INFORMATION FOR THE IGNORANT OR THE APPLICATORY PART OF A LATE PRINTED BOOK, CALLED, A LIGHT FOR THE IGNORANT, containing a few Observations upon the 1 Cor. 10. which doe strongly prove it to be absolutely sinfull to heare the word Preached in any False State, or Assembly whatsoever.
Also a Postscript containing a Challenge (layd down in 9. Propositions) to all the Non-Conformists in Old and New England, and Holland.
Made by N. E.
Therfore thus saith the Lord, if thou return, then will I bring thee againe, and thou shalt stand before me, and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as my mouth, let them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them.
Printed in the Yeare of God, 1640.
A FEVV OBSERVATIONS OUT OF THE 1. CORINTHIANS 10.
THE First thing to be observed is this, That God having committed a Kingdome or Kingly state Ecclesiasticall to Christ our Mediatour who is the King of it; that those that he doth bequeath or commit this Kingly state unto, they are by actuall receiving of it, Incorporared into him. This the Scripture calls an ingrafting into Christ, Joh. 15.1. Rom. 11.24. it is called a marriage, Reve. 19.7, 8, 9. and divers other phrases it hath to set it forth.
Secondly, that this is Simbole-wise set forth by example of Israel; the act that the faithfull doe, comparing it with theirs; and Moses with Christ, and the Mosaicall state, and worship, with the Euangelicall state and worship.
Thirdly, that this state and worship, it being Gods, they were only bound to it, and to no other: but straitly charged to observe whatsoever he had given them in charge, and to walke uprightly in this state, and in all the ordinances of the Kingdome. So that to this state, must men flow unto, and to no other, and here to abide and not to depart.
The straying, of the faithfull in matter of Religion in publick affaires, is called Idolatry, the which the servants of God must flee from, vers. 14. The faithfull must not break the first Table, no more then the second.
The Second Observation is this, That as the faithfull are incorporated [Page]into Christ (that is, tyed and knit to him) so that Christ and his appurtenances goe together, I meane the priviledges of the Mediatourship, the priviledges of marriage state, and all the appurtenances thereunto belonging, vers. 16. and this food is for all the faithfull; so that as they have the true and glorious state of Christ, so they have it fill'd and adorned with rich and glorious priviledges and ornaments, and that as they be spirituall, so they be precious in nature and use. Here is the seate, habitation, and dwelling of the ordinances of God: these and none other are the things commanded to be observed and kept; these and none else-have the promises belonging to them; these and none other have juyce and life in them, in this state.
And as here be all the ordinances of Gods publicke worship, so here is the appurtenances belonging to them, as State, Lawes, Offices, and administrations, with their glory or blessing on them.
- First therfore here be the ordinances of Christ.
- Secondly, they be here in their proper place.
- Thirdly, they be here in their right use.
- Fourthly, they stand here in their beauty, with the blessing on them, with all their attendances, and with the lively use of them.
The Third Observation is in verse 17. because the faithfull are one body, or bread, or cake, they be vnited and knit together by a spirituall bond, or tye, even their corporation. This one-nes is such that admits not a division in religious acts, they be a religious society or body, it is spiritually one. This respecteth chiefly those that be a body, or Church (yet it is largely to be understood) for there is no permission given to any to walke contrary to this rule.
To this one state of Christ and ordinances, and priviledges, with their own appurtenances thereto appertaining, belongs one people or body, or Church, with their adherent matter adhering thereunto. So this one body is partaker of one bread or meanes of spirituall nourishment, which is spirituall feeding upon the ordinances. So that as the body is one (that is) one in compactnesse or knitting; one in Charter, one in Laws, one in ordinances, one in offices, and one in administrations; so it must be one in communion, and one in feeding on this bread, or meanes of spirituall nourishment. They being baptized into one Christ, by one Spirit; partakes of one calling, and of one faith and hope, as Ephes. 4.4, 5, 6. so partakes of one fellowship, 1 Cor. 1.9. So that here is the open house that God doth keep, that whosoever is hungry must come to, for satisfie their hunger, and not seek spirituall food any where else but in this state.
[Page] The Fouth Observation is out of Verse the 18. where the Apostle layes it down example-wise, that so as in a Table or Glasse they might see the poynt in hand; and the ground that the Apostle layeth against them to disprove, and condemne their judgement, and so their practise in eating of the Idols instituted meats (if any did so) this Verse shews that the aforesaid state and ordinances, and all things pertaining to them, they be unseparable: so that those that partake of the ordinances in a state, partakes of that state, or power and authority, by vertue of which they are administred. So that as every ordinance of that state hath an authour, or institutor; so they cannot partake of the ordinance but they must partake of the Altar that sanctifieth the Ordinance to the receiver. By Altar in the New Testament of Christ is to be understood not any materiall Altar, as that of old: but some spirituall thing or things, as is cleare in the Testament of Christ. Now that there is an Altar in the time of the Gospell, aswell as in the time of the Law, is cleare by a multitude of places of Scripture, Ezek. 43.14. Heb. 13.13. Reve. 8.3. That this Altar is not Christ himselfe, is cleare to me from this 8. Chapter and 3. Verse, where he is the High Priest that offers up the incense with the prayers of the Saints: And that is not in the heavens properly, but in the heavenly state, appeares by the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Chapters, with the whole Revelation. What this Altar is we may gather out of Reve. 11.1. where the Temple, and the Altar, and the worshipers are distinct. The Temple I conceive to be the state, for that compriseth all within it, as the Altar; the severall institutions therein, the worshippers, the people, and this appeareth in the text. That this is no wordly Temple, but spirituall, is plain: For as the Altar is, so is the Temple (to wit spirituall) therfore the oblations, and sacrifices be spirituall, the which being offered to God in, and upon this his own institutions or Altar, they become acceptable, as Heb. 10.19, 20, 21, 22. And as it is in this true state, so it is in all false states (that is) there is the same connextion and communion betwixt the things themselves (that is) the state depends upon the Lord of it, and owner of the same (as afterwards may be seen) and the institution depend on the state, and the ordinances depend on the state and institutions. So that without the state no institutions, and without institutions, no ordinances, and so no worship. So also is the matter dependant on the forme, and the forme or state, on the author of it; so that the matter and forme are relatives, and the forme and author are relatives also (that is to say) they cannot be separated. So the [Page] receit or partaking of such ordinances that are to be partaked of in a state, the partakers to have communion with the state and King of it, as this example doth shew. So that the matter is dependent on the sacrifice; the sacrifice dependant on the Altar, the Altar on the state, the state on the owner of it, and so cometh in here, If this were any thing to reprove the judgement or practise of the Corinthians, then it sheweth that by their generall communion in eating instituted meat, in that instituted state and Temple, they did partake of it, even of that diabolicall state and institutions, though they were not of that body, but were of the Church of Corinth, and come to the Idols Temple but on occasion: yet saith the Apostle, those that eat of the sacrifice of the Altar, partake of the Altar, for it is the Altar that sanctifieth the guift to the receiver, Mat. 23.19, 20, 21. and it is the pollution of it, (that is to say of the Altar) that pollutes the guift or sacrifice, and those that offer it, Hos. 9.1, 2.4. Eating is used for receiving and for feeding, and so for all religious communion, as Act. 10.13, 14. and in this Verse for partaking of the Altar, as well as of the sacrifices, shewing that he that partakes of any administration in a state, doth partake of the power, or institution, by vertue of which it is administrated.
