in this Text all manner of Labour is expresly forbidden; and the Reason is given, in Ver, 11. For in six Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh Day, wherefore the Lord Blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it.
Here we see Moses in Establishing the seventh Day Sabbath to Israel, puts them in mind how that in six Days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the [Page 34] Sea and all that in them is, and rested the seventh Day; wherefore (saith he) the Lord Blessed the Sabbath Day and Hallowed it.
And in this Blessed and Sanctified Day of GOD's Rest it was, that Adam's Happiness consisted, so long as he continued in Innocency, but he for his Transgression was turned out of it, to eat his Bread by the Sweat of his Face: and this Blessed Day of Pleasure and Delight, was turned into a Cursed Day of Labour and Sorrow, not to Adam only, but to all his Posterity descending by natural Generation. And in this state of Labour and Sorrow it was that Israel underwent their Bondage in Egypt.
Now let us consider the Reason given here for observing the Sabbath, with that in Deut. 5.15. And Remember that thou wast a Servant in the Land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence, through a mighty Hand, and by a stretched out Arm; therefore the Lord thy God Commanded thee to keep the Sabbath Day.
[Page 35] Thus we see the seventh Day Sabbath was Commanded to Israel; not only in Remembrance of the happy State that Adam stood in whilst in Innocency, before his Transgression; but also in Remembrance of their Servitude in Egypt, and of GOD's Delivering them by His Mighty Hand, and Stretched out Arm, &c.
And in Exod. 31.12, 13. And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, speak thou unto the Children of Israel, saying, verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep, for it is a Sign between me, and you, throughout your Generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth Sanctify you. Also, Ezek. 20.12. Moreover also I gave them my Sabbaths to be a Sign between me, and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that Sanctify them. Here we may see, by comparing these Texts that Moses first puts Israel in mind of the Day of GOD's Rest from His Works of Creation, which He Blessed and Sanctified, which Adams Happiness consisted in, so long as he continued in Innocency.
[Page 36] Secondly, Of Israels Bondage in Egypt, and of GOD's Delivering them, as aforesaid.—
Thirdly, That the LORD gave them the seventh Day Sabbath to keep as a Sign of GOD's bringing His Church and People into His seventh Day Rest, or Sabbath again, which had no Evening, or Morning ascribed to it; or into His everlasting Rest, which Adam for his Transgression was dispossessed of: and of this Rest or Sabbath, all the Faithful were Witnesses, from Adam till Moses; as CHRIST Testifieth, John 8.56. Your Father Abraham Rejoiced to see my Day, and he saw it and was glad: That was through Faith he believed in the Promises as really as if he had seen them Fulfilled, Heb. 11.17, 18, 19. And this is the Sabbath or Rest, that every Child of GOD has to Labour to Enter into; as saith the Apostle, Chap. 4.11. Let us Labour therefore to enter into that Rest, lest any Man Fail after the same example of unbelief: That is as Israel who through unbelief, Numb. 14. Entered not into the Land of Canaan, but perished in the Wilderness. Here the [Page 37] Apostle warns us by their Example, as also, 1 Cor. 10, 11. Now all these Things happened unto them, saith he, for Ensamples, and they are written for our Admonition upon whom the ends of the World are come. And as the observing those Signs and Shadows under the Law were no Instruction to Israel; but as they saw the Mystery they held forth, so to us they are useless, because we are come to the Substance of what they Contained, Gal. 3.24, 25, 26. Wherefore (saith the Apostle,) the Law was our School-Master to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by Faith, but after that Faith is come we are no longer under a School-Master, for ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus.
Thirdly, You say, and from the Resurrection of CHRIST was changed into the first Day of the Week, and for Proof quote Acts 20.7. And upon the first day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread, Paul Preached unto them ready to depart on the Morrow, and continued his Speech until Midnight.
[Page 38] Now let us take your Advice, as in your Confessions; Chap. 1. 9 Paragraph, you say; The infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture it Self, &c.
Now in as much as there is no Pre-eminence given to the Day; but called the first Day of the Week, not Sabbath Day; and that their coming together was to break Bread: Paul Preached unto them, &c. I see no further Interpretation of this text of Scripture, than that their coming together to break Bread, was in a Christian Fellowship of Love; except it might be a more general Thing at this Time, Paul being there, and ready to depart on the Morrow, and to this it Agrees with other texts of Scripture, as in Chap. 2. 42. And they continued Stedfast in the Apostles Doctrine, and in Fellowship, and in breaking of Bread, and in Prayers, ver. 46. And they continuing Daily with one Accord in the Temple, and in breaking Bread from House to House, did eat their Meat with gladness, and singleness of Heart; as also Jude 12. These are spots, in your feasts [Page 39] of Charity, when they Feast with You, &c. So that from this text ot Scripture you have no proof of the Sabbath, being Changed from the seventh Day, to the first Day of the Week; in as much as there is not the Word Sabbath used, nor any thing leading thereunto, neither now, nor before this Time; and as to your other proof Gen. 2 2. And on the seventh Day GOD ended all His Work, which He had Made, and Rested on the seventh Day, from all His Work, which He had Made, &c. This Text only speaks of GOD's Resting on the seventh Day from all His Work, that is to say, from His Work of Creation; and is therefore no Proof for your first Days Sabbath; you also Quote, 1 Cor. 6.1, 2. Dare any of you having a Matter against another go to Law before the Unjust, and not before the Saints; do ye not know that the Saints shall Judge the World? and if the World shall be Judged by You, are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest Matters? &c. Here the Apostle is not speaking any thing concerning a Sabbath; but blames the Church for [...]eir Contentions, and going to Law before the unjust or worldly Judges, [Page 40] compar'd with ver. 6. But Brother goeth to Law with Brother, and that before the Unbelievers.
Now, whereas you Quote, Rev. 1, 10. And say upon it, which in Scripture is called the Lord's-Day, and apply it to prove your first Day Sabbath. I desire to know from what text of Scripture, you prove that the Title Lord's-Day is given to the first Day of the Week, more than any other Day; or that any particular Day of the Week is intended by it? Psal. 74.16. We read, The Day is Thine, the Night also is Thine. Jer 5.2. Saith, And tho' they say the Lord liveth, surely they Sware falsely. Now they had Scripture enough to prove that the LORD lived, but they had not the Witness in themselves; and therefore their Witness was not True. And for you to set up the first Day of the Week for a Sabbath; and then say which in Scripture is called the LORD's Day, without any Proof from the Text, or any other Place of Scripture, is a false Assertion of your own; and wresting the Scriptures to your own Destruction. 2 Pet. 3.16. Yea it is [Page 41] a Secret that doth not belong to us to know, till GOD reveals it: Deut. 29.29. The secret Things belong unto the Lord our God; but those Things that are Revealed belong unto us, and to our Children for Ever, that we may do all the Words of this Law. Yea, it is adding to the Text, which we are forbidden, Chap. 4.2. Ye shall not add unto the Word which I Command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it. Also Chap. 12.32. And saith the Apostle, Rev. Chap. 22.18. For I Testifie unto every Man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this Book; if any Man shall add unto these Things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this Book, &c.
The words in the Text are these; I was in the Spirit on the LORD's Day, &c.
In the Explanation of any Text of Scripture, it is safe first to consider the Occasion of its being Spoken, so to inform our Understanding, and to deliver it in as plain Words as we can, without the least Inclination either to Add, or to Diminish. And so with [Page 42] your Advice, That the infallible Rule of Interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture it self.
I proceed to prove, that the word Day, in Scripture, is not always to be limited to any particular Day in the Week, but the present Time: As in Psal. 95.7. To day if you will hear his voice, &c. Ver. 8. Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation; and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness; compar'd with ver. 10. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, &c.
This Text informs us, that the Day here spoken of, contained the Children of Israel's Forty Years Travel in the Wilderness: Also Psal. 118.22, 23, 24. The Stone which the Builders refused is become the head stone of the Corner; this is the LORD'S Doing, it is marvellous in our Eyes: This is the Day which the LORD hath made, we will rejoice, and be glad in it.
Here is the word Day used, to set forth GOD'S great Goodness to David, and to his Church, in destroying their Enemies, and establishing him on the Throne of his Kingdom. A Day which cannot be ascribed to one single Day, or to any particular [Page 43] Day of the Week; but to that present Time wherein they enjoyed the Mercy there spoken of. As also 2 Cor. 6.2. For I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: Behold, now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.
Thus we see, the Text has no reference to any particular Day of the Week; but the present Time.
To conclude with the words of the Text, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, &c. is as much as if the Apostle had said, I was in the Spirit, or Spiritualized in the day of the LORD'S Appearing to me, and requiring me to write the Prophesies of this Book; which to our acceptation may be understood, Time of the Lord's Appearing, compared with the fore cited Scriptures.
Thus you single out only these words of the Apostle, I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, &c. for the proof of your First-Day Sabbath; and add to the Text, and say, Which in Scripture is called the Lord's-Day, without proof either from this Text, or any other Scripture, that the First Day of the Week was ever so intitled.
[Page 44] You also Quote Exod. 20.8.10, to prove said Sabbath, and leave out the ninth Verse, that says, Six days shalt thou Labour, and do all thy Work: For that would have been in right Opposition to your First Day Sabbath. But your proof in the tenth Verse, is, But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any Work, thou, nor thy Son, nor thy Daughter, &c.
Thus you bring the express Command For the Seventh Day Sabbath, to prove your First Day Sabbath; and in so doing break God's Commandment in a Twofold Sense.
First, You command Rest on the Day that He commanded Labour.
Secondly, You Labour on the Day that He commanded Rest.
And herein you also go contrary to the command of the Angel of the Lord, and of Christ himself, Mat. 28.7.10. who both commanded the Disciples to Labour, by Travelling on the First Day of the Week, being the Day of Christ's Resurrection. And for us to do the like, would be more Exemplary, than to command, and do contrary.
