because the Lord hath straitly enjoyned vs to forsake all humane devises in his worship and not at all to partake with any of the sinnes of Babylon Deut. 4. chap. Rev. 18.4 and 22.18.19 Of which sort both they and we have proved that these are as may be seen in their books and ours written hereabout And thus much of the Proposition The Assumption is proved by Mr Bradsh in his Twelve Arguments by the London Ministers in their Exceptions and by the Lincolneshire Ministers in their Abridgement of the Book delivered to his Maiesty pag. 2-70 c. compared with the Canons of Anno 1603. c. The Arguments other Treatises of the Ministers shew the nature and vse of the things enioyned to be of such consequence The Canons of the Convocation and other Lawes and constitutions of their Church shew that the Ministers are bound to such a Ministration And that vpon payne of suspension deprivation degradation excommunication c. Wherevpon some of them have written that * Removal of Imput of Devon Cornwall Minist p. 36. not Paul himself if he were living should be permitted to continue his function if he would not conforme And ‡ Mr Bradsh Argum. 11. the whole Solemne Worship and Ministerie of Iesus must stoupe and yeeld to these And these must not stoupe or yeeld to them Which howsoever they apply most vnto their Ceremonies yet the grounds of their Arguments imply it also vpon their Ministery and vpon the partakers therewith as may appeare by that which hath ben sayd before which hereafter followeth The fourth Argument taken out of the Admonitions to the Parliament written by the Preachers seeking reformation IF the Offices of the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Suffraganes Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stipendaries and the rest of that sort in the Church of England be Antichristian contrarie to the Scriptures then the people of God may not heare or otherwise partake with their Ministerie in the worship of God But the Offices of the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Suffraganes Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stipendaries and the rest of that sort in the Church of England are Antichristian and contrarie to the Scriptures Therefore the people of God may not heare or otherwise partake with their Ministery in the worship of God The Proposition needs no proof For what communion hath light with darknes And what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6 14-17 Rev. 14 9-12 and 18.4 and 22.18.19 The Assumption is their owne saying and their plea for reformation many yeares since Admonition to the Parliam treatise 1. and 2. section 14.18.20 c. The fift Argument taken out of the Offer of Conference or disputation tendered by some of the silenced deprived Ministers to the Archbishops and Bishops c. IF these Propositions be true 1. That all matters meerly Ecclesiasticall which are lawfully imposed vpon any Church are such as may be concluded necessarily from the written word of God 2. That all humane Ordinances vsed onely or specially in Gods worship wherevnto they are not necessarie of themselves are simply vnlawfull 3. That every true visible Church of Christ is such a spirituall Body politick as is specially instituted by Christ or his Apostles in the New Testament 4. That every true visible Church of Christ or ordinary Assembly of the faithfull hath by Christs ordinance power in it self immediately vnder Christ to elect and ordeyne deprive and depose their Ministers to execute all other Ecclesiasticall Censures 5. That the Pastor of a particular Congregation is the highest ordinary ecclesiasticall Officer in any true constituted visible Church of Christ 6. That it is the Office of every true Pastor to teach and to governe spiritually onely one Church or Congregation immediately vnder Christ 7. That the Office Calling of Provinciall and Diocesan Prelates is contrary to the word of God If I say these Propositions be true then it is not lawfull to hear or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England But the Propositions aforesaid are true Therefore it is not lawful to heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The Major is of necessary consequence and not to be denyed 1. Because their Ecclesiasticall matters Constitutions Offices Ministration called into question cannot be concluded from the written word of God but are Humane Ordinances never instituted by Christ or his Apostles And therefore are vnlawfull to be received or bowed vnto in Gods worship Exod. 20.4.5 and 23.13.24 Deut. 12 28-32 2 Cor. 6 14-17 1 Tim. 5.22 and 6.13.14 Iude ver 3. 23. Rev. 22.18.19 2. Because by the consequence of these Propositions they have not in their estate eyther true Churches or true Ministers And with false Churches and false Ministers we may not have any spirituall communion Hos 4.15 Amos. 4.4.5 Ioh. 10.5 Reve. 14 9-12 and 18. 