rather wonder that such a Vail of Darkness should be so long over the minds and Hearts of them that believe not notwithstanding so clear evidence from Christ and his Apostles or the Example of the Primitive Christians or holy Martyrs who spoke the Truth but denyed to Swear at all but that Custome and Tradition is often more minded then the very Truth it self Oh! that the Rulers of this Nation would once consider weigh what they are doing and how many and great the suffering of a Conscientious People that fear the Lord in theirs Hearts are who dare not disobey the commands of Christ lest they fall into Condemnation and come under the rebuke of the Lord in their Hearts who hath Power alone to kill and to make alive but rather chuse to suffer the loss of all and undergo the manifold Sufferings that some malicious Spirits cause to be inflicted upon them when indeed there is no cause at all while prophane Persons Swear and forswear and take God's holy Name in vain and make little Conscience of any thing but sometime for and sometime against whatsoever seems countenanced and discountenanced by the Magistrates so that neither the King nor Kingdom is in any more security notwithstanding all such Swearing how solemn soever they seem in Swearing neither any more credit be given in Judicature then there is to be given to him that is a common Swearer in his private occasions or common Communication and Oh! how doth the Land abound in this insomuch that he that is not a Curser or Swearer is looked upon as a Phanatick or some disobedient Person or unconformable Man which ought especially to be eyed for a dangerous Person Oh! that the Heads and Rulers of the People would but consider how near the Judgment of God is and how ready to break forth upon the Nation and not without cause even great Evils are begun Pestilence and Sword already threatned and God's Arrows flying abroad to wound and to destroy them that continue in hardness of Heart rebellion against God and will not suffer him to rule and reign in the Consciences and Kingdoms of Men but vain Men would set up their Thresh-hold with his and not only so but against his and great is the wickedness and the Sins of this Nation upon many accounts which the Lord will bring a Scourge upon especially that grievous Sin of Persecution that Cain-like way which the Generations have chosen to add as they ignorantly suppose unto their Church and so build up their Zion with Cruelty and their Church by Iniquity Oh! this is loathsome in the sight of God had Zimri peace who slew his Master had Israel Peace when she slew the Prophets had the Jews Peace when they had Crucified Christ had the Romans Peace when they Persecuted the first Christians had Cain Peace when he had slain his Brother If nay let not England expect Peace when they are Persecuting them that are Members of Christ's Church so that this grievous Sin if England had no more were enough to bring the dreadful Judgment of God upon the whole Land and undoubtfully will if not repented of but now it must not be counted so and why because there are some Statuets and Laws which they obey not and so it 's for disobedience consider did not all the former pretend one Law or other did not all that ever suffer'd even the best of Men Christians suffer as disobedient as Offenders against some Law or other as Evil-doers in the Account of them that inflicted Punishments upon them if so as it is certain they did may not England be deceived while that they are thinking they do God and the King Service to root out and destroy some under the Notion of Heresie and some under the Notion of Disobedience and Factious may they not be persecuting Christ in his Members or destroying the peaceable Members of their Native Country the Lord open all their Eyes and do away the Darkness and the Vail of Ignorance that is over many Hearts that they may turn to the Lord and submit unto his eternal and unchangeable Power that so they may escape the Day of the Lord which is at Hand and the Judgment of God that is ready to break forth as an an over-flowing Scourge to cut off and sweep away in his Displeasure even all them that would not have Christ to rule in their Hearts neither have his Laws fulfilled nor obeyed which he writeth in the Hearts of all true Believers unto whom all must bow and be subject because the Father hath committed all Power into his Hand and his Glory he will not give to another no to none but him whom he hath given for a Covenant of Light and Life to be King Law-giver Saviour and Judge of his People and to be the Head of the Body his Church whom he redeems out of the World to himself to glorifie him who is the only Potentate and King of Immortal Glory God blessed forever and ever Amen To all the Well-beloved Flock of Christ whom he hath gathered into his Fold to feed in his Heavenly pasture in and about London Hartford and Kingston PEace from God the Father be multiplyed in all your Hearts through Jesus Christ the Prince thereof whom the Father hath sent as his Free Gift and given for the Covenant thereof unto all that believe and receive him to reconcile all even all that believe even them that have been and yet are afar off and are in Enmity in their Hearts yet by wicked Works and have no Title or Right unto Peace yet they that have received have and them that shall receive him shall have and shall be brought nigh unto God and out of the Wrath and Enmity and so come to be capable thereof through receiving and believing in his Name and Power by whom alone Remission of Sins is obtain'd and Peace and Reconciliation with God witnessed to whom be Glory and Honour forever and ever Amen Dearly Beloved with Thoughts of pure and unspotted Love I often remember you all who have been and are Followers of Christ and Sufferers for him in this present World and also have been and may expect to be while in the World Companions with them that suffer for that blessed Hope and Testimony which you have received from God in your Hearts by which the Saints in Light were purified and sanctified and did overcome the World and the Prince thereof who now ruleth in the Children of Disobedience who are subject to his Power and Government which stands in Wrath Envy Oppression Persecution and in that which leads unto every evil Deed and Work and because the Lord hath chosen you out of the World and from under the Power of the Prince of Darkness therefore he and all his Subjects hate you and as it was from the Beginning of his Kingdom since Sin entered into the World so it is now though it was not so from the Beginning of
