An essay for the discovery and discouraging of the new sprung schism raised and maintained by Mr Simon Henden of Bennenden in Kent. Exhibited in some passages of writing which have gone between Mr John Elmeston of Cranebroke, and the same M. Henden. Published according to order.
         Elmeston, John.
      
       
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             An essay for the discovery and discouraging of the new sprung schism raised and maintained by Mr Simon Henden of Bennenden in Kent. Exhibited in some passages of writing which have gone between Mr John Elmeston of Cranebroke, and the same M. Henden. Published according to order.
             Elmeston, John.
             Henden, Simon, attributed name.
          
           [8], 42, [2] p.
           
             printed for C. Meredith at the Crane in Pauls Church-yard,
             London :
             1652.
          
           
             "An essay" is signed: John Elmeston.
             Attributed by Wing to Simon Henden.
             F.L. = "The printer to the reader".
             Reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Henden, Simon -- Early works to 1800.
           Continuity of the church -- Anglican Communion -- Early works to 1800.
           Church history -- Early works to 1800.
           Great Britain -- Church history -- 17th century -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A43313  R216858  (Wing H1429B).  civilwar no An essay for the discovery and discouraging of the new sprung schism, raised and maintained by Mr Simon Henden of Bennenden in Kent. Exhibit Elmeston, John 1652    19705 21 5 0 0 0 0 13 C  The  rate of 13 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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             AN
             ESSAY
             FOR
             The
             Discovery
             and
             Discouraging
             of
             the
             new
             sprung
             Schism
             ,
             raised
             and
             maintained
             by
             Mr
          
           SIMON
           HENDEN
           
             of
          
           Bennenden
           
             in
          
           Kent
           .
        
         
           
             Exhibited
             in
             some
             Passages
             of
             Writing
             which
             have
             gone
             between
             Mr
          
           JOHN
           ELMESTON
           
             of
          
           Cranebroke
           ,
           
             and
             the
             same
             M.
          
           Henden
           .
        
         
           
             Love
             the
             Truth
             and
             Peace
             ,
          
           
             Zech.
             8.
             19.
             
          
        
         
           
             Now
             I
             beseech
             you
             ,
             Brethren
             ,
             mark
             them
             which
             cause
             divisions
             and
             offences
             contrary
             to
             the
             doctrine
             that
             ye
             have
             learned
             ,
             and
             avoid
             them
             ,
          
           
             Rom.
             16.
             17.
             
          
        
         
           
             
               Haereses
               inimicus
               invenit
               &
               Schismata
               ,
               quibus
               subverteret
               fidem
               ,
               veritatem
               corrumperet
               ,
               scinderet
               unitatem
               .
            
          
           
             Cyprian
             .
             
               de
               Unitate
               Ecclesiae
               .
            
          
        
         
           The
           enemy
           the
           devil
           hath
           invented
           Heresies
           and
           Schisms
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           might
           subvert
           the
           Faith
           ,
           corrupt
           the
           Truth
           ,
           and
           rend
           Unity
           asunder
           .
        
         
           
             An
             esse
             sibi
             cum
             Christo
             videtur
             qui
             adversus
             Christi
             sacerdotes
             facit
             ?
             Qui
             se
             à
             cleri
             ejus
             e●plebis
             societate
             secernit
             ?
          
           
             Idem
             .
             ibid.
          
        
         
           Doth
           he
           seem
           to
           himself
           to
           be
           with
           Christ
           who
           sets
           himself
           against
           the
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ?
           Who
           doth
           separate
           himself
           from
           the
           society
           of
           the
           Ministery
           and
           people
           of
           Christ
           ?
        
         
           Published
           according
           to
           Order
           .
        
         
           
             London
             ,
          
           Printed
           for
           
             C.
             Meredith
          
           at
           the
           Crane
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           ,
           1652.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           READER
           .
        
         
           
             Gentle
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           IT
           is
           like
           thou
           hast
           heard
           the
           Story
           of
           the
           
             Trojan-Horse
             ,
          
           which
           the
           
             Grecians
          
           built
           by
           the
           councel
           of
           
             Pallas
             ,
          
           and
           by
           subtle
           
             Sinons
          
           perswasion
           procured
           to
           be
           received
           into
           
             Troy
             ,
          
           but
           to
           the
           ruine
           of
           that
           ancient
           and
           famous
           City
           :
           For
           in
           the
           next
           night
           issued
           out
           of
           it
           a
           warlike
           troop
           of
           the
           most
           valiant
           Greekish
           Captains
           couched
           secretly
           therein
           ,
           which
           invaded
           the
           City
           ,
           and
           laid
           it
           waste
           with
           fire
           and
           sword
           .
           Much
           like
           unto
           this
           
             Trojan-horse
          
           hath
           been
           set
           on
           foot
           here
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           an
           Universall
           Toleration
           for
           all
           wayes
           ,
           and
           consciences
           in
           Religion
           .
           No
           doubt
           it
           was
           by
           Satans
           craft
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           insinuation
           of
           some
           cunning
           
             Sinons
             .
          
           It
           is
           like
           to
           redound
           to
           the
           great
           prejudice
           ,
           if
           not
           ruine
           of
           our
           
             Troy
             ,
          
           I
           mean
           ,
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           in
           this
           Land
           ,
           and
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           .
           For
           out
           of
           it
           have
           come
           
           forth
           ,
           not
           some
           small
           
             Bands
             ,
          
           but
           numerous
           
             Armies
          
           of
           
             ungodly
             Blasphemies
             ,
             Heresies
             ,
             Errours
             ,
             Sects
          
           and
           
             Schisms
             ;
          
           some
           whereof
           oppose
           the
           
             Fundamental
             Truths
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ;
          
           some
           disturb
           the
           
             Peace
             and
             Unity
             of
             the
             Churches
             :
          
           All
           this
           to
           the
           great
           
             Joy
             of
             Satan
          
           and
           
             Grief
             of
             the
             Godly
             ,
          
           exceedingly
           hinders
           the
           
             thriving
             and
             progresse
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           Out
           of
           this
           
             Womb
          
           have
           broken
           forth
           that
           execrable
           crue
           of
           
             Ranters
             ,
          
           which
           speak
           horrid
           Blasphemies
           of
           
             God
             ,
          
           of
           
             Christ
             ,
          
           of
           the
           
             Scriptures
             :
          
           
           of
           the
           
             Arians
             ,
             Secinians
          
           and
           
             Antiscripturists
             ,
          
           who
           ,
           by
           their
           
             cursed
             Doctrines
          
           break
           down
           some
           main
           Pillars
           of
           our
           Christian
           Faith
           .
           Out
           of
           this
           
             Womb
          
           also
           are
           broken
           forth
           another
           sort
           of
           erroneous
           Persons
           ,
           not
           so
           pernicious
           as
           these
           former
           ,
           though
           very
           dangerous
           ,
           whose
           Doctrines
           are
           ,
           I
           doubt
           ,
           like
           unto
           those
           waters
           into
           which
           the
           Wormwood-star
           sell
           ,
           and
           are
           become
           so
           bitter
           ,
           that
           whoso
           drinks
           thereof
           is
           in
           danger
           to
           die
           :
           And
           of
           this
           rank
           are
           our
           
             Arminians
             ,
             Antinomians
             ,
             Soul-Mort
             lists
             ,
             Anti-sabbatarians
             ,
             Seekers
             ,
          
           and
           such
           like
           .
           Out
           of
           this
           Womb
           also
           are
           come
           forth
           another
           brood
           ,
           not
           so
           dangerous
           for
           their
           Errors
           (
           though
           some
           be
           grosse
           and
           absurd
           ;
           )
           as
           grievous
           for
           the
           Rents
           and
           Divisions
           which
           they
           make
           ,
           and
           delight
           to
           maintain
           :
           Among
           which
           our
           
             Anabaptists
          
           are
           the
           ●●ading
           men
           ;
           After
           whom
           come
           up
           close
           all
           those
           other
           
             Separatists
             and
             Dissenters
          
           from
           us
           ,
           who
           have
           embraced
           such
           a
           Truth
           and
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           in
           their
           sense
           about
           it
           ,
           will
           admit
           of
           no
           Unity
           with
           us
           of
           the
           
             Presbyterian-way
             ,
          
           in
           
             Church
             ,
          
           nay
           scarce
           in
           
             Christian
             Communion
             ,
          
           and
           seem
           so
           strangely
           to
           be
           affected
           toward
           us
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           would
           not
           willingly
           allow
           us
           a
           place
           in
           Heaven
           with
           them
           ,
           nor
           they
           willingly
           be
           in
           the
           same
           Heaven
           with
           us
           .
           It
           is
           an
           ancient
           and
           approved
           Axiom
           :
           
             Quae
             conveniunt
          
           
           
             in
             eodem
             tertio
             ,
             ea
             quoque
             inter
             se
             conveniunt
             ,
          
           Whatsoever
           things
           agree
           in
           some
           one
           third
           thing
           ,
           they
           also
           agree
           between
           themselves
           .
           What
           a
           sad
           thing
           is
           this
           then
           that
           
             Christians
             ,
          
           and
           
             Saints
             of
             God
             ,
          
           meeting
           in
           the
           one
           and
           onely
           
             corner
             Stone
          
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           upon
           whom
           they
           endeavour
           to
           build
           the
           whole
           frame
           of
           their
           
             Doctrine
             ,
             Worship
          
           and
           
             Discipline
             ,
          
           should
           so
           ill
           agree
           in
           their
           mutual
           Conversation
           each
           with
           other
           ?
           so
           farre
           disagree
           in
           the
           joint-Worship
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           they
           seem
           to
           be
           possessed
           with
           as
           bitter
           a
           spirit
           of
           discord
           as
           the
           two
           Brethren
           the
           Poets
           fable
           of
           ,
           
             Eteocles
          
           and
           
             Polynices
             ,
          
           whose
           hatred
           was
           so
           unreconcilable
           ,
           that
           after
           Death
           the
           flame
           of
           the
           fire
           wherein
           their
           bodies
           were
           joyntly
           burnt
           would
           not
           close
           ,
           but
           did
           divide
           asunder
           .
           And
           if
           that
           good
           man
           
             (
             Linaker
             )
          
           were
           now
           alive
           ,
           and
           should
           see
           this
           implacable
           division
           between
           the
           Professours
           of
           the
           same
           Gospel
           ,
           would
           he
           not
           ,
           and
           that
           justly
           ,
           break
           out
           with
           indignation
           against
           us
           ,
           into
           that
           his
           passionate
           Speech
           :
           
             Surely
             either
             these
             men
             professe
             not
             the
             right
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             ,
             or
             are
             not
             right
             Professours
             of
             his
             Gospel
             ?
          
           This
           is
           a
           Lamentation
           ,
           and
           this
           shall
           be
           for
           a
           Lamentation
           .
           
             O
             God
             ,
          
           who
           art
           the
           Father
           of
           Peace
           ,
           
             O
             Christ
             ,
          
           who
           art
           the
           Prince
           of
           Peace
           ,
           
             O
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
          
           who
           art
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Peace
           ,
           work
           it
           in
           the
           Hearts
           and
           Affections
           of
           thy
           Children
           ,
           Disciples
           and
           Saints
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           love
           and
           live
           in
           peace
           .
           But
           to
           come
           to
           mine
           intended
           matter
           .
        
         
           From
           hence
           also
           hath
           arisen
           this
           new
           forged
           Sect
           of
           M.
           
             Hendens
             ,
          
           of
           the
           which
           these
           following
           Papers
           will
           give
           thee
           a
           slight
           view
           ;
           and
           with
           the
           which
           I
           am
           at
           unawares
           more
           deeply
           engaged
           then
           at
           first
           I
           meant
           .
           
           The
           brief
           Story
           whereof
           is
           this
           ,
           M.
           
             Henden
          
           hath
           been
           a
           man
           of
           good
           Note
           these
           many
           years
           ,
           for
           Profession
           of
           Religion
           ;
           no
           despiser
           of
           Learning
           ,
           but
           rather
           a
           lover
           of
           it
           .
           By
           his
           private
           Industry
           he
           hath
           added
           to
           his
           Grammar-School-learning
           ,
           some
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           
             Original
             Tongues
             .
          
           Studious
           also
           he
           hath
           been
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ;
           (
           unto
           which
           his
           retired
           life
           ,
           partly
           upon
           some
           bodily
           infirmity
           ,
           partly
           (
           as
           some
           have
           thought
           )
           upon
           some
           worldly
           Discontents
           ,
           gave
           him
           an
           opportunity
           )
           and
           especially
           of
           the
           dark
           Prophecies
           of
           
             Ezekiel
             ,
             Daniel
          
           and
           the
           
             Apocalyps
             .
          
           In
           the
           which
           his
           vein
           hath
           been
           to
           vary
           from
           the
           stream
           of
           other
           Interpreters
           ,
           and
           to
           produce
           some
           unusual
           notion
           of
           his
           own
           with
           no
           small
           confidence
           of
           its
           truth
           .
           This
           man
           was
           heretofore
           a
           great
           
             Antagonist
          
           of
           the
           old
           
             Separatists
          
           called
           
             Brownists
             ,
          
           and
           with
           much
           zeal
           did
           ,
           against
           them
           ,
           maintain
           our
           
             Churches
             in
             England
             ,
          
           and
           our
           
             Ministery
          
           then
           ,
           as
           the
           true
           Churches
           and
           Ministery
           of
           Christ
           .
           But
           now
           of
           late
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           how
           ,
           on
           the
           sudden
           it
           was
           noised
           abroad
           ,
           that
           he
           was
           changed
           in
           his
           Principles
           ,
           fallen
           from
           our
           Communion
           ,
           and
           had
           erected
           a
           new
           uncouth
           way
           by
           himself
           ,
           and
           much
           purer
           then
           any
           other
           .
           And
           truly
           hereupon
           there
           was
           much
           flocking
           to
           him
           of
           unstable
           souls
           :
           Much
           like
           as
           the
           Poet
           describes
           the
           flocking
           of
           people
           after
           
             Bacchus
          
           
             *
          
           his
           Orgia
           when
           they
           were
           first
           brought
           in
           at
           
             Thebes
             ,
          
        
         
           
             Turba
             ruit
             ,
             mistaeque
             vi●is
             matresque
             nurusque
             ,
          
           
             Et
             vulgus
             proceresque
             ignota
             ad
             sacra
             feruntur
             .
             
          
        
         
           
             The
             rout
             rung
             headlong
             and
             all
             mixt
             together
             ,
          
        
         
           
             Mives
             ,
             husbands
             ,
             and
             their
             Daughters
             each
             with
             other
             :
          
        
         
         
           
             The
             common
             people
             ,
             and
             the
             noble
             Peer
          
        
         
           
             After
             this
             unknown
             worship
             run
             carier
             .
          
        
         
           This
           noise
           caused
           me
           ,
           who
           had
           some
           Acquaintance
           with
           him
           ,
           to
           write
           to
           him
           the
           first
           Letter
           in
           this
           Paper
           ,
           not
           with
           a
           purpose
           to
           make
           any
           Controversie
           of
           it
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           informed
           from
           himself
           what
           his
           way
           was
           .
           Hereunto
           in
           convenient
           time
           he
           returned
           kindely
           unto
           me
           an
           Answer
           ,
           as
           among
           these
           Papers
           you
           may
           see
           .
           I
           was
           therewith
           satisfied
           ,
           minding
           onely
           to
           seek
           into
           the
           truth
           of
           his
           way
           for
           mine
           own
           satisfaction
           without
           further
           medling
           .
           But
           lee
           I
           found
           that
           I
           had
           medled
           with
           a
           nest
           of
           Wasps
           which
           would
           not
           let
           me
           so
           go
           off
           .
           For
           it
           was
           by
           and
           by
           noised
           and
           given
           out
           by
           his
           Party
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           M.
           
             Henden
          
           had
           sent
           me
           a
           Writing
           in
           which
           he
           had
           utterly
           blown
           up
           our
           
             Churches
             ,
             Ordinances
          
           and
           
             Ministery
          
           from
           the
           very
           foundation
           ,
           and
           such
           an
           one
           as
           I
           could
           not
           answer
           .
           What
           should
           I
           do
           here
           ?
           If
           I
           had
           replied
           nothing
           ,
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           end
           of
           their
           triumph
           which
           was
           already
           loud
           enough
           .
           Will
           I
           ,
           nill
           I
           ,
           therefore
           I
           was
           fain
           to
           take
           up
           the
           Bucklers
           ,
           and
           return
           somewhat
           in
           reply
           to
           M.
           
             Henden
             .
          
           I
           had
           a
           purpose
           only
           a
           little
           to
           come
           aboard
           their
           Ship
           ,
           and
           take
           a
           view
           of
           their
           Commodities
           what
           they
           were
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           contentious
           humours
           of
           fellow-venturers
           ,
           I
           am
           forced
           thus
           to
           fall
           into
           some
           earnest
           grapple
           about
           the
           goodness
           of
           their
           Wares
           .
           Take
           these
           as
           some
           slighter
           beginnings
           of
           the
           business
           between
           us
           :
           Some
           larger
           and
           more
           serious
           Discourse
           is
           in
           time
           like
           to
           follow
           :
           If
           M.
           
             Henden
          
           will
           be
           drawn
           to
           make
           his
           last
           Writing
           more
           publick
           ,
           which
           I
           desire
           .
           Reade
           these
           ,
           if
           thou
           canst
           spare
           so
           much
           time
           as
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           this
           no
           
           trifling
           Controversie
           .
           And
           in
           reading
           take
           to
           thy self
           a
           free
           and
           full
           Liberty
           to
           judge
           of
           the
           cause
           according
           to
           evidence
           of
           Arguments
           on
           both
           sides
           .
           And
           know
           that
           at
           length
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           must
           and
           will
           both
           judge
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           thy
           judgement
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           
             
               August
               .
               18.
               1651.
               
            
          
           
             Thine
             in
             the
             Lord
             Christ
             to
             learn
             of
             thee
             or
             any
             godly
             Christian
             how
             in
             the
             best
             way
             to
             know
             and
             serve
             Christ
             
               Jo.
               Elmeston
               .
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           
             
               Good
            
             M.
             HENDEN
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Have
           heard
           partly
           by
           common
           fame
           ,
           but
           more
           certainly
           from
           M.
           
             Williamson
          
           (
           who
           lately
           had
           some
           conference
           with
           you
           )
           that
           you
           are
           deviated
           of
           late
           from
           many
           of
           those
           principles
           and
           practices
           ,
           wherein
           heretofore
           you
           did
           concurre
           with
           us
           .
           Indeed
           there
           is
           now
           adayes
           great
           talk
           of
           much
           new
           light
           broke
           forth
           ,
           and
           shining
           ,
           to
           latter
           Professours
           ,
           and
           those
           many
           ,
           but
           young
           men
           ,
           above
           that
           which
           elder
           Protestants
           and
           Professours
           have
           been
           or
           are
           acquainted
           with
           .
           Which
           boast
           occasioneth
           me
           to
           minde
           a
           Story
           which
           I
           have
           met
           with
           among
           ancient
           Authors
           ,
           of
           one
           
             Nauplius
          
           a
           King
           ,
           who
           to
           revenge
           upon
           the
           
             Greeks
          
           the
           death
           of
           his
           son
           
             Palamedes
             ,
          
           by
           them
           ,
           as
           he
           conceived
           ,
           wrongfully
           put
           to
           death
           ,
           upon
           their
           return
           from
           
             Troy
             ,
          
           did
           set
           up
           in
           the
           night
           a
           great
           light
           on
           the
           top
           of
           the
           hill
           
             Caphareus
             ;
          
           which
           they
           ,
           in
           their
           course
           and
           sailing
           espying
           ,
           and
           supposing
           it
           to
           be
           a
           friendly
           light
           to
           shew
           them
           the
           way
           to
           some
           safe
           harbour
           to
           anchor
           in
           ,
           directed
           their
           course
           thither
           ,
           and
           so
           fell
           upon
           many
           dangerous
           
             Rocks
          
           and
           
             Whirlpools
             ,
          
           whereof
           that
           sea
           was
           full
           ,
           to
           the
           wofull
           casting
           away
           of
           many
           ships
           and
           men
           .
           Pardon
           me
           now
           if
           I
           think
           that
           Satan
           the
           Prince
           of
           darkness
           indeed
           ,
           who
           yet
           can
           transform
           himself
           into
           an
           Angel
           of
           light
           ,
           hath
           a
           great
           hand
           in
           kindling
           and
           setting
           up
           much
           of
           this
           new
           light
           out
           of
           malice
           to
           the
           salvation
           of
           mankinde
           .
           This
           is
           certain
           and
           manifest
           enough
           ,
           that
           too
           many
           ,
           while
           they
           steer
           their
           course
           after
           and
           towards
           these
           lights
           ,
           some
           make
           shipwrack
           of
           the
           faith
           upon
           the
           Rock
           of
           dangerous
           errors
           ;
           others
           of
           peace
           and
           unity
           upon
           the
           Rock
           of
           rash
           and
           unjustifiable
           Separation
           from
           our
           publick
           ,
           though
           well
           reformed
           Assemblies
           ;
           others
           of
           Christian
           meekness
           ,
           and
           moderation
           ,
           and
           charity
           ,
           upon
           the
           Rock
           of
           a
           bitter
           spirit
           ,
           and
           base
           virulent
           railing
           .
           The
           more
           carefull
           had
           you
           need
           to
           be
           that
           you
           give
           not
           countenance
           too
           hastily
           to
           these
           new
           lights
           ,
           nor
           forsake
           your
           old
           good
           way
           to
           
           walk
           after
           them
           who
           are
           not
           like
           to
           go
           astray
           alone
           ,
           but
           to
           carry
           many
           along
           with
           you
           into
           errors
           .
           But
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           which
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           I
           do
           acknowledge
           Gods
           rich
           grace
           to
           us
           in
           these
           times
           ,
           in
           vouchsafing
           much
           fuller
           and
           clearer
           light
           to
           us
           in
           many
           things
           then
           in
           former
           dayes
           .
           And
           that
           opinion
           have
           I
           with
           many
           Christians
           hereabouts
           ,
           of
           you
           and
           your
           judicious
           piety
           ,
           that
           you
           are
           like
           as
           soon
           to
           discern
           of
           old
           errors
           ,
           and
           finde
           out
           some
           of
           those
           truths
           which
           have
           newly
           appeared
           ,
           as
           some
           others
           ,
           whose
           study
           hath
           been
           long
           and
           much
           bent
           to
           dive
           into
           dark
           and
           hard
           Prophecies
           ,
           and
           to
           search
           out
           their
           mysteries
           ,
           to
           take
           notice
           of
           the
           Church-controversies
           of
           our
           times
           ,
           and
           to
           settle
           your self
           and
           others
           about
           them
           .
           The
           errand
           of
           these
           lines
           therefore
           is
           not
           to
           expostulate
           with
           you
           about
           your
           change
           ;
           But
           to
           request
           you
           in
           writing
           briesly
           to
           impart
           to
           me
           those
           new
           Points
           you
           have
           pitched
           upon
           ,
           &
           what
           your
           opinion
           is
           about
           our
           publick
           Ministery
           ,
           the
           Presbytery
           and
           our
           Church-assemblies
           .
           Let
           me
           intreat
           you
           to
           set
           down
           plainly
           the
           Positions
           you
           hold
           about
           these
           ,
           and
           to
           annex
           your
           reasons
           thereunto
           .
           I
           am
           willing
           to
           learn
           what
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           &
           shall
           account
           myself
           much
           beholding
           to
           you
           or
           any
           other
           who
           shall
           fight
           me
           from
           the
           least
           errour
           in
           Divine
           matter
           ,
           or
           discover
           unto
           me
           any
           truth
           of
           Gods
           Word
           to
           me
           yet
           unknown
           ,
           the
           least
           whereof
           I
           esteem
           above
           all
           
             Indian
             Pearls
          
           and
           
             Rubies
             .
          
