as though they were able to bear this burden and undergoe this task not being extraordinarily quaâ—â—â—ed by the Lord For all the instruments of the materiall Tabernacle Temple or Church in the new Testament had both extraordinary direction from the Lord and extraordinary gifts for that they should doe 4 No man can shew any licence or pattenâ— from God wherein he is warranted to govern the church according to his own will but rather contrary not to adde or diminish from that which is written in the book of God 5 The Scripture is perfect making the man of God perfect and absolute to every good work therfore how to govern the church is taught in the Scriptures which are the will of God 6 Christ left not his church without government and a speciall form of discipline for that were confusion that would lay open the church to all dangers and no Polity or Socâ—ety can long continue wherin Order and Discipline is not observed therfore it cannot possibly stand with Chr sts care and wisedom that Discipline should be neglected 7 Arbitrary forms of government overthrew the face of the church and brought in the Popes Supremacy which is an argument it is not from God who vaunts himselfe as God appointing what lawes he will and decrees to hold men in awe and subjection to himselfe that he might Lord it over Kings and Princes nor is it to be supposed but that which is arbitrary will ever be corrupted for mans will and minde being naturally so vain and wicked wanting a law to direct and contain it in obedience of it selfe grows corrupt and abuseth the power which is given to it Here two Questions are to be answered 1 Whether this form of discipline instituted by Christ may be altered The Answer s it may not by any whosoever The grounds of it are these following 1 It is a speciall priviledge of Christs Kingly Office to govern his Church outwardly by discipline as well as by the Word Chr st hath this Scepter and Rod and none â—â—e for the soules of men he hath the Key of David he that is Prince over the Kings of the earth wherfore no man hath power to alter this for that were to advance man aboue Christ 2 The Lord useth to forâ—shew his people what should be altered before it come to passe that changes disturbe not their minds This is plain for thus be did before hee placed his name in Ierusalem before Christ came before the Gentiles were to be called Wherfore if the Lord would haue altered this he would haue told it his Disciples else Christ should not be so faithfull a Prophet as Moses who shewed that covenant was to endure till Christ should come else Christ should not shew all things needfull to his Church 3 The Lord shakes the heaven and the earth but once after Moses the Prophets Hag. 2 Heb. 12 therfore there is no alteration afterwards of any thing touching the worship of God The Lord joyneth a renewing of his covenant with the institution of all things any way needfull for his Church 4 To desire a new form of government is to cast off the Lord from raigning over us 1 Sam. 8.7 which place binds in Ecclesiasticall as firmly as in Civill 1 Because the Lord instituted this as well as that 2 there was no expresse commandement that the people should ever be tyed to this form of government but that it was rather appointed that they should haue a King his duty described 3 the people desired it because they would be like the world in state and pomp 4 they did not first know the Lords pleasure but headily followed their affections This place shews that men who alter the government appointed by the Lord though it should be into another form lawfull in it selfe despise the Lord 2 that such exclude the Lord from raigning over them Like to this is that Iudg. 8.22 where Gideon being offered the Kingdom refused it for this cause that the Lord might raign over them which plainly shews what wrong they doe to the Lord his people which bring in another government then the Lords For the Lord else would raign defending his people from all spirituall enemies gently carrying his lambs upon his shoulders and leading them that are great with yong Esay 40.11 whereas now Satan is every where let in by seducers and idle shepheards the Lords name is not known his goodnes mercy obscured and hid men are tossed up and down hindred in their callings loosing their money and maintaining unprofitable dâ—oans A second questâ—on how may the discipline of Chr st be known Answ by theâ—e notes 1 For the persons Christ precisely forbids any one man to exercise Lordship and Aâ—thority over his people Luk. 22. This wâ—ll bee more apparant hereafter therfore the government wherin any one Loâ—ds â—t over the rest is not Christs but where there is equality for jurisdâ—ction 2 That which is most ancient neerest or rather one with the form followed by the Apostles undoubtedly is Chrâ—sts Now such is not primacy of one over an other 3 That in the which men proceed in thâ—ir censures by the rules of the Word which teacheth who ought to be bound and who â—oosed But so doe not they which govern by Popish canons by forced oathes but such as proceed by admonitions repâ—oofs c. according to Mat. 18. 