in such danger seeing that if Princes be Hereticall and persecute the godly theire Ministers must follow them and afflict and punish them or loose theire places for when those that cleaue to Gods Word and contend for it are examined they must confesse the truth though it cost them theire liues as our Sauiour here did for when Pilate saide Art thou then a Kinge Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge af if he saide and I can not I must not dâ—nie it For To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth That is indeede to confirme the Truth and euery clause of it whereof this of his Kingdom and office is one with his blood to witnes and seale the truth of it with his blood for though he knew that to confesse this would cost him his life yet he considers that to this ende he was borne and for this cause he came in the world that he should beare witnesse to it with his blood 1. Tim. 6.13 and therefore Saint Paul saith that he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Sealed as ye see with his blood Tolet. in Ioan. VXIII Vt veritatem Dei oftenderet regnum Dei manifestarer ac tyrannidem Diaboli dolos ejus detegeret to make his witnesse the more effectuall Seeing indeede he came into the world as Tolet saith that he might shew the truth of God and manifest the Kingdom of God and discouer the tiranie of the deuil and his deceits whereby he deceiueth men whether by his owne suggestions or by his Ministers the teachers and maintainers of idollatrie errours For to this purpose the Sonne viz. the Word the Truth of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the deuill He came to confound all theese in this that he came to beare witnesse vnto Gods Kingdom vnto Gods Truth whereby all theese are confounded and those also that liue as if they were borne to noe other ende and for noe other cause came into the world then to flatter daube and temporise with sinnes and errours or which is as bad frowardly to contest against the truth with sophisticated arguments praeuaricating shifts for that they might all be sure of it and repenting receiue and confesse the Truth in all things he heere inforceth the certaintie of it with a kinde of ingemination or reinforcing of his asseueration to the Soules of men as if they could neuer enough marke remember this point saying to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth O thou eternall and almightie Sonne of God Heb. 1.2 by whome he made the worlds thou heyre of all things the brightnes of thy Fathers glorie and the expresse Image of his person thou that thoughtest it noe roberie to be held equall with God surely it was for some greate ende that thou wast borne of a Woman for some greate cause that thou camest in the World Lord let vs know it let vs heare it ô thou Kinge of Saints that wee neither despise nor slight and neglect it thou tellest vs with a witnesse and a deere witnesse it was to thee for thou sealest it with thy most pretious blood shed in the greatest paines the greatest sufferings that euer any felt in this world to see if yet wee will receiue the truth and the loue thereof 2. Thess 2.10.11 that wee may be saued and not be giuen ouer to beleeue a lye for this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Some man will say If it were to this ende that he came and thus sealed the truth what Christian is there that will not receiue the loue of the Truth that will not in all matters of faith and saluation heare his voice obey it and so receiue his testimonie I answer thou hearest him affirme it and reinforce it what then needes further witnes Luk. 19.10 for if thou say The Sonne of man came to seeke to saue that which was lost That is by shewing them Gods Truth and bearing witnesse to it and so loosing the prisnors bound and lost in the prison of sinne errour * Sedebas o homo in tenebrosis vmbra mortis per ignorantiam veritatis sedebas vinctus catenis delictorum Bernar. de ordine vitae Nos de Adam caeci nati sumus illo illuminate opus habemus Aug. in Ioan. trac 34. Act. 26.18 Mar. 10.46 Gal. 4.4 and ignorance Ioh. 12.48 He came a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not abide in darkenesse but should haue the light of life to make them children of the light God sent him for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. but that was to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance amonge them which are sanctified through faith that is in him Not otherwise The Sonne of man came to minister and giue his life a ransom for many but that was to minister the Word and to witnesse that his death was a ransom for many to seale that truth in his blood God sent his Sonne made of a Woman to redeeme them that were vnder the Law and thereby Seruants obnoxious to sinne death that they might receiue the adoption of sonnes but that is by receiuing the Word the Truth who to as many as receiue him Ioh. 1.12 giueth power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleene on his Name viz. on the Word by letting them * Chap. 8.32.34.36 Character of a Christian pag. 325. c. know the Truth that the truth might make them free and free indeede from sinne Satan errours snaring scruples c. There is noe true freedom but what the Truth giueth and it must needes be true if the Truth giue it As he there saith If the Sonne therefore shall make you free Ye shall be free indeede Thereby shewing himselfe to be the Truth as Augustine proueth on Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy Truth thy Word is Truth August in 10. trac 108. To this Truth he bare witnesse and this Truth freeth beeing beleeued knowne and receiued with loue So was it with the Corinthians who beeing inriched in all knowledge Paul saith the testimonie of Christ was confirmed in them 1. Cor. 1.6 which that wee might so receiue and obey in all that it teacheth and euery part of it he bare witnesse to it with his blood Which therefore indeede is called the blood of the Testament sealed confirmed and dedicated in blood Heb. 9.18.19 Wherevpon neither was the first Testament dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken euery precept he tooke the blood of Calues and sprinckled both the booke and the
