c. 8. adore her as mother and mistresse of all the Churches receiv beleev and obey her word constitutions canons commandements doctrines and decrees without contradiction because the truth of the faith as touching us relyeth upon the g Bellar. de Eccles milit l. 3. c. 14 Churches authority and whatsoever the Church alloweth is true whatsoever she disalloweâ—â— is false and her word h Bellar. de â—erb Dei l. â— c. 10. is not altogether mans word that is to say subject to errour but after a sort the word of God Out of this smoky furnace haue come the many heresies and whoorish doctrines of Free will merit of works limbus purgatorie pardons indulgences vowes prayer to and for the dead penance pilgrimages auricular confession and extreme unction with sundry other like which by this Churches supreme authority haue been concluded Catholike Orthodox and Authenticall Who seeth not now that Ieroboams Church was but a Babe to this Beldam for she had no such soveraignty over mens soules taught no such doctrines neither made she any decrees till Omri was King whose praise in the Scripture is this that he did i 1 King â— 16.25 worse then all that were before him and he indeed made k Mic. 6 1â— statutes which were observed in Israel though nothing so many or so imperious as the mistresse of Rome hath made 6 This l Rev. 18.7 Qeen being thus set aloft on the high places of the earth is far taller then the golden image m Dan. 3. â— that Nebuchadnezar set up in the plain of Dura for her hand and scepter reacheth up unto heaven where she ruleth among the canonized Saints and the very tail of her n Rev. 17. 12.4 beast whereon she rideth can draw down the starrs unto the earth This is the woman whom Rev. 17.3 Iohn saw in the wildernesse arayed in purple and scarlet and guilded with gold and precious stones and pearls with a golden cup in her hand full of the filthinesse of her fornication even the vers 18. great citie Rome then reigning over the Kings of the earth From this common mother as her Concil â—ident â—ss 18. children doe entitle her came all the bastard idols into the Christian world for she being Rev. 17.1 a whore sitting upon many waters that is vers 15. peoples multituds nations and tongues she was Eze. 23.5 set on fire with her lovers the neighbour nations that vers 17. came to her into the bed of loue and defiled her with their fornication for they went in unto her vers 44. as they goe to a common harlot and she Psal. 106. â— 36 learned their works and served their idols which will be her ruin 7 Of the Iews she hath received Bellar. de â—om Pont. â—1 c 9. one high Priest not Iesus Christ the true High Priest entred into the heavens but a supposed vicar of his having Rev. 13. â— two horns like the Lamb to be the chiefe Governour and Monarch Ecclesiasticall and he entreth Durand â—tioâ—al l. 6 75. once a year into the most holy of the Popish Church as the other did into the most holy of the Iewish Tabernacle From the glorious attire a Ex. 2â— 2.4.40 of Aaron and his sons as Ephod Robes Girdles c. she hath learned to deck her b Durand raâ— l. 3. c. â— Priests with cops surplices stoles girdles amices alâ—s and other like ornaments She imitateth their Ark which had the Tables of the covenant with c Durand l. 1. c. 2. her ark or tabernacle the Pix which hath the Sacrament of the Eucharist their candlestick and seven burning lamps with d Durand l. 1. c. 1. her candles torches tapers their e Num. 1â— 9 c. sprinkling water of purification with her f Durand l. 1 c. 7. holy water and in many other particulars of Temple Altar Oil Laver Fire c. g As thâ— same Durand sheweth in that book she followeth her footsteps and Iudaizeth more then did the false Teachers in the h Galat. 4 9.10 Col. 2.16 Apostles daies Which things in Israel had their holy use and end untill Christ came in the flesh but since are dead and abolished as i Gal. 4.9 Col. 2.20 beggarly worldly rudiments though this whore-mother of Rome reviveth them by her Art and for her fleshly pleasure whiles her self and her friends goe a whoring after these Iewish ceremonies 8 But she had not her fill by defiling her selfe with Iews therefore she sought to take her pleasure of the Gentiles round about her far and neer and decked her bed with all their abominations And first she fell in loue with Aegipt where Israel of old committed fornication and had the Eze. 23.8 brests of her virginity bruised For whereas the Aegiptians commingled the Kingdom and