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
in that which is spiritual in thy self through which the things of God are made manifest for with that I have unity and in that as thou livest and walkest I bid thee farewell F. H. The Principal Heads treated upon in this following Discourse 1. THe State of the Church from the manifestation of Christ in the flesh to the end of the Apostles briefly discovered 2. The entring in of the Apostacy and the declination from that purity and Doctrine Worship and practise downward unto this present age and time 3. The Reformed and separated Congregations called Parochial proved in the Apostacy compared with the Primitive times in Worship and Practise 4. A few words unto all how they may come out of the Apostacy to the true Church which is in God the Lambs wife 5. Concerning Baptizing or sprinkling Infants 6. Concerning the sign of the Crosse and ordaining of Parishes and Parochial Churches 7. Concerning swearing by the Gospel as it is called and kissing the Book and Bishopping of Children the first Authors shewn 8. Concerning Fasts and Feasts and Holy dayes their Institutions and founders in the Apostacy 9. Concerning Priests Vestures and Garments and Bells their Authors shewn which are practised amongst Christians as Apostolick Institutions 10. Concerning the Mattens and singing of Psalms by course in Musical tunes and supplications and short Prayers called Lettanies their Authors shewn 11. Conrerning the Passeover and the Lords Supper and the Ceremonies about it 12. Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and under the Gospel 13. Concerning the ten Persecutions under the Heathen Emperours and how diverse vain Traditions and Institutions got up among the Christians in those times and Constitution amongst the East and Western Churches after the Apostacy was entered in the first 300. and 400. years after Christ. 14. Of the decrees of the Church of Rome and Ordinances which are held as Apostolick Institutions 15. Concerning the general Councils since the Apostles dayes which belonged to the Church of Rome their Decrees not infallible but are contradicting one another 16. Concerning the worship of God and whether Kings and Rulers ought to compel in Spiritual things declared and some Scriptures cleared and divers objections answered about this thing 17. Concerning Oaths in the first Covenant and the Lawfulness thereof and the unlawfulness thereof discovered in the new Covenant in the Gospel times though the Apostates mingle the Ordinances of both together 18. Tythes in their first Institution unto whom they were due according to the Command of God declared And 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 19. 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 20. Universities and Schools of Natural Learning are of no use as to the making of Ministers of Christ in the Primitive times but a thing introduced and brought in in latter ages by the Apostates who had erred from the Spirit who then admired and set up natural Languages and Philosophy that thereby they might be furnished to make discourses speeches and Sermons to get money by and as they are holden up at this day are made an absolute Idol and as to their Practise it s generally known to be prophane and no way meet to advance the Church of Christ. CHAP. I. The State of the true Church from the manifestation of Christ in the flesh to the end of the Apostles dayes briefly discovered GOd according to his determinate will and everlasting Counsel in the fulness of time sent his onely begotten Son into the World to be the Light of the World and to be a Leader to the People and to be a Propitiation for the sins of the whole World Who obeyed the will of the Father in all things according as it was testified of him by Moses and the Prophets and as it was said by David concerning him in the volumn of thy Book it is written concerning me I come to do thy will O God Psal. 40. 7. And so he did as it was written of him he fulfilled all righteousness and ended all the Types and Figures and Shadows and Worship of the first Covenant as the Apostle testifieth of him Heb. 7. 12. The Law was changed and the Priest-hood changed in that they were but Figures and Shadows of Good things to come and in regard that they were faulty and did not make the comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the conscience but the bringing in of a better hope did and the better Covenant to wit the Covenant of life and peace which the Prophets by the Spirit had testified of from Moses to Samuel and till John and John likewise bore Testimony of him who was the Lamb o God that took away the sins of the world Joh. 1. 29. 36. And now he being come â—o whom the Prophers testified who was not made by a carnal Commandment as was Aaron and the rest of the Priests under the Law but after the power of an endless life offered up himself once for all putting an end to all the offerings of the first Covenant for the perfecting them that are Sanctified Heb. 10. 