A Conference in Boston with the Elders of New England, Dedication 4

A Conference in Boston with the Elders of New England · Dedication 4

To all loyall Covenanters, contending for the Faith of JESUS the CHRIST, once given to the Saints; Mat. 16. 16, 17.

C Ʋrteous Reader, be not too cenſorious concerning him that is the Publiſher of this little Treatiſe, ſtiled, The difference between the Chriſtian and Antichriſtian Church, as if hee condemned the Ages and Generations that are paſt, as in a loſt condition; becauſe he ſaith they have built their houſe upon wood, and hay, and ſtubble, and not upon the ſure rock Jeſus the Chriſt: Farre be it from him to judge ſo …aſhly of the Ages and Generations paſt, or preſent, concerning their finall eſtate; for …ee is commanded to judge no man before …he time, knowing that they ſtand and fall to their owne Maſter: And, wee ſhall all ſtand before the judgement ſeat of Chriſt; And then and there every one ſhall give an account for himſelfe to God, Rom. 14. 4, 10, 12. Knowing, as it is recorded in the inſpired Scriptures, that If any man build upon this foundation (Jeſus the Chriſt) gold, ſilver, precious ſtones, wood, hay ſtubble; Every mans work ſhall be made manifeſt: for the day ſhall declare it; becauſe it ſhall be revealed by fire: and th… fire ſhall try every mans worke. If any mans worke abide, which hee hath buil… thereon, hee ſhall receive a reward: If any mans work ſhall be burnt, hee ſhall ſuffer loſſe; but himſelfe ſhall be ſaved yet ſo as by fire, 1 Cor. 3. 12, 13, 14, 15.

Secondly, Know that the diſcovery of this truth was (as the viſion that is his for an appointed time) and is become unto us, as the words of a book that is ſealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, ſaying, Read this I pray thee: And h… ſaith, I cannot; for it is ſealed. And th… book is delivered to him that is not learned, ſaying, Read this I pray thee: An… hee ſaith, I am not learned, Eſay 29. 11, 12▪ So that it is not in him that is learned, no… in him that is unlearned, to diſcover the myſtery of iniquity, by which Antichriſ… hath filled the Temple ſo full of ſmoak, that no man can ſee how to enter into it, unti… God enlighten him; which cauſed the Lord Jeſus in the dayes of his fleſh, to break out into an Euchariſtia of praiſe, looking on his Diſciples, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and learned, and haſt revealed them unto babes. Even ſo, O Father, becauſe it ſeemed good in thy ſight, Mat. 11. 25, 26. That the whole glory in diſcovering of truth to any, might be given unto God.

Thirdly, Know (gentle Reader, who art a ſearcher after truth in theſe inquiring times) that the Publiſher wrote this Treatiſe, to diſcover that the difference lieth not ſo much amongſt us in point of Baptiſme; as it is about the Doctrine of the Faith of Jeſus the Chriſt, the Sonne of God; which whoſoever beleeveth and confeſſeth, that Jeſus the Chriſt is the Son of God, it is lawfull to baptize him, Act. 8. 36, 37, 38. And, to which Faith of Jeſus the Chriſt, and Baptiſme, the promiſe of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit is given, Act. 2. 38, 39. And though for publiſhing this myſtery of Faith, which hath been hidden for ſome Ages and Generations that are paſt, hee ſuffer reproach and contempt from the hands and tongues of ſome; yet, if the will of God be ſo, it is better hee ſuffer for well-doing, then for evill. Yet the love that hee beareth to the loyall Covenanters in the Nation, conſtraineth him to doe it, rather then his Country-men ſhould ever remaine in blindneſſe, under the power of Antichriſt.

Thine, who is the unworthieſt of all the ſervants of Chriſt, (who is content it ſhould be ſaid of his good name, that is as a precious oyntment, as Luther ſaid of Moſes his body, Let it die and rot, ſo God may be glorified, and Jeſus the Chriſt exalted in all his royall Offices;) FRAN. CORNWELL.

p. 1A DESCRIPTION Of the Spirituall TEMPLE.

THe Spirituall Temple of the New Teſtament, the New Jeruſalem which came downe from heaven, the Bride prepared for the Lambe, the Lord Jeſus the Chriſt, Revel. 21. 2. may not be unfitly compared to the materiall Temple of Jeruſalem, in the letter, whoſe foundation ſtone was of earth; whoſe materials were hewen ſtones, compacted into one edifice or Tem…le: the furniture thereof was an Altar, a Sacrifice, and a Prieſthood; p. 2who were made after the law of a carnall Commandement, Heb. 7. 16. which was typicall, and was not to continue for ever; but onelyonly to the time of Reformation, and then the glory of it ſhould vaniſh away. In which materiall Temple, none muſt come thither to worſhip, but the circumciſed Jewes and Proſelytes; for the uncircumciſed and unclean were an abomination, and muſt not enter in at the gates thereof; Ezek. 44. 6, 7. And for the defects the people of Iſrael and Judah committed in their worſhip, ſo long as they continued in their integrity, the high Prieſt went once every yeare into the Holy of Holieſt, and that not without bloud, to offer up for himſelfe, and for the errours of the people, Heb. 9. 7. Yea, and great were the priviledges that belonged to the Jewiſh Church: To them (ſaith Paul) pertained the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the ſervice of God, and p. 3the promiſes: Who are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the fleſh, Chriſt came, who is over all, God bleſſed for ever, Amen. Rom. 9▪ 4 5. But Chriſt being come an high Prieſt of good things to come, by a greater and a more perfect Tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to ſay, not made of this building, Heb. 9. 11. reareth up a ſpirituall ſtructure, or houſe.

1. Whoſe Foundation was the living ſtone, who hath life in himſelfe, Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 11. Seeing other foundation no man can lay, ſave that is laid, Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Pet. 2. 4. For there is ſalvation in none other, Acts 4. 12.

2. The ſpirituall Materialls are ſuch as are borne of water and of the Spirit, Joh. 3. 5.

Queſt.Who are they which are born of the Spirit?

