al magisâ—…racie the whole order of the common welth Had that beast anie religion that thus blesphemed Christs ordinaÌ„ce haue not the heathen at al times thus reproched accused the word of God Gospel of Christ Yet what is more free of these crimes then this order they so accuse wherof Christ himself is the author preseruer Is yt not the fâ—…llowship communion haue such sinnes anie fâ—…llowship with him Before anie can enter or be receaued â—…nto this fâ—…llowship he must be renewed by repentance denijng all his fleshly conversation concerning the time pâ—…st he must be begotten by that immortall seed he must bâ—… borne againe of water and the Spirit and â—…ter as a new borne babe and as a child wained from the brâ—…sts he must leaue al his venome and fiercenes become as a meeke lambe obedient vnto his shâ—…pheardes At what time anie is found disobedient and headstrong or incorrigible he forthwith loosâ—…th his place in this communion and fellowship he is seperate cast out As for their ordâ—…r of their assemblie yt is not â—…multious or conâ—…ntious but râ—…ther an heauenlie schoole of all order sobrieâ—…ie and modestâ—…e which the Aâ—…gels with great delight bâ—…hold euerie one there knowing his calling place boundes which he wiâ—…hout presâ—…t bâ—…ame may not breake as frâ—…e but not hauing that libertie as a cloke of wickâ—…dnes but as the sâ—…ruantes of God whose law is heere purelie sincerelie taught euâ—…ry 〈◊〉 degree instructed how they oughâ—…â—…o walke behaue thâ—…mselues towardes God men in al maner coÌ„uersation Nothing more or more ofteÌ„ inculcate theÌ„ to yeild due honour obedience submission vnto all magistrates parentes superiors that not for fashioÌ„ sake or ignorantly but as of knowledg faith coÌ„science towardes God Hereunto as also vnto al other duties they are continuallie instructed exhorted whosoeuer transgresseth is admonished censured and without present repentance amendment dulie cast out of this fellowship communion where no inordinate walking or contumacious persons are suffered Who then but that old Sathan or some sonne of his could thus accuse the lambes the babes these litle ones of Christ of rebellioÌ„ seditioÌ„ tumult c what mouth els could reproch and blaspheme that heauenlie gratious blessed order of Christ in his Church of subuerting coÌ„moÌ„ welths destroijng ciuil magistracie gouernmeÌ„t without which holie ordinance magistracie as there can be no Church no assemblie no execution of law no callings no trades no order no safetie amongst men so without this instruction gouernment holie order of the Church caÌ„ no estate no magistracie be blessed of God because without this they can neither know nor execute their duties neither walke holily or lawfully in their callings or doe anie thing that may please God Who then but these vncleane spirits that speake out of the mouth of that Dragon out of the mouth of that Beast out of the mouth of that false prophet could in this maÌ„ner disioine those that God hath so neâ—…rlie ioined widowing spoiling the Church of that comfort and assistance she should haue of the ciuil magistrate depriuing the ciuil magistrates of that instruction ioy they should haue in the Church As we haue aboue alledged that nation or common welth Prince magistrate estate degree persoÌ„ whosoeuer that submitteth not to ouâ—… Lord Iesus Christ to be wholy gouerned by his word both bodie soule in al things whatsoeuer without anie exception reseruation or polliâ—…ike respect that nation Prince magistrate person soule shall be vtterlie destroied amongst Christs enemies So Christ may not neither wil be fashioned or framed to anie common welth pollicie oâ—… pleasure of anie Prince he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings al the kingdoms of this world are his he shal reigne for euermore those that are noâ—… vnder his Scepter of grace those he will rule with a red of yron those shal be broken as a potters vessels So far then is this heauenlie and blessed gouernmeÌ„t of Christ in his Church by his word to which euerie soule that will be saued must be subiect froÌ„ being the ouerthrow of anie common welth or lawfull estate therof that you see yt is the only foundation of the one and stablishment of the other a perfect rule for both to which all lawes pollicies states degrees persons in al actions must be framed and subiect To which whatsoeuer is contrarie or transgressing whither common welth common cannon oâ—… ciuil lawes their Iudges pleaders courts must either be reformed or consumed therby No titles pollicies pleas or prerogatiues can excuse them from or before that Iudge who vpholdeth gouerneth and iudgeth all things by that his word and with the same â—…ifteth and fanneth out whatsoeuer is found contrarie to his will To which gouernment trial of his word because they will not submit their persons proceedings therfore with one consent all the estates degrees of the land Prince priests people hate him send by their elders