hide or diminish these sinnes or how rather can the name of a Church without blasphemie vnto Christ be giuen them in these sinnes how can Christ be said to stand a King Lord vnto them that breake reiect his lawes set vp in stead therof their owne devises invētions or how can Christ said a sauiour vnto them that despise his grace and mercie offred refuse to repent and turne from their euil waies They then not being vnder Christes protection nor in state of grace while they continue obstinate in their sinne c. I haue often wondered how anye man of sound indgmēt could giue them the name of a Church or be so terrisied with this vaine false title that they durst not leaue the communion of those wicked assemblies adulterous Churches which haue broken the couenant and forsaken the faith God plighteth not his fauour and protection vnto vs longer then we vowe our obedience and keep our faith vnto him At what time the most righteous turneth from his righteonsnes and committeth iniquitie and wil not be turned therefrom all his former righteonsnes that he hath done shal not be mentioned but in his transgression that he hath committed in his sinne that he hath finned in them he shal die The same Iudge by the same law giueth the same sentence for the same sinnes against a whole Church nation world Neither is there cause why any of Gods seruantes should more doubt to censure iudg and auoid that Congregation which reiecteth Godes word presumptuously breaketh Godes lawes despiseth his reproofe mercie as a wicked assembly an adulterous Church then to censure iudge and auoid any particular member of the Church fallen into the like degree and height of sinne to be a withered vnfruitfull branch to be cut off from the vine to be throwen out of the vineyard But here they deceaue themselues and others vvith certayne infallible markes of the Church which they haue fantasied vnto themselues namely that where the word of GOD is sincerely taught and the sacramentes rightly administred there vndoubtedly is still the true Church of CHRIST although otherwise there be neuer so many mischeifes abounding all the wicked receaued and reteined c. no vse of the power of CHRIST among them either to censure sinne or cast out obstinate offendors For this holy power to redresse faultes they put aside by the name of DISCIPLINE They call yt an accident or hang-by and make yt not a thing of necessitie so that yt may be a Church without yt though yt be to be desired c. The vanitie and falshood of these doctrines partly apeareth where I shewed that the preaching of the word maketh not a Church except there be by the same a faithfull people gathered vnto CHRIST IESVS ordered ◅nd gouerned by the rule of his word in all things so far as shalbe reuealed vnto them c so that I need not here stand to refute the sam◅ only I would know of these great learned men how yt is possible for the ministers of the Church either to preach the word si◅cerely or administer the sacramentes rightly where there is no regard had to the faithfull practise of the word no care to redresse thinges amisse no power to shut out or excommunicathe the vnworthy Or how they can with all their learning whiles they stand Pastors or teachers to such an vnbeleeuing profane people or vnto such wick◅d ones as hate to be rebuked and reformed of their sinnes preach the word exercise praier deliuer the sacramentes blesse and dismisse the profane wicked people in the peace and fauour of God without most high sacriledg profanation of Godes name casting the pretious bodie and blood of CHRIST to hoggs doggs blessing Godes enimies c. But now i◅ yt be not possible to exercise any true ministerie to haue any true vse of the vvord and sacramentes to keep any holy communion or Christian order without the diligent watch of euerie member but cheefly of the rulers and Elders to see the word of God duly practised and obserued by all in their callings to admonish all offenders to censure all errors and transgressions to excommunicate the obstinate impenitent by the power of our Lord IESVS CHRIST which he hath giuen vnto his true Church vnto the worlds end all which these men couer and cast aside in the name of DISCIPLINE without which watch and power this practise cannot be had without which power and practise the word of God is made an idol the sacramentes sacriledge vnto vs and all thinges we do odious and abhominable vnto the Lord with what common sense to let passe their deep learning can thes◅ great preachers say that the Church of CHRIST may want this watch care power and practise yea and that the word may be sincerely ta◅ght and the sacramentes duly administred though there be open transgression obstinate offendors still kept and held amongst them Is yt not as much as if they said they knew n◅ither what the Church sacramentes ministerie of the word or Christian communion meant For to what purpose is the word or the ministerie of the word where true practise and obedience is denied or which way ◅an the true minister of CHRIST administer the sacramentes ◅o a people in this estate or the faithfull seruants of Christ partake with such people in such sacramentes without most heinous sacriledg and impietie WE MVST NOT say they forsake the Church nor the ordinance of GOD for the sinnes of any either minister or people for a godly conscience is not hurt with the sinnes of another neither the ministerie or sacramentes therwith defiled If they meane h◅re by the Church the assemblie and communion of God◅s faithfull obedient seruantes by Godes ordinance the vse of an holy ministerie of the sacramentes c I graunt t◅at the Church ministerie and ordinances of CHRIST are not to be left or thought the worse of for the sinne of men though all the world abuse them though ANTICHRIST haue corrupted them neuer so much or long But if they meane as al th◅ir reasoning importeth by the Church ordinanc◅s of God such wicked rebellious assemblies as reiect the word of God with an high hand breake his lawe despise admonitiō hate to be reformed receaue reteine the opē vnworthie wicked impenitent to their sacramentes c. I then denie these assemblies to be the true Churches of CHRIST seing they haue broken the couenant cast off CHRISTES yoke c. As also I denie their sacramentes to be the ordinances of God seing to them in this estate belong not the sacramētes ministerie of Christ but the curse and iudgmentes of God And therfore they that leaue them for in their sinnes in this estate do neither leaue the Church of God nor the ordinances of CHRIST but rather fulful the cōmandement of God preserue the Church in
seale the blessing of God to faith to come when God only blesseth his owne ordinance curseth al transgression therof therfore faith is rather to purge yt by bitter teares repentance then to ioy in yt iustifie yt But here then wil dangerous concâ—…usions be drawen against vs if pâ—…pish baptisme be no true sacrament THEN IS THE Prince and all the ancient peeres of the laÌ„d vnbaptised yea they wil conclude against our selues that we also are vnbaptised seing we for the reasons aboue said hold not the sacramentes administred in the Church of England at this present to be true seales of the couenant and fauor of God then ought all vpon paine of neglect of the holy ordinance of God to seeke the seale of the couenaÌ„t but this now cannot be had because we haue now in all Europe no ministery to deliuer ytâ—… â—…all the ministerie both of this land and al these knowen partes of the world being sprung from and ordained by the Church of Rome For all the protestantes when they forsooke the Sea of Rome yet left not that ministerie they then had but exercised by vertue of that ministerie without any new ordination c. But if we denie the Church of Rome to be a Church then how should the ministerie made by yt be a true ministerie and so is all the ministerie of this laÌ„d throwne to the â—…arth both LL. BB s. parish priestes curates preachers all Neither saith D. S. can this euer be recouered For if the baptisme in the Church of Rome be not a true sacrament then are all the people vnbaptised If the people be vnbaptised then can they not chuse a minister because saith he they are not as yet by baptisme ingraffed into the visible Church neither may they vntil they be baptised be admitted to the communion c. These reasons no doubt are strong and sure if we find not a better solution then the CLERK of OXENFORD hath as yet made in the behalf of M r. PENRY For if the church of Rome be no true Church 〈◊〉 the ministers made therin are no true ministers for by his owne aâ—…d that a true position WHERE THERE IS no Church there is no calling but all the ministers of the Church of England were made either in the Church of Rome or by vertue of that ministerie fetched from the Church of Rome that within the memorie yea within half the age of a man therfore we may by his owne reason conclude all this ministerie both BB s. PP s. to be Romish antichristian false so the sacramentes by them deliuered are no true sacramentes Let him by all the vvit craft and sophistrie in his budget auoid this reason Againe if the baptisme of the Church of Rome were not true baptisme then were all the people vpon the change of that Religion vnbaptised for ther was no other baptisme then deliuered but that being vnbaptised they haue neither right nor power to chuse or execute any ministerie deliuer or receaue the other Sacrament vntil they haue baptisme For none vncircumcised in flesh might eate the Passouer or offer any maner of gift in the Temple And thus we see neither haue these ministers of the Church of England power to deliuer Sacramentes they themselues being both vnbaptised and also no true ministers as aboue is manifestly conuinced neither haue the people vnbaptised any power to receaue the Sacraments or meanes to redresse these mischiefes vntil either a third Eliah or second Ihon Baptist come downe from heauen to restore this defection YfM â— Penrie prouide not better stuffe for his owne defence then his frend of Oxenford hath as yet brought I can tell him this that both he his coÌ„panions must become Brownistes as they to the dishonour of Christ terme vs or els this popish Doctor wil preuaile against theÌ„ for that most odious and vnchristian flatterie of her Maiestie wil neither couer nor cure this sore It wil not suffise to say that her maiestie is perswaded in conscience that she is baptised therfore she need no other baptisme though she as yet haue receaued none Neither wil yt help the matter to say the Bishop or priest which administreth the communion vnto her knoweth not so much therfore shee may still run on in this course vnbaptised Neither will al the colourable and deceitful ArgumeÌ„tes drawen for the assurance of her saluation help this case or doe her any good if she remayne and be found in open and wilful yea presumptuons transgression contempt or neglect of Gods ordinance There is but one common saluation for all men of all degrees both Prince and people the law of God remaineth sure foreuer can for no estate or person be changed None can be a member of a planted Church but such as are baptised This we see by circuÌ„cisioÌ„ y e commoÌ„ seale to al that were within the couenaÌ„t to the Church their seed This was the practise of Christ his Apostles they that were baptised were added nuÌ„bred to the Church not vntil theÌ„ receaued into y e fellowship how frendly and wel affected soeuer they were vnto the Church Now then the state standing thus that the baptiâ—…me dâ—…livered in the Church of Rome is no baptisme the ministerie there giueÌ„ no ministerie c this so apparantly prooued after his syllogistical manner by this Scholler of Oxenford how can her Maiestie any longer be ignorant or that Congregation to which she ioineth if ther were any such that she they all are vnbaptised Seing the matter is published in print spread abroad through al partes of the land the glooue cast downe with open challenge to maintaine the same against al opponentes wel this being knowen with what conscience can either that minister deliueâ—… or she that people receaue the Lordes supper in this estateâ—… seing none vnbaptised may receaue yt but is subiect to the same cuâ—…se that the vncircumcised were which were admitted to the Passouer how caÌ„ they now that they see thsn estate commit further sinne sacriledge and violate the whole order Testament of Christ by plunging themselues into further transgression and seking no remedie to auoide this Baptisme he saith is not the cause but the seale of saluation they may be saued which were neuer baptised I graunt all this where yt can by no meanes to had but I hope they wil not so say that yt can not be had with them and that the matter is not come to that passe from the most floorishing estate of a Church in Europe and that so sodainly with opening but one gap Then haue Mr. Peâ—…rie and D. S. spunne a faire thred let them take heed for a few of these ArgumeÌ„tes wil make as many as haue sight grace or câ—…science Brownictes as this schâ—…ller blasphemeth them But what remedie for this mischeif seing al now are vnbaptised where
Church to the priest after this manner I euer tooke marriage for an ordinance action of the second Table and see not why they might not as well set vp the tables of the money changers or bring in any other ciuil busines or chaffaire as this into their church But see what these Balaamites wil not doe for gaine both make God a new diuised worship setting vp and bringing in their owne diuises and Burning incense therunto and holding the people in such blindnes and superstition as they beleeue not themselues to be rightly married except yt be done by a priest after the prescribed manner and the in the due seasons also namely in the forenoone at morning praier whē mattēs is done next before the communion as they call yt this not vpon any forbidden tydes as in the holy time of lent c. when men ought to fast without an especial licence from the sea of Can◅erburie which Popedome hath power both to restraine meates and marriage and ag◅ine to permit them vpon graue waighty considerations to such as wil pay roundly for the same THE PRIEST hath also in this their portuise a prescript forme of visiting the sicke with perfect instructions what to say at the first step into the sick man his house what when he commeth into the sick mans presence how vvithout any questioning of his estate whether he be asleepe or awake aliue or dead vvithout any wordes vnto the sick person the priest must doune vpō his mary bones desire God to forgiue the sick man his sinnes and also to forgiue the sinnes of his forefathers vvith his due number of Lord haue mercie vpon vs Christ haue ◅ercie vpon vs his Pater noster vvith his versicles and response or aides to this masse for the quick and the dead Which being ended he procedeth to his prescript exhortation vvhich because yt is almost a leafe long the priest to make short vvorke if the partie be passing away c. may cut off two partes of yt and say a creede then exhort him to temember his debtes and to make his wil and to giue to the poore which being done then by that special authoritie cōmitted to him by his lord Bishop to absolue the sick person of al his sinnes and so with a special psalme and his certaine of collectes to conclude the matter This is the ordinarie Visitatiō ouer besides that especial housell or Communion of the sick aboue spoken of And heere before we proceed further me thinkes there would be somthing said concerning this power of binding and loosing sinnes which the priestes of the Church of England and also of the Church of Rome challenge vnto themselues as incidēt to their office by vertue of some especial graunt and prerogatiue made vnto them aboue other Christians Which vnlesse they together with their holy Father the Pope should fetch frō the keies giuē to Pe◅er Math. 16. 19. or frō Iob. 20. 23 I neuer could heare of any euidēce they had to shew For y e first place I think they wil not say that the promise was made to Peter only for then yt should be contrarie to the second where the same power is giuen to more Besides that yt is an vsual doctrine in their pulpets to confute the Popes false vnderstāding of that place And for the place of Ihon I trow they cannot prooue this power there giuen only to the Apostles there being many disciples both men womē in the place I hope also that they are not so grosse to suppose this power giuen to the persons of men for then yt must haue died and ceased with the Apostles seing we reade not in al the Testament of any speciel or personal bequest made by them to any degree of men one more thē another and so they challenge yt by an old worthles title so much as to the truth and power of the word of God which word being beleeued and apprehended by faith looseth vs from al our sinnes through that blood of Christ our Lord which word also being reiected or transgressed bindeth our sinnes vnto the iudgment seate of Christ without repentance which word is bound sealed vp amongst Christs disciples Neither is yt giuen or committed vnto the ministe◅s of the Church only for then none could haue faith but ministers none ought to professe publish or stand for the maintenance of the faith but ministers But we see this power the word the faith committed to the whole Church and euerie member therof all being commanded to watch to publish defend and practise the Gospell to the vttermost of their power to admonish reprooue one another c. Now how should this be done but by the power of the word Moreouer our Sauiour Christ in sending forth the 70. gaue y e self same power vnto their word that he did vnto the 12. to such as receaued the Gospel peace with remissiō of sinnes to such as receaued yt not the shaking off the dust of the feet against them But yt wil peradventure be said that in as much as the ministerie of the word is chiefly committed vnto them therfore the power of binding loosing also To this I answere that I haue not learned in the word so to tye the power to the person of the man This power is not of man but of God The least in the Church hath as much power by this word of God to bind the sinne of the Pastor and vpon his repentance to pronounce cōfort peace vnto him as he hath to remit or bind the sinne of the least So that monstrous is their presumption that assume vnto themselues not only the power giuen vnto the whole Church as shall be shewed hereafter but vsurpe I wote not what peculiar power oboue all other to bind or remit sinnes yea to remit for wage the sinnes of euerie prophane glutton and wicked Atheist which will send for the priest at the howre of death to reade his Masse-booke ouer him c. LIKEVVISE ALSO as these Priests visit and houfel their sick by this booke so doe they in like maner burie their dead by the same booke The priest meeting the corps at the Church stile in white aray his ministring vesture with a solemne song or els reading alowde certayne of their fragmentes of scripture so carrie the corps either to the graue made in their holy cemitery hallowed Churchyard or els if he be a rich man carry his bodie into the Church Ech where his dirige trental is read ouer him after they haue takē off the holy couering cloth the linnen crosses wherwith the corps is dressed vntill yt come vnto the Churchyard or Church into that holy ground least sprights in the meane time should carrie yt away the priest there pronounceth that almightie God hath taken the soule of that their brother or sister vnto him be he heretike witch coniurer and desiring to meete
the ignorāce or wretchednes of these priestes appeareth which thus plead for Baal his Temples vnder colour of reformation which you see appeareth to be no other thing then to seeke to repaire da◅be that muddy wall which the Lord so often commandeth to be vtterly destroied for their belly that their portiō may be made fat therby But yt may be heere obiected y t an Idol is nothing and y t the worship of God is now spiritual free in al places Though the Idol in respect of the inventors be said to be nothing because of the vanitie of the invention of man yet in respect of the thinges offred abused to the same the Apostle teacheth that such thinges are offr◅d to deuils that they which haue any fellowship in these actiōs haue fellowship with deuils Now further the spiritual worship of God doth not take away the cōmādements against grosse idolatrie neither the freedome which Christ hath giuē to worship him in al places doth giue leaue to reserue these execrable idols or to worship him in such places For by that reason we might as well goe to the false Church to y e popish synagogues or turkish assēblies but y t we know in a Christiā to be an vtter apostacce from God God vvill not be vvorshipped in such places Wel yet though they may not be vsed to y e worship of God yet vvhy may they not be convert◅d to ciuil vses as wel as the land and dwelling houses of these priestes seing yt is lawful for vs to buy or to eate flesh offred to idols It vvere reason ynough for me to alledg rest in the vvord wisdome of God vvhich hath cōmāded these idol synagagues places which haue beene erected vsed to idolatrie and false worship to be vtterly rased destroied Yet reserued he the goodes landes of the idolators to ciuil vses c. So me thinks there may be great reason rendred difference put betwixt such creatures as are giuen to idolators to ciuill vses I say not here ciuil endes for albeit the end of the giuer be to the maintenance of idolatrie yet the Donees cannot so vse them but only to ciuil vses as houses to dwell in landes to til c. And those creatures which are wholy seperate from all ciuil vse and consecrate to idolatrie as these idol synagogues al their implements furniture The one we see though they haue beene defiled with idolatrie as in respect of the end owners yet those abuses taken away the things remaine cleane of free vse the other are both accursed by Gods owne mouth deuote to destruction c. and therfore can neither be clensed nor rese◅ued The Lord will not haue any part of the damned thing cleaue vnto our hand neither to reserue the gold siluer therof least we be insnared therwith for yt is an abhomination before the Lord neither may we bring abhomination vnto our house lest we be accursed like vnto yt but we are commanded vtterly to abhor yt and count yt most abhominable for yt is accursed Now then if the most pretious mettals be forbidden the baser as yron lead stone much more and that with such vehemencie both with threates and promises how great is their danger and sinne both priestes and people which spare that which God commandeth to be destroied which couet that which God accurseth what then in the end shall this Doctor get by his Dean◅ie the◅e BBs and priestes by their promotions and fat liuing Yf God be true of his word there is a fearful reckoning remaineth them a◅d not only them but the whole land which is defiled with susfreth such abhominations But here pollicie mak◅th an other pollitike doubt how these collegiate priestes and parsons should doe for liuinges and the people for places to assemble in if these landes should be taken away if the idolatrous temples should be puld downe As to the first part such vnchristian colledges as these dennes of thieues idle bellies are ought to be dissolued they deposed from their priesthood turned to some more honest trade of liuing in the cōmon welth and so is this doubt soone at an end when their antichristian ministerie ceaseth and vngodly frater◅ities are dissolued then there need not any longer lan◅es for the maintenance of such abbay lubbers and of such locustes As for the true ministrie of CHRIST they look for no such lordly setled prouision they depend vpon the prouidence blessing of God vpon that flock vnto which they administer They are content in the greatest plentie with sufficiencie to necessarie food raimēt for them their families as wiues children And of this also they are neither their owne caruers nor iudges but yt is administred vnto them from time to time by the Church to which they serue attend as need requireth and their present abilitie affordeth vvhich most vvillingly make their ministers partakers with them euen of all their goodes according to their need the others power Now for places to assemble in they haue litle loue to the Gospell vvhich build themselues such stately seeled houses allow not to the people of God a house to assemble worship God in There were synagogues built in Iudea Israel after the high places were destroied Great were our blame if we should suffer the idolaters so far to exceed condemne vs which haue built such magnificēt sumptuous aedifices to their idols and vve not afford a poore simple house to the Lord IESVS CHRIST vvho now requireth not such sumptuous Temples his true Temple being the soules bodies of his chosen But I doubt this worldly pollicie vvhich hath so long borne the sway ruled religiō vvil neuer in this world yeild her self prostrate as an hūble handmaid to take lawes at God suffer him to order gouerne all things by his word I doubt in this last age of the world there are too many false Prophets abrode which are gone forth vnto the Kinges of the earth rather to draw thē into battel against CHRIST his Saintes thē to bring CHRIST so generally absolutely into their kingdomes Yet now if I be asked vvho ought to abolish this idolatrie to destroy these synagogues to dissolue these fraternities to depose these antichristian priestes To that I answere the Prince or state and that yt belongeth not to any priuate men For we see they were s◅t vp remained in Israel Iuda vntill God raised vp godly Princes to pluck them downe destroy them yea yt were an intrusiō into the magistrats office seate for any priuate man so far to intermeddle But hence then yt will peraduenture be collected that seing the Prince suffreth them yt is not in any priuat mans power to redresse these mischeifes therfore priuate men ought likewise to frequent the same idol places priestes though with grief of heart vntill
