vnder Christ their onely head XXXIX It is the office and duty of Princes Magistrates who by the ordinance of God are supreme governours vnder him over all persons and causes within their Realmes and dominions to suppresse and root out by their authoritie al false Ministeries voluntarie religions counterfeit worship of God to abolish and destroy the Idol Temples Images Altars Vestments all other monuments of Idolatry and superstition and to take and convert to their own civill vses not only the benefit of all such idolatrous buildings and monuments but also the Revenues Demeanes Lordships Possessions Gleabes and Maintenance of any false Ministeries and vnlawfull ecclesiasticall functions whatsoever within their dominions And on the other hand to stablish and mainteyn by their lawes every part of Gods word his Christian Religion pure worship and true Ministery described in his word to cherish and protect all such as are careful to worship God according to his word and to lead a godly lyfe in al peace and loyalty yea to enforce al their subjects whether Ecclesiasticall or Civil to do their dutyes to God and men protecting mainteining the good punishing and restreyning the evil according as God hath commaunded whose Lieutenants they are here on earth XL. And thus the protectioÌ„ coÌ„mandement of the Princes and Magistrates maketh it much more peaceable though no whit at all more lawfull to walke in the wayes and ordinances of Iesus Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and vurebukeable vntill his appearing in the end of the world And in this behalf therefore the brethren thus mynded and proceding as is before said are both coÌ„tinually to supplicate to God and as they may to their Princes Governors that thus vnder theÌ„ they may lead a quiet and peaceable lyfe in al godlines and honestie XLI And if God encline the Magigstrates hearts to the allowance and protection of the Church therein it ought to be accouÌ„ted a singular happy blessing of God who graÌ„teth such noursing Fathers Mothers to his Church And it behoveth al to be careful to walk worthie so great a mercy of God in all thankfulnes and obedience XLII But if God withold the Magistrates allowance furtherance herein yet must wee notwithstanding proceed together in Christian covenant coÌ„munion thus to walke in the obedience of Christ and confession of his faith and Gospel even through the middest of all tryalls afflictioÌ„s not accounting our goods lands wives children Fathers Mothers brethren sisters no nor our lives dear vnto vs so as wee may finish our course with joy remembring alwayes that we ought to obey God rather then man grounding vpon the commandement commission promise of our Saviour Christ who as he hath all power in heaven and in earth so hath also promised if we keep his commandements which hee hath given without limitation of tyme place Magistrates allowance or disallowance to be with vs vnto the end of the world and when we have finished our course and kept the faith to give vs the crown of righteousnes which is layd vp for all that love his appearing XLIII Vnto al men is to be given whatsoever is due vnto them Tributes Customes and all other such lawfull accustomed dutyes ought willingly and orderly to be payed and performed Our lands goods and bodyes to be submitted in the Lord to the Magistrates pleasure And the Magistrates themselves every way to be acknowledged reverenced and obeyed according to godlines not because of wrath onely but also for conscience sake And finally all men so to be estemed and regarded as is due and meet for their place age estate and condition XLIIII And thus we labour to giue vnto God y t which is Gods vnto Cesar that which is Cesars and vnto all men that which belongeth vnto them Endevoring our selves to have alwayes a cleare conscience towards God and towards men And having hope in God that the resurrection of the dead shal be of the just vnto life of the vnjust vnto condemnation everlasting Now if any take this to be heresie then do we with the Apostle freely confesse that after the way which they call heresie we worship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ beleeving all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets and Apostles and whatsoever is according to this rule of truth published in our owne countrey or holden by any reformed Churches in their Confessions abroad in the world We do also reiect and detest all straunge and heretical opinions doctrines of all Hereticks both old and new whatsoever XLV Finally whereas we are much slaundered and traduced as if we denyed or misliked that forme of prayer commonly called the Lords prayer we thought it needful here also coÌ„cerning it to make known that we beleev and acknowledg it to be a most absolute and most excellent forme of prayer such as no men nor Angels can set downe the like And that it was taught and appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ not that we should be tyed to the vse of those very words but that we should according to that rule make all our