and rule spiritually this Temple beeing indeed a figure of the Chuâ—ch where in he should rule which came to passe not when Antichrâ—st came to sit in the Temple of God as God whereof in the sâ—quel but when Iesus Christ who is the Word came and declaâ—ed himselfe in the Temple and thereby signified his owne gouernment in his Church which is there where the Woâ—d ruleth this was accomplished suddenly after the preaching of his forrunner Iohn Baptist Luk. 3.4 who came ye see as it is written in the booke of Esayas the Prophet saying The voice of him that crieth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desart a high way for our God Euery valley shall be exalted Isa 40.3 4 5. and euery Mountaiâ—e and hill made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plaine the Scriptures should be so clearely expounded And the glory viz the Word of the Lord shall be reuealed and all flesh shall see it together And a litle after vers 9. Say vnto the cities of Iudah behold youre God Behold the Lord God will come with stronge hand And his Arme viz. the Word which is his Sonne shall rule for him For that wee might be sure that this Kingdom belonged to Iesus Christ Iohn preached I baptize with water Ioh. 1. but there standeth one amonge you mightier then I whose shooes lachet I am not worthy to vnloose this was Christ who could not haue vndeâ—stood by Scriptures what manner of King the Messiah should be noâ— haue preached and wrought myracles so according to the Prophesies of him if he had beene a deceiuer and had not bâ—ene the Christ the Sonne of God but he was approued to be the Châ—ist For when Iesus was baptized of Iohn in Ioâ—dan Mâ—k 1.10 â— and came out of the water Iohn saw the Heauens opened and the Spirit like a doue descending vpon him And theâ—e came a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33.34 Thouart my welbeloued Sonne iâ— whome I am well pleased Which comming to paâ—â—e as God foretold Iohn he saith I saw and bare record thâ—t this is the Sâ—nne of God and consequently that his is the promised Kingdom of the Mâ—ssiah Which was soone manifested for after Iohn was put in prison by Herod Mark 1.14 Luk. 4.43 Iesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God That is the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God Aâ—d so he saith I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also Therefore he calleth his doctrine the Word of the Kingdom saying Mat. 13.19 When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom and vnderstandeth it not So he saith Euery Scribe which is instructed vnto the Kingdom of God is like vnto a man that is an howseholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new old New that is the treâ—sures of the Gospel and Old that is the testimonies of the Prophets which foretold and prefigured this grace that comes to vs Luk. 16 16. Luk 17.20 Since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and euery man presseth vnto it And when he was demanded of the Pharises when the Kingdom of God should come he answered them saide The Kingdom of God commeth not with obseruation Neither shall they say loe here or loe there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you That is they shall not say it is in this nation or in that in this citie or in that haueing the seate thereof here or there for the Word is within you Rom. 10.8 in your mouth and in your heart illuminating ruling some of your Soules therefore the Kingdom of God is within you And indeed God who by voices from Heauen by miracles appâ—oued him had promised foretold that so it should be for Behold the dayes come Ier. 31.31 saith the Lord that I will make a new Coâ—enant with the hoâ—se of Israel not according to the former when I brought them out of â—gypt which my coâ—enant they brake but this shall be the couenant that I will make with the howse of Israel I will put my law in theire inward parts â—ndwâ—iâ—e it in theire hearts And they shall all know me for I will forgiue theire iniquitie c. and in another place I will giue them a new heart with many the like promises Loe he would write the law in theire hearts the word should rule there and enlighten them with the * Isa 54.13 c. 53.3 c. promised knowledge of God and his remission and saluation in the death and doctrine of Christ Isa 53. and soe his Kingdom should be in theire hearts and soules within them Tit. 2.11.12 Ioh. 8.32 Character of a Christ pag. 329. c. as Christ saith that is when the grace of God bringing saluation was preached and the same taught meÌ„ to denie vngodlinesse worldly lusts The Truth knowne maketh men free from seruing sinne euen as Ioseph was taught by the fauour of his maister to denie the vngodlie lust of his mistris and escape away for soe men escape the pâ—llutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ as did Zacheus Luk. 19.8.10.11.12 to 28. soe he saith there The Sonne of Man is come to sâ—eke and saue that whâ—â—h is lost And as they heard theese things he added and spake a parable because they thought that the Kingdom of God should immediately appeare A certaine noble man went into a far countrie to receiue for himselfe a Kingdom And he called vnto him his tenne seruants and deliuered vnto the tenne pounds and saide vnto theÌ„ Occupie till I come c. This noble man was Christ who before his ascention deliuerd the Word of truth vnto his seruants and since giueth of the same Word to others by his Spirit and so will till his second coÌ„ming theese ten seruants are his ministers and other his seruants the pounds or talenâ—s were seuerall portions of the Word of grace of the mysteries of God dâ—uers * Rom. 12.3 1. Cor. 12.11 measures of the knowledge and faith of Christ wherein they ought to increase and to shew the fruite thereof in a holy life also to vse theire skill to bringe others to the knowledge and obedience of Christ which is to giue him his owne with vantage for they are Stewards of the mysteries of God 1. Cor 4 1. and it is required in Stewards that a man be found faithfull Deliuering nothing for doctrine but that which was * Chap. 11.23 receiued of the Lord by his Apostles and Prophets neither hiding his talent of doctrine nor teaching for doctrines commaundements and opinions of men things not commaunded in the Word For as when amonge the Romans there was difference aboute meates the Apostle saide The Kingdom of God is not meate and drâ—â—ke that is Rom. 14 17. the Word of God doth not commaund and teach theese