an embassage after him that they will not haue him to reigne ouer them accusing his gouernment of innouation dangerous to their state pernitious to the whole land c. Thus take they boldnes to breake his baÌ„ds and cast his yoke from them to transgresse his lawes change his ordinances and to breake the euerlasting couenant euen that Testament purchased for them and sealed vnto them with that pretious blood of the giuer Therfore hangeth the wrath of God ouer them the day of his vengeance hasteneth feare and a pit a snare are vpon them He that flieth from the noise of the feare shall fall into the pâ—…t and he that commeth out of the pit shalbe taken in the snare for the windowes from on high are open and the foundations of the earth doe shake The earth is vtterlie broken the earth is quite burst in sunder the earth is moued exceedingly the earth shall reele too froe like a drunken man and shalbe remooued like a tent and the defection therof shalbe heauy vpoÌ„ yt so that yt shall fall rise no more because the land is defiled vnder the inhabitants therof for they transgresse the lawes they change the ordinances and breake the euerlasting couenant THERE REMAYneth yet an other question of this ould captious Sadducie wherin he requireth to haue noted vnto him some particular Churches either in the Apostles time or since wherin y â— whole gouernment of the Church was practised only by Doctors Pastors Elders and Deacons and none other and that in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other To satisfie his demands in this cauilling question which euidently apeareth to be made rather for a snare then anie godly edifijng I hold neither lawfull nor expedient vntil he haue acknowledged yeilded vnto the former namely vnto the necessity perpetuity of that order of gouernment and administration which CHRIST in his Testament hath prescribed which he hath miserably
passed ouer or punished by some lighter trifling chasticement wilfull murther ofteÌ„ pardoned theft if yt be aboue 13 peÌ„ce punished by death yea this sin is punished not only in the persoÌ„ of the theefe who that wise King saied if he should steale seuen times may yet liue satisfie with his body or goodes but in the persoÌ„s of al such as this their vniust law iudgeth anie way accessarie which extendeth so far as manie honest meÌ„ may for this trifle for buynig or receauing part of these stollen goodes be also put to death forfait al the lands goodes they haue wherby their wiues children families are punished also vtterlie vndone And thus by this their pollicie are manie theeues made for one not to speake of al this guiltles blood that is vpon the head of the magistrate Iudg officers Iurie and the whole land by this meanes what should â—… stand to particulate their infinite transgressioÌ„s of Gods lawes eueÌ„ in their ciuil estate which is in much worse case then manie heatheÌ„ nations which neuer knew God or his Christ. Al this ariseth of this immunitie from the order gouernment censure of Christ in his Church froÌ„ the inordinate authoritie the apostaticall church giueth vnto Princes magistrates they assume vnto themselues so that the saying of the prophet concerning the proude Kings of Babel is now rightly verified in them Thow didst say with thy heart I wll ascend into heauen aboue the starâ—… of GOD almightie I wil exalt my throne wil sit in the mountaine of the congregation in the sides of the north I wiâ—…l ascend aboue the heigth of the clowdes I wil make my self equall vnto the most high For see whiles they take power to reiect that holie gouernmeÌ„t order officers lawes that Christ our King hath ordeined and apointed to his Church they stretch their hand also presume further to eâ—…ect a new gouernmeÌ„t new orders lawes officers ministry ministratioÌ„ c. And what is this but both to reprooue Christs lawes and to reiect his yoke from them also to take Christs offices throne Sâ—…epter from him whome the Lord hath set vpoÌ„ the throne of Dauid to order stabliâ—…h yt with iudgment iustice lâ—…id the key of gouernment vpon his shoulder that what he openeth no man should â—…hut and whâ—…t he shutteth no man should open How gâ—…eat theÌ„ is their pride presumptioÌ„ y t are so far â—…roÌ„ obeijng seing Chriâ—…s lawes executed as they vtterly abrogate them tâ—…ke thâ—…m out of the way set vp their owne idol diuisâ—…s in the stead of theÌ„ So far are they froÌ„ taking lawes at him as their King Lord as they giue lawes of him as King Lord. Is not this to denie nay to put an end to his ministerie kingdome to his ministery by taking away y t which he established bringing in a new into the church to his kingdome by abrogating his lawes offices ordinances by bringing in establishing their owne In so much as through y e odious flâ—…tery of these their priests some of them haue suffered themselues to be called the supreme head of 〈◊〉 Church in earth as though Christs Church had one head in earth an other in heaueÌ„ or that Christ were not the head of his Church here in earth also But the wretched Priests would excuse this iâ—…audible blasphemie with this interpretatioÌ„ which yet they expresse not 1. vnder Christ as though Christs Church might haue two heades an vpper an vnder head one aboue an other were not this to make her a monster like their Church which hath mâ—…nie heads vpoÌ„ them writteÌ„ names of blasphemy as supreme head of the Church primate Bishop metropolitane Bishop Lord Archbishops grace Lord Bish. Archdeacon c. Al which heads but especially that their supreme head of the church may they say make lawes for the church And al this execrable blasphemy they hide vnder the title office of the ciuil magistrate who in deed is Gods blessed ordinance Neither wil these lymmes of y e Deuill be satisfied with any humble acknowledgmeÌ„t of y e ciuil poweâ—… or with anie christiaÌ„ submissioÌ„ vnto thâ—…â—…ame but wil extort by othe an allowance subscriptioÌ„ vnto this their vngodly power blasphemous titles antichristian decrees proceedings c. It wil not suffice to confesse that God hath made the ciuil magistrate the keeper of the booke of the law to see both y e tables therof obserued by al persons both in the Church coÌ„mon welth so hath power ouer both church coÌ„mon welth but they must haue this indefinite pâ—…oposition granted them That a Priâ—…ce hath power to make lawes for the Church By which word making is implied or rather as y e general estate both of church coÌ„moÌ„ welth shew expressed plainly that they meane that y e Prince may deuise make new lawes for the Church such as are notheard of in that booke of God By lawes they meane any traditions ordinances customes c. which are not prescribed in CHRISTS TestameÌ„t otherwise why should they vse these words or vâ—…ge that power of making lawes A godly Prince is bound â—…o Gods lawe made the keeper therof not the controler the seruant not the Lord. God hath in that booke made most perfect necessary lawes both for Church coÌ„mon welth he requireth of the King magistrate to see these lawes executed and not to make new He that makâ—…th any new lawes taketh vnâ—…o him the office of God who is the onlie law maker al men of what estate soeuer arâ—… but Gods creatures sâ—…uaÌ„tes subiectes to his law Moses â—…oshua Samuel Dauâ—…d 〈◊〉 made no new lawes but reuâ—…ued executed the olde lawes which God had made These examplâ—…s that miserable man high traâ—…tor to God his Prince ROBERT SOME citeth to prooue y â— Pâ—…nces may make laweâ—… for the church coÌ„â—…on welth tâ—…erby indâ—…uoring to 〈◊〉 hold her Ma â— and the honorable Magistrates of this land in this presumptuous breach of al Gods lâ—…wes in this church coÌ„mon welth by causing theÌ„ to ratiâ—…ie publish y e vngodlie decrees which that blasphemous high CommissioÌ„ hath made or shal heerafter make vnder this pretext that Christian Princes haue power to make lawes for the Church Whiâ—…h CommissioÌ„ al their proceedings because they caÌ„ no way be iustified by the law of God TestimeÌ„t of Christ but are directly coÌ„trarie vnto the same as shal straight way be prooued therfore y â— old lymme of Antichrist that crowned horne of the Beast that T. C. breatheth out of the mouth of the dragoÌ„ most hâ—…llish blasphemie against Christs 〈◊〉 theÌ„ that dwel in the heauen accusing Christs blessed order maÌ„ner of gouernmeÌ„t of sedition tumults disobedience vnto the ciuil estate as giuing the raines to the pâ—…oples vnbrideled inordinate appetites which can not be restâ—…eined subuerting
A BRIEF DISCOVERIE OF THE FALSE CHVRCH Ezek. 16. 44. AS THE MOTHER SVCH THE DAVGHTER IS 1590. To the Reader IF THE GODLIE YONG KING IOSCHIIAH vvhen he heard the booke of GODS law read compared the acts of his forefathers and the present estate of his kingdome thervnto rent his clothes in horror of the wrathfull iudgments of GOD in that booke denounced c. If the Prophet IEREMIAH in his time so sone after IOSIA◅ his death whē the defection began but to breake out a fresh the whole land to decline from the antient wayes of the Lord vpon the consideratiō of GOD his fearfull iudgments to ensue brake out into such deepe extreame lamentations as he wished vnto himself a cottage in the wildernes where he might remaine neuer to returne to the land to behold either the enormities present or calamities to come but there continually to lament shed forth abundance of teares for the wrath desolation that was to fall vpon yt vvishing his head a fountaine and his eies as buckets herevnto c. vvhat occasion of sorrow and lamen◅ation haue all Christian hearts in whome is anie compassion or loue in these dangerous if not desperate daies vvhere the vvhole land that I say not the vvhole vvorld ◅ath lien so long and is so deeplie set in defection sinne securitie where they are so vniuersally departed from the strait waies of life and peace and are so far wandred and straied in their owne bywaies which they haue sought out vnto themselues as they