requests and thankesgiving vnto God forasmuch as it is a perfect forme patterne conteining in it plaine sufficient directions of prayer for all occasions necessities that have ben are or shal be to the Church of God or any member therof to the end of the world Now vnto him that is able to keep vs that woe fal 〈◊〉 and to present vs faultlesse before the presence of his glory with ioy that is to God only wise our Saviour be glory and maiestie and dominion power both now 〈◊〉 for ever Amen ¶ The heads of the differences between vs and the Church of England as it standeth at this day concerning divers corruptions of Antichrist yet remayning among them I. THat Christ the Lord hath by his last Testament given to his Church and set therein sufficient ordinary Offices with the maner of calling or Entrance Works and Maintenance for the administration of his holy things and for the sufficient ordinary instruction guydance service of his Church to the end of the world 2. That every particular Church hath like full interest power to enioy and practise all the ordinances of Christ given by him to his Church to be observed therein perpetually 3. That a true visible Church is a company of people called and separated from the world by the word of God and ioyned together by voluntarie profession of the faith of Christ in the fellowship of the Gospell And that therefore no prophane persons vnbeleevers or wicked livers may be received reteyned or câ—Ì„pelled to be members in the Church of Christ which is his body God having in all ages appointed made a separation of his people from the world before the Law vnder
Cathedrall and Parishionall Assemblies in this confusion are a strange Antichristian Ministerie and Offices and are not that Ministerie above named instituted in Christs Testament nor placed in or over his Church XXX These their Popish Offices Entrance Administration and Maintenance with their names titles privileges prerogatives also the power and rule they vsurp over and in these Ecclesiasticall assemblies over the whole Ministration and affaires therof yea one over another creating Priests citing suspeÌ„ding silencing deposing absolving excommunicating c Their confounding of Ecclesiasticall Civill jurisdiction causes and procedings in their persons Courts CoÌ„missions Visitations the Priests of lesse rule taking their Ministery from exercising it vnder them by their prescription limitation swearing Canonical obedience vnto theÌ„ administring by their devised imposed stinted popish Leitourgie c. Finally the dispensations which they vse for Plurality of benefices licences of Non residency Licences to mary and eat flesh both which with them are on certain dayes tymes forbidden c These we say are sufficient proofes of the former assertion the particulars therin being duly examined by compared to the rules of Christs Testament Not to speak here of their private Baptisme of the signe of the Crosse vsed in Baptisme of questions propounded to the infants of the Priests surplice prayer over the dead at buriall kneeling at the Lords supper and other the like popish corruptions almost infinite reteyned and allowed among them XXXI These Ecclesiastical Assemblies remayning thus in confusion bondage vnder this Antichristian Ministerie Courts Canons worship Ordinances c. without freedom and power to redresse any enormitie among them cannot be said in this confusion and subiection truly to have Christ their Prophet Priest and King neither can be in this estate whilest we judg them by the rules of Gods word estemed the true visible orderly gathered or coÌ„stituted Churches of Christ whereof the faithful may become or staÌ„d Members or have anie spirituall communion with them in their publick worship and Administration XXXII Therfore are al that will be saved bound by Gods commandement with speed to come forth of this Antichristian estate leaving the suppression of it vnto the Magistrate to whom it belongeth And all such also as have received or exercised any of these false Offices or any pretended function or Ministerie in or to this false and Antichristian constitution are willingly in Gods feare to give over aud leave those vnlawfull Offices and no longer to minister in this maner to these assemblies in this estate Neyther may any of what sort or conditioÌ„ soever give any part of their goods Lands Money or money worth to the maintenance of this false Ministerie and worship vpon any coÌ„mandement or vnder any colour whatsoever XXXIII And being come forth of this AntichristiaÌ„-estate vnto the freedom true profession of Christ besides the instructing and well guyding of their owne families they are willingly to ioyne together in Christian communion and orderly covenant and by free confession of the faith obedience of Christ to vnite themselves into peculiar visible Congregations wherin as meÌ„bers of one body wherof Christ is the only head they are to worship and serve God according to his word remeÌ„bring to keep holy the Lords day XXXIIII Then also such to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures