guilty of the body and blood of Chrâ—st as were the wretcheâ— that crucified hâ—m Also Baptisme which should be an ingraffing into Christ his death buriall and resurrection and a sâ—gne of washing away mens sinns in his blood is giuen to the seed of the vngodly blasphemers and enemies of Christ vnto whom by no right it doth apperteyn Which sacrilegious prophanation of the holy misteries sheweth a manifest contempt of Christ represented in them who as he communicateth not himselfe with such wicked persons so neyther the signes and seales of himselfe and the redemption that he wrought for his elect For by his suffring he consecrated them onely that are sanctified that by faith doe eat his flesh and drinke his â—lood the wicked which haue no portion in his death and oblation when they participate in these seales of grace doe but eat and drink iudgment to themselues the ministers which so prostitute Christ vnto the teeth of his enemies and tread vnder foot the sonne of God if they repent not shall not escape his hand whâ—ch sayd Vengeance is myne I will repay the people which by an imaginary separation are or seem to be sundred from those profane and yet communicate together in such things doe even by that action shew that they are one body with them for so it is written we that are many are one bread and one body because we all are partakers of one bread 1 Cor 10 17. This bringing of Satans seed into the church unto the alter of God may further be minded as a high degree of violating the second commandement whereby all images idols and simillitudes whatsoeuer of the Diuils or mens inuention or forming are seuerely forbidden to bee brought into Gods howse or vsed in his worship Now such images or Idols are these wicked persons For as children are the images of their parents and all faâ—thfull people called the children of God are Gods liuely images in Christ whose image and simillitude they carry himselfe being truely and properly the sole image of the invisible God his Father and they all being borne a new of him are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord being renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created them so Satans children as wicked worldlings be called in scripture are his liuely images hauing lost the first image of God wherein they were created and into the image of the Serpent are changed dayly by his spirit that ruleth in them and him they represent in his malycious nature and actions As it is sinne and so esteemed to haue images and representations of beasts of fowles of fishes c. brought into the church and worship of God so would and wel might it be esteemed more horrible if in any Christian congregation there should be brought in pictures of the Diuill or other like helish representations Yet men will not see the horror of this sinne that the liuing images and pictures of the Serpent even wicked and profane people his seed and children should be brought into the Church and worship of God to haue part and interest in Christ and his couenant whether he will or not to be offred vnto God layd vpon his alter for spiriritual sacrifices though they be much more abominable then vnclean beasts were vnder the law as the substance or figured thing is more then the figure and shadow But doubtlesse God who abhorreth all idols and religious images of humane devise and Christ who would not offer the bloody sacrifices of idolaters abhorreth this confusion of Satans images within his church neyther will the high-priest after the order of Melchisedek offer such to his Father or be priest vnto them Otherwise he should not be so faithfull in the house of God as wâ—s Aaron nor the sacrifice of the Gospel be so holy as the shadowes of the law which were vnblemished Finally all that haue Christ for their Prâ—est are by him to bring their sacrifices for their sinns vnto God that so attoÌ„emeÌ„t may be made through his intercession