Priesthood the Civill Magistracie and the Ecclesiasticall Ministery in one person and would haue all their Kings to be also Priests as Plato in Politic. Writers doe record with this goodly invention the whore of Rome is enamoured and joyneth or confoundeth the Magistracy and Ministery Princedom and Priesthood in the persons of her Popes Cardinals Bishops and other Church Princes And although God in the Law distinguished the office of the King and Priest constituting one in m Gen. 49.10 1 Chr. 5.2 the Tribe of Iudah the other n Num. 18 1 7. in Levi so as one mought o 2 Chr. 27 16.17.18.19 not intermeddle with that which belonged to another and Christ in the Gospel hath plainly p Mat. 20.25 26. Luk. 22.25.26 forbidden his Ministers to haue the authority or titles of polâ—tick Princes yet pleadeth this Babylonish Queen that it is not against Gods word q Bellar. de Rom. Pont. l. 5. c. 9. for one man to be a Prince Ecclesiasticall and Politicall together and so she and her daughters practise to this day In which point she is more abominable and polluted now professing Christianity then shee was of old when she professed Paganism for the hethen Priests or Flamins in Rome were not permitted to haue any Migistracie because as the r Plutarch Quest. RoÌ„ Philosopher by light of reason reasoneth it could not be the actions of these offices being so divers and different that one man should perform both at one time but needs it must fall out when both duties were to be done together that one should be omitted and so sometimes God not to be duly served sometimes the Civill state should suffer damage 9 Again this Romish Babylon doreth on the ordinances of Babel in Chaldea for as there they s Ier. 10 3 9. had images of silver and gold wood and stone to which t Isa. 44.15 they bowed and worshipped and which were representations of the Gods and Saints whom they adored to weet of u Isa. 4â— 1 Bel which was x Herodâ—t Clio.
sores and repented not of their works All k Rev. 13.3 the world wondreth and followeth the beast admireth the glory and magnificence of the l Rev. 17. whore and without Gods speciall grace none can keep himselfe from her for she sitteth m Prov. 9.14.15 in the high places of the citie calling them that passe by the way and her lips a Prov. 5.3 drop the honey comb liquor and her mouth is softer then oile though her end be bitter as wormwood sharp as a two-edged sword She taketh her b Ezek. 16.17.18 fair jewels of Gods gold and silver the holy Scripture and treasures therein and with them she maketh her images and heresies and covereth them with broydered garments as wrought by Gods own spirit and setteth his oil and perfume before them She c Ezek. 23.40.41 washeth her self as if she were clean from all iniquity and painteth her eyes as if she had the very visage of true faith and decketh her with ornaments as wanting no gifts of knowledg or utterance or other furniture of the spirit and she sitteth upon a costly bed as being seated and constituted in the best perfection Her table is furnisht with Gods incense and oil for the word prayers sacraments are the diet of devotion wherewith she feedeth her lovers and d vers 42. a voyce of a multitude being at ease is with her for many fools follow her because of her worldly prosperity she allureth and intertaineth all comers Thus with Pro. 7.21 her great craft she causeth men to yeeld and felleth down many wounded f vers 26. great is the number of all that are kâ—llâ—d by her for her heart is g Eccles. 7.28 nets and snaâ—es and her hands bands he that is good before God shall be delivered from her but the sinner shall be taken by her CHAP. III. Of Jeroboams Jdolatry that infected Jsrael and of the pretenses that he mought make for his sin THat the allurements of this whore Idolatry with her deceits and snares may be further manifested and people be warned to avoyd her destruction I will yet prosecute this argument against her to uncover her skirts and disclose her iniquity hunting her steps as they are traced in the Scriptures and left to be seen as a perpetuall type in Israel 2 The common-wealth of Israel did never enjoy such peace and happinesse as in the daies of Salomon son of David who reigned fortie yeares Him a 2 Sam. 1 24.25 the Lord loved whereupon he was named Jedidjah and chose b 1 Chron 28.5 him from among many sonns to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel and c vers 6. to build his house and courts and to be his son and he would be his father He gaue d 2 Chron. 