haue now vtterly lost all knowledg of the true way haue no will to returne But though they be shewed the vvay and vvilled to vvalke in yt yet euen the best of them stop their eares vvink vvith their eies turne away the shoulder least they should be conuerted be healed Others those the cheife gouernors of the church guides of the people do not only denie CHRIST to reigne ouer them or to yeild him anie fruite or tribute of his viueyeard but most bitterlie persecute all CHRISTS seruantes that are sent to them to shew them and call them back to the right way reiecting CHRISTS ordinances as intollerable in this common vvelth As for the Seers Prophets vvatchmen they do not only not blow the trumpet not giue warning not discouer the pit and t◅e snare but couer them rather with flowres and greene hearbes Yea they are become as fowlers to allure and draw men into their snares The best of them that pretend a kinde of reforma◅ion seeke not to reuiue the true patterne or to call men to the Testament of CHRIST from whence they are so far departed so much as to renewe the old skarres of the old first apostacie from the Gospell In the meane while deteining th◅ people by their shifts and cauills vnder the yoke of Antichrist corrupting themselues euen in those things vvhich they themselues see acknowledg to be euill vn lawfull for the reformation wherof they are earnest suters vnto the parliament Thus seduce they and deceaue the miserable people themselues leading them forward deteining them in the wrath of God What heart would not melt breake to behold this estate the breach wherof is like the sea and in the best help that is administred at anie hand but to cure yt with vntempered vnseasoned stuffe the Prophets seeking out vaine things not discouering the iniquitie to turne away the captiuitie but haue looked out burthens cawses of putting away banishment vvhat teares what sorrow can suffice to deplore and lament this estate but alas priuate sorrow will not helpe publique calamitie Many mourners there would seeme in these times for TZION who good men can take no rest for sleeping ease bellie cheare faine they would haue all things well but they neither refraine from the pollutions nor cry out against the abhominations of the the times therfore as they are not marked on the foreheades by the Angel clothed in linnen with the w◅iters ynckhorne so shall they not be spared by the auenging Angels that carrie the instrumentes of dissipation in their handes But now whiles no man hath courage or openeth his mouth for the truth whi◅es no man standeth vp in the gappe or offreth himself i◅ this seruice whiles the auntients keepe silēce flie as chaced harts before the enemies whiles the leaders faint lie at the head of all the streetes as a bull◅k in a snare are full of the wrath of the Lord and of the rebuke of GOD what safetie or hope is in this estate Yea what hear◅ could endure to behold so manie of his naturall countriemen deare frendes and neer◅ kins folke in the flesh to perish before his eies for want of warning or help vvherfore behold euen the zeale of the glorie of my God inforced me as also the tender loue and care of the safetie of this my countrie constrained me to breake silence and to set the trumpet to my mouth not any longer enduring the excellencie of the one or the life of the other thus to be troden vnder foote and neglected My self I willinglie acknowledg of all other the most vnmeet and euerie way vnfit vnto this worke but let my zeale of the truth my loue vnto you the present necessitie of the time excuse me of presumption or vaine glorie though no way couer or excuse anie errors or faults escaped me in this present writing which I wholy euen in feare reue◅nce submit to the trial cen◅ure of all men at all times by the worde of GOD. I desire to haue no further credit then the word of GOD giueth warr◅nt neither yet would I be reprooued fo◅ speaking the truth of God plainlie and simplie although the same truth haue long lyen hid and buried be now peraduenture generally impugne◅ of all men Only let neither the truth of God be preiudiced nor the charitable Reader offended by the vnlear◅ednes simplicitie of the writer Let not the faith of CHRIST be held in respect of mens persons but let the Reader rather consider that GOD is not alwaies bound or the truth tied to the Phariseis lippes to the Rabbins chaire God his glorie is to reueale at some times vnto babes sucklings that which he hideth from the wise prudent yea euē by such despised things to reprooue cōfound the wisdome glorie of the world Let not the Rea◅er then fixe his eies vpon the messenger in whose mortall bodie he shall find nothing but the markes and dying of our Lord IESVS CHRIST so much as vpon the matter wherin he shall find life and peace vnto his owne soule Neither in the matter let him regard the forme so much as the truth The stile and phrase no doubt must needes seeme harsh vnpleasant being vtterlie void of al humane artes learning
