Ministers of Christ or of the State A. 2 Cor. 11.23 Are they Ministers of Christ I speake as a fool I am more 1 Cor. 4.1 Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the mysteries of God Col. 4.17 Q. But ought not Ministers to be of some other calling beside must not they necessarily worke at some trade on the week dayes and preach on the Lord's day A. No. 1 Cor. 9.6 Or I only and Barnabas have not we power to forbear working Matth. 4.20 And they straight way left their nets and so followed him So vers 22. And they immediatly left the ship and their father and followed him Q. If Ministers doe not work c. How shall they live or be maintained A. 1 Cor. 9.13 14. Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the Temple and they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospell should live of the Gospel 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour especially they who labour in the word and Doctrine For the Scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the Oxe that treadeth out the corne and the Labourer is worthy of his reward Q. What may ministers take wages or hire for their preaching A. Mat. Yes 10.9 10. Provide neither gold nor silver nor brasse in your purses nor skrip for your journey neither two coates neither shooes nor yet staves for the workman is worthy of his meat 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service 2 King 8.9 So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him even of every good thing of Damascus fourty Camels burden came stood before him c. 1 Cor. 9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof or who feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock Q. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever receive any thing while he went up and down preaching A. Yes Luk. 8.3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's Steward and many others which ministred unto him of their substance Q. Did the Church of old ordaine officers with Fasting Prayer and Imposition of hands A. Yes Act. 6.3 5 6. Wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost and wisedome whom we may appoint over this businesse And the saying pleased the whole multitude and they chose Stephen a man full of faith and of the holy Ghost and Philip c. whom they set before the Apostles and when they had prayed they laid their hands on them 1 Tim. 4.14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery So chap. 5.22 Lay hands suddenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sinnes 2 Tim. 1.6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee by the putting on of my hands Q. Did the Apostle Paul labour in his calling alwaies and in all places preach gratis or did he take hire or wages of some Churches although he preached freely among the Corinthians A. 2 Cor. 11.8 I robbed other Churches taking wages of them to doe you service Q. Was that commandement of Christ to the Apostles Mat. 10.9 10. only temporary or perpetuall was it only for the first expedition and afterwards reversed by the same power that made it A. Yea. Lu. 22.35 36. And he said unto them when I sent you without purse skrip shooes lacked ye any thing And they said Nothing Then said he unto them But now he that hath a purse let him take it and likewise his scrip and he that hath no sword let him sell his garment and buy one Q. How did godly ones of old carry themselves to the Prophets of the Lord A. 1 King 18.3 4. Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly For it was so when Jezebel cut off the Prophets of the Lord that Obadiah took an 100 Prophets and hid them by fifty in a cave and fed them with bread and water Q. How did Idolaters carry themselves to their Priests A. 1 King 18.19 Now therefore send and gather to me all Israel unto Mount Carmel and the Prophets of Baal 450 and the Prophets of the groves 400 which eate at Jezebels table Q. Did God provide for those that fed any of his Prophets A. Yes 1 King 17.15 16. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah and she and he and her house did eat many dayes and the barrel of meale wasted not neither did the cruse of oyle faile according to the word of the Lord which he spake by Elijah Q. Was it the custome of the Nations in extremity to sell the Priest's portion A No. Gen. 47.22 Only the land of the Priests bought he not for the Priests had a portion assigned them of Pharaoh and did eat their portion which Pharaoh gave them wherefore they sold not their lands Q. How did the Saints of the new Testamēt entertaine the Preachers of the Gosple A. Gal. 4.14 15. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not nor rejected but received me as an Angel of God even as Christ Jesus I beare you record that if it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes have given them unto me Q. Were tithes ever given or received any other way then by vertue of the Leviticall law A. Yes He. 7.1 2 9. For this Melcheisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all And as I may so say Levi also who receiveth tithes payd tithes in Abraham Q. May a Son or Daughter of Abraham without sinne pay tithes or shall not a man subject his neck to the yoke of legal ceremonies in case he pay tithes A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck c. Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things Q. Were tithes first paid to the Priesthood of Aaron or to him of whose order Christ was a Priest A. Heb. 7.1 2. For this Melchisedeck King of Salem Priest of the most high God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings and blessed him to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all Heb. 5.5 6. Q. Suppose a man think himselfe not bound by the law of God or man may a man lawfully pay that from which he is free by right provided that he be not bound by oath to the contrary A. Mat. 17.25 26 27. What thinkest thou Simon of whom doe the Kings of the earth take custome or tribute of their own
