day of the Lord of hosts shal be upon every one that is proud and loftie that is lifted up and he shall be brought low In the meane while wee must know Chap. 5.1 he planted a vinyard in a very fruitfull hill and he fenced it he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapes therfore he tooke away the hedge thereof and it was not digged and pruned as it should be So was the hedge taken from the church in the time of the persecutions when she brought forth the wilde grapes of mens inventions Isa 24.5 Ezech. 5.6 Amos. 2.4 Men will confesse it was for some sinne as Israel was alwaies plagued Because they transgressed the lawes changed the ordinance marke changed the ordinance brake the everlasting covenant Though they kept it in fundamentall points of religion yet with Korah and Vzzah they brake and changed it in Ecclesiasticall order service and ceremonies which opened the gap to greater transgressions Had they continued in his ordinances doubtles they had never beene so afflicted he would have beene to them as he promised to Israel Exod. 34.24 I will cast out the nations before thee and enlarge thy borders neither shall any man desire thy land when thou shalt goe up to appeare before the Lord thrice in the yeare he would so have ruled theire enemies hearts but when men observe not his ordinances or like the Angels keepe not theire first estate then by his plagues he seekes to abate theire pride Now wee shall have seene that in the primative church the Clergie did soone decline from his waies in such things were plagued Isa 9.16 Chap. 52. Chap. 42.24 Chap. 8.16 both they and theire people For the Leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroied So they that rule over them make them to howle and my name continuallie every day is blasphemed Who gave Jacob for a spoile and Jsrael to the Robbers Did not the Lord he against whom wee have sinned for they would not walke in his waies e. And therfore he saith binde up the Testimonie Seale the law among my Disciples Certaine that lived despised in corners and persecuted even of some of theire owne brethren while he hid his face from the howse of Jacob. Ier. 2 30. Isa 57.17 For saith he in vaine have I smitten your children they received no correction your owne sword hath devoured your Prophets c. For the iniquitie of his coveteousnes was I wroth and smote him J hid me and he went on frowardly in the way of his owne heart So that Coveteousnes hath in all ages beene the roote of all evill Ier. 6.13 especially in church-men For every one is given to coveteousnes and what followeth thereupon from the Prophet to the Priest every one dealeth falsely And they bend theire tongue like theire bow for lies such as are for theire honour or proffit but they are not valiant for the truth Such was the fruite of coveteousnes and ambition in Elies Sonnes such in Gehezi in Ziba and others as well of the Priests as of the people and such hath it ever beene as well in the christian as in the Iewish churches There was doubtles a lust of the eies after the pride of life a seeking after preheminence and authority in the Bishops of Rome from the verie death of the Apostles Theire devises to superintend over neighbour churches or parishes and theire Decrees in theire Synods wherin they for the most part ruled all for theire owne glorie do sufficiently declare it this was the foundation of theire greatnes And som desire there might be of filthie lucre but the first open proofe recorded is that decree of Vrbanus Platina in Vrban 1. that the church might receive from the faithfull inheritance of lands This was aboute the yeare 224. For before times the preaching Bishop was maintained by that which the seaven Deacons gathered for the poore and church vses as both Damasus and Platina shew in the life of Evaristus who died for the Truth in the yeare 109. and was it seemes the last of the vncorrupt Pastors of that litle flock in Rome He presumed not to make ordinances And so as Hegesippus saith to the times of Trajan or thereabouts the church continued cleane and vndefiled as a virgin Euseb lib. 3. c. 26. lib. 4. c. 21. but since that sacred companie left the world the conspiracie of iniquitie began to worke with open face They tell vs indeede of an ordinance that his predecessor Annaclet made against Clergie mens nourishing of long haire in head or beard Platina in Anaclet 1. Cor. 11.14 which haveing respect to that of the Apostle seemed tollerable But the Apostles words were sufficient what neede such an ordinance yet if he made it that served for a pretence that they might make others The like may be saide of that commaund of his that the consecration beeing ended all the faithfull should communicate or they that would not should goe out of the church These theire best preceps were steps to intollerable presumptions in others as in Alexander who succeeding Euaristus ordained holy water the masse and other inventions which others increased So was this of Vrbanus a step to extreme coveteousnes and many other corruptions Cyprian yeeldeth this reason of the persecution of Decius Cyprian lib. de lapsis Because every man slept in the coveteous desires of his owne heart it was high time for God to awak them with his rod There was no longer any devotion left in the priests Anno 253 no sincere faith in ministers no mercie in theire works no government in their manners c. The Bishops them selves who should have served for a spurre and patterne of well doeing abandoning theire holy functions and forsaking theire flocks goe a gadding into other countries haunting marts and faires for filthie lucres sake litle caring to relieve theire hungrie and starving brethren so themselues might haue money at will getting lands by fraude and money by griping vsurie and what did wee not deserue for these ill doeings The Churches ye see were not the more purified but more defiled after diocessan Bishops were set vp Howsoeuer this shewes theire follie who ascribe so much to the wisedom and holines of those times Eusebius giues the like reasons of the persecution of Dioclesian Platina in Marcel as Platina observeth saying Eusebius imagineth that it was permitted of God for the corrupt manners with the too much libertie and indulgence of the Christians espetiallie of the Clergie to bridle whose perversnes the divine justice ordained this persecution while he saw dissembling in theire countenance fraud in their hearts and deceite in theire words For these striving among themselves with envie pride enmities hatreds seemed to sâ—â—iour more of a tyrannie then of the Priesthood alltogether forgâ—ttâ—ng the Christian pietie and rather profaning then celebrating the divine
doe what they list in religion shall be sure to be flattered in it as the popes were as soone as ever they grew greate and to have any power over the Clergie and this indeede made them attempt what they list and carrie or obtaine it while verie few durst call it incroaching or corruption such was and such is the fruite of this power in the church and therfore God would neither commit the election or confirmation of his ministers nor the government to one in a diocesse but to the presbyters and members of every church as abovesaide Men will not see these things but if wee tell them these all doe contrarie to the decrees of Christ to stop our mouthes with those Iewes and others of the baser sort they say These all doe contrarie to the decrees of Cesar Act. 17.5.7 saying that there is another King in these cases namely Christ making a verie heinous matter of it that wee are so bold as to affirme it But it were to be wished that they would so give vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars as not to take from God the things that are Gods to give them to Cesar These are things that have been manifested to be Gods Why then will they perswade Kings that they doe God service and shew love to his church his Ierusalem while they strengthen the Prelates that vsurpe these offices suppresse the verie name of the presbiterie and make Princes beleeve that as they doe more or lesse vphold theire hierarchie so God will more or lesse blesse them theirs Wherein they reason like Baronius Baron in an 452 who speaking of the law of Valentinian abovementioned which curtailed the power of Bishops saith That the making of it incensed the wrath of God and caused Attila with the Hunnes to come downe upon the Empire When that was rather because he left them so much power as he did and did not rather reduce them to that order and power wherein the Apostles left them taking away all that which made the word of God in divers particulars of none effect or is contrarie to his ordinances though it had been given them by Emperours or Synods They should have all knowne that it is the King eternall and immortall who is only wise 1. Tim. 1.17 Isa 30.22 Pro. 8. mark that word onelie wise especially in Spirituall things The Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our lawgiver the Lord is our King Christ beeing the wisdom of God saith By me Kings raigne and Princes decree justice that is when what they can they governe according to Gods revealed wisdom Much more then in matters of religion they are not set in the throne to doe and require the doeing of theire owne will but Gods as David acknowledged and therefore saide Give thy judgments ô God thy judgments not mens not mine to the King and thy righteousnes to the Kings Sonne Psa 70.1 2. Chron. 