in the bozome of their Church c. so if we by the rules of Christs TestameÌ„t duly examine this their flanting ministerie wherof their Church so boasteth I doubt not but that we shal find them as counterfeit prodigious antichristian and rightly fitting to this monstrous confuse bodie of the multitudes this harlot their Church sittetâ—… on Which ministerie to describe in their coullers were a fitter Argument for a stage play to bring forth these hypocrits out of their dennes and to make them play their partes in the light then for any sober christiaÌ„ discourse who abhor to raue in their vncleane cages filthy kennels yet that they may the sodainlyer apeare of what soâ—… they are we the soner haue done with them let vs first coÌ„sider what maner of officers CHRIST hath apointed in the Church of God then how thâ—…se ought to enter then how to administer and so briefly by these rules examine the ministerie of their Church of England The ministerie apointed vnto the gouernmeÌ„t seruice of y e Church of CHRIST we find to be of two sortes Elders Deaâ—…ons the Elders some of them to giue attendance vnto the publike ministerie of the word sacrameÌ„tes as the Pastor Teacher the other Elders together with them to giue attendance to the publike order gouernmeÌ„t of the Church the Deacons to attend the gathering and distributing the goodes of the Church Now these Officers are first duly proued examined compared by to these rules set downe in the Testament of CHRIST both in apparant graces by the manifestation of the spirit as also in al vnreproueable conuersation witnessed wel aproued vnto that flock of which they are chosen to serue attend This done with praier fasting they are chosen ordenied in the same CongregatioÌ„ by publike consent They being thus chosen ordeined by all are now diligently faithsully to execute their office vnto all not preiudicing the libertie of any â—…mbitiously assuming any inordinate authoritie or abusing or neglecting their office neither holding or executing yt in regard or in respect of person but vprightly and indifferently performing yt vnto all men as in the eies of God whose word they purely and sinâ—…erely teach faithfully precisely obserue to their vttermost knowledg and power If in any thing they transgresse or offend they are as well as any other members liable to the censure of the Church which is to reproue depose or excommunicate them according to the qualitie of the sinne estate of the offenders c. Now to come to the ministerie of the Church of England which is so manifold diuers as I know not how to begin to describe yt But let yt first be diuided into these 3 sorts 1. Reigning or Gouerning 2 Seruing 3 Collegiate 1. Of the reigning gouerning minifters are Arch-Bishops Lord Bishops Arch-Deacons Chancellers Commissaries all of the high Commission as likewise such ciuil Doctors Proctors Registers Scribes Pursuiuantes Sumners as attend vpon their Courtâ—…s of faculties prerogatiue Archies delegates c. 2 Of the seruing sort are Parsons Vickars Curates hireling Lecturers vagrant mercenarie Preachers house priestes Chaplens half-Priestes or catechisers Church-wardens sidemen questmen paâ—…ish Clarkes 3 Of the ministerie colâ—…egiate are Lord Bishops Deanes Sub-Deanes Prebendaries Canons petie ChaÌ„nons Gospellers Pistellers Singing meÌ„ Singing boies Vergiers Sextines This diuisioÌ„ I suppose wil wel neere suffice for their officers But now how to diuide or distinguish their offices I know not I am so vnlearned ignorant of such great secrets high misteries Neither yet haue I skil to â—…arshial theÌ„ in their degrees of honour which I haue heard say they haue both in the coÌ„mon welth in their schooles as â—…eir Primate their Mettopolitane graces their Palatine Lordbishops 〈◊〉 their Baronny Lordships al which I weene be Peeres of the realme 〈◊〉 estates of the Land Now there are also certayne Doctors of diuiâ—…tie Bachelors of diuinitie which haue many great priuileges â—…ogatiues of the cappe the skatlet gowne the hood the habbite the â—…pet c. the ring the chaire the one of theÌ„ being a Kinghts fellow â—…e other an Esquires in any ground in England Also how capable â—…ese are by statute of how many benefices I cannot tell Neither haue I the cunning to deriue their genealogies and pedeâ—…ies as they tooke beginning in the ages succeeding the Apostles in â—…e first 4. or 500. yeres only because I want that deep learning I must â—…ntent my self to goe to that old book of Gods word There in deed â—…emember Reuel 9. that I read of a Sar that fell from heauen vnto the â—…rth which had the key of the bottomles pyt giuen vnto him who â—…hen he had opened that bottomles pyt there arose the smoke of â—…e pyt as the smoke of a great fornace wherwith the Sunne and â—…e aire were darkned Out of which smoke of the said pyt I read 〈◊〉 at al these monstrous armed crowned poisoned Locustes Scorâ—…oÌ„ns issued c. Now as they tooke beginning with Antichrisâ—… vnder