Children of Sion do not fear thee neither do they regard thy Revilings for they dwell in a safe Habitation and 〈◊〉 at perfect Rest and are above all thy fiery Darts which in thy Envy 〈◊〉 shootest against them and thy Reward shall be according to thy Work and the multitude of men shall not be able to deliver thee from the Wrâ—th that cometh against thee from the Lord and all the false Prophets and Wolves in Sheeps Clothing with whom thou hast taken Part against the 〈◊〉 and his Fâ—llowers they shall be a broken Reed for thee to lean 〈…〉 why Alas the Determination of the Lord is against them and the Day of their Sorrow is approaching and hadst thou been wiâ—e for Gâ—d and for thy own Soul thou would'st not have endangered thine own Sâ—ul on Report and I am not altogether unacquainted with Ecclesiastical Histâ—riâ—â— their Defence and though we have no Goals Prisons Stocks nor Whips nor yet any unjust or cruel Way of dealing towards you as you have 〈◊〉 against us yet we have the Lord to be our Armour and he is the only Rock of our Defence and he is stronger then man and in him we trust and what are all thy Lyes and Slanders unto us And what though Balaam for a Gift may seek Enchantment against us yet there is no Divination found against the Elect Seed and seeing thou hast gone in Balaam's Path thou shalt reap his Reward who art an Enemy of Righteousness and a Perverter of the right Way of God whose End will be Wo and Misery Wherefore consider O thou vain mortal man that must dye and come to nothing wherefore hast thou set thy self against God and heaped up thy Multitude of envious Words Lyes and Slanders against his People What is the Fruit of such a Work but eternal Vengeance from the righteous God And though thou art come in the End of the Battel and hast helped Gog and Magog according to thy Strength yet Friend our City cannot be shaken its Foundation cannot be removed and what art thou vain ignorant Creature that hast fought against God and his People THE HEART OF New-England HARDENED THROUGH VVICKEDNESS In Answer to a Book entituled The Heart of New-England rent published by John Norton appointed thereunto by the General Court The Doctrine of the Quakers Vindicated his Arguments made void his Ignorance manifested and his lying Doctrine brought to Light and judged with the Word of Truth and Truth cleared from his Aspersions and Slanders By him that waits to see the Throne of Righteousness exalted above all Deceit F. H. And the rest of the Men which were not killed by the Plagues repented not of the Works of their Hands neither repented they of their Murders nor Sorceries nor worshipping of Devils Rev. 9.20 21. NOW when the Lord of Life and Glory is appearing in his Power as in the Dayes of old and his Goodness Mercy and Truth as in the Years past and the Riches of his Grace and Salvation which he maketh to flow forth and spring forth from the great Deep now when he is manifesting his Light from his holy Habitation and his saving Health from his dwelling Place that the Sons of Men might be Partakers thereof and praise him who liveth forever and ever who is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto them that believe the Pit of Darkness hath also opened its Mouth and out of it many Unclean Spirits do arise and Fogs and Mists of Darkness Ignorance and Error are also arisen out of it to hinder the Light from shining and to darken the Air that the Sun of Righteousness might not be beheld and would dam up the Way that the Springs of Life might not refresh the City of God and his tender Plants that so the Prince of Darkness and the King of the bottomless Pit might not lose his Dominion for this End hath he mustred up and is mustring up all his Men of War with their several Weapons and all the Engines of Wickedness to resist the Lamb of God who is risen to make VVar in Righteousness that so the Kingdom of Darkness might still be established and the Subjects thereof live at Ease and Peace in Egypt and Sodom where Christ and the VVitnesses are slain I say for this End hath he sent out his Men of VVar to resist the VVork of the Lord which is to destroy the Devil's VVork one of his Champions more stout then his Fellows is come out with his VVeapons of VVar which are most of them borrowed and not his own and the City in which he hath encompassed himself is a Refuge of Lyes but however he appears with the Face of Authority and subscribes himself John Norton Teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in New-England who was appointed thereunto by the Order of the General Court his Book he calls The Heart of New-England rent at the Blasphemies of the present Generation or a brief Tract concerning the Doctrine of the Quakers shewing the destructive Nature thereof to Religion Churches and State Now whether John Norton was appointed of the General Court to be Minister of Boston or he was appointed by the General Court to tell Lyes how the Heart of New-England is rent whether he intends should be believed the Reader may judge for his VVords may be understood of both However John Norton hath manifested his Master that it was not Christ who appointed him to be Minister at Boston but the General Court that appointed him neither was it Christ oâ— his Spirit that set him to work to publish Lyes to the VVorld that the Heart of New-England was rent but the General Court neither was it Christ nor the General Assembly that ordered him to write this Book which he calls A Tract concerning the Doctrine of the Quakers but the General Court they have ordered thee to tell Lyes and thou hast received thy Commission and actest it and shewest it to the World and the Sign thereof is By the Appointment of the General Court before we go any further men of Understanding will judge whose Minister whose Souldier whose Warriour John Norton is and at whose Appointment and Commandment he ministers and wars and hath cleared himself to be no Souldier of Christ no Minister of Christ but appointed to minister and to war at the Appointment of the General Court and so what will be brought forth by him in his Tract as he calls it afterwards as to minister Grace to the Hearers and Readers the Reader may judge seeing that he is a Minister by the Will of Man and his Work is appointed by the General Court And doth John Norton believe that People will receive his Testimony as that the Heart of New-England is broken and rent whenas the Blood-thirsty Cruelty and barbarous Actions and inhuman Act of Cruelty and the noisome Smell and a bad Example have you given to the World and the LAVVS and APPOINTMENTS and ORDERS of that General Court of BOSTON and NEW-ENGLAND
he would abandon and leave that Babylon which is but a siâ—k of Mischief and of all Ungodliness and keep his Court elsewhere in some place of better Fame and this is the Legate's Testimony of the Seat of the Mother Church of Rome Besides many of her own Members in England in the Year 1245. do manifest what Action has been upon this Nation as may be seen in a Supplication written in the Names of the Nobles and Commons of England to Pope Innocent the fourth shewing how many Subsides and Taxes had been levied and sent out of the Realm and how they had been liberally paid they complaining also how he sent Italians and forraigners to possess theâ—â— Churches and Benefices in England who had no regard of Peoples Soulâ— and so were no good Shepherds as they said and how the Italians received threescore Thousand Marks a Year besides other Vails and Excises â—heâ— do reap more Rents then the King himself and so when he could no◠〈◊〉 his subsides and raise all the Sums which he exacted from Year to Year Pope Innocent perswades the French King to make War with the King of England for his not condescending to the Pope in all things although he was then one of his Sons and of his Church but enough of this it were lâ—rge to enumerate the Actions and Cruelties the Oppressions which have been done in that which is called Christendom since the Emperour 〈◊〉 unto the Pope his Power and how much Idolatry Superstitiâ—n 〈◊〉 and Doctrine of Devils hath been spread over the Nations these many hundred of Years and how many have been put to cruel Death for not 〈◊〉 and conforming to the said Doctrines and Practices Injâ—nctions and Ordinances and how many this false Church hath stirred up 〈…〉 another and Destroy one another about these things which have 〈◊〉 put upon People under the Name of Divine Authority and holy 〈◊〉 and Apostolical Institutions by what as it is written all may see that these things are in the Apostacy and in the Fall in the curse and in the Night of Darkness wherein all this Wickedness hath been wrought by the false Church which the Lord God will reward double and dry up 〈◊〉 Waters under which she sits and make her Seat desolate and throw down her Pride who hath drunk the Blood of the Martyrs and shed the Blood of the Saints and devoured the Lambs of Christ and made Merchandize of Souls and therefore all who are in part departed from her stay not in the Suburbs but come out of her City and the Adjacent places there that ye be not partakers of the Judgment which is to come upon her But Oh! abundance of Darkness remains yet in the Nations and even in the Protestant Churches who hold up things yet which were invented by her insomuch that one belonging to the Church of Rome Dionysius Petavius a Cardinal layes claim to the ceremonies which were practised in England in the Bishops time For saith he in his Book called the History of the World the Religion of England and Doctrine is Calvinism the Doctrine of Geneva but the Ceremonies are of Rome as they were practised in England in the Year 1640. In the time of Leo the fourth Edelwolphus King of England went to Rome for performance of a Vow that he had made and was courteously received and accepted by the Pope Leo For which cause he ordained a tribute to be paid yearly to the Pope to wit a Peny sterling for every House in England that kindled a Fire Now Protestants look to your Easter-reckonings you have denyed the Popes Supremacy and yet Vicars and Parsons receive his Tribute of every House that kindles a Fire and this stands yet as a good and wholsome Institution amongst you And so for shame let all that profess Reformation and the Doctrine of Godliness and the Faith of Christ and the Practice of the Apostles â—s their example come out of things which the Harlot hath invented and say as Abraham said to the King of Sodom that he would not take a Shoe-latchet least he should say he had made Abraham Riâ—h So let them that profess Reformation not keep a shoe-latchet nor one lap of the Whores Garment nor any piece of her Ornaments that she may not Boast any more that we are made rich by her Merchandize so purge out Horn and