and this Spirit rules the most in those men who are so full of their Complements that begets one another into Pride and Deceit and provoke one another by their bad Example into deceit like Drunkards drinking one to another to make one another Drunk it 's like thou wilt call this civility too And if thou wilt plead it s the Custom of the Nation doffing Hats and Bowing The customs of the Heathen are vain and many in Israel who feared the Lord were not to walk after the Customs of the Nations for this Deceit was not from the beginning and who ever comes to be a follower of Christ who received no Honour of men neither respected Persons will deny this deceit Take him for thy example rather then a company of Fidlers and Roysters and Ruffins who are without the fear of God and Christ who is the Saints Example he said How can you believe that seek and receive Honour one of another So then they were Unbelievers who sought and received Honour one of another and wouldst thou and the rest who live in deceit bring the custom of Unbelievers and the practice of Unbelievers among the Saints who are believers and follow Christ their example I say we have no such Custom nor the Churches of Christ. The next piece of Deceit thou art pleading for is bowing to one another the Knee and Titles of Honour wherein the Devil hath a great hold among people Gen. 44.14 This thou bringst to prove Bowing Judah and his Brethren came to Joseph's House and they fell on the Ground This is an example indeed Wilt thou take another the same Brethren of Joseph sold him when he was a Boy was that a good act If thou sayst nay I say one is as much commanded and commended as the other for that same that doth Violence it 's the same that respects Persons but Abraham bowed to the Children of Heth what of that So did Joseph Swear by the Life of Pharaoh and both Joseph and Abraham were good men but they were never the better for these Actions neither the one nor the other But then thou brings a Scripture and thou saith it must stop our Mouthes Gen. 49.8.10 And thou saist this may Teach us if we be of Jacob's Seed and houshold To bow to the God of Jacob our King and why should this stop our Mouthes But the Scepter shall not depart from Judah nor a Law-giver from between his Feet till Shilo come So he was to Rule to wit Judah till Shilo came why should this stop our Mouths Shilo is come and hath opened our Mouths and the Scepter is departed from Judah long since both them that bowed to Judah and Judah that was once Bowed unto they are both Bowed under and Shilo is set above and now he must be bowed unto go learn what that means It was answered agaiâ—st Bowing the second Commandment prohibits it Thou shalt not bow down to them but the answer satisfies thee not Thou saist Doth thâ—s forbid civil respects or Idolatrous worship That which callst civil respects is Idolatrous worship putting off the Hat and bowing the Knee to a man with a gay Cloak or a Gold Ring or a company of Ribbons or a long Gown To bow down to such because of the Attire is respecting of Persons and Idolatry but you are fallen into a far worse state then respecting of Persons for you respect Cloaths and doff your Hats and bow your Knees to them with fine Rayment And let the man in vile Rayment or poor Attire go by without either Cap or Knee and for all thy civility thou so greatly pleadest for and courtesie if he put not off his Hat to thee it may be thou wilt call him Sirrah Rogue or Clown for all thy civility Again put on the Poor man good Attire and a fine Cloak and a gold Ring then you change your note and say If it please your Worship or liâ—e your Honour your humble Servant Sir Now here is not only respecting of Persons which is Commission of Sin but respecting the Creatures and Worshipping the array which is upon a man's back which is idolatry and not civility which is to be condemned Yet civility and courtesie I own which is so indeed and in Truth but that which the World calls civility and courtesie is Hypocrisie and Idolatry And for Salutation thou saist we seldom use and thou bringst Scripture to prove that Christ and the Saints saluted one another Their Salutations are owned and such Salutations are practised by us in uprightness of Heart and true Love without Feignedness but we cannot do as you do bid a man God-speed when he is not doing the work of God nor say Farewell to them who are in their Evil deeds nor as the Wâ—rld doth with thier Good-evens and Good-morrows and takes God's Name is Vain and if one do not answer them according to their Light Vain Mind they will fall a Rayling and Beating all such Spirits we deny and their Salutations In thy second Observation Thou saist Do not we prove that places of Christian Assemblies to be a Church and thou bringst many Scriptures to no purpose Thou bringst the first of Kings vers 8. and 1 Cor. 11. For the Glory of the Lord shall fill the House of the Lord. And thou answerest and saist not the Steeple-house but the Church There thou hast added to the Scripture and divers other Scriptures thou bringst wherein the Temple was called the House of God and the Store-houses were called the House of God Mal. 3.10 All which Scriptures I own but they are nothing to thy purpose that the Temple was called the House of God and the Tabernacle the House of God and the Store-houses the House of God this is granted These were made and builded according to the Command of God wherein the Lord's Treasure was which sed the Poor the Fatherless and the Widow and the Priests and Levites that Ministred unto him which Temple Priests Store-houses and Tythes were Figures and shadows of good things to come which when the good things did come the Figures ended But when did God command your Idols Temples to be built and what are they a Figure of That which thou shouldst have proved is that your Steeple-houses where you meet any where in Scripture are called the Church of God Thou and thy Master Smith art offended that we call the place you 〈◊〉 in a Steeple-house and say Take heed that no such Languaâ—e be spâ—kâ—n again as Steeple-house Why nâ—t Have not these Houses Steeples But we shall call it truly and properly as it is the Mass-house which hath the Crosses standing upon them yet or an Idol's Temple which was 〈◊〉 for the Idolatrous Worship and for the Idol Mass and other superstitiâ—â—â— Ceremonies your Windows full of Pictures your Walls full of Images and Monks faces and bear the Popish Names as St. Anthony St. Clemenâ— St. Dunstâ—ns and St. Patrick and St. Maryes and the like You blind