â—…eir king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apolluon so tooke they increase together with him â—…or when Sathan had enthronized him giueÌ„ him his high CoÌ„missioÌ„ 〈◊〉 made him his LieftenaÌ„t general in earth c. then these his Peeres 〈◊〉 câ—…ptaines compassed about guarded his throne did miracles â—…efore the Beast deceauing with the effectual power of their errors â—…l such as receaued the Beastes marke or worshipped his image and â—…ried forth his image far an neere and set yt vp in al places where his â—…rson could not be coÌ„pelled al both smal great rich poore 〈◊〉 receiue the Beastes mark worship his image this I read in the 13 â—…f the Reue. Now in the 16. Chapter of the said booke after that yâ—… viâ—…s of Gods wrathful iudgmeÌ„tes had beene powred out vpoÌ„ the earth â—…oÌ„ the sea vpoÌ„ the riuers fountaines ef waters vpoÌ„ the Sunne vpoÌ„â—…e Throne of the Beast vpon their great riuer Euphrates I read that â—…ese vncleane spirites that came out of the mouth of that Dragon â—…nd out of the mouth of that Beast and out of the mouth of that false â—…rophet â—…hich are y c spirites of Deuils working miracles should goe â—…rth vnto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather â—…em vnto the battel of that geat day of God almightie yea and in â—…e 17. of the Reuelation that they should cause these kings those ten â—…ornes to hate the whore to make her desolate and naked to burne â—…e whore with fire euen that faire harlot of whose cup they haâ—…â—…runke and with whome they had coÌ„mitted foâ—…ation so many â—…eares before and to giue their kingdomes power and authoritie vnâ—…o the Beast vntil the woâ—…des of God be accoÌ„plished In the 19. 20. â—…hapters of this
the ignorāce or wretchednes of these priestes appeareth which thus plead for Baal his Temples vnder colour of reformation which you see appeareth to be no other thing then to seeke to repaire da◅be that muddy wall which the Lord so often commandeth to be vtterly destroied for their belly that their portiō may be made fat therby But yt may be heere obiected y t an Idol is nothing and y t the worship of God is now spiritual free in al places Though the Idol in respect of the inventors be said to be nothing because of the vanitie of the invention of man yet in respect of the thinges offred abused to the same the Apostle teacheth that such thinges are offr◅d to deuils that they which haue any fellowship in these actiōs haue fellowship with deuils Now further the spiritual worship of God doth not take away the cōmādements against grosse idolatrie neither the freedome which Christ hath giuē to worship him in al places doth giue leaue to reserue these execrable idols or to worship him in such places For by that reason we might as well goe to the false Church to y e popish synagogues or turkish assēblies but y t we know in a Christiā to be an vtter apostacce from God God vvill not be vvorshipped in such places Wel yet though they may not be vsed to y e worship of God yet vvhy may they not be convert◅d to ciuil vses as wel as the land and dwelling houses of these priestes seing yt is lawful for vs to buy or to eate flesh offred to idols It vvere reason ynough for me to alledg rest in the vvord wisdome of God vvhich hath cōmāded these idol synagagues places which haue beene erected vsed to idolatrie and false worship to be vtterly rased destroied Yet reserued he the goodes landes of the idolators to ciuil vses c. So me thinks there may be great reason rendred difference put betwixt such creatures as are giuen to idolators to ciuill vses I say not here ciuil endes for albeit the end of the giuer be to the maintenance of idolatrie yet the Donees cannot so vse them but only to ciuil vses as houses to dwell in landes to til c. And those creatures which are wholy seperate from all ciuil vse and consecrate to idolatrie as these idol synagogues al their implements furniture The one we see though they haue beene defiled with idolatrie as in respect of the end owners yet those abuses taken away the things remaine cleane of free vse the other are both accursed by Gods owne mouth deuote to destruction c. and therfore can neither be clensed nor rese◅ued The Lord will not haue any part of the damned thing cleaue vnto our hand neither to reserue the gold siluer therof least we be insnared therwith for yt is an abhomination before the Lord neither may we bring abhomination vnto our house lest we be accursed like vnto yt but we are commanded vtterly to abhor yt and count yt most abhominable for yt is accursed Now then if the most pretious mettals be forbidden the baser as yron lead stone much more and that with such vehemencie both with threates and promises how great is their danger and sinne both priestes and people which spare that which God commandeth to be destroied which couet that which God accurseth what then in the end shall this Doctor get by his Dean◅ie the◅e BBs and priestes by their promotions