or her pleasure openly expound and preach the Gospel that it was no lawfull for a Minister to have humane learning or that it was unlâ—wfâ—ll to hear such that it was and would be unlawful for Ministers to prepare themselves to preach by study that it was unlawful for a Gospel-Minister not to have some handy Trade and work in a Mechanick way for his living Ought they not since it was known to have been long used by Gods people before the Law and by his people after the Law to have told that to receive Tythes now was to deny that Christ was come in the flesh why was it not told us that the whole â—â—sterity of man whether of Heathens or Christians during their Infancy are pure and holy there being no Originall sin why did not that wise Master builder lay his foundation aright and show us that to enter any into thâ— Church by Baptism without declaration of Faith and Repentance though born of holy parents was a sin and also if any such thing were done in the name of the holy Trinity wherein consists the essence of Baptisme with the application of the spirit which is not hindred by Infancy yet that they ought to be baptized again Why did they not inform the Church that though God was pleased to receive the Children of the Jews so far into his favour as to give them the outward sign of his Covenant with the Fathers viz. by circumcision yet would not have the Children of Christians to receive the outward sign of his Covenant with their Fathers viz. by Baptism Why did they not inform us that there were none baptized nor none should account themselves baptized except they were plunged or dipped in a River And that any member of the Church might do that why did he not tell us that it was and would be a sin for one to teach his child to say the Lords Prayer or call God father since they had no faith in Christ Why do they not shew us that to be in a place hearing his word with those that were not all holy was a great sin before God and that there should be a parity in the Church of God That no civill Magistrate hath any power at all to be command any thing to be done in the Church of God and that no Christian ought to pray in a set form and therefore that the Lords prayer was not to be used yea was as abominable unto God as Swines flesh unto a Jew as I have read some of them do however we know it is disused by them all Why was it not told us that to receive the Sacrament of the Lords Supper was either a vain thing or an indifferent thing or to eat it with unholy persons a sinful thing and also that any one that had gifts might administer the same or that the profit of the Sacraments depended upon the goodness or holynesse of him that gave it or did administer them These with a thousand more are the Principles that our Hereticks walke and teach by and if they be true doctrine how long hath the Church been without truth and in matters of greatest concernment as Preaching the word and Sacraments Why did not the Apostles once at least encourage Christians to persevere in Holiness upon the account of Christs comming personally to Reign upon Earth and why would they not tell that it was a decent holy seemly thing to hear a woman Preach It seems strange that neither by word nor by Epistle this was made known that any man might assume the office of the Ministry unto himself though he were not outwardly called as was Aaron why would they not tell us that Ordination was but a toy and was not to continue longer then themselves But what am I doing If these be true Churches and this Doctrine true Gospel the Apostles have been faithlesse and unjust I speak it trembling for no such thing did they ever teach but the contrary we finde them often times in the Scripture handling those very points and laies down contrary conclusions particularly Heb. 5.4 speaking of Priest-hood in generall and of Christs in particular who is the high Priest of the Gospel saies no man taketh this honour to himself but he that is called as was Aaron And that Aaron had an outward call for that Office and was deputed and set apart for that function in a publick way is clear from Ex. 29. and Levit. 9. Rom. 5.12 where the Apostle handling the infectious nature of sin maintains That by one man sin entered into the World and death by sin and so death passed upon all men for that all had sinned viz. by the sin of that one man I can find here no exception of Infants which if true doctrine the wisedome of God would have discovered in such an apt and proper place And truly that Infants should dye having no sin since death is the wages of sin Rom. 6 23. is a Doctrine that either charges God with unjustice or St. Paul with a falshood or at least a grosse mistake Of Baptizing of Infants we shall speak in it's own place and touching receiving the Sacrament of the Lords Supper with a mixed Congregation in its propper season and of Dipping when we come to the Font. Touching the peoples Ordination let the Scripture be produced that gives the people power for to set apart a Lay or Mechanick or any person and to constitute him a Church-Officer in the least Let the Scripture be produced that gives a power to a multitude so to do or that approves of a mans assuming to himself the power ministerially to teach Baptize give the Sacrament of the Lords Supper show or produce me that Scripture that gives authority to a Lay-man such a one we count him that is not Ordained by an Ecclesiastick person according to Apostolicall Tradition to bind or lose to cast out of the Church by judicial Excommunication or â—o receive in by authoritative absolution I say again let any of our â—ereticks produce me that Scripture show that text and I here promise them to renounce my Ordination forsake my calling and deny my Baptisme For I am not ignorant that the whole stream of the Scripture goes smoothly in another Channel If these or any of these be Churches then the candle hath never been upon a candlestick the City hath never been upon a hil Kings have never been her Nursing Fathers nor Queens her nursing Mothers except Iohn Buckhold alias Iohn of Layden with his fifteen Wives which Iohn being a Botcherly Taylour was by a mad crew of Anabaptists despisers and otherwise opposers of all government appointed King at Munster in Germany An 1534. where wearing Royall Robes of Embroidered work Spurs of gold Scabbards of gold and two Crowns of gold he had his Chancellours Cup-beares Carvers one holding up the holy Bible and another a naked Sword the handle whereof glistered with gold and pretious stones went before his Botcherly Majesty
