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…
A survey of the spiritual antichrist opening the secrets of familism and antinomianism in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...A survey of the spirituall antichrist opening the secrets of familisme and antinomianisme in the antichristian doctrine of John Saltmarsh and Will. Del, the present preachers of the army now in England, and of Robert Town, by Samuel Rutherfurd ...
Samuel Rutherford 1600?–1661London: printed by J.D. & R.I. for Andrew Crooke, 1648
[48], 354 [i.e. 344], 239 p. · 248k words · Wing R2394 · ESTC R22462
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
with divers other most cruel practises proceeding out of their bitter and envious hearts towards us, tending to the same unchristian and merciless purpose, the which we will here omit to speak of, because we have already been over tedious to your highness, and most humbly craves your most ⟨p. 349⟩gracious pardon and patience therein, in respect that we speak to clear our selves of such matters as may touch our lives and liberties (which are two of the chiefest jewels qthat God hath given to mankind in this world) and also for that rwe have few friends or any other means then this to acquaint your highness with the truth and state of our cause, whereof we think your Majesty is altogether ignorant, but have very many tenemies whom we do greatly suspect will not be slack to prosecute their false and malicious purpose against us unto your highness, even like as they have accustomed to do in times past unto our late sovereign Queen, through which prevailing in their slanderous defacing of us and our cause, divers of us for want of friends to make it rightly known unto her Majesty have sundry times been constrained to endure their injurious dealing toward us, to our great vexation and hindrance.
Wherefore, most gracious Sovereign, this is now our humble suit unto your highness wthat when your Kingly affairs of importance, which your Majesty hath now in hand shall be well overpast (for the prosperous performance whereof we will (as duty bindeth us) daily pray unto Almighty God) that then your highness will be pleased (because we have always taken the same Authors work aforesaid to proceed out of the great grace and love of God and Christs xextended toward all Kings, Princes, Rulers and people, upon the universal earth (as he in many of his works doth witness no less) to their salvation, unity, peace and concord, in the same godly love) to grant us that favour, at your Majesties fit and convenient time to peruse the books your self with an unpartial eye, conferring them with the holy Scriptures, wherein it seemeth by the books
and are therefore the better able to judge between truth and falsehood.
with divers other most cruell practises proceeding out of their bitter and envious hearts towards us, tending to the same unchristian and mercilesse purpose, the which we will here omit to speake of, because we have already been over tedious to your highnesse, and most humbly craves your most ⟨p. 349⟩gracious pardon and patience therein, in respect that we speake to cleare our selves of such matters as may touch our lives and liberties (which are two of the chiefest jewells qthat God hath given to mankinde in this world) and also for that rwe have few friends or any other meanes then this to acquaint your highnesse with the truth and state of our cause, whereof we thinke your Majesty is altogether ignorant, but have very many tenemies whom we do greatly suspect will not be slacke to prosecute their false and malitious purpose against us unto your highnesse, even like as they have accustomed to doe in times past unto our late sovereigne Queene, through which prevailing in their slanderous defacing of us and our cause, divers of us for want of friends to make it rightly known unto her Majesty have sundry times been constrained to endure their injurious dealing toward us, to our great vexation and hindrance.
Wherefore, most gracious Sovereigne, this is now our humble suit unto your highnesse wthat when your Kingly affaires of importance, which your Majesty hath now in hand shall be well overpast (for the prosperous performance whereof we wil (as duty bindeth us) daily pray unto Almighty God) that then your highnesse will be pleased (because we have alwayes taken the same Authors worke aforesaid to proceed out of the great grace and love of God and Christs xextended toward all Kings, Princes, Rulers and people, upon the universall earth (as he in many of his workes doth witnesse no lesse) to their salvation, unity, peace and concord, in the same godly love) to grant us that favour, at your Majesties fit and convenient time to peruse the bookes your selfe with an unpartiall eye, conferring them with the holy Scriptures, wherein it seemeth by the books xthat are set forth under your hignesses name, that you have had great travell, yand are therefore the better able to judge between truth and falsehood.
qFaith and a good conscience then are not the two chiefest jewels that God hath given to men.Faith and a good conscience then are not the two chiefest jewells that God hath g•ven to men.