9.7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges Q. May they plunder and carve for themselves what they please A. No. Luk. 3.14 And he said unto them doe violence to no man and be content with your wages Q. When Abraham by God's blessing on his sword delivered the oppressed and them who were carried captive namely his Nephew Lot and the King of Sodome c. their persons and goods did he seise all for himselfe and Souldiers as their own by right of conquest A. No. Gen. 14.21 22 23 24. And the King of Sodome said to Abraham give me the persons and take the goods to thy selfe And Abram said to the King of Sodome I have lift up my hand unto the Lord the most high God the possessour of heaven and earth that I will not take from thee a thread even to a shoo-latchet that I will not take any thing that is thine lest thou shouldest say I have made Abram rich save only that which the young men have eaten and the portion of the men which went with me Aner Eshcol and Mamre let them take their portion Q. How did the people of God the Jewes when they stood for their lives and slew thousands of their enemies in the dayes of King Ahasuerus did they take all they could get for themselves A. No Esth 9.10 16. The ten sons of Haman the Son of Hammedatha the Jewes enemy slew they but on the spoile laid they not their hand But the other Jewes that were in the King's provinces gathered themselves together and stood for their lives and had rest from their enemies and slew of their foes 75 000 but they layd not their hands on the prey See also vers 15. but on the prey they laid not their hand Q. Ought not those whose lives and goods are saved to reward the instruments of their deliverance who have jeoparded their lives for them in the high places of the field A. Yes Gen. 14.21 24. And the King of Sodom said unto Abraham Give me the persons and take the goods to thy selfe Save only that which the young men have eaten and the portion of the men which went with me Aner Eshcol and Mamre let them take their portion Q. May we put all to the sword who shall be taken in war A. 2 King 6.22 And he answered thou shalt not smite them wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow set bread and water before them that they may eat and drink Q. VVhat if the case be so that our brethren forsake the Lord and become Idolaters and fall out with us and there happen to be war betwixt us and we conquer how then how did the Lord's people demean themselves in such a case after a victory or when they had their brethren in their power A. 2 Chron. 28.9 10 15. But a Prophet of the Lord was there whose name was Oded and he went out before the host that came to Samaria and said unto them Behold because the Lord God of your Fathers was wroth with Judah he hath delivered them into your hand and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up to heaven And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bond-men and bond-women unto you but are there not with you even with you sins against the Lord your God c. And the men which were expressed by name rose up and took the captives and with the spoile clothed all that were naked among them and arrayed them and shod them and gave them to eat and to drink and annointed them and carryed all the feeble of them upon Asses and brought them to Jericho the city of Palm-trees to their Brethren Q. What say we to the seventh of Deut. 2. and chap. 20.16 in relation to the Canaanites and to the 13 of Deut. 15. in reference to the Apostate Israelites A. These people were by God devoted to destruction the former expresly and the other upon evident proof of their breaking Articles with God the Lord of Hosts Q. VVhat means Jer. 48.10 concerning Moab A. In case God have a worke to doe suppose to destroy his implacable enemies the Moabites if God make known his mind by his Prophets as to Saul concerning the Amalekites 1 Sam. 15.3 It must be done if it be God will reward the executioner as he did Jehu if it be not done he will punish the negligent as he did Saul and that other mentioned 1 Kin. 20.25 26. Q. May a private man Souldier or other kill an Idolater a seducer to Idolatry or a false Prophet or other offender without being tryed according to law because of Deut. 13.9 and Zech. 13.3 A. Deut. 17.6 7. At the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall he that is worthy of death be put to death but at the mouth of one witnesse he shall not be put to death the hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death and afterward the hands of all the people so thou shalt put the