14. Now he being come into the fulness of time manifest according to the Testimony of the Prophets he fulfilled all things which the Prophets Testified of him and his works did Testifie of him that he was the Son of God Now he declared the will of the Father and discoursed with them who were Doctors and Ministers of the first Covenant declaring unto them divers times and shewing unto them in divers places that the Kingdom of God was at hand and to be manifest in power and testified of himself and the Father also with him and his works declared the same that he was the everlasting high Priest which put an end to all the first Priest-hood Covenant and Ordinances thereof and he preached the word of the Kingdom and declared against them who sticked behind in the figures and types and shadows and did reprove them to wit the professors of the first Covenant who were searchers of the Scriptures and said you will not come unto me that you may have life I am the bread of Life that came down from above and came to fulfill the Law and all righteousness and to publish the word of Faith which did not make void the Law but establish it which was new And so he said while you have the â—ight believe in the Light that you may be children of the Light And this he spoke to the Pharisees which had the Law and the Prophets and were acting in the Types and Figures which were shadows of the thing it self but not the very thing but he preached the very thing The word of the Kingdom the word of power and the word of life and many
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
Churches or Meeting places but on the other side the second Nicene Councils determined that Images were not only to be placed in the Churches but also to be worshipped and the pope said that Images were to be Lay-mens Calenders The latter Council under Julius the second did repeal the Decrees of the Pisan Council The Basil Council deterrmined that a Council of Bishops was above the Pope but the Lattern Council under Leo Decreed that the Pope was above the Council and they decreed also that he that should think otherwise should be held for an Heretick and yet the Bishops and Abboâ—s in the Council of Basil aforesaid Decreed that they that judged that the Bishops were not above the Pope were Hereticks and yet these Councils the Church of Rome layes claim to to be of their Faith and Church and yet one making void what another had decreed The same Council did with an uniform consent remove the Pope Engeâ—ius and put Amidius in his place But Engenius vilifies the Councils decrees and condemns them The Council of Trent commanded that Bishops should teach the people and should have no more benefit for preferment then one place But since they have made this decree void and now whole Countries is too little and the Protestants imitates the same and does not teach the people and so of what validity have these Councils been worth or of what force hath the Decrees been of mutable men who have been tossed up and down like waters need I nominate the several Convocations and Councils that hath been amongst the reformed Churches as they are called and their Synods one while decreeing this the next throwing it down again And yet all these will lay claim to be Ministers of the True Church and persecute as Hereticks to death them who owns not their Changeable Decrees and mutable Institutions but such hath been the Arogancy and pride of her that hath set as a Queen upon the waters that she must be the only Judge and then the Prophets must be slain Pope Julius said no Council is of any credit unless it be confirmed by the Church of Rome And Boniface the eighth saith that no man in the world can be saved unless he be subject to the Romane Church And Pope Paschal thus said as though said he any Council could make Laws for the Church of Rome and all Councils do subsist by it and receive their strength from it and that wâ—h the Pope approveth or disapproveth And so all Confederacies Councils of men who are out of the life and power of God doth decree that which brings the Seed of God into bondage Now Rome look to thy infallability and thy universality which thou so much cryest up and thy unity one while sets up one thing another time throws it down again when it wil not sâ—rveparticular interests and what a stir has here been amongst them that call themselves reformed in these latter ages one setting up this another that sometimes this service for a worship then the next calls it Idolâ—trous then another service and this Ceremony and the other Ceremony and this Pater noster and the other Creed this Caâ—echism and the other Caâ—echism these Articles of Faith the next Synod make them void and so leads people into distraction and madness and this Caâ—on and the other Institution one while its Idolatrous another while Sacred and Holy And thus people has been led up and down many generations too and â—ro up and down and persecâ—tion about Changeable Mutable and alterable things and the life which redeems out of the world up unto God has not been sought after And so all that looks to have peace and to enjoy the Testimony of Gods blessed Spirit come out of this Babylon this City of confusion whose seat is â—rected upon the sand whose Foundation is laid in the waters and faith upon the humane institutions of men which are variable and subject to Mutation and come to know the Rock of Ages and the unalterable Council of the Lord and the wisdome of the most High to rule in your hearts wait in the Immortal Light of God which is within