Arrows Against Babylon, Text 1 – Title page 2
Arrowes againſt Babylon. OR Certaine Quaeries ſerving to a cleere Diſcovery of the Mystery of Iniquity.
1 Quae: WHether Iſraells going into Aegypt their bondage there, and their deliverance, were not all typicall, to ſet forth the ſtate of the Church and people of God under the New Teſtament?
And whether this hath not been by the tongues and pens of all parties of the godly in England, who have publickly contended for Reformation in Religion, of late yeares generally confeſſed, and aſſerted?
2. Whether the Church of Rome, and principally the head of that body, her Eccleſiaſticall powers, the Pope, with his Cardinalls, Arch-Biſhops, Biſhops, &c. be not that Myſticall Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots; deſcribed in Rev: 17. who is ſaid to be the Whore ſitting upon many waters, commiting fornication with the Kings of the Earth, &c. Having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations &c. drunken with the blood of Saints and Martyrs of Jeſus? And whether thoſe Characters with others there layd downe by the bleſſed Spirit of God for our information,That the church of Rome is no true Church of Chriſt, have not divers Martyrs ſealed it with their blood. Reade Acts and Mon. doe alſo fitly agree, and may be applyed to any Church or State whatſoever, as to the Church of Rome? And if the Church of Rome be Myſticall Babylon, then whether is ſhee any more worthy to be accounted Syon, or a true viſible Church of God, then was Babylon of old her proper type?
3. Whether the Church of England (the Nation conſidered as a Church) with the Parochiall Congregations, as Churches, be not a Daughter of that Babylon, the Mother of Harlots? and their Miniſtry, in point of Ordination, the off-ſpring of the Pope? Have they at any time, even to this day, either by word in any ſolemne Declaration, or by practiſe in gathering a Church out of the Nation, as out of the world, diſclaimed that Church-ſtate which in its groſſeſt corruption was avowed and maintained by the Popiſh Miniſtry and people of this Land in Queene Maries dayes? Is it not apparent that ſome new peices onelyonly have been put to that old garment, that old Church ſtate, yea whilſt firſt the ſame, and ſince the like people without any viſible Marks of Converſion, with their Romiſh Baptiſme and Ordination of Miniſtry are ſtill retained? And whether the aforeſaid Characters in the ſecond Quaery deſcribing the Mother of Harlots the Church of Rome and her Miniſtry, doe not in like manner, in their meaſure, appeare upon her Daughter, the Nationall Church of England, and her Miniſtry?
If ſo, then
4. Whether is it not the duty of all Gods people in this Nationall Church, and in the Parochiall (pretended) Churches, to ſeperate from that falſe Church-ſtate, and their profeſſed Church worſhip, in all the exerciſes thereof; together with their Church-Miniſtry, as they ſtand and act on the account of office in that falſe Church? And whether the Commands of God to his people to come out of Babylon, Rev: 18. To flee out of the midſt of her, Jer. 51. To depart thence and touch no uncleane thing, Iſa: 52.11.Let ſuch as … at the Word read and weigh thoſe Scriptures quoted in this Quaery. be not a ſufficient Scripture-warrant for their ſo doing? And whether Gods people neglecting to come out of Babylon, doe not thereby doe great diſſervice to the cauſe of Chriſt againſt Antichriſt, and expoſe themſelves by their diſobedience in this thing, to the danger of receiving of her plagues, by pertaking of her ſins? Rev: 18.4. v.
This Quaery with the two following may afford ſome help to diſcerne the times; and to reſolve the … Queſtion what is the work of the day?5. Whether the ſtrange and wonderfull providences of God in the late Warrs in England, Ireland, and Scotland, have they not in their courſes (not in one ſingle act onelyonly) agreed with his word, to cleere the call, and open the way, to his Saints to come out of Babylon? Hath not the Lord eminently appeared againſt King, Biſhop, and Scotch-Presbyter, who refuſed to let Gods Iſrael goe free from the hard bondage of a forced Conformity to the Nationall Church-worſhip? And did not God (who put it into the heart of Cyrus, to give liberty to the Jewes to goe up to Jeruſalem to build Gods houſe, Ezra 1.1.) put it alſo into the hearts of our Rulers, after great and ſignall ſucceſſes given their Armies, to grant liberty to his people to walke according to their light without reſtraint and confinement to the Pariſh-Churches? And was not the hand of God ſtrong upon them to vouchſafe that releaſe from our bondage, notwithſtanding the unceſſant provocations of ſome to compell us to their way? If wee aske our Fathers can they ſhew us, our Elders, can they tell us of ſuch a deliverance wrought out with ſo high a hand for Gods people in this Iſland?