initiatory Ordinance of Baptisme to extend to the Infants of Believers under the Gospel though he did to those under the Law but leaves them and hath no more to do with them then he hath to the seed of Infidels and Heathens God would not without question have left his Church in so great and necessary a point as Baptisme without instruction if it had not been his Will that the seal of the Covenant should be as large now and extend as far as it did then Let the Scriptures be searched and the Bible exactly veiwed with the most piercing eye and it shall never be able to find that Text that abridgeth or straightneth the Covenant made under the Gospel but every way shall be found at large as that under the Law which reacheth not to Abrahams person onely but also all his seed To say that the Covenant made with Abraham was onely temporal or carnal that is that Canaan should be his and Circumcision sealed that brings dishonour to the faith of Abraham and tends not to Gods honour or glory that he should onely regard his people so far as to give them a Land flowing with milke and honey and assure them of that by Circumcision but that he was their God to save them any more then he was the Aegyptians never to give them a sign seal or assurance takes away abundance of that comfort which the Heavenly-minded soul might enjoy besides it is most false for both before and after Moses we know Circumcision was given to many that never did nor never were to inherit the land of Canaan so that Circumcision was a mystical seal of Abrahams faith in God for spiritual mercies unto which ex aâ—nâ—dante by way of Augmentation the promise of the pleasant land was made he eyeing and seeking first the Kingdom of God had that kingdom of this world over and above given to him 10. Infants were typically baptized under the Law 1 Cor. 10. 2. All of Israel both small and great were baptized with the sprinkling drops or shours that fell from the cloud in their passage through the sea this denotes that all the faithful both old and young may lawfully be baptized unto Christ since the type holds forth the Antitype and the one is fulfilled by the other 1 Cor. 10.2 If it be here said that by the same Text we may give to infants the Sacrament of the supper for all of Israel did eat of the same spiritual meat and drank of the same drink it it is Answered infants shall have the Sacrament of the supper given unto them if they can finde no Text that requires any other duty to be performed by the receivers of the one then there is for the receiving of the other 11. The Apostles in their going through the world did baptize whole housholds Acts 16.15 Acts 16.33 1 Cor. 11.16 Now in Scripture the word House implies all within the family even children Gen. 30.30 As soon as Ioseph was born Iacob began to provide for his own house If children in these houses had not been baptized without doubt they had been excepted And it is most incredible in all those families there should be no woman fit to bear children but all prove barren and unfruitful which to prove were some thing a hard taske and until it be proved I may truly conclude that the children in those houses were baptized If it here be said that there is no express mention made of children in those houses we may say again and as truly that there is no express mention made of servants and in some of them not of wives it may be Answered these are included in the word houshold it may be replied children are included also the word house holding forth even them 12. The evil fruits and consequences that follow the denial of this with wise men might be an argument to maintain it As 1. The denying of Original sin the Hereticks acknowledgs that if Infants had Original sin this Sacrament were not to be denied them it being a seal of the remission of sin to hold up the one they must of necessity deny the other and so all infants born of Heathen parents are not holy just and righteous contrary to the doctrine of the Catholick faith which teacheth that by the offence of one viz of Adam judgement came upon all men to condemnation and by the disobedience of one many were sinners Rom. 5.18 19. and also to their own experience who see death fall even upon the young as well as upon the old which is the wages of sin Rom. 6.23 2. The denying of Scripture consequence the Anabaptists because they can finde no express Text for infant baptisme therefore they deny it the Bedalists upon the same reason deny the Godhead of the Holy Ghost there being no direct place in Scripture pronouncing that yea by this reason we may charge the Holy Ghost with a notorious untruth Iames 4 5. and by the same ground may deny great and glorious truths as the souls eternal condition as soon as out of the body c. there are many things darkly revealed in Scripture and not to be found but by comparing Text with Text and we finde as good consequence and grounds this way for baptizing infants and better and more sure then ever they shall be able to finde for dipping of men and women as by the argument above given may be discovered 3. It is the usual trap-dore unto all error when men begin to Apostate from truths of grand concernment they usually begin to quarrel with this denie first their own infant baptisme and then how or rather whether are they not hurried with every wind of doctrine This is a Catholick principle a foundation stone a fundamental truth Heb. 6.2 he that falls from it it will fall upon him and break him to pieces how many thousands have perished upon this in our dayes and how many souls are run into perdition by falling from all truth that at first but quarrelled at this The very final obduration and hardening of the hearts of many that but fell first from this in our dayes is an evident token that God hath branded this sin that it might appear a Capital offence against his Majesty 13. The reasons that the seducers give for their denial of this are false and insufficient and maybe reduced to three chiefly 1. Because it is said teach and baptize all nations Math. 28.19 therefore none are to be baptized say they but such as are taught which infants cannot be to which as before hath been spoken we may Answer that not teaching but make Disciples is our Saviours word baptizing and teaching them c. And it is to be wondered at that they will leave his words Why our Translators Englished that word Teach as I have no sure knowledge of it so for the present I have no purpose to han dle it Of this I am sure that our Saviour with his own mouth
