A Glass for the Times  
By Which According to the Scriptures, you may clearly behold the true Ministers of Christ, how fare differing from false Teachers.  
WITH A brief Collection of the Errors of our Times, and their Author's Names. Drawn from their own writings.  
ALSO Proofs of Scripture by way of Confutation of them, by sundry able Ministers.  
Collected by T. C. a Friend to Truth.  
LONDON, Printed by Robert Ibbitson. 1648.   

The Gospel's Minister gifted, and made an able overseer, and sent, Rom. 10.11. For,  
HIs great labour is compared to a Steward; As good Stewards, etc. 1 Cor. 4.1. To a Shepherd, John 21.16. Peter feed my sheep. To a Watchman, jer. 6.17. They watch for your souls. To a Prophet, Matth. 10.41. He that receives a Prophet. To an Apostle, the 12.28. His abilities are answerable; To explain the word. To convince the soul. To reach the affections. To build up, nourish and cherish Christ's members by Application, Information, Exhortation, Reproof and comfort. Having the light of knowledge, heat of zeal, and influence of virtue in life and doctrine; being filled with zeal for God's glory, and zealously compationate towards poor lost souls.  

The Word delivered by such a Minister, is a sovereign salve for every sore; Compared as followeth,  
To a Medicine for the wounded, Psalm 119.10.  
To a Lantern for the ignorant, Psal. 119.5.  
To a Guide for our feet in the way of peace, Luke 1.79.  
To a Bit to curb the unruly, james 1.26.  
To a twoedged sword for the Christian soldier, Heb. 4.12.  
To a Treasure. 2 Cor. 4 7. We have this Treasure in, etc.  
To a Key or Inlet to glory; Matth. 16.19.  
To Wine, to revive and cheer the heart, Matth. 19.17.  
To water to wash the defiled, Heb. 10.21. Revel. 22.17.  
To Fire to warm the frozen hearted, Luke 24.32.12.35.  
To Salt to season the unsavoury, Matth. 5.15.  
To Rain, Isa. 55.10.11. As the rain upon the Earth, etc.  
To Milk for babes, Luk 9.54.  
To Honey, Psal. 19.10. Doubtless no honey in my mouth, etc.  
To everlasting Food, John 6.27 Its meat that perisheth not.   
Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth to everlasting life.  
The entrance of thy word giveth light,  Psal. 119.130.  

False Prophets not gifted, unable, and not sent; For their deceitful and soule-murthering opinions may be compared as followeth,  
TO seducers, 2 Tim. 3.13. To corrupters. To deceitful workers, 2 Cor. 11.13. To railers and wresters of Scripture, 2 Pet. 3.16. To hypocrites. To liars, Revel. 2.2. To Antichrist, 1 john 2.18. To belly-servers, Rom. 16.18. To pernicious false teachers, 2 Pet. 2.2. In the 2 Tim. 3.8. They are called men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the Faith. To cunning crafty creepers into houses, 2 Tim. 3.6, 7, 8, 9  
The Doctrine delivered by such, is compared,  
To the doctrine of devils, 1 Tim. 4.1, 2. To damnable heresies, 2 Pet. 2.1. To feigned speeches. To a pernicious evil. To perverse dispute, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5. To fables, 2 Tim. 4.3, 4. To windy doctrine, Eph 4.14. Thus teaching things they ought not, speaking lies in hypocrisy, 1 Tim. 4.2.  

From which corrupt fountain proceeds these pernicious errors mentioned; in the Testimony of the London Ministers, viz.  
Against the Divine Authority of the holy Scriptures.  
Against the Nature and Essence of God.  
Against the Trinity of persons in unity of Essence.  
Against the Deity of the Son of God.  
Against the Deity, and the divine worship of the Holy Ghost.  
Against God's eternal decree of Election and Reprobation.  
Concerning original sin, and Christ our Mediator.  
Touching universal or general Redemption.  
About natural man's freewill, and power to good supernatural.  
Against the true nature and ground of Faith and Justification.  
Touching those that are in Christ, in reference to the moral Law to sin and perfection.  
Errors against the Ordinances of Christ in general.  
Against the Lord's day, Sabbath, against Baptism.  
Against lawful oaths, touching Marriage and divorce  
Against the souls Immortality, & the being of Heaven or hell now.  
About a general Toleration, promoting all kind of error and heresies under the pretence of Liberty of Conscience.    

