H. alledgeth theyr book doth As that they be of vnblameable life apt to teach examined allowed ordered in a solemne assembly and such like Yet I trow Mr H. will not coÌ„clude that the popish priests have therefore the substance eyther of a true office or of a true calling to the Ministery Or if he should yet will the consequeÌ„ce never be proved eyther for those Priests or for theyr own Neyther let any think it straunge that theyr book and pontificall should have some things that the Law of GOd hath and yet that this should nothing help them for having a true calling to the Ministâ—ry In the prophecy of Daniel we read that when king Beâ—shazar made a great feast to his Princes he commaunded that the golden and siluer vessels that were taken out of the Temple of the Lords house at Ierusalem should be brought and the king and his Princes his wines and his concubynes drank therein Now although they had there the vessels of the Lords house and drank in them yet was it not therefore a feast of the Lord but a feast of Babylon notwithstanding Even so it fareth with the Ministery and entrance into it vsed in England and among the Papists Towching which although theyr book and pontificall have taken some things out of the scripture as it were some of the Lords vessels out of his Temple yet inasmuch as they are applyed by them to a false office ordination and ministration never appoynted by Christ but invented by Antichrist even as it were in a Caldean banket they do no more make theyr Priesthood or calling vnto it to be the Ministery and calling ordeyned by Christ then those vessels taken out of the LOrds house made that banquet of Babylon to be one of the Lords feasts Likewise in the prophecy of Ezechiel we are taught that albeit men set theyr thresholds by Gods thresholds aÌ„d their posts by Gods posts that is theyr inventions by Gods ordinances yet it maketh them not therefore to be the house and Temple of God and to have his true worship and ministery among them but as the Lord there testifyeth by his Prophet by this meanes they set a wall between God and themselues and defile his holy Name with theyr abominations This is the account the Lord maketh of the ioyning of his ordinances with mans inventions And what then will it help the Priests of England or Rome that theyr book and Law requier some things that the word of God prescribeth seing they ioyne and apply them to a false ministery devised by maÌ„ It may in deed make the mist which through theyr delusions they cast before the eyes of the people to be far the greater but it can no way iustify theyr standing or lessen theyr sinne Nay rather it doth increase it because thus they prohaue the word of God and defile his holy Name and cause them to â—rre that are led by them And thus against themselves they verify the Scripture which calleth the apostasy of Antichrist and the working thereof a mystery of iniquity But yet further if theyr Law agree in deed with the Law of God as it should what need Mr H. coyâ—e so many excuses for the authority of theyr Lordbishops and the calling receyved from them as afterward he doth For if it agree with Gods Law it need no excuse If it do not which in deed is theyr case no excuses will help no figge tree leaves wil cover the nakednes of such deformity Specially now when by the light of Gods word it is so discovered as themselves have seeÌ„ it aÌ„d laid it opeÌ„ to the view of others howsoever now they winâ— with theyr eyes that they might not see and would also blyndfold others by theyr pleading to the contrary Therefore will I conclude this poynt with theyr own testimony wherein they confesse as the truth is that theyr pontifical whereby they make ministers is taken out of the Popes pontificall that theyr ordering of Ministers is straunge from the word of God that theyr entrance is not by Christ but by a popish and vnlavvfull vocation that vvhen the Bishops have made them Ministers eyther they may tary in their Colledges and lead the lives of loytering losels as long as they live or els go abroad with the Bishops Buls like to Circumcellions to preach in other mens charges vvhere they list or els get benefices by frendship or money or flattery where they can catch them or to conclude if all these fayle that they may go vp and down like beggars and fall to many follyes or els as many have done set vp bils at Paules or at the Royall exchaunge and in such publick places to see if they can heare of some good Masters to entertayne them into service This is theyr own confession towching theyr entrance to the Ministery aÌ„d this is the testimony which themselves have heretofore given vnto the truth though now as you see they labour by all meanes they can to obscure it even wearying themselves in vayne whiles they would cure Babel aÌ„d lay plaisters on her sore which can not be healed To which end besides all that hath ben brought hitherto yet see what more balme Mr H. bringeth now also in the conclusion of his matter Which is thus as followeth being the last words of his letter ¶ Mr H his letter Section 10. BVt you vvill say vvhich of you all have such a calling as hath ben said is prescribed by Lavv I aunsvver that many Ministers in the land have and all may if they vvill have these substantiall parts of a true calling theyr gifts may be examined and approved by such as are learned and godly vpon vvhose iudgment they may safely rely themselves iâ— that 〈◊〉 they may be chosen and approved by the people that they are to be set over they may be rightly ordeyned and as it vvere invested into theyr office But your vvriting affirmeth they come in by the Bishops who are the limmes of Antichrist VVhatsoever is vnlavvfull in theyr callings I vvill not go about to mainteyne Onely I vvill simply and plainely set dovvn vvhat hath moved me to seek a calling from them and vvhat persvvadeth me to think that the calling I have receyved from them is not vvicked and vnlavvfull First being persvvaded in my conscience that the Lord had a true Church in this Realme even at the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne vvhich being assembled out of all the parts of the Land in Parliament did commit this authority to ordeyne Ministers vnto the Bishops and knovving out of the vvord of God that euery true Church hath this povver and authority to ordeyne Ministers I considered vvith my self that though the Church offended in committin-this povver and authority vnto them that by the Lavv of God vvere not capable of it yet I might vvithout sinne seek and take the Churches ordination at theyr hands as I may reverence and take the benefit of the
Antichrist and they also come into theyr Ministery by them it caÌ„not be avoyded but theyr Ministery by vertue whereof they deale with the holy things of God and work vpon mens consciences is Antichristian aÌ„d therefore not to be receyved or ioyned vnto Which is the thing that was to be proved What is it then that he saith herevnto Doth he deny that the Prelates be limmes of Antichrist and prove the contrary by the Scripture No in deed but he leaveth them as he found them the limmes of Antichrist and seemeth so astonyed partly at the truth on the one hand partly with the vnlawfulnes of theyr office on the other as notwithstanding they are thus deeply charged yet he denyes not the charge but rather yeelds vnto it saying that whatsoever is vnlawfull in theyr callings he will not go about to mainteyne Yea that by Law of God they are not capable of that which is committed vnto them by the Parliament Where besides that he leaveth them without defence against so waighty an accusation he doth himself also charge them with breach of Gods Law and vnlawfulnes in theyr callings and so yeelds vs the cause The Prelates and his fellow Priests will not thank him for this And sure if any way it could have ben done now was it altogether needfull to have convinced by evidence of Scripture both that the Prelates are not the limmes of Antichrist and that theyr offices and callings are lawfull But the truth is mighty and will prevayle against all that withstand it â—â—ll they will they Well then leaving thus the Prelates to be limmes of Antichrist what saith he to the other which is that the Ministers of the land come into theyr Ministery by the Prelates Doth he deny this No but graunteth it also as needs he must For such is theyr constitution and practise Besides that if any standing Ministers of these assemblyes should enter otherwise they could not but be intruders and hypocrites Intruders because they should thrust themselves into theyr Ministery eyther by no calling or by other then is receyved and allowed in theyr Church Hypocrites because ministring in and to these assemblyes they should seem vnto men to do it by vertue of such calling as is appoynted by Law of theyr Church when in deed it were otherwise It cannot be denyed then but they do and must come in by the Prelates who are limmes of Antichrist Now what followeth herevpon let themselves and all that partake with them well consider and repent whiles it is called To day But saith Mr H. nothing in this poynt at all Yes though he leave the Prelates and other Priests to shift for themselves yet for himself he takes a litle paynes saying he will simply aÌ„d playnely set down what moved him to seek a calling from the Prelates and what perswadeth him to think the calling he receyved from them is not vvicked and vnlavvfull Well but what if the other Ministers of the Land who take themselves to have as a good a calling as he yet were not moved neyther are perswaded therevnto by these reasons wherevpon he restâ—th what now will he and what must we account of theyr Ministery by this reckoning Agayn what if the reasons he alledgeth for himself be not of waight in this case so to move and perswade eyther him or any other How then will he have vs esteem of his calling and Ministery Let vs therefore examine his reasons But first mark that he saith he sought a calling from the Prelates and receyved it He was not theÌ„ sought spyed out and called by a Church as is the ordinance of Christ but himself he saith sought to be called by the Prelates and receyved his calling from them Which maner of calling seing it is such as God never ordeined it therefore neither might be receyved of him neyther may be ioyned vnto by any other But let vs see what moved him herevnto FIrst saith Mr H. being persvvaded in my conscience that the Lord had a true Church in this Realme even at the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne vvhich being assembled out of all parts of the Land in Parliament did commit this authority to ordeyne Ministers vnto the Bishops and knovving out of the vvord of GOD that every true Church hath this povver and authority to ordeyne Ministers I considered vvith my self that though the Church offended in committing this povver vnto them that by the Lavv of God vvere not capable of it yet I might vvithout sinne seek and take the Churches ordination at theyr hands as I may reverence and take the benefit of the Princes povver aÌ„d authority vvhich is of God though it be committed vnto and exercised by men that by the Lavv of God are not capable of it THis is Mr H. his first and chief reason Wherein as also in the rest following let this be observed generally that although in the beginning of his letter he promised nothing should be brought to perswade but the word of GOd yet now in stead thereof he setteth before vs the perswasions of his conscience Which is a thing very vsuall among them as if they were eyther divine oracles or as foroible to perswade as they Yea here he seemeth to prefer his perswasions before Gods oracles Which if he had not done I would not thus have noted it For confessing on the one hand that he knoweth out of the word of God that every true Church hath this power and authority to ordeyne Ministers and consequently that it is Gods ordinance to have it in and from a true Church as he hath appoynted yet on the other hand he professeth that the Parliament committing this power vnto such as by the Law of God are not capable of it to wit to the Prelates and so offending therein he notwithstanding vpon his perswasion sought and took ordination from the Prelates hands Now what was this els but to regard his own perswasion more then the word of God Specially when he ioyneth withall that he thought he might so do without sinne Sure this is straunge divinity The Scripture teacheth that we may not be partakers of other mens sinnes And that the transgression of Gods Law is sinne He notwithstanding thought that he might partake with others in the breach of Gods ordinance and yet not sinne I hope he is otherwise mynded synce and so will be every day more and more In the meane tyme it is cleare that though these very things which he would seem to rest vpon were all graunted him yet they make altogether agaynst him and so this first reason of his is found in this case to be of no waight Yet before we proceed to the rest it will not be amisse for more evidence of the truth more fully to consider the particulars here set down 1 And first where he sayth he is perswaded the Lord had a true Church in this Realme at the beginning of her Majestyes raigne c. it would be knowen
