that one Church professeth But the Church of Rome professeth not indeed the Catholike faith as shal be in part shewed hereafter therefore in no sense it can be truly called Catholique But suppose it held the Catholique faith yet were it not for that cause an obiect of faith according to the Apostles Creed more than a particular man or any other particular Church holding the faith Here it is to be vnderstood that howsoeuer we may say This man or that Church is Catholique yet we may not say and speake properly This is the Catholique man or That is the Catholique Church 4 That the Church of Rome holdeth not the Catholike faith neither yet hath done for many yeeres may be demonstrated in sundry fundamentall points Let it be sufficient to produce though but one yet that most fundamental sith it is called by an excellency The Word of faith preached Rom. 10. 6 8. by all the Apostles And the rather that One because it is the principall argument of that worthy Epistle which Paul wrote Cap. 1. 8. to the Romans whose faith was then published throughout the whole world So that if the Church of Rome swarue from this truth it is manifest that it is the ofspring not of the true members of the Primitiue Church of Rome but of the troublers of that Church of whom Paul thus writeth Now I beseech you brethren Cap. 16. 17. 18. marke them diligently which cause diuision and auoid them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus but their owne bellies and with faire speech and flattering deceiue the hearts of the simple But what is that most fundamentall point Euen that same which Paul after a large and learned disputatiō setteth downe as his peremptory iudgement in these words Therefore Rom. 3. 28. we conclude that a man is iustified by faith without the workes of the Law But the Church of Rome that now is holdeth and for many yeeres hath held That a man is iustified both by faith and works contrary to the conclusion therefore the Church of Rome is not Catholique but Antichristian 5 I say Antichristiā because it may be proued such by many reasons and that because it erreth in this point but I only propound to wise and religious consideration this deduction That Antichristian Apostasy or Antichrist is called The Mystery 2. Thess 2. 7 of iniquitie that is a mysticall iniquity that is an iniquity which is indeed iniquity but not perceiued as Christ is called The Mystery of godlinesse that is a 1. Tim. 3. 16. mystical godlinesse that is godlinesse indeed but not perceiued But wherefore is Antichrist a mysticall iniquitie Because his Righteousnesse though glorious in shew is iniquity indeed because he attributeth Gal. 5. 4. Rom. 3. 27. 1. Cor. 4. 1. Rom. 1. 16. 17. 4. 5. Iustification thereunto Now this is a mysterie to flesh and blood which would faine reioyce in it selfe that Righteousnes should be Iniquitie Euen so is the Gospell a mysterie for by it the Righteousnes of God is reueiled which otherwise could not be perceiued of flesh and blood For is it not a mysticall paradox to carnall reason to say God iustifieth the vngodly which yet is cleere to him who vnderstanding the Scriptures doth not only abhorre his foule iniquitie but also Phil. 3. 9. Esa 64. 6. disclaimeth his owne defiled righteousnes and by faith layeth hold on the righteousnes of God which is only by Christ or Who trusteth not to his righteousnes inherent which tasteth of the caske but to righteousnes imputed which maketh vs blessed These things well considered It may appeare that as Christ is the mystery of godlines not only because he is very God though in the shape of a seruant but also because the Word of Christ viz. the Gospell teacheth a mystical righteousteousnes So the Pope is Antichrist not only because he is an aduersarie in exalting himself aboue all that is called God though he pretend to be the seruant of seruants but also because his doctrine is a mysticall iniquitie Heere it is to be remembred that on the forehead of the Reuel 17. 5. 9. 18. Whore of Babylon to wit Rome was written this word A mysterie and it is also to bee vnderstood that on the Popes Mitre is the same word set with precious stones If then for the doctrine of Iustification and merit by workes the Church of Rome bee Antichristian it followeth that it is not Catholique and therefore hath not continued an apparant member of the Catholique Church euer since the Apostles time 6 The later point inferred may be the rather admitted if wee marke well that Paul saith That the Mystery of iniquitie 2. Thess 2. 