Scripture Light the Most Sure Light, Sermon 22 – Title page 6

Scripture Light the Most Sure Light · Sermon 22 – Title page 6

p. 405THE Falſe Apoſtle, TRYED. AND DISCOVERED.

REVEL. 2.2.

And haſt tryed them which ſay they are Apoſtles, and are not, and haſt found them Lyars.

IT is not only the Opinion of Mr. Brightman, In …oa… Apocal. ſepte… Eccleſ…s ſcribitur per qua… un… Catholica deſignatur. Greg. Hom. 15. i… Ezek. Joa…nes ſeribit ad ſep…am Eccleſias, in quibus etiam univerſas Eccleſias ſeptenario numero intelligimus commendari Auſtin Epiſt. 106. extra ſepto… Eccleſias quicquid fo…is eſt alicnum eſt. optat. Milevi. a…. Lib. 1.but of very antient Writers, That theſe Seven Epiſtles, written to the Seven Churches of Aſia, do contain the State and Condition of the whol Church of God, unto the coming of Chriſt. This Firſt Epiſtle is written to languiſhing Epheſus, holding forth the State of the Church, preſently after Chriſt, and his Apoſtles, and is a good Looking-glaſs for all thoſe which begin now to languiſh, and to loſe their firſt Love. Somthing our Savior doth commend in this Church; and ſomthing he reproves them for: He commends them for what was good; and rebukes them for what was evil. Some wil commend what is good in their Friends, but wil not take notice of what is evil: Some wil take notice of what is evil in p. 406others, but wil not commend what is good. This is not according unto Chriſts proceeding; the commendation of Good, is a good Introduction to the reprehenſion of what is evil.

Now our Sa…ior Chriſt, doth commend this Church (both Officers, and People) for many things. 1. For their Labor. 2. For their Patience. 3. For their Zeal: I know thy Works (ſaith he) and thy Labor, and thy Patience. Labor, and Patience go together: Thoſe that wil l…bo… in the Work of God, muſt be patient, they ſhal ſurely meet with oppoſition; and therefore Patience muſt accompany our Labors. Yet this Patience don't exclude Zeal; but ſaith Chriſt here, I know thy Labor, and thy Patience, and thy Zeal: thou canſt not bear them that are evil. Poſſibly then, a man may be patient, and yet cannot bear, or endure thoſe that are evil. Now this Zeal, and ſevere dealing with thoſe that were evil… is de…cribed two waies: Firſt, By the Per…ons which they did deal withal: thoſe were falſe Teachers, ver. 2. and 6. Secondly, By the exerciſe of their Zeal, and Severity; which did conſiſt in two things: The diſcovery of thoſe falſe Teachers; and the hatred of their Deeds. The hatred of their Deeds, ye have at ver. 6. This thou haſt, that thou hateſt the deeds of the Nicolaitans. The diſcovery of theſe falſe Teachers, ye have in theſe words; And thou haſt tried them, &c.

Doct. It's ſtrange that there ſhould be falſe Apoſtles in thoſe daies, whilſt ſome of the true Apoſtles were alive to confute and diſcover them. But it ſeems that the diſcovery of theſe falſe Apoſtles, was not a work, only belonging to the true Apoſtles; for this Church of Epheſus found them out, and are commended for it by our Savior Chriſt. And ſo the Doctrine from this part of the Verſe, is, That it is a matter of great commendation in the eyes of Jeſus Chriſt, to try and diſcover falſe Teachers, or falſe Apoſtles.

Chriſt doth not only commend this Church for their Zeal herein, but hath left their Commendation upon Scriptural Record, as a good Example for al the Churches of Chriſt. And therefore I ſay, the diſcovery of falſe Teachers, and falſe Apoſtles, is ſtill a matter of great Commendation in the eyes of Chriſt.

It is that which we are all commanded to do, 1 John, 4.1. Beleeve not every Spirit, but try the Spirits, whether they are of God; becauſe many falſe Prophets are gone into the world.