[Page 45] There remains more of your proofs that I have not spoken to; but they are so far from proving any Command for your First Day Sabbath, that they inform us of no Example, Name, nor the least Breath leading thereunto. And the Apostle saith, Rom. 4.15. Where no law is there is no transgression, Also Chap. 5. 13. Sin is not imputed where there is no Law.
And now Connecticut, I turn your own Words back upon your selves. Page 7, of your Preface you say, Believe in all divine Worship, it is not enough that this or that Act of Worship is not forbidden in the Word of God, if it be not Commanded, and you perform it, you may fear you will be found guilty, and exposed to divine Displeasure, &c.
And also you of Boston in your preface, page 4 say, To the Law, and to the Testimony, we do wholly refer our selves; and if any thing in the following Conclusion be indeed found not to speak according thereunto let it be Rejected.
Boston Confession, by its Date, has been Printed more than seventy Years, what [Page 46] Witness has been borne against it, I know not; but the length of Time has been sufficient for them to have Perused it, and Corrected it, or Condemned it.
As for Connecticut Confession, it has been Printed more than forty Years, and there has been public Witness borne against it, both before the Ministers, and also before the Rulers of the common Wealth, but it was not regarded.
And now I speak to the Elders, and Messengers, and General Courts of both said Governments, the former as you have recommended the abovesaid Confessions, the latter as you have established them, and caused them to be Printed, and use the carnal Sword to defend them, what have you to say for your selves? For as much, as you have Verified it over, and over so many times in your Confessions, that we should make the Scriptures, or the Word of GOD our rule of Life, and to that Effect, and not to take any thing upon trust as from you, and say, in Chap. 21. 1, 2, Paragraph, GOD alone is LORD of the Conscience, and hath left it free from [Page 47] the Doctrines, and Commandments of Men, which are in any thing contrary to His Word, or not contained in it, so that to believe such Doctrines, or to obey such Commands out of Conscience, is to betray true liberty of Conscience, and the requiring of an implicit Faith, and an absolute, and blind Obedience, is to destroy liberty of Conscience, and Reason also.
I say, what have you to say for your selves in Defence of your first day Sabbath? that has neither command, nor example, nor name, nor the least breath, or title in Scripture for it; but express Commands to the contrary, both in the old, and new Testament.
And whereas you say, GOD alone is LORD of the Conscience, &c. How do you Prove it? where are your Witnesses? you only give Him the Title of LORD, but take the ruling power of Lordship to your selves, to rule over Conscience; and so with your carnal Weapons, as Stocks, Whips, Fines, and Imprisonments, and the like, to Persecute CHRIST in His Members, that for [Page 48] Conscience sake cannot conform to your institutions of Worship; they are so contrary to Scripture, that they cannot both be obeyed: As CHRIST saith, No Man can serve two Masters, &c. Matth. 6, 24. Yet you presumptuously require Obedience to your own Institutions, against Scripture, against Conscience, and against your own Counsels, page 5. 6. in Connecticut Preface; and why is all this? it is for the sake of a little honour, and friendship of this World, as saith CHRIST, John 5, 44. How can ye believe which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Thus CHRIST sets it forth as a thing imposlible to believe in GOD, whilst we are seeking Honour one of another; and James 4.4. saith, Ye adulterers, and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the World, if enmity with GOD? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of GOD; that is, to be in friendship with the spirit of the World, makes us enemies to God: And most certainly, you are twisted together in the honour, and friendship of the World, under a shew of Godliness: But by your [Page 49] Articles of Faith, that are so contrary to Scripture, and your defending them by the carnal Sword, proves you to be Antichristians.
Concerning Swearing.
Chap. 23. 1, 2, paragraph, you say, A lawful Oath is a part of religious Worship, &c.
An Oath is warranted by the Word of GOD under the New Testament, as well as under the Old. And to prove it. Quote many Texts of Scripture out of the Old Testament; but I make use of none of them, to prove it, or disprove it: For as much as we read, Deut. 18.17, 18, 19. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto thee, and I will put my Words in his Mouth, and he shall speak unto them, all that I shall Command him, and it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my Words, which he shall speak in my Name, I will require it of him. Matth. 17, 5. While He yet spake behold a bright Cloud overshadowed them, and behold a Voice out of [Page 50] the Cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him.
So now let us hear your New Testament Proofs, Matth. 5.34, 35, 36, But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by Heaven for it is GOD's Throne; nor by the Earth for it is His Foot-stool; neither by Jerusalem, for it is the City of the Great King; neither shalt thou Swear by thy Head, because thou canst not make one Hair white or black. Jam. 5.12. But above all things, my Brethren, swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the Earth, neither by any other Oath, but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest you full into Condemnation.
Here is full, and express Commands from CHRIST, and His Apostle, that forbids us all manner of Swearing whatsoever: But you say, A lawful Oath is a part of religious Worship, &c. And to refuse an Oath is Sin, in your 3d Paragraph.
Now who shall we obey, Christ or you? we cannot Obey both; because CHRIST forbids us doing that, that you say, is a part of religious Worship, and Sin if we refuse it, &c. And to bring Scriptures to confute you, that go so directly [Page 51] against the express Commandments of GOD, and of CHRIST in the Scriptures, is altogether superfluous, and would be but as casting Pearls before Swine, which CHRIST hath Forbidden us. I shall therefore conclude, with this Article as sufficiently Confuted, by your own Scripture Proofs, and so leave it to the Judgment of the Reader.
Concerning Baptism.
Chap. 29. 3d Paragraph, you say, Dipping of the Person into the Water is not necessary, but Baptism is rightly administred by pouring, [...] sprinkling Water upon the Person. For which you Quote divers Scriptures, but they are nothing to the purpose.
I shall therefore omit them, and Prove the contrary, both as it was Administred in the Figure in the Time of the old Testament; and also as it was practiced in the New. Exod. 14.22. And the Children of Israel went into the midst of the Sea, upon the dry Ground, and the Waters were a wall unto them on the right hand, and on the left; Compared with 1 Cor. 10.1, 2. Moreover, brethren, [Page 52] I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud, and all passed through the Sea, and were all Baptized unto Moses in the Cloud, and in the Sea.
Here we see, as all Israel were under the Cloud, and passed through the Sea, that was a Wall on their right Hand, and on their left; the Apostle calls it Baptism, or being Baptized unto Moses, saith he, in the Cloud and in the Sea; [...] doth not apply Baptism, to the Water only, as it was a Wall on their right Hand, and on their left, but to the Cloud also, as it was over them, which shews forth a Burying; and Matth. 3.13, we Read, Then cometh JESUS from Galilee to Jordan, unto John to be Baptised of him. ver. 16. And JESUS when He was Baptized, went up straitway out of the Water. Mark 1.9, 10. And it came to pass in those Days, that JESUS came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was Baptized of John in Jordan, and straightly coming up out of the Water, &c. Here is two Scripture Records, that inform us that CHRIST was Baptized in Jordan, and that He came up out of the Water. What did He go down [Page 53] into the Water for, but to be buried in Baptism? and do you say, this manner of Administration of Baptism is not necessary, which CHRIST Himself hath given us a Pattern by His own Example, and saith thus, It becometh us to fulfill all Righteousness: And in stead hereof set up a Tradition of your own, and say, Baptism is rightly administred by pouring, or sprinkling Water upon the Person. Thus you make void CHRIST'S Pattern, and Example, and establish your own Tradition. Read also, Acts 8.38, 39. And they went down both into the Water, both Philip, and the Eunuch, and he Baptized him, and when they were come up out of the Water, &c. It had no need to be said, that they went both down into the Water, and when they were come up out of the Water, &c. It Philip by taking a little Water in his Hand and administring it by pouring, or sprinkling it on the Eunuch, would have been accepted for Baptism.
Rom. 6, 3. Know ye not, that so many of us as were Baptized into JESUS CHRIST, were Baptized into His Death. ver. 4. Therefore we are Buried with Him by Baptism unto Death, saith the [Page 54] Apostle, that is, into the likeness of His Death, and Burial, to shew forth the death, and burial of the body of Sin in us; and further saith he, That like as CHRIST was raised up from the Dead, by the Glory of the Father, even so also, we should walk in newness of Life; that is, as we are quickned by the power of His Resurrection; ver. 5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His Death, we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection. Col. 2.12. Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the Faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the Dead. By this Text the Apostle shews that as we are Buried with CHRIST in Baptism, so we are also Risen with Him to newness of Life; and not only this, but we bare an open Testimony to the World, of our Faith in His Death, and Resurrection. But pouring, or sprinkling Water upon the Person, bares no name in Scripture relating to Baptism, and is a Worshipping you know not what: Or as CHRIST saith, Matth 15.9. But in vain do they Worship me, teaching for Doctrines the Commandments of Men.
[Page 55] Neither have you any Scripture for the Baptizing Infants, as you call it, but it is an Invention of your own, to pretend to Baptize those that have no Knowlege, neither of Good, or Evil. Deut. 1, 39. Moreover your little ones which ye said should be a prey, and your Children which in that day had no knowlege between good and Evil, &c.
Thus it appears that your Baptism is made up with Contradictions of Scripture: And in the Administring it you say, I Baptize thee in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; which is a Lie both to GOD and Man: Neither do I see it to be less than Blasphemy; for the Spirit of GOD and the Scriptures agree in one: For saith the Apostle, 2 Pet. 1.21. The Prophecy came not in old Time by the will of Man, but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 1 Cor. 12.3. No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
And for you to take God's Name to Witness to that is so contrary to the Scriptures, we may safely believe it to be by the spirit of Antichrist; and therefore a lie, as to what you pretend.
[Page 56] Here I conclude with your own Words, Chap. 22. Paragraph 1. But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true God is Instituted by Himself, and so limited by his own Revealed Will, that he may not be Worshipped according to the Imaginations, and Devices of Men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible Representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.
Concerning the Civil Government,
As it is the Ordinance of GOD, Rom. 13.1, 2 Let every soul be subject unto the higher Powers, for there is no Power but of God: the Powers that be are Ordained of God; whosoever therefore resisteth the Power, resisteth the Ordinance of God, and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation, &c. Ver. 5, 6. Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for Wrath, but also for Conscience sake: for, for this Cause pay [...] Tribute also; for they are God's Ministers, &c.
