3. and 6. by King Richard the 2. by King Henry the 4. 6. and 8. by Queene Elizabeth and by our most Noble King Iames. His pride and intolerable supremacie over all Christian people is renounced and condemned as well by the mouthes as writings of all the purer Churches i Conf Helv. 1 ar 18 2. c. 17 18. Bohe. c. 8.9 Belg. ar 28.32 Wittem ar 31. August de Abus ar 7. and that deservedly The Errors and adversaries unto this truth But with the Papists the Bishop of Rome hee is forsooth for supremacie Abel for governing the Arke Noah for Patriarch-ship Abraham for order Melchisedech for dignity Aaron for authority Moses for justice Samuel for zeale Elias for humility David for power Peter for his unction Christ a Majoran clyd milit Ec lib. 3 c. 35. the generall Pastor the common Father of all Christians the high Pastor of Gods universall Church the Prince of Gods people b Ans to the execu of lust for title God even the Lord God the Pope c Panorm de transl praef c. Q anto for power God For By him Kings raigne d Cerc l. 1. c. 2. hee may iudge all men but must of none bee iudged e Distin 40. c. 5. Papa hee can doe what him list as well as God except sinne f Extravag de cranst Episâ— cap. Quanto His jurisdiction is universall even over the whole world g Test Rhem. annot marg p. 2â—0 Him upon paine of eternall damnation all Christians are to obey h Bor if 8 cau de major obed in Extravag And by his Soveraigne authority both all Papists in England were discharged from their obedience and subjection unto Queene Elizabeth and the same Queene disabled to governe her owne people and dominions i Bristow motive 40. 6. Proposition By the lawes of this Realme Christian men for hainous and grievous offences may be put to death The proofe from Gods Word AS the natures of men be divers and some sinnes in some countries more abound then in others so are the punishments to bee imposed upon malefactors according to the quantity and quality of their offences and any Countrey and Kingdome may punish offenders even with death if the Lawes thereof and their offence doe require it For All that take the sword shall perish with the sword a Math. 25.52 Governours bee sent of the King for the punishment of evill doers b 1 Pet. 2.14 A wise King scattereth the wicked and causeth the wheele to turne over them c Prov. 20.26 The Magistrate beareth not the sword for nought and is the Minister of God to take vengeance on them that doe evill d Rom. 13.4 Which punishments testifie to the world that God is just which will have some sinnes more severely punished then others and the Magistrates to cut off dangerous and ungodly members God is mercifull and hath care both of his servants and of humane society God is all wise and holy in that hee will have it knowne who are just who wicked who holy and who prophane by cherishing and preserving of the one and by punishing and rooting out of the other Our godly and Christian brethren in other Countries approve this doctrine e Confes Helv. 1. ar 24 26. 2. c. 30. Basi c. 7. Bohe. c 16. Gal. ar 39. Belg. ar 36. August ar 16. Sax ar 23. The adversaries unto this truth The adversaries of this doctrine be divers For Some are of opinion that no man for any offence should be put to death Such in old time were the Manichies and the Donatists a D. August in Iohan 11. and such in our dayes be the Anabaptists b Confe Helv. 2. c. 30. And some doe thinke that howsoever for their offences against the second Table malefactors may bee put to death yet for hereticall and erroneous opinions in points of Religion none are so to suffer Of this minde are the Familists For They hold that no man should be put to death for his opinions c Display lib. They blame Mr. Granmer and Ridley for burning Ioane of Kent for an heretike d Ibid. It is not Christian-like that one man should persecute another for any cause touching conscience e Fam. 2. letter unto M. Ro. Is not that punishment sufficient say they which God hath ordained but that one Christian must vexe torment belye and persecute another f Ibid. 7. Proposition It is lawfull for Christian men at the commandement of the Magistrates to weare weapons and serve in warres The proofe from Gods Word There is saith K. Salomon a time of warre and a time of peace a Eccles 2.8 and Princes are by warre and weapons to represse the power of enemies whether forraigne or intestine For they are in authority placed for the defence of quiet and harmelesse subiects as also to remove the violence of oppressors and enemies whatsoever they be For these causes have they Horses prepared for the battell b Prov 2.31 Tribute paide them as well for Christians c Rom. 13.6 7. as others and subiects to serve them in their warres of what nature soever Cornelius being a Christian d Acts 10. was not forbidden to play the Centurion or bidden to forsake his profession e Luke 3.14 nor the souldiers that came unto Iohns baptisme willed to leave the warres but to offer no violence unto any man This truth is granted by the Church f Confes Helv. 2. â— 30 Bohe. c. 16. Sâ—x ar 23 The aduersaries vnto this truth Many are against this assertion whereof some doubt of the truth thereof as Ludovicus Vives a Arma Christianum virum tractare nâ—sâ—â—o â—n â—â—s sit Lud. Vâ—ves Instuut suâ—m Chr. â— 1. Others denie it altogether as untrue So did in ancient time the Manichies whose doctrine was that no man might goe to warre b D. Aug. contra Manich. l. 22. c. 74 Lactartius thought it altogether unlawful for a good man or a Christian either to goe to warre or to bring any man to a violent death though by law he were adiudged to dye c Lactan. de vero cultuâ—e 20 In these dayes the Anabaptists thinke it to be a thing most execrable for Christians to take weapons to goe to warre d Confes Helv. 2. c 30. The Family of Love also doe so condemne all warres as the time was when they would not beare or weare a weapon e Display H. 5.5 b. and they write first of themselves how all their nature is Love and peace f H.N. spi lan c. 37. sect 2. and that they are people peaceable g Ibid prae sect 3â— but all other men in the world besides they doe wage warre kill and destroy for which ends they have divers sorts of Swords Halberds Speares Bowes and Arrowes Guns Pellets and Gunpowder Armour Harnesse and Goâ—gets h Ibid. cap. 4.
offreth it selfe by their ministery to the view of the whole world which afore did but peepe out at the Screene and what the things be which they of meane gifts doe see and our Fathers and the Martyrs Bishops and Preachers both in King Edwards dayes and afterwards knowne and acknowledged to be men of excellent parts either did not see at all or ouersee and what likewise the points of doctrine newly now reuealed their aternum Euangelium which without great danger may not be preached in England no more then the doctrine and Articles of the Church of England may be preached at Rome and for defence whereof they ought to afford euen their very liues were they so many as the haires of euery of their heads is and be they demonstrate themselues to be most childishly vaine and idle in their imaginations which they take yet to bee illuminations of the spirit 13. For all their doings The vncouth doctrine of the factious Brethren and discourses to say the best of them are but to erect a new which they tearme a true ministery and their Discipline among vs. Themselues doe say The controuersie betwixt them and vs is not as the Bishops and their wil-willers they would beare the world in hand for a Cap a Tippet or a Surplesse but for greater matters concerning a true ministery and regiment of the Church according to the word the one whereof that is a true ministery they shall neuer haue till Archbishops and Bishops be put downe and all ministers made equall the other also will neuer be brought to passe till Kings and Queenes doe subiect themselues vnto the Church and submit their scepters and throw downe their Crownes before the Church and lick vp the dust of the feete of the Church and willingly abide the censures of the Church that is of the Presbytery For as the Church is subiect vnto the ciuill magistrate in respect of his civill authority so must the Magistrate the King and Queene subiect themselues and be obedient to the iust and lawfull authority of the Church The ciuill magistrate is none officer at all of the Church For Church-officers be non Magnates aut Tetrarchae not gracious or honorable Lords but Ministers of the Church The Presbytery is the Church and euery Congregation or Church should and must in it haue a Presbytery This is the Light which indeed the Martyrs neuer saw the Religion which our Brethren striue for the Truth which they may not preach not childish doctrine like the Bishops Articles but the wise Gospel the maine and materiall points of Religion now in the dayes last of all yea after the eighth Thorow breaking of H. N. his Euangelium regni reuealed and for furtherance whereof they are to lend and spend euen all their liues if occasion be ministred 14. Strange and strong delusions First to take these and other such assertions for Truths and heauenly mysteries which are but the fancies of troubled braines not grounded nor truly gathered from Gods Word Next to teach one another and all their fauourers how they should be as ready and prepared euen for these matters to give other their liuings and to giue their liues were they as many as the haires of all their heads as Cranmer Ridly Latimer did and Parker Grindall and all other Preachers would and euery Christian man and woman should if they be called thereunto for the Apostolicall and Catholique doctrine of our Church which all Gods people doe know and the Brethren themselues as afore hath bin noted doe confesse is originally from God and his written Word These and many moe too many here to be recapitulated such phantasies of theirs or phrensies rather this first subscription brought first to light and yet happy had it bin for Gods Church and people they had neuer bin broached Of the second Subscription vrged an 84. 