tryed in the exercise of Prophecy attending to studie and learning may and ought by the appointment of the Congregation to prophesie according to the proportion of faith and so to teach publickly the word of God for the edification exhortation and comfort of the Church Vntill such tyme as the people be meet for and God manifest men with able gifts and fitnes to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the publick Ministerie of his Church But no Sacraments to be administred vntil the Pastors or Teachers be chosen and ordeined into their Office XXXV And then wheresoever there shall be a people fit and men furnished with meet and necessary gifts they are not onely still to continue the exercise of Prophesy aforesayd but also vpon due tryal to proceed vnto choyce and ordination of Officers for the Ministery and service of the Church according to the rule of Gods word so hold on stil to walk forward in the wayes of Christ for their mutuall edification and comfort as it shall please God to give knowledg and grace therevnto And particularly that such as be of the seed or vnder the government of any of the Church be even in their infancie received to Baptisme and made partakers of the signe of Gods covenant made with the Faithful their seed throughout all generations And that al of the Church that are of yeares and able to examine themselves dâ— communicate also in the Lords supper both men and women and in both kindeâ— bread and wine In which clements as also in the water of baptisme even after they are consecrate there is neyther transubstantiation into nor consubstantiation with the body and blood of Iesus Christ whom the heavens must conteyn vntil the time that all things be restored But they are in the ordinance of God signes and seales of Gods everlasting covenant with vs representing offring to all the receivers but exhibiting only to the true beleevers the Lord Iesus Christ al his benefits vnto righteousnes sanctification and eternal lyfe through faith in his name to the glorie and prayse of God XXXVI Thus being rightly gathered established stil proceeding in Christian coÌ„munion and obedience of the Gospell of Christ none is to separate for faults and corruptioÌ„s which may so long as the Church consisteth of mortall men will fall out arise among them even in true constituted Churches but by due order to seeke redresâ—e thereof XXXVII Such as yet see not the truth may not withstanding heare the publik doctrine and prayers of the church and with a meeknes are to bee sought by al meanes Yet none who are growen in yeares may be received into their coÌ„munion as members but such as do make confession of their faith publickly desiring to be received as members and promising to walk in the obedience of Christ. Neyther any infants but such as are the seed of the faithfull by one of the parents or vnder their education and government And further not any from one congregation to be received members in another without bringing certificate of their former estate present purpose XXXVIII And although the particular Congregations be thus distinct and severall bodies every one as a compact and knit citie in it self yet are they al to walke by one and the same rule and by all meanes convenient to have the counsel and help one of another in all needfull affaires of the Church as members of one body in the common faith
THE CONFESSION of faith of certayn English people living in exile in the Low countreyes Together with a brief note of the special heads of those things wherin we differ froÌ„ the Church of EnglaÌ„d 2 Cor. 4 13. We beleev therefore have we spoken Harmony of Confess in the preface set before it in the Name of the French Belgick Churches The Prelates Priests alway cry out that we are Hereticks Schismaticks and Sectaryes Howbeit let them know that the crime of Heresy is not to be imputed to them whose faith doth wholly rely vpon most sure grounds of the Scripture That they are not Schismaticks who entierly cleave to the true Church of God such as the Prophets Apostles do describe vnto vs Nor they to be couÌ„ted Sectaryes who embrace the truth of God which is one and alwayes like it self Reprinted in the yeare 1607. To the reverend and learned men Students of holy Scripture in the Christian Vniversities of Leyden in Holland of Sanctandrewes in Scotland of Heidelberg Geneva and other the like famous schooles of learning in the Low countreys Scotland Germany France The English people exiled in the Low couÌ„treys wish grace and peace in Iesus Christ. THis true Confession of our fayth in our iudgment wholly agreable to the sacred Scripture we here exhibit vnto al to be discussed and vnto you reverend Sirs we dedicate it for two causes First for that we know you are able in respect of your singular knowledg in the Scriptures and hope you are willing in respect of your syncere piety to convince our errours by the light of Gods word if any where we erre out of the way Secondly that this testimony of Christian faith if you also fynd it to agree with