A SURVEY OF THE SPIRITVALL 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 , Tob. Crisp , H. Denne , Eaton , and others .

In which is revealed the rise and spring of Antinomians , Familists , Libertines , Swenck-feldians , Enthysiasts , &c.

The minde of Luther a most professed opposer of Antinomians , is cleared , and diverse considerable points of the Law and the Gospel , of the Spirit and Letter , of the two Covenants , of the nature of free grace , exercise under temptations , mortification , justification , sanctification , are discovered .

In Two PARTS .

By SAMUEL RUTHERFURD Professor of Divinity in the University of St. Andrews in Scotland .

LONDON , Printed by J. D. & R. I. for Andrew Crooke , and are to be sold at his shop at the Green-Dragon in Pauls Church-yard . 1648.

IT is a question not easily determined whether the Church of Christ suffer more by brethren , her mothers sonnes Edom within , or by strangers , Babel without her walls : It is undeniable that thousands of godly people are carried away to Familisme , Antinomianisme and love to follow strangers because people are floods and seas , and teachers sit upon the waters as faire or stormy and rough winds ; I have been long silent , but when I did see not long agoe priviledges of state , if in a feather violated must be judged bloody and unexpiable by sacrifice , or any way else , and heresies , fundamentall blasphemies , foule inventions of men , are thought to be zealous errors , godly phancies , things of the minde not to be spoken against , except M. Tho. Edwards , or any other who out of zeale to God , cry against the New alter , would be charged to sinne against the Holy Ghost , therefore I dare not but give a Testimony for the truth . Silence may be a washing of the hands with Pilate , saying , I am innocent of the blood of lost souls , but it washeth away the guilt with waters of inke and blood . And except my heart deceive me , give me leave to borrow an expression of Job , If I lift up my hand , or a bloody pen against the truly godly , or have a pick at holinesse , Let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade , and mine arme be broken from the bone . Job 31.21 , 22.

I am not to oyle any mans head who hath beene exorbitant in his superpluses or overlashings against personall infirmities of the true godly , as if godly and elect men , and elect Angels were termes reciprocall ( I would the Antinomians had not byassed too many with such an opinion ) for Judas the Traitor , for ought we read , was orthodox in point of doctrine , and Peter not so in playing Sathans part to disswade Christ from suffering , and in complying with the masters of out-dated ceremonies , nor should cummin and mint devide us , though there may be a little pearle of truth in these , and I would not willingly side against lower and under-ground truths , that Christ will owne , though little and small . But sure it is not Christian , but Asses patience , to open the bosome and the heart to lodge Familists , Antinomians , Arminians , Arrians , and what not under the notion of the godly party , and to send to hell others sometime judged the godly party , because of two innocent and harmelesse relations of Scottish and Presbyteriall : As touching the former M. Henry Burton Conformities deformity . p. 17 is pleased to call the Scots the vilest of men , and if I mistake him not b b Preface to the ● . Major of London . partakers with murtherers , with rebells , with Traitors , Incendiaries , underminers of Parliament and City , that they may reigne , whose violent and fraudulent practises proclaime them to be not friends , but such as in whom to put the least confidence , is to trust in the reed of Egypt , whereon if a man lean , it will pierce him through And c c Pag. 20.22 . speaking of the Generall Assembly of the Kirke of Scotland , he saith , Thus in reference to the spirituality or the Church there seemes to be set up in their Nationall Assembly the like Supremacie , which the Pope himselfe claimeth over Kings , States , Kingdomes , Common-wealths , and M. Rutherfurd in his government of the Church of Scotland tells us that though none in this Grand Assembly have decisive voices , save only Commissioners , yet the acts of the Assembly oblige all the absents not present in all their members , and that because , what is by these Commissioners determined and concluded is matter necessary and agreeable to Gods word , as being no lesse infallible then those decisions of the Apostles , Act. 15. — And whosoever shall not conforme in all things to the constitutions of that Generall Kirke Assembly , when once the horne is blowne , then ipso facto imprisonment , confiscation of Goods , banishment , and what not ? — What ? to set up in the Church an Oracle of infallibility and such a Suprema●ie , as no true bred English Christian can interpret for other then Antichristian Tyranny — and thereby shall our fundamentall Laws , priviledges , and power of Parliaments , liberties , and freedome of all true bred English subjects be brought under perpetuall bondage — worse then that either of Egipt or Babylon . But that we may speak for our selves . I answer to all these , in the following considerations , without recrimination .

1. If any truths of Christ because holden by the Church of Scotland leave off to be truth then shall we say , these that by divine providence ( which casts a measuring line of acres and lands to every Nation ) have obtained the warmer side of the Sunne in South Britaine , and a fatter soile have the more excellent Christ , as if Gods grew in gardens , Juvenalis . O sanctas ●entes quibus hoc nascuntur in hortis ●umi●a — as they said they did in Egypt . But as Religion should not weare the shape , fashions & hew of men , so sure England and Scotland differ non specie & natura sed accidentibus meris , a little vicinity to , or distance from the Sunne is a poore difference , when we come up to our fathers house the higher Jerusalem ( which hee who bringeth many children to glory , I pray , and hope shall doe ) I trust we shall not stand in a vicinity to , or a distance from his face who sits on the throne and the Lamb , as English and Scotish , and though Scotland be resembled to Egipt , as M. Burton sayes , we have not peirced through our brethren , but are the causes under God farre more now , why M. Burton and our brethren breath in English aire , then when we came first into this land , for M. Burton said himselfe , to some of our number then , we was then the Kingdome of Judah , helping the Ten tribes their brethren against the Taskmasters of Egipt , and spoylers of Babylon , and our Generall Assembly in Scotland was then beautifull as Tirzah , comely as Jerusalem , terrible as an army with banners . But now the tables are so far turned ▪ that our Generall Assembly is a Papall throne above Kings and Kesars , and we our selves are worse then Egipt or Babylon . Doth a fountaine send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter ? My brethren , these things ought not so to be . But what although Scotland be Egipt and Assyria , Esaias saith , ch. 19.18 . And in that day shall five Cities in the land of Egipt speake the language of Canaan and sweare by the Lord of hoasts . And though we be Assyria ( as M. Burton the title page saith ) we like that better of the same Prophet , v. 24. In that day shall Israel bee the third with Egipt , and with Assyria , even a blessing in the midst of the land , whom the Lord of hoasts shall blesse , saying , blessed be Egipt my people , and Assyria the worke of my hands . But I am afraid ▪ that Familists , Antinomians , Arminians , Socinians , whom M. Burton calleth the Saints , shall not be found the onely true Israel of God .

2. Wee passe not to bee judged the vilest of men by M. Burton , or partakers with murtherers , with rebells , with Traitors , Incendiaries , underminers of the English Parliament , Antichristian and Papall Tyranizers over the bodies , estates , consciences of the free borne English , under the notion of Presbyterians .

For 1. M. Burton is but a man , and speaketh thus from the flesh , and hath three times changed his minde or profession touching Church-government and other points of tollerating Arminians , Socinians , and the like against which he gave a testimony in his Apologie and other writings , hee that changeth thrice , may change four times and ten times .

But if we should stand or fall by the Testimony of men , I should rather name Apostolicke Calvin , renowned Beza , godly and learned Cartwright , Propheticall Brightman , with other worthies , M. Dod , M. Hildersam , M. Dearing , M. Greenham , M. Perkins , M. Baynes , M. Pemble , D. Ammes , D. Sybs , D. Preston . I speake not of many eminent lights in Scotland , who now shine in another firmament , of M. Knox , M. Bruce , M. Welch , and many the like worthies , if these who are asleepe in the Lord , were now living , they would deny you , and your Independencie , and seperation , your Schismes ▪ Atheisticall and Epicurean tenets of toleration of all Sects , Religions , false wayes , your Antinomians , Familists , Socinians , Arminians , Arrians , Antitrinitarians , Antiscripturians , Seekers , Anabaptists ; all which I cannot but judge to bee yours , because you are so farre from writing against them , or denying them , that in your bookes , to write against them , is to persecute the Saints of the most high , few or not any of your way wrote ever one jot against them . But you spend all the blood and gall of your pen on Presbyterians , on the Scots , the City of London , the Assembly of Divines , on Sion Colledge , as against Egipt , Assyria , Babylon , Antichrist , tyrans over the conscience , persecuters of the Saints , such as would inslave England . You plead for a toleration to them all , they are the Saints , the godly party , the only Anointed ones . I deny not but many carnall men may , and doe crowd in amongst Presbyterians , but are they owned by them ? plead they for them ? doe they booke them in their accounts as the godly party ? But the Presbyterians spread a thousand lies of them : yea to say no more of them then what their Printed books speak , which were never disclaimed by them . They cannot be lyes when the Authors and Patrons who plead for toleration to them , are not only silent , but reply and duply in Presse and Pulpit for the vindication of their innocency .

