did pul downe and destroy for they did not imprison nor burne nor hang nor yet caused to be bannished any of the kings subjects that would not worship them as these Idol Bishops doe And out of doubt these Bishops are greater Idols then the golden calfe Aaron made and offred vnto for the calfe did not persequte nor ver such as did not acknowledge it for their Lord as the Bishops doe neyther did the Calfe reygne and rule by force over the consciences of the people as these Idol Bishops doe Besides the Calfe was set vp in steed of Moses who brought the people out of Egypt and shewed them the wil of God but these Bbs are set vp in steed of Christ who have brought vs out of the bondage of hel and who sheweth vs his Fathers wil in his new Testament the which these jdol Bs wil not suffer vs to obey but in steed therof wil force vs to faldown worship and obey ther Father Antychrists wil and old testameÌ„t which stinks in the nostrels of al reformed strangers that heare thereof as wel as in ours that have taken our flight from it Therfore these spirituall lords and Idol Bishops ought to be pulled downe and suppressed like the Abbots their lordly brethren though not sacrificed vnto the Lord in Smithfeild as the Godly king Iosias sacrificed the Idol Priests of the high places on the Altars therof And I doe verely beleeve that if free liberty of coÌ„science be granted that the spiritual kingdom of these Idol Bs will in tyme fal to the ground of it self as the jdol Dagon fal before the Arke for throug the knowledge of Gods word wil al godly people with draw themselves in al peceable and godly wise from the spiritual obedience of these spiritual lords and Idol Bbs and quietly betake themselves vnto the obedience of the onely spiritual lord Iesus Messiah But howsoever it be I shal be contented therewith and so I wish al others for we al ought to be content if we obtayne freedom of conscience and therefore to give god prayse coÌ„tinualy that hath wroght so blessed a worke in the hearts of the King and ParliameÌ„t for whoÌ„ as the scripture teacheth we ought to make supplications prayers and intercessions that they may com to the knowledge of the truth and that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life in al godlines and honesty And vnto whoÌ„ we ought to give by the law of God al earthly honor feare and reverence and willingly to paytribute and custoÌ„ tax and tol so much and so often as it shal please his Majesty and parliam to appoint and gather by any officer or officers whatsoever For whom also and for the whole common wealth of al his Kingdoms we ought to be diligent and ready to hazard and lay downe not onely our goods but also our lives at al tymes and occasioÌ„s For Christ hath onely set vs free from al ecclesiastical lawes and ordinances which himself hath not commanded in his last wil and Testament Yea from the ecclesiastical lawes and commandements of the old Testament how much more hath he set vs free from the ecclesiastical lawes and ordinances of Antichrist but he hath not set vs free from the Moral and Iudicial law of God for that the king is bound to execute and we are bound to obey and for want of the execution therof there are in our land many whores and whorekeepers aÌ„d many childreÌ„ murdered besides the death aÌ„d vndoeing of many persons about whores Wherfore I humbly desier that the Morall and and Iudicial low of God may be practised and executed of al degrees both high and low without respect of persons according the mynd of Christ For the Lord wil have that evry man shal love him above al and his neyghbor as himself and Christ saith as ye would that men shold do to you so do ye to them likewise Therfore as the king wold not have his subjects to take away his life because he is contrary to them in religioÌ„ So let not the king take away his subjects lives because they are contrary to the king in religion and as you wold not men shold force you to a religion against your consciences so doe not you force men to a religion against their consciences And as it is the duty of subjects to seeke the conversion of their king aÌ„d State by the word of God and not his and their destruction by fyer aÌ„d sword So it is the duty of the king and state to seek the conversion of of their subjects by the word of God and not their destruction by fier aÌ„d sword as the Pope and his Prelats doe teach whose vassals therin both Emperors and Kings as wel as people have bene a long tyme both to the destruction of theÌ„selfs aÌ„d their subjects For who knoweth not that prelats and preists haue perswaded subjects to destroy their kings and princes as wel as kings and princes to destroy their subiects but 〈◊〉 pray theÌ„ both to take notice that the scrip saith he that destroyeth the Temple of God him wil God destroy Let not therfore kings princes nor subjects bee any longer perswaded to destroy one aÌ„other through the suttelty of Bs and their mi who most of theÌ„ onely seeke the security of their owne poÌ„p and glory aÌ„d the stablishmeÌ„t of their spiritual thrones therin for so long as they may confirm that they passe not who perish whether king prince or people Againe therfore I humbly pray his Ma and par to repeale and make voyd al popish lawes and canons and to see the moral and Iucial law of god both firmly enacted ad carefully practised after the minde of Chr and then shal Christs spiritual throne be stablished in the hearts consciences both of king prince and people so as the Chu Christs spiritual kingdom shal increace in the knowledge of faith and obedieÌ„ce therof with al loue peace aÌ„d charity one towards another And the coÌ„moÌ„ wealth of his Ma King wil florish and prosper aÌ„d also his throne be constaÌ„tly stablished both to him and his heyres through out al his dominions in a suer land of peace and love thoâ—e with and towards another to the glory of God and the coÌ„fort of his Maj and of al his subjects aÌ„d also to a famous aÌ„d excellent glorious paterne of govermeÌ„t to al kingdoÌ„s natioÌ„s aÌ„d contries round about as in the dayes of SalomoÌ„ king of Israel For if the holi lawes of Gods word be practised and executed after Christs wil theÌ„ shal neither king prince nor people be destroyed for differeÌ„ce in religion then Treason RebellioÌ„ as wel as burn ban han and impri for difference in religion wil cease and be laid downe then shal not meÌ„ womeÌ„ and youth be haÌ„ged for theft then shal not the poore lame sik and weake ones be stocked and whipped neither shal the poore stranger
King or Emperor because it is an heavenly name and tytle how much lesse can it beloÌ„g or be due vnto vs your Maiestys vnworthy subjects and schollers And for so much as we now vnderstand the Lord be praysed therfore that the holy and heavenly name and devine tytle of spiritual lord is as much yea as high and greate as the name and tytle of a spiritual God and also that it is a name aboue evry name which God the Father hath given vnto Christ onely to the end that evry knee shold bow vnto that onely and heavenly name and that evry tongue shold confesse that Iesus is the Messiah the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father that in al things Christ might have the preheminence for he alone is the head of the Chuach which is his body The which cannot bee so long as we or any other Bishops do hold and retayne that devine high and super excellent name and tytle of spiritual lord Because then it caÌ„not be said that God hath so highly exalted him as to give him a name aboue evry name seeing our names and tytles are also spiritual and are caled spiritual lords so wel as the son of God Iesus the Messiah The remembrance hereof most gratious soueraigne doe make vs to tremble before God and the king And therfore we most earnstly desire your sacred Majesty and the whole Parliament to dischardge and release vs of these fearful names and tytles that doe onely belong to the Son of God Iesus the onely spiritual lord that God hath given vnto his Church Moreover we doe according to the truth acknowledge that if wee shold any longer retayne these devine and high names of spiritual lords and lords graces we shold therin be intiteled not onely with a name equal to our lord Iesus the onely begotten Son of God but also we shold be intytled with a name and tytle above your right excellent Maiesty yea above al Emperors Kings aÌ„d Princes of the earth The which alone we doe acknowledge to be a