for any more seeds to be sowen in it the smell thereof is so acceptably fragrant to every true believer that the scent of all things else in this world how pleasing soever to flesh and bloud is of no value with him but noisome in comparison If we therefore to use the Apostles words or an Angel from Heaven should trample upon this bed or deface the beauty of it by scattering in it any other seeds which of what nature soever they be will prove in effect to be nothing else but the Tares of the Enemy let him be Anathema But to uncover this bed and to shew what a delectable variety there is in the sweet nature of it to the end that those who take pleasure in beholding it may more and more affect it will I hope be adjudged by those that have judgment to discern to be no faulty compliancy at all with new fangled Opinionists who pretending to novel discoveries of truth root up the foundation There is certainly as in Plants many secrets of nature that are yet unknown so in the Scripture much of the minde of God that former Ages hath not been acquainted with which they that come after may understand more perfectly especially in the sense of those Prophecies which are to have their full accomplishment in the last Times Truth is not now barren as one observeth well although she was prodigal in teaching our Ancestours Etiam quicunque fuere mortalium sapientissimi multa scisse dicuntur non omnia she hath a reserve laid up in her Cabinet for her friends and followers at this day and will ever have till she opens all her treasures unto them at the last day I say therefore as countenance is not to be given to those Masters of Novelties and new-Light Mongers of these dayes who frequently and confidently from the light within them vent most damnable Opinions expresly contrary to the Written Word as the Gnosticks of old did whose Disciples they are though they know it not so should encouragement be given to those who taking along with them the Analogy of Faith and the Analysis of those Places of Scripture which they fix their Meditations upon are so happy as to finde out other interpretations thereof then were before known which may occasion more light also to spring up in the Church to the glory of God and advancement of the Gospel To which glorious ends that all whatsoever is here written in this following Treatise may happily tend hath been and shall constantly be the hearty Prayer of the poor unworthy Authour thereof who is Dear Christian Thy Soules friend and The Churches Servant E. L. A POSTSCRIPT TO THE READER THE Method that is here used is I confess according to the ordinary mode plain and homely without those Logical curiosities florid and subtle insinuations or rhetorical transitions and cadencies Wherein the accurate Writers of these Times do abound which things nevertheless in their right use and genuine appearance no man that is wise will at any time condemn but for their sakes whose Conversion from Sin Conviction of Errour and Corroboration in the Faith this Treatise especially aimeth at is this order observed Which as it hath not been found altogether unsuccessful to such ends and purposes so may it now also through Gods blessing be still useful therein being suted for the most part according to their minde and expectation Wherein I do but follow the Apostles Example who became all things to all men that by all means be might gain some Yet if they should chance to meet with some things here Hard to be understood as even Saint Pauls Epistles which required that all things should be done to Edification had in them by the Testimony of Saint Peter things surpassing the capacity of the unlearned it will be easy for them to pass them by and to spend their time and thoughts upon that which they will finde to be within the ken of their apprehension One thing more I must premise with which I shall conclude this Address In regard I have here presumed to render the sense of some places of Scripture otherwise then they have been commonly interpreted least should thereupon be censured for affecting too much a Digression from the grave and profound Judgement of others that are or have been before me it is thought very requisite to add hereunto a Synopsis of the Names of sundry Authours both Antient and Modern that have been as I said before consulted with in the pursuance of this Subject to whom for the most part as it was meet I have with due reverence yielded a ready and willing compliancy in their sense of Scripture and other their Religious and Orthodox Determinations which I hope will suffice not onely to take off the imputation of a Paradoxal Singularity but free me also from a charge of offering violence to Sacred Theology though Philology lead me sometimes into her private Retirements and put me therein upon new Explorations The Names of some Authours mentioned in this Treatise Alstedius Saint Ambrose Amesius Doctor Lancelot Andrews Lord Bishop of Winton Saint Athanasius Saint Augustine Beda Saint Bernard Beza Brentius Bruno Bucanus Calvin Centurists Saint Charles the First of Famous Memory King of Great Britain c. Saint Chrysostome Doctor Collins Saint Cyprian Doctor John Davenant Lord Bishop of Sarum Master Deering Saint Dionysius Areopagita Doctor Downham Master Dyke Epiphanius Eusebius Doctor Featley Master Fox his Martyrol Gerard Bishop Godwin Comarus Saint Gregory H Grotius Doctor Hammond Doctor Harris Ward of Wint. Col. Doctor Joseph Hall Lord Bishop of Norwich Hospinian Saint Jerome Bishop Jewel Irenaeus Junius Doctor John King Lord Bishop