But if Antitoleration may goe pari passu equall foot and pace with Antinomisme , Arminianisme and Socinianianisme , and such like heresies , and false wayes as consistent with godlinesse and Saintship ; why should Presbyterians be blotted out of the Kalender of Saints ? and ought yee not also to restore them with the spirit of meeknesse ? to oppresse , imprison , fine and confine them , to decourt them out of places , judicatures , offices , societies , is no persecution , why should devouring pennes be sharped and inked with gall and venome of Aspes against them only as Antichristian , Popish , Tyrannicall , prophane , bloody-persecuters , the sonnes of Pope and Prelate ? you are more debters to them for your lives , free-holds , estates , victories , free sitting Parliaments , peace , plenty , freedome from grievous Taskmasters of Egipt , ceremonies , wil-worship and other toyes , which the godliest rather tolerated then approved , then to any sects in England . Your Antinomians , Familists , Socinians , Antiscripturists , the Gedeons , and Saviours of the land of whom the maids in their dance sing , they have slaine their thousands , and their tenne thousands , when both Kingdomes were in the post way toward Babylon were as men buried , and in the congregation of the dead , and as still as salt , we heard nothing then , not one sound , nor the least still whisper of the warres of the Lambe , of a two edged sword in the hands of the Saints . M. Del then to some purpose , as a man in the streets might have said of men of these times , what he most un●ustly and calumniously saith of the Reverent Assembly of Divines , if they approve not his Familisme . They are the enemies of the truth of Christ , and ( he hopes ) the last prop of Antichrist in the Kingdome . This is the bloodiest tongue-persecution ever I read of , to lay such a charge on men godlier then himselfe , because they cannot , and dare not command their conscience to come up to the new light of H. Nicholas , and such blasphemers : yea at that time there were faint and cold counsells and incouragements given to their brethren for the prosecuting the innocent and harmelesse defensive warres of the Lambe , Gideons sword was then among all the sects of England no better then an oaten reed ; not one sect then durst face the field against the Antichrist , they were like silly Doves and fainting Does , if I may have leave in humility to say it , desiring that Christ lose not , when Instruments gaine , motions owe much to the first moover . And posterity will know to the second comming of Christ , from whence came the first stirring of the wheeles of Christs Chariot in Britaine , and who first founded the retreat to returne backe againe from Babylon . Partiall and lying stories cannot prevaile against a truth knowne to all the Christian world ; Europe and the Sunne are witnesses of lyes , and partiall reports made on the contrary . The sects were innocent men of conveening of a free Parliament .

Now the worst representation yee can put on our judgement of Antitolleration , is that we maintaine that opinion , not out of weaknesse and want of light as the Saints doe all their opinions , which you plead ought to be tollerated , but out of wickednesse , and that we would with high hand force upon the consciences of others our opinions , which is the most direfull persecution ever was heard of .