Anſw.Such men and women as through a Goſpel Miniſtry are brought to beleeve, and manifeſt by their confeſſion, that Jeſus who was crucified, p. 4dead, and riſen, is the Chriſt, is borne of God, 1 Joh. 5. 1. For no man can ſay (that is, confeſſe) that Jeſus is the Lord, but by the holy Spirit: and being born of water, they are manifeſted to be lively ſtones, that have received life from Jeſus the Chriſt, the living ſtone, 1 Pet. 2. 4. and fit ſpirituall materialls, to be ſet into the ſpirituall houſe, 1 Pet. 2. 5.

Queſt.3. What is the Forme of this ſpirituall houſe?

Anſw.Union: They which gladly received the word were baptized, and were added unto the Church (and ſo were compacted into one ſpirituall houſe, whereof Jeſus the Chriſt is Lord:Heb. 3. 6. But Chriſt as a Sonne over his owne houſe, whoſe houſe are we, if wee hold faſt the confidence, and the rejoycing of the hope firme unto the end:) And theſe continued ſtedfaſtly in the Apoſtles doctrine, and fellowſhip, in breaking of bread, and prayers, &c.Act 2. 41, 42.

The Furniture of this ſpirituall p. 5…ouſe of the new Teſtament, where…f Jeſus the Chriſt is the King, Prieſt …nd Prophet, is a Prieſthood, Sa…rifice, and an Altar; but all ſpiri…all.

1Firſt, The Prieſts, whether they …e Male or Female, they are all …ne in Chriſt, Gal. 3. 28. Yea, every …ember of this ſpirituall houſe are …ade Kings and Prieſts to God the Fa…her,Revel. 1. 6. Yea, and the whole Church united into a body, is a cho…n Generation, a royall Prieſthood, an …oly Nation, a peculiar People; that they …ould ſhew forth the vertues of him that hath called them out of darkneſſe into …is marvellous light: Which in times …aſt were not a …eople, but are now the people of God, 1 Pet. 2. 9, 10.

2Secondly, The Sacrifices that …eſe Prieſts offer, are all ſpiri…uall.

1. Pſal. 141. 3.Ps 141:3The firſt is Prayer, which the …pirit of Chriſt formeth in the heart …f a beleever, whereby hee layeth …pen all his ſpirituall and temporall p. 6wants unto God his Father, in the name and mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, through whom hee hath received a promiſe to bee heard, and to have his requeſt granted; Joh. 16. 23, 24.

2. Secondly, Praiſe is a ſpirituall ſacrifice, offered up unto God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name, Heb. 13. 15. Which is done by praiſing God in Pſalmes, and Hymnes, and ſpirituall Songs, which the Spirit o… Chriſt formeth in us, to ſing, and make melody in our hearts to th… Lord, Epheſ. 5. 19. Col. 3. 16.

Queſt.What is a Pſalme?

Anſw.It is a rehearſall of thoſe ſpecial… mercies and particular experience… that the Lord hath done for a beleever, when his ſoule was brough… into great adverſity; and when the Lord delivered him, the Spirit o… God in the dayes of his mirth bringeth into his mind, and cauſeth him with heart and lips to bleſſe th… p. 7Lord in the Congregation, for his mercies received.

Thus Hannah, that was barren, …he Lord made to keep houſe, and …o be the joyfull mother of a ſonne, …ingeth her ſong of praiſe, 1 Sam. 2. …. My heart rejoyceth in the Lord, my …orne is exalted in the Lord, my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; becauſe … rejoyce in thy ſalvation.

Mary the mother of Jeſus ſingeth her Magnificat; My ſoule doth magnifie the Lord, and my ſpirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour, Luk. 1. 46, 47.

So when the Lord had made good unto old Zacharias what hee had foretold him concerning his ſonne John, Luk. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. being filled with the Spirit, breaketh forth into his Euchariſtia of praiſe, Luk. 1. 68. Bleſſed be the Lord God of Iſrael, for hee hath viſited and redeemed his people.

Yea, and old aged Simeon ſingeth his Nunc dimittis, Lord, let thy ſervant depart in peace; for mine p. 8eyes have ſeene thy ſalvation.

Nay, King David upon his har… warbles out the ſpeciall mercies and favours, and deliverances Go… had done for his ſoule, Pſal. 103 Bleſſe the Lord, O my ſoule, and … within mee bleſſe his holy Name. Bleſ… the Lord, O my ſoule, and forget … all his benefits. Who forgiveth all thi… iniquities: who healeth all thy diſeaſes Who redeemeth thy life from deſtruction: who crowneth thee with lovin… kindneſſes, and tender mercies, &… Nay, the Pſalmiſt exhorteth th… Traveller, the ſicke man, and th… Mariner, to praiſe God for thei… ſpeciall mercies received; Pſal. 107.

Hence (holy Paul ſaith) I will pra… with the ſpirit, and I will pray wit… underſtanding alſo: I will ſing wit… the ſpirit, and I will ſing with under…ſtanding alſo. Elſe, when thou ſhal… bleſſe with the ſpirit, how ſhall he whic… occupieth the roome of the unlearned▪ ſay, Amen, at thy giving of thanks? … Cor. 14. 15, 16. So that to ſing p. 9bleſſe, and give thanks, in the language of holy Scripture, is all one.

Hence, as ſpirituall Prayer is a Sacrifice, Pſal. 141. 2. offered up unto God our Father in the name of Chriſt, to comfort, ſolace, and cure a ſad and grieved ſpirit; ſo ſpirituall praiſe is a Sacrifice, tendered to the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, through Chriſt, Heb. 13. 16. by a merry and rejoycing Spirit, for the ſpeciall mercies and bleſſings ſpirituall, and temporall, that the Lord hath bountifully beſtowed on him. According to that of the Apoſtle Iames, Is any afflicted amongſt yo…, let him pray? Is any merry amongſt you, let him ſing? James 5. 13.

33. Thirdly, Sacrifice, is a bro…en and a contrite heart for his ſins, and his dayly failings he hath committed againſt a crucified Jeſus: when God powreth upon his people the Spirit of grace and ſupplication, Zech. 12. 10. The more the Spirit of Chriſt openeth the eyes p. 10of their ſpirituall underſtanding, to looke up by faith upon a Jeſus, who for their ſinnes was peirced, the more will their hearts bee pierced with godly ſorrow for their ſinnes, which bringeth repentance to ſalvation, never to be repented of, 2 Cor. 7. 10, 11. and to loath themſelves in their owne eyes, for all their ſpirituall and corporall abominations, Ezek. 36.

