be faire warnings to forwarne not only prophaners of the Sabbath but also all such as by their perâ—icious Doctrine teach men to prophane it Traskites SO called of one Mr. John Traske whom the Author knew well His opinions were that it was not lawfull to doe any thing â—orbiâ—den in the old Law nor to keep the Christian Sabbath One Theophilus Braborne endeavoured with him to bring back againe the Jewish Sabbath and to that purpose writ a Book in the yeare 1632. The Positions concerning the Sabbath by them maintained were these 1. THat the fourth Commandement of the Decalogue Remember the Sabbath day too keep it holy c. Exod. 20. is a divine precept simply and entirely Morall containing nothing legally Ceremoniall in whole or in part and therefore the weekly observation thereof â—â—ght to be perpetuall and to continue in full force and vertue to the worlds end 2. That the Saturday or the seventh day of every week ought to be an everlasting holy day in the Christian Church and the religious observation of this day obligeth Christians under the Gospell as it did the Jewes before the comming of Christ. 3. That the Sunday or Lords day is an ordinary working day an it is superstition and will-worship to make the same the Sabbath of the fourth Commandement Of this opinion was Theophilus Braborne As the Anabaptists will have no children baptised because there is no expresâ—e command for it in Scripture so these Sabbatarians will have no Sunday because they can find no expresse Text for the alteration of it Iohn Traske for his Judaicall opinions was censured in the Star-chamber to be set upon the Pillory at Westminster and from thence to bee whipt to the Fleet there to remaine Prisoner three years after he writ a recantation of all his Schismaticall errors Also Theophilus Braborne had his doome in the Star-chamber and afterwards renounced his Errors by conference had with Doctor Vhite Lord Bishop of Ely which caused him to write a book of the Sabbath For the observation of the Lords day we read there is among others a Treatisâ— of Doctor Bonners called A profitable and necessary Doctrine wherein on the fourth Commandement Sunday is oft called by the name of Sabbath and thereon saith he we must have our mindes quiet and free from all worldly cares and give them entirly and wholly unto God both privately and publikely and that wee must occupy our selves in thought word and deed as may be to the glory of God with spirituall edifying both of our selves and also of our neighbours and that every one must instruct his children servants and family in vertue and goodnesse and as Saint Augustine saith Serm. 251. Let us marke and see that our rest be not vaine or fruitlesse but that wee being sequestred from all rurall workes and from all businesse doe from the evening on the Saturday untill the evening on the Sunday give your selves to divine service Onely and after such sort we doe duely or well sanctifie the Sabbath of our Lord And to prove the Sabbath day to be kept he citâ—th Gen. 2. 5. Exod. 16. 25. Exod. 23. 12. Exod. 31. 14. Exod. 35. 2. Numb 15. 35. Some Some Christians there be that keep both Saturday and Sunday as the Ethiopians Of the Iesuites This sorâ— or Order is of a latter Edition then the Anabaptists and therefore not to be omâ—tted In descrebing of them I purpose to set downe 1. Their Originall 2. Their Government 3 Their Errors in which they doe not agree with other Papists 4. That they are of all Sects most pernicious and dangerous 1. FOR their Orignall the first Foundation was one Loyola a Spanish Souldier who was maimed by the French at the siege of Pampelona his right leg being broken by a shot and his left leg with a stone cast from the wall This Order boasteth much of heavenly visions and divine revelations not unlike the Coetanij the Anabaptists is that the blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Ignatius with her Son Iesus in her armes perswading him to erect this Order to which she promised to be propitious They will tell you that Ignatius was rapped up into heaven and that Almighty God shewed him the 〈…〉 or frame by which he created the world with many such like fancies Moreover whereas other orders beare the name of their founders as the Dominicans of Dominicke the Franciscans of Francis they beare the name of Jesus whereas saith my Author they came from the devill the father of lyes they being the last Engine and device of Satan to supplant the truth This Order was confirmed Anno 1540. by Paul the third Bishop of Rome Gregory the 13. Bishop of Rome gave to the Iesuites a place in Rome called the Island in which they demolished many houses turned many widdowes out of their dwellings and built themselves a most magnificent and sumptuous Colledge It is reported that it cost in building 25. Tun of gold in which the Pope placed 500. Jesuites of severall nations 2. For their government the Jesuites have a chife whom they call their Generall who attendeth upon the Pope in Rome their late General was Claudius Aquaviva his Office is to governe the whole Order and to make new orders and their Generalls commands the Jesuites receive as divine oracles They believe and obey their Generall as Christ himselfe Next their General they have foure Assistants who as their Generall attendeth the Pope so doe they attend their Generall The office of these four are to promote the Popes authority into the foure quarters of the world The Iesuites their Emissaries abroad signifie unto them in writing how Princes stand affected to the Church of Rome Moreover theie office is with the Generall to send Governors Visiters Recters and preachers to the whole Order and to send forth the inferiour Jesuites into all places of the world who take upon them all manner of fashions to doe mischiefe among souldiers they are arrayed like souldiers in Princes Courts like Noble-men attending forraigne Eâ—bassadors in Ciâ—ies like Merchants yea sometimes they beg of Protestant Ministers as men banished for religion And all this to dive into the secrets of State and to disclose the Counsells of Princes 3. For their Errors Chemnitius setteth downe 26. some sew of which I purpose to relate and especially those in which they differ from other Papists First they presumptuously arrogate to themselves the name of Iesus which is a name above all names 2. They place their Generall in equall authority with Christ saying the voyce of our Generall is the voyce of Christ. 3. The Jesuites generally maintaine the Popes temporall power as well as spiritual that he may depose Kings and dispose of their kingdomes which the French Papists doe not allow of viz. Their decree set forth Anno 1611. and among us Hart Bartley Preston and others disclaime this power given by the Jesuites to the Pope 4. They deny the lawfulnes of the Oath of
and the Word was with God and the Word was God 3. The eternall generation of the Son to be against reason against truth refuted Mic. 5. 2. Thou Bethlehem Ephrata out of thee shall come to be a Ruler in Israel whose goings have been from of old from everlasting John 1. 14. Psal. 7. Col. 1. 15. 4. Christ not to be called God in respect of his Essence but by reason of his dominion which is refuted Iohn 10. 30. I and the Father am one 1 John 5. Heb. 1. 3. Psal. 2. verse 7. 5. The Holy Ghost to be God refuted Acts 5. 3. Why hath Satan filled thy hearâ— to lie to the holy Ghost 4. Thou hast not lien to men but to God Isa. 4. 8. 16. Iob 33. 14. Psal. 33. 6. From these false Doctrines and Heresies good Lord deliver us These Hereticks have been heretofore burnt among us as Anno 1611. March 18. Bartholomew Legat an 〈◊〉 Arrian was burnt in Smithfiâ—ld he refused all favour contemned Ecclesiasticall Government And in the monâ—â— of April following one Edward Wightman was burnt at Liechfield for the same Heresie Queene Elizabeth of blessed memorie heâ—â—ing of them said shee was very sorrowfull to heare that shee 〈◊〉 such Monsters in her Kingdome and truly it grieveth me very much to relate their blasphemous and devillish opinions Of Millenaries AN Heresie frequent at this time This Sect look for a temporary kingdome of Christ that must begin presently and last a thousand yeares Of this Opinion are many of our Apocalypticall men that study more future events then their present duty and more rules by Prophesies then Precepts This Fancie is most dangerous for all estates 1. For to promote that Kindome of Christ they 〈◊〉 that all the ungodly must be killed 2. That the wâ—cked have no property in their estates 3. That the promise might be fulfilled that the meek must inherit the earth This Doctrine filleth the people with a furious and unnaturall zeale which breathes nothing but fire and sword and maketh them to look upon their Countrey-men with such an eye as the Anabaptists cast upon Munster when they came first to it viz. a malignant and covetous eye discerning their prey and marking the rich men to ruine destruction God deliver us from such a Reformation brought by a multitude missed with a frantick zeale and giddy Revelations This was the ancient Error of Cerinthus who was a Jew and lived in the time of Domitian the Emperour about the yeare of our Lord 96. Among other Errors he taught eternall life to be here in earth where we should enjoy all pleasures of the flesh That after the resurrection Christs kingdome should be upon earth and corpâ—rall and that men should live in carnall concupiscence and lust for one thousand yeares He dyed oppressed by the fall of a Bath when St. Iohn the Evangelist with some of his Disciples were bathing at Ephesus and saw this Heretick Cerinthus in the Bath he leaped out saying let us depart lest the Bath fall upon us Cerinthus being here the enemy of truth which came to passe as sone as Saint Iohn was gone out of it as is set downe in these Verses of Stigelius Impia Cerinthus sansto convitia Christâ— Dum facit stulta garrulitate furit Concidit rando blasphemum contudit ictu Collapsae subito facta ruina domus This ancient Heresie condemned by the Church and long agoe buried is now revived in these latter times You shall finde this heresie confuted in the Chapter of the Anabaptists Hetheringtonians THE Author of this Sect was one Iohn Hetherington a Box-maker 1. This Hetherington being a Trades-man cast off his Trade and betook himselfe to be an Interpreter of the Scriptures to many persons keeping private Conventicles 2. He maintained and published the Church of England to be no true Church of Christ. 