A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4, Part 1 · Subpart 8

A Practical and Polemical Commentary Upon 2 Timothy 3-4 · Part 1 · Subpart 8

p. 152VERSE 8. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so did these also resist the Truth, men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the Faith.

THe Apostle proceeds in describing the false Prophets of the last times, that we may the better know them, he tells us they are such.

1. As oppose the truth, and the Preachers of it. As Iannes and Iambres (the worlds wise men) withstood Moses, so did these also resist the truth. They do not onelyonly catch at silly women, but they strike at the Shepherd, that so the flock may be scattered. They oppose Moses and Aaron the messengers of God whom he sent to publish his truth to his people. Yea they resist the very truth it self, which is worse then to resist the persons that bring it. The Series of the Speech seemed to require that the Apostle should have said, as Iannes and Iambres resisted Moses, Amara sunt vitiosis ac malè viventibus praecepta justitiae. Lactant. foreign repugno, adversor.so do these resist VsUs: but he alters his stile, and sayes more Emphatically, they resist the Truth; implying, that the opposition is not so much against the Preachers, as against the truth they preach, and by consequence, against God who is the first Truth; and at whose command they publish it. Exod. 16.8. Neither is it a frigid, infirm resistance, but a violent, vehement opposition springing from malice and rancour, which makes them resist the truth.

1. With their Lyes, Tyranny, and cruell Persecution.

2. By Flatteries, false Miracles, and Sophistry, they cunningly undermine the Truth. Thus Iannes and Iambres do the same things by slight and art, which Moses did in Reality: another man would have much adoe to distinguish between the Serpents of Moses, and those of the Magicians, they were so like. Exod. 7.11.

Quest. Some may demand who this Jannes and Jambres were, and how the Apostles came by their Names.

Answ. They were two of the chief Magicians and Egyptian Sorcerers, who by the appointment of Pharaoh, opposed Moses and Aaron in the Miracles which they wrought, that they might obscure the glory of God, and delude the people; they working Miracles seemingly, by sorcery, and the help of the Devill; which Moses did really by the power and finger of God.

2. As for their Names, they are not to be found in the Old Testament, nor in the story to which the Apostle alludes. Exod. 7.11. Neither is it probable, that the Apostle came to the knowledge of them by Extraordinary Revelation (as some imagine) since the bare knowledge of the Names of these Magicians is of so little consequence, and not necessary to salvation.

3. They might be taken out of some ancient record of the Jewes then extant, as divers other things mentioned in the New Testament were, e. g. Moses his education in Egyptian Learning, and his age of 40. yeares, when he went to visit his Brethren. Acts 7.22. these are not recorded in the Old Testament, but are found in Midrash Rabbi Berischith. See Mr. Perkins Reformed Cathol. Point. Vol. 1.1. p. 580. and D. Slatyr. on 2 Thes. 2.15.2 Thess 2:15So Iude 14. maketh mention of a prophesy of Enoch which yet is not extant in the Old Testament. So Heb. 11.21. & 12.21. p. 153So that here is no ground for those Numberless number of old, mouldy, foolish, superstitious, Popish, unwritten Traditions, and that not onelyonly in matters of Rite and History, but of Faith and Manners also,Historicas Traditiones cum fidei articulis in Scriptura revelat…s minimè pugnantes non rejicimus, est v…ro haec …raditio Historica non dogmatica. Gerherd; cui suffragatur Doctis. Wallae…s Loci com. p. 150. which tend to the perplexing, but not to the quieting of the soul.

2. They are men of corrupt minds and judgements; their understandings are so perverted and blinded with corrupt and sinful affections, that they can neither apprehend nor judge rightly of any thing according to the truth;foreign, mente, perditi, à foreign, corrumpo, destru…, stupi…. their minds go a whoring after lying vanities, and then no wonder if they forsake their own mercies. The Understanding is the Eye and guide of the Soul, its the noblest part of Man, if it be corrupted, the Mans undone. Psal. 14.3.

