The Hirelings Ministry None of Christs, Essay
Being Desired by some Loving Friends to cast in my Mite as to that Heavenly Proposition of Propagating the Gospell of Christ Iesus, I am humbly bold to Propose these Conclusions, and their Consectaries following.
THe two great Prophets of Gods Revealed1. Conclus. Councell,Moses & Christ reveale from God a Visible Worship. Moses (the Servant) and Christ Iesus (the Lord) as they have both declared unto us a Creation, a Creatour, the Shipwrack of Mankind, the Restauration, the Restorer, so have they both revealed unto us a visible Company of the holy Worshippers of this one most glorious Creatour and Redeemer, and that as for his owne most glorious praise, so in opposition to all false Gods, who also are attended with their visible Worships and Worshippers.
In order to Gods visible worship the Lord Iesus hath2. Conclus. broken downe the Wall of Division between the Iewes and the rest of the Nations of the World,Prov. 9. and sent forth his Ministers (Wisedomes Maidens) unto all Nations, to bring in (by the Gospels Invitation) Proselites, Christs Messengers sent into the World.Converts, Disciples, such as should Eternally be saved, to begin that heavenly and Eternall Communion in Heaven, here in an holy and visible Worship on the Earth.
This going forth of the true Ministers of Christ Iesus is represented under the Figure of the white Troopers The white Troopers.in the opening of the first Seale where the Lord Iesus in his first Messengers rode forth upon the White horse, or Horses of the word of truth and meeknesse (Psal. 45.) Conquering and to conquer in the souls of Men.
3. Conclus.Thirdly, From the 6. of the Revelations to the 19. we hear no more of those white-horsemen, that is (as I conceive) of the Apostles or Messengers of Iesus Christ, (the whole streame of the Intervening Prophecies, from the 6. to the 19. insinuating a totall Routing of the Church and Ministry of Christ Iesus, The White Troopers Routed.put to flight, and retired into the Wildernesse of Desolation).
4. Conclus.Fourthly, during the dreadfull Apostacy and Desolation, the Lord hath not left the World without witnesse, but hath graciously and wonderfully stirred up his holy Prophets and Witnesses, such as were before the Waldenses more obscure,A state of Witnesses during the Apostasie, Revel. 10. & 11. but more eminently the Waldenses, the Wicklevists, the Hussites, the Lutherans, the Calvinists (so called) who have as Witnesses prophecyed and mourned in Sack-cloath 1260 dayes or years (prophetically) I say mourned for the routing▪ desolating of the Christian Church or Army: and panted and laboured after the most glorious Rally thereof, and Restauration.
This Testimony is probably neer finished, and the Saints by their late and yet following wars (I say probably) must in rage the Antichristian world, so far as to provoke the Nations, to their great and generall slaughter, called the slaughter of the Witnesses, Revel. 11. After which and their shame three years and a halfe, followeth their most glorious and joyfull Rising.
5. Conclus.These Witnesses, these Prophets, are probably those one hundred forty four thousand Virgins, The 144000. Virgins, the twelve times 12000. mysticall Israelites, Prophets and Witnesses.mysticall Israelites, twelve times twelve, which stand with the Lamb on Mount Zion, against the Romish Beast, and are the same Number sealed twelve times twelve, Revelations 7.
But there is in the same seventh Chapter,A two-fold famous number of the followers of Christ Iesus in these times. a numberles Number, which no man can number, to wit, the Converts of the Nations of the world, which must yet come flowing unto Christ Iesus, after this his famous second Conquest over the Devil, the Dragon in the Romane Popes having before triumphed over him in the Romane Emperours.
The World divided (say our ablest Cosmographers) into thirty parts,The Fullnesse of the Gentiles, and Conversion of the Iewes. as yet but five of thirty have heard of the sweet name of Iesus a Saviour: His Messengers must yet goe forth into the other twenty five, after the downfall of the Papacie, when also at the Fullnesse of the Gentiles, or Nations comming in, shall be the joyful Raising us from the Dead of the (Accursed, and yet Beloved Nation of the) Iewes, 6. Conclus.Rom. 11. Revel. 18. & 19.
The Civill state of the Nations being meerly and essentially civill, The Civill state cannot restraine or constraine in Spiritualls.cannot (Christianly) be called Christian States, after the patterne of that holy and typical Land of Canaan, which I have proved at large in the Bloudy Tenent, to be a Non-such and an unparalel'd Figure of the Spirituall State of the Church of Christ Iesus, dispersed, yet gathered to him in all Nations.
The civill Sword (therefore) cannot (rightfully) act either in Restraining the Souls of the people from Worship, &c. or in constraining them to Worship, considering that there is not a Title in the New Testament of Christ Iesus, that commits the Forming or Reforming of his Spouse and Church to the civill and worldly Powers.
Seventhly, no man ever did nor ever shall truly go forth to Convert the Nations, nor to Prophecy in the present state of Witnesses, against Antichrist, but by the gracious Inspiration and Instigation of the holy Spirit of God; according to 1 Cor. 12. where the holy Spirit discoursing of those three [Gifts, Administrations, Operations ] tells us that No man can say that Iesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit: And Revel. 11. I will give power to my two Witnesses, &c.
I prejudice not an Externall Test and Call, which was at first and shall be againe in force at the Resurrection of the Churches (as Mr. COTTON himselfe calls it in Revel. 20.No other present Sender but the holy Spirit of God.) But in the present State of things, I cannot but be humbly bold to say, that I know no other True Sender, but the most Holy Spirit. And when he sends, his Messengers will goe, his Prophets will Prophecy, though All the World should forbid them.
Consectarie.From the former Conclusions we may first see upon what a false Sent or Word our Fathers and our selves have run as to the true Ministry appointed by Christ Iesus: Pretenders to that Grand Commission▪ Matth. 28. mistaken.How many thousand Pretenders have been and are (Protestants and Papists) to that Grand Commission, Matth. 28. Goe into all Nations, Teach and Baptise, &c?
