and consequently to take away both our place and nation Our place that is where our God is somwhat worshipped in sacrifices c. This is somwhat and better this then none at all if wee goe any further to suffer a deale of preaching of a new law and Kingdom that is further from the heathen religion and soe wee may anger them more and loose all seeing in policie to please them wee should rather come neerer them at least in things indifferent Therefore also when Paul preached at Thessalonica Act. 17.5 The Iewes which beleeued not moued with enuie gathered a Company and set all the citie on an vprore and drew out Iason and certaine brethren vnto the rulers of the citie crying Theese that haue turned the World vpside downe are come hither also and theese all doe contrary to the decrees of Cesar saying that there is another King one Iesus Whence wee may see that though they knew that Iesus had longe before left this life yet they wilfully infer that his followers contest to haue him to be another Kinge besides or against Caesar Iewes say that preaching disturbeth Caesars Kingdom and that this Kingdom in the preaching of the Word turned the World vpside downe and soe disturbed dishonoured and endangered Caesars Kingdom And this the high Preist and Elders say of saint Paul We haue found this man a pestilent fellow Act. 24.5 And moâ—eth sedition and a mouer of sedition amonge all the Iewes throughout the World and a ringleader c. That is by preaching Iesus Christ and obedience due to him as if they saide this doctrine maketh them stuborne and seditious against Câ—sar and his ministers This or the like hath beene and euer was the wilfull assertion of all enemies of the truth whether Infidels or Papists and other hereticks and prophane scoffers of preaching and hearing but against this out Sauiour saith my Kingdom is not of this World and consequently hurteth not the tranquilitie of temporall Kingdoms but rather makes them floorish and excell in Iustice and honour as the experience of all ages hath openly shewen in the sight of all traducers of the Word preached And first that the same doth not make nations of a contrarie religion the more ready to inuade them Preaching of the Gospel doth not cause inuaâ—ions or if it doe the more the true preaching of Gods Word is maintained by a Prince in any Kingdom the more doth God defend that Kinge and Kingdom from inuasion and ruin and to the honour thereof turne the destruction vpon his and theire inuaders and enemies Dauid was a greate louer and maintainer of the teaching of Gods Word also of prayer reading holy conference for theese haue theire due and how exceedingly did his Kingdom florish and he prosper and preuaile against the enemies thereof 2. Chro. 1â—2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord He tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and brake downe the Images And coÌ„manded Iudah to seeke the Lord to doe the law the commandemeÌ„t And the KingdoÌ„ was quiet before him Marke here quiet free froÌ„ sedition And wheÌ„ Zerah the Ethiopian came out against him with a thousand thousand and three hundred charets Asa cried vnto the Lord and he smote the Ethiopians before Asa and Iudah So that the Prophet saide to them Chap. 15.2 Chap. 16.2.7 The Lord is with you while you be with him But if ye forsake him he will forsake you as this Asa found when after leauing to trust in God he sought to the Kinge of Syria and relied on him Chap. 17.3.4.6.7.8 The Lord was with Iehoshaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father Dauid sought not to Balaam but to the Lord and Walked in his comandements and tooke away the high places and sent diuers preists and others who tooke the booke of the law of the Lord with them Vers 5.10 and went aboute throughout all the cities of Iudah and taught the people Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdom in his band and all Iudah brought to Iehoshaphat presents he had riches and honour in abundance And the feare of the Lord fell vpon all the Kingdoms of the lands that were round about Iudah so that they made no war against Iehoshaphat but some of the Philistines and Arabians brought him presents and he waxed exceeding greate behold here ye traducers the fruite of due preaching and teaching Hezekiah also did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord Chap. 31.20 21. Chap. 32. Chap. 34. wrought greate reformation amonge the Preists and people to seeke God wherefore he prospered and God deliuered him and his from the greate Host of Senacherib Iosiah also purged Iudah and Ierusalem from the high places renued the couenant betweene God and the people and caused the booke of the Law to be read and obserued Wherefore it was saide to him thou shalt be gathered to thy graue in peace and that euill should not come vpon the citie in his dayes The Emperour Constantine notwithstanding that in a manner all his Predecessors were Pagans most of them persecutors Maxentius and Licinius sharers with him in the Empire heathen Tirants persecutors and his enemies and though besides an infinitie companie of heathen people almost the whole Senate of Rome were of the heathen faction and so continued after him yet did he embrace the Christian Religion fight for it seeke to propogate it called a generall Councell to repres the Arrian heresie afther the councell caused the bookes of the Arrians to be burned and greatly loued and furthered the preaching of the Gospell and all the truest Professors thereof and how exceedingly did God defend him from his mightiest enemies and bringe them into his subiection In so much that some haue thought that that which is spoken in the Reuelation of a man child Reu. 12. which the Church should bringe foorth that should rule all Nations with a rod of yron was fulfilled in him But to come neerer our owne times Popish errour and superstition had greatly corrupted the Christian Religion and doctrine in many parts thereof wheÌ„ God raised vp in France Waldo a meane maÌ„ who yet studdying the Scriptures discouered many of theire errours and abuses and had many followers who were mightely miracalously preserued for a longe time and though in the ende they were vanquished by the Beast that for a time should warre with the Saints ouercome them Reu. 13.7 yet because the Scriptures shew that the Beasts Kingdom must also goe to wrack God at last raised vp against it Luther a Meane Monke a priuate Doctor who notwithstanding that he his Protectour the Duke of Saxonie were exceedingly opposed and persecuted by the Pope the Emperour and other mightie aduersaries yet were they deliuered and wonderfully prospered and preuailed The like might be shewed of diuers other Princes of
be delivered to the Iewes but now is my Kingdom not from hence Pilate therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered Thou sayeest that I am a King To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice THAT which S. Paul saith of all holy Scripture 2. Tim. 3.15 can not but be verified in this that it is giueÌ„ by inspiratioÌ„ of God and is proffitable for doctrine for reproefe for correction for instruction in righteousnes That the man of God may be perfect because in saying that Iesus Christ witnessed a GOOD confession before Pontius Pilate 1. Tim. 5.6.13 he must needes haue respect to this here prefixed for there is noe other mencioned by all the other Euangelist saue this that when Pilate asked him Art thou the Kinge of the Iewes he answered him Thou saist it Which is comprehended in this confession recorded by S. Iohn for theese words of our Sauiour Christ spokeÌ„ in the morning of his PassioÌ„ vnto Pilate sitting in the iugemeÌ„t hall are an answer to that questioÌ„ asked by Pilate in the forgoeing vers Ioh. 18.13 Art thou the King of the Iewes to which questioÌ„ Christ answers first by a question neither plainely affirming himselfe to be the King of the Iewes least beeing misâ—enderstood of the worldly Kingdom he should offer them some shew of cause of putting him to death because that Kingdom was accounted CÄ™sars nor yet denying the truth but rather confessing and implying himselfe to be a King saying Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe or did others tell it thee of me vers 34. As if he saide Doest thou thy selfe imagin it doest thou thinke it or haue others told it to thee that I am a King or haue made my selfe one that thou askest me this question either as thinking me to be King of the Iewes or seeking to haue wherewithall to condemne me doest thou aske this question of thy selfe to get matter out of my owne mouth against me as the high Preist did Vers 35. or did others tell it thee of mee At which manner of speaking Pilate somwhat offended answered Am I a Iew that is either in opinion and religion as some are who thinke thee to be the King of the Iewes Math. 27.17 and their expected King or Messiah as he saith who is called Christ and whom yee call King of the Iewes or in mallice as others are who beeing of a contrarie faith hate thee and seek thy life because thou art thought to be that King and better then themselues they therfore make it matter of accusation I though a Gentile and Cesars Deputie haue not sought out this thinge nor thee to finde matter against thee Ioh. 18.35 but thine owne natioÌ„ the cheifs Preists haue deliuered thee vnto me As if he saide The enuie is not mine but theires for he know that for enuie they had deliuered him Mat. 27.18 Yet to satiffie them in examining him he addeth What hast thou donne as if he saide to make thy selfe King of the Iewes and thereby an offendour against Cesar To which Iesus then answered more directly and plainely saying My Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were c. The causes of this Confession THE causes that both moued Pilate to examin him vpon this point and Christ to make this answer were the invectiue exclamations and accusatioÌ„s of his obstinate enemies the Iewes who saide Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying that he himselfe is Christ a King They here accuse him of three things 1. They say they found him peruerting the nation 2. Forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar 3. Saying that himselfe is Christ a King Or if you will they accuse him of perverting the nation which they would seeme to proue by theese two that he forbiddeth to giue tribute to Cesar and that he saith that himselfe is Christ a King That of the tribute was a most false accusation and only a charging of him with that which they would haue had him to say not with that which he did say for when they fauninglie applauded his integritie and the truth of his doctrine then they saide Tell vs therfore what thinkest thou Mat. 22 16. Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar or not But he perceiuing theire wickednes saide Why tempt ye me ye hypocrits Ye that pretend that ye thinke me true and that I teach the way of God in truth that in respect of it I care not for any man nor regard the person of man so as for mans sake to bauke or wrest the truth of God A thing indeed as odious wicked and detestable as theire dissembling who doe not now speake lies in hypocrisie but truth in hypocrisie for what they saide of Christ was noe lie he was true taught the way fo God in truth and in respect thereof cared not for any man but was indeed Doctor resolutus and therein a perfect patterne for all his Elect to imitate as besides oâ—her times appeared now in his confession first before the high Preist and after before Pilate where he would speake the tâ—uth though he knew it would cost him his life and yet as they speake these words they are lies yea they are also lies spoken in hypocrisie because they doe not speake the truth that is in theire heart they doe not thinke as they speake but speake against their seared consciences which will needes be perswaded notwithstanding all good proefes of life myracles and doctrine that he is a deceiuer or if some of them were thereby conuicted in their consciences that he was true c. yet they enuie and hate him for these things there is noe loue noe desire to learne or be informed but rather to catch and ensnare and soe noe truth but trocherie in theese their speeches and euen in that respect they are Hipocrits and Liars conuicted for examples to vs and that by Christ himselfe who at the generall day will thus iudge of all that speake well to an ill ende He asketh to see the tribute money they shew him he asketh whose Image and superscription it is They say vnto him Cesars Mâ—t. 22. Then saith he vnto them giue vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars * Caesari nummos Deo vosipsos Aug. in Ioan Tract 40. and vnto God the things that are Gods This is not to forbid tribute to Cesar they could proue noe such thinge out of theese words Pilate hâ—mselfe that heard all they could suggest cleares him hereof while after examination he saith I finde noe fault in this man They therefore knowing they could not pâ—oue it directly goe about in thâ—s theire accusation to proue it indirectly and by consequence saying Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying
Germanie who in mans sight were but weake in respect of theire aduersaries and yet maintaining the preaching of the Gospel and the expulsion of Poperie were maruelously defended and prospered King Edward the Sixth expelled Poperie out of his Kingdom maintained furthered the preaching of the Gospel and though he were but a child how yet did God blesse and defend him from his mightiest enemies Queene Marie leauing the Kingdom Popish Queene Elizabeth againe excluded Poperie See the thankfull Remembrance commanded the preaching of the Gospel punishment of Popish Preists for theire seditious intrusion and yet though she were but a Woman and found the Kingdom in weake estate and had at her entrance greate aduersaries as the Pope Spanie France yea Scotland also besides discontented Popelings and Rebels in her owne Kingdoms of England and Ireland yet she cleauing to Gods cause and maintaining it with all her heart was not only miracalously defended from al forraigne enemies and homebred Conspirators but also acheiued many glorious Victories and grew a terrour to her mightiest aduersaries so truly doth God seeke theire Kingdom that sincerely seeke his as Dauid did And here let noe man obiect the late losses that protestant Princes Kingdoms prouinces haue sustained An obiection of late losses with the Reason of them For if the Word of God had in theese later times beene countenaneed preached and furthered with that sinceritie and zeale of aduancing Christs Kingdom and receiued with that affection ioy reuerence and obedience and that the Princes of the reformed Churches had all stucke to Gods cause and to one another as zealously now as in those former times theese damages could not haue befallen them It is saide of Hezechia that in euery worke 2. Chro. 31.21 that he began in the seruice of the howse of God and in the law and in the commandements to seeke his God he did it with all his heart and prospered If then Princes in doeing the things they did haue not donne them with all theire heart but coldy slowly sparingly not timely nor without greate importunitie and that to stop mens mouthes If in policie or for wordly ends they haue conniued at poperie suffered supplies and materials of warre to goe to theire aduersaries in religion thought they might soe far permit helpe to both sides 2 Chro. 26.2.7 or with Asa haue sought and made lauges with the aduersaries of religion and relied on them noe maiuaile if theire defensiue wars at home and theire vndertakings abroade haue not succeeded well which otherwise must needes haue prospered For if Princes that are men be somtime true and firme to those theire confederates of the same religion that mutually seeke the good of each others Kingdom how much more must God needes be alwaies sure to those that sincerely seeke his Kingdom seeing he is Iustice it selfe and Truth it selfe yea almightie therefore of power to doe more for such as cleaue to his cause then Kings can for those that adhere to them Vorâ— 9. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Eareh toshew himselfe stronge in the behalfe of them whose heart is perfit towards him Thus then the due preaching of the Word doth not make the enemies thereof inuade the Nation that hath the same in esteeme or if it doe God turnes the shame losse vpon the Inuadors thereof to the greater honour of such as stick to his cause sincerely and with true zeale as in England in the yeare 1588. Indeede true it is Maintenance or sufferance of Heresies causeth seditions and inuasions that wheÌ„ Rulers hinder God in his ordinances by suffering the preaching and maintenance of errours as that is plainly repugnant to Christs Kingdom to the raigne of the Word reuealed so hath it much infested and disturbed the peace of all such Kingdoms as haue permitted it I might instance in the Iewes Ioh. 11.48 who beeing in polecie hinderers of the Word and suffering and maintaining the opposers of Christs doctrine came the sooner to destruction Howsoeuer this did the Arrian Heresie in the times of the Emperours Constantius Constans and Valens A short time sufficeth not to recount the troubles seditions wars losses and bloodshed that followed therevpon mentioned by Vincentius Lerinensis * Nee enim tantuÌ„ affinitates cognationes amicitiae domus verum etiam vrbes populi prouinciae nationes vniuersum postremò Romanum ImperiuÌ„ funditus concussum emotum est Vin. cont Haer. cap. 6.1 King 4.24 c. Chap. 11.4.9.14 Chap. 12.15 as an example of Gods iudgments following the Suffererers and Supporters of errour And that not only intestine amonge themselues but indeed the Emperours and Rulers permitting such errours and the ambitious rising of the Popish Primacie together with the intrusion of his authority and heathenish superstition who now began to make the Word of God of none effect with his pretended power traditions God in iustice suffered and sent the Gothes Vandals and other heathen Nations to inuade and spoile the Empire and Churches of Christendom according to that which he did to the howse of Salomon who while he walked in the wayes of Dauid his father had peace prospered and grew rich and mightie but when his Wiues turned away his heart after other Gods the Lord was angrie with him and stirred vp Aduersaries vnto SalomoÌ„ Hadad the Edomite Rezon who did him his KingdoÌ„ much harme also Ieroboam the Sonne of Nebat and finally rent tenne Tribes from Rehoboam his Sonne who hearkened not vnto the people for the cause was from the Lord who vsed this his austere answere as a meanes to punish his and his fathers idollatrie Euen as also in the time of the Iudges Iud. 3.7.8 when the children of Israell did euill in the sight of the Lord forgate the Lord theire God and serued Baalim and other Idols it is saide Vers 12. Chap. 4.2 Therefore the Lord sold them into the hands of theire enemies The Lord strengthened Eglon the King of Moab against Israel The Lord sold them into the hand of Iabin Chap. 6.1 The Lord deliuered them into the hand of Midian Againe Chap. 10.7 Againe He sold them into the hands of the Philistines c. Errours are in effect idols Heb. 13.8 And let noe man say here that the maintenance or sufferance of Heresie is a lesse sinne in Princes then the maintenance or sufferance of Idols For Christ is the eternall and vnchangeable Word of God Iesus Christ yesterday and to day the same also for euer Whosoeuer therefore setteth vp any new or contrarie word against the Word of his grace he setteth vp an idoll to be of men beleeued and reuerenced The errours of Hereticks are strange Gods as a Qui sunt Dâ—j alteni nisierrores extranei quos ignorabas id est noui inauditi Vine Lerien aduer haeres cap. 15 Photinus creditaÌ„ sibi plebem Dei persuadere
glorie wee may as it were here him againe againe complaining and resounding theese words against those Potentates and States that are cold in defending and maintaining his cause My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered in Garmanie Bohemia Silesia the Palatinate Denmarke Rochel and other parts to the Emperour the Duke of Bauaria the French King the King of Spaine and other Champions of the Romish religion who subiect all they can to the Romish Beast and his religion If my Kingdom were of this world that men might get Earldoms Dukedoms and other places of proffit or honour by fighting for me as the Duke of Bauaria Spinola Tillie and some others haue gotten by fighting on the contrarie part then would my Seruants truly fight for me that I should not be deliuered in my Gospel my Kingdom my Body my Church and members to the Pope and theese Popish Princes that fight feircely to subiect people to him as if I were euer to suffer and as if Princes had beene perswaded that they doe God seruice who doe not fight so earnestly and seriously for me but suffer me to be deliuered to mine aduersaries Antichrist and his Adherents If there haue beene any such perswaders in Princes Courts who to get money or preferment of some Popishly affected haue hindred timely supplies by casting in flattering scruples exclaiming against theese defensiue and aiding wars extolling peace or the like while the aduersaries haue proceded and preuailed they haue cause to feare that the iust Iudge of all the world will finde this litle better then plaine treacherie that howseuer it may also be saide to them by Christ my Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would theese be my Seruants and fight for me at least by theire perswasions councels and purses that I should not be deliuered to Antichrist or his champions For wee may be sure Act. 9.4 that he that saide Saul Saul why persecutest thou me is sensible of all the miseries that his Church and euery member thereof haue of late suffered by trecherie officious flatterie want of supplies or the like and that he is yesterday and to day and the same also for euer in whose Word this is written Curse ye Meroz Iud. 5.23 saide the Angel of the Lord curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof because they came not to the helpe of the Lord to the helpe of the Lord against the mightie Secondly that Princes ought themselues to maintaime the truth of the Gospel and to suffer any of theire subiects to maintaine it against all Heriticks and seducers this is plaine by many places of Scripture by this that they are enioined to be nursing Fathers and nursing mothers Isa 49.23 Chap. 60.16 by this that Dauid Ieboshaphat Hezechia and Iosias did maintaine the truth of Gods Word putting downe false prophets and Idollators and commaunding others to instruct people in the true knowledge of Gods Word that those that put downe idollatrie and false Prophets are commended those that suffered them or but the high places are condemned by this that the Angels of the seauen Churches are blamed Reu. 2.14 one for suffering there some that taught the doctrine of Balaam â—ors 20. others to hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans another for suffering the woman Iezabel to seduce For if theese things were found faults in the Angels which were Pastors or Bishops how much more may Christ lay them or the like faults to Princes and States who are armed with more power to represse punish and helpe such things and who beeing â—ursing Fathers should striue to saue the Church and members thereof from Antichrist and all Herticks and seducers as parents and nurses doe theire children from beasts and wicked people that would bite deuoure and misleade them Neither ought they to hinder any of his Seruants from fighting for him with the sword of the spirit Ephes 6.17 which Sainct Paul commaunded the Ephesians to take saying also to the Philipians Philip. 