whosoever shall beleiue be baptized shal be saved But he that will not beleiue shall be condemned Mark 16. 15. 16. But the Bishops doe crie out saying That Cartwright and his fel lowes would haue no Governement etc. So belike the Bishops care for no governmeÌ„t but for worldly and forcible governement over their brethren the which Christ ne ver gaue to his Disciples nor Apostles but made theÌ„ subiect to the rule of Princes who ought not to be resisted saving that they might answer unto Princes That they must rather obey God than men Act. 5. 29. and yet in no wise to resist the Prince but to take up the crosse follow Christ. To the Reader IF this Honorable man were now aliue he would wonder more than ever he did at the resolutenes of our Bishops In holding their Courtes in their owne names For bv M. Yelvertons speach at a committee of both houses in the second Session of this Parliament it was made so playne that the Bishops were in the Kings mercy for having seales of jurisdiction bearing their owne and not the Kings armes and holding Courtes in their owne names and not the Kings that S. Iohn Popham then Lord cheife Iustice of England and S. Edward Cooke then the Kings Atturney generall acknowledged the same to be true The reason was this In the first Session of this Parliament cap. 25. that Statute of Q. Mary which this worthy Counsailour of State mentioneth is repealed By which repeale the Statute of Edw. 6. likewise by him mentioned is restored to life But more hereof perhappes hereafter In meane while Quaere Whether those subjectes which haue taken the oath of supremacy be not forsworne If being cited by a processe which hath the seale of a Bishop not of the King they appeare to the Ordinaries Court held in the Bishops name and not the Kings Seeing such a processe and Court so held be by that Statute of Ed. 6. now in force sayd to be against the Kings prerogatiue therefore both must be by none other than forreigne power If so Quaere 2. VVhether his Majesties subiects being so cited to such a Court be bound in law to make their appearance Ierm 36. 26 1 Peter 2. 13 14. 1 king 22 7 Iudg. 6. 31. Exod. 25 Hebrew â— 5 Heb 12 25 28 29. Isai 49. 23. Psalm 100. 3 Thes 2. 8 2. Kin 16 34 Act. 20 17. 28. Phil. 1 1 1. Tim 3 1. 2 Titus 1 5. 7 1 Pet 5. 1 2 1 Sam 5 2 3. 4 2. Kin 16. 10 2 Chro 29. 16 18 19. Can 1 3. Math 17 5. Iohn 10 3. 4 29 Iames 1. 20 Isai 61 1. Iames 1. 17. Psalm 43 3. Psalm 103. 4 Isai 9. 2 Zach. 11. 7 Plal 122 7 Iob. 1 19 Gal. 3. 1 3. Heb 12. 1 Eph 1. 17 Col 1. 11. Philip 2. 2 Heb 13 21. a Deut 33 9 b pag 18. c pag 19. d pag 69 e Act 23. 8. f 1 Tim. 6. 3 Titus 3. 10. 2 Peter 1. 19 21. g The defence of the Apologie part 1. 7. devision 2 answ to the Rhem. Titus 3. 10 h pag 18. i p. 19. 69 k Tom 1. cont 5. lib. 1 ca 15. l Heresy 15. m in epist ad Titum 1 et Epist 85. ad Evagrium n cap 53. o In Argu. pre fix lib. 3 Tom 2 p de heref ad quodvnit deuÌ„ in prefatione q Epist. 19 r def of the Apol. part 2 ca 9 divis 1 page 198 s De sacrif hom orig et conâ—â—â— lib 1 ca 5 t in 1 Tim â— v in Epist ad Tirum x Collect. can li. 7. ca 87. eâ— 1â—7 y Poliear li. 2 Tit 19. et 39. z ca legimus dist 39 ca olimp dill 95. a Author gloss in ca dist citat ho doricus caol Ave lat in concil Basil. Daaren de sacra Eccle mimst lib 1 cap 7 b page 19 c page 69 e â—ess 23 c. 4 Can 6 7 f anot marg ad cap legimus dist 43. g Tom. 1 Contro 5 lib 1 cap h Aeneas Silvius histo Bohem cap 35 et Pigh hierarch ecclef lib. 2. ca 10. i Defens pacis part 2 ca 15 k Tho Walden Doct fidei Tom 1 lib 2 cap 60 et Tom 2 cap â—7 l Aeneas Sil vius loco citato m adversus falso nominat ordin epist et adver Papat Rom n in epist ad Philip 1 et Titus 1 o Apol Consest Wittenb cap 21 p Decad. 5 serm 3 q Loc. Com. T it de minist verbi r Iewell loâ—â—citat et Pilkington in the Trearise of burning Paules Church s D Humphrey in CaÌ„p et in DuraeuÌ„ Iesuitas-part 2 rat 3 D Whit ad rat CaÌ„piani 6. et Confuta Duraei Iesuitae lib 6 t M Braford Lambert others M Fox Acts c D Fulke against Bristow motiue 40 Answer to the Remists Tit 1. 5. v v part 2 x lib 4 y Harmony sect 11 in Helvet post Galia Belgia Anglia c z pa. 14 69 a Epist. ad Evagrum b Hom 11 in 1 Tim. c Concil 4 Caâ— 3 d In 1 Tim 4 14 e In I nstit lib. 4 cap 4. sect 2 f 1 Cor 14 3â—
INFORMATIONS OR A PROTESTATION AND A Treatise from Scotland SECONDED WITH D. REIGNOLDES HIS LETTER TO SIR Francis Knollis AND Sir Francis Knollis his speach in Parliament ALL Suggesting the vsurpation of Papal Bishops 1. Cor 12. 5. There are diversities of Administrations but one Lord. Math. 15. 13. Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out Imprinted 1608. The Printer to the Reader WHereas it hath pleased God to hide me as he did Ieremy and Baruch on this side the seas notwithstanding the Archbishop of Canterbury sent over two men to seeke me of whom I hard after they were gone hencee and I doubt not but the same God will hide me still untill I haue done his heavenly Maiestie all that servicc which in his counsell he hath appoynted me to do here I am resolved through his grace to be as helpfull as I can in pulling downe the tower of Babel Which to do I am perswaded every christian is as well bound in conscience as to build up the tower of Sion Promising withall in the presence of God to giue over this course and humbly to submit my selfe to the censure of authority for the manifesting of my repentance when I shall learne that Diocesan Bishopps are by the ordinance of God and as heretofore so hear after with all diligence and humility to informe my selfe touching that question most necessary to be knowne in these times of all those that esteeme the kingdome of Christ. If I be demaunded whither I haue not heard of or sene D. Downams Sermon at Lambith I answer I heare that many sound divines doe greiue that so learned a man should discover such weaknes But they thinke that the sermon especially the Epistle was by the instructions of the Archbishop whose chaplaine he is And I see that he doth not answer M. Iacobs reasons though he be carping at his booke and one other thing of note which was never yet heard of viz. That not one Minister of such a perticular congregation as may and ought to come togither on the Sabbath is once named or specially mentioned in all the New Testament but onely Diocesan Bishops from which Bishops those Ministers are sent as governours are sent from the King So that Mimisters are but curates to the Bishops as to those who onely hold their calling immediatly from Christ. Therefore if this Doctrine be true me thinkes one prayer in the Communion Booke should be put out viz. Almighty God who only workest great mervailes send downe vpon our Bishops and curates the healthfull spirit of thy grace For though heretofore it might seeme to us a mervaile if God blessed Diocesan Bishops and Ministers as being their curates because they were not as yet knowne to be by Gods Ordinance yet now if this doctrine be true that all having charge of congregations be either Diocesan Bishops or their curates we are not to mervaile if God blesse his owne ordinance But I hope that this doctrine and the whole Sermon and consequently the vsurpation of Papall Bishops