           It
           is
           a
           saying
           of
           
             Cato
             ,
          
           though
           out
           of
           a
           young
           
             School-boyes-book
          
           and
           Author
           ,
           yet
           very
           worthy
           to
           be
           remembred
           ,
        
         
           
             Ne
             pudeat
             quae
             nescieris
             te
             velle
             doc●ri
             :
          
           
             Scire
             aliquid
             laus
             est
             ,
             ●udor
             est
             nil
             discere
             velle
             .
          
        
         
           Be
           not
           asham'd
           willing
           thy self
           to
           shew
        
         
           Such
           things
           to
           be
           taught
           as
           thou
           dost
           not
           know
           .
        
         
           To
           know
           some
           thing
           it
           is
           a
           commendation
           ,
        
         
           To
           nill
           to
           learn
           ought
           is
           a
           shamefull
           fashion
           .
        
         
           Wherewith
           I
           conclude
           ,
           and
           am
        
         
           
             Your
             much
             well-wishing
             friend
             and
             brother
             in
             Christ
             ,
             
               J.
               E.
               
            
          
           
             
               
                 Decemb.
              
               11.
               1649.
               
            
          
        
      
       
       
         
           
             Most
             worthy
             Sir
             ,
          
        
         
           VVHom
           I
           highly
           esteem
           for
           Piety
           ,
           and
           reverence
           for
           Gravity
           and
           learning
           :
           Your
           Letter
           I
           have
           received
           ,
           containing
           a
           friendly
           admonition
           to
           beware
           of
           old
           errors
           intruded
           under
           the
           specious
           shew
           of
           new
           lights
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           Satans
           subtilty
           was
           deep
           and
           deceivable
           in
           all
           ages
           ;
           but
           the
           main
           strength
           of
           his
           Art
           and
           Policy
           was
           combined
           in
           making
           up
           the
           Man
           of
           Sinne
           .
           All
           deceivablenesse
           of
           unrighteousnesse
           ,
           the
           whole
           Mystery
           of
           iniquity
           is
           in
           him
           contracted
           ;
           who
           ,
           being
           now
           by
           the
           glorious
           beams
           of
           truth
           more
           clearly
           discovered
           in
           the
           Romanist
           ,
           Episcopacy
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           to
           be
           a
           false
           Christ
           in
           the
           wildernesse
           ,
           hath
           since
           entered
           into
           his
           secret
           Chambers
           ,
           where
           he
           seemingly
           puts
           on
           a
           more
           curious
           dresse
           of
           Holinesse
           and
           Purity
           neerly
           resembling
           the
           wedding
           garment
           of
           the
           Primitive
           Church
           ,
           that
           by
           his
           glittering
           array
           he
           might
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           possible
           ,
           deceive
           the
           very
           elect
           .
           Hereupon
           the
           Spirit
           reckons
           it
           for
           a
           principal
           point
           of
           wisdom
           to
           know
           the
           full
           number
           of
           the
           Beast
           .
           Truly
           Sir
           ,
           I
           do
           with
           you
           confesse
           ,
           that
           I
           have
           searched
           the
           Scripture
           from
           my
           childehood
           ,
           neglecting
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Old
           and
           New
           Testaments
           ,
           and
           that
           I
           have
           much
           enquired
           into
           those
           mysteries
           couched
           under
           the
           Visions
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ;
           but
           especially
           those
           shewed
           by
           Christ
           himself
           to
           
             John
          
           in
           his
           
             Apocalyps
             ,
          
           as
           that
           contracting
           the
           rest
           belonging
           to
           his
           and
           after
           times
           into
           a
           methodical
           Abridgement
           .
           My
           ground
           for
           it
           was
           this
           ,
           Because
           I
           found
           a
           peculiar
           blessing
           attributed
           to
           those
           who
           read
           ,
           hear
           and
           keep
           the
           words
           of
           this
           Prophecie
           ,
           as
           that
           containing
           the
           whole
           testimony
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           being
           so
           full
           as
           nothing
           can
           be
           added
           to
           or
           detracted
           from
           it
           ,
           without
           a
           dreadfull
           curse
           ,
           
             Revel.
             13.
             
             &
             19.
             10.
             
             &
             22.
             18
             ,
             19.
          
           and
           from
           hence
           concluded
           ,
           That
           there
           was
           a
           divine
           Treasure
           of
           heavenly
           wisdom
           enclosed
           in
           this
           precious
           Cabinet
           ,
           and
           being
           a
           Prophecie
           of
           all
           Gospel-times
           ,
           that
           the
           several
           dispensations
           of
           God
           proper
           to
           every
           period
           with
           Satans
           opposite
           works
           ,
           was
           here
           included
           ,
           which
           no
           plain
           Text
           of
           Scripture
           so
           fully
           evidences
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           
             knowledge
          
           
           thereof
           would
           be
           as
           a
           pillar
           of
           Cloud
           to
           direct
           us
           in
           every
           age
           to
           follow
           the
           Lamb
           whithersoever
           he
           goes
           thorow
           his
           several
           administrations
           ,
           and
           a
           true
           light
           to
           discover
           those
           Rocks
           of
           error
           ,
           which
           men
           running
           against
           hazard
           the
           wracking
           of
           their
           souls
           ;
           and
           that
           this
           being
           veiled
           from
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           world
           under
           dark
           Types
           ,
           that
           so
           Antichrist
           fore-prophesied
           of
           ,
           might
           have
           closer
           and
           freer
           entrance
           ,
           requires
           the
           more
           industry
           to
           draw
           it
           out
           ,
           Neither
           was
           the
           highest
           reach
           of
           my
           capacity
           able
           to
           dive
           so
           farre
           into
           these
           secrets
           ,
           as
           to
           discover
           the
           Beast
           farther
           then
           the
           Pope
           and
           Bishops
           ,
           till
           the
           Spirit
           who
           only
           knows
           the
           deep
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           removed
           farther
           from
           mine
           eyes
           that
           veil
           cast
           upon
           the
           eyes
           of
           all
           Nations
           ,
           
             Isa.
             25.
             7.
          
           and
           revealed
           unto
           me
           ,
           That
           the
           foundation
           of
           Antichrist
           consisted
           in
           an
           usurped
           power
           of
           Church-Discipline
           footed
           upon
           man
           and
           his
           will
           without
           the
           Call
           of
           God
           .
           And
           that
           the
           call
           of
           God
           in
           our
           times
           is
           onely
           for
           separation
           and
           rewarding
           ;
           being
           during
           the
           vials
           pouring
           ,
           but
           in
           our
           journey
           toward
           
             Sion
          
           visibly
           separated
           ,
           and
           having
           but
           in
           part
           put
           off
           our
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             ,
          
           Revel.
           
             18
             4
             ,
             6.
             and
             15.
             8.
             
          
           And
           that
           the
           time
           for
           visible
           marriage
           is
           not
           till
           all
           enemies
           are
           down
           by
           the
           vials
           ,
           and
           God
           onely
           reigns
           ,
           
             Revel.
             19.
             7
             ,
             8
             ,
             9.
             
             Isa.
             62.
             5.
             
          
           And
           that
           all
           visible
           Church-marriage
           from
           the
           Apostasie
           till
           this
           reign
           is
           out
           of
           Gods
           time
           (
           whose
           Prerogative
           it
           is
           onely
           to
           ordain
           the
           times
           and
           seasons
           )
           and
           so
           being
           founded
           only
           on
           the
           Will
           ,
           Call
           ,
           Name
           and
           Power
           of
           man
           ,
           and
           not
           on
           Gods
           Call
           ,
           must
           be
           beastial
           .
           And
           that
           the
           breathing
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           these
           both
           Officers
           and
           Ordinances
           in
           the
           Primitive
           Age
           ,
           the
           life
           and
           soul
           of
           both
           ,
           was
           since
           restrained
           ,
           being
           as
           a
           carcasse
           without
           a
           soul
           ,
           
             Ezek.
             1.
             4.
             Act.
             2.
             2.
             1
             Timoth.
             4.
             14.
             
             Revel.
             7.
             1.
             
          
           And
           then
           at
           the
           brightnesse
           of
           Christs
           coming
           the
           same
           Spirit
           of
           pouring
           and
           breathing
           returned
           ,
           
             Isa.
             32.
             15.
             
             Ezek.
             37
             9.
             
             Matth.
             24.
             27
             ,
             28.
             
             Psalm
             .
             97.
             4.
             
          
           Now
           least
           any
           mistake
           me
           ,
           as
           though
           I
           subverted
           all
           Gospel
           .
           Ordinances
           ,
           we
           conceive
           that
           Ordinances
           are
           of
           two
           sorts
           ,
        
         
           
             1.
             
          
           Such
           as
           are
           founded
           more
           immediately
           on
           our
           spiritual
           union
           ,
           and
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           as
           Ministery
           ,
           Baptism
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           Prayer
           ,
           Profession
           
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           
             2.
             
          
           Such
           as
           are
           footed
           upon
           Church-stating
           ,
           and
           appertain
           to
           Officials
           ,
           as
           Ordination
           ,
           Confirmation
           ,
           Excommunication
           ,
           
           Admission
           ,
           Absolution
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           The
           first
           of
           these
           we
           say
           ,
           
             The
             gates
             of
             hell
             never
             prevailed
             against
             them
             ,
          
           but
           they
           were
           born
           up
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Prophecie
           thorow
           the
           whole
           time
           of
           this
           deep
           Apostasie
           .
           As
           teaching
           and
           Baptism
           was
           overlasting
           ,
           
             Matth.
             28.
             19
             ,
             20.
             
             Isa.
             55.
             13.
             
             &
             56.
             5.
             
             Revel.
             7.
             
          
           So
           the
           bread
           and
           wine
           hold
           forth
           his
           death
           till
           he
           come
           ,
           
             1
             Cor.
             11.
             26.
             
          
           Also
           Prayer
           was
           alwayes
           ,
           
             1
             Thess.
             5.
             17.
             
             Revel.
             8.
             34.
             
             &
             9.
             13.
             
          
           Likewise
           Profession
           continued
           ,
           
             Rev.
             11.
             3.
             
          
        
         
           The
           second
           sort
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           The
           Keys
           deemed
           essential
           to
           Officials
           ,
           were
           not
           alwayes
           truly
           used
           .
           Though
           the
           name
           was
           fore
           prophesied
           to
           be
           everlasting
           ,
           yet
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           
             jad
             ,
          
           the
           Hand
           or
           the
           Keys
           held
           forth
           by
           the
           Hand
           ,
           interpreted
           Place
           ,
           is
           not
           so
           specified
           
             *
          
           
             Isa.
             66.
             5.
             
          
           But
           was
           wholly
           resolved
           in
           the
           Pope
           ,
           to
           whom
           another
           Key
           was
           given
           with
           other
           Smoke
           and
           Officers
           ,
           the
           Locusts
           ,
           
             Revel.
             9.
             
          
           Neither
           was
           there
           any
           other
           face
           of
           Officials
           ,
           but
           amongst
           the
           Papists
           in
           
             Luthers
          
           time
           ,
           who
           himself
           was
           a
           Monk
           .
           Nay
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           the
           foundation
           of
           these
           failed
           ;
           onely
           a
           sealed
           elect
           number
           remainod
           ,
           
             Revel.
             7.
             3.
             to
             9.
             and
             9.
             4
             ,
          
           We
           destroy
           not
           these
           Ordinances
           ,
           but
           hold
           that
           they
           have
           a
           being
           in
           the
           Scripture
           of
           truth
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           minde
           and
           desire
           of
           the
           faithfull
           .
           And
           now
           in
           our
           return
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           we
           do
           as
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           of
           old
           ,
           carry
           these
           vessels
           of
           the
           Lord
           along
           with
           us
           in
           this
           our
           journey
           of
           separation
           ,
           
             Isal.
             52.
             11.
          
           but
           dare
           not
           officiate
           in
           them
           in
           the
           Territories
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           in
           which
           we
           are
           till
           we
           have
           passed
           by
           the
           sixth
           vial
           over
           the
           River
           
             Euphrates
             ,
          
           Revel.
           
             16.
             12.
             
          
           These
           with
           many
           other
           Discoveries
           I
           have
           received
           ;
           the
           full
           explanation
           whereof
           with
           all
           their
           Scriptures
           and
           Reasons
           would
           require
           a
           volume
           ;
           which
           neither
           the
           strength
           of
           my
           body
           ,
           or
           my
           time
           ,
           being
           now
           precious
           ,
           will
           permit
           me
           largely
           to
           delineate
           with
           my
           Pen
           .
           You
           shall
           command
           any
           thing
           which
           with
           convenience
           I
           am
           able
           to
           perform
           :
           And
           therefore
           ,
           
             Sir
             ,
          
           let
           me
           beseech
           you
           to
           come
           unto
           me
           ,
           who
           am
           not
           able
           to
           visit
           you
           ,
           with
           what
           friends
           you
           shall
           make
           choise
           of
           ,
           and
           you
           shall
           be
           really
           welcome
           ,
           where
           I
           will
           (
           as
           God
           shall
           inable
           me
           )
           grant
           your
           request
           by
           a
           living
           voice
           ,
           and
           freely
           hear
           your
           Answers
           and
           Objections
           against
           what
           I
           shall
           speak
           .
           For
           I
           desire
           to
           have
           it
           brought
           to
           the
           Touchstone
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           there
           to
           be
           tried
           to
           the
           utmost
           .
           And
           if
           by
           our
           confeerence
           we
           cannot
           be
           united
           in
           
           our
           Judgement
           ,
           yee
           I
           shall
           desire
           to
           be
           joyned
           with
           you
           in
           my
           Affection
           ,
           as
           highly
           prizing
           my
           union
           with
           all
           the
           godly
           .
           With
           this
           Proviso
           of
           
             Aristotle
             ,
             Amicus
             Socrates
             ,
             amicus
             Plato
             ,
             sed
             magis
             amica
             Veritas
             ,
          
           Socrates
           is
           my
           friend
           ,
           Plato
           my
           friend
           ,
           but
           truth
           is
           my
           more
           speciall
           friend
           .
           The
           Truths
           of
           God
           are
           to
           be
           valued
           above
           the
           nearest
           Relations
           .
           Thus
           with
           my
           best
           respect
           remembred
           ,
           I
           rest
           and
           remain
           ,
        
         
           
             Your
             very
             loving
             Friend
             
               Simon
               Henden
               .
            
          
           
             Bennenden
             
               Jan.
               
                 2.
                 1649.
                 
              
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           AN
           ESSAY
           FOR
           The
           Discovery
           and
           Discouraging
           of
           the
           new-sprung
           Schism
           raised
           and
           maintained
           by
           Mr
           
             Simon
             Henden
          
           of
           
             Bennenden
          
           in
           
             Kent
             .
          
        
         
           
             
               Good
            
             Mr
             
               Henden
               ,
            
          
        
         
           I
           Thank
           you
           very
           much
           for
           your
           taking
           in
           good
           part
           my
           writing
           to
           you
           ,
           for
           your
           pains
           taken
           to
           answer
           me
           ,
           and
           your
           free
           imparting
           to
           me
           your
           Principles
           on
           which
           you
           go
           in
           this
           new
           way
           ,
           and
           embrace
           all
           this
           as
           no
           small
           testimony
           of
           your
           good
           opinion
           of
           ,
           and
           good
           affections
           toward
           me
           .
           But
           having
           with
           some
           deliberation
           perused
           your
           Letter
           ,
           I
           must
           needs
           professe
           that
           your
           Principles
           do
           not
           appear
           so
           clear
           and
           solid
           unto
           me
           as
           that
           I
           ean
           close
           with
           them
           .
           In
           which
           respect
           for
           a
           fuller
           debate
           and
           clearing
           of
           them
           ,
           I
           have
           thought
           meet
           to
           propound
           to
           you
           in
           writing
           my
           doubts
           about
           them
           ,
           since
           I
           can
           hardly
           finde
           leisure
           from
           my
           School-imploiments
           ,
           nor
           since
           my
           weaknesse
           am
           hardly
           strong
           enough
           to
           come
           over
           to
           you
           in
           presence
           to
           conferre
           about
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           then
           ,
           for
           what
           you
           glance
           at
           out
           of
           
             Matth.
          
           24
           ,
           26.
           concerning
           the
           Man
           of
           Sinne
           ,
           as
           being
           discovered
           in
           t
           he
           Romanist
           and
           Episcopacy
           to
           be
           a
           false
           Christ
           in
           the
           wildernesse
           ,
           and
           now
           retired
           into
           his
           
             Secret
             Chambers
             ,
          
           in
           a
           curious
           dresse
           of
           holinesse
           and
           purity
           the
           more
           effectually
           to
           deceive
           :
           it
           cannot
           be
           made
           
           good
           by
           you
           that
           that
           place
           of
           
             Matthew
          
           is
           particularly
           meant
           of
           the
           Roman
           Antichrist
           ,
           it
           is
           meant
           of
           those
           who
           should
           take
           on
           them
           to
           be
           Christ
           in
           their
           own
           Person
           ,
           or
           to
           shew
           unto
           men
           Christ
           in
           Person
           .
           Some
           such
           of
           old
           did
           arise
           among
           the
           Jews
           ,
           as
           he
           in
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Emperor
           
             Adrian
             ,
          
           that
           called
           himself
           
             Ben
             Cochab
             ,
          
           the
           sonne
           of
           the
           Starre
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           starre
           prophesied
           of
           by
           
             Balaam
             ,
          
           Numb.
           24
           17.
           whom
           afterward
           the
           Jews
           having
           discovered
           him
           for
           an
           impostour
           ,
           called
           
             Ben●coshan
             ,
          
           the
           sonne
           of
           a
           lie
           :
           Some
           such
           of
           latter
           years
           have
           been
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           viz.
           
             Hacket
          
           with
           his
           companions
           in
           Queen
           
             Elizabeths
          
           daies
           ,
           and
           some
           not
           long
           ago
           amongst
           us
           in
           these
           so
           fertile
           in
           seducers
           and
           seducements
           .
           And
           if
           it
           may
           be
           extended
           unto
           other
           seducers
           by
           way
           of
           allusion
           ,
           who
           preach
           false
           doctrine
           in
           the
           name
           of
           Christ
           ,
           with
           a
           shew
           and
           pretence
           to
           discover
           Christ
           unto
           men
           in
           a
           more
           clear
           and
           perfect
           way
           then
           others
           do
           ,
           this
           cannot
           very
           fitly
           be
           applied
           ,
           much
           lesse
           be
           appropriated
           to
           the
           Roman
           Antichrist
           ,
           who
           hath
           not
           acted
           his
           part
           in
           a
           wildernesse
           or
           desert
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           taken
           in
           
             Matthew
          
           according
           to
           the
           proper
           sense
           of
           the
           word
           ,
           
             viz
             ,
          
           for
           a
           place
           not
           at
           all
           ,
           or
           slenderly
           inhabited
           by
           some
           poor
           cottagers
           ,
           
             But
             hath
             set
             as
             God
             in
             the
             Temple
             of
             God
             ,
          
           2
           Thess.
           3.
           4.
           
           
             And
             ruled
             over
             Kingdoms
             ,
             Nations
             and
             Contries
             in
             much
             pomp
             and
             magnificence
             .
          