rThe Prelates and profane courtiers, and the multitude were their friends, as they are to all licentious religions.The Prelates and prophane courtie•s, and the multitude were their friends, as they are to all licentious religions.
tDivers of the court of Queen Elizabeth and of K. James, and some nobles were Familists, I would these who now rule all, by violence and force, were not of that abominable way, for enemies they had few or none, except Puritans they lived under the shadow of Prelacy and court, when many thousands of precious Christians for n•n-conformity were silenced, banished, prisoned, wasted.Divers of the court of Queen Elizabeth and of K. James, and some nobles were Familists, I would these who now rule all, by violence and force, were not of that abominable way, for enemies they had few or none, except Puritans they lived under the shadow of Prelacie and court, when many thousands of pretious Christians for n•n-conformity were silenced, banished, prisoned, wasted.
wIf the way of H. Nicholas be• th• only true way of salvation, as here they say fidelitas decl. c. 4 sect. 11. the King should be petitioned without delay to take it to his consideration as a matter to be preferred to all his most important Kingly affairs, but they petition for a delaying trial, because every one that doth evil, hateth the light.If the way of H. Nicholas be• th• only true way of salvation, as here they say fidelitas decl. c. 4 sect. 11. the King should bee petitioned without delay to take it to his consideration as a matter to be preferred to all his most important Kingly affaires, but they petition for a delaying triall, because every one that doth evill, hateth the light.
xThen they allow a share of the grace of Christ on all rulers, (for they except none) though heathens and persecutors, and on all mankind on the universal earth.Then they allow a share of the grace of Christ on all rulers, (for they except none) though heathens and persecuters, and on all mankinde on the universall earth.
xGross flattery.Grosse flattery.
yThen they can settle upon no Religion till K. James find leisure to try and read the heretical and fleshly writings of H. Nicholas.Then they can settle upon no Religion till K. Iames find leasure to try and read the hereticall and fleshly writings of H. Nicholas.
And we will whensoever it shall please your ⟨p. 350⟩Highness to appoint the time, and to command and licence us thereunto, do our best endeavours ato procure so many of the books as we can out of Germany (where they be printed) to bbe delivered unto your Majesty, or such godly, learned and indifferent men, as it shall please your Majesty to appoint.
And we will also (under your Highness lawful licence and commandment in that behalf) do our like endeavour to procure some of the learned men in that Country (if there be any yet cremaining alive that were well acquainted with the Author and his works in his life time, and which likewise have exercised his works ever since) to come over and attend upon your Majesty at your appointed time convenient, who can much more sufficiently instruct and resolve your Highness in any cunusual words, phrase or matter that may happily seem dark and doubtful to your Majesty that any of us in this your land are able to do.
And so upon such your Highness advised consultation and censure thereupon (finding the same works heretical or seditious and not agreeable to Gods holy word and testimonies of all the Scriptures) to leave them, to take them as your Majesties ⟨p. 351⟩dLaws, shall therein appoint us, having no intent nor meaning to contend or resist there-against, however it be, but dutifully to obey thereunto according to the counsel of Scriptures eand also of the said Authors works.
And our further humble suit unto your Highness is that of your gracious favour and clemency you will grant and give order unto your Majesties officers in that behalf that all of us your faithful loving subjects which are now in prison in any part of this your Realm, for the same cause, may be released upon such bail or bond fas we are able to give, and that neither we nor any of that company (behaving our selves orderly and obediently under your Highness Laws) may be any further persecuted or troubled therein until such time as your Majesty and such godly learned and indifferent men of your gClergy, as your Highness shall appoint thereto, shall have advisedly consulted and determined of the matter ⟨p. 352⟩whereby that we may not be utterly wasted, by the great charge of imprisonment hand persecution, and by the hard dealing of our adversaries; for we are a people but few in inumber, and yet most of us very poor in worldly wealth.
And we will whensoever it shall please your ⟨p. 350⟩Highnesse to appoint the time, and to command and licence us thereunto, doe our best endeavours ato procure so many of the bookes as we can out of Germany (where they be printed) to bbe delivered unto your Majesty, or such godly, learned and indifferent men, as it shall please your Majesty to appoint.
