his high court of prerogative or grave fatherly faculties these together or the worst of them as some of them be to bad may not be broken or offended against but with more daunger then to offend against the Bible To these subscribing and subscribing again and the third subscribing are required for these preachers and others are indited are fined are prisoned are excommunicated are banished and haue worse things threatned them And the Bible that must haue no further scope then by these it is assigned Is this to professe Gods word Is this a reformation He that could not abide straunge fyer in the old law but burnt them that used it what vvill he do to us in the nevv lavv that erect a nevv and straunge course or vvord to rule his Church by What did the Pope but so He did suffer Gods vvord to haue a course as far as it pleased him so that he might haue the vvhole authority aboue it So did the popish Church But vve say the vvord is aboue the Church Then suerly it is about the English Church and aboue all these books afore rehearsed If it be so vvhy are not they ouer-ruled by it and not it by them These are theyr own words and that in an admonition to the high court of parliament So as we holding our peace you may by this perceiue in what estate they stand by the lawes and present constitution of theyr Church But Mr. H. addeth moreover that they all professe Christ to be the onely lavv giver vnto the conscience Is this so in deed How is it then that Mathew Sutcliffe Deane of Exceâ—er a chief officer in theyr Church is not afrayd nor ashamed to publish in print that it soundeth harsh in Christian eaâ—es to call Christ a Lavvgiuer But to let him alone with his blasphemous contradiction to the Scriptures and Spirit of God let us consider a litle the profâ—ssion they make herein And first I aske what if the Papists professe as much Will such profession in word help any thing when in deed by theyr works they deny it Secondly let Mr H. remember that some of themselues affirme vvhiles they professe Christ to be a king and per submitt not to the lavves he hath prescribed in his vvord they make him an Idoll and putt a scepter of reed in his hand Thirdly do not they fynd fault with the Papists aÌ„d prove them to bend true Church though they professe in word that Christ is the king of his Church becouse in deed they obey not his lawes but have invented and use theyr own canons and constitutions for government of the Church Mark well theyr own words in a treatise lately published wherein they prove the Church of â—ome not to be the true Church by this reason following The Papists in vvord vvill not deny but Christ is a king vvhich hath all povver in heaven and in earth But in deed it appeareth they do exile and banish him out of his kingdome or at least leav him but a small portion or rather none at all For in respect that he is a spirituall king and the king of his Church he is also as Iames speaketh the onely lavvgiâ—er thereunto and therefore by his lavves onely the Church is to be governed Which they cannot abide For they adde their popish Canous constitutions and customes vvhereby they vvill haue the Church governed Yea they vvill haue these take place though they utterly displace the vvord of God for the maintenance of them These are theyr own words in that treatise Thus they reason against the Papists And is not this reason I pray you as strong against themselues and against theyr own Church Prelates and Clergy Yea are not theyr ecclesiasticall assemblyes daughters of the Church of â—ome in this behalf Or have theâ— more priviledge by theyr verball profession to be exâ—mpt from the obedience of Christ and his lawes then the Papists havâ— Lastly seing Mr H. saith they professe Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Let him in syncerity of heart as before God aunswer vs these few questions 1 Whether then obedience be not to be given to the Lord Iesus in whatsoever he hath commaunded and all his lawes and ordinances to be observed though all the Princes on earth should forbid it 2 Why then they abstayne from the observation of those Lawes and ordinances which themselves have taught and written to be appoynted by Iesus Christ to be kept vnblameable and without spott vntill his appearing yea though it be with the losse of wealth honour liberty and life it self 3 Whether the Lord Iesus the lawgiver of his Church have not set in his Church to continew to the end of the world the offices of Pastours Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers together with theyr entrance works and maintenance for the administration of his holy things 4 Whether the Offices of Archbishops Lord bisshops priests deacons vicars and the rest now had in England theyr maner of entrance into them theyr administration of them by theyr popish canons and book of common prayer theyr maintenance in them by tithes Lordships Chrismes offrings aÌ„d such like be appoynted by Christ that onely Lawgiver to his Church and in what places of his Testament 5 Whether being not prescribed by Christ but derived from and belonging to Antichrist any can eyther administer or joyne vnto them in that estate and yet in truth acknowledg Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience 6 Fynally whether they which abyde one with the world and false Church not separating themselves from them according to the commaundement of Christ which administer or receyv the word or Sacraments in or from a false ministery which how down vnto traditions and false worship devised and imposed by man which stand subiect to be silenced and excommunicated by the Prelates theyr Chauncelours and Archdeacons whether these I say can be said in truth to hold Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Or whether they receyv not the mark of the Beast and as yet stand subjects of his kingdome submitting to his Antichristian lawes and constitutions In the last place Mr. H. addeth that nothing among them is vrged to be done vpon payne of damnation but onely the word and law of God To which I aunswer first that if this were true yet it is not to the purpose seing many things among them contrary to the word of God are vrged to be done vpon payne of imprisonment confiscation of Goods and lands banishment death and such like Secondly I aunswer that they do require men to be subiect to theyr excommunication vpon payne of damnation as theyr own words in theyr writs of excommunication do show Now it is evident and confessed by the best of themselves that they have not Christs power to excommunicate but execute it contrary to the word of God by an Archdeacon or Lordly Prelate according to theyr
they belong in this behalf Finally for the whole worship of God the reformed Churches professe that the whole maner of worshipping God which God requireth at the hands of the faithfull is in the written word of God most exquisitly and at large set dovvn and that therefore it is not lawfull for any man or Angel to teach otherwise to adde or to detract therefrom it being perfit and absolute in all poynts and parcels thereof So as no other vvritings of men although never so holy no custome no multitude no maÌ„s vvisdome no antiquity no prescription of tyme no personall succession no counsels visions miracles and to conclude no decrees statutes or ordinances of men are to matched vvith or opposed vnto the holy Scriptures and bare truth of God but that all things ought to be examined and tryed by the rule and square thereof For all men are by nature lyâ—rs and more vayne then vanity it self Thus do the reformed Churches hold and professe Whereas on the contrary in England the maner of worship and administration is not according to the word of God but according to theyr book of common prayer taken out of the Papists Masse book together with other theyr Canons Articles and Constitutions which God hath neyther himself appoynted in his word nor therein given authority to any other so to prescribe And thus have I showed by the publik confessions and iudgment of the reformed Churches themselves that it is far otherwise then as these men would beare the world in hand and that in deed the Church-assemblyes in England in this constitution can not rightly be counted sisters of the reformed Churches abroad but rather daughters of Babylon that mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth Next where Mr H. showeth how a private Christian should carry himself towardan whole Church towching corruptioÌ„s I have before spokeÌ„ of that matter aÌ„d noted two maners of proceding to be appoynted by God one toward such Churches as be set in the order of Christ but walk in it corruptly another toward such as staÌ„d in the apostasy of Antichrist though with some show of holynes This therefore being before haÌ„dled shal not need to be repeated By it may appeare how vnsound a directioÌ„ he hath here prescribed besides that what he sayth may with like colour be alledged for abiding in any the most popish assemblyes wheresoever For might not such alledge for themselves that they mislike the corruptions in those Churches that they refuse to subscribe or yeeld consent vnto them that by prayer and all other good meanes they seek the reformation of them Yet that being private Christians or a fevv severall assemblyes they may not account the Churches that are in an vvhole nation to be as beathens or publicanes aÌ„d that therefore they will abide in them still If this be a sufficient rule then suerly the Martyrs were deceyved in former ages and the godly Christians at this day in Spayne Italy and such places which content not themselves with misliking and seeking redresse of the corruptions in theyr popish assemblyes but refuse altogether to have any spirituall fellowship with them and chuse rather to suffer affliction for bearing witnes agaynst them Secondly how can they be sayd to mislike the corruptions wherevnto many of them subscribe with theyr hands and all of them joyne in theyr practise Or how do they refuse to yeeld consent to the corruptions which by word and deed they receyv allow and vphold Thirdly where he insinuateth that by prayer and other good meanes they seek a reformation I would aske with what comfort they can come before God in prayer when they do not onely stand subject to Antichrist in respect whereof theyr sacrifices of prayer must needs be abominable but by their continuall practise seem to deale like those Iewes of whom we read in Ieremy the Prophet that by theyr requests they made show as if they would know the will of God to obey it and yet when they knew it would not observ it If by other good meanes he vnderstand theyr suits to the Parliament as it is an happy thing and greatly to be desired that the Magistrates would abolish this false ecclesiasticall Ministery worship and government so yet if they do it not we must notwithstaÌ„ding at the commaundement of God leave all false wicked and Antichristian wayes and peaceably yeeld obedieÌ„ce to Christ in his own ordinaÌ„ce though we be for this cause reviled imprisoned banished aÌ„d