admonished of God how to do it for said the Lord Heb. 8.5 Exod. 25.40 Acts 7.44 Heb. 3.2 3 4 5. See that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed thee in the Mount and verily Moses was faithful in all his House as a servant and did see that all things was done as the Lord commanded And according to all that the Lord commanded Moses so the children of Israel made all the work and Moses did look upon all the work and beâ—old they had done it as the Lord had commanded even so had they done it Moses blessed them And the Lord spake unto Moses saying And read Exo. 34 35 36 37 38 39 chap. On the first day of the first Month thou shalt set up the Tabernacle of the Tent of the Congregation and Moses reared up the Tabernacle according to all that the Lord God commanded him to do so did he And it came to pass in the first month in the second year on the first day of the Month that the Tabernacle was reared up and all things belonging to the service of the Tabernacle was brought and put into it and set up in it So Moses finished the work and God said Read Exodus 40. ehap I mill sanctifie the Tabernacle of the Congregation and there will I meet with the children of Israel and the Tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle And God said unto Moses Exod. 28.1 2. 29.44 I will sanctifie also both Aaron and his sons to minister unto me in the Priests Office And the Lord said unto Moses Take unto thee Aaron thy Brother and his sons with him from among the children of Israel that he may minister unto me in the Priests Office even Aaron Nadab and Abihu Eliazer and Ithamor Aarons sons and thou shalt make holy Garments for Aaron thy Brother for glory and for beauty And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Take Aaron and his sons with him and the Garments Lev. 8. chap. and the anointing Oyle and a Bullock for a sin-Offring and two Rams and a Basket of unleavened Bread and gather thou all the Congregation together unto the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and Moses did as the Lord commanded and the Assembly was gathered together unto the door of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and Moses said unto the Congregation This is the thing which the Lord commanded to be done and Moses brought Aaron and his Sons and washed them with water and he put upon Aaron the Coat and girded him with the Girdle and cloathed him with the Robe and put the Ephod upon him and girded him with the curious Girdle of the Ephod Exod. 28.30 and bound it unto him therewith and he put the Brest-plate upon him also he put into the Brest-plate of Judgement the Vrim and the Thumrim and he put the Mytor upon his head and upon the Mytor he put also the golden Plate the Holy Crown as the Lord commanded Moses and Moses took the Anointing Oyle and he poured of the Anointing Oyle upon Aarons head and anointed him to sanctifie him And Moses brought Aarons sons and put Coats upon them and girded them with Girdles and put Bonnets upon them as the Lord commanded and Moses took of the Anointing Oyle and of the blood wâ—ich was upon the Altar and sprinkled it upon Aaron and upon his Garments and upon his Sons and upon his Sons Garments with him and sanctified Aaron and his Garments and his Sons and his Sons Garments with him And thus Aaron and his sons were sanctified for to Minister to the Lord in the Priests Office Lev. 9. chap. in the Tabernacle before the Altar for the accomplishing the service of God to offer up unto the Lord sacrifices for himself Heb. 7.27 9.6 7. Numb 3. chap. and then for the errors of the people And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Bring the Tribe of Levi near and present them before Aaron the Priest that they may Minister unto him and they shall keep his charge and the charge of the whole Congregation before the Tabernacle of the Congregation to do the service of the Tabernable and they shall keep all the Instruments of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the charge of the children of Israel to do the service of the Tabernacle And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them and thus shalt thou do unto them to cleanse them Thou shalt sprinkle the water of Purifying upon them and let them shave all their flesh and let them wash their cloathes and so make themselves clean then let them take a young Bullock for a Meat-Offring and another for a Sin-Offring and thou shalt bring the Levites before the Tabernacle of the Congregation and thou shalt gather tho whole Assembly of the children of Israel together and thou shalt bring the Levites before the Lord for an Offring before the Lord and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites and Aaron shall offer the Levites before the Lord for an Offring of the children of Israel that they may execute the service of the Lord and the Levites shall lay their hands upon the heads of the Bullocks and thou shalt offer one for a Sin-offring and the other for a Burnt-Offring unto the Lord to make an attonement for the Levites Thus shalt thou seperate the Levites from among the children of Israel and the Levites shall be mine and after that shall the Levites go in to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation And Moses and Aaron and all the Congregation of the children of Israel did to the Levites according to all that that the Lord commanded But take notice a little That the Levites were not to go in to wait upon the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation till that they were twenty five years of age and upward and when they came to be of the age of fifty years they were to cease waiting upon the service thereof and to serve no more for the Lord spake unto Moses saying This is that belongeth unto the Levites Lev. 8.23 24 25 26. ver From twenty and five years old and upward they shall go in to wait upon the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and from the age of fifty years they shall cease waiting upon the service thereof and shall serve no more Forasmuch as ye see God did require a Tabernacle an Ark and an Altar and all things belonging thereto to be made for himself to dwell in or amongst the children of Israel wherein he would meet them in their worship and service done unto him and so likewise you may see how he set apart consecrated and ordained Aaron and his sons and the Levites to Minister in the Priests Office and to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation so likewise
God provided Maintenance for them who waited continually upon this service himself therefore said Moses At that time the Lord seperated the Tribe of Levi to bear the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord Dâ—ut 10.8 9. 18.3 4. and to stand before the Lord to Minister unto him and to bless in his Name Wherefore Levi hath no part nor Inheritance with his Brethren Therefore this shall be the Priests due from the people from them that offer a sacrifice whether it be Oxe or Sheep they shall give unto the Priests the Shoulder the two Cheeks and the Maw and the first fruit also of thy Corn of thy Wine and of thy Oyle and the first of the fleece of thy Sheepe shalt thou give him Lev. 27.30 31 32. and also the tythes of Land whether of the seed of the Land or the fruit of the Tree it is the Lords And the tithe of the Herd or of the Flock even of whatsoever passeth under the Rod the tenth thereof shall be holy unto the Lord for said the Lord unto the children of Israel viz. the eleven Tribes Thou shalt truly tythe all the increase of thy seed that the field bringeth forth year by year and ye shall bring all the tythes into the Store-house Mal. 3.10 that there may be meat in my House for the Levite because he hath no part nor Inheritance with thee in the Land whither thou goest to possess And the Lord God spake unto Aaron and said Behold Numb 18.20 21 24. I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an Inheritance for their service which they serve even the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation And God gave the sons of Levi who received the Office of the Priesthood a Commandment to take tythes of their Brethren because they had no part nor Inheritance with them Heb. 7.5 Now these tythes and first fruits were not required to be paid in the land of Aegypt nor yet in the Wilderness as they went toward the Land of Canaan were they to pay any tythes or first fruits nor in any other land but when ye go over Iordan dwell in the land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about so that you dwell in safety then was tythes to be paid and then was the first fruits and tythes to be brought in and no where else for said Moses Read Deut. 12. chap. to the 20. ver Then shall there be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his Name to dwell there thither shall ye bring all that I command you your Burnt-Offrings and your Sacrifices and your tythes and the heave-Offring of your hand and all your choice vows which ye have vowed before the Lord and ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God ye and your sons and your daughters and your man-servants and your maid-servants and the Levite that is within your Gates forasmuch as he hath no part nor Inheritance with you So that it is very plain first That tythes and first fruits were to be paid in no land but in the land of Canaan when that the children of Israel had the possession of it Secondly Tythes and first fruits were to be paid by the eleven Tribes in the Land of Canaan to the sons of Levi who had a Law to take tythes and first fruits of their Brethren when they had rest round about from all their enemies dwelt safely in the same land of Canaan Thirdly the first fruits and tythes were to be paid of the fruit or increase that the eleven Tribes had of the land of Canaan and of no other land for it is written When ye go over Iordan and dwell in the Land which the Lord your God giveth you to inherit so that ye dwell in safety then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose for to cause his Name to dwell there and thither shall you bring your tythes When the children of Israel had got possession of the land of Canaan it was a long time before they had rest by reason of their often rebellion and turning aside from the Lord 1 Sam. 4 5 6 7 chap. so that the Ark of the Covenent of the Lord was often removed and carryed from place to place besides it once fell into the Philistines who carryed it to Ashdod and they set it up in Dagons House by Dagon their god and after that they saw the hand of God against them for keeping it then they sent it to Gath and the Lord smote the men of the City both great and small with a very great destruction and they had Emrods in their secret parts and then they sent away the Ark to Ekron and the Ekronites they cryed out and said They have brought about the Ark of the God of Israel to slay us and our people and then the Ark was carryed into the Philistines Country for seven months and then it was sent in a new Cart to Bethshemesh and the men of Bethshemesh sent Messengers to the Inhabitants of Kiriathiearim to come down and fetch up the Ark to them and the men of Kiriathiearim fetcht up the Ark of the Lord and set it in the House of Abinadab in the Hill 2 Sam. 5 6 7. chap. and there it abode twenty years and after that time when David was King over Israel and that he had beaten the Philistines from Geba until he came to Gazer then David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel and David said unto all the Congregation of Israel If it seem good unto you and that it be of the Lord our God let us send abroad unto our Brethren every where that are left in the Land of Israel and with them also to the Priests and the Levites which are in their Cities and Suburbs that they may gather themselves unto us And said he Let us bring again the Ark of our God to us for we inquired not at it in the dayes of Saul And all the Congregation said that they would do so for the thing was right in all the eyes of che people 1 Chron. 13.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. So David gathered together all Israel from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entring of Hamath to bring the Ark of God from Kiriathiearim And David and all Israel went up and they carryed the Ark of God in a new Cart out of tht House of Abinadab and Vzzah put forth his hand to take hold of the Ark of God and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Vzzah and God smote him there for his error and there he dyed by the Ark of God and David was displeased because the Lord had made a breach upon Vzzah And David was afraid of the Lord that day and said How shall the Ark of the Lord cowe to me So David carryed the Ark aside into the House
