of a Congregation so the whole House of Commons and every Member thereof are punishable in their life limbs and estate by the whole people and every free-born man in England RRRR even the poorest begger for as I take it there is not nor has not for many ages any person been born a slave in any part of Christendome I will not here interrogate where or how these Soveraign Lords the people can meet to hear an account All former Laws and Acts of Parliament must be abolished and to give out judgement upon their faulty servants the new Parliament of Commons only I would be resolved by what Law this very grand Jury of the whole people are like to proceed Shall the King and Lords and the ancient way of Parliaments take away with themselves all former Laws which have been their creatures we thought it might have been losse enough to have destroyed with the King and Lords such Laws as did concern their two abolished States in particular but we are taught a more deep lesson all the Laws which these six hundred years have produced must be cast into the bottom of the Sea for ever for since the Norman Conquest the great work of all Parliaments hath been how to contrive evill Laws for the oppression of the people SSSS Now I doubt if there be any authentick registers of English Laws before the Conquest this day extant or if any such be whether it shall be found expedient to keep them on foot when all the other are cassed and annulled The will of the multitude must stand for the Soveraign Law hereafter It seems our new Soveraigns the people the sole creators of all Kings and Parliaments when once they are established in their Supremacy will be loth to have their hands bound by the fetters of any humane Laws much lesse of those old forgotten worm-eaten Statutes which the Danish Saxon or British Tyrants in the time of their domination did obtrude as in Religion there must be no Law but what every man in his conscience thinks to be the sense of the word of God that is the supream rule to him so it must be in the State TTTT We know who has printed the unlawfulnesse to make any Laws for the State Scripture being alike well furnished in Laws for the State as for the Church VVVV But I conceive it will be a great deal more easie for a few persons in the generall Court of New England to agree in their applications of the word of God to every civill emergent then for that many headed Soveraign the whole people of old England the one may much more safely be troubled to rule according to their gift of Government without any written institute and humane Law XXXX then the other for I believe if the whole free-born people of England were set on the Bench to judge of all causes according as every one did conceive without any written Law all by-past constitutions being cancelled the government of our State would quickly become more arbitrary and confused then long could be endured and those inconveniences which they professe to be the only cause why as yet they do not totally abolish both the name and thing of a very House of Commons YYYY by a little experience should be found to be more and greater then now are imaginable But that we may proceed I do propone one only scruple more about the point in hand By what means so great changes in Church and State are like to be compassed for not only King Charles and all our living Lords but also Royalty and Lordship it self must be cast down The present House of Commons for their manifold misdemeanors must be dissolved and so the whole fabrick of our old corrupted State totally abolished and a frame wholly new put in its place wherein no footstep either of Monarchy or of Aristocracy may appear ZZZZ but the Soveraignty must rest in each individuall of the people as they speak AAAAA the most poor base weak foolish creatures possessing a like share of the Supremacy both civill and Ecclesiastick the Kinghood and the Priesthood as they call it BBBBB with the most noble wise able wealthy of the land CCCCC having it at their option to execute the Soveraign power by themselves or when they find it for their ease to nominate so many Deputies DDDDD every November EEEEE to be a Parliament of Commons to cognosce upon extraordinary incidents as their Soveraign the people shall prescribe them rules though in ordinary cases they declare their purpose to set up twelve men with a President in every Hundred who upon their oath of fidelity shall be intrusted to determine absolutely all causes belonging to that Hundred without appeale to any Judge except the Aniversary meeting of the whole peoples deputies FFFFF This new Ochlocratorick republick where every individuall participates of the Soveraignty The three fundamental Laws of our new Utopian Republick not as in Democracies where the better sort only of the people have voyce in Government whether they will be pleased to make to themselves a body of new Laws they have not so far as I observe as yet declared only they seem to set up three fundamentall rules First that in matter of Religion every man must be absolutely at his own disposition to believe speak write do what ever he thinks sit GGGGG Secondly that men in publick place either of Church or State must serve freely if they have any means of their own or otherwise if they be poor their greatest gages in the most eminent places shall not exceed the summe of 50 or at most 60 pounds a year HHHHH Thirdly that all men â—n all places shall be accountable and punishable in their life and estate by their Soveraign Lords the individuals of the people without all controll or appeal IIIII According to reason and experience the present distemper of the Sectaries is posting on fast to a Dictatorship absolute Tyranny in the hand of one Since all these things must be as our new Statists give the world assurance of their resolution to have them is it not like that before so great changes can be brought about much resistance will be made a strange confusion and bloodshed multitudes of difficulties cannot but fall in the way shall it not therefore be absolutely necessary that some men of known valour and courage whose wisdome faithfulnesse and successe long experience makes unquestionable be set up to command in name of the people for some time till these high and mighty designs may be gotten accomplished and the people once be set down in peace upon the high places whence the King Lords and Commons wont to pronounce these unjust Laws which now with their authours must be laid aside In such cases of extraordinary difficulty the wise people of Rome did oftentimes name a Dictator in whose hand for a certain time they placed all their power the Senate the Armies the Magistrates both