killed all day long being counted as sheep for the slaughter 1. For in this case must alway be remeÌ„bred that we must obey God rather then Man aÌ„d that the coÌ„maundement or permissioÌ„ of the Magistrate maketh not the way of God any whit more lawful but onely more free from trouble 2. Agayn if the lawes of men do once enact aÌ„d establish the true ministery aÌ„d ordinaÌ„ces of Christ then must all be forced to submit thereuÌ„to whether it were Christs or not So as to withold our obedience from Christ till the Law enact it is nothing els but to stay till we be forced by man to the obedience of God 3. Furthermore what if the Magistrates would never establish that ministery aÌ„d order which Christ hath appoynted to his Church should we therefore never observ and submitt vnto it To what end then hath Christ enioyned vs without any exceptioÌ„ of the Magistrates Law to keep whatsoever he hath coÌ„maunded to the end of the world And why hath the Apostle so straitly charged Timothy aÌ„d in him all others before God aÌ„d Iesus Christ to keep the coÌ„maundments which he hath giveÌ„ towching the Ministery order and governmeÌ„t of the Church without spot and vnblameable vntill the appearing of our Lord Iesus 4. To coÌ„clude this poynt if without the Magistrates allowaÌ„ce we might not observ whatsoever Christ hath coÌ„maunded what were this els but to have the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons Which Mr H. before in the beginning of his leter according to the Apostles counsell wisheth in any case to be avoyded And thus much by the way towching the obedience which all Christians are bound themselves to yeeld vnto Christ leaving the generall reformatioÌ„ of the LaÌ„d to the Magistrates to whom it beloÌ„geth Now to proceed where he expoundeth accounting as Publicanes to be ment accounting them such as with whom communion may not lawfully be had in the service of God he seemeth to mistake the meaning thereof For we read that the Publicane went into the Temple to pray aswell as the Phaâ—isee and that the speciall thing wherein the Iewes absteyned from company of the Publicanes was raiher in civill â—onversation then in spirituall worship As may be gatheâ—ed by this that the Pharisees blamed Christ for eating with Publicanes and yet both themselves admitted them â—nto the Temple and found not any fault with Iohn Baptist for
read that Moses â—ezekiah Nehemiah Annah and others have so prayed and ben accepted of God 13. Christ hath given an expresse commaundement VVhen ye pray say Our father c. wherevpon I reason thus The commaundements of Christ are to be kept otherwise it is sinne therefore if Christ have here commaunded to vse these words in that number and order then whosoever pray at any tyme and vse not these words they sinne But already we have seen that the Apostles prayed and vsed not these words and yet sinned not And so no doubt do other the servants of God daily according to theyr divers occasions and conditions Not to speak here of the prayers which the preachers vse before and after theyr sermons neyther of theyr collects and other prayers besides this prescribed in theyr books Otherwise also every man that blesseth his table or sayth to another God be with you God blesse you God recover you good morrow good night or the like should sinne in this because he prayeth and yet saith not Our father etc. 14. Yet I doubt not but we may vse any of these aswell as other words applying them to our speciall case and necessity As we see that Christ prayed saying Father glorify thy Name And agayn O my Father if this cup can not passe from me but that I must drink it thy vvill be done Where we may learne by Christ who gave the rule how to vse it to witt not in a superstitious saying over these words but in praying according to this rule as our special necessities shall be whether we vse any of these words or other or pray with sighs that cannot be expressed 15. Finally therefore all such as have framed or receyved any other forme of Prayer but this onely which Christ hath taught offend against this rule and commaundement of Christ. And thus not we but they who have devised and follow other formes and books of prayer are those which deny and as much as lyeth in them disanull the Lords prayer â—EVEN QVESTIONS which have ben propounded to divers of the Mâ—inisters of these assemblyes with request that they would aunswer them directly and sâ—ncerely from the Scriptures Which also still is desired at theyr hands â— WHether the Lord Iesus Christ have by his last Testament given vnto and set in his Church sufficient ordinary offices with theyr calling vvorks and maintenance for the administration of his â—oly things and for the sufficient ordinary insâ—ruction guydance and service of his Châ—rch to the end of the world or no 2. Whether the offices of Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers be those offices appoynted by Christ in his Testament as aforesaid Or whether the present ecclesiasticall offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Suâ—â—raganes Deanes Subdeanes Prebendaryes Channcelors Priests Deacons or half Priests Archdeacons Subdeacons Commissaâ—yes Officials Doctors Proâ—tors â—egisters Scribes Apparitors Parsons Vicars Curates Stipendaryes Dagrant preachers Chapleynes or howse priests Canons Petticanons Gospellers Epistlers Chaunters Virgerers Queristers Organ-players Churchwardens Sidemen Collectors Clerks Sertans and the rest now had in these Cathedrall and parishionall assemblyes be those offices appoynted by Christ in his Testament as is aforesayd or no 3. Whether the calling and entrance into these ecclesiasticall offices last aforesayd theyr administration and maintenance now had and reteyned in England be the maner of calling administration and maintenance which Christ hath appoynted for the offices of his Church aboue named or no 4. Whethere very true visible Church be not a company of people called and separated out from the world and the false worship and wayes thereof by the word of God and ioyned together in fellowship of the Gospell by voluntary profession of the faith and obedience of Christ And whether the ecclesiasticall assemblyes of this land be such or no 5. Whether the Sacraments being seales of rightuoesnes which is by faith may be administred to any other then the faithfull and theyr seed or in any other Ministery and maner theÌ„ is prescribed by Iesus Christ the Aposâ—le and high Priest of our profession And whether they be not otherwise administred in the Cathedrall and parishionall assemblyes of England at this day 6. Whether the book of common prayer with the feasts fasts holy dayes 〈◊〉 prayers and leiturgy prescribed therein and vsed in these assemblyes be the true worship of God commaunded in his word or the devise and inâ—ention of Man for Gods worship and service 7 Whether all Churches and people without exception be not bound in religion onely to receyv aÌ„d submit vnto that 〈◊〉 vvorship and order which Christ as Lord and King hath given aÌ„d appoynted to his Church Or whether any man receyv and joyne vnto another devised by man for the service of God And consequently whether they which ioyne to the present ecclesiasticall Ministery vvorship and order of these Cathedrall and parshionall assemblyes can be assured by the word of God they ioyne to the formeâ— ordeyned by Christ and not to the latter 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 for the 〈◊〉 and service of God ¶ Let him that readeth consider A table of some principall things conteyned in this treatise THe written word of GOD onely is to be the rule of our life and â—â—â—gion pag. 1. 4. How God accounteth the mixture of mans inventions with his ordinances in his worship pag. 115. The ordinances of Christ are to be kept notwithstanding the prohibition of Princes or any persecution to the contrary pag. 32. 71. 133. 136. Magistrates are to be obeyed in the lord not against the Lord. pag. 49. 71. 133. 136. Of the Christian Magistrates allowance or prohibition inreligion p. 1â— 133. No Prince Church or Nation can make that lawfull which Gods word maketh vnlawfull pag. 126. 133. Princes ought to abolish all false worship and ministeryes pag. 25. 105. 134. The worship Prelaâ—â— and other ministery of the Church of England is against the Prphecy Priesthood and Kingdome of Christ. p. 30 34. Christs person and office p. 28. 42. Whether the Church of Engl. in theyr constitution held Christ the onelâ— lawgiver to the conscience p. 15. False doctrines taught and allowed in the Church of Engl. p. 10. 11. 12. 13. Of the profession of the Church of Engl. p. 19. Antichristian corruptioâ—s yet remayning in the Church of Engl. p. 19. 75. Antichrists religion a mystery of iniquity p. 7. 19. 37. 115. The description of Antichrist out of 2 Thes. 2. p. â— and out of 1 Ioh. 4. 3. p. 28 35. Of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons etc. p. 10. 52. 68. 75. 86. 88. 100. 108. 113. 117. 130 131. 136. 141. Of the Priests office in the Church of Eng. Sect. 7. 8. and p. 11. 33. 87. 105. The maner of entrance into it Sect. 9. and pag. 10. 100. 109. 119. Of the name Priests pag. 81. 94 99. The Priesthood of England compared with the popish and both of them with the Pastors office p. 98 105. The Deacons office in the Church of Engl.
and 6. 13. 14. 15. with 2 Tim. 2. 2. Act. 5. 29. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Mar. 8. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Esa. 51. 1â— 13 Luk 12. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. and 21. 12. 13. Psal. 2. 10. 11. 12. Rev. 12. 11. 17. and 14. 12. 15 That the Apoâ—ryphal books which have in them errours vntruths Blasphemy magick and contradiction to the Canonicall Scriptures may be vsed in the publik worship of God Which is contrary to 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Gal. 3. 15. Rev. 22. 18. d19 2. Pet. 1. 16. 19. 20. 21. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. Rom. 3. 2. with Deut. 4. 2. 5. 6. Pro 30 5. 6. Psal. 19. 7. 8. 9. 16 That there may be a prescript leiturgy and sett forme of service in the Church devised and imposed by maÌ„ for the worship of God Which doctrine is contrary to these Scriptures Esa. 29. 13. 14. Mat. 15. 9. Exod. 10. 4. 5. 6. Psal. 119. 21. 113. 128. Gal. 3. 15. Ephes. 4. 7. 8. 17 That the book of common prayer taken owt of the Popes porâ—uis is the true worship and service of God for his Church and people Which is contrary to Deut. 12. 30. 31. Rev. 14. 9. 10. 11. and 22. 18. 19. 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. Ier. 51. 26. Ioh 4. 23. 24. Mat. 15. 9. and 28. 20. 18 That one may read other mens words vpon a book and offer them vp to God as theyr own prayers and sacrifices Which doctrine is contrary to Rom. 8. 26. 27. 1. Pet. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 14. 15. 1 Sam. 1. 15. Psal. 66. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Esa 29. 13. 14. Rev. 8. 3. 4. 19 That the most wicked and theyr seed may be compelled and receyved to be members of the Church Which is contrary to Psal. 110. 