to Baal therefore also to bow down in the house of Rimmon and no more allowed by the Prophet then his other purpose of having the earth of the land of Israel with him to sacrifice vpon And if it be considered onely as a civill action then neyther were it to the question in hand which is concerning religious worship done or thought to be done by all present nor for any persons but such as have like speciall imployment about their Lords and Maisters for vse of their service when they goe to the place of their worship But now it is certayne and playne that Naaman asked pardon of God for it and doubled this his request for mercy as being very much affected with it Which for a good and lawful thing he needed not have done And howsoever he purposed not hereafter to offer burnt offring or sacrifice to any God save onely to the Lord God of Israel yet he thought still of bowing down w th his Master in the house of Rimmō for which he craved mercy as acknowledging it to be evill And thus might the Prophets answer fitly and needfully be given vnto him not as saying Goe and do as thou hast said but Goe in peace trouble not thy self with these things which would not further but hinder the peace of conscience being now clensed of thy leprosie be careful that thou sinne not against the Lord but serve him which forgiveth thyne iniquity healeth thy infirmities and peace from him be to thee 2 King 5.1.14.17.18.19 with Iohn 5 5-14 14.1.27 Psal 103.3 122.6.7.8 1 Chron. 12.18 And otherwise the approving of Naaman to come to worship in the house of Rimmon should both be against the whol course of the scriptures against the practise of the Martyrs in all ages a ready meanes for corrupting of others and defiling himself and dishonouring the Lord whom now hereafter he intended onely to make burnt offring and sacrifice vnto And in this case we must alway remember that as God hath made and redeemed both body and soule and will glorify both in the life to come so he will of vs be glorified in this life both in our bodyes and soules in all our wayes and specially in the service and worship of his Name Therfore would not the seven thowsand in Achabs tyme bow the knee vnto Baall nor kisse him with their mouth 1 King 19.18 Therefore would not Shadrach Meshach and Abednego fall downe and bow themselves to the image that King Nebuchadnezar had set vp And when he threatned them sayd If ye bow not down ye shal be cast immediatly into the mids of an hote fiery fornace for who is that God that can deliver you out of my hands they answered and sayd to the King O Nebuchadnezar wee are not carefull concerning this matter to answer thee Whether it be that our God whom we serve who is able to deliver vs do frō the hote fiery fornace from thyne hand ô King deliver vs Or whether he do not be it knowen to thee ô King that we will not serve thy Gods nor bow down to the golden image which thou hast set vp Dan. 3 12-18 The like work of faith should be seen in all the people of God For * Rom. 10.10 with the hart man beleeveth vnto righteousnes and with the mouth man confesseth to salvation And our bodies are not our owne any more then our soules but both of them are the Lords who hath bought them with a price Therefore ought we to glorify God in both and to yeeld the one no more then the other to any false worship or vncleannes whatsoever 1 Cor. 6.19.20 Finally it should els be lawful to present our bodies at the Masse and at any idolatry old or new wheresoever And how then have ther ben or can ther ever be any Martyrs of Iesus which are on his side called and chosen and faithful Rev. 17.6.14 and 19.11.14 and 20.4 But to leave such vnconscionable dissēblers to the judgment of God let not vs forget that the Lord our God hath forbidden vs to endow any other to receive or bow down to any inventions of Man in religion specially to the constitutions and worship of Antichrist And let vs take heed we provoke not the Lord to anger who is a jelous God not enduring that his people should imbrace the bosome of a stranger and break his covenant but powring forth his wrath for this cause vpon his people visiting this iniquity even vpon the third and fourth generation of them that hate him and keep not his commandements but go a whoring with their owne inventions Exod. 20.4.5.6 Numb 15.39 Psal 16.4 and 106 35-40 Prov. 5.20 Ezech. 44.7 1 Cor. 10.22 Rev. 14.9.10.11 18.4.5 and 22.18.19 The seventh Reason IF the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. be not from heaven but of men then is it not lawfull in the worship of God to heare it or have any spirituall cōmunion therewith But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is not from heaven but of men Therefore it is not lawfull in the worship of God to heare it or have any spirituall communion therewith The consequence of the Proposition is manifest 1. Because the Ministerie with which we may lawfully communicate is from heaven that is appointed by God and warranted in his word Mat. 21.25.26 Ephe. 4.8.11.12 Heb. 5.4 2. Because the worshipping of God by a Ministerie framed by Man is a breach of the second commaundement which the Lord hath threatned severely to punish Exod. 20.5 Deut. 12.30.31.32 Esa 29.13 with Mat. 15.15.9 3. Because such a ministery is vncleane and lothsome in Gods sight so as the people of God can have no sanctified vse thereof Num. 15.39.40 2 Chron. 