But for the cleering of this Truth; it wil appear, if you conſider,

p. 407Arg. 1 Firſt: What a dangerous, and miſchievous People, falſe Teachers, and falſe Apoſtles are. They do deceive men in the matter of their Souls; they are called Deceivers, and Seducers, John, 2.7. Many Deceivers are entred into the world, &c. 2 Tim. 3.13. But evil men, and Seducers, ſhal wax worſe and worſe, deceiving, and being deceived: And deceitful Workers, 2. Cor. 11.13.6. For ſuch are falſe Apoſtles, deceitful Workers. Now a man loves not to be deceived in any thing, no not in a ſmal matter: If I had ſpent, or given away much more, it would never have grieved me, you ſay; but I cannot endure to be cheated, and deceived. And if a man cannot endure to be deceived in leſſer things, what an evil thing is it then, to be deceived in the matters of his Soul? Such are the things, that theſe falſe Teachers do deceive men in; yea, they wil, and do ſubvert mens Faith, and ſpoil them of the very Fundamentals of their Religion. Therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Col. 2.8. Beware leſt any man ſpoil, or make a prey of you. Is it not a ſad thing for a man to loſe his Faith for a Fable? Firſt they wil take away your Faith, and then they wil lay a Fable in the room of the Faith; For their higheſt Speculations and Notions, are but Fables. Ye may obſerve therefore, that when the Apoſtle Paul doth dehort from their Doctrine, he ſaith ſtil, Take heed, and beware of Fables. Thoſe are many, and of divers ſorts: Firſt there are old Wives Stories and Fables; ſuch are the Doctrines, and Speculations of falſe Teachers: therefore 1 Tim. 4.1. the Apoſtle having ſaid, That in the latter times ſome ſhould depart from the Faith, giving heed to ſeducing Spirits, and ſpeaking of the Doctrines of thoſe Seducers in the following Verſes, he ſaith, ver. 7. But refuſe thou prophane, and old wives fables: for ſuch in the Eyes of God, are the Doctrines of theſe Seducers. Secondly, There are Jewiſh Fables alſo, whereof the Talmud is now ful; and ſuch are al thoſe Doctrines, & Commandements of men, which are beſide the Scripture, the Doctrines of falſe Teachers: and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 Tit. 14. (having ſpoken of Seducers in the former verſes, whoſe mouths muſt be ſtopt) Not giving heed to Jewiſh Fables, and Commandements of men. Thirdly, There are alſo the Fables of Heathen Poets, the Figments & Devices of mens own Brains: and ſuch are the Doctrines and Speculations of al falſe Teachers; and therefore ſaies the Apoſtle, 2. Pet. 1.16. We have not followed cunning and deviſed Fables; but we have a more ſure word of Propheſie, at verſe 19. So that look what even Doctrine is not according to the Scripture, is but a Fable in the Eyes of God. Now is it not an evil thing to loſe my Faith for a Fable? Such Fables do theſe falſe Teachers bring; they ſteal away your Faith, and lay a Fable in the room thereof; yea, they wil, and do beguile p. 408men of their Reward; …hey beguile them of their Faith; they beguile them of their Souls, and they beguile them of their Reward: therefore ſaith the Apoſtle Paul, Let no man beguile you of your Reward, Col. 2.18. Yea, they wil not only beguile you of your Reward, but they wil bring you into pernicious waies; which if you follow, the way of Truth ſhal be evil ſpoken of, 2 Pet. 2.1, 2. in which Scripture, the Apoſtle Peter tels us, That as falſe Prophets did ariſe in the times of the old Teſtament, ſo falſe Teachers ſhould ariſe in the times of the new Teſtament. 2. He tels us, That the waies of theſe falſe Teachers, are pernitious waies. 3. That they ſhal infect many; for he ſaith, Many ſhall follow them. 4. That by reaſon of them, the waies of Truth ſhal be evil ſpoken of. Surely then, this ſort of People, are a very dangerous and miſchievous People,Induti ſpeciem ovium, id eſt … mentientes ovin…m fra…diſque… neſciam ſimplicitatem, veſtimenta igitur ovium ſunt ea… omnia, quae ſunt proprie ovium, hujuſmodi veſtimenta ſunt perpetua verbi Dei et Evangelii inclamatio, denfiſſima. Scripturarum …citatio, manſuetudo, blandiloquium ſanctimoniae ſpecies &c. Luc. Brugenſ. in Math. 7.15. Veſtes ovium ſunt; 1 ſophiſticus verbi pretextus Matth. 4. 2 nomen Eccleſiae Jer. 7. 3 hypocriſis in vita Col. 2. 4 ficti Enthuſiaſmi Col. 2. …5 Miracula, 2 Theſ. 2. 6 Excellentia dona, Matth. 7. 7 Fortitudo in ſuppliciis. 8 foreign. blanditiae et promi…iones. Strigel. in Mat. 7. p. 64. Aug. Lib confeſſ. 6. cap. 9.Matt 7:15Matt 4:2Jer 7:3Col 2:4Col 2:52 Thess 2:6Matt 7:7Matt 7 and therefore a commendable thing in the eyes of Chriſt to make diſcovery of them. But,

Arg. 2. Secondly: Though they be a dangerous, and miſchievous People, yet it is an hard thing to diſcover them: For they walk in the dark, and transform themſelves into Miniſters of Light; they creep, and they privily creep into Houſes, ſaith the Apoſtle; and they wil come to you, ſaith our Savior, in Sheeps cloathing, Matth. 7. That is, Look whatever Garb the true Prophet was, or is found in, that wil they be found in alſo. Did the true Prophets of the old Teſtament go in a plain, or rough Garment, or a Garment of Hair, 2 Kings, 1.8. Matth. 3.4. So did the falſe Prophets alſo, Zech. 13.4. wear a rough Garment, or a Garment of Hair (as the Hebrew) to deceive. Did the true Prophets ſomtimes quake, ſhake, and tremble; ſo did the wicked Diviners alſo. And ſo now in the times of the new Teſtament: Do the true Teachers of the Goſpel, preſs, or make uſe of Scripture? ſo do falſe Teachers alſo. Did the true Apoſtles preach Chriſt? ſo did the falſe Apoſtles alſo; Some preach Chriſt out of envy, Phil. 1.15, 16. Did the true Apoſtles and Prophets declare the deep things of God? 1 Cor. 2.10. ſo did the falſe Prophets alſo, Revel. 2.24. The depths of Satan as they speak. Look what that is, which the true Preachers do, that wil fal… T…chers in appearance do. On a time, ſaies Auſtin in his Confeſſions, the Houſe where I lived, was broken up in the night by Theeves; and the men of the Houſe perceiving that the Houſe was beſet with Theeves, and making a noiſe, the Theeves run away, and left their Crows of Iron, and Inſtruments whereby they did break up the Houſe: then my Friend Alipius, coming to the Houſe, and … ding thoſe Inſtruments, and Tools lying on the ground, he took the Crow of Iron …nto his hand; and when the men of the H…uſe came out, and …aw the Crow of Iron … hi… hand; they took hold p. 409of him, and thought that he was the Thief. So ſaies another, the Hereticks of the Times wil take the ſame Inſtruments to deſtroy the Houſe of God, as we do to build the ſame: The ſame Crow of Iron, the ſame Scripture that is in the hand of Alipius, a Friend, is made uſe of by a Heretick, one that is a Thief, who comes to make a prey of your Faith: He that comes not in by the door, is fur et latro, a Thief, and a Robber; not apertus hoſtis, an open or profeſſed Enemy; but a ſecret Thief, and a Robber, whoſe coming is unknown, and of whom you can leſs be aware: and you know, the more crafty and ſubtil they are in their Practices, the more hardly they wil be diſcerned. Now falſe Teachers, who come in Sheeps cloathing, are a ſubtil, and crafty Generation; for as Satan at the firſt, beguiled Adam by beginning with Eve, the weaker Veſſel; ſo do theſe People alſo, creep into Houſes, leading ſilly women captive, laden with divers Luſts; there they begin, even with the weaker Veſſel, as Satan at the firſt did; and as Satan beguiled Eve, by telling her that ſhe ſhould be like unto God himſelf, and ſo drew her from the appointment of God: ſo do falſe Teachers now tel poor ſouls, That if they wil follow their Doctrines, they ſhal be like to God, yea, be God, and Chriſt, and ſo draw them from the Appointments of Chriſt; and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle; I fear, leſt by any means, as the Serpent beguiled Eve, through his ſubtilty; ſo your minds ſhould be corrupted from the ſimplicity that is in Chriſt, 2 Cor. 11.3. Now if …t be ſo hard a thing to diſcover theſe Falſe Teachers, and they be … dangerous, and miſchievous a People; then ſurely it is a matter of great commendation to make diſcovery of them.