3. Act. 2. 40. 41. 47. and 19. 9. Lev. 20. 26. Ezra 6 21. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 17. and 9. 13. Ioh. 15. 19. 20 That mariage may be forbidden at certayne seasons of the yeare as in lent Adveâ— Rogation week etc. which Doctrine is contrary to 1 Cor. 7. â— Heb. 13. 4. with 1 Tim. 4. 3. and Dan. 7. 25. 21 That mariage is an ecclesiasticalâ— not a civill action neyther lawfull except it be solemnized vp a Priest which is contrary to â—uth 4. 1. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Pro. 3. 17. Mal. 2. 14. Deut. 22. 23. 24. Hev 13. 4. Gen. 29. 21. 22. 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Deut. 12. 32. 22 That women may administer the Sacrament of Baptisme Which is contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 34. 35. 1 Tim. 2. â—2 Mat. 28. 18. 19. 20. Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 23 That Baptisme is to be administred with a crosse in the forehead aÌ„d that also as a symbolical signe which is contrary to Mat. 28. 18. 19. Reb. 14. 9. and 22. 18. Rom. 4. 〈◊〉 with 1 Cor. 2. 13. Exod. 20. 4. 5. 6. Psal. 119. 113. 128. 24 That the Lords super is to be administred with these words The body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee preserue thy body and soule etc That is with other words then those of Christs institution yea with such as are taken out of the Popes masse book Which is contrary to 1 Cor. 11. 23. 24. 5. Luk 22. 19. 20. Deut. 12. 30. 31. with 2. Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. 25 That the Sacrament of the Lords supper may be administred to one alone as to the sick man ready to dy etc. which is contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. and 11. 33. Mat. 26. 26. 27. Act. 2. 42. and 20. 7. 26 That the Lords supper is to be receyved kneeling which is contrary to Mar. 14. 18. 22. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 21. and 11. 20. and 14. 40. Exod. 20. 4. 5. 1 Thes. 5. 22. 27 That though the open notorious obstinate offenders be partakers of the Sacraments yet neyther the Sacraments nor the people that ioyne with them are defiled thereby Which doctrine is contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 17. â—ag 2. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 6. Eccles. 10. 1. Mat. 18. 8. 9. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Exod. 12. 43. Ezra 6. 21. 22. Lam. 1. 10. Lev. 11. 24. and 13. 45. 46. and 15. 4. 5. 6. 7. 31. and 19. 7. Numb 5. 2. 3. and 19. 21. 22. Iosua 7. 11. 12. 28 That prayer is to be used over the dead at buriall Which is contrary to Exod. 20. 7. with Eccles. 11. 3. and Luk. 16. 26. Hos. 9. 4. Mat. 6. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 14. Iam. 1. 6. with Rom. 14. 23. 29 That there may be holy dayes appoynted to the virgin mary to Iohn Baptist to the Apostles and all Saints and Angels together also with fasts on theyr tves on Ember dayes Frydayes Saterdayes and Lent Which doctrine is contrary to Exod. 20. 8. 9. 10. 11. Galat. 4. 10. 11. Col. 2. 16. 18. 21. 23. with 1. Tim 4. 1. 2. 3. Act. 20. 7. 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. Rev 1. 10. and 19. 10. and 22. 18. 19. 30 That the coap surplice tippett rochet square cap and such like are meet and decent ornaments for the worship of God and ministery of the Gospell which is contrary to Esa. 30. 22. Exod. 20. 4. 5. Deut. 12. 30. 32. Psal. 119. 113. 128. 1 Tim. 3. 2. 31 That the oth ex officio in theyr ecclesiasticall courts making men sweare to accuse themselues etc. is lawfull and to be used which is contrary to Exod. 20. 7. Ier. 4. 2. Ioh. 18. 19 20. 21. 22. 23. with mat 26. 63. Act. 23. 35. and 24. 13. and 25. 16. Deut. 19. 15. These and divers other false doctrines do the lawes of theyr Church allow to be taught And if any among them teach otherwise they are subiect to be suspended excommunicated degraded deprived by theyr Lords the Prelates theyr Chauncelours and Officials And we because we teach and walk otherwise are haled to prisons and gallowes banished and rayled upon yea hated of all men for the truths sake Now as you see the lawes of theyr Church allow false doctrine to be taught so for theyr preaching also of the truth consider I pray you what themselues haue heretofore written of themselues In an admonition to the Parliament they say and write of theyr Church estate as followeth We are say they so scarce com to the outward face of a Church rightly reformed that although some truth be taught by some preachers yet no preacher may without great daunger of the lawes utter all the truth comprised in the book of God It is so circumscribed and wrapt within the compasse of such articles such penaltyes such Injunctious such advertissements such articles such canons such sober caveats and such manifold pamphlets that in maner it doth but peep out from behind the skreen The lawes of the land the book of common prayer the Queens Injunctious the Commissioners advertissements the Bishops canons Liâ—woods provincials every Bishops articles in his dioces my Lord of Canterburyes sober caveats his licences to preachers aÌ„d
communicated onely to such as far as men can â—udge by theyr outward profession to whom Christ himself belongeth among vs the holy Sacraments are communicated with the Papists the holy mysteryes of God profaned the Gentiles enter into the Temple of God the holy things are indiffereÌ„tly communicated with cleane aÌ„d vncleane circumcised and vncircvmcised And as another among them sticketh not to affirme and mainteyne that now the Church is full of drunkerds whooremougers Idolaters superstitious persons papists Atheists and such like This is theyr own confession besides theyr estate concerning the first Towching the second that is Christs Intercession with the father they profane it likewise two wayes first by retaining a priesthood as an office of ministery to offer by theyr publick prayers and other service vnto God which now can be nothing els but eyther a continuing of the Iewish priesthood abolished by Christ who enduring for ever 〈◊〉 a priesthood that can not passe from one to another or els a retayning of the popish priesthood devised by Antichrist Of which sort indeed it is as hereafter will appeare aÌ„d as theÌ„selves have heretofore writteÌ„ aÌ„d acknowleged Neyther will it any white make for them that now all the faithfull are by Christ made Priests to offer vp spirituall sacrifices vnto God For eveÌ„ by this it appeareth that now the ministery aÌ„d priesthood differ betweeÌ„ themselves the one to witt the priesthood being commoÌ„ to all the faithfull the other that is the ministery being proper to such as are according to the word of God sett apart therevnto The second way whereby they profane Christ his Intercession is by offring vp in Christs name aÌ„d mediatioÌ„ their devised stinted popish worship aÌ„d ministratioÌ„ Which being never appoynted by Christ but devised by man is abominatioÌ„ vnto God whereas on the contrary Iesus Christ that everlasting Priest maketh his people an holy prâ—esthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable vnto God through himself This also have the forward preachers and people among them heretofore avowched affirming to the Parliament that their book of Common prayer wherein theyr publik worship aÌ„d ministration is set down is culled aÌ„d picked out of that popish dunghill the masse book full of abominations Yet do they still offer it vp to God in the mediation of Christ as is manifest both by the book it self and in theyr continuall practise And thus have we seen with what iâ—piety they carry themselves also towching the Priesthood of Iesus Christ. Lasily concerning his kingdome howsoever they speak of the guydance of his Spirit yet in deed and in truth they refuse to be subiect to him as Lord and King of his Church And this they manifest to all men in that they refuse to submite to the offices lawes and order of government which he as Lord and king of his Church hath appoyâ—ted therevnto and not that onely but do also subiect themselves to the ministery disorder and constitutions which Antichrist that sonne of perdition hath invented and brought into the false Church The proof hereof is evident first in theyr constitutions and practise then by theyr own confession and writings Concerning both which first I refer you to that which was said before towching Christs Prâ—phery as also to that which is spoken of this matter every where throughout this treaâ—ise And then I pray you consider both the Scriptures quoted in the margent and these sayings of theyrs in theyr own writings which directly concerne the poynt we have in hand and see if they witnes not as much themselves as they are charged withall by vs. On the one hand thus they write that they must eyther confesse that Christ hath left vs an order to live by or els spoyle him of his Kingly office That Christ the King and governour of his Church must rule it by his oâ—n offices and by his own lawes till his comming at the last day That Christ is a king who hath prescribed lawes vnto his Church for the government of the same and will have them tyed to no other neyther to disobey them which he hath sett down Yet on the other hand as towching theyr 〈◊〉 estate they write thus of themselves That theyr worâ—â— and works are divorced That they do not in deed obey his precepts and lawes whom in words they acknowledg to be theyr King That they do not onely want the offices appoynted by Christ to witt Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Attenders vpon the poore but also remayne in and vnder the confusions and Antichristian offices of Archbishops Bishops Dâ—anes Archdeacons Deacons Chauncelours Commissaryes Officials vvhich be rather members and parts of the whore and strumpett of Rome then of the pure virgin and spouse of the immaculate Lamb That the government of theyr Church is not taken out of Gods word but out of the Canon lavves and decrees of Popes Finally that they reiect Christs yoke and retayne that popish hierarchy first coyned in the midst of the mystery of iniquity and that filthy sinke of the Canon law vvhich vvas invented and patched together for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichrist Wherein as great indignity is offred vnto Iesus Christ in committing his Church vnto the government of the same as caÌ„ be by meane vnderlings vnto a king in committing his beloved spouse vnto the direction of the Mistres of the Stevves and enforcing her to live after the orders of a brothel hovvse These are their own sayings And therefore even by theyr own confession it is to true among them in this respect which one of themselves said that turning out the orders vvhich Christ hath prescribed in his vvord for the ruling of his Church they give him the title of a King but deny him the authority belonging to the same and so in truth make him an Idoll making him to carry a shovv of that he is not and vvith the crucifyers of him putting a reed in his hand in stead of his yron rod and crovvning him vvith thorneâ— in stead of the crovvn of greatest glory Thus have we showed that in theyr constitution of Christ ministery worship and government they do not receyv and â—bey Iesus Christ in his own ordinance as theyr Prophet Priest and king And therefore as they say of the papists so let them look it be not verifyed of themselves in this respect that howsoever in words generally they professe yet in deed and verity they do not acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh that Prophet Priest and king of the Church and consequently by the rule and judgment of the Apostle sett down in the Scriptures here alledged by â—r H. are in this behalf not of God but of Antichrist The next Scripture Mr H. citeth is from the book of RebelatioÌ„ The words be these speaking of the beast here described There was given vnto him a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemyes and power was given vnto him to do two and fourty moneths And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven Rev. 13. 