in the best construction to be an humane law â—…estraining and inhibiting the sober and â—…oly vse of those creatures which God hath put in our libertie But â—…s the truth in deed is and as their present practise without all conâ—…radiction declareth yt is as yt is vsed with them a burdenous idolaâ—…rous tradition a papisticall and romish custome being vsed after that â—…uperstitious abhominable manner that I haue abouâ—… declared a speâ—…iall and solemne part of their worship a great and principall action of their Church as the solemne bidding and keeping of that shewâ—…th How can this doctor then say yt concerneth not the conscience â—…o not the publike actions of the Church the worship and seruice of God praier fasting concerne the conscience or may such trumperie â—…raditions be brought into the Church or laid vpon the conscience â—…e learneth nâ—… such doctrine of M r. CALVINE who alloweth no humane diuises no Apocrypha traditions to be brought into the Church of God how holy pregnant or necessarie soeuer they may seeme to be Yet in handling this point he hath vnhappily stumbled at I vvote â—…ot vvhat old prescriptions and auncient erronious customes of keeâ—…ing a solemne memoriall of the birth death and resurrection of CHRIST vpon their peculiar daies yerely as also the feast of Pentecost when the Apostles receiued the holy Ghost c. He also alloweth of Apâ—…crypha Leitourgies viz. â—…set stinted forme of numbred publike praiâ—…rs to be brought into and vsed in the Church and this as yt should â—…eeme because he would not be thought a Nouatian or an Author of â—…ew Religion c. But see how he hath therby both insnared himself opened a gap for other like trumperie to be brought into y e church â—…vhich may easily carrie both as great shew of antiquitie and of godines as these He hath therby also giuen a verie pernitious president â—…nto other ages as apeareth in the miserable estate of our common â—…velth who are a great deale more ready to follow him in his errors â—…ransgressions then to imitate him in his godly vertues laborious and â—…oly life Me thinkes also that M r. CALVINE in the other part of this â—…oint concerning such lawes as pluck away any part of our Christian â—…ibertie or inhibite restraine that which God hath put in our power â—…ath greatly departed from himself therin For hauing very truly set downe that yt is heinous presumption in any mortall man to restraine or make lawes of such things as the Lord hath left in libertie he straightway least he should offend or keepe back ciuil magistrates froÌ„â—…eceauing the Gospel inuenteth a pollitike distinction betwixt y e outward or ciul Court the Court of conscieÌ„ce saying that this outward Court respecteth men only bindeth not the conscience of the doer but the outward actions only the other concerneth matters belonging vnto God therfore bindeth the conscience Thus hath he both lost intangled himself vtterly ouerthrowen all his former doctrine CONSCIENCE HE defineth from the second of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—… to be a certaine feeling or remorse within our selues according to the knowledg of Gods wil which doth continually present vs accuse or acquit vs before the iudgment seat of God Although this definition be somwhat of the scantest as making the conscience of man extend no further then his present knowledg which yet we read in the scriptures stretcheth much further namly to the vvhole liâ—…e of man wherin God as in a book writeth aly thinges done in this mortal life which booke he often openeth not vntil the final iudgmeÌ„t but suffereth men to run on die in their sinne without feeling vntill then he plucking away all vailes lets set al their sinnes that euer they haue committed in thought word or deed in order according to their indignitie before them vvhervpon in horror of conscience the scripture setteth out and describeth their fearfull desperate estate vnto our capacitie shewing that in that day they shall euen desire the rockes to fall vpon them the seas to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. c. If our consciences were only charged but with the sinnes which we coÌ„mit against our knowledg theÌ„ ignorance of Gods lawe excuseth the breach therof then were the ignorant in far most best estate and had the cleerest conscience then needed we not to pray for pardon for our ignorant sinnes c. But because our conscience in this life cannot be touched vvith or accuse vs here of more then we know to be sinne for as the Apostle saith without the law we liued but when the commandement came sinne reuiued but we died therfore to aâ—…oide further controuersie I rest in this his description which me thinkes also maketh vene fully against himself for we see how the knowledg of the law reuiueth sinne maketh yt out of measure sinful But to come to the point M r. CALVINE saith that by the ciuil lawes the conscieÌ„ce is not bound but the outward action only Yf he meane thus that the conscience is not subiect to the ciuil Magistrate but the bodie only he saith true If he meane that the ciuill Magistrate can but looke vpon the outward action in the keeping or breach of his law he saith true For man no not the whole Church can enter into Gods seat to search and iudge the conscience the inward affections of the heart c. Man can but behould and iudge the outward actions according to the law of God for if they could then should no hipocrites creepe into or remaine in the Church The heart and conscience vntill by outward actions yt be reuealed is not only liable vnto but searched by and iudged of God And this we see as well in the lawes of the first Table as in the lawes of the second Whiles I resort and vvalket together vvith the Church and vvorship God to all outward seeming vnreprouablie though I be inwardly neuer so great