word the Papists talke of and ye see they doe but talke of it For they confesse theese things were introduced from ancient customes and creepingly by the silence of the people who were vrged to conformitie by the flattering and menacing clergie and loth to be counted Schismatikes Refractarie Puritans they gained the strength of Law some sooner some later but all in a like manner as beeing the inventions of ambition will worship superstition and tyranie to which God gaue them over because like the Angels they kept not theire first Estate Rom. 1.20 they did not like to retaine God in theire knowledge they did not abide in the truth nor in theese cases received the love thereof but as the flattering defenders of the English hierarchie and traditions they scorned and mocked all that opposed them and sought puritie in Religion as fooles Schismatikes and hypocrits that strained as they say at gnats and made schismes aboute trifles this mocking was that which gaue all manner of corruption strength and in crease as it doth in England Where he is reckoned a wise able divine that knows how to scoffe such men out Gal. 5.9 as Papists did A litle leauen leaveneth the whole lumpe They thus corrupted were given ouer to beleeue lies This aversion from the creators word was a conversion to the word of creatures to the decrees of men in Synods and councels Ier. 2 13. It was a forsaking of the Lord the fountaine of liveing waters and hewing them out broken cisterns that can hold no water And because they did not take the marke of God to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints and seeke to get the victorie over the Beast and his Image and marke as all Christians should God gaue them over to take the marke of the Beast to worship him and his Image and to drinke of the golden cup which the greate whore holdeth full of abhominations Reu. 17. and filthinesse of her fornication Such honour offices dominion power worship ceremonies and Religion as God never ordained But what cared they so they could but by theire flatterie and false glosses get the consent and helpe of Princes and make them beleeve this was to defend the Church which either as they did or omitted God would prosper or punish them For thus they made Emperours Kings take pleasure to assist them and so as the Prophet saith Hos 7.3 They make the King glad with theire wickednesse and the Princes with theire lies And so indeede did the false Prophets in Ieremies time and likewise in the time of Ahab and other Kings And therfore the Angel seeing the greate wickednesse of the whore of Babylon in theese things and the destruction that was ready to fall on her for them saith Reu. 18.2.3 Babylon the greate is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of deuls and the hold of euerie foule Spirit and a cage of everie vncleane and hatefull bird for all nations haue drunke of the wine of the wrath of her fornication viz. to which God in his wrath gaue her and them over And the Kings of the earth haue committed fornication with her enforcing her Lawes and errours on thâ—ire subjects and the Marchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies that is which she had neede of for the maintaining of the pompe of her Prelates ceremonies and Tempels The merchandise of gold and silver and precious stones and of pearles ver 12 and fine linnen and purple and silke odours and frankencense c. Now observe this committing of fornication with her is of two sorts 1. When Kings and States give theire power and strength to the Beast and Church of Rome fighting his battailes and enforcing her Lawes customs and errours on theire people 2. When they commit some of the same evils or the like though not all as she doth Kings commit fornication with her who doe it in som things though not in all Yea though they doe them not in obedience to her or to please or serve her Henrie 8. denied the Popes supremacie yea was at difference with the Church of Rome in som things yet still committed fornication with her in other things by houlding and maintaining divers other of the Romish Lawes errours and customes Any man holdeth the Doctrine of Balaam that layeth a stumbling block before the people though it be not the verie same kinde of stumbling block which Balaam taught but som other To be guiltie of Ierobams sinne was not alwayes to set vp calves but he departed not from the sinnes of Ieroboam who by any other invention or presumption made Israel to sinne Som follow the way of Kaine Iude 11. some perish in the gainsaying of Corah and some are cast away by the deceitfulnes of Balams wages though not in the same particulars nor in the same manner but in a like So do some Kings commit fornication with Babylon who maintaine any of her presumptions or any like them The Greeke Churches from the yeare 607. that the Pope had obtained to be called vniversall Bishop haue seperated from the Church of Rome denying not onely the supremacie but euen worshipping of Images and som other Romish errours Yet in retaining the hierarchie of diocessan Provinciall and Patriarchall Bishops the masse divers other Romish customs errours and ceremonies both before the yeare 607. and since they haue committed fornication with her While in theese things theire feare toward God is also taught by the traditions and precepts of men they haue cause to feare Christ will not finde them to be of his Ierusalem but of Babylon the greate not of his true Church but of the Synagogue of Sathan For he reckoneth all to be of the one or the other The second councell of Nice taught and commaunded worshipping of Images And then the Greek Emperour with his mother Irene and many Greekes committed fornication in that particular with Babylon M. Moulin observeth how absurd and weake the reasons of thar councell were Buckler of the faith in preface Yet if Kings and councels once maintaine such errours how weake and foolish soever theire reasons be many are soone ready to follow and flatter theire pernicious wayes So likewise in matter of the Lords day or any other commaundement of God if they giue allowance to Prophane or breake it you doe in vaine tell theire flatterers of Gods Law they will stop your mouth or crie you downe with vrging the Lawes of men the Kings injunctions or the like shifts the common refuges of the most superstitious and Prophane men How absurdly doe such in theire much magnified common prayer say Lord haue mercie vpon us and encline our hearts to keepe this Law when they thus allow and defend the breach of it It is a verie poore honour to maintaine a power and Prerogative in such cases against the Lord and his ordinances and Servants Kings doe at last
may finde by the Scriptures if he doe but observe that rule of Christ Ioh. 7.17 If any man will doe his will that is be ordered by it he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God er whether J speake of my selfe Men can not know the truth in this point because they are not willing to know it much lesse to doe it and hold it fast as they are willed But because God hath suffered diocessan Bishops so many hundred yeares and hath not sodainly slaine them when they began to innovate as he did Nadab Abihu and Vzza therefore men are so foolish as to thinke he is so well pleased with the invention that now it should not be so much as questioned when they know if that argument were good the like might be saide for Antichrist who began to rise and raigne with them yet will not men see it Much lesse will they beleeve that as for lesser presūptions in the Corinthians Paul saith for this cause many are weake and sick and many sleepe 1. Cor. 11.21.31 so God punished these as well at theire first rising with the persecutions as since with many plagues spiritual temporall Eccl. 8.11 Psa 50.21 Because sentence against an euill vvorke is not executed speedily therfore the heart of the Sonnes of men is fully set in them to doe euill J kept silence and thou thoughtest that I vvas altogether such a one as thy selfe That is wel enough pleased with thy works But I vvil reproue thee and set them in order before thine eyes and as the Prophet sheweth Ier. 5.1.3.4.5 Isa 26.9.10.11 God inflicteth his punishmēts on a citie or people to make them seeke his truth and to bring them to the knowledge of it O Lord are not thine eyes vpon the truth thou hast stricken them but they haue not grieued for they know not the way of the Lord they haue broken the yoke burst the bonds When thy Judgments are in the earth the inhabitants of the world will learne righteousnes The godly will but let fauour be shewed to the wicked yet will he not learne righteousnesse Nor yet when the hand of God is vpon them Exod. 32 34. When thy hand is lifted vp they will not see But they shall see be ashamed for their enuie at the people and as he saith in a like case In the day vvhen I visit Ier. 12.1 Habak 1.13 I will visit theire sinne vpon them In the meane time why should any godly man be so moved at their prosperitie as to put forth his hand to their wickednesse or in discontent to say wherfore doth the way of the wicked