1.12 unto him wisedom and knowledg and riches and treasures and honour so as there was no King like him before or after But Solomon e 1 King 11.1 4. loved many strange women who withdrew him from the loue of God that he f vers 5. followed the abominations and idolatries of the Heaâ—hen Then God g vers 9.10 was angry because he had turned his heart from him who had appeared unto him twise and given him a charge concerning this thing that hee should not follow other Gods but hee kept not that which the Lord had commanded him Therefore God h vers 11. rent the Kingdom from him and gaue it to his servant i ver 26.29 Ieroboam son of Nebat a man of the tribe of Ephraim with this certification that if k vers 38. he would hearken to all that God commanded him and walk in his waies and doe the right in his eyes he would be with him and build him a sure house and giue Israel unto him Now when Solomon was dead all this came to passe for Rehoboam his son l 1 Kin. 12. lost the most part of his realm and ten Tribes declined after Ieroboam and chose him their King 3 But he though otherwise a man wise and politick wanting heavenly wisedom relyed not in faith on the promise of God but went and consulted with flesh and bloud how he mought confirm the Kingdom to himselfe And thinking m 1 King 12.26 c. in his heart that if the people should as they were wont goe up to Ierusalem to worship God there their hearts would turn from him to Solomons son who reigned in that place and so they would kill him Being fraught with this fear and void of faith he thought to prevent these evils by setting up a place of Gods publick worship in his own dominions And knowing that the people would not easily be drawn to a new religion he retained a shew still of the old not altering any article of the faith nor yet many of the externall rites but as in Ierusalem there was a Temple and Altar and other outward signes of Gods habitation with his Church so would Ieroboam in Israel make Temples and Altars and signes of Gods presence that his people mought serv him there Then n 1 King â— 28 c. made he two calues or oxen of gold and set one at Bethel another at Dan with houses and altars and other like furniture and said to the people o vers 28. It is too much for you to goe up to Ierusalem behold thy Gods ô Israel which brought thee up out of the land of Aegypt 4 The changes and corruptions which he brought into Gods worship were cheifly these First of the place which God had p 2 Chro. 7.6 chosen to be at Ierusalem but Ieroboam would haue q 1 King 12.29 at Dan and Bethel Secondly of the signes or testimonies of the divine presence which at Ierusalem was by Gods own ordinance r Exod. 25 10 22. Num. 7.89 Psal. 80.1 the ark of the covenant with the glorious golden Cherubims whereon hee â—ate and from which his voyce had been heard but at Bethel and Dan by Ieroboams device s 1 King 12.28 were bullocks or calues of gold Thirdly of the time for the feast of Tabernacles appointed of God t Lev. 23.34 to be kept the 15 day of the seventh month Ieroboam put off untill u 1 King 12.32 the 15 day of the eighth moneth Fourthly of the persons administring the holy things which by Gods authority x Num. 18 1.7 Deut. 10.8 were Aarons sonns and their brethren the Levits but by Ieroboams dispensation y 1 King 12.31 were of other parts and lowest of the people These things being ‘ vers 31. consulted of and agreed upon by the King and State the people of Israel yeelded unto and practised accordingly shewing their prompt obedience and devotion in going z vers 30. because of the one even to Dan a citie in the utmost part of all the land Thus sinned Ieroboam made Israel to sin
and it “ 1 King 13.34 turned to sin unto his house even to root it out and destroy it from the face of the earth 5 Against this innovation there were some that presently rose up refusing to follow the religion of the King especially the Priests and Levites according to the charge they had ‘,’ Deut. 33 10. to teach Jankob Gods judgements and Israel his law “ 2 Chron. 11.13 resisted the superstition and put the people in mind of their duty which Jeroboam perceiving ‘ vers 14. put them from their office and ,‘, 2 Chron. 13. â— droue them out of his realm Some also there were of †2 Chron. 