More was a Seventh Day Baptist, as well as a Six-Principle Baptist - ed
A Lost Ordinance RESTORED:
Or, Eight QUESTIONS in reference to that Principle of the Foundation of the doctrine of Christ, termed Laying on of hands, (as they are said to be lovingly propounded to all those Churches of Jesus Christ in London and elsewhere, that plead or preach for the use thereof; or to anyone member of the Lord Jesus Christ that doth so; By:
Or, Eight QUESTIONS in reference to that Principle of the Foundation of the doctrine of Christ, termed Laying on of hands, (as they are said to be lovingly propounded to all those Churches of Jesus Christ in London and elsewhere, that plead or preach for the use thereof; or to anyone member of the Lord Jesus Christ that doth so; By:
• Henry Danvers,
• Edm. Chillinden,
• John Freeman,
• John Mason,
• John Pym,
• John Sturgeon,
• Fra: Heckman,
• Tho. Dafen,
• James Pitman,
• John Howard,
• Michael Cole,
• Robert Rayner,
• Robert Jesss. ,
• John Showel, and
• Rich. Glene)
Lovingly answered, By one of the least of all Saints, and therefore writes himself an unworthy servant to the Father of the least of Saints: John More.
Friends, I love you, and in love do I salute you, wishing unto you grace and peace, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, Col. 1. 2. humbly beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the expectation of his coming for our eternal rejoicing, think me, not your enemy, if in love I tell you the truth, Gal. 4. 16. For indeed, I travel in birth with you, injoying no rest within my self (since in your printed Paper I understood the search you made after this truth of God) till Christ in this and all other of his commands be perfectly formed in you, Gal. 4. 19.
Wherefore my Friends, when I had received your Paper, I was marvellously straightened, till I had in love discharged my duty, 1 Pet. 4. 10. therefore according to your earnest, and as I judge (in the simplicity of my soul) well-intended desires, I made haste in this undertaking (from the word of truth, which you in your Paper have owned, and I doubt not will own, as that rule by which we must both be directed and judged) according to the ability that God hath given me, 1 Pet. 4. 11. in love to satisfy you according to your caution, showing my readiness in all possible meekness (as it ought to be in every one of us) to render a reason to all that shall ask us, 1 Pet. 3. 15. My earnest prayer therewith to God being for you, that your hearts may be opened, Acts 16. 14. and your understandings enlightened, Eph. 1. 18. (by that Spirit of the almighty God, which only leadeth into all truth, John 16. 12, 13. through the hearing of faith, Gal. 3. 2. that worketh by love, Gal. 5. 6. and is demonstrated in action, James 2. 14, 18.) that you may not any longer, whilst ye ought to be teachers and are teachers of others, have need that one teach you rightly which be the first principles of the doctrine of Christ: and so your selves need milk, whilst you give unto others strong meat, which stands in need of milk as well as you; which I in my present judgment do humbly conceive is not a right dividing of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Heb. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 2. Heb. 5. 14.
Wherefore as to the Queries (in which your non-satisfaction may be the main cause why you act thus), I shall affectionately endeavor to give you satisfaction, and that particularly and briefly, concluding with a short general exhortation, both to you and all the Churches that profess to love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, wheresoever it shall come.
Quer. 1 First you desire to know, what you are commanded to say or do, that you may be found faithful in this point, otherwise to be discovered disobedient unto a command, by the word of God, which is the only director here, and that which shall be our judge at the last day.
Answ. To this my answer is twofold: First, to what you ought to know or say: and secondly, what ye ought to do in reference hereunto.
First, If you will not disown that you here allow of, (viz. the word of God) as I have confidence you will not, you must of necessity say this is one of those principles (which are not useless) of the very foundation of the doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6. 1, 2.
Secondly, To the second, what ye ought to do: I answer, if this be one of the principles of the foundation, you ought to lay no other foundation than what is laid, of which Christ Jesus is the cornerstone, 1 Cor. 3. 11. compared with Eph. 2. 20.
2. If this be milk for babes, then as ye ought not to cast away the children bread, Matthew 15. 26. so ought ye not to cast away their milk, but feed them with it, 1 Cor. 3. 2.
Thirdly, In sum, these things ye ought to say, to teach, to do, as a principle in the foundation of the doctrine of Christ, otherwise ye go about to lay another foundation than what is laid; which is neither to be added to or taken from, under the penalty of a sad and dreadful soulastonishing curse, Rev. 22. 18. Wherefore whosoever he is that lays a foundation with more principles adding thereto, lays not the same, but another foundation, and wo be unto him, Rev. 22. 18. And whosoever he be that shall lay a foundation with fewer principles, taking from them (either Christ the chief Pillar or any other pillar or principle of the foundation lays not the same foundation, but another, and wo be unto him, Rev. 22. 19.