prosper wherefore are all they happy that deale verie trecherously For then he will make them to see that his church is called the Tabernacle of the Testimonie The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie in heauen was opened Reu. 15.5 Chap. 11.19 And ther was seene in it the Ark of his Testament To shew vs that as vnder the first Testament all things concerning the Priests the service was to continue according to the first institution 1. Sam. 2.28 so ought it to be vnder the new I did giue saith God to Elie vnto the howse thy Father all the offerings made by fire to let him know they ought to haue been contented with what God had giuen them and not to take more as his Sonnes did the Testimonie was as well concerning the office and right of the Priests as other things there was not any thing to be suffered of coueteousnes ambitious vsurpation or humane inuention Deut. 19.19.20 So was it to be vnder the new Testament For when God by Moses had spoken of Christ and that which he should speake in his name it is added in the next words But the Prophet which shall presume to speake a word in my name which I haue not commaunded him to speake euen that Prophet shall die And when Christ saith Reu. 22.18 If a man shall adde vnto these things God shall adde vnto him the plagnes written in this booke wee are not onely to take it of thrusting things into the text or adding to it but of speaking and in his name imposing on Churches and people things in religion which he commaunded not God so taxed this fault in the Iewes Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.8 that he counted all things yea theyr verie worshipping of him to be vaine while this was suffered Because in the primatiue Church men did not striue to ouercome the intruding of inuentions by holding fast Christs works vnto the end but let in now a litle and then a litle the truth was daily betrayed and lost and so it must needes be where they are maintained the lesser presumptions make way for the greater Gods word and truth is his glorie Psa 4.3 But saith he how long will ye turne my glorie into shame yet this they doe who would make it defend or allow the inventions and precepts of men This is a harlot like trick to giue her husbands goods and glorie to her adulterers But as Israel and Iudah did it so haue Christian Churches Thou ô Rome wast at first a famous Church but like them Ezech. 15. Esa 48.8 chap. 1. thou didst trust in thine owne beautie and playedst the harlot because of thy renowne thou didst deale very trecherously and wast called a transgressor from the wombe How soone did the faithfull citie become an Harlot It was full of judgment righteousnes lodged in it But now murderers c The Prophets Prophesie falsly Ier. 5.31 and the Priests beare rulle by theire meanes and my people loue to haue it so and what will they doe in the end thereof I answer they made a like custom and long continuance a warrant for theire inuentions as they doe that vpon like grounds defend euill They despise the Law of the Lord. Amos. 2.4 And their lies caused them to erre after which their Fathers walked They would rather doe as their Fa hers had donne and taught then as God commaunded By reason thereof men talke in vaine that tell them of Gods ordinance They cannot hearken Ier. 6.10 Behold the word of the Lord is vnto them a reproach they haue no delight in it I haue written to him the greate things of my Law but they where counted as a strange thing Hos 8.12 And the reason is well giuen Can the Ethiopian change his skin Or the Leopard his spots Chap. 13.23 then may ye also doe good that are accustomed to doe evill All men are subject to finde excuses and even to wrest the Scriptures to defend ancient custome◠It was Gods gracious promise vnto them for all this Isa 1.25.26 Chap. 2.12 I will purge away thy drosse And I will restore thy Iudges as at the first thy counsellours as at the beginning Wee saw he hath promised as much in the case of his church for the
day of the Lord of hosts shal be upon every one that is proud and loftie that is lifted up and he shall be brought low In the meane while wee must know Chap. 5.1 he planted a vinyard in a very fruitfull hill and he fenced it he looked that it should bring forth grapes and it brought forth wild grapes therfore he tooke away the hedge thereof and it was not digged and pruned as it should be So was the hedge taken from the church in the time of the persecutions when she brought forth the wilde grapes of mens inventions Isa 24.5 Ezech. 5.6 Amos. 2.4 Men will confesse it was for some sinne as Israel was alwaies plagued Because they transgressed the lawes changed the ordinance marke changed the ordinance brake the everlasting covenant Though they kept it in fundamentall points of religion yet with Korah and Vzzah they brake and changed it in Ecclesiasticall order service and ceremonies which opened the gap to greater transgressions Had they continued in his ordinances doubtles they had never beene so afflicted he would have beene to them as he promised to Israel Exod. 34.24 I will cast out the nations before thee and enlarge thy borders neither shall any man desire thy land when thou shalt goe up to appeare before the Lord thrice in the yeare he would so have ruled theire enemies hearts but when men observe not his ordinances or like the Angels keepe not theire first estate then by his plagues he seekes to abate theire pride Now wee shall have seene that in the primative church the Clergie did soone decline from his waies in such things were plagued Isa 9.16 Chap. 52. Chap. 42.24 Chap. 8.16 both they and theire people For the Leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are destroied So they that rule over them make them to howle and my name continuallie every day is blasphemed Who gave Jacob for a spoile and Jsrael to the Robbers Did not the Lord he against whom wee have sinned for they would not walke in his waies e. And therfore he saith binde up the Testimonie Seale the law among my Disciples Certaine that lived despised in corners and persecuted even of some of theire owne brethren while he hid his face from the howse of Jacob. Ier. 2 30. Isa 57.17 For saith he in vaine have I smitten your children they received no correction your owne sword hath devoured your Prophets c. For the iniquitie of his coveteousnes was I wroth and smote him J hid me and he went on frowardly in the way of his owne heart So that Coveteousnes hath in all ages beene the roote of all evill Ier. 6.13 especially in church-men For every one is given to coveteousnes and what followeth thereupon from the Prophet to the Priest every one dealeth falsely And they bend theire tongue like theire bow for lies such as are for theire honour or proffit but they are not valiant for the truth Such was the fruite of coveteousnes and ambition in Elies Sonnes such in Gehezi in Ziba and others as well of the Priests as of the people and such hath it ever beene as well in the christian as in the Iewish churches There was doubtles a lust of the eies after the pride of life a seeking after preheminence and authority in the Bishops of Rome from the verie death of the Apostles Theire devises to superintend over neighbour churches or parishes and theire Decrees in theire Synods wherin they for the most part ruled all for theire owne glorie do sufficiently declare it this was the foundation of theire greatnes And som desire there might be of filthie lucre but the first open proofe recorded is that decree of Vrbanus Platina in Vrban 1. that the church might receive from the faithfull inheritance of lands This was aboute the yeare 224. For before times the preaching Bishop was maintained by that which the seaven Deacons gathered for the poore and church vses as both Damasus and Platina shew in the life of Evaristus who died for the Truth in the yeare 109. and was it seemes the last of the vncorrupt Pastors of that litle flock in Rome He presumed not to make ordinances And so as Hegesippus saith to the times of Trajan or thereabouts the church continued cleane and vndefiled as a virgin Euseb lib. 3. c. 26. lib. 4. c. 21. but since that sacred companie left the world the conspiracie of iniquitie began to worke with open face They tell vs indeede of an ordinance that his predecessor Annaclet made against Clergie mens nourishing of long haire in head or beard Platina in Anaclet 1. Cor. 11.14 which haveing respect to that of the Apostle seemed tollerable But the Apostles words were sufficient what neede such an ordinance yet if he made it that served for a pretence that they might make others The like may be saide of that commaund of his that the consecration beeing ended all the faithfull should communicate or they that would not should goe out of the church These theire best preceps were steps to intollerable presumptions in others as in Alexander who succeeding Euaristus ordained holy water the masse and other inventions which others increased So was this of Vrbanus a step to extreme coveteousnes and many other corruptions Cyprian yeeldeth this reason of the persecution