The shield single against the sword doubled. To defend the righteous against the wicked. Whereby are waved those cuts and blows, which Mr Erbury deals to the righteous; and wherein also is shewed, that his now-new-light is no-light, but blackness of darkness. By Henry Niccols, minister of the word in South-Wales.

The fourth Errour.

Mr Erb.

[The Pastors of the Churches have no higher dis∣coveries of God, then what they have read in tradi∣tional forms of Doctrine, received and invented by men: pag. 26.]

Answer.

Then it will follow, they have no true faith in God, and by consequence no interest in Christ; Faith is the gift of God, comes down from above, even from the Father of Light, and God of all Grace: And if the Teachers, and Ministers of Eng∣land, and Wales, have nothing of God, but what hath had its rise from men, they are of all men most miserable; they are yet in their sins, as having no true faith; But had not Master Erbury stole this passage out of Master Saltmarsh his Book, his deluded followers might conjecture that he were under his third Dispensation, as having an immediate testimony of the Spirit. But Master Saltmarsh in his Book intituled Sparkles of Glory, pag. 45. hath taught him thus, in these words.

All things in the visible Churches of the Nations, were, and are in the absence of the Spirit, and of gifts administred by Arts and Sciences, and Grammatical knowledge of tongues and languages, &c.

So then, here you may see Master Erbury, not Souldier-like with his sword, nor Scholler-like with his pen, but Taylor-like with a pair of shears in his hand; entring into Master Saltmarsh his shop, and finding such stuff there, he takes it, and cuts it, and forms it into this passage. scil.

The Pastors and Teachers have no higher, &c.

Here I would ask a question; Are the Scriptures the inven∣tions of men? Surely, Master Erbury cannot but know that the Ministers and Teachers found their Doctrines on the Au∣thority of Scriptures, and wherein they have failed that way, they may very well be said to build on men, and sands.

But three things fall in here to be handled, by way of an∣swer to this position.

• 1. That the Scriptures are not the inventions of men.
• 2. That the Pastors are not traditionaries.
• 3. That their Doctrine grounded on the rocky strength of Scriptures, hath been accompanied with the power, and presence of Gods Spirit.

1. The Scriptures are not the inventions of men, See 2 Tim. 4.16. 2 Pet. 1.20,21. Indeed there are Atheists that say, that the Scriptures are but a device of mans brain, to give assistance to Magistrates in civil Government; whereas truly nothing crosseth humane wisdome more then Scripture, nor any thing more repugnant to State policy. What policy was it in the Old Testament to appoint circumcision, and thereby to torment a poor babe as soon as he was born? What policy was it in the New Testament to send out poor and unlearned men to preach Christ? Hence the wise Graecians accounted the preaching of the Gospel to be fool••shness: That is a principle that scorns demonstration, that the holy Scripture is both of a divine Original, and Authority; And as in the Schools, there is no disputing with him that denies principles, so we account him unworthy to be heard, who will deny the divine Autho∣thority of the Scriptures: But if Master Erbury will have the point proved, it may be fully done by these Me∣diums.

1. Because the matter of it is Heavenly, spiritual, far tran∣scending the reach of mans reason, as the Doctrine of the Cre∣ation of all things in six dayes; the fall of Adam, deliverance out of Egypt, incarnation of Christ, immortality of the soul, Resurrection of the dead, and the last Judgment, toge∣ther with the admirable temper, and mixture of Gods justice and mercy in the Gospel-way of reconciling man to God.