after they had sung a Psalm the Assembly was to be dismissed with a blessing Canon 33 35. and then they was to give with him a Testimonial of his ordination for the which he was to pay ten shilllings to the Register of the Assembly March 20. 1653. Ordinance O. P. and his Council Can. 39. and Can. 51. And an Ordinance was made by the present Rulers of this Nation for appointing Commissioners for Approbation of publike Preachers that the places destitute throughout this Nation may be supplied with able and faithful Preachers And for this end Commissioners were authorized to judge and take knowledge of the ability and fitness of any person that was nominated and presented to them and before any person was to be admitted to be setled in any Benefice or publike Lecture to preach and to take the stipened or profits thereof he was to be judged and approved one by the persons hereafter named in the Ordinance of whom you may see in the said Ordinance at large First They were to see if the party nominated and presented be a person for the grace of God in him Can. 36. 39. Secondly of his holy and unblameable conversation And thirdly as also for his knowldege and utterance able and fit to preach the Gospel And fourthlyly upon their Approbation of such his ability and fitnesse according to the qualification above mentioned they are to grant unto such Parson admission to such Benefice or Lecture by an Instrument in Writing under a common Seal Can. 41. The Bishops Cannons and Constitutions and the two Ordinances are in part equivolent each with other But in the latter end of the Ordinance they conclude and say It is not intended nâ—r shall be construed to be any solemn or sacred setting apart of a person to any particular Office in the Ministry of which I let passe for others to judge what difference there is betwixt this solemn and sacred setting apart and fome others in the foregoing generations for the Pope he gave power to the Cardinals who were his Legates and by them to the kings and the bishops And a Parliament they set King Henry the eighth in the seat of the Pope and then the bishops received their power from the King and the Parliament to make Ministers by a carnal commandment and so it continued so long almost as Kings and Queens reigned in England And the Parliament of Lords and Commons they took that power from the late King and his Bishops Articles of Religion 36. to themselves and gave power to an Assembly of Presbyter Divines to make Ministers by but that lasted but until the Parliament was dissolved And since the dissolution of the short Parliamont O. P. and his Council have taken the like Power and given the like power to their Commissioners for to judge and approve of who are fit to be preachers only in those places destitute throughout this Nation So that the Kings Queens and other Rulers of this Nation having got into their hands the same power that the Pope had did and do the same works in effect as the pope did but say I Who hath required this at their hands to do seeing that it is the alone and proper work of Christ to make and send forth his Messengers and Ministers as the Scripture testifieth how that Christ Jesus said unto his Disciples Luke 10.2 Matt. 9 37 38. Eph. 4.8 9 10 11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Harvest truly said he is great but the labourers are few pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth labourers into his Harvest And Christ when he ascended on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men and he gave some Apostles and some Prophecs and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers And said Paul God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ and for the perfecting of the Saints Now I say That God nor Christ did not give that power neither to pope nor to Cardinals nor to Bishops nor to Kings or any other Rulers nor to Councils or Assemblies nor to Commissioners since the dayes of the Apostles neither did he command them nor any one of them to go and ordain men to be preachers for hire nor to make ministers of the Gospel nor to give any man a commission to go to a parish in a city or to a town or to a village and there of the people take tythes and money for their preaching to the value of 100.l 200.l more or less by the yeer this is a work that God never required at any one of their hands to do no more then he did of Ieroboam who for making and consecrating of the lowest of the people to be priests for the high places which thing doing became a sin unto the House of Ieroboam even to cut it off from the face of the Earth 1 King 13.33 34. and to dedroy it Ye may read in the Scriptures that Moses he had a command from God alone for to go and take Aaron and his sons the Levites with him Exod 28 29 chap. to 12 13 14 15. c. Lev. 8.1 2 3 4 c. Numb 8.5 6 19. ver from among the children of Israel that they might minister unto the Lord in the priests office and to do the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation But who gave Ieroboam and other the Kings of Israel and Judah any command to make priests for the houses of high places And who required any Emperor King Queen or any other Ruler of the Earth to make ordain or consecrate bishops priests ot ministers for to pray read or preach in the houses of high places falsly called churches And Elijah he had a command from the Lord to go and annoint Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-Meholak to be a prophet in his room 1 King 19.16.19 20 21. ver FOXES Acts Monuments Vol. 1. but by what authority did the pope go annoint cardinals bishops c. for did not the Emperor and others choose the pope or popes then had not the pope his command and authority from the Emperor and others and not from the Lord God that commanded Elijah to do what he did Matth. 28.19 20. And Jeâ—us Christ said unto his Disciples All power is given to me in heaven and in earth go ye therefore and teach all Nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway unto the end of the world But the Bishops of England they had their power in the dayes of King Henry the eighth An. 25. Hen. 8. cap. 20. Luke 24.49 Acts. 1.4 and 2.4 Eph. 4.11 from him and the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament to make ordain and consecrate Arch-Bishops Bishops Deanes and Chapters Deacons Priests Ministers
Whosoever touched or did bear ought of the Carcases of any beast or creeping thing that was counted unclean he himself was unclean and was to wash his clothes and he that did eat of a Carkase of a dead Beast was to wash his clothes And again Lev. 14. chap. If a House that was spread with the plague of a fretting Leprosie and was by the commandment of the priest shut up because it was unclean then he that went into the House in that time and he that lay in the House and he that eat in the House were to wash their clothes And again If any man had a running issue out of his flesh he was unclean and his bed wherein he lay was unclean Lev. 15. chap. and the thing whereon he sate was unclean therefore whosoever touched his bed was to wash his clothes and he that sate on the thing whereon he sate that had the issue was to wash his clothes and bathe himself with water c. Of which divers washings Heb. 9.19 20 21. sprinklings feasts burnt-offerings meat-offerings drink-offerings sin-offerings trespasse-offerings the attonement for the sin of ignorance the free-will-offerings the peace-offerings c. ye may read of more at large in the Scriptures which things the Law required to be done were all by the Apostle Paul counted but carnal Ordinances and when the time of Reformation was come they were all put to an end Heb. 9.10 the hand-writing of Ordinances was blotted out the Law disannulled and the Priesthood changed c. Now I say That the Ministers of England never did this service for their tythes and first fruits as Aaron and his son did nor the Improprietors neither therefore neither the Improprietor nor the parish-Ministers have not any right to the tythes of the land nor the first fruits neither for the first fruits and tythes was Aaron and his sons due Heb. 9. chap. who received the office of the priesthood by the Lords appointment or command who were to attend continually yeer by yeer at the tabernacle of the congregation to accomplish the service of the Lord which was to offer gifts and sacrifices for themselves and for the errors of the people for which service doing the Lord God gave them for their portion of the most holy things reserved from the fire Lev. 2. ch 8.31 to 36. Numb 18. ch of every Oblation Meat-Offering Sin-offering Trespasse-offering Heave-offering Wave-offering c. all the best of the Oyle and the best of the Wine and the Wheat viz. the first fruits of them which the children of Israel should bring to offer unto the Lord even to Aaron and his sons who had the charge of the tabernacle of the Congregation and the office of the priesthood there to them the Lord God gave likewise of the firstling of a Cow or the firstling of a Sheepe or the firstling of a Goat which was brought for an offering made by fire Exod. 29. chap. for a sweet savour unto the Lord of the flesh thereof The Wave-brest and the right shoulder and the fat of the Ram and the Rump and the fat that covereth the inwards and the Caul about the Liver and the two kindneys and the fat that is upon them and the rig it shoulder and the breast of the Ram and whether it be of Ox or Sheep they shall give unto the priest the shoulder the two cheeks and the Maw Deut. 18.3 Numb 18.10 and a loaf of bread and a Cake of oyled Bread and a Wafer of unleavened Bread and this was by them to be eaten in the most holy place every meal And again Lev. 27.30 32 34. God he required the children of Israel to tythe all the encrease of their seed that their fields broughâ— forth yeer by yeer and he said that all the tythes of the land whether the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree and the tythe of the Herd or of the flock even of whatsoever passeth under the Rod the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord and all the tythes was brought into the House of the Lord for said the Lord unto the children of Israel Deut. 14.22 Exod. 23.19 34.26 Mal. 3.10 Deuc 14.28 26.12.13 Prov. 3.9 10. Thou shalt truly tythe all the encrease of thy seed that the field bringeth forth yeer by yeer and the first fruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the House of the Lord thy God Bring ye said the Lord all the tythes into the Store-house that there may be meat in my House and the levite and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow which are within thy Gates shall come and eat thereof and be satisfied that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thy hands which thou dost And Solomon said Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine encrease so shall thy barns be filled with plenty and thy Presses shall burst out with new Wine And God gave to the sons of Levi who received the office of the priesthood a commandment to take tythes of the people according to the law Heb. 7.5 that is of their Brethren and the Lord he spake unto Aaron Numb 18.21 24. and said Behold I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service which they serve even for the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation and the Lord spake unto Moses saying thus Speak unto the Levites and say unto them When ye take of the children of Israel the tythes which I have given you from them for your Inheritance c. Here you may plainly see and the Scriptures do testifie that God gave the first fruits and the tythes to the sons of Levi who received the office of the priesthood by his own command only and likewise the sons of Levi they received tythes of the children of Israel their brethren onely and of no other people or Nation by a law which law stood in force to be observed and kept by which law the eleven tribes of Israel was required to pay first fruits and tythes And likewise the sons of Levi who received the office of the priesthood to take tythes by and this commandment was given to Moses in Mount Sinai with other commandments for the children of Israel to observe and do Lev. 27.34 Iâ—h 1.17 Heb. 8.5 9 10. chap. and Paul said The Law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very Image of the things for the law came by Moses but grace and truth came by Iesus Christ. Now those things which the law required was a figure for the time then present in which time were offered both gifts and sacrifices by the priesthood which was ordained thereunto and the law which was a shadow of good things to come did impose upon the people many things to be done which stood only in meats and drinks and divers