5. 6. This book of the Revelation whosoever readeth over with a single heart and compareth with it the event of things partly come to passe already partly morefully yet to be accomplished considering on the one hand that the whore of Babilon hath made all nations of the earth drunk with the cup of her fornications that she hath already begun to fall and daily more and more inclyneth to her full desolation and destruction which yet can never wholy be accomplished so long as the Babylonish offices of Archbisâ—hops Lordbishops Archdeacons and the rest with theyr courts canons worship and procedings do continew And on the other hand that the Lord Iesus will by the light aÌ„d power of his gospell condemne and abolish that Babiloâ—ish whore with all her false offices and constitutions and will also raigne in his Church by his own offices and lawes with his crown of glory vpon his head aÌ„d his scepter of righteousnes in his haÌ„d vntill he give vp the kingdome to God even the Father that God may be all in all Who so I say readeth this book and considereth these and such like prophecyes therein coÌ„teyned in part already fulfilled and yet morefully to be effected shall playnely see that this book of all other most playnely deciphâ—reth and condemneth the Babylonish Antichristian estate and constitution of these assemblyes as they now stand vnder this Prelaâ—y and other false ministery of the land Now in particular for the place of this book here alledged that it likewise is verisfyd of theyr ecclesiâ—sticall estate aÌ„d dealings at this day as heretofore it hath beÌ„ in the Romane Empire and Apostasy elswhere may sufficiently be seen by that which hath before ben said towching Daniels like prophetyes where you may perceyv by the spâ—rialtyes there expressed how these men in theyr estate at this day have a mouth that speaketh great things and blasphemyes against God to blaspheme his name in speaking yll of his truth and ordinances and his Tabernacle that is his Church which is the house of the living God aÌ„d Tabernacle wherein he dwelleth among the sonnes of men on earth and them that dvvell in heaven that is the Lords secret ones whose conversation is in heaven whiles they live here on earth keeping the â—â—mmaundements of God and having the testimony of Iesus Christ whom they look for from the heaveÌ„s for theyr full redemptioÌ„ But these things being before in the handling of Daniels prophery declared in many particulars it shall not be needfull here agayn to repeat them Onely in this place it shall be good to note this moreover that in this chapter and book Mr. H. might have sett down many other places describing the propertyes of Antichrist and that not onely in regard of his doctrine and deceit thereof but also in respect of his tolourable pretence to be of Christ and for him yet forcing all people to stand subiect to his own adulterate discipline ordinances and jurisdiction To which end it is to be observed that Antichrist is here described to have two hornes like the lambe pretending his ministery and authority to be of Christ â—nd for him but yet shall speak like the dragon in his false doctrines imposed traditions blaspheming the truth reviling the witnesses thereof and advauncing himself and his own inventions above God and his commaundemeÌ„ts Moreover that he shall make all both small and great rich and poore bond and free to take his mark in theyr forehead aÌ„d haÌ„d and so to submitt to his ministery leiturgy courts excommunitations and the rest of the actions of his vsurped authority Or els killeth banisheth aÌ„d imprisoneth all such as refuse so to do not suffring them eyther to enioy any liberty oâ—priviledg in the world or to performe any worship to God but according to his own in ventions aÌ„d apostasy Which hâ—w true they arâ— of the Prelacy and other Clergy of these assenblpes let theyr estate and daily actions be witnesses Hitherto also might be referred other scriptures of this book verifyed in them likewise for example that as the 〈◊〉 spoken of in the ninth of this book were like vnto horses prepared to battayle having on theyr heads crownes like vnto gold and faces like men and haire as womeÌ„ and teeth as lyons aÌ„d habergions of yron and tayles as scorpions with stings in them having power to hurt for a season so the Prelates aÌ„d other Clergy of Antichrist are fâ—erce as horses to fight against the truth and people of God having rule and dominion with Lordly titles and princely dignities in outward face aÌ„d show pretending to be the Ministers of Christ and his Church but in deed being deceitfull entising and lascivious as harlots and ravenous cruell poysonfull and singing as Lyons and scorpions having powr to hurt and deceyue for a season albeyt their 〈◊〉 aÌ„d malice be limited aÌ„d repressed by the providence and power of the most High Agayne that as those locusts with mens faces were all of them vnder AbaddoÌ„ their King the Angel of the bottomles pitt so the Prelates and other Clergy of Antichrist howsoever they pretend to be the Ministers of righteousnes are in deed the subjects of Sathan the Prince of darâ—nes who yet transformeth himself into an Angell of light Moreover that they as well as other people and nations of the earth haue committed fornication vvith that vvhore of Babylon spoken of in this book and haue receyued of her names of blasphemy such as be the names of Archbishops and Lord bisshops and Priests when it is ascribed to an office of Ministery of the Gospell and haue drunk of her golden cupfull of abominations whence haue proceeded theyr Ministery book of common prayer book of ordering Priests and consecrating Archbishops and Bishops excommunications by Archdeacons and Lordbishops theyr courts of facultyes Commissary courts and such like among them and finaâ—â— have ben made drunken vvith the blood of the Saints and vvith the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus So as these assemblyes in theyr ecclesiasticall constitutioÌ„ and procedings have showed themselves to be the naturall daughters of Babylon that mother of vvhoredomes and abominations of the earth howsoever as a Mystery it ly much hid and is not easily espyed vnleâ— Christ Iesus annoynt ovvreyes vvith ey salue that we may perceyv it and carry us forth as it vvere into the vvildernes in the Spirit to take a view of it by the light of his word aÌ„d not as it maketh show aÌ„d is esteemed among men in the world And thus much of this place aÌ„d book of the RevelatioÌ„ here alledgeâ— Now before Mr. H. cometh to any other Scriptures 〈◊〉 this conclusion of the former that
be judges The other is that he would a litle pawse and take view of that themselves have published towching theyr Priests heretofore for whom now he pleadeth As for example to give him a tast they write that theyr Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stypendaryes with the rest came from the Pope as out of the Trojane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome Also that the Church of God never knevv them but that they are the Prelates new creatures Yet see how now all of a sodepne Mr. H. would perswade us they are become Pastors those auncyent officers whâ—m Christ appoynted and the Apostles planted in the Primitive Churches of old Are these things sutable one with another Doth not theyr contradiction discover it self And do not themselves proclayme to the world theyr deceytfull dawbing theyr halting and vnfaythfulnes The Lord give them to lay it to hart and to amend Now to proceed it followeth in his writing thus ¶ Mr. H. his letter Section 8. Tâ—ll vs not then that the same name is given to our office as to the popish sacrificers Do you think the vvorse of your self because you are called Brovvâ—ists And shall the holy office and calling vvhich is so agreable to the vvord be misliked because it is called a Priesthood coâ—sidering that though it agree in name yet it differeth in nature and substaâ—ce as much from the popish priesthood as light doth from darknes Aunswer to Section 8. YEs sure we must tell them agayn and agayn that they are Priests both in name and office But be it that they were not Priests by office yet seing the very name of Priests being applyed to a Ministery of the Gospell among men is eyther a calling back of the Leviticall priesthoâ—d which were to deny Christ to be come in the flesh or els a monument and remembraÌ„ce of that priesthood of Antichrist which is odious to Christ and all good Christians with what conscience can they still retayne or plead for so vnchristian and abominable a name Have they forgotten or do they not regard that among the marks of that great whore the Romish Babylon this is one that she is full of names of blasphemy And among these names of hers is not this of Priest being spoken of an office of Ministery among men vnder the Gospell one of them that is most blasphemous for the reasons before alledged Hath not God also threatned that they shall drink of the cup of his wrath and have no rest day nor might not onely which worship the beast and his image but even whosoever receyveth the print of his name Let them therefore make as light account hereof as they please Yet dare not we but mislike and abhorre this and the rest of the Names of blaâ—phemy retayned among them And yet to we neyther do neyther need think the worse of our selves because we are called Brownists It is one thing to be rayled vpon and miscalled by the adversaryes of the truth another to borrow from them and retayne with them theyr names of blasphemy It is one thing to be reviled by nickâ—â—mes and sclaunders another to be called by fitt and proper names It is one thing to be falsely and vnjustly termed this or that another to be truly and justly so termed â—e are reviled and termed Brownists by the enemyes of the truth falsely and vnjustly therefore there is no cause why it should mâ—ve vs. The Apostles themselves and the Christians with them in the Prâ—â—itive Churches were likewise called a sect of Nazarites and