their doctrine, 1 John iv. 1. Particular doctrines whereby men may be tried, are many: I will name some briefly, because I intend this work no further than to this one exercise. Therefore,

The true apostles never did decry the Scriptures, but under God and Christ, did exalt the Scriptures. They called them the word of God, Rom. ix. 6; 2 Cor. iv. 2. They told us that the Scriptures are a sufficient rule, and able to make us wise unto salvation, 2 Tim. iii. 14, 16, 17. That they are the only rule and judge of all doctrines, whereby we are to try the same, according to that of the prophet Isaiah; "To the law, and to the testimony; if any one walk not according to this rule, there is no light in him,” chap. viii. That these Scriptures may be expounded, 2 Peter i. 20. The apostles never did deny the original, saying, I deny the Hebrew, or I deny the Greek; but often cited the original Hebrew; yea, the Septuagintal Greek. This was the true apostle's doctrine in regard of the scripture.

As for Christ: The true apostles never did deny the Deity of Christ, whilst he lived here on earth; nor the humanity of Christ in heaven. But for his Deity, the apostle tells us, that he is very God, and the only wise God, 1 John v. 20.

And for the body of Christ: The true apostles tell us, that he did not only rise from the dead, but his body ascended, and that he is man still, 2 Tim. ii. 5, "There is one Mediator, the man Jesus Christ."

As for the ordinances: The apostles never did deny the ordinances; but have told us that the ministration of the gospel, is more glorious than that of Moses, because this was to continue, 2 Cor. iii.; they did not destroy, but erect these ordinances, by commission from Christ, "As I have ordained in all the churches," saith Paul. And more particularly, they did not deny the ministry, not the being of a settled ministry, Rom. xii. 7, though by the hand of man: Titus i., "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest ordain elders in every city:" nor the maintenance, the settled maintenance of ministers, 1 Cor. xi. 14, "Even so hath the Lord ordained, that those that preach the gospel, should live on the gospel." As they did not deny the ministry, so they did not deny water baptism: but they rather called for water baptism, because Cornelius had received the Spirit, Acts x. 47. They did not lay a necessity

upon the disciples, to be plunged into the river or water; for the jailor and Cornelius were baptized in their houses: nor did they ever forbid infant baptism, but tell us that children of believers are holy, 2 Cor. vii. As the true apostles did not deny water baptism, so they did not cry down the Lord's supper, but tell us plainly, that thereby we hold forth the Lord's death till he come. As they did contend for the supper, so they commanded singing: 1. That the whole church should sing; for the whole church of Ephesus, and the whole church of Colosse, are commanded to sing, Eph. v. 18; Col. iii. 16. 2. That the whole church should sing the Psalms of David; for by those titles, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, the Psalms of David are distinguished. 3. That this singing should be performed with an audible voice, and not in the heart only; for saith the apostle in the same scriptures, "Speaking and singing with grace in your hearts." 4. That these psalms, or hymns, or spiritual songs, should be sung by many together; not by one alone, but by the whole church; for the evangelist tells us, that Christ, and his disciples, sung a hymn, and so went out after supper: if only one sang, and the rest consented, then that one was Christ, or some one of his disciples; Christ it was not, for if he had sung a hymn, it would have been said, that he sung, and the hymn would have been set down; as it is said, he prayed, and his prayer recorded, John xvii. Nor was it one of the disciples, for as yet the Holy Ghost was not fallen upon them, to gift them with spiritual gifts; neither can it be said, that the word vpvnoavles, should be translated, Praised; and when they had praised, &c. For when it is to be so translated, then it is joined with an accusative case, as Heb. ii. 12, but they all sang, audibly, and together. Thus the true apostles of Christ, were for, and not against the ordinances of Christ.* As for the doctrine of justification: The true apostles preached for justification by imputed righteousness, and by faith, in opposition to works, Rom. iv.

They never preached, or told us that there is a light in

* Affirmabant autem hanc fuisse summam vel culpæ suæ vel erroris quod essent soliti stato die ante lucem convenire carmenque Christo quasi Deo dicere secum invicem.-Plin. Epist. ad Trajan.

Vel communi voce dicere. Magdeburgens. Hist. Cent. ii. cap. 6.

every man, which followed, will bring to salvation: indeed the evangelist saith, That Christ, as God, enlighteneth every one that comes into the world; the wicked with the light of reason and understanding; the godly with the light of grace: and the apostle saith, that the grace of God hath appeared to all men, that is, both Jews and gentiles; but doth not say, that the grace of God hath appeared to all particular men but he saith, The whole world lies in wickedness ; and a natural man doth not perceive the things of God, neither can he.

They never preached, that any man might be perfect, so as to be without sin in this life, but the contrary; saying, "If any man say, he hath no sin, he deceives himself, and there is no truth in him," 1 John i. 8; he doth not say, and there is no humility in him, though it be pride to say so; but there is no truth in him.* And again, the apostle James, "In many things we offend all," chap. iii. 2. And again, "We see and know but in part," 1 Cor. xiii. 9, they acknowledge indeed a perfection of uprightness: but the true apostles never placed any perfection in monastical virginity, or abstaining from meats, cuffs, points, and laces.† But says the apostle, Col. ii. 18, "Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility, and in being subject to ordinances: as touch not, taste not, handle not: which all perish in the using, after the commandments and doctrines of men. Which things indeed have a shew of wisdom, in will-worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body," ver. 19—23.