that you may see over all these Mountains of darkness which is risen up in the Apostacy and over all the Institutions Decrees Statutes Ordinances and Inventions of men to before all these things were and come to him who is the beginning of the Creation of God who is that quickning Spirit by which all that believe are raised out of death to be partakers of the Life which is Immortal which fades not away and the Lord will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth Away with all Types and Figures Shadows and Vails humane Institutions and Ordinances of men Ceremonies and vain superstitions Traditions which God hath no pleasure in which doth not profit at all and whatsoever leads the mind into visible things from the invisible God is to be thrown aside as a menstruoâ—s Cloath and as the breath of abominable things which God will confound because he hath no pleasure in them for the life is risen and the vail of the covering is rent which has been spread over all Nations the night is gone the day is come and appeared in brightness the shadows are past away and the morning of Righteousness is appeared the Son of God is come who has given his flock an understanding in whom life and blessedness and peace and everlasting Consolation resideth and resteth upon his People for ever more CHAP. XVI Something concerning the worship of God whether that Kings and Rulers now in Gospel times have any power from God to compel or force about Spiritual things declared and some Scriptures answered which hath been perverted by them who are in the Apostacy to maintain the Beasts power and the false Churches worship under the raign of Antichrist VVHen the Lord brought Israel out of the land of Eygpt by a strong hand and an outstreched arme he made a Covenant with them and gave forth a Law at Mount Sina by the hand of Moses the Judge of Israel and statures and Ordinances which Israel should walk in who were as a family who came of one stock and the Laws and Statutes which were then given forth was concerning civil things as concerning man and man and betwixt a man and his Neighbour and for the Government of whole families and the Camp of Israel And likewise Laws and Statutes which concerned the worship of the true God which may be read at large in Exodus Numbers and Dâ—uteromony and that worshipped not the true God according to the command given in the first Covenant which was outward were to have Judgment executed upon them according to the Law and Moses over Israel and the rest of the Judges were to see the Laws and Statutes Executed upon the transgressors and if any were an Idolater worshipped a false God or a Blasphemer were to be stoned to death or Sabbath-breaker was to be
is come and the Restorer and reformer is come and all is to hear him or else be cut off from having any share in him who is the promise it self yea all the promises of him are yea and Amen in whom not only the Children of Abraham after the flesh but all the Children of the promise are blessed and him who fufilled the Law in whom God fulfilled his Oath who is the everlasting high Priest after Melchizedecks order he hath put an end to all oaths and swearing and all the types and shadows He saith Mat. 5. 33 34. It hath been said of old time thou shalt not forswear thy self but shalt perform to the Lord thy oaths But I say unto you my Disciples and followers who have believed in me the true and living way who makes all things a new swear not at all neither by heaven c. Their being and generation then as now who said to swear by the greater is nothing but he that swears by the lesser is guilty he calls them hypocrites saith whosoever shal swear by the eternal the lesser sweareth by him the greater that dwelleth therein and he that sweareth by Heaven the lesser sweareth by the Throne of God and him that sitteth thereon the greater and if Christ had only forbid vain swearing and oaths as most do Ignorantly imagine he had done no more then the law had done before but t is manifest he forbids all swearing yea even by Lord for if they that swear by heaven swears by God that sits upon the Throne as he himself saith then he prohibits this also and saith I say unto you swear not at all and Jam. 5. 12. Who will know Christs mind saith above all things my Brethren swear not neither by Heaven nor by Earth now we know heaven earth comprehends all created things and yet the Apostle goes further excludes all manner of swearing saying neither any other oath and this he commands above and before all things and that upon the penalty of condemnation But much by divers hands have been written about this particular So I desire not to be large seeing we have a Cloud of witnesses wch have good assurance in themselves by Gods Spirit sealing unto them rather then swear bring condemnation upon themselves have denied their estates and liberties which lies at stake upon it but happy will they be who hath no hand in it to provoke the upright tempt them aside out of Christs way for woe will come undoubtedly upon such And that others may see it is no new thing Take a few examples of the faithful in ages past who suffered as Martyrs and it were an easie thing to bring a Cloud of witnesses out of the Ecclesiastical Histories of them that denied all swearing in divers ages I