§. XVI.

[171]But if with Mordecai, to refuse to bow to proud Haman, and with Elihu not to give flattering Titles to Men, lest we should be reproved of our Maker; and if, according to Peter’s Example and the Angel’s Advice, to bow only to God, and not to our Fellow-servants; and if to call no Man Lord nor Master, except under particular Relations, according to Christ’s Command; I say, if these Things are not to be reproved, then are we not blameworthy in so doing.

[171] Esther 3. 5. Job 32. 21, 22.

If to be vain and gaudy in Apparel; if to paint the Face and plait the Hair; if to be clothed with Gold and Silver, and precious Stones; and if to be filled with Ribbands and Lace be to be clothed in modest Apparel; and if these be the Ornaments of Christians; and if that be to be humble, meek, and mortified, then are our Adversaries good Christians indeed, and we proud, singular, and conceited, in contenting ourselves with what Need and Conveniency calls for, and condemning what is more as superfluous; but not otherwise.

If to use Games, Sports, Plays; if to card, dice, and dance; if to sing, fiddle, and pipe; if to use Stage-plays and Comedies, and to lye, counterfeit, and dissemble, be to fear always; and if that be to do all Things to the Glory of God; and if that be to pass our Sojourning here in fear; and if that be to use this World as if we did not use it; and if that be not to fashion ourselves according to our former Lusts; to be not conformable to the Spirit and vain Conversation of this World; then are our Adversaries, notwithstanding they use these Things, and plead for them, very good, sober, mortified, and self-denying Christians, and we justly to be blamed for judging them; but not otherwise.

If the Profanation of the holy Name of God; if to exact Oaths one from another upon every light Occasion; if to call God to witness in Things of such a Nature, in which no earthly King would think himself lawfully and honourably to be a Witness, be the Duties of a Christian Man, I shall confess that our Adversaries are excellent good Christians, and we wanting in our Duty: But if the contrary be true, of Necessity our Obedience to God in this Thing must be acceptable.

If to revenge ourselves, or to render Injury, Evil for Evil, Wound for Wound, to take Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth; if to fight for outward and perishing Things, to go a Warring one against another, whom we never saw, nor with whom we never had any Contest, nor any Thing to do; being moreover altogether ignorant of the Cause of the War, but only that the Magistrates of the Nations foment Quarrels one against another, the Causes whereof are for the most Part unknown to the Soldiers that fight, as well as upon whose Side the right or wrong is; and yet to be so furious, and rage one against another, to destroy and spoil all, that this or the other Worship may be received or abolished; if to do this, and much more of this Kind, be to fulfil the Law of Christ, then are our Adversaries indeed true Christians, and we miserable Hereticks, that suffer ourselves to be spoiled, taken, imprisoned, banished, beaten, and evilly entreated, without any Resistance, placing our Trust only in GOD, that he may defend us, and lead us by the Way of the Cross unto his Kingdom. But if it be otherways, we shall certainly receive the Reward which the Lord hath promised to those that cleave to him, and, in denying themselves, confide in him.

And to sum up all, if to use all these Things, and many more that might be instanced; be to walk in the strait Way that leads to Life, be to take up the Cross of Christ, be to die with him to the Lusts and perishing Vanities of this World, and to arise with him in Newness of Life, and sit down with him in the heavenly Places, then our Adversaries may be accounted such, and they need not fear they are in the broad Way that leads to Destruction, and we are greatly mistaken, that have laid aside all these Things, for Christ’s Sake, to the crucifying of our own Lusts, and to the procuring to ourselves Shame, Reproach, Hatred, and Ill-will from the Men of this World: Not as if by so doing we judged to merit Heaven, but as knowing they are contrary to the Will of Him who redeems his Children from the Love of this World, and its Lusts, and leads them in the Ways of Truth and Holiness, in which they take delight to walk.


THE CONCLUSION.