3. He was a man dis-affected to the Government and Discipline of the Church of England and agreeth with the Familists holding with them the perfect purity of the soule 4. He maintained and published the Sabbath since the Apostles 〈◊〉 to be of no force and that every day is a Sabbath as much as that which we call the Lords day or Sunday 5. He maintained the Books of Esdras was part of the Canonicall Scripture and that they ought so to be esteemed For which erroâ—â—ous opinions tending to the disturbance of the peace of the Church to the seducing of many silly soules he was adjudged for a dangerous Sectary and among other 〈…〉 upon him this was one that he should recant his Errors at Pauls Crosse. His Errors before named are confâ—ted by Doctor Denison in a Sermon of his which he preached at Pauls Crosse at the recantation of the fore-said Hethrington He recanted them at Pauls Crosse and hath lately written against the Familists The Anti-Sabbatarians THese Anti-Sabbatarians hold the Sabbath day or that which we call the Lords day to be no more a Sabbath in which they goe about to violate all Religion for take away the Sabbath and farewell Religion The Morality of the Sabbath doth consist in a mysticall resting from sin but in celebrating an appoynted day in seven to the worship and service of Almighty God 1. The Sabbath was instituted in the time of mans Innocency 2. The manner of promulgation of it in the Decalogue is worrhy to be observed God saith Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath day 3. This Law is not placed among the Ceremoniall or Judiciall Lawes but in the Decalogue it selfe 4. The reasons for keeping it are expressed in the Commandement viz. Six dayes shalt thou labour and doe all that thâ—â— hast to doe but the seventh day is the Lord c. Reasons why the Lords Day is to be observed 1. BY Morality of the fourth Commandement because the Morall Law is not abrogated by the Gospell but established Rom. 3. 3. 2. Because this day on which our Lord rose hath been observed by all Christians It was kept at Ierusalâ—m Aâ—â—s 2. 1. It was kept at Troas Acts 20. 7. At Patmâ—s Rev. 1. 10. And in all Christian Churches in the whole world 3. The ancient Fathers have pressed the observation of this day Ignatius saith Let every one that loveth 〈◊〉 celebrate the Lords day St. Basil saith when as 〈…〉 dayes prescribed by the Law are abolished yet ther◠〈◊〉 one great day of the Lord which never shall be abolished Their Testimonies are infinite 4. God hath from time to time shewed his feâ—refull judgements upon prophaners of his day as you read in the Practice of Piety A certain Husband-man griâ—ding corne â—n the Lords day had all his meale burned to ashes another carrying corne upon the same day had his Barn and all his Corn the next night burnt A certaine Noble-man usually prophaning the Lords day by hunting had a child by his Lady 〈◊〉 had a head like a hound Many exaâ—ples of Gods judgments are there set down all which may
HERESIOGRAPHY OR A description of the Hereticks and Sectaries of these latter times By E. Pagitt The second Edition with some Additions as in the Folio following MATH 15. 17. Beware of false Prophets which come to you in Sheeps 〈◊〉 but inwardly are ravening Wolveâ— 1 TIM 4. 1. Now the Spirit speaketh expresly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Divils Speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their conciences seared with a hot Irâ—n Imprimatur J A. CRANFORD LONDON Printed by VV. Wilson for Iohn Marshall and Robert Trot and are to be sold at their shops in Corn-hill over against the Exchange and under the Church of Edmond the King in Lombard street 1645. The names of the Sects viz. Anabaptists page 1. Brownists 48. Semi-separatists 75. Independents 76. Familists 81. Adamites 91. Antinomians 94. Arminians 10. 8 Socinians 122. Antitrinitarians 124. Millenaries 126. Hethringtonians 127. Anti-sabbatarias 128. Traskites 130. Jesuites 132. Muncerians 32. Apostolikes 33. Separatists 33. Catharists Enthusiasts Liberi Hutites Augustinians 34 Bewkeldians Melchiorites Georgians Menonists Pueris Similes Servetians 35 Libertines Denkians Semper orantes Deo-relicti Monasterienses Plunged Anabapt 36. Barrowists 69. Wilkinsonians Johnsonians 70 Ainsworthians Robinsonians Lemarists 71. Castalian familists 89 Grindletonians Familists of the mourtains 90. Of the valleyes Scattered flocke Caps Order c. The Addition The sum â—f a Treatise of Mâ— Johnsons a-against Anabaptists 44 Of the Pelagins 138 Soule-sleepers 139 Denyers of the Scriptures 141 Expecters or Seekers Divorsers 142 Of the Papists 143 The Papists compared with other Hereticks 147 A Postscript 154 An Extract of the Acts of the National Synod of the reformed Churches of France 195 To the Right Honourable Thomas Atkin Lord Major of the Citie of London and to the Right Worshipfull Sir Nicholas Raynton Isaac Penington Lievtenant of the Tower Sir lo Woollaston Iohn Glyn Recorder Sir Iohn Cordell Sir Thomas Soame Sir Iohn Gayr Sir Iacob Garrat Thomas Adams Io warner Iohn Tousâ— Abraham Reynardson Sir George Garraâ— Sir George Clerke Iohn Langham Thâ—mas Andrewes Iohn Foulke Iames Bunce William Gibbs and Richard Chambers Sheriffes Samuel Warner Wâ—lliam Barkely Thomas Foote Iohn Kendricke Thomas Culhâ—m Simon Edmonds Aldermen of the said Citie RIght Honourable and Right Worshipfull whereas I have lately published a Christianography or a description of many great Churches of Christians in the world some of which are for extent larger then the Church of Rome in Europe for time more ancient for succession as continual for faith more sound who believe with us the church of God to be Catholike as it is in the Apostles Creed and not as it is set downe in the new Trent Creed confined to Rome who renounce the Popes Supremacie some of them excommunicating him for a Schismatick and Heretick Who receive the holy Communion in both kindes they all drinke of Christs cup and abhor the Romish decree made contrary to Christs Institution Who make no Images to be worshipped Who doe not acknowledge the figment of Purgatory nor use any Prayers to be delivered from the fained paines thereof Who have their Prayers in their owne tongue and mutter them not in latine as the Romists doe Who forbid not Marriage the prohibiting of which is called by St. Paul the Doctrine of Divells Their Priests may and doe marry Who hold not popish Transubstantiation Who prohibite not Lay-men the reading of the holy Scriptures commanded by Christ himselfe Who doe not joyne with Christs Intercession the suffrages of Saints nor with his Justification the merit of workes nor with the Satisfaction Papall Indulgences These points with some others which the ambition and avarice of the Romists hath lately hatched they renounce with us This worke I purposing to perfect and consummate to the glory of God the great profit of the Church establishing of mens consciences they seeing the unity and agreement of the holy Churches in the world with us Behold suddenly a numerous company of other Hereticks stole in upon us like the locusts Rev. 9. As the unpure Familists who blasphemously pretend to be Godified like God whereas indeed they are divellified like their Father the Divell The illuminated Anabaptists who blasphemously affirme the baptisme of children to be the marke of the Beast and to come from Anti-christ The Donatisticall Brownists who in times past hid themselves in holes now lift up their heads and vent openly their errors infecting our people The Antinomians who teach as I find such a faire and easie way to heaven viz. That a man need not be troubled by the law before faith and that faith is not a going out of himselfe to take hold of Christ but onely a discerning that Christ is his and that after this such a man must see nothing in himselfe have nothing doe nothing need no sorrow nor repentance nor bee pressed to duties need never pray unlesse moved by the Spirit If hee fall into sin never the more disliked of God nor his condition the worse and that hee must abide in the height of comfort though hee fall into grosse sin The novelty of this doctrine takes so well or rather ill that multitudes of