For every high Prâ—est is ordeyned for men in things perteyning to God that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sinnes and every man is appoynted of God to present his sacrifice by the Priest who is to make attonement for him concerning his sinne that it may be forgiuen him But the church of England in asmuch as it persisteth in sinne and will not repent of the many transgressions dayly committed in their publick worship and aâ—ministration of holy things refuseth reconciliation by him who is the high Prâ—est of good things to come and able perfectly to saue them that come vnto God by him This their impenitency appeareth not onely by their perseverance in evill doinâ— notwithstanding all the aâ—monitions and reproofs that haue sounded in theyr eares these many yeares but aboue al by their vngodly Canons constitutions made by the whole representatiue chuch of Engl and submitted vnto by the rest of the people Whereby they publish vnto all the world how they are hardned in their evils that excommunicate pâ—nish and persecute all that sâ—eak against or refuse to communicate with their people prelacie priesthood worship ceremonies c. wherein are so many sinns and idolatries For asmuch then as the publick seruice and sacrifice of this church is idolatrous the holy mysteries of Christ profaned the people vnsanctified and their sinns vnrepented of there is no word or promise in scripture that Christ is the Priest or sacrificer of such worship or worshippers Therefore the Church of England is not the true Church of God EVery true church of God hath Christ for the King thereof For of him the Father sayth I haue set my King vpon Zion my holy mountayn and he must râ—ign till he hath put all his enemies vnder his feet and shall sit vpoÌ„ the throne of Dauid vpon his kingdome to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever Isa. 9.7 But the church of England hath not Christ for the King thereof first because it hath not these officers which he hath appoynted to gouerne his church vnder him namely Pastors Teachers and Elders but in stead of them it hath the hierarchie or Prelacye of Antichrist Archbishops Lord Bishops Chaneâ—llors Archdeacons Commissaries c. who reign or tyrannize ouer the sowles of men by their vnlawfull jurisdiction ruling ouer many Churches making them constitutions and canons prescribing them words both for prayer and doctrine summoning censuring censuring excommunicating absoluing both priests and people making and deposing ministers giuing the holy Ghost excercising also civill offices in the common wealth and carying the titles both of Christ and of the Gods the Magistrates into whose places they intrude‘ hauing no warrant for their spirituall Lordships in the
Eph 4.11.12 14.15 16. 1 Cor. 12 27 28. See also Ioh 10.1 4.5 Act 20 28. Ioh. 21 15 16. But all the ministers of the church of England haue and execute the ministery of a fals church for so by the former argumeÌ„ts that church is proued Therefore they are not the true ministers of Christ and consequently not to be heard or obeyed as shepheards of our soules For the further descrying of the false ministery of this church I referr the good reader to a treatise lately published intituled Reasons and Arguments prouing that it is not lawfull to hear the Ministerie of Engl. And to an other heretofore published called A treatise of the Ministerie of the Church of England I will put enimitie between thee ô Serpent and the woman and between thy seed and her seed He shall crush thy head and thou shalt crush his heel Gen. 3.15 Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood he also Christ himselfe likewâ—ise took part of the same that through death he might abolish him that had the power of death that is the Diuil and that he might deliuer them all which foâ— fear of death all their life time were subiect to bondage Heb. 2.14 15. And there was warr in heauen