13.9 Esa 30.22 and 52.11 and 66.20 Zeph. 1.4 The truth of the Assumption is evident because God hath not appointed the Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. but Man hath framed and set it vp Which may plainely be seen by comparing the Book of God their Books together The Book of God where their offices callings and administration cannot be found to be from heaven ordeyned by the Lord Their owne Books of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons of Cōmon prayer and administration of the sacraments of Canons and constitutions c. where they are readily found to be of Men erected and authorised by themselves If any wil yet say their callings functions are frō heavē let them shew it out of the word of God Let thē shew I say that Christ the Lord hath ordeyned their offices entrance and administration Their Offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Suffraganes Cathedrall and Rurall Deanes Prebendaries Archdeacons Subdeacons Parsons Vicars Curates c. Their Entrance by the Prelates by whom they are made Deacons and Priests and consecrated Bishops according to their book of ordering and consecration as also their presentation to benefices by the Patrones institution by the
CERTAYNE REASONS and Arguments Proving that it is not lawfull to heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church of England Ier. 50.14.15 Put your selves in aray against Babel round about all that bend the bow shoot at her spare not arrowes for she hath sinned against the Lord. Cry against her round about she hath given her hand her foundations be fallen her walles be destroyed because it is the vengeance of the Lord take vengeance vpon her as she hath done do vnto her Rev. 18.6 Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her doubles according to her workes in the cup wherein she hath mixed mixe her the double Printed In the yeare of our Lord 1608. To the Christian Reader grace and peace in our Lord Iesus Christ THe Reasons following I have published gentle Reader for thy good and for the truthes sake which we witnes to the world The causes of our separation from the Church of England are divers as in other Books already printed may be seen This treatise handleth purposely but one of them which is concerning their present Ministerie and was for the substance of it written long synce in nine Reasons which now I have revised and reduced to seven In the propounding and handling whereof I have both inserted divers things which I met with in some writings of Mr Iohn Penry that faithfull Martyr of Iesus Christ and annexed sundry testimonies and Arguments out of the Books of the forward Preachers now abroad in mens hands The third Reason which is taken out of Rev. 14.9.10.11 hath his weight according to the right vnderstanding of that place Concerning which as Mr Ridley that blessed Martyr of Christ †See hereafter p. 59. did in his time I will commit the judgement thereof and of all the rest to the spirituall man to be tryed and judged by the word of God which is the onely rule of truth and so to be received and approved as they shal be found to beare weight being layd in the skoales of Gods sanctuary not any otherwise or further at all The Reasons are set downe in the forme of Syllogismes And the two first which conteyne in them the grounds of the rest have more specially the confirmation of them also handled after the same manner A course that some have desired for the further tryall of our cause Which now I wish it may help them forward to yeeld vnto the truth And if thy self Christian Reader reapest any fruit by our labours give God praise and pray for vs the vnworthiest of his servants who are every where contemned blasphemed and oppugned for the Name of Christ Ier. 30.17 Mat. 5.12 and 10.25 Heb. 12.2 1 Pet. 4.12 c. As hath ben the lot of the Churches and servants of God in all ages yea and of Christ our Lord himself But it is ynough for the disciple to be as his Maister and the servant as his Lord. Therefore will we beare it with pacience and rejoyce in it wayting till the Lord our God bring forth his truth as the light our judgement as the noone day Great we know is the truth and strong is the Lord that will destroy Babylon and will mainteyne the cause and avenge the blood of his servants Rev. 17. and 18. and 19. chap. with Ier. 50. and 51. ch Now therefore let me exhort all both Preachers and people high and low to compare together the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles concerning the work of God and fall of Babylon past and to come and to take heed vnto themselves that they harden not their hearts but whiles it is called To day to hearken vnto the voice of the Lord who sayth vnto vs concerning the spirituall Babylon all her assemblies and worship Go out of her my people that yee partake not with her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues as of old he sayd to the Iewes concerning Babylon in Chaldea Go out of the middes of her my people deliver ye every man his soule frō the fierce wrath of the Lord. Rev. 18.4 with Ier. 51.45 And let there be