Quer. 2 Secondly, you desire to know someplace in the word of God (if we know of any, say you) where our Lord Jesus Christ or any of his Apostles or Disciples preached this doctrine, viz. that Baptized believers ought to practice, or submit unto laying on of hands.
Answ. 2. To this I answer, that from what hath been already said, is sufficiently proved, not only the teaching it, but also teaching it as a foundation-principle of Christ's doctrine, which was also practiced by baptized believers with breaking of bread and prayer, Act. 21. 41.
Secondly, If it is so, as it is manifest it is, that this not only belongs to the Doctrine of Christ, but it is also a principle in the very foundation or ground-work of that doctrine, Heb. 5. 12. Heb. 6. 1, 2. then are they so forward in teaching it, that they teach, whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in it, hath not God, 2 John 9 vers. compared with Heb. 6. 1, 2. and 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5.
Thirdly, If it is so that this appertaineth to the doctrine of Christ, then I say, they do not barely teach it, but also teach it to them to whom they teach it, to teach it others, that may teach it others, 1 Tim. 4. 16. compared with 2 Tim. 3. 14. and 2. 2.
Quer. 3. You say that the reason for this Querie is, the desire of many that baptized believers should require hands to be laid on them; Therefore you desire of them to shew you some place of Scripture (if they know any) that doth express such a behavior either of the Administrator, or the person on whom hands were laid.
Answ. 3. To this I answer, if baptized believers are babes in Christ, they have need of milk, Heb. 5. 13, 12. and if this be milk for them, as it is evident it is, comparing Heb. 6. 1, 2. with 5. 12. then are they taught in Scripture to desire it, 1 Pet. 2. 2.
Quer. 4. You desire to know, if they can tell of any of the servants of Christ that ever did reprove or blame any sort of people, whether baptized or not because laying on of hands was not practiced or submitted unto by them: and the ground of this you say is our blaming or reproving them that do not submit.
Answ. 4. To this I answer, I do not find that for the neglect of this duty they reproved any, neither had we, not occasion by their omitting of the duty, should we, wherefore notwithstanding they had no occasion to blame or reprove in this particular, and so did it not; yet having occasion, when the time cometh of Apostasy forespoken of, we not only may, but must, 2 Tim. 4. 2, 3, 4. Eph. 5. 13.
Quer. 5. You desire to know if any of them can inform you, which of all the laying on of hands in Scripture mentioned, whether Luke 21. 12. Mark 16. 18. Act. 9. 17. Act. 8. 17. Act. 28. 8. Act. 6. 6. Act. 13. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 4, 14. Act. 8. 17. is called by Christ or his Apostles the foundation-principle, or the beginning doctrine by some text in Scripture, seeing they deter one from another, either in the qualifications of the administrators or in persons on whom hands were laid, sometimes it being before baptism, sometimes after baptism, sometimes to be brought before Rulers, sometimes to heal the sick, sometimes to cure the blind, sometimes to set men apart to administer temporal things, sometimes to set men apart to administer spiritual things, sometimes that men might be gifted, sometimes by men gifted to give the holy Ghost to them that were not set apart to Offices, as many of themselves say (say you) from Act. 8. 17.
Answ. 5. To this I Answer briefly, that the knowledge of all of these is proper to all, Rom. 15. 4. but the practice of that which is the foundation-Principle, is that particularly of gifting to be communicated or dispensed unto every baptized believer, as milk for them whilst Babes, Act. 19. 5, 6. Act. 8. 16, 17. compared with Heb. 5. 12, 13. and 6, 1, 2.
Quer. 6. You desire to know, (seeing that Heb. 6. 2. speaks of the laying on of hands as plural, as the Doctrine of baptisms; and doth not speak of anyone laying on of hands particularly nor any other distinction, neither of any end, purpose, or event) what safety is it for any man to conclude, that this in Hebrews is meant but of one of them only?
Answ. 6. To this, I Answer you, first of all, as our Lord and Master Jesus Christ answered the chief Priests, & Scribes, and Elders, as he was walking in the Temple at Jerusalem, Mark 11. 28, 29, 30. Saying, I will ask you one question, which whether you answer me or no, I will proceed to the further discovery of the safety of concluding that this in Heb. 6. 2. is meant but of one of these only in the practice, as to be ministered as milk for Babes, and likewise of that one of gifting.