of London Doctor Henry King Lord Bishop of Chichester Peter Lombard Ludolphus Luther Peter Martyr Mercer Doctor George Morley Lord Bishop of Winton Doctor Richard Mountague Lord Bishop of Norwich Musculus Nicephorus Origen Paraeus Pelargus Perkins Philo Judaeus Piscator Polanus Doctor John Prideaux Lord Bishop of Worcester Ravanellus Doctor Edward Reinolds Lord Bishop of Norwich Septuagint Socrates Sozomen Tertullian Theodoret Doctor Twisse Master Vines Master Nathaniel Ward Master Thomas Wilson Zanchy c. Things most remarkable contained in this Treatise I. THE Divine Generation of Jesus Christ is in some poor measure declared II. The Restauration of the Creature after the final Judgement proved III. The glorious estate of the Saints in the life to come described in a way and manner that is not commonly thought upon IV. How the Office of Christs Mediatorship was exercised by him and made effectual from the beginning V. How Jesus Christ shall be the Head of his Church Triumphant after he hath delivered up the Kingdome to God the Father VI. The certainty of the Conversion of the Jewes cleared and a demonstration of the fixed time wherein they shall be called gathered from the Holy Scriptures VII The Blasphemy of Socinians discovered VIII Civil Government vindicated IX The folly of Fift Monarchists and Millenaries made
as if he could not have been perfect without his Creatures for he was from all Eternity ' 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sufficiently pleased with his own Perfection but willing he was that other things might have a Being to the end he might communicate his Goodness unto them And as he began this Work for that end so he continued still the same for his Goodness extended over all the World He is good unto all saith David and his tender mercies are ever all his works Ps 145.9 Psal 145. His Power in like manner was the same from first to last without Diminution or Augmentation without weariness or fainting he rested not that is He ceased not till he had finished all and then pleased himself upon the Sabbath-day rejoycing in all the Works that he had made And now to sum up this whole matter Jesus Christ we see is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the same in the work of Creation First The same with the Father in that eternal Counsel and Decree from whence all things had their first Rise and Original Secondly The same with the Father in the execution of that Decree framing and fashioning every Creature in his Rank placing them all in their several Stations exactly according to the primary Pattern and Tenour of that Decree Thirdly The same without any Coadjutour in the mighty Work that he undertook his own and only Omnipotent Fiat gave a Being to the World and all the parts of it without which they had never been Finally The same from first to last without any variableness or shadow of turning exercising his Divine Wisdom Goodness and Power throughout the whole Creation Many are the Inferences that might be derived from this Consideration but we shall not extend our Discourse beyond the due boundary of the Text Only somewhat we will observe that may be for further edification First then this Doctrine may lead us to a further knowledge of our Lord and great Redeemer JESUS CHRIST for saith the Apostle Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal Power and Godhead Walk we therefore about this Creation go round about it tell the parts thereof mark well the beauty of the Frame the admirable Order of this great and goodly Fabrick consider the several Palaces that are set therein for Angels for Men and the various lustre which the Lights do transmit there being one glory of the Sun another of the Moon and another glory of the Stars that we may know it for our selves and tell it to the Generations following that Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised his Greatness is unsearchable Ps 145.3 It is indeed unto all the faithful people of God whose hearts are raised up to a spiritual elevation a most pleasing kind of Geography as a reverend Bishop of our Church calls it in this large Map of the created World Bishop of Chi. in the Celestial and Terrestrial Globe to contemplate the Creatour for the works of the Lord are great saith the Psalmist sought out by all them that have pleasure therein Ps 111.2 But when in their search they happen to light upon the soot-steps of the Creatour by the whisperings of his Spirit which is very frequent and common unto them O what an incomparable pleasure is it then to pursue the Tract Hos 6.3 and to follow on to know the Lord So doth the Psalmist in the fore-cited place His work saith he is honourable and glorious Ps 111.3 and then followeth His righteousness endureth for ever Which way of Divine Speculation through the Creatures whereby we may ascend in our Meditations above every name that is named Ps 83.19 to the knowledge of him whose Name alone is Jehovah hath God himself caught us As when he instructed Job and would convince him of his rashness and folly in his peremptory Argutations making him also sensible of his own Almighty Power he brings the work of his Creation into remembrance before him Job 38 39 40 41. viz. Things in Heaven things in Earth and things in the Deep When we shall now therefore consider the Heavens not only this lower Heaven which in some sense may be called our Heaven wherein we and other poor mortal Creatures do breath which we may feel with our hands and wherein the Arm of the most High is many times stretched