whome they perswade that they shal do much good herein before whome they bring none but the most heinous fowle causes as incest plurality of wiues papistry c. neuer suffring them to looke into the secrets mysteries of their kingdome or to heare the iust complaints of the Q. oppressed subiects by their tyranny These as is aboue said they wil not suffer so much as to expose their griefes vtter their wrongs or to plead defend their owne cause before these cââ¦uil magistrates no not in this their owne courte where the Archbishop is in his exaltation and their chiefe aduersaries are Iudges so fearful are they least the light should breake forth and all their packing and wickednes be bewââ¦aied But he that discloseth all secrets will I doubt not shortly reueale all their doings and make them as odious as they are now honorable At which time such as now ioine to them and vphold them shall stand far off for feare of their torments when the wrath of God shalbe reueled from heauen against all the impiety and iniustice of these men that withhold the truth in vnrighteousnes For sure if the Prince Magistrats but knew the vnlawfulnes of this CoÌmission ââ¦ither in the persons power or practise therof they would ââ¦oone withdraw their power fââ¦om the beast and would not in this maner vphold or ãâã vnto the throne of Antichrist that forgeth wrong besââ¦des law The ecclesiasticall persons of this Commission we haââ¦e by expressâ⦠scriptures shewed neither to be true ministers of the Gospell neitheâ⦠true members of the Church of Christ. Both which though they were yet could they not receaue or exercise such antichristian power inordinate authority ouer all or any one congregation of Christ much lesse in the estate they stand For the ciuiil magistrates that are of this Commission though they may as members together with those congregations whervnto they are ioined iointly with the whole Church exercise such spiritual power to censure faltes discusse matters and determine of such affaires as belong vnto arise in their congregations c. yet can they not as by vertue of their ciuil office exercise these spirituall censures power which Christ hath giueÌ belongeth vnto the whole Church much lesse assume into their owne hands and plucke from the whole Church this power which Christ hath giuen them So then all the persons of this Commission both ecclesiastical ciuil are ââ¦tterly vncapable of this inordinaââ¦e power iurisdictioÌ which being so monââ¦trous heinouâ⦠ouer al churches al ãâã causes persons doctrines to ratifie or diââ¦anul erect or pull downe bring in or cast out of the Church handle hold plea of many ciuile causes also and that after so blasphemous vnchristian a maner by administring enforcing their idolatrous booke othe by prohibiting somuch as to speake for themselues or in their owne causes by inflicting penalties fines by incarcerating whome for what they list and there deteining them as close as long as they list and that without bayle mainprise or trial which monstrous confused power belongeth rather vnto is more fit for y t Antichrist that Beast and vnto the false church then vnto any member of CHRIST or of his church God hath pur difference though no disagreement betwixt thââ¦ââ¦hurch and the coÌmon welth betwixt the ministers iurisdictioÌ censures of ech of them hauing set vnto ech sort their due bounds officers and limits which they ought not after this maner to transgresse or confound making I know not what coÌmixture of persons offices causes in this monstrous Commission where the ciuil magistrate is made a Iudg minister of ecclesiastical causes their church ministers of ciuill coÌmoÌ welth matters al vnder pretext of the coÌmission of y e Prince who because he hath power ouer all causes persons both of the Church coÌmon welth ââ¦herfore these meÌ suppose that he may make what new lawes decrees orders for both Church common welth that he list change the ordinances decrees of God at his pleasure especially if he be a christian Prince for then he is no way bownd to the lawes of God or limits of his calling But against such deuilish doctrines we haue ofteÌ in this treatise proued that though the Prince be placed of God in the most high authority both oââ¦er y e church coÌmon welth here vpon earth yet he is but ââ¦he seruaÌt of God circumscribed with lawes as one that shal render an ââ¦ccompt be iudged before the Lord of all his doings as any other Though the Prince haue the booke of God ââ¦oÌmitted vnto him with charge to see yt duly executed by euery one in his calling yet hath he ââ¦t to keepe obserue not to breake or chaÌge We haue also proued all the lawes of God to be most holy inuiolable and al sufficient both for the church coÌmon welth the perfect instruction of euery officer member of the same in their seueral duties callings so that nothing is now left vnto aâ⦠mortal man of what high dignity calling soeuer but to fulfil execute the will of God in his word in their places callings which word being now perfected in y e heauenly ministery