heard * Ier. 50.28 with Rev. 19 ◠◠the voyce of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babel to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God the vengeance of his Temple For it is written Thus saith the Lord of hosts The thick walles of Babel shal be broken downe and her high gates shal be burnt with fire and the people shall labour in vayne and the folk in the fire and shal be weary Ier. 51.58 Which how true it is wil be found in the Antichristian Babylon as it hath ben in the Chaldean let all that are wise observe make good vse thereof vnto themselves And in speciall as now I have occasion let me intreat the Preachers seeking reformation seriously to mynd the Books which many of them selves have written against their present estate with indifferency to judge whether their owne Arguments howsoever intended or alledged otherwise by themselves rely not vpon such grounds as are in very deed against their Ministery aswell as against their Ceremonies against the executing of the one aswel as against the vsing of the other withall against the keeping of communion with them in such estate albeit they have not hitherto so applyed or acknowledged it thēselves Which God in his tyme give them to do for their owne comfort benefit of others And the Lord guyde vs in these and all other things by his word and spirit in the way of his truth keeping vs from errour and every evill way and preserving vs to his heavenly kingdome by Iesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life Amen Thyne in the Lord Francis Iohnson REASONS and proofes from the Scriptures and other testimonies Shewing that it is not lawful to heare or have any spiritual communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The first Reason ALl are bound in the worship of God to hear and communicate onely with that Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church for that work But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is not that which Christ hath given and set in his Church for the work of his Ministery Therfore it is not lawful for any in the worship of God to hear or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England The proof and declaration of this Reason in the several parts thereof THe Proposition or first part of the Reason is evident and certayn 1. Because Christ hath given his Ministerie to his Church as a fruit and confirmation of his ascension into heaven whose gift therfore cannot therin be refused without denying or derogating from the truth and benefit of that his ascension Ephe. 4.8 12. with Ps 68.18 1 Cor. 12.4 Rev. 1.13.16.17.18.20 2. Because he hath set his Ministerie in his Church
Treatises to which we refer the Reader Refut of Mr. Giff. pag. 104.105.106 c. Answ to Mr Hilders pag. 79 80-87-94 c. Answ to Mr. Iacob pag. 188. c. Now whereas some alledge for warrant of hearing these Ministers that the people were to hearken to the Scribes and Pharisees sitting in Moses seat c. Math. 23.2.3 it is to be noted that they were Levites Priests expounders of the Law and Iudges of the pleas and controversies of Israel And therfore had the true offices ordinances which the Lord by Moses did appoint for teaching and governing of that Church as appeareth both by the phrase it self of sitting on Moses chaire and by conference of these and the like Scriptures Deut. 10.8 17.8 12. and 33.1 8.10 2 Chron. 17.8.9 and 19. 8 11. Nehem. 8.4 8. and 9.3.4 5. with Mat. 22.34.35.41 and 23. chap. Mar. 12.28.32.35 Ioh. 1.19.24 and 3.1.10 Act. 5.34 This then is nothing at all for any false Ministerie never ordeyned by the Lord such as the present Ministerie of the Church of England is proved to be Besides to be a Pharisee was not to have a new kind of Ministerie but to be of a speciall sect among the Iewes that pretended more strict observation of the Law then others did Act. 15.5 and 26.5 And they were of any of their tribes or of the proselyte Gentiles as may be seen in Paul who was a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin Phil. 3.5 Act. 23. 6. and in them that were sent to Iohn Baptist who were Pharisees of the tribe of Levi being Priests and Levites Ioh. 1.19.24 and in the Proselyte Gentiles brought so to be by the Scribes and Pharisees spoken of Mat. 23.15 And further although they were verie corrupt and vngodly notwithstanding all the pretence they made so as Christ taught his disciples * Mat. 16.6.12 and 23. chap. Luk 12.1 to take heed of the leven of their doctrine and of their hypocrisy and wickednes in conversation yet did they still hold that every true Ministery must be from heaven and not of men and vrged Iohn the Baptist to warrant his calling and Ministerie by the Scriptures Luk. 20 1-7 with Ioh. 1.19 27. So far were they themselves from admitting any false ministery not appointed by God and approved in his word And this also have the forward preachers acknowledged and proved heretofore against the Prelates as appeareth by their owne words saying ‖ T. C. first reply pag. 83. The ministerie is by the word of God and heavenly and not left to the will of men to devise at their pleasure as appeareth by that which is noted of Iohn where the Pharisees coming to Iohn Baptist after that he had denyed to be eyther