3. See what followes, concerning the faith reprobate. This is the fruit of a corrupt mind, they cannot receive, nor perceive the truth,Mentis perfectio est Veritatis cognitio, unde corruptus mente dicit…r qui deficit à cognitione fidei. Aquinas. they have lost all sound judgement in things pertaining to the faith, they oppose the light which shines into their minds, and with violence rush into sinne as the horse into the battle. This brings Gods sore judgement on them, so that he rejects and forsakes them, and gives them up to a reprobate mind: (Ier. 6.30. Rom. 1.28) insomuch, as they that would not receive the truth, for the truths sake in love, but unthankfully reject it,foreign sunt qui usu & consuetudine vitiorum quasi habitum contraxerunt, ut aliter agere non possint. Weinrich. See D. Goodwins Aggravation of sins against Knowledge. now shall not receive it, and as 'tis their sin, that their understanding is corrupt, and they will not see; So now it shall be their punishment that they shall not approve of the faith, and thus they reject it still actively, and are actually reprobate to every good work, [Titus 1.16.] not knowing how to goe about any thing that is good. Such corrupt Teachers we must shun and reject, least we be corrupted by them; so much the word implies,foreign, rejectanei (i.) falsae & adulterinae doctrinae Doctores, q…ius oporteat ab omnibus rejici. Beza. saith Beza, yet must we not cast off rashly all those as absolute Reprobates; for 'tis one thing to be Reprobate concerning the faith pro tempore, at present; and another thing to be a Reprobate. Manasses, Paul and those, 1 Corinthians, 6.11. were lewd enough for the time, yet at last were called. These that are now foreign, reproveable and unapproved (as the word signifies, 2 Cor. 13.7. Heb. 6.8. 1 Corinthians 9.27.) yet in Gods due time they may be foreign, accepted and approved. This must teach us to keep our judgements pure, and our understandings clear, for 'tis our guide, and if that mislead us, we must needs fall into the ditch. Corruption in judgement (in some respects) is worse then corruption in manners,V. D. Hamond, Reasonableness of Religion, p. 86. especially, when the mind hath been enlightned with the knowledge of the truth; for this is the root of those corrupt manners that are amongst us.No practical sinne is so sinful as some errors in judgement, no men so accursed with indelible infamy, and dedolent impenitency, as the Authors of heresi…. So that 'tis clear, that a sin against the Rule of faith, may (caeteris paribus) be far more sinful and damnable then the sinne which is against the rule of life. In the time of the Law, the Leprosie in the head, was of all other Leprosies the most dangerous and destructive; the man that had it in his hand or feet, was unclean; but if it were in his head then he was to be pronounced utterly unclean, Lev. 13.44. Hence the scripture gives so many caveats against errors, and erroneous ones Deut, 13.3. Philip. 3.2. Colos. 2.8. 2 Pet. 3.17.foreign, attendite, cum attentione, cavete ▪ Matthew 7.13. Beware of false Prophets; the word implies a diligent study and singular care, lest we be caught by such subtle adversaries. Keep your judgements pure, then the pure Word of God will p. 154delight you, Micah 2.7. you will delight to come to the truth, that your deeds may be discovered, Iohn 3.21. Part not with a good conscience, and a good conversation, lest you make ship-wrack of the faith,An erroneous Hereticall head, and an upright pious heart are in compatible; a good conscience and true faith like Hippocrates twins, live and die together. M. Cranford, Ser. ag. Haeres. p. 15. and a gap be opened in your breasts to all sinne and errour, that the Lord knowes where you will rest, it may be not till you come to the highth of sin and depth of misery. Count therefore a corrupt judgement a sore plague; and if God have given thee a sound judgement able to discern the truth,A mans Opinion makes him sinfull, as well as his Practice; and a man may be damned for a corrupt opinion, as well as for a corrupt Conversation. Sedgewicke. and a mind ready to receive it, and approve of it when 'tis propounded, this is not a common mercy, but calls for speciall Thankfulness, Psal. 16.7. Proverbs 28.5.

1. Observe, There have been false Teachers in all Ages to oppose the Truth and the Professors of it. As Iannes and Iambres here oppose Moses a meek, a learned, a faithfull servant in all Gods House; So there were four hundred and fifty fals Prophets against one zealous Elijah; four hundred, against good Michaiah, 1 Kings 18.18. and 22.6.14 Hananiah against Ieremy, Amaziah against Amos [7.10.] false brethren against Paul, Hymeneus, Philetus, and Alexander, oppose him, 1 Tim. 1.20. The Church shall never want enemies to war withall, whilest the seed of the Serpent abides in the world. As Pharaoh had his Magitians, who hardned him in his sin, and deluded him to his destruction: so the World will ever have its false Prophets to blinde and harden them in sin to their ruine. Thus in the Primitive times there was a Simon Magus, Scribes, Pharisees, Sadduces, Essens,Vide Godwins Jewish Antiqu. l. 1. c. 12.13. & Helvici Chronol. ab Anno 60. &c. fol. p. 87.89. Optimum solati… genus est si oculos referant fideles ad vetusta Ecclesiae certamina. Herodians, Nicolaitans, Elymas, Ebion, Cerinthus, the Gnosticks, and many others. 2 Peter 2.1. Thus when Luther began to reform, thirty severall Sects arose to hinder the worke. We should not therefore be despondent or discouraged, as if some strange thing had happened to us, but comforted rather in that we are made conformable to Christ, the Prophets and Apostles, Matthew 5.11. Luke 6.22.23. This was, is, and will be the condition of the Church Militant, from her youth up she must looke to be plowed and persecuted by malicious men, Psalm 129.2, 3. Besides, 'tis the condition of Truth in this World to meet with opposition, we can no sooner publish it, but it's enemies appear, Galathians, 4.16. Truth brings hatred, men cannot endure to have Vngues in Vlcerre, they are unsound and would not be touched, Truth is a Light which discovers the intents of mens hearts, Hebrewes 4.12. and layes open the evill of mens wayes, and this makes the wicked not simply to oppose, but to rise in open rebellion against the Truth (Iob 24.13.) which reproves their deeds,See Mr. Caryll on that Text. and exposeth them to the view of themselves and others. Hence they have alwayes been esteemed the Pests and troublers of a Land that publish Truth, as we may see throughout the Acts of the Apostles; where we finde some disputing against the Truth, Acts 6.9. others blaspheming, Acts 13.45. some secretly undermining it, and seeking to draw men from embracing it, (Acts 13.8.) others openly rayling against it, Acts 17.18, 19. and 24.5. Some have opposed it out of ignorance and blind devotion, as Paul before his conversion, 1 Timothy 1.13. and some of the Jewes, Acts 3.17. and 13.50. Others deliberately against conviction, and out of malice have resisted the Truth, as Alexander, 2 Timothy 4.15. these are given up to a reprobate sense, the Devil having blinded their eyes, 2 Corinthians 4.4. Some oppose it for their gain, and for their bellies, Rom. 16.17, 18. 1 Tim. 6.5. 2 Pet. 2.3.15, 16. Others from fleshly lusts. 2 Peter 2.18. and 3.3. Others out of pride, loving the preheminence, 3. p. 155Iohn 9.10 1 Timothy 6.3, 4. yet should not we distaste the Truth, because of those oppositions which are made against it, for however some prophanely scorn at the name of Truth, and say with Pilate, what is Truth? Iohn 18.38.

