joyn with in the Ordinances of Worship Thirdly Though God did miraculously save Eight Souls by †1 Pet. 3. 20. Water yet in the days of Ferah the Father of Abraham was the Church so corrupted in Faith and Worship that God forsook them and called Abraham thence ‖ Gen. 11. 12. Josh 24. 2. and they that would go with him so God made his Covenant in Christ with him and his Children which went in process of time into Egypt But when they defiled themselves with the * Ezek. 20. 7. Idols of Egypt and were corrupted in their Faith and Worship the Lord made the King of Egypt the Rod of his Anger †Exod. 2. 23. grievously to Afflict them How like is this to the Condition of Corrupt Protestants now in their Faith and Worship Fourthly The Lord for his own Name sake first by his Punishments and then by his Promises and Wonders ‖ Exod. 4. 30. won them again to his true Faith and Worship and then he quickly destroyed their Oppressors in the Sea and afterwards in the Wilderness gave them his just Precepts between Man and Man and his holy Ordinances and Decrees for Worship which when they broke the Lord * 1 Cor. 10. Numb 16. 31. destroyed some by the Sword of their Enemies and others by the Sword of their own Brethren Some the Earth opened and swallowed up alive others died of the Pestilence so that within the space of forty Years of 600000 Fighting Men that came out of Egypt but two †Numb 14. 24. 2 Cor. 10. entred Canaan And this is written saith the Apostle for ensample to us Protestants on whom the Ends of the World are come Fifthly When God by the hand of Joshua brought their Posterity into Canaan the Lord strictly charged them concerning their Faith and Worship saying After the * Lev. 18. 2 3 doings of the Land of Egypt wherein ye dwelt ye shall not do neither after the doings of the Land of Canaan whither I bring you shall ye not do neither walk in their Ordinances My Judgments shall ye do my Ordinances shall ye keep to walk in them I am the Lord. Yea they were not so much as to †Deut. 12. 32. enquire how the Nations served their Gods that they might do so unto the Lord their God but whatsoever the Lord commanded them they should take heed to do without adding or diminishing But how quickly after the death of Joshua and the Elders of his Time did they corrupt themselves with the Inventions of Men in their Worship for which the Lord sold them into their Enemies hands * Judges ch 2. that so they could no longer stand before them And will not Protestants mind this in our day of Danger Sixthly And was not King Solomon beloved of his God who appeared to him twice Yet when he was drawn away with his Idolatrous and straying Wives to a Worship devised by Man did not God stir up Adversaries †2 Kings 11. 14 25. against him Hadad the Edomite and Rezon who were Adversaries to Solomon all his days And shall not Kings remember this Because the Judge of all the Earth will reward every one according to their Works And when Rehoboam Solomon's Son who was brought up in the Ways of the Lord forsook the same the Lord stirred up Shishack King ‖ 2 Chron. 12. 12. 1 Kings 14. 24. of Egypt to come against him to his great Prejudice And when the ten Tribes under King Jeroboam worshipped God by the * 2 Chron. 11. 15. devices of Men and by another Ministry than what God had ordained they were not only said to be without the True God without a Teaching Priest and without Law but there was no †2 Chron. 15. 3 4 5 6 Peace to him that went out nor to him that came in Nation was destroyed of Nation City of City for God did vex them saith the Scripture with all Adversity And whilst God was thus chastizing them in Measure he sent his Prophets to call them to his true Faith and Worship which still they despising at length the Lord stirred up the Spirit of Pull ‖ 1 Chron. 5. 26. 2 Kings 15. 19. and the Spirit of Tilgath-Pilneser Kings of Assyria who carried them away into Captivity to their utter Ruine And when Judah would not take warning but fell to false Worship and would not be reclaimed by the Lord's Prophets rising early * 2 Chron. 36. 15. Jer. 25. 3. 35. 15. sent to them and after many Afflictions on them the Lord sent against Judah Rezin the King of Assyria to their great Prejudice And again the King of Egypt came against Judah and condemned the Land †2 Chron. 36. 3. in a hundred Talents of Silver and a Talent of Gold yet they were not bettered then came the King of Babylon and carried ‖ Ver. 18. away many of them Captive with much Spoil yet they would not repent and return to the Lord 's true Faith and Worship but persecuted the Lord's Prophets then the Lord gave them again into the hands of the King of Babylon who burn'd * 2 Chron. 36. 17 18 19 20. both City and Temple and carried more of them Captive Thus we see the grand cause is still for Corruptions in Faith and Disorder in Worship that God brought his Judgments on his People And will not Protestants mind this seeing the like Judgments for like Causes are at our Doors as will hereafter appear Therefore Now let us come to Gospel-Times and see the Causes of God's Judgments that fell on Christians in the Primitive Times of the Gospel and compare our Condition with theirs in Miscarriages and Rewards if it be not the same still So that unless there be a speedy Repentance we can expect to fare no better than they Thus if the Word spoken by Angels was stedfast and every Transgression received a just recompence of Reward though under the performance but of * Heb. 2. 2. Figurative Ordinances even the smallest breach of God's Law as Vzza for touching the Ark was struck dead †1 Chron. 13. 10. Numb 4. 15. Dathan and Abiram for offering of Incence were swallowed up alive in the Earth and King ‖ 2 Chron. 26. 19. Vzziah smote with Leprosie to the day of his Death And likewise Miriam * Numb 12. and Gehazi †2 King 5. were they unpunished No sure How then shall we escape the Judgments of God having the Word spoken unto us by the Son of God Creator ‖ Col. 1. 16. of Angels sealed with his precious Blood * Heb. 13. 20. delivered and commended unto all Christians by his Apostles †Acts. 20. 32. whereunto may nothing be added or diminished ‖ Rev. 22. 19. either in Doctrine Ministry Ordinances Time or Order according to fleshly Wisdom without Rebellion and most hainous Transgression Sacriledg and Impiety as against the