If in God’s Fear, Candid Reader, thou appliest thyself to consider this System of Religion here delivered, with its Consistency and Harmony, as well in itself as with the Scriptures of Truth, I doubt not but thou wilt say with me and many more, that this is the spiritual Day of Christ’s Appearance, wherein he is again revealing the ancient Paths of Truth and Righteousness. For thou mayest observe here the Christian Religion in all its Parts truly established and vindicated, as it is a living, inward, spiritual, pure, and substantial Thing, and not a mere Form, Shew, Shadow, Notion and Opinion, as too many have hitherto held it, whose Fruits declare they wanted that which they bear the Name of; and yet many of those are so in Love with their empty Forms and Shadows, that they cease not to calumniate us for commending and calling them to the Substance, as we therefore denied or neglected the true Form and outward Part of Christianity, which indeed is, as God the Searcher of Hearts knows, a very great Slander. Thus, because we have desired People earnestly to feel after God near and in themselves, telling them that their Notions of God, as he is beyond the Clouds, will little avail them, if they do not feel him near; hence they have fought maliciously to infer that we deny any God except that which is within us. Because we tell People, That it is the Light and Law within, and not the Letter without, that can truly tell them their Condition, and lead them out of all Evil; hence they say, we vilify the Scriptures, and set up our own Imaginations above them. Because we tell them, That it is not their talking or believing of Christ’s outward Life, Sufferings, Death, and Resurrection, no more than the Jews crying, The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, that will serve their Turn, or justify them in the Sight of God; but that they must know Christ in them, whom they have crucified, to be raised, and to justify them, and redeem them from their Iniquities: Hence they say, We deny the Life, Death, and Sufferings of Christ, Justification by his Blood, and Remission of Sins through him. Because we tell them, while they are talking and determining about the Resurrection, that they have more Need to know the Just One, whom they have slain, raised in themselves, and to be sure they are Partakers of the first Resurrection; and that this be, they will be the more capable to judge of the Second: Hence they say, That we deny the Resurrection of the Body. Because when we hear them talk foolishly of Heaven and Hell, and the last Judgment, we exhort them to come out of that hellish Condition they are in, and come down to the Judgment of Christ in their own Hearts, and believe in the Light, and follow it, that so they may come to sit in the heavenly Places that are in Christ Jesus: Hence they maliciously say, that we deny any Heaven or Hell but that which is within us, and that we deny any general Judgment; which Slanders the Lord knows are foully cast upon us, whom God hath raised for this End, and gathered us, that by us he might confound the Wisdom of the Wise, and bring to Nought the Understanding of the Prudent; and might, in and by his own Spirit and Power in a despised People (that no Flesh might glory in his Presence) pull down that dead, dark, corrupt Image, and mere Shadow and Shell of Christianity wherewith Antichrist hath deceived the Nations: For which End he hath called us to be a First-fruits of those that serve him, and worship him no more in the Oldness of the Letter, but in the Newness of the Spirit. And though we be few in Number, in Respect of others; and weak as to outward Strength, which we also altogether reject, and foolish if compared with the wise Ones of this World; yet as God hath prospered us, notwithstanding much Opposition, so will he yet do, that neither the Art, Wisdom, nor Violence of Men or Devils shall be able to quench that little Spark that hath appeared; but it shall grow to the consuming of whatsoever shall stand up to oppose it. The Mouth of the Lord hath spoken it! Yea, He that hath arisen in a small Remnant shall arise and go on by the same Arm of Power in his spiritual Manifestation, until he hath conquered all his Enemies, until all the Kingdoms of the Earth become the Kingdom of Christ Jesus.

Unto Him that hath begun this Work, not among the Rich or Great Ones, but among the Poor and Small, and hath revealed it not to the Wise and Learned, but unto the Poor, unto Babes and Sucklings; even to Him, the Only Wise and Omnipotent GOD, be Honour, Glory, Thanksgiving, and Renown, from henceforth and for ever. Amen. Hallelu-JAH.


A Table of the Authors cited in this Book.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

Z


A Table of the Chief Things.

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

V

W

FINIS.


ERRATA.