people saying this is the blood of the Testament which God hath enioyned vnto you That was a type of this Testament sealed and dedicated to all mākinde in Christs blood which sprinckleth both the Testament as a witnesse and seale of it and the people as redeemed and sealed vnto therefore this blood of the euerlasting couenant is called a witnessing Heb. 12.24 a speaking blood The blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel It witnesseth the Truth of all things declared in the new Testament and so speaketh reconcilliation grace peace life to the consciences of all them that receiue the same Testament and the loue of the Truth therein manifested in all things necessary to saluation See that ye refuse not him that speaketh vers 25. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not wee if wee turne away from him that speaketh from Heauen viz. by this blood and the representatiue signes thereof in his Sacraments therefore Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and theese three agree in one They all witnesse and seale the same thinge they agree in witnesse of one Truth one Testament Ioh. 14.26 chap. 16.13 The Spirit that is the holy Ghost that brought all things to the mindes of the Apostles that Christ had told them and that witnesseth the same Word and noe other vnto vs for he guided them into all Truth he was not to speake of himselfe but to take of Christs and shew vnto them nothing but that which Christ had * Ioh. 15.15 made knowne vnto them saue only that he should shew them things to come viz. touching the comming of the man of sinne his lying wonders him that letted Seducing Spirits that should forbid marriage and some meates the seauen seales the 7. Triumpets the 7. Vials the Dragon with tenne hornes the Beast his marke them that receiue it Babylons Ruin and the like Whereof our Lord speaketh when he saith I haue yet many things to say vnto you Ioh. 16.12 but ye can not beare them now theese can not be as the greate whore and her members most impudently affirme the traditions of the Church of Rome as inuocation of saints single life of Preists distinction of meates theire obserued fasts and feasts the Popes succession in Peters chaire as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie c. For this is a bold diuination for thire owne proffit any other Hereticks may say as much for theire herefies if that would serue and to disproue them all our Sauiour speaking of things absolutely necessary to saluation saith All things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 15.15 theese the Spirit brought to theire mindes and in theire writings * Act. 20.27 1. Ioh. 1.3 chap. 2.27 Charac of a Christian p. 86.96.106.110 they manifested them to vs and to theese the Spirit beareth witnesse on earth And the water viz. in Baptisme it is a seale of that Couenant and Truth it exhibiteth and witnesseth the same things vissiblie and to the Soule in a sealing signe that the Testament doth And the blood this did Christs bloods shed on the Crosse and this doth the cup in the Sacrament for therefore Christ giueth to the signe the name and sealing virtue of the thinge signified saying This is my blood of the new Testament viz. that witnesseth and confirmeth the truth of it and of all that it offereth and teacheth to youre Soules This cup is the new Testament in my blood the Testament witnessed sealed confirmed and dedicated to you in my blood as the first Testament was in the blood of Calues of Goates c. and therefore Saint Iohn there addeth If wee receiue the witnesse of men 1. Ioh. 5.9 the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he testifieth of his Sonne that is which he testifieth of the Word of the Truth which is his Sonne and which God witnessed and sealed vnto vs not only by voices from Heauen and myracles but also by the blood of his Sonne and now by his Spirit by the water of Baptisme and by the cup in the Lords Supper therefore it is saide Him hath God the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 and therefore John Baptist saith of Christ Ioh. 3.33 He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true that is true in his Word and true in the sealing that he giues to it he iustifieth him in his sayings Rom. 3.4 He that beleeueth him not in euery thinge he hath saide but reiecteth the Testament the Truth in any point of faith and saluation he beleeueth not God but hath made him a liar vers 10. because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne He beleeueth not the witnesse of the Spirit of the water of the cup not the witnes which Christ bare vnto the Truth in his blood he refuseth him that speaketh by theese yea he reiecteth Christ the faithfull and true witnesse and the Seale or marke of God Reu. 1.5 euen the testimonie of Iesus * chap. 19.10 see Character of a Christian pag. 228. receiued by all them that are in a right and saueing manner of the true Church Wherein there is noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation but Gods Testament Noe vaine brags of the spirit but by the Scriptures the * 1. Ioh. 4.1.6 Act. 17.11 1. Thes 5.21 Isa 8.20 Spirits are tried To the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is noe light in them And consequently noe spirit of prophesie in them If a man be well skilled or mightie in the proofes power of the new Testament as Apollos was saide to be mightie in the Scriptures Act. 18.24 then he hath the spirit of prophesie otherwise not for that true member of the true church endued with such excellent knowledge that Iohn would haue worshipped him Reu. 12.9 chap. 19.10 saith I am of thy Brethren the Prophets of them that keepe the sayings of this booke Which expoundeth that I am of thy Brethren that haue the testimonie of Jesus he had nothing else but his Testament he came out from the Arke of his Testament out of that Temple wherein was noe other Word he was powerfull in that nor would he allow any doctrine which was not agreeable thereto to be of the Spirit therefore he saith for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophesie noe other If therefore men bringe not that testimonie they vainly talke of the Spirit of prophesie as Papists for theire traditions Anabaptists for theire dreames and others for theire Heresies wherein they reiect the testimonie of Iesus doe despite to the Spirit of grace Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb.