29.23 2 Sam. 22.51 1 Chro. 29 11.12 So it is saide Solomon sate on the throne of the Lord insteade of David his father who is saide to be Gods King Every king therefore should acknowledge God King of his kingdom as David of his Thine o Lord is the greatnes the power the glorie the victorie and the majestie for all that is in the heaven in the earth is thine thine is the kingdom o Lord thou art exalted as head above all that is theÌ„ above Kings who beeing set on the throne of the 〈◊〉 that is to see his word his lawes Statutes observed to se◠〈…〉 the righteousnes thereof for then doe they bring theire glorie honour to the new Ierusalem Hos 2.19 then is he maried to them and theire pepole Ãn righteousnes in judgment in loveing kindnes in mercies as he promiseth that is when Kings make priests and people live and doe according to the order which he appointeth them in his word as both Hezechiah and David himselfe did when he saw Vzza slaine for breaking that order He sits on the throne of the Lord that gives his power strength to God and to his ordinances as the Kings which are the hornes of the Beast gave theire power and strength vnto the Beast to enforce his lawes rites and errours on theire people which was a war against the lambe But at last as is graciously promised The lambe shall overcome them Rev. 17. For he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings If therefore they will be saide to sit on his throne they must doe the like for Christ against Antichrist and all enemies of his truth seeing God hath set his King vpon his holy hill of Sion to rule all nations in matters of religion and therefore addeth Be wise now therefore o ye Kings Psa 2. Let it not be saide your subjects dwell where Sathan hath his throne for Antichrist or any other David knew the true wisdom when he saide 2. Sam. 22.22 J have kept the waies of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God for all his judgments were before me c. And when in an assemblie of all his Princes Captaines 1. Chro. 28 1.8.9 and 〈…〉 to them Keepe and seeke for all the com◠〈…〉 â—th Solomon and 〈…〉 thâ—e but if 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—re did God 〈…〉 â—e a King among his Sonnes He wâ—s a King indeeâ—â—or God seeing he thus raigned psa 47.3 and in this â—ense had ever such sayiâ—gs in his mouth God is the King of all the Earth The shields of the eartâ— belong unto God For the Lord is a greate God and a greaâ— King above all Gods The holy one of Israel is our King The prelates and theire adherents say there must be order in the church diocessan Bishops to be over others Objection question and reje◠〈…〉 â—ers God hath not appoin◠〈…〉 therefore Kings and councels 〈…〉 I answer this is to say 〈◊〉 God hath not had a sufficient 〈…〉 â—rch and to accuse his Testament of insufficiencie as if th◠〈…〉 â—d not as well provided for his church in this case as in others when yet for these ends he ordained Elders to be Bishops 〈◊〉 every congregation Now all his ordinances are perfect His worke is perfect Deut 32.4 for all his waies are judgment He is God and changeth not therefore to say that this was only for the times of the Apostles and as the church increased and those times changed the wisdom of men might provide better is a greate presumption yet such hath beene the wisdom of the flesh Act. 15.18 and of the world to thinke so But knowne vnto God are all his works from the begining of the world Men cannot in time better them If the Eldership had not beene sufficient he would either never have ordained it to be so soone abolished or have foretold and given authority to his church to ordaine diocessans This he did not but for bad to adde
man hunger let him eate at home The holy Ghost giveth divers gifts of wisdom knowledge healing faâ—th prophecie tongues c. to divers members of the same body If the one of them should say of the other I have no neede of thee this were not to doe things decently and in order He wisheth them to covet the best gifts rather to prophecie then to speake with tongues that men praying or prophecying should be vncovered Chap. 14. that women should be covered and not speake in the church and above all he there speaketh of prophecying one by one of others holding theire peace and judging or trying the Spirits And so of these and the like things then in vse Rev. 2.24 he saith let all things be donne decently and in order As for these new inventions of Bishops and Synods Chr st himselfe saith I will put vpon you no other burden but that which ye have alreadie hold fast till J come And shall men thinke that they may doe it Are there any true Christians that will not see that the offices of dâ—ocessan Bishops who burden the church with sup rsti ious rites are not de jure divino not of God but of men That they w re raised to this height and power after the example of the Bishop and church of Rome who in those first ages was imitâ—tâ—d by the most So truly is she called the mother of fornications and abhominations of the earth That they beeing armed with power serve chiefely to suppresse the truth in these other po nts to get and have dominion over mens faith bring in Arminianisme or other like errours forbid confutation of them exalt humane traditions Romish inventions and ceremonies and like Egiptian taskemaisters to burden the churches with them make ministors that they dare not see these evils least it should hinder theire preferment or they should be deprived of theire liveings or silenced for speaking against them whilest they see that others flatter or extoll them and they serve thousands for a religion and insteade of that which Christ ordained as also for a cloake of poperie mocking and persecution It will be saide the Canons ceremonies are not imposed as matters of faith but of order and are counted things indifferent and therfore innocent and not so hurtfull as you make them I answer 1. So were they at the first in the Roman church but they grew into greater authority and so do these among thousands in England as sleight a matter as some make of them If things indifferent and innocent why are they pressed with such power For they are more vrged and observed by many then the Gospel In whose mindes these imposers preachers of ceremonies only leave Christ a name while like vsurpers they carrie away the power of a King and kingdom and therfore an offence against them is more punished and more skorned by such popelings newters and temporisers then an offence against the Gospel who yet in all these things count themselves the better subjects the better Christians 2. That in the booke of Articles which is of matters of faith ministers are made to subscribe to this that the church hath authority to ordaine these things that must be by som power given them in Gods word and that is as much as to make them matters of faith and necessity For that is in effect implied If as they say God have given every national church this authority then his will is that these things should be religiously observed and obeiâ—d and to breake them is sinne Thus they are or ought to be of faith Rom. 14.23 for whatsoever is not of faith is sinne But as wee proved the Papists take many of these ceremonies and even