6. Whether if wee look at inward impreſſions on the hearts of Gods praying people, (which when they agree with the word, and providences of God, are ſpeciall helps whereby to judge of our dutie, and the ſeaſon thereunto belonging) may we not obſerve how the hearts of Saints have, during the late warres,Let ſuch as have loſt their firſt zeale againſt Babylon, remember from whence they are fallen and repent. The people had a minde to the work, as in the dayes of Nehemiah, Neh 4.6. Such are more like the Children of Hagar the bond woman, then Sarah the free mother. Some are ſo filled with prejudice againſt Seperation, that they will not heare a word of it. Doe not ſuch ſpeak and thinke evill of the things they know not. Is it becauſe they have no need of this. Ordinance? or becauſe they have not living enough to bury their dead? Are not many theeves, murderers, adulterers, ſuch as are publickly convicted of ſuch offences, harboured in the parochiall Churches without any Church cenſure upon them? And if this be ſo, there is little cauſe why they ſhould blame thoſe who leave ſuch a company of corrupt men. O horrible hypocriſie! Do not ſome Pariſh-Miniſters act as if they were willing to ſlide out of their old way, not fai ely taking their leave, taking to themſelves the ſhame of their abominations. Let ſuch as ſpeake againſt Babylon, take heed that they doe it in a right ſpirit. Rev. 18.6. Jer. 15.14. Shall not the ſteps of the poore … downe the lofty City Iſa 36.6. Even the ſteps of thoſe who walke by the footſteps of the flock? been ſtirred up to a great zeale againſt the whore of Babylon? Hath not God caſt that falſe Church ſtate and worſhip, roote, and branch, out of the hearts and affections of very many of his people, who being dead to mens traditions, minde a pure way of worſhip, cleerely diſcovering to them the confuſions and corruptions of that way, cauſing them to proteſt againſt it, and forſake it, though to the hazard of their credit and profit, ſuffering great oppoſition on that account from their neere relations? Have not few yeares brought out of that way many thouſands in this Land, who have turned their back to Babylon with their faces towards Syon, enquiring the way thitherward? And of thoſe who remaine behind, are not many held back by worldly intereſts, and ſlaviſh feare of man? The more ingenious of them bluſh to affirme (being driven to it in defence of their ſtaying there) that their Congregations are true Churches, either in reſpect of matter, or forme, yet ſome there are who are ſo affrighted with feare of errour, that they are not free to enquire after the truth in this thing.
7. Whether the zealous and tedious labours of the Parliament and Synod for reforming of the Nationall Church-Diſcipline, hath not proved like the waſhing of a Blackmore, and anſwer not to that ſaying Wee would have healed Babylon, but ſhee is not healed? What followes, as the Saints duty then but to forſake her? Are not the people in their Pariſh-Congregations ſo incorrigible, that their Phyſitians deſpaire of the cure? In ſtead of cutting off the corrupt part, have they not even rejected (for ſome yeares) that Ordinance of Excommunication which ſerves to keepe a true Church pure? If one wicked perſon muſt be caſt out with his wickedneſſe, leaſt a little Leaven might leaven the whole lumpe may wee not thinke their lump is long ſince leavened who have in their Congregations ſo long retained, as members, without rejection, ſo great ſwarmes of prophane ones? Is not their Nationall Church (if wee denominate them ought with reſpect to the greater number) rather a Cage of uncleane birds, and a hold of every ſoule ſpirit, then a true viſible Church of God, a ſpirituall houſe conſiſting of lively Stones? Some indeed exclude the rude rabble from partaking in the Supper, which is but one act of Church-worſhip; but, Doe not many profeſſing to be Miniſters of their Churches, make large ſhew of zeale for Ordinances, as if they ſtrained at a gnat, and yet in this thing eaſily ſwallow downe a Camell, taking no notice in any way of practiſe, of ſo great an Ordinance, which being duely practiſed by a true Church, tends to the deſtruction of the fleſh, and the ſaving of the ſoule in the day of the Lord, 1 Cor: 5.8? If men take not to themſelves the ſhame of theſe their abominations in the matter of worſhip, what grounds have they, or their followers, to beleive, that God will ſhew them the patterne of his houſe, the goings out, and commings in thereof, &c. Ezek. 43.11.