if these men should know the right course which in deed I cannot beleeue because the scripture speaketh euidently that God wil blind their eies and bow downe their backes c. O how high then were their sinnes which forsake the waies of life haue in the presumption of their owne heart sought out vnto themselues bye waies and lead the people astray with how many stripes are they worthy to be beaten Thus you see how this Gospell they te◅ch you is taught in a strang◅ and false ministerie in the false Church is ioyned to the throne of the beast of antichrist is ioyned vnto al the abhominatiō abhominable of the land is taught by prescription limitation and stint according to the Bishops iniunctions decrees traditions vnto which yt is together with the whole church both ministers people in bondage You see how yt hath neither light nor power in yt to discouer and cast out these most grosse damnable idolatries how yt vtterly wanteth practise in this false Church where say CHRIST what he will all must be after the pleasure of Antichrist You see how therby the bodie hath not beene edified or led forth any one step toward perfectiō but rather as by Satans most strōg delusiōs haue beene held therby in this egiptian bondage and babilonish confusion vnder Antichrist You see the ministers of these wares of what liuerie they are how they are the marked waged seruants of Antichrist the merchantmen of the who◅e to carrie abroad her abhominable wares Now remaineth that I discouer vnto you some of the gall wherwith their hony is mixed some of the leauen wherwith your milke is poisoned that you may see how the Lord in iudgment hath mingled amongst them the Spirit of error giuē them vp to the Spirit of pride fornication and caused them to erre in al their waies made night vnto them for a vision and darknes for a diuination how the sunne is gone downe ouer your Prophets and the day made dark ouer them Now that this may the sooner be brought to passe let me verie briefly shew you first what maner of CHRIST they teach you then some few of the cheif heads of the infinite errors they teach And this the rather because they say they hould the foundation and that there is nothing wanting amongst them but matters of lesse moment of no necessitie making some doctrines and some part of CHRISTS Testament fundamental substantial others accidental such as may be altered and violate without any preiudice or danger to the soule Yea such may the transgressions errors be as though they be obstinatly continued in and openly taught after they be reproued and conuinced by the word of God yea the parties die in that estate without repētance of these transgressions or errors yet may they hold the foundation be vndoubtedly saued Of this mind were still continue fiue of the verie principall best esteemed ministers of Englād both for learning and conscience although there were alledged against the same these expresse scriptures Numb 15. 30. 31. where yt is written that That soule that doth anie thing with an outstretched or high hand whether he be borne in the land or a strāger the same blaspheme◅h the Lord therfore that person shall be cut off from amongst his people because he hath despised the word of the Lord and made his commandement of none effect that person shalbe vtterly cut off his iniquit◅e shall be vpon him Exod. 23. 21. 1 Sam. 15. 22. 23. Ezek. 18. 26. where the Prophet concludeth that when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousnes cōmitteth iniquitie dyeth therin he shall die for his iniquitie that he hath done Likewise also our Sauiour CHRIST Math. 5. 1◅ 19. teacheth that one iote or title of his word shall not passe and that whosoeuer shall breake one of the least of his commandements teach mē so shalbe called least in the kingdome of heauen And the Apostle ◅ames 2. 10. teacheth that whosoeuer shal keep the whole law yet faileth in one becōmeth guiltie of all And how plentiful is the Apostle Paul in this point that whoso teacheth otherwise yeildeth not to the wholsome words of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according to godlines such are of corrupt mindes destitute of truth c. to be seperated 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. to be auoided Rom. 16. 17. to be reiected Titus 3. 10. As for offences and transgressions of the word we haue a perpetuall rule Math. 18. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14 If he transgresse he is to be admonished reproued censured Yf he erre of ignorance he is to be instructed with meeknes vntil God re◅eale the truth also vnto him But if he not only erre but affirme teach his error wherby others are or may be infected yt is time to looke to that GANGRENE least yt fret further yt is time to purge out such leauē least yt make sowre the whole lumpe But to hold as these men doe and as they are driuen to doe when they plead for their whorish Church antichristian ministerie is not only to goe expresly contrarie to the whole scope of scriptures to infringe violate all Gods lawes couenant to hould as in deed they teach CHRIST a Sauiour without repentance to make some part of the scripture more holy more authentical more true then other in summe to submit the holy scriptures Testament of CHRIST to the wil lust of man to ratifie or abrogate them at his pleasure to make this part of substance that of forme this fundamentall that accidentall this necessarie to saluatiō that needles c. But if the whole scripture was giuen by inspiratiō of God and is profitable to teach to conuince to correct to instruct in righteousnes If yt be the groundworke foundatiō of the Church of our faith if yt be the law rule of our life the light of our eies c yf e◅erie word of God be holy pure perpetuall then is this di◅p learning of theirs diuelish and blasphemous that thus to couller couer their wickednes make some part of Gods word fundamental substancial necessarie other accidentall superficial needles especially where yt sheweth reproueth and condemneth their doinges yea which make some sinnes openly manifestly conuinced yet ohstinatly continued persisted in without any repentance in this life for all this not to be mortall or deadly as the papistes say hould Yet neuertheles wil these men be said to hold the foundation to saluation notwithstanding that they disfranchise reiect a great part of CHRIST Testament and hould yt not as fundamental necessarie and make neither cōscience nor care to transgresse the same and to bring in other lawes into the Church in stead therof yea vpon that part which they would seeme to retaine they build all this stubble trumperie
to vse their libertie to the edification not the confusion of the Church for God is not the author of disorder but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saintes They then that thus preâ—…mptuously either innouate or abuse this blessed ordinaÌ„ce of CHRIST find fault with controule the commandements of God and charge God with confusion who is the author of this exercise order libertie But D. SOME hath by the priuiledg of the Church of EnglaÌ„d published yt vtterly vnlawful for any that is not a minister to deale with the interpretation of scriptures what giftes soeuer God hath giueÌ„ him thervnto and saith these absurdities would ensue therof that woâ—… may then also preach in the Church that those men that thus speake in way of prophecie vsurpe the ministers office with Corath offer vzziahs incense may also by this meanes enter into the Councel chamber and intrude into the ciuil magistrates office for to giue councel also is euerie Christians dutie c. What can be more blasphemously reprochfullie repugnant to the word order of CHRIST who you see is the author of this exercise in this maner hath for euer left yt as a coÌ„mandemeÌ„t vnto al churches For saith the Apostle vers 37. If any man seeme to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledg what I write vnto you because they are the commandements of God c. But if anie man be ignorant let him bâ—… ignorant Therfore my brethren couet ye to prophecie and to speake with tongues forbid not Let al things be done comely and according to order For D. SOMES first absurditie womeÌ„ are expresly forbidden to speake by way or in the exercise of this prophâ—… in the Church vers 34. 35. So then this is but a reproch of his owne absurd brayne to bring thâ—… truth into slaunder That such as speake in this exercise of prophecie doe not anie way vsurpe the ministers office hath beene largly shewed by the discourâ—… of this whole Chapter Neither hath he brought any peece of a reason to proue that only ministers ought to speake of the scriptures in â—…he Church For his third impiâ—…us odious calumniation that such as presume to speake in the Church not being ministers may as well intrude into the Councel chamber magistrats 〈◊〉 yt is in yt felf so false foolish absurd as yt deserâ—…eth none answere It is but the venome of his serpâ—…â—…ongue the Addâ—… poison that is vnder his lipps wherâ—…y he seeketh to draw the truth of CHRIST and the professors therof into hatred He might as wel say that because CHRIST hath made vs all Kings Priests vnto him therfore we will heere vsurpe the ciuill magistrats and ecclesiastical ministers office These are but the malicious collections vaine conclusions of his idle head graceles heart thus to blaspheme the holy ordinances of CHRIST to call yt Anabaptistical the deprauing of the holy scriptures abusing of the auditors disturbing both of Church common welth calling such Christian assemblies as practise this coÌ„mandement 〈◊〉 conuenticles although he neuer in his life was present at any of their exercises nor is able to charge any one of them with any one 〈◊〉 error as they by his owne mouth are able to charge him all this antichristian ministerie of England which exercise a ministerie without a lawfull calling thervnto by vertue of their inward calling which is their learning sufficiencie as though CHRIST did not know the end vse measure of the gifts he hath giuen them In the Church of CHRIST there are none suffered to speake by way of prophecie but such as haue the gift of prophecie and to forbid such to â—…peake were to stop vp the conductes springs of the Church or rather of Gods graces wherby the Church should be watered and refreshed so far is this exercise from dâ—…prauing the scriptures or abusing the auditorie The rest of his vituperie he hath layd vpon CHRIST the author of this exercise and to him shall answere for the same at that day of reckoning accompt Yf none but Ministers may speake publikly in the Church by way of prophecie how should the people haue trial of the gifts of any how should any ministers in this generall apostaciâ—… and departure be râ—…stored yea how should there euer be any other then now are For if the people may not heare their gifts how should they iudg them â—…f they may not vtter their gifts how should the people heare them Heere I shall by both sorts of our priestes aswell Pontifical as 〈◊〉 be answered that the law is not so generall but that there are exceptions vnto the same The Pontificall will alledg That their mother the Vniuersitie their father the Bishop haue authoritie to giue liceÌ„ce to preach in any Church whersoeuer they become before thâ—…y be either full ministers or haue any office as the engliâ—…h Deacon or half priestes the cathedral Prebends the commoÌ„ Curates or rouing Preachers AmoÌ„gst which you must note a double mysterie Some of them are full ministers without either certayne chaâ—…ge place or office Others haue a certayne yea a pastors charge and office and yet are not full ministers of which sect are the Prebendes ciuil Doctors who may haue parsonages and yet be no ministers The Reformists they wil likewise answere me that their mother the Vniuersitie she hath power to giue leaâ—…e to preach vniuersally through all Churches and also the Select Clâ—…ssis yea peraduenture this schoole of Prophets asâ—…embled haue power to admit some one pickâ—…d maÌ„ to their mysteries which is no priest to giue him leaue to speake amongst them yet hereof I doubt and therfore wil not stand and thus may the people by both sides haue triall of their gifts Great reason that they which maâ—…e the law should also make and take â—…xceptions at their pleasure But wel what booteth this trial that they allow the people when neither of them giue the pâ—…ople liberty to iudg or reproue their doctrine when both sides both Bishops and this new Classis take vpon them to make ministers without the people without any charge place or office certayne But let this matter rest I would know of both or any of them what this their mother they so much boast of is where she had this high authority aboue other women Hâ—… they wil with one voice answere that the Vniuersities are the seminaries of religion of the ministerie of the land the schooles and colledges of learning wherin the sonnes of the Prophets are trained vp as they were in Naiotâ—… in Bethâ—…l Iericho Ierusalem Coriâ—…th If the â—…ree be knowen by the fruite the Cockatriâ—…e by the poisoned egges the Viper by the spawne thâ—… nest by the birdes then let the religion and priestes of the land shew what kind of seminaries colledges these Vniuersities are If these be the bâ—…st fiuite and famousest men that are instructed in nothing but to
fruites therof but take in all the common welth euen al the Queenes subiectes into this thâ—…ir Church vnder CHRISTS gouernment and protection for so would they beare them in hand that such this reformation which they seeke is Their false maner of exercising this their pretended discipline may 〈◊〉 appâ—…re by the weake and fearfull practise of some of their forward men who that they might make a faire â—…hew amongst their rude ignorant parishners in stead of CHRISTS gouernmeÌ„t set vp their counterfait Discipline in and ouer all the parish making the popish Churâ—…hwardens periured Questmen Elders And for M r. Parson himself he takes vnto him the instrumeÌ„t of that foolish shepeheard his pastoral staffe or woodden dagger of suspension wherwith he keepeth such a floorishing as the flies caÌ„ haue no rest yea by your leaue if any poore man in the parish offend him he may peraduenture goe without his bread wine for that day Their permanent Synods and councels also which they would erect not heere to speake of ther new duch Classâ—… for therin is a secret should only consist of Priests or Ministers as they terme them people of the Churches be shut out and neither be made acquainted with the matters debated there neither haue free voice in those Synods Councels but must receaue obey without contradiction whatsoeuer those learned Priests shall decree These Synods Councels shall haue absolute power ouer all Churches doctrines ministers to erect ratifie or abrogate to excommunicate or depose at their pleasures Their decrees are most holy without controulement vnlesse yt be by the Prince or the high Court of ParliameÌ„t Not â—…eere to speake of their solemne orders obserued in these councils and Synodes as their choice by suffrage amongst themselues of their Archisynagogoâ—… or Rector Chorj their president as they call him propownder or moderator of their councell about which their predecessors haue had no small stir vntil their holy Father the Pope put an end to the strife by getting the chaire This stusfe they would bring in againe vnder colour of reformatioÌ„ â—…hese many more their leauened corrupt writings of discipline and their supplications vnto the Parliament dâ—…clare With what pernicious forgeries what kind of sacrilegious profanation of Gods holy ordinances shal more playnly appearâ—… wheÌ„ we haue sâ—…t downe the truth of CHRISTS institutioÌ„ which is the only arch-type and true patterne of all true builders buildings which who so at any hand transgresseth either in matter or maner as they speake is to be reproued as an euill workeman and his work to burne seeme yt to haue neuer so great anâ—…iquitie holines vâ—…ilitie in pretence The auncient waies of the Lord are the only true waies whatsoeuer is second or diuers is new false This I say because both these factions of our pontifical and reforming Priests haue sought rather to the broken pitts drie cisternes of mens inuentions for their direction and groundworke then vnto the purâ—… fountaine of Gods word The first sort most groâ—…ly drawe al their water from that most 〈◊〉 drayne and poisoned sinke of the papistical corrupâ—…ion as is to be seene by their whole ministerie worship ministration gouernment c. because yt in all pointes accordeth â—…o their antichristian prelacie idolaâ—…rie pride c. and only beâ—…t agreeth to the corrupt estate of this realme vvhich hath so long beene made dronke with the vvhores cuppe that they can now taste or brooke no other liquor Tâ—…e other sort they fetch their reformation from the primitiue defectioÌ„ when the ministerie began to vsurpe grow into vnlawful superioritie and iurisdiction when they began to decline from the true patterne of CHRISTS Testament and grew bold to innouate as to set vp a new antichristiaÌ„ ministerie as their Prouincials Bishops Archbishops Archdeacons Metropolitanes Patriarchs to take the whole regiment of the Church into their hands to gather councils of Bishops to make new decrees c. All which proceedings as I find them defected from the rules of CHRISTS Testament so far dare I boldly pronownce them their proceedings I meane leauing their persons to the Lords iudgment wicked vngodly not looking vnto or respecting the learning or holines of the men how ancient how manie soeuer From these ancient defections haue these learned reforming Priests drawen their platforme of reformation as best suting to the estimation of their persons the admiration of their learning and holines and not greatly opposite to the sinfull estate of the land especially as they in theiâ—… wisdomes would vse the matter who I dare vndertake for them good men would not molest or offend anie of welth or authoritie liue as they list neither need they be so afraid of the thunderbolt of exâ—…munication they wil I warrant you proceed to yt with a leaden heele especially agâ—…inst such men And for the râ—…st which seemes so strange in their eares as their Pasâ—…ors and Elders for their Parson Questmen their Synodes in stead of their Commissaries courts their high councels in stead of the high coÌ„mission let them neuer be afraid for by that time they are acquâ—…inted with the new names they shall not finde the iurisdiction halfe so strange as yt seemes It wil be troublesome to none but to their Lords the BB. their courts attendants and the dombe ministers in deed their cake is dough if this geare this sweeping new reformation come in As for these new officers these Elders they shall be but of the welthiest honest simple men of the parish that shal sit for ciphers dombe by their Pastor meddle with nothing neither poore soules shal they know more then they say As for the ordering of all things y t shalbe in the Pastors hands only especially in some chiefe men who shall be these presidents rulers of Synodes councels and so the pâ—…ople be kept as far from the knowledg performance of their duties as euer they were for so long haue the Priests for so still I call all false and antichristian ministers vsurped and deteined the sole regiment of the Church in their hands as yt wilbe a verie hard matter for the people euer to recouer their libertie agâ—…ine You see how the one side the Pontificals I meane prescribe in their quiâ—… possessioÌ„ reiect al claime the people can make refuting them by Mâ—…hiauels coÌ„siderations 〈◊〉 his Politikes in stead of the new Tesâ—…ameÌ„t alledging I wore not how many pollitike incoÌ„uenieâ—…ces in way of Barre The other sect or factioÌ„ rather these Reformiâ—…s howsoeuer for fashioÌ„ sake they giue the people a litle libertie to sweeten their mouthes make theÌ„ beleeue that they should choose their owne ministers for further right in the censuring their ministers or in the ordering the affaires of their churches they allow not as hath beene sayd yet euen in this pretended choice doe they coozen beguile theÌ„ also leauing them nothing but the smoky windy title
holdeth the 7 stars in his owne right hand he is the arch-Bishop and visiter of all Churches shepheardes CHRIST is the head ouer the vniuersall euerie particular bodie of his Church he hath giuen this office to no mortal man in earth they are al but members of some one bodie though diuers in functiō dig◅itie as the eie hand foote c. yet al but mēbers of the bodie to which they serue euerie member being circumscribed within the limites of their place office function One member cānot place displace or cut off an other this ought to be done by the whole bodie as in the name power of their head CHRIST vnto euerie one of which congregations CHRIST hath giuen this his power to be executed according to the rules of his word CHRIST is the Bridegrome he only hath the Bride but the frendes of the Bridegrome they stand and heare and reioice exceedinglie for the Bridegromes voice CHRIST is that slaine liuing Lābe that hath obteined to take y t sealed written Booke out of the right hād of him that sitteth on the throne and to open the same All Elders Angels and the whole host in heauen in earth fall downe on their faces giue glorie to the Lambe CHRIST is the only Lawgiuer vnto his Church and hath giuen mos◅ heauenlie perfect lawes in his Testamēt vnto his Church hath sealed his Testament with that his blood so that nothing may be added vnto or taken there from He neuer gaue to anie mortal man power to make new lawes but hath commanded all men faithfullie to keep those lawes which he hath made within the limits of their calling It is onlie the office of the holy Ghost to teach the S◅ints to pray to giue wordes according to the wil of God to fill their mouthes with new ◅onges which they as sweete odors incense day night offer vp vnto God through CHRIST What then and how great is the sinne of these presumptuous shepheardes these blasphemous antichristian Bishops that climbe vp and intrude into the place office and roome of CHRIST that take his spowse from him and al his ministers officers orders and ordinances from her that alter abrogate bring in cast out what and whome they ◅st c. that take the office of the holy Ghost vpon them and not onlie set vp in the Church of God their moulten egiptian calfe cast ◅n y e old mould of the masse booke saue a litle new annuled ingrauen with a few of their owne diuises b◅t thrust this filthv idoll vpon mens con◅ciences as their praiers yea vpon God himself as al the seruice and worship they wil allow him in his Church See whither these be not the vndoubted markes of Antichrist that aduersarie search the prophecies the scriptures whether this be not that verie abhomination of desolatiō lift vp your eyes to the destructiō hauo◅k and wast thes◅ aduersaries haue made in the sanctuarie how they roare in the midst of the congregation haue there set vp their bāners signes lift vp their axes vpon al the Lordes plantes broken downe with their malles al the beawtiful sieling carued worke haue cast the Lordes sanctuarie into the fire haue raced yt to the ground haue profaned the dwelling place of his name they are resolued in their hearts to doe violence and to destroy them altogether and haue brought in al maof filthy abhominable thinges into the sanctuarie When they find these thinges in this estate then let him that readeth consider let them that be in the citie and wil saue their soules flee into the mountaine There belongeth no reformation to this estate euen that reformation which these counter fait preachers pretēd is altogether as yl You see what in ordinate antichristian power they still retaine in the priests hādes in al their parishes the pa◅son or minister as they cal him must rule all and be aboue the whole ◅ocke who may controwle him or withstand him in nothing either in doctrine or practise be yt neuer so ill They must complaine to the Synode classes or councel of pri◅ts which synodes classes councels must consist wholy of ministers ◅e people shut out and those haue absolute power ouer al churches persons matters causes to debate define determine decree ratifie di◅anull what they list by permission of the high Court of Parliament which hath supreme power ouer the Church and all councels and causes therof vt supra otherwise vntill by this court these decrees be taken away all churches are burdened and must stand subiect vnto them But let vs now returne to the execution of this mōstrous antichristian power of the BB◅ This extendeth euen to al the whole practise worship ministerie orders ordinances iniunctions decrees lawes of their Church alreadie made and heerafter to be made and therfore are infinite and passe any man or creature whatsoeuers setting downe in particular A great labour yt were to recken vp all their consti◅utions and cānons which they haue fetched from I wote not what old councels or rather from th◅ir holie Father the Pope or the heape of their ciuil lawes customes which they haue receaued frō their mo◅er of Rome al which are pleaded iudged sould by these Lords Bishops their chāc◅llors ◅eanes ciuil Doctors Proctors aduccates pleaders brawlers archdeacōs cōmissaries in their Courts of faculties Ar◅s prerog◅tiue delegates in their commissaries court not heere to spake of y e wel head y t euer rūning spring of al mischief their Spanish i◅quisitiō or english high cōmissiō yt deserueth especial mētion by yt ◅lf These lawes they take for y e foūdation of th◅ir church in stead o◅ Christs new Testament these courts giue the whole direction vnto and execute all the censures of for this Church whether yt be excōmunication s◅spension or mulct M r. Archdeacon masse Commissary bea◅e no small sway It were long ha◅d to relate the diuers orders processe maners of pleading that belong to these courtes that is no small secret yt is no easie occupation many a mans liuing dependeth theron yt is no small calling to be but a pursuyuāt or cursetor of these courtes I say not so of the parators sumners that belong to the cōmissaries court heere are all things plead◅ble vendible fo◅ money but without money heere is no man will open his mouth be the cause neuer so iust For money you may heere haue expedition or delay of iudgmēt with ◅undry shifts euasions which I want skill to vtter For money you may haue priuiledges dispensations licēces to eate fle◅h or to marry at forbidden times as in the holy time of Lent c. priuatly in the night in some secret place sodenly without consent of parents yea without banes as king by what Priest you will also to haue many benefices in sundry other cases wherof these courtes exercise iurisdiction as of