Michael and his Angels warred against the Dragon the Dragon also warred his Angels but preuailed not neither was their place found any more in heauen And cast was the great Dragon that old Serpent called Diuill and Satan that deceaueth the whole world cast was he into the earth and his Angels were cast with him Reu 12.7.8 9. A BRIEF ANSWER TO Mr BERNARDS BOOK INTIâ—VLED The Separatiâ—ts Scâ—isme WHen the former treatise was almost finished among other aduersaries Mr Bernard commeth forth to fight against the truth which but a while since he would needs seem to fauour but things not succeeding to his exspeâ—tation he hath changed his loue into hatred And in the bitternes of his zele he haâ—h sent out a treatise conteyning Disswasions from the practise of the Gospel which he pleaseth to call The separatists schisme or Brownisme Though in his book ther be little weight of reason or truth to be seen nor any thing which may grealy trouble a discreet reader who is but meanely acquainted without cause yet both for the stopping of the mans mouth if it may be who maketh huy and crie after some of vs as in his Prooeme to the reader he proclaymeth and for help of the simple who may be offended at the truth not discerning his frawd I thought it needful to obserue and answer briefly the principall things by him obiected many of which are before in this treatise and in other books more largely refuted and all of â—hem may if need require hereafter by some other be particularly refelled Herein now the Lord giue me wisdom to discouer this adversaries falsehood and thee good reader vnderstanding to discerne it Of his PROBABILITIES THE first meanes whereby Mr BERNARD would disswade from the truth which he calleth Brownisme are Probabilities or likâ—lihoods that the way is not good and they are in number as himselfe hath cast them seuen 1. The Novelty of it 2. The agreement thereof with ancient schismatiks 3. The ill meanes by which it is mayteyned namely by abuse of scripture deceauable reasonning 4. The want of approbation of the reformed Churches 5. The condeâ—nation thereof by all their Diuines vidz of the church of England 6. Gods iudgment against it 7. The â—ll successâ— it hath had Such lâ—kelihoods as these the Papists heretofore with as much colour and truth haue alleged against the church of England heathens and enemies haue in former ages obiected the lâ—ke things to the church of Christ and Mr Ber. speaketh but that which hath been spoken before him fulfillâ—ng the measâ—re of his forefathers But to the particulars The Novâ—lty he maketh to be in differing from all the best reformed churches in Christendome But if a Papist had to deal with him he would bring those reformed churches also within the câ—mpasse of Novelâ—y and then Mr Bern. would flee as his brethren before him haue done to the scriptures for antiquity as he would answer a Papist so wâ—ll I answer him let the scriptures speak for the differences between other churches and vs. But here Mr Bern. is mute and medleth not with thâ—s controversie he thought belike the very name of Noveltie and of the reformed churches would fray the simple If it be Nouelty to differ from the reformed churches then may he blame his own church â—f Engl. more then vs seing it differeth from those churches in mâ—e and weightier poynts then we doe yea it hateth persecuteth sileÌ„ceth excommunicateth those ministers people that stand vp plead for such things as the reformed churches haue and practise Agayn these churches haue reiected and writen against many of the Antichrâ—stian enormities that are now in England So if it be likely we are not in the truth because we dâ—ffer from the churches in few things it is more likely Mr Bern. and his brethren are not in the truth because they differ from them in many Wherefore let him first pull the beam out of his own eye Agayn where he standeth vpon the hard words which some of vs haue