and Justices with Persecution falls flat to the Ground We are no Boasters but rejoyce in our sufferings for Christ's sake neither are we weary but are willing to bear and suffer till the Lord arise and plead our Cause and our sufferings are Recorded and the Lord hath considered them though men would not and hath overturned many and Rebuked many for our sakes and it is he that Justifies us and who art thou that Condemns us the Testimony of our Innocency and the causeless suffering hath a Witness in many thousands Hearts who are not like thine as Flint and what uncivility hath any to lay to our charge as against Mâ—gistracy whom have we wronged or what Violence have we done to any except thou Judge that incivility because we do not Complement Bow and flatter and make feigned Addresses like thy Generation and this your Highness and the other your Excellency and another my Illustrious Lord and the next Week or next Month call them Traytors Tyrants and Usurpers and as I told thee before that which was order among the Churches is accounted Disturbance by thee which evidently manifests that you are in the Apostacy and out of the Christian Religion which was Professed and Practiced among the Primitive Christians and for any known wickedness among us I am out of all doubt if thou hadst any thing thou wouldst preach it upon the House top known wickedness hath God redeemed us from which thou yet Wallowst in and yet takest delight in And therefore all these known Wicked abominable falshoods Lyes are come forth besides the abusing of our words and false representing what we have written as our Doctrines to the World and this thou hast done sometimes added to our Words and sometimes detracted from them and sometimes addest thy own Collections then presentst them to publick view as our Errors and Blasphemies and as for Courts and Justices Magistrates and Rulers many of them hitherto have ruled by the Dragon's Powers and not by the Power of God in that many have incouraged the Evil-doers and have not listned to the cry of the Oppressed therefore hath the Lord God overturned them and their day is past and our charges against their Wickedness and Persecution neither our Testimony neither our sufferings have fallen to the Ground but stand as a Record against them And thou saist It is high time for all the redeemed Ones and sanctified Ones and Children of Grace the Favourites of Heaven Honest Godly sincere Christians Children that will not Lye to improve their intrust in God for this sinful divided Nation What dost thou own any to be redeemed and Sanctified or to be Children of Grace or that do not lye and yet cryest out of Perfection as Blasphemy or that any should come to or live by that which is perfect if thou excludest the Quakers to be any of these they will not findm any redeemed Sanctified Honest Godly sincere Christians and all your Improvement and your intrust which you have in God and in Christ will but amount to a small dram you all of you hitherto as you have said have improved your intrust and have sought God as you have said by your Prayers and Humiliations for the suppressing of that which you call Heresie and yet you have had no answer neither hath he listned nor will he listen nor bow down his Ear unto because your Hearts are full of Abominations and as for relapsing into Popery you never came out of it witness the Priests Popish Ordination their Popish Attire your Popish Mass-houses your Cross and Bells your Popish Tythes Easter-reckonings and Mid-summer dues your Popish Colledges your Popish Crosses and your Popish Images in and about your Idols Temple and because of the holding up of these things the Hearts of many of God's People are made sad and because you would hold up your Religion by Swords and Clubs and Persecute others who dissent from you in this you are one with the Papists And is this all thy Reformation that thy godly Ministry can bring forth You have travailed in vain and spent your strength for nought and because of these things the Hand of God is against all in the Nation who hold them up and who is he that can alter the Counsel of the Lord and God will not be reconciled to the Nation till these things be done away because of these things and many more grievous Oppressions which have been holden up therefore God hath broken them in the midst of their Counsels and confounded them in the midst of their devices and will confound and overthrow all deceitful Workers and unprofitable talkers such as thou art and one Hill shall fall after another till there shall be a great plain that the ransomed of the Lord may walk over and Worship the Lord together in Spirit and Love and Truth in Joy and gladness of Heart even as when Israel kept the Feast of Tabernacles And now I shall come to let the Reader see how thou hast falsified our Words which thou hast added thy own Imaginations to and then hast quoted our Books to make People believe they are our words whenas they are thy own forged lyes the which I shall return upon thee First Thou sayest George Fox In Truth defended saith that Preaching the Word Praying and singing are no Appointments of Christ whenas he saith no such thing but the Hireling Priests divinations and feigned Prayers and other mens words in Rhime and Meeter are the Inventions of men and not the Ordinances of Christ. Secondly Thou saist E. B. In Truth defended saith The Priest taking Tythes in the time of the Law was Evil and proved them to be false Prophets and Deceivers Whenas he saith quite contray that the Priests took Tythes under the Law according to the Command of God but now the Priesthood was changed and the Law was changed and them what Preach for Hire and seek for their Gain from their quarter or take Tythes are in the steps of false Prophets and Deceivers and no Ministers of Christ. Thirdly That it 's dangerous for the ignorant and Unlearned to read the Scripture and the Ministers of it are the Ministers of Death Now thou hast detracted from the Words There it is said that it is dangerous for thee to take the Scripture to War against the Saints withal and to make a trade with it and give carnal Exposition and then sell them for Money Fourthly Thou tellest of one Master Kellet in Lancashire and his Queries Whether did not Christ Institute his last Supper with Bread and Wine and R. H. saith the Bread which Christ called his Body is his Church which words thou hast mangled and perverted as thou hast done the most thou hast medled with and there is no such man as Master Kellet the words are these in Truth 's Defence p. 103. Christ did not â—peak of Bread and Wine but he took Bread and brake it and said This is my Body and we