But brethren , why doe yee breake windowes in our consciences to charge us with wickednesse , in our opinion of Antitoleration , and will have all your owne errors ( if they be errors ) to be vailed with meere weaknesse , measure out to us some scruples and graines of charity , if you would have pounds and talents of meeknesse , and forbearance , weighed out to your selves . You will not buy and take in with a little weight , and sell and give out with a great measure ? Double weights are abomination to the Lord . Give us but quarter measure , and charge us not with persecution , and slaughtering of the Saints , because we judge a toleration to all , even to such as will not come up to the unity of one faith , and confession thereof , that is , Socinians , Anabaptists , fleshly Familists & Antinomians , Arrians , Arminians , Antiscripturians , Enthusiasts , Seekers , and the like , to be right downe Atheisme , we conceive the godly Magistrate does not persecute the Saints , if he draw the sword against adulteries , murtherers , rapts , robberies , even in Saints , and we hope you , at least some of you are of the same minde with us : now spirituall whoredome , perverting of the right wayes of the Lord , Socinianisme , professed and taught to others , even in Saints , to us is worse and more deserves the sword then adulteries : for false teachers are evill doers , and so to be punished with the sword , Rom. 13.3 , 4. and called evill workers , Phil. 3.2 . such as rub the pest of their evill deeds upon others , and therefore not to be received into any Christian society , house , or Army , 2 Joh. 10. such as the Holy Ghost said , under the Kingdome of the Messiah when the Spirit was to bee powred on the family of David , and the fountaine opened , should bee thrust through , wounded and killed , because they prophesie lies in the name of the Lord , Zach. 13.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. c. 12.10 . all the godly thinke of Antitoleration as a truth of God , they are perswaded of in conscience must stand , when the hay and stubble of Liberty of conscience , Antinomianisme , and the like , shall be consumed with fire , so doe the godly in the Churches of N. England thinke with us : refute this opinion of ours , and of these whom you esteem to be Saint-murtherers with reasonings , and not railing , nicknaming us Antichristians , Babylonish Lords over the conscience , to shame us out of this opinion which is the truth of Christ with the odious and bloody charge of persecuters of the Saints , sonnes of Babel , Tyrants over the consciences of the godly ; this is the heaviest club-law on the conscience , and the saddest tongue-persecution we know , else the sharpe arrows of the mighty , and coals and firebrands of Juniper , with which M. Burtons writings are salted against his sometimes dear brethren the Presbyterians , the sometime Saviours and Redeemers of the oppressed and crush●d Saints , are not persecution , contrary to Psal 52.1 , 2 , 3 , 4. Ps. 120.2 , 3 , 4. Jobs friends persecuted him , Job . 19.20 . sure they lifted neither sword , nor speare against him ; whether our Brethren did counsell in private and publicke to send an Army against their brethren of Scotland to destroy them , who in the sincerity of their hearts did sacrifice their lives for their safety , peace , liberties , and Religion , or no , I leave to their owne consciences .

As for the forcing of our opinions upon the consciences of any ; It is a calumny refuted by our practise , and whole deportment since wee came hither . Our witnesse is in heaven , it was not in our thoughts or intentions to obtrude by the sword and force of Armes , and Church-government at all on our brethren in England , but wee conceive that Master Burton , and the renowned Kingdome of England , are engaged by the oath of God to receive such a Government as is most agreeable to the word of God , and the example of the best reformed Churches , and are obliged sincerely , really , and constantly , through the grace of God to endeavour in their severall places and callings , the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland , in doctrine , worship , discipline , and government against our common enemy . Now if M. Burton have sworne the covenant , he hath ingaged himselfe in the first Article thereof really , sincerely , and constantly , to endeavour in his calling the preservation of the like supremacy which the Pope himselfe claimeth over Kings , Confor . defor . pag. 20.21 . Princes , States , Kingdomes , commonweal●hs , the preservation of infallible Generall Assemblies on earth , of that spirit of Antichristian pride and tyranny , of Rebellion and Treason in lifting up a Papall throne above Kings and Kesars , above Kingdomes and Commonwealths , to the enslaving of the whole Nation ( of England ) in their soules , bodies , and estates , — whereby the fundamentall Laws , priviledges , and power of Parliaments , liberties , and freedome of all true bred English subjects , are brought under perpetuall bondage , worse then that either of Egipt or Babylon . Now I desire Burton to awake , and all our brethren of the way of Liberty of conscience in England , who I suppose have sworn the Covenant sincerely and really , if a Preacher of the Gospel , and Saints who preach , cry , print , that the government of the Church of Scotland , and of all the Reformed Churches , is Antichristian , Tyrannicall , rebellious , treasonable , destructive to the liberties , laws and freedome of the English subjects , worse then that of Egipt and Babylon , doe in their callings of preaching the Gospell professing the truth sincerely , really and constantly indeavour the preservation of the government and discipline of the Church of Scotland ? O but they doe endeavour its preservation onely in their callings against the common enemy . What is this , but they sweare to defend Antichrist in the Presbyterial government against Prelates , that is , against Antichrist in Prelacie , and yet blacke it as Antichristian : and how ? in your severall callings : now M. Burton and our brethrens calling is to preach and write for the truth , then must their calling bear them to preach and print to the Prelaticall party , and to Cavaliers , that the government of the Church of Scotland is lawfull , Apostolicke , and of Divine right , otherwise they cannot in their severall callings defend it against the common enemie , ( for it is not Pastors calling , nor I suppose , a lawfull calling in our brethrens minde to defend it with the sword ) and must the preaching and printing to Antinomians , Socinians , Arminians , to Saints hold forth an Antichristian , a worse then Egiptian and Babylonish government , exclame against it as undefendable , and yet defend it against the common enemy the Prelates ?