5. The Fift Observation, is out of Verse the 19. where the Apostle as he doth mention the ground that their judgement was built upon Chapter the 8 verse the 4. so he also useth their own grounds, in their own phrases, that so he might both reprove their errour, and also that he might shew the contrary. Now in that the Apostle speaks question-wise, it is not because he made doubt of the unlawfullnesse of their practise, but to shew the vanity of the ground of it; and to shew that when it is compared to the truth, and brought to the true touchstone, the revealed will of God it vanisheth away, though it might seem colourable and strong: yet it being but the beame of a Spiders webbe, in regard of the truth it selfe, he shews it hath no force norstrength in it: therfore he inclusively affirmeth that the Idol is somthing, and that that which is offered to Idols is somthing, because it alters its property to that which it was before, being now set apart for Religious uses, and is not to be understood that he held as they did but the contrary (namely) that it was unlawfull for them to goe to the Idols Temple to eate of their meat or sacrifice.
6. The Sixth Observation is out of Verse the 20. where the Apostle comes to a full answere affirmatively to their objection [Page]layd down Chap. 8.4. that there is but one God. And in it are sundry things to be observed: As First the thing implyed in the former Verse (to wit) it was not as it was thought, but as he plainly affirmeth in this 20th Verse (to wit) that the Gentiles did sacrifice to Devils, in which he shews what a neare relation there is between the worship, and the worshippers: the neare conjunction between the authour of their worship (namely the Devil) and the worshipers who had communion with him. And if it be here objected this is meant of none but the Idols worship, and not of those that worship God, and that with some glorious shew of truth, as is done in the Antichristian state, it must be remembred, that if we will worship God, it must be tendered up to him, in his own house, and by his own rules and ordinances, or else it is not his, neither doth he accept it: neither can men truly be sayd to do it to him, if it be done in any false state whatsoever, he being any the author of it, but some other, for he never instituted no state for his people to worship and serve him in, but only one (namely) this heavenly Ierusalem which is the mother of us all, Gal. 4.26. therfore though men that walke in false states do pretend that they worship God, even the true God, yet the truth is otherwise; and this I apprehend to be cleare in this Verse: for the Corinths would never have frequented a worship that they had knowledge of it, was done to the Devil; neither had the Apostle said any thing to the purpose in so saying, had it not been so that they did not know that it was so, for they did plead for it upon other tearms, even upon morall grounds (as the Professours doe for hearing in the Assemblies.) So then it follows undeniably, that men may pretend to worship the true God, though the matter and manner of worship be false. So also that men in religious communion cannot sever at their pleasure, and put difference between the office and administration, and the ordinance and thing administred (that is) they can as they pretend heare the word, and partake of the exercise of the guift, and yet not partake of the office: for they doe not (they say) heare him as a man in office, but as a man indued with a guift to preach the word. If these persons are so skilled in this division, let them shew their wisdome herein, and compare it with the wisdome of God, which saith that there is no dividing of them; so that as any partakes of the one (that is of the administration) they doe partake of the other (that is) of the power or office by vertue of which it is administred. For we must remember that an office, and an administration, is the Charriot wherin the thing administred [Page]doth ride, and were it not for the office, neither person, nor guift, nor ordinance, nor administration cou'd be there, to exercise his guift, so that the power puts into office, the office into administration, and they both put forth the ordinance, or thing administred. Here also if any think that those that are not joyned into followship, that they are more tollerated in this particular then others that are in a state: The Apostle overthroweth that whilest he sheweth, that those of Corinth that went to the Idols Temple, went as those that were not in fellowship with them, for that was not all their sin, that they for the present left their society, but that they had taken up a sinfull communion, both with persons, and with things which was unlawfull. So that the Apostle urges the foulnesse of that practise, chiefly for the unlawfullnesse of it in it selfe, which he would never have done, had not that place or state bin to have been abandoned of all whatsoever that feare the Lord: Therfore this practise of going to Idolatrous Assemblies, which the Spirit of God calls whores houses, Prov. 5.7.8. & 13.14. is not onely unlawfull in the Corinthians, but also in all others that be in the order of the Gospel, for what ground or warrant hath persons to come there at all; seeing this is one badge and marke of our Christianity to have our faces towards Sion, and our backs upon Babylon, Jere. 50.5 & 51.9. and in the walking in this way, and on this ground persons are to be held, and judged the people of God, and not otherwise. So that here is a shutting up of the controversie, namely, that there is no more to be said, but that this verdict must be given, even that they that had communion with the Gentiles in their Temples and sacrifices had communion with him that the Gentiles had communion with: But the Gentiles did sacrifice to, and had communion with Devils: Therfore those that had communion with them in eating of their sacrifice had so too: But it is the mind of God that all those that he called by his name, should not have fellowship with Devils: Therfore of all that feare God it must be avoyded, which is done by us when we forsake all false and Antichristian wayes, and walke onely in God: true wayes, without halting, worshiping him in Sion the City or place of his presence, according to his own appointment.
