The Bishop of London, Tract 2 – Title page 3
The Welsh Curate.
PAul was a Jew born at Tarsus, Acts 22.3.that is, a Welshman born; for Tarsus was a Sea Towne, so is Caraiffe in Wales.
If Paul was all, 1 Cor. 9.22.why not a Welshman? and if he was all to all, why not to us in Wales?
Paul was the servant of Christ, so he is still; for all men live to God, and in him, Act. Luke 20.38.27, 28.
Paul was … No Man, but a follower of Christ; for Christ was indeed a worm, and No Man, Psal. 1 Cor. 11.1.22.6.
If Abel being dead, yet speaketh, why not Paul, Heb. 11.4. Col. 3.3. 2 Cor. 13.3. Joh. 14.10.now he is dead? for dead was the Man, while he was alive; and Paul never spake a word to men, but Christ spake all in him; yea the Man Christ never spake, but God even the Father was all in him, as Christ in Paul, and in all, was All in All, Col. 3.11.
That God and Father which was in the flesh of Christ, Joh. 20.17. 2 Cor. 4.11.was in Paul's, whose flesh was crucified to God, as Christ's was in dying: and so Paul was crucified with Christ, Gal. 2.20.who yet lived in him.
And yet Paul, while persecuting the Saints, was said to persecute Christ, Acts 9.5.Christ in them, that's God in their flesh, or God powerfully appearing in them, that's the Spirit, 1 Tim. 1.13.which Paul persecuted then, and the Churches now, though ignorantly.
The same Spirit or power of God appeared afterward in Paul. 2 Cor. 13.4 1 Pet. 3.18. compared. Acts 23.1. Acts 9.15. compared.'Twas there before: for God was in Him, and He in Christ; though Christ was not yet revealed in him, till God was powerfully brought forth in his flesh.
This was Paul's conversion, Gal. 1.15, 16.and his call to the Ministery, Acts 13.2. Rom. 15.18, 19when, Not the Church, but the Spirit separated Paul to that work; wherein he not onelyonly preacht to the world, but had the care of All the Churches, 2 Cor. 11.28.
Paul's care was, 1 Cor. 11.34. Acts 14.23. Tit. 1.5.to set in order all things in the Churches, to ordain Elders, who were to officiate in Ordinances to every Church, Acts 20.7.17. compared.
The first Gospel-Ordinance was the Baptism of the Spirit, without which the Saints could not be set in Gospel-order.Acts 1.4, 5.
Fellowship was the next, which was in the Spirit onelyonly; Gospel-order among them being the manifestation of the Spirit in manifold gifts; 1 Cor. 12.7, 11and this was the fruit of that Baptism, or the Baptism of the Spirit indeed. Acts 2.33, 38. compared.
In breaking of bread, 1 Cor. 11.29.they not onelyonly discerned the Lords body, but drank into one Spirit, 1 Cor. 12.13.1 Cor. 14 15.
They did pray in the Spirit, sing in the Spirit; 1 Cor. 14.15.which were not onelyonly the common goings forth of the Spirit in the hearts of the Saints, as 'twas under the Law, 1 Cor. 14.1, 12.but special and powerful appearances and operations of the Spirit, or spiritual gifts: as a Tongue, Interpretation, and Revelation, were also Gospel-Ordinances, 1 Cor. 14.26.and all for the edifying of the Church.
But the first Ordinance, the Baptism of the Spirit, though on the Church, yet was it for the world; the rest were for the weak in the Church. 1 Cor. 14.22.For as signes were for unbelievers, and those visible gifts of the Spirit were for the world, to draw their ears to the Gospel, Vers. 25.and their eyes to the Churches of Saints: so, for the weaks sake among them, other Ordinances and Officers also were ordained; whereas the strong, Phil. 3.15. 1 Joh. 2.27.who were spiritual and perfect, had the Anointing in them, that they needed not any man to teach them. So the Baptism of water was for a time, Joh. 3.30. Acts 16.3.because of the weak disciples of John called to Christ; as Circumcision continued in the Church for the weak sake of the Jews. For as the Ministery of Apostles, Prophets, Pastors and Teachers, was onelyonly till all the Saints should come to the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, Eph. 4.13.to the fulness of the stature of Christ, which was to be in this life; for the unity of faith there declares it: 1 Cor. 11.26.so breaking of bread was to shew forth the Lords death till he come, that is, till the same should be revealed fully in them all, and All be gathered up unto Christ.2 Thess. 2.1.