the same person as heâ—s nâ—aÌ„ shâ—ll gâ—ow though he be wounded and suffer for vs as it fâ—llowe hâ— there Weâ—l therfore doth Saint Cyprian vnderstand that Christ the Sonâ—e is the Arme mencioned here and also chap. 52. Isa 52 1â— The Lord hath made bare his holy Arme viz his holy word in the eyes of all nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the saluation of our God And indeed Saint Iohn seemeth to vndeâ—staâ—d Châ—ist to be this Arme while he saith of the vnbeleeuing Iewes They beleeuâ—d not on him that the saying of Esaias might be fulfilled whâ—ch hâ— spake Iâ—â— 12 3â— 38. Lord who hath beleeued ouâ— report and to whome hath thâ— Arme of Lord beene reuealed For saith Saint Augustin on this place August in Ioan. Tâ—aâ—t 53. The Soâ—ne is the Arme because all thâ—â—gâ—wâ—re made by him lâ—ke as that is called thy Arme by which thou workest soe the Arme of God is hâ—s word becaâ—se by the word he made the world And indeed the Word is the Arme 1. Cor. 1.24 the power and wisdom whereby God maâ—e the World and doth all things and soe as the Apostle saith Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God Isa 40 10. Ioh. 12 48.49 And soe Isaiah saith of the Father The Lord God will come with stronge hand and his Arme shall rule for him That is his word shall rule foâ— him Therefore Christ who is the Word saith The word that I haue spoken he shall iudge for I haueâ— or spoken of my selfe c. therefoâ—e as in the following words he proues the word he spake to be the Fathers and the same to be * Si ergo vita aeterna est ipse Filius vita aeterna est mandatum Panis quid alind dictuÌ„ est quam ego sum mandatum Patris Aug. in Ioan Tract 54. Eternall life so also in foregoeing verses he that is the Word saâ—th there vers 44. He that beleeueth on me beleeueth not on me but on him that sent me that is whose Word I am as Augustine excellently vnderstandeth the like * Quid est audit verbum meum nisi audit me credit autem ei qui misit me quia cum illi credit verbo eâ—us credit cuÌ„ auteÌ„ verbo eâ—us credit mihi credit quia verbuÌ„ Patris ego sum Aug. in Ioâ—â— 19 words Ioh. 5.24 for wee beleeue him whose word wee beleeue and wee vndeâ—stand and see him whose word wee vnderstand hâ—t declares him therefore Christ addeth vers 45.46 And he that seeth me seeth him that sâ—nt me I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on me should not abide in darkenesse as Iohn saith of the word That was the true light which lighteth euery man that commeth into the world And so indeed wee may heare God saying to the Messiah Isa 42.6 7.17 I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes to bringe out the prisâ—oâ—s from the prâ—son and him that sitteth in darknesse out of the prâ—son howse Where ye may see that both here also Isa 49.8.9 it is expresly shâ—wed that he is the Covenant viz. the Word and â—herein the Light that reueales the Father touching the Saluation of sinners and that the end of his comming should be to enâ—ighten those nations and people Iewes and Gentiles which lay bound and overwhelmed in the prison of sinne and ignorance as it followeth there I will brâ—nge the blinde by a way that they haue not knowne I will make darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight And chap. 25.7.8 He will destroy in thâ—â— mountaine the face of the couering cast ouer all people and the vaile that is spread â—uer all nations To the like effect chap. 29.8.24 chap. 〈…〉 chap. 11.9 All this should be as he saith chap. 40 5.10 When the glorie viz. the Word of the Lord should be reuealed and all flesh should see it together when his Arme should rule for him and be made bare chap. 52.10 for therefore is the Faâ—her called the Father of glorie Ephes 1.17 and Châ—ist is saide to be raised from the dead by the glorie of the Father Rom. 6. that is by the almightie Word of the Father which is the Sonne and the Fathers glorie as our Woâ—d or tounge is caâ—lâ—d our glorie because it * SpeculuÌ„ enim mentis plerunque in verbis refulget Bernard de ordine vitae Psal 66.7 expressâ—th and â—eâ—ealeth vs and somtimes ruleth for vs Psal 16 9. howsoeuer Gods Word ruleth for him for as he made all things by hiâ— Word which is his power so saith the Psalmist He ruleâ—h by his power for euer that is by his Word which is the power of God Now if he rule by his power for euer then the Messiah who should rule for euer for him must needes be his power but he doth rule by his power for euer therefore the Messiah should be his power And that the Messiah should be the word of God the auncient Iewe The auncient Iewes proue him to be the Word Isa 45.17 Hos 1.7 proue out of Isaiah where it is saide Israel shall be saued by the Lord with aâ— euerlasting saluation And also our of Hosea I will saue them by the Lord thâ—re God Both which sayings Ionathas translateth by the word of the Lord theâ—â—e God And it is not to be doubted but that by the saide word they meant the Messiah For in psa 110. which as themselues affirme conteineth the mysteries of the Messiah Psal 110. where it is saide The Lord saide vnto my Lord c. Ionathas readeth The Lord saide vnto his woâ—rd sit thou on my right hand til c. And soe indeede howsoeuer the words be The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou c. to shew that this person though he be Dauids Sâ—nne iâ— Dauids Lord yet seeing it followes there Rule thâ—u in the midst of thine-enemies it must needes be meant of the word of the Lord because it is saide His Arme shall rule for him that is his word Isa 40.10 chap. 2.3.4 chap 51.5 which he saith shall iudge amonge the nations and whereof he saith mine Armes â—hall iudge the people and on mine Arme shall they trust the word bâ—eing the Sonne and the Kinge mencioned Psa 2. as was shewed before And Rabbi Isaack Arama vpon Genesis 47. expounding this text of Psa 14â— He sâ—ndeth out hâ—s word saith expresly that this Word is the Messiah who should be Gods word Iob 19.26 So likewise that of Iob I shall see God in my flesh c. Rabbi Sâ—meâ—n vpâ—n Genesis â—oâ— gathereth therevpon that the Word of God shall â—â—k flâ—sh in a womans wombe Philo that leaâ—ned Iew shall ende thâ—â— point touching the nature and person of the Messiah as himselfe writeth in hâ—s booke De Exulibus By tradâ—â—on wee haueâ— saâ—t â—he that wee must expect the