Saturdayes and Sundayes by candle-light as Socrates saith Lib. 5. In this time it is said the Customs and Observations were so many that none were able to find two that did retain one Order of the Service At Caesaria in Cappadocia they receive not into Communion such as sin after Baptism and even so the Macedonians in Hellespont did the same The Phrygians allow not of two Marriages The original Authors of so great Diversity of Services Rites and Customs were Bishops which governed their Churches at several times and such as do like of such Practices have commended them to posterity for Laws and such vain and frivolous contentions did arise in this Age whereby it is manifest the Apostacy from the Life and Power of God was great and God's Wisdom and the Unity of the Spirit was wanting and Philosophy and customary Practice was their chief Foundation and one Bishop exiled another and complained to the Emperors and banished one another and so the Sheep were made havock of and starved â—nd scattered and the Name of Christ and Christians came to be evil spoken of by the many factions and contentions that were among them But to return to the Bishops of Rome after the Reign of Constantine in which Persecution ceased many superstitious Injunctions and Idolatrous Practices were set up in the first five hundred years which I shall not much trouble the Reader with further then what is already said but divers other things were brought in afterwards more gross then the former Gregory called the Great the Bishop of Rome of whom it is said of all that went before him he was the basest or worst and of all that câ—me after him he was the best It is he that brought in this Title among the Roman Bishops to be called the Servant of God's Servants but by his practice he proved a Lord over God's Servants consciences and over their Faith he made an Act that Priests should not Marry a Wife and he ordained a Book called the Service or Letany which goes under the Name of Gregory's Mass-book to be received in all Churches After the death of him Sabinus was Bishop who continued scarce two Years he was the last of the Roman Bishops who had not the Title of Universal Bishop or Head of the Church he was the last of sixty five Bishops before the first Pope he died in the year six hundred and five Palagius the first was the 69 Bishop of Rome in the year 355. he Ordained that Hereticks and Schismaticks should be punished with Temporal death there was 65 Bishops before Boniface the third who was the first Pope and since there hath been 179 Popes Boniface the third who succeeded Sabinus was the first Pope he Reigned but one Year and did more hurt in that year then Gregory could do in many before he obtained of the Emperour Phocas that he and his Successors after him in the See of Rome above all other Churches should have the Preeminence that the Bishop of Rome should be the Head of all the churches of Christ in Christendom alledging this frivolous and reasonless Reason that Saint Peter had left to Saint Peter his Successors in Rome the Keys of binding and loosing for before this Constantinople Asia and other Churches their Bishops had some stroak and divers times many of the Bishops of Rome were reprehended by the rest but now obtaining this Decree of Phocâ—s he began to take head over all other churches and this Phocâ—s to aspire to the Empire of Rome he murdered his own Master Mauritius the Emperor and his children so Phocas somewhat fearing and willing to have Boniface's Favour gratifies him and condescends to all his Petitions and grants him to be universal head-Bishop over all christian churches and there was the first Rise of the Pope but Phocâ—â— for his Murder was justly rewarded for Heraclius the Emperor cut off his Hands and Feet and cast them into the Sea but Rome would not so soon loose her Supremacy once given as the Giver lost his Life and ever since that time the Popes have holden defended and maintained the same by all Force Pollicy and Cruelty that possible can be this was in the Year six hundred and six and so the Bishop now became Pope his rise was not because of his Holiness or Righteousness or Doctrine or holy Practices suitable unto Peter whom he saith he succeeded for his Doctrine and Practice Peter had condemned the same things before Boniface was but his Rise was by a heathen Emperor who had command over a great Party at that time and so by the Force of his Edict he claims Authority Vitilianâ—s the eleventh Pope in the Year 657. he confirmed that Practice which was set up before by some other of the Bishops of Rome that Organs should be set up in Churches Paschal in the year 817. was the first that appointed Cardinals to be in Number 70. Adrian the third the 47th Pope in the year 884. ordained that the Emperor of Rome from thenceforth should have no more to do with the Election or Confirmation of the Pope but that it should be left wholly to the Roman Clergy so that which first gave the Pope Power to wit the Emperor he now throws off the yoak and if the Emperor please not him hath stirred up the People to mannage War against him and against divers Princes as may be seen in the Histories of latter Ages Sergius the third was the first who ordained bearing of Candles in the Feast of the Purificâ—tion of Mary thence called Candlemas-day Celestine the second in the year 1143. was the first Inventer of cursing or anathematizing any who received not his Ordinances with Bell Book Candle Innocent the third 1198. was the first that brought in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation and imposed auricular Confession upon the people Clement the fifth 1350. was the first that sold Indulgences and Pardons Sixtus the fourth 1471. brought in the Beads to be numbred when they prayed and authorized the Ladies Psalter Leo the tenth in the year 1553. set Indulgences and Pardons on sale in Germany and France which things caused Luther in Germany and Zuinglius among the Switzers to write against the Pope's Ministers and afterwards questioned many points of popish Doctrine upon which the Pope burned Luther's Writings and condemned him for an Heretick and Luther burned the Pope's Canon-Law at Wittenberg and declared the Pope to be a Persecutor and a very Anti-christ The Inquisition began first in Spain which was set up by the Papists there to terrifie the Moors who had inhabited Spain for 760 years and so long Spain was governed by the Emperor of the Moâ—rs in Africa until the year 1492. And after this time the Inquisition began against the Moors which was not so cruel at first as afterwards it began to be against the Protestants and is now accounted the greatest Violence and Torture and the greatest Tyranny and severest kind of Persecution upon the Earth