And though the Apostle did joyn in Ordinances with the Churches, yet it was because he was All to All, and could be weak with the weak, as a Jew to the Iew: for even Gospel-Ordinances in themselves, were but a Legal Dispensation, and gifts of the Spirit likewise, for the Church under the Law had the same, 1 Sam. 19.20. 2 King. 4.35. 2 King. 2.21.both gifts of Prophecie, of healing, signes, raising the dead, &c. yea, the dead Prophets bones raised up another, 2 King. 13.21.
Therefore the present Churches are far belowe the Legal or Jewish Church under the Law: which proves the Apostacie or falling away to be already, and long since, though not revealed till now the Churches are come up to purest forms, where yet the Ordinances are defiled, and fail in spirit and form from the first.
Thus the Spirit not appearing in them, 2. Thess. 2.7. He that letteth was the Spirits presence; which being taken away, or not appearing any more in the Church, the Mystery of Iniquity is now Revealed fully; for 'twas before in part to former Ages.'tis the wisdom of God this way to befool the world, and the wisest of the Churches, who coming neerest to Gospel-order in form, they must be the first in whom the spirit of Antichrist must come forth with power to appear in them and to All.
Now Paul comes to take care of all the Churches, whom as an Apostle he had prophesied to be cut off, and as a Prophet foresaw the falling away to come, Rom. 11.22. 2 Thess. 2.3.
Paul's spirit runs down thorow all ages since the Apostacie, in various discoveries of it in the Churches, and of God in Men; some knowing more, some less of the Mystery both of God, and the Mystery of Iniquity: but now the seventh Angel begins to sound, each Mystery is finishing.Rev. 10.7.
And Paul's spirit in many must feel still the stroak of that suffering which has been from the beginning: Therefore when Babylon falls, 'tis sung in heaven, Rejoyce over her, Rev. 18.20.ye holy Apostles and Prophets.
Paul's care is now of all the Churches in Babylon, not to build them up, as before, but break them down, because 'tis a confusion more then that of the Iewish Church in Captivity, to build a Temple in Babylon.
Before I shall speak of this, let me speak a little of Paul, and the wonderful wisdom of God to chuse such a man, to take care of all the Churches, who was the greatest persecutor, and in zeal persecuting the Church. Again, that a Iew should be the Apostle of the Gentiles. Again, that none of the Apostles whom Christ in the flesh called and commissioned to Teach all Nations, and Baptize, should be the first who did preach the Gospel to the world. Again, that Paul alone, with Barnabas, was the first separated by the Spirit for that work. Fourthly, that Paul being a Iew, should be the first who set in order the Churches of the Gentiles. Fifthly, all the Gathered Churches had no other Curate but Paul: for he wrote Epistles to them all, (and first, to the Church of Rome) for the other Apostles Epistles were to the scattered Saints. Lastly, 'tis not a little to me, that the Romane Church to this day own no Apostle nor Vicar of Christ but Peter; whereas Paul indeed was the onelyonly Curate to take care of all the Churches.
Adde to this, that Paul found Peter in a fault; Gal. 2.11.which was a spiritual priviledge, in that he was free; 1 Cor. 4.4. Acts 24.14.for, he knew nothing of himself, nor others blameworthy in him, though the Church of the Jews said be was an Heretick, Acts 24.5. foreign.a pest or plague, &c. and some of Rome say that Paul was a hare-brain'd fellow.
Besides, 'tis something to me, that Paul never owned himself as an Elder, 1 Pet. 5.1.which Peter did; yet Peter gives a Prophetick check to Church-Elders this day, Vers. 3. foreign.not to be Lords over Gods heritage, or Clergie, as the Greek is; so the Church is called, not the Ministers, as now. But that of Peter was not so well applied to the Prelates, or Lord Bishops; but is pat to the Presbyters or Elders of Churches: for, to those onelyonly the Apostle here speaks.