sufficient cause to put vs downe and to depriâ—ue vs of these vsuâ—ped names and blasâ—hemous tytles Also we doe confesse that our pomp and state wherin we now live is more like the Bishops of the Catholiq Church of Antychrist then any way like vnto the Bishops of the Apostoliq Church of Christ vnto whom we acknowledge we ought to bee made like and also to be qualified with the like gifts and graces of the spirit or els in no â—ase we can be meet Bishops for the Church of Christ as the Apostle plainly teacheth both to Tymothy and Tytus c And we must further acknowledge and confesse that our howses howsholds and revenues are more fit aÌ„d meet for princes Dukes and Earles then for the Bishops of Christ VVherfore being moved and stirred vp hereto by the feare of God we earnestly beseech your Majesty and parliament also to disburden vs of this great pomp and state and of our great and Princelyke howses howshols and revenues that so we may be made equal aÌ„d conformable to the Ministers of Christ and then we shal have both hope and coÌ„fort of the world to come although but litle in this except your Majesty and Parliament doe grant free liberty of conscience the which we now do also with the poore distressed Christians most humbly entreat and desire and that for these 4. reasons First because therby the gospel of Christ wil bee set free and at liberty wherby al people both Iewes and Gentils wil be gathered to the Apostoliq faith Church and discipline Secondly because many of your Maj subjects both Men and women who now are forced to disseÌ„ble their religion for feare of our perseqution wil be released and set free from their spiritual bondage aÌ„d slavery wherin we now do hold theÌ„ against their consciences and so they wil becom more faith ful Christians to God and more loyal subjects to your Maj then ever they were before to the salvation of their soules and the saefty of the Crowne and State Thirdly because the poore distressed Christians now bannished and dispersed out of their Fatherland over the face of the earth wil be redeemed froÌ„ greate misery and bondage wherin now no doubt they live and abide because they wil not be in bondage to any other spiritual lord or head then the lord Iesus Messiah alone whose faith and disciplyne they desier onely to learne and obey Fourthy because therby great benefit and comodity wil redound both to your Majesty and to all your subjects within your highnes dominions by the great commerce in trade trafiq both of Iewes and al people which now forâ—ant of liberty of conscience are forced and dryven els where and also from the revennues liveings which we and our glergie doe possesse and from the courts and offiices we hold aÌ„d keep great profit and commodity wil redound both to your highnes and to al your kingdoms we say more profit and commodity then we or any man is able to expresse And therfore we also desier al his maiestyes subjects both greath smale in al love ad feare of God not to be offeÌ„ded or any way moved or grieved when they shal see such a reformation of vs as that famous King Henry the eyght did make of our lordly brethren the Abbots and their Clergye For indeed such a reformation ought to come among vs and our glergy seeing we are no way agreable to the new Testament of the onely spiritual lord Iesus Messiah but are limbs and fellow members of that Antychristian aÌ„d Romish church which in the scriptures is Prophecyed to be abolished and destroyd Now therfore we pray you all let not King David say the Sons of Seruiah are to strong for him for that wil bee vnprofitable for you al. And for conclusion we entreat his Ma and Parlia to enact that as our adversaries com against vs onely with the word of God so we go against them onely with the word of God and not as we have done by civil authority for so our selves may be forced to dissemble Thus it may be the lord wil perswade and work in the hearts of some of the Bishops who wil willingly resigne their Antychristian tytles and Popish pomp and State with their princelike howses aÌ„d lyveings into the hands of the King without any compulsion or constraint But if they doe not yet if it please God to open the kings heart to see their Antichristian and Idol estate aÌ„d the danger aÌ„d damage they cause both to the King Prince and People they wil be compelled therto eveÌ„ as their lordly brethren the Abbots in King Henry dayes were And howsoever it be not regarded or perhaps not descerned yet in the sight of God aÌ„d his people they are greater Idols then their lordly bretheren the Abbots yea greater Idols then the Images of wood and stoone which that famous aÌ„d Godly King Edward
RELIGIONS PEACE Or A reconciliation between princes Peoples Nations by Leonard Busher of the County of Gloucester of the towne of Wotton and a Cittieen of the famous and most honorable Citty London and of the second right worshipfull Company Supplicated vnto the hygh and mighty King of great Brittayne etc And to the Princely and right Honorable Parliament with all loyalty humility and carefull Fidelity Esay 60. 1. 3. 10. 12. 16. ARise O Sion be bright for thy light is com and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee and the Gentils shall walk in thy light and Kings at the brightnes of thy riseing vp And the sonnes of strangers shall build vp thy wals and their Kings shall minister vnto thee For in my wrath I smought thee but in my mercy I had compassion on thee Therefore thy gates shall bee open contynually neyther day nor night shall they bee shut that men may bring vnto thee the riches of the Gentils and that their Kings may be brought vnto thee For the Nation and that kingdom that wil not serve thee shal perish ād those nations shal vtterly be destroyed The sonnes also of them that afflicted thee shal come and bow vnto thee and al they that despised thee shal fall downe at the soales of thy feete and they shal call thee the Citty of the Lord Zion of the holy one of Israell Thou shalt also suck the milk of the Gentils and shalt suck the breasts of kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy redeemer the mighty one of Iaacob Proverbs 20. 28. Mercy and truth preserve the King for his throne shall bee established with mercy Eccle. 10. 22. The feare of the Lord causeth that the Kingdom fayleth not but the Kingdom is lost by cruelty and pride Printed in Amsterdam 1614. To the high mighty King Iames by the grace of God King of greate brittayne France Yrland And to the princely right Honorable Parliamēt Leonard Busher wisheth the wisdome of Salomon the Zeale of Iosias the mercy of Christ with the salvation of your Spirits in the day of the Lord Iesus FOr as much as your Maiesty and Parliament doe stand for the maintenance of the Religion wherein you are borne and for the same doe most zealously persequte with fyer and sword I haue thought it good and also my dewty most Royal soueraigne to enforme your Maiesty and Parliament thereof In al humility therfore I give you to vnderstand that no Prince or People cā possible attaine that one true Religion of the Gospell which is acceptable to God by Iesus Christ meerely by birth for Christ saith Except a man be borne againe he cannot see the Kingdom of God Also the Apo Iames saith Of his owne wil he begat vs by the word of truth And the Apo Peter saith Being borne a new not of mortal seed but of immortal by the word of God who liueth endureth for ever Therfore Christ commanded this word to be preached to al nations that thereby they may attayne the new birth By which your Maiesty and Parliament may perceaue that the one true Religion of the Gospel is not attayned by natural birth for the all Princes and peoples in all nations shold haue that one true Religion of the Gospell the which you see and grant they all haue not yet many of them also wil defend theyr Religion wherein they are borne by fyer and sword as if it were theyr natural and earthly inheritances or had with fyer and sword been gotten and therfore wil with fyer and sword maynteyne and defend it But your Maiesty and Parliament may please to vnderstand that the Scriptures doe teach that the one true religion is gottē by a new birth then by the word and spirit of God and therewith also it is onely maynteyned and defended For the word of God is liuely mighty in operation sharper then any two edged sword entereth through even vnto the deviding asunder of the soule the spirit of the joynts of the