of Christ nothing may be added to or takeÌ from the same without most high sacriledg impiety the vtter abrogating of CHRISTS TestameÌt no new deuise how holy or necessary ââ¦oeuer to our earthly seeming is now to be brought in or required at our hands our obedience being more acceptable vnto God then our sacrifice Which way ââ¦en can this strange monstrous CoÌmission neuer read nor heard of in the new Testament of Christ or whole word of God so vnlawfull in the persons y t are y e CoÌmissioners in the power authority they exercise in al their proceedings so pernicious to y â whole church so dirââ¦ctly contrary to y â word of God to y â vtter subuersioÌ taking out of the way y â whole TestameÌt ordinaÌces of Christ how may this coÌmissioÌ I say be set oââ¦er y â whole church or be iustified by y e Princes authority But to proue y t this ecclesiastical high CoÌmission is no antichristian vngodly or new diuise Mr. SOME hath taken some paines bestowed vpon vs a few reasons such as they are Saith he this CoÌmission is deriued from our gracious soueraigne Q. ELISABETH to whome the Antichrist of Rome is a professed enemy and is directed to honorable reuerend wise men of the clergie temporalty therfore yt is not antichristian Againe sundry branches of this CoÌmission are godly as to preserue Gods religion whole sound from popery Anabaptistry c. to meete with suppresse notable disorders as incests polygamies oppressioÌ of the ministers c. and to giue defence countenance to the good therfore this CoÌmission is very godly Thirdly high Commissions
ãâã of the lampe and also eââ¦chued in ciuil meates But such prophane ãâã wicked which haue not yet imbraced the faith such are to be kept ãâã of the Church and from the Table of the Lord though otherwise ãâã are not so to abhortheir ciuil conuersation seeing we may haue so ââ¦any occasions thervnro whiles we remayne in this world Whether ãâã ââ¦hall vve beleeue M r. CALVINE or the Apostle they being so diââ¦ctly coââ¦trarie For the other point of forsaking the Table of the ââ¦rd I iââ¦sist in that which is already said still saying they ought in ââ¦erie true Church to be kept from yt especially vpon obstinacie ââ¦ter admonition BVT YET M r. CALVINE thus giueth not ouer the matter but indeuoreth to proue that the godly may ought to coÌmunicate with the open wickeâ⦠and yet shall not be defiled therby by the examples of the Prophets in the corrupt times before the captiuity of our sauiour CHRIST while he liued heere who in the most corrupt times refrained not the sacrifices prayers or publike ministery of the Temple for the wickednes either of priestes or people but nauing regard to the vnitie of the Church vnto the ordinances of GOD they held vp pure hands in a wicked assembly ââ¦irst I cannot perceaue that in all this M r. CALVINE hath proued ââ¦at the Prophets or our Sauiour CHRIST haue at any time ioined ââ¦to or with any vnlawfull or pulluted priestes or pââ¦ople such as by ãâã law of God ought not to administer or offer in y â Temple neither ãâã to any vnlawful praiers or sacrifices which ought not to be offered ââ¦ere And so all these examples are to no purpose alledged make ââ¦thing for him For we still by the rules of CHRISTS Testament hold ãâã vtterly vnlawfull to receaue or reteine any profane or wicked perââ¦n to administer vnto or coÌmunicate with such in the sacramentes ãâã that all whosoeuer so doth most heinously breake Gods law ãâã all guiltie of high sacriledg c. Into which manifââ¦st wilfull transââ¦essions neither the vaine titles of the Church neither the false flag ãâã the gospel sacramentes ought to draw or allure vs. As for these times vnder thâ⦠law wherof he speaketh the worship ãâã God then consisted in outward legall ceremonies concerning the ââ¦me place priestes people sacrifices Altar c. with prescript lawes ãâã euââ¦rie thing which outward ordinances if they diligenrly kept ãâã obserued there was then no cause why such sacrifices should be left insomuch as they were in that outward worshipp altogeather vnrââ¦proueable Other faultes of maners except such as ouââ¦wardly defiled the bodie or were contrarie to the lawes of the Temple as bastardy whordome idolatrie c. the priestes or ecclesiastical estate then medled not with They belonged to the ciuil magistrates whose office yt was then both to censure punish such offendors accordiââ¦g to the law Whiles then the ecclesiasticall lawes which God in that estate apointed were duly obserued there was no cause why the Prophets or any should refraine that worship yet were the Prophets which were apointed of God to instruââ¦t both the eccsesiastical ciuil estate to admonish and reproue the ciuil magistrates and to cry out against them to denounce Gods iudgmentes against the one the other to shew theÌ that neither Temple nor sacrifice neither fathers nor couenant could excuse or deliuer them froÌ the wrath curse of God whiles they continued in these sinnes deferred to repent But now vnder the gospel where al things are become new