evill away from among you i. e. They may be witnesses against such offenders and be causers of their death in a legall way Q. Did not Phinehas out of zeale kill Zimri and Cosbi in the act of uncleanesse and is he not commended and rewarded for so doing A. Either Phinehas was an officer or had commission from Moses the chief Magistrate as the Levites had formerly in another case or he was moved and carried to this execution by a speciall motion and instinct of the spirit of God Exod. 32.26 27. Num. 25.4 5. Q. Did not Elijah slay the Priests of Baal 1 King 18.40 A. Elijah was an extraordinary Prophet wrought many miracles and at that time God had answered him by fire from heaven to consume his sacrifice and to confute the Idolatrous Priests of Baal and this in the sight of Israel gathered together by the command of King Ahab and possibly the King too might be present at this time because in the next verse immediately after mention is made of Elijah's slaying the Prophets of Baal it followes vers 41. Get thee up eat and drink for there is a sound of abundance of rain and who knowes but the King might tacitly consent if not expresly and openly to this execution of Justice and the people might be ayding thereunto having professedly acknowledged the Lord to be the God in v. 39. and if the King and people at least had not assented and some of them assisted how could one Elijah have slayn 400 Besides whether he or they they did but execute upon them the judgment written Deut. 13.5 and chap. 18.20 A like execution did Jehu by his Captaines and Guards upon the worshippers of Baal 2 Kin. 10.25 And now I desire all Quakers Antiministe rialists who account the Ministers of the Gospel as Priests of Baal would hold their hands from blood untill all the people be gathered together and
truths before new Errors and old foundations before new fancies and that you delight rather to walke on a rock than to dance upon ropes and therefore that these old and great truths of this new and small piece will not be to your palate as dead drink nor in your eares as stale newes nor to your eyes as an old Diurnall or Almanack out of date And Sr since I had my Birth and Baptisme in Cotherstock let me not be condemned for making this confession of Faith or profession of my Principles to you there It remaines only that I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and powre out my soule for you your Religious Consort and deare Son at the throne of Grace that God would blesse you with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ and recompence into your bosome seven fold all the kindnesse that you have shewed to his Ministers and particularly to Sr Your very humble Servant in the Lord T. H. To the Reader READER IF thou art Learned and a Critick thou mayest perhaps accuse or censure this Catechisme as in some things defective in some redundant or superfluous in some without order and I shall not here goe about to answer the charge or traverse the inditement I rather choose to intreat thee if thou art as well as knowing so also Ingenuous Courteous charitable either to correct or pardon all the faults of this piece So far at least as to accept favour the Essay rather than to carp at the Errours whether they have proceeded from the Author the Transcriber or the Printer If thou art a Catechumen and one desirous to learne two things I intreat of thee the one is to read it if it may be with thy conveniency wholly so possibly thou mayest the better understand the severall parts of it The other is not to be offended because sometimes thou findest in thy way Yes or No in the Porch or Entrie of the Answer and sometimes not Where this Porter standes at the dore I would not you should take his bare word for answer and so passe along and goe your way but that he may open you the dore to goe in and view the places themselves to see whether it be indeed so or no as is pretended and that you may believe not because I told you but because you have heard the Scriptures themselves Where there is no such at the dore of the Answer to let you in I desire you now once for all not to stay there but without farther Ceremonie to walke in to goe round about the places to tell the towers thereof and to marke well her bulwarks I meane the strength of those texts of Scripture set there for the defence of the Truth VVhosoever thou art who shalt please to peruse this Catechisme I say to thee before hand I will not I dare not avouch it so far as 't is mine to be free from all errour I am but a man if thou wilt forgive me I will promise when opportunity serves to correct or retract such mistakes But this I dare say I doe not erre wilfully and maliciously out of mere opposition to any party or person I am a Christian and if I should so erre my selfe whilest I confute the errours of others I assure thee if I know my own heart without repentance and amendment I should not forgive my selfe And now to prevent mistakes and misconstructions concerning my selfe and others be pleased to take notice that I will not undertake to justify my selfe to have been in this Catechisme an exact or compleat Herauld and to have marshal'd the severall errours under their proper Commanders and colours and to have ranked them all in their right place