Hence beleeving David the King, that ſorrowed after a godly manner, for all his iniquities, ſaid, The ſacrifices of God are a troubled ſpirit: A broken and contrite heart for ſinne, o… God, thou wilt not deſpiſe, Pſalm 51. 17.

4. Sacrifice; is a free, ready, and cheerefull contribution to the poor… and needy members of Chriſt Hebr. 13. 16. To doe good and diſtribute forget not, for with ſuch a ſacrifice God is well pleaſed, Phil. 4. 18.

5. Sacrifice; is an holy life, which the Spirit of Chriſt formeth p. 11in us. Rom. 12. 1. I beſeech you brethren upon the mercifulneſſe of God, that yee preſent your bodies a living ſacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reaſonable ſervice. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Yee are bought with a price; glorifie God therefore in body and ſpirits which are Gods.

3Thirdly, The Altar, that ſanctifieth the perſon and the Sacrifice, and maketh them both acceptable unto God, Is Jeſus the Chriſt. 1 Pet. 2. 5. Yee alſo as lively ſtones (that have received life from Jeſus the living ſtone) are built up a ſpirituall houſe, and holy Prieſt-hood to offer up ſpirituall ſacrifices acceptable to God, through Jeſus Chriſt.

To this Spirituall Houſe, or Church of the New Teſtament, gathered according to the royall Commiſſion of King Jeſus, Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. as the Churches in Judea, in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Epheſus, &c. were conſtituted. The Promiſes were made:

p. 121Firſt, that God would bee a Father to all thoſe that did obey his voice, and come out from among the Jewes, Heathens, and Gentiles, and ſeparate from their falſe waies, and ſuperſtitious worſhip, and touch not the uncleane thing, and he will receive you; And yee ſhall be his Sonnes and Daughters, ſaith the Lord, the Almighty, 2 Corinth 6. 17, 18.

2Secondly, for all the defects that theſe commit againſt his Spirituall worſhip, they have this promiſe; The bloud of Ieſus Chriſt, his Sonne, clenſeth them from all their ſinnes, 1 Iohn 1. 7. 1 Iohn 2. 1, 2.

Thirdly, So many as have been b…ptized into the name of the Lord Jeſus; (that is, into the profeſſion of Faith that the Apoſtles taught, to wit, that men ſhould beleeve in a Crucified, dead, and riſen Jeſus, whom God hath exalted to be Lord and Chriſt) had the promiſe of receiving the gifts of the holy Spirit.

p. 13Queſt.How prove you that to this Faith and Baptiſme, the gift of the holy Spirit was granted.

Anſw.Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jeſus, for the remiſſion of ſinnes, and yee ſhall receive the g…fts of the holy Spirit. For the promiſe (of giving the holy Spirit) is to you, and to your children, (asJoel the Prophet foretold;) I will powre out my ſpirit upon all fleſh; and your Sonnes and Daughters ſhall propheſie; and your old men ſhall dreame Dreames; and your young men ſhall ſee V…ſions, and alſo upon the ſervants, and upon the handmaides, in thoſe daies I will powre out my ſpirit, Joel 2. …8, …9. And all that are a farre off, even ſo many as the Lord our God ſhall call,verſe 29. and to the twelve in Aſia …he promiſe was made good, Acts 19. 5, 6, 7. And when this Spirit is come, he will guid thee into all truth; for he ſhall not ſpeake of himſelfe: but whatſoever he ſhall heare, that ſhall …ee ſpeake, and he will ſhew them things to p. 14come, John 16. 13. Yea to be to the whole Church, as a River that ſhall make glad the City of God, Pſal. 46. 4. compared with John 7. 37. If any man thirst, let him come to me and drinke; verſ. 38. Hee that beleeveth on me, as the Scripture hath ſaid, out of his belly ſhall flow rivers of living waters. Verſ. 39. (But this he ſpake of the Spirit, that they that beleeve on him ſhall receive: For the holy Spirit was not yet given, becauſe that Jeſus wa… not yet glorified.) But when Jeſus was by the right hand of his Father exalted, he received of the Father th… promiſe of the holy Spirit; He… hath ſhed forth this, which you now ſe… and heare, Acts 22. 33.

AFourthly, All things that ar… loſt and accurſed to mankinde by the fall of the firſt Adam: are reſtored and ſanctified to the uſe o… the beleevers, in and by the ſecond Adam, Jeſus the Chriſt. All thing… are yours: Whether Paul, or Apollo▪ or Cephas, or the world, or life, or p. 15death, or things preſent, or things to come, all are yours, and yee are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods, 1 Cor 3. 21, 22, 23. Hence the unbeleeving wife is ſanctified to the uſe of the beleever: And ſhee being an unbeleever dwelling with the beleeving huſband is ſanctified, to bring forth an holy Seed to the uſe of the beleever: though the childe be borne in ſinne, and by nature the child of wrath, as the moſt prophaneſt Pagans are, Pſal. 51. 5. Epheſ. 2. 3. Void of underſtanding, not able to diſtinguiſh betwixt good and evill: Yet, Titus 1. 15 Unto the pure, all things are pure: Nay, the meat and drinke and the Creature which God hath created, are ſanctified to his uſe; 1 Tim, 4. 3, 4, 5. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refuſed; If it bee received with thankeſgiving: For it is ſanctified by the Word and Prayer.

Queſt.What Priviledge hath the unbeleeving party, by dwelling and abiding p. 16with the beleever?

Anſw.Great is the Priviledge, if he, or ſhee, will abide; for living under them, where the holy Spirit breatheth, and his lips drop as the honey combe; the ſweet precious treaſure of the Goſpell of grace; What knowſt thou, oh thou beleeving huſband, whether God will not make thee inſtrumentall to ſave thy wife? though an unbeleever: Or what knoweſt thou, oh thou beleeving wife? whether God will not make thee inſtrumentall to ſave thy huſband? 1 Cor. 7. 16. And when hee is converted, hee will bleſſe God for you, (as David did for Abigail, in another caſe) Bleſſed be the Lord for you, and bleſſed be your good counſell, for you have been an inſtrument to convert a ſoule from the errour of his way, and ſave a ſoule from death, and hide a multitude of tranſgreſſions.