4.5 3. Neyther can it be but that such practise must needs imply in them which do it that eyther they hold the Propositions aforesayd to be false which they averr to be true or at least that they walk corruptly halt between two opinions 1 King 18.21 The Minor is professed and published by themselves and offered to be mainteyned against the Archbishops and Bishops and all their adherents by the late silenced and deprived Ministers in England Offer of Conference pag. 1.2 Where also note how themselves hold it lawfull vpon the Prelates proceedings that * Offer of Conference pag. 39. both the Ministers and people of the Church-assemblies of England may leave their ordinarie standing in those Churches Which if it prove not a lawfull separation like ours it wil be found to be a very schisme among themselves The sixt Argument taken out of divers Treatises written in behalf of the Ministers of Devonshire Cornwall Lincolnshire c. also out of the Admonitions to the Parliamēt out of Mr Cartwrights Mr Vdals Mr Iacobs other of their books written of like argument IF these Assertions be true 1. That that Church-calling for which the Scripture giveth no expresse warrant is meerly vsurped vtterly vnlawfull 2. That as it is not lawful to bring in any straunge doctrine so is it not lawfull to teach the true doctrine vnder the name of any other function then is instituted by God And that God hath not onely ordeyned that the word should be preached but hath ordeyned also in what order and by whom it should be preached 3. That the Word of God conteyned in the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles is of absolute perfection given by Christ the head of the Church to be vnto the same the sole Canon and rule of all matters of Religion and the worship and service of God whatsoever And that whatsoever done in the same service and worship cannot be iustifyed by the said word is vnlawfull 4. That a true visible Church is a company of men ordinarily
CERTAYNE REASONS and Arguments Proving that it is not lawfull to heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church of England Ier. 50.14.15 Put your selves in aray against Babel round about all that bend the bow shoot at her spare not arrowes for she hath sinned against the Lord. Cry against her round about she hath given her hand her foundations be fallen her walles be destroyed because it is the vengeance of the Lord take vengeance vpon her as she hath done do vnto her Rev. 18.6 Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her doubles according to her workes in the cup wherein she hath mixed mixe her the double Printed In the yeare of our Lord 1608. To the Christian Reader grace and peace in our Lord Iesus Christ THe Reasons following I have published gentle Reader for thy good and for the truthes sake which we witnes to the world The causes of our separation from the Church of England are divers as in other Books already printed may be seen This treatise handleth purposely but one of them which is concerning their present Ministerie and was for the substance of it written long synce in nine Reasons which now I have revised and reduced to seven In the propounding and handling whereof I have both inserted divers things which I met with in some writings of Mr Iohn Penry that faithfull Martyr of Iesus Christ and annexed sundry testimonies and Arguments out of the Books of the forward Preachers now abroad in mens hands The third Reason which is taken out of Rev. 14.9.10.11 hath his weight according to the right vnderstanding of that place Concerning which as Mr Ridley that blessed Martyr of Christ †See hereafter p. 59. did in his time I will commit the judgement thereof and of all the rest to the spirituall man to be tryed and judged by the word of God which is the onely rule of truth and so to be received and approved as they shal be found to beare weight being layd in the skoales of Gods sanctuary not any otherwise or further at all The Reasons are set downe in the forme of Syllogismes And the two first which conteyne in them the grounds of the rest have more specially the confirmation of them also handled after the same manner A course that some have desired for the further tryall of our cause Which now I wish it may help them forward to yeeld vnto the truth And if thy self Christian Reader reapest any fruit by our labours give God praise and pray for vs the vnworthiest of his servants who are every where contemned blasphemed and oppugned for the Name of Christ Ier. 30.17 Mat. 5.12 and 10.25 Heb. 12.2 1 Pet. 4.12 c. As hath ben the lot of the Churches and servants of God in all ages yea and of Christ our Lord himself But it is ynough for the disciple to be as his Maister and the servant as his Lord. Therefore will we beare it with pacience and rejoyce in it wayting till the Lord our God bring forth his truth as the light our judgement as the noone day Great we know is the truth and strong is the Lord that will destroy Babylon and will mainteyne the cause and avenge the blood of his servants Rev. 17. and 18. and 19. chap. with Ier. 50. and 51. ch Now therefore let me exhort all both Preachers and people high and low to compare together the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles concerning the work of God and fall of Babylon past and to come and to take heed vnto themselves that they harden not their hearts but whiles it is called To day to hearken vnto the voice of the Lord who sayth vnto vs concerning the spirituall Babylon all her assemblies and worship Go out of her my people that yee partake not with her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues as of old he sayd to the Iewes concerning Babylon in Chaldea Go out of the middes of her my people deliver ye every man his soule frō the fierce wrath of the Lord. Rev. 18.4 with Ier. 51.45 And let there be heard * Ier. 50.28 with Rev. 19 ◠◠the voyce of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babel to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God the vengeance of his Temple For it is written Thus saith the Lord of hosts The thick walles of Babel shal be broken downe and her high gates shal be burnt with fire and the people shall labour in vayne and the folk in the fire and shal be weary Ier. 51.58 Which how true it is wil be found in the Antichristian Babylon as it hath ben in the Chaldean let all that are wise observe make good vse thereof vnto themselves And in speciall as now I have occasion let