spiritual where CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church vnto all his faithfull seruantes his poweâ⦠authoritie spiritually to censure al manner of sinne sinners he hath giuen them his holy word made them all Kings Priestes thervnto he hath coÌmanded them to watch and diligently to take heed that no profane or wicked impenitent person be admitted vnto or kept in his church but diligently to watch both without within that the one sort be kept out the other cast out of his Church The legal pollutions leprosies vlcers running issues infections vncleane diseases for which then the people were seperated from the Temple the Congregation are now in this Church all maner knowen sinnes obstinatly held maintained which are far more infectious contagious vnto the soules of the whole Church then those filthy diseases were vnto the bodie Neither is the Lord our God lesse ielous or will be lesse offended for keeping such in his Church admitting them vnto his table now then he was in those daies when the leprous plaguy or polluted were kept in the Congregation admitted to the altar especially seing he hath now giuen as great charge as prescript lawes both whome when and how to cast out as he did then So that as abhominable should our worship and offring now be vnto the Lord all we in as great blame seing vnto all his seruantes this charge this watch this power these lawes are giuen as they in the former times for the transgressions aforesaid But now peraduenture these disciples of M r. CALVINE will from their maisters mouth affirme for so in deed his wordes and writings apparantly import els as we haueÌ shewed these examples are brought to no purpose that the Prophetes our sauiour Christ in those most sinful times where al estates persons were throughly wholy corrupt al the lawes of God both concerning the Church and common welth the worship of God ciual conuersation boldly broken by al without any regard or coÌscience that yet in these times the Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIT coÌmunicated with these priestââ¦s people in these sinnes and were not defiled with their sinnes but held vp pure handes amongst them Before I shew the mââ¦nifest vntruth the pestilent errors vnsufferable blasphemie of these doctrines I demaund of them how they proue that the Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIT communicated in these times with these priestes people thus defiled and corrupted thus openly breaking Gods lawes ordinances both concerning his worship in the Temple the gouernment of the commoÌ welth I see no proof alledged except yt be this they built not other Churches they erected not other Altars where they might haue their seueral sacrifices What of all this They built not other Temples Altars therfore they coÌmunicated with the abhominatioÌs in the Temple they had no priuate sacrifices therfore they resorted vnto the polluââ¦ed and corrupt sacrifices vsed at these times in the Temple Are these ââ¦heir best reasons that because they did not one sinne therfore they did ââ¦n other Can these men find no meane course What if the Prophets in these times did neither of both shall not the ignorance falshood boldnes of these men then apeare which thus slander the Prophetes ââ¦alsifie peruert the scriptures to maintaine these damnable errors wicked dealinge The first
holdeth the 7 stars in his owne right hand he is the arch-Bishop and visiter of all Churches shepheardes CHRIST is the head ouer the vniuersall euerie particular bodie of his Church he hath giuen this office to no mortal man in earth they are al but members of some one bodie though diuers in functioÌ digââ¦itie as the eie hand foote c. yet al but meÌbers of the bodie to which they serue euerie member being circumscribed within the limites of their place office function One member caÌnot place displace or cut off an other this ought to be done by the whole bodie as in the name power of their head CHRIST vnto euerie one of which congregations CHRIST hath giuen this his power to be executed according to the rules of his word CHRIST is the Bridegrome he only hath the Bride but the frendes of the Bridegrome they stand and heare and reioice exceedinglie for the Bridegromes voice CHRIST is that slaine liuing LaÌbe that hath obteined to take y t sealed written Booke out of the right haÌd of him that sitteth on the throne and to open the same All Elders Angels and the whole host in heauen in earth fall downe on their faces giue glorie to the Lambe CHRIST is the only Lawgiuer vnto his Church and hath giuen mosâ⦠heauenlie perfect lawes in his TestameÌt vnto his Church hath sealed his Testament with that his blood so that nothing may be added vnto or taken there from He neuer gaue to anie mortal man power to make new lawes but hath commanded all men faithfullie to keep those lawes which he hath made within the limits of their calling It is onlie the office of the holy Ghost to teach the Sââ¦ints to pray to giue wordes according to the wil of God to fill their mouthes