simple men and women dance after their Pipes they run after these men as if they were mad crowding the Churches filling their doors and windowes The Independents trouble also our poore Church who pretend that they have a perfect modell of Churchâ— government which Almighty God hath revealed to them which many like better then the government of the Reformed Churches being perswaded that in Independency they may have liberty to doe what they list having no government hoging to be as free as their Teachers who will have none at all The Arminians also an after-brood of the Pellagiant broach their erroneous opinions The Sabbatarians affirm the old Jewish Sabbath to be kept and not the Lords day The Anti-sabbatarians would have no perticular Sabbath at all but every day to bee a sabbath to a Christian man The Traskites who would have us observe many Jewish ceremonies VVe have also Millenaries who affirm that before the day of judgment Christ shal come down from heaven and reign with the Saints upon earth 1000. years in which time they shall destroy all the wicked binding their Kings in chaines and Nobles in linkes of iron VVee have Hetheringtonians who hold a hodg-podg of many heresies troubling our peoples brains VVe have also Socinians who teach that Christ dyed not to satisfie for our sins and also his Incasnation to be repugnant to reason not to be sufficiently proved by Scripâ—ture with many other abhominable errors Wee have Arians who deny the Deity of Christ. We have an Atheistical Sect who affirme that mens soules sleep with their bodies untill the day of Judgement Wee have Atheists too many as among others one was committed by a Justice of Peace who mock'd and jear'd at Christs Incarnation His Father was burnt at Thoelouze in
long-suffering gentlenesse goodnesse faith meekenesse and temperance If they were led by the holy Spirit these would be their Characters But St. Paul telleth us that in the latter dayes there shall come men lovers of their own selves boasters proud cursed speakers disobedient to Parents unthankefull unholy Master Calvin that admirable man of God whose name is yet terrible in the Kingdome of Popeâ—y setteth down certaine Characters of these Impostors taken out of St. Augustine 1. Great Boasters making ostentation of their owne worth like Simon Magus who bewitched the people sayng that he himselfe was some great man Like the Gnostikes who had a high conceit of their owne knowledge as if they were the onely knowing men of the whole world their common talke is of their own worth and actions 2. Superbia tumidi blowne up with pride and among us many proud spirits having not these preferments which they thought themselves worthy of have forsaken our Church and gone to Rome and Amsterdam 3. Calumâ—ijs insidiosi deceitfull slanderers and in this faculty of all other Sects the Brownists excell The â—esuites are not so bitter against our Church as the Separatists compare their writings Michael the Arch-Angell durst not give the Devill such cursed speaking nor raile upon him as they doe upon us and Gods Church 4. Treacherously seditious not preaching peace as Christ commanded his Disciples to doe but division yea the Brownists arrogate to themselves the name of Separatists which well they may beâ—ng separated from their Mother Church from 〈◊〉 the Reformed Churches and malitiously divided amongst themselves 5. Lest they should seem to be destitute of the light of truth they arrogate to themselves the shadow of austerity and shew of holinesse 6. Sacriâ—egious what the appetite of all Schismaticks hath been in this way is notorious caring noâ— for the ruine of the whole Church upon condition that they might get somewhat They have so taught that some thinke there is no such sinne as Sacriledge at all Our Lord fore-warning us of false Prophets and so lively describing them and we having such Characters and markes to know them Thou understanding the Decalogue Creed and Lords Prayer if thou be misled thy sin will light upon thine owne head For is there any man so simple but can â—ell when their Doctrines they teach crosse any of these And one thing more will aggravate your defection before Almighty God viz. Your Covenant and Oath wherewith you bound your selves in the presence of God to suppresse all Errors Heresies and Schisme God forbid but that you should keep your Covenant which we ministred and you received with great alacrity To draw to an end Epiphanius writeth of the heresies of this time calleth his Booke Paeâ—arium that is a medicinable box containing saving medicaments against lying doctrine The end of my writing is not to hurt any man but to give warning to well minded soules and espesially to them that are entangled with Errors to pray to God to give them grace to see and â—enounce their errors and to acknowledge the truth that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil And if my paines shall do any good in the confirmation of any against seducers in forewarning them to beware of private Conventicles and to keep them close to the publick Ministery of the Word communion of Saints in Gods Church I shall thinke my labour well bestowed The God of peace grant that all they that confesse his holy Name may agree in the truth of his holy Word and live in unity and godly love Amen So prayeth thine in the Lord Old Ephraim Pagitt HERESIOGRAPHY OR A Description of the Heretickes and Sectaries sprung up in this latter Age c. Chap. I. Of the Anabaptists For the discovery of this Sect I purpose to set down 1. Their Originall and first Proceedings 2. Their Errors and Blasphemies 3. A Confutation of their Errors 4. The Orthodox Doctrine of the Church of England opposite to their Errors 5. The severall Sects of Anabaptists 6. Of their manner of Rebaptizing and other fashions 7. How Christian Princes Magistrates have suppressed them and especially how they have beene punished among us 8. Of their audacious boldnesse at this day to publish Bookes in defence of their Errors and to challenge our Protestant Divines to publike disputations and to intrude into our Pulpits to vent their Blasphemies 9. Their moderne Tenents which they owne 1. Of their Originall and first proceedings ABout the yeare of our Lord God 1521. Doctor Luther preaching the Gospel in Saxony Almighty God blessing his labour a new Sect among many others through the instigation of the Devill began to spring up in the said Counâ—â—y of certain fanaticall people who boasted that they talked with God and God with them who commanded them to kill all the wicked that is all that were not of their Sect and make a â—ew world in which the innocent and godly should live and reigne alone The Author of this Sect Melancton affirmeth to be one Nicâ—las Storke who would tell his followers that God spake to him by an Angell and revealed his will to him in dreames promising him the place of the Angell Gabrieâ— and the Empire of the whole world He affirmed the Saints must reigne in this world alone and that he must be their Leader to kill all the Kings and Princes of the woâ—ld and to repurge the Church He tooke upon him also to have the gift of discerning spirits and to know the Elect. In this mans Schoole was one Thomas Muncer brought up who amplyfied much his Masters Doctrine Hee bâ—gan to preach at Alsted in Turingia where he made first an aâ—â—ociation administring an oath to all that promised to assist him in killing the ungodly Princes and Magistrates So long as hee preached but his dreames and Fancies the Elector of Saxony bore with him but after he bâ—gan to preach killing of Princes and Rebellion he banished him from Saxony who 〈◊〉 to Nurenberg and being driven from thence to Mulhus in Tuâ—ingia to which place divers of his old Disciples resorted whatsoever he determined was received as an Oracle especially when he preached that all goods must be 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 men to be free and of equall dignity an acceptable Doctrine in those parts where the Nobility used their Tenants like slaves upon this his preaching about 40000. Bores and Trades-men rose up in Suevia and Franconia who tooke some of the Nobles râ—nsacked plundered and burnt houses carrying all before them Muncer also having prepared Munition and raised a numerous multitude the meaner sort of people leaving their ploughes and loomes armed themselves to become adventurers in this holy war one Phifer a chiefe Associate of Muncers rusheth into the Countries adjoyning and destroyed many Towns burnt many houses and brought away some of the Nobles bound with a great Booty which good successe elevated the minds of these Sectaries and caused a