Hooff and all the old leven out of your Hearts and out of your Assemblâ—es and come to believe in Christ the true Light that lighteth every one that comes into the World that he may be your Law-giver whose Institutions are Spiritual and his Ordinances heavenly which makes 〈◊〉 and clean and pure the comers thereunto and so let the old Romish 〈…〉 foolish Ceremonies about Worship alone many of which are 〈◊〉 from the Heaâ—hen and judge not any for deâ—arting from them 〈◊〉 Persecute none for not observing of them for whoso do will maniâ—est themselves to belong to the City which is to be overthrown and to be in the Apostacy and not Members of the true Church of Christ the Lamb's Wife And many more things which stand yet amongst them called Christians as set discourses have been set up called Hâ—milies And the aforesaid W. H. shews the grâ—â—nd â—here â—re they were 〈…〉 Some complained that their Churches and Universities were 〈…〉 Error as many are at this day by which there was a want of able Pastors four Sermons were appointed by publick order in the Yâ—ar onely and certain Homilies were devised by learned Men and confirmed for sound Doctrine by the Clergy who made them and the Authority of the Prince which Homilies were appointed to be read by Curates of a mean understanding and them that had but mean pay as five Mark or twenty Noble a Year of which sort we had many in England in the year 1640. I desire we have no more lest more ignorance abound and these Homilies were to be read after a certain number of Psalms read and the Letany and an Epistle and Gospel and it may be Athanasius or Nicen Creed and this was the Worship which hath been holden out even amongst the reformed as spiritual Worship all which while People have been exercising themselves in those things they had been further and further off from God and the Knowledge of his Truth which is manifest to them that believe not by the Injunctions and Ordinances of men but by the holy Spirit which leads out of all Error Superstition and Deceit and all that believe in it come to be taught of the Lord and Worship in that which is pure and are acceptable in his sight CHAP. XV. Something concerring the general Councils since the Apostles Dayes though they have been all of one Faith and though iâ— hath been said the Church could not err all which of the several Councils belonged to the Church of Rome yet see the Difference IN that which some call a Council or a Synod at Jerusalem Acts 15. when some
to me I have a Wife and Children and some Estate which we might subsist upon and do Good to others and I know all this lyes at Stake but if it were my Life also I durst not do but as I do lest I should incur the Displeasure of God and do you judge I would loose my Liberty wilfully and suffer the spoiling of my Estate and the ruining of my Wife and Children in Obstinacy and Wilfulness sure nay Judge Jury you see he denyes the Oath and he will not plead to the Indictment only excepts against it because of the Form of Words but you see he will not swear and yet he saith he denies the Indictment and you see upon what Ground And then they called the Goaler to witness and swear that the last Assizes F. H. did refuse c. which he did and the Jury without going from the Bar gave in their Verdict Guilty and then the Court broke up that Night The next Day towards Evening when they had tryed all the Prisoners Francis was brought to the Bar to receive his Sentence Judge stood up and said Come the Indictment is proved against you what have you to say why Sentence shall not be given F. H. I have many things to say if you will hear them 1 st As I have said I denyed not out of Obstinacy or Wilfulness but was willing to testifie the Truth in this Matter of Obedience or any other Matter wherein I was concerned 2 dly Because Swearing was directly against the Command of Christ 3 dly Against the Doctrine of the Apostles 4 thly Even some of your principal Pillars of the Church of England as Bishop Usher sometime Primate of Ireland he said in his Works The Waldenses did deny all Swearing in their Age from that Command of Christ and the Apostle James and it was a sufficient Ground and Doctor Gauden late Bishop of Exeter in a Book of his I lately read he cited very many ancient Fathers to shew that the first three hundred Years Christians did not swear so that it is no new Doctrine To which the Court seemed to give a little Ear and said nothing but talked one to another and Francis stood silent and then the Judge said Judge Sure you mistake F. H. I have not the Books here Judge Will you say upon your honest Word they denyed all Swearing F H. What I have said is true Judge Why do you not come to Church and hear Service and be subject to the Law and to every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake F.H. We are subject and for that Cause we do pay Taxes Tribute Custome and give unto Caesar the Things that are his and unto God the Things that are his to wit Worship Honour and Obedience and if thou mean the Parish Assembly I tell thee faithfully I am perswaded and upon good Ground their Teachers are not the Ministers of Christ neither their Worship the Worship of God Judge Why it may be for some small things in the Service you reject it all F. H. First it is manifest they are time-servers one while preaching up that for divine Service to People that another while they cry down as Popish superstitious and Idolatrous and that which they have preached up twenty Years together make Shipwrack of all in a Day and now again call it divine and would have all compelled to that themselves once made void Judge Why never since the King came in F. H. Yes the same Men that preached it down once now cry it up so they are so unstable and wavering that we cannot believe they are the Ministers of Christ 2 dly They teach for Hire and live by forced Maintenance and would force a Faith upon Men contrary to Christ and the Apostles Rule who would have every one perswaded in their own Minds and said Whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin and yet they say Faith is the Gift of God and we have no such Faith given but yet they would force theirs upon us and because we cannot receive it they cry You are not subject to Authority and the Laws and nothing but Confiscations Imprisonment and Banishment is threatned and this is their greatest Plea I could mention more Particulars then the Judge interrupted Judge Well I see you will not swear nor conform nor be subject and you think we deal severely with you but if you would be subject we should not need F. H. I do so judge indeed that you deal severely with us for Obedience to the Commands of Christ I pray thee canst thou shew me how that any of those People for whom the Act was made have been proceeded against by this Statute though I envy no Man's Liberty Judge Oh yes I can instance you many up and down the Country that are premunired I have done it my self pronounced Sentence against divers F. H. What against Papists Judge No. F. H. What against the Quakers so I have heard indeed so then that Statute which was made against Papists thou let'st them alone and executest it against the Quakers Judge Well you will meet in great Numbers and do increase but there is a new Statute which will make you fewer F. H. Well if we must suffer it is for Christ's sake and for well doing Francis then being silent the Judge pronounced the Sentence but spake so low that the Prisoner though near to him could scarce hear it The Sentence was You are put out of the Kings Protection and the Benefit of the Law your Lands are confiscate to the King during your Life and your Goods and Chattels forever and you to be Prisoner during your Life F. H. A hard Sentence for my Obedience to the Commands of Christ the Lord forgive you all So he turned from the Bar but the Judge speaking he turned again and many more Words passed to the same Purpose as before at last the Judge rose up and said Judge Well if you will yet be subject to the Laws the King will shew you Mercy F. H. The Lord hath shewed Mercy unto me and I have done nothing against the King nor Government nor any Man blessed be the Lord and therein stands my Peace for it is for Christ's sake I suffer and not for Evil doing And so the Court broke up the People were generally moderate and many were sorry to see what was done against him but Francis signified how contented and glad he was that he had any thing to loose for the Lord 's precious Truth of which he had publickly born Testimony and that he was now counted worthy to suffer for it As for the time of F. Howgil's Sickness which he endured with much Patience and Cheerfulness it begun the 11th of the 11th Moneth 1668. and continued till the 20th of the same Moneth and then he departed this Life having then for the Testimony of Jesus been Prisoner four Years and eleaven Moneths he was not unsensible of the Decay of his outward Man sometime before which
Lord Jesus their Saviour and Teacher there was Truth and Life by them And after Henry Cromwel the Deputy of Ireland banished him and Edward Burroughs out of Ireland through the Instigation of the Priests and other Magistrates but the Lord overturned them his Adversaries also And so continuing in the Labour of the Lord till the Year 1661. he was imprisoned at London when the Monarchy People rose with many others though clear and innocent from that bloody Act for his and their Weapons were spiritual and they sought another Kingdom And after he and they were set at Liberty he still continued in the Work of the Lord travailing up and down the Nations and coming into the North at Kendal the Magistrates sent for him out of the Market and tendred him the Oath of Allegiance and Supremacy and because for Conscience sake he could not swear in Obedience to the Command of Christ his Saviour they committed him to Appleby Goal in the Year 1664. and there they kept him from Sessions to the Assizes in a smoaky Hole and at last they premunired him and his Body being almost spent in the Service of the Lord being a weak man there did he offer up his Life as a Sacrifice of his Faith for the Lord Jesus Christ's Truth and dyed a Prisoner for the Name of Jesus in the latter End of the Year 1668. and so laid down his Life as a Testimony against the Persecutors Breakers of the Command of Christ and his Blood doth cry for Vengeance though he could say The Lord forgive all hâ—â— Persecutorspunc who having the Mind of Christ desired the Good of all yea the worst of hâ—â— Enemies and in that Desire of the Good of all did he labour travail seeking their Good and their Eternal VVelfare in the Inheritance of Life that fades not away of which he was an Heir and is entred into Rest and the Possession of the same And now this