every where spoken against And at this day by the sclaunderous papists are the names of Calvinists Lutherans Zwinglians and the like attributed to them that consent to the doctrine of truth taught by Calvin Luther Zwinglius etc. God knoweth we hold not this truth we professe of Brown or any man whatsoever but because it is the â—octrine and commaundement of Christ revealed in his word and given to his Church We blesse God for any instruments he vseth to manifest his truth to the world but we rejoyce not in men neyther theyr persons nor names We are baptized into the â—ame of Christ and are called Christians as were the Disciples in the Primitive Churches The slaundâ—rous names given to them in that age or to vs or any other Disciples of Christ in this or any other age we acknowledg not It is the malice and subtilty of Sathan and his instruments by such sclaunders and nicknames to make the truth and servants of God odious and abhorred of the world Therefore regard we 〈◊〉 not but with the Apostle we do freely confesse that after the way which they call Heresy so worship we God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ beleving all things that are written in the Law in the Prophets and Apostles and endevoring our selves to have alway a cleare conscience toward God and toward men Let men therefore call vs Brownists or what they please it troubleth not vs seing we are so termed vntruly and vnjustly But for theyr name of Priests it is far otherwise They are truly and justly so called and that for these causes following First for that the Law whereto Mr. H. appealeth for theyr defence alloweth no other orders of Ministery in the land but of Deacons which is the way to the priesthood and of Priests so made and ordeyned by the Prelates Secondly because at theyr ordination the Archdeacon presenting them to the Lordbishop vseth these words Reverend father I present these men vnto you to be admitted to the order of Priesthood Thirdly for that the Prelates by whom they are ordeyned admitt them to no other office For after the Archdeacon hath presented them as is aforesaid then the Prelate speaking to the people sayth thus Good people these be they whom we purpose God willing to receyve this day vnto the holy office of Priesthood Fourthly because theyr book of ordination both in the title of it and els where throughout the book showeth they receyv no other office And therefore calleâ—h and accounteth them priests As doth also theyr book of common prayer and theyr other books of Articles and Iniâ—â—ctions almost iâ— every page Lastly because the most popish priests whether they have ben so made hereâ—ofore in England in â— Maryes dayes or els be so made at Rhemes or Rome or any sucâ— place in these daâ—es yet if they renounce onely those poynts of popery that this land hath reiected are receyved and retayned for priests without any new ordination to administer in these asemblyes to offer vp theyr prayers to deliver theyr SacrmeÌ„ts to them to preach to enter vpon any benâ—fice in the land to enioy the commodityes thereof and to performe the dutyes therevnto belonging Proof hereof we have seen not onely in â— Mary priests so retayned from the begining of her Maiestyes raigne vnto this day but also in divers popish priests of this age as Tirell Tither Nichols
and such other who being made Priests at Rhemes and Rome were without any other ordination then there they had vpon recantation of some popish errors receyved for ministers of these assemblyes aÌ„d inducted into benefices by the Prelates Whereas on the contrary such as have ben allowed for ministers in the reformed Churches beyond seas where the popish priesthood is wholy reiected wheÌ„ they come into EnglaÌ„d are not approved for lawfull ministers to administer in these assemblyes neyther to enter vpon any theyr benefiâ—es vnles they be first made Deacons and Priests by some of the Prelates Proof of this also we have seen not onely in the troubles raysed in this behalf against Mr Whittingâ—am at Durham in the North and against Mr Travers at the Temple in London but most evidently in Mr Wright now Parson of Dinnington in Suffolck who being presented to that benefice yet could not for all the allowance he had receyved of the reformed Churches in the low countreyes be instituted and inducted into it till he was made Priest by Scamler Prelate of Norwich now deceased Thus to omit till hereafter how neare of kinne our English Priests are to the popish by these reasons is evident that they are truly and iustly called Priests Which is the thing that was to be showed But they will say they are not ordeyned to sacrifice for the quick and the dead as be the popish priests Whereto I might â—unswer that some of them were so ordeyned and never receyved any other ordination yet notwithsâ—anding stand they priests of these assemblyes at this day as was showed before But be it that none of them were so ordeyned What then Doth it follow therefore they are no Priests If so thâ— the Leviticall priests vnder the Law were no priests For they were not ordeyned to sacrifice for the quick and dead Yet were they priests by office of ministery and lawfully also at that tyme as the Scripture teacheth Neyther by this reason are Mahumets priests at this day or any priests of the Heathen to be accounted Priests For they are not ordeyned as the popish priests to offer vp Christ whom they reiect Yet are they priests notwithstanding by theyr office as we read of Iupiters Priest in the Acts but false ones as be also the Romish and English and all Antichristian priests whatsoever Secondly although the Masse whereto those popish priests be bound be the chief and principall yet is it not the onely abominable sacrifice and worship in the world To let passe the Heathens sacrifices and priesthood what may we think in this light of the Gospell of that Idoll-book of stinted prayers and exhortations whereto the priests of England be tyed to offer it vp as theyr publik sacrifice and worship vnto God Will you heare what some of themselves have thought of it and have advertised the most honorable Court of Parliament concerning it Thus then have they written hereof We must needs say as followeth these are theyr own words that this book is an vnperfâ—â—â—t book culled and picked out of that popish dunghill the masse book full of all abhominations Lo here in theyr own consciences theyr book of Common prayer is no other but a pigge of that mezeld sow the Masse book Yet this sacrifice do theyr Priests daily offer vp vnto God and are bound therevnto And that so as among them this may and doth serve alone without any theyr sermons or other prayers whereas these without it in theyr constitution are not sufficient Although then the Priests of England be not now ordeyned to say Masse neyther tyed to the Masse book in Latin yet when in stead thereof they are still bound to such a book and worship as by theyr own confession is culled and picked out of that popish dunghill the Masse book full of abominations what can this help for theyr defence Nay rather considering the light and measure of knowledg revealed more to them then to the Papists is not theyr sinne though not in it self yet in this respect so much the greater as they have receyved more light and knowledg of the truth then the other have done Thirdly neyther is sacrificing the onely duty of the priesthood in Popery but besides it they have by vertue of theyr ordination to that office authority likewise to read theyr service book to preach to minister the Sacraments to bucy the dead to solemâ—ize Mariage to Church weomen after childbirth to pronounce absolution when they visit the sick etc. All which being dutyes likewise of the Priesthood of England wherevnto in this constitution they have authority by vertue of theyr ordination to that office as have the Priests in popery What great matter is it if agreing with them in so many severall dutyes of the same office they should altogether differ from them in one The Turkish and Heathenish priests at this day although they differ very much both from those at Rome and these of England yet notwithstanding are they Priests in a false office as well as the other Hitherto then hath ben showed that the Ministers of these assemblyes are truly and fitly called Priests And Mayster H. himself who pleadeth theyr cause yet cannot you see deny but they agree in Name with the popish priesthood Now whereas he addeth that though theyr Priesthood agree in name yet it differeth in nature and substance as much from the popish priesthood as light doth froÌ„ darknes it is as true as wheÌ„ he said before theyr priesthood was in substance the same with the office of the Pastor described in the word that is it is vtterly vntrue Which although it be sufficiently proved already yet for more clearing of the truth aÌ„d stopping of theyr mouths it shalbe good here by way of comparison to set down the agreement of theyrs with the popish priesthood on the one hand and on the other the disagreement of them both from the Pastors office which Christ hath appoynted 1 And first of all it would be knowen what the cause is why they retayne the same name if they have not the same office with the popish priesthood As also if they have the same office with the Pastors described in the word why then they have not also the same name In the history of Isaac the Scripture recordeth as a thing very godly and memorable that when he digged agayn the wels of water which they had digged in the dayes of Abraham his father and which the Philistims had stopped after the death of Abraham he gave them the same names which his father had given them If these men likewise have recovered agayn the Pastors office plaÌ„ted by the Apostles in the Primitive Churches and since theyr death stopped vp by the Romish Philistims why do they not in like maner give it the same name that our fathers the Apostles gave vnto it Are these men wiser then the Apostles of our Lord Iesus or are they fathers in Christ more
