A glasse for the times by which according to the Scriptures, you may clearly behold the true ministers of Christ,: how farre differing from false teachers. With a briefe collection of the errors of our times, and their authors names. Drawn from their own writings. Also proofes of Scripture by way of confutation of them, by sundry able ministers. / Collected by T.C. a friend to truth.

These following are so grosse, they need no further Confutation.

Errour of M. Rand. and M. Iohn Simpson. That the morall Law is of no use at all to a believer, no rule for him to walke by; Nor to ex∣amine his life by, and that Christians are free from the mandatory power of it.

Errour of M. Iohn Eaton in The hony combe. That the Law and Christ are two contrary things, one cannot abide the other. By the Believers are nurtered for heaven, and God fits them for service 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the world by leading them into sins.

Another grosse Errour is this, by M. Randall. That he that be∣lieveth that Christ hath taken away his sinnes, is as free without sin as Christ. That it is as possible for Christ to sin as for a childe of God to sin. That a childe of God need not, nay ought not to aske pardon for his sin; and that it is no lesse then blasphemy for him, so to doe, delivered and maintained by him.

Errour of D. Crispe in his Sermons. That every elect person from the first instant of his beeing, is as pure in the eyes of God, as hee

shall be in glory, no more sin is reckoned to him now, then in hea∣ven.

That the Lord hath not one sin to charge on any elect person, from their first conception, not so much as originall sin to bee laid on him, though he be in the height of iniquity, and excesse of riot, committing all abominations, God hath no more to lay to the charge of such a person then to a Saint Triumphant in glory.

M. Simpsons Errour. That if a man by the Spirit know himself in the state of Grace, though he be drunke or commit adultery, God sees no sin in him, witnesse Mr. Gattaker. That God doth not chastise any of his people for sinne, nor punish the land for the sinne of his people.

In the assertion of Grace by Rob. Towne. That as well our workes as persons are perfectly holy and good.

N. Coulin an Officer in the Army. That a Saint in this life, with∣out any addition hereafter is perfectly just, perfectly holy, and compleatly glorious in this life, and not capable of any addition after death.

M. Saltmarsh in the Smoake of the Temple. That the fulnesse of time is not yet come for Ordinances, there is no Church, no Ordi∣nance yet. They are to begin with gifts and miracles, as in the A∣postolicke times.

In the booke called, Little Nonsuch, concerning Marriage. The very next of kin may joyne in Marriage by custome and command, for Sarah was Abrahams sister whom he tooke to wife.

In the doctrine of divorce by Iohn Milton. That unfitnesse or contrariety of minde betwixt man and wife, from a naturall cause which hindereth solace and peace are a great reason of divorce.

Errours concerning generall Toleration, and Liberty of conscience in The bloody Tenent, by Williams.

That Liberty be granted for every man to worship God in that manner as shall appeare to them most agreeable to Gods word, and no man punished, and that no detriment can come to the Church or State by the toleration of Religion, and why may not Papists bee permitted.

That it is the will and command of God, since the comming of Christ, a permission of the most Jewish, Turkish, or Antechristian

consciences and worships be granted to all men in all Nations and Countries.

By this it appeares what damnable and dangerous errours and blasphemies are sprung up amongst us, we have great need to take our Saviours counsell in Matth. 7.15. to beware of false Prophets, v. the 16. By their fruits yee shall know them, 2 Pet. 2.1. There shall be false Prophets who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.

For a conclusion and caution against errours, read 2 Tim. the whole third Chapter.

Vers.

• ...

  1 This know also, that in the last dayes perillous times shall come.

• ...2

  For men shall be lovers of their owne selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankfull, unholy,

• ...3

  Without naturall affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

• ...4

  Traytors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures, more then lovers of God,

• ...5

  Having a forme of godlinesse, but denying the power thereof: from such turne away.

• ...6

  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly wo∣men laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

• ...7

  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

• ...8

  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses: so doe these also resist the truth: men of corrupt mindes, reprobate concerning the faith.

• ...9

  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all men as theirs also was.

• ...10

  But thou hast fully knowne my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,

• ...11

  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured: but out of them all, the Lord delivered me.

• ...12

  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

• ...13

  But evill men, and seducers shall waxe worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

• ...14

  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast beene assured of, knowing of whom thou haft learned them.

• ...15

  And that from a childe thou hast knowne the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

• ...16

  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for do∣ctrine, for reproofe, for correction, for instruction in righteousnesse,

• ...17

  That the man of God may be perfect, thorowly furnished unto all good workes.

Looke in the 2 Cor. 11.3.

But I feare lest by any meanes, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your mindes should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

2 Iohn 8.9, 10. Looke to your selves that we lose not those things which wee have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Sonne.

10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.

Matth. 7.17. Ye shall know them by their fruits: Doe men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles?

Iohn 7.17. If any man will doe his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speake of my selfe.

Prov. 14.12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man: but the end thereof are the wayes of death.

All the words of Scripture in confutation of them, could not be contained at length in this briefe Catalogue, if you turne to them you shall finde them pertinent, as a true touchstone distinguishing gold from drosse.

Let this serve for a warning peece to wise Christians, to take heed lest they be corrupted with these notorious Errours of the times, and so fall from their owne stedfastnesse.

FINIS.