What, will Peter joyn with Paul, to take care, and throw down all the Churches? Yea, these two may be the two Witnesses. Rev. 11.3.Two is but few; yet a full witness in those few Saints this day, in whom the spirit of Paul and Peter is risen, as Elias was in John, Matth. 17.12. These must be no more Apostles, but prophesie in sackcloth, in a sorrowful and suffering condition, Rev. 11.3.
Now there's no more care of Churches: Rev. 11.2.for, the Temple, and those who worship God in spirit, are to be measured; but the outward court (where the Church met) that is, Church-fellowship and Ordinances, are given to the Gentiles.
Gentile Christians have enjoyed all Ordinances to this day; and though Saints are in Church-fellowship still, yet in truth that belongs not to them; 'tis long since given away to those belowe them, though they knew it not: and though they have taken it from the Gentiles, 'tis plain Theft and Robbery, not in the State, but in the Churches of Saints, to take away the peoples Common-Prayers, Parish-Communions, Christening of children, &c. But the purest Churches are come pretty neer to the Gentiles in this, Matth. 6.35.and in seeking earthly things become Gentiles indeed, never more, as in earthly Ordinances also, for so they are now; the heavenly Spirit, or power from on high, not appearing with them; yea, quite contrary to the letter of Scripture, as some Baptize with water, Act. 11.4. Act. 2.38.before the Baptism of the Spirit be come on the Churches: so others baptize children, and break bread in publike, or in the Parish-Church, whereas primitive Saints did this onelyonly in private at home, as the Greek renders; verse 47. foreign.or from house to house, as our English Bibles; besides, their Common-prayers, as was said before.
But Paul and Peter being turned Prophets, Bishop of London.not onelyonly by holding forth the pattern and practice of Gospel-Churches, but by their own spirit breathing in some scattered Saints, do confound all the gathered Churches; who, as they cannot follow after spiritual gifts (this being also the command of Christ in the Apostles) so their Pastors and Teachers finding Secular places, and Martial employments, 1 Cor. 14.1, 12.as Colonels, Captains, and Majors, must needs be routed by the sword of the Spirit, and Ordinance of the Apostles, 1 Tim. 4.13. to 16. and Chap. 6.14.
Hark how the Apostle roars, and chides the Churches. Is this the Order I set you in? To creep together six or seven in a corner; then to close in a Govenant: thirdly, to cause the rest of the Saints to wait at your Church-doors for admission? This is your Church-way indeed; but where do you hear in the Gospel of such a Company, of such a Church-Covenant, of closing of spirits, of such an admission of all? Where do ye finde that word, or the Thing? Admission of members manifests some Authority and Power in the fellow-members made up into a Body before: But was this ever among visible Saints, that some should be left behinde out of the Church? Must any of the members be out of the Body?
Again, Admission intimates the Church of Christ to be a Corporation, as if there were a Common Councel among them: whereas the Church is a Free company, or Society of Friends, who come together, not as called by an outward power, but freely closing by the inward spirit.
Therefore the adding of those to the Church, was nothing but a voluntary joyning of them whom the Lord did call.Act. 2.41.
Neither was there need of a confession of sins, or of their faith (as John's disciples did) to be received; but a readiness of minde to walk with the Saints.
Neither did poor Saints wait a yeer or two, as 'tis with our New English Churches in England and Wales, (though the Rich are sooner received;) but they did joyn, without being judg'd or questioned at all.
Yea, Paul, an open persecutor, and newly converted, though none almost knew it, yet seeking to joyn with the Saints, was presently embraced, meerly on the Testimony of one man, Acts 9.27.
Where's then, saith Paul, all your Church-fellowship? Is this the Order of the Gospel you talk of? Was there ever a Gospel-order, before the Baptism of the Spirit? And what's the Baptism of the Spirit, but pouring all Spiritual gifts on the Church? for the Church under the Law had some, as I said before.
Why, saith Paul, the Apostles themselves could not go forth, to teach all Nations and baptize; till they were Baptized of the Spirit.