That to this ende the weapons of * Ideo fortes esse dicuntur quia Praelati Sancti Ecclesiae perfecti sunt in obseruatione mandaroruÌ„ Domini omnes tenentes gladios id est spirituale verbum quia predicando vitia Subditorum debent reprimere Bernard de obedien Serm. 19. theire warfare are mightie to cast downe the stronge holds and high things of Hereticks which exalt themselues against the knowledge of Christ. Indeede if Princes will not suffer theese of the Clergie or others to cast downe theese Holds of Hereticks with the sword of the spirit but like the Arrian Emperours and others will kicke against the pricks and with Saul breath out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord such as are subiects of this Kingdom or labour to bringe others to the true knowledge and obedience of the Word if they will aduenture to prouoke God by such persecutions to the danger of theire owne Kingdoms who shall hinder them theire subiects may speake in Gods cause but if that will not serue they must suffer not resist by the sword not run into rebellion Yet ought they to confesse Christs name who is the Word before Kings and Rulers and euen to fight against the mightiest of them with the sword of the spirit Reu. 17.14 chap. 19.21 Because so the Lambe ouercomes them who is the King of Kings Wee all ought to beare witnesse vnto the Truth though it cost vs our liues Bishops and Ministers more espetially who are * Isa 62.6 and Heb. 13.17 Mat. 28.18.19.20 watchman set which should neuer hold there peace not keepe silence as they that must giue account For he is the Lord of Lords who saith All power is giuen to him in Heauen and in Earth and who therefore bids his Disciples goe into all the world and reach all Nations to obserue all things that he commaunded them who after his Ascention carried themselues accordingly For when the Rulers examined them Act. 4.11.12 they contended stoutly to proue Christ a stone of them reiected ver 18.19 to be the Head of the corner And after when they and the high Preists called them and commaunded them not to speake at all nor teach in his Name they answered Whether it be right in the sight of God to bearken vnto you more then vnto God iudge ye for wee can not but speake the things which wee haue seene and beard Act. 5.28 And after when for teaching in the Temple they were questioned by the High Preist saying Did wee not straightly commaund you that you should not teach in his Name And behold ye haue filled Ierusalem with youre doctrine Peter and the other Apostles answered and saide wee ought to obey God rather then men The God of our Fathers raised vp Iesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince viz. to rule in all matters of faith and salnation Behold now againe againe they contest and fight with the sword of the Spirit for him his Kingdom against his greatest opposers and were therein examples to all ministers and Seruants of Christ to the worlds ende This did the man borne blinde before Christs death that by good proofes Steuen Act. 7. chap. 18.26.28 Apollos and many others did as much after his resurrection against opposers and Hereticks The Apostles Paul Peter Iohn Iude wrote and contended against Hereticks and peruerters of the Scriptures and commaunded others to doe soe but more espetially Bishops to hold fast the faithfull Word taught them Tit. 1.7.9.10 chap. 3.10 to looke to deceiuers whose mouthes must be stopped who subuert whole howses teaching things which they ought not for filthie lucres sake Act. 20. to reiect Hereticks as beeing Wolues Theeues and Speakers of peruerse things Iudge yet whe ther many such haue not crept in who came not with the Spirit of Truth but with the Spirit of errour as the Appealer Cosens and others who entred not by the Word that is by Christ the doore of the sheepe but rather by errour and the Father thereof who abode not in the Truth and whether Bishops that would be counted Christs Watchmen and Seruants haue not slept while enemies haue sowed tares The Remonstrance of the Parliament in summerlast manifested that many Arminians and Popish teachers haue risen in theese our dayes with theire cousening tenets and deuotions and yet haue not the Bishops theire superiours and ouerseers that should watch ouer mens soules Heb. 13.17 as they that must giue account reproued and conuinced nor suffered others to publish bookes to confute them but rather preferred the Seducers and hindred the preferment of theire opposers so far hath hopes of preferment from some courtiers and other gifts blinded theese men as of old it did some Pharises and after them the Bishops and Clarks of Italie to iustify the wicked or theire doctrines and practises for a reward Indeede the Archbishop of Canterburie shewed his dislike of theese Seducers and theire bookes Bishop Carlton writ against the Appealer and proued him a dangerous peruerter of the Scriptures and of the Articles and it may be there are two or three Bishops more that haue shewed some litle distastof theire tenets and practises but by meanes of the late Duke and other Courtiers the greater number haue gonne the cleane contrarie way Doctor White that for the Dukes fauour approued the Appealers booke was in recompence of that * 1. Tim. 1.19 Shipwracke he sustained elected Bishop