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
of Ephesus who had only left her first love in som few things Rev. 2.3 â— in zeale against them that were evill in trying the Spirts in labour and patience which may seme to be verie smale faults in respect of those which may be found in the churches of these times was yet told by Christ that she was fallen The church of Thiatira did but suffer the woman Iezabel to teach people that they might eate things sacrificed vnto idols Vers 20 21.22 and yet Christ saith this was to seduce them to commit fornication And I gave â—er space to repent of her fornication and she repented not Behold I â—â—ll cast her into a bedde and them that commit fornication with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And J will kill her children with death and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reines and the hearts He acknowledgeth her charitie and service and faith and patience Vers 19. and ber works and the last to be more then the first And yet all this will not serve if she presume to teach any thing that he hath not taught if she doo not keepe his woâ—lâ— to the end but give a libertie where he gives none If this 〈◊〉 fault be not repented of Vers 26.18 he who is the Sonne of God aâ—â— whose eies are as a flame of fire â—es it might not be winâ—â—â—d at that it should be severely punished and much more â—hen a church transgresseth in many things for therefore he addeth And I will give vnto every one of you according to your works But this our gracious Lord hath not only warned churches of the mysterie of iniquitie the generall Apostacie after Antichrist the fall of Babylon and the cup full of abominations and filthines of her fornications whereof she would make the nations to drinke but hath also by his Servants convinced her and all that commit fornication with her of all those abhominations Plesses sheweth how the mysterie of iniquitie was opposed in all ages And when these could not prevaile with them to make them leave theire wicked works but the last were still more and worse then the first Christ-suffered heavie judgments to fall on them declared in the vision of the trumpets where among the rest that of the sixt is remarkable whereby is signified the comming in of the Turkes with fire and sword Rev. 9.16 â—8 the greate slaughters they should make amoÌ„g christians And yet it is saide The rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues repented not of the works of theire hands that they should not worship devils idols of gold silver brasse stone of wood which neither can see Premonition to all Christian Monarchs pag. 87. De cultu Adorat lib. 3. disp 1. cap. 5. not heare nor walke That they worship devils while they receyve doctrines of devils is a thing true enough And howsoever King Iames hath shewed it to be fulfilled in them saying As for worshipping of devils looke youre greate Iesuited Doctor Vasques and as for all the rest it is the maine doctrine of the Roman church And then it is subjoined in this text Neither repented they of theire murders nor of theire sorceries nor of theire fornication nor of theire thefts By theire murders theire persecutions are meant and bloodie massacres For theire sorceries consider of theire Agnus Dei that will slaken fire of the hallowed shirts and divers sorts of Reliques and also of prayers that will preserve men from the violence of shot of fire of sword of thunder and such like dangers And judge if this be not verie like to sorcerie and incantation of charmes By theire fornication is meant both theire spirituall fornication and corporall by reason of the restraint cf theire churchmen from mariage They are guiltie of theft in stealing from God the titles and greatnes of power due to him and bestowing it upon theire head 〈◊〉 Antichrist I will adde one thing by vsurping other Ecclesiasticall offices and depriveing them of theire places who were set aboute his throne As also by heaping up treasure with theire jugling wares and marchandise of the Soules of men by Iubiles Pardons Reliques and such like strong delusious When these Iudgments would not reclaime them Christ sent forth Messengers One Angel Rev. 14.6 haveing an everlasting Gospel to preach vnto them that dwell on the earth which the best expositors take to be meant of Wicklise or of him with Iohn Husse and others And there followed another Angel saying Vers 8.9 Babylon is fallen is fallen which many take to be meant of Luther and others And the third Angell followed them with a loud voice denouncing eternal damnation to every one that should worship the Beast Rev. 15.6 and his image and receive his marke in his forhead or in his hand Yea the Lord sent out of the Temple seaven Angels haveing the seaven last plagues clothed in pure and white linnen After the four first had powred out theire vials Chap. 16.9 In steade of amending them it is saide they blasphemed the name of God which hath power of theese plagues that is they blasphemed the word of God by which beeing cleered they were now scorched as by fire they blaspheme the true and bright shining sense which now was manifested And they repented not to give him glory So when the fift Angel powred-out his vial upon the seate of the Beast Vers 10. and his Kingdom was full of darknesse which seemeth to be donne in Plesses his historie of the papacie and the like works by which indeede his Kingdom which many had thought to proceede from the light of Gods truth appeared to be full of darknesse For all this in justifying of it they blaspheme the God of heaven and as it is added they repented not of theire deedes Vers 12. Therefore no marvaile if the next be powred out on the river Euphrates to drie vp the waters of it that the way of the Kings of the East may be prepared to destroy Babylon where the river as Babylon it selfe mount Sion Ierusalem the Temple and other things must needes be mysticall and at the powring out of the seaventh vial she comes in remembrance before God Vers 19. to give her the cup of his wrathe and then God calleth to his people to take heede of pertaking of her sinnes that they receive not of her plagues For as Christ saide of that Iezabel in Thiatira J will cast her into a bed Rev. 2. and all that commit fornication with her into greate tribulation So wee may be sure will be donne vnto them that continue in any of the Babylonian corruptions For consider the meaning of that last clause and all that commit adulterie with her Which is not meant of them only that then lived in the bosom of that church but of all others that then or after should fall