and due order And if the Quakers renounce any of the following errours rang'd under the Head or Chapter which beares their name let them know I desire not to doe violence to erroneous persons or to accuse them falsely and therefore premise this that the Title of the Chapter may not be produced for a sufficient evidence to charge them with them I here allow them liberty provided they doe it truely to disowne them or to refuse to father them with a non obstante to any thing therein contained Reader if thou reapest benefit from this Catechisme if it shall please God by this meanes to shew thee his wayes and teach thee his pathes to lead thee in his truth teach thee in the way wherein thou shouldest goe blesse God who hath shewed us light pray with me for those who yet wander in dark and by-pathes of errour forsaking God's Ordinances and our solemne Assemblies O send out thy light and thy truth let them lead them let them bring them unto thy holy hill and to thy Tabernacles and for me that I may doe nothing against the truth but for the truth Thy servant in and for the Lord T. H. Books lately Printed for THO ROBINSON OF Communion with God the Father Son and Holy Ghost each Person distinctly by JO. OVVEN D. D. in 4o. The True nature of Schisme with a vindication of the Congregationall Churches in England from the imputation thereof in Ans to Mr Cawdry by JO. OVVEN D. D. in 8o. Of the Mortification of sin in Believers the second edition by JO. OVVEN D. D. 8o. A Treatise of Fruit-Trees shewing the manner of Grafting pruning and ordering of them in all respects according to the new and easy rules of Experience the 2d edition enlarged by RALPH AUSTEN in 4o. The Spirituall use of an Orchard or Garden in divers similitudes between naturall and spirituall Fruit-Trees according to Scripture and Experience by R. Austen in 4o. Observations one some part of Sr F. Bacon's Naturall History as it concernes Fruit-Trees Fruites and Flowers by R. Austen in 4o. The Young Divine's Apology for his Continuance in the University with his serious meditation on the sacred calling of the Ministry in 8o. Historicall Memoires on the Raignes of Q Elizabeth and King James in 12o. A Preface to those of the Church of Rome IT is the saying of a very learned ingenious Person D. Cudw Truth and Love are two the most powerfull things in the world and that the golden beames of Truth and the silken cords of Love twisted together will draw men on with a sweet violence whether they will or no. I desire for my part I may both in word deed conference conversation in preaching printing practising experiment the truth of this Testimony and in all to be so happy my selfe as to make others happy also in all undertakings to follow the practise and paterne of the blessed Apostle Paul viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to truth it in love so to inlighten men who sit in the region of darknes as not to inflame them so to convince thē of error that they may not say I am become their enemy when I tell them the truth that they may see
Gentiles were wont to set up candles to them so doe the Papists The Gentiles were wont to burne incense to them so doe the Papists So he and I doe not know that there is any one who hath answered this charge since extant See Dr Westfields Serm p. 64. 65. Such like 't is not improbable is the moderne practise of the common people under the Papacy I have heard to this effect that when the late King was in Spain reasoning against worshipping of Images with a Priest who denying the charg it was agreed betwixt them to take the next Person they found at devotions in their Churches for an experiment The Priest bespake the Person a woman to this purpose Good Woman you doe not pray to this Image or Saint but to God in it I but I doe saith the woman and will doe till you shew me a better Till the yeer 788. Images were never appointed publickly to be worshipped in the Churches and this was done in the second Council of Nice Charles the Great sent this Act of the Counciil to the Bishops of England to know how they liked it they said Alas for woe we find in those acts many things against Christian Religion especially this that the worshipping of Images is decreed which the Church of God curseth Dr Westfeild pag. 60. 61. If you say then where was our Church or Religion before Luther and call us to give a catalogue in all ages of men professing our Faith and way of worship and that the Fathers and all Antiquity were yours Heare I pray you the saying of Mr Du Moulin This reproach of novelty ill becomes the mouthes of those persons which hide the true Antiquity from the people which is the word of God and which maintain that yet at this day the Church may and can make new ordinances touching Faith and which by the Church understand no other than the Romish Church that in the first ages after the Apostles cannot produce one man that was of their Religion and which know that in all Antiquity there is no mention made of excluding the people from the cup of prohibiting them the reading of the Holy Scriptures of reading the Scriptures to the people in a language they understand not of painting the Trinity of worshipping Images of adoring the hoast with the worship of Latria of private Masses of the