And if theſe things be ſo,
8. Whether then the Saints and ſervants of God ought not to declare the Nationall-Church of England, (viz. the Nation pretending to be a Church) to be indeed no Church of Chriſt, but a Daughter of Babylon? And is it not their duty to diſcover her abominations, in ſuch Language (in ſpeaking of Babylon, either the Mother or her Daughter) as the Spirit of God makes uſe of, and commends to us in the holy Scriptures? Doth not that command to Gods people, to reward her as ſhee hath rewarded them, extend to a full reward, both in words, and deeds? And if through flatteries of men, ſlaviſh feare, or fooliſh pitty, Gods Archers (his Miniſters) withhold to ſhoote ſuch arrowes againſt Babylon in preaching, or printing, as God hath put into their Quiver for that purpoſe, may they not be juſtly rebuked for it?
9. Whether a bare forſaking of the Nationall Church, and a verball declaring againſt it, be a ſufficient witneſſe-bearing for Chriſt, againſt Antichriſt, in the matter of Worſhip? or whether beſides all this, are not Gods people called by a bold profeſſion, and viſible practiſe of the ordinances of Chriſt, according to the Goſpel pattern, to hold forth a true Baptiſme, & Church-worſhip, and ſo by a contrary practiſe, to beare their teſtimony in the ſtrength of Gods Spirit, and truth, againſt that falſe way? And in ſo doing, though the worke of Zions building, may appeare, now in its beginning, as nothing, in compariſon of that glorious patterne in the Apoſtles dayes, is there not ground to beleive God will vouchſafe his preſence and helpe to his people in the work, according to his good word, Haggai 2. 1, 2, 3? And when the Saints come out of Babylon, ought they not then to call upon one another, to flow to Zion, and there to declare the worke of the Lord? Jer. 1.6.9, 10. And if this be the ſeaſon for the former duty, why not for the latter and having with, and amongſt them, the Word, and Spirit, according to that ſtable Covenant to beleivers in all generations, Iſa. 9.21.Neh. 2.18. What hinders but they ſhould riſe and build?
10. Whether many zealous Miniſters and people in the Pariſh-way, by reaſon of their ignorance of the times, and ſeaſons, and the great worke of God at this day, to bring his people out of Myſticall Babylon; may they not be in danger of fighting againſt God, and kicking againſt the pricks; as did many devout Jewes, who were zealous of the old legall Worſhip, not knowing or conſidering that the time of reformation from Jewiſh rudiments,Heb 9.10. was come? And, doe not many now as they then, little conſider Gods call to his people to reforme thorowly from all Antichriſtian pollutions, and to touch no uncleane thing, in this day of the Lords controverſie for Sion? And may wee not ſee, as then, ſo now, the things which God winked at in times of ignorance, hee will not winke at, but witneſſe againſt in times of light? And is there not a very great ſecurity upon many profeſſors,Can yee not diſcerne the ſignes of the times? Mat. 16.3. and darkneſſe upon their right eye, that notwithſtanding all the ſignes of the times, and all the late wonderfull workes of God, they are not awakened to diſcerne, and doe the ſpeciall duties, which God by his ſtrange diſpenſations calls them to? And is it not apparent, that many who ſhould inſtruct others in the duty of the day,It is the duty of the wiſe Steward to give the Children of God the portion of Doctrine ſutable to the ſeaſon. Luk. 12 42. doe diſcourage them from enquiring into ſuch things, telling them of the danger of miſtakes, and the great difficultie of finding out truth, referring them in many things to the footeſteps of the flock in times of Popiſh darkneſſe? But is it not high time for Gods people to goe a ſtep beyond ſuch Watch-men, enquiring after Chriſt in the further diſcovery of truth? And ſeeing God hath choſen the weake and fooliſh things of the world to confound the wiſe, ought not even ſuch to ſearch into the booke of revelation, ſeeking God by faithfull fervent prayer, for his promiſed Spirit to lead them into all truth, remembring the words of David, Thou through thy precepts haſt made me wiſer then mine enemies, I have more underſtanding then all my teachers, Pſal. 119.98, 99.