constituted these extraordinary calls are no warrant for men in our dayes to assume that office for Christ now and afterwards more plainly appoints them to give power to others for the execution of those things having made it an Ordinance and from them and by them to continue to the end of the world And now as these people have constituted themselves a Church and have in that notion by man or woman received the Ordinances of the Church cast out and took in in the times of a Church long agoe constituted we pronounce them to be no Churches but nurseryes of Faction and prusumptuous Boasters That they are no Churches we shall endeavour to prove so clearly as we hope any indifferent or unprejudiced reader will not long halt between two opinions They appear to be no Churches For 1. They have no Bishops Preists Ministers or Teachers call them what they please deriving their authority from the Apostles of Christ. The Apostles were the masters of our Israel ordained by Christ to preach the Gospel to all Nations and where they Taught they Ordained and appointed Ministers for the Ruling and Governing of that Church and gave them power also to Ordaine others For this cause saies Paul to Titus I left the in Crete the same place now called Candy that thou shouldest set in order things that art wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed Tit. 1.5 The word Elder in the original is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Presbyters or Priests he must ordain Priests he cals them Bishops v. 7. Titus was therefore left in Crete to Ordain Bishops or Priests in every City that the Gospel might be purely taught and the Sacraments administred Thus holy Polycarpus Saint Iohn's Disciple was placed by him in the Church of Smyrna Ignatius that had his name given ab igne charitatis he was also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being born of God was the second Bishop of Antioch next Peter For Peter ruled that Church 7. years and afterwards came to Rome An. Christ. 71. The succession of Bishops I would have none offended at the word suppose what other name they will only this is the antient Word from Peter or any other Apostle was a certain sign of a true call into Holy Orders among the Antients Let us suppose a man Ordained by the present Bishop of Canterbury and let it be inquired what power he had to do it he shews it from Abbot Whitgift and so upward for a thousand Years the Records of that Sea being known until you come to Augustin the first Bishop of Canterbury Then ask who gave him power to Ordain for that Office he names you Gregory a holy Catholick Bishop Rome not yet being Antichrist servus Serverum Dei as he called himself He again was Ordained by Pelagius he by Benedictus he by Iohn he by Pelagius the First he by Vigilius he by Sylverius he by Argapetus Anno Christi 535. and so upward for 400. years or more until you come to Alexander the great An. Chr. 121. He was Ordained by Evaristus he by Anacletus he by Clemens he by Cletus he by Linus and he by Saint Peter the Apostle of our Lord the First Bishop of Rome who after he hâ—d ruled the Church of Antioch 7. year in which City the Apostles and Disciples were first called Christians Acts 11.26 came An. 67 in the 14. Year of Nero the Emperours Reign to Rome by whom he was crucified with his head downwards and all the Bishops after him until Elutherius were put to death by Heathen Emperours for he was the first of 13 Bishops that dyed a naturall death It is said of him Est Primus Episcopâ—rum Româ—norum qui non perjit morte violenta By this Bishop Lucius who Reigned in England Anno Christi 180. had some knowledge of the faith and Doctrine of the Gospel Bring this succession down again from Peter to Linus from him to Cletus from him to Clemens and so down for 400 years to Gregory who sending Augustin into England set up his Bishops seat first at Dover then removed it as the Gospel prospered unto London whence he was removed to Canterbury where his continued succession remains unto this day In all those places he taught the Gospel and Ordained Priests or Ministers and gave them power to Ordain others Planted Teachers in Winchester York Carlisle and from these again as from fountains came the Authority of Ordination to water other dry parts of the Nation about them and so from age to age was it delivered untill it came upon the Authours head by unquestionable Authority Now let us ask one of these Mechanicks By whom were you constituted and appointed a Church-Officer to exercise the power of the Keys if you say from Christ we deny it for he Ordained none but his Disciples if from his Disciples show or produce your Warrant for Ordination was given to them and by their hands given to others that the succession might be preserved unto the end of the World So Saint Iames the Apostle sate Bishop in the Church of Ierusalem Evodius was Bishop of Antioch next Peter next to him Ignatius and to Theophilus and downward If we had the Register of the Church of Crete in which place Titus was set to Ordain Elders in every City and then ask one By whom were you appointed to dispence the Word and Sacrament and exercise the power of the Keys by such a one he by him and he by him and so you should fal on Titus himself And Timothy who was Ordained by the same Apostle the First Bishop of the Church of Ephesus had a charge in the Epistle sent unto him to commit the Doctrine to faithful men that they might be able to teach others 2. Tim. 2.2 Which Commitment is by laying on of hands that being the Ceremony for translating the power viz. the Authoritative of Teaching from one person to another as afterwards shall be discovered which Commitment Timothy must not be too rash in but weigh and examine what manner of man he is 1 Tim. 5.22 For a Bishop must be blamelesse sober apt to teach 1 Tim. 3.2 Or if it be a Deacon that Tim. so Ordain the lowest authoritative Office in the Church he must be grave 1 Tim. 3.8 Which Office of Deacon-ship if they use well they may be through their faith in God receive a higher Office called a purchasing to themselves a good degree 1 Tim 3.13 Which may truly bear this construction that good degree though a low one shall make them esteemed of God and esteemed so wel of his Church as to make him a Presbyter or a Bishop for that that Office was made a step to that of the Priest-hood is clear both in gospell and Church-History A Deaconship being only a Probationers place for it and according as the Church gave them a Benegessit for the one they received the degree of the other But what authority had Timothy to