And herein we have Christ's Example, who paid Tribute, rather than to offend them, Matth. 17.25, 26, 27. And from this Example of CHRIST, the Apostle [Page 57] seems to Exhort the Church, 1 Pet. 2.13, 14 Submit your selves, saith he, to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake; whether it be to the King as supreme, or unto Governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well; for so is the Will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: as free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of Maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
The Apostle seems to speak in the same manner with CHRIST, who said, Lest we should Offend them; that is, as Sojourners in their Kingdom, to do it for Peace sake, rather than to Offend them; and not as a due Debt.
And whereas the Apostle saith, As free, and not using your Liberty for a Cloke of Maliciousness; but as the Servants of God: that is, to do it Chearfully, not Grudgingly; but in a free Spirit. Read Tit. 3.1. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magistrates, to be ready to every good Work, &c. That is, necessary Works for the public Good, but nothing relating to Conscience or Godliness: For the civil Government then had not received the [Page 58] Christian Faith; but were Idolaters, and Worshipped Idols.
And under this same Government, being the Roman Government, the Church suffered Persecution the first Three Hundred Years after Christ, in the Time of the Ten Persecutions, as we are informed by Church History. Yea, the Apostles themselves were put to Death, and an innumerable multitude of Christians in this Time, for Conscience, or Christ's sake; which is sufficient F [...]idenee, that the Apostle's Exhortations to Christians, to be subject to the higher Powers, was only in Temporal Things, and nothing concerning Conscience.
So that from these Texts, there is no Inlargement for any Rulers of the Common Wealth to Exercise any Authority over any man's Conscience; neither have we the least Word in all the New Testament, to encourage Christians for Help that way: but all on the contrary. As in Mat. 10.18. saith Christ, And ye shall be brought before Governors and Kings for my sake for a Testimony against them, and the Gentiles.
And it is the run of the New Testament, that a Suffering Life is marked out [Page 59] for a Christian's Life. And as the Children of GOD are said to be Strangers, and Pilgrims in the World, so it is the Will of GOD, that they should live a Peaceable and Quiet Life, in all Places where GOD is pleased to call them. But in the case of Conscience, we must Obey GOD rather than Man. And we are Exhorted to Contend Earnestly for the Faith, and not to Fear them that Kill the Body, &c. Mat. 10.28.
But civil Rulers, not being contented in the Place that God hath set them in through the Pride of their own Hearts, and Malice of Satan, usurp Authority to Rule in Church Affairs also; and to Exercise Lordship over Men's Consciences: Whereas the Prophet Isaiah, Chap. 33.22. saith, The LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King, &c.
But if we sit in his Seat of Judgment, to Judge, how is He a Judge? And if we Exercise our selves in His Place of Lordship, how is He a Lord? And if we set up our Authority to Rule over His Church, which is His Kingdom, how then is He a King? For saith Christ, Luk. 17.20, 21. The Kingdom of GOD cometh [Page 60] not with Observation,&c. Or as we may say, not by observing outward Rules. For behold saith he, The Kingdom of God is within you. That is by the Revelation of GOD's Spirit in our Hearts, which is out of Man's Sight to Judge of.
Thus it is sufficiently Proved that GOD hath set up the civil Government to Rule in the common Wealth, in Temporal things; and as well Proved that he hath not committed unto them the Government of His Church; and His Revealed Will in Men's Consciences, which is a Secret, know only by GOD, and to him to whom GOD is pleased to Reveal it, Rev. 2.17. He that hath an ear let him hear, what the Spirit saith unto the Churches; to him that over cometh will I give to eat of the hidden Manna; and I will give him a white Stone, and in the Stone, a new Name written which no Man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Thus I have Proved that the civil Government as they exercise their Authority to Rule only in Temporal things [Page 61] are the Ministers of GOD, and that GOD hath not committed to them the Government of His Church, or to meddle in cases of Conscience.
And now I speak to you Elders, and Messengers; as you have Recommended your Confessions of Faith; and to you Rulers of the common Wealth, as you have acknowleged them, and published them, and established them by Law, and defend them by the carnal Sword, I speak I say to both Parties as One, as you are in Fellowship with each other in these Things, and so proceed to prove that your exercising your Selves in the affairs of Conscience, and matters of Faith towards GOD, you do it under the authority of the Dragon, or spirit of Antichrist. Rev. 13.1, 2, 3. And I stood upon the sand of the Sea, and saw a Beast rise up out of the Sea having seven Heads, and ten Horns; and upon his Horns ten Crowns, and upon his Heads the name of Blasphemy: And the Beast which I saw was like unto a Leopard, and his Feet were as the Feet of a Bear, and his Mouth as the Mouth of [Page 62] a Lion: And the Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat, and great Authority.
Now as hath been said, the power, and authority of the civil Government is of GOD, to execute justice, and equity among Men; and the civil Government as it was Represented to John by a Beast rising up out of the Sea, or multitude of People, as in Chap. 17. 15. had this power, and authority given them of GOD, before that of the Dragon's, as it is set forth by the Beast, having seven Heads, and ten Horns, and upon his Horns ten Crowns: So that it is very clear, and evident that the power, seat, and authority given by the Dragon was an additional power, not from GOD, but of his own Nature, a persecuting Power, readily imbraced by the Rulers of the common Wealth, for the sake of the glory, honor, and friendship of this World; and this power, and glory he offered to CHRIST, Luke 4, 5, 6, but CHRIST did not accept of it, but we see the Beast, or worldly Powers did accept of it, in that they put it in Practice. And I saw one of his [Page 63] Heads as it were wounded to Death, and his deadly Wound was healed. By the Beast the Apostle here saw rise up out of the Sea, having seven Heads, and ten Horns, and upon his Horns ten Crowns, &c. We are to understand the worldly Powers, or Rulers that GOD hath set up to Govern the World, or common Wealth, whether Kings, Governors, or those of lower Degrees, compared with the following part of Rev. 13, and more Particularly the 7 ver. And it was given unto him to make War with the Saints, and to over-come them, and power was given him over all Kindreds, and Tongues and Nations. And by the Dragon is to be understood the Devil, or Satan, as in Chap. 12, 9. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old Serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole World, &c. And whereas it is said the Dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great Authority; this is to be understood by stirring up the powers of this World, by the spirit of Persecution, to turn the Sword that GOD had put into their Hands to execute justice among Men, to persecute the Saints, as in Chap. 12, 7. [Page 64] And there was war in Heaven, Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon, and the Dragon fought and his Angels. Now though the Devil be said, to be a Murderer from the beginning, as in John 8, 44. Y [...] are of your father the Devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do; he was a Murderer from the begining. Yet I understand the War here spoken of, between Michael and his Angels; and the Dragon and his Angels, to intend more particularly the time of the ten Persecutions, under the Roman Emperors in defence of their Heathenish Idolatrous Worship, which said War by the Saints was not carried on by carnal Weapons; as we may see Chap. 12.11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their Testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the Death: But in the End, the prevailing of the light of the Gospel, and the Sword of Constantine, became the Overthrow of that persecuting Power, and the wounding that head, or power of the Beast, received from the Dragon, by which he became a persecuting Power; and by the spreading of the Gospel among the [Page 65] Gentiles, according to what is spoken, Isa. 11.9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy Mountain; for the Earth shall be full of the knowlege of the LORD as the Waters cover the Sea.
This was a prophecy of the Gentiles receiving the knowlege of GOD by preaching the Gospel unto them: For we receive the knowlege of GOD, and of the mysteries or Godliness no other way but by the Gospel, and by our knowlege of GOD, and of the mysteries of Godliness in and by the Gospel; the mystery of Iniquity is also discovered, and the discovering the mystery of Iniquity in the time of Heathenism, and their worshipping of Idols, to be a delusion or a work of Satan, was the wounding as unto Death, as the Apostle saith, that head or power given to the Beast, by the Dragon and by the Sword in the hand of Constantine, GOD executed His Judgments upon the Roman Pers;ecuting Power to their utter overthrow, and deliverance of His Church out of their persecuting Hands.
[Page 66] Thus we are come to the end of Persecution, under Heathenism, or the Gentiles opposing the Christian Faith, and the wounding the Beasts Head, or persecuting Power given him by the Dragon.
The next thing to understand is, how his wounded Head was healed; which will appear by reading and comparing the following part of Rev. 13. ver. 11, 12, &c. And I beheld another Beast Coming up out of the Earth, and he had two Horns like a Lamb, and he spake as a Dragon, and he exerciseth all the power of the firs;t Beast before him, and causeth the Earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first Beast whose deadly wound was healed. The Apostle calls this another Beast to distinguish it from the Beast mentioned in ver. first, that rose up out of the Sea, having seven Heads, and ten Horns, and upon his Horns ten Crowns, &c. Which shews the perfection of the Power that GOD had given him to govern the common Wealth; as in Chap. 12. 3. The Dragon is described to have seven Heads and ten Horns, and seven Crowns upon his Heads: This is also to shew [Page 67] the perfection of his Power; and the Dragon giving the said Beast his Power and his Seat, and great Authority; and the said Beast or worldly Powers represented by it, exercising the Power given him by the Dragon, becomes a persecuting Power, not only to Rule in the common Wealth, but also in the Church, in things that relate to the worship of GOD, bringing both the common Wealth and Church under one Government, and the Beast mentioned in ver. 11 12. Coming up out of the Earth, which shews his Earthly nature that is said to have two horns like a Lamb, and to speak as a Dragon, and to exercise all the power of the first Beast before him, and to cause the Earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first Beast whose deadly wound was healed. Why this Beast was represented to John in the appearance of a Lamb, was in imitation to CHRIST, as CHRIST is set forth by the similitude of a Lamb, John 1.29. Behold the Lamb of GOD, which taketh away the Sin of the World. Rev. 5.12. Worthy is the Lamb that was Slain, &c. And Abundantly in this Book CHRIST is Represented by the similitude of a Lamb; [Page 68] so that it was in Imitation to CHRIST, and His Ministers, as being sent by CHRIST, and coming in His Name: But He is said to speak as a Dragon, which shews He was a Counterfeit, or Antichrist, and did not come in a real Lamb-like Spirit, but in the Spirit of Antichrist, or false Prophets; as CHRIST foretold, Matth. 7 15. Beware of false Prophets, which come to you in Sheeps Cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves, And in the following Verses shews, that we shall know them by their Fruits. And why he is said to have two Horns, is to shew his exercising Authority, not only in the common Wealth, but also in the Church: ver. 13. And he doth great Wonders, so that he maketh Fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of Men. That is, by his Ministers, by their formal and long Prayers, with seeming Holiness, and many and vain Repetitions forbidden by CHRIST; Matth. 6.7, 8. But when ye Pray, use not vain Repetitions as the Heathen do, for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking; be not ye therefore like unto them.