1.7 In the defence and confirmation of the Gospell ye all are pertakers of my grace Therefore he willeth them to stand fast in one spirit with one minde striueing together for the faith of the Gospell Vers 27. And in nothing terrified by theire aduersaries Not to multiplie many proefes in a point so cleare Saint Iude in his generall Epistle saith vnto all It was needefull for me to write vnto you Iude 3. and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith that was once deliuered to the Saints that is against all new and contrarie doctrines Yet neither by theese nor by any other places doe I vnderstand with any Seperatists or other Sectaries that lay men may preach but that they or rather such only of them as God hath enabled may contest and write in defense of the faith against all aduersaries Those foolish weake things of the world 1. Cor. 1.27.28 Ioh. 3.8 haue of God a calling as they are Christians to confound the wise and mightie for the Corinthians had it The winde bloweth where it listeth so doth the Spirit * 1. Cor. 12.11 1. Pet. 4.10 diuiding to euery man seuerally as he will And thus Saint Peter saith in his generall Epistle to all As euery man hath receiued the gift euen soe minister the same to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God If any man speake let him speake as the oracles of God At our Baptisme wee all when wee are receiued into the congregation of Christs flocke are obliged not to be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and manfully to fight vnder his banner against sinne the world and the Deuil to continue Christs faithfull Souldiers and Seruants to our liues ende And if lay men espetially those to whome God hath giuen gifts fitting be thus obliged how much more are all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church they are Souldiers so bound to it that they should not intangle themselues with the affaires of this life as the Apostle saith to Timothie 2. Tim. 2.3.4 Noe man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life They are blamed if they suffer any errour in doctrine as ye may see in the Epistles to the seauen Churches of Asia where perticular Pastors or Bishops are taxed of negligence herein Act. 20.17.28.29.30 and in the charge Paul giues to the Elders to take heede to the flocke ouer which the holy Ghost had made them ouerseers or Bishops to feede the flocke and to keepe them from Wolues and speakers of pernerse things Also to Timothie and Titus 1. Tim. 1.18 chap 2.3.25 Tit. 1.9 2. Cor. 10. that they should warre a good warfare as good Souldiers of Iesus Christ instructing those that oppose themselues and conuincing the gainsayers such as Himeneus Philetus and others
forbidden espetially when Pelagian Popish errours are set vp against them and driuen in like the sharpe point of a wedge to make the thicker ende that is the whole thicknes and breadth of Poperie to follow If a Towne or Castle be beleaguered a breach made doe not men run to it and maintaine that place of all others shall any man be blamed for so doeing and if any whether Gouernour Captaine or Citizen shall forbid them and vnder some pretext commaund them to laie downe armes and quit the place is he not counted trecherours to the Towne and King thereof So is it in Gods Church and Kingdom beseiged by Hereticks who shoote at the faith and make greate breaches Tit. 1.11 2. Tim. 2.17 subuerting whole howses for theire word doth eate as a gangrene But for the maintenance of the Truth and the keeping of Gods fauour to the people that hold it fast the Lord saith Hoâ— 6.6.7 I desired the knowledge of God which of old some hindring Luk. 19.41 There saith he haue they dealt trecherously with me Christ shewes that to manifest the mysteries he taught is to make men know the things that belonge to theire peace that when they are hid from theire eyes sedition and ruin follow taking away the key of knowledge causeth trouble and that the Iesuits know to well Besides the Apealer drawes the sword of errour sets vp vnsound tenets of free will praedestination falling away and the like imprudently * See Bishop Carlton Exam. of the Appeal pag. 62.137.149.225.231.233 peruerts the Articles for his tenets and then he and his faction get it held fit that theese things should not be disputed and written against as curious desperate c. that so he and they may preuaile carry his and such like doctrines away vndiscouered vnuanquished by the Word Whereby intime as Bishop Carlton obserued Idem pag. 126. in place of Communio Sanctorum may creepe in Apostasia and all our religion might in like sort be lost and sunke into Poperie The late Duke theire honoured Lord while he liued to such ends as it seemes fauoured theise theire opinions and deuotions though perhaps he did not well vnderstand them and willingly suffered none to be preferred but such as would maintaine them or conuiue at them Which could not but be pleasing to the Countesse his Mother and her Preists and hence it came that he beeing greate in this World and able to aduance men to honour offices and wealth wanted not Schollars and Courtiers to fight by disputes reasons for theese errours Who can thinke but that he would strengthen himselfe in Court and Vniuersities with such men and theese beeing by his meanes engaged in the cause while he liued to saue theire owne stakes and reputations vphold it what they can now he is dead though it be against the honour of God against Christ the Word and his Kingdom yea and against the truest honour of theire Royal Maister whose honour they pretend to seeke and whome they would seeme to loue and against the peace and strength of his Kingdoms by them thus dangerously diuided and weakened in themselues Here yet let vs not to much wonder that so many wise and learned men of our time should be so far ouercome by theese preferments and hopes as to consent to theese doctrines or conniue at them For hopes of preferment and gifts blinde the eyes of the wise Men are apt * Ioh. 10. Phil. 2.21 Sunt quidam Ecclefia propofiti de quibus Paulus Apostolus dicit sua quaerentes noÌ„ quae Iesu Christi quid est â—ua quaerentes non ChristuÌ„ gratis diligentes non Deum propter Deum quaerentes temporalia commoda sectantes â—ucrâ—s inhiantes honores ab hominibus appetentes quisquis est talis inercenarius est August in Ioan. Tra. 45. like Hirelings to seeke theire owne not the things which are Christs who saith Ioh. 5.44 How can ye beleeue which receiue honour one of another and seeke not the honour that commeth from God only they seeke theire owne not the Kingdom that is not of this world But if it were of this World then they would seeke it Our Sauiours owne Disciples left him for a short time and made him say If my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes who accuse him and his doctrine of peruerting the Nation His Seruants did not then fight for him by arguments or otherwise to cleare him in this therefore he concludes But now my Kingdom is not from hence As if he saide that all my Seruants leaue me and neither fight for me by sword or word it is manifest that is not of this World nor praeiudiciall to Caesars this argues it is not from hence that they looke not for any thinge by it here in this World He had told them that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion and authoritie ouer them But it shall not be so amonge you but that they should be deliuered vp Mat. 20.25 Mat. 25.9 killed hated and betraied for his names sake Therefore now they leaue him and fight not for him any way to rescue him Which proued that his Kingdom was not from hence who hereby inferreth that in the Kingdoms of this World Seruants and Subiects will fight in hope of the riches and honours they afford to theire defenders And here let not Papists brag to much of theire late acheiuments by sword or practises whereby they daily subiect many to the Pope For if our religion haue beene weakely theires thorowly maintained it argues that ours is of Christs Kingdom not from hence theires of this World and of Antichrist and that therefore Princes and Preists fight for them and not for Christ because they haue riches honours and such worldly rewards to giue them for theire Seruices as one proueth at * Relation of the Religion vsed in the West large Neither is it any such strange thinge that the Iesuits and other of theire Clergie and Church who effect theese things should goe in the way of Kain perish in the gainsaying of Core and be cast away by the deceitfulnes of Balaams wages Here therefore not to speake of the many greate Countries Prouinces Kingdoms titles dignities and other rewards that the Church of Rome hath conferred on such Princes Captains and Souldiers as haue defended them and theire cause with the Sword such as were Pepin Charles his Sonne and diuers other her Champions wherein yet she hath still cut large thonges out of other mens hides I will passe by that part of theire auarice pride and arrogancie who not content to get to themselues and theire Monasteries Orders by fables and flatterie the greatest part of the riches and Lands in the Kingdoms of this World haue taken on them to take the verrie Kingdoms themselues with theire titles and proffits from the right owners and giue them to