the brethren that at last they were excommunicated as idle drones They dissolved the bands of marriage when they lifted putting their wives away as oft as they pleased Separatists a kinde of Anabaptâ—sts so called because they pretended to be separated from the world They condemned fine cloathes To them that laughed they would cry Woe bee to you that laugh for hereafter yee shall mourne They did look sadly and fetcht deep sighes they avoyded marriage meetings fealts musick and condemned bearing of Armes and Covenants Catharists who deny children Baptisme affirming that they have no Originall sin and pretending themselves to bee pure and without sin These will not say this Petition in the Lords Prayer forgive us our Trespasses Silentes who despise all humane constitutions and dispatch their businesse with great silence they answer all questions of Religion with much silence Enthusiasts who pretend that they have the gift of Prophesie by dreames to which they give much credit They would lye in Trances like men having the falling sicknesse and then would declare stâ—ange things which God had revealed to them viz. That Anabaptisme was holy that Pedobaptisme came from the divell and that Zwinglius was in hell c. Liberi a sort of Anabaptists who understand the liberty we have in Christ carnally and being freed from Christ they thinke themselves freed from paying any rent tribute or tithes and take unto themselves liberty to commit all uncleanesse whatsoever Adamites a kinde of Anabaptists who think cloathes to be cursed and given to man for a punishment of sin whereas they thinke themselves to be innocent and without sin Hutites who boast themselves to be the only children of God and heiâ—es of heaven so called of Iohn Huta this Iohn Huta dyed in prison These Anabaptists deny the deity of Christ. Augustinians who affirm the entrance into Paridice to have been shut up untill Augustine the Bohemian opened it for himselfe and those that were of his Sect. Beuckeldians a kind of Anabaptists so called of Ioh. Beuchelzoâ—â—â—us these affirme Polygamie to be permitted in the Gospell and that it is a holy thing to have many wives Melchiorists are Anabaptists so called of Melchior Hofman who was their Prophet at Strausborough whom they do expect to come at the day of Judgement with Elias They also affirme the blessed Virgin Mary not to be the Mother of our Lord but to be as a Conduit through which Christ passed so that hee tooke nothing from her neither was borne of her This Hofman was so wicked as to say Malidista sit caro Mariae Georgians certaine Anabaptists followers of David George who was father of the Familists boasted that he was a great Prophet the Son of God greater than Christ and hee should rise three yeares after his death and restore the Kingdome of Israel Menonists called of Menon a Frisian by whose name the Anabaptists were generally called as if all their other denominations had been lost and buried These foureteen are named by Astedius Mr. Bullinger in his first book against Anabaptists nameth others as some of them under pretence of childish innocency played many odde pranks one having kept his excrements in store many dayes powred them out in the street and turned himselfe naked into them saying unlesse we be made like little Children we cannot enter into the kingdome of heaven Others for the same reason would ride upon sticks and Hobby-horses like children in great companies and women would run naked with them and then in pure innocency they lay together and so in the end it proved childrens play indeed Servetians a blasphemous kinde of Anabaptists so called of Servetus a Spaniard whose Heresies are set down by Prateolus Bullinger and others he called the baptisme of children an horrible abhomination he would not have them baptized before they were thirty yeares old This Servetus denyed the Deity of Christ and was burnt for his blasphemous opinions October 27. in the yeare of our Lord 1553. at Geneva Libertines who make God the author of sinne and deny the resurrection of the body against these Mr. Calvin hath written a Treatise Bullinger telleth us of divers sotts of Anabaptists called Liberi vid. sup Denkians a sort of Anabaptists of which Denkius was chief who taught that the Devill and wicked men should be saved This Denkius was converted by Oecolampadius Minister of Basil. Semper Orantes who would alwayes pray and neglect all other duties Deo relicti Anabaptists that relying onely upon God refuse all meanes that God hath appoynted Monasterienses or magnificent Anabaptists so called because of their bravery under their King Iohn who added many things unto the hodgepodge of their errors as the having many wives which he pretended to receive from the heavenly Father and it was no burthen for a man to have never so many in Munster they being provided for out of the common stock They put away barren women and women past children as good for nothing and committed them to Curators to keep whereas they had many wives yet it was accounted a great offence for one wife to looke distorto vertu but awry upon her sister wife yea accounted a capitall crime Yea at this day they have a new crotchet come into their heads that all that have not beene plunged nor dipt under waters are not truely baptized and these also they re-baptize And this error ariseth from ignorance of the Greek word Baptize which signifieth no more then washing or ablution as Hezychius Stephanus Scapula Budaeus great Masters of the Greek-tongue make good by many instances and allegations out of many authors In holy Scripture it is used generally to wash Luke 11. 38. The Pharisees wondred that he had not first washed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So Heb. 9. 10. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 7. 3. Except they wash oft they care not And both are allowed by our Church and sprinkling hath been rather used among us by reason of the coldnesse of our climate and the tendernesse of our Infants They will tell us that Christ was baptized in the River and the Eunuch in the River True it is for then they had no Churche nor Fonts which now are to be used but in what river was Cornelins and his family or the Jaylor and his family plunged in Againe if the spirituall grace be sufficiently expressed by a little water sprinkled as by ducking in a river then dipping is not necessary as a little bread in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is of as much efficacy as a whole loafe The Apostle telleth us Heb. 9. 13. ofsprinkling them that were uncleane St. Cyprian telleth us true baptisme to be as well by sprinkling as by dipping It is impossible saith Mr. Bullinger to set downe all the differences and contrary opinions of the Anabaptists with all their pernicious Sects and
Sectaries are bitter Railers and especially upon their Mother the Church oâ— England calling her Apostate Israel Sodom Bobylon murthering Step-mothers Idolatrous Antichâ—istian c. They judge and condemne them that are better then themselves far excelling in the gifts and graces of God yea they condemne and slâ—nder our whole nation as a false Church false Christians a Synogogue of Satan a people in a damnable estate exempting none neither the learned'st nor the holiest but condemne all Thâ—y boast much of the Spirit but by their virulent and venomous tongues you may see what spirit is in them viz. That Spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience Michael tâ—e Arch-Angel durst not give the Devill such cursed language as the Brownists give their mother The poyson of Aspes are under their lips Barrow and Greenwood were possessed with a spirit of railing and scoffing terming set Prayers the smoak of the bottomlesse pit preaching preachment and sermocination the Preachers deliverie of the word the distilling and dropping downe of old Parables from his mouth the time of preaching disputing with the houre-glasse the Pulpit a prescript place like a Tub solemne Fasts hyporiticall Fasts and a stage-play wherein one playeth sin another judgement another the Gospell the singing of Psalmes harmonizing of pleasant ballads our Churches styes our Baptisme adulterate baptisme the receiving the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper a two-penny Feast the worship of God Idolatry and us Idolaters yea Sodomites Canaanites Beliamites Chamitesâ— Cainites 8. Magnifie their Sect. AS these Sectaries villefie others so they magnifie themselves like those men of whom the Prophet speaketh Isa. 65. Stand further off I am holier then thou And with the Pharisee they thaâ—ke God that they are not likâ— other men Or with Sâ—mon Magus gave out that they are the great power of God These cry up their owne Sect to the Skies On Mr. Bernard saith Mr. Robinson if ever you saw the beauty of Sion and â—he glory of God filling his Taberâ—acle it hath beene in the manifestaâ—ion of dâ—vers graces of God in our Church in that heavenly harmony and comely order wherein by the grace of God we are set aâ—d walke Likewise heare Mr. Smith Oh Mr. Bernard if you knew but the power and comfort of Gods Ordinance as we doe c. Touching both these boasters of their popular Government hear the censure of Mr Iohnson who sheweth them to be Korites a bellious rout pleaders for confusion c. Also Mr. Daniel Studlâ—y Mr. Iohnsons second describeth Mr Samuel Fuller a Deacon of Mr. Robinsons company with his friends to be ignorant Idiots noddy Nabalites dogged Doegs fainfaced Pharisces shamelesse Shimeites malicious Machavilians 9. Criminate the Dutch and French Church IN their separations they carry not their seduced people from us to the Dutch or French nor to any Reformed Churches to have Communion They are as malevolent to Dutch and French Churches as to us many crimes they do lay upon them as for example 1. That their Assemblies are so contrived that the whole Church continueâ—h not together so that the Ministers cannot â—ogether with their flock sanctifie the Lords day The presence of the members cannot be knowne and finally no publick action whether excommunication or any other cannot bee rightly done can they say worse of us the Lords day cannot be rightly observed nor presence nor absence known nor any holy action rightly performed what can there be in their Churches but meere confusion See what dirt these Separatists cast upon the Church that harboureth them 2. They baptize the seed of them that are no members of the visible Church of whom they have no care as of members neither admit their Parents to the Lords Supper Is not this meeâ— Babylonisme how is the Church of Amsterdam separated from the World 3. That rule and commandement of Christ Matth. 