11.16 all the Tribes of Israel that hearkning to the wholesome doctrine of their Ministers and following their good example left their own Country and resorted to Ierusalem so strengthning the kingdom of Iudah Thus was there a controversie among the people about these the Kings ceremonies some counting them novelties and profane superstition others and they the many esteeming them laudable and well-fitting their State But the men of Iudah reproched them for this as having a 2 Chron. 13.11 forsaken God and made b vers 8. them golden calues for Gods and done many like abominations The Lord also used other means to draw the King and people to repentance by the admonition c 1 Kin. 13 1.2 c. of a Prophet confirmed by miracle by striking dead Ieroboams arm and healing it again and by d 1 King 14. taking away his beloved son Abijah These things though they could not but trouble both King and people yet could they not prevail to bring them to repentance for Ieroboam had many things to say for himselfe and much could he colour his new coynd religion answering the objections that were made against them by thâ—s or the like apologie 6 I See my course ô men of Israel to be much suspected if not wholly misliked of many some thinking my ceremonies to savour too rankly of Heathen superstition some charging me plainly with flat apostasie and forsaking of God But how far off I am from all such impiety how ever it please men to mistake my meaning and pervert my actions I hope to manifest unto all indifferent persons Chiefly sith that I haue neither spoken nor done against any article of the ancient faith nor changed any fundamentall ordinance of religion given us by Moses but worship with reverence the God of my fathers and loue him as I am taught e Deut. 6 4.5 30.20 with all my heart and with all my soul cleaving unto him alone who is my life and the length of my daies Other Gods of the nations I utterly abhor with all their impure rites and services and if any shall now or hereafter decline to such abomination I trust we shall shew f 2 Kin. 10 16.28.29 the zeal that we haue for the Lord our God against all their impiety The alteration that I haue made is in matters of circumstance things meerly ceremoniall whereof there is no expresse certain or permanent law given us of God and which are variable as time place and person giue occasion and such as good Kings haue changed before me and haue been blamelesse 7 And first for the place where God is to be worshipped which many now would haue at Ierusalem onely I finde the practise of our Patriarch Abraham and the fathers following to be far otherwise They sacrificed to God as occasion was offered in every place they came in g Gen. 12.7.8 Shechem and in this h Gen. 35.7 Bethel in the plain i Gen. 13.18 of Mamre and in k Gen. 26.25 Beersheba so this superstition of tying God to one place was not hatched in their daies After this when our fathers came out of Aegypt they l Exo. 24.5 offered sacrifices in the wildernesse and being come into this land in how sundry places of it haue they served God At m 1 Sam. 1 3 c. Shilo the Tabernacle Ark was many daies and all Israel sacrificed there Again at n 1 Sam. 7.1.2 Kirjath-jearim the Ark had abiding twenty years and there men sought the Lord and after that in o 1 Sam. 21 1.6 c. other places many But when David was King he removed the Ark p 2 Sam. 6 13 c. to Ierusalem and the Tabernacle which Moses had made he left in a high place q 1 Chron. 21.29 at Gibeon and thus were there two places of publick worship at one time and Salomon sacrificed r 1 King 3.4.15 in them both And shall we now grow so superstitious as to binde God to any one place Nay this all is the Lords land and his eyes are in every part of the same and it is not so materiall where we doe worship as whom we worship and with what affection for our God is neer in all times and places to all that call upon him in truth 8 But it will be said that Ierusalem is the place which God hath chosen promising unto Solomon s 1 King 9.3 to put his name in the Temple there for ever and that his eyes and heart should be there perpetually I answer the promise and covenant was conditionall if Gods t vers 4. statutes and judgments were observed for if they should turn away and u vers 6. serue other Gods God said x vers 7.8 he would cast out of his sight that house which hee had hallowed for his name and it should be an astonishment a hissing to all that passe thereby And see we not how Solomon forfeited his bond His wiues y 1 King 11.4 turned his heart after other Gods hee followed z vers 5. Ashteroth and Milcom Chemosh and Molech and other abominations