the office of diocessan Bishops and Archbishops from the heathen and from the daily encroachings of prelates therefore how should the subscribing to them in this tyranie be of faith no sinne especially seeing they doe many waies turne from God I denie not but that som things that the Apostles vsed are indifferent and may be altered for time and place as preaching and administring the Sacraments in the night and in mens howses Act. 8.36 This may be donne in the day and in Temples Philip and the Eunuch went both downe into the water others neede not to doe soe But such things altered or added by Synods ought to be verie few and such onely as necessity and not pretended conveniencie require For so say the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.22 28. with the whole Church at Ierusalem It seemed good to the Holy Ghost to vs to lay vpon you no greater burden then theese necessarie things Marke they say necessarie things I grant that some things the Church hath altered are necessarie in some Churches as that the whole body should not be dipped in Baptisme nor men forced to stand vncouered in such cold countries as Russia and Sweden while Moses and the Apostles are read as they did of old and as now they doe in prayer and singing of Psalmes other order may be taken for a Reader to reade the Scriptures and begin the Psalmes also for the manner of collecting almes setting vp a pulpit with water for Baptisme and a table conveniently placed on the communion day for at other times there needes none But vnder pretext that the Church hath this power it is most absurd to say it may giue authority to diocessan Bishops and Archbishops theire courts power and proceedings the oath ex officio theire fining imprisoning suspending silencing and so many ceremonies Altars canons customes and traditions as are in England more then were in the Apostles time or then are in the reformed Churches of France Germanie Belgia and other countries and whereof there is no necessitie but much mischiefe as beeing many of them Popish and snares tending to poperie tyrannicall and causing grievous schismes Which if Queene Elizabeth did not abolish consider how she found the land what policies and tempers she vsed how she suffered as King Edward had donne Cand. lib. 1. p. 16.28 and 77. the same service in English which was before in Latin some vaine things omitted Popish Priests to hold theire liueings if they would but take the oath of supremacie that there wâ—re therfore but 80. in the whole land that refused it how the Iudges and many of the nobilitie Iudges in Parliament were still Papists for many yeares after her coronation as the Reader may finde in Camden withall that notwithstanding all theese tempers which she thought those times required she so loued the Gospell and was so far from beeing an enemie to the reformation of Geneva that she as a meanes vnder God established it in Scotland France and the Netherlands her forces did it Againe consider that the best acts that euer any King of Iudah did in the reformation of religion were no excuse for his or theire leauing the high places vntaken away that prouinciall and diocessan Bishops
doth God service yet that doth not let but that therein such a murtherer or persecutor doth serve the devil and his ministers I would they that are so zealous to maintaine humane authority in traditions and ceremonies would but lay theese things to heart And withall that it will not serve them to say Fullie they are fullie satisfied with those reasons which mayster Hooker hath given in his booke of Ecclesiasticall politie or D. Burgesse in his bookes against D. Ames or any the like Authors if the Testimonie of Iesus be against them All Fathers all Authors all councels all reasons in such cases are nothing to the Testimonie of Iesus On which argument I shall neede to say the lesse in this Treatise because of late divers works haue beene published that convince them of errour in such cases as the curtaine of Church power The Curtaine of Church power A fresh suite against humane ceremonies in Gods worship by that learned and godlie witnesse D. Ames a litle before his death Also the crowne of a Christian Martyr A worke which he that loveth the Lord Iesus and the safety of his owne Soule hath reason to examin because the will of God in theese cases is therein infalliblie proved 2. Pet. 1.2 and as the Apostle saith Grace and peace is multiplied to men through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Out of whose Testimonie it is there manifested that as the true Iewes the true Christians so the true Ierusalem the true Church consisteth of those that keepe the commaundements of God the faith of Iesus that hold fast or defend the Doctrine Discipline and ceremonies which he left Whence it must needes follow that by so much as men maintaine or approve the inventions and presumptions of men in Gods service by so much are they fallen into the sinnes and fornications of Babylon whereof one is still the roote seede or spring of another the lesser wedges and cracks make way for the biggar the smaler theeves thrust in at a window or hole open the doores to the greater Therefore though som say so long as the Gospell is well preached in som Parishes why should wee stumble at strawes or trouble our selves with trifles yet wee shall finde that in corrupt waters men that thinke to goe but vp to the ancles and no deâ—per do oft before they are aware of it step vp to the knees then to the loines and at last over head and eares and so in superstition ignorance and errour A few sparks neglected do oft kindle a greate fire and as the Apostle saith A litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Gal. 5.9 How then dare men defend staines and corruptions to be smale matters And what are these smale matters and trifles which they say men doe soe vainly and foolishly stand vpon The Lord by his Apostles ordained Elders in every church by election Act. 14. made them Bishops overseers of the flock to feede the church to hold fast that which Christ left to govern according to his ordinances and keepe the church as a chast Ierusalem from the inventions and presumtions of men That men should yet set vp diocessan Bishops who by bringing in a world of superstition and tyrannie into the church should make these of none effect and the church to become a Babylon are trifles with them They are trifles with them that diocessan Bishops should have the power to admit into the ministrie and to places of cure whome and vpon what conditions they will to enforce a conformitie and subscription to theire hierarchie and ceremonies though it be proved that they take theire hierarchie surplesse coapes Altars and other things from the Romanists as they from the heathen that theire cathedrall service and many of theire canons are taken from Babylon as likewise theire power in theire offices and courts to impose the oath ex officio to silence suspend imprison and deprive of cure and ministrie for non-conformitie in these things to enforce all to vse a forme of praier which is nothing but the masse in English in som things refined but not in all the surplesse and other popish customs beeing still retained And though it be proved that the Papists doe much glorie in it that these things strengthen them in theire religion that D. Iackson and other Arminians have alleadged it with such authority as men vse to alleadge the Scriptures that som things in it seeme to approve such opinions that such things doe by such meanes get into the place of the Scriptures yet all must still be maintained and that though it be also proved that this forme of praier and ceremonies doe oft serve drunkards adulterers prophane mockers meere civill wordlings vsurers oppressors and a world of earthly men for a religion though they have no true love to the preaching of the word to knowledge faith and the like graces but scorne and persecute such as have yet if they can but pretend love to the common praier they are ready to count themselves the better Christians the better subjects they may the sooner be chosen parliament men or into any other office of the church or common wealth and so they may come to beare greatest sway in protestant churches who are church papists ignorant in the spirituall government of Christ other divine things or greate