to be killed with the rest of the prophane world DDD Ibid. p. 3. Hophman did lean upon the authority of Prophecies and revelations EEE He did believe and professe that Strasburg was chosen of God that as of old out of Jerusalem the Gospel was propagated unto all the parts of the world so it should be restored again from that Town by his Ministery and the labours of other new Apostles FFF Ibid. p. 5. He judged that no reformation was to be attempted but according to the example of the Apostles in the day of the Pentecost GGG Ibid. He did not approve Jo Mathies Anabaptisme he was neither an author nor approver of tumults but both by word and writ he did testifie his grief therefore and did forewarn that the end of Corah Dathan and Abiram would follow that way HHH Historia Davidis Georgii p. 14. The Doctrine of the Monasterians about Polygamy and the corporall reign of Christ was mightily impugned by the Hophmanists especially by John Mathy of Middleburg who had come out of England and thereafter for Hophmans tenets was burnt at London III Ibid. Menno the son of Simon had lately cast away the Priestly habit in the village Witmars near the Town of Bolswerp KKK The Mennonists did teach that no extraordinary calling of Apostolick authority was to be expected LLL They taught also that no other estate of Christs Kingdom upon earth was to be expected then such as this day did appear to wit a State subject to the Crosse MMM Ibid. p. 8. The Mennonists avowed that the Hophmanick expectation of an Apostolick Spirit was fanatick and the Monasterian hopes of restoring all things by violence was seditious and to be condemned NNN Vide infra cap. 2. OOO Historia Davidis p. 13. Some of the wiser of the Anabaptists being vexed with their inward divisions did labour much and at last obtained that the chief Doctors of all sides might meet at Buckhold a village in Westphalie for a friendly conference upon the chief questions PPP Vide supra HHH QQQ Historia Dav. Georgii p. 16. His tongue for a punishment of his boldnesse was bored through by the Hangman RRR Ibid. p. 14. So sharp was the dispute that the Monasterians were likely to have fallen upon the Hophmanists and killed them SSS David George a quiet man and not tumultuous carried himself as a mid man assaying all things to draw the parties to some agreement and he became the author and writer of the friendly transaction TTT Ibid. p. 10. The Battenburgicks and Monasterians condemne their opposites as Antichrists on the other side the Hophmamanists and Mennonists do condemne the former as furious and seditious robbers with whom they refused to eat VVV Ibid. p. 102. Martin Bucer gave not over to presse them with curtesie and arguments while he had brought them back to the union of the Church XXX Ibid. p. 178. In prayer he was earnest and ardent Ibid. p. 171. Divers were astonished with admiration at the shew of his humility chastity and holinesse YYY Ibid. p. 18. He would not be inferiour unto the Monasterians and Battenburgicks who sometimes for three whole dayes and sometimes for four whole dayes did fast from meat and drink ZZZ Ib. At last he did require that the Langrave would deliver the other Letters unto the Emperour Charles assuring that his Doctrine was not from himself but from God he confidently avowed both to the Langrave and to the rest of the Princes that God had revealed unto him and had fully set before his eyes yea put him in possession of life eternall Ibid. p. 97. The title of the writ which he sent to Charles the Emperour and the rest of the States was a humble and serious admonition written by the command of the omnipotent God diligently to be obeyed because it contained those things whereupon life eternall did depend AAAA Historia Dav. p. As Moses is not disgraced when he is said to be obscured and overcome by Jesus according to the flesh so there is no injury or contumely offered to Christ according to the flesh when he is said to be overcome or obscured by Christ according to the spirit The Doctrine of the Apostles was lame childish and ineffectuall for the full and solid understanding of the things of God BBBB Vide infra CCCC Historia Dav. p. 111. Some noble and wealthy families did put themselves and all their goods in the hand of this deceiver acknowledging and confessing him to be the lawfull heir and just possessor of them all DDDD Ibid. p. 78. None of all the followers of David were found who did not willingly at the first interrogation offer and professe themselves Anabaptists for all of them were prepared for Martyrdome as if they had been going unto a marriage feast Their shew of holinesse in their conversation together with their readinesse and chearfulnesse to suffer death did ravish many with admiration the men were beheaded the women were drowned to the number of 35. among whom there was none who did not pant with an earnest desire for death so far were they from acknowledging or craving pardon for any of their Errours EEEE Ibid. p. 