Quer. Answ. First, Then how know ye (seeing Heb. 6. 2. speaks of Baptismes as plural, as well as laying on of hands, and doth not speak of any one baptisme particularly, nor any other distinction, neither any end, purpose, or event, more then laying on of hands doth, That it is safe for any one to conclude, that it is meant but of one of them particularly, and that of that you practice?
Answ. 2. Secondly, That this is meant (particularly) as milk for Babes, but one of them, and that of this one of gifting, I thus prove.
First, That in Luke 21. 12. before mentioned, is no foundation-Principle to be practised by the Servants of Christ as milk for babes, as you may see if you look into it.
Secondly, That in Mark. 16. 18. and Acts 28. 8. and 19. 17. is no more in the practice milk for babes, then the former; but rather meat for strong men, that were to go forth, and after Christ, first to divulge the Gospel of peace, whereby they were to be confirmed as Christians, to deliver in truth the word of God, Act. 2. 22. Heb. 6. 3. 4.
Thirdly, That in Act. 6. 6. is no more here meant as aforesaid, then either of the former to be this milk for babes; because it properly appertaineth to particular men, set apart to particular Offices for the well being of the Church of Christ, but this as milk to all as babes in Christ, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Heb. 5. 12. and 6. 1, 2. and 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2.
Fourthly, That in Act. 13. 3. is no more here meant as aforesaid to be milk for babes, or particularly a foundation-Principle of the doctrine of Christ, then any of the former; because it no more appertaineth unto babes, but strong men, even those spoken of in Heb. 5. 14. who by reason of use, had their senses exercised in discerning good or evil, who were made sit to be imployed in the work of the ministery, therefore to be separated after that manner thereunto; such I say, as were gone beyond these spoken of in Heb. 5. 12. being in a capacity of teaching others, having no need of laying againe in them the foundation of the Doctrine of Christ, therefore neither can this be that meant in Heb. 6. 2. as the foundation or beginning principle which is milk for babes, Heb. 5. 12, 13. and 6. 1, 2.
Fifthly, and lastly, seeing none of these as aforesaid can be that laying on of hands here meant, and this of gifting 1 Tim. 4. 14. Act. 19. 6. Act. 8. 17. may for the reasons following, it will be safe for all men to conclude, that this in Hebrews is meant (as aforesaid, which is practically) but of one of them onely, and that of gifting.
First, Because every babe is capable hereof, which they are not of the former.
Secondly, Because every babe hath need thereof, which they have not of the former.
Thirdly, Because we finde examples for it, Act. 19. 6. Act. 8. 17. as to babes with the annexion of the reward of the submission.
Quer. 7. Seeing, say you, many draw inferences or deductions (as they call them) from Heb. 6. 2. to maintain one laying on of hands onely, and none of them upon the forementioned considerations, neither in the end, purpose, or event, therefore we desire to know, whether you judge it a command of our Lord Christ, that any mans inference or deduction should be of binding force in point of faith or obedience.
Answ. 7. To this I answer, that I have now hopes you will be fully satisfied (as well as I) and them also that occasioned your writing, of the probability both of the end, purpose, and event of the last of these, of being both expected and injoyed.
Secondly, To the second part of your Quere; If there be occasion for to answer it, I judge not that any mans inference or deduction, as you tearm it from one phrase of Scripture, should be so, father then other Scriptures, comparing spritual things with spiritual, 1 Cor. 2. 12, 13. do clearly infer the same.
Quer. 8. You desire to know of them, what they will refer you to, as a sure rule to try inferences or deductions, because the best of men are liable to mistakes.
Answ. 8. To this I answer again, to the word of truth, wherein we are directed by the Spirit of truth, Iohn 16. 13. 1 Cor. 12. 8, 10. received from God through the laying on of hands, Act. 19. 6. without which Spirit ye can do nothing, 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11. Wherefore I shall in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the eternal God, and elder brother to the Saints of God, with all meekness humbly intreat you to take into serious consideration the Scriptures I have inserted, and let me beg your thoughts upon them, manifesting thereby the reality of what you have professed in your paper, viz. your unfained search after the truth as it is in the doctrine of Jesus: consider these, I say, I have inserted, those I shall insert, with all others to the aforesaid purpose you (Berean-like) may, and ought to search for, Act. 17. 11. John 5. 39. and be perswaded in love to submit unto the will of God in this particular, which is his approved-of way; for his bestowing of his Spirit upon us, Act. 8. 17. in what measure he shall please, 1 Cor. 12. 11. to the searching out of all things, even the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2. 10. without which it is impossible to know them, 1 Cor. 2. 11, 12. Wherefore if you have any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if the least fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercy, fulfil ye my joy, by being like minded with us in practising of all the commands of all the commands of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, that you with us may be his friends indeed, Iohn 15. 14. This in love I leave with you, and proceed to a general Exhortation.