11. Whether the Pariſh-Miniſtry in their ſtanding, and acting, as ſuch, are not found taking part with Babylon, and warring againſt the true viſible Churches of Chriſt, and all others who withdraw from and witneſſe againſt the Common polluted way of worſhip? And if ſo, whether thoſe who are enlightened, may warrantably upon the account of the gifts and godlineſſe of ſuch Teachers follow after them, ſo as to have fellowſhip with them in their broad Church-way? And is it not to make Idolls of them, and preferre them before Chriſt, and ſet them above him, if they chooſe rather to follow after ſuch Miniſters in that way which hath no word of God for it, then to follow Chriſt in that deſpiſed way of worſhip, which hath the ſure word of Scripture for its warrant?Mark how Satan makes uſe of Eminent inſtruments ſometimes, to promote his wicked Deſignes. If Peter that eminent Preacher, might be, and was ſo farre captivated by the Tempter, as to oppoſe by rebuking Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe, when he ſpake of his ſuffering death, Mat: 16 21, 22, 23. And againe denied him ſhamefully when he came to ſuffer, with curſing and oathes, ſaying he never knew the man; And after all this at another time the ſame Peter who was ſo famous an inſtrument in Gods hand for converting ſo many ſoules, even he becomes a miſleader in a way of diſſimulation, Gal: 2.11, 12, 13, 14. ſo that Barnabas an eminent Miniſter of Chriſt,If ſome who ſee ſuch diſſembling tell them that diſſemble, that they are to be blamed, they do but as Paul did who told Peter of his fault. Gal. 2.14. and divers others were carried away with his diſſimulation. If ſo it were with Peter, is there not ground enough for the good people in that way to feare, that their Miniſters, even the choiceſt of them, may be fallen into temptation, to be prejudic't againſt the worke of a thorow-reformation, ſeeing their preferments, livings, and honours ſeeme to be ſtruck at; and ſo being offended, labour to draw in others to be one with them, in their offence and oppoſition againſt the Saints in their preſent warfare for Chriſt againſt Antichriſt?
12. Whether the greater number of people in the Pariſh-Aſſemblyes, are not in danger of eternall Damnation, through their high preſumption that they are in Chriſt, and in a good eſtate? And whether have not Englands Church-Miniſtry much to anſwer for, who have begotten, and cheriſhed this confidence in them, by declaring them in their old Catechiſme, To be regenerate in their Baptiſme, made Members of Chriſt, and inheritors of the kingdome of Heaven? If this be true, and no lye they have taught them who thus exalted them unto heaven, may they not boldly conclude from many promiſes to beleevers, that their ſoules are in a ſafe condition? But it may now be ſaid, they have laid by that Catechiſme, and now they preach to them a neceſſitie of regeneration; But ſeeing they have been trained up from their infancy in this beleife, which they have by heart, as wee ſay, that they were regenerate in their Baptiſme long wnce; Is it probable that the old evill ſent which hath remained in the veſſell, for ſo many yeares, will be removed by telling them now, and then, they muſt be borne againe? Although many declare this to them in the Pulpit, and ſo wound them a little for the preſent time, yet doe they not quickly heale them againe at the Font, or Baſon,Is not this to juſtifie the wicked? that evill condemned Prov. 24.24. accepting them there for beleevers, by adminiſtring that to the children of all or moſt of them, that which they declare to be the priviledge of the Children of godly beleeving Parents? Doth not this eaſily help them to conclude, that whatſoever they ſay in preaching, their Miniſters by their practiſe declare them to be beleevers? And have their Miniſters notwithſtanding ſo much talke of reformation, at any time, plainely, ſolemnly, and openly declared their repentance for this their ſin, or the ſin of their predeceſſors in this thing, whereby they have deluded thouſands of ſoules? Have they declared it ſo, that the common people might run, and read their meaning? ſhould not the playſter be made as broad as the ſoare?
