Gospel Churches a Standing Ordinance, Title page – To the reader
Πνεύματος Διακονία: OR, Goſpel-Churches, A Standing ORDINANCE OF Jeſus Chriſt, TO Continue to His next Perſonal Glorious Coming, plainly Proved; Objections particularly Anſwer'd.
By an unworthy ſervant of Jeſus Chriſt, a Mourner in Sion for the Diviſions thereof; who waits for the day of the Son of Man, R.B.
Mat. 16.18.
Ʋpon this Rock will I build my Church: And the gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it.
1. Cor. 11.26.
As often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do ſhew the Lord's Death till HE COME.
Eph. 3.21.
Ʋnto him be glory in the CHƲRCH—throughout all Ages—
London, Printed by T.M. for Tho. Parkhurſt at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapſide, near Mercers Chappel, 1682.
TO THE READER.
Chriſtian Reader,
IF thou intendeſt a ſerious peruſal of the enſuing Treatiſe, 'twill not be amiſs to ſtay a while at the Portal. 'Tis now two full years, and upward, ſince it was fitted for the Preſs, the Remora's of its publication are needleſs to mention to thee. It hath in that time been frequently given up to the Lord, and the ſervice of his Churches; with earneſt cries to him, who Miniſters Seed to the Sower, and makes the Seed ſown to proſper, that it may be bleſſed for ſome Spiritual advantage to them that truly fear him, whether in, or out of the Churches of Chriſt. What of the leadings, help, of the Lord an unworthy duſt hath had in the managery of this Work from firſt to laſt, is not needful to be mentioned. This I think meet to ſay to the praiſe of match-leſs Grace, that I have not been altogether without them, and in ſome things, ſuch clear openings, as I never had before. All is ſubmitted to the Judgment of the truly Judicious; and if the leaſt be contributed for the eſtabliſhment of the Lords Children (the weakeſt of them) in the Path, and way of the Goſpel, let him have the Glory, I obtain the end aimed at. The Reaſons of the preſent undertake are too many to give an account of. I know none that have ex profeſſo handled this Subject. 'Tis true, the Learned Dr. Owen, ſome while-ſince (and long after this was finiſhed for the Preſs) hath writ much in a little, touching it: but he tells us, he only debates it foreign, in paſſage. There have been, and ſtill are, ſome that openly oppoſe this way of the Goſpel, upon various accounts: Of which (at leaſt ſome of them) we give particular notice. That in every Generation, Satan hath ſet himſelf againſt the Churches of Chriſt, ſince they have had a being in the World, none are ignorant of, who have thought it any part of their concern to enquire into theſe matters. Many wayes he hath taken to eradicate, root them out; and hath by ſome of thoſe wayes, greatly diſturbed, perplexed, ſhaken them. As,
1. Sore, great Perſecutions, hath he oft raiſed againſt them from the firſt dayes of the Goſpel, till now. And though he hath often ſeen the Vanity of his attempts that way to root them out, yet he is unwearied therein. Millions of Saints have been tortured, butchered, deſtroyed by his Inſtruments upon the account of their being found in the practice of thoſe Goſpel-Wayes, Ordinances, we are pleading for. Nor can any oppugn, deſpiſe them, but they condemn thoſe Millions of innocent ones, and juſtifie Satan; and his Inſtruments, in their horrid butcheries of them. Touching which, more afterwards. He early began this cruel work. The Prieſts, Eccleſiaſtick-Governours amongſt the Jews, together with the Roman-Rulers, breath forth Threatnings againſt them; impriſon, ſlaughter, ſome eminent ones amongſt them, to terrifie the reſt: ſee Act. 4. & 7. & 9. They Excommunicate them, charge them with broaching New-Doctrines, endeavouring to overturn the antient State of Religion, as Seditious, Factious, ſetting up Separate-meetings, or private Conventicles; baniſh, caſt them into Priſon, compel them to Blaſpheme; Whip, Behead, Stone them. Under Claudius, about A.D. 45. Herod Agrippa furiouſly falls upon ſome of the Diſciples of our Lord, kills James (the Brother of John) with the Sword; caſts Peter alſo into Priſon, Act. 12. (Him the Angel