2. Because 'tis powerful and efficacious upon the souls of men, Heb. 4.12. the powerfull working of it in Pharaoh, A∣hab, Faelix, and those, Acts 2.36,37. shews it: Non mo∣vent, non suadent sacrae literae, sed cogunt, agitant, vim in∣ferunt, legis rudia verba, & agrestia sed viva, sed animata, acuteata, ad imum Spiritum penetrantia, hominem totum po∣testate mirabili transformantia. The wonderful alteration that it makes in man for God, in making Lions, and Leopards, and Wolves to be Lambs, Sheep, little children, proves it of di∣vine Authority. Johannes Isaac, a Jew, was converted by reading the fifty third Chapter of Isaiah; Junius reading the first Chapter of John, was stricken with amazement by a kind of divine, and stupendious Authority, and so he was convert∣ed from Atheism, as himself saith in his life. Jerom could say, As often as I read Paul, it seems to me, that they are not words, but thunders which I hear. Let the Socinians reject all things in Religion, which they cannot measure with the narrow span of natural reason; Let the Philosophers call the Christians by way of scorn, Credentes; Let Julian scoff at the Scriptures, because it hath no other proof, but Thus saith the Lord; And let Master Erbury call it the inventions of men, yet shall I hold, that the Doctrines, Precepts, and Prohibitions thereof, tend to the setting forth of Gods glory, and to bring solid and eternall comfort, and salvation to their souls which obey it: The Scriptures are the sacred Records and Registry of the Ho∣ly Spirit, they make wise unto salvation; Shew the path of life, Psal. 16.11. and guid our feet into the way of peace.

3. Because the Scriptures have been preserved from the fury of many wicked Tyrants, which sought to quash, and bury them, and yet could not. Antiochus burned the Bible, and made a Law, That whosoever had this Book, should dye the death.

Many a Bible was burnt in those cruel persecutions under Dioclesian, and Maximilian, and wofull was the end of the persecuters of this Doctrine.

4. Because of the wonderful agreement, and harmony of the Scriptures among themselves, John 5.46. each part sweet∣ly agreeth with it self, and with another, and with the whole; Acts 26.22. Luke 24.27.

Secondly, The Pastors of the Churches are not tradi∣tionaries.

By Pastors, Master Erbury means the Prelatick, Presbyte∣rian, and Independent Teachers; and to say the truth, they all profess to agree in owning the sufficiency, and authority of Scripture; and this Master Saltmarsh observes in a kind of derision; saying,

They commonly called Presbyterians, Independents, Ana∣baptists, &c. hold all points of Doctrine, also Justification, Sanctification, Faith, Ministry of the Word and Sacraments, which they call means of salvation, all these hold alike, with the common Protestant, &c.

Here let me digress a little; and that with a word, first, to the Ministers of the Prelatick judgment; and in particular to those of my Neighbourhood, and acquaintance; Secondly, To their hearers.

To the Ministers, I say, Certainly if mens Spirits stood not at a greater distance, then their principles, there were hopes of union, and agreement; We all profess one and the same Christ, acknowledge one and the same Scriptures, Sacra∣ments, and other not only Fundamental, but Superstructural Truths: and it grieves my soul, (and me thinks, should yours) to see you suffer your Ministry to lie dormant, and your Ta∣lents buried, because you cannot excercise it in a way that seems good in your own eyes, not considering that you do herein Perdere substantiam, propter accidentia: when I be∣hold multitudes flocking to your houses to hear your private Expositions, and teachings; my hearts desire is, you had them all under the Government of Jesus Christ in visible Church-Fellowship, that your Keys not only of Doctrine, but of Dis∣cipline might be turned by you; that those people, who (to stop the mouth of natural conscience) come (per forma) once

a week to hear you, might be open to rebukes, reproofs, and censures, when they go from you, to drink, play, and pro∣phane the Sabbath: O when will you enquire after the fruits of your Ministry? The Prophets are known by their fruit, and a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit: When will you look after the Seal and Signal of your inward Mission and call to the Service of the Gospel? Where are your spiritual children begotten by you through the Gospel? 1 Cor. 4.15. Heb. 2.13. When will the way of Christ, not onely in his Priestly, but Kingly Office, ruling, and governing, be further∣ed by you? If you say, it belongs not to you to administer censures, you may be censured; That to a particular Con∣gregation of visible Saints, furnished with officers, it belongs to exercise all parts of Discipline within it self; The Church of Corinth, (out of which the incestuous person was cast) was a particular Congregation, for all of them met together every Lords day, in one place, for the administration of the holy Or∣dinances of God to publick edification, 1 Cor. 14.23. and 16.1,2. which frequent meeting every Lords day in one place, to such ends, cannot possibly be compatible to any Diocesan, Provincial, or National Church: And therefore Hobbes in his Leviathan observes,

That we are now reduced to the Independency of the primi∣tive Christians, to follow Paul, Cephas, or Apollo, every man as he liketh best, which if it be without contention, and without measuring the Doctrine of Christ, by the affection to the Person of his Minister, (the fault of the Corinthians) is perhaps the least.