marrow is a discerner of the thoughts the intents of the heart Seeing then the one true Religion of the Gospell is thus gotten and thus defended and mainteyned namely by the word preached onely let it please your Maiesty and Parliament to be entreated to revoke and repeale those Antychristian Romish and cruel lawes that force al in our lād both Prince ād people to receaue that Religion wherein the King or Queen were borne or that which is stablished by the law of man and in steed thereof enact and publish that Apostolick Christian Gentle merciful law of Christ viz Goe teach al nations preach the Gospell to every creature that is Christ wil haue his ministers to preach and teach the people of al nations the things that concerne the Kingdom of God the name of Iesus Mesiah repentance remision of sins to baptise in his name such as doe beleeve And for as much also that the false ād Antychristian religion did come by the spirit of error doctrine of Devils ād not by fyer and sword therfore by the spirit of Christ ād doctryne of the word of God must it be driven out of the hearts and consciences both of Prince and People and not by fyer and sword as the false Bishops and ministers haue and doe still perswade Therfore may it please your Majesty and Parliament to vnderstand that by fyer and sword to cōstraine Princes and peoples to receaue that one true Religion of the Gospell is wholy against the mynde and mercifull Law of Christ dangerous both to king and State a meanes to decreace the Kingdom of Christ and a meanes to increace the Kingdom of Antychrist as these reasones following doe manifest The which I humbly beseech your Majesty and Parliament carefully to consider and that according to the word of god which shal judge every man according to his deeds and perseqution is a worke well pleasing to al false Prophets and Bishops but it is contrary to the minde of Christ who came not to judge destroy mens lives but to save them And though som men and women beleeue not at the first howre yet may they at the eleventh howre if they bee not persequted to death before And no King nor Bishops can or is able to command faith That is the gift of God who worketh in vs both the wil the deed of his owne good pleasure set him not a day therefore in which if his creature heare not and beleeue not you will imprison and burne him Paule was a blasphemer and also a persequter and could not be converted by the Apostles and ministers of Christ yet at last was receaued to mercy and cōverted extraordinarily by Christ himself who is very pittiful mercyful would have
wyfe and the beleeveing woman that hath an vnbeleeveing husband cannot liue together as the scripture teachet for the salvation of the vnbeleeveing if they be persequted to death Indeed som therby are forced to comfesse with the mouth that which they beleeue not in heart and so are made true dissemblers in steed of true Christians wherby many men and womeÌ„ are deceaved with dissembling husbands and wyves as wel as the King and State are deceaved with dissembling servants and subjects but the word of God if permission of conscience might be granted would procure vpright puer and vnfeyned husbands and wyves servants and subjects so that thereby neyther Prince nor people should be deceaved for al good shepherds wil devide and seperate and not force slay and persequte for if men and women be found hereticks they shal be seperated from the Church but if they be vnbeleevers they shal not be joyned vnto it vntil they be converted by the word of God much lesse forced Which conversion for ought we know may be at their death if not afore seing the Lord caleth som at the elevent hower so wel as at the first and not at the King and Bs. pleasures Kings and Magistrats are to rule teÌ„poral affayers by the swords of their temporal Kingdoms And Bs aÌ„d Ministers are to rule spiritual affayers by the word and spirit of God the sword of Christs spirituall Kingdom and not to intermedle one with anothers authority office and function And it is a greate shame for the Bs. and Ministers not to bee able to rule in their Church without the assistance of the King and Magistrat yea it is a greate signe they are none of Christs Bishops and ministers of they were they would not be afrayd nor ashamed of their faith nor yet would they perswade Princes and people to persequte and force one another to beleeve them but would use onely the assistance of Gods word and spirit and therwith suffer their faith and doctryne to bee examined proved and disputed both by word and writing And he is a true Bishop who is vnreproveable aÌ„d that is able to stop the mouthes of his adversaries by Gods word and Spirit onely and whose faith and discipline agreeth with the Prophets Christ and his Apostles and maketh no contracictioÌ„ but al those Bishops that force Princes and peoples to receaue their faith and discipline by perseqution doe with Iudas goe against Christ in his members with swords slaues aÌ„d halberos who seing Gods word wil not help them betake themselues with al hast and hazard vnto the authoritie of the King and Magistrate I read that a Bishop of Rome would haue constrayned a Turkish Emperor to the Christian faith vnto whom the Emperor answered I beleeve that Christ was an excellent Prophet but he did never so far as I vnderstand command that men should with the power of weapons be constrayned to beleeue his law verely I also doe force no man to beleeue Mahomets Law Also I read that Iewes Christians and Turks are tollerated in Constantinople aÌ„d yet are peaceable though so contrary the one to the other If this bee so how much more ought Christians not to force one another to religion aÌ„d how much more ought Christians to tollerate Christians when as the Turks doe tollerate them shal we be lesse merciful theÌ„ the Turks or shal we learne the Turks to persequte Christians It is not onely vn merciful but vnnatural and abominable yea monstrous for one Christian to vex and destroy another for difference and questions of Religion and though tares haue ouergrowen the wheate yet Christ wil haue them let alone til harvest least whyle you goe about to pluck vp the tares you pluck vp also the wheat with them as your predecessors haue done who thought they had gathered vp the tares and burned them but you see now that they haue burned the weate in steed of tares Wherfore in al humility aÌ„d Christian modesty I doe affirme that through the vnlaufull weedhooke of persecution which your predecessors haue used and by your maiesty and Parliament is still continued there is such a quantity of wheate plucked vp and such a multitude of tares least behinde that the wheate which remayne cannot yet appeere in any right vissible congregation And now beloved soueraigne and Parliament I know that through ignorance you doe persequte as did also your predecessorâ—s Amend your lives therefore and turne that your sinns may bee put away when the tyme of refreshing shal come from the presence of the Lord who before hath shewed by the mouth of his holy servant Iohn that the woman meaning the church shold fleye into the wildernes for a tyme tymes aÌ„d half a tyme from the presence aÌ„d persecution of the Serpent And that the wynepresse shold bee troden without the Citty vntil â—loud came out of the wynepresse vnto the horse brydels by the space of a thousand and sixe hundred furlongs and thus he hath fulfilled it Now therefore I humbly beseeth you suffer not your Bishops and ministers any longer to perswade to force your subjects or any others to their faith and Church by perseqution neyther suffer them therewith to defend their faith and Church against their adversaries if they have not any thing from Gods word against vs let them yeld and submit themselves if they thinck they have any thing against vs let them betake themselves onely to Gods word both in word and wryteing for the whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God to that purpose and is profitable to teach to reprove to correct and to instruct in righteousnes that the Man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto al good works With which Scripture and not with fyer and sword your Majestyes Bishops and ministers ought to be armed and weaponed And whosoeuer shall not heare the words of such Bishops and ministers then such Bishops aÌ„d ministers are commanded by Christ not to to imprison burne ban and hang them but to shake the dust of theyr feete against them for a witnes when they depart from them affirming that at the day of judgment it shal bee easier for Sodom and Gomorrha then for such persons And this com of Christ did his Bishops and ministers obey as you may read By which and by that which follow your gratious may and Princely and honorable Parliament may perceave the will and mynde of our Lord and Saviour Christ vnto whose mercy I commend you and to the word and wisdom of his grace which is able to build further and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctifyed Amen Your faithfull and loveing subject Leonard Busher Not Furbusher Certayne reasons against perseqution FIrst because Christ hath not commanded any King Bishop or Minister to persequte the people for difference and judgment in matter of Religion Secondly because Christ hath commanded his Bishops and ministers to