of the Lord quickly meets with, Smites, he is eaten up of Worms, gives up the Ghoſt, v. 23.) At Antioch the Jews are filled with envy againſt Paul, and Barnabas, contradicting, Blaſpheming; they raiſe perſecution againſt them, expel them out of their coaſt, Act. 13.45, 50. At Iconium alſo, the Ʋnbelieving Jews ſtir up the Gentiles againſt them; and the Gentiles, and Jews, with their Rulers, make an aſſault to uſe them deſpitefully, and to Stone them, Act. 14.2.5. To Lyſtra, from Antioch, and Iconium, come certain Jews; who ſtir up the People againſt them, they ſtone Paul, and draw him out of the City for dead, Act. 14.19. At Philippi, Act. 16. Paul and Silas are dragged into the Court unto the Rulers, v. 19. They are Scourged, caſt into Priſon, v. 22, 23. At Theſſalonica an uprore is made againſt them; the houſe of Jaſon (where 'tis like they met) aſſaulted; but not finding them, they draw Jaſon, and certain Bretheren, unto the Rulers of the City, crying, Theſe that have turned the World upſide down are come hither alſo, Act. 17.5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Preaching at Barea, the Jews from Theſſalonica come thither alſo, and ſtir up the People againſt them, v. 13. At Corinth, the Jews, with one accord, make inſurrection againſt Paul, bring him to the Judgment-Seat, Act. 18.12. At Epheſus, by Demetrius a great tumult is raiſed alſo, v. 24. to 35. At Jeruſalem, the Jews which are of Aſia, ſtir up the People againſt him, and lay hands on him, Chap. 21.27. who would have killed him immediately, ver. 31. Of his afflictions in Aſia, Paul himſelf ſpeaks, 2 Cor. 1.8. in Judea, Heb. 10.32, 33, 34. About the Seventeenth Year of Nero (that Monſter) A.D. 63. James the Brother of our Lord (with others) is ſlain, Euſeb. l. 2. c. 23. Joſephus, l. 20. Antiq. c. 8. At Alexandria, Mark the Evangeliſt (it's ſaid). was put to death. This Nero Fires the City of Rome, layes it upon the Chriſtians; and from hence takes occaſion, by publick Edict, to raiſe perſecution againſt them; He was the firſt of the Emperours that did ſo, Tertull. in Apologet. which continued to the end of his Reign: Peter, and Paul (it's ſaid) were ſlain by him; with others innumerable. How the hand of the Lord wrought him, is known; condemned he was by the Senate, to be puniſhed More majorum, i. e. to be whipt to death; to prevent which, he ſlew himſelf with this exprobration of his own ſordid villany, Turpiter vixi, turpius morior; I have lived filthily, I die more diſhonourably, Sueton. in Nero. Domitian about A.D. 97. by his Edicts, raiſes another dreadful perſecution againſt the Chriſtians: Baniſhes John into the Iſle of Patmos, Euſeb. l.3. c. 18.19. Eutropius, l.9. Timothy, Oneſimus, and Dionyſius the Areopagite were put to death, Niceph. l.3. c. 11. with an innumerable company of the faithful beſide: The Wrath of God purſues him, and he is murdered in his own houſe by his own Servants, Sueton. in Domit. Under Trajan, a great perſecution was raiſed againſt the Lamb's followers, about A.D. 100. Multitudes of them are deſtroyed; ſome mentioned by name, viz. Simeon the Son of Cleophas; Clemens, Alexander, Quirinus, and his Daughter Balbilia, Sulpitius, and Servilianus, Nereus, and Achilleus, Phocas, a Biſhop in Pontus, Ignatius. This Storm continued fourteen Years. In fine, by a reſolution of his joynts, nummedneſs of body, and a choaking Water, Trajan miſerably periſhed, Dion. Caſſius de Traj. Under Hadrian, about A.D. 120. a Storm falls upon the Chriſtians; not a few are cut off. About the Second Year of his Raign Aurelius Comes caſts about 1250. of them into Priſon, whom he at laſt burnes to death. Amongſt whom was Alexander, the Biſhop of Rome; and Hermes, the Praefect of the City. Zenon a Roman Senator, with ten thouſand two hundred and three, it's ſaid; were ſlain, in a Witneſs for CHRIST, Cent. Mag. Cent. 2. c. 3. p. 12. At laſt he periſhes with a flux, and caſting of blood, Aelius Spart. in Had. Some add, that he gave the World, this Poetick deſperate farewel;
Animula Vagula, blandula,
Hoſpes, comeſqùe corporis,
Quae nunc abibis in loca?
Pallidula, rigida, nudula,
Nec ut Soles, dabis jocos.
