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
his Diocess and all was confirmed by the Bishop of Rome Telesphorus appointed that Lent should be kept before Easter and added another week to it which we call Quinquagesima and this week he commanded Priests to fast more then the Laity and thus one runs into one invention after another and hath brought in all this mountain of darkness so that the practice of these things since the Apostles dayes hath been much-what corrupted and imitation at the best without life and are either from the Jews and their worship or from the Heathen or from their own inventions and imaginations which are so many in their Mattens and their prayers that at last Beads where glad to be got to tell them and so all who view these things and sees them to be in the Apostacy come out from among them and them that are joyned to Idols let them alone and keep your selves from them and compare but the worship and practice of the primitive times in the Apostles days with all this which hath been brought in since part of which is here demonstrated and much more might be said but you will see that these practices are not Apostolical neither agreeable with the purest times but people have been corrupted with them and made twofold worse than before And as concerning the Mass and Letany which are used in many congregations there hath been so many Authors about patching them up that they are almost past numeration but take a short hint of the forming of them up near unto the Apostles time although they did celebrate the Sacrament as it was called it was done with little mixture or ceremony but only repeating the words of Christ and after the consecration they joyned to it the Pater noster Celistinus ordained some prayers that the Priest should say when he re-vesteth himself to Mass or putting on his clothes and began Judica me Domine c. And in the Church of Greece they sang when the people assembled together Damasus instituted the confession at the beginning of Mass And Gorgius caused confession to be said nine times over in the Latin Church Gregory in Excelsis is ascribed unto Telesphorus and Hilarus And also Telesphorus ordained Epistles and Gospels and Damasus divided them as they are read at this day in the reformed Churches And Anastasius commanded that People should stand at the Gospel Marcus ordained the first part of the Creed to be read after it was made by the Councel of Nice and the second part and Spiritum Sanctum that the Councel at Constantinople composed Eutichianus instituted the Offertory to be sung while the people offered something to the poor Galasius made the prefaces in the beginning they used but one Anâ—ekius added the Snactus out of the Prophet Esay Burning of incense that which was occupied in the Old Testament by Aaron and the Pannims in their superstitious rites Leo the third ordained it to be had in the Latine Church and privity of Mass called the Common was made by divers persons as Gallatius made reigitur Satitius added Communicantes and Alexander made qui pridie hanc igitur Leo joyned to it Gregory annexed three petitions in the same Dies qui nostros c. Innocentius Priests in the upper part of the Church called the Quire should kiss one another that Pax should be born to the people blessed with hands and challices came out of the Hebrew Ceremonies Christ at his ascention blessed his Disciples and Surgius from this ordained Angus Dei seven hundred years after Christs ascention to be sung of the Clergy at the time of Communion and often turning the Priest to the Altar and wheeling about when he saith Dominus vobiscum or Oratis Fratres these came from the Hebrew rites When the Mass is ended the Deacon turns to the People and saith Ita missa est which words are borrowed from the Pagans they were used in the Sacrifices of Isis that when the Sacrifices was done this was the Watch-word that the People might depart and of this sprang the custom of singing Ita missa est signifying that all service was ended Mass is an Hebrew Word signifies an Oblation and sacrifice with all circumstances concerning the same Alexander inhibited that they should not sacrifice but once in a day Telesphorus ordained three Masses to be said on Christmas day the first at midnight when Christ was born the second in the morning when the Shepherds visited him the third further on the day as at the third hour Foelix decreed on that Mass might be said but in places consecrated and none was to meddle with the mysteries of consecration but the Priest Anaclatus ordained that no Mass should be said but in the presence of two in the least least the Priest should say in vain to bare walls Dami us vobiscum the Lord be with you when none were present and so on this wise one piece and scrap was added to another with much more which I shall not trouble the Reader with by which Peoples minds have been drawn from attending on Gods Spirit to hearken to these foolish ceremonies and invented charms and so have been led out into ignorance and into the region of the shadow of death where many have taken up their habitations and Babylons Merchants these many hundred years have traded with such Merchandize under the name of Apostolical Ordinances and holy Institutions CHP. XI Concerning the Passover and the Supper THE Passover was a command of God by Moses unto Israel while they were in captivity in Egypt which God manifested his wonderous works in the land of Egypt and in the field of Zoan for their deliverance Exod. 12. 