should be the greatest and said unto them The Gentiles exercise Lordship one over another but it shall not be so amongst you and though Peter and the rest of the Apostles who were in the Power of God had that which did open into the Kingdom of God and shut out that which did defile yet this we are sure of he sold no Pardons nor Indulgences for Gain and filthy Lucre as many have done whom you call Peter's Successors and Christ's Vicar and Universal Bishop and visible Head but it is manifest how the Pope became visible Head and Universal Bishop not because of any Work or Labour in the Doctrine of Christ or the Work of the Gospel but by means of the Roman Emperor for while the Christians were under Persecution and Suffering there was no talk of visible Heads or much of Universal Bishop for then Rome had no more Priority then the rest for the Churches at Constantinople at Jerusalem at Caesaria at Cyprus and Alexandria for the first three hundred Years they had as much Power in their several Churches as Rome had and often the Elders or Bishops of the afore-said Churches did reprove sharply the Bishop of Rome but at last above five hundred Years or upwards Phocas to aspire to the Empire of Rome he murthered his own Master Mauritius and his Children to attain unto the Empire so at that time Boniface the third was Bishop of Rome and Phocas somewhat fearing and willing to have Boniface his Favour condesceâ—deth to all his Petitions and grants him to be Universal head-Bishop over all Christian Churches and there was the first rise of Rome â—s visible Head for this frivolous Reason of being Peter's Successor could never have raised him to that height but then the Emperor's Power and Authority became to be the more forcible Plea for before that time the Bishops of Rome were chosen by the Emperor's consent but after he had got Power Emperors could not be chosen but by the Popes consent and then came the Bishop of Rome to be a visible Head and be called Universal Bishop Christs Vicar a Lord spiritual over all the Churches and in process of time Lord temporal over all the Empire And thus your Church of Rome became magnificent and great to sit as a Queen upon the Waters Nations Kindreds and Tongues as you acknowledge your Church of Rome hath spread over and here is a Head and a Body which are joyned together in Union Christ is the Head of the true Body which is his Church and his Wife and Antichrist he is the visible Head of his visible Church and Wife Mystery-Baâ—ylon The next piece of Merchandize which the Authâ—r brings forth to view is Purgatory and prayer to be made for the dead and also prâ—yer unto Saints and the Authors proof is 1 Cor. 3.15 wheâ—e he Apostle speaks Every mans Work shall be tryed and that Work whâ—ch will not abide the Fire must be Burnt and this the Author calls The Fire of another World and Prayer for the Dead he proves out of 12 of Maccabees and prayer to the Saints he sayes it's lawful to Pray in this Wâ—rld unto good People and Paul while he lived did Pray for others and also did beg their Prayers And the Angel in the first of Zachary prayed for Iâ—rael and there can be no harm in Praying to them that can Pray for us Answ. They that dwell in the shadow of death are lik to speak out of thick darkness they that have made a Covenant with Death are loath to have it broken and they that have a mind to continue in Sin while they live have a mind to put the Evil day afar off Judgment afar off Evil-doers will never have it time to give account for their Evil deeds and so put it off till they are Dead and to another World and let â—he Devil have Prehemience in their Hearts while they live and reckon their Sins venial and Light faults this is contrary to the Doctrine of the true church of Christ and contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who said The Wages of Sin is death and there is no Sin goes Unpunished nor Unjudged and Sion is redeemed through Judgment and by the Spirit of burning and Purgatory is a Fiaction falshood and a Lye and there is no cleansing from Sin in another World Solomon saith As the Tree falleth whether to the North or to the South so shall the Tree lye and the Word of God who have received it in their Hearts which is as a Fire that purifies and the Blood of Christ is that which cleanseth from all Sin and there 's not any cleansâ—ng from any Sin but by it and there is no cleansing in another World but Purgatory hath been invented and Prayer for the Dead that thereby the Pope might be enriched and sell the invented Prayers and Aâ—e Maâ—â—es and so cheat People of their Money and there 's no Sacrifice to be offer'd for the Dead who dye in their Sins nor no Remission after this Life And as for praying to the Saints the Scripture makes no mention of and though Paul did Pray for others and beg the Prayers of others yet he prayed not for them when they were dead neither did beg the Prayer of the deâ—d but prayed for them who were Believers in the true Church and desired the Prayers of them that were living Members and were alive and lived in the World and were redeemed out of it and the Angel prayed not for the People of Israel when they were dead and that which thou calls Jeremy's prayer in the Maccabees was never spoken by the Spirit of the Lord nor the Offering was not made in the Will of God and the Prophet saith Though Abraham know us not and Israel be ignorant of us yet thou O Lord art our Father And the Lord said unto David Seek my Face and call upon me in the day of trouble and I will hear and Answer Not upon Mary Peter and Paul Dominick and Anthâ—ny Again it 's contrary to the Practice of the Saints in the Primitive times and contrary to the Doctrine of Christ who said unto his Disciples Whatsoever you ask in my Name the Father shall give it to you He doth not speak of any other Name neither is any Prayer or Supplication accepted of the Father but in the name of Christ alone So these Doctrines are false and Doctrines of Devils never commanded nor Practised by any of the Saints in the Primitive time but only have been invented and practised by the Apostatesâ— who have Erred from the Faith and Practice which was onâ—e delivered unto the Saints which the church of Rome hath made Ship-wrack of in many things which I have made appear and I shall proceed to more particulars to manifest it lest any should be beguiled with such deceitful Babylonish Merchandize which the Nations are too much corrupted with already The next false Doctrine which the Author layes down is That