Antoninus Pius comes next, about A.D. 139. Many of the Diſciples of Chriſt are cut off; at Rome, Felicitas with her ſeven Sons; Braxedis—. In Spain, and France, not a few; amongſt the reſt, Photinus, Biſhop of Lions, with fourty nine more: At Alexandria in Aegypt, Ptolomaeus, and Licius; with many others, are Martyred for Chriſt. Euſeb. Chron. Juſtin. Apol. After he had read the Apologies of Juſtin and others, he became better affected to the Chriſtians; and ſend's Letters into Aſia to ſtop the Perſecution, Euſeb. l. 4. c. 26. For which cauſe (perhaps) the Lord poured not forth his wrath on him as on others, who abode in their enmity againſt his choſen Ones. Under Antoninus Verus, about A.D. 162. the Church had their time of Tribulation; as the Epiſtle of the Saints at Vienna, and Lions, to the Brethren throughout Aſia, and Phrygia, recorded by Euſebius, l. 5. c. 1. does abundantly declare; wherein they acquaint them, that the fierceneſs of the Gentiles anger againſt them, the great things they ſuffer, cannot be well written or ſpoken. Amongſt others that ſuffered, they mention, Vetius, Epagathus, Sanctus, Maturus, Attalus, Blandina, Ponticus, Photinus, Alexander, &c. by name. At Rome they were perſecuted; amongſt others, Juſtin there fell by wicked hands. In Aſia there was great diſtreſs, Euſeb. l. 5. c. 15 as the Church of God at Smyrna, unto the Church at Philomilium, and to all the Churches throughout Pontus, intimates; where they at large declare, the manner of the Martyrdom of Policarpus. Nor was there a ſtop put to this Perſecution, by the Apologies made for the Chriſtians, by Melito, Biſhop of Sardis, and Apollinarius, Biſhop of Hierapolis. At laſt his Army being ſorely diſtreſſed in Germany for want of Water, the Chriſtian Legion, by their Prayers, procures Rain, and Thunder, and Lightning, that ſcare and routes the Enemy (upon the account whereof, they are termed—foreign, the Thundring Legion); this comes with ſome conviction upon the Emperour, who now writes Letters, that they ſhould not ſuffer as Chriſtians; that the Informers, Proſecutors of them, as ſuch, ſhould be burnt Alive. Tertull. in Apologet. Lying ſpeechleſs for three dayes, he dies of an Apoplexie. Cent. Mag. Cent. 2. c. 4. p. 28. The Church had a little reſt under Commodus, the Emperour (who ſucceeded Antoninus); yet was his Throne tinctured with ſome of the blood of the Saints: Apollonius a Roman Senator (by vertue of an ancient Law made againſt the Chriſtians, and unrepealed) loſt his head in a witneſs for Chriſt. Euſeb. Hieron. But in the time of Severus about A.D. 205. the Devil is let looſe to purpose; a freſh Perſecution is raiſed every where againſt them. Euſeb. l. 6. c. 1. Spartian. The accuſations againſt them were generally, Sedition, Treaſon, Sacriledge, Inceſt, Adulteries, (the Candles being put out) Leonides the Father of Origen, is beheaded. Euſeb. ibid. With many others. Tertul. ad Scapul. Apologetick. contra Gentes. All manner of cruelties were exerciſed againſt them, their houſes were rifled, their goods taken away, they themſelves are murdered, burnt in a witneſs for Chriſt. But the Emperour at laſt payes dear for theſe cruelties. After he had endured great pain in all his members, eſpecially in his feet, he poiſons himſelf to put an end to his torments. Cent. Mag. Cent. 3. c. 3. p. 22. For a little while the Church had ſome tranquillity; but under Maximinus about A.D. 237. Perſecution is raiſed againſt the Paſtors of the Church, upon this Principle, that they being removed, the reſt, the Flock, would deny their Profeſſion. Euſeb. l. 6. c. 28. The diſtreſs was ſhort, but ſmart: He continued Emperour but three Years; and then he with his Son (yet a Child) was torn in pieces of the Souldiers, all crying out, Ex peſſimo genere, ne catulum quidem habendum, That not a Whelp was to be left of ſo curſed a Stock. Aurel. Victor, Capitol. Decius A.D. 247. raiſes another fierce perſecution. Euſeb. l. 6. c. 39. Cypr. l. 4. Epiſt. 4. Nicephorus l. 5. c. 29. tells us, that 'tis, as eaſie to number the Sands of the Sea, as the Martyrs that loſt their lives by this perſecution. Some are mentioned by name; as at Jeruſalem, the Biſhop of the Church there, who was caſt into Priſon, and died; as did Babylas, the Biſhop of Antioch. Niceph. l. 5. c. 26. Another Babylas Biſhop (or Paſtour) of the Church at Nicomedia, was Martyred. Spec. Vincent. l. 11. c. 52. Aſclepiades, Paſtor of the Church at Antioch, with fourty Virgins, Id. Ibid. At Lampſac, one Peter. In Troas, Andrew, Paul, Nicomachus, and Dionyſia, a Virgin, Id. l. 11. c. 46. At Caeſarea, Germanus, Theophilus, Caeſarius, Vitalis, l. 11. c. 52. At Babylon, Polychronius their Biſhop, c. 49. At Perga in Pamphylia, Neſtor, their Biſhop. c. 52. Olympias and Maximus, in Perſia—. But the violence of this perſecution was in Africa, as is manifeſt from Tertullian, Cyprian; and particularly at Alexandria, as Euſeb. l. 6. c. 40, 41, 42. Demonſtrates from the Epiſtles of Dionyſius, Paſtor of the Church there. At Rome, Fabian their Biſhop, and Cornelius, Sabel. l. 7. Ennead. 