gained to it when as they commanded the Parishes to buy it and then sells it them again that the Priest must have an offering at Easter also a token of a piece of lead a token that they are at unity with the Priest or else they may not have their bread and wine again for which they paid before and this hath been called a great mystery CHAP. XII Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and the Gospel BEfore the Law was given forth there were divers did offer sacrifice and buidled Altars unto the Lord as Seth Abel Melchizedeck Abraham Isaac and Jacob who pere guiders and directers of People in the way of righteousness who instructed their Families in the fear of the Lord But after the Law was given forth Aaron and his Sons and they were to offer sacrifice according to the command of the Lord and to perform the worship that God had appointed For that time and age at the Tabernacle and Temple there was Levites who bore the Ark and looked to the vessels and pitched the Camp and divâ—â— other services as singers and readers of the Law and Prophets on their Sabbath dayes and Porters and the like and all these petrained to the first Covenant and Priesthood which was to have an end both the Priesthood and the Law and the service thereof for it was but to continue till the substance came Now Christ being come the end of the Law for righteousness unto all that beleive made after the order of Melchizedeck and not by a carnal commandment he offered up himself once for all and became the Author of eternal Salvation unto them that believe put an end to the first Worship and Priest-hood Before he was offered up he chose Disciples unto him Twelve and also Seventy and endued them with Power and many did Believe through their words and they were not Men of great parts but as they were sitted by the Holy Ghost that gave them utterance and they were sent out not to Preach the Law but the Word of the Kingdom and many did Believe and grew and were confirmed in the Faith and after Christs Ascention the Holy Ghost was Poured forth upon them in a more ample manner and it did bring to their remembrance as Christ had foretold and they received great Gifts for the work of the Ministry some were Prophets some Apostles some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers and all made Ministers by the Spirit for the work whereunto they were chosen and many were converted and did believe then they that had the Word of God to publish travelled as they were led and Moved by the Spirit to publish the glad tydings of the Gospel and when the Believers were many and many young in the Faith they ordained Overseers or Bishops or Elders who were sound in the Faith to watch over them that were begotten but mark they were approved men and Faithful and of blameless lives not given to covetousness neither did tirannize over them in rigour but were apt to teach and instruct in love and gentelness and they that had been Ancient Laborers in Gods Work did so who had received a Gift to Minister unto others and as to be helpers in the Work of the Gospel and all that were ordained were ordained by the Holy Ghost although its true they had the consent of the Brethren and the Church in that thing and there were also Deacons ordained which served to look to the Widows and for the Ministration of the Poor and these were faithful men and had also a gift Stephen was one full of the Holy Ghost and these were helps unto the Apostles also theâ—e were some Faithful Widows who were examples to younger men and to instruct them and to be patterns unto them and all was as a body knit together in love and served the Lord and strengthened one another in the faith and served one another in love and all these forementioned served the Lord freely and willingly and not for rewards and gifts and benefices and earthly things this was the state and glory of the Church in that time in short and these are the Ministers we read of in the Primitive times But since the Apostacy hath entered in and the Power hath been denied of Godliness there is such a numberless number of names crept in we never heard of then and so many offices and yet none of that work done which the Ministers of Christ did but certain new invented things brought in for worship and service and the power despised and men seeking offices and great titles and great benefits and great revenues and the heritage of God is laid waste and the earth become like a wildernesse unplanted with good and the sheep is scattered And so all may compare these ensuing names and offâ—es with the Apostles dayes and the primitive Church and see if they be alike First of all The Pope his holiness Christs Vicar universal Bishop Metropolitan Bishop Lord Cardinals which were but Priests at the first ordained to baptize the Heathen who came to Rome when the seat thereof began to be had in honour but now they are swelled big and become Princes and the only men to govern States also Monks of divers orders and Friars of divers orders Hieroms order of Austins order Gregorys order Carmalite Friars Cross or Crouchet Fryors of Dominicks order of S. Frances order Benets order and all of these orders sprung up and were ordained in the midnight of darkness within this four hundred years at the most as were easily proved and Trinity order and Brigandine order of Jesuites and Hermites and Anthonies order and Clunisencies order And Nuns sprung up First of one St. Clara one order then Brigidia a widow in the time of Urban the fifth in the year 1370. and all these kind of orders were distitute of the true order of the primitive Church and their service was appointed by them that ordained them and these practised the patched inventious that were given them for worship which hath not concord with the primitive Doctrine but borrowed from the Iews or Heathen And all these kind of Offices and Officers have been acting their parts this many years and led people into superstitious blindness and further from the Lord then ever But to come to the reformed Churches so called and there is so many Officers and names but few that do accord with the Apostles times either in name or nature As Metropolitan Bishops Arch-bishops Lord-bishops we heard not of Lord Timothy or Lord Titus Bishops before mentioned but to come on to other Orders Arch-deacons Deans and Chapters Prebends and these must attend on some old superstitious Buildings called Cathedrals or Ministers and there performs a service somewhat like the former these are injoyned their service like the Levites and Priests of old by turns and course as once in a month or two it may be and have a hundred or two hundred pounds in the year for the same and