perswade Prince and people to heare and beleeve the gospell by hisâ— word and spirit and as Ambassadors for him to beseech both Prince aÌ„d people to be reconciled vnto God and not as Tyrants to force and coÌ„strayne them by perseqution Thirdly because through perseqution it wil come to passe that the Ambassadors of the onely spiritual Lord King Iesus may be persequted and inprisoned burned haged or baÌ„nished for deliuering the message of their gratious Lord sentearly and often both to Prince and people which to doe is a more heynous fact then to persequte the Ambassadors of the greatest King and Prince in the World for insteed of hereticks they shal as they have alredy burne bannish and hang the Ambassadors of the Lord Iesus Christ who doth choose out whom he pleaseth to beare his name before Kings Rulers for a Testimonial to them Fourthly because then we cannot say we have the liberty of the Gospell in our Land seing where that is there is no perseqution for any difference in Religion nor forceâ—ing of the conscience to beleeve the gospel except by the word and spirit of God onely the which doe wound and kill the â—rrors of men and not their persons Fiftly because Christ came into the world to fave sinners aÌ„d not to destroy them though they be blasphemers seing the Lord may convert them as he did Saule after caled Paul and though they have difference in Religion or wil not heare nor beleeve in Christ that they may be converted yet ought you not to persequte them seing Christ rebuketh such and his Father sent him not into the world to condemne the world but to saue it be ye followers therefore of Christ and not of Antychrist in gathering people to the Faith Sixtly because then you shal not walke wisely towards theÌ„ that are without as the Scripture teacheth but shal offend also the Iewes and al other straÌ„gers who account it Tyranny to have their consciences forced to religion by perseqution Seaventhly because if perseqution be not laid downe and liberty of coÌ„science set vp then cannot the Iewes nor any strangers nor others contrary mynded be ever converted in our Land for so long as they know a forehand that they shal be forced to beleeve against their consciences they wil never seeke to inhabit there by which meanes you keep them from the Apostoliq saith if the Apostoliq faith bee onely taught where perseqution is Eightly because if freedom of conscience be not set vp and perseqution laid downe then al the Kings subjects and al strangers inhabiting the Land that shal beleeve the Apostoliq faith must depart the land to som free contry or els abide the danger of burning bannishing hanging and imprisoning the first will bee a great impoverishing and weakning of our land besides a losse of the faithfullest subjects and freinds the secoÌ„d wil provoke the lord to wrath by spilling the bloud of his faithful servants Ambassadors and witnesses and also open the mouthes of al straÌ„gers to speake yet more lamentably of the cruel and bloudy perseqution of our Land Ninthly because if perseqution contynue then the King aÌ„d State shal have against their wils many dissemblers in Authority and office both in court Citty and contrye yea no man of any degre shal know whether they are al faithful and true ChristiaÌ„s that are about him aÌ„d with whoÌ„ he hath to doe seing most men wil conforme themselves for feare of perseqution although in their harts they hate aÌ„d detest the religioÌ„ wherto they are forced by law the which is very dangerous and hartful both to King and State in tyme of temtation from bejond the seas and in rebellion at home for they that are not faithful to God in their ReligioÌ„ wil never bee faithful to the King and State in their alegiance specialy being tryed by a greate reward or by a myghty rebel but will to encrase their honors and reverennues conforme themselves and fome to save their honors Lands goods and lives wil yeeld and submit though against their wils even as they have done in case of Religion for through forceing men to Church by perseqution the true hearted subjects are forced out of the Land and out of the World som bannished others burned hanged and imprisoned to death Tenthly because then if there be many religions in the land as it is wel knowen there are it wil com to passe through the continance of perseqution that many religions wil be continued in the Church seeing al are forced to Church who bring their religions with them as wel as their bodies wherby al their devotion is against their consciences and all the Church is a confused Babel ful of every vncleane hateful bird even a hold of soule Spirits as the Scripture speaketh out of which the people of God are Commanded to flee least as of their sins they bee also pertakers of their plague And the Bishops the Authors of perseqution are very ignorant to thinke that when they have gotten people to their Church by perseqution that then they have gotten them to their saith and religion the which is nothing so for most people though contrary mynded to save life and goods wil dissemble their religion as for example the Iewes in Spaine and Portugale and the Papists Reformists and others in England but when they com hether or to som other free Citty or Country where praised be God is liberty of the gospel then they shew that before they dissembled to avoyd the cruel perseqution of our land Moreover the Bishops bewray great ignorance wheÌ„ they perswade the King and Parliament to force Prince and people to Church by perseqution for if that bee the meanes to com to the Church of Christ then Christ hath taught vs to fle the meanes of salvatioÌ„ seing he hath taugt vs to flee perseqution the which the Bishops and their Ministers perswade to be a great meanes to bring men to the Church Indeed I confesse it is the onely meanes to bring Prince and people to the false Chur and therefore Christ teacheth vs to flee that meanes least through perseqution which is a great temtation we be constrayned to go the broad way which is the false Church that leadeth to destruction many goe in therat and no maxvaile for there mâ—â—may be any thing except good Christians for besides Demas the worldlying and Hymeneus the blasphemer and many other sorts of indifferent Christians excommunicants covetous and profane persons there are notale rebels aÌ„d Traytors yea most cruel and desperate Traytors and Rebels as Digby Catesby Percy c whose buread and vnheard treathery wil never be forgotten which persons if they had not been forced to Church against their conscieÌ„ces had never enterprised such horribel and hateful treason And the Bbs should vnderstand that it is preaching and not persequting that getteth people to the church of Christ