7.—. As they were an innumerable company, that at this time ſuffered for the Name, Worſhip of CHRIST, ſo were their Sufferings of divers kinds; ſome were driven from houſe and harbour; ſpoil'd of their Goods, and Enjoyments, bound with Chaines, ſhut up in Priſons, caſt to wild Beaſts to be devoured; conſumed in the Flames, Cypr. contr. Demet. Some they beat with Clubs; prick Face and Eyes with ſharp Quills; Stone to death; drag along the Streets; ſorely ſcourge; daſh againſt Milſtones: They break into their Houſes, take away their Jewels, and all of any value; throw the wooden ſtuff into the ſtreets, burn it to aſhes—Euſeb. l. 6. c. 40. When Decius had ſcarce Raigned two Years, he was ſlain, together with his Sons, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 1. Vibius Gallus aſcends the Throne, about A.D. 254▪ and continues the Perſecution by Imperial Edicts, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 1. Vincent. in Speculo. l. 11. c. 53. But a dreadful peſtilence invading the Empire, not much was done. Gallus alſo himſelf was quickly ſlain by Aemilianus, Faſeicul. Tempor. fol. 45. About A.D. 257. Valerian mounts the Throne, who at firſt was ſo kind to the People of God, that his whole Palace (ſaith Dionyſius) was repleniſhed with the godly, and became a Church of God, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 10. Afterterwards they were ſorely Perſecuted. They are forbid to keep any Conventicles; are deſpoyled of Goods; impriſoned, ſcourged, baniſhed, killed with the ſword, conſumed in the flames, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 11. At Caeſarea, Priſcus, Malchus, and Alexander, are caſt to the Wild Beaſts, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 12. Concerning the perſecution at Alexandria, Dionyſius writes to Domitius, and Didymus, thus, 'Tis ſuperfluous to go about to reckon the Names of ſuch as ſuffered amongſt us, ſince they are ſo many; but thou mayeſt know that they are of all ſorts, Men, Women, Youths, old Men, Virgins, old Women, Souldiers, and Ʋnlearned, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 11. He makes particular mention of one Fauſtus, who was killed with the Sword. And Bergomenſis in his Hiſtory of Valerian the Emperour, l. 8. mentions Philippus, Biſhop of Alexandria, who ſuffered after the ſame manner. And at Carthage, Cyprian was put to death. Sabell. in Chron. Vincentius, l. 11. c. 83. tells us, that three hundred Martyrs ſuffered at Carthage; many at Rome, and elſewhere. At laſt, the cry of the blood of Innocents, brings vengeance upon the pate of Valerian, and he falls into the hand of Sapores King of Perſia, who carried him about in a Cage, and uſed him as a foot-ſtool as oft as he took Horſe, Laetus. Aurel. Vict. and being ſeventy years old, as a just and righteous Judgment of God on him for his like cruelty to his Servants, ſaith Euſebius, Serm. ad convent. Sanct. he was flayed, and ſaulted alive; and ſo dyed. Valerianus being taken by Sapores King of Perſia, Galienus governs alone: about A.D. 262. and by Publick Edicts, puts a ſtop to the Perſecution, Euſeb. l. 7. c. 13. & 15. & 22. from whence, to the time of Diocleſian, and Maximilian, about A.D. 288. The Church was in a more tranquil ſtate; but then were they more haraſſed, perſecuted, than ever; Euſeb. l. 8. c. 1. The perſecution began the nineteenth year of his Empire, A.D. 306. In March, moſt terrible Edicts come forth, for the pulling down their Meeting - Places, leveling them to the ground, throughout the Roman Empire; which accordingly was ſpeedily done, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 2. Then comes forth another Edict for burning the Scriptures: as alſo for ejecting with ignominy, out of all Offices, and places of Truſt, whoever would not abjure their Religion; Perſons in private capacities to be brought under ſervitude, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 3. Niceph. l. 7. c. 4. Zonaras, Tom. 2. not long after, other Edicts are publiſhed, to ſeize, impriſon their Preachers; and by all manner of puniſhments, to compel them to Worſhip their Idols; Euſeb. l. 8. c. 3.5. At Tirus above fourty were beheaded: At Caeſarea the eminent Pamphilus was Martyred, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 13. In Syria all the noted Teachers were firſt impriſoned, afterwards ſlain, Id. Ibid. In Meſopotamia, Cappadocia, Tarſus of Cilicia, Nicomedia; in Bythinia many are hardly uſed, Butchered, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 12. & 13. & ch. 4. & 6. Hermannus Gigas ▪ tells us, that Serena the Emperour Diocleſian's Wife, was alſo Martyred for Chriſt. Twenty-thouſand were together by Maximianus his cruelty, burnt in a Temple, being there aſſembled to Worſhip God, Niceph. l. 7. c. 6. Many in Arabia were cut off, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 12. All the Inhabitants of a City in Phrygia, with their City were deſtroyed, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 11. In Armenia, Arabrace, the Teachers of the Churches were Murdered by them, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 6. Niceph. l. 7. c. 14. The perſecution ſeverely raged in Aegypt. At Thebes a whole Legion of Chriſtians were put to death, Vincent. in Speculo. l. 12. c. 2. It-reached Africa, and Mauritania, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 6. and the Iſlands, as Lesbos (Sabel. Ennead. 