Page[5].l. 17.*Forknowingreadknow
[9].l. 10.*Sou litselfSoul itself
[13].l. 5.but by the Sonbut the Son
[13].l. 29.*WordWorld
[24].l. 10.*ininto
[29].l. 30.*ForFrom
[49].l. 21.the Beliefthat Belief
[70].l. 9.ornor
[85].l. 6.for which wefor which Cause we
[111].l. 3.*of Controversyof the Controversy
[116].l. 12.*to usus to
[122].l. 6.*possible topossible for him to
[125].l. 28.*for theyfor that they
[140].l. 6.with Godwith thy God
[171].l. 1.cannotcan
[211].l. 27.*PeachingPreaching
[216].l. 23.*xixii
[220].l. 31.*AburdityAbsurdity
[230].l. 16.*ManMen
[272].l. 15.proceedethproceeded
[280].l. 7.Work and GraceWork of Grace
[315].l. 33.shallshould
[319].l. 12.*bothdoth
[323].l. 5.*upus
[324].l. 1.somesuch
[329].l. 12.maymany
[342].l. 29.leading Peopleleading his People
[364].l. 11.away theaway of the
[364].l. 29.away theaway of the
[393].l. 4.thereby maythereby they may
[408].l. 2.*shallshould
[413].l. 19.marg.common in remembringcommon, remembring
[417].l. 22.OutwardsExternals
[424].l. 3.providingprovided
[429].l. 1.*intimateimitate
[431].l. 3.*4241
[437].l. 13.of the Persecutorsof Persecutors
[439].l. 15.receive him notreceive him
[450].l. 2.thosethis
[452].l. 3.a ChristianChristians
[454].l. 10.doth in the otherdoth the other
[460].l. 4.WaysWay
[460].l. 20.thetheir
[464].l. 20.*Abram’sAbraham’s
[467].l. 8.dodoth
[469].l. 18.severallyseverely
[472].l. 4.enjoyemploy
[474].l. 4.*Time toTime so to
[479].l. 28.OriginalOrigin
[480].l. 3.*12, and x. 2213, and x. 20
[482].l. 31.*ix. 10xi. 10
[487].l. 32.*the ChristiansChristians
[490].l. 30.*relatasrelates
[497].l. 31.*lawfulunlawful
[499].l. 24.for mostfor the most
[499].l. 26.one another Humble Servantthemselves each other’s Humble Servants.

N. B. Those marked with Asterisks, are corrected in some Copies.


TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE.

Archaic, obsolete, unusual and spellings and words have been maintained. Obvious misspellings have been fixed, and some words and names have been standardized within the document. The "errata" which are noted in the book have been applied and no further note of them will be made here. Sidenotes in the original book that were just citations have been converted to footnotes. Changes to the book are noted in the text like this.

Some programs will display the longer Hebrew phrase on Page 218 with the words in the correct order and some reversed. Unfortunately there does not appear to be a way to get uniformity in rendering.

The Table of Contents was inserted by the transcriber, it was not in the original book. The cover was produced by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

Changes to the text from the original book follow:

