bee given great Pompe and Pride This power doth the like as all knowe I shall not need to speake of this in that all bookes are full and all consciences excepe those that are scrared with hot irons convinced here off Let but Maister Fox or any others who have described the spirituall power of Rome let but their discription thereof bee compared with this spirituall power in all their lawes Courts Titles Pompe Pride and crueltie and you shal see them very little differ except in their cruelties which glory bee to God the kings Ma tie who thirsteth not after blood hath some thinge rear a neâ— although it is most grevious crueltie to lye divers yeres in most noysome and filthy prisons and continewall temtatione of want their estates overthrowne and never coming out many of them till death let it bee well weighed aÌ„d it is little inferior to the cruel suddaine death in times of the Romish power in this Nation I. It is very apparant it is that ymage or similitude off that Beast spoken of Revel 13. C. Oh yes for their is no such image of the Popish power vnder the Heavens as this wel our comfort is the stronge Lord hath said The Kings of the Earth by whose power both the beast and his image is supported shal take their power from hir then shall she stand naked and desolate and to this purpose his Majestie hath a worthie exhortation to all Princes etc. in his Apologie Pag. 103. The words are these For as she did flie but with your fethers borrowing as well hir titles of greatnes and formes of honoring hir from you as also enjoying all hir Temporall liveings by your liberalities so iff every man do but take his ovvne againe she vvill stand vp naked c. Oh that the VVords off GGD might bee accepted off his Majesty set downe by the Holy Ghost Rom. 2. Thou that teachest another teachest thou not they selff For iff he would take but his owne their titles of greatnes aÌ„d formes off honoring them and their temporal liveings this spiritual power would stand very naked and desolate I. Well the harts off Kings are in the hands of the Lord and he can turne them as the Rivers off water but I desire your advice for my owne estate I knowe every one must be are their owne burden I have a long time remained subiect to this spiritual power partely through ignorance and partely through feare C. I wil first declare vnto you the judgmeÌ„ts of God against such as submit therevnto that so from an vtter abhorring thereof you may come out never to returne thither againe Secondly I will do the best I can to shewe you the way the Lord requireth you to walke in and that onely out of his word The judgments are so feareful as I tremble to thinke off them greater then which is not manifested in the whole booke off God Revel 14 9.10.11 And the third Anngell followed them sayinge with a lowde voyce iff any man Worship the Beast and his ymage and receive his marke in his forehead or on his hand the same shal drinck of the Wyne of the wrath of God yea of the pure Wyne that is powred into the Cup of his wrath he shal be tormented in fire and brimstone before the Holie Anngels and before the Lambe And the smoake of their torment shal ascend evermore and they shal have no rest day nor night which worship the Beast and his jmage and whosoever receiveth the print of his name I. I confesse these iudgments are to be trembled at but how do you apply them properly to such as worship in these assemblies C. For the satisfaction of al consciences herein that it may appeare playnly not to be gainsaid let vs coÌ„sider the words of wisedome set downe in order as they lye And first what is ment by worship 2ly what by the Beast 3ly what his jmage is 4ly what his marke is aÌ„d lastly what is ment by forehead or hand And first for worship it is plentifully manifested in the scriptures that it is service subjectioÌ„ or obedience to such thinges as are comaunded by God or others as Mat. 4.10 Exo 20.5 dewt 13.4 and therefore his servaÌ„ts wee are whome wee obey Rom. 6.16 and as the lord saith Iff I be your maister where is my feare if a Father where is myne honor or worship Mal. 1.6 2ly by Beast the scripture speaketh sometimes of cruel men in power and authority as Dan. 7.17 Luk. 13.31.32.2 Tim. 4.17 Sometimes of a blasphemous spiritual power exercised by men received off the Dragon exalting it selfe above God makeing war with the Saints and overcoming them and that hath power over every kindred and tongue and Nation so that al that dwell vpon the Earth worship him etc. And this is the Beast here spoken of even that spirituall power or jurisdiction of Rome which first wrought in a mistery and by degrees was exalted till at the last it was exalted to this cruell Beast discribed Revel 