precontractes adulteries testaments and sundry other that I know not of All which whatsoeuer an auncient Bishop of this land hath vndertaken to defend by Christs new Testament wherfore vntil we see his profes I dare not giue sentence against them or pronounce them antichristian His proofe is drawen from 1 Tim. 5. 19. Against a priest or elder receaue no accusation vnder 2 or 3 witnesses Heere saith he is an accuser here is a person accused heere are witnesses examined heere is a iudgment deciding of the matter therfore heere is an exercise of a iurisdiction and a maner of a court To make yt yet more sure he takes away an obiecton that lay in his way namely that yt was not Timothy his court only but iointly exercised with the residue of the Elders that had the gouernment This he saith cannot be because the wordes are directâ—…d to Timothy only It is pitty MARTIN his presse was gone before this reason had an answere so should he not haue lost his due shame for the same But was there euer lâ—…le portion of scripture so violently wrested distorted peruerted and that by an old Bishop I am deceaued if he fetched not this reason from the schoole of Sorbon for either my memory faileth me or I haue read their citatioÌ„s also by sumners pursyuants c. prooued by Gen. 3. 9. Adam where art thow Well to the point I cannot rest either in his traÌ„slatioÌ„ or interpretatioÌ„ of this verse they are both corrupt popishly falsâ—… The text is Against an Elder receaue not accusatioÌ„ except in 2 or 3 witnesses â—… cannot heere allow the word Priest nor spare the words exceptin his interpretation is most grosse false contrarie to the whole scope and phrase both of that chapter the whole epistle preiudicial to the perpâ—…tuity true practise of the commandement For if this lawe were directed to Timothy only and that the other Elders the Church were shut out in the examination and censuring of such faultes then how could the Church or any member therof now haue any vse of this commandement I neuer heard of any speciall bequest Timothy made to these Lord Bishops aboue all other neither can I see from hence why they should vsurpe this iurisdiction ouer their superiors namely ouer the parish Priests parsons that stad for Pastors these Bishops if they haue any office being put Elders So theÌ„ by this rule the Parson should keep court ouer the Bishops not the Bishop ouer so many Parsons But to say the truth this reason would much better fit the Pope in whome this supreme iurisdiction ouer al Churches and Elders should in one persoÌ„ be bestowed as by his saiâ—…ng yt was in Timothy rather then vnto so many Bishops who all cannot haue that sole peculiar authoritie which belonged vnto Timothy alone from which so many worthy Bishops were then shut out But why should this commandement belong more to Timothy alone thâ—…n all the other commandemeÌ„ts in this chapter that I say not in this epistle which was wholy written directed to Timothy there was bare shift wheÌ„ this was made the only reason and now further why should this commandement more theÌ„ al the rest of this chapter of the maner of rebuking elder men and elder women honoring widowes c. be tied more to Timothies person office yea or to the persons office of elders may none reprooue an Elder but a Lord Bishop or as the reformists would haue yt but a synode or councell of Priests It is plentifully aboue proued that the whole Chuâ—…ch hath power to obserue reproue censure their greatest Teachers Elders or why should this rule of hearing and receauing yl reportes so solely belong to Timothy or to other Elders more then the contrarie commandement going next before of the honour care loue due to Elders I hope they can be content to be honored prouided for and loued of the whole flocke especially for their desert and vertue surely so must they be contented to be reproued and censured of all when by euill life they deserue yt This commandement in deed willeth all Christians to be carefull what reportes and tales they heare or 〈◊〉 of their Elders and that they be sure they haue good lawful proofe in two or three witnesses c other christians had eares mouthes and hearts which had need to be gouerned as well as Timothie I graunt well that publikely in the Church the â—…rial and censuring of Elders ought châ—…efly to be done by the Elders of that Church but this neither preiudicing the libertie of anie euen the least freely to obiect or speake what he knoweth to be blamed either in the Elder accusâ—…d or in the publike action by the other Elders that trie examine much lesse to the secluding shutting out thâ—… whole Church with these wicked Priests eueÌ„ both these factions Ponâ—…ifical and Reformâ—…ts who both of them would assume the whole gouernment of the Church into their owne hands at the least vtterly debar the congregatioÌ„ where these things are amisse to intermeddle The Church must receaue what they amongst themselues haue decreed whither in their brawling courtes whither in their Seâ—…ct classes The publike censuring of anie member whither Elder or other is an action of the whole Church whervnto if yt vse the most fit members or officers should such officers and members herevpon arrogate the whole action interest power to themselues secluding the whole bodie the Church whose officers members they are As when â—…he body vseth the eye y e mouth the feete to see spâ—…ake goe is not the whole bodie of consent with these actions and said to see to speake to goe although to these particular actioÌ„s yt vsâ—…th these particular members what a dismembring of the bodie and rending of the Church would these ambitious Priests make who the one would withdraw all publike actions of the Church into their popish Courtes the other into their conuenticles synodes of Priests As for reproofe by admonition anie member of the Church hath free power also to reproue the greatest Elder of the Church according to the quallitie of his offence if his offence be priuate priuatly if publike publikely Yea he is bound by the law of God so to doe and not to suffer sinne in him yet this within the bounds of modestie order as if there be others present more fit to doe yt to giue them time and place but if they neglect yt or doe yt amisse then to vse his power yea to doe his dutie Now theÌ„ seeing the whole Church hath this power to censure faultes in their hands and that yt properly belongeth vnto them as we shall haue many occasions hereafter to shew and that these Elders are but ministers seruants of the Church substituted to this other functions Seing also euery one eueÌ„ the least member in the Church hath interest power freedome in ouer this or any
personages are wholy exempt from them The other sect of these Priests the counterfait Reformists they also would exclude the Church from this al other ecclesiastical ceÌ„sures assuming theÌ„ wholy into their owne haÌ„ds either into the Priests haÌ„ds with his silly presbitery or eldership which he ouerruleth at his pleasure in euerie particular congregation or els into their synodes and councels which haue power ouer al churches euery meÌ„ber actioÌ„ theâ—…of to excommunicate absolue to make and depose to ordeine abrogate without the pâ—…iuitie coÌ„sent of the Churches other theÌ„ of their Preachers or Priests Thus both sides subuert the libertie of the Church peruert the ordinance of Christ the one sort by corrupting the other by vtterlie reiecting the vnpartial vse of true excoÌ„municatioÌ„ by euerie ChristiaÌ„ coÌ„gregation according to the rules of Chriâ—…s Testament as intollerable a mischiefe to this common welth We haue aboue larglie prooued the necessitie stabilitie perpetuitie of that order and gouernment which Chriâ—… in his Testament hath set downe for the building direction of his Church By manie places of scripture reasons we haue shewed how that order gouernmeÌ„t onlie best accordeth and fitteth to the Church of Christ in al places times whatsoeuer and how the Church can neither receaue other orders and lawes or change these which Christ hath giueÌ„ without casâ—…ing off CHRISTS yoke disanâ—…lling his Testament CHRISTS Testament and Church being for euer in all places one and the same We haue also 〈◊〉 places of this preseÌ„t writing shewed how CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church his spirituall power and authoritie with the sharpe two edged sword that proceedeth out of his mouth to cut off all transgrâ—…ssion and error as also all trespassers and heretikes that remaine obstinate and impenitent in their sinne and hath giuen them straight coÌ„mandement vigilantly vnpaâ—…tially to vse the same sword and power vnto the worldes end The necessitie of which power though yt were not confirmed by so manie direct and expresse places of scripture yet might yt to aâ—… men appeare in that without the same they caÌ„ neither receaue CHRIST who is neuer seuered froÌ„ his power neither can they keepe sound anie communion when they hâ—…ue not the power to â—…ast out seperate the plaguy leprous from amongst them Moreouer we haue shewed how this power of excoÌ„munication election ordination c. is not committed into the hands of one particular person as the Pope and his natural children our Lord Bâ—…hops now vse yt nor yet into the hands of the eldership only or of the Pastors of many particular congregations as the reforming preachers would haue yt so much as yt is giuen committed to the whole Church euen to euery particular congregation and to euery member therof alike To which holy spiritual power of CHRIST euery member of the Church seruant of Christ must be subiect alike without exception or exemption of person How contrary then vnto God preiudiciall vnto his Church is the blasphemy pride of those meÌ„ which thus presumpâ—…uously opeÌ„ their mouthes against heaueÌ„ all the ordinances of God pronouncing this spiritual heauenly censure of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ duly executed by the church according to the wil coÌ„mandement of Christ as the only meanes for the preseruation of the whole Church and of the parties so excommunicate to be intollerable in a christian realme preiudiciall to Princes and Magistrates yea that popiâ—…hly assume this sword of CHRIST this power of his Church into their owne hands and therwith of their owne sole authority smite some exempt others as they lust themselues whose monstrous enormous abuse of this heauenly ordinance caÌ„not by the pen or mouth of any be so liuely discribed as yt is with great letters to the view of all men ingraued and exposed in the daily practise of their Commissaries courtes the court of high coÌ„mission c. But that all the pretextes of this their odious blasphemy and pride may at once be plucked from them let me in a word or two by expresse scriptures shew what true excommunication is by whome vpon whome and how yt is to be executed We reade 1 Cor. 5. Titus 3. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Excommunication to be an vtter disfranchizing and publike cuâ—…ting off of all conuinced obstinate offendors from all interest in CHRIST all coÌ„munion with his Church in the open congregation We reade in the said 1 Cor. 5. as also Math. 18. 17. Math. 28. 20. Rom. 16. â—…7 2 Thess. 3 6. 14. the power execution of this censure of excoÌ„munication to be coÌ„mitted to the whole Church else why should the Apostle charge blame the whole Church for y â— neglect therof and command the whole Church to execute yt why should our Sauiour CHRIST command his disciples to admonish their brâ—…thteÌ„ wheÌ„ they offend and if they repent not to complaine vnto the church He sendeth them not heere vnto the Pastor to complaine vnto him nor vnto the Bishop high commission Presbutry Synode or Councel to coÌ„plaine vnto them for redresse neither yet comitteth he here or in any other place of scripture this action vnto them or commandeth them as by vertue of their office to do yt But as may euidently appeare in these and sundry other places of scripture both this publike casting out receauing in of any member is committed and belongeth vnto the whole Church euerie member therof iointly together is not especiallie or solely committed to anie one or anie some of them anie more then vnto al the rest We see also the Pastor al the teachers other members of the Church subiect vnto this censure yea the church where these members make such offence is to proceed against them to auoide them to excommunicate them Read for further proofe of this Gal 1. 8. 9. 2 Ioh. 9. â—… 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 17. 3. 5. Coloss. 4. 17. Phillip 3. 2. 17. 18. 19. So that although y e church performe this action by the Pastor as a member most fiâ—… thâ—…r vnto yet neither the Pastor gayneth nor the Church looseth anie right or interest in this action heerby because we see euidently the church hath power to doe this action without a Pastor yea against their Pastor The maner of thiâ—… excommunication we in the said 5 of y e 1 Corinth find to be done in the publike congregation where the whole church is assembled not in anie courtes or Bishops howses in the name power of our Lord Iesus Christ not in the name and power of a Lord Bishop or arch Bishop in the vsuall tongue of that congregation as yt may best edifie and not in the romane tongue after their popish maner in forme of a writ This ceÌ„sure is not done before y e fault be publikely knowne either in the first committing of yt or els by processe for contemning admonition neither
and all the ordinances therof without accompt or 〈◊〉 as hath beene plentifully shewed in all this discouery and yet more shall appeare if we now take a litle view of thâ—…ir Commission which is the very abisme golph from whence spring flow all these innumerable enormities into euery paâ—… of this whole land their Church THIS INDEFINITE monstrous Commission I hauing neuer seene their letters pattents or any copie therof cannot othervise describe then by certaine appaâ—…ant circumstâ—…nces as the men of whome yt consisteth and that haue the chiefe rule therof the persons causes ouer which this CoÌ„mission is set and hath iurisdiction and the maner of vsing their sayd power The Commissioners are certayne ecclesiasticall ciuile persons as first the Primate of England the Arch-b of Canterburie then I suppose the Metropolitane of Yorke with certaine other Bishops as London Winchester c. certaine Deanes Arch-deacons Chancelors with sundry especial ciuile Doctors c. The ciuil persons of this Commission are now of late dayes some few of her Ma ties honorable Councell the two chiefe Iudges certaine Courtiers as the two Maisters of her Maiesties requests certaine chosen Aldermen the Recorder of London certaine other officers about the Citie as the Liâ—…ftenant of the Tower the post-Mr sundry other that I know not not heeâ—…e to recite that rabble of aduocates proctors scribes pursuyuaÌ„ts attending thervpon These thus ioined in this high great Commission haue or at the least exercise by vertue therof absolute power iurisdiction ouer the whole Church of England and euery particular congregation of the same and ouer euâ—…ry minister member of the same euen ouer al the Q. Subiects They also exercise finall iurisdiction absolute power ouer all causes ecclesiasticall whatsoeuer to handle and determine to visite enquire punish to make new lawes orders decrees and to inioine the same as authentike vpon all Churches as before the holy oracles of God They haue power also to assume any cause or plea out of any other of their inferior spiritual Courtes as they call them into their owne hands to ratifie or disanul any thing there done They haue power also to erect and to authorise new litle high Commissions in any Citie of the land where yt pleaseth them only with this excâ—…ption that they alwaies acknowledg the supreme power of their parent at Lambeth Yet further this great high Commission hath absolute power ouer sundrie and what not ciuil causes insomuch as they feare not to meddle with matters belonging to the Q. crowne or preâ—…ogatiue roial or to any of her Courts of plea whatsoeuer yea they haue not doubted to intercept causâ—…s belonging vnto depending in the high Court of parliament if Mr. PENRY in his appâ—…ale say true Thâ—…y haue power to cite summon or conuent by their pursuyuants cursitors what person of the land eithâ—…r man or woman at any time when they please they haue power to command all the Q. officers as Maiors of Cities Sherifs c. to serue attend watch ride by day or by night vpon their busines whatsoeuer also to apprehend to incarcerate or to deliuer out of prison what person or peâ—…sons how innocent or flagitious soeuer vpon their barre warrant without further enquire or delay yea they haue power to fetch vp any of these officers before theÌ„ from their charge in her Maiesties seruices there also to ymprison them if they so thinke good They haue power to authorize these rakehel â—…obbers their pursuyuants to herry molest or attach any of the Q. â—…aithful subiectts they list to breake open â—…ansack their houses by day or by night to spoyle carie away what and whome they please without controulement their warrants being made indefinite without anie certaine perscription or limitation Wel being thus furnished with this power they come together at their Session as charrets armed to the battâ—…l a great tayle of officers court of aâ—…tendants being asseÌ„bled the apparance wherof exceedeth I suppose that of the Vaticane at Rome no praier vsed before neither the booke of God opened in this their ecclesiastical councel The parties conuâ—…nted are to attend being called to appeare before them before whome being come what affaires soeuer they haue whither of a whole Church or of manie congregations what office or degree soeuer they be of they must there stand their headâ—…s discouâ—…red before them no place giuen them with or by these Commissioners Yf they be to propouÌ„d speake or complaine of any thing they muâ—…t doe yt by the officers of this Courte their Aduocates Proctors Râ—…gisters Scribes seouâ—…dum modum formam and that to no small charge by that time all these voultures haue their fees otherwise theÌ„ by these they may not plead in this Courte the iudgments of this Court they must receaue without contradictioÌ„ or gaynsaijng there is no appeale no helpâ—… no mâ—…anes to reuâ—…rse the same be they neuer so vniâ—…st Any othâ—…rs that are blamed and accused vnto this Courte haue not heâ—…re plâ—…ce to answere vnto such things as shalbe obiâ—…cted against them by their accusers bâ—…ing brought face to face or to defeÌ„d themselues according to equitie but heere they shall hardly know their accusers or accusations at anie time vntil they haue taken an othe to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demaÌ„ded of theÌ„ in that Court wherby they are driuen to accuse themselues and so minister matter abundantly vnto their aduersaries The othe that is heere administred is that laying their hand or fingeâ—…s vpon a booke they sweare by God by the contents of the booke to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demanded of them and so kissing the booke their othe is accepted no further leisure giuen to consider what thâ—…y answere vnto their demandes But if anie make conscience or denie to receaue this idolatrous wicked othe which though yt be proued vnto them to be nâ—…uer so vnlawful and contrarie to the commandement of God Deut. 6. 13. Deâ—…t â—…0 20. to be neuer so superstitious in deuising adding yea in inioyning ceremonies where God in these lawes hath made none but coÌ„manded to sweare without anie ceremonies by the name of God only though yt be proued to be neuer so idolatrous in ioyning any thing vnto or with God in swearing by any thing besides or with God though the fearful curse of God be shewed to be denouÌ„ced against such maneâ—… of swearing swearers by the Lords prophets in these words They that sweare in the sin of Sâ—…maria that say thy God O Dan liueth and the way of Beerschebah liueth eueÌ„ they shal fal neuer â—…ise vp againe and in an other place that the Lord will cut off al that sweare by IEHOVAH as they sweare by 〈◊〉 be this othe prooued neuer so vnnecesfarie the cause not requiring anie such triall be yt proued neuer so vnnatural yt being to accuse theÌ„selues y
whome they perswade that they shal do much good herein before whome they bring none but the most heinous fowle causes as incest plurality of wiues papistry c. neuer suffring them to looke into the secrets mysteries of their kingdome or to heare the iust complaints of the Q. oppressed subiects by their tyranny These as is aboue said they wil not suffer so much as to expose their griefes vtter their wrongs or to plead defend their owne cause before these câ—…uil magistrates no not in this their owne courte where the Archbishop is in his exaltation and their chiefe aduersaries are Iudges so fearful are they least the light should breake forth and all their packing and wickednes be bewâ—…aied But he that discloseth all secrets will I doubt not shortly reueale all their doings and make them as odious as they are now honorable At which time such as now ioine to them and vphold them shall stand far off for feare of their torments when the wrath of God shalbe reueled from heauen against all the impiety and iniustice of these men that withhold the truth in vnrighteousnes For sure if the Prince Magistrats but knew the vnlawfulnes of this CoÌ„mission â—…ither in the persons power or practise therof they would â—…oone withdraw their power fâ—…om the beast and would not in this maner vphold or 〈◊〉 vnto the throne of Antichrist that forgeth wrong besâ—…des law The ecclesiasticall persons of this Commission we haâ—…e by expressâ—… scriptures shewed neither to be true ministers of the Gospell neitheâ—… true members of the Church of Christ. Both which though they were yet could they not receaue or exercise such antichristian power inordinate authority ouer all or any one congregation of Christ much lesse in the estate they stand For the ciuiil magistrates that are of this Commission though they may as members together with those congregations whervnto they are ioined iointly with the whole Church exercise such spiritual power to censure faltes discusse matters and determine of such affaires as belong vnto arise in their congregations c. yet can they not as by vertue of their ciuil office exercise these spirituall censures power which Christ hath giueÌ„ belongeth vnto the whole Church much lesse assume into their owne hands and plucke from the whole Church this power which Christ hath giuen them So then all the persons of this Commission both ecclesiastical ciuil are â—…tterly vncapable of this inordinaâ—…e power iurisdictioÌ„ which being so monâ—…trous heinouâ—… ouer al churches al 〈◊〉 causes persons doctrines to ratifie or diâ—…anul erect or pull downe bring in or cast out of the Church handle hold plea of many ciuile causes also and that after so blasphemous vnchristian a maner by administring enforcing their idolatrous booke othe by prohibiting somuch as to speake for themselues or in their owne causes by inflicting penalties fines by incarcerating whome for what they list and there deteining them as close as long as they list and that without bayle mainprise or trial which monstrous confused power belongeth rather vnto is more fit for y t Antichrist that Beast and vnto the false church then vnto any member of CHRIST or of his church God hath pur difference though no disagreement betwixt thâ—…â—…hurch and the coÌ„mon welth betwixt the ministers iurisdictioÌ„ censures of ech of them hauing set vnto ech sort their due bounds officers and limits which they ought not after this maner to transgresse or confound making I know not what coÌ„mixture of persons offices causes in this monstrous Commission where the ciuil magistrate is made a Iudg minister of ecclesiastical causes their church ministers of ciuill coÌ„moÌ„ welth matters al vnder pretext of the coÌ„mission of y e Prince who because he hath power ouer all causes persons both of the Church coÌ„mon welth â—…herfore these meÌ„ suppose that he may make what new lawes decrees orders for both Church common welth that he list change the ordinances decrees of God at his pleasure especially if he be a christian Prince for then he is no way bownd to the lawes of God or limits of his calling But against such deuilish doctrines we haue ofteÌ„ in this treatise proued that though the Prince be placed of God in the most high authority both oâ—…er y e church coÌ„mon welth here vpon earth yet he is but â—…he seruaÌ„t of God circumscribed with lawes as one that shal render an â—…ccompt be iudged before the Lord of all his doings as any other Though the Prince haue the booke of God â—…oÌ„mitted vnto him with charge to see yt duly executed by euery one in his calling yet hath he â—…t to keepe obserue not to breake or chaÌ„ge We haue also proued all the lawes of God to be most holy inuiolable and al sufficient both for the church coÌ„mon welth the perfect instruction of euery officer member of the same in their seueral duties callings so that nothing is now left vnto aâ—… mortal man of what high dignity calling soeuer but to fulfil execute the will of God in his word in their places callings which word being now perfected in y e heauenly ministery of Christ nothing may be added to or takeÌ„ from the same without most high sacriledg impiety the vtter abrogating of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t no new deuise how holy or necessary â—…oeuer to our earthly seeming is now to be brought in or required at our hands our obedience being more acceptable vnto God then our sacrifice Which way â—…en can this strange monstrous CoÌ„mission neuer read nor heard of in the new Testament of Christ or whole word of God so vnlawfull in the persons y t are y e CoÌ„missioners in the power authority they exercise in al their proceedings so pernicious to y â— whole church so dirâ—…ctly contrary to y â— word of God to y â— vtter subuersioÌ„ taking out of the way y â— whole TestameÌ„t ordinaÌ„ces of Christ how may this coÌ„missioÌ„ I say be set oâ—…er y â— whole church or be iustified by y e Princes authority But to proue y t this ecclesiastical high CoÌ„mission is no antichristian vngodly or new diuise Mr. SOME hath taken some paines bestowed vpon vs a few reasons such as they are Saith he this CoÌ„mission is deriued from our gracious soueraigne Q. ELISABETH to whome the Antichrist of Rome is a professed enemy and is directed to honorable reuerend wise men of the clergie temporalty therfore yt is not antichristian Againe sundry branches of this CoÌ„mission are godly as to preserue Gods religion whole sound from popery Anabaptistry c. to meete with suppresse notable disorders as incests polygamies oppressioÌ„ of the ministers c. and to giue defence countenance to the good therfore this CoÌ„mission is very godly Thirdly high Commissions