Yet wisedome is justified of her children, and they that are of the Truth, hear his voyce who came into the world to beare witnesse of the Truth. They come with love and teachable hearts to it, and so are made to know the Truth, Iohn 8.52. Let not the great host of Truths enemies make us despair, but know there are more with us, then are with them,Tanto plus gl… riae referemus, qu…niam tò plures sup…rabimus. 2 Chronicles 32.7, 8. and the more they are that oppose the Truth, the more illustrious will our conquest be. If I must have an adversary, let it be a wicked one, and then be he never so potent, he cannot stand long, because God is against him, Iob 27.7. Truth may be opprest,Nisi Haereticis exercitaremur atque cogeremur, ad inspiciendos & exercend…s thesauros nostros, ignavi sterteremus, & marcesseremus anim…, Luther. but never conquered, [Praemi potest, opprimi non potest] yea oppositions advance and clear it. Veritas impugnata magis elucet, Bern.

2. Observe, That as the Devill hath his Iannes and Iambres to oppose the Truth, so God hath his Moses and Aaron to uphold it. As the Devill hath his Domestick Chaplains, so God hath his armed Champions; and as the Devill raiseth up oppressors, so God sends Saviours, Obadiah, 21. If he raise hornes to gore the Church; God will raise Carpenters to saw off those hornes,See Dr. Wilkins…n …ast. Ser. preacht 1644. Oct. 25. Zachary 1.19, 20, 21. The same day that Pelagius was born in Brittain, the same day was Saint Augustine born in Africa, that did confute him. God hath an Athanasius to oppose Arrius, Chrysostome against the Manichees, Basil against Macedomus, Prosper against the Massilians, Salvian against the Libertines, Fulgentius against Faustus, Christ against the Pharisees, Simon Peter against Simon Magus, Paul against false Apostles, Luther, Calvin, Beza, &c. against the Pope; and in these dayes of liberty, God hath something to witness against Heresie.O…do seculi ta…quam pulcherrimum carmen constat ex quibusdam quasi Antithetis, antithe…a ve…o sunt ornamenta elocutionis. Aug. de Civit. Dei, l. 11. c. 18. As 'tis in the greater world all good and useful things have their contrary evils, there are Herbs and Weeds; Tares and Wheat, useful and hurtful creaturs: so 'tis in the Church, there are false Prophets and true, &c. Thus the Lord in his Wisedom hath so ordered it, that there shall be not onelyonly Schismes, but Heresies, to exercise the Gifts and Graces of his people, and to discover the rottenness and filthyness of graceless ones, that they who will not believe the Truth, may be given up to the efficacy of errour. This is some comfort, and may help to uphold our spirits in this day of Iacobs trouble.

3. Observe, A corrupt head, and a corrupt heart usually go together;N…c ferè accidere solet ut antè circa fidem naufraget aliquis, quam naufragere caeperit circa mores. Bellarm. no sooner are mens minds corrupted, but presently it follows, they are Reprobate concerning the faith; and if once men make shipwrack of faith, they will soone part with a good Conscience too, 1 Tim. 1.19. Corrupt Principles breed corrupt Practises; and corrupt practises teach men to invent corrupt Principles.See Mr. Strongs 31. Serm. on Iude 4. p. 195. &c.Jude 1:4 When men grow lawless and profane, then they turn Antinomians, Those which are for all kinde of Tenents are commonly for all kinde of Practises; a latitude of judgement, hath a latitude of conversation D. Horton.and deny the Law; if Mortalists, then they deny the resurrection; if Libertines, then they cry down the power of the Magistracy, and cry up one Universal Toleration. Hence when Christ had spoken of false Prophets, he presently adds, and iniquity shall abound, M…tthew 24. When people go a whoring from God, then follows corporall whoredom, Hos. 4.12, 13. We see this experimentally p. 156true in our days. How many before they were Sectaries, were civilly just, pious, and (in the judgement of charity) were thought to be sincere Christians; yet now are turned Anabaptists, Socinians, Libertines, Proud, Censorious, Idle, Atheisticall, Unclean. These lusts lay unmortified in their bosomes, and now they rejoyce that they have a time of Liberty to vent them, so that a corrupt life attends on corrupt Principles, both as a Punishment, and a just judgement of God upon men for resisting the truth; and in the nature of the thing, for as a foul moist head, causeth distillations of corrupt matter upon the lungs; so loose Principles dispose men to a loose conversation, the doctrine of Godlinesse reproving their Ungodlinesse makes them cast it off, as you may see in the Epistles of Peter and Iude; who describing false Teachers and their false Doctrines, presently adde their wicked lives, their filthinesse, covetousnesse, licentiousnesse, turning the Grace of God into wantonnesse. Be sure then to keep your heads pure from errour, if ever you would have your hearts and hands pure from sin.