will be impleaded at the barre of their conscience who haue a minde to reade and understanding to iudge what shal be written In meane while I thought it convenient to pubthese Informations praying the brethren of Scotland not to be offended if their be any errors in the Protestation or Treatise of Kirk governement but to consider that I received them from Englishmen who haue not belike perfect intelligence of Scottish affaires but as thinges goe from hand to hand As may appeare by naming Leith to be the place where the Sermon was preached for which M. Murray is imprisoned notwithstanding the Provinciall Synod before which it was preached as I heare approved the same But that it was preached by M. Murray and at Edinburgh I heard not till after the sermon was imprinted As for the Letter and Speach mentioned in the Title page of this booke I ioyne them with the other because they likewise informe the Church of the usurpation of Papal Bishops And the rather because the Letter doth not onely make good that which towards the end of the second part of the Treatise is sayd to this effect viz That the most learned defendours of the trueth against the Romaine Antichrist condemne the said usurpation but also it confuteth sondry pointes of D. Downams Lambith Sermon And secondly Because the Letter togither with the Speach of so worthy a Counsailor of this State should be some Incitation to his Maiesties most Honorable privie Councell now being not to depend upon the mouthes of Bishops and their Chaplaines who in this case are rather to be mistrusted of godly wise men as Achabs 400. Prophets were of King Iehoshaphat but closely to sound the iudgment of learned men such as doe not'aspire to dignities and therfore doe not studie to please the mightie and then to pleade not for Baal but for Christ his Kingdome in his Church which he purchased with his most precious bloud A PROTESTATION OFFERED TO THE PARLIAMENT at S. Iohnstons 1. Iulij 1606. THe earnest desire of our hearts is to be faithfull and in case we could haue been silent and faithfull at this time when the undermined estate of Christ his Kirke craues a dutie at our handes we should haue locked up our hearts with patience and our mouthes with taciturnitie rather than to haue impeshed any with our admonition But that quhilk Christ commandeth necessitie urgeth and duetie wringeth out of us to be faithful office bearers in the Kirke of God no man can justly blame us to doe it Providing we hold our selues within the bounds of that Christian moderation quhilk followeth God without injurie done to any man specially those whō God hath lapped up within the skirts of his owne honorable stiles and names calling them Gods upon earth Now therfore my Lords convened in this present Parliament under the most High excellēt Majestie of our dread Soveraigne to your Honors is our exhortation that yee would indever with all singlenes of heart loue zeale to advāce the building of the house of God reserving alwayes into the Lord his owne hands that glorie quhilk he will communicate neither with man nor Angell to wit to prescribe from his holy mountaine a liulie patterne according to which his owne Tabernacle should be formed Remembring alwayes that there is no absolute and unbounded authority in this world except the Soveraigne authoritie of Christ the King to whō it belongeth as properly to rule the Kirke according to the good pleasure of his owne will as it belōgeth to him to saue his Kirke by the merit of his owne sufferings All other authoritie is so intrēched within the marches of divine commandement that the least overpassing of the bounds set by God himselfe bringeth men vnder the fearfull expectation of temporall and eternall judgmentes For this cause my Lords let that authority of your meeting in this present
Parliament be like the Ocean sea quhilk as it is greatest of all other waters so it conteyneth the selfe better within the coasts limits appoynted by God than any River of fresh rūning waters haue done Next remember that God hath set you to be Nourish Fathers of his Kirke craving at your hands that you should maintayne and advance by your authoritie that Church which the Lord hath fashioned by the vncoūterfaited worke of his owne newe creation as the Prophet speaketh He hath made us and not we our selues but not that yee should presume to fashion and shape a new protrature of a Kirk and a new forme of divine service quhilk Cod in his word hath not before allowed because that were to extend your authority further than the calling yee haue of God doth permit As namely if ye should as God forbid authorize the authority of Bishops and their prehemi nence aboue their brethrē yee should bring into the Kirk of God the Ordinance of man and that thing which the experience of preceding ages hath testified to haue been the ground of great idlenes palpable ignorance unsufferable pride pitiles tyrannie and shameles ambitiō in the Kirk of God And finally to haue been the ground of that Antichristian Hicrarchie which mounted up on the steps of preheminence of Bishops vntil that man of sinn came forth as the ripe fruite of mā his wisdome whom God shall consume with the breath of his owne mouth Let the sword of God pearce that belly which brought forth such a monster and let the staff of God crush that Egge which hath hatched such a Cocatrice And let not only that Roman Antichrist be thro wen downe from the high Bench of his usurped authoritie but also let all the steps whereby he mounted up to that unlawfull preheminence be cut downe and utterly abolished in this land Aboue all thinges my Lords beware to striue against God with an open displayed bāner by building vp againe the walles of Iericho quhilk the Lord hath not onely cast downe but also hath layd them under an horrible interdiction and execration so that the building of them againe must needes stand to greater charges to the builders than the reedifiyng of Iericho to Hiel the Bethelit in the dayes of Achab. For he had nothing but the interdiction of Iosua and the curse pronounced by him to stay him from building agayne of Iericho But the Noble men and States of this Realme haue there verence of the Oath of God made by themselues and subscribed with their owne handes in the Confession of faith called the Kings Maiesties published ofter than once or twice and sworne by his most excellent Maiestie and by his Highnes Nobilitie Estates and whole Subiectes of this Realme to hold them backe from setting up the Dominion of Bishops Because it is of verity that they subscribed and swore the said Confession contayning not onely the maintenance of true Doctrine but also of the Discipline professed within the Realme of Scotland Consider also that this worke cannot be set forward without the great slander of the Gospell defamation of many Preachers and evident losse and hurt of the peoples soules committed to our charge For the people are brought almost to the like case as they were in Syria Arabia and Egipt about the 600. yeare of our Lord when the people were so brangled and shaken with contrary doctrines some denying and others allowing the opinion of Eutiches that in the end they lost all