To Cornelius Holland Esquire

TO THE HONOVRABLE, and the true lover of all conscientious Covenantours, that stand up for a through Reformation, according to the word of our good God, in England, and Ireland, CORNELIUS HOLLAND Esquire, a Member of the House of Commons Assembled in Parliament.

SIR,

David describeth the godly man, by his pleasure, and by his paines: First, the pleasure of the godly man, in these words: He delighteth in the Law of the Lord. Secondly, the paines of the godly man: And in that Law he meditateth day and night; not only in the day appointed for man to labor in, but in the night also appointed for man to rest: the reason is, because it is his meat and drink, to do the will of his God. (Honoured Sir) The Word of Christ being the Rule of England's Reformation; the good Lord (that writeth his Laws in his peoples hearts, according to his new Covenant of Grace: Hebrews 8:10.) put it into my mind, seriously to consider, What Schism was, that I had covenanted against. And searching the Scriptures, I found it thus written, (1 Timothy 6:3) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to the wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ; and to the Doctrine which is according to godliness. Verse 4. He is proud, knowing nothing; but doting about Questions, and strife of words; whereof commeth envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. Verse 5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth; supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw yourself. Yes, and after a further enquiry, to understand aright the things that are controverted among us; by the good providence of the Almighty, I found two Texts of holy Scripture, setting forth two sorts of men, Diametrally opposing one another, as light does darkness, truth does falsehood; the one thus written: (1 John 5:1) Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God. And the other, thus; (1 John 2:22) Who is a liar, but he that denieth that Jesus is not the Christ, He is Antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. And when I thought to understand the difference, it was too hard for me, until I went into the Sanctuary of God; where the Father of glory, of his good pleasure, revealed to me (the most unworthiest of all his servants) the truth of that; which (I conceive) is the root of all our Controversies, and gave me to understand the meaning of the Scriptures, (1 John 5:1) Whoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, namely the eternal King, Prophet, Priest of the Church of the new Testament, ratified with his blood, whom the Father of glory has exalted to be Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), and head (Ephesians 2:20, 21, 22, 23), Is born of God. Seeing no man can say, (that is confessed) that Jesus is the Lord but by the holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).

Hence I find it written (John 1:11), Jesus came to his own, but his own received him not, that is, for the Christ, that Messiah which was to come: but only for the Carpenter's son (Matthew 13:58). The reason was, because none could understand that Mystery: but they only to whom the Father of heaven revealed it (Matthew 11:14). Hence, when Jesus demanded of his Disciples? Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am? Peter answereth, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God: Jesus answereth, Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jona; for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you; but my Father in heaven. And you are Peter, and upon this Rock (Jesus the Christ, whom you have confessed) I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:16, 17, 18). Many for fear durst not in those days confess Jesus to be the Christ: Instance the Parents of the blind man: Because the Jews had agreed, that if any did confess, that he was the Christ; He should be put out of the Synagogue (John 9:22). But so many as received him (namely to be the Christ) to them he gave power to be called the sons of God; even to them that believe in his name; which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, But of God (John 1:12, 13). And as for that other Text of the holy Scripture that does universally oppose it the heavenly Father gave me thus to interpret it: (1 John 2:22) Who is a liar, namely born of the evil one, who is a liar, and the father of lies, and abode not in the truth (John 8:14). But he that denieth that JESUS (whom he confesseth died for his sins; and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures) Is not the Christ, namely the anointed King and Prophet of his Church, in all his outward administrations and institutions, in admitting of Members into his spiritual Kingdom, according to his royal Commission (Matthew 28:18, 19; Mark 15:15, 16), though he acknowledge him to be his eternal Priest that ever liveth, to make intercession to God for him (Hebrews 7:25). He is that Antichrist (namely an enemy and adversary to Jesus the Christ) that denieth the Father and the Son. He that denieth the Son's Authority, to be the eternal King, and his Commission to be in force (Matthew 28:18, 19, 20; Mark 15:15, 16), and to be the eternal Prophet; and his word to be the eternal rule for Doctrine and Government; as well as his eternal Priest to reconcile him to God, Denieth the Father, that sanctified the Son, and sent him into the World (John 10:36), and raised him from the dead, and exalted him to be Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). Hence it is (my Honoured friend) First, that in all my writings, I have studied to exalt Jesus the Christ, it being the Primitive Faith once given to the Saints (Matthew 16:16). Secondly, to distinguish Jesus the Christ from all others named with the name of Jesus in Scripture Record: as Joshua is called Jesus (Hebrews 4:8), &c. others. Thirdly, because I find the Scriptures giving that Title to him in divers places.

John confesseth, I am not the Christ (John 1:20). The Woman of Samaria said, I know the Messiah commeth which is called the Christ (John 4:25). Apollos mightily convinced the Jews, shewing by the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ (Acts 18:28). Now that I received from the Lord, I could not but make known to you, You being one of the tender hearted Loyal Covenanters, a Member of that High and Honourable Court, under whose shade Conscientious Covenantours (that contend for the faith of Jesus the Christ, once given to the Saints) find rest.

Know (worthy Sir) that the departure from the faith of Jesus the Christ, is a cause of so many Schisms, and Heresies maintained in the earth. Disdain not therefore to read a little Treatise, called the Difference between the Christian, and Antichristian Church, Delineated according to the Scripture Record, though the truth therein contained (like the Two witnesses, Revelation 11:3) have long mourned in Sackcloth: Yet if God give you a heart to receive it, It will be a Jewel surpassing all earthly Treasure. For if Jesus the Christ be your Prophet to teach you, his heavenly Father will (Matthew 17:5; Acts 3:22, 23). He will then be your King to protect you (Matthew 28:20). Your Priest to intercede for you (John 17:20). Your Judge to acquit you (John 12:48). And if the love of Christ draw you to keep all his Commandements (though in the world you meet with affliction for his sake; yet in Christ you shall find peace) for the Father, Son, and Spirit will dwell in your heart, and take it for the Sanctum Sanctorum, where they will abide to cheer and refresh you (John 14:23). And if you confess him in this world before men: He will confess you before his Father, and proclaim it to your eternal peace and comfort, (Euge bone serve) Well done you good and faithful servant, enter into your Master's joy (Matthew 25:21).

Orpington in Kent, the tenth Month, the first day, 1645. Yours, who contendeth for the faith of Jesus the Christ. FRANCIS CORNWELL