the children of Israel and unto them he gave his commandment so to do and to no other people Secondly God required first fruits and tythes to be paid in no other Land or Nation but in the Land of Canaan only Thirdly That when the children of Isral had possession of the land of Canaan and that when they enjoyed peace round about them then were they to pay first fruits and tythes and not before Fourthly That the tythes of the land of Canaan whether the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree the wine the oyle the encrease of the seed that the field bringeth forth yeer by yeer the tythe of the Corn and the tythe of the Flock or of the Herd the Lord God said was his and therefore said the Lord The first fruits of thy Land thou shalt bring unto the house of the Lord thy God And again said the Lord Bring ye all the tythes into the Store-hovse that there may be meat in my house and they that brought not in their tythes to that Store-House were cursed with a curse for they had robbed God of their tythes and offerings even that whole Nation had done it Fifthly That in the land of Canaan 2 Chron. 6.6 7.16 Deut. 12.11 Neh. 10.34 to 39. 2 Chron. 31.2 to 11. ver Ierusalem was the place where God did place his Name and there was the Store-house builded that the first fruits and tythes were to be brought unto and to that place were the tythes and first fruits brought according to the law of God that came by Moses and to no other place Sixthly The first fruits and tythes which God said was his Numb 18. ch Deut. 18.1 2 3 4 5 6 7. Heb. 7.5 Numb 28.25 to 31. Deut. 17.18 14.29 26.12 Heb. 7.5 Numb 18.11 24. ver Deut. 18.3 4 5. he gave unto the children of Levi even all the tenth of Israel for an inheritance because the Levites had no inheritance among their Brethren Seventhly That to the sons of Levi who received the office of the Priesthood for their service which they served even the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation did God give the first fruits and tythes unto for their maintenance and likewise the fatherless the widow and the stranger that came within the gates was to eat thereof and be satisfied Eighthly God commanded the eleven tribes of Israel to pay tythes to the sons of Levi who received the office of the Priesthood and to no other Priesthood did he require tythes to be paid unto since the resurrection of Christ Jesus Ninthly That the first fruits and tythes were by a law that came by Moses due unto Aaron and his sons the Levites whom God had chosen and not man to minister before him at the Altar and to do the service of the tabernacle of the Congregation and to no other ministers or men whatsoever were nor are tythes since that command was given Heb 7.12 and the Priesthood changed and the Law disanulled And now by the way take notice a little what the service was that Aaron the Levite Exod. 4.14 and chap. 28. chap. 29. ver 29 30. Heb. 9. chap. and his sons the Levites did whom God did set apart thereunto Aaron and his sons God set apart from the other tribes of Iâ—rael for the service of the tabernacle of the Congregation who did minister before the Lord in the Holy place in the tabernacle of the Congregation unto the Lord accomplishing the service of the Lord which stood onely in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal ceremonies which was imposed upon them and the children of Israel to do until the time of reformation For first Gen. 17.12 Lev. 12.3 Iohn 1.22 Luke 22.1 they were to observe and keep the covenant of Circumcision every male child at eight dayes old was to be circumcised Secondly they were to observe and keep feasts viz. The Feast of the Passeover or the Feast of unleavened Bread the Feast of Penticost and the Feast of Tabernacle Now the people were to bring to the Feast of the Passeover a Lamb without blemish Exod. 12. chap. Acts 2.1 Exod. 23.16 a male of a yeer old Let every man said Moses take unto him a Lamb according to the house of the fathers a Lamb for an house c. and the flesh of the Lamb was to be rosted with fire and to be eaten with sowre Herbs and unleavened Bread and they were to eat unleavened bread seven dayes Again the Feast of pentecost that was the Feast that was of the first fruits of their Harvest Lev. 23.9 10 11 12 13 14. 33 34 35. Numb 29. ch the people they was to bring a sheaf of the first fruits of their Harvest unto the priest and the sheaf was to be waved before the Lord and the priest was to wave it on the morrow after the Sabbath c. and the feast of Tabernacles was to be kept on the seventh month at the end of their Harvest for seven dayes unto the Lord wherein was divers offerings viz. Burnt-offering Meat-offering Drink-offering Sin-offering c. Now the people they were to bring their offerings voluntary to the door of the Congregation of the Lord and there to offer it c. and if it was an offering of the Cattel of the Herd the priests Aarons sons were to sprinkle the blood upon the Altar and to lay the Wood in order upon the Altar and put fire to the Altar and to lay the parts the head and the fat in order upon the Wood that was on the fire upon the Altar and the priest he was to burn all upon the Altar These offerings were made for sin viz. for the sin of the Ruler Lev. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. chapters and for the sin of the priest of the Congregation and for the sin of any of the people which they have committed wilfully or through ignorance for which sins there was to be Burnt-offerings trespasse-offerings peace-offerings c. offered up by the high-priests first for himself and then for the errors of the people Exod. 29.1 17. Lev. 8. chap. So likewise there was divers washings First Moses he washed Aaron and his sons with water when he consecrated them according to the command of the Lord and Moses he washed the inwards and the legs of the Ram that was for a burnt-sacrifice at that time and a sweet sacrifice And Aaron when he offered up a burnt-offering for his own sin Lev. 9. chap. Lev. 1. chap. chap. 6.28 and for the sins of the people he did wash the inwards and the legs of the Ram and the inwards and the legs of the Bullock was to be washed in water that any of the people brought to offer for a burnt offering before the Lord and the brazen pot that the sin-offering was to be sodden in was to be both scoured and â—â—â—â—sed in water And again Lev. 11. chap.
A ROD Discovered found and set forth to whip the Idolaters till they leave off their Idolatry which yet remains in the Rulers of England their Ministers and the people who follow their wayes which doth consist in the Houses of High Places falsly called Churches the two Universities Cambridge and Oxford and their Ministers which are made by man and not of God and their Ministers maintenance not the Ministers of Christs which is portions of Lands Tythes Offrings Oblations Obventions and great Houses for a certain dwelling place on the earth and forms of oathes all which is the fruit of Idolaters and the abomination of the Heathen So likewise here is described the true Magistrate and his Work and the way for he who is not to become such a one and likewise the way for all people to come out of their Idolatry to worship the true God in spirit and in truth Reward her as she hath rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works Rev. 18.6 7 8 9. The commandment is a Lamp and the Law is light and reproofs of Instruction are the way of life Pro. 6.23 The Rod and Reproof gives wisdom let the righteous smite me and it shall be a kindness let him reprove me it shall be an excellent Oyle VVhen the righteous are in Authority the people rejoyce but when the wicked bear rule the people mourn Psal 141.5 Prov. 29.2.15 Written by me HENRY CLARK Unto which is prefixed the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the LAODICEANS LONDON printed for the Author the sixth Month in the Year 1657. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS 1 PAUL an Apostle not of man nor by man but by Iesus Christ 2 To the Brethren which are at LAODICEA Grace and peace be with you from God the Father and the Lord Iesus Christ 3 I thank my God in all my Prayers that you remain stedfast in him and in all his works waiting upon his Promises to the day of judgement 4 And be not seduced by some unprofitable talkers who go about to cause you to fall from the Gospel which was preached unto you by me 5 Oh that they that were inctructed by me might serve to the profit of the Gospel of truth and become diligent in good works of eternal life 6 And henceforth are my bonds manifest which I suffer for Christs sake 7 Whereof I rejoice in heart and account it eternal salvation 8 That such is done through your prayers by the working of the holy Spirit whether by life or death 9 For I have a will and a joy to dye in Christ who will through the same mercy give you to have the same love and to be of one mind 10 Therefore beloved brethren as you have heard in my presence that keep and finish in the fear of God so shall you have eternal life for God will work it and perfect it in you without delay 11 My beloved rejoice in the Lord and take heed of them that are desirous after filthy lucre 12 Let your prayers be manifest unto God and remain firm in the knowledge of Christ. 13 And do that which is mete convenient just and reasonable and what you have heard and received that keep in your hearts so shall you have praise 14 The Grace of God and our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirits Amen Cause this Epistle to be read unto the Colossians and read you that which is written unto the Colossians Read Col. 4.16 This Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans was found in the oldest Bible that was Printed at Worms IN a translation of the New-Testament into both Latine and English each correspondent one to another after the vulgar Text commonly called St. Ieroms faithfully translated by Iohn Hollybush 1538. and printed in Southwark by Iames Nicolson and set forth by the Kings licence I finde in the sixt Chapter of Luke it is thus in the Margent after the fifth and sixth verses after these words The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath viz. in one of the Greek Copies this followeth Iesus seeing a cortain man working on the Sabbath-day said unto him O man if thou didst know indeed what thou dost thou wert happy but if thou knowest not thou art accursed and a transgressor of the Law A Rod discovered found and set forth c. WHen man hath forsaken the counsel of the Lord Deut. 9.12 16. Exod. 32.1 8. Psal 106.13 21. ver Numb 25.4 Iudg. 2.10 11 12 13. Psal 2.2 3. 1 Kings 11.38 12.28 29. 2 Chron. 12 1. 2 Kings 21. ch Read of Manassah and Amon and turned from the onely true God his Maker then he runs into the transgression and takes counsel of man and sets himself to act against the Lord and his annointed and in his imaginations he sets up other Gods for to worship and serve and this hath been the practise of the Kings and Rulers of the Earth and their Priests who have been the onely instruments together and the very Ring-Leaders of the people from the onely true God and his worship to fall down and worship the gods that they in their imaginations have set up which is Idolatry So likewise the Kings and Rulers of the Earth have done and do now in these dayes for the worship and service of their false gods and in pretence of worshipping the true God have those things in imitation which the only true God did do and required to be done for his worship and service but all those things which they in their imaginations did do in imitation of God was their sin for which the wrath of God was kindled up against them to cut them off and to destroy them And now I will instance some particular things that the onely true God did do and required to be done for his worship and service and afterwards shew how the Kings and Rulers of the earth have devised in their hearts to do the like for the worship of their false gods which was of their own setting up and a grievous sin they did commit in so doing And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an Offring Exod. 25 26 27 28. chap. and ye shall take my Offring of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart they were to take the offering of him that gave it willingly with his heart and with that willing offring that came from the heart they were to make the Lord God a Sanctuary that he might dwell amongst them And the Lord said unto Moses According to all that I shew thee after the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all the Instruments thereof even so shall ye make it and ye shall make the Ark of Shittim Wood and God shewed unto Moses the pattern of the Tabernacle how it should be built and of what it should be made of and all things belonging to it And when Moses went about to make the Tabernacle he was