assured perswasion of true Religion and within shorte time thereafter did cast the gates of their heartes open to the Divel to receiue that vile and blasphemous Doctrine of Mahomet Even so the people of this land are cast in such admiration to heare the Preachers who so openly damned this stat ly preheminence of Bishops and then within a few yeares after accept the same dignitie Pompe and superiority in their owne persons which they before had damned in others that the people knoweth not which way to in cline and in end wil become so doubt full in matters of religion doctrine that their heartes will be like an open Taverne dore patent to every ghest that likes to come in We beseech your Honours to ponder this in the ballance of a godly and prudent minde and suffer not the Gospell to be slandered by the behaviour of a few number of Preachers of whō we are bold to affirme that ifthey goe forward in this defection not only abusing and appropriating that name of Bishops to themselues only which is common* to all the Pastors of God his Kirke But also taking upon thēselues such offices that carie with them the ordinary charge of governing the civil affaires of the Country neglecting their flockes and seeking to subordinate their brethren to their jurisdiction If any of them we say be found to step forward in this course of defection they are more worthy as rotten members to be cut off from the body of Christ than to haue superiority dominion over their brethren within the Kirke of God This preheminence of Bishops is that Dagon which once already fell before the Arke of God in this land and no band of irone shal be able to hold him vp againe This is that patterne of that Altar brought from Damascus but not shewed to Moses in the mountaine therefore it shall faire with it as it did with that Altar of Damascus It came last in the Temple and went first out Likwise the Institution of Christ was anterior to this Preheminence of Bishops and shall consist and stand with in the house of God when this new fashion of Altar shal goe to the doore Remember my Lords that in time past your authority was for Christ not against him yee followed the light of God and strived not against it and like a child in the Mothers hand yee sayd to Christ Draw us after thee God forbid that yee should now leaue off and fall away from your former reverence borne to Christ inpresuming to lead him whom the Father hath appoynted to be a leader of you And farre lesse to traile the holy Ordinances of Christ by the cordes of your authority at the heeles of the Ordināces of men And albeit your Honours haue no such intention to do any thing which may impaire the honor of Christs kingdome yet remēber that spirituall darknes flowing from a very smale beginning doth so insinuate and thrust the selfe into the house of God as men cā hardly discerne by whatsecret meanes the light is dimme and darknes creeping in got the vpper hand and in end at unawares all is involved within a mistie cloud of horrible Apostasie And lest that any should thinke this our admonition out of time in so farr as it is statute ordayned alreadie by his Majestie with advise of his Estates in Parliament that all Ministers provided to Prelacies should haue vote
in Parliament As likwise the generall assemblie his Majestie being present thereat hes found the same lawfull expedient we wald humbly and most earnestly beseech all such to consider first that the kingdom of Iesus Christ the officebearers and lawes therof nether should nor can suffer any derogation addition diminution or alteratiō besides the prescript of his holy word by any inventions or doings of men Civil or Ecclesiasticall And we are able by the grace of God and will offer our selues to proue that this Bishopprik to be erected is against the word of God the Auncient Fathers and Canons of the Kirke the moderne most learned godly divines the doctrine and Constitution of the Kirke of Scotland since the first reformation of religion within the same Countrie the lawes of the Realme ratifiyng the governement of the Kirk by the generall and Provinciall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions also against the weil and Honor of the Kings most excellent Majestie the weale and Honor of the Realme and quietnes thereof the established estate weale of the Kirke in the Doctrine Discipline and patrimonie therof the weale and honor of your LL. the most anciēt estate of this Realme and finally against the weil of all and every one of the good subjects thereof in soule body and substance Next that the Act of Parliamēt granting vote in Parliament to Ministers is with a speciall provision that nothing therby be derogatorie or prejudiciall to the present established Discipline of the Kirk and Iurisdiction therof in generall and Synodall Assemblies Presbiteries and Sessions Thirdly and last the generall Assemblie the King his Majestie sitting voting and consenting therin fearing the cor ruption of that office hes circumscribed and bounded the same with a nūber of Cautions All which to gether with such other as shall be concluded upon by the Assembly were thought expedient to be insert in the body of the Act of Parliament that is to be made for confirmation of their vote in Parliamen as most necessary substantial parts of the same And the said Assemblie hath not agreed to giue therunto the name of Bishops for feare of importing the old Corruption Pompe Tyranny of Papall Bishops but ordained them to be called Commissioners for the Kirke to vote in Parliament And it is of verity that according to thes cautions neither hath those men now called Bi shops entred to that office of Commissionarie to vote in Parl iament neither since their ingyring haue they behaved themselues therin And therefore in the name of the Lord Iesus Christ who shall hold that great Court of Parliament to judge both the quicke and the dead at his glorious manifesta tion and in name of the Kirk in generall so happily well established with in this Realme and whereof the sayd Realme hath reaped the comfortable fruite of peace vnity free from heresie schisme and dissention these 46 yeeres by past also in name of our Presbyteries from quhilk we haue our Commission and in our owne names Officebearers and Pastors within the same for discharging of our necessarie dvty and disburdening of our consciences in particular We except and protest against the sayd Bishopprike Bishops and the erection confirmation or ratification thereof at this present Parliament Most humblie craving that this our Protestation may be admitted by your Honours and registrat amongst the Acts and Statutes of the same incaice as God forbid these Bishoppricks be erected ratified or confirmed therein A TREATISE OF KIRKE GOVERNEMENT CONSISTING OF two partes whereof this former conteineth a Demonstration of true Christian Discipline according to the word of God used in the Kirke of Scotland THis writing is not directed to carie out invectiue speaches with reviling and wrathfull wordes against any in the Kirke of God knowing that the wrath of man accomplisheth not the righteousnes of God But this writting is appoynted to be ane pleader even in the gates of