Bishop of Romes Court c. If you will have us tell more particularly who were of our Religion before Luther know that Christ and the holy Apostles were and as for other names of particular persons who held with us in the Doctrines above named or diverse other materiall Doctrines the Protestants referre you to Dr Field of the Church Birckbeck's Protestant's Evidence and let me send you also to the Martyrologies in England and France c. and I shall adde one more and that is a testimony of your own which I find cited formerly and lately And that is of Raynerus the Monke concerning the Waldenses c. 4. where he saith that they have continued say some from the time of Sylvester others from the time of the Apostles that there 's scarce any land where they are not that they live righteously before all men bene omnia de Deo credunt omnes Articulos qui in Symbolo continentur solummodo Romanam Ecclesiam blasphemant clerum i.e. they believe althings well concerning God all the Articles that are contained in the Creed only they blaspheme the Romane Church and the Clergy And what if there were some 1000â— of true Worshippers in the Church of Rome before the Reformation as there were 7000 in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal or what if we be the same Church now that we were before only then Apostaticall Idolatrous Leprous as white as snow but now professors of the true Faith without corrupt mixtures and of the pure worship and so cured of our Leprosy If you aske what Authority we had to reforme our selves I referre you to Dr Bramhal for satisfaction who shewes it was done in England by King and Priest and that the Popish Princes upon occasion claime a right and power to doe what indeed we have done i. e. to reforme the Churches under them or to the like effect See Bramhal of Schisme There was a Reformation desired before Luther and the Princes of Germany represented their hundred grievances to the Emperour But what mighty men could not God hath brought about by mean men nor needed Martin Luther and the rest any Commissions extraordinary sealed with the broad seales of new miracles to authorize his or their proclaiming the laws and edicts of the great God the King of Heaven We judge it lawfull for men to obey the commands of God doing the duties of their places without a license from men so to doe Besides seeing that the Reformers did preach the same Doctrine which Christ and his Apostles did and set up the same way of worship which they did all which was formerly confirmed by miracles it is not reasonable to demand that they should shew by new miracles that they had Authority to reforme the Church of God And herein Luther and the rest shewed themselves to be of the truth because they went not about to deceive meÌ„ with lying wounders or miracles to get credit to their persons or Doctrine such as the Romish Legends have for the honour of their Saints and confirmation of their new Articles of Faith In my opinion he must have a monstrous Faith who believes but one halfe or the moiety of their miracles if the whole dose be like that tast of them Mr Baxter gives us out of Dr White and he out of Baronius as that Francis turned a capon into a fish and water into wine made the rock send forth water and anchors to swim converted a Lambe by preaching to him that he caused Swallows Grashoppers and a wild Falcon to joyne with him in the praises of God That Bernard by blessing their ale and giving it some lewd persons to drinke caused God's grace to enter into them that he killed 〈◊〉 by excommunication c. Baxter out of Francis Whites defence of his Brother pag. 147 148. And again that their Nicolas while he lay in his cradle fasted Wednesday and Friday that Patrick caused a â—â—ollen sheep to bleat in the belly of him that had eaten him that Fryar Andrew to correct his appetite of eating birds at the Table by the signe of the Crosse commanded them to fly away after they were roasted Mr Baxter pag. 167. 168. from Dr â—â—eatly If you object against us our differences and divisions Protestants may returne Are there not divisions in opinion even amongst you also and with you more intollerable because you pretend you have an infallible visible judge of all controversies How have you differed about the conception of the blessed Virgin about the supremacy of the Pope or a generall Councill c. What adoe was there 'twixt
Q. Is the Church of Rome or the Pope infalible because of the promises made to Peter Mat. 16.18 Luk. 22.32 A. As Herod might and did erre in cutting off John Baptists head notwithstanding that he succeeded into the place of David and Solomon Kings of the Jewes and notwithstanding the saying that is written Prov. 16.10 A divine sentence is in the King's lips his mouth transgresseth not in judgment So the Bishop of Rome or the Church of Rome or any other particular Church or person may now erre notwithstanding what was once said to Peter Secondly Jesus Christ prayed that Peter might not fall from his Faith in Christ totally and finally or that the Divel might not prevaile over him notwithstanding he foresaw he would shake him and winnow him sore and this latter promise was made good to Peter in his own person for although through temptation he denyed Christ outwardly yet