Congregation that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem and reigned over Israel and Solomon said Now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side so that there is neither adversaries nor evil occurrent Behold I purpose to build an House unto the Name of the Lord my God as the Lord spake unto David my Father saying Thy son whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room he shall build an House unto my Name Then Solomon began to build the House of the Lord at Jerusalem in Mount Moriah where the Lord appointed unto David his father Deut. 12.10 11 12. 2 Chron. 3.1 2. and that was the place that God did choose to cause his Name to dwell and thither was the people to bring their tythes and first fruits their Burnt-offrings and their Sacrifices And Solomon began to build the House of the Lord at Jerusalem in the second year of the second Month in the fourth year of his reign and when the House was finished throughout all the parts thereof according to all the fashion of it then Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated 1 Chron. 29.1 2 3 4 5. viz. the Gold the Slver and all the Instruments put he among the Treasuries of the Hduse of God and then Solomon assembled the Elders of Israel and all the Heads of the Tribes and the chief of the Fathers of the children of Israel unto Jerusalem to bring up the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord out of the City of David which is Zion and all the Elders of Israel came 2 Sam. 5.7 9. 1 Chron. 11.4 5 6 7 8. and the Levites took up the Ark and they brought up the Ark and the Tabernacle of the Congregation and all the holy Vessels that were in the Tabernacle these did the Priests and the Levites bring up And the Priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord unto his place to the Oracle of the House into the most Holy Place even under the Wings of the Cherubins and Solomon said unto the Lord I have huilt an House of habitation for thee and a place for thy dwelling for ever And blessed be the Lord God of Israel who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my Father David saying Since that day that I brought my people out of the Land of Aegypt I chose no City among all the Tribes of Israel to build an House in that my Name might be there neither chose I any man to be a Ruler over my people Israel but I have chosen David to be over my people Israel And said Solomon The Lord hath performed the word that he hath spoken for I am risen up in the room of David my Father am set on the Throne of Israel as the LORD promised to David my Father and I have built the HOUSE for the Name of the LORD GOD of ISRAEL and the Lord God said I have chosen Jerusalem that my Name may be there And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said unto him I have heard thy prayer and I have chosen this place to my self for an House of sacrifice for now have I chosen and sanctified this House 2 Chron. 33.7 Psal 132.13 2 Chron. 7.12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22. that my Name may be there for ever and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually and my ears shall attend unto the prayers that is made in this place and as for thee said the Lord God to Solomon if thou wilt walk before me as David thy father walked and do according to all that I have commanded thee and shalt observe my Statutes and my Judgements then will I establish the Throne of thy Kingdom according as I covenanted with David thy Father saying There shall not fail thee a man to be Ruler in Israel but if ye turn away and forsake my Statutes and my my Commandments which I have â—et before you and shall go and serve other Gods and worship them then will I pluck â—hem up by the roots out of my Land which I have given them Deut. 12.10 11 and this Houâ—e whiâ—h I have sanctified for my Name will I cast â—ut of my ligâ—t Therefore â—ake notice First God told the â—hildre of â—raâ—l when â—heâ— were in the Wilderness That when they came into the â—â—nâ— whiâ—h he wâ—uld â—ive them to possess and that when he had given them rest â—rom all theiâ— Enemies round about then there should be a place which he would choosâ— to cause his Name to dwell in 2 Chron. 6.5 6. Secondly Thâ—t in the Land of Canaan Ierusalem was the place that God chose from amâ—ng all the Trâ—bes of Israel that his Name might be there Tâ—irâ—ly 2 Chron. 3.1 Deut. 12.5 Joh. 4.20 Exod. 23.14 15 16. Deut. 16.16 2 Chron. 8.12 13 14 15 16. That at Ierusalem Solomon built in Mount Moriah a House called a Temple unto the Name of the Lord and for his Worship according to the Command of God 2 Sam. 7.12 13 14. 1 Kings 5.5 6. chap. Fourthly That to Ierusalem was the people of Israel required to bring their Burnt-Offrings their Sacrifices their first Fruits and their tythes Then Solomon offered Burnt-Offerings unto the Lord on the Altar of the Lord which he had built before the Porch even after a certain rate every day offering according to the Commandment of Moses and he appointed according to the order of David his father the Courses of the Priests to their Service and the Levites to their Charges the Porters also by their courses at every Gate so the House of God was perfected Now that which I come to write of further is That God required the people of Israel to pay the Priests and Levites their first fruits and tythes unto them in the land of Canaan Deu. 10.8 9 14. cha ver 22 to the end 18.1 2 3 4 5 6. and that they were to bring their Offerings and Sacrifices their first fruits and their tythes unto the place which he should chose that to Jerusalem were the first fruits and the tythes brought into the House of the Lord to be for food for the Priests the Levites the fatherless and the widow and the stranger that they might eat and be satisfied And Hezekiah King of Iudah sent to all Israel and Iudah to come to Ierusalem to keep the Passeouer unto tne Lord God of Israel 2 Chron. 30 31. chap. and Hezekiah appointed the courses of the Priests and the Levires after their courses every man according to his service the Priests and tae Levites for Burnt-offerings and for Peace-offerings he appointed also the Kings portion of his substance for the Burnt-offering to wit For the Morning and the Evening Burnt-offerings for the Sabbaths and for the New Moons and for the set Feasts as it is in the Law of the Lord Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to
give to the Priests and the Levites their portion that they might be incouraged in the law of the Lord as soon as the commandment came abroad the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of Corn Wine and Oyle and Hony and of all the encrease of the field and the tythe of all things brought they in abundantly and the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the Cities of Judah they also brought in tythes of Oxen and Sheep and the tythe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God and laid them by heaps and Azariah the Priest said to the King and the Princes Since the people began to bring the Offrings into the House of the Lord we have had enough to eat and have left plenty for the Lord hath blessed his people of that which is left is this great store Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare Chambers in the House of the Lord they prepared them they brought in the Offrings and the Tythes the dedicated things faithfully into the House of God over which Azariah was Ruler And after the children of Israels return out of captivity from Babylon when they had builded up the Walls of Ierusalem and that they were setled again every one in their places Nehemiah went the two and thirtieth year to the King of Babylon and after certain dayes he obtained leave of the King Neh 10 12 13. chap. and he came again to Jerusalem and he found the House of God forsaken and perceived that the portions was not given to the Levites because that the Levites was fled every man to his field then Nehemiah contended with the Rulers and said Why is the House of G d forsakâ—n and he gathered them together and set them in their places and then brought all Judah the tythes of their Corn and the New Wine and the Oyle into the treasuries Now God had commanded to bring all â—he tythes into the Store-House Mal. 3.10 that there might be meat in his House And Nehemiah and the Rulers made Ordinances accordingly and râ—quiâ—ed the people the children of Israel to bring the first fruits of their ground and the firrst fruits of all their trees year by year unto the House of the Lord and that they should bring the firstlings of their Herds and of their Flocks to the House of God unto the Priests that ministred in the House of God and that they should bring the first fruits of their Dough and their Offâ—â—iâ—gs â—nâ— thâ— fruit of all manner of trees of Wine and of Oyle unto the Priests to the Chambers of the House of God and the tythes of their ground they were to bring unto the Levites that the same Levites might have the tythes in all the cities of their tillage and the Priest the son of Aaron was to be with the levites when the levites took tythes and the levites was to bring up the â—ythe of tythes unto the House of God into the Chambers of the treasure-House And so much I have in part set forth to shew what God did do and required to be done in his worship and service of which the Scripture speaks more at large And now I come to shew how that the Kings and Rulers of the earth who forsake the onely true God to serve strange gods were the onely and chief Ring-leaders of the people from the true God and his way of Worship to worship the Images that they had set up And likewise how they in their imaginations have in their actions imitated to do the like things for the worship and service of their false gods that they set up as was done for the worship and service of the onely true God by his Command And now I will lay down the particular things to shew wherein the Kings and Rulers of the earth have acted in their own wills by their imaginations to do those things for the worship of their false gods which things that by them done were sin and what things they are doing for a false worshipping of the onely true God which is sin and such as God never required at their hands The first is The building and repairing of the Houses of High Places 2. Kings 17.12 15. Jer. 19.5 Jer. 7.31 32. called Churches for the worshipping of their false gods in or otherwayes for a pretence of worshipping the true God which thing God never required at their hands to do For God dwells not in Temples made with hands nor is he worshipped in Temples made with hands but he is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth and such worshippers the Father looks for dmells with him that is of an humble contrite spirit Ioh. 4.20 21 22 23 24. Acts 7.47 48 49. Isa 57.15 The second is Their consecrating and making Priests to offer up Sacrifices to preach in those Hgh Places called Churches for money and tythes is a thing that God never required at their hands to do and therefore it is a sin for them so to do 1 K ngs 13.33 34. Matth. 9.37 38. The third is the Laws that the Kings and â—ulers with the Pope and Bishops of the earth who sate in counsel together have made by which they compel the people of God to pay the Priests or Ministers that they have made tythes and Hire by which are contrary to God and Christ and such Laws God never required them to sit together to make against him and against his anointed and therefore I say that those Laws are unrighteous unjust unholy because they are not of God but contrary to God and therefore they are not to be obeyed for God is to be obeyed rather then man Isa 10.1 2. Mic. 6.16 Amos 8.4 5 6. Isa 1.12 But of tythes I have something more to wâ—ite hereafter in its place First God exalâ—ed from among the people of Israel Jereboam the son of Nebat one of King Solomons servants 1 King 11. ch 14.7 8 9.10 and made him Prince over the people Israel but Jeroboam turned away from the Lord God and followed not the Lord to keeâ— his Comâ—andments with all his heart nor stood in his counsel who had exalted him from all the people but Jeroboam lightly esteemed of the Lord aâ—d set his counsel at naught and set himself to do evil above all that were before him and rebelled against the Lord then the loss of Jeroboams Kingdom was set before him and the fear of his life was upon him and thus being surprised with fear on evevy side he said in his heart Now shall the Kingdom â—eturn to the House of David for said he If this people go up to do sacrifice at Ierusalem then shall the hearts of this people return again unto their Lord Rehoboam King of Judah and they will kill me 1 King 12. chh and go to Rehoboam King of Iudah again Wâ—ereupon Ieroboam took counsel but not of the Lord God who exalted him and made two Calves