Churches constituted for they have no Sacraments this follows upon the former and rises morally from it where there is no Minister or authoritative Officer there can be no Sacraments they being the Seals of the Covenant of grace which is made unto believers either when they are incorporated or confirmed in the body of Christ which is the Church Ephes. 1.23 Thy are also called broad seals of heaven that of the spirit being the private by which the receiver is assured of the pardon of his sins Now to the private Christian did Christ never give the keeping of or the power of delivering those seals The People were never Lord-chancellours of these things whether singly or collectively taken therefore they cannot give nor dispence them to another Iohn the Baptist was called from God immediately to baptize so were the Apostles by Christ who Ordained none nor Baptized none but them while the Church of Christ was constituting God was pleased so to do but after the Baptists death and the Apostles call no such extraordinary acts but all must receive now that power from the hands of the Apostles by Ordination The Church may say to those men when they come to dispence the Seals Peter I know Paul I know Stephen I know Nicanor I know Timothy I know Titus I know but who are you if you say you were or are Ordained by Christ he Ordained none but his Disciples if you were Ordained by his Disciples show it by your Commission wee shal know whether Baptisme be from Heaven that we may believe or from men that we may not be mistaken in it Possibly the peoples Election and deputation is produced for this authority which is to be equally regarded as he who should come with a Commission from a mans own son for the Father to execute the power or Office of Justice of the peace which is to be scorned his Son having no power to grant such Orders or give such Offices The power of Ordination search the Scriptures was never granted to the people neither in the Old nor New testament We find indeed Micha Iudg. 17. having a House of Gods and an Ephath and a Teraphim consecrating one of his sons for a Priest though of the tribe of Ephraim of which tribe Mosâ—s spoke nothing touching the Priesthood He afterwards Consecrated a Levite to be his Priest verse 12. which was an Office peculiar to the Sons of Aaron not to the Levites in common but who gave Micha the power of consecration how can he consecrate any Priest at all this moved him vers 6. In those days there was no King in Israel but every man did what was right in his own eyes there being no Magistrate or Governour to keep the people in awe An Ephraimite may consecrate and offer Sacrifice and the Worship of God being contemned through the disorder of the times a Levite is forced to wander for a place and assume the Priesthood The want of Government was the cause of this and other evils that followed upon it The self-same cause is the reason of the irregularity that hath lately been in England touching Micha's even Peoples ordination of Priests which power was never given to him nor them In one thing Micha is to have his due applause he would have none to offer Sacrifice in his House a priestly Office before he were consecrated i.e. before he were ordained Priest he had read in the Law what Sacrifices Duties were appointed in the designation of men into that Office his Son nor the Levites not being of that line unto whom by a natural succession the Office belonged he saw a necessity of making them Priests for he must worship God and if they be Priests they must be consecrated he knows nor how or where to procure another â—â— therefore takes the Authority to himself of Consecration And truly such Priests as he made and himself that made them and the Worship they gave by him and the gods they worshipped too were suitable to each other Even such are they though in this particular worse who will offer to design or depute any to be their Priest or Minister who are not of that line to whom by a moral Succession that Office onely belongeth by their being deputed and set apart for that Office by the Sacrifice of Prayer and Supplication and with the ceremony of Imposition of Hands by those who have received that power by Apostolical Tradition Possibly he may produce his own Gifts of Holiness Utterance Aptness to teach Courage Zeal with all other Gifts that are possible to qualifie men inwardly for that Office and indeed may shew a Call from God which he supposes ought to be sufficient to testifie that his Baptism is not of men or to demonstrate that he is a man sent from God authoritatively to teach and administer the Sacraments to his Church But the Church values not those in this nature for so Paul was qualified also and Barnabas qualified and called of God for that Office yet God will have them to be constituted authoritative teachers in the sight of the Church by the Laws that were by him appointed for the Church viz. by Ordination or Imposition of hands Act. 13.3 So Stephen Nicanor Philip c. Acts 6. were men of honest report full of the Holy ghost and wisedome yet the lowest Office in the Church cannot they neither do they offer to perform in that Ordination from the Apostles Upon this ground the Church hath reason to deny their Authority and we deny that they have power to administer Sacraments the bread that they brake is not the body of Christ the cup they offer is not the Communion of the blood of Christ shed for the remission of sins they have not received this power of the Lord because not from his Apostles of causing Bread to be by faith beheld as the body of Christ nor Wine to represent the blood of Christ. In a word let us see how or when they received power from the Apostles otherwise they must passe for counterfeits and cheats and the offence so much the more hainous as it 's a counterfeiting the Great Seal of Heaven to bring Christs Spouse and her children in an errour in matters of so gâ—â—at concernment as the Seal of the Remission of their sins but she knows his hand and though they should come with never so much show of humility nay confirm their calling by miracles she is not she will not believe it Christ her Husband hath forewarned her that such should come and charged her not to heed them not follow them but shun them and avoid them 3. Should we Church those segregated Congregations as now constituted we must and are to un-Church all the Churches that now are or that ever have been in the Christian World They taught and teached the contrary they maintained and dyed for the contrary they walk Autipodos to one another there is a great diversity in their walking thus constituted as