and consequently to take away both our place and nation Our place that is where our God is somwhat worshipped in sacrifices c. This is somwhat and better this then none at all if wee goe any further to suffer a deale of preaching of a new law and Kingdom that is further from the heathen religion and soe wee may anger them more and loose all seeing in policie to please them wee should rather come neerer them at least in things indifferent Therefore also when Paul preached at Thessalonica Act. 17.5 The Iewes which beleeued not moued with enuie gathered a Company and set all the citie on an vprore and drew out Iason and certaine brethren vnto the rulers of the citie crying Theese that haue turned the World vpside downe are come hither also and theese all doe contrary to the decrees of Cesar saying that there is another King one Iesus Whence wee may see that though they knew that Iesus had longe before left this life yet they wilfully infer that his followers contest to haue him to be another Kinge besides or against Caesar Iewes say that preaching disturbeth Caesars Kingdom and that this Kingdom in the preaching of the Word turned the World vpside downe and soe disturbed dishonoured and endangered Caesars Kingdom And this the high Preist and Elders say of saint Paul We haue found this man a pestilent fellow Act. 24.5 And moâ—eth sedition and a mouer of sedition amonge all the Iewes throughout the World and a ringleader c. That is by preaching Iesus Christ and obedience due to him as if they saide this doctrine maketh them stuborne and seditious against Câ—sar and his ministers This or the like hath beene and euer was the wilfull assertion of all enemies of the truth whether Infidels or Papists and other hereticks and prophane scoffers of preaching and hearing but against this out Sauiour saith my Kingdom is not of this World and consequently hurteth not the tranquilitie of temporall Kingdoms but rather makes them floorish and excell in Iustice and honour as the experience of all ages hath openly shewen in the sight of all traducers of the Word preached And first that the same doth not make nations of a contrarie religion the more ready to inuade them Preaching of the Gospel doth not cause inuaâ—ions or if it doe the more the true preaching of Gods Word is maintained by a Prince in any Kingdom the more doth God defend that Kinge and Kingdom from inuasion and ruin and to the honour thereof turne the destruction vpon his and theire inuaders and enemies Dauid was a greate louer and maintainer of the teaching of Gods Word also of prayer reading holy conference for theese haue theire due and how exceedingly did his Kingdom florish and he prosper and preuaile against the enemies thereof 2. Chro. 1â—2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord He tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and brake downe the Images And coÌ„manded Iudah to seeke the Lord to doe the law the commandemeÌ„t And the KingdoÌ„ was quiet before him Marke here quiet free froÌ„ sedition And wheÌ„ Zerah the Ethiopian came out against him with a thousand thousand and three hundred charets Asa cried vnto the Lord and he smote the Ethiopians before Asa and Iudah So that the Prophet saide to them Chap. 15.2 Chap. 16.2.7 The Lord is with you while you be with him But if ye forsake him he will forsake you as this Asa found when after leauing to trust in God he sought to the Kinge of Syria and relied on him Chap. 17.3.4.6.7.8 The Lord was with Iehoshaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father Dauid sought not to Balaam but to the Lord and Walked in his comandements and tooke away the high places and sent diuers preists and others who tooke the booke of the law of the Lord with them Vers 5.10 and went aboute throughout all the cities of Iudah and taught the people Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdom in his band and all Iudah brought to Iehoshaphat presents he had riches and honour in abundance And the feare of the Lord fell vpon all the Kingdoms of the lands that were round about Iudah so that they made no war against Iehoshaphat but some of the Philistines and Arabians brought him presents and he waxed exceeding greate behold here ye traducers the fruite of due preaching and teaching Hezekiah also did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord Chap. 31.20 21. Chap. 32. Chap. 34. wrought greate reformation amonge the Preists and people to seeke God wherefore he prospered and God deliuered him and his from the greate Host of Senacherib Iosiah also purged Iudah and Ierusalem from the high places renued the couenant betweene God and the people and caused the booke of the Law to be read and obserued Wherefore it was saide to him thou shalt be gathered to thy graue in peace and that euill should not come vpon the citie in his dayes The Emperour Constantine notwithstanding that in a manner all his Predecessors were Pagans most of them persecutors Maxentius and Licinius sharers with him in the Empire heathen Tirants persecutors and his enemies and though besides an infinitie companie of heathen people almost the whole Senate of Rome were of the heathen faction and so continued after him yet did he embrace the Christian Religion fight for it seeke to propogate it called a generall Councell to repres the Arrian heresie afther the councell caused the bookes of the Arrians to be burned and greatly loued and furthered the preaching of