The pulpit guarded with XVII arguments proving the unlawfulness, sinfulness and danger of suffering private persons to take upon them publike preaching, and expounding the Scriptures without a call ... : occasioned by a dispute at Henly in Arden in Warwick-shire, Aug. 20, 1650 ... : in the close are added six arguments, to prove our ministers free from antichristianism / composed and compiled by a friend to truth and peace.

A Looking-Glass for Anabaptists.

THeir first Tenent is, That Infant-Baptism is a chil∣dish, needless thing; and that none must be baptized til he come to a perfect Age, and can make a confession of his faith; That Infant-Baptism came from the Pope and the Devil.

2. That all Gifted-persons may preach without Or∣dination.

3. That God reveals his will, not onely by the writ∣ten Word, but also by Dreams and Visions; which they beleeve more then the Word. They deny all con∣sequences from Scripture, though never so clear; requi∣ring express, Syllabical Scripture.

4. That the Saints in this life are pure, without spot, and need not use that Petition, Forgive us our sins.

5. No man can with a good conscience exercise the office of a Magistrate under the New Testament.

6. They are rigid Seperatists; they seperate them∣selves from all Reformed Churches.

7. They are tumultuous: They raised tumults in Germany, and filled it with the fire of Sedition, to the loss of six hundred thousand men, saith Alsteed. Their doctrine being seditious, their lives are answerable. God punisheth unmortified, ungodly lives, with base and loose Opinions.

8. They deny Original sin to be in Infants, that so they might overthrow Baptism.

9. They hold Free-will by nature in spiritual things.

10. That a man may have more wives then one.

11. That cloaths discover sin; therefore they being as perfect and pure as Adam in his innocency, ought to go naked.

12. That Christ died intentionally for all.

13. No Christian ought with a safe conscience take an Oath, nor by O••th promise fidelity to a M••gi∣strate.

14. That a Christian cannot with a safe conscience possess any thing proper to himself; but he must let all be common.

15. That wives of a contrary Religion may be put away, and then 'tis lawful to take others.

16. Universities, Humane Arts and Learning, they cry down as needless; They burnt all books save the Bible.

17. That 'tis unlawful to go to Law:

18. Wars are unuseful, or any use of the Sword.

19. That Preaching, Praying, Sacraments, singing of Psalms, and all Ordinances, are Legal. The Spirit is all.

20. The Magistrate must compell none in matters of Religion; but must tolerate all.

21. That the Father, son, and Holy Ghost are not Three distinct Persons, and in Essence one God.

22. That the soul sleepes when it parts from the bo∣dy, and neither goes to heaven or Hell till the day of Judgement; and that the souls of men are but terrestrial vapours, like the life of beasts, perishing with the body▪

23. That Christ hath removed the Law, and now the pure Gospel is our onely Rule.

24. The Old Testament is abrogate and useless; and at least, they prefer their New Lights before the Gospel.

25. That the Saints are freed by Christ from all Laws, Covenants, Vowes, Paying of Tythes, or Debts.

26. After Rebaptization they cannot sin.

27 We may dissemble our Religion, deny Christ be∣fore men, so we keep the truth in our hearts: God de∣lights not in our blood, nor requires that we die for the Truth.

28 The Scripture is to be turned into Allegories.

29. Heaven and Hell are nowhere but within a man.

30. They give a Supream and Independent power, in ••ll Ecclesiastical causes and Censures, to their single Congregations, &c.

Thus you have a taste out of a full Sea, whereby you may see that Anabaptists are no such harmless creatures as some imagine.

He that desires to see more of their errors, let him peruse Mr. Edwards Gangrene. part. 1. p. 15, &c. and especially Mr. Baxter against Tombes, p. 138, 139, &c. and the learned Spanhemius, with whose words I shall conclude this point.

Out of all that hath been said, it is evident how needfull it is both for Church and Commonwealth to joyn the labour of the Vni∣versities with that of the Church, for the confutation of Anabap∣tists; and with united hearts and hands endeavour to hinder this doctrine, which brings so certain destruction to Church, Common∣wealth, and our own souls: both that the consciences as yet addict∣ed to the Truth, may not be drawn into Deceit and Error▪ by their fair shews and counterfeit vizard of Innocence, Holiness and Sim∣plicity; and that those who have hitherto been deceived, either by the flattery of the Sectaries, or the whited face of the Sect, may be stirred up in the fear of God, to take this matter into serious medi∣tation; and consider with themselves, how many horrible and per∣nicious Tenents, and how hurtfull ••oth to publike and private quietness, lie hidden, as it were behind a Curtain, under this sim∣ple name of Anabaptists. To whom we wish from the Lord, with all our hearts, the knowledge, love, and practice of that Truth, which by the special Grace of God is preserved in the Orthodox Churches; and therewithall, both present and perpetual happiness. Neither go we about to stir up the Magistrate against these men, nor would we have any force offered to their consciences; but think

those means onely ought to be used, which may conduce to the in∣formation of those that erre▪ the reproving of their Errors, and confirmation of the truth, ••o far as it may stand with Christian Prudence and Charity. Thus he.

