f ' /' · f.be · Preface~ evidence given therein unto the Truth of thofe PJ:~:; dietions of the Scripture wherein this fatal Apoftacy from the ,Truth, and oppofition unto the Lord Ch~ift, are foretold ': And fecondly, an eminent Inftance ofhis Power and Fa~thfulnefs iri the difa.ppointLnent and con- · quefl: of the Gates ofHell, in the management of this oppofition. B:ut they have been all reckoned up, and. digefl:ed into · methods of tinie and tnatter, by many Learned men ofold, and of late, fo that I iliall not in, this occaftonal Difcourfe, reprefent them unto the Rea.. der again. Only I fhall give a brief Account of the· waies and means whereby they who retained the Profef– :fion of the Truth, contended for it unto a conquefl: over: the perniciousHerefies v;here\Vithit.was oppofed.. The Defence ofthe 'Truth from the beginning, was left in charge unto, and tnanaged by the Guides and Rulers of the Church in their feveral capacities. And by the Scripture it was that they difcharged their Duty:,' confirm.ed with Apoftolical 'fradition confonant there– unto. This was left in charge _unto them by the great Apoflle, AB. 20. 28, 29, 3o, 3 1. 1 Tim.6. I 3, I 4·· 1 Tim. 2. I,2,I5,23,24.chap.4.1,2,J,4· And wherein any of them failed in this Duty, they were reproved b~ifl:: himfelf, ~Y· 2. 14,1 ) , 2 o. Nor were privat{} Believers in their phces and capacities, either utiable for this Du– ty, or exempt from it, but difcharged themfelves faith-– fully therein, according unto coJ!lmanclment gi~en,_ untJil)
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