the book of Common prayer and of ordering Bishops Priests and Deacons conteyneth in it nothing contrarie to the word of God and that it may lawfully so be vsed that he himself will vse the forme in the sayd Book prescribed in publick prayer and administration of the Sacraments none other Also That he alloweth the book of Articles of Religion agreed vpon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergie in the convocation holden at London in the ye are 1562. and that he acknowledgeth all every the Articles therein conteyned to be agreeable to the word of God In which Articles although there be many truths yet there are also errors not afew to which they must subscribe that they are agreeable to the word of God and that they do thus subscribe willingly and ex animo Lastly for their Bishops Archbishops 1. there is with other things aforesaid at their consecration also to be read an Epistle Gospell and Credo 2. After which ended the elected Bishop must be presented by two Bishops vnto the Archbishop of that Province or to some other Bishop appointed by his Cōmission the Bishops that present him saying Most reverend Father in God we present vnto you this godly and wel learned man to be consecrated Bishop 3. Then the Archbishop demaunds the Kings mandate for the consecration And after a lawfull oth concerning the Kings supremacy they must take an vnlawfull oath of obedience to the Archbishop which is thus In the name of God Amen I N. chosen Bishop of the Church and Sie of N. do professe and promise all due reverence and obedience to the Archbishop and to the Metropoliticall Church of N. and to their successours so help me God through Iesus Christ. Which oath at the consecration of an Archbishop is omitted 4. Afterward vpon the Archbishops demaund he answereth a number of questions 1 Of his perswasion that he is truly called to this ministration according to the will of our Lord Iesus Christ and the order of the Realme 2 Of the sufficiency of the Scriptures and his determination with them to instruct the people cōmitted to his charge 3 Of his study faithfully to exercise himself in the sayd Scriptures 4 Of his readynes with all faithfull diligence to banish and drive a way all erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to Gods word 5 Of his care to deny all vngodlynes and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this world 6. Of his purpose to maynteyne set forward quietnes peace and love among all men and to correct and punish such as be vnquiet disobedient and criminous within his dioces according to such authority as he hath by Gods word and the ordinance of the Realme 7 Of his carefulnes to shew himself gentle and mercifull for Christs sake to poore people and strangers To all which they answer affirmatively and walk for the most part negatively as their estate practise sheweth vnto all men that will open their eyes to see it 5. Then must be sung or sayd Come holy Ghost c. whose direction given in the Scriptures for the offices ordinances appointed by Christ they reject and follow the Papists and their owne devises so making the commandement of God of no effect through their traditions 6. For the consecration it self the Archbishop and Bishops present must lay their hands vpon the head of the elected Bishop the Archbishop saying Take the holy Ghost and remember that thou stirr vp the grace of God which is in thee by imposition of hands for God hath not given vs the spirit of feare but of power and love and sobernes Where note agayne their vayn presumption impiety in taking vpon them to give the holy Ghost having no power frō the Lord therevnto Yet I suppose this consecrated Bishop takes asmuch as the Archbishop gives the Archbishop gives asmuch as the Bishop takes which of what quantity and quality it is let their estate and works be witnesses 7. Then the Archbishop delivereth him the Bible saying Give heed vnto reading exhortation and doctrine Think vpon the things conteyned in this book Be diligent in teaching and doing them c. Be to the flock of Christ a Shepheard not a wolf feed them devour them not c. Wherein their practise is as contrary as their office is degenerate from the ordinance of Christ And thus is their fourme of consecrating Bishops and Archbishops Wherein I omit to note in particular their great abuse and profanation of the Name and word of God in the Scriptures and prayers then vsed from the beginning to the end of that their consecration Neyther will I stand to speak of their administration and government nor of their other degrees functions of Deanes Prebendaries Chauncellors Archdeacons Commissaries Officials and the rest of that sort among them seing there are so many vnanswerable treatises already published of this Argument concerning the Antichristianity and vnlawfulnes of their Offices callings works and maintenance Yet before I end this poynt I wil here set downe two of their owne late Canons and some of the sayings and testimonyes both of the Martyrs of old and of the seekers of Reformation in this latter age that so their opposition against the truth and amongst themselves may by this meanes yet further appeare Their Canons are these 1. * Canons of Anno. 1603 Gen. 7. Whosoever shall affirme that the government of the Church of England vnder his Maiesty by Archbishops Bishops Deanes Archdeacons