[Page 69] Rev. 15. ver. 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth, or Earthly Men, by the means of those Miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the Beast: That is to say, the first Beast, or Rulers of this World; and this is also by his Ministers in singing holy Men's Psalms in a formal customary Manner, without any quickening from GOD, being in a dead carnal State; by these and the like performances, under a shew of Godliness is intended the said Wonders and Miracles, by which carnal and earthly minded Men are Deceived.
And further saith the Apostle, Saying to them that dwell on the Earth, that they should make an image to the Beast which had the wound by a Sword and did live. This is the Beast coming up out of the Earth, in ver. 11, who represents Antichrist, and and Antichristian Ministers; and by what the Apostle saith, stirs up them that dwell on the Earth, or earthly Men, to make an image or form of godliness to the first Beast, as in ver. 1. Which had the wound by a Sword and did live; who represents all Antichristian Authority [Page 70] throughout the World, that exalt themselves over GOD's Church, to Judge in the affairs of Conscience. Ver. 15. And he had Power to give life unto the image of the Beast, that the image of the Beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the Beast should be Killed.
In the time of the Old Testament the Images and Idols of the Heathen were dead Idols; but this Beast or Antichrist, the Apostle saith, had power to give Life unto the image of the Beast, or form of Godliness maintained and defended by the worldly Powers, that it should both Speak, and cause that as many as would not Worship the image of the Beast should be Killed. Ver. 16. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right Hand, or in their Fore-heads. This signifies to require an active and open Acknowledgement from all Men of every Rank as the words express, to Worship, and to be Worshippers of the Image, or form of Godliness defended by the Powers of this World. Ver. 17. And that no Man [Page 71] might buy, or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the Beast, or the number of his name. For such an one was to have no liberty to exercise himself in any Church Affairs, neither to teach, nor to administer any of the Ordinances of CHRIST, or to do any thing contrary to that prescribed form of Worship, or image of the Beast; as is signified by being denied the liberty either to Buy, or Sell. Ver. 18. Here is Wisdom, let him that hath Understanding count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a Man, and his number is six Hundred, three Score, and six; yea it is Wisdom indeed to understand so as to count this Number here spoken of; for none but the Wisdom of GOD, can count this Number of the Beast, or his Worship so as to understand it: For saith the Apostle, it is the Number of a Man, and as it is the Number of a Man, it contains all Precepts, Laws, Doctrines, Ordinances, and institutions of Worship whatsoever made, and required to be observed by the commandments of Men, in one Kingdom, and common. Wealth after this manner, and in another after that: Yea it contains all [Page 72] the pretended Worship to GOD throughout the whole World, set up by the Wisdom of Men, and by them Commanded to be Observed: And saith he, his Number is six Hundred, three Score, and six.
Here we see the Apostle has Numberd it by the same Wisdom that he Recommends to us to Number it by; for he received it by Revelation from GOD, and none can count this Number but by the same Spirit of Revelation now GOD: And although the Apostle has Numbered it to us, yet he counsels us to Number it; for else how shall we understand it so as to escape it; as not to be entangled in it for [...] concerns every private Christian to keep out of the delusion of Antichrist, one as much as another.
The sum of the matter is this, by the Dragon, is to be understood the Devil, Chap. 12. 9. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old Serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole World; and by the Beast that rose up out of the Sea, Chap. 13. 1. is to be understood the powers of this [Page 73] World, that GOD hath Ordained to govern the common Wealth; who at that time was much held under the Roman Power; and by the Beast coming up out of the Earth, ver. 11. That had two Horns like a Lamb, and spake as a Dragon, is to be understood Antichrist, and comprehends all false Teachers pretending to come in CHRIST's Name, and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth.
Saith the Apostle by the means of those Miracles which he had power to do, in the sight of the Beast, or worldly Rulers, and this came by the falling away of the Church from the Apostles Doctrine; and their first Successors received in the purity of it. As saith CHRIST, Matth. 5. 14. Ye are the light of the World, a City that is set on a Hill cannot he hid: The light of which, that is, the light of the Church discovered the delusions of the World in the time of Heathenish Idolatry, to the wounding as unto Death that head or power of the Beast given him by the Dragon; as saith the Apostle; but by the falling away of the Church, the light of the Gospel became [Page 74] Eclipsed, and Men's understandings Darkned, so that the Devil got place again in the darkness of Men's understandings to deceive them so as to believe himself to be GOD, 2 Cor. 4.4. In whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, &c: and the Church to be Deceivers, And the Church of Antichrist as it got place in the World to be taken for the true Church: So taking the false for the true, and the true for the false; and as the false Church, or Church of Antichrist Multiplied, it became Honourable in the World, so as to be received by the World, and worldly Powers: For the true Church, that is now the false Church, and World, and worldly Powers came into Fellowship together, so as to Rule not only in the common Wealth, but also in the Church, by that usurped Power received from the Dragon.
And as is signified by the Beast, having two Horns like a Lamb, but spake as a Dragon; and is said to exercise all the Power of the first Beast, or at least that persecuting Power under Heathenism, and this is the healing of [Page 75] that head, or persecuting Power of the Beast received from the Dragon; that is to say, now in the time of Antichristianism, and as those Idols of the Heathen in the time of the Law were dead Idols. Psalm 115.4, 5, 6, 7. Their Idols are Silver and Gold, the work of Men's Hands, they have Mouths but they speak not, Eyes have they but they see not, they have Ears but they hear not, Noses have they but they smell not, they have Hands but they handle not, Feet have they but they walk not, neither speak they through their Throat, Psalm 135.15, 16, 17. The Idols of the Heathen are Silver and Gold, the work of Men's Hands, &c. So that the Worshippers of them could ascribe no Glory, or Praise to them any further, than they were the work of their own Hands.
But here it is said, the Beast that came up out of the Earth having two Horns like a Lamb, and spake as a Dragon, had power to give Life unto the image of the Beast, or form of Godliness; that it should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the said Beast, [Page 76] should be Killed; appearing in as great Authority as Nebuchadnezzar, who saw no Power above himself, and gave the like Sentence.
For as this Beast by his two Horns was a representation of Antichrist, and Antichristian Ministers joyning together in Fellowship and Worship with the Powers of the World; so these also see no Power above themselves; having (in their Imagination) all Power, both in Church and common Wealth: And in imitation to the Prophets, and Apostles, as being the Church of GOD, using the words of the holy Prophets and Apostles, in Prayer, and singing Praises.
But to who, even to him that gave this Power, and is thus Worshipped? Mind the Apostles words; yea now all the Dominion, Glory, and Might, and wonderful Works of GOD made known to Mankind in the Scriptures, is ascribed to another. Where [...]s GOD saith, Isa. 42.8. I am the LORD, that is my Name, and my Glory will I not give to another; neither my Praise to graven Images. That now seems to be fulfilled what is Written, 2 Thes. 2.4. Who [Page 77] opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called GOD, or is Worshipped; so that he as GOD, sitteth in the Temple of GOD, shewing himself that he is GOD: Compared with ver. 9. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all Power, and Signs, and lying Wonders, &c.
So that the great Dragon, that old Serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole World, Rev. Chap. 12.9. Now under Antichristianism, hath obtained a far more Glorious Kingdom than in the time of Heathenism, and worshipping those dead and dumb Idols, though made of Silver and Gold, and never so curiously Wrought; for saith the Apostle, Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called GOD, or that [...]s Worshipped; so that he as GOD, sitteth in the Temple of GOD, shewing himself that he is GOD: And by his Ministers, can use the words of the Scriptures, and pray, and preach, and sing holy Men's Psalms with great Earnestness, and shew of much Holiness, and Godliness, together with his other Institutions [Page 78] of Worship, compar'd with Rev. Chap. 13.13. And he doth great Wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of Men, ver. 14. And deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth, by the means of those Miracles which he had 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, and did Live; That is, the first Beast, or Rulers of the common Wealth: Thus we see by the greatness of his Wonders the Apostle speaks as though he made fire come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of Men; and saith, He deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth, by the means of those Miracles that he had Power to do in the sight of the Beast; That is, the first Beast, or worldly Rulers; and these are called lying Wonders; 2 Thes. 2.9. Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all Power, and Signs, and lying Wonders.
And this Image mentioned by the Apostle, we understand to be an Image of Godliness, or a Form of Godliness.
[Page 79] And your Confessions of Faith, as your established Ministers, or Elders, and Messengers have recommended them to the Civil Government in each Colony; and they have established them, and defend them by the force of the Sword: This evidently proves them to be the said Image, made to the Beast, divided to each Government: For the Apostle is not speaking particularly to this, or that, or the other Kingdom, but to the whole World, where CHRIST is Preached: And yet uses the word Image, not Images; for tho' there may be a Thousand Kingdoms, common Wealths, or Governments under Antichristianism in the World, and each of them may have a differing form of Worship, or image of Worship, yet they all make but one Image to the Beast.
As the Body hath many Members, and yet make but one Body. And though the Dragon be called Dragon, Serpent, Devil, and Satan, in Rev. Chapter 12.9. Yet he is but one Spirit.