Yea, Math. 28.29.though they were called and commissioned by Christ himself before; yet they must abide at Jerusalem: and how can ye poor creatures go forth, who were never sent by Christ, nor by the Spirit from on high?
And will ye offer to go before the Lord? to run; before ye be sent? the false Prophets of old would run, &c. that shews your readiness to go, Jer. 23.21.because you are not the true.
Were it not better for you (Brethren) to abide at Ierusalem? that is, the indwellings of God in you; Act. 1.4.this might content you for a time, to wait in your spiritual weakness, and bewildernessed state, till power come from on high, to carry ye forth to the world.
But why do ye not Catechize, not your Children, but your Chuches? Why do ye not teach them the Principles of Christ, the Doctrine of Baptisms, and laying on of hands? Heb. 6.1, 2.
Tis not Baptisme, but Baptismes, the Churches should know; not the Baptisme of water, but of fire; this is fittest for a Gospel-Church: the Baptisme of Water was but a legal Ordinance: therefore Iohns Baptisme was no news to the Iewes, and twas long before the Gospel-Churches.Joh. 1.25.
But who Baptizeth into the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit? tis not in the name, for every Papist can do that: but why must it be even in them form of words? why not Baptize in the name of Christ Jesus? and what's the name of Christ, but the promise of the Father, and power of the Spirit?
This Primitive Believers were Baptized into, 1 Cor. 12.13. Act. 2.38.and the promise of the holy Spirit was ever annexed to the Baptisme of water: but this of water, was not meant in the Apostles Commission; for God sent me not to Baptize, 1 Cor. 1.17.saith Paul. Therefore to Baptize into the name of the Father, Son, &c. is the Spirits baptisme, or spiritual gifts received.
For, was not the manifestation of the Spirit given to every one to profit withall? and were not gifts divided to every one, 1 Cor. 1.7, 11.as he pleased?
Here Paul cries againe to the Churches, Who taught you to distinguish of ordinary and extraordinary? Eph. 4.8.11. 1 Cor. 12.21. 1 Cor. 14.26. compared.as if the gifts of Christ, or gifts of the Spirit, were not the orderly and ordinary constitution of a Gospel-Church.
Why are not the Apostles as necessary to preach to the world, as Pastors to teach in the Church? Pastors and Teachers must stay at home with the Church; who must go forth to the world? who told you of Itinerants, and lazy Lecturers?
Or that the gifts of the Spirit were extraordinary also, seeing all spiritual gifts, 2 Cor. 11.28.were for the edifying of the Church? and is not the edifice then fallen into a confusion, or Babel, since there is not the gift of a Tongue to tell us the true Originals; nor of Interpretation to Translate them aright? And are not these two gifts of the Spirit more necessary now then at the first, since the Apostacy is come, and corrupted the form of sound words in Doctrine and worship? Whence gave I you, saith Paul, the least hint in all my Preachings or Epistles, that the Churches of Christ should be for a time with gifts of the Spirit, and for after-times without them? was not this the Apostacy, 1 Cor. 5.4. 1 Tim. 1.20. compared.and falling away I told you? and are you not there? can ye finde my Spirit among you? can any of you then cast out a member to Satan?
Lastly, Has any of you Ministers the laying on of hands of the Presbytery? 1 Tim. 4.14. 2 Tim. 1.6.was ever any Presbyter or Elder ordained without an Apostle or his delegate the Evangelist? Tit. 1.5. Mat. 16.18. James 5.14. compared.can any ordination according to the Gospel be, or laying on of hands without a gift of the Spirit given thereby?
Are not all your Ordinances, then, the instruments of a foolish Shepherd? Zach. 11.15.and are not all your Shepherds Idols? Idol-Shepherds indeed, that cannot see our stand at all.
Yea Pauls Spirit, Zach. 11.17.and Peters Sword smites upon your arme and right eye, upon the Spiritual sight and strength of such Idol-Shepherds; who leaving their flocks and fellowships, or neglecting the Spirit of prayer and Ministery of the word, give themselves to the world, See Act. 6.2.4.or to serving of Tables: this being once so good a work, as taking care for the poor, could not be followed then by Ministers or Pastors; much less to plunder the rich, and purchase the states of Delinquents, or to wait on Committees Tables.