[In the note to the King]
In this book:These are the Things that rendered the Lives of
Originally:These are the Things that rendred the Lives of
[Page vii]
In this book:As they then have falsely and erroneously
Originally:As they then have falsly and erroneously
[Page 7] Sidenote
In this book:Jerome
Originally:Hieron.
[Page 7]
In this book:The Law (saith Jerome) is Spiritual,
Originally:The Law (saith Hierom) is Spiritual,
[Page 7] [Footnote 34]
In this book:Jerome Ep. Paulin. 103.
Originally:Hieron. Ep. Paulin. 103.
[Page 38]
In this book:Many have been deceived, and erred grievously
Originally:Many have been deceived, and erred griveously
[Page 38] Sidenote
In this book:2. Of Scripture.
Originally:(sidnote missing)
[Page 38]
In this book:Here the Lutherans and Arminians grossly err
Originally:Here the Lutherans and Arminians grosly err
[Page 43]
In this book:because some have falsely pretended to it
Originally:because some have falsly pretended to it
[Page 57]
In this book:Threatenings in the Scripture; but who
Originally:Threatnings in the Scripture; but who
[Page 58] Sidenote
In this book:1. Deaf People Children, and Idiots instanced.
Originally:1. Deaf People Children, and Ideots instanced.
[Page 58]
In this book:in the Case of deaf People, Children, and Idiots
Originally:in the Case of deaf People, Children, and Ideots
[Page 60] Sidenote
In this book:Jerome Epist. 28. ad Lucin. p. 247.
Originally:Hieron. Epist. 28. ad Lucin. p. 247.
[Page 60]
In this book:Of which Transcribers Jerome in his Time
Originally:Of which Transcribers Jerom in his Time
[Page 60]
In this book:and particularly Jerome, exalting the Certainty
Originally:and particularly Jerom, exalting the Certainty
[Page 64]
In this book:Whereof if Jerome complained in his Time,
Originally:Whereof if Jerom complained in his Time,
[Page 64]
In this book:now twelve Hundred Years ago, Jerome Epist. 134.
Originally:now twelve Hundred Years ago, Hierom. Epist. 134.
[Page 87]
In this book:As They have then falsely and erroneously
Originally:As They have then falsly and erroneously
[Page 91]
In this book:ordained to this twofold End;
Originally:ordained to this two-fold End;
[Page 117]
In this book:Next there are those that lean to the Doctrine
Originally:Next there are that lean to the Doctrine
[Page 131] Sidenote
In this book:Man’s remaining in Darkness, the closing of his Eyes.
Originally:Man’s remaining in Darkness, the closing his eyes.
[Page 133]
In this book:this, may come therethrough to believe.
Originally:this, may come there-through to believe.
[Page 156] Sidenote
In this book:then that have this, wherever they be, they are saved.
Originally:then that have this, where-ever they be, they are saved.
[Page 166] Sidenote
In this book:Sepulchre in Spain, or to Mary of Loreto
Originally:Sepulchre in Spain, or to Mary of Loretto
[Page 170]
In this book:We consider then our Redemption in a twofold Respect
Originally:We consider then our Redemption in a two-fold Respect
[Page 173]
In this book:also done in a qualified Sense, but no-ways to infer
Originally:also done in a qualified Sense, but noways to infer
[Page 180] Sidenote
In this book:Posit. 2. By Christ formed within we are justified.
Originally:Posit. 1. By Christ formed within we are justified.
[Page 182]
In this book:doth beyond all Question signify a making just;
Originally:doth beyond all Question signify a make-ing just;
[Page 188]
In this book:be understood as really being made righteous:
Originally:be understood a really being made righteous:
[Page 189]
In this book:whether ye be in the Faith; prove your own selves:
Originally:whether ye be in the Faith; prove your ownselves:
[Page 192] Sidenote
In this book:Inuncunas.
Originally:Inuncunan.
[Page 192]
In this book:So also affirmeth Claudius Albertus Inuncanus,
Originally:So also affirmeth Claudius Albertus Inuncunanus,
[Page 201]
In this book:is nevertheless a Cause in some Respect, administering,
Originally:is nevertheless a Cause in some Respect, administring,
[Page 203]
In this book:pursued, and condemned by God’s holy Witness in their
Originally:pursued, and condemed by God’s holy Witness in their
[Page 222] Sidenote
In this book:Jerome.
Originally:Jerom.
[Page 222]
In this book:Concerning this Possibility Jerome speaks clearly
Originally:Concerning this Possibility Jerom speaks clearly
[Page 239]
In this book:that this were indeed desirable and best;
Originally:that this were indeed desireable and best;
[Page 246] Sidenote
In this book:The Lukewarmness of the Church of Laodicea.
Originally:The Lukewarmness of he Church of Laodicea.
[Page 249]
In this book:his Vessel is purified, and so be fitted and prepared
Originally:his Vessel is purified, and so he fitted and prepared
[Page 259] Sidenote
In this book:The ministering must be by the Gift and Grace
Originally:The ministring must be by the Gift and Grace
[Page 259]
In this book:any Man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God;
Originally:any Man speak, let thim speak as the Oracles of God;
[Page 294]
In this book:ambitiously seeking after the forementioned Things
Originally:ambitiously seeking after the forementioned Things
[Page 305]
In this book:watching in a holy Dependence upon the Lord,
Originally:watching in a holy Dependance upon the Lord,
[Page 311]