18. 15. If thy brother offend thee goe and tell his fault c. They neither observe nor suffer to be observed behold what they complain of us they find the same in the Church of Amsterdam 4. They worship God in the Idol Temples of Anti-christ so that the wine is marred with the vessels is not this an abhomination yea the Anti-christian stones have some of them the ornaments of the Romaâ— harlot upon them remaining 5. Their Ministers have set maintenance 6. Tyâ—hes or a maintenance as ill Tythes were commanded by God and never repealed but this they have leaâ—nâ— of their Tutors the Anabaptists 7. Their Elders change yearely which is not according to the Doctrine of the Apostâ—es what can our Church have worâ—e then false Governours 8. They celebrate marriage in the Church is not this a foul fault Is it not better to be married in the Congrâ—gation with prayers and Gods blessing pronounced upon them by the Minister then to be contracted privately and 〈◊〉 into a booke as men doe horses in Smithfield 9. They use a new censure of suspension which Christ hath not appointed a great presumption sâ—y they 10. They receive unrepentant Excommunicants to bee members of thir Church by which meanes they become the body with them that are delivered over to Satan Thus these Seperatists besmeare the Church at Amsterdam yea they count it a great Apostacy for one of them so much as once to heare a Sermon in any of the Dutch or French Churches 10. Pretend Scripture AND whereas they doe pretend Scripture for their novelties while the world standeth saith a learned man it connot be shewed out of Gods sacred book that he hath commanded any of these following 1. Lâ—t all decisions excommunications yea and ordinations be performed by the multitude 2. Let evey Assembly have a Doctor and a Pastor distinct in charge and office 3. Let private Christians agree among themselves to set over themselves a Postor chosen by themselves 4. To this I may adde where or when did our Lord take the keyes from the Church and give them to the multitude how dare any Lay-man presume to ordaine Ministers to binde and loose c. 11. Thy avoyd our Congregations as prophane ONe speciall cause of their Separation they pretend to be the mixt Congregations of men holy and prophane with whom they will nor communicate lest they should be defiled You have heard of the resemblances that have been made of Gods Church as namely it is compared to a field in which are some Tares as well as wheaâ— to a net wherein are contained bad fish as well as good to a fold having in it Goats as well as sheep yet is not the field to be spoâ—led because of Tares nor the net to be broken because of the bad fish nor the fold to be broken because of the Goats no we are not to depart from any Church of Christ for any scandall given to us by the members and professors therein except for extreame errors of doctrine or ungodly practises professed in it 12.
Yea the Brownists gâ—e faâ— beyâ—nd the Anabapâ—â—sts affâ—â—ming set Prayers to be abhominable in the eyes of Almighty God To this â—â—â—answer whatsoever God hath ordained is neither abhominable nor loathsome to him but God hath ordained set Prayers therefore they are not abominable noâ— loathsome That God hath ordained set prayers see Num. 6. 23 24. Yee shall blesse the childâ—en of Israel saying unto them the Lord blesse thee and keep thee the Lord make his face to shine upon tâ—ee and be gracious to thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace Againe Deut. 26. 5. And thou shalt speake and say before the Lord thy God a Syâ—ian ready to perish was my Father The 90. Psalme is a Prayer even the prayer of Moses and and used in the Jewish Church as we use the Lords Prayer All the Psalmes of David except some that are doctrinall are prayers and have beene and shall be read in the Church of God maâ—gre all the Heriticks and Schismaticks In the World In the Gospell are many set prayers daily read in the Church What are all these abhominable All the ancient Churches in the world planted by the Apostles have set Prayers as the Greek Church to whom St. Paul preached the Indians to whom St. Thomas brought the â—ight of the Gospel the Ethiopians to whom St. Mark brought the knowledge of Christ the Muscovites who affirme that they received the truth from Sâ— Andrew These with all ancient Churches have set prayers their Liturgies are to be seen Yea all the Reformed Churches the Duâ—ch the French the Danâ—sh the Swedish the Scotâ—ish c have set Prayers onely these Sectaries will speak to God ex tempore In my Christianography you may see dâ—vers Liturgies as a Liturgy attributed to St. Iamesâ—he â—he first Bishop of â—erusalem set forth by Victorius Scâ—atâ—â—us the Maronite The Apdâ—â—le Iames was commonly called Iacobus Liturgus that is Iames the Service-maker which beginneth O Lord doe not despise me defiled with the multitude of my sins c. Again the service the Muscovites use taken out of the Commentaries of Sigismund Liberus The Ethiopian Liturgie or Service written by Francis Alvares The Copâ—s Liturgy set forth by Kircherus The Armenian Service set downe by Odoardus Barâ—osa The Armenian Service set downe by Peter Bellonius lib. 3. cap. 12. The Liturgy of Severus sometime Patriarch of Alexandria written in Syriak and translated into Latine by Guido Subritius But to shew you a patterne of some of their new Prayers one of them cryeth out in his prayer O Lord thou knoweâ—â— good Lord that we never had the truth preached among us untill now c. Whereas the Doctrine of the Church of England is Gods truth as the learned Assembly of Divines doe restifie howsoever in our Discipline there may need Reformation Another cryeth out in his prayer Good Lord good Lord deliver this Congregation from this man who is unlearned unpowerfull unprofitable c. This spirituall Prayer was made for my selfe in my owne Church in my owne Pulpit in my owne hearing To conclude this with the counsell of the holy Ghost Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thine heart be hasty to utter a thing before Gâ—d for God is in the heavens and thou art 〈◊〉 the earth Therefore let thy words be few for as a dreame commeth by the multitude of businesse so the voyce of a foole is known by many words 20. They quarrell at the Lords Prayer BUT what need I complaine of their blaspheming of set Prayers whereas our Lord taught his Disciples a set Forme of Prayer the perfectest and exactest of all that can bee made it being compiled by the Sonne of God who is the wisedome of the Father For perfection it containeth all that can be asked or prayed against For acceptation it containeth the words of Christ the Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased These Sectaries quarrell at this prayer and will nor say it as Barrow Greenwood affirme it to be abominable and as loâ—thsome unto God as swines-flesh to a Jew Apollinaâ—ius the Heritick equalled his songs with holy Scripture but I never heard of any Heretick thatâ—prefer'd his owne works before holy Scripture Doe not these Heriticks preferre their owne Prayers before our Lords If our Lords Prâ—yer be better then theirs why doe they not say it according to our Lords Commandement Luke 11 Or if they will pray after the same manner as is commanded Matth. 6. Why doe they use so many vaine repetitions there by him forbidden I have read that St. Peter used no other prayer at the Communion but this Prayer which his Master taught him and the Greeks in Calabria used the same But now it is not used by some at the ministration of the Sacrament I am sure this prayer is perfect and all other devised by them not so perfect Let us not neglect that perfect forme which our Lord hath left us or pray at least-wise after that manner not using vaine repititions by him forbidden as before 21. Of the Tyranny and ill-usage of some of them to their VVives and Servants MAny there be that are taken in the Bâ—iars of this propane Schisme that wish they had never met with the separation of that Schismaticall body and would flye so that they might escape without excommunication with which they terâ—ifie them so that they dare not so much as whisper or as much as â—uffe against it You may read in the Boook called The prophane Schisme of the Brownists how cruelly also they used their servants for not doing their taskes as some they hang up by the hands and whip them stark naked being women grown yea they spare not theâ—r wives but correct them Read the story of Seudley and Mansfield It may be they learnâ— this of their Patriarch Father Browne who would cuâ—stly correct his old wife as before 22. There are divers sorts of Separatists THere are divers sorts of these Sectaries for every day begets a new fancy or opinion it â—aâ—ing with them usually as with all other Hereticks who having once forsaken the Truth wander from one error to another as Mr. Smith one of their Grandees from a Protestant he turned Brownist and from a Brownist he turned Anabaptist yea a Sebaptist and re-baptized himselfe The first sort of Separatists affirme the abominations of the Church of England to be so great that they will â—ot come within their Church doores to heare any of their Ministers but â—y themselves wholly to their owne Conventicles The root of this Sect was one Mr. Robert Browne before named from whom are risen many Sects for every day begets a new fancy and conceit These say that England was once the Lords wiâ—e but that he hath given her a Bill of divorce and put her away These deny all communion with her but private communion they hold lawfull with her members As for the ancient company of Brownists that were