able to bring warrant for them out of the Law of God and therefore got what strength they could from the Law of Man The truth then is that not at the beginning of her Majestyes raigne but hundreds of yeares before her Majesty was borne the Prelates had this power of ordination in theyr hands as much as now they have For who knoweth not that both their offices and callings and this their authority of ordination is part of the apostasy of the Man of sinne even part of those abominatioÌ„s wherewith the golden cup of the whore of Babylon is full and wherewith she hath long synâ—e made drunken the nations of the earth and this of England among the rest Many of which abominations we confesse have ben swept out of this Land both in the tyme of King Henry the eyght and of King Edward the sixt aÌ„d of Elizabeth our dread Soveraigne For which we prayse God Yet notwithstaÌ„ding to speak as the truth is many also of those abominatioÌ„s of BabyloÌ„ are remayning in the LaÌ„d from which it was never purged uÌ„to this day Of which sort are the offices callings administration and maintenance both of the Prelacy and other clergy yet retayned in the Land from the hyest Prelate to the lowest Priest together with theyr book worship canons compulsion and confusion of all sorts of people whatsoever to be members of theyr Church and such like which were long to relate in particular So then if Mr H. would have simply and plainely showed vnto vs the originall of this power and authority in the Prelates he should have led vs not to the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne as if it had then begun but to the apostasy of the man of sinne from whence it first sprang and spred abroad into this and other Nations of the earth many ages before her Highnes raigne or birth Neyther hath it hitherto ben abolished out of this land as it ought but being found here at the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne was left remayning still aÌ„d is not suppressed but retayned eveÌ„ vnto this day WherevpoÌ„ is come to passe that the Prelates aÌ„d Priests retayning still theyr calling and authority have by the iust iudgment of God showed themselves to be nothing behind the Cananites Hivites Iebusites and other inhabitants of the Nations whom God commaunded Israel to drive out before them aÌ„d they notwithstanding let them still remayne among them that is they are become pricks in our eyes and thornes in our sides vexing all such as feare God in the Land and it is to be feared if Gods mercy be not the greater will be a snare and destruction to the Land as already they are to the soules and consciences of the people therein The Lord stir vp the royall heart of her Maiesty that she may discerne theyr iniquity and abolish theyr offices and callings out of the Land and make them desolate and naked eating theyr flesh even theyr revennewes and poffessions by converting them to her own civill vses and the weale publik of the Land Thesame God the King of Kings work it also in the hearts of the other Princes and Magistrates of the world that they may do likewise within theyr Dominions that so the most wicked Hierarchy and religion of Antichrist may be vtterly consumed from of the earth and the Gospell of Iesus Christ may have free passage aÌ„d be glorifyed among all nations to the ends of the world as the Scripture hath said shall come to passe Rev. 17. 16. and 18. 20. 21. and 14. 6. 7. 8. and 21. 15. 24. 26. with 2 Thes. 2. 8. and 3. 1. Mat. 24. 14. 3 Thirdly where Mr H. saith he knew out of the word of God that every true Church of GOD hath the power and authority to ordeyne Ministers aÌ„d that the Prelates by the Lavv of God are not capable of it and yet that he sought and took ordination of the Prelates this is so far from being any defence vnto him in this case as it doth rather manifest his sinne to be the greater and far more grievous inasmuch as hereby it seemeth he took ordination of the Prelates against the knowledg which he had out of the word of God to the contrary 4. Fourthly let it be observed that here he saith the Parliament offended in committing the povver and authority of ordination to the Prelates that by the Law of God are not capable of it and yet before he affirmed that theyr Law agreeth with the Law of GOD as towching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery of which he made right ordination to be a part Thus he both contradicteth himself and agayn yeeldeth the cause For if they offended against the Law of God in committing this power to the Prelates as he directly affirmeth and there is no other Ministery had and allâ—â—ed in the Land but from the Prelates as there is not hence it must needs follow that theyr calling and Ministery is vnlawfull and neyther to be receyved nor joyned vnto 5. Fiftly where he calleth the ordination taken from the Prelates the Churches ordination receyved at their hands and yet before sayd the Church hath power to ordeyne but the Prelates by the Law of God are not capable of it here agayne he forgetteth and contradicteth himself 6. Finally it may be observed that in the shutting vp of this reason he speaketh of the Princes power and authority committed to men that by the Law of God are not capable of it when as before in the former part of the reason he had spoken of the Churches power and authority committed to such as by the Law of God are not capable of it Thus he keepeth not to the poynt in question but speaking of ordination of Ministers one while he caryeth vs to the Churches power and authority committed to men not capable thereof another while to the Princes power so likewise committed As if the power and authority of Princes and of the Church were all one aÌ„d not distinct in the ordinance and appoyntment of God or as if whatsoever may be done in the one were also to be admitted in the other What straunge consequences would follow herevpon let himself consider And hitherto of the insufficiency of his first reason Now let vs see if there be any more wayght in his second which is as followeth SEcondly sayth M r H. seyng it is not to be refused if a man entring into the Ministery might have the approbation of all and every one of the Ministers of the Gospell in the land it seemeth vnto me the approbation of that Bishop that is also a Minister and preacher of the Gospell cannot be deemed to be meerly vnlavvfull 1. BVt what if the Bishops and Ministers he speaketh of be not the Bishops and Ministers of Christ but of Antichrist not in a true but in a false Ministery not according to Christs Gospell but Antichrists apostasy not servants of Iesus Christ the onely LOrd
base a conceit of others who advise them better Secondly for yourself well may you think as we all ought that it is no disgrace vnto vs that our knowledg is imperfect and our judgment weak seing the Apostle saith even off himself as of all others now we know but in part and now we see through a glasse darkely Yet also would I desier Mr. H. remember and you to note it for your comfort that God so disposeth for his glory as euen the private members of the true Church yea women are found walking in the truth as we have receyved a commaundement from the Father when many deceyvers though men and in publick office are abroad in the world and false Church which confesse not in truth and in deed Iesus Christ come in the flesh that onely Prophett Priest and king whom God hath giuen to his Church forever Thirdly towching them whom God vsed as his instruments to draw you out off the bypaâ—â—s of these assemblyes into the way of truth wherein you now walk as you have iust cause to blesse God for them so I pray you also regard not so much who they be as what they say And in any case take heed that you never have the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons neyther of Princes nor prelates nor any other though otherwise learned rich or famous any maner way Neyther let the heat of the adversaryes persecution nor the coldnes of the tyme servers swallowing vp all the abominations yet abiding among them nor the love of this present world nor the colourable perswasion of any though never so dare vnto you neyther any other thing whatsoever ensnare you to be wrapped in like errour with them but remember alway as is here well noted vnto you that the written word of God onely is to be the rule of our Life and Religion Lastly concerning Mr. H. who wrote this letter vnto you as you shall do well to take it that he erreth of ignorance and not of malice etc. as he desireth to be taken so of him I would desier for the taking away of this vayle from his eyes that he do heedfully look into the perfitt law of liberty not onely the better to see the filthynes of theyr corruptions that he may avoyd them but to behold also what orders and offices Christ Iesus hath sett in his Church to keep and observ them To which end he shall do well himself to Consider that which here he hath sett down vnto you concerning the writteÌ„ word of God According to which if he shall examine the particulars of theyr Church-constitution of which more God willing hereafter I hope he will no more say in this case that as of syncerity as of God in the sight of God so writeth he of these things but will rather acknowledg that whosoever go about to bring colour out of the Scriptures for them they do therein no other but make marchandize of the word of God And therefore will eyther stay his talâ—â— and lay his hand on his mouth or if he speak will speak to his own soule aÌ„d say Wilt thou plead Antichrists cause or wilt thou save him If he be of Christ let him plead for himself against them that by the word of theyr testimony destroy his ordinaÌ„ces Thus much to the entrance of this letter The rest of it is spent in laboring to disprove the writing which it seemeth you gaue him in defence of your separation from the ministery of these assemblyes Which after he hath well propounded in forme of reasoning he then bringeth some show of answer therevnto and of defence of theyr Ministery Wherein although I might in few lynes shortly have noted the subtilty and vnsoundnes of his answers yet have I chosen rather to write somewhat largely both for your sake and his own and for others also into whose hands these writings may coâ—â— And this haue I thought to be the more needfull because he doth here so earnestly both protest the syncerity of his affection and make promise that nothing shalbe brought to perswade you but the word of God Now of the syncerity of his affection I make no doubt but do vertly thinck that he writeth and walketh as he is perswaded Onely where he promiseth and pretendeth to bring the word of God for the perswasion of your soule and performeth it not in deed and yet hath such obiections and pretence off Scripture and reason as greater in this case I thinck neyther have ben neyther can well be brought thereâ—ore have I thought it best for better clearing of the truth to prosecute his annswers from poynt to poyut And although it wil be the more tedious yet to take this course therein first to sett down in his own words his aunswers to the reason you gaue him and then to examine and take them away by the light of the Scriptures For your self it shalbe your part as he desireth you to lay apart all sinister affection and with meeknes to receyv the word of truth grafted in you and able to save your soule Consider therefore well what is said and the Lord give you vnderstanding in all things Now to proceed it followeth in his letter to you thus Mr. H. his letter Section 2. The summe of the vvhole vvriting you gaue me is a reason to prove the lavvfulnes of your separation from our assemblyes because vve have no such minissters as you may lavvfully ioyne vvhithall and for plainenes it may fitly be coÌ„cluded in this forme Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy things of God and worketh vpon the Consciences of men by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling him the people of God ought not to receyv or ioyne themselves vnto 2 Thes. 2. 4 10. But all the ministers that stand ouer the Church assemblyes in England deale with the holy things of God and work vpon mens consciences by vertue of an Antichristian power office calling Therefore the people of God ought not to receyv them or ioyne themselves vnto them The first part of this reason as I am not vnvvilling to yeeld vnto so do I affirme that the vvords of the Apostle vvritten 2. Thes. 2. 4. 10. are for the proof thereof vvâ—ested and perverted from the right sence For the Apostle there describeth Antichrist nor by his unlavvfull onâ—vvard calling or office that he should exercise in the Church but first by the false doctrine he should teach as appeareth plainely by the 10 and 11 verses and secondly by the authority he should vsurpe to give lavves vnto mens consciences and to rule in the harts of men as God as you may see in the 4. verse VVhich tvvo maâ—ks of Antichrist as they may evidently be discerned in the papacy so admitt all the outvvard calling and offices in the Church of England exercised vvere faulty and vnvvarrantable by the vvord yet you in your ovvn Conscience knovv that these marks
blasphemyes and power was given vnto him to do two and fourty moneths And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven Rev. 13. 5. 6. This book of the Revelation whosoever readeth over with a single heart and compareth with it the event of things partly come to passe already partly morefully yet to be accomplished considering on the one hand that the whore of Babilon hath made all nations of the earth drunk with the cup of her fornications that she hath already begun to fall and daily more and more inclyneth to her full desolation and destruction which yet can never wholy be accomplished so long as the Babylonish offices of Archbisâ—hops Lordbishops Archdeacons and the rest with theyr courts canons worship and procedings do continew And on the other hand that the Lord Iesus will by the light aÌ„d power of his gospell condemne and abolish that Babiloâ—ish whore with all her false offices and constitutions and will also raigne in his Church by his own offices and lawes with his crown of glory vpon his head aÌ„d his scepter of righteousnes in his haÌ„d vntill he give vp the kingdome to God even the Father that God may be all in all Who so I say readeth this book and considereth these and such like prophecyes therein coÌ„teyned in part already fulfilled and yet morefully to be effected shall playnely see that this book of all other most playnely deciphâ—reth and condemneth the Babylonish Antichristian estate and constitution of these assemblyes as they now stand vnder this Prelaâ—y and other false ministery of the land Now in particular for the place of this book here alledged that it likewise is verisfyd of theyr ecclesiâ—sticall estate aÌ„d dealings at this day as heretofore it hath beÌ„ in the Romane Empire and Apostasy elswhere may sufficiently be seen by that which hath before ben said towching Daniels like prophetyes where you may perceyv by the spâ—rialtyes there expressed how these men in theyr estate at this day have a mouth that speaketh great things and blasphemyes against God to blaspheme his name in speaking yll of his truth and ordinances and his Tabernacle that is his Church which is the house of the living God aÌ„d Tabernacle wherein he dwelleth among the sonnes of men on earth and them that dvvell in heaven that is the Lords secret ones whose conversation is in heaven whiles they live here on earth keeping the â—â—mmaundements of God and having the testimony of Iesus Christ whom they look for from the heaveÌ„s for theyr full redemptioÌ„ But these things being before in the handling of Daniels prophery declared in many particulars it shall not be needfull here agayn to repeat them Onely in this place it shall be good to note this moreover that in this chapter and book Mr. H. might have sett down many other places describing the propertyes of Antichrist and that not onely in regard of his doctrine and deceit thereof but also in respect of his tolourable pretence to be of Christ and for him yet forcing all people to stand subiect to his own adulterate discipline ordinances and jurisdiction To which end it is to be observed that Antichrist is here described to have two hornes like the lambe pretending his ministery and authority to be of Christ â—nd for him but yet shall speak like the dragon in his false doctrines imposed traditions blaspheming the truth reviling the witnesses thereof and advauncing himself and his own inventions above God and his commaundemeÌ„ts Moreover that he shall make all both small and great rich and poore bond and free to take his mark in theyr forehead aÌ„d haÌ„d and so to submitt to his ministery leiturgy courts excommunitations and the rest of the actions