Law against it self 5. Seeing that neither Christ nor any of his Apostles commanded to pay Tythes it 's manifest and plain that neither by the Law of Moses nor by the Law of Christ that Christian people are bound to pay Tythes but by mens Traditions And all these before-mentioned were opposite to the whole Nation oâ— Fryars of what order soever who suffered grievous Persecution in their dayes whose Testimony yet livâ—s and will be priz'd in Generations to come though they be gone to the Sepulchres of their Fathers Also to these may be added the Articles of the Bohemians who were greatly Persecuted for their Faith and Belief published about the Year 250. wherein a Divine right as to Tythes since the Gospel were denyed whereupon they long since took away all Temporalities from the Ministers Gerardus Sagarillus also before Wickliff was Burnt for an Heretick as the Church of Rome reckoned him upon this account and the great Erasmus gave the common exacting of Tythes in his time no better Name then Tyranny Moreover the Abbigeneses Bedemontane Protestants have preserved their Religion without corruption longer then any Church with a Ministry endowed with Tythes and Hire in the World Likewise the Primitive times never wanted able Teachers as the best Histories relate although they lived either upon their Labour or the free gift of them that were Converted but did trust their Lord and Master who sent them out in his Name and Power for the Conversion of Souls this was very much unlike to the Ministry of this Generation who knows not how to live by Faith nor of the Gospel but rather by Jewish â—ythes or rather Popish tythes Stipends Augmentation Set-wages Covenants and Sallaries or else the old Proverb is truly verified which sprang up in Popish times No Penny No Pater-noster for evidence whereof 〈◊〉 are hundreds in England within this twenty years that when the aforesaid Maintenance was taken away by any temporal Power whatsoever they have ceas'd their Ministry and laid down their Commission which they say they had from Christ and made void their Call and all necessity of Conversion of Souls laid aside we might bring the whole Nation for a Tesâ—imony in this who hath been observant as to the Practice of the Ministry about the changes of government which hath happened in the aforesaid 〈◊〉 And the former Christians were not so disquieted among themselves with pâ—litical complying Opinions and Curiosities Niceties Distinctions and contentions although they had none of the aforesaid setled Maintenance until Constantine the Great his time when they began to grow Rich and give Lands and great Revenues to the Church and then they began to Controvert and side in State matters as is seen in the Councils of Basil and Constance and divers other former Councils and grew into Pride and idleness and fulness insomuch that Histories say a Vâ—â—ice was heard from Heaven this day Poyson hath been shed abroad in the Church Great and large are the Testimonies that might be given in this particular of the bestmen who were Sufferers for Christ although the greedy covetous Hirelings of every Age thought it a strange thing that they should deny the Payment of Tythes because some great Councils in the mid-Night of Popery had concluded them as due some one way and some another And the Clergy of our last Age very unwilling to loose any thing that may be Commodious to satisfie their Covetousness though they have denyed the Pope and divers Councils in other particulars yet in this point of tythes they will allow of their Constitutions as Jure divino and if that will not serve having solicited the Princes of divers Nations to make some Laws for provision for their Maintenance because they were sensible their Gospel would not maintain them and now their greatest plea is become Jure humano or as one of the Pastors of the Church of England lately said He cared not if the Devil was the Author of Tythes if the Law of the Nation did give him them he would have them whether the Parish would or no and I believe many of them are of his Judgment though they will not be so hardy as to deliver it in so open and shameful Words but however them that have only the Powers of the Earth to be their Prop and only Refuge and fly to the Hills and Mountains that are but Earth temporary and mutable for their help for their Backs and their Bellies yet this doth not make void the Testimony of them who abide in the Faith and dare stand unto Christ's allowance in point of Maintenance for the Work of the Ministry as the Apostles and Ministers of Christ in the first Age of the Publication of the Gospel did but take some further Testimonies that the truth of this may not seem a new thing or as yesterday nor only of the meaner sort or of Illiterate men but even of Learned Rabbies of our latter Ages Antonius De Dominis the learned Bishop of Spaletto de repub Eccles. lib. 9. saith Christ himself though he were Lord of Heaven and Earth and the fulness thereof yet would not be possessed of great Lands and Incomes though he said the Fowls of the Air have Nests and the Foxes have Holes but the Son of Man hath not where to rest his Head yet did not he imbetter his condition although to the effecting thereof there need no more then that he should will it to be so nor did he demand Tythes though he was a Priest after the order of Melchizedeck indubitably but whilst he went through the Cities and Villages Preaching the Gospel and instructing men for the Kingdom of Heaven and twelve with him several Women that believed as Mary Magdalen Joanna Susanna and others did minister unto him of their Substance Nor did he otherwise instruct his Disciples who were Embassadours on Earth towards Man-kind in the Beginning when he sent them out he did not bid them for to receive Tythes or teach People to pay them but bids them to live upon Almes carry not with you neither Gold nor Silver nor any Money in your Purses not a Scrip not two Coats not a Staff Supernumerari for the Labourer is worthy of his meat The Disciples of Christ being thus taught by their great Master forsaking their Lively-hood and earthly Possessions lived by Faith in God who would not have sent them abroad but that he would dispose the Hearts of men accordingly in order to their Substance so they relyed upon their Converts for their necessary supplyes and received their benevolence of several pious Women who Ministred unto them for so saith Paul have not I Power to eat and to drink have not I power to lead about a Woman or a sister as the other Apostles the Brethren of our Lord and Cephas 1 Cor. 9.5 He at large and clearly sheweth how they who sow Spiritual things ought to reap temporal things Likewise David Paraeus in