Ierusalem for Sion sake and for truth and righteousnes sake breaking forth from Sion as the light and salvation as ane burning lamp to all beleivers wishing that it may be read of all with indifferencie considered of all with wisedome sobriety and embraced of all that loue truth and righteousnes according to the merite and sincere meaning therof It shall be devided in to two principall heades The one shal conteine an Demonstration of Christian Discipline true Kirk Governement by Ministers and assisting Elders according to the word of God practised in the Apostolique Primitiue Kirke used and practised in the Kirke of Scotland these many yeares receaved and embraced by all the professors within the same and established by lawes and Actes of Parliament to the glorie of God through Christ Iesus and to the weill and comfort of the whole Kirke within this Realme The other parte shall conteine an Refutation of the Episcopall Domination and Lordship begun to be urged in our Kirk of late by Conformitie with England quhilk is of late gredely embraced even by those who not onely had professed teached and practised the true Discipline of the Kirk of Scotland but also with solemne oath had sworne and subscribed to it The matter is of greatest weight concerning the true Discipline and Gubernation of the house of God which is the Kirk of the living God Therefore O Lord of light the author of every good donation send out thy light and thy truth and direct this heart this hand pen aright unto the glory of thy great name and clearing of thy everlasting truth Now all by matters being set a side it shal be expedient needfull for our proceedings to lay downe some positi ons principals as groundes to build vpon enforcing all that haue forsaken the Romane Synogogue to consent First the Lord Iesus by the appoynt ment of his Father is onely head Eph. 1. 21 22 23. King Lord and suprem Governour of his Kirke quhilk with his bloud here one earth he hath sprinkled and wished Apoc 7 14. and having ledd captivitie captiue ascending up to the heavens Eph 4 8. sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Col. 3. 1. Heb 1. 3. ruling his Kirk powerfully by his spirit Scepter of his word Isa 11. 1. 2. 4. 49. 21. psal 110. 2. Heb 1. 8. Onely King and law-giver having power onely by his lawes to bind the conscience of man Isai. 9. 6 7. 33. 22. Iames. 4. 12. Revel 3 7. 1 Tim 6. 15 And therfore let no mortall man equal himselfe in this high prerogatiue with the Sonne of God being in his Kirke only Monarch and only Head Isa. 29. 13. 14. Mich 4. 7. Luc 1 32. 33. 1. Cor 3 18 19. Eph 1 22 4 15 Col 1 18. 2 8 9 10. 18 19 23. Secondly this supreame Governor Isai 9 6 Christ Iesus hath not left his Kirk which is his body mained or imperfect destitute of right Covernement
Lawes Offices needfull for the same but hath appoynted a certaine Minissterie heir on earth graced with giftes an with an calling accordingly with certaine lawes limitting their functiō and Gubernation and therefore let no man thinke that Christ hath left his Kirk to be ruled at the lust and arbitrement of men whatsoever Col 2. 18. Item what is of Christ that is to be receaved and that quhilk is of the Anti-Christ is to be rejected Thirdly this Gubernation of the Kirke with Offices Functions and allpoynts necessary for accomplishment therof is set downe in the written word of God the onely square rule of Doctrine Discipline within Christ his Kirke apt and able to make the man of God perfect to every good worke 2. Tim 3. 16. 17. whereupon this followeth that whatsoever is prescrived in this word is to be followed and no prescription can haue place against it Item it followeth that the Lawes of the Goverment of the Church and Offices and Functions thereof are not changable and imperfect onlesse we will say that the scripture is imperfect or Christ his Kirke quhilk is his Bodie is imperfect in respect of the Constitution thereof we weil say that the estate of the Kirke of the New Testament is inferiour to the estate of the Kirk of the Old Testament quhilk receaved the whole Ordinancss and Lawes by Moses from the mouth of God quhilk Moses although he was great with God yet he was but ane Minister Num. 12. 7. Heb 3. 5. and it was not lawfull to him to alter or change ane pin of the Tabernacle be himselfe but as it was sayd to him Do althinges according to the forme that thou saw in the Mountaine Exo 25 40. Act 7. 44. Heb 8. 5. And so it was in the building of the Temple 1. Chro 28. 11. 12. 13. 2 Chro 29. 25. But so it is that no faithfull man will admitt those inconveniences and therefore it must stand that the word of God conteineth althinges needfull for the Governement of the Kirke quhilk is the kingdome of Christ Iesus heir on Earth so that whatsoever may be alledged by man for Kirke Covernement without the warrāt of the word as easily is it repelled as alleadged Now let us proceede and learne of the scripture what is sayd therin anent this Kirke To this Kirk excellent glorie is attributed every where in the scripture If you will consider either the Head of this Kirk the Bodie or members For the Head King Lord of this Kirk the Sonne of God Christ Iesus is the Prince of peace psal 72. 3. 7. Isai. 9. 6. 7 and Lord of all glorie Isai. 60 1. 2. Act 3. 15. 1 Cor 2. 8. Heb 2. 3. 7. 8. King of Kings and Lord of Lords 1. Tim. 6. 15. Revel 17. 14. et 19 16. If ye weil consider the Bodie quhilk is the Kirk of God spouse of Christ shee is called the Citie of God Psal 48. 2. 3. Zach 8. 3. The house Kirk of the living God 1 Tim 3. 15. Prov 9. 1. The Temple and Mountaine of the eternall God Isai 2. 2. Zach 8. 3. the Vinyard Isai 5 1. Cant 8. 11. 12. Math. 21. 23. and Garden enclosed Cant 4. 12. the loye of the whole earth Psal. 48. 3. Ezech 20. 0. 15. Dan. 8. 9. et 11 16. 41. 45. the Heritage Isai 19 25 the kingdome of Heaven Math 13 24. 31. Christ his Sister Cant 4 10. his loue Cant. 4 1 7. his spouse Cant 4 10. his Queene Psal 45 10. Christ his Bodie 1 Cor 12. 13 27. Ephes 1. 22. 23. et 4 4. 16. If ye consider the Members of this Bodie under the Governement and protection of this great and glorious King knit bound up in ane Bodie Ephesians 4. 16. with the perfect band of loue Rom. 12. 5 10. they are called the chosen generation Deut. 10. 15. 1. Pet. 2. 9. the Holie Nation Exo. 19. 6. 1. Pet 2. 9. the peculiar people 1. Pet. 2. 9. Exod 19. 5. the Inheritance of God 1. Pet. 5 3. To this Kirk apperteineth the Covenant Eph 2. 12. Rom 9. 4. the worship of God Rom. 9. 4. the Sacraments 1. Cor 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 12. 13. and promises Rom 9. 4. of Peace Luc. 1. 71. 74 75. et 2 14. Isai 52 7. et 55. 12. Iohn 14 27 Col 1. 20. Gal 6. 16. of loue Ioh. 14 23. and Salvation Zach. 2 8. Isai 49 6. et 43 3. of the presence of God Zach 2. 10. 11. Isai 43 2. Ioh 14 18 Ezech 37 26 27 48 35 2 Cor 6. 16. of graces and glorie Zach. 2 5 Isai 60 15. of his Protection Psal 34 17. 18. 19. 20. and every where in the Psalmes and in many other places many excellent glorious things are spoken of this Kirke the Spouse and Bodie of Christ Iesus The use whereof is to let us understand how pretious and how glorious in Gods sight is Christ Kirk that is the Society of his Sancts which he hes acquited with his owne bloud Act. 20. 