with new ââ¦onges which they as sweete odors incense day night offer vp vnto God through CHRIST What then and how great is the sinne of these presumptuous shepheardes these blasphemous antichristian Bishops that climbe vp and intrude into the place office and roome of CHRIST that take his spowse from him and al his ministers officers orders and ordinances from her that alter abrogate bring in cast out what and whome they ââ¦st c. that take the office of the holy Ghost vpon them and not onlie set vp in the Church of God their moulten egiptian calfe cast ââ¦n y e old mould of the masse booke saue a litle new annuled ingrauen with a few of their owne diuises bââ¦t thrust this filthv idoll vpon mens conââ¦ciences as their praiers yea vpon God himself as al the seruice and worship they wil allow him in his Church See whither these be not the vndoubted markes of Antichrist that aduersarie search the prophecies the scriptures whether this be not that verie abhomination of desolatioÌ lift vp your eyes to the destructioÌ hauoââ¦k and wast thesâ⦠aduersaries haue made in the sanctuarie how they roare in the midst of the congregation haue there set vp their baÌners signes lift vp their axes vpon al the Lordes plantes broken downe with their malles al the beawtiful sieling carued worke haue cast the Lordes sanctuarie into the fire haue raced yt to the ground haue profaned the dwelling place of his name they are resolued in their hearts to doe violence and to destroy them altogether and haue brought in al maof filthy abhominable thinges into the sanctuarie When they find these thinges in this estate then let him that readeth consider let them that be in the citie and wil saue their soules flee into the mountaine There belongeth no reformation to this estate euen that reformation which these counter fait preachers preteÌd is altogether as yl You see what in ordinate antichristian power they still retaine in the priests haÌdes in al their parishes the paââ¦son or minister as they cal him must rule all and be aboue the whole ââ¦ocke who may controwle him or withstand him in nothing either in doctrine or practise be yt neuer so ill They must complaine to the Synode classes or councel of priââ¦ts which synodes classes councels must consist wholy of ministers ââ¦e people shut out and those haue absolute power ouer al churches persons matters causes to debate define determine decree ratifie diââ¦anull what they list by permission of the high Court of Parliament which hath supreme power ouer the Church and all councels and causes therof vt supra otherwise vntill by this court these decrees be taken away all churches are burdened and must stand subiect vnto them But let vs now returne to the execution of this moÌstrous antichristian power of the BBâ⦠This extendeth euen to al the whole practise worship ministerie orders ordinances iniunctions decrees lawes of their Church alreadie made and heerafter to be made and therfore are infinite and passe any man or creature whatsoeuers setting downe in particular A great labour yt were to recken vp all their constiââ¦utions and caÌnons which they haue fetched from I wote not what old councels or rather from thââ¦ir holie Father the Pope or the heape of their ciuil lawes customes which they haue receaued froÌ their moââ¦er of Rome al which are pleaded iudged sould by these Lords Bishops their chaÌcââ¦llors ââ¦eanes ciuil Doctors Proctors aduccates pleaders brawlers archdeacoÌs coÌmissaries in their Courts of faculties Arââ¦s prerogââ¦tiue delegates in their commissaries court not heere to spake of y e wel head y t euer ruÌning spring of al mischief their Spanish iââ¦quisitioÌ or english high coÌmissioÌ yt deserueth especial meÌtion by yt ââ¦lf These lawes they take for y e fouÌdation of thââ¦ir church in stead oâ⦠Christs new Testament these courts giue the whole direction vnto and execute all the censures of for this Church whether yt be excoÌmunication sââ¦spension or mulct M r. Archdeacon masse Commissary beaââ¦e no small sway It were long haââ¦d to relate the diuers orders processe maners of pleading that belong to these courtes that is no small secret yt is no easie occupation many a mans liuing dependeth theron yt is no small calling to be but a pursuyuaÌt or cursetor of these courtes I say not so of the parators sumners that belong to the coÌmissaries court heere are all things pleadââ¦ble vendible foâ⦠money but without money heere is no man will open his mouth be the cause neuer so iust For money you may heere haue expedition or delay of iudgmeÌt with ââ¦undry shifts euasions which I want skill to vtter For money you may haue priuiledges dispensations liceÌces to eate fleââ¦h or to marry at forbidden times as in the holy time of Lent c. priuatly in the night in some secret place sodenly without consent of parents yea without banes as king by what Priest you will also to haue many benefices in sundry other cases wherof these courtes exercise iurisdiction as of