me intreat the Preachers seeking reformation seriously to mynd the Books which many of them selves have written against their present estate with indifferency to judge whether their owne Arguments howsoever intended or alledged otherwise by themselves rely not vpon such grounds as are in very deed against their Ministery aswell as against their Ceremonies against the executing of the one aswel as against the vsing of the other withall against the keeping of communion with them in such estate albeit they have not hitherto so applyed or acknowledged it thēselves Which God in his tyme give them to do for their owne comfort benefit of others And the Lord guyde vs in these and all other things by his word and spirit in the way of his truth keeping vs from errour and every evill way and preserving vs to his heavenly kingdome by Iesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life Amen Thyne in the Lord Francis Iohnson REASONS and proofes from the Scriptures and other testimonies Shewing that it is not lawful to heare or have any spiritual communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The first Reason ALl are bound in the worship of God to hear and communicate onely with that Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church for that work But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is not that which Christ hath given and set in his Church for the work of his Ministery Therfore it is not lawful for any in the worship of God to hear or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England The proof and declaration of this Reason in the several parts thereof THe Proposition or first part of the Reason is evident and certayn 1. Because Christ hath given his Ministerie to his Church as a fruit and confirmation of his ascension into heaven whose gift therfore cannot therin be refused without denying or derogating from the truth and benefit of that his ascension Ephe. 4.8 12. with Ps 68.18 1 Cor. 12.4 Rev. 1.13.16.17.18.20 2. Because he hath set his Ministerie in his Church
for our selves or submitting our selves vnto any office or calling for the administration of the word prayer or Sacraments save onely that Ministery which Christ our Saviour hath appointed in his word Of which sort because these Ministers of the Church of England are not far be it that we should rebell against the Lord our God and turne away frō him in receiving of them in mainteyning or submitting our selves vnto them by hearing of them or communicating with them in their Ministery any other wayes If it be sayd that all that these Ministers do is to the Lord and that the things which they do are such as he hath commaunded as reading the Scriptures teaching the truth praying baptizing c. yet this doth not help them nor covereth their sinne For besides that which hath ben spoken before concerning this poynt we may see here by this example how the Reubenites and the rest confessed that although they had built their Altar for the true God and to serve him by no other sacrifices then he required yet their attempt therein should notwithstanding be rebellion against the Lord and apostasie from their God The same likewise is to be mynded for all false Ministeries devises of men in the worship of God vnder the Gospel For whatsoever things ar written aforetyme they are afore-written for our learning and instruction Rom. 15.4 And hitherto of these Reasons Now the God of all grace give vs to agree and be like mynded in the truth and syncerity of the Gospell of Iesus Christ that wee may set our hearts to receive keep whatsoever the Lord hath commanded and in one accord with one mouth may praise God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ To whom be glory and dominion for ever ever Amen OTHER ARGVMENTS and Reasons taken out of divers Books old and new written by the forward Preachers concerning the Ceremonies Ministery and government of the Church of England Tending to the same end and proving the same thing with the Reasons here before alledged vidz vide licet That it is notlawfull to heare or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England The first Argument taken out of Mr W. Br. Twelve Arguments made by him against their Ceremonies and thus applyed vnto their Ministery ALl Wil. worship is sinne To heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England in Church Service in maner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship Ergo To heare or communicate with that Ministerie is sinne The Proposition cannot be denied for the Apostle Paul plainely condemneth Wil worship The Assumption may thus be proved All pars of Divine Service and Worship imposed onely by the will and pleasure of Man vpon the communicants in Divine Service and that of necessity to be done is Wil-worship But to heare or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England in Church Service in maner forme prescribed is 1. a part of Divine Service and Worship 2. imposed onely by the pleasure will of Men vpon the Cōmunicants in Divine Service 3. of necessity to be done therin Ergo To heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church assemblies of England in maner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship The Proposition is as cleare as the Sunne at noone day The Assumption hath three parts 1. The first is That to heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church of England c. is a part of Divine worship and Service Which cannot be denyed 2. The second part of the Assumption is That it is imposed onely vpon the pleasure and will of man Which is evident seing Man imposeth it vpon man God hath not in his word appointed their Offices