Friends, I love you, and in love do I salute you, wishing unto you grace and peace, from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, Col. 1. 2. humbly beseech you, by the meekness and gentleness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the expectation of his coming for our eternal rejoicing, think me, not your enemy, if in love I tell you the truth, Gal. 4. 16. For indeed, I travel in birth with you, injoying no rest within my self (since in your printed Paper I understood the search you made after this truth of God) till Christ in this and all other of his commands be perfectly formed in you, Gal. 4. 19.
Wherefore my Friends, when I had received your Paper, I was marvellously straightened, till I had in love discharged my duty, 1 Pet. 4. 10. therefore according to your earnest, and as I judge (in the simplicity of my soul) well-intended desires, I made haste in this undertaking (from the word of truth, which you in your Paper have owned, and I doubt not will own, as that rule by which we must both be directed and judged) according to the ability that God hath given me, 1 Pet. 4. 11. in love to satisfy you according to your caution, showing my readiness in all possible meekness (as it ought to be in every one of us) to render a reason to all that shall ask us, 1 Pet. 3. 15. My earnest prayer therewith to God being for you, that your hearts may be opened, Acts 16. 14. and your understandings enlightened, Eph. 1. 18. (by that Spirit of the almighty God, which only leadeth into all truth, John 16. 12, 13. through the hearing of faith, Gal. 3. 2. that worketh by love, Gal. 5. 6. and is demonstrated in action, James 2. 14, 18.) that you may not any longer, whilst ye ought to be teachers and are teachers of others, have need that one teach you rightly which be the first principles of the doctrine of Christ: and so your selves need milk, whilst you give unto others strong meat, which stands in need of milk as well as you; which I in my present judgment do humbly conceive is not a right dividing of the truth, 2 Tim. 2. 15. Heb. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 3. 2. Heb. 5. 14.
Wherefore as to the Queries (in which your non-satisfaction may be the main cause why you act thus), I shall affectionately endeavor to give you satisfaction, and that particularly and briefly, concluding with a short general exhortation, both to you and all the Churches that profess to love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, wheresoever it shall come.
Quer. 1 First you desire to know, what you are commanded to say or do, that you may be found faithful in this point, otherwise to be discovered disobedient unto a command, by the word of God, which is the only director here, and that which shall be our judge at the last day.
Answ. To this my answer is twofold: First, to what you ought to know or say: and secondly, what ye ought to do in reference hereunto.
First, If you will not disown that you here allow of, (viz. the word of God) as I have confidence you will not, you must of necessity say this is one of those principles (which are not useless) of the very foundation of the doctrine of Christ, Heb. 6. 1, 2.
Secondly, To the second, what ye ought to do: I answer, if this be one of the principles of the foundation, you ought to lay no other foundation than what is laid, of which Christ Jesus is the cornerstone, 1 Cor. 3. 11. compared with Eph. 2. 20.
2. If this be milk for babes, then as ye ought not to cast away the children bread, Matthew 15. 26. so ought ye not to cast away their milk, but feed them with it, 1 Cor. 3. 2.
Thirdly, In sum, these things ye ought to say, to teach, to do, as a principle in the foundation of the doctrine of Christ, otherwise ye go about to lay another foundation than what is laid; which is neither to be added to or taken from, under the penalty of a sad and dreadful soulastonishing curse, Rev. 22. 18. Wherefore whosoever he is that lays a foundation with more principles adding thereto, lays not the same, but another foundation, and wo be unto him, Rev. 22. 18. And whosoever he be that shall lay a foundation with fewer principles, taking from them (either Christ the chief Pillar or any other pillar or principle of the foundation lays not the same foundation, but another, and wo be unto him, Rev. 22. 19.
Quer. 2 Secondly, you desire to know someplace in the word of God (if we know of any, say you) where our Lord Jesus Christ or any of his Apostles or Disciples preached this doctrine, viz. that Baptized believers ought to practice, or submit unto laying on of hands.