in such danger seeing that if Princes be Hereticall and persecute the godly theire Ministers must follow them and afflict and punish them or loose theire places for when those that cleaue to Gods Word and contend for it are examined they must confesse the truth though it cost them theire liues as our Sauiour here did for when Pilate saide Art thou then a Kinge Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge af if he saide and I can not I must not dâ—nie it For To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth That is indeede to confirme the Truth and euery clause of it whereof this of his Kingdom and office is one with his blood to witnes and seale the truth of it with his blood for though he knew that to confesse this would cost him his life yet he considers that to this ende he was borne and for this cause he came in the world that he should beare witnesse to it with his blood 1. Tim. 6.13 and therefore Saint Paul saith that he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Sealed as ye see with his blood Tolet. in Ioan. VXIII Vt veritatem Dei oftenderet regnum Dei manifestarer ac tyrannidem Diaboli dolos ejus detegeret to make his witnesse the more effectuall Seeing indeede he came into the world as Tolet saith that he might shew the truth of God and manifest the Kingdom of God and discouer the tiranie of the deuil and his deceits whereby he deceiueth men whether by his owne suggestions or by his Ministers the teachers and maintainers of idollatrie errours For to this purpose the Sonne viz. the Word the Truth of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the deuill He came to confound all theese in this that he came to beare witnesse vnto Gods Kingdom vnto Gods Truth whereby all theese are confounded and those also that liue as if they were borne to noe other ende and for noe other cause came into the world then to flatter daube and temporise with sinnes and errours or which is as bad frowardly to contest against the truth with sophisticated arguments praeuaricating shifts for that they might all be sure of it and repenting receiue and confesse the Truth in all things he heere inforceth the certaintie of it with a kinde of ingemination or reinforcing of his asseueration to the Soules of men as if they could neuer enough marke remember this point saying to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth O thou eternall and almightie Sonne of God Heb. 1.2 by whome he made the worlds thou heyre of all things the brightnes of thy Fathers glorie and the expresse Image of his person thou that thoughtest it noe roberie to be held equall with God surely it was for some greate ende that thou wast borne of a Woman for some greate cause that thou camest in the World Lord let vs know it let vs heare it ô thou Kinge of Saints that wee neither despise nor slight and neglect it thou tellest vs with a witnesse and a deere witnesse it was to thee for thou sealest it with thy most pretious blood shed in the greatest paines the greatest sufferings that euer any felt in this world to see if yet wee will receiue the truth and the loue thereof 2. Thess 2.10.11 that wee may be saued and not be giuen ouer to beleeue a lye for this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Some man will say If it were to this ende that he came and thus sealed the truth what Christian is there that will not receiue the loue of the Truth that will not in all matters of faith and saluation heare his voice obey it and so receiue his testimonie I answer thou hearest him affirme it and reinforce it what then needes further witnes Luk. 19.10 for if thou say The Sonne of man came to seeke to saue that which was lost That is by shewing them Gods Truth and bearing witnesse to it and so loosing the prisnors bound and lost in the prison of sinne errour * Sedebas o homo in tenebrosis vmbra mortis per ignorantiam veritatis sedebas vinctus catenis delictorum Bernar. de ordine vitae Nos de Adam caeci nati sumus illo illuminate opus habemus Aug. in Ioan. trac 34. Act. 26.18 Mar. 10.46 Gal. 4.4 and ignorance Ioh. 12.48 He came a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not abide in darkenesse but should haue the light of life to make them children of the light God sent him for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. but that was to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance amonge them which are sanctified through faith that is in him Not otherwise The Sonne of man came to minister and giue his life a ransom for many but that was to minister the Word and to witnesse that his death was a ransom for many to seale that truth in his blood God sent his Sonne made of a Woman to redeeme them that were vnder the Law and thereby Seruants obnoxious to sinne death that they might receiue the adoption of sonnes but that is by receiuing the Word the Truth who to as many as receiue him Ioh. 1.12 giueth power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleene on his Name viz. on the Word by letting them * Chap. 8.32.34.36 Character of a Christian pag. 325. c. know the Truth that the truth might make them free and free indeede from sinne Satan errours snaring scruples c. There is noe true freedom but what the Truth giueth and it must needes be true if the Truth giue it As he there saith If the Sonne therefore shall make you free Ye shall be free indeede Thereby shewing himselfe to be the Truth as Augustine proueth on Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy Truth thy Word is Truth August in 10. trac 108. To this Truth he bare witnesse and this Truth freeth beeing beleeued knowne and receiued with loue So was it with the Corinthians who beeing inriched in all knowledge Paul saith the testimonie of Christ was confirmed in them 1. Cor. 1.6 which that wee might so receiue and obey in all that it teacheth and euery part of it he bare witnesse to it with his blood Which therefore indeede is called the blood of the Testament sealed confirmed and dedicated in blood Heb. 9.18.19 Wherevpon neither was the first Testament dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken euery precept he tooke the blood of Calues and sprinckled both the booke and the
thy Name Ioh. 12.28 Then came here a voice from heauen saying I haâ—e glorifie bit and will glorifie it again He had glorified the word which is also the Fathers Name because it is his word when so greate myracles were denne by it and so many conueâ—ted thereby and so it was glorified againe after his death by the miâ—istrie of his Apostles and others to the healing of many and the conuersion of millions of people Lastly at his transfiguration on the mount Mat. 17.5 beholdâ— a voice out of the cloude which saide This is my beloued Sonne in whome I â—m well pleased heare ye him As if he saide for he is the promised woâ—d To his Apostles which heard him were witnesses of his resurrection he gaue commissioÌ„ to preach to all nations and so his myracles Heb. 2.3.4 life doctrine and resurrection were confirmed to â—s by them that heard him who also sealed the Truth of all with theire bloods God also bearing them witnes both with signes and wonders and with diuers myracles and gifts of the holy Ghost As the heaâ—ing of a man lame from his mothers wombe and many others manifested to his and theiâ—e aduersaries All which proued that Iesus was as he taught the word and that word the Sonne the Messiah which was to come and that he did not blaspheme when he câ—â—fest as much to the high Priest Mat. 26.69 For this yet doe they pâ—esently spit in his fâ—ce buffet hâ—m smite reuile him and leade him a â—ay to Pilate to be for this only thinge put to death this beeing all they could proue or he finde and that not that he made himselfe a temporall Kinge but spiritual for when he vâ—ged him with theese words Art thou the King of the Iewes what hast thou donne Iesus answered my Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world