3 4 5 6 7 8. That every family shall take to them every man a Lamb according to the house of their Fathers a Lamb for an house and where the family was little the Neighbours were to joyn with him ver 21. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said unto them draw out and take a Lamb according to your families and kill the Passover and ye shall take a bunch of Hysop and dip it in the Blood that is in the basin and sprinkle the lintel and the two side posts of the door with the Blood and none of you shall go out of doors untill the morning ver 22 23. The Lord will pass through to smite the Eyptians and when he sees the Blood upon the lintels and posts he will not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you and ye shall observe this thing as an ordinance for thee and thy seed forever ver 24. And it shall come to pass when the children shall say unto you what means this service ye shall say it is the sacrifice of the Lords Passover who passed over our Houses in Egypt and smote the Egyptians And this was the Ordinance which was performed and this is that Passover which Christ sent his Disciples to prepare according to the time
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
Dionysius writes unto him how that all Cilicia Cappadocia Galatia and the bordering Nations how great Synods had decreed that they would not communicate with them because they rebaptized Hereticks and saith further the greatest Synods of Bishops hath decreed that such as renounce any heresie should first be instructed and then Washed and Purged of their impure leaven and thus they Wrangled and Jangled about things with one another and brake into Fractions notwithstanding many of these men Suffered under the merciless Cruelty of the Heathen Emperor likewise they excommunicated one another and called Councils and censured one another and hurt the spreadng of Truth amongst them that believed in the Name of Jesus all this is to shew that they were declining and coming to loss in this time though so near the Apostles time and though they suffered under the Emperors and found peace with the Lord yet many practices and institutions were made which are not according to the Primitive times which ought not to be binding to all generations afterwards because of the Antiquity of them as the now called Church of Rome would have all to receive as Apostolick Doctrine But to return to Constantine the Emperor when peace was established in the Empire he set forth a general Proclamation or Edict not constraining therein any man fro any Religion but giving liberty to all men to exercise their Religion whether Christians or others which thing was taken well by the Romans and all wise men this Licinius joyned with Constantine in the Government of the Empire and seemingly favoured the Christians and joyned with Constantine in setting forth an edict for the Christians liberty yet afterwards he had great hatred towards Constantine and conspired his death rejecting the Christian Religion and Persecuted them who said he would become an Enemy to the Christians for that in their Meetings and Assemblies they prayed not for him but for Constantine so cast the Christians into Prison and Persecuted them within his Dominions and many were put to death but at length he was slain after several battels between him and Constantine by the souldiers in the year 324. Constantius the Emperor the Father of Constantine dyed a natural death and was buried at York Dioclcesian died at Salena as some say by his own Poyson in the year 319. he was the chief of the seven Tyrants in the tenth Persecution Maximinian the second who was hanged at Mazilla by Constantine in the year 310. Thirdly Galerius who was plagued with a terrible disease Severus the fourth was slain by Maximinian the father of Maxentius the wicked Tyrant who was Banished by Constantine in the year 318. The sixth was Maxentius who dyed not long atfer in the year 320. Lastly Licinius was overcome by Constantine and slain about the year 324. And thus the Lord Plagued the cruelty of the Heathen Emperors who knew not God but hated his appearance and rewarded them according to their deeds The Christians in these three hundred years wherein was the ten Persecutions they were sufferers under the Power of the Dragon who ruled in the Emperors and then they were not Persecutors having not the outward power in their hand but when they had the outward power then they turned Persecutors especially the Bishops of Rome when they had the outward power on their