And we will also (under your Highnesse lawfull licence and commandement in that behalfe) doe our like endeavour to procure some of the learned men in that Country (if there be any yet cremaining alive that were well acquainted with the Author and his workes in his life time, and which likewise have exercised his workes ever since) to come over and attend upon your Majesty at your appointed time convenient, who can much more sufficiently instruct and resolve your Highnesse in any cunusuall words, phrase or matter that may happily seem darke and dou•tfull to your Majesty that any of us in this your land are able to doe.
And so upon such your Highnesse advised consultation and censure thereupon (finding the same workes hereticall or seditious and not agreeable to Gods holy word and testimonies of all the Scriptures) to leave them, to take them as your Majesties ⟨p. 351⟩dLawes, shall therein appoint us, having no intent nor meaning to contend or resist there-against, however it be, but dutifully to obey thereunto according to the counsell of Scriptures eand also of the said Authors workes.
And our further humble suit unto your Highnesse is that of your gracious favour and clemency you will grant and give order unto your Majesties officers in that behalfe that all of us your faithfull loving subjects which are now in prison in any part of this your Realme, for the same cause, may be released upon such baile or bond fas we are able to give, and that neither we nor any of that company (behaving our selves orderly and obediently under your Highnesse Lawes) may be any further persecuted or troubled therein untill such time as your Majesty and such godly learned and indifferent men of your
aIn this they profess their zeal to have K. James an illuminated Elder of the family of love, as it would be their joy this day to have K. Charles of their way, that so he might compel all others to that way, for they talk much of liberty of conscience to themselves, but we find, when they have the sword, they strain and squeeze to the blood, the consciences of all contrary to their way.In this they professe their z•ale to have K. Iames an illuminated Elder of the family of love, as it would be their joy this day to have K. Charles of their way, that so hee might compell all others to that way, for they talke much of liberty of conscience to themselves, but we finde, when they have the sword, they straine and squeeze to the blood, the consciences of all contrary to their way.
bThey conceive King James and all not of their way, that are but Scripture-learned with the fleshly wisdom (as they speak) of the letter to be the very Antichrist, and all lies that the ungodded or unilluminated men out of the imagination or riches of their own knowledge, and of the learnednesse of the Scriptures bring forth, Institute, preach or teach, See Evan. ch 32. ch. 33.34. and H.N. Exhor. c. 14. Sect. 9.They conceive King Iames and all not of their way, that are but Scripture-learned with the fleshly wisdome (as they speak) of the letter to be the very Antichrist, and all lyes that the ungodded or unilluminated men out of the imagination or riches of their owne knowledge, and of the learnednesse of the Scriptures bring forth, Institute, preach or teach, See Evan. ch 32. ch. 33.34. and H.N. Exhor. c. 14. Sect. 9.
cThey doubt if there be any of their way and family in Germany which evidenceth that it is a noto•ions lie that H.N. saith, Evan ch. 34. that he is godded to publish the joyful message in all the world. And H.N. Exhor. 12. sect. 40. and Exhor. 14. sect. 9. that all the Kingdoms of the world should assemble them to this one Kingdom of peace and love: and this same love service shall break in among all Nations and let it self be heard over all lands; but here they doubt if in one corner of Germany one man of this way can be had.They doubt if there be any of their way and family in Germany which evidenceth that it is a noto•ions lie that H.N. saith, Evan ch. 34. that he is godded to publish the joyful mess•ge in all the world. And H.N. Exhor. 12. sect. 40. and Exhor. 14. sect. 9. that all the Kingdomes of the world should assemble them to this one Kingdome of peace and love: and this same love service shall breake in among all Nations and let it selfe be heard over all lands; but here they doubt if in one corner of Germany one man of this way can be had.
O Sacred Prince, we humbly pray, that the Almighty will move your Princely heart with true judgement, to discern between the right and wrong of our cause, according to that most certain and Christian rule set down by our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples, Matth. 7.12. Ye kshall know the tree by his fruits, and in our obedience peaceable and honest lives and conversation to protect us, and in our disobedience and misdemeanour to punish us as resisters of Gods ordinance, of the Kingly authority and most high office of justice committed to your Majesty to that purpose toward your subjects, Rom. 13.