vttered of the Presbytery c. if he had not an evill and partial eye he mought haue seen many moe hard reproachful words vsed by his right reverend Fathers and fellow priests against the Presbytery and discipline which the reformed churches haue and the reforming ministers of Engl. would haue That still his weapon entreth into his own bowels His 2 likelihood he maketh to be our agreement with ancient schismatiks yet any poynts wherein we agree with them in evill he nameth not much leâ—â—e proueth but referreth us to Mr Giffords paynes herein who had long since his answer by Mr Greenwood to every particular of that his pretended consimillitude between the Donatists and vs to which answer I râ—ferr the reader Agayn this obiection is such as the Papists make against the church of England for so N. D. compareth Protesâ—â—nts with Donatists and let vs see what answer the Priests of England can make for themselues that will not as well if not better clear vs And to come a little neare to this oâ—r aduersary we could pâ—t Mr Ber. in mind of his own wayes wherein he might see himselfe more like a schismatik then any of vs for we openly professe our departure frâ—m the châ—rch of England as from a false church so proued by evident groâ—nds out of Gâ—ds word whereas Mr Bernard holding it to be a true châ—rch abâ—ding in it yet he and a hundred with him made not long since a pretended coâ—enant togâ—ther whereby they separated from the vnpreaching ministers and all that hate to be reformed Yet are those reaâ—ing priests of as â—ood authority by the Lawes and Canons of that Church as
of state professors that follow the Emperours religions that they worship not God but the purple robe that is the authority and persons of Prâ—nces Moreouer the church of England hath not Christ for their Mediator because they cannot come vnto God by him nor haue assurance by faith that he maketh intercession for them for that they offer vnto God a worship or seruice which themselues haue made and taken by imâ—tation out of Antâ—christs Massebook which Leitâ—rgie or Diuine seruâ—ce hauing in it also many erroneous superstitious and idolatrous ordiâ—ances rites and ceremonies being not required of God nor warrantable by Christs testament they read out of their book dayly in theâ—r aâ—semblies and offer or obtrude â—t vpon God By meanes whereof they also extinguish the true way of calling vpon God by the help of his spâ—rit as the Apostle teacheth and bring in a fleshly and dead kind of seruice reading other mens words instead of their own praying and calling on the name of the Lord. Which humane devise is contrary to the second commandement that forbiddeth vs to make or submit vnto any similitude or likenes of any thing in heauen earth or vnder the earth in matters concerning the worshâ—p of God And it being against the old couenant or testament which Christ hath confirmed vnto euery â—od and 〈◊〉 against the new testament also which calleth vs vnto a worship of God in spirit and truth hath no promise to be sanctified by Christs Medâ—ation who sanctifieth no idols nor idol seruice or false worshiâ— but contrariweise hath testified their offrings of blood will I not offer nor by make mention of their names with my lipps For asmuch then as the people which worshippeth is not the called iustified sanctâ—fied peâ—ple of Gâ—d but an vnlawfull câ—mmixture 〈◊〉 fall sorts of â—ersâ—ns and forasmuch as the worship it self which they read with and before â—he holy bible and thrust vpon God whither he like it or not is a false dead and vayne inuented worship of their own not commanded of God not iustifiable by his word it cannot be by the doctrine of the scripture or a any promâ—ses therein that Christ should be Mediator for such worship or worshippâ—rs or put any odours vnto such prayers Therâ—fore the church of England is not the true church of God EVery true church of God hath Christ for the