Gift of the Flock they feed and Vineyard they dress when they had degraded themselves by repentance of their false Ministry and the People if they thought fit to Elect and Ordain them in God's Order into the Work of the Ministry But this was so contrary to these Prelates minds that they sent forth their Pursivants to take and bring before them all that should either refuse to come to their Worship or did speak against their Ministry So that in the Year 1592 †As was mentioned in a Petition to the Parlament at that time on a Lord's Day they took to the number of fifty six Persons as they were serving God according to Christ's Directions in his last Will and Testament in the very place the like Christians were forced to serve God in Queen Marie's days and sent them by two and two into the several Prisons in and about London some of which by long Imprisonment were near Starved others were Bapished and three they Hanged two at Tiburn namely Mr. Henry Barrow Mr. John Greenwood and Mr. John Penry was hanged at Thomas a Watering near Southwark in the Year 1593. That these were true Protestants appeareth to any that have or shall read Mr. Barrow's Discovery his Answer to Gifford Mr. Barrow's and Mr. Greenwood's Conference in Prison with several Persons beside all their Examinations before the Lord Treasurer and some Justices all Printed at that time So that they were put to Death contraty to Queen Elizabeth's Mind as was then specified in Print * As was afterwards noted in an Apology presented to King James by the same Church because she sent her Reprieve two several times to fetch them back when they were carrying to be Executed but contrary to her knowledg it may be supposed were they at last put to Death sooner than the ordinary time a day by means of the Prelates as I find in a certain printed Relation of their Sufferings in these words Mr. Barrow and Mr. Greenwood were put to Death by the Prelates in Queen Elizabeth's Time without her knowledg or privity and that early in the Morning the figure of their Sufferings being seen in the Skie by Mariners that were in other parts and it was supposed by the beholders of the Figure then to be done in England because of the Women wearing of Hats The two poor Widows that attended upon them in the Prison waited on them to the Gallows bearing their winding Sheets Now dear Protestants if the Blood of God's Servants shed in King Manasses days for bearing their Testimony against the inventions of Men set up in Worship contrary to the Law of God written by Moses was charged near eighty Years after on their Posterity who followed the steps of their Fore-Fathers in Persecuting the Lord's Prophets for like Work in Jeremiah's * Jer. 15. 4. days and if the righteous Blood shed from the days of Abel †Mat. 23. 35. was by Christ charged on the Jews for persecuting him and his Disciples for telling them they worshipped God in vain ‖ Mat 15. 9. teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men how may Protestants now fear that the Lord may have like Indignation against this Nation or Generation for persecuting the Lord's Servants who call them from the Devices of Men in Worship to worship God as he hath appointed by his Son Christ Jesus in his Testament Now therefore before the Judgment is poured on us Oh that the King 's most Excellent Majesty would do the Work herein that belongeth to Kings to abolish all Inventions set up by other Kings out of Worship and every good Protestant to do his Duty to touch none of the unclean * 2 Cor. ◠17. things of Mens Inventions in Worship Then may we expect as Jacob did when he purged the Church from all Idolatry that God would turn the Hearts of Kings to be as God hath ordained them †Isa 49. 22. Nursing Fathers to the Lord's People as Pharoah was to the Church in Jacob's days But when Jacob's Posterity after his Death had corrupted themselves with the Idols of Egypt then God turned the Heart of King Pharoah to afflict them So when all that go by the name of Protestants shall do as aforesaid God will turn the Hearts of Kings to them and until this Work be done God will make Kings the Rod * Isa 10 5. of his Anger against a Hypocritical Nation as he did the King of Assyria and call them his Servants as he did Nebuchadnezzar †Jer. 25. 9. to afflict his People Therefore let no Protestant like Children envy the Rod but consider the cause for which the Rod is prepared and amend those things that are amiss and God will break the Rod and turn it against our Enemies and then Kings will as God hath ordained them be Nursing Fathers to preserve the Church of God from all Injuries and Wrongs as it is written ‖ Rev. 12. 16. The Earth helped the Woman as is very excellently shewed by Mr. Penry in his Examination before two Justices of the Peace Mr. Fancha and Mr. Young in the Year 1593 April the 10th in his Answer to some Questions put to him The first was this Quest 1. You labour to draw her Majesties Subjects from their Obedience to her Laws and from this Church of England to hear you and such as you are teach in Woods Mr. John Penry's Answer Answ Nay I persuade all Men unto the Obedience of my Prince and her Laws Only I dissuade all the World from yielding obedience and submission unto the Ordinances of the Kingdom of Antichrist and would persuade them to be subject to Christ and his Blessed Laws as I assure my self that the same is warranted thereby Her Majesty having granted in Establishing and Confirming the great Charter of England whereunto as I take it the Kings and Queens of this Land are sworn when they come to the Crown That the Church of God under them should have all her Rights and Liberties inviolable for ever Now let the benefit of this Law be granted unto me and others of my Brethren and it shall be found that we have done nothing but what is warrantable by her Laws Quest 2. What is it meet that Subjects should charge their Prince to keep Covenants with them and enter to scan what Oaths they have taken for this purpose VVhere find you this warranted by Scripture Answ The Subjects are in a most lamentable case if they may not alledg their Princes Laws for their Actions yea and shew what their Princes have promised to the Lord and to them when the same may be for declaration of their Innocency And it is the Crown and Honour of Princes to be known not only to hold but even to be in Covenant with their Subjects that they will maintain and preserve them from Violence and Wrong Nay Heathen Princes have thought themselves honoured when their mean Subjects have charged them very earnestly
CHRISTIAN WARNING-PIECE FOR ALL TRUE PROTESTANTS BY WAY OF CHRISTIAN COUNSEL and ADVICE TO THE KING'S Most Excellent MAJESTY and all His good Protestant Subjects sounded forth out of the Written Word of GOD. Wherein is clearly shewed the true Causes why the Lord in former Ages brought his severe Judgments on his own People both before the Law under the Law and under the Gospel All which being applied to the present State of Protestants is proved both by Scripture and History that it is the same Cause still for which the Lord is bringing His severe Judgments on his Protestant People Together with the Means if imbraced which God in Mercy hath Ordained to prevent the same By THOMAS WALL Cry aloud spare not lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet and shew my People their Transgressions and the House of Jacob their Sins Isa 58. 1. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our Learning and Admonition upon whom the ends of the World are come Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall Rom. 15. 4. 1 Cor. 10. 