the word of truth may by you be approved eyther in silence or by writing as you shal think best It may be we shal be thought very bold that being despised of all yet doubted not to sollicite you so many and so great learned men But this we did partly at the request of others to whom we would not deny it partly with desire to have the truth through your help more defended furder spread abroad partly constreyned by our exile other calamities almost infinite partly also moved with love of our native countrey and of these wherein now we live and others else where wishing that al may walk with a right foot to the truth of ehe Gâ—sspel praying daily vnto God that the great work of restoring religion the Church decayed which he hath happily begun in these latter tymes by our Gracious Soveraigne and the other Princes of these countreyes ages his servants he would fully accomplish to the glorie of his name â—ternal salvation in Christ of his elect in al places of the earth Touching the causes which moved vs to publish this Confession of faith to forsake the Church of Eugland as now it standeth we have truly as briefly as we could related them in the Preface to the Reader hereafter following therefore thought here to omit the repetition of them The Lord Iesus alway preserve you your Vniversityes to the prayse of his name the ornament of good learning thâ— propagation maintenance of his pure Religion From Amsterdam in the low countreyes The yeare of the last patience of the saints 1598. ⧠The preface to the Christian Reader IT may seem strange vnto thee Christian Reader that any of the Englysh nation should for the truth of the Gospell be forced to forsake their native country live in exile especially in these dayes when the Gospel seemeth to have free passage florish in that land And for this cause have our exile ben hardly thought of by many and evil spoken of by some who know not as it seemeth eyther the trew estate of the Church of England or causes of our forsaking and separation from the same but hearing this sect as they call it to be every where spoken against have without all further search accounted and divulged vs as heretickes or Schismatickes at the least Yea some and such as worst might have sought the increase of our afflictions even here also if they could which thing they have both secretly and openly attempted This hath Sathan added vnto all our former sorrowes envying that we should have rest in any part of the inhabited world and therfore ceaseth not to make warre with the remnant of the womans seed which keep the comcoÌ„maundements of God and the testimony of Iesus Christ. But the Lord that brought his former Israel out of Egypt when they walked about from nation to nation from one Kingdome to an other people suffered no man to do them wrong but reproved Kinges for their sakes the same Lord yet liveth to mainteyn the right of his afflicted servantes whoÌ„ he hath severed and dayly gathereth out of the world to be vnto himself a chosen generation a royal priesthood a peculiar people Israell of God He is our hope and strength and help in troubles ready to be found he will hyde vs vnder his winges and vnder his feathers we shall be sure vntill these miseries be overpast And though we could for our partes wel have borne this rebuke of Christ in silence aud left our cause to him who iudgeth iustly al the children of men yet for the manifestation clearing of the truth of God from reproches of men and for the bringing others together with our selves to the same knowledg and fellowship off the Gospel we have thought it needfull our duty to make knowen vnto the world our vnfeyned fayth in God and loyall obedience towards our Prince and all Governers set over vs in the Lord together with the reasons of our leaving the Ministery worship and Church of England Which are not as they pretend for some few faultes corcorruptions remayning such as we acknowledg may be found in the perfectest Church on earth Neyther count wee it lawfull for any member to forsake the fellowship off the Church for blemishes and imperfections which every one according to his calling should studiously seek to cure and to exspect and further it vntill eyther there follow redresse or the disease be growe incureable the candlestick be moved out of the place But we having through Gods mercy learned to discerne betwixr the true worship of God the AntichristiaÌ„ leitourgy the true ministery of Christ AntichristiaÌ„ prelacy the ordinaÌ„ces of Christs testament Popish canons have also learned to leave the evill choose the good to forsake Babell the land of our captivitie get vs vnto Sion the mount of the Lordes holynes and place where his honour dwelleth But first we desire thee good Reader to vnderstand and mynd that we have not in any dislyke of the Civill estate and politick government in that Common wealth which we much like and love separated our selves from
