converted Thus you see the devils beginning he presently raises up controversies in the Church and also persecution without the Apostles are imprisoned but for magnifying Christ one condemned to death as a traytor an enemy to Caesar See it was the doctrine of Righteousness was opposed but Treason is charged how many Christians have played fast and loose for this cause with Christ for could they have suffered as Martyrs and had the point of Controversie been the main of their charge they would have stood it out to the last but that being but by the by and Treason or Disobedience to Powers the chief they faltered but the Apostles and Disciples through good report and evil report went on in the Work and great wonders were every day done confirming the believer and astonishing the opposer so that now in the greatest Cities of Asia Greece and Italy the Gospel is preached wherein the believers of all sorts have the same rules laid down which Christ delivered to his Apostles clearing still the righteousness of the Law but not placing Salvation in obedience to it as is manifest in all the writings of the Apostles and by them as by our Saviour urged by the Letter of the old Testament declared by the Prophets against unnatural lust idolatry coveteousness maliciousness envy murder debate deceit frowardness extortion pride boasting idleness haters of any good doers of any wrong inventors of any evil disobedience to any power ignorance breakers of Covenant without naturall affection unappeaseable merciless and that these are worthy of death he appeals to the Laws which if he meant of nature to the unconverted Gentile whose morall strictness was most admirable then surely to the converted he much more intended the Law of God given by Moses unto his people according to an everlasting Covenant being of generall necessity and convenience under the Gospel as during the Law and by those Laws he saith the offender deserved death and surely that particular cruelty was universal mercy and in and through all the writings of Scripture there is urged not onely a necessity of having but of obedience to the Law but for civil benefit not as saving but as found general in those whom God had elected as St. Paul argues strongly in shewing the nature of the Covenant with Abraham to be universal to all believers so that it was a Covenant of Faith and if I be not mistaken it is plain the Covenant is though called double yet not liable to that distinction of Works and Faith but that which was through the veil which was then upon the profession of the Law placed in the obedience onely to the Law and so called of Works was now unveiled and declared to be onely by Faith but withall evidenced that that faith which was not still working was dead and the testimony of our faith to the Church was our works and I see not but that the outward promises or promises of outward blessings are still the rewards of legal obedience and for the reward of faith I see no promises but of eternal bliss and though the faithful keep the Law yet they rest not now upon the promises of the Law but the glad tidings of the Gospel sound in their ears and they are fixed upon the Allelujahs of eternity Out of all which we may gather That the Law not only Moral but Judicial being not absolutely and necessarliy proper to the Jew onely as being either Ccermonial or alluding some way thereto was the obligation of common or civil and also of Christian equity to the whole Church believing in Christ whether Jew or Gentile which is plainly manifested through both the Testaments but now all the Ceremonial Law being Typical of Christ that was abolished so that as the shadow vanishes when the substance appeareth the proper Priestly function service sacrifice rites and all are buried and will God now leave no Rule of Faith no worship no day no order no government no maintenance Let us see the way for this First Christ taught then his Disciples then each Christian instructed one the other and upon this ariseth Sects and Divisions even in the Apostles times some were of Paul some of Apollos some of Cephas so that now what was the Church of or in a Province was or might be divided into several Congregations and that either differing in a Circumstance yet holding all the head in one Communitie of worship upon occasion and so onely a Sect or differing in opinion in things not plain but doubtful or else in matters which were counted of such value or so nighly concerning the principal points of faith that they did as it were rent from the Head and would not admit admixtion which were the producers of Schism and this was or ought to be as was at first supposed onely in heresie things or opinions inconsistent with the rules of Christianity which either did appear or it was declared would appear in Pauls time Now how doth Paul deal with these Truly what power he had concealed that he either used not or pretended not unto is not possible to judge of but what he used was according to the nature of the Covenant explained which was of faith for the works of the Law in literal obedience man may