callings and administration neyther required any to cōmunicate with them in Church service in maner and forme prescribed Towching which besides that we have spoken in the former Reasons see in their owne books what themselves have published a proof whereof in sundry particulars we have given both heretofore and in this present Treatise 3. The third part of the Assumption is That it is of necessity to be done in Divine Service Which is also out of all doubt For the people stand bound to heare cōmunicate with them vpon payne of suspension excōmunication paying twenty pound a moneth c. and God must have no solemne Worship in England except it be in communion with the same Vpon all this it followes That to heare and communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England in maner forme prescribed is to do that which is a part of Divine worship imposed onely by the will of Man c. The second Argument taken out of the same Treatise IT is a sinne against God for Christians to partake with the Ministerie of such as accounting themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ yet do in the execution of their Ministery give speciall Honour to Antichrist and his Officers But the Ministerie of the Church of England is such as the Ministers account themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ and yet in the execution of their Ministerie give speciall Honour to Antichrist and his Officers Ergo It is a sinne against God for Christians to partake with the Ministerie of the Church of England The Proposition is manifest and cleare to any that have an eye of Reason and any light of Divinity shining in it For which see 2 Cor. 6 14-17 Rev. 18.4 The Assumption hath two parts First that the Ministers of the Church of England account themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ Which themselves will freely graunt For here they say that by way of Excellency they are so The second is that they do in the execution of their Ministerie give speciall honour to Antichrist his Officers Which is proved If our adversaries will graunt that the Pope is Antichrist and the Prelates Antichristian officers by this reason Such a conformity to Antichrist and his Officers in the Ministerie as is not onely besides the word of God but in a special maner derogatorie to all reformed Churches that have departed from the Synagogue of Rome is a speciall honour to Antichrist and his Officers But the execution of the Ministery of the Church of England is such a conformity to Antichrist and his Officers Ergo The execuion of that Ministerie in the manner aforesaid is to give speciall honour to Antichrist and his Officers The Proposition is without exception The Assumption is thus proved To execute a Ministerie vnder Antichrists Hierarchie and that also by vertue of a calling received according to the popish ordering of Ministers which is not onely straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed churches in the world but is also drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively that is to have conformity with Antichrist and his Officers as is aforesaid But such
that they have these offices in their Church yet they neyther have agreed nor can agree among themselves who they be that have them whether the prelates or the other priests c. but are at a great jarre and in deed at a playne contradiction among themselves hereabout Many of the Prelates and Formalists say * Bridges Bilson c. that their Archbishops and Bishops are Pastors Teachers Some of them say ‖ Whitgift against T.C. p. 137. Andr. in the 2. Confer with M. Barrow that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor Many of the Reformists say that ‡ Mr. Sperin M. Egerton in the Confer M. Hilders M. Iacob in their writings the learned and painful Parsons of Parishes and Lecturing preachers among them are Pastors and Teachers Others of them say †Mr. Chaderton in the Sermon on Rom. 12. p. 33. c. Admon to the Parliam 1. 2. they want Pastors and Teachers and all the offices appointed by Christ to his Church that the Prelates robbe the Church of of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons that their Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stipendaries and the rest came from the Pope as out of the Troiane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome that they are the Prelates new creatures and that the Church of God never knew them And all the seekers of Reformation have shewed to the Parliament heretofore that the names and offices of Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops and the rest are together with their government drawen out of the Popes shop and contrary to the Scriptures that the Parsons Vicars Parish priests and Stipendaries be birds of the same fether and that â—hey have an Antichristian hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers strange from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world Thus are themselves confounded and thus are their tounges divided Yet cease they not still to plead for Baal and to bring balme for the sore of Babel which cannot be healed Ier. 51.8.9.58.64 with Rev. 18. chap. And now to proceed we wil shew by the Scriptures that none of the Ministers of that Church have the office of Pastors or Teachers spoken of by the Apostle Ephe. 4.11 which we prove thus 1. The Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 have their offices callings administration and maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament But the Prelates Priests Deacons of the Church of England have not their offices callings ministration maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament Therfore