If ſo then
13. Would it not be a praiſe-worthy deed, and that which would much tend to free the preſent Pariſh-Miniſtry from being guilty of the blood of their people, for them to confeſſe openly, the great ſin of their predeceſſors, and their ſin, ſo far as they have partaken with them, in declaring the people to be borne againe in Baptiſme, and made inheritors of the kingdome of heaven, diſcovering the danger of this horrid deluſion, giving them plainly to underſtand, that they, the generality among them, who ſay they are Chriſtians, are not ſuch, but are of the world, as appeares by their hatred of thoſe whom God hath choſen out of the world? And ſhould they not doe well to informe the godly among them, that they are in no viſible orderly Church-ſtate, provoking them to ariſe and meaſure the patterne, and ſending them forth by the footſteps of the flocks in the primitive times? and would it not well become them having thus borne their teſtimony in word againſt the aforeſaid evill, to back the ſame in their practiſe with a plaine deniall to adminiſter any Ordinance of Chriſt to the common multitude, more then ſuch as are for converſion, which belong to Heathen and Publicans,Luk. 6.44. till they ſee them bring forth fruits meet for repentance,Good and bad men muſt be knowne by their fruit. Luk 6.44. The Pariſh people are a people of mans forming by ſuch meanes. whereby a man may probably know, and warrantably judge them to be converted and brought to the moſt holy faith of Chriſt? And as for their preſent profeſſion taught them by the tradition of fathers, and by the cuſtomes and precepts of men, not by the mighty power of God through the Word, what ſolid ſatiſfaction can it adminiſter whereon to ground a probable judgement that they are in the faith, Conſidering that in this Land, there is now no perſecution as in the Apoſtles dayes, but on the contrary, many worldly advantages attending the common profeſſion of Chriſt? And except ſome ſuch effectuall courſe be taken, as is before commended in this Quaery, can the Miniſters of ſuch a people by all their faire gloſſes and ſubtill arguings acquitt themſelves from the blood of ſoules? Is it not their duty to take up the ſtumbling blocks out of the way of their people? Are not many thouſands of poore ignorant ſoules, by looking at ſuch things as theſe, their ſuppoſed Chriſtning, and Church-ſtate, together with their dead ſaith, hindered from receiving Chriſt, and ſtrongly armed againſt the ſight and ſence of a loſt eſtate, to their eternall undoing? Shall God make inquiſition for the blood of mens bodies, and ſhall he not one day make inquiſition for the blood of ſoules, and require it of thoſe who have holpen them to, and ſtrengthened them in ſuch deluſions?
Woe to them that call evill good. Iſay 5.20. If that old ſaying, Quod fieri non debet factum valet, will juſtifie ſuch an unlawfull act, why may it not juſtifie any other act of will-worſhip when it is done?14. And if ſo,
Whether the Miniſtry and people in ſome Congregations ſeperated from the Pariſh way, may not doe well to conſider, whether they be not found acceſſary to the aforeſaid great tranſgreſſion of the Parochiall Miniſtry, in juſtifying the ſprinckling of ungodly prophane and Popiſh Parents Children, as a ſufficient obedience to Chriſts command of Baptiſme, doctrinally diſcharging from the obligation of that command the conſciences of ſuch of their Members as have no other viſible Baptiſme? Is not this to call evill good, will-worſhip ſervice to Chriſt, and by mans tradition to make a command of God of none effect? Doe they not by ſuch a practiſe, though themſelves refuſe to ſprinckle ſuch Children, yet ſtrengthen the hands of thoſe who doe? And whether this be not more then a touching, even the retaining an unclean thing, forbidden to thoſe who come out of Babylon, the command requiring to deſtroy her utterly, Let nothing of her be left, Jer. 50.26. Whileſt this unlawfull ſprinckling of the ſeed of the ungodly is thus ſet up, may it not ſtand in their way as an obſtruction to the ſight and acknowledgement of the truth, concerning the true viſible Baptiſme?Can it be true Baptiſme according to rule without a right viſible ſubject? And whether all their arguing to prove that ſprinckling before ſpoken of (which themſelves ſay hath not warrant for it) to be ſufficient obedience to the command, be not that which will be found wood, hay, and ſtubble, when every mans worke ſhall be tryed by fire?