of Gold and the one he set up in a City called Dan and Iereboam built up at Bethel a House of High Places and he made an Altar at Bethel and Jeroboam he set up the other golden Calfe at Bethel and then Jeroboam said unto the people It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem to worship behold thy Gods O Israel which brought thee out of the Land of Aegypt And thus you see how one of the Kings of the earth was the Ring-leaders of the people from the true God to worship Idols for the people went to worship before one of the golden Calves even to the City of Dan and that thing became a sin unto them and Jeroboam he built an Altar at Bethel and he made Priests of the lowest of the people which were not of the sons of Levi and he placed the Priests in the Houses of High Places at Bethel And Jeroboam he ordained a Feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month which he had devised of his own heart like unto the Feast that was in Judah there was his imitation and Jeroboam offered upon the Altar sacrificing unto the Calves that he had made 1 King 13. ch and he stood by the Altar to burn Incense and the Priests that he had made of the lowest of the people for the High Places burnt Incense upon the Altar as it was done in Judah so the like did he do at Bethel But I do not find that the House of High Places was so glorious as the Temple was at Jerusalem But behold there came a man of God out of Judah by the Word of the Lord unto Bethel and as Jeroboam stood by the Altar to burn incense the man of God cryed against the Altar in the Word of the Lord and said O Altar Altar thus saith the Lord Behold a child shall be born unto the House of David Josiah by Name and upon thee shall he offer the Priests of the high Places that burn incense upon thee and mens bones shall be burnt upon thee Now Jeroboam who was turned from the Lord God that exalted him fell to persecute the Prophet of the Lord and Jeroboam himself put forth his hand when he heard the saying of the man of God and said lay hold on him but the Lord God was just in causing his hand that he put forth to be dryed up Read 2 Chron. 11. 12. chap. for that he could not pull it again to him yet the Lord God was merciful to his Enemy and at the request of the man of God his hand was restored to him again but after this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way but made again of the lowest of the people priests for the high places after the manner of the Nations likewise of other lands and for the Devils and for the Calves which he had made he ordained them priests and whosoever came himself with a young Bullock and seven Rams the same he made a priest to them that were no Gods and him who Jeroboam consectated became one of the priests of the high places and this thing became sin unto the House of Jeroboam even to cut it off and to destroy it from off the face of the earth But take notice that this House of High Places that Jerobam built at Bethel was called the Kings Chappel by Amaziah the priest of Bethel Amos 7.10 11 12 13. who was a persecutor of the prophet of the Lord as you may read Amos. 2 Chr. 12.13 14. And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned over Judah in Jerusalem the City which the Lord did choose out of all the tribes of Israel to put his Name there And when Rehoboam had established the Kingdome and made it strong then he forsook the law of the Lord and all Israel with him and Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord and they provoked him to jealousie with their sins which they committed above all that their Fathers had done for they also built them high places and Images 1 King 14 21 22 23. and Groves on every high Hill and under every green tree and there were Sodomites in the land and they did according to all the abominations of the Nations which the â—ord had cast out before the children of Israel And thus you see now that if the King turn from the Lord forsake his Commandments the peopâ—e generally follow to do wickedly with him and as these two Kings did so other Kings of Israel and Judah did the like as you may read of Nadab 2 Kings 15.25 26. and Baasha ver 33 34. and of Zimri and Omri 2 Kings 16.19 25 26. And Ahab the son of Omri King of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him and it came to pass as if it it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam 1 King 16 3â— 31 32 33. for he took to wife Jezebel the Daughter of Ethbaeal the King of the Zidonians and went and served Baal and worshipped him and Ahab he built a House in Samaria for Baal he reared up an Altar for Baal in the House of Baal which he had built in Samaria and Ahab had got for Baal four hundred and fifty prophets and he had got four hundred prophets for the Groves that fed at Jezebels Table 1 Kingâ— 18.19 and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger then all the Kings of Israel that were before him And the Samaritans they made Houses of high places in all their senced Cities from the tower of the Watchmen to the fenced City and they set up Images and Groves and they burnt Incense in the high places as did the Heathen and they served their Idols Jer. 7.31 19.5 2 Kings 17. ch ver 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. wherefore the Lord God said unto them Ye shall not do this thing And the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah by all the prophets and by all the Seers saying Turn you from your evil wayes and keep my Commandments and Statutes according to all the law which I commanded your Fathers and mhich I sent to you by my servants the Prophets But they would not hear but hardened their necks like the necks of their Fathers that did not believe in the Lord their God and they rejected his Statutes and Covenant and his testimonies which he testified against them and they followed vanity and became vain and went after the Heathen and worshipped all the host of Heaven and served Baal And Ahaziah son of Ahab he reigned over Israel and he walked in the way of his Father and in the way of his Mother and in the way of Jeroboam for he served Baal and worshipped him 1 King 22.51 52 53. And after a reformation that King Hezekiah had made as you may read 2 Kings 18. chap. Manassah his son
if any such words was spoken as tended to Treason they were Traytors for concealing it so long Read the story of the life and death of THO. L. CROMWEL in FOX Act. Mon. Vol. 2 Here you see what was charged against the man for his good service and for all his good service that he had done the King and the Nation by the means of the blood-thirsty clergy had his head cut off at the Tower-Hill in London One thing I observe at the doing or bringing about this thing to be done is That before time the two Bishops viz. Sardiner Bishop of Winchester and Bonner bishop of London were made friends who before were the greatest enemies each to other that might be and by their means Barns Clark and many others were burned all that was contrary to themselves must be burned in the fire and they so delighted in burning of people that they burned some papists of their own Religion as well as Hereticks as they called them And thus ye may see what a bloody generation these learned men have been who were brought up at Cambridge and Oxford and other schollars and by a carnal commandment of man made Ministers and Preachers for no sooner did any thing of God appear in a King or other Magistrate but these like the red Dragon were ready to deuour that good thing in them For I find that young King Edward was one of a meek spirit Reâ— 12.4 and much inclined to clemency for he alwayes spared and favoured the life of man and favoured the life of those they called Hereticks for one Ione Butcher should have been burned and all his Council could not move him to put his hand to have her burned but were fain to get bishop Cranmer to perswade him to do it but Cranmer could not with much labour induce the King to do it do but take notice of the Kings answer to bishop Cranmer said the King What will ye have me to send her quick to the Devil in her error And yet although one Cheek the Kings School-Master could not perswade the King nor his council could not perswade him to set his hand to the burning of the woman Yet the bishop like the old Dragon overcame him to put his hand to the writing but Cranmer confessed that he had never so much to do in all his life as he had to cause the King to do it for said the King to Cranmer I will lay all the charge upon you before God So likewise his council sent the said Cranmer then Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Ridley bishop of London to perswade the King to permit his Sister the Lady Mary that bloody Queen to have private Masse in her House without prejudice of the Law for the which they alledged their reasons and perswasions for the accomplishing of the same but the King replyed to them by answering to them from the Scriptures so that they confessed what he said was true But still they like the Devil did urge him to it politickly and alledged what danger it might be to him if he should deny such a thing but the King answered them and willed them to be content for he would said he spend his life and all he had rather then agree and grant to that which he knew certainly to be against the truth Yet notwithstanding they urged him still to grant it and would by no means have his nay whereat the King seeing their importunity burst out in bitter weeping and sobbing and desired them to be content c. And by these two before writ of viz. King Edward and Thomas Lord Cromwell ye may see how those learned men could turn and wind about to destroy the appearance of God not onely in Kings and Rulers but likewise in others and if they could not destroy it one way they would destroy it another and that was by causing their bodyes to be imprisoned wracked whipped hanged burned c. as witness all the Martyrs in Queen Maryes dayes whereof Cranmer himself was one and the same spirit that ruled in those bishops and the clergy ruled in the bishops and the clergy in the days of the late King as witness the cruel sufferings of Henry Burton Iohn Lilburn William Prynne and Iohn Bastwick c. and the same spirit of envy and cruelty reign now in these dayes in the parish-ministers * But not in the Ministers of Christ of England for the Tree is known by its fruit for not only by their deeds but by their words do I judge them to be such as for what I have heard from some of their own mouths I shall let it pass and their deeds to me likewise But by the way take notice what Mercurius Politicus said viz. that several petitions were presented to the House Thursday the 18. day of Decemb. 1657. containing divers complaints against the growth and exorbitances of the people called Quakers and so did Pharoah against the children of Israel was this day read Exod. 1. chap. The first was from the county of Devon and Exceter The second was from the Ministers of Northumberland Durham and New Castle upon Tine but not from the Ministers of Christ And the third was from the Justices of the Peace Gentry Ministers of the Gospel as he said and others in the county of Palatine of Chester and the attestation of the same petition by the Mayor Aldermen and Ministers of the city of Chester not the Ministers of Christ The fourth was from the Mayor Aldermen and Common-counsel of the city of Bristol with the Ministers of the Gospel as he said and other chief Inhabitants there The fifth was the humble petition of divers well-affected persons Gentlemen Ministers he did not say here Ministers of the Gospel and others in the county of Cornwall which said Politicus were all referred to a Committee to consider of them and to collect such heads as may be fittest for a Bill for the suppressing of the mischiefs and inconveniences complained of therein c. And let the prisons in England testifie of the sufferings of those people called Quakers by the means of the Parish-Ministers of England and also the losse and spoyle of their goods for non-payment of tythes and likewise the whipping stocking and stoning of them by the brutes of this Nation above all other Nations for whereever they have yet come the Rulers hath not dealt the like to them as they of their own Nation have done unto them which Nations may be a witness against England in the day of Judgement for the hypocrisie and cruelty in her Rulers and their Ministers c. Quest But it is very likely that some may say They be not all such as thou shewest them to be for some of them are better then others therefore thou must not condemn all to be alike c. Answ I do grant that amongst the Rulers and Magistrates of this Nation there is some that are more sober moderate and discreet
