Gods Loud Call from Heaven, Arguments
Here followeth some Sound Arguments, To PROVE and CONFIRM the Truth of Bearing A Publick Testimony FOR GOD; As it is Contained in this BOOK.
Penned by a FRIEND of Approved Integrity and Faithfulness for GOD, for no other Reason than to make an Hedge, that the Wolf Break not in and Devour the Sheep, and cause them to Flee into the FORREST.
Argument. 1.
IF Christ hath given full Power to his Church, as such, to Preach the Gospel Publickly, Administer Ordinances, and Officiating in other Matters relating to their Meetings in the Worship of God; Then for to Neglect or Decline, at the Command of Men, is to Regard Man more than Christ:
But Christ hath given full Power to his Church, as such, to Preach the Gospel Publickly, Administer Ordinances, and Officiate in all Matters relating to their Meetings, in the Worship of God;
Ergo.
Argument. 2.
If God spared not the Angels, when they would be as the Most High, or Intrench upon things which concerned His Soveraignty only; Then He will not spare Rulers that do so, nor His People that Consent thereunto.
But God spared not the Angels, when they would be as the Most High, or meddle with things which concerned His Sovereignty only;
Ergo.
Argument. 3.
If it be an Evil, to see a Thief Steal and be Silent, then it's a Evil to see Christ Controuled or Robbed of His Soveraignty and be silent.
But it is an Evil to see a Thief Steal, and be silent;
Ergo.
Argument. 4.
Where Rulers, have no Power to Command or Controul, there it's no Transgression to Disobey:
But in Spiritual Matters, over mens Consciences, Rulers have no Power to Command or Controul;
Ergo.
Argument. 5.
If the Church and Servants of Christ in these dayes, are bound to Follow the Example of Christ, and his Church in the Primitive Time, and they Met Publickly as a Church, against the Laws of the Rulers; Then the Church and Servants of Christ now, are bound to Meet together Publickly as a Church, against the Laws of Rulers:
But the Church and Servants of Christ in these days are bound to Follow the Example of Christ, and his Church in the Primitive Times, and they Met as a Church Publickly, against the Laws of Rulers;
Ergo.
Argument. 6.
If Christ hath set His Church as a Light to the World, and an Ensign on a Hill; Then they must Appear as a Church Publickly before the World, and not keep under a Bushel, or run into Corners:
But Christ hath set his Church as a Light to the World, and an Ensign on a Hill;
Ergo.
Argument. 7.
If God hath Owned and Honoured his People, in their Meeting often together, and in Bearing a Publick Testimony for Him, in an evil day, and He is the same for Ever; Then His People ought to be Encouraged to Continue and Promote Meetings, and to Bear a Publick Testimony for God in an Evil day:
But God hath Owned and Honoured His People in their Meetings often together, and Bearing a Publick Testimony for Him, in an Evil day, and He is the same for Ever;
Ergo.
Argument. 8.
If the Scripture Commends Meeting together as a Vertue, and Reproves the Neglect thereof as a Vice, and that in an Evil day; Then Meeting together ought to be Continued and Pursued:
But the Scripture Commends Meeting together as a Virtue, and Reproves the Neglect thereof as a Vice;
Ergo.
Argument. 9.
If we should Urge that for a Reason to Neglect Meeting together, which the Spirit of God Urgeth as a Reason to Frequent Meeting, and the People of God have found help therein; Then we should Pervert Scripture:
But to Urge an Evil day as a Reason to Neglect Meeting together, is to Urge that for a Reason, which the holy Ghost Urgeth as a Reason to Frequent Meeting, and the People of God have found Help therein;
Ergo.
Argument. 10.
If the Prudent Prophets and Apostles could not but Speak the Things they had Learned of God, to the hazard of their Lives in an Evil day; Then the Prudent must not keep silent in Religious Matters in an Evil day:
But the Prudent Prophets and Apostles, could not but Speak the Things they had Learned of God, though to the hazard of their Lives in an Evil day;
Ergo.
Argument. 11.
If it be the Warfare of the Saints, to contend earnestly for the Faith and Soveraignty of Christ, and Freedom of His People, in Religious Matters, against all that Oppose them Publickly; Then they cannot be as Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves, in seeing them Trampled upon, and be silent:
But it is the Warfare of Saints to Contend for the Faith and Sovereignty of Christ and Freedom of His People in Religious Matters, against all that Oppose the same Publickly;
Ergo.
Argument. 12.
If it be the Character of a Righteous Man to be Bold in the Pursuit of a good Cause; Then they that Flee, and give place to the Devil are not Righteous:
But it is the Character of a Righteous Man to be Bold in the Pursuit of a good Cause;
Ergo.
Argument. 13.
That which Papists, or Episcopal Men and other sorts of Professors Contend for as their Principle, when the Powers are against them, as of right to be Allowed; and yet to be against it, when the Powers are on their side, renders them Inconsistent in Principles, or Hypocrites in Profession:
But Liberty to Meet together to Worship God, according to their Understanding and Conscience, is that, that the Papists, or Episcopal Men, and other Professors have Contended for, when the Powers have been against them, as of Right to be allowed;
Ergo.
Argument. 14.
To do to all Men, as we would have Men do to us, is the Law of the Gospel:
But he that would have the Liberty of his Religion when he is Undermost, and will not grant it to others when he is Uppermost, doth not do to others as he would be done unto;
Ergo.
To him that knowes to do well, and doth it not, to him it is sin.
If you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them; And that you may do them, is the Desire of
D. R.
THE END.
End of the text · Edward Delamaine, Gods Loud Call from Heaven (1661)