[Page 80] Thus it is proved that your Confessions of Faith, (as you call them) are not agreable to the Scriptures; but contrary to Scripture, and against plain Scripture; and are therefore not Confessions of Faith in CHRIST, but Faithless Confessions of Antichrist; as by your own Confessions, as aforesaid.
Chap. 22. 1. Paragraph, you say, The acceptable way of Worshipping the true GOD is Instituted by Himself; and so Limited by His own revealed Will; that He may not be Worshipped according to the Imaginations, and Devices of Men, or the Suggestions of Satan, under any visible Representations, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scriptures.
And you Elders, and Messengers, (as you are called) as you stand to maintain, and defend the said Confessions, are not Elders and Messengers of the Churches of CHRIST, but of Antichrist.
And you Rulers of the Common Wealth of each Government, as you [Page 81] exercise your selves as such in the affair of Conscience, and things Relating to the Worship of GOD, you do it not under CHRIST, but against CHRIST, under the Power of Antichrist; as by the Scriptures hath, been fully proved.
In the Form of Church Government in Boston Confession, Chap. 17. Paragraph 6. They say, It is the duty of the Magistrate to take care of Matters of Religion, and Improve his civil Authority for Observing the Duties commanded in the First, as well as for Observing the Duties commanded in the Second Table. And further say, The End of the Magistrates Office is not only the Quiet and Peaceable Life of the Subject in Matters of Righteousness and Honesty, but also in Matters of Godliness, yea of all Godliness.
To this I Answer: The Figurative Kingly Office of CHRIST was Prophesied to Descend of Judah; Gen. 49.10. The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law giver from between his feet until Shiloh come, and unto him shall the gathering of the People be. Which was Fulfilled in David, and the Kings of Judah [Page 82] of his Generation, who Represented the Kingly Office of CHRIST in His Church, and had Authority from GOD to Rule both in Church, and Common Wealth. But as Jacob saith, Until Shiloh come, and unto Him shall the gathering of the People be.
We are to understand, that upon CHRIST's coming, the figurative Kingly Office of the Tribe of Judah was at an End; as is Witnessed by Moses, Deut. 18.15. The LORD thy GOD shall raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy Brethren like unto me, unto him ye shall Hearken: And this was confirmed by GOD Himself, Matth. 17.5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well Pleased, hear ye him; as also Acts 3.22, For Moses truly said unto the Fathers, saith the Apostle, a Prophet shall the LORD your GOD raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Thus it appears by the above quoted Scriptures, tha [...] the figurative Kingly Office of Judah is Fulfilled and Ended.
[Page 83] As to the Kings of Israel, I shall briefly mention Jeroboam, and Jehu, who in Particular were Ordained of GOD by His Prophets to rule over the common Wealth of Israel; but had no Authority at all over His Church in those things that concern'd the Worship of GOD; and Jeroboam in taking upon himself to set up a form of Worship, it was highly provoking to GOD: See 1 Kings 13.34. And this thing became Sin unto the house of Jeroboam, even to cut it off, and to destroy it from off the face of the Earth; and the destruction of Israel also, Chap. 14.16. And he shall give Israel up, because of the Sins of Jeroboam, who did Sin, and who made Israel to Sin.
And in that they say, The end of the Magistrates Office is not only the quiet and peaceable Life of the Subject in matters of Righteousness and Honesty; but also in matters of Godliness; yea of all Godliness:
And to prove it, Name Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, [...] Jehosaphat, Hezekiah, Josiah, and they might as [Page 84] well have Named said Jeroboam, Jehu, Ahab, and all the Kings of Israel; yea and Gentiles also.
And if there were this Day any of the seed of Judah, and also sincere Christians, and chosen unto the Office of a Magistrate, they all stand upon a Level, having no Authority at all to judge in any Case tending to Godliness; but in that they commit to the Judgment of the Magistrate all matters of Godliness; they take that Authority that GOD has given to CHRIST, and give it to the Magistrate, and in so doing make the Magistrate head of the Church, and not CHRIST. But saith CHRIST, John 5.22.23. The Father Judgeth no Man, but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son, that all Men should honour the Son even as they honour the father, &c. And saith the Apostle, Eph. 1.22. And hath put all things under his Feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church, &c.
From what has been now Proved from the Old Testament (save the two [Page 85] last Proofs) the civil Magistrate is wholly Excluded from Judging in any case of Conscience, under any Denomination whatsoever.
And as to the New-Testament, the Gospel was Preached and Received in opposition to the civil Magistrate, as is abundantly Recorded: And all the Encouragement CHRIST has given to His Followers, is by way of Blessing under Persecution,-Matth. 5.10, 11, 12. Blessed are they which are Persecut [...] for Righteousness sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven; Blessed are ye when Men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake, rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you 2 Tim. 3.12. Yea and all that will live godly in CHRIST JESUS shall suffer Persecution.
I have quoted these Texts out of many, to prove that as the Jews that profest themselves to be Moses Disciples, persecuted the Prophets; so likewise now [Page 86] under the Gospel Ministration, they that profess themselves to be CHRIST's Disciples, persecute those that live godly in CHRIST JESUS. And for any People professing the christian Faith, to set up a form of Godliness, and establish it by their humane Laws, and defend it by the Authority of the Magistrate, is to exclude CHRIST from having any Authority over His Church, and themselves to be the supreme head thereof.
Now Boston, and Connecticut, let us briefly enquire into the doings of our Fore-fathers towards those that separated themselves from them for Conscience sake, and testified against their form of Godliness as also the Anabaptists, and Quakers that came among them.
To begin with Connecticut, they punished by setting in the Stocks, by Fining, Whipping, Imprisoning, and chaining in Prison, and causing to set on the Gallows with a halter about the Neck, and prohibiting the keeping quaker Books, and that such Books should be Supressed; as also putting [Page 87] Father's and Mother's both in Prison from their Children, and then enclosing the Prison with a boarded Fence about ten Foot high with Spikes above, points upwards, and a Gate kept under Lock and Key to prevent any communion of Friends or Relations with the Prisoner's, or communicating any thing necessary for their Support, but must first go near half a Mile to the Prison-keeper to have the Gate opened.
At New-Haven, a stranger named Humphrey Norton, being put a shore, not of his own seeking, was put in Prison and chained to a Post, and kept Night and Day, for the space of twenty Days, with great weights of Iron, without Fire or Candle, in the winter Season, and not any suffered to come to visit him; and after this brought before their Court, and there was their Priest John Davenport to whom said Norton proposed some Queries, to which said Davenport made Answer, and said Norton endeavoured to make a Reply, but was prevented by having a Key tied A-thwart his Mouth till the Priest had done; then said Norton was had [Page 88] again to Prison, and there detained ten Days, and then sentenced to be severely Whipp't, and to be burnt in the Hand with the Letter H, for Heresy, who (my Author says) was Convicted of none; and to be sent out of the Colony, and not to return upon pain of the utmost Penalty they could inflict by Law: And the Drum was Beat, and the People Gathered, and he was fetch'd, and strip't to the Waste, and whip't 36 cruel Stripes, and burnt in the Hand very Deep with a red hot Iron, as aforesaid, and then had to Prison again and tendred his Liberty upon paying his Fine and Fees See George Bishop, New-England Judged pag. 203. 4. These and the like Things were done in Connecticut.
Now let us hear what was done in Boston Government, as it is to be seen in the title Page of said Bishop's History, touching the sufferings of the People called Quakers, a brief Relation saith he, of the sufferings of the People called Quakers in those parts of America, from the beginning of the fifth month 1656, the time of their first Arrival at [Page 89] Boston from England, to the latter end of the tenth Month 1660, wherein the cruel Whippings, and Scourgings, Bonds, and Imprisonments, Beatings, and Chainings, Starvings, and Huntings, Fines, and confistication of Estates, burning in the Hand, and cutting off Ears, orders of sale for Bond-Men, and Bond Women, Banishment upon pain of Death, and putting to Death of those People, are shortly Touched, with a relation of the Manner, and some of the most material Proceedings, and a Judgment there upon. They also burnt their Books by the common Executioner. See Daniel Neals's History of New-England, Volum. 1 Pag. 292.
They also impoverished them by compelling them to take the Oath of Fidelity, which they scrupled for Conscience sake, and for their refusing of which, they were fined Five Pounds each, or depart the Colony; but they not departing, and under the same scruple came under the Penalty of another Five Pounds; and so from time to time, and many other Fines were imposed on them, as for meeting by themselves. See said History, page 320. But [Page 90] to justify their scruple, see Matth. 5.34, 35, 36, 37. But I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by Heaven for it is GOD's Throne, nor by the Earth for it is His Foot stool, neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the Great KING, neither shalt thou Swear by thy Head because thou canst not make one hair White or Black; but let your communication be yea, yea, nay, nay, for whatsoever is more than these cometh of Evil. Jam. 5.12. But above all things my Brethren Swear not, neither by Heaven, neither by the Earth, neither by any other Oath; but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest you fall into Condemnation.
Whether these express Commands from CHRIST, and His Apostle, that thus forbids us all kind of Swearing whatsoever, be not sufficient witness for a Disciple of CHRIST to scruple an Oath, I leave to the Reader; these and many more such like Things the Anabaptists, and Quakers suffered at the hands of their Persecutors in Boston Government, as may be seen at large in said Bishops, and Neals History's. [Page 91] Now let us take a view of the sufferings of the Martyrs in England, in Queen Marie Reign, as it is to be seen in a Book, the Title, the Spirit of the Martyrs Revived, &c.
They were put in Prison, and then in Irons divers ways to afflict them; and in Prison put in Stocks, and their books Burnt, and themselves Beaten, and Whip't, and many other ways despitefully used; and after all burnt to Death.
And in said Book is contained a briefs Relation of the barbarous Cruelties, Persecutions, and Massacres upon the Protestants in foreign Parts, by the Papists, some Drowned, some buried Alive, some burn't to Death, and many other Torments beyond the humanity of Man to Devise, much less to Inflict.