Christ hath injoyned Christians not by perseqution to force other mens consciences against their wils by the irritation of the Bishops of our Land Sixteenthly because perseqution doe cause men and women to make shipwrack of faith and good consciences by forceing a religion vpon theÌ„ even against their mindes and consciences and also doe send them quike to the devil in their errors if that be heresy for which they are haÌ„ged aÌ„d burned which to doe is a most vnChristian vnnaturall cruell and tyrannous deed and I am suer you would not bee content to be so dealt with all your selves but indeed the popish and Idol Bishops are the authors hereof against the people as wel as of other persequtioÌ„ against the princes For AntychristiaÌ„ Bbs doe draw Kings aÌ„d Princes hereto against their myndes as may appeare by Edward the sixt that Godly King of famous memory who being vrged by his bloudy Bbs to subscribe to the burning of a womaÌ„ caled Ioane Butcher he answered wil you have me to send her quick to the devil in her error but when his bloud thirsty Bs wouls have no nay he said againe to Bishop Cranmer I lay al the chaledg therof on you before God and Cranmer said he had never so much to doe in al his life as to procure it whereby I doe perceave that godly Kings are drawen to battel against the Saints by Antychristian Bbs and false Prophets who otherwyse would rule and reigne more agreable to the mynde of Christ Also herby may al men perceave that the counsel and Bbs could not satisfy the Kings conscieÌ„ce by their perswasioÌ„ if they could have shewed him the word of God for burning that Christian it wold have prevailed with that godly King and he might then of faith have consented but his answer sheweth that he was not of their minde for al that they had said and therfore now if it please you to require of your Bishops warrant from the word of God for the persequting of Christians or for forceing Prince and people to church you shal find not one Bishop yea not all of them together though assisted with their Ministers wil be able to shew warrant from Gods word whereby to perswade your conscieÌ„ces therevnto and whatsoever is not of faith is sinne and whatsoever is not from Gods word cannot be of faith Seaventeenthly because perseqution of Christians by Christians doe not onely justifye papists and teach the Iewes and PagaÌ„s to persequte Christians but also doe teach the papists and others that know not the mynde of Christ and once get the vpperhaÌ„d to persequte those that persequted them yea it is a meanes as we have had lamentable experieÌ„ce to set such as are forced to Church against their consciences at deadly hatred against the King and State and vrgeth al them to treason and rebellioÌ„ that have not truly learned Christ who himself was persequted to death whose harmles crosse al true Christians must take vp aÌ„d whose gentle and humble steps they must follow aÌ„d walke in or els they caÌ„not be his disciples nor sheepe of his pasture And nether can the papists be perswaded that perseqution is a sinne so loÌ„g as they aÌ„d other Christians are also persequted by the protestants seing the papists doe build their perseqution on the same ground with the protestants but both sorts of Bbs doe erre grosly as shal be shewed Godwilling when they make their defence except heerewith their consciences be convinced to yeld as I wish they may for the salvation of their owne foules the peace both of Prince and people and the saftye of the King and State In the meane whyle it is to be observed that those Bbs aÌ„d Ministers which perswade the King and Parliament to burne bannish hang and imprison for difference of religion are bloud-suckers and manslayers and such it cannot be denyed caused Kings and Magistrats to be their excicutioners and tormentors in burning the Martyrs in former tymes even in the dayes of King Henry the eyght Queene Mary as the books of Acts MonumeÌ„ts wil witnes if they be not burned and I aske the Bbs and their Mini if the martyrs should have obeyed the King and Queene rather theÌ„ have suffered death And now I must humbly and with al reverence doe beseech his Maje and parliament advisedly to consider among themselves whether the Prince or Princesse differing with the Church now in matter of coÌ„scieÌ„ce and religion stablished by law in our land as the right noble Princesse Elizabeth did in Queene Maryes dayes doe not incurre the danger ad cruelty of the law now as that worthy Princesse did then seing that popish and cruel law standeth stil in force in most points of religion and who dare trust the Bbs and ther adhereÌ„ts in such a case the matter lyeing in their hands Let it be supposed that the Princes heart should be moved by the lord to embrace the Apostoliq faith discipline shal he be forced to beleeve as the Bishops doe against his conscience shal he bee constrayned to submit to their goverment and discipline against his conscience shal he live in vexation and perseqution and in danger of his life by the Bishops and law stablished as the Princesse Elizabeth did yea it must bee thus with our right noble Prince except there bee partiality yea it will bee thus with his Princely person except those popish and cruel lawes be repealed and extinguished Wherefore I meekly intreate seeing death is most certaine though most vncertayne when that those Antychristian and Popish Lawes may bee dissimulled and made voyd in tyme least wee all lament and bewayle it when it wil bee to late And I pray your Majesty and honors to consider that Kings and Princes hearts are in the hands of the Lord as the Ryvers of waters to turne as he will And the scripture saith The ten hornes by which I vnderstand ten Kings shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked Likewyse the Scripture saith to Abraham the Father of beleeving Princes as well as beleeving people Also I will make thee exceeding fruitful and will make Nations of thee Yea Kings shall proceed of thee Which Scripture doe also overthrow the judgment of those men that hould a Christian may not bee a King nor Magistrate Let such consider that the Lord here speaketh of Abrahams Spirituall seed and not of his naturall seed Because if it be vnderstood of his Natural seed then cannot Abraham be o Father of many nations seeing all Abrahams natural seed are caled Iewes and are but one nation of the Iewes so that the covenant of God could not be performed that said I wil make nations of the yea Kings â—â—al proceed of thee Therefore it must be vnderstood of his spiritual seed of which may be Kings and Princes that are not naturaly descended of him as wel as people that are not
are the Martyrs which in al ages have and doe suffer death imprisonment and bannishment since the first perseqution and we never reade nor ever shal reade that the Apostoliq Church or such as have derived their faith and discipline of her did ever persequte Therfore I humbly desier his Majesty and ParliameÌ„t with al godly carefulnes to consider that it is not possible that the Church of Rome caled Catholiq or those that are descended of her and have decived their faith and discipline froÌ„â—her ever was or could be the Apostoliq Church caled primitive Church or she that is descended froÌ„ her seing the scripture saith the Apostoliq church caled in scripture the womaÌ„ hath a place prepared of God in the wildernes a thousaÌ„d twe hoÌ„dred and sixty dayes from the presence of such as did persequte her Now then I beseech you coÌ„sider may it be possible that the church of Rome caled in scripture a mistery great Babilon the Mother of whoredoms abominations of the Earth the woman that sitteth vpon a scarlot coulered beast full of names of Blasphemy the womaÌ„ arayed in purple scarlet guilded with gold pretious stones pearles haveing a cup of gold in her hand ful of abominations filtines or her fornication the woman that is drunken with the bloud of Saints with the bloud of the martyrs or witnesses of Iesus by her beastly perseqution was or could be ever the Apostoliq Church or are those that are descended from her seeing the scripture saith she hath a Place in the wildernes prepared of God where she shold be fed a thousand two hundred sixty dayes from the presence of her persequtors If so be you wil have the Church of Rome and those that are descended from her to be the true Apostoliq Church then it wil follow that the Church caled the woman and did flye into the wildernes from her persequtors was and is the false Antichristian Church and also it will follow that those which we account to be the Martyrs and witnesses of Iesus were not of the true Apostoliq church but were obstinate persoÌ„s and heretiks even as their adversaries in Rome Spaine England and els where did persequte adjudge and execute them far But if you wil have the Prophecy of the Apostles to be true aâ—◠〈◊〉 beleeve their holy writings and also wil have the Martyrs that have bene burned ban hanged aÌ„d imprisoned to be of the true Apostoliq Chur then it will follow and that justly according and agreeable to the scriptures that the Church of Rome and those that did aÌ„d doe persequte are descended from the false Antichristian Church caled a mistery great BabiloÌ„ the mother of whoredoms abominations of the Eearth c which