7 was working in his time So that it is likely that those troublers of whom mētion is made in the 4. section ouergrew as weeds the good corne in time and preuailed still vntill that mysterie of iniquity was reuealed and consumed by the Spirit of God in the mouth of Luther and other the seruants of Christ Iesus 7 For the better manifestation of this point let vs seriously consider that howsoeuer the Church of Rome were now an apparant member of the Catholique Church which indeed is not to bee imagined yet sith it is not the Catholique and inuisible Church but a visible and particular Church and hath not any speciall promise that it should continue the same from the first constitution how can we be assured but that in so many hundreds of yeeres there haue been some alterations and innouations as well as in the Church of God among the Israelites Rom. 9. 4. to whom pertained the adoption glory couenants giuing of the Law seruice of God and the promises And yet it is written 2. Chro. 15. 3 of the Church Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God and without Priest to teach and without Law 8 As for that promise of Christ Thou Mat. 16. 18. art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shal not ouercome it it appertaineth to the Catholique Church as builded vpon Christ the 1. Cor. 3. 11. only foundation of his Church and not to the Church of Rome more than to the Churches of Asia which are ouercome or any other particular Church which may be ouercome yet that promise remaineth Gen. 9. 13. inuiolable as the couenant whereof the Raine-bow is a signe is inuiolable notwithstanding sundrie particular countries be ouerflowen 9 Indeed Augustine did once take that Rocke to bee Peter the Apostle and his successors the Bishops of Rome but hee after altered that his opinion and vnderstood Rocke to signifie Christ by Peter confessed For that Christ did not say to Peter I will build me vpon thee But his words were so Augustine conceiued them as if hee had said I will build thee vpon me and not me vpon thee His meaning Col. 1. 24. is
worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and Truth by the light of nature u Act. 14 15 17 23 24 God is glorified as hee is Creator I answere That it is not so for A seuēth day though not Saturday is still sanctified Which to be sufficient to celebrate the Creator the fourth Commandement prescribeth neither this nor that seuenth day but one of seuen doth euidētly proue So that wheras Sonday is The Lords day and withall A seuenth day we may obserue that Christians * Ioh. 14. 13. glorifie the Father in the Sonne and celebrate the Creator with the Redeemer By whom a New creation though spirituall was performed x Isa 65. 17. 66. 21. 22 according to the prophecy of Isaiah Lastly If it may appeare by the word that Sonday was confirmed by the Apostles practise and preceptiue execution then Sonday hath authoritie not from the Church but from Christ But it appeareth by the word that Sonday was so confirmed therfore it hath authority not from the Church but from Christ. That the sequele of the Maior may better appeare I will manifest the Minor by these three places of holy writ viz. Act. 20 6 7. and 1. Cor. 16 2. and Reuel 1 10. For in the first place three things are to be obserued 1. That Paul abode at Troas seuen daies 2. That it is not said The Disciples were called of purpose to his preaching but Being come together to breake bread that is to be partakers of the Lords Supper And 3. That ready to depart on the morow he cōtinued his preaching till midnight Then it will appeare that Sonday there called The first day of the weeke in respect of the Iewes their account to whom Saturday was the seuēth that is the last day of the weeke was sanctified to holy meetings and exercises And that Paul waited as at Philippi y Act. 16. 12. 13. for the Sabbath of the Iewes so at Troas for the Christians their Lords day Which he would not haue done being an Apostle and hauing such hast of departure if Sonday had not been sanctified by greater authority than the ordinary authority of the Elders and Brethren If it be obiected that according to the originall the words bee One of the Sabbathes in the two former places and therfore it is vncertaine whether Sonday bee meant in those places rather than Saturday I answere That by the same reason it is vncertaine whether our blessed Sauiour did arise againe the third day z 1. Cor. 15. 4. according to the Scriptures For all the Euangelists a Mat. 28. 1 Mark 16. 2. Luke 24. 1. Ioh. 20. 1. vse the same words when they report That Mary Magdalen went to seeke Christ when he was risen But more fully to confute this Argument three things are to be noted 1. That in the originall the numerall One is put for the ordinall First For Marke hauing said in the second verse of his 16. chapter One of the Sabbathes speaking of Mary Magdalen her seeking of Christ chaungeth the words in the 9. verse and saith The First day shewing that Christ was risen And that Sabbathes is put for Weekes As in Leuit. 25. 8. it is written Thou shalt number 7. Sabbathes that is weekes of yeeres Secondly it is to be obserued That in both places only Christians are said to haue these meetings For they who came together are called Disciples Churches and are said To breake bread that is To receiue the Communion b 1. Cor. 10. 