And gracious Sovereign, we humbly beseech your Highness with Princely regard in equity and favour to ponder and grant the humble suit contained in this most lowly supplication of your loyal true-hearted faithful subjects, and to remember that your Majesty in your book of Princely, grave and fatherly advice, to the happy Prince, your royal son doth conclude lPrincipis est parcere subjectis & debellare superbos, and then ⟨p. 353⟩no doubt, God will bless your Highness with all your noble off-spring with mpeace, long life, and all honours and happiness, long to continue over us; for which we will ever pray with incessant prayers to the Almighty.
Most gracious Prince, here followeth the brief rehearsal and confession of the Christian belief and Religion of the company nthat are named the Family of love, which (for the causes therein specified) was by them set out in Print about the time when they were first persecuted and imprisoned in this Realm for the same profession by their aforesaid adversaries, and by means of their false accusations and complaints unto the Magistrates against them; the which we have thought necessary to present here unto your Majesty: for that you may thereby the better understand of our innocent intent and profession whatsoever you shall hear reported to the contrary by our enemies or by any that be ignorant thereof. Humbly beseeching your Highness to vouchsafe to read the same, and with your unpartial and godly wisdom to consider and judge of us and our cause in equity and favour accordingly, till your Majesty, shall have further true intelligence thereof.
O Sacred Prince, we humbly pray, that the Almighty will move your Princely heart with true judgement, to di•cerne between the right and wrong of our cause, according to that most certaine and Christian rule set down by our Saviour Christ unto his Disciples, Matth. 7.12. Yee kshall know the tree by his fruits, and in our obedience peaceable and honest lives and conversation to protect us, and in our disobedience and misdemeanour to punish us as resisters of Gods ordinance, of the Kingly authority and most high office of justice committed to your Majesty to that purpose toward your subjects, Rom. 13.
And gracious Sovereigne, we humbly beseech your Highnesse with Princely regard in equity and favour to ponder and grant the humble suit contained in this most lowly supplication of your loyall true-hearted faithfull subjects, and to remember that your Majesty in your booke of Princely, grave and fatherly advice, to the happy Prince, your royall son doth conclude lPrincipis est parcere subjectis & debellare superbos, and then ⟨p. 353⟩no doubt, God will blesse your Highnesse with all your noble off-spring with mpeace, long life, and all honours and happinesse, long to continue over us; for which we will ever pray with incessant prayers to the Almighty.
Most gracious Prince, here followeth the briefe rehearsall and confession of the Christian beleefe and Religion of the company nthat are named the Family of love, which (for the causes therein specified) was by them set out in Print about the time when they were first persecuted and imprisoned in this Realme for the same profession by their aforesaid adversaries, and by meanes of their false accusations and complaints unto the Magistrates against them; the which we have thought necessary to present here unto your Majesty: for that you may thereby the better understand of our innocent intent and profession whatsoever you shall heare reported to the contrary by our enemies or by any that be ignorant thereof. Humbly beseeching your Highnesse to vouchsafe to read the same, and with your unpartiall and godly wisdome to consider and judge of us and our cause in equity and favour accordingly, till your Majesty, shall have further true intelligence thereof.
kYet may Familists live in all sort of fleshliness and Idolatry, murders, lying, whoring, &c and if the Spirit help them not, they are no more guilty then the maid forced in the field that did cry, and there was none to help, and so by Law she was innocent, Document. sent. 6. c. 10. they cannot bring forth any thing but all good and love, Document. sent. c. 2. sect. 1. in many places H.N. extols his disciples as Gods habitation, the seal of Gods Majesty, the holy City of peace, the new Jerusalem, one with God, God one with them, &c. And whereas John maketh the love of the brethren a mark of these that are translated from death to life, 1 Joh 3.14. Ye may know Familists by their works, they are malicious haters (as is evident in this petition) of the truly godly in England whom they call their enemies these twenty five years.Yet may Familists live in all sort of fleshlinesse and Idolatry, murthers, lying, whoring, &c and if the Spirit help them not, they are no more guilty then the maid forced in the field that did cry, and there was none to helpe, and so by Law she was innocent, Document. sent. 6. c. 10. they cannot bring forth any thing but all good and love, Document. sent. c. 2. sect. 1. in many places H.N. extolls his disciples as Gods habitation, the seale of Gods Majesty, the holy City of peace, the new Ierusalem, one with God, God one with them, &c. And whereas John maketh the love of the brethren a marke of these that are translated from death to life, 1 Ioh 3.14. Yee may know Familists by their workes, they are malitious haters (as is evident in this petition) of the truly godly in England whom they call their enemies these twenty five yeares.