of Carlile made Amner and since translated to Norwich Other freinds of theese Pelagian and Popish teachers tenets haue also had theire reward Mr. Cosens his Maister Doctor Neale was remoued to Winchester Doc. Laude to London Doctor Feild to S. Dauids Doctor Buckridge to Elie Doctor Mountaine to Yorke after his death Doctor Harsnet was translated to Yorke Doctor Howson to Durham Doctor Maw Chosen Bish of Bath and Wels Doctor Corbet B. of Oxford and Doctour Curle late Prolocutor in the conuocation howse for his fauourable carriage in that place towards theese new Maisters was promoted to the See of Rochester Doctor Lindsey and others haue acheiued Denaries or other preferments On the other side theese and some others soe wrought that the Archbishop of Cant was put besides the execution of his place and the Appealer himselfe was set vp in his verrie seate that writ against him and that presently after that the Parliament that coâ—â—â—â—â—ned of him and them was prorogued which Schollars in thâ—â—â— iuersities and other parts perceiuing according to the deuiâ—◠〈◊〉 the pioiectors bent theire studdies toward the mount or raâ—◠〈◊〉 molehill of preferment When the Parliament approched theâ— laboured to haue it put off or if not that the howse might noâ—â—â—estion such men nor others preach dispute or write against theire tenets and peruerting faculties but that themselues might be the only Iudges in theire owne cause yet for feare of the worst they at last
get the Appealers booke called in but soe fauourablâ— as the like was neuer seene men must bringe them to the Bishops of â—uerie Diocesse or to theire Chauncellors or to the Chancelors or Vicechancelors of the vniuersities which they knew few oâ—none would doe for who would bringe any to the Appealer himselfe or to B. White and such others to burne them as we 〈◊〉 both Iudges and parties in the cause which made men say it 〈◊〉 longe eare this came and then this was not to suppresse a booke Whereas when any booke hath but neuer so litle touched theire owne glorie or ceremonies what exceeding dilligence hath beene vsed for suppressing it as that of the originall of Idollatries wherein if it were grauted that it was vniustly fathered on Causabon that there was somwhat in it that seemed to make against some of the constitutions rites and ceremonies of the Church of England that the same rites are all tollerable yet how litle is there in that booke that maketh against any of them nauertheles what greate zeale and care was vsed in suppressing of it a most dilligent search was made through the whole companie of the Stationers for them the printer was examined what number were printed he for whome they were printed was examined to what Stationers he deliuered of them how many each man had and they were examined to whome they were sold that soe they might be fetched from the buiers all with such exact care and dilligence that if it had beene the most blasphemous hereticall dangerous booke that euer was published more could hardly haue beene donne to suppresse it Wherein yet if any thinge did touch any rite or ceremonie that was but against things which themselues confesse to be indifferent not matters of faith saluation yet ô the zeale but all this was for theire owne Hierarchie constitutions they fight not soe eagerly against Pelagian and Popish errours which are against the Scriptures in matters of faith and saluation and indeede exceedingly against Gods Kingdom and the Word of his grace the Appealers bookes were not searched for at all when they were called in but euen in the Parliament time to be sold in euery booke sellers shop that would and soe were other Popish Aaminâ—an bookes as the Stationers proued in Parliament and that they licenced and let passe theese but would not license such as in defence of the Truth were written against them that in others they put out whole pages wâ—itteÌ„ to shew the vtillity and necessity of preaching and hearing as in Doctor Maiers booke All which things are soe apparent that both in Parliament elswhere men haue cried out there is trecherie vsed in Religion and towards the Kingdom of God As also because the tenets of theese Seducers haue beene soe weake and stubble like 1. Cor. 3.12.13 Ier. 23.29 vnable to endure the fierie triall of Gods Word that when the Parliament hath approched then they haue laboured by all the pretexts that could be inuented to get it dissolured or adiourned if not then they seeke protection and pardon and when the â—owse haue complained of them then they hide theire heads and labour to haue theire tenets and practises past ouer in silence at least by caring or helping with others that the howse may haue worke enough fesides to defend theire priueleidges and throw out the bones cast in to breede diuision and beget some pretexts of accusing them to theire Prince of maleuolence and sedition and of vrging the necessity of dissoluing that assemblie all which they neither neded nor would seeke if theire doctrines were Christs and according to the Scriptures for then they would boldly and with * Zelus cum in bono accipitur est quideÌ„ fernor animi quo mens relicto humano timore pro defensione veritatis accenditur Alcuinus Aquin. in Ioan. Zeale maintaine them against Parliament and all the world But while they then willingly admit noe dispute nor appeare publikely to maintaine theÌ„ by the Scriptures fearing that the verrie Articles should proue them Apostates appeale to Bishops and others brought by the late Duke his to fauour the same opinions or conniue at them and labour by pretences of auoiding curious disputes and other deuises and shifts that theire tenets may not be then examined iudged and tried vnlesse by men made for theire partie according to the pollecie of the Trent Fathers it euidently shewes the badnes of theire cause that they doe not as they are willed Pro. 23.23 Buy the Truth but sell it for a litle preferment for a buble of honour and that they blinde the eyes of the wise that such buiers and sellers are not