15. Semblably the next subscription called for by the last Archb. your L. predecessor an 84. discouered euen the very thoughts and desires of those Brethren before but now stiled faithfull Brethren which haue and doe seeke for the Discipline reformation of the Church Many Treatises afore but now and diuers yeeres ensuing they flew about and abroad like Atomies and by them the same things which afore but in a differing sort and in other words they publish For touching Church officers they name who and how many sorts they be of them viz. Doctors Pastors Gouernors Deacons and Widdowes no moe no fewer They say euery Church must be furnished with a Teacher and a Pastor as with two eyes with elders as with feet with Deacons as with hands Euery Congregation must haue eyes hands and feete and yet neither all nor at all any Congregation is to haue an Head answerable to those Feet Hands and Eyes The Doctor by their doctrine must be a distinct minister from the pastor and onely teach true doctrine and neither exhort nor apply his doctrine according to the times and his auditory nor minister the Sacraments For these things the pastor is to performe Which pastor also whensoeuer he administreth the Sacraments must necessarily make a Sermon or else he committeth Sacriledge And concerning discipline by their doctrine euery Congregation must haue absolute authority to admonish to censure to excommunicate and to anathematize all offending persons yea euen Kings and Princes if they be of the Congregation And no Prince but must be of some Parish and vnder one Presbytery or other alwayes Where this power is not in their iudgements one of the tokens of a true Church is wanting For this Discipline with them is a marke of the Church and numbred among the Articles of their Faith 16. This say they is the great cause the holy cause which they wil neuer leaue suing for though there should be a thousand Parliaments in their dayes vntil either they obtaine it or bring the Lord in vengeance and blood against the State and the whole land for repelling the same The Brethrens diuine conceipts of their Discipline The discipline is Gods holy yoke Gods scepter the kingdome and throne of Christ Our controuersie say they whether Iesus Christ shall be King or no. Againe the end of all our trauell is to build vp the walles of Ierusalem and to set vp thē Throne of Iesus Christ our heauenly King in the midst thereof the aduancing whereof is a testimony vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glory which shall be reuealed hereafter So learne we now from their said bookes learned and demonstratiue discourses which the Fathers and our forefathers neuer saw nor had learned both that their Discipline established and exercised is a visible marke of a true Church and to desire the aduancement of the same an inuisible token of an elect childe of God so as neither is that a Church at least no true Church where their Discipline is not neither they but titular Christians no true Christians indeed which either sigh or seeke not to
established which at the Kings first arriuall among vs was so much desired by the Brethren And finally being the same let vs not doubt but perswade our selues that we shal find the Antichristian Church of Rome too the same which for the same doctrine and for none other cause persecuteth al Christian Churches but ours of England especially with sword fire and power in most horrible yea and hellish manner the effect of whose hatred against vs as we have often seene so especially had we felt the same the next yeere after our Kings ratification of these Articles had not our euer mercifull God most miraculously detected both the Treason and Traitors Ann. 1605 For which his fauours his holy Name be glorified of vs and our posterity throughout all generations The Brethren no changelings 36. So our Church is the same But the Brethren the faithfull and godly Brethren too the same now which they haue also beene If they be then will they not deny which An. 72. they writ that we hold the substance of religion with them nor which An. 602. they published and is afore remembred that the true Faith by which we may be saued and the true doctrine of the Sacraments and pure worship of God be truely taught that by publike authority and retained in the booke of Articles And in this Confession I pray God they may constantly perseuere Howbeit euen these men which in a generality doe allow the doctrine of our Church being called by authority to acknowledge their assent vnto every Article thereof in particular they doe not a little debase the estimation of this doctrine of ours and shew themselues but too apparent and professed dissentors from the same And though all of them doe and will approoue some yet not one of them will subscribe vnto all and every of the Articles For vnto the articles of religion and the Kings supremacy they are willing to subscribe And they may subscribe as afore hath beene noted vnto such of them as containe the summe of Christian Faith the doctrine of the Sacraments But vnto the same Articles for number 36. agreed vpon in this Conuocation at London an 62. they neither wil nor dare nor may subscribe For neither the rest of the Articles in that booke nor the Booke of common prayer may be allowed no though a man should be depriued from his ministery for it say the said brethren in a certaine Classicall decree of theirs The late Polititian is not afraid to mooue the high and most honorable Court of Parliament that Impropriation may bee let to Ferme vnto incumbent ministers viz. which faithfully preach in the Churches the true doctrine of the Gospell according to the Articles of Religion concerning faith and Sacraments meaning that such Ministers as preach the same doctrine if they proceed to the rest of the Articles concerning either Conformitie in externall and ceremoniall matters or Vniformitie in other points of doctrine contained in that booke should not be partakers of that benefit or of Benefices Impropriate 31. If it be demanded what the causes may be Why the Br. will subscrib vnto some but not vnto all the Articles why they will vnto some but will not vnto all or why they will vnto those Articles which concerne Faith and the Sacraments but will not vnto the rest subscribe The reasons thereof be two whereof The one is for that in their opinion there is no Law to compell them to subscribe vnto all For say the Brethren resiant I know not where Wee have alwayes beene ready to subscribe to the Articles of Religion concerning the doctrine of Faith and of the Sacraments which is all that is required by Law Also the Brethren in Deuonshire and Cornewall We are ready say they to subscribe to the third which concerneth the Booke of Articles of Religion so farre as wee are bound by Statute concerning the same viz. as they concerne the doctrin of the Sacraments and the confession of the true faith And the 22. London Brethren tell King Iames to his head how the Subscription which he calleth for is more then the Law requireth Their other reason is because as the Lincolnshire doe say sundry as the London Brethren affirme many things in that booke be not agreeable but contrary to Gods Word 32. If these things be true which they doe alleadge surely then are those men to be chronicled for the Faithfull the godly and innocent Brethren indeed whom neither present Benefices can allure nor the angry countenance and displeasure of a King even of the puissant powerful King of great Brittaine can force to doe anything at his becke and pleasure either against Law or for which there is no law and who had rather to forgoe all their earthly commodities liuings yea and to goe from their charges and ministery and to expose themselues their wiues and children to the miseries of this world grieuous for our flesh and blood to endure then to approue any thing fob true sound by their hands which is opposite or not agreeable to the reuealed will and Scriptures of God But if these allegations of theirs be but weake and sinfull surmises or rather apparantly most false scandalous and slanderous imputations to their Prince their mother Church and this State then doubtlesse as they euen Christians now liuing cannot but take them so ages to come will euerlastingly note and censure them both for disloyall Subiects that so traduce a truly and most Christianly religious King ill deseruing children that so abuse their honorable and reuerand Fathers and superiours of State and authority turbulent spirits not peaceable men which raise such broiles troubles and diuisions in the Church and Kingdome the issues whereof no tongue can foretell and are fearefull being thought of without cause and finally neither faithfull nor godly Preachers but vngodly broachers of vntruthes and slanders and the very authors and fautors of horrible confusion and faction in Gods Church whose peace they should seeke and promote euen with their dearest blood 33. Since the Statute for Vniformity in rites and doctrine was first enacted moe then 35. yeeres haue passed in all which space neither the Brethren now being nor the Brethren afore them liuing haue hitherto shewne of the 39. Articles for names and titles Which for number How many the Articles be which Ecclesiasticall Ministers necessarily must how many which they may not or need not vnlesse they list subscribe vnto which I am sure they or some of them at one time or other would have expressed had the Law fauoured there recusancy and they bin able to have justified their Maxime which is That they are not compellable by subscription to approoue them all Againe since the first establishment of that Statute Law the most reuerend Fathers and truly reformed Ministers of this Church sound for iudgement profound for learning zealous for affection sincere for religion faithfull in their Churches painefull in their charges more