peaceable Man the persecuting Priests and Magistrates have gotten their Desire to shut up in Prison this Servant of the Lord to Death for obeying the Command of Christ but how they will answer it before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords the great Judge at his Tribunal Day which hastens apace let them consider with themselves for if they went into everlasting Punishment that did not visit Christ in Prison what wâ—ll become of such as cast him into Prison in his Members And so they made his Wife a Widdow and his Children Fatherless who have none to cry unto but the Lord who will relieve the Widdow and help the Fatherless The Place of his outward Habitation was in Greying in Westmorland a man known to be of good Report before he received the Gospel freely from Jesus which he declared freely and great Sufferings and Tryals and Reproaches and Scorns and hard Labours in the Work and Service of the Lord he went through and many vain Disputes Priests and Professors of all Sects rose up against him but the Lord in his Power gave him Dominion over them all Who ended his Dayes in Peace in the Truth of God and the Lord's Service and Testimony for his Name and for the keeping of and obeying the Command of Christ his Lord and Saviour And therefore all Friends and Brethren that are begotten by him through the Word of Life and others live in the same Word that lives abides endures forever that is a Hammer a Fire as a Sword to all that is contrary to that which is holy and pure so that in the Truth Power and Word of Life the Lord God may be glorified in you all the Dayes of your Life And blessed are all they that aye in the Lord they rest from their Labours and their Works will follow them G. F. Richard Pinders Testimony CONCERNING Francis Howgil AS concerning our dear Brother in the Lord Francis Howgil the Author of these ensuing Writings he was a Man so well known through the Churches of Christ in his Day that much need not be writ concerning him as by Way of Testimony to those that knew him and his Spirit and Manner of Life and Conversation yet I having had a full Knowledge of him especially in the time of his long and tedious Imprisonment in the Town of Appleby in Westmorland where for his Testimony sake he ended his Dayes and laid down his Life as a Testimony for that Truth that he had testified of so largely both in preaching the Gospel and in these ensuing Books which he writ at several times according as the Lord put it into his Heart and as there was Occasion to answer Truth 's Opposers and after many Years Travails and Labours in the Work of God he through the Envy of some great Persons in that Country was made Prisoner at the foresaid Town of Appleby they having nothing justly to lay to his Charge yet knowing that it was his Principle not to swear at all Christ having forbidden it they put the Oath of Supremacy and Allegiance unto him and only for refusing to swear he was premunired they in the least laying nothing of Misdemeanour to his Charge and when the Judge pronounced the Sentence of Premunire against him he only replyed It is a hard Sentence being only for the Exercise of my Conscience but the Will of the Lord be done and prayed the Lord might forgive them all that had any Hand in it and so after the said Sentence being committed Prisoner he continued a Prisoner several Years in which time I was very conversant with him and I must give this Testimony for him that I never heard him in the least murmur or repine in all the time of his Imprisonment but alwayes appeared as a Man wholly given up inâ—o â—he Will of God and when at any time we had been speaking of his long Imprisonment constantly he would have said The Will of the Lord be done and such was his godly Behaviour and Conversation in the time of his Confinement that he greatly gained the Hearts and Love of the Goaler's whole Family and all others of the Town that knew him and had any Acquaintance with him and even to this Day when his Name is mentioned they are all ready to say he was a Man that truly feared God so that he left an exceeding good Savour behind him in that Place And as for the Course of his Time and Dayes in this World I have this to say he was born of honest Parents and brought up to some Learning according to the usual Custom of the Country and in his Youth and tender Years was one that sincerely thirsted after the Knowledge of God and the Lord was good unto him and gave him Discoveries of divine things unto his Soul 's great Comfort and he was an early Owner of the People of God called Quakers and walked with them and was alwayes ready to suffer with them as at any time called by the Lord thereunto he was one greatly
carryed their several Wares and Traffick and many more Tradesmen many more Merchants whom she sent out with her Merchandize who have been made rich by her Merchandize and other Merchants were Bishops Arch-Bishops Deacons Arch-Deacons Pryors Covents Vicars Commissaries Chapters Chancellors Vice-Chancellors Doctors of Divinity Batchellors of Divinity Doctors of Art Masters of Art Batchellors of Art Priests and Curates by which they were made rich and abounded in Treasure And the Beast whom all the World wondered after compelled all to worship him both small and great upon which the Whore rides the scarlet-coloured Beast which hath guarded all her Merchants and made all Nations buy their Ware and hath compelled all People to buy the Whore's Sorceries even all the invented and heathenish Trumperies which the Whore hath patched up and their Merchants painted over which they have patched up some from the Jews some from the Heathen some from the Saints Words mixt with their own Imaginations and Deceit and have holden forth these as the publick Worship in the Nations Kindreds Tongues and Peoples their many Creeds many Confessions of the Faith many Catechisms and many Forms of Worship and when the People are weary of one Sort of Merchandize then brings another in more deceitful and worse and the Beast hath compelled the Nations to buy it and to hold it as the publick Profession of the Nations though never so unsound and rotten though damnable Doctrines and Doctrines of Devils though invented and heretical Opinions invented since the Apostles Dayes yet cryes the Beast The Church had ordained it and the ancient Fathers have agreed upon it and the Councils have confirm'd it and the Divines have ratified it and the Bishops and Arch-Bishops and reverend Fathers have confirm'd it and recommended it for Orthodox and Authentick And therefore sayes the Beast upon which the Whore rides the false Church the Mother of Harlots If you will not agree to it you are Hereticks for the Church has Power to censure you to excommunicate you and to curse you and to deliver you up to Satan and then the Beast having made Laws for the Sale of the Whore's Sorceries and for the guarding of her Merchants and their ships If you consent not to the Articles of the Faith and Confessions you break the Law of the Nations and are not subject to Authority and now you are not punished for Religion sake nor for Christ's sake nor the Gospel's sake but as Evil-doers and Transgressors of the Laws of our Kingdom or Nation And thus the Mother of Harlots which got up since the Apostacy who hath drunk the Bloâ—â— of the Saints and shed the Blood of the Martyrs and slain the Witnesses and hath put many to cruel Deaths She saith I am clear we kill none for Conscience sake we persecute none for the Gospel's sake nor Christ's sake nor for Religion sake but you suffer as Hereticks and you have transgressed the Law of Kings Emperors Councils and Parliaments and are Enemies to States and Governments and Rule in breaking their wholsom Laws cryes the Harlot who hath lost the Savour and her Merchants which calls that which stinks and is corrupt wholsome and so saith the Beast We persecute you not for Religion neither in Persons Liberties or Estates but the Church hath recommended this Doctrine these Articles of Faith these Creeds and Pater-nosters this publick Worship or that Mass-book or that Common Prayer-book or this Directory and are not they the fittest to judge of Religion who have the Tongues and the Original and are fittest to give Meanings and Interpretations of the Scripture And therefore we make a Law that the Mass-book shall be holden out for the publick Profession of these Nations as the Pope Cardinals Jesuites and Fryars think it fit and that the Common prayer-Prayer-book be holden forth as the publick Worship which the Bishops Arch-Bishops Deacons Arch-Deacons have recommended unto us as that which is consonant and agreeable to the primitive Times and to the Church which hath been established so many hundred Years and whosoever will not consent and perform all the Rites and Ceremonies let him be indicted and let him be presented and let him be cited and appear before a Bishop and let him imprison him and fine him and take away some of his Estate and excommunicate him and then it 's fit that the Secular Power take Notice of him for transgressing of their Law and pillory him or cut off his Ears or stigmatize him and banish him and let his Estate be confiscate to the King or Prince against whom he hath transgressed for he suffers as an Evil-doer and hath brought this upon himself because he would not be subject to our Church-Orders and to the laudable Customs of our Nations or Country And say some other of the Whore's Merchants who are of another Order distinct from the rest and carry other Sorts of Ware and traffick with other Sorts of Merchandize and some newer Fashion which is liker to bewitch People they cry out to the Rulers of the Earth to propagate their Trading and their Merchandize and say It were fit that some Doctors and Orthodox-men were called together to consider and consult about their Trade and what Sort of Ware or Traffick will most bewitch People and inchant their Minds that so her Ships may go on the Sea for if Kindreds Tongues and People will not buy her Ware her Ships cannot go and their Trade will go down if ever Nations come to the Rock or People come to some Estability or know the precious Treasure and the heavenly treasure in the earthen Vessels they will buy no more of us if the Sea be dried up that no more a gallant Ship can pass thereon nor never a Gally with Oars then we shall all turn Bankrupts and then may we cry Alas alas we that have been made rich are now become poor therefore what do we do let us take Counsel together and if any tell That they have obtained the heavenly Treasure and are come to the durable Riches and to the Treasure that cankers not and they have found it in themselves then let us cry out it 's Heresie and damnable Doctrine and if any man shall say That they need no man to teach them but the Anointing that dwells in them by which they know all things then let us give our Vote with one consent that that 's a Delusion and let us frame Arguments and say that that cannot be you want Hebrew Greek and Latin aâ—d the Original by which you should expound the Scripture and know the Meaning of it and therefore you to conclude that you have received the Anointing is dangerous Doctrine let us pronounce this man as a Heretick for he will infect People And furthermore if any say That the Lord is become his Teacher and he needs no man to teach him but knows the Lord to be his Shepherd then let us cry out of this as dangerous Doctrine and cry to the