c. and when Pilate gathering by theese words that he confest himselfe to be a King therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered thou sâ—iest that I am a Kinge As if he saide and I must not denie it for to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice This then beeing his plaine answer concerning his Kingdom and the true subjects thereof wee may consider in this confession theese things 1. A KingdoÌ„ acknowledged in theese words my Kingdom which are thrice repeated in the former of theese verses 2. That this Kingdom is not of this world as he saith my Kingdâ—â— is not of this world â— A proofe or reason thereof in theese words for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my subiects fight that I should not be deliâ—ered to the Iewes 4 A conclusion following from the premises in theese words but now is my Kingdom not from hence In the first there is the Kingdom of the Messiah and that claimed by out Sauiour who here calleth it his as he saith my Kingdom First then wee will endeauour to finde out of the old Testament what the Kingdom of the Messiah was to be whether spirituall or temporall and where the seate thereof should be And secondly whether this Kingdom properly belonge to Iesus the Sonne of Marie who claimes it while he confesseth himselfe to be the Christ and saith my Kingdom Where first ye know it is already manifested The Kingdom of the Messiah that the Mâ—ssiah was to be the Word and that therefore his Kingdom and gouernment must needes be spirituall ruling mens soules for God his Fatheâ— as was proued from tho second Psalme where indeed the Father also calleth him his Kinge that is one ruling for him saying I haue set my Kinge vpon my holy hill of Sion psa 2. Isa 40.10 where also while he saith my holy hill of Sion he sheweth it to be his Kingdom So of the Father it is saide His Arme that is his word shall rale for him It is his Kingdom for the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Gouerno or of his people Therefore it is added vers 11. He shall feede hâ—s flocke like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambes with his Arme to shew that Christ succeedes Dauid as a Shepheard of the people feeding theÌ„ with the spirituall foode of the word Fzech 34.23 chap. 37.21.24 and so ruleth in his throne spiritually He shoul be theire Shepheard â—zek 34.23 and Chap. 2â— 22.24 So Dauid saith The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is rule thou for me vntil I make hâ—â—â— enemies thy footestoole psa 110.1 Thereby intimating that all enemâ—es of the word shall be either subiected to the word or confounded thereby Therefore it is added vers 2. The Lord shall seâ—de the Râ—d of thy strength viz. the Word out of Zionâ— to this word therefore he there speaketh saying Rule thou in the middest of thine eâ—emâ—es Isa 2. Mic. 4. aâ—cording to that of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah Thâ— Lâ—â—â— shall gâ—efoorâ—h of Sion anâ— the word of the Lord out of Hierâ—sâ—em Aâ—d he shall iudge â—monge the Nations He the word shall as the Father saith Miâ—e Arme thaâ— is my Word shal iudge the people From which places wee may see that this Kingdom was to begin to be preached in Sion and Ierusalem vnto it was the Kingdom and dominion first to comâ— Mica 4.8 and thence to goe Foorth into all the World haâ—eâ—ng noe other certaine seate then there wheresoeuer the Word should enlighten and rule the Soules of men Isa 42.6 therefore the Lord saith to him I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to vpâ—n the blinde eyes c. Isa 55.3.4 And in another place I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the suâ—e Mercies of Dauid Behold I haue giuen hiâ— viz. the Word or couenant For a witnesse to the people a leader and a commaunder to the people Viz. a spirituall leader therefore he saith to him in the following words vers 5. Behoâ—d thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall runne vnto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee this then is the gloâ—ie that he giâ—es the Messiah who is the Word that he should call nations to the knowledge and obedience of the Woâ—d therefore in this sense God saith to the Word in the second Psalme Psa 2.8.9 Ask of me and I will giue thee the heathen For thâ—ne inheritance and the vâ—termâ—st parts of the earth for thy posession the most remote nations shall come to the knowledge and obedience of thee or else as it is added Thou shalt bâ—eake them with a Rod of yron that is with thy owne power as he saith elsewhere with the Rod of thy
naturall power is the cause of Predestination and soe in effect of redemption of vocation iustification glorification all which theire grosse errours beeing also followed and mantained by the Arminians of our times as the * Pelagius rediuiuus Parallelismus With the second Parallel Parallel proueth doe take the Kingdom honour and power from the Word of God from grace which should raigne Rom. 5.21 and giue it to nature and the foreseene works thereof yea all the honour and power of election conuersion and saluation from God and his free grace and Power in Christ and giue it to nature and the works thereof Thus while they presume to make to God a minde word out of theire owne noe maruaile if they to theese errours adde others as presumptuous against the perseuerance of the Saints and certainty of saluation For how should they beleeue perseuerance that giue so much and euen perseuerance it selfe where it is to fraile nature Men that are called into the grace of Christ Gal. 1.6 Men that stand by grace Rom. 5.2 and that are * Rom. 6.14 Gal. 5.4 Reu. 9.1 Isai 14.13.14 not vnder the Law but vnder grace will easely beleeue that they that thus highly exalt nature are fallen from grace Euen as the Starre is saide to fall from heauen who would exalt his throne aboue the Starres and be like the most high that would be vniuersall Bishop vsurpe Christs place and take the Kingdom the power and the glorie from the Father and his Word and giue it to himselfe and his traditions and errours of free will merrits satisfactions c. And how then should they but fall away and doubt of the certainty of saluation who build vpon such rotten foundations of theire owne the Saints may be more certaine for theire perseuerance and assurance is built vpon a surer Word and not on such Pelagian and Popish dreames nouelties which indeed are doctrines of this World and Antichristian not the Word of that Kingdom which is not of this World Ioh. 8.44 but errours comming from the Father of lies doctrines of deuils and so meere Idols cleane contrarie ye see and opposit to the whole purpose and scoape of Gods truth and new couenant of grace reuealed in the Gospel as might be shewed more at large if many others had not alreadie donne it The Pelagians therefore and Demipelagians Papists Arminians and others of that stampe who thus bringe doctrines contrarie to the Word of grace Act. 13.8.10 as with Elimas the sorcerer they turne away Princes and Magistrates from the faith and are therein children of the deuill and enemies of all righteousnes peruerting the right waies of God soe doe they not lesse then set vp Idols other words to rule mens soules and to be reuerenced beleeued followed and consequently draw the iudgments of God on that Kingdom or nation whereinto they intrude theÌ„ and are therein noe better then seditious preachers in Christs Kingdom mouers of rebellion and apostacie against Christ if not traitors to those Princes also whome they perswade to receiue them to the extreme danger and hazard of theire Kingdoms as Bishop Carlton also proueth pag. 214. against the Appealer because God almightie that is euer iust must needes doe to them if they doe not repent and amend as he did to those Emperours and Kings that suffered theese and the like errours in Saint Augustines dayes when the Gothes and Vandals ouerran all and as before that he had donne to Salomon and others in like case 1. King 12.27.28 and namely to Ieroboam who when he and his councell in polecie to preserue his owne Kingdom brought in some new doctrine and worship set vp Idols stretched out his hand against the prophet Chap. 13.33.34 