Obj. But you will say as Hazael; Are we dogs, that we should hold such errors as these? The old Anabaptists peradventure might hold them; but we abhor them: we hold but this one Tenent, viz. That all Gifted-Brethren may preach; and we hope there is no great hurt in that.

Answ. We find by sad experience, that the Anabaptists in Eng∣land have equalized▪ yea, super-superlatively exceeded, in gross errors, their predecessors in Germany. This I could easily prove but that two very moderate, pious, and judicious Divines have saved me that labour.

2. Whereas you say you hold but one of these Tenents; I must tell you, that I never yet knew the man that had but one error: if the Devil can but draw you into one, he'll quickly lead you into more; as in Logick, grant but one absurdity, and an hundred will follow. He that saith Yea to the Devil in a little, shall not say Nay when he pleaseth. He that tumbleth down the hill of Error, will never leave tumbling, till he come to the bottom. Evil men and se∣ducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. How many (once seemingly-precious souls) are now led away with the Errors of the Time; and that such desperate ones, that, without a miracle of mercy, there is little hope of their recovery! As Good∣ness is gradual, so is Wickedness; and as no man attains to per∣fection in Vertue, suddenly; so neither in Vice. 'Tis a Proverb a∣mongst the Naturalists, that except a Serpent do eat a Serpent, it cannot become a Dragon. A man must first swallow many poyson∣ous Tenents, before he can become a ripe and compleat Anabaptist. I shall give you a doleful instance of the fall of a friend of mine, a man of excellent parts, of strict life, and pious conversation; a carefu observer of the Sabbath one that trained up his children and family in the way of the Lord; able to speak excellently in defence of Sab∣haths, Ordinances, Trinity, Baptism, &c. yet now is faln from all, most fearfully and obstinately, and is become a Socinian, an Armi∣nian, and what not? 'I is time for us to fear, when Professors shall turn Blasphemers; and those that prized and pleaded for Ordinan∣ces, shall now abhor them. When the Cedar falls, let the Fir-tree howle.

How many of these errors are yours▪ your selves best know; I can accuse you but of one; and if you persist in that, assure your self Satan will not let you rest there. Sin is modest at first, and desires but a little; but he that is unfaithful in a little, will be unfaith∣ful in much. You se•• your danger 'twill be your wisdom, not to trust to your own strength but deny all self-conceits, self-willedness, self∣ends (for self-seeking is self-undoing; but self-denyal, is self-sa∣ving.) Pray with that good man, Deliver me, O Lord, from that evil man my self.

Obj. We bring Scripture for what we hold.

Answ. So did the Devil, when he disputed against Christ: he wrested and misalledged Scriptures. I would know what Error is there that comes abroad without Verbum Domini, the Word of the Lord in the mouth of it: Arrians, Arminians, Anabaptists, all plead Scripture for what they hold; but falsly, and mis-inter∣preted.

Obj. This Tract is unseasonable at this time.

Answ. Then you must be blamed, who put me on such unseason∣able work. But, in my judgement, 'twas never more seasonable then now: For if Physick be seasonable when the Patient is sick, and a plaister seasonable when the sore is ripe; this Tract cannot be unseasonable, since the disease is Epidemical, and like a Mor∣phew, hath over spread the face of the whole Kingdom. A judicious Divine hath well observed, that 'tis never in season to speak, till, 1. We have a Call; 2. till we are rightly informed of the thing in question: 3. though we do know the state of the question, yet there must be sutable preparation. I had the first, and have laboured for the rest, being bound by the National Covenant, so solemnly sworn and taken, in my Place and Calling to labour the extirpation of Error, and Heresie, &c.

I have forborn all gall and bitterness, and have tempered my sharpest reproofs with love and meekness: all my pills I have rowl∣ed in Sugar, that they might go down the better. 'Twas Recreation∣work, and I was willing it should be pleasant, (take not that with the left hand, which is offered you with the right) though I might justly have come with the rod of sharpness, considering the pride, censoriousness, ignorance and untruth that I met with from you: For though you want the Latin, yet some of you want not a Lying- tongue; witness he that openly affirmed, Melancthon, Calvin, Bucer, Beza, approved of Lay-preachers. Yet I pitty and spare you, and

have dipt all my Nails in Oil, that they might drive the better; and have driven them up to the head, and clencht them with Ar∣guments, that they might not stir; and steeled them with Scrip∣ture, that they might last; and have used variety of Nails, that if some should chance to go awry, to blunt, or turn crooked yet others might hold; and O that they might be as Nails fastned by the Ma∣sters of the Assembly, to keep us stedfast and unmoveable in the truth!