an hypocrite vntill my sinne apparantly breake out the Church can no more censure me then the ciuill Magistrate can punish me before I haue broken the law So then we see the secret conscience is as far out of the reach censure iudgment of the Church as yt is out of the Magistrates hand vntill some fault or offence be made But if M r. CALVINE meane as his wordes and whole scope intâ—…nd that the conscience is not charged with the law of the outward Court but vvith the outward action only then surely he greatly erred For this doctrine is most dangerous and false as discharging the conscience froÌ„ the whole second Table vnto vvhich yt is as much bound as vnto the first Neither can vve keep or please God in the first that vvalke not vvith a good conscience towardes all men in the second Our praiers are abhominable that are offred with handes ful of blood â—…r vvith our
vniuersal here there gaâ—…hered scattered in the world hath not the deuil also that prince â—…f this dark world his childreÌ„ seruantes which as tares ouergrow grieue the wheate couer the face of the whole fâ—…ld Is not this â—…he condition estate of the world shalbe to the end Now here â—…hough GODES children by the light of his word espie and grieue at â—…hese wicked tares so see this world which is in deed y e Lordes field beloÌ„geth to the good seed not vnto the euil thus pestered and â—…uergrowne with the wicked yet may they not by a rash inordiâ—…ate zeale be caried away either peremptorily to iudge coÌ„demne â—…r vtterlie to extirpate these tares as reprobates both because the â—…ord hath reserued this final iudgment execution vnto himself who knoweth to what he hath predestinate euerie vessel that he â—…ath made whether vnto honour or to dishonour reserueth the â—…easons oportunities wheÌ„ to cal or cut off in his owne handes â—…ath neither coÌ„mitted these things to maÌ„ nor need to be couÌ„celled or aduised in theÌ„ by maÌ„ But Christ in this parable rather teacheth â—…is disciples patience sobrietie to be patient towardes al men as â—…heir heauenly Father is patieÌ„t rather suffring instructing y e euil with meeknes prouing if God at any time will giue theÌ„ repeÌ„tance â—…y they may acknowledg y â— truth come to ameÌ„dment out of the â—…nare of the deuil of whome they are takeÌ„ prisoners to do his wil â—…ather pitiâ—…ng in their soules praying for al meÌ„ theÌ„ iudging fiâ—…ally condemning any or calling for fire vengeance vpon them c. This were a preposterous zeale greatly against Godes glorie who willeth al men to be saued calleth theÌ„ to his SoÌ„nes mariagé â—…east therefore causeth the gospell to be preached proclaimed for vs after we are once entred to shut the dore of Godes grace against others we were not for this cause receaued to mercy but raâ—…her to prouoke others to tast of Gods goodnes also be examples â—…o them that shal in time to come beleeue vnto eternal life Yf Paul Mary Magdalene others nay if we our selues by whome of al others we know most euil had beene plucked vp by the rootes whiles we grewe amongst the rankest of the weedes tares in the field of the world had yt not beene much ruth had not much good wheate beene spilt but he y chose called vs out of this dark world vnto the glorious inheritance of the Saintes in light shal shew the like mercie vnto them also if they abide not in vnbeliefe Our sauiour Christ whiles he was here emongst vs came not into the world as theÌ„ to iudge or coÌ„deÌ„ne the world but that the world through him might be saued Let not vs then take that vpon vs w ch belongeth not vnto vs neither iudge before the time seing God hath not giuen to his church to censure or iudge them without but to attend vpon iudg them which are within God iudgeth them that are wâ—…thout But now how may this place of the sowen field without vnsufferable vvrasting and falsifying be vnderstood of or applied vnto the planted Church of Christ shall these stinking vveedes noisome tares grow there vnweeded out or hath not GOD therfore giueÌ„ vnto his Church and euerie member therof the vveeding hooke of his word the power of our Lord IESVS CHRIST vvherby to censure cut off euerie obstinate offendor to cast downe euerie high thing that is exalted against the knowledg of GOD to haue vengeance ready against all disobedience and euery transgression that ariseth amongst them Is not the vvhole Church euerie member therof often almost euerie where in the scriptures coÌ„manded and stirred vp to keep this vvatch diligently and for the neglect contempt therof reade we not of sundrie Churches sharply reprooued yea vtterly cut off and is yt then likely that our sauiour CHRIST would here vtterly forbid his Apostles Disciples to intermedle vvith the vveeding out of these tares out of the Church his gardeÌ„ doth not this place thus vnderstood of the planted Church vtterly subuert and ouerthrow all ecclesiastical censures and condemne the Apostles of presumption for stirring vp the Churches to excoÌ„municate and cast out their obstinate offenders inordinate walkers heretikes c. from amongst them yea for so sharply reproouing whole Churches and threatning to come against them vvith the iudgmentes of GOD for their defalts herein vvhich vvay can all the learning these men haue reconcile these places but that by this their interpretatioÌ„ there must needes be expresse coÌ„trarietie But as they thus peruert this place so the applicatioÌ„ of yt and their collection from yt is much more pernicious and vnsusferable as shall afterward appeare THE NEXT place that is brought for the receauing and reteining their profane sinfull multitudes in their Church is the Parable of the draw-net vvherin fishes of all sorts are gathered and not seuered vntill the Lordes finall iudgmeÌ„tes This is granted them to be vnderstood of the planted Church where by the