7. l. 8) Samos, and Sicilie, where ſeventy-nine Martyrs were ſlain, Heinrick. de Erford. At Nicopolis, in Thracia, Niceph. l. 7. c. 14. at Chalcedonia, Vincent. l. 12. c. 77. At Rome, Bononia, ſeveral were murdered, Vinc. l. 12. c. 49. At Aquileia the Emperour commanded to deſtroy all the Chriſtians, Id. l. 12. c. 58. At Florence, Pergamos, Neapolis in Campania, Beneventum, Venuſa in Apulia, and in Toſcana ſeveral were cut off, ſaith Regino. At Verona in France, at Mediolanum, at Maſſilia (or Marſeille) there were many Martyred, Heinric. de Erfor. Vinc. l. 12. c. 2. In Spain the Blood of the Saints ran down like Rivers, and tinctured the ſtreams of Water, Vincent. l. 12. c. 136. It reacht even to Britain, Beda, l. 1. de ratio. temp. All the Chriſtians here (almoſt) were deſtroyed, Martin. Chron. Faſcic. temp. Maximinus (who was Emperour with Conſtantius) rages in the Eaſt againſt them, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 15. In the midſt of Cities, Edicts written in Tables of Braſs againſt them, are hung up, Euſeb. l. 9. c. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. upon which many are baniſhed, put to death, Euſeb. l. 9. c. 7. Niceph. l. 7. c. 44. Having made havock of the Church, and not prevailing againſt it, Diocleſian with his partner Maximianus, lay aſide the Government, and live as private men. But the Vengeance of the Lord reaches them for their bloody cruelty againſt the Saints. Diocleſian being ſmitten with madneſs, ſlew himſelf, Euſeb. in orat. ad convent Sanct. Maximianus periſhed with a diſeaſe ſo loathſome, that the Phyſitians, as they could not cure him; ſo were not able to endure the ſtinck of it, Euſeb. l. 8. c. 16. At laſt Conſtantine, with Licinius enter Rome as Victors, proclaim liberty to the Chriſtians: yet not long after, Licinius ſets himſelf againſt them: turns them all out of his Court, ſuch as are Souldiers he caſhiers: makes divers wicked Laws againſt them, Euſeb. l. 10. c. 8. & l. 1. de vit. Conſtant. Privately murders their Paſtors in ſeveral Cities of Pontus; pulls down ſome of their Temples, ſhuts up others; takes away their goods, baniſhes, puts to death not a few, Sozom. l. 1. c. 2. Euſeb. l. 10. c. 8. l. 1. de Vit. Conſtant. So that now the Chriſtans betake themſelves again to Fields, Woods, Solitudes, Mountains, Euſeb. l. 10. c. 14. Niceph. l. 7. c. 14. Sozom. l. 9. c. 2. He would have proceeded further, but conquered by Conſtantine, a period is alſo put to this Perſecution. 'Twere endleſs to mention the ſore diſtreſs the Churches underwent by Sapores King of Perſia in his Dominions: The cruelties they endured by the Arrians, the Butcheries, Tyrannies, Oppreſſions of all ſorts, they underwent from the Antichriſtians, the Papiſts; are innumerable, ineffable; Europe is made a ſhambles, wherein the Blood of millions of the Innocent Lambs of Chriſt hath been poured forth; (for which they ſhall be plagued, deſtroyed, in the time appointed by the Lord). Theſe things are known to all, who have thought it their concern in the leaſt to turn aſide to conſider of them. The boody cruelties of the Antichriſtian Party, againſt the Bohemians; in Holland alſo; the Maſſacre of Paris, Ireland, the Valleys of Piedmont, &c. wherein many thouſands of the Lord's Innocent Ones have been barbarouſly murder'd, for no other reaſon▪ in the World, but becauſe they laboured according to their Light, to maintain, and be found in the Doctrine, and Worſhip of Chriſt, is yet recent in the memory of moſt. What heart ſo rocky as to read the Hiſtories of the deep ſuffeings of thoſe worthy witneſſes of our Lord the Waldenſes, without pouring forth floods of tears? What treacheries, clandeſtine Plots, breach of Covenants, Oaths, have the Antichriſtians been found guilty of (purſuant to that bloody principle, Nulla fides—No Faith is to be kept with Haereticks; and all are ſuch in their account, that embrace not their hereſie, abomnable Idolatries) that they might obtain their end, to waſte, deſtroy, root out the Heritage of God. Another way Satan hath taken to accompliſh this his deſign, is