4. Observe, That false Teachers are very dangerous persons, they are not such meek, innocent, harmlesse persons as some imagine. The Apostle here tells us that they are impudent, fraudulent, resisters of the truth, men of corrupt Heads, Hearts, and Hands; and what could he say more unlesse he should call them Devills? and so he doth verse 3. in the last dayes men, especially seducing men (for all these 19. sins are appliable also to the false Teachers of the last times, as appeares by the context verse 5, 6.) shall be slanderers, or in plain English Devils; and he here compares them to Iannes and Iambres two Egyptian Sorcerers, who were Limbs of the Devill; and verse 13. in expresse Terms he calls them Sorcerers, evill men and Seducers,See more in Mr. Gournall on Ephes. 6.12. p. 268. &c. Haec vitia Haereticos comitari solent, morum dissimulatio, ficta retractatio, pertinacia, disciplinae foreign. Danaeus. V, Sleidan, Bullinger, Spanhein. Diatrib. de Anabap. and Hookers Pref. to his Eccles. Policy.Eph 6:12 the words in the Originall are evill men and Sorcerers. [foreign, incantatores, praestigiatores.] besides, their Heresies are called damnable, and their ways pernicious. 2 Pet. 2.1. and themselves are likened to Balaam the witch. 2 Pet. 2.15. 'Tis true at first they make a shew of extraordinary Sanctity and Self-deniall (the better to deceive the simple) and thereupon they rayle on all the Churches of Christ amongst us, as being mixt with wicked men; yet after a little time these painted Sepulchers appeare in their proper colours, and the vilenenesse of their lives and doctrine is made known to all. The Anabaptists in Germany at their first arising pretended extraordinary Sanctity, but in a short time their Villanies, Murders, Polygamies, blasphemies, Heresies, Adulteries, &c. appeared to the world. These are worse then the Sword or Plague; men are afraid and fly from those, but they are naturally prone to embrace these.

2. Those hurt but the body, these destroy the soule.

3. God is glorified in his judgements, but he is exceedingly dishonoured by seducers.

4. By the sword and persecution the Church increaseth, but by subtle Hereticks the Church diminisheth. Hence Luther calls Hereticks. Peccatorum poenam & summam Dei indignationem. Luther in Hos. 9. The greatest Plague, and a sign of Gods indignation against a people. And the Scripture calls them devouring Wolves, who come to kill and drink the blood of souls. Iohn 10.8, 9, 10. Matth. 7.15. such as make their disciples two-fold more the children of the Devil, then themselves. Mat. 23.15. Such as subvert whole houses.See Mr. Cranfords Ser. against Heresies. p. 2. &c. and Mr. Sherlock against the Quakers. cap. 7. in fine libri. Titus. 1.11. whose word doth eat as a Gangrene, (2 Tim. 2. which suddenly over-runs the Parts, takes the Brain, and if not quickly cured by p. 157cutting off the part infected, kills the Patient. Heresie is of a spreading Nature (if it be not speedily and carefully supprest) it runs from one man to another, from one City to another, and from one Kingdome to another. Error begets error, such fall from evil to worse, Verse 13. Hence false doctrine is compared to a Leaven (Mark 8.15.) which secretly and suddenly diffuseth it selfe through the whole lump till all be leavened.See Mr. Iohn Clerks Sermon preach't 1646. Adams Ser. on Gal. 5.9. p. 69…. folio. See Mr. Obad. Sedgwich Ser. on that Text. See Mr. Vines Serm. on that Text.Gal 5:9 Sometimes seducers are compared to an overflowing flood, which carries down all before it, Revelations 12.15. and anon to Cheaters that beguile silly souls, with their flesh-pleasing doctrine, they catch freshly people, Ephesians 4.14. and to dogs, Philippians 3.2. beware of dogs (i.) beware of false Prophets, who are like unto dogs. Go not unarmed, get a sword or a staffe to defend your selves against them. If there were ten thousand mad dogs in the Land, you would keep within doores, or go armed and use all means to destroy them. Now they resemble dogs in 14. particulars.

1. A dog is a base contemptible creature; hence the Scripture calls vile persons dogs, 1 Samuel 17.43. 1 Kings 8.13. Matthew 15.26. So such as go about to draw men from the Truth are vile men, however they may have high conceits of themselves, yet God esteems no more of them then we do of a dog: and though he may throw them some off all and bones to picke (as he doth to the blasphemous Turk, that great Dog of a great part of the World) yet his soul abhors both them and their services, Isay 66.3.

2. 'Tis an unclean creature, and might not be offered in sacrifice, Deut. 23.18. So these being themselves unclean, all they do is unclean, Titus 1. ult.

3. 'Tis a libidinous,Palam coit cum matre & sororibus, canis masculi infinita cubilia. Franz…us. impudent creature. Hence unclean persons are called dogs, Deut. 23.8. Revelations 22.15. without are dogs, who are those? Whoremasters are set in the front; this made Abner say to Ishbosheth, am I a dogs-head? (i.) shamelesly libidinous, that I should commit whoredom with my Fathers Concubines? 2 Samuel 3.8. yet such unclean, ignorant and impudennt Cynicks we have, who though they want Arguments, yet want not impudence, but have brows of brass, and whores fore-heads to vend their wares.