side then they were worse then Constantine the great who gave liberty to all Christians and others to Worship God without forcing of any as their actions following afterwards makes it appear for being countenanced by the Emperor they grew proud and lordly and increasing in power and outward Authority though set up at first by the Emperor at last excluded him for having any Authority or Power over the See of Rome as after a season may be made appear In the year 367. Damasus was Bishop of Rome 18. years Also in the first three or four hundred years before ever the Bshop of Rome did get so high as to be called universal Bishop abundance of Darkness spread over and abundance of Idolatry and superstitious things was invented and abundance of Orders as Friars and Monks and Monasteries and Nunneries wherein they were diverted from the order of the Gospel and a great Apostacy came in In the year 260. Anthony is called the Father of the Monks who followed the Example of Paulus born at Thebes in Egypt who retired himself to a private Gave under the foot of a Rock in the seventh Persecution by Decius And one called Basil is said to be the first that built Monasteries and ordained vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience and these are called the Monks of Basils Order and are bound to abstain from all kinde of Flesh and here began this Doctrine of Devils contrary to the Doctrines of the Apostles of Christ. The next who prescribed Orders was Augustine born in the year 350. this order was called Austin Fryars they wear a Lethern girdle to distinguish them from the Monks the first Order of the Eriars was Mendicants the third that Prescribed Orders was Benedict in the year 472. and out of this Order did spring the Monks of Benedict and divers other Orders which I have mentioned before in the former part of the Book The fourth that Prescribed Orders was Francis of Assis these are called Franciscans or Grey Friars their rule and order was confirmed by Innocent the third these are the fourth Order of Friars Mendicants or begging Friars and from this order sprung Friars Miniries and Capouchen Friars Miniries were ordered by Franciscus de Pola and Capouchens were ordained by one Matthew Basa of Acona The Jesuites were first founded by Ignatius Loyolla born in Navar they were first confirmed by Paul the third The Nuns first Author was one Clare the Daughter of Asses who forsoke her Fathers House and devised an Order of religious Women who vowed Poverty and Virginity they were confirmed by Honorius the third but many of these being mentioned and their Practices which are contrary to the Primitive time is mentioned before in this Book and so let them pass and to return to the Bishops of Rome but divers contentions and sects began to breake forth and the Bishops not only of Rome but of Alexandria and Nicomedia and Miletus and one clashing against another Alexander Bishop of Alexandria and Eusebins Bishop of Nicomedia and many Bishops in other places joyning one to one side and one to another and envying one another insomuch that as Eusebius saith a man might have seen not only the Presidents and chief Rulers of the Churches envying one against another with spightful approbrious Terms and also the Multitude severed into parts that the Christian Religion was openly derided of all Men and so called Councils and Synods and condemned one another and excommunicated one another as Hereticks and so went out of the Long-suffering and Patience and forbearance which the Apostle exhorted unto And so no less then four hundred years many run wholly out into contention about
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
THE GLORY OF THE True Church DISCOVERED As it was in its PURITY in the PRIMITIVE TIME Also A Manifestation how and when the Apostacy came and how long it hath continued in the Church of Rome proved to be in it because she differs in Doctrin Practice from the Church of Christ in the Apostles dayes Published for this end that People may be informed and their understandings opened to discern of the times and seasons and see the difference between the Lambs Wife and the Mother of Harlots By one who desires that all may come to the Knowledge of the Truth and be saved and walk in the Light of the Lord FRANCIS HOWGIL LONDON Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1661. TO THE READER OR Readers GReat hath been the Wisdom which God hath shed abroad in the hearts of his People and made known unto his servants through Ages wherein he hath made known his mind and will at sundry times and in divers manners sometimes by Types sometimes by Shadows and Representations sometimes by Dreams sometimes by Visions sometimes by Prophecy and there was not the least Ministration but it had a glory in it and the one living God manifested his mind unto the sons of men who feared his Name in every Generation and shewed unto them and signified his mind unto them what he was and shewed unto them how he would be worshipped and they that were obedient unto