Queſt.Is it not a greater Priviledge for an Infant to be borne of a beleever, p. 17then to be borne of a Jew, a Turke, or an Heathen?

Anſw.yea; For the Children borne of beleevers are brought up in holy inſtruction,1▪ Tim. 3. 15.1 Tim 3:15 and education from their childe-hood (as young Timothy was taught in the Scriptures from his youth, by his mother Eunice) ſeeing it is the charge, the holy Spirit hath laid upon beleeving Parents: Epheſ. 6. 4. Fathers provoke not your children to wrath; But bring them up in the nurture and feare of the Lord. Whereas if their Parents were Jewes, and Turkes, and Heathens, the Parents being without Chriſt, being Aliants from the Common-wealth of Iſrael; and ſtrangers from the covenant of Promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world, Epheſ. 2 12. Their children brought up with them, follow after Superſtitious vanities; and ferve dumbe Idolls, as their Teachers, and Fathers led them, … Cor. 12. 1.

p. 18Fiftly, They are people live under precious promiſes: And hee hath promiſed, that the eye of his providence ſhall bee over them, all their dayes for good: He biddeth them not diſtract themſelves with immoderate carking care:Mat. 6. 25.Matt 6:25 For what they ſhall eate, or what they ſhall drinke, or yet for their bodies, what they ſhall put on.

Reaſons Chriſt giveth are two.

Reaſ. 1.Firſt, Your heavenly Father knoweth yee have need of all theſe things.

2Secondly, But ſeeke yee firſt the Kingdome of God, and his righteouſneſſe; and all theſe things ſhall be added unto you, Matth. 6. 33. Now the members of the Church of Chriſt, gathered according to Chriſts Inſtitution, Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. are the Children of the Kingdome; and under the Promiſe, that God, as a Father, will provide for them; Therefore they are exhorted to bee carefull for nothing: But in every thing, by Prayer, and Supplications, p. 19with thankeſgiving, let their requeſt be made knowne unto God, Philip. 4. 6.Hence the Apoſtle exhorteth the Church of …he Hebrewes; Let your converſation bee without covetouſneſſe; and bee content with ſuch things as yee have: For he hath ſaid, I will never faile thee, nor forſake thee: So that we may boldly ſay, the Lord is my helper. And I will not feare what man ſhall doe unto me, Hebr. 13. 5, 6.

Sixtly, They are under the promiſe of Audience, whenſoever they come to petition in the name of his Sonne Jeſus the Chriſt, for what they want, be they few or many: Matth. 18. 19. I ſay to you, that if two of you (beleevers baptized) agree in earth, as touching any thing that they ſhall aske, It ſhall bee done for them of my Father in Heaven. Verſ. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, (that is, by his Power, Authority, and Royall Commiſſion, he hath promiſed his preſence) there am I in the midst of p. 20them; to heare and returne them an anſwer to their requeſt; yea, and to protect and preſerve his Church, gathered in every Age, to the ends of the world. Thus at the Prayer of the Church, that was reproched, for holding forth the Faith of Jeſus; the gift of the holy Spirit was given, to ſpeake the Word of God with boldnes, Acts 4. 31. At the earneſt ſuit and interceſſion the Church made unto God, Peter the Apoſtle was releaſed out of his Impriſonment, and brought to the houſe where they were praying, Acts 12.

7Seventhly, Laſtly, there is no Society hath ſuch Priviledges, as this Spirituall Ho…ſe, which is conſtituted according to the Magna Charta of the Goſpel, Matth. 28. 18, 19, 20. Marc. 16. 15, 16. though while they are in the Wo…ld, they are for the Faith of Jeſus the Chriſt killed all the day long (either in their good names, by r…proch, and …lander; or in their eſtates, by the p. 21…ighty Nimrods of theſe oppreſ…ng daies, they are expoſed to plun…er and ſpoiling, which they are to …ake patiently, Hebr. 10. 32. or in …heir Liberties to be impriſoned, for …ontending for the Faith of Jeſus …he Chriſt, 1 John 5. 1. Once given …nto the Saints, or forbid to preach …ny more in his name, as the Apo…tle Peter was, Acts 4 18. or to have …heir lives taken violently f…om …hem, as James the Apoſtle was by …he Tyrant Herod, Acts 12. 2. 3. And accounted, But as ſheepe for the ſlaughter, (regarded no more by the Wolves in ſheepes clothing, then the bloudy Butcher regardeth the life of his ſheepe;) yet the pooreſt member amongſt them is rich in faith, and heire of the Kingdome which God hath promiſed to them that love him, James 2. 5. Yea, and the whole body of beleevers, walking in that faith and order, Chriſt hath preſcribed, with perſeverance in the faith unto the ende, ſhall be more then conquerours, p. 22through him that loved them, Rom. 8. 36.

Yea, next to the Paradiſe of glorie; there is no Society like to this Spirituall Corporation of Saints, where the Lord will dwell in the middeſt of them, and give them light: Hence was the beloved Apoſtles Utinam, Oh that you had fellowſhip with us, 1 John 1. 3.

Object.Why was it ſuch a Priviledge?

Anſw.Truly, our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt: So that the Father, Sonne, and holy Spirit, and Saints, make up but one Society, or Family, where God will dwell, to comfort and ſolace them: the good Angels their guard, to protect and ſave them (as they did once the Prophet Eliſha from the troop of the Aramites, 2 King. 6. 17.) ſeeing they pitch their tents round about them that feare him, Pſal. 34. 7. And are ſent forth to be miniſtring Spirits, to miniſter unto them that are heires of ſalvation, Heb. 1. 14. p. 23And when they die, they reſigne their ſpirits to God that gave them, as the Proto-Martyr Stephen did, Lord Jeſus receive my ſpirit, Acts 7. 59. to remaine in the manſion prepared for the ſpirits of juſt men departed. So that happy are the people that are in ſuch a caſe; yea, bleſſed are thoſe Churches that have the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt for their God.

Queſt.What is the Antichriſtian faith?

Anſw.It is to deny that Jeſus (whom they confeſſe dyed to take away the ſinnes of the world) is the Chriſt.

Queſt.How prove you that?