lThe Puritans are the proud ones that King James is to subdue, all others the Antichristian sect, and the Familists only the house of God, of love, of the godly being, &c.The Puritanes are the proud ones that King James is to subdue, all others the Antichristian sect, and the Familists only the house of God, of love, of the godly being, &c.
mTwice they pray God for the King and his son, that they may have long life, honour, happiness, a long reign, but not one word of life eternal and the blessings of the life to come; we know the doctrine of H. N. is that the resurrection, the last judgement, all the happiness of Saints is closed with in this life, the day of judgement, of resurrection, is even now in this present day, H.N. Evang. c. 1. sent. 9 ch. 33. c 34. s•nt. 1, 2, 3. the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, heaven, hell, or judgement beyond this life there is none.
Here followeth also the true copy of an Abjuration tendered to the Familists an. 1580. octob. 10. of Elizabeth by ten Lords of the Privy Council. Because there were divers Courtiers and Nobles familists, the Prelates that respected ever the persons of men, would not publicly accuse them by name, because they were eminent men, as they are now, and because also they were friends to Bishops, and enemies to non-conformists then called Puritans.
Here followeth also the true copy of an Abjuration tendered to the Familists an. 1580. octob. 10. of Elizabeth by ten Lords of the Privy Councell. Because there were divers Courteours and Nobles familists, the Prelates that respected ever the persons of men, would not publickly accuse them by name, because they were eminent men, as they are now, and because also they were friends to Bishops, and enemies to non-conformists then called Puritans.
Whosoever teacheth that the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord, rise up in this day of his judgement, and appear unto us in godly glory, which shall henceforth live in us everlastingly with Christ, and reign upon the earth is a detestable heretic. aBut H.N. teacheth so, Evangel. c 37. sect. 9.
WHosoever teacheth that the dead which are fallen asleep in the Lord, rise up in this day of his judgement, and appeare unto us in godly glory, which shall henceforth live in us everlastingly with Christ, and reign upon the earth is a detestabl hereticke. aBut H.N. teacheth so, Evangel. c 37. sect. 9.
aThe Antinomians and Familists now in England, especially, Randell, Saltmarsh, Del, Eaton, […], disseminate in printed books and Sermons, the same very doctrine.The Antinomians and Familists now in England, especially, Randel, Saltmarsh, Del, Eaton, 〈…〉, disseminate in printed books and Sermons, the same very doctrine.
Whosoever teacheth that to be borne of the Virgin Mary out of the seed of David after the flesh is to be exponed of the pure doctrine out of the seed of love is a detestable heretic. But H.N. teacheth so, Document. sent. c. 3. sect. 5.
Whosoever teacheth that to bee borne of the Virgin Mary out of the seed of David after the flesh is to bee exponed of the pure doctrine out of the seed of love is a detestable hereticke. But H.N. teacheth so, Document. sent. c. 3. sect. 5.
Whosoever teacheth that Jesus Christ is come again unto us according to his promise to the end that they all which love God, and his righteousness and Christ and perfect being, might presently enter into the true rest, which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect, and inherit the everlasting life is a detestable heretic. But H.N. Evan. c. 1. sect. 1. teacheth so, &c. Having examined these reasons with the books of H.N. we do find that in truth he holdeth these heresies, and we think in our hearts, and of our own knowledge affirm that H.N. is in these heresies a detestable heretic, promising faithfully before God and your honours never hereafter to have any dealing with his books and doctrine, nor to go about to bring any to the love, liking, or reading of them, and that we now speak is the true meaning of our heart, as we look for mercy at his hands which searcheth the heart.
Whosoever teacheth that Jesus Christ is come againe unto us according to his promise to the end that they all which love God, and his righteousnesse and Christ and perfect being, might presently enter into the true rest, which God hath prepared from the beginning for his elect, and inherit the everlasting life is a detestable hereticke. But H.N. Evan. c. 1. sect. 1. teacheth so, &c. Having examined these reasons with the books of H.N. we doe finde that in truth he holdeth these heresies, and we think in our hearts, and of our own knowledge affirm that H.N. is in these heresies a detestable heretick, promising faithfully befor God and your honours never hereafter to have any dealing with his bookes and doctrin, nor to go about to bring any to the love, liking, or reading of them, and that we now speak is the true meaning of our heart, as we look for mercy at his hands which searcheth the heart.