was and is druncken with the bloud of Saints martyrs of Iesus seing they have her Antichristian faith and lordly discipipline and for the defence and maintenance therof wil also burne bannish hang and imprison so hot aÌ„d fiery zealous that therby they shew plainly that they walke so just and even in the steps and paths of the Mystical woman great Babilon their bloudy parent mother so even I say as if they studied her lyeing and Hypocritical doctrine her deep and divelish devinity her blasphemous princely and daÌ„gerous dignity and her beastly bloudy and deadly discipline Through the continuaÌ„ce whereof not onely the Apostoliq Church is continued stil in the wildernes aÌ„d desert of this world but also the jewes and others both in great Brittayne and al over the world are kept back from the knowledge of Gods holy word the onely order and ordinance Christ hath appointed for the gathering of his Church together out of al places of the world And so long as perseqution continue you cannot trye the spirits of the many false prophets that are gone out into the world as the holy Apostle doth loveingly advise and admonish you But like the Pastists must be tyed onely to the spirits of your loedly Bishops and their Ministers who wil have alboth King Prince and people to receave their spirits and therefore wil not have any others to preach and print with in the Land least their lyeing doctrine and Lordly discipline be discovered and disclaimed And in steed of disputing and wryting by the word and spirit of Christ against their adversaries they wil cruelly persequte and fight against them by fyer and sword and Spirit of Antichrist from whom they are descended and succeeded both lynealy and of great antiquite Wherefore I humbly beseech the King and parliament that you will betymes listen vnto the holy spirit in the mouth of the prophet which faith bewyse now therfore yee Kings be learned or instructed yee judges of the earth serv the Lord in feare rejoyce in trembling kisse the son of God least he be angry and ye perish in the way of perseqution when his wrath shal suddeÌ„ly burne Let not therfore the Kings of the earth band themselves with the Bs ministers of Antichrist nor Princes assemble themselves together against the lord and against his anointed That is against Christ and his church seing both he and she breake your bands and cast your coardes from them Yea her seed overcometh you by the bloud of the lamb by the word of their testimoni for they love not their lives vnto death Beware then in tyme least you offend any more of these litle ones that beleeve in Christ seeing Christ saith it were better to have a milstone hanged about the neck drowned in the depth of the Sea then so to doe He meaneth that it were better for you to loose your lives then any way to consent to the offence of such litle ones that beleeve in Christ See then I pray that they be not despised burned bannished hanged aÌ„d imprisoned For their Angels alwayes behold the face of Christs Father in Heaven And remember he saith the tree is knowen by his fruit but persequting of Christians is an evil fruit And that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things but persequting of ChristiaÌ„s is no good thing And that for every ydle word men shal speak they shal give accounts at the day of judgement How much more for every wicked and cruel deed of perseqution as burning bannishing hanging and imprisoning of those that coÌ„fesse with the mouth beleeve with the heart the Lord Iesus that God raysed him from the dead whose lawes and ordinances they are carefull to keep and obey Christ saith that such shal bee saved and yet you feare not to burne bannish hang and imprison such But if you beleeve that God will avendge his elect beware of persequting his servaÌ„ts that cal on his name specialy such as witnes his truth against the abominations of Antychrist Suffer not your Bishops to destroy those
being made known many men may stumble and fal theron and so perish both bodies anâ— soules the which is more lameÌ„table and as Roks in the seas the more they manifest theÌ„selfâ— the more furtherance in the way to the Heaven So errors in the world the more they manifest themselves the more furtherance in the way to heaven And you shal vnderstand that errors being brought to the light of the word of god wil vanish as darknes before the light of a torch eveÌ„ as the chaffe before the winde cannot stand so error before truth cannot abide therfore it is no hinderance but a great furtherance to haue al erroneous Rocks in the haven to heaven made knowen and published And a greate and suer argument it is that those Bishops and Ministers have not the truth that publikly dare not dispute or wryte against error as may be seene in the Bishops and Ministers in Queen Maryes dayes which could not abide to have books written and printed of that which they caled error and heresy but caused that if any such were written both them and the Authors to be burned if they could com by them Therfore if permission of conscience and liberty of the gospel be not granted and burning lawes repealed then the Bishops and Ministers now may perswade and cause to be burned both the books and the Authors that have the truth in steed of heresy and heretiks even as their predeâ—ssors have done already and so shed more innocent bloud and also provoke the Lord to further wrath against the King and State It is not the gallosse nor the prisons nor burning nor bannishing that can defend 〈◊〉 Apostoliq faith indeed the King aÌ„d State may defend RelioÌ„s peace 〈◊〉 their sword and civil power but not the faith otherwise then by the â—ord and spirit of God The dutch Princes and peeres say that force word gallosse in matter of Religion is a good meanes to spil bloud make 〈◊〉 vprere in the land but not to bring any man from one faith to another The â—agans wil not persequte one another for religion though as I read 〈◊〉 be aboue three thowsand sorts among them And you know both â—ing Henry and Queene Mary thought themselves defenders of the â—â—ith and thaught they burned herericks and heresy when they burned 〈◊〉 and their books but now you see and must acknowledg that they â—ere persequtors of the faith insteed of defenders therof and also that 〈◊〉 through the instigation of their bloudy Bishops burned the word 〈◊〉 God and those that professed and wrought it insteed of heresy and â—â—reticks And thus it wil be now if the Bishops and their Ministers â—ay haue their wils and therin they as their predecessors fullfill the â—ord of God in gathering Kings of the earth to the battell of the great day of â—od Almighty For they perswade Kings to force their subjects to reâ—â—ave the faith and to bee of the Church whereas the Word of God teaâ—eth otherwise saying Faith commeth by heareing and hearein by the word 〈◊〉 God and not by the Kings sword And Christ saith Teach al nations 〈◊〉 force al nations and this teaching is to be vnderstood by the word aÌ„d â—â—iting of the Prophets and Apostles of our Lord and Saviour Christ which is the Word of God For they that wil bee of the true faith aÌ„d â—hurch must be caled thervnto out of the World by the Word of God â—â—every nation and not forced and constrayned in every nation as the â—â—shop of Rome and al other false Bishops and Ministers have and 〈◊〉 perswade Kings Emperors and Magistrats And his Majesty and Parliament may please to vnderstand that so â—doe is to quench the Spirit of God in Christ Bishops and ministers and alâ—â—â— furstrate the precept of Christ which saith Preach the Gospel to evry 〈◊〉 besides it maketh their owne office aÌ„d functioÌ„ voyd they ought to preach instruct with al meeknes them that are contrary minded proveing if God at any tyme wil give them repentance that they may know the truth for the ministers of the Lord must not strive but be apt to teach gentle towards all men suffring evil men patiently telling Kings and Princes that the weapons of Christs Bishops and Ministers are not carnal as the weapons of all false and Antichristian Bishops and Ministers are but Spiritual mighty through God to cast downe holds casting downe evry high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God bringing into captivity evry thought to the obedience of Christ Also if all within the land be forced to be of the church as the Bishops and their ministers would stil have it theÌ„ there would be no world in the land but al