of his vsurped authority Or els killeth banisheth aÌ„d imprisoneth all such as refuse so to do not suffring them eyther to enioy any liberty oâ—priviledg in the world or to performe any worship to God but according to his own in ventions aÌ„d apostasy Which hâ—w true they arâ— of the Prelacy and other Clergy of these assenblpes let theyr estate and daily actions be witnesses Hitherto also might be referred other scriptures of this book verifyed in them likewise for example that as the 〈◊〉 spoken of in the ninth of this book were like vnto horses prepared to battayle having on theyr heads crownes like vnto gold and faces like men and haire as womeÌ„ and teeth as lyons aÌ„d habergions of yron and tayles as scorpions with stings in them having power to hurt for a season so the Prelates aÌ„d other Clergy of Antichrist are fâ—erce as horses to fight against the truth and people of God having rule and dominion with Lordly titles and princely dignities in outward face aÌ„d show pretending to be the Ministers of Christ and his Church but in deed being deceitfull entising and lascivious as harlots and ravenous cruell poysonfull and singing as Lyons and scorpions having powr to hurt and deceyue for a season albeyt their 〈◊〉 aÌ„d malice be limited aÌ„d repressed by the providence and power of the most High Agayne that as those locusts with mens faces were all of them vnder AbaddoÌ„ their King the Angel of the bottomles pitt so the Prelates and other Clergy of Antichrist howsoever they pretend to be the Ministers of righteousnes are in deed the subjects of Sathan the Prince of darâ—nes who yet transformeth himself into an Angell of light Moreover that they as well as other people and nations of the earth haue committed fornication vvith that vvhore of Babylon spoken of in this book and haue receyued of her names of blasphemy such as be the names of Archbishops and Lord bisshops and Priests when it is ascribed to an office of Ministery of the Gospell and haue drunk of her golden cupfull of abominations whence haue proceeded theyr Ministery book of common prayer book of ordering Priests and consecrating Archbishops and Bishops excommunications by Archdeacons and Lordbishops theyr courts of facultyes Commissary courts and such like among them and finaâ—â— have ben made drunken vvith the blood of the Saints and vvith the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus So as these assemblyes in theyr ecclesiasticall constitutioÌ„ and procedings have showed themselves to be the naturall daughters of Babylon that mother of vvhoredomes and abominations of the earth howsoever as a Mystery it ly much hid and is not easily espyed vnleâ— Christ Iesus annoynt ovvreyes vvith ey salue that we may perceyv it and carry us forth as it vvere into the vvildernes in the Spirit to take a view of it by the light of his word aÌ„d not as it maketh show aÌ„d is esteemed among men in the world And thus much of this place aÌ„d book of the RevelatioÌ„ here alledgeâ— Now before Mr. H. cometh to any other Scriptures 〈◊〉 this conclusion of the former that
perhaps they never saw nor heard of afore and it may be never after Let him also tell vs if the Prelates do not oftē tymes make priests in theyr private chappels yea ād in theyr closets too ād whether these be not Priests by the Law aswell as the rest among them Now then where is the solemne assembly ād Congregation he speaketh of vnles he vnderstand it of the Prelates officers ād servitors who commonly are as wicked and irreligious as theyr Lord and Master Doth Mr H. write this as of syncerity as of God in the sight of God as he professed in the entrance of his letter Or doth he not rather go about to deceyv the Reader and darken the truth when thus colourably he would beare vs in hand that the Law of God which prescribeth that the Church and flock should approve and choose their own Minister is observed among them And yet further let◠him aunswer whether they be not commonly made Priests at theyr own suite without any people to attend vpon much lesse to approve and choose them Yea whether often it be not so as the people where they are to minister never saw them before till they come vpon them with the Patrones presentation and the Prelates induction to the benifice Which when they bring the people are most that can do least even iust nothing at all For priests they must and will be there whether the people will or not Is this to have the Churches choyse and approbation Is this to follow the Law of GOD and to have that in substance which the word prescribeth as here Mr H. pretendeth they have But above all it is most straunge that he would perswade vs theyr law requireth theyr Ministers to be ordeyned by imposition of hands of the Eldership when all the world knoweth that they imprison banish and persecute to death the poore Christians in the Land which follow that rule of God in theyr iudgment and practise Yea and Mr H. himself afterward in this letter confesseth both that the power of ordination among them is by law committed to the Prelates and that by the Law of God the Prelates are not capable of it How then possibly can this be true which here he saith that theyr Law requireth ordination to be done by imposition of the hāds of the Eldership as the law of God doth These must needs be contradictory the one to the other But to proceed if it were so as here he pretendeth why then hath he with the rest of the forward preachers and people so often sued to the Parliament for an Eldership consisting of Pastors Teachers and Elders in every Church if already they enioy it Do they sue for that they have that were a mockery Or doth not the Law expresly requier that imposition of hāds among them be done by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane with the Archdeacon and other Priests present And are these now of late come to be an Eldership How is it then that the Prelates and theyr followers have heretofore written that in the Apostles tyme there were Elders in every Church but now it ought not so to be And that the seekers of Reformation have published that not onely the office of Elders but theyr Name also is out of this English Church vtterly removed and that in stead of them in every Church the Pope hath brought in and they in England yet mainteyne the Lordship of one man over many Churches yea over sundry shires Which Lordbishops being not able as the Elders to execute theyr offices in theyr own persons without substitutes have therefore theyr vnder officers as Suffraganes Chauncelors Archdeacons Officials Commissaryes and such like Also that they with theyr Canons and Courts are drawen out of the Popes shop and take vpon them which is most horrible the rule of GOds Church thrusting away most sacrilegiously that order which Christ hath left in his Church and which the Primitive Church hath vsed yea robbing the Church of lavvfull Pastors Elders and Deacons Thus and much more have themselves written heretofore Yet see how now Mr H. would perswade vs they have the Eldership prescribed in the word And that vvhereas there is vvant of due execution of such things in theyr Church as the Lavv of God commaundeth that is the fault of the men not of the calling As if the limmes of Antichrist were now become the Eldership ordeyned by Christ And the Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons with theyr other priests and Officers whom the Apostles never knew were to be accounted those Elders whom the Apostles planted in the Primitive Churches Those Elders had a lawfull calling of a true Church to a true office ordeyned by Christ which also they were bound to administer according to the word of God in the Church whereof and whereto they were called These Prelates and Priests as hath ben proved have an vnlawfull calling in a false Church to a false office never set by Christ in his Church which also they are bound to administer according to theyr popish Canons Articles and Iniunctions besides that many of them have Lordship ouer many Churches and sundry shires Those Elders performed theyr office in theyr own persons These Prelates and Priests have theyr substitutes Vicars and vnder officers Those Elders were in no office belonging to Antichrist These Prelates and Priests have the very offices without which no Church of Antichrist pretending to be Christs can be absolute and complete in all the Canonicall functions of Antichrists ministery and government Those Elders had offices which must continew to the end of the world yea even then when Antichrist in all the partes offices and power of his Ministery and religion shalbe consumed by the Gospell of IEsus Christ These Prelates and Priests have such offices as till they be abolished all the offices of Antichrists Hierarchy are not destroyed Which the Scripture testifyeth shall come to passe by the Spirit of the Lords mouth in the light and power of his Gospell To coclude then these Prelates and Priests are as vnlike to those Elders as darknes is to light and the forgeryes of Antichrist to the ordinances of IEsus Christ. Where then is the imposition of hands of the Eldership which Mr H. would make vs beleev theyr Ministers have Or is the want now among them not of the offices of Elders but onely of vpright Dealers therein as here he would perswade Thus then you see that theyr Ministers having no other office nor calling then the Law alloweth have not at all the substance of the office or calling of Ministers which the vvord prescribeth whatsoever colour he pretend to the contrary And yet I pray you what hath he said more for the maner of calling to theyr Priesthood then may be alledged for the popish priests For the Popes pontificall out of which theyr book is drawen requireth the same things at the entrance to the priesthood which Mr
Princes povver and authority vvhich is of God though it be committed vnto and exercised by men that by the Lavv of God are not capable of it Secondly seing it is a thing not to be refused if a man entring into the ministery might have the approbation of all and every one of the Ministers of the Gospell in the land it seemeth vnto me the approbation of that Bishop that is also a Minister and preacher of the Gospell cannot be deemed to be meerly vnlavvfull Thirdly the authority of the Christian Magistrate vvithout vvhose liking and allovvance a Minister cannot be admitted to the Ministery in peace comming to the Bishop by Act of Parliament I may more boldly come to him for his approbation in regard of the Lavv not looking so much vnto the Man as â—â—garding vvith reuerence the povver of the Lavv and Christian Magistrate ¶ Aunswer to Section 10. I Am sory to see Mr H. thus weary himself in seeking balme for the healing of Babels sore which cannot be cured We need not aske him as here he deviseth an obiection with himself vvhich of them have such a calling as is prescribed by the Lavv For notwithstanding theyr manifold breaches even of theyr own Law yet we doubt not but ynow and to many of them have the calling appoynted by Law that is are made Deacons and Priests by a Lordbishop according to theyr book taken out of the Popes pontificall contrary to the Testament of Christ and are also presented by the Patrones and instituted by the Prelates to cure of soules whereof would to God they made not marchandize as the Scripture speaketh The oftener then that he mentioneth this he doth but so much the more cast doung in theyr own faces Neyther is it to be past over but well to be observed that himself here reckoneth vp and accounteth these three to be substantiall parts of a true calling to the ministery 1. A due examination of gifts 2. The choyse and approbation of the people that they are to be set over 3. A right ordination into theyr office These three he sayth are substantiall parts of a true calling WherevpoÌ„ it followeth that none of theyr Ministers have the substaÌ„ce of a true calling seyng they waÌ„t these substaÌ„tiall parts thereof as is proved before and afterward agayne aÌ„d as theyr own estate testifyeth agaynst them to theyr faces Yea M r H himself vp his own words here importeth thus much that divers at least of their ministers waÌ„t the substaÌ„ce of a true calling Els when he aunswereth to his own objection why saith he Many Ministers in the Land have these substantiall parts aÌ„d sayth not that all theyr Ministers have them Many he sayth aÌ„d not all Thus to vphold some of theyr Ministers if he could he careth not to smite down others of them to the ground aÌ„d those also such as have the same Ministery aÌ„d calling with the rest which is prescribed by Law But compare this with that which he wrote and see what a fayre thred he hath spun for himself Al theyr Ministers have not the substaÌ„ce of a true calling This he insinuateth here aÌ„d in his own vnderstaÌ„ding of the substantiall parts set down by himself cannot deny it if he would Yet all theyr Ministers be made Priests or Deacons or both by the Prelates according to theyr book aforesayd This also he yeelded before neyther if he would can deny it The conclusion therefore must be this that the Priests and Deacons so made by the Prelates according to theyr book such as be all theyr Ministers have not the substance of a true calling to the Ministery This you see followeth vpon his own aunswers Besides that we omit to speak of theyr presentations and of theyr inductions by the Prelates which the Law appoynteth as substantiall parts of theyr calling when they take charge of soules Onely marke here agayn his contradictioÌ„ with himself whiles he stribeth against the truth Now to proceed let him tell vs whom he meaneth here by the learned and godly whose examination and approbation they are to have and on whose judgment they may safely rely in that matter If he meane the Archdeacon or other Priests that be examiners for the Prelates as theyr Law and vse is how will he prove that they are such as he sayth that is learneâ— and godly or that theyr examination and approbation was ever appoynted by Christ or is to be had as a substautiall part of true calling to the Ministery or finally that any may safely rely vpon theyr iudgment in this matter But if he meane as doubtles he doth the examinatioÌ„ and approbatioÌ„ of some of the forward Preachers amoÌ„g them himself knoweth first that the Law appoynteth it not wherevpon will follow by his own assertion that all the substaÌ„tiall parts of a true calling to the ministery are not prescribed by Law which yet before he labored to prove Secondly he is not ignorant and theyr constitution and practise showeth it that although secretly it may be some of them are tryed aÌ„d approved by such as here he inteÌ„deth yet neyther is this generall aÌ„d those also which have this have notwithstaÌ„ding aÌ„d must have that other which law binds vnto Now if that after the Law be of Christ why have they the other If it be not of Christ why receyv they it at all or how is it true which he sayd before that their Law agreeth with the Law of God as towching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery Thirdly are not these forward preachers also aswell as the other DeacoÌ„s and Priests so ordeyned by the Prelates as aforesayd aÌ„d therefore have a Ministery never ordeyned by Christ but brought in by Antichrist And what priviledg them have they herein more then the other Or how will it be proved for them any more then for the other that thus standing their examination and allowance is an ordinance of Christ or substantiall part of true calling to the Ministery Or that any may safely rely themselves vpon theyr judgment in this matter For the next likewise that is the choyse aÌ„d approbatioÌ„ of the people that they are to be set over if he meane it generally of any people whatsoever whether Idolaters Atheists Papists or others standing subject to Antichrist or such like how will he ever prove that such have this power and authority of Christ to choose the Ministers of his Gospell Or if he meane it as needs he must if he speak to the purpose of such people as by the word of God be called aÌ„d separated from the world ioyned in covenaÌ„t aÌ„d fellowship of the Gospell being true visible Churches of Christ then also how will it ever be proved that theyr people in this theyr Church constitution as now they stand in confusion aÌ„d spirituall boÌ„dage to Antichrists Ministery worship ordinaÌ„ces courts and jurisdiction are such people and Churches having the power aÌ„d liberty which Christ hath given to
