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.

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.