and the rest that bear office in the same is Antichristian or repugnant to the word of God let him be excommunicated ipso facto and so continue vntill he repent and publikly revoke such his wicked errors 2. And ‡ Ibid. Can. 8. Whosoever shall affirme or teach That the fourme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests or Deacons conteyneth any thing in it that is repugnant to the word of God or that they who are made Bishops Priests or Deacons in that forme are not lawfully made nor ought to be accounted eyther by themselves or by others to be truly eyther Bishops Priests or Deacons vntill they have some other calling to those divine Offices let him be excommunicated ipso facto not to be restored vntil he repent and publikly revoke such his wicked errors These are their Canons among many other the like by which all may see how earnestly they set themselves to hold vp the falling apostasie of the man of sinne as other before tyme have laboured to heale the deadly wound of the beast 2 Thes 2 3-12 with Reve. 13.11.12 c. The testimonies of the Martyrs to the contrary which here I will mention are these being of such also as were of our owne countrey Iohn Claydon burnt in Smithfeild at London in the yeare 1415. held †Act. Monum Edit◠5. pag. 588. that Archbishops and Bishops speaking indifferently are the seats of the beast
by the constitution Canons and observation of that Church And to the end that this poynt may the better be considered because it giveth great light and proof to the whole controversie concerning the Antichristianity of their estate I wil here note a few special things which among many other apperteyning to their office calling may to this purpose be observed First for their Deacons they are at their entrance into that office presented to the Prelate by an Archdeacon or his deputy saying Reverend father in God I present vnto you these persons present to be admitted Deacons 2. Then the Bishop commending them to the prayers of the Congregation with the Clerks people present is to say or sing the Letanie and Suffrages with the communion of the day and a number of stinted prayers Collects borrowed from the Papists 3. They promise that they wil reverently obey their Ordinary other chief Ministers of the Church that is the Lord Bishop of the Dioces the Archbishop Archdeacon Chancelor Commissarie the rest of that sort whose offices are Antichristian 4. After this promise made they are then ordeyned Deacons by the Lord Bishop or his Suffragane laying his hands vpon their head and saying Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God committed vnto thee in the name of the Father the sonne and the holy Ghost Amen 5. And then the Bishop delivereth to every one of them the new Testament saying Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God and to preach the same if thou be therevnto ordinarily commaunded 6. Then one of them appoynted by the Bishop reads the Gospel of that day And they al are injoyned to receive the communion with the Bishop 7. Also among the works and duties of their office they are appoynted to read Homilies and divine service to instruct the youth in the Catechisme to Baptise and to preach if they be admitted thereto by the Bishop Whereas it cannot be shewed that the Apostles ever layd these dutyes vpon the Deacons but such as are * Act. 6.2.3.4 Rom. 12.8 plainely opposed to the ministerie of the word and prayer namely the charge of the poor and Church treasure for the gathering and distribution of the Churches benevolence Wherevpon some of themselves seeking reformation have published heretofore that ‡ Defence of Eccles Discip pag. 102. their Deaconship is a mere humane institution a degree to the Priesthood and nothing like the ordinance of God that †Admon to Parliam first treatise though the name of Deacons be remayning among them yet the office is fowly perverted turned vpside downe and that * Defence of godly Minist pag. 108. it is manifestly contrarie to the word of God The example of Philip who was one of the seven Deacons preached baptized which by some is alledged for approbation of their practise wil not help them For he was in a true and lawfull office not in an Antichristian he had a lawful calling by the Church not an vnlawful entrance by Prelates as these have whē where he was Deacō the Apostles ministred the word and baptized neither was he then ordeyned to the administration thereof but attended to the tables of the poor and afterwards when he preached and baptized he did the work and office of an Evangelist by which name the Scripture expresly calleth him Act. 6 2-6 2.14.40.41.42 21.8 with 8.5 6 7.12 26 29. c. Next for the Priests first they must be Deacons that is set by the Prelates in the office and after the maner aforesayd 2. Then having continued in that office the space of a yeare except it seem otherwise good to the Ordinary they are agayne presented to the Bishop or his Suffragane by an Archdeacon or his deputy saying Reverend father in God I present these persons present to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood 3. Afterward there followeth the Letany and some Collects and stinted prayers taken out of the Popes pontificall with an exhortation an Epistle and Gospell wherein they abuse and pervert the Scripture 4. Then the Prelate asketh them Do you think in