gaine-said which afore I deliuered The Propositions are and yet not many moe the method altered quotations added both for the satisfaction of some learned and iudicious friends of mine requesting it at mine hands and for the benefit both of the common and vnlearned and of the studious and learned Reader The whole worke expresseth aswell my detestation and renunciation of all aduersaries errors opposite crossing or contradicting the doctrine professed by vs and protected by our King or any Article or particle of truth of our Religion as my approbation of that truth which in our Church by wholesome Statutes and Ordinances is confirmed There is not an heretike or Schismatike to speake of of any speciall marke that from the Apostles time hitherto hath discouered himselfe his opinions vulgarly in writing or in print against our doctrine but this heresie fancy or phrensie may be here seene against one proposition or other The Sects and Sect-masters aduersaries vnto vs either in the matter or maine points of our doctrine or Discipline to one of our Articles or other wholly or in part which here be discouered to be taken heed of and auoided are many hundreds 38. This and whatsoeuer else here done either to the confirmation of the truth or detestation of heresies and errors I doe very meekely present unto your Grace as after God and our King best meriting the patronage thereof My selfe am much the whole Church of England much more bound vnto your Lordship yea not wee onely now liuing but our successors also and posteritie shall have cause in all ages while the world shal continue to magnifie Almightie God for the inestimable benefits which we have shall receiue from your selfe your late Predecessors D. Whitegift Grindall Parker Cranmer of famous honourable remembrance Bishops of our Church Archbishops of the See of Canterbury for this uniforme doctrine by some of your Lordships drawne and penned by all of you allowed defended and as agreeable to the Faith of the very Apostles of Christ and of the ancient Fathers correspondent to the Confessions of all reformed Churches in Christendome and contrariant in no point unto Gods holy and written Word commended unto us both by your Authoritie and Subscriptions Now the all-mercifull God and heavenly Father which so inspired them and your Lordship with wisedome from above and inabled you all to discerne truth from falshood and found religion from Atheisme idolatry and errors vouchsafe of his infinite goodnesse to encrease his grace more and more upon your Grace to his owne glory the Churches benefit and your owne everlasting comfort And the same God which both mercifully hath brought and miraculously against all hellish and divellish practices of his and our enemies continued the light of his truth among us give us all grace with one heart and consent not onely to embrace the same but also to walke and carry our selves as it beseemeth the Children of light in all peaceablenesse and holinesse of life for his Sonne our Lord and Saviour Christ his sake At Horninger neere S. Edm. Bury in Suff. the 11. of March Ann. 1607. Your Graces poore Chaplaine alwayes at Command THOMAS ROGERS Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiasticall Anno 1604. VVHosoever shall hereafter affirme that the Church of England by Law established under the Kings Majesty is not a true and an Apostolicall Church teaching and maintaining the Doctrine of the Apostles let him be excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but onely by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike revocation of this his wicked error Can. 3. VVhosoever shall hereafter affirme that any of the 39 Articles agreed upon by the Archbishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London in the yeare of our Lord God 1562. for the avoiding of diversities of opinions and for the establishing of consent touching true Religion are in any part superstitious or erroneous or such as he may not with a good conscience subscribe unto let him be excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but onely by the Archbishop after his repentance and publike revocation of such his wicked errors Can. 5. Whosoever shall hereafter separate themselves from the Communion of Saints as it is approved by the Apostles rules in the Church of England and combine themselves in a new Brother-hood accounting the Christians who are conformable to the Doctrine Government Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England to be prophane and unmeete for them to joyne with in Christian profession let them be excommunicated ipso facto and not restored but by the Archbishop after their repentance and publike revocation of such their wicked errors Can. 9 The Titles of the thirty nine Articles with the Pages where to finde every of them in this Booke Articles 1 OF faith in the holy Trinity Page 1 Articles 2 Of the Word of God which was made very man Page 7 Articles 3 Of the going downe of Christ into Hell Page 15 Articles 4 Of the Resurrection of Christ Page 17 Articles 5 Of the Holy Ghost Page 21 Articles 6 Of the sufficiency of the Scriptures for salvation Page 26 Articles 7 Of the Old Testament Page 33 Articles 8 Of the three Creeds Page 39 Articles 9 Of Originall or birth sinne Page 41 Articles 10 Of Free-will Page 47 Articles 11 Of the Iustification of man Page 50 Articles 12 Of good workes Page 56 Articles 13 Of workes before Iustification Page 56 Articles 14 Of workes of Supererogation Page 59 Articles 15 Of Christ alone without sinne Page 62 Articles 16 Of sinne without Baptisme Page 65 Articles 17 Of Predestination and Election Page 69 Articles 18 Of obtaining salvation onely by the Name of Christ Page 82 Articles 19 Of the Church Page 86 Articles 20 of the Authoritie of the Church Page 98 Articles 21 Of the Authoritie of generall Councels Page 112 Articles 22 Of Purgatorie Page 118 Articles 23 Of Ministring in the Congregation 131 Articles 24 Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understand not Page 141 Articles 25 Of the Sacraments Page 142 Articles 26 Of the unworthinesse of the Ministers which hinder not the effects of the Sacraments Page 160 Articles 27 Of Baptisme Page 165 Articles 28 Of the Lords Supper Page 170 Articles 29 Of the wicked which doe not eate the Body and bloud of Christ in the use of the Lords Supper Page 178 Articles 30 Of both kindes Page 179 Articles 31 Of the oblation of Christ finished upon the Crosse Page 181 Articles 32 Of mrariage of Priests Page 185 Articles 33 Of Excommunicate persons how they are to be avoided Page 189 Articles 34 Of the traditions of the Church Page 193 Articles 35 Of Homilies Page 194 Articles 36 Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers Page 196 Articles 37 Of the civill Magistrate Page 201 Articles 38 Of Christian mens goods which are not common Page 215 Articles 39 Of a Christian mans Oath Page 217 FINIS
29. which sheweth vvhereunto onely the Primitive Church necessarily was tyed By the Apostles doctrine b Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2.13 14 which enjoyneth the Christians to yeeld obedience unto the ordinances of their lawfull Governers and Commanders whatsoever By the Apostles example and namely of the blessed Saint Paul c Acts. 16.37 Act. 22.25 c. Act. 25.11.12 who tooke benefit and made good use of the Romane and Emperiall Lawes Errors and adversaries unto this truth This truth neither is nor ever was oppugned by any Church Onely among our selves some thinke us necessarily eyed unto all the Iudicials of Moses as the Brownists For they say The Iawes Iudiciall of Moses belong as well unto Christians as they did unto the Iewes a Barrowes disco p. 127. Others that we are bound though not unto all yet unto some of the Iudicials as holdeth T. C. b 1. Reply sect 1 3. and Philip Stubs c Anatom of abuses 2. part Dâ—b 5. Proposition No Christian man whatsover is freed from the obedience of the law Morall The proofes from Gods Word THink not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy them but to fulfil them For truly I say unto you saith our Saviour Christ til heaven and earth perish one jot or one tittle of the law shall not scape till all things be fulfilled whosoever therefore shall break one of these least Commandements and teach men so shall be called the least in the Kingdome of Heaven c a Matth. 5.17 18 19. If thou wilt enter into life keep the Commandements c. Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steale Thou shalt not beare false witnesse Honour thy father and thy mother b Mat. 19.17 18 19. Doe we make the Law of none effect through faith God forbid yea we establish the Law c Rom. 3.31 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the Commandements of God d 1 Cor. 7.19 The publike confessions of the Churches of God in France e Art 23. and Belgia f Art 25. agree with this Doctrine Errors and adversaries unto this truth Whereby are condemned as most wicked and unsound the Opinions Of the Manichies who found fault with the whole Law of God as wicked and proceding not from the true God but from the prince of darkenesse a Aug. conâ— Faust epist 11. and 74. Of Brownist Glover whose opinion was that Love now is come in the place of the ten Commandements b Bredweb detect p. 119. Of Iohannes Istebius and his followers the Antinomies who will not have Gods Law to be preached nor the conscience of sinners to be terrified and troubled with the Iudgements of God c Sim. Paulimeth par 2. de lege Deâ— p. 54. Of Banister among our selves who held how it is utterly evill for the elect so much as to thinke much lesse to speake or heare of the feare of God which the Law preacheth d Bani error 8. Article Of the three Creedes 1 The three Creeds Nicene Creede Athanasius Creede and that which is commonly called the Apostles Creede ought throughly to be received and beleeved For 2 they may be prooved by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture The Propositions 1. The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved 2. The three Creeds viz. The Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture 1. Proposition The Nicene Athanasian and Apostolicall Creeds ought to be received and beleeved THis proposition the Churches of God both anciently and in these last dayes a Confess Helv. 2 c. 11. Gal. ar 5. Belg ar 9. Saxo ar 1. doe acknowledge for true The errors and adversaries unto this truth Therefore much out of the way of godlinesse are they which tearme the Apostles Creede A forged patchery as Barrowe doth a Bar. dis p. 76. and Athanasius Sathanasius Creede so did Gregorius Paulus in Polonia b Genebr l. 4. p. 1158. and the new Arrians and Nestorians in Lituania c Surius chro p. 320. My selfe some 28. yeares agoe heard a great learned man whose name upon another occasion afore is expressed to whose acquaintance I was artificially brought which in private conference betweene him and my selfe tearmed worthy Zanchius a Foole and an Asse for his booke de tribus Elohim which refuteth the new Arrians against whose founders the Creeds of Athanasius and Nicene were devised Him attentively I heard but could never since abide for those words and indeed I never saw him since 2. Proposition The three Creeds viz. the Nicene Athanasian and of the Apostles may be prooved by the holy Scripture The proofe from Gods Word THan this assertion nothing is more true For the Creedes I meane these three Creedes speake first Of one and the same God whom we are to beleeve is for essence but one a Deut. 6.4 Mal. 2.10 1 Cor. 8.4 Eph 4.5 6. in persons three b Matth. 