and all the ordinances therof without accompt or ãâã as hath beene plentifully shewed in all this discouery and yet more shall appeare if we now take a litle view of thââ¦ir Commission which is the very abisme golph from whence spring flow all these innumerable enormities into euery paâ⦠of this whole land their Church THIS INDEFINITE monstrous Commission I hauing neuer seene their letters pattents or any copie therof cannot othervise describe then by certaine appaââ¦ant circumstââ¦nces as the men of whome yt consisteth and that haue the chiefe rule therof the persons causes ouer which this CoÌmission is set and hath iurisdiction and the maner of vsing their sayd power The Commissioners are certayne ecclesiasticall ciuile persons as first the Primate of England the Arch-b of Canterburie then I suppose the Metropolitane of Yorke with certaine other Bishops as London Winchester c. certaine Deanes Arch-deacons Chancelors with sundry especial ciuile Doctors c. The ciuil persons of this Commission are now of late dayes some few of her Ma ties honorable Councell the two chiefe Iudges certaine Courtiers as the two Maisters of her Maiesties requests certaine chosen Aldermen the Recorder of London certaine other officers about the Citie as the Liââ¦ftenant of the Tower the post-Mr sundry other that I know not not heeââ¦e to recite that rabble of aduocates proctors scribes pursuyuaÌts attending thervpon These thus ioined in this high great Commission haue or at the least exercise by vertue therof absolute power iurisdiction ouer the whole Church of England and euery particular congregation of the same and ouer euââ¦ry minister member of the same euen ouer al the Q. Subiects They also exercise finall iurisdiction absolute power ouer all causes ecclesiasticall whatsoeuer to handle and determine to visite enquire punish to make new lawes orders decrees and to inioine the same as authentike vpon all Churches as before the holy oracles of God They haue power also to assume any cause or plea out of any other of their inferior spiritual Courtes as they call them into their owne hands to ratifie or disanul any thing there done They haue power also to erect and to authorise new litle high Commissions in any Citie of the land where yt pleaseth them only with this excââ¦ption that they alwaies acknowledg the supreme power of their parent at Lambeth Yet further this great high Commission hath absolute power ouer sundrie and what not ciuil causes insomuch as they feare not to meddle with matters belonging to the Q. crowne or preââ¦ogatiue roial or to any of her Courts of plea whatsoeuer yea they haue not doubted to intercept causââ¦s belonging vnto depending in the high Court of parliament if Mr. PENRY in his appââ¦ale say true Thââ¦y haue power to cite summon or conuent by their pursuyuants cursitors what person of the land eithââ¦r man or woman at any time when they please they haue power to command all the Q. officers as Maiors of Cities Sherifs c. to serue attend watch ride by day or by night vpon their busines whatsoeuer also to apprehend to incarcerate or to deliuer out of prison what person or peââ¦sons how innocent or flagitious soeuer vpon their barre warrant without further enquire or delay yea they haue power to fetch vp any of these officers before theÌ from their charge in her Maiesties seruices there also to ymprison them if they so thinke good They haue power to authorize these rakehel ââ¦obbers their pursuyuants to herry molest or attach any of the Q. ââ¦aithful subiectts they list to breake open ââ¦ansack their houses by day or by night to spoyle carie away what and whome they please without controulement their warrants being made indefinite without anie certaine perscription or limitation Wel being thus furnished with this power they come together at their Session as charrets armed to the battââ¦l a great tayle of officers court of aââ¦tendants being asseÌbled the apparance wherof exceedeth I suppose that of the Vaticane at Rome no praier vsed before neither the booke of God opened in this their ecclesiastical councel The parties conuââ¦nted are to attend being called to appeare before them before whome being come what affaires soeuer they haue whither of a whole Church or of manie congregations what office or degree soeuer they be of they must there stand their headââ¦s discouââ¦red before them no place giuen them with or by these Commissioners Yf they be to propouÌd speake or complaine of any thing they muââ¦t doe yt by the officers of this Courte their Aduocates Proctors Rââ¦gisters Scribes seouââ¦dum modum formam and that to no small charge by that time all these voultures haue their fees otherwise theÌ by these they may not plead in this Courte the iudgments of this Court they must receaue without contradictioÌ or gaynsaijng there is no appeale no helpâ⦠no mââ¦anes to reuââ¦rse the same be they neuer so vniââ¦st Any othââ¦rs that are blamed and accused vnto this Courte haue not heââ¦re plââ¦ce to answere vnto such things as shalbe obiââ¦cted against them by their accusers bââ¦ing brought