4 That which best provides for the safety of mens soules and most furthers every man in the diâ—charge of his duty that is from Chrâ—st for he onely so governes none else having such wâ—sedom or will Such is not the government by some one person over many congregations which hee is not able possibly to oversee but the contrary 5 Which proceeds not after the manner of a worldly government fearing men with outward toâ—ments fines imprisonment and the like but in the power of the spirit and giv ng men over to Sathan Christ maintaineth his government by no such forcible meanes 6 That which is contrary or much opposite to the goveâ—nment of Rome for Antichrist corrupted 〈◊〉 Sacraments and all and â—t were worder â—f this should not be corrupted by wh ch hee raignes most and most effectually eâ—â—ablisheth his kingdom amongst men By all which men not prejudâ—cate and desirous to learn and practise the truth may understand what that is so much urged and pressed rather by force of armes then evident ground of Scr ptures SECTION XII SAtan hath many devises to bring in errours amongst men to be entertained he changeth himselfe into an Angell of light comes in the name of Christ Mat. 24 in the name of his best servants 2 Thess 2 and of the Church he comes under pretence of glorious ends to bring in devises of men Wherfore that we be not deceived by him it shall not be amisse to speak something of the Churches authority and what power it hath Herein I propound some grounds 1 That all the authority of the Church
Church hath in commandâ—ng 2 Let them teach how the people ought quietly to submit themselues to their Minister whatsoever and be content with him 3 Let them that seek Reformation be made odious to the people 4 Let them be taught not to search things doubtfull but beleeue their Minister And in cases controverted let men rely rather on the great learning of the present Church and reverend antiquity then to follow these new Geneva-like preachers that will haue nothing warranted but that which is approved by the Scriptures 6 Let not the Gospell be freely preached For these exercises of preaching and prophesying cut down the kingdom of the Pope This is so full of light that if it be preached so plainly as many doe it will lay open all 7 Let men haue such a kind of serving God as will not stirre nor trouble them but altogether please and delight Let them haue such preaching singing organs c. Are not these from Satan Are they not directly against Christ and his Kingdom And the Kings Majesty and his Kingdom which fals or stands not with a Bishop Ceremonies but with the Kingdom of Christ rather witnes that experience of the Fr. King who revolting from the truth how did the Lord meet with him Wherfore be wise ô yee Elders of Israel and sleep not you that are the Lords Watchmen The divell sows tares and thâ— peace of the King and weale of the Kingdom depends upon thâ— suppression of Popery Take heaâ—t every truehâ—aâ—ted Christian and stand in your places agaâ—nst such courses as bring either Atheism or Idolatry Keep up the Word soundly preached by the Ministers of God which are the strength of the land Incourage the servants of God that are most ca efull to please the Lord. Cause that there be a generall turning to the Lord by fasting and prayer Let the Sabboths of God be kept and sanctified and tâ—y then whâ—ther the Lord stay not his judgments and blesse the land more then ever Then you shall be called The Restorers of the Breaches And if you be not more carefull to seek the Lord and walk by his wisedom know that all human power cannot uphold your Kingdom against Satanicall dâ—vises SECT XVII Whether it be fitting to bury in Churchyards Answ IT seeems no For the Scripture and practise of all the Saints is against it 2 Men place religion and holinesse in it and when things indifferent come so be abused they are not lawfull to be used 3 This hath and doth cause so many prayers to be read over the dead 4 The covetousnesse of Priests and Friars hath been a speciall meanes of this course Whether it be not not needfull to pull down Churches built for the honour of Idols Answ It seems it is For 1 Hos 4.15 2 The house of Baal was destroyed 3 The high places ought to haue been dâ—stroyed 4 It is a part of holinesse to overthrow the Groues Deut. 7. 