the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The truth of the Proposition appeareth by that place of Ephe. 4.8.11.12 Rom. 12.7.8 Act. 14.23 and 20. â—7 28 Heb. .5.4 Col. 4.17 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Pet. 5. â— 2.3 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. and 22.18.19 1 Cor. 4.1.2 and â— 4.5 and 9.14 and 11.23.24.25.26 and 12.28 Gal. 6. â— and throughout the Epistles to Timothee and Titus with other â—ike Scriptures The truth of the Assumption appeareth by their constitution and practise inasmuch as their offices of Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry their calling entrance according to their Pontificall and Book of consecrating Bishops and Archbishops and ordering Priests and Deacons as also that which some of them pretend to have by the ‡ Mr. Hilders letter sect 10. Mr. Iacobs comparison of Mariage and Pastorall calling His Reasons for necessity of reformation pag. 50. Offer of Conference pag. 39. choise acceptance and consent of their people who stand themselves vnder Antichrist and vnseparated from the world and are no true visible Churches of Christ their ministration by their owne and other popish Canons Articles Injunctions and Book of coÌ„mon prayer their Maintenance by Tithes Lordships c. were never ordeyned by Christ for his Ministerie of the Gospell but derived from Antichrist and his apostasie as hath been proved * The Discovery The Refutation of Mr. Giff. Answ to Mr. Hilders And to Mr. Iacob The Apologie c. by vs in divers Treatises published heretofore And if they still be otherwise mynded it lyeth vpon them to shew that Christ in his Testament hath appointed these their offices things aforesaid for his Ministerie Which none of them have yet done nor ever wil be able to do 2. Againe The Ministerie of Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 is the ordinarie and perpetual ministerie given by Christ to his Church such as the Princes of the earth neyther may nor ever shal be able to abolish seing Christ hath appointed it to continue to the end of the world Ephes 4.11.12.13 Rom. 12.5.7.8 and 13.3 Heb. 12.28 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17 and 6.13.14 with Mat. 28.20 But the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry of the church of England is not the ordinarie and perpetual Ministerie given by Christ to his Church but such as the Princes of the earth may and ought to abolish out of their Dominions Rev. 17.16 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 with 1 King 23. â— c. Deut. 12.2.3.4 Psal 72.1 c. Therfore the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry of the Church of England is not the Ministerie of Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 3. Also The offices of Pastors Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament are such as did and could â—tand with and vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Ephe. 4.11 Act. 15.4.6.22.23 20.17.28 Heb. â—3 7.17.23 Epist to Tim. Tit. 1 Pet. 5.1 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. But the offices of the Prelates Priests and Deacons of â—he Church of England are not such as did or could stand â—ith or vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangeâ—â—sts Which if any deny let them shew the contrary â—y the scriptures Light hath no fellowship with darknes nor Christ with Antichrist And suppose the Apostles were alive in their persons as they are in their writings and were in England it were worth the knowing whether they and the ordinances given by them should give place to the Prelates and their Canons and constitutions and whether they should be suffred to preach the Gospel and minister the Sacraments without acknowledging the Prelates authority subscribing to their Articles wearing of the Surplice signing with the Crosse in Baptisme c. for if we look to their * Canons of the yeare 1603. Can. 6.7.14 30.36.37.50.57.58 c. Canons Lawes practise and Church-constitutioÌ„ these tel all men playnely they must yeeld vnto theÌ„ that vnder payne of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ ipso facto c. Not to speak of their imprisoning persecuting of such as witnes the truth against them eveÌ„ vnto death Therfore they are not the Pastors and Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament 4. Moreover The offices of true Pastors and Teachers are by the ordinance of Christ set in the Church and employed in the Ministery of the word and Sacraments and Church goverment so as they may not with their
ioyning together in the true worship of God And that all such Churches and Congregations communicating after that maner together in divine worship are in all ecclesiasticall matters equall and of the same power and authority and that by the word and will of God they ought to have the same spiritual priviledges prerogatives officers administrations orders and Formes of divine worship 5. That every established Church or Congregation ought to have those spirituall officers and Ministers which are enioyned by Christ in the new Testament and no other 6. That the ground of Church-government is the Kingly function of Christ who is the Head of the Church and whom it properly concernes to make lawes by which to governe the Church 7. That the Scripture hath delivered an exact platforme of Pollicie for the House of God which is the Church And The word of God describeth perfitly vnto vs that form of governing the Church which is lawful the officers that are to execute the same from the which no Christian Church ought to swarve 8. That the forme of Church-governement in England is an Humane ordināce yea the very same by which Antichrist rose vnto his intollerable Tyranny in Gods Church 9. That it robbeth the Church of lawfull Pastors Elders and Deacons 10. That Diocesan Bishops have not any place nor part at all in any true and proper visible Church of Christ. 