the Gospell and all the truest Professors thereof and how exceedingly did God defend him from his mightiest enemies and bringe them into his subiection In so much that some haue thought that that which is spoken in the Reuelation of a man child Reu. 12. which the Church should bringe foorth that should rule all Nations with a rod of yron was fulfilled in him But to come neerer our owne times Popish errour and superstition had greatly corrupted the Christian Religion and doctrine in many parts thereof wheÌ„ God raised vp in France Waldo a meane maÌ„ who yet studdying the Scriptures discouered many of theire errours and abuses and had many followers who were mightely miracalously preserued for a longe time and though in the ende they were vanquished by the Beast that for a time should warre with the Saints ouercome them Reu. 13.7 yet because the Scriptures shew that the Beasts Kingdom must also goe to wrack God at last raised vp against it Luther a Meane Monke a priuate Doctor who notwithstanding that he his Protectour the Duke of Saxonie were exceedingly opposed and persecuted by the Pope the Emperour and other mightie aduersaries yet were they deliuered and wonderfully prospered and preuailed The like might be shewed of diuers other Princes of
get the Appealers booke called in but soe fauourablâ— as the like was neuer seene men must bringe them to the Bishops of â—uerie Diocesse or to theire Chauncellors or to the Chancelors or Vicechancelors of the vniuersities which they knew few oâ—none would doe for who would bringe any to the Appealer himselfe or to B. White and such others to burne them as we 〈◊〉 both Iudges and parties in the cause which made men say it 〈◊〉 longe eare this came and then this was not to suppresse a booke Whereas when any booke hath but neuer so litle touched theire owne glorie or ceremonies what exceeding dilligence hath beene vsed for suppressing it as that of the originall of Idollatries wherein if it were grauted that it was vniustly fathered on Causabon that there was somwhat in it that seemed to make against some of the constitutions rites and ceremonies of the Church of England that the same rites are all tollerable yet how litle is there in that booke that maketh against any of them nauertheles what greate zeale and care was vsed in suppressing of it a most dilligent search was made through the whole companie of the Stationers for them the printer was examined what number were printed he for whome they were printed was examined to what Stationers he deliuered of them how many each man had and they were examined to whome they were sold that soe they might be fetched from the buiers all with such exact care and dilligence that if it had beene the most blasphemous hereticall dangerous booke that euer was published more could hardly haue beene donne to suppresse it Wherein yet if any thinge did touch any rite or ceremonie that was but against things which themselues confesse to be indifferent not matters of faith saluation yet ô the zeale but all this was for theire owne Hierarchie constitutions they fight not soe eagerly against Pelagian and Popish errours which are against the Scriptures in matters of faith and saluation and indeede exceedingly against Gods Kingdom and the Word of his grace the Appealers bookes were not searched for at all when they were called in but euen in the Parliament time to be sold in euery booke sellers shop that would and soe were other Popish Aaminâ—an bookes as the Stationers proued in Parliament and that they licenced and let passe theese but would not license such as in defence of the Truth were written against them that in others they put out whole pages wâ—itteÌ„ to shew the vtillity and necessity of preaching and hearing as in Doctor Maiers booke All which things are soe apparent that both in Parliament elswhere men haue cried out there is trecherie vsed in Religion and towards the Kingdom of God As also because the tenets of theese Seducers haue beene soe weake and stubble like 1. Cor. 3.12.13 Ier. 23.29 vnable to endure the fierie triall of Gods Word that when the Parliament hath approched then they haue laboured by all the pretexts that could be inuented to get it dissolured or adiourned if not then they seeke protection and pardon and when the â—owse haue complained of them then they hide theire heads and labour to haue theire tenets and practises past ouer in silence at least by caring or helping with others that the howse may haue worke enough fesides to defend theire priueleidges and throw out the bones cast in to breede diuision and beget some pretexts of accusing them to theire Prince of maleuolence and sedition and of vrging the necessity of dissoluing that assemblie all which they neither neded nor would seeke if theire doctrines were Christs and according to the Scriptures for then they would boldly and with * Zelus cum in bono accipitur est quideÌ„ fernor animi quo mens relicto humano timore pro defensione veritatis accenditur Alcuinus Aquin. in Ioan. Zeale maintaine them against Parliament and all the world But while they then willingly admit noe dispute nor appeare publikely to maintaine theÌ„ by the Scriptures fearing that the verrie Articles should proue them Apostates appeale to Bishops and others brought by the late Duke his to fauour the same opinions or conniue at them and labour by pretences of auoiding curious disputes and other deuises and shifts that theire tenets