11. Whosoever heareth the sound of the Trumpet and taketh not Warning his Blood shall be upon his own Head But he that taketh Warning shall deliver his own Soul Ezek. 33. 4 5. LONDON Printed in the Year 1680. TO THE King's Most Excellent Majesty Most humbly shewing THat the most Wise God who hath made all things for his * Rev. 4. 11. Pleasure hath ordained in every Nation but two States Pillers or Legs to stand upon the one Civil and the other Spiritual The Civil State is God's Ordinance of Magistratical Government under divers Titles as Kings or other Chief Governours unto whom an excellent †Dan. 4. 36. Majesty is given them of God as next under ‖ Rom. 13. God Head of the Commonwealth the Lord's Lieutenants here on Earth And seeing since the Fall Mans Heart is * Jer. 17. 9. deceitful and in Mans Flesh dwelleth no good thing so that the Good he would do he doth not but the Evil he would not that he doth †Rom. 7. Therefore for guide in Government God hath given Kings the second ‖ Exod. 20. Table of his Royal Law as a most sure Foundation and Rule to square all their Laws by to govern their People so that by it they bear not the Sword in vain but use it to the Glory of God for the punishment of Evil-doers * Rom. 13. and the praise of them that do well Of which Trust and Stewardship committed to them they must shortly give an Account to their Chief Judg the Prince of the Kings of the Earth the Lord Jesus at the last Day The other State or Piller is the †Rev. 15. 3 Mat. 28. 18 Kingly Government of the Lord Jesus in his Church or ‖ John 18. 36. Kingdom in all things Spiritual As Christ hath his Office under God the only Head of his Mystical Body * Ephes 5. 23. Col. 1. 17. the Church unto whose Government is given the first Table of God's Law according to which most sure Foundation are all the Laws made in all Ages for his worship And though Christ was not manifested in the Flesh till these last Times yet was he from the Days of Adam King in his Church on his holy †Psal 2. 6. Hill of Sion in those who were Figures of him as * Heb. 7. 1. Ps 110. 4. Melchisedeck ‖ Acts 3. 22. Moses and David so Christ was the same Yesterday to Day and for †Heb. 13. 8 ever who now in his Church sitteth on the Throne of his Father David as it is written of him * Isa 11. 3 4. That he shall not judg after the sight of his Eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his Ears but with Righteousness shall he judg the Poor and reprove with Equity for the Meek of the Earth and shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the Wicked So that his Weapons are not Carnal as his Kingdom is not of this World so differing from the Civil State Moreover as these be the only States ordained of God and the nature of them being so different the one from the other as the nature of a thing Civil and Spiritual is so that the one State may not meddle with the Work◠that belongeth to the other And hereupon did the Lord in his Wisdom constitute the Civil State in the Tribe of * Gen. 49. 10. 2 Chron. 5. 2. Judah and the Spiritual State in the Tribe of Levi but when King Uzziah would presume to break God's Order to do that Work which †2 Chron. 27. 16 17 18. belonged not to the Civil States Office the Lord smote him with Leprosie to the day of his Death that others may be warned not to presume above what is written 1 Cor. 4. 6. Therefore the Lord Jesus our High Priest and only Lord Spiritual in his Church would not meddle with the Magistrates-work nor Office to give Judgment on a Woman taken in Adultery ‖ John 8. 3 4 5. nor divide Inheritances between Brethren And likewise commanded his Disciples and all Bishops and Ministers to the Worlds end not to take on them the title * Luke 22. 25. Mat. 20. 25. of Politick Princes but rather he that would be Chief to be Servant to all and not as Lords either in Title or Rule over God's Heritage †1 Pet. 5. 3. or Churches of God Therefore we see God in his Wisdom hath limited either State to keep within the limits he hath ordained for them Therefore as touching the Civil Magistratical State we may justly conclude That whatsoever Person he be whether Noble or Ignoble that shall presume to Alter Change or Diminish to or from any part of the Laws Ordinances Offices or Order contrary to the King 's Royal Crown and Dignity established by Law according to the second Table of God's Law must needs be accounted a Traytor to the King and suffer his high Displeasure Accordingly may we conclude concerning the Spiritual State of Christ's Government in his Church That whatsoever Person he be whether Noble or Ignoble that shall presume to Add or Diminish Alter or Change any thing in Government or Ministry Time Maintenance or Order contrary to the Rules or Laws of Christ's Testament founded on the first Table of God's Law in all things pertaining to the Worship of God may justly be deemed a Traytor to the Royal Crown and Dignity of the Lord Jesus and may hear the Sentence out of his own Mouth against them saying Bring those mine Enemies that would not that I should Reign over them and slay them before me Either by casting out of his Church or by everlasting Wo at the last Day May it therefore please your Majesty in your Wisdom to consider these things That it is one of the Crying
all degrees saw how they had been deceived but also Kings by the Light of the Gospel saw how their Senses were stupified and made Drunk with the Wine of the Whores Fornication so that not only in other Nations but in this Nation also the Kings who had long given their Power to the Beast until the Words of God should be fulfilled Rev. 18. 17. began to hate the Romish Whore and the Beast that carried her so that a part of the Beast's power out of this Land was destroyed when the Cardinals Jesuits and others aforenamed were Abolished By which means the power of the Beast was abated and more of the Lord's Servants came boldly forth * Rev. 7. 14. out of great Tribulations all signified by an Angel flying through the midst of Heaven to Preach the Everlasting †Rev. 14. 6. Gospel unto them that dwell on the Earth So that by this time the Temple of God was opened in Heaven ‖ Rev. 11. 19. and the Ark of the Testament meaning God's Law clearly seen in the truth thereof as was signified by the Lightnings and Voices and Thunderings which wrought such an Earthquake among the Antichristian Professors that the tenth * Rev. 11. 13. part of the City fell meaning the great City the Romish Church that Reigned over the Kings of the Earth to the number of God's Elect in Israel 7000 of which number of Faithful Elect Precious Living Stones were many famous Churches established in England Scotland France Germany Holland and other parts to the great joy of Christendom And thus according to the Mystery signified to Zechariah by a Man with a †Zach. 2. 1 2. Ezek. 40. 2 3 5. Measuring-Line in his Hand signifying that Jerusalem should be built the second Temple in it and God's true Worship restored as was done in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah Even so according to the Figure was it shewed to * Rev. 11. 