Arg. 3 It is an excellent thing alſo to make diſcovery of them; Chriſt doth commend what is excellent, ſpiritually excellent; and the more excellent the thing, the more it doth fal under the commendation of Chriſt. Now by diſcovering of theſe falſe Teachers, you put a ſtop and check unto their folly and madneſs; their madneſs or folly, ſaith the Apoſtle, ſhal proceed no further: How ſo? It ſhal be made known to all, 2 Tim. 3.9. But they ſhal proceed no further, for their folly ſhall be made manifeſt to all men. Thereby alſo, ye ſhal preſerve thoſe who are not declined; and thereby you ſhal be ſerviceable unto Chriſt in the great Work which he hath to do, and is doing in theſe latter Times. One part of his Work, is to diſcover thoſe that are unſound, Revel. 2. Then ſhall all the Churches know that I am he that ſearcheth the heart and reins, ver. 24. But did not the Churches know that before? Yea, but then (that is, in the latter times) they ſhal have experience of it; for then I wil diſcover Jezabel, and al her falſe Prophets; ſo that this diſcovery of fal…e Teachers, is p. 410part of Chriſts own Work in the latter daies, and the more you labor therein, the more ſerviceable you are unto Chriſt: Surely therefore, it is a matter of great Commendation in the Eyes of Chriſt, to try, find out, and diſcover falſe Teachers, and falſe Apoſtles.

Object. If it be ſo commendable in the eyes of Chriſt, to diſcover theſe perſons; then it's lawful for us, though weak, to go to the Meetings of theſe falſe Teachers, or to receive them into our Houſes, and to ſpeak with them; elſe how ſhall I try and diſcover them?

Anſw. Nay, but this follows not, no more than that you muſt go to Rome, to try, and find out the Deceits of the Papiſts; or that you muſt go into Turkey, to try, and find out the falſe Doctrine of the Turks: you may try, and diſcover Papiſts, and Turks; yet it doth not follow, that you muſt read over their Books, and Alcaron. The Apoſtle ſaith, Mark thoſe which cauſe diviſion, and avoid them: Falſe Teachers ſhall ariſe in the laſt daies (ſaith he) and from ſuch turn away. And the Apoſtle John ſaith, If any come to you not with this Doctrine, receive him not into your Houſe, nor bid him God speed, leſt you be partaker of their evil Deeds. Look whatever miſchief they ſhal do abroad by their Falſe Doctrines, al that ſhal you partake in, if you receive them into your Houſes, or countenance them by bidding them God ſpeed. He that receiveth a true Prophet in the Name of a Prophet, ſhal receive that Prophets Reward; he ſhal profit by that Prophet, and ſhal have a ſhare in al the good which he doth: So he that receiveth a falſe Prophet, ſhal receive a falſe Prophets Reward; he ſhal be poyſoned by him, and ſhal partake in his evil Deeds.

Queſt. But how then ſhall I try all things?

Anſw. Mark this Scripture well. Thoſe words are ſpoken to the Church of the Theſſalonians, Epiſt. 1.5.20.21. Deſpiſe not propheſyings, prove all things; that is, try thoſe things which ye hear in the Church by way of Propheſie, but he doth not ſay, That you muſt run out to every meeting of ſuſpected Perſons, to try al things there; but keep your place in the Church, and try al things; otherwiſe it being a Commandement, al men ſhould be bound to read Popiſh Books, Socinian Books, and the Turkiſh Alcaron: And if you ſhould go to theſe Meetings, do you think that is the way to try al things? Do ye not know, that it is the ordinary way of al falſe Teachers to hold out Truth at the firſt? wil they not preach an hundred Truths firſt, that they may make way to one Error? and if ſo, how can you try them by going to a Meeting or two? But keep your ſtation in the Church of God, deſpiſe not, p. 411turn not your back on propheſyings, and ſo try all things. If you be convinced of the Truth and Way of God by the Scripture, you wil eaſily find out a falſe Doctrine; for Rectum eſt index ſui et obliqui; Truth known, wil diſcover Error. But where do you find in Scripture, That Trying is the end of Hearing? that we are to hear, that we may try? I muſt therefore go to hear, that I may learn and profit by my hearing; and if you go to theſe Meetings, that you may learn and profit, are you not in a fair way to be deceived by them? The Members of the Church of Epheſus here, did not run from the Church for this diſcovery; for ſaies the Apoſtle, Acts, 20.30. And of your own ſelves, ſhall men ariſe, ſpeaking perverſe things: which when it came to paſs, the Epheſians did diſcover them, ſaith our Text, for which they were thus highly commended of Chriſt.

