in the world if we may give any credit to our owne histories which I take to be the first time of preaching of the Gospel here or at least to take a place in the Kingdome what ever men say of Paul Simon Zelotes Joseph of Aramathea preaching here which they may do and not constitute a Church here for the Apostles constituted not alwaies Churches where ever they came and preached the Gospel Moreover Hyreneus who lived Anno 170. in France in his lib. 1. cap. 3. adversus Heres mentions the Churches that were known then to be in the world but not a word of Britain Et neque in Germaniis fundatae Ecclesiae aliter credunt aut aliter tradunt neque in Hispaniis neque in Celtis neque in Egypto neque in Libya neque in Oriente neque hae quae in medio mundo sunt constitutae Sure if in his time had been any Church in England he should have knowne of it and would not have past it by in his enumeration of Churches 2. Lucius according to Harrisons Cronology whom Holinshed fellowes saith he began his Raigne 165. who did send to Rome Elvan and Meduin to Eleutherius the Bishop to send Ministers to instruct the people of this Land and baptize them who did send Eugatianus and Damianus who baptized the King with all his Family and People and therewith removed the worshipping of Idolls and false gods and taught the right means and way to worship the true God there were saith he in the bounds of Britain 28. Flamins and three Archflamins which were as Bishops and Archbishops or Superintendants of the Pagan or the gentile Religion in whose place they being removed were instituted 28. Bishops and three Archbishops of the Christian Religion one of the which Archbishops held his Sea at London to whom was subject Cornwall and all the middle part of England to Humber another of their Seas was at York to whom was subject the North part of Britain from Humber to the end of Scotland the third Archflamins Sea was at Carleon Arwiske in Clamorganshire to whom was subject all Wales He saith further this Kingdome was the first that openly that is indeed that did universally nationally received the Gospel Holinshed Lif. Lucius An Ancient Author I have by me saith one Pagan and Elybain were sent from Rome by Eleutherius who baptized the people untill all the Land was baptized going from Towne to Towne baptizing men more he saith King Lucius made two Archbishops and many Bishops Fox out of Monumetensis and others relates the same in his story of the Church Eleutherius as Platin saith lived about 171. Epistolam accepit à Lucio Rege Britanno c. Inibi erant pontifices 25. quos Flamines vocabant 1. That this is right Romish work contrary to the primitive practice none will deny I think 2. This was the first Nation that became a Nationall Church 3. It was made so under a Satanicall Government 4. From this it went unto other Lands and other then this was never in this Kingdome if there had been any Church or Ministry hear Lucius would never have sent to Rome to have some thence to baptize him 1. Ep. Clement Rom. Though corrupt yet is it Ancient In illis verò civitatibus in quibus olim apud Ethnicos Archiflamines eorum atque primi legis Doctores erant Episcoporum Primates poni vel PatrÃarchas ordinavit qui reliquorum Episcoporum judicia majora negotia quoties necesse foret in fide agitarent secundum Dei voluntatem sicut constituerunt sancti Apostoli ita ut nè quis injustè periclitaretur definirent Hence we may see the ground of Government of Archbishops and Bishops whence taken and how and when it did begin to be even within two years of the truth it selfe and no wonder our Nation continued so long under it that Bishops have pleaded the antiquity of their government Three things confirme this story 1. That Gregory who did send Austin into this Kingdome appointed that the Sea of York should have the same extent it had under Sampson the first Archbishop in Lucius time which succeeded the Archflamine whose Jurisdiction was all Scotland and part of England All the Bishops of Scotland since that time have fetched their consecration thence and swear Canonicall obedience to that Sea untill the year 1466. when as George Nevil was Bishop in whose time the Scots Bishops cast off their Canonicall obedience on this ground that in respect of the many and bloody warres between the two Nations the Metroplitan of York could bear no fatherly affection to his sons of Scotland 2. It is said that the Bishop of Meneva or Davids to which that of Caerleon was removed had seven suffragan Bishops under him at the coming of Austin unto the Land who gave him a meeting to compose differences between them being about an 600. 