it came not from his heart and he repented of his denyal and professed and preached Christ afterward And if this promise should reach or belong to the Bishop of Rome as Peter's Successour it should only prove that the Bishop of Rome should not fall away utterly from the Faith although sometimes he should deny it outwardly For nothing can reasonably be thought to be obtained for Peter's pretended Successour which was not prayed for and obtained for Peter himselfe As for the former promise Mat. 16.18 Thou art Peter c. Understand it thus that thou Peter shalt lay the first notable foundation of the Christian Church amongst Jewes and Gentiles and this Christian Church thus founded by thee in a more especiall manner shall never be destroyed and we read Act. 2. that Peter did most eminently and successefully first preach to and convert the Jewes to Christianity and we read againe Act. 10. that he did most eminently and successefully first preach the Gospell to and convert the Gentiles to Christianity and accordingly there shall be a Christian Church thus and in this sense begun to be founded by him so long as the world endures nor shall the gates of hell be ever able wholly to root out Christianity but it is not promised that any particular Church whether amongst Jewes or Gentiles and whether that of Antioch or of Rome founded by him under Christ shall never wholly Apostatize from the Faith This we Protestants confesse that the Christian faith or Doctrine was built or founded upon the preaching of the twelve Apostles of Christ whereof Peter was one of the most eminent Pillars or subordinate Founders or Foundations and yet it must be remembred that the rest of the Apostles are called Foundations in Rev. 21. v. 14. And that our Lord Christ himselfe is the chiefe Foundation the Fundamentum fundamentorum and other such foundation can no man lay 1 Corinth 3.11 Q. Was Peter's Successour the Bishop or by any good consequence the Church of Rome the Foundation stone to which all must be joyned and cemented or else they will prove but loose stones or built on the sand or but foolish builders or to use the expression of Mr Baxter must Paul be damned because he was not one of Peter's subjects A. No. 1 Pet. 2.3 4 5 6. If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gratious to whom comming as unto a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious ye also as lively stones are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a chiefe corner stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded Q. Did Christ make Peter King or Lord and Ruler over the rest of the Apostles A. Lu. 22.24 25 26. And there was also a strife amongst them which of them should be accounted the greatest And he said unto them the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them and they that exercise authority upon them are called Benefactors But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth serve Joh. 21.21 22. Peter seeing him saith to Jesus Lord and what shall this man doe Jesus saith unto him If I will that he tarry 'till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me Gal. 2.6 9. But of these who seemed to be somewhat whatsoever they were it maketh no matter to me God accepteth no man's person for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me And when James Cephas and John who seemed to be Pillars c. Q. Did not Christ say to Peter feed my Lambes and feed my sheep Joh. 21.15 16. And doth not this give Peter the power and priviledge of Universall Pastor and consequently give the Pope power of Universall Bishop over the whole Church of God A. Mat. 28.16 19 20. Then the eleven Disciples went away into Galilee c. Goe ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway Act. 20.28 Take heed therefore unto your selves to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Feed the flock of God which is among you taking the oversight thereof not by constraint but willingly not for filthy lucre but of a ready mind neither as being Lords over God's heritage but being ensamples to the flock Q. Was the Church of Rome appointed the Head and Mistris of all Churches by Christ And did the Apostle John the last surviving Apostle apply himselfe to 〈◊〉 and write Epistles to her or to the 7 â—â—urches in Asia A. Rev. 1.4 John to the 7 Churches of Asia Grace be unto you c. Q. Should it scare a Protestant from his Religion because the Papists say it is heresy A. Act. 24.14 16. But this I confesse unto thee that after the way which they call heresy so worship I the God of my Fathers And herein doe I exercise my selfe to have alwaies a conscience void of offence towards God and towards men Q. Doth the Church of Rome at this day thwart the practise of the Primitive Church recorded in Scripture A. Yes In their service in an unknown tongue they contradict the Apostle 1 Cor. 14.18 19 27 28. I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all yet in the Church I had rather speak five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others also than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue If any man speak in an unknowne tongue let one interpret but if there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church and let him speak to himselfe and to God In the