Anſw.1 Joh. 2. 22. Who is a liar, (viz. borne of the evill one, who is a liar, and the father of lies, and abode not in the truth, Joh. 8. 44.) but hee that denyeth that Jeſus is the Chriſt? (viz. the eternall King, Prophet, Prieſt of his Church, bought with his owne bloud) hee is Antichriſt (an enemy and an adverſary to Jeſus the Chriſt) that denyeth the Father and p. 24the Sonne. For he that denyeth the Sonnes authority, to be the eternall King and Prophet of the Church of the New Teſtament, to the end of the world, according to the royall Commiſſion hee received from the Father of glory, when hee raiſed him from the dead, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. compared with Mar. 16. 15, 16. aſwell as his eternall Prieſt, that ever liveth to make interceſsion to God for him, Heb. 7. 25. hee denyeth the Father that ſanctified the Sonne, and ſent him into the world, Joh. 10. 36. and raiſed him from the dead, and exalted him to be Lord and Chriſt, Act. 2. 36. Epheſ. 1. 20, 21, 22, 23.

Queſt.What Congregations deny that Jeſus is the Chriſt?

Anſw.Even all ſuch as build their houſe upon the hay and ſtubble of mans inventions, and not upon the precious ſtone, Jeſus the Chriſt, in whom onelyonly ſalvation is found, Act. 4. 12.

Of which ſort of builders are theſe:

p. 25The firſt ſort are thoſe that build their houſe upon the perſon of Peter, and ſo ſucceſſively upon the P…pe. Theſe the Spirit of God diſcovereth to be fooliſh builders▪ becauſe there is no ſalvation in Peter, nor Pope: the Apoſtle Peter himſelfe being the Judge to decide the controverſie, Acts 4. 11. Peter ſpeaking of Jeſus the Chriſt, ſaith, This is the ſtone which was ſet at nought of you builders▪ which is become the head of the corner. Ver. 12. Neither is there ſalvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given amongſt men, whereby wee muſt be ſaved.

The ſecond ſort are thoſe that build their houſe upon the Office of Peter, and ſo ſucceſſively on the Officers: So that if the Officers united into a body in Councell erre, the whole Church that receiveth their faith, from their Edicts and Decrees, erre alſo. Now, that Councells may erre, and have erred, in things appertaining to God, p. 26appeareth in the 21. Article of the Church of England, by Law eſtabliſhed; as appeareth. Adoration of Images was eſtabliſhed in the ſecond Generall Councell of Nice. The Popiſh Clergy were advanced above all earthly Princes, by the Councell of Lateran. And Prieſts prohibited to marry, which is honourable amongſt all men, Heb. 13. 4. by the ſaid Councell. The late Trident Councell erred in many things groſly; as in exalting the traditions of men to be of equall authority with the word of God; Trident. Seſſ. 4. Decret. Together with the invocation of creatu…es. Or any other Councell, that ſhould decree, that grace cometh by generation; or, Beleevers ſhould beget beleevers: or, Chriſtians beget Chriſtians: then the whole Church that build their faith upon ſuch corrupt Councells may erre alſo.

The third ſort are all thoſe that build their houſe upon another mans p. 27faith, and not baſing or laying the foundation aright, on the Goſpel faith; to wit, to beleeve in a crucified, dead, and riſen Jeſus, whom God hath exalted to be the Chriſt: If they erre in the object of their faith, Jeſus the Chriſt, though they owne him to be Jeſus their eternall Prieſt, to make interceſſion to God for them; yet if they deny him their eternall King and Prophet, in all his outward inſtitutions, in admitting of members into his ſpirituall Kingdome, they build but on a ſandy foundation, and not on the ſure rock Jeſus the Chriſt.

Theſe Congregations, when the ſtorme of Gods ind…gnation bloweth upon them, it will faile them▪ becauſe they were ſo fooliſh as to build upon the ſand, Mat. 7. 26. and not upon the immoveable rock Jeſus the Chriſt; ſeeing other foundations no man can lay, ſave that is laid, Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 11. Paul calleth him, The corner ſtone, Epheſ. 2. 20. p. 28Peter, The living ſtone, 1 Pet. 2. 4. Yea, The chiefe corner ſtone, elect and precious: hee that beleeveth on him ſhall not be confounded, 1 Pet. 2 6. VntoUnto you that beleeve (in Jeſus the Chriſt, hee i… precious, 1 Pet. 2. 7.

Now, the true Spouſe of Chriſt can have no communion with ſuch as deny Jeſus the Chriſt their onelyonly Rock, in whom ſalvation onelyonly i… found, Act. 4. 12.

Firſt, Becauſe ſhee is a loyal… Spouſe, that hath no head, no huſband, no Lord, no Law-giver, in things appe…taining to the conſcience, but royall King Jeſus: no… will admit any other pretende… Spouſe to have fellowſhip with h…r▪ that is partly governed by the wor… of Chriſt, and pa…tly with the chaff… and ſtraw of their owne traditions, in Gods ſpirituall worſhip, or in admitting of m…mbers into his ſpirituall houſe: Knowing, that in ſo doing ſhee ſhould be found to be a Monſter, that hath two heads; o… p. 29elſe like to that proud harlot R…me, that hath a divided heart, that goeth a whoring after two husb…nds; Chriſt, and Antichriſt.

Secondly, This loyall Spouſe her love toward her husband the Lord Jeſus the Chriſt, is tender and compaſſionate love; ſhee cannot endure to heare her husband ſhould bee ſpoyled of any of his royall dignities, either his Kingly or Propheticall, as well as Prieſtly Offices: Shee cannot with harlot Rome bee content with a divided Chriſt; but with the true mother ſhee muſt joyn onelyonly with them that will have a whole Chriſt, or no Chriſt. Chriſt her King, and his Commiſſion to bee eternall, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. Chriſt her Prophet, whoſe voyce ſhee muſt onelyonly heare; as the Father of glory hath given her in charge to doe, Mat. 17. 5. Yea, and the extent how farre, in all things, whatſoever hee ſhall ſay; Act. 3. 22. Knowing, the danger followeth, p. 30her ſoule ſhall be cut off from his people, Act. 3. 23. reckoned no ſheep of his fold, Joh. 10. no Spouſe of her royall husband, Epheſ. 5. 24. as well as her eternall Prieſt, to make interceſſion for her, Heb 7. 25. becauſe ſhee knoweth, Chriſt divided, becometh no Chriſt to the divider: And this, according to the Vulgar Latine, is ſolvere Jeſum, to diſſolve Jeſus, to receive him onelyonly in part, and not in the whole; which is the ſpirit of Antichriſt, &c.