Christ or Elias or another Prophet * Ioh. 1.23 conclude If thou be neyther Christ nor Elias nor of the Prophets why baptizest thou Which had bene no good argument if S. Iohn might have ben of some other function then of those which were ordinarie in the Church and instituted of God And therefore he to establish his singular extraordinarie functiō alledgeth the word of God whereby appeareth that as it was not lawfull to bring in any strange dostrine so was it ‖ Note not lawfull to teach the true doctrine vnder the name of any other function then was instituted by God Let the whole practise of the Church vnder the Law be looked vpon and it shall not be found that any other ecclesiasticall ministery was appointed then those orders of hy priests and Levites c. which wer appointed by the law of God And if there were any raised vp extraordinarily the same had their calling confirmed from heaven eyther by signes or miracles or by playn and cleare testimonies of the mouth of God or by extraordinarie exciting movings of the Spirit of God So that it appeareth that the ministerie of the Gospell and the functions thereof ought to be from heaven and of God and not invented by the brayne of men Thus have themselves written heretofore and thus doth their owne testimonie agree with the word of God against their present estate and their woonted allegations for their continuing therein But of these things also we have spoken other where and wil not here further prosecute them Treatise of the Minist of Engl. p. 54.55 c. Answ to Mr. Iacob p. 195. The conclusion of all is this that seing the Lord himself ascending vp on high hath given offices of Ministerie to his Church calling requiring all his people to heare have spirituall communion with them not with any other and seing the present ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England cannot be warranted by the word of God to be that which Christ hath given and set in his Church for the work of his Ministerie we may not therefore in the worship of God heare or communicate therewith vnder any colour whatsoever The second Reason NOne may heare or have any spirituall communion with the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie Therefore none may heare or have any spirtual communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. THe Propositiō or first part of this Reason is manifest 1. Because all false Ministeries are forbidden by the Lord and stand vnder the denunciation of his curse Exod. 20.4.5 with Deut. 18 9-15 2 Kings 10 19-25 2 Chron. 13.9.10.11 Zach. 13 2-6 2 Thess 2 3-12 Rev. 9. and 17. chap. 2 Iohn ver 7.10 Deut. 7.26 and 27.26 Gal. 1.8.9 Rev. 22.18.19 2. Because we are commanded to go out of Babylon and not to partake with any of her sinns therfore not with the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie Rev. 18.4.5.6 with Ier. 51.6.9.45 2 Cor. 6 14-17 1 Iohn 4 1-6 3. Because by hearing and communicating with such a Ministerie all that do so become the servants of Antichrist as it is written His seruants ye are to whom ye obey thus become subject to the wrath of God Rom. 6.16 2 Pet. 2.19 with Rev. 14.9.10.11 4. Because to heare or joyne with that Ministerie is to honour and conspire with Antichrist against Christ and what in vs vs lyeth to vphold that which the Lord will consume 2 Thes 2.3.4.8 Rev. 13. and 14 9-12 18.4.5.6 5. Because this is not to obey the Gospel and receive the love of the truth that we may be saved but to provoke the Lord to send vs strong delusions to beleev lyes and please our selves in vnrighteousnes being carryed away in the deceitfulnes thereof among them that perish vnto condemnation For thus the scripture speaketh of such as in religion yeeld submission to Antichrist the man of sinne in his apostasie 2 Thes 2.3.9.10.11.12 Rev. 14 6-12 and 22.18.19 THe Assumption or second part of the Reason is proved by divers Arguments as followeth The first Argument I. THe Ministerie of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the
Prelates therevnto is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto Therfore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition of this Argument is proved first thus 1. The Ministerie of Deacons and Priests which accounts it self to be Christs yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs and yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministerie Therfore the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie The Proposition none can deny The Assumption hath two parts The one that the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs Ministery Which themselves will graunt The other that this was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery Which is proved already in the first Reason here before and in other Reasons hereafter following Agayne the Proposition of the Argument is proved secondly thus 2. If the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie then the Ministery ordeyned by them therevnto must needs be the Ministery of that Apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie Therfore the Ministery ordeyned by them is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie The consequence of the Proposition is manifest because the fruit