           Revel
           17.
           15.
           
           Indeed
           
             John
             ,
          
           Revel.
           17.
           3.
           was
           carried
           into
           the
           wildernesse
           that
           he
           might
           take
           the
           better
           view
           of
           the
           Whore
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
          
           this
           great
           Antichrist
           ,
           but
           she
           was
           presented
           to
           him
           as
           riding
           on
           a
           Beast
           of
           seven
           heads
           and
           ten
           horns
           ,
           and
           sitting
           on
           many
           waters
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           17.
           13.
           as
           reigning
           in
           the
           great
           and
           stately
           City
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           and
           ruling
           over
           multitudes
           of
           people
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           17.
           9
           ,
           10.
           15.
           so
           farre
           was
           she
           she
           from
           flying
           into
           the
           wildernesse
           ,
           or
           hiding
           her self
           therein
           :
           Nor
           did
           the
           Beast
           nor
           the
           Frogs
           coming
           out
           of
           his
           mouth
           ever
           heretofore
           ,
           or
           now
           more
           invite
           men
           into
           Chambers
           under
           a
           colour
           and
           pretence
           to
           shew
           them
           Christ
           ,
           as
           not
           to
           be
           seen
           in
           the
           publick
           Profession
           of
           the
           times
           ,
           more
           then
           other
           hereticks
           may
           and
           have
           done
           ,
           nay
           not
           more
           then
           the
           most
           orthodox
           Christians
           may
           do
           and
           have
           done
           in
           some
           sad
           times
           of
           darknesse
           and
           persecution
           .
           Finally
           ,
           I
           wish
           you
           to
           consider
           ,
           whether
           this
           calling
           men
           into
           Chambers
           in
           these
           daies
           from
           publick
           Assemblies
           to
           see
           Christ
           ,
           do
           not
           fully
           reflect
           upon
           the
           practice
           of
           
             Brownists
             ,
          
           
           
             Independents
             ,
             Anabaptists
             ,
             Seekers
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           who
           leave
           our
           publick
           Assemblies
           and
           Ordinances
           ,
           as
           if
           Christ
           were
           not
           there
           to
           be
           seen
           and
           enjoyed
           ,
           and
           call
           men
           into
           houses
           ,
           parlours
           and
           chambers
           ,
           with
           a
           specious
           pretext
           of
           more
           then
           ordinary
           holiness
           ,
           and
           exact
           serving
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           keeping
           themselves
           and
           others
           from
           the
           pollution
           of
           publick
           worship
           ,
           and
           bringing
           men
           to
           nearer
           and
           fuller
           Communion
           with
           Christ
           then
           can
           be
           enjoyed
           in
           publick
           Ordinances
           .
           I
           may
           say
           then
           touching
           this
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Poet
          
           doth
           of
           a
           witty
           fable
           he
           had
           told
           ,
           and
           after
           doth
           apply
           to
           one
           who
           thought
           himself
           little
           concerned
           in
           it
           ,
        
         
           
             —
             
               Mutato
               nomine
               ,
               de
               te
            
          
           
             
               Fabula
               narratur
               —
            
          
           
             Change
             but
             the
             name
             ,
             if
             I
             may
             make
             so
             bold
             ,
          
           
             Of
             your
             own
             self
             ,
             the
             story
             may
             be
             told
             .
          
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           diligent
           search
           you
           do
           make
           or
           have
           made
           to
           understand
           the
           visions
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           in
           special
           the
           mysteries
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
             ,
          
           is
           worthy
           commendation
           .
           But
           this
           I
           must
           adde
           ,
           that
           you
           had
           need
           to
           be
           conversant
           in
           that
           search
           with
           much
           humility
           and
           self-denying
           ,
           as
           not
           having
           any
           such
           conceit
           of
           your self
           that
           you
           are
           endued
           with
           a
           more
           excellent
           spirit
           of
           revelation
           and
           understanding
           in
           those
           mysteries
           then
           other
           learned
           and
           godly
           men
           that
           have
           with
           much
           pains
           and
           prayer
           studied
           that
           Book
           ,
           and
           published
           their
           meditations
           on
           it
           ,
           but
           rather
           mistrusting
           your
           own
           conceptions
           ,
           in
           which
           you
           go
           alone
           ,
           and
           differ
           from
           the
           stream
           of
           most
           Writers
           and
           Interpreters
           ,
           
             Qui
             opinione
             blandiente
             gravidi
             sunt
             ,
             nihil
             serium
             pariunt
             ,
             tumidi
             tantumutres
             ,
          
           saith
           one
           ,
           Whosoever
           they
           be
           which
           travel
           big
           with
           childe
           of
           some
           pleasing
           conceit
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           or
           vain
           opinion
           of
           themselves
           ,
           never
           bring
           forth
           any
           serious
           matter
           ,
           being
           only
           big-swoln
           bottles
           .
           And
           if
           you
           hold
           forth
           any
           new
           conceit
           beyond
           or
           against
           them
           ,
           judicious
           Christians
           will
           advise
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           not
           hastily
           receive
           it
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           can
           make
           it
           appear
           ,
           that
           you
           have
           
             Daniels
             spirit
             of
             wisdom
             and
             revelation
          
           for
           interpretation
           of
           dreams
           and
           visions
           given
           you
           ,
           or
           can
           prove
           your
           interpretation
           by
           irrefragable
           arguments
           .
           For
           in
           such
           a
           case
           may
           it
           not
           be
           said
           to
           you
           ,
           as
           
             Paul
          
           said
           to
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           puffed
           up
           with
           some
           singular
           conceit
           of
           their
           knowledge
           above
           
           other
           Churches
           ,
           
             Came
             the
             word
             of
             God
             out
             from
             you
             ?
             or
             came
             it
             to
             you
             onely
             ?
          
           1
           Cor.
           14.
           26.
           
           
             Came
             the
             Spirit
             of
             wisdom
             or
             knowledge
             unto
             you
             only
             ?
             or
             came
             it
             from
             you
             to
             all
             others
             ?
          
           Besides
           ,
           if
           we
           desire
           to
           know
           Christ
           in
           the
           whole
           mystery
           of
           our
           salvation
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           the
           doctrine
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           Offices
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           to
           apply
           him
           to
           our selves
           ,
           the
           waies
           of
           his
           Worship
           ;
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           Ordinances
           belonging
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           then
           what
           be
           the
           most
           dangerous
           errours
           in
           Faith
           or
           Worship
           :
           Such
           things
           are
           better
           learned
           out
           of
           the
           doctrinal
           books
           of
           Scripture
           then
           out
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
             .
          
           That
           doth
           hold
           forth
           a
           prophetical
           story
           concerning
           the
           enemies
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           they
           should
           be
           ,
           and
           where
           ;
           how
           they
           should
           oppresse
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           be
           destroyed
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Churches
           estate
           before
           these
           enemies
           rising
           ,
           under
           their
           power
           ,
           its
           deliverance
           and
           glorious
           estate
           in
           the
           end
           ;
           but
           it
           doth
           not
           doctrinally
           discourse
           of
           points
           of
           faith
           ,
           worship
           and
           good
           works
           .
           Those
           matters
           in
           other
           Books
           are
           purposely
           handled
           ,
           largely
           and
           fully
           discoursed
           ;
           in
           the
           
             Revelation
          
           are
           but
           touched
           on
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           in
           other
           parts
           of
           Scripture
           they
           are
           plainly
           propounded
           ,
           that
           common
           Christians
           may
           conceive
           and
           come
           to
           the
           knowledge
           of
           them
           ;
           but
           the
           
             Revelation
          
           is
           veiled
           with
           such
           mystical
           visions
           and
           allegorical
           phrases
           that
           very
           learned
           and
           most
           able
           Christians
           cannot
           uncover
           the
           veil
           cleerly
           ,
           and
           see
           to
           the
           end
           of
           them
           ;
           much
           lesse
           are
           they
           such
           as
           can
           be
           apprehended
           by
           Christians
           of
           the
           lower
           sort
           ,
           and
           weaker
           capacity
           .
           As
           the
           pillar
           of
           fire
           and
           cloud
           were
           such
           things
           as
           were
           open
           to
           the
           view
           of
           all
           the
           
             Israelites
             ;
          
           so
           those
           Books
           of
           Scripture
           (
           though
           I
           exclude
           none
           )
           which
           are
           plainest
           and
           most
           obvious
           to
           the
           understanding
           of
           all
           Christians
           ,
           are
           specially
           to
           be
           accounted
           as
           our
           pillar
           of
           cloud
           and
           fire
           to
           direct
           us
           how
           and
           where
           in
           all
           ages
           we
           should
           follow
           the
           Lamb
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           is
           strange
           to
           me
           that
           you
           should
           affirm
           ,
           That
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Beast
           doth
           consist
           in
           an
           usurped
           power
           of
           Church-Discipline
           footed
           on
           mans
           will
           without
           Gods
           call
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           that
           what
           Discipline
           is
           exercised
           only
           on
           mans
           will
           without
           Gods
           call
           ,
           is
           bestial
           ,
           as
           you
           term
           it
           ,
           and
           Antichristian
           ;
           As
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           which
           for
           the
           thing
           it self
           was
           wholly
           invented
           by
           Antichrist
           not
           being
           once
           mentioned
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           such
           was
           amongst
           others
           the
           Popes
           interdicting
           of
           whole
           Realms
           for
           having
           
           any
           service
           of
           God
           used
           in
           them
           upon
           their
           offending
           against
           his
           commands
           and
           Ordinances
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           if
           for
           the
           matter
           it self
           it
           were
           Christs
           Discipline
           ,
           yet
           it
           was
           managed
           not
           by
           the
           hands
           of
           Christs
           Officers
           ,
           but
           of
           Antichrist
           ,
           and
           against
           Christs
           faithfull
           servants
           ;
           such
           was
           Excommunication
           exercised
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           papal
           Bishops
           ,
           Commissaries
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           .
           Notwithstanding
           Discipline
           ,
           nor
           the
           usurped
           power
           of
           it
           cannot
           be
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Beast
           .
           There
           are
           three
           things
           in
           Christian
           ,
           and
           so
           in
           Antichristian
           Religion
           ,
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           and
           Discipline
           ;
           and
           these
           so
           answer
           one
           another
           ,
           that
           look
           what
           place
           any
           one
           of
           them
           hath
           in
           the
           one
           ,
           the
           same
           it
           hath
           in
           the
           other
           Religion
           .
           Now
           none
           ever
           did
           or
           can
           affirm
           Discipline
           to
           be
           the
           foundation
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           it
           is
           but
           as
           the
           roof
           ,
           or
           at
           best
           but
           as
           the
           wals
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           serves
           to
           beautifie
           or
           to
           guard
           and
           preserve
           it
           ;
           It
           is
           sound
           Doctrine
           in
           the
           principles
           of
           faith
           that
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ,
           1
           
             Cor
             ,
          
           3.
           11.
           
           So
           it
           is
           the
           false
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           
             Roman
          
           Church
           that
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Beast
           and
           Antichristian
           Religion
           .
           And
           this
           the
           Apostle
           S.
           
             John
          
           doth
           teach
           ,
           1
           
             Joh
             ,
          
           4.
           23.
           
           
             Every
             one
             that
             confesseth
             Christ
             to
             be
             come
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
             is
             of
             God
             ;
             but
             every
             one
             that
             denieth
             Christ
             to
             be
             come
             in
             the
             flesh
             is
             not
             of
             God
             ;
             this
             is
             the
             spirit
             of
             Antichrist
             .
          
           It
           is
           in
           effect
           as
           much
           as
           if
           he
           had
           said
           :
           Sound
           Doctrine
           concerning
           Christ
           his
           Nature
           ,
           Person
           and
           Offices
           ,
           is
           the
           main
           ground
           and
           mark
           of
           Christian
           Religion
           ;
           and
           false
           doctrine
           touching
           these
           things
           the
           principal
           note
           and
           ground
           of
           Antichristian
           Religion
           .
           Besides
           the
           Popes
           extravagant
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           in
           excommunicating
           ,
           suspending
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           not
           onely
           single
           persons
           ,
           but
           whole
           Nations
           ,
           and
           disposing
           all
           Church-dignities
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           was
           founded
           on
           that
           false
           Doctrine
           which
           was
           first
           laid
           ,
           That
           the
           Pope
           was
           an
           
             Vniversal
             Bishop
             ,
          
           Vicar
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           visible
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Doctrine
           then
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           the
           Beast
           ,
           and
           not
           the
           usurped
           power
           of
           Church-Discipline
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           None
           can
           comply
           with
           the
           Beast
           in
           the
           foundation
           of
           his
           estate
           without
           losse
           of
           his
           salvation
           ,
           as
           who
           doth
           lie
           and
           relie
           on
           some
           other
           besides
           the
           onely
           foundation
           of
           salvation
           ,
           which
           is
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           and
           worshippeth
           the
           Beast
           in
           acknowledging
           him
           for
           the
           Vicar
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           Church
           and
           supreme
           Head
           under
           him
           ,
           and
           submits
           to
           his
           Decrees
           and
           new
           Articles
           
           of
           faith
           ;
           But
           many
           may
           and
           have
           too
           much
           complied
           with
           the
           Beast
           in
           the
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Excommunication
           ,
           Suspension
           ,
           Ordination
           ,
           
             &c
             ,
          
           managing
           it
           in
           a
           Popish
           manner
           ,
           whom
           yet
           we
           have
           just
           cause
           to
           acknowledge
           (
           and
           should
           deal
           most
           uncharitably
           not
           to
           acknowledge
           )
           for
           the
           main
           to
           have
           been
           godly
           Christians
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           doubt
           saved
           ,
           Such
           as
           were
           those
           Diocesan
           Bishops
           in
           Queen
           
             Maries
          
           dayes
           ,
           
             Ridley
             ,
             Latimer
             ,
             Hooper
             ,
          
           &c.
           and
           
             Grindal
             ,
             Jewel
          
           and
           others
           in
           Queen
           
             Elizabeths
          
           Reign
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           is
           a
           new
           conceit
           not
           heard
           of
           before
           among
           Interpreters
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
             ,
          
           and
           which
           I
           cannot
           imbrace
           ,
           That
           in
           these
           our
           times
           we
           are
           called
           onely
           to
           separating
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           rewarding
           her
           ,
           so
           that
           upon
           separating
           from
           her
           ,
           if
           Gods
           people
           go
           further
           ,
           as
           to
           set
           up
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           gather
           themselves
           into
           Church-order
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           your
           opinion
           against
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           without
           Gods
           command
           .
           But
        
         
           First
           ,
           This
           is
           a
           course
           flat
           contrary
           to
           that
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           followed
           and
           prescribed
           to
           his
           people
           in
           former
           times
           ,
           whose
           separation
           from
           Idolaters
           and
           prophane
           Nations
           was
           still
           accompanied
           with
           a
           present
           setting
           up
           of
           a
           Church-society
           for
           Gods
           service
           and
           mutual
           edification
           .
           No
           sooner
           did
           God
           call
           
             Abraham
          
           out
           of
           his
           idolatrous
           Countrey
           ,
           but
           he
           set
           up
           a
           visible
           Church
           in
           his
           Family
           ,
           teaching
           him
           to
           call
           on
           God
           and
           set
           up
           alturs
           for
           his
           Worship
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           12.
           8
           ,
           and
           furnishing
           him
           with
           some
           power
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           
             Genes
             .
          
           17.
           14.
           and
           18.
           19.
           
           So
           when
           the
           Lord
           brought
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           out
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ,
          
           he
           brought
           them
           not
           out
           to
           wander
           up
           and
           down
           as
           a
           confused
           multitude
           ,
           but
           within
           short
           time
           formed
           them
           into
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           within
           a
           year
           or
           thereabouts
           gave
           them
           the
           Law
           ,
           furnished
           them
           with
           a
           Tabernacle
           ,
           Sacrifices
           ,
           Ministry
           and
           Ordinances
           of
           all
           sorts
           .
           This
           did
           the
           Jews
           also
           upon
           their
           return
           out
           of
           
             Babylon
          
           take
           to
           be
           their
           duty
           in
           a
           Church-way
           to
           set
           up
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           in
           building
           the
           Temple
           ,
           providing
           Sacrifices
           ,
           restoring
           the
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           ordering
           means
           for
           them
           .
           And
           when
           the
           Jews
           slacked
           their
           hand
           this
           way
           upon
           a
           pretence
           that
           the
           due
           time
           to
           build
           the
           house
           of
           God
           was
           not
           yet
           come
           (
           much
           like
           as
           you
           now
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           yet
           time
           to
           set
           up
           visible
           Churches
           or
           Church-Discipline
           )
           they
           were
           reproved
           for
           the
           slacknesse
           and
           vain
           pretence
           by
           the
           
           Prophet
           
             Haggai
             ,
          
           Hag.
           1.
           3
           ,
           5.
           
           And
           did
           not
           the
           Apostles
           the
           like
           also
           at
           the
           first
           preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           so
           call
           men
           from
           
             Paganism
          
           and
           
             Judaism
             ,
          
           as
           those
           that
           did
           separate
           from
           them
           ,
           and
           imbrace
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           were
           with
           all
           convenient
           speed
           gathered
           and
           formed
           into
           Christian
           Churches
           to
           exercise
           Gods
           Worship
           and
           Discipline
           among
           themselves
           ?
           And
           what
           sound
           reason
           can
           be
           given
           ,
           why
           the
           separation
           Gods
           people
           are
           called
           to
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           18.
           4.
           should
           not
           be
           thus
           presently
           followed
           ,
           with
           joyning
           together
           in
           visible
           Churches
           ,
           to
           serve
           God
           aright
           ,
           and
           enjoy
           all
           his
           Ordinances
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           must
           remain
           a
           separated
           people
           without
           any
           Church-order
           among
           themselves
           ,
           untill
           all
           the
           vials
           be
           poured
           out
           ,
           that
           is
           none
           knows
           how
           long
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           is
           against
           a
           common
           rule
           for
           interpretation
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           Among
           which
           rules
           this
           is
           an
           approved
           one
           ,
           
             That
             what
             Scripture
             doth
             command
             the
             avoiding
             any
             thing
             as
             evil
             ,
             the
             same
             doth
             virtually
             command
             the
             pursuing
             of
             the
             contrary
             good
             .
          
           Hence
           commonly
           those
           two
           commands
           go
           together
           ,
           
             Flee
             evil
             and
             follow
             good
             ,
          
           Psal.
           34.
           14.
           
           Isa.
           16.
           17.
           
           Rom.
           12.
           9.
           and
           in
           many
           other
           places
           .
           The
           reason
           whereof
           is
           plain
           ,
           because
           as
           the
           perfection
           of
           a
           good
           tree
           is
           not
           in
           wanting
           bad
           fruit
           ,
           but
           in
           bearing
           good
           :
           so
           the
           true
           goodnesse
           of
           a
           Christian
           is
           not
           in
           forbearing
           evil
           ,
           but
           in
           doing
           good
           .
           This
           then
           is
           certain
           ,
           that
           the
           voice
           from
           Heaven
           which
           cals
           Gods
           people
           to
           depart
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           as
           idolatrous
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           themselves
           from
           her
           sins
           ,
           doth
           virtually
           call
           upon
           them
           to
           seek
           our
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           to
           joyn
           with
           her
           in
           society
           for
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ;
           which
           
             Sion
          
           if
           it
           were
           not
           then
           extant
           or
           to
           be
           enjoyed
           ,
           the
           command
           were
           vain
           ,
           and
           their
           endeavour
           would
           be
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           This
           conceit
           and
           course
           doth
           cast
           a
           foul
           blot
           of
           gross
           ignorance
           or
           rash
           presumption
           upon
           all
           reformed
           Churches
           ;
           which
           upon
           their
           breaking
           off
           from
           
             Rome
          
           have
           not
           contented
           themselves
           with
           a
           bare
           separation
           ,
           but
           did
           also
           set
           up
           evangelical
           Churches
           opposite
           to
           the
           
             Roman
          
           for
           Doctrine
           ,
           Worship
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           some
           lesse
           ,
           and
           some
           more
           pure
           and
           perfect
           .
           So
           hath
           all
           Reformation
           been
           practised
           in
           
             Germany
             ,
             France
             ,
             Netherland
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
             Old
          
           and
           
             New
             England
          
           of
           late
           .
           And
           what
           man
           is
           he
           ,
           or
           who
           be
           they
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           can
           prove
           themselves
           new
           Apostles
           or
           Prophets
           ,
           or
           have
           the
           pregnant
           word
           of
           
           God
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           build
           not
           only
           upon
           their
           own
           conjectural
           interpretation
           of
           prophetical
           mysteries
           ,
           about
           which
           other
           godly
           learned
           are
           at
           a
           stand
           ,
           who
           will
           presume
           to
           tax
           and
           blemish
           so
           many
           famous
           Churches
           ,
           and
           so
           many
           godly
           and
           learned
           Divines
           which
           were
           their
           guides
           and
           leaders
           ?
           Surely
           it
           is
           not
           piety
           to
           condemn
           the
           generation
           of
           the
           righteous
           ,
           
             Psalm
          
           73.
           15.
           nor
           humility
           to
           slight
           the
           consent
           of
           so
           many
           Churches
           of
           God
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           11.
           16.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           is
           well
           worth
           the
           while
           to
           scan
           the
           time
           when
           this
           call
           for
           separation
           
             Revel.
          
