same when yt is publikly vewed censured then hath the Church a prescript law commandemenâ—… to excoÌ„municate to cast out not the Pastor to suspend such an vncleane person therfore betwixt these suspensions as they call them that vnder the law this vnder their gospel is no proportion or comparison that being done according to Gods prescript lawes this altogether without warrant of the word except peraduenture they doe yt by warrant of these leuiticall lawes or els â—… see no cause they should thus bring them for the maine proofe of this their suspension which if they do theÌ„ are they leuitical Priests also for none els might meddle with the administration of those lawes then are they also vnder the shaddow vnder the law not vnder Christ grace the Gospell The lawes of the Leuiticall ministery cannot be exercised by the ministery of the the gospel neither any of them now receaued without y e losse of Christ. A dangerous thing yt is thus violently to wrest and misapply these Leuitical lawes figures ceremonies or to build vpon the same such stubble woodden diuises as they doe as their tithes offrings purifications feasts suspension not to speake of their ministeriall vestures holy cemitory synagogues with all the Iewes implemeÌ„ts therof wherby they innouate or rather abrogate the Testament of CHRIST coine forge a new ministerie a new worship a new Gospell for the Gospell of Christ only accordeth to his owne ministerie and the ministerie of Christ to his owne Gospell the Gospell of Christ may neither be added vnto nor diminished from the legal ceremonies and figures whiles they are soberly vnderstood and rightly applied giue a good light and gratious instruction but when they are thus rashly allegorized according to the phantasies of men and boldly applied to maintaine their diuises theâ—… become they vnto them a stone to stumble at The other reason from Maâ—…h 5. 23. 24. is altogether as false and yet rather more corrupt Our Sauiour there teacheth that God requireth mercie not sacrifice sacrifice with bloody hands or an euill heart is abhomination vnto God He therfore there exhorteth that they first make cleane their hands from oppression and make peace with their neighbour then purge their heart and make peace with God by sacrifice according to the lawes Leuiâ—… 6. 5. Num. 5. 7. 8. this doctrine still remaineth belongeth to euery Christian euen to the Pastor himself The Lord abhorreth all hypocrisie he looketh not to Caines sacrifice neither is pleased with Balaams Altar he will haue all that approch vnto him to draw neere with a true heart their hearts being sprinkled from an euill conscience and washed in our body with pure water c. But what of all this what place is heere found to suspension oâ—… what power is here giâ—…en to the Pastor to seperate from the coÌ„munion table in this maner vâ—…les as the papists doe they take themselues for sacrificing Priests their coÌ„munion table for the altar this their priestly power deriued from these Leuiticall lawes is aboue answered I would here know of these allegorisers what the altâ—…r in the law signified and what our Sauiour CHRIST here meant by the altar if not the whole worship of God with what seâ—…se they can thus popishly vnderstand yt of applie yt to their communion table only shutting them from that admitting them to their praiers and other exercise Heere me thinkes their answere is ready because the sacrifice of CHRISTS body is there remembred resembled It is well and will they shut such from the communion of the sacrifice of CHRISTS body whose praiers 〈◊〉 will offer vp vpon that golden altar might the Priests vnder the law receaue and burne the odours vpon the incense â—…ltar whose sacrifices they refused at the brazen altar for burnt offrings whosoeuer for vnclennes c. was seperate was seperate froÌ„ the whole tabernacle al the ministerie exercises therof How then can these blind fooliâ—…h Pharisies thus halfe Chriâ—…t to make him a minister an aduocate an altar for the praiers of such to whome he is no sacrifice no minister at thâ—… brazen altar whome he driueth from his table from his communion and will neither giue his body vnto them nor suffer them to be knit with his members vnto yt What maner of iuggling what kind of fast and loose is this what shall we thinke of the eâ—…tate of these men that are thus suspended they being halfe driuen from CHRIST halfe receaued vnto Christ halfe cast out of