shall instance only a few Policarpus who was as it is said Johns Disciple had been a Christian eighty nine years when he came to suffer martyrdom the Proconsul requiring him to swear by the Emperours good fortune and by Caesars prosperity which was the custome of the Romans at that time divers Heathen Emperours set up their own Images to be worshipped and their persons to be sworn by but Policarpus denied and said he was a Christian and would show forth the doctrine of Christiany if he desired the same if the Proconsul would appoint a day and hear it so at that time it seems Christians did not swear as afterwards they did in the Apostacy And Basillides a Souldier and afterwards a Martyr being required to swear affirmed plainly that it was not lawful for him to swear for that he was a Christian so it seems that it was the mark of a Christian not to swear And the Waldenses or Leonists whose names are so famous amongst the reformed Churches who are said immediatly to succeed the Apostles were the most antient and true Protestants professed it to be as way Lawfull for a Christian to swear In defence of whom in this very thing Bishop Usher late Bishop of Armagh Primate of Ireland pleaded their cause against the Papists and Jesuites who are the swearers and breakers of Oaths and yet pleads for swearing And the plow-man in his prayer which is so much Esteemed of commended in the Book of Martyrs saith Lord thou givest us a Commandment of truth it bidding us say yea yea and nay nay and swear for nothing thou givest us also a Commandment of meekness and another of poorness But Lord he that calls himself thy Vicar on Earth hath broken both these Commandments for he maketh a Law to compel men to swear Fol. 585. And it is one of John Wickliss Articles whose works was as much esteemed of by the Protestants in England and Bohemia as dispised by the Papists and their Clergy having his bones taken up and burned fourty one years after his decease his books and these articles condemned by the Council of Constance who also burned John Hus and Jerome of Prauge for holding John Wickliss opinions that â—aths which he made for any Contract or civil bargain betwixt man and man be unlawful And Walter Brute a Teacher among the people of God in that age by scorners called the Devils Servants called Lolards against whom the Pope and the King Richard the second and then the ungodly Bishops make so much a do to have the name of Truth extinguished and the professors there cut off This is Walters Testimony As concerning Oaths I believe and obey the Doctrine of Almighty God my master Christ Jesus which teacheth that Christian men in affirmation of a Truth should pass the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees of the old Testament or else he excludeth them from the Kingdom of Heaven For he saith except your Righteousness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees you cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and as concerning Oaths he saith it hath been said of old time thou shalt not for swear thy self but shalt perform those things unto the Lord thou knowest but I say unto you thou shalt not swear at al neither by Heaven nor by Earth c. But let your Communication be yea yea nay nay for whatsoever is more then this cometh of evil therefore as the perfection of ancient men of the old Testament was not to for swear themselves so the perfection of Christian men is not to swear at all because they are so commanded of Christ whose Commandment in no case must be broken although the City of Rome is contrary to this doctrine of Christ c. A good Testimony of a blessed Martyr Here it appeareth that the Swearing which Christ forbids is not only prophane swearing in the communication for that was forbidden in the law where it s said thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain c. But solemn swearing which was to be performed that was the perfection of law And Kings
and Princes may take warning by this King Richard not to fulfil the cruel and bloody desires of their Prelates And Chrysostome who was Bishop of Constantinople in commendation of whom much is said in the Ecclesiasticall histories he blameth them greatly that bringeth forth a book to swear upon charging Clerks that in no wise they constrain any body to swear whether they think a man swear true or false saying that it is a sin to swear well now I mentioned before it was an Emperor that commanded first that men should swear by it book this Chrysostom reproves so hereby it may be seen by these examples it is no new doctrine to deny all swearing and there hath been a people very many years in the Low Countries that have denied swearing in any matter therefore their yea and nay stand in Courts of judicature equal with an oath they being men generally of known integrity whose yea is yea and nay nay in all places and matters If they that despise Moses Law died without mercy of how much more sorer punishment suppose ye shal they be thought worthy of who treads underfoot the Son of God c. and disobey his commands teach others so to do they shall be shut out of the Kingdom of God have no part with the obedient who keeps Christs commands through temptations and sufferings and are not offended at them neither counts them grievous they