Fellow-merchants denyed the mass-Mass-book or publick Profession Doctrine and Discipline and joyned to the book of Common-Prayer and the Letany as the publick Profession of the Worship of God and now of late Years we have denyed it our selves and so we which are of this Order can dispence well enough with this seeing that we trade with some of our Mother's Merchandize under another Name and so the Matter is less grievous because the Orders and Ceremonies about Worship are retained still in our Directory under another Habit and Guise and having these Witnesses before mentioned for our Example and if any seem to contend with us this will take the Edge off People seeing it 's no new thing with us to set our Sails which Way soever the Wind blows and it may be we may bring them a Scripture or two and an Inference from it for a Cloak as to submit to every Ordinance of man for the Lord's sake and let every Soul be subject to the higher Power so Henry the 8th while he stood he was the higher Power and so Mary Elizabeth James and Charles they were the higher Power while they stood and they did ordain that sometime the Mass-book should be the publick Worship and some time the Common-Prayer-book should be the publick Worship and now the Directory a Plat-form of publick Worship it may be these and the like Arguments to them that are dim-sighted will take Place for some time But there is one thing above all which ought to be considered of by us who are allowed to be publick Merchants seeing that we must go under the name of Reformation for that is our Flag we carry in our Ships seeing that generally People of the most understanding will not allow of any preaching to be effectual to the converting of Souls but that which is ministred by or from the Spirit for the reading of old Homilies which served in our Predecessors Dayes will not serve now or if we should speak some Hebrew or Greek or Latin in an unknown Tongue they will conclude that is rather the Wisdom of the Flesh and from natural Wit rather then from the Spirit and therefore it is not much amiss if we conclude to let some of the Ancient Fathers pass and not mention them because it is holden generally that they lived in an Apostatizing time and so it will not be effectual in the Audience of People And so for Austin and Cyprian Jerom and Beda Origen and Damazin their Traffick will hardly go off for they will conclude it 's rather by Art and Study that we preach then by the Spirit and so we being fallen into such a dangerous time as this is now in the break of Day when men begin to be quick-sighted and will not onely espie Hills but also Motes therefore all we which are Merchants of this Order and Rank to our Mother Mystery Babylon had need to trade with the best Merchandize as Gold and Silver and precious Stones and fine Linnen and silk and Scarlet and so let this be agreed upon by us all that we study hard and read the Scriptures and other modern Divines which are Orthodox that so if need require every one may preach extempore for else it will not go upon the Account of the Spirit and so have Words to fit at all Times Occasions and Seasons as before Protectors Parliaments and Councils or Noble men or Classis or Synods or the like and every one labour by Study and Art to raise many Doctrines from one Scripture and make many Uses and Tryals and Motives and so carnal people's minds will be affected with such dex-Tterity and Readiness so that we shall clear our selves from Clamour which some of our Merchants have fallen under because of their Negligence and if any should accuse us for studying and patching up our Sermons out of divers Authors mixt with Scripture and our Inventions then bring such a Scripture as that 2 Tim. 2.15 Study to shew thy self approved unto God it may be some blind People will take that for a good Proof and such a word as that Study to be quiet and because the word Study is found in Scripture therefore with a Consequence or two we may prove in the Ears of people that studying of Sermons is lawful and if any question our set Wages and Heir be sure that all with one accord do study to vindicate this for this is the Life and Sinnews of the Propagation of our Gospel And now Reader I shall give thee an Account of the principal and chief Traffick which is established for the Publick Worship amongst those that are called Gospel-Professors the general heads whereof are laid down in a Directory of the Publick Worship in these three Nations of England Scotland and Ireland and the general Heads of that which they purpose to traffick with is laid down in their Directory so called and what Traffick is of less Moment may be ushered in time will make manifest and in their Preface to their Boâ—k they say as follows Directory That the Liturgy hath been a great Means to encrease an idle Ministry from puttâ—ng forth themselves for putting forth the Gift of Prayer which Christ pleaseth to furnish all his Servants with whom he calls to that Office Answer So then by this Conclusion all their former Fathers and Fellow-merchants were not sent out by Christ because they contented themselves with set Forms of others made to their Hands and if all whom Christ called to this Office be furnisht with the Gift of Prayer then this must needs follow that they that have no Gift of Prayer are no Officers of Christ well their Part being acted and the Exit being come let him go off the Stage and thou shalt see the gifted men come on next Direct In the assembling of the Congregation together the Direction is that the People do reverendly compose themselves to joyn in the Ordinance of God which is then coming in Hand as it is written in the 11th Page of their Book Answ. Here they are putting Self to perform the Ordinance of God which whosoever comes to perform aright or joyn with the Assembly of the righteous they must deny themselves and all their own composings Direct The next Thing is about reading the Scriptures and Expâ—sition of them and in their expounding they are to take heed that preaching and other Ordâ—nances be not streightned Answ. As for reading the Scripture it is a thing so harmless honest just and good that I wish that all their whole Ordinances so called had been all waved and given Place to this and if it were read oftener to the People without adding or diminishing the Understandings of People would be more opened then by their cloudy and dark patched up Speeches which is called preaching but preaching I am not against that is to say to declare the Mind of God as it is revealed by his Eternal Spirit to and in them that speak and why do you prefer
is but to set Bryars and Thorns in Battel against the Lord. Thy Book thou callst Hell broke Loose or a History of the Quakers published to preserve Christians against formality of Religion and Apostacy and to the intent that thy Book might not grow old nor stick upon thy Hands as such other moudly stuff hath done thou saist London Printed in the Year 1660. and so hast Printed a lye in the Frontis-piece of thy Book thy Book by that time thou may'st hang up with old Almanacks or sell for waste Paper and if thou beginst with a lye and Scorn how dost thou think that this will be an Antidote as thou callst it against formality and Apostacy Is not a Lyar an Apostate is not he that pleads for Popish Trumpery a formalist in Religion without the Power he that reads but thy Title page may see what thy Book is within if he go no further the Covenant of Death is not yet broken in thee and the agreement with Hell is not yet disannulled and therefore all this Smoke is come out of the Pit in which thou delights to dwell And is this such a worthy Piece in thy account that thou must needs shelter it under the Wings of the Officers of the Army of England Scotland and Ireland art thou so great a Friend to them and in thy Book tell'st them they were the in-let of Heresie and Blasphemy who art but yet an Episcopal stem or at best a Presbyterial Branch I believe many amongst them will savour thy Spirit and know what Uniformity and unity thou art for which may be more properly called deformity and Enmity and so thy Flattering Epistle when they see thy Spirit will hardly merit thanks and so that wicked Spirit which could not be satisfied in the time of the former Parliaments and Protectors still persists in the unsatiable desire to see if the Army will gratifie thee and turn Persecutors but thou hast mist it far in crying a confederacy to the reverend Pastors or Priests of Scotland the Army knows right well or at least might do that the Priests of Scotland whom thou so reverencest have been alwayes Hinderers and Obstructors of the Way of God and of his Work these divers Years instance two â—o three Hundred of them before the sight at Dunbar who Prophesied all like Zedekiah for the poor Scots against the English Army to go up and Prosper and Cursed them and Excommunicated them and gave them up to Satan and for Distruction but such Prophets were made fools and their divinations were Madness and God gave a sufficient Testimony against them and their deceived Followers which I hope the English Army have not 〈◊〉 forgotten and for the Scotish Priests and their Doctrine and Practice 't is so grosly ignorant and abominably Prophane as I believe many of the Army do right well know but such as are not satisfied I refer them to a Book called The Doctrines and Principles of the Priests of Scotland wherein may be seen their deceit and how some of them have said they had Reason to curse the Magistrates from morning to Night because that Allowance was granted unto any to Worship God in Spirit and Truth who could not be subject to their Traditional uniformity and thou tellest the Army in thy Epistle That ruin is like to come upon all Religion and Piety if God prevent it not by you or some other way they may see what Religion thou art of which may be rather called Irreligious and Impious the Government of Religion and Piety lyes upon the shoulders of him who is a wonderful Counsellor and mighty to save and able to defend them that are subject to him and wouldst thou