doth God service yet that doth not let but that therein such a murtherer or persecutor doth serve the devil and his ministers I would they that are so zealous to maintaine humane authority in traditions and ceremonies would but lay theese things to heart And withall that it will not serve them to say Fullie they are fullie satisfied with those reasons which mayster Hooker hath given in his booke of Ecclesiasticall politie or D. Burgesse in his bookes against D. Ames or any the like Authors if the Testimonie of Iesus be against them All Fathers all Authors all councels all reasons in such cases are nothing to the Testimonie of Iesus On which argument I shall neede to say the lesse in this Treatise because of late divers works haue beene published that convince them of errour in such cases as the curtaine of Church power The Curtaine of Church power A fresh suite against humane ceremonies in Gods worship by that learned and godlie witnesse D. Ames a litle before his death Also the crowne of a Christian Martyr A worke which he that loveth the Lord Iesus and the safety of his owne Soule hath reason to examin because the will of God in theese cases is therein infalliblie proved 2. Pet. 1.2 and as the Apostle saith Grace and peace is multiplied to men through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Out of whose Testimonie it is there manifested that as the true Iewes the true Christians so the true Ierusalem the true Church consisteth of those that keepe the commaundements of God the faith of Iesus that hold fast or defend the Doctrine Discipline and ceremonies which he left Whence it must needes follow that by so much as men maintaine or approve the inventions and presumptions of men in Gods service by so much are they fallen into the sinnes and fornications of Babylon whereof one is still the roote seede or spring of another the lesser wedges and cracks make way for the biggar the smaler theeves thrust in at a window or hole open the doores to the greater Therefore though som say so long as the Gospell is well preached in som Parishes why should wee stumble at strawes or trouble our selves with trifles yet wee shall finde that in corrupt waters men that thinke to goe but vp to the ancles and no deâ—per do oft before they are aware of it step vp to the knees then to the loines and at last over head and eares and so in superstition ignorance and errour A few sparks neglected do oft kindle a greate fire and as the Apostle saith A litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe Gal. 5.9 How then dare men defend staines and corruptions to be smale matters And what are these smale matters and trifles which they say men doe soe vainly and foolishly stand vpon The Lord by his Apostles ordained Elders in every church by election Act. 14. made them Bishops overseers of the flock to feede the church to hold fast that which Christ left to govern according to his ordinances and keepe the church as a chast Ierusalem from the inventions and presumtions of men That men should yet set vp diocessan Bishops who by bringing in a world of superstition and tyrannie into the church should make these of none effect and the church to become a Babylon are trifles with them They are trifles with them that diocessan Bishops should have the power to admit into the ministrie and to places of cure whome and vpon what conditions they will to enforce a conformitie and subscription to theire hierarchie and ceremonies though it be proved that they take theire hierarchie surplesse coapes Altars and other things from the Romanists as they from the heathen that theire cathedrall service and many of theire canons are taken from Babylon as likewise theire power in theire offices and courts to impose the oath ex officio to silence suspend imprison and deprive of cure and ministrie for non-conformitie in these things to enforce all to vse a forme of praier which is nothing but the masse in English in som things refined but not in all the surplesse and other popish customs beeing still retained And though it be proved that the Papists doe much glorie in it that these things strengthen them in theire religion that D. Iackson and other Arminians have alleadged it with such authority as men vse to alleadge the Scriptures that som things in it seeme to approve such opinions that such things doe by such meanes get into the place of the Scriptures yet all must still be maintained and that though it be also proved that this forme of praier and ceremonies doe oft serve drunkards adulterers prophane mockers meere civill wordlings vsurers oppressors and a world of earthly men for a religion though they have no true love to the preaching of the word to knowledge faith and the like graces but scorne and persecute such as have yet if they can but pretend love to the common praier they are ready to count themselves the better Christians the better subjects they may the sooner be chosen parliament men or into any other office of the church or common wealth and so they may come to beare greatest sway in protestant churches who are church papists ignorant in the spirituall government of Christ other divine things or greate enemies of the reformed religion That non residents double benificed men and dumbe ministers make this theire colour and defense that they have in theire churches the common praier and all the ceremonies that Bishops and Princes whose example the greater part are subject to follow do more favour these then painfull and conscionable ministers knowing that theire canons allow many to have two liveings Because also they finde that such men will either defend theire hierarchie and all theire doeings or connive at them That what soever the word of God say yet if they can but get the authority aide of Princes in any matter they may silence all that withstand them therein that by this meanes they magnifying the power of Princes and Synods may get them into the place of the Pope to defend any thing and make it passe for lawfull in religion And lastly that all these things may serve church Papists and other persecutors for a colour that if they come but to the church speake well of the service and ceremonies who dare say they are not converts and protestants vnder colour of helping Bishops against puritans they may vndermine the protestant religion if not betray it abroade yet doe by it at home as Iehu did by the religion of Baal make men thinke they are for it when theire devise is by degrees to change and destroy it These and many such evils beeing the branches and fruits of the hierarchie and ceremonies are the trifles they talke off wherein men ever heape to themselves a multitude of teachers according to theire owne affections and grow so hardened by custom that