There are of your party, that rejoyce to hear Master Erbury say, That as the Prelatick Interest is fallen, so is the Presbyte∣rian, and so will the Independent: To which I answer, I wish from my soul, that every Interest may fall, and perish, which doth not tend to the exaltation of Christ in his Gospel-Truths; may nothing stand but that which is of God: Though the fall of Presbyterians, and Independents, may be pleasing to some of you, yet the Eclipse, and darkning of many preci∣ous truths in these dayes, should render your bowels troubled, and your hearts turned within you: It cannot be denied, but as the search of Scriptures, Knowledge of Christ, Do∣ctrine

of Free-grace, Gospel-light, and Gospel-life, is impro∣ved to a greater pitch of light, and manifestation now, then in the Prelates times; so, those errours that then were but a few, are now many: Those which many godly souls did then abhor from their hearts, are now vented, as new and glorious truths; and those which formerly crept into corners, dare now to face the Sun. The divine Authority of the Scriptures is oppugned, the Bible said to be a Book of lies, the God∣head of Christ opposed, the Person, Natures, Offices, Death, Blood, Holiness of the Lord Jesus blasphemed: O that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people. Every one then (that would not have the blood of Christ, nor blood of souls to cry against him) come in, and help the Lord to raise that truth which is now fallen in the streets. And seeing it was never (for ought I heard) a que∣stion controverted in the Schools of the Universities, Whether Monarchy was Jure divino, I humbly conceive that neither you, nor I (in the Ministerial Calling) can be competent Mo∣deratours to determine, and decide this state of controversie: True it is, it is clear, that Government and Magistracy, for the substance of it, is an Ordinance of God, Deut. 16.18,19,20. Rom. 13.1. but for the circumstances of it, as to this or that form, it is wholly left to men: And this is the judgment of Doctour Ames, both in his Cases of conscience, and Expo∣sition on Peter; for making a Query, Why is Magistracy call∣ed the Ordinance of man, 1 Pet. 2.13. He answers thus.

The Superiority of Power, or Government it self, is simply and absolutely commanded by God, and in that respect is call∣ed the Ordinance of God, but this or that special manner of Power, or Government, is not determined by God, but by men, and is therefore called an Ordinance of man, 1 Pet. 2.13. &c.

To which agree the words of Mr Resbury (a precious able Pastor of a Church in Northamptonshire)

The Institution of Magistracy is divine in general, [The Powers that be, are ordained of God;] The constitution in particular, is hu∣mane, in divers Nations, in some the Government by the King, in others by the State, in others by the People:

But

perhaps these mens names, and authorities, take not so much with you, as having perhaps a prejudice against them! I shal therfore produce three famous men of your own, that in this case concur with them: The one is the Bishop of Armagh, who in his Body of Divinity hath these Catechetical Questi∣ons, and Answers.

Quest. How many sorts be there of Pulique Superi∣ours?

Answ. Two: Ecclesiastical, and Civil, the former where∣of are as it were divine; the other are called humane crea∣tures, 2 King. 2.3. 1 Tim. 2.2. 1 Pet. 2.13,14.

Quest. Why do you call the Ministers of the Church divine Creatures?

Answ. Because they are precisely in their kinds, number, and orders, set down in the Word of God.

Quest. Why call you the other humane creatures?

Answ.

Because notwithstanding they are appointed of God, and such as without them, neither Church, nor Commonwealth can stand, yet are not their kinds, and number, and order, so appointed of God, but that men may make, more, or fewer, of greater authority, or less, according as the oc∣casion of places, times, or the disposition of the people, do require.

The other is Doctor Saunderson (late Doctor of the Chair in Oxon) who in a Sermon preached before the Judges at Lincoln, neer thirty year ago, hath this passage; "Saint Paul saith, The Powers that are, are ordained of God, Rom. 13.1.

And yet Saint Peter calleth the Magistracy, an humane Or∣dinance, 1 Pet. 2.13. Certainly, the Holy Spirit, which speaketh in th••se two great Apostles, is not contrary to it self; The truth is, the substance of the power of every Ma∣gistrate is the Ordinance of God, and that is Saint Pauls meaning; but the specification of the circumstances thereunto belonging, as in regard of Places, Persons, Titles, Continu∣ance, Jurisdiction, Subordination, and the rest, is (as Saint Peter termeth it) an humane Ordinance, introduced by custome, and positive law.