3.17 Gal. 4.6 1 John 5.7 viz. The Father the Creator c Psal 134.3 the Son the Redeemer d Esa 53.4 Rom. 5.18 Gal 3.13 Eph. 2.16 1 Iohn 2.2 the holy Ghost the Sanctifier e 1 Cor. 1.21 22. 1 Pet. 1.2 Next of the people of God which we must thinke and beleeve is The holy f Eph. 1.3 4. and 2.21 Col 2.22 and Catholike Church g Esa 54. 2. Psal 87.4 Acts 1.8 c. Eph. 2 14. Reu. 5.9 The Communion of Saints h Eph. 4.15 1 Cor. 10.16 Heb. â—0 25 1 Iohn 1.7 Pardoned of all their sinnes i Esa 44.22 Math. 18.23 c. Col. 2.13 And appointed to arise from death k Ioh. 5.28 1 Cor. 15. Phil 3.21 1 Iohn 6.39 and to enioy eternall life both in body and soule l Pet. 1.4 Reuel 21.4 The aduersaries vnto this truth Therfore we are enemies to all aduersaries of this doctrine or any whit of the same in them comprised whether they be Atheists Iewes Sadduces Ebionites Tretheites Antitrinitarians Apollinarians Arrians Manichies Nestorians Origenians Turkes Papists Familists Anabaptists or whosoeuer 9. Article Of Originall or Birth sinne 1 Originall sin standeth not in the following of Adam as the Pelagians doe mainely talk but 2 it is the fault and corruption of the nature of euery man that naturally is engendred of the off-spring of Adam whereby man is very farre gone from originall righteousnesse is inclined to euill so that the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and therefore in euery person borne into the world it deserueth Gods wrath and damnation 3 And this infection of nature doth remaine yea in them that are regenerated whereby the lust of the Flesh called in Greeke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Which some doe expound the wisedome some the Sensuality some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subiect to the Law of God
pâ—â—ple are not the Church as the Iewes Turkes and Hereâ—ikes have done a See art 2. pr p â— ar 18. pr p â— Some acknowledge no triumphing state of the godly in heaven but dreame of an ever-glorious condition in this world as the Family of Love b L n. Ramseâ— and I Alâ— sâ—â—â—f Alsâ— H N dâ—â—â—â—mâ—â— sâ—n â— 6 sect 1. c. 3 sect â— Spâ—l and c. 44. sâ—ct 12. Prov. â—â—s c. 5. sect 15. Proph â— 1â— sect 8. Some thinke the Church Catholike to be visible as the Papistsc. Some imagine the Church Militant is not visible at all as the Libertines Some give out that the visible Church is devoyde of sinne and sinners as did the Donatists d Vaux cateth â— 1. Test Phem. an act 11.24 and doe Anabaptist e August contra Peril cap. 19 Calv contra Liberâ— Family of Love f H. N. 1 exhort c. 13. sect 10. â— ep st proâ—f Brownists g A confused gathering together of good and had an publike assemâ—â—◠〈◊〉 no Church The Brownists answer 〈◊〉 Master Cart Bright p. 39. and Barrowists h The assemâ—l◠〈◊〉 of good and bad together are no Churches but heapes of prophane people saith barrow in his discovery pag 33. 4. Propositon There is but one Church The proofe from Gods Word VVHen we doe say that the Church is visible invisible and that there is a Western East Greek La in English Church we meane not that there be divers Churches of Christ but that one and the same Church is diversly taken and understood and also hath many particular Churches as the Sea many Rivers and armes branching from it For the visible Church is not many congregations but one company of the faithfull We being many are one Body in Christ and every one one anothers members a Rom. 12.5 We that are many are one Body b â— Cor. 10. â—â— For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of the body which is one though they be many yet are but one body even so is Christ For by one spirit are we all bapt zed into one body c. Now ye are the body of C rist and members for your part c 1 Cor. 12.12 13 17. For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office so we being many are one body in Christ and every one one anothers members d Rom. 23 4 5. There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye all are one in Christ Iesus e Gal. â— 28 All Gods people agree with us in this point f Conf. Helv. 2. c. 17. Bohe. cap. 8. Gal ar 26. Bel. ar 27. Wattemb ar 32 Suâ—v ar 15. Errors and adversaries of this truth The adversaries unto the 28. Article be also for a great part adversaries unto this truth Furthermore althoâ—gh it be acknowledged by many and they too baptized for Christians that there is but one Church yet the same persons doe erre which condemne so many as no members of Christs Church which joyâ—e not with them in their singular and private opinions arrogating the stile and title unto themselves onely and denying all other men to be either the Church or members of the body of Christ Such are The Russians who boast how themselves with the Grecians are the onely Church of God a Alex. Gagu de relig Mosc â— 2 â— 1. themselves onely are the men who shall be saved b Sacramus de relig Ruthen cap. p. 88. all Christians beside themselves are no better then Turks c Russie Com. c 2â— p 1. 103. The Papists also which say that The present Church of Rome is Gods Church d Test Rhem. an mar p. 321. Gods Catholike Church e Ans to the recul of Inst c. 8 n. 15. 21. the mysticall body of Christ f Qâ—odlibets p 34. Papists Catholikes and truâ— Christians are all one g Test Rhem. an mar p 322. Muncer and the Anabaptists tearmed themselves cleane opposite to the Church of Christ the elect of God and said tâ—at all oâ—her men were wicked and worthy to be slaine h Slerdan hist lib. 5. The Family of Love who publish how themselves onely are the Church and all other men are Heathen i Allens con and Beasts k Display H. 6. themselves only are the Catholike Church of God l Vitels letter display D. 5. the Saints of God and his acceptable people m H N instru ar 8. sect 35. ar 1. sect 35 ar 7. sect 36. and that such as are no Familists they have no living God n Fidel. declar c. 4. sect 11. and shall perish o H. N. evang c. sect 7. The Puritanes finally say they If God have any Church or people in the land no doubt the title Puritane is given them p Dial concer the strife p. 10. Notable words either God hath no Church in England or Puritanes are the Church The Mar-prelate is not afraid to utter this speech They against whom I deale namely the ecclesiasticall officers as Bishops and their favourers and partakers have so provoked the anger of the Lord and Prayers of his Church as stand long they cannot q Protest p. 16. others of the said Bishâ—ps and the like write thus They bid battell to Christ and his Church and it must bid defiance to them till they yeeld r 2. Ad non 3. Propositon The visible Church is a Catholike Church The proofe from Gods Word THe visible Church properly understood is but a part of the Catholike yet forasmuch as it is a Congregation of the faithfull who are for calling Governours and subjects noble and base rich and poore teachers and learners for sex men and women for age old and young for nation Iewes and Gentiles Grecians and Barbarians for time and continuance in all ages even from our first parents it may rightly be callled a Catholike Church This is grounded upon Gods Word where we finde that excluded is no calling a Preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16 15. Teach all nations Mat. 28.19 Not many yet some wise men after the flesh not many yet some mighty or many yet some noble are called 1. Cor. 2. â—6 no sex b Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved Act. 2 2â— The Gospel is the power of God to salvation to every one that beleeveth Rom. 1.16 There is neither Jew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.28 none age c He that shall beleeve and is baptized shall be saved Mar. 16.16 By him every one that beleeveth is justified Act 13.39 He is the head of the Law to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10 4 no nation d They shall come from the East
and from the West and from the North and from the South and shall sit at the Kingdome of God Luke 13.28 The promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off c. Acts 2 3â— In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Acts 10.35 and that the Church as it hath been from the worlds beginning e Rev. 13.8 so shall it continue to the end f Matth. 28.20 And this is the confession of the Churches g Confess Helv. 2. c. 17. Bohem. c. 8. Belg ar 27. Wittemb ar 32. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Vnsound be they inreligion therefore which have and doe as it were tye the Church to a certaine a Aug lib. 2. con Pet. c 15. country as the Donatists did to Africa a people as the Iewes to themselves b Clenard op lib. 2. 190. persons place calling or time as doe the Papists To certaine persons when they sey The Church is founded upon Peter and his successors c Confess Petrocenien c. 29 All that will be saved must of necessity be subject to the Bishop of Rome d Bonifac. c. 8. Vnam extra de major obed The true Church is united to the obedience of the Pope of Rome e Bel. de eccl milit c 2. To a certaine place when they sey The Church of Rome is the Catholike Church f Test Rhem. an 1 Tim. 345 The Church of Rome is the mother of faith g Jus canonic distinct 22. To a certaine calling by their Petrus à Soto to Bishops and Prelates h Pet à Soto asser p. 133. To a certaine time as when the said Papists affirme how The time was when holinesse was only in the Virgin Mary i Cost r. enchir con when faith rested onely in the Virgin Mary k Disput Concil Basil Acts and Monu in K.H. 6. f. 7. 96. when all the faith was lost save onely in our Lady l Festival ser 4. post festum Palmarum It is a bold assertion also and very presumptuous of Apostata Hill that in England all men were Papists without exception from the first Christening thereof untill the age of King Henry the eighth 4. Propositon m Hilâ—quaâ—t 1. reas p. 5. The Word of God was and for time is before the Church The proofe from Gods Word FOrasmuch as the visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of men either in the eyes of God or in the judgment of the godly faithfull it followeth that the Word of God must be afore the Church for time as likewise the authoritie For time because Gods Word is the Seed the faithfull the Corne a Luk. 8.11 12 and the Children b 1 Pet. 1 1â— Gods Word is the Rocke or Foundation c Math. 16 1â— Eph. 1.20 the Faithfull the House d Eph. 2.21 For authoritie also the Word is before the Church because the voyce of the Church is the voyce of man who hath erred and may erre from the truth but the voyce of the Word is Gods voyce e 2 Tim. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.21 who cannot deceive nor be deceived Of this judgement be the Churches reformed f Conf. Helv. 1 ar 14. 2. c. 13.17 Bohe. c. 1.8 Gal. ar 7 Bolg ar 3.7 Saxon ar 1.11 â—â—â—ev ar 1. The adversaries unto this truth This maketh to the strengthning of us against those Popish assertions oâ— Viguerius and such like viz. that the Church was before the Word for time and is above the Word for authoritie a Viguer In ad Chr. Theo. 10. sect 3. v. 10. fol 83. a. 5. Proposition The markes and tokens of the visible Church are the due and true administration of the Word and Sacraments The proofe from Gods Word THere is the visible Church of Christ where the Word of God sincerely is preached and the Sacraments instituted by our Saviour are duely administred Hence it is that our Lord and Saviour calleth them his mother and his brethren which heare the Word of God and doe it a Luke 8.21 and saith He that is of God heareth Gods Word John 8.47 also My sheepe heare my voyce c Iohn 10.27 and How shal they heare without a Preacher saith S. Paul d Rom. 10.14 Likewise the Apostle S. Iohn He that knoweth God heareth us hee that is not of God heareth us not e 1 John â— 9 Again they are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them f Ibâ—b v. 5. And touching the Sacraments first of Baptisme Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you g Matth. 28.17 20. We have been baptized into Iesus Christ h Rom. 6.3 yee are washed ye are sanctified i 1 Cor 6.13 By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body k 1 Cor. 11.13 Next of the Lords Supper The Lord Iesus in the night that hee was betrayed tooke bread and when hee had given thanks hee brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of me After the same manner also he tooke the cup when he had Supped saying This is the New Testament in my blood this doe as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me l 1 Cor. 11.23.24 25. Luke 22 1â— The Christians in all reformed Churches acknowledge these things m Conf Helv. 1. ar 14. and 2. cap. 17 Bohe. c 8. Gal. ar 27.28 Saxon ar 11. Wittemb ar 12. Suev ar 13. Some and they also many of them very godly men adde Ecclesiasticall discipline for a note of the visible Church But because the said Discipline in part is included in the markes here mentioned both we and in effect all other wel ordered Churches over-passe it in this place as no token simply of the visible Church Neither tye we the Church so strictly to the signes articulate that wee think all those to be without the Church and no Christians which neither doe heare the Word ordinarily and publikely read and preached nor participate in the Sacraments if so be they would and yet can neither heare the one nor receive the other as it falleth out sometimes especially in the times of blindnesse and persecution The errors and adversaries unto this truth Wee renounce therefore as altogether unsound and Antichristian the opinions 1. Of the Papists who both denie the pure preaching of Gods Word and the administration of the Sacraments among Protestants to be the markes of Christ his visible Church a Petrus a Soto assert de Eccl. and affirme the tokens hereof to be Antiquity Vnity Vniversality Succession c. as doth Stapleton b In his Fortresse Bristow c In his Motives Bozius d De
Ibid sect â—â— with these joyne the Brownists who doe write that to haue Liturgies and formes of common prayer is to haue another Gospell and another Testament m Barrowes refâ—t p. 244. Our Sabbaths they contemne yea they condemne for they say There ought to be no Sabbath day n Zispl H. 8. â— Our Sabbatarians goe not so farre yet come they neere unto these Familists when they divulge that The Church hath no authoritie ordinarily and perpetually to sanctifie any day but the seventh day which the Lord himselfe hath sanctified o D. B doct of the Sab. 1. boâ—ke p. 31. The Church cannot take away this liberty of working sixe daies in the weeke p T.C. 1. replic p. 120. These assertions are against all holy daies lawfully established Barrow yet goeth further then doe these men for he saith how the obseruing of times as it is in our Church is an errour fundamentall q Bar. ref p. 36. They also be alike culpable who approuing some rites and ceremonies doe yet tie the Church or people of God to the observation of the ceremonies either Mosaicall as many have done and doe r See art 7. prop. 3. or of the Romish Church as doe the Papists Å¿ Conc. Trid. sess 7. can 13. and the halfe Papists the Family of Love t H.N. euang c. 3 â— sect 1. Finally they are out of the way which thinke that either one man as the Pope or any certaine calling of men as the Clergie hath power to decree and appoint rites or ceremonies though of themselues good unto the whole Church of God dispersed over the vniuersall world 2. Proposition The Church may not ordaine what rites and ceremonies she will The proofe from Gods Word AS it is a cleere truth that the Church may ordaine ceremonies so true it is also that the Church hath no power to appoint what rites or ceremonies she will For shee must decree none which be Either for their owne nature impious like the ordinances manners and idols of our fore fathers a Walke ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither obserue their manners not defile your selues with their idols Ezek. 30.18 teachers of vanitie b Ier 10.8 and of lies c Heb. 3.10 Or for vse superstitious like the brazen Serpent which King Ezechiah brake in pieces d 2 King 18.4 Or for their weight ouer-heauy and grieuous to be borne like the Iewish constitutions e Ye lade men with burdens grieuous to be borne Luke 11.46 Why tempt yee God to lay a yoake on the Disciples neâ—kes which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare Acts 15.10 Why as though ye liued in the world are ye burdened with traditions Col. 2.20 Or for their worthinesse in the eyes of the ordainers either of equall price or of more account then the very ordinances of God so as for the performance of them the lawes of God must be left vndone such were many of the Pharisaicall rites and traditions f Ye lay the Commandement of God apart and obserue the traditions of men as the washing of pots and of cups and many other such like things ye doe Marke 7.8 Yee reiect the Commandements of God that yee may obserue your owne traditions c. making the Word of God of none authoritie by your traditions which you have ordained Ibid. 9.13 Or against the libertie of Christians and to the entangling of them againe with the yoke of seruile bondage g Stand in the libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free and be not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 Or last of all any way contrary to the Commandements Word and Will of God h Every plant which my Father hath not planted shall be rooted vp Matth. 15.13.11 Cor. 14.14 But the rites ceremonies and constitutions of the Church they must make altogether and tend both to the nourishing and encrease of loue friendship and quietnesse among Christians and also to the retaining of Gods people in the holy seruice worship and feare of God according to the rule of the Apostle afore mentioned Let all things be done honestly and by orderi. All Churches reformed consent hereunto k Confes Helv. 2 cap. 1. Gal. ar 33. Belg. ar 33. August ar 7. 15. Sax. ar 20. Wittemb ar 35. Suevica c. 14. The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth The premises being as they are most true most false then is it which the Papsts doe publish viz. that The Church hath power to change the Sacraments ordained euen by Christ himselfe Conc. Trid. â—st 5 cap. 2. Whatsoever the Apostles and Rulers of the Church command is to be kept a Test Rhem. an marg p. 336. and obeyedb. The authority of the Church is greater then of the Sacred Scripture c Confess Patrocemen 15. 3. Proposition The Church hath authority to iudge and to determine in controuersies of faith The proofe from Gods Word AVthority is given to the Church and to every member of sound iudgement in the same to iudge in controuersies of faith and so in their places to embrace the truth and to auoid and improue Antichristianity and errors and this is not the priuate opinion of our Church but both the straight commandement of God himselfe particularly vnto all Teachers a and hearers b Cast away prophane and old wives fables 1 Tim 4.7 O Timothy keepe that which is committed unto thee 1 Tim. 6.20 A Bishop must c. hold fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he also may be able to exhort with wholesome doctrine and improue them that say against it c. Tit. 1.9 c. Heare not the words of the prophets that prophesie vnto you and teach you vanities they speake the vision of their owne heart and not of the mouth of the Lord Ier. 23.19 Beware of false prophets Matth. 7.15 Beware of dogges beware of euill workers Phil. 3.2 The sheepe know the shepherds voyce and they will not follow a stranger but they flye from him for they know not the voyce of strangers Iohn 10.4 5. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines Heb. 13.9 Beware lest you be also plucked away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your own stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3.17 If there come any vnto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not to house neither bid him God speed 2 Iohn 10. If any shall say vnto you Loe here is Christ or there beleeve him not For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets Matth. 2.4.23.24 I speake vnto them which have understanding iudge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10 15. Try all things and keepe that which is good 1 Thess 5.21 of Gods Word and generally vnto the whole Church c and also the iudgement of our godly brethren in foraigne countries d Confess Wittemb ar 32. Sucviar 15. The errors and adversaries vnto this truth Vnsound therefore