power of the word all degrees and sorts of men are gathered and amongst them diuerse false and wicked hypocrites vvhich shall coÌ„tinue remaine in the Church vntill the Lord pluck off their visors pull theÌ„ out whether by death or by his finall iudgment This is no new thing this is not denied this alwaies hath beene alwaies shalbe vnto the end of the vvorld Many shall enter without the vvedding garment vvithout that vvhite stone that inward testimonie and assurance vvhich no man knoweth saue he that receaueth yt and GOD giueth vnto none but vnto his choseÌ„ Many glorious hypocrites shal there be vvhich make a faire shew in the flesh which shal haue prophecied cast oâ—…t deui's done great vvorkes by CHRIST name which in that day shall call and not be heard But what of all this may yt â—…om hence be concluded that the profane multitude without due â—…stimonie and proof of their faith by publike profession c. may â—…e admitted into or any open vvicked vvhich remaineth obstinate â—…d impenitent may be reteined in this Church of CHRIST Surelie â—…is ground vvill beare no such doctrine this place no such conâ—…ruction THERE YET remaineth an other maine place to vphold their conâ—…sed profane assemblies draweÌ„ from the third chapter of Mathew 12 â—…rse vvhere they liken the gathered and established Church of â—…HRIST vnto a barneflore in vvhich the vvheate is so gathered toâ—…eather that yt lieth hidden vnder the chaffe vntill being clensed â—…ith fanne siue yt be aâ—… length layd vp in the grainer c. yea M r. â—…ALVINE in an other peculiar treatise against the Anabaptists vsing â—…is place of Mathew saith THAT the faithful shalbe in the planted â—…hurch of CHRIST
sauing their soules bodies from such wicked accursed assemblies from such disobedient rebellious people and from al the trumperies and deceites of the false Church c. But let vs a litle examine what kind of doctrine these men draw from Mr. CALVINE spread abrode in their pulpites publike writinges They hould that whatsoeuer Congregatiō keepeth an outward shew of the ministerie of the word sacramentes ceaseth not to be a Church neither is to be left for any sinne in maners as they call yt whatsoeuer though they willingly presumptuously neglect break the lawes of God both in their worship and conuersation and remaine incorrigible obstinate in these transgressiōs Now they teach that neither for such sinnes God is so displeased with the congregatiō that he herevpon withdraweth his fauor from them or they ◅cease to be held reuerenced of vs as a Church neither the publike actions of the said congregation as their praiers preaching sacramentes c. neither the cōmunicantes with this assemblie in these actions are with for these sinnes defiled For say they a godly conscience is not defiled with the sinnes of an other What fleshly libertine hath or can breath forth more poisoned doctrines then these more contrarie to the honour whole word of God from which yt at once taketh away al reuerence obedience practise What can be more popishly alledged for their Church then to say that yt can blesse these actions and persons whome God in his word accurseth or that the Church may cōmit such high sacriledge presumptuous sinne without the iudgment punishment due to the same Yf God haue made one the same couenant from the beginning of the world with the whole Church that he hath with euerie particular priuate mēber therof hath giuē no more libertie to the whole Church then to any priuate man to breake the least of his lawes if God for the transgression of his lawe vnpartially iudgeth al without respect of persons if presumptuous sinne with obstinacie ioined thervnto breaketh the couenant with God insomuch as yt both breake◅h Godes law and despiseth Godes mercie grace so depriueth them in that estate of any benefite of CHRISTES death If they which in this maner breake Godes law despise his grace to be iudged of al men as open wicked c. If al the actiones of the wicked be accursed of God so much the more accursed and abhominable by how much they take shew of holines profane Godes name ordinances Yf all they which partake in such actions praiers sacrifices which are an abhomination vnto the Lord be guilty of the altar and vnder the same curse how should those assemblies which continue in presumptuous obstinate sinne be esteemed the true Churches of CHRIST or any that administer vnto or cōmunicate with them in this estate in praiers sacramentes c. auoid the iudgment curse of God both for ioining vnto blessing the wicked for so high profanation of his name prostituting the holy mysteries of the ◅odie blood of Christ to such open vnworthy receiuers Rightly then and directly to reason to the point As many places of scripture as command Godes faithful seruantes with al their forces vttermostindeuor to obserue practise and obey vnto Godes holy word euerie part therof without any willing neglect or breach of the least cōmandement to their knowledg As many places as shew that obstinate presumptuous transgression breaketh the couenant As many places as command vs to seek out and resort vnto the true Church of CHRIST namely the cōmunion fellowship of the saintes Godes faithful obedient seruantes there to present our soules and bodies to be built bestowed according to Gods wil there together with thē to vvorship and serue our God c As many places as forbid vs all false Churches assemblies al spiritual fellowship cōmunion with the wicked or to repaire vnto or ioine with thē in their praiers worship c. So many places forbid vs al spirituall fellowship cōmunion vvith al assemblies in this estate vvhat faire shewes soeuer they make vnto vs or glorious titles they take vnto themselues so many places euidently prooue that if in this estate vve should communicate vvith them vve should be guilty of their sinns