of Decius Cyprian lib. de lapsis Because every man slept in the coveteous desires of his owne heart it was high time for God to awak them with his rod There was no longer any devotion left in the priests Anno 253 no sincere faith in ministers no mercie in theire works no government in their manners c. The Bishops them selves who should have served for a spurre and patterne of well doeing abandoning theire holy functions and forsaking theire flocks goe a gadding into other countries haunting marts and faires for filthie lucres sake litle caring to relieve theire hungrie and starving brethren so themselues might haue money at will getting lands by fraude and money by griping vsurie and what did wee not deserue for these ill doeings The Churches ye see were not the more purified but more defiled after diocessan Bishops were set vp Howsoeuer this shewes theire follie who ascribe so much to the wisedom and holines of those times Eusebius giues the like reasons of the persecution of Dioclesian Platina in Marcel as Platina observeth saying Eusebius imagineth that it was permitted of God for the corrupt manners with the too much libertie and indulgence of the Christians espetiallie of the Clergie to bridle whose perversnes the divine justice ordained this persecution while he saw dissembling in theire countenance fraud in their hearts and deceite in theire words For these striving among themselves with envie pride enmities hatreds seemed to sâ—â—iour more of a tyrannie then of the Priesthood alltogether forgâ—ttâ—ng the Christian pietie and rather profaning then celebrating the divine
misteries But what then saith he doe we think will becom of our age Wherein our vices are increased to that height that they haue scarce left for vs a place of mercie with God How litle Religion is there and that rather dissembled then true he might haue saide and that rather after mens inventions then Gods ordinances what corrupt manner c. Eusebius say more yet I haue chosen to allege him in Platinaes words to keepe malicious mindes from pretending deceite in alleadging it Men may well thinke that when with constantine there entred such a deale of peace and plentie there must needes be more corruption Theire owne Authors shew it for Baronius saith Baron in 324. art 78. 79. Constantine in the 24 yeare of his raigne ordained that the Bishops should from that time forward haue the same Priueliedges which the idolatrous Priests had enjoyed in times past They had saith he as chiefe among them Rex Sacrificulus who in solemne feasts was wont to watch and haue an eye ouer the rest They had also theire Soueraigne Pontife Pontifex Maximus Arbitrator of all questions arising among them and who can think saith he that Constantine could longe endure that these should exceede Christians in pompe and glorie He might haue saide that the Bishops of Rome could long endure it Howsoeuer this was the goodly reason of theire greatnes contrarie to that of Christ Luk. 22. the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship ouer them c. but ye shall not be so Yet Baronius sheweth the Pope and Cardinals to haue the honour in riding clothing and other things that these Pontifes had It appeares in Platina on the like of Eleutherus that the power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs was taken from the example of these pagans they were then onely held in titles of like nature but now in the power pompe and riches of them Polidor Virgil also acknowledgeth that many things haue com into the Church of Rome from the Hebrewes the ancient Romans De invent rerum l. 5. c. 1. Book of the Iubile see the Root of Romish Rites and other Pagans M. Derlincourt proueth this out of the Bishop of Mande Gratian and divers others of their owne Authors and among other things that the dignities and power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs were taken from the heathen And for theire wealth Cedrenus in his Historie saith that Constantine in the 26 and 27 yeares of his Empire laboured to pull downe the idols and to conuey theire rents and revenues to the Churches From this greatnes of dignitie and wealth there soone followed a greatnes of power and tyranie in imposing the Romish Lawes aboute supremacie worshipping of images praying to Saints single life of Priests purgatorie pardons and the like Was not Babylon fallen in all this Was not here a manifest change of Christs ordinances aboute Bishops and other things Excommunication was at first a punishment inflicted by many not of one But they haueing made one breach 2. Cor. 6. and 2. Thess 3 14. Histor of the counc of Trent l. 4. p. 331. to set vp a kinde of diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest there but as one saith the members of the Churches neglecting theire duties at last left all to the Bishops who out of ambition embraced it and the persecutions ceasing erected a tribunall which was much frequented That yet they judging honestly at the first Constantine made a Law that there should lie no appeale from the Sentences of the Bishops which authority they abusing that Law aboute 70 yeares after was revoked by Arcadius and Honorius and one made that they should not be thought to haue a court which was executed in Rome it selfe and after by Valentinian strengthened by another Law to that purpose This was not digging vp the roote of the mysterie of iniquitie by taking away this diocessan power and restoring the Eldership whereof not onely Princes but euen Clergie men were now growne ignorant but lopping the branches which after grew and spread more then euer for this power thus taken away was restored by Justinian who 500 yeares after Christ established vnto them a court and audience And after the power of Bishops greatly increased when they came to be Councellours to King and Princes and to beare offices vnder them as to be Chancellours Treasurors and the like Whereby theire Canons power traditions and Ceremonies came to be receiued with the greater authority and no man durst gainsay them were they never so superstitious popish and tyranicall All this came from theire first presumptions in not abiding in the ordinance and Wisdom of God touching the Edership as they were willed but giueâ—ng a kinde of authority and superintendencie to the Pastor or Bishop of greate cities ouer the lesser townes and all presbiters aboute them For thus Bishops by that meanes encroached from one step to another till at last the verie name of the presbiterie grew odious vnto them as it doth now to the Bishops and theire defenders in England where all proofes of it are prohibited and more carefully kept from Princes and people then any Popish Doctrine and as if they were as dangerous as the Blasphemies of Arrius and other monsters And thus blinded by ambition coueteousnes and flatterie they despise the Law of the Lord Amos. 2. and theire lies caused them to erre after which theire Fathers walked they would rather doe as theire Fathers had donne and taught then as God commaunded And thus wee see that the Lord may say vnto them Mal. 3.7 Euen from the dayes of your Fathers ye are gon away from mine ordinances and haue not kept them And which is a greater mischiefe the antiquitie of this wicked wandring is made an authority against the old and good way as against a foolerie and against all that seeke it as against Hypocrites fooles and Schismatikes By reason whereof Ier. 6.10 men talke in vaine that tell them of Gods ordinance or the new Ierusalem wherein they shall be restored they cannot hearken Behold the word of the Lord is vnto them a reproach Hos 6.12 they haue no delight in it God writeth to them the greate things of his Law but they are counted as a strange thing groundles and mad opinions worthy imprissonment banishment and what not It is a wonderfull thing that men should professe to liue in the light and obedience of the Gospel and yet like hypocrites despise it in any thing as they doe in matter of the presbiterie and those gracious promises of the new Ierusalem which are confirmed and sealed in the new Testament with the blood of the Sonne of God I confesse it is thus in many of the gentrie and commons because they are not suffred to see any proofes of it If any be not willing to see them that is worse But in the Prelates many Clergie men yea and som Princes who haue seene proofs of theese things or