enforce obedience but Grace is the onely gift of God and therefore he onely useth the sword of the Spirit which was the Word powerful indeed in a right and skilful hand and no other he informs and labors to enlighten them that Christ was the head and if a member were divided from the Head it was no longer a member and tells them plainly that Christ was the foundation and who ever laid other however wise in the sight of the world whether of worshipping of Angels mediation by Saints abstaining from meats forbidding to marry observing of daies and all such like though they had a shew of wisdome in voluntary humility and beating down the flesh yet they were will worship the gate for Sathan to enter by and by carnal seeming wisdom to build with hay and stubble and daube with untempered morter yea to change the truth of God into a lye through the decieveableness of the flesh for these precepts of men being admitted first as explaining the will of God were then accompted helps then necessary then matter of faith and this prophesie who is so blind that hath not seen fullfilled therefore he advises to beware of vain humane wisdome or philosophy which was bewitching and tells that this mystery of iniquity began to work and would work and that there would spring Heresies yea that it was necessary but from the Gospel no one must depart no not though preached by an Angel from heaven and least the people of God should be discomforted by the afflictions and persecutions of the Apostles and other disciples and professors it is often plainly declared they must look to tread the trace which their blessed Saviour had done who was the high Priest of
your best judgements and lay out your most unwearied labours notwithstanding all discouragements either from malice envy danger or any other cause whatsoever to promote the same so far and so fast as the subject matter will bear and assuredly the blessings of Heaven will attend and follow you and your Councels otherwise be assured when God hath made use of you for a while the Lord will cast you away as others before you and your place shall no more be found for the averting of which judgement and setling this Nation and the Government of quiet and peace upon the foundation of Truth and Righteousness is the prayer of Him that zealously and faithfully endeavours and prays for the peace and happiness of the Commonwealth CHARLS GEORGE COCK The Table THe Creation of man and the end of it pag. 1 The fall ibid. The restauration ibid. How God Communicated himself to man before the fall ibid. How after the fall ibid. Gods Law given to man ibid. How that wrought ibid. Whither this extended to all men ibid. The extent of that Law p. 2 Gods Law against murder ibid. Adams and so the Patriarchs power ibid. The Law of Nature purely tends to parity ibid. The dispersion after the flood ibid. The original of it ibid. Who was then the Prince or chief ib. and p. 3 How Lands were then divided ibid. How wars began and servitude p 3. Gods choise of one peculiar Nation ibid. How the rejection of others wrought ibid. How Abraham a mighty Prince ibid. The Patriarchs sin and infidelity ibid. Gods peculiar people Bondslaves ibid. Moses what and his Judgements ibid. and p. 4 Not exemplary to our present Magistracy ibid. The first law of Moses p. 4 God rejects not Jethroes counsel c. ibid. Gods Law of the second Tables and their division ibid. and p. 8 The supplement for instruction of the people ibid. and p. 8 His successors and how chosen ibid. and p. 5 To Samuel and so to Saul ibid. Whither he and so Kings be of divine appointment ibid. God chooses David and Salomon and rejects their successors ibid. Gods special spirit ceases in hereditary Kings p. 6 The influence of good and bad Princes upon the people ibid. For sin the Prince is rooted out ibid. The Principality sold ibid. Christ expected by the Jew ibid. and how ibid. What the Patriarchs were and how the promise of outward blessings was made good to them ibid. and p. 7 The Nature of the first Covenant so called p. 7. and 8 The end of Gods Law given to man p. 8 The severity of that Law ibid. In obedience to this they placed Salvation p. 8. and 9 Whither these were the best Laws for all men p. 9 All Prophesies and Prophets related to these Laws ibid. In what condition Judea stood at Christs coming in their diversity of Doctrines and Opinions the Temple defiled yet never more outward profession and holiness p. 9. 