Wit c. 30 31 33. Suev ar 1. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Of another iudgement are many For Some do thinke the Scripture may be expounded in what sense and to what purpose men list as the Pharises a D. Iren. l 4. cap. 2 5. the Severians b Euf eccl hist lib. 4. c. 29. and Papists among whom there be which from this opinion doe tearme the most holy Word and Scriptures of God most reprochfully A ship-mans hose a Leaden rule a Nose of waxe c Pighius controuer 3. de Ec. Hierac l. 3. c. 3. Lindan praef Cens Colon. Some do mislike all interpretations written Commentaries vpon the Scriptures as vnnecessary and vaine such were Servetus Valdesius Coranus with others of late yeeres d Beza epi. 59. and are the Libertines Sowenkfeldians e Ibid. and Family of Loue f H.N. 1. exhor cap. 16 sect 4. Some depend wholly vpon visions and reuelations as did the Enthusiasts g Thâ—â—d haeret fab l. 3. Nicholas Storch Thomas Monetarius the Anabaptists h D. Maior in Dom. 8. Post trinit homil fol. 440. and our late English reformer Hacket i Arthing sedu p 17. Some dislike of the literall and referre the Allegoricall sense of the Scriptures and thereby deuise what them list most monstrously from the Word of God as did the Origenists and doe the Libertines k Calv. contra Anabap. and Family of Love hence teaching one the other that the spirituall vnderstanding is the Word of God and that to embrace the literall sense is to commit Idolatary l Allens conf Some of every place of Scripture will have an exposition both Analogicall Allegoricall Historicall and Morall as the curious Thomists and Monks Some are addicted to an interpretation which they cal mysticall and propheticall as Brocardus Morelius and others Some are of mind that the Gospell or Euangelicall Word cannot be committed to letters and writing saith Lindanus m Lib. 2. c. 2. Some doe thinke as afore also hath bin shewed how that is the odde and onely true sense of the Scriptures which is made and given by the Church n Haeretici Scripturarum cognitioneÌ„ intelligentione extra Ecclesiamponunt nos autem Papistae volumus Ecclesiae Romanae esse annexam nec ab ea separari patimur Stapl. antid Euang. in Ioan 19 21. p. 418 Sicut Christo Iudaei sic nos Ecclesia Romanae simpliciter credere debemus saith Stapleton Antid in Luc. 10.16 When the authoritie of the Church leaveth the holy Scripture then are they of no more account then Aesops fables Wâ—lf Herman and Pope of Rome o Si Papam qui Christi vicarius est ac cius omnimodam potestatem habet in terris consulerent non erraâ—ent haeretici saith Stella in Lucaeus fol. 499. Some doe maintaine that as the Church in time doth alter so the interpretation of the Scripture also therewithall doth vary whereby that which in the Apostles time was a truth in these dayes shall be a falshood In which error was Cardinall Cusanus p Cusan ad Bohemos epist 2. 6. Proposition The Church is the witnesse and keeper of Gods written Word The proofe from Gods Word THough the Church hath authoritie to heare and determine in controversies of faith yet hath the Church power neither to iudge the Word of God nor to iudge otherwise then Gods Word doth iudge For it is said to the Church and people of God I beseech you brethren marke them diligently which cause diuisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which you haue learned and auoid them a Rom. 16.7 Heare him b Math. 17.5 To him giue all the Prophets witnesse c Acts 10 43. Search the Scriptures d Iohn 5.39 whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God e 2 Iohn 5.9 Ye are c. built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets f Eph. 2.19 And of the holy Scriptures Thy word is the truth g Iohn 27.17 They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Luke 16.29 saith our Saviour Christ Wee have also a sure word of the Prophets saith Saint Peter i 2 Pet 1.19 And Saint Paul The whole Scripture is profitable to teach c k 2 Tim. 6.16 17. If any man teach otherwise and consenteth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ he is puft vp and knoweth nothing c l 1 Tim. 6 3 4. And so with vs the other Churches conceiue both of the Scriptures and Church m Confe Helv. 2. cap. 1. Bohe. cap. 1. Gal ar 5 Belg. ar 7. Wittemb ar 30 31 32 Sax. ar 11. yet all of vs doe grant that the Church as a faithfull witnesse may yea of necessitie must testifie to the world what hath been the doctrine of Gods people from time to time and as a trusty Recorder is to keepe and make knowne what the Word or God which it hath received is which truly hath beene performed afore the Word was written by the Patriarchs and after the same was committed to writing before Christ his incarnation by the Iews in Christ his life time n Luke 4.17 in the Primitive Church o Acts 13.27 Acts 15.21 2 Cor. 2.15 2 Cor. 8.18 From the Apostles time by the godly Christians thorow out the world Errors and adversaries unto this truth Be it farre therefore from us to thinke which the Papists doe not stick to write and say namely that The Church is to judge the Scripures and not the Scriptures the Church a Jo. Maria Verractâ—s Pighius in controvers de Ec. The Scripture is not of the essence of the Church Because without it a Church may be though not very well So said Card. Cusan b Card. Cusan ep 2. ad Bohe. The Scripture because in their opinion it is unperfect cannot obscure may not ambiguous ought not to be the Iudge So Lindan c Lind. l. 1. c. 1. Latomus d Contra Bucer Petrus à Soto e De S. Scrip. Pighius f Eccl. Hierar l. 1. c. 4. Coster g Enchir. de S. Scrip. c. 1. c. Hee is an heretike that cleaveth to the Scriptures So said Iacobus Hoestratus Again the carefull keeping of the holy Scriptures by Gods people from age to age and time to time declareth first how the mother Church of Rome is not the onely keeper of the holy writ and next that cursedly they doe offend which either as greatly esteeme the Ethicks of Aristotle as the Commandements of God the Odes of Pindar as the Psalmes of David h Aug. Polit. the works and bookes of men as the writings of God which the Councell of Trent doth i Ses 4. or before and above the Scripture preferre unwritten Traditions Hence Petrus à Soto Tradition saith he is both more ancient and more effectuall then the holy
to suffer q Acts 5.41 2 Tim. 4.7 8. and constant to endure all manner of afflictions r 2 Cor. 11.23 And this doe the Churches Protestant by their Confessions approve Å¿ Conf. Helv. 1. ar 25. 2. c. 18. Bohe. c. 9. Gal. artic 13. Belg. ar 31. Aug. ar 14. Wittem ar 20 Sue ar 13. The errors and adversaries unto this truth In error they remaine who are of opinion that The due election and calling of Ministers according to the Word of God is of no such necessity to the making of Ministers an erroneous fancie of the Anabaptists and Family of Love That women may be Deacons a Sigebert Elders and Bishops the former the Acephalians the latter the Pepuzians did maintaine A speciall care is not to be had both of the life and the learning of men or that wicked men of evill life ignorant men without learning Asses of no gifts loyterers which doe no good or favourers of superstition and idolatrie which doe great hurt are to be admitted into the ministerie They are causes which indeed are none to debarre men from the ecclesiasticall function as if men have beene twice married an error of the Russians b Liberus retum Mosco p. 20. b. be married c Coster Enc. controv c. 15. de coel sacerd have had certaine wives d Test Rhem. an 1 Tim. 5.2 have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation e Conc. Trid. sess 23. c. 4. have beene baptized of Heretikes f 1 quaest 1. vencum these may not bee Priests say the Papists or if either they have not been trained up in the family or be not Elders in the said Family of Love g Such ought not to busie themselves boot the Word H. N. document sent c. 3. sect 1. and 1. Exhort c. 16. sect 16. 24. Article Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understand not It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God and the custome of the Primitive Church to have publike prayer in the Church or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understood of the people The Proposition Publike prayer and the Sacraments must bee ministred in a tongue understood of the common people The proofe from Gods Word THis assertion needeth small proofe For who so is perswaded as all true Christians of understanding are that what is done publikely in the Church by a strange language not understood of the people profiteth not the Congregation a 1 Cor. 14.6 9 14. edifieth not the weake b Ib. 17.26 instructeth not the ignorant c Ib. v. 9. inflameth not the zeale d Ib. 7.11 offendeth the hearers abuseth the people f displeaseth God g Mark 15 8. Ib. 11.16 bringeth religion into contempt h 1 Cor. 14.23 easily will thinke that where prayers be said i Conf. Helv. 2 c. 22. Wittem c. 27. Aug. de Missa artic 3. Suev c. 2â— or the Sacraments administred in a tongue not understood of the vulgar sort neither is the Word of God regarded nor the custome of the purer and primitive Church observed This article no Church doth doubt of and very many by their extant Confessions doe allow Adversaries unto this truth But there is nothing either so true or apparant which hath by all men at any time bin acknowledged so contrary to this truth In old time the Ossens made their prayers unto God alwaies in a strange language which they learned of Elexus their founder a Epip haer 19. and the Marcosians at the ministration of Baptisme used certaine Hebrew words not to edifie but to terrifie and astonish the minds of the weak and ignorant people b D. Iren. l. 1 c 8. In these daies the Turks performe all their superstitions in the Arabian language thinking it not onely unmeet but also an unlawfull thing for the common sort of persons to understand their Mahometane mysteries c An. Genfraeus aâ—lae Tuâ— l 2. The Iacobite Priests doe use a tongue at their Church ministrations and meetings which the vulgar people cannot comprehend d Magd. eccl hist Gen. â— 2 c. 5. The divine Liturgie among the Russians is compounded partly of the Greeke and partly of the Selavonian language e Alex Guag de relig Mose pag. 2 â—0 The Papists will have all divine Service Prayers Sacraments and that thorow out the world ministred onely in the Latine tongue but which few men of the common people doe understand some of them holding that it is not necessary that we understand our prayers f Test Rhem. annot p 463. and that prayers not understood of the people are acceptable to God g Test Rhem. an Mark 21.6 and all of them maintaining that he is accursed whosoever doth affirme how the Masse ought to be celebrate onely in a vulgar tongue h Si quis dixerit linguâ— tantuÌ„ vulgari Missam celeâ—â—an debere anathema â—it Conc. Trid. sâ—ss 21 cap. 9. 