may not be then examined iudged and tried vnlesse by men made for theire partie according to the pollecie of the Trent Fathers it euidently shewes the badnes of theire cause that they doe not as they are willed Pro. 23.23 Buy the Truth but sell it for a litle preferment for a buble of honour and that they blinde the eyes of the wise that such buiers and sellers are not conuinced punished cast out of the Church * Mystice quotidie Deus spiritualiter suam ecclesiam intrat qualiter vbi vnusquisque conuersetur attendit caueamus ergo ne in ecclefia Dei fabulis vel rifibus vel odâ—is vel cupiditatibus vacemus ne improuisos veniens nos flagellat de ecclesia sua eijâ—iat Idem Ibid. God seeth this and that they doe not like his Seruants with the weapons of theire warefare cast downe theese stronge holds of Hereticks exalted against the knowledge of God and Kingdom of Christ Soe that he may now againe complaine and say My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight some with the sword of the Spirit others with theire Lawes and authorities that I should not be deliuered in my person as I am the Truth nor in my members as they are of it to Pelagians or Demipelagians and Popelings and so by degrees to the grand Antichrist of Rome neither would theese be made such slight matters as they are in theese dayes as if it were enough that men are permitted to preach charitie patience temperance humiliation penitence mercie and against carnall filthines adultrie pride murther coueteousnes and the like allowed euen in theese dayes to be preached in Rome and so were of old among the Arrians and other Hereticks and as if for theese Pelagian and Popish opinions and tenets of free will predestination certainty of saluation perseuerance and the like it mattered not to confute them noe nor other points of Poperie but were better to forbid them as curious and vnnecessary disputes and commaund peace and vnion in theese points whereby the buisie practising Papists and Arminians are sure to get ground and strength whereas if theese reasons were sound as much might be saide for those Popish points of iustification by works the reall presence the church can not erre and such others beeing all pits that should be discouered least men fall into them and amonge Papists matters of faith and saluation but the others are so indeede and highly concerne Gods Kingdom and the glorie of his grace therefore preaching of them or writing to keepe men form errours contrarie to them and stablish men in the Truth may not be
make them Mediatours Gods Couenant alloweth †1. Tim. 3.2.12 Marriage to all they forbid it to Preists A man would thinke this were not to depart from the faith to forsake the foundation But though sinnes of infirmitie against the new Couenant are not a departing from it yet as for teaching or receiuing any new or contrarie doctrine and not * 1. Tim. 6.3 consenting to Christs in all things in this case it is with the new Couenant as it was with the Law Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27. Iam. 2.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in it and whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all and must haue forer punishment Reu. 22.16.18 as one that tradeth vnderfoote the Sonne of God c. vt supra For the Angell and Christ by him assureth eternall plauges to him that shall adde to his Word or take away from the words of his booke Saint Paul saith of theese that giue beede to such as forbid marriage and some meats that they depart from the faith Much more if they doe it in other points also as the Papists doe who in many greate points of faith and saluation doe not continue in the Word but * 1. Tim. 6.3 teach other wise consent not to the wholsom words of our Lord Jesus Christ but are gainsayers with Core Iude 11. Gods Covenant witnesseth that he doth freely iustifie his by the blood of Christ and his free grace therein Rom. 5.9 Rom. 3.24.28 Gal. 2.16 and on our part by faith only without the workes of the Law for Saint Iames speakes of our iustification before men shew me thy faith by the workes Iam. 2.18 make it appeare to vs by thy workes that it is not a dead faith Rom. 4.2 but true liueing and saueing If Abraham were iustified by workes he hath wherein to reioyce but not afore God Yet they will haue a man to be iustified afore God not by his free grace and only by faith therein but by the workes of the Law Which is against the maine scoape of the Gospell and Truth of God touching saluation and so against the foundation as also in other points Heb. 7.27 chap. 9.26.28 chap. 10.12.14 The Couenant of God witnesseth that Christ was once offered after he had offered one Sacrifice for simes for euer he sate downe at the right hand of God By one offering he perfected for euer them that are sanctified The Papists will yet daily offer him by the hands of the Preist a propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of the quick and dead to get remission by an idoll or false Christ of theire owne making Ioh. 8.32 see Charac of a Christian pag. 329. c. ad finem and so by a new price of redemption The Couenant of God witnesseth that the Truth maketh men free and free indeede from the seruitude and imputation of sinne that men can not otherwise haue true freedom but as if it did not the Papists will haue freedom by pardons merrits satisfactions masses c. Surely this is to forsake the true foundation of assurance for a false one