Now if this be ſo commendable in the eyes of Chriſt,Applicat. then why ſhould we not al take ſome pains herein, and be found doing this Work of our Generation? Do ye think that there are no Falſe Teachers, and Falſe Apoſtles, and Falſe Prophets, in theſe daies of ours? Read what is ſaid in Zechar. 13.2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Firſt, the Prophet tels us, that in the daies immediately before the Calling of the Jews, there ſhal be unclean Spirits in the Land, verſe 2. and Falſe Prophets, verſe 3. Secondly, He tels us, That when the Jews ſhal be called, in that day, verſe 1. there ſhal be ſo great a Zeal amongſt them, againſt theſe Falſe Prophets, that their Parents, and ſuch as are neer to them, ſhal be the firſt that ſhal puniſh them, verſe 3. His Father and Mother that begat them, ſhall ſay, Thou ſhalt not live, for thou ſpeakeſt lyes; and yet theſe are high Goſpel Times. Thirdly, He tels us here, That this Correction ſhal be a means to reduce them; for upon that it is ſaid, verſe 4. And it ſhall come to paſs in that day, that the Prophet ſhall be aſhamed, &c. But the thing that I bring this Scripture for, is to ſhew you, that there ſhal be ſuch People as theſe, immediately before the Call of the Jews, and that is in theſe daies of ours. Only obſerve how the Prophet doth here deſcribe them: 1. He tels you that they ſhal be ſuch as were originally Husbandmen; for upon their Reducement, he ſhal ſay, I am no Prophet, I am an Husband-man. 2. He tels you here, That they ſhal be ſuch as ſhal wear a rough, hair, or plain Garment to deceive, ver. 4. 3. He tels you, That they ſhal come in the Name of the Lord, and ſay, they are not ſent by men, but by God immediately, verſe 3. 4. That yet theſe men ſhal be acted by the very Spirit of the Devil; for ſaies the Lord, I will cauſe the falſe Prophet, and the unclean Spirit, to paſs out of the Land; that is, ſuch as do work and act by the inſpiration of the Devil, having the fierce and unclean p. 412Spirit of the Devil: Theſe are the men that ſhal ariſe in theſe daies of ours. Do you think then, that we are free from falſe Teachers now? or do you think that it is not incumbent upon al? only upon Officers, to try and diſcover them? Here the whol Church are commended for it. Or do you think that it is nothing to be commended by Chriſt? Thoſe that he commends now, he wil commend before the Father, and al the Angels, and Saints another day; his commendation ſhal never make you proud, as the applauſe of man may do. O! what an excellent thing then is it, to make diſcovery of theſe Falſe Apoſtles, and falſe Teachers: Why ſhould we not al, more or leſs, according to our Places, l…bor to be found in this Work, in theſe daies of ours?

Queſt. How ſhall we find out, and diſcover them? for if we may not go to their Me…tings, Veri Doctoris lana eſt V…catio, vel Au…horitas, ſana Doctrina; v…ta probata, ſed hac lana non omnes eodem modo utuntur imo multi abutuntur, Ferus in Mat. 7. p. 255.Matt 7and they be ſuch a crafty, deceiving people, what ſhall we do, and how ſhall we try, a True Teacher, from a Falſe Teacher? or a True Apoſtle, from a Falſe Apoſtle?

Anſw. All Teachers are to be tryed Three waies. By

Their Call.

Their Doctrine.

Their Fruits, or Liv….

IFirſt: As for a mans Call to Preach: Whoever is called to preach, is either called ad opus, to a particular Work: or he is called ad Munus, to an Office. If he be called to a Work only, then his preaching is called Propheſie: And ſo ſome are called to Preach; for elſe how ſhould we know whether men be ſit for Office, if they may not preach before they be in Office? Now if men be ſo called to preach, then they muſt, 1. Preach according to the proportion, and Analogy of Faith, Rom. 12.6. 2. If they be ſo called to preach, they muſt have a gift to profit others publickly; for al Propheſie is for Exhortation, Edification, and Comfort, 1 Cor. 14.3. 3. And if they be ſo called to preach, they muſt ſubmit what they ſpeak to the Judgment of others: The Officer ſpeaks with Authority; but another ſpeaks with Submiſſion, and let the reſt judg, 1 Cor. 14.29. So that, if any man wil take upon him to preach and teach as a gifted man, if he have not a Gift to profit others in publick; a Gift be …ond a Family Gift; and if he do not ſpeak according to the proportion of Faith, and do not ſubmit what he ſpeaketh to the Judgment of others, he is a Falſe Prophet, and no true Teacher in this kind.

Secondly: But if a man be called to Office; then his Office, is either Extraordinary, or Ordinary.

1If Extraordinary, then he is either a Proph…t, who doth foretel p. 413things to come, and they do come to paſs; or he is an Evangeliſt, whoſe Office was to accompany, and miniſter unto the Apoſtles: When the Apoſtles …herefore ceaſed, then the Evangeliſts ceaſed; for ſublato ſubjecto tollitur adjunctum. Or he is an Apoſtle who hath ſeen the Lord, and is immediately ſent by him, whoſe Commiſſion extendeth unto all the World, who is infallible in regard of Doctrine delivered, having the Gifts of Tongues given him; not by Induſtry, but by Inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt, and doth work Miracles. And therefore if any man ſay, that he is an Apoſtle, and yet hath not ſeen the Lord Chriſt, nor hath theſe Gifts of Tongues, nor can work Miracles; then he is a falſe Apoſtle, and a falſe Teacher in that kind.

2But if a man be called to an Ordinary Office, then, 1. He muſt be apparently Godly; not only free from Vice, and Scandal; but Holy, and blameleſs, ſhining with poſitive Vertues, as wel as free from Scandalous ſins, 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. 2. He muſt be qualified, and gifted for the work of preaching, being apt to teach, anointed with the Unction of the Holy One; not that he muſt neceſſarily have the extraordinary Gifts of the Holy Ghoſt: for when the Apoſtle Paul ſets down the due qualifications of a Miniſter, 1 Tim. 3. there is not one word of that. 3. Being gifted, and duely qualified, he muſt be choſen, or deſired by the Church, Acts, 14.23. 4. Then having conſented, he muſt be ſeparated to the Work of the Miniſtry. And therefore if any man ſay, that he is a Teacher in Office, ordinarily called, and yet be prophane, ſcandalous, or vicious, or ignorant, being not fitly qualified; or is not deſired, or choſen by the Church, and ſeparated to the Work of the Miniſtry, he is a falſe Teacher in this kind.

But whether a mans Cal be Ordinary, or Extraordinary; whether he be called, ad Opus, to a Work, or ad Munus, to an Office, he muſt make out his Cal to others; 'tis not enough to ſay, I am ſent of God, I tel thee I am ſent of God: The Apoſtles themſelves made out their Cal to others: Do ye require a proof of my Miniſtry, or Apoſtleſhip? ſaies the Apoſtle Paul; then thus and thus. So that though a man do pretend that he is ſent of God, and that he hath ſeen the Lord; yet if he be not able to give an account thereof unto others, he is ſurely a Falſe Apoſtle, and a Falſe Teacher. Thus may you try, and diſcover men by their Cal.