that which was made manifest in every Age and Ministration found acceptance with the Lord and the peace of God in their hearts After man had transgressed and gone from his Maker and lost the guide of his youth and broken Gods Covenant then blindness came upon him and a vail was betwixt him and his Maker and man increased and grew in an earthly part and lusted after earthly things whith fed and increased that part and the Image of God was lost in which the creature delighted yet notwithstanding such was and is the Love of God towards his Creation and to his workmanship that he did not utterly cast off man for ever but followed him to draw him back again out of the transgression to have unity with him who was his Maker and when man was gone into the darkness the Lord stooped so low as to come near him and to that state he was in and made a Covenant with man when mans heart was outward upon outward things and gave him commands outward and Statutes and Ordinances outward that he might worship therein which were shadows and types of some better thing to come and these were the Ordinances of the first Covenant which pertained to the changeable part that was above the seed but they typed forth more Heavenly things which was to be revealed in due time and when the seed came to be manifested and raised up they had an end and the cloud passed away and the day did spring forth in clearness and he brought forth which restored all that believe unto God viz. Christ Jesus then did God more clearly manifest himself in the earth through his Son who had the will of the Father and declared it who rent the vail and put an end to the shadows and blotted out the hand-writing and ended the types and figures and all that believed in him who was the end of them and the sum of all he overthrew the nature in them which was changeable unto which they pertained until the time of Reformation which was when he was sacrificed up a Propitiation for the sins of the whole world and they that did believe and received him came to be the Sons of God and declared the mind of God as it was revealed and as the spirit gave utterance and many did believe and did grow up and become of one heart mind and soul and worshipped God with one accord and in the spirit and in the power of the Father and separated from the Jewish worship and the form thereof and met together in the Power of God and glorified God and spoke of the things of his Kingdom unto all that waited for it freely and the Lord was honoured by them and glorified in them But soon after the mystery of godliness was brought forth the mystery of iniquity began to work and opposed the work of the Lord and transformed into the similitude and outward appearance and form and yet lived in the flesh and there began to be an apostacy and a deviation from that glory and power which was once revealed and Antichrist wrought with signs and lying wonders and got the words and hated the life and power and them that appeared in it and then they that were under his Government and Reign hated the Reign of Christ and said in their hearts we will not have him to rule over us though in words they confess him and then persecuted and drove the true Church into the wilderness and set up imitations and inventions and traditions and vain customs which they have called Apostolical and holy Institutions which are contrary unto Primitive Institutions and Ordinances onely brought in by them when darkness began to spread over the earth when the Bishops in the first three hundred years after Christ began to contend about dayes and times and meats and drinks and Rome began to claim superiority over all Churches called Christian and the Pope became as a Law-giver I have led thee through divers ages and times as briefly as possible may be to single out the Original and beginning of those things and who were the first Ordainers of them betwixt this and the Apostles dayes which are now accounted as holy Institutions The state and glory of the true Church in this Treatise thou wilt see before the Apostacy and the state in the Apostacy how she fled into the wilderness and how Mystery Babylon was raised and the false Church called her self visible many of her Doctrines and Practices which are contrary to the Primitive Church are here discovered and the Authors and formers made known whereby thou may come to see a difference in the Ordinances of the true Church and the Traditions and Inventions of the false Church which are too much contended for in this day by them who say they are come to the true Reformation according to the Primitive times but thou wilt see as thou compares but their practice with the Primitive times to be quite contrary and to be but smoke and that which has darkened the ayr clouded peoples understandings and hath led them into ignorance and darkness so that the way of Truth hath not been discovered unto many but the Lord is arisen and that which comprehends time is made manifest and all that which hath got up in the Apostacy is viewed and seen and laid open to the view of all that they may depart out of these things which are but the inventions and traditions of men in which Eternal Life is not to be had Read with meekness 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