The Seaventh Observation is out of Verse the 21. where the Holy Ghost doth shew the impossibility of the people of Gods partaking of the administrations both in a true; and false state according to rule, and without wrath it for as the former part of the Chapter doth shew in those examples both of the sinne of the Israelites, who though they were incorporated into one body unto [Page] Moses their Mediatour, and type of Christ, whose lawes and ordinances they were to observe, yet ran a whoring after their own inventions, and also of the wrath of God manifessed on them that did so, Verse 5.7, 8, 9, 10. for God cannot indure any halting between him and Baal, 1 King. 18.21 neither can a man serve two Masters: but as Christ hath purchased soule and body, with the price of his own precious bloud, so he will have us to glorifie him in our soules and bodies, 1 Cor. 6.20. & 7.23. which is done by our obedience to the truth; so that the observation of these things themselves be the onely things of our wealth: it is therfore the Saints wisdome to keep them in the sight of all the people. The Lord having set before us life and death, it is the wisdome of the Saints to eschew the wayes of death, and to have their feet guided in the paths of life; these things being so opposite to each other, that the imbracing of the one, is the rejection of the other; for a man cannot walke in the true wayes of God, but he must reject, and hate the false wayes of the Devill. Besides for these, and like sinnes (that is) for leaving of the pure wayes of God, and imbraceing wayes of their own, the Lord removes the Candlesticke from, and abhorres even his own inheritance; so that for this he forsook the Tabernacle of Shiloh the tent that he had pitched among them, Psal. 78.60. so that they be unfit for communion with him, and uncapable of such heavenly treasures as the Saints are made partakers of, that so do. So that God doth warrant and approve of no such persons walking so; so that if there be an evill heart in any, thus to depart, or draw backe from the living God, his soule can have no pleasure in them, Heb. 3.12. & 38, 39. And thus I understand this Scripture treats of the communion of the people of God both with him as God, 1 Joh. 3. Heb. 12.23. and also with Iesus as Mediatour, ver. 24. and to Iesus the Mediatour of the New Testament. The things that they have with God in Iesus Christ is that heavenly state called Mount Sion, the City of God, the heavenly Ierusalem, and the drawing neare to God in the wayes of his worship herein, is the drawing nearer to him in a new and living way, consecrated by the vayle of his flesh, Heb. 10.20, 21, 22. This being the state which the Lord hath instituted for the good of the godly, they are here to dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, Psal. 91.1. there to lye town in peace and quietnesse because the Lord is at one with them, and not to change their habitations; for all ather wayes are wayes of darknesse, Isay 59.8, 9, 10, 11. and he that walkes in darknesse though he sayes he hath communion with God, he is a lyar (as saith the Apostle, 1 Joh. 1.6.) [Page]Seeing the Saints have received a Kingdome that cannot be shaken, yea a Kingdome with all the glorious appurtenances thereunto belonging: therfore let all the Lords people have grace, whereby they may serve the Lord with reverence and godly feare, by walking uprightly and unblameably in his wayes. Concerning the approved use of Gods ordinances we are taught of God, to use them as he hath given commandement and not otherwise: For in Exod 20. God straitly forbids the unholy use of any thing that his Name is put unto, the which is done when it is used any other wise then that he hath appointed, as the whole body of the Scripture doth plainly manifest. Now Gods Name is largely to be understood, and the command is as large as the name or things: so that by Gods Name we are not onely to understand Gods Essence, as Exod. 3.14 but also his Attributes, as Exod. 3.5, 6. and also his Ordinances, his Word and Gospel, Deut. 33.34. Acts 9.15. as also the Law of Christ, Esay 42.1. is called his Name, Mat. 12.21. also prayer, Gen. 4.26. and Gods whole worship with all his ordinances partaining to the same, Deut. 21.5. Mal. 1.11, 12. and his Seales, Mat. 28.18, 19. and his Censures, 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. Mat. 18.20. So that God requires the holy use of all whatsoever his Name is put unto; so that as he doth in the first Commandement forbid any besides himselfe to be worshipped, so in the second he requires all worship to be performed to himselfe onely, according to his own rules expressed in his word, which containes the onely Rules for worship: so that, as we must receive them only, and worship him onely by those rules, so we must use them as he hath required, and not after, neither our own wills, nor after any others; but to take heed that we doe observe to doe them, as he hath given charge to use them, and not otherwise, for he will not hold them guiltlesse that shall use them otherwise then he requires. So that this Law of his is the ground of all worship, even of that worship that he requires, and it inforceth the same, and perfectly bindes even all that will by the word of God manifest themselves to be the people of God to keep close to it, and not to meddle with any other state, ordinance or worship whatsoever, as the tennour of this Law rightly discerned doth manifest: as also the tennour of the New Testament doth plainly shew (namely) that the Lord Iesus Christ hath removed the Candlestick from the Jews, and given it to the Gentiles, Rom. 9. and 11. Chapters, as also Mat. 22.2.7. and so forward, Mat. 21.43. This state or Kingdome hath diverse names in the New Testament, as the stocke of a Vine, Joh. 15. it hath the name of an [Page] Olive stocke, Rom. 11.24. the name of a Kingdome, Mat 21.43. Mat. 22.2. the name Temple, Rev. 11.1. City, Mount Sion, Ierusalem, the house of God, Heb. 12.22. a Golden Candlesticke, Rev. 2.1. This state so diversly named, and set forth, is the proper seate or being of all Gods publike ordinances, and worship (as the Temple of old was, so is this) as the 1 Cor. 10. doth shew, and as all the Primitive examples doth plainly prove. So that the ordinances of worship as they be placed, and seated there, so they cannot be lawfully used any where else: so that as Israel of old was tyed to the worship and sacrifices, and feasts of all kinds that did belong to Gods publick worship, so they were strictly tyed (as to the worship it selfe, so to) the place that he had chosen out of all the Tribes to put his Name in, Deut. 12.11. 1 Kin. 8. chap. compared with the 9.2, 3. thither to resort at the time appointed, there to worship and serve the Lord, as also to rejoyce before him, and in his presence. Therfore if there were in any a refusall or omission, it was a forsaking of him, and did procure his wrath, as in the 2 Chro. 29.6, 7, 8, 9. So the Apostle exhorts to take heed that there be not in any an evill heart in departing from the living God, Heb. 3.12. but to keep close to the way of his Commandements. Therfore seeing the Lord hath so placed his ordinances that they cannot be lawfully removed out of his own house, and that all those that will manifest themselves to be the Lords people by their obedience to his will, must thither repaire for the food of their soules, and not to wander in the way of the strange woman, seeing Wisdome hath a house pollished, her table furnished with dainties, the command and call of God to come thither, Pro. 9.