15. Whether the unwarrantable mixture of Legall and Goſpel-worſhip and worſhippers, accounting this Nation a Church after the likeneſſe of the Jewiſh Nation, not by regeneration,Antichriſts device to forme a falſe Church. but by fleſhly generation, gathering together into a pretended Church-body the viſibly Godly with the ungodly, withall promoting againe tythes, offerings, conſecrated places, Altars, with many other ſuch like Jewiſh Ceremonies, which were typicall,The Prieſthood being changed, there is made of neceſſitie a charge alſo of the Law. Heb. 7.12. and to ceaſe in Goſpel-dayes; the joyning with all theſe a ſhew of the Ordinance of breaking bread, and Baptiſme? Whether, (I ſay) may not ſuch a mixt worſhip, and the worſhippers be fitly termed Babylon, or confuſion? And whether to eſtabliſh ſuch a worſhip be not to deny in a Myſtery (as doth Antichriſt, Chriſts greateſt profeſſed friend) that Chriſt,1 Joh. 4.3. the ſubſtance of the Legall ſhaddowes is come in the fleſh?See Quae: the third. And whether the pretended reformed Church of England retaining the old Romiſh Church-ſtate, and confuſed mixtures, maintaining the ſame things in ſubſtance with them, be not to be eſteemed as a painted Jezebel?
16. Whether the Myſtery of iniquity which wrought in Pauls time, were not the ſame which now workes in the Church of Rome, and her Daughter-Churches? Did it not then worke mainely, to bring the Saints back under the bondage of Moſes his killing doctrine; and his rudiments, and ſhaddowes? And whether the Apoſtle as a faithfull Witneſſe and Watchman did not bend his doctrines and diſcourſes in his Epiſtles, eſpecially to the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians, againſt this way of confounding the grace of God with mans works in juſtification, and confounding Moſes his old Lawes with Chriſts New Teſtament Ordinances? The ſame myſtery being at worke now, not onelyonly in Rome, but in this Nationall Church, Is it not the duty of Gods faithfull Miniſters, and Watchmen to warre againſt it, by preaching, and diſcourſe, with the ſharp ſword of Chriſts Word, warning Gods people to beware of being ſeduced with this iniquity, which being diſcovered in many things more groſſe putts on a new dreſſe and works moſt myſteriouſly, ſo that the workmen ſay, who ſeeth us? Iſa. 29.15.
The myſtery of … is now … with a ….17. Whether the Myſtery of iniquity that now workes be not founded upon the will of man, confederate with Satan? And is it not promoted, and upheld by humane and Serpentine wiſdome, with worldly power and pollicy, oppoſing and counter-working the Goſpel-graces of God, and Spirit of Chriſt, exalting the creature above the Creator? And whether the Abettors and promoters of this Myſtery, may not be diſcovered and diſcerned in our dayes, by their prizing men much more for their naturall, and acquired parts and abilities, then for the anointing, looking more at a mans learning, and prudence, then at the teachings of the Spirit, minding excellency of ſpeech more then the power of godlineſſe, ſeeking more after their owne honour from men, then to bring honour and glory to God?
18. If ſo then,
May wee not well expect that God who hath laid by ſo many inſtruments, whoſe deſigne is to exalt his owne grace, his Son, and Spirit, will chooſe and uſe moſt unlikely inſtruments in mens account, as the weake and fooliſh, in reſpect of worldly wiſdome, even the younger brethren, even as David amongſt the ſons of Jeſſe, ſpiriting them through faith and prayer to bring to paſſe thoſe things which by humane power and pollicy could not be effected? Whether then are not many (and ſome good men) like to be deceived, who looke as did Samuel on Eliah, on ſome wiſe, expert, prudent men to be the onelyonly prime inſtruments for Gods great and ſtrange worke,1 Cor. 1.26, 27, 28. which will not be done by power or might, but by the Spirit of God? Zach: 4.6.
19. Whether the faith and prayers of Gods people were not once as the Chariot-wheeles to the great worke of God in this Nation, but now of late ſince our enemies have been ſubdued, have not many good men ſlacked their hands to thoſe duties, and by looking and leaning to mans wiſdome, power and pollicy, turned aſide to crooked wayes, and ſo have loſt the footſteps of the Lord in his worke? And whether can they come to a cleere ſight of them againe, except they humble themſelves and returne to a diligent exerciſe of faith and prayer? And if they will not be otherwiſe provoked thereunto, may it not be juſt for God to reduce them unto ſore ſtraites, that ſo they may learne to ſeeke him early? Hoſ. 5.15.