then others are and will not put their hands to do violence and blood as others do but of this better sort there is the lesser number And so I say of those who are called the Parish-Ministers take notice that for all this I do not own them to be Ministers of Christ that some of them and but few are more wise in their generation sober and moderate men and have not yet put forth their hands to do wickedly as the other have done who professe themselves to be Ministers of Christ but are not his as appears by their pride covetousness envy malice wrath for they are fierce despisers of those that are good heady Epist of Paul to the Laodic v. 11. high-minded and are desirous after filthy lucre and seek the honor of men and not of God and the ruine and destruction of mens bodies and so are out of the faith patience gentleness quietness and the meek spirit which is of great price with the Lord and could they have the Magistrate in all things to do their will they would have had fire and Faggots put to the people called Quakers to have burned them or else to have had us banished out of the Land before this out of their way nay they would not have spared some of their own Brethren the Ministers so called for they would have done by them as Stephen Gardiner and Edmund Bonner did by Ridley Latimor and Philpot in Queen Maryes dayes or as the late Bishops did to Henry Burton for the same spirit as was in Gardiner Bonner and the late Bishops is ruling in the Parish-Ministers now but that they cannot get all the Rulers of the Land to joyne with them to accomplish their designe and these are such who are made Ministers and Teachers by a carnal commandment of men and the people who will not endure sound doctrine but turn away their ears from hearing the truth are turned unto fables and according to their own lusts having itching ears they heap up to themselves Teachers made of Cambridge and Oxford Schollars heaps of teachers made by a carnal commandment to be be Preachers Ministers of Parishes but not Ministers of Christ Parsons Vicars Curates Lecturers Rectors Chaplains viz. His Highnesse Chaplain the Ladys Chaplain the Earls Chaplain and their Lords Chaplain and these Chaplains feed at their Earls and their Lords and Ladyes Tables like the prophets of the Groves that fed at Iezzabels Table And thus they creep into Houses and leadsilly women captive who are laden with sin and lead away with divers lusts ever of them learning but by their preaching are not yet come to the knowledge of the truth And again by the means of these parish-Ministers who are so made by a carnal commandment rule hath been born and is born to persecute the righteous under the Notion of Hereticks Sedition Schism Seducers Blasphemers c. whenas all discord debate strife erroneous Opinions and divisions in matters of Religion and what points of Religion they will believe and what they will not believe and blasphemy imitations deceiving and beguiling unstable souls is amongst the learned men themselves who are trained up and have been traind up at the Vniversities in Logick Rhetorick Philosophy and vain deceit for are not some of those who are called Ministers for the Pope and his Religion in general and others for the Episcopal Religion and others for the Scottish Presbyters Religion and are not some of them of the Independents Religion and others of the Anabaptists Antinomians Arminians and Fifth Monarchy-Men so called and from whence arise all these Nick-names and ill-favoured tearms but from these Cambridge and Oxford Schollars those unprofitable talkers Epist of Paul to the Laod. v. 4 who are made Ministers by a carnal commandment of man and not of God for the Ministers of Christ were not made Ministers by a carnal commandment but by the Spirit for said Paul Our sufficiency is of God 2 Cor. 3.5 6. who also hath made us able Ministers of the New-Testament not of the letter but of the spirit It was and it is the work of the onely wise God Heb. 11.5 Iude 14. Exod. 3.2 3 4 5 6.10 11 12 13 14. Ier. 35.15 Isa 6.8 9 Ier. 1.5 Mat. 9.37 38. 10.1 5 6 7. 28.18 19 20. Mark 16.15 Luk. 24.47 48 49. Act. 1.4 2.2 3 4. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.8 9 10 11 12 13. Gal. 1.11 12 15 16 17. 2 Tim. 4.2 Epist Paul to the Laod. ver 1. and our Lord Jesus Christ to ordain to call to elect to sanctifie to give power gifts and commissions and to send forth all true and faithful Messengers Prophets Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel for to declare his Messages in particular and likewise to preach the Gospel in all Nations in Cities Towns and Villages unto the utmost parts of the earth and to bear witness of his Name before the Gentiles Kings and Rulers and the children of Israel in season and out of season to divide the word aright And with this work God never did trust nor put into the hands of Pharoah King of Aegypt to do nor Jeroboam nor the Turk nor the Emperors nor the Kings nor Dukes nor any other sort of Magistrates to do for God neither did God put this work into the hands of the Pope nor his Cardinals Ier. 7.31 19.5 Isa 1.12 John Goodwin in his book of Tryers p. 5. Matth. 28.18 19. Mark 16.15 Rev. 1.17 18. 21.6 22.13 nor his Bishops nor the Priests nor the Vniversities nor the Commissioners of Tryars to do for him therefore I say Who hath required this at any of their hands to do and by what Authority did any of the aforesaid make Ministers seeing that God never required it at their hands to do for said John Goodwin in his book The two Commissions we implead the one for Tryers the other of Ejecters being neither of them given in charge by Jesus Christ For Christ Jesus spake unto his disciples saying All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth go ye therefore into all the world and preach the Gospel and teach all Nations Christ Jesus the Son of God the same yesterday and to day and for ever the first and the last it is he that liveth and was dead but behold he is alive for evermore he was before his works of old he was set up for an everlasting salvation unto the ends of the earth Prov. 8.23 Isa 49.6 from the beginning before ever the earth was made when there was no depths when there was no fountains abounding with water and before the Mountains and the Hills was setled was Christ the Light brought forth and was by his Father while as yet he had not made the earth nor the fields nor the highest part of the world Prov. 8.22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31. for when God prepared the heavens when he set a compasse upon
the face of the depth when he established the clouds above when he strengthned the fountains of the deep when he gave to the Sea his Decree that the waters should not passe his commandment and when he appointed the foundations of the earth then was Christ with God as one brought up with him 1 Cor. 1.24 Iohn 1.1 2 3. 17.24 Coll. 1.16 17 18. Eph. 5.23 25 26 27. Ioh. 10.11 1 Pet. 2.25 Matt. 9.37 38. Luk. 10.2 Matt. 20. ch Ier. 15.19 Matth. 3.12 Ioh. 5.17 10.30 37 38. 15.16 Isa 6.3 48.10 to 15. Ioh. 15.16 Mar. 3.14 15. Luk. 9.1 2. Acts 1.4 2.1 2 3 4. Ps 68.18 Eph. 4.8 to 13. he was daylie his delight rejoicing alwaies before him he was by him when the Lord by his wisdom founded the earth and by his understanding established the heavens Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God by whom all things were made without him was not any thing made that was made he was before all things and by him all things consist he rejoyceth in the habitable parts of his earth and his delight is with the sons of men he is the first and the last the beginning the end he is the Head of the body the Church which he loveth and gave himself for it and he Christ Jesus is the Saviour of the Body viz. the Church He is the good Shepherd and Bishops of our souls he is the Lord of the Harvest who is to be prayed unto that he would send forth labourers into his Harvest to reap the wheat of the Vinyard to separate the precious from the vile and to gather the fruit into his Garners Christ Jesus said I and my Father are one the Father is in me said Christ and I in him and my Father worketh hitherto and I work It was and is the work of Christ Jesus to ordain choose and to send forth Labourers into his Vinyard and not mans work for the whole earth is full of his glory and his glory he will not give to another And they who laboured in the Word and Doctrine were chosen and sent forth by Christ Iesus and not by man for said Christ Iesus to his Apostles Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you that you should go and bring forth fruit All power said Christ is given unto me in heaven and in earth And Christ he gave them power and said unto them Go ye therefore into all the world and preach the Gospel and teach all Nations and he endued them with power from on high and he ascended up on high and he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men and he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the word of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ and for the perfecting of the Saints And said Paul 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set some in the Church not of mans setting first Apostles secondly Prophets thirdly Teachers c. Now there is diversity of Gifts but they are given by the same spirit And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall c. And thus much in the general for proof that it was and is the work properly of God and Christ to ordain choose give power commission and to send forth the Ministers of the Word and Gospel to preach the same and to teach all Nations every where And now I shall prove in particular that God and Christ did do this work without the help of the Rulers of the earth or the Pope and his Adherents As for instance For Paul he was an Apostle of Iesus Christ by the commandment of God and our Saviour the Lord Iesus Christ which is our hope 1 Tim. 1.1 And God said unto Annanias a Disciple Acts 9.10 to 15. Gal. 1. chap. That Paul was a chosen Vessel unto him to bear his Name before the Gentiles and Kings and the children of Israel And Paul said he was an Apostle not of man neither by man but by Iesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead but said Paul When it pleased God who separated me from my Mothers Womb Acts 26.19 and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the heathen immediately I was not disobedient unto the heavenly Vision nor conferred not with flesh and blood neither went I up to Ierusalem to them which were Apostles before me but I went into Arabia and returned again unto Damascus c. And said Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians But I certifie you Brethren That the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man for said he I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Iesus Christ it pleased God to reveal his son in me that I might preach him among the Heathen Hereby it is plain That Paul was not made a Minister of the Gospel at the Vniversities by man neither had he a commission given him to go preach the Gospel by Authority from the Rulers of the earth neither was he by man taught how to preach the Gospel And Iohn the Baptist he was not sent of man but of God for it is written in the first chapter of Iohn and the sixth verse Ioh. 1.6 7 8 9. There was a man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a witnesse to bear witnesse of the Light And John the Disciple and Apostle of Christ writ and said These things we writ unto you that your joy might be full This then is the Message which we have heard of him and declare unto you That God is light and in him is no darknesse at all And John the Baptist he bore witnesse of the same light that the Apostles were witnesses of 1 Ioh. 1.4 5. and of the said Light was their Message to declare that the people might be turned from darknesse to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God who is light And John said That was the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world and that light is Christ for said Jesus Christ I am the light of the world John he was sent of God to bear witness of Christ the light that all men through him might believe for the Word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the Wildernesse Luke 3.1 3 4 5 6. John he went into all the country about Jordan preaching the baptism of Repentance for the remission of sins c. And this was done in the dayes of Tiberius Caesar but John was not ye may see sent by Caesar but he was sent of God to bear witnesse of the light And the Prophets of the Lord they were all sent of God and not by man Amos 1.1 7.10 to 15. as you may read Amos said that he was an Herdsman and a