forth in mighty Winds and roaring Thunders and blazing Comets able to make the very Pillars of the World to tremble yea and to cool the courage and daunt the Spirits of all Atheistical Caligula's But those above especially which we see with our eyes at a greater distance so great that it is a wonder saith a Contemplative Divine we can look up to so admirable a height Bishop Hall and that the very eye is not tired in the way ascribed unto God by David as his Peculiar with this distinguishing term of Appropriation Ps 8.3 Thy Heavens Psal 8.3 Those which are the curious and exquisite Master-pieces of God's fingers Amos 9.6 for there saith the Prophet hath he built his Stories that is his Spheres or Ascentions from the Moon which is the lowest to the Stars which is the highest that can be discerned by men on Earth in which regard it may be though it be commonly taken for David's Night-meditation these two are only mentioned Ps 8.3 comprizing all the rest When we consider further the wonders of God in the Deep wherein saith the Psalmist Ps 104 25 26. are things creeping innumerable both small and great Beasts There go the Ships those moving Islands which bring the several Nations of the World into acquaintance one with another which suck the abundance of the Seas Deut. 33.19 Es 23.3 and Treasures hid in the Sand which reap the Harvest of the Water far surpassing the harvest of the Ground the artificiallest Wonder that ever was framed There goeth that Leviathan the wonder of that Nature the King over all the children of Pride made to play therein Job 41. whose wonderful parts and comely proportion is admirably described by the Tongue of the Learned Bishop King upon Jonas even the learnedst Tongue that the Holy Ghost had as one skilful in Scripture-learning sweetly expresseth it Yea there are the goings of the great God himself whose Name is Wonderful for the Sea is his and he made it Ps 95.5 and his Spirit still moveth upon these waters as it did formerly For as a King he sitteth upon the Water-floods saith the Psalm his power and providence walking constantly in state upon the Surface of them Ps 29.10 And though the proud Waves do rage that the very Mountains shake at the swelling thereof because they are stinted in their Current Job 38.10 11. Ps 104.9 and cannot with a full carrere turn again to cover the Earth yet he still keeps them under
was saith Bishop Reynolds to be a middle Person to stand and minister between God and Man in their behalf to be impartial and faithful towards the Justice and Truth of God and not to be over-ruled by his love to Men to injure him and to be compassionate and merciful towards the errours of men and not to be over-ruled by his Zeal to God's Justice to give over the care and service of them And such an high Priest was Christ zealous of his Fathers Righteousness and Glory for he was set forth to declare the Righteousness of God Rom. 3.25 And he did Glorifie him on earth by finishing the things which he had given him to do Rom 3.25 John 17.4 compassionate also towards the errours and miseries of his Church for he was appointed to expiate and to remove them out of the way Col. 2.14 Now since Christ was ordained thus for the good of men Col. 2.14 can it be imagined that he had a care only of that sort of men that came after him into the World and none at all of those that had been before Was Abraham the Friend of God and David the man after Gods own heart of no reckoning with him If so let that accursed Opinion of the ancient Gnosticks the first-born of the Devil have a Licence to pass without controll that no man was saved all went to Hell unto the 15 year of Tiberius Caesar wherein it was from Heaven revealed concerning Christ This is my beloved Son hear him Or was there some other Mediatour before Jesus Christ took upon him our Nature who did execute that Office for 4000 years and then resign'd it up to the Son of God leaving the residue to be done by him in a time which happily may not be half so long Or were all those that lived in that long Tract of time shut up in Limbo when they died from whence they could not be delivered till Christ himself came among them These and such other Carcinomata as Bishop Mountague calls them are rather for Cauteries then curing Salves to work upon we may perhaps meet with some of them hereafter undoubtedly the Lord Jesus Christ was alwaies The man who was is and shall be the Mediatour between God and Man Lastly The high Priest was to offer Gifâ—s and Sacrifices for Sins that so Divine Justice might be satisfied which had been by sin violated Hence it was that as the Apostle saith Heb. 9.22 Almost all things were by the Law purged with bloud Heb. 9.12 and without shedding of bloud is no remission Death was to attend upon Justice as her Executioner but if Justice pass a Sentence at any time and execution follow not upon it Justice vanisheth into nothing and is become a meer Ludibrium for Execution is the very life of Justice Death therefore since he is let into the World by mans sin must do its office that so Justice may live Accordingly did the Priests who were ordained to see that a due satisfaction should be made to Divine Justice and to make an Atonement for the people never come before the Lord without bloud But first they slew the Sacrifice upon the Altar and then took of the bloud Lev. 16.11 15. and brought it before the Mercy-seat within the Veil to testifie the death of the Sacrifice whereupon Sin was expiated and Justice fully satisfied Thus did the Priests under the