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Mat. 22.3. Cant. 1.6. and the right use of them, with the promise of blessing on them, 1 Cor. 10.16. and all the appurtenances, that belong to them, as this 1 Cor. 10. doth shew. Therfore as all persons in matters of Religion are straitly forbidden to worship any other God but the true God, so also to worship him by any other rules then what he hath layd down: so after no other manner then he hath prescribed, as the Scriptures do joyntly drive at, and may be seen in this 10. Cor. The which that we may a little the better understand, for this end, we must consider that we speak of Gods publick worship, and not otherwise; so we must oppose such acts of Religion as are done in a publike state: so that the sequell of my reasoning is not only to prove the administring, and receiving of the seales in a false State to be unlawfull, but all other actions (as the preaching and hearing of the word) or of what nature soever they be, being done by [Page]that Diabollicall opposite power to Christs, as also by opposite persons to Christs subjects of Christs Kingdome: these persons being powred and authorized, not by Christ, but by his adversary, so that they are functioned and officiated by the enemy of Christ, though for some causes to God, and themselves they prophanely, theevishly, and usurpedly intermeddle with some ordinances of God, for which sin they may justly feare that he will shortly come in flaming fire, rendring vengeance to them for that their wickednesse, that though they preach his word, yet doe not know him, as his servants know him: and also for detayning the truth in unrighteousnesse, 2 Thess. 1.18. Rom. 1.18. So in the second place I will shew that whatsoever power Ecclesiasticall, and state Ecclesiasticall is opposite to Christs power, and state, that that is a whore, and is by the rule of Gods word to be fled from, and none of the servants of God to be found therein; For the Lord calls all his elect ones from them, as from the place where the life of grace cannot breath in, and as from the Cage that is so uncleane, that there can be no building, or abiding there for the Lords cleane Fowles, for that's the hold of every unclean and hatefull Bird, Rev. 18.2, 3, 4. Therfore seeing the good word of God which is holy in it selfe, yet it comes to be uncleane in the use of it in false states: so that instead of nourishing the soules of them that use it there, it undoes them, and is a two edged sword to slay them in the true, and right sence of it. So that those vaine and frothy flourishes which are made by the Subjects of Antichrists Kingdome of those glorious things they have, and possesse in these dayes, are by the Lord reproved in his truth, aswell as the Idols Temple, whose indeed they be and not the Lords So that this is it that I would prove. First, that God hath given a Kingdome, and State Ecclesiasticall to his Servants. Secondly, that this Kingdome and State is compleat with Laws, and Ordinances, with Officers and Administrations for the execution of the holy things of God. Thirdly, that as all that by rule would be judged to be the Lords people, are commanded of God to seek the place where he hath put his name, there to seek rest for their soules; so also they must manifest themselves to be the Lords by their obedience to the truth, in cleaving to that old, and good way that leadeth to eternall life. Fourthly, that no publike worship can be performed to God out of this Kingdome, and state: and that I conceive is clearly manifested out of this 10. Corinht. by the example of Israel of old. Secondly, in that the faithfull in time of the Gospell is in an estate more glorious then they were Heb. 10.28, 29-12.22. Therfore when the Saints come into any other state▪ [Page]or are under another institution, performing Religious actions therin, they be by the voyce of God pronounced to be Idolaters, as this 10. Cor. 7. doth shew. Fiftly, that the Ordinances of Gods house must not be removed out their place, which is their own state: for as the vessels of the Sanctuary were prophaned by polluted persons; so also in the use of them in any other place then where the Lord had commanded them to be used: for they could not be used holyly among the Babilonians who set them in their Temple, because they wanted their proper seat or place of and being all those that had them when they were removed out of the Lords house could not use them but prophanely, they being not the persons that God had appointed to use them, nor the place. This is plain if we consider the tennour of Gods Book with the third precept. So that he hath compiled state, laws, ordinances, with their offices and administrations together, as may be seen in all the Churches, and in this 10. Cor. Further; that as men must not partake of any of Gods ordinances but according to rule: So must they use and frequent none other; for all wayes of a mans owne are by God condemded, all precepts of men forbidden; therfore the state and ordinances of Christ with all appurtenances must of all Gods people be flowed and adhered unto, not to be departed from, they being the onely life of the soule, the wells in the right use of them, that the waters of life doth run in. So that by this little that is said, I may be discerned both what I intend, and also the drift of the Scriptures, which is, that Gods ordinances cannot be rightly used out of his own spirituall house, or state; and that it is unlawfull for us to goe any where else to partake of any of them, Cant. 1.6. whether it be the Sacrament or hearing of the word, seeing he that partakes in any administration in a state, partakes of the state it selfe; and so hath communion with the Devil, the author and king of all false states, as the Apostle against the Corinths in the 10th Chap. doth strongly prove by many illustrations. So that hearing of the word under an Institution is aswell communion as receiving of the Sacrament: for the sacrifice here spoken of, was part of the Jews worship, and not any of their Sacraments, as the Non-conformists ignorantly and blindly affirme. For they had Circumcision, and the Passeover for their Sacraments, instead of which Christ our King, and ordinance instituter, set up for us under the Gospell Baptisme, and the Supper. Now unto as many as walke according to this rule peace be unto them, and mercy, and unto the whole Israel of God. Amen.
POSTSCRIPT.
A PVBLIKE CHALLENGE MADE BY N.E. to all the Non-conformists or Reformists in Old and New-England, and Holland, in the behalfe of the totall Seperation, but in a speciall manner made to those persons in London that are convinced that the Church Ministry and worship in England are all of them Antichristian, and yet hold it lawfull for themselves to walke in a stragling spirituall way, without joyning or uniting of themselves to a true visible Church. But all, and every one of you are Challenged to Answer these 9. insuing Propositions particularly in writing if you be able. London An. 1640.
The first Proposition.