of theire owne Yet some vnaduisedly say they hold the foundation which can not be maintained For Christ is the eternall Word and Truth reuealed and that Word is in himselfe most simple and indiuisible one foundation not to be diuided though wee can not come in any measure to know the same but as it is reuealed for our weake and finite vnderstanding as it were by parts and principles yet it is true in them all and in euery part he was and is eternally that Truth of God and other foundation can noe man laie theÌ„ that is laied which is Iesus Christ Now therefore whoseuer in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in any one principle and insteade thereof intrudeth another for men to build vpon he forsaketh and opposeth Christ the eternall foundation and thrusts in another for men to build vpon and they that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they forsake Christ the eternall foundation build vpon the other intruded but the Popish clergie in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in diuers principles and insteade thereof intrude others for men to build on therefore they forsake and oppose Christ the eternall foundation and thrust in another for men to build vpon and the Papists that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they also forsake Christ the eternall foundation and build vpon the intruded If an Executour or one that hath diuers legacies giuen him reiect a dead mans Testament in any one thinge to get the same by some other right and title or adde one thinge to it wee say he forsakes breakes and dissanuls the will or Testament and so the verrie foundation of all he hath by it much more if he doe it in many as the Papists doe by Christ who reiect his Testament in diuers maine points of faith and saluation to hold the legacies thereof by other doctrines and titles and adde to it theire owne traditions which they will haue receiued pari pietatis affectu ac reuerentia For faith S. Paul If it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed noe man dissanulleth or addeth vnto it Gal. 3.15 Much lesse to Gods Testament which is the Truth Christ spake and confirmed in his blood seeing indeede Christ himselfe is the Truth which he spake as * Aug. in 10. trac 41. Bâ—da Feria 5 poâ—t â—â—uocauâ—t Aug. in Ioan. trâ—c 115. cum Chrutus c. Ioh. 8. Angustine and Beda shew on the words I speake that which I haue seene with my Father and as the same Augustine on theese words doth well vnderstand when Christ beareth witnesse to the Truth truly he beareth witnesse to himselfe for surely it is his owne voice I am the Truth And he also saith in another place I am one that beareth witnesse of my selfe Which needeth noe further proofe here because in sundrie places aboue he is manifested to be the Word and that Word the Truth Now seeing he bare witnesse to that Truth to the Testament with his blood and this Testament beeing the doctrine taught by him and his Apostles and Euangelists and by them left in writing is called * Reu. 19.10 chap. 22.9 Character of a Christian pag. 228. the testimonie of Iesus receiued by all that are his as of one that is therefore called the faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 1.5 one that should be beleeued and obeied in all matters of faith and saluation therfore against all opposers and Hereticks who refuse his testimonie in any point he addeth Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voice That is euerie one that is of me and so is a true Christian in beeing of the Truth
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as
the same person as heâ—s nâ—aÌ„ shâ—ll gâ—ow though he be wounded and suffer for vs as it fâ—llowe hâ— there Weâ—l therfore doth Saint Cyprian vnderstand that Christ the Sonâ—e is the Arme mencioned here and also chap. 52. Isa 52 1â— The Lord hath made bare his holy Arme viz his holy word in the eyes of all nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the saluation of our God And indeed Saint Iohn seemeth to vndeâ—staâ—d Châ—ist to be this Arme while he saith of the vnbeleeuing Iewes They beleeuâ—d not on him that the saying of Esaias might be fulfilled whâ—ch hâ— spake Iâ—â— 12 3â— 38. Lord who hath beleeued ouâ— report and to whome hath thâ— Arme of Lord beene reuealed For saith Saint Augustin on this place August in Ioan. Tâ—aâ—t 53. The Soâ—ne is the Arme because all thâ—â—gâ—wâ—re made by him lâ—ke as that is called thy Arme by which thou workest soe the Arme of God is hâ—s word becaâ—se by the word he made the world And indeed the Word is the Arme 1. Cor. 1.24 the power and wisdom whereby God maâ—e the World and doth all things and soe as the Apostle saith Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God Isa 40 10. Ioh. 12 48.49 And soe Isaiah saith of the Father The Lord God will come with stronge hand and his Arme shall rule for him That is his word shall rule foâ— him Therefore Christ who is the Word saith The word that I haue spoken he shall iudge for I haueâ— or spoken of my selfe c. therefoâ—e as in the following words he proues the word he spake to be the Fathers and the same to be * Si ergo vita aeterna est ipse Filius vita aeterna est mandatum Panis quid alind dictuÌ„ est quam ego sum mandatum Patris Aug. in Ioan Tract 54. Eternall life so also in foregoeing verses he that is the Word saâ—th there vers 44. He that beleeueth on me beleeueth not on me but on him that sent me that is whose Word I am as