conuinced punished cast out of the Church * Mystice quotidie Deus spiritualiter suam ecclesiam intrat qualiter vbi vnusquisque conuersetur attendit caueamus ergo ne in ecclefia Dei fabulis vel rifibus vel odâ—is vel cupiditatibus vacemus ne improuisos veniens nos flagellat de ecclesia sua eijâ—iat Idem Ibid. God seeth this and that they doe not like his Seruants with the weapons of theire warefare cast downe theese stronge holds of Hereticks exalted against the knowledge of God and Kingdom of Christ Soe that he may now againe complaine and say My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight some with the sword of the Spirit others with theire Lawes and authorities that I should not be deliuered in my person as I am the Truth nor in my members as they are of it to Pelagians or Demipelagians and Popelings and so by degrees to the grand Antichrist of Rome neither would theese be made such slight matters as they are in theese dayes as if it were enough that men are permitted to preach charitie patience temperance humiliation penitence mercie and against carnall filthines adultrie pride murther coueteousnes and the like allowed euen in theese dayes to be preached in Rome and so were of old among the Arrians and other Hereticks and as if for theese Pelagian and Popish opinions and tenets of free will predestination certainty of saluation perseuerance and the like it mattered not to confute them noe nor other points of Poperie but were better to forbid them as curious and vnnecessary disputes and commaund peace and vnion in theese points whereby the buisie practising Papists and Arminians are sure to get ground and strength whereas if theese reasons were sound as much might be saide for those Popish points of iustification by works the reall presence the church can not erre and such others beeing all pits that should be discouered least men fall into them and amonge Papists matters of faith and saluation but the others are so indeede and highly concerne Gods Kingdom and the glorie of his grace therefore preaching of them or writing to keepe men form errours contrarie to them and stablish men in the Truth may not be
neither lie nor aequiuocate he knew noe sinne neither was any deceite in his mouth and in this case keepe silence he might not he must needes confesse the truth because that was for the honour of God his Father for whome he ruled and therefore not to haue acknowledged this Kingdom was to haue denied his Fathers Kingdom and right to rule all men therefore he addeth that he was borne to beare witnesse vnto the Truth Yet that he might not in the least measure be guiltie of his owne death he thrice affirmed that his Kingdom was not of this world and consequently not praeiudiciall to Caesars nor to the right he chalenged in the temporall Kingdom and that Pilate well vnderstood when in that sense he saide Art thou then a Kinge for when in that sense Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge as * Pilaâ—um credisse Christum Regem esse non tameÌ„ ejus regnum aduersarium esse regno Caesaris sed pertinere ad quandam singularem Iudaeorum religioneÌ„ id probat quod perseueranter euÌ„ Regem appellauit Ecce Rex vester Regem vestrum crucifigam Iesus Nazarenus Rex IudaeoruÌ„ Tolet. in 10.18 Ioh. 19.4 vers 6. Vers 7.12 one that talked more of it then Christ did Pilate went out againe and saith to the Iewes I finde in him noe fault at all and Luk. 23.14 Ye haue brought this man vnto me as one that peruerteth the people and behold I haueing examined him haue found noe fault in him touching those things whereof ye accuse him Noe nor yet Herod for I sent you to him and loe nothing worthy of death And after when they cried not him but Barabas he when he had scourged him went foorth againe saying I bringe him foorth to you that ye may know that I finde noe fault in him Why then did he against law and conscience scourge him and when they seeing him cried crucifie him he saide againe Take ye him and crucifie him for I find noe fault in him And after when they saide by our law he ought to die because he made himselfe the Sonne of God Pilate was the more afraide and sought to release him But the Iewes cried out if thou let this man goe thou art not Caesars freind whosoeuer maketh himselfe a Kinge speaketh against Caesar When Pilate heard that his desire of freeing Iesus begaÌ„ to stagger though he beleeued that if he had any Kingdom it was not of this world yet as thinking that if he should not proceede it might worke him Caesars displeasure therefore bringing him foorth he saith not now as before behold the man but behold youre Kinge and after shall I crucifie youre Kinge The cheife Preists answered Vers 14. wee haue noe Kinge but Caesar Yet he washed his hands and then with this inducement Mat. 27.24 Luk. 23.23 he willing to content the people deliuered him to be crucified For the voices of them and of the cheife Preists preuailed Whence wee may behold the miserie that oft followes greatnes The miserie of greatnes appearing both in the cheife Preists and Pilate the one carried a way with such extreme enuie implacable hatred that the iudgment of innocencie often pronounced by a Iudge would not satisfie them the other with importunitie and respects of contenting appeasing gratifying others and preuenting complaints to Caesar of suffering another Kinge to an act of iniustice soe much aginst his owne conscience and often reiterated sentence of aquitment A poore fruite to often following the greate and vncessant labours of ambitious climing when for feare or fauour to gratifie or content they are oft faine to punish innocents and acquit men guiltie and wicked and somtime in matters of Christs cause and Religion Yet am I not of theire opinion who thinke a States man can not be an honest man For vnder Godly Kings walking in the right path of Religion as faithfull to theire maker such as Dauid Iehoshaphat Hezekiah Iosias and others they may carrie themselues iustly and doe God greate seruice such Kings moue them not to