But whether our Brethren did sweare the Covenant with a purpose to keep it or no ▪ and whether they have not endeavoured not to preserve but to destroy and extirpate the Reform●d Religion , doctrine , worship , discipline and government in Scotland , and persecuted us because we assert it , or if more can be done then the proposalls of the Army and the Parliament hitherto have done ( if they doe no more ) to promove all heresies and errors contrary to sound doctrine , wee must remit in silence to the only finall determination of the most High . They are stronger then we ; but I am confident the earth shall not cover the blood that is shed in Scotland , but it shall stand before the Lord against such of the Kingdome of England ( for many generations ) who ingaged their faithfull and well-minded brethren in a blinde cause to establish abominable Liberty of conscience , Familisme , Antinomianisme , Socinianisme , Prelacy , Popery , &c. And the righteous Judge of the world knowes wee never intended any such thing ; but we might have beleeved the words of King Charles , who told us they minded not Religion in that war. But now when we are wasted , ruined , dispeopled , we are not only forsaken by these ( whose safety , peace , religion and happinesse , we minded with losse of our owne lives ( I with many others dare appeale to the Sovereigne Judge of all the earth , in the sincerity of our hearts ) but almost utterly destroyed , yet divers of the Sectaries professe they had rather fight against the Scots as against Turkes . O Earth cover not our blood , arise O Judge of the world , and plead the cause of the oppressed , let all the Nations about , and the Reformed Churches , and all the generations not yet born , bear witnesse to this oppression and violence . For if such as did sweare the Covenant , which was the only thing that engaged us , had said ingenuously at that time , we sweare to endeavour the extirpation of Popery , Prelacie , Superstition , Heresie , Schisme , Prophanenes , and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound doctrine — lest we partake in other mens sinne . But in the mean time wee purpose to plead , print , write , preach , and in our places endeavour both in Parliament , and out of it ; in the Assembly , and out of it ▪ in our Ministery and Christian walking for toleration and brotherly forbearance of Popery , Prelacie , Superstition , Heresie , seperation and gathering of Churches out of true Churches ; judging the Presbyterians of Scotland ( whom by the oath of God they are to defend ) the Schismatickes , and indulgence by Law and otherwise to be yeelded to Papists , Arminians , Socinians , Arrians , Familists , Antinomians , Seekers , Antiscripturists , Enthusiasts , &c. but none to Presbyterians at all : we should have blessed your right down ingenuity , yet have our Brethren really so sworne , and so practised .