11. That it is the naturall and immutable office of a Pastor both to Teach and to Governe with the assistance of other Elders his owne flock 12. That the right true Discipline Ecclesiasticall in each proper Visible Church is one mayne part of the ordinarie meanes of salvation appointed by God for every soule and that this in the Church of England is vtterly wanting 13. That Diocesan Bishops c. do by necessarie consequence deny Christ the Saviour to be our intire and perfect Prophet and spirituall King by taking away from him some proper parts of his Propheticall and Kingly Offices impugne the Foundation of saving faith and are contrarie to Gods word 14. That Christ is the onely teacher of his Church and appointer of all meanes whereby we should be taught and admonished of any holy dutie whatsoever he hath thought good to teach his Church and the meanes whereby he hath perfitly set downe in the holy Scriptures so that to acknowledge any other meanes of teaching and admonishing vs of our duty then such as he hath appointed is to receive another teacher into the the Church besides him and to confesse some imperfection in those meanes he hath ordeyned to teach vs by If these Assertions I say be true then is it vnlawfull to have communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England But the foresaid Assertions are true Therefore it is vnlawfull to have communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The Proposition agreeth with that of the former Argument and addeth weight vnto it For besides that which there is sayd it cannot stand with the Homage due vnto Christ the King and Head of the Church with the sound acknowledgement of the sufficiency of the Scripture word of God with the carefull vsing of the means of salvation appointed by God for every soule with the faithfull renouncing of all humane ordinances in Gods worship and vtter detestation of Antichrist c. to have cōmunion with the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England seing they are not lawfull Pastors or Ministers having the naturall and immutable Offices appointed by Christ nor performing the worship of God according to the Canon of his word but stand in subiection to Provinciall and Diocesan Bishops receiving their Ministery from them and executing it vnder them who are contrary to Gods word and against the Prophecy Kingdome of Iesus Christ c. So as to heare and communicate with their Ministery were to worship God after an vnlawfull maner and to acknowledge other offices and meanes of teaching and governing the Church then such as Christ hath appointed and consequently to receive an other Teacher King into the Church besides him and to confesse some imperfection in those offices and meanes which he hath ordeyned to teach governe vs by c. The Assumption is their owne acknowledged confirmed by themselves in divers of their books Namely The Removall of certaine Imputations layd vpon the Ministers of Devon and Cornwall pag. 22. 39. T. C. reply 1. Pag. 83. English Puritanisme p. 1. 5. 6. 12. 13. 24. The Demonstrat of Discipl pag 1. Admonit to the Parliam treatise 1. and 2. Sermon on Rom. 12. pag. 36. 37. Mr Iacobs Reasons proving necessity of reforming the Churches in England pag. 33. 35. 51. 52. 53. The Abridgement of the Book delivered to his Maiesty by the Lincolnshire Minist pag. 31. 32. 77. 78. c. And let it here be observed that although the case be thus cleare by their owne writings against their Church and Ministery yet * Mr. Bradsh Argum. 12. London Ministers Protest Mr Iacobs Mr Hilders Mr Stones others writings c. they cease not to impute schisme vnto vs for separating from them in such estate they pretend that the mayne cause of our separation is because of their Ceremonies they hold and plead that the Churches of England as they be established by publik Authority are true visible Churches of Christ and that their Ministers are faithfull Pastors and true Ministers of Christ c. Accusations pretences opinions and pleas that sort very ill with their Propositions and Assertions and are so much the more straunge in them as they have besides all the former Positions many other the like affirmed expressely that they lack both a right Ministerie of God a right governmēt of his Church according to the Scriptures that they have an Antichristian hierarchie a Leiturgy culled picked out of the Popish dunghil the Massebook full of all abominations and that the controversie betwixt the Prelates them is not for a cap a tippet or a surplus but for greater matters concerning a true Ministerie and Regiment of the Church according to the word Which being once established the other melt away of themselves Admon to the Parliam treatise 1. 2. Thus have they written and iudged themselves heretofore Now if their Church and Ministery were altered it would be knowen But seing it is not how is it that they keep not more to the greater matters in controversie but insist so much vpon the lesser which would melt away of themselves if the other were once established And why blame they vs for separating from their false Ministerie vnlawfull worship and Babylonish constitution of their Church Or why consider they not that the extent of their Propositions and Assertions reacheth not onely to their Ceremonies but also to their Ministery Leiturgie and Church it self Now therefore if they can make to accord together their judgement with their practise their writings