5 The name and memoriall of Idolls ought to be rooted out 6 To dedicate Churches to a Saint is Idolatry which ought to be removed 7 The gold of graven Images is an abomination to the Lord and an accursed thing therfore also Churches which â—are so defiled Object These places were unlawfull because the Lord had chosen a speciall place where be had put his name Answ That reason is never given 2 the pollution by Idolatry is ever urged as the cheife cause Meanes that the people may be fitted for Reformation 1 Men must hunger after all Gods Ordinances 1 Must set their hearts to seek the Lord by earnest praying and turning unto him 3 They must obseru an holy Discipline amongst themselues in admonishing and reproving one an other c. 4 Must touch no unclean thing abhorring all Romish Reliques and Antâ—christ especially 5 When men mourn for the burdens laid upon them and groan for the misery of others 6 Rejoyce in the forwardnesse of them that are most zealous not envying one an other 7 That speciall prayers be continually offered up to the Lord for the Magistrate The danger of seperation after the manner now used by some Let none imagine that because I write gainst the practise of Seperatâ—on that therefore I hate the peâ—sons whom I am peâ—â—waâ—ed thâ—oâ—gh tendeâ—nes of conscieâ—ce doe wâ—thstaâ—d these corruptâ—ons Hear thâ—â—fore a freinds reproof who tenders your good and desires the holy ordinances of God and in all th ngs to keep a good conscience Sometimes affection may outrun soundnes of judgment and in sâ—eking to fly more then is sin we fall into greater corrâ—ptions and nourish much â—vill in us Brethren disdain not to read a few lines which I know cannot abate your zeal and may through Gods blessing make your course more comfortabâ—e Consider well therfore of these gâ—ounds I lay as a way to that wh ch follows 1 That there is in each a naturall affectâ—on like zeal as in other graces the deceitfull heaâ—t will counterfeit grâ—â—e so in thâ—s witnes Iehu there is an errour on the right hand 2 That this blind zeal carries men headlong without examination or seaâ—ch of their waies to censure others when there is no power further to hurt 3 Men may oppose corruptions in publique and yet neglect to fight against sin resolutely and zealously in themselues therby thinking to please God highly 4 That Tolleration is not approbation Act. 17.30 5 It is the desire of Satan and our ownâ— to seperate from the true children of God upon any occasion whatsoever these enemies much respect 6 Men rending themselues from the true Church as no Church cannot tell where to stay nor to whom to joyn themselues which makes their rents incurable 7 Men may joyn themselus to the purest Congregations if it be without condemning others as nothing 8 Christ is not ever accompanied withall his ordinances in act but many times he goes in one or two amongst his people A Church holding the foundation though it err in many particulars remaines a Church still 9 Many commands binde the Magistrate to redresse things amisse which private persons cannot possibly reform 10 Gods Ordinances make us one with the Lord and with men no further then they are one with the Lord. These things agreed upon I doubt not but men will yeeld to these Arguments following agaiâ—st totall separation First there â—s a true Ministâ—ry in the Chuâ—ches of England therfore it â—s lawfull to joyn with them That there is a true Ministery it may appeare 1 bâ—Bâ—cause men haue gifts to dispense the Word 2 Men are chosen by the people 3 Graue and godly Preachers doe approue of the entâ—â—ng â—n of many 4 Men haue ordâ—nation though not aftâ—r the purest manner but corrupt whâ—ch comming to their knowledg they repent of 5 Men exercise their Ministery not by vertue of aâ—y power from men but because the Lord hatâ— s nt them 6 The hand of the Lord is with them to prosper hâ—s own woâ—k so as men are brought to
but they must learn by hearing the Word of the Lord. Which things are plain against our Ceremonies For 1 men haue no word for these therfore they are unlawfull 2 Men adde by carnall reason unto the ordinances and worship of God these Ceremonies which is as unlawfull as to detract any Ceremony and ordinance God hath appointed to his people 3 These hinder the keeping of Gods Commandements 1 Because carnall reason is unmortified that leads men 2 Men please their affections both which hinder Gods Commandements from being kept Rom. 8. 3 Men dote upon their devises wheÌ„ they are used which hinders them froÌ„â—ouing the Lord and his ordinances with all their heaâ—t 4 Men so striue to bring in these and to keep them in as that all their labour is spent herein If it be said that this is meant of adding or detracting in the substance of Gods worship Answ This cannot be so understood 1. Because the Lord forbids all adding and this in Ceremonies is adding 2 Because the Lord binds to the manner prescribed as well as to the matter Deut. 32. 