1 THAT the planting of Grace in the soule, is not only a renovation: but it is an instamping ingrafting, or creating of a new creature, or a communicating of the divine nature unto the soule, which in no measure it had before, no not in Mans innocencie, 1 Cor. 15.45. to the 50. 2 Pet. 1.3, 4 For Adam in his innocencie was but a perfect morall man, and had no participation nor divine communion with the divine nature, which if he had had, he had been as perfect as Christ himselfe, and could not possibly have fallen from his innocency; for it is the Saints communion with the divinity of God which makes them that they cannot lose the truth of the seed of grace which God hath wrought, or bestowed upon their soules, 1 Joh. 3.6.9. & 4.4.2.27. the ingrafting of which is the immediat, and alone worke of God, Joh. 3.3.5, 6. Ephes. 2.1.4.5, 6. 1 Pet. 1.3.23. 1. Joh. 2.20.29. & 5.20. 1 Cor. 2.12. wrought without the use of meanes. Rom. 10.14.17. 1 Cor. 1.18.21.24. Act. 27.22. to 25.34. And that all that the Ministry of the word, or any other meanes doth, is no more but this, namely, to manifest, and declare, that this divine principle or nature is in the soule, Luke 8.5.8.15. or to build up, and strengthen the soule in spiriturll things, or in the wayes of God, Acts 20.28. Ephes. 4.12, 13. 1 Pet. 5.2.
2 2. That the onely materialls of which a true visible Church of Jeus Christ doth consist, and is made up of, is true matter, and true form, [Page]Col. 2.5. that is to say, that all the matter or people ought to be totally Separated from the world, and all Antichrstian Assemblies whatsoever, 2 Cor. 6.15, 16, 17. Rev. 18.4. Seeing God in all ages put a visible and distinct difference betwixt his people, and the men of the World, Lev. 20 29. Deut. 7.6. Act. 2.40. & 19 9. of whom it is required that they be not onely beleevers, but also have a competent measure of knowledge to joyne, knit, and unite themselves together in the comly order of the Gospell, Deut. 29 9.10.12. Nehe. 10.28.29. Jer. 50.4. Act. 11.23, 24. And the reason why faith onely doth not make fit matter, is because that in the working of grace the soule is onely passive, and not active in the least, faith being wrought in, or upon the soule by God alone. But in obedience a beleever is active, therfore it is required he should be fitted with a measure of knowledge to tender that worship, and service, which he offers up to God aright, and according to his will, otherwise it becomes will-worship, and a lame sacrifice, which is the sacrifice of fooles, in which God hath no delight, or pleasure, Eccles. 5.1, 2.4. And the forme is that heavenly State, City or Kingdome described in the Book of God, which hath diverse, and severall Names, as the beauty of holines, 1 Chro. 16.29. Syon, Psal. 84.7. Ierusalem, Esa. 62.6. the Lords holy Mountaine, Esa. 65.9.11. his holy or secret place, which the Lord hath chosen to divell in, Psal. 132.13, 14. Ierusalem the mother of us all, Gal. 4.26. The City of the living God, Heb. 13.22 Mount Sion, Reve. 14.1. the beloved City, Reve. 20.9. the holy City, or new Ierusalem, Reve. 21.1, 2. the Lord is there, Ezek. 48.35. and that we are now as strictly tyed to the institutions of Iesus Christ under the Gospell, as the Jews were tyed to his institutions under the Law, Acts 3.22, 23. Heb. 3.2.5. & 10.28, 29 & 12.25.
3 3. That Jesus Christ in his new Testament never instituded no Nationall nor Provinciall, nor no universall Church, which then must needs have uniuersall Officers, but onely particular Churches, or Congregations, many of which may be in one Kingdome or Province, 1 Cor. 16.1. 2 Cor. 8.1. Gal. 1.2.22. 1 Thess. 2.14. and all of them independant bodies, Rev. 1.2, 3 Chapters, and yet every one of them have one and the same state, Gal. 4.26. one and the same King, head, and Lawgiver, one and the same Laws, one and the same manner of government; one and the same ordinance; one and the same institutions, and manner of administrations; having all administeriall power within themselves, depending upon none; but onely upon Christ, their onely, and alone spirituall, and visible head, 2 Cor. 11.2. Ephes. 1.22, 23. and the 5.23. [Page]Col. 1.18.24. & 2.19. who though he be spirituall, as the Subjects, Lawes, government, worship, ordinances, and administrations are yet, is he visible, Esay 9.6, 7. Psal. 110.12 Act. 7.55, 56. as well as his Kingdome, and all the Laws, ordinances, and administrations therof. And that it is altogether sinfull, and unlawfull for any whatsoever to inflict any bodily or corporall punishment upon any for spirituall things, or matters of conscience (seeing excommunication, or casting out into the world is now in the Gospell put in the place of killing the body under the Law) which wicked practise notwithstanding is not only used by the Diabolicall, and Satanicall Prelats here in England, but also by the Magistrates and Priests in New- England, who ungodly, wickedly, and sinfully unprison, banish, and take away mens goods, and that even for Conscience sake.
4 4. That it is the duty of all those that will approve their hearts unto God, and declare unto his people that they are his, Jam. 2 18 to walke in a spirituall totall Separation from the men of the world, by joyning themselves freely and voluntarily to a true visible Church, there publikely to worship and serve the Lord according to his own Laws, ordinances and appointment, seeing the Lord never promised his presence, blessing, peace, nor protection to any persons whatsoever, but onely these that walke in this State, City, or Kingdome, into which all his people are bound in Conscience to enter into it, Esa. 26.20. Mat. 28.20. Cant. 1.6. that desire according to their duty to glorifie him in the eyes of the world, by holding forth the publick profession of the purity of his truth as so many burning and shining lamps in the midst of a perverse and crooked generation, Mat. 5.26. Phil. 2.15.
5 That it savours of a muddy, earthly, carnall, base, and unsanctified heart, for any man or woman whatsoever, be they high, or low rich, or poore, to plead that the people of God may lawfully walke in a stragling spirituall way, though they joyne not themselves to a visible Church, 1 Sam. 15.22, 23. Mat. 13.44, 45, 46.6.33. Mark. 10.22, 23. for the servants of God in former ages made no cavils against, (neither needed they any pressing to) this duty, who with loning desires desired to come before God, and meet with him in this his Sion, Psal. 42.1, 2, 3. and 84.10. and who have taken this Kingdome of God by violence, Mat. 11.12. Act. 2.41. and that such pleading doth declare that the chiefe treasure of such persons are the empty huskes, and base things of this evill world, and that their hearts are possessed with selfe-seeking, and selfe ends, and covetousnesse which is Idolatry, Col. 3.5. Ephes. 5.5. and have no regard to Gods glory, or honour, for which sin he will plague [Page]them, 1 Sam. 2.30. Psal. 2.12. especially in their inward man, 2 Thess. 2.11.12. that they shall not excell in being famous amongst the true children of Sion, for being eminent in the knowledge of the true wayes and mysteries of God and godlinesse, Esa 19. 13, 14. and 59 9, 10, 11, 12. Mal. 2 2. 1 Cor. 1.19. & 3.19.