10 Christ birth and the Manner p. 10 His obedience to the whole Law ibid. and p. 11 John a Preacher of new Doctrine yet regarded and followed by the Rulers ibid. Christs Acts and Doctrine ibid. Pharisees and Sadduces the greatest pretenders to Religion in Christs time Hypocrites p. 11 Christs Doctrine that there 's no Salvation by the workes of the Law ibid. The purity and strictness of his Doctrine ib. The liberty Christ gave on the Sabboth to and in what it lay ibid. The Jews scandal him and his Miracles ib. The inference if Judas received the last supper p. 12 How the high-Priest prophesied at Christs death ibid. The Doctrine of the Apostles the same with Christs ibid. The Apostles had the Spirit but not all alike ibid. The call of the Gentiles ibid. How manifested ibid. The Apostles not infallible in all things ibid. Whither the Gentiles ought to observe the Law of Moses ibid. Wherein the Quere rests ibid. First Quere concerning Circumcision the debate of the matter and by whom ibid. and p. 13 The sentence p. 13 The stile and phrase of it ibid. To whom directed ibid. By whom received ibid. Division and strife among the Apostles ibid. Paul circumcises Timothy after the sentence at Hierusalem ibid. Why controversies arose and God permitted them righteousness opposed Sathans wiles ibid. The spreading of the Gospel p. 14 The Apostles urge the letter of the Law called old against sin ibid. Not two Covenants viz. of works and faith But one diversly demonstrated ibid. What part of the Jews Law so called vanished with Christ what remains ibid. Sects in the Apostles times and how arising ibid. What is a Sect what a Schisme ibid. What remedy the Apostles used ibid. His Doctrine thereupon p. 15 The continuance and eternal duration of the Gospel of Christ ibid. That the professors were subject to afflictions ibid. That they ought not to be discouraged thereby ibid. Persecution of the Gospellers or Christians ibid. Hierusalem the Carcase the Romanes the Eagles to devoure it ibid. All evils charged by Heathens upon the Christians ibid. The ground arising from misinterpretation of the Christians Principles ibid. Heathens and that of the wisest witnesses to the Christians Doctrine and that in tortures p. 16 The purity of Christianity under persecution ib. Their defection in tranquillity ibid. The painfulness and contentedness of pastors ibid. Who Pastors and their duty c. ibid. Julians policy to eradicate Christianity ib. The effects ibid. Worst Emperors Christs greatest Enemies ibid. How the Gospel grew when Scriptures were burned c. ibid. The purity of Roman Pastors so called Bishops in the Primitive times ibid. Pagans eyed prosperity as the sign of Gods love ibid. God exalts Christianity to the Throne ibid. The purity of the Prince and how it wrought ibid. God now afflicts his Church with error p. 18 The spreading of it ibid. God punishes with the sword of Barbarians p. 19 Error encreases ibid. Piety of some professors converts Barbarians ibid. Pope of Rome affects the title of Oecumenical and queries the power of Emperors over them ibid. The Quere arising among Christians ibid. Britain receives the faith ibid. Bishops of Rome erect Judicatories p. 20 Gain large temporalties c. ibid. Admitted infallible ibid. Arbitrates the controversies of Princes and claimes it and upon what ground ibid. The title of the Pope and Bishop to all power ibid. The imitation of the Ceremonials and Iudicials the foundation of all errors in Church and State among Christians ibid. The Clergy encroach upon temporal Magistracy and Jurisdiction p. 21 An universal Monarchy intended with Christians ibid. How all things led on to facilitate the designe ibid. The pride of the Clergy and from what Ground p. 22 Many Laws altered in England upon the comming in of Christianity ibid. How whole Nations came to become Christians at once ibid. Popes labor to gain the right or use of Appeales from all Nations ibid. Some Princes oppose and the reason p. 22 The evil effects of this claim ibid. Especially
Christ was and laid The same the Disciples Apostles and others use and build with and upon and in the same way according as they received light which was not all at once I pray observe that they had the spirit all but all nor any of them had all the Spirit they had their portion the grace as Paul saith which was given some in one kinde some in another therefore they first apply themselves to the Jew our saviours rule while he lived was Into the Cities of the Gentiles enter you not but go you first to the lost-sheep of the house of Israel but after a time God manifests by the vision of Peter so God taught him first after by pouring the holy Ghost upon the faithful house of a Gentile that they might be baptized and now after a disputation and satisfaction from Peter of these things they that were infallible in particulars which the spirit gave them were not knowing and sometime erred in what God yet revealed but to Peter I pray note this but now freely they preach to the Gentiles and zealous Paul of a persecutor I say no more made a preacher he goes especially to the Gentiles and with much labor and travile and with many dangers preachers Christ but the Divel is as busy as may be he feared not these men who had received the holy Ghost and had abundance of the spirit he throws his stone and hath Agents enough to roll it now the Gentiles are admitted without dispute the question is if they be not bound to Moses law I finde no question of the moral the scruples are concerning the judicial and ceremonial the first question was concerning some that taught the brethren circumcision was needful to salvation this controversie which hath filled the world so called Christian so full of controversie from that time