In the poor small span of my Life, I desired to have been a diligent and Constant Observer, and have been my selfe many wayes engaged, in City, in Countrey, in Court, Not the true Begetting or Feeding Ministry appointed by Christ Iesus, yet extant.in Schools, in Vniversities, in Churches, in Old and New-England, and yet cannot in the holy presence of God bring in the Result of a satisfying discovery, that either the Begetting Ministry of the Apostles or Messengers to the Nations, or the Feeding and Nourishing Ministry of Pastors and Teachers, according to the first Institution of the Lord Iesus, are yet restored and extant.
Quest.It may then be said, what is that Ministry that hath been extant since Luther and Calvins time (especially what is that Ministry that hath been Instrumentall in the hand of the Lord, to the conversion of thousands?)
I answer, The Ministry of Prophets or Witnesses, standing with Christ Iesus, against his great corrivall, and competiour Antichrist, Revel. 10.11.
The whole Books of Martyrs (or Witnesses) is nothing else but a large Commentary or History, The Ministry of Prophets immediately stirred up by God.of the Ministry of Witnesses, during all the Reigne of the Beast, to this day.
Look upon Berengarius with the Saints enlightned by him; Look upon Waldus with his Waldenses in France, Wickliffe in England, Iohn Hus, and Ierome of Prague in Bohemia; Luther in Germany, Calvin in Geneva; what were they but the holy Prophets of Christ Iesus, in those Parts, and other Places, and Countries, now examine their Witnesses in two Particulars.
1. Negatively, The two Prophets in Sack-cloath.wherein they Witnessed against the False, against the Vsurpations and Abominations of Antichrist; and therein they were the Infallible Witnesses, and Prophets of Christ Iesus, Preaching and oft times Suffering to the Death for his Names sake. But,
2. View them in their Positive Practise and Worships, as they have assumed and pretended to such and such Ministries, and Titles, and Churches, and Ministrations, and there is not one of them, no not Calvin himselfe (the greatest Pretender to Church-Order) but the Father of Lights, in our times of Light, hath been graciously pleased to discover their great mistakes, and wandrings from the first Patternes and Institutions of Christ Iesus.
I know the multitudes of Interpretations given upon Revel. 11. as touching the two Witnesses, A glance on Revel. 11.and that many, if not most, incline to beleeve, at least to hope and desire, that their slaughter may be past and over: unto which in all humble submission to the holy councells of God, for Zions sake, I most heartily say as Ieremy once said in another, something a like case, Amen. But all the Interpretations extant, that ever I have yet heard or read of, they seem to me to look up the Sun in a Chamber, they are too narrow and particular, and like some Almanacks, calculated for one Meridian and Climate. The Apostacy the Witnesse the slaughter, the after rising all universall.For Antichristianisme is an Vniversall plague-sore spread over all the Empire that was Romane: The Romane Popes, as Vicars of Christ Iesus, pretend to a Romane Catholicisme, or Vniversality also. The Lord Iesus his cause therefore, and the cause of his Saints, is of a a more generall and universall concernment, such hath the Witnesse of his Servants been in all Ages and Countries of Europe. Now notwithstanding many particular slaughters (as the Book of Martyrs and other Catologues of Christs Witnesses testifie) yet I see it not possible that that Scripture can be satisfied, but that after the Vniversall finishing of the Witnesse, there must follow an universall persecution and slaughter unto which an universall provocation, and Exasperation by the Saints must probably precede and give Occasion.
Quest.Wherein hath the former and latter Ministry been defective?
I answer, In all these four, their Gifts, their Calling, their Worke, their Wages.
Gifts.First, In their Gifts, for notwithstanding they pretend to the Apostles Commission, and to succeed them, Mat. 28. yet they have never pretended to the Gifts and Quallifications of such a Ministry, Pretences to Mat. 28. examined.nor have they ever been able to clear up those two Foundations of the Christian Religion (Heb. 6.) the Doctrine of Baptisme, and the laying on of hands.
Cal…ing.Secondly, Notwithstanding that some plead their Succession from the Apostles or Messengers, yet are they forced to run into the Tents of Antichrist, and to plead Succession from Rome, and neither such nor others which plead their Calling from the People, can prove to my conscience, from the testimony of Christ Iesus, that either, Christs succession did run in an Antichristian line, or that two or three godly persons might first make themselves a church, & then make their Ministers, without a preceding Ministry from Christ Iesus unto them, to gather, and to guide them in such their Administrations.
Thirdly the worke of that Commission (Mat. 28.) was exercised and administred to the Nations, Worke.as Nations, and the World, A stupendious M…stery of Preaching to convert the converted.but all our professed Ministrations, former and latter have been carried on (in a grand and common mistery) for the converting of a converted people, for if we grant all Protestant Nations to be Christians, and so act with them in prayer as Christians, and the children of God; how can we pretend to convert the converted, and to preach unto them to convert them? One or other must be denied, to wit, that they are converted, or if unconverted, that we may offer up Christian and Spirituall Sacrifices with them. No Herauld, no Embassador sent to a city or army of Rebels did ever (constantly least of all) performe such actions of state with those Rebels, which represents or renders them in a capacity of honest and faithfull Subjects. Oh the Patience and Forbearance and Long-suffering of the most High, whose Eyes yet are as a flame of Fire.
Fourthly,Wages. In their Wages, whether by Tithes or otherwise, they have alwayes run in the way of an Hire, and rendred such Workemen absolute Hirelings between whom and the true Sheapheard (Joh. 10.) the Lord Iesus puts so expresse and sharp a Difference: so that in all humble submission, I am bold to maintaine, that it is one of the grand Designes of the most High, to breake downe the Hireling Ministry, that Trade, Faculty, Calling and Living, by Preaching, and that if All the Princes, States, Parliaments and Armies, in the world should joyne their Heads and Hearts and Armes and Shoulders to support it, yet being a part of Babel and confusion, it shall sinke as a Mil-stone from the Angels hand into the deeps for ever.
Object.But is not the Labourer worthy of his Reward?
I answer, There is no Reward (by infinite degrees) comparable to an hundred fold (though with persecution) in this Life, and in the world to come eternal life, to all that deny themselves in this Life, and doe, and teach, and suffer for the name of the Son of God.