whether he speak of invisible or of a visible Church of God If he speak of invisible he speaketh not to the poynt in question besides that they could not be counted an invisible Church and yet be knowen to be assembled together in Parliament If he speak of a visible Church as he must if he will speak to the purpose and as it seemeth he meaneth because he sayth they were then assembled together then how doth he prove this to be so In deed we deny not but God had his flock and Church even a true visible Church in this Land at the beginning of her Majestyes raigne For we have heard and read that in Queen Maryes dayes there was here a Congregation of faythfull people separated from the rest of the Land and gathered into fellowship together to serve the LORD according to his word and to keep themselves pure from the abominations of Antichrist That this Congregation also chuse them Ministers Elders and Deacons to instruct guyde and serve them in the Lord and that they had theyr holy meetings and showed notable testimonyes of their faith and love So long then as they kept communioÌ„ in this way we deny not but they were a true visible Church though it may be in some defects through want of further light and instruction The like we think also of our countreymen that were then at Frankford Geneva and other where beyond seas But when Queen Mary dyed and Queen Elizabeth whom God long preserve came to the Crown then the Masse and some other superstitions of popery being abolished agaynst which these Congregations had witnessed the truth in much affliction they herevpon dissolved and the severall members scattered themselves to theyr parishes here and there throughout the Land commingling themselves in confusion with the rest of the land that were Idolaters and repented not and submitting theyr soules to the Prelates and to the Ministery receyved from and executed vnder them as also to theyr courts canons excommunications and other Antichristian jurisdiction retayned in the Land And so have continued in apostasy from the way of Christ vnto this day Now these Congregations being thus dissolved and the members there of thus standing they were not now any loÌ„ger true visible Churches in the order of Christ but fallen into confusion with the world and into spirituall bondage to the Prelates and other Clergy the limmes of Antichrist So as from hence for the poynt in hand M r H. can derive no help for himself But be it that they had remayned still visible Churches in true constitution and had assembled together and committed this authority of ordination to the Prelates Yet this being not warrantable by the word of God it had bound no mans conscience neyther ben sufficient warrant for any to partake in theyr sinnes For the sinfull actions of the Church do not bynd or warrant vs any more then the sinfull actions of the world Neyther can all Churches or Nations vnder heaveÌ„ make that lawfull which God by his word maketh vnlawfull Though all the people of Israel being the true Church of God enjoyne and commit vnto Aaron to make a molten calfe to go before them Yet was not Aaron therefore bound or warranted therevnto but sinned in so doing as they also did that tooke part thereyn Agayne for example sake let vs suppose that which in deed was not to wit that Moses and Aaron and all that were famous in the CongregatioÌ„ yea that the whole CoÌ„gregation of Israel being the true Church should have committed to Corah Dathan Abiram aÌ„d theyr company power to take censers and burne incense thereyn before the LOrd yet they being not capable of that power by the Law of GOD neyther might have taken it neyther might any other have communicated with them thereyn but all that would not perish in theyr sinne should have departed from them and theyr tents When Achaz King of Iudah appoynted and Altar to be made after the fashion of the altar of Damascus though the disciples and people of God which at that tyme were in Iudah should have consented thereyn and committed power to Vryah and the other Priests to offer vpon it burnt offrings and peace offrings aÌ„d that to no other but the true God Yet should not â—riah or any other therefore eyther have done it or partaken thereyn When Ieroboam King of Israeel toke counsell with his Princes and people and made Priests of the lawest of the people which were not of the sonnes of Levi aÌ„d therefore not capable of the Priests office though the ten tribes having ben til this tyme the Church and people of God consented therevnto Yet did not this therefore bynd or warraÌ„t any of them eyther to receyv that office or to joyne vnto them in the worship of God To come nearer our own dayes let vs suppose that which himself will think is as likely if not more theÌ„ that he alledgeth to wiâ— that in this Land was a true Church at the end of King Edwards dayes vvhich being assembled out of all parts of the LaÌ„d in Parliament in the beginning of Q Maryes raigne did commit this povver aÌ„d authority of ordination to the Prelates vvhereof by the Lavv of God they vvere not capable Yet will not M r H. say but it was vnlawfull notwithstanding for any to seek or receyve ordination from then Otherwise what impiety is there that by this meanes might not be made at least some what tolerable as may appeare by the examples and instaÌ„ces before mentioned and infinite other that might be alledged The same Parliament whereof he speaketh authorising the book of common prayer did thereyn he knoweth commit power and authority vnto weomeÌ„ in cases of necessity to baptize whereof by the Law of God they are altogether vncapable will he therefore say it is lawfull eyther for women to administer Baptisme or for any to yeeld their children to be baptized of them because they may reverence and take benefit of the Princes povver aÌ„d authority vvhich is of God though it be committed vnto and exercised by such as by the Lavv of God are not capable of it Many mo particulars might be alledged of like nature both out of the Scriptures and Lawes of this and other Nations but for the matter in hand the former allegations may suffice 2. Next where Mr H. sayth that at the beginning of her Maiestyes raigne the Parliament committed this authority to ordeyne Ministers to the Bishops he mistaketh the matter if he think that then first they receyved it For the authority of ordination was not then first committed vnto the Prelates but continued to them from former tymes aÌ„d ratifyed vnto them both at that tyme and afterward agayne in the eyght yeare of her Highnes raigne as may appeare by the statuâ—es then enacted Which it seemeth the Prelates and Priests of the LaÌ„d desired because theyr offices and authority being called into question they were not
his high court of prerogative or grave fatherly faculties these together or the worst of them as some of them be to bad may not be broken or offended against but with more daunger then to offend against the Bible To these subscribing and subscribing again and the third subscribing are required for these preachers and others are indited are fined are prisoned are excommunicated are banished and haue worse things threatned them And the Bible that must haue no further scope then by these it is assigned Is this to professe Gods word Is this a reformation He that could not abide straunge fyer in the old law but burnt them that used it what vvill he do to us in the nevv lavv that erect a nevv and straunge course or vvord to rule his Church by What did the Pope but so He did suffer Gods vvord to haue a course as far as it pleased him so that he might haue the vvhole authority aboue it So did the popish Church But vve say the vvord is aboue the Church Then suerly it is about the English Church and aboue all these books afore rehearsed If it be so vvhy are not they ouer-ruled by it and not it by them These are theyr own words and that in an admonition to the high court of parliament So as we holding our peace you may by this perceiue in what estate they stand by the lawes and present constitution of theyr Church But Mr. H. addeth moreover that they all professe Christ to be the onely lavv giver vnto the conscience Is this so in deed How is it then that Mathew Sutcliffe Deane of Exceâ—er a chief officer in theyr Church is not afrayd nor ashamed to publish in print that it soundeth harsh in Christian eaâ—es to call Christ a Lavvgiuer But to let him alone with his blasphemous contradiction to the Scriptures and Spirit of God let us consider a litle the profâ—ssion they make herein And first I aske what if the Papists professe as much Will such profession in word help any thing when in deed by theyr works they deny it Secondly let Mr H. remember that some of themselues affirme vvhiles they professe Christ to be a king and per submitt not to the lavves he hath prescribed in his vvord they make him an Idoll and putt a scepter of reed in his hand Thirdly do not they fynd fault with the Papists aÌ„d prove them to bend true Church though they professe in word that Christ is the king of his Church becouse in deed they obey not his lawes but have invented and use theyr own canons and constitutions for government of the Church Mark well theyr own words in a treatise lately published wherein they prove the Church of â—ome not to be the true Church by this reason following The Papists in vvord vvill not deny but Christ is a king vvhich hath all povver in heaven and in earth But in deed it appeareth they do exile and banish him out of his kingdome or at least leav him but a small portion or rather none at all For in respect that he is a spirituall king and the king of his Church he is also as Iames speaketh the onely lavvgiâ—er thereunto and therefore by his lavves onely the Church is to be governed Which they cannot abide For they adde their popish Canous constitutions and customes vvhereby they vvill haue the Church governed Yea they vvill haue these take place though they utterly displace the vvord of God for the maintenance of them These are theyr own words in that treatise Thus they reason against the Papists And is not this reason I pray you as strong against themselues and against theyr own Church Prelates and Clergy Yea are not theyr ecclesiasticall assemblyes daughters of the Church of â—ome in this behalf Or have theâ— more priviledge by theyr verball profession to be exâ—mpt from the obedience of Christ and his lawes then the Papists havâ— Lastly seing Mr H. saith they professe Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Let him in syncerity of heart as before God aunswer vs these few questions 1 Whether then obedience be not to be given to the Lord Iesus in whatsoever he hath commaunded and all his lawes and ordinances to be observed though all the Princes on earth should forbid it 2 Why then they abstayne from the observation of those Lawes and ordinances which themselves have taught and written to be appoynted by Iesus Christ to be kept vnblameable and without spott vntill his appearing yea though it be with the losse of wealth honour liberty and life it self 3 Whether the Lord Iesus the lawgiver of his Church have not set in his Church to continew to the end of the world the offices of Pastours Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers together with theyr entrance works and maintenance for the administration of his holy things 4 Whether the Offices of Archbishops Lord bisshops priests deacons vicars and the rest now had in England theyr maner of entrance into them theyr administration of them by theyr popish canons and book of common prayer theyr maintenance in them by tithes Lordships Chrismes offrings aÌ„d such like be appoynted by Christ that onely Lawgiver to his Church and in what places of his Testament 5 Whether being not prescribed by Christ but derived from and belonging to Antichrist any can eyther administer or joyne vnto them in that estate and yet in truth acknowledg Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience 6 Fynally whether they which abyde one with the world and false Church not separating themselves from them according to the commaundement of Christ which administer or receyv the word or Sacraments in or from a false ministery which how down vnto traditions and false worship devised and imposed by man which stand subiect to be silenced and excommunicated by the Prelates theyr Chauncelours and Archdeacons whether these I say can be said in truth to hold Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Or whether they receyv not the mark of the Beast and as yet stand subjects of his kingdome submitting to his Antichristian lawes and constitutions In the last place Mr. H. addeth that nothing among them is vrged to be done vpon payne of damnation but onely the word and law of God To which I aunswer first that if this were true yet it is not to the purpose seing many things among them contrary to the word of God are vrged to be done vpon payne of imprisonment confiscation of Goods and lands banishment death and such like Secondly I aunswer that they do require men to be subiect to theyr excommunication vpon payne of damnation as theyr own words in theyr writs of excommunication do show Now it is evident and confessed by the best of themselves that they have not Christs power to excommunicate but execute it contrary to the word of God by an Archdeacon or Lordly Prelate according to theyr