your hart that you be truly called according to the wil of our Lord Iesus Christ and the order of this Church of England to the Ministery of Priesthood And the partyes that are to be ordeyned answer every one for himself I think it 5. At which tyme also they promise agayne reverently to obey their Ordinary other chief Ministers of the Church that is the Prelates and other Officers aforesaid 6. So after a few questions made and prayers read they kneel downe vpon their knees at the Prelates feet he with the Priests present lay hands severally vpon the head of every one of them that receiveth orders saying vnto them Receive the holy Ghost whose sinnes thou doest forgive they are forgiven and whose sinnes thou doest reteyne they are reteyned be thou a faithfull dispensour of the word of God and of his holy Sacraments In the name of the Father of the sonne and of the holy Ghost Amen 7. And then the Prelate delivereth to each of them the Bible in his hand saying Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to minister the holy Sacraments in the congregation where thou * Note how they may be made Priests though yet they have no charge or flock to attend vnto shalt be so appointed Thus are they made Priests when at any tyme they enter into a benefice they must besides have the Presentation of the Patrone who may be a Papist or Familist c. the institution of the Prelate who is an Antichrist to whome now also they sweare to yeeld Canonicall obedience by whom otherwise they stand alway subject to be silenced suspended degraded and deprived And for the works of their calling some are such as Christ hath not prescribed to his Ministers in his Testament such as be their solemnization of mariage buriall of the dead churching of women reading of homilies stinted prayers c. some being such as Christ hath prescribed yet at they not so administred as he in his word hath ordeyned but according as is appointed in their book of Common prayer in their Canons Injunctions Advertisements c. according to which they are bound to pray and to administer the word Sacraments and censures among them Other particulars many and straunge vsed in the entrance and performance of their Office of Priesthood I omit Onely I will annex this one thing more how by their Canons they have now provided further and made it a constitution of their Church * Canons of Anno 1603. Can. 36. †That no person shall be received into the Ministery nor admitted to any Ecclesiasticall living nor suffred to preach except he be licenced by the Archbishop or Bishop of the Dioces c. and except he shall first subscribe That
is the execution of the Ministerie of the Church of England Ergo It is to have conformity with Antichrist and his Officers as is aforesaid The Proposition they will not gainesay The Assumption they have graunted and published vidz vide licet That they have an Antichristian Hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world And that their Ponticfiall whereby they consecrate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively Admon to Parliam treatise 2. section 14. and 20. The third Argument taken out of the same book of Mr Bradsh Twelve Arguments and out of the London Ministers Exceptions and Lincolnshire Ministers Abridgement c. IF such be the estate of the Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England as they are bound in their Ministration vnto such things as the vsing of them in Church Service in manner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship a giving of speciall Honour to Antichrist and his members a performing of Honour more then civill even a Religious onely to an humane Power and Authority a warranting of the like vse of Iewish Turkish Paganish or Popish observations a doing of schismaticall Actions an having of spirituall Cōmuniō with the Idolatrous Papists in the mysteries of their Idolatrie and Superstition a mingling of Profane things with Divine an vsing of vnlawfull things in Divine worship an administring of Sacraments that are not of divine institution a solemne acknowledging of spirituall Homage to the spirituall vsurped authority of Lord Archbishops Bishops an vsing of humane Traditions and Rites enioyned to be performed in Gods worship as necessarie to salvation an apparant meanes of the Damnation of the sowles of infinite numbers of men confirming them in Superstition and Idolatry a disgracing of the holy Scripture a profaning of the Sacraments an approving of Popish errours and manifest vntruths an observing of a Leiturgie which in the whole matter and forme thereof is too like vnto the masse-Masse-book and hath in it sundry things contrary to the word of God c. If such I say be the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England then is it not lawfull to communicate with them therein But such is the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England Ergo It is not lawfull to communicate with them therein The consequence of the Proposition is proved by sundry reasons alledged * Abridgement of the book delivered to his Maiesty by the Lincolneshire Ministers p. 17. c. by the Lincolneshire Ministers though vrged by them but against the vse of their Ceremonies which we will now apply vnto the communicating with their Ministerie and ministration aforesaid 1. By the second commandement which forbids all provocations vnto spiritual fornicatiō as the seventh doth vnto that which is carnall 2. By the commandement and direction God hath given vs in his word †to separate our selves from Idolaters and Antichristians and to be as vnlike vnto them as may be specially in their religious observations ‖ to abolish not onely all Idols but all the instruments of Idolatrie and that so as we may best shew our ‡ vtmost detestation to them and * root out the verie memory of them c. †Levit. 