Prophet of the same For of 〈◊〉 it is written I will raise them vp a Prophet from among thâ—ir brethren c. and every person which shal not hear that Prophet shal be desered 〈◊〉 the people Dâ—ut 18.18 Act 3 23. But thâ—â—hurch of England hath not Christ for the Prophet of the same Because it hath neyther himself in his own person to teach them for he is now in heaâ—en and there must be vntill the time that all things be restored neyther hath it his appoynted ordinanâ—e of teaching by prophesie or office which if it had Christ were the Prophet of the same as himself sayd if I send any he that receiueth him receiueth me The church of England hâ—th not Christs ordinance of prophesie without office for it is vnknowen vnpractised and vnsufferable among them for priuate men to preach in their aâ—â—emblies they must be ministers allowed by the Ordinary els it is punishable by the law of their church though by the law of Christ all men may prophesie in his church which is to speake to edifying to exhortation and to comfort and all men are exhorted to couet this mâ—re then other spirituall gifts 1. Cor. 14 vers 31.3.1.39 Neyther hath the châ—rch of England Christs appoynted officers to teach which are set down in scripture to be these Apostles Prophets Euangelists Pastors and Teachers Ephe 4.11 Of which the first three serued for the first publishing of the gâ—spel throughout the world the latter two continue stâ—ll vnto the worlds end but in stead of these it hath the hierarchie and ministery of Antichrist to teach the same namely Metropolitan Archbishops Lord Bishâ—ps Deanes c. Priests and Deacons which is none of Christs Ministery eyther in name office calling administration or mayntenance but the very ministery of the man of sinne as he left it in the land and as is to be seen at this day in Rome and other his dominions and in the lawes and canons of the popish church wher ar all the offices that now be in England Thus hauing not the ministery giuen of Christ but a different ministery giuen of Antichrist it followeth also by proportion from Christs words saying he that receiueth him that I send receiueth me and he that receiueth me receiueth him that sent me that the church of England receiuing such as Antichrist the Pope did send hath receiued Antichrist himselfe and so hath intertayned him for their Prophet and not Christ. Now where it is obiected that there are many excellent truthes publikly taught in this church and by this ministery of England it is answered that is not yenough vnlesse it were taught in and according to the ordinance of God For false Prophets teach much truth as is to be seen among Papists Anabaptists Arians and other like heretiks And as the morall good works which heathens doe in honouring their parents and Magistrates giuing almose absteyning from and punishing murder adultery theft c. are not inded good works according to christian religion because they are not done in obedience to Gods word by persons that are called iustified and sanctified by that word and so not done in faith and consequently cannot please God even so the theologicall works which Antichristians doe in preaching the truth praying ministring the sacraments c. are not indeed works pleasing vnto God because they are not done by persons that please him for alwayes the man must be accepted before his work can be and such persons please him not as without his calling and sending presume to administer his holy things It is not therefore the work but the word of God that sanctifieth the work which we must look vnto for as by this the vertuous heroik and religious acts of the Patrâ—archs and other holy men differ from the like acts of Pagans and infidels so also by this the difference iâ— to be put between the works and administrations of trâ—e and false Christians And seing the ministers of England are not by Christ called and sent as the better sort of themselues heretofore haue confessed so haue not his word to warrant their administration whatsoeuer good doctrine they teach it proues them no more to be true ministers then the excellent doctrines and prophesies of the soothsayer Balaam will proue him to be a true minister of God or that the Moabites or Madianites hauing him to sacrifice prophesie and teach among them had an ordinance or prophet of God See Deut. 18 10.11.14.15 c. Agayn Christ is not the Prophet of this