3. Rome was to be the Mother of Harlots she was the cause of this Idolatry before as Heathenish Rome for Onuphrius saith in Heathenish Rome were three Archflamins called Dialis Martialis Quirinalis He mentions only 15. more the rest it's like of them their memory perished with them For Flora that Romish Harlot being of those flamins mentioned of Onuphrius was as the remains prove of her Festivall among us of our 28. and came from Rome It came hereby to be the mother of Idolatry as it was Antichristian Rome the Jewes joyned Mosaycal Ceremonies and the Gospell the Gentiles Gentile Superstitions and the Gospell together 1. Cor. 10.20.21 Again in that Tertull. about the year 200. saith the Britains are subject to the true Christ but he saith not in the true way of Christ 1. Applic. That after the 200. year of Christ there is no proving the true Gospell Government from the practice of the then Churches they being fallen into a strange apostacy from the Gospell institution 2. As they fell somwhat from the practice so the corruptions added of the Papists to them make them abundantly the more uselesse to the Church Of the thrid Century were Origen An. 230. Cyprian An 240. Cornelius Rom. 250. Origen I suppose to be the first corrupted the order of Ordination in the Church taking it not from the People and Presbytery in which he ministred but from other Bishops of other Churches Pro hoc autem adversum eum inhumanus livor accenderit and the Bishops ordained the justification of their fact plead only Quod in praedicatione verbi satis clarè effloruerat Euseb l. 6. cap. 17. It appeares in that Zebenus the Bishop was so much offended at it 1. It was not according to the Gospell 2. It was not practised in the Churches 3. The Bishops then did not plead that it was proper to their function only and not to Presbyters as now This will more clearly appeare in that of Hieron ad Evagrium Alexandria à Marco ad Heraclam Dionysium Episcopos Presbyteri semper unum ex se electum in excelfiori
2 Chron. 19.8 9 10. where with the Priests and Levites there are of the heads of the people 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Here it seems to me Senior is opposed to Doctor I suppose if he had intended as it is objected he would have set downe Episcoporum rather then Doctorum which comprehends the whole Ministerie 3. It is cleare the Church-ruling Elder in 1 Cor. 6. was ceased before his time and practised as I think by the Bishops and Doctors August cited by Calvin on 1 Cor. 6. saith thus which confirms it In libro de opere Monachorum ubi suas occupationes commemorat hanc sibi de multis vel molestissimam esse asserit quòd secularibus negotiis partem diei impendere cogatur se tamen patienter ferre quia ejusmodi necessitatem sibi Apostolus injungat ex hoc loco quadam Epistola apparet solitos certis horis sedere Episcopos ad lites-dirimendas quasi eos hic designet Apostolos ut autem res in deterius semper labuntur ex illo errore deinde manabit Jurisdictio quam sibi in causis pecuniariis Episcoporum officiales usurpant in illo autiquo more duo sunt reprehensione digna quod Episcopi alienis à suo officio negotiis implicabantur c. 1. This of judging in civill causes was the office of the helping Governour which the Bishops in and after Ambrose time executed themselves 2. M. Calvin saith this was a businesse belonged not to Bishops he calls it in them malum tolerabile yet see how Augustine saith it was designed them by Apostles 3. In that he saith in alienis negotiis shewes it was a businesse pertained to some and it must be a Church-Officer though not them which was the Ruling Elder Hieron on Ep. Tit. cap. 1. shewes the reason why it was decreed in the whole world that all the care of the Church should pertain to one and that was from the primary dissentions of Presbyters which was that whereas when the three Presbyters governed the Church together they could not agree among themselves therefore they would have the Government onely to be in one and not in three any more A faire excuse it was even for the peace of the Church 1. If they walked by the Rule how could they disagree 2. Tyranny of Antichrist could never get up by three but by one in giving government to one in the Church was much of Antichrist revealed and made way for all Applic. 