to this present day as namely whether we be saved only through the righteousness of Christ apprehended by faith or have need also as to salvation to observe the Law that by the Jew was meant of the visible law ceremonial by the Christian moral c. The wits of the world saw not then the evidence of the spirit nor would acquiesce in the resolutions of the very Apostles themselves so that the congregation at Antioch being hereby in great disturbance were enforced to send Paul and Barnabas to congregate the rest of the Apostles at Jerusalem this upon a full meeting was to receive its end and determination where being recieved of the church Apostles Elders and brethren who were called together and the matter publiquely debated before them the result of which Peter declares to the Church or multitude of believers evidencing by the letter of scripture and that of the old Testament which surely is one of Gods witnesses That the Lord in calling the Gentiles who were uncircumcised which before was the visible condition of salvation declared and testified That salvation was in Faith without any Oblation to the Law But mistake not I intend not here as if the Question were of abrogating Moses Judiciall but that Salvation was not tied to the obedience to that or the whole Law but only through the grace of the Lord Jesus which being allowed by James he gives his sentence that the believers of the Gentiles be not yet till further instruction tied up too close to the severity as their vain liberty will account it of the Jewish rigor but in those things which will cast too great an odium upon us with the Jew as participating in Idoll Sacrifices whoredome the great and ordinary delight of the Gentile and in eating any thing strangled or bloud as being a precept highly esteemed with them le ts in these write to them that they abstain to which all agreeing it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send this their resolution in letters by certain of the Church at Jerusalem together with Paul and Barnabas the stile phrase and order of which holding sorth still the pattern of Christ their Master and Teacher's meekness gentleness and lowness the Lamb dumb before the shearer and testifying their unity in Christ their head take notice of in the parts the Inscription whereof was The Apostles Elders and Brethren unto the Brethren not the Elders nor Officers but Brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia Syria Cilicia send greeting in the body Forasmuch as we have heard that certain of the Church of Jerusalem or Jews have troubled and cumbred your minds saying you must be circumcised and keep the Law to whom we gave no such commandment to testifie which we send eminent men in the faith to you for it seemed good to the holy Ghost and to us to lay no more burthen upon you then these necessary things that to the end no offence be given to the Jew you abstain from things offered to Idols bloud things strangled and from fornication from which if you keep your selves you shall do well fare you wel Here was no charging willing and commanding from the sacred Synod no Authorrity of the Church urged more then the note of intimation that what was done was by them who had received the holy Ghost The issue is also considerable for these Commissioners of the Churches both of Antioch and Jerusalem comming now to Antioch I pray consider their carriage they assemble whom the Elders or Preachers no they would not tie the people to believe implicitely therefore they assemble the multitude all the believers and there they deliver the Epistle which is read with joy for the consolation This done Satan is at work again raising strife and contention betwixt Paul and Barnabas so that they parted company wherein I pray note the children of God nay the chosen vessels yea consecrated by the actual operation of the Spirit are subject more or less to humane frailties consider further Paul after this decision of that great controversie at Jerusalem yet by and by he circumcises Timothy to give content to the blindness of the Jew and was never called to account for it either at Jerusalem or Antiochia and though himself at the same time delivered the decision of the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem to those converted to the faith of Christ in the Cities about as they travelled to establish their minds in case either the controversie concerning the Laws necessity were there raised already or might right rise afterwards by this humane Wisdom labouring to prevent a further increase of that controversie And if it be queried why they did not miraculously do it as well as heal diseases and such like Know O man that it was contrary to Gods Ordinance he appointed preaching to convert the world and miracles were Trumpets to call the people together and prepared them to receive the Word and with the Word God gave grace as he pleased and that this must be so is plain for all that saw the miracles attended not to the Word and all that did both were not