16. 17. 18. which none but Christians may do And therefore in both places the Spirit of God in two sundry writers Luke and Paul vseth these words The first day of the weeke rather than The Sabbath day more distinctly to expresse that day which was sanctified by Christians Whereas at Philippi where no Disciples were as yet Paul is said c Act. 16. 12. 18. to go on The Sabbath to the place where the Iewes were wont to pray after he had bin there certaine daies For what neede had the Christians being none but themselues to neglect the Lords day for the Iewes Sabbath Thirdly note that it is said Euery first day 1. Cor. 16. 2. and consider whether there be any probability that the Apostle would haue them come together euery Saturday If not it followeth necessarily that by The first day of the weeke Sonday is vnderstood In 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. we are yet further to consider that the Apostle saith As I haue ordained in the Churches of Galatia which argueth Generality and Euery first day which argueth Perpetuity So that by this place holy assemblies vpon Sonday may seeme as generall in those times so confirmed for euer by a preceptiue exhortation For as in this speech d 2. Tim. 2. 19. Let euery one that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquitie a preceptiue exhortation to call on the name of Christ is implied howsoeuer only departing from iniquity bee expressely commaunded So in this speech deliuered by an Apostle Euery first day of the weeke let euery one of you put aside is implied a preceptiue exhortation to come together vpon the first day of the weeke howsoeuer only putting aside be expresly commanded If it be obiected That these meetings were only to gather for the Saints I deny it For it is said Act. 20. 7. That the Disciples came together to break bread which importeth other holy exercises Againe If no more were vnderstood than expressed then Christians cōfirmed in the faith were lesse religious vpon their setled and sanctified holy day than they were ordinarily if not euery day at their first enterance into their holy profession For then they mette together e Act. 2. 42. 46. not only to breake bread but vnto doctrine also and prayers Lastly The Apostle who was so zealous to sanctifie the Lords day at Troas would no doubt reproue in this place so great neglect of The Lords day if such a matter were then to be supposed As for Reuel 1. 10. if nothing else were vrged but the consideration of the two former places it doth sufficiētly appeare that by The Lords day is meant The first day of the weeke now called Sonday according to the iudgement of all the learned Against which streame to striue by making a doubt without reason at least probable is to bewray a proud conceipt of a priuate opinion But howsoeuer this be sufficient yet for the godly their sake I will say somewhat more than inough It is the iudgement of the learned and I see nothing to the contrarie That as Paul praying in the Temple * Act. 22. 17 fell into a traunce so Iohn sanctifying the Lords day was rauished in spirit If so how can we imagine That Iohn banished f Reuel 1. 9 in the isle Patmos hauing no cause to cōstraine him nor occasion to induce him should rather sanctifie the Iewes Sabbath than the Christians holy day Againe If
holy Apostles are sufficient to perswade an humble Christian to receiue it as the Lords ordinance though it be not certainly knowne when Christ did ordaine it But it is probable that he gaue commandement concerning the same within those 40. daies after his resurrection When as it is written x Act. 1. 2. 3 in expresse words he gaue through the Holy Ghost Commandements vnto the Apostles whom he had chosen and spake of those things which appertaine to the Kingdome of God Now doth it not especially appertaine to the kingdome of God that Christians should sanctifie their Lords day wherein y 1. Cor. 1. 23. 24. Christ crucified z 1. Tim. 3. 16. The mystery of godlines and a Mat. 1. 21. Sauiour of the world should be * Act. 10. 42. 43. preached as well as the Iewes had their Sabbath on which Moses A schoole master b Gal. 3. 24 to Christ and A minister of the Letter c 2. Cor. 3. 6. which killeth was d Act. 15. 21. preached Againe If in those 40. daies Christ e Eph 4. 8. 10. 11. appointed what Ministers should teach his Church for euer how can it be but that theÌ„ also he appointed some Sabbath wheron they should ordinarily performe the worke of their ministerie as hee was wont f Luk. 4. 16. to do himselfe Seeing it is prophecied g Psal 110. 2. 3. That the power of his rod should be such that His people should come willingly at the time of assembling his army in holy beauty Seeing his Father whose works * Ioh. 5. 19. he imitateth appointed h Leuit. 16. 2. 