musts needs be such as is the tree Neyther do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles Mat. 7.16.17.18 And who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Not any one Iob. 14.4 The Assumption is proved first thus 1. Whosoever besides Christ Iesus himself have such offices and government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords they have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie are indeed very Antichrists themselves But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie and are indeed very Antichrists themselves The Proposition is proved by the Scriptures which teach that there is but one Lord the Lord Iesus Christ Ephe. 4.5 1 Cor. 8.6 and 12.5 2 Cor. 3.17.18 with Psal 110.1 Micah 5.2 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 Ioh. 20.22.23 1 Cor. 11.23 14.37 Rev. 1.11.12.13 and 2.1 and 3.1.7 Now that these Scriptures and the like do speak of a spirituall Lord is playne both by the circumstances of the places themselves and because the Scripture other where giveth allowance of many civil or temporal Lords but no where of any spirituall Lord save Iesus Christ alone whose kingdome is not of this world Gen. 40.1 45.8 1 Sam. 16.16 and 26.17 1 King 1.11 Psal 149 8. Dan. 3.2 Act. 25.26 and 26.25 Rom. 13.1 1 Cor. 1.26 and 2.8 Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5.13.14 Rev. 17.14 and 19.16 compared with the Scriptures here cited before And moreover whosoever is a spirituall Lord he may require spirituall honour to be yeelded vnto him and hath the Spirit of God to give vnto his people and through himself by it can sanctifie them and their actions and service of his Name c. Which things who is there that can require and effect but onely the Lord himself And who then can be a spirituall Lord but he alone So as hereby also it appeareth that all other which take vpon them to be spirituall Lords are indeed very Antichrists The Assumption is proved by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land whose words be these Be it enacted by the Kings most excellent Maiestie the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled For by the Lords spirituall is meant here the Prelates And to the same end it is to be observed that in their Canons and practise they take vpon them as if they were spirituall Lords not onely to prescribe their own ordinances to the Church for the worship of God but also to bynd the spirit and conscience to the acknowledgment and approbation thereof and yet further in their ordination of Priests even to give the holy Ghost saying to the Priests when they ordeyne them Receive the holy Ghost c. as if it were in their power to give the Spirit of God to whom they would or that they were authorized herevnto by Iesus Christ who onely is the spirituall Lord of his Church and giveth his spirit according to his own will to whom and as it pleaseth him Ioh. 1.14.16 and 15.26 20.22 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.7 Ephe. 4.7.1 Ioh. 2.20.27 The Assumption aforesaid is proved secondly thus 2. The offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident inasmuch as the offices government of such Bishops and subjection of such Ministers and Churches are onely to be found in Antichrists apostasie and were never appointed by Christ or his Apostles For now in the tyme of the Gospell Christ hath set no other forme of visible Churches to which he hath given offices of Ministery but onely particular congregations such as may come together in one and joyntly perform all publick dutyes layd vpon them by the word of God As may appeare by the constitution of †Act. 1.15 2.41.42 with 6.2.3.5 6. 11.22 and 15.22.23 21.17 18.22 And 13.1.2 14.23 16 4.5 and 20.17.28 And the epistles to the Rom. Cor. Gal. Ephe. Phil. Col. Thes c. all the Churches planted by the Apostles and written unto by them in so many severall epistles also by the Churches to whom Christ wrote by Iohn in the Revelation Rev. 1.11 with 2. and 3. chap. Other formes of Churches therefore no men have power to institute And when where they are erected what other can they be but Antichristian And as for the examples of Timothee Titus and the like vsually alleged for defence of the Prelates authority and jurisdiction they will nothing help them For these were Evangelists which the Prelates are not as we have shewed in the * Pag. 5. former Reason And the particular Churches have in
And themselves cannot deny but eyther they must prove their Prelacy and inferiour Ministery aforesayd to be ordeyned by Christ in his Testament and so to be the true Ministerie given by Christ to his Church or els if they affirme that the King hath not authority to suppresse and take it away they are by the sentence of their owne Canons impugners of the Kings supremacy and excommunicated ipso facto and not to be restored but after repentance and publik revocation of those wicked errours And so commeth vpon them that which Christ hath sayd Of thyne owne mouth will I iudge thee ô evill servant Luc. 19.22 And wheras by the same Canon the power of restoring such is committed onely to the Archbishop with the condition aforesaid it would be knowen if the Archbishop himself be in the same case who shall now restore