face to face or to defeÌd themselues according to equitie but heere they shall hardly know their accusers or accusations at anie time vntil they haue taken an othe to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demaÌded of theÌ in that Court wherby they are driuen to accuse themselues and so minister matter abundantly vnto their aduersaries The othe that is heere administred is that laying their hand or fingeââ¦s vpon a booke they sweare by God by the contents of the booke to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demanded of them and so kissing the booke their othe is accepted no further leisure giuen to consider what thââ¦y answere vnto their demandes But if anie make conscience or denie to receaue this idolatrous wicked othe which though yt be proued vnto them to be nââ¦uer so vnlawful and contrarie to the commandement of God Deut. 6. 13. Deââ¦t ââ¦0 20. to be neuer so superstitious in deuising adding yea in inioyning ceremonies where God in these lawes hath made none but coÌmanded to sweare without anie ceremonies by the name of God only though yt be proued to be neuer so idolatrous in ioyning any thing vnto or with God in swearing by any thing besides or with God though the fearful curse of God be shewed to be denouÌced against such maneâ⦠of swearing swearers by the Lords prophets in these words They that sweare in the sin of Sââ¦maria that say thy God O Dan liueth and the way of Beerschebah liueth eueÌ they shal fal neuer ââ¦ise vp againe and in an other place that the Lord will cut off al that sweare by IEHOVAH as they sweare by ãâã be this othe prooued neuer so vnnecesfarie the cause not requiring anie such triall be yt proued neuer so vnnatural yt being to accuse theÌselues y
were directed from Iehos haphat King of Iuda and from Artaxerxâ⦠King of Persia therfore the high Commission of England is no new deuise 2. Chron. 19. Ezra 7. By the first reason it should seeme that M r. SOME supposeth that there is no Antichrist but the Pope of Rome neither any thing to be AntichristiaÌ which commeth not from him otherwise ââ¦here wil be litle sequele of this reason that because the Q Maiestie directeth this coÌmission to honorable reuerend men of the clergie temporalty therfore the high CoÌmission is not antichristian or vnlawfull Might not by this reason King Dauids Commission or letters mandatory vnto Ioaâ⦠for the murthering of Vriah be accompted good because king Dauid was a most godly Prince if so be that the goodnes of any mortal man might make that which is euill good or iustifie any vnlawfull action We heere reason not of the goodnes of any mens personsâ⦠so much as of the vnlawfulnes of this CoÌmission which by so many reasons being proued such can neither be iustified by the Princes authority that dirââ¦cteth yt nor by the goodnes of any to whome yt is directed but remaineth altogether vnlawful for the one to graunt for the other to accept Yet for the persons of these CoÌmissioners we haue shewed the ciuil personages magistrates to be vtterly vncapable of any ecclesiastical functioÌs whiles they retaine these ciuil offices much more of such vnlawful vngodly authority iurisdiction ouer so many churches as they execute in this CoÌmission As for the honorable reuereÌd clergie this Doctor speaketh of if we had said nothing concerning their office ministery before yet this his popish teaââ¦me of clergie wherby he segregateth the ministery from the rest of the church or els only would haââ¦e them to be the Lords heritage sufficiently bewraieth froÌ what forge they al came plainly sheweth them to haue come from their holy father the Pope begotten and borne vpon their mother of Rome such a Lordly Clergie or clearal Prelacy not being before heard of or rââ¦ad in the Teââ¦tameÌt of Christ and so by this reason the high CoÌmission is like to proue antichristian this honorable reuerend clergie which beare al the rule in this Commission being so immediatly deriued and directly discended from that Antichrist of Rome And as for this popish distinction betwixt the clergie the laitye I refer him to reade with due consideration Act. 26. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 3. There is as litle sequele of his second reason that because this Commission hath some good branches as to purge Gods religioÌ of popery anabaptistry to punish to suppresse notable disorders as incests polygamies oppression of ministers therfore this whole high CoÌmission is good godly Might not the most vngodly councels y t euer were be thus defended iustified because they decreed not some but many good things Might not any sect or heresy be thus also defended iustified because they hold teach many good things yet iudge we such ecclesiasticall councels assemblies antichristian which haue no warraÌt from the word of God where the holy ghost is not both the author ruler Therfore vntill this high CoÌmission be approued either by president or rule we must still hold yt antichristiaÌ vnlawful And now touching these faire pretexts wherwith this