171. He commanded both by word and writ that none of his followers should communicate their tenets to others because the time was evill in the which it behoved a wise man to keep silence and Jacob was to put on the garments of Esau that he might be safe from the danger of the wicked Bulinger l. 2. p. 43. they taught that it was free to make confession of faith or not according to the times that when great dangers did presse it was lawfull for the faithfull to dissemble and be silent for it was enough before God if a man in his heart did stick to the truth albeit outwardly before men he did deny it for men ought not for Religions cause to cast themselves open to death and torments for no profit does come to God by our death therefore for peace and quietnesse sake every one in the matter of Religion may conform himself to them among whom he lives FFFF Apocalypsis Haeresiarcharum in Davide Georgio comming into Basil he did buy a house in the City and another in the Country he obliged many by gifts he was so much in alms-deeds and actions of religion as saved him from the least suspicion his wealth was great and his houshold-stuffe rich GGGG Gangrena Clopenburgy p. 425. The crafty man by giving his oath to the Magistrate and haunting Church meetings and doing good offices to his neighbours keeping a good house his whole family going in a good fashion he purchased the favour not only of the people but of those that were in place and did live in quietnesse and splendour HHHH Ibid. Three years after his death the blasphemous errours of the man being revealed by an act of the Senate his papers and books were burnt by the hand of the Hangman also his Coffin and bones were burnt to ashes
either member or officer but the whole and every particular member of each Church how excellent great or learned soever ought to be subject to this censure Also Saltmarsh Smoke in the Temple p. 14. The Anabaptists hold that the Church though but of two or three yet may enjoy the word and ordinances by way of an administrator or one deputed to administer though no Pastor that these commonly called Church Officers as Pastors c. are such as the Church or body may be without DD Confession Artic. 45. Such to whom God hath given gifts being tried in the Church may and ought by the appointment of the Congregation to Prophecy according to the proportion of faith and so teach publickly the word of God for the edification exhortation and comfort of the Church EE Kiffins answer to Ricraft Among the causes of their separation he sets down this as one The quenching of the Spirit and despising prophecy that no man may speak in our publick exercises but one FF Confession Artic. 41. The persons designed by Christ to dispense this ordinance the Scriptures hold forth to be a Preaching Disciple it being no where tied to a particular Church officer or person extraordinarily sent the commission enjoyning the administration being given to them under no other consideration but as Disciples Also the Treatise of Baptisme p. 407. It cannot reasonably be objected that he that baptizeth should necessarily be himself a baptized person though ordinarily it will be so yet it is not necessary to the Ordinance no more then it is simply necessary to a Church State that the members be baptized for not the personall baptism of him that administers but the due commission he hath for baptizing is alone considerable to make him a true Minister of Baptisme GG Gangren second Part p. 3. Oats hath dipped many in Bocking River and when that is done he hath a feast in the night and at the end thereof the Lords Supper Also Gangrena the first part p. 44. The 12. of November last there met the matter of 80 Anabaptists in a great house and had a Love-feast their Supper was dressed for them by a Cook when Supper was ended before the cloth was taken away they administred the Lords Supper HH Tombs Apology p. 54. Nor do I think the thing either such a new opinion or practise for besides that it may be doubted whether all the Apostles were baptized as suppose Matthew which is as probable for the negative as the affirmative yet were they all admitted to the Lords Supper by Christ himself When Constantine the great and others did deferre their Baptisme so long it is not likely they never received the Lords Supper afore their Baptism II Storming of Antichrist p. 6. Suppose the power of all ordinances and the keys in a time of universall defection should resolve it self radically in the Church yet there being no Church right for the matter which is part of the essence this power could not resolve it self into a Church and therefore if it be any where on earth as doubtlesse it is it must be in beleevers who joyning themselves together in Assemblies may stirre up and take again that power which was committed to the Churches and after cheated away by Antichrist The Treatise of Baptism p. 389. The power of the keys originarily and primarily is given to the Church where the power of admitting receiving and casting out is there is the power of administring and communicating all ordinances to the edification of the same body and they which have power of administring the Kingly office of Christ consisting in casting out and receiving in have also power of administring his Propheticall office of which the Sacraments are a part and therefore to the Christian Churches as to the Jews of old pertaineth the publick dispensations and services of God Rom. 9. KK Confession Article 41. The dispensation of Baptisme is no where tied to a particular officer the commission to administer it being given to them under no other consideration but considered as Disciples Treatise of Baptism p. 391. A man becomes a Prophet by vertue of a gift but no gift renders a Baptizer but a call as being a thing of publick commission teaching out