Law and thus also did Christ without whom all whatsoever they did had been to no purpose their sacrificing of a Lamb had been of no more account with God then the cutting off of a Dogs Neck and there offering an Oblation no better then the offering of Swines bloud Christ therefore I say once for all offered up a Sacrifice which was himself the virtue whereof was alwaies operative to make those former Sacrifices effectual to those ends and purposes before-mentioned and after that by his own bloud he entred into the Holy Place Heb 9 12.10 12. So then Christ it was that was still represented as a slain man in all those Sacrifices of old for a sentence of Death lying upon him through the determinate Counsel and fore knowledge of God made him in all those Ages before Act. 2 23. as good as dead in which regard he is called The Lamb slain from the beginning of the world Rev. 13.8 And because Justice would have Death for satisfaction else must the whole World have immediately fallen under her displeasure therefore in all likely hood the very first thing that died in the World was Christ in a Figure and consequently a Sacrifice from the beginning He was a Sacrifice ready even for Cain to make use of for his good if he had had Faith to apply it as appeareth by the words which the Lord speaks unto him If thou doest not well sin lieth at the door That is Gen. 4.7 a Sacrifice for sin for so the offering for sin is in Scripture frequently called which Interpretation because it may carry with it a sound of novelty Dr. John Harris Harden of Winchester Col. I shall take leave by the way to tell such that as I finde it owned by a late learned and reverend Divine so upon the examining of the grounds whereupon this Interpretation is built it will I doubt not appear to be very probable First God cometh not to deject Cain lower then he was but to raise him up from his dejection as is manifest both by his deigning to give him an Oracle from Heaven and also by the words wherewith he beginneth his speech unto him Why art thou wrath and why is thy Countenance fallen Secondly If the words Sin lieth at the door intend a sudden judgment to seize upon him what coherence can there be between these and the words following which are spoken concerning Abel viz. And thy brothers desire shall be subject unto thee For to read the place thus If thou doest not well thou shalt certainly be punished and thy brothers desire shall be subject unto thee This if there be any coherence at all were to threaten poor Abel more or at least as much as Cain Thirdly The Original word Chateath it is the aforesaid Authours observation as it signifieth Sin so also doth it the Sacrifice for Sin as Hos 4.8 2 Cor. 5.21 Hos 4 8. 2 Cor. 5.21 do witness And it was the custom according to which Moses speaketh as being best acquainted therewith to lay the Sacrifice at the Sanctuary door Vt populum dirigeret ad mediatorem saith Calvin to teach the people to serve God in Christ who is the true Sanctuary This sense therefore upon these Considerations may seem to be very agreeable with the scope of the Holy Ghost in that place so that a Sacrifice was ready for Cain at that time and what Sacrifice was that but Christ the Lamb then slain who alone taketh away the sin of the World and besides it seemeth to be a sacrifice distinct
needs be nauseous unacceptable and to no purpose let all that are yet unsatisfied in that point read over and peruse his late Majesties Arguing about it with those Ministers that attended the Commissioners of Parl at the Treaty in the Isle of Wight M. Marshall M. Caryll M. Vines M. Scaman and if they be disposed to a temper of accepting Reason they will finde cause enough to alter their judgement Once those very Ministers were so farre convinced thereby that though they were very shy and unwilling to discover their mindes in a matter of so great and necessary consequence as to give his Majesty satisfaction in those three Quaeries which he propounded unto them concerning Church-Government 1 Whether there be a certain Form of Government left by Christ or his Apostles to be observed by all Christian Churches pretending that the whole volume of Ecclesiastical Polity was contained therein yet they could not but acknowledge the remarkable Learning of his Reply which was clothed as they write with a singular elegancy of stile wishing that such a Pen in the hand of such Abilities might ever be employed in a Subject worthy of it Yet because it will be expected that somewhat be here also said in answer to this part of the before-mentioned objection Let us take into consideration the main Argument that is used against Episcopacy and with a refutation of it put an end to this Controversie That which is chiefly insisted upon by our Anti-episcopal men is the Identity of Denomination which they imagine the Scripture giveth to Bishops and Presbyters 2 Whether it bind perpetually or be upon occasion alterable in whole or in part from whence they will inferre the Identity of Office viz. That Bishop and Presbyter are not distinguishable in any part of their Authority which the Lord hath given them for the edification of the Church A principal instance hereof they alledge out of the Text of the Apostle Tit. 1.5.7 upon which for brevities sake we will onely fix and which being cleared will help us to interpret aright other places of Scripture of the like nature The words are these 3 Whether that certain Form of Government be the Episcopal Preâ—byterian or some other differing from them both Tit. 1 5.7 