canons Wherevpon also to note it by the way it followeth that they are not a true Church of Christ. For Christs Church hath alwayes Christs power to excommunicate Whereas these assenblyes have no other power to excommunicate but by the Archdeacon or Lordbischop whose offices be Antichristian And herevpon it is that the more religious any is among them the more he contemneth theyr excommunication Which were a fearefull sinne if theyr Church were a true Church whose bynding on earth were such as bound also in heaven Thirdly I aunswer if theyr ministery and worship of God were according to the word aÌ„d law of God then ought all vpon payne of damnation to submit aÌ„d ioyne vnto it Now if they do not so vrge it themselves do thereby acknowledg that it is not of God If they do so â—rgeit then they vrge vpon payne of damnation that which is contrary to the word and law of God as hath ben and shall more be showed hereafter Now it followeth in his letter thus Mr. H. his letter Section 3. TO vvhich purpose also I besech you to consider that althoug there is not the least part of Christs ordinances that can be neglected vvithout grievous sinne yet the vvant or neglect of some of these ordinances of Christ vvhich concerne the discipline of his Church and the outvvard calling of the ministers is no such sinne as can make eyther the ministers and governours of our Church Antichrists or our Church an Antichristian and false Church And although divers corruptions remayne in our Church vvhich vvere derived to vs from the Papiâ—es the least vvhereof I vvill not take vpon me to defendt yet are they not of that nature that can make vs an Antichristian Church For first no one place of Scripture can be found vvherein he is called aâ— Antichrist or Antichristian vvho holding the truth of doctrine and professing those articles of religion that are fundameÌ„tall as you knovv vve do doth 〈◊〉 eyther in iudgment or practise from that rule that Christ hath given for the Discipline of his Church In the prophecy of Daniel Antichrist is described by his Doctrine Dan. 7. 8. 25. So is he in the epistle to the Thessalonians 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11. And in the epistle to Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3. And in the Epistles of Iohn 1 Ioh. 2. 22. and 4. 3. and 2 Ioh. 7. And in the book of Revelation chap 13. 5. 6. Neyther can you fynd any Antichrist mentioned in the Scripture vvhose doctrine vvas sound Our Saviour Christ calleth him a true Pastour and no hiâ—â—ling vvho leadeth the sheep in at the doore Ioh. 10. 2. that is vvho teacheth no other meanes of salvation but Christ onely vvho is the doore of the sheep Ioh. 10. 7. 9. He affirmeth also that vvhosoever beleveth in his heart and confesseth vvith his mouth that he is that Christ and Messiah promised is a true member of his Church and built vpon a rock against vvhich the gates of hell shall not prevaile If then the doctrine of our Church be sound vvhat vvarrant have you to callâ—s Antichrists If our pastours offer to lead you vnto salvation through no other doore then Christ hovy dare you that say you are Christs refuse to be guyded by them If our asseâ—blyes be built vpon that rock hovâ— can you deny them to be true Churches Aunswer to Section 3. IT is to be noted here first that Mr. H. denyeth not but they stand in grievous sinne by neglecting Christs ordinaÌ„ces secondly that he graunteth they retayne divers corruptions in theyr Church which were derived to them from the Papists How theyr case standing thus by his own confession how can he peswade you or any other to partake with them in such sinnes vnles he would have you also to receiv of theyr plagnes Agayn it is to be observed that â—r H. faith here he will not take vpon him to defend the least of theyr popish corruptions And yet doth cleane otherwise throughout this letter chiefly in his aunswer to the second part of the reason But to omitt this I would desier to have noted down in particular the corruptions remayning in theyr Church which he confesseth were derived to them from the Papists And then let it be iudged whether they be Antichristian Here also it is to be mynded that the ministery and constitution of theyr Church is not charged to be Antichristian because of this that they want or neglect some of Christs ordinances as here he may seem to insinuate but because they have and submitt vnto Antichrists as will appeare in the discussing of them In the meane tyme to omitt many other let him consider first that theyr forcing and confounding in the body of their Church all maner people though never so wicked to stand members thereof is meerly Antichristian and directly contrary to the order of Iesus Christ who hath commanded his people to separate willingly from the world and all false wayes Secondly that the offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons and theyr Officials in whom resteth the chief ecclesiasticall power among them are also Antichristian and were never sett by Christ in his Church Thirdly that the offices of the Priests Deacons Dicars sâ—ipendaryes and the rest of the inferiour ministery among them theyr entrance also into theyr offices theyr administration of them and maintenance in them are not found in the Testament of Christ nor in the Primitive Churches planted by the Apostles but derived from and belonging to the apostaâ—y of Antichrist and found in his popish pontifiâ—all and assemblyes even vnto this day Next towching theyr profession he speaketh of I aunswer first that the verball profession of the articles of religion that are fundamentall will no more help them then it doth the Papists who do also verbally and daily repeat and professe in generall the articles of faith called the Apostles treed and the Creed of Athanasius of Nice and Calcedon wherein are briefly and generally conteyned the fudamentall poynts of Christian religion But what avayleth this eyther the one or the other when otherwise in particular all of them in practise and some in judgment deny Christ to be that eternall Prophet Priest and king of his Church howsoeuer in word and generall they both do professe it Secondly I aunswer that the very strength of delusion aÌ„d depth of the subtilty of Antichrist by which he deceyveth staÌ„deth in this that he pretendeth to be for aÌ„d with Christ aÌ„d teacheth many exceleÌ„t truths otherwise he would soone be espyed and forsaken whereas now it is a mystery as the Scripture saith hardly discerned and hardlyer avoyded Hereupon it is that among the Papists so many of them are deluded whiâ—â—â— the Pope professeth he is not against Christ but for him even his vicaâ— and Peters successor that his Church is the Catholik Church out of which there is no salvation and such like And among these in England likewise whiles theyr
ministers pretend to be the ministers of Christ and professe to bring his Gospell with them when as in deed they revile and persecute the true and syâ—cexe practise of it even vnto death Thirdly I aske whether the ministery worship and government appoynted by Christ for his Church vnder the gospell be not asmuch of the foundation as the ministery worship and government appoynted by Moses for the tyme of the law And if they be whether they are not as faithfully sett down by Christ as the other were by Moses and as carefully to be observed by vs as the other were by the Iewes or rather much more in asmuch as Christ the Sonne is worâ—â—â—y of more glory and honour then Moses the servant Fourthly I aske what fundamentall articles of religion Moses and Aar on with the rest of the Iewes ioyning with them held that Corah Dathan Abiramâ— and theyr company held not differing onely from them concerning the office of Priesthood and Ministery thereof a matter of the Discipline as these menâ—call it Yet were they with all that departed not from theyr tents destroyed by the iust iudgment of God The like may be seen in other poynts of the Discipline of the Church in the examples of Nadab and Abihu of â—zziah the priest and of â—zziah the king Which examples of all sorts are written for our learning that people of all estates might know and remember that to obey the temmaundements of God in whatsoever thing he hath enioyned is better then sacrifice and to hearâ—en better then the faâ—â— of rammes whereas disobedience and rebellion against the commaundements of God is as the sinne of witchcraft vnder what pretence soever it be and transgression is wickednes and Idolatry how lightly soever men account thereof Fifthly whereas Mr H. saith there is no Antichrist whose Doctrine is sound I willingly graunt it and have already showed their case to be such Yet with all I wish Mr H. to marke that even Antichrist that man of â—inne professeth many notable truths and foundamentall articles of religion as that there is a God one in essence three in persons the Father Sonne and holy Ghost that Christ is God and Man Prophet Priest and king of his Church that the holy Ghost is present with the Church of Christ to the end of the world that there shall be a resurectioÌ„ of iust and vniust etc. And yet notwithstanding standeth he with all his followers in defection from the truth and obedience of Christ even to destruction By all which is manifest that the verball profession helpeth litle when men in practise and particulars deny that which inword in generall they 〈◊〉 to hold and thereby deâ—â—ive the world as if they held the truth when indeed they fight against it Finally therefore on the one hand vnderstanding by the Discipline of the Church as we ought the auncyent and holy order and ordinances which Christ Iesus by his last Testament hath given to his Church for the administration of his holy things and for the keeping of his people in the obedience of faith and considering on the other hand that Antichrist hath perverted that holy order and made apostasy from those holy lawes advauncing himself and his own constitutions above them and that also in the ministery worship and government of the Church aswell as in other parts thereof it doth and must needs follow herevpon that whosoever do not onely not keep that holy order and appointement of Christ but also bow down to the confusion and false Ministery of Antichrist they stand in Antichrian estate notwithstanding any truths they teach professe or mainteyne So as then the Ministery of the Church of England being never ordeyned by Christ but derived from Antichrist that man of 〈◊〉 it helps them not in this behalf that they teach and receiv much truth therein as we see it helpeth not the papists that theyr priests teach there is a God a Christ an holy Spirit Church a resurrection and many other fundamentall 〈◊〉 of Christian religion as before hath ben said But now let vs come to examine whether in the Scriptures here alledged by Mr H. Antichrist be not described to be against Iesus Christ even in that which they call the discipline of the Church as in other things also agreing to them in theyr estate The first Scripture he alledgeth is out of the prophecy of Daniel The words are these I considered the hornes and behold another home a litle one came vp among them and three of the first hornes were pluckt away before it And loe eyes like the eyes of a man were in that home and a mouth speaking presumptuous things Dan. 7. 8. And he shall speak words against the most High and consume the Saints of the most High and think to alter the tymes and law and they shalbe given into his hand for a tyme and tymes and half a tyme Dan. 7. 25. Now although this Scripture seem first to be vnderstood of Antiochus Epâ—hanes and of his pride and tyranny against the truth and people of God yet may it also fiâ—ly be applyed further and compared with the description of the beast in the RevelatioÌ„ and so with the Antichristian prelacy and priâ—â—â—hood from tyme to tyme. For to omitt other things that might here be observed and to note onely such things as art most evident we see here that horne of the beast described to have eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking presumtuous things Even so the ministers of Antichrist who will needs be the eyes of the people and light of the world pretend to be the ministers of Christ and not that onely but haue also aswell as that horne a mouth speaking presumptuous things even against the most High See it in these particulars following and such like which are rise among them that the true ministery and syncere practise of the Gospell of Christ is schisme heresy fancy rebellion insurrection sedition subversion of the State and what not that Christ the Sonne hath ben lesse faithfull then Moses the servant in setting down any prescript ministery and order for the Church vnder the Gospell perpetually to be kept that Christ who hath all power iâ— heaven and in â—arth is not to be submitted vnto in that ministery order and discipline which he hath given to his Church if Princes on earth forbid or refuse to establish it that the ministery of Antichrist is to be receyved and ioyned vnto being appointed by Christian Princes for the service of God that it is lawfull for others to be Archbishops and Lordbishops over the Church and ministers of the Gospell besides Iesus Christ that a priesthood a stinted number of words and prayers tithes and such like are appointed for the ministery of the Gospell of Christ that Christ shall not reigne over them by his offices and ordinances prescribed in his word that Christ in his soule went down into hell