that Church Neyther have we shaken of our alleageance and dutifull obedyence to our Soveraigne PRINCE the honorable Counsellers and other Magistrates set over vs but have alwayes and still do revereÌ„ce love and obey them every one in the Lord opposing our selves against all enemyes forreigne or domestical against all invasions insurrections treasons or conspiracies by whomsoever intended against the Prince and the State and are ready to adventure our lives in their defence if need require Neither have our greatest adversaryes ever ben able to attaint vs of the least disloyalty in this regard And though now we be exiled yet do we dayly pray wil for the preservation peace prosperity of our Soveraigne Prince al the dominions of that kingdome And whereas we have been accused of intrusion into the Magistrates office as going about our selves to reforme the abuses in that land it is a mere malicious calumnie which our adversaries have forged out of their own hart We have alwayes both by word practise shewed the contrary neyther ever attempted or purposed any such thing but have endevored thus only to reforme our selves and our lives according to the rule of Gods word by absteyning from al evill keeping the coÌ„mandements of Iesus leaving the suppressing and casting out of those remnants of Idolatry vnto the Magistrates to whom it belongeth And further we testify by these presents vnto all men desyre them to take knowledg heerof that we have not forsaken any poynt of the true Ancient Catholicke and Apostolike fayth professed in our land but hold the same groundes of Christian religion with them stil agreeing lykewise herein with the Dutch Scottish Germane French Helvetian and al other Christian reformed Churches round about vs whose Confessions published we cal to witnes our agreement with them in matters of greatest moment being conferred with these Articles of our sayth following The thinges then onely against which we contend which we mislike in the Eâ—glish parish assemblies are many reliquâ—s of that mâ—n of synne whom they pretend to have abandoned yet reteyned among them and with a high hand maynteyned vpholden and imposed The particulers whereof being almost infinite cannot wel of vs be set down and would be tedious and yrksome to thee good Reader But the principal heads we wil truely relate and that â—o briefly as in so large and confuse a subject we can First in the planting and constituting of their Church at the beginning of Queen Elizabets reigne they receyved at once into the body of that Church as meÌ„bers the whole land which generally then stood for the most part professed Papists who had revolted from the profession which they made in the dayes of King Edward of happy memory and shed much blood of many Christian Martyrs in Queen Maryes dayes This people yet standing in this fearful sinful state in Idolatry blyndnes superstition and all manner wickednes without any professed repentance and without the meanes thereof namely the preaching of the word going before were by force authority of Law only compelled and together received into the bosome and body of the Church their seed baptised themselves receved and compelled to the Lords supper had this ministery and service which now they vse inioyned set over theÌ„ and ever synce they and their seed remayne in this estate being all but one body commonly called the Church of England Here are none exempted or excluded be they never so prophane or wretched no Atheist adulterer thief or murderer no lyer perjurer Witch or conjurer c al are one fellowship one body one Church Now let the law of God be looked into and there wil be found that such persons are not fit stones for the Lords spiritual howse no meet members for Christs glorious body None of yeares may be received into the Church without frâ—e professed fayth repentance and submission vnto the Gospel of Christ his heavenly ordinances Neyther may any contynew there longer then they bring forth the fruyts of fayth walking as becommeth the Gospell of Christ. Christ Iesus hath called severed his servants out of and from the world How then should this confused and mixed people be esteemed the orderly gathered true planted and right constituted Church of God Secondly as they have reteyned the whole â—rout of the popish multitude without any distinctioÌ„ for meÌ„bers of their Church so have they set over them as reason was the same popish Clergie Prelacy which they receved from the Romish Apostasie and this day is to be found in the popish Churches to witt Archbs Primates Bbs. Metropolitanes Suffraganes ArchdeacoÌ„s Deanes Chauncellors Commissaries and the rest of that rable which rule and govern these assemblyes according to the Popish Canons Rites and Customes These have the power and aucthoritie in their hands to set forth Injunctions to make and depose Ministers to excommunicate both Priests and people which they do very exquisitly if they yeeld not vnto them their due homage and obedience These have both Ecclesiastical and Civil aucthoritie to reigne as Princes in the Church and live as Lords in the Common wealth to punish imprison and persecute even to death al that dare but once mutter against their vnlawfull