the Church halfe admitted in What is this estate like vnto if not to the popish purgatorie these men being neither wholy Christs nor wholy Satans And surely seing they wil with the papists froÌ„ hence take this popish Priestly power vnto theâ—…selues as also this fond toole of suspension I see not why they should dissent from them in the third namely in the purgatorie By this time I hope you perceaue what kind of stuffe this their ceâ—…sure of suspension is which both the sorts of these Priests generally allow of and receiue You see how euill yt accordeth to the heauenly frame of CHRISTS Testament and Church you may also by this which hath generally beene saied touching the most reformed vse of yt in the hands of these supposed Pastors that should be iudg what kind of â—…oole and weapon yt is in the hands of these popish Prelates the BBâ—… you may see by the exercise of yt vpon any priuate member what an odious and intollerable thing yt were to be eâ—…ercised vpon the Pastor or other ministers of the Church especially at the pleasure and lust of one man now let vs proceed to their excommunication This is executed by one man or his Commissary in their courts as hath been said neuer for any sin or error for such matters they either let passe or punish by the temporall sword by fines imprisonment or penance c. But their excommunication is altogether exercised for contumacie as for not obeijng their summons or for not satisfijng the iudgment of their couâ—…ts namely for not paying these rauenous voultures these officers theâ—…r fees or not paying the mulcts that are inflicted vpon theÌ„ in their Courts c. And as yt most coÌ„monly ariseth but about these money matters so is yt in effect but a money matter yt self you shal find M r. Commissarie if he see yt coÌ„ming no vnreasonable man he had as leeue take your money himself as an other should for this he knowes yt shalbe dispensed with for money either in his court or some where els The forme of this excommunication I cannot set downe but I weene yt be in manner of a writte in latine as also the AbsolutioÌ„ therof proclaimed in y e name of the Bishop or archbishop after the order of their mother Church of Rome these their spider webbes of their ecclesiasticall lawes iurisdiction exteÌ„d not but vnto the smaller and common flies the magistrates greater
sauing their soules bodies from such wicked accursed assemblies from such disobedient rebellious people and from al the trumperies and deceites of the false Church c. But let vs a litle examine what kind of doctrine these men draw from Mr. CALVINE spread abrode in their pulpites publike writinges They hould that whatsoeuer Congregatiō keepeth an outward shew of the ministerie of the word sacramentes ceaseth not to be a Church neither is to be left for any sinne in maners as they call yt whatsoeuer though they willingly presumptuously neglect break the lawes of God both in their worship and conuersation and remaine incorrigible obstinate in these transgressiōs Now they teach that neither for such sinnes God is so displeased with the congregatiō that he herevpon withdraweth his fauor from them or they ◅cease to be held reuerenced of vs as a Church neither the publike actions of the said congregation as their praiers preaching sacramentes c. neither the cōmunicantes with this assemblie in these actions are with for these sinnes defiled For say they a godly conscience is not defiled with the sinnes of an other What fleshly libertine hath or can breath forth more poisoned doctrines then these more contrarie to the honour whole word of God from which yt at once taketh away al reuerence obedience practise What can be more popishly alledged for their Church then to say that yt can blesse these actions and persons whome God in his word accurseth or that the Church may cōmit such high sacriledge presumptuous sinne without the iudgment punishment due to the same Yf God haue made one the same couenant from the beginning of the world with the whole Church that he hath with euerie particular priuate mēber therof hath giuē no more libertie to the whole Church then to any priuate man to breake the least of his lawes if God for the transgression of his lawe vnpartially iudgeth al without respect of persons if presumptuous sinne with obstinacie ioined thervnto breaketh the couenant with God insomuch as yt both breake◅h Godes law and despiseth Godes mercie grace so depriueth them