The third is Hooker, who in his Ecclesiasticall Polity hath these words,

The reason why the Name of Fathers conti∣nued still in Kings, was because of Fathers they were made Rulers; as also the ancient custome of Governours to do as Melchisedech, and being Kings to exercise the Office of Priests, which Fathers did at first, grew perhaps by the same occasion: Howbeit not this the only kind of Regiment, that hath been received in the world; The inconveniences of one kind hath caused sundry others to be devised. So that in a word, all publique Regiment of what kind soever, seemeth evidently to have risen from deliberate advice, consultation, and composition between men, judging it convenient, and behovefull, there being no impossibility in nature, considered by it self, but that men might have lived without any pub∣lique Regiment: Howbeit the corruption of our nature be∣ing presupposed, we may not deny but that the Law of na∣ture doth now require of necessity some kind of Regiment; so that to bring things unto the first course they were in, and utterly to take away all kind of publick Government in the world, were apparently to overturn the whole world. The case of mans nature standing therefore as it doth, some kind of Regiment the Law of nature doth require, yet the kinds thereof being many, nature tyeth not to any one, but leaveth the choice as a thing arbitrary: At the first, when some certain kind of Regiment was once approved, it may be, that nothing was then further thought upon for the man∣ner of governing, but all permitted unto their wisdome and discretion which were to rule, till by experience they found for all parts very inconvenient; so as the thing which they had devised for a remedy, did indeed but increase the sore, which it should have cured; They saw that to live by one mans will, became the cause of all mens misery, &c.

Seeing these things are so, Amidst all the Interests contended for in this active Age, (the Soveraign Interest, the State In∣terest, the Priviledges of Parliament, and the Popular Interest) let it be your work, and mine, to contend for the Interest, Crown, and Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the setting up of which in the world, in all its claims, will renew the face of the whole Creation, and make a new Heaven and a new Earth: The

Lord perswade you to appear serviceable in your Generation for this end; and that both the knowledg and obedience of the Lord Jesus may abound. I (do not charge you, but) hum∣bly advise you, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, and in his Kingdom, Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine, 2 Tim. 4.1.2.

Secondly, I have a word to your hearers, my Friends, I should rejoyce to see the gracious appearance, and image of God, shewing forth it self in your lives in knowledge, Col. 3.10. righteousness and holiness, Ephes. 4.24. without which no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12.14. I should rejoyce to see your necks under the yoke, and heads under the feet of Jesus Christ. Consider, I pray, that Church-Government is an Or∣dinance of God, flowing unto us in the blood of Christ, as part of his Kingly Office, and it is the honour and happiness of a Christian to be under it: When the Lord would manifest his wrath against a people, he would suffer them to walk after their own wills; but it is infinite grace and mercy, when he takes any into his own Government, but you are at liberty, at a sinful liberty, to walk disorderly without controul: What Church-power doth ever question drunkenness, swearing, pro∣phanation of the Sabbath, and other abounding enormities among you? O it is pleasant to your flesh to be thus free, but be assured, this is not Christian freedom; your Teachers can∣not chuse but please you, as long as the Discipline of Christs Church, rod of his School, and sword of his City, is disused: Truant Scholers will not begrudge to go to that School, where is no correction; and I am afraid, should your Preachers pro∣pose this course unto you, of coming under the Golden Scep∣ter of Christ in Church-rule, and Government, a many of you would slip the neck of the collar, and (at least implicitely) declare, We will not have this Christ thus to raign over us, Luke 19.14.

The Lord make you a willing people to come under this lo∣ving, merciful, and peaceable Government of Christ; And amidst all the disputes, and controversies of State, take heed, cast not off Christ from being King over you, own him as

Lord; and Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little, blessed are they that put their trust in him, Psal. 2.12.

Thirdly, Their Doctrine grounded on the rocky strength of the Scriptures, hath been accompanied with the power and presence of Gods Spirit.