IISecondly: As for Doctrine. Teachers may, and muſt be tried by their Doctrine.1 John, 4.1. Particular Doctrines whereby men may be tried, are many: I wil name ſome briefly, becauſe I intend this Work no further than to this one Exerciſe. Firſt, therefore,

p. 4141The true Apoſtles never did decry the Scriptures, but under God and Chriſt, did exalt the Scriptures. They called them the Word of God, Rom. 9.6. 2 Cor. 4.2. They told us that the Scriptures are a ſufficient Rule, and able to make us wiſe unto Salvation, 2 Tim. 3.14.16, 17. That they are the only Rule and Judg of al Doctrines, whereby we are to try the ſame, according to that of the Prophet Eſai. To the Law, and to the Teſtimony; if any one walk not according to this Rule, there is no Light in him, Chap. 8. That theſe Scriptures may be expounded, 2 Pet. 1.20. The Apoſtles never did deny the Original, ſaying, I deny the Hebrew, or I deny the Greek; but of…en cited the Original Hebrew; yea, the Septuagintal Greek, This was the true Apoſtles Doctrine in regard of the Scripture.

2As for Chriſt: The true Apoſtles never did deny the Deity of Chriſt, whilſt he lived here on Earth; nor the Humanity of Chriſt in Heaven. But for his Deity, the Apoſtle tel us, that he is very God, and the only wiſe God, 1 John, 5.20.

And for the Body of Chriſt: The true Apoſtles tel us, That he did not only riſe from the dead, but his Body aſcended, and that he is man ſtil, 2 Tim. 2.5. There is one Mediator, the man Jeſus Chriſt.

3As for the Ordinances: The Apoſtles never did deny the Ordinances; but have told us that the Miniſtration of the Goſpel, is more glorious than that of Moſes, becauſe this was to continue, 2 Cor. 3. they did not deſtroy, but erect theſe Ordinances, by Commiſſion from Chriſt, As I have ordained in all the Churches, ſaith Paul. And more particularly, 1. They did not deny the Miniſtry, not the Being of a ſetled Miniſtry, Rom. 12.7. though by the hand of Man, Tit. 1. For this cauſe left I thee in Crete, that thou ſhould'ſt ordain Elders in every City: nor the maintenance; the ſetled maintenance of Miniſters, 1 Cor. 9.14. Even ſo hath the Lord ordained, that thoſe that preach the Goſpel, ſhould live on the Gospel. 2. As they did not deny the Miniſtry, ſo they did not deny Water Baptiſm: but they rather called for Water Baptiſm, becauſe Cornelius had received the Spirit, Acts, 10.47. They did not lay a neceſſity upon the Diſciples, to be plunged into the River, or Water; for the Jaylor, and Cornelius, were baptized in their Houſes: Nor did they ever forbid Infant Baptiſm, but tel us that Children of Beleevers, are Holy, 2 Cor. 7. 3. As the true Apoſtles did not deny Water Baptiſm, ſo they did not cry down the Lords Supper, but tel us plainly, That thereby we hold forth the Lords Death til he come. 4. As they did contend for the Supper, ſo they commanded ſinging: Firſt, That the whol Church ſhould ſing; for the whol Church of Epheſus, and the whol Church of Coloſſe, are commanded to ſing, Epheſ. 5. p. 41518. Colloſ. 3.16. Secondly, That the whol Church ſhould ſing the Pſalms of David; for by thoſe Titles, Pſalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, the P…alms of David are diſtinguiſhed. Thirdly, That this ſinging ſhould be performed with an audible voyce, and not in the heart only; for faith the Apoſtle in the ſame Scriptures, Speaking and ſinging with Grace in your hearts. Affirmabant autem h…nc fu…ſe ſummam vel culpae ſuae vel erroris quod eſſent ſoliti ſtato die ante lucem convenire carmenque Chriſto quaſi Deo dic… re ſecum invicem. Plin. Epiſt. ad Trajan. Vel communi voce dicere Magde…urgenſ. Hiſt. Cant. 2, C. 6.Song 2Fourthly, That theſe Pſalms, or Hymns, or Spiritual Songs, ſhould be ſung by many together; not by one alone, but by the whol Church; for the Evangeliſt tels us, that Chriſt, and his Diſciples, ſung an Hymn, and ſo went out after Supper: If only one ſang, and the reſt conſented, then that one was Chriſt, or ſome one of the Diſciples; Chriſt it was not, for if he had ſung an Hymn, it would have been ſaid, that he ſung, and the Hymn would have been ſet down; as it's ſaid, he prayed, and his Prayer recorded, John, 17. Nor was it one of the Diſciples, for as yet the Holy Ghoſt was not fallen upon them, to Gift them with Spiritual Gifts; neither can it be ſaid, that the word, foreign, ſhould be tranſlated, Praiſed; and when they had praiſed, &c. For when it is to be ſo tranſlated, then it is joyned with an Accuſative Caſe, as Heb. 2.12. but they al ſang, audibly, and together. Thus the true Apoſtles of Chriſt, were for, and not againſt the Ordinances of Chriſt.

4As for the Doctrine of Juſtification: The true Apoſtles preached for Juſtification by imputed Righteouſneſs, and by Faith, in oppoſition to Works, Rom. 4.

5They never preached, or told us that there is a Light in every man, which followed, wil bring to Salvation: Indeed the Evangeliſt ſaith, That Chriſt, as God, enlighteneth every one that comes into the World; the wicked with the light of Reaſon, and Underſtanding; the Godly with the Light of Grace: and the Apoſtle ſaith, That the Grace of God hath appeared to al men, that is, both Jews and Gentiles; but doth not ſay, that the Grace of God hath appeared to al particular men: but he ſaith, The whol World lies in wickedneſs; and a Natural man doth not perceive the things of God, neither can he.