own they being the Body of the People Answ. This supposeth a particular Donation of the People not only in their Legislative Capacity to bind themselves by a Law but by a particular Act of Free Gift but it 's evident the Act never intended any such thing for it gives nothing but commands what was given before and as to this or all other Laws that Princes Parliaments Popes Councils Bishops and whatever else was by any Man made for the Payment of Tythes since Christ Jesus came in the Flesh joyned all together how do they all or any of them bind the Conscience for if Tythes be not due by the Law of God as hath been proved before that they are not who hath set them up the Laws of men at the best and what is man or the Sons of men that make Laws in the Place where God disannuls his own Commands Heb. 7.12 as is manifest in this Point of Tythes by the precedent Scripture verily it is better to obey God then man for Christ hath not put that Power into any mens Hands to raise a compulsary maintenance for his Ministers seeing he and his Apostles and Ministers their Practice was otherwise as is before-mentioned Objection But some may say Have not the Magistrates Power as Magistrates to command the Payment of them to Ministers whom they approve of Answer If so as Magistrates then the Turk Tartarians and all Infidel Magistrates have the like but it may be said as Christian Magistrates Answ. Then may not France and Spain and Italy claim the same for what Nation in Europe will not say they have a Christian Magistracy though a far greater part of them be Papists and may not the Papists by as good right claim and compel Maintenance for their Ministers as Henry the eighth or any other could or can but I would not be mistaken as if I went about to lessen the magistrates Power in things Temporal and civil as to raise Taxes assessments or subsidies or other charges for the Service defence and well being of a Nation but I distinguish betwixt things civil and such as are called Spiritual and so give unto Caesar the things that are his and unto God the things that are his for in civil things or temporal things they have Power from God to make Laws and preserve a Nation in Peace and to raise Taxes for the well being of a Nation because in such things they are their own Masters but in matters of Religion and Spiritual THINGS no man ought to be imposed upon for every one must give an account to Christ who is the head of his Church and must stand or fall to his own Master But if the Law had been just in commanding Tythes can it be judged equal to give treble Damages where they are not payed if a man be owing a just due debt no more by the Law is recovered but what the debt is besides the charges of the Law how Cruel therefore are those injunctions which in a matter of so just scruple require and impose the treble value and furthermore to be required by a Law to set out the tenth makes a man a voluntary Agent in that thing against which his Conscience testifies and he that cannot do so they Sue and hale before Courts and Magistrates to get judgments of treble Damage and by that Judgment frequently being put into the Hands of such persons as will do it effectually to the Priests mind they take away sometimes 6. or 7. yea oftentimes ten Fold dammage what I say in this particular I can prove by many Witnesses in this Nation within this ten Years and though in the Ecclesiastical Courts the ordinary might not examine a man upon his own Oath concerning his own Tythes but now such as make Conscience of Swearing which Christ forbids or that they cannot themselves tell what Tythe they had are cast into Prison for contempt and there may lye as long as they live and many have dyed in Prison upon that account O what Reformation is this what Compel a man himself to set out the Tythe of his own Goods to maintain a Hireling Priest it may be a time-server a prophane one or a turn Coat and so to make a man Sin against his own Conscience or else take ten Fold as much and not only so but force him to Swear or commit him to Prison there to lye without Hope of any relief O Priests is not this the Wagâ—s of Unrighteousness that here is all this Work about tenths and first Fruits and mortuaries and the like which are no other then the Superstitious reliques of Popery O did but the Rulers and Magistrates know and consider what Havock is made through the Nation what driving of Goods Oxen out of the Plow Horses out of their Teames the Cows from poor indigent Children what carrying of Pots and Pans and Kettles and fetching away the Cloathes off poor Peoples Beds methinks it should make the Nation ashamed of such cruel Practices or else of such Priests and Tythes as are the cause of all this manifold instances I might give about all these things up and down this Nation but that I would not trouble the Reader too much because they have been publickly made known before by other Hands and Pens There are some other that have claimed Tythes and a propriety in them as that they are right by a divine right and for it plead the Law of Moses but as to that I shall not say much more neiâ—her is there any necessity for it because that most of the Ministry are ashamed to make this Plea Others have pleaded the Decrees Canons and Constitutions of Popes and General Councils Bishops and Convocations and these have said that Tythes are due by an Ecclesiastical Right and by that right generally under the Papal power they claimed them and others paid them And this continued in England till the Popes Supremacy was cast off by Henr. the 8 th and then he received first Fruits and Tenths But of this plea many are ashamed or few will own as judging the Ground too weak to claim it by an Ecclesiastical right Lastly The main and great plea of the Ministry of this last Age is That Tythes are not due by the Law of God because it was limited only to the Land of Israel and to the Levites only they say the equity of the Law is still in force which obligeth all to give a competent Maintenance for the Ministry and to maintain this they bring in all the Scriptures of the New Testament which seem to encline that way and because they know of no other way for Maintenance but by tythes as they are supposed now to be established many have ignorantly gone about to make inferences and Conclusions from them as to prove their assertions But to all which I return this answer That these plead not for Tythes properly but for a Maintenance by way of Tythes as they suppose most convenient