place and office of CHRIST shewing himself in the Church of God as God by changing the lawes and Testament of CHRIST and by bringing in new ordinances new ministery worship c. Reuel 13. Reu. 17. 12. 13. 14. 17. how Antichrist being thus exalted the Dragon should giue him his power his throne his great authority as also the Kings of the earth yea such Kings as had before burnt the whore with fire should giue vnto the Beast their power authority wherwith he should fight with the Lamb make wa◅ with the Saints opening his mouth vnto blasphemy against God and his tabernacle and them that d◅ell therin setting vp his blasphemous image in all pl◅ces c. Now as we haue by the light of Gods word in this litle y t hath beene s◅ied euidently found seene these Bi◅hops their courtes gouernment to be wholy antichristian vtterly vnlawfull but especially this their high court of Cōmissiō to be most blasphemous y e very throne of the Beast vtterly cōmingling cōfounding subuerting al Gods ord◅nances all estates and offices both of Church cōmon welth the whole liberty of Christians the power duties of the church so likewise if we by the same rules but as lightly examine measure the secret classes the ordinary set Synodes councels of ministers as they terme them selues which these Reformists now priuily bring in and would openly set vp they shall no doubt be found as new strange and antichristiā as preiudicial to the liberty of the Saints to the power right and duties of the whole Church and as contrary to the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST as these other what shew soeuer of former antiquity or of present necessity they may pretend And this if they be compared in the persons assembled and causes for which they are assembled and which they handle in the se◅ continued times place of their meeting in their order maner of proceeding iudgment in t◅eir decrees power vnto that perfect patterne of all christian councelles Act. 15. will forthwith appeare The persons assembled in these councels are only ministers al other Christians being shut out and allowed neither place voice or consent among them The causes for which they are assembled and which they handle not being doubtes or questions which arise in the Churches but al the affaires offices and duties of the Church that without making the Churches priuy wherfore they assemble or what they will t◅ere handle The time place of these councels they without the wil priuity of the Churches make setled continual permanent not leauing to the Church either the liberty when and where to keepe these councels or whome to vse in these councels The order maner of their proceeding and iudgment is first to choose erect amongst thē a Prolocutor Moderator or Iudg to gouerne order this action who whē they shall speake and when they shall cease c. where the matters being debated the greater part preuaileth and carri◅th the iudgment Their decrees are per◅mptory irreuocable most holy inviolable to be receaued embraced of all Churches without contradiction or scruple no power left to any Church to examine refuse or reuerse the same be they found neu◅r so contrary to Gods word but only either by the same councell or by act of Parliament in the meane while they all must practise obey these decrees The power of these councels is ouer all Churches persons causes doctrines to giue the right hād of fellowship as they terme yt or to send the bill of diuorce to ratifie or rei◅ct whome what they will This councel also executeth al the censures duties of the church as to make or depose ministers to censure excōmunicate c. To conclude as all these councels haue exercise power iurisdiction ouer the ch◅rch so are they in authority one aboue an other as the Synode aboue the Classes the Councell aboue the Synode to confirme abrogate or disanul whatsoeuer constitutions or actions the other ha◅h made Yea as some report vpon the e◅ormities abuse◅ y t did arise in these coūcels assemblies of Bishops were deuised erected these new strange orders degrees of Bishops Arch-bishops Patriarches Popes and all their substitutes courtes From which strange councels offices ministery courtes haue flowed forth and daily spring all these strange popish ◅ntichristian orders decrees innumerable diuises traditions daily innouations continuall changes in the worship of God all the proceedings of the Church of the whole Testament of CHRIST whiles men re◅t not in the wisdome councels of God but presume to be wise aboue that they ought to be wise some attributing vnto their Clergye as they call them others to the Prince others to the Church more then inough none yeilding vnto CHRIST that which is his due namely to suffer him to gouerne his whole Church by such officers and lawes as he hath in his Testament prescribed but rather in the presumption of their owne hearts they will set ouer him his Church such lawes officers or at the least assigne vnto him such lawes offi◅ers as they thinke best to accord and iudg most meet for their pollicie as though CHRIST could be a minister or mediatour of any other Testament thē of his owne or that any mortal men may alter change neglect or re◅ect CHRIS◅S Testament without his fearfull wrath heauy indignation for the same Wherfore seeing the whole church al the proceedings therof must be built vpon CHRISTS Testament seing euery ◅oule and euery action shalbe iudged by CHRISTS Testament seing nothing is pleasing vnto God or wil stand before the face of CHRIST that is found disagreeing to CHRISTS Testament seing also euē by this litle search superficiall view we haue takē of the present estate and pretended reformation of this their church of England all things appeare to be out of frame stil in the olde corruption and at the best but enclining to the primitiue ancient defections from CHRISTS Testament nothing being aright or according to the will of God amongst them seing we find all those scriptures that haue foreshewed of An◅ichrist his proceedings liuely fulfilled amongst them al the markes of that painted deccitful harlot the false malignant Church to be fownde vpon them as also all t◅e vials of Gods wrathfull iudgments to be powred forth vpon them and al their doings Finally seing God vouch◅afeth both to discouer and to call al men forth out of Babilon by proclaiming of his glorious Gospel and yet offr◅th more grace before he let fal the heauy milstone of his finall indignation vpon them al to grind them to dust and to presse them to the bottome of hel b◅ing ready to receaue all that come forth vnto him to esteeme guide and defend them as his deare children It behooueth al such in whome in any care of their owne saluation
the filthie do filthilie yet and let the iust do iustice yet and let the holie be sanctified yet Behold I come shortlie and my revvard with me to render vnto euerie one according as his worke shalbe Apoc. 22. 11. 12. SEing we haue receaued a most sure word of the Lord our GOD It behoueth vs to geue heede thervnto as vnto a light that shineth in darke places whiles we trauell in the dangerous wildernes of this world In which word the whole wisdome and conncells of GOD for our direction and instruction in all thinges are fully reuealed vnto vs. So that now we are not to say in our heartes who shall goe vp for vs to heauen and bring yt vs or who shall goe ouer the sea bring yt vs cause vs to heare yt that we may obey yt For loe yt is neere vs euen in our mouth in our heart and set before our eies for to do yt the sound of the Gospell hauing beene long since caried forth through al the Regions of the whole earth So that no nation â—…halbe excused which will not serue obey vnto the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST which being proclaimed with his owne blessed mouth sealed with his owne heart blood writteÌ„ with the pen of the holy Ghost deliuered incommended by his holy Apostles Prophets vnto vs all posterities as his last wil Testament wherunto nothing may be added nothing diminished aâ—…tered or changed violate or wilfully neglected according to fleshly wisdome or vvorldly pollicie without most heinous transgression sacriledge and impietie For as all degrees of men without respect or exception of any person are bound vnto the same as vnto the Scepter of our soueraigne Lord IESVS CHRIST who is King ouer all blessed for euer Amen so shall all men in particular be iudged by the same of all things done in this mortall life Neither hath any Angel in heauen any mortall man no nor the whole Church power or prerogatiue to alter or neglect the least iote or title therof But GOD hath especially coÌ„mitted these holy oracles to the carefâ—…l custody of the Church there to be inuiolably preserued as in the side of the Arke purely taught expounded deliuered without corrupting mixing hiding obscuring peruerting wresting there to be precisely obserued with all reuerence and feare without any willing or knoweÌ„ transgression or swaruing either to the right hand or to the left of the whole Church or any member therof And heervnto is the whole Church and euerie particular member therof both iointly and seuerally bound both because they haue all of them interest in the tree and riuer of life all are bound to the maintenance of the faith which is giuen is coÌ„mon to al Sainctes and because they are all of them the members of CHRIST and togeather his bodie each others meÌ„bers in him Therfore are they so often by the Apostles charged stirred vp to exhort edifie and admoniâ—…h one an other to staÌ„d vpoÌ„ the watch-towre of their faith to scowte and obserue them diligently which cause diuisions offences coÌ„trarie to the doctrine which they haue learned to trie the spirites to examine the doctrine whether any man teach otherwise coÌ„sent not vnto the wholsome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according to godlines Many waightie and graue reasons are added to induce them to be the more vigilant 〈◊〉 the doctrine being likened to the light of the eies to the food yea to the life of the foule as also error corruptioÌ„ resembled to daâ—…knes leauen poison c. Moreouer such teachers to false and deceitful workmeÌ„ blind vnfaithful guides to greeuous rauening wolues to thieues murtherers c. what counterfeit titles â—…heepes clothing soeuer they take and get ynto them yet the holy Ghost speakes euidently euerie where warneth that these builders shal destroie the Temple of God vvhose howse and workâ—… vve are c. these guides shall seduce mislead vs in the waies of death destruction these thieues and vvolues shal spoile murther vs. Now by how much these goods are spiritual this death of the soule by so much are they more carefully to be auoided shuÌ„ned eschewed Therfore our sauiour CHRIST his Apostles as they were most vigilant faithful ministers did both preuent and foresee diuers dangers great euils to come so gaue they verie earnest and often warnings hereof vnto the disciples vnto the Churches coÌ„manding the porter yea euerie seruant of the house to watch to beware to take heed shewing them that manie false CHRISTES should arise many false prophets shewing great signes woÌ„ders wherby to deceaue if yt were possible the verie elect He fore told them of Antichristes original increase exaltation how he should be haue himself vvhat hauock he should keâ—…p in the Church of God as also of the general defection euen of the verie beginning therof How immediatly after the tribulation of those daies namely the destruction desosatioÌ„ of the earthly material 〈◊〉 the Sunne shoud be darkned the moone should not giue her light the starrs should fal from heauen the powers of heauen should be shaken and thâ—… beauâ—…ie therof wrapped vp as a scroule that the whole world should be drowned in sensualitie and securitie as in the daies of NOAH because iniquitie shalbe increased faith scarse found vpon the earth at his coming So that if those daies should not be shortned there shoud no flesh be saued Yâ—…t that al these things must should vndoubtedly come to pass he shewed yt by the nearer thinges namely the destructioÌ„ of Ierusalem the temple there c. as also confirmed yt by the truth stedfastnes of his word shewing how the heauen earth should passe away but his wordes should not passe away neither should this generatioÌ„ passe vntil al these thinges were fulfilled Of these things the Prophets spake before though more darkly as a far off by diuers types as Isa. 14. 13. 14. Naâ—…um 3. 4. 5 6 7. Daâ—… 9. 27 â—…lso Isa. 13. 10. â—…4 4. Ezek. 32. 7. Ioel 2. 31. 3 14. 15. But the Apostles gaue much more euident plaine warning of these things chiefly they that liued longest and came nearest to these times As the Apostle Paul to the Elders of Ephes ' Act. 20. 29. 30. 31. in al his Epistles pleâ—…tifully the Apostle Peter in his 2. Epistle 2. 3. Chapt. The Apostle Iude Ihon in al his Epistles but especially in that heauenly Book of the Reuelation vvherin he most liuely describeth these thinges euen from the original in seueral visions according to the seueral times y t should ensue vvherin he sheweth the happy estate of the Church whiles Gods glorious throne was in the midst
of the elders whiles yt was inlightned with the burning lamps of Gods spirit and that the Book was receaued and opened of the Lamb whiles CHRIST sate vpō the white horse his owne holy word that they remained togeather in that heauenly order vvher in CHRIST had placed bestowed euerie member the Apostles those excellent workmē had planted left them being fitly coupled ioined togeather by euerie ioint for the seruice help of the whole according to the effectual power that is in the measure of euerie part vntil Satan I say that auncient enimie of our happines had that great sword giuē him vvherwith he made stil shal make bloudye war raise vp greeuous persecutiō against the woman her seed without vvithin vvhiles they slept were negligēt sowing his darnel of errors and tares of discord amongst them raising vp sectes through the ambition and vainglory of some drawing others into schisme through pride and hypocrisie others into heresies through their headstrong vnbridled asfectiōs al into his snare through the general default of al who slacked their duties kept not their orderly watch one ouer an other and iointly ouer the whole as they were cōmanded prescribed by the Apostles But as the age that arose after Ioshua those Elders of his time vvas sone corrupted and forgate the ordināces of their GOD and the great thinges the Lord had done for their forefathers so these sone fell frō the Apostolike order and left their primitiue diligence care The people vpō a superstitious reuerence preposterous estimatiō vnto their teachers and elders resigned vp al thinges euen their du◅ie interest libertie prerogatiue into their handes suffering them to alter dispose of all thinges after their owne lustes without inquirie or controlemēt vvhervpon the true patterne of CHRISTES Testamēt so highly and with so great charge incōmended by the Apostles vnto the fidelitie of the vvhole Church was soone neglected and cast aside especially by these euil work mē these gouernours who some of thē affecting the preeminēce sought to draw an absolute power into their owne hādes peruerting those offices of more labour care into swelling titles of fle◅hly pompe and vvorldly dignitie Thus vvrought the mysterie of iniquitie yea so far were manie of them caried with a vaine opinion and ostentation of the excellencie of their giftes as they vnder holy pretextes of doing good vnto others sought al◅o vnder this cloke a iurisdiction and regencie ouer other congregat◅ons also which was easily obteyned the people thr◅ugh the iust iudgmētes of GOD being now so bewitched and blinded with their sweet tongues that they easily condiscended Then were these caled Bishops of such a Citie and if they were cities of rule to which any territories townes or hamletes in the countrie belonged then were they called Bi◅hops of such a Diocesse c. had vnder them inferiour or countrie Bishops as also Deacons subdeacons Thus the whole Church growing remisse negligēt both people officers that heauenly patterne left by the Apostles was soone violate and vpō new pretences more more innouate For hereby was a wide gap opened to al licenciosnes disorder the people growing dissolute the priestes as they terme them proude so that religion with was erwhile so irksoome to flesh and blood so mightily persecuted by Sathan and all the princes of the world grew now so plausible to all sortes of men so pleasing to their affections appetites that the great Princes of the world and all their realmes countries flowed apace to the Church in this estate the gates and entrie being as ill kept without as the watch within So that vpon this increase there were manie of these citie Bishops wherby the pride of some could not heerwith be satisfied vntil they had gottē them a new dignitie namely to be Archbb s. ouer all the BB s. in a Prouince or countrie Heer were also new Deacons Archdeacons erected Yet was not the ambitious thirst of some thus stanched but they aspired yet to a more high degree preeminēce so that there must now be picked out fowre principal cities vvhich must carrie 4. Patriarches These had yet higher power thē the Archb s. and were erected to see to the gouernment discipline as they call yt of al Churches in respect or rather in despite of those 4 beastes vvhich had so many eies and vvings and ◅tood day and night about the throne of GOD. but they vvere rather those 4 angels vvhich stood vpon the 4 corners of the earth holding the 4 windes of the earth that the windes should not blow vpon the earth neither on the sea nor on any tree But Sathan hauing yet a further reach ceased not heere but euen amongst those 4 he stil cōtended to set vp one chief which variably fell out somtimes to one somtimes to another vntil at length the lot rested vpō the Sea of Rome vvhere the papacie being vpholdē by mixed with the Empire and in the end swallowing yt vp became the very throne of An◅ichrist vvhere he sitteth in his exaltatiō to vvhome the key of the bottomles pyt vvas giuen vvhich being by him set vvide open the smoke of his cannons deuises trumperies and abhominations darkned the funne poisoned the aire the Locustes Scorpiōs that came out of this pit out of this smoke the multitudes and swarmes of monkes fryers cannons vagrant mendicant preachers parish priestes c. so pestered and prisoned euerie tree so stung enuenomed euerie conscience as they could beare no fruite neither brooke any wholsome doctrine Thus Antichrist being now established and fortified in the midst of his strengths his councel of Cardinals his Metropolitane Archbishops Palatine Lord BB s. in euerie countrie he now receaued the great charter of his prerogatiue infernal euen the Dragon his power throne and auctoritie He now boldly opened his mouth against God blaspheming the tabernacle of CHRIST them that dwel therin innouating and changing all thinges after his owne ◅ustes the ministerie gouernment orders worship thus exalting himself against al that is called GOD sitting in the temple of GOD as GOD shewing himself that he is GOD causing all men to worship his miage to receaue his mark to buy his vvares c. bringing ◅orth his harlot vpon the stage of the vvorld stately mounted vpon his beastly power pompously araied and gorgiously decked and adorned the more to allure intise vvhose cup of fornicatiōs was caried far neere to many nations people and tongues so that the kings of the earth committed fornication with her the inhabitants of the earth vvere drunkē with the vvine of her fornications which she conueied vnto them by the handes of her merchantmen vvho are vvax◅n ritch vvith the abundance of her pleasures Yet in al this defectiō corruptiō apostacie hath GOD
al the land both great and small rich and poore priest and people in most seruile subiectioÌ„ therfore in this estate cannot be held or numbred among Christes faithful seruantes vvhich are fully redeemed by the price of his pretious blood from al these bondages and intanglementes vvhich they by a shew of volunâ—…arie religion and counterfeit holines vvould impose vpon mens consciences Neither may such be held the seruaÌ„tes of CHRIST vvhich stand subiect vnto his enimie Antichrist beare his yoke receaue his ministerie vvares c. or vvhich contend not for the maintenance of the true faith for the sincere practise of the Gospel with freedome in al patieÌ„t maner vnto the death suffring rather anie thing then themselues to be defiled with his abhominations How then should this people as they generally stand in the publique estate of this land in this subiection to Antichrist in this idolatry sacriledg al kind of excesse and sinne euen in al degrees without repentance faith obedience knowledg be receaued held or esteemed the redeemed called faithful free obedient louing subiects and people of the Lord or how may CHRISTES true faithful seruantes haue any spirituall communion or fellowship with them in thys estate vvithout open sacriledg most hainous impietie and high profanation of the holy things of God For if into the material temple no profane or polluted person might enter and osfer vntill he had imbraced the faith and beene clensed from his filthines how much more ought this profane ignorant vnholy wicked disobedient rowte be kept out of the Church of CHRIST froÌ„ al intermedling with the holy things of GOD which in this estate belong not vnto them But as these vngodly priestes of these times haue entred and do administer vnto this profane people for the lucre of their goodes tithes wages hire so waÌ„t not these Balaams sundrie diuelish shiftes and cauils for the maintenance of their doinges least by this doctrine their portion should be reprooued their vantage for diuining cease as also their sinne and shame be made manifest Amongst an heape of their forged excuses they set this for doctrine in the fore â—…ront THAT vvhere â—… Christian Prince is vvhich maiâ—…taineth the Gospel and â—…he whole land or estate not resisting this commandement reueâ—…enceth the word sacrameÌ„tes there the whole multitude of such â—… land or state are without doubt to be esteemed and iudged a true Church This reason they confirme not with any proofes of the â—…cripture but by M r. CALVINS authoritie who giueth these reasons â—…herof because saith he yâ—… is certaine the word and sacramentes â—…re not without fruit and that by this meanes vnitie is preserued to â—…he vniuersall Church Touching the person of the Author alledged I gladly acknowledg â—…im a painful and profitable instrument in the thinges he saw and â—…imes he serued in yet not without his manie errors ignorances â—…specially touching the planting gouernment and ordering of the Church of CHRIST And no meruaile for being so newly escaped out of the smoky fornace of poperie he could not so sodeinly see or attaine vnto the perfect beawtie of Sion But seeing my hope is GOD hath pardoned all his errors c. my purpose is not with these wicked men to reuiue and broach them a fresh or make them preâ—…identes and by them take boldnes to commit the like or worse ofâ—…ences nor yet to discouer NOAH his shame and nakednes So also concerning matters of faith would I be loth to build vpon or be â—…ressed by the doctrines and examples of men the best wherof we â—…ee to be subiect to their errors and faults For as faith only beleeueth and resteth vpon the holy word of God so are we by the same to examine al the doctrines and doinges of men yea of the vvhole Church and accordingly to approue or refuse the same Touching this doctrine then that a Christian Prince which publisheth and maintaineth the Gospell doth forthwith make all that realme which with open force resisteth not his proceedinges to be held a Church to whome an holy ministerie and sacramentes belong without further more particular and personal trial examination confession c. This doctrine we find by the word of God to be most false corrupt vncleane dangerous pernicious doctrine contrarie to the whole course practise and lawes both of the old newe Testament breaking at once al Christian order corrupting poisoning al Christian communion fellowship sacrilegiously profaning the holy thinges of God First we know that no Prince or mortal man caÌ„ make any a member of the Church they may by their godly gouernment greatly help further the Church greatly comfort the faithful aduance the gospel c. But to chuse or refuse to cal or hardeÌ„ that the eternal and almightie ruler of heauen and earth keepeth in his owne handes and giueth not this power vnto any other This also vve know that whome the Lord hath before al worldes chosen them â—…e wil in his due time and meanes cal by his word and whome he â—…alleth them he sealeth with this seale to depart from iniquitie to beleeue and lay hold of CHRIST IESVS as their alone sauiour to honour and obâ—…y him as their annointed King Priest Prophet to submit théselues vnto him in all thinges to be reformed corrected gouerned directed by his most holy vvord vowing their faithful obedience vnto the same as yt shalbe reuealed vnto them By this faith confession profession euerie member of CHRIST from the greatest vnto the least without respect of persons entereth into standeth in the Church In this faith haue all the faithfull congregations in the world and true members of the same bodie fellowship communion each with other and out of this faith haue the true seruantes of GOD no fellowship no communion with any congregation or member how florishing titles or faire shewes soeuer they make heere in the flesh None as hath beene prooued vncircumcised or polluted in flesh might enter into the temple or tast of the passouer or other sacrifices how neere soeuer they were in consanguinitie affinitie or subiection In King DAVIDS time the Edomites Moabites Ammonites Philistims were brought vnder obedience subiection yet were none of them admitted into the temple c. but such as imbraced the faith King HEZEKIAS and IOSIAH two famous godly Kings after they had rightly reformed the corrupt estate admitted none to the passouer but such as purified sanctified themselues according to the law The like we reade of the children of the captiuitie after they had finished the temple set the priests in their order thâ—… Leuites in their courses c. they keâ—…t the passouer together with all such as had seperated themselueâ—… vnto them from the fiilthines of the heathen of the land to seeke the Lord GOD of Israel These