teach that in this life there is no fruit no sence no certainty of immutable election unto glory but upon condition contingent and mutable for besides that it is absurd to make an uncertaine certainty These things contrary to the experience of the godly who with the Apostle triumph upon the sence of their election and extoll this benefit of God who rejoyce with the Disciples according to the admonition of Christ Luke 10. 20. That their namâ—â— are written in heaven And lastly who oppose the sense of their election against the fiery darts of divillish temptations demanding Rom. 8. 33. Why shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect 8. They teach that God out of his meere just will hath not decreed to leave any man in the fall of Adam and common state of sin and damnation or to passe over any in the communication of gracâ— necessary to faith and conversion for that stands firme Rom. 9. 18. He hath compassion upon whom he will and whom he will he hardnâ—th And that Mat. 13. 11. To you is given to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven but to them it is not given In like manner Mat. 11. 25 26. I glorifie thee Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding men and hast revealed them unto Babes even so O Father because thy good pleasure was such 9. They teach that the cause why God sends the Gospell rather to this nation than to another is not the meere and onely good pleasure of God but because this nation is better and more worthy of it then that to which he hath not communicated the Gospell â—or Moses gain-sayes this speaking thus unto the people Israel Deut. 10. 14 15. Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord thy Gods and the earth with all that therein is Notwithstanding the Lord set his delight in thy Fathers to love them and did chuse their seed after them even you above all people as appeareth this day And Christ Mat. 11. 21â— Wâ—e be to thee Corazin woe be to thee Bethsaida for if the great works which had been done in you had been done 〈◊〉 Tiâ—â—s and Sydon they had repented long agoe in sacke 〈◊〉 and ashes 2. Their Errors concerning Christs death and the redemption of men by it 1. THey teach that God the Father ordained his Son unto the death of the Crosse without any certaine and determinate counsell of saving any particular man expressely so that its necessary profit and dignity might have remained whole sound and perfect in every respect compleat and entire in the impetration of Christs death although they obtained redemption had never actually been applyed to any particular person for that assertion is reproachfull to the wisdome of God the Father and the meâ—â—t of Jesus Christ and contrary to the Scripture where our Saviour Christ saith Ioh. 10. 15. I lay down my life for my sheep verse 27. And I know them The prophet speaketh thus of our Saviour Isa. 53. 10. When he shal make his sons a sacrifice for sin he shal see his seed and prolong his dayes and the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hands Lastly it overthroweth any Article of our faith wherein we doe believe that there is a Church 2. They reach that this was not the will of God that hee might establish a new Covenant of Grace by his bloud but that he might onely procure unto his Father the bare right of making againe with men any Covenant whatsoever whether of grace or of works for this thwarteth the Scripture which teacheth that Christ is made the surety mediator of a better that is a new Covenant Heb. 7. 22. and Heb. 9. 17. The Testament is confirmed when men are dead 3. They teach that Christ by his satisfaction did not certainly merit for any mans salvation it selfe and faith by which this satisfaction of Christ may be effectually applyed unto salvation buâ— onely that he purchased his Fathers power or resolution to enter into a new match with man-kinde and to prescribe them what new Covenant soever he pleased The performance of which condition should depend upon mans free-will and that therefore it might fall â—ut that either no man or every man might fulfill them for these esteem too 〈◊〉 basely of Christâ— death in no wise acknowledging the chiefest 〈…〉 excellent fruit and benefit procured thereby and will call up 〈…〉 Pelagian herisie from hell 4. They teach that the new Covenant of grace with God the Father by the mediation of Christs death made with men doth not consist herein viz. That we are justified before God and saved by faith insomuch as it apprehendeth the merit of Christ but herein viz. That God the exaction of perfect legal obedience being abrogated reputes faith it selfe and the imperfect obedience of faith for the perfect obedience of the Law graciously thinks it worthy of the reward of eternall life Thâ—â— concludeth the Scripture Rom. 5. 24 25. All are justified freely by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Iesus whom God hath set forth to be a reconciliation through saith in his bloud And with wicked Socinus they bring in 〈◊〉 and strange justification of man before God 〈…〉 consent of the whole Church 5. They teach that all men are received into the staâ—e of reconciliation and grace of the Covenant so that no 〈◊〉 shal be condemned for Originall sin nor in respect of it be 〈◊〉 unto death or damnation but are all acquitted and fâ—eâ—d from the guilt of that sin This opinion is contrary to the Scripture which affiâ—es that by nature we are the Children of wrath This the Arminiams learnt from the Anabaptists 6. They imply the distinction of impetration and application to the end that they may infuse this opinion unto unskâ—â—full and unwary wits namely that God as much as concerne◠〈◊〉 would conferre upon all men eqâ—â—lly those benefits which are promised by Christs death And whereas some rather then â—thers are made partakers of forgivenesse of sins 〈◊〉 life eternâ—llâ— and this diversity depends upon their owne free-will applying it selfe unto grace indifferently offered but not upon the â—â—â—gular gift of mercy effectually working in them 〈◊〉 then others that they may apply this grace unto themsâ—lves 〈◊〉 they while they bear the world in hand that they prâ—pound this destruction with a sound meaning they goe about to make the people drink of the poysonous cup of Pelagianisme 7. They teach that Christ neither could nor ought to dye neither did dye for those whom God dearely loved and chose unto eternall life seeing such stood in no need of Christs death In this they contradict the Apostle who saith Gal. 2. 20. Christ loved me and gave himselfe for me In like manner Rom. 8. 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Christs chosen It is God that justifieth who shall condemne it is Christ which it dead to
Eph. 1. 19. That we believe according to the working of his mighty power And 2 Thes. 1. 11. That God fulfilleth all the pleasure of his goodnesse and the worke of faith with power And 2 Pet. 1. 3. That Gods power hath given to us all things that pertaine to life and godlinesse 9. They teach that grace and free-will are co-partening causes joyntly concurring to the beginning of conversion and that grace doth not in the order of casuality goe before the action of the will That is that God doth effectually helpe mans will to conversion before the will of man moveth and determineth or setleth it selfe thereunto This doctrine was long since condemned by the ancient Church among the Pelagian Errors out of the Apostles Authority Romans 9. 16. It is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of God that sheweth mercy And 1 Cor. 4. 7. Who maketh thee to differ from another and what hast thou that thou didst not receive Item Phil. 2. 13. It is God which worketh in you both â—o will and to doe of his good pleasure 5. Error concerning the perseverance of the Saints 1. THey teach that the perseverance of the faithfull is not an effect of election nor any gift of God purchased by the death of Christ but that it is a condition of the new Covenant which is to be performed by mans part by his owne free will before his as they themselves speak peremptorily election and justification whereas the holy Scriptures testifie that it followeth election and is given to the Elect by vertue of Christ death resurrection and intercession Rom. 8. 