any act of iniustice nor to maintaine Idols or Heresies much lesse to punish or molest true beleeuers and innocents But if the Prince they serue be an Idolater an Heretick or Wicked they can hardly hold theire places and keepe a good conscience 1. King 21.8 c. For when Ahab raignes Iezabel writes her letters to the Elders and Nobles to subborne false witnesses and to stone innocent Naboth and it is donne Iehu writes to the Elders to kill all Ahabs children and it is donne Diuers Kings were displeased with Prophets and the Nobles wronge them as they did Ieremie and others Ioh. 12.42 Amonge the Cheife Rulers many beleeued on Christ but because of the Pharises they did not confesse him lest they should be put out of the Sinagonge For they loued the praise of men more then the praise of God Act. 24.27 Felix willing to shew the Iewes a pleasure left Paul bound When Iustine the Emperour had depriued the Arrians of those Churches they held in Greece Theodorick King of Italie Liber Pontif. in Iohan. I. sent Iohn Bishop of Rome assisted with Senators to intreate him to restore them if not to tell him he would serue the Catholicks with the like sauce The Pontificall booke saith they intreated the Emperour with teares and preuailed that is to haue wolues restored to the Sheepe Belisarius by the commaund of the Empresse Theodora an Eutichean thrust out Siluerius placed Vigilius in the Popedom that he might according to promise condemne the Councell of Chalcedon and write Letters in confirmation of the Eutichean faith Baron Vol. 7. ann 538. art 20. wherevpon Baronius calls Vigilius a Theefe a Wolfe an Antichrist Ye haue seene that the Easterne Emperours made theire Bishops consent to the Pope in worshipping of Images and at last in Purgatorie Superemacie and other articles and what followed It would be to longe to relate how the Iudges nobles and prelates vnder Emperours and Kings haue made Preists abandon theire wiues and people receiue his other lawes errours when theire Princes in feare or flaterie temporised with the Pope For Prelates nobles and people are naturally prone to fashion themselues into the religion of theire Princes and patrons and that hath made Iesuited Spirits practise to make reformed Princes luke-warme Popish or Arminians 2. King 16.10 For when Kinge Ahaz seeing a strange Altar at Damascus sent the Patterne of it to Vrijah the Preist to make such a one and offer on it he not minding that theese things ought not to haue differed from * Exod. 25 4â— Act. 7.44 the patterne giuen to Moses that noe other things wer to be intruded into the Temple of the Lord refuseth not but doth it be it neuer soe bad Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis A wonder therefore it is that men be soe ambitious of these places wherein theire soules are
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as
they require he in matters of faith and saluation keepe to the Scripture and so be of the Truth Those men therefore that slight or neglect the due preaching of Gods Word and the conuincing of Hereticks by it and insteade thereof so propose and extoll the booke of common praier and the Articles and constitutions of the Church of England that they seeme to haue litle or noe Religion besides A new sort of Scismaticks they are a new sort of Scismaticks some of which will yet be counted Pastors and Pillars far more against the booke of common praier and the Articles then any other for as much as others are against the ceremonies theese against the substance of Religion which they require others are against that forme of praier theese against the things principally praied for and enioined Psal 2. so against the Truth sealed in Christs blood which they also tread vnder foote count vnholy yea breake his bands and cast his cords from them by the geering scoffes they vse against preaching and conuincing Hereticks by Scriptures either in preaching or writing by hindring them and the slight esteeme they haue of them Yet like Hypocrits as if they would haue all as the cōpilers of the commō praier booke intended and as it should be 3. Sund. after East on Saint Iohns day in one Prayer they say God which shewest to all men that be in errour the light of thy Truth c. in another Wee beseech thee to cast thy bright beames of light vpon thy Church that it beeing lightened by the doctrine of thy holy Apostle Euangelist Iohn may attaine to thy euerlasting gifts on the day of Saint Paul That wee may follow fulfill thy holy doctrine which he hath taught of Saint Mathias Graunt that thy Church beeing alwaies preserued from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithfull true Pastors of Simon and Iude Graunt vs to be ioined in vnitie of spirit by theire doctrine of S. Andrew Graunt vnto vs all that wee beeing called by thy Holy Word may forthwith c. Also in an exhortation before the Communion they say If any of you be a blasphemer a hindrer and slanderer of his word c. come not to this holy table to the sureties of Children baptized to call vpon them to heare Sermons c. the Bishop at theire confirmation prayeth Let thy Holy Spirit be euer with them so leade them in the knowledge of thy Holie Word that in the ende c. Theese Prayers and sayings will rise in iudgment against many who extoll them vse them prefer them and yet minde nothing lesse them the things prayed for and desired in them but are rather against them and so against Christs Kingdom against his raigne who is the Word and who saith Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. They therefore that scoffe geere at diligent preachers and hearers call them Puritans and despise them let them know Christs Disciples are commaunded to teach all Nations Mat. 28. to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commaunded them Ephes 4.14 that wee are not to be tossed to fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of me but following the Truth in loue to grow vp into him in all things who is the Head that the Scriptures make wise vnto saluation c. that