A collection of the Errors of our Times.  
Together with the Author's names, drawn from their own writings.  
To which is added proofs of Scripture by way of Confutation of them, by sundry able Ministers.  
THe error of Laurence Clarkson cited in London's Testimony. pag. 5. That the Scriptures in the true Manuscript is but humane, and so not able to discover a Divine God. Confutation, Exod. 31.18.32.16. john 5.39. Rom. 3.2.  
Error of J. G. 

1 That no writing whatsoever, whether Translation or Originals, are the foundation of Christian Religion. joh. 5 46, 47.  
2 To believe the Scriptures in English to be God's Word, is no foundation of Christian Religion, Confuta. Acts 18.28.    
Error of john Bidle. 

1 To take God otherwise then personally, is to mistake him. Confut. Deut. 6.4. Esa. 45.6.  
2 To distinguish between Essence and Person in God, is a wicked distinction. Heb. 1.3. joh. 10.3.  
3 That the Holy Ghost is a created Spirit among the Angels, and no more omnipresent then the devil, and worshipping the Holy Ghost is not allowed in God's word. joh. 3.5. Acts 13.28. Rom. 15, 16.    
Error in Divine light in the book of Comfort for Believers. 

1 That the Father and the Spirit suffered in the Son. Confu. john 1.14.3.16. That more than the Elect shall be saved. Acts 13.48. Rom. 11.5.7.  
2 That God hath more hand in men's sinfulness than they themselves, and is the author of his people's sinfulness. Psal. 5.4. Hab. 1.13. Heb. 10.30.38.    
Error of Paul Best, cited in Lond. Test. 

1 That God the Father is God essentially, the Son visentiall; and  
2 The Holy Ghost potentially. Confut. Acts 5.3, 4. Job 33.4.  
3 That Christ is a mighty God, but not Almighty; John 4.42. Matth. 2.21.  
4 That he is not truly and properly God; 2 Timoth. 1.10. Tit. 2.13.  
5 That the better part of Christ's person is man. Esa. 45.21, 22.  
6 That to make Christ coequal with the Father, is to make a false Christ.    
Error, In the fullness of God's love by L.S. 

1 That if the love of God be limited to a few, it's far from infinite. confut. Eph. 2.4. C. 3.8.  
2 That it is not suitable to God to pick and choose among men to show mercy. Rom. 9.20, 21.  
3 That the reprobate condition of men and Angels shall be regained. Confu. Rom. 9.22. Matth. 25.41.    
Error, in man's mortality, written by R. O. Cit in Lond. Test.  

1 That the soul of Christ was in the Grave. Mat. 27.50. Acts 13.29.  
2 That Christ ascended into the Son. Heb. 1.3. 1 Pet. 3.22.  
3 That whole man is a compound wholly mortal; Gen. 2.7. Mat. 10.28.  
4 That the going of the soul into Hell is a mere fiction. Confutat. Matth. 22.32. 2 Cor. 5.4.  
5. That the soul is mortal, and sleeps with the body.   
Error of P. Hobson, Cit in Lond. Testim. 

1 That Christ was purchased by love. Confu. Heb. 2.12.  
2 That Christ did not purchase love for us. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19    
Error of H. Hammond, Cited in London's Test. That Christ Jesus was given to satisfy for all the sins of all mankind. Confut. Heb. 2.14. Philip 2.8. Gal. 3.13.  
Error of J. S. Cited in London's Testim. 

1 That the Father is a Sabbath commanded to Christians. Confuta. John 20.19.26. Acts 20.7.  
2 That every day is a Sabbath to Christians.  
3 That none ought to give Baptism, because they cannot give the Holy Ghost with it. Matth. 3.11. John 1.33. Acts 19.4.    
Error of M. Web, Cited in the Testimony of London Min. 

1 That John's Baptisine ended at Christ's; Confutat. Matth. 3.11.  
2 That there must be another institution of Baptism, or else it is of no weight. Acts 19.4. joh 1.33. Matth. 28 19    
Error of M. Bacon in the Testimony of London Ministers. 

1 That Baptism is a shadow of Christ; and must go out, as the substance comes in. Confut. 1 Pet. 3.21. Rom. 4.11. Col. 2.12. Rom. 6.4.  
2 That the baptism of Infants is a great delusion, and of as dangerous consequence, as any the man of sin brought into the world. Rom. 11.15, 16, 17. Mark 10.14.    
Error of S. Gorton and R. Williams. 