6 That Iesus Christ did redeem, and save his people from the wrath to come, mainly and principally for this end, that they should glorifie him both in their soules and bodies without feare. Luk. 1.74. Joh. 14.21. 23. & 15.8.10.14. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Rom. 12.1. which is done when they walke unblameably, and uprightly without any selfe-respects in his publike wayes; which it is their duty so to doe, Mark 10.30.33. in the worst of times, and amongst the greatest oppositions whatsoever, Reve. 12.11. & 14.1.4. though it be to the spoyling of their goods, and the losing of their lives, Mat. 10. 37, 38, 39. seeing Iesus Christ will have his full, and whole price of all those that will truly imbrace and entertain him, Zeche. 11.12. which is to part with all for his sake and glory, with willingnesse, and contentednes, Mat. 16.24, 25. Mark. 8.34 35.38. Luk. 9.23, 24 & 14 16. whose praise and glory ought to be more precious and deare unto them, then all they have, are, or shall be, 1 Sam. 4.21, 22. Dan. 3.16, 17, 18. that is to say, then their own eternall happines and welfare. And that it is impossible for any of Gods people to glorifie him aright, as they should and ought to doe, till they be entered into, and joyned as fellow Citizens with the Saints, Ephe. 2.19. in this heavenly State, City, or Kingdome, which he instituted and appointed principally for the perfecting and building up of the Saints, Ephe. 4.10.12, 13, 14. out of which they cannot possibly worship him aright, nor come to the true knowledge of the naked and pure wayes of God: seeing this City cannot be measured by any but those that are within it. Therfore the peole of God according to his promise, Psal. 110.3. Jere. 50.4, 5. ought with all willingnesse, with longing and striving desires (without any compulcion) to come to worship God within this his Sion, Tabernacle and dwelling place, Psal. 68.16. as his Saints in old time did, Psa. 84.1, 2. & 120.5. seeing here, and no where else he hath promised his presence, with the increase, and growth in grace, Psal. 9.11. & 84.7. & 92.13, 14. & 133.3. Zeche. 8.3.12. and hath tyed all his worship therto, Joh. 4.23, 24. Lev. 17.1.2, 3, 4. 9. Therfore blessed are they that dwell in this his house, that they may be still praysing of him, Psal. 84.4.
7 That it is as easie to prove that woman to be an honest woman, that hath had twenty Bastards, as it is to prove the Nationall, or Parishionall [Page]Church, or Churches in England to be Christs true Spouse, Reve. 13.16, 17. & 16.19. And that they who by reason of blind and ignorant zeale offered their Children through the fire to the Devil, and Molech, Psal. 101.37. Jer. 32.35. had as much ground and warrant for their so doing: as the members in the Church of England have for their worship and service which they publikely tender up to God, Reve. 9.20, 21. & 13.2.4. And that in the worship and service of God there is nothing indifferent: but his commands doth strictly tye us to punctuall obedience in all times, ages, and places; and that we must not in the least have any respect to a misinformed Conscience, 2 Thess. 1.7, 8, 9, 10. which so farre as it falleth short of the word of God, is faithfull, seeing it is to be guided by the revealed will of God, Deut. 29.29. Esa. 8.20. 2 Chro. 5.15, 16, 17. and to be measured by it, and not it by a misguided, or erronious Conscience, Mat. 22.29.
That though hearing in it selfe be a morrall thing, and though a false administration cannot destroy, nor annihilate any ordinance of God, seeing the ordinance Maker, is the onely, and alone ordinance destroyer, and nullifier, Act. 6.14. yet hearing of the word preached from any false Officer whatsoever, is absolutely unlawfull, because it is a sinfull communicating, and partaking in his Administration, Office, or Institution, Mat. 23.19, 20, 21, 22. compared with 1 Cor. 10.18. & Mat. 10.40. Luk. 10.16. compared with Reve. 13.2.4. & 1 Cor. 10.14.20, 21. 1 Joh. 5.21. Hos. 9.4. for he that partakes in any administration in a State, whether true, or false, partakes in the State it selfe: Therfore though the naked truth of God in the purity of it, were taught by false Officers, in false Assemblies, yet it is as unlawfull for Gods people now to goe thither to pertake in hearing of it, or to eat any spirituall meat there, as it was for the Israelites to goe to the Philistims when the Arke of God was in the house of Dagon, there to seek Gods presence: or for the Corinths to goe to the Idols Temple to eat of their sacrifices there (though eating in it selfe be as morall as hearing is) yet the Corinths going thither to eat of their set apart, or instituted meat, made them to have communion with Devils, who were the instituters of their institutions and state, 1 Cor. 10.20, 21. and as lawfull was it for the Israelites to goe to Dan, Bethel or Gilgall, there to sacrifice and doe worship unto God (as it is for us to goe to heare the word of God in false Assemblies) unto which places the Lord peremtorily commands them they shall not goe, Hos. 4.15. & 9.15. Amos 5.5. seeing the Lord had tyed all his worship and service to the Temple at Ierusalem and there onely promised his presence and acceptance of their service and worship, Deut. 12.11. 1 Kin. 8. [Page]compared with Chap. 9.2, 3. And that the Lord now under the Gospell hath as strictly tyed all his worship and service to be offered up and performed in that heavenly State, City or Kingdome before spoken of, which is called the Revel. 21. new Ierusalem, coming down from heaven; the name of which City is, Ezek. [...] The Lord is there. And therfore out of it to worship the Lord may we not goe, lest we sin as the Jews did who left the Temple, and went to sacifice under every green Tree, which though their sacrifice which they offered up there was true sacrifice, yet, it comes under a sharpe reproof, as a grosse and remarkable sin; because they brought it not to the true State and Altar, where onely the Lord had commanded them to offer their sacrifice. Even so though persons goe to heare the word of God in a false state, and think they may lawfully so do, yet they come under the same reproof with the Jews, being guilty of the same sin, there being a true paralell betwixt the Jews offering up of sacrifice under the Law, which was part of their worship, and of our hearing of the word preached, which is part of our worship under the Gospell; the materiall Temple at Ierusalem being the type, and our spirituall Ierusalem, or heavenly State is the substance of it, in the which onely, and alone, and no where else his people are to tender all their worship, and service to him: seeing he hath not declared nor promised that he will own any service whatsoever, but only that which is offered up unto him within this heavenly State or holy City, his dwelling and abiding place, of which glorious and excellent things in Scripture Psal 87.3. Isay. 60.19.20. Rev. 21. & 22. Chapters. are spoken of. And that betwixt morrall things and institutions there is this difference: Morrall things are therfore good, because they are so in themselves. Institutions are therfore good because the instituter hath set them apart for a holy use, and ordayned them so to be; as the Tree in Paradice; and the Tabernacle, and Temple, and all the things thereunto belonging, and all the institutions under the Gospell; as the Temple, Altar, and worshipers, all of which are institutions and therfore holy.