28 2. To let us vnderstand that She is not under bondage or subjection to be ruled and governed by the lust or arbitrement of men whatsoever Math. 15 9. Col. 3. 8. 18. 19. 1. Tim 3 14. 15. So that no man should presume to prescrive lawes Iam 4 12. and limites for the Governement of this Kirk without Commission of Christ Iesus the Supreame Governour Isai 9 6 who hath beutified her with so many great graces power and glorie Now let us descend more particularly to learne out of scripture what is prescrived anent the Governement and ordering of the Kirk heir on earth For Scripture is the only sure Canon and rule to be followed as was before declared against the which no prescription nether of Angell nor of man what soever should prevaile Gal. 1. 18. How comely and pleasant a thing is it to behold in the scripture the soci etie of the Sanctes like an Armie Psalm 110 3. Can 6. 1. 3. Col. 2. 5. march in their ranckes under the conduct of their King and Lord Christ Iesus Isai 52. 12. Heb 12 2. some commanding in his name some obeying Heb 13 17. all ruled and maresheld by the lawes and limites of the word Deut 4 2. et 12. 32 And againe the commanders and rulers ordered in their owne ranckes according to their Functions and giftes al to the glory of God edification pre servation of one Bodie Eph 4. 12. And to speake more plainly of the Kirk Discipline We define it to be the spirituall Ioh 18. 36. 2. Cor 10. 4. 5. 6. Governement 1 Pet 5. 1. 2. 3. Act 20. 28. of the house of God 1. Tim 3. 15. Which is the Kirke or Society of the Sainctes heere one Earth under the commandement of the only Head King the Lord Iesus Eph 1 22. 1. Cor 12. 5. by the Ministery of men 1. Cor 4. 1. 2.
of the Gospell hereby day lie falling to decay much a doe also hath ben for making of a constant moderatorin every part which caried but a show for a time and to be away only to posses Bishops with parpetuall domination quhilk also by the godly and learned was discovered and abhorred knawing that of old frō the same practise haue proceeded the degrees of Romane Primacie defacing and overthrowing the true Government of Christ his Church Atlast after many overshadowing clouds the effect and operation of this worke hath broken through the cloud with thunder flacks striking upon god ly sincere Teachers of this land The end of all is The Altar of Conformitie must be set up and Kirke Governement must be turned over into the hands of Lord Bishops supportters of the Altar etc Which kind of Governement if it be lawfull or can stand with the word of God that we haue to examine in this part In the former part the order and Forme of true christian Discipline with Duties Offices Ministeries according to the Institution of Christ hath ben declared by the cleare and sound groundes of the word which government offices and Ministeries thereof we haue demonstrat to be perpetuall sufficient and to haue continuance to the glorious comming of Christ Iesus Now this part shall conteine a Refutation of the contrarie Gorvernement by Lord Bishops their Episcopall Domination insisting upon the same grounds layd doun afore and thus we proceid Whatsoevir is contrarie to the Institutiof Christ his wrettin word is Antichristian and is to be banished out of the Kirk of God But Governement by Lord Bishopps with Episcopall domination is contrarie to the Institution of Christ and his written word Therefore it is Antichristian and is to be banishit out of the Kirk of God The Proposition can not be denyed by faithfull Christians the word of God being of absolute perfection both for substance and Ceremonies against the which no exception can be made except by Atheists or Papistes holding the Pope of Rome may dispēce with the word or equalling his traditions with the word The controversie therefore staudeth in the Assumption whether the Governement of the Kirke apperteineth to Lord Bishops or not whither to Lord Bishops apperteineth a Lordly Domination Quhilk both to be contrary to the word of God thus we proue The first proufe doth arise from the Examination of the right use of the name Bishope which against the minde of Scripture is abused making it a nāe of speciall office with a speciall dignitie prerogatiue Prelacie aboue the rest of the disposers and Teachers of the word appropriating unto Bishops Lordship or Lordly domination making Prelats of Pastors and Princes of Prelats The name of Bishop EPISCOPOS signifieth as touching this Argument ane Inspector or Overseer caring for thē that are committed to his charge Quhilk name is commō to all Pastors Doctors or Teachers and Elders in the Kirk As is evident by expresse Scripture in these places following The Apostle Paul sending for the Elders of the Kirk of Ephesus Act. 20. ver 17. And speaking to the same Elders he cales thē Bishops Take heed thersore to your selues and to all the flocke whairof the holy Ghost hath made you overseers EPISCOPOVS to feade the Kirke of God Marke faith Ierom how calling the Elders of one Citie of Ephesus he intituleth the same men Bishops In like manner the Apostle Peter ca. 5. v. 1. 2. useth the same word speaking to the Teachers Rulers of the Kirk Feed the flocke of God saith he quhilk dependeth upon you caring for it or according to the originall Episcopountes that is doing the parte of ane Overseer or Bishop being common to Pastors As may further appeare by these places Phil 1. 1. Tit 1. 5. 7. 1. Tim 3. 1. 2. Frō quhilk places these conclusions are necessarily inferred 1. The name of Bichop being common to Pastors Teachers and Rulers it is not to be appropriate to any one with title power or prerogatiue aboue the rest 2 Here is restrayned the function and charge of these Overseers to one flocke over quhilk the Holy Ghost hath placed them Therefore presumption it is against the holy Ghost to a Bishope for to claime the charge of many Kirkes over many Bishops or Pastors and he not resident at one Kirke as the miserable abuse and practise is begun in this Realme The Second proufe The Scripture hath disposed distributed by Christ his Institution the Regiment of the Kirk and offices and Ministeries therof to Pastors Doctors and Elders making no mention of speciall offices titles or dignities of Papal Bishops so cal led by his Maiestie Basil dor pag 44. or Prelats c. Therfore the Regiment of the Kirk cannot be claimed by Papal Bishopes or Prelates by Scripture or by Christ his Institution and so the usurpation of Papal Bishops and Prelats in the Kirk Governement must be Antichristian The first part is evident and cleare deducit in the former parte of this Treatise out of scriptutes wherein is expressed the Institution of the foresayd offices and Ministeries of Pastors Doctors and Elders Wherupon the other part touching Papal Bichops with their titles dignities and prerogatiues c. Hes this cleare inference that they are not warranted by scripture as sayd is For if there were any sick Bishops or Prelates with office Titles power and dignities aboue the rest then the scripture would haue set them downe more distinctly and precisely than any of the rest for the hieer place that