in that estate of any benefite of CHRISTES death If they which in this maner breake Godes law despise his grace to be iudged of al men as open wicked c. If al the actiones of the wicked be accursed of God so much the more accursed and abhominable by how much they take shew of holines profane Godes name ordinances Yf all they which partake in such actions praiers sacrifices which are an abhomination vnto the Lord be guilty of the altar and vnder the same curse how should those assemblies which continue in presumptuous obstinate sinne be esteemed the true Churches of CHRIST or any that administer vnto or cōmunicate with them in this estate in praiers sacramentes c. auoid the iudgment curse of God both for ioining vnto blessing the wicked for so high profanation of his name prostituting the holy mysteries of the ◅odie blood of Christ to such open vnworthy receiuers Rightly then and directly to reason to the point As many places of scripture as command Godes faithful seruantes with al their forces vttermostindeuor to obserue practise and obey vnto Godes holy word euerie part therof without any willing neglect or breach of the least cōmandement to their knowledg As many places as shew that obstinate presumptuous transgression breaketh the couenant As many places as command vs to seek out and resort vnto the true Church of CHRIST namely the cōmunion fellowship of the saintes Godes faithful obedient seruantes there to present our soules and bodies to be built bestowed according to Gods wil there together with thē to vvorship and serue our God c As many places as forbid vs all false Churches assemblies al spiritual fellowship cōmunion with the wicked or to repaire vnto or ioine with thē in their praiers worship c. So many places forbid vs al spirituall fellowship cōmunion vvith al assemblies in this estate vvhat faire shewes soeuer they make vnto vs or glorious titles they take vnto themselues so many places euidently prooue that if in this estate vve should communicate vvith them vve should be guilty of their sinns partakers of their plagues Which doctrines because they are generally receaued of all denied of none though omitted and forgotten by many and generally taught through the whole scriptures I need not here stand to make any more particular proofe or demonstration of them And so these being granted all these doctrines of M r. CALVINE and his Disciples fall to the ground Yet that the falshood of them may somwhat more appeare vnto all men let vs draw a litle neerer vnto them consider of their maine proofes and fundamental doctrines The publike actiones say they and ministerye of the Church as praiers sacramentes c. neither the godly conscience of anye are defiled vvith the open sinnes of others either of ministers or people c. For vvhy such publike actions are the ordinance of God and cannot be defiled or made vnavaileable with the sinnes of men neither are to be left for such sinnes Therfore the holy Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIST himself refrained not the Temple at such times as the estate therof was vholy corrupted but communicated with the wicked in their feastes and sacrifices although the pollution and contagion was generall and incurable both in the people and priestes For the rest euerie man is to eyamine himself and not othe◅s when he resorteth to the Church or receiueth the communion of the bodie and blood of CHRIST because he eateth to his owne damnation or saluation not to an other mans c. First if the open sinne of the minister or people defile not the praiers sacramentes by to them administred why hath the Lord said that ◅he sacrifice of the wicked is abhomination vnto him that they might as well kil a man as a bullock vnto him that they might as wel offer a dog or swines blood as sacrifice or burnt offering why hath the Lord said that sacrifice without obedience is not acceptable vnto him that he will haue mercie not sacrifice c. Why hath the Lord beene alwaies so ielous ouer his sanctuarie and ouer them that come neere vnto him vvhy hath he made so many lawes for the place Altar sacrifice priestes people c. that no priest with any apparant blemish might offer the bread of the Lord that no offring with any blemish might be accepted at the handes of any that none vvith any pollution or vncleannes vpon him might touch the tabernacle that no heathen or profane person vvhich was not yet come vnto the faith might tread in the courtes of the Lord or any offring be accepted at their handes vvhy hath the Lord