That that Learning of Curious Arts and Sciences, which men attain unto at the Schooles, is but Humane and not of God, the attaining unto which is no way necessary to the making of a man fit to beare office in the Church of See for this, A late printed Booke, called. The Sufficiency of the Spirits Teaching without Humane-Learning. By Sam. How. Christ, but that man that wants them, may be every way as fit as he that hath them. For they puffe men up with pride and worldly wisdome which is 1 Cor. 1.19.20 27.28. & 2.1.4.6.13. & 3.19.20. foolishnesse, and enmity against God. And therfore those that have these humane Arts, and earthly learning are not more unfit then others that want them, to be chosen by the Church of God officially to officiate therin, but Because they cannot easily be tryed according to those rules which [Page]the Apostle Paul layes down to Timothy for that end. For without grace they will, and do cheat, cousen, and deceive the Saints many times with their Arts, by making that seem to be a spirituall guift from God, which is nothing else but a humane Art. But that learning which chiefly makes the Saints fit to beare office in, and take care of the Church of God, is divine and spirituall learning, of which God is the 1 Cor. 12.6.7 8.9.10.11. Author, without which none are truly able to know, and interpret the holy 1 Cor. 2.10.11.14. Scripture. Therfore wo, wo. to all those that follow, and are guided, and led by Antichrists ignorant, and spirituall drunken Priests, whose soules are so infatuated, and besotted with the abominable fornications of the Scarlet whore, that they are not able rightly to know the will of God, and therfore do they feed you with ashes, froth, and scumme, and these you take for famous truths, their hearts being so exceedingly deceived, that they are not able to deliver their soules from their grosse abominable Idolatry, and wickednes, nor say is there not a lye in our right hand: for as the Prophet Isay. 44.18. Esay speaks, they have no knowledge nor heavenly understanding, for God hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see, & their hearts that they cannot understand. Answer these 9. Propositions O all ye Non-conformists, or Reformists, if your much boasted of abilities, have any reality or substance in them besides windie and cowardly brags, (who think you are separated away frow Babilon and Antichrist, and yet you are in midst of it and have communion with him) and by Gods assistance you shall be punctually replyed unto. But look to it, if you goe to your cowardly fugitive, and run-away Priests to get them to answere it, that you charge them not to stuffe their Books full with citations of their rotten, putrified and empty Fathers, and Authors, and Heathenish Poets, and Phylosophers, which usually they do, giving us three of them, for one well applyed place of Scripture. But if now they thus doe, of their Authority I shall no more esteem, then of the dirt in the kennell: The most of whose Books are fit for no other use, or place, then to be burnt in the fire, as the Books of those that used curious Arts in the Act. 19.19. Apostles time were, and so shall the word of God grow, flourish, and prevaile as then it did. Neither let their answere be with tricks and quillets by the cunning of their deceivable humane Arts, with which they can make blacke seem white, just Jugler like; Nor yet with their rotten and false Scholasticall distinctions, as hearing the word of God from an officer, and yet they doe not heare him as an Officer) which is but a Sophisticall distinction serving to no purpose. And all these humane devises I esteem of no more use in matters of controversie [Page]to find out the naked truth of God, then pitch, rosen and flax is to quench fire, which will much more increase and aggravate it: even so will they, though things now should be very darke, yet the making use of them to make them more obvious and cleare, will make them more misty and obscure. Therfore I desire him, whosoever he be that answers me, to weigh things in the ballance of the sanctuary (I mean the unerring word of God) and to go to the Law and the Testimony, and speak according to that, otherwise I shall tell him (and that in the words of the Spirit of God) Isay. 8.20. there is no light of truth in him. Therfore let it be answered by the Authority of the Scripture, for it is that which testifies of Ioh. 5.39. Christ. And the want of the true knowledge of this is the ground of all errour and Mat. 22.29 ignorance, which your Priests by their rotten filthy Diabolicall arts, and inventions do obscure, darken, and ecclipse. Therfore I doe verily think and beleeve that for this cause God will never honour them to doe him any speciall or singuler piece of service, for he taketh the wise in their own craftinesse, and disappointeth the devises of the crafty, and sets up on high, those that below, Ioh. 5.11.12. and maketh the wise men to perish, Isay. 29.14. and frustrateth the tokens of lyars as they are) and maketh diviners mad, and turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge "foolish, which by dayly, and large experience we see manifested, and made good, nor never make use of them, for principall instruments to pull down and destroy the filthy black: Soddomitist Babilonian Kingdome of Antichrist; for as fast as any of them by the word of God doe labour to pull it down with one hand, they by making use of their humane arts, and learning, build it up with both hands: and more stregthen the enemy with these their wicked weapons, then they weaken him with any other they can make use of. Therfore let all Gods people that desire with all their might to pull down the whore, and make her desolate, and naked; cry down all these wicked Arts, and human-learning, and all worldly wisdome to the pit of hell from whence they came, and only make use of the two-edged sword of Gods word, as the very chief weapon to pierce and run through the very heart of the scarlet whore, and her upholders, for this will pierce even to the dividing asunder of the soule and Spirit, Heb. 4.12. and of the joynts and marrow, For the word of God is that two-edged sword that comes out of the mouth of the Lamb our Captain Christ Jesus, who sits upon the white Horse, who in righteousnesse and truth doth judge, and make war; and with this he goes forth conquering, and to conquer, and to smite the Nations and people that doe not, nor will not obey his truth, for he treadeth the winepresse of the fiercenes of the wrath of Rev. 19. [...] Almighty God. And [Page]with this spirituall, overcoming, unresistable conquering weapon are we his Souldiers, or Armies, that are in heaven, or stand upon Mount Sion (that is, in the true Church, or state of God) ready to do our Fathers will and pleasure, to fight couragiously against our spirituall Babilonian enemies, in following the Lamb whither soever he goeth, and to do him what service soever he pleaseth to call us to, and not to love our lives unto the death; seeing he hath redeemed us from among men, and made us Kings and Priests unto God our Father. Therfore O my Brethren, be exhorted to courage, and zeale, for the Lord and his truth: for this is it wherin he shall be glorified by us: therfore shake off all base, and carnall feare, and be not afraid of the greatnes of our enemies; but let us publikely in an united bond, professe the purity of his truth in sincerity, for we are sure by the word of his Rev. 12.12. Testimony to overcome all that do oppose us: For the Lord ere long by the spirit of his mouth, and the brightnes of his coming, in this his glorious Kingdome (before spoken of) will destroy the man of sin, that so long hath trampled this his holy City under foot, for the prosperity and flourishing of which we are bound in duty to strain for, and hazard all we have. Therfore if I forget thee ô Ierusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning; and if I doe not remember thee ô Sion let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, yea if I prefer not Psal. 137.6, 7. Ierusalem above my chief joy: For my soule longs, yea exceedingly with earnest desires to see Ierusalem become (as I am sure when Antichrist is destroyed she shall be) the prayse of the whole earth. Therfore all ye choice Speare-men of the Lord, be as valiant for your God now in the dayes of Babels tottering, as 2 Sam. 23.16, 17. Davids worthies was for him, and stoutly break through the Hoasts of the Babilonians those spirituall Phylistims, and fetch, and take the water of life from out of their polluted hands, which they theevishly have stolen, and usurpedly make use of, that the Lords weake ones may freely drink of it without feare of being poysoned: and let us all, yea every one of us that stand upon Mount Sion with our Fathers name written in our Iere. 50. & 51. Reve. 18. foreheads according to our duty. Let us put our selvs in array against Babilon round about, and call together the Lords valiant Spearmen, and Archers against her. Therfore all ye that bend the Bow, Camp against her round about, and let none that belong unto her escape; but recompence her according to her worke, according to all that she hath done let us do unto her, for she hath been proud against the Lord, even against the holy one of Israel. Therfore let us cause her young men to fall in the streets, and all her men of war let us (as much as we are able cut off. Now her choice men of war are her officers, whose offices is that great River Euphrates [Page]spoken of in the Revelation, which principally we must labour to dry up, because till it be dryed up, we the sons of righteousnesse, and Kings of the East cannot come to take her and destroy her. Now the chief meanes to dry up her offices, is to refuse all spirituall subjection to them, and not to give to any of them at any time their usurped fees, for this I will maintain, that it is absolutely sinfull, and unlawfull to pay unto them any money which they demand, as an Ecclesiasticall right, or to enter bayl unto them: therfore in my judgement those doe deny and dishonour God, and his truth, that directly or indirectly fee, or give money to their Diabollicall Pursevants, for their liberty when they are taken by them; sure I am the Apostles and their followers were never so base and cowardly, yet this is a common sinne amongst all our Congregations, the Lord amend it: and in after time give us more courage and zeale for his glory, otherwise our condition will be like to Laodicea even to be luke-warme, for which we may shortly feare the Lord will spew us out of his mouth. A Second sort of her Champions, are those that draw nearer to God in many things then others of their Bretheren doe, and these are called Puritans or Professours, whose vizards I have in part in my foregoing Propositions unmasked; and these by how much the more they seemingly draw nearer to God in their false wayes, so much the more hurt and mischief they do, by keeping others more weaker then themselves from a willing stooping intirely to the Scepter of Christ, for which sinne the Lord plagues them: for it is dayly seen that even Publicans and Harlots enter into the Kingdome before them, to walke in that order which God hath appointed for their building up, therfore against these should we fight, and with all our strength and cunning, take from them their masks, vizards, and figge-leaves, unto whom I may truly say as God by the Prophet Esay 47. Esay said to the old Babilonians, that your wisdome, and your knowledge hath perverted you, which makes you say in your hearts you are well and need no mending. Therfore shall evill come upon you, and you shall not know from whence it ariseth, and mischief shall fall upon you and you shall not be able to put it off, and desolation shall come upon you sodainly, which you shall not know. Therfore stand now with your inchantments, and with the multitude of your services (that is to say, with your tricks and quillets, and cunning soule-deceiving shifts) wherin you have laboured from your youth, if so be you shall be able to profit, and prevaile; you are wearied in the multitude of your Councels. Let now the Astrologers, the Starre-gazers, the monethly Prognosticaters (that is to say, your famous Priests, [Page]those wise and learned men (as you esteem them) whose frothy savings, and foolish councell by some of you are judged as Oracles; let these I say stand up and save you (if they be able) from those things that shall shortly come upon you, Behold they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them, and they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame therof, and there shall not be a coals for you to warme at, nor fire to set before you. Thus shall it be unto you with whom you have laboured, even your spirituall Merchants from your youth, they shall wander every one to his quarter, none shall save you. O Iehovah thou Lord of hosts, and powerfull God, that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldst in wrath and fury come down, that the Mountains might flow down at thy presence, as when the melting fire burneth, even the fire that causeth the waters to layle, to make thy great, dreadfull, and terrible name known to thy Babilonian Antichristian adversaries, that the Nations therof may Isay. 64.1.2. tremble at thy presence: and hasten thy coming in thy glorious Kingdome, and cause the brightnes therof to scorch, torment, and torture the very soules and spirits of thy spirituall enemies: and put Neh. 13. Nehemiahs courage, and zeale into the hearts of all the Lambs redeemed ones, that they may at once power out the Vyalls of thy fury and fierce indignation Rev. 16. upon the very throne of the Beast, to the ruine therof, that his worshippers may gnaw their tongues for very pain, and cry out with weeping, and wayling for the destruction of their spirituall Babylon, alas, alas; and cause thy servants in all their spirituall battayles never to make use of any of the Beasts foolishnes, or humane weapons, which are no better then bul-rushes; but make it known unto them that it is their duty to be as unlike unto him in all things whatsoever as ‡ possibly they can, and to keep close to thy Law and Statutes, § For blessed are they that do thy Commandements, that they may have right to the Tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the holy City.