one occupieth in the kirk of the more necessity he is vnto the Kirk for this cause the more carefull would Christ the Head of the Kirke haue bene in poynting him out and distinguishing him from other We see in the Old Testament the High Preist his Title Office Function and speciall Administration and juris diction is more particularly and pre cisely set downe than the Office of any of the inferior Preists and Levites And so in the New Testament if any such had bene aboue the rest their title power dignitie and office more particularly precisly had ben poynted out then of Pastors Teachers and Elders c But the contrary we see in scripture wherein the offices Ministeries and power of Pastors Teachers Elders is clerely set furth But no sick thing of Papal Bishops Prelats and the rest of that order Therefore can these no wayes stand with scripture 3. Quhilk forder is to be cleared by examinyng and trying the Titles Dignities and Domination of Papal Bischops Prelates c Who following the Romāe Antichrist claime to themselues a twofold power Civill and Ecclesiasticall quhilk are the two Hornes of the Secund Beast Apoc 13. 11. As some good Divines do expond Quhilk both powers by the devise of Satan as two swords haue served the Pope of Rome that Antichrist to tread doun the greatest powers on earth of Emperors Kings and Princes and
dayly doth serue for the suppressing of the truth and faithfull professors of the same From that Antichrist this mysterie of iniquitie hath flowed to Cardinals Arch-bishops and the rest of that disordered order c. Against this injquity thus we cōclud Whosoever doth participat with the Antichrist in usurping a Civil power and practising the same in the Kirk directly against the word and Institution of Christ they are of that Antichrist and there vsurpation Antichristian But Papal Bishops and Prelates in the Kirk vsurps Civil power directly against the word Institutiō of Christ. Therefore so doing they are of that Antichrist and their vsurpation Antichristian The proofe of the Assumption quhilk the adversaries deny is playne be evident Scripture as followeth 1 Our Master Saviour Christ speaking unto his Disciples contending for honor among themselues saith Ye know that the Lords of the Gentles haue domination over thē and they that are great exercise authority over them but it shal no be so among you Math 20. 25. etc. Mar 10. 42. Luc 22. 25. etc. In quhilk words expresly he forbiddeth his Apostles Lordly or Princely Domination putting ane barr and evident difference betwixt Civil Spirituall power shewing expresely by this interdiction these two powers so to be differēt that they cannot meet in one person whatsoever Quhilk ground hath bene alwayes as ane strong wall against the Pope and Bishops of Rome exercising both the powers whereupon Barnard speaketh thus boldly to Pope Eugenius Lordship is forbiden unto the Apostles Therefore darest thou being a Lord vsurpe Apostleship or Apostolicall vsurpe Lordship Thou art plainely barred from both If thou wilt haue both thou shalt lose both Barnar lib 2. de conside cap 4. For it is not convenient saith Ambrose that one man should haue adouble profession 2 Christ saith My kingdome is not of this world Ioh 18. 36. Christ refused to accept the honor of a worldly kingdom Iohn 6. 15. That he might admonish us saith Chrysostom to cōtemne humaine dignities shew us that we need no wordly affaires Hom 42. in Iohan. Item Tertull de Idolat cap. 8. Christ hath manifested that the glorie of the world is not cōpetent to him selfe and his How may thē a Bishop or Minister accept that honor quhilk his Master hath refused For no servant is aboue his Master Math. 10. 24. 3. Christ being requyred in partition of an heritage betwixt brethren refuseth flatly to be Iudge saying who made me Iudge or devider over you For this same cause Christ as Minister of the Gospell refuseth to condemne the Adulteresse woman what presumption is it then to our Papal Bishops to exercise ane Lordly authority and Civil power in judging upon matters civil criminall treasonable in Court or Parliament Secrete Counsell conventiōs of Estate in Courts of Stenartrie Regalitie upon wrongs injuries of bloud infestments of land c. as the practise be Papal Bishops is begune in this Realme Quhilk can no wayes be compitent to the Disciples Ministers and servants of Christ Iesus quhilk the Master Christ Iesus hath for saken Therefore this usurpation must be of the Antichrist Hilarius ad Auxent I pray you Bishopps who beleiue these thinges what votes had the Apostles to preach the Evangel With what Commissions were they authorized when they preached Christ and converted almost all the Gentles from Idols to God Singing an Himne to God in prison among chaines after whippes tooke they any dignity from the Pallace They will not shew where any of the Apostles sat at any time as iudge of men or divider of bounds or distributer of landes To cōclude Ireade that the Apostles stood to be iudged that they sat in iudgmēt I doe not reade Barnard de consid lib. 2. 4. The whole charge of the Minister of the Gospell is restrayned to the cōtinuall exercise of ane spiritual calling and Ministerie only 1. Tim 4. 13. etc 2. Tim 2. 3. 4. et 4. 1. 2. c and therfore not onely Civill Domination but all handling also and medling with secular and worldly affaires is contrary unto this charge Chrysost Hom 11. ad Eph. 4. Doctrine by Sermons is commended unto us not rule or the authority of ruling 5. No man saith the Apostle that war reth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a souldiour 2. Tim 2 4. Hiercm expoūding this place concludeth Much more ought we to be free from worldly businesses that we may please Christ. Ambrose addeth ane cleare distinction of the functions and cause thereof Let a Minister approue himselfe to God that devoted to him he may fulfil his Ministery which he hath undertaken being careful in Gods matters free from worldly busines For it is not convenient that one man should haue a double profession 6 For this purpose serues whatsoever is writtē in scripture anent the calling office and exercise of the Ministery of the word the greatnes thereof and the necssitie injoyned to Ministers to Preach the Gospell continually In so much that the Apostle sayth Wo be to me if I preach not the Evangell 1. Cor 9 16. Hence it is that the manifold duetyes of the Ministers of the Evangell are declared by similitudes of workemen in the Vineyards of husband men of builders of souldiers and watchmen and other such importing continuall labor paines and travell Math 9. 38. 10. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 15. 7. Some of the ancient Councellers also haue taken a streait order for restraint of Ecclesiasticall persons from handling or medling with any secular honor or affaires The fourth Oecumenical or vniversal councel holden at Chal cedon 450. yeares after Christ his birth where were assembled 630. Bishopps forbiddeth expresly ane Minister or Ecclesiasticall person upon paine of Excommunication to resaue any secular honor Concil Chalced Can 7. In like manner in the same Councel it is more particularly decided and precise ly decreed Concil Chalced. Can. 3. That no clarke or any bearing spirituall function should undergoe so much as the Tutership or curatrie of one Orphan Quhilk decree seameth to be very precise and strait against ane naturall duty and charity Yet the spirit of God hath directed the Councell be the light of the truth to keepe rightly the distinction that is betwixt Civil and Ecclesiasticall office and function holding fast the grounds of scripture afore alleadged And for this cause it is decreed in an other coū sell that a Bishope should only attend unto Prayer reading and preaching Concil Carth 4 cap 20. Thus much for overthrowing the first Horne of the Beast to witt Civilpower usurped by Prelates and Bishops c. Now let us assay the force strength of the Second Horne of spirituall power and Iurisdiction quhilk Prelates and Bishops following in this also the Antichrist usurp aboue the disposers of the mysteries of Christ Pastors Ministers and Teachers c and not over