were godly Kinges which truly planted religion and rightly reformed the state had euerie way as great priuiledg and prerogatiue as any Kings before or since yet had they not power neither durst they presume to open the temple dores to the profane or pulluted or to admit them vnto the passouer c. for this had beene heinous sacriledg impiety for which sinnes the wrath of GOD would haue burnt against them Neither is the like sinne lesse transgression now either in the Prince that commandeth the priestes that administer or the people that receaue The Prince himself entreth by the same dore of faithâ—… into the Church is bownd to the strait obseruation obedience of Gods lawes in his calling as well as any other and is for any transgression therof liable subiect to the censures iudgmentes of CHRIST in his Church which are without partialitie or respect of persons Which censures and iudgmentes if the Prince contemne he contemneth them against his owne soule is thervpon by the same power of CHRIST to be disfranchized out of the Church to be deliuered ouer vnto Satan as well as any other osfendor Now though by this sinne he loseth his right to be a christiaÌ„ or member of the church yet loseth he not his right to be a King or magistrate is so to be held and obeid of all faithful Christians which are his subiectes And sure they litle know what belongeth either to the entrance into or coÌ„tinuance in the Church of GOD or what belongeth to the administration of the sacramentes or to the holy coÌ„munion of the saintes which reuiue or defend this doctrine For is not the whole Church but especially the porter or pastor who ought to know those well that come in to know his sheep by name guiltie of great negligeÌ„ce sacriledg that receaue such into their fellowship administer the holy thinges of God vnto theÌ„ of whose faith they haue no more â—…timonie assuraÌ„ce yea or rather of whose infidelitie profanenes tâ—…ey â—…aue such apparant proofes Can the word sacramentes which they say cannot be without fruit either take away or excuse their sinne in deliuering vnto or ioyning with the open vnworthy in the sacramentes or excuse the vnworthy receauers froÌ„ eating or drinking their owne damnation may the temple of the Lord be thus profaned the table of the Lord thus coÌ„temned defiled or is not the Lord a God of iudgmeÌ„t But yt is impossible that the word sacrameÌ„tes should be without fruit This is true yet the fruit is of two sortes for falling vpoÌ„ good ground yt bringeth herbs fruit worthy of the dressor receaueth blessing of the Lord. On the other side if yt fal vpoÌ„ il ground which â—…till bringeth thornes briars yt deliuereth yt not froÌ„ but rather hastneth yt vnto the curse iudgments of God Neither can any labour of man though Paul plant Apollos water any thing preuailâ—… except God giue the increase That which is crooked can no man make straight No washing no sope or nitre can clense the Leopard froÌ„ her spots horses caÌ„ not run vpon the rock neither can any man plow ther with oxen The sownd of the Gospel is to some the sweete sauour of life vnto life vnto others the sauor of death vnto death The gospel preached doth not make al the land or al that heare yt straight way meÌ„bers of the Church without seene faith obedieÌ„ce NOAH preached a great while whiles the Arke was in making vnto the old world but preuailed not The Lord sent to Israel and Iudah in their defection many Prophets rising early sending yet they gaue not eare but mocked the messengers of God despised his word and misusâ—… his Prophets The law the Prophetts were dayly read in the Synnagogues of the Iewes at such time as CHRIST came yet neither they nor their rulers knew or acknowledged him but fulfilled them in condemning him Yea CHRIST himself that most liuelie powerful excellent teacher preached the gospell among them with great vertue miâ—…acles yet beleeued they not on him that the saying of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled Lord who hath beleeued our report or to whome is the arme of the Lord reuealed therfore they could not beleeue because yt is said againe he hath blinded their and hardened their heartes that they should not see with their eies nor vnderstand vvith their heartes and should be conuerted and I should heale them And againe in an other place And I said I haue laboured in vaine I haue spent my strength in vaine for nothing but my iudgment is with the Lord my work with my God Then neither this doctrine followeth that where a ChristiaÌ„ Prince maintaineth the gospel and the people by the same authoritie are compelled to heare the same that the whole multitude without further proofe of theiâ—… Christian obedience are herevpoÌ„ to be receaued into the Church and made partakers of the bread of the children and the holy thinges of GOD neither yet this strange opinion which is generally taught by the learned preachers of these times that vvhere there is a preaching minister there that parish is â—…ndoubtedly how profane and wicked soeuer the people be to be held and accounted â—… true Church of CHRIST except these presumptuous shepheardes these companions haue greater vertue prerogatiue then CHRIST himself had vvho could not bring this to passe in the places where he taught Yea the follie of some euen of the chief Rabbines amoÌ„gst them hath yet proceeded further namely that VVHERE 〈◊〉 is one parish that hath as he termeth him a burning lamp viz. a preaching priest amongst sixe or seuen other parishes hauing smoking lampes viz. dumb priestes that cannot preach there the light of this burning lamp or star called vvormwood shall enlighten the other candlestickes also and giue them the estimation and dignitie of true Churches likwise But my purpose is not heer to intreate of the excellencie of these preachers how powerfully and purely they preach the gospell therof in due place It now remaineth to see whether the vertue of the sacramentes thus administred vnto the whole multitude of a land or state can sanctifie and make holy or be auaileable to this people or no. It hath beene aboue shewed to be great sinne shamful negligence high contempt vnsufferable profanation sacriledg in the whole Church to admit administer vnto or coÌ„municate with such Neither can the holines of the sacramentes any way excuse but rather greatly augment their sinne iudgment which deliuer such holy things to such knowen vnworthy receauers which discerne not the Lordes bodie neither can the holines of the sacramentes sanctifie the receauers especially the vnworthy receauers vvhose filthines defileth the sacrament euen as leuen the lump The sacramentes confer
not so much as seale Gods grace vnto vs they giue not faith to any so much as confirme the faith of all the worthy receauers But where they are thus prostituted sacrilegiously profaned they bring no such ioy they seale no such comfort but rather Gods assured wrath for the abuse of his ordinances the people sacramentes and all being hereby vncleane polluted in Godes sight Neither preserue they vnto the Church hereby her vnitie and power but rather take away al communion and so corrupt and poison yt that now their fellowship is not in the faith but in sacriledg and sinne And for the power of the Church yt is not giuen them to receaue and admit but to driue away and keep out the profane and open vnworthy from the table of the Lord. THE NEXT shiftes these Balaamites haue for the administring vnto the communicating with and retayning the prophane in the bozome of their Church are certayne Argumentes draweÌ„ by M r. CALVIN from the 13. and of Mathew against the Anabaptistes to prooue that the Church heer on earth shal neuer be without sinne and is not to be left for sinne c. comparing the Church to a corne field vvhich being sowen with good graine ys by the enimiâ—…s fraud scattered with tares of which yt is not clensed vntill the crop be brought into the barne-floore and vnto a net in which all kind of the fiâ—…hes are gathered together are not chosen out vntil they be laid out vpon the shore c. and vnto a floore wherin the vvheate is so gathered that yt lieth hiddeÌ„ vnder the chaffe vntil by fanne and syue yt be at length layd vp in the grainer The doctrine which M r. CALVINE heer indâ—…uoreth to prooue as yt may be vnderstood is true for no doubt while the Church consisteth of mortal men so long is yt subiect to sinne ignorance els had we no need of CHRIST to be our mediator ouâ—… aduocate our high priest our Prophet to make our peace to intercede for vs to offer vp our praiers to instruct vs c. Therfore such as shall for sinne leaue the communion of the Church must seeke the societie of Angels and not of men Much better should they doe according to the Apostles councel to admonish them that are out of order to comfort the feeble minded to beare with the weake to be patient towardes all men yea if the sinne be publike and of the whole Church grauelie in the name of the lord to reprehend reprooue the same louingly to exhort them to repentance amendment rather then preposterously to leaue them and rashly to forsake the fellowship as the maner of some is And doubtles if yt be the true spouse of CHRIST yt wil giue eare to the voice of the bridegroome and not coÌ„tinue obstinate in presumptuous sinne for therfore were they not receaued to grace Faith doth not abrogate the law neither came CHRIST to take away the law so much as the curse of the law from the Church And heervnto serueth that great base and sea of CHRISTES blood which is placed in the Church to purge and wash away through faith and repentance those deformities and blots of sinne which thâ—… glaÌ„sse of the law â—…heweth not vpon the priuiledg of CHRISTES death to take bouldnes to sâ—…e or to continue in any knoweÌ„ sinne or to neglect or despise the word or to thinke lightly of the lâ—…ast sinne or not with all possible speed to redresse yt rather remooue yt out of the Chuâ—…ch whervnto the true church neuer wanteth either wil or power Neither ought any faithfull seruant of GOD â—…o coÌ„municate with that assembly which waÌ„teth either wil or power to reforme amend any default which is coÌ„mitted amongst them after yt is made knoweÌ„ vnto them as shal apear in the further handling of these other their places Argumentes which they haue corruptly sucked from M r. CALVIN in this discourse vvho no doubt hath vnsuffeâ—…ably peruerted and wrested these places and other places of scripture drawen verie foule corrupt doctrine from them touching the estate and order of a planted Church and more dangerous damnable conclusions from the same as that yt is lawfull for the Church to receiue and reteine the ignorant prophane multitude to adminiâ—…ter the sacrameÌ„tes vnto coÌ„municate in the same with them that the sacrament is not defiled with such open vnworthy receauers neither the faithful of the Church with this actioÌ„ or their fellowship also that we ought to abhor withdraw froÌ„ the wicked in coÌ„mon bread conuersation but not in the worship of God the sacrameÌ„ts c. that the people our sauiouâ—… CHRIST did coÌ„municate with the polluted priestes corrupted sacrifices people c. These such other fearful false doctrines conclusions contrarie to the whole course of scripture his disciples haue drawen from him And in deed his abuse of these and other placâ—…s as the epistles to the Churches of Corinth Galatia Asia c. his discourse therof seeme to import w ch that yt may more plainly apeare let vs come to the more particular coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of his places examine whether any sâ—…ch doctrines applications conclusions may be drawen from them and that breefly To HIS FIRST place where he resembleth the planted Church to that sowen field or rather confidently affirmeth that sowen field to be the planted Church c. and from thence draweth that seene knowen tares shall grow and remaine in the planted Church vntill GOD â—…oot them out thervpon coÌ„cludeth that none ought to refraine the coÌ„munion of the Church for such offendors especially where the word is purely taught the sacramentes rightly administred which he maketh his two infallible markes of the Church leauing out obedience vnto practise of the word which he his disciples vnder the name of Discipline make an hangby wherof in due place First heer against M r. CALVINS writinges his disciples I oppose the interpretation of our Sauiour himself who opening this parable vpoÌ„ his disâ—…iples requests vnto our good saith that he which sowed the good seed is the Sonne of man the field is the world and the good seed are the childreÌ„ of the kingdom the tares are the childreÌ„ of that wicked one the enimie that soweth them is the deuil the haruest is the end of the world the reapers are the Angels c. What interpretatioÌ„ can be more excellently consonant in euerie point vnto the parable theÌ„ this or what other interpretation can be 〈◊〉 is not euerie part of yt most liuely opened did noâ—… GOD at the firâ—…t make the world all things in the â—…me good was â—…t not corrupted through the fraude mallice of the deuil hath â—…ot GOD stil in yt his Church visible
vniuersal here there gaâ—…hered scattered in the world hath not the deuil also that prince â—…f this dark world his childreÌ„ seruantes which as tares ouergrow grieue the wheate couer the face of the whole fâ—…ld Is not this â—…he condition estate of the world shalbe to the end Now here â—…hough GODES children by the light of his word espie and grieue at â—…hese wicked tares so see this world which is in deed y e Lordes field beloÌ„geth to the good seed not vnto the euil thus pestered and â—…uergrowne with the wicked yet may they not by a rash inordiâ—…ate zeale be caried away either peremptorily to iudge coÌ„demne â—…r vtterlie to extirpate these tares as reprobates both because the â—…ord hath reserued this final iudgment execution vnto himself who knoweth to what he hath predestinate euerie vessel that he â—…ath made whether vnto honour or to dishonour reserueth the â—…easons oportunities wheÌ„ to cal or cut off in his owne handes â—…ath neither coÌ„mitted these things to maÌ„ nor need to be couÌ„celled or aduised in theÌ„ by maÌ„ But Christ in this parable rather teacheth â—…is disciples patience sobrietie to be patient towardes al men as â—…heir heauenly Father is patieÌ„t rather suffring instructing y e euil with meeknes prouing if God at any time will giue theÌ„ repeÌ„tance â—…y they may acknowledg y â— truth come to ameÌ„dment out of the â—…nare of the deuil of whome they are takeÌ„ prisoners to do his wil â—…ather pitiâ—…ng in their soules praying for al meÌ„ theÌ„ iudging fiâ—…ally condemning any or calling for fire vengeance vpon them c. This were a preposterous zeale greatly against Godes glorie who willeth al men to be saued calleth theÌ„ to his SoÌ„nes mariagé â—…east therefore causeth the gospell to be preached proclaimed for vs after we are once entred to shut the dore of Godes grace against others we were not for this cause receaued to mercy but raâ—…her to prouoke others to tast of Gods goodnes also be examples â—…o them that shal in time to come beleeue vnto eternal life Yf Paul Mary Magdalene others nay if we our selues by whome of al others we know most euil had beene plucked vp by the rootes whiles we grewe amongst the rankest of the weedes tares in the field of the world had yt not beene much ruth had not much good wheate beene spilt but he y chose called vs out of this dark world vnto the glorious inheritance of the Saintes in light shal shew the like mercie vnto them also if they abide not in vnbeliefe Our sauiour Christ whiles he was here emongst vs came not into the world as theÌ„ to iudge or coÌ„deÌ„ne the world but that the world through him might be saued Let not vs then take that vpon vs w ch belongeth not vnto vs neither iudge before the time seing God hath not giuen to his church to censure or iudge them without but to attend vpon iudg them which are within God iudgeth them that are wâ—…thout But now how may this place of the sowen field without vnsufferable vvrasting and falsifying be vnderstood of or applied vnto the planted Church of Christ shall these stinking vveedes noisome tares grow there vnweeded out or hath not GOD therfore giueÌ„ vnto his Church and euerie member therof the vveeding hooke of his word the power of our Lord IESVS CHRIST vvherby to censure cut off euerie obstinate offendor to cast downe euerie high thing that is exalted against the knowledg of GOD to haue vengeance ready against all disobedience and euery transgression that ariseth amongst them Is not the vvhole Church euerie member therof often almost euerie where in the scriptures coÌ„manded and stirred vp to keep this vvatch diligently and for the neglect contempt therof reade we not of sundrie Churches sharply reprooued yea vtterly cut off and is yt then likely that our sauiour CHRIST would here vtterly forbid his Apostles Disciples to intermedle vvith the vveeding out of these tares out of the Church his gardeÌ„ doth not this place thus vnderstood of the planted Church vtterly subuert and ouerthrow all ecclesiastical censures and condemne the Apostles of presumption for stirring vp the Churches to excoÌ„municate and cast out their obstinate offenders inordinate walkers heretikes c. from amongst them yea for so sharply reproouing whole Churches and threatning to come against them vvith the iudgmentes of GOD for their defalts herein vvhich vvay can all the learning these men haue reconcile these places but that by this their interpretatioÌ„ there must needes be expresse coÌ„trarietie But as they thus peruert this place so the applicatioÌ„ of yt and their collection from yt is much more pernicious and vnsusferable as shall afterward appeare THE NEXT place that is brought for the receauing and reteining their profane sinfull multitudes in their Church is the Parable of the draw-net vvherin fishes of all sorts are gathered and not seuered vntill the Lordes finall iudgmeÌ„tes This is granted them to be vnderstood of the planted Church where by the power of the word all degrees and sorts of men are gathered and amongst them diuerse false and wicked hypocrites vvhich shall coÌ„tinue remaine in the Church vntill the Lord pluck off their visors pull theÌ„ out whether by death or by his finall iudgment This is no new thing this is not denied this alwaies hath beene alwaies shalbe vnto the end of the vvorld Many shall enter without the vvedding garment vvithout that vvhite stone that inward testimonie and assurance vvhich no man knoweth saue he that receaueth yt and GOD giueth vnto none but vnto his choseÌ„ Many glorious hypocrites shal there be vvhich make a faire shew in the flesh which shal haue prophecied cast oâ—…t deui's done great vvorkes by CHRIST name which in that day shall call and not be heard But what of all this may yt â—…om hence be concluded that the profane multitude without due â—…stimonie and proof of their faith by publike profession c. may â—…e admitted into or any open vvicked vvhich remaineth obstinate â—…d impenitent may be reteined in this Church of CHRIST Surelie â—…is ground vvill beare no such doctrine this place no such conâ—…ruction THERE YET remaineth an other maine place to vphold their conâ—…sed profane assemblies draweÌ„ from the third chapter of Mathew 12 â—…rse vvhere they liken the gathered and established Church of â—…HRIST vnto a barneflore in vvhich the vvheate is so gathered toâ—…eather that yt lieth hidden vnder the chaffe vntill being clensed â—…ith fanne siue yt be aâ—… length layd vp in the grainer c. yea M r. â—…ALVINE in an other peculiar treatise against the Anabaptists vsing â—…is place of Mathew saith THAT the faithful shalbe in the planted â—…hurch of CHRIST
see into what straites absurdities they fall whith goe about to tollerate or plead for the least sinne yea see how the fuâ—…ther they wade striue herein the further they intangle and ensnare themselves falsifijng perverting the scriptures to the vpholding of their erroneous corrupt doctrines FOR THEIR next shift to couller hide their sacrilegd is to hood wink draw a vaile ouer the eies of the receaver A PRIVATE Mâ—…N say they HATH not to meddle whith the publike actiones affaires of the Church which if they be amisse he is patiently to beaâ—…e to mourne grone with loue vntil God either amend or correct them whese office it is to roote out the tares c but he is not for the sinne of others to forsake the fellowship of the Church which God will haue kept by al that shalbe partakers of his kingdom It sufficeth that eveâ—…ie priuate man looke to himself examin himself when he eateth of that bread and drinketh of that cup least he eate vnto his owne iudgmeÌ„t damnation Heere the Apostle saith their Author willeth them not to enter into the examinatioÌ„ of other men neither saith that they shalbe iudged for other mens faultes or that the tâ—…ble of the Lord is to be left for the wicked yea or that the wicked for some one or fewe sinnes are to be left In this case Charity is to iudg the best to thinke that in so great an heape of chaffe there lye many good graines of wheate yea to perswade himfelf that eueÌ„ of those wicked many do inwardly repent of their sinnes although they haue â—…ot power to amend their liues The best man of vs al is subiect to many sinnes the sinnes of others cannot take away the vertuâ—… of the ministerie and of the holy mysteries which are not to be left for the sinne of anie but such wicked rather to be shunned and auoided in commom bread and conversation but the Sacramentes are NOT BEcause of them to be refused c. This and such like detestable stuffe hath M r CALVINE in his ignoâ—…ance partly to suppresse and confute that damnable sect of the Anaâ—…aptistes which fantastically dreame vnto theÌ„selues a Church in this â—…ife without spot and for euerie transgression that ariseth are ready to â—…eaue forsake the fellowship of the Church without due orderâ—…y reproofe c. partly also is this stuffe brought to defend his owne â—…ash disorderly proceedinges at GENEVA whiles he at the first dash made no scruple to receaue al the whole state euen al the profane igâ—…orant people into the bozome of the Church to administer the saâ—…ramentes vnto them which confuse rowt could not fit with Christes â—…eauenly gouerment neither could yt by any meanes agree vnto theÌ„â—…n this estate but that monstrous disorders and heinous enormities daily insued therof wherby this their Church became a iust reproch â—…o all men euen to these wicked hereâ—…ikes c. yea that which is â—…orse and more to be lamented yt became a miserable president â—…nd pernitious example euen vnto all Europe to fall into the like â—…ransgression as the confused estate of all those regions where the â—…ospel is tâ—…us disorderly taught declareth In which sorowful specâ—…acle we may liuely behold what the wisdome of the most learned â—…s where they swerue neuer so litle from the heauenly wisdoÌ„ of God â—…nd what the most glorious and sure buildinges of man are when â—…hey are not wholy layd vpon that firme rock and foundation of Godes word We may heere also cleerly see what yt is to receaue â—…ur Faith by tradition to fetch the rules of our actiones from the â—…xamples and practise of men and not from the pure word of â—…od â—…or behold how these wretched disciples of CALVIN three fold more corrupted and peruerted then he who as yt is to be thought would neuer haue opened his mouth against so cleare truth being â—…rought vnto him oppose with mayne force and bitternes these his writinges against the manifest truth of God yea contend more for 〈◊〉 crooked practise of theÌ„ as their suting to parliamentes for this reâ—…ormation declareth 〈◊〉 for that holy perfect patterne of Christes Testament to the vpright practise wherof they wil at no hand be â—…rought But let me returne againe to these doctrines of M r. CALVINE â—…rom which by reason of these circumstances I was a litle digressed â—… haue already often and I hope sufficiently shewed how corruptly M â— CALVINE thought of the Church or rather how ignorant he was therof by these his odious simileas and comparisons I haue shewed that into the Church of CHRIST al must enter by the dore open profession of the true faith and by the same faith obedience stand therâ—… how no â—…rofane or wicked person may be receiued or reteined into that fellowâ—…hip I haue shewed that the ministerie and sacramentes of CHRIST belong not vnto this people or Congâ—…egation and how such sacramentes and ministerie aâ—…e sacrilegious and vngodly yea pernitious and damnable to the whole Congregation and all the communicantes vnlesse they repent and redresse these faultes I haue shewed touching his markes of the Church that whersoeuer the word is soundly taught there is not by and by a Church but only vvhere a faithful people are gathered by the same word vnto CHRIST submitting themselues in all thinges to be ordered ruled and gouâ—…ned by his word as yt shall from faith to faith be reuealed vnto them Which people thus gathered and leading their liues â—…ogether are to be esteemed an holy Church and haue power both to receaue into and cast out of their fellowship c. although they haue as yet obteined to haue neither a ministerie nor sacramentes among them alwaies proâ—…ided that this be not by any default or negligence in them they alwaies being ready as GOD administreth men meanes to procced vnto that holy order commanded in the word wherby apeareth that the Church vpon some occasions may be without sacramentes and that they are not a perpetual marke of the Church so of necessitie that yt should be no Church if vpon some occasions yt be for a season without them I haue also shewed that without this holy power of CHRIST to censure and redâ—…esse faultes and offendors there can be no Church no ministerie no communion that the word without practise is an idol praiers and sacramentes deliuered in obstinate sinne are abhomination and sacriledge in Gods sight and that yt is vnpossible to haue the word sincerely taught and the sacramentes purely administred where â—…ny open sinne or sinner is maintained or reteined vvhich must needes be where the carefull watch against sinne and power to reforme defaultes is neglected or left I haue shewed that the whole Church hath no power to dispence with the breach of the least commandement and that such obstinate sinne in the whole Church breaketh the couenant with God and maketh yt cease to be a