between the Summers heat and the Winters Frost All the Christian Churches in the World have been or are Synagogues of Sathan if these segregated Congregations be the Churches of Christ the Church of Ierusalem was no Church the Church of Antioch was no Church the Church of Crete was no Church the Churches of Corinth of Galatia of Philippi of Ephesus of Smyrna of Philadelphia of Sardis were no Churches if these be See the Confession of Faith of all Reformed Churches now in Christendom of Helvetiae Bohemia of France of Basil of Belgiae of Auspurge of Saxony of Wirtemberge of Swedeland of Scotland of England all of them do with one joint consent teach the contrary Doctrine of Separation of Ordination of Sacraments of the Keys unto those Congregations Cast your eye upward to the Writings Sermons Expositions Epistles Disputes of the most Ancient Worthy Learned Godly Patriarchs Martyrs Fathers that lived in any age of the Church or in all the Centuries of the purer times that immediately followed the Apostles and you shall by the whole Body of the Church see these mens practises and Doctrine as they have constituted themselves to be doomed judged sentenced as schismatical or heretical there being no such Doctrine touching those points they maintain in reference to the Ordinances above named taught by the Apostles or their immediate Successors Saint Iohn the Apostle taught no such Doctrine to Polycarpus whom he ordained Bishop of Smyrna Anno Christâ— 71. about forty years after Christs death nor Peter to Linus whom he made Bishop of Rome Anno 70. Neither did he teach any such Doctrine to Evodius the Second nor to Ignatius the Third nor to Theophilus the sixth Bishop of Antioch after himself who lived Anno 170. These would have been faithfull in delivering that Doctrine if they had received any such command frâ—m the Apostles But they teach the contrary and to Posterity deliver the contrary and from Generation to Generation it hath been taught until it came to the very Age wherein we live Cyprian Bishop of Carthage who lived anno 240. Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria anno 376. Hilarius Bishop of Poicttiers in France anno 355. Optatus Bishop of Millaine anno 365. Basilius the great Bishop of Caesarea anno 370. Gregory Bishop of Nazianzum anno 370. Epiphanius Bishop of Salamine in Cyprus anno 370. Ambrose Bishop of Millain anno 374. Gregory Bishop of Nâ—ssa anno 380. What shall I do I might weary myself in copying out the worthy Champions of the Church that lived in other times as Hierom the best of Presbyters Chrysostome Augustine Cyrill who all before a Papist was heard of taught the very self-same thing that we are now proving viz. That such as separate themselves from the Catholick Church upon the account of mixture and assume to themselves the power of executing in an authoritative way the Ordinances Seals Censures of the Church upon what account soever be irregular persons unlawfull Assemblies and ought to be curbed suppressed and punished by all in authority unto which consent the Reformed Churches To Church these men and to sentence their Doctrine for truth at the same breath we must unchurch all Churches that are that have been in the Christian World and before we condemn them let us sentence these And we do by these Presents censure them as proud boasters blasphemers disobedient to Parents the Church is their Mother whom they ought not to forsake because she is old unthankfull unholy to be without natural affection to be truce-breakers false accusers incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good all the Army of the noble Worthies that have gone before us traytors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4. And Lord have mercy upon their souls This may be thought a harsh censure yet it is no other than upon my own knowledge I am able to justifie having an unhappy curiosity a long season to be frequently at the meetings of several sorts of Hereticks where I saw more and heard more than ever I should have believed from any other 4. Should we hold them to be rightly constituted Churches we should never be sure of a right Church in the World which is expresly contrary to the ninth Article of our Creed for there we believe the holy Catholick Church that is that there is was and shall be a Châ—rch whereof we believe our selves to be Members For that with us may be accounted as the true and onely Church this day and wherein we intend to live and die and by prayers and tears seek its preservation The next offence we take at some party or other of that Church or next turn or new Religion that is turned up we are of another mind and we conclude that the Church of Christ is onely those that hold that opinion which for the time past we have spoken against and if we would walk in the mind and agreeable to the will of God we mâ—st be of that society that holds such an opinion and so from one Congregation to another still keeping from the Doctrine of the Catholick â—od in justice suffering few of them to come back until through pride we be puffed up That we hold it needless to be of any Congregation or create our selves one which the better to procure some new opinion is broached the novelty whereof the giddy heads of men being taken withal brings disciples in a short time to that teacher which is the very cause that scarce shall we finde one Heretick maintaining one heresie but hath with that some other mingled There being therefore such a mixture of Religions in every one that its hard from which to give him his name yet for a mark of distinction he gets a denomination from some opinion that he principally holds hence one is called a Quaker though in many points he agree with the Anabaptist and the Anabaptist with him and the Millenaries or Fifth Monarcy men with them both and each Heresie maintaining stifly that that is the Church makes him that goes from the Catholick to doubt of the very being of a Church which doubt is the immediate parent of those turnings and windings in points of Religion and opinion as the looseness and iniquity of late years hath cleâ—rly discovered to any understanding Christian. Of all those Congregations or Opinionists that have revolted from the Apostolick Catholick Church I should chuse to be of that society known by the name of Seekers they know that there is no Church visible in the World no Ordinance at all and therefore they spend their days in seeking one out and enquiring after one which makes them of all Opinions the most uncertain and yet there is great hopes that for the future they may be of some certainty Some of them affirm the Church to be in the Wildernesse others are seeking her in the smoak of the Temple where lest I lose my self