32. He that spared not his owne Sonne but delivered him up for us how shall not he with him give us freely all things Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect It is God that justifieth who is he that condemneth It is Christ that dyed yea or rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh intercession for us who shall separate us from the love of Christ 2. They teach that God indeed furnisheth the faithfull man with sufficient strength to persevere and is ready to maintâ—iâ—e that strength in him if he himselfe be not wanting to his duâ—y yet not withstanding when as all abilities necessary unto perseverance and all things which God is pleased to use for the preservation of Faith once granted and set in readinesse that it still remaineth in the choyce and pleasure of mans will to performe or not This opinion is easily discovered to be an impe of Pelagiâ—nisme which whilst it strives to make man free maketh him sacrilegious contrary to the uniforme and peâ—petuall consent of Evangelicall doctrine which quite strippeth a man of matter of boasting and ascribeth the glory of his benefit to Gods grace onely and contrary to the Apostle witnessing that it is God that shall confirme us unto the end that we may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 3. They teach that the regenerate and true beleevers not only may totally and finally fall from justifying saith as also from grace and salvation but that frequently also they indeed do fall from all these and perish everlastingly This opinion maketh the grace of justification and regeneration and Christs continuall custody voyd and of none effect contrary to the expresse words of St. Paul Rom. 5. 8. While we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us much more then being justified by his bloud we shall be saved from wrath through him And contrary to the Apostle St. Iohn 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whosoever is borne of God sinneth not for his seed remaineth in him neither can be sin because he is borne of God And also contrary to the word of our Saviour Iohn 10. 28 29. I give eternall life to my sheep and they shall never perish neither shall any plucke them out of my hand my Father which gave them me is greater then all and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand 4. They teach that the regeneraâ—e and truely faithfull may sin the sin unto death or against the holy Ghost St. Iohn in his first Epistle Chapter 5. Verse 16. Having made mention of such as sinned unto death and forbidden to pray for them presently verse 16. addeth We know that whosoever is borne of God sinneth not to wit that kinde of sin but he that is begotten of God keepeth himselfe and that wicked one coucheth him not 5. They teach that no certainty of future perseverance caâ— he had in this life without speciall revelation By this Doctrine the solid comfort of true beleevers in this life is quite taken away and the doctrine of doubâ—fulnesse â—â—â—ouched by the Papists is brought againe into the Church whereas the holy Scripture every wheâ—e draweth this assurance not from special and extraordinary revelation but from the proper markes and signes of Gods children and from the infallible promises made by God himselfe especially the Apostle Rom. 8. 39. No creature is able to separate us from the love of God which is in Iesus Christ. 1 Joh 3. 24. He that keepeth his Commadement dwelleth in him and he in him and hereby we know that hee abideth in us even by the spirit which hee hath given us 6. They teach that the doctrine maintaiâ—ing assurance and persâ—verance and of salvation is of its own nature gift a soft pillow for the flesh and hurtfull to good manners godlinesse praying and other holy exercises and contrariwise that it is a true commendable thing to be doubtfull of such perseverance The opposers of this assurance do evideÌ„tly shew that they know not the powerfulnesse of Gods grace nor the operation of the holy Ghost dwelling in the heart and spare not to outface the Apostle Iohn affiâ—ming the contrary in expresse terms 1 Ioh 3. 2 3. Beloved now are we the sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what we shal be but we know that when he shal appeare we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And every man that this hope in him purifieth himselfe even as he is pure They are also refuted by the examples of holy men both in the old and new Testament who though well assured of their own perseverance and salvation yet gave not over prayers and otheâ— exercises of godlinesse 7. They teach that the faith of those that beleeve but for a season differeth no from justifying and saving faith but onely in respect of continuance Christ himselfe manifestly puts Mat. 13. 20. Luke 8. 13. a three-fold disparison between temporisors and true beleevers saying that those receive the seed in a stony ground these in a good ground that is an honest and good heart these want root these have a fast root these are fruitlesse these bring forth their fruit with diversity of yeeld that with patience that is with constancy and perseverance 8. They teach that it is absurd that a man
also of power as Peter was called to the highest degree Eph 4. 11. Christ ascended up an high and gave gifts unto men as some to be Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Doctors Now howsoever one Apostle be not above another yet one Apostle is above another as an Apostle is above an Evangelist and an Evangelist above Pastors and Teachers And Peter being an Apostle was above all Evangelists and Pasâ—ors having the highest roome in the Ministery of the New Testament Secondly among the twelve Apostles Peter had a three-fold priviledge First of authority Cephas with Iames anâ— Iohn were called Pillers Gal. 2. 6. 9. Secondly of Primacy being first named The names of the twelve Apostles are these the first is Simon called Peter Thirdly of Principality in regard of the measure of grace in which he excelled Math. 16. 16. The difference is the Papists give to Peter and to the Bishops of Rome his successors a supremacy under Christ above all causes and persons which wee deny affirming Kings and Princes to bee supreme within their owne Dominions The nineteenth of the efficacy of the Sacraments Our consents We teach Sacraments to be signes to represent Christ with his benefits unto us 2. Instruments whereby God offereth and giveth the said benefits unto us The difference First that Sacraments are Physicall Instrements having force in them to give grace Secondly that the very action of the Minister dispensing the Sacrament as it is a worke done giveth grace if the party bee prepared We hold the contrary The twentieth poynt of saving Faith Our consent 1. They teach the property of faith to believe the whole Word of God and especially the redemption of mankinde by Christ. 2. They a vouch that they beleeve and look to be saved by Christ and by him alone and by the meere mercy of God in Christ. 3. The most learned of them hold and confesse that the obedienâ—e of Christ is imputed to them for the satisfaction of the Law and their reconciliation with God 4. They avouch that they put their whole trust and confidence in Christ and in the meere mercy of God for their salvation 5. They hold that every man must apply the promise of life everlasting by Christ unto himselfe Though in coloured termes they seem to agree with us yet indeed they abolish and deny the substance thereof namely the particuler and certaine application of Christ Crucified and his benefits to our selves The 21. poynt of Repentance Our consent 1. Conclusion that Repentance is the conversion of a â—inner and that it is passive or active passive is an action of God whereby he converteth a man being yet unconverâ—ed Active is an action of man whereby man being once turned of God turnes himselfe 2. Conclusion That repentance standeth In Confessing of the mouth Contition of the heart Satisfaction in deed 3. Conclusion that in repentance we are to bring forth outward fruits worthy amendment of life We dissent not from the Church of Rome in the Doctrine of Repentance but in their abusing of it 1. They place the beginning of repentance partly in themselves and partly in the holy Ghost 2. They take Repentance or Penance for that publike Discipline that was used against offenders in the open Congregation 3. They make it a Sacrament 4. They make it a meritorious cause of Remission of sinne and everlasting life and in these poynts saith my Author we dissent from the Church of Rome In the 22. place he setteth downe some sinnes of the Romish Church viz. Atheisme Idolatry and Adultery in permitting Stewes and Brothell-houses I pray God keep us in these distracted times from Atheisme and Sacriledge which ensuâ—th thereupon In Master Perkins Reformed Catholike you may see the confutation of the Popish errors before named at large A Review of the Sectaries comparing them with the PAPISTS FOr the Sacrament of Baptisme the Papists exclude those Infants heaven that are not Baptized and the Anabapâ—ists affirme the Baptisme of Children to be the marke of the Beast and Antichristian The Papists attribute too much to the Element of Bread in the holy Communion accounting him no good Christian that will not call it his Lord God Some of these Sectaries as the Brownists mocke and scoffe at the Sacrament of the Lords Supper calling it a two-penny Banquet For the number of Sacraments the Papists will have too ma-many