the first Covenant had many Fasts and Feasts and holy dayes as the Sabbath and feasts of the new Moon and Passeover and Feasts of unleavened bread Penticost the Feast of Tabernacles and Feast of Dedication which are largely shewn in the Books of Moses all which things as the Apostle saith to the Hebrews were but shadows of things to come and not the things themselves which only continued till the time of reformation and till the better hope which brought in the better Covenant which stood upon better promises Now in the Primitive Churches they came to see the end of these things and were brought to him that was the substance in whom all Figures and Shadows do end Câ—l 2. 16 17. Let no man therefore judge you in Meat or Drink or in respect of a holy â—ay which are a shadow of things to come but the Body 〈◊〉 Christ Now afterwards when they minded the form more than the power they run out into those things with many additions some borrowed from the heathen and some by their own invention and then press them as Apostolick Ordinances upon Christians which things stand in force with many until this day too too much among them that are called reformed Victor Bishop of Rome about the year 196. decreed that Easter should be kept and Celebrated on the Sunday from the 14th day of the first Monâ—h that is March to the 22d of the same Now the â—ews kept it sooner and so it is without ground from the Iews practice and meerly an invention of their own which led people back into dayes and about what time they judged any thing to be done which Christ or the Apostles did they invented a day and a time to keep for it as to reverence Sunday in advent and Nativity Circumcision and Epiphany Purification of Mary called Candlemas Lent Palm-Sunday Monday and Thursday on which Christ washed his Disciples feet as it hath been imagined good fryday Easter Penâ—â—â—â—st was kept by the Iews and this they would hold out for an Apostolick example to Christians and for all the former dayes they were invented with many more which have been brought in since And so they were decreed and â—aâ—ified at a Councel at Lions in France that such dayes as either the holy Saints departed this life or did any notable deed a day should be kept holy as they said in that Council for the increase of their Religion there was also other dayes instituted the feast of Saint Steven and Innocents by Pope Bâ—nifaâ—e the fourth and likewise John Baptist and that which they call Lady day Lawrance Michael and Martin and generally of All Saints and these were his institutions which are practised by the Church of Rome and oractised among the Proâ—estants to this day Likewise that which is called Corpus Christi day this was made a holy day and dedicated by Urbane the fourth Sylvester assigned the day of advincula Sancti Petri commonly called Lammas in memorial of Peters pains and persecution Felix the first to magnifie the glorious commendation of Maâ—tyas made a Statute that a yearly oblation should be had in memorial of them And Gregory would that Masse should be said over their Tombes or graves Now Priests read the original of your service over the graves of the dead and see if this be Apostolical The fast of Wednesday and Friday was appointed the one day Christ was Crucified and on wednesday Judas purposed in his mind to beâ—â—ay him Gregory was he that ordained that neither flesh nor any thing that had affinity with it as Cheese Milk Butter Eggs should not be eaten on such dayes as were fasts and here came in this Doctrine of Devils Soulmass day this was begun by Odilo that was Provost or Provincial of Cluniassentis Order upon the occasion he heard about Etna the burning Mountain of Sicily oftentimes great lamentations and cryings and weepings was heard which he supposed to be the wâ—epings of evil spirits that bewailed because the souls of dead men were taken from them by the peâ—itions and Sacrifices of well disposed Christians therefore he appointed his Covent to make a general oblation for all Souls the next day after the feast of all Saints and this great institution was ordained about the year 1002. and so all whose eyes God hath opened will see all this heap of Invention hathbeen practiced since the Beast rose out of the Sea and the Whore hath sat upon the waters which is since the Apostles dayes CHAP. IX Concerning Priests Vestures and Bells which are Practised among Christians as Apostolick Institutions THe Iews high Priests had Vestments and the rest of the Priests who offered Sacrifices and Oblations at the Temple and Tabernacle Lev. 8. 6 7 8 9 c. 13. And Aaron the Priest had a coat girded with a girdle and cloathed him with a robe and put a linen Ephod upon him and put a Brest-plate upon him and a Mitre upon his head And Aarons Sons had coats with Girdles and Bonnets as was commanded by the Lord and Chap. 16. 4. and he put on a linen coat and linen Breeches with a Coat and Mitre and girded it with a linen girdle and these were the holy garments and these Garments were to be put off in the holy place and divers other Garments and Vestments which were worn by the Priest about the Temple-worship and Sacrifice which were Shadows of better things and of more holy Garments but this was in the first Covenant that made nothing perfect which was faulte and was to continue untill the time of Reformation But Christ being come and offered up all shadows had an end and they Preached up the everlasting offering and him who offered up himself once for all Now Christ sent out his Disciples without great provision as to attire for they were to take neither staff nor scrip nor shoes nor mony nor brass in their purses and yet they were to go among them that were like wolves renting and tearing devouring and destroying and there was no great likelihood of obtaining any earthly thing from such while in that nature but the Apostles lived by faith Mat 10. 9. 10. and Luke 10. 3 4. and they were not to take two coats and the Apostle in his travels was often in necessities in hunger and cold and nakedness and did not go in costly array nor in disguised habits but in his old age wore sometimes a Cloak among the Churches which he sent for to Troas an ordinary Garment 2 Cor. 4. 8 9 10. chap 6. 4. 10 the 11 verse 2 Tim. 4. 13. and John the Baptist who was a great Prophet had a Coat made of hair and a leathern-girdle about his loyns Mat. 3 4. and the Primitive Christians wandered up and down in Sheeps skins and Goats skins being destitute of whom the World was not worthy Heb. 11. 37 38. But after the Apostles decease deceitful workers and evil Beasts and they that abode
with two Deacons were burned the same year for being Christians this Valerian the Emperor Raigned seven years and was taken in the War by the King of Persia who made him his Block to take Horse on to his dying day and though the Christians in this time were much Darkened yet they were much more justiffed in the sight of God then the Heathen Emperors who came all or most of them to a woful End for their Cruelty and Tyranny and Murther for the hand of the Lord who distributes Justice equally to every man according to his Works found them out and Gallianus the Son of Valerianus who joyned with his Father in Persecution had many earthquakes and thirty rebellions and insurrections raised in his time in the Empire in nine years time and this stopt their Persecuting of the Christians somewhat And after Gallianus the Emperor succeeded Claudius who Raigned two years and after him Quintilianâ—s the Brother of Claudius who continued only seventeen dayes about the year 274. in this time the Christians had some rest from Persecution The ninth Persecution began under Aurelianus who began his Raign mildly but soon after moves the ninth Persecution about this time many Christians suffered and some of the Bishops of Rome and Sixtus and Dionysius and many others in the middle of his Raign there was a Council of the Christians at Antioch the Emperor seeming not to be against it nor them but afterwards he was about to seal an Edict for further Persecutions of the Christians but he was so terrified with thundering and lightning that it stopt his tyranny in the sixth year of his Raign he was slain about the year 276. After