The true apostles never preached against respect unto magistrates, parents, and masters. Indeed our Saviour Christ says, "Call no man your father; neither be ye called masters" but master, he tells us at verse 8, is all one with rabbi: now these rabbins were their sect-masters, who were the masters of their faith; and such a father and master, no man ought to be: but otherwise the apostle saith, "Children obey your parents; honour thy father: and ser

* Poterat enim apostolus dicere, si dixerimus, quod non habemus peccatum nos ipsos extollimus, et humilitas in nobis non est, sed cum ait nos ipsos decipimus et veritas in nobis non est satis ostendit eum qui sic dixerit non verum loqui sed falsum.-Concil. Milevit. Cau. 6.

Nunc bene vivitur si sine crimine sine peccato autem si quis vivere se existtimet mon id agit, ut peccatum non babebat, sed ut veniam non accipiat.Austin.

vants, be subject to your masters.' And did not Paul the apostle call himself, a wise master-builder? Acts xxvi. 25, Paul calleth Festus, most noble Festus; and Agrippa, King Agrippa. And chap. xxvii., he saith to them that were in the ship with him, "Sirs, I perceive that voyage will be dangerous" and again, verse 21, "He stood forth in the midst, and said, Sirs" and yet again, verse 25, "Wherefore, Sirs ;" or excellent men, be of good comfort, &c.

The true apostles never preached against the resurrection and ascension of the body, but make the doctrine of the resurrection a fundamental article of our faith, 1 Cor. xv., yea, they tell us, that Christ did not only rise, but ascend with his body; and that our bodies shall remain bodies in heaven, as Christ's doth, Phil. iii. 20, "Who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be like to his glorious body."

The apostles never preached that there is no place of heaven and hell after death: but as they received of Christ, so they delivered truth unto us. Now Christ saith expressly; "Go ye cursed into everlasting torment, prepared for the devil, and his angels: and Come ye blessed, inherit the kingdom of the Father, prepared for you before the foundation of the world."

These were the doctrines of the apostles, and the true teachers of the gospel. Doth any man therefore say, I now come unto you from God, and God hath sent me? And doth he say, there is no other heaven, nor hell, than what is in this life? Or doth he preach against the resurrection and ascension of our bodies? Or doth he preach against respect unto magistrates, and civil relations? Or coth he tell you of a light within all men, which is able to bring them to salvation? Doth he preach perfection, saying, that man may be perfect, and without sin in this life? Or doth he tell you of justification by somewhat within you? Or doth he cry down, degrade, and vilify the ordinances of Christ, ministry, water baptism, Lord's supper, and singing? Or doth he deny the Deity of Christ on earth; or the humanity of Christ in heaven? Or doth he preach down the Scripture by telling you, that the light and spirit within you is your rule? Surely this person is a false apostle, and a false teacher. Thus you may try a man by his doctrine.

A teacher also may and must be tried by his life and fruits;

for saith our Saviour, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves: ye shall know them by their fruits," Matt. vii. 15, 16. As ye know a tree, not by the leaves, but by the fruit; so, saith he, ye shall know these men, not by their first profession, but by their after works and ways and fruits.

But if they go in sheep's clothing, how shall I know they are wolves?

Yes; for though their clothing be the sheep's, yet they have the nature and disposition of wolves, the voice, howling and barking of wolves, and the practice of wolves.

The nature of a wolf, though he be in sheep's clothing, is fierce and cruel. So is the nature, spirit and disposition of the false teacher: 2 Tim. iii. 3, "Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good: of this sort are they (ver. 6) which creep into houses, and lead silly women captive," &c.

The voice of the wolf doth betray him; he howls as the sheep do not, and barks at the shepherds. So do false teachers do, they resist the truth, as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, and are continually barking at and speaking evil of the true ministers of the gospel, and shepherds of the sheep. It is recorded of Philip of Macedon, when he laid siege to Athens, that he sent word into the city, that if they would send out ten of their orators, he would be at peace with them. Whereupon Demosthenes rose up in the senate, and said, If the wolves come to the fold, and tell the sheep, that they will be at peace with them, if they will send away all their dogs and shepherds, will the sheep do it? No, the great design of the wolf is to part the sheep from the shepherd. Those therefore that come in sheep's clothing, and cry out against the true ministry of Christ, are no true sheep, but wolves.

The wolf, though he be in sheep's clothings, doth tear and rend the sheep; he cometh not in by the door; and when he is come in, then he doth devour the poor sheep. And so it is with false teachers, they come not in by the door of a lawful call, and they bite and devour and destroy the faith of some.*

* Oilives egxovrai #gos vμas, Matt. vii. 13, qui venient ex seipsis legitime non missi, de quibus Jer. xxii. 21, currebant et non mittebam.-Luc. Brugens. in Matt. vii. 15.