of a gift hath its foundation in nature which ariseth from a personall gift and grace of the spirit but Baptism Censures Ordination and the like depend not upon a speciall gift but are acts of power conferred authoritatively upon a speciall person LL Gangren first Part p. 32. Mistresse Attaway gave an answer to the men present who brought an argument for Infants Baptisme MM Confession second Edition in the preface to the Reader Some are offended at us for meeting in houses to preach So we are blamed because we frequent not their Temples Kiffens Answer to Ricraft p. 10. You are enraged against these who worship any where save in your high places NN Ibid. You continue tithes and offerings of people as if Christ were not yet come in the flesh OO John the Baptist p. 1. The claiming tithes or any thing in stead thereof appears to be contrary to the Gospel through the whole Gospel there is not one word to countenance a forcing of the people to contribute unto the poor or unto the Minister any thing but what they please themselves PP The vanity of childish Baptism second Part p. 27. There is no more hope to see that Tribe stoop so low as to bear witnesse to this truth then there is to see them allow the doctrine and practise of blessed Saint Paul working with his own hands Acts 20.34 to be now of use and imitation in our times John the Baptist pag. 7. It were farre more Apostolick and Christian-like for Ministers to work with their own hands then to force or require a subsistence in such a manner PP 2 The power and office of the Ministery by which it is there administred is received from the Bishops who received their power from the Antichrist The vanity of childish Baptism p. 12. Ib. p. 15. The unlawfulnesse of the calling of the Ministery of the Church of England is acknowledged by many of themselves who have therfore forsaken and cast off their Ministery they received of the Bishops and departed the Land and became as Lay-men untill they were authorized anew by the election and appointment of such a Congregation as they conceived to be a true Church Ibid. p. 31. The worth or honesty of a man in a false office cannot make the office any truer or lawfuller then it is in it selfe the better the man the worse the Bishop the very same is the case of the Ministery and Priesthood here QQ Vide supra GG RR Gangren first Part p. 6. I had it from eye and ear-witnesses who were present at Kiffen and Patience Visitation of one of their Members whose name is Palmer living in Smithfield who layed hands upon her and anointed her with oyle the woman recovering came unto
certain that most of you gained no part of it your selves and the common ways your ancestors gained it for you was generally by adhering to Kings in subduing and oppressing the Commons or by pleasing their lusts malice revenge or covetousnesse for so Histories manifest and those that have been made Lords in our times have been advanced by the same occasions CCCC Pearle in a Dunghill p. 3 Why presume ye thus oh yee Lords set forth your merit before the people and say for this good it is that we will reign over ye remember your selves or shall we remember ye which of ye before this Parliament minded any thing so much as your pleasures plays masks feastings huntings gaming 's dancings with the appurtenances for what other have they been but a meer clogge to the House of Commons in all their proceedings how many necessary things have they obstructed how many evill things promoted DDDD Englands Birthright p. 17. Lievtenant Generall Cromwell according to his duty long since revealed the Earle of Manchesters treachery and basenesse at Dennington Castle and other places and proved it punctually by unquestionable witnesses before a Committee of the House of Commons Mistresse Lilburns petition to the House of Commons without any regard to the Earl of Manchesters Impeachment in your House of Treachery to the Country by Lievtenant Generall Cromwell which is commonly reported to be punctually and fully proved and a charge of a higher nature then the Earle of Straffords for which he lost his head and which also renders him so long as he stands so impeached uncapable in any sense of being a Judge and a great wrong and injustice it is unto the Kingdome to permit him and to himself if innocent not to have had a legall triall ere this to his justification or condemnation These are most base and calumnious slanders against a Noble Lord whose equall in piety meeknesse and innocence England for many years has not enjoyed EEEE Alarum p. 1. We may be bold to style them marks of Gentiles we have our Saviours own warrant for it who saith The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them c. but it shall not be so among you whosoever will be chief among you Christians let him be your servant gracious Lords or favourable Lords titles that coald not be proper amongst Christians with whom there was no ruler nor government but by common election and consent agreeable to our House of Commons FFFF Birth-right p. 19. Some Gentlemen of the Bishoprick of Durham long since complained to divers Parliament men of old Sir Harry Vanes wilfull losing and betraying their Country being their Lord Lievtenant but by reason of his greatnesse could never be heard Ibid. p. 26. The Speaker turning himself to his brother said Sir John if this be true here is enough to hang you Well Sir saith Sir John whereas he chargeth me of letting Violet goe twice to Oxford during the time that he and Sir Bazil Brook were contriving their plot against the City you know I never let him goe but once and then I had your warrant for it Ibid. p. 46. It is enacted to be death unto any whosoever holdeth intelligence and correspondency with the Enemy all which Sir John Lenthall and the Speaker his Brother have done and yet it must neither be