Church or to be in Gods fauor vntill they repent I haue shewed that al their praiers in this estate are accursed of God and also all such as participate with them in the same I haue shewed that the knowne and fuffered sinne of any one member is contagious vnto all such as communicate with him in that estate and maketh them all which communicate in praiers sacramentes with such an obstinate offendor as guiltie in Gods sight as he himself is I haue shewed that no faithfull man ought by any Congregation of men or Angels â—…e drawen into the least knowne transgâ—…ession of Gods law c. Which doctrines although they suffice to â—…catter and disperse these smoky erâ—…ors of M r. CALVINE and his disciples yet seing they haue so roiled the â—…ountaine as yt were darkned the sunne with these myâ—…es foggs â—…t shall not be â—…misse â—…o discusse these pointes which remaine a litle â—…urther and see what power eueâ—…ie particular member of the Church â—…ath in the Church and in the publike actions of the Church and also â—…o see wherin how long they are to keepe communion for what when to leaue the same It is manifest that all the members of the Church haue a like inâ—…erest in CHRIST in his word in the faith that they altogether make one bodie vnto him that all the affaires of the Church belong to that bodie together All the actions of the Church as praiers censures sacramentes faith c. be the actions of them all iointly and of euerie one of them seuerally although the bodie vnto diuerse actions vse such members as yt knoweth most fit to the same Al the members are iointly bound vnto edification vnto all other helpes or seruice they may do vnto the whole All are charged to watch exhort admonish stir vp reproue c. and herevnto haue the power of our Lord IESVS the keies of the kingdom of heauen euen the word of the most high therby to bind their rulers in chaines and their nobles in fetters therby to cast downe euerie strong hold high thing that is exalâ—…ed agaâ—…nst God therby to defend and maintaine the faith and euerie iode of the vvord to stand fast in their libertie to trie the spirites to auoid such as teach contrary doctrine and consent not to the vvholsome vvoâ—…des of our Lord IESVS or denie the power and practise therof to admonish the greatest euen ARCHIPPVS to looke to his ministerie and if nâ—…ed be to plead vvith their mother c. yea no further to follow her or an Angell of light then they walke with God and haue the word for their vvarrant Our communion must be in the faith and not in error or transgression we are not to follow a multitude to do euill but in all thinges to follow faith to the conseruation of our soules and to grow vp into him which is our hâ—…ad CHRIST IESVS vvhomâ—… vvhiles vve hold fast and vvhose vvord vvhiles vve hâ—…ue for the thinges vve do or refuse to doe vve need not fâ—…are the 〈◊〉 of anie vaine men neither be amazed at any vaine titles of Church sacramentes c. For this vve know that there is no Church can excuse vs for the breach of Gods law before that great Iudge Now then seeing eueriâ—… member hath interest in the publike acâ—…ions of the Chuâ—…ch and together shall beare blame for the defaltes of the same and seeing all our communion must be in the truth and that vve are not to be drawen by aâ—…ie into anie willinge or knowen transgression of Gods law vvho can denie but euerie particular member hath povver yea and ought to examine the manner of administring the sacramentes as also the estate disorder or transgressions of the whole Church yea and not to ioine in any knowen transgression with them but rather to call them all to repentance c. if he find them obstinate hardened in their sinne rather to leaue their fellowâ—…hip then to partake with them in wickednes Neither doth the place 1 Cor. 11. 28. 