13.1 etc. Which Beast openeth his moueth to blaâ—phemy against â—od saying and practizing that the comaundements that God hath given for his service are not to bee regarded but in steed thereof setteth vp comaunds of his owne vnto the which whosoever will not bee subject excommunication and all crueltie even to death will ensue yea even with Gunpowder err it faile and for this his crueltie he is called a Beast Thirdly by Image is ment any forme shape similitude or resemblance of the thinge spoken of as Deut. 4.15.16 etc. Exo. 20 4 so that where soever such a spirituall power is as this aboue discribed there is the Beasts Image as in England the like power or Beast to the first is not to bee found vnder the Heavens in exaltation and cruelty Fourthly by marke is ment profession or practice whereby wee are knowne from others as Mat. 7.20 1. Iohn 2 2 Iohn 13.35 As badges or markes do put difference betwixt this Mans and that Mans in Cattel or servants as by such a mans marke wee knowe these are his sheepe and by such a MaÌ„s badg wee knowe this man belongeth to such a great man so they are said to have put on Christ that have received his baptisme Gal. 3.27 even as a servant is knowne by putting on his libery Lastly forehead or hand the holy Ghost vseth that phraise from the Old Testament where Gods people were commaunded not onely to lay vp his Commaunds in their harts and in their soules but to bind them for a signe vpon their hands that they might bee as frontiers betweene their eyes Dewt. 11.18 and 6.6.8 The wysedome of God therein teaching that the forehead and haÌ„d are the apparantest parts of the body to the view of all Men so that to receive the marke in the forehead or hand is to make manifest profession of him wee obey The some of all which is that whosoever openly professeth obedience and subjection to that Spirituall cruell
and the Isralites now not of this world Ioh. 15.19 then the king thereof is not of this world as they are not of this world Ioh 17.16 aÌ„d if these spiritual lords coÌ„fesse that Chr king now of the sand aÌ„d people of Israel but yet he hath left our lord the king hâ—s deputy to make such lawes and lords over the church as pleaseth him the word of the lord is against theÌ„ â—ere is but one â—ord 1. Cor. 12.5 one law giver Iam. 4.12 over his Church Nay his Ma himself is against theÌ„ who saith There is no earthly monarch ever the Church whose word must be a law saith further Christ is his Churches monarch the holy ghost his deputy alleging luk 22.25 the kings of the Gentiles beare rule one over another c. but I shal not be so among you saying further Christ then he ascended left not Peter with them to direct theÌ„ in al truth but promissed to send the holy ghost to them for that end c. If any wishe rebellions against the word of the lord herein yet let them not be rebellious against the word of the king Oh that any thinge would prevail with theÌ„ to make them leave of these cruel courses of persecuting poore soules that desire truely to feare God and are most faithful subjects to the king and desire also the salvatioÌ„ of the soules of these their cruel persecutors who do seeke their vtter vndoeing by al the forenamed persecutions onely because they cannot of faith offer vp such worship to God as these spirituall lords comaund and the rather let them leave of persecutinge seeing the kings Ma tie acknowledgeth It is a sure rule in divinitie that God loves not to plant his church by violeÌ„ce bloodshed And if it be a law for al ChristiaÌ„s that in indifferent thinges one must not offeÌ„d another but the stronge but forbeare rather theÌ„ offeÌ„d his weake brother other wyse he wounds the weake conscience sinnes against Christ 1. Cor 8. TheÌ„ how much lesse hath any man power to be lord over the weake conscience forceing it to practice that it hath not faith in bringing it thereby vnto same and vnto condemnation Rom. 14. wee do vnfainedly acknowledg the authority of earthly Magistrats Gods blessed ordinance and that al earthly authority and comaund apperteynes vnto theÌ„ let them comaund what they will wee must obey either to do or suffer vpoÌ„ paine of Gods displeasure besides their punishment But al men must let God alone with his right which is to be lord and law-giver to the soule aÌ„d not comaund obedience for God where he comaundeth none And this is onely that which wee dare not but maintaine vpoÌ„ the peril of our soules which is greater then bodily afflictioÌ„ And onely for the maintenance of Christs right herein do false Prophets and deceivers who by that craft are clothed in fyne apparel and faire deliciously every day labor to make vs odious iÌ„ the ears aÌ„d eyes of Prince and people