Answ. 2. To this I answer, that from what hath been already said, is sufficiently proved, not only the teaching it, but also teaching it as a foundation-principle of Christ's doctrine, which was also practiced by baptized believers with breaking of bread and prayer, Act. 21. 41.
Secondly, If it is so, as it is manifest it is, that this not only belongs to the Doctrine of Christ, but it is also a principle in the very foundation or ground-work of that doctrine, Heb. 5. 12. Heb. 6. 1, 2. then are they so forward in teaching it, that they teach, whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in it, hath not God, 2 John 9 vers. compared with Heb. 6. 1, 2. and 1 Tim. 6. 3, 4, 5.
Thirdly, If it is so that this appertaineth to the doctrine of Christ, then I say, they do not barely teach it, but also teach it to them to whom they teach it, to teach it others, that may teach it others, 1 Tim. 4. 16. compared with 2 Tim. 3. 14. and 2. 2.
Quer. 3. You say that the reason for this Querie is, the desire of many that baptized believers should require hands to be laid on them; Therefore you desire of them to shew you some place of Scripture (if they know any) that doth express such a behavior either of the Administrator, or the person on whom hands were laid.
Answ. 3. To this I answer, if baptized believers are babes in Christ, they have need of milk, Heb. 5. 13, 12. and if this be milk for them, as it is evident it is, comparing Heb. 6. 1, 2. with 5. 12. then are they taught in Scripture to desire it, 1 Pet. 2. 2.
Quer. 4. You desire to know, if they can tell of any of the servants of Christ that ever did reprove or blame any sort of people, whether baptized or not because laying on of hands was not practiced or submitted unto by them: and the ground of this you say is our blaming or reproving them that do not submit.
Answ. 4. To this I answer, I do not find that for the neglect of this duty they reproved any, neither had we, not occasion by their omitting of the duty, should we, wherefore notwithstanding they had no occasion to blame or reprove in this particular, and so did it not; yet having occasion, when the time cometh of Apostasy forespoken of, we not only may, but must, 2 Tim. 4. 2, 3, 4. Eph. 5. 13.
Quer. 5. You desire to know if any of them can inform you, which of all the laying on of hands in Scripture mentioned, whether Luke 21. 12. Mark 16. 18. Act. 9. 17. Act. 8. 17. Act. 28. 8. Act. 6. 6. Act. 13. 3. 1 Tim. 1. 4, 14. Act. 8. 17. is called by Christ or his Apostles the foundation-principle, or the beginning doctrine by some text in Scripture, seeing they deter one from another, either in the qualifications of the administrators or in persons on whom hands were laid, sometimes it being before baptism, sometimes after baptism, sometimes to be brought before Rulers, sometimes to heal the sick, sometimes to cure the blind, sometimes to set men apart to administer temporal things, sometimes to set men apart to administer spiritual things, sometimes that men might be gifted, sometimes by men gifted to give the holy Ghost to them that were not set apart to Offices, as many of themselves say (say you) from Act. 8. 17.
Answ. 5. To this I Answer briefly, that the knowledge of all of these is proper to all, Rom. 15. 4. but the practice of that which is the foundation-Principle, is that particularly of gifting to be communicated or dispensed unto every baptized believer, as milk for them whilst Babes, Act. 19. 5, 6. Act. 8. 16, 17. compared with Heb. 5. 12, 13. and 6, 1, 2.
Quer. 6. You desire to know, (seeing that Heb. 6. 2. speaks of the laying on of hands as plural, as the Doctrine of baptisms; and doth not speak of anyone laying on of hands particularly nor any other distinction, neither of any end, purpose, or event) what safety is it for any man to conclude, that this in Hebrews is meant but of one of them only?
Answ. 6. To this, I Answer you, first of all, as our Lord and Master Jesus Christ answered the chief Priests, & Scribes, and Elders, as he was walking in the Temple at Jerusalem, Mark 11. 28, 29, 30. Saying, I will ask you one question, which whether you answer me or no, I will proceed to the further discovery of the safety of concluding that this in Heb. 6. 2. is meant but of one of these only in the practice, as to be ministered as milk for Babes, and likewise of that one of gifting.
Quer. Answ. First, Then how know ye (seeing Heb. 6. 2. speaks of Baptismes as plural, as well as laying on of hands, and doth not speak of any one baptisme particularly, nor any other distinction, neither any end, purpose, or event, more then laying on of hands doth, That it is safe for any one to conclude, that it is meant but of one of them particularly, and that of that you practice?