2. Schiſme amongſt the Churches of Chriſt. This was early ſet on foot, even in the Apoſtles dayes, (1 Cor. 3.3. & 11.18. When ye come together in the Church, I hear that there be diviſions (Schiſms) among you, and I partly believe it:) and hath been more, or leſs, with cunning, heat, violence, managed ever ſince by Satan, to the diſturbing, breaking, crumbling into nothing ſome Churches of Chriſt. The frequent charging and recharging of Schiſm upon each other, by thoſe that truely fear the Lord, and agree in the fundamentals of Chriſtianity, hath been no ſmall machine of the wicked one to weaken, deſtroy them. A work he's ſtill managing, and we are too too little awakened to ſee his deſign, and to ſtudy in the right Spirit to prevent it. 'T would make ones heart to bleed, to ſee, hear, with what keenneſs, acrimony, bitterneſs ſome Proteſtants are acted againſt others, who are not of the ſame mind in all things, whilſt the Devil in the Papacy ſtands laughing to think, what an eaſie prey hereby he ſhall make of them all. Ah! alas! where is the Chriſtian ſimplicity, amity? How little reſpect have ſome to the great Commandment of Chriſt, to Love one another, who yet would be accounted his Diſciples? Were it not for a haſty Spirit, bitter envying that is upon ſome, one would think they had no concern for Religion at all; and yet even this diſcovers that they are too little impregnated with the Spirit of the true Religion of Jeſus Chriſt, which engages to love, meekneſs, condeſcention, mutual forbearance amongſt Saints.
3. Falſe Doctrine, Worſhip. This alſo had an early entrance amongſt the Churches. The denial of the Reſurrection of the dead, ſubſtituting in the room thereof, a metaphorick Reſurrection, betimes infected ſome (at leaſt) of the Church at Corinth, 1 Cor. 15. with 2 Tim. 2.18. Juſtification by the Law, by Works was introduced into many of them; as the Churches at Rome, Galatia, &c. againſt whom the Apoſtle of the Gentiles, Paul, ſmartly diſputes in his Epiſtles directed to them. Into the pure Worſhip of God, the inventions, traditions of men were at laſt ſo introduced, that God could no longer own it as his Worſhip at all. And in reſpect of both theſe, none ever were ſo degenerate, corrupt as the Synagogue of Rome. To enumerate particulars were endleſs; what more contrary to Truth, ſound Doctrine, than their aſſertions, that the Original Hebrew, and Greek, of the Old and New-Teſtament is corrupt; That the Scripture is not perſpicuous, cleer: That to one Man (the Pope) the interpretation of Scripture doth belong, who is Infallible; and Judgment, Conſcience, all, is to be ſubjected to him: That he is the alone Judge of Controverſies: who hath the Spirit of God, given to him above others for his ſo doing: That the Pope can diſpenſe with the Law of God: That he is Univerſal Head of the Church: That he is not to be queſtioned for his Doctrine, or Actions. (Si Papa infinitas animas in infernum traheret, tamen nemo debet ei dicere, quid facis? If the Pope ſhould carry an infinite number of Souls headlong to Hell, none ought to ſay to him, what doeſt thou? For the will of the Pope ſtands for reaſon, Gloſſa). By his own Authority he can make Laws to bind the Conſciences of the faithful: He hath Power, Authority over Princes; can crown, un-crown; ſet up, depoſe as he pleaſes. That the Scriptures are not a ſufficient Canon, or rule of Faith, and Manners; but Traditions written, and un-written, are alſo neceſſary: That Traditions are ſufficient without the Scriptures; but the Scriptures are not ſufficient, without Traditions: That Chriſt is mediator only according to his humane Nature: That 'tis unlawful for Prieſts to marry: That there is a certain place in which (as in a priſon) after this life, ſouls are purged, who were not here perfectly purged; that being ſo purg'd, they might enter into Heaven: That Saints are to be Worſhipped: That Images are to be Worſhipped with the ſame Worſhip that is due to thoſe whoſe Images they are (as the Image of God, Chriſt —): yea, ſo that the Worſhip be terminated in the Image: That the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato: That they juſtify, That there are ſeven Sacraments: That the Church hath power to Inſtitute new Ceremonies for ſpiritual ends: That perſons un-Baptiz'd are damn'd; there's no ſalvation without it: That Baptiſm takes away all ſin: That the Bread and Wine is converted into the Body and Blood of CHRIST: That the Prieſt offers up Chriſt a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick, and dead, to God the Father: That there are ſins in their own nature Venial: That Concupiſcence in thoſe that are renued, is no ſin: That men may be ſav'd if they will; 'tis in their own power to believe, &c. That men are not juſtified by Faith without Works: That inherent Righteouſneſs juſtifies: That none can be certain, in this Life, either of their Election, Juſtification, Perſeverance to the end, or Eternal Life: That we are juſtified by Works, that we merit Eternal Life by them. And theſe are ſome of thoſe pure ſtreams that too many have a great mind to return to drink of; and would by force, bloody cruelty, compel others to drink, and be poyſoned with them.