out of the RevelatioÌ„ Which because they are of one sort towching the question in hand therefore will I speak of them together The words be these first in the epistle to the Corinthians where the Apostle reproving theyr abuses about the Lords supper saith thus vnto them Every one when they should eat taketh his ovvn supper afore and one is hungry and another drunken Have ye not houses to eat and drink in despiâ—e ye the Church of God and shame them that have not What shall I say to you shall I prayse you in this I prayse not 1 Cor. 11. 21. 22. And agayne to the â—orinthians among whom some denyed the resurrection of the body thinking that the soule onely should live for ever in the world to come the Apostle writeth thus concerning that matter in the place alledged If Christ be preached that he is risen from the dead hovv say some among you that there is not a resurrection of the dead 1. Cor. 15. 12. And in the second of the Revelation first to the Angell of the Church of Pergainus Christ thus writeth I have against thee a fevv things because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam vvhich taught Balac to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel that they should eat of the things sacrificed to Idols and commit fornication So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans vvhich thing I hare Rev. 2. 14. 15. Then to the Angell of the Church of Thyatira thus he saith I have against thee a fevv things that thou suffrest the vvoman Iezabel vvhich calleth herself a Propheresse to teach and to deceyve my servants that they should committ fornication and eat of the things sacrificed to Idols And I gave her tyme that she should repent of her fornication but she repented not Rev. 2. 20. 21. These Scriptures show errors and corruptions in such Churches as were planted in the faith and order of Christ. Which nothing helpeth to mainteyne the Antichristian â—state of these â—ssemblyes as is before declared at large in the generall aunswer concerning all these testimonyes We neuer doubted but the best Churches on earth have fallen and still are subiect to fall into corruptions and transgressions of the Law of God And how can it be otherwise when as they consist of sinfull and mortall men who both know but in part and in the knowledg we have walk with much weaknes aÌ„d imperfection But what is this to iustify Antichrists apostasy or to encourage any to partake in his sinnes We must alway remember that as it is one thing when a true Christian is overtaken with a sinne and another when such as pretend to be Christians live as the heathen and sell themselves to work wickednes so also towching a Church it is one thing wheÌ„ a people are setled in the order of Christ but through weaknes fall into divers enormityes and another when a people stand in the defection of Antichrist aÌ„d receyve the print of his ordinances in theyr hands and foreheads Eyther therefore must they prove the constitution of theyr Church to be of Christ and not Antichristian or els these examples in theyr estate will give them no succour at all For it will nothing avayle BabyloÌ„ or such as commâ—â— fornicatioÌ„ with her to show that Zion hath her breaches or her children theyr infirmityes SecoÌ„dly in these Scriptures is to be mynded that but some of the Corinthians and some of them of Pergamus and Thyatira were infected with the errors and corruptions here recorded and not the whole Churches generally And this is the lot and tryall of the Church of God in all ages that unto it do creep men of corrupt mynds who vnder a show of holynes often breed schismes and errors in the Church and in theyr lives turâ—â—e the grace of God into waÌ„tonnes through hypocrisy Thus it pleaseth God to try and exercise his Church from tyme to tyme that they which are approved might be knowen Henre it is that in the Church of Corinth spring vp schismes and heresyes that in the Church of Ephesus arise men speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them that in the Churches of Pergamus and Thyatira be found such as hold the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicoiaitans teaching the people to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to committ fornication And such also in these dayes have crept in among vs vnder pretence of godlynes who after a while vpon one occasion or other have manifested theyr vngodly contentious and fantasticall spirits and that commonly with great trouble of the Church being authors of grievous schismes and other impietyes for which the truth and Church have ben and still are evill spokeÌ„ of But these being but the personal sinnes of some particular men not the publik estate and constitution of the whole Churches what comparison is there between them and these assemblyes whose very constitution is Antichristian and out of which God hath absolutely commaunded all that will be saved to depart Whereas from the other separation may not be made but first redresse is duly to be sought that such old leaven being purged out they may still be a new lampe vnto the Lord. Thirdly here is to be observed that it is said these Churches suffred such amoÌ„g them Which as it manifesteth what was theyr sinne so it showeth also they had power aÌ„d should vse it for the reclayming or casting out of such from among them Whereas these assemblyes have not power to redresse any abominations or to excommunicate any persons though never so wicked but the whole ecclesiasticall power and iurisdiction among them is committed onely to the Ordinary that is to an Antichristian Prelate and to his Chauncelour and Archdeacon So as by this also appeareth there is no comparison between them Fynally it is to be remembred that even in these and the like Churches where they do not repent and amend but continew in corruption and iniquity Christ hath threatned to remove his caÌ„delstick aÌ„d to take his kingdome from among them And if God thus deale with his own Churches stablished in his faith and order when they come obstinately to persist in sinne aÌ„d impiety what shall be the end of the Synagognes of Antichrist which staÌ„d in emnity against Iesus Christ and in apostasy from his truth and will not be reclaymed If God will not spare but come against Corinth Pergamus aÌ„d Thyatira will he let Babylon that mother of whoredomes or any of her daughters escape If Ierusalem for her sinne be made to drink the cup of Gods wrath shall Edom Moaâ— or Ammon go free They shall not saith the Lord of hostes Iere. 25. 15. 18. 21. 29. And thus much to M r. H. his second exception Now followeth his third in these words M r. H. his letter Section 5. THirdly if it be a sinne for an vvhole Church to account any private
so have we also different rules and courses prescribed by God aÌ„d to be followed by vs how to walk after one maner towards the Churches of Christ when corruptions be found among them and after another towards the Synagogues of Antichrist which are fallen into defection from the way of Iesus Christ. If you aske what these rules be that are given to be observed when errors and enormityes are espyed in a true Church I aunswer these and the like that they which espy them are not therevpon to forsake the Church but must first give the Church knowledg thereof out of the word of God and that also according to due order as first to make it knowen vnto them to whom the oversight of the Church is committed who if they be perswaded are then by duty bound to advertise the Church thereof and to see it redressed in all good maner If they be not perswaded then having taken some others with them and not prevayling they are afterward to bring it before the whole Church and to show them theyr estate wherein it swarveth from the rules of Gods Law who fynding it so to be are bound to acknowledg and amend it Yet if this way they prevayle not then are they to vse if they may the help of other Churches to advise of the matter and to admouish that Church of theyr estate out of the Scriptutes Now these things being done as they ought we may hope by the blessing of God that issue will follow which the Scriptures show hath followed vpon such proceeding heretofore that is that they will not now wilfully stand in knowen transgression convinced vnto them out of the word of God by so many witnesses but will rather sorrow for theyr sinne and reioyce for the consolation they shall fynd by receyving the truth and walking in the way thereof showed vnto them out of the Scriptures But if they will not amend the Lord Iesus Christ who walketh in the nuddes of the golden candelsticks and hath all power given him in heaven and in earth hath threatned to remove the candelstick out of his place and to take the kingdome of God from them and to give it to such as will bring forth the fruits thereof And then to such as are willing to obey the truth he hath in such cases given direct commaundement to save themselves from such a froward generation and to bynd vp the testimony and seale vp the Law among his disciples And these are the rules so far as I have observed given vs for our walking in and toward the Churches of Christ when errors and corruptions be found among them Now towching such assemblyes as stand in false constitution or apostasy from the way of Christ the former rules are not given vs to be vsed in aÌ„d with them but concerning such there is one onely rule prescribed by God for our carriage towards them which is with all speed to separate and depart from them and in no case to partake in theyr sinnes but to witnes against them even vnto death Forasmuch then as these assemblyes how famous so ever he account them stand in a false constitution even in apostasy from that true ministery and from those holy ordinaÌ„ces appoynted by Christ to his Church it is clâ—are as the sunne that the golden rules of such proceding as is before described belong not vnto them in this estate but that all men ought vpon payne of damnation without delay to depart out of them least if they still partake in theyr sinnes they receyv also of theyr plagues By which also appeareth how the reason here vsed by Mr H. out of Mat. 18. belongeth not to theyr assemblyes as now they stand and therefore in this case helpeth them nothing at all Nay furthermore I dare affirme and bynd my self to prove by this Scripture that there is not in theyr constitution any ecclesiasticall assembly in this land that can be accounted a true Church whereyn this rule here given by Christ can be practised And thus I prove it Every true Church of Christ hath Christs power here spoken of to cast out obstinate sinners from among them But no ecclesiasticall assembly in this land hath in their constitution this power of Christ here spoken of to cast out obstinate sinners from among them Therefore no ecclesiasticall assembly in this land can in their constitution be accounted a true Church of Christ. The proposition or first part of the reason is proved by this place of Scripture as also by 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. and Mat. 28. 20. The assumption or latter part of the reason I prove thus First the power of excommunication among them resteth in the Lordbishop and in his Chauncelor aÌ„d Archdeacon whose offices and authority Christ never ordeyned in his Church therefore can not they in theyr constitution have the power of Christ here spoken of Secondly the offices aÌ„d authority of the Prelates aforesaid are Antichristian therefore also caÌ„ they not in such estate have this power of Christ For what fellowship can there be between Christ and Antichrist Thirdly let vs suppose that some of theyr Church committeth a sinne aÌ„d is admonished to repent of it by another of them the sinner repenteth not the other taketh with him one or two to admonish and witnes against him the sinner notwithstanding still persisteth Now what shall the other do or whither shall they go If to the Prelates and theyr Officials who among them have the power of excommunication in theyr hands that is not to follow this rule of Christ but to show theyr subiection to Antichrist If to that parish whereof the party is a member as for example let vs suppose the best among them as Blackfryers or Mary Overyes in London or Ashby de la zouch in Lepcester shire or Maldon in Essex or Coventry in warwick shire or any other alas what are they the nearer Though they would yet in theyr constitution can they do nothing but eyther go themselves or bid the other go and complayne to the Lordbishop theyr Ordinary or to his Chauncelor or Archdeacon who have the government of the Church committed vnto them Or if they should offer to proceed other wise to excommunication of the party they are so far from having power to do it as neyther were such a one by the Law of theyr Church to be accounted excommunicate and they also whosoever should attempt so to do were subiect for this cause to be excommunicate themselves yea and to be imprisoned aÌ„d further punished by theyr Lords the Prelates Lo here how these assemblyes even the best of them in theyr constitution can not practise this rule of Christ which he hath given vnto and may be practised by every true Church of his The Lord give them eyes to see it and hearts to depart from the tents of such vngodlynes Thus having showed that there is no more strength of proof in this
third exception then was in the former I might proceed to that which followeth in his letter save that a few things which he hath here inserted by the way seem needfull first to be to wched As first where speaking of vs he termeth a Church sett in the order of Christ to be private members Towching which this I thought to note that a company of faithfull people though considered apart by themselves they be private men yet being gathered together in the Name of Christ and joyned together in fellowship of his Gospell they are a publik body a Church a citty a kingdome and that of Iesus Christ who is present among them to guyde blesse and confirme what they do on earth in his Name and by his power So that like as in a Citty the citizens considered apart are commonly private members yet ioyntly together are the corporation and publik body of that town so is it also in the Church of Christ whether it consist of mo or of fewer yea though they be but two or three so as they be joyned together in communion of the Gospell and gathered together in the Name of Iesus Christ as before is said Secondly where he accounteth themselves a true Church having many famous assemblyes and to be proceeded against by the rule of Christ Mat. 18. I have already aunswered and showed that first he must prove theyr assemblyes to be sett in the way of Christ afore these sayings can be verifyed of them or applyed to them Many there are in deed amoÌ„g them famous for theyr gifts learning wisdome sobriery etc. but they also stand subject to the same Antichristian disorder and confusion that the rest do Neyther doubt I but in the most popish assemblyes there be also many famous for theyr gifts and otherwise which yet can no way justify theyr Antichristian estate The Lord in mercy graunt that such as belong to him may bring themselves and theyr gifts vnto Zion for the help and beauty thereof and no more employ them as they have done to the adorning of Babel that whoore and strumpett appoynted to destruction with all her ordinances and constitutions wheresoever Thirdly where he saith there be many of the Ministers in England that are not yet in theyr judgment perswaded of the discipline I aske whether he think not also there be many of the Ministers in Rome Spayne and els where that likewise are not in theyr judgmeÌ„t perswaded of sundry other most excellent doctrines of the Gospell And whether therefore all other that see them must stay from acknowledging and observing them vntill such also be perswaded of them If Iohn wickleff William Swinderby Walter Brute Iohn Claydon Martin Luther Iohn Hus Ierome of Prage William Tyndall Iohn Frith Robert Barnes Iohn Rogers Hugh Latymer Iohn Bradford Rowland Taylour Iohn Philpott and other the faithfull servants and Martyrs of Iesus Christ should in theyr severall ages have stayed from obeying the Gospell so far as God revealed vnto them out of his word vpon this and such like pretences of the ignorance and error of others I would know whether in so doing they had ben faithfull to God as they ought But besides these I would also aske whether it might not with as great colour if not greater in some respect have ben said to the Apostles and Primitive Churches that the Priests and Levites of the Iewes were not perswaded in iudgment that Iesus was the Christ To conclude is it not straunge that in so great alight they should still labour with such figge tree leaves to cover the nakednes of theyr filthy abominations The next exception