one Kirk alone but over many in one or moe Dioceses quhilk injquity hath flowed also frō the Antichrist of Rome and thence is derived to the Orders of his Cleargie Archbishopes Bishops Arch-Deanes Deanes c. setting up by the devise of Satan ane Hierarchie that is a Spirituall principalitie in the Kirke of God overthrowing altogither the Ordināce of Christ Iesus in ordering his Kirke officers whairof hath bene spoken more at large in the first Treatise and in place thereof intruding upon the Kirk Satanicall and Antichristian devises and Traditions whereupon this conclusion groweth like unto the former Whosoever leaving the Institution of Christ expressed in his word vsurpe spirituall authoritie and iurisdiction togither with civil power in the Kirk They communicate with Antichrist and their usurpation is Antichristian But Papal Bishops and Prelates practise this Antichristian iniquitie against the Institution of Christ his word Therefore they communicate with the Antichrist and the practise and usurpation is Antichristian The Assumption we haue to proue Quhilk is playne by scripture expresly condemning in Ministers of the word both civil power as we heard before and spirituall authority or power aboue the rest of the Ministers and disposers of the word as inferiors to thē Quhilk we proue as followes 1. Christ comming into the world taking upō him the shape or forme of ane servant Philip. 2. 7. witnesseth that he as Minister of the Gospell cam not to be served but to serue Math 20 28. and no servant is aboue his Master Math 10. 24. 2. Christ recommending to his Disciples humilitie with Paritie and equa litie expresly forbiddeth among them Superioritie or Domination Math 20. 25. etc. and 23. 8. 11. Marke 10. 43. etc. Luc. 22. 25. etc. 3. Christ giveth unto his Apostles Disciples alike the Keyes of the kingdome of heaven and they resaue alike power Math 18. 18. Ioh 20. 23. 4. The Disciples and Apostles observing their Masters command equall themselues not one clayming superioritie or Primacie aboue the rest but all professing equalitie call them selfe servantes 2. Cor 4. 5. Ministers and Dispensators 1 Cor 4. ver 1. 5. Messengers 2 Cor 5. 20. etc. And no place there is to be foūd whair they are called Princes Lords or by any such name soūding to superiority or dominatiō in any wise 5. The practise of the Apostles sending by like authoritie Peter and Iohn as Messengers and erand bearers to Samaria Act 8. 14. Quhilk the Apostles wald never haue cōmanded if Christ had not given them a like power neither Peter whom some make to be Prince of the Apostles would haue obeyed if Christ had given him Primacie or Superioritie aboue the rest 6. Peter himselfe disclaiming all such Primacie and Superioritie equaleth himselfe with the Ministers Elders of Kirke calling himselfe fellow Elder 1. Pet 5 1. expresly forbidding Ministers and Elders to take domination as Lords aboue the heritage of God ver 3. 7. The Apostle Iohn sharply cheeketh and rebooketh Diotrephes clayming to him prioritie or preferment aboue the rest Iohn Epist. 3. ver 9 10. 8. Against the spirituall superioritie of Papal Bischops doe serue all those places afore cited wherein the name power office properties and dueties of a Bishope are communicate with Pastors Teachers and Elders Act 20. 17. 1. Pet 5. 2. Phil 1. 1. Tit 1. 5. 7. 1 Tim 3. 2. 3. 4. c. Quhilk places are plane pithie sufficient alone to overthrowe pretended prioritie of Papal Bishopps Praelates c. With scripture agreeth learned and sinceire Antiquity in ancient Christian Kirkes wherof we shall bring a few for exemple speaking most clerely in this purpose Cyprian lib de simplicit praelat The office of a Bishop is one and vndivided parte whereof is absolutly held of every Bishop Idem Cypr lib. Epist 3. Every Bishop doth rule and governe his owne portion of the Lords flocke being to give an account of his doings to God Athanasius Epist. ad Liberium Episcop Romanum All the blessed Apostles were indued with the fellowship of equall honour and power Chrysost Hom 43. in Math What Bishop soever shall desire primacy in earth shall finde confusion in heaven and he who shall covet to be first shall not be in the nūber of Christ his servantes Hieron in Epist ad Evagrium Where soever a Bishop shall be either at Rome or Evgubium or Constantinoble or Rhegium he is of the same worth and of the same preisthood Idem ad Tit cap 1. After the age of the Apostles one of the Bishops was set aboue the rest whom they peculiarly called a Bishop But this was rather by custome than by the truth of the Lords disposing That it may further appeare even by Hierom himselfe that the usurpation of Papal Bishops prevayled by custome against the truth marke well what he writeth vpon Heb 13. 17. viz He divideth the care of the Kirke equally amongst many In saying obey them that are set over you Besides these and others a fore cited against the authority practise of Papall Bishops many mo testimonyes may be drawne out of the same Fathers and Doctors with others also of the same judgmēt quhilk are alledged be menteners of Christian Discipline against authority of Papal Bishops as out of Cyprian lib3 Epist 10. 14. 27. Tertullian de Ieiun August lib 19. cap 19. de Civitate Dei Item lib de opere Monach Hierom ad Oceanum et in Tit 1. Ambrose lib Epist 5. et 33. Chrysost hom 2 in epist ad Philip Hilar adver Constan. Nazian orat ad Maxim Bernard de consid lib 2. ad Evgenium Papam For this same purpose are alledged some testimonies of Councels as Carthage Chalcedon Constan c. Siclik against the authority and prac tise of Papal Bishops do witnes all Protestant Kirkes in France Helvetia Polonia Hungaria Bohemia c. and in any Nation truly professing the Gospel in all the world onely England excepted And among the late writers the most learned and notable professors defenders of the truth against the Romāe Antichrist all writing against the Lordly usurpation of Civil and spirituall power in Ecclesiasticall persons as may be seene by their severall writtings Lastly out of English writers evē some of them of the other side matter may be fetched against the Lordship of Papal Bishops Iewel in defen Apolog adversus Harding page 714. D Bilson in his Booke in quarto page 126. D Bridges of the Prince Supremacy page 926. M. Elmar Bishop of London in his book printed at Straesborogh See a Petition directed to Her Maiestie pa. 7. 8. 9. quhilk we bring to proue rheir consent and witnessing unto the truth Although as Cyprian sayth Humane testimonies are not to be expected when Divine suffrages goe before Cyprian Epist 5. lib 2. As for objections in the contrary what can be moved to moue any of the simplest against such cleare light of holy scripture and so many testimo nies of Divine