6They never preached, That any man might be perfect, ſo as to be without ſin in this Life,Poterat enim Apoſtolus dicere, ſi dixeri mus, quod non habemus peccatum, nos ipſos extollimus, et humilitas in nobis non eſt, ſed cum ait nos ipſos decipimus et veritas in nobis non eſt ſatis oſtendit eum qui ſic dixerit non verum loqui ſed falſum. Concil. Milevit. Cau. 6. but the contrary; ſaying, If any man ſay, he hath no ſin, he deceives himſelf, and there is no truth in him; 1 Joh. 1.8. he doth not ſay, and there is no humility in him, though it be pride to ſay ſo; but there is no truth in him. And again, the Apoſtle James, In many things we offend all, Jam. 3.2. And again, We ſee and know but in part, 1 Cor. 13.9. they acknowledg indeed a perfection of Uprightneſs: p. 416But the true Apoſtles never placed any Perfection in Monaſtical Virginity,Nunc bene vivitur ſi ſine crimine ſine peccato autem ſi quis vivere ſe exiſtimet non id agit, ut peccatum non habebat, ſed ut veniam non accipiat. Auſtin. or abſtaining from Meats, Cuffs, Points, and Laces. But ſaies the Apoſtle, Col. 2.18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary Humility, and in being ſubject to Ordinances: as …ouch not, taſt not, handle not: Which all periſh in the uſing, after the Commandements and Doctrines of men. Which things indeed have a ſhew of wiſdom, in Will-worſhip, and humility, and neglecting of the Body: Ver. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23.

7The true Apoſtles, never preached againſt reſpect unto Magiſtrates, Parents, and Maſters. Indeed our Savior Chriſt ſaies, Cal no man your Father; neither be ye called Maſters: But Maſter (he tels us at verſe 8.) is al one with Rabbi: Now theſe Rabbins were their Sect-Maſters, who were the Maſters of their Faith; and ſuch a Father and Maſter, no man ought to be: but otherwiſe the Apoſtle ſaith, Children obey your Parents; honor thy Father: and Servants, be ſubject to your Maſters. And did not Paul the Apoſtle, cal himſelf, a wiſe Maſter-Builder? Acts, 26.25. Paul calleth Feſtus, moſt noble Feſtus; and Agrippa, King Agrippa. And Chap. 27. he ſaith to them that were in the Ship with him, Sirs, I perceive this Voyage will be dangerous: and again, verſe 21. He ſtood forth in the midſt, and ſaid, Sirs: and yet again, ver. 25. Wherefore, Sirs; or excellent men, be of good comfort, &c.

8The true Apoſtles never preached againſt the Reſurrection and Aſcention of the Body: but make the Doctrine of the Reſurrection, a Fundamental Article of our Faith, 1 Cor. 15. yea, they tel us, That Chriſt did not only riſe, but aſcend with his Body; and that our Bodies, ſhal remain Bodies in Heaven, as Chriſts doth, Phil. 3.20. Who ſhal change our vile Bodies, that they may be like to his glorious Body.

9The Apoſtles never preached, That there is no place of Heaven and Hel, after Death: but as they received of Chriſt, ſo they delivered Truth unto us. Now Chriſt ſaith expreſly; Go ye curſed into everlaſting torment, prepared for the Devil, and his Angels: and come ye bleſſed, inherit the Kingdom of the Father, prepared for you before the Foundation of the World.

Theſe were the Doctrines of the Apoſtles, and the true Teachers of the Goſpel. Doth any man therefore ſay, I now come unto you from God, and God hath ſent me? And doth he ſay, there is no other Heaven, nor Hel, than what is in this Life? Or doth he preach againſt the Reſurrection, and Aſcention of our Bodies? Or doth he preach againſt reſpect unto Magiſtrates, and Civil Relations? Or doth he tel you of a Light within al men, p. 417which is able to bring them to Salvation? Doth he preach Perfection, ſaying, That Man may be perfect, and without ſin in this Life? Or doth he tel you of Juſtification by ſomwhat within you? Or doth he cry down, degrade, and vilifie the Ordinances of Chriſt, Miniſtry, Water Baptiſm, Lords Supper, and Singing? Or doth he deny the Deity of Chriſt on Earth? or the Humanity of Chriſt in Heaven? Or doth he preach down the Scripture, by telling you, that the Light and Spirit within you, is your Rule? Surely this Perſon is a falſe Apoſtle, and a falſe Teacher. Thus you may try a man by his Doctrine.

IIIThirdly: A Teacher alſo may, and muſt be tried by his Life and Fruits: for ſaith our Savior; Beware of falſe Prophets, which come to you in Sheeps cloathing; Matth. 7.15, 16.Matt 7:15Matt 7:16but inwardly they are ravening Wolves: ye ſhal know them by their Fruits: As ye know a Tree, not by the Leaves, but by the Fruit; ſo ſaith he, ye ſhal know theſe men, not by their firſt Profeſſion, but by their after Works, and Waies, and Fruits.

Queſt. But if they go in Sheeps cloathing, how ſhall I know they are Wolves?

Anſw. Yes; For though their cloathing be the Sheeps; yet they have the Nature, and diſpoſition of Wolves; the voyce, howling, and barking of Wolves, and the practice of Wolves.

1The Nature of a Wolf, though he be in Sheeps cloathing, is fierce and cruel; ſo is the Nature, Spirit, and Diſpoſition of the Falſe Teacher, 2 Tim. 3.3. Without Natural affection, truce-breakers, falſe Accuſers, incontinent, fierce, deſpiſers of thoſe that are good: Of this ſort are they (ver. 6.) which creep into houſes, and lead ſilly women captive, &c.