3. Men may not adde in doctrine nor detract therfore not in Ceremonies 4 Because the Lord punished them when they varied in the least Ceremonie and circumstance from the pattern in the moâ—â—nt Arg. 5. Deut. 7. All the monuments of Idolatry should be destroyed 2 The Church ought to haue speciall outward holines more then any other people hath a part wherof is in overthrowing such pollutions 3 The Lord will haue all sorts of Images to be destroyed The Lord will not have his chidren communicate with Idolaters either in their religious Ceremonies or outward communion Hence we learn 1 That these ought to be destroyed since they are to us monuments of Popery they bring that to our remembrance 2 Now they are appendants of that religion onely at this day 3 They are as dangerous to us as the monuments of these Gentils were to the Iews 4 The Lord will haue his children goe as far from Idolatry as is possible now wee retayning their Ceromonies haue Communion with them If it be said this place speaks of them that are open Idolaters and had devised these things themselues The Answer is that Papists are open Idolaters 2 They devised these things of themselues and though they should be before Popery yet they might be and were beginnings of Popery Arg. 6 Dev. 7. two last verses Things dedicated to Idols and abused in state of worship may not be turned to private uses much lesse to publick in the service of God 2 That men should utterly detest and shew their greatest hatred against the monuments and things abused to Idolatry 3 These are accursed things and men coveting the same become accursed 4 Man may not pick things lawfull in themselues out of idolatrous worship and apply them to what use he will This place is against these Ceremonies in question that haue been in state of religious worship therfore ought to be abandoned 2 Men are bound both inwardly and outwardly to manifest their great detestation and loathing of such things therfore ought not to use them 3 The retaining of thâ—se things brings curses upon minister and people God Layes a speciall curse upon his own creatures abused to Idolatry much more upon mans devises Object This place holds but for the individuals not for the generals For Gold might be used and that afterwards about the service of God Answ 1. These Ceremonies were never in use but Religious and therfore the Argument holds firm à pari from the like All the Gold that was defiled by Idolaters ought to be abhorred So all Crosses and Surplusses haue been abused for they had no other use therfore to be abhorred 2 Gold in it selfe as it is the creature is not here detested but in this form and for this use So the matter simply of a Surplus as it is the creature is not unlawful no the other Ceremonies but in this form and applyed to this use which is in the generall of Crosses and Surpâ—esses which was but in speciall for the other 3 The Lord brought in Gold and Images too of diverse creatures into the Temple But this Law is not to binde the Lord as none other is For laws binds the creature not the Creator therfore it remains firm that these being such accursed things should be uttâ—râ—y abandoned and though pickt out amongst many yet without question far worse then the gold about the Images Arg. 7. Deut. 12.3 the very names of idols ought to be rooted out of the places where they haue been worshipped and v. 30 31 men may not chuse how they will seru the Lord. 2 God will not be served by his people in the manner nor with those things appointed by man that Idolaters worship their God withall for they bring in every thing that the Lord abhors 3 Men are not to adde any thing to the worship commanded of God though they keep the substance and adde but little 4 Whatsoever is not commanded in the worship of God is forbidden These grounds are plain out of the text and they are sufficient if we had no more places of Scripture to overthrow these Ceremonies For 1 if the names of Idolls should be destroyed then much more these ceremonies which are much more accursed 2 These Ceremonies were of mens chusing at first and therfore unlawfull then 3 Idolaters worship God at their Idols after the same manner with these things therfore they are unlawfull and if these be admitted why not all Popish trumpery upon the same grounds 4 Our Churches retain the substance of Gods worship yet they adde these of their own devising which is directly against the commandement 5 They are not warranted any where wherfore forbidden to all Arg. 8 Deut. 14.1.2 1 Men in civill things should not be like Idolaters nor follow their fashions 2 Holy people must avoide all outward things which may defile them and they must be as the Lord would haue them 3 The Lord severs his people from all other people in their Rytes and Ceremonies This place is very direct against these things 1 Because it is more to be like Idolaters in religious reverence then in civill fashions And suppose these should be used but for a civill respect amongst us they were unlawfull as they are now used in the Colledges of the Vniversities 2 It is not in any mans power to ordain and appoint what garment they will or Ceremonies to be used 3 It is sin to joyn and be one with those from whom the Lord severs now the Lord severs us from Papists and the Lords will is we should differ from them in these rites as well as in doctrine Obj. This was spoken to the Israelites in respect of the heathens Answ The causes are generall wee are the children of the Lord 2 We ought to be as holy as they 3 the Lord hath chosen us to be a peculiar people unto himselfe from Popery