It shall never be well with England till the like abjuration of the doctrine of H.N. of Will. Del, Joh. Saltmarsh, of Town, Eaton, Den, Crisp and the scandalous Antinomians be tendered to most of the Army of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and all the Sectaries in England; but the Arm of the Lord must still be stretched out against the land in fury and indignation, till it be destroyed, and till he throughly avenge the quarrel of the Covenant; with so high a hand, and so presumptuously broken by the Kingdom of England.
It shall never be well with England till the like abjuration of the doctrine of H.N. of Wil. Del, Joh. Saltmarsh, of Town, Eaton, Den, Crispe and the scandalous Antinomians be tendered to most of the Army of Sir Thomas Fairfax, and all the Sectaries in England; but the Arme of the Lord must still bee stretched out against the land in fury and indignation, till it be destroyed, and till he throughly avenge the quarrell of the Covenant; with so high a hand, and so presumptuously broken by the Kingdome of England.
IT cannot be judged, either a wounding of the weak, who side with Familists for a bastard love, with Antinomians for a dead and rotten faith, with Libertines, the enemies of holy walking with God, to aanswer those that ask a reason of our hope; especially when we are nick-named Legalists, Antifidians, Pharisees, Antichristian teachers, enemies to free Grace; because we stand for a rule of righteousness in the Law, repentance from dead works, strict and close walking with God; against all which, that is to me a wall of brass, bAs deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known. Yet I give a brief account of those saving and innocent Doctrines of the host of Protestant Divines, if possibly truth may pierce through their eye-lids, who wink, because they will not see. Of old the Albigenses were called Heretics; but (saith an indifferent man) genus haereseos nunquam nominant. So now neither the heresy nor the Protestant Divine can be named, that teach that the Law and Gospel are mixed in the matter of justification; or that ⟨p. 2⟩tears of repentance wash us from our sins, that the covenant of grace is a covenant of works ▪ that we are to seek righteousness in our selves.
IT cannot be judged, either a wounding of the weake, who side with Familists for a bastard love, with Antinomians for a dead and rotten faith, with Libertines, the enemies of holy walking with God, to aanswer those that aske a reason of our hope; especially when we are nick-named Legalists, Antifidians, Pharisees, Antichristian teachers, enemies to free Grace; because we stand for a rule of righteousnesse in the Law, repentance from dead workes, strict and close walking with God; against all which, that is to me a wall of brasse, bAs deceivers, and yet true; as unknowne, and yet well knowne. Yet I give a briefe account of those saving and innocent Doctrines of the hoast of Protestant Divines, if possibly truth may pierce through their eye-lids, who winke, because they will not see. Of old the Albigenses were called Hereticks; but (saith an indifferent man) genus haereseos nunquam nominant. So now neither the heresie nor the Protestant Divine can be named, that teach that the Law and Gospel are mixt in the matter of justifitation; or that ⟨p. 2⟩teares of repentance wash us from our sinnes, that the covenant of grace is a covenant of works ▪ that we are to seeke righteousnesse in our selves.
We are far from Pelagian grace, that an unconverted man 1can leave sin, because sin, 2hath an earnest desire of soul-saving comfort, 3cannot speak nor do, but in fear of sin; that dan hypocrite under the Law can in good earnest, and down-rightness of heart, yield himself wholly to the law of God, as a wife to her husband, to be instructed and ordered in all things, inwardly, and outwardly, after the mind of God in the Law. So eSaltmarsh telleth us of a Legally-Gospel-way of conversion, in which Christ, in truth, is received. Much like to that of Familists of New fEngland, that a Legalist for truth may attain, the same righteousness, that Adam had in innocency before the fall; and ga living faith, that hath living fruits, may grow from the living law.