him succeeded Tacitus who Raigned but six Months and Florianus Raigned next who Raigned but sixty dayes and after him Raigned Marcus Aurelius Probus who Raigned six years and four Months in this time there was no Persecution but the Christians had rest as in matters of Religion but he was slain by his souldiers in the year 248. Carus with his two Sons Carinus and Numerianus succeeded Probus in the Empire the Raign of which Emperors continued in all but three years Carus was slain with lightning and Numerianus was also slain and Carinus the other Son Raigned alone in Italy with much Wickedness who afterwards was slain by the hands of the Tribune at Rome so that from the latter end of the Raign of Valerianus unto the Raign of Dioclesia there seeming to be about forty four years in which there was little Persecution of the Christians but they had rest and enjoyed their Worship in quiet and they were kept under sufferings and the Law and did not exercise Authority over the consciences of the rest as afterwards they did when they came to have Power in their hands although as I said before divers things were brought in by the Bishops of Rome in this time which were much disagreeing from the Apostles dayes yet they held part of the true Worship and bore a Testimony against the open prophaness and cursed Idolatry and Pride of the Heathen Emperors who killed one another for the Impeiral Seat and in this Testimony that they bore for God I Beleive they were accepted and had peace with God The tenth Persecution began under the Raign of Dioclesian which was in the year 289. this was the last Persecution against the Christians which was horrible and grievous that never was any Persecution before or since comparable unto it for the time which it continued which was the space of ten years together though there were more Emperours which had an hand in this Persecution yet principally it beareth the Name of Dioclesian This Dioclesian the Emperor took unto himself Maxillianus to be Partner with him in the Empire those two Emperors chose two others to themselves that is to say Gallerius and Constantius whom they called Cesars Gallerius was sent into the East parts against the Christians and Constantius to the West to Britain these two last Raigned moderately and did not Persecute the Christians for about 10. years so they Prospered in their Wars abroad but afterwards by reason of their victories were puft up with pride in their hearts they Ordained a triumph at Rome after which triumph Dioclesian gave commandment that he himself should be worshiped as God and said he was Brother to the Sun and Moon and so commanded the People to kiss his feet which afterwards when the chief Bishop of Rome got up into pride and claimed superiority over all the Christian Churches having got the Authority of the Dragon commanded the Emperors and Kings then to kiss his feet and so in this the Pope hath imitated the Heathen Emperor who was the greatest Persecutor that ever we read of But to return to Dioclesian he began a great and grevious Persecution of the Christians which was the nineteenth year of his Raign in the year of Christ 103. he commanded all the meeting places of the Christians to be spoyled and the Books of the holy Scriptures to be Burned he sent out a Proclamation for casting all the Bishops and Elders into Prison in his Empire and constrained them by several torments to Worship Idols and so great Persecution there was among the Christians and grievous torments they suffered because they would not offer sacrifice to Idols one Nobleman at Nicom pluckt down the two Emperors Proclamations against the Christians not fearing the Emperors who were then in the City for which act he was put to most bitter death afterwards they were so mad that they sought to destroy all the Christians in the World it can hardly be expressed with words what numbers suffered and what Blood was shed throughout all the Regions and they cast the Christians among the Lions Bears and Leopards who were kept Hungry for that purpose and them that the wild Beast would not Devour they slew them with the Sword and threw them into the Sea Cerena the Wife of Dioclesian he killed because shee was a Christian two thousand were burnt in one place many suffered in Phrygia and were burnt with the whole City in this Persecution likewise in France Spain and Brittan so that some Rivers were Coloured with Blood one thousand slain sometimes in one day and they slew them by ten twenty sixty and sometimes an hundred Men Women and Children Damasus Beda Oratius Honorus and others do testifie that there was slain in the space of one Month seveâ—â—een thousand Persons likewise Peter Bishop of Alexandria and three hundred more were slain with axes there Mauritius was slain with 6666. Victor with 360. were slain in the City of Troy the Christians notwithstanding all this Persecution did increase and though a Cloud was over many and darkness entred in in part respectively to what had been in the first Century yet they were the best Witnesses for the Lord in their generations and the Christians did increase so that the two Heathen Emperors were tired with Persecuting and gave up their
wholsome Institution amongst you And so for shame let all that profess Reformation and the Doctrine of godliness and the faith of Christ and the practise of the Apostles as their example Come out of things which the Harlor hath invented and say as Abraham said to the King of Sodom That he would not take a shoe-latchet least he should say he had made Abraham Rich So let them that professes Reformation not keep a shoe-larchet nor one lap of the Whores garment nor any piece of her Ornaments that she may not boast any more that we are made rich by her merchandize so purge out horn and huff and all the old leaven out of your hearts and out of your Assemblies and come to believe in Christ the true light that lighteth every one that comes into the world that he may be your Law-giver whose Institutions are spiritual and his Ordinances heavenly which makes perfect and clean and pure the comers there unto and so let the old Româ—sh tâ—ash and foolish Ceremonies about worship alone many of which are borrowed from the Heathen and judge not any for departing from them nor perâ—ecute none for not observing of them for who so doth will manifest themselves to belong to the City which is to be overthown and to be in the Apostacy and not Members of the true Church of Christ the Lambs Wife And many more things which stands yet amongst them called Christions as set discourses hath been set up â—â—lled homilies And the aâ—oresaid W. H. shews the ground wherefore they were devised Some complained that their Churches and Universities were spoiled with error as many are at this day by which there was a want of able Pastors four Sermons were appointed by publick order in the year only and certain homilies was devised by learned men and confirmed for sound Doctrine by the Clergy who made them and the Authority of the Prince which homilies were appointed to be read by Curates of a mean understanding and them that had but mean pay as five mark or twenâ—â— Nobles a year of which sort we had many in England in the year 1640. I desire we have no more leâ—st more ignorance abound and these homilies were to be read after a certain number of Psalms read and the Leâ—any and an Epistle and Gospel and it may be Aâ—hâ—nasius or Nicene Creed and this was the