More strictly and particularly I answer,
First, He that makes a Trade of Preaching, that makes the cure of Souls, and the charge of mens eternall wellfare, a trade, Christ Iesus never made Bargaine with his Messengers or Pastors.a maintenance, and living, and that explicitely makes a covenant or bargaine (and therefore no longer penny no longer Paternoster, no long pay no longer pray, no longer Preach, no longer fast, &c.) I am humbly confident to maintaine, that the Son of God never sent such a one to be a Labourer in his Vineyard: Such Motions spring not from the living and voluntary Spring of the holy Spirit of God, but from the Artificiall and worldly respects of Money, Maintenance, &c.
Qu…st.Wherein consists the making of the Hirelings, explicit, and implicit Bargaine.
I answer, Tis explicite, expresse and plaine, when there is a mutuall declaring and agreeing,The Lands & Countries divided for gain as Daniel speaks, and men know in a way of Hire what to be sure of expresly. for so much or so much, in one kinde or another, as the Levite agreed with Micha in the Iudges.
Of this sort of explicite and plaine Bargaines by way of Tithes, stipend, &c. How is our owne and other Nations full, and how many thousands are there of the instances of moving and removing from Leaner to fatter Benefices, like the former Levite, from the poor Chaplain-ship of Micahs family, to the more rich and eminent Devotion of a Tribe of Dan, just like Servants hired by the yeare (more or lesse) stay not when they hear of proffers of more Ease and better Wages.
Secondly, an implicite or implied Bargaine or Compact is when there passeth no expresse Agreement for so much or so much,An implicit Bargaine (like an Onion) is a Bargaine infolded and wrapt up with more subtle peelings, &c. but having been brought up (as we say) to that only Trade, they must make their living of it, and therefore being something convinced of the Grosser way, they are content as Water-men, Porters, and the like, with some kind of Intimations by word of mouth, or in course which shall amount to such a promise as this expresse: I know your Fare, your Due, I will content you, &c. Trust to my Courtesie: The triall of this is plaine, for without such an Implication or implicite promise, the Hireling will not, indeed he cannot (having no other way to live on) move his Lip or Tongue, no more then a Waterman or Porter, his Hand or Foot.
Secondly, as to the Labourer worthy of his Reward, I answer,The first patterne of Ministers Maintenance. we find no other patterne in the Testament of Christ Iesus, but that both the Converting (or Apostolicall Ministry) and the Feeding (or Pastorall Ministry) did freely serve or minister, and yet were freely supported by the Saints and Churches, and that not in stinted Wages, Tithes, Stipends, Sallaries, &c. but with larger or lesser supplies, as the Hand of the Lord was more or lesse extended in his weekly blessings on them.
Thirdly, when either through poverty or neglect, support and maintenance failed, yet still they eyed (as Sea men and Souldiers say) the Good of the Voyage, and the Battel (the common Cause of the Lord Iesus) and their owne hands day and night, supplied their owne and others Necessities. And this was and will be the onelyonly way of the Labourers of the Son of God.
Objection.The Priests and Levites under the Law had setled and constant Maintenance.
I answer, Blessed be the Father of Lights who hath shewne his people of late times, the great difference between the stated and setled Nationall Church, the Ministry, and maintenance thereof, and the (ordinary) afflicted, moving, flying, state of the Church, and Churches of Christ Iesus all the world over.
Objection.Although it be granted that the Hireling Ministry, both explicite and implicite, is none of Christs, yet this is wonderfull, what should be the Reason why so much good hath been wrought thereby, as the conversion of thousands? &c.
I answer, All the wisedome, mercy, goodnesse, and piety that is in us, is but a drop to the Ocean of that which is in the Father of mercies, Gods infinite patience in bearing with his peoples Failings.who with infinite pity and patience, passeth by the ignorances and weaknesses of his Children. Hence Luther and other Monks, Cranmer and other Bishops, Calvin and other Presbyterians, God hath graciously covered their Failings, and accepted his owne Grace of good Desires, good Affections and Endeavours, though many wayes defiled with sin.
Thus was his infinite Goodnesse pleased to overlook the sin of Poligamie, or many Wives, in which so many of the Fathers or Patriarchs of Israel, were brought forth.
Thus was he pleased to passe by the sins of the High places, where Solomon himselfe offered Sacrifice. And yet as to this great point of good being done, we may with truth assert two things.
First, where God hath been pleased to bring in one soule to Himselfe by the Hireling Ministry, many more have been brought home by the voluntary and more single preachings of some,The most voluntary preaching ever most fruitfull. whether publick or private; by the endeavour of private christians, by the reading of the holy Scriptures, by godly examples, by afflictions, &c.
Hence wofull experience hath made it evident, that many excellent men (in their persons, and the graces of Gods Spirit) have laboured a score of yeares and more,Excellent Prophets of God, who never knew the pretended School of the Prophets. in an Hireling way, without the birth of one child to God: while others singly out of Love to Christ Iesus, have despised Bargaines and Hire, and been more abundantly blest with mercifull successe and fruitfulness. Hence sure it is that there have been and are many excellent Prophets and VVitnesses of Christ Iesus, who never entred (as they say) into the Ministry, to wit, Lawyers, Physitians, Souldiers, Tradesmen, and others of higher and lower rank, who by Gods holy Spirit (breathing on their meditations of the holy Scriptures, and other private helps) have attained and much improved, an excellent Spirit of knowledge, and Vtterance in the holy things of Jesus Christ, which spirit they ought to cherish, and further to improve, to the praise of Christ.
Amongst so many Instances (dead and living) to the everlasting praise of Christ Iesus, and of his holy Spirit, An honourable remembrance of a despised Witnesse of Christ Iesus, Samuel How.breathing and blessing where he listeth, I cannot but with honorable Testimony remember that Eminent Christian, VVitness, & Prophet of Christ, even that despised and yet beloved Samuel How, who being by Calling a Cobler, and without humane Learning (which yet in its spheare and place he honoured) who yet I say, by searching the holy Scriptures, grew so excellent a Textuary or Scripture learned man, that few of those high Rabbies that scorne to mend or make a Shoe, could aptly and readily from the holy Scripture, outgo him. And however (through the Oppressions upon some mens Consciences, even in Life and Death, and after death in respect of Burying, as yet unthought and unremedied) I say, however he was forced to seek a Grave or bed in the very High way, yet was his life, and death, and buriall (being attended with many hundreds of Gods people) honourable, and (how much more his Rising againe) glorious.