4. 'Tis an angry, snarling creature, so long as you let him alone, peradventure he may be quiet, but touch him, stirre him, awaken him, he barks, he bites and rageth so furiously, that (as Plutarch observes) in some Countries they run blind with very fierceness. So erroneous persons so long as you let them alone in their errors, they may be quiet; but let Magistrates or Ministers once oppose or restrain them, and they bark against them presently, and are ready to fly in the face of a Reprover and teare him in pieces, Matthew 7.6.

5. They make foul havock of the flock, when once let loose. So long as God chains up the Churches enemies they seem meeke and milde, but if once God let them loose, no mad dog makes such havocke of the flocke, as these doe of the Church of God. Witnesse Bohemia, Germany, France, Ireland, Savoy; and Hereticks, especially Papists, have the same nature still, 'tis Gods mercy to chain and muzzel them, else they would be as outragious now as ever. This made David call his malicious, cruel enemies, dogs, Psalm 22.16.20.

6. 'Tis an industrious Creature, it will run over much ground in a short space to get a prey. So seducers are mighty industrious, they compass Sea and Land to make a Proselite, Matthew 23.15. they are Ubiquitaries, now in the North, anon in the South; now in the East, and p. 158anon in the West. They move every stone, and leave no means unassayed to destroy souls. As the Devil is a Peripatetick, Iob 1.7. 1 Peter 5.8. So are his Agents, the Jesuits, Anabaptists, Quakers, &c.

7. 'Tis a fawning Creature: so seducers, that they may the better deceive the simple, come in a fawning, flattering way, pretending much Humility and Love, Rom. 16.18. When barking and biting will do no good, then they try what fawning will do. But of all dogs, beware of the flattering dog: the barking, biting dog is not so dangerous, men will take heed of such, but 'tis the crouching Cur that under pretence of extraordinary love, undoes men.

8. It returns and licks up it's Vomit, Proverbs 26.11. 2 Peter 2.22. How many in our dayes have we seen that after their publicke Recantations (or rather dissimulations) have returned with the dog to his Vomit, and have been as vile as ever.

9. It's a greedy Creature, hence the Proverb, As greedy as a dog. So false Prophets are exceeding covetous and cruel, Isay. 56.10.11. they are all for gain, Phil. 3.18, 19. Titus 1.11. Caution. Yet let none under this pretence accuse the faithfull Ministers of Christ of covetousness and cruelty for demanding their Tythes, & those dues which by the Law of God and man are due to them. Let us but once demand our dues, yea, less then our dues, yet how many cry out against us as greedy dogs and hirelings, that preach only for mony, when the salvation of souls is our Ultimate end, the receiving of mony is onelyonly in subordination to that, to the end we may be fitted for your service. Now 'tis one thing to preach for money, and another thing to receive money for preaching. The Souldier and Artificer receive pay for their pains,See more in my Sal. Terrae cap. 9. yet (I hope) they do not make that their principal end and ayme. Never were the Ministers of England so rayled upon for covetousnesse, pride, idleness; and yet there were never more laborious, merciful, pious, publick spirited Ministers in England (I think I may speake it without flattery) since 'twas a Nation: These must answer for their hard speeches, Iude 15. Object. There are some covetous idle proud Ministers. Answer, We grant it, and ever will be so do what men can, but will you condemne all for some?A pa…iculari ad Vniversale non valet argumentum. shall we say all the Apostles were Traitours and Covetous because Iudas was so? or that all Souldiers are drunke, because some are so? every Childe can see the folly of such Logick.

10. Dogs oft times run mad, and then they fly upon their own Masters. So when men have the vertigo and run madding after errors, they fly upon Christ, Magistrates, Ministers, every thing.

11. Dogs are apt to quarrel and fight for bones. 'Tis animal pugnacissimum, a snarling creature, so the dogs of the world are apt to quarrel for the bones of the world; let a little trespass be done them, they will to law presently. They are Reshagnaim, the troublers of the Families and Towns they dwell in.

12. Many dogs live idle, sleepy lives; other creatures labour, as the Horse, the Oxe, the Bee. So many seducers cast off their callings, and give themselves to an idle wandring up and down like vagabonds.

13. Dogs feed on off-all, garbage, carion, and such things as would poyson a man.foreign dicuntur illa quae exi…estinis boum, ovium, a…t pejorum canibus projiciuntur, foreign, quod canibus objiciantur, à Lapide. So Hereticks rest upon their own merits, righteousness and works for salvation; all which the Apostle calls filth, dung, dogsmeat in comparison of Christ and his righteousness, Phil. 3.8.

p. 15914. Dogs are fierce against strangers, and such as are not of their family. So Impostors bark at those who do not separate themselves from the true Church of Christ, are not Rebaptized, nor of their way and judgement. Iude. 10, Thus we see what dangerous Dog-dayes we live in, and how carefull every one should be to stand upon his watch.

2. As Hereticks are called Dogs for filthinesse, and other evill qualities which have have been named, so they are called Foxes for subtilty and hurtfulnesse. Cant. 2.15. Take us the Foxes, the little Fones that spoyle the Vines. The land was never so full of Foxes (i. e.) of subtle seducing Hereticks, as 'tis at this day. We should all (in our places) arise to the hunting of them. We read of some Hunters in Scripture, as Nimrod, Esau, &c. but never a good one. But the hunting of this Metaphoricall Fox is a pious Hunting, and none but good and prudent men, can rightly pursue this game.