1. John by a Reed given him to measure the Temple of God the Altar and Worshippers that God's Temple of living Stones and holy Truth and Order of Worship should be restored by a Call of the Lord's People out of the Spiritual Babylon in these latter Days as aforesaid So that as Judah their Figure must separate themselves from all the †Ezra 6. 21. filthiness of the old Babylonians in Worship in so much that they admitted no Man to the work of the Priesthood but such as could prove their * Neh. 7. 64. Chronology according to God's Law neither suffer any Priest that had fallen down before an Idol never †Ezek. 44. 12 13. more to Administer in the Priests Office because they were Figures of Christ our High Priest in his Office Even so the forenamed Christian Protestants by the number 7000 would not take a Stone of Babylon for a Corner * Jer. 5. 26. or for a Foundation that is any one to be their Minister by virtue of Romes Ordination because the Ministers under the Gospel that enter not into their Ministry by the Door of Christ's Ordination as afore shewed are accounted by Christ but Thieves and Robbers So that as Virgins not defiled with Women or the devices of false Churches Rev. 14. 1 4. Heb 12. 22 ought all those to be that follow the Lamb Christ Jesus on Mount Sion no more bearing the Beast's * Rev. 13. mark in serving God by Mens devices but the †Isa 42. 4. Mat. 12. 21. Name or Law of Christ in their Fore-heads serving the Lord in Worship by the Appointment of the Lord Jesus only As it is written This is my beloved Son hear him Luke 9. 35. Moreover dear Protestants note that in the Earthquake aforesaid there were besides the 7000 aforesaid a Remnant * Rev. 11. 13. who seeing and hearing the powerful Doctrine of true Faith in Christ Temperance and Judgment to come like Felix ‖ Act. 24 25 trembled or as the Scripture saith were affrighted to see the great Power of God in the work of Conversion Of 7000 with Caleb and †Num. 14. Joshuah following the Lord fully gave Glory to the God of Heaven as some in Acts 5. 13. but durst not joyn themselves with them yet by the small glimps of the Light they saw they began to take their Journey towards Sion after the fore-named Christians But in the Wilderness †Rev. 12. 14. Ezek. 20. 35. Gal. 1. 16. of this World meeting with some Crosses and Troubles in the Flesh for Christ's sake began to reason with Flesh and Blood like some Israelites whether God were able to furnish a Table in the ‖ Numb 11. 4. Wilderness So these having received the Seed of God's Word on a Rock had no root * Luke 8. 13. that is having no more Love to Christ than to any Worldly Joy or Pleasure in time of Temptation fell away So that they would go no farther than the King and the most went in that Day not willing to suffer any more for Christ's sake were content to go so far as to have the Pope's Supremacy Lord Abbots Cardinals Jesuits Monks and Friars expelled the Land but staid there and sat down in the mid-way between Sion and †Rev. 18. 4 Babylon or * Rev. 11. 8 Egypt under a part of the Romish Ministry and Service-Book some of the grossest things being wiped out And this was the state of many Protestant Congregations as may be seen at this day as is also confirmed by Mr. Fox in the Acts and Monuments of those Times some of which Report is as followeth Acts and Monuments Edit 5. pag. 1180 1181 1184. The Priests and Clergy that yielded to the King's Laws were suffered to keep their Places and Livings After this the King appointed the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with other Bishops to make one convenient and meek Order Rite and fashion of Common-Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments who did so Then in the next Parliament following it was agreed that all Ministers in the Realm should be bound to say and use the Mattines Even-Song Celebration of the Lord's Supper in such Order and Form as was contained in the said Book and not otherwise Now because some small Alteration was made Complaint was made how * Ibid. 1186. by the cloaked Contempt and wilful Winking and stubborn disobedience of the Bishops and old Popish Curates the Book of Common-Prayer was long after the publishing of the same either not known at all or else very irreverently used through many places of the Realm Yet was there no great cause why the People should so despise it for as the King answered the Rebels in Devonsh †Ibid. 1189. If the Service was good in Latin it remained good in English for nothing was altered but to speak with Knowledg that which was spoken in Ignorance And thus we see that these Protestants did not separate themselves fully in coming out of Babylon so as
of all yet none can believe and obey but the Elect whom God giveth †2 Tim. 2. 25. Repentance to and to them only the Word is the savour of Life unto them that are saved by Faith in Christ Jesus Yet the Preacher knowing not who are the Elect doth apply the Word as generally calling all Persons to believe and obey in his Message As saith the Lord to Paul when he sent him to Corinth I have much People in this City So Act. 18. 10. John 10. 20. not all for they could not all believe because they were not all Christ's Sheep as it is written All Men have not Faith 2 Thess 3. 2. For these and the like errors in Faith and corruption in Worship which were too tedious here to refute about the state of Infant-Baptism and the Seventh-day Sabbath of the gross mistake in them that deny the one and keep the other largely handled by me not long since printed in a Book intituled Ancient Truth Revived Wherein is also in 22 Articles every true Protestant's Faith inserted the State of a true Church and how every Ordinance and by whom and in what Order they were performed in the Primitive Churches containing six Sheets of Paper unto which I refer the Reader is one cause why God hath not before this destroyed the false Ecclesiastical power of the Romish Babylon because as the Sins of God's People of old were the cause why old Babylon was not sooner destroyed even so is it See and read Jer. 25. now That as then God did first give his own People a Cup to drink and then Shishack did drink after them So Judgment must first begin at the House * 1 Pet. 4. 