upon a market day Quest. 3. Why are bonefires made in England upon the feast of the fith of November It is not only the Practise of England to make bonefires upon dayes of thanksgiving or great deliverance but almost every where yet we shall chiefly consider it upon that account 1 That the fire might be a memoriall of our deliverance from the Popish fire there was a secret pile to devour the blood of nobles and burn to ashes the bones of Princes and powder to blow up the Majesty of Kings to remember which to all posterity fire and powder is then in an harmless way used by us and layd before us 2 To show what death traitors ought to dye a rebel is as a witch and therefore ought not to have the Eearth which is Gods to be buried in but to be dissolved to ashes and blown to and fro in the ayr the region or principality of him with whom they covenant against them that are called Gods on earth 3 To prevent darknesse least it should hinder men in manifesting their joy they will have light to rejoyce in though the Sun go down the longest day may be too short for a loyall subject to make known the Love he beares to his Prince in his rejoycing through that deliverance which God is pleased to give unto him this makes him that in spight of might he will have day and for all that others eyes are closed up in darknesse he will have light roud about him 4 To expresse that heat and fire of affection that is in the bosomes of all true subjects the fire of wood burns in the streets and the flame goeth toward heaven this is a visible sign of that fire of zeale and holy affection which goeth up in praise and thanksgiving for that deliverance 5 That the memoriall of it might be kept up to all generations we know that Children delight to look in the fire let them this day play about the fire It is such circumstances as those that will make the deliverance even be observed of Children that as soon as they learn to speak they can prattle of the powder treason which but for this would be scarce known of them 6. That it might mind traytors of the fire of hell fire is dreadfull but who can dwell with everlasting burnings and though this fire burn them not through the Kings mercy yet fear that everlasting fire through Gods justice Quest. 4. Whether the time of Martyrs death be a proper time for feasting It is certain that the days in which the Saints were crowned with Martyrdome or baptized with their own blood is not feasted in purely for their dying shall the Church of God make great mirth An. c. 37. for the death of Stephen when the Church of Christ made great lamentation over him A. c. 36. The Church keeps feasts not purely for that but 1 For the preservation of the Gospell notwithstanding their death Stephen was stoned to death that the light of the Gopell might be extinguished Herod Ascalonite surnamed the great slew the infants or innocents of Bethlelâ—m that Christ might have been killed for his preservation more then for the poor childrens deaths doth the Church rejoyce When Andrew the Apostle was crucified when Iames had his braines dashed out when Thaddeus was slain when Matthias was stoned when Philip and Peter was crucified when Matthias Iames Paul and Matthew were beheaded Bartho slayed alive c. It was done for to hinder the Gospell which not doing the Church makes great mirth 2 For that confirmation the Gospel received by their deaths those men put to their hand and by their blood gave testimony touching the truth as it was in Jesus In this they set to their seales that God was true for by their blood and their constancy in death did religion it self receive a rigorous life The Churches foundation was with blood so was its propagation this makes the Christian to rejoyce 3 For that glory that was given to the Saints at that time the day of the Saints Martyrdome was the day of their coronation they were crowned with glory and immortality hence it is said that devout men made great lamentation over Stephen Act. 8.2 not for him it was a losse to the Church not to Stephen to be stoned from life especially in that time of her none-age when she was but weak and feeble to resist that power wherewith she was dayly assaulted The Church being now established devout men rejoyce for that consolation that God that day gave Stephen in reference to him selfe and also for stirring up such a man to evince the truth of that doctrin which they professe that all its enemyes were not able to resist 4 That it might be as motives to perswade others to constancy if God should call them forth to suffer were it not for the celebration of those days the storys might passe without much observance but in the return of the year people hearing the nature of the Apostles deaths their patience in them the advantage that it gave to the growing of Christianity they might receive profit and advantage even in point of suffering Quest. 5. Whether the Feasts of Phillip and Jacob be not profaned That the Church might not be overflowed with publick solemnities and being willing to commemorate Gospel Saints bring sometimes two Apostles in together perswading her members by their examples to sutable holinesse as upon the first of May Philip and Iacob Unto which the Satanicall and Hethenish practise of erecting May-poles is an unsutable prophane preface as may appear 1 From the lawlesse practise of them neither Church nor State as now constituted gives strength to such customes The Church setting apart this day for holy uses and the state owns it by obedience but of this custome taking no notice some other originall would then be inquired after for this annuall custome then law for no statute was ever made in the least to countenance that irregularity 2 From the sinfull originall of them Let this practise be traced up to the times wherein these May-games were first instituted and a nationall Christian will grant the question without much dispute They sprung out of this ground viz. There was one Flora or Maia who being a notorious strumpet of the City of Rome when heathen gathered great riches leaving the common-wealth her heir upon condition they should yearly celebrate her birth-day The Senate being ashamed to own such open prophannesse coloured the businesse by giving out that she was a goddesse of the fields meadows flowres c. and except she were pleased and appeased nothing that year would prosper Upon this her feast is instituted the Devil being alwayes Gods ape and observed the four last days of Aprill and the first of May at which times all sorts of wickednesse was acted and women appeared upon the streets of Rome in those dayes naked the young sort with flowres garlands c. and dancing of Elephants