he taketh when he saith that other of theyr ministers do yeeld vnto the discipline in iudgment and desier hartely the establishment of it and the removall of all corruptions yet cannot see how they may with a good conscience forsake the callings and roomes they occupy for the want of the discipline This exception I say which also might be alledged for the papists is of like nature with the former or rather much worse inasmuch as he graunteth they yeeld to the truth in iudgment and deny it in practise They know by his graunt that Christ hath appoynted an order of Ministery and government to his Church for the administration of his holy things and for keping his people in the obedience of faith with commaundment to observe it to the end of the world for this they do and must vnderstand by the discipline Yet in theyr practise they yeeld not vnto it for himself saith here they want it And not that onely but they submitt also to another ministery worship and government here called theyr corruptions Which seing it caÌ„ not be Christs which they want whose can it be but the Romish Antichrists with whose cup of abominations this land as the other nations of the earth hath ben made drunck God give them in tyme to make conscience of retayning such Antichristian callings and roomes that they may cast of theyr rough garments and false offices wherein they have so long tyme deceyved the people and may throughly see and consider in theyr hearts how wittingly they stand in disobedience against Christ whiles he graunteth they vvant that holy order of ministery and government here called the discipline which Christ hath straitly charged to be kept inviolable vntill his appearing and whilest they think there shalbe taken from Babel a stone for a corner or for a foundation in Zion Whether this now be a sinne of ignorance in them let themselves examine Yet if it were they must remember that even that servant that knoweth not his masters will and yet committeth things worthy of stripes shalbe beat though in deed with fewer â—â—â—pes then he which knoweth it and prepareth not himself neyther doth according therevnto Let them therefore look to it and take heed they neyther refuse knowledge nor forgett with knowledg to ioyne obedience least in the end they feel that which is written that God will render vengeaunce both to them that knovv him not and to such as obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ. Fourthly where he excepteth that they havve not ben censured by other Churches and therefore are not thus to be refused besides that which hath ben aunswered before towching their Antichristian estate in respect whereof they are to be departed from without any other censuring Besides this I say I would know by what Churches the assemblyes in Rome Germany Fraunce and England were censured when Arnoldus de villa nova Ierome of Prage Martin Luther Iohn Calvin William Tyndall the Baldenses and the Bohemians with many other the servants of God in former ages left and forsook them Or whether they should still have remayned in Babylon till by some Churches she had ben censured Yea and how there could ever be a true visible Church agayne vpon the earth after the generall apostasy wherein all nations were made drunken
it brought before the whole Church whose voyce if he despise he is cast out from among them least by q retayning of such a litle leaven should leaven the whole lumpeeven them that are within least also the name of God which is called vpon vs should be blasphemed among them that are without aÌ„d to the â—nd that the sinners themselves which are thus cast out of the Church should be ashamed aÌ„d repent Which â— if they do theÌ„ is the Church agayne ready to receyv them and to confirme theyr love to them as before in the Lord o 1 Thes 5. 11. Iude ver 20. 21. 22. 23. p Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. Lev. 19. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 1 2. Gal. 5. 12. and 6. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. q 1 Cor. 5. 5. 6. Rom. 2. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 20. r 2 Cor 2. 7. 8. Mat. 18. 18. 19. And this is that order wherein by the mercy of God we have receyved to walk though we do it with much weaknes through owr own coruption that hangeth so fast vpon vs. Now if Mr H. or any other will needs account this to be confusion yet may not we therefore be likewise mynded any more then Shadrach Meshach and Abednegâ— were when then were charged with disorder because they kept the way of God and would not fall down before the Idoll of Nebuchadnezar but we must rather with the Apostle reioyce beholding such an order and stedfast faith in Christ. Yet do I not deny but there have ben and still may be among vs many hypocrites vngodly men creping in vnder pretence of religion This hath ben the lott and estate of the Church of God in all ages as vpon other occasion hath ben declared before And if it were not so what vse should there be of that power and of those rules which Christ hath giuen to his Church for the casting out of such from among them when they burst out into manifest vngodlynes Therefore are we not to look that the Church shall wholy be free from such whiles it is vpon earth Onely this howsoever with glosing words and showes such hide themselves from the knowledg of men yet God knoweth theyr hearts and wayes and in his day will cast them all out of his kingdome In the meane tyme Whensoever the impiety of any such is discoverâ—d and certainely knowen the Church hath power and is to vse it for the purging of such leaven from among them that they may be an holy people to the Lord. And this still is order not confusion in the Church Now here on the other side might I put Mr. H. in mynd of the extreem confusion which is to be seen in theyr assemblyes in theyr constrayning of all though never so wicked together with theyr seed to stand members of theyr Church in theyr false Antichristian ministery of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons Priests Parsons Uicars and the rest of that crew in theyr stinted popish Leyturgy according to which they offer vp theyr prayers administer theyr Sacraments viâ—it the sick bury the dead marry etc. in theyr ordering also and making of priests and deacons together with theyr degradations suspensions excommunications absolutions dispensations licences to marry without the parents consent and all these by the Prelates according to theyr popish canons and pontificall with infinite other such like confusions But it may be with the Papists out of whose cup these were drawen they take them to be an heaveÌ„ly order Yet the Scripture witnesseth they are no other but the abominations of Babel that is of confusion And so the Church of Geneva professeth that they detest the whole order of papistry called the Hierarchy as a divelish confusion These things whensoever Mr. H. shall duly consider and examine by the Scriptures he shall fynd true among themselves that which vntruly he obiecteth against vs that extream confusion is to be seen in theyr best reformed assemblyes His third and mayne proof whereby he would show that nothing is practised among them so contrary to the discipline as there is amongst vs he saith is that vvhich hath ben already mentioned and of this he saith also it may suffice thinking belike that it is a very sound proof Which whether it be so I leave to every indifferent reader to iudge by that which hath ben already aunswered to whatsoever he hath before mentioned And of Mr. H. himself I desier eyther yeelding to the truth or sounder proof of the accusations he chargeth vs withall After this he laboreth to prove that we should account them brethren and a true Church by the example of Peter vvho called those levves that had crucifyed Christ brethren Act. â— 29 and 3. 17. and of Paul vvho accounted the Galatians a true Church vvhen the errors they vvere fallen into vvere in matters fundamentall Gal. 1. 2. and 5. 2. But Mr. H. should have considered for the first that Peter might call the levves his brethren as Paul doth for that they were his kinsmen according to the flesh Rom. 9. 3. and children of the generation of Abraham Act. 13. 26. Secondly because the Iewes were the Church and people of God vnto whom the covenaÌ„ts and promises belonged who also were sett in that order of ministery worship and ministration which God prescribed In respect whereof Peter was to account them as brethren till they had wilfully reiected the Gospell of Christ whom through ignorance they put to death But what is this to prove that Christians should account such for brethreÌ„ as staÌ„d in apostasy from the way of Iesus Christ and in respect thereof be children of the fornications of Babylon Or whâ— should not Iohn Wickleff Martin Luther and the rest in former ages by this reason have accounted the Papists as brethren till they had ben convinced and reiected by the iudgment of the Church For the second that is Pauls accounting of the Galatians to be a true Church notvvithstanding some of them erred in matters that vvere fundamentall Mr H. should also have remembred first that it was but some of them that did so erre and not the whole Church secondly that they were a Church established in the order of Christ howsoever walking therein some of them declyned and fell into heynous errors So as now in regard of the ordinance of Christ wherein they stood they were to be accounted a true Church and first to be admonished and convinced before they could be reiected as already hath ben showed at large But how doth this prove the assemblyes which stand in Antichristian defection should likewise be accounted true Churches and admonished and ceÌ„sured by others afore any may forsake them Is there not a divers account to be made and a divers maner of cariage and proceding to be vsed toward the Churches of Christ falling into corruptions aÌ„d toward the assemblyes of Antichrist standing in defection from the way of Christ Because the Churches of
H. will not say that women therefore have the substance of the Ministery of whom the Scripture saith it is a shame for them to speak in the Church and therefore doth not permitt it vnto them but requireth of them to keep silence So far is it from accounting or allowing them to have the substance of the Ministery howsoever the Lawes of men allow them to performe some actionâ— thereof The same may be said of theyr Deacons who by the Law are appoynted also to administer Baptisme and having a licence to preach the word Yet have not their Deacons therefore the substance of the Pastors office though they performe some of the dutyes thereof By this then is evident that his reason is of no waight to prove that their Priesthood is the same in substance with the Pastors office because by Law such dutyes are required to be done of it as by the word are enioyned to the other As is sayd an office is one thing and the actions or dutyes of the office another Besides that it seemeth the Law at first supposing their Priesthood to be a lawfull office of Ministery did therefore enioyne it those dutyes to be performed thereyn Whereas now it being found to be vnlawfull and altogether vnheard of in the Churches of the Gospell neyther the injoyning nor the executing of those dutyes can make it of vnlawfull to become lawfull before God any maner way 3. But furthermore doth not the Law of the Land requier these same things of theyr Archbishops also And have they therefore the substance of the Pastors office How then will it be true which some of them hold and write that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor or as others of them have proved by divers reasons against Bridges that Archbishops and Lordbishops are neyther Pastors nor Teachers Nay moreover that they rob Christs Church of lavvfull Pastors and that these theyr offices be Antichristian Divelish and contrary to the Scriptures Or if the Archbisshops have the Pastors office among them what is become then of all the rest of the Ministers of the Land For by this meanes there should be but two Pastors in the Land seyng there are but two Archbishops Or if the Lordbishops be the Pastors then are there but twenty fower Pastors or thereabout in the Land and what be the offices then of theyr inferior Priests Or if the inferior Priests be the Pastors as seemeth by this writing to be intended then what office in the Church have theyr Lordbishops Archbishops Archdeacons aÌ„d the rest of the Clergy among them Which is needfull to be considered seing themselves have written according as the truth is that our Saviour Christ hath appoynted in the ordinary guydance of the Church no office to be exercised by any one * ecclesiasticall person greater then the office of the Pastors and hath also made these all equall in every respect of ministery iurisdiction and power Whereas it is far otherwise in the Prelacy of theyr Archbischops Lordbishops and the rest having and exercising iurisdiction and power over the inferior priesthood and ministery of the land Fourthly although the word of God lay the dutyes aforesaid vpon the Pastors of the Churches of Christ yet it requireth them not at the hands of this Priesthood or any other false ministery whatsoever Therefore is it not materiall though the lawes of all the nations vnder heaven should enioyne these dutyes vnto them so long as the word of God which is the word of truth and onely rule of religion requireth them not at theyr hand Iesus Christ the Lord and King of his Church as he gave vnto it the holy things of his word prayer Sacraments etc. so hath he also given his own Ministers for the administration thereof according to his Testament At the hands of Antichrists priesthood or any other false ministery he requireth it not But rather vnto all such he saith What hast thou to do to declare myne ordinance that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth seing thou hatest to be reformed and hast cast my words behind thee And agayn to such he saith Who requireth these things at your hands If Iupiters priest of whom we read in the Acts of the Apostles or if Mahumets priests now in Turkey should by the lawes of theyr nations be enioyned and therevpon should execute the ministery of Gods word Sacraments and censures would it follow therefore that such priests had the substance of the Pastors office And why then should this priesthood of Antichrist have more priviledge then those seing the word of God hath layd these dutyes no more vpon it then vpon the other but hath left them all with theyr followers and adhereâ—ts vnder the curse Fiftly let him tell vs whether by this reason of his theyr â—umbe dogs vnpreaching Ministers substitutes non resideÌ„ts and such like among them must not be accoounted also to have the substance of the Pastors office seing they have all of them one and the same priesthood and seing the Law at theyr ordination enioyneth the same things to them all 〈◊〉 Sixtly where he saith theyr Priests are enioyned at theyr ordination to preach the word administer the Sacaments and exercise discipline If it be asked by whom they are ordeyned hereunto he must aunswer by the Prelate a Lordbishop or his Suffragane for so besides theyr practise it is required by the law he alledgeth And then must he eyther bring warrant for this from the Scripture which can not be done or els he is even in this respect never a whiâ—â— the nearer For vv if they speak not according to the Law and Testimony the light is not in them But to let passe theyr entrance and ordination till fitter occasion hereafter let vs in this place a litle observe theyr dawbing and deceitfull hiding of most filthy abominatioÌ„s vnder these generall termes of preaching the word ministring the Sacraments aud executing the censures aud discipline Theyr Priests he saith must preach the word Well but with what limits must they do this Theyr 〈◊〉 Statutes and Articles will tell you They must not speak against the Prelacy or other ministery of the Land nor against theyr book of common prayer though it be taken onâ— of the Popes portuis nor against theyr ecclesiasticall courts of Arches Facultyes Commissary courts suspensions excommunications absolutions degradations or any other theyr ecclesiasticall procedings And may not any popish priest I pray you thus preach the word at â—ome being hedged in with such limits aÌ„d cautions But what if any of our English priests do from Gods word preach against any the aforesaid abominations or the like Will the authority of the word which he saith they are ordeyned to preach heare this out among them No Uerily But they shall by theyr lawes and Canons be suspensed sileâ—â—ed deprived and degraded by the Prelates of whom they took aÌ„d vnder whom
