A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in…A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in…

1. As if we were to wait for conversion from only outward means, or as if the letter of the word, the sound of mens voice, the seals or Ordinances of themselves could work faith, or of themselves convey spiritual things to ⟨p. 306⟩the soul, this we teach not. But we teach that faith comes by hearing, not internal hearing, for that is conversion it self, but by hearing of a sent Preacher, Rom. 10.14, 15, 16. But the way of Gods conveying spiritual things by the word preached we dare not determine: but sure we are to wait on Ordinances external, as the man waited thirty eight years at the pool for his health, though not the pool, but the Angel troubling the water healed all that were healed; and while the Eunuch reads and hears Philip expone Esa. 53. the Spirit acteth upon his soul, and while Lydia hears, the Lord opens her heart, while Peter preacheth the word, the Holy Ghost fell on all that heard the word, ¹Act. 10.44. Act. 8.34, 35, 36. Act. 16.14. while three thousand hear Peter, the Holy Ghost pricketh their heart and addeth them to the Church, Act. 2. that they gladly receive the word, v. 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42. the inward opening goeth along with Gods outward teaching. By Saltmarsh his way, we are nor to hear the word, nor to wait on God in the use of any means, nor to use any means and commit the success to God, but to wait on extraordinary raptures, and inward teaching (say they) not on outward means, but our waiting on the outward means piously used is all in order to the breathing of the Spirit of life and the inward word (say we) as some sail and seek the wind both at once; and doth this offend Familists, that we serve and wait on the Lord for the desired harvest? and that some wait on the tide and then sail: so is Saltm. angry that we hear, preach, read, (though the unconverted do not these spiritually) and in the Lords good hour, whn the Angel cometh down and troubleth the water, the Spirit lifteth up the sick man and puts him into the water, and he is healed: Protestants generally are not ashamed to own this as the way of God. 1. In hearing and outward means, no man is to limit the holy One of Israel to his time, the time of the Fathers teaching, the third or the twelfth hour is not known to us, but all our life it is our duty to lye and watch at the posts and gates of wisdom,