gatherer of Sycamore fruit and Amos was among the Herdsmen of Tekoa and said Amos The Lord took me as I followed the flock and the Lord said unto me Go prophesie unto my people Israel Here you may see that Amos was not tryed by Commissioners of Tryers nor sent out to prophesie by any such as they are but he was sent out of the Lord alone to prophesie and he said The Lord will roare from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem c. Ezek. 1.1 2 3. 2 3. chap. Neither was Ezekiel sent by man to prophesie nor by man made a Watchman over Israel But the Word of the Lord came expresly unto Ezekiel in the Land of the Caldeans by the River Chebar and Ezekiel said that he saw the appearance of the likenesse of the glory of the Lord and when he saw it he fell upon his face and he heard the voyce of one that spake and said Ezekiel He said unto me Son of man stand upon thy feet and I will speake unto thee and the spirit of the Lord entered into me when he spake unto me and set me upon my feet that I hrard him that spake unto me and he said unto me Son of man I send thee to the children of Israel and thou shalt speak my words unto them whether they will hear or whether they will forbear And Ezekiel said Moreover he said unto me Son of man Eat that thou findest eat shis Roll and go speak unto the House of Israel So I opened my mouth and he caused me to eat that Roll and he said unto me Son of man Cause thy belly to eat and fill thy bowels with this Roll that I give thee Then did I eat it and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetnesse And he said unto me Son of man go get thee unto the House of Israel and speak with my words unto them c. So the spirit of the Lord lift me up and took me away and I went in bitterness in the heat of my spirit but the hand of the Lord was strong upon me And it came to pass at the end of seven dayes that the word of the Lord came unto me saying Son of man I have made thee a Watchman unto the House of Israel therefore hear the word at my mouth and give them warning from me c. Neither was Jeremiah ordained by man to be a Prophet nor was he by any King of the earth Ier. 1.4 to 10. 27 ver 2. chap. 1 2 5. ver chap. 3.6.12 4.1 or other consecrated nor by any man sent forth to prophesie but said Jeremiah The word of the Lord came unto me saying Before I formed thee in the Belly I knew thee and before thou camest out of the Womb I sanctified thee and I ordained thee a Prophet unto the Nations And the Lord put forth his hand and touched Jeremiahs mouth and the Lord said unto him Behold I have put my words into thy mouth and the Lord said unto Jeremiah See I have this day set thee over Nations and over Kingdoms to root out and to pull down and to destroy and to throw down to build and to plant Thou therefore gird up thy loynes and arise and speak unto them all that I command thee be not dismayed at their faces lest I confound thee before them And the Word of the Lord came moreover unto Jeremiah saying Go and cry in the ears of Jerusalem saying Thus saith the Lord What iniquity have your fathers found in me that they are gone far from me and have walked after vanity and are become vain And again in the dayes of Josiah said the Lord unto Jeremiah Go and proclaim these words toward the North and say Return thou backsliding Israel saith the Lord if thou wilt return O Israel saith the Lord return unto me and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight then shalt thou not remove and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am merciful saith the Lord and I will not keep mine anger for ever And the Lord said unto Jeremiah â—er 1.18 19. Behold I have made thee this day a defenced City an Iron Pillar Brazen Walls against the whole Land against the Kings of Judah and against the Princes thereof and against the priests thereof and against the people of the Land and they shall fight against thee but they shall not prevail against thee for I am with thee said the Lord to deliver thee c. read the 20. chap. the 23. and 26. chap. of Ieremiah c. And Isaiah was made a Prophet but not by man neither by any King or Ruler of the Earth was he sent forth to prophesie Isa 6. chap. but he was consecrated and sent forth of the Lord alone for said Isaiah In the year that King Vzziah dyed I saw the Lord sitting upon a Throne high and lifted up and his Traine filled the Temple and above it stood the Seraphims and one cryed unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of Hosts the whole earth is full of his glory And the posts of the door moved at him that cryed and the house was filled with smoke Then said Isaiah Wo is me for I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of Hosts Then flew one of the Seraphims unto me having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with the Tongs from off the Altar and he laid it upon my mouth and said Lo this hath touched thy lips and thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin is purged And Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying Whom shall I send And who shall go for us Then said Isaiah Here am I send me And the Lord said unto Isaioh Isa 8.1.11 ver 50.4 5 6 7 Go and tell this people Hear ye indeed but understand not and see ye indeed but perceive not c. And Isaiah said the Lord spake unto him with a strong hand and instructed him that he should not walk in the way of the people and he said the Lord gave him the tongue of the learned that he should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary and the Lord opened his ear and said Isaiah I was not rebellious neither turned away back c. And thus ye may see that the true prophets of the Lord and the true and faithful Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel were ordained of the Lord and chosen and called and sanctified by the Lord alone and not by the Kings and Rulers of the earth nor by the Pope and his Adherents neither by Commissioners that were appointed by them or any of them so to do And again Those Prophets Apostles and Ministers that God and Christ sent forth were no raylers nor scoffers nor
Vicarage-Lands and other Lands and likewise for what use the parties gave them the end wherefore they gave them and by this you may see how the Kings of the earth provided for the Clergy of their own and the Popes making but for the Prophets and Apostles and Ministers of Christ they would not provide any such things for them but instead thereof they and their Churches provided for them Prisons Dungeons Whips Stocks Bridewells Saws Swords Wracks Fire and Faggots And as for the Messengers and Ministers of Christ that he ordained and sent they would not receive them into their Houses nor their Doctrine neither but those who they ordained and consecrated themselves See Cesar Due by Tho. Bradley D.D. and Minister of Nettlebed in Oxfordshire but not Minister of Christ. or such as were made by a carnal commandment by the Pope and his Adherents or by a Commission of Tryers that come in their own names and not in the Name of the Lord such are received and provided for and called by them Master and a House and Land for a certain dwelling place is prorided for them worth 100. l. or 200. l. more or lesse by the year for the Rectory of Alsford in Hampshire stands in one of the Kings Books at 29. l. a yeer but said Bradley It was let at 450. l. communibus annis viz. one year with another beside a reserve of 30. l. a yeer that the Rector lived in himself And this was not sufficient but the Kings of the earth have taken away from the people and given to their Ministers as their servants to preach them up their Fields their Vinyards and their Olive-yards even the best of them and given them to their servants and the tenth of the peoples sheep and the tenth of their seed and of their vinyards and given them to their Priests Ministers and servants And thus the Kings of the earth have done according as God bad Samuel tell the people the King they asked for would do 1 Sam. 8.1 to the 18. But some it is like will say that the Kings gave their own lands to the Clergy Read Hollinshead Chron. Fox Act. Mon. Vol. 1. But I say How came the Saxon Kings by their Lands here in England that they gave to the Clergy Did they not take it from the people by their Swords And did not William the Conqueror do the like And did not the Saxon Kings and William the Conqueror prove tyrants to the people and treacherous likewise And one thing I do grant that is this That the Kings or Rulers of the earth may with the consent of the people assembled in counsel raise money for the publike good that is for the defence of the Nation and for the preservation of the Nations peace and welfare at home or abroad by Land and Sea and defence of the nations enemies But I say again That the Kings and Rulers of the earth ought not to take away the peoples Goods or the Fruits of their labour nor the increase of their seed nor the increase of their Flock or Herd or their Vinyard to give unto others nor to sell unto others Isa 1.23 Hos 4.6 7 8 9 Lam. 4.13 as some Kings of this Nation have done and taken away from the people the tythes and sold them to Improprietors others they gave to their own Ministers which thing is not good but evil and abomination in the sight of God and the buyer and the receiver are as bad as the seller and the giver But some will say it is like Must not our Ministers be maintained how should they live for they cannot work for they were never brought up to work and they cannot starve Thus I answer That they are big enough and strong enough to work therefore it is now time for them to begin to labour with their hands the thing that is good Act. 20.33 34. 1 Cor. 4 12. 1 Thes 2.9 2 Thess 3.6 7 8 9 10 11. and in the sweat of their brows to eat their own bread for our order is That they that will not work shall not eat provided that they be strong and able to work as your Ministers are and they that set them to work let them pay them their wages out of their own Purses and not out of theirs that own them not And again The true Prophets and Apostles and Ministers of the Gospel that Christ sent they did not take tythes nor gifts nor rewards for preaching nor prophesying for tythes was not the Gospel that they liv'd by But those Ministers that the Kings and Kulers of the earth the Pope and his Adherents make and sent forth they take gifts and rewards and tythes for their preaching therefore they commit sin with greedinesse and do the thing that is not right in the sight of God for God did not require tythes to be paid to those Ministers that are made and sent out by the Kings and Rulers of the earth the Pope and his Adherents but when God required tythes and first fruits to be paid he required that the tythes and first fruits should be paid to the Levites Aaron and his sons whom God did â—et apart to minister in the Priests office Exod. 24.12 Lev. 27.30 to 34. Ioh. 1.17 and for the service of the Tabernacle of the Congregation Exod. 28.11 Numb 3.12 Heb. 7.5 I find in the Scripture that God gave the Law in Mount Sinai unto Moses for the children of Israel to observe and keep even the Law which was a shadow of good things then to come for said Iohn The Law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Iesus Christ Now I say Deut. 26. chap That Law by which the children of Israel was commanded to pay tythes was given in Mount Sinai to Moses for the children of Israel to observe and keep when they came into the Land of Canaan Heb. 10.1 Deut. 7.6 7 8. 14.2 Ps 147.19 20. And this Law which was a shadow of good things to come was committed unto the people of Israel to observe and keep and to no other Nation for the Lord God had chosen them to be a peculiar people unto himself above all people that were upon the face of the earth and said David He hath shewed his word unto Iacob his Statutes and his Iudgements unto Israel he hath not said David dealt so with any Nation for his judgements they have not known And Paul said Rom. 3.1 2. That unto them were committed the Oracles of God And now I come to write more largely of tythes then hitherto I have written Exod. 34 26 27 28 29. Lev. 27.30 to 34. Deut. 10.8 9 10 11 12 13. 18.1 2 3 4. Deut. 12.10 11 12. 26 1 2. 19. v. 25. c. Lev. 27.30 32. Exod. 34.26 Mal. 3.8 9 10 First I finde that God did not command or require any people to pay tythes and first fruits but only by