and maner of â—ntrance into it pag. 108. The word and Sacraments administred aÌ„d receyved in the Church of Engl. in and from a false ministery Sect. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. and p. 33. 89. 90. 91. 141. Manifold abuses in their administration of the Sacraments p. 12. 13. 87. 91. Of excommunication in the Church of Eng. how coÌ„trary it is to that which Christ hath ordeyned in his Church p. 10. 17. 62. 104. Of a prescript leiturgy aÌ„d the Book of common prayer vsed in the Church of Engl. p. 12. 69. 97. 103. 141. Of the Apocrypha books vsed in theyr publick worship pag. 11. Of the holy dayes in the Church of Engl. pag. 13. Of Idoll temples pag. 46. The â—ath er officio pag. 13. The forbidding of mariage and meats at certayne seasons pag. 12. 23. 27. The Prelacy and theyr vsurped authority was in Engl. long before the raigne or birth of her Maiesty p. 127. The Prelates by the Law of God not capable of that which is committed vnto them by the Parliament pag. 117. 〈◊〉 false ministery not to be heard though the truth be taught in it Sect. 2. 3. 4. 5. and pag. 19. 39. 52. 89. Separation from the Ministery and worship of the Church of Engl. pag. 5. 16. 66. 78. 105. 122. 126. Of the name Brownists p. 94. The order of our Church who are falsely called Brownisâ—s pag. â—3 Though others be not perswaded or be ignorant of the truth of Christ yet must we obey it p. 64. What is substantiall in the Ministery p. 83. What is substantiall in the calling to it p. 116. etc. Of Elders and the Eldership p. 11. 113. 114. The ordinary offices appoynted by Christ for the administration of his holy things p. 9. 68. The tryall choyse aÌ„d ordination pag. 40 84. 100. 105. 106. 111. 112. 113. 116. 123 Their administration p. 12. 13. 85. 103. etc. Theyr maintenance p. 11. 104. Difference to be put between an office and the actions thereof p. 87. Difference to be put between true Churches having corruptions and betweeÌ„ false Churches making show of religion As also a divers maner of walking to be vsed towards them p. 45. 57. 61. Of two hy priests at once or by course etc. p. 50. What is vnderstood by this word Discipline pag. 21. Of the Lords prayer p. 138. Testimonyes of the Prelates and Formalists against themselves pag. 15. 30. 33. 88. 93. 113. Testimonyes of the forward preachers and people against themselves p. 14. 15. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 40. 51. 52. 88. 89. 93. 97. 107. 109. 110. 113. 116 130. 131. Theyr prayers and suites for â—eformation pag. 70. 113. Theyr own testimonyes which they alledg out of the Scripture for theyr defence against them Sect. 3. 4. 5. pag. 21. 63. Testimonyes of former tymes against them pag. 24. 25. 64. 66. 70. 131. For which see further in the Acts and Monuments in the hystories of Iohn VVicleff VVilliam Svvinderby Syr Iohn Old cattle Lord Cobham Iohn Claydon and other the servants of God and Martyrs of Iesus Who held aÌ„d professed that Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons c. be the disciples of Antichrist yea very Antichrists themselues That the possessions aÌ„d Lordships of the clergy are the venime of Iudas shed into the Church That the Bishops licence for a man to preach the vvord of God is the true character of the beast that is Antichrist Act and Monum edition 4. pag. 150 a. 468. b. 562. b. 563. a. 639. b. Testimonyes of the reformed Churches at this day against them pag. 67. 68. 69. We would have cured Babel but she could not be healed forsake her and deliver ye every man his soule from the fierce wrath of the Lord. Ier. 51. 9. 45. with Rev. 18. 4. 5. * Iam. 1. 19. 20. 21. Iam. 2. 1. a Iam. 1. 19. 20. 21. b Voâ— 22. c 1. Cor. 1â— 9. 12. d 2. Ioh. ver 4. and 7. e Iam. 2. â—2 f 2. Cor. 2. 17. g Iudg. 6. 31. The Reason alledged for separation from the Church ministry of England a In sectioÌ„ 5. in the end of it b 2. Thes. 2. 4. c. l 2. Thes. 2. 3. m Vers. 3. n Ver. 3. and 7. o Ver. 4. compared vvith Ver. 3. 6. 7. 8. p Ver. 4. cempared vvith Rev. 1â— 11. q Ver. 8. anomos that is savâ—les or lavvbreakes r Ver. 9. compared vvith Mat. 24. 24. s Ver. 3. and 8. compard vvith Rev. 14. 6. 7. 8. t ver 10. 11. 12. compared vvith Rev. 14. 9. 10 11. v 2. Thes. 2. 3. vv Ver. 4. x Ver. 8. y ver 10. 11 z 1. Coâ— 12. 5. 28. Ephes. 4. 8. 11. 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8. vvith 1. Tim. 3. cap. and 5. cap. and 6. 13. 14. 15. x 1. Coâ— 3. 16. 17. and 2. Cor. 6 16. 17. 18. compared vvith 2. Thes 2. 4. 10. a 2. Machab 12. 44. 45. and 14. 41. 42. Eccles siastiâ—us 46 20. vvisdoÌ„ 19. 11. b 2 Esdras 14. 21. 22. 23. 2. Machab. 2 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. To bit 5. 11. 12. 13. vvith 12 15. Iudith 8. 33. and 10. 9. vvith 10. 12. and 11. 6. 12. 13. 14. 15. aÌ„d 14. 3. 4. 1 Machab. 9. 3 18. vvith â— Mach. 1. 10. also 1 Machab 6. 4. 8. 9 16. vvith 2 Machab. 1. 13 14. 15. 16. and vvith 9. 1. 5. 7. 9. 28. 29. c Tobit 12. 1â— 15. compared vvith Rom. 8. 34. 1 Tim. 2. 5 Rev. 8. 3 4. d Tobit 6. 6. 7. 8. and 9. 2. 3. vvith 3. 7. 8. also 11. 10. 11. 12. 13. vvith 2. 9. 10. e Iudith 9. 2. 3. 4. coÌ„pared vvith GeÌ„ 49. 5. 6. 7. Ester Apocâ—â—pha 12. 5. vvith Ester Canonical 6. 3. also Ester Apoâ—â— 15. 9. 10. vvith Ester canon 5. 2. Ecclesiasticus 46. 20. vvith Esa. 57. 2. aÌ„d Eccles. 12. 7. f Second admon to the Parliam pag. 6 aÌ„d 7. g Lev. â—0 1. 2. h Ephes. 2. 20. i Sutclifs English treatise of eccles discipline pag. 7. k Esa. 33. 22. and 42 4. Gen. 49. 10. Act. 5. 31. Gal. 6. 2 Ier. 31. 33. vvith Heb. 8. 10. Iam. 4. 12. l Tit. 1. 16. m Demâ—stra in the preface to the Reader also Declar of eccses discip n Gods arrovv against A therists Papists etc. cap. 5. o I am 4. 12. p Ezech. 16. 44. vvith Rev. 17. 5. q T. C. first reply pag. 177. Declar. of â—ccles disipline etc. r Act. 2. 40. and 19. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. Rev. 18. 4. 1. Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. s Ad salutem animae that is to the salvation of the soâ—le t 1 Cor. 5. 4. 6. Mat. 18. 17. 18. 19. 20. And this Mr H. graunteth aftervvardrin section 5. v Rev. 18. 4. and 14. 9. 20. vv Rev. 13. 16. and 18 2 x Ad. 2. 40 41. Rev. 18. 4. 2. Cor. 6. 1â— Eâ—ra 6. 21. and 9. 14. Psal. 119. 113 128. y 2. Thes. 2. 4. Rev. 9. 3. vvith 1. Cor. 12 5. Ephe. 4. 5. 11 1. Pet. 5. 3. 4. z Rev. 18. 11. and
29. c Mat. 18. 17. d Act. 21. 27. 28. 29. e Mat. 9. 11. and 11. 19 f 1 Cor. 5. 9 11. g Mat. 1â— 18. 19. 20. h Bilsons treatise of the perpetual government of the Church chap. 4. * Thus doth Bilson interpret those vvords of Christ Mâ—t. 18. 17. s Dan. 3. 14. t Col. 2. 5. v Pag. 57. 58. vv Ieâ— 17. 9. 10. Mat. 13. 40. 41. Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. Gal. 5. 12. 1 Tim. 1. 19. 20. 1 Cor. 5. Chap. y Rev. 17. 4. 5. vvith Gen. 11. 9. * In the forme of Confession of faith vvherevnto all subscribe that are receyved to be schollers in the Vniversyt of Genâ—va z Rom. 9. 4. Act. 3. 25. and 13. 14. 15. 32. 33. Luk. 1. 8. 9. and 2. 31. c Mat. 8. 4. vvith Levit. the vvhole book a Act. 2. 40. and 13. 46. and 19. 9. b Act. 3. 17. and 13. 27. c 2 Thel 2 3. 10. Rev. 17 â— 2. d See foâ— this that vvhich is said in the beginning to the aunsvver to this third sectioÌ„ Pag. 61. 62. e Rev. 1â— 5. vvith Hos. 2. 2. 4. f Gal. 5. 1. vvith 1. 8. 9. aâ—d 5. 12. and 6. 12. g Rev. 14. 9. 10. 11. and 16. 10. 11 and 17. 1. c. h Deut. 30. 13. 14. i Pag. 67. 68. 69. k Gen. 6. 2 and 4. 26. vvith 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. l Levit. 20 24. 25. 26. Ezra 6. 21. m Act. 2. 40. 41. and 19. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. n Rev. 18. 4 and 14. 9. 10 11. vvith 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. o 1 Cor. 14. 37. 38. * Section 10 p Iob. 14. 4. q Mat. 7. 16. r Maâ— 12. â— s Heb. 7. 11 c. t 1 King 12. 31. 32. 33. 2 Chron. 1â— 9. 10. Amos. 4. 4 5 and â— 10. 〈…〉 v Section 10. vv Section 3. Pag. 17. x Esa. 6. 9. 10. y Rom. 3. 8. z Tit. 11. 12. vvith Ephes. 5. 11. a 1 Tim. 5. 22. b Rev. 18. 4. c Admon to Parl. T. C. his replyes d VVhitg Bâ—idges Some etc. e Pag. 19. 30. 77. f Levit. 10 1. 2. 1 ChroÌ„ 13. 9. 10. g 1 Cor. 1â— 22. h Section 10. i Eph. 4. 11 12. 13. k 1 Cor. 12 5. 28. l Tim. 4. 3. vvith Exod. 20. 4. 5. Num. 15. 39. m 1 Thes. 5. 12. 13. Heb 13. 17. n Heb. 5. 4. 5. o Ioh. 10. 1. 5. p Ioh. 13. 20. Luk. 10. 16. q Ier. 23. 21. r 2 Tim. 1. 13. s 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. 20. and 1. 3. 4. and 4. 7. vvith Gal. 1. 8. 9. Rom. 16. 17. 2 Ioh. 10. t 1 Tim. 3 14. 15. v 2 Tim. 2. 2. vv 1 Tim. 5. 21. and 6. 13. 14. 15. 10. x 2 Tim. â— 16. 17. y 2 Pet. â— 16. 1 Cor. 11 23. Gal. 1. 10 11. 12. z 2 Cor. 1. 24. a 1 Pet. 4. 11. and 5. 1 2. 3. b Ioh. 1â— 49. 50. c Mat. 2â— 20. d Esa. 29. 13. Maâ— 15. 9 â—ev 10. 1. 2. Col. 2. 18. 22. 23. * Exod 30. 7. 8. Deut. 33. 10. 2 Chron. 26. 18. f Num 16 40. 2 Chro. 26. 19 20. vvith Heb. 5 4. * Mat. 28. 18. 19. Ioh. 1. 25. 26. 33. 1 Cor. 1. 14. 16. 175. 1. aÌ„d 3. 5. 6. 9. vvith Ephes. 4. 11 12. g Book of common prayer in Private Baptisme h 1 Cor. 14 34. 35. 1 Ti. â— 12. i Book of ordering Priests and Deacons l D. VVhitg Last book against T. G. pag. 137. m Defence of eccles discipl against Bridges pag. 88. 89. n Admon to Paâ—li 〈◊〉 2. o Defence of eccles disc against Bridg. pag. 101. * Note that the speach is not of the temporary and extraordinary offices of Apostles Prophets EvaÌ„ge lists vvhich are ceased neyther of the Civill Magistracy vnto vvhich every soule even the Apostles if they vvere on earth aÌ„â— therefore much more all other vvhatsoever ought to be subiecct Rom. 13. 1. But the speach is onely of ecclesiasticall persoÌ„â— and that onely in the ordinary guydance of the Church q Mat. 28. 18. 19. 20. Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 12 5. 28. 1 Tim 3. cap. and 5. 17. and 6. 13. 14. r Psal. 50. 16. 17. s Esa. 1. 1â— t Act. 14. 13 v Psal. 119 21. 128. Reâ— 9. 3. and 14. 9. 10. 11. * Henri Barrovv Iohn Grenvvood Iohn Penry Elias Coppin c. The exiled English Church in the lovv Countreyes The prisoners for this cause in London â—urrey Norvvich Bury Bristovv Leycester Northampton Sarisbury Iâ—chester Glocester c. x 2 ChroÌ„ 24. 22. Mat 25. 44. 45. 46. y Pag. 10. 11. 12. 13. z In Section 9. and 10 a 1 Cor. â— 17. b Mat. 7. 6. c Exod. 1â— 45. d Maâ— â— 17. e Ezech. 13 22. f 1 Cor. 1â— 21. g Mal. 1. 7. h 1 Cor. 1â— 16. i Book of oâ—dering 〈◊〉 c. k 2 Thes. â— 7. 9. 10. l Bridges in the firsâ— book m Adaâ—oÌ„to Parlia first and 2. treatise o Rev. 17. 3 q Rev. 14. 11. r Act. 24. â— and 28. 2â— s 1 Cor 3. 2â— t Act. 11. 26. v Act. 24. 14. vv Book of ordering Pâ—iests x In the same book y The forme and maâ—er of making aÌ„d coâ—secrating Bishops Priests and DeacoÌ„s z In Q Mary priests In Tirrell Tither c. a Exod. 28 1. Dent. 33. 10. vyith Le. 21. 1. Hos. 9. 4. Deut. 12. 11. 12. b Act. 14. 13. c 〈…〉 Admon to the Parliâ—â— trâ—atise 2. d In Secâ—on 6. and 7. e In the aunsvver to the 6. and 7. 〈◊〉 f Geâ— 26. 18. g Eph. 4. 11. vvith 1 Cor. 4. 15 h Hos. 2. 17. i Rev. 14. 9 11. k Rev. 15. 3. and 18 4. l Rev. 17. 1. and 18. 4 5. and 19. 2. m Foâ— proof of these particulars followvving vvherein the Popish aÌ„d English priests are compared together besides their constitution and practise vvhich alone vvere proof sufâ—â—cient see the Popes poâ—tificall and Portuis and compare vvith theâ— the Inglish book of ordering Priâ—â—â— aÌ„d Deacons and theyâ— book of Common prayer Also theyr Câ—noÌ„t Articles 〈◊〉 c n AdmoÌ„ to Parl secoÌ„d treatise 〈◊〉 1â— o See â— Thes. 2 3. 4. 8. Rev. 9. 3 and 13. 16. 17. and 14. 8 9. 10. 11. and 17. 1 5. and 18. 11. t Rev. 〈◊〉 16. 1. King 23. 5. c. Deâ—t 12. 2. â— 4. 1 Tim. 2. 2. Psaâ— 72. â— c. Rom. 〈◊〉 4. v 2 Thes. 2. S. Rev. 14. 6. 7. 8. and 17. 1. and 18. 20 23. vvith Ier 5â— 60 64. Rev 19. 〈◊〉 vv Ioh. 10. 5. Rev. 9 3. aÌ„d 14. 9. 10. 11. and 18. 4 Amoâ— 4. 4. â— and 5. 5. Num. 16. 〈◊〉 26. Maâ— 7. 15. Psal. 119. 113. 128. 2 Cor. 6. 14 1â— * Pag. 100. c. x Admoâ— to Parl. 2 〈◊〉 aâ—ise sect 14. y In the same book sect 20. z 〈◊〉 10. * That 〈…〉 of making and consecrating Bisshops Priest 〈◊〉 a Act. 6. 2. 4. Rom. 12. 8. 1 Cor. 12. 28. and 16. 1.