Dear Father! what a world is this? nay what Churches are these? Paul must come to take care of them all, and pull them down quickly, his Spirit being not to be found among them.
Oh! 2 Cor. 15.34. 2 Cor. 4.10.how Pauls dying every day, and the dying of the Lord Jesus in his mortal body, doth break down the walls of the Churches! their lusty livings, their worldly pomp and ease, their full bellies and fine backs.
Great care doth Paul take of all the Churches, to see and search them out, if he can finde any but to speak his words; 1 Thes. 2.5.6. 1 Cor. 10.33. 2 Cor. 12.15.not seeking mine owne profit, but the profit of many, not seeking yours but you, to spend and be spent, 1 Thes. 2.9.&c. for you; not to spend his breath onelyonly in a Sermon or two once a day, but his state also, according to the words of our Lord Jesus, Act. 20.35. compared. Luke 8.3. John 12 6. compared 2 Cor. 8. throughout 1 Thes. 2.8. compared.and his examples also; being more blessed to give then to receive, &c. yea though he was ministred unto, yet he had a bag for the poor; as Pauls care was more abundant for them, then for himself, whose spirit, state, yea whose soul he was willing to bestow upon them.
Oh! how Pauls care for the Churches, doth tear the Pastors and Teachers in pieces, who run from Parish to Parish, from place to place, from Lectures and Livings, where they can get the best; not considering how their maintenance comes in through the bowels of the poor, Act 29.6, 31, 34. verses 1 Cor. 9.18. 1 Thes. 2.9. compared.from the empty bellies and sweat of hard-labouring men.
Besides thy care of the Churches, teaching them three yeares with tears, both publickly and from house to house, Come forth, dear Paul, and tell us a way of propagating the Gospel to the world; labouring and travelling night and day, that we might not be chargeable unto you: yea these hands have ministred to my necessities, and to those that were with me, that we might not make the Gospel of charge.
Paul the Aged, and prisoner of Jesus Christ, Philem. 9. Joh. 21.18.and Peter also when old, was thus, whereas some pittiful regard might be had to their feeble persons. Oh how doth this now plague our young lusty Scholars, and Souldiers, and Trades men, who would go forth as preachers of the Gospel, Mich. 2.11. Mich. 3.5, 6. compared.yet dare not live of the Gospel, nor trust God, till they have a command, and setled maintenance from men.
Yea, how do these two Witnesses or Prophets, Rev. 11.10.this day, torment them that dwell on earth, or on any thing below the Lord himself!
Truly, Brethren, for my part, I am no Prophet, Zach. 13.5.nor the son of a Prophet, but am trembling at the word of God; and 'tis not my content or temper, to contend with men, and torment them: OnelyOnly I must say one word with the Prophet, Wo is me, my mother, Jer. 15.10.that thou hast made me a man of contention to all the earth; that's the Church; for this is the earth which the Prophets tells us The Lord will tumble and turne upside downe, and thrust out all the Inhabitants thereof, Isa. 24.1, 6. that is, out of Churchdoores; for the City of confusion is fallen, and every house is shut up, and no man can enter in to Church, verse 10.
'Tis not the City of London, nor other Cities, as some poor Saints, in the Spirit of burning, have cry'd in our streets; Rev. 16.19.but the Cities of the Nations, or the National Churches, and gathered ones, all must be scatterd, and snared, and broken Fear and the pit, and the snare, are upon thee, O inhabitant of the earth, verse 17. The Earth reels to and fro like a drunken man, verse 20. It reeled from Popery to Prelacy, from Prelacy to Presbytery, from Presbytery to Independency, and now the whole Earth, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, is reeling from Independency, to Anabaptisme; as if the world were running into its first Chaos, and to be covered againe with waters, verse 23.
Wo is me my mother, that thou hast made me a man of cantention to all the Earth: First to Prelates, then to Presbyters, now again to Independent and Baptized Churches: Alas! that I must fall upon them in their owne City and quarters, that a naked man must rush upon their swords points, upon all pikes, their powers, and places of strength.
