The Sense of the united nonconforming ministers in and about London concerning some of the erroneous doctrines and irregular practices of Mr. Richard Davis of Rothwell in Northamptonshire

THE SENSE OF THE United Nonconforming Ministers, In and about LONDON, Concerning some of the Erroneous Doctrines, and Irregular Practises, OF M^r. Richard Davis, Of Rothwell in Northamptonshire.

WE the United Nonconforming Mi∣nisters in and about London, ha∣ving been oft consulted by our Grieved Brethren in the Countrey, about some Expedient to Reclaim Mr. Richard Davis of Roth∣well in the County of Northampton; or at least, to prevent the Scandal and Mischievous Effects

of his Erroneous Principles, and Irregular Pra∣ctices; Have thought it incumbent on us to Publish the following Account and Testimony, that we may not be wanting in our Faithfulness and Zeal for the Truth of Christ, and for that Peace and Order among his People, which is so strictly enjoyned by him; nor be esteem∣ed Approvers of those Delusions and Extra∣vagancies, whereby Souls are endangered, Divisions highly fomented, and our present Liberty abused, to the hurt and Reproach of all of us, as Dissenters.

It will, we doubt not, appear to imparti∣al men (since divers Methods that we have used for the reclaiming of him, have proved unsuccessful) to be our present Duty to vin∣dicate our selves, and warn such in whom we are respectively concerned, against his De∣lusions, under the Name of the Blessed Go∣spel; and his Dividing Courses, whilst he pre∣tends to Reform the Church.

We shall not here enumerate all the Er∣rors he studiously propagateth; but do here∣by bear our Testimony against these follow∣ing;

viz.

That the Law of Innocency was not able to save Man at first. That Ju∣stification upon believing, is only a Ma∣nifestation to the Conscience of an ante∣cedent Justification; and so it is not the State of the Soul, but its sense of its state, that is altered upon Conversion. That Ju∣stifying Faith is a Persuasion that our Sins are Pardoned; and when it is said, we believe for Pardon, it is meant, for the Knowledge of Pardon. That this Faith is not a consenting act of the Will. That the Law prepares not for Conversion, and its Con∣victions tend to drive men further from Christ. That the Law of the Gospel is the great Law of Electing Grace, viz. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. That there be no preparatory humblings in order to Faith. That we should begin our Religi∣on with high Confidence of our Interest in Christ, and must maintain it against all Chal∣lenges or Doubts from our Sins or Defects. That they are like Baal's Priests, who put men on trying themselves by such Marks, As Sin∣cerity, Universal Obedience, Love to God, and Christ, and the Brethren. That all Believers

at all times stand before God without Sin; yea, when they are Sinning against God, they are without spot before God; and when they have sinned, and pray for Pardon, it is for the Discovery thereof to their Conscience, and not for what is properly Forgiveness. That Christ fulfilled the Covenant of Grace for us, and he believed for us as our Representative.

Which, with many others, are well Attested, yea, and Owned in his own Papers, for the most part in his ex∣press Words, and the rest plainly appear to be his Sense.

These Assertions we declare repugnant to the Gospel, (as also to the Doctrine of the Church of England, and other Confessions agree∣able to the Gospel, whereto we have Assent∣ed), strong Temptations to Carnal Security, and Libertinism, and some of Satan's Fiery Darts, whereby he endeavoureth the Ruin of those Souls who are less subject to other Snares; and as what would destroy the Mini∣stry which Christ hath appointed and prosper∣ed to the Conversion of Sinners.

In the like manner we do testifie against the Unchristian Practices of Mr. Davis, viz. That though he scrupled not to Baptize the Children of his own people, he yet Re-bapti∣zed such Adult Members as were Baptized in their Infancy by any Ministers of the Church of England; In answer whereto he thus writes. That if any, being the Seed of Strangers, and ha∣ving no other Baptism than that of the Publick, desire to submit to that Ordinance, I dare not re∣fuse it; for I look on that done in the Publick, null and void on a twofold account. (1.) They, and their unbelieving Parents, being in no sense, or wise, under the Covenant, Baptism cannot be a Seal; and while it is not a Seal, I apprehend it nothing, and therefore null and void. (2.) The Administrators are none of Christ's sending, there∣fore what they do in Matters of Religion, is no∣thing; an Idol is nothing; and by parity of Rea∣son, Ordinances falsly administred, are nothing, &c. And though it (viz. Baptism) be done by them in the Name of the Father, Son, and Spirit, yet still they prophesy lies in the Name of the Lord, for he never sent them. Our Reasons against this Horrid Opinion were sent to him, but without any influence for his Conviction.

His sending forth Preachers unfit for the Ministry, and unapproved by the Neigh∣bouring Ministers; His unchurching such Churches as agree not with his Exorbitant Methods, and Licentious Principles; His wickedly railing against most of the Ortho∣dox, laborious Ministers, endeavouring to the utmost to prejudice the People against their Persons and Labours, as Idolatrous, Le∣gal, and Antichristian; Yea, affirming, That all the Churches are gone a whoring from Christ, and that happy is he who is an In∣strument in breaking all the Churches, where∣in he hath made too great a progress.

Having thus expressed our thoughts con∣cerng his Principles and Practices, (whereto many more might, and in due time may be added, with just Reflections thereon) We do here further declare, That he never was, nor is by us esteemed, of the number of the United Brethren.

It is our grief, that a Man should with meer Falshood, Clamour and Noise, pre∣vail so far: It is no less our wonder, that he

should generally set up for the only Gospel-Preacher, reviling most others, and yet when charged with his Assertions, he at times attempts, to unintelligent Persons, to reduce those abominable Assertions, to what is the General Opinion of such as he ex∣poseth. But we shall earnestly pray for his Repentance; and (in the mean time) that that Scripture may be verified in him, 2 Tim. 3. 9. He shall proceed no fur∣ther, but his Folly shall be manifested to all men; Which we are encouraged to hope the sudden accomplishment of, since he is given up to such trifling Visions, Enthusiastick Pre∣tences, Self-Contradictions, highest Arrogan∣cy and Insolence; and many are awakened to see the Wiles of the Devil by their visi∣ble Effects; and most Persons fit to judge hereof, agree, It cannot be the Interest of Christ that he serves, by the Spirit he disco∣vers, and the publick Scandals and mischiefs he so industriously promotes.

Decemb. 26. 1692.