But ( saith Burton ) the Scots are the vilest of men , p. 17. partakers with murtherers , with rebels , with Traitors , Incendiaries , underminers of Parliament and City , &c. Words of butter and oil , soft and sweet , would sooner convince us , and arguments of iron and brasse , that are strong , hard , invincible , should more edifie and perswade . The truth is fire , but not passion ; Burton speakes fire , not alwayes truth . These are not the words of such as warre under the banner and colours of love , and fight the battells of the Lambe . Passion is a paper-wall to a weake cause : your Brethren stood once in your bookes for talents and pounds ; but now for halfpennies , consider where the change is , we was at that time the same you call Presbyterians now , and professed the same to you . Deare brethren , be humble and lowly to your old friends , bee not perjured for ill will to us , we shall mourne to God for that wicked revenge , the Covenant will pursue you , and God in it ▪ dally not with God , they shall all be broken and splitted upon the Covenant of God , who labour to destroy it . Now when you have the sword , the purse , the Army , the Parliament for you , insult not over your brethren . Quem dies vidit veniens superbum Hunc dies vidit fugiens jacentem — summisque negatum stare diu . He was but an Atheist and a mis-interpreter of providence who said , Victrix causa diis placuit , sed victa Catoni . Successe in an evill cause is not happinesse , beleeve it , Heresie when shee is heire to her mistresse , is a burden that the earth trembles under : yee know Heresies goeth with broad Peacocke wings through the Land , and takes in Townes and Castles , but they had good helpe from Presbyterians , their Antichristian brethren , as they like to call them . Sects are courted , multitudes take hold of the skirt of a sectary now adayes . But the Court is paved with glasse , and to you , all the faithfull Ministers of Christ are but Antichrists Priests .

The white golden breathings of successe may blow you asleepe , but cannot secure you : your Brethren have beene low in Scotland for your cause ; I shall be satisfied without recrimination . The Scots are not the vilest of men , they are not partakers with murtherers : but I shall onely answer that I judge that in England the Lord hath many names , and a faire company that shall stand at the side of Christ as his conquesse in the day , when he shall render up the Kingdome to the Father , and that in that renowned Nation , there be men of all rankes , wise , valourous , generous , noble , heroick , faithfull , religious , gracious , learned . And I hope to reap more peace in naming England from the choisest part , then M. Burton can find comfort in his passion , in denominating the Scots or their Army from the worst and vilest part ; not to deny but there be too much wickednesse , and prophanenesse in both the Nation and Army : yet shall I desire all the Sects whom M. Burton and his brethren would have tolerated , to look at their brethren as men compassed with infirmities , and let these of such , as thus accuse them that are without sin , cast the first stone at them , which were a good way to try , if Antinomians would not arise and stone to death so many as they were able to master , alleadging God cannot see such violence and bloodshed to be sinne in them : also we professe , to be orthodox and a strong Presbyterian is but a poore old rotten Coach to carry men to heaven , there is more required of these who shall be heires of salvation , but this cannot justly impeach the Presbyterian way of Antichristianisme .

And wherein is the Generall Assembly of Scotland Papall , and set up above Kings and Kesars , and may bring Presbyterians under a premunire ? Had M. Burton any arguments to make out this sad charge against his brethren , but the stollen and reprinted , not reasons , but railings of Prelates , and Oxford opposers of Reformation , and particularly out of a lying Treatise called Issachers burden , the father of which was the excommunicated Apostate Jo. Maxwel , sometimes pretended Bishop of Rosse ? for M. Burton hath nothing in this passionate Treatise of his own , but is an Echo in grammer and matter to Whitegift , Bancroft , to lying Spotswood , to the flattering time-serving Balaams , who to gratifie King James , and Bishop Laud , and these of the Prelaticall gang , objected the same with more nerves and blood against the Scottish-Geneva discipline , then M. Burton does . That booke of discipline was the Prelates eye-sore , and Mr. Burton must bring the weapons of his indignation out of the Armory of Babylon against Presbyterians .

I love not to compare men with men ; only good Reader , pardon me to name that Apostolicke , heavenly , and Propheticall man of God , Mr. John Welch , a Pastor of our Church , who for this same very cause was first condemned to death , and then the mercy of King James changed the sentence to him and other six faithfull and heroicke witnesses of Christ , and Ministers of the Gospel , into banishment to death : this worthy servant of Christ preached everyday , & in France , in his Exile , converted many soules ; the King of France gave the same command concerning him , when the Town he preached in , was sacked and taken ( as the man of God foretold them publickly it should be razed , ) that the King of Babylon gave touching Jeremiah , doe him no harme , see well to him , his person , wife , children and servants ; from the godly witnesses of his life I have heard say , of every twenty foure houres , he gave eight to prayer , except when the publicke necessities of his calling did call him to preach , visit , exhort in season and out of season ; he spent many nights in prayer to God , interceding for the sufferers for Christ in Scotland , England , France ▪ when he was in prison and condemned , hee and his brethren as traitors , he hath these words as a full answer to the Prelaticall raylings against the meeting of a Generall Assembly at Aberdene , and all the Erastian party , and to M. H. Burtons present words , & his objecting of a poor premunire by the Laws of England against Christ Jesus his free Kingdome : Who am I that he should have called me , and made mee a Minister of the glad tydings of the Gospel of salvation , A letter of M. Iohn Welsh . An. 1605. these sixteen yeares already , and now last of all to be a sufferer for his cause and Kingdome ?