sepulchre of all rottennes is guilded this deepe graue is couered as with flowers greene grasse let euen these fairest sheweâ⦠therof be examined and proued by ââ¦hat which hath bene said touching their seruice-booke ministery what a pure worship holy ministery this CoÌmission preserueth and maintaineth Let the coÌmonnes of inceââ¦ts polygamies adulteries forââ¦ication al vncleannes y t abouÌdeth in the land shew the great good y t this coÌmission doth in the land yea let their profane vngodly order that they take for the suppressing punishing these crimes shew what a holy couÌcel this is The Lord coÌmandeth odious vnnatural incests al adulteries to be puniââ¦hed with death the high CoÌmission punisheth the most hatefull incests poligamies by prisons or by the purse As for such incest as is not in marriage other adulteries they are but peccadilia punished by doing penance in a white sheete or els by some lesse mulct w tout impriââ¦onmeÌt Moreouer this coÌmission punisheth y e most high execrable idolatries by prisons forfaiturs making yt a pecuniary matter coÌtrary to the law of God Deut. 1â⦠Deut. 7. Now let vs come to Mr. SOMES 3 argumeÌt where by scripture he doth approue this high CoÌmission to be no new diuiââ¦e King Iehoshaphat and king Arââ¦axerxes directed high CoÌmissions Iehoshaphââ¦t saith M r. SOME in these words In Ierushalem did Iehoshaphat sââ¦t of the Leuites of the Priests of the chiefe of the families of Israel for the iudgmeÌt cause of the Lord. And they returned to Ierushalem and he charged them saying c. How ignorantly if not corruptly D. S. hath inuerted this text both in the words distinctions may appeare to any that wil compare yt to the orginal He hath inuerted the wordes thus in that he saith for the iudgment cause of the Lord where the text is for the iudgmeÌt of y â Lord y â plea or strife Lemischphat Iehouah velarib He hath inuerted the diââ¦tinctions in these words And they returââ¦ed to ãâã and ââ¦e ãâã them saââ¦ng In which ãâã he hath put a periode where the tââ¦xt is coÌtinued in the verse without distinction and hath made a litle ãâã where should be an hebrew periode beginning the verse where he ââ¦hould not reÌding part of the â⦠verse giuing yt to the ninth wherby he hath dismââ¦mbred confounded the text as shal by by appeare by misplacing this word IEHOVAH and putting yt after both the iudgment the plea he hath giueÌ or rather takeÌ occasion to thinke that this was but one entire commission consisting of ecclesiastical ciuil persons ioiââ¦d together and y t this coÌmission had authority to handle decide both ecclesiastical ciuil causes whereas in deed ââ¦he word IEHOVAH is ioined to the word Misâ⦠of purpose to put differeÌce betwixt the ecclesiastical politicall iudgments which are expressed in the 10 verse the 11 verse also shewing the distinctioÌ both of these iudgments Iudges for ecclesiasticall matters sending to the people Amariah the high Priest to the Temple to the ministers therof the Priests Leuites for pollitike ciuil causes sending the people to Zebadia to those heads of y e families mencioned in y e â⦠verse here called Schiâ⦠rulers or Iudges which verse he also hath most corruptly deliuered both by misplacing the wordes of the text and conueijng in words of his owne especially in these words the Leuites shal be officers before you where the words lye in the text thus Iudges Leuiââ¦s ââ¦efore you wherby he craftily would collect that y e Leuites
executed ciuile functions and so our Bishops and Priests may be Lords Iudges Iusticââ¦s of peace hold iurisdiction of ciuil causes this rable of romish ciuilians aduocates proctors c. might be officers in the stead of Leuites Further his rash inuerting the hebrew distinctions in the latter end of the â⦠beginning of the 9 verse he hath so royled coÌfounded y e tââ¦xt as no maÌ can vnderstand who they were that returned to Ierushalââ¦m or rather as the text is when they shââ¦uld returne to Ierushalâ⦠whither these iudges CoÌmissioners as Mr. SMOE calleth them or the other Iudges people of the land that in cases of doubt should returne to IerushaleÌ according to the law coÌmandement of God Deut. 17. 8. 9. to enquire at the priests or at y e chief Iudg c. But D. S. hauing thus troubled roilââ¦d the pure fountaine with his fââ¦te would now giue vs this muddy water to drinke that this coÌmiââ¦ion as he termeth yt at Ieruââ¦alem was sââ¦t ouer all the Cities Iudges c. of the whole land and that these coÌmissioners were they that returned to Ierushalââ¦m By which scripture thus deliuered vnderstood he would shape and erect this his Lords Grace high Commission But let vs now eueÌ a litle compare them together and see what likenes there is betwixt ãâã proceedings in Ierushalem and theirs in this high commission Iehoshaphat set Iudges in the land through all the strong cities he set in Ierushalem of the heads of the families of Israel appointing amongst thââ¦m one chiefe Iudg for al ciuil affaires and the Kings busines as the Kings ãâã He coÌmanded also caused the Priests to remaine in their due course at Ierushalem to studie teach the law of God diligently and to see this duly done of them he set the high Priest ouer them to be the chiefe in all matters of the Lord. What of al this what new thing is heere done or besides law Exod. 18. Num. 1â⦠Deut. 1. That the Prince alââ¦o is charged and of dutie ought to see the ministers of the church to doe their dutie teach the law of God diligeÌtly sincerely we reade Deut. 17. 