knoweing wel that if they had not power by persecution to force meÌ„ to dissemble to beleeve as they their kingdome and paine would soone come to nought the wickednes of which course is discovered in this writinge followeing For the manner being Dialogue-wise wee thought it the fittest in two respects First for the vnderstanding of the simple to whome especially Gods misteries apperteyne more then to the wise and prudent of the world Secondly because al the objections that wee have met with might be set downe and the playnelyer answered And because wee have faith and assurance that many wil see and acknowledg the vnlawfulnes of tyraÌ„nyzing over the conscieÌ„ce vn persecuting the bodies of such as cannot be subject wee have also thought it meet to manifest the careful estate of such subjection that they may deliver their soules if they wil be saved and also have set downe the beginning of that old and good way that Iohn Baptist Christ Iesus aÌ„d his Apostles have left vnto al that wil be saved â—nto the end of the world Beseeching that Almighty worker that he would worke in the harts and consciences of men that they may enquire for it and that out of the scriptures and walke therein theÌ„ shal they find rest vnto their soules although afflictions to their bodies Oh 〈…〉 is time for the Lord to worke for they have destroyed his law and have set vp in many Nations such worship for God as best pleaseth theÌ„ that are in authority and have power to persecute the contrary mynded Let all Gods people cry How long Lord when wilt thou come to destroy Antychrists cruel Kingdome and establish Christs meeke and peaceable Kingdome as thou haist begun even come Lord Iesus by the Spirit of thy Moueth and the brighnes of thy coming even come quickely Amen By Christs vnworthy witnesses his Majesties faithful subjects Comonly but most falsly called Annabaptists Antichristian VVhy come you not to Church Christian What should I do there A. VVorship God C. I must worship God as he requireth aÌ„d not as any mortal man requireth A. True but the worship that wee require you to offer vp is the vvorship God requireth C. If it be so I wil withal willingnes asseÌ„t vnto it but my conscience must be satisfied there of by the word of truth that I may have faith in it other wise it is my grevious sai Rom. 14.23 For I may not beleeve it so to be because you affirme it A. VVell you must go to Church othervvise you are disobedient to the law vvil fall vnder punishment C. But still remember that you would have me worship God as you pretend therefore let vs agree what worship God requireth Christ saith Ioh 4.24 God is a spirit they that worship him must worship him in spirit truth Here wee see what worship God requireth viz That wee worship him with our soules and Spirits and also that we worship him according to the truth of his word And therefore for your booke worship If it were according to truth from the which it is as far as light is from darknes yet if I cannot offer it vp with my Spirit it is not acceptable to God but most abhominable A. Well you must come to Church C. I pray let aske you a question do you seeke the glory of God and the salvation of my soule herein or your owne obedience A. I seeke the glory of God and the salvation of your soule not my ovvne obedience C. Then manifest it no by words onely but by deeds and truth which if you do you will not threaten me punishmeÌ„t to cause me to come but with meekenes and patience satisfye my conscience by the word of truth for this is the duety of the Minist of Christ 2. Tim. 2.24 that I may come with a willing mynd so shall I be accepted 2. Cor. 8.12 Psal 110.3 For if by threatning me punishment as imprisonment banishment or death
Lvk. 20.25 Now if al the outward man bee Cesars and the inward man too so that he must be obeyed in his owne matters and in Gods matters also then tell vs what shall be given to God If you or any maÌ„ will give him more power or authority then I give him then you give him more then his Ma tie requireth as shal bee shewed A. Wee do not say that the King can compell the Soule but onely the outward Man C. If he cannot compel my soule he cannot compel me to worship God for God cannot bee worshipped without the soule Ioh. 4 24. jf you say he may compel me to offer vp a worship onely with my bodie for the spirit you confesse he cannot compell to whome is that worship not to God Then consider you who they worship that are thus compelled say you by the King Let it well be here observed that you make the King a comaunder of such worship as is not to God contrary to his Ma ties owne mynd manifest in his writings But this you do not to advance Gods glory nor the kings honor but your