But secondly, True and Right prophecying and Preaching, at first was,No Successe in Preaching now comparable to the first, and why. and shall be (because after Gods own way and Ordinance) beyond all compare with present Times, gloriously and wonderfully Successfull. Thus Acts 2. & 5. &c. poore Sinners came mourning after a Saviour by thousands.
The Church and people of God since the Apostacy, is an Army routed, and can hardly preserve and secure it selfe, much lesse subdue and conquer others, like a Vessell becalmed at Sea, which though it make some way by Rowing and Towing, yet not comparable to what it doth when the mighty gales of Gods holy Spirit breath (as most he useth to doe) in the wayes of his owne most holy Appointments.
3. Consectarie.Thirdly, We may see a great mistake as touching that great point of Conversion: There is a great breathing in the souls of Gods people after the Conversion of the English, No remarkable Conversion of the Nations, as yet to be expected.Irish, Iewes, Indians, and blessed be God for those Breathings. Yet doubtlesse the first great worke is the bringing of the Saints out of Babel, or confused worships, and the downefall of the Papacie, after the witnesses slaughtered. Hence it is probably conceived by some upon Revel. 15. that untill the Vyals be powred forth upon Antichrist, the smoak so filleth the Temple, that no man, that is (few of the Iewes or Gentiles) shall by conversion enter in.
Some will say,Quest. hauehave there not been great and mighty conversions of whole Nations, England, Scotland, French, Dutch, &c. from Popery to be good Protestants, &c.?
I answer,The bodies of Protestant Nations yet unconverted. If the holy Scripture, the first pattern, and dolefull experience may be judge, as an eminent Person lately spake (upon occasion of a Debate touching the Conversion of the Indians) we have Indians at home, Indians in Cornewall, Indians in Wales, Indians in Ireland, yea as to the point of true Conversion, and Regeneration by Gods spirit, who can deny but that the body of this and of all other Protestant Nations (as well as Popish) are unconverted, and (as formerly) ready to be converted and turned forward and backward, as the VVeather-cock, according as the powerfull wind of a prevailing Sword and Authority, shall blow from the various points and quarters of it.
By the mercifull Assistance of the most High, I have desired to labour in Europe, in America, with English, with Barbarians, yea, and also I have longed after some trading with the Iewes themselves (for whose hard measure I feare the Nations and England, hath yet a score to pay) But yet (as before) I cannot see but that the first and present great Designe of the Lord Iesus is to destroy the Papacy, The present Designes and purposes of Christ Iesus.in order to which, two great VVorks are first to be effected.
First, His calling of his people more and more out of the Babel of confused VVorships, Ministries, &c. and the finishing of their Testimony against the Beast.
Secondly, the great sufferings and slaughters of the Saints, upon occasion of which Christ Iesus in his holy wrath and jealousie, will burne and teare the bloody whore of Rome, in pieces. After which effected, the numberlesse number, Rev. 7. the fullnesse of the Gentiles or Nations (Rom. 9.) together with the Iewes, shall flow to Iesus Christ.
Thirdly, we may hence see our great mistakes, both of our selves & our Fore-fathers, 3. Consectary.as to the pretended Seed-plots and Seminaries for the Ministry, the Vniversities of Europe, and the Vniversities of this Nation, for alalthough I heartily acknowledge that among all the outward Gifts of God, humane learning and the knowledge of Languages and good Arts, are excellent and excell other outward gifts, as far as light excels darknesse, and therefore that Schools of humane Learning, ought to be maintained, in a due way and cherished; yet notwithstanding, In ordine ad ministerium, as to the ministry of Christ Iesus (any one of those ministeries, Universities as to the Ministry of Christ Iesus, none of his Institutions.Ephes. 4. & 1 Cor. 12.) upon a due survey of their Institutions and continuall practises compared with the last will and Testament of Christ Jesus, they will be found to be none of Christs, and that in many respects.
First, as to the name Schollar, although as to humane learning, many wayes lawfull, yet as it is appropriated to such as practise the Ministry, The title Schollar appropriated to the Ministers, a sacrilegions title.have been at the Vniversities (as they say) It is a sacrilegious and theevish title, robbing all believers and Saints, who are frequently in the Testament of Christ, stiled Disciples or Schollars of Christ Jesus, and only they as Beleevers, and this Title is so much theirs, that both men and women beleeving, were called Schollars, Act. 9. There was a certaine Disciple or Schollar called Dorkas.
Secondly, As to their Monkish and idle course of life, partly so gentile and stately, partly so vain & superstious, that to wet a finger in any pains or labor, it is a disgraceful and an unworthy Act: But the Church is built upon the Foundation of the Apostles & Prophets, who were Labourers, Fishermen, Tent-makers, Iesus Christ (although the Prince of Life yet) a poor carpenter, Universities in order to Christs Ministery but refined Monasteries.the chief corner stone. And I cannot but conceive, that although it should not please the most holy and jealous God to stir up this renowned State, and their renowned Cromwell (the 2d) to deale with our refined Monasteries, as that blessed Cromwell the first did with the more grosse and Palpably superstitious in Henry the Eighth his days: Yet in his time the Lord Iesus whose is all power in Heaven and Earth will spue out these Seminaries of Hirelings, and misticall Merchants out of his mouth, as he hath done their Fathers the superstitious and bloudy Bishops before them.
Thirdly,Pharisaicall and Popish Titles, As to their Popish and vaunting Titles, so strange from the New Testament and language of Christ Iesus, or any word of title that came forth of his blessed mouth, [Bachellors of Divinity (or Godlinesse) Doctor of Divinity, so clearly and expresly opposite to the command of the Lord Iesus: Call no man Father, Doctor, &c. that is, by way of Eminency in spirituall and heavenly regards,and Ceremonies in their Creatings and Commensings. Rabbi, Rabbi, Doctor, Doctor, &c. I omit (because possibly for shame left off in these dayes) their childish ceremonies (used even by the most holy and consciencious) in their superstitious commencings and creatings, &c. Their holy Gownes (black and red) holy cassocks, holy caps,, holy scarfs, holy Rings, yea, and holy bootes also, &c. All as far from the purity and simplicity of the Son of God, as far as the honest-Attire of some sober and chast Matron, from the wanton and flaunting vanities, of some Painted Harlot.