           18.
           4.
           was
           given
           ;
           And
           if
           all
           circumstances
           be
           well
           weighed
           ,
           this
           call
           was
           not
           proclaimed
           untill
           God
           had
           put
           it
           into
           the
           heart
           of
           some
           Kings
           and
           States
           to
           joyn
           to
           invade
           and
           
             destroy
             Rome
             itself
             ,
          
           which
           preparation
           is
           intimated
           before
           ,
           
             Chap.
          
           17.
           16.
           and
           was
           surely
           about
           the
           pouring
           out
           of
           the
           last
           ,
           or
           some
           of
           the
           last
           vials
           .
           And
           now
           being
           ready
           to
           give
           the
           on-set
           on
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           by
           this
           voice
           they
           are
           called
           on
           to
           plague
           her
           thorowly
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           18.
           6.
           
           At
           which
           time
           this
           call
           is
           directed
           to
           such
           of
           Gods
           people
           as
           might
           then
           be
           hidden
           in
           that
           idolatrous
           City
           ,
           or
           the
           adjoining
           Territories
           by
           a
           personal
           flight
           to
           forsake
           her
           and
           those
           places
           of
           danger
           ,
           and
           provide
           for
           their
           safety
           .
           Which
           things
           considered
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           clear
           that
           the
           time
           of
           this
           call
           is
           yet
           come
           ,
           since
           we
           see
           small
           preparation
           made
           as
           yet
           or
           intended
           by
           Christian
           States
           or
           Princes
           against
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           the
           Throne
           of
           the
           Beast
           ,
           or
           
             Italy
          
           his
           Nest
           and
           Fortresse
           .
           And
           how
           long
           it
           will
           be
           ere
           this
           be
           effected
           onely
           the
           Lord
           knows
           .
           I
           am
           sure
           that
           most
           accounts
           that
           learned
           men
           have
           hitherto
           made
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           have
           missed
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           in
           a
           mist
           about
           the
           three
           or
           four
           last
           vials
           ,
           not
           being
           able
           certainly
           to
           unfold
           them
           .
           So
           that
           if
           you
           have
           no
           other
           ground
           for
           your
           separation
           then
           that
           call
           (
           as
           you
           produce
           none
           other
           )
           you
           are
           in
           danger
           to
           prevent
           the
           due
           time
           of
           separation
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           all
           you
           do
           in
           it
           meerly
           upon
           your
           own
           will
           without
           Gods
           call
           .
           As
           for
           the
           spiritual
           separation
           made
           by
           
             Protestant
             Princes
             ,
          
           and
           Churches
           ,
           from
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           in
           Doctrine
           and
           Worship
           ,
           as
           they
           had
           a
           warrant
           for
           it
           from
           this
           call
           ,
           the
           reasons
           whereof
           being
           such
           as
           belong
           to
           all
           times
           and
           persons
           ,
           not
           to
           partake
           in
           
             Romes
          
           sins
           ,
           do
           sufficiently
           enforce
           it
           ;
           so
           had
           they
           pregnant
           grounds
           for
           it
           also
           from
           other
           general
           commands
           to
           flee
           Idolatry
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           Gods
           Worship
           .
           I
           may
           
           last
           ask
           ,
           Why
           you
           and
           your
           company
           go
           farther
           in
           your
           practice
           then
           bare
           separation
           ?
           For
           if
           by
           separation
           
             Revel.
          
           18.
           4.
           you
           understand
           a
           separation
           meerly
           negative
           to
           be
           meant
           (
           as
           you
           needs
           must
           to
           make
           it
           serve
           your
           turn
           )
           by
           what
           warrant
           do
           you
           on
           the
           Lords-day
           celebrate
           holy
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           exercise
           the
           main
           parts
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           by
           your selves
           ,
           and
           in
           opposition
           to
           our
           publick
           Assemblies
           ,
           which
           you
           account
           bestial
           ?
           For
           this
           kinde
           of
           separation
           allows
           no
           such
           practice
           ,
           but
           confines
           it self
           to
           an
           abstaining
           from
           all
           communion
           in
           the
           publick
           Worship
           if
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           so
           farre
           as
           it
           is
           corrupt
           .
           But
           if
           it
           be
           a
           positive
           separation
           that
           the
           godly
           are
           called
           to
           (
           as
           your
           practice
           doth
           interpret
           it
           )
           then
           nothing
           lets
           ,
           but
           others
           also
           may
           set
           up
           Churches
           for
           the
           enjoying
           of
           all
           Ordinances
           as
           well
           as
           you
           for
           some
           .
           And
           surely
           when
           the
           Apostle
           did
           urge
           such
           a
           call
           for
           separation
           unto
           the
           
             Corinthians
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           6.
           17.
           out
           of
           
             Isa.
          
           52.
           11.
           he
           did
           conceive
           that
           the
           Christians
           of
           
             Corinth
          
           were
           not
           onely
           called
           barely
           to
           separate
           from
           Paganish
           Idolatry
           ,
           but
           also
           to
           join
           together
           in
           the
           true
           worship
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Here
           follow
           some
           things
           which
           I
           apprehend
           to
           be
           some
           reasons
           of
           this
           your
           Assertion
           touching
           this
           point
           of
           separation
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           We
           are
           yet
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           but
           in
           our
           journey
           to
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           visibly
           separated
           ,
           and
           not
           arrived
           thither
           ,
           and
           so
           may
           not
           take
           on
           us
           to
           set
           up
           
             Sion-like
          
           Churches
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           But
           why
           are
           we
           but
           on
           our
           journey
           unto
           
             Sion
             ?
          
           visibly
           separated
           ?
           when
           as
           the
           Apostle
           describeth
           this
           to
           be
           the
           estate
           of
           all
           imbracing
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           come
           to
           Mount
           
             Sion
          
           and
           the
           celestial
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           and
           the
           same
           not
           meerly
           invisible
           ,
           but
           visibly
           separated
           from
           the
           impious
           world
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           12.
           22.
           
        
         
           2.
           St
           
             John
          
           saw
           many
           thousands
           
             Revel.
          
           14.
           1.
           walking
           with
           the
           Lamb
           on
           Mount
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           the
           same
           visible
           as
           seen
           by
           
             John
          
           during
           the
           time
           of
           the
           great
           Apostasie
           ,
           and
           before
           the
           time
           of
           this
           more
           publick
           departure
           and
           Reformation
           .
           And
           why
           may
           not
           our
           late
           reformed
           Christians
           be
           ranged
           among
           those
           thousands
           ,
           and
           admitted
           to
           the
           same
           Mount
           
             Sion
          
           with
           them
           ,
           since
           in
           their
           Reformation
           they
           have
           endeavoured
           to
           conform
           unto
           them
           ,
           1.
           
           In
           bearing
           their
           Fathers
           name
           in
           their
           forehead
           by
           an
           open
           profession
           of
           Religion
           ;
           2
           ,
           In
           restoring
           an
           orderly
           performance
           
           of
           Gods
           Worship
           by
           the
           Ministery
           and
           Church-assemblies
           ,
           as
           they
           praised
           God
           before
           the
           four
           Beasts
           and
           the
           Elders
           ;
           3.
           
           In
           ascribing
           their
           redemption
           only
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           praising
           him
           for
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           meant
           by
           the
           new
           Song
           those
           hundred
           fourty
           four
           thousand
           did
           sing
           ;
           4.
           
           By
           cleansing
           themselves
           from
           Popish
           Idolatry
           ,
           as
           those
           kept
           themselves
           virgins
           and
           undefiled
           ;
           5.
           
           By
           holding
           forth
           the
           practice
           of
           holinesse
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           mouths
           of
           the
           other
           there
           was
           no
           guile
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Admit
           that
           we
           be
           but
           in
           our
           way
           to
           this
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           what
           lets
           but
           that
           we
           may
           set
           up
           and
           use
           all
           Gods
           Ordinances
           as
           well
           as
           some
           ,
           in
           this
           our
           journey
           ?
           The
           
             Israelites
          
           whenas
           they
           were
           but
           in
           their
           way
           to
           
             Canaan
          
           had
           all
           Gods
           Ordinances
           set
           up
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           made
           use
           of
           them
           more
           or
           lesse
           ,
           as
           their
           unsetled
           estate
           ,
           and
           sudden
           occasions
           of
           removing
           would
           give
           leave
           .
           What
           you
           seem
           elswhere
           to
           conclude
           to
           this
           purpose
           from
           the
           Jews
           bringing
           along
           the
           Temple-vessels
           with
           them
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           but
           not
           officiating
           with
           them
           in
           their
           way
           ,
           shall
           in
           its
           place
           be
           considered
           .
           About
           these
           matters
           you
           referre
           me
           to
           
             Revel.
          
           15.
           8.
           where
           we
           read
           that
           the
           Temple
           was
           filled
           with
           smoke
           from
           the
           glory
           of
           God
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           that
           none
           could
           enter
           into
           it
           untill
           the
           seven
           plagues
           of
           the
           seven
           Angels
           were
           fulfilled
           .
           From
           whence
           it
           seems
           you
           would
           conclude
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           not
           yet
           come
           to
           
             Sion
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           I
           wish
           you
           had
           made
           the
           argument
           your self
           ,
           opened
           the
           place
           in
           your
           sense
           ,
           and
           applied
           it
           to
           the
           purpose
           :
           For
           my
           part
           I
           finde
           a
           Temple
           even
           under
           the
           Apostasie
           measured
           out
           ,
           and
           an
           Altar
           ,
           and
           some
           worshipping
           in
           it
           
             Revel.
          
           11.
           1.
           
           Yea
           ,
           I
           finde
           Angels
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
             
          
           Magistrates
           ,
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           other
           persons
           of
           note
           ,
           whom
           the
           Lord
           would
           use
           to
           execute
           his
           judgements
           upon
           the
           Antichristian
           world
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           14.
           15
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           conversant
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           four
           Beasts
           abiding
           in
           it
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           15.
           7.
           
           The
           Temple
           then
           which
           was
           before
           the
           seven
           last
           plagues
           fulfilled
           ,
           was
           not
           so
           shut
           but
           some
           did
           enter
           into
           it
           and
           served
           God
           therein
           :
           Yea
           that
           
             John
          
           during
           this
           time
           saw
           it
           opened
           in
           heaven
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           11.
           19.
           and
           15.
           6.
           
           And
           if
           
             Sion
          
           and
           the
           Temple
           in
           your
           opinion
           be
           one
           and
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           and
           both
           note
           the
           state
           of
           a
           true
           visible
           Church
           (
           as
           you
           seem
           to
           think
           )
           it
           is
           plain
           that
           before
           and
           under
           the
           vials
           there
           are
           acknowledged
           in
           the
           
             Apocalyps
          
           visible
           
           Churches
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           true
           and
           right
           unto
           which
           Christians
           had
           accesse
           ,
           and
           in
           which
           they
           were
           conversant
           .
           You
           must
           pardon
           me
           then
           if
           herein
           I
           do
           not
           concurre
           with
           you
           ,
           that
           none
           could
           enter
           into
           the
           Temple
           ,
           or
           arrive
           at
           
             Sion
             ,
             i.
             e.
          
           that
           no
           visible
           Church
           could
           be
           found
           into
           which
           men
           might
           have
           entrance
           and
           admission
           ,
           untill
           all
           the
           vials
           were
           poured
           out
           .
           I
           do
           rather
           agree
           with
           other
           godly
           Interpreters
           ,
           who
           do
           understand
           it
           of
           those
           people
           ,
           who
           yet
           for
           their
           whole
           body
           are
           clean
           out
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           the
           Jews
           and
           Pagans
           ,
           but
           chiefly
           the
           Jews
           ,
           of
           which
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           no
           full
           harvest
           sufficient
           to
           make
           up
           a
           Church
           or
           Churches
           shall
           or
           can
           come
           in
           ,
           untill
           the
           vials
           be
           fully
           poured
           out
           to
           
             Romes
          
           utter
           destruction
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           exclude
           those
           who
           were
           already
           admitted
           and
           entered
           into
           the
           Temple
           ,
           as
           were
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           of
           the
           western
           world
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           thing
           which
           you
           adde
           is
           ,
           That
           we
           have
           not
           yet
           wholly
           put
           off
           our
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             .
          
           Touching
           which
           I
           shall
           not
           say
           much
           ,
           because
           you
           expresse
           not
           what
           you
           mean
           by
           these
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             ,
          
           nor
           wherein
           they
           are
           not
           put
           off
           .
           Only
           two
           things
           I
           do
           reply
           ,
           1.
           
           That
           the
           retaining
           of
           some
           rags
           of
           the
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             ,
          
           though
           it
           be
           a
           deformity
           to
           a
           Church
           ,
           can
           no
           more
           keep
           a
           Christian
           company
           or
           person
           out
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           then
           sacrificing
           unto
           God
           in
           high
           places
           ,
           somewhat
           after
           an
           Heathenish
           manner
           ,
           could
           or
           did
           put
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Jews
           out
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           or
           Polygamy
           not
           warranted
           by
           the
           Lords
           first
           Institution
           of
           Marriage
           ,
           put
           
             Abraham
             ,
             Jacob
          
           or
           other
           holy
           men
           out
           of
           the
           Catalogue
           of
           the
           ancient
           and
           godly
           Patriarchs
           ;
           or
           the
           remainder
           of
           some
           sinfull
           infirmity
           in
           a
           man
           regenerate
           ,
           barre
           him
           of
           Communion
           with
           Christ
           .
           2.
           
           Those
           seven
           Angels
           which
           had
           the
           last
           seven
           Plagues
           ,
           as
           they
           came
           out
           of
           the
           Temple
           ;
           so
           also
           they
           were
           cloathed
           with
           white
           and
           pure
           linen
           ,
           and
           were
           girded
           about
           the
           brests
           with
           golden
           girdles
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           15
           6.
           
           Now
           what
           are
           those
           Angels
           but
           types
           of
           those
           instruments
           which
           the
           Lord
           would
           use
           in
           executing
           those
           seven
           last
           Plagues
           ?
           And
           what
           is
           the
           meaning
           of
           their
           coming
           out
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           but
           that
           they
           were
           persons
           belonging
           to
           some
           of
           the
           Protestant
           reformed
           Churches
           ?
           Now
           surely
           as
           the
           habit
           of
           the
           members
           was
           ,
           such
           was
           the
           habit
           of
           the
           Churches
           to
           which
           they
           did
           belong
           :
           For
           how
           could
           they
           come
           so
           purely
           cloathed
           out
           of
           Churches
           utterly
           impure
           ?
           
           These
           Churches
           therefore
           which
           are
           our
           reformed
           Churches
           of
           these
           dayes
           ,
           had
           cast
           off
           their
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             ,
          
           and
           were
           clad
           with
           fine
           linen
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           thing
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           is
           ,
           That
           the
           time
           for
           visible
           marriage
           is
           not
           yet
           come
           ,
           untill
           all
           enemies
           be
           brought
           down
           ,
           and
           God
           only
           reign
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           all
           visible
           Church-marriage
           since
           the
           Apostasic
           taken
           up
           before
           the
           time
           ,
           being
           onely
           founded
           on
           the
           will
           ,
           name
           and
           power
           of
           man
           without
           Gods
           call
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           bestial
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Concerning
           this
           ,
           I
           say
           first
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           much
           the
           Jews
           excuse
           
             Hag.
          
           1.
           2.
           saying
           ,
           
             That
             the
             time
             was
             not
             yet
             come
             that
             the
             house
             of
             the
             Lord
             should
             be
             built
             :
          
           Whenas
           the
           time
           for
           building
           it
           was
           seasonable
           enough
           ,
           and
           nothing
           letted
           but
           their
           greater
           care
           to
           build
           their
           own
           houses
           then
           the
           Lords
           house
           :
           So
           say
           you
           ,
           The
           time
           is
           not
           yet
           come
           that
           visible
           Churches
           should
           be
           gathered
           and
           married
           unto
           Christ
           in
           visible
           manner
           ,
           whe●as
           the
           time
           is
           seasonable
           enough
           ,
           but
           that
           many
           have
           more
           minde
           to
           disturb
           the
           work
           by
           venting
           fancies
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           then
           to
           contribute
           their
           endeavours
           towards
           the
           work
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           is
           to
           make
           Christ
           to
           have
           been
           a
           Widower
           ,
           as
           it
           were
           ,
           or
           a
           Bridegroom
           without
           a
           known
           or
           visible
           Bride
           ,
           an
           Head
           without
           a
           visible
           Body
           ,
           a
           King
           without
           a
           visible
           Kingdom
           for
           more
           then
           these
           thousand
           years
           ;
           and
           how
           long
           he
           is
           like
           so
           to
           continue
           none
           can
           determine
           .
           For
           what
           is
           Christs
           visible
           Spouse
           ,
           Body
           ,
           Kingdom
           ,
           but
           a
           visible
           Church
           ?
           and
           none
           such
           hath
           been
           ,
           according
           to
           your
           opinion
           ,
           right
           and
           true
           ,
           all
           this
           time
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           nor
           yet
           is
           or
           shall
           be
           untill
           all
           the
           vials
           be
           poured
           out
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           This
           is
           to
           make
           all
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           which
           since
           their
           breaking
           off
           from
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           have
           been
           erected
           ,
           or
           are
           now
           in
           
             Germany
             ,
             France
             ,
             Netherland
             ,
             Scotland
             ,
             Old
             and
             New
             England
             ,
          
           to
           be
           Antichristian
           and
           bestial
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           moderate
           and
           understanding
           mens
           judgement
           ,
           will
           be
           thought
           a
           rash
           ,
           uncharitable
           and
           audacious
           Assertion
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           may
           as
           well
           be
           said
           by
           you
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           visible
           Marriage
           between
           Christ
           and
           particular
           Christians
           before
           the
           time
           ,
           as
           that
           there
           is
           none
           between
           Churches
           and
           Christ
           .
           
           For
           no
           particular
           Christian
           can
           be
           a
           meet
           Bride
           for
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           cloathed
           with
           pure
           fine
           and
           shining
           linen
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           The
           righteousnesse
           of
           the
           Saints
           .
           And
           if
           no
           Churches
           shall
           be
           found
           before
           that
           time
           fitly
           thus
           arrayed
           for
           their
           Marriage
           with
           Christ
           ,
           what
           sound
           reason
           can
           be
           yielded
           ,
           why
           any
           single
           Christians
           can
           be
           so
           cloathed
           ,
           when
           as
           commonly
           they
           receive
           their
           spiritual
           birth
           ,
           being
           ,
           cloathing
           ,
           and
           all
           in
           visible
           Churches
           where
           they
           live
           ?
           Now
           
             nihil
             dat
             quod
             non
             hab●t
             ,
          
           None
           can
           give
           that
           which
           they
           have
           not
           ;
           And
           if
           no
           visible
           Churches
           can
           be
           found
           thus
           arrayed
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           easie
           to
           imagine
           how
           single
           Christians
           should
           obtain
           it
           .
           If
           private
           Christians
           may
           be
           so
           cloathed
           before
           that
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           fitted
           for
           visible
           marriage
           with
           Christ
           ;
           so
           also
           may
           whole
           Churches
           ,
           whenas
           Churches
           are
           made
           up
           of
           particular
           Christians
           ,
           and
           particular
           Christians
           are
           thus
           cloathed
           ,
           among
           other
           ends
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           be
           fitted
           for
           members
           of
           visible
           Churches
           .
           But
           to
           make
           this
           good
           ,
           you
           referre
           us
           to
           
             Revel.
          
           19.
           7.
           which
           ,
           how
           that
           is
           understood
           not
           of
           reformed
           Churches
           in
           general
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           the
           Jews
           ,
           when
           that
           Nation
           shall
           be
           converted
           to
           the
           Faith
           ,
           by
           the
           most
           learned
           Interpreters
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
             ,
          
           I
           know
           you
           well
           know
           .
           And
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           though
           I
           will
           not
           say
           as
           he
           did
           ,
           
             Malo
             cum
             Platone
             errare
             ,
             quam
             cum
             aliis
             vera
             sentire
             ,
          
           yet
           I
           cannot
           but
           say
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           farre
           safer
           to
           follow
           so
           many
           godly
           ,
           learned
           and
           judicious
           Divines
           ,
           who
           have
           bent
           themselves
           to
           finde
           out
           the
           mysteries
           of
           that
           Book
           ,
           then
           any
           one
           man
           ,
           though
           he
           would
           be
           held
           as
           singular
           in
           this
           mystical
           Divinity
           ,
           as
           
             Plato
          
           was
           in
           Philosophy
           .
           And
           that
           which
           you
           point
           unto
           farther
           out
           of
           
             Isa.
          