WEe are farre from Pelagian grace, that an unconverted man 1can leave sinne, because sinne, 2hath an earnest desire of soule-saving comfort, 3cannot speak nor doe, but in feare of sinne; that dan hypocrite under the Law can in good earnest, and down-rightnesse of heart, yeeld himselfe wholly to the law of God, as a wife to her husband, to bee instructed and ordered in all things, inwardly, and outwardly, after the minde of God in the Law. So eSaltmarsh telleth us of a Legally-Gospel-way of conversion, in which Christ, in truth, is received. Much like to that of Familists of New fEngland, that a Legalist for truth may attaine, the same righteousnesse, that Adam had in innocency before the fall; and ga living faith, that hath living fruits, may grow from the living law.
3Pag. •6. […] 13. There is a new birth under the covenant of works. The Scripture knoweth no such birthPag. •6. 〈…〉 13. There is a new birth und•r the covenant of works. The Scripture knoweth no such birth
dTown assert• of free grace, pag. 7.Towne assert• of free grace, pag. 7.
eSaltmarsh Free grace, pag 34.
fRise, reign, ruin of the Antinomians Familists, L• b•rtines of N. E. e•. 12. pag. •Rise, r•igne, rui•e of the Antinomians Familists, L• b•rtines of N. E. e•. 12. pag. •
We judge that an unconvert is so far from a conformity to the Law, that his conscience is burnt with a hot iron, and he never saw his keepers face, he being under the law a captive in thick darkness; and therefore all his fair virtues are white sins. (2.) He is an ill tree that cannot bring forth good fruit. (3.) True mortification is wrought hby the Gospel-spirit. (4.) The law cannot give lifei. 5. An hypocrites faith who is under the Law, is deadk.
We judge that an unconvert is so farre from a conformity to the Law, that his conscience is burnt with a hot iron, and he never saw his keepers face, hee being under the law a captive in thick darkenesse; and therefore all his faire vertues are white sinnes. (2.) Hee is an ill tree that cannot bring forth good fruit. (3.) True mortification is wrought hby the Gospel-spirit. (4.) The law cannot give lifei. 5. An hypocrites faith who is under the Law, is deadk.
number, and yet most of us very poore in worldly wealth.
cAll heretics, as Calvin noted of libertines, delight to speak in uncouth language, beside the Scripture, that they may be the only spiritual men, whom none can understand but spiritualists of their own way.All heretickes, as Calvin noted of libertines, delight to speake in uncouth language, beside the Scripture, that they may be the only spirituall men, whom none can understand but spiritualists of their owne way.
dThey clearly profess they will not suffer for familism, nor that which to them is the only true Religion, and make K James the absolute and peremptory judge, that if he find them heretical, they shall submit, faith, conscience and salvation to the King, to leave or take the writings of Henry Nicholas as his Majesties Laws shall appoint them, this is a Religion for the times and the flesh. This well agreeth with the Familists of our time Del, Saltmarsh, Bacon, Randell, and others, to whom profession of truth and of Christ before men is an external and a form in Religion, and who cry out against forms and uniformity, and teach that we should please one another in love in all these externals, we may do or leave undone, Sabbath, preaching, hearing, Sacraments, let them be enrolled in the Calendar of the late indifferent ceremonies, since they are Jewish, c••nall, literal, fleshly, and perish with the using, and let the Service-book, bowing to altars, the name of Jesus, Episcopacy, Socinianism, professed Acianisme be recalled, these belong nothing (say •hey) to Reformation or Religion. Reformation is only in the heart, Religion is […] of the mind. The Kingdom of Christ is neither promoved nor hindered by these, Familisticall love in the heart is all, then surely, the Nicodemites in Calvin• time, these that buy a religion with every new-moon, err notThey clearly professe they will not suffer for familisme, nor that which to them is the only true Religion, and make K Iames the absolute and peremptory judge, that if he find them hereticall, they shall submit, faith, conscience and salvation to the King, to leave or take the writings of Henry Nicholas as his Majesties Laws shall appoint them, this is a Religion for the times and the flesh. This well agreeth with the Familists of our time Del, Saltmarsh, B•con, R•ndel, and others, to whom profession of truth and of Christ before men is an externall and a forme in Religion, and who cry out against formes and uniformity, and teach that we should please one another in love in all these externalls, we may doe or leave undone, Sabba•h, preaching, hearing, Sacraments, let them be inrolled in the Kallender of the late indifferent ceremonies, since they are Jewish, c••nall, literall, fleshly, and perish with the using, and let the Service-booke, bowing to altars, the name of Jesus, Episcopacy, Socinianisme, professed Acianisme be recalled, these belong nothing (say •hey) to Refo•mation or Religion. Reformation is only in the heart, Religion is 〈…〉 of the minde. The Kingdome of Christ is neither promoved nor hindered by these, Familisticall love in the heart is all, then surely, the Nicodemites in Calvin• time, these that buy a religion with every new-moon, erre not
eThen the Scriptures and H. Nicho. bids us follow the Kings religion, what ever it be; and denying of obedience to the King and his Laws, if they forbid a Religion that is the holy service of the love of God (as they say) is resisting and undutiful disobedience to the Law; so must we obey men rather then God.Then the Scriptures and H. Nicho. bids us follow the Kings religion, what ever it be; and denying of obedience to the King and his Lawes, if they forbid a Religion that is the holy service of the love of God (as they say) is resisting and undutifull disobedience to the Law; so must we obey men rather then God.