have the Souldiers or any others intrude themselves into Christ's Throne unto whom all Power is committed both to make Religious and preserve pious them that do believe in him this were to derogate from the Honour and Power which belongs to Christ who is the Head of the Church who will not give his Glory to another and let all take notice of this that whosoever hath sought to take Honour from him and glory from him he hath laid their honour in the Dust and their Glory is become as the moth-eaten Garment as hitherto it hath been evident and thou tellst them They know the Scripture is God's written Word and a Holy perfect rule of Faith and Practice and that it holds out that Christ is now in his human glorified Body in Heaven If thou hadst said the Scripture are the Words of God written thou hadst said something for the Word of God is one thing and the Words are another though the words are a Testimony of the Word and the Word and the Spirit which is one which gave forth the Words are the perfect Rule and Foundation of Faith which was before the Words and is greater then the Words as we have often declared to thy dearest Generation though they would not hear and where doth the Scripture hold forth a Human glorified Body in Heaven thy deceit and ignorant mind holds out a Human glorified Body we say according to the Scriptures that Christ's Body is spiritual and he is raised a spiritual Body and is Glorified in a spiritual Body and in a Heavenly Body which thou never knewest neither art like while the Nature lives in thee in which thou now stands And thou say'st in thy Epistle that one day in seven should be set apart for rational Souls to mind the things of Eternity And which is that Day that thou wilt set apart some of Babylon's Merchants have cryed up one day and some have cryed up another day and some have called the seventh day the Sabbath and some have called the first day the Sabbath and whether was Sabbaths made for Man or Man for Sabbaths and whether was dayes made for man or man made for dayes all time is in the Hand of the Lord and they that have Communion with him do mind the things of Eternity every day and so they come to know the day of the Lord in which rest is given to the Soul and the Creature hath rest though he labour in the Creation when that is done away in himself which hath Opprest thou may'st go learn what this means In thy Post-script as thou callst it thou saist If any shall take offence for thy seeking to civil or Military Power to Support Religion thy defence is thy belief is That thou ought to seek to the higher Powers to support Religion and this is the Liberty of thy Conscience and that this thou may do more acceptably then they who Cross their own profest Opinion as they have done of late Years by motions Counsels Books and Papers which they have delivered for these many Years for â—he pulling down the Ministry and Steeple-houses and that their importuning the Magistrate to pull down Ministry and Worship is a yielding of the Cause I say thy belief is without the true Foundation and so
Temple at Jerusalem to be Worshipped as God Herod who Mocked Christ with his Souldiers and set him at nought was banished and died miserablely he likewise put forth Caiphas the High Priest and afterwards in the forth Year of his Reign Caligula was slain Claudius Nero succeeded him and Reigned thirteen years a grievous Tyrant and an hater of all Good by him was James the Son of Zebedee Martyred and Simon and Parmenâ—s the second of the seven Deâ—cons Martyred and Thomâ—s who preached to the Medes and Persians was slain with a dart in his Reign about this time Simon Zelotes who Preached in Africa was crucified Andrew and Matthew the one crucified and the other slain with a Spear Matthias and Philip the one was crucified and the other Stoned to Death About the 62 year after Christ James the Son of Alpheus called the Brother of Christ was Stoned to death with many more and Mark slain at Alexandria Domitius Nero began his Reign about the sixty seventh year after Christ he Reigned fourteen years Emperour of Rome under him was the first of the ten Roman Persecutions he caused the Christians of all Ages Sects and sorts to suffer he commanded Rome to be set on Fire in twelve places and to avoid the infamy thereof he accused the Christians with it and caused them to be persecuted and put to Death and in the latter end of his Reign Paul was put to Death for the Testimony of the Faith of Christ. In the year sixty nine this Nero was afterwards proclaimed by the Senate of Rome an Enemy to all Mankind and condemned to be drawn through the City and to be Whipt to Death for fear of which he fled and afterwards slew himself and the Church had Rest for a season from Persecution after him In the ninety sixth year began Domitian the Emperour to Reign who began the second Persecution who was a Blasphemer against God and an Idolater In his dayes was Simon Bishop of Jerusalem crucified and John the Evangelist banished into the Isle of Patmos but after the Death of Domitian he was released by Pertinax this Domitian the Emperour fearing the coming of Christ again commanded that all that could be found of the stock of David in Jewry should be slain and many false Accusations were brought against the Christians and the Inquisition was this Swear the Truth whether thou art indeed a Christian and if they confessed they were condemned and put to Death for that alone Clement succeeded Anacletus the Bishop of Rome and after him Everistus who was martyred under Trajanus in the 102 year after Christ. In the Reign of Trajanus the Emperor began the third persecution of the Christians Simon who was said to be Christ's kinsman was Bishop of Jerusalem and Ignatius Bishop of Antioch who suffered Martyrdom in the Reign of Trajanus in the year 111. with many other of the Christians who were destroyed in this persecution the churh of Rome was not so highly exalted as afterwasd she usurped Authority neither were the Officers thereof nor Bishops so corrupt as afterwards they came to be both in Doctrine and Practice Marcus Antonius Verus began the forth Persecution in the year 162. in whose time a great number who professed Christ suffered cruel Deaths in Asia and in France and other parts among whom was Polycarpuâ— the Bishop of Smyrna this persecution continued thirteen years The church had some rest under the Reign of Lucius Antonius Comadus and then the Christians began to wrangle and jangle about the celebration of Easter and about Observations of Times and Feasts and run into things outward and contended about them and so weakned themselves and hurt one another Alexander Bishop of Rome succeeded Everistus and Telesphorus succeeded him likewise and Higinus and Pius and Ansatus Soler and Elutherius all these were Bishops of Rome but many things began to creep in in their time but being kept under by the Roman Emperors they did not get much outward Power because they had no outward compelling Laws to force their Institutions in divers things which were contrary unto the former Apostles Practices yet notwithstanding there was something of Truth and of the Power of it kept and they testified against the Idolatry of the Heathen and so suffered death Severus succeeded in the Empire about the year 195. under whom was the fifth Persecution against the Christians who reigned eighteen years in the beginning of his reign he was somewhat favourable to the Christians but afterwards through the malicious suggestions and accusations of wicked men he was so enraged and incensed against the Christians that by proclaimation he commanded through the Empire that no Christians any more should be suffered whereby a great number were destroyed and killed as Eusebius saith in his 6 th Book about the year 205. This Severus the Emperor was slain in Brittain about the year 214. and was buried at York Aurelius Alexander Severus began his reign about 224. at this time the Church had gotten some rest from Persecution at this time the Christians had gotted some House or Place to meet in in this time of rest in Rome and the Cooks and Tiplers challenged it to belong to them the matter being brought before the Heathen Emperor Severus he judged it to be more honest and reasonable that this Place should be continued to the Christians to worship God in then that the Cooks and Victualers and Tiplers should enjoy it by this all may understand that there was no great Minsters Steeple-houses or Places called Churches erected in Rome unto this time for the Christians although there is so much ado in this time about Steeple-houses and Minsters and Parish-churches within this latter Age by them that are run into visible things have been so strongly pressed for a house of God and a holy Church so that in this time the Christians had no Mass-houses with Steeples and Crosses and Bells and Organs standing East and West which are pleaded for to be decent and holy Institutions yet notwithstanding the Moderation of this Emperor Galistus and Urbanus Bishops of Rome were put to death but yet the Bishops of Rome did not arrogate to themselves to be universal and these were not called Popes though divers superstitious things crept in and were allowed by the said Bishops and they were declining from the Doctrine and Practice of the Apostles in the first century and this was about the year 226. Maximinius the next was chosen Emperor rather by the wilfulness of Souldiers then the Will of the Senate he caused the sixth Persecution which was great against the Christians especially against the Leaders and Teachers hoping that when they were smitten the Sheep would soon be scattered this was in the year 237. Pontianus Bishop of Rome was banished by this Emperor and many more christians suffered under this Emperor and were put to death and more it is likely would have suffered but the Lord shortned his dayes and his Tyranny for he