Answ. 2. Secondly, That this is meant (particularly) as milk for Babes, but one of them, and that of this one of gifting, I thus prove.
First, That in Luke 21. 12. before mentioned, is no foundation-Principle to be practised by the Servants of Christ as milk for babes, as you may see if you look into it.
Secondly, That in Mark. 16. 18. and Acts 28. 8. and 19. 17. is no more in the practice milk for babes, then the former; but rather meat for strong men, that were to go forth, and after Christ, first to divulge the Gospel of peace, whereby they were to be confirmed as Christians, to deliver in truth the word of God, Act. 2. 22. Heb. 6. 3. 4.
Thirdly, That in Act. 6. 6. is no more here meant as aforesaid, then either of the former to be this milk for babes; because it properly appertaineth to particular men, set apart to particular Offices for the well being of the Church of Christ, but this as milk to all as babes in Christ, 1 Pet. 2. 2. Heb. 5. 12. and 6. 1, 2. and 1 Cor. 3. 1, 2.
Fourthly, That in Act. 13. 3. is no more here meant as aforesaid to be milk for babes, or particularly a foundation-Principle of the doctrine of Christ, then any of the former; because it no more appertaineth unto babes, but strong men, even those spoken of in Heb. 5. 14. who by reason of use, had their senses exercised in discerning good or evil, who were made sit to be imployed in the work of the ministery, therefore to be separated after that manner thereunto; such I say, as were gone beyond these spoken of in Heb. 5. 12. being in a capacity of teaching others, having no need of laying againe in them the foundation of the Doctrine of Christ, therefore neither can this be that meant in Heb. 6. 2. as the foundation or beginning principle which is milk for babes, Heb. 5. 12, 13. and 6. 1, 2.
Fifthly, and lastly, seeing none of these as aforesaid can be that laying on of hands here meant, and this of gifting 1 Tim. 4. 14. Act. 19. 6. Act. 8. 17. may for the reasons following, it will be safe for all men to conclude, that this in Hebrews is meant (as aforesaid, which is practically) but of one of them onely, and that of gifting.
First, Because every babe is capable hereof, which they are not of the former.
Secondly, Because every babe hath need thereof, which they have not of the former.
Thirdly, Because we finde examples for it, Act. 19. 6. Act. 8. 17. as to babes with the annexion of the reward of the submission.
Quer. 7. Seeing, say you, many draw inferences or deductions (as they call them) from Heb. 6. 2. to maintain one laying on of hands onely, and none of them upon the forementioned considerations, neither in the end, purpose, or event, therefore we desire to know, whether you judge it a command of our Lord Christ, that any mans inference or deduction should be of binding force in point of faith or obedience.
Answ. 7. To this I answer, that I have now hopes you will be fully satisfied (as well as I) and them also that occasioned your writing, of the probability both of the end, purpose, and event of the last of these, of being both expected and injoyed.
Secondly, To the second part of your Quere; If there be occasion for to answer it, I judge not that any mans inference or deduction, as you tearm it from one phrase of Scripture, should be so, father then other Scriptures, comparing spritual things with spiritual, 1 Cor. 2. 12, 13. do clearly infer the same.
Quer. 8. You desire to know of them, what they will refer you to, as a sure rule to try inferences or deductions, because the best of men are liable to mistakes.
Answ. 8. To this I answer again, to the word of truth, wherein we are directed by the Spirit of truth, Iohn 16. 13. 1 Cor. 12. 8, 10. received from God through the laying on of hands, Act. 19. 6. without which Spirit ye can do nothing, 1 Cor. 2. 10, 11. Wherefore I shall in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of the eternal God, and elder brother to the Saints of God, with all meekness humbly intreat you to take into serious consideration the Scriptures I have inserted, and let me beg your thoughts upon them, manifesting thereby the reality of what you have professed in your paper, viz. your unfained search after the truth as it is in the doctrine of Jesus: consider these, I say, I have inserted, those I shall insert, with all others to the aforesaid purpose you (Berean-like) may, and ought to search for, Act. 17. 11. John 5. 39. and be perswaded in love to submit unto the will of God in this particular, which is his approved-of way; for his bestowing of his Spirit upon us, Act. 8. 17. in what measure he shall please, 1 Cor. 12. 11. to the searching out of all things, even the deep things of God, 1 Cor. 2. 10. without which it is impossible to know them, 1 Cor. 2. 11, 12. Wherefore if you have any consolation in Christ, if any comfort in love, if the least fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercy, fulfil ye my joy, by being like minded with us in practising of all the commands of all the commands of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, that you with us may be his friends indeed, Iohn 15. 14. This in love I leave with you, and proceed to a general Exhortation.