lightly passed over And the rather because they must liue in some pompe and worldly dignity and haue so many in their courts which liue upon the same meanes By this we may discerne what to judge of their excommunications for there ought to be for open sinnes unrepented of the persons being admonished therof and to be denounced by the Mâ—nister and agreed upon by the whole Church Whese therfore the cause is meerly good for which men are excommunicated that is to say either for performing some Christ an duty or refusing subjection to mens tradâ—tions in the service of God there Christ absolues Ioh. 9. 2 When it is not done by the church that hath the keies but by some usurper that hath no right unto it it is like the sentence of a drunken man upon an other to be hanged or stabd because he will not pledg him or carrouse No mans sentence but the Iudges condemns nor any but they that God appoints judges Neither may men seek absolution from them for they haue no authority 2 Their excommunication is the crosse the Lord would haue men bear if we cannot avoide 3 They sever us but from the world and driue us neerer to Christ 4 It maintaines them in their usurpation covetousnesie and prâ—dâ— to seeke unto them Quest 2. Whether a man may sue in their courts Answ For causes Ecclesiasticall oâ— criminall which come within compasse of the to be punished I think â—â—s unlawfull For 1 men must rather protest against this woâ—k of darknesse 2 These things may and ought to be ordered by Arbâ—tâ—ators if it be possible if the lawfull Magistrate fail suffer all c. And the a gument against suing one another 1 Cor. 6 holds more firmly against this first those were lawfull courts these unlawfull secondly it was scandalous then so it is here for they are as great enemies to sincere Religion as these were thirdly though a mans cause be never so good yet thou being one that fearest God truely they will sentence thee and pronounce unrighteous judgement against thy person not minding the justice of thy cause For a good man makes a good cause bad there as an evill man procures favour to a bad cause fourthly their authority is as Ecclesiasticall which is not in the Kâ—ngs power to grant but must proceed from Christ fifthly they haue lost the keyes to whom they were gâ—ven Wee haue spoken of the first of those call ngs which flowing from the office of Diocesan Bishops is unlawfull Now of the second that as Church wardens comprehending those other bound to the same things they are enjoyned to Against which though the former grounds overthrow theâ—r callâ—ng yet more speciall are to be adjoyned because it â—s hard to root out any such long customary office though unlawfull For besides that most men preferre custome before the law of God they doe not once make scruple of any thing â—stablished but swaâ—low all that is presented unto them without examination Wherfore that with more facility wee may end this controversie obserue these grounds 1 That all men are bound to preseru that liberty which Chrâ—st hath purchased and bestowed upon them Gal. 5.1 And we are expresly b dden that men should not haue dominion over us eâ—ther over our soules to beleeu ye ld to what they teach Col. 2 or bodies in spiritual consideration for we are Christs 2 Every subject is bound to fight and striue with spirituall weapons â—or Christs Government and Kingdom to be set up where he is 3 That the meanest office under an unâ—awfull forme of goveâ—nment â—s part of that government and though not to deeply pâ—â—nged in sin as othâ—rs yet gâ—ilty of theâ—r sinns that are chief in a measure 4 That theâ—e â—s no part of Christs Kingd m nor no truth of the Word so small bâ—t â—t is worth suffering for and dying for as the godly Iewes surfered bâ—cause they would not cat Swines flesh Vpon these grounds and the like how discrepant and opposite these are to the government of Chrâ—st Foâ— 1 these keep out the Lords own Officers of ruling Elders which we haâ—e proved Christ hath left in hâ—s church they being in the Apostles t mes not contradicted bâ—t approved and therefore of Divine Institution In this respâ—ct tâ—erfore they are like Diocesan Bishops who keep out Ministers and people too from their right in government of the church though they doe not equall them That they doe kâ—ep them out it is plain for they take upon them now to order things for the churches government so that ignorant people can discern no want This argument is firm because one ordinance of God doth not hurt nor keep out an other 2 That which keeps out Gods ordinance keeps out the Lord wâ—th some specâ—all blessing for his children present in each of his oâ—d nances 3 This in part sâ—uts the Kingdom of God A second argument against Churchwardens is because these are corrupted and degenerated like the office of the mâ—nistery that was quite changed â—nto a Priesthood in times of popery So as now they haâ—e lost their right in government of the church and