of King Ahaz when gathered together by godly Hezekiah the people are commanded to give the portion of the priests and levits unto them that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord and the people bring in abundance of the first fruits of corne wine and oyle and honey and all the increase of the field and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly 2 Chron. 32.4 5. to say no more the ministers of the gospel are even to receive outward encouragment otherwise they may go out and see if they can find a place to sojourn in There are some that find out a way to prevent all these inconveniences they are so much in frendship and in love with their minister that they could wish him to learn some trade and so he might live comfortable and for his example they produce him Paul But to that we give this brief reply 1 The other Apostles worked not 1 Cor. 9.6 The Apostle vindicating himself declares that he and Barnabas hath a power to forbear working as well as other the Apostles he therefore haveing no engagement upon him by God for his so doing is not to be brought as a stanâ—ing president to the ministry of the Gospel in that particular he haveing a power to forbear working as well as Peter and the other Apostles and we are sure Paul had no commission to work 2 Paul for all his working made but a poor liveing so basely covetous were the Citizens or Corinth that he could not get a subsistence among them for all his preaching for all his working but took wages of other Churchs to supply his necessity 2 Corinth 11.7 8 9. And because he took it from those Churches unto whom at that time he did preach he calls it a robbing of them 3 He seemes to give us his reason of so doing 2 Cor. 11.12 The false Apostles in that City glorying that they preached the gospel freely the same which our Hereticks do now which the Apostles of Christ did not made Paul in that City to take a way the occasion of their so glorying by his free teaching which is no rule for them to follow unto whom God and the laws hath given a certaine maintainence and yet for his working was despised of those false Apostles ver 7. so desirous always are those that are not true teachers to find something against them that are Another reason of his so doing is the Corinthians covetousnesse If he had but took from them so much as would have maintained him the gospel had been hindered and Pauls doctrine by reason of charges had been neglected and therefore is not to be brought as a rule for the ministry of the Gospel now since Church rents are setled and Christianity established 4 Those Immediate inspirations wheâ—ewith those holy men of God were inspired are now ceased in the Church Paul might worke and yet his preaching never be the more erronâ—ous his lips being guided and that immediatly by the unerring Spirit of God but these gifts now fayling Men ought to study search and ponder upon what they are to deliver which indeed is sufficient considering other necessary divertisments to imploy the whole man without following a trade except we would preach as they do and lead our people into by-paths and by what I know of those preachers if they knew no better how to handle their needle their axe their aul or their plough then they do a text they would never get a living by their trade 5 These men are injurious to the whole Church of Christ they long to see her again in persecution pursued with fire and faggot Is it possible that they are ignorant of that text wherein the Apostle makes it one of his miseries that he must work with his hands take his own words 1 Cor. 4.9 For I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles last as it were men appointed to death For we are made a spectacle unto the world to Aâ—gels and to men c. Even unto this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place and labour working with our own hands shall any man hence take occasion to affirme that it is a duty of a true minister of the gospel to live in want and misery and to have no certain dwelling place if so even those trades-men must passe for false teachers That then that Saint Paul groaned under through persecution and affliction shall it be a standart unto all others in times of peace and setlement To conclude then these men are angry that the Church hath gotten victory over her enemies in regard her ministers have bread and a habitation Let me assure them that when the wise disposer of all things shall see fit to visit the Church with persecution which they long for they may see many not only chuse to work rather then the Gospel shall go down but chuse to be burned and to dye as there hath been many rather then the faith shall want defenders Quest. 2. Whether an Heretical or upstart teacher may be known from the true The markes and tokens or symptones of an Heretick according to a very able and good man are these following 1 He preaches ambiguously in dark phrases there is a new kind of canting language got up among our Hereticks now I have heard some of them an hour together and so darke were their expressions that it would have puzled a wise man to have made even nonsence of it which the ignorant take for inspiration 2 He delivers some doctrine against the fundamental points of religion there is nothing more common with many of them then this some deny original sin some the divinty of the holy Ghost some eternal judgment other the doctrine of baptisme others the Inbeing of sin in believers c. 3 He opposes the faithfull preachers as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses This text they have the Impudence to apply to the true ministery opposing them though they have no call to shew that they are sent of God whether inward or outward and the ministers of the gospel can show both however Wizards Witches Seducers are their ordinary language though God account them as the starrs in his right hand 4 He is not in the same tale in his chamber and in the pulpit to his followers and to others this experience abundantly testifies this piece of pollicy the jesuit hath learned him who often times in bookes seemes as made up of devotion and yet in their closets and practises are full of all manner of Iniquity 5 He boasts of illuminations and revelations this is like the popes infallibility which the heretick flys too in cases of necessity sometimes they will take the boldnesse to praedict or prophesie touching Christs second coming the downfall of Antichrist by which they mean the Clergy but their spirit hath so often deceived them that I hope they by this time see it was a