enemies of the reformed religion That non residents double benificed men and dumbe ministers make this theire colour and defense that they have in theire churches the common praier and all the ceremonies that Bishops and Princes whose example the greater part are subject to follow do more favour these then painfull and conscionable ministers knowing that theire canons allow many to have two liveings Because also they finde that such men will either defend theire hierarchie and all theire doeings or connive at them That what soever the word of God say yet if they can but get the authority aide of Princes in any matter they may silence all that withstand them therein that by this meanes they magnifying the power of Princes and Synods may get them into the place of the Pope to defend any thing and make it passe for lawfull in religion And lastly that all these things may serve church Papists and other persecutors for a colour that if they come but to the church speake well of the service and ceremonies who dare say they are not converts and protestants vnder colour of helping Bishops against puritans they may vndermine the protestant religion if not betray it abroade yet doe by it at home as Iehu did by the religion of Baal make men thinke they are for it when theire devise is by degrees to change and destroy it These and many such evils beeing the branches and fruits of the hierarchie and ceremonies are the trifles they talke off wherein men ever heape to themselves a multitude of teachers according to theire owne affections and grow so hardened by custom that
leaves and barke of the tree of life and all tree Religion would be lost if theese be not observed But a liar must haue a good memorie For when on the otherside wee tell them the Apostles ordained Elders to be Bishops in everie Church to rule by the word and that this ordinance was to be as the barke to the tree of life that betweene the same and the stock of the tree the sap might passe so as the fruite of righteousnesse might be brought forth and the propper leaues of the tree kept greene and in esteeme that this tree had its propper leaves the new Testament its proper ceremonies in the primitive age In Churches then established Christian Religion was compleate Col. 2.5 things were donne decently in such order and with such due ceremonies as was Pauls joy to behold they scoffe vs with noveltie and say they were never since the time of Christ or his Apostles But by theire leaves this scoffe proves them to be the old and good way that shortly after began to be changed to another framed and ratified by the depths of Satan as they spake That to the Bride is graunted to be araied in pure and fine linnen Reu. 19. white and cleane by beeing reduced to this old way to this old righteousnes of the Saints by walking in all the commaundements and ordinances of God Luke 1. as Zacharie and Elizabeth did and indeede as not onely the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia but divers in Sardis did who held fast that which Christ left Reu. 3. without receiving other seeing the best of mens inventions and presumptions are but stumbling blocks â—om 14. â—â— and occasions laide in mens wayes by the cunning of Sathan to make them fall to greater presumption and superstition as both hath appeared and will yet further appeare by those which are received in England and therefore indeede to draw the Bride and all others to the puritie and simplicitie of the first Christians it is added for the fine linnen is the righteousnes of the Saints Reu. 19. The first government the presbiterie the first ceremonies with the old order in choyce of ministers are then restored It is then graunted to the Church to come to this righteousnes of the Saints Whatsoever is spoken of them and theire Churches and ordinarie orders theese are all the true sayings of God to be observed Humane inventions will worship and presumptions in Gods service as lies devised by men are to be rejected Reu. 22. And therefore it is added Blessed are they that doe his commaundements he doth not say mens but his in opposition to theyres that they may haue right to the tree of life as if he saide otherwise they can haue no right to the tree of life nor to enter through the gates into the citie but doe remaine without among dogges sorcerers and others they are there so called because they neither are nor will wee be arayed in that white linnen which is the righteousnes of the Saints such as those in Smyrna Philadelphia and som in Sardis who held fast that which Christ left but are enemies to such righteousnes and yet do vainly beleeve that they are holy and as good Christians as the best because they loue common prayer and some other things If God had ordained that verie forme of prayer as he did the Iewish sacrifices yea if it were so greate a part of true religion that as these sacrifices it were oft put for the whole yet they in other things changing the ordinances and breaking the everlasting covenant must know that of such it is saide Pro. 15.8 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhomination to the Lord. But the prayer of the righteous in acceptable to him Theire prayer onely is his delight that of others is abhomination to him Much more if in this theire sacrifice theire fear towards God be taught after the inventions and precepts of men with sopperies and ceremonies which he commaunded not theese make theire sacrifice whereby they thinke to please God abhominable The Church of England speaking of ceremonies devised by man why som be abolished and som reteined Preface to the booke of common prayer in fol. Ephes 4.15.21.24 confesseth that Christs Gospel is not a ceremonial Law as much of Moses Law was but it is a Religion to serve God not in the bondags of the signe or shadow but in the freedom ef the Spirit They might haue added beeing content onely with the ceremonies of the Gospell and to grow vp vnto him in all things which is the head even Christ If so be ye haue heard him and haue beene taught by him as the Truth is in Jesus Fot so ye put on the new man which after God is cceated in righteousnes and holines of the truth But they adde beeing content onely with those ceremonies which doe serve to a decent order a godlie Discipline and such as be apt to stirre vp the dull minde of man to the remembrance of his duty to God by some notable and speciall signification whereby he might be edified And never considering that the church of Rome who invented or established and imposed them sayes the like of all other her ceremonies they wilfully take the crosse in baptisme to be of this nature and therefore say wee signe him with the signe of the crosse in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and manfullie fight vnder his banner against sinne the world and the devill and to continew Christs faithfull souldier and Servant vnto his lives ende In the times of Antichrist God indeede requireth theese excellent duties of all Christians but not this signing as if beeing thus signed he should be the lesse ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and more manfully sight vnder his banner then others that are not so signed and as if this were a ceremonie and signe which would make him doe that dutie of a Christian the better which Christ requireth when he saith Rev. 2. him that ouercommeth c. For neither the Bishops who make all to be thus signed nor the English in generall haue proved more constant confessors and souldiers of Christ then the presbiters and theire people in France and Germanie they haue not more denied themselves in sinnes and worldly lusts of covetousnes ambition vaine honour dominion and the like they haue not more striven against poperie Arminianisme ignorance and errour nor in theese late wars for the defense of Christs religion and members they haue not more stirred vp theire Princes to follow Christ for they haue not donne it themselves nor suffered others that would both in theese and in matters of the presbiterie So they make men take a pretended signe of such a confession and warfare yet will not suffer them to doe the thing preteÌ„ded to be signified but scorne and persecute them that doe They therefore whome for theese things they call