4. Falſe Viſions, lying Revelations; upon which many times, falſe Doctrine, Worſhip, hath been built, ſupported. Somwhat of theſe was alſo in the Apoſtles times. Divine Viſions, Revelations there were many, ſee Act. 10.11 —. & 16.9. & 18.9, 10. & 23.11. & 27.23, 24. Gal. 1.12. & 2.1, 2. 2 Cor. 12.4. Act. 7.55. & 10.3. Some alſo there were who were full of their falſe Viſions, Revelations, 2 Theſ. 2.2. Now we beſeech you Brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jeſus, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not ſhaken in mind—neither by Spirit—i. e. by any that ſhall pretend to Revelations by the Spirit—. To mention what of this kind was in after dayes, is endleſs: ſomewhat is ſpoken to it, chap. 3. Of the enſuing Treatiſe.
5. Pretenſions to a more than Ordinary Authority, Power. Falſe-Prophets, Pſeudo-Apoſtles there were even in the Apoſtles dayes, 2 Cor. 11.13. Such are Falſe-Apoſtles Tranſforming themſelves into the Apoſtles of Chriſt. See Mat. 24.5, 11. Rev. 2.2. and many have riſen up ſince, whereby the Faith of ſome have been perverted, and they have been drawn off from the wayes of Chriſt.
6. Falſe Miracles, Lying Signs and Wonders. Of this we have an account, Mat. 24.24. For there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, and ſhall ſhew great ſigns and wonders—. Mar. 13.22. 2 Theſ. 2.9. Even him whoſe coming is after the working of Satan, with all Power, and Signes, and lying wonders, Rev. 13.13, 14. And he doth great wonders, ſo that he maketh fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the ſight of men: and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of thoſe Miracles. Antichriſts Kingdom hath been full of ſuch lying ſigns, and wonders, whereby the Faith of ſome hath been Shaken, and they drawn off from the pure Worſhip of Chriſt.
7. Open, avowed, oppoſitions to Goſpel-Inſtitutions of this device of Satan to ruine the Churches of Chriſt, we might give a diſtinct, and large account; ſome there were of old that oppoſed, denied, ſome particular Ordinances; others refuſed communion with the Churches, as no Churches of Chriſt. In the third Century, the Manichees denyed baptiſm with Water, Auguſt. l. 2. de mor. Manich. and l. 6. Contra Fauſt. The Meletians in the fourth century refuſed communion with the Churches, ſaith Theodoret. And Auguſtine, ad quod vult, &c. tells us, that they would not ſo much as Pray with the Saints. The Audaeans, or Anthropomorphites (who held that God had a humane form, or ſhape as a man) denied communion with the Churches in the ſame Century, Epiphan. in Anacephal. Auguſt. ad quod vult, &c. Theodoret, l. 4. c. 10. The Donatiſts held in the ſame century, that the Church of God was wholly loſt, and to be reſtored by them; amongſt whom in Africa 'twas only preſerved, Auguſt. l. 2. Cont. lit. Petil. c. 15. l. 2. Cont. Creſ. c. 37. (for which they pretended Miracles, Viſions, Dreams): What open, avowed oppoſitions have been (are) in our dayes made to the Churches, Inſtitutions of Chriſt, is known, and ought to be bewayled by us: Theſe things might have been more at large ſpoken to, but I am ſenſible how far I have tranſcended the due bounds of an Epiſtle to ſo ſmall a Treatiſe, and ſhall only add, That,
1. I plead not for the Continuance of This, or That, particular Church of Chriſt. Many ſuch have been diſ-churched, and may be ſo. God may be ſo far provoked againſt This, or That Church, as to Write Lo-ammi, Lo-ruhamah upon it; to diſown his relation to it, or its relation to him. Where is the Church of Epheſus, Pergamos, Laodicea, &c. but only argue, that God doth, will, continue the Goſpel-Church-ſtate, Ordinances, in ſome particular Church, or Churches in the World, to the next perſonal coming of Chriſt. Much leſs,
2. Do I plead for the corruptions of Churches, which indeed are too many, and great, perhaps amongſt the beſt, pureſt Churches at this day; and in ſome, at that height (as the ſynagogue of Rome) that there is no communion to be held with them, without God-provoking iniquity, that will without Repentance, bring his Wrath, Vengeance, upon us, Rev. 18.4.