1. Magistrates must not bear the sword in vain, they must be a terrour to evill doers, and so are those. Phil. 3.2.

2. Ministers must arise against them, we are the Lords Huntsmen, and by our industry and spirituall wisdome, we must labour to uncase the Fox, and get him out of his holds and distinctions, what in us lyes, we must labour to deliver the Church from her subtle and secret enemies, not sparing the little Foxes, but killing the very cubs, which seek by their wiles to destroy the Vine when 'tis tender, labouring to pervert young beginners by errours, wine, women, and other licentious courses.

Object. But they are little Foxes, and not so dangerous as old ones.

Answ. Yet kill the little Foxes (saith the Text) kill the old ones, yea and suppress the cubs too, because of that destructive nature that is in them, though for the present they do but little hurt. Babylon must not onelyonly be destroyed, but her brats also. Psal. 137. ult. Arrius was at first but a spark, yet by connivence we see what a great flame he came to. Now subtle seducers resemble Frxes in 10. particulars.

1. The Fox is a very subtle creature, so the Churches enemies are subtle Foxes. Exod. 1.10. 2 Sam. 15.4. Nehem. 6.2. to 10. if Tobiah and Sanballat cannot hinder the work by threatning and force,Si leo…ina pellis non s…fficit, vulpina est assuenda. then they put on the Fox skin, and try what promises will do. They are Wolves, but in Sheeps cloathing, the better to deceive. Matth. 7.15. Dragons, but with Lambs horns. Revel▪ 13.11. Vipers, which hide their teeth in their gummes. Matth. 3.8. They are like their father the Devill who is an old Fox,Autor Haeresium Diabolus ita lubritus & mille modis Proteus est, ut non possit certo const…ingi aut capi. Vna rima obstructa, decem alias invenit quibus elabitur; et seu ventus conclusus omnia quarit, penetrat omnia ut possit …l…bi. Contra hu…s pracipuè pugnatur, quando cum Haereticis res est. Itaque disputando nihil prosicitur, eisi disputandum est & disputationibus ministri Satanae sunt convintendi propter reliquam Ecclesiam. Luther. having his Methods and Depths, as he hath mille nocendi artes, a thousand devices to do mischief withall, so are these as full of all subtlety, as the Devill can make them. Acts 13.10.

2. 'Tis a wild creature, and so are these wild, unteachable, untractable men. Nomine tenus Christiani, re bellua.

3. Its a ravenous creature, night and day he's ravening for his prey,Non solum faciunt mala, sed & defendunt. Hicron. Etsi vox caprissat tamen per rimulas vulpem videamu…. he goes from fold to fold, making foul spoyle whereever he comes. So these are active to do mischief, they run from Parish to Parish, making foul havock amongst the flock of Christ, doing evill with both hands earnestly. Micah 7.3.

4. The Foxes skin and out-side is better then his flesh. So these Hypocrites have a form and out-side and that's all, within they are full of guile and rapine.

p. 1605. Foxes love to live in Deserts and Wildernesses, where none may disturb them. Lam. 5.18. So these delight in ignorant places, where there is no light to discover them, nor preachers to disturb them, 'tis the dark places of the earth, that are habitations for such. Psal. 74.20.

6. The Fox is all for it selfe, it flayes, but never feeds the flock. So these feed themselves, but destroy the flock. Ezek. 13.4, 5.

7. 'Tis a stinking creature [ore & ano foetet] so these have rotten stinking hearts, words and works, and when they are dead, their memoriall stinks and rots. Prov. 10.7.

8. It never goeth in a strait path, but turns and winds in and out. So these go not in the strait path of Gods commands, but in the crooked paths of sin and errour. Psal. 125.5. Prov. 2.15. Philip. 2.15. like Thieves they keep not the ordinary road, but now they are in the way, and anon they crosse it.

9. When caught in a snare they look pitifully, they seem to he gentle whilst in a chain, but let them loose and they are Foxes still, and none play such Rekes, as the tame Fox that hath broke loose, and is turned wild again. So these when in prison, or in distresse, they'l submit, recant, do any thing; but no sooner are they at liberty, but they play the Fox again worse then ever.

10. It's an hard thing to catch a Fox, especially an old one. Birds are caught with chaffe, wild beastes in grinnes, (at annosa vulpes haud capitur laqueo.) but an old subtle Fox is not so easily caught; if you pursue him, he hath many holes and dens to hide himselfe in. Matth. 8.19. if you lay for him at one hole, he hath another to creep out at. So these when convinced of their error, yet will not be convinced, but have their holds and distinctions, and evasions to creep out at. Now lay all these together, Seducers are Sorcerers, Thieves, Wolves, Cheaters, Dogs, Foxes; and the point is clear, That seducing Hereticks are very dangerous, and may help to take off that plea which many Sectaries make for themselves. viz. That those of their way are Holy, temperate, Religious men.