into that her first errour yea though they should be at enmitie with her for her after errours or not know her there are none exempted that fall into the same errour only As many as have not this doctrine marke and so for the doctrine of the Nicolaitans of Babylon or any other therefore if a man forsake all Babylons errours save one if he hold but one of the first as this aboute Bishops which is the roote of all the rest he committeth adulterie with her in that he pertaketh of her sinnes and may receive of her plagues She hath many others It is true that all nations have drunk of them The reformed churches have therefore discovered and abandoned them Among which the church of England will not acknowledge that though she retaine diocessan Bishops theire courts power in imposing divers Romish customs canons and ceremonies that yet theese are any part of the Babylonian corruptions for which she is taxed in the holy Scriptures and at the last rewarded Some seeing Bishops beare such sway in the church of England do plainly affirme that they are of God and ordained in the new Testament knowing that otherwise so greate power and authority in the church cannot be lawfull Gal. 3.15 seeing the Apostle saith though it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man dissanulleth or addeth thereto much lesse to Gods Others there are that if you tell them it was an invention of the Romanists and other Clergie men after the death of the Apostles they so much reverence that church of Martyrs that they care not much whether it be of the Apostles or them which is a verie greate follie and vanitie seeing our Lord taxeth so many churches of those times with greate corruptions and it hath beene manifested that the church of Rome both in this case and many others did quickly grow worse then them all that many were the presumptions and burdens she laide on the church that the foundation of diocessan episcopacie was making the pastors of greate cities to be alwaies presidents of Sinods which so increased theire authority that in time the title of Bishops came to be restrained to them who beeing in such power were as readie to take it as others in flatterie to give it And why then should so much be ascribed to theire Synods seeing so many foolish and presumptious things were determined by them As abouts Temples Altars Masses vestments holy water orders Metropolitans all verie superstitious and so much for theire owne glorie that An ichrist rose out of them Our Lord saith he that speaketh of him selfe seeketh his owne glorie Ioh. 7.18 but he that seeketh his glorie that sent him by speaking his truth as in the two verses before the same is true and no vnrighteousnes is in him which argues Also chap. 8.38 that they who speake any thing besides his revealed will who speake any thing besides his truth or commaund what he hath not commaunded they are false and seeke theire owne glorie yea there is much vnrighteousnes in them they defile a church they speake that which they have seene with theire father and that therefore those prelates who ordained these things sought theire owne glorie defiled the church and were guided by other spirits then the Spirit of Christ who only taks of Christs and shewes vnto men Chap. 16.13.14 Which is also plaine by this that to theire owne glorie they are more observed then the commaundements of God as Lent and other things then devised So Telesphorus sought his owne glorie Platina in Telesphor when he ordained That in the night of Christs birth day three massos should be celebrated the first at midnight when Christ was borne in Bethelem the second at the breake of day when he was known to the Shepheards the third at the time of the day when he was nailed on the crosse for after that hower it was forbidden to celebrate it Because Paul saith As oft as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the Lords death therefore in the primative church they oft received the Sacrament commonly once every Lords day which was well But this was no warrant for them to devise to shew his death by a kinde of Sacrifice as Alexander first invented See Platiin Alex. and somtime twise or thrise in a morning in this superstitious manner which soone served hypocrits for a pretence of lesse preaching or hearinge the word growing ignorant and making the masse ordained in those times the chiefe part of their religion which must needes be much to theire glorie in an Antichristian sense that speaking of themselves devised it and were so followed in it Idem in Eleuther And so in ordaining diocessan Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs after the example of the flamins Archflamins and Protoflamins as Platina and others shew Indeede all ordinances did greatly increase theire glorie were they never so foolish because they beeing in honour had st ll flatterers to defend them and perswade obedience to them Therefore reade Damasus Platina and others that write theire lives and you shall finde there was then scarse any B. of Rome that did not invent som ordinaÌ„ce least he should be thought an ill husband in increasing the glorie of his Sea Idem in Zepherin an 198. Idem in Calist and in Steph. 1 Zepherinus ordained that the cup in the Sacrament should be of glasse and no more of wood as it was before This was after altered and commaunded to be of gold silver or pewter Calistus ordained that there should be a fast thrise a yeare on the saturday for corne wine and oyle which after was changed to the fast at fower times Stephen 1. ordained that Priests should not weare holy garments but in the church and in celebrating holy rites least if they did otherwise they should fall into the sinne of Balthasar who touched the holy vessels with prophane hands In the times of the Apostles before presbyters wore such garments bâ—fore Surplesses coapes and such vestments were taken from the hâ—athen there was litle neede of such an ordinance Howsoever the Scriptures do so forbid prophane cariage at all times and in all Christians that this needed not to keepe priests from beeing drunke in theire Surplesses What should I speak of hallowing grapes on the Altar and such like foolish ordinances The verie shame of those ages and of them that so much reverence theire inventions and canons for theire Antiquitie But it is rather because Vrbanus made one which enricheth the Prelates because Dionisius limited the confines of divers diocesses and Cajus distinguished the orders because though in all these things they spake of them selves yet they were confirmed in the councell of Nice who indeede sought Christs glorie and spake out of his Testament in her creede But whether she spake of her selfe or of theese Bishops of Rome and theire inventions and customs in her other Canons aboute Bishops the Reader
might if they would and yet scorne and reject them as follie and matters of reproach and worthy correction persecution it is a plaine treading vnder foote the Sonne of God who hath * Reu. 1.1.11.19 and Ioh. 16.13 reuealed the Father in theese things and counting the blood of the couenant an vnholy thing wherewith the new Testament was sanctified confirmed or dedicated as the first covenant was with the blood of beasts yea this is to doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace which first shewes vs Gods grace in ordaining these things and after in promises of restoring them And indeede seeing it is manifest Act. 14. chap. 20.28 1. Pet. 5.2 Tit. 1.9 that the Apostles ordained Elders in euery Church that theire office was to feede the flock ouer which the Holy Ghost made them Bishops that they were to take the oversight thereof by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers reproue correct and instruct in righteousnes and if this would not serue after the first and second admonition to excommunicate in and with the consent of the congregation who can denie but that all this is of the substance of religion necessarie to the salvation of the people and proper to euery Prosbyter Euery man will be readie to confesse that it is better there be a Pilot a Maister and a Maisters mate in euery ship to watch ouer the same and all that is in it as the Lord in Wisdom ordained Elders to be Bishops in euery Church or congregation to watch over it and all the Soules therin leaving them in his Testament a card and rules to steere and saile by the word of God beeing theire Rudder then that there should be but