3. That perſons had need take heed how they ſpeak evil of, ſlight, oppoſe, perſecute the Churches of CHRIST, his Worſhip, Inſtitutions, Ordinances. The Judge ſtands before the door, the Lord of the Vineyards is ready to be revealed, and in flaming fire to take Vengeance on them that know him not, and obey not his Goſpel. Nor will it be a ſufficient plea at that day, for any to ſay, we accounted them not thy Churches, Ordinances; therefore we ſo managed our ſelves towards them, a deſpiſing, rejecting theſe, is one way of caſting off the Authority of Chriſt, as we afterward demonſtrate.
4. That it highly concerns all that know the Lord, who are either ſeparated from; or, were never adjoyned to any Church of Chriſt; to teſtify their love, and ſubjection to him; by ſubjecting to his Commandements in this matter, leſt not being found where Chriſt expects them, they be blamed, ſhamed, at his day.
5. That the utmoſt care ſhould be taken, induſtry uſed, to keep thoſe Iniquities out of particular Churches, as may provoke the Lord to ſpew them out of his mouth, as he did Laodicea of old. Particularly
1. Schiſms amongſt themſelves: Which as they are an Argument of Carnality, 1 Cor. 3.3. ſo they diſtaſt, greatly provoke the Lord. 2. Formality, Lukewarmneſs. 3. Pride, both inwardly, in Heart, Spirit: outwardly, in Apparel, Garb; God reſiſteth the Proud; ſets himſelf in battel-array againſt them. 4. Covetouſneſs, which is Idolatry. A wretched ſpirit, that hath too much overſpread, prevailed upon the body of Profeſſors: Such as are Baptized into it, are Enemies to the Croſs of Chriſt, Phil. 3.18, 19. 5. Sinful complyance with, and Conformity to this World. 6. Careleſneſs as to ſanctifying the Name of God in every part of Worſhip: The nature of this great work is opened in the following Treatiſe; with many other things, of which we muſt not now ſpeak.
6. That particular Churches ought, to be much, often conſidering their ways, get a ſenſe of their miſcarriages upon them, pollutions amongſt them, to remember from whence they are fallen; repent, do their firſt works. And if ever 'twere the duty of the Churches of Chriſt to attend carefully to theſe things, it's much more now. What languiſhing, dying Churches have we? How is Jehovah by word, providential Diſpenſations crying aloud to them, to be zealous, Repent, return? What little attendment to his Voice amongſt many? How doth he diſcover his unwillingneſs to leave them? How doth he ſeem to hover over them? How many ways hath he been alluring, drawing by cords of Love unto himſelf; and if after all, he ſhould pull down theſe Tabernacles, and erect others for himſelf in ſome remote part of the World; leave poor England, ſuffer Papal Darkneſs, Superſtition, Idolatry, to overſpread the Land; muſt we not ſay, he is Holy, we reap the fruit of our own doings: He is faithful to his Word: Churches (Ordinances) He will have in the world to bear his Name, though we are reduced to Rubbiſh, Ruins. I have been, am trembling within my ſelf, leſt he ſhould at laſt be provoked to leave us (at leaſt for a ſeaſon): Wo, wo, wo, unto us if he depart from us. Repent oh England; Awake, awake Churches; awake, awake Profeſſors; lay hold on God, renew your Covenant with him, labour to find out every accurſed thing that may be in the midſt of you; caſt it away with loathing, abhorrency; bemoan your ſelves for the ſins, iniquities, are with you; be conſcientious in filling up the relation you ſtand in each to other, as members of the ſame Body: cry to God to fill you with Preſence, Glory; to communicate the ſuitable grace to you, that you may be able to glorify him in the Fires; Oh Watch and Pray, that you may be accounted worthy to eſcape the things that are to come to paſs, and ſtand before the ſon of man. Oh! Wait, look for his Coming as thoſe that are indeed ready for it. And if you meet with any ſpiritual good, and advantage, by the ſerious peruſal of the enſuing Treatiſe, let God have the Glory, and pray for him, who accounts it his honour, to be,
A Servant of Chriſt, and the meaneſt of his Children, R.B.