Thus Briefly I have given the Reader a Relation of the Persecutions by the Papists; and their Authority is from themselves, by Laws of their own making, to defend institutions of Worship set up by themselves: The Pope by their Church Order, being entitled the [Page 92] most Holy Lord Pope, CHRIST's Vice-Gerent on Earth, the Church of Rome, the Holy Mother Church of Rome, &c.
And now I return to Boston, and Connecticut with reference to what was said touching the doings of bur Forefathers; they not being repented of, nor called in Question, but a persisting in acts of force upon Conscience in some measure, to this Day and their Authority is also from themselves, to defend their own form of Worship; as appears by Boston Confession, as was cited.
In that they say, The end of the Magistrates Office, is not only the quiet and peaceable Life of the Subject, in matters of Righteousness, and Honesty; but also in matters of Godliness, yea of all Godliness.
Thus they assume to themselves the Whole Government of Godliness, and so so rule over the revealed Will of GOD, in His Children: But CHRIST saith, Matth. 10.27. What I tell [Page 93] you in Darkness, that speak ye in Light, and what ye hear in the Ear, that preach ye upon the House tops; and fear not them which, kill the Body, &c.
So that this is not to oppose Man, but GOD; by the aforesaid acts of Cruelty, to maintain and defend their own form of Worship, by rising up against GOD's Message by the Mouth of His Messengers, to turn them from their evil Ways, by warning them of GOD's Judgments; as saith CHRIST John 7.7. The World cannot hate you, but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works, thereof are Evil.
Thus much of Boston.
And now a Few words touching Connecticut.
They also assume to themselves their Authority to rule over the Church of GOD, and the Light of Conscience; as we may see in an Election SERMON, Preached before the General ASSEMBLY, of the Colony, of CONNECTICUT, in Hartford, May 12th 1748, By Nathaniel Eells.
[Page 94] Page 31, 2. We are then, says he, the more bold towards you, to exhort you to act in your advanced Stations, worthy our common Lord and Master, becoming your Profession and Character, in all things shewing Fidelity, and Uncorruptness. Consider that as CHRIST is LORD of all, so you art His Vicegerents on Earth, &c.
ORDERED, say they, that HEZEKIAH HUNTINGTON, Esq and Col. JOHN WILLIAMS, Return the Thanks of this ASSEMBLY, to the Reverend Mr. NATHANAEL EELLS, for his Sermon delivered before them on the 12th day of May Instant, and desire a Copy thereof that it may be Printed.
Thus said Eells has declared them to be CHRIST's Vice-gerents on Earth, and they have confirmed it by putting it in Print; and in as much as there has been no Confession nor Repentance of the aforesaid Persecutions of our Fore-fathers, neither by them, nor since: But a willful going on against the [Page 95] light of Conscience, and the express Command of CHRIST, to do to others as we are willing to Receive: And saith He, This is the Law, and the Prophets, Matth. 7.12.
Thus much Connecticut.
Thus I have presented the Reader with a view of the Persecutions by our Fore-fathers in Connecticut, and Boston Governments; as also of the Persecutions in England in the Reign of Queen Mary, by the Papists; and also in said foreign Parts by the Papists; and have shewed that their Authority proceeded from themselves: The Pope, by the Papists, being allowed to be CHRIST's Vice-gerent on Earth, &c. The Church of Rome, the holy Mother Church of Rome, &c.
Now if these Titles are truly, and rightly apply'd to the Pope, and Church of Rome, then why may they not devise, and make Laws, and join Punishments to the breach of each Law according to their Discretion in the defence, and for the preservation of their supposed [Page 96] holy Institutions of Worship, and accordingly proceed to do all the aforesaid acts of Violence upon their fellow Creatures?
And why may not Boston Government, if it be true indeed, in that they say, The end of the Magistrates Office is not only the quiet and peaceable Life of the Subject, in Matters of Righteousness, and Honesty; but also in matters of Godliness; yea of all Godliness.
I say then, why may not they devise, and make Laws according to their Discretion, in the defence, and for the preservation of their supposed holy Institutions of Worship; and accordingly proceed to do all the acts of Violence upon their fellow Creatures, as aforesaid?
And why may not Connecticut Government also, if it be true, and from the Spirit of Truth, that they are CHRIST's Vice-gerents on Earth, Commissioned and Sent, as they say, to defend his Cause, and do his Work. I say, if all this be true, have they not a good Warrant to devise, and make Laws according [Page 97] to their own Discretion, and appoint such Punishments as they think proper for the breach of each Law, for the Support of their supposed holy Institutions of Worship; and accordingly proceed to do all the aforesaid acts of Violence, upon their fellow Creatures?
Thus for Connecticut, and Boston Government's ASSEMBLY Protestants.
England, in the Reign of Queen Mary, and said foreign Parts, being Papists, these being Named as aforesaid; and each of them assume to themselves humane Authority, to rule over the Church of CHRIST, and Light of Conscience.
And if we allow it to one, we must allow it to all, one as much as another; and not only to these, but to all Papists, and Protestants, throughout the World, even to all People that profess the Gospel.
For as CHRIST hath not limited Kingly Power to any particular People, now under the Gospel Ministration, as GOD did to the Tribe of Judah under the Law; so that throughout the World [Page 98] where CHRIST is Named, whether Papists, or Protestants; they have equal Right to set up Kingly Authority to rule over the Church of GOD, as any of those already Named, Viz. The Papists in Queen Mary's Reign, and those in foreign Parts; and Boston Government, and Connecticut.
And as I have thus given the Reader a brief View of the Works of each, I think these sufficient to Judge them by their Works.
For as much as the Scripture saith, In the Mouth of two, or three Witnesses, the Matter shall be Established.
But if we will Read the History's Cited, we may see Hundreds more of unrighteous, and inhumane Actions done to the Sufferers: And many of them by the Officers.
To my knowlege was taken from a Man, only for the cost of a Justices Court, and Court charge of Whipping him, for Breach of SABBATH, (so called) a Mare worth a hundred Pounds, and nothing returned; And [Page 99] this is known by us yet Living, to have been the general Practice in Connecticut.
And now I desire every Christian Reader, to give his Judgment particularly of these above Named, whether their proceedings against the Sufferers were not all of one Spirit? as for Instance, one partly put to Death by Burning, another by Drowning, another by Hanging: Were not all these acts of Violence upon their fellow Creatures? I call for Judgment. CHRIST saith, A good Tree cannot bring forth evil Fruit, neither can a corrupt Tree bring forth good Fruit. And saith He, By their Fruits ye shall know them. And the Apostle saith, Rev. 13.15. He (that is the Dragon) had power to give life unto the image of the Beast, that the image of the Beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not Worship the image of the Beast should be Killed.
And here we see the Apostles Prophecy fulfilled: And in differing ways in Connecticut Confession, Chap. 24. they [Page 100] Quote to Rom. 13. and Tit. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 17. to prove the civil Magistrates Authority to rule in the Church. And in Boston form of Church Government, Chap. 17. they also Quote to Rom. 13. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2: in like Manner, to prove the Magistrates Authority in the Church.
Thus they borrow the heathen Magistrates Authority, that required the Worshipping of Idols to rule, and govern the Church under a conformity to their several Institutions of Worship; and so use the carnal Sword to defend their own Institutions, as the Heathen did their's.
And thus the Dragon's Head that was wounded to Death, by the light of the Gospel in the time of the primitive Church, now comes to be healed, by the falling away of the Church in Antichristianism: But it is the same Dragon and same persecuting Spirit that required the Worshipping of Idols, and persecuted the primitive Church, that now professes himself to be a Christian, and furnishes himself with [Page 101] College learn't Ministers, nourish't up in Pride through Idleness, and voluptious Living: And these are his Ministers; and they are the same set of Men, that CHRIST thank't GOD that He had hid the mysteries of the Kingdom of GOD from, Matth. 11.25.
And he allures the Rulers of the common Wealth, that GOD hath set to do Justice among Men, to take under their Care [...]e Government of the Church also; which is very pleasing to the Flesh, for the sake of more honour, and glory of the World, together with the enmity between the two Seeds, Gen. 3.15.
So that he may rightly be said to be the GOD of this World, 2. Cor. 4.4. In whom the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, &c. And to sit in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God, 2 Thes. 2.4. And saith the Apostle, which deceiveth the whole World, Rev. 12.9, And in Chap. 13. ver. 14, 15, Saying to them that dwell on the Earth, that they should make an image to the Beast, &c. And [Page 102] cause that as many as would not Worship the image of the Beast should be Killed.
Thus he appears to be the God of this World, having gotten all the outward Glory of Religion, and the Powers of the World, on his side, to defend all his Institutions of Worship, or Image made to the Beast.
And thus as we see by the Scriptures, the Antichristian Church Anotimized, and laid Naked before our Eyes.
Let us take the warning given us, Chap. 14.9, 10. And the third Angel followed them, saying with a loud Voice, if any Man Worship the Beast, and his Image, and receive his Mark in his Fore-head, or in his Hand, the same shall drink of the Wine, of the Wrath of GOD, which is poured out without Mixture, into the Cup of his Indignation; and he shall be Tormented with Fire, and Brimstone, in the presence of the holy Angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.
[Page 103] In the foregoing Treatise, the Reader may see how I have formerly been with the Elders and Messengers, and General Courts of Connecticut, with this Scruple, that sundry Articles in their Confession of Faith had not Scripture Proof, but they regarded it not, and in the Year 1754, I went to the General Court at Hartford, and also to the General Court at Boston; considering their Confessions were both one; and that both Governments lie under the same Reproof that they would peruse them, and consider them, but neither of them regarded, so as to enquire into them.
And I have published three Treatises already, touching these Things; but there has been no Answer made to any; and this is the Fourth; that after so much Proof, I think it may truly be said of them, as in Rev. 2.2. And thou hast tried them which say they are Apostles, and are not, and hast found them Lyars.
Lyars Indeed, both to GOD, and Man, to give forth such a Body of Articles of Faith for our rule of Life, [Page 104] that are so contrary to Scripture, and against the plain commands of CHRIST as words can express; and yet recommend them to us, and to our Posterity, as the unchangeable, and eternal Truths of GOD, founded upon the holy Scriptures.