doe what they list in religion shall be sure to be flattered in it as the popes were as soone as ever they grew greate and to have any power over the Clergie and this indeede made them attempt what they list and carrie or obtaine it while verie few durst call it incroaching or corruption such was and such is the fruite of this power in the church and therfore God would neither commit the election or confirmation of his ministers nor the government to one in a diocesse but to the presbyters and members of every church as abovesaide Men will not see these things but if wee tell them these all doe contrarie to the decrees of Christ to stop our mouthes with those Iewes and others of the baser sort they say These all doe contrarie to the decrees of Cesar Act. 17.5.7 saying that there is another King in these cases namely Christ making a verie heinous matter of it that wee are so bold as to affirme it But it were to be wished that they would so give vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars as not to take from God the things that are Gods to give them to Cesar These are things that have been manifested to be Gods Why then will they perswade Kings that they doe God service and shew love to his church his Ierusalem while they strengthen the Prelates that vsurpe these offices suppresse the verie name of the presbiterie and make Princes beleeve that as they doe more or lesse vphold theire hierarchie so God will more or lesse blesse them theirs Wherein they reason like Baronius Baron in an 452 who speaking of the law of Valentinian abovementioned which curtailed the power of Bishops saith That the making of it incensed the wrath of God and caused Attila with the Hunnes to come downe upon the Empire When that was rather because he left them so much power as he did and did not rather reduce them to that order and power wherein the Apostles left them taking away all that which made the word of God in divers particulars of none effect or is contrarie to his ordinances though it had been given them by Emperours or Synods They should have all knowne that it is the King eternall and immortall who is only wise 1. Tim. 1.17 Isa 30.22 Pro. 8. mark that word onelie wise especially in Spirituall things The Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our lawgiver the Lord is our King Christ beeing the wisdom of God saith By me Kings raigne and Princes decree justice that is when what they can they governe according to Gods revealed wisdom Much more then in matters of religion they are not set in the throne to doe and require the doeing of theire owne will but Gods as David acknowledged and therefore saide Give thy judgments ô God thy judgments not mens not mine to the King and thy righteousnes to the Kings Sonne Psa 70.1 2. Chron. 29.23 2 Sam. 22.51 1 Chro. 29 11.12 So it is saide Solomon sate on the throne of the Lord insteade of David his father who is saide to be Gods King Every king therefore should acknowledge God King of his kingdom as David of his Thine o Lord is the greatnes the power the glorie the victorie and the majestie for all that is in the heaven in the earth is thine thine is the kingdom o Lord thou art exalted as head above all that is theÌ„ above Kings who beeing set on the throne of the 〈◊〉 that is to see his word his lawes Statutes observed to se◠〈…〉 the righteousnes thereof for then doe they bring theire glorie honour to the new Ierusalem Hos 2.19 then is he maried to them and theire pepole Ãn righteousnes in judgment in loveing kindnes in mercies as he promiseth that is when Kings make priests and people live and doe according to the order which he appointeth them in his word as both Hezechiah and David himselfe did when he saw Vzza slaine for breaking that order He sits on the throne of the Lord that gives his power strength to God and to his ordinances as the Kings which are the hornes of the Beast gave theire power and strength vnto the Beast to enforce his lawes rites and errours on theire people which was a war against the lambe But at last as is graciously promised The lambe shall overcome them Rev. 17. For he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings If therefore they will be saide to sit on his throne they must doe the like for Christ against Antichrist and all enemies of his truth seeing God hath set his King vpon his holy hill of Sion to rule all nations in matters of religion and therefore addeth Be wise now therefore o ye Kings Psa 2. Let it not be saide your subjects dwell where Sathan hath his throne for Antichrist or any other David knew the true wisdom when he saide 2. Sam. 22.22 J have kept the waies of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God for all his judgments were before me c. And when in an assemblie of all his Princes Captaines 1. Chro. 28 1.8.9 and 〈…〉 to them Keepe and seeke for all the com◠〈…〉 â—th Solomon and 〈…〉 thâ—e but if 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—re did God 〈…〉 â—e a King among his Sonnes He wâ—s a King indeeâ—â—or God seeing he thus raigned psa 47.3 and in this â—ense had ever such sayiâ—gs in his mouth God is the King of all the Earth The shields of the eartâ— belong unto God For the Lord is a greate God and a greaâ— King above all Gods The holy one of Israel is our King The prelates and theire adherents say there must be order in the church diocessan Bishops to be over others Objection question and reje◠〈…〉 â—ers God hath not appoin◠〈…〉 therefore Kings and councels 〈…〉 I answer this is to say 〈◊〉 God hath not had a sufficient 〈…〉 â—rch and to accuse his Testament of insufficiencie as if th◠〈…〉 â—d not as well provided for his church in this case as in others when yet for these ends he ordained Elders to be Bishops 〈◊〉 every congregation Now all his ordinances are perfect His worke is perfect Deut 32.4 for all his waies are judgment He is God and changeth not therefore to say that this was only for the times of the Apostles and as the church increased and those times changed the wisdom of men might provide better is a greate presumption yet such hath beene the wisdom of the flesh Act. 15.18 and of the world to thinke so But knowne vnto God are all his works from the begining of the world Men cannot in time better them If the Eldership had not beene sufficient he would either never have ordained it to be so soone abolished or have foretold and given authority to his church to ordaine diocessans This he did not but for bad to adde
to be ordained of God and necessary when indeede it is theire owne office that is not necessary seeing it onely serveth for such things to persecute men for the Testimonie of Iesus and more to force vnnecessarie then necessarie ceremonies For kneeling in prayer good order and reverent gesture in the Church are vsed in the french Churches as commendable and necessarie and yet in men that in those other thâ—ngs are disobedient to the truth theire verie prayers are abhominable and but mockeries much more theire owne deuised cringes and gestures as in Papists who abound in such things and as if a man should with all order and reverence bow his body to the King his chaire of Estate Image or seale and yet despise or neglect many of his wholsom Lawes and commandements The orders and ceremonies which God ordained are indeede to religion as the barke or leaues to a tree that is a comely part of it but as for other ceremonies and inventions with theire pretended significations which beeing devised by man are more then are in the reformed Churches of France or were in the Apostles time they are not to the religion and truth of God as they say like the barke to the tree which if it be taken off the tree withereth but as the ivye to the oake which seemes to adorne and embrace it but indeede binds shadowes and by degrees wasts and destroyes it For these shewes serve many for a religion and a cloake of persecution and the power of Bishops serues for a tyranous terrour to keepe men from pâ—aching and writing the truth and setting theire names to theire bookes in the cases of the hierarchie traditions Altars images pelagianisme or the like and consequently to beget flatterie and lukewarmnesse in Clergie and people and eate out that loue and zeale of the truth in all things that they either doe now or may hereafter prohibit or maintaine Such was and such is the fruite of theire power and therfore certainly it is not of God but of men of the world of the coueteous lust of the eyes and of the pride of life and therfore what matters it who gaue it them whether councels or Kings they cannot make black white nor euill good nor that Lawfull which is so unlawfull and pernicious to the Kingdom of God Constantine no doubt thought he had offered a greate sacrifice to God in giueing them so much as he did other Emperours Kings therfore haue augmented it But he that forbiddeth to adde to his word or take from it saith to obey is better then sacrifice 1. Sam. 15. Therfore Asa to doe that which was right in the eyes of God did not vrge his owne or other mens inventions 2. Chro. 14.3.4 but tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and Images other Kings had erected and commaunded Judah to seeke the Lord God of theire Fathers and to doe the Law marke and the commaundement Chr st beeing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords though Kinges as his deputies haue greate power in matters of Religion yet that is so as in theese things not so seeke theire owne but Gods will donne in earâ—h as it is in heauen I saith he Ioh. 8.26 chap. 6.34 Tract 40.41.54 speake to the world those things which I haue heard of him J came not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me He saiâ—e this that was the eternall word and Wisdom of God yea verie God and eternall l fe For indeede he was not his owne wisdom word