Saturdayes and Sundayes by candle-light as Socrates saith Lib. 5. In this time it is said the Customs and Observations were so many that none were able to find two that did retain one Order of the Service At Caesaria in Cappadocia they receive not into Communion such as sin after Baptism and even so the Macedonians in Hellespont did the same The Phrygians allow not of two Marriages The original Authors of so great Diversity of Services Rites and Customs were Bishops which governed their Churches at several times and such as do like of such Practices have commended them to posterity for Laws and such vain and frivolous contentions did arise in this Age whereby it is manifest the Apostacy from the Life and Power of God was great and God's Wisdom and the Unity of the Spirit was wanting and Philosophy and customary Practice was their chief Foundation and one Bishop exiled another and complained to the Emperors and banished one another and so the Sheep were made havock of and starved â—nd scattered and the Name of Christ and Christians came to be evil spoken of by the many factions and contentions that were among them But to return to the Bishops of Rome after the Reign of Constantine in which Persecution ceased many superstitious Injunctions and Idolatrous Practices were set up in the first five hundred years which I shall not much trouble the Reader with further then what is already said but divers other things were brought in afterwards more gross then the former Gregory called the Great the Bishop of Rome of whom it is said of all that went before him he was the basest or worst and of all that câ—me after him he was the best It is he that brought in this Title among the Roman Bishops to be called the Servant of God's Servants but by his practice he proved a Lord over God's Servants consciences and over their Faith he made an Act that Priests should not Marry a Wife and he ordained a Book called the Service or Letany which goes under the Name of Gregory's mass-Mass-book to be received in all Churches After the death of him Sabinus was Bishop who continued scarce two Years he was the last of the Roman Bishops who had not the Title of Universal Bishop or Head of the Church he was the last of sixty five Bishops before the first Pope he died in the year six hundred and five Palagius the first was the 69 Bishop of Rome in the year 355. he Ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks should be punished with Temporal death there was 65 Bishops before Boniface the third who was the first Pope and since there hath been 179 Popes Boniface the third who succeeded Sabinus was the first Pope he Reigned but one Year and did more hurt in that year then Gregory could do in many before he obtained of the Emperour Phocas that he and his Successors after him in the See of Rome above all other Churches should have the Preeminence that the Bishop of Rome should be the Head of all the churches of Christ in Christendom alledging this frivolous and reasonless Reason that Saint Peter had left to Saint Peter his Successors in Rome the Keys of binding and loosing for before this Constantinople Asia and other Churches their Bishops had some stroak and divers times many of the Bishops of Rome were reprehended by the rest but now obtaining this Decree of Phocâ—s he began to take head over all other churches and this Phocâ—s to aspire to the Empire of Rome he murdered his own Master Mauritius the Emperor and his children so Phocas somewhat fearing and willing to have Boniface's Favour gratifies him and condescends to all his Petitions and grants him to be universal head-Bishop over all christian churches and there was the first Rise of the Pope but Phocâ—â— for his Murder was justly rewarded for Heraclius the Emperor cut off his Hands and Feet and cast them into the Sea but Rome would not so soon loose her Supremacy once given as the Giver lost his Life and ever since that time the Popes have holden defended and maintained the same by all Force Pollicy and Cruelty that possible can be this was in the Year six hundred and six and so the Bishop now became Pope his rise was not because of his Holiness or Righteousness or Doctrine or holy Practices suitable unto Peter whom he saith he succeeded for his Doctrine and Practice Peter had condemned the same things before Boniface was but his Rise was by a heathen Emperor who had command over a great Party at that time and so by the Force of his Edict he claims Authority Vitilianâ—s the eleventh Pope in the Year 657. he confirmed that Practice which was set up before by some other of the Bishops of Rome that Organs should be set up in Churches Paschal in the year 817. was the first that appointed Cardinals to be in Number 70. Adrian the third the 47th Pope in the year 884. ordained that the Emperor of Rome from thenceforth should have no more to do with the Election or Confirmation of the Pope but that it should be left wholly to the Roman Clergy so that which first gave the Pope Power to wit the Emperor he now throws off the yoak and if the Emperor please not him hath stirred up the People to mannage War against him and against divers Princes as may be seen in the Histories of latter Ages Sergius the third was the first who ordained bearing of Candles in the Feast of the Purificâ—tion of Mary thence called Candlemas-day Celestine the second in the year 1143. was the first Inventer of cursing or anathematizing any who received not his Ordinances with Bell Book Candle Innocent the third 1198. was the first that brought in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation and imposed auricular Confession upon the people Clement the fifth 1350. was the first that sold Indulgences and Pardons Sixtus the fourth 1471. brought in the Beads to be numbred when they prayed and authorized the Ladies Psalter Leo the tenth in the year 1553. set Indulgences and Pardons on sale in Germany and France which things caused Luther in Germany and Zuinglius among the Switzers to write against the Pope's Ministers and afterwards questioned many points of popish Doctrine upon which the Pope burned Luther's Writings and condemned him for an Heretick and Luther burned the Pope's Canon-Law at Wittenberg and declared the Pope to be a Persecutor and a very Anti-christ The Inquisition began first in Spain which was set up by the Papists there to terrifie the Moors who had inhabited Spain for 760 years and so long Spain was governed by the Emperor of the Moâ—rs in Africa until the year 1492. And after this time the Inquisition began against the Moors which was not so cruel at first as afterwards it began to be against the Protestants and is now accounted the greatest Violence and Torture and the greatest Tyranny and severest kind of Persecution upon the Earth
insomuch that many Papists abhor the very Name and Mention of it and to the Death withstand the bringing in of this Slavery amongst them the Extremity and Rigor of this Inquisition until the year· 1609. In Philip the third King of Spain's Time notwithstanding though the Moors did make a Shew of the Papists Religion because of the Inquisition yet eleven hundred thousand of them were forced to quit the Country it was so dreadful And all these kind of Ordinances and Institutions before-mentioned compare them with the Scriptures and the Cruelty and Severity which hath been exercised towards them who could not receive them none who have their Eyes open in any Measure but must needs conclude that all this is in the Apostacy and so all who profess Reformation flee from these things and from this Spirit and from this Church who forces and kills all them that oppose who are under his Power and why should any plead for the holding up of those Practices as good and warrantable whereas so many have been killed about them and so many have been led from the Life and Power of Godliness while they received and practised these humane Inventions and vain and customary Traditions for the Doctrine of Christ and for Apostolick Ordinances and must it not needs be concluded them who would tye People up and bind Men to observe such and such things as are mentioned before in this Book and persecute for not observing that they are they who draw back to Perdition and keep People from laying hold upon eternal Life Many more vain Practices and Doctrines which have been brought in since the Apostles Dayes might be mentioned but in that which is said already the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy both in Life Doctrine and Practice from the Apostles Time downward until now and that which is called the Catholick Church in Rome is in it and likewise divers of them who are separated from her stick too much in these Things because of the Custom Tradition and Antiquity of them In part I have shewn their Antiquity and their Rise and also shewn that which is more ancient then they from which they have swerved to the Intent that all may come out of Babylon and drink no more of the Cup nor buy no more of the Merchandize nor wear no more the Harlots Cognizance nor the false Churches Attire but that all may come to see before this Heap of dark Confusion and beyond the vain Obervations which have been introduced which make no Man through the Observation thereof more acceptable unto God but rather two-fold more like Children of the wicked one who abode not in the Truth CHAP. XIV Something further of the Decrees and Ordinances of the Church of Rome which are holden out for Apostolical Ordinances POpe Paul about the Year 757. condemned the Council at Constantinople for condemning worshipping of Images he wrote a Book of the worshipping and Utility of Images calling them the Lay-mens Calender Pope Adrian about the Year 770. cloathed the Image of St. Peter with Silver and covered the Altar of St. Paul with a pall of Gold and condemned them for Hereticks who kept Peter and Paul's Doctrine which declared against Idols Pope Nicholas about the Year 858. enlarged the Popes Decrees equalling them to the Writings of the Apostles he decreed that Service should be said in Latine And although by the Emperor the Pope was first elected yet now having got Head did climb up so high in Power and Pride and Arrogancy endeavoured that no Emperor should be crown'd without his Leave in Germany And Pope Clement the fifth excommunicated Andronicus Peleogus Emperor of Constantinople as an Heretick because he would not suffer the Greek Church to appeal to Rome And when any Kings or Princes had displeased him he hath excommunicated them and given away their Kingdoms to some other teaching their People to rebel and also instigating other Princes to make War against them and to kill one another for trifles and if any displeased him he caused many Kings to do Penance and to pay great Sums of Money to get an absolution from Excommunication and the Rule and Power of the Empire which gave him first his being to be Universal Bishop and to be called Pope he hath raised War often against and if he like not the Election of the Emperour he hath deposed them and one he brought into such Subjection that he caused him to hold his Sirrop a thing that the Emperour was not accustomed with he happened to hold it on the wrong side for which he received a sharp Reproof by his holiness Likewise some difference being between Pope Innocent the fourth in the Year 1250. and the Emperour Frederick the second the Pope would not be Reconciled though the King of France strongly interceeded and offered full satisfaction for all pretended Wrongs would go out of his Empire if the Pope could not endure him there never to return into Europe again so as that