worship which hath been holden out even amongst the reformed as spiritual worship all which while people has been exercising themselves in those things they have been further and further off from God and the knowledge of his truth which is manifest to them that believe not by the Injunctions and Ordinances of men but by holy Spirit which leads out of all Error Superstition and deceit and all that believes in it comes to be taught of the Lord and worship in that which is pure and are acceptable in his sight CHAP. XV. Something Concerning the General Councils since the Apostles dayes though they have been all of one faith and though it hath been said the Church could not err all which of the several Councils belonged to the Church of Rome yet see the difference IN that which some call a Council or a Synâ—d at Jerusalem Acts 15. when some dissention arose because of some of the Phariâ—ees that believed and yet would needs Judge it needful for all that believed to be circumâ—iâ—ed So they that stickt in the outward Types and Figures would needs lay yoaks upon the necks of them who were come to the substance So the Apostles Elders and Brethren coming together seeing the state of the matter stood not disputing years together as the Council of Trent forty years but they as they saw in the wisdom of God sent some chosen men from Jerusalem to the Gentiles to certifie the Gentiles by the Spirit of the Lord that they abstained only from meats offered to Idols and from blood and from things strangled and from Fornication from which if you keep your selves you shall do well Acts 15. they pressed not upon them the ordinances of the Jews neither the custome of the Gentiles in the unbelief which since this the Church of Rome hath done and diverse Councils appertaining to her hath cumbred people with multitudes of things and heavy yoaks some borrowed from the Jews in the unbelief and some from the Heathens in the unbelief and prest their Institutions and inventions as Ordinances of Christ upon all the Members of the Church which are so many and so innumerable and all contrary to the Primitive Church And they have been of the nature of those Councils that David speaks of Psal. 2. who took Council against the Lord and against his Anointed and that was a Council which condemned the Son of God Christ Jesus and these Councils though Rabbies and great men yet they â—rred from the life But to come downward amongst the Doctors and Bishops of that which they call the Catholick Church the Council that was held at Carthage under Cyprian decreed that those who were baptized by Hereticks ought to be baptized again which others called it error And that Councils proceedings was condemned The Niceâ—e Council decreed flat Idolatry about worshipping of Images and the Council at Constantinâ—ple condemned that proceedings and their decrees The Council of Basil as Albeâ—â—us Pâ—igius saith decreed against all reason and against the Scriptures The Council of Armenium decreed for the Aâ—meâ—iaâ—s that Christ was not God The Council of Calcedon which was one of the four that Gregory the great compares to the four Gospels that the Decrees were as sure and Constitutions as certain infallible as the Scripture yet Pope Leo did not stick to condemn it and all them as unadvised And these Councils has been one against another and the multitude of their votes is brought for great proof not only amongst the Romanists but also amongst them that are separated from them so Councils have erred and hath opposed one another yet and the Popes and Bishops of Rome to Leo the fourth abrogated and made void the Acts of Adrian yet they both said they were Peters successors and infallible And Stephanus Bishop of Rome made void the Acts and decrees of Formosâ—s and Sabinian the Pope commanded that Gregories Mass and all Pope Gregories writings should be burnt And all of these said they had the Keyes to bind loose and yet one bound that which another had loosed and another loosed that which the former had bound and yet all these claimed infalibility The Council of Carthage Decreed that the Bishop of Rome should not be called high Priest nor chief of Priests nor the head of the Church but following Councils have stiled him chief Priest chief Bishop and head of the Catholick Church The Eliberine Council Decreed that no Images should be set up in the Churches nor worshipped nor the walls painted Likewise the Council of Constantinople before mentioned decreed that Images were not to be suffered in the
stoned to death And this was according to the Law of God their bloud was uâ—on their own heads And when Israel â—usted after a King he gave them a King and they had many Kings who were Anointed of God by his appointment which was to rule in the same manner as Moses Joshua and the rest of the Judges had done and whosoever were disobedient unto the aforesaid command of God whether in things civil or things concerning the worship of God and several punishments were to be inâ—â—icted by them for several transgressions as Blasphemers Sabbath breakers false Prophets and Wizzards and witches were not suffered to live This was before Christ the Seed was manifested in the flesh this was the old way the old paths that Israel was to walk in But this Covenant was filthy as the Apostle saith and the Ministers thereof could not continue by reason of death The Law was changed and the Priest-hood was changed and the Ordinances and worship was changed when Christ came to be manifest the end of the Law for Righteousness Now as Aâ—ron and the rest of the high Priests were but types and figures of the everlasting High Priest So the Judges and Kings of Israel were types and figures of Christ the King of Kings and King of Saints and Lawgiver and Judge And their outward power which continued but for a time in compelling to the true worship under that Covenant or restraining from Idolatry did but continue until the time of Reformation was but a type and a figure of Christ and his spiritual power and weapon and spiritual execution upon his enemies who are not subject to his government oâ— power seeing the Father hath committed all power unto him in Heaven and in Earth And Moses the Mediator of the first Covenant which stood in outward Ordinances both the Mediator the Covenant and the Ordinance had an end when the better Covenant was given the Covenant of Light and Christ the Mediator thereof was manifest And this Covenant and Ordinances pertained unto the Jews and the compelling unto the worship and punishing for Idolatry partained to the Jews only who were under that Covenant and not to the Gentiles as it is written To Jacob he gave his Law and to Israel his Statutes to every Nation he did not so So they which would bring people now under this Covenant and the power thereof denies the second the everlasting Covenant his power and them that would preach up compelling and forcing to worship and bring those Scriptures of the first Covenant to be their ground are ignorant of the times unto which they were spoken And upon this false Foundation hath the false Church persecuted about worship this many hundred years and this Doctrine is in too much credit with many in these dayes who say they are under the Gospel And this hath made people to hate and persecute one another And the Ministers of Antichrist hath pressed it upon Kings Rulers that God hath required it of them to enforce and enjoyn all people unto a Worship although