           62.
           5.
           if
           they
           both
           concern
           one
           thing
           and
           time
           ,
           as
           you
           seem
           to
           intimate
           ,
           doth
           much
           confirm
           this
           Interpretation
           .
           For
           it
           directly
           and
           expresly
           speaks
           of
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           and
           its
           restoring
           ,
           as
           appears
           by
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           Chapter
           ,
           and
           what
           follows
           ;
           which
           if
           it
           had
           not
           its
           full
           accomplishment
           in
           the
           Jews
           Deliverance
           out
           of
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           their
           Church
           and
           Commonwealth
           restauration
           thereupon
           ,
           it
           cannot
           well
           be
           applied
           otherwise
           ,
           then
           to
           the
           last
           conversion
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Nation
           ,
           and
           to
           that
           excellent
           Church-condition
           whereunto
           they
           shall
           then
           be
           brought
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Touching
           this
           allegation
           ,
           and
           all
           other
           of
           the
           same
           kinde
           much
           used
           by
           you
           ,
           I
           wish
           that
           that
           notable
           saying
           of
           
             Irenaeus
          
           
           so
           much
           approved
           by
           learned
           Divines
           ,
           were
           known
           to
           ,
           or
           regarded
           by
           you
           ,
           
             Omnis
             Prophetia
             priusquam
             habeat
             efficaciam
             ▪
             anigmata
             &
             ambiguitas
             sunt
             hominibus
             :
             Cum
             autem
             venerit
             tempus
             &
             evenit
             quod
             Prophetatum
             est
             ,
             ●um
             Prophetiae
             habent
             liquidam
             &
             certam
             expositionem
             .
          
           All
           Prophecie
           before
           it
           be
           accomplished
           presents
           nothing
           but
           Riddles
           and
           matters
           of
           doubt
           unto
           men
           :
           but
           when
           the
           time
           is
           come
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           fulfilled
           which
           was
           prophesied
           ,
           then
           Prophecies
           have
           a
           clear
           and
           certain
           exposition
           .
           According
           to
           which
           most
           right
           sentence
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           mystical
           Prophecies
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
          
           or
           other
           Scripture
           which
           are
           but
           in
           part
           fulfilled
           ,
           but
           specially
           such
           as
           yet
           are
           wholly
           to
           be
           fulfilled
           ,
           and
           so
           subject
           to
           various
           Interpretations
           ,
           are
           too
           too
           weak
           grounds
           to
           build
           such
           lofty
           opinions
           and
           assertions
           upon
           ,
           as
           befool
           all
           learned
           Divines
           ,
           over-turn
           all
           right
           and
           orderly
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           turn
           all
           latter
           Christian
           Churches
           into
           Antichristian
           :
           For
           who
           is
           he
           that
           can
           infallibly
           say
           ,
           What
           is
           meant
           by
           the
           vials
           poured
           out
           on
           
             Euphrates
          
           or
           on
           the
           
             Air
             ;
          
           by
           the
           
             Marriage
             of
             the
             Lamb
             ,
             and
             of
             his
             Bride
             ,
          
           and
           sundry
           other
           things
           in
           the
           following
           Chapters
           ,
           as
           he
           ought
           to
           be
           able
           to
           doe
           ,
           that
           will
           inferre
           and
           make
           good
           such
           high
           and
           destructive
           Paradoxes
           ,
           as
           are
           above-mentioned
           .
           There
           are
           many
           Prophecies
           in
           that
           Book
           already
           in
           part
           fulfilled
           ,
           as
           many
           things
           about
           the
           two
           Witnesses
           ,
           the
           distinction
           of
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Beast
           ,
           the
           vial
           poured
           out
           on
           the
           Sun
           ,
           with
           divers
           things
           
             Chap.
          
           14
           and
           16.
           about
           which
           the
           learned
           which
           have
           searched
           into
           those
           Mysteries
           do
           so
           differ
           that
           a
           man
           cannot
           finde
           from
           them
           any
           sure
           ground
           to
           rest
           upon
           .
           It
           is
           doubtlesse
           lawfull
           and
           profitable
           ,
           as
           you
           and
           others
           do
           ,
           to
           search
           into
           the
           Mysteries
           of
           that
           Book
           .
           But
           for
           a
           clear
           and
           full
           Interpretation
           of
           some
           things
           already
           fulfilled
           ,
           much
           more
           of
           things
           to
           be
           fulfilled
           ,
           we
           must
           wait
           the
           Lords
           time
           (
           to
           which
           somewhat
           doth
           accord
           that
           proverbial
           Speech
           ,
           That
           
             Veritas
             est
             temporis
             filia
             )
          
           and
           his
           Revelation
           of
           them
           by
           clear
           and
           indubitable
           events
           .
           But
           by
           these
           mistakes
           and
           differences
           of
           learned
           men
           ,
           as
           diligent
           and
           understanding
           searchers
           as
           our selves
           ,
           we
           should
           learn
           to
           be
           moderate
           and
           wary
           ,
           how
           we
           did
           peremptorily
           determine
           matters
           so
           abstruse
           ;
           and
           upon
           such
           our
           private
           determinations
           lay
           the
           weight
           of
           such
           notable
           Paradoxes
           and
           strange
           strains
           ;
           which
           to
           doe
           is
           rather
           
           rash
           presumption
           and
           self-confidence
           then
           true
           knowledge
           and
           wisdom
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           Now
           follows
           your
           fourth
           Assertion
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           That
           the
           breathing
           of
           the
           Spirit
           both
           in
           Officers
           and
           Ordinances
           which
           acted
           in
           them
           in
           the
           Primitive
           times
           ,
           is
           now
           restrained
           ,
           and
           (
           as
           seems
           to
           be
           your
           meaning
           )
           hath
           been
           restrained
           ever
           since
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           were
           all
           that
           while
           ,
           and
           now
           are
           but
           as
           a
           carcase
           without
           a
           soul
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           If
           this
           be
           so
           ,
           What
           means
           have
           there
           been
           all
           this
           while
           for
           mens
           conversion
           and
           salvation
           ?
           For
           which
           the
           Lord
           out
           of
           his
           goodnesse
           cannot
           but
           ever
           make
           due
           provision
           .
           From
           whence
           hath
           proceeded
           the
           conversion
           of
           thousands
           ,
           which
           have
           been
           wrought
           on
           since
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           if
           not
           from
           the
           Officers
           and
           Ordinances
           that
           have
           succeeded
           the
           Primitive
           times
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           measure
           continued
           under
           the
           corrupt
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           spirits
           breathing
           in
           and
           working
           by
           them
           ?
           St
           
             John
          
           saw
           ,
           and
           that
           under
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           a
           hundred
           fourty
           four
           thousand
           waiting
           upon
           the
           Lamb
           in
           Mount
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           Revel.
           14.
           1.
           
           Whence
           now
           had
           these
           their
           conversion
           but
           from
           the
           Spirit
           in
           those
           times
           breathing
           in
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Officers
           and
           O●dinances
           that
           then
           were
           ?
           Again
           ,
           S.
           
             John
          
           saw
           (
           it
           seems
           )
           after
           this
           on
           Mount
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           upon
           the
           declining
           of
           Antichrist
           a
           great
           number
           standing
           by
           a
           glassie-sea
           mingled
           with
           fire
           which
           had
           gotten
           the
           victory
           over
           the
           Beast
           ,
           his
           Image
           ,
           his
           Mark
           ,
           and
           the
           number
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           singing
           a
           new
           Song
           ,
           and
           praising
           God
           for
           their
           deliverance
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           15.
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           Whence
           had
           these
           their
           conversion
           ?
           They
           were
           not
           ,
           I
           ween
           ,
           
             Aborigenes
             ,
          
           a
           people
           sprung
           out
           of
           the
           earth
           ,
           or
           let
           down
           out
           of
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           but
           surely
           had
           their
           spiritual
           birth
           and
           being
           from
           the
           Spirit
           breathing
           in
           the
           Officers
           and
           Ordinances
           of
           those
           times
           .
           Lastly
           ,
           Have
           not
           thousands
           in
           these
           latter
           times
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           (
           and
           so
           are
           many
           ,
           the
           Lord
           be
           praised
           unto
           this
           day
           )
           been
           converted
           to
           the
           faith
           by
           the
           preaching
           of
           the
           Ministers
           in
           them
           ?
           And
           what
           more
           ample
           testimony
           can
           there
           be
           then
           this
           ,
           that
           their
           ministery
           is
           not
           a
           carcase
           without
           a
           soul
           ,
           but
           that
           the
           Spirit
           doth
           breathe
           in
           the
           Ordinance
           of
           pteaching
           and
           Sacraments
           administred
           by
           them
           ?
           It
           may
           here
           by
           you
           be
           suggested
           perhaps
           ,
           that
           in
           all
           these
           Ages
           ,
           and
           so
           now
           ,
           they
           preached
           but
           as
           gifted
           men
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           way
           the
           Spirit
           
           went
           along
           with
           them
           
             Not
             as
             Ministers
             by
             Office
             .
          
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           This
           is
           but
           said
           ,
           and
           not
           proved
           ,
           and
           so
           may
           as
           easily
           be
           denied
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           affirmed
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           They
           in
           all
           Ages
           former
           and
           latter
           stood
           and
           acted
           as
           Ministers
           by
           Office
           ,
           were
           so
           acknowledged
           and
           received
           by
           the
           Churches
           ,
           yea
           and
           also
           Christians
           converted
           (
           untill
           of
           late
           that
           they
           have
           been
           taught
           a
           new
           ungratefull
           lesson
           )
           who
           felt
           the
           power
           of
           the
           Spirit
           working
           on
           them
           by
           their
           preaching
           ,
           did
           look
           on
           their
           conversion
           as
           a
           fruit
           of
           their
           true
           official
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           a
           seal
           thereof
           .
        
         
           3
           ,
           The
           Apostle
           
             Paul
          
           doth
           produce
           the
           conversion
           of
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           by
           his
           preaching
           ,
           not
           so
           much
           for
           a
           proof
           that
           he
           was
           a
           man
           sufficiently
           gifted
           for
           the
           work
           of
           the
           Ministry
           ,
           
             but
             as
             a
             seal
             of
             his
             Apostleship
             ,
          
           and
           as
           a
           divine
           testimony
           ,
           that
           as
           he
           acted
           as
           an
           Apostle
           in
           his
           Preaching
           ,
           so
           indeed
           he
           was
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           were
           to
           acknowledge
           him
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           3.
           2.
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           1
           ,
           2.
           
           If
           therefore
           the
           conversion
           of
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           were
           proof
           sufficient
           for
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           that
           he
           was
           an
           Apostle
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           an
           official
           Minister
           ,
           though
           extraordinary
           ,
           surely
           the
           work
           of
           conversion
           formerly
           and
           now
           wrought
           by
           them
           ,
           doth
           suffice
           to
           make
           good
           ,
           That
           the
           Ministers
           of
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           right
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           rightly
           in
           office
           under
           him
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           For
           that
           of
           
             Revel.
          
           7.
           1.
           which
           you
           point
           to
           ,
           of
           the
           
             four
             Angels
             holding
             the
             four
             windes
             ,
             that
             they
             should
             not
             blow
             on
             the
             earth
             ,
             nor
             on
             the
             sea
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           If
           it
           be
           certainly
           to
           be
           understood
           of
           the
           withholding
           of
           the
           Spirit
           from
           breathing
           in
           the
           Ordinances
           (
           for
           others
           carry
           it
           fairly
           enough
           to
           another
           sense
           .
           )
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           is
           nothing
           said
           in
           that
           place
           for
           the
           continuance
           ,
           how
           long
           the
           restraint
           should
           last
           ,
           much
           lesse
           is
           it
           shewed
           ,
           that
           it
           should
           last
           during
           the
           Apostasie
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           It
           may
           well
           be
           meant
           of
           a
           more
           sparing
           breathing
           in
           comparison
           of
           Primitive
           times
           ,
           not
           of
           an
           utter
           restraint
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           If
           it
           be
           understood
           of
           an
           utter
           restraint
           ,
           take
           notice
           ,
           I
           pray
           ,
           that
           the
           restraint
           is
           general
           ,
           and
           cannot
           by
           any
           circumstance
           of
           the
           Text
           be
           confined
           only
           to
           official
           preaching
           and
           Preachers
           ,
           as
           you
           speak
           ,
           but
           as
           fully
           reach
           any
           Preachers
           ,
           even
           your
           gifted
           men
           as
           well
           as
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           doth
           conclude
           an
           utter
           ceasing
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           to
           breathe
           now
           or
           then
           in
           or
           by
           any
           means
           ,
           Ordinances
           or
           
           Preachers
           whatsoever
           ,
           which
           is
           grosly
           false
           ,
           and
           to
           affirm
           it
           were
           exceeding
           derogatory
           to
           the
           Lords
           free
           grace
           and
           mans
           salvation
           .
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           In
           the
           next
           place
           it
           follows
           that
           we
           take
           a
           view
           of
           your
           distinction
           of
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           your
           opinion
           about
           them
           .
           Touching
           which
           ,
           you
           say
           ,
           some
           are
           founded
           more
           
             immediately
          
           on
           our
           spiritual
           Union
           
             (
             with
             Christ
             I
             conceive
             you
             mean
             )
          
           and
           the
           Covanant
           of
           Grace
           and
           Ministry
           ,
           Baptism
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           Praier
           ,
           Profession
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           2.
           
           Such
           as
           are
           
             footed
             on
             Church-stating
             ,
          
           such
           as
           appertain
           to
           officials
           ,
           yea
           deemed
           essential
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           Ordination
           ,
           Confirmation
           ,
           Excommunication
           ,
           Admission
           ,
           Absolution
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           The
           first
           of
           these
           have
           been
           kept
           up
           ,
           
             you
             say
             ,
          
           thorow
           all
           the
           time
           of
           the
           deepest
           Apostasie
           ,
           and
           are
           now
           used
           rightly
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           used
           .
           The
           second
           have
           not
           been
           alwaies
           rightly
           used
           ,
           but
           
             (
             it
             seems
             to
             you
             )
          
           have
           been
           ,
           and
           are
           so
           lost
           ,
           that
           as
           yet
           there
           is
           no
           due
           time
           or
           place
           for
           their
           exercise
           .
           This
           I
           take
           to
           be
           your
           meaning
           about
           this
           point
           of
           Ordinances
           .
           If
           I
           mistake
           ,
           it
           is
           because
           the
           matter
           is
           set
           down
           somewhat
           intricately
           by
           you
           .
        
         
           Now
           touching
           this
           point
           we
           have
           many
           things
           to
           reply
           ;
        
         
           First
           ,
           I
           would
           know
           ,
           What
           
             Ministry
          
           you
           mean
           hath
           alwaies
           been
           kept
           up
           ?
           Whether
           a
           Ministry
           exercised
           onely
           
             by
             virtue
             of
             Gifts
          
           enabling
           men
           unto
           it
           ,
           or
           such
           as
           is
           exercised
           
             by
             virtue
             of
             an
             Office
          
           also
           ,
           and
           right
           calling
           thereunto
           .
           If
           the
           first
           be
           meant
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           matter
           in
           much
           question
           ,
           Whether
           such
           a
           standing
           Ministry
           were
           ever
           allowed
           by
           Christ
           ?
           and
           it
           must
           be
           proved
           before
           we
           can
           receive
           it
           .
           Surely
           if
           such
           a
           Ministry
           be
           currant
           and
           sufficiently
           authorized
           for
           ministring
           Word
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           there
           was
           no
           need
           of
           an
           
             official
             Ministry
             ;
          
           and
           Christ
           ,
           it
           seems
           ,
           therein
           ordained
           a
           superfluous
           Ordinance
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           common
           Axiom
           ,
           
             Frustra
             fit
             per
             plura
             quod
             fieri
             potest
             per
             pauciora
             .
          
           It
           is
           a
           vain
           thing
           ,
           and
           not
           beseeming
           a
           wise
           man
           ,
           to
           use
           many
           wayes
           to
           do
           that
           which
           may
           be
           done
           by
           a
           few
           .
           If
           the
           latter
           be
           meant
           ,
           why
           are
           
             official
             Ministers
          
           by
           you
           questioned
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           may
           be
           asked
           ,
           Why
           you
           put
           Profession
           and
           Prayer
           in
           general
           in
           the
           rank
           of
           Ordinances
           .
           There
           is
           a
           wide
           difference
           between
           
             Ordinances
          
           and
           
             Duties
             .
          
           As
           to
           believe
           in
           Christ
           is
           a
           Duty
           ,
           not
           an
           Ordinance
           ;
           so
           to
           make
           Profession
           of
           
           the
           Christian
           faith
           is
           also
           a
           Duty
           which
           appertains
           to
           particular
           Christians
           in
           their
           own
           person
           ,
           so
           to
           whole
           Churches
           in
           their
           Society
           .
           So
           likewise
           is
           Prayer
           as
           it
           belongs
           to
           particular
           men
           ,
           of
           which
           
             Paul
          
           speaks
           specially
           ,
           
             Colos.
          
           4.
           2.
           
           Onely
           
             publick
             Prayer
          
           as
           it
           is
           performed
           by
           the
           Minister
           in
           publick
           Assemblies
           for
           Gods
           Worship
           ,
           may
           come
           under
           the
           notion
           of
           
             an
             Ordinance
             .
          
           Ordinances
           ,
           to
           speak
           properly
           of
           them
           ,
           are
           those
           solemn
           means
           which
           Christ
           hath
           appointed
           in
           his
           Church
           according
           to
           his
           sovereign
           power
           and
           good-will
           to
           communicate
           his
           grace
           unto
           us
           ,
           and
           to
           perform
           our
           solemn
           Worship
           unto
           him
           ,
           as
           the
           publick
           preaching
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           celebration
           of
           the
           Sacraments
           ,
           publick
           prayer
           ,
           publick
           thanksgivings
           ,
           fastings
           ;
           or
           to
           provide
           for
           the
           right
           performance
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           combination
           of
           Christians
           into
           Church-societies
           ,
           the
           election
           and
           ordination
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           exercises
           of
           Church-Discipline
           .
           Now
           profession
           and
           prayer
           are
           such
           duties
           as
           flow
           from
           that
           natural
           relation
           which
           is
           between
           God
           the
           Creator
           and
           the
           creature
           ,
           and
           were
           owing
           unto
           God
           without
           any
           special
           institution
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           You
           say
           ,
           That
           the
           last
           kinde
           of
           Ordinances
           are
           essential
           to
           
             Officials
             ,
          
           an
           improper
           ,
           yea
           false
           assertion
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           mean
           no
           more
           then
           what
           you
           said
           elswhere
           ,
           that
           they
           appertain
           to
           
             Officers
             :
          
           For
           nothing
           is
           
             essential
          
           to
           a
           Church-officer
           ,
           or
           any
           other
           thing
           ,
           but
           the
           
             Matter
          
           and
           
             Form
          
           thereof
           ,
           which
           doth
           constitute
           them
           .
           The
           
             Matter
          
           of
           an
           Officer
           are
           
             Gifts
          
           enabling
           him
           to
           perform
           it
           ;
           the
           
             Form
          
           an
           
             orderly
             putting
             him
             into
             that
             Office
             by
             such
             as
             have
             Authority
             ,
             and
             giving
             him
             a
             right
             to
             execute
             it
             .
          
           The
           Exercise
           of
           some
           thing
           may
           properly
           and
           onely
           belong
           to
           Officers
           (
           as
           preaching
           the
           Word
           and
           administring
           the
           Sacraments
           to
           Pastors
           and
           Teachers
           rightly
           called
           )
           which
           yet
           are
           not
           essential
           to
           them
           .
           Nothing
           can
           subsist
           or
           have
           a
           being
           in
           nature
           wanting
           its
           essentials
           .
           A
           Pastor
           or
           Teacher
           may
           be
           such
           an
           one
           in
           Office
           ,
           and
           yet
           letted
           by
           sicknesse
           or
           some
           other
           wayes
           ,
           that
           for
           many
           weeks
           together
           he
           neither
           preach
           nor
           administer
           the
           Sacraments
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           It
           is
           not
           truly
           said
           ,
           That
           some
           Ordinances
           are
           more
           immediately
           founded
           in
           our
           Union
           with
           Christ
           .
           For
           no
           Ordinances
           can
           be
           said
           to
           be
           founded
           on
           our
           Union
           with
           Christ
           .
           Such
           things
           onely
           can
           rightly
           be
           said
           to
           be
           founded
           on
           that
           Union
           ,
           
           which
           as
           the
           proper
           fruit
           and
           effects
           thereof
           do
           flow
           from
           it
           to
           our
           salvation
           ;
           as
           Calling
           ,
           Justification
           ,
           Sanctification
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           It
           may
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           an
           holy
           right
           to
           these
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           the
           blessed
           fruit
           of
           them
           comes
           and
           proceeds
           from
           our
           Union
           with
           Christ
           ,
           but
           not
           the
           Ordinances
           themselves
           ,
           of
           which
           many
           partake
           which
           have
           not
           ,
           nor
           ever
           shall
           have
           Union
           with
           Christ
           .
           Indeed
           they
           tend
           either
           to
           bring
           men
           to
           that
           blessed
           Union
           ,
           or
           to
           nourish
           and
           stablish
           them
           in
           it
           :
           To
           which
           purpose
           in
           their
           place
           serve
           those
           latter
           kinde
           of
           Ordinances
           ,
           yea
           Excommunication
           it self
           ,
           which
           is
           specially
           ordained
           for
           the
           good
           of
           the
           Elect
           to
           heal
           and
           recover
           them
           if
           they
           fall
           scandalously
           ,
           by
           cutting
           them
           off
           ,
           to
           the
           end
           they
           may
           repent
           and
           be
           restored
           ,
           or
           to
           prevent
           their
           infection
           by
           putting
           scandalous
           and
           infectious
           persons
           out
           of
           their
           Society
           .
           But
           for
           the
           foundation
           of
           these
           and
           all
           Ordinances
           ,
           it
           is
           in
           the
           Institution
           of
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           consisting
           partly
           in
           a
           command
           for
           the
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           partly
           in
           the
           promise
           of
           a
           blessing
           on
           the
           right
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           as
           for
           Teaching
           and
           Baptism
           is
           to
           be
           seen
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           28.
           19
           ,
           20.
           and
           for
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           11.
           24.
           