proved against them nor they tried nor arraigned but altogether excused cleared and freed even by Vote of Parliament GGGG Lilburns Letter to a friend p. 16. Many of them take to themselves 3 l. 10. s. a week and some of them more and others of them great places worth 500. l. 1000. l. 1500. l. 2000. l. and more per annum and live in as great pomp superfluity and bravery as ever they did in their days by the ruines of the people Ibid. p. 30. The Common-wealth has just cause to fear that they will make this present Parliament an everlasting Parliament and the Warre a never ending Warre seeing it tends so much to the enriching of Parliament men and their Officers who have already wisely as they think fenced themselves with an Ordinance made the 26 of June 1645. that they shall not be called to account for their Mâ— the Common-wealths money nor plate that once commeth into their fingers GGGG 2. There is as little use of Lawyers to be in the House of Commons as there is of a plague or pestilence or of the Bishops and Popish Lords in the honourable House of Peers Just mans justification p. 15. And then farewell jangling Lawyers the wildfire destroyers and bane of all just rationall c. right governed Common-wealths Innocency and truth p. 35. Which way would rid the Kingdom of one of the unprofitable kinde of Cattle remaining in it namely William Prinne and his jangling associates who at the best are but an uselesse rabble an appropriating lying and milk-sucking Generation GGGG 3 Pearle in a Dunghill p. 4. It is easie to discern who are the Lords creatures in the House of Commons and how they were made theirs constantly manifesting themselves by their evil and pernicious partakings against the freedome of the people by those united endeavors monopolies in trades of merchandize oppressions of Committees corruptions in Courts of Justice grosse abuses in our Laws and Lawyers are maintained and the reformation intended in all things performed by halves nay quite perverted and a meer shadow given for a substance Remonstrance p. 18. Others there are and those a great number that are newly chosen into your House and we trust are such as will exceedingly strengthen the good part that hitherto hath been too weak to steer an eaven course amidst so many oppositions and crosse ways HHHH Birthright p. 43. As the Watermen at Queen-hive do usually cry Westward hough hough so according to the present current of the times most honest men have more then cause to cry in the Watermens language Egypt hough hough the House of bondage slavery oppression taxation heavy and cruell we cannot longer bear it we cannot longer bear it we are as much provoked and forced to cast off all your yokes and crosses from our shoulders except onely that of persecution as ever any people or Nation Ibid. p. 44. Few of our great and mighty men do either work the clay or make the bricks but they lay either all or most part of the burden upon the poor by heavy labour and sweat of their brows in the heat of the day not only in working of the clay and making of the bricks but if they do complain to higher powers upon their cruell and tyrannous task-masters they are so farre from getting any kinde of Justice that because they moaned or complained and groaned under such heavy and grievous burdens that they were not able any longer to bear or endure they are further ordained even for their complaining to gather stubble too because they are so idle Lilburns Letter p. 2. Then truly I have been a long time mistaken and so
that our heart can think of yet were we slaves by this alone the burden of which singly will pierce gall our shoulders make us bow stoop to the ground ready to be made a prey not only by great men but even by every cunning sharking knave Remonst p. 4. The History of our fore-fathers since they were conquered by the Normans doth manifest that this Nation hath been held in bondage all along ever since by the policies and force of the Officers of trust in the Common-wealth p. 15. Ye know the Laws of this Nation are unworthy a free people deserve from first to last to be considered and seriously debated reduced to an agreement with common equity and right reason which ought to be the form life of every government Magna Carta it self being but a beggerly thing containing many marks of intolerable bondage the Laws that have been made since by Parliaments have in very many particulars made our government much more oppressive intolerable Ib. He erected a trade of Judges and Lawyers to sell justice and injustice at his own unconscionable rate in what time he pleased the corruption wherof is yet remaining upon us to our continuall empoverishing and molestation from which we thought you should have delivered us ye know also imprisonment for debt is not from the beginning TTTT Modest Queries p. 10. at least in sensu composito to believe the deepest or highest mystery in Religion any further or any otherwise then as and as far as he hath reason to judge it to be a truth VVVV Vide Disswasive first Part p. 127. 152. also p. 31. 