Laſtly, The Chriſtian Church, Chriſts loyall Spouſe, knoweth that her royall husband is jealous of his glory, and will not endure his Worſhip ſhould be corrupted with the inventions of man; therefore ſhee deſerteth the communion of all ſuch as have forſaken Chriſt, the fountaine of living waters, and dig to themſelves ciſternes, broken ciſternes, that will hold no water. Hence it is as poſſible for light and darkneſſe to agree in one ſubject, and the p. 31Temple of God, and I…ols: as the Church that hath Chriſt for her head, and the Word to bee the rule of her Doctrine, and Government. And thoſe Congregations that are governed, partly by the Word of Chriſt, and partly by their owne T. aditions, ſhould have communion together.

Queſt.But have Gods Elect in Babylon any power of themſelves to returne out of the Land of their ſpirituall Captivity under Antichriſt.

Anſw.Nay: Untill God enlighten them, that are darke; and quicken them that are dead, and cauſe them to returne, by being obedient to a Goſpel Miniſtery: as formerly he brought in our fore-fathers, which were Gentiles aſwell as wee, and ſtrangers from the common-wealth of Iſrael, and Aliants from the covenant of Promiſe, having no hope, and without God in the world, by opening their blind eyes: and turning them from darkeneſſe to light; and p. 32from the power of Satan, unto God; that they might receive the remiſsion of their ſinnes, and an inheritance amongſt them which are ſanctified by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, Acts 26. 18. Now as many as ſhall bee obedient to the voice of the Lord, will be unequally yoaked no more with unbeleevers, but wil become obedient unto the voice of the holy Spirit, and come out from amongſt them, and be ſeparate; and touch no more any of the uncleane thing; and then the Lord will make good his promiſe: To be a Father unto you, and yee ſhall be his Sonnes and Daughters. Having therefore theſe Promiſes (dearely beloved) Let us clenſe our ſelves (even ſo many poore Iaphets, as God ſhall perſwade to dwell in the Tents of Shem;) from all filthyneſſe, both of the fleſh, and of the ſpirit, perfecting holyneſſe in the feare of the Lord, 2 Cor. 6. 14, 17, 18. Chap. 7,Object. 1.

If all Churches come out of Babylon p. 33by degrees; then you condemn all Churches that are not of your judgement?

Anſw. 1.We condemne no Churches that are built upon the tryed ſtone: the precious Corner Stone; the ſure Foundation, Eſay 28. 16. Jeſus the Chriſt. Seeing other foundation can no man lay, ſave that is layd Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 3. 11. Whom Paul calleth the corner ſtone, Epheſ. 2. 20. Peter, the living ſtone, 1 Pet. 2. 4. Yea, the chiefe corner ſtone, elect and precious, 1 Pet. 2. 6. For there is ſalvation in none other, Acts 4. 12.

2 And that holdeth the Goſpell Faith: namely, that they beleeve in a crucified, dead, and riſen Jeſus (through whom they obtaine remiſſion of ſinnes) whom God hath exalted to be Lord, and Chriſt, viz. eternall King▪ Prieſt▪ and Prophet, and head of the body of his Church, Ephe. 1. 22, 23. which muſt be preached among all Nations; beginning at Jeruſalem, Luke 24. 46, 47, 48. And p. 34conſtituted according to the Commiſſion given to the Apoſtles, Math. 28. 19, 20. which is left as a rule for the g…thering of all Churches, to the ends of the World; ſeeing the Word of Chriſt is eternall. The word of the Lord endureth for ever; and this is the Word, which by the Goſpell is preache… unto you, 1 Pet. 1. 25. Yea, and after their apoſtaſie, under the ſpirituall Babyloniſh captivity, to reforme any errour crept into the Churches of the old and new Teſtament: It was their holy cuſtome, to reduce all things to their firſt Inſtitution: Quod primum verum, th…t which was firſt is true, according to ertullians j…dgement. For inſtance, ſo … David in the miſcarriage of the Arke of God, 1 Chro. 15. 2. 12. 13. And it was zealous Ioſiahs rule (whom the Spirit of God ſo comme…deth in Scripture, that none was like before him for his Reformation) 2 Chr… 34 31. The like example tooke Nehemiah after p. 35his returne from the Babyloniſh Captivity, Neh. 10. 29. To obſerve all the Commandements of the Lord, and the Statutes which Moſes the ſervant of the Lord gave them to keepe. So in reforming of the particular Churches of the New Teſtament, whereof Jeſus the Chriſt is head, King, and Prophet (if ever they be rightly brought out of their Spirituall Babyloniſh captivity under Antichriſt) we muſt reforme all the Innovations, as the Lord Jeſus himſelfe reformed the long-ſpread errour of Bygamie and Polygamy. Non fuit ſic ab initio, From the beginning it was not ſo, Matth. 19. 7, 8. Yea, and we muſt ſo follow Paul (as he followed Chriſt, 1 Cor. 11. 1.) in reforming the abuſes crept into the Church of Corinth, reducing all things to the firſt Inſtitution: With a what I r…ceived from the Lord, that I delivered unto you, 1 Cor. 11. 23.

2We condemne none that are comming out of Babylon, that make enquiry p. 36after truth (as the daughters of Ieruſalem did of the Spouſe, Cant. 5. 9. What is thy beloved more then another beloved; oh thou faireſt among women? What is thy beloved more then others beloveds, that thou doſt ſo charge us? And tru…h being r…vealed to them, joyne with us in the practiſe of truth, (as the Daughters of Ieruſalem did with the Spouſe, Cant. 6. 1. Whither is thy beloved gone, oh thou faireſt among women? Whither is thy beloved turned aſide that we may ſeeke him with thee?) The Spouſe giveth them a gentle, and a loving direction, Cant. 6. 2. My beloved is gone into his garden, to gather Spic…s: to feed in the garden, and to gather Lillies.