17. of God unless there be a speedy Repentance Else surely the time is come as that Servant of God Mr. Beal hath noted on Rev. 20. in his Book called The Image of both Churches That when the 1000 Years of the Beast's Raign was expired Satan the common Adversary of Man shall be loosed out of his dark Prison and set at large by the sufferance of God Mans wickedness deserving no other strongly deluding the Unbelievers for their unbelief-sake to deceive the Universal People of the World through the operation of Errors He shall cause them to give credance to Lyes that they may be damned for refusing the Truth So that the abomination of Desolation shall be set up in the holy Place meaning in the Heart where Christ by faith should dwell to the utter destruction of Faith Which People of him thus deluded is called in a mystery Gog and Magog that is as much as to say Covered and Off-covered For both the grand Captains of them depending doth these two words comprehend the one covering the Devil with many false Religions meaning Loe here is Christ and loe there is Christ the other in his sort following the same wicked consent these two Tyrants the Romish Pope and Mahomet with the whole generation of like Spirits with them mark that have gathered themselves together against God and his Christ to destroy the whole face of Christianity Now the woful experience of the beginning of these things is seen among us so that our Condition looketh too like the state of the Jews When Titus Vespasian the Roman Emperor came and besieged Jerusalem the Jews by reason of their many Errors were divided into sundry * Mark 12. 13 18. Sects and their dividing in Faith divided them in Heart that they destroyed one another So the words of Christ were fulfilled on them that despised his Counsel as it is written Every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation Mat. 12. 25. How then doth it behove all Protestants to be by Christ's Words warned with speed to examine whether they be in the Faith of God's Elect * Tit. 1. 1. Heb. 11. and worship God by Christ's †Rev. 14. directions only that there be no dividing in Judgment and so not in Heart considering what * In his Book called the Card and Compass of Life presented to Prince Charles the first one hath noted That the Jews affirm the first Blood split in the World was by reason of the differences in Judgment among Brethren for so all that bear the name of Protestants ought to be in these words Cain was so possessed with Covetousness that he believed there was no Life after this But Abel believed there was after this Life a reward for the Good and punishment for the VVicked in which Contention Cain slew Abel So that Cain was of the Wicked one For to Persecute Imprison or kill any one for Conscience sake is a work †1 John 3. 12. Rev. 2. 10. of the Devil and a Wo is pronounced against them As it is written Wo to them that follow the way of * Jude ver 11. Cain they shall perish So that Protestants may be ashamed to own that evil Spirit to force Men to believe when it is written That it is God shall †Gen. 9. 27. perswade Japhat to dwell in the Tents of Shem. Therefore to force Men to believe or practise in things Divine before God giveth them Faith is but to make a Church of Hypocrites whose Sacrifice is * Prov. 15. 8. Abomination to the Lord as their Father Cain's was Now if any Protestant should be offended like * Amos chap 7. Amaziah the Priest of Bethel with this Christian Warning-piece as he was with the Prophet Amos's Warning to King Jeroboam and his People and say The Land cannot bear these words against the Inventions of Men in the Worship of God charge me as Amaziah did Amos the Prophet with Conspiracy against the King when but for declaring the only means then from the immediate Mouth of the Lord to preserve the King and the Nation as this is from the mediate written Word of God to preserve our King and the Nations from the Judgments threatned I say if we like them will regard no Christan Counsel all Scripture being written for our Admonition then in all likelihood the Judgments threatned on them will fall upon us that God will darken * Amos chap. 8. the Earth in a clear day by sending a Famine in the Land not of Bread nor thirst for Water but of hearing the Words of the Lord. For by reason of so many false Teachers in Judah their Silver became †Isa 1 22. dross their Wine was mixt with Water and they were fed with * Jer. 23. 28. Chaff instead of Wheat As is now seen by woful experience whilst God's Word is not truly Taught but corrupted with Errors under the colour of Christianity with Lo here is Christ and lo there as they said of old The Temple of the ‖ Jer. 7. 4. Lord the Temple of the Lord are these Nevertheless they were told Thy Prophets †Lam. 2. 14. have seen vain and foolish things for thee for they have not
judg where is the Antiquity that the Romish Church pleadeth so much for unless it be old in Wickedness So that it is admirable how any that owns the name of a Protestant can believe that it is lawful to worship God by that Ministry that had the succession of his Ministry from Popish Ordination Therefore in the next place let us take a view of the manner how they are made Priests in Rome as themselves have written They are made Priests when by the Bishop who only can give this Order it is said Receive power to celebrate Masses both for the Living and for the Dead and to offer Sacrifices unto God in the Name of the Lord. The Bishop saith withal Receive the Holy Ghost Oh blasphemous Speech The Priests are also shaven on their Crowns and anointed with Oyl on their Hands that by that ‖ See Hen. Ainsw Anim adver p. 61. Bellarm. Pontifical Lib. de Ordinat Presbit Unction and the Bishops blessing those Hands may be Consecrated and Sanctified of God A Stole of Innocency is put upon the Priest and he promiseth to the Bishop and his Successors Reverence and Obedience and the Bishop gives him again the Blessing of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost that he may be blessed in his Priestly Order and may offer placable Hosts or Sacrifices to God for the Sins of the People This Ordination hath a double effect First A perpetual Spiritual Power in sign whereof a Character or Mark indelible is imprinted on them And secondly Grace making them acceptable whereby they are inabled to execute their Office So this Bishoply Ordination conferreth Grace And if any shall say That the Holy Ghost is not hereby given Let him saith the Council of * Sess 23. Can. 4. Trent be accursed Now judge ye Protestants whether this Ordination do not make Men more like †Zech. 11. 17. Idol-Shepherds being the very mark of the Beast than Ministers of the Gospel Now that we may the better discern how contrary to Nature and Grace this way of making Gospel-Ministers by this Romish Ordination let us take a view of the true Way how all true Ministers come to their Office by the Rules of Christ's Gospel First Every true Church is likened to a Virgin * 2 Cor. 11 2. who by the Covenant of the Gospel is espoused †Isa 62. 5. Eph. 5. 23. to Christ her Head and Husband and is said in her first Constitution to have no ‖ Cant. 8. 8. Brests that is Ministers but in process of time her Brests are said to be * Ezek. 16. 7. 1 Tim. 3. Isa 66. 11. fashioned by the Lord 's fitting some of her Members with Gifts Graces and Qualifications for the Work of the Ministry which so soon as the whole Body or Church finding fit do by common †Acts 1. 26. consent Elect ‖ 6. 13. Acts 14. 23. and after Fasting and Prayer by what Member the Church thinketh fit for her Mouth on the Lord's Day in the time of Government do ordain the Person before Elected some of the Fathers of Families laying their Hands * Numb 8. 