child an ill bird c. when I come there mine intertainement shalbe accordingly for this geare Well I am content heere to cease yt neither being my purpose nor to the purpose heere to set downe all their magical ceremonial rites vsed due vnto such seueral degree c. To returne therfore againe to these our commenced diuines who when they haue once gotten this degree vpoÌ„ them there is now neueâ—… a benefice in a shire but if yt be ready for them they are fit for yt There is now no question to be made before any ordinarie in England of their learning They need not now be posed by the doctors by masse chancelor or masse CoÌ„missarie how many sâ—…nes Noah had or whether they can reade distinctly the homilies Iniunctions and seruice booke all this they could do whiles they were bible clarkes fellowes in the Colledge euerie morning next their heâ—…rtes they said ouer this geare Neither shal they be inioined to conne certayne chapters of the Testament without booke their hood and tippet sheweâ—…h they haue learning inough and together with their mother the vniuersities licence to preach excuseth them of all this stirre which other poore priestes do passe but vnto them yt could not without the dishonour of the vniuersitie shame of their degree be offred They therfore now if before this time they haue not had the ful order of priest-hood easily obâ—…eine yt without any difficultie Only they must now kneelâ—… downe at their holy Father the Bishops feâ—…t who solemnely sitting in a chaire layeth his Simoniacal handes vpon him deliuereth him the bâ—…ble into his handes breathâ—…th vpoÌ„ him giâ—…eth or rather selleth him his vnholy ghost as he shal know by the price of his boxe writinges ere he goe I had like to haue forgotten the cheese matter of al without which yt could haue beene no bargaine namely his soâ—…mne and corporal othe vpon the couer of the bible or seruice booke to be buxome and obedient to his ordinarie and his substitutes to vow his canonical obedience to all â—…ch ecclesiasticall orders iniunctions and â—…egrees as either are by publike authoritie established set forth or â—…ereafter shalbe by the said authotitie made set forth That he shal â—…ot preach any seditious or contentious doctrines neither any thing â—…n reproofe of the proceedinges orders iniunctiones by publike â—…uthoritie allowed but shal exhort al men vnto the obedience of the â—…ame c. These thinges being done his dimissaries paied for he â—…iseth vp a ful priest in any ground of EnglaÌ„d get him now a benefice â—…r a cure where he can He is now a priest sufficiently capable of any kind of office in any Church or Churches whatsoeuer whether to be a Deane or an Archâ—…eacon of many hundred Churches whether to be a parson of one or moe parishes whether to be an hired preacher comonly called a GEâ—…EVA Doctor for froÌ„ thence this new office is vnwitting to his Grace of Canterburie stollen into the Church of England except peraduenâ—…ure they stand before him but for mungrel curates still Wel if they will haue a personage they must either now become Chaplaines to â—…ome great BAAL or â—…her that hath store in his gift or els make â—…riendship for loue or mony to some inferior BAAI that is such a Lord of some towne or towneâ—… or els enter in chaffaire with some â—…ther priest for his roomth And somwhat here would be said of these 〈◊〉 or Lord Patronâ—… what kind of office they haue in the Church of England least hereafter I forget as I doe sundrie other thinges It is not needfull heere to dispute of these Lord Patrons when oâ—…â—…ow they tooke beginning whither at the beginning of the defection â—…hen the people first slacted neglected their dutie and gaue vp their â—…hristiaÌ„ libertie power interest in al the Church affaires the choice â—…ensuring depofing their officers c. into the handes of their presâ—…itry as is aboue declared or at the flowing in of the deluge of the Gentiles when the prouincial Bishops Archbishops metropolitanes â—…prang vp or when the Pope was by the general consent of al Princes made supreme head of the Church the great tributes out of al lands â—…aied vnto him c. that then peraduenture he to graâ—…isie these Princes Lordes of his meere benignitie granted vnto them the nomination vnto bishoprickes personages c. But how or when they sprang vp â—…t â—…killeth not we finding them as Antichristian as any of the other No such office we euer read of to belong to the Church of Christ neither any such Lord there to take away all the libertie interest of the people in the choice of their pastor CHRITS seruantes are now no longer wardes neither are in this maner to be bought sold as open and sheep in a faire or market But see when the Lordes beauâ—…ful staffe of his holy gouernment order is broken how he dissanulleth his couenant with those people and deliuerâ—…th them vp to the destroiers to these greedy wolues hungrie foxes as a pray For these Lordes Patrons to whome these aduowsens belong are to apoint present their clarkes vnto these benefices who being admitted instituted by the Bishop c. the people haâ—…e no more power in the negatiue to refuse or depose him be he neuer so vnable or vnworthy then they had before in the affirmatiue to chuse or elect their minister But these Lord Patrons may alien or sell their aduowsons by the law of the land euen as any other part of their inheritance or possessions yea be these Patrons neuer so infamously notoriously wicked gluttons couetous prophane Atheistes c. Yea if he haue 40 of these aduowsons and those distant many hundred miles euen to the vttermost boundes of the land yet is he to all these townes to present their priestes except he make Lapse and then falleth yt into the Bishop of that Diocesse his handes Thus must the greatest Doctor clerke of them that wil haue a benefice enter and be presented thervnto by some of these Baals or other vnto the Ordinarie or Bishop of that Diocesse by whose letters of institution he is inducted ringeth his belles c. payeth his first fruites after the Iewish or rather popish maner hâ—… pâ—…oxes procurations c. Now the parsonage or vicarage to which they enter is to be townepriest or Parson or vickar of a certaine parish to reade them their seruice according to the times and maner apointed to marrie to burie to christen to deliuer their other sacrament of their communion to visit and housel their sick with the said booke and sacrament to receaue their tithes offringes mortuaries c. Then if he be so cunning and as he can intend and afford yt to preach them a sermon of an hower long but that is in his libertie â—…ow seldome he wil except his benefice be a certayne of poundes
then is not God serued with his owne â—…est gifâ—…s Is not the iudgment of the Prophet then vpoÌ„ them which â—…aith Cursed be the deceiuer which hath in his flock a male yet voweth and â—…acrificeth vnto the Lord a corrupt thing Is this old rotten Leitâ—…urgis their new songs they sing vnto the Lord with and for his graces May fuch old written rotten stuffe be called â—…ier the odours of the Saintes burnt with that heauenly fire of the â—…ltar the liuely graces of the spirit c. may reading be said praying â—…ay such apocrypha trumperie be brought into the church os God there be read reuerenced receaued as the sacred word of God â—…hrust vpon mens consciences yea vpon God himself whether he wil oâ—… no Is not this presumptuously to vndertake to teach the Spirit of God to take away his office which as hath beene said instructeth â—…l the children of God to pray eneÌ„ with inward sighes grones 〈◊〉 giueth both wordes vtteraÌ„ce yea as the Apostle 〈◊〉 â—…th we need no other teacher to these thinges then that annoinâ—…ing which we haue receaued and dwâ—…lleth in vs. Is not this if â—…hey wil haue their written stuffe to be held vsed as praier to bind â—…he holy Ghost to the froth leaueÌ„ of their lips as yt were to the holy â—…ord of God Is it not vtterly to quench extinguish the Spirit of God both in the ministerie people whiles they tye both theÌ„ God â—…o â—…heir stinted numbred praiers Is this the 〈◊〉 vnisormitie that ought to be in al Churches â—…s amongst al Christes seruantes to make them agree in a stinking 〈◊〉 diuisâ—…d apocrypha Leituâ—…gie good for nothing but for cushâ—… pillowes for the idle priestes profane carnal Atheistes to rock them a sleepe and keep them in securitieâ—… wherby the coÌ„science is no way either touched edified or bettered Truly I am ashamed to think much more to write of so grosse filthie abhominacion so generally receaued euen of al estates of these partes of the world who haue by a popish custom tradition receaued yt one of from an other without any warrant from the word For the Apostles I am sure these maister builders haue left no such president in or coÌ„mandement vnto the churches neither giueÌ„ theÌ„ any such power to bring in or set vp any such apocrypha Lyturgie in the church of God They alwaies vsed spiritual praiers according to their present wantes occasions so taught all churches to pray alwaies with all maner of praier supplication in the spirit therby to make knowen theiâ—… wantes shew their requestes in al thinges vnto God their heauenly father Our Sauiour Christ also he taught his disciples that God is a Spirit wil be worshipped in spirit truth He hath likewise set downe most excellent rules a most absolute forme for al praiers in that part of scripture Math. 6. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. commonly but falsly called the Lords praier wherin he hath most notably instructed directed and restrained our ignorant inordinate desires to those excellent heades In which whatsoeuer is needful for vs to desire or lawful foâ—… vs to pray is in some one or other of those branches included eueriâ—… one of them being a base foundatioÌ„ whervpoÌ„ wherby to frame many millions of seueral pâ—…ticions according to the seueral wantes occasions at such seueral times as the Saintes haue cause to pray They are all of them so many euerrunning fountaines from which Godes seruantes by the holy Ghost deriue draw continually fresh new graces are al together such an abisme vnmeasured sea of wisdome from which al Christes seruantes thorough the world haue alwaies fetched all their knowledg graces coÌ„fort assurance of and in their praiers according to the capatitie of the vessel of their faith some more some lesse al some yet haue not al of theÌ„ together much lesse any one of them is able in the litle dish of his shallow vnderstanding to comprise the vnmeasurable depth greatnes of this OceaÌ„ of al wisdome grace Wherby yt is euident as also by the circumstaÌ„ces maner of deliuering the same by our Sauiour CHRIST by his Apostles Disciples Churches spiritual vse of praier according to their present estate wantes that these prescript wordes were not giuen oâ—… inioyned as a prescript praiâ—…r so to be vsed by any euen the wiseâ—…t much lesse the simpler vnbroken vp vnexpounded c. so much as a coÌ„peÌ„dious summarie of all necessarie knowledg rules for al praier gathered by the Author of all wisdome into a brief for the directioÌ„ instruction of our weaknes ignorance Of which endes vses whiles some are ignorant or rather aâ—… their grosse idolatrie carnal dulnes superstitious presumption sheweth are ignorant either what faithful praier or the spirit of God is whiles they both popishly abuse this scripture as a principal collect in their publike leitourgiâ—… with their often idle repetition therof fiue times in their morrow masse c. also through this abuse they grow further bold to mould a new calfe a nâ—…w Leiâ—…ourgie of their owne set that vp also in the church of God as they count yt Yfyt were granted theÌ„ that this scripture sundry psalmes and other scriptures they alledg out of the prophetts were coÌ„manded â—…nioyned to be read vsed as for the very praiers of the church â—…f the Saintes then which nothing caÌ„ be more false or grosly fond to â—…onceaue yet which way if this were granted theÌ„ can they hereby â—…roue yt lawful for them to bring in their owne apocrypha diuises â—…et them yp in the church as with the holy canonical word of God May their sâ—…inking filth be compared or placed with the heauenly liâ—…ely word of God without vnsufferable blasphemie may the froth of â—…heir lips follie of their heartes be thrust vpon mens consciences â—…ea euen vpon the Spirit of God himself in this manâ—…r In the church â—…f God may nothing come or be heard but the canonical scriptures â—… liuely graces of Godes Spirit according to the same But these their â—…pocrypha Leitourgies can neither be said the word of God neither â—…e liuely graces oâ—… Gods Spirit according to the same word sâ—…ing â—…ey were made coÌ„ceiued loÌ„g before are wholy thus vsed withâ—…ut waâ—…ant example or coÌ„mandement in the word of God yea are â—…ontrary tâ—…l the rules of sor praier to the exercise vse of Gods â—…pirit directly set against al the lawes of the first Table by worshipâ—…ng God in vaine after their owne traditions preceptes diuises â—… not according to his holy Wil commandement Can these men think that because God commandeth his liuely â—…ord to be read or sung in the church promiseth a blessing therâ—…nto whiles
sinnes c. So then we see how â—…sting is vpon especial present occasions to be vsed those or such like occasions â—…asing not to be continued without end or vse for that were not only to make positiue lawes to bind that which God hath left at libertie but also to put holines in the verie action of fasting without right end or true vse Further the practise vse of fasting in the church of Christ vnder the Gospel sheweth that there can be no permanent lawes of the time day made therof For they not only vpoÌ„ such present publike occasions of calamitie are to vse yt but also in some especial waightie actions wherof dependeth the good or euil estate of that church or congregation as vpon the choice of the Officers Elders of the Church That peculiar Congregation in such actions at such â—…imes is to humble themselues with fasting praier and yet this fast â—…either to be enioined to others which haue not that occasioÌ„ of such â—…ike action neither to be annually monethly c. coÌ„tinued of theÌ„ after that action performed Therfore we may conclude that neither the magistrate nor the whole church may set positiue lawes of publike â—…astes to be holdeÌ„ vpoÌ„ such a day or such a moneth froÌ„ yeare to yeare â—…eing they are vpoÌ„ present vrgent especial occasions to be vsed And as for priuate fastes seing they are wholy put in euerie Christians liâ—…ertie and the occasions neither concerning others nor publikely knowne of them there can much lesse be any positiue lawes made to â—…ast this or that day of necessitie what gaineth then this learned Docâ—…or by this euasion THAT THE PRINCE commandeth these yearly monethly and weekly fastes vnles yt be to lay that blame blasphemie which before was due vnto the Pope their Founder now vpoÌ„ the Prince Do not these priestes an high piece of seruice vnto her Maiesty â—…eerin But this profound Diuine hath yet one trick in his budget to â—…alue al this matter that is the Prince doth not coÌ„mand theÌ„ to fast â—…ut only vpon such daies to abstaime from flesh How false this is by â—…heir especial deuotioâ—…s vpon such daies the priestes solemne bidding â—…heÌ„ in open church c. hath beene sully already coÌ„uinced Moreouer â—… would know of him if he can tel me if the action should be meerly â—…iuil as he would haue yt what the church hath to doe with yt to puâ—…lish them to assemble pray c. on those daies Also why the very â—…aues daies in time nomber as the Pope vsed left them are stil â—…y them so reteined vsed were not this to offend the consciences of â—…he faithful to nourish others in their foreconceiued superstition and â—…dolatrie Is not this the verie cause that maketh so manie papistes in â—…hat so manie popish relikes stil remaine And now further I would know of Mr. Doctor how he can prooue by the law of God that the Prince may forbid his subiectes to eate â—…lesh vpon such daies such times c. I demaund not now any polliâ—…ike reasons for then he would smite me downe with these two for â—…he sparing the yong increase of beastes for the maintenance of the Nauie but my conscience caÌ„not rest vpon theÌ„ I had rather haue one â—…ule or example out of the word of God where I can find no such preâ—…ident vnles yt be king Sauleâ—… who indâ—…ed by solemne curse forbad the â—…sraelites to tast food but for one day that vpoÌ„ as vâ—…gent occasion as I suppose possibly caÌ„ be alledged namly during the battel prusuiâ—…e of the Philistines but he was reproued for yt both by the holy Ghost in the mouth of Iâ—…athan when he said My Father hath troubled the land see now how mine eies are made eleere by tasting a title of this hony also by Lâ—…t from God himself the matter comming to be tried beâ—…wixt him and his sonne who had made the default when the Lord answered not by Vrim as he had couenanted and accustomed the hypocrite Saule desired the Lord to giue the perâ—… or vpright so 〈◊〉 was taken denounced by Gods owne iudgment innoceÌ„t not guiltie the wretch left as the author and cheefe in the trespasse by making that vngodly law So then if yt were not lawful for him vpon such a waightie occasion by way of law to restreine the vse of Gods creatures for one day I cannot see how vpon any pollitike cause such râ—…straintes may be made throughout from yeaâ—…e to yeare My reasons are first God hath created these creatures not man giuen to man soueraignty ouer theÌ„ to vse them to food freely therfore they which by law restraine the sober and free vse of them 1 both calback the Lords liberal gâ—…aÌ„t 2 depriue the Creator of honour praise in for the vse of them 3 make a law of that the Lord hath left in libertie 4 then the Apostle calleth such lawes as in this maner command to abstaine from meates the doctrines of diuels â—… to conclude the Apostle often chargeth vs to stand fast in our libertie not to be brought in boÌ„dage of any thing which is by God put in our powre But by such lawes our free vse of such creatures is for these times takeÌ„ away c. For which reasons I am as yet in conscieÌ„ce perswaded y â— the ciuil magistrate ought not to make permaneÌ„t lawes of y t the Lord hath left in our libertie neither by way of law to restrainâ—… theÌ„ one day for any ciuil or pollitike causes whatsoeuer I would not now be vnderstood of ecclesiastical religious fastes we haue both lawes pleÌ„tiful examples in the scriptures that the Prince church may proclaine such general fastes vpon occasions c. Neither would I heere be suspected to goe about to diminish or pluck away y â— high sacred power authoritie the Lord hath giueÌ„ to the ciuil magistrate as to his Liefâ—…enaÌ„t ouer both body life goodes â—…o much as to sheâ—… that the Princes or Magistrates power is yet by God himself limited circumâ—…cribed for the transgression wherof they shal as any other men accompt vnto the Lord in whome they are to command as we also readily in the same Lord to obey The excesse or abuse of these creatures the Magestrate may ought to punish represse because that is sinne and therfore is the law and sword of God committed vnto him but by a law of his owne wherof is no warrant in the word of God to restraine them for these or these times I thinke there he exceedeth his commission though vpon never so great colour of pollicie and that the action were purged of all this romish superstition and idolatrie wherwith nowe yt is refersed The Prince is to gouerne ouersee prouide for the common welth administring
the peace blessing of God There is no people within the compace of the whole land that will fee and feed them well to whome they wil not at the first sight administer deliuer them the sacraments c yea be he neuer so notoriously wicked impenitent vnworthy vnto with whome they wil not communicate Yea let him be welthie and one that wil entertaine countenance the preacher receaue him vnto house resort to his sermons what life may not this man lead euen before M r. Preacher his face What gluttony riot excesse idlenes profannes pride what crueltie oppression wrōg couetousnes pleasure vanitie delight euē al y e apples ripe authūne fruites their soules can lust after or desire may they not gather vvith full hand by M r. Preachers permissiō yea so they be riche of authoritie or noble then wil he help to reach him downe the boughes and prepare them to his appetite which way soeuer his humor stand For they are cunning physicians wil verie soone espie the cōstitution inclinatiō of their patientes which being found then physick diet al shalbe prepared accordingly which way soeuer his appetite chiefly tendeth that shal not be crossed I warrāt you but finely fed nourished If he be ambitious discontented with his present estate still aspiring and climing to fu◅ther honour that is imputed to his vertuous honorable mind which no meane thing can content or suffice what soeuer office or many offices he thus attaineth they a◅ al in him the redward of vertue y e especial fauour blessing of God towardes him wherwith God doth most highly honour esteeme and aduance him before al other men Let him execute these offices as negligently nay as vniustly corruptly with as great extortiō wrōg violence as apparantly as may be peruerting yea selling iustice so that iudgment is turned into gall and the fruite of righteousnes into wormwood all this geare belongeth not to M r. Preacher to intermedle with matters too high for them Yf they should reprooue these thinges yt were the next way to bring him in dislike with the Gospell to bring in poperie againe so should the preachers want countenance so far are they from reprouing him by name or their Church from calling these great states to accompt for these or any other particular sinne that so they might either be turned from their euil waies by r◅pentance or els receaue that publike reproofe and ecclesiastical censure that belongeth to the same according to the cōmandement and power of our Lord Iesus Christ for the humbling of his flesh But sure I weene this case is a Demurrur in the Church of England ye◅ vtterlie denied to be lawful or sufferable that the magistrate should be excōmunicate they therfore in stead hereof receaue them in this estate to their sermons praiers sacramentes in hope of secret repētance as they say for what though they haue vsed yt al their life and giue no outward figne of amendement yet repentance may come in the twinkling of an eie Well now if these noble or rich men be giuen to riote gluttonie with all manner of delicate fare pampering vp the slesh c. that in them is but good houskeeping if they their retinew exceed in mōstrous and vaine apparell yt is but raiment fit to their degree age or sexe If they keep nourish troupes of idle seruingmen followers this still belongeth to their degree if they and their whole houshold spend al their life time in fleshly vaine sportes and gaming so that numbers of men haue no other trade and be wholy employed to the keeping of hawkes doggs to serue the lust of these mē al this is couered vnder christian recreation pastime and is tollerable inough so he wil heare a sermon and cal his familie to a lecture yea the priest will not then stick to stay looke on vntil the games at tables or set at cardes be done yea or at some odd time to make their exercise gi◅e place to an enterlude As for their common table talke they may there be as prophane as Esau and vse there what merrimentes scoffes iesting vaine speach they list al is in the way of mirth good fellowship wrapt vp in the cloth and sanctified with M r. Preachers short grace As for most insatiable and greedy couetousnes in purchasing and ioining not field vnto field but towne vnto towne vntil they be Lords of a whole countrie that is but good hu◅bandrie wise foresight and allowable prouidence for them their posteritie Be the sinne neuer so odious and apparant if yt be in a man of au◅horitie these prophets these preachers dare not reprooue yt for that were both to transgresse their commission forfait their letters pattentes If these sinnes be found vpon any of their patrons proselites or hearers then for loue they must winke at them and not find faul◅ especially if they be any of these inherent or inbred sinnes which cleaue close to the soule cannot without great strift dislike vnto the flesh be left With these sinnes these Predicantes wil not meddle as if they be giuen to pride to exhort them to lowlines humblenes to cast away these ornaments which nourish that sinne vvherin the flesh delighteth and to get vnto them the iewels of godly knowledg Christian vertues to deck garnish their soules therwith if they be giuē to ryot fleshly lustes vanities spending their time therin to councel them to redeeme the time whiles yt is called to day to subdue the flesh bring yt into obedience mortifie the lustes therof shewing them the end of such pleasures delights to be bitternes death c. Yf they be giuen to couetous hoording vp treasures purchasing landes building sumptuous houses and garnishing them c. to shew them that the couetous shall not enter into the kingdome of God that these vncertaine riches can neither help them nor establish their posteritie no not in this world God hauing so many meanes to take their welth from them and them from their welth in the twinkling of an eie much lesse make them the more acceptable vnto God shewing them that they are but the Lords stewards and bayliues of them and shall accompt vnto him for the vse of euerie farthing and therfore yt behoueth them to be careful that they bestow them according to their M r. his wil otherwise the mispēce or miskeeping of them shal fret their soule rise vp in iudgment against them yea euē in this life they shal be but snares to them their posteritie to bring and hale them to more sure damnation c. Fie these were too sowre vnpleasant doctrines especially when they come to be
the Bishops iniunctions and decrees of the high commission by which your Church is wholy oâ—…erruled vnto which your king Câ—…rist himself whiles he is amoÌ„gst you must be subiect or els there is no place for him CHRIST giueth lawes vnto his seruants ordereth al things in his Church according to his owne will but you giue lawes to your CHRIST set strange ordinances ouer his Church yea you haue not anie one thing there either in order or administratioÌ„ according to his Testament Againe CHRIST hath giuen ful power libertie to all and euerie one of his seruantes to put in pâ—…actise whatsoeuer he commandeth as also to reforme to reproue censure and cast out whatsoeuer is found to be coÌ„trarie repugnant vnto his word though al the powers in the earth or in hell withstand yt But the CHRIST these men preach you is vtterly without power to put any thing of his owne will in practise but is sold as a bondslaue to these antichristian Bishops and preachers his enemies He cannot by vertue of his owne word authoritie redresse any thing be yt neuer so heinous or enormous neither can he establish or bring in any thing that is wanting be yt neuer so necessarie important without humble sute and attendance vnto the high Court of parliament or vpon the high Court of commission Yf they reiect his sute though yt be by 30 yeâ—…es together and that in these two reasonable requests that they would remoue their heinous blasphemous idolatries from before his face and giue him leaue to rule them by his owne officâ—…rs lawes yet must this poore CHRIST with all his seruants euen the whole Church stil surcease the practise of the Gospel and continue vnder these abhominations yea if he anger his Lords the Bishops much he shalbe whipped with scorpions with new rods and this by the vniuersal consent of all his learned preachers in the laÌ„d who are at a ful point haue set yt downe as a resolute decree not to stir a foot forward vntil they haue the princes power the consent of parliament Then they will bring him in with horsemen and charets with belles bonefires How like you this your worthy King trow you that euer PILATE araied him worse when they clad him in purple put a scepter of a râ—…d in his hand a crowne of thornes vpoÌ„ his head bowed the knee before him hailed him a King yea wrytt him one in three languages Hebrew Greek 〈◊〉 or the chief priestes and phariseis when they bâ—…indfolded him buffâ—…d scourged him spatt in his face blasphemed him or the people that with one consent demanded him vnto the death preferred the seditious murtherer BARRABAS before him haled him to the crosse despighted reuiled him vpon the crosse A King he is without power a King without lawes a King without officers a King without subiectes yea a slaue he is made to euerie slaue He hath strange officers straunge lawes that he is not acquainted with set ouer him imposed vpon him whether he wil or â—…o which not only rule his heritage but ouerrule him aâ—…ter their owne lustes He is fashoned to the common welth not the coÌ„mon welth vnto him and in the Church he is but an idol king an idol Christ and hath not there so much honour giuen him as the players doe vnto their kinges vpon the stage And as for the priestly office he should execute amoÌ„gst theÌ„ therein they abuse him yet worse for a new ministerie they erect in stead of his parsons or mercenarie rouing preachers in stead of Pastors and faithful Teachers As for the other rable that serue in stead of Elders with their multitudes of attendants as also their other inferiour new found officers would fill a booke but to describe theÌ„ their offices Thus make they him a minister after an other order theÌ„ that which he hath set downe in his Testament then that wherunto he was annointed of his Father that with an othe that for euer They impose also vpon him a new ministration strange worship more displeasing vnto God then Nadabs fire theÌ„ Vzzahs altar euen al that idolatrous booke of that coÌ„mon seruice which he must wil he nil he administer in maner forme abouesaid Thus make they him a minifter of al their idolatries abhomination by him they offer vp vnto God all this their wil worship poperie superstition Moreouer they make him a mediatour of an other Testament then that of his owne binding him to this english masse booke and to al the iniunctions of the BB s. the high commission convocatioÌ„ house Finally they make him a priest a mediatour a sauiour to all the prophane atheistes idolators miscreantes wicked persons coniurers witches heretikes who not al being receaued into the bozome of their Church whomâ—… they blesse in his name with his peace to whome for mony they sell deliuer their sacraments and thus by al these waies they most impiously deny sacrilegiously defile y â— holy priesthood of Christ. What kind of prophecie he exerciseth amongst them may appeare by that which is already said They make him takâ—… vpon him the ministerie of Antichrist euen that the Pope left in the Land they wil not suffer nor receaue his ministerie which he hath in his Testament apointed for his Church They set lawes not only ouer him in this ministerie they apoint him but also ouer the Gospell yt self both by aportionating how much of his word shalbe read in what oder and time c. And this order being through the yeere and permanent they therby abrogate no small part of the Bible and take yt cleane away from the Church in that by their law they apoint what shalbe read for euer casting the rest quite out of the Church allowing yt no time or place to be publikely read They bring in also in stead therof diuers apocrypha writings and reade them in their Church in the place of canonical scriptures They reade also as part of their publike ministerie of their Church not only their abhominable seruice booke but the blasphemous iniunctions of their Bishops and are not ashamed to preach and publikely to expound in the Church their fond Apocripha Catâ—…chismes To coÌ„clude they mussell bridle vp their Christs mouth by publike law power forbidding him to teach any thing coÌ„trarie vnto or to find fault with any thing by publike authoritie established or to be established swearing him dayly to execute their iniunctioÌ„s thus ioining the Gospel to al the idolatrie abhominatioÌ„ blasphemie as you see to all the sinne iniquitie mischief of the land wherby they make Christ a false prophet an idolater a blasphemer and guiltie yea a ringleader to al this ill Thus you see what kind of Christ they teach you without poweâ—… holines truth what kind of Gospel