Augustine excellently vnderstandeth the like * Quid est audit verbum meum nisi audit me credit autem ei qui misit me quia cum illi credit verbo eâ—us credit cuÌ„ auteÌ„ verbo eâ—us credit mihi credit quia verbuÌ„ Patris ego sum Aug. in Ioâ—â— 19 words Ioh. 5.24 for wee beleeue him whose word wee beleeue and wee vndeâ—stand and see him whose word wee vnderstand hâ—t declares him therefore Christ addeth vers 45.46 And he that seeth me seeth him that sâ—nt me I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on me should not abide in darkenesse as Iohn saith of the word That was the true light which lighteth euery man that commeth into the world And so indeed wee may heare God saying to the Messiah Isa 42.6 7.17 I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes to bringe out the prisâ—oâ—s from the prâ—son and him that sitteth in darknesse out of the prâ—son howse Where ye may see that both here also Isa 49.8.9 it is expresly shâ—wed that he is the Covenant viz. the Word and â—herein the Light that reueales the Father touching the Saluation of sinners and that the end of his comming should be to enâ—ighten those nations and people Iewes and Gentiles which lay bound and overwhelmed in the prison of sinne and ignorance as it followeth there I will brâ—nge the blinde by a way that they haue not knowne I will make darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight And chap. 25.7.8 He will destroy in thâ—â— mountaine the face of the couering cast ouer all people and the vaile that is spread â—uer all nations To the like effect chap. 29.8.24 chap. 〈…〉 chap. 11.9 All this should be as he saith chap. 40 5.10 When the glorie viz. the Word of the Lord should be reuealed and all flesh should see it together when his Arme should rule for him and be made bare chap. 52.10 for therefore is the Faâ—her called the Father of glorie Ephes 1.17 and Châ—ist is saide to be raised from the dead by the glorie of the Father Rom. 6. that is by the almightie Word of the Father which is the Sonne and the Fathers glorie as our Woâ—d or tounge is caâ—lâ—d our glorie because it * SpeculuÌ„ enim mentis plerunque in verbis refulget Bernard de ordine vitae Psal 66.7 expressâ—th and â—eâ—ealeth vs and somtimes ruleth for vs Psal 16 9. howsoeuer Gods Word ruleth for him for as he made all things by hiâ— Word which is his power so saith the Psalmist He ruleâ—h by his power for euer that is by his Word which is the power of God Now if he rule by his power for euer then the Messiah who should rule for euer for him must needes be his power but he doth rule by his power for euer therefore the Messiah should be his power And that the Messiah should be the word of God the auncient Iewe The auncient Iewes proue him to be the Word Isa 45.17 Hos 1.7 proue out of Isaiah where it is saide Israel shall be saued by the Lord with aâ— euerlasting saluation And also our of Hosea I will saue them by the Lord thâ—re God Both which sayings Ionathas translateth by the word of the Lord theâ—â—e God And it is not to be doubted but that by the saide word they meant the Messiah For in psa 110. which as themselues affirme conteineth the mysteries of the Messiah Psal 110. where it is saide The Lord saide vnto my Lord c. Ionathas readeth The Lord saide vnto his woâ—rd sit thou on my right hand til c. And soe indeede howsoeuer the words be The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou c. to shew that this person though he be Dauids Sâ—nne iâ— Dauids Lord yet seeing it followes there Rule thâ—u in the midst of thine-enemies it must needes be meant of the word of the Lord because it is saide His Arme shall rule for him that is his word Isa 40.10 chap. 2.3.4 chap 51.5 which he saith shall iudge amonge the nations and whereof he saith mine Armes â—hall iudge the people and on mine Arme shall they trust the word bâ—eing the Sonne and the Kinge mencioned Psa 2. as was shewed before And Rabbi Isaack Arama vpon Genesis 47. expounding this text of Psa 14â— He sâ—ndeth out hâ—s word saith expresly that this Word is the Messiah who should be Gods word Iob 19.26 So likewise that of Iob I shall see God in my flesh c. Rabbi Sâ—meâ—n vpâ—n Genesis â—oâ— gathereth therevpon that the Word of God shall â—â—k flâ—sh in a womans wombe Philo that leaâ—ned Iew shall ende thâ—â— point touching the nature and person of the Messiah as himselfe writeth in hâ—s booke De Exulibus By tradâ—â—on wee haueâ— saâ—t â—he that wee must expect the
death of a high Preâ—st who shall be the verâ— Word of Gâ—d voide of all â—nne as well willing as vnwiâ—â—ing whose Father sâ—ould be God and this Word shall be the Fathers wâ—sâ—em by which all things â—n this world were created Now that Christ Iesus was this Word incarnate That Iesus was the word the true Messiah whâ—ch as Iohn saith reuealeth the Father our Saâ—â—our himselfe further proueth while when he had shewed himselâ—e to be the Word and therein the Sonne of God as aboue saide to those Iewes that counted this blasphemie he added Ioh. 10.36.37.38 If I dâ—e not the workes of my Father beleeue me not But if I doe though ye beleeue not me beleeue the workes that ye may know and beleeue that the Father is in me and I in him As if he saide the works proue it Theâ—efore in another place he saith I haue a greater wiâ—nesse then that of Iohn Ioh. 5 3â— for the works which the Father hath giuen me to finâ—sh the same works that I doe beare witnesse of me that the Father