9. on the person Elected in sign and for no other end in the presence of the whole Church or Body they are to take Charge of That they are not only first Elected by common Consent but by common Consent are now ordained by that particular Church or Body they are to abide with whilst Life doth †Acts 20 28. last And this is the true Eldership or Ministry the Lord hath given to every particular true Church as Paul wrote to Titus as I have appointed thee * Which way of making Ministers is both agreeable first to the Tit. 1. 5. Word of Grace and also to the Order of Nature that Ministers or Brests should grow or proceed out of their own Bodies and not like Romes Ordination for Brests or Ministers to be made by a Bishop without the knowledg of the particular Body whereof they are to take Charge and afterwards by unnatural Art set to the Body by the Bishop's order it may be without the Peoples consent whether they will or no as no Natural but an Artificial Brest or Eye to that Body so entring into their Office contrary to Grace and order of Nature not entring by the Door of Christ's Appointment are compared to Thieves Robbers and Hirelings John 10. who so soon as they hear of a bigger Benefice being not by Grace and Nature in the Body but only stuck on they slide away let the Flock shift how they can Oh dear Protestants Shall the Lord always wink at this Confusion among you No sure He will bring his Judgments speedily if it be not amended Now having laid these things before you let us in the next place observe that there was a time fixed by the Lord how long the Beast or false Ecclesiastical State should generally reign over the Nations to wit by the space of a thousand Years Which Rev. 20. 4. time as John Napier hath Calculated the Prophetical Dates in the Prophets and the Revelations together That the Beast's reign began See Napier on Rev. 10. about the Year of our Lord 113 and 115 about which time the first Pope was set up and so Poyson was brought into the Church and so continued their general Reign till about the Year 1541. And then saith Napier the seventh Angel began to sound at which time saith the Angel there shall be Time no longer meaning that the Rod of the Wicked should not always rest on the back †Psal 125. of the Righteous But all the Mysteries ‖ Rev. 10. 7. 8. 9. in the Prophets should be fulfilled which last Mystery in these latter Days seemeth to be the call of the Lord's Elect * Rev. 20. 5. Ephes 2. 1. dead in Sin out of the Spiritual Babylon or Romish Church according to the Mystery or Figure thereof by the Lord's Call of his People out of the Temporal Babylon So that as aforesaid the Way of God in the Revelation is to take Words and Phrases out of the Prophets and to apply them to things of like nature to be fulfilled in these last Days Therefore as Ezekiel did eat a little †Ezek. 3. 3. Book signifying thereby that he must Prophesie to the dry ‖ Ezek. 37. Bones in Old Babylon even so in these latter Days under the Person of John must the Lord's Servants eat a little Book * Rev. 10. 9. that is Prophesie to the dead in Sin in the Spiritual Babylon even among the many Nations Peoples Tongues and Kings So that about the Year aforesaid 1541 came forth the eaters of the little Book some of which were Luther Calvin Melancthon all under the name of an Angel †Rev. 14. 6. to preach the everlasting Gospel to every Nation Kindred Tongue and People By whose means not only many People of
to ‖ 2 Cor. 6. 17. Isa 52. 11. Rev. 18. 4. touch none of their unclean things as God's Word commanded but sat down under a part of the Romish Ministry and Service with many other Devices For it was neither Christ nor his Apostles that appointed Priests Apparel as long Gowns Tippits four horned Caps but as * See Hen. Ainsw Counterpoyson pag. 234 235. proved out of sundry Authors Writers say did Pope Zachary nor white Linnen Surplices to wear at Service-time as did Pope Silvester nor ringing of Bells to call the People to hear Service as did Pope Sabiniam and to make up the Musick Pope Vitalian brought in the Organs and if these or other Popes had brought in to the Worship under the Gospel the 120 Trumpets †2 Chron. 5. 12. and other Instruments of Musick used in the Ceremonial Worship under the Law as well as Priests Garments would it not have bin as lawful to have used them Yea but Protestants should not be unmindful how that Christ by his Death abolished all the Ceremonial Figurative Ordinances ‖ Ephes 2. 15. out of his Worship as also the Instruments of Musick and hath made or appointed * Rev. 21. 5. all things new in Worship a new Ministry new Ordinances new Maintenance new time and order for Gospel-Worship So was Christ faithful in his own House or Church as a Son †Heb. 3. 5 6. as was Moses being but a Servant So that whosoever professeth to bear the Name of a Protestant or true Christian may remember what is written to them A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren like unto me him shall ye hear ‖ Acts 3. 22 23. in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you And every Soul that will not hear that Prophet to wit Christ Jesus shall be destroyed from among the People And to conclude with these Protestants under the performance in Worship of so many Popish Devices let us hear what some of the Martyrs have sealed with their Bloods whose Tombs they garnish with their approving their Sufferings as true Martyrs of Jesus John Wickliff * Acts and Monum Edit 5. pag. 114. saith That the Arch-Bishops Bishops Deacons Dians be the Disciples of Antichrist William Swenderby †Ibid. pag. 431. saith That the Pope Cardinals Bishops Prelates making Laws contrary to Christ's Living and his Laws or any other ground put in Ruling the Church of Christ but by Christ and his Laws is very Antichrist Adversaries to Christ and his Apostles Sir John Oldcastle Lord Cobham saith ‖ Ibid. pag. 518. The Priests Prelates and Monks are the very Body of the great Antichrist and that the Possessions and Lordships of the Clergie are the Venom of Judas shed into the Church John Claidon burnt in Smithfield * Ibid. pag. 588. professed That the Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Arch-Deacons Deans Parsons Vicars and the rest of that sort are the Disciples of Antichrist the very Antichrist themselves Now though these Men be dead yet with Abel they †Heb. 11. 4. speak and their Blood with all the Martyrs that have Suffered for the Testimony of Jesus crieth for * Luke 18. 7 8. Rev. 6. 9 10. Vengeance against all that uphold that Popish Prelacy Therefore as one chief Reason among others that Jerusalem was destroyed was for the Sins of her Prophets and Iniquities of her †Lam. 4. 13. Priests that have shed the Blood of the Just in the midst of her Therefore O England by this be warned who they are that hasten thy Destruction Now we have seen what a lame Reformation was here made by many thousand Protestants when they came out of Spiritual Egypt for so the Romish Church is called Rev. 11. 