29. as an high Priest so a time when once in a yeere he should enter into the Most holy place and as other Priests i Exod. 29. 44. 38. so morning and euening sacrifices and considering it is written k Eccles 3. 1. To euery purpose vnder heauen there is an appointed time Lastly If the Sonne be like his Father as in teaching his Apostles 40. daies for so long l Exod. 24. 12. 18. 39. 42. was Moses with the Father vpon the mount so in speaking those things which appertaine to the kingdome of God as his Father taught Moses al things belonging to the furnishing of the Tabernacle and If the Sonne be like his Father in sanctifying a day to his owne honor as hath been declared Why may not Christians beleeue that Christ sanctified The Lords day within those 40. daies as the Father m Deut. 9. 9 confirmed The seuenth day in those 40. daies that Moses was with him on the mount And the rather because it is te be obserued That the Disciples n Ioh. 20. 19. 26. assembled the two first daies of the two weeks immediatly following Christ his resurrection and that our Lord not only of purpose sanctified both those assemblies with his holy and miraculous presence but also immediatly before his Ascension commanded his Apostles o Act. 1. 4. 5. 7. 9. to wait a few daies for the promise of the Father Which by his prouidence in whose power bee times and seasons as Christ affirmed euen in this case was fulfilled p Mark 16. 1. 2. Leuit. 23. 15. 16. Act. 2. 1. 4. 14. vpon a Sonday and at the same time the Apostles first began the execution of their ministery and preached Christ publiquely But publique preaching q Num. 10. 7. 8. Isa 58. 1. Ezech. 44. 23. 24. Act. 23. 14. 42. is a speciall worke of the Sabbath day It may therefore bee gathered That Christ appointed his Apostles to sanctifie Sonday whereon he would manifest himselfe r 1. 6. 7. 8 to be King of Israel as his Father instituted A seuenth day as on which he was manifested to bee GOD of heauen and earth To conclude If Saturday were made common not by man but by God himselfe and that not for a Ceremony but for some other cause If God sanctified a Sabbath as well to Christians as to Iewes If euery ordinance of Christ were an ordinance of God If Christ were as faithfull in all his owne house as Moses about the Tabernacle If Christ came to fulfill the fourth Commandement which prescribeth one day of seuen If the Church of God bee not easily to bee condemned as neglecting the ordinance of God in sanctifying Sonday for many huÌ„dred yeeres If Christ were like his Father in sanctifying that day to his owne honor whereon he was declared to be the Sonne of God and King of Israel to wit Sonday If the day be so appointed that the Creator is glorified with the Redeemer If it appeare by the Word that the first day of the week was confirmed by the Apostles practise and preceptiue exhortation If by the first day of the week be meant that day wheron Christ did rise againe and that was Sonday If in the Word Sonday be called The Lords day to the honour of Christ our Lord If the warrant of Sonday consisteth not in the ordinarie authoritie of the Church because it was established by the Apostles If euery spirituall man be to acknowledge the ordinances of the Apostles to bee the ordinances of the Lord and If the Apostles were informed by Christ touching the Lords day within those 40. daies after his resurrection I may safely hold this my Position The Lords day commonly called Sonday is an ordinance of God THE SECOND POSITION THE CHVRCH OF ROME IS not the Catholike Church neither yet hath continued an apparant member of the same euer since the Apostles time 1 THe Church is said to be Catholike in regard of the vniuersality thereof for this word Catholike signifieth Vniuerfall The Vniuersalitie thereof consisteth in Times Persons and Places For there is no age of the world no nation on the earth and no sort of people that can be exempted from the same And therefore it is called The celestial Hierusalem and said to be the congregation Heb. 12. 22. 23. of the first borne which are written in heauen So that we are to beleeue That as there hath been euer an head to wit Christ so there hath been also a body to wit the Church some where or other but the Church of Rome is a particular Church confined within a certaine compasse and hath not been a Câ—â—â—â—â— but since Christ his comming in tâ—◠〈◊〉 therfore it is not the Catholique Câ—â—â—â—â— 2 The Catholique Church is an obiect of faith according to the Apostles Creed and therefore inuisible howsoeuer the members thereof called by Peter Liuely 1. Pet. 2. 5. Heb. 11. 1. stones be visible as they be men For faith is the euidence of things not seene But the Church of Rome is visible therefore not the Catholique Church 3 I grant that as one man so one particular Church may be called Catholike but it is only in regard of the Catholique faith as being one the same throughout the Catholique Church which that one man or