yeelded shamefully to Antâ—christ whose servants and vassals they were so long time together So as it is not more lawfull to be a Church warden then a Masse-priest for both of them receiu their present being from the man of Sin This argument is firm because such retain the Mark of the bâ—ast in part 2. The same l ght comming and the same spirit in a great and powerfull manner that was in the Apostles times all darknesse and corruption ought to be removed 3 These keep out the Deacons who are expresly commanded and appointed Acts 6 1 Tim. 3 and confound this with their office which shews both their office to bee new and unlawfull For that the Holy Ghost establiâ—hed the Apostâ—es both gaue charge thâ—y should be elected and they were in the pâ—â—mâ—tâ—ue Church many yeares togâ—ther tâ—â—l Ant christ got the day and sâ—t up â—â—s throne This is no small wrong to the church to keep out those that were to dâ—strâ—bute to the poore so carefully in each congregatâ—on that there should be no want to any they eaâ—â—d the Mini sters and therfore are called Helps of which hereafter Wherfore as Ester spake of Haman in procurâ—ng the overthrow of the Iewes The enemy could not recompence the Kings losse no more can they foâ— they wrong the poor giue not such testimony of their loue and liberallâ—ty whâ—ch the office of the Dâ—acon doth proclaim and make vâ—sible to the world Neither must wee think it enough that there are good lawes established For experience witnesseth the necessity hereof nâ—â—ther ought men to confound what Chr st hath severed The Chrâ—stian Mag st ates duty is to see both Minâ—sters and people subject to Christs Ordinances not to invent any new 4 An office devâ—sed by man ever serues man not God witnesse all the Hierarchy dev sed by Pope who
Lord to anger That you sâ—ould dare to send such a lâ—me and bl nde mâ—ssâ—nger to the Lord of Frosts and such sacrâ—fices withall comming from the drowned in ignorance and superstâ—tâ—on and that you should put the Lords name upon such a Mâ—nister which is not sâ—â—t nor allowed by him Doe you nâ—t depriue your seluâ—s of those excellent and pâ—ecâ—ous treasures in the Gospell of Christ because you want a man to preach them Epâ—es 3 Doe you not hereby â—ndanger and loose your soules which liue in ignorance 2 Thess 2. Doe you know the anger of the Lord will be upon you for this Hos 6. Would you chuse for the bodies sake such a Physitian as hath no skill at all nor any good report to haue cured any under his hand Or such a Counsellour as could not advise but reade you a statute or book-case at all adventures Would you trust your sheep with an Idoll-shepheard that cannot tend them And will ye make so small account of your soules thus to passe them over O return and seek the Lord ye haue hitherto sitten in ignorance and in the shadow of death you never knew what the Gospell meant nor what a God the Lord is witnesse the base and wicked conceiving of him and carriage towards him in publique and private Wherfore let this moue you to provide you a man of understanding that may be able to fâ—ed you Turn you therfore from all your evill waâ—es that yee may be brought to Sion the place where the Lord will be found and seen of all his people Let none be so hardy as to maintain these in their Callings SECTION XIIII THe next sort of Minâ—sters wherof some doubt whether they may hear them or no are such as conforme to these ceremonies now controverted Which howsoever it come in them from an utter hatred of Popish devises and an heart carefull to keep themselues unspotted of the world yet without all questâ—on they erre Concerning thâ—s therfore that morâ— clearly the truth may be boulted out we will propound some grounds to stay upon 1 The Ordinances of God remain pure and holy though men be corrupt that administer them and so are like the Lord. 2 Private men are bound to try the doctrine of Mâ—nâ—sters and look to that rather then be examinâ—ng of their entrance into that Calling they are in this all the Scriptures run upon 3 God doth good to his Church by the gifts he hath given to wicked men for his people For they are fâ—om the Holy Ghost given to restore the Saints and for the work of the Ministry These things considered it may appear upon sufficient grounds that men may lawfully hear 1 Such as are conscionable in their Ministery though they erre in judgement for the Ceremonies and be ordained according to the manner of the times For first these haue the substance of a lawfull calling electâ—on and approbation from the people 2 Dissention in lesser matters hath never hindred either Communion nor estâ—emâ—ng one of another twixt the servants of God Phil. 3. 