they themselves are divided amongst themselves one while for this thing and another while for that and because the Kings of Israel did so and had power to do therefore they have concluded that Princes and Judges ought to do so and so have made them put their neck in a yoak which is too heavy for them to hear which the Lord hath not required at their hands and because of this compellings and forceings many hypocrites have been made and many of Gods peoples consciences wounded and burned and many Kings and Rulers have lost their Dominions and they have been taken from them because of this by the Lord. So all they that have in truded upon Christs prerogative Soveraignty in this thing are sure to be reckoned as no other but as usurpers and intruders into that power which the Father alone hath given unto his Son which Power Dominion and Glory he will not give unto any other as to be Judge Law-giver in the hearts and consciences of his people Object But some may say did not the Prophets exhort to inquire for the old paths and the good old way And did not the Prophets say Kings should be nursing Fathers and Queens nursing Mothers And must not this be fulfilled in these dayes Ans. This is true that the Prophet did exhort the Princes people of Israel who were in the revolted estate who had transgressed the Commandments of the Lord and had lost the guide of their youth the rest of their souls And therefore he turned them back to consider of the day of old and inquire after the good old way that they might walk therein wch they were gone from but this doth not pertain at all unto this time for Christ Jesus is the new and living way which all is to inquire after now who is the end of the Law for Righteousness and the first Covenant unto them that believe And as for Kings being nursing Fathers the Queens nursing Mothers this was Prophesied by the Prophet before they went into Captivit how the Heathen should have power over their Kings Prophets and Priests and people and Jerusalem should lye desolate Now this the Prophet spoke of concerning the return of them unto the Lord and they to inhabit their own land then their own Kings and Queens should rule over them be as nurses to them when they should return from their Captivity then Jacob should rejoyce and Israel should be glad and this was spoken to the Jews and this had reference to their state in that time Further it may be objected ought not Blasphemy Idolatry and Adultery to be punished is this to be suffered now Seeing it was punished under the Law Answer Yea this is to be punished and shall be punished and that even with death for as I said the Father hath committed all Power unto the Son who will execute his judgement upon all them who will not have him to raign in their hearts as it is written these my enemies that would not that I should rule over them bring them before me that I may slay them with what weapons With carnal nay but with the sharp two edged Sword which proceeds out of his Mouth and with the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and the Spiritual weapons which runs thorow the Blasphemer and kills him and flayes the false Prophet and Soothsayer and Inchanter and Idolator and yet saves the Creature a live take one example of Christ the new and living Way when the Pharisees brought a woman tempting Christ which was taken in Adultery saying according to the Law of Moses she ought to be stoned to death he that was the end of the Law said he that was without sin cast the first stone convicting them al that they were in the same nature and yet did not approve of the Adultery but said go and sin no more least a worse thing
Earth began to be replenished the cursed Seed grew faster and many great Nations were ignorant of the True God and made Idols and Images of wood and stone of gold and Silver according to the mind of the Crafts man and worshipped them and became in love with them and swore by them Yet Abraham the Father of the faithful feared the Living God of Heaven and Earth and God was with him in all his wayes and he hearked unto his voice and obeyed it and followed the Lord where he led him and God made a Covenant with him and his seed for ever and gave him a Son in his old age and said unto him in blessing I will blesse thee and in multiplying I will multiply thee and this was fulfilled for Isaac begat Jacob and Jacob begat the twelve Patriarchs and Jacob in the time of famine went into Egypt and sojourned in that land he and his Sons and all that pertained to his family increased became a great people But after many years the Egyptians afflicted them multiplied their burdens insomuch that God considered them the Covenant he had made with Abraham and his seed sent Moses his servant as a Leader to be a guid unto them out of that Land they were brought forth by an outstreched arm and great was their Deliverance and he led them through the wilderness sed them with Angels food and at Mount Sina gave forth a Law and made a Covenant with them sutable to the state wherein they were for their minds were outward and the Covenant was outward their minds was Changeable and Murable and the Covenant was so also And all these states and ordinances pertained to a party which was above the Seed yet they were shadows of good things to come every ordinance in this Covenant was but a figure or shadow of a more Heavenly thing which was but to be in force to wit these ordinances untill the Seed came to be made manifest which ended them all So all Priests Offerings Sabbaths Fasts Feasts Oaths though they were real in their time and all vows yet the Law was changed which pertained to the changeable party when the Seed Christ was revealed who is unchangable The first had an end and continued to the time of reformation take notice of this this Covenant was made to wit the first after the transgression but when and wherein Christ is revealed and manifest the great Reformer the restorer they end he leaves all to the beginning again out of deformity to be for transgression to that in wâ—h man was bound unto God at the first before sin entred and to be for shadows was for all the new Moons Offrings Oaths and Sabbaths were given forth to man when there was a Cloud and a vail and a shadow over within that the glory of the invisible God could not be seen in this state nor his naked clear Glory but as that part comes to be done away and crucified and subjected and the cloud scattered the Shadows and clouds outward pass away the Apostle calls the ordinances outward shadows And Paul to the Corinthians calls them a Cloud theywere all baptized into Moses in the Cloud And when the day appears and Christ who is the Light is manifest the Clouds are scattered and ended the shadows fly away and clear ayr appears glory and clearness is beholden even the Lord with open face and yet man lives and is not afraid of his presence but is glad because of the Light of his counrenance But this is a mystery and these things are hidden from the wise and prudent of this world But this is the some of much there was a time when there were no oath outward before the transgression when man was the Image of God after the transgression the oaths were given forth and the commands outward but in the restoration or reformation they end again and there shall be none for truth it self shall live and it shall testifie in man and there shal be no other witness blessed are they that believes and understands But to come nearer the understandings of all It is granted in the first Covenant under the Law Oaths were commanded and men did and might swear but this was after sin entred into the world many hundred years the Nations who were Heathens swore some by their Kings some by their Heathen Gods the Egyptians swore by the life of Pharcoh the Romans by the life or fortune of Caesar but Israel was to swear by the living God Deu. 10. 20. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God him shalt thou serve and to him shalt thou cleave swear by his Name Lev. 19. 11 12 Ye shal not steal neither deal falsely neither lie one unto another ye shal not swear falsly by my Name neither shalt thou prophane the Name of thy God I am the Lord in Num. 30 2. And if any vow a vow unto the Lord swear an Oath to bind his soul with a bond he shal not break his bond but do all that proceeds out of his mouth And so Josua kept Covenant with the Gibeonites but when Israel revolted from the Lord in their hearts and yet swear a true word and said the Lord lived yet the Prophet Jeremiah saith chap. 5. 2. 23. 10. Though they say the Lord lives yet they swear falsly No truer thing could be said or sworn then that the Lord lived but he lived not in them that did lie steal kill and commit adultery they held the form but were gone from the life and power and then it was a customary thing with them to swear even as it s now among the Apostate Christians and because of which the Land mourns and in 4 chap. 15. verse Though Israel play the harlot yet let not Judea so offend and come not ye to Gilgal neither go ye up to Bethaven nor swear the Lord lives And Amos saith they that swear by the sin of Samaria and say the God of Dan liveth and the manner of Bersheba liveth even they shal fall and never rise up again So when they kept the Covenant of God they swore by the Name of the Lord in truth and in righteousness but when they revolted they kept the words swore without fear prophaned the Name and did swear then by the Heathen by Maleam and the sin of Samaria even as the Apostate Christians now swear by any thing yea even the most religious swearing is by a book which is not the living God And so this kind of swearing hath no ground at all but custome and tradition but still this is granted that the Jews and many of the faithful Fathers swore as Jacob and Abraham and many others and they all died in the faith and yet were not made partakers of the promise but saw through the vail and the shadow and an Oath was a type of Christ the oath of God and the promise but now the promise
that Tythes are no way lawful to be received neither sought for by any who are Ministers of the new Covenant and the everlasting Gospel proved out of the Scripture and Antiquity TO omit Abrahams giving tythes or the tenth part to Melchizedeck after the overthrow of his enemies And Jacobs vowing to give the tenth when he should inherit the land of Canaan because a voluntary promise only bindeth him that promiseth and a free gift from one to another is no command neither binding to all generations because Abraham gave the tenth part to Melchizedeck freely of the spoil he had taken and that but once not of his Families labors or industries but of the spoil This was a voluntary and a free thing both in Jacob and Abraham if Jacob had not vowed he had not sinned if Abraham had not given the tenth part of the spoil he had not sinned So this is no command or binding example unto future Generations especially of them that pretends they are Ministers of the second Covenant and the Gospel but a very feeble and a poor thing for them to alleadge Tythes were never commanded to be paid by the Lord to any but Israel whose Law was given forth 400 years after the promise as saith the Apostle neither were ever payable but by the Jews in the Land of Canaan and to Levies tribe only and to the Jewish Priests that had no inheritance allotted them by the Lord of all the land of Canaan or beyond Jordan but only tythes or the tenth part among their Brethren that only according to the command of the Lord Deut. 18. 4. Ezek. 45. 13. For the office of the Priesthood and for the service of the Tabernacle At the giving forth of the Law after Israel came out of Egypt God chose Aaron his Sons for the office of the Priesthood and the rest of the tribe of Levi for the service of the Tabernacle God gave unto the Levites by commandment all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance for their service and the Levites out of their tithes were to offer up to the Lord a tenth part of the tiths and give it unto Aaron the Priest for himself his Sons and no other portion had the Levitical Priests out of the tiths but the tenth of the tenth As for the rest of the Tythes they were for the Levites that did serve at the Tabernacle and for strangers for fatherless and widows Moreover the tenth of the tythe the Priest had the first ripe fruits of the ground of Wheat of Barley of Figgs Grapes and Olives of Pomgranates and Dates at what quantity the owner pleased a heave offering also of Corn Wine and Oyl fleece were given to the Priests at the 60 part sometime the 50 at the devotion of the owner But how comes it to pass that they that pretend another Priesthood then this should receive the 10 of all of unclean beasts as Pigs and Foals and of such things as we never read of Tythable under the Law of Eggs Geese Turnups and the tenth of the wood for Faggots for the fire and yet are not of this Priesthood but pretends to be Bishops and Elders in the Christian Church so they cannot distinguish of the time neither of the Ministration neither of service and worship that belongs to each Covenant else they would be ashamed to claim title to Aarons tyths and the Levites that was given to them that had no portion among their Brethren in the Land But these Bishops Presbyters and Priests hath a great part of some Counties Diocess for their revenue and their inferior offices tyths of such things as were never tythable under the Law so what damnable deceit hypocrisyis this Is it any other but the Popes yoke an absolute Apostate for hundreds of years and must this be received injoyned as Apostolical doctrine Oh for shame let it never be mentioned among them that calls themselves Ministers of Christ neither of any who professeth themselves to be Christians But to return to the Levitical Priesthood no tyths did the Priest receive under the Law of the people For those belonged to the Levites 〈◊〉 18. 