A General Exhortation to all Baptized Churches, not yet under the practice, according to the rule of the word of God, as a foundation-principle of the Doctrine of Christ, of laying on of hands.
In the name of the eternal God, do I beseech you, O ye baptized Churches, to the Law and to the testimonies, Isa. 8. 23. and there examine you your practices, trying, I say, if you be in the faith or no, 2 Cor. 13. 5. which that you may do, as I have in love exhorted the world, in a general exhortation about a year ago; so with the same affection, and much more, do I exhort you to examine your principles, or foundation upon which you build that fabric, which you call the temples of the most high God; if it be right, it is agreeable to the rule and measure of the word, without adding or diminishing, which is the rule and square, without which we may not, nay we cannot build the house of God, 1 Cor. 3. 11. compared with Eph. 2. 20. 2. Cor. 10. 13, 14, 15. Rev. 11. 1. and 21. 15. Heb. 8. 5. Wherefore with all earnestness of spirit, I beseech you take up the rule, or read the word of God, and measure by way of examination your foundation; since if it be not the foundation already laid in the word of truth, it is not the foundation of Christianity, since other foundation can no man lay then what is laid, of which Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone, 1 Cor. 3. 11. with Eph. 2. 30. Wherefore examine if you have laid your foundation with this corner-stone, and repentance from dead works, faith towards God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgement as principles, Heb. 6. 1, 2. if not, know ye, according to the discovery of the word of truth, that whether ye leave out the chief corner-stone or principle, or whether ye leave out repentance from dead works, or baptisms, or laying on of hands, or any other; ye thus teaching and practsing, alter the foundation of the doctrine of Christ, as much as in you lyeth: but you cannot alter it, it is not his but your own. Nevertheless, with the Apostle, I have confidence concerning you, that ye will do the things commanded us of God, 2 Thes. 3. 4. by Christ and them that heard him, Heb. 2. 3. although as yet ye do them but in part, wherefore consider I pray you, first, that he which offendeth in one point, is guilty of all, James 2. 10.
2. That they are lyers, whosoever they be, and how fairly soever they pretend, that keep not the commands of God; and the truth is not in them, 1 Joh. 2. 4.
Wherefore what shall we think of some that say they are Christians, and are not built up upon the foundation of the doctrine of Christ? Rev. 3. 9.
Now therefore seeing you have left out but one Principle of this foundation, and cannot truely build the house of God without it, because upon no other but its own, take to your selves this principle of Laying on of hands as milk for babes, Heb, 5. 12, 13. & 6. 1, 2. of so much use, and so great concernment to the Saints of God as it is, it being God's ordinary way of bestowing gifts upon them, Acts 8. 17, 18. & 19. 6. Wherefore I beseech you that none of you neglect any longer that a gift should be given you by the Laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, 1 Tim. 1. 14. but submitting thereunto, expect that some useful gift or gifts should be given you to profit withal, as many of your friends have both expected, and found made good unto them, as they also had in Acts 19. 6. enjoying the gifts of knowledge, faith, or prophecie; and though not of tongues, which served for signes, 1 Cor. 14. 22. yet of useful gifts for the Church of God to profit withal, according to 1 Cor. 12. 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. which place consider.
Wherefore, would we have our knowledge increased, our faith increased, our gifts enlarged, and we our selves vindicated from being justly charged with being disobeyers of the Commands of God, takers away of the childrens milk, layers aside of one of the Principles of the foundation of Gods house, which we should build withal; which before we have laid, we cannot go on unto perfection, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Let us all with joynt consent own the foundation of Christs doctrine; and own it so, that whoever brings any other, and not the same, whether added to or diminished from, let us not countenance him, by receiving of him into our houses, or bidding of him God speed, 2 Joh. 10. 11. for he comes under the curse, Rev. 22. 18, 19.
Therefore, O my friends, I humbly beg you to consider the dangerous consequence of altering the foundation that God himself hath laid, by taking from, or adding to the same foundation; hoping and praying to God the Father, through our Lord Christ, for a practical answer, through his enabling of you, with readiness and willingness to close herewith, that you may indeed be the people of the Lord our righteousness, Psal. 110. 3. Joh. 15. 14. I rest,
A cordial friend to you, and all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and in the truth thereof keep his commandments, wheresoever they be.