Wo is me, it is my misery, that contrary to my owne principles of light and love to the Saints, I must be made a man of war and wrath to the Churches; not that I do professe my self above all Ordinances, but far below them, not seeing that Spirit of life which once appeared with them, nor any Gospel-Ordinance at present according to the letter of Scriptures, neither the baptisme of the Spirit, which was the first, nor fellowship, Act. 1.5. Act. 2.42.nor breaking of Bread, nor Prayers, as they were: And yet I am in a lower form then any of the Churches: theirs are for edification, mine for destruction; they edifie one another, and build in Babylon, and I break down or destroy both it and them, and my self in it with them: their forms and my flesh suffer together, not onelyonly in my outward comforts, but my inward also *What peace is it with me, to war with my brethren? what joy to have wrath with my beloved? to wash my hands in my owne blood, and to tear my flesh with my teeth?, my peace and joy, for this and all, is but the goodliness of flesh, which must wither, when the Glory is to be revealed in it, Isa. 40.5, 6. compare.
What's the Glory? Rom. 8.18. Zach. 2.5. Rev. 21.3.but God himself in the midst of his people: what's this? but the new Ierusalem: what's that? but when God shall dwell with men, or discover himself with glory in them: when this glory is brought forth in the Saints, Rev. 21.2. Col. 3.3. Gal. 4.26. compareIerusalem is said to come down from God out of heaven; in whom, because all our life is hid or wrapt up, as in the womb of eternity, Ierusalem is called the mother of us all. This my Mother hath made me a wretched man, before my Brethren be brought forth with me, and gathered up together into our God & Father; then we are out of Babylon, out of bondage from earth, and from things below; for Ierusalem that is above, is free, Ezek. 9.3, 6. Ezek. 37.2, 11.free from formes and flesh, for both is earth, and lower then that now since the Apostacy, the Spirit of life being so long departed from the Temple, we are not only dead, but dry bones, yea very dry, Ezek. 37 16& divided sticks also, so our Societies are in gathered Churches, and so are our Spirits, even the best of scattered Saints, are divided from others, and in themselves likewise, dashing against their owne light in their confused knowledge, or defiled converse, and love to the earth; yea their love to heavenly things and persons is darkned, Isa. 59.10, 11.that they see not what or who is next, and so they smite or stumble over those who are nearest to them.
'Tis my misery (among many brethren) to be thus to my most beloved, and cruel to my owne bowels; yet thus I must be for a time, being made so of God, a man of war (as I said) and that's the lowest form for spiritual Saints: those in the Army will confess, they are in the lowest dispensation that can be; Gospel-Saints were never so, to kill, and destroy, and be Butchers of mankind; whereas Saviours shall come from Sion: Obad. 21.so army-men are not yet, nor can be; they have been skilful to destroy, so they are still, and must be so, having neither skill nor spirit to settle the State in rest and righteousness, 1 King. 2.5. 1 Chron. 22.8. Rev. 13.8. compared.not out of self-ends onelyonly: but being men of blood (as David was) they shall not have the honour to build the Lords house, nor settle any thing for the good of Man or Commonwealth; though I beleive in pure sincerity and zeal they have destroyed the Nations by war, and must more yet in peace, till Oppression, Isa. 59.13. to 19 verseand the peoples poverty, cause that confusion, out of which God will bring forth perfect Government, and glory on earth, wherein righteousness shall dwell; Rev. 21.22, 22. compared.when no form of Religion shall appear.
Let that form and face of death, in which Army-Saints are made to destroy, be an Apology for my Spirit to go forth in destruction and ruine of that power which keeps both Church and Commonwealth in confusion and bondage.
FINIS.
Apocrypha. The second Epistle of PAƲL to the Church of LAODICEA, Col. 2.1. and 4.16. That is, To the Church of ENGLAND, according to Mr. Brightman. Revel. 3.14. By WILL. ERBERY.
2 Pet. 3.15, 6.
Account that the long-suffering of the Lord is salvation, even as our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you.
As also in all his Epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do all other Scriptures, to their owne destruction.
Printed at London, 1652.