25. Article Of the Sacraments Sacraments 1 ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian mens profession but rather they bee certaine 2 sure witnesses effectuall signes of grace and Gods good will towards us by which he doth work invisibly in us 3 and not onely quicken but also strengthen and confirme our faith in him 4 There bee two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospell that is to say Baptisme and the Supper of the Lord. Those five commonly called Sacraments that is to say 5 Confirmation 6 Penance 7 Orders 8 Matrimony and 9 extreme Vnction are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel being such as have growne partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptisme and the Lords Supper for that they have not any visible signe or ceremony ordained of God 10 The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to bee gazed upon or to be carried about but that we should duly use them 11 And in such onely as worthily receive the same they have a wholesome effect or operation but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves damnation as Saint Paul saith The Propositions 1. The Sacraments ordained of Christ be badges or tokens of our profession which be Christians 2. The Sacraments be certain sure witnesses and effectuall signes of grace and God his good will toward us 3. By the Sacraments God doth quicken strengthen and confirme our faith in him 4. Christ hath ordained but two Sacraments in his holy Gospell 5. Confirmation is no Sacrament 6. Penance is no Sacrament 7. Orders is no Sacrament 8. Matrimony is no Sacrament 9. Extreme unction is no Sacrament 10. The Sacraments are not to be abused but rightly to be used of us all 11. All which receive the Sacraments receive not therewithall the things signified by the Sacraments 1. Proposition The
to forsake that Church which will not reforme her faults upon any private admonition c Giff. repl unto Bar. and Gr. in the end For want of the due execution of discipline against persons offending and malefactors d Browne tract of the life and meane Bred. detect p. 121. both women may leave their husbands as some have done and husbands their wives and goe where it is in force See more in Art 33. Prop. 1. 27. Article Of Baptisme 1 Baptisme is not only a signe of profession and marke of difference whereby Christian men are discerned from other that be not Christened but 2 it is also a signe of regeneration or new birth whereby as by an instrument they that receive Baptisme rightly are grafted into the Church the promises of the forgivenesse of sinne and of our adoption to the Sonnes of God by the holy Ghost are visibly signed and sealed Faith is confirmed and grace encreased by vertue of prayer unto God 3 The Baptisme of young children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ The Propositions 1. Baptisme is a signe of Profession and marke of difference whereby Christians are discerned from other men that be no Christians 2. Baptisme is a signe or seale of the Regeneration or new birth of Christians 3. Infants and young children by the Word of God are to be baptized 1. Proposition Baptisme is a signe of Profession and marke of difference whereby Christians are discerned from other men that be no Christians The proofe from Gods Word HOw the Sacraments are tokens and therefore that Baptisme is a signe of the true Church which be Christians it is apparant from Gods Word in the fift proposition of the nineteenth Article afore going and the same doe the Churches of God acknowledge a Conf. Helv 1 ar 20 2. c. 19.20 Bâ—l◠〈…〉 2. Gal. â—â— â—â— Belg. â—r â—4 〈…〉 13. 〈◊〉 ar 12. Errors and adversaries unto this truth This declareth us to be sound Christians and Not Nazarens who were with the Iews circumcised and baptized with Christians and so as Hierome writeth of them were neither Iewes nor Christians a D. Heron. in epist ad Aug. 〈◊〉 haeres Not Manicheans which baptize not any b D. August Not false Christians c 1 Cor. 15. or Marcionites d Tertul. coâ—â—â—â— Mar. lib. 4. which did baptize the living for the dead Which Marcionites also denied Baptisme unto all married persons and baptized none but persons single virgins widdowes and women divorced from their husbands e Tertul. Ibid. Not Origenists who maintaine a Baptisme by fire as also that after the resurrection of our bodies we shall have need of Baptisme f Origen in Luk. hom 14. Not of Matthew Hamants opinion that Norfolke Heretike which stood in it to the death that Baptisme is not necessary in the Church g Holinsh chr fol. 1299. Not Anabaptists which number Baptisme among things indifferent and so to be used or refused at our discretion h Bullin contra Anabap. lib. 2. cap. 1. Not Familists which say there is no true Baptisme but onely among themselves i H N. 1. exhor cap. 7. Not Papists who both baptize Bels and Babels as afore hath bin shewed art 25. prop. 10. and also make the vowe and profession of the Monachall or life of a Monk as good a token of Christians as Baptisme k T. Aquinas 1.21 de ingre â—elig p. 119. 2. Proposition Baptisme is a signe or seale of the Regeneration or new birth of Christians The proofe from Gods Word BAptisme of S. Paul is called the washing of the new Birth a Tit. 3.5 of others the Sacrament of the new Birth to signifie how they which rightly as all doe not receive the same b See afore ar 25. p. 11. are ingrafted into the Body of Christ c 1 Cor. 12.13 as by a seale be assured from God that their sinnes be pardoned and forgiven d Acts. 2.38 and themselves adopted for the children of God e Tit. 3.5 confirmed in the faith f Mark 19.16 and doe increase in grace by vertue of prayer unto God g Act. 2.14 42. And this is the constant doctrine of all Churches Protestant and reformed h Conf. Helv. ar 21. 2 c. 20 Boh. c. 12. Gal. ar 35. Belg. ar 34. Aug. ar 9. Saxon. ar 23. Wittem c. 10. Suev c. 19. The errors and adversaries unto this truth But no part of the true Church thinketh as many old heretikes viz. that The baptized of the Orthodoxall ministers are to be rebaptized as said the Novatians a Cyp. ad Joh. Originall sinne is not pardoned in infants as said the Pelagians because they have no such sinne in them at all b D. August de pec mer. lib. c. 20. Onely sinnes past and not sinnes future or not yet committed are by Baptisme cleansed as the Messalians held c Theod. dimider c. de Bapt. Being once baptized we can no more be tempted as thought the Iovinians which was the error also of the Pelagians d Mag. cc. hist Cen. 4 c. 5. fol. 381. The Baptisme of water is now ceased and the Baptisme of voluntary bloud by whipping is come in place thereof without which none can be saved as the Flagelliferans published e Gerson tra contra â—lageâ— We also condemne the opinion Of the Russeis that there is such a necessity of Baptisme as that all that dye without the same Russie commonweale c. 24. p. 98 b. are damnedf. Also of the Banisterians which say that the water at Baptisme is not holy in respect that it is applyed to an holy use and that the ordinary and common washings among the Turks and Iewes is the same to them that Baptisme is to us g Banist errors printed by T. Man Likewise of the Family of Love which conceive basely of this Sacrament calling it in derision Elementish water and of no better validitie or vertue then common water h N.N. evang c. 16. sect 5.6 Also the Anabaptists who ascribe no more unto Baptisme then unto any other thing civilly discerning one man from another and say that the Sacraments of the New Testament are no instruments to raise or confirme faith i Althemar concil lo. pugnan lo. 131. And lastly of the Papists who maintaine that Baptisme serveth to the putting away of originall sinne onely k â— Tho. de â—â—c Altari Baptisme bringeth grace even ex opere operato l Test Rhem. an Gal. 3.27 3. Proposition Infants and young children by the Word of God are to be baptized The proofe from Gods Word ALthough by expresse tearmes we be not commanded to baptize young children yet we beleeve they are to be baptized and that for these among other reasons 1. The grace of God is universall and pertaineth unto all Therefore the signe or Seale of
They lacke the wedding garment h Math. 22.11 12. which is faith and the righteousnesse of Christ They are no members of the true Church the head whereof is Iesus Christ i Ephes 4.15 c. They have no promise of heavenly refreshing because they are without a lively faith k Iohn 6.25 Therefore they procure unto themselves most heavie punishments l 1 Cor. 11.27 as diseases death guiltinesse of the body and bloud of Christ and therewith damnation Of this judgement be other Churches Christian and reformed besides m Conf. Helv. in the declar of the Lords Supper Helv. 2 c. 21. Basil ar 6. Bohem c 13. Gal. ar 37. Belg. ar 37. Errors and adversaries unto this truth The adversaries of this doctrine are The Vbiquitaries both Lutheran and Popish they seeing the very body of Christ at the Lords Supper is eaten aswell of the wicked as of the godly a Stur An. ip 4. par 1. p. 58. these affirming that all Communicants bad and good doe eate the very and naturall body of Christ Iesus b Test Rhem. annot 1. Cor. 11.27 they saying that the true and reall body of Christ In With Vnder the Bread and Wine may be eaten chewed and digested even of Turks which never were of the Church c So reporteth Sturmius in his Antipap p. 4. par 2. p. 106. and these maintaining that under the form of bread the same true and reall body of Christ may be devoured of Dogs Hogs Cats and Rats d Alex. Hales par 4. q. 44. D. Thom. par 5. q. 8. ar 3. 30. Article Of both kinds The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people For both the parts of the Lords Sacrament by Christs ordinance and commandement ought to be ministred to all Christian men The Proposition The people must be partakers not onely of the bread but also of the wine when they approach unto the Lords Table The proofe from Gods Word OVR Lord and Saviour Christ hath so instituted his Supper as he will have not onely the Bread but also the Cup to be delivered unto all Communicants So finde wee in the Word of God namely That the Bread must be given to All and eaten of All a Math. 26.26 Marke 14.22 Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 10.16.11.25 The Cup is to bee given to All and to bee drunken of All b Math. 26.17 Marke 22.27 1 Cor. 10.16.11.25 Hereunto subscribe the Church c Conf Helv 1. ar 22. 2. c. 21 Bohem. c. 13. Gal. ar 36.38 Belg. ar 35. Aug. de Massa art 1 2. Saxon. 