Fourthly,Spirituall exercises proper only to the Churches and Assemblies of Saints, the true Schools of the Prophets. As to their (pretended) Spirituall and holy exercises proper onelyonly to the Churches and Assemblies of the Saints (the onelyonly Schools of the Prophets appointed by Christ Iesus:) How have they been by Courts imposed upon every naturall and unspirituall man, who (in Truth) perceives not the things that be of God: How have they been prostituted to every prophane and unclean lyp; unto whom saith God (Psa. 50) What hast thou to doe to preach my word, and to take my name into thy mouth?
Fifthly, As to their being prepared and fitted by these means, as in a way of Prentiship, to set up the Trade and way of Preaching, The Hirelings wofull Trade and Merchandize.the science or faculty of Spirituall merchandize (Revel. 18. in a deep Mistery) of all sorts of spices and precious things, the precious sweet Truths and Promises of holy Scripture; yea, (which we may with holy trembling add) a trade of selling God himselfe, Christ Iesus, the Holy Spirit, Heaven and Hel, and (too too often) their own Souls, and the Souls of thousands.
Object.But have there not come excellent men from thence, famous for Learning, Holinesse, Labours, Successe in the Souls of thousands, &c?
Answ.I say, There have been excellent men (some say Popes and Cardinals, and we are sure) Lord Bishops and Monks in their personall Holinesse, Excellent & holy men in the bondage of sinfull Institutions, Superstitions.gifts, Learning, Labours, Successe, and therein famous Prophets and Witnesses of Christ Iesus; yea, they have sealed the holy Truths of God, which they have learned from the holy Scriptures, and which they have declared to others, I say they have sealed them with their heart blood, but that's no justification of their evill standings, Institutions, Administrations, &c. which (as by degrees it hath pleased the Father of Lights to discover unto them) they have come out of such Bondage with shame and sorrow, and laboured after the purity and simplicity of the Son of God.
Quest.But extraordinary gifts be ceased, how shall now the people of this Nation be supplyed with Ministers, but from such Seminaries of Learning, which fit men both with Learning to know, and Eloquence to utter the heavenly Mysteries: Or would you have the people be of no Religion at all, meer Atheists, without God, without his Word, without a Ministry, &c?
I answer, 'Tis true, those glorious first ministeriall gifts are ceased,The counterfeit of the Apostolical Ministry. and that's or should be the lamentation of all Saints, to wit, the desolation and widow-hood of Zion: yet I humbly conceive that without those gifts, it is no ground of imitation, and of going forth to Teach and Baptise the Nations, for, the Apostles themselves did not attempt that mighty enterprise, but waited at Ierusalem untill the Holy Spirit descended on them, and inabled them for that mighty work: least of all is that a ground of counterfeiting, and of suborning a livelesse picture of that first Ministry (like Ieroboams Institutions) when every one that hath Friends may be preferred to Fellowships in Colledges, to the superstitious Degrees and Titles of Divinity (as they call it) and by these staires ascend up the Gospel preferments of rich and honourable Benefices. Yet
Secondly, Far be it from me to derogate from that honourable civility of training up of Youth in Languages, and other humane Learning, whether in the City of LONDON, or other Townes and Cities, &c. All that I bear witnesse against,Institution of Youth in humane learning withall instructing them with the knowledge & feare of the Lord, most christian and honourable. is the counterfeiting and sacrilegious arrogating of the titles and rights of Gods Saints, and Churches (as before) which are the only Schools of the Prophets: As also against their sacrilegious and superstitious Degrees (as they call them) in the profession of Divinity, as if they only knew Divinity, Godlinesse, Holinesse, and by such skill in godlinesse, and by such Degrees might succeed the ancient Scribes and Pharisees, in the uppermost seats in Synagogues and Feasts, in Reverend titles and salutations, as the only Masters and Teachers of Religion and godlinesse, and all this in the way of the Hireling, dividing (Dan. 11.) the whole Land for gaine: so that there hath not been roome (without some speciall and extraordinary priviledge and license) for the poorest Cottager to live in England, out of the Bishops Diocesse and the Priests Parish, and Payments: therefore,
Thirdly, In all humble reverence and due submission to the Higher Powers, The Civill State never made good work in spiritualls.I affirme, there was never meerly Civill State in the World (for that of the Iewes was mixt and Ceremoniall) that ever did or ever shall make good work of it, with a civill sword in spirituall matters, and therefore have but builded & pluckt down, planted and pluckt up, Churches, Ministries, Disciplines, &c. I acknowledge with thankfulnes, that many heavenly Spirits, in K: Edwards, Q: Elizabeths days, and since that, have been forming and reforming the states and nations, Religion, Worship, Ministry, &c. Doubtlesse Intentions were holy (as Davids) labours great, & Gods mercy, and pity and patience infinite: yet experience long and ever hath told us That there was never a Nation yet born in a day to God, That the bodies of all Nations is a part of the world, and although the holy Spirit of God, in every Nation where the Word comes, washeth white some Blackamores, The body of a civill State or Nation, and the elect or chosen of God out of each Nation, must be rightly distinguished.and changeth some Leopards spots, yet the bodies and bulks of Nations, cannot by all the Acts and Statutes under heaven, put off the Blackamores skin, the Leopard spots, &c. O why then should the wisedome of so many Ages, still each after other, be preacht (by the prevailing Hirelings of each time, againe and again) into the selfe-same delusion of washing the Blackamore, &c?
There is not a Towne, nor a Parish, nor a person in England, but judge themselves christian, and to that end challenge the right and use of (a Minister, in sacris some (as in all Religions in the world it is) to serve the Dietie they worship, ex officio, as Sacerdotes, or holy persons for and with them, in prayers and holy Rites.