8. having utterly forgot or else for fear regarded not the Word of the Lord to God's People of Old when they came out of Temporal Egypt After the doings †Lev. 18. 2 3. with Deut. 12. 30 31 32. of the Land of Egypt shall ye not do as is foreshewed and written for our ‖ Rom. 15. 4. Learning So that instead of being fully separated to touch no unclean thing yet a part of the Romish Egyptian Ministry of Lordly Prelates was imbraced and the Service aforesaid by Law of oversight established so that there was another false Ecclesiastical State neither Spiritual nor Civil set up to the great dishonour of Christ's Spiritual State and the Civil State or Government in the Nation And hereupon saith John I beheld another Beast * Rev. 13. 11. coming out of the Earth therefore not from Heaven having two Horns like a Lamb as if he were the only Vican of Christ as the Pope pretends on Earth And who more than they against the Pope until as aforesaid the Civil Power had established them by Law And thereby Life was given to the very Image of the Pope the first Beast who because they were so near a-kin as a Child is to the Father begotten after his own Image or likeness which was not only so in its like false Ecclesiastical State but also in Mind and Quality and therefore this second Beast is said by the Spirit of God not only to speak like a Dragon but to * Rev. 12. exercise all the power of the first Beast before him causing the Earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first Beast by retaining a Ministry and Service and other things in Worship of his devising very little refined but still of the same nature So that no Man might Buy nor Sell save those that had the Mark of the Beast in their Fore-head or Hands that is yield professed Obedience to his Commands in Worship to God by Law established whether they had Faith or no. Now the Lord in his Mercy towards this Nation that was scarce come half out of Babylon sent others of his Servants under the name of another †Rev. 14. 8. Angel declaring to all Protestants both Prince and People that Babylon is fallen and for more certainty again saying It is fallen That so they might come fully out from all her devices in Worship and so might no longer ‖ Rev. 18. 4. partake of her Sins lest they receive of her Plagues But so soon as this false Ecclesiastical State or * Rev. 13. second Beast perceiving with †Acts 19. 27. Demetrius that if Christ's true Ministry and Government as it was in the Primitive Days of ‖ Ephes 4. 11. Pastors Teachers Elders and Deacons were imbraced their gain of Shrine-making or keeping People in Ignorance what the true Ministry Government and holy Order of Christ's Kingdom of Worship is would be lost and their Princely Revenues by the King as their Elder Brethren Lord-Abbots Cardinals c. by former Kings be converted to Charitable Uses and they if they had any Grace must by laborious Preaching live of the free * 1 Cor. 9. 7
discovered thine Iniquities to turn away thy Captivity but have seen for thee false Burdens and causes of Banishment Oh that Protestants would lay these things to Heart considering the many signs of God's displeasure shewed against this Nation of a Captivity threatned for these Sins Witness the Spanish Invasion in 1588 then the Powder Plot in 1605 the late Dreadful Plague and Fires and lastly this Cursed Popish Plot. Now consider according to the Law of Nations If a Ship at Sea meeteth with another which ought to strike to her and she refuseth then a warning Piece is sent to her if that make her not submit there is lot slie at her two or three Ordnance if then she will not do her duty there is poured into her a Broadside which possibly sinketh her and all that 's in her Even so if no Judgment nor Warning will make us submit in all things Spiritual to the Royal Scepter of the Lord Jesus in his Church to serve God in his Worship by the directions in his holy Testament then may we expect unavoidably that he will pour in on us Iris Murdering Places the Turks and Papists who like the Armies of ‖ Rev. 20. 9 Gog and Magog compass the Tents of the Saints about bringing great * Luke 21. 25. distress of Nations until Fire come down from Heaven even at that day when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming †2 Thess 1. 8. Fire who shall reap the Harvest of the Earth in taking Vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ who shall be destroyed from the glory of his Power when the Remnant of the Faithful as in the days of Noah shall be preserved and caught up to meet the Lord in the Air so shall they ‖ 1 Thess chap. 4. ever be with the Lord. The sum of all is Seeing God hath said He will do nothing concerning Mercy or Judgment to his People but he revealeth * Amos 3. 7. Rom. 15. 5. his Secrets to his Servants the Prophets written in the holy Scriptures for all Christians Admonition◠which we have here laid before this present Age. The chief Causes why God brought his Judgments in Ages past were for Errors in Faith and Corruptions in Worship Seeing then there is but †Eph. 4. 5. one Faith and proper Object thereof even the Evangelical Promise * Rom. 1. 16. of Grace in Christ from the days of Adam called the Faith of Jesus †Rev. 14. 12. once given to the Saints * Jude 3. therefore called the Faith of God's Elect †Tit. 1. 1. which Faith in God's Elect either more or less is built upon the * Ephes 2. 20. Foundation or Doctrine both of the Apostles and Prophets So that whatsoever Article of any Christian's Faith agreeth not to the Law and Testimony that is to the figures of Christ in the Law the Schoolmaster leading to Christ for fulfilling of the same in the New Testament with applying the Promises to the right Subjects †Acts 2. 39. they belong unto with all the benefits thereof to be enjoyed in God's 〈◊〉 is not the faith of God's Elect but a falned Faith which saveth not So that whatsoever Faith is not thus proved as it is written * 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selves c. know ye not how that Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates Forasmuch as Christ is said to dwell †Ephes 3. 17. in the heart by Faith that is by true belief And hereupon it is written * Mark 16. 16. He that believeth not shall be damned How needful is it then that every ones Faith be right seeing it is a matter that concerns their Salvation Secondly As touching Worship It hath been proved that whatsoever Ministry or Ordinance God is served with or by after the Commandment and Doctrine of Men is * Col. 2. 22 23. Will-worship which all are to perish with the using Because the true Worship is to serve or worship God in †John 4. 24. Spirit and in Truth that is by Faith in Christ according to the word of Truth as Christ the only Law-giver in Worship hath commanded Thirdly And for as much as God is a God of Order * 1 Cor. 14. 