one in a whole fleete one Bishop in a diocesse and all the rest but shadowes or lesser wheeles to be led and moved by him as it came to passe by the wisdom and encroachments of men wherby Bishops neither leaving the brethren nor yet the presbyters any voice in censures or part in the government doe themselves bring in the inventions and evils Christ would keepe out get dominion over mens faith and by theire power and traditions make the word of none effect in divers perticulars A thing which is expresly forbidden in the new Testament My brethren be not many Maisters knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation Iam. 3.1 that is because in the causes and controversies of hereticks Psal 100. Schismatiks and other delinquents it is saide of the word Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies He shall judge amonge the nations the Presbyters and members of the church doe but rule and judge by him as steeres men by the Rudder judges and jurots by the law not by theire owne inventions or pretended authority And therfore our saviour who was against all such dominion in the church saith to his Disciples Mat. 20.25 Chap. 123.8 The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them But ye shall not not be so Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren Therfore when there is cause of accusing or censuring any he doth not say Tell the Bishops but Tell the church And accordingly in the times of the Apostles Chap. 18.17 and longe after as the epistles of Cyprian do manifest they were judged by the word in an assemblie of presbyters and brethren as the incestuous Corinthian which shewes us that neither one man nor the presbiters alone were judges in such cases but the church which by the Scriptures either cleered or censured any person accused as by the word of God he appeared either guiltie or not guiltie for so doth the word judge among the nations And therfore seeing God hath so ordained and it was in the primitive church so practised it is not a thing indifferent as some thinke whether Presbyters or diocessan Bishops hold the government but in effect a matter of salvation espetially to every church and by consequence to every Soule in it as the well or ill guiding of a ship concerneth the salvation of every passenger embarqued in it For though in a tempest some are saved without good Pilots and some in the shipwrack by a board yet others are not without skilfull sea men and soe in the church but for the most part not without helpes in government God hath in nothing given this to one in a diocesse and his officials but to the presbyters of every church elected according to his ordinance For though the provision of Bishops and Pastors have beene somtime in the hands of the Clergie and people somtimes in the hands of K ngs and Patrons then in the hands of Popes and then againe in the hands of Kings and patrons as now in England yâ—t as many have proved for the first seaven or eight hundred yeares after Christ the people in most places did choose them according to the practise of the primative church and the power given them in the new Testament For so saith Cyprian The people have principallie the power either to choose such priests as are worthy or to refuse such as are vnworthy Cypri 1. Epist 4. Act. 14.23 Beza Annot in Act. 14. Tit. 1. And so saith Luke They ordained them Elders in every church by election Where saith Beza the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be noted that wee may know that Paul and Barnabas caried nothing by private will nor exercised any tyranie in the church nor lastly did any such thing as at this day the Romish harlot or her pages doe whome they call ordinaries And by this place saith he must that be vnderstood I left thee in Creete to ordaine them Elders in everie citie as I had appointed thee that is by election as the Apostles left it to the church and people there assembled to choose one in the place of Iudas Beza Annot in Act. 1. And they appointed two Nothing saith Beza is here caried privately by Peter as by one endued with a more excellent dignitie but publickly and by the suffrages of the whole church So as he sheweth were the seaven Deacons chosen and so is that to be vnderstood Lay hands sodainly on no man that is to make him a presbyter amd so give him a part in this charge of the Eldership till he be tried the church or people have chosen him and praier be made for him as at the election of Mathias and the seaven Deacons It is ill for the Soules of Kings Bishops and patrons and indeede worse for the church that any one of these have the choice or confirmation of Pastors helpers Elders which are lawfull callings or of diocessan Bishops Deanes prebends and others which are vnlawfull For this makes divines flatter all such Princes Patrons and Prelates or theire favourites and so is cause of exceeding greate corruption and hipocrisie in church and common wealth For by this meanes Princes Prelates and theire favourites though they
to his word Mar. 13.34 because himselfe gave authority to his servants the Apostles and to every man his worke Ephes 4.11.12 And by them he hath set sufficient officers in the church for the perfecting of the saints for the worke of the ministrie c. And what can wee have more If men would but see it the Elders in the Reformed churches do better looke to the order God requireth then diocessan Bishops do or can For this order is shewed in his Testament That is perâ—â—â—â— and he saith Deut. 12.32 Gal. 3.15 Thou shalt not adde thereto nor dimâ—â—â—sh frâ—m it It 〈◊〉 true Bâ—◠〈◊〉 us like Vzzâ— doe more then Goâ— commaundeth â—â—ey look to diverâ— things that Elders doe not once look afteâ— but 〈◊〉 is then after mens traditions and commaundements which turne from the truth are popish tyranical and superfluous while by obstinate defending these they make divisions and contentions contrarie to the Apostolike doctrine and so â—â—â—ve not the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 16. but theire owne bellie and by good words and faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple this is not to vphold the church of Christ but theire owne kingdom It will be saide some of them haâ—e both 〈…〉 â—d written well yea confirmed 〈◊〉 supâ—â—essed Heretâ—â—◠〈…〉 but theire numbe◠〈…〉 â—h as 〈◊〉 did in the churâ—h of Rome wherein ma◠〈◊〉 arâ—â—aâ—â— Bishops Monkes and Iesuits confute som heâ—â—â—â—â—ks and preach well in all things save for the maintenance of â—â—â—ire orders and superstition So doe English prelats How soeâ—â—â—â—â—at hath beene as well if not better performed by other miniâ—â—â—â— at home and in the reformed churches Histor of the coun of Trent p. 24. There have beene divers honest Popes who have confest som errours in the power and practise of the church as of late Adrian 6. who sending to the Diet of Noremberg confesseth many corruptions in the sea and Church of Rome and promiseth reformation But this makes the calling of Popes neuer a whit the more Lawfull or necessarie As it was with Popes so it is with Bishops the better som of them haue beene the worse for the Church for they doe but hold vp the reputation of the office and so hold way for worse successors theire traditions Neyther is it better for the suppressing of heritikes and leude liuers that one in a diocesse hath this power for he cannot looke to all the Clergie much lesse to all the people though he should minde nothing else How then can he doe it if he be a counsellour of Estate and a judge in the Starchamber and high commission Among the Clergie in England and much more among the people many are saide to be drunkards coueteous contentious hereticall Arminians non residents dumbe ministers zealous defenders of canons and ceremonies preaching litle else Popelings dunces drones persecutors of those that preach and heare the word diligently If the Bishop who cannot looke to all see not the most of them countenaÌ„ce others or be by any meanes made to connive they may keepe theire Churches and others from preaching in them and doe no good but much hurt in them which is not so in the Churches of France where there are few or rather none of this kinde that discipline hath easy meanes to remedie these things both in the Clergie and people or rather indeede it preventeth them so much better is that which God