the land wold be the Church which is absurd and contray to the scriptures and great ignorance doe the Bishops and their ministers shew when they thinck the whole nation of people is the Church of Christ for there it cannot be said out of greate Brittayne the Lord added to the Church from day to day such as shold be saved seeing within the land there would be none without to be added Also within that land then would be no perseqution seeing the Church of Christ doth not persequte at al much lesse it self but the Ministers and members of that Church doe persequte one another and therefore it cannot be the spiritual Kingdom and Church of Christ but of Antichrist seeing it is devided against it self and persequteth one another and wil with her mother greate Babilon be consumed and condemned seeing as she they burne bannish hang and imprison one another which is no Christian but Antychrist an monstrous cruel woulvish and a tyranous part ano practise for Christ sent hiâ— Ministers as lambs among wolves not as wolves among lambs Againe I humbly and withal reverence doe beseech his right excelleÌ„t Majesty to give me leaue to put him in mynd of those things that doâ— concerne the glory of God the assurance of his owne salvation the stablishment of his throne and the benefit both of the Church of Christ and the common wealth of al his dominions And though as Iosias he findâ— by reading in the booke of the new Testament a great alteration of the Apostoliq faith change of the lawes ordinances of Christ within his dominions Yet not to be dismayed as Henry le grand but be encouraged aâ— Iosiah to labor and endevor the redresse therof according to the mynâ— of Christ in his new Testament And I doubt not but as Iaacob the Patriarch prevayled with God Men So shal Iaacob the King prevayle both witâ— God men especially being his chief stuard by his new Testament Through the zealous reading whereof wil be found that Antychrist the king of the Catholiq faith and discipline caled the mistery of iniquity doth sit in the Temple of God even as
the scripture hath foretold 〈◊〉 it is to be noted that the scripture hath also foretold of the consumatioÌ„ 〈◊〉 abolition of this Antychrist the man of sin his mistery of iniquity with theâ— most of his arival or hyghest top of dignity he is come vnto and this shal be done by the spirit of the Lord in the mouth of his servants For when 〈◊〉 words of God be fulfilled then shal the servants of the lord prevaile by his word and spirit with ten kings that shal hate make the whore desolate which sitteth in the hearts and consciences of peoples multitudes nations and this whore is the woman caled the great Citty which reigneth over the Kings of the earth meaning the chur of Rtome by her false faith aÌ„d disciplin which is so fast setleds in the hearts and consciences of the Kings of the earth that they think they doe God good service in killing and burning his servants that do speak against her faith disciplyne that wil not bay any of her wares that is her Antychristian doctrines aÌ„d ordinances But as she hath had her exaltation and arival to the heyght and dignity of the 〈◊〉 Empire of Rome by the love of kings who have given their power and authority vnto her and who have fought for her against the Saints servants of Iesus So she shal have her consumation and abolition from that height and dignity by the hatred of kings who againe shal take their power and authority from her and therwith defend the peace and persons of the Saints servants of Iesus noâ— for religions peace wil use their power and authority against the bloudy perseqution of Antychrist and al his bloudy Bishops and Ministers aÌ„d so becom nursing fathers vnto the church of Christ And as it hath pleased God to give his Majesty peace round about as he did vnto King Cyrus in whose dayes the material Temple began to be repared which was a figuer of the spiritual temple So I pray it may please him also in the peaceable dayes of king Iames to begin to repayre the spiritual Temple the Apostoliq church scattered and dryven abroad into the wildernes of this world whose caâ—ing and gathering together must be by the preaching of the word of God both to jewes and gentils and not by the sword of the kings of the earth as Antychrist and his Ministers have now along tyme perswaded and prevailed wherby not onely the jewes and infidels but also papists and other false Christians are hindred and deprived from the knowledg of the Apostoliq faith And it is be noted that David might not build Gods temple because he had spilt much blood which sheweth no blood ought to be spilt for the building of the spiritual temple 1. Cro. 28. 3. ergo peace in religion is a good meanes to make a vnity of religion among so many Christian sects And it is wel worthy consideration that as in the tyme of the old Testament the Lord would not have his offrings by constraint but of every man whose heart gave it freely so now in tyme of the gospel he wil not have the people constrayned but as many as receave the word gladly they are to be added to the Church by baptisme and therfore Christ commanded his disciples to teach al nations baptise them that is to preach the word of salvatioÌ„ to evry creature of al sorts of natioÌ„s that are worthy and willing to receave it And such as shal willing and gladly receave it he hath commanded to be baptised in the water that is dipped for dead in the water aÌ„d therfore the apostle saith Els what shal they do which are baptised for dead if the dead be not raised why are they baptised for dead And therfore also he saith we are buried theÌ„ with him by baptisme c and it is to be wel observed that when Christ wold have preached the word of salvation to the gadereÌ„s he did not compel them when they refused but finding them vnwilling to receave him and his word he turned from them without hurting theÌ„ also wheÌ„ Iames and Iohn saw that som of the Samaritaneâ— refused Christ they wold have commanded fyer from heaven to consume them as Elias did But Christ rebuked theÌ„ and said ye know not of what spirit ye are For the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them By al which it may please his Majesty and Parliament to take knowledge that Christ wil haue none consumed with fyer and sword for not heareing and not receaveing his word And that howsoever it hath bene the mynde of Antychrist to destroy mens liues for religion and therein haue not spared neither prince nor people yet it is not the mynde of Christ that princes should destroy their subiects nor yet that subiects shold destroy their Princes for difference in religion And therfore why shold Bishops perswade Princes and people and why shold king prince and people be perswaded by their Bishops and Ministers to be contrary mynded to Christ verily it is a notorious aÌ„d playne token of a false faith and discipline that is defended by fyer and sword the power and authority of Princes And they cannot be Christs Bs and preachers that perswade princes and peoples to such Antychristian tyranny and cruelty And it is very evident that those Bs and Mm which giue ouer men and women to the Magistrate to be perswaded by perseqution doe shew clearly that their doctrine is not good and that they want the word aÌ„d spirit of God aÌ„d therfore flee to the Magist sword for the forceing of them to their faith and disciplyne and as the wyne is not good which we are forced to drink so those doctrynes are not good which we are forced to beleeue But it may be by this tyme al those Bishops who vnfainedly feare God and truly love the king will haste and make speed to come vnto his Majesty for pardon acknowledging the truth of this booke confesseing their ignoraace and arrogance in the knowledge of Gods word and in compelling the people to heare the word preached and for impri burn bannis and hang for religion coÌ„trary to the minde of Christ aÌ„d also for stopping the mouthes of meÌ„ aÌ„d burning their books that preach aÌ„d wryte contrary to their myndes aÌ„d wils yea it may be they wil also confesse and say Oh most gratious king we beseech your Maiesty to shew vs mercy and to forgiue vs our spirituall pride and ambition in that we haue thus long vsurped the blasphemous titles of spirituallords and lords graces the which Tytles we now to the glory of God aÌ„d honor of the King do with Vntained hearts confesse to be due and belong onely to Christ himself and that the name and Tytle of spiritual lord cannot belong to any earthly Creature no not to the