See Connecticut Preface, Page 8. And much more to this Purpose, I have quoted out of said Preface, as the Reader may see; and they say, that GOD alone is LORD of the Conscience: And hath lest it free from the Doctrines, and Commandments of Men, &c.
And then set up their own Doctrines, and Commandments to be observed, and leave it to carnal Men to devise what Punishments shall be Inflicted upon the Transgressors, in defence of said Doctrines, and Impower the Civil Magistrate to execute them against the revealed Will of GOD in the Heart, which is the light of Conscience, and so give GOD the Title of Lord-ship, but make themselves Lord of the Conscience, by subjecting it under their humane Laws, and carnal Weapons, by the Power, [Page 105] and Authority received from the Dragon, as in Rev. 13.2. And the Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat, and great Authority.
And from this Spirit of Persecution received from the Dragon, proceeds all Persecution, that arises where CHRIST is Received; even so as to make divisions between nearest Relations, in Families, Matth. 10.34. &c. and it is also hurtful to Kingdoms and common Wealths, to molest People that live Honestly, and are diligent in their lawful Employments, and live under conformity to all Things, relating to the good and benefit of the common Wealth, excepting those Things that they Scruple for Conscience sake towards GOD; as in the case of Daniel, Dan. 6.5.
I say, to molest such, by injuring either their Persons, or Estates, is so far violating the peace, and good of the common Wealth, which the civil Magistrates Work is to Preserve.
In a word, to go to rule the Church by the power of the Magistrate, is to [Page 106] destroy the peace of both Church, Families, and common Wealths. But on the contrary, CHRIST is said to be the Prince of Peace, Isa. 9.6. And when he was Born into the World, this Testimony was given of him from Heaven, Luke 2.13, 14. And suddenly there was with the Angel, a Multitude of the Heavenly Host, praising GOD, and saying, glory to GOD in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will towards Men. As also, Rom. 10.15. As it is Written, how Beautiful are the Feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace, and bring glad Tidings of good Things.
And all that walk in his Spirit, follow his Example, to live peaceably toward all Men, as also toward the common Wealth, and to pay Tribute, as he did, for Peace sake, rather than to offend, Matth. 17.24. &c. But not as a due Debt; for saith the Apostle, Tim. 1.9. The Law is not made for a Righteous Man, but saith he, for the Lawless, and Disobedient, for the Ungodly, and for Sinners, &c.
[Page 107] Thus it appears by this Text, that the Law is not made for the Righteous, and they are therefore not Indebted to the Law, so as to pay Tribute, or the like, as a due Debt, but as a free, and voluntary Act, for Peace sake, rather than to Offend.
There is no Compulsion in CHRIST's Church, neither towards GOD, nor Man; but every Man, to whom it is given, is at his own free Will, to Chuse, or Refuse for himself; as 2 Cor. 5.20. We are Ambassadors for CHRIST, saith the Apostle, as thô GOD did beseech you by us, we pray you in CHRIST's Stead, be ye reconciled to GOD. Rev. 22.17. The Spirit and the Bride say Come, and let him that heareth say Come, and let him that is a thirst Come, and whosoever will, let him take of the water of Life freely.
Thus we see, tho' all Power was given to CHRIST, as He saith, Both in Heaven, and Earth, Matth. 28.18. Yet the Foundation of his Church is Love; as he saith, John 3.16. God so loved the World, that he gave his [Page 108] only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not Perish, but have eternal Life.
And CHRIST has given it as an evidence to the World, to know his Disciples, by their Love, one to another; John 13.35. By this shall all Men know that ye are my Disciples, if ye love one another.
And our said Confessions tell us, Chap. 22 1. Parag. The acceptable way of Worshipping the true GOD is Instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed Will, that he may not be Worshipped according to the imaginations, and devices of Men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible Representations, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scriptures.
And in the 7th, and 8th Parag. speaking particularly of their first Day SABBATH, (so called) and in it's Sanctification, &c. in effect say, We must Worship GOD according to the imaginations and devices of Men, and suggestions of Satan, by subjecting it un [...]er the watch and power of Authority; [Page 109] and this agrees with the Apostles Testimony, Rev. 13 4. And they worshipped the Dragon which gave power to the Beast, and they worshipped the Beast, &c.
But as to said Sabbath, there is no command, nor example, nor name in Scripture for it; as hath been proved, and will stand proved, till it is disproved.
Thus they deceive the World, in a shew of extolling GOD, and the Scriptures; but it is nothing but a flourish of Words, out of the smoke of the bottomless Pit of Antichrist, to gain the stronger Authority for their Antichristian Sabbath; the observing of which, is the great Idol of New-England, which the Worldly Powers defend by Stocks, Whips, Prisons, and taking away the Estates of the King's peaceable Subjects, that support the common Wealth.
Concerning Signs, GOD made himself known to Pharaoh by Signs, and Miracles, pronounced and wrought by Moses, and Aaron, till by great Judgments he was forced to let Isreal go: [Page 110] So likewise when CHRIST was manifested in the Flesh, GOD manifested himself in him by Signs, and Miracles, in doing merciful Deeds, in healing the Sick, and curing all manner of Diseases and opening the Eyes of the Blind, and raising the Dead, and casting out Devils, and the like: But notwithstanding all these Signs and Miracle, the Jews presumptuously desired of him a Sign from Heaven; he said unto them, O ye H [...] pocrites, ye can discern the face of the Sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the Times? Matth. 16, 1. &c. As if these Signs were not from Heaven: As Indeed they said, This Fellow doth not cast out Devil's, but by Belzebub the Prince of the Devil's: And they counted him a Deceiver, and charged him with Blasphemy.
Thus it appears that they had no Judgment to Judge of Signs, whether they were of GOD, or of the Devil: They had let in such a wilful Spirit of Unbelief, and hardness of Heart, and Persecution, that the Devil had gotten that Power over them, as to make them believe Lies, and oppose the [Page 111] Truth: In a word, they trusted in their own Righteousness, and rejected the Righteousness of GOD in CHRIST, and so procured this doleful Sentence against themselves, Math. 23 37, 38. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy Children together, even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings, and ye would not; behold your House is lest unto you desolate.
The destruction of their Fathers, was their not hearkening to the warnings of the Prophets; but Persecuted them, and put them to Death: And the Destruction of these, was, their wilful rejecting the Gospel Preached by CHRIST, and his Apostles, and confirmed to be the Gospel of GOD, by the Sign, and Miracles that they Wrought: They both former, and latter, were destroyed by a mighty Destruction, and we can think no better of their eternal Estate without Repentance; these are all gone to come to Judgment, to receive according to the deeds done in the Body, and ought to be our Examples, to take Warning lest we fall into the like Condemnation.
[Page 112] Now as touching our Fore-fathers who came out of England, because they were not allowed to Worship GOD according to the light of their own Consciences, but were Persecuted, and therefore came into this Country, that they might not be debarred that Liberty; but how soon did they set up a form of Worship contrary to Scripture, of humane Invention, and then subjected the observing it under the Power of Authority; and so became destroyers of that Liberty that their Fathers had purchased at so dear a Rate, and Persecuted those that for Conscience sake withdrew from their established Worship.
I now sum up this Discourse, in proving that all the established Worship of New-England defended by the worldly Powers, is nothing but the Worship of the Dragon, and the Beast, and his Image: For saith the Apostle, Rev. 12.9. The great Dragon was cast out, that old Serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole World, of which New-England is a part; and their Worship, or Image, made to the Beast, (Chap. 13. ver. 14.) is made up [Page 113] of Contradictions, of Scriptures; and therefore of necessity comes under the Apostles Testimony, that they are deceived with the rest of the World.
And that it is defended by the worldly Powers, by the Power and Authority given them by the Dragon; see Ver. 2. And the Dragon gave him his Power, and his Seat, and great Authority.
That is to say, the power and seat of Persecution; and that it is the Worship of the Dragon, and the Beast in fellowship together, see ver. 4. And they Worshipped the Dragon which gave Power unto the Beast, and they Worshipped the Beast, &c. And that the Power, Seat, and Authority given to the Beast by the Dragon; is intended the Seat of Persecution: Let us compare it with ver. 15. And he had power to give life unto the Image of the Beast, that the Image of the Beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the Image of the Beast, should be Killed.
By the Scriptures thus it is Proved, that all the established Worship of New-England, [Page 114] defended by the worldly Powers, is nothing, but the Worship of the Dragon, and the Beast, and his Image; and also proved that the Power, Seat, and Authority given to the Beast, or worldly Powers, by the Dragon; is the power, and seat of Persecution to defend the said Worship, given to the Image of the Beast.
And the Sin of false Worship, was the Crying Sin that provoked GOD to send his Judgments upon Israel in the time of the Law, from time to time, to their utter Destruction; as is abundantly Recorded in Scripture.
And if we will take the Scriptures for our Instructors, as the Apostle saith, All Scripture is given by Inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, 2 Tim. 3.16. Then let us hear how it Saith, that GOD visits the Iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children, and upon the Children's Children, unto the third, and to the fourth Generation, Exod: 34.7.
[Page 115] And this GOD doth, in his Patience, and Forbearance by lesser Judgments, to warn a People to turn from their evil Ways in time; and not only by his Judgments, but also by his Messengers that he sends; Jer. 25.4. And the LORD hath sent unto you all his Servants the Prophets, rising early and sending them, but ye have not Hearkened, nor enclined your Ear to Hear.
And these Warnings, both by his Judgments, and by his Messenger, GOD hath been warning New-England, by visiting the Iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children, and upon the Childrens Children, down to this Day; as by the Indian Wars, that began soon after the Persecuting, and putting the Quaker's to Death, from which New-England has had no assurance of Peace to this Day.
And GOD has visited Boston, with the Small-Pox, five Times, since they, put the said Quakers to Death; and also other Sickness that has been very Mortal in New-England; and the Canker, that has been very Mortal among [Page 116] Children; and GOD has cut us short of the Fruits of the Earth, by Blasting almost all sorts of Grain, and by Droughts, and untimely Frosts, and Worms, and such like Things.