Aunswer to Section 9. RAther by that which hath ben said we have seen such an agreement of theyr Priesthood and Law thereof with the popish Law and priesthood and such a disagreement of them both from the Law of God and Pastors office prescribed theyrin as it can not but be discerned of all whose eyes are not blynded that both the Pastors office differeth as much from theyr priesthood as light doth from darknes and that theyr Priesthood in nature and substance agreeth with the popish as daughters of one mother and fethers of one aÌ„d the same wing Now whereas in the next place Mr H. cometh to their ouward calling to that office of Priesthood and therein refereth vs to theyr book of ordering Priests aÌ„d Deacons that we might peruse and so compare together theyr law with the Law of God it is straunge to see how they do theÌ„selves discover theyr own shame even when they labour most to hide it For if any would go about to lay open the filthynes of theyr abominations which in the calling to theyr ministery they have taken out of the whores cup of Babylon it can no way better be done then by comparing that book of theyrs whereto he referreth vs with the book and Law of God on the one hand and with the Popes pontificall on the other Evidence whereof we have seen sufficient in the comparison handled before and need not repeat it Yea theyr own consciences are so convinced herein as themselves have confessed and publisht it in admonition to the Parliament that theyr Pontificall thus they call theyr book whereby they conserate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showeth himself to be Antâ—christ most lively And moreouer that they haue an Antichristian Hierarchy and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all vvel reformed Churches in the world Let these things then be layd together aÌ„d well weighed Now they would perswade vs that theyr calling to the Ministery is according to the Law of God Heretofore they published as the truth is that they have a popish ordering of ministers straunge from the word of God Now they would beare vs inhand that they have the substance of a true calling according to the ordinance of Christ Heretofore they said and truly that theyr making of Ministâ—rs is taken out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showes himself to be Aâ—tichrist most lively Is it not lamentaâ—le to see these men thus turne the truth of God into aly as if Antichrists apostasy were now sodenly become Gods ordinance or the Popes pontificall were all one with the Testament of Iesus Christ Besides this is it not straunge that in this very letter Mr H. should so forget aÌ„d contradict himself as here to say theyr Law agreeth with the Law of God as tovvching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery aÌ„d yet afterward accounting right ordination to be a substantiall part of true calling to affirme that the povver of ordination is by act of Parliament committed to the Prelates and that by the Lavv of God the Prelates are not capable of that povver and authority Is it possible to make these things accord together But because they feare not to deale thus doubly in the matters of God Let vs besides that which hath ben sayd yet a litle more examine theyr maner of calling to the Ministery even by that book of theyrs which he would have vs peruse as being agreable to the Law of God and see if God do not by themselves vncover theyr nakednes and make his truth which they would hinder yet more abound through theyr vntruth vnto his glory It were long to stand vpon all the particulars which out of that book to this end might be alledged and this writing is already much langer then at first I purposed I will therefore but give a tast of some by which you may perceyv what smack the rest have And first the very title of the book as a mark in the forehead evidently showeth the vnlawfulnes both of theyr office and of theyr entrance into it It is called thus The forme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons Now if these offices and this maner of entrance were appoynted in the Testament of Christ what need or vse were there of this book and forme of theyrs But because they follow not the book of God aÌ„d the forme prescribed by Christ therefore have they framed to themselves this book and forme out of the Popes pontificall and termed it as aforesayd Now as is the title so be also the contents of that book By it as likewise by theyr practise it appeareth that theyr first office of Ministery is the Deaconship not that auncient office of Deacons appoynted by Christ but a meer invention of mans brayne and Antichristian For first that office is not imployed according to Christs ordinance in gathering and distributing the Churches benevolence but contrary to the word of God in reading theyr books of common prayer and Homilyes in administring Baptisme assisting the Priest in divine service and with the Prelates licence in preaching the word Secondly at theyr entrance and calling into that office they must be presented by an Archdeacon an Antichristion officer or his deputy Thirdly they must promise reverend obedience to theyr Ordinary and other chief Ministers of the Church that is to the Lordbishop of the Dioces to the Archbishop Archdeacon Chauncelor Commissary and the rest of that sort whose offices also are Antichristian Fourthly they must be ordeyned by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane whose office likewise is of Antichrist Fiftly they must receyv the Communion with the Lordbishop that day they are ordered And thus must they testify that they arâ— of the same â—aith and body with the Prelates who are knowen to be deadly enemyes of the truth and persecuters of the people of God Sixtly in stead of true prayer there must be sayd or sung the Letany and Suffrages with the Communion of the Day and a number of Collects and stinted prayers borrowed from the Papists Finally there must be read a Gospell and Epistle as they call theyr shredding of the Scripture in which they abuse and pervert the word of God falsely fathering vpon the Apostles an office of Deaconship which they never ordeyned that is a Deacoâ—ry whose dutyes they assigne to be to read publike prayer to baptize to assist the Priest in divine service and to preach being licensed therevnto Whereas neyther in the Apostles example nor doctrine any such dutyes are layd vpon the Deacons but such as are directly opposed to the Ministery of the word and prayer that is the having charge of the poore and Church treasure Besides that into that office of Deacons prescribed by the Apostles there is no such entrance as is aforesayd but a
his Church for trying aÌ„d chusing their own Ministers according to the rules of his TestameÌ„t Is it possible that they which staÌ„d in subjectioÌ„ to Antichrist should also be the freemen of Iesus Christ Or that the priviledges of Christs Church should belong vnto and be found in the Synagogues of Antichrist Christ aÌ„d Belial caÌ„not agree together 2. But yet further what choyse aÌ„d allowaÌ„ce is it that they pretend to have of the people Is it not a secret gathering of the coÌ„seÌ„t of some few in the towne or parish And caÌ„ this interest them to the charge of the soules of the whole towne or parish wheÌ„ most of them neyther give theyr consent nor have it asked But it may be he will say they dare not trust any herein but some few or that they account them not to be godly mynded Yet dare they Minister the Sacraments to them all and receyv them and theyr seed as members of the Church and take maintenance from them as from the Church Is this to walk vprightly before the Lord and to go with an even foot to the truth of the Gospell 3. But be it that all the people gave theyr consent yet whom and whereto do they chuse Chuse they not one that eyther is already or before he can minister to them must be made Deacon or Priest or both by a Lordbishop who also must in that Ministery administer to them theyr holy things according to theyr book of Common prayer and other theyr Canons and constitutions Now that such a choyse and approbation is a substantiall part of true calling who ever can perswade or be perswaded 4. Or doth theyr Law appoynt and allow this choyse and approbation of the people for lawfull and sufficient Who is it that knoweth not the contrary For whether it be had or not the Law requireth and they must have theyr ministery from the Prelates and when they take cure of soules the Patrones presentation and the Prelates induction into the benefice And this onely is that which standeth for sufficient in theyr Law and constitution Hence therefore agayn appeareth even by his own assertion contrary to that which before he would have proved that the Lavv appoynteth not the substance of a true calling to the Ministery neyther agreeth vvith the Lavv of God therein forasmuch as not onely it appoynteth not the peoples choyse which Gods word requireth but in stead thereof enioyneth presentatioÌ„ by a Patrone be he Papist Atheist or whatsoever and induction by a Lordbishop which God never commaunded but was and is retayned from the Popes Canons custome and pontificall 5. Moreover if the peoples choyse and approbation be the true choyse and calling as here he graunteth why then do they take that other of the Patrones and Prelates never appoynted by Christ but forged by Antichrist Is it because they would have all men know that in theyr constitution the man of sinne is exalted above God and his holy ordinances Or because they would have it seen of all that they set theyr thresholds by Gods thresholds that they may defile his Name Will they never learne that Christ and Antichrist light and darknes cannot have fellowship and concord together To end this poynt then seing the peoples choyse by his own confession is a substantiall part of true calling to the Ministery and this is to be vnderstood of such people onely as be the true visible Churches of Christ and theyr people in theyr estate can not by the word of God be accounted such but in deed to stand in spiritiall slavery to Antichrist it is evident they neyther have nor as they stand can have the substance of a true calling to the Ministery of the Gospell of Christ. Towching the last substantiall part he assigneth which is a right ordination into theyr office if he meane of that which is had from the Prelates which onely the Law appoynteth how will he prove it to be a substantiall part of true calling to the Ministery Specially it being no ordinance of Christ but part of Antichrists apostasy as hath ben showed before and seing also the power of ordination is such as by the Law of God the Prelates are not capable thereof as him self here graunteth and affirmeth in playne words If he meane of some other besides to be had among them not from the Prelates but from some of theyr forward Preachers then first he is to mynd that here agayn he crosseth himself beause making this a substantiall part of true calling and the Law not appoynting it as it doth not it followes herevpon that the Law prescribeth not the substance of a true calling to the Ministery Which before he affirmed 2. Agayn if this be so what becometh of all the Ministers in the Land that have not this other ordination but that onely of the Prelates and Priests present as the Law appoynteth neyther have the choyse of the people nor examination and allowance of the Learned aÌ„d godly he speaketh of All such by his own account have not the substance of a true calling and therefore cannot be true Ministers for these three he saith are substantiall parts thereof Now in the Land there be an hundred of these for one of the other Is not theyr Ministery think you well holye vp by this meanes 3. Nay and what one of them all that pretend to have this other dare stand forth before theyr LOrds the Prelates and avowâ—h theyr Ministery by vertue thereof When they come before them they can show theyr letters of Orders receyved from them howsoever before theyr followers to mislead them they colour the matter otherwise 4. Furthermore have not these forward Preachers themselves receyved theyr Ministery from the Prelates and retayne it still vnto this day How then can a right ordination possibly be had from such Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Is it possible that a lawfull ordination should be had from the Ministers and apostasy of Antichrist Eyther is this vtterly to leave aÌ„d forsake which we ought or is it not rather still to cleave vnto and retayne which vnder payne of damnation we may not the Ministery and abominations of Antichrist that sonne of perdition It remayneth then that theyr calling to the Ministery being examined by these particulars which Mr H. himself hath here assigned to be substaÌ„tiall parts of a true calling they neyther have neyther whiles they thus stand caÌ„ have a true calling to the Ministery of the Gospell Thus well hath he reasoned for theyr calling and aunswered the obiectioÌ„ framed by himself Now in his writing there followeth another obiection with his aunswer therevnto Whereyn he pleadeth agayn with as yll successe as before The obiection is this that it is affirmed they come in by the Bishops who are the limmes of Antichrist The obiection suerly is of waight and had need be soundly aunswered For if the Prelates be the limmes of