of the Gentiles and “ vers 7. built them high places for which his wickednesse God was angry and hath rent his Kingdom from his son and given it to me Look to Gods place which was in Shilo a 1 Sam. 4. Psal. 78.60 c. where he set his name at the beginning and see what he did to it for the iniquity of Israel even b Ier. 7.12 14. so will the Lord doe to that house in Ierusalem wherupon his name is called wherin also they trust Example see in the rent of the Kingdom for at the same time when promise was made to dwell in that house for ever God promised c 1 King 9.3.1 also to stablish that throne of Solomons for ever howbeit already the throne is thrown down and most of the Realm committed to me As is the one doubtlesse so is the other no sanctity remaineth in the place so polluted with idolatry the holinesse is gone 9 And now that this Bethel where I build a house to our God is the place which he hath chosen to dwell therin we may boldly say for it is most
renoumed the chiefe and supereminent place in the land They boast in Ierusalem how their Temple standeth upon mount d 2 Chr. 3.1 Morijah where Abraham our father e Gen. 22.2 c. offered his son Isaak a type of the Messiah for a sacrifice to God we also can glory how Jaakob our Patriarch saw in this our place a f Gen. 28.12 ladder that reached from earth to heaven by which the Angels of God went up and down a type also doubtlesse of our Messiah to come by whom as by a ladder we shall get up to heaven whom g Psal. 97.7 all the Angels of God shall worship when he commeth and shall be seen to ascend and descend upon him Here God appeared to our father Jaakob h Gen. 28.13.14 promising him the land and heyres to possesse it He then acknowledged how i vers 16.17 c. the Lord was in this reverend place that it was no other but the house of God the very gate of heaven therupon gaue it a new name Bethel Gods house wheras at first it was k vers 19. called Luz yea Jaakob vowed that at his safe returne the stone which here he had set up for a pillar l vers 22. should be Gods house And this his devotion was approved of God who expresly commanded him m Gen. 35 1 c. to dwell in Bethel and make him an Altar here which hee performing God graciously accepted appeared again with new promises in this place whereupon the name was againe confirmed to be Gods house or n vers 13 14.15 Bethel Thus having so venerable antiquity on our side can any man doubt but it is more safe to worship here at Bethel a place sanctified of old and so long continuing then at Sion of late so fouly polluted by Solomons grosse idolatry 10 And me thinks the remembrance of that late impiety should keep men from doting so on that place for it is much to be feared Rehoboam will set up ere long his fathers religion who followed strange Gods seeing hee walketh already in his evill way of oppressing the people and o 1 King 12.3.4.13.14 could not be brought to ease them at all of any taxe or burthen wherwith his father loded them As hee followeth his father in sinning against the people so is hee like to doe in sinning against God For loe the hie places which Solomon builded for Ashteroth and Chemosh and Milcom the idols of the Heathen p 2 King 23.13 are left standing still even before Ierusalem and on the right hand of the mount of corruption and are like there to contâ—nue Which wherfore is it but for a snare to the people that they may fall again to the former sin 11 I now being King doe hold it my duty to keep al my subjects from such danger of idolatry and to look that the true God be served in my Kingdom lest men either grow prophane or turn unto vanities For to goe to Ierusalem it may proue perilous sure it is q 1 King 12.28 overmuch for the people that dwell a far off and seemeth to me altogether unreasonable For may and ought not every Prince and people to serue God in their own countrey Was there any before me that mought not doe it and am I more in bondage then all Besides who knoweth not the grudge that Rehoboam hath against us whom of late r 2 Chr. 1 1 4. he would haue warred with if God had not stayed him Why hee counteth me and my people s 2 Chroâ— 13.6 rebels and if he can get me within his dominion he will surely cut off my head and the heads of many moe And doth God who t Hos. 6 desireth mercy rather then sacrifice require of men thus for to runn upon the swords â—oint and indanger their liues without cause and onely for a circumstance of place I am not so weak of judgement as to