owne cursed kingdome of darknes which you hold by flattery aÌ„d falshood For if this coÌ„pelled worship which is not to God were takeÌ„ away then your kingdome would fal to hel froÌ„ wheÌ„ce it came and therefore all Men map here see it is supported onely by wickednes A. I confesse the Kings authority is earthly but he is head over the Church vnder Christ C. God forbid that any mortall Man should so equallize himself with Christ who allone is Head of his church as the Husband is of the VVife Ephe. 5 23. And hath left no oâ—e-gecent in that his office for he is never absent froÌ„ his Church Mat. 18.20 and 28.20 All that any mortal MaÌ„ can be is to be a subject of his Kingdome for their is but one Lord. 1. Cor. 12.5 one law-giver Iam. 3.12 And that this is so his Ma tie confirmeth by his owne testimony in his Apologie for the oath of allegeance Pag. 46.47 But as I wel allowe of the Hyrarchie of the church for distjuctioÌ„ of orders for so I vnderstand it so I vtterly deny that there is any earthly Monarch thereof whose word must bee a law and who cannot err in his sentence by an infallibility of spiritâ— because earthly kingdomes must have earthly Monarchs it doth not followe that the church must have a visible Monarch too For the VVorld hath not one earthly temporall Monarch Christ is his Churches Monarch the Holy ghost his deputie The Kings of the gentiles reigne over them but ye shall not be so Luk. 22.25 Christ did not promisse before his assention to leave Peter with them to direct instruct them in all thinges but he promissed to send the Holy ghost vnto them for that end These are his highnes owne words whereby it evidently appeareth his Ma tie challengeth no supremacie over the Church but laboreth to overthrowe that abhominable exaltacion of that Man of sin in the Romish professioÌ„ for Christ hath given no supremacie in or over his Church to any mortall man but expresly commaunded the contrary as the place of Luk mencioned by his Ma tie plainely declareth His highnes is supreame head and gouvernor over all his subjects bodies and goods within his dominions and therein I detest and abhorr all forraigne powers whatsoever But now for the thinge in controversie betwixt you and me of compelling Men by persecutions to do service to God as is pretended wherein they have not faith it shal be manifest not to be of God in that Christ Iesus himself the onely Lord and law-giver to the soule neither had any such power and authority neither taught any such thinge to his Disciples but the contrary First Mat. 28.18.19 All power is given me in Heaven in earth Go therefore teach all Nations and 2. Cor. 10.4 The VVeapons of our war fare are not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe Holds c. Here wee see Christ hath no Worldly power nor Worldly Weapons 2ly He practised and taught the contrary VVhen the Samaritanes would not receive him goeing to Ierusalem Luk. 9. his disciples would have had fire come downe from heaven devoured them Christ rebuked them said ye knowe not of what spirit ye are the Son off man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them And the Appostle by the Spirit of Christ 2. Tim. 2.24 Comaundeth the servants off the lord not to strive but to bee gentle towards all men apt to teach suffering the evil men patiently instructing them vvith meeknes that are contrary mynded proveing if God at any time vvil give them repentance that they may knowe the truth come to amendment out of the Devils snare c. These Scriptures need no explanation for this most evident truth A. VVell yet notvvithstanding all this it is manifest in the Scriptures by the example of Thappostle Peter smiting Ananias and Saphira to death Act. 5. of Th-appostle Paul striking Flymas the socerer blind Act. 13 11. And also by delivering Hemineus Alexander vnto Sathan for the destruction of the Flesh that punishment vpon the body may bee vsed the flesh destroyed For if it were lawful for them to smite to death the like though by extraordinary meanes then it must be lawful for vs by ordinary meanes since extraordinary meanes now failed If you say it be not Lawfull for vs then you must say it was not Lawfull for them that vvere to accuse them of laying a false foundation vvhich none fearing God wil affirme C. I dare not once admit of such a thought as to disallowe the truth off that foundation which th-â—oposties as skilfull maister builders have said But for your argument of Peters extraordinary smiting of Ananias and Saphira he neither laid hand vpon them nor threatned them by word onely declared what should be san them from God and therefore serveth no thing to your purpose also that of Paul to Elimas he laid no hands vpon him but