3But wee onelyonly condem…e thoſe that deny Jeſus the Chriſt (though they owne him their eternall Prieſt, that ever liveth, to make interceſsion to God for them Hebr. 7. 25.) yet they deny him their King and P…ophet in all his outward adminiſtrations, in admitting of members into his p. 37Spirituall Kingdome; ſtabliſhed …ccording to Chriſts eternall Commiſſion, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. and are …uil… upon wood, hay, and ſtubble, 1 Cor. 3. 12. Now though theſe pre…end to come out of Babylon, yet they perſecute, ſcof…e▪ and deride all poore weake enq…i…ing ſoules, for ſeeking after the pure wayes of that ſpirituall Worſhip, that Jeſus the Chriſt hath appointed, and eſtabliſhed in all the Churches of the Saints, gathe…ed according to the P…imitive▪ pattern Act. 2. 41 42, 43. as the watchman …id the Spouſe, Cant. 5. 7.

4Wee condemne onelyonly thoſe that ſinne through a wilfull contempt; becauſe the ev…ll of their halfe-way Reformation is diſcovered by them, whom God hath raiſed up to declare his truth in an evill day. Now, when theſe ſorts of men ſhall bee ſo farre from repenting of all the evill that they have done to the ſervants of the Lord Jeſus, in this kind, that they ſtill perſevere in perſecuting p. 38them for the truth they deliver, (as the Jewes did of old the Lord Jeſus, and their own Prophets, as it is written, 1 Theſ. 2. 14. For yee, brethren, became followers of the Churches of God, which in Judea are in Chriſt Jeſus; for yee have alſo ſuffered like things of your owne countrymen, even as they of the Jewes: Verſe 15. Who both killed the Lord Jeſus, and their owne Prophets, and have perſecuted us, and they pleaſe not God, and are contrary to all men; Ver. 16. Forbidding us to preach to the Gentiles, that they may be ſaved, that they may fill up the meaſure of their owne iniquity, that the wrath of God may come upon them unto the uttermoſt.) Upon theſe ſorts of men, not we, but the Lord Jeſus hath ſet this dreadfull doome, This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkneſſe rather then light, becauſe their deeds are evill. For every one that doth evill, hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, leaſt his deeds ſhould bee diſ…overed, p. 39John 3. 19, 20.

5Not wee, but the good Spirit of …ur God condemneth all thoſe that …inger after falſe and Antichriſtian wayes: When Babylons down-fall …s pronounced, R…vel. 14. 8. Babylon …s fallen, it is fall…n, that great City; becauſe ſhee made all nations drunk with …he wine of her fornications. V 9. Af…er that followed a third Angel, that cryed with a loud voyce ſaying, if any man (be hee high or low, rich or poore, noble or ignoble, bond or free, male or female) worſhip the Beaſt (that Antichriſt of Rome, that exalteth himſelfe above all that is called God, or worſhipped) or his Image, (that is, his Government, that receive their power and ju…iſdiction from, in, or under him) or his mark, (viz. his Canons, Conſtitutions, Edicts▪ or Decrees) into their hands, (viz. to fight, or write in the defence of them) or into their foreheads, (to plead or preach for them) mark their doome, The ſame (not p. 40that doe it ignorantly through un…belie…e, that are miſlead by thei… Teachers; but they which ſinn againſt knowledge, obſtinately to defend their Antichriſtian practices… ſhall drink of the wine of the wrath o… God, which is poured out without mix…ture into the cup of his indignation, an… they ſhall be tormented with fire an… brimſtone in the preſence of the hol… Angels, and in the preſence of the Lamb… And the ſmoke of their torment aſcendeth up for ever and ever: and they hav… no reſt day nor night, who worſhip th… Beaſt and his image, and receive th… mark of his name, Revel. 14. 10, 11… The good Lord of his great mercy grant to all thoſe that belong to his election (that linger after falſe and Antichriſtian wayes and practices) repenting hearts, to forſake their ſinnes, that none of that evill threatned fall upon them. Amongſt which marks of the Beaſt, Is not the decree of Pope Innocentius the third? Decret. Gregor. lib. 3. p. 41…it. 42. cap 3. as Doctor Willet in his Synopſis Papiſmi de baptiſmo infanti…m, citeth: That whereas Circum…iſion (by the commandement of God) was conferred upon the in…ants as well as the elder ſort; ſo Baptiſme alſo, which ſucceedeth in …he roome thereof, and is more generall to men and women, muſt …e conferred to both. By which Decree, the Nations in name and title have been chriſtianized, (though …n the power they have denyed it) and have killed many a precious Saint, under the brand of Hereticks, for oppoſing it: whereby, the inhabitants of the earth have beene made drunk with the wine of her fornication, Revel. 17. 2.

But the Spirit of God deſcribeth the true Church, after Babylons down-fall, Revel. 14. 12. Here is the patience of Saints: here are they which keep the commandements of God, and the faith of Jeſus. And is it not a commandement of God, that all p. 42Churches ſhould be gathered according to the Commiſſion of King Jeſus? Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. Mar. 16… 15, 16.

6Wee onelyonly condemne thoſe Churches (that perſecute Chriſt in his members, from city to city, (as Saul did, Act. 26. 9, 10.) fo… keeping the commandements o… God, and the faith of Jeſus, Mat… 16. 16. 1 Joh. 5. 1.) as no true Churches of Chriſt; but rather Synagogues of Satan: for, no hurtful thing ſhall be in the holy mountaine… Eſay 65. 25. The wolfe and the lam… ſhal… fold together; and the lion ſhall eat ſtraw like an oxe; and the duſt ſhall the ſerpent eat: They ſhall not deſtroy in all my holy mountaine, ſaith the Lord… As likewiſe, Eſay 11. 6, 7, 8, 9.

7If the Churches that men now contend for (coming out of Babylon by degrees) ſhould crucifie Chriſt in his members, for contending for the faith of Jeſus the Chriſt, once given to the Saints, Mat. …6. p. 4316, 17, 18. yea, reproach, whip, crop, and perſecute them, for holding the Commiſſion of their royall Maſter Jeſus the Chriſt, Mat. 28. 18, 19, 20. that Antichriſt by his Decretals, and Popiſh Councels, hath defaced, (as of late the Arch-Prelate of England did ſome Worthies, that ſtood for a Reformation according to the light God diſcovered unto them) then they in ſuch an eſtate were no true Churches of Chriſt; but Congregations that are hardened, and ſpeake evill of the way before the multitude, and are to be ſeparated from, Act. 19. 9.