but the Fathers as August n doth mâ—nâ—fest on theese the like places of the Gosspell And shall not Kings then who are but his Deputies much more say it yea doe it either by causing the word of God to be faithfully taught in theire cities as David and Iehoshaphat or by rooting out all monuments and stumbling blocks of superstition and idollatrie and by suffering theire subjects to preach freely against them and to worship the Lord in the beautie of holinesse as Hezechiah and Iosiah did that is in a word by causing theire subjects to worship God aright and take his marke in the puritie of his ordinances and not to worship the Beast and take his mark in receiving professing and defending his corrupt traditions and ceremonies For to serve God and make others serve him in the beautie of holinesse Psa 110.3 is to make men serve him in the holinesse of the truth according to all that is written in his Testament Ios 1.8 and not with cathedrall service and musick after the pompous traditions and inventions of Prelates and theire Canons as some infer For the Image of God is renewed in all righteousnesse and holines of the truth Ephes 4.24 and if God would not that wee should be again in bondage to the rudiments which himselfe ordained in the ceremoniall law Christ haveing nailed them to his crosse much lesse to those which the pope and church of Rome or other men have invented or established It were good that Princes and theire chaplains would think of that Ezra 7.21 whatsoever is commaunded by the God of heaven that is in matters of religion let it be diligently donne where mark he saith not commaunded by Kings for why should there be wrath against the Realme of the King and his Sonnes That is either for neglecting Gods commaund or vrging inventions of men for therfore wee are willed not to thinke of men and theire power above that is written 1 Cor. 4.6 It is the necessity of conformitie imposed upon Ministers that furnisheth them as it did the Papists with arguments to defend traditions humane precepts and Canons against this truth and so to make a fearfull war against God Which I observe not so much of them who haveing subscribed follow theire ministrie preach the word and never speake of English traditions hopeing God will reforme them as of those that defend and preach them Isa 1. never thinking that God may say vnto them who required these things at your hands What Gospell is this How doth it helpe the Kingdom of God What knowledge what fai h what holinesse of the truth doth it worke They yet strive to justifie these ordinances and all the power of the prelates 1. Cor. 14.40 saying the Apostle saiâ—h Let all things be donne decently and in order therfore Synods may ordaine diocessan Bishops and all such Canons as are in England and doubtlesse the will of God is that they should be obeied I nswer the Apostle by this decencie and order can not meane any thing that shall overthrow any of the ordinances of God or make his word of none effect in any particular He speakes it of things before mencioned in his Epistle Chap. 11.21 Chap. 12. There were divers who did eate theire suppers when they came to the Sacrament one is hungrie and another is drunken this was not decently and in order If any
out of the Church millitant against Antichrist and his adherents And if he come thence he is certainly one of them that worship therein keepe his sayings and contend for the truth which things men doe He is a man for so he saith J am thy fellow Servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them that keepe the sayings of this booke that haue the Testimonie of Iesus As all those must needes haue that haue the marke of God they are such as continue in the word such as are the true Church because they continue in the word defend ma ntaine it and no other as the Church doth which is called the pillar of truth 1 Tim. 3 15 And not as some in England doe who serve for little else then to defend theire owne ambition canons and ceremonies and yet would be called the Church of Christ If one of theese through flatterie grow so greate in favour with his Prince as to rule all as he list to turne Religion into Popish complement and ceremonies to mould it after his owne humour If therefore many out of feare flatterie or hope of favour follow and justifie him is he the Church not he nor he and all his flatterers If he could bring fower or five or all the Bishops to his Religion are they the Church They might see that so the Church of Rome came to be corrupted That theese in the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie are onely the true Church because they continue in the word and will receive no other that the same must needes be the marke of the true Church which is here the marke of true Christians These as wee have seene are set out by the Iewes the first Testament who neither in doctrine nor ceremonies might receive any thing which God had not commaunded but were to hold in all things to his first ordinances and institutions Crowne of a Christian Martyr wherein when they failed they were plagued and that it would be so with Christians if they changed Christs ordinances or let in any innovations hath appeared by his constant comparison to the seaven Churches and others of Churches compared to a Ierusalem and an harlot to the Temple of God and the Synagogue of Satan to the inner Temple and the court without he will not yeald theese later to be Iewes that is Christians because of other Lords they hold other Lawes in Religion in order in ceremonies and other things they doe not hold fast the word and ordinances which he left without receiving innovations or inventions of men therefore they are not of that part of his Temple which he alloweth to be accounted his Church but of the court without which is giuen to the Gentiles Reu 11. that is to Antichrist and others who in Gods account are as Gentiles such as in divers things will not heare his word but make it of none effect with theire dominion and traditions They hold som Christian truths but not all Those in England that are defenders of the hierarchie or Arminians hold more then the Papists yet not all Christ will not yeald som to be Iewes who perhaps failed in fewer things Iudge therefore I pray you whether they be not of that sort or like them of whome Christ speaketh Chap 2 which say they are Iewes and are not of the true Temple are not viz. not of those secret parts of the Temple 1 King 8 8 As there was nothing in the Arke saue the two tables of Stone so there is nothing in the church of Christ in this Temple but the Testimonie of Iesus and his government the Eldership no Popish dominion nor traditions If there had Iohn who tooke exact measure of it saw it opened would haue reuealed it in his Revelation but there was nothing else seene save that and them that worship therein Who therefore must needes be those that from the heart receive and obey that word and no other for there is no other there This was then so greate an honour that Iohn was readie to worship him that was such a one as if that were the best nobilitie to be thus stamped sealed with the Image of God in all doctrines and Lawes of Religion Act. 17.11 to haue recourse to the Law and to the Testament like the men of Berea to see if the Teachers taught according to this word And yet in England he that is such a one is in contempt called a Puritan hated and scorned and that by the Prelates themselves who therefore despise all that are of this Temple Because indeede if diocessan Bishops theire power canons and ceremonies be not according to this word they that are of this Temple care not for them Ephes 6. Phil. 1.27 They have theire loines girt about with the Truth they stand fast in one Spirit with one minde striveing together for the faith of the Gospel they have the testimonie of Iesus as here one of them saith they continue in his word and so are Disciples indeede They confesse and professe this word and so have his name and marke on theire forheads to which the binding of the law to the hand and forhead did point in a figure Deut. 6.8 and both that and this doe shew that in matters of religion the Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our King the Lord is our lawgiver 1. Tim. 1.17 Phil. 3.16 He is the King only wise Every man had neede to beleeve and receive this and to say with Paul let vs walke by the same rule let vs minde the same thing for this ye see is the marke of a Christian And by the Rule of contraries the marke of Antichrist must needes be an impression of that his doctrine law and superstitious rites which is more then the word revealed or against the same the profession and observation thereof is the marke as the observation of the heathenish rites is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Mac. 4.20 the character or marke of the Grecians The Pope would that all men should receive defend and professe his doctrine and superstitious rites and so should receive his marke in theire right hand and forheads For in the forhead that is by profession and in the right hand that is by operation as the ordinarie glosse expoundeth Antonius also and Lyra teach that A character or marke is a certaine manner of liveing according to the law of any Agâ—tho in epist inter acta sextae Synodi constantinop Bonifac 8. in extran de maior obed Clement in lib. 5. ad nostruÌ„ in gloss D. 18. c. si qui sunt whereby men are distinguished from others So the Pope causeth all men to take his marke for he saith Everie soule that would be saved must confesse the forme of the Roman tradition Wee affirme define and pronounce that it is altogether necessarie to salvation for every humane creature to be subject to the Pope of Rome