But there has been no returning to GOD, notwithstanding all these Judgments, and Warnings; but a wilful maintaining, and defending the Worship of the Dragon, the Beast, and his Image.
And whereas it is reflected upon the Quakers, that a Woman went into a Meeting Naked, &c.
I find in George Bishop's History of the Quakers Sufferings, That two Women went Naked, and both as Signs, one into a Meeting, the other went Naked through the Streets of Salem, 'till she was laid hold on, and so also was the other, and both had to Court, one at Ipswich, the other at Salem, and both Whip't as an abominable Thing.
Now for our Instruction in the Thing, let us Consider; Reason will not allow that they did it in any Spirit of Lewdness, [Page 117] or Whoredom, for the places would not admit of any such Actions; no not so much as in the Countenance: But rather that they did it in Submission to a divine Power, as Abraham was Commanded of GOD, to offer his Son Isaac for a Burnt-offering, Gen. 22.1, 2. As a Figure, Heb. 11.17. So also these as a Sign, to warn them of the Judgments of GOD that was coming upon them for their blindness, and hardness of Heart, and cruel Persecutions; instead of hearkening to GOD's Message, by the Mouth of his Messengers.
And this bears a Resemblance of the Indians Custom, who are said to make their Captives run the Gantlope Naked, through whole Companies of Indians; surely it is time for this reproachful reflection to Cease, and to take the shame of it to our selves; and so let it pass as a Sign, as in Ezek. 12.11. Say I am your Sign, like as I have done, so shall it be done unto them, &c. As also Chap. 24. 24. Thus Ezekiel is unto you a Sign, according to all that he hath done shall ye do; and when this cometh, ye shall know that I am the Lord God.
[Page 118] Now as to Boston, to prove the Magistrates Office over all Godliness, they Name Moses, Joshua, David, &c. without confining it within the Church, as Church Members, nor within the compass of New-England; this gives equal Authority to all Magistrates, whether Papists, or Protestants, throughout the whole World, to exercise their Authority in, or over all Godliness; and so to be a terror to the Church, or faithless Professors in it: As the Sons of Anak, were a terror to faithless Israel, Numb. 13 33. And the Apostle speaks after the same Manner of the Worshippers of the Dragon, and the Beast, Rev. 13.4. For saith he, They Worshipped the Dragon which gave Power unto the Beast, and they Worshipped the Beast, saying, who is like unto the Beast, who is able to make War with him?
And whether these do not bare a proper Resemblance of each other, let every Reader judge, viz. The Sons of Anak, and the Worldly Powers.
I find in Daniel Neal's History of New-England, Vol. I. Pag. 310, &c. [Page 119] That the Persecuting, and putting the Quakers to Death in New-England, was of such ill Report in the several Nations in Europe, which obliged the Magistrates to publish to the World the following Declaration, in their own Vindication; which said Declaration is next following in said History; but I shall Reherse but little of it; for they in publishing it to the World to justify themselves, plead to the Laws of GOD, and to the Judgment of all prudent, and pious Men; but if they had had the Laws of GOD, for putting to Death those that differed from them in matters of Religion, they should have brought them, to convict those they past the Sentence of Death upon for Conscience sake, which would have been the only Thing, not only for their Conviction, but also for their own Vindication, both before GOD, and all prudent, and pious Men.
And towards the close of said Declaration, say, our own just, and necessary Defence, calling upon us, other means failing, to offer the point which these Persons have violently Rushed upon; [Page 120] and thereby become Felones de se, that is to say, self Murderers; yet in Boston Preface to their Confession, pag. 1. 2. We find how ready, say they, the Apostle was, to make a Confession of his Faith, tho' for that hope sake, he was accused, and put in Chains.
And further say they, The Martyrs of JESUS, who have laid down their Lives in bearing W [...]tness to the Truth, against the Infidelity, Idolatry, Heresy, and Apostacy of the World, when Pagan Arian, or over-spread with Popish Darkness, having their Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace, were free, and forward in their Testimony, Confessing the Truth, yea Sealing it with their Blood.
And further say, Nor is there a greater Evidence of being in a State of Salvation, than such a Confession, if made in times, or places, where Men are exposed to utmost Sufferings upon that Account.
Thus we see as the Jews, who said, If we had been in the Days of our [Page 121] Fathers we would not have been partakers with them in the Blood of the Prophets; yet were the only Men to have CHRIST put to Death: So likewise these commend former Martyrs for their freeness, and forwardness in Sealing their Testimony with their Blood; yet these Persecuted, and put to Death those that testified against their evil Works in the like free, and forward Spirit, with their Lives given up, (as was said) to Seal their Testimony with their Blood, the former they Justify, calling them the Martyrs of JESUS; the latter they Condemned, and put to Death, and say, they were Self-Murderers; and yet acknowlege such a bold Confession as the greatest evidence of Salvation.
Having proved by the Scriptures, as aforesaid, that all the established Worship of New-England defended by the worldly Powers, is nothing but the Worship of the Dragon, and of the Beast, and his Image; as also proved that the Power, Seat, and Authority given to the Beast, or worldly Powers, by the Dragon is the Power and Seat of Persecution, to defend the said Worship, [Page 122] given to the Image of the Beast; and this Image recommended to the Beast by our Fore-fathers, was by them Established, Worshipped, and Defended by Persecution; and by them recommended to succeeding Generations, which we may now [...]ay in Scripture Phrase, That GOD has been visiting the Iniquities of the Fathers upon the Children, and upon the Childrens Children, unto the thirds and fourth Generation.
And GOD has been warning us by his Messengers, but it has not been Regarded; but they have been inhumanly Persecuted, and some put to Death, as hath been Declared, and their Blood cries aloud for Vengeance, as in Rev. 6.9 10. And when he had opened the fifth Seal, I saw under the Altar, the Souls of them that were Slain for the word of GOD, and for the Testimony which they held; and they cried with a loud Voice, saying, how long, O LORD, Holy and True, dost thou not judge, and avenge our Blood on them that dwell an the Earth.
[Page 123] O New England, New-England, It is high time to awake out of Sleep, since it is so loudly Sounded in your Ears, that all your high pretences of Worshipping GOD, is nothing but the delusions of the Devil, and worshipping the Dragon, the Beast, and his Image; high time indeed to enquire into these Things, and to intreat GOD to let you know Him, and to know your Selves; and so to set about the work of Repentance, and Confessing your Iniquities, and the Iniquities of your Fathers in all their, and your Persecutions, and acts of force upon Conscience, and in particular their putting the Servants of GOD to Death, and then to vindicate it to the World, say, they were Self Murderers, adding Sin to Sin: But saith CHRIST, Matth. 5.23.24. If thou bring thy gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that thy Brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the Altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then come, and offer thy gift. So also David, Psal. 26.6. I will wash my Hands, saith he, in Innocency, so will I compass thine Altar, O LORD.
[Page 124] Consider these Texts, and don't go to the Altar of GOD to offer the Sacrifices of Prayer, with your Hands defiled with the Blood of his Saints, thinking to be heard whilst the Blood of his Saints, and Martyrs under the Altar, are crying aloud for Vengeance against you.
And not only to confess this Sin but to confess and repent of all other Sins, but especially the Sin of false, Worship which you have so long made a Righteousness of, which is to withdraw from all your established Ministers that Preach for Hire, and from the practical part of your Confessions, and the civil Government to quit themselves of judging in Church Affairs, or cases of Conscience; and all those that have put their Sons to Colleges in order for Ministers of the Gospel, to take them Home; For as in Lev. 20.2. &c. He that gave of his Seed unto Molech was to be put to Death.
Now this was offering them to the Devil for burnt Offerings. See Jer. 19.5. [Page 125] And Men putting their Sons to Colleges to be fitted for Minis;ters of the Gospel, but is in Truth for Ministers of Antichrist, or Satan, who is said to deceive the whole World, and done in as great Blindness as the Former.
For CHRIST thank't GOD that he had hid the Mysteries of GOD from such, Matth. 11.25 Chap. 15. 14. They be Blind leaders of the Blind, saith CHRIST, and if the Blind lead the Blind, both shall fall into the Ditch.
Also Repeal all Laws touching Religion, and Conscience.
These are the Things that call to be done speedily, lest GOD come upon us by his final Judgments, and there be no Redemption: As he came upon the old World after an hundred and twenty Years Preaching by Noah, and upon the Egyptians, who notwithstanding all the Signs, and Wonders wrought in Egypt, went presumptuously after Israel into the red Sea, and so were made to know the LORD, Exod. 14.25. So Israel, notwithstanding the warnings of [Page 126] all the Prophets, went on presumptuously to their own Destruction, and so were made to know the LORD; as it is abundantly Repeated in Ezekiel, of GOD's Executing his Judgments upon Israel for their manifold Sins: And then saith he, They shall know the Lord.
And now, New-England has gone an above an hundred Years in worshipping [...] Dragon, the Beast, and his Ima [...] [...]nd GOD has testified against them, [...] by his Servants, and his Judgements, but they have Persecuted his Servants, and gone on in their Sins; and in effect, say unto GOD, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowlege of thy ways, Job 21. 14.
That without speedy Repentance, we may have cause to fear GOD's speedy judgments, even such as to teach us § See Daniel Neal's History of New-England, Vol. I. pag. 278, &c. in two Records, bearing Date 1651, touching the Persecuting the Anabaptists, in defence of the then established Worship. [Page 127] to know him, and to acknowlege his Servants, and his warnings from their Mouths, and to acknowlege his Judgments to be Just, tho' to our own Destruction; and GOD may rightly answer us in those Words, Prov. 1 24. &c. Because I have Called; and ye Refufed; I have stretehed out my Hand, and no Man Regarded; but ye have set at nought all my Counsel, and would none of my Reproof; I also will Laugh at your [...], I will Mock when your [...] your Fear cometh as Deso [...] and your Destruction as a Whirlwind, [...]
In a Word, GOD will [...] known by us, either in Mercy, or in Judgment. Thus I leave it to each Government to do the works of Repentance, according to their Sins.