and some of these Sectaries too few The Papists give too much reverence to the Blessed Virgin holy Apostles and Saints departed and some of these Hereticks blaspheme the holy Virgin whom all Nations should call blessed as the Melchiorists saying Maledicta sit caro Mariae The Papists are blamed for saying too often the Lords Prayer the Brownists and some of other Sectaries will not say the Lords Prayer at all some of them affirming it to be an abominable Idoll though it be commanded to be said by our Lord himselfe The Papists will not onely keep the Lords day but also many Holy-dayes some of these Sectaries will neither keepe Holy-dayes nor the Lords day as the Famalists and Anâ—i-Sabbatarians The Papists confesse their sinnes and suppose they cannot enter heaven without a particuler confession of them some of these Hereticks will not confesse their sinnes at all affirming God can see no sinne in them as the Antinomiaâ—s In equivocating they are alike Equivocation is a cunning colouring of a Lye which is against Scripture against the rule of equity an hindring of Justice the way to perjury the divills creature who is the Father of Lying a princiâ—pll proppe and pillar of Antichrists Kingdome For lying I know not whether Papists or Sectaries shall carry away the Bell they tell lyes they print lies they preach lyes they paint lies and both without controule Bullinger telleth us that the Anabaptists brought Cart-loads of lies to maintaine their detestable opinions Piae fraudes as the Papists have Piae fraudes to draw men to godlinesse as purgatory and such like so have the Sectaries and especially the Anabaptists have tricks and devises as Visions Revelations Dreames yea false miracles to maintain their cause For Hypocrisie they are both alike they come in sheepes cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves The Anabaptists entred Munster like Lambes but became Wolves having gotten the upper hand For their uncleannesse the Papists permit Stewes â—but the uncleannesse of the Familists and Anabaptists in their spiritâ—all marriages and other abhominations are not with a modest tongue to be spoken For Churches the Papists spare no cost in erecting and trimming them they would make them if they could like heaven it selfe whereas some of these Sectaries would destroy and demâ—lish them Last of all the Papists worship God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity and whereas some of these Sectaries blaspheme the holy Trinity their opinions being so Diabolicall and prodigiously impious that it
is not for a Christian to name their opinions It hope that our Governours will drive these also from our Folds as they doe the Popish Emissaries It is fit for all that are Christians to avoyd all those who speake against Christ and to account them as the enemies of God and corrupters of soules Postscript SInce the publishing of this Heresiography I have been abused above measure not onely with reviling language in the streets as I goe but also in my estate some Sectaries of my Parish denying now to pay me any thing at all affirming that they are to maintaine the Minister of their owne Congregation And that which troubleth them is my defence of Tithes and the Ordinance of Parliament for the true payment of them The non-payment whereof is one of the chiefe inducements that the Brownists and some other Sectaries have to entise the silly people and to poyson them with their other errors which they learnt from the Anabaptists who taught also that Christian men were to pay no rent nor submit to any government for which the German Princes rooted them out of their Dominions Now these latter Hereticks daring not to forbid payment of rent nor Magistracy raile altogether upon the payment of Tithes and the Ordinance for Tithes lately set out by Parliament And some of them in a scandalous Libell among other things affirme Doctor Featlies Divell to be transmigrated into old Ephraim Pagitt would to God I had his learning who is altogether for fat Tithes c. I pray God keep the divell out of them A learned man writeth That if a man should binde himselfe to the Divell to doe his uttermost in supplanting the kingdome of Christ he could not attempt it any way more directly then in driving the Ministers to such straits and difficulties that having not convenient and necessary maintenance they must either give over their callings or devoyd of courage and comfort in sorrow exercise the same by occasion whereof others shall be discouraged from the study of Divinity nothing desirous to buy poverty so deare Such as I have said before doe not onely occidere Presbyteros kill Christs Ministers But also with Julian Presbyterium the very Ministery of Christ. Yea they strike at the root of Gods Service at Christs Priesthood going about to destroy the Ministry and Seminary of Gods Church But for the payment of Tithes which they so blaspheme the Ministers have to them a double right First by speciall reservation of Almighty God Secondly by humane donation For the first men have soules as well as bodies and God hath provided for them both as in the week he allowed six days for the body and sanctified the seventh for the soule so of mens goods he alloweth nine parts for the Body and reserveth a tenth for the soule to maintaine his Ministers to beget them unto God and teach them his knowledge a tenth part he precisely enjoyned that mans covetousnesse should not rob his Ministers which some would doe if the quota pars were lest to their discretions The reservation of Tithe is set downe in expresse words Levit. 27. 30. All the Tithe of the land whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree it is the Lords it is holy to the Lord. All none excepted is noâ— hereafter shall be but now is and hath been As the Sabbath was observed before the fourth Commandement was promulgaâ—â—d Exod. 20. So Tithes were paid long before this reservation to the Levites You may read of Abraham paying Tithe to Melchisedech and of lacob promising to pay them And now God reserving them to himselfe and establishing them upon the Levites so we have a succession of them unto Christ. Now hath not Christ a Priest-hood and that more excellent then Melchisedechs or the Levites Melchisedech blessed Abraham But in our High Priest all the Nations of the earth are blessed The Apostle telleth us as Chrysostome affirmeth that Christ received Tithe from Levi by Abraham father of the faithfull who paying Tithe to Melchisedech shadowed out the faithfull paying Tithe to Christ. For Abraham payed Tithe not to the Priest that offered Leviticall Sacrifices of Bullocks and Goats but of Bread and Wine setting â—orth to what Priests we must pay Tithes to Hath not Christ our High Priest a Priest-hood yes and why should not Tithes bee due to his Priest-hood are his Priests to serve for nothing he telleth us himselfe that the Labouâ—er is worthy of his wages How dare any man deny Tithes to Christs Priest-hood tell me is Christs Priest-hood lesâ—e deserving than Aarons or Melchisedechs or hath he lost his right or hath Christ lesse care of the Ministers of of the Gospell then was taken for the Priests of the Law Saint Paul saith they are worthy of double honour Or hath Christ renounced his right in Tithes no you may read of his expresse allowance of them Matth. 23. 23. It is his Ordinance 1 Cor. 9. 3. Doeâ—ce not know that they which wait at the Altar are partakers with the Altar So hath God ordained that they which preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell God hath ordained saith the Aposâ—le where can we finde aâ—y other ordinaâ—ce The Apostles sâ—â—teth downe the difference between the Leviâ—â—call Priests and Christ Heb. 7. 8. They under the Tabernacle take Tithes of them who dyed but here he taketh them that liveth for ever In which Text he sheweth that Tithes are not Leviticall and a mutable maintenance but the eternall maintenance of Gods service used before the Law when the Priest-hood was in the Father of the Family stated on not first invented sor Levi during the Levites service and when the body came which was Christs and Levi with all his Typicall service was to be abolished then ceased not Tithes in right although in practise they were not paid by Pagans but were transferred to Christ and to his Ministers for their maintenance yea to the Priest-hood of Christ who liveth for ever Let these Sectaries shew any one Sillable in all the holy Scriptures in which Tithes are Ceremoniall as the Sacrifices were which were types and figures of Christs Sacrifice which he offered once for all and in him determined Or where Christ or his Apostles may but seeme to have abrogated abolished or changed them or why the Law for Tithes should be more abolished then the Law for the Sabbath The service of God continuing why should not the maintenance thereof continue To conclude as the Christians so also the Mahometans who are much more numerous than the Christians pay their Tithes with great conscience the detention of them is one of the grand sinnes which the two inquisitor Angels of their Law doe examine soules after death viz. Whether they have payd their Tithes without fraud as witnesseth Ioannes Baptist a Alfaqui who had been a Mahometan Priest The wisedome of Almighty God the practise of all ages the example of Patriarks Abraham and Iacob