think it neither will I be so unwise as to hearken to these Levites who kindle the fire of contention among my subjects and teach that we all must goe up to Ierusalem or else we may offer no sacrifice to God Beleev them that list I haue otherwise learned the truth of the Law and trust we shall so serue the Lord at home as will please him well enough 12 For the worship that here we perform unto God is for the substance the same that himselfe commanded by Moses Wee serue the same God a 1 King 2.28 that brought us up out of the land of Aegipt and this is b Exod. 20. â— 3 the first and the great commandment on which all other do depend the keeping wherof c Psal. 81.8 â— 10 hath the promise of reward Wee offer the sacrifices of beeues and sheep wee burn incense pay first fruits and tithes of all we possesse we observ all the ordinances that our fathers haue kept since the world began and God hath confirmed in his written law for ever Wee hold the main article of our Messiah to come and of redemptâ—on from our sinnes by him by which faith our ancestors haue pleased God and unto this he leadeth us in his Law In this faith offer we according to the Law d Lev. 4.4.3.14 20 bullocks for attonement and forgiuenesse of our sins a shadow unto us of our Messiah who shall be led as an oxe to the slaughter and purge our iniquity by his own bloud In testimony of this true catholick faith I haue made these bullocks e 2 King 12.28 of gold similitudes of the greatest sacrifices as representations of that our true sacrifice the promised Saviour whom we expect 13 If here it be said wee doe against God in making these golden figures because he forbiddeth f Exod. 2 graven images to be made the answer is easie Gods meaning is not to forbid all images simply but onely idols that haue divine worship done unto them Such as was that Calfe which our fathers g Exod. 3â— made in the wildernesse for they h Psal. 10 19. worshipped the molten image it self not God by the image but made them i Ex. 32.3 Gods of gold which was against the expresse k Ex. 20.2 words of the Law yea they were so grosse as they turned him l Ps. 106 â—â— their glory into the similitude of a bullock that eateth grasse and m vers 2 forgat God their Saviour which had done great things in Aegipt for them But God forbid and farr be it from us good people that wee should thus doe Wee worship not the images of our bullocks here any more then we worshipped the images of the Cherubims and other resemblances in Solomons Temple but we worship God and him onely doe we serue even n 1 King 12.28 the God that brought us out of Aegypt not any other 14 Yet some are so hardly prejudiced against me as they
King 11.29 hee appointed me hereunto by his Prophet and chose me t 1 King 12.20 by his people I am not inferiour to any Prince that hath been before me What though I be not born of kingly bloud neither was David And what though Solomon and Rehoboam his son were possessed of the crown before me So was Saul and Ishbosheth his son possessed of it before king David But God for Sauls sin u 1 Saâ— 12.28 gaue the kingdom to David his servant and no man doubteth of his lawfull title so God for Solomons sin x 1 King â—1 31 hath given this kingdom to me his servant and my title is just Neither goe I beyond my line I am content with my ten Tribes let Rehoboam haue the rest Now being your lawfull Prince ô Israel it lyeth me upon to see the Church ordered as well as the Common-wealth to make Lawes noâ— contrary to the lawes of God for the holy and peaceable government of you to take heed you fall not to Solomons idolatry or follow other Gods Things substantiall and fundamentall I will in no wise change circumstances of things and ceremonies I may freely change for they are not permanent or perpetuall 18 And herein I can assure my selfe and others by example of DAVID the beloved of GOD y 1 King â—1 34.38 commended to me for his holy walking and upright admistration He ordred many things in the service of God otherwise then he had expresse warrant for in the written Law He removed the Ark z 1 Chron. 13. 15. from Kirjath-jearim to Ierusalem He appointed a 1 Chr. 16 â— 5 c. instruments of musick cimbals and vials and harps c. wherof there is no mention in Moses Law He b 1 Chron. 23. 