49. IIIII KKKKK XXXX I am credibly informed that this is the great and troublesome controversie for the time among the Governors of New England whether it be their duty to rule according to their gifts of Government according to some written Laws or without all humane Statutes Vid. Gang. 3 Part. YYYY Remonst p. 3. The free born people to their own House of Commons the cause of our choosing you to be Parliament men was to deliver us from all kinde of bondage we possessed you with the same power that was in our selves to have done the same for we might justly have done it our selves without you if we had thought it convenient choosing you as persons whom we thought fitly qualified and faithfull for avoiding some inconveniencies but ye are to remember this was only of us but a power of trust which is ever revocable and cannot be otherwise and to be imployed to no other end then our own well-being AAAAA Vide supra also Warning p 2. You hate and abhor those that would purge this corrupt humor out of you shew you a more just rationall way of Government then that of Kings Also Remonst p. 16. If ye would follow the good exâ—mple of the Hollanders make this Nation a State free from the oppression of Kings Also p. 12. As if ye had discovered and digested that without a powerfull compulsive Presbytery in the Church a compulsive Mastership or Aristocraticall government over the people in the State could never long be maintained BBBBB Conscience cautioned p. 9. Know ye not the State of the State is it not the whole Kingdom each individuall I can prove it is O heavens will you Lord it over your Lords I professe if you make head against your heads any longer I know what it is and your self shall know for I say you deserve beheading CCCCC Conscience cautioned p. 6. Keep we humbly beseech you our right of Kinghood and Priesthood Just mans justification p. 14. The splendor and glory of that undivided Majesty and Kingship that inherently resides in the people or in the State universall DDDDD Remonst p. 7. Let the Lords stand to be chosen for Knights Burgesses by the people as other the freemen Gentry of this nation do EEEEE Vide supra YYYY FFFFF Remonst p. 20. That a Parl. chosen in Novemb. succeeding year by year may come in stead of the preceding Parliament GGGGG Just mans justifie p. 15. Reduce us back to that part of the ancient frame of government in this Kingdom before the Conquerors days that we may have all causes differences decided in the County or Hundred where they are committed or do arise without any appeal but to a Parl. that they may mâ—nthly be judged by 12. men of free and honest condition câ— sen by themselves with their Grave or chief Officer amongst them and that they may swear to judge every mans cause aright without fear favor or affection then farewell jangling Lawyers the wildfire destroyers baâ—e of all just rationall and right governed Common-wealths HHHHH Remonst p. 12. Ye vex and molest honest men for matters of Religion and difference with you and your Synod take upon you to determine of doctrine discipline approving this reproaching that just like unto former ignorant politick and superstitious Parliaments and Convocations therby have divided honest people among themselves by countenancing only those of the Presbytery discountenancing all the separation Anabaptists Independents Ib. We are well assured that neither you nor none else can have any power at all to conclude the people in matters that concern the worship of God for therein every one of us ought to be fully assured in our minds to be sure to worship him according to our consciences IIIII The Birthright p. 48 49. in the Postscript It would be excellent and needfull if the Parl. would ordain that every free man of Eng. who is able would bestow his service one year at least freely for the good of the civill State in any place or office of trust whereof his skill breeding aâ— fit him tâ— be most capable according as they shall be chosen those that are not able to serve freely for a year to have competent maintenance allowed to them to the value of 50 or 60 l. a year according to their charge If such be chosen for their skill and diligence though they want outward means for which allowance those that are conscientious wil do as good service at least as some others who have 1000 or 2000 a year The like rule is no lesse but far more excellent needful to be observed and established iâ— matters concerning the Church state wherin her servants are to perform their duties freely they being able to maintain themselves those with them whether by means obtained formerly or industry used daily otherwise to have the like allowance of 50 or 60 l. a year acording to their charge KKKKK Vide supra CHAP. IV. Their Antipaedobaptisme Arminianisme Arianisme Familisme and other wicked Errours THIS much for the first head of the Anabaptists All Anabaptists are for Antipaedobaptisme Brownistick Tenets so to call them being such as the Brownists of old did learn from the Anabaptists and which this day the Anabaptists take back again from
against all pride and magnificence also against the power and sword of the Magistrate riches and honour were to them drosse and dung they did speak nothing but of mortification of the old man and renewing of the spirit of a life separate and dedicated to God the world and all things therein they did altogether contemne D Vide supra Cap. 1. Also Hortensius p. 13. The Anabaptists avowed that in their Church all were Saints and now wicked Also Sleidan lib. 10. p. 274. they say that none must be tolerate in the Church who is not truly a good Christian E Sleidan l. 10. p. 269. At first the Anabaptists did do their businesse privately and secretly in the City none was admitted to their meetings who was not of their sect neither did their Leaders professe openly their opinions but taught them in the night when others were sleeping then were they about their mysteries F Bullinger l. 1. p. 11. They began boldly to plead their cause they professed openly and distinctly that they would maintain their cause not only by words but by their blood so every where in the City they began boldly to rebaptize G Vide supra Cap. 1. also Bullinger p. 26. The fourth sect of the Anabaptists consists of the holy Brethren who are pure and free from sin with whom all the Anabaptists in generall do some way partake they say that the Church is holy and without blemish that they are members of the Church who abide in Christ and are pure without sin some of this sect do omit that Petition of the Lords prayer Forgive us our sins conceiving