Answ. So have many Hereticks been seemingly, but pull off the sheep-skin, and you shall find a Wolfe under it. Thus Arrius, Pelagius, Laelius, and Faustus Socinus, with Arminius, were Satans messengers transformed into the Ministers of Christ.Mente sagax, vitâ sanctus, calamoque celebris Arminius. V. vitam Armin. Bellarmine was such a perfect Pharisee (that if you believe the Jesuite who writ his life) he could hardly find any sin to confesse, when he was dying. Non vult Diabolus deformis & ater esse in suis ministris sed mundus & candidus, & ut talis appareat, ornat omnia verba & opera sua praetextu veritatis & nominis Dei, juxta protri…um illud. In nomine Domini, &c. Luther. The Devill never deceives more dangerously, then when he appeares like an Angell of light. 2 Cor. 11.14. nor is he ever more a Devill then when he seems a Saint, even those that came to apprehend our Saviour, pretended holinesse, and feined themselves to be just men. Luke 20.20. The Donatists seemed pure in their own eyes, yet held desperate Doctrines. The Anabaptists in Germany pretended they were Saints, yet at last proved to be fire-brands. The glosse of Profession without sincerity will soon fade, as we see in the Scribes and Pharises, and in the Monks, Nuns, Hermites, and many Sectaries of our time. 'Tis a sign men are unsound when they Trumpet out their own abilities, Sanctity, Sufferings, Strictnesse, that they may get the more followers. Rom. 16.18. the Apostle there gives us two marks of false Prophets.

1. They give out that they are the servants of Christ, but saith the Apostle,…a mihi fallere, da justum sanctùmque videri. Horat. they serve not Christ, but seek themselves.

2. They have fine words and fair speeches, to deceive the simple; out of their mouth comes nothing but Gentlenesse, Meeknesse, Love, Liberty, p. 161Free-Grace, that one would think that God and goodnesse were even confined to their lips. This Sanctus Satanas, this white Devill hath deluded many.Nullus Haereticus venit sub titulo erroris & Satanae, nec Diabolus ipse v…nit ut Diabolus, praeser…im candidus ille; imò ater Diabolus ad manifesta scelera impellens operculum facit homini ut peccalum extenuet. Luther. Many follow such as Asoloms followers did him, in the simplicity of their hearts. But if you will walk wisely and safely, you must live by Rule, not by Example. To the Law and to the Testimony. Isay 8.20. The Bereans judged of Pauls doctrine by comparing it with the Scripture, and not by Pauls life. Acts 17.11. Let mens lives be never so seemingly pious and Angelicall, if they bring not purity of doctrine with it, count them accursed. Gal. 1.8, 9. yet how many are carried away with the bare names of men, chusing rather to erre with them, then to speak truth with others.'Tis common that the same of the Founder of a Sect makes men drink in his opinions, first in one thing, then in another, at last in all; especially if he be a man of parts▪ and famous. Capell. Whereas we should not pinne our Faith on another mans sleeve, because we know not whither he may carry it. The best men are yet but men still, and have too often their failings, and observable imperfections. They know but in part, they believe but in part, and they are sanctified but in part, and therefore the best may erre and be deceived. 1 Cor. 13.9. Peter an eminent zealous Apostle yet was not in all things imitable, nor did he walk up to the truth of the Gospel, but by his example (which seemed a Law to others) he compelled the Gentiles to be circumcised Gal. 2.11.13, 14. and Christ called him Satan. Matth. 16.23. Origen, Tertullian, Austin, Apollinaris, all learned men, yet had their naevos and failings: Let us therefore take heed how we have mens Persons,S…. Mr. Tombs his Ser. on 1 Cor. 3.21. G…la…pies Miscelan. cap. 12, 13. D. Boltons Arraignment of errours. 163. &c.1 Cor 3:21 Parts, or Performances, in too great admiration. Love them we may, but not Idolize them, prize them for their gifts and graces, but prize the truth above them all, though they be never so great or good. 'Tis great folly to promise our selves more from the creature, then ever we shall find in them.

5. Observe, That false Prophets may be known, Hence the Lord gives us here so many Characters and Notes of them. And since the land swarms with such, I shall give you twenty marks, by which you may know them, and the better shun them.

1. The first Note of false Prophets is this, They are such as run before they are sent,V. D. Arrowsmith Tactica S. lib, 2. cap. 2. S. 3. See my Pulpit-Guard. Edit. 4. p. 11. Arg. 2. they intrude themselves into the work, and come without sending for. Ier. 14, 15. and 23.21. this makes their preaching fruitlesse. verse 32. I sent them not, therefore they shall not profit this people at all; let people follow them never so much, they shall never profit by them. These creep into the Church by the Devills window, they come not in by Gods door. Iohn 10.1. Iude 4. Good men are modest,Skilfull Musicians are hardly induced to play, but unskilfull Fidlers will scrape without entreating. Ex sartoribus doctores facti; ut delicatè & molliter viverent. Calvin. contra Liberi. cap. 4. they are sensible of the weight of the work, and therefore must be thrust forth. Matth. 9. ult. So Moses, Ieremy, Isay, &c. false Prophets are self-called. Rev. 2.20. when men are Idle, and grow weary of their callings, then they turn Speakers, and as the Monks of old got their livings by singing, so do these by Prating.