25. distributed the Levites into their orders and offices making some singers some porters some assistants to the Priests yea and c 1 Chr. 24 the sacrifices hee set in 24 classes or courses and where shall we find these things warranted in the Law If David then our worthy Predecessor did thus order the Church and alter the ceremonies by his regall authority may not I which haue equall power in my dominions doe the like And Solomon his son before he fell from the true God to idols did many things otherwise then is written in Moses and God did allow them In his famous Temple he had d 2 Chron. 4.7.8 ten golden candlesticks and ten tables whereas God by Moses ordained of each e Ex. 26.35 but one In sted of one laver that Moses made to wash in Solomon made f 2 Chr. 4.6 ten cauldrons besides that other vessel which for the hugeness of it is called g vers 2. a sea with many other differences which who so compareth his works with Moses writings may easily perceiv These Priests of Levi are much to bee pittied that urge so the letter of the Law which I think they understand not They say it is written h Deut. 4.2 Yee shall put nothing to the word that J command you nor take ought therefrom but they minde not how this intendeth matters of faith and doctrines fundamentall which I willingly grant may in no wise be corrupted but ceremonies are variable and circumstances may be changed upon every just occasion as before I haue proved and the practise of my godly predecessours doth approue Accordingly mean I to retain my liberty and maintain my prerogatiue royall 19 It resteth to be scanned how we shal doe for Ministers if the Priests of Levi be put away And for this I i 2 Chron. 13.9 am reproched as violating the Law wheras necessity constraineth me to take other order I know that Aarons sonnes are appoinred by Law to doe the Priests office but the power is in the Church of whom they had their authority and mought still administer if they were not so scrupulous It is then their own fault that they are deposed and be it upon them for wee will serv God as did our fathers before these Aaronites injoyed the Priesthood I finde that of old the Patriarchs k Gen. 12.8 13.4.18 c. Abraham Isaak and Jaakob offered sacrifices themselues even then when Melchisedek the l Gen. 14 18.19 Priest of the most high God lived in the land I finde again how Moses did send m Ex. 24. yong men of the children of Israel to offer burnt offrings and peace offrings to the Lord. How ever therefore for order sake this work was committed to the sonns of Aaron yet hold I it not to be of necessity to salvation or of the essence and being of a true sacrifice that an Aaronite must offer it But seeing all the Lords people are holy yea a n Ex. 19. kingdom of Priests as the Lord calleth them in his Law they may no doubt being duely sanctified and consecrate thereto offer acceptable sacrifices unto God And hereof will I haue care that none shall administer o 1 King 12.31 but such as are consecrate but I will not debar p 1 King 13.33 any be he of what Tribe soever if he be fit otherwise As for these refractarie Ministers the Levites I will revenge me of them for they are the troublers of the State the boutefeus that set on fire all the country For loe how many people q 2 Chron 11.16.17 of all the Tribes of Israel are ready to leaue the land and run to Rehoboam in Ierusalem These men are the cause of all this stur and faction their doctrine impeacheth my supremacy and disturbeth the peace of the Church Wherfore as Solomon 1 Kin. 27 cast out Abiathar from being Priest unto the Lord because his hand was with Adonijah I also by like right 2 Chron. â—1 14 will cast out these Priests of Levi whose hands are with my enemy Rehoboam So rest and peace shall be unto my selfe and to my people 20 Yet a few words more of the events that are happened which in their simplicity many doe mistake and abuse against me The Prophet 1 King 3.1 that came out of Iudah to Bethel and gaue there a sign made some for to think I had sinned in deed My selfe I confesse was somewhat moved when I felt u vers 4. my arm withered but seriously weighing things after as they were I stayed my thoughts For first he came but as any false Prophet if God so permit may come at all times I mean with sign and wonder but without word of truth to convince the conscience He x vers 2. cryed against the altar but shewed no law of the Lord to condemn it He threatned destruction but who knows when the day shall come for no time was set down that men may be held with continuall expectation I find in the Law that a y Deut. 13 1.2 c. Prophet may arise giving a sign or wonder which shal come to passe and yet his