For this cause left I thee in Crete that thou shouldst set in order the things that are wanting and ordain Elders in every City as I had appointed thee For a Bishop must be blameless c. In which place say they the Apostles reasoning were altogether invalid and inconsequent if Presbyter and Bishop were not the same Office as well as they have the same Name But how justly may it be here said Bernardus non videt omnia These men that pretend to know more of the sense of the holy Ghost in Scripture then others and are apt to censure all that are not of the same judgment with them are not so omniscient but that their brethren who come after them may discern somewhat which they could not see I shall therefore take the boldness to tell them my poor judgment concerning that Scripture hoping that I may make use of my liberty as they do of theirs I know well it is no new Opinion that I am about to encounter with but because our late Writers do with a higher confidence then ordinary seem to abound in their sense concerning this matter I shall endeavour their conviction And first I shall premise a Caution by the way yielding in this Controversie as much as may be consistent with Truth I do not undertake to produce any positive Precept from the holy Ghost in this place for the establishment of Episcopacy in the Church it is enough to shew that a Divine Approbation is given of it in describing the qualification of the persons that are to employed in such an Office distinct from that of a Presbyter together with their superiority over Presbyters and how they are to exercise their power in the several parts thereof viz. Ordination and Jurisdiction Which Divine Approbation if we can here finde as I doubt not we shall I hope it will be acknowledge by all to be Tant-amount to a Divine Institution And though it have not any positive Appointment in Scripture but is onely glanced at in some certain places yet that should not create any scruple in the mindes of any about it no more then some points of Faith which we freely profess are scrupled by us though we finde them not expresly commanded in the written Word Is it meet for any to say unto God What doest thou Who alas among us hath known the minde of the Lord Or who hath been his Counsellour to know fully the reason why he doth in such a manner issue out his Precepts Are not Clouds and thick Darkness set about the Pavilion of God Let not silly man then dare to remove them It would far better become us to keep our distance and to be wise according to sobriety then to arraign the pure word of Truth before the bar of our corrupt reason or to call the holy Spirit of God to account for not giving full satisfaction forsooth to our foolish expectation What if Christ being willing to make his Regal Power the more known to the world would onely give some small intimation of his will concerning this matter as he hath done of sundry other things which we need not here mention to try the spirits of men whether they would thereby be subject unto him or no It is ordinary we know with the Princes of the earth to deal thus with their Subjects by a look or a glance of the eye or by a word of the mouth though uttered in an oblique way to give notice of their further intentions so to search into and finde out the Loyalty and ready affections of those about them And shall Jesus Christ be denyed this liberty This being premised let us now come to inquire out the meaning of the Apostle in the afore-cited place and see whether or no his words will allow of such an Identity between Bishop and Presbyter as hath been commonly conceived or rather try whether by deduction we can prove from thence the Divine Right of Episcopacy which is so much contradicted in these days onely let prejudice be forborn till such time as we have put an end to this controversie First it cannot be denied that the Apostle writeth to Titus as to one with whom he had entrusted the sole inspection of that large and spacious Island an Island containing in it an hundred Cities called therefore Hecatompolis wherein his appointed work was Not to gather a Church by converting the inhabitants thereof from their Paganisme and Judaisme to the faith of the Gospel but the manner of governing a Church which was already gathered was prescribed unto him And this is by the Apostle branched out into two things viz Setting in order things that were amiss or wanting or as it is rendred by
and authority above all others to be blameless as the Stewards of God not self-willed c. From whence I collect that the office of BISHOP and Presbyter are not one and the same Some Objections possibly will be made against this interpretation also but let judicious and sober-minded men judge whether they be of such weight so as to carry the Apostles sense against it I confess great is the confidence that hath been built upon this imaginary Identity from whence hath sprung much trouble to the Church of God and none have exceeded therein so much above measure as those persons who with a strange kinde of affectation called themselves by that Uncouth name of Smectymnuus For they led on with this Errour that BISHOP and Presbyter are one and the same take upon them to tax the Apostles reasoning as inconsequential and his demand as they call it Unjust unless he subscribe to their opinion Which censure they are likewise pleased to stretch out further by a similitude according to their fancy If a Chancellour say they in one of our Vniversities should give order to his Vice-Chancellour to admit none to