making any Covenants or enquiries after wordly revenews but went from City to City preaching the Gospel of Christ freely as they had received without any conditions from the people And as many as beleived and received the Gospel did Minister freely their hearts being open unto them who had declared unto them spiritual things Acts 4. 34. Mat. 10. 8. c. So that we read of no compulsion or forceing maintenance from any of the Cities whether they beleived or not believed the Father took care of such harvest men and what they received was given freely and there was no complaint though often they denyed that which was profered to them and their care was to make the Gospel of Christ not burdensome or chargable but rather their hands should Minister unto their necessities Act. 18. 3. Again though divers gifts were given unto the Disciples before and after Christs ascention as some to be Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors some Teachers and some Elders or Bishops yet they were all made Ministers by the holy Ghost yet it were large to speak of the Power and of the wisdome and of the enjoyments of God in that day and time and of the gifts and of the order which was in the Church at that time But in a word the Son of God was made manifest and gave them an understanding and they knew him that was true Truth it self and Christ was revealed in them and manifested to them the hope of their Glory Col. 1. 27. Furthermore they came to see over the new Moons and Fasts and feasts and Dayes and Times and Meats and Drinks and nonecould judge of them or ought to judge of them in those cases for they saw the Body Christ for the man-child was brought forth and the woman was cloathed with the Sun who had the Crown of twelve Stars upon her head who brought forth the holy Child Jesus who saves his people from their sins In whom all Shadows Types Figures representations ends This in short was part of the glory of the Primitive Church which would be large to spake of as it was in the first State of its purity But hereafter some fuller thing the Lord may bring forth in his own time and day CHAP. II. Concerning the entering in of the Apostacy and the Declination from that purity of Doctrine Worship and Practice and when it began downwards from the entering of it in until this present age and time CHrist the true Prophet which Moses spake of whom the Lord raised up manifested in the fulness of time he prophesied and declared of false Prophets that should arise Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets which shall come unto you in sheeps cloathing which are inwardly ravening Wolves ver 16. ye shall know them by their fruits and in Mat. 24. 11. But many false Prophets shall arise and deceive many and this came to be seen and fulfilled in the age of the Disciples and John Testified 1 Joh. 2. 18. Little children it is the last times as ye have heard that Antichrist should come even now there are many Antichrists whereby we know that it is the last time they went out from us but were not of us and Chap. 4. 3. So they entered in then and went out from the Light from the Power of God which the Apostles preached for the remissions of sins And Jude he testified against such as was entered in who was in Cains way that were degenerated and killed and in Balaams way for gifts and rewards and yet preached up the words which the Apostles spoke but for filthy Lucre and had mens persons in admiration because of advantage And Peter said false Prophets and false Teachers should arise that should bring in damnable Heresies that should deny the Lord that bought them and many should follow their pernicious wayes 2 Pet. 2. 2. And the Apostles wrote to Timothy the Bishop or overseer that the Spirit spoke expresly that in the last times some should depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking lies in Hypocrisie forbiding to Marry and abstain from meats c. 1 Tim. 4. and again Paul in the 2 Tim. 3. saw the Apostacy coming in and perillous times should come that men should be lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters without natural affection Truth-breakers False accusers dispisers of them that are good Traytors Heady High-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the truth having a form of Godliness but denying the power and as the same Apostle saith in another place was enemies to the Crosse of Christ And these went out into the world and this is 1400. years agoe and upwards Then the mystery of iniquity began to work and worught and they went out and did not preach up the Jews Religion the ordinances of the first Covenant But they preached Christ in words and transformed into the form of the Apostles words but denyed the Cross and spoke those things they ought not for filthy