3 These are sent of God though not by this way they are not unlike to Iacob whose the blessing was though he should not haue sought â—t by lying 4 Their sin in admission is their own personall sin and cannot hurt others not partaking with it 5 Men may and ought to receiue their sendâ—ng not from men but from the Lord of the Harvâ—st Object It seemes to approue theiâ— sinne since men pertake with them in their Ministery which they haue gotten unlawfully Is it not to communicate in stollen goods Answ No for they ought to be admitted and the Ministery is theâ—rs and the Congregations choosing them onely it is their errour to come in by a wrong way Now to stâ—al is to take from men that which doth not belong unto them which cannot be applyed to them A second sort of Ministers are bad and corrupt in doctrine and manners these preaching many truths from God may be heard For 1 They sit in Moses chair Matth. 23.2 Moses chair is the doctrine of Moses otherwisâ— they should haue sit in Aarons chair if he had spoken of the Calling 2 Otherwise we should not yeeld absolute obedience to the doctrine taught except it were Moses doctrine 3 The main cause why the people should hear these is manifâ—sted by our Saviour but this is not so much succession in Calling as succession in Doctrine 1 These Pharisies had corrupted their Callâ—ng 2 They perverted the Law with their Glosses 3 Were ignorant of the righteousnesse of faith 4 Hipocrites in life and bitter enemies to the Kingdom of Christ 5 They preached the Word without authority coldly as did not stir affections 2 Arguâ— Doctrine and gifts are the Churches who may take their own from a very theife Yet these Cautions must be observed 1 That we be able in some measure to discern and try the spirits 2 That wâ— be compelled by necessity 3 That we bâ— careful to get what pâ—ivate and pubâ—â—que help possibly we can 4 That we hunger after other powerfull meanes and as soon as the Lord offers any we remoue and follow the light 5 Refuse private conversing with them 6 Contend for the truth in any paâ—t oppuâ—ned by them Object May not Popish Iesuits or the like then be heard Answ Thâ—se are the professed servants of the beast not of Châ—â—st for they haue quite changed the Ministery into a Priâ—sâ—hood 2 We are quite separated from this false Church by the commandement of the Lord and the Magistâ—ate and all Chuâ—ches assenting to the same 3 Thâ—se doe plainly seek to seduce us and withdâ—aw us from the worâ—hâ—p of the true God all which cannot be found â—n these of our own Church from which wee haue â—o such warrant to seperate nor doe seeke to draw us quâ—te from Christ in fa th Yet thus far let me speak to you of the Ministry thus corrupted that are negligent and doe not sorwaâ—n the peopâ—e of God of danger You that look to your own wayes and make your belly your God You that preach as they Ier. 5 that other Lords may â—ule over the flock of Chr st Considâ—r what you are Are you not men of God Should not you be holy that draw neer to the Lord Should you trouble the waters with your Tâ—aditions that none can drink almost w th a good conscâ—ence Should you make the sacrifices of God abhorred by your dâ—ssolâ—tenesse Should you smite with your tongues your fellow sâ—rvants whose Minâ—stery and conversation you know is better then your own Should you use the flock of Chrâ—st as you doe never visiting of them many of you If woe be to them that joyn house to house what shall become of you that joyn Congregation to Congregation and to these prebenships Dâ—anries c. Should you be terrible to the humbled and afflicted soules Surely the Lord will judge for his people Hear you that force men to things against their
shew care both of Gods worship that it might be ever provided for and mans ease and speed that he might haue ready at hand sacrifices to offer 3 What true zeal abhors ought to be constant but true zeal abhors these therfore Here are Grounds therfore to stand against all 1 Because shew of reason is no sufficient ground to bring any thing into the service of God 2 Bringing in of these things defiles the house of God It is not therfore foolish precisenesse but the image of Christ that would haue these things utterly cast out of Gods worship Arg. 25 out of Ioh. 4.22 23. 1 Men that worship the true God after their own manner worship they know noâ— what 2 The worship of God in the time of the new Testament is not carnall but spirituall This place is directly against all our Ceremonies now in controversie 1 Because men worship without ground as the Samaritans did neither doe they know they are accepted 2 This worship is carnall and Iewish we ought to worship God in spirit and not in any outward things of mans appointing This place therfore doth warrant men to stand against these traditions of men 1 Because every one ought to be assured that that which he doth unto the Lord bee accepted of him which the Word onely doth teach 2 The true worship of God onely brings salvation and good unto men 3 Men must worship God in spirit and truth and so they haue all such promises made good unto them as the Lord manifests in his Word Such are promised to haue their hearts circumcised to judg themselues vile c. Hence therfore it may well be demanded how men can suspend Ministers for not conforming to such things as ought not to be used in time of the new Testament Arg. 26 out of Col. 2. 