Chap. 16.2.3 made preists of the lowest of the people and ordained high places the text saith This thinge became sinne vnto the howse of Ieroboam euen to cut it off and to destroy it from of the face of the earth Soe was it with Baasha and others And seing the Apostle saith let noe maÌ„ deceiue you with vaine words for because of theese things commeth the wrath of God Ephes 5.6 so must it needes be in the Christian Church with them that maintaine or suffer errouâ—s for therfore Christs saith to the Church of Thyatira which suffered the woman Iezabel to teach and to seduce his sernants Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultry with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And I will kill her children with death c. Thus therefore must it needes fall out with those Churches and states that suffer the Bomish superstition and lawes or other heresies to be taught in theire dominions much more if they maintaine them and soe coÌ„mit fornication with that whore or any other hereticall teachers And this as I saide haue those Emperors Kings and Princes found that haue either receiued whether in polecie or otherwise the errours of Heriticks or the Antichristian doctrine of Rome as for suffering of heresies was instanced in some Emperours and might be in many others Now for poperie it would be to longe to recite the examples of Gods iudgments that fell vpon those Emperours Kings and Princes or on theire issue and Kingdoms in Germanie England France Spaine and other parts who subiected themselues oâ— theire people and Kingdoms to the Popes Supremacie and to his superstitions lawes rites and errours or temporised with him in some of them therefore omitting the most obserue only theese few The Easterne Emperours Iudgments that fell on temporisors in religion Iustinian and after him Phocas in polecie the better to recouer and keepe Italie did the Popes much honour and greatly furthered theire supremacie who soone after by Gods iust iudgment in requitall setting themselues against the Emperours theire successors in the cause of Images made the greatest part of Italie reuolt from the Emperours obedience After this the Emperour Constantine 7. and his mother Irene to get the Popes fouour and thereby to recouer some parts of the western Empire or keepe those they had from reuolting summon a second councell at Nice and there with stronge hand they get the worshipping of Images established which temporising God soe cursed that within twelue yeares after God suffered the more full reuâ—lt and the Pope to crowne Charles the greate Emperour of the Wâ—st The Emperours of Greece had longe held warre with the Turkes at last leauing to trust in God and relying on humane polecie to get the Popes fauour and by his meanes the aide of Christian Princes the Emperour Iohn Paleologus brings the Easterne Bishops to reconcile in all differences the Greeke Church to the Latâ— Concil Floâ— anno 1439. and there in the councell of Florence he gets them besides other articles to agree that the soules of the faithfull that haue not yet satisfied for their sinnes goe to purgatorie that the Pope of Rome
preaching or writing are called and chosen and faithfull Ioh. 3.8 Called of God whose Spirit bloweth where it listeth * 1. Cor. 12.11 psa 8. mat 21. Luk. 19.40 Reu. 1.6 Diuiding to euerie man seuerally as he will and who out of the mouths of Babes and sucklings ordaineth strength and who would make the Stones to speake if theese should hold theire peace And let noe man obiect theire basenes for he hath made them Kings and preists vnto God his Father and soe much the fitter for this worke They are also Chosen by him For ye see youre calling brethren 1. Cor. 26.27 28.29 saith Paul to the Corinthians how that not many wise men after the flesh not manie mightie not many noble are called But God hath Chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise the weake things of the world to confound the mightie c. That noe flesh should glorie in his presence They are also faithfull they doe not bauke the cause of God and for the richers or honours that theese Kings or theire fauorits or the Beast or seducers ofter them they doe not call euill good and good euill put darkenesse for light nor light for darknesse that is errour for truth and truth for errour Isa 5.20 nor doe they iustifie the wicked for a reward and take away the righteousnes of the righteous man from him but with the psalmist they speake the truth that is in theire heart * Reu. 14.5 In theire mouth was found noe guile And with Paul they set themselues against seducers as he against Elimas Act. 13. that sought to turne away the deputie from the faith and to peruert the right way of God And when some of theese Kings and States are conuerted From poperie to Christ that is when a tenth part of the citie seated on many waters fell from the Church of Rome to the Gospell Reu. 11.13.15 or soone after it is saide The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for euer and euer Because not the Beast but the Word doth now gouerne Soules in them They therefore that are protestant Princes and foe haue giuen theire names to Christ against Antichrist should draw theire swords and not suffer any of theese Kingdoms prouinces or cities to be woÌ„ne againe by the sword or seducers from Christ to poperie but rather indeauour to winne from the Beast and his vpholders and as soone as may be to execute vpon the whore the iudgment written seeing such honour haue all his saints Psa 149.9 Reu. 17. and it is saide they shall make her desolate and naked and burne her with fire and herein they are saide to follow Christ the warre therefore is not bloodie and vniust for it is saide there chap. 19.14 vers 11.13 In righteousnes doth he iudge and make warre and his name is called the Word of God and that the armies followed him vpon white horses clothed in fine liâ—en white and cleane and consequently the blood of theese his enemies doth not defile them for they follow the Word of God and fight for his Kingdom who is the Word against these that oppose the Word and make him and his Kingdom of none effect with theire traditions and errours Therefore though peace can neuer be sufficiently commended yet it can not be good to haue peace with her nor with those Kings that fight her battailes to support and propagate her Kingdom espetially when they are in those warres as in theese dayes striueing to bringe all to her obedience Reu. 19.6 When Rome which is the greate whore is burned a greate voice is heard Saying Alleluia for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Whereas before not the Word but she gouerned the Soules of thousands in matters of faith and saluation And will they then be slack in giueing theire weapous moneies labours and counsailes to this worke the Papists and theire Princes are not so in theire warres against vs to bringe vs to the Popes obedience Wee are to remember what Christ saith He that is not with me is against me Epis Winton Tortura Torti in Epist And therefore as a greate Prelate saide in a like case This cause is of that kinde where when a man gathereth not with Christ he scattereth with Christs aduersarie where vnlesse one deliuer the faith neither shall he deliuer his soule Also when the common cause is brought into danger let no man be a spectatour but euery one an actour and when the cause of all men is handled there with all power and labour with all studie and indeauour to skirmish stoutly for it And herein in what low state soeuer a man be yet let him be a Christian. Aug. de peecat merit 18. And as Augustine saith Neither is there any midle place for any man that he can be with any other then the deuil who is not with Christ That also is true of Princes in this case of warre They that are with him are called and chosen and faithfull They are not like the children of Ephraim who beeing armed and carrying bowes turned back in the day of battaile Reu. 17.14 Psal 78.8.9 See Character of a Christian Pag. 217. they doe not on euery flight occasion desist and start aside like a broken bow Or which is all one they doe not trust the managing of theese wars and the counsailes thereto belonging to such as are newters lukewarme or temporising Arminians much lesse to any that are apparantly Popish and so will sooner betray forces and counsailes or bringe them to nothing then rightly vse them against the Beast or his supporters but they are like good Souldiers of Christ watchfull and carefull to doe this worke or see it donne with all zeale and diligence and like the Aduersaries they trust none to be commaunders or councellours herein but such as they finde by experience to be truly zealous in the cause of Religion whatsoeuer they doe this way in the worke of the Lord 2. Chron. 