the degree of a Bachelour in arts but such as were able to preach or keep a Divinity-Act for Bachelours in Divinity must be so what reason or equity were in this So if Paul leaving Titus in Crete should give order to him not to admit any to be an Elder but one thus and thus qualified because a Bishop must be so Had a Bishop been an Order or Calling distinct from or superiour to a Presbyter and not the same this had been no more rational or equal then the former Thus They. But the sense of the Apostle being rendred as before which for ought that I can see may very well be so Their similitude or somewhat alike unto it may be retorted upon them in this manner If a Chancellour in one of our Universities should give order to his Vice-Chancellour to admit none to the degree of a Bachelour in Divinity but such as were learned in the Scriptures of good report and of a grave and sober conversation for Doctours in Divinity who are to be taken out of that lower degree must be so there would be both reason and equity in such a Command so when the Apostle gives order to Titus not to admit any to be a Presbyter but one that is blameless because a BISHOP who is to be chosen out of the Presbytery must be so I hope the Divine spirit of this Doctor gentium may pass without control and not have an imputation of irrationality any more put upon him though it be affirmed as the truth is that the office of a BISHOP is here distinguished by him from that of a Presbyter and made Superiour unto it Let none now think of me that because of this my free manner of writing I have design'd thereby to make way for a Polemical dispute with some persons of note that are contrary minded in this case they would mistake me much that should judge so of me I am not willing to be reckoned among the disputers of this world And I do confess my self the unfittest of many upon sundry accounts for such an undertaking besides there hath been too much wrangling already among us Animosities have encreased to the great decay of brotherly-Love in the management of this controversy occasioned chiefly by this pretended Identity Jam. 1.20 But the wrath of man saith the Apostle worketh not the Righteousness of God And what have all the Jehu-like sallies and furious heats of the adversaries of Episcopacy at length produced What I say whereby Gods name may be honoured or his Church edified Is not the shame of their nakedness made bare to the view of all men Oh that God would now give repentance unto all those that are conscious to themselves of a guilt herein Even those very persons that I mentioned before who were the Ring leaders in this difference have reason sadly to lay it to heart if they be yet living who had they but followed that Counsel themselves which they gave unto that Reverend BISHOP with whom they did contend their offense had not been so great viz. To have written more cautiously and to have given less scope to their luxuriant pen for as they did let it run into causeless aggravations it did certainly bring too great a scandal upon Religion and made good their adversaries charge against them But since things that are past cannot be wholly recalled Oh that they would give glory to God in confessing their Errour and endeavour to repair again those breaches which their inadvertency hath made by a publick retractation They are men that pretend much to tenderness of Conscience and therefore I presume are not of that proud Cardinal's spirit who confessed there was need enough to reform the abuses of the Romish-Church but he could not endure that Luther a poor beggarly Friar as he call'd him should give the first Onset unto it I hope better things of these men as to this case in their capacity and that they will not disdain for this once to receive a word of Exhortation from one that is least esteemed in the Church because they know well that the more inconsiderable the person is as to his outward estate that gives them an advice of such concernment as this they may the more magnifie God's name in a ready consenting thereunto But to return to our purpose I have here offered my conceptions in the expounding of this Scripture which hath been so much controverted of late humbly presenting them to the judgment of the Church not knowing that ever yet any expositour Antient or Modern hath rendred the sense of it so before If the glory of God may hereby be advanced and the Churches peace promoted I have my aime and it shall be the Crown of my rejoycing to my dying day But as to the Objection that hath thus let out my thoughts so far towards this subject I will be confident that either of these interpretations that are here given will sooner be received by those that are wise and moderate then our adversaries wrest which hath hitherto created so much trouble unto us The result will be this Episcopal Government is warranted by the word of God therefore it is no superstition to have it reestablished in our Church nor no transgression of the Law of Christ to yield subjection unto it And now to finish this matter whereas there hath been a Cry made Away with Superstition and Away with Idolatry Away made Away with Superstition and Away with Idolatry Away with Liturgy and Away with Bishops we may clearly see by what is here written that this clamour is altogether causeless Poor people that are thus wosully deluded the Lord pitie them and the Lord forgive them for they know not what they say Much more reason surely is there to cry out with a shout Blessed be God for Liturgy and Episcopacy whereby we