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           It
           may
           be
           granted
           you
           ,
           That
           these
           Ordinances
           are
           some
           way
           founded
           on
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           if
           by
           founded
           you
           onely
           mean
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           some
           effects
           of
           it
           .
           For
           as
           God
           by
           that
           Covenant
           doth
           oblige
           himself
           to
           give
           grace
           and
           salvation
           to
           his
           Elect
           :
           so
           by
           consequence
           to
           provide
           for
           them
           all
           means
           outward
           and
           inward
           ,
           that
           should
           conduce
           to
           make
           them
           partakers
           of
           the
           Covenant
           and
           benefits
           of
           it
           ,
           causing
           them
           to
           imbrace
           it
           ,
           and
           stablishing
           them
           in
           it
           .
           But
           then
           this
           is
           not
           a
           thing
           peculiar
           to
           the
           first
           kinde
           of
           Ordinances
           ,
           but
           belongs
           also
           to
           the
           latter
           ,
           which
           have
           their
           use
           both
           in
           admitting
           men
           into
           fellowship
           with
           Christ
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           and
           maintaining
           them
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           You
           grant
           ,
           That
           these
           first
           Ordinances
           have
           never
           been
           lost
           ,
           but
           continued
           all
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           .
           But
           what
           doth
           this
           grant
           avail
           for
           any
           benefit
           to
           Gods
           people
           all
           that
           while
           ,
           or
           now
           ;
           when
           you
           did
           before
           affirm
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           but
           dead
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           the
           Spirit
           breathing
           in
           ,
           or
           by
           them
           ,
           nor
           shall
           have
           ,
           untill
           the
           brightnesse
           of
           Christs
           coming
           ?
        
         
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           How
           doth
           it
           appear
           that
           those
           latter
           Ordinances
           have
           been
           lost
           ,
           as
           you
           seem
           to
           imply
           ,
           during
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           more
           then
           the
           former
           ?
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           use
           of
           them
           was
           held
           up
           all
           that
           while
           in
           the
           Antichristian
           Church
           ,
           where
           was
           Ordination
           ,
           Excommunication
           ,
           Absolution
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           and
           that
           as
           Ordinances
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Teaching
           ,
           Baptism
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           and
           since
           the
           Reformation
           have
           more
           or
           lesse
           been
           taken
           up
           ,
           and
           used
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           To
           that
           you
           say
           ,
           they
           were
           not
           alwayes
           rightly
           used
           ,
           nor
           alway
           in
           right
           hands
           :
           I
           answer
           ,
           That
           if
           that
           abolish
           them
           ,
           upon
           the
           same
           grounds
           those
           former
           Ordinances
           may
           as
           well
           be
           said
           to
           have
           been
           lost
           ,
           as
           having
           been
           in
           many
           things
           corrupted
           and
           usurped
           by
           those
           who
           had
           little
           right
           to
           meddle
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           What
           reasons
           soever
           are
           ,
           or
           can
           be
           alledged
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           the
           first
           sort
           ,
           are
           as
           strong
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           this
           latter
           kinde
           ,
           1.
           
           There
           is
           for
           these
           
             Christs
             Institution
          
           as
           well
           as
           for
           those
           .
           2.
           
           They
           were
           instituted
           not
           only
           for
           a
           time
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           
             continued
          
           untill
           the
           last
           day
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           ●
           ▪
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           In
           the
           11
           verse
           there
           is
           the
           
             Institution
          
           of
           an
           
             Ecclesiastical
          
           and
           
             Official
             Ministry
          
           distinct
           one
           from
           another
           ,
           as
           some
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           and
           others
           to
           be
           such
           ,
           So
           that
           they
           that
           were
           
             Apostles
             ,
             Evangelists
             ,
          
           &c.
           were
           not
           properly
           Pastors
           nor
           Teachers
           ,
           Nor
           they
           which
           were
           properly
           Pastors
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           were
           not
           Apostles
           nor
           Prophets
           ,
           &c.
           
           If
           they
           were
           all
           the
           same
           in
           office
           and
           power
           ,
           what
           should
           need
           such
           an
           enumeration
           of
           so
           many
           kindes
           distinct
           one
           from
           the
           other
           ?
           
             verse
          
           12.
           is
           specified
           the
           end
           for
           which
           they
           were
           given
           ,
           namely
           the
           perfect
           
             Knitting
             together
             of
             the
             Saints
             ,
             the
             work
             of
             the
             Ministry
             ,
             the
             edification
             of
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             .
          
           If
           that
           then
           during
           the
           Apostasie
           Christ
           had
           any
           Saints
           among
           men
           to
           be
           joyned
           together
           ,
           any
           work
           of
           the
           Ministry
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           any
           mystical
           body
           to
           be
           edified
           (
           as
           doubtlesse
           he
           had
           )
           all
           these
           things
           were
           to
           be
           performed
           by
           the
           officiall
           Ministry
           which
           Christ
           gave
           for
           that
           end
           .
           But
           these
           things
           could
           not
           be
           all
           that
           while
           performed
           by
           Apostles
           ,
           Prophets
           ,
           Evangelists
           ,
           and
           therefore
           were
           done
           by
           other
           Officials
           ,
           Pastors
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           which
           
           Christ
           gave
           for
           that
           end
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           sort
           continued
           all
           those
           corrupt
           times
           .
           In
           the
           13.
           
             verse
          
           is
           set
           down
           how
           long
           this
           Ministry
           was
           to
           continue
           ,
           even
           
             untill
             we
             all
             meet
             in
             the
             unity
             of
             the
             faith
             ,
             and
             attain
             to
             a
             perfect
             man
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           which
           will
           not
           be
           until
           the
           last
           day
           of
           the
           restoring
           and
           consummation
           of
           all
           things
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           13.
           9
           ,
           10.
           
           Now
           if
           Christ
           did
           ordain
           such
           a
           Ministry
           ,
           and
           for
           such
           a
           time
           ,
           he
           hath
           surely
           for
           the
           substance
           maintained
           and
           continued
           it
           hitherto
           ,
           and
           so
           will
           to
           the
           end
           .
           And
           if
           he
           have
           not
           ,
           or
           shall
           not
           do
           so
           ,
           it
           is
           either
           for
           want
           of
           power
           in
           him
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           or
           of
           love
           and
           care
           for
           his
           Churches
           good
           :
           either
           of
           which
           to
           charge
           upon
           Christ
           were
           sinfull
           .
           And
           if
           this
           continuance
           have
           not
           been
           in
           a
           successive
           order
           of
           Apostles
           ,
           Prophets
           and
           Evangelists
           (
           which
           long
           ago
           have
           ceased
           )
           it
           hath
           been
           continued
           in
           an
           
             Official
             Ministry
          
           of
           Pastors
           and
           Teachers
           ,
           such
           as
           Christ
           first
           gave
           and
           ordained
           .
           3.
           
           There
           is
           a
           solemn
           Commandment
           for
           the
           exercise
           and
           keeping
           up
           of
           Discipline
           untill
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ
           ,
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           6.
           13
           ,
           14.
           
           There
           is
           a
           streight
           charge
           laid
           upon
           
             Timethy
          
           to
           keep
           that
           course
           of
           Discipline
           which
           he
           had
           prescribed
           him
           in
           that
           Epistle
           ,
           
             Vntill
             the
             appearing
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           Now
           this
           command
           cannot
           concern
           
             Timothy
          
           onely
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           to
           survive
           so
           long
           ,
           or
           to
           that
           day
           :
           But
           belongeth
           to
           the
           Ministers
           and
           Church-officers
           ,
           who
           in
           after
           times
           were
           to
           succeed
           him
           in
           the
           care
           and
           rule
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           if
           
             Pray
             continually
          
           which
           you
           alledge
           from
           1
           
             Thess.
          
           5.
           17.
           to
           prove
           that
           prayer
           as
           a
           Church-ordinance
           hath
           been
           alway
           continued
           ,
           it
           being
           but
           a
           command
           for
           the
           continual
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           rather
           of
           private
           prayer
           by
           Christians
           in
           their
           common
           course
           of
           life
           ,
           then
           of
           publick
           in
           Church-Assemblies
           ,
           be
           valid
           enough
           to
           prove
           your
           purpose
           :
           this
           command
           of
           
             Paul
          
           unto
           
             Timothy
          
           for
           the
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           by
           him
           ,
           prescribed
           to
           be
           continued
           unto
           Christs
           coming
           ,
           doth
           necessarily
           prove
           the
           continuance
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           What
           you
           alledge
           out
           of
           
             Matth.
          
           28.
           19
           ,
           20.
           for
           the
           perp
           tuity
           of
           teaching
           and
           Baptism
           ,
           makes
           as
           much
           for
           the
           like
           continued
           use
           of
           Discipline
           .
           For
           as
           the
           Apostles
           there
           are
           bid
           to
           teach
           and
           Baptize
           :
           So
           likewise
           are
           they
           commanded
           
             To
             teach
             the
             Nations
             ,
             to
             observe
             all
             things
             that
             he
             had
             commanded
             .
          
           Among
           which
           the
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           was
           certainly
           one
           :
           For
           the
           
           maintenance
           of
           which
           ,
           his
           promise
           is
           to
           be
           present
           with
           his
           Ministers
           to
           the
           end
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           for
           the
           continuance
           of
           the
           other
           Ordinances
           .
           Now
           there
           are
           many
           other
           Scriptures
           which
           you
           point
           at
           for
           proof
           of
           this
           and
           your
           other
           points
           ,
           touching
           which
           I
           wish
           that
           you
           had
           shewed
           how
           the
           Scriptures
           pointed
           at
           conclude
           your
           points
           .
           For
           my
           Logick
           doth
           not
           suffice
           to
           conclude
           the
           one
           from
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           Eighthly
           ,
           There
           ensue
           some
           reasons
           (
           as
           I
           conceive
           )
           of
           them
           ,
           why
           this
           second
           sort
           of
           Ordinances
           are
           lost
           :
           First
           ,
           This
           Key
           of
           Discipline
           was
           wholly
           resolved
           into
           the
           Pope
           ;
           I
           take
           it
           that
           you
           mean
           ,
           that
           it
           was
           wholly
           seised
           on
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           no
           Discipline
           was
           exercised
           but
           under
           and
           from
           him
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           So
           was
           it
           with
           Teaching
           ,
           Baptism
           and
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           and
           other
           Ordinances
           you
           speak
           of
           ,
           they
           were
           so
           got
           into
           the
           Popes
           hands
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           administred
           and
           managed
           by
           none
           but
           those
           that
           were
           authorized
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           or
           by
           such
           as
           under
           him
           did
           conferre
           authority
           for
           the
           same
           :
           And
           if
           that
           did
           not
           null
           or
           abolish
           Teaching
           ,
           Baptism
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           why
           should
           it
           null
           or
           abolish
           Discipline
           ,
           or
           any
           part
           thereof
           ,
           though
           ingrossed
           by
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           abused
           by
           him
           .
           It
           was
           the
           policy
           of
           Satan
           and
           that
           great
           Impostour
           under
           him
           (
           the
           Pope
           )
           to
           seise
           into
           his
           hands
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           by
           the
           shew
           and
           pretence
           of
           them
           he
           might
           get
           the
           credit
           of
           Religion
           ,
           and
           upholding
           the
           Christian
           faith
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           more
           closely
           and
           effectually
           deceive
           the
           Christian
           world
           ,
           which
           he
           could
           not
           have
           done
           if
           he
           had
           wholly
           rejected
           and
           abolished
           them
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           onely
           his
           own
           superstitions
           and
           inventions
           in
           the
           room
           of
           them
           :
           Christs
           Ordinances
           may
           and
           do
           still
           remain
           Christs
           Ordinances
           for
           matter
           and
           substance
           ,
           though
           in
           wrong
           hands
           and
           abused
           :
           As
           the
           great
           Seale
           of
           the
           Kingdome
           is
           still
           the
           right
           and
           true
           Seale
           ,
           though
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           an
           usurping
           Lord
           Keeper
           ,
           and
           imployed
           to
           wrongfull
           ends
           .
        
         
           
             Obj.
          
           But
           the
           Pope
           had
           another
           Key
           given
           him
           ,
           and
           other
           Officers
           ,
           as
           Locusts
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           9.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           Let
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           that
           another
           Key
           was
           given
           to
           the
           Pope
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           when
           he
           claimed
           to
           be
           an
           Universal
           Bishop
           ,
           Christs
           Vicar
           ,
           and
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Church
           under
           him
           ,
           and
           so
           usurped
           an
           illimitted
           power
           in
           businesses
           secular
           and
           spiritual
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           
           had
           with
           all
           other
           Officers
           called
           Locusts
           ,
           
             viz.
             Monks
             ,
             Friars
             ,
             Priests
             ,
             Abbats
             ,
             Cardinals
             ,
          
           and
           the
           whole
           Popish
           Clergy
           ;
           yet
           with
           all
           subtilty
           he
           did
           retain
           the
           Key
           of
           Christs
           Discipline
           in
           
             Ordination
             ,
             Excommunication
             ,
             Suspension
             ,
          
           &c.
           and
           made
           use
           of
           it
           to
           promote
           his
           own
           Kingdom
           ,
           yea
           and
           had
           for
           substance
           some
           of
           the
           Officers
           ordained
           by
           Christ
           ,
           such
           as
           were
           
             Preachers
          
           and
           
             Administrers
             of
             holy
             things
          
           in
           particular
           
             Congregations
          
           though
           under
           other
           names
           ,
           as
           
             Parsons
          
           and
           
             Vicars
             ,
          
           and
           not
           ,
           without
           some
           corruption
           in
           their
           admission
           and
           administration
           .
           Notwithstanding
           as
           amongst
           all
           the
           corruptions
           under
           Popery
           ,
           Baptism
           for
           the
           substance
           remained
           true
           and
           right
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           as
           such
           as
           were
           baptized
           ,
           were
           baptized
           
             In
             the
             Name
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
             Sonne
             and
             holy
             Ghost
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           form
           by
           Christ
           appointed
           .
           Neither
           have
           any
           taught
           or
           affirmed
           ,
           That
           Baptism
           under
           Popery
           was
           or
           is
           null
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           repealed
           ;
           So
           for
           the
           substance
           ,
           a
           true
           and
           right
           Ministry
           might
           be
           ,
           and
           was
           there
           found
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           such
           a
           one
           ,
           as
           by
           which
           men
           were
           called
           and
           set
           aside
           to
           preach
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           minister
           the
           holy
           things
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           There
           was
           no
           other
           face
           of
           Officials
           among
           Papists
           ,
           but
           of
           these
           Locusts
           in
           
             Luthers
          
           time
           ,
           who
           himself
           was
           a
           Monk
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           There
           was
           among
           Papists
           in
           and
           before
           
             Luthers
          
           time
           ,
           Officials
           (
           as
           you
           stile
           them
           )
           which
           are
           not
           to
           be
           reckoned
           among
           these
           Locusts
           ,
           but
           such
           as
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           in
           the
           
             Apocalyps
          
           doth
           honour
           and
           account
           of
           ,
           as
           true
           and
           worthy
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           though
           what
           outward
           calling
           they
           had
           ,
           was
           from
           Popish
           Bishops
           and
           Presbyters
           ,
           and
           themselves
           were
           Monks
           and
           Friars
           ,
           or
           of
           some
           such
           Popish
           order
           .
           It
           cannot
           be
           denied
           ,
           that
           many
           of
           those
           which
           during
           the
           Apostasie
           for
           twelve
           hundred
           and
           sixty
           years
           ,
           did
           stand
           up
           by
           Writing
           and
           Preaching
           to
           witnesse
           Truth
           against
           Popery
           ,
           were
           
             Bishops
             ,
             Priests
             ,
             Monks
          
           or
           
             Friars
             ,
          
           as
           in
           our
           
             England
             ,
          
           Bishop
           
             Grosted
             ,
             John
             Wickliff
          
           a
           Priest
           ;
           in
           other
           Countreys
           
             Taulerus
          
           a
           Preacher
           ,
           
             John
             Hus
          
           and
           
             Jerom
             of
             Prague
          
           Priests
           ,
           
             Savaralona
          
           a
           Monk
           ,
           and
           one
           
             Sylvester
          
           a
           Friar
           ,
           with
           many
           other
           the
           like
           .
           All
           which
           notwithstanding
           that
           their
           Ordination
           was
           according
           to
           the
           times
           from
           Popish
           Bishops
           ,
           and
           their
           order
           superstitious
           ,
           yet
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           doth
           reckon
           of
           
           them
           as
           Christs
           faithfull
           Witnesses
           ,
           and
           so
           his
           true
           and
           lawfull
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           of
           those
           Locusts
           which
           came
           out
           of
           the
           smoke
           of
           the
           bottomlesse
           pit
           ;
           So
           
             Chap
          
           1●
           ▪
           6
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           there
           are
           three
           Angels
           which
           in
           course
           follow
           one
           another
           preaching
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           declaiming
           against
           
             Babylon
          
           and
           the
           Beast
           :
           Who
           are
           these
           now
           ?
           Not
           proper
           Angels
           coming
           from
           heaven
           ,
           but
           rather
           according
           to
           the
           currant
           of
           Interpreters
           ,
           a
           series
           and
           rank
           of
           Ministers
           ,
           which
           were
           raised
           up
           by
           the
           Lord
           ,
           by
           their
           preaching
           to
           make
           way
           for
           the
           ruine
           of
           the
           Pope
           ,
           and
           restoring
           the
           Church
           ,
           such
           as
           by
           some
           learned
           men
           are
           named
           in
           particular
           ,
           viz.
           