onely declared the Lords hand vpon him and the judgment that should followe If you can so pronounce and it so come to passe vpon any do it and then it may bee you may bee accounted maister builders and layers of a new foundation or another gospell And for Th-appostle Paul his delivering Hymeneus and Alexander vnto Sathan 1. Tim. 1.20 It was not by any temporall sword or power but even by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ in his name by the sword of the Spirit 1. Cor. 5.4 And this was not extraordinary but ordinarye to continue in all churches to the end and not to destroy the outward Man as you teach and practice but to destroy those iustfull affections which dwell in the flesh that so the flesh being mortified the Spirit may bee quickned and the Soule saved in the day of the Lord Iesus And whereas you say that
meanes for the publishinge of his gospell which he that had all power had not nor hath comaunded Magistracie is a power of this world the kingdome power subjects and meanes of publishing the gospell are not of this world A. A Goodly thinge indeed that Men must go about the Countrie to preach C. In your estimation it is base and contemptible your pompe and pride will not beare this it is more ease for you to hunt after promotion till you come to the highest in getting to be cheife Bishop of Bishops within these dominions and then cometh your fall full lowe iff you repent not but the wisedome of God hath appointed the cheifest Officers of Christs Kingdome even the Appostles thus basely to go vp and downe to and fro to preach his Gospel yea that worthy Apostle Paul preached this gospel night day with many teares openly throughout every house Act. 20. I. But if this bee thus as for my owne parte I am fullie perswaded it is then I see the high commission cannot stand for as I take it it is onely for causes Ecclesiasticall C. So far as it is over Church matters it is most vnlawfull for the comission for judging and punishing of the transgressors of the lawes of Christs Church is given to Christ the Monarch thereof a parte whereof he hath left to his Disciples which is no worldly comission or power but onely the power of the Lord Iesus the vttermost of which comission is excomunication 1. Cor. 5. A. The high commission is from the King dare you once call it into question C. If I do take any authority from the kings Ma tie let me be judged worthy my desert but if I defend the authoritie of Christ Iesus over mens soules which apperteyneth to no mortall Man whatsoever then knowe you that whosoever would rob him of that honor which is not of this world he wil tread theÌ„ vnder foote Earthly authoritie belongeth to earthly Kings but spirituall authoritie belongeth to that one spirituall King who is King of Kings A. Well all your pleading vvill not serve your turne either you must come to Church or els go to prison C. I have shewed you by the law of Christ that your course is most wicked to compell any by persecution to performe any service to God as you pretend Now I desire also to shewe you that the Statute law of the land requireth onely civill obedience and his Ma ties writings mainteyning the Oath of alligience Testifieth the same The law of the laÌ„d requireth that whosoever cometh not to Church or receiveth not the Sacraments the Oath of allegeance is to bee tendered to them which that it may be manifest to 〈…〉 that not onely I but al that professe the faith with me are most willing to subscribe vnto it in faithfulnes and truth I have thought good to â—presse it The words of the Oath Anno 3. Iacobi Regis I. A. B. do truely sincerely acknowledg professe testifie declare in my conscience before God the World that our Soveraigne Lord king Iames is lawful King off this Realme of al other his Ma dominions Countries And that the Pope neither of himselfe nor by any other authoritie of the Chu or Sea off Rome or by any other meanes with any other hath any power or authoritie to depose the king or to dispose any off his Majest Kingdomes of Dominions or to authorize any forraigne Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countries or to discharge any off his subjects off their allegiance obedience to his Majest or to give licence or leave to any off theÌ„ to beare armes raise tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to this Ma Royal person State or Goverment or to any off his Ma subjects within his Ma Dominions Also I do sweare from my hart that notwithstanding any declaration or sentence off excommunication or depravation made or granted or to bee made or granted by the Pope or his Successors or by any authority derived or pretended to bee derived froÌ„ him or his Sea against the said king