In this book:and there are few Meetings that are altogether silent.
Originally:and there are few Meetings that are alogether silent.
[Page 327] Sidenote
In this book:outward, so Christ delivers us from inward Slavery.
Originally:outward, so Christ delivers his from inward Slavery.
[Page 330]
In this book:Subject, or otherwise praying to or praising God.
Originally:Subject, or otherwise praying to or praiseing God.
[Page 337]
In this book:but what he hath prepared and premeditated beforehand.
Originally:but what he hath prepared and premeditated before-hand.
[Page 339]
In this book:that Prayer is twofold, inward and outward.
Originally:that Prayer is two-fold, inward and outward.
[Page 364]
In this book:the coined Definitions of the School-men.
Originally:the coined Definitions of the Schoolmen.
[Page 370]
In this book:Principles denied by us, wherever Christ appointed
Originally:Principles denied by us, where-ever Christ appointed
[Page 375] Sidenote
In this book:Alleg. 1.
Originally:Alle. 1.
[Page 386]
In this book:And P. Pithœus mentions it in his Fragments
Originally:And P. Pithæus mentions it in his Fragments
[Page 412]
In this book:I would gladly know how from the Words
Originally:I would glady know how from the Words
[Page 440] Sidenote
In this book:Jerome Epist. 62. ad Tire.
Originally:Hieron. Epist. 62. ad Tire.
[Page 440]
In this book:The Church (saith Jerome) was founded by shedding of
Originally:The Church (saith Hierom) was founded by shedding of
[Page 460] [Footnote 155]
In this book:The Church (saith Jerome) was founded by shedding of
Originally:The Church (saith Hierom) was founded by shedding of
[Page 466]
In this book:might not as well accuse Mordecai of Incivility,
Originally:might not as well accuse Mordicai of Incivility,
[Page 476]
In this book:but also have stirred up the Magistrates to persecute
Originally:but also have stired up the Magistrates to persecute
[Page 478] Sidenote
In this book:Answ. 2.
Originally:Ans. 2.
[Page 479] Sidenote
In this book:Answ. 3.
Originally:Ans. 3.
[Page 481]
In this book:that which, as Jerome, Chrysostom,
Originally:that which, as Hierom, Chrysostom,
[Page 482] Sidenote
In this book:Jerome Lib. Ep. Part. 3. Tract. 1. Ep. 2.
Originally:Hier. Lib. Ep. Part. 3. Tract. 1. Ep. 2.
[Page 482]
In this book:Concerning which Jerome saith, “All Things agree not
Originally:Concerning which Hierom saith, “All Things agree not
[Page 487]
In this book:Jerome Epistol. Lib. Part. 3. Ep. 2.
Originally:Hieronimus Epistol. Lib. Part. 3. Ep. 2.
[Page 487]
In this book:Bibliotheca vet. Patr. in Mat. v. Oecumenius in Jac.
Originally:Bibliotheca vet. Patr. in Mat. v. OEcumenius in Jac.
[Page 490]
In this book:Jerome ad Ocean. It. Lib. Epist. P. 3. Tom. 1. Ep. 2.
Originally:Hierom. ad Ocean. It. Lib. Epist. P. 3. Tom. 1. Ep. 2.
[Page 492] [Footnote 164]
In this book:Isa. 11. 9.
Originally:Isa. 65. 24.
[Page 500]
In this book:then are our Adversaries good Christians indeed,
Originally:then are our Adversaries good Chirstians indeed,
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Bellarmine, 172, 438
Originally:Bellarmin, 172, 438
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Confession of Augsburgh, 202, 202, 226
Originally:Confession of Ausburgh, 202, 202, 226
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Council of Aszansic, 222
Originally:Council of Aszansick, 222
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Haimo, 487
Originally:Haymo, 487
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]...and moved from H to J
In this book:Jerome, 7, 60, 64, 222, 440, 458, 482, 487, 490
Originally:Hierom, 7, 60, 64, 222, 440, 458, 482, 487, 490
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Nicolaus Arnoldus of Franequer, 242, 262, 263, 284,
Originally:Nicholaus Arnoldus of Franequer, 242, 262, 263, 284,
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Oecumenius, 487
Originally:OEcumenius, 487
[A Table of the Authors cited in this Book]
In this book:Plato, 159, 486
Originally:Plato, 159, 586
[A Table of the Chief Things]
In this book:A
Originally:(section title missing)
[A Table of the Chief Things] under Minister
In this book:Concerning the Sustentation and... 318 to 329.
Originally:Concerning the Sustentation and... 318 to 229.
[A Table of the Chief Things] main entry Philosopher
In this book:Philosopher, The Heathen Philosopher was brought to
Originally:Philosoher, The Heathen Philosopher was brought to
[A Table of the Chief Things] under preaching
In this book:It is a permanent Institution, 373.
Originally:It is a permanant Institution, 373.
[A Table of the Chief Things] under Quakers
In this book:They do not persecute others, 443.
Originally:They do no persecute others, 443.
[A Table of the Chief Things] main entry Rebecca
In this book:Rebecca, 309.
Originally:Rebeckah, 309.
[A Table of the Chief Things] under Redemption
In this book:It commends the Christian Religion among Infidels,
Originally:It commends the Christian Religion among Infidals,
[A Table of the Chief Things] under Rustick
In this book:He brought a Philosopher unto the Christian Faith, 268.
Originally:He brought a Philospher unto the Christian Faith, 268.
[A Table of the Chief Things] main entry School
In this book:School, Without the School... a Shadow of Knowledge,
Originally:School, Without the School... a Shadow of Kowledge,