hath sent me and c. Now therefore let vs take a short view of some few of those works or witnesses to see how they proue it and so proceede to the rest of the confession before Pilate Luk. 11.13 When he had cast out a Deuil out of one that was dumbe some of them saide he casteth out Deuils through Beelzebub the cheife of the Deuils to which he answered But if I with the finger of God cast out Deuils noe doub but the Kingdom of God is come vpon you that is noâ— doubt but the Word is now incarnate which should come and rule for God for the Word is the finger Arms or power by which he made and gâ—â—erned all things Psa 66. Luk. 4.33 He ruleâ—h by his power for euer Theâ—efore the Messiah who was to beâ—hâ—s Power â—s come and worketh by â—t becauseâ— by that power cast out Deuils Therefore â—n the Sâ—nagouge the Deuil in one posessed criâ—d out what haue wee to doe wiâ—h thee thou Iesâ—s of Nazareth â—rt thou câ—me to destroy vs I know thee who thouâ—rt the holy one of God And Iesâ—s rebâ—ked him sâ—ying Hoâ—d thy peace and come out of him And when the Deuil hâ—d hrowen him in the midst he came out of him And they were all amazed and spake amonge themselues saying * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What a Word is thâ—â— Our Euangelâ—st will answer All things were mâ—de by him In him was life and the life was the light of men The life of the Word was here manifested in the sight of many while so greate a miracle was donne thereby and the liâ—e was the light of men to theiâ—e convertion whâ—le in amazement they say What a Word is this for with authority and power he commaundeth â—he vncleane spirits and thâ—y come out The Euang list will answer againe The wâ—rd was made flesh and wee behold his glorie the glorie as of the only bego tâ—n of the Father full of grâ—ce and truth vers 32. And so when he â—auâ—ht Thâ—y were astonâ—â—d at his dâ—ctrine for his word was with power There was life therein accoâ—ding aâ— Châ—â—st saiâ—e The words thâ—â— I speake they are Spiriâ— and they are life yea eternall life Ioh 12 5â— as Peter saiâ—h Thou hast the words of etâ—rn â—ll life and wee beleeue viz. and therefore wee bâ—leâ—ue and are sure thâ— uâ—râ— the Christ the Sonne of the liueing God Sâ—â—nt Mathew saith Mat. 8.17 Thâ—y brought to him many that were posessed with Deuils and he cast out the Spirits wiâ—h his Word and healed all that were sieck wiâ—h his Word that is with the power by which God the Father worketh Io◠〈◊〉 .5 At the poole of Bethesda there was a Man that had â—â—en lame eight and thirâ—ie yeares Iesus saiâ—h vnto him Rise take vp thy Bed and walke And immediately the man was made whole and walked This could be donne by noe other then the Word of God whereof the Psalmist saith when theire Fathers were in like distresse psa 107 20. He sent his Word and healed them Vpon this myracle there was greate dispute betweene our Sauiour and the Iewes Aug. in Ioan. Tract 19.20.21 c. whereâ—n he proued himselfe to be the Word of the Father as Saint Avgustin shâ—weth on that Gospel See also the Character of a Christian. pag 63. c. Iesâ—s with clay made of spiâ—te healed a man that was bâ—rne blinde Ioh. 9.6 Veâ—â— 3â— 3â— Which man beeing brought befoâ—e the Phariâ—es reasoned thuâ— Wee know that God heareth not sinners but if a man be a worshipper of God and doe his will him he heareth Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of the blinde If this man were not of God he could doe nothing This vnlearned man could not giue such diuine proofes but by Gods Spirit that thus makes the Pharises his aduersaries more inexcusable Lazarus had lien fower dayes in the graue And when Iesus was come with Martha Marie and diuers Iewes to the place where they had layed him at last Ioh. 11.30 He cried with a loude voice Lazarus come forth And he that was dead came forth Vers 43. What Word could dâ—â—e this or any worke so greate but the mightie Woâ—d of God which made the World If then Ieâ—us did it by his Word it is plaine that in him the Word was made flesh and they saw the glâ—rie thereof in this myracle the glorie as of the only begotten of God But that he did it is manifest for some of the Iewes that saw it went theire wayes to the Pharises and told them Vâ—rs 46.47 therevpon the Cheife Preists gathered a counsell and saide What doe wee for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone Vers 53. all men â—ill beleeue on him And the Romans shall come and take away both our place and Nations From that day they tooke counsâ—ll to put him to death and did it But this polecie brought on them the iudgement it went abâ—ute to preuent and so must all such polecies needes doe which for worldlâ—e respects any way hinder Gods Kingdom Now then seeing Iesus did so greate workes by his Word it is plaine that he was the Word and that Word the Sonne that should come in the flesh and be the Mâ—ssiah Which thinge the Father himselfe openly witnessed by voices from Heaven first at his Baptisme when he came out of the water Mat. â—3 16 and loe a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Iohn Baptist heard this and thâ—n saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a doue and therefore bare record that this is the Sonne of God Now noe man could except against Iohns testimonie he was so generally beleeued to be holy iust and a Propheâ— Agaâ—ne when Iesus praied Father gloriâ—ie
presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his