1. Mixt societies are set up and Nationall Churches constituted Ordination is taken from the Church and the Government of the Church by its owne Presbyters is destroyed Evangelists rooted up and Teachers office cast down and the helping Ruler is taken away whereas were two Bishops in a City now one rules a whole Province these proceed to Patriarks which preceded the Pope all this is left upon Record that the government of the Church was not in Ambrose time such as in the Apostles 2. I desire those read and intend to write against what is herein contained to cleare 1. How 2. When these things thus said to be altered came to be restored 3. Whether that a government be right that hath not all and no more then all that the Apostles practised and left to be practised in the Church 4. Whether the Conventicula quae constituta sunt Rectores caetera Officia in Ecclesia ordinata spoke of Ambrose Eph. 4. have not respect to single Congregations the same now amongst us in opposition to Gospell Churches consisting of severall societies set up usually in Cities if not what they were then 5. Whether his Capit alio ordine prudentia gubernari Ecclesia signifie not that then one Minister came to do all and all parts of Ministery were done in the Conventiculis and â—â—er have been since and where this used by us be not ab alio ordine prudentia quam eo quod à Deo est in Evangelio if not in what the constitution of our Churches do differ from theirs here mentioned That I may bring you to the Pope in whose manifestation the Gospell-Government was fully hid In the time of Theodo the younger Anno 423. which is but 17. yeares after the time of the Churches obscuring the highest of Antichrist was manifested in a manner in the publike Charter granted Bononia for the making of an University WE Theodosius by the grace of God Emperor of the Romans ever Augustus moved with the commodiousnesse and fertility of the place having 25. moneths taken found and deliberate advice therein sitting in our seat of Majesty a generall councell of Christians being assembled in the presence of Celestine high Bishop of Rome 12. Cardinals Arch-bishops and Bishops innumerable and sundry other Dukes and Princes of divers degrees and callings Baldwine Earle of Flanders and Gaulter Earle Poictiers Embassadors the one representing the person of the King of France the other of the King of England the whole Colledge of an 100. senators sitting do by this inviolable act c. Given at Rome in the Capitoll Anno 423. May. 11. This made the Pope truly Antichrist when he counterfeited Christs Ordinance by setting up that in his false Church in a false way which Christ set up in the true his 12. to Christs 12. which are above Archbishops and Bishops Dukes and Princes Clem. recognit l. 3. though a counterfeit yet is it ancient Haec autem his similia cum dixisset Petrus manibus superpositis Zacheo oravit ut inculpabiliter Episcopatus sui servaret officium post haec 12. Presbyteros ordinavit diaconos 4. These are said to be ordained to serve at Cesarea to justifie the Roman practice and their 12. Cardinals though not a word in Scripture witnesse any such thing at all Having briefly spoken of the fall I shall propose one Propheticall Scripture for the rise of the fallen Churches Gentiles as well as Jewes together now shortly to be within 18. years in most of the world Ezek. 16.55 When thy Sister Sodome and her daughters shall returne to their former estate and Samaria and her daughters shall returne to their former estates then thou and thy daughters shall returne to your former estate 1. To understand this note that in Scripture the first Churches are called Mother Churches those that succeed them and are constituted according to them and receive ministry and means mediately from them are not unfitly called Daughter Churches whether they are true or false and in this it well agrees such as the mother such as the daughter 2. In this sence it cannot be said of literall Sodome she was no Church she had no daughters but in Rev. 11.8 Rome mystically is said to be called Sodome and surely no where if not here in all the Book of God she is the mother of Harlots that is of idolatrous Churches and societies and in 7. Sess Councell of Trent can 3. De Baptismo she is called Mater omnium Ecclesiarum
whiles carnal men are admitted who by no means cannot bear the yoke or tread the path of the Lord Jesus 7. How this destruction 1 Cor. 10.32 gave no offence nor to Jew nor to Gentile nor to the Church here the Jew and Gentile are set down in opposition to the Church which the Saints must not offend according to the Apostles mind can be observed among us Application to Ministers to take heed of consenting to these things this was the great abomination Antichrist was to do in the world even to make desolate the Church pull down her wals pull up her marks and destroy her bounds 2. In this grand defection Antichrist hath no less part in England then in Rome and Popery is never destroyed while this remains nor Reformation made 3. Nor will God make any peace with the people of this Land until this be reformed and the Church liberties and priviledges be restored 2 King 