Syons redemption, and original sin vindicated

The Epistle to the Reader.

CHristian Brethren and friends, and to whom so∣ever feareth the Lord (and especially you the Inhabitants of Sutton-valence, and Boughton, Munchalse, and Maidstone, together with the places there abouts) the Authors desire is, that grace and peace might be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My dear friends, the knowledge of the truth is of such great worth, that it calls for our earnest endeavour af∣ter it, to seek it and not silver, and to search after it rather than fine gold; and therefore for thy further un∣derstanding (in the mysteries of God) I have added this small pains of mine (contained in the following Trea∣tise) in bringing to a publick view, such objections as stand like a cloud to ecclipse or hinder the light of Christs doctrine from shining into the understandings of the sons of men, and have answered them, although I should have been more at large upon it, if time would have given leave, in reference to other occasions that daily called me from it when it was in hand, the which also was the cause that it was brought to a publick view no sooner, and therefore excuse its long absence I pray you; and now my desire is that thou wouldst read it diligently, and weigh what is written with an unbyassed affection, and in so doing thou mayest come to see those things that happily thou hast not yet seen, and know those things that yet now thou hast not known; for how ready have we

been to receive mens doctrine without tryall, especially when they have had a name to be great learned men, never considering the words of the Lord which saith, Not many wise or learned men hath he chosen to re∣veal his hidden wisdome to, but hath hid it from them and revealed it to Babes and sucklings; and was it not Gods way to chuse Heardsmen to be his Prophets, and Fishermen to be his Apostles, and in a word, such as were accounted ignorant men, such as knew little of the law, even such God did chuse to reveal his Son, in that none might glory in men; therefore take heed of being de∣ceived upon such account; but now prove thy self to be like the men of Berea, the which were more noble than the men of Thessalonica, because they searched the Scri∣ptures, to see whether those things that was preached to them, were truth yea, or nay: therefore be exhorted for the time to come, to give all diligence, in cases of weight, to try it by the Scriptures, and seek to the Lord to give thee understanding therein, and then doubtless thou shalt do well.

I have opened the ninth Chapter to the Romans, and when thou readest it, consider that it is a dis∣course touching the house of Israel, that God was just in casting them off for their sins, although they were the seed of Abraham, shewing, that Israel was al∣so of Abrahams lines, and Esau of the lines of Isaac, and yet for their wickedness were rejected; and also Pharaoh, that hardened himself against the Lord and his people, as Israel did, the Lord chose his delusion, by gi∣ving him up to hardness of heart, to make his Name known throughout all the earth, that all men might take warning by him: And as to that which is spoken con∣cerning the return of the house of Israel, and the house

of Judah out of their captivity, and the Reign of Christ in Jerusalem, I desire thee to weigh seriously, because if thou understand it aright it will help thee much in the understanding of all the Scriptures (in a great measure) as Daniel, Zachary, and the Book of the Revelations, when others will be found to turn the Scriptures into alle∣gories, not knowing what they say, nor whereof they do affirm, being never able to keep the Scriptures in a harmony; it will also strengthen thee to stand fast in these times, when the mystery of iniquity is geting up apace, where there is no other Mount Zion taught up (as Christs seat) but what is in us, and ere long in giving heed thereunto, we shall not think our selves onely Mount Zion (viz. Christs seat) but will also think that we are the Christ (to wit, God manifest in our flesh) for the mother of Harlots and her daughters (viz. Rome and the rest of the Nations which have been upon her sides, and suck of her breast) have taught up such a kind of doctrine as a spiritual Reign of Christ to be understood in such Scriptures, as speak of Christs Reign on earth, the which is as a footing for the mystery of iniquity to work, but thanks be given to our good God that hath given some to understand the mystery of the kingdome, who will travel to bring forth the man child (as I com∣paratively may say) that shall rule all Nations with a rod of iron, namely, Christ upon his holy hill of Zion; therefore read the Prophets diligently, the which I have cited, thou mayest also at thy leasure peruse Esdras, which I have not cited in my discourse, because some doubt whether it be Canonicall yea or nay, the which I shall not trouble my self to prove it holy writ, because there be Prophets enough that prove the same thing be∣sides Esdras, although he speak very fully to it, as in

many Chapters, read the 14. Chapter, and there you shall see he discovereth where the ten Tribes are, and shall remain till the Lord shall dry up the River Eu∣phrates, and then shall be brought to Zion, and Christ shall be their King; and indeed, the great reason why the Jews did not believe in Christ, was because they understood not that he should come twice on earth, first to suffer, & then to reign: but at his first coming, they sup∣posed that he would restore all things, and reign as King; neither will they believe till they see him come in that manner, in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory; then shall they say, lo, this is our God, we have waited for him: and so I shall cease at present, desiring thee also to be waiting for Christ, that thou mayest be found worthy of the Kingdome, and sit down therein with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the which is the de∣sire of thy friend,

G. H.