partakers of their plagues Which doctrines because they are generally receaued of all denied of none though omitted and forgotten by many and generally taught through the whole scriptures I need not here stand to make any more particular proofe or demonstration of them And so these being granted all these doctrines of M r. CALVINE and his Disciples fall to the ground Yet that the falshood of them may somwhat more appeare vnto all men let vs draw a litle neerer vnto them consider of their maine proofes and fundamental doctrines The publike actiones say they and ministerye of the Church as praiers sacramentes c. neither the godly conscience of anye are defiled vvith the open sinnes of others either of ministers or people c. For vvhy such publike actions are the ordinance of God and cannot be defiled or made vnavaileable with the sinnes of men neither are to be left for such sinnes Therfore the holy Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIST himself refrained not the Temple at such times as the estate therof was vholy corrupted but communicated with the wicked in their feastes and sacrifices although the pollution and contagion was generall and incurable both in the people and priestes For the rest euerie man is to eyamine himself and not othe◅s when he resorteth to the Church or receiueth the communion of the bodie and blood of CHRIST because he eateth to his owne damnation or saluation not to an other mans c. First if the open sinne of the minister or people defile not the praiers sacramentes by to them administred why hath the Lord said that ◅he sacrifice of the wicked is abhomination vnto him that they might as well kil a man as a bullock vnto him that they might as wel offer a dog or swines blood as sacrifice or burnt offering why hath the Lord said that sacrifice without obedience is not acceptable vnto him that he will haue mercie not sacrifice c. Why hath the Lord beene alwaies so ielous ouer his sanctuarie and ouer them that come neere vnto him vvhy hath he made so many lawes for the place Altar sacrifice priestes people c. that no priest with any apparant blemish might offer the bread of the Lord that no offring with any blemish might be accepted at the handes of any that none vvith any pollution or vncleannes vpon him might touch the tabernacle that no heathen or profane person vvhich was not yet come vnto the faith might tread in the courtes of the Lord or any offring be accepted at their handes vvhy hath the Lord
calleth â—…he Lords praier or any one particular branch of yt properly to be said â—… praier that is such an exercise or offring as the Saintes by the â—…orke of the Spirit in them offer vnto God through IESVS CHRIST â—…either followeth y t because euerie branch conteineth either a requesâ—… request of some benefite or the deliuerance from some euil that therfore yt is a praier For this yt is as yt is written in the booke though yt be neuer read therfore I may by M â— Some his reason Logick conclude that the booke also praieth because all these branches are in the booke and all these branches are such praiers Neither yet doth the reading of these scriptures make yt a praier any more then the reading of the scripture maketh a sermon there is required a litle more worke of the Spirit in both In the onâ—… to the explication application of the scripture read in the other to the powring out expressing the desireâ—… and estate of the heart in faith For yt sufficeth not that al our wantes or whatsoeuer we can aske or stand in need of are there expressed what booteth that me I can aske or receaue no more then mine owne faith extendeth vnto An enwrapped faith will not serue or saue me this were to conclude because iâ—… the bible is all wisdome and Doctoâ—… Some hath the bible therfore he hath al wisdome In this scripture iâ—… all praier therfore wheÌ„ I haue said or read this scripture I haue praied all maner of praier What pitifull blind yea popish pernicious reâ—…sons are these For saith this Doctor he is vnlearned that knoweth not that all petitions are contayned within the compasse of may be deduced from the Lordes praier Therfore when we reade or say the Lordes praier we pray for the Queene for the Nauie c. and all other petitioâ—…s that we need inclusiuely that vntill I can proue that all petitions are not therin concluded I gaine nothing by this reason in thaâ—… I alledge that neither our particular nor present wantes are therin expressed and therfore yt cannot be said our praier Doth this Doctoâ—… know what either faith or praier meaneth Can any thing be deuised more popish or idolatrous then this popish in that he maketh praieâ—… without faith vnderstanding or knowledg of the thing we say yea giueth meed to the verie saijng ouer these wordes Idolatrous in that hâ—… putteth holines and vertue in the wordes vnderstood For let me aske of him which way that can be said a priuate praier where my wordâ—… expresse not my heart were yt not rather an idle superstitious or fond futilitie a taking of the Lordes name in vaine I would also vnderstand of him whether any such publike praier may be vsed in the congregation which is not vnderstood of all and whither to the simpleâ—… sort he might not almost pray in an vnknowen tongue as well or hoâ—… should they vnderstand this without some particuler explicatioÌ„ or application Therfore by these vnfallible reasons we may conclude thâ—… this scripture neither any other can be vsed either priuatly or publikly as our praier without some further worke of the Spirit in vs. But he hath for this an euasioÌ„ namely that our knowledg is here buâ—… in part and therfore we may vnderstand in measure and so haue vse oâ—… this as a praier If he meane priuate praier though I in some measuâ—… may by such a speedy reading vnderstand somwhat yet this vnderstanding nothing