writers As for the new obtruded Lord Bishops to the Kirk of this Realme we haue not heard much of their reasoning as yet for their part only shreuding them selfe by authority and arme of man whence they alledge Donation with power c. To the quhilk albeit many things may be replyed yet we answer thus only with the Apostle The weapons of our warfaire are not carnall 2 Cor 10. 4. The abuse present practise the more is to be lamē ted that such injquity is done in so great light of the Gospell after long profession of the same that in place of light men should imbrace darknes loue the honor of the world more thā the honor of Christ Iesus not onely comming against the truth but also against their owne profession avoument having preached and practised the true Christian Discipline by Ministers and Elders according to the word and Institution of Christ opponing them selfes alwayes unto Antichristiā authority practise of Papal Bishops Is not this to begine in the spirit end in the flesh And who hath bewitched you so Now for conclusion seeyng holy scripture practise of the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirk and Christian Kirkes in succeeding times the learned sincere Antiquitie both in Councells and by writing with all reformed Kirkes every where truely professing the Gospell with the best of the leater writers of our time Forrain within this Yle stand on our side for Kirk governement by Ministers assisting Elders according to the word against the Governement of Lord Bishops their authority practis in the Kirk of Christ we being I say compassed with such great cloud of witnesses let us hold fast the true profession of Doctrine Discipline according to the word without wavering or halting praying continually That the God of our Lord lesus Christ the Father of glory might giue unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the acknow ledgment of him strenthned with all might throw his glorious power that we being like mindit having the same loue being of one accord and of the same iudgment we may doe that which is pleasant and acceptable in his sight through Christ to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen DOCTOR REIGNOLDS HIS LETTER TO SIR FRAVNcis Knollis concerning Doctor Bancrofts Sermon at Paules crosse 9. Feb 1588. In the Parliament time ALbeit Right Honorable I take greater comforte in labouring to discover and overthrow the Errors of Iesuites and Papists enemyes of Religion thā of the Ministers of Christ yet seeing it hath pleased your Honor to requyer me to shew mine opinion of some thinges which certeine of these men mainteyne stand in I thought it my duty by the example of Levie who sayd of his Father and Mother I regard them not nor acknowledged he his brethren to declare the truth without respect of persons Of the two poynts therfore in Doctor Bancrofts Sermon which your Honor mentioneth one is concernning that he seemeth to avouch The superioritie which Bishops haue among us over the Clergie to be Gods owne Ordinance though not by expresse words yet by necessary consequence In that he affir meth their opiniō who oppugne that that superiority to be Heresie Wherin I must confesse he hath committed an oversight in my judgment and himselfe I thinke if he be advertised ther of will acknowledge it For having said first that Aerius affirmeth that ther was no differēce by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop and afterward that Martin and his companions do mainteine this opinion of Aerius he addeth that Aerius persisting therein was condemned for an heretike by the generall consent of the whole Church and likwise that Martins and all his companions opini on hath herein been condemned for heresie Touching Martine if any man behaue himselfe otherwayes than in discretion and charitie he ought let the blame be layd where the fault is I defend him not but if by the way he utter a truth mingled with whatsoever else it is not reason that that which is of God should be cōdemned for that which is of man no more thá the doctrine of the resurrection should be reproved because and held by the Pharises Wherefore removing the odious name of Martin from that which in sincerity and loue is to be dealt with it appeareth by the aforesayd words of D. Bancroft that he avoucheth the Superiority which Bishops haue over the Cleargie to be of Gods owne ordinance For he improveth the impugners of it as holding with Aerius that there is no difference by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop which he could not doe with reason unlesse he himselfe appro ved the Bishops superiority as established by Gods word and he addeth that their opinion who gayne say it is Heresie wherof it insueth he thinke it contrary to Gods word sith Heresy is an error repugnant to the truth of the word of God as according to the Scriptures our owne Church doth teach us Now the Argumēts which he bringeth to proue it an heresy are partely overweake partly untrue overweake that he beginneth with out of Epiphanius untrue that he adjoyneth of the general consent of the Church For though Epiphanius do say that Aerius his assertion is full of solly yet he disproveth not the reason which Aerius stood on out of the scriptures nay he dealeth so in seeking to disproue it that Bellarmine the Iesuite though desirous to make the best of Epiphanius whose opinion herein he mainteyneth against the Protestants yet is forced to confesse that Epiphanius his ans wer is not all of the wisest nor any way can fit the text As for the generall consent of the whole Church which D. Bācrost saith condemned that opinion of Aerius for an Heresy and himselfe for an Heretike because he persisted in it that is a large speach but what proofe hath he that the whole Church did so It ap peareth he saith in Epiphanius It doth not and the contrary appeareth by S. Ierome and sondry others who lived some in the same time som after Epiphanius even S. Austin himself though D. Bancroft cite him as bearing witnes therof likewise I grant S. Austin in his booke of heresies ascribeth this to Aerius for one that he sayd Presbiterum ab episcopo nulla differentia de beri discerni but it is one thing to say there ought to be no difference betwixt the which Aerius saying condemned the Churches order yea made a schisme therein and so is censured by S. Austen counting it an heresie as in Epiphaus he tooke it recorded himselfe as he witnesseth not knowing how farre the name of Heresie should be stretched another thing to say that by the word of God there is no difference betwixt them but by the order and custome of the Church which S. Austen sayth in effect himselfe so farre was he