He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law Pro. 28.9 euen his praier shall be abhomination If he will not heare nor be willing that others should heare God in all matters of faith saluation God will not heare him that Christ saith against such reuiling and selfe conceited Pharises Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice and by consequence that such as they who make noe more account of it can not well be saide to be of the Truth Theese two last clauses of Christs bearing witnesse to the Truth and this conclusion of hearing his voice which he maketh therevpon are a large feild which for breuitie I haue runne ouer only pointing at some of the good seede and some of the tares Mar. 4.26 Mat. 13.24 which enemies haue sowed while men stept that so those that haue authority may see what is amisse at home and seeke reformation Which God knowes I haue not attempted out of any forwardnes to be medling in matters of this kinde but only vpon sight and sense of the wronge donne to my Sauiour and his Kingdom to my Soueraigne Lord the Kinge and to the Church and Countrie wherein I was bred by the Doctrines and palliated practises of close walking Popelings Arminians and theire Supporters many of them beeing disguised vnder the name of conformable Protestants and Welwillers of the Church and State Which droue me in silent sorrow to meditate on theese passages of holy Scripture Then finding that of our Lord to be true Ioh. 15.5 1. Cor. 12 3. without me ye can doe nothing Noe man can say that Iesus is the Lord much lesse proue it but by the Holie Ghost and so that I could neuer haue drawne so much hony out of theese flowers vules God hath beene with me I thought I must carrie it to the hiue though I knew that in this case I was like to finde that true Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit yet I might not aduenture the euerlasting punishment of an vnproffitable seruant Mat. 25.24.30 by burying this one talent in a napkin seeing it appeared to be Christs whose Confession and Complaint is here exhibited with proofes and consequences so following from the same that there needes noe further witnesse noe inquirie of the vnworthy and instrumentall Exhibiter for the conuincing proofes are Christs the conuinced and Delinquents well knowne by other Complaints that haue beene oft made against them if not to the Kinge yet at least to the High Court of Parliament wherein greate things haue beene offered to be proued and if a free speaking and hearing be not there permitted then if any should vnder colour of seruing his Kinge and Countrie be as false to both and withall to Religion at least for some secret loue to Rome as euer that greate fauorite Duke Edrick was Edrick Duke of Mercia See Speedes Chron. who sold both to the Danes yet men that could discouer them fearing that they should not be thorowly heard but rather imprisoned and crushed would perhaps hold theire peace till it were to late to helpe Which hath made men say the Kinges eares are so guarded by whisperers by preuenting and praeuaricating expositors of complaints that truth may despaire of an effectuall hearing God Almightie giue vnto the Kings Maiestie a heart to heare see and reforme what is most amisse wheresoeuer and in whomesoeuer the fault be To conclude to be of Truth is to continue in the Word and in all matters of faith and saluation to cleaue to it professing and maintaining it in the whole and in euery part of it which is to haue Gods marke in the forehead as on the contrarie to receiue and maintaine the Popish lawes and doctrine is to haue the marke of the Beast for thus a Christian is not only distinguished from a Iew but also from a marked slaue of Antichrist as ye may see proued in that litle booke called The Character of a Christian pag. 206.282.296 Saint Paul saith well Brethren marke them which cause diuisions and offences Rom. 16.17.18 contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoide them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but theire owne belly by good words and faire speeches deceiue the hearts of the simple 2. Tim. 2.17.18 For theire word will eate as doth a gangrene who concerning the Truth haue erred And therefore when Arminians or other Hereticks and prophane persons commaund and teach one thinge and Christ another the Pope one thinge Christ another the Church of Rome calleth for all mens obedience to her and Christ to all to come out of Babell Reu. 18. Iesuits and Popish Preistes call to Princes and States to serue her and Christ to serue her as she hath serued them to fill her double Some follow Seducers but ye heare what the Sauiour of the World saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice FINIS Faults escaped in the printing Pag. 1. for Euangelist reade Euangelists p.2.l.2 for mislender reade misvnderstood l. 23 for cheifs cheife p.3.17 for fo reade of p.6.l.29 for reckened read reckoned p.15.l.18 for tho read the p.19.l.13 for deser at read desart a p.21.l.27 for abonte re aboute p.23.l.35 for rebellions re rebellious p.32.l.19 for thas re thus.l.23.re.seditious.p.33.l.8 for thousand reade a thousand thousand p. 34.l.13.for meant re meane l. 35.for tough read though p.36 in marg re vniuersum p. 37.in mar re persuadere p. 41.l.34.for reuelt reuolt p.47.l.2 for greah rea greate p. 52.l.11 for Christs re Christ l. 22.re.committing p.53.l.9 for ofter re offer l. 3 for fiue limen re fine linnen p.55.l.17 for here rea heare p.61.l.4 for grauted graunted l. 28.re Armin p. 86.l.1 for honeur re honour p.85.l.35.re.beleeue p.88.l.5.rea Christianity Besides some letters that did not print so well off in the first sixe sheetes as in the Proofes