expresseth so much as instructeth my present heaâ—… therfore yt cannot be said or vsed as my praier For euerie knowledg â—…r vnderstanding maketh not praier neither doe we heere reason of â—…ecret or inward praier but of pronounced praier Yf he meane pubâ—…ike praier yt is manifest that whole Ioaues vnbroken vp or vndeuiâ—…ed may not be set before children especially in their praiers which 〈◊〉 a publike actioÌ„ of the whole church must be vnderstood of the â—…hole church But be yt graÌ„ted him to be vnderstod of al the church â—…et euerie braÌ„ch being so infinite froÌ„ whence spring are deriued so â—…any infinite petitioÌ„s how now in this case shal they al w th one heart â—…e mind and one mouth be said to praise God when their mindes 〈◊〉 thus discracted their thoughtes dispersed one about one thing 〈◊〉 other about an other euen so many seueral as there are diuersitie â—…f thinges in the world of conceites and armies of thoughts in men â—…me shal aske priuate thinges whiles others aske publike How â—…ould this be auoided though al the church were as learned as this â—…octor mistaketh himself to be And this we know that publike praiâ—…rs must so be made as they may be with ane accord that all may be â—…nderstood that all may say Amen But saith this Doctor I then take away the vse of this Scripture â—…o but the abuse rather For how should yt now be vsed as a praier â—…ithout these popish errors grosse absurdities and heinous idolatrie â—…herin this popish Doctor al the priestes of the laÌ„d fal whiles they â—…se yt some of them saying yt for all their wantes at once that they â—…ight soone haue done others fiue times in a morning next their â—…eart for al the weeke after or vntil wednesday or friday that they â—…aue seruice againe Other more smooth hypocrites yet as grosse dolaters vse yt as a close or supplie forsooth to their loÌ„g prolixe â—…raiers coÌ„ceaued before with this preaÌ„ble FOR THESE al other graâ—…es necessarie let vs say the Lords praier What can be more grosse â—…opish idolatrous supersticious theÌ„ this doe they not heerby put hoâ—…nes in the wordes why should they els vse theÌ„ after they haue praieâ—…â—…s God hath giuen theÌ„ vtterance by his Spirit doe they not fall into â—…he same errors abuses inconueniences aboue shewed confuted Heere I had like to haue forgotteÌ„ one of our Doctors maine reaâ—…ons which he bringeth to shut vp the point that is this yt hath â—…men added in the end therfore yt is a praier Had yt not beene pittie â—…o haue lost this reason why your A. b. c. before the catechisme of the â—…hurch of England hath both the signe of the crosse â—…ittle title est Amen â—…et I neuer heard yt taken for a praier Christ himself is called Amen â—…hal I therfore say that he or the whole written word of God which is â—…alled Amen also is a praier Moreouer I find yt after Luke without AmeÌ„ â—…ea without For thine is the kingdome the power c. now would I know of â—…ou after which Euangelist I must say yt And thus being wearied â—…ith your friuolous reasoÌ„s nothing refreshed with your vnsauorie â—…arren notes wherwith whiles you would haue opened you haue roiâ—…ed shut vp those heauenly puâ—…e fountaines neither yet resting in â—…our interpretation of much lesse in your collection from this word Amen I betake you when you
might be terate or defaced also as baptisme if that had beene found needful in the wisdome of the holy Ghost What say I then doe I any way iustisie this outward actioÌ„ of circumâ—…ision as yt is done in the false Church nothing lesse but coÌ„demne yt â—…ltogether as an hamous profanatioÌ„ of Gods holy ordinance yet when â—…t is purged by sincere repentance of al y e error therin abuse therof â—…t pleased God in pardoning the faults to reserue not to repeate the outward actioÌ„ which because yt was wrongly done yet caÌ„not therfore â—…e said not done at al. For we may and must put difference betwixt a â—…hing not rightly done a thing to be done or not done at al. For the â—…rrors faults of the baptisme being purged by repentance done away through the mercie of God the Lord now beholdeth the rest of â—…he action the thing which in pretence before they seemed to do as â—…is ordinance coÌ„mandemeÌ„t not from hencforth imputing y e faults â—…n doing yt being now repented pardoned done away either vnto y â— action or them so that â—…rom henceforth they looke more carefully to â—…he doing 〈◊〉 holy actioÌ„s according to the prescript wil of God making no willing transgression therin hereafter neither presenting or willingly suffering their childâ—…en to be presented in the false Church vnto their baptisme sor then they caÌ„not be said to haue truly repented yt That were to go back againe wallow them in their former apoâ—…tasie sinne to bring their old sinnes vpon their head But now seeing we iustifie not the action of Bâ—…ptisme as yt is done in thâ—… false Church by an vnlawful minister after an vnlawful maner yet the error euill doing therof being repented purged away doe not 〈◊〉 the outward action because yt cannot be said no action c. Peraduenture herevpon may be collected that such baptisme as is deliuered by an infidâ—…l which neuer had knowlâ—…dg oâ—… God in CHRIST being afterward repented of and sorrowed that their body hath beene guiltie of such profanatioÌ„ c. the outward baptisme may in like maner remaine not be repeted when they ioine vnto the true Church This may at no hand be brought to passe neither in deed doth yt herehence follow for easy yt is to put difference betwixt an infidel which neuer knew God in CHRIST and an Apostata which hath had knowledg of and still outwardly though corruptly proâ—…esseth God and CHRIST The one sort know not what the Church worship and sacramentes meane the other though corrupted in their knowledg yet carrie a shew of Church worship