without freedome without practise without light You see how they subiect Church Gospel Christ to the apostaticall chaire of Antichrist making Christ both a minister to al their abhominations and to iustifie and daw be them vp with the Gospell Infinite were the labour to reckon vp all the forgeries they build vpō this foundation this Christ this Gospel or to shew how these wretches munge corrupt peruert wrast falsifie abuse y e scripturs how they roile yea poison the pure fountaines or to recite the sundrie errors they heerby fall into For whiles they thus blasphemously denie in deed and practise the whole annointing of Christ namely his three offices his kingdome priesthood and prophecie standing the sworne waged marked seruants of that aduersarie that Antichrist that beast these Bishops deriuing their forged false ministerie from them prophecijng by their licence limitation c therby they fla◅ly denie the kingdom Priesthood and prophecie of Christ for two contrarie Maisters they cannot obey they cannot be subiect both to Christ and Antichrist two diuerse and contrarie ministeries they cannot execute the ministerie of Christ and the ministerie of Antichrist at the same time neither cā they prophecie in bot◅ their names c. Many are their forged cauillations which they invent vnto themselues to hide this their perfidy all which as not recking them wor◅hie the reciting I leaue to be refuted by their owne practise comp◅red to the word of God as I might also vnto their owne alligations excuses God hauing so deuided their tongues made them so contrarie one vnto an other as yt is an impossible thing to find two of thē of one mind yea or any one of them con◅tant in that he affirmeth So are these accustomed to doe all things without ground or assurance following the traditions writings examples of others neuer looking how consonant they be vnto Godes word This maketh them thus ignorant and blind in all the lawes and ordinances of Christ touching the true gathering building and gouerning the Church of Christ that they know not the doctrines euē of the beginnings of Christ of repentance from dead workes faith towardes God of baptisme and laying on of handes This maketh them not to know so much as the stones wherof Christs Church must be built nor the true foundation wherupō to build them as you may see by that which hath beene said cōcerning their outward estate practise much lesse know they the true forme fashion of the house least of all the true administratiō ordinances therof as apeareth euidently by their receauing of administring vnto this mōstrous confuse bodie of their profane rowtes of people by their exercising this their false and antichristian ministerie and that after such an idolatrous blasphemous symoniacal maner as also by receauing Antichrists yoke traditions ordinances wherby as hath beene shewed they deny Christ in the flesh by denijng his offices his annointing they denie his ministerie his ordinances his whole Testament by receauing an other ministerie other lawes then s◅ch as he there hath prescribed Or els they must affirme that earthly mē may admit into make members of the Church whome they please and wil that they also may alter add to detract yea abrogate and disanul what part of Christs Testament they lift that they may erect a new ministerie a new forme of administration of sacraments of worship of government Of al which seuerally to intreat and set downe their particular errors and enormities no pen of man sufficeth I refer heerin the reader partly to that which heer is already vvritten concerning their ministerie ordination ministration sa◅raments worship c. but chiefly to his own◅ more neere view and diligent search of their doings by the light of Gods word They holde also that the true Church of Christ may be built and established without the outward offices and gouernment he hath prescribed in his Testament yea that in stead of them yt may receaue a false and adulterate ministerie be gouerned by other Officers and lawes then he hath appointed in his word They holde that yt may be a true Church though both ministerie ministration and government be thus wholy corrupted and forged and though yt haue neuer entred or smitten couenant with Christ but stil and euer haue remained in subiection vnto Antichrist in one false shape or other whose yoke they hold ought not to be cast off to redresse any sin or abuse amōg them or put in practise any more of CHRISTS Testamēt then is by publike authoritie permitted yea in this confusion idolatrie subiection though neither the people be called vnto nor ioined in the faith though neither ministerie ministration nor any thing be aright according to the word amongst them though their Church abound with all manner of sin abhomination and abhominable persons though they haue neither power to seperate the most vncleane to censure or cast out anie offendor or off◅nce to redresse any thing be yt neuer so odious hateful and apparantly ill nor yet haue libertie to put in practise any of Christs heauenly ordinances notwithstanding all this they hold yt with maine force and outcries to be a true established church of Christ though there be neuer a true stone nor any one pin or nayle o◅ the true tabernacle aright amongst them as their adulterate ministerie office election ordination administration worship sacramentes pr◅iers fasting abuse of the word read abuse of the word preached which they corrupt roile distort peruert wrast leauen falsifie poison abuse prophane abrogate exclude at their wils d◅clare Of all which what vnsound opinions they hold their present practise compared to the word of God manifesteth yea they wil stil be the true Church ministers of CHRIST though they reiect his word remaine obstinate in their sinne defend plead for iustifie the same persecute blaspheme mu◅ther CHRISTS seruants that speake vnto them in the name of CHRIST exhort them to amendement Thus you may see into what hardnes blindnes of heart extreame vtter darknes the Lord hath cast these your Seers because they haue loued darknes more then light neither haue trembled at his word but walked in the presumption of their owne heart committing arrogancie in their wrath O how great is that darknes when the verie light of your Church is such darknes as yt is but that verie smoke of the bottomle◅ pit when yt is duly examined For as you haue heard al their worship ministerie praiers sacraments fastes to be but counterfait abhomination so yet of all other you may perceaue this their preaching of the Gospell to be most detestable pe◅nitious euē the strongest snare delusion of Satan wherby he allureth deceaueth and holdeth captiue the miserable world in the chaines of transgression error idolatrie abhomination impenitencie vnto iudgment This preaching of theirs as yt is exercised in a false ministerie a false
Church as yt proceedeth from the chaire of Antichrist so is yt wholy subiect therunto both the person doctrine of the preacher Their person either to be still approued licenciate or els silenced suspended depriued their doctrine to be allowed or condemned as pleaseth their Lords Ordinaries in whose pontifical brests and handes standeth the whole doctrine of the church of England what they shal receaue what they shal reiect what they shall say what they shal leaue vnsaied c. The word of God Church ministerie preaching and al are wholy in the handes of these lawlesâ—…e Lordes to abrogate establish bring in cast out depose suspend without controlement or accompt A greater power then euer was giueÌ„ vnto or exercised by any of CHRISTS Apostles who alwaies submitted their doctrine practise persons vnto the trial and censure of the word and that by any Christian. They neuer exercised domioÌ„ oâ—…er the faith of any or layd anie other burden vpon the Church theÌ„ what they either read in the word of God or acknowledged to be the will of God But heere in the Church of Englâ—…d yt is held a small thing to haue a strange ministerye worship lawes orders gouernment imposed vpon them to haue a great part of Gods word quite banishâ—…d the Church the rest that is allowed them but by shredds patches at â—…tarts braydes to haue their preaching by stint prescription limitation to haue the whole doctrine subiect not to the wil of God but to the wil of these their Ordinarieâ—… who they may be sure wil allow no more none otherwise then shal agree to their apostatical throne The ministers of this Church may not preach the people beleeue much lesse practise any more of the word of God theÌ„ what is confirmed by these their Ordinaries The poore parish oâ—… congregation where these priestes serue may not meddle or haue to do with the election administration or deposing of these their ministers for why they are lay meÌ„ haue no skil neither ought to intermeddle with ecclesiasticall affaires or with the word of God Be their minister neuer so blind vnsufficient or vile a wretch detected of neuer so horrible sinnes yet may not they remoue him their only help is to complayne to their Lord Ordinarie in the meane while they must ioine to the wretâ—…h in praiers in sacramentes yea still for euer if yt pleasâ—… not their said Lord to giue eare to their complaint Let their minister preach neuer such damnable or hereticall doctrine wrest peruert corrupt falsifie the scriptures neuer so violently and heinously all the Church no though there be all the priests in a countrie as at a Scene hath no authoritie nay is by expresse law forbidden to reproue this doctrine presently or publikely or yet to forbid him to deale with the scriptures their remedy is stil to complaine to their Ordinarie and vntil yt please him to take order therin the whole congregation is stil bound to frequent his heretical sermoÌ„s ministerie yea al the priestes of the land both pontifical and reformistes agree in this point coÌ„clude that the lay people as they terme them ought not to intermedle either with y e deposing their minister or reproof of hiâ—… doctrine The one sort as you haue heard sendeth them to their Lords these Bishops the other referreth them ouer for these manie other cases vndâ—…r hand to a prouincial or classical Synode or permanent councel of priests c. Amongst whome all these affaires must be debated after they are agreed vpon the point then their decrees to be brought forth solemnely published pronounced to the people who must attend vpon awayte receaue these Oracles as most holy canonical They haue no remedie if they also be contrarie to the truth but to appeale to a councel in the meane while still ioyning to such a wretch such an heretike and that in the high profanatioÌ„ of Gods holy name word ordinances But my purpose is not in this place either to refute the popish prelacie of the one sort or the deuilish forgerie of the other hoping to find a more fit place for both so much as to shew that euerie Christian congregation hath power in themselues and of duty ought presently publikly to censure any false or vnsound doctrine that is publikly deliuered or maintained amongst them if yt be knowen discerned vnto them yea anie one member in the Church hath this power whatsoeuer he be Pastor or Prophet that vttereth yt as also to shew how far this their pulpet preaching differeth from that heaueÌ„ly blessed exercise of expounding scriptures or prophecie in the Church of CHâ—…IST The first me thinkes alreadie verie fully proued in all these places where our Sauiour CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church and to euerie particular congregation therof himself his word his power with expresse charge to put in practise whatsoeuer he hath coÌ„manded them and threatned his wrath and displeasure against that whole congregation which neglecteth or breaketh any of his coÌ„mandements or suffreth any seene transgression or error or incorrigible impenitent offendor Also where he commanded all men to informe that Church wherof they are members of fuch transgressions offences enormities as arise amongst them This he in vaine had commanded and they in â—…aine should do this except he had giueÌ„ both absolute authority expresse charge vnto the Church to redresse and take order in the same In as many places alâ—…o as he hath coÌ„manded the whole church euerie member therof to watch to scowte and obserue their teachers to trie the Spirits to marke theÌ„ diligently which cause diuisioÌ„ offences contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned to seperate themâ—… from â—…uch as teach after an other maner or consent not vnto the wholâ—…ome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according vnto godlines to hold theÌ„ accursed that peâ—…uert the Gospell of CHRIST or preach any thing besides that hath beene taught by CHRIST his Apostles to reiect an hereticke after one the second admonitioÌ„to haue in a readines due vengeance against al disobedieÌ„ce c. In al these and sundrie other places most euidently apeareth that CHRIST hath giueÌ„ ful power absolute authoritie and expresse coÌ„mandement vnto his Church eueÌ„ to euerie particular congregatioÌ„ to cenâ—…ure both the persons doctrines of their ministers of euery member of their said coÌ„gregations He sendeth them not heere â—…o these popish ordinaries neâ—…ther yet to a prouincial Synode or a Classis of priests there are other vses of Synods or councels as shal in due place be declared They can neither ad to nor diminish from the power of the Church or execute alter any part of the Churches dutie ‡ Moreouer sith euerie member hath like interest in CHRIST in his word the publike doctrine
ministration of the Church and shall all be held g◅iltie punished for the publike transgressions abuses of the Church seing ◅uerie member is bound to the edification seruice and vtilitie of the bodie seing euerie member of the Church is commanded to watch to trie the Spirits to contend for the maintenance of the faith once indifferently giuen to all saintes to auoide false teachers false Prophets c. seing they are cōmanded not to follow the multitude or mightie in euil seing they are commanded to reproue their brother playnly to bind their sinnes by the word euen their Princes in those chaines and nobles in those fetters to say to ARCHIPPVS looke to thy ministerie that thou hast receaued in the Lord that thou fulfil yt yea though an Apostle or an Angel from heauen should ◅each either other doctrine or after an other maner then is in CHRISTS Testament prescribed to hold and pronounce him accursed To conclude the point seing the praiers sacraments sermons of such wicked or hereticall ministers are sacriledg and abhomiuation in Gods sight and that all which communicate ioine to heare or suffer such ministers are alike guiltie of this sinne sacriledg who can doubt but that euerie Christian hath power and authoritie in due time and place not disturbing CHRISTS holy order in his Church publikely to reproue any publike ◅ransgression of anie member of the Church or of the whole Church as also to di◅couer and refute any error escaped or deliuered in publike doctrine yet this as is said in due time order giuing leaue and place vnto the Elders and Prophets of the said Congregation fir◅t who if they neglect or ouerpasse such publike transgression or error then may any one of the congregation or any Chri◅tian who◅oeuer yea he ought to reproue such transgression and error vnles he wilbe guiltie of betraying the faith of CHRIST of the distruction of the whole congregation knowing the danger of such leauen the sodennes of the wrath of God for such things Heere will be grosly obiected that the common people are ignorant not able to iudg betwixt truth error disordered variable easie to be deuided led into sects and therfore they are not to intermedle with the iudgmen◅ and reproof of faults and errors escaped in the ministerie or with the censuring their persons That their people are blind ignorant seditious headstrong I readily grant neither ca◅ yt be otherwise hauing such blind guides co◅rupt teachers as all they are I grant also that neither the people nor they ought in thi◅ estate to meddle with the word of God or take his blessed name in their mouth without most high and vnsufferable profa◅ation of the same But for the people of CHRIST they are all inlightned with that bright morning star that sonne of righteousnes The eye of their faith is single and the whole bodie is light They a◅e an humble meek obedient people they will heare and follow the true shepheard but a stranger they will not heare They reioice loue e◅nestly in the truth ◅a by no meanes be drawē to do any thing against the truth And therfore hath God amongst them bownd vp the testimonie and sealed vp the law To them he hath committed the charge and keeping of his holy oracles to them and euerie one of them he hath giuen his holy sanctifi◅ng Spirit to open vnto them and to lead them into al truth to thē he hath giuē his Sonne to be ther King Priest and Prophet who hath made them vnto him Kings Priests But if they were so blind and ignorant as these men would make them how could they then discerne truth from error how could they approue truth or refute error transgression Happily for all this heere will be saied that the common fort of CHRIST◅ seruantes either haue not this knowledg or haue yt but in small measure and therfore are vnfit to deale in the◅e high matters and can not doe yt orderly soberly To this I answere that they are to reproue no more then their assured knowledg leadeth them vnto If they transgresse the limits either of their knowledg in reprouing that which deserueth no reproofe or breake the established order of the Church by rashnes intemperance c. then are they for so doing subiect to reproofe censure for abusing their libertie for breaking order the Churches of God haue no custome to be contentious But if they should be debarred of this power libertie and dutie because they are not so learned as the priests and haue not beene at the vniuersitie c. by that popish reason were the word of God to be shut vp from al lay men as they cal them that no man might reade or speake therof in his house or family because they haue not knowledg to vnderstand yt open yt after their schoole maner the word of God being such an abysme of wisdome and of so great dignitie reuerence that in al places alike And should they not by this reason also shut yt vp from themselues and from al men in this life for he that knoweth most knoweth here but in part yea of that part he knoweth nothing as he ought to know But they are to vnderstand that God hath not giuē vs his word that yt should be perfected or receaue grace from vs but y t yt should bring grace vnto vs build vp accomplish our faith nourish vs vnto eternal life that yt should be milke to the weake vnexpert strong meate to them of riper age According to this word who so speaketh not yt is because their is no light in them By this word what so is reproued or affirmed the basenes or ignorance of the speaker is not to be regarded it no way diminisheth any thing from the dignitie truth of the word to which as the only obiect the Church is to cast their eye As for these learned diuines of our age I refer them vnto or rather oppose vnto them the wisdome word of God who you see hath giuen vnto al his seruantes this libertie power yea rather hath layd vpon them this charge duty to reproue censure any error or transgression which is committed by the whole Church or any member of the Church contrarie to the word of God by the same word But yet are not our learned Reformists satissied for ◅oe they fetch a reason somwhat more subtilly though altogether as far frō the truth as the other from 1 Cor. 14. 32. where yt is ◅aid The Spirits of the Prophets ar◅ subiect to the Prophets therfore conclude they that the people are not to reproue iudge or cēsure the doctrine of the minister but only an assembly of ministers a schoole of Prophets as they call yt Before I shew their
priests we haue scene how wickedly they corrupt peruert abuse that scripture holy exercise Now yt remaineth but in a line or two cōpare their publike preaching in their Synagogues to this heauēly exercise of prophecie instituted in the churches of Christ. First these parish priests or hired preachers al of them preach vnder their ordinaries licence stint limitation as hath beene shewed Thē they are prescribed their time when to begin They haue a prescript place like a tubbe called their pulpyt for y e most part able to receaue no more then one person except yt be a suggestor or prompter as in some special places Neither doe they ordinarily speake any more thē one he for the most part disputes to the howerglasse which being runne his sermocination must be at an end Preach this priest neuer so vnsound corrupt or heretical doctrine there is no present or publike controulement or retractation to be had Handle he the scripture neuer so vnsufficiently or vnsauorilye peruert mistake or falsifie he yt neuer so grieuously there is no amendes or supplie of others to be looked for none els being suffered to speake The Church hath no power either to approoue or reprooue any doctrine deliuered thē be yt neuer so consonant to or dissonant from the word of God Here would not be forgotten also the sweete psalmodical harmonie of the Vultures Crowes Gleades Owles Ge◅se of the Leopards Beares Wolues Dogs Foxes Swine Goates pardō me for thus y e holy Ghost termeth likeneth the proph◅ne cōfuse multitudes assembled in the false Church All these together with one accord sympathie harmonie sing some pleasant ballade or els vnto DAVIDS melodious Harpe some psalme in ◅ime I say not rithme now or meetre wel concinnate to the eare though neuer a whit to the sens◅ purpose or true vse of the psalme before the sermon to stir vp the spirit of their worthy priest or preacher Who being thus ◅apt or rauished with this harmonie goes to his geare in forme aboue◅aid vvhere his mouth distilles his lips drop downe such olde parables such premeditate wel studied chosen sentēces as shal displease no partie vnlesse he be of too suspitious a nature or howsoeuer I warrant you he hath his learned priuiledged author and that at his fingers endes for his discharge Thus haue you briefly seene the vsual order of your publike prophecie If you compare yt now to the rules and orders set downe by the Apostle for that blessed exercise vnto al churches in that 1. Cor. 14. ver 26. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33 then may you iudg of your selues what is right or amisse and ease me of further trouble to raue in this filthie doung and to bring this counterfait stuffe in particular to the triall Great were the labour and far exceeding my slender capacitie especially my decaied memorie but euen summarily to recount all the principall and speciall heades of their falfe doctrines false practise from whence flow infinite errors and enormities euen as the innumerable drops of a fountaine yea but to prosecute and goe forward in this disordered mane◅ to search out and ◅me vp those which yet are wanting All which I rather leaue to the more diligent fruitful inuestigatiō of such as God hath endued with a greater i◅dgment more cleare sight confessing my self both wearied ouercharged with the greatnes of the worke For whiles I haue indeuored but to giue you as yt were a blush of their coūterfait antichristian ministerie and to shew the error of their educatiō election ordin◅tion and administration throughout of the blasphemous and idolatrous worship they vse of their sacrilegious and adulterate sacramēts their prostituting selling them the Gospel themselues of their profanation of praier the name and word of God both read and preached abrogating excluding part mankeling dismembring distorting peruerting the rest to th◅ir idol feasts sacramēts marijng burijng visiting churching charming the fields how they preach the word by stint limitation subiectiō both of themselues their doctrine to their antichristiā ordinaries whose apostati◅al throne they vphold dawbe therwith as also gild adorne the whore the false Church ioining yt to all the abhomination sin of the land hiding stealing concealing obscuring wrasting munging corrupting leauening selling the Gospel as also their abusing counterfaiting peruerting the holie exercise of prophecie Al which when I had but lightly touched discouered according to my purpose hoping that so I might haue made an end of this odious and yrksome argument these things being so manifest heinous in themselues that I need not stād either to proue or disproue them or to shew the indignitie danger enormities that ensue therof Euen then lo is the whole word of God the Law the Gospel presented vnto me most wretchedly corrupted abused violate troden vnder foot by them by your preachers I say euen your learnedst best Good men that you so esteeme of I still speake would be vnderstood of the generall publike errors transgressions of this Church which if I ◅hould goe about to particulate I could not hope to liue vntil I had made an end And that you may not think I speake by the figure hyperboie as they vse I earnestly bes◅ech any one in whom◅ is any sparke of light grace conscience loue or feare of God to consider examine by the word of God or rather to lament deplore with me the through corruptiō vniuersal transgression of al Gods lawes both in the Church cōmon welth as the present estate of ech doth shew The one I hope this present treatise shal somwhat reueale discouer the other shal be as manifest if by this light with a single eye you but pervse y e publike lawes iudgments pleas trials customes orders trades estates degrees still I speake generally of the whole body which hath not from the crowne of the head to the sole of the feet one sownd parte but all is full of wounds swellings vlcers corruption so that he that feareth God cannot in this cōmon welth keepe a good cōscience liue amōgst them whether he buy sel lend borrow hire worke for hire giue take sue or be s◅ed The Lawes Courts Iudges Iuries Aduocates generally all estate◅ from the highest to the lowest are so throughly corrupt Not to speake heere of the particula◅ sinnes the heigth qualitie vniuersalitie of them which were infinite let the idolatrous blasphemous worship yea the idolatrous blasphemous oathes publikly admitted giuen required and receiued of all persons in all causes so contrarie to the law of God in the maner all the circumstances shew how soundly the fir◅t Table of the law is taught in the Church of England Not to speake of the common and vsual swearing forswearing blaspheming cursing for euerie trif◅e cause yea without anie cause vsed through the whole land without controlement rebuke censure punishment Let the generall