15 Wittemb c. 19. Suc. c. 18. The adversaries unto this truth Though it be a mans covenant yet when it is confirmed no man doth abrogate or addeth any thing thereunto a Gal. 3.15 What impudencie then yea what impiety doe they shew which alter this Ordinance of God Some by adding thereto So added was unto the Bread Cheese by the Artotarites b Epiphan bloud by the Cataphrygians c Philastrius the seed of man by the Manichies d August de haeres unto the Wine warme water by the Muscovites e I. Faber de relig Mosco Some by taking there from so the Encratites f Epiphan the Tatians g Theodoret. the Severians h Epiphan use no wine at all the Manichies do minister onely the bread i Leo. ser 4. quadrages the Papists though they use both kinds yet they alwaies denie the Cup unto the people and unto Priests also when they say not Masse k Concil Trid. ses 5. c. 1. ses 21. cap. 1 2 3. affirming that The people participating of the Cup thereby perceive no fruit of spirituall comfort but receive to themselves damnation l Censura Colon pag. 289. It is not by Gods but mans law that Lay persons communicate either in both kinds or in one m Ibid. p. 283. Notwithstanding that Christ instituted the Sacrament to be received under both kinds and the Primitive Church accordingly did so administer the same Hoc tamen non obstante yet this notwithstanding it is to be taken of the Laitie but under one kinde n Conâ— Constan sess 13. Some by confounding the elements So the Moscovites doe mingle Bread and Wine together o Surius Comment an 1501. pag. 31. and the Papists make a mixture of Wine and Water maintaining that Water must be mixt with Wine at the Consecration of the Blood p Catec Trid. and then that mixture of Water with Wine without sinne cannot be omitted q Ibid. Some by changing the Elements So the Aquarians and the Hydroparastites for Wine administred and gave Water unto the people r Theodoret. 31. Article Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Crosse The offering of Christ once made 1 is that perfect redemption propitiation and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world both originall and actuall and there is none other satisfaction for sinne but that alone Wherefore 2 the sacrifices of Masses in the which it was commonly said that the Priests did offer Christ for the quick and the dead to have remission of paine and guilt were blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits The Propositions 1. The blood of Iesus Christ once shed for mankinde upon the Crosse is a perfect redemption propitiation and satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole world 2. Sacrifices of the Masse are most blasphemous Fables and dangerous deceits 1. Proposition The blood of Iesus Christ once shed for mankinde upon the Crosse is a perfect redemption propitiation and satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole world The proofe from Gods Word OF the benefits redounding unto mankinde by Christ his offering up of himselfe upon the Crosse we have in sundry places afore a See art 1. pr. 4. 22. pr. 1 2. 20. pr. 2. spoken and by the Word of God prooved him to be the perfect Redemption b Acts 20.28 Rom. 5.6 c. Gal. 3.13 1 Cor. 6.28 1 Pet. 1.18 19 Propitiation c Acts 10 43. Rom. 3.25 Heb 9.12 c. 1 John 2.2 1 John 4.10 and satisfaction for all the sinnes of the whole world both originall and actuall d John 1.29 1 Pet. 3.18 1 John 1.7 Hereunto the Churches of God beare witnesse e Conf. Helv. 1 ar 11. 2. cap. 11. 15. Basil ar 4. Bohem. c. 6. Gal. art 13. 16 17. Belg ar 20. 22. Aug. ar 34. Saxon. artic 3. Wittemb c. 2. 5. Suc. c. 2 3. The errors and adversaries unto this truth Hereby it is evident to the eyes of all godly persons that accursed be the errors of them which doe affirme that From the beginning of the world untill the 15. yeare of the Emperour Tiberius none at all were saved The error of Manes the heretike a Epiphan Mans body is not capable of happinesse but the foule only and yet
from all lawes owe obedience to no man are not to be bound with the bands of any jurisdiction of this world say the Brownists i R. H. on Psal 122. are freed from the observation of all rites and Ecclesiasticall ceremonies say certaine Ministers of the precise faction both in Scotland and England k D. Bar. confe ar Hamp p. 70. 71. Againe there be of the Clergie who rather then they will use or observe any rites ceremonies or others though lawfully ratified which please them not will disquiet the whole Church forsake their charges leave their vocations raise stirs and cause divisions in the Church as did many when it was in Germany about the Rhene Frankeland and Sueaveland whereby most lamentable effects did ensue l Phil. Mâ—l ep ad pastores in comâ—â—am Mansfield and doe the refractory Ministers in the Church of England at this day m Burges in his letter unto K. Iames an 1604 saith the number of those Ministers so refusing conformity were 6. or 700. viz. as it is in the Lincolnshire Ministers Apologie in Oxfordshire 9. Staffordshire 14 Dorcetsh 17. Hartfordsh 17. Northamptonshire 20. Surry 21. Norfolke 28 Wiltshire 31. Buckinghamshire 33. Sussex 47. Leicestershire 57. Essex 57. Cheshire 12. Bedfordshire 16. Somersetshire 17. Darbyshire 20. Lancashire 21. Kent 23. London 30. Lincolnshire 33. Warwickshire 44. Devonshire and Cornewall 51. Northamptonshire 57. Suffolke 71. the more is the pitty The principall author of these tragicall furies about ceremoniall matters was Flacius Illyricus whose preachings were that rather then Ministers should yeeld unto the servitude of ceremonies they should abandon their calling and give over the ministery to the end that Princes Magistrates even for feare of uproares and popular tumults might be forced at the length to set their Ministers free from the observation of all ceremonies more then any were willing to use themselves n Fateor me suasisse Francis aliis ne deferrerent Ecclesias propter servitatem quae sine impietate sustineri posset Nam quod Illyricus vociferatur potius vastitatem suisse faciendam in templis metu seditionem terrendos Principes ego ne nunc quidem tam tristis sententiae autor esse velâ—m inquit Phil. Melancton epist ad pium Lectorem inter epist Theolog suas Pag. 455. 3. Proposition Ceremonies and traditions ordained by the authority of man if they be repugnant to Gods Word are not to be kept and observed of any man The proofe from Gods Word OF ceremonies and traditions repugnant to the Word of God there bee two sorts whereof some are things meerely impious and wicked such was the Israelites Calfe a Exod. 30.4 c. and Nebuchadnezzars Idoll b Dan. 3.1 c. and be the Papisticall Images Reliques Agnus-deis and Crosses to which they doe give Divine adoration c See afore Art 22. prop. 3 4 5. These and such like bee all flatly forbidden d Thou shalt make thee no gâ—aven Image neither any similitude of things c. Thou shalt not bow down to them neither serve them c. Exod. 20 4 5. Others are of things by God in his Word neither commanded nor forbidden as of eating or not eating Flesh of wearing or not wearing some Apparell of keeping or not keeping some dayes Holy by abstinence from bodily labour c. the which are not to be observed of any Christian when for sound doctrine it is delivered that such works either doe merit remission of sinnes or be the acceptable Service of God or doe more please then the observation of the lawes prescribed by God himselfe or necessarily to be done insomuch as they are damned who doe them not Wee must therefore have alwaies in minde that wee are bought with a price and therefore may not be the servants of men e 1 Cor 7.23 and that none humane constitution in the Church doth binde any man to breake the least commandement of God f Acts 5 19. The consideration hereof hath caused other Churches also with a sweet consent to condemne such wicked ceremonies and traditions of men g Conf Helv. 1. ar 4. 2. c. 144 27. Ba. ar sect 3 ar 10. Bohe. c. 15 Gal. ar 24 33. Belg. ar 7. 29. 32. Aug. ar 15. Wittem ar 28. 29. 32. 33. Suc. c. 8. 14. 1â— The Errors and adversaries unto this truth Such ungodly traditions and ceremonies are all the ceremonies and traditions in a manner of the Antichristian Synagogue of Rome Such also be the Sabbatarian traditions and ceremonies lately broached because they be imposed upon the Church necessarily and perpetually to be observed of all and every Christian under paine of damnation both of soule and body For they say speaking yet of their private and Classicall Injunctions about the Sabbath day The Lord hath commanded so precise a Rest unto all sorts of men that it may not by any fraud deceit or circumvention whatsoever be broken but that hee will most severely require it at our hands under the paine of his everlasting displeasure a D. B. Sab. doct 1. booke p. 98. This viz. the manner of keeping the Sabbath prescribed by themselves the Lord requireth of all and every one continually from the beginning to the end of our lives without any interruption Vnder the paine of everlasting condemnation b Ibid. p 146. Another sort of people there is among us which will observe and use all Ceremonies whatsoever as the temporizing Familists who at Rome and such like places of Superstition will goe unto idolatrous services and doe adoration unto Idols c Patterne of the praes Tem. and no where will they strive or vary with any one about Religion but keepe all externall orders d Ibid. albeit in their hearts they scorne all professions and services but their owne tearming all Temples and Churches in derision Common houses e H. N. spi lan cap. 5. sect 1. and all Gods services or religions besides their owne foolishnesse f Ibid. To the Christian Reader Christian and beloved Reader lâ—t me request thee to observe well the first section of the proofe of this present propositioâ— and therein how I speake of ceremonies and traditions apparently impious among which I doe reckon papisticall Crosses whereunto the Romanists doe attribute divine adoration as else-where in this booke and subscription of mine I have ddeclared and could more copiously but the reliques of a Libell of theirs left in the Parish Church of Eâ—born in Bark-shire an 1604 sufficiently shal expresse the thoughts of Papists touching their Crosse and crossing whose words be these Now Mr. Parson for your welcome home Reade these few lines you know not from whom You hold Crosse for an outward token and signe And remembrance onely in religion thine And of the profession the people doe make For more then this comes to thou doest it not take Yet holy Church tels us of holy Crosse much more g Vâ—de