and fat liuing Yf God be true of his word there is a fearful reckoning remaineth them a◅d not only them but the whole land which is defiled with susfreth such abhominations But here pollicie mak◅th an other pollitike doubt how these collegiate priestes and parsons should doe for liuinges and the people for places to assemble in if these landes should be taken away if the idolatrous temples should be puld downe As to the first part such vnchristian colledges as these dennes of thieues idle bellies are ought to be dissolued they deposed from their priesthood turned to some more honest trade of liuing in the cōmon welth and so is this doubt soone at an end when their antichristian ministerie ceaseth and vngodly frater◅ities are dissolued then there need not any longer lan◅es for the maintenance of such abbay lubbers and of such locustes As for the true ministrie of CHRIST they look for no such lordly setled prouision they depend vpon the prouidence blessing of God vpon that flock vnto which they administer They are content in the greatest plentie with sufficiencie to necessarie food raimēt for them their families as wiues children And of this also they are neither their owne caruers nor iudges but yt is administred vnto them from time to time by the Church to which they serue attend as need requireth and their present abilitie affordeth vvhich most vvillingly make their ministers partakers with them euen of all their goodes according to their need the others power Now for places to assemble in they haue litle loue to the Gospell vvhich build themselues such stately seeled houses allow not to the people of God a house to assemble worship God in There were synagogues built in Iudea Israel after the high places were destroied Great were our blame if we should suffer the idolaters so far to exceed condemne vs which haue built such magnificēt sumptuous aedifices to their idols and vve not afford a poore simple house to the Lord IESVS CHRIST vvho now requireth not such sumptuous Temples his true Temple being the soules bodies of his chosen But I doubt this worldly pollicie vvhich hath so long borne the sway ruled religiō vvil neuer in this world yeild her self prostrate as an hūble handmaid to take lawes at God suffer him to order gouerne all things by his word I doubt in this last age of the world there are too many false Prophets abrode which are gone forth vnto the Kinges of the earth rather to draw thē into battel against CHRIST his Saintes thē to bring CHRIST so generally absolutely into their kingdomes Yet now if I be asked vvho ought to abolish this idolatrie to destroy these synagogues to dissolue these fraternities to depose these antichristian priestes To that I answere the Prince or state and that yt belongeth not to any priuate men For we see they were s◅t vp remained in Israel Iuda vntill God raised vp godly Princes to pluck them downe destroy them yea yt were an intrusiō into the magistrats office seate for any priuate man so far to intermeddle But hence then yt will peraduenture be collected that seing the Prince suffreth them yt is not in any priuat mans power to redresse these mischeifes therfore priuate men ought likewise to frequent the same idol places priestes though with grief of heart vntill
executed ciuile functions and so our Bishops and Priests may be Lords Iudges Iusticâ—…s of peace hold iurisdiction of ciuil causes this rable of romish ciuilians aduocates proctors c. might be officers in the stead of Leuites Further his rash inuerting the hebrew distinctions in the latter end of the â—… beginning of the 9 verse he hath so royled coÌ„founded y e tâ—…xt as no maÌ„ can vnderstand who they were that returned to Ierushalâ—…m or rather as the text is when they shâ—…uld returne to Ierushalâ—… whither these iudges CoÌ„missioners as Mr. SMOE calleth them or the other Iudges people of the land that in cases of doubt should returne to IerushaleÌ„ according to the law coÌ„mandement of God Deut. 17. 8. 9. to enquire at the priests or at y e chief Iudg c. But D. S. hauing thus troubled roilâ—…d the pure fountaine with his fâ—…te would now giue vs this muddy water to drinke that this coÌ„miâ—…ion as he termeth yt at Ieruâ—…alem was sâ—…t ouer all the Cities Iudges c. of the whole land and that these coÌ„missioners were they that returned to Ierushalâ—…m By which scripture thus deliuered vnderstood he would shape and erect this his Lords Grace high Commission But let vs now eueÌ„ a litle compare them together and see what likenes there is betwixt 〈◊〉 proceedings in Ierushalem and theirs in this high commission Iehoshaphat set Iudges in the land through all the strong cities he set in Ierushalem of the heads of the families of Israel appointing amongst thâ—…m one chiefe Iudg for al ciuil affaires and the Kings busines as the Kings 〈◊〉 He coÌ„manded also caused the Priests to remaine in their due course at Ierushalem to studie teach the law of God diligently and to see this duly done of them he set the high Priest ouer them to be the chiefe in all matters of the Lord. What of al this what new thing is heere done or besides law Exod. 18. Num. 1â—… Deut. 1. That the Prince alâ—…o is charged and of dutie ought to see the ministers of the church to doe their dutie teach the law of God diligeÌ„tly sincerely we reade Deut. 17. 