But if they be meek, and gentle, peaceable, and willing to bee inſtructed, inquiring after truth, it being diſcovered by the true Spouſe (whom God hath enlightened to direct them,) wee contemne not thoſe daughters; but rejoyce in their fellowſhip, tender them as lambes of Chriſt, that have a longing p. 44deſire to be added to that ſheepfold, whereof▪ Jeſus is the true ſhepherd; though as yet ignorant of the way of truth in many things▪ But as for the neutrall party, tha… are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarme, God will ſpue them out o… his mouth, Revel. 3. 15, 16.

Queſt.Whether the Church of Chriſ… is not now to be recovered out o… an Antichriſtian eſtate, that denyeth that Jeſus is the Chriſt, 1 Joh… 2, 22. and crucifieth Chriſt in hi… members; as the Church of the New Teſtament in the Apoſtolicall times, was gathered out of th… Nationall Church of the Jewes (that was of old once a true ſtate untill they crucified Jeſus the Chriſt in his humane nature; whom God raiſed from the dead, and exalted him to be Lord and Chriſt, Act. 2. 36.) i… God ſhall by his Goſpel-Miniſtery wound and prick their hearts for their ſinne of crucifying Chriſt in his members, that confeſſe the faith p. 45…f Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Joh. 5. 1. (as …ee did once the Jewes that crucifi…d the Chriſt, their Meſſias, in his …wne perſon, Acts 2. 37.) ſo that …ey trembling cry out, Men and …ethren, what ſhall we doe?

Anſw.Muſt not the Reply bee that …oyce that the holy Spirit ſpake by …e mouth of Peter, Repent, and be …aptized every one … you in the name of Jeſus for the remiſsion of ſinnes: …nd yee ſhall receive the gift of the ho… Spirit. For the promiſe is to you, and … your children, and to them that are …farre off, even ſo many as the Lord … God ſhall call. And with many other words hee ſaid, (and muſt not …ee doe ſo likewiſe? ſeeing what…oever things …ere written afore-time, were written for our learning, Rom. 15. ….) Save your ſelves from this unto…ard generation. Seeing the ſame wrath is fallen on them (as was on …he Jewes, for killing the Lord Jeſus …nd their owne Prophets, 1 Theſ. 2. 14, 15, 16.) ſeeing they crucifie p. 46Chriſt in his members, that contend for the faith of Jeſus the Chriſ… (as Paul did, Act. 9.) Now ſo many as ſhall gladly receive this word and be baptized, ſhall be ſaved from wrath; as Noah and his family were ſaved in the Ark, from periſhing by water; ſeeing it is written, by th… like figure Baptiſme ſaveth, 1 Pet. 3… 20, 21.

Reaſ. 1.The Reaſon is, firſt, Becauſe th… time of our ignorance God hath winke… at; but now (ſeeing light is come and truth is revealed) the Lord Jeſus commandeth us every where to re…pent, &c. Acts 2. 38. Elſe our con…demnation will be heavie, Joh. 3▪ 19, 20. This is t…e condemnation, ligh… is come, and men love darkneſſe mor… then light, becauſe their deeds are evill, &c.

2Secondly, Becauſe we have with Paul and the Jaylor, in the time o… our ignorance, beaten and perſe…cuted Jeſus the Chriſt in his mem…bers, that contend for the faith p. 471 Joh. 5. 1. and wee though within our ſelves we ought to doe ſomething contrary to the name of Jeſus of Nazareth (as Paul did in the time of his ignorance, Act. 26. 9.) If God ſhall by his good Spirit convince us of the evills that wee have done, ſo as that we trembling cry, Men and brethren, what ſhall we doe? Muſt not the reply be, Repent? &c. Act. 2. 38. Elſe, ſhall they not be diſobedient to the voyce of the Spirit that ſpeaketh? ſeeing Paul and the Jaylor aroſe and were baptized, Acts 9. 18. & 16. 33.

Reaſ. 3.Thirdly, Becauſe there is no promiſes of ſalvation to be found in the Antichriſtian ſtates, that deny Jeſus the Chriſt, 1 Joh. 2. 22. The Reaſons are,

1Firſt, Becauſe all the promiſe of God are made over to them onelyonly that beleeve in Jeſus the Chriſt, 2 Cor▪ 1. 20. Hee that beleeveth in the Sonne of God hath life, and he that beleeveth not in the Sonne of God, hath not life; p. 48but the wrath of God abideth on him,John 3. 36.

2Secondly, Till we did beleeve in Jeſus Chriſt, we were (in reſpect of any viſible calling) without Chriſt;being Aliants from the Common-wealth of Iſrael, and ſtrangers from the Covenant of Promiſe; having no hope, and without God in the world. But once beleevers in Chriſt, Yee who were ſometime afarre off, are made nigh by his bloud, and through him have acceſſe by one Spirit unto the Father. And are no more ſtrangers and forraigners: but fellow-citizens with the Saints, and of Gods houſhold, &c. Epheſ. 2. 12, 13. 18, 19, 20, 21, 22.

3Thirdly, Becauſe they in denying the Sonnes authority to bee the King and Prophet of his Church in all his outward adminiſtrations, in admitting members into his ſpirituall kingdome, Math. 28. 19. 20. though they own him their Prieſt, that ever liveth to make reconciliation to God for them, Hebr. 7. 25. They p. 49deny the Father, that ſanctified the Sonne, and ſent him into the world, and raiſed him from the dead, and exalted him to be the Lord and Chriſt, Act. 2. 36. Epheſ. 1. 20, 21, 22.

4Fourthly, Becauſe the Antichriſtian ſtate deny the Sonne, 1 Iohn 2. 22, 23. Whom the Father of glory commandeth us to heare, Math. 17. 5. Yea, and the Apoſtle Peterciting the Teſtimony of Moſes, ſaith,Truely Moſes ſaid to the Fathers, The Lord your God will raiſe up a Prophet from the midst of your bretheren, like unto me; him ſhall yee heare in all things whatſoever he ſhall ſay: and the danger followeth. It ſhall come to paſſe, that every ſoule which refuſeth to heare the voice of that Prophet, that ſoule ſhall be cut off from his people, Acts 3, 22, 23.