his heires or Successors or any absolution off the said subjects from their obedience I wil beare faith and true allegiance to his Majesty his heires and Successors and him and them wil defend to the vttermost off my power against all conspiraces and attempts whatsoever which shal bee made against his or their persons their Crowne and dignity by reason or cullor off any such sentence or declaration or otherwise and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make knowne vnto his Majesty his Heires and Successors all treasons and traiterous conspiraces which I shal knowe or heare of to be against him or any of them And I do further sweare that I do from my hart abhor detest and abivre as impious and hereticall this damnable doctrine and position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by their subjects or any other whatsoever And I do beleeve and in conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any person whatsoever hath power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereoff which I acknowledg by good and full authority to be lawfully ministred vnto me do renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary And all these thinges I do plainely sincerely acknowledge and sweare according to these expresse words by me spoken according to the plaine comon sense and vnderstanding off the same words without any Aequivocation or mental evasion or secret reservatioÌ„ whatsoever And I do make this recognition acknowledgment hartily willingly truely vpon the true faith of a Christian So helpe me God A. This Oath was intended for the Papists not for you C. It is not so For his Ma tie at the last Session of Parli Anno 1609. saith thus Some doubts have bene conceived anent the vseing off the oath off allegeance that parte off the Act that ordeynes the takeing thereoff is thought so obscure that no man can tell vvho ought to bee pressed therevvith c. And therefore iff there bee any cruple touching the ministering thereof I would wish it now to be cleared c. And therevpon this statute was made Anno 7. Regni Regis Iacobi c. Chap. 6. rowards the latter end And if any person or persons whatsoever of above thage of 18 yeres do now stand or at any time hereafter shal stand be pretented indighted convicted for not coming to church or receiving the lords supper according to the lawes statutes of this realme before the ordinary or any other haveing power to take such presentments or indightmeÌ„ts or iff the Minister pettie Constable or ChurchwardeÌ„s or any two of them shall at any time hereafter complaine to any Iustice of peace reare adioyning to the place where any person complained of shall dwell the said justice shal find cause of suspition that then
power off Rome The Beast or to that Spirituall cruell power off England his Image wheresoever they or eyther of them are exalted such a one and such persons shall drinke off the wine off Gods wrath and bee tormented in fire and brimstone and shall have no rest day nor night for evermore I. Your discription of the Beast the Papists will deny so will the English Lord Bbs and their followers deny your discription of his ymage but thousands will grant both and some will deny both as the Familists who say that ReligioÌ„ standeth not in outward thinges aÌ„d therefore they wil submit to any outward service and they that do not so but suffex persecution say they are iustly persecuted C. Those enimies to the Crosse of Christ are most of them not worth enformation because for the most part they are such as do with an high hand sin after enlightninge haveing forsaken the way wherein they walked because they would not beare Christs Crosse but in that some simple soules may be seduced by them let vs a little in generall compare their opinion with the scriptures True it is that religion standeth not onely in outward thinges for God requireth the hart and truth in the inward parts but that God requireth not our subjection vpon feareful punishments to those outward ordinances which he requireth is a doctrine of devils as I shall prove And first for the outward ordinances off the old TestameÌ„t which were meerly shadowes now are beggerly rudiments Gal. 4.16 what indignation the lord had towards them that transgressed Nadab and Abihu offering straing fire which the Lord hath not comaunded a fire went out from the Lord devoured them Levit. 10.1.2 The men off Bethshâ—mosh lokeing into the outward arke which God had forbidden Num 4.20 The Lord slevve fifty thousand threescore and ten of them 1. Sam. 6.19 Ozza of a good intent leaninge his shoulder to the same outward arke which God forbad the Lord slewe him 1. Chro. 13 7.