saith They blaspheme against the Lord severing and dividing Iesus from Christ and Christ from the Saviour and againe the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten Now if the Bishops doe not sever the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten yet it is an heresie somwhat a kin to this to change the truth of God into a lie to refuse part of the Testament touching the presbiterie and to say that the same ordinances aboute this and the power of each church to choose ministers and excommunicate called the power of Christ are not now his word and ordinances nor the power of Christ to be followed of all churches that these things might be taken from them and given to one in a diocesse which is indeede to take them from Christ who hath trusted the churches with them that they are things indifferent that councels and Kings might change them or set vp others that turne from the Truth and are soe contrarie that his will is that these should now be obeied and followed and not those which himselfe ordained which is to say his will is changeable All this beeing in effect affirmed by them is downright the marke of the Beast For so papists argue in the same cases and in those of Images communion in one kinde the primacie and the like And yet we know that the new Testament and all the ordinances thereof are from everlasting yea eternall and vnchangeable Mat. 13.35 Rom. 16.35 Ephes 1.9.11.2 Tim. 1.9 Ioh. 12.48 and Ioh. 1.1.2.3 1. Cor. 2.7 Heb. 13.8 And so the Apostle saith Iesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same also for ever Thus they that in the Revelation weare white hold fast the testimonie of Jesus The Bishops neither doe so nor suffer others that would but with flaterie and threats make many preach and write in defense of theire power traditions ceremonies and so to make war against the lambe Bishops themselves therefore had neede of one in these cases to open theire eies to turne them from darknesse to light 2. Tim. 3.8 and from the power of Satan vnto God For as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so doe these also resist the Truth men of corrupt mindes and by theire tyranous imposing of these things cause divisions and offences Rom. 17. contrarie to the Apostolike doctrine and therein serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but theire owne bellie and with faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple I would they that are counted both learned and wise were not as commonly deceived by theire flatteries and false glosses They likewise make men bow toward the Altar and at the name of Iesus not at other names of Christ or God his father and kneele at the receiving of the Sacrament as if they did more reverence and obey Christ the word then others that doe not these things though as wee shewed it is but a popish and a late devise And yet they themselves can not bow to Christ in his ordinance of the presbiterie and the power he gave to each church nor endure to heare of it but hinder others that would Can they be Christs Bishops When Elijah heard the voice of God he wrapped his face in his mantle for the reverence that he bare to Gods word When the Spirit of the Lord came vpon Iehazel 1. King 19.2 2. Chro. 29 14.18 so that he spake the word of the Lord Iehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and all Iudah fell before the Lord worshipping the Lord. 2. King 20.19 And when a sentence was pronounced against Hezechiah for his sinne yet he saide Good is the word of the Lord that thou hast spoken And Iohn so reverenced the word of God that he was ready to worship the Angel that shewed it him who thereupon saide see thou doe it not worship God All these and the like places shew the greate reverence that is due to the word It is the name of Christ Rev. 19. His name is called the word of God A name that could never be given to any other a name above all names and therefore this is that name of Iesus at which every knee should bow where yet it is not so much meant of bodily worship with the knee as receiving the word with faith and obedience obeying the truth is the true worship Those that doe not this are called stifnecked such as will not bow And such are the Bishops Act. 7. who yet in the meane mock God with a beggarlie signe of such obedience which therefore is not apt to stir vp the dull minde of man to a remembrance of this duty to God but is a meere complement a shew And indeede this and other theire ceremonies insteade of doeing good serve thousands for a religion or a shew of one and in place of that wich God commandeth For brevitie sake I omit to speake of other cathedrall ceremonies and to observe the like poperie tyranie and abuse in many of theire canons courts and customes as is shewed in the Curtaine of church power Curtaine of Church power certaine it is that many have litle religion besides and that many who defend them doe it on purpose to make them inductions to other poperie and because they are fit maskes to cover theire popish or prophane practises So that beeing thus grossly abused they may and by theire owne rule ought to be taken away and cleane rejected But they will have nothing reformed or changed yet they themselves as others before them have changed the ordinance of God which is a most adulterous fact and therfore whereas som say if wee goe aboute to alter or reforme any thinge wee shall never be quiet till all be brought to Annabaptisme or Brownisme I answer this is as if one should say you may not turne a woman from poperie or adulterie for feare she turne Annabaptist They should therefore deale plainly with vs and say to maintaine theire hierarchie the greatnes of a few Prelates theire pompe theire coaches and pallaces the truth must be suppressed the church and common weale corrupted and the whole world disturbed Mic. 3.11 The heads thereof judge for reward c. yet they leane vpon the Lord and say is not the Lord among vs None evill can come vpon vs. Her prophets are light and trecherous persons Zepha 3.4 Eze. 22.26 Haba 1 3. her priests have polluted the sanctuarie they have done violence to the law There are that raise vp strife and contention Therfore the law is slacked and judgment doth never go forth for the wicked compasse aboute the righteous therefore wrong judgment proceedeth They so wrest the truth to maintaine theire hierarchie and traditions and will not see the truth of God in these things that almost all men after theire example turne prevaricators Mic. 2. â— O thou that art named of the howse of Iacob is the Spirit of the Lord streitened are
these his doings do not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly Therefore trust ye not in lying words saying the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7.4 The Temple of the Lord are these as the English crie the church the church The church of the Lord are these Bishops and theire defenders Chap. 18.18 For the law shall not perish from the Priest nor counsell from the wise nor the word from the prophet The Lord answereth such proud men How doe ye say wee are wise and the Law of the Lord is with vs. Chap. 8 8.9 They have rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is there in them for from the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousnes from the prophet to the priest every one dealeth falsly For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people sleightlye saying peace peace when there is no peace They are wicked in these things Isa 57.21 and there is no peace to the wicked saith my God And therfore whereas som say there are still some good preachers yea som that are conformable I answer so were there in those first ages after Constantine But the zeale of these Canons and inventions did more and more take vp mens mindes and eate out the other It is true in this case as in that of riches The church hath brought forth riches dignities diocessan dominion Canons ceremonies cringes Altars masses c. The daughters have devoured the mother in Romish churches and so they will in England if God prevent it not And therefore whereas others say so long as wee may have the Gospel well preached in som parishes why should wee trouble our selves with these things I answer ought not such men to take care that the Gospell may be continued to them and theire children in that puritie simplicitie wherein it was left by the Apostles Which as ye see can not be Ier. 2.35 if those things be not reformed for they