1 Chron. 28. 2 Chron. 29. 30. 35. This did Iehoâ—… no other thing Now in that he placed yt at Ierusalem yt was according to the coÌ„mandment of God who had chosen that place to put his name there that the law might proceed out of Zion al people flow thither to worship God heare his word But in al this Ieâ—… hath neither commixt nor confounded the ciuil and ecclesiasticall offices in one coÌ„mission neither erected any new ecclesiastical ordinaÌ„ce besides those which God in his word had prescribed or peruerted or diuerted any ordinaÌ„ce that God hath instituted But in this high CoÌ„mission of the church of EnglaÌ„d is an opeÌ„ coÌ„mixture confusioÌ„ of ciuil ecclesiastical offices causes a new diuised ordinaÌ„ce with new officers new proceedings and a strange course not heard or read of in the whole word of God Yea by this Commission they pervert and turne away the whole practise of al the ordinances of Christ in his Church Neither will that great commission which Artaxerxes gaue vnto Heâ—… the Priest any vvhit more either couller or warrant this monstrous high Commission of theirs granted vnto their chiefe Priest arch-Bishop which Commission if yt should haue reached ouer far yet had yt rather beene to be imputed vnto y e ignoraÌ„ce of the heatheÌ„ King that knew not the lawes of God then to haue beene alledged or vrged as an exaÌ„ple for vs to follow in the sáme euil especially now vrder Christs most perfect absolute Testament ministery in his church But what was this commissioÌ„ of Artaxerxes that D. SOME so enforceth Artaxerxes granted vnto Hezra leaue by coÌ„mission to carry vp with him vnto Ierusalem al such of Israel and Iuda as were willing to goe together with al such vessels instrumeÌ„ts gold siluer or free gifts as should be giueÌ„ vnto the seruice of God by theÌ„ in Babiloâ—… as also that being come to Iernshalem he should set Iudges arbiters that might both diligeÌ„tly teach and see the lawes of God duly executed What is in this Commission found contrarie to the law of God or what did Hezra by this commission contrarie to the law of God Yt wil heere be said that Hezra being a Priest had ciuil and ecclesiastical power committed vnto him by vertue of this commission exercised both ciuil and ecclesiastical iurisdiction c. we see manifestly in the 23 25 verses that the kings commission had relation wholy to the law of God that Hezra being a man prompt therin should see al things done in the TeÌ„ple at Hierusalem in the kingdome of Iuda and Israel according to the law of God yet heere is no commission giuen him to execute both ciuil and â—…cclesiastical offices in his owne person neither reade we or may vve without sin imagine that euer he did so for that had beene an heinous breach of all Gods lawes an vnsufferable confusion of al Gods ordinances who as he hath in his word alwaies put difference distinction betwixt the ciuil ecclesiastical estates so hath he vnto ech seueral office apointed seueral ministers to atteÌ„d MoÌ„strous therfore most vngodly is that commission where both these estates offices are mingled coÌ„founded in one AntichristiaÌ„ beastlike is that person that sitteth as chiefe of this CoÌ„mission exerciseth both ciuile ecclesiastical iurisdiction by the coÌ„mandement of any mortal creature yt being so directly repugnant to the lawes of God and the TestameÌ„t of Christ so pernitious to the Church of Christ vtterly peruerting diuerting al the ordinances therof subuerting the whole libertie powers censures duties of the whole Church and of euerie meÌ„ber minister therof Euil theÌ„ may this mixt coÌ„fuse ecclesiastical high CoÌ„mission be coÌ„pared vnto or approued by this godly coÌ„missioÌ„ of Artaxerxes or this popish supremacie inordinate power ciuil iurisdictioÌ„ of this high Arch-Priest or Bishop by y â— person of Hezra who most painfully sincerely taught y e law of God most precisely practised y e same within the bouÌ„des of his calling most modestly faithfully behaued himself in al things as the scripture beareth recorde The 26 verse where the disobedieÌ„t the offendors are commaÌ„ded to haue due iudgment executioÌ„ according vnto the law of God qualitie of their offence caÌ„ by no common reason much lesse by any Christian iudgmeÌ„t be said to be coÌ„manded to be executed by Ezra his person The Priestes office as we haue said was to teach the law to exhorte al persoÌ„s to the obedieÌ„ce of the same but their office was not to erercise ciuile iurisdictioÌ„ or to execute ciuil iudgmeÌ„tes these were to be performed by ciuil magistrates Neither may these iudgmeÌ„ts of death eradication mulct of goods of bandes by