his Son with the Popes Approbation might but Succeed him in the Empire which the Pope would not do And how England and divers Nations have been troubled with his Oppression is well known and what exactions and great sums of Money â—here have been enhausted and squeezed out of his Dominions where he 〈◊〉 Power the Nations well remember to maintain the Pride of his Court at Rome which abounded with all manner of Vitiousness insomuch that it was grown to that height that Vincentius Clement the Popeâ— Legate said it was now too late and past reforming But to take the Legate's own words as follow against his Master the Pope and his Court W. H. in his Book called a Description of England in the 136 page saith thus that this Vincentius Clement in the year 1452. being Legate for the Pope was here in England about the Pope's business and hearing that the Clergy had given the King two tenths for the repaying â—f his losses which he had sustained in France and for the recovering of Bourdeaux this Legate Vincentius coming into the Convocation House he earnestly required the Clergy to be no less favourable to their Spiritual Father the Pope and their Mother the See of Rome then they had been to his vassal and inferiour meaning the King and in his Speech in the Convocation he shewed them how that his Holiness the Pope was much disturbed and daily in danger of his Life by Cut-throats Varlots and Harlots which did much abound as he said in Rome but the Clergy in the Convocation slighted his Speech and said how should we contribute towards the Suppression of such whereas he and such as you continually uphold them I grant saith the Legate that there wanteth just Reformation of many Things in the City of Rome which should have been made sooner but now is it too late and past reforming never the less I beseech you send the Legate to write unto his holiness the Pope to request him that
if the Proconsul would appoint a Day to hear it so at that time it seems Christians did not swear as afterwards they did in the Apostacy And Basilides a Souldier and afterwards a Martyr being required to swear affirmed plainly that it was not lawful for him to swear for that he was a Christian so it seems that it was the mark of a Christian not to swear And the Waldenses or Leonists whose Names are so famous amongst the reformed churches and who are said immediately to succeed the Apostles and were the most ancient and true Protestants professed it to be nâ— way lawful for a Christian to swear In defence of whom in this very thing Bishop Usher late Bishop of Argmagh Primate of Ireland pleaded their cause against the Papists and Jesuits who are the Swearers and Breakers of Oaths and yet plead for Swearing And the Plowâ—man in his Prayer which is so much esteemed of and commended in the Book of Martyrs saith Lord thâ—â— givest us a Commandment of Truth in bidding us say yea yea and nay nay and swear for nothing thou givest us also a Commandment of Meekness and another of Poorness but Lord he that calls hâ—mself thy Vicar on Earth hath broken both these Commandments for he maketh a Law to compel men to swear Fol. 585. And it is one of John Wickliff's Articles whose Works were as much esteemed of by the Protestants in England and Bohemâ—a as despised by the Papists and their Clergy having his Bones taken up and burned forty one years after his Decease and his Books and these Articles condemned by the Council of Constance who also burned John Hus and Jerome of Prague for holding John Wickliff's Opinions That Oaths which be made for any Contract or civil Bargain betwixt man and man be unlawful And Walter Brute a Teacher among the People of God in that Age by Scorners called the Devil's Servants called Lollards against whom the Pope and the King Richard the second and then the ungodly Bishops make so much ado to have the Name of Truth extinguished and the Professors thereof cut off This is Walter 's Testimony As concerning Oaths I believe and obey the Doctrine of Almighty God and my Master Christ Jesus which teacheth that Christian-men in affirmation of a truth should pass the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees of the old Testament or else he excludeth them from the Kingdom of Heaven for he saith except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and as concerning Oaths he saith It hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy self but shalt perform those things unto the Lord thou knowest but I say unto you thou shalt not swear at all neithâ—r by Heaven nor by Earth c. but let your Communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then this cometh of Evil therefore as the perfeâ—tion of Ancient men of the old Testament was not to forswear themselves so the perfecâ—iâ—n of Christian-men is not to swear at all because they are so commanded of Christ who 〈◊〉 Commandment in no Case must be broken although the City of Rome is câ—ntrary to this Doctrine of Christ c. A good Testimony of a blessed Martyr Here it appeareth that the Swearing which Christ forbids is not only prophane swearing in the communication for that was forbidden in the Law where it is said Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain c. but solemn Swearing which was to be performed and that was the Perfection of the Law and Kings and Princes may take warning by this King Richard not to fulfill the cruel and bloody Desires of their Prelates And Chrysostom who was Bishop of Constaninople in câ—mmendation of whom much is said in the ecclesiastical Histories he blameth them greatly that brâ—ng fâ—rth a Book to swear upon charging Clerks that in no wise they constrain any Body to swear whether they think a man swear true or false saying that it is a Sin to swear well now I mentioned before that it was an Emperor commanded first that men should swear by a Book and this Chrysostome reproves so hereby it may be seen by these Examples it is no new Doctrine to deny all swearing and there hath been a People very many years in the low Countries that have denyed swearing in any matter therefore their yea and nay stands in Courts of Judicature equal with an Oath they being men generally of known Integrity whose yea is yea and nay nay in all Places and Matters If they that despised Moses 's Law died without Mercy of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall they be thought worthy of who tread under Foot the Son of God c. and disobey his Commands and teach others so to do they shall be shut out of the Kingdom of God and have no part with the obedient who keep Christ's commands through Temptations and Sufferings and are not offended at them neither count them grievous they only are happy and shall inherit everlasting Life Likewise Jerome who was an ancient Father and Teacher in the Church which the Protestants own upon that place Mat. 5.37 and James 5.12 these are his Words It was permitted under the Law to the Jews as being tender and as it were Infants that as they were to offer Sacrifices to God lest they should sacrifice to Idols so they might swear by God not that iâ— was rightful so to do but because it was better to swear by the Lord then by false Gods and Devils but thâ— great Evangelical sincerity and Truth admits not of an Oath since every true Saying is equivalent thereunto In like maner doth Theophilact an ancient Father of the Church whom the Protestants own and have often cited his Doctrine for proof upon the place in controversie saith Learn hence that then under the Law it was not evil for one to swear but since the coming of Christ it is evil as is Circumcision and in sum whatsoever is Judaical for it may become Child to suck but not a Man So that Oaths pertained to the Jews who were under the changeable Covenant and the mutable Covenant which continued but for a time till the Seed Christ the Oath of God was revealed here he is revealed and witnessed all the Judaical Types and Figures and changeable Ordinances have an End Likewise Ambrose upon Psal. 118. he saith None doth swear aright but he that knows what he swears and the Lord hath sworn and will not repent Psalm 110. Ambrose saith Let him then swear that cannot repent of his Oath and a little after the said Ambrose saith Do not imitate him in swearing whom we cannot imitate in fulfilling And indeed the principal Solution given by him is Swear not at all And the aforesaid Waldenses who condemned all manner of swearing as unlawful they made it their care to avoid swearing and
in Unconsecrated Ground forsaking the Sepulchers of their Fathers Hospinian saith that at last it became so Superstitious in being buried in order near the Church that they judged it material even to their Salvation De Orig. Temple Lâ—b 3. chap. 1. The Waldenâ—es said the use of Church-Yards is Superstitious and invented only for Lucre sake and it is no matter in what Ground any one is buried see Usher de Succes Eccles. Christ. chap. 6. And how much there is of this Superstition in England now and what excessive rates are paid for breaking up Ground all is sensible of that it is only one of the Popish Nets which is holden up to get Money by And so I shall conclude these things and say with John Come out of Babylon and be not partakers of her Sins lest you partake of her Plagues for the Hour of her Judgment is come and the time wherein her Filthiness and Loathsomness shall be made manifest to the Nations and her Skirts shall be uncovered and her abominable Practices discovered of which in part I have declared unto all in this discourse that all may see the Abominations and depart out of the Snares that led to Death and these Practices which tend to Destruction THE Rock of Ages EXALTED ABOVE ROME's Imagined Rock ON WHICH HER CHURCH IS BUILDED She proved not to be the only Church of Christ her corrupt Doctrines proved not to be Apostolick but contrary to the true Church of Christ in the Apostles Dayes Also divers Arguments answered which may convince the Papists that they are not the true Church wherein a Book is also answered called A Catechism against all Sectaries newly published by C. M. in the Year 1661. By F. H. a Member of that Church which is coming out of the Wilderness A TABLE of the principal Things contained in this BOOK COncerning the true Religion what it is and where it 〈◊〉 demonstrated The Church of Rome proved to be the false Church The Pope proved not to be the Head of the true Church aâ—d Christ proved to be the Head of the Body which is his Church and the 〈…〉 which 〈◊〉 Church is built Purgatory proved to be an erroneous Doctrine which is held forth by the Papists and their praying for the Dead proved to be another false Doctrine not commanded nor practised by Christ or his Apostles The Papists Doctrine which saith Christ is really and personally in