1 Chron. 28. 2 Chron. 29. 30. 35. This did Iehoâ⦠no other thing Now in that he placed yt at Ierusalem yt was according to the coÌmandment of God who had chosen that place to put his name there that the law might proceed out of Zion al people flow thither to worship God heare his word But in al this Ieâ⦠hath neither commixt nor confounded the ciuil and ecclesiasticall offices in one coÌmission neither erected any new ecclesiastical ordinaÌce besides those which God in his word had prescribed or peruerted or diuerted any ordinaÌce that God hath instituted But in this high CoÌmission of the church of EnglaÌd is an opeÌ coÌmixture confusioÌ of ciuil ecclesiastical offices causes a new diuised ordinaÌce with new officers new proceedings and a strange course not heard or read of in the whole word of God Yea by this Commission they pervert and turne away the whole practise of al the ordinances of Christ in his Church Neither will that great commission which Artaxerxes gaue vnto Heâ⦠the Priest any vvhit more either couller or warrant this monstrous high Commission of theirs granted vnto their chiefe Priest arch-Bishop which Commission if yt should haue reached ouer far yet had yt rather beene to be imputed vnto y e ignoraÌce of the heatheÌ King that knew not the lawes of God then to haue beene alledged or vrged as an exaÌple for vs to follow in the sáme euil especially now vrder Christs most perfect absolute Testament ministery in his church But what was this commissioÌ of Artaxerxes that D. SOME so enforceth Artaxerxes granted vnto Hezra leaue by coÌmission to carry vp with him vnto Ierusalem al such of Israel and Iuda as were willing to goe together with al such vessels instrumeÌts gold siluer or free gifts as should be giueÌ vnto the seruice of God by theÌ in Babiloâ⦠as also that being come to Iernshalem he should set Iudges arbiters that might both diligeÌtly teach and see the lawes of God duly executed What is in this Commission found contrarie to the law of God or what did Hezra by this commission contrarie to the law of God Yt wil heere be said that Hezra being a Priest had ciuil and ecclesiastical power committed vnto him by vertue of this commission exercised both ciuil and ecclesiastical iurisdiction c. we see manifestly in the 23 25 verses that the kings commission had relation wholy to the law of God that Hezra being a man prompt therin should see al things done in the TeÌple at Hierusalem in the kingdome of Iuda and Israel according to the law of God yet heere is no commission giuen him to execute both ciuil and ââ¦cclesiastical offices in his owne person neither reade we or may vve without sin imagine that euer he did so for that had beene an heinous breach of all Gods lawes an vnsufferable confusion of al Gods ordinances who as he hath in his word alwaies put difference distinction betwixt the ciuil ecclesiastical estates so hath he vnto ech seueral office apointed seueral ministers to atteÌd MoÌstrous therfore most vngodly is that commission where both these estates offices are mingled coÌfounded in one AntichristiaÌ beastlike is that person that sitteth as chiefe of this CoÌmission exerciseth both ciuile ecclesiastical iurisdiction by the coÌmandement of any mortal creature yt being so directly repugnant to the lawes of God and the TestameÌt of Christ so pernitious to the Church of Christ vtterly peruerting diuerting al the ordinances therof subuerting the whole libertie powers censures duties of the whole Church and of euerie meÌber minister therof Euil theÌ may this mixt coÌfuse ecclesiastical high CoÌmission be coÌpared vnto or approued by this godly coÌmissioÌ of Artaxerxes or this popish supremacie inordinate power ciuil iurisdictioÌ of this high Arch-Priest or Bishop by y â person of Hezra who most painfully sincerely taught y e law of God most precisely practised y e same within the bouÌdes of his calling most modestly faithfully behaued himself in al things as the scripture beareth recorde The 26 verse where the disobedieÌt the offendors are commaÌded to haue due iudgment executioÌ according vnto the law of God qualitie of their offence caÌ by no common reason much lesse by any Christian iudgmeÌt be said to be coÌmanded to be executed by Ezra his person The Priestes office as we haue said was to teach the law to exhorte al persoÌs to the obedieÌce of the same but their office was not to erercise ciuile iurisdictioÌ or to execute ciuil iudgmeÌtes these were to be performed by ciuil magistrates Neither may these iudgmeÌts of death eradication mulct of goods of bandes by