Lucre sake and there was the beginning of the Hirelings that care not for the Flock and those went out into the world and many followed their pernicious waies and there held the form but denyed the power and so indeed preached another Gospel and they lived in the liberty of the flesh and held People in the Liberty yet prosylited them into a kind of a faith which was seigned and these kinde of false Apostles and deceitful workers led many after them and there was the beginning of the Apostacy and they published these things in the World and when the Name of Christ came to be in reputation and the preaching of the Gospel to be in request then they for filthy Lucre went out with the words and retained the form not the Jewish from altogether but the form of the Saints worship and practice which were in the Church of Christ which were elect and precious and they grew to such a head and to such a body and became such a number and yet gain-sayers and in Cains way for they were out of the power and out of that which mortifies the deeds of the flesh and they spred themselves over Nations and Kindreds over Tongues and People and Nations and Kindreds and Tongues and People have now got the name of a Church and the seat thereof came to be great the false Church the Harlot Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots which had denied the Husband Christ the power of God her seate was set upon Nations Kindreds Tongues and People and these were her seate And John said these were the waters which he saw the Whore or false Church sit upon and she turned and all her children against the free-woman the Lords spouse the Lambs Wife and made her fly into the Wilderness for a time times and half a time and she reached out her Golden Cup a fair out-side but full of fornication within and she claimed
Seventhly your Doctrine of Purgatory an invented and an imagined thing as to clense from sin this is contrary to the Primitive Doctrine the blood of Christ clenseth from all sin John 1. 7. and your distinctions of mortal and venial sin is to blind people withal for the wages of sin is death Rom. 6. 23. Eightly Of worshiping and invocation of Angels and Saints as mediators between us and God this is contrary to the primitive Doctrine there is one Mediator between God and man even the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2. 5. and he alone makes intercession for all them that beleive Heb. 7. 25. and the Angel reproved John Rev. 22. 8 9. when he would have worshiped him and said unto him see thou do it not for I am thy fellow Servant c. and the Prophet said thou art onr Father though Abraham know us not and Israel be ignorant of us Isay. 63. 6. Ninthly of Reliques and sacred Images this is contrary to what the Lord spake by the Prophets Lev. 26. 1. ye shall make you no I dols nor graven Image neither rear you up a standing Image neither shall you set up any Image of stone in your Land to bow down unto it Deut. 6. 22. neither shalt thou set thee up any Image which the Lord thy God hateth and Ezek. 6. 4 and your Images shall be broken and Rom. 1. 23. there they were condemned that changed the glory of the incorruptable God into an Image made like to corruptable man c. Thus you may plainly see your Idolatrous Image worship is forbidden and condemned in the Law Prophets and new Testament and as for your Reliqne worship you have neither command nor example for it from Christ nor his Apostles Many more things might be enumerated which is found among you in the Apostacy as your voluntary poverty and feigned humility and your wilful vows and many more things which are found to be contrary to the Church of Christ which must be turned from and denyed if ever you come to know the everlasting Gospel which is to be preached again to the Nations by which they must be brought out of all this Apostacy Furthermore as to the practice and Discipline of the Catholick Church as it is called which pleads for antiquity we find it not consonant and agreeing to the Churoh in the primitive times the first hundred years after Christ. As for the vestmeuts your Priests wear at certain times one on this manner another on that your Ecclesiastical men or Church-Officers of several ranks and orders such we find not in the primitive times in that which may be truly called primitive And for the invented holy dayes and their eves for fasting and feasting we find no such things in the Primitive Times and such a service for such a day and such a worship for such a day we find not in the first hundred years after Christ. And for your Lent which one of your Fathers invented and this was his ground because God had the tenth of the increase or Tythes due to himself and for his Ministers under the Law therefore it was necessary that the tenth part of dayes should be allowed as Tythes to the Lord O grosse ignorance and palpable blindness midnight it self came upon you in the time of your visibillity when the True Church was fled into the Wilderness As though the Lord was not Lord of all