proceedings Of these Prelates tyranny cruelty vnlawful aucthoritie the better sort both of preachers and people have cryed out and long tyme sued vnto the Prince and Parlament to have them removed out of the Church as beiâ—g the lymmes of Antichrist But not prevayling they are now content foâ— avoyding of the crosse of Christ to submit themselves their soules to this Antichrisâ—tian Hierarchie and beare the sinful yokâ— and burthen of their traditions and to reâ—ceive and carry about the dreadful and dâ—â—testable marke of the Beast vpon them Thirdly the inferiour ministery of thaâ— Church consisteth of Priests Parsons Viâ—cars Curats hired preachers or Lecturers with Clerks and other like Officers which have received their offices callings and aucthoritie from their forenamed Lords the Prelates to whom they sweare their canonical obedience and promise to performe it with alâ— reverence and submission Their office iâ— to read over the service book Bbs Decrees thereby to worship God to marry to buâ—ry to church women to visit the sick give him the Sacrament and forgive him al his sinnes if their livings or benefices as they are called amount to a certeine suÌ„me of money in the Princes booke then must they preach or get some other to preach for them fower sermons in a yeare in their parish Where also must be noted that the most part of these Priests are vtterly vnlearned and cannot preach at all whereby it commeth to passe that most of the people are as blynd as they were in the dark dayes of popery These Ministers generally aswel preachers as other live in feare servitude vnder their foresaid Lords the Bbs. For as without their licence written and sealed they
or never get out except with shipwrack of conscience vntil they be caryed forth vpon the Bere Neyther is there any care taken for their relief in this case but being cast into pryson there they are deteyned without any alloweance of meat or money for their mayntenance be their want and poverty never so great If they have any thing of their own there they are driven to spend it vp if they have nothing there they are left by the Prelates to feed on the ayre And that they may more readily be sterved or weakened in the truth they are coÌ„monly shut vp in close pryson their frends acquayntance being not suffred to come at them Nay even their wives children being kept and debarred from them by the tyranny of these bloody Prelats and their Instruments whose hard harts and vnnaturall cruelty if thou diddest vnderstand gentle Reader as many of vs haue felt and to this day yet feel it would make thy hart to bleed considering their vnmercyfull and barbarous dealing And how many soules haue perished in their prisons through miserable vsage how many have ben put to death and how many banished though we could to their eternall infamy relate to all the world yet wil we not blaze abroad their acts for we take no delight in laying opeÌ„ their shame but mourne for them in secret coÌ„mitting our cause to God that judgeth justly knowing that he that maketh inquisition for blood remembreth it and will not forget the complaint of the poore And thou Christian Reader vouch safe to remember vnto God in thy prayers such as yet remayne in bandes and pryson amongest them for the testimony of Iesus enduring a hard sight of afflictions and having the sentence of death in them selves are like if the Lord send not vnexspected deliverance there to end their dayes Concerning our selves who through the mercy of God have found a place of rest in this land for which benefyt we are alwayes and every where humbly thankfull we desyre Christian Reader thy charitable and Christian opinion of and holy prayers vnto God for vs whose kingdome we seek whose ordinances we desire to establish and obey protesting with good consciences that it is the truth of his Gospel only for which we strive against those cursed reliques of Antichristian apostasie vnto which we dare in no wise submit our selves no not for a moment For if it be not lawfull for Christians at this day to reteyn the ceremonyes of Moses Law together with the Gospel as the Passeover Circumcision the Priesthood Sacrifices c. which yet were once coÌ„manded by God himself how can we think it tollerable to observe the odious ceremonies of Antichrist or submit our selves to his lawes Priesthood Hierarchie traditions which the Lord never allowed which never entred into his heart yea which he hath so severely forbidden with fearfull judgments threatned vnto all that shal so do But because we have ben very grievously slaundred in our owne nation and the bruit thereoff hath followed vs vnto this land whereby we have ben hardly deemed of by many without cause we have ben forced at length to publysh this brief but true Confession of our fayth for the clearing of our selves from sclaunder and satisfying of many who desired to knowe the thinges we hold Wherein if in any thing we erre as who is so perfit that he erreth not we crave good Reader thy Christian brotherly censure and information promising alwayes