2The voyce of the Wolf doth betray him; he howls as the Sheep do not, and barks at the Shepheards. So do Falſe Teachers do, they reſiſt the Truth, as Janes and Jambres reſiſted Moſes; and are continually barking at, and ſpeaking evil of the true Miniſters of the Goſpel, and Shepheards of the Sheep. 'Tis recorded of Philip of Macedon, when he laid ſiege to Athens, that he ſent word into the City, That if they would ſend out ten of their Orators, he would be at peace with them; whereupon Demoſthenes roſe up in the Senate, and ſaid, If the Wolves come to the Fold, and tel the Sheep, that they wil be at Peace with them, if they wil ſend away al their Dogs, and Shepheards, wil the Sheep do it? No, the great deſign of the Wolf, is to part the Sheep from the Shepheard. Thoſe therefore that come in Sheeps cloathing, and cry out againſt the true Miniſtry of Chriſt, are no true Sheep, but Wolves.

p. 418foreign. Matth, 7, 1…, qui venient ex ſcipſis legitime n…n miſſi, de quibus Jer. 23, 21, currebant et non mittebam Luc. Brugenſ. in Math. 7.15.Jer 23:21Matt 7:153. The Wolf though he be in Sheeps cloathing, doth tear and rend the Sheep; he cometh not in by the door; and when he is come in, then he doth devour the poor Sheep: And ſo it is with falſe Teachers, they come not in by the door of a Lawful Cal, and they bite, and devour, and deſtroy the Faith of ſome.

Queſt. But our Savior ſaith, That we may know them by their Fruits; What are thoſe Fruits, and how ſhall we know them thereby?

Anſw. 1. If you find that they are given to uncleanneſs, then they are not ſent of God.Pſeudo-Prophetae quo modo probari poſſint: Certiſſima autem demonſtratio haec eſt, ſi deliquerit et contemnat voluptates corporales, imprimis vero ſenſum illum qui nobis eſt opprobrio et dedecori et ſi abominentur omnem libidinem et ſcortationem; an ignoras enim, qua ratione Zedekias filius Maaſijae et Achab filius Kolijae de propetia gloriati fuerint, multos homines ad ſe pertraxerint, verbaque Prophetiae ab aliis inſtinctus divini afflatu prolata ſub ſuo titulo ventitarint, et tamen in voluptatibus ſuis venereis perrexerint, ita ut ſociorum et diſcipulorū ſuorum uxores ſtupraverint. Donec a Deo retecti et a Rege Babyloniae, meritiſſima poena igne combuſti fuerint. Jerem. 29.22, 23. Rab. Mois Majemon. More Nevochim pars 2. cap. 40.Jer 29:22Jer 29:23 So are Falſe Teachers many times, 2 Pet. 2. There ſhall be falſe Teachers amongſt you, ver. 1. Theſe do walk after the fleſh, in the luſt of uncleanneſs, verſe 10. (ſee the Epiſtle of Jude) God doth often give men up to fleſhly ſins for their vile errors.

2. If you find that they are given to lying, then you may know that they are not of God: Truth doth not need our Lyes to maintain it with: but the Doctrine of Lyes, is often maintained with the Practice of Lying: And haſt found them lyars, ſaith our Text here.

3. If you find that the height of their Religion is to maintain ſome Opinion, and that doth conſiſt in ſome voluntary Humility, and keeping under the Body, then are they not of God, Col. 2.18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26.

4. If you find that their Doctrine, tends to draw men away from the Ordinances of God, then though they pretend to be Prophets, yet they are but falſe Prophets, Deut. 13.1. If there ariſe among you a Prophet, and he giveth a ſign, and it come to paſs, thou ſhalt not hearken to him, verſe 3. And he ſhal be put to death, verſe 5. Why? Becauſe he hath ſpoken to turn you away from the Lord your God.

5. If you find that in Truth he fals ſhort of him, whom he would ſeem to be, and yet in ſhew goes beyond him, then he is a Deceiver. As for Example: If a man ſay, that he is an Apoſtle, but pretends to do more than ever any Apoſtle did, as to judg infallibly in al things, whereas the Apoſtle ſaith ſomtime, This ſay I, not the Lord; yet in truth fals ſhort of what an Apoſtle did, who ſpake with Tongues, and did work miracles; ſurely this man is a falſe Apoſtle: 'Tis the way of an Hypocrite to imitate the Godly, and in outward things he wil go beyond many a Godly p. 419man, yet doth fal ſhort of the weakeſt Saint. Now though every Hypocrite is not an Heretick, yet every Heretick is an Hypocrite.

6. If you find that his great Work and Buſineſs is, to deſtroy the Churches of Chriſt; then he is not of God, but by this Fruit, you may know him to be a Falſe Teacher: The Apoſtles went up and down confirming the Churches, not deſtroying them. But now ſaies Luther, Decem Annis laboratur antequam Eccleſiola rectè et Piè inſtituta paratur, et ubi parata eſt, irrepit aliquis fanaticus et quidem idiota, qui nihil novit quam contumelioſe loqui, contra ſinceros verbi Doctores, is uno momento evertit omnia. Luther.After we have taken much pains, even for ten yeers together, to gather and ſettle a Church; then comes ſome Fanatick Perſon, and he deſtroies more in one moment, than we could build in ten yeers: But ſaies the Apoſtle, Mark thoſe which cauſe diviſion, much more thoſe that cauſe deſtruction, and avoid them.

7. If they wil not hear us, ſaies the Apoſtle John, they are not of God, 1 John, 4.6. We are of God; he that knoweth God, heareth us; he that is not of God, heareth not us. Hereby know we the Spirit of Truth, and the Spirit of Error. Doth a man then forſake the Aſſemblies of the Saints (as the manner of ſome is) and teach men ſo to do? he ſhal be called leaſt in the Kingdom of Heaven; he is a Falſe Teacher, and by this Fruit you may know him; yea, and by al theſe Fruits you may know Falſe Teachers: You may know them by their Cal; you may know them by their Doctrines; and you may know them by their Fruits, and their Practices. And thus you ſee how thoſe that are Falſe Apoſtles, or Falſe Teachers, may be tryed, and diſcovered. And is it a commendable thing in the Eyes of Chriſt, to make diſcovery of them? Now then, as you deſire that you may fal under the Commendation of Chriſt here, or hereafter; let it be your work and buſineſs in theſe times to make this Diſcovery. Only know,

1That it is the ſpecial Work of Church-Officers, to cry and diſcover Falſe Teachers? for this Epiſtle is directed to the Angel of the Church of Epheſus.