This mine eyes have often seen among thousands of the wild, yet wise Americans, who yet (alas) as all the Nations of Europe, and the world are utterly uncapable of Formes and Ministers (or Officers) of Christian worship, while yet in their naturall and worldly capacities, not borne againe, made spirituall and heavenly, by the holy spirit of God. Yet,
Fifthly,Absolutes f…dome in …ters meer… spirituall … all the consciences i… the world. I desire uprightly to be far from divers waights and measures in the things of God (especially): and therefore I desire not that liberty to my selfe, which I would not freely and impartially weigh out to all the consciences of the world beside: And therefore I doe humbly conceive, that it is the will of the most High, and the expresse and absolute Duty of the civill powers to proclaim an absolute freedom in all the 3 Nations, yea in all the world (were their power so large) that each Towne, and Division of people, yea, and person, may freely enjoy what worship, what ministry, what maintenance to afford them, their soul desireth.
To this end I am humbly bold to offer,The people ought not to be forced to nor from the paying of Tenths, or Fifths, according to their Conscience. that it is not the will of the Father of Spirits, that all the consciences and spirits of this Nation should violently (Vi & armis) be forced into one way of worship, or that any Towne or Parish (so called) in England, Scotland, or Ireland, be disturbed in their worship, (what worship soever it be) by the civill sword: If the people freely choose that way of worship, and ministry, and maintenance they walk in, yea if they will freely pay them the Tenths or Fifths, I shall not envy their Ministers maintenance, nor disturb either minister or peoples conscience by any other sword, but with that spirituall sword of two edges, the sword of Gods spirit, the holy word of God.
Objection.Grant the bodies of the Nations to be but naturall, but civill, and therefore cannot without the changings of Gods spirit, be possibly fit as spirituall flocks of sheep, for spirituall Pastors, or shepheards to feed and build them up with the spirituall Ordinance of Christ Iesus? yet, need they not a converting or begetting ministry of Christ Iesus, to preach Repentance to them, to spiritualize and change them? And if so, where shall ten thousand Ministers be had to goe to (about) that number of Parishes in England, without the constant supplies of the seed-plots and Seminaries, the Vniversities of the Nation?
I answer, First, there are great Disputes among Gods people whether Apostles or Messengers sent out to teach and baptise, that is, to Convert the Nations, be yet an Ordinance of Christ Iesus continued, or being extraordinary ceased? There is a great dispute whether the Ministry of the twelve (Matth. 10.) or of the 70 (Luk. 10.) be continued since they both had an immediate call from Christ.
And secondly, Such excellent gifts, abilities, and furniture from Christ, which now we find none are furnished with, as healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out Devils, The Apostolicall Ministry to the lost Nations interrupted.&c. Further, whether all these gifts and administrations, Ephes. 4. & 1 Cor. 12. be to be expected?
For my selfe I am sure of two things.
First, It is but little of the World yet that hath heard of the lost estate of mankinde, and of a Saviour, Christ Iesus, and as yet the fullnesse of the Gentiles is not yet come, and probably shall not, untill the downefull of the Papacy. Yet
Secondly,Yet of the Prophets and Witnesses mourning in sackcloth continued. The Ministry or Service of Prophets, and Witnesses, mourning and Prophecying in Sack-cloath, God hath immediately stirred up and continued all along the reigne of the Beast, and Antichrist of Rome.
This Witnesse is (probably) neer finished, and the bloudy storme of the slaughter of the Witnesses, is yet to be expected and prepared for: But this, and the time, and many passages of Revel. 11. is Controversiall, and something like that of Christs expected personall presence, the state of the New Ierusalem, the new Heavens and Earth, &c.
However this is cleare, that all that are betrusted with spirituall or temporall Tallents, must lay them out for their Lord and Master, his Advantage.
That,The Ministry of Prophets more opened. all (of what rank soever) that have knowledge & utterance of heavenly Mysteries, & therein are the Lords Prophets & Witnesses against Antichrist, must Prophecy against false Christs, Gods Prophets of high or low condition, must not keep silence, and hide their Talents, &c.false Faith, false Love, false Ioy, false Worship, and Ministrations, false Hope, and false Heaven, which poor souls in a golden dream expect & look for.
This Prophecy ought to be (chiefly) exercised among the Saints in the companies, meetings, and assemblies of the fellow-mourners, and witnesses against the falshoods of Antichrist: If any come in (as in 1 Cor. 14.) yea if they come to catch, God will graciously more or lesse vouchsafe to catch them if he intends to save them.
But for the going out to the Nations, Cities, Townes as to the Nations, Cities, and Townes of the World, unconverted, untill the downefall of the Papacy, The Apostolicall ministry to the Nations and Peoples.Revel. 18. and so the mounting of the Lord Iesus, and his white Troopers againe, Revel. 19. &c. For the going out of any to preach upon hire, for the going out to convert sinners, The Apostolicall Ministry to the Nations and peoples.and yet to hold communion with them as Saints in prayer: For the going out without such a powerfull Call from Christ, as the twelve and the seventy had: or without such suitable gifts as the first Ministry was furnished with, and this especially without a due knowledge of the Period of the Prophecies to be fulfilled, I have no Faith to act, nor in the Actings and Ministrings of others: for
There is but one God, Lord and Spirit, from whom those Gifts, Administrations and Operations proceed, 1 Cor. 12. without whose holy & heavenly concurrence in all those three,The Lords worke only in the Lords way. both Gifts and Administrations and operations, instead of Glorifying the name of Christ, and saving Souls, we may Blaspheame his Name, and grieve his spirit, and hinder and harden poor souls against Repentance, when by fellowship in prayer with them as with Saints, we perswade them of their (already) blessed state of Christianity, and that they are Newborn, the saints, and sons, and daughters of the living God; therefore.
Lastly, If it shall please our most Noble Governours, to search into the institution and constitution (as they have done of the Diocesan so also) of the National and Parish Churches ▪ The grand oppression of the whole Nation is the Parish inforced constitution.(concerning which I shal humbly subjoyn some Queries in the close of all;)
If they please to take off the Yoaks, the Soul Yoaks of binding all persons to such parochiall or parish formes, permitting them to injoy their own belief, whether within or without such Parish worships, Parish maintenance, Parish maryings, Parish Buryings, by which the souls and consciences of so many have been inbondaged in life and death, and (their bodies, in respect of buryings) after death.