their superiours their wisdom in such things consisting in yielding surable obedience yet because this Law is spoken against by some it is not amiss for others to speak for it witnesses or Godfathers may be approved 1. From their unspotted Antiquity the Iews used them at their Circumcision and held the child to be cut in their arms we read of witnesses at the naming of the Prophets Son Mahershalalhash-baz Isa. 8.2 whence learned men have concluded â—the rise of Godfathers And since that have they continued in the Church without check from the best of men 2. From the occasion of their further settlement The primitive Christians seeing themselves in Jeopardy every hour of pain death and torture had other witnesses and Trustees besides the Parent who undertook the education of the child in the true religion in case the death of the Parent or otherwise new how soon the like case may befall this age none can predict especially when they know there was â—o great tract of time between King Edward the sixth of gloriouâ— memory and Queen Mary in such cases Godfathers may be as necessary in England as they were in the Primitive persecution which is one ground of the Law 3. From that love Unity and Concord that by this practice may be preserved among neighbours and believers It is experimentally known that it hath been a quench-fire oftentimes amongst hot spirits may the very nâ—me of a Godfather hath a power in it to work obedience in another and create peace 4. From that harmless profit that hath accrewed to many by that this is so well known that it needs no inlargement a Godfathers or a Godmothers gift is an ordinarly memorial If it be here said that the charge is great that is undertaken by the witnesses c. It must be known that the Parent is not at all disobliged from his duty the witnesses being but asistants to him The particulars of the Churches charge are these 1. To call upon the infant to hear Sermons as soon as capable of admonition 2. To learn the Creed the Lords prayers and the Commandements 3. With all other things which a Christian ought to know for his souls health for his vertuous bringing up so that when he is brought up in these things the witnesses have done their duty and are absolutely discharged either at confirmation of which by and by or at furthest at the day of marriage It is true it seems to be usually objected that even children were admitted to be witnesses for children but let not the Church of England be blamed for that abuse for she hath appointed that No Person be admitted Godfather or Godmother to any childe as Christening or Confirmation before the said Person so undertaking hath received the Holy Communion Quest. 5. Whether the Cross at baptisme accordinâ— to the Law of the Church of England be to be aproved Touching the lawful use of the Cross in baptisme we shall speak no other then what the Church of England hath her self spoken concerning this harmless Ceremony in her Canons Ecclesiastical where after a Preface touching the Princely care of King Iames of blessed memory to recoâ—cile differences by condiscending to remove some things that gave offence which in history we know to be true and in the Canon seems to be implied commends to all her true Members these directions and observations following First It is to be observed that although the Jews and Ethnicks derided both the Apostles and the rest of the Christians for preaching and believing in him who was Crucified upon the Cross Yet all both Apostles and Christitians were so far from being discouraged from their profession by the ignominy of the Cross as they rather rejoyced and triumphed in it yeathe Holy Ghost did by the mouths of the Apostles honour the name of the Cross being hateful to the Jews so far that under it he comprehended not onely Christ Crucified but the force effects and merits of his death and passion with all the comforts fruits and promises which we receive or expect thereby Secondly The honour and dignity of the name of the Cross begat a reverend estimation even in the Apostles times for â—ought that is known to the contrary of the sign of the Cross Which the Christians shortly after used in all their actions thereby making an outward shew and profession even to the astonishment of the Jews that they were not ashamed to acknowlege him for their Lord and Saviour who dyed for them upon the Cross. And this sign they not onely use themselves with a kind of glory when they met with any Jews but signed therewith their children when they were Christened to dedicate them by that badge to his service whose benefits bestowed upon them in baptisme the name of the Cross did represent And this use of the sign of the Cross in baptime was held in the Primitive Church as well by the Greeks as the Latines with one content and great applause At what time if any had opposed themselves against it they would certainly have been censured as enemies of the Cross and consequently of Chrsts merits the sign whereof they could no better endure this continual and general use of the Cross is evident by many testimonies of the ancient Fathers Thirdly It must be confessed that in process of time the sign of the Cross was greatly abused in the Church of Rome especially after that corruption had once possessed it But the abuse of a thing takes not away the lawful use of it Nay so far was it from the purpose of the Church of England to forsake the Churches of Italy France Spain Germany or any such like Churches in all things which they held and preached that as the Apology of the Church of England conâ—esseth iâ— doth with reverence retain those Ceremonies which do neithâ—â— damage the Church of God nor offend the minds of sobermen And onely departed from them in these particular points wherein they were fallen both from themselves in their ancient integrity and from the Apostolical Churches which were their first founders In which respect amongst some other very ancient Ceremonies the sign of the Crosse in baptisme hath been reâ—ained in this Church both by the judgement and practice of those reverend Fathers and great divines in the days of King Edward the sixth of whom some constantly suffered for the profession of the â—ruch and others being exiled in the time of Queen Mary did â—free their return in the beginning of the reign of our late dread Soverâ—ign continually defend and use same c. 3. Because indâ—ed the use of this sign in baptisme was ever accompanied here with such sufficient cautions and exceptions against all Popish superstition and erroâ—s as in the like cases are either fit or convenient The Church of England since the abolishing of Popery hath ever held and taught and so doth hold and teach that the sign of the Cross used in baptisme is no