themselves to be pure and to have no more need of remission of sins ibid. p. 2. All that are of their Church are to be accounted elect and the children of God and all who follow not their way are to be accounted wicked H Vide supra I Bullinger p. 18. They esteem themselves the only true Church which is accepted by Christ they teach that whoever by Anabaptism is received into their Church must have no communion with any Protestant Church or with any other Christians whosoever because the Protestant Churches are no more true Churches then the Popish which they prove thus In their Churches there is evident clear amendment of life but in these Churches that are called Protestant though somthing be preached out of the Gospel yet no mans life is amended and the whole people remain impenitent and subject to sinnes and vices now it is not lawful to have any communion with so impure a people K Ibid. They say that since the times of Christ and his Apostles the word of God has not been purely preached but that now they were two true Prophets arisen by whom the truth was to be restored to the world John Becold of Leyden King of the new Jerusalem and David George of Delph that there were also two wicked and false Prophets the Pope of Rome and Luther who was many ways more pestiferous then 〈◊〉 Pope L Bullinger p. 2. At that time Muncer himself as they say did not rebaptize his Disciples began to rebaptize before himself he himself was first rebaptized with his own bloud N Bullinger p. 109. We are compelled say they to stand beside and hold our peace whether the Preacher speak right or wrong thus the Doctrine depends not from Christ and his Spirit if any man come into a Protestant Church and hear but one speak this is so far contrary to Pauls Doctrine that such a company may not be taken for a true and spirituall Church O Ib. p. 108. They say that Paul by the Spirit of God has ordained that all Christians not Ministers alone should prophecy that is preach P Vide supra â—lso Clopenburg p. 342. If we behold their practice they do not exclude women which may be seen in the Books set out by their Churches for example in that Book they published the year 1570. this Treatise say they is published by the Brethren and Sisters of the Church of Ziricksea who have not medled with the controversie for the procuring of love peace and concord among all who are so marvellously divided whether Fleimes or Frizons or neutrals Q Bullinger p. 87. The Anabaptists in defence of their separation alledge against the persons of the Ministers that they are not lawfully called the calling of their own Ministers they count lawfull because they are called and sent by their own Churches but our Ministers calling they count unlawfull because by the Magistrate so they say that themselves are sent of God but that we are sent by men that is by the world R Hortensius p. 12. In so great a multitude of men it was thought there was not so much as one who had any letters the most part could neither reade nor write Ibid. p. 31. Let the Preachers lay down their offices and set in their places twelve simple men that never learned any letters command them to recite unto my people my word thereafter trusting in my spirit let them expone my word without the help or Lecture of any other writs S Vide supra T Bullinger p. 103. They say that the Ministers are idle this is common to them with many others who think that there is no labour but that which is done with the hands by a spade axe or such instruments Ibid. p. 18. They challenge the Ministers that they work not but are servants to their body V Heresbachius p. 43. Let none be exercised in Merchandize or Trade X Bullinger p. 39. Since the Magistrate has decreed that the tythes and yearly rents are justly due such debts by Divine right ought to be payed sincerely honestly some of the Anabaptists convinced by clear testimonies of Scripture grant that every one who is obliged ought to pay tythes yearly rent and other debts Y Bullinger p. 108. They professe openly that Preachers who take any stipend are not the true Ministers of God nor can teach the truth Z Heresbachius p. 42. The fourth of King Becolds Laws was that no man should either crave or pay any yearly rent AA Clopenburg p. 341. They do beleeve that Ecclesiastick Jurisdiction is in the body of the whole Church they do exagitate and scorn the practice of our Churches as Judaicall and they will have gone to be excluded from the Church in judging but only the sinner that is to be judged This is Anabaptistick Anarchy whereby they command all persons even women not excluded to sit in the seat of the Ecclesiastick Judicatory except onely the sinner who is to be judged BB Historia Davidis Georgii p. 109. Some of the Hophmanists dâ—d separate themselves from the communion of all Churches and lived themselves alone as neutrals CC Bullinger p. 19. That Magistrates ought not to meddle with any causes of Religion or faith that no man ought to be compelled by force or authority unto the faith Ibid. p. 242. They stirre up the Magistrate that in cases that