ordained then that which men after invented to mend it Againe because the Bishop might be hereticall or wicked to helpe that they ordained Archbishops and because some Archbishops might be such they ordained Patriarchs and because some of them might be corrupted as they were they admitted of Appeales and ordained a Pope and then because he might erre or be wicked as Liberius Honorius Iohn 13 and others they were forced to affirme the Pope cannot erre and in all these things men were still perswaded to contribute to theire honour wealth and power as necessarie to the kingdom of God and therfore still as this honour and power increased the Scriptures were by flatterers wrested to defend it therfore though in the invention of diocessan Bishops there was not so greate coueteousnes ambition and wickednes yet the prosecution of it to bring it to its grouth was onely to make themselves fat with the offerings of the people 1. Sam. 2.29 as God saith of the presumptious innovations and coveteous desires of Elies Sonnes Thus from the first step in ordaining diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest till it came to the height Some will say it hath not yet donne so in England But what remedie is there in the meane against the Appealer or any wicked Prelate non resident or other delinquent If as of late in the Star-chamber Bishops set themselves to defend the vse of Images in Churches yea those of the Trinitie what other Bishops or Ministers dare oppose them in pulpit or print They beeing greate and able to prefer others are sure to be flattered and followed and by this meanes theire honour and power beeing daily increased they may prevaile in these and many other cases as the Church of Rome did in theese and the like theire office therfore doth not make ready a people prepared for Christ Reu. 11. but rather for Antichrist If the witnesses will Prophesie against them it must also be in sackcloth bonds and imprisonment for they haue obtained or rather retained so much Romish power as to bring them to it and punish all that reproue them God telleth them of Babylon the greate the Mother of Harlots Chap. 17 to shew them she may haue daughters there may be Babylon the lesse yea many lesser Babylons Harlots in corruptions and fornications The counsellors of the Parliament of Paris opposed against the authority that the councell of Trent gaue to the Bishops in this kinde where the Ecclesiasticall authority they saide Histor of the councell of Trent lib. 8. p. 819. was enlarged beyond its bounds with the wrong and diminution of the temporall by giueing power to Bishops to proceede to pecuniarie mulcts and imprisonment against the laitye whereas no authority was giuen by Christ to his ministers but meere and pure spirituall that when the Clergie was made a member and part of the policie the Princes did by fauour allow the Bishops to punish inferiour Clergie men with temporall punishments but to vse such kinde of punishments against the laiques they had neither from the Law of God nor of man but by vsurpation onely Yet commonly the most grievous they inflict is for taking part with the Apostles in defense of the presbiterie taxing the Prelates of worldly policie and tyranie or for some disobedience or irregularity to theire power inventions and ceremonies wherein note theire hypocrisie who in the meane will not permit men to preach against images Altars bowing to them c. Much lesse any thing that sheweth the presbiterall gouernment
THE FALL OF BABYLON IN VSVRPING ECCLESIASTICALL POWER AND OFFICES AND THE MISERABLE ESTATE of them that pertake of her fornications Revelation 18.4 Come out of her my People that ye be not pertarkers of her sinnes and that ye receyve not of her plagues Imprinted in the yeare of our Lord. 1634. THE PREFACE TO THE Reader IT was a question prophetically asked of those times wherein the Church and truth of God should suffer greatest persecution and opposition why doe the Heathen rage Psa 2. and the People imagine a vaine thing The Kings of the Earth set themselves the Rulers take counsell together against the Lord and against his Christ saying Let us breake theire bands asunder and cast theire cords from us But for all these forces and devises of men who are not Iewes indeed Christians indeede but Gentiles and Heathen Yet saith God have I set my King upon my holy hill of Syon and that as he saith to have the Heathen for his inheritance and the ends of the Earth for his possession eyther to rule them by the rod of his power by the revealed word or to break them in pieces like a Potters vessel â—or it had beene sâ—yde He shall judge among the Nations Isa 2. Well therefore is it added Be wise now therefore o ye Kings be instructed ye Iudges of the earth Serve the Lord with feare c. For as the Church of God in generall so every true member of it will be ready to say Chap. 33. The Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our Lawgiver the Lord is our King and that therefore it were a happy thing if Princes and States would be pleased to consider that they are onely Lords over men properly and directly as they are theire subjects and not as they are Christs Disciples Christians and spiritually his subjects withall that God is not pleased with unwilling worshippers whereby neyther Christian societies are bettered nor the persons themselves For while all are compelled to a conformitie especially if it be in things not according to the word of God many haveing presently theire Religion in respect of mans authority not of Gods become Hypocrites Timeservers and a kinde of Atheists which is worse such men by theire formalitie though they have litle else in them doe oft attaine authority in such Churches and thereby get dominion over mens faith in other things For though in the primitive times the Bishops of Rome had no such ample power yet the fi st step to it was that of imposing conformitie in things devised by men by them counted indifferent and innocent if not proffitable and necessary which power beeing graunted them they soone got authority over all Ministers and People and then so much over Kings that in verie pollicie they thought it theire best course to hold all theire subjects in matters of Religion to the obedience of the Church of Rome rather then to adventure the danger of her displeasure whereby they brought both themselves and theire subjects into a far worfe thraldom then that of the Aegyptian bondage What reason then is there that this power thus Popishly taken up should still be maintayned against the poore subjects From the beginning it was not so For the Ancients finding the burden imposed by Heathen Tyrants to be intollerable sayde Tertull. that it is no propertie of Religion to compell to Religion which ought to be taken up freely that no man is forced by the christians against his will Lactanc seeing he that wants faith and devotion is vnserviceable to God and that God not beeing contentious would not be worshipped of the vnwilling And in deede after he had manifested his whole truth the new Ierusalem his true church if these things would not serve to convince men he saith He that is vniust let him be vniust still and he that is filthie Rev 22. let him be filthie still and he that is righteous let him be righteous still Yet doe I not denie all compulsion to the hearing of Gods word as the meanes to worke religion common to all sorts good and bad much lesse excuse civill disobedience palliated with religious shewes and pretences vsed by Annabaptists others or condemne necessarie restraint of publik idolatrie the excercise of all erronious religions So as these rules of reason be held inviolâ—ble That the bond betweene Magistrate and subject is essentially civill but religious accidentally only th ugh eminent So that he is only to hinder and punish that which God would have hindred and punished and to cherish that only which God would have cherished and not by the cunning of prevaricators who serve not the Lord Iesus but theire owne bellies to be drawne either to hold them guiltie that follow Gods Testament or those guiltlesse who erre in theire hearts practises because they have not known his waies nor indeede will know them whence it may come to passe that he that persecutes the chu ch of Christ defeÌ„deth the Synagogne of Satan may thinke he doth God