sacâ—…amentes ministerie yea hath them though corrupt adulterate so there is neither sequele nor coÌ„parison betwixt them For that which the heathen infidel should so prophanâ—… deliuer can no way be said any kind of sacrament either â—…ue or false because as is said they haue no kind of â—…hew of Church ministerie or sacramentes c. but the false Church hath al these to shew seeming true though in deed false So is yt easie to put a difference betwixt false adulterate baptisme and true baptisme which D.R.S. with all his diuinitie hath not as yet learned to do and also betwixt false adulterate baptisme no baptisme which these other learned priestes cannot as yet spie out For els would they neuer so grosly both denie the baptisme in the Church of Rome to be any baptisme concluding all the people that receaued yt altogether without outward baptisme yet being vnbaptised make yt a matter of no necessity to seeke outward baptisme because they notwithstanding al their writings still suppose yt to be true baptisme they there receaued so yt is needles that they should seek or receaue the outward baptisme and hauing the inward baptisme of Gods Spirit in their heartes they need not seeke the outward seale but proceed without yt vnto the other sacrament Also they hauing found comfort in that then they are safe inough though meÌ„ Angels yea though God himself in his word say yt is vnlawful vnsufferable yea damnable sacriledg both to them and the whole Church that administreth or ioineth vnto them in this action Yet if they haue found comfoâ—…t they may notwithstanding al this boldly resort thither againe where they haue beene thus banqueâ—…ted yea the parties finding this comfort in their soules at the receauing the supper though as is said expresly against Gods word which warranteth no such coÌ„fort vnto them in that actioÌ„ but condemneth yt flatly yea their estate sinne being shewed them in the word wherby their conscience is conuinced yet may they by this great Clerke of OXFORD his opinion hang vp the law of baptisme as an old cancelled record yea as popish traditioÌ„s that make nothing to saluation wherof they wil assure themselues though they wittingly breake Gods lawes remaine in the same transgression For say they men at the supper are not bidden to examine themselues what was done to them being infantes or what they did 90. oâ—… 50. yeres agoe c. Is this a strong reason to disproue the commandement of God touching the receauing outward baptisme or to come vnto the Table and supper of the Lord being vnbaptised yea to count these commandementes as ould worthles concealed recordes popish traditions c. or is yt not most high and vnsufferable blasphemie rather against CHRIST his ordinance Is this the accompt they make of the law of God or the comfort he taketh coÌ„tinual vse he maketh euen of that outward baptisme as an excellent instruction stay assurance of his faith not that I make baptisme the cause of saluation oâ—… think that none can be saued without yt But God hath made yt a most comfortable pledg seale of his loue help to our faith all the time that we liue in this mortal life euen to him most that hath receaued the greater measure of inward grace So far is yt from being at any time to any man a cancelled record that yt remaineth for euer a sacred iuuiolable law of special vse to them that haue receaued yt of necessity to al such as wil enter into the established church of CHRIST without which they canot be permitted to enter much lesse admitted to the Table of the Lord. It is no imaginarie comfort of ours caÌ„ take away or alter the irrefragable law of God though we be not biddeÌ„ to examine what was done to vs being infantes or to particulate euerie thing we haue done in our life yet are we to consider our estate before God shewed vs this mercie both of our natural corruptioÌ„ in general and our particular miserie being the seed of infidels idolaters such as were without the couenant such as presented offered vs to Sathan in the false Church we there in that adulterate baptisme receaued the pledg of God his assured wrath so euerie way y e
put in practise in all these duties of the second Table I doubt me much that if they should but once sincerely faithfully deale w t any one text the saying would be so hard as they should loose numbers of their disciples if not the whole multitude of their hearers and I doubt me not be halfe so welcome to their glâ—…ttons houses as they are at this day But now for such sinnes as either these chief of their auditorie are not apparantly infected with or els caÌ„â—…ndure to be weaned of for this you must alwaies note to their appetite must the whole feast be prepared for such sinnes let their preachers alone they wil rowze handle them to the quicke As if they whome they seeke to please be rathâ—…r giuen to prodigalitie profusion inordinate wasting in excesse pride vanitie ô so they will then be bait the couetous scraping drudges out of the Church And so of the contrarie where the chief of their auditory are more parcimonious couetous theÌ„ wil they as much câ—…y out of wast excesse riot in apparel diet c. theÌ„ may not a great ruffe looke into the Church least they wil do pennance that were yt Generally els where they light on gentle tractable soules which in deed beare a loue to the truth vnto such as most sincerely teach yt here wil they first by their vtmost art seek to bring themselues into credit estimatioÌ„ for heere wil they take bouldnes to speake though colourably and but in faint doubtful tearmes against many corruptions in their Church as the dumb miniâ—…trye Crosse in baptisâ—…e versing canting their psalmes anthems from one to an other as tenâ—…isballs against the organs cappe tippet surplesse and such like They wil also put on such an outside of grauitie and a good conscience