To witnesse that good confession , that Jesus Christ is the King of Saints , and that his Kirke is a most free Kingdome ; yea as free as any Kingdome under heaven , not only to convocate , hold and keep her meetings , Conventions and Assemblies , but also to judge of all her affaires in all her meetings and conventions amongst her members and subjects .

These two points , first that Christ is the head of his Kirke ; secondly , that shee is free in her government from all other jurisdiction except Christs . These two points are the speciall cause of our imprisonment , being now condemned as traitors for the maintenance thereof ; we being waiting with joyfulnesse to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation thereof , if it would please our God to be so favourable as to honour us with that dignity : yea I doe affirme that these two points above written , and all other things that belong to Christs Crowne , Scepter , and Kingdome , are not subject , nor cannot be , to any other Authority , but to his owne altogether , so that I would be most glad to be offered up upon the sacrifice of so glorious a truth . The guilt of our blood shall not only lye upon the Prince , but also upon our owne brethren , Bishops , Counsellers and Commissioners : It is they , even they , that have stirred up our Prince ( King James of great Britaine ) against us , we must therefore lay the blame and burden of our blood upon them , especially however the rest above written be also partakers with them of their sinnes . And as the rest of our brethren , who either by silence approve , or by crying peace , peace , strengthen the arme of the wicked , that they cannot returne , in the meane time make the hearts of the righteous sad , they shall all in like manner bee guilty of our blood , and of high Treason against the King of Kings , the Lord Jesus Christ his Crown and Kingdome .

Now I but propone to the reall conscience of M. Burton that speaketh in his dialogue : 1. If there bee not more of Christ in this one letter ( if hee will read it all ) then in all the virulent peeces hee hath written against his brethren , Confor . Defor . who when he suffered , did intercede for him , and lye in the ashes , and behaved themselves as one at his mothers grave .

2. Whether or not , he and his brethren who did plead against the Assembly of Divines in favours of an Erastian party , doe not stirre up both Prince and Parliament in both Kingdomes in this very cause , to bring on a Nationall guilt on the land to inslave the free Kingdome of Christ to the powers of the world , and whether in this doe they not build the sepulchres of the Prophets , and bring upon their owne heads the blood of the slaine witnesses of Christ ?

3. Whether a distinction will helpe them at the barre of Gods justice , that they sided in hatred of the Presbyteriall government , and of their brethren of Scotland , with Erastians , in opposing truths of Christ in these and the major proposition , against the light of their owne conscience , in laying the headship of the Church of Christ on the shoulder of King and Parliament , and then keep in their minde , a mentall reserve of the Presbyteriall Church only ?

Now they knew that the question betweene Erastians and us , was , whether there be a power of government distinct from the power of the Civill Magistrate in the Church of Christ : but they strike in with Erastus against Christ to reach a blow to the Presbyterians ; but since that time God hath brought downe the sects lower and lower in the hearts of the godly in this Kingdome , and I hope shall lay their honour in the dust ; In the same manner M. Burton saith , the giving of this power to the Generall Assembly above the Parliament , incurres a premunire against the Laws of England , so saith the Erastian . But M. Burton knowes that is not the question , and that his congregationall way makes no bones of a farre higher premunire .