would 〈◊〉 it up in a Corner and tye it to one sort of Men or Sect or Opinion and the Mâ—sters thereof would assume it to themselves as though the Spirit of God and Grace of God were only among them and must be conveyed from them to other People before they have it and the direction and Guide of every Man must be sought from their Mouths as though God had not given a measure of his Spirit unto every man to profit withal and to be led and taught and guided by it into all Truth out of Error according to Christ's promise and according to the Lord's Promise in the dayes of old that though his People might eat the Bread of adversity drink the Water of affliction yet their Teacher should not be removed into a Corner and from this quickning enlightening enliveâ—ing Spirit of God the Saints of God and Ministers of Christ in the Primitive times received Power and Authority to propagate Righteousness and to judge deceit and the Mystery of Iniquity where-ever it appeared and in this their ability stood for they were made able and fit Ministers by it not of the Letter nor of Mens Traditions nor of foolish fopperies which have been introduced since and shuffled in among Christians under the Name of Power and Authority of the Holy Church and the Church of God that had received this Spirit walked in it and brought forth the Fruits fit whereby they were a good savour in the Nostrils of the Lord and by which they adorned the Gospel of our Lord Jesâ—â— Christ by a holy Conversation which did manifest them to be of God and Convince and stop the Mouths of gain-sayers And thus we are bold to tell thee and all that the Spirit of God which is given a measure of it to every Man and more fulness of it to them that believe that it is the Rule and the way and means whereby all the Actions Words and Works of all Men are weighed tryed measured and judged and Objections Answered and is the alone Judge of all matters and answerer of all doubts and giveth only true and perfect satisfaction and therefore R. E. may blush and be ashamed to ever publish such a thing abroad in the World as to say That the Spirit of God is not a sufficient director Teacher and Judge but calls it a private Spirit Opinion humour and fancy to make the Eyes of them blind who wait for its appearance only to trust to Men who plead Antiquity and Power without verity And further he goes on and sayes in the 22 th page of his said Epistle There is neither Jew Turk Pagan or Christian but he may put on confidence enough affirming that he is taught by the Spirit of God 〈…〉 this and yet teach contradictions and further saith that it hath no effect among them who pretend to it and that they can no more satisfie another that they are guided by the Spirit of Truth then many who are cast into Bedlâ—m Answ. 'T is true many are confident and impudent enough but confidence without Ground and impudent proves but little and he thâ—t â—â—ith he is a Jew and is not but of the Synagogue of Satan will soon be found out by his Doctrine and Fruits and he that saith he is a Christian and led by the Spirit and keeps not the commands of Christ neither brings forth the Fruits of the Spirit is soon discovered to be a Deceiver and deceived and such are like to teach contradictions but all such are denyed shut out with the Spirit of Truth but them that have the Spirit of God witness a blessed effect among them for they are turned from Satan's Power unto God and do witness Remission of Sin and Reconciliation with God and are not at difference but at Unity one with another and are brought out of the obstinate and perverse Estate which all pretenders are in and as for contradictions they are more to be seen in the Church of Rome then many wheres else they who are but pleased and have leisure to view over the Decrees and Constitutions of several Popes and Councils since he was elevated to be Universal Bishop over all Christian Churches by that Hâ—athen 〈…〉 Emperour Phocas who slew his Master Maâ—ritius to obtain 〈…〉 did gratifie the Pope so far that he might be cryed up as Emperour as thâ—â— he should be Universal Bishop and this proved a better pleâ— for the Pope because the Emperour had Power to defend him and to compel all to receive his Decrees then that he was Peter's Succesâ—oâ— I say who will but look into the Constitutions and Decrees shall find such setting of and throwing down and such decreeing and such disannulling as twenty 〈◊〉 Champions as Robert Everard will never be able to free his Catholick Church from contradictions although he is very forward to charge otheâ—â— though he is but a new Convert but let him not boast till he haâ—h put off his Armour and it is thâ—t mad Bedlem Spirit of thine that saith That among all the Nonconformists there is no one that can satisfie another that he hath the Spirit of God I tell thee yes there are thousands satisfied in one another that they have the Spirit of God besides he that hath it can speak to the witness of God in another which shall testifie the same and moreover their Works and Fruits shall and do manifest unto others that they are born of the Spirit because the Fruits of it are seen as they are manifest to be born of God and do the Works of God and thou must first know the Spirit of God in thy self if ever thou look for it there and not hang altogether upon others belief as thou dâ—st upon thy Catholick Church before thou canst know it in another and first be Convinced by it and judged by it for thy ill deeds and ill thoughts and Hypocrisie and timeâ— serving and flattery and Men-pleasing before thou canst be Convinced of others Righteousness and also be Convinced of the unbelief of thy own Heart before thou canst believe others but thou hast been so busie abroad in quarrelling and contending about Words Names and empty shews without Substance and Life that thy mind is all over grown with Thorns and Bâ—iers scrawling and scratching and entangling thy self and others so that that which should Savour the things of God is over-grown in these and is buried and to them that are like Heaths in a desert know not when Good comes neither do know what they enjoy that dwell in the fat Valleis and the Pharisees had such unbelieving Hearts though Christ was the express Image of God and did the Works that never Man did yet being without Faith and without Reason they said he was a Blasphemer and all his Works were done by Bellzebub and would never be convinced that any thing he did was of God and that Spirit is near thee which would represent the Fruits of the Spirit to be delusion and