My Record is on high, that I have not done any thing out of envy, spleen, or passion, against the persons or parts of any: I can freely wish that all the Lords people were Prophets; and that those private persons that have gifts, would use them more in their Fa∣milies and Spheres then they do. It troubles not me to see Christ preached, but it troubles me to see him dishonoured, by Antinomi∣ans, Arminians, Anabaptists, Familists, &c. who under pretence of preaching Christ, preach their own fancies. Nor do we fear the loss of our imployment: the Foyl sets off the Iewel; and Bunglers make Workmen more esteemed: and when I speak against preach∣ing-Artificers yet I speak not against their Arts, but against their usurpations of anothers Office. There is not the poorest servant that washeth pots, in whom I shall see but aliquid Christi, any thing of Christ, but I shall love and honour them, and esteem them as my fellow-servants and Brethren of the Church of God; remembring 'tis God that gives us our several Callings; and a Scavenger may honour God in his place, as well as a Minister in his.

Philip King of Macedon, being troubled with two dissolute Sub∣jects, he made one to run out of the Kingdom, and the other to drive him; and so was shut of both. Authority hath wisely provi∣ded Banishment for some of your Sects; but I shall rather desire your Repentance. Onely adde not Obstinacy to your Folly, lest it prove your ruine. This is finis operis, the end of the work, though not finis operantis, the end you aym it: for as Piety hath the pro∣mise, and brings its reward with it; and though no man should re∣compence the good we do, yet doing good is recompence it self: So every evil work brings its punishment with it; and though no man should punish it, yet the evil we do is punishment it self.

Read all, before you censure; for one part helps to uphold the other, like stones in an A••ch. If this little Tract cannot satisfie, yet you have references to learned men that will. All the imperfecti∣••ns, weaknesses, &c. I own as mine; let not the Truth suffer for

them. Consider, 'twas work redeemed from a double Calling, from rest and Recreations. There is no man can judg•• so me only of me, my work and pains, but I shall desire to judge my self yet lower, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 knowing more by my self then he doth, or can; and though mine ad∣versary should write a book against me full of lyes and reproaches, yet would I wear it as a Crown, in token of triumph; esteeming reproa∣ches for Christ greater riches then the treasure of the world.

To conclude, if any shall reap any satisfaction by this Tract, they may accidentally thank you: if your Cause receive any hurt, you may thank your selves, who called me to the work.

It hath cost me some pains and study: as Demosthenes said of his Enthymems, they did olere lucernam; so doth this savour of some reading: But so it may be useful to the Church of God, I have enough, I have now used all means to do you good, by Preaching, Praying, Disputing, and now by Writing; if none of these means can reclaim you, but you will walk on in the by-paths of Seperation, Anabaptism &c. yet I have discharged my duty; and my ••oul shall weep in secret for your pride, mine eyes shall drop down tears. This is the desire and resolution of

Your Friend and servant in the service of Christ, THO. HALL.

Notes

• Hudson against Ellis▪ p. 259.
• Bri••sly for pae∣dobapt. p. 9, &c.
• Vixfas est credere visis S••pè Satan tali in lumine luce nocet▪
• A••steed, Tom. 1. p. 1392.
• Baylis's Disswas. 2 part. p. 36, 37. & p. 12, 13 Simpson hist. p. 443.
• Bellum rusti∣corum in uni∣vers•• Germa∣nia supra 600000 homi∣nes sustulit.
• Alst. Tom. 4. p. mi••i, 1998. Sleid. Com. l. 5. & 10.
• Marshals Ser. for Inf. B. p. 6, 7.
• Bayl••'s Dissw••. part. 2 p. 32.
• Rutherf. again. Antinomians, p. 10, 11.
• Brinsly Antid. ag. Blasph. p. 14, 15.
• Rutherf. ag. An∣tinom. p. 9. 10▪
• Bayly's Dissw. p 31.
• En epulum Diaboli!
• —Sic, sic glo∣merantur in unum▪
• Innumer •• pestes Erebi. Claud.
• Eng. Warning by Germans wo, p. 26, 27.
• That bloody and abominable War in Ger∣many was oc∣casioned by lewd Anabapt. Prea∣chers, of whom Muncer was chief.
• Luther wrot a∣gainst his mur∣der and ••is∣chief, Sleid. ••. 5.
• B••yli's Dissw. 2. part. p. 47, 48.
• Baxter against Tombs, p. 147, &c.
• 2 Tim. 3. 13. & 2. 16, 17.
• Nemo repentè 〈◊〉〈◊〉 turp••ssimu••.
• Zac••••. 11▪ 2.
• Justi••ia peccati 〈…〉〈…〉, Aug.
• A me, me salva Domine. Aug. Calvin Opus••. p. 470. V••nes Ser. ag. Heresie, p. 10.
• Vos dum argumentis prose∣quor, non pro∣bris insector, quia in hoc abteroc••rtami∣nis genere vin∣cere, est vinci: praeclarè olim Artexerxes rex militi, hostem convitiis proscindentio, Non ut male∣dicas 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alo (inquit) sed ut pugnes. Dr. Morton.
• Alterum è Ma∣cedonia fugere alterum perse∣qui jussi••.
• Culpam perti∣naciter tueri, cu••pa est al∣tera.
• Job 31. 35, 36. as Jerome said to Austin:

  Quod signum est majoris gloriae, omnes Hae••e••ici ••e detestantur.