2. that were appointed over the Tabernacle to bear it to take it down and to ser it up to serve Aaron and his Sons to keep the instruments thereof and for the better ordering of things they were divided into three parts the Coathites the Gershonites and the Mararites and these received tythes of the people delivered the Priests did not all so our tythe-â—aking priests are contrary to the Law and first Covenant and the Gospel also And therefore are to be looked upon as no other then antichristians but to return to Aarons priesthood in the first Covenant they grew multiplied then the Priests were divided into 24 ranks or courses of wch our Prebends Deans and Chapters takes their example or imitation so to serve by their turns at Cathedrals as they are called or else from the Church of Rome which is worse but the latter I am rather inclined to believe because there was no such name of any Ministers among the Jews neither in the primitive Church truly so called but the Priests gave attendance to execute their office and burn incense as his turn came and hereupon Zecharias who is said to be of the course of Abiah Luke 1. The Levites that were singers were divided into 24 â—anks also or courses of which I believe the present Queristers or Surpless-men doth imitate and will bring the Levites for a proofconcerning their office but we cannot receive Judaism for Christianity neither their practice for Apostolical Ordinances in the Church of Christ. The Priests and the Levites being separated for the work of the Lord in the Tabernacle Temple ministred according to the command ordinances of the first Covenant which were only Figures of things to come and shadows of things that was but to continue until the time of reformation then they all had an end both the priesthood Levites and their service and office and maintenance tythes ended as the Apostle saith to the Hebrews the Priesthood is changed and the law is changed by which they received these Tythes for the work aforesaid But to descend and to come unto the Primitive time we shall see whether tythes were paid or no to Gospel-Ministers in the second Covenant In the fulness of time God raised up another Priest Christ Jesus who was not of the Tribe of Levi nor consecrated after the order of Aaron for he pertain'd to another Tribe of which no man gave attendance at the Altar He obtained a more excellent Ministry and of a greater a more perfect Tabernacle not of the former building he being the sum and substance of all the figures under the first Covenant he put an end to first Priesthood with all its shadows and Carnal Ordinances and changing the Priesthood which had a command to take Tythes of
who by our Protestants are owned as Orthodox that they may be convinced that it is not a new Doctrine for which we suffer the spoiling of our Goods and our persons Imprisoned but that tyths have been testified against by many faithfull in ages past who died in the Faith who though they be dead yet their Testimony Liveth and will stand through ages even for ever take this of the Primitive Bishop Antonius de Dominis the Learned Bishop of Spalato de Repub. Eccles. L. 9. Christ himself though he were Lord of Heaven and Earth and the fulness thereof yet would not he be possessed of great Lands and Incomes though he seemingly complained the fowls of the ayr have nests and foxes holes but not the Son of man where not to rest his head Luk 9. 58. Yet did not he imbetter his Condition although to the affecting thereof there needed no more then that he should will it to be so nor did he demand Tythes though a Priest after the order of Melchizedeck indubitably But whilest he went through the Cities and Castles Preaching the Gospel and instructing men for the Kingdome of Heaven and twelve with him several women as Mary Magdalen Joane Susan and others did Minister unto him of their substance Luke 8. 1 2. Nor did he otherwise instruct his Disciples who were to be Embasadors on Earth towards man kind In the beginning when he sends them out he did not bid them for to receive Tythes or Teach People to pay them but bids them to live upon alms carry not with you Gold nor Silver or any money in your purses not a Scrip not two Coats not a staff Suternumerary For the Labourer is worthy of his meat Mat. 10. 9. The Disciples of Christ being thus taught by their great Master for saking their Livelihood and Earthly possession presumed upon the Goodness of God who would not so have sent them abroad but that he would dispose the hearts of men accordingly in order to their subsistance So they relied upon their Converts for necessary supplies and received the benevolence of several pious women who Ministered unto them For so saith Paul have not I power to eat and to drink have not I power to lead about a woman or a Sister as do the other Apostles and the Brethren of our Lord and Cephas 1 Cor. 9. 5. he at large and very clearly sheweth how they who sows Spiritual ought to reap temporal things If one should aske the Ministry of this age by what right they claim Tythes they cannot say by a better right then the Apostles had nor I hope will not for they pretend to be but successors of them And if the extent of their Commission be required you shall have it in these words forthwith as my Father sent me so send I you or the like But if one aske if they will stand to this in all respects I have little hope they will comply in point of maintenance I have good ground so to judge even many at this day who have in times past vaunted and boasted of their call and Ministry and have thrown many in prison for these popish Tythes Now when they are like to be taken from them would give over Publication of their Gospel if they knew how to subsist for their backs and bellies which demonstrates that they had no mission from God or else why should taking of Tythes away from them invalidate it Or do they judge all is converted there is no more work Now such will be cried who have boasted of Calls and Commissions and if all were gone they would preach for nothing or freely without gifts I am afraid we shall hardly find one of five hundred but will rather then quite cease the gainful trade will traffique in such Merchandize as the times allows though they must now be content with eight for a night-wake and four for churching a woman and sixpence for reading over a grave or Tythe eggs at Easter and rather then they dare stand to Christs allowance will take this and such allowance as can be got under hand and Seal as the time will afford them But to return to that which was in my heart to shew out of antiquity Tythes no Gospel maintenance Prosper saith They do live of the Gospel who will be propriators of nothing who neither have nor desire to have any thing not possessing their own but the Common goods What is it to live of the Gospel But that he who labours should receive necessary supplies by them amongst whom he labours without forcing though Paul himself would not make use of his permission least he should create an offence but laboured with his hands being a tent-maker and they that would receive it by voluntary contributions were the Apostles and others which laboured in the Gospel Cyril of Alexandria speaking upon that passage of Abraham Gen 14. 23 who after he had gained victory over the King of Sodomes enemies and rescued Lot when the King offered him part of the spoiles he would receive nothing but a few victuals Though saith he the holy Teachers do war in the behalf of perishing-man kind and though they undergo much pains yet do they not take any thing from the men of the World nor do they heap up unto themselves riches least the World should say I have made you rich they only ought to receive their sustinance from the hands of those whom they have benefited for it is Christs command saith he that he who Teacheth the Gospel should live thereby So that it is evident that very many of antient Fathers whom this generation of Teachers have talked so much on did deny Tyths and forced maintenance from the Word but in this point it is like they may be judged for eronious or weak sighted as they do the Quakers or men of weak understanding but I see many will traduce them in words but few in practise Peter and John saith Silver and Gold have I none Behold the riches of those who were Priests of Christ but let us quickly apply these things faith he unto our selves who are prohibited by the Law of Christ if we have any regard thereunto to have possessions in the Country or Houses in the City what do I say Possessions houses no not to multiply Coates or Money If we have food and rayment let us be therewith content Hiorom writing to Nepotianus a Clergy man he doth much extol the poverty of the Clergy as a Levite and a Priest saith he I live and am supplied with the Oblations of the Altar having food having Cloaths I will be content therewith and naked follow the Naked Crosse I beseech you that you would not transform our Spiritual warfare into a Carnal one nor Imagine your self in the Clergy as if you were in an Army getting spoils nor seek after no more then when you came first into the Clergy least it be said to you their lot shall not profit them The Albigenses