service when he hath rather cause to feare that he helpeth his grand enemie the devill I have therefore endeavoured to shew these things in the fall of Babylon and withall that as the christian Magistrate hath his power of Magistracie from God which his Christianitie serves to sanctifie and direct so vndoubtedly he is to vse it for God and his honour and that in his true worship in which he is espetially honoured and only against the contrarie The world doth ring of three complaints 1. When a State professeth the reformed Religion hath Churches governed by Elders as neere as it can to the practise of the primitive Churches yet by a tolleration or connivance gives leave to Annabaptists Arminians Lutherans Papists and others to have Churches in the same Cities 2. When a State is of the Popish Religion and maintaynes it yet both gives absolute tolleration to the reformed Religion and contemnes it as in France 3. When a State professeth the Protestant Religion and withall a hierarchie traditions and Ceremonies which are Romishe commanding all to a conformitie in them and forbidding all confutation of them and of some other Popish Arminian tenets and practises much connived at In the two first men say if Sathan have a Synagogue or Throne in the one ende of a Citie yet Christ hath a Throne in the other his Temple is open and his Servants have libertie to serve him as the primitive Churches did neyther is any man compelled to other they may freely preach write against all errours This cannot be sayde of the third and therefore if a poore Christian that would flie out of Babylon be forced to dwell in one of them let him learne by Christs word in which he ought to take up his habitation THE FALL OF BABYLON IN VSVRPING ECCLESIASTICALL POWER AND OFFICES And the miserable estate of them that pertake of her Fornication THE church
of Ephesus who had only left her first love in som few things Rev. 2.3 â— in zeale against them that were evill in trying the Spirts in labour and patience which may seme to be verie smale faults in respect of those which may be found in the churches of these times was yet told by Christ that she was fallen The church of Thiatira did but suffer the woman Iezabel to teach people that they might eate things sacrificed vnto idols Vers 20 21.22 and yet Christ saith this was to seduce them to commit fornication And I gave â—er space to repent of her fornication and she repented not Behold I â—â—ll cast her into a bedde and them that commit fornication with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And J will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reines and the hearts He acknowledgeth her charitie and service and faith and patience Vers 19. and ber works and the last to be more then the first And yet all this will not serve if she presume to teach any thing that he hath not taught if she doo not keepe his woâ—lâ— to the end but give a libertie where he gives none If this 〈◊〉 fault be not repented of Vers 26.18 he who is the Sonne of God aâ—â— whose eies are as a flame of fire â—es it might not be winâ—â—â—d at that it should be severely punished and much more â—hen a church transgresseth in many things for therefore he addeth And I will give vnto every one of you according to your works But this our gracious Lord hath not only warned churches of the mysterie of iniquitie the generall Apostacie after Antichrist the fall of Babylon and the cup full of abominations and filthines of her fornications whereof she would make the nations to drinke but hath also by his Servants convinced her and all that commit fornication with her of all those abhominations Plesses sheweth how the mysterie of iniquitie was opposed in all ages And when these could not prevaile with them to make them leave theire wicked works but the last were still more and worse then the first Christ-suffered heavie judgments to fall on them declared in the vision of the trumpets where among the rest that of the sixt is remarkable whereby is signified the comming in of the Turkes with fire and sword Rev. 9.16 â—8 the greate slaughters they should make amoÌ„g christians And yet it is saide The rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the works of theire hands that they should not worship devils idols of gold silver brasse stone of wood which neither can see Premonition to all Christian Monarchs pag. 87. De cultu Adorat lib. 3. disp 1. cap. 5. not heare nor walke That they worship devils while they receyve doctrines of devils is a thing true enough And howsoever King Iames hath shewed it to be fulfilled in them saying As for worshipping of devils looke youre greate Iesuited Doctor Vasques and as for all the rest it is the maine doctrine of the Roman church And then it is subjoined in this text Neither repented they of theire murders nor of theire sorceries nor of theire fornication nor of theire thefts By theire murders theire persecutions are meant and bloodie massacres For theire sorceries consider of theire Agnus Dei that will slaken fire of the hallowed shirts and divers sorts of Reliques and also of prayers that will preserve men from the violence of shot of fire of sword of thunder and such like dangers And judge if this be not verie like to sorcerie and incantation of charmes By theire fornication is meant both theire spirituall fornication and corporall by reason of the restraint cf theire churchmen from mariage They are guiltie of theft in stealing from God the titles and greatnes of power due to him and bestowing it upon theire head 〈◊〉 Antichrist I will adde one thing by vsurping other Ecclesiasticall offices and depriveing them of theire places who were set aboute his throne As also by heaping up treasure with theire jugling wares and marchandise of the Soules of men by Iubiles Pardons Reliques and such like strong delusious When these Iudgments would not reclaime them Christ sent forth Messengers One Angel Rev. 14.6 haveing an everlasting Gospel to preach vnto them that dwell on the earth which the best expositors take to be meant of Wicklise or of him with Iohn Husse and others And there followed another Angel saying Vers 8.9 Babylon is fallen is fallen which many take to be meant of Luther and others And the third Angell followed them with a loud voice denouncing eternal damnation to every one that should worship the Beast Rev. 15.6 and his image and receive his marke in his forhead or in his hand Yea the Lord sent out of the Temple seaven Angels haveing the seaven last plagues clothed in pure and white linnen After the four first had powred out theire vials Chap. 16.9 In steade of amending them it is saide they blasphemed the name of God which hath power of theese plagues that is they blasphemed the word of God by which beeing cleered they were now scorched as by fire they blaspheme the true and bright shining sense which now was manifested And they repented not to give him glory So when the fift Angel powred-out his vial upon the seate of the Beast Vers 10. and his Kingdom was full of darknesse which seemeth to be donne in Plesses his historie of the papacie and the like works by which indeede his Kingdom which many had thought to proceede from the light of Gods truth appeared to be full of darknesse For all this in justifying of it they blaspheme the God of heaven and as it is added they repented not of theire deedes Vers 12. Therefore no marvaile if the next be powred out on the river Euphrates to drie vp the waters of it that the way of the Kings of the East may be prepared to destroy Babylon where the river as Babylon it selfe mount Sion Ierusalem the Temple and other things must needes be mysticall and at the powring out of the seaventh vial she comes in remembrance before God Vers 19. to give her the cup of his wrathe and then God calleth to his people to take heede of pertaking of her sinnes that they receive not of her plagues For as Christ saide of that Iezabel in Thiatira J will cast her into a bed Rev. 2. and all that commit fornication with her into greate tribulation So wee may be sure will be donne vnto them that continue in any of the Babylonian corruptions For consider the meaning of that last clause and all that commit adulterie with her Which is not meant of them only that then lived in the bosom of that church but of all others that then or after should fall