23 e 1 Cor. 3 2â— f 1 Pet. 5 8.9 g Eph 6 12. h Iob. 11 19 16.33 i 1 Pet 2.11 k Rom. 8 38 39 l Reu. 1 6. m Reu 5 10 n 2. Tiâ— 2 12. Iâ—h 17.24 1 Thâ—s 4.17 o, â—lat 28.19 Rom 16 26. p Phil 3 9 q Rom 5.19 r 1 Iâ—h 1 7 s Gal 3 13 t Rom. 5 10 u Gal. 3 9.14 x Rom 3.25 30. and 4.4 25. y Rom. 6 5. z vers 6 a vers 4. b Eph. 4.22 24. Col. 3.10 c Eph. 2 21. Rom 12 4 5. d 1 Cor. 12.4 8 9 11 12.13 Eph. 4.4 5 15.16 a Eph 3 15 b, 1 Pet. 5 9 c, Eph 4 5. d, 1 Cor. 8 6 12.4 5 c. Eph 2 â—8 4.4 5 6 e, Gal. 4 26 f, Ioh 17 21. g, Cor 11 13. g, 1 Cor. 14 33 h, Reu 1.11 i, Act. 2 41 4â— 47. and. 5.13 Heb 10.25 k, 1 Cor 5 4 l Mat. 18 20 m, 1 Cor. 11 2â— 33 54 q Exo. 20 24. Mat 18 20 Isa 4.5 r 1 Cor 3.22 23 â— 7 30. c Reu 2. 3. s Act 20 17.28 Phil 1 Pâ—t 5 1 3. t Col. â— â—8 1 Cor 8 6 12 5. a Act 2 3â— b Rom 10 17. Eph. 1 13 c Aâ—t 2 38.41 8 37 d Exod 19 5 8. 2 Chron 34 1 12 Luk. â— 17 Ioh 1 26. Rom 1 5. Mic 4 5. e Gal. 3 2â— f Gen 17 7 1 Cor 7 14 g Colos. 1 28. 3 16 h Rom 15. â— c. 1 Gal 6 1 Leuit 19 17 k â— Thes 5 14. l Mar â— 7 2 Cor 6 14 c Reu 2 27. 22 15 Isa. 31 8 9 Zach 14 21 m Mat. 18.17 1 Cor 5 5 12.13 Tit 3 10 Num 15 30 31. n Ioh. 17 â—0 c. o 1 Cor 14 36 p Mat 28.19.20 q Gal 5 r Song 1 6 Act 2 41 47 Deut â—â— 5 c. Exod 20.24 s 〈…〉 19.1 Mat. â—2 14 t Cor 10.5 c Act. 20.30 u Gal. 6.3 4.5 x â— Tim. â— 19 y Rom. 8.16 2 Cor. 13.5 1. Ioh. 3 14.19 c. a Maâ— 22.39.1 Cor. 13 5.7 b 1. Cor. 4 5 c, Râ—u 22 12. d Act 20 30 2 Pet 2 â— 2 1 Cor 11 19 e Reu 2 16 22 f 1 Cor 5 1 2 13. g Iosh 22 18. h Isa 24.5 6 i Eze 23.18 k Ier. 3 8 l Reu. 18 4 m Reu 2 5. n Eph. â—â— 32. 1 Cor 6 17 o Mat 11 25.27 Gal. 1 15 16 1 Cor 2.7 8 p Sâ—ng 1.6 1 Cor 2 10 11. r Act 24 5 14 28.22 s 1 Cor 2 14 t Iude vers 19. a Reu 17 4 18. Prou 7.14.16 b Ier. 18.18 1. King 22 24 2 King 12 28 33 c Dan. 11 31 Lam. 1.4 c. d Act 12 2 3 e Act 8 1 Heb â—1 37 38. f Iohn 3 27 Heb 5 4. g 2 Tim 2 9 h, Iam 1 21 i, 1 Pet 1 23 25. k, Phi. 2.16 l 1 The 5.11 m Mat 18.20 m Colos 1.18 n Gal. 3.28 o Deut. 32 47. Ioh 5.25 p Gal. 4.6.1 Cor 2 12 q Eze 37 1 2 6.10 c. a Reu 9 11 b Heb 6 1 Mar. 1.15 c Eph. 2.8 d Rom. 10 17. e Psa 110 3 Act 2 41 Gen. 9 27. f 1 Ioh 3 10 Ioh. 8 44 a 2 Cor 6 15. b Num. 19.22 2 Cor 6.17.18 d 1 Ioh 3.10 e Gen 3.15 f 1 Iâ—h 3 8. Heb 2 14. g Gen. 3 15 h. Ioh 8 44 i Psa 139 21 22. k Psa 26 5 l Psa. 101 8 Zach 11 8. a Reu 19.11.14 b ver 18. c ver 20. d Col 2 19. f 1 Tim 2 5 g 1 Ioh. 2 1 h Ier 31 â—3 Heb. 8 10. i ver 34. k Heb 8 6. l Heb 9 15. a Ier 31 33 b Eze. 36 25 26 27 28 c Tit 2 11 12 d Ier. 31 3â— e eanons in anno 1603 See also before pag. 56 f Heb 6 1. g Heb 8 10 h 2 Cor 6 16. vers 17. k As in the former argument is shewed l Ioh. 17 9 16. a Exoâ— 19. Deut. 26 1â— 18. b 1 Cor 6 17 Ioh. 4.24 c Psa 110.3 d Acts 41 e Non Deum sed our puram coluisse Socrat hist. eccles l 3. c 1. f Rom 8 26. Exod. 20 g Mat 5.17.18 19 h Ioh. 4.24 Phil. 1.3 i Psal 16.4 a Rev. 8.3 b Act 3 21. c Rom 12.6 7 d Ioh 13.20 See for this point of the ministery of EnglaÌ„d an other treatise purposely handling this argument intiled ReasoÌ„s c. shewing that it is not lawful to hear the Ministery of England c Ioh 13 20 a Heb 11.6 b Gen 4 4 5 Heb 11.4 c Heb 5 4. d Rom 10 15 e Num. 23 f Thâ—se things are more particularly manifested in other treatises as Diâ—câ—u of the false Ch. Refut of Mr Gifford And by the Ministers theÌ„selues See among other The Abridgement of the book which the Ministers of Lincolnsh deliuered to his Maiesty printed 1605 g, See their own confes before pag 35 h See befor pag 56 a Isâ— 1 â—â— 1 1â— â— 13 c. b 2 Chro. 15 3 c Eze 43.8 d Mat 15.9 e Isa. 43 10 f 2 Cor 4.13 g, Mat. 28.20 h Phil 2 16 i, Rom 15 14. k Leuit 19 17. Luk 7.3 l Mat 18 16.17 m Ioh 17 17 Ioh 8 32 o, 1 Cor 7 23 a Heb 13.5 Psal. 69 30.31 b Psa 16.4 c Exo. 20 4 5. Lev. 18.3.4 d Rom 12 1 e Ezek 36 38. f Rom 15.16 Isa 66 20. g pag 74. h See befâ—re pag 2. i 1 Cor 11 24.26 k verse 27 l Rom 6 3.4.5 m Act 22 16 1 Ioh 1.7 a Hâ—b 10 14 b Ioh 6 53.35 c Heb 10.29 30. d Gen 5 3. e Deut 14.1 f RoÌ„ 8.29 g Col 1.15 h 2 Cor 3.18 i Col. 3.10 k Gen 1 27 l Act 10.11 12.28 Leuit. 