death of a high Preâ—st who shall be the verâ— Word of Gâ—d voide of all â—nne as well willing as vnwiâ—â—ing whose Father sâ—ould be God and this Word shall be the Fathers wâ—sâ—em by which all things â—n this world were created Now that Christ Iesus was this Word incarnate That Iesus was the word the true Messiah whâ—ch as Iohn saith reuealeth the Father our Saâ—â—our himselfe further proueth while when he had shewed himselâ—e to be the Word and therein the Sonne of God as aboue saide to those Iewes that counted this blasphemie he added Ioh. 10.36.37.38 If I dâ—e not the workes of my Father beleeue me not But if I doe though ye beleeue not me beleeue the workes that ye may know and beleeue that the Father is in me and I in him As if he saide the works proue it Theâ—efore in another place he saith I haue a greater wiâ—nesse then that of Iohn Ioh. 5 3â— for the works which the Father hath giuen me to finâ—sh the same works that I doe beare witnesse of me that the Father hath sent me and c. Now therefore let vs take a short view of some few of those works or witnesses to see how they proue it and so proceede to the rest of the confession before Pilate Luk. 11.13 When he had cast out a Deuil out of one that was dumbe some of them saide he casteth out Deuils through Beelzebub the cheife of the Deuils to which he answered But if I with the finger of God cast out Deuils noe doub but the Kingdom of God is come vpon you that is noâ— doubt but the Word is now incarnate which should come and rule for God for the Word is the finger Arms or power by which he made and gâ—â—erned all things Psa 66. Luk. 4.33 He ruleâ—h by his power for euer Theâ—efore the Messiah who was to beâ—hâ—s Power â—s come and worketh by â—t becauseâ— by that power cast out Deuils Therefore â—n the Sâ—nagouge the Deuil in one posessed criâ—d out what haue wee to doe wiâ—h thee thou Iesâ—s of Nazareth â—rt thou câ—me to destroy vs I know thee who thouâ—rt the holy one of God And Iesâ—s rebâ—ked him sâ—ying Hoâ—d thy peace and come out of him And when the Deuil hâ—d hrowen him in the midst he came out of him And they were all amazed and spake amonge themselues saying * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What a Word is thâ—â— Our Euangelâ—st will answer All things were mâ—de by him In him was life and the life was the light of men The life of the Word was here manifested in the sight of many while so greate a miracle was donne thereby and the liâ—e was the light of men to theiâ—e convertion whâ—le in amazement they say What a Word is this for with authority and power he commaundeth â—he vncleane spirits and thâ—y come out The Euang list will answer againe The wâ—rd was made flesh and wee behold his glorie the glorie as of the only bego tâ—n of the Father full of grâ—ce and truth vers 32. And so when he â—auâ—ht Thâ—y were astonâ—â—d at his dâ—ctrine for his word was with power There was life therein accoâ—ding aâ— Châ—â—st saiâ—e The words thâ—â— I speake they are Spiriâ— and they are life yea eternall life Ioh 12 5â— as Peter saiâ—h Thou hast the words of etâ—rn â—ll life and wee beleeue viz. and therefore wee bâ—leâ—ue and are sure thâ— uâ—râ— the Christ the Sonne of the liueing God Sâ—â—nt Mathew saith Mat. 8.17 Thâ—y brought to him many that were posessed with Deuils and he cast out the Spirits wiâ—h his Word and healed all that were sieck wiâ—h his Word that is with the power by which God the Father worketh Io◠〈◊〉 .5 At the poole of Bethesda there was a Man that had â—â—en lame eight and thirâ—ie yeares Iesus saiâ—h vnto him Rise take vp thy Bed and walke And immediately the man was made whole and walked This could be donne by noe other then the Word of God whereof the Psalmist saith when theire Fathers were in like distresse psa 107 20. He sent his Word and healed them Vpon this myracle there was greate dispute betweene our Sauiour and the Iewes Aug. in Ioan. Tract 19.20.21 c. whereâ—n he proued himselfe to be the Word of the Father as Saint Avgustin shâ—weth on that Gospel See also the Character of a Christian. pag 63. c. Iesâ—s with clay made of spiâ—te healed a man that was bâ—rne blinde Ioh. 9.6 Veâ—â— 3â— 3â— Which man beeing brought befoâ—e the Phariâ—es reasoned thuâ— Wee know that God heareth not sinners but if a man be a worshipper of God and doe his will him he heareth Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of the blinde If this man were not of God he could doe nothing This vnlearned man could not giue such diuine proofes but by Gods Spirit that thus makes the Pharises his aduersaries more inexcusable Lazarus had lien fower dayes in the graue And when Iesus was come with Martha Marie and diuers Iewes to the place where they had layed him at last Ioh. 11.30 He cried with a loude voice Lazarus come forth And he that was dead came forth Vers 43. What Word could dâ—â—e this or any worke so greate but the mightie Woâ—d of God which made the World If then Ieâ—us did it by his Word it is plaine that in him the Word was made flesh and they saw the glâ—rie thereof in this myracle the glorie as of the only begotten of God But that he did it is manifest for some of the Iewes that saw it went theire wayes to the Pharises and told them Vâ—rs 46.47 therevpon the Cheife Preists gathered a counsell and saide What doe wee for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone Vers 53. all men â—ill beleeue on him And the Romans shall come and take away both our place and Nations From that day they tooke counsâ—ll to put him to death and did it But this polecie brought on them the iudgement it went abâ—ute to preuent and so must all such polecies needes doe which for worldlâ—e respects any way hinder Gods Kingdom Now then seeing Iesus did so greate workes by his Word it is plaine that he was the Word and that Word the Sonne that should come in the flesh and be the Mâ—ssiah Which thinge the Father himselfe openly witnessed by voices from Heaven first at his Baptisme when he came out of the water Mat. â—3 16 and loe a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Iohn Baptist heard this and thâ—n saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a doue and therefore bare record that this is the Sonne of God Now noe man could except against Iohns testimonie he was so generally beleeued to be holy iust and a Propheâ— Agaâ—ne when Iesus praied Father gloriâ—ie