18.3.4 and 19.19.27 28. Exod. 23.24 Deut. 14.1 and 12.4 30 32 2 Cor. 6 14-18 Apoca. 18.4 ‖ Gen. 35.2 4. Num. 33.52 Deut. 12.2.3 2 King 23.4 5. Esa 27.9 and 30.22.23 Zeph. 1.4 Apoca. 2 14.20 ‡ Deut. 7.25.26 and 9.21 1 Chron. 14.12 2 King 18.4 and 23.6.8 Esa 30.22 Iude 23. * Exod. 23.13 Deut. 12.3 Iosh 23.7 Zach. 13.2 3. By the equity reasons of these commandements which we find set down in holy Scripture vidz vide licet 1. The detestation which the Lord our God being a jelous God beareth vnto Idolatry and all the instruments and tokens thereof as vnto spirituall whoredome Exod. 20.5.6 Deut. 7.25.26 2. That we cannot be said sincerely to have repented of the Antichristianisme Idolatrie or superstition whereby we or our forefathers have provoked the Lord vnles we be ashamed of and cast away with detestation all the instruments and monuments of it 2 Chron. 33.15 Esa 1.28.29 and 2. 6.8.9.20 and 30.9.10.11.22 2 Cor. 7.11 3. That we shal be in danger to be corrupted in Religion and doctrine and to be brought to ruine and destruction if we conforme our selves to Idolaters Antichristians in their Ministerie ministration ceremonies reteyne or partake with the monuments of their superstition yea if we shew not al detestation vnto them Exod. 34.12.15 Deut. 7.4.25.26 Iudg. 2.13 Gal. 2. 5. Rev. 18.4 4. That our keeping of communion with the Ministers in such Ministration will be a speciall meane to harden them in that vngodlynes Ezech. 16.54 1 Cor. 8.10 5. That seing the Prelates are reveiled to be great Antichrists and their Ministerie and constitutions to be great troublers of the Church at this day it cannot but be very sinfull and hurtfull to reteyne or communicate with them 2 Thes 2. 3.4.8.9.10.11 12. Apoc. 17. and 18. chap. Lev. 18.3 4. By the judgment of the godly learned of all Churches ages who have constantly taught and given testimony to this truth that Christians are bound to forsake and cast of the Ministration ceremonies religious customes of Pagans Iewes Antichristians Idolaters Hereticks and carefully to shun all conformity with them therein And hitherto of such reasons as are alledged by the Lincolneshire Ministers as is aforesaid Now for further confirmation of the Proposition I will also annex these following being of like nature with the former 1. The consideration of the many sinnes and those also great and grievous which ensue vpon such practise as may appeare by the particulars noted here in the Proposition prosecuted in their Books 2. Because the second commandement forbiddeth not onely the making but also the bowing downe to any inventions constitutions of men in the worship of God And this prohibition of bowing downe includeth not onely those that vse them but such also as communicate with them therein Exod. 20.5 3. Because the Lord requireth of vs to shew all vttermost detestation and forsaking of them both by word deed even casting them away as menstruous cloths and saying vnto them Get you hence Esa 30.22 4. Because the imposition observation of the things aforesayd is not onely vpon the Ministers but vpon the people also that both in their own persons and in their children And why should not the people aswel as the Ministers stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not be intangled agayne with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 5. Because the Lord hath not required this at our hands that we should serve him by such a Ministerie and Ministration Esa 1.12 6. And finally
Antichrist when he sitteth in them and reigneth above other people in the dark caves of errors heresies Sir Iohn Oldcastle Lord Cobham put to death about the yeare 1417. witnessed ‖ Ibid. pag. 518. that the Bishops Priests Prelates and Monks are the body of that great Antichrist And that the possessions and Lordships of the Clergy are the venime of Iudas shed into the Church William Tindall burnt by Filford Castell in Braband and Iohn Frith burnt at London in Smithfeild published * Tindals Obed of a Christian And Practise of Prelates Friths Preface to the Antithesis between Christ and the Pope that Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons Deanes Officials Parsons Vicars and the rest of that sort are the disciples of Antichrist yea very Antichrists themselves And Iohn Bale an exile for the testimony of Iesus ‡ In his Image of both Churches vpon Rev. 13 ◠and 17.3 wrote that the names of blasphemie written vpon the Beasts head Rev. 13. and 17. are none other then the proud glittering titles wherewith they garnish their vsurped authority to make it seem glorious to the world having within them conteyned the mysterie of iniquitie What other els sayth he is Pope Cardinall Metropolitane Primate Archbishop Diocesan Archdeacon Officiall Chancelour Commissary Prebend Parson Vicar and such like but very names of blasphemie For offices they are not appointed by the holy Ghost