only are happy and shal inherit everlasting life Likewise Jerome who was an antient Father and Teacher in the Church which all the Protestants owneth upon that place the 5 of Mat. and 37. ver 5 James 12 These are his words It was permitted under the law to the Jews as being tender and as it were infants that as they were to offer Sacrifices to God least they should Sacrifice to Idols so they might swear by God not that it was rightful so to do but because it was better to swear by the Lord then by false Gods devils but the great Evangelical sincerity and truth admits not of an oath since every true saying is equivolent thereunto In like manner doth Theophilact an antient Father of the Church whoÌ„ the Protestants owns have often cited his doctrine for proof upon the place in controversy saith Learn hence that then under the law it was not evil for one to swear but since the coming of Christ it is evil as is circumcision in sum whatever is judaical for it may become a child to suck but not a man So that oaths pertained to the Jews who were under the changable Covenant the mutable Covenant which continued but for a time till the Seed Christ the oath of God was revealed and where he is revealed and witnessed all the Judaical Types and Figures and changeable Ordinances hath an end Likewise Ambrose upon the 118. Psalm he saith None doth swear a right but he that knows what he swears and the Lord hath sworn and will not repent upon Psalm 110 Ambrose saith let him then swear who cannot repent of his oath and a little after the said Ambrose saith do not imitate him in swearing whom we cannot imitate in fulfilling And indeed the principal solution given by him is swear not at all and the aforesaid Waldenses who condemned all maner of swearing as unlawful they made it their care to avoid swearing and lying and hereby they did give sufficient caution against all inconveniences which may come thereby as to government in general for where a testification or assertion is made without an oath is as sure as if it had been sworn to And Bishop Usher doth esteem that place of Matthew the fifth swear not at all to be a sufficient plea for the Waldenses against swearing And therefore they who have any esteem of the aforesaid Authors and of their doctrine must not condemn the Quakers as for novelties or for broachers of new Doctrine For Reynerius one of the popish inquisitions saith amongst all the sects which are or have been there is not any more pernitious to the Church meaning the Church of Rome then the Waldenses and that for three reasons 1. Because of their antiquity secondly because of their universality thirdly in that they did profess it no way lawful for a Christian to swear on any occasion which doctrine was contrary to the Church of Rome which made Rinerius Jansenius two papists so much envied the Walden ses in this thing about keeping the commands of Christ And yet notwithstanding all this cloud of witnesses both in primitive times after ages diverse who suffered as Martyrs did hold the same also the many testimonies of them who have died in the faith yet many are so wilful and so peevish and so envious against every thing which they cannot joyn unto as that they will brand this Doctrine for Novelty and Heresie Let such consider how they will condemn this doctrine and yet justifie Christs words and them which have been reckoned as Fathers and Marryrs and as Orthodox found in the faith by all except the Church of Rome who too much imitates the Jews yet are no Jews and they have been the chief criers up of oaths and swearing afterwards gives dispensations to them that breaks them and therefore all who reckons your selves as Christians keep to the doctrine of Christ and the doctrine of the Apostles who were followers of him and run not back to the Jews ordinances wâ—h continued but til the time of reformation and you that reckons your selves aâ— Protestants for shame leave off that Doctrine which hath been brought in by the Apostates who hath mingled things together without having respect either to time or age or people And so have run back to the Jews and brings those commands injunctions wch pertained to the Jews layes them as yokes upon the necks of Christians remember what the Apostle said to the Galathians concerning the works of the Law concerning Types and figures Gal. 1 2. If ye be circumeised Christ profits you nothing and an oath was a type as well as circumcision to the Jews and what if I say of all swearers who hath no better ground for so doing then the Jewish oaths which were types and testifie unto every one that he that takes an oath swears at all is bound to keep the whole Law Christ profits him nothing And so ler all people who fear the Lord and doth believe that they have received Christ in their hearts the end of the Law for Righteousness not turn back to the changeable Covenant again least he who is the everlasting Covenant say unto them who hath required these things at your hand and also raise up his swift witness to condemn them who transgresses his pure and holy and righteous commands and would compel others so to do CHAP. XVIII Tythes in their first institution unto whom they were due according to the Command of God declared and
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