dayes and as though all dayes were not his and to be used to his glory And your prohibiting meats and distinguishing of meats one holy for such a day another for such a day flesh one day and fish another day as though there were not the flesh of fish or one thing were clean and another unclean And this invented trumpery hath been observed for Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine but by whom we must needs tell you by the Nations Kindreds and Tongues and People upon which the Whore sits and out of which the Beast rose And we will grant you antiquity enough this many hundred years and yet we will prefer the Primitive times before you and bring their Doctrine and practice to reprove you though we do not desire to go in Cains way and to kill Creatures that are out of the Doctrine of Christ and contrary to Apostolick and Catholick Doctrine which wrestled not with the flesh and blood but with spiritual wickedness whose weapons were not carnal but Spiritual and yet they had great might in them and threw down by these weapons that which never could be by Carnal 2 Cor. 10. 4. Again your forbiding to marry which is reckoned by the Apostles Doctrine to be a Doctrine of Devils and contrary unto that the Apostles Doctrine was marriage is honorable in all estates the bed undefiled Heb. 13. 4. And seeing you plead Peter was at Rome and Peters chair and that the Bishop of Rome doth succeed him and hath the Keys as Peter had Why do you exclude the chief Bishops as you account them from marrying and divers other orders seeing Peter had a wife and seeing that it is Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine before you could claim the name of visible Church that a Bishop should be the husband of one wife and should not be covetous nor no striker nor given to Wine nor filthy Lucre c. But since the Bishop of Rome hath appropriated to himself to be the head of the Church and the chief Bishop over all the Catholick Church It hath been manifested how much covetousness and covetous practices hath been acted as money for Pardons and Indulgences and get money for the living and the dead and the invented Purgatory hath filled your coffers and your meritorious works have been sold at a dear rate In so much that a poor Woman who hath lost het husband and he deceased must pay ten shillings for a mortuary that he may be prayed for or some of your merits may be accounted to him which you have in store as a stock to sell to any who come with a prize in their hand And from whence have you all these Tythes have yoâ— not borrowed them of the Jews And yet you are no Jews and such things we do not read among the Iews were Tytheable as Pigs Eggs Hens and Geese to omit greater matters and the smoak passing up the chimneys and that which you call your Peter pence And this is contrary to the Catholick and Apostolick Doctrine which Peter would have been ashamed to ever have mentioned either amongst Iews or Gentiles And now I would ask you a question or two seeing John saw the true Church flee into the Wilderness the woman that was cloathed with the Sun who brought forth the man-child What cause have you to boast of visibility or universality Now when were you in the wildernesse if your Church hath not been so then it demonstrates that your Church is nor the woman cloathed with the Sun for she did fly into the wilderness as with the wings of an Eagle
Apostle gathered together many that believed and setled them in the order of the Gospel and the order came well to be accounted of and the conversation of the Saints of good account amongst many divers false Prophets and deceitful workers got up and as the Apostles met in houses and the Saint met together in houses the false Apostles they crept into houses and held the form as I said before and denied the power and they were to be turned away from by the Apostles exhortation to Timothy Now since the true Church fled into the wildernesse the false Church came into visibility and to sit as a Queen upon the Waters the Nations and Peoples ' other things have been brought in other things are brought in and invented which were not constitutions of Christ or the Primitive Churches And these the world have wondered after in the dark night of Apostacy And the worship hath been made up and compacted partly from the Jews worship partly from the Heathen and partly from themselves being corrupted and the Scriptures perverted every way to prove all this deceit Now many have Judged to relinquish the former superstitious practices and to come and to take up the form and practice again in the outward as it was in the Apostles dayes is to come out of the Apostacv Let all know this the outward Court of the City was given to be trodden under foot of the Gentiles to pollute and defile it and many may wait there and look there in the polluted Court and in the out-side that hath been defiled and many may visit the Sepulchre and wait for Christ when he is risen and so look for him to appear in that which he is risen out of the