that lay upon the people and likewise for the unprofitablenesse thereof The children of Israel were by the law commanded to pay first fruits and tythes for the maintenance of the levitical priesthood And the sons of Levi who received the office of che Priesthood had a commandment to take tythes of their Brethren according to the law and of no other Nation or people were they to receive any first fruits or tythes but verily that commandment is disanulled and the law is changed by our King our Law-giver and our Iudge and Prophet and Priest for ever viz. Christ Iesus who having abolished in his Flesh the enmity even the law ef commandments contained in Ordinances and hath blotted out the hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us and contrary to us which was a yoake of bondage upon the neck of the Disciples he took it and nailed to his cross tryumphing over them in himself and said It is finished for he is the end of the law for righteeusnesse to every one that believeth in him c. But wicked and ungodly men who believe not in him even Kings Rulers Pope Matth. 13.54 55 56 57. Mark 6.23 Ioh. 7.48 49. Bishops Priests for out of their own mouths they are judged Have any of the Rulers believed in him And said Paul Not many wise men after the flesh nor many mighty nor many Nobles are called even such as believe not in Christ Iesus will not that he should reign over them therefore they have made unrighteous unjust and unholy laws for to require people to pay tythes to the priests and ministers which they themselves have so ordained consecrated and sent forth and not God And the Priests and Ministers who are not ordained nor consecrated nor sent forth of God but by man even they by their unrighteous unholy and the unjust laws of men they take tythes and sue men at the unrighteous law for tythes and cause men to be put in prison by the unjust law for tythes and by the unholy law they take trebble damages of mens goods for non-payment of tythes thus contradicting what Christ Jesus hath done for Christ the true King and the just and righteous Lawgiver he disannulled the law Eph. 2.15 Col. 2.14 15. and abolished the law of Commandments and blotted out the Hand-writing of Ordinances and changed the priesthood that took the tythes so that when the levitical priesthood ceased to be a priesthood the tythes ceased also and the law likewise Therefore I say That the Kings and Rulers of the earth the Pope and his Adherents who have made laws to pay and to take tythes by they are such as believe not in Christ Jesus the Son of God for had they believed on Christ Jesus the Son of God they would have owned him to have been a King and a Law-giver unto them and likewise they would that he should have reigned over them as King and had they loved him Isa 26.12 13 33.22 Ioh. 13.21 Matth. 23.23 Luke 18.12 they would have kept his commandments but such as own not Christ to be King and Law-giver believe not in him and so will not that he should rule and reign over them These as the Scribes Pharisees and Hyyocrites did so do they pay tythes of Mint Annis Cummin Rue and all manner of Herbs yea and of all that they possesse and so by their works they deny Christ to be King and Law-giver and Priest too but said Christ Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them bring them hither Luke 19 27. and slay them before me Now there was a time that the Hypocrites Scribes and Pharisees paid tythes as said Christ Ye pay tythes c. and at that time that they paid tythes they omitted the weightier matters of the law Judgment Mercy and Faith which said Christ ye ought to have done and not to leave the other that is tythes undone which tythes was to be paid according to the law by the people of Israel which law and carna ordinances imposed upon the people continued for them to observe and do until the time of reformation which reformation was by Christ Jesus who changed the priesthood and disannulled the law and said Paul He having abolished the law of commandments and blotting out the Hand-writing of Ordinances that was against us nailing it to his crosse so that after that time that Christ had fulfilled the law and put an end to that law which was a shadow of good things to come and changed the Priesthood to which the tythes was paid I say again That there was no more tythes nor first fruits to be paid and all they that refused to pay tythes and first fruits after that time of reformation which was made by Christ Jesus who offered one sacrifice for sins for ever and after he had so done Heb. 10.12 Rom. 4.15 he sate down at the right hand of God they transgressed no law in so doing for where there is no law there is no transgression But the Heathen at this they raged and the people imagined a vaine thing the Kings of the earth they set themselves and the Rulers and the Pope and the Cardinals the Bishops and the Popes Adherents took counsel together against the Lord and against his annointed saying Come let us break their bonds asunder and cast their Cords from us such would not that Christ should rule and reign over them these were and are enemies to God they have made the Word of God of non-effect they have set Christ at naught and have lightly esteemed the Rock of their salvation they have cast his Law behinde their backs and will have none of his reproof they have not taken up the Crosse of Christ nor gone in the strait way that leads unto life but have gone in the broad way that leads unto destruction being led by a spirit of error in their Councils whereby they did make Decrees Canons Constitutions Laws Statutes Acts and Ordinances which are unjust unrighteous impure and not good for said the men of Buckinghamshire Bedfordshire and Herefordshire speaking of the Acts and Statutes made in former Kings dayes for the payment of tythes said they The Husband-mans Ploa against tythes printed in the year 1647. Because Acts of Parliament are Acts of men and not Oracles from Heaven a Parliament said they as well as a Council may be led by wrong Principles and so erre and so make Laws or Statutes that are unjust c. So acting against the Lord and against his Annointed in making Laws Canons Acts c. to pay tythes by for after that Christ had disannulled the Law and put an end to it they made Laws to uphold and to pay tythes therefore those Councils and Parliaments c. who have acted and made such Laws formerly and those that do act and make such Laws to pay tythes by now were and are led by a spirit of error to bring again upon the necks
world know you not that Christ Jesus is in you except you be reprobates but he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him and if we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his spirit Believe therefore in the light receive the light love the light bring your deeds to the light that they may be proved whether they be wrought in God for to as many as receive Christ Jesus the light and believe in his Name to them he gives power to become the sons of God and the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God and the spirit of God leads into all truth and the spirit it teacheth to worship God in spirit and in truth and hereby know ye the spirit of God That spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and that spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God Therefore hearken to the Lord and hear what he saith incline your ear and hearken to his word that is nigh you in your hearts hear what the spirit of God saith unto you who speaketh expresly Be obedient to the spirit of God for there is no condemnation to them who walk after the spirit for the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus frees from the law of sinne and death and it is the grace of God that hath appeared unto all men that teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin for he became the Author of eternal â—alvation unto all that obey him Therefore mind the light for they whose minds are stayed upon the Lord he keeps them in perfect peace but there is no peace to the wicked for their minds are out from God minding earthly things so that God is not in all their thoughts therefore the wicked and all that forget God shall be turned into Hell Therefore love not the world nor the things of the world for he that is a friend of the world is an enemy to God for the whole world lies in wickedness and God is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity and he that delighteth not in the Law of the Lord takes pleasure in unrighteousness and he that takes pleasure in unrighteousness will do no true justice righteousness nor judgement for the Lord betwixt man and man Wisdom is profitable to direct and it is God that gives wisdom Solomon asked of the Lord and said Give therefore thy servant wisdom and an understanding heart to judge thy peogle that I may discern between good and bad Who teacheth like God that giveth wisdom that teacheth the Senators wisdom and he is a wise man that will be ruled by the Law of God the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and he that is without this and unruled by the Law doth neither righteousnesse justice nor true judgement for the Lord God Therefore ye Rulers and Judges of the earth let wisdom guide you and the spirit of God teach you to serve the Lord and to judge for him the people at all seasons and see that ye respect not persons in judgement but hear the cause of the poor as well as the cause of the rich and rid the afflicted out of the hands of the wicked speedily and let justice be done speedily upon the evil doers and answer the people of the Land Concerning their parish-Ministers their Houses of High-places falsly called Churches and tythes oblations obventions c. as Ioash did the Midianites when his son Gideon had thrown down the Altar of Baal and cut down the Grove that was by it And Ioash said unto all that stood against him Will ye plead for Baal will ye save him He that will plead for him let him be put to death whilest it is yet morning If he be a God let him plead for himself because one hath cast down his Altar Judg. 6.28 29 30 31. And so it is concluded READER thou art desired in thy reading to take special notice of the Errata's in the ensuing pages and lines which have been committed at the Press let them and all other litteral faults which thou findest be mended with thy pen for thy own and others clear understanding viz. Pag. 5. lin the last read the hands of the Philistines p. 8. l. 33. r. House p. 9 l. last r. the Levites p. 14. l. 23. r. Kine Gilsus King of the Mercians l. 30. r. Monketon p 15. l. 3. 1. so strong p. 16. l. 3. dele formerly p. 17. l. 19. r. Legate of the See l. 27. r. Courelefu p. 19. l. 41. r. his Army l. 43. r. Iehu the Seer p 23. l. 42. r. our non-payment of tythes p. 49. l. 43. r. to bear witness of Christ p 55. l. 14. r. but onely the children of Israel p. 56. l. 33. r. the head