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
misteries But what then saith he doe we think will becom of our age Wherein our vices are increased to that height that they haue scarce left for vs a place of mercie with God How litle Religion is there and that rather dissembled then true he might haue saide and that rather after mens inventions then Gods ordinances what corrupt manner c. Eusebius say more yet I haue chosen to allege him in Platinaes words to keepe malicious mindes from pretending deceite in alleadging it Men may well thinke that when with constantine there entred such a deale of peace and plentie there must needes be more corruption Theire owne Authors shew it for Baronius saith Baron in 324. art 78. 79. Constantine in the 24 yeare of his raigne ordained that the Bishops should from that time forward haue the same Priueliedges which the idolatrous Priests had enjoyed in times past They had saith he as chiefe among them Rex Sacrificulus who in solemne feasts was wont to watch and haue an eye ouer the rest They had also theire Soueraigne Pontife Pontifex Maximus Arbitrator of all questions arising among them and who can think saith he that Constantine could longe endure that these should exceede Christians in pompe and glorie He might haue saide that the Bishops of Rome could long endure it Howsoeuer this was the goodly reason of theire greatnes contrarie to that of Christ Luk. 22. the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship ouer them c. but ye shall not be so Yet Baronius sheweth the Pope and Cardinals to haue the honour in riding clothing and other things that these Pontifes had It appeares in Platina on the like of Eleutherus that the power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs was taken from the example of these pagans they were then onely held in titles of like nature but now in the power pompe and riches of them Polidor Virgil also acknowledgeth that many things haue com into the Church of Rome from the Hebrewes the ancient Romans De invent rerum l. 5. c. 1. Book of the Iubile see the Root of Romish Rites and other Pagans M. Derlincourt proueth this out of the Bishop of Mande Gratian and divers others of their owne Authors and among other things that the dignities and power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs were taken from the heathen And for theire wealth Cedrenus in his Historie saith that Constantine in the 26 and 27 yeares of his Empire laboured to pull downe the idols and to conuey theire rents and revenues to the Churches From this greatnes of dignitie and wealth there soone followed a greatnes of power and tyranie in imposing the Romish Lawes aboute supremacie worshipping of images praying to Saints single life of Priests purgatorie pardons and the like Was not Babylon fallen in all this Was not here a manifest change of Christs ordinances aboute Bishops and other things Excommunication was at first a punishment inflicted by many not of one But they haueing made one breach 2. Cor. 6. and 2. Thess 3 14. Histor of the counc of Trent l. 4. p. 331. to set vp a kinde of diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest there but as one saith the members of the Churches neglecting theire duties at last left all to the Bishops who out of ambition embraced it and the persecutions ceasing erected a tribunall which was much frequented That yet they judging honestly at the first Constantine made a Law that there should lie no appeale from the Sentences of the Bishops which authority they abusing that Law aboute 70 yeares after was revoked by Arcadius and Honorius and one made that they should not be thought to haue a court which was executed in Rome it selfe and after by Valentinian strengthened by another Law to that purpose This was not digging vp the roote of the mysterie of iniquitie by taking away this diocessan power and restoring the Eldership whereof not onely Princes but euen Clergie men were now growne ignorant but lopping the branches which after grew and spread more then euer for this power thus taken away was restored by Justinian who 500 yeares after Christ established vnto them a court and audience And after the power of Bishops greatly increased when they came to be Councellours to King and Princes and to beare offices vnder them as to be Chancellours Treasurors and the like Whereby theire Canons power traditions and Ceremonies came to be receiued with the greater authority and no man durst gainsay them were they never so superstitious popish and tyranicall All this came from theire first presumptions in not abiding in the ordinance and Wisdom of God touching the Edership as they were willed but giueâ—ng a kinde of authority and superintendencie to the Pastor or Bishop of greate cities ouer the lesser townes and all presbiters aboute them For thus Bishops by that meanes encroached from one step to another till at last the verie name of the presbiterie grew odious vnto them as it doth now to the Bishops and theire defenders in England where all proofes of it are prohibited and more carefully kept from Princes and people then any Popish Doctrine and as if they were as dangerous as the Blasphemies of Arrius and other monsters And thus blinded by ambition coueteousnes and flatterie they despise the Law of the Lord Amos. 2. and theire lies caused them to erre after which theire Fathers walked they would rather doe as theire Fathers had donne and taught then as God commaunded And thus wee see that the Lord may say vnto them Mal. 3.7 Euen from the dayes of your Fathers ye are gon away from mine ordinances and haue not kept them And which is a greater mischiefe the antiquitie of this wicked wandring is made an authority against the old and good way as against a foolerie and against all that seeke it as against Hypocrites fooles and Schismatikes By reason whereof Ier. 6.10 men talke in vaine that tell them of Gods ordinance or the new Ierusalem wherein they shall be restored they cannot hearken Behold the word of the Lord is vnto them a reproach Hos 6.12 they haue no delight in it God writeth to them the greate things of his Law but they are counted as a strange thing groundles and mad opinions worthy imprissonment banishment and what not It is a wonderfull thing that men should professe to liue in the light and obedience of the Gospel and yet like hypocrites despise it in any thing as they doe in matter of the presbiterie and those gracious promises of the new Ierusalem which are confirmed and sealed in the new Testament with the blood of the Sonne of God I confesse it is thus in many of the gentrie and commons because they are not suffred to see any proofes of it If any be not willing to see them that is worse But in the Prelates many Clergie men yea and som Princes who haue seene proofs of theese things or