belong to the soul they may compell men by their Laws and Edicts to come unto Ecclesiastick meetings it cannot be denied but by this means faith and the conscience are forced Christian liberty is taken away and a Mosaick compulsion is put in its place DD Bullinger p. 18. That a Christian ought not to be a Magistrate that Christians ought not to resist them that offer violence and so have no use of any Judicatories Hortensius p. 13. All Magistrates are to be put down it is necessary to oppose Magistracy with all our might EE Hortensius p. 13. The Anabaptists increasing much every where did exercise Jurisdiction among themselves in private houses they punished their own members even unto death FF Hortensius p 13. Though the Apostles had not the right of the sword yet unto their followers now God hath given power to take away the prophane Magistrate by the sword as they thought meet Bullinger p. 3. They taught that God had revealed to them that all Princes and Nobles were to be cast down that God had given to them the sword of Gedeon against all Tyrants to set at liberty the people of God and to set up the new Kingdome of Christ upon earth GG Historia Davidis Georgii p. 11. The Battenburgicks avowed that peace and grace was removed from the earth after the time that the gracious offer made by Becold was refused henceforth the refusers were to be killed with the sword HH Bullinger p. 2. all of their society were to be counted elect and children of God all others were to be counted wicked and to be killed III Hortensius p. 13. Before the last day Christ was to have a temporall Kingdom upon the earth here only the Saints should bear rule all Princes being cut off by the sword and that now this Kingdome was begun in the Anabaptists Guy du Brez p. 5. They preached their dreams as divine oracles to wit that there should come a new world wherein dwelled righteousnesse and for this cause it was necessary to root out of the earth all the wicked with all Princes and infidell Magistrates all that was not of their sect and faction they called infidels KK Historia Davidis p. 9. The Monasterians did affirm that the time wherein the Saints were to be afflicted was come to an end that the time of the Harvest was now come wherein God would revenge and deliver his people and put their enemies under their feet LL Hortensius p. 14. To spoyl the Temples they counted it lawfull saying that the Jews of old had done the like when under the command of Moses they went away lâ—aden with the spoyls of the Egyptians Also Bullinger p. 61. At this time some lofty spirits promise great things to themselves before the last day as the Jews of old did abuse the fair promises of the Prophets all which they understood carnally and according to the letter MM Hortensius p. 31. O Becold the Father gives to thee the sword and cals thee to be King that thou maist reign in Sion c. NN Hortensius p. 30. The King said that he was appointed of God to be King to take â—â—ay 〈…〉 men by the sword that he was to go throrow the world and to execute with death all that did not beleeve OO Hortensius p. 37. Commonly the men had five wives many sixe some seven or eight PP Sleidan l. 10. p. 274. The complaints that were brought to the King for the most part concerned Divorces these were most frequent so that some who had lived together till old age were put asunder QQ Vide supra Cap. 1. RR Vide supra Cap. 1. SS Heresbachius p. 43. Let no man have any proper goods but let all be brought and laid down at the feet of the Preachers after the example of the ancient Christians TT Heresbachius p. 152. The Famine in Munster was equall to that of Jerusalem for the Soldiers searching the houses for prey did finde the legges and arms of the young children salted for food yet the King and Rotman and Knipperdolling had good enough provision VV Hortensius p. 37. Their Law was to accompany with their wives while they had conceived XX Historia Davidis p. 28. These Saints were exempted from all laws of Matrimony of bloud and affinity the difference of Father Mother Brother Sister among them doth cease and evanish XX 2 Bullinger p. 37. They did perswade the women that they did sin grievously if they kept company with their own husbands who remained Pagans and were not yet rebaptized but that they sinned not in keeping company with any Anabaptists because among all them was a spirituall matrimony YY Historia Davidis Georgii p. 43. Shame was contracted through sin and now is to be laid aside so by faith in Christ all that shame for the secrets of nature is to be cast away ZZ Ibid. p. 28 29. The words are so abominable that I cannot translate them AAA Historia Davidis p. 36. David Georgius went to glory of his mysteries as if they had never entred in the minde either of men or Angels but had been reserved to the last times that with their new light the old Doctrines of the Prophets and the Apostles were to be darkned as the starres are put out by the brightnesse of the rising Sun BBB Vide supra AAA CCC Historia Dav. p. 52. The tenet of the Catholick Church concerning Angels and Devils that they are invisible spirits created of God in their own distinct substances separate from men is nugatorious that the Angels are only qualities and motions which God inspires into men that the Devils are nothing but only boggles in the night to terrifie men arising from mens imaginations DDD Bullinger as I remember ascribes this to some of the Anabaptists EEE Historia Dav. p. 52. That heaven and hell Christs last comming and Judgement life eternall c. are no where to be expected but within a man Ibid. p. 51. The place of eternall happinesse shall not be above us in the heaven but upon the earth Ibid. p. 50. In the last judgement there shall be no other change in the heaven and in the earth then we see dayly what the Apostle speaks of such a change is to be referred to the manners and mindes of men not unto the outward elements FFF Historia Dav. p. 50. The second comming of Christ shall not be seen with bodily eyes but spiritually it is even now performed within in the minde GGG Historia Dav. p. 44. In this time of perfection all outward worship all rites and Sacraments must cease and evanish HHH Historia Dav. p. 43. Many of these things were exhibit in Christ Jesus and his Apostolick Church but only according to the letter and the body not according to the spirit who at that time was not exhibit III Apocalypsis in Davide Georgio He avowed that he had absolute authority to condemne and to quicken and that in the last day he was to judge the twelve Tribes of