11 m Esa 16 4 a Leu. 22.19 20. b Heb. 5.1 c Leu 17 5 d Leu 4 26 e Heb 9 11 f Heb 7.25 g Psal 2.6 h 1 Cor 15 24. i Eph. 4 11 1â— 1 Tim. 5.17 a Psa 82.6 b Rom. 6 6 c. c Mat 18.15 16 c. d 1 Cor 5.4 5.12.13 e Ioh 18.36 f Reu. 21.27 g Mar 1 15 h Mat 5 3 c. i Luk 11 17 k Dan 7 14 l Luk 1 32 33. m 2 Sam 23 5 n verse 6 â— a Ioh. 8.32 b Reu. 1 6. c Rom. 13.3 c d Ier. 51.6 e Deut. 5 7 8.9 c f 2 Tim 3 12 g Gal. 5 1. h Psa 110.1 h Psa 110.1 i Rom 6.14 22. k Rom 6.16 1 Liklihood a See Kelli sons Survey of the new râ—ligiâ—n 1 bâ—ok chap 1 5 2 book c. 2. Likeliehood b The three coÌ„uâ—rsioÌ„s of Engl. parâ— 2 c. 12 s. 19 c. Constit Can. eccles 1603. Can 9. â— Likeliehood a Kellis Suruey 1. book chap 5 a pag 55. b 1 Pet 1.1 4 Likelihod Pag. 9. â—7 51.
Testament of Christ. Secondly because this church hath not the Lawes and statutes of Christ for to gouerne the same for although they haue the holy Bible among them yet are not the ordinances therein written practised or suffred to be practised in these assemblyes As for an instance the way and meanes which Christ hath appoynted for repressing of sin that enemy which his scepter alway beateth down namely first priuate admonâ—tion Secondly with witnesses Thirdly by telling the Church and then if the sinner be not reclaymed casting him out or deliuering him to Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ giuen to euery congregation this holy and orderly walking is vnknowen this power is wanting in all these Parishes who cannot excommunicate any person be he neuer so profane wicked or blasphemous But contrariweise â—ll must repayr to the Bishops Chancellors or Commissaries courts where things are handled and judged according to their own lawes and canons and not by the rules of Christ. Thirdly because the people of this church were and are euen by the confession of our aduersariâ—s of all sorts of people as well wicked as Godly and sins of al sorts doe abound and reign among them that if the good lawes of the common wealth did not repreâ—se them there would be no liuing in peace among them Such profane worldly people are not the subiects of Christ his kingdome is not of the world neyther is it for the open wicked but for the repentant and beleeuing for the poor in spirit the meek the merciful the persecuted for rightiousneâ— sake not for persecuters haters coÌ„temners of the truth If thus it should be then were Christs kingdome diuided in against it selfe and so could not endure be perpetuall as the scripture sayth it shal be For both by the oracle of God Gen 3 and by experience we learne and see there is continuall warr between the womans seed and the serpents Christians and the Antichristians the children of God and the children of Belial or impiety so that the hauing of such sinfull in the church is the bane and ruine of Christs kingdome and religion The couenant made with the howse of Dauid on whose throne Christ sitteth for euer is an euerlasting couenaÌ„t perfit in all poynts sure but the wicked shal be every one as thornes thrust away because they cannot be taken with hands but the man that shall touch them must be defended with yron and with the shaft of a spear and they shall be burnt with fyre in the same place Finally this Church wanteth Christs power agaynst Syn Satan and â—ntichrist if any would deal against sinne and synners he hath no wâ—y but by