persecution was not the way to eradicate Christianity and the very heathen Emperor Julian the Apostate whose heart knew horror for it as Christs politiquest and greatest enemy sheathes the sword and works by poyson but not to the body he hinders meetings under pretext of Treasons against the State and for publique safety sets up Schools of Idolatry and forces the Christian children to be there trained or els their parents dye as Traytors Now no longer Martyrs this quailes many a courage and was a great trouble and affliction to the Church but they overcome God by prayer here was the first tryal and therefore need of the greater strength They stood in the first rankes of the bataile of the Lord Christ and they were by him fitted accordingly for the combat they under went fear of death which to us is most terrible was to them unconverted frequent and therefore contemned thus was courage by example given to them should follow there is alwaies a mystery in providence secretly fitting all things to that end the Lord determines and works still for the good of his people and this preparation I take to be against the cruelty of the second beast which was to afflict the Church after the first beast the Roman Emperors was taken away the Apostles led the dance and the holy Disciples and Martyrs of all sorts followed after and that with the same faith and constancy though through variety of Torments and the persecutions were so violent that one of the learned amongst the Ancient Pastors of Gods Church Records there was but one day in all the daies of the year which had not been defiled with the death of at least five thousand Witnesses to the truth of Christs Gospel under the ten persecutions of the heathen Emperors and this is notorious that the worst Emperors were Christians greatest enemies seldome so much the zeal for the Gods as envy at godliness and coveteousness of riches the Christians goods filling anew the empty treasury exhausted by intemperancy of the Emperors or covetize of the Courtiers who were as they ever will be like graves never satisfied and is it not strange that a crucified God witnessed by the meanest of men fishermen should be thus followed and should break forth so gloriously amid flames and furies of all sorts yea every thing that was projected to over-throw it the demolishing of the outward Temples the burnings of Scriptures made but more pure though more secret meetings otherwhere and made them get the word into their hearts and memories for it is wonderful what labor the ancient and primitive Christians took in getting the Apostles writings by heart where it could never be extinguished but they should reap a greater light by it and thus God tried his Church purged and purified it by sufferings for three hundred years and not a Bishop so called of Rome or Pastor of the Church there in all that space but either suffered persecution or died Martyrs yet even amongst those Emperors persecutors God left himself not without witness and which is most notable in the worst man and cruellest to Christians Maximinus who at last glorified the God of the Christians and by new laws gave them immunities and privilidges above other men who before were thought worse then brute beasts Trajan Antoninus and others by providence in his mercy moderated and slacked of their fury to believers but never acknowledged him as this man did though he might back-slide but this is notorious that the Pagans alwaies believed God hated or the Gods hated the Christians because they saw them afflicted judgeing eternal love still by temporal favour and now to shew and evidence his power in that also and to convince the Enemies of this truth he not only gives a respite a cessation of miseries and afflictions but to shew his power all one the suddain by unexpected waies raises up contemned Christians to Thrones and Scepters and all the grand ones of the world are but the rewards of religious purity to the true God and now the poor banished soul ship-wrackt and lost as it were is brought to a haven of rest now Churches built now who so glorious as the greatest sufferers and in these daies of tranquillity the sence of present joy did more then counterpoise the sufferings past the poor Bishops are now the Emperors fathers endowed with livings and if fame lye not The Romane Bishop stole what Constantine never gave but the Decree was not unsealed till a long time after and this is Constantines pretended donation but sure it is Constantine did highly honor all the worthy ministers of all the Churches in whom the Vertue Piety and Doctrine of Jesus our Saviour was exemplar and now there is a new face of the world and surely the Christians now think themselves very happy their Emperor a Christian the power glory riches and honor of the world theirs now peace now plenty ensue and what can their hearts desire that they enjoy not The Dragon the persecutor is now gone and what doth reason suggest Now they will serve God gloriously before the service was mean and contemptible scorned by heathens in private and secret in a private house nay Barn Stable Cave or Grot any where so they might but serve him at all to live and