are in affliction as if ye were also afflicted in the body And to shew them mercy for mercy rejoyceth against judgement but judgment mercyles shal be to them that shew no mercy If ye be friendly to your brethren onely what singuler thing do you doe not the sinners the same be not like vnto them but vnto your heavenly father whose wisdom love and mercy I beseech him to grant you that so you may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved And that we your Majestis faithful subjects may lead a peaceable and quiet life even in our owne nation in al Godlynes and honesty Amen Now them that are persequted I exhort with the words of the Apostle Peter dearely beloved thinck it not straÌ„ge concerning the fiery trial that is among you to prove you as though som strange thing were com vnto you but rejoyce in as much as ye are pertakers of Christs suffrings that when his glory shal appeere ye may â—e glad and rejoyce If ye bee rayled vpon for the name of Christ blessed are ye for the spirit of glory aÌ„d of God resteth vpon you which on their part is evil spokeÌ„ of but on your part is glorifyed but let no man suffer as an evil doer or as a murtherer or as a busy body in others matters but iâ— one suffer as a Christian let him not be a shamed but let him glorifye God in that behalf For al the Marâ—rs of the Apostoliq Church have suffered as evil doers and as heretiks For the time is that judgment must begin at the howse of God If it first begin at vs saith the apostle what shal the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God And if the righteous scarsly be saved where shall the vngodly and sinner appeere wherfore let them that suffer according to the 〈◊〉 of God commit their soules vnto him in weldoeing as vnto a faithful Creator Read Esay 2. 2. 4. 11. 16. He shal judge among the nations aÌ„d rebuke many people they shal break their sword into mattocks and their speares into sithes nation shal not lift vp a sword against nation neyther shal they learne to fight any more The high looks of man shal be humbled and the loftynes of man shal be abased the lord onely shal be exalted in that day for the day of the lord of hosts is vpoÌ„ al the proud and hauty and vpon al that is exalted and it shal be made low Litle David overcame great Goliah yet not brought vp in warre Vnlearned Peter confuted the learned preists yet by caling a fisher man Attend and helpe and you shal see the wonderful works of God For the foolishnes of God is wiser then men the weaknes of God is stronger then men And God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise things thaâ— are despised hath God chosen to bring to nought things that are 1. Cor. 1. 25. 28. FINIS Leonard Busher 1. Cor. 5. 5. a Ioh. 3. 3 b jam 1. 1â— c 1. Petr. 1. 3. 23. Matth. 28. Marc. 16. 2. Cor. 10. 4. Ephe. 6. 17 Heb. 4. 12. Mat. 28. 19 Mar. 16. 16 Act. 8. 12. luc 24. 4. 7. act 8. 12. 37. 2. 4. 〈…〉 Rev. 16. 14 Marc. 9. 38 39. Mat. 16. 27 Rev. 16. 14 Luce 9. 55. 56. Ioh. 12. 47. a Matt. 20. 6. 7. e Eph. 2. 8. 1. tim 1. 13 Act. 26. 〈◊〉 Iam. 5. 11. 2. Pet. 3. 9. 2. cor 5. 19 Iohn 3. 1. Sam. 15. 15. 24. Act. 9. 15. 1 tim 2. 1. 2 1. Cor. 7. 22. 23. Rom. 2. 16 Act. 10. 42 Ioh. 18. 36 Ephe. 6. 1â— 17. Mat. 18. 17 Tyt. 3. 10 1. Iohn 4. 1 2. cor 13. 1. Iohn 5. 1. Io. 4. 1 co 12. â— Gala. 4. 29 Galat. 5. â—e 18. 20 Co. 7. 16 â—att 20. 6. Tyt. 1. 7. 9. 11. Mat. 13. 29 30. 38. Act. 3. 17. Re. 12. 14. Re. 14. 20. 2. tim 3. 16. Mat. 10. 14. 15. Marc. 6. 11 act 13. 51. ther is one Furbusher a preacher in this laÌ„d 2. Cor. 5. 20 many thousand Ambassadors martyrâ— of Christ hath Bbsâ— caused to be slaine since Châ— ascended Marc. 13. 9 PersequtioÌ„ destroy Christians but not errors 2. cor 10. 4 1. Tym. 1. 13. 15. Luc. 9. 53. 55. Persequtors rebuked of Christ 1. Cor. 10. 32. Col. 4. 5. PersequtioÌ„â—lo make â—any straÌ„â—ers â—ersequtioÌ„â—â—usemani â—â—ligions 〈◊〉 the â—hurch â— v. 18. 2. 4 â—â—eter were to have â—any reliâ—oÌ„s in the â—nd theÌ„ in â—â—le Churc Mat. 10. 23 Christ teacheth to flee persequtioÌ„ ergo it cannot possible be good Mat. 7. 13 Note see 2. tim 3. 3 4. RoÌ„ 10. 17. Mat. 24. 2. thes 2. â— 1. Tym. 4. 2. Peter 2. rev 57. 13 17. Gal. 2. 3. 5. 11. â— 6. 12. Note False Bbs teach Turks and Pagans to persequte Christians Rom. 2. 4. 〈◊〉 2. 25. â— cor 11. 2 False Bbs worse then Turks and pagans Note Falss Bbs spirituall â—ornicatioÌ„ â— thes 2. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 19. 20. 1. cor 6. 16 17. with â—ev 18. 4 â— Pet. 2. 1. â— Pet. 1. 19 If Idolaters ought to be slain then ought al those that submit yeld spiritual obedience revereÌ„ce vnto these Bbs to be slaine who then shold remaine in land alive Rev. 17. 13. Note RoÌ„ 2. 1. 3. Luc. 6. 31. Or provocation King Edward was an enemy to persequtioÌ„ Acts mon pag. 1484. The ChristiaÌ„ answer of King Edward rev 16. 14. 〈…〉 RoÌ„ 14. 23. By Digby Cates by c maâ— 11. 29. Luc. 14. 27 Act. 4. 19 The Bbs as the high preists force men to obay man rather theÌ„ God Note wel Then â—ary til to morrow Rev. 17. 16 Gen. 17 â—6 Rom. 4. 17. Rom. 13. 4 PermissioÌ„ of coÌ„scieÌ„ce a furtheraÌ„ce to the gospel and a safly both to prsnce and people Rev. 12. 6. 14 13. 5. 7. 2. Cor. 11. 13. 2. thes 2. 6. 7. 2. Tes 2. 9. 1. tim 4. 1. 2. 3. 2. tim 3. 1. 4. 5. 2. pe â— 1. 3 1. john â— 1 2. john 7 Iud. 4. 11 16. 18. Note wel 1. john 4. 3 The Siriah saith came in flesh 1. john 2. 22. 23. john 17. 3. 5. 8. 1. co 15. 47 Iohn 6. 38 42. 62. 7. 26. 27 Iohn 16. 2. 3. 27. 21. 1. joh 4. 2. Ioh. 6. 62. 3. 13. Iohn 17. 5. 1. Cor. 15. 47. 49. 1. Ioh. 4. 3. 2. cor 11. 12. 15. Rev. 12. ◠〈◊〉 Rev. 12. 6. 13. 14. Rev. 12. 6. 13. 14. Note 2. The. 2. 3 6. 8. 1. Tim. 4. 1 2. 3. Rev. 12. 6. 11. 14. 17. 2. 6. 17 2. Tim. 3. 1 9. 4. 3. 4 2. pe 2. 1. 3 1. joh 2. 18 19. 4. â— 2. Iohn 7. Iude 4. 11 16. Like mother like Daughter 1. Tim. 4. 2 Rev. 2. 24 1. joh 4. 1. Fyer and sword nâ— equal weâ—pons to the spirit word Mistically psal 2. 1â— Psal 2. 2. â— 1. joh 2. 2â— Rev. 17. 1â— Rev. 12. 1. Mat. 18. 6 10. Mat. 〈◊〉 38 39. Mat. 11. 35 36. Rom. 10. 9 Luc. 18. 7. 2. Txs 2. 8 I pray the Lord to give such grace the Sea of Rome may 〈◊〉 apace Nota FroÌ„ popes submission ther is great suspiâ—ion 2. Tim. â— 24. 25. james 3. 1 Note A true signe of false Bishops an Ministers Iohn 3. 2. Iohn 3. 10 1. Cor. 9. 20 22. Act. 16. 3. 2. Cor. 13. 8 2. Esd 4. 38. 41. Answer Another true signe of false Bishops ministers The word of God the onely defender of the faith of Christ Idol Bbs false ministers authors of persequtioÌ„ Rev. 16. 14 Rom. 10. 14. 17. Mar. 16. â—6 1. tes 5. 19. â— tim 2. 24 25. 2. Cor. 10. 3. 5. Rev. 11. 2. Act. 2. 41. 47. Note Act. 2. 47. A true Church wil not persequte Mat. 12. 25 rev 18. 2. 8 1. Cor. 8. 11. 12. Luc. 10. 3 Gen. 32. 28 Rom. 13. 4 2. Tym. 2. 1. tym 4. Rev. 17. 15 2. thâ— 2. 8. Rev. 17. 16 〈◊〉 Caled the Temple of God 2. Thesa Rev. 17. 1 15. 18. Iohn 16. 2 Re. 17. 13 14. Esay 2. 4. Ezra 4. 7. Ha. 2. 4. 10. Exod. 25. â— and 35. 5 Act. 2. 40. 41. mat 28 Mar. 16. 16 Mat. 10. 11 14. 1. Co. 1â— 29 Luc. 8. 37. Luc. 9. 54. 55. Christs Bs wil not be lords over the consciences â—he Bs do â—now in â—heir consciences â—hat this 〈◊〉 true â—ob 32. 22 Phi. 2. 9. 11 Col. 1. 18. The Bs in Tytles equal to the Son of God Note Gods blessings il expected vnlesse these Idols bee rejected who are exalted above al earthly Gods 1. Tym. 3. Tit. 1. 6. 9. To greate 〈◊〉 the ods 〈◊〉 use the word against gods word The Bs greater Idols then the Abbots â—mages or goldeÌ„ calfe Ex. 32. 1 what greater idolatri theÌ„ to obai other spiritual lords then the lord Iesus 2. king 23. 17. 20. 1. sam 5. 3. 1. ty 2. 1. 2 RoÌ„ 13. 1. 7 Col. 2. 14. Heb. 8. 13. Deut. 17 18. 20. Luc. 6. 3â— Note 1. Cor. 3. 17 6. 19. 20 Frederich Iohn Palsgraves said that vnder pretext of the holi ghosts office of correction litle els was sougt theÌ„ to reygne over the coÌ„scieÌ„ces of the Magistrats subjects like as in the accursed popedom is coÌ„ to passe c. Note wel Iewes kepe back from the faith by perseqution Rev. 11. 3 and 19. 10. 2. Pet. 2. â— It is the Kings honor to search out a thing Pro. 25. Exod. 3. 6. A cryeing sinne Iohn 16. 3 〈◊〉 10. 2. 3. Iohn 6. 44 Mat. 10. 11 14. 2. â—y 2. 25. Ioh. 13. 35 1. Cor. 13 Heb. 13. 3. Iam. 2. 13. 〈◊〉 6. 32. â—7 1. Tym. 2 Pet. 4. 12 2. Pet. 2. 2. Act. 24. 14 Antychrist and his persequtioÌ„ shal bee made low 2. thes 2. 4 Gal. 6. 6 1. Cor. 9. 7.