nor yet once mentioned in the Scriptures The sayings of such as of latter dayes have sought reformation which here I will note downe are these †Admon to the Parliam that the names and offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Chancelours Archdeacons Cōmissaries Officials Deanes Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stipendaries c. are drawen out of the Popes shop as out of the Troiane horses belly for the destructiō of Gods kingdome That their Pontificall whereby they consecrate Bishops make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively That they enter not in by Christ but by a Popish and vnlawfull vocation That when they are made Ministers eyther they may tary in their Colledge and lead the lives of loytering losels or els go abroad with the Bishops Buls like to Circumcellions or Fryers to preach in other mens charges where they list or els get benefices by frendship or money or if all those fayle they may go vp and downe like beggers fall to many follyes or els as many have done set vp bils at Powles or at the Royall exchange such like places to see if they can hear of some good Masters to enterteyne them to serve a cure Thus have they spoken and written heretofore when they seemed to loath these stinking abhominations as themselves then called them and when they did not bring balme to cure the sore of Babell as now many of them do though all in vayne for she cannot be healed saith the Lord of hostes Ier. 51.8.9 And hitherto of the first Argument proving that the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblyes of England is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie The second Argument THe Ministerie of the Prelacy professing it self to be Christs II. and yet standing in such estate as it doth not obey Iesus Christ in his owne ordinance of Ministerie worship and government of the Church as their Prophet Priest and King that Ministerie whatsoever it professe in word yet is in deed the Ministerie of Antichrists Apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of the Prelacy professing it self to be Christs yet standing in such estate as it doth not obey Iesus Christ in his owne ordinance of Ministerie worship and government of the Church as their Prophet Priest and King Therefore the present ministerie of the Church assemblies of Engl. whatsoever it professe in word yet is in deed the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie THe truth of the Proposition is manifest because there is no other Ministery but Antichrists that standeth in such estate And they are in deed of Antichrist that professing the name of Christ yet refuse to obey him in his owne ordinance of Ministery worship and government of the Church as their Prophet Priest and King As may appeare by these Scriptures compared together and others the like Deut. 18.18.19 Psal 110.1.2.3.4 Mat. 15.9 and 17.5 and 28.20 Luk. 19.27 and 22.25.26 Rom. 12 3-8 Ephe. 4.8.11.12 1 Tim. 6.13.14 1 Pet. 5 1-4 with 2 Thes 2.3.4 1 Tim. 4.1.2.3 1 Iohn 2.18.19.22 and 4.3 and 2 Ioh. ver 7. Rev. 13.11 and 14 9-12 22.18.19 The truth of the Assumption is evident by that which hath bene said in the Reasons ‖ Pag. 2. c. here going before And their constitution it self sheweth it in that they are so farr from obeying Iesus Christ in his owne ordinance of Ministery worship and government of the Church as they do all of them receive execute or stand subject vnto the Ministerie and government of another Archbishop and Lordbishop then Iesus Christ of an Archeacon and of a Parson Vicar or Stipendary being Priest or Deacon so ordeyned by the Prelates As also in their administration reading prayers out of a book stinted and imposed vpon them and observing many other inventions of men in the worship of God continually vsed among them And likewise in their Church-government according to their Canons Courts excommunications degradations other like proceedings by the Prelates and their Officers Which were never appointed by Christ the Prophet Priest and King of the Church as may be seen in his Testament where they are not to be found And this we have shewed heretofore more particularly in other Treatises already published to which I refer the Reader Refut of Mr. Giff. The Apologie against the Oxf. Doct. Treatise of Minist of the Church of Engl. pag. 28.29.30 c. The third Argument III. THe Ministerie of Christians which is opposed against and exalted above the holy things Ministerie and ordinances of Iesus Christ that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of Christians opposed against and exalted above the holy things Ministerie and ordinances of Iesus Christ Therfore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The first part of the Argument is certaine and manifest by these Scriptures 2 Thes 2.3.4 with 1 Ioh. 2.18.19 4.1.2.3 Rev. 9. 13. 14. 17. 18. chap. The truth of the second part of the Argument appeareth evidently 1. In this that a man may peaceably administer or receive their holy things in their maner by vertue of their Deaconry or Priesthood received from the Prelates which is the present Ministerie of that Church as hath bene shewed before But if any do administer or receive the holy things of God by the offices of Pastors and Teachers entred into and executed according
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