An essay for the discovery and discouraging of the new sprung schism raised and maintained by Mr Simon Henden of Bennenden in Kent. Exhibited in some passages of writing which have gone between Mr John Elmeston of Cranebroke, and the same M. Henden. Published according to order.

Most worthy Sir,

VVHom I highly esteem for Piety, and reverence for Gra∣vity and learning: Your Letter I have received, con∣taining a friendly admonition to beware of old errors in∣truded under the specious shew of new lights. It is true, Satans sub∣tilty was deep and deceivable in all ages; but the main strength of his Art and Policy was combined in making up the Man of Sinne. All deceivablenesse of unrighteousnesse, the whole Mystery of ini∣quity is in him contracted; who, being now by the glorious beams of truth more clearly discovered in the Romanist, Episcopacy, &c. to be a false Christ in the wildernesse, hath since entered into his secret Chambers, where he seemingly puts on a more curious dresse of Holinesse and Purity neerly resembling the wedding garment of the Primitive Church, that by his glittering array he might, if it were possible, deceive the very elect. Hereupon the Spirit reckons it for a principal point of wisdom to know the full number of the Beast. Truly Sir, I do with you confesse, that I have searched the Scripture from my childehood, neglecting no part of the Old and New Testaments, and that I have much enquired into those mysteries couched under the Visions of the Prophets; but especially those shewed by Christ himself to John in his Apocalyps, as that contracting the rest belonging to his and after times into a methodi∣cal Abridgement. My ground for it was this, Because I found a peculiar blessing attributed to those who read, hear and keep the words of this Prophecie, as that containing the whole testimony of Jesus, being so full as nothing can be added to or detracted from it, without a dreadfull curse, Revel. 13. & 19. 10. & 22. 18, 19. and from hence concluded, That there was a divine Treasure of heaven∣ly wisdom enclosed in this precious Cabinet, and being a Prophecie of all Gospel-times, that the several dispensations of God proper to every period with Satans opposite works, was here included, which no plain Text of Scripture so fully evidences; and that the know∣ledge

thereof would be as a pillar of Cloud to direct us in every age to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes thorow his seve∣ral administrations, and a true light to discover those Rocks of error, which men running against hazard the wracking of their souls; and that this being veiled from the sight of the world under dark Types, that so Antichrist fore-prophesied of, might have closer and freer entrance, requires the more industry to draw it out, Neither was the highest reach of my capacity able to dive so farre into these secrets, as to discover the Beast farther then the Pope and Bishops, till the Spirit who only knows the deep things of God, removed farther from mine eyes that veil cast upon the eyes of all Nations, Isa. 25. 7. and revealed unto me, That the foundation of Antichrist consisted in an usurped power of Church-Discipline footed upon man and his will without the Call of God. And that the call of God in our times is onely for separation and rewarding; being during the vials pouring, but in our journey toward Sion visibly separated, and having but in part put off our Babylonish Garments, Revel. 18 4, 6. and 15. 8. And that the time for visible marriage is not till all enemies are down by the vials, and God onely reigns, Revel. 19. 7, 8, 9. Isa. 62. 5. And that all visible Church-marriage from the Apostasie till this reign is out of Gods time (whose Prerogative it is onely to ordain the times and seasons) and so being founded only on the Will, Call, Name and Power of man, and not on Gods Call, must be bea∣stial. And that the breathing of the Spirit in these both Officers and Ordinances in the Primitive Age, the life and soul of both, was since restrained, being as a carcasse without a soul, Ezek. 1. 4. Act. 2. 2. 1 Timoth. 4. 14. Revel. 7. 1. And then at the bright∣nesse of Christs coming the same Spirit of pouring and breathing returned, Isa. 32. 15. Ezek. 37 9. Matth. 24. 27, 28. Psalm. 97. 4. Now least any mistake me, as though I subverted all Gospel. Ordi∣nances, we conceive that Ordinances are of two sorts,

1. Such as are founded more immediately on our spiritual union, and the Covenant of Grace, as Ministery, Baptism, the Lords Sup∣per, Prayer, Profession &c.

2. Such as are footed upon Church-stating, and appertain to Officials, as Ordination, Confirmation, Excommunication,

Admission, Absolution, &c. The first of these we say, The gates of hell never prevailed against them, but they were born up by the Spirit of Prophecie thorow the whole time of this deep Apostasie. As teaching and Baptism was overlasting, Matth. 28. 19, 20. Isa. 55. 13. & 56. 5. Revel. 7. So the bread and wine hold forth his death till he come, 1 Cor. 11. 26. Also Prayer was alwayes, 1 Thess. 5. 17. Revel. 8. 34. & 9. 13. Likewise Profession conti∣nued, Rev. 11. 3.

The second sort, to wit, The Keys deemed essential to Officials, were not alwayes truly used. Though the name was fore prophesi∣ed to be everlasting, yet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 jad, the Hand or the Keys held forth by the Hand, interpreted Place, is not so specified Isa. 66. 5. But was wholly resolved in the Pope, to whom another Key was given with other Smoke and Officers, the Locusts, Revel. 9. Neither was there any other face of Officials, but amongst the Papists in Luthers time, who himself was a Monk. Nay the visible Church, the foundation of these failed; onely a sealed elect number remain∣od, Revel. 7. 3. to 9. and 9. 4, We destroy not these Ordinances, but hold that they have a being in the Scripture of truth, and in the minde and desire of the faithfull. And now in our return from Ba∣bylon, we do as the Israelites of old, carry these vessels of the Lord along with us in this our journey of separation, Isal. 52. 11. but dare not officiate in them in the Territories of Babylon, in which we are till we have passed by the sixth vial over the River Euphra∣tes, Revel. 16. 12. These with many other Discoveries I have received; the full explanation whereof with all their Scriptures and Reasons would require a volume; which neither the strength of my body, or my time, being now precious, will permit me largely to delineate with my Pen. You shall command any thing which with convenience I am able to perform: And therefore, Sir, let me beseech you to come unto me, who am not able to visit you, with what friends you shall make choise of, and you shall be re∣ally welcome, where I will (as God shall inable me) grant your request by a living voice, and freely hear your Answers and Objections against what I shall speak. For I desire to have it brought to the Touchstone of Truth, and there to be tried to the utmost. And if by our confeerence we cannot be united in

our Judgement, yee I shall desire to be joyned with you in my Affection, as highly prizing my union with all the godly. With this Proviso of Aristotle, Amicus Socrates, amicus Plato, sed magis amica Veritas, Socrates is my friend, Plato my friend, but truth is my more speciall friend. The Truths of God are to be valued above the nearest Relations. Thus with my best respect remembred, I rest and remain,

Your very loving Friend Simon Henden.

Bennenden Jan. 2. 1649.

Notes

• This in Mr Henden was quoted Isa. 66. for 56. which errour I not finding out, said nothing in this writing to that place.