2. They come in sheeps-cloathing,Iactant se sincerissimos, fidelissimos, cum sunt omnium mendacissimi. Luther. they pretend extraordinary Humility, Innocency, Simplicity, Matthew 7.15. their words are smoother then oyle, they breathe p. 162out nothing but Free-Grace, Gospel, Heaven and Happinesse; like their father the Devill, they hide their hornes and cloven feeth with the sheep-skin.They pretend to walk so spiritually, as if they had no bodies, and yet act so carnally as if they had no souls, they talk as if they had cloven Tongues, yet walk as if they had cloven Feet. Mr. Wild in his Assize Serm. on Rom. 1.32.Rom 1:32 The sheep trembles at the sight of a Wolfe, but if the Wolfe get a sheep-skin on his back, 'tis the sooner deceived. Therefore 'tis made a Note of false Teachers, that with fair words they deceive the simple, Rom. 16.18. 2 Pet. 2.3. foreign,Cum vitium virtus putatur, ibi culpa sine metu cumulatur. Greg. they plaster over foul matters with fair words, like the Harlot. Prov. 7.21. The worst complexions are deepliest painted,Dum verba molliunt, virus infundunt, Greg. the grossest Heresies have the fairest pretences, that grand Impostor the Devill,Mr. Firmin hath spoken very well to this Point, in his Treatise against the Quakers. p, 12. to 20. when he intends most mischief, appears like an Angell of light. These study to please men, and therefore they are no servants of Christ. Gal. 1.10. all their fine speeches are but like Poyson given in honey, which destroyes more swiftly. They set a glosse upon their false Tenets as Tradesmen do upon their bad stuffes to make them sell the better. They can cite Scripture to draw you from Scripture, and tempt you to be irreligious, by religious Arguments misapplyed. This is the Devillls great Master-piece which he hath now upon the wheele, he carries his deadliest poyson in a golden cup. Revelations 17.4.

3. They wrest and abuse the Scriptures for their own Ends. They do violence to the Law. Zeph. 3.4 they wrest and wring it, they adde, they detract,foreign, à …ndo. Torquent, contorquent, detorquent, atque retorquent. they change the sense, they set it on the tenters to fit it to their fansies, they turn it this way and that way as may best serve their purposes; they set it on the Rack, and so make it speak what it never thought. They compell the Scriptures to go two miles, which of themse…ves would go but one. They deal with them as Chymists do with naturall bodies, which they torture to get that out of them, which God and nature never put into them. 2 Pet. 3.16. This is the ground of all that Popery, Arrianisme, Socinianisme, and Anabaptisme, that is so rife amongst us.Non aliunde natae sunt Haereses nisi dum Scripturae bonae non bene intelliguntur, etiam temerè & audacter asseritur. August. Tract. 18. in Job. Now as 'tis a Note of a true Prophet, soundly and savingly to expound the Scripture, and give the sense thereof from Scripture. Neh. 8.8. Matth. 4.7. So its an an infalble note of a false Prophet to torture them.Non est haec libertas credendi sed errandi; non conscientiae, sed Phantasiae; non libertas sed Libertinismus.

4. They cry up carnal liberty and licentiousness. 2 Pet. 2.19. Jude 4. Naturally we cannot endure sound doctrine, because it cuts and curbs our corruptions, therefore these false Teachers mix the wine of the word, with the water of their own inventions, the better to allay it, and abate its strength and efficacy. Isay 1.22, Rat-catchers use to mingle poyson and bread together, that they may catch the sooner. Such Libertines are sent to prove thee, not to guide thee. Deut. 13.3. This liberty or rather licentiousnesse of conscience is the great Diana of these times, but the way is too broad to be good. Matth. 7.13.

5. They seek their own Glory, and not Gods. They cry up Nature, and decry Grace, they cry up a Light within them (which is no better then darknesse) and cry down Gods word without them. Simon Magus sets up himself instead of God. Act. 8.9, 10. they drive at Self in all their actings. Rom. 16.18. 2 Pet. 2.3, 14. Impostours are alwayes great Self-seekers. These are contrary to Gods faithfull Ministers, who alwayes debase nature p. 163and exalt grace, they are content to decrease, so Gods honour may increase. Iohn 7, 18. and 3.30.

6. They cry down the faithfull Ministers of Christ who spoyle their Markets,Cum ipsam veritatem criminari & obsc…rare non possunt, homines per quos praedicatur abducunt in odium, de quibus & fingere quicquid in mentem venerit, possant. Aug. epist. 137. and hinder the spreading of their errours. These stirre up the Magistrate against them, as the false Prophets stirred up the Princes against Ieremy, and Amos 7.10. the false Apostles cry down Paul that they may set up themselves. 2 Cor. 10.10. The Wolves (in the Fable) would make a League with the sheep, provided they would put away their dogs. They that would seduce children, first make them out of love with their Guardians; when the Devill would seduce Eve, he goes about to perswade her that God was too strict and austere, in keeping them from the tree of knowledge of good and evill.

7. They have new-coyned words, and high-flowen Terms, as bright clouds, dark clouds, beamings of glorious lights, they speak great swelling words of Vanity. 2 Pet. 2.18. oft Allegorizing and uttering much learned Non-sense. They use ambiguous termes and dark phrases,See the Letters sent to Nayler, Naylers Examination Noctem peccatis, & fraudibus objice nubem. Horat. Solaecismus in verbis transit in solaecismos in doctrina, barbarismus sepè abit in Haeresin. Doctor Slatyr. Peregrinâ & insolenti utuntur linguâ, quâ sic cornicantur, ut nihilo plus perspicuitatis insit, quam in aviam cantu. Calvin adversus Libe…tinos. cap. 7. that they may bring disciples to their lodgings, and cover their plots the better, Errour shunnes the light. Misty and cloudy expressions serve only to shadow an ignorant mind or an ill meaning. I find Calvin spending a whole Chapter in complaining of the Gypsian canting and mysticall language of the Sectaries of his time, by which we may see that the same spirit breaths in our Sectaries, as did in those Libertines an hundred yeares agoe. I find it so pertinent to this purpose, that I have translated it for the benefit of all.