complaint to the Antichristian spirituall courts for the ciuill magistrate punisheth civilly and not with ecclesiasticall censure which is the power and scepter whereof we speak and if those courts refuse to censure the sinner as they seldome cast out any except it be for wel doing or not appearing at their Summons there is no redresse of any evil among them As for ecclesiasticall matters and the many abuses and abominations that are in the church ministery worship ceremonies c. the Priests and people of the parishes are in bondage to the Prelates in seruile subjection to theyr vngodly decrees censures and cursing Canons no spirituall Christian power haue they against this tyranny but are fayn to seek to the arme of flesh the Prince and Parliament for redresse who if they refuse or neglect to help them then remayn they vnder the Prelates Antichristian yoke still as hath now appeared by their practise these many yeares But if they had Christ for their King his truth his word would make them free he would make them also Kings and Priests vnto God his Father that howsoeuer the supressing abolishing of this vnruly hierarchie with their many abominations is to be left vnto the Magistrate who onely hath power from God to execute this vengeance yet every man should deliuer his own sowl absteyning from errour false worship superstition popish thraldome all other evill whatsoeuer though with affliction bonds banishment c. and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free without yoke of thraldome For he will reign in the midds of his enemies Satan and sinne he hath subdued as for himselfe so for all his people and subiects whome he hath redeemed out of all Satanean and Balylonian bondage that sinne should reign no more over them But if they forsak this fredom take vpoÌ„ them th' yoke of Antichrist his seruaÌ„ts they ar to whom they obey Which this church doing to the Antichristian Prelates whome they acknowledge for their spirituall Lords receiuing and obeying their hests and canons reteyning and nourishing such as be enemyes and rebells against Christ and remayning in spirituall bondage cannot be sayd to haue Christ for theyr King and Lawgiuer Therefore the Church of England is not the true Church of God THE summe of all that which hath beene sayd is this That Church which hath not Christ for th' Head Mediator Prophet Priest King of the same hath not God his Father for God of the same because the Father and the sonne are one Ioh. 10 â—0 and whosoeuer hath not the Sonne hath not the Father 1 Ioh. 2 23.3 Ioh 9. But the Church of England hath not Christ for the head Mediator Prophet Priest or King of th' same as by the former Arguments hath ben proued Wherefore it hath not God the Father for God of the same and consequently is not his Church THat church which is not the true church of Christ and of God ought not by any true Christian to be continued or communicated with but must be forsaken separated from a true church of God sought and ioyned vnto wher Christ and saluation by him may vndoubtedly be had Because we are willed to absteyn and separate from the false church 2 Cor 6 1â— 17 Reu. 18 4 Hos 4.15 Isa. 48 20. Ier 51.45 Zach. 2.6 7 1 Cor 10.20 1 c. We are willed also to seek and ioyne vnto a true church Deut. 12 5 Song 1.6 Ier 50 4 5. Isa 65 9. Psal. 26 5.6 87 2 5 6 Act 2 47. But the church of Engl. is before proued not to be the true church of Christ and of God Therefore it ought to be separated from a true church sought for and ioyned to of such as would be saued THose Ministers which haue and execute the ministery of a fals church are not the true ministers of Christ consequently not to be heard or obeyed as shepheards of our sowles Because the ministery of a false church must needs be false also seing the church hauing no interest in Christ can haue no interest in a Christian ministery Besides Christ hath giuen his ministery to his own church onely