praise him was all they looked for they were in Aegypt in bondage before the whips of the Task-masters were upon their shoulders or at best but in the wilderness but now they enjoyed Canaan the land of rest now build the Temple hew the stones lay the foundations and erect not only chambers or lodgings for the Priests and Levites but the Singers the Porters and all the train of due and orderly service and hearts were willing to the work and then purse and hand was ready and now all on a suddain the whole world is turned Christian and all the provinces of the Romane Empire crouch under the Standard of the Cross and the highest Purple adores the woaven Coat of our Saviour and now the Pagan according to his principles worships the rising Sun Thrive Christian and I am a Christian but otherwise adue Christ and God and all But they might go far who had such excellent leaders when their Emperor and Princes shewed in their exemplary life the power of Godliness so that the difference was evident betwixt the sincerity of Christianity and the vanity of Idolatry for it s reported of the Emperor Constantine that he was not so much a Conqueror of his enemies through the power of faith as of himself all passions subjugated to the rule of his Saviour he eat to live and lived to magnifie his Saviour and knowing he could never attain the height of that perfection which his Saviour had and he aspired not unto yet as he had commanded so he imitated and made him his rule and his pattern his recreations were divine Contemplations and his private discourses betwixt God and his soul were as Paradise to his soul
divine they begin the question with the power of Calling confirming presiding in and adnulling Councels and ended in dethroning Emperors They who undertook the contest were wise and able and though they opposed a powerful yet it was a devout Emperor and shaken with homebred and intestine afflictions frequent in the decaying estate of the Empire this was heightened by what was then called zeal for Gods Altar after that branded for spiritual pride and accounted the highest step to Antichristian error opening the way to what ever followed with ease placing an especial sanctity in ordination from the Deacon to the Patriarch and so to the Pope gradually and in him not onely to primacy but supremacy so that what was before evidenced by faith and holy conversation was now solely attributed to imposition of hands this was a holy unction an indelible Character marking who were Christs God left not himself without witnesses against these growing errors in the several Ages wherein they were propounded to the world which gave some stop but one error ushering in another strengthened themselves so that at the last they shut truth out of doors But to speak of the particular errors upon the Quaeries arising among Christians First concerning the written Word of God and word in general of the written Word how we are to finde out the sense and know which is the true letter whither it may be translated and whether a fit Judge of controversie Secondly if not who concerning traditions and the way of knowing them which are Apostolical Thirdly the properties office and marks of the true Church And so Fourthly of the ground of faith upon all which with many more necessary and useful matters the whole frame of unnecessary superstitions vain sinful nay damnable doctrines arising in future time was founded I cannot at present at least intend any discussion nor may it take so well with the generality of men to have one whose study and profession was the Law though a Christian which general profession I esteem a full liberty to Quaery any so called Ecclesiastick or Church controversie but that indeed being not the main of my intention I shall apply my self to what is the scope of my undertaking in that way The God of heaven whose aid I implore shall direct my spirit The Bishops of Rome now labour an addition of believers in all Countries and not onely France and Almaine but even the remotest Ilands of Britain receive the truth the Church was to be universal there was a word of truth for it But as the Emperors and Princes of the world had by several experiences found out the best and quaintest waies of stretching their subjects purse-strings without cracking to be the gains and in-comes of sutes and controversies which being the vents either of malice in prosecution or victory in the issue and the party overthrown though miserably complaining were alwaies remediless generally unpittied for it was done by Law the rule of Justice The Bishops of Rome now begin generally to challenge to themselves not only for the honor but for the necessity of order special government by way of judicatories at first only of matters arising within the precincts of his government as Bishop of Rome but after it extended by way of supremacy the great injustice of all Princes giving colour thereto to pluck away causes from the remotest parts of the world after the Bishops had settled their powers and by them courts in any kingdom realm or nation And from particular controversie