2.22 Appl. 2. I shall end all in the exhortations of Haggai to the Magistrate as being that properly pertains now to you as then to them to whom God immediately sent it 1. The house lyeth waste 2. God ends the Prophesies with the Gentiles Haggai 2.22 23 in which God would let you know this book concerned the Gentiles and that the Scripture is never fulfilled until done among them That that Scripture speaks will be found true and no lye in these days amongst us which some say is only proper to us of Europe O ye of the Magistracy arise begin to build the Lords house 2. To the Ministers Dan. 9.27 for the over spreading of abominations he shall make it desolate 2. This desolation is said to be to the end of the war that is that war that Antichrist shall make with the Saints v. 26. Rev. 13.7 3. This desolation is to be until the confirmation and that determined be poured on the desolate Quest 1. If the Church be not in her desolate estate 2. Where or when that time is out 3. If our War be not part of that wrath said to be determined to be poured out 4. Where while the Church is left to its desolation it be not a certain token all is not poured out and the farther that time is off the more wrath is to come 5. Where those hinder the restoration of the Temple-estate are not the only causes of our lying under this heavy estate 6. Where if the Church be once restored God would not immediately give us peace and mercy try the Lord in this thing and you will be blessed that trust him 7. Do not fear the Lords providing means comforts and mercy necessary the Lord will not be wanting to us in his own way and break us better in Gods way then all earthly good in any other that which generally we have had other way have come to little Appl. 3. To the People Do not you shew your selves backward in Haggai 1.2 This people say the time is not come to build the Lords house 1. God hath cursed you as the Jews v. 6 9. 2. If you shew your selves willing God will then bless you as them Hag. 1.11 Mat. 12.28 Take my yoke upon you my yoke is easie Appl 4. To the Souldiers 1. Be faithful in your undertakings be humble under your victories be thankful for your deliverances labor to do all you do for the glory of God and the advancement of the Gospel that the Lords cause suffer not reproach and the Lord may give you leave to see the glorious goodness will at last arise to this poor harrowed Nation from your hard labor and be made partakers of the Lords grace your selves and do it not for others only that only is able to sati fie you for your loss of Blood your lack of Means and restless pains O look on this as your arrears and you shall finde in God a better pay-master then any you have yet met withal and from whom you have much more to receive then from the Estate and with whom your service is more acceptable then with man as hath been abundantly witnessed keep close to him you have had and may again have much need of him can do nothing without him let not the world nor conscience be able justly to say ye do any thing against God and be sure that in what ye do for God ye shall not want help to do it and at last God will make your enemies love you and the Saints of God will pray for you and love you in the Lord always Appl. To the City Rev. 16.19 The City of the Nations fell This is the falling time if ye fall from Antichrist to Christ it is a happy fall if not a woful one is predicted in you is found all the blood of the English Martyrs the injustice and pride of the land Appl. To men of differing Judgments 1. Ye that are for Episcopacy in this is the Angel Ministry ye contend for Rev. 2.1 cast out of the Church as extraordinary brought in again 2. Ye for Presbytery in this ye have the true Church Presbyters they governing joyntly the Church 3. Ye for Independency here is a Church governed by its own Officers within it self without any others to rule in it 4. Ye Antinomianists here is the gospel purely preached to the Saints the Law to unbeleevers 5. Ye Seekers here is a Church-government a long time hid now to be revealed according to your expectation 6 Ye Anabaptists as the Assembly say the constituting of the Church was and is to be of Beleevers which are after to be baptized as confessed to be done in the Apostles day So that without all question when the true way of God shall be revealed the spirits of all that are led of God shall be gathered sweetly unanimously and gladly into communion one with another again though now divided that Ephraim shall not envy Juda nor Juda Ephraim more which is that which is only sought for by me and to be sought for of all that love the Lord and his Saints in truth and expect mercy from him at his appearing FINIS