A caveat to all true Christians: against the spreadings of the spirit of Antichrist, and his subtile endeavours to draw men from Jesus Christ / propounded to them by J. Horn, one of the unworthiest of Christs servants in his gospel, a preacher thereof in South Lin, Norfolk ; together with some brief directions for their orderly walkings.

Sect. 4. Of the Scriptures.

I Know some will grant all this, and yet un∣dermine all again by this saying; Ay, but what is this VVord of God, and where to be found? Is not Christ the VVord, and what he says in and by his? and so he being in us, speakes to us: and what we say, he says by us, and its his Word and to be heeded by men. And thus even those that come to deceive, will put that title up∣on their own conceptions and sayings, and so catch and cheat men.

For avoiding which snare, we are to Know

further, That as Christ is the VVord 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, so of him properly, and as in his own person merely considered the Apostle here speaks not, but of that that declares and unfolds him; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which is indeed that that God hath spoken by the mouth of his Servants; which (that none might cheat us) he hath ordered, and caused to be also written and recorded (so much as his wisdom hath seen meet and sufficient for our helpfulness) in the holy Scriptures, which ceaseth not to be his VVord because written down, but becomes of greater usefulness to us, for whose sakes they were so written; though the letters and syllables as written, are but humane instruments of make∣ing over what was by God spoken; yet those divine verities, the Oracles of God by, and in those mediums made over and recorded, are in themselves spiritual, and full of divine operati∣ons abstractedly taken from the visible Chara∣cters or outward sound, which are only mediums of conveying them unto men.

By these then heeded and minded, shall you see what is Truth, viz. that that agreeth with, and is contained in these divine Revelations; as also what is the righteousness to be put on, and walked in; what the Gospel of Peace, and its preparation; for that Gospel is there recorded, as in 1 Cor. 15.3. That Christ died for our sins, & was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and the publishing of repentance and

remission of sins in his Name amongst all Nations, &c. Luke 24.47. that also is the right and lasting faith that is grounded upon Christ and God in him, according to the Scripture declaration of him; to that the Promise is made, as in Joh. 7.37,38. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living wa∣ters; as also therein witness is born to the salva∣tion to be hoped for. By this VVord of God so written and recorded, did Jesus Christ himself in the days of his flesh and of his temptations beat back Satan, saying, It is written thus and thus; shewing us, that while we cleave in faith, and obedience to that thats written in the Scrip∣tures of Truth, we shall not be overcome of Sa∣tan. Beware ye then of those that impugn the authority of them, and by crafty jugling insinu∣ations indeavour to draw you to a slight esteem of them, and to take you off from giving heed to them, and so to God and his VVord in them; Know that they are the Scriptures of Truth, a sure VVord, yea, more sure and safe for you to look to then any dreams, visions, or sights, be they what they will, that any shall suggest to you; The Apostle Peter preferred them before his own Vision of the glory of Christ, and his hearing of the lively Voyce that came from God to Christ for others faith in him, 2 Pet. 1.16,19. And our Saviour instructs us that God would have us mind them, and not wander in our de∣sires

after other things to bottom our faith on, as miracles, &c. and tells us that they that will not believe them, will not believe though one should arise from the dead, and declare Doctrines to them, Luke 16.31. They are the inspirations of God into his servants, the Prophets & Apostles, whom for this cause Christ being ascended gave unto his Church (with Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers) that we might not be as children tossed to and fro with every winde of Doctrine, Ephes. 4.11,12,13. but taking heed to their words, the words of the Prophets, and commandements of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour, 2 Pet. 3.2. we might be preserved from Satan and his Instru∣ments (that shall mock at the coming of Christ, and other sound doctrines according to godli∣ness) and that we might grow up in the unity of the Faith and Knowledge of the Son of God un∣to a perfect man. Know that the Scriptures came not by the wlll of man, nor did the Penmen of them write as they pleased, & as their own fancies led them, but as the holy Gost inspired and acted them, 2 Pet. 1.20,21. and the things therein writ∣ten, were written for our learning, Rom. 15.4. that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in believing might through patience, and the comfort of them have hope; yea, and life in his Name, Joh. 20.31. In them is laid down a form of wholsom words, which we are to take diligent heed unto, and not to depart therefrom,

because they are profitable (as says the Apostle) to instruct, correct, reprove, &c. yea, to ma••e us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ, 2 Tim. 3.15,16. both to discern truth from error, light from darkness, yea when it glisters like light: and to lead to avoid the darkness, and walk in the light: yea, in a word, they are sufficient to per∣fect a man of God to every good work of the mi∣nistry or service required of him.

Let that Word then, and the Gospel there re∣corded be held fast by you: and the Doctrine that according thereto ye have heard from the beginning, even the first principles and founda∣tion, the Death and Resurrection of Christ as therein declared, that beleeve and depart not from it, nor from viewing and beholding the grace and love of God, and all those glorious and mysterious depths contained therein, nor from the secret voices and speakings thereof to you in its teaching you, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts ye should live soberly, righ∣teously and godly: yea, give diligence in Read∣ing, Hearing, and minding the Scriptures in every truth, exercising faith in Christ; so will he by his Spirit mind you so of his truths, and put such Scriptum est's, such sayings of divine Record in∣to your memories and mouths, as shall discover the subtilest workings of Satan and his instu∣ments, and lead you to avoid them, yea to oppose and baffle them.