this is the Antichrist which denyeth the Father and the Sonne 1 Ioâ— 2. 23. By this shall ye know the Spirit of God Every spirit that confesseth Iesus Christ come in the flesh is of God And every spirit which confesseth not Iesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God but this is the spirit of Antichrist 1. Ioh 4. 2. 3. Many deceyvers are entred into the world vvhich confesse not Iesus Christ come in the flesh He that is such one is a deceyveâ— and an Antichrist 2. Ioh. 7. HEre in few words is comprised a most notable direction how to know Antichrist and declared also by the contrary in the fourth chapter as is here noted down Where the Apostle teacheth vs to trye and know the spirits of all men by the confession they make concerning Christ to witt by theyr acknowledging or derogating from his person or office For vnto these two heads he bringeth the whole matter the one concerning the person the other concerning the office of the Lord Iesus Towching his person that he is God and Man in one and the same person His Godhead he noteth out in these words Iesus Christ is come to witt the Sonne of God from heaven his manhood in those words in the flesh the vniting and knitting together of these two natures in one person when speaking of one and the same Iesus Christ he saith he is come in the flesh Towching his office that this Iesus is the CHRIST that is the annoynted of God that should come into the vvorld to be the onely and sufficient Mediator betwixt God and man Now as in the tyme of the law they were woont to annoynt the Prophets Priests and kings so these being but types of the Lord Iesus here spoken of the Apostle would teachus the he is in deed and so is to be acknowledged the annointed of God with the oyle of gladnes above his fellowes even with the Spirit of God without measure being called and consecrated by the Father to be the onely eternall Prophet Priest and king vnto and for his Church This have I shortly noted for the better vnderstanding of these Scriptures and deciding of the controversy between vs and these assemblyes And this to be the true meaning of these Scriptures appeareth not onely by the Argument and circumstances of the places themselues but also by the conference of other Scriptures here quoted in the margent and infinite such like in the Book of God Now before I proceed to any further application of them let me here again call to powr mynd that which hath before ben noted that even the Papists themselves whom these men acknowledg to be of Antichrist affirme in generall words and will dy in it against the Iewes and Turks that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh the Prophet Priest and king of his Church Yet will not Mr. H. or any of good knowledg say to the contrary but the Papists notwithstanding are by these Scriptures convinced to be of Antichrist because that although they professe thus much in generall termes yet when as theyr estate and practise is examined by the Scriptures in particular they are found to professe that in word which in truth and in deed they do not acknowledg And why then may not we so reason from these Scriptures agaynst these assemblyes which in theyr constitution and practise do likewise in deed deny that in particular which in generall they do professe concerning Christs prophecy priesthood and Kingdome Mr. Beza in his notes vpon these Scriptures sayth thus The Apostle here giveth a sure and perpetuall rule to discerne Antichrists and Antichristian Doctrine by to vvitt if the diuine or humane nature of Christ or the true vnitiug of them together be denyed or if never so litle be derogated from the office of that our everlasting high Priest Prophet and King Math this well Thus doth Mr. Beza vnderstand these Scriptures and thus he gathereth from them as you may see in his notes vpon the new Testament which are printed in English And these Scriptures themselues we see do not poynt at the Papists alone as if they onely were culpable herein but they concerne all others whosoever they be that come within compasse of these rules Now to show in particulars how the Papists offend in this behalf denying that in deed concerning Christ which in word they do acknowledg is altogether needles at this tyme it being graunted on both parts I meane both of vs and of them which yet stand in these assemblyes It shalbe sufficient therefore to show that these assemblyes of England as now they stand do not in this theyr constitution of Church ministery worship and order receyv and obey Iesus Christ in his own ordinance as theyr Prophet Priest and King And therefore howsoever in word generally they professe yet in truth do not in this theyr constitution acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh And consequently by the rule and sentence of the Apostle in these Scriptures are not of God but of Antichrist First therefore concerning Christs Prophecey that they do not receyv and hearken vnto him in his own ordinaÌ„ce as their Prophett is to lamentably evident by this that they do not receyv and submitt vnto that ecclesiasticall order ministery and government which Christ Iesus that Prophet of his Church hath revealed from God the Father in his word and prescribed to his Church to be kept to the end of the world This I show two wayes First by theyr Church constitution then by theyr own confession The present constitutioÌ„ of their Church assemblyes throughout the land is such as they stand every one of them subâ—ect to the ministery and government of another Archbishop and Lord bishop then Iesus Christ of an Archdeacon and a parson vitar or stipendery being eyther priest or deacon so maâ—â— by the Prelates also to their devised â—â—â—ted book worship and administration to theyr ceclesiasticall courts canons excommunications absolutions and such other theyr procedings Which are not onely not found in the Testament of Christ appoynted by that Prophet but were derived from Antichrist that lyar and deceyver of the world Theyr confession is manifest in theyr books and writings wherein they have published to the view of the world 〈◊〉 there is no certayne and perfitt kind of government prescribed in the Scriptures to the Church of Christ vvhich must oâ— necessity be perpetually obserued Agayne that the exteâ—â—â— government of the Church vnder a Christian magistrate must be according to the kind and forme of the government vsed in thâ— common vvealth Moreover that the Apostles neyther 〈◊〉 vvriting nor practise did ever establish an vniformity of extemaâ— Church discipline and that perpetually to hold This they â—â—te and thus they walk Which is directly contrary to the 〈◊〉 fice of Christs Prophecey and highly derogatory to his faitâ—full performance thereof As is evident by these Scriptuâ—â— compared together Deut.
it brought before the whole Church whose voyce if he despise he is cast out from among them least by q retayning of such a litle leaven should leaven the whole lumpeeven them that are within least also the name of God which is called vpon vs should be blasphemed among them that are without aÌ„d to the â—nd that the sinners themselves which are thus cast out of the Church should be ashamed aÌ„d repent Which â— if they do theÌ„ is the Church agayne ready to receyv them and to confirme theyr love to them as before in the Lord o 1 Thes 5. 11. Iude ver 20. 21. 22. 23. p Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. Lev. 19. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 1 2. Gal. 5. 12. and 6. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. q 1 Cor. 5. 5. 6. Rom. 2. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 20. r 2 Cor 2. 7. 8. Mat. 18. 18. 19. And this is that order wherein by the mercy of God we have receyved to walk though we do it with much weaknes through owr own coruption that hangeth so fast vpon vs. Now if Mr H. or any other will needs account this to be confusion yet may not we therefore be likewise mynded any more then Shadrach Meshach and Abednegâ— were when then were charged with disorder because they kept the way of God and would not fall down before the Idoll of Nebuchadnezar but we must rather with the Apostle reioyce beholding such an order and stedfast faith in Christ. Yet do I not deny but there have ben and still may be among vs many hypocrites vngodly men creping in vnder pretence of religion This hath ben the lott and estate of the Church of God in all ages as vpon other occasion hath ben declared before And if it were not so what vse should there be of that power and of those rules which Christ hath giuen to his Church for the casting out of such from among them when they burst out into manifest vngodlynes Therefore are we not to look that the Church shall wholy be free from such whiles it is vpon earth Onely this howsoever with glosing words and showes such hide themselves from the knowledg of men yet God knoweth theyr hearts and wayes and in his day will cast them all out of his kingdome In the meane tyme Whensoever the impiety of any such is discoverâ—d and certainely knowen the Church hath power and is to vse it for the purging of such leaven from among them that they may be an holy people to the Lord. And this still is order not confusion in the Church Now here on the other side might I put Mr. H. in mynd of the extreem confusion which is to be seen in theyr assemblyes in theyr constrayning of all though never so wicked together with theyr seed to stand members of theyr Church in theyr false Antichristian ministery of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons Priests Parsons Uicars and the rest of that crew in theyr stinted popish Leyturgy according to which they offer vp theyr prayers administer theyr Sacraments viâ—it the sick bury the dead marry etc. in theyr ordering also and making of priests and deacons together with theyr degradations suspensions excommunications absolutions dispensations licences to marry without the parents consent and all these by the Prelates according to theyr popish canons and pontificall with infinite other such like confusions But it may be with the Papists out of whose cup these were drawen they take them to be an heaveÌ„ly order Yet the Scripture witnesseth they are no other but the abominations of Babel that is of confusion And so the Church of Geneva professeth that they detest the whole order of papistry called the Hierarchy as a divelish confusion These things whensoever Mr. H. shall duly consider and examine by the Scriptures he shall fynd true among themselves that which vntruly he obiecteth against vs that extream confusion is to be seen in theyr best reformed assemblyes His third and mayne proof whereby he would show that nothing is practised among them so contrary to the discipline as there is amongst vs he saith is that vvhich hath ben already mentioned and of this he saith also it may suffice thinking belike that it is a very sound proof Which whether it be so I leave to every indifferent reader to iudge by that which hath ben already aunswered to whatsoever he hath before mentioned And of Mr. H. himself I desier eyther yeelding to the truth or sounder proof of the accusations he chargeth vs withall After this he laboreth to prove that we should account them brethren and a true Church by the example of Peter vvho called those levves that had crucifyed Christ brethren Act. â— 29 and 3. 17. and of Paul vvho accounted the Galatians a true Church vvhen the errors they vvere fallen into vvere in matters fundamentall Gal. 1. 2. and 5. 2. But Mr. H. should have considered for the first that Peter might call the levves his brethren as Paul doth for that they were his kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9. 3. and children of the generation of Abraham Act. 13. 26. Secondly because the Iewes were the Church and people of God vnto whom the covenaÌ„ts and promises belonged who also were sett in that order of ministery worship and ministration which God prescribed In respect whereof Peter was to account them as brethren till they had wilfully reiected the Gospell of Christ whom through ignorance they put to death But what is this to prove that Christians should account such for brethreÌ„ as staÌ„d in apostasy from the way of Iesus Christ and in respect thereof be children of the fornications of Babylon Or whâ— should not Iohn Wickleff Martin Luther and the rest in former ages by this reason have accounted the Papists as brethren till they had ben convinced and reiected by the iudgment of the Church For the second that is Pauls accounting of the Galatians to be a true Church notvvithstanding some of them erred in matters that vvere fundamentall Mr H. should also have remembred first that it was but some of them that did so erre and not the whole Church secondly that they were a Church established in the order of Christ howsoever walking therein some of them declyned and fell into heynous errors So as now in regard of the ordinance of Christ wherein they stood they were to be accounted a true Church and first to be admonished and convinced before they could be reiected as already hath ben showed at large But how doth this prove the assemblyes which stand in Antichristian defection should likewise be accounted true Churches and admonished and ceÌ„sured by others afore any may forsake them Is there not a divers account to be made and a divers maner of cariage and proceding to be vsed toward the Churches of Christ falling into corruptions aÌ„d toward the assemblyes of Antichrist standing in defection from the way of Christ Because the Churches of