between person and person Bishop and Bishop he at last became the umpire of the controversies of Kings and by vertue of the necessity of a final appeal he gave away kingdomes as he pleased as the annals not only of Germany but of France and England do specially commemorate and now the name of universal Bishop would not suffice nor these large temporalities bestowed upon them by Princes but they seise the Cities of Romandiola Ferrara and Bononia and much more in the vacancy of the Empire nay the little Horn would not rest so contented but the Emperors oppose the Popes now produce the grounds of their actings partly from reason partly from Scripture yet both agreeing in the substance the necessity of an umpire in the Christian Churches that this absolution must rest in the Church whereof Christ was the head Peter his Vicar and the Pope his that all the kingdomes of the world were now the Lords and his Christs that he gave them to whom he would that this his Vicar was the most fit person yea the only fit if not designed for he was the common father of souls had the care of the Churches good upon him that not only all were alike to him but he bound alike to all the obligation too the Church only excepted This wrought conscientiously in many but actively in most though suspected of self-seeking in some covetize and avarice being the common error of great enjoyers especially in high and ambitious spirits whereby the Pope was not without his Champions against all opposers and as most pretenders do they did some justice extraordinary at first but when the notion of infallibility was accepted who could oppose now the Church was in its ruff and now the whole world turned religious and all Nations especially in Europe were become so great admirers of Christian profession that they erected Monasteries Frieries Nunneries and men and women were engaged on all sides all worldly obligements neglected for the service of their Saviour husbands forsaking wives and wives husbands Children and Servants leave Parents and Masters nothing so secret which confession could not unlock there was ease and plenty so that the Popes chair having so many feet it was in no great fear of falling but least the people should discern this the foundation of all is laid upon the indubitable word so called of God of which they are the sole Expositors and this by way of anology or similitude betwixt the old and new law Therefore they hold forth that as among the Priests one was cheif under the law so also under the Gospel and as the Priests so their lips must preserve knowledge as there was a bloody so here was an unbloody sacrifice and as there was a Temple so here another Church inferior Churches as the Synagogues the times of sacrifice are called Canonical hours and all the officers and offices of the Jewish frame are now brought into the Church and though acknowledged ceremonial in themselves and so passed away yet the mystery of them opened and the end relating to the service of God and his Christ now as before to God under his name Jehovah was allowed as necessary for his better service and as the glory of the second Temple was to exceed the glory of the first so the maintenance of the ministers of Christ and the outward lustre of service was to exceed it but that they might fulfill the measure of iniquity they bring in the use of
war discourage the souldier and in fine ruine them giving the King time to raise new forces at all times if they could not gain his person and this experience taught them so that after many cumbats their Armies streighted and broken in great part their full purses being profusely clean emptied for who being an English man did they think would have opposed the power of the Nation for a sole persons sake but by the just hand of God and to bring to punishment such offenders as the legal sword would never reach he inclines mens hearts to follow the King most of them yet Papists or meer formal Protestants and debaucht ones the generality of the so called Nobility Gentry and Clergy especially all in honor or that bowed to that Idol among them were also many men of very tender conscience zealous of truth and performing at least to men righteousness On the other side were at first all the vulgar all men generally eying God in his wayes of providence poor despicable creatures yet full of faith and knowledge these were of several opinions concerning God his Names Attributes Essence our Saviour the holy Spirit his service their own duty publike and private that is their duty to God and one to another But two especially were powerful in adherents The one called the Presbyterian the other the Independent the main differences twixt which I shall as far as I can here succinctly lay down not upon their nice critical distinctions as Schollars so called but in the plain way of rational difference Now truly I see no difference as to the points of faith they acknowledge both the Father Son and holy Ghost the end of the Sons mission to offer salvation to all but effect it onely to those believe on him whom he hath elected before the world