him and whether it can be done to him any more then to the rest without his repentance and publick revocation of those his wicked errours Which if he and the rest had grace to revoke these questions would soon be at an end But howsoever they deale and the Kings of the earth for a while mainteyne or suffer them certaine it is that the King of Kings the Lord Iesus Christ will in his time vtterly consume and abolish that lawlesse apostasie and mystery of iniquity in all the power and tyrannicall vsurpation thereof 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.7 with Rev. 14-20 chap. From whence we will take the next and last Argument which now we will alledge The seventh Argument IF the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies VII of England be such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev. 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 then it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 Therefore it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident as may appeare by the Scriptures mentioned in it The Assumption also is manifest may thus be shewed 1. The Scripture teacheth that †2 Thes 8.3 8. with Esa 11.4 Rev. 14.6.7.8 the Lord will consume the man of sinne with the breath of his mouth in the power of his word and therefore also his counterfeit offices ordinances and authority Of which sort the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. being found to be it will follow that these shall also with the rest of that body be abolished by Christ with the brightnes of his coming with the breath of his mouth in the power of his Gospell Otherwise the man of sinne should not be consumed away as the Lord hath sayd he shal be and hath therefore called him the sonne of perdition or destruction because he is appointed to be consumed abolished 2 Thes 2.3 And seing that although in all other places of the earth all the offices parts powers and ordinances of his kingdome and religion were abolished yet so long as the present offices and functions of the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry in the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Deanes Prebendaries Parsons Vicars and the rest of that sort with their callings works maintenance assemblies Courts Canons and proceedings ecclesiasticall do continew in England the Ministery power and authority of the man of sinne were not consumed and abolished as the Scripture hath foretold shall come to passe it must needs be that these also shall go into destruction with the rest of that body For true and strong is he which hath sayd it and will performe it Rev. 18.1.2.8.20.21 and 19.1.2 with 2 Thes 2.3.8 2. Agayne seing the Scripture saith that ‖ 1 Ioh. 3.8 for this purpose the Sonne of God hath appeared that he might loose the works of the Divel and the comming of the man of sinne in all his apostasie is in another Scripture said to be by the working of Sathan 2 Thes 2.3.8.9 it followeth also herevpon that Christ the sonne of God will break and abolish the Prelacy and lying Ministery of that lawlesse one together with the rest of his apostasie wheresoever Which already we have seen to be begun in that the Lord hath now in this latter age of the world appeared according to his promise in the light of his Gospell and hath begun thereby to dissolve that work of Sathan to cast down Babylon that great city to manifest and consume that man of sinne to remove and abolish the offices callings works and livings belonging to that body and kingdom of darknes So as in divers countreyes at this day the popish Antichristian offices callings are generally rejected and abandoned And in England the Pope Cardinals Priors Abbots Monks Fryers and Nunnes together with many of the popish heresies errors superstitions are abolished cast out of the land This hath the Son of God that * Psal 24.8.10 king of glory by the shining brightnes and power of his Gospell already brought to passe in this latter age Neyther will he cease or give over this his glorious work vntil he hath evidently consumed the body of that man of sinne and discovered dissolved the work of Sathan in Antichrists kingdome throughout the world The Lord of hosts hath determined it and who shall disannull it His hand is stretched out and who shall turne it away Esa 14.27 with 2 Thes 2.8.9 Rev. 14.6.7.8 3. Moreover the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England being such in their Offices entrance administration and maintenance as the Lord never set in his church as †Reason 1. before hath bene proved therfore also it cannot be doubted but that these shal be abolished as Christ hath sayd Every planting which my heavenly Father hath not planted shal be rooted vp Mat. 15.13 4. Finally the sekers of reformation have bene if still they be not of the same judgement and expectation Els why have they sued to the Parliaments to have these parts remnants of the Popish Antichristian Kingdome yet reteyned in the land to be removed and abolished yea and have expressely written * Admon to the Parliam in the Preface that they shall downe hold they never so hard Now furthermore that this destruction of Antichrists kingdome and religion shal be seen and done by Christs appearing in the light and power of his Gospell we gather also from the Scriptures which teach ‖ Rev. 14.6.7.8 2 Thes 2.8 with Esa 11.4 that by the preaching of the Gospell Babylon falleth And for the better discerning hereof thus we shew it further First by Babylon ‡ Rev. 17.5.7 with 11.8 2 Thes 2.7 mystically and spiritually is vnderstood the city kingdome and iurisdiction of Antichrist with the offices and ordinances belonging therevnto the apostasie and authority of the man