fThey seek not the truth and cause of Christ to be cleared for the present, but only present ease to the flesh and enlargement under ba•le.They seek not the truth and cause of Christ to be cleared for the present, but only present ease to the flesh and inlargement under ba•le.
gThey are willing to submit their c•u•e to the Clergy, that is to the godly Prel••es who would be […] to […] them, because they take the Puritans off from thinking upon their lordly domination and will-worship, and the more enemies and persecutors the Puritans have▪ the more ease and less contradicting of the Prelatical cause, as this day the Prelatical party declare themselves willing to compound wi•h Arians, Socinians, Fam•lists, Antinomians, Anabaptists, Seekers, Separatists and all, so the Presbyterians that stand for the Covenant of God and reformation may fall.They are willing to submit their c•u•e to the C•ergy, that is to the godly Prel••es who would be 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 them, because they take the Puritans off from thinking upon their lordly domination and will-worship, and the more enemies and persecuters the Puritans have▪ the more ease and lesse contradicting of the Prelaticall cause, as this day the Prelaticall party declare themselves willing to comp•und wi•h Arrians, Socinians, Fam•lists, Antinomians, Anabaptists, Seekers, Separatists and all, so the Presbyterians that stand for the Covenant of God and reformation may fall.
hIn all ages […] and Sectaries have called punishing of seducers, or not receiving them in our house as being evil doers, 2 Joh. 10▪ and so justly punishable, Rom. 13▪4, 5. with the name of persecution.In all •ges 〈…〉 and Sectaries have called punishing of seducers, or not receiving them in our house as being evil doers, 2 Ioh. 10▪ and so •ustly punishable, Rom. 13▪4, 5. with the name of persecution.
iYet they pestered twelve Counties in England, and would God they were few in number this day.Yet they p•stered twelve Coun•ies in England, and would God they were few in number this day.
Twice they pray God for the King and his son, that they may have long life, honour, happinesse, a long reigne, but not one word of life eternall and the blessings of the life to come; we know the doctrine of H. N. is that the resurrection, the last judgement, all the happinesse of Saints is closed with in this life, the day of judgement, of resurrection, is even now in this present day, H.N. Evang. c. 1. sent. 9 ch. 33. c 34. s•nt. 1, 2, 3. the immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, heaven, hell, or judgement beyond this life there is none.
nThis confession was seen by few, it is said to be Printed an▪ 1575. It cannot be known that ever either this petition or that confession was offered to the eye and view of King James, how ever that confession was not theirs, for the word of God to them is the only internal word in the mind, the word as they expone it, but not the Scriptures of the old or new Testament. But it were good that the Familists and Antinomians now in England would publish to the world a confession of their faith. But I expect it not this year, they that do evil, hate the light.This confession was seene by few, it is said to be Printed an▪ 1575. It cannot be known that ever either this petition or that confession was offered to the eye and view of King Iames, how ever that confession was not theirs, for the word of God to them is the only internall word in the minde, the word as they expone it, but not the Scriptures of the old or new Testament. But it were good that the Familists and Antinomians now in England would publish to the world a confession of their faith. But I expect it not this yeare, they that doe evill, hate the light.
