Errour on the right hand, through a preposterous zeale Acted by way of dialogue. Betweene 1 Mal-content and Flyer. 2 Flyer and Anabaptist. 3 Anabaptist, & Legatine-arrian. 4 Flyer and Legatine-arrian. 5 Flier, Legaine-arria[n] & Familist. 6 Flyer and Familist. 7 Flyer and Mediocritie. Whereto is also added, certaine positions touching Church and Antichrist: as without the true holding thereof, it is impossible for a zelous soule, to auoyde either schisme or faction. By Henoch Clapham.

TO EVERY SOVLE that seeketh after Trueth in humilitie: for God resi∣steth the Proud, and giueth Grace to the Humble.

OVR Sauiour fore-see∣ing, that many (vnder the cloake of,* 1.1 Going out of Babel) would go out of the Church, saying, Here is Christ, there is Christ; he chargeth his Folowers, not to be∣leeue them: much lesse to goe out. This wickednesse is growen now so ex∣cellent, as if the true Christ could not be found otherwhere, then without in Woods, Mikes, by-Stables, Barnes, and Hay-loftes; wherevpon, all the speach now, is, Goe out, goe out of Ba∣bel, come into the secret places.

* 1.2 Our Sauiour foreseeing, that Wol∣uish-teachers should come to the people in Sheepes-skinnes (that is, in Sheepe∣like conuersation,) and by such shee∣pish outward moralitie, labour to couer their Woluish, pricking, Schismaticall Doctrine, (for Doctrine is the fruite there spoken of, their outward cariage being otherwise Sheepish,) he sayth to his true Folowers, Yee shall know them by their fruites: that is, you onely, that be indued with the true spi∣rit of meekenes & lowlines, shall know them by the* 1.3 Fruite of their lippes, their schismaticall Doctrine. They shall haue the name of Prophets (a ve∣rie good name) and their outward ca∣riage shalbe like to Christes sheepe (a very commendable thing, and able to draw many) but examine once the fruite of their lippes, issuing from them as Prophets, Tunc Lupus est in fa∣bula, t hen he is a deuowring Wolfe; howsoeuer he say (as some did in Esaias

time) Stand apart, come not neere to mee, for I am holier then thou.* 1.4 And of such sort (sayth the Apostle vnto Ti∣mothy) are these,* 1.5 which creepe into houses, and lead captiue simple wo∣men laden with sinnes, & led with diuers lustes; which women are euer learning, and are neuer able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The Spirit of Prophecie, hauing so plainely fore-prophesied of our times, and false-spirites, what are we, that we should be negligent in trying the spi∣rits, whether they be of God? And see∣ing that these spirituall Wolues, shall for their outwarde cariage and life, seeme to be Christes Sheepe and poore innocent Lambes (and for that, many times be more worthy reuerence, then some of the truest Teachers) it stan∣deth people therefore vpon, not to be caryed with a few painted flimflams, but by the speare of Discretion, to gage the side of the Grecians wooden

Horse, for trying out, whether the in∣wardes be not planted with engines of death. Latet anguis in herba; the fairest face hath not alwayes the truest heart. Satan in policie, would haue his Seminaries, in th'outwarde appea∣rance, to excell Christes Ministers; that so, as them selues be deceiued, they may likewise deceiue others. As for the true Ministers of Christ, Satan must needs labour to spot them outwardly, seeing he cannot keepe backe the doct∣rinall sappe of Gods spirit; which di∣stilling from the lippes of the Teacher, is to beget and feed many.

Herevpon it is, that true Doctrine is often reiected, because of some ex∣ternall want in the Teacher. And a∣gaine, because of some excellent com∣mendable outward things (in a Duck∣frier, or a smooth Pharise,) any doct∣rine is easily swallowed, be it schisma∣ricall, hereticall, or trayterous: A plaine signe, that such people are yet

destitute of that spirit, whereby they should be able to try Doctrine, and dis∣cerne Spirits. And not onely that, but also full of giddy passions, and head∣strong affections; as wil appeare in the ensuing Dialogues: where the very naturall character of such spirits, is by mee set downe; not without sundrie yeares experience had of them all: as also with no small expences.

If thine heart be vn-hardned, it will easily ioyne with mee: If other∣wise, yet herein I shall be comforted, that in this worke I haue serued God and his Church truly, though weakely. If something in the Conferrours seeme too light, consider first, it is but the naturall character of that spi∣rit: and secondly, that it is but as a feeling of that spirites pulse, without any commoration or dwelling vp∣pon it.

As I could, I haue done. If it please, it is that I pray for: if it displease any,

I shall (through Gods grace) not one∣ly peaceably passe by it; but also, with patience awayte the change of their iudgement and affection. Farewell.

Thine as he may, He. Clapham.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Math. 24••23 &c.
• * 1.2

  Math. 7.15.16. &c
• * 1.3

  This phrase is vsed in Pro∣uerbs 10.21.31. & 18.20.21. &c.
• * 1.4

  Isai. 65.5.
• * 1.5

  2. Tim. 3.6.