the Mass and in the Eucharist proved to be Blasphemy and great Idolatry The Papists Mass and their Ceremonies proved not to be Apostâ—lical The Papists honouring of Reliques and Images of Saints and praying by Beads proved to be but the Inventions and Traditions of Men and contrary to the Doctrine which the Apostolick Church held forth The Doctrine of forbidding certain Kind of Meats and forâ—idding the Scriptures to be read by all answered Câ—ncerning Miracles Answers to eight Propositions set forth by C. M. in his Catechism aforesaid THE Rock of Ages EXALTED ABOVE ROME's Imagined Rock ON WHICH HER CHURCH IS BUILDED GReat hath been the Havock and Spoil that the Beast which John saw rise out of the Waters made against them in destroying them who received not his Mark in their Foreheads and the Cry hath been long Who is able to make War with the Beast and great hath the Suffering been these many Ages of the Children of Light and still is of the Members of the true Church of Christ which is in God which hath proceeded from her who sate as a Queen upon the Waters which are Nations Kindreds Tongues and People which have been the Seat of Mystery-Babylon the Mother of Harlots who hath held out her golden Cup of Fornication full of Abomination false Doctrine and Error which the Nations have drunk of and the Kings of the Earth have been made drunk with and all have been in Instability and have reeled and staggered up and down in the dark in the Night of Ignorance and have wildered in the Mists of Error and lost the true Foundation and are gone from the Rock upon which the true Church is builded which is neither Peter nor his Successor but Christ the true Foundation which abideth sure and all that believe in him and have their Minds staid upon him know Settlement and Establishment in that which the Gates of Hell prevail not against But blessed be the Lord he is come revealed and made manifest who is able to make War with the Beast and his Followers and a Discerning is given unto his Servants that they can distinguish betwixt the Cup of Fornication and the Cup of Blessing and betwixt the Table of the Lord and the Table of Devils betwixt the true Church the Lamb's Wife and Mâ—stery-Babylon the Mother of Harlots betwixt the heavenly Treasurâ— which is communicable to the Saints in Light who are Members of the 〈◊〉 Church and the Merchandize and the corrupt Treasure of the Harlot which the Nations Kindreds and Tongues have been forced to buy 〈◊〉 Reason of the forcing and compelling Power of the Beast and so the Nations have been begotten into a strange Nature into the cruel Nature killing one another about the Forms of Worship and Shadows and the Substance hath been known but to a few neither the Lamb's Nature which is meek and innocent and the Leaves of the Tree of Life which heal the Nations have been known but to a few which is the Cause of all the 〈◊〉 Murders and Massacrees Imprisonments and cruel Torments which the Nations have afflicted one another with who have professed Christianity but have been out of the Life and out of the Nature of the true Church which Christ is the Head of which is Wife unto the Lamb and herein is the true Church manifest from the false the false Church hath propagated and encreased her Number of Members by Force and Awe and Cain's Weapons and many have been forced into a Belief and a feigned kind of Profession rather then by sound Doctrine or answering God's Witness in Peoples Hearts and Consciences but the true Church who is of the Husband's Nature her Weapons have been are and will be spiritual and yet are mighty through God to beat down strong Holds of Sin and Wickedness in People and hath by sound Doctrine and a good Example answered God's Witness in peoples Consciences without forcing to any thing but recommended themselves to every ones Conscience in the Sight of God and would have every one perswaded in their own Hearts by the Lord of the Truth which they believed and not to take things by Tradition and Hear-say as the false Church and her Members have done and so have had no Assurance of God's Spirit in their Hearts for what they did and so Doubts have arisen in the Mind because whatsoever is not of Faith is Sin But God is Opening the Eyes of many and enclining the Hearts of many to seek after the Assurance of God's blessed Spirit in their Hearts for what they
might as reasonably have concluded that the high Priest rent his Cloaths and cryed Blasphemy not so much at thou hast said or I am as of this the next words nevertheless I say unto you ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven for then the next words are then the high Priest rent his Cloaths and cryed Blasphemy and then A. S. goes on It was enough that Christ denyed not to Swear and the sum of all or the most that he can make when he hath twined about with many Circumstances to prove that he did Swear or consented to Caiaph is adjuring and answered his adjuring this is all I am and thou hast said and therefore what either may or can be said A. S. hath concluded Christ did Swear yet Sect. 27. he tell us that the essence of Swearing is in calling God to Witness and how or where did Christ call God to witness then this overturns his own Argument seeing we do not read that Christ saied any more in his answer then as is aforesaid I am and thou hast said and he sayes To alledge that Christ Swear not because he laid not his Hand upon a Book or kissed or lifted up his Hand is but to trifle yet he says that Ceremony is Ancient as Chrysostome tells him that it 's above 1250. years since if it be but to trifle why are so many Conscientious People in bonds this day in England under a Premunire for these trifles a very shame to Christianity for where any or all of these have been denyed though they have answered the Truth and the whole Truth and as much as A. S. calls an Oath yet this hath been counted insufficient and we know Justinian the Emperour ordain'd the Ceremony that Men should Swearly the Gospel or Book and lay their hands thereon and kiss or the like and though it be so many Years since it was ordained as A. S. sayes this adds nothing to the warrantableness thereof but Custome is proof enough to such a Ceremonious Age as this when Formalities Ceremonies Gestures and Postures are more regarded then the power of God and Godliness and we say such a Ceremony about Swearing is not without the Appearance of evil for the Bible is a Creature made up of many Creatures and laying the Hand and kissing and ordering it in such manner is I know looked upon by many to be Swearing by it and so the most takes it and this were unlawful and therefore better to be wholely avoided then so many suffer because thy cannot do it besides as I said the evil appearance of it for it is not any Gospel Institution but an innovation since the Apostacy entred in and if God had ever judged any necessity thereof or that it had rendred an Oath more solemn the Law would have said something of it and it was never a practice among the Primitive Christians and therefore a vain Humane tradition crept in since which ought to be avoided and and though A.S. says to reply that Christ Swore not though Caiaphas adjured him is vain for an examinate is to answer both in matter and Form according to what is proposed I say it 's A. S. his vain supposition and presumption without Ground so to judge that Christ Swore I say sometime he held his Peace that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet of him before that he should be as a Lamb dumb before the Shearer as sometime he was both to the chief Priests and Elders to Pilate and to Herod which were all in some Authority and sometime he answered them in the Wisdom of God and sometime he spoke and bore witness to that and Prophesied unto them which was not at all either as to the matter or form of the high Priests adjuring for the very next Words but thou hast said nevertheless I say unto you hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming in the Clouds of Heaven Mat. 26.64 and therefore these show A. S. his Argument to be frivolous and vain and Mark saith the chief Priests accused him of many things Mark 15.3 but he answered nothing either to their accusations or took notice of the high Priests adjuring to answer him in matter and form as A. S. would have it neither did he look upon himself so oblig'd but answered sometime and spoke the Truth alwayes when he spoke and that which alwayes displeased and dissatisfied the Jews when he answered and for ought can be perceived by his arguing that every Examinate is to answer directly to every matter and form to any that pretends Power to administer an Oath or to adjure he goes about to establish the Popes Inquisition and create matter as sometime they did here in England in the height of the Popes domination forged matter out of their own wicked Hearts to ensnare the Lambs of Christ and then to require them to Swear that they might destroy them and accuse them out of their own Mouths even as the high Priest sought to destroy Christ and to ensnare him which methinks A. S. hath said too much in Vindication of his adjuring and will needs have Christ to be of his mind and at last concludes that Christ Swore but it s but upon his own presumption and supposition and is more then ever he is able to make evident from what is written And A. S. tells us over and over again Swearing was a part of God's Worship wherein God's wisdom Power and justice is acknowledged and then incommunicable to any Creature or false God as is answered before so was Circumcision then and the Oblations and Burnt Sacrifice and Offerings and new Moons to be performed only to the Lord and were peculiarly to be performed unto God and not communicable to any Creature and we say and prove Deut. 6.13.10.20 that these were a part of the service and Worship of God and which as we shall grant that an Oath under the Law was commanded as well as these Services or in his own terms an Oath was equally commanded with his Service as is proved above In this he hath no Adversary but what doth this prove in respect of his Argument which makes it more then equally commanded for he will yield that these services were but temporary but Swearing is perpetual and so he hath given it a priority above the rest his Argument all along hath been chiefly drawn from the Mosaick Law that it was joyned equally with Fear and Service under the Law and so hath striven without an Adversary but now it must needs be above the service of God then and yet from the same command he would only prove it for he hath no better strength nor Ground and we may as well alledge as he doth and say consequently to this sort of Service that was commanded by the Lord as well as Swearing for God hath joyned