29. THAT EVERIE one ought to examine himself c. hinder either their Christian libertie or publike dutie for these rules are generall the wordes are general alike giuen to euerie member and vnto all the members of the Church without respect or exception of any either Pastor or others So that by this reason neither Pastor nor any were to look vnto the life conuersation estate of an other neither can these rules or wordes any way be restrained to one more then an other much lesse may such corrupt doctrines and false conclusions be drawen from them THAT BECAVSE euerie maÌ„ is to examine himself therfore no man is to looke to an other Euerie man eateth either to his owne saluation or damnation therfore the open sinnes of minister or people do neither hurt the sacramentes there administred nor the godly conscience of the receiuers What sense or sequele is in these reasons what can be deuised more false or foolish because euerie one is to looke to his owne priuate estate therfore no man may meddle with an other mans 〈◊〉 with the publike estate Were he not as foolish that could be led or caried wiâ—…h these reasons as they that made them But being granted them what kind of Church what communion what duty what law or feare of God would there remaine If the second weâ—…e granted that the open yea the obstinate sinnes of others do hurt neither the sacrament nor godly receiuers what doth yt then skil who they be that administer or recâ—…aue theÌ„ or where they be administred whether in the popish or turkish assemblies A godly man as they count him may resort to what idolatrous or sacrilegious assemblies he will so he in his heart go to worship God yt skilleth not what outward sinn there be coÌ„mitted or he ioineth vnto that hurteth him nothing What blasphemous hellish doctrines are these which take away at once the whole Testament of Christ and word of God or tollerate the open breach of them which take away all Christian libertie dutie communion May we ioine to open sacriledge most heinous profanation of Godes ordinances that with the open wicked impeniteâ—…t and not be guiltie Call they this to examine our seluâ—…s or to eate to our owne saluation they make a faire interpretation of and collection from these places But might yt not better be comprised within the examination of our selues to examine looke how we dischardge both our publike and priuate duties towardes God and our brethren c. which how can I thinke I any way discharge vnto them that suffer my brethreâ—… euen before my face wittingly willingly â—…o runne headlong into assured destruction to eate their bane damnation yea giue consent thervnto O what a cruel and vnmeâ—…ciful part were this Call they this to â—…eepe the vnitie of the
shal haue recouered your senses froÌ„ the amazement wherinto you were smitten with this strange Doctrine touchnig praier to a further consideration of the matter to see if you can bring any better reasons or repaire these in your third booke against the poore persecuted seruantes of Christ whome you vntruly accuse blaspheme publish for Anabaptists what not in these youâ—… priuiledged poisoned writings I haue sufficiently as I hope shewed the vnlawfulnes of bringing into or reading in the church these stinted numbred praiers and set seruice in their written diuised Leitourgies both because they wanâ—… warrant in the Testament of Christ practise of the Apostles and are contrarie to the same being Apochrypha not the liuely graces of Gods Spirit being contrary to al the rules of praier yea to the Spirit yt selâ—… christian libertie not being drawen from the Spirit of God in vs according to the necessities present estate of the church or of our heartes as the Spirit giueth vtterance but rather teaching the Spirit wordes vsurping the office therof in the consciences of meÌ„ yea setting stintes lawes vpon the Spirit church prescribing this thus much to be said this day in the morning at afternone thus many collectes or Pater nosters heer a Creed a Tâ—… deum c. I haue shewed the supertition idolatrie abhominacion of the best of theÌ„ how they are buâ—… as a dead stinking carion not a liuely acceptable sacrifice vnto the Lord so abhominacion wil worship not required at our handes so superstitioÌ„ brought into standing in the church of God for that they are not namly as rules lawes of the church as holy praiers and incense of the Saintes as the liuely graces present worke of the Spirit so idolatrie I haue shewed that those scriptures vsed in them do no way iustifie theÌ„ no more then they doe the masse-booke or a Coniures magical incantatioÌ„s which haue also holy psalmes scriptures as vnreprooueable praiâ—…rs but rather that they make theÌ„ the more heinous in that they so rende mangle peruert the scriptures to such blasphemous abuses I haue shewed that such written stinted stuffe cannot be said the praiâ—…rs oâ—… the Saintes neither do any good either instruct or help the weakâ—… coÌ„sciences of any but are rather the very