1 Vers 3. All the Church needs to know is manifested by Christ in his Word Sacraments and Discipline 2 Vers 6. As men haue received Christ so they must walk in him without adding or diminishing or altering 3 V. 8. Traditions of men that are not from Christ deceiuâ— and ought to be taken heed of 4 V. 10. Whatsoever the Lord would haue us know or doe in his service hee hath revealed by Christ therfore Order is taught 5 Men that walk according to the light received by Christ are perfect and need not nor ought they take from any other 6 V. 18. Men must not subject themselus to be taught or judged by others without the word and except they haue that doctrin and judgment from Christ 7 V. 20. It is a thing very absurd for Christians freed by Christ from Ceremonies of God to be brought in bondage to mens traditions 8 It is the world not the true Church that stands upon human devises 9 V. 21. False Teachers sanctifie that which God leaues indifferent 10 V. 22. Mens meer commands and doctrine in matters of religion are of small value the word of God onely giues life to outward Ordinances to be the worship of God 11 Mens devised traditions haue but a shew of wisedom men endued with the spirit can see foolishnesse in them 12 Mans most glorious inventions in any will-worship are of no reckoning or worth 13 Mens traditions that seem most to profit in any kinde doe not but nourish corruption directly These grounds plainly overthrow all our traditions and government Ecclesiasticall as may appear in each particular 1 If these things had been necessary Christ would haue taught them and they might haue been learned from his Word 2 Every man is bound out directly from altering any thing or adding in doctrine or traditions to the Church Therfore wee are bound to the primitiue times and the example of Christ and his Apostles Now we haue nothing for these Ceremonies nor this Government from Christ but receiu him without Crosse or Surplus from the Apostles therfore wee ought not to receiue the same nor walk in them 3 Men doe but deceiue others that urge these Ceremonies 2 We are in effect bidden here not to Crosse wear the Surplus or Kneel since they are but traditions of men 4 This order is not from Christ nor is it pleasing to the Lord. 5 It is foolishnesse to superad to Christs bond of perfection which hee hath set Christians 2 Nothing devised by man can make any jot better for they are perfect by Christ 3 None ought to put away such as obseru Christs rules from the service of God being Ministers or people since the Lord counts them perfect 4 to receiue these as better then without is to deny perfection by Christ 6 The Churches doctrine if it be not Christs doctrine is nothing 2 Men must not beleeue such as preach things they cannot proue by the Word 3 Mens judging thee except the Word condemns thy doing and thy person should not fear thee 7 It is not the spirit of the Apostles to urg humane Ceremonies so strictly upon men 2 Christ hath set us free from all manner of Ordinances in his worship that are not from him and will justifie our not conforming to them 8 To urge these upon us is to make the Church like the world Christs Spouse like the whore of Babel 2 It is a note of worldlings that they urge and yeeld with all willingnesse to humane traditions 9 Doe not men sanctifie the Crosse and Surplus Festivall times and this Government which Christ hath never commanded but forbidden 10 There is no word for these Ceremonies and therfore they are none of Gods worship 11 These ceremonies are but the commandements of men and doctrines of men and therfore in Gods worship not to be yeelded unto since human authority is not sufficient to bind in Gods worship 12 This government seems onely to be but is not a wise invention for it is a means rather of much confusion and hurt as is shewed before 2 Ceremonies haue done no good but hurt both to Papists and Protestants though in carnall policy they were retained at first therfore all arguments for these are but a shew of wisedom let none be deceived with them 2 Men that refuse these ceremonâ—es haue true knowledg and discern that the opposits are deceived and missed 3 Men are not to use them since Christians are to be truely wise not in shew onely 13 Men are not to offer up that to the Lord which is nothing worth halt and maimed things 2 Men are not one whit the worse for omitting humane traditions 3 How can this be justified in the sight of God to depriue Ministers of their Ministery and people of their food for trifles 14 These Ceremonies please the flesh onely and therfore are not to be used By all these it may appear that Christians haue great cause to withstand all human traditions 1 The commandement of the Apostle speaking immediatly from Christ 2 Christian liberty dearly purchased for which we are to stand 3 These things are meerly unprofitable Therfore doe not please your selues