2But though it is their Work eſpecially, yet it is a Work incumbent upon al the Saints, and Churches; for though the Epiſtle be directed to the Angel of the Church, yet the Matter thereof doth belong to al; for ſaith the ſame Epiſtle: He that hath an Ear, let him hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches. And if this Work do belong unto al the Church, what an evil thing is it for thoſe that are Members of a Church, to be beguiled with Falſe Teachers; ſhal they be beguiled by them, that ſhould diſcover them? This is directly contrary to their Duty. It is your Duty, and it is al your Duty, to make this diſcovery. Therefore yet more practically.

p. 420Firſt: Go to God for Wiſdom, and the Spirit of Diſcerning; it is Chriſt alone that doth ſee mens fruit under al their Leaves: beg this Diſcerning Spirit therefore at the hands of Chriſt.

Secondly: Take heed that you do not lie in any Sin, or Error; for al Sin and Error blinds: How ſhal you ſee the Error of another, if you be blinded with your own Sin, and Error?

Thirdly: In caſe any thing doth ariſe, which hath difficulty in it, conſult with others; for ye are not alone: And ſaith David, I will enquire in thine holy Temple.

Fourthly: Be ſure that you keep to the Scripture, and take heed that you do not judg of Doctrines by impreſſions: Let the Light within you be your Principle, enabling you unto what is good; but let it not be your Rule to judg of Doctrines; that is the Word alone.

Fiftly: Take heed that you have not too great a charity towards, and Opinion of, thoſe that are ſuſpected to be falſe Teachers. Ye ſhal know them by their Fruits, ſaith Chriſt: And leſt you ſhould think that they may be good,Plerique enim hominum ita impoſtorum liberalitate ſaſcinantur ut quicquid proponunt monſtruoſae Doctrinae tamen pro bonis habeant. Quibus Chriſtus reſpondet, non modo hujuſmodi homines bonos non eſſe, ſed ne eſſe quidem poſſe. Cartw. Harm. p. 271. I tel you, nay, ſaies Chriſt in the next words; for a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good Fruit: No man … thers Grapes off Thorns, or Figs off Thiſtles; … evil men, and Seducers, ſaies the Apoſtle: If … ducers, you are to look upon them as evil me… … wel as on Drunkards, Swearers, and Prophane … ſons; which becauſe ſome have not done, they … been deceived, inſtead of making this Diſcovery …

Sixtly: And if you would be ſure to make … right Judgment in this great Diſcovery, then … your time,Si quis ex foliis et floribus judicium formare velit, non expectata fructuum maturitate plane hallucinetur, ſic etiam qui de initiis quibuſdam judicium ſibi fingant &c. tandem enim eorum amentia omnibus innoteſcet. 2 Tim. 3. Cartw. Harm. p. 270.2 Tim 3 and wait long before you cloſe wi… … ny of their Opinions; for ſaith Chriſt, Ye … know them by their Fruit. Now the Fruit of a … is not preſently ſeen; an ill Tree in Winter, may ſeem to be as good as the beſt: Stay therefore your time, and you ſhal know them by their Fruit, and ſo be able to make this Diſcovery, which is ſo pleaſing to, and commendable in the Eyes of Jeſus Chriſt.Attendite a falſis Prophetis, diligenter cavete non dixit aſpicite, ſed attendite, quod aſpicere eſt ad illud quod palam videtur, attendere autem eſt cum ſollicitudine inquitere. Abulenſ. in Mat. 7. p. 2….Matt 7

It may be, ſome wil think, and ſay, This doth not concern, or reach my Condition; I am troubled with, and labor under ſuch or ſuch a Temptation; and in al this, nothing hath been ſpoken unto that Temptation. But remember that our Lord and Savior Chriſt, hath not ſaid to ſome, but to al, Beware of falſe Prophets; not Behold, but Beware; we behold what is open, and beware of what is hidden: and both Chriſt and his Apoſtles, tel us, That in the laſt daies, there ſhal ariſe falſe Chriſts, falſe Prophets, p. 421falſe Apoſtles, and falſe Brethren; inſomuch, as if it were poſſible, they ſhould deceive the very Elect: and is this nothing then unto your Condition? It may be it is your Temptation that you do not take heed, and beware enough. I date boldly ſay, he is under a Temptation, that thinks theſe things do not reach him, or concern his Condition: And what is the reaſon that many poor ſouls are ſo miſ-led in theſe daies of ours, but becauſe they have not been prepared, and underlaid with Knowledg for to make reſiſtance; al their work and buſineſs hath been about ſome particular Temptation, ſtriving againſt ſome Temptation; if they have heard any thing about that, wel; if not, then they think the matter concerns not them: and ſo not being grounded in the Faith, when Deceivers come, they are taken Captive by them. But I know you al deſire to be commended by Chriſt at that great Day, when he ſhal ſay, Well done, good and faithful Servant. And this diſcovery of falſe Teachers, is a matter of great Commendation in his Eyes now, and what he commends now, he wil commend then: wherefore up and be doing. It may be this may be ſome pains and labor to you; but Chriſt ſaith, I know thy Works, and thy Labor. It may be it may coſt you much trouble and ſorrow; but he ſaith alſo, I know thy Labor, and thy Patience. It may be ſome may think you are too buſie, and ſevere in the Work of this Diſcovery; but he hath ſaid I know thy Works, and thy Labor, and thy Patience, and that thou canſt not bear them which are evil, and haſt tried them which ſay, they are Apoſtles, and are not, and haſt found them Lyars: Wherefore let us comfort and encourage one another with theſe words.

THE GOOD, AND MEANS OF ESTABLISHMENT.

Wherein is ſhewed (beſides other things)

I. That it is a great Mercy for a Nation, and State to be ſetled.

II. A Mercy, and great Bleſsing for a Church to be ſetled.

III. A great Bleſsing, and Mercy for a Particular Soul to be ſetled in the Good Waies of God.

By William Bridge, Preacher of the Goſpel at Yarmouth.

LONDON: Printed by Peter Cole in Leaden-Hall, and are to be ſold at his Shop, at the ſign of the Printing-Preſs in Cornhil, neer the Royal Exchange. 1656.