For 1. The Parliament hath nothing to doe at all in Church matters , more to judge of them , or to punish hereticks then if they had no soules . For M. Burton saith , p. 14. Confor . Deform . if it be true that Christ hath left such a power to any state then to a Popish state . But I deny your consequence . Christ hath given to no state a power to inact wicked Laws , or to ratifie wicked Popish constitutions , ergo , hee hath not given to a Christian state a power cumulative to bring their glory to the N. Jerusalem , and to be Christian nurse-fathers to see the bride of Christ sucke healthsome milke , it follows just as this doth . God hath not given Kings any power to butcher and destroy the sheep of Christ , ergo he hath not given to Kings power to rule and governe a Christian people in equity and justice .

2. Our Brethren put a stranger premunire on us . For would they speake out the mysteries and bottome of Independencie , they acknowledge not this Parliament in any other sense then they would doe a Parliaments of Pagans or heathen , for there be no Christian Magistrates at all to them , but such as are members of their Congregationall Church , that is , such as they conceive to be regenerated ; and had they a world at their owne will , then not the twentieth man of this present Parliament , nor Judge , nor Justice of peace could be chosen Magistrates , if the congregations of England , were all of the Independent stamp .

But you may say I slander them , they pray for the Parliament as a Parliament , and obey Justices of peace and the King as lawfull Magistrates .

I answer , its true , so would they pray for Nero , Dominitian , and heathen Justices of peace , sent by them as lawfull Magistrates , but not as Christian Magistrates , nor such as they would chuse to reigne over them , because in their apprehension of them , they are no lesse without the Church then heathens ; then let the world be judge of their candor in contending for a power of Premunires , and in voting that heathen Justices of peace and unchristian Parliaments should be above a free Generall Assembly of England , but they could not endure either Magistrates or Parliaments , of the gang they are now in England , to be above one of their Congregations , though consisting of seven .

3. They are jealous of any supremacy of Generall Assemblies . But say the Congregations of England were all Independent , they would not baptise the children of the twentieth Parliament man , Judge and Justice of peace , nor of the King or most professors in England as they are now in England , nor admit them or their wives or children to the Ordinances , because they are no Church-members , and no better then Ethiopians or Indians to them ; and if Parliament or Justices of peace should take on them to judge or punish them for this ; I beleeve , M. Burton and our brethren , would tell them , these that are without the Church , as you are , have no power to judge the Church of Christ , are to judge of Church administrations , or to whom Ordinances should be dispensed , or not dispensed . Judge , if this be not a supremacy given to seven above the Parliament , and Judges of the Kingdome , which M. Burton so much condemned in a Nationall Assembly of all the godly Ministers and Elders in England .

But it s a fault that the Generall Assembly hath power to make rules according to the word of God , appertaining to the good behaviour of all the members of the Kirke , and abrogate Statutes and Ordinances about Ecclesiasticall matters that are found noysome and unprofitable without the Magistrate : So did the Assembly at Jerusalem appoint such rules as should binde Caesar , so he had been a good Constantine , and though they cannot abrogate Ordinances and Acts of Parliament by making or unmaking Acts of Parliament ( our booke of discipline never meaned that , as M. Burton , ignorant of the discipline of our Church , saith ) yet as the Ministers of Christ , they may juridically declare , yea and preach authoritively that Acts of Parliament establishing the Masse , are unlawfull and godlesse lawes , commanding Idolatry , and denounce a woe against unjust decrees and lawes , as Esay 10.1 . else when M. Burton preacheth against such lawes , he then must incurre a premunire , before God , and set himselfe in a Papall throne above the Parliament , and enslave the English Subjects ; for he preaches that Statutes of Parliament that establisheth Masse , and the burning of heretickes , that is , Protestants , are to be abrogated , as well as the Generall Assembly of Scotland doth ; and so M. Burton must set himselfe above Kings and Kesars .

And when a Synod or Church conveened in the name of Christ bindes on earth according to the word of God , Matth 18. there is no lawfull appeal from them to any Civill judicature , not because they are not men , but because they are a Court acting in the name of Christ according to his word , and Christ with them bindes or looses in heaven , yea there is no reclamation to be made , nor any appeale from one faithfull Pastor speaking in the name and authority of Christ , according to that , He that heareth you , heareth me , he that despiseth you , despiseth me , and there is no danger to be feared either of Papall tyranny , or Parliamentary breach , or premunire .