turne from the Truth yet thou saiest Because I am innocent surely his anger shall turne from me Constantius could never have spread the Arrian heresie so far as he did but by the helpe of Bishops For a Bishop beeing like a King or a Pope in his diocesse the most will out of feare or flatterie follow him as he doth the Prince or mightie favourite what ever his religion be because he can either raise him to more honour or trouble him And therfore it may be saide of the hierarchie ceremonies and ordinances and theire defenders If they be not with Christ and his kingdum in these cases they are against him Mat. 12.30 and if they gather not with him they scatter helpe the Adversaries For in these times those that are Christs seeke to get the victorie over the Beast and over his marke Some by preaching or writing Rev. 15.2 others by theire lawes and swords and others by theire professing and contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saincts others by theire praiers and other honest indeavours While on the other side Papists and popelings contend as earnestly for the observation and authority of tradâ—tions and ceremonies which is the marke of the Beast though they covering the matter call them the vnwritten word of God Bellarmin in his 4. booke of the vnwritten word of God Chap. 2 maketh three sorts of traditions 1. Divine which were spoken by Christ but not written 2 Apostolike spoken by the Apostles but not written 3. Ecclesiasticall which he saith are introduced from ancient customes by the Prelates or by the people and creepingly by the silent vnquestioning agreement of the people have gained strength of law And indeede have at one time or other beene confirmed by councels A man may here see what mischiefe followed the first vnquestioning agreement and consent of the people For of this sorte as the fountaine of all the rest is the authority of diocessan Bishops theire power in theire Courts and Canons excommunicating imprisoning c. and ruling both the ordinarie pastors and people with force and crueltie in divers things which as was shewed did creepingly by the silent and vnquestioning agreement of the people gaine the strength of law and supplanted the presbiterie ordained of God and the power of each congregation in choosing theire minister and excommunicating the refractarie and so made of none effect that law of Christ Tell the church the presbyters and people Ezech. 34.2 to 12. And then the diocessan office served not to feede the flock of God but themselves the flock became a prey to such Shepheards yea diocessan power beeing thus invented and established became a snare and net as the Prophet saide to the Priests and howse of the King For then followed theire traditions the distinction of meates Hos 5.1 the observation of holy daies feasts and fasts wearing the surplesse and more then sixe hundred yeares after Christ the latin service singing antemes by the sound of the organs setting vp of Altars bowing to them and at the name of Iesus building guilding adorning and consecrating of cathedrall churches endowing them with greate revenues signing themselves with the signe of the crosse setting vp Images in churches to a religions vse and likwise candles invocation of Saints and praying vpon beades the Popes succession in Peters chaire single life of Priests purgatorie and persecution to those that would not beleeve these the like things All which were introduced froÌ„ ancient customes by the Prelates or people and creepingly gained strength of law one after another and in short time served men for a religion the defence of the first making way for all the rest as men do now begin to perceive in England where as the hierarchie it selfe so divers of these things beeing popish are preached by Bishops and others and begin to get the strength of law and naturally to make way for the rest and indeede to serve men for a religion if God prevent it not 2. Cor. 11.3 So soone doth the Serpent through his subtiltie beguile men and corrupt theire mindes from the simplicitie that is in Christ for as wee shewed they doe not tend to edification as is pretended but to destruction seeing Bishops by them doe rule men with force and crueltie Ezech. 34.4 The word of God such observations as rightly arise from it doe truly edifie so doe the Sacraments to men that know the truth the inventions and ordinances of men haveing but a shew of godlinesse and Wisdom are but beggarly rudiments yea turne from the Truth Col. 1.23 Gal. 4.8 Tit. 1.14 And yet so things goe as if the authority of the Prelates which puts all men to silence or makes them flatter might give them the strength of Law and make men beleeve that Gods will is that they should be obeyed which is in effect to make them his vnwritten word For his will is his word But this is as the vnwritten
take theese things into consideration when after the new Ierusalem is manifested they bring theire glorie and honour to it They then begin to see that the government is on Christs Shoulders that men ought to observe his ordinances onely in matters of Religion that for want of holding this firme many abhominations have entred into churches and nations That all these evils follow that errour that the church hath power to ordame change or abrogate ceremonies without any necessity like that where in some countries by reason of theire coldnes the body is not dipped in Baptisme but sprinkled For when Prelates have once got this conclusion to be received that wee are bound to the ceremonies and institutions of the church so that whosoever doth wittingly neglect them is guiltie of disobedience and breach of the first commaundement as it pleaseth them to infer they can not rest there but then they get more ground of vs and taking it for granted that themselves are the church they say wee are to ascent to the opinions of the church in controversies of faith and may not forsake theire definitions although they doe not agree to our owne particular opinions therein And that they will call our owne particular opinions which though it have the testimonie of Iesus agreeth not with theires men that by theire seeking after wealth honour and authority shew that they are of this world And when they have also got this tenet to be once received they can at the pleasure of any that may advance them introduce any errour of the Romish church or other wicked men and by they re power carrie it out against the most learned and zealous They will boldly affirme the office of diocessan Bishops to be of divine institution That the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato so of other things wherein they will vnder one pretext or other forbid refutation of such errours knowing that if they can but get the countenance of Princes though never so ignorant in such things the most will out of feare or flatterie follow them and the rest will be forced to hold in their heads and so they easily get a dominion ouer mens faith such shamefull lukewarmenes errour and temporising doth the defense of the hierarchie and ceremonies bring forth and so greate a stumbling block are they to make men fall to other Romish corruptions and errours which indeede are the naturall fruits of that tree Councels and Kings doe not thinke of those things why tempt ye God to put a yoake vpon the neck of the Disciples Act. 15.10 Rom. 14.13 which neither our fathers nor wee were able to beare Iudge this rather that no man put a stumbling blocke or an occasion to fall in his brothers way But as if theese precepts did not binde them they put heavie yoakes on the necks of Christians and manifest stumbling blocks in mens waies as Babylon hath donne and therefore no marvaile if the Angel say The Kings of earth have committed fornication with her Of whome therefore and theire flatterers God may demaund as somtime of the Iewes what iniquitie they or theire fathers had found in him what want of wisdom or perfection in his Testament and ordinances that they were gone from him after theire vanities and inventions It is true that when Kings are entertained into cities in triumph they are oft pleased with theire magnificent pageants and shewes because they are new inventions but God is not as man He hath in all things prescribed vs a forme of worship and service he hath given vs a tree of life that hath its propper leaves and therefore Kings and Magistrates should know that mens inventions how ancient soeever they be are dangerous that they are not Governours against or besides but vnder God in theire dominions to see his will performed and withall that they are so much the more justly called Gods and truly honourable as they rightly seeke to doe and have all things donne according to his revealed word When on the other side they enforce on theire people mens inventions and countenance defenses of them which are not of the truth for nō lie is of the truth noe errour 1. Ioh. 2.21 Ioh. 8. and therefore not of God but of him that is the father of lies it is not God but Sathan that hath a throne in them they maintaining theese things in ignorance and obstinacie