1 That it is forswearing to swear at all; Confut. jer. 4.1.2.  
2 That it is unlawful to call a wicked man to swear, or pray. Matth. 5.39.    
Error of E. Avery, Cited by the London Ministers. That there is no resurrection of the natural body, but only mystical. That the bodies of flesh belonging to the Saints shall be annihilated, and that the soul is God. That hell is a nonentity. That no souls are yet in hell. That all torments of men and devils are yet to come, that Beasts shall rise again. That devils shall be tormented in the bodies of the wicked. Confutat. john 5.29. job 19.25, 26, 27. 1 Cor. 15.12.13. 1 john 3.2. Col. 3.4. Matth. 25.4.1. jude 6.   

These following are so gross, they need no further Confutation.  
Error of M. Rand. and M. john Simpson. That the moral Law is of no use at all to a believer, no rule for him to walk by; Nor to examine his life by, and that Christians are free from the mandatory power of it.  
Error of M. john Eton in The honey comb. That the Law and Christ are two contrary things, one cannot abide the other. By the Believers are nurtered for heaven, and God fits them for service 〈◊〉 the world by leading them into sins.  
Another gross Error is this, by M. Randall. That he that believeth that Christ hath taken away his sins, is as free without sin as Christ. That it is as possible for Christ to sin as for a child of God to sin. That a child of God need not, nay ought not to ask pardon for his sin; and that it is no less than blasphemy for him, so to do, delivered and maintained by him.  
Error of D. Crispe in his Sermons. That every elect person from the first instant of his being, is as pure in the eyes of God, as he shall be in glory, no more sin is reckoned to him now, then in heaven.  
That the Lord hath not one sin to charge on any elect person, from their first conception, not so much as original sin to be laid on him, though he be in the height of iniquity, and excess of riot, committing all abominations, God hath no more to lay to the charge of such a person then to a Saint Triumphant in glory.  
M. Simpsons' Error. That if a man by the Spirit know himself in the state of Grace, though he be drunk or commit adultery, God sees no sin in him, witness Mr. Gattaker. That God doth not chastise any of his people for sin, nor punish the land for the sin of his people.  
In the assertion of Grace by Rob. Town. That as well our works as persons are perfectly holy and good.  
N. Coulin an Officer in the Army. That a Saint in this life, without any addition hereafter is perfectly just, perfectly holy, and completely glorious in this life, and not capable of any addition after death.  
M. Saltmarsh in the Smoke of the Temple. That the fullness of time is not yet come for Ordinances, there is no Church, no Ordinance yet. They are to begin with gifts and miracles, as in the Apostolic times.  
In the book called, Little Nonsuch, concerning Marriage. The very next of kin may join in Marriage by custom and command, for Sarah was Abraham's sister whom he took to wife.  
In the doctrine of divorce by john Milton. That unfitness or contrariety of mind betwixt man and wife, from a natural cause which hindereth solace and peace are a great reason of divorce.  
Errors concerning general Toleration, and Liberty of conscience in The bloody Tenent, by Williams.  
That Liberty be granted for every man to worship God in that manner as shall appear to them most agreeable to God's word, and no man punished, and that no detriment can come to the Church or State by the toleration of Religion, and why may not Papists be permitted.  
That it is the will and command of God, since the coming of Christ, a permission of the most Jewish, Turkish, or Antichristian consciences and worships be granted to all men in all Nations and Countries.  
By this it appears what damnable and dangerous errors and blasphemies are sprung up amongst us, we have great need to take our Saviour's counsel in Matth. 7.15. to beware of false Prophets, v. the 16. By their fruits ye shall know them, 2 Pet. 2.1. There shall be false Prophets who privily shall bring in damnable heresies.  
For a conclusion and caution against errors, read 2 Tim. the whole third Chapter.  

Verse.  
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  
3 Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God,  
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.  
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,  
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.  
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses: so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.  
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest to all men as theirs also was.  
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, charity, patience,  
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, what persecutions I endured: but out of them all, the Lord delivered me.  
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  
13 But evil men, and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned, and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou haft learned them.  
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.   
Look in the 2 Cor. 11.3. But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  
2 john 8.9, 10. Look to yourselves that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.  
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.  
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed.  Matth. 7.17. Ye shall know them by their fruits: Do men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistles? john 7.17. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Prov. 14.12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man: but the end thereof are the ways of death. 
All the words of Scripture in confutation of them, could not be contained at length in this brief Catalogue, if you turn to them you shall find them pertinent, as a true touchstone distinguishing gold from dross.  
Let this serve for a warning piece to wise Christians, to take heed lest they be corrupted with these notorious Errors of the times, and so fall from their own steadfastness.  
FINIS.