In the name of the eternal God, do I beseech you, O ye baptized Churches, to the Law and to the testimonies, Isa. 8. 23. and there examine you your practices, trying, I say, if you be in the faith or no, 2 Cor. 13. 5. which that you may do, as I have in love exhorted the world, in a general exhortation about a year ago; so with the same affection, and much more, do I exhort you to examine your principles, or foundation upon which you build that fabric, which you call the temples of the most high God; if it be right, it is agreeable to the rule and measure of the word, without adding or diminishing, which is the rule and square, without which we may not, nay we cannot build the house of God, 1 Cor. 3. 11. compared with Eph. 2. 20. 2. Cor. 10. 13, 14, 15. Rev. 11. 1. and 21. 15. Heb. 8. 5. Wherefore with all earnestness of spirit, I beseech you take up the rule, or read the word of God, and measure by way of examination your foundation; since if it be not the foundation already laid in the word of truth, it is not the foundation of Christianity, since other foundation can no man lay then what is laid, of which Christ Jesus is the chief corner stone, 1 Cor. 3. 11. with Eph. 2. 30. Wherefore examine if you have laid your foundation with this corner-stone, and repentance from dead works, faith towards God, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection from the dead, and eternal judgement as principles, Heb. 6. 1, 2. if not, know ye, according to the discovery of the word of truth, that whether ye leave out the chief corner-stone or principle, or whether ye leave out repentance from dead works, or baptisms, or laying on of hands, or any other; ye thus teaching and practsing, alter the foundation of the doctrine of Christ, as much as in you lyeth: but you cannot alter it, it is not his but your own. Nevertheless, with the Apostle, I have confidence concerning you, that ye will do the things commanded us of God, 2 Thes. 3. 4. by Christ and them that heard him, Heb. 2. 3. although as yet ye do them but in part, wherefore consider I pray you, first, that he which offendeth in one point, is guilty of all, James 2. 10.
2. That they are lyers, whosoever they be, and how fairly soever they pretend, that keep not the commands of God; and the truth is not in them, 1 Joh. 2. 4.
Wherefore what shall we think of some that say they are Christians, and are not built up upon the foundation of the doctrine of Christ? Rev. 3. 9.
Now therefore seeing you have left out but one Principle of this foundation, and cannot truely build the house of God without it, because upon no other but its own, take to your selves this principle of Laying on of hands as milk for babes, Heb, 5. 12, 13. & 6. 1, 2. of so much use, and so great concernment to the Saints of God as it is, it being God's ordinary way of bestowing gifts upon them, Acts 8. 17, 18. & 19. 6. Wherefore I beseech you that none of you neglect any longer that a gift should be given you by the Laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, 1 Tim. 1. 14. but submitting thereunto, expect that some useful gift or gifts should be given you to profit withal, as many of your friends have both expected, and found made good unto them, as they also had in Acts 19. 6. enjoying the gifts of knowledge, faith, or prophecie; and though not of tongues, which served for signes, 1 Cor. 14. 22. yet of useful gifts for the Church of God to profit withal, according to 1 Cor. 12. 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. which place consider.
Wherefore, would we have our knowledge increased, our faith increased, our gifts enlarged, and we our selves vindicated from being justly charged with being disobeyers of the Commands of God, takers away of the childrens milk, layers aside of one of the Principles of the foundation of Gods house, which we should build withal; which before we have laid, we cannot go on unto perfection, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Let us all with joynt consent own the foundation of Christs doctrine; and own it so, that whoever brings any other, and not the same, whether added to or diminished from, let us not countenance him, by receiving of him into our houses, or bidding of him God speed, 2 Joh. 10. 11. for he comes under the curse, Rev. 22. 18, 19.
Therefore, O my friends, I humbly beg you to consider the dangerous consequence of altering the foundation that God himself hath laid, by taking from, or adding to the same foundation; hoping and praying to God the Father, through our Lord Christ, for a practical answer, through his enabling of you, with readiness and willingness to close herewith, that you may indeed be the people of the Lord our righteousness, Psal. 110. 3. Joh. 15. 14. I rest,
A cordial friend to you, and all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, and in the truth thereof keep his commandments, wheresoever they be.
John More.
FINIS.
London, Printed for Richard Moone, at the seven Stars in Pauls's Church-yard, near the great Northdoor. 1653
FINIS.
London, Printed for Richard Moone, at the seven Stars in Pauls's Church-yard, near the great Northdoor. 1653
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