If they shall please so far (if not to countenance yet) to permit impartially All consciences, Freedom for the people to frequent the word in other Assemblies beside the Parish, a great and hopefull means of blessed and Soul-saving fruit to the Nation.and especially the consciences, the meetings and assemblings of faithfull and conscionable people, (the Voluntiers in preaching Christ Iesus): so as that what people and persons please, may peaceably frequent and repaire to such spirituall meetings and assemblies, as they doe the Parish Churches: I am humbly confident, that as to the point of converting souls to God (so far as the present state of Christianity can be so promoted) the souls of thousands will blesse God more, then if Millions of Hirelings were sent abroad from all the Vniversities, both of Popish and Protestant Countries.
Fourthly,4Consectary. Upon the grounds first laid, I observe the great and wonderfull mistake both our owne and our Fathers, Christ Iesus no Founder of Covill power, in spirituall causes.as to the civill powers of this world, acting in spirituall matters. I have read (as blessed Latimer once said) the last Will and Testament of the Lord Iesus over many times, and yet I cannot finde by one tittle of that Testament, that if he had been pleased to have accepted of a temporall Crowne and Government, that ever he would have put forth the least finger of temporall … civill power, in the matters of his spirituall affairs an… Kingdome.
Hence must it lamentably be against the Testimon… of Christ Iesus, for the Civill state to impose upon the Soules of the People, a Religion, a Worship, a Ministry, Oaths (in Religious and Civil affairs,) Tithes, Times, Days, Marryings and Buryings in holy ground, yet in force, as I have (I hope) by the helpe of God, fully debated that great Question with Master Cotton, and washt off all his late washings of that bloody Tenent of Persecution, &c.
What is then the expresse duty of the Civill Magistrate,Quest. as to Christ Iesus his Gospell and Kingdome?
I answer, I know how wofully that Scripture, Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers, &c. hath been abused, and elswhere I have at large discussed that, and other such Objections: At present, I humbly conceive, that the great Duty of the Magistrate, as to spirituals, will turne upon these two Hinges.
The Civill Magistrates duty, as to spirituals, turning upon two hinges.First, In removing the Civill Bars, Obstructions, Hinderances, in taking of those Yoaks, that pinch the very Soules and consciences of men, such as yet are the payments of Tithes, and the Maintenance of Ministers, they have no faith in: Such are the inforced Oaths, and some ceremonies therein, in all the Courts of Iustice, such are the holy Marryings, holy buryings, &c.
Secondly, In a free and absolute permission of the consciences of all men, in what is meerly spirituall, not the very consciences of the Iews, nor the consciences of the Turkes or Papists, or Pagans themselves excepted.
Quest.But how will this Propagate the Gospell of Christ Iesus?
I answer thus, The first grand Design of Christ Iesus is, to destroy and consume his Mortal enemy Antichrist. This must be done by the breath of his Mouth in his Prophets and Witnesses: The breath of Christ Iesus by which he consumes Antichrist, stopt by the Nations.Now the Nations of the World, have impiously stopt this heavenly breath, and stifled the Lord Iesus in his Servants: Now if it shall please the civill State to remove the state bars, set up to resist the holy Spirit of God in his servants (whom yet finally to resist, is not in all the powers of the world) I humbly conceive that the civill state hath made a fair progresse in promoting the Gospel of Iesus Christ.
Quest.This Mercy and freedome is due to the (meerly) religious consciences of all men in the world. Is there no more due from the Magistrate to Christ Iesus his saints and Kingdome?
I answer, While I pleade the Conscience of All men to be at Liberty, doubtlesse I must plead the Liberty of the Magistrates conscience also,The Magistrates and all men ought to excell in fruits of Piety and Mercy, according to conscience. and therefore were his bounties and donations to his Bishops and Ministers, as large as those of Constantine; who, but the holy Spirit of God in the mouths of his Prophets can restrain him? OnelyOnly let not Caesar, (as Constantine in his setled prosperity did) rob the God of Heaven of his Rights, the consciences of his subjects their heavenly Rights and Liberties.
But under the pretence of propagating the Gospell of Christ Iesus (it may be said) what horrible opinions and Spirits will be vented,Object. as woefull experience hath manifested:
I answer, Opinions offensive are of two sorts: some savouring of Impiety, and some of Incivility.
Against the first, Christ Iesus never cald for the Sword of Steel to helpe the Sword of the Spirit that two-edged Sword that comes out of the mouth of the Lord Iesus: And therefore if a world of Arrians deny the Deity of Christ Iesus: If a Maniche his humane nature: If the Jews deny both,No sword to be used against the most horrid Blasphemies & Heresies, but the two edged sword of the Word, the sword of the Spirit of God. and blasphemously call our Christ a Deceiver: Nay, if the Mahumetans the Turkes (the greater number by far of one Religion in the World) if they I say, pefer their cheating Mahomet before him, What now? must we raile, revile, &c. and cry ou Blasphemers, Hereticks? Must we run to the Cutlers shop, the Armories and Magazines of the Cities and Nations? Must we run to the Cities or Nations, and Senates, and cry, Helpe you men of Ephesus, helpe O Inhabitants of Ierusalem, &c. Or must we fly up to Heaven by Prayers and Curses, to fetch downe Fire upon the persecuting Captains and their fifties? This doe the Nations, this doe false Christs and Christians, but this did not, this will not doe the Lambe of God, the Lyon of Iudah's Tribe, who with his Word and Spirit alone (which the Father hath promised to put into his Mouth, and the Mouth of his Seed, and the Mouth of his Seeds Seed (Isa. 59.) will either kill or save the gain-saying Opposite.
The Second sort, to vvit opinions of Incivility, doubtlesse the Opinions as well as practices, are the proper Object of the Civill Sword: according to that Magna Charta for the civill Magistrate, Rom. 13. and that true Apothegme or saying, Ex malis moribus bonae leges: Good Laws occasioned by Evill manners.
Quest.But ought not the civill Magistrate to repeal their Ordinance for Tithes, Tithes ought not to be injoyned, or forbidden.and also to appoint some course for the maintenance of the Ministry?