leauen poison of their heartes soules the very cradles and cushions of these graceles Priestes Atheistes to rock them asleepâ—… in their sinnes securitie neuer touching the heart or conscieÌ„ce but teaching them to prate ouer vpon the booke or by rote their certayne nuÌ„ber of wordes to the Lord as though the booke were their heart vtterly quenching the Spirit of God and al the light that is in them They make theÌ„ bâ—…leeue that this prescript praier is good at this time that at an other time this when they rise or at dinner the tother when they goe to supper or to sleepe this when they are sick that is special good to be read or saied at the point and hower of death Thus abuse they misleade men keep them wholy from the exercise of the Spiâ—…it of God in them from the searching and powring out theyr heartes â—…efore the Lord from the due confession sorrow repentance for â—…heyr sinnes froÌ„ the true knowledg or any vse or benefite of that blesâ—…ed benefite holy exercise of praier and wholy from receauing any â—…crease blessing or grace froÌ„ God as the preseÌ„t estate of their church â—…heir faith soules sheweth euideÌ„tly being by their stinted Leiâ—…ourgie â—…coÌ„sidered at the best that they can imagine or speake for theÌ„selues â—…ept at a stay alwaies in one estate hauing neither more nor lesse of â—…ods grace but eueÌ„ the self same stil. Thus are they neuer led forth â—…ne step towardes perfection vntil a new Leitourgie be made where â—…hey haue al thinges prescribed both what to doe how to doe what 〈◊〉 say how much to say wheÌ„ to say wheÌ„ to make an end Thus iugâ—…le they mock with God behold how the Lord deludeth deâ—… them withholdeth the early latter rayne of his blessinges froÌ„â—…eÌ„ the coÌ„tinual spring haruest of his fruitful gracâ—…s they being â—…holy emptie destitute therof depriued of light truâ—… knowledg â—…ea coÌ„mon sense feeling their consciences being seared as with an â—…ote yron their heartes paued hardned in their sinnes which they â—…oÌ„mit â—…ueÌ„ with gâ—…eedines hauing left theÌ„ no sight iudgmeÌ„t or power 〈◊〉 theÌ„selues to discerne betwixt good euil nether to looke or know â—…hat 〈◊〉 wil of God is for any thing they doe or leaue vndone Neither â—…aue they power to practise yt but depend wholy vppon others for al 〈◊〉 things to theÌ„ they goe to inquire as they say so yt is without any â—…oubt so yt must be done without any coÌ„traditioÌ„ Thus is their faith â—…at inwrapped faith of the papistâ—…s to belâ—…ue as the church 〈◊〉 without knowing what y â— church belâ—…eueth to beleeue doe â—…s such a preacher such a Rabbine beleeueth doeth Ó he is a learâ—…ed an holy maÌ„ he would not doâ—… otherwise theÌ„ wel for al the world â—…uch a Martyre made this such a maÌ„ that yt caÌ„not be but good say â—…od what he wil. They see with other meÌ„s eies speak with other mens â—…outhes pray beleeue with other meÌ„s heartes Thus doe they al by â—…rescript custome traditioÌ„ without regard to y e rules of Gods word â—…hus build they their house faith vpon thâ—… sandes thus are they by â—…heir blind guides deluded led out of y e way thus are they cast into â—…tter dâ—…knes held in y e chaines of sinne vnto iudgmeÌ„t their haÌ„des â—…ies heartes al their senses powers being fast bouÌ„d by thesâ—… Egipâ—…iaÌ„ in chaÌ„tâ—…rs their delusions And now that we haue thus largely set â—…ut the vâ—…lawfulnes inconuenieÌ„ces of al prescript Leiâ—…ourgies that all 〈◊〉 prâ—…tences may be remooued out of the way me thinkes yt â—…s now time to returne to this Leiâ—…ourgie of â—…he church of ENGLAND and â—…o consider somwhat more particularly of yt wherby we shal discerne â—…hat kind of faith they haue professe exercise AND HERE IN to dealâ—… with euery particular error therof or to medâ—…le with the patcheries innumerable trumpeâ—…ies therin or al their â—…rosse sollies more then childish euen apish triflinges or their friâ—…olous constitutions customes wheruÌ„to they bind lesson the paâ—…ish priest to say his matteÌ„s eueÌ„song in order to begin with this confession throughout the yeare nay throughout their life TheÌ„ cometh the priestes general pardon thorough the power that his lord Bishop hath comitted vnto him so he proceedeth to his stinted psalmes Lessons with his certaine of Paternosters euer among of CREEDES their forged patcherie coÌ„moÌ„ly calcd the Apostles Creed or SYMâ—…OLE ATHANASIVS CREED the NICENE CREED sometimes sayde in prose