31.21 with Hezechiah they doe it with all theire heart and like those first conuerts in the Acts who did things with gladnes and singlenes of heart Act. 2 46 Thus faithfull are they that are with Christ in his warres against the Beast and his adherents But to leaue the further prosecution of this point to a Treatise of Romes Ruin Notwithstanding all theese things and diuers others that might be alleadged to this purpose the Papists without any greate resistance of auxiliarie forces haue acheiued many notable victories and greatly triumph in the Prouinces and Cities they haue reduced to the Romish obedience In diuers Kingdoms Prouinces and Cities where the Gospell of the Kingdom hath beene freely preached where the Word hath raigned they haue in a manner excluded him and his Kingdom and subiected the people to Popish superstition errour and seruitude so that though Christ be now in his
neither lie nor aequiuocate he knew noe sinne neither was any deceite in his mouth and in this case keepe silence he might not he must needes confesse the truth because that was for the honour of God his Father for whome he ruled and therefore not to haue acknowledged this Kingdom was to haue denied his Fathers Kingdom and right to rule all men therefore he addeth that he was borne to beare witnesse vnto the Truth Yet that he might not in the least measure be guiltie of his owne death he thrice affirmed that his Kingdom was not of this world and consequently not praeiudiciall to Caesars nor to the right he chalenged in the temporall Kingdom and that Pilate well vnderstood when in that sense he saide Art thou then a Kinge for when in that sense Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge as * Pilaâ—um credisse Christum Regem esse non tameÌ„ ejus regnum aduersarium esse regno Caesaris sed pertinere ad quandam singularem Iudaeorum religioneÌ„ id probat quod perseueranter euÌ„ Regem appellauit Ecce Rex vester Regem vestrum crucifigam Iesus Nazarenus Rex IudaeoruÌ„ Tolet. in 10.18 Ioh. 19.4 vers 6. Vers 7.12 one that talked more of it then Christ did Pilate went out againe and saith to the Iewes I finde in him noe fault at all and Luk. 23.14 Ye haue brought this man vnto me as one that peruerteth the people and behold I haueing examined him haue found noe fault in him touching those things whereof ye accuse him Noe nor yet Herod for I sent you to him and loe nothing worthy of death And after when they cried not him but Barabas he when he had scourged him went foorth againe saying I bringe him foorth to you that ye may know that I finde noe fault in him Why then did he against law and conscience scourge him and when they seeing him cried crucifie him he saide againe Take ye him and crucifie him for I find noe fault in him And after when they saide by our law he ought to die because he made himselfe the Sonne of God Pilate was the more afraide and sought to release him But the Iewes cried out if thou let this man goe thou art not Caesars freind whosoeuer maketh himselfe a Kinge speaketh against Caesar When Pilate heard that his desire of freeing Iesus begaÌ„ to stagger though he beleeued that if he had any Kingdom it was not of this world yet as thinking that if he should not proceede it might worke him Caesars displeasure therefore bringing him foorth he saith not now as before behold the man but behold youre Kinge and after shall I crucifie youre Kinge The cheife Preists answered Vers 14. wee haue noe Kinge but Caesar Yet he washed his hands and then with this inducement Mat. 27.24 Luk. 23.23 he willing to content the people deliuered him to be crucified For the voices of them and of the cheife Preists preuailed Whence wee may behold the miserie that oft followes greatnes The miserie of greatnes appearing both in the cheife Preists and Pilate the one carried a way with such extreme enuie implacable hatred that the iudgment of innocencie often pronounced by a Iudge would not satisfie them the other with importunitie and respects of contenting appeasing gratifying others and preuenting complaints to Caesar of suffering another Kinge to an act of iniustice soe much aginst his owne conscience and often reiterated sentence of aquitment A poore fruite to often following the greate and vncessant labours of ambitious climing when for feare or fauour to gratifie or content they are oft faine to punish innocents and acquit men guiltie and wicked and somtime in matters of Christs cause and Religion Yet am I not of theire opinion who thinke a States man can not be an honest man For vnder Godly Kings walking in the right path of Religion as faithfull to theire maker such as Dauid Iehoshaphat Hezekiah Iosias and others they may carrie themselues iustly and doe God greate seruice such Kings moue them not to any act of iniustice nor to maintaine Idols or Heresies much lesse to punish or molest true beleeuers and innocents But if the Prince they serue be an Idolater an Heretick or Wicked they can hardly hold theire places and keepe a good conscience 1. King 21.8 c. For when Ahab raignes Iezabel writes her letters to the Elders and Nobles to subborne false witnesses and to stone innocent Naboth and it is donne Iehu writes to the Elders to kill all Ahabs children and it is donne Diuers Kings were displeased with Prophets and the Nobles wronge them as they did Ieremie and others Ioh. 12.42 Amonge the Cheife Rulers many beleeued on Christ but because of the Pharises they did not confesse him lest they should be put out of the Sinagonge For they loued the praise of men more then the praise of God Act. 24.27 Felix willing to shew the Iewes a pleasure left Paul bound When Iustine the Emperour had depriued the Arrians of those Churches they held in Greece Theodorick King of Italie Liber Pontif. in Iohan. I. sent Iohn Bishop of Rome assisted with Senators to intreate him to restore them if not to tell him he would serue the Catholicks with the like sauce The Pontificall booke saith they intreated the Emperour with teares and preuailed that is to haue wolues restored to the Sheepe Belisarius by the commaund of the Empresse Theodora an Eutichean thrust out Siluerius placed Vigilius in the Popedom that he might according to promise condemne the Councell of Chalcedon and write Letters in confirmation of the Eutichean faith Baron Vol. 7. ann 538. art 20. wherevpon Baronius calls Vigilius a Theefe a Wolfe an Antichrist Ye haue seene that the Easterne Emperours made theire Bishops consent to the Pope in worshipping of Images and at last in Purgatorie Superemacie and other articles and what followed It would be to longe to relate how the Iudges nobles and prelates vnder Emperours and Kings haue made Preists abandon theire wiues and people receiue his other lawes errours when theire Princes in feare or flaterie temporised with the Pope For Prelates nobles and people are naturally prone to fashion themselues into the religion of theire Princes and patrons and that hath made Iesuited Spirits practise to make reformed Princes luke-warme Popish or Arminians 2. King 16.10 For when Kinge Ahaz seeing a strange Altar at Damascus sent the Patterne of it to Vrijah the Preist to make such a one and offer on it he not minding that theese things ought not to haue differed from * Exod. 25 4â— Act. 7.44 the patterne giuen to Moses that noe other things wer to be intruded into the Temple of the Lord refuseth not but doth it be it neuer soe bad Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis A wonder therefore it is that men be soe ambitious of these places wherein theire soules are
presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his