the Church as also to bayte the wolfe from the fould and not to suffer him to enter much lesse to teach or exercise anie office there come he neuer so disguised in sheepes clothing wrapped in Samuels mantel or in a rough hayrie garment to deceaue Yf their examples for their incomparable preeminence be not allowed me to follow yet their doctrines cannot be so taken from the least of Christs seruants For a pâ—…rticular instance I insiâ—…t among many other scriptures vpoÌ„ Zacar 13. 2. 3. Verses where they may see an expresse warrant for this my maner of dealing w t these maner of meÌ„ as also the â—…oueraigne vertue effect of this sharpe medecine olde corrupt sores must not be cured w t skinning plaisters or sweet ointmeÌ„ts If I should obey their ambitious appetite therin I should destroie both theÌ„ my self their seared consciences must be wounded their rough garment and counterfait ministerie which they for gaine vainglorie so corruptly execute must be plucked from them they shewed the heigth of their sinne the wrath of God due vnto the same for the high profâ—…nation of his holy name word the misleading murthering so many soules c. that so they may if they belong to Gods election to CHRISTS kingdome be humbled for their sinnes and betake them to some more godly trade of liuing vntill CHRIST thinke them worthy and call them to the worke of his ministerie This grace effect with my whole heart I wish them beseeching theÌ„ in the meane while not to fixe their eies vpon my basenes and ignorance which bring the message so much as vpon their owne miserable estate the message that God vouchsafeth euen by me to send them least they be offended at my basenes folly which is euetie way greater then they â—…aÌ„ imagine or I vtter so in the pride of their owne wisdome and presumption of their owne hearts in disdayning me they stumble at the words of God despise his grace against their owne soules The basenes of CHRISTS choice hath euer beene no small offence to the learned Phaâ—…seis their proselites that he should begin his glorious ministery kingdome in GALILE and that amongst a sort of the most despised simple artificers leauing reiecting the great learned Phariseis Scribes Priests who where the greatest enemies and persecutors of him his Gospel c. The scripture also speaketh euidently that in these latter daies when the viallâ—… of Gods iudgments shalbe powred vpon the false Church that the most part of the men that haue receaued the marke of the Beast and worshipped his image shall not repent of their works but breake out into noisome greeuous sores botches â—…nd shallbe so tormented with heaâ—…e that their tongues shalbe smitten with venemous bliâ—…ters that they shal blaspheme the God of heauen for their paine sores c. The truth of this prophecie and terror of these iudgmentes I behold with griefe executed euen vpoÌ„ the cheefest learnedest of your ministerie striken with such blindnes as they grope their way in the noone light and reele like drunken men in their pathes they are hardned with ambition and couetise as they can find no grace nor place to repentance yea that I euen trâ—…mble to thinke of possessed which such madnes as they that sometimes to our seeming sought reformation and the kingdome of CHRIST IESVS are now become of al others the most pernicious enâ—…mies therof daily studâ—…jng for new caâ—…illes and shiftes to hide their wretchednes and to keep back and misleade the people yea to weaken and discourage the hearts handes of such as in the loue feare truth of God haue begiâ—…ne to build the Lords Temple despising accusing slandering reproching them worse then euer the Amonites Samaritaâ—…es did the Iewes yea euen blaspheming the truth of the Lord when they see they can by no meanes preuaile against yt For all which their impious deeds hard sayings they shal shortly giue accompt to him that is coÌ„ming with thowsands of his saints THVS HAVING discored vnto you the true estate of the people ministerie worship ministration of the church of England yt remaineth now that we take a litle view of the 〈◊〉 gouernmeÌ„t ordinances of this their Church which though they may partly appeare by that which is already written concerning other pointes yet if they be brought a litle neerer the light and compared to these orders ordinances that our Sauiour CHRIST hath set downe in his last wil Testament and incommended to his Church for euer then shal they most eâ—…idétly easily be discerned of all men no labor learning or power can then any longer iustifie couller or vphold them Great hath beene their craft manifold their deuises to couer their antichristian practises and to vphold this their ruinous and tirannous kingdome I had need expresse my meâ—…ning to be of their false ecclesiasticall regiment the kingdome of the Beast least they be my interpretors draw me within dager of treason so like are they vnto their predecessors the Priests Phariseis so apt as the Prophet saith to lay a snare for him that rebuketh in the gate to coÌ„demne him as guilty for the word c. First they sought to darken the true light by terming this heauenly gouernment of CHRIâ—…T and holy ordâ—…rs ordinances of his Testament The outward discipline vsed in the primitiue Churches especially in the time of Lent c. then to keepe the Magistrates the people vtterlie from all sight knowledg hereof both by inhibiting all their priests to preach therof and not suffring any such places of scripture as make expresse mention therof to be so much as read in their Church as â—…om 12. 1 Cor. 15. 12. 2 Cor. 2. Eph. 4. 2 Thes. 3. 1 Tim. 3 5. Tiâ—… â—… much lesse to be sincerely expounded made knowen vnto the Church y t they can at no hand away with scilencing suspending emprizoning such of their forsworne priests as meddle with such matters Yea the wretches perswade the magistrates that yt would breed an innouation if not a subuersion of the whole state hinder the course of the common law cut off the ciuil quite extinguish the cannon law that yt would raise continual schismes contentions and vnapeaseable troubles and tumultes that yt would innouate and alter the regiment of the coÌ„mon welth and draw yt to an Aristocraâ—…ie or Democratiâ—… c. These things these vncleane deuilish spirits thâ—…t are come speake out of the mouth of the Dragon blow into the ciuil magistrates 〈◊〉 and breath into their hearâ—…es who being a great deale more pollitike then religious the Lord knoweth with what truth sorrow of hearâ—… I speake yt are not able to discerne this most impious high blasphemie against God and his CHRIST from sacred veritie but because yt is plausible to the flesh rightly agreeth to the present
corrupt estate both of Church coÌ„mon welth and in nothing disturbeth the strong man thaâ—… holdeth theÌ„ al in peace they readily iâ—…brace yt publish maintaine their deuilish decrees giue their power vnto the Beast wherby he warreth against CHRIST his Gospel saints And thus are they drawen by them into the great day of God almightie euen against CHRIST and them that are of his side whome they daily persecute and murther in â—…heir prisons and therfore shalbe slayne with that sharpe sword of him that ridâ—…th vpoÌ„ the white horse they shal in the iust iudgment of God â—…e made a pray eueÌ„ a quarry a feast to these vncleane spirits to these greedie rauenous foules which as that scripture saith shall feed 〈◊〉 their rauenous appetites vpoÌ„ them yea these vncleane spirits shal draw them together with the Beast and the false Prophet into battel against CHRIST against his armie of saints These blasphemous wretches not to darkeÌ„ only buâ—… to reproch the truth yet further proceed giue out that the heaueÌ„ly order ordinances which Christ hath apointed in his TestameÌ„t y e gouernmeÌ„t of his Church which they call discipline are but accidental no essential marke of y e established Church but that yt may be a Church planted without them yea that the true Church of Christ may take an other order of gouernment other ordinances then Christ hath apointed in his Testament that this order of Christs gouernment is neither permanent perpetual nor necessarie but that yt is in a Christian magistrats power to keepe out Christs gouernment to erect establish an other after their willes These hellish blasphemous doctrines doe al the Priests Preachers of the laÌ„d giue out publish els could they not either esteeme the Church of EnglaÌ„d in this estate as yt receaueth Antichristes yoke this popish hierarchie in the true Church of Christ neither would they exercise any ministerie in this Church in this estate or sue vnto and stay for the Prince and parliameÌ„t to bring themselues vuder Christs saâ—…red gouernment But the Pontificals proceed yet further to open their mouthes vnto more accursed blasphemie which would make a Christian heart to rend his clothes to heare that Christs blessed order wherin the Apostles planted establisâ—…ed the first churches is not only not necessary but intollerable now vnder a christiaÌ„ Prince as bringing not only al these publike perturbations mischiefes vnto the common welth which are aboue recited they haue suggested vnto the magistrates but also innumerable other incoÌ„uenieÌ„ces which would proceed yf the people should haue election of their owne ministerie Church officâ—…rs if the affaires of the church should be directed by a councell or companie of Elders if the doubtes of the churches should be decided by an assembly of other churches which they cal a Synode a Councel if faults should be censured by excommunication c. Thus is Antichriâ—…t exalted openeth his mouth against God al his ordinances Thus are the tongues of the false Prophets feâ—… on fire of hell Many other impossibilities are there brought by y e Potificals against y e Reformicts why this their course which they seeke to bring in by parliament ought not cannot be admitted in this land Al which because they neither concerne nor hinder the truth but rather through the mercie of God stoppe make head to the new diuised forgeries of these Reformistes I wâ—…llingly passe ouer in sâ—…ilence leauing the deuided kingdome to tâ—…ie out the matter amongst themselues Yet now before I proceed further let me in a word or two giue yoâ—… warning of the other sort of enemies of Christs kingdome y â— Phariseis of these times I meane these your great learned Preachers your Good meu that sigh grone for reformation but their handes with the fluggard denie to worke These counterfaites would raise vp a secoÌ„d erroâ—… euen as a second Beast by so much more dangâ—…rous by how much yâ—… hath more shew of the truth These men instead of this grosse antichristian gouernment which is now manifest odious vnto all men would bring in a new adulterate forged gouernmeÌ„t in shew or â—…ther in despite of Christs blessed gouernmeÌ„t which they in y â— pride rashnes ignorance and sensualitie of their fleshly heartes most miserably innouate corrupt and peruert both 1 in the verie thing they seeke 2 in their maner of seeking yt 3 in the people ouer whome they would set yt 4 in their manner of exercising yt The thing yt self they innovate corrupt in that they add new deuises of their owne as their Pastoâ—…al 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Sacraments their set coÌ„tinued Synods their seleâ—…t Clâ—…sses of ministers their setled supreame councel Their false manner of seeking yt is manifest in that they seeke to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh by suting supplicating to his vassals and seruantes if so be they will haue them or can imagine them Christians that haue not or will not suffer Christ to reigne ouer them by his owne lawes ordinances or if they iudg them not Christians then they seeke sute vnto stay vpoÌ„ his enemies vntil they wil suffer allow Christ to reâ—…gne ouer his Church according to his owne wil Testament This is not Kiâ—…e the sonne least he be angrie and ye perish in the way Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and if they refuse speake euil of the way to shake of the dust of the feet against them this is not to bring Christ in by the power of his owne word and spirit as yt hath wrought in their heartes tâ—…ue râ—…pentance and conversion by shewing them the error and danger of their waies and by calling them vnto the right practice of the Gospell Nay in stead of this these men wil not only continew suting to such despisers where God calleth them away but stay the whole land in their idolatrie from receiuing Christ vntil these men wil permit them yea they vvil so sweeten the matter and so allay yt to their fleshly appetites as â—…rist shalbe framed vnto the common welth and not the common welth vnto Câ—…rist they shall still retaine and exercise this their vngodly diuelish power to giue lawes vnto Christ and his Church and to receaue or permit no more of his lawes then standeth with their good liking so they wil but receaue this their new diuised plattforme and put downe the Bishops They also make no other choice nâ—…ither seeke further argumentâ—… of faith repentance in the people ouer whome they would set this their pretended gouernment These men still vvould haue the whole land to be the Church and euerie parrish therin a particular Congregation of the same These men would haue all redressed by vertue of one parliament one day and not by vertue of the word preached which as yt hath with them no power to effect any thing so expect they not any
of election only inioyning them to choose some vniuersitie clarke one of these colledg birds of their owne brood or els comes a Synode in the necke of them and â—…dnihilats the election whatsoeueâ—…â—…t be They haue also a trick to stoppe yt before yt come so far namely in the ordinatioÌ„ which must forsooth needes be done by other Priâ—…sts for the Church that chooseth him hath no power to ordeyne him And this makes the mother Church of Geneuâ—… and the Duch classes I dare not say the secrete classes in England to make ministers for vs in England And these ministers when they are come ouer are receaued and esteemed as Angels in hell shine as bright starrs in these smoky Egyptian fornaces wherin the miserable people of the land are kept in most harde seruitude daily new taskes layd vpoÌ„ them by this spiritual 〈◊〉 Antichrist so far are these new guides whome they trust froÌ„ leading them freely with the Lordes banner of the Gospell displaied before them as you see they would be glad of anie of Pharaohs coÌ„ditions their suite at the best intendement and vttermost course being but to worship God in Egipt to haue these tyrannous taske-maisters their Lord Bishops their attendants takeÌ„ from them Most willing they are with al their people to remaine in spiritual bondage to the ciuil magistrate I would not heere be misvnderstood of that lawful bodily obedience which al Christians owe in al lawful things vnto the ciuil magistrate But these vncleane spirites are gone out vnto the Kinges of y e earth to gather them into battell against God his Christ to make thâ—…m not only to cast Christs bandes from them but to tie him in their bâ—…ndes keeping awaie vpon their regal authoritie what part of Christs lawes they lyst from the Church and laying what lawes of their owne they lyst vpoÌ„ the Church Alas what a dangerous fearful abuse of their authoritie is this they are not made Kinges to reigne ouer Christ or to giuâ—… him lawes but to honour and worship the sonne to cast downe their Scepters at his feete not to disturbe or hinder his saintes from the free and sincere practise of his Testament but to incourage them and goe before them therin as king Dauid did dauncing recoicing before the Arke Princes are equally bound to the keeping of all Godes lawes as the meanest or any other shal for the breaâ—…h therof not escape the iudgment of that Lion of the tribe of Iudâ—… whâ—… wil tread vpon Princes as the prophet saith as clay when he treadeth the great winepresse without the citie This is the portioÌ„ of al the Lordes enemies to this banket doe these false Prophets with their perfidie and â—…latterie bring them that they cannot endure to be reprooued of God himself by his word to which they can at no hand endure to be made subiect Therfore they hate persecute him that rebukerh in the gate they abhor him that speaketh vprightly and rule all thinges after their owne lustes And sure eueÌ„ this incorrigible pride wickednes of Princes magistrates which would by no meanes be brought to the obedience of the Gospel first draue the Anabaptistes into their deuili h conceits of theÌ„ that no Prince or magistrate could be saued afterward thâ—…t theiâ—… veriâ—… office functioÌ„ are vtterlie vnlawful in the kingdome of Christ which wicked heresies as they haue no ground in y â— word of God the ciuil magistracie being the blessed ordinance of God for the defence of Christs Gospel Sainctes therfore al humble obedieÌ„ce therunto coÌ„maÌ„ded as vnto the Lord himself this both by our Sauiour Christâ—… owne exaÌ„ple the continual exhortations coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„ts of his Apostles in al their epistles vnto the churches so caÌ„ these Anabâ—…ptistical heresies no way be better refuted takeÌ„ out of the hearts of al meÌ„ at once theÌ„ by the humble submissioÌ„ of Princes magistrates vnto the Throne Scâ—…pter of Christ theÌ„ by bringing their glorie honour vnto y e church according to the coÌ„fortable prophecies of the scriptures O what â—… coÌ„fort were this to Christs poore laÌ„bes to â—…ee the LioÌ„ so humbled as to eate hay together with theÌ„ in the mountaine of the Lord not to liue of y e rauine spoile of y â— poore sheepe so as they dare not come aneere theÌ„ for their fiercenes What a ioy were yt to see Gods ordinaÌ„ces thus vnited to see Moses Aaroâ—… brethren this in the glorious spirituall Temple of God where Christ shalbe Hhimmanuel God with vs rule guide feed sanctifie vs euery one in their callings O what a heauenlie communion should this be what a beautie what a ioy to the whole earth But ô how far are we from this coÌ„fort our magistrates froÌ„ this happines whiles they giue their eare to the serpent speaking out of the mouth of the false prophet that blasphemeth Christ his ordinances accuseth his saints vnto theÌ„ whiles they giue their power vnto the Beast y t traÌ„pleth Christs Testamet vnder their feete couÌ„teth y â— blood therof as a coÌ„moÌ„ thing y â— setteth vp the image of his owne deuises causeth al meÌ„ of al degrees to worship the same al such as in feare faith vnto God refuse so to doe those in al hostile maÌ„ner they confiscate persecute imprison inclose make away without aniâ—… equal hearing of their cause or once bringing yt to light This their blasphemous writings sermoÌ„s y e publike worship estate of their church their prisons generally through London the land declare They haue published in their writings That the orders ordinances which Christ hath inâ—…is Testament left vnto â—…is Church were but temporarie whiles â—…he Church â—…as vnder heathen tyrants and that where the Gospel is embraced by a Christian Prince they are not onliâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but inconvenient yea intollerable as bringing the vtter subuersioÌ„ of the land 〈◊〉 vp tumulâ—… 〈◊〉 withdrawing the people from obedience vnto their magiâ—… a nuÌ„ber of such like execrable mandible blasphemies Reade that most blasphemous Pareâ—…thesis of T. C. esteemed the Bishop of Winchester beginning at y e73 page vnto y â— 84 of y t his Booke which he writ against the Libeller MARTIN MARPRELATE The wickednes falshood of whose deuilish calumniations y â— they may eueÌ„ sodenly appeare I wil adresse my self to prooue vnto him by the vndoubted euideÌ„ce of Gods word yâ—…strange PropositioÌ„ which he so coÌ„fidently coÌ„deÌ„neth in way of reprochful chaleÌ„ge to al Christs seruaÌ„tes propouÌ„deth namelie That there ought throughout alâ—…ges estates of y â— world in al places to be one y â— same forme of outward gouernmet in al true churches of Christ vnto the worlds end Scilicet thaâ—… Apostolike priminue patterne lefâ—… vnto 〈◊〉 in Christs new Testament none other And this through the assistance of Gods spirit
by direct scriptures without anie wrasting or peruerting the same Which being done by that time I hope the innocencie of such as seeke this Christian order and communion in sinceritie as also the blasphemie of them that depraue the order accuse the seekers therof shalbe euident to al men I am not ignorant in what a sophistical Saducaical manner this horned Bishop hath propounded his questions quite from the state of the controuersie and drift of his reproches subsequeÌ„t The deceit error wherof may be more fitly laid open after this difficult proposition which he and his associates with such tyrannie impugne is prooued God we reade wheÌ„ he first erected his tabernacle amongst the Israâ—… set downe in the mountaine the perfect patterne of al things eueÌ„ to the least instrument hooke or tape vsed therin as also the whole composition and vse of euerie thing belonging therunto with all the ordinances therof He left nothing to the wil or discretion of Moses whose commendation was that he was found faithful in al his house as a seruant for a testimonie of thinges to be spoken The like vve reade of David in the distribution of the orders and functions of the Priests and Leuites Of Solomon and Zerubabel in the building the material Temple We see I say how perfectlie the Lord set downe y e matter and forme the number assize place order and vse of euerie thing belonging to his Tabernacle and Temple We see vvhat absolute lawes he set downe for euerie thing there to be done how iâ—…lous he was ouer his sanctuarie and what seuere iudgmâ—…ntes he shewed vpon them that transgressed the least of his ordinances as the exaÌ„ples of Nadab Abihu Corath Ely and his sonnes vzza sundrie others the deportation of both the kingdomes with the destruction of the Temple and at length the vtter desolation therof shew And may we suppose that God is lesse carefull prouident absolute ielous ouer this his glorious Temple vvhich consisteth of the bodies and soules of his deare 〈◊〉 Saintes for the structure instrumeÌ„tes forme order ordinances of this which abideth for euer theÌ„ he was of that other vvhich consisted but of stone and wood vvhich was to abide but a time was but a type and shadow of this If we so thinke let the new Testament of our Sauiour CHRIST conuince vs wherin is left vnto vs a most liuelie and expresse patterne for all things with the fit mould wherin euerie thing ought to be formed cast most perfect direct lawes ordinances for the number place order vse direction of al things belonging vnto CHRISTS Church Can anie imagine vnto themselues that God is lesse louing vnto delighted in or ielous ouer this Temple wherof his owne only deere sonne is builder minister head then he was ouer that base earthen Temple for so in respect of the incomparable glorie of this I may call yt wherof MOSES was the builder c. Can anie imagine the ministrie orders ordinances of CHRISTS Church deliuered by the sonne himself ratified coÌ„firmed by the voice of God from heauen by manie miracles and wonders on earth of lesse congruence necessitie or accompt then those of that TeÌ„ple deliuered by Angels or that God hath giueÌ„ now greater power or priuiledg to anie mortal creature Prince or minister in this church to neglect alter violate or innouate any of Christs lawes or bring in set vp anie of their owne in this Church then he did then to MOSES DAVID SOLOMON in that Temple If these lawes be of greater force estimation perpetuitie both in regard of the dignitie preeminence of Christ the minister of the things administred of the place I meane the spiritual Temple yet if the word spoken by Angels was sure and euerie transgression disobedience receaued iust recompence of reward If that word might at no hand either in the building reformation or administration euen in the least vilest things as the ashes of the Altar which had their apointed place iâ—…struments ministers be neglected brokeÌ„ or innouate by no mortall man of what estate or degree soeuer vpon what occasion or pollitike respect soeuer without some warrant from Gods owne mouth that gaue the Law how shall they escape or where shal they stand that not only neglect violate but despise reproch and innouate the whole established order ordinaÌ„ces that Christ hath set downe in his TestameÌ„t for this his church Shal not this be to make God more louing gracious prouident careful ielous ouer that material Temple that shadow theÌ„ he is now ouer this his Church the substance and to prefer the shadow to the substance that Temple to this Church Should not this be to prefer the person Testament of MOSES to the person TestameÌ„t of Christ inasmuch as they make the one to be deliuered and confirmed with a great deale more authoritie maiestie power then the other were yt not to make MOSES more absolute faithfull in his house then Christ in his Church inasmuch as MOSES left a perfect Tabernacle Testament and did see gaue charge that al the ordinances therof should be most precisely kept obserued But Christ belike hath left an vnperfect Church and Testament in as much as he hath not taken full order for the ministerie gouernment orders and ordinances therof yea though he haue in his Testament set downe orders lawes for all these things yet they are not so authentike or irrefragable as those of Moses Princes States may