they wil rebuke swearing and before such as these dislike of vaine apparel peraduenture also of idle gaming exhort to diligent hearing of the word preached making the poore soules beleeue that euen by this outward hearing they are in a straight course and ready way to saluation though they neither practise that litle truth they heare neither vnderstand the word or be able to know therby when they do well or euil yet into such a superstitious feare are they brought and such a conceit opinion of these mens sinceritie great knowledg and good conscience that they euen depend on their mouthes beleeue all true that they say without questioÌ„ or trial therof by the word of God neither dare they beleeue the expresse scriptures when they are brought to reproue their doings In such reuerence and estimation haue they these good men Whose counterfet and corrupt dealing as you haue somwhat heard yt in the second Table so if you now but turne your eie a litle to the first Table you shall see they deale much worse in the worship seruice of God For stand not they ministers to al this abhominable stuffe that hath beene aboue recited It is the verie proper ministration belonging inioined to their ministerie vnto which by office and othe they stand bound and not vnto preaching of the word of God for that is a thing voluntarie supererogatorie but this is a thing of necessitie by law by othe by presentment by visitation inioined seene to be obserued yt must alwaies goe before and take the preeminence of the word of God And if the word of God happen to follow yt by your leaue yt may not be so bould as controwle yt for if yt doe I know who goeth out of dores And marke the precisest best of your preachers well you shall see they will meddle with yt as litle as may be Or if they doe at any time yt shalbe but rather to prune or lop some water boughes that are superfluous of a tender care to preserue pollish yt not to lay the axe to the roote bulke off the tree For I tell you if yt fall downe goes ministerie sacraments Church altogether and ò what a fall would that be It standes them vpon therfore to take heed how they deale with this geare least they open such a gap as they be neuer able to shut with all the learning they wante No maruaile therfore though they deale daintily in ambiguous and doubtful termes with such counterfait stuffe for if they should bring yt either to the touchstone or to the light yt would at the first blush bewray yt self In the meane time what good preaching is this of theirs that haue had the Gospel thus long amongst them daily taught and preached and haue not in 32 yeres space as yet discouered this abhominable odious idolatrie most grosse stinking poperie Must you not needes now condemne these your preachers either of ignorance or perfidy of ignorance if they know or see not these abhominations yet you see they dare aduenture both to practise administer this stuffe vnto others yea to reproch slander and reuile all such as of coÌ„science vnto God refuse to partake with them and receaue at their handes this trumperie Now then if they be thus blind as they cannot discerne these things how dare you any longer follow or vse theÌ„ for guides If the blind lead the blind shal not both fall into the ditch but if they say they see how heinous then is their sinne how great their perfidy and treachery vnto God man vnto God both in that they thus presumptuously of set purpose with most high contempt violate his lawes and tread vnder foot his Testament and also abuse his most sacred word in ioyning yt to such abhominatioÌ„s yea not only not discouer cast out these idolatries filthie doung therwith but in stead therof daube soder vp all the ryftes leakes therwith It is most certayne that the word of God in the mouthes of all his true ministers seruantes is as fire an hammer as fire to consume all stubble trash as an haÌ„mer to breake in sunder whatsoeuer opposeth yt self against the truth of Gods word It is manifest therfore that they preach their owne deuises not the word of God sincerely for the Arke of God DAGON cannot stand vp together such light such darknes cannot be mixed Againe if they had stood in the councell of the Lord and had declared his word vnto his people they should haue turned them from their euil waies and from the wickednes of their inuentions But they haue fortified and sodered the people therwith in all these sinnes and abhominations giuing them their peace and blessing and pardon euerie day they come to Church so that none can depart from iniquitie Therfore the greater is their treason to God man in drawing theÌ„ into the high transgression of Gods lawes and in keeping them in the wrath of God Now who is so desperate as knowing the perfidy and treacherie of
fruites therof but take in all the common welth euen al the Queenes subiectes into this thâ—…ir Church vnder CHRISTS gouernment and protection for so would they beare them in hand that such this reformation which they seeke is Their false maner of exercising this their pretended discipline may 〈◊〉 appâ—…re by the weake and fearfull practise of some of their forward men who that they might make a faire â—…hew amongst their rude ignorant parishners in stead of CHRISTS gouernmeÌ„t set vp their counterfait Discipline in and ouer all the parish making the popish Churâ—…hwardens periured Questmen Elders And for M r. Parson himself he takes vnto him the instrumeÌ„t of that foolish shepeheard his pastoral staffe or woodden dagger of suspension wherwith he keepeth such a floorishing as the flies caÌ„ haue no rest yea by your leaue if any poore man in the parish offend him he may peraduenture goe without his bread wine for that day Their permanent Synods and councels also which they would erect not heere to speake of ther new duch Classâ—… for therin is a secret