Iews at their Temple when it is left desolate the Christans so called may glory in their outward Court though it be defiled and so defiled as God will not appear therein again for he hath another way manifested himself unto the sons of men And now that worship that God requires that service that he requires and that glory wherein he will manifest himself is and will be in the Spirit which all people is to wait for which comes to witnesse restoration and to come to the end of the night of errour to the Bride the Lambs wife again Now a measure of Gods spirit being given to every one to profit withal which shews them sin and transgression and will lead out of it which shews formal worship and how deceit hath transformed into them and leads them that believed in it out of that which is polluted and out of deceit to Christ the sure foundation and mighty power of God and to know Gods peace and good-will to all men And that which must restore all people and bring them out of the Apostacy into purity and to have fellowship with the Father and the Son and one with another as it was in the Primitives times is the mighty power of God alone which must be waited for and believed in and received and made manifest in the heart of the People or else thev cannot come out of the Apostacy nor see to the end of those things that are to be abolished And this is that which must be witnessed by every man that comes to be a living stone of the holy City and a living Son of the free-woman and true member of the Heavenly Jerusalem whicâ— God hath caused to descend which is the Mother of all the Saints and the womb that brings them all forth and the breast at which they all suck and are satisfied and nourished up to everlasting life These sayings are faithful and true and blessed is he that heareth believeth and receiveth them And this is a Testimony of the People called QUAKERS whom God hath brought out of the Apostacy to the beginning again to see the brightness of the day of the Lord wherein there is not a Cloud Furthermore it is manifest how many things have been introduced and brought in concerning worship and ordinances and are taught to be Doctrines of the Primitive times when as they are brought in by men of corrupt minds in latter ages which had lost the faith once delivered to the Saints and had lost the Gospel order and compelled people by outward Law to submit unto them and yet all those things they would fasten upon the Scriptures and bring some Scripture which they pervert as a cloak and a cover to blind people withal but I shall descend to some particulars CHAP. V. Concerning Sprinkling Infants ANd first concerning baptizing or Christning Infants as it hath been called which is without prescribed command or example commanded or ordained by Christ or his Apostles although many in these latter ages have wrested the Scripture thinking thereby to make their own inventions to be reckoned or accounted to be Ordinances of God and the main ground which the greatest Rabbies have given hath been from these or the like Scriptures Go teach and baptize all Nations Mat. 28. 19. but this is nothing at all to prove baptizing of infants here teaching was to go before baptizing or Discipling as the words may be rendred for they were not like to be Discipled which were untaught now Infants not being capable of teaching so are not capable of being made Disciples Now to baptize Infants or sprinkle them with water which are untaught and not capable of being Disciples is a ridiculous thing and to do it so as the Church of Rome uses it and they who are separated from them is contrary to the Scriptures and there is no mention made of water at all nor Insants and their other Scriptures they have offered for proofs to prove this an Ordinance of Christ and why only because Christ took up Children into his Arms and blessed them and because he said whosoever enters into the Kingdom of God must enter as a little Child these Scriptures have been tendred for good proofs but the Spiritual minded will judge of the weakness of them who offer these things for a proof But again it hath been said and accounted Orthodox that baptism came in the room of Cricumcision but how they will prove it is yet unknown to many for the Scriptures make not mention of any such thing for one Type did never Type out another but every Type Typified a substance Now circumcision was a Type or a Figure and cutting off the fore-skin was a Figure of Circumcision and cutting off the fore-skin of the heart now baptisme with water is a Type or a Figure 1 Pet. 3. 21. which Typed out the spiritual washing of Regeneration and if baptism of Infants came in the room of Circumcision then how do they agree in a paralel the males was only circumcised and why are the females now baptized if baptism came in the room of Circumcision Another thing which hath been alledged for a proof that which Christ spoke to Nicodemus John 3. 5. Except a man be born again of water the
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