doe not make the Church in theire dominions a Ierusalem but a Babylon as * See the crowne of a Christian Martyr the Testimonie of Iesus in the Revelation doth abundantly manifest And seeing the Kings of the earth do in this commit fornication with her Such as are Iewes indeede Christians indeede will rather suffer any thing then be enforced to serve God after such inventions precepts of men Here is the patience of the Saints Rev. 14. here are they that keepe the commaundements of God and the faith of Jesus There are many in greate Britaine and other parts who haue left Babylon in many of her abhominations but not in all Some of theese are verie zealous against other errours of Babylon and yet either defend a hierarchie traditions and ceremonies which are Romish or else are cold against them because they are maintained by Kings and convocations of Prelates who by theire power keepe theese men from the knowledge of Gods will in theese cases who otherwise were like enough to follow it if they might be suffred to see the proofes thereof Because theese men are not wholy out of Babylon therefore that voice of God is surely addressed to such come out of her my people Chap. 18. that ye pertake not of her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues Which certainly is not onely spoken to such favourers of the Protestant Religion as live in Italie and other Popish Kingdoms but to those also who haue left Babylon in many things but not in all and so seeme to haue one foote out of her and another in her The voyce crieth to theese because the Lord knoweth that vnlesse they can say to God in sincerity of soule Psal 119. with my whole heart haue J sought thee o let me not wander from thy commaundements I hate vaine inventions but thy Law doe I loue they are not Iewes indeede they neither haue right to the tree of life nor can enter in through the Gates into the new Ierusalem but doe indeede remaine without with dogges sorcerers c. Rev. 22.14.15 And if they had no care of theire Soules yet in regard of those plagues of Babylon whereof they may pertake in this world they haue cause to leave her follies and come out of her For her sinnes haue reached vnto heaven Rev. 18. and God hath remembred her wickednesse Certainly in theese late wars of Germanie and other parts he hath begun to avenge it and to shew that the sixt vial beeing powred out such are the effects of it Greate rewards doth God
offer to him that overcommeth and that questionles as well by war as spirituall weapons He that is called faithfull and true Chap. 19. doth in righteousnesse judge and make war against her that sitteth on many waters and so doe these that fight his battails To them that voyce crieth Reward her as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her double according vnto her works In the cup c. For she saith in her heart I sit as a Queene and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be vtterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord who judgeth her Notwithstanding that she seemeth daily to strengthen her selfe by plots devises and friends by Iesuiticall and Spanish practises yet fall she must Many thinke this cannot yet be because England doth not yet set against her as if God could not fulfill his worke without the ayde of lukewarme helpers Ioh. 18. and newters Christ saith Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voyce Therefore if English Prelates and others that beare sway there doe not heare it in theese things they haue cause to doubt that they are not in all things of the truth nor quite come out of Babylon I wonder how they can evince vnto themselves that they are not of Babylon the greate nor pertake of her sinnes who haue no more zeale against her Marvaile not that they doe not desire to have swords drawen against her who scarce endure that the sword of the Spirit should be vnsheathed against Babylon much lesse against those tenets of theire owne which are Romish and Antichristian The ministers of the french and dutch churches though they be not wholly excercised in points controverted which were no wisdom seeing there are many other points of faith and salvation wherein the people are also to be built vp and fortified yet they scarce make a Sermon but in somthing or other they confute poperie and establish the people in the truth as God requireth If English Prelates have not made this course to be in a sort forbidden yet men say that by discountenancing of such preaching they have at least put it out of fashion as foolish and vnproffitable while in the meane they are contented and desirous that men should preach and contend for the authority of theire hierarchie traditions and ceremonies if not for Arminian tenets A thinge that pleaseth papists who looke for fruite of them knowing them to be popish yea many are so foolish as to love and praise this kinde of preaching and to loath the confutation of it as God complained of the Iewes Ier. 5.31 The prophets prophecie falsly and the Priests beare rule by theire meanes and my people love to have it soe and what will ye doe in the end thereof That is when destruction comes on you for it It is strange that men will not see that this theire preaching and contending for humane inventions and errours is to offer strange fire and the entrance way to all corruption as it was in the Church of Rome whose superstition errours crept in by degrees by degrees did eate out true Religion It will be saide it hath not yet donne so in England both the citie and countrie haue many zealous Christians yea many that are conformable I answer true yet they are verie few in respect of the rest and such as beare the Sway who count zeale against poperie puritanisme and are ready to say with them in the Gospell Ioh. 7.48 Act. 28.20 Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharises run this course but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Because they walke not after the high Priests the Bishops For as concerning this sect wee know it is every where spoken against And howsoever these called puritans whether they be conformable or peaceable reformists are such as will be religious whether the Bishops like it or noe as som Iewes would be Disciples for all the high Priests Elders and Pharises therefore this is no thanks to Bishops no fruite of theire government who like better of civill and ceremonious men such as pretend love of common prayer though they haue neither knowledge true loue of the word nor affection to defend religion against Papists and theire practises and like hypocrites doe but pretend a love to prayer For in those prayers they say that in knowledge of him standeth our eternall life Graunt vs in this world knowledge of thy truth And yet are enemies to this knowledge and the meanes of it preaching hearing conference and reading of some good bookes They pray for increase of grace to heare meekely his word receive it with pure affection and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit Yet theire life and actions shew that they are so far from loveing these things that they mock and persecute all those that doe as knaves and hypocrites Yet in some cases as God saith of such men Isa 58. they seeke me daily and delight to know my wayes as a nation that did righteousnes and forsooke not the ordinance of theire God they aske of me the ordinance of justice they take delight in approching to God They fast and like the Bishops looke God should regard them for it But though men be never so religious in observing some of Gods ordinances if they despise or neglect the rest or any of them Deut. 15.21 chap. 17.1 the Lord hateth that Religion as a lame sacrifice Theire hands were full of blood and in other things they had transgressed the Lawes changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant Isa 1.11.12.13.14.15 therefore he saith to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me I am full of the burnt offerings Bring no more vaine oblations incense is abhomination vnto me New Moones Sabbaths and appointed feasts my soule hateth And when ye make many prayers J will not heare He counteth all this but complement all religion and would not heare them in these things though he had commanded them who would not heare him in others Like the Prelates who say well that in baptisme wee promise to forsake the world and all the pompe and vanitie thereof Yet can not be perswaded by Gods word to cast theire crownes theire offices and the pompe and vanitie of them at the feete of Christ though it be proved that they are not of God but of men of the world Romish and doe much mischiefe but insteade of confuting they persecute such as pleade Christs cause in proveing these things terryfying all men of that profession more then any other with theire power in the high commission as the Papists doe Protestants with the iniquisition striveing to make them hatefull to Princes and yet keepe theire proofes from theire eyes as if they were worse then the tenets of Papists and Arminians which are not so straitly prohibited nor so narrowly looked vnto B. London