             Ockam
             ,
             John
             of
             Gaunt
             ,
             Dantes
             ,
          
           our
           
             John
             Wickliff
             ,
             John
             Hus
             ,
             Jerom
             of
             Prague
             ,
             Luther
             ,
          
           men
           that
           lived
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           had
           their
           external
           calling
           from
           that
           Church
           ,
           were
           of
           some
           of
           their
           Popish
           orders
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           acknowledged
           to
           be
           Angels
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           those
           of
           the
           seven
           Churches
           of
           
             Asia
             ,
          
           that
           is
           true
           Ministers
           of
           Christ
           ,
           raised
           ,
           sent
           ,
           and
           authorized
           by
           him
           .
           It
           doth
           not
           then
           derogate
           from
           the
           truth
           of
           an
           official
           Ministry
           ,
           if
           he
           be
           a
           sound
           Preacher
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           that
           a
           man
           hath
           been
           ordained
           thereunto
           by
           a
           
             Bishop
             Popish
             ,
          
           not
           only
           in
           regard
           of
           the
           Office
           ,
           but
           in
           Doctrine
           also
           ;
           But
           this
           acknowledgment
           of
           such
           for
           
             Angels
          
           doth
           
             approve
             such
             Ordination
             good
             for
             substance
             ;
          
           though
           in
           some
           things
           it
           be
           corrupt
           and
           defective
           ,
           as
           before
           I
           said
           of
           baptizing
           .
           It
           is
           then
           a
           frivolous
           cavil
           ,
           and
           which
           by
           this
           sentence
           of
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           is
           put
           to
           silence
           ,
           that
           men
           make
           against
           our
           English
           Ministers
           as
           Antichristian
           ,
           because
           ordained
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           when
           such
           so
           ordained
           are
           called
           
             Angels
             ,
          
           and
           their
           Ordination
           is
           conferted
           on
           them
           by
           Bishops
           which
           were
           sound
           in
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           
             Presbyters
             and
             Preachers
          
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           worke
           did
           joyne
           other
           Presbyters
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           But
           the
           visible
           Church
           it self
           failed
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           these
           Officials
           and
           latter
           Ordinances
           ,
           and
           so
           these
           must
           needs
           fail
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           This
           is
           somewhat
           indeed
           :
           Nay
           so
           much
           as
           will
           carry
           the
           cause
           if
           it
           be
           made
           good
           .
           It
           is
           not
           true
           ,
           as
           is
           before
           shewed
           ,
           That
           the
           visible
           Church
           is
           the
           foundation
           of
           these
           Officials
           or
           latter
           Ordinances
           ;
           but
           Christs
           Institution
           and
           promise
           :
           but
           the
           visible
           Church
           is
           invested
           with
           a
           power
           and
           right
           to
           use
           
           them
           ,
           and
           that
           onely
           ,
           and
           not
           any
           other
           civil
           or
           heretical
           Society
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           Churches
           good
           and
           service
           ,
           they
           were
           by
           Christ
           appointed
           ;
           So
           that
           if
           there
           were
           in
           those
           times
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           no
           visible
           Church
           ,
           it
           may
           be
           granted
           that
           they
           failed
           since
           there
           was
           no
           Church
           which
           had
           power
           to
           use
           them
           ,
           or
           for
           whose
           service
           they
           were
           to
           be
           used
           :
           But
           me thinks
           for
           you
           to
           say
           ,
           That
           the
           visible
           Church
           hath
           failed
           ,
           is
           much
           one
           as
           if
           you
           should
           affirm
           ,
           That
           the
           pillars
           of
           the
           earth
           were
           broken
           down
           and
           overthrown
           .
           For
           the
           visible
           Church
           standeth
           on
           as
           firm
           a
           foundation
           ,
           as
           they
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Gods
           Ordinance
           ,
           Power
           and
           Faithfulness
           .
           Concerning
           which
           point
           ,
           by
           a
           visible
           Church
           may
           be
           meant
           a
           company
           of
           Christians
           with
           their
           seed
           joyned
           together
           in
           one
           place
           ,
           and
           setled
           in
           a
           right
           and
           compleat
           order
           for
           the
           worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           exercise
           of
           all
           Gods
           Ordinances
           .
           Now
           that
           there
           hath
           been
           such
           a
           visible
           Church
           all
           along
           the
           Apostasie
           in
           any
           one
           place
           ,
           or
           in
           many
           places
           successively
           ,
           cannot
           ,
           I
           think
           ,
           easily
           be
           shewed
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           needfull
           for
           this
           matter
           to
           be
           proved
           .
           Next
           ,
           by
           a
           visible
           Church
           may
           be
           meant
           a
           company
           of
           persons
           professing
           the
           true
           Religion
           ,
           abstaining
           from
           false
           worship
           ,
           and
           worshipping
           God
           in
           a
           pure
           way
           ,
           though
           for
           the
           most
           dispersed
           in
           sundry
           places
           and
           meetings
           for
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           but
           in
           small
           companies
           :
           Such
           a
           Church
           of
           God
           certainly
           hath
           been
           and
           shall
           be
           perpetual
           ;
           Such
           a
           Church
           of
           God
           there
           was
           in
           
             Israel
          
           under
           their
           great
           Apostasie
           ,
           
             viz.
             A
             company
             that
             did
             not
             bow
             the
             knee
             to
             Baal
             ,
          
           1
           King.
           18.
           19.
           and
           did
           in
           solemn
           times
           meet
           for
           the
           main
           parts
           of
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           as
           hearing
           of
           his
           Word
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           2
           
             Kings
          
           4.
           23.
           though
           not
           for
           Sacrifice
           ,
           which
           ordinarily
           was
           onely
           to
           be
           offered
           at
           the
           Temple
           .
           Such
           a
           one
           was
           there
           under
           the
           
             Babylonish
          
           Captivity
           ,
           in
           which
           state
           the
           Jews
           could
           not
           assemble
           ,
           as
           in
           their
           own
           Land
           to
           the
           Temple
           ,
           to
           perform
           all
           Gods
           service
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           were
           scattered
           into
           several
           Cities
           and
           Towns
           ,
           could
           onely
           where
           they
           were
           ,
           make
           open
           profession
           of
           their
           Religion
           ,
           and
           in
           smaller
           companies
           meet
           together
           for
           the
           Word
           and
           prayer
           ,
           and
           such
           main
           parts
           of
           Gods
           worship
           .
           And
           such
           a
           one
           also
           hath
           continued
           under
           the
           Popish
           defection
           .
        
         
           To
           speak
           to
           which
           Point
           somewhat
           more
           largely
           ,
           I
           affirm
           ,
           First
           ,
           That
           there
           never
           was
           ,
           nor
           ever
           will
           be
           an
           utter
           failing
           of
           
           Christs
           visible
           Church
           .
           It
           is
           prophesied
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             That
             he
             shall
             sit
             upon
             the
             Throne
             of
             David
             ,
             and
             his
             Kingdom
             ,
             to
             order
             and
             stablish
             it
             with
             judgement
             and
             iustice
             ,
             from
             henceforth
             even
             for
             ever
             ,
             Isa.
          
           9.
           
           And
           what
           is
           this
           Throne
           and
           Kingdome
           of
           
             David
             ,
          
           but
           Christs
           visible
           Church
           ,
           in
           which
           Christ
           is
           to
           sit
           and
           reign
           visibly
           ,
           as
           
             David
          
           did
           in
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           and
           that
           for
           ever
           ?
           It
           is
           written
           ,
           
             Dan.
          
           2.
           44
           ,
           
             That
             the
             God
             of
             heaven
             should
             set
             up
             a
             Kingdom
             which
             should
             never
             be
             destroyed
             :
          
           And
           what
           can
           this
           be
           meant
           of
           ,
           but
           of
           Gods
           visible
           Church
           ,
           set
           up
           in
           the
           view
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           as
           those
           earthly
           Kingdoms
           were
           ,
           which
           it
           should
           break
           and
           destroy
           ,
           but
           it self
           stand
           for
           ever
           ;
           But
           if
           this
           Church
           have
           at
           any
           time
           wholly
           failed
           ,
           it
           hath
           not
           stood
           ,
           nor
           doth
           stand
           for
           ever
           ,
           but
           hath
           been
           destroyed
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Christ
           is
           set
           up
           by
           God
           his
           Father
           with
           power
           ,
           and
           a
           command
           given
           him
           ,
           
             To
             rule
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             his
             enemies
             ,
          
           Psal.
           110.
           2.
           which
           how
           should
           he
           do
           ,
           if
           his
           enemies
           should
           so
           farre
           prevail
           ,
           as
           to
           abolish
           his
           visible
           Church
           in
           which
           he
           is
           to
           reign
           ?
           Besides
           ,
           these
           are
           Relatives
           ,
           and
           depend
           one
           upon
           another
           ,
           a
           
             King
          
           and
           
             Kingdom
             ,
          
           an
           
             Head
          
           and
           
             Body
             ,
             Husband
          
           and
           
             Spouse
             .
          
           And
           what
           is
           Christs
           Kingdom
           ,
           Body
           ,
           Spouse
           here
           in
           the
           world
           (
           as
           we
           have
           afore-said
           )
           but
           his
           visible
           Church
           ?
           So
           that
           it
           failing
           ,
           Christ
           should
           cease
           to
           be
           a
           King
           ,
           Head
           or
           Husband
           in
           the
           view
           of
           men
           ,
           or
           be
           a
           King
           without
           a
           Kingdome
           ,
           a
           Head
           without
           a
           Body
           ,
           an
           Husband
           without
           a
           Wife
           ,
           or
           as
           it
           were
           a
           forlorn
           Widower
           .
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           
             Christ
             is
             the
             same
             yesterday
             ,
             to
             day
             ,
             and
             so
             for
             ever
             ,
             Heb.
          
           13.
           8.
           
           As
           therefore
           of
           old
           he
           hath
           had
           a
           visible
           Church
           ,
           so
           ought
           he
           to
           have
           in
           these
           latter
           times
           ,
           now
           and
           for
           ever
           .
           If
           at
           any
           time
           he
           were
           ,
           or
           be
           without
           it
           ,
           he
           is
           not
           the
           same
           ,
           but
           undergoeth
           a
           notable
           alteration
           in
           respect
           of
           this
           estate
           and
           relation
           .
           It
           will
           not
           salve
           the
           matter
           to
           say
           ,
           
             That
             his
             invisible
             Church
             never
             failed
             ;
          
           and
           so
           that
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           Headship
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           did
           and
           doth
           ever
           continue
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           visible
           things
           ,
           whereby
           the
           relation
           between
           him
           and
           his
           Church
           are
           deciphered
           ,
           and
           so
           in
           all
           reason
           point
           out
           the
           visible
           state
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           2.
           
           The
           Church
           invisible
           as
           so
           ,
           is
           unknown
           and
           wholly
           unseen
           to
           men
           ,
           and
           Christs
           invisible
           Rule
           and
           Government
           over
           them
           ,
           cannot
           by
           men
           be
           discerned
           .
           And
           what
           honour
           were
           this
           then
           to
           Christ
           in
           the
           
           world
           to
           rule
           only
           invisibly
           ,
           of
           which
           men
           can
           take
           no
           knowledge
           .
           3.
           
           Wheresoever
           Christ
           hath
           an
           invisible
           Church
           ,
           there
           will
           a
           visible
           Church
           appear
           ;
           for
           where
           true
           faith
           is
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           hid
           ,
           but
           manifest
           it self
           to
           the
           world
           by
           open
           profession
           ,
           and
           so
           those
           that
           are
           members
           of
           the
           invisible
           Church
           will
           become
           visible
           to
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           I
           affirm
           ,
           That
           Christs
           visible
           Church
           never
           wholly
           failed
           under
           Antichrists
           Apostacy
           .
           It
           was
           sometimes
           lesse
           for
           the
           Territories
           it
           occupied
           ,
           then
           at
           some
           other
           time
           ,
           sometime
           more
           hid
           and
           lesse
           conspicuous
           for
           its
           shew
           unto
           the
           world
           ,
           but
           it
           was
           ever
           extant
           ,
           and
           so
           extant
           that
           it
           appeared
           unto
           men
           both
           in
           particular
           members
           ,
           and
           in
           companies
           belonging
           thereto
           ,
           by
           their
           profession
           of
           the
           true
           faith
           ,
           witnessing
           against
           errours
           ,
           worshipping
           God
           and
           suffering
           for
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           though
           not
           so
           acknowledged
           by
           the
           Antichristian
           rabble
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           There
           were
           
             two
             Witnesses
          
           of
           Christ
           all
           the
           time
           of
           Antichrists
           Reign
           .
           
             Revel
          
           11.
           3.
           and
           what
           were
           they
           but
           a
           company
           of
           Preachers
           and
           Professors
           ,
           which
           all
           that
           time
           successively
           witnessed
           for
           Christs
           truth
           against
           Popery
           ?
           whose
           profession
           as
           it
           was
           open
           and
           manifest
           ;
           so
           did
           it
           declare
           to
           the
           world
           ,
           that
           Christ
           had
           a
           company
           which
           professed
           his
           truth
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           did
           belong
           thereunto
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           were
           Saints
           so
           manifesting
           themselves
           by
           life
           and
           profession
           ,
           so
           discovered
           by
           the
           Beast
           and
           Whore
           by
           their
           opposition
           which
           they
           made
           to
           their
           wayes
           ,
           against
           which
           the
           Beast
           made
           warre
           ,
           and
           overcame
           them
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           13.
           7.
           
           And
           with
           whose
           bloud
           the
           Whore
           was
           drunken
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           17.
           6.
           
           Yet
           so
           that
           all
           Christs
           Saints
           were
           not
           destroyed
           ,
           but
           some
           being
           slain
           ,
           others
           arose
           in
           their
           rooms
           ,
           or
           continued
           other
           where
           so
           still
           to
           uphold
           the
           profession
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           Now
           where
           visible
           Saints
           are
           (
           as
           we
           do
           see
           here
           were
           under
           Antichrist
           )
           that
           professe
           true
           religion
           and
           worship
           ;
           there
           is
           a
           visible
           Church
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           was
           by
           S.
           
             John
          
           during
           the
           Apostasie
           seen
           on
           Mount
           
             Sion
          
           with
           the
           Lamb
           a
           hundred
           fourty
           four
           thousand
           ,
           
             Revel
             ,
          
           14.
           1.
           whose
           description
           is
           such
           ,
           as
           sheweth
           that
           Christ
           in
           them
           ,
           during
           that
           time
           ,
           had
           a
           visible
           Church
           .
           For
           ,
           1.
           
           They
           had
           their
           fathers
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
             
          
           Gods
           name
           written
           in
           their
           fore
           heads
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           1.
           
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           made
           open
           profession
           of
           his
           true
           Religion
           .
           2.
           
           They
           did
           exercise
           themselves
           in
           singing
           before
           the
           Throne
           ,
           the
           Elders
           and
           the
           Beasts
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           3.
           
           And
           what
           is
           that
           but
           that
           they
           worshipped
           God
           together
           in
           holy
           Assemblies
           ?
           3.
           
           They
           were
           not
           desiled
           with
           women
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           4.
           but
           were
           virgins
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           kept
           themselves
           from
           being
           polluted
           with
           
             the
             spirituall
             whoredom
             ,
          
           I
           mean
           ,
           the
           
             Idolatry
          
           of
           the
           times
           :
           And
           now
           tell
           me
           ,
           Are
           not
           such
           companies
           as
           openly
           professe
           true
           Religion
           ,
           worship
           God
           in
           holy
           meetings
           ,
           and
           preserve
           themselves
           from
           common
           Idolatry
           ,
           visible
           Churches
           ?
           what
           else
           can
           you
           make
           of
           them
           ?
           Surely
           they
           are
           neither
           Synagogues
           of
           Satan
           ,
           nor
           confusions
           of
           
             Babylon
             .
          
           Lastly
           ,
           There
           was
           a
           Temple
           during
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           ,
           in
           which
           also
           there
           was
           a
           company
           that
           did
           worship
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           11.
           1.
           
           And
           what
           was
           this
           but
           the
           true
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           visible
           :
           
             For
             it
             was
             measured
             :
          
           Now
           measurement
           is
           of
           things
           visible
           ,
           not
           invisible
           .
           Again
           ,
           while
           the
           Apostasie
           lasted
           ,
           Saint
           
             John
          
           saw
           a
           Temple
           in
           which
           
             Angels
          
           were
           conversant
           ,
           and
           with
           them
           (
           no
           doubt
           )
           other
           worshippers
           ,
           
             Revel
          
           14.
           15
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           
           Yea
           he
           saw
           this
           Temple
           opened
           ,
           
             Chap.
          
           15.
           5.
           in
           heaven
           before
           the
           seven
           last
           plagues
           were
           fulfilled
           :
           It
           seems
           that
           for
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Apostasie
           this
           Temple
           was
           somewhat
           secret
           and
           hidden
           ,
           yet
           not
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           visible
           also
           in
           some
           that
           worshipped
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           some
           open
           Professors
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
           But
           withall
           it
           became
           more
           open
           and
           manifestly
           visible
           upon
           the
           Reformation
           which
           was
           made
           by
           those
           worthy
           and
           godly
           Ministers
           ,
           whom
           God
           raised
           some
           hundred
           years
           ago
           ,
           and
           so
           hath
           been
           ever
           since
           more
           visible
           and
           conspicuous
           :
           so
           far
           is
           it
           from
           being
           utterly
           lost
           and
           extinct
           .
        
         
           
             Object
             .
          
           But
           all
           this
           while
           onely
           
             asealed
             elect
             number
             remained
             ,
          
           Rev.
           7.
           3
           ,
           
             &c.
             &
          
           9.
           4.
           
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           If
           you
           mean
           that
           there
           were
           none
           that
           made
           any
           visible
           profession
           of
           true
           Religion
           ,
           but
           those
           sealed
           ones
           ;
           you
           say
           that
           beside
           the
           book
           and
           without
           proof
           .
           For
           those
           sealed
           ones
           were
           (
           as
           you
           truly
           say
           )
           elect
           and
           saved
           ones
           .
           Now
           in
           all
           ages
           many
           more
           have
           made
           profession
           of
           Religion
           then
           the
           elect
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Many
             are
             called
             few
             are
             chosen
             ,
          
           Matth.
           20.
           16.
           
           And
           so
           here
           it
           is
           clear
           ,
           that
           during
           the
           time
           especially
           at
           the
           beginning
           
           of
           the
           defection
           ,
           as
           in
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           Ezek.
           9.
           
           Besides
           the
           godly
           mourners
           which
           were
           marked
           in
           the
           fore-head
           ,
           there
           were
           sundry
           that
           made
           profession
           of
           the
           Jewish
           Religion
           ,
           and
           were
           visible
           Members
           ,
           though
           not
           living
           Members
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           So
           during
           this
           Apostasie
           ,
           beside
           these
           sealed
           ones
           there
           were
           many
           that
           did
           professe
           the
           Christian
           Religion
           aright
           for
           the
           substance
           ,
           and
           helpe
           to
           make
           up
           a
           visible
           Church
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           there
           were
           none
           else
           ,
           yet
           that
           doth
           not
           prove
           ,
           that
           the
           visible
           Church
           did
           utterly
           fail
           .
           For
           even
           out
           of
           that
           number
           visible
           Churches
           in
           sundry
           places
           ,
           and
           several
           Ages
           ,
           in
           which
           successively
           they
           lived
           ,
           might
           well
           be
           ,
           and
           were
           constituted
           ,
           as
           which
           were
           a
           company
           sealed
           in
           the
           fore-head
           ,
           and
           making
           open
           profession
           of
           Christ
           and
           his
           Gospel
           in
           the
           Places
           where
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Ages
           when
           they
           lived
           :
           Two
           things
           are
           about
           them
           to
           be
           taken
           notice
           of
           ;
        
         
           1.
           
           That
           they
           were
           a
           sealed
           number
           ,
           which
           doth
           import
           thus
           much
           ,
           That
           in
           that
           great
           defection
           in
           which
           the
           greatest
           part
           of
           men
           perished
           eternally
           by
           wondering
           after
           ,
           and
           worshipping
           the
           Beast
           ,
           Yet
           there
           was
           a
           chosen
           number
           that
           were
           saved
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           these
           sealed
           ones
           ,
           and
           none
           but
           they
           ,
           though
           there
           were
           many
           besides
           them
           which
           made
           visible
           profession
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           That
           they
           were
           sealed
           in
           the
           fore-head
           ,
           which
           shews
           ,
           that
           while
           the
           whole
           earth
           almost
           did
           worship
           the
           Beast
           ,
           yet
           there
           was
           a
           great
           number
           in
           those
           times
           that
           did
           not
           defile
           themselves
           with
           that
           Idolatry
           ,
           but
           did
           openly
           maintain
           and
           professe
           the
           true
           faith
           of
           Christ
           and
           worship
           of
           God
           ;
           among
           which
           was
           found
           a
           visible
           Church
           .
        
         
           For
           a
           Conclusion
           you
           adde
           ,
           
             That
             these
             latter
             Ordinances
             have
             a
             being
             in
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             and
             in
             the
             minde
             and
             desire
             of
             the
             faithfull
             ,
             and
             that
             you
             carry
             them
             along
             with
             you
             ,
             as
             the
          
           Israelites
           
             did
             of
             old
             the
             vessels
             of
             the
             Lord
             ▪
             but
             that
             you
             dare
             not
             officiate
             with
             them
             ,
             as
             being
             in
             the
             Territories
             of
          
           Babylon
           ,
           
             untill
             you
             be
             past
          
           Euphrates
           .
        
         
           
             Answ.
          
           What
           Ordinances
           are
           instituted
           and
           commanded
           in
           Scripture
           (
           as
           you
           say
           they
           are
           ,
           for
           how
           else
           have
           they
           a
           being
           
           there
           but
           by
           institution
           and
           command
           ?
           )
           Gods
           people
           are
           bound
           to
           practise
           them
           in
           all
           times
           and
           places
           ,
           unlesse
           by
           some
           external
           violence
           of
           persecution
           ,
           or
           so
           ,
           they
           be
           letted
           .
           They
           must
           observe
           all
           things
           which
           Christ
           hath
           commanded
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           28.
           20.
           
           It
           will
           not
           then
           serve
           your
           turn
           ,
           that
           you
           carry
           them
           along
           with
           you
           in
           your
           minde
           and
           desire
           ,
           unlesse
           you
           officiate
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           you
           phrase
           it
           .
           Nor
           will
           the
           example
           of
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           help
           here
           ,
           who
           used
           not
           the
           vessels
           of
           the
           Lord
           for
           any
           holy
           service
           while
           they
           were
           in
           the
           way
           to
           
             Sion
             .
          
           Of
           which
           the
           reason
           is
           very
           plain
           ;
           for
           their
           use
           was
           confined
           to
           a
           certain
           place
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           The
           Temple
           at
           
             Jerusalem
             ,
          
           and
           might
           not
           elsewhere
           be
           used
           .
           But
           so
           are
           not
           any
           Gospel-Ordinances
           ,
           with
           which
           God
           may
           now
           be
           worshipped
           in
           any
           place
           ,
           
             John
          
           4.
           21
           ,
           23.
           