should only consist of Priests or Ministers as they terme them people of the Churches be shut out and neither be made acquainted with the matters debated there neither haue free voice in those Synods Councels but must receaue obey without contradiction whatsoeuer those learned Priests shall decree These Synods Councels shall haue absolute power ouer all Churches doctrines ministers to erect ratifie or abrogate to excommunicate or depose at their pleasures Their decrees are most holy without controulement vnlesse yt be by the Prince or the high Court of ParliameÌ„t Not â—…eere to speake of their solemne orders obserued in these councils and Synodes as their choice by suffrage amongst themselues of their Archisynagogoâ—… or Rector Chorj their president as they call him propownder or moderator of their councell about which their predecessors haue had no small stir vntil their holy Father the Pope put an end to the strife by getting the chaire This stusfe they would bring in againe vnder colour of reformatioÌ„ â—…hese many more their leauened corrupt writings of discipline and their supplications vnto the Parliament dâ—…clare With what pernicious forgeries what kind of sacrilegious profanation of Gods holy ordinances shal more playnly appearâ—… wheÌ„ we haue sâ—…t downe the truth of CHRISTS institutioÌ„ which is the only arch-type and true patterne of all true builders buildings which who so at any hand transgresseth either in matter or maner as they speake is to be reproued as an euill workeman and his work to burne seeme yt to haue neuer so great anâ—…iquitie holines vâ—…ilitie in pretence The auncient waies of the Lord are the only true waies whatsoeuer is second or diuers is new false This I say because both these factions of our pontifical and reforming Priests haue sought rather to the broken pitts drie cisternes of mens inuentions for their direction and groundworke then vnto the purâ—… fountaine of Gods word The first sort most groâ—…ly drawe al their water from that most 〈◊〉 drayne and poisoned sinke of the papistical corrupâ—…ion as is to be seene by their whole ministerie worship ministration gouernment c. because yt in all pointes accordeth â—…o their antichristian prelacie idolaâ—…rie pride c. and only beâ—…t agreeth to the corrupt estate of this realme vvhich hath so long beene made dronke with the vvhores cuppe that they can now taste or brooke no other liquor Tâ—…e other sort they fetch their reformation from the primitiue defectioÌ„ when the ministerie began to vsurpe grow into vnlawful superioritie and iurisdiction when they began to decline from the true patterne of CHRISTS Testament and grew bold to innouate as to set vp a new antichristiaÌ„ ministerie as their Prouincials Bishops Archbishops Archdeacons Metropolitanes Patriarchs to take the whole regiment of the Church into their hands to gather councils of Bishops to make new decrees c. All which proceedings as I find them defected from the rules of CHRISTS Testament so far dare I boldly pronownce them their proceedings I meane leauing their persons to the Lords iudgment wicked vngodly not looking vnto or respecting the learning or holines of the men how ancient how manie soeuer From these ancient defections haue these learned reforming Priests drawen their platforme of reformation as best suting to the estimation of their persons the admiration of their learning and holines and not greatly opposite to the sinfull estate of the land especially as they in theiâ—… wisdomes would vse the matter who I dare vndertake for them good men would not molest or offend anie of welth or authoritie liue as they list neither need they be so afraid of the thunderbolt of exâ—…munication they wil I warrant you proceed to yt with a leaden heele especially agâ—…inst such men And for the râ—…st which seemes so strange in their eares as their Pasâ—…ors and Elders for their Parson Questmen their Synodes in stead of their Commissaries courts their high councels in stead of the high coÌ„mission let them neuer be afraid for by that time they are acquâ—…inted with the new names they shall not finde the iurisdiction halfe so strange as yt seemes It wil be troublesome to none but to their Lords the BB. their courts attendants and the dombe ministers in deed their cake is dough if this geare this sweeping new reformation come in As for these new officers these Elders they shall be but of the welthiest honest simple men of the parish that shal sit for ciphers dombe by their Pastor meddle with nothing neither poore soules shal they know more then they say As for the ordering of all things y t shalbe in the Pastors hands only especially in some chiefe men who shall be these presidents rulers of Synodes councels and so the pâ—…ople be kept as far from the knowledg performance of their duties as euer they were for so long haue the Priests for so still I call all false and antichristian ministers vsurped and deteined the sole regiment of the Church in their hands as yt wilbe a verie hard matter for the people euer to recouer their libertie agâ—…ine You see how the one side the Pontificals I meane prescribe in their quiâ—… possessioÌ„ reiect al claime the people can make refuting them by Mâ—…hiauels coÌ„siderations 〈◊〉 his Politikes in stead of the new Tesâ—…ameÌ„t alledging I wore not how many pollitike incoÌ„uenieâ—…ces in way of Barre The other sect or factioÌ„ rather these Reformiâ—…s howsoeuer for fashioÌ„ sake they giue the people a litle libertie to sweeten their mouthes make theÌ„ beleeue that they should choose their owne ministers for further right in the censuring their ministers or in the ordering the affaires of their churches they allow not as hath beene sayd yet euen in this pretended choice doe they coozen beguile theÌ„ also leauing them nothing but the smoky windy title