-10 Ozziah the King offering vp outward incense which God comaunded onely the Preist Num. 18.3.7 The Lord smit him with leprosye vntil his death 2. Chro. 26. Corah and his company what feareful judgments came vpon theÌ„ though he a Levite for presuming to meddle with the Preists office the earth openinge and swallowing them vp Num. 16. King Saule likewise offering vp incense in time off need as he thought the Lord rent his Kingdome from him 1. SaÌ„ 13. as also for his disobedience afterwards touchinge the fat of Amelecks cattle 1. SaÌ„ 15. How often was the wrath of the Lord powred downe vpon the Isralites because off their transgression of his outward ordinances in place person and thinges for it was a Low Levit. 17.3.4 That who so brought not his sacrifice to the place viz to the doore of the tabernacle of the congregation but offered it vp other where blood should be imputed to that man he should be cut off from among his people yea such sacrifices were estemed off God as offered to devils vers 7. the lord caused them to pronounce Dewt. 27.26 cursed be he that confirmeth not al the words of thir law to do them all the people must say so be it was God thus jealous of Moses ordinances aÌ„d is the lesse jelous of Christs must he die that dispiseth Moses law and shal he escape that dispiseth Christs vpon what pretence soever And Christ saith It becometh him all his to fulfill all righteousnes in outward ordinaÌ„ces as washinge with water Mat. 3.15 whosoever saith he knoweth God keepeth not his comaundments which are outward as wel as inward he is a lyar 1. Ioh. 2.4 whosoever breakes the least comaundment and teacheth men so he shal be called the least in the kingdome of heaven Mat. 5.19 whosoever will not heare that Prophet Chr Iesus in al thinges that he shal say vnto theÌ„ shal be destroyed out off his people Act. 3.22.23 the affectioÌ„s of the soule are to be manifested by the actions of the body according to Gods word and al other good inteÌ„ts or affections are abhominable Wee may not neither can wee Worship God with our Spirits and the Devill with our Bodies For VVee are bought VVith a price and therefore must not bee the Servants off Men but must glorifie God with our bodies with out spirits for they are his 1. Cor. 6.20 and. 7.23 And this mai suffice to satisfy any coÌ„cerning the over throwe off this accursed conceit knowing also that Christ and his Apostles and all his Disciples to the end of the world might and may live peaceably enough from persecution if this doctrine might be observed viz submissioÌ„ with our bodies to any outward service The Lord discover such Hipocrites I. I blesse God I have learned of thApostle 2. Cor. 13.8 To say nothing against the truth but for the truth and therefore when I see thinges are evidently manifested by the scriptures disirous to submit aÌ„d not to cavil But you knowe it is pleaded they have the word and Sacraments in the English assemblies C. I confesse they have the scriptures in the which Gods misceries are conteyned which is locked vp from theÌ„ aÌ„d revealed to his Saincts Col. 1.26 which they woefully pervert to their owne destruction They have also imitations of Gods ordinances as water bread and wine aÌ„d other thinges which they use after their owne inveÌ„tions which thinges maketh them boast so much of their Christianity and of their Church and which maketh them reason thus Wee are Gods people for wee have the word and Sacraments The Philistimes might better have reasoned 1. SaÌ„ 5. who had the true arke of God amongst them these have but a shewe Wee are Gods people for wee have Gods Arke and holy Oracles amongst vs. But I thinke they had no great cause to rejoyce there of in the eÌ„d No more shal these have in the end when God recompenceth al that with hold the truth in vnrighteousnes Gods dealing is not now as it was of old he now reserveth punishmeÌ„t to the last day he is patieÌ„t and would have men repent but they despise his bountifulnes and long suffering preaching peace when there is no peace I. It cannot be denyed but that the ministers preach many excellent truths and do bring people to much reformation in many thinges C. True it cannot be denyed For if the devil should come in his owne likenes men would resist him but because he traÌ„sformeth himselfe into an Angel of light therefore he deceiveth So his ministers if they should teach al lyes meÌ„ would not be deceived by them nor plead for them but because they teach many truths people receive them but first for whatsoever they teach they neither could nor should teach publiquely their moueths should be stopped if they received not that their power to teach such truths froÌ„ those the Dragon sends aÌ„d therefore none caÌ„ receive those truths from theÌ„