I answer, Upon that Ground of Removing Soule Yoaks, and not Restraining, nor constraining conscience, I humbly conceive, that the civil State cannot by any Rule from Christ Iesus, either forbid the payment of Tithes to such whose conscience is to pay them, or enjoyne them where the conscience is not so perswaded: For the further clearing of which assertion, I distinguish of the People of this Nation into two sorts.
First, Such as have a Freedome in their minde to frequent the Publick Parish Assemblies of the Nation, and they are also of two sorts.
First, Such as conscienciously frequent such places, either out of a consciencious zeale of worshipping of God, The people of this Nation according to their severall Consciences distinguished.or out of a superstitious and traditionall awe.
Secondly such as can goe or not goe, and care not what Religion themselves and the State be of.
There is a second sort of people in this Nation, which out of conscience dare not frequent such Places, and they are such;
First, Such as indeed feare God, and are in their consciences perswaded of an indelible Character of Holinesse upon such Temples, as Temples dedicated to a Parish worship.
Secondly, Such as out of an utter dislike of all Protestant Worship, and an high esteem of their owne Catholick Faith, are as far from love to such places as the former sort.
Now all these Consciences (yea the very conscience of the Papists, Iewes, &c. (as I have proved at large in my Answer to Master Cottons washings) ought freely and impartially to be permitted their severall respective Worships, their Ministers of Worships, and what way of maintaining them they freely choose.
But if the civill state injoyne not the maintenance of the Ministry: Objection.If they quite let loose the Golden Raines of Discipline (as the Parliament exprest, and the Scots objected) What will become of the Ministry of the Gospel; and the Soules of men? For if each mans conscience be at Liberty to come to Church or not, to Pay to the Minister or not, the prophane and loose will neither pay nor pray, but turne Atheisticall and irreligious: The Ministers of Worship will be discouraged and destitute, and Parents will have little mind to expend their Monies to make their children Scholars, when the Hope of their preferment is cut off.
I answer, First that Supreame Court in their Declaration never Declared to barre up all the Doors and Windows of that Honorable House,The Sun of Righteousnesse is able to shine more light upon the wisest and the highest. so that no further Light from Heaven should breake into their Souls and councels from the most glorious Sun of all Righteousnes the Lord Iesus,
Although the Loose will be more loose (yet) possibly being at more Liberty they may be put upon consideration and choice of wayes of life and peace yet however it is infinitely better,Some prophanesse better then inforced Hipocrisie. that the Prophane and loose be unmasked, then to be muffled up under the veile and hood of Traditionall Hypocrisie, which turnes and duls the very edge of all conscience either toward God or Man.
Thirdly, It is not to be doubted, but that each conscience, the Papists and the Protestants, both Presbiterians and Independents will aemulously strive for (their not onelyonly conscience but) credit sake,Severall consciences sometimes emulate each other. to excell and win the Garland in the fruits of bounty, &c. Thus a Iesuite once in New-gate boasted of the Papists charity to a Protestant (put in also for his conscience by the Bishops) for, pulling out his hand full of Gold, look here (said he) are the fruits of our Religion.
Fourthly, Such Parents or children as aime at the gaine, Gain Godlinesse and God bellyand preferment of Religion, doe often mistake Gaine and Gold for Godlinesse, God-belly for the true God, and some false for the true Lord Iesus: I adde, such Priests or Ministers as can force a maintenance of Tithes or otherwise, by the Sword, or else cease preaching for want of such or such a maintenance, or can remove from Bishopricks or Benefices (as Calves and Bulls of Bashan) for fatter and rancker Pastures: or wanting spirituall worke and maintenance, are too fine to worke with their hands, as the first Patternes, Christ first Ministers did, how can they say as Peter to Christ Iesus, Lord thou knowest all things, Thou knowest I love thee? &c. therefore
Lastly, The Father of Spirits graciously be pleased to preserve the Spirits of our higher powers from laying on of Hay and Stubble, though upon the Golden foundation Christ Iesus, The wonderfull burning of Hay and Stubble in this Nation.for all such worke in matters spirituall, which our Forefathers either Popish or Protestant in their severall changes in this Nation have made, they have been consum'd and burnt (like Hay and stubble) and come to nothing.
The Summa totalis of all the former particulars is this, First, since the people of this Nation have been forc't into a Nationall way of Worship, both Popish and Protestant (as the Wheels of times revolutions, by Gods mighty providence and permission have turned about) The civill state is bound before God to take of that bond and yoak of Soul-oppression, and to proclaime free and impartiall Liberty to all the people of the three Nations, Soul-Liberty, ought to be impartially restored to the three Nations.to choose and maintaine what Worship and Ministry their Soules and Consciences are perswaded of: which Act, as it will prove an Act of mercy and righteousnesse to the inslaved Nations, so is it of a binding force to ingage the whole and every Interest and Conscience, to preserve the Common-freedom and peace. However, an Act most suiting with the piety and Christianity of the holy Testament of Christ Iesus.
Secondly, The civill state is humbly to be implored, to provide in their high Wisdome for the security of all the respective consciences, in their respective meetings, assemblings, worshippings, preachings, Disputings, &c. and that civil peace, and the beauty of civility and humanity be maintained among the chiefe opposers and dissenters.
Thirdly, It is the duty of all that are in Authority, and of all that are able, to countenance, incourage, and supply such true Voluntiers as give and devote themselves to the service and Ministry of Christ Iesus in any kind:All Christs true Followers, and especially the Leaders among them, are a willing people and Voluntiers. although it be also the duty, and will be the practise of all such whom the Spirit of God sends upon any work of Christs, rather to work as Paul did, among the Corinthians and Thessalonians, then the work and service of their Lord and Master, should be neglected.
Such true Christian worthies (whether endowed with humane Learning, or without it) will alone be found that despised modell which the God of Heaven will onelyonly blesse; that poor handfull and three hundred out of Israels thirty two thousand by whom the work of the God of Israel must be effected. And if this course be effected in the three Nations, the bodies and soules of the three Nations will be more and more at peace, and in a fairer way then ever, to that peace which is Eternall when this World is gone.