           And
           if
           you
           purpose
           to
           forbear
           the
           use
           of
           them
           ,
           untill
           you
           be
           past
           
             Euphrates
             ,
          
           I
           would
           gladly
           learn
           from
           you
           ,
           what
           this
           
             Euphrates
          
           is
           :
           How
           farre
           from
           it
           ,
           or
           near
           to
           it
           we
           be
           .
           As
           
             Irenaeus
          
           above
           ,
           said
           of
           Prophecies
           not
           fulfilled
           ,
           That
           they
           are
           dark
           ,
           and
           so
           doubtfull
           Riddles
           unto
           men
           :
           so
           about
           this
           ,
           as
           not
           accomplished
           in
           your
           own
           judgement
           ,
           I
           finde
           Interpreters
           so
           to
           vary
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           not
           where
           to
           fix
           my
           foot
           .
           Presume
           not
           too
           much
           of
           your
           own
           insight
           into
           such
           mystical
           Prophecies
           above
           other
           godly
           and
           learned
           men
           ,
           but
           whatsoever
           your
           conceit
           be
           of
           it
           ,
           count
           it
           but
           as
           a
           conjecture
           ,
           and
           be
           content
           with
           us
           in
           sobriety
           and
           humility
           to
           wait
           untill
           the
           Lord
           shall
           accomplish
           it
           ,
           and
           by
           a
           clear
           event
           reveal
           to
           us
           the
           meaning
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           having
           said
           somewhat
           to
           most
           of
           your
           new
           conceits
           ,
           I
           should
           here
           have
           ended
           ,
           but
           that
           there
           cometh
           to
           minde
           ,
           an
           argument
           of
           some
           weight
           ,
           with
           the
           particulars
           of
           it
           ,
           much
           making
           against
           your
           new
           way
           ,
           which
           I
           desire
           to
           profer
           to
           your
           consideration
           .
           It
           is
           thus
           ,
           
             What
             Way
             or
             opinion
             is
             contrary
             to
             any
             of
             the
             ten
             Commandments
             ,
             any
             Petition
             of
             the
             Lords-Prayer
             ,
             any
             commanded
             Duty
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             furtherance
             of
             mens
             salvation
             ,
             cannot
             be
             of
             Christ
             ,
             but
             may
             justly
             be
             deemed
             Antichristian
             .
          
           Such
           is
           this
           of
           yours
           ,
           which
           
             denies
             the
             setting
             up
             of
             visible
             Churches
             in
             right
             order
             ,
             official
             Ministry
             ,
             and
             calling
             thereunto
             ,
             and
             the
             exercise
             of
             Discipline
             :
             and
             therefore
             it
             cannot
             be
             of
             God
             ,
             but
             a
             spirit
             of
             Antichrist
             is
             in
             it
             .
          
        
         
         
           To
           make
           good
           the
           
             Minor
             ,
          
           of
           which
           onely
           the
           doubt
           can
           be
           ;
           It
           is
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           Contrary
           to
           the
           second
           Commandment
           ,
           As
           the
           negative
           of
           that
           Commandment
           doth
           forbid
           unto
           men
           all
           false
           and
           devised
           means
           of
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           so
           the
           affirmative
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           received
           rule
           of
           interpreting
           the
           Commandments
           ,
           doth
           command
           to
           us
           the
           use
           of
           all
           means
           of
           worship
           appointed
           by
           the
           Lord
           .
           Now
           the
           Lord
           hath
           appointed
           for
           that
           purpose
           two
           sorts
           of
           means
           ,
           the
           one
           more
           principall
           ,
           as
           directly
           tending
           to
           the
           exercise
           and
           nourishing
           of
           Faith
           ,
           Hope
           and
           Love
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           Preaching
           the
           Word
           ,
           administration
           of
           Sacraments
           ,
           publick
           Prayer
           .
           The
           other
           lesse
           principall
           ,
           as
           conducing
           to
           the
           right
           use
           of
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           tending
           to
           Gods
           worship
           ,
           as
           their
           proper
           end
           :
           such
           are
           Church-societies
           ,
           official-Ministry
           ,
           and
           a
           due
           Calling
           to
           it
           ,
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           which
           that
           Commandment
           doth
           enjoyn
           as
           well
           as
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           which
           cannot
           be
           wittingly
           and
           commonly
           omitted
           without
           breach
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           against
           the
           fourth
           Commandment
           ,
           which
           ,
           as
           it
           commandeth
           the
           sanctifying
           of
           the
           Sabbath
           ,
           so
           according
           to
           the
           right
           interpreting
           of
           the
           Commandments
           doth
           it
           withall
           prescribe
           and
           enjoyn
           the
           use
           of
           all
           means
           that
           are
           profitable
           to
           the
           better
           sanctifying
           of
           it
           .
           And
           who
           can
           deny
           ,
           who
           is
           not
           wilfully
           wedded
           to
           his
           self-conceit
           ,
           that
           gathering
           and
           ordering
           Churches
           in
           distinct
           societies
           ,
           and
           an
           official
           Ministery
           rightly
           called
           doth
           much
           avail
           hereunto
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           Lords-day
           is
           much
           better
           sanctified
           in
           such
           Societies
           ,
           and
           such
           a
           Ministry
           ,
           then
           in
           confused
           Assemblies
           that
           are
           without
           order
           ,
           and
           without
           any
           orderly
           Ministry
           ?
           Now
           the
           ten
           Commandments
           are
           moral
           ,
           perpetual
           and
           binde
           alwayes
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           against
           the
           two
           first
           Petitions
           of
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           ,
           wherein
           we
           are
           taught
           to
           pray
           ,
           
             That
             Gods
             name
             may
             be
             hallowed
             ,
          
           Secondly
           ,
           
             That
             his
             Kingdom
             may
             come
             .
          
           Now
           what
           we
           ought
           to
           pray
           for
           ,
           it
           is
           our
           duty
           to
           pursue
           the
           promoting
           of
           it
           by
           all
           Gods
           means
           ;
           for
           to
           pray
           for
           this
           or
           that
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           apply
           our selves
           to
           the
           use
           of
           all
           good
           means
           to
           obtain
           or
           promote
           it
           ,
           is
           to
           dally
           with
           God
           and
           to
           mock
           him
           :
           Now
           the
           setting
           
           up
           of
           visible
           Churches
           ▪
           of
           an
           orderly
           Ministery
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           doe
           serve
           very
           much
           to
           the
           sanctifying
           of
           Gods
           name
           ,
           and
           promoting
           his
           Kingdom
           ,
           for
           they
           are
           Gods
           Ordinances
           ,
           in
           appointing
           which
           his
           soveraign
           Power
           ,
           Wisdom
           and
           Goodnesse
           are
           set
           forth
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Particularly
           in
           and
           by
           a
           visible
           Church
           his
           Worship
           is
           upheld
           among
           men
           ,
           his
           Religion
           is
           professed
           ,
           and
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           published
           .
           It
           is
           therefore
           called
           ,
           
             The
             Pillar
             of
             Truth
             ,
          
           1
           Tim.
           3.
           15.
           
           In
           and
           by
           an
           orderly
           Ministery
           ,
           the
           due
           honour
           and
           authority
           of
           that
           calling
           is
           maintained
           ,
           Gods
           holy
           things
           are
           ministred
           with
           the
           more
           assurance
           of
           Gods
           acceptation
           ,
           and
           hope
           of
           his
           blessing
           of
           them
           .
           By
           Discipline
           scandals
           are
           prevented
           or
           healed
           ,
           and
           licentious
           living
           much
           restrained
           .
           To
           deny
           therefore
           these
           things
           ,
           as
           unseasonable
           ,
           and
           so
           now
           unlawfull
           ,
           is
           to
           hinder
           the
           sanctifying
           of
           Gods
           Name
           ,
           and
           advancing
           of
           his
           Kingdome
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           is
           against
           the
           Commandment
           of
           Christ
           ,
           concerning
           scandals
           ,
           which
           all
           Christians
           are
           bound
           to
           doe
           their
           endeavour
           to
           prevent
           or
           take
           away
           ,
           and
           for
           which
           Discipline
           by
           Christ
           is
           ordained
           the
           speciall
           Remedy
           ,
           which
           since
           you
           oppose
           ,
           what
           doe
           you
           but
           set
           your selfe
           against
           this
           command
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           open
           a
           Gate
           for
           sinnefull
           Liberty
           in
           erroneous
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           loosenesse
           of
           Conversation
           ?
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           It
           is
           prejudicial
           to
           mans
           Salvation
           ,
           which
           no
           rational
           man
           can
           or
           will
           deny
           ,
           must
           needs
           be
           better
           furthered
           in
           a
           setled
           Society
           of
           Saints
           ,
           under
           a
           constant
           Ministery
           and
           due
           exercise
           of
           Discipline
           ,
           then
           where
           none
           of
           these
           are
           :
           But
           either
           an
           utter
           rejection
           of
           them
           ,
           or
           confusion
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           you
           have
           my
           Notions
           touching
           your
           new
           Revelations
           ,
           for
           which
           I
           have
           made
           you
           long
           to
           wait
           .
           If
           you
           impute
           it
           to
           my
           dulnesse
           or
           sluggishnesse
           ,
           I
           will
           not
           deny
           it
           .
           I
           am
           ,
           I
           confesse
           ,
           a
           man
           but
           of
           a
           dull
           apprehension
           ,
           and
           slow
           motion
           :
           But
           I
           can
           more
           truely
           ascribe
           it
           to
           my
           late
           domestick
           troubles
           and
           sicknesse
           ,
           which
           I
           did
           slowly
           recover
           ,
           and
           to
           my
           want
           of
           
           time
           ,
           who
           have
           but
           by-times
           for
           such
           studies
           ,
           my
           greatest
           time
           being
           taken
           up
           with
           my
           School
           :
           And
           to
           my
           pains
           which
           I
           have
           been
           fain
           to
           take
           in
           writing
           out
           more
           then
           one
           copy
           .
           Now
           for
           conclusion
           ,
           I
           will
           onely
           adde
           a
           saying
           which
           Saint
           
             Augustine
          
           used
           unto
           one
           with
           whom
           he
           had
           debated
           some
           controversie
           ,
           by
           writing
           ,
           
             Vbiparit●r
             haesitas
             nobiscum
             ,
             quaeras
             nobiscum
             ,
             ubi
             pariter
             certus
             es
             nobiscum
             ,
             pergas
             nobiscum
             ,
             ubi
             tuum
             errorem
             cognoveris
             ,
             redeas
             ad
             nos
             ;
             ubi
             nostrum
             ,
             revoces
             nos
             .
          
           Where
           you
           are
           in
           some
           doubt
           with
           us
           ,
           enquire
           with
           us
           ;
           where
           you
           are
           alike
           certain
           with
           us
           ,
           go
           on
           with
           us
           ;
           where
           you
           shall
           perceive
           your
           errour
           ,
           return
           to
           us
           ;
           where
           ours
           ,
           recall
           us
           .
           And
           thus
           hoping
           that
           you
           will
           not
           take
           that
           with
           the
           left
           hand
           of
           mis-interpretation
           ,
           which
           I
           reach
           unto
           you
           with
           the
           right
           of
           good
           affection
           ,
           I
           rest
        
         
           
             Your
             truly
             loving
             and
             much
             well-wishing
             Friend
             in
             the
             Lord
             
               John
               Elmestone
               .
            
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           A
           Postscript
           .
        
         
           WHat
           place
           of
           the
           
             Apocalyps
          
           I
           have
           before
           but
           touched
           upon
           ,
           I
           think
           meet
           again
           to
           propound
           for
           further
           consideration
           ;
           It
           is
           
             Chap.
          
           15.
           23.
           there
           
             John
          
           saw
           a
           sea
           of
           glasse
           mingled
           with
           fire
           ,
           and
           multitudes
           standing
           by
           it
           ,
           which
           had
           gotten
           the
           victory
           over
           the
           Beast
           ,
           and
           over
           his
           Image
           ,
           and
           over
           his
           Mark
           ,
           and
           over
           the
           number
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           having
           Harps
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           singing
           the
           Song
           of
           
             Moses
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           Lamb
           .
           Now
           I
           desire
           to
           know
           ,
           who
           these
           can
           be
           but
           the
           reformed
           Ministers
           and
           people
           that
           at
           the
           first
           Reformation
           (
           for
           
             John
          
           saw
           them
           before
           the
           Vials
           began
           to
           be
           poured
           out
           )
           renounced
           the
           Pope
           and
           Popery
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           the
           pure
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           sound
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           meant
           by
           the
           sea
           of
           Glasse
           there
           mentioned
           .
           If
           this
           be
           so
           (
           as
           surely
           it
           is
           )
           I
           ask
           ,
           1.
           
           How
           those
           reformed
           Churches
           then
           ,
           or
           ours
           in
           these
           times
           which
           are
           more
           reformed
           ,
           or
           their
           Ministery
           can
           be
           affirmed
           to
           be
           bestial
           and
           Antichristian
           ,
           when
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           doth
           testifie
           for
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           gotten
           the
           victory
           over
           the
           Beast
           ,
           his
           Image
           ,
           Mark
           ,
           and
           the
           very
           number
           of
           his
           Name
           ?
           2.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           a
           slander
           partly
           coming
           from
           ignorance
           ,
           partly
           from
           malice
           ,
           to
           brand
           the
           Ordination
           of
           our
           Ministers
           ,
           though
           by
           Bishops
           ,
           much
           more
           when
           done
           by
           preaching
           Presbyters
           ,
           as
           now
           is
           in
           use
           with
           fasting
           and
           prayer
           ,
           as
           a
           mark
           of
           the
           Beast
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           so
           plainly
           said
           ,
           that
           all
           they
           ,
           
             i.
             e.
             
          
           Ministers
           as
           well
           as
           people
           had
           got
           the
           victory
           over
           the
           mark
           of
           the
           Beast
           in
           expresse
           terms
           ?
           3.
           
           Whether
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           which
           got
           such
           a
           victory
           over
           all
           these
           ,
           yea
           even
           the
           number
           of
           the
           Beast
           his
           Name
           ,
           have
           
           not
           cast
           off
           their
           
             Babylonish
             Garments
             .
          
           For
           what
           remains
           of
           that
           Garment
           where
           the
           Beast
           ,
           his
           Image
           ,
           Mark
           and
           Number
           of
           his
           Name
           are
           cashiered
           ?
           4.
           
           Whether
           it
           be
           not
           a
           perverse
           practice
           to
           reject
           singing
           of
           
             Psalms
          
           in
           Church-meetings
           for
           Gods
           service
           ,
           whenas
           that
           company
           which
           was
           with
           the
           Lamb
           on
           Mount
           
             Sion
             ,
          
           Revel.
           14.
           3.
           and
           this
           by
           the
           sea
           of
           Glasse
           ,
           
             Verse
          
           3.
           are
           praised
           for
           giving
           this
           Worship
           to
           the
           Lord
           ?
           Lastly
           ,
           There
           are
           some
           passages
           in
           your
           Letter
           seem
           to
           have
           slipped
           from
           you
           at
           unwares
           ,
           as
           ,
           That
           Teaching
           and
           Baptisme
           was
           everlasting
           ,
           That
           Prayer
           was
           alwayes
           ,
           That
           you
           are
           in
           a
           return
           from
           
             Babylon
             ,
          
           and
           yet
           are
           within
           the
           Territories
           of
           
             Babylon
             ;
          
           a
           speech
           which
           I
           cannot
           handsomly
           reconcile
           ,
           being
           meant
           of
           a
           spiritual
           departure
           from
           her
           .
        
         
           
             Vive
             ,
             vale
             ;
             siquid
             novisti
             rectius
             istis
             ,
          
           
             Candidus
             imperti
             ;
             sinon
             ,
             his
             utere
             mecum
             .
          
        
         
           Live
           and
           farewell
           ;
           if
           any
           thing
           you
           know
        
         
           Righter
           then
           these
           ,
           friendly
           do
           them
           bestow
        
         
           On
           me
           I
           pray
           ▪
           if
           not
           ,
           then
           lo
           with
           me
        
         
           Make
           use
           of
           these
           ,
           which
           to
           you
           offer'd
           be
           .
        
      
       
       
         
           A
           Postscript
           .
        
         
           
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           
             I
             Would
             have
             thee
             know
             that
             M.
          
           Henden
           
             hath
             sent
             me
             an
             Answer
             unto
             this
             my
             last
             here
             printed
             ,
             large
             enough
             in
             words
             ,
             if
             as
             solid
             in
             Truth
             ,
             to
             the
             which
             I
             have
             begun
             some
             Reply
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             affording
             me
             strength
             and
             life
             mean
             to
             go
             thorow
             with
             it
             .
             But
             in
             this
             businesse
             it
             much
             increaseth
             my
             labour
             ,
             that
             he
             hath
             sent
             to
             me
             a
             Copy
             ,
             in
             many
             places
             so
             closely
             written
             ,
             so
             often
             interlined
             ,
             and
             much
             blotted
             ,
             that
             in
             such
             places
             mine
             eyes
             thorow
             age
             being
             dim
             ,
             I
             cannot
             make
             out
             his
             full
             sense
             and
             meaning
             .
             I
             moved
             himtherefore
             by
             Letter
             ,
             either
             for
             a
             fairer
             Copie
             ,
             on
             to
             print
             it
             ,
             as
             sometimes
             I
             was
             told
             was
             his
             intent
             .
             To
             this
             request
             made
             a
             moneth
             since
             ,
             I
             can
             have
             no
             sair
             answer
             ,
             but
             what
             uncertain
             report
             brings
             me
             ,
             that
             I
             must
             content
             my self
             with
             that
             Copy
             ,
             as
             being
             not
             like
             to
             have
             any
             other
             from
             him
             :
             This
             then
             is
             one
             main
             cause
             of
             my
             publishing
             these
             for●er
             passages
             between
             us
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             provoke
             M.
          
           Henden
           
             in
             like
             sort
             to
             publish
             his
             last
             writing
             ,
             that
             the
             Christian
             world
             may
             the
             better
             know
             the
             whole
             mystery
             of
             his
             new
             way
             ,
             and
             I
             may
             have
             a
             more
             plain
             Copy
             to
             inform
             my self
             ,
             and
             ground
             to
             proceed
             on
             in
             my
             intended
             Answer
             .
             This
             is
             all
             ,
             and
             so
             I
             commend
             all
             to
             their
             impartial
             scanning
             by
             the
             word
             of
             truth
             .
          
        
         
           
             J.
             E.
             
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
      
       
       
         
           The
           Printer
           to
           the
           Reader
           .
        
         
           
             COurteom
             Reader
             ,
          
        
         
           
             Thou
             art
             desired
             to
             take
             notice
             that
             there
             are
             lately
             come
             out
             partly
             concerning
             the
             same
             subject
             ,
          
           viz.
           
        
         
           1
           ,
           A
           learned
           and
           full
           Answer
           to
           a
           Treatise
           ,
           entituled
           ,
           
             The
             Vanity
             of
             childish
             Baptism
             ;
          
           wherein
           the
           several
           Arguments
           brought
           to
           overthrow
           the
           lawfulnesse
           of
           Infants-Baptism
           ,
           together
           with
           the
           Answers
           to
           those
           Arguments
           maintaining
           its
           lawfulnesse
           are
           duly
           examined
           ,
           as
           also
           the
           Question
           concerning
           the
           necessity
           of
           dipping
           in
           Baptism
           is
           fully
           discussed
           .
           By
           
             W.
             Cook
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           at
           
             Wroxal
          
           in
           
             Warwickshire
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           
             Vindiciae
             Redemptienis
          
           in
           the
           fanning
           and
           sifting
           of
           
             Sam.
             
             Oats
             ,
          
           his
           Exposition
           upon
           
             Mat.
          
           13.
           44.
           with
           a
           faithfull
           search
           after
           our
           Lords
           meaning
           in
           his
           two
           Parables
           of
           the
           Treasure
           and
           the
           Pearl
           ,
           endeavoured
           in
           several
           Sermons
           upon
           
             Mat.
          
           13.
           44
           ,
           45.
           by
           
             John
             Stalham
          
           Pastor
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           
             Terling
          
           in
           
             Essex
             .
          
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           summe
           of
           a
           conference
           at
           
             Terling
          
           in
           
             Essex
             ,
          
           held
           between
           three
           Ministers
           
             John
             Stalham
             ,
             John
             Newton
             ,
             Enoch
             Gray
             ,
          
           of
           
             Terling
             ,
          
           of
           
             Little
             .
             Baddo
             ,
          
           of
           
             Wickam
             ,
          
           Opponents
           pleading
           for
           Infant-Baptism
           ,
           and
           two
           Cata-Baptists
           
             Timotheus
             Bat
          
           Physician
           ,
           
             Thomas
             Lamb
          
           Sope-boiler
           of
           
             London
          
           Respondents
           ,
           denying
           Infants-Baptism
           .
        
         
           
             John
             Geree's
          
           Sifters
           Sieve
           broken
           ,
           or
           a
           Reply
           to
           D.
           
             Boughers
          
           sisting
           my
           Case
           of
           conscience
           touching
           the
           Kings
           Coronation
           oath
           .
        
         
           Two
           Books
           of
           his
           in
           Defence
           of
           Infants-Baptism
           in
           answer
           to
           M.
           
             Tombs
          
           Objections
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           4●
           .
        
         
           M.
           
             Nehemiah
             Rogers
          
           a
           learned
           and
           reverend
           Divine
           now
           of
           
             New
             England
             ,
          
           discovering
           the
           cause
           of
           Gods
           continuing
           his
           wrath
           against
           this
           Nation
           .
        
         
           All
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           the
           Crane
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           .
        
         
      
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A43313e-350
           
             See
             
               John
               Hollands
            
             Paper
             of
             the
             Ranters
             .
          
           
             *
             Pardon
             the
             
               simile
               ,
            
             the
             man
             is
             unlike
             .
          
           
             Ovid
             .
             Meta.
             
               3.
               
            
          
        
         
           Notes for div A43313e-1590
           
             *
             This
             in
             Mr
             
               Henden
            
             was
             quoted
             
               Isa.
            
             66.
             for
             56.
             which
             errour
             I
             not
             finding
             out
             ,
             said
             nothing
             in
             this
             writing
             to
             that
             place
             .