Bedemontane Protestants have preserved their Religion incorrupt longer then any Church with a ministry indowed with Tythes Hire in the World And likewise the Primitive times never wanted able Teachers as the best Histories say although they lived either upon their labour or the free Offering of them that were converted and was not so disquieted with politicall complying opinions and curiosities and nicities and distinctions and contentions until Constance began to inrich and give Lands and great reveneus to the Church And then they began to side and controvert in State matters and grew into Pride Idleness and Fulness insomuch that Histories say a voice was heard from Heaven This day poyson hath been shed in the Church So you Protestants view over your Fathers whom the Ministers hath talked on And so now if they will own their practice so as to walk in it and let them never be reckoned as Ministers of Christ more who cannot be content with his allowance and let forcing alone about maintenance and the Tythes alone to the Priest of the first Covenant and let bargining alone for wages and seek not hire of them you work not for and if your Gospel will not maintain you you have good cause to question it whether it be the very same the Apostle preached and the Primitive Fathers and never such a cry be heard more among people for maintenance and hire for wages and Tythes But he that hath the Gospel let him preach the Gospel and live of the Gospel not upon Tythes and forced maintenance and set stipends for the Gospel condemns this a cloud of witness is against it both in former and latter ages yea it is inconsistent unto reason to require Tythes in this age by the Ministry First the Levites were one of the twelve Tribes if they were not the twelve part of the people but so is not the Priests now Secondly they had no portion among the rest of the Tribes but the Teachers and Priests now have equal to other men in Lands and Revenues Thirdly The Priests were but to have the tenth of all clean things but now clean and unclean Beasts Birds and Fowls Piggs Eggs Turnups and every thing which were not Tythable under the Law Fourthly their service was great at the Tabernacle and Temple and in time of the war and sojourning it is not so with Priests who staies over a few families all their life long Fifthly Seeing the service is abrogated for which the Levites had Tythes and none of the service performed now no reasons that tyths should be required now when the work is not done unto which the tythes belonged Sixthly the Levites were of Aarons priesthood of which tribe Christ came not but of the tribe of Juda but these priests are not after Aaron nor Levi neither their successors therefore hath no right to tythes Seventhly that which was given by the command of God only to Aaron and his Sons and Levites and never to any other priesthood or Ministry Now seeing the Law is changed and the priesthood changed Christ being come these priests are unreasonable who demanded them contrary to the command of God which belongs only to that priesthood CHAP. XIX Respecting of persons and Complemental bowings and worshipping one another and flattering titles no good manners but are in the transgression and hath been antiently reproved and condemned ALthough this Generation have so far run after every invention and vain custome and tradition into complements and flattery and deceit and respecting of persons which is a thing in high esteem as a piece of good breeding and education and good manners accounted not only among the prophaner sort but even among Christians so called who have conformed unto every vain custome of the Nations Yet they that know the life of Christ cannot do so and they that abide in his doctrine must not do so though things be never so applauded by fallen men whose glory is in that which is earthly Yet God beholds not nor looks not as man but his thoughts are contrary to mans in that state and that which the Sons of men in the fallen estate do highly esteem of is disesteemed by the Lord. The best manner of walking is that which the Lord directs and leads into which is pure and holy and incorrupt and the Saints practise who were taught of God is the best example to follow and their manner and deportment among the Sons of men are chiefly to be followed Although that which is from below doth and hath ever disesteemed their way and the honour that comes from above although the Heathen had many Lords and many Gods Yet it was said to Israel thy God is but one and him shalt thou bow unto alone and reverence his Name Israel was not to follow the vain customes of the Nations neither follow their example who served not the living God with their hearts multitudes are not to be followed in doing evil Custome without Truth is but a bad plea antiquity with unrighteuosnesse is but bad proof that which leads into degeneration is not to be minded but that which leads into restoration and innocency The Redeemed of the Lord and the Israel of God now who works after the directions and leadings of Gods holy Spirit upon whom peace resteth are otherwise taught then to follow vain customes which begets one another into pride and deceit and unbelief Christ reproved the Pharisees for seeking honour one of another and told them they could not believe who sought it Was it reprovable then is it commendable now are there not many that seek it now Yes that which is offended when it is not complemented and bowed unto seeks it and would have it and is in the unbelief what capping and cringing what bowing and scraping in which many spends much of their time what complements and fained speeches is daily invented and gestures and Ceremonies of which there is hardly any end which people runs into now who calls themselves Christians many generations before cannot paralel it and yet this must be counted good manners and be reckoned as such Oh! The Lord is grieved with these things and they are abominable in his sight will provoke the Lord to anger if they be persisted in and the honour which is from above they despised And what invented words and names which puffs up the proud minds is people run into and like Ephraim in the transgression seeds upon wind and that which will vanish as a buble and pass away as a morning dew God will stain it all and the pride and glory of all flesh and bring contempt upon all the honourable of the Earth for the Saints knew who were come out of the respect of persons that the fashion of the world and the customâ— and manners and glory and honour and esteem thereof should pass away and that all that come to the beginning again to union with God must die to all these things which is got and entred