Aunswer to Section 9. RAther by that which hath ben said we have seen such an agreement of theyr Priesthood and Law thereof with the popish Law and priesthood and such a disagreement of them both from the Law of God and Pastors office prescribed theyrin as it can not but be discerned of all whose eyes are not blynded that both the Pastors office differeth as much from theyr priesthood as light doth from darknes and that theyr Priesthood in nature and substance agreeth with the popish as daughters of one mother and fethers of one aÌ„d the same wing Now whereas in the next place Mr H. cometh to their ouward calling to that office of Priesthood and therein refereth vs to theyr book of ordering Priests aÌ„d Deacons that we might peruse and so compare together theyr law with the Law of God it is straunge to see how they do theÌ„selves discover theyr own shame even when they labour most to hide it For if any would go about to lay open the filthynes of theyr abominations which in the calling to theyr ministery they have taken out of the whores cup of Babylon it can no way better be done then by comparing that book of theyrs whereto he referreth vs with the book and Law of God on the one hand and with the Popes pontificall on the other Evidence whereof we have seen sufficient in the comparison handled before and need not repeat it Yea theyr own consciences are so convinced herein as themselves have confessed and publisht it in admonition to the Parliament that theyr Pontificall thus they call theyr book whereby they conserate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showeth himself to be Antâ—christ most lively And moreouer that they haue an Antichristian Hierarchy and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all vvel reformed Churches in the world Let these things then be layd together aÌ„d well weighed Now they would perswade vs that theyr calling to the Ministery is according to the Law of God Heretofore they published as the truth is that they have a popish ordering of ministers straunge from the word of God Now they would beare vs inhand that they have the substance of a true calling according to the ordinance of Christ Heretofore they said and truly that theyr making of Ministâ—rs is taken out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showes himself to be Aâ—tichrist most lively Is it not lamentaâ—le to see these men thus turne the truth of God into aly as if Antichrists apostasy were now sodenly become Gods ordinance or the Popes pontificall were all one with the Testament of Iesus Christ Besides this is it not straunge that in this very letter Mr H. should so forget aÌ„d contradict himself as here to say theyr Law agreeth with the Law of God as tovvching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery aÌ„d yet afterward accounting right ordination to be a substantiall part of true calling to affirme that the povver of ordination is by act of Parliament committed to the Prelates and that by the Lavv of God the Prelates are not capable of that povver and authority Is it possible to make these things accord together But because they feare not to deale thus doubly in the matters of God Let vs besides that which hath ben sayd yet a litle more examine theyr maner of calling to the Ministery even by that book of theyrs which he would have vs peruse as being agreable to the Law of God and see if God do not by themselves vncover theyr nakednes and make his truth which they would hinder yet more abound through theyr vntruth vnto his glory It were long to stand vpon all the particulars which out of that book to this end might be alledged and this writing is already much langer then at first I purposed I will therefore but give a tast of some by which you may perceyv what smack the rest have And first the very title of the book as a mark in the forehead evidently showeth the vnlawfulnes both of theyr office and of theyr entrance into it It is called thus The forme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons Now if these offices and this maner of entrance were appoynted in the Testament of Christ what need or vse were there of this book and forme of theyrs But because they follow not the book of God aÌ„d the forme prescribed by Christ therefore have they framed to themselves this book and forme out of the Popes pontificall and termed it as aforesayd Now as is the title so be also the contents of that book By it as likewise by theyr practise it appeareth that theyr first office of Ministery is the Deaconship not that auncient office of Deacons appoynted by Christ but a meer invention of mans brayne and Antichristian For first that office is not imployed according to Christs ordinance in gathering and distributing the Churches benevolence but contrary to the word of God in reading theyr books of common prayer and Homilyes in administring Baptisme assisting the Priest in divine service and with the Prelates licence in preaching the word Secondly at theyr entrance and calling into that office they must be presented by an Archdeacon an Antichristion officer or his deputy Thirdly they must promise reverend obedience to theyr Ordinary and other chief Ministers of the Church that is to the Lordbishop of the Dioces to the Archbishop Archdeacon Chauncelor Commissary and the rest of that sort whose offices also are Antichristian Fourthly they must be ordeyned by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane whose office likewise is of Antichrist Fiftly they must receyv the Communion with the Lordbishop that day they are ordered And thus must they testify that they arâ— of the same â—aith and body with the Prelates who are knowen to be deadly enemyes of the truth and persecuters of the people of God Sixtly in stead of true prayer there must be sayd or sung the Letany and Suffrages with the Communion of the Day and a number of Collects and stinted prayers borrowed from the Papists Finally there must be read a Gospell and Epistle as they call theyr shredding of the Scripture in which they abuse and pervert the word of God falsely fathering vpon the Apostles an office of Deaconship which they never ordeyned that is a Deacoâ—ry whose dutyes they assigne to be to read publike prayer to baptize to assist the Priest in divine service and to preach being licensed therevnto Whereas neyther in the Apostles example nor doctrine any such dutyes are layd vpon the Deacons but such as are directly opposed to the Ministery of the word and prayer that is the having charge of the poore and Church treasure Besides that into that office of Deacons prescribed by the Apostles there is no such entrance as is aforesayd but a
H. alledgeth theyr book doth As that they be of vnblameable life apt to teach examined allowed ordered in a solemne assembly and such like Yet I trow Mr H. will not coÌ„clude that the popish priests have therefore the substance eyther of a true office or of a true calling to the Ministery Or if he should yet will the consequeÌ„ce never be proved eyther for those Priests or for theyr own Neyther let any think it straunge that theyr book and pontificall should have some things that the Law of GOd hath and yet that this should nothing help them for having a true calling to the Ministâ—ry In the prophecy of Daniel we read that when king Beâ—shazar made a great feast to his Princes he commaunded that the golden and siluer vessels that were taken out of the Temple of the Lords house at Ierusalem should be brought and the king and his Princes his wines and his concubynes drank therein Now although they had there the vessels of the Lords house and drank in them yet was it not therefore a feast of the Lord but a feast of Babylon notwithstanding Even so it fareth with the Ministery and entrance into it vsed in England and among the Papists Towching which although theyr book and pontificall have taken some things out of the scripture as it were some of the Lords vessels out of his Temple yet inasmuch as they are applyed by them to a false office ordination and ministration never appoynted by Christ but invented by Antichrist even as it were in a Caldean banket they do no more make theyr Priesthood or calling vnto it to be the Ministery and calling ordeyned by Christ then those vessels taken out of the LOrds house made that banquet of Babylon to be one of the Lords feasts Likewise in the prophecy of Ezechiel we are taught that albeit men set theyr thresholds by Gods thresholds aÌ„d their posts by Gods posts that is theyr inventions by Gods ordinances yet it maketh them not therefore to be the house and Temple of God and to have his true worship and ministery among them but as the Lord there testifyeth by his Prophet by this meanes they set a wall between God and themselues and defile his holy Name with theyr abominations This is the account the Lord maketh of the ioyning of his ordinances with mans inventions And what then will it help the Priests of England or Rome that theyr book and Law requier some things that the word of God prescribeth seing they ioyne and apply them to a false ministery devised by maÌ„ It may in deed make the mist which through theyr delusions they cast before the eyes of the people to be far the greater but it can no way iustify theyr standing or lessen theyr sinne Nay rather it doth increase it because thus they prohaue the word of God and defile his holy Name and cause them to â—rre that are led by them And thus against themselves they verify the Scripture which calleth the apostasy of Antichrist and the working thereof a mystery of iniquity But yet further if theyr Law agree in deed with the Law of God as it should what need Mr H. coyâ—e so many excuses for the authority of theyr Lordbishops and the calling receyved from them as afterward he doth For if it agree with Gods Law it need no excuse If it do not which in deed is theyr case no excuses will help no figge tree leaves wil cover the nakednes of such deformity Specially now when by the light of Gods word it is so discovered as themselves have seeÌ„ it aÌ„d laid it opeÌ„ to the view of others howsoever now they winâ— with theyr eyes that they might not see and would also blyndfold others by theyr pleading to the contrary Therefore will I conclude this poynt with theyr own testimony wherein they confesse as the truth is that theyr pontifical whereby they make ministers is taken out of the Popes pontificall that theyr ordering of Ministers is straunge from the word of God that theyr entrance is not by Christ but by a popish and vnlavvfull vocation that vvhen the Bishops have made them Ministers eyther they may tary in their Colledges and lead the lives of loytering losels as long as they live or els go abroad with the Bishops Buls like to Circumcellions to preach in other mens charges vvhere they list or els get benefices by frendship or money or flattery where they can catch them or to conclude if all these fayle that they may go vp and down like beggars and fall to many follyes or els as many have done set vp bils at Paules or at the Royall exchaunge and in such publick places to see if they can heare of some good Masters to entertayne them into service This is theyr own confession towching theyr entrance to the Ministery aÌ„d this is the testimony which themselves have heretofore given vnto the truth though now as you see they labour by all meanes they can to obscure it even wearying themselves in vayne whiles they would cure Babel aÌ„d lay plaisters on her sore which can not be healed To which end besides all that hath ben brought hitherto yet see what more balme Mr H. bringeth now also in the conclusion of his matter Which is thus as followeth being the last words of his letter ¶ Mr H his letter Section 10. BVt you vvill say vvhich of you all have such a calling as hath ben said is prescribed by Lavv I aunsvver that many Ministers in the land have and all may if they vvill have these substantiall parts of a true calling theyr gifts may be examined and approved by such as are learned and godly vpon vvhose iudgment they may safely rely themselves iâ— that 〈◊〉 they may be chosen and approved by the people that they are to be set over they may be rightly ordeyned and as it vvere invested into theyr office But your vvriting affirmeth they come in by the Bishops who are the limmes of Antichrist VVhatsoever is vnlavvfull in theyr callings I vvill not go about to mainteyne Onely I vvill simply and plainely set dovvn vvhat hath moved me to seek a calling from them and vvhat persvvadeth me to think that the calling I have receyved from them is not vvicked and vnlavvfull First being persvvaded in my conscience that the Lord had a true Church in this Realme even at the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne vvhich being assembled out of all the parts of the Land in Parliament did commit this authority to ordeyne Ministers vnto the Bishops and knovving out of the vvord of God that euery true Church hath this povver and authority to ordeyne Ministers I considered vvith my self that though the Church offended in committin-this povver and authority vnto them that by the Lavv of God vvere not capable of it yet I might vvithout sinne seek and take the Churches ordination at theyr hands as I may reverence and take the benefit of the