through the grace of God to yeild vnto the truth when it shall be further shewed vs and leave our errors when by the light of his word they shal be reproved In lyke manner it shall be thy parâ— and duty to acknowledge and submytt vnto the truth by whomsoever it is professed looking alwayes rather to the preciousnes of the treasure it self then to the basenes of the vessels which conteyne it or the infirmities of those that witnes the same in whose mortall bodyes thow shalt see nothing but the markes and dying of our Lord Iesus Christ. But hold not thy fayth in respect of mens persons neyther be thow moved at the evyl reports which have ben raised of vs. Here hast thow the trew summe of our Christian saith try al thinges by the true light of Gods word and if thou shalt reap any profit by these our labours give God the glory and remember vs vnto him in thy prayers Farewell in Christ Iesus 1596. THE CONFESSION of Fayth of certaine English people living in the Low countreyes exiled VVE beleeve with the heart confesse with the mouth I. THat there is but one God one Christ one Spirit one Church onâ— truth one Faith one true Religion onâ— rule of godlines obedience for al Chriâ—â—tians in all places at all tymes to be observed II. God is a spirit whose being is 〈◊〉 himself and giveth beeing moving preservation to al other things being himself eternal most holy every way infinite in greatnes wisdome power goodnes justice truth c. In this Godhead there be three distinct persons coeternal coequal and coessential being every one of them one and the same God therfore not divided but distinguished one from another by their several and peculiar propertie The Father of whom are the other persons but he of none the Sonne begotten of the Father from everlasting the holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Sonne before all beginnings III. God hath decreed in himself from everlasting touching al things and the very least circumstances of every thing effectually to work and dispose them according to the counsel of his own will to the glory of his name And touching his chiefest creatures GOD hath in Christ before the foundation of the world according to the good pleasure of his will foreordeyned some men and Angels to eternall lyfe to be accomplished through Iesus Christ to the prayse of the glorie of his grace And hath also of old according to his just purpose foreappointed other both Angels and men to eternall condeÌ„nation to be accoÌ„plished through their own corruption and desert to the prayse of his justice IIII. In the beginning God made al things of nothing very good and created man after his own image and likenes in righteousnes and holynes of truth But streightwayes after by the subtilty of the serpent which Satan vsed as his instrument himself with his Angels having sinned before not kept their first estate but left their owne habitation first Eva then Adam being seduced did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and transgression of the coÌ„maundement of God For the which death came vpon all and reigneth over al yea even over infants also which have not synned after the like manner of the transgression of Adam that is actually Hence also it is that all since the fall of Adam are begotten in his own likenes after his image
earth a spirituall Kingdome oecoâ—nomical regiment in his Church which he hath purchased and redemed to himâ—elf as a peculiar inheritance And albeit that many hypocrites do for the time â—urke amongst them whiles the Church 〈◊〉 militant here on earth yet Christ notwithstanding by the power of his word gathereth them which be his into the body of his Church calleth them from out of the world bringeth them to his â—â—ue faith separating them froÌ„ amongst â—nbeleevers froÌ„ idolatrie false worship â—uperstition vanitie dissolute life and 〈◊〉 works of darknes c. making them â— royal Priesthood an holy nation a peoâ—le set at libertie to shew foorth the virâ—es of him that hath called them out of â—arknes into his marvelous light gatheâ—ing and vniting them together as memâ—ers of one body in his faith love and â—oly order vnto all generall and mutuâ—l dutyes through his spirit instructing and governing them by such Officers â—awes as he hath prescribed in his word â—y which Officers and Lawes he goverâ—eth his Church and by none other XVIII To this Church hee hath made the prâ—â—mises and given the seales of his Covâ—nant presence love blessing protectiâ— Here are the holy Oracles as in tâ— Arke surely kept and puerly taught Hâ— are all the fountaynes and springs of â— grace continually replenished flowiâ— forth Heer is Christ lifted vp to all Nâ—â—tions hither hee inviteth all men to â— supper his mariage feast hither ouâ—â— all men of al estates and degrees that â— knowledge him their Prophet Priest aâ— King to repayre to be enrolled amongst his houshold servants to be vnder his heavenly conduct and government to lead their lives in his walled sheepfold and watered orchard to have communion heer with the Saincts that they may be