Christ himself Thus the Assumption is cleared And thus the cause is yeelded by themselves who in their owne writings speak and reason in such sort as hath ben shewed Which I thought good thus to apply to their present estate further manifestation of the truth And thus much cōcerning these Argumēts Reasons Which now I leave to the consideration of all that are of judgement and conscience exhorting them as they love the truth and their owne good 1 Thes 5.21 Psal 119.59 to try all things by the word of God to consider their wayes and to turn their feet into his testimonies And I pray the Lord God of all glorie and goodnes to discover and consume the apostasie of Antichrist daily more and more to make the light and power of the Gospell of Christ shine forth and prevaile against all enemies and hinderances to give his people of all estates and nations to walk in the light and comfort thereof to the praise of his Name and eternall life by Iesus Christ who is God overall blessed for ever Amen Ier. 50.29 Call together * the mighty many against Babel all that bend the bow besiege her round about let there be no escaping for her recompense her according to her work according to all that she hath done do vnto her for she hath ben proude against the Lord against the holy one of Israel A Table of some principall things conteyned in this Treatise THat it is not lawfull to heare or have any spirituall communion with other Ministerie then that which Christ hath given vnto his Church pag. 1. 17. 51. 63. 70. 78. 87. 93. c. That the Ministery given by Christ is of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephes 4. p. 2. 4. 5. 7. 22. c. That the Ministers of the Church of England are none of these p. 3. c. Of the obiection made about hearing the Scribes and Pharisees p. 14. That the Ministery of the Church of Engl. is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie p. 18. c. Of the Prelates being spirituall Lords Diocesan and Provinciall Bishops Antichristian vsurpers c. p. 19. c. and p. 70. 71. 101. 102. 110. Of the examples of Timothee and Titus alledged for them p. 22. c. Two Questions about the ordinance of Christ and the apostasie of Antichrist touching the Ministery and governement of the Church p. 26. How the Ministers of the Church of England are made Deacons Priests Bishops and Archbishops And wherevnto they subscribe p. 30. c. That the Ministery of that Church obeyeth not Christ in his ordinance as their Prophet Priest and King p. 39. 105. That it is set against and exalted above the holy things and constitutions of Christ p. 41. That it apperteyneth not properly to any estate civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and religion of Antichrist p. 42. 43. That the King may and ought to suppresse it throughout his Dominions p. 44. That the Lord will abolish it by the light and power of his Gospell with the spirit of his mouth and brightnes of his coming p. 46. That the Ministers with the people in that estate worship the Beasts image and receive his mark in the forehead or hand p. 51. c. That they derive not their power and functions of Ministerie from Christ the head of the Church p. 63. c. That though they be of good gifts and teach many true doctrines yet it is no warrant to communicate with their Ministerie p. 66. 75. 92. That they work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spirituall calling p. 70. 109. 110. Of the Apostles not ceasing to preach in the Name of Iesus at the commandement of the Rulers of Israel p. 73. 74. That the Ministerie of the Church of Engl. is a straunge Ministery p. 78. c. Of the conspiracy of Corah Dathan Abiram c. p. 79. That it is vnlawfull to present our bodies at false worship p. 81. c. Of Naamans example alledged for that purpose p. 82. That the Ministerie of the Church of England is not from heaven but of men p. 87. That it giveth honour to Antichrist and is derogatory to the reformed Churches p. 95. Divers testimonies of their owne and of the Martyrs others against their Ministerie and Church estate p. 6. 13. 15. 21. 30. 33. 36. 41. 44. 59. 65. 73. 76. 79. 88. 93. c. Also the grounds of Mr Bradsh Arguments and of the London Lincolnshire Devonshire and other silenced Ministers their Exceptions Abridgement Answers and Offers applyed against them p. 93. c. Faultes escaped Pag. 63. lin 6. 7. read thus of Engl. is such as deriveth not Pag. 78. lin 22. Num. 15.39 Pag. 85. lin 8. will from the hote Pag. 94. line 29. annex this in such of the books where it is wanting and God must have no solemne Worship in England except it be in communion with the same Pag. 95. lin 19. put in the margent Mr Bradsh Argum. 2. Pag. 110. lin 10. annex this And their owne reasons alledged against the vse of the Ceremonies do also prove it