40. therefore true Faith and Order in the performance of every Ordinance in the Worship of God must go †Col. 2. 5. together Every Officer is to keep within the Order God hath placed him and every Member within the bounds of their Places set in the * 1 Cor. 12. 18. Body For the clear distinguishing of every Officer and Member's place and duty in Worship as Members in the Body see the Book fore-named Ancient Truth Revived For the breach of these things God's Anger was still kindled against his People for which cause the Lord is now searching Jerusalem †Zeph. 1. 12. with Candles and will punish the Luke-warm Carnal Professors that are settled on their Lees who make Worldly Gain and Pleasure their Religion and Godliness Who say in their Hearts * Ezek. 9. 9. either the Lord hath forsaken the Earth or He will not do good neither will he do evil Thus as in the days of Noah is a state of Security seized on Professors saying Soul take thy ease Let 's build plant Marry Eat Drink joyn House to House Field to Field till there be no more place in the Earth The Harp the Viol and Pipe †Isa 5. 8 12 13. and Wine are in their Feasts but regard not the Works of the Lord neither consider the Operation of his Hands Therefore on such both Famine and Captivity will come so that their Goods shall become * Zeph. 1. 13 17. a Booty and their Houses a Desolation Even as Christ hath said Distress †Luke 21. 26. of Nations Mens hearts failing them for fear and looking after those things which for the Sins aforesaid are coming on the Earth The evident signs of the foregoing * Mat. 24. 15 21 24. Type of Jerusalem's destruction sheweth that the time is near of Christ's coming to Judgment true Faith so greatly decayeth among Men as it is written When the Son of Man cometh shall he find †Luk. 18. 8 Faith on Earth Oh! that open * Pro. 27. 6 Rebuke may be in this Day better than secret Love and the Wounds of a Friend better than the Kisses of an Enemy And to give to any †Job 32. 22. flattering Titles I know not for in so doing my Maker will soon take me away But have herein sought the good of every Soul yea the very * Mat. 5. 44. Enemies of all true Protestants the Papists and desire their Conversion that the Lord upon their true Repentance may have mercy on them Now to conclude by way of an healing Medicine both to the King 's most Excellent Majesty and
all his good Subjects in whom is the least sence and fear of the Judgments of God for the Sins aforesaid or any other ready to come on this Nation that they would be pleased to remember that Word the Lord sent to Judah * Jer. 18. 7 8 9 10. At what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to pluck up and to pull down and to destroy it If that Nation against whom I have pronounced turn from their Evil I will repent of the Evil that I thought to do unto them And at what instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to build and to plant it if it do evil in my sight that it obey not my Voice then I will repent of the Good wherewith I said I would benefit them Therefore if all Degrees both noble and ignoble do believe that it is not only for the Sins of some few in the Nation as Christ told the Jews of the Galileans whose Blood Pilate had mingled with their Sacrifices Luke 13. 1 2 3. Suppose ye saith Christ that these Galileans were Sinners above all the Galileans because they suffered these things I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish but for the general Sins of all some in one thing and some in another as afore noted So that according to the Evil will the Punishment be as is shewed by the Prophet Amos in the first and second Chapters The Irreligious are punished for their Cruelty to the Lord's People and the Religious People both Judah and Israel were punished because they had despised the Law of the Lord and kept not his Commandments which they * Exod. 19 8. Jer. 7. 23 24. promised to obey Seeing then the Sin of Leprosy is spread over all Degrees either in Corruption in Faith and Disorder in Worship or Oppression among Men that almost all are shut up as in a †2 Kin. 15. 5. severed House as unclean because by their Sins the Lord's Camp or Dwelling is ‖ Numb 5. 2 3. defiled Therefore dear Protestants under what other Title soever by Men called Christ Jesus the great High-Priest is * Levit 13. Heb. 4. 13. looking on you Therefore I shall close up all to you with the Observation of that worthy Servant of the Lord Henry Ainsworth on Levit. 13. 15. who hath noted there That it is one of the remarkable things in the Law That quick or sound Flesh in the Sore should be judged Leprosy and the Man pronounced unclean whereas if the Leprosy cover all his Flâ—sh he was pronounced clean And hereby the Holy Ghost seems to teach that if we would * 1 Cor. 11. 31. 1 Joh. 1. 7. judg our selves we should not be judged of the Lord 1 Joh. 1. 9. If we confess our Sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our Sins and to cleanse us from all Vnrighteousness But if any quick or sound Flesh that is any Gal. 2. 16. Eph. 2. 5. Rom. 11 6. Gal. 5. 4. part of Health or Life be pretended in our sinful Nature or any whit of Righteousness by Works of the Law by which no Flesh can be justified then God pronounceth us unclean for we cannot be justified but by the Faith of Jesus Therefore with David that we may find Mercy with the Lord we must acknowledg there is no soundness in our Flesh Psal 38. 4 8. Until this be done God will leave us as unclean 2 Kin. 15. 5. Numb 12. 14. shut up from Deliverance from our Enemies and Communion with himself until we be humbled for our Sins Lam. 1. 8. 3. 1 28. As it is written Your Iniquities have separated between you and your God and your Sins have hid his Face from you that he will not hear Isa 59. 2. And lastly If in this Warning-piece I have unadvisedly in zeal to God's Glory and good Will and true Affections I bear to my Prince and Countrymen let fall any words that do not become a Christian that is not warranted by God's Word let the Righteous †Psal 146. 5. smite me and it shall be taken as a kindness And let not any Protestant despise this plain way of discovering the Iniquities of these Times because it is not garnished with Eloquent Language nor yet think with themselves the Medicine is too sharp to work a Cure at this time but let all such before they judg or rashly censure it examine the Ingredients by that most Heavenly Herbal God's written Word and they shall find the whole Composition is gathered together by directions of God's Spirit in his Servants the Prophets and Apostles all written for our Learning gathered from the Tree of Life whose Fruit is for Souls food and the Leaves thereof for Healing of the Nations Now if the Lord prosper it is the thing desired herein and I have obtained my end who am one of the Lord 's unprofitable Servants to bring any Glory to his Name or Comfort to his People ERRATA Pag. 9. lin 2. Marg. for Mark read Mat. Pag. 19. lin 15. for 113 115. read 313 315. P. 28. l. last r. Also see Junius