made meet to be partakers of theyr inheritance in the kingdome of God XIX And as all his servants and subjects are called hither to present their bodies and soules and to bring the gyfts God hath given them so being come they are heer by himself bestowed in their severall order peculiar place due vse being fitly compact and knit together by every joynt of help according to thâ— effectuall work in the measure of everâ— part vnto the edification of it self in lovâ— Wherevnto when he ascended vp oâ— high he gave gifts vnto men and distributed them vnto several publik function in his Church having instituted and raâ—tified to continue vnto the worlds end only this publick ordinarie ministery oâ— Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Helpers 〈◊〉 the instruction government and service of his Church XX This Ministerie is exactly descrbed distinguished limited concerning their office their calling to their office their administration of their office and their maintenance in in their office by most perfect and plaine lawes in Gods word which lawes it is not lawfull for these Ministers or for the whole Church wittingly to neglect transgresse or violate in any part nor yet to receive any other lawes brought into the Church by any person whatsoever XXI None may vsurp or execute a ministerie but such as are rightly called by the Church wherof they stand Ministers vnto such offices and in such maner as God hath prescribed in his word And being so called they ought to giue all diligence to fulfil their Ministery to be fouÌ„d faithfull and vnblameable in all things XXII This Ministerie is alike given to every Christian congregation with like and equal power and commission to have enjoy the same as God offereth fit men and meanes the same rules given to all for the election and execution thereof in all places XXIII As every Christian congregation hath power and commandement to elect and ordeine their owne Ministerie according to the rules in Gods word prescribed whilest they shall faithfully execute their office to have them in superabundant love for their worke sake to provide for them to honour them reverence them according to the dignitie of the office they execute So have they also power and commandement when anie such default eyther in their life doctrine or administration breaketh out as by the rule of the word debarreth them from or depriveth them of their Ministerie by due order to depose them from the Ministerie they exercised yea if the case so require and they remain obstinate impenitent orderly to cut them off by excommunication XXIIII Christ hath given this power to receive in or to cut of any member to the whole body together of every Christian congregation and not to any one member apart or to more members sequestred from the whole or to any other Congregation to do it for them Yet so as ech Congregation ought to vse the best help they can heervnto and the most meet member they have to pronounce the same in their publick assembly XXV Every memberâ— of each Christian congregation how excellent great or learned soever ought to be subiect to this censure judgment of Christ Yet ought not the Church without great care and due advise to proced against such publick persons XXVI As Christ hath for the keeping of this Church in holy and orderly communion placed some speciall men over the Church who by their office are to governe oversee visite watch c. So lykewise for the better keeping thereof in all places by all the members hee hath given authority and layd duty vpon them all to watch one over another XXVII Finally whilest the Ministers people thus remayne together in this holy order Christian communion ech one endevoring to do the wil of God in their calling and thus to walke to the glory of God in the obedience of faith Christ hath promised to be present with them to blesse defend them against all fraud and force of theyr enemyes so as the gates of hell shall not prevaile against theÌ„ XXVIII But when and where this holy order and diligent watch was intermitted neglected violated Antichrist that man of sinne did together with other points of Christian faith corrupt also and alter the holy ordinances offices and administrations of the Church and in stead thereof brought in and erected a strange new forged ministerie Leitourgie and government Yea and the nations kingdoms and inhabitants of the earth were made druncken with this cup of fornications and abominations and al people enforced to receive the Beasts mark and worship his image and so brought into confusion and Babylonish bondage XXIX The present Hierarchie reteyned and vsed in England of Archbs Primates Lordbps Metropolitanes Suffraganes Deanes Prebendaries Canons Peticanons ArchdeacoÌ„s Chancellors Commissaries Priests Deacons or Halfpriests Parsons Vicars Curats Hierling roving Preachers Church-wardeÌ„s Parish-clerks Also their Doctors Proctors and other Officers of their spiritual Courts as they call them together with the whole rable of the Prelats and their Servitours from and vnder them set over these