20. Whether the continuance of divers godly men in Babylon, and pertaking with her, be not one great occaſion of ſtumbling many weake Chriſtians, with ſome other enquirers after truth? And ought not ſuch then in the feare of God, to conſider and examine their ſtanding, and to lay to heart how great ſervice they doe to Antichriſt, and diſſervice to Chriſt, and his cauſe? And doth not the deceiver ſuck no ſmall advantage from godly men ſerving his deſigne which puts a faire face thereon, though they doe it ignorantly or inconſiderately? May we not obſerve that ſince godlineſſe is in ſome requeſt, Satan puts on ſuch a dreſſe as may moſt take with the godly to ſeduce them? And if theſe ſhould flee out of Babylon, would ſhee not ſoone appeare to all good men to be what ſhee is, and the judgements of God would they not come ſuddainly upon her, as did the fire and brimſtone upon Sodome the day that Lot came out? Whether that which hinders many from comming out, be not a ſlaviſh feare of man, and the flattery and friendſhip of this world? Whether ſuch onelyonly will not be found fit to follow the Lambe even whither ſoever he goeth, who firſt ſit downe and count the coſt, and ſo build the Tower of their profeſſion upon Gods grace alone, as held out in his Covenant, truſting him with all their concernments? If they onelyonly are ſaid to overcome who loved not their lives unto the death, as Revel. 12. What becomes of all the other profeſſors,Remember the hand of God againſt the rebellious Scots at Dunbar. the fearefull and unbeleeving, &c? If Gods ſervants ſhall abide there, notwithſtanding all the warnings they have had, and all Gods patience towards them, may he not juſtly ſlay them with the wicked, though he ſave their ſoules at the laſt?
21. Whether the Antichriſtian Miniſtry in the Nations, which derive their Church-ſtate from Rome, are not found committing fornication with the Kings of the earth?No Biſhop, No King. And whether this fornication be not by interweaving their intereſts, for the upholding one another: thus by flatteries and by force bringing the people and keeping them in bondage to their wills, enſlaving their bodyes and inſnaring their ſoules?
22. Whether ſeeing the greateſt judgements belong to Babylon, may not God in juſtice to aggravate their ſins who receive not the love of truth, lend them ſo much light as that many of them ſhall be found willfull Apoſtates, after all their other perſecutions, at length perſecuting the Spirit of Chriſt, ſo bringing upon themſelves ſwift deſtruction? Are not many found perſecuting that light which they once profeſt? Is not that word made good in them, They ſhall goe and fall backward, and be broken, and ſnared, and taken? and if it be ſo, is it not high time to bid them take heede, leſt they ſin willfully after they have received the knowledge of the truth?
23. Whether by that ſure rule of juſtice that all the blood from Abel ſhould come upon the perſecuting generation in Chriſts time, Math. 23.34, 35. And that in the Revel: 18.24. that in Babylon was found the blood of all the Saints ſhed from the foundation of the earth; Doth there not lye a heavy load of blood-guilt upon the Antichriſtian faction, who ſtrike in with that deadly intereſt at the latter end of the day, to act their part againſt Chriſt and his Cauſe? Should not all men take heede how they touch or take part with that intereſt, leaſt they come under the guilt of all the former bloody perſecutions of Gods Saints? Whether are not the oppoſite intereſts of fleſh and Spirit now at warre, the ſame intereſts which were at variance in Cain and Abell, the ſeeds being the ſame two as formerly, though brought forth in ſeverall ages, though the controverſie betwixt them not alwayes upon the ſame part or point of truth or errour.
ENDEAVOVRS FOR REFORMATION IN APPARRELL. OR Some reaſons rendred for Saints forbearing to put upon their Garments ſuch trimmings and ornaments as are alltogether ſuperfluous, and apparently uſeleſſe. With Anſwers to ſeverall Objections.
Put on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and make no proviſion for the fleſh, to fullfill the luſts thereof, Rom. 13.14.
Moreover, the Lord ſaith, Becauſe the Daughters of Sion are haughty, and walke with ſtretched forth necks, wanton eyes, walking and mincing (or tripping nicely) as they goe, and making a tinckling with their feete. Iſa. 3.16. Therefore the Lord will ſmite with a ſcab the crowne of the head of the Daughters of Sion, &c. verſ. 17.
In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinckling ornaments, &c. verſ. 18.
Behold the day commeth which ſhall burne as an Oven, and all the proud, and all that doe wickedly ſhall be as ſtubble, and that day that commeth ſhall burne them up, (ſaith the Lord) that it ſhall leave them neither roote nor branch, Mal. 4.1.
If yee will not heare, my ſoule ſhall weepe in ſecret places for your pride, Jer. 13.17.
LONDON Printed for Livewell Chapman in Popes-head Alley. 1656.