began in due time calls and at last saves not for their works sake or ought in them but as he elected them not because of foresight of works but of his free grace so he saves them that good works and obedience to the Law are the outward Testimonies of a Christian but not infallible for the Law condemns no ne can perform it That Christ onely justifies They indeed seem to differ about obedience to what Law the Presbyterian having still an eye to the at least equity of the Judicials but I presume if throughly examined easie to be reconciled Their main differences then one would think might be easily determined but they are thought vast and irreconcileable and they are these First whether an outward and visible succession derivative not onely from the Doctrine of the Apostles but also from their calling so supposed is of necessity to the true Church which is really the same difference betwixt the Presbyterian and Bishop and Bishop and Papist the Papist urging it against the English reforming Bishop and so the Bishop against the present Reforming Presbyterian and the Presbyterian against the Independent so called now the plain Question hath this involved difficultie in it as I conceive That is what necessity of imposition of Hands for if it doth confer Grace an Apostolike vertue being tyed to the Successors of Bishops Priests Deacons upon that promise of Christ What ever ye bind on earth c. or I will be with you to the end of the world or inclusively from the effect of imposition That they receive the holy Ghost then it is of necessity but if it be but declarative of the designation of the person to the office of the Ministery then it is not of necessity unless specially commanded which wil also here shortly determine the business of Confimation of Infants which may seem to have warrant thus far in Christian Congregations That men and women baptized Infants and after they come to age walking blamelesly may and ought openly before the admission to the Ordinance of the Lords Supper be examined by the Pastor the Congregation or such as will present concerning the hope of their salvation which allowed to pray for the blessings of the Lord upon them and to confirm and strengthen them in this faith I believe is and will be acknowledged and duly practised in covenient time And last and in chief the Independent hold forth the particular Rights of particular Congregations that is each Congregation is subject to no other head but Christ in the things of Christ that is to govern it self according to the Scripture without any superintendencie of one or more persons or Churches so called that is Congregations of Christians The Presbyterian differs upon this as holding forth no order but introductive of an absolute confusion Now the reason of this high judgement is indeed upon very high consequences which rather the practises then the principles of the Independents declare for let the Presbyterian speak out and he saith the Independent razes the foundation of Church Government several ways and to profess the truth their Tenents tend to thus much and no more nor otherwise destroying Government or order That Rome is Mystical Babylon literally That all the Nations Provinces and Kingdoms who partake of the fornication of that spiritual Whore that is walk upon her ground-work shall partake with her in her plagues that this Cup which is in her hand all Nations at least called Christian have drunk deep of That the so called Ministry of England holding no Call but the outward or that principally and this derived from or by the corrupted Whore of Rome is no true Ministry or at least not the true Ministry That neither are the so called Lords Bishops nor the domineering Classis of Elders whether Parochial or Provincial the officers of the Church warranted in Scripture for the designation of Pastoral duty or ability That resting in the whole Church or community of believers gathered into Congregations That all of them being corrupted nay lost both in Doctrine and Discipline are to be gathered anew all that are in the Parishes though holding forth the profession of Christ yet walking clean contrary are not by the power of Baptism or that Covenant implicite that is being bound not by their own words but the confession and ingagements of others absolutely in the Church and so to have right to the Ordinances of the last Supper but that before they be received they ought to give satisfaction to the Church that is that company of believers to which they shall joyn themselves of their faith and the hope they have of their salvation and walking accordingly and these are hence justly called those of the Congregational way commonly called Independents Indeed the Presbyterian holds the same with the Bishop in every point onely the person of the Bishop as the Head or Angel of the Church is he in whom saith the Bishop the power of the Church specially rests and the great trusts of Ordination and Confirmation and so Excommunication The Presbyterians say in the Eldership The Independent in the whole Congregation It is truth these things were and are