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
these his doings do not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly Therefore trust ye not in lying words saying the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7.4 The Temple of the Lord are these as the English crie the church the church The church of the Lord are these Bishops and theire defenders Chap. 18.18 For the law shall not perish from the Priest nor counsell from the wise nor the word from the prophet The Lord answereth such proud men How doe ye say wee are wise and the Law of the Lord is with vs. Chap. 8 8.9 They have rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is there in them for from the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousnes from the prophet to the priest every one dealeth falsly For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people sleightlye saying peace peace when there is no peace They are wicked in these things Isa 57.21 and there is no peace to the wicked saith my God And therfore whereas som say there are still some good preachers yea som that are conformable I answer so were there in those first ages after Constantine But the zeale of these Canons and inventions did more and more take vp mens mindes and eate out the other It is true in this case as in that of riches The church hath brought forth riches dignities diocessan dominion Canons ceremonies cringes Altars masses c. The daughters have devoured the mother in Romish churches and so they will in England if God prevent it not And therefore whereas others say so long as wee may have the Gospel well preached in som parishes why should wee trouble our selves with these things I answer ought not such men to take care that the Gospell may be continued to them and theire children in that puritie simplicitie wherein it was left by the Apostles Which as ye see can not be Ier. 2.35 if those things be not reformed for they turne from the Truth yet thou saiest Because I am innocent surely his anger shall turne from me Constantius could never have spread the Arrian heresie so far as he did but by the helpe of Bishops For a Bishop beeing like a King or a Pope in his diocesse the most will out of feare or flatterie follow him as he doth the Prince or mightie favourite what ever his religion be because he can either raise him to more honour or trouble him And therfore it may be saide of the hierarchie ceremonies and ordinances and theire defenders If they be not with Christ and his kingdum in these cases they are against him Mat. 12.30 and if they gather not with him they scatter helpe the Adversaries For in these times those that are Christs seeke to get the victorie over the Beast and over his marke Some by preaching or writing Rev. 15.2 others by theire lawes and swords and others by theire professing and contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saincts others by theire praiers and other honest indeavours While on the other side Papists and popelings contend as earnestly for the observation and authority of tradâ—tions and ceremonies which is the marke of the Beast though they covering the matter call them the vnwritten word of God Bellarmin in his 4. booke of the vnwritten word of God Chap. 2 maketh three sorts of traditions 1. Divine which were spoken by Christ but not written 2 Apostolike spoken by the Apostles but not written 3. Ecclesiasticall which he saith are introduced from ancient customes by the Prelates or by the people and creepingly by the silent vnquestioning agreement of the people have gained strength of law And indeede have at one time or other beene confirmed by councels A man may here see what mischiefe followed the first vnquestioning agreement and consent of the people For of this sorte as the fountaine of all the rest is the authority of diocessan Bishops theire power in theire Courts and Canons excommunicating imprisoning c. and ruling both the ordinarie pastors and people with force and crueltie in divers things which as was shewed did creepingly by the silent and vnquestioning agreement of the people gaine the strength of law and supplanted the presbiterie ordained of God and the power of each congregation in choosing theire minister and excommunicating the refractarie and so made of none effect that law of Christ Tell the church the presbyters and people Ezech. 34.2 to 12. And then the diocessan office served not to feede the flock of God but themselves the flock became a prey to such Shepheards yea diocessan power beeing thus invented and established became a snare and net as the Prophet saide to the Priests and howse of the King For then followed theire traditions the distinction of meates Hos 5.1 the observation of holy daies feasts and fasts wearing the surplesse and more then sixe hundred yeares after Christ the latin service singing antemes by the sound of the organs setting vp of Altars bowing to them and at the name of Iesus building guilding adorning and consecrating of cathedrall churches endowing them with greate revenues signing themselves with the signe of the crosse setting vp Images in churches to a religions vse and likwise candles invocation of Saints and praying vpon beades the Popes succession in Peters chaire single life of Priests purgatorie and persecution to those that would not beleeve these the like things All which were introduced froÌ„ ancient customes by the Prelates or people and creepingly gained strength of law one after another and in short time served men for a religion the defence of the first making way for all the rest as men do now begin to perceive in England where as the hierarchie it selfe so divers of these things beeing popish are preached by Bishops and others and begin to get the strength of law and naturally to make way for the rest and indeede to serve men for a religion if God prevent it not 2. Cor. 11.3 So soone doth the Serpent through his subtiltie beguile men and corrupt theire mindes from the simplicitie that is in Christ for as wee shewed they doe not tend to edification as is pretended but to destruction seeing Bishops by them doe rule men with force and crueltie Ezech. 34.4 The word of God such observations as rightly arise from it doe truly edifie so doe the Sacraments to men that know the truth the inventions and ordinances of men haveing but a shew of godlinesse and Wisdom are but beggarly rudiments yea turne from the Truth Col. 1.23 Gal. 4.8 Tit. 1.14 And yet so things goe as if the authority of the Prelates which puts all men to silence or makes them flatter might give them the strength of Law and make men beleeve that Gods will is that they should be obeyed which is in effect to make them his vnwritten word For his will is his word But this is as the vnwritten