And this Master Erbury doth confess, pag. 30. where he doth acknowledge, that Master Perkins, Bolton, Byfield, Dod, and Dyke, have converted many souls to God; Now it is clear, that these worthy men had relation to either of Master Erburies three Shepherds, scil. either to the Prelatick, Pres∣byterian, or Independent; and surely if they have been most blessed in their Generations in the great work of converting souls, they must have a Spirit in them above their own brea∣thing, and higher discoveries of God, then what they have received in traditional forms of Doctrine, received, and in∣vented by men. What shall we think of the famous and learn∣ed Cotton, Shepherd, Hooker, Elliot, and other precious Mi∣nisters of Christ in New-England? Have they no faith in God? no Seal to their Ministry? nothing but what they have from traditions, and forms, and inventions of men? nothing but what is from the earth, earthy, wood, hay, and stubble? Far be it from any pious breast to judge not only so unchari∣tably, but so untruly. I might name many others (though but earthen vessels) yet, blessed means in the hands of God this day in Wales, and England also, serving to convey the Hea∣venly treasures of Grace and Light into the souls of the peo∣ple: And to deal freely, and ingenuously, I will not derogate so much from Master Erburies worth, and merit; as to con∣clude him sterril, and barren of testimony in this way, while he used the Ordinances of the Gospel, Prayer, Preaching, &c. While he did follow Christ in his own way fully, the Lord did witness with his Ministry, even to the awaking of many sleepy fouls in his own, and other Countries; there are not a few godly people, that yet bless the Lord for him, who made him instrumental to deliver them from the power of darkness, and so to translate them into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Col. 1.13. and therefore have there been many prayers and tears poured forth before the Lord on his behalf; and that

by many godly people, whose souls weep in secret for him, by reason of his woful fall, and apostacy, who by his present course, gives such a wound to the profession of godliness, that the ignorant among us is hardned; the Papists confirmed, and the much expected Reformation, become the grief of your friends, and the scorn of your enemies. But yet let us not be dismayed, He that hath begun the good work, will perform it until the day of Christ. Is Master Erbury against prayer? Salt∣marsh perswaded him to that, who in the fore-cited Book saith,

That all Scriptures of prayer, or concerning prayer, and the prayers of Saints in the vial, are considerable respectively to the state of weakness and bondage the Saints are in.

O let us continue the more instantly, fervent, frequent in prayer; Doth he cry down the teachings and preachings of men? let us be more diligent and fr quent in the use of that blessed Ordinance, to which he cannot but confess, the Lord hath given in a strong testimony from Heaven; the word of God is seen much upon the poor souls of many poor people in Wales: and the day of his power eminent in making many a willing soul to obey him; many that heretofore were strong to drink, and tarried long at it, are now delivered from that bondage of corruption, and become sober, holy, temperate: many that formerly had the understanding darkened, through the ignorance that was in them, because of the blindness of their heart, have now in a great measure cast off the works of darkness, and have put on the Armour of light: many that formerly reproached the Preachers, and loathed the Manna of the Gospel, do now desire it more then their appointed food, and account the feet of them precious that bring the glad ti∣dings thereof: O let us not be weary of waiting on the Lord in the use of his Ordinances, and we shall surely see the sal∣vation of our God; yea, and the Spirit of God descending on the Ministry of his Gospel so, that the Lord himself will be as the dew to Israel, and Israel shall grow up as the Lilly, and cast forth his roots, as Lebanon; his branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the Olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.

Notes

• Ephes. 2.8.
• Jam. 1.17.
• 1 Cor. 1.23.
• See Leigh•…•… Treat. Div.
• 2 Tim. 3.15.23
• Antiochus, Fe∣rod, Pilate, Ju∣lian, &c.
• Sparkles of Glory, p. 194.
• Matth. 7.15,16,17,18.
• 2 Cor. 3.1,2 3 Jer. 23 32.
• Pag. 38••.
• Jer. 911.
• See Ames on Peter, p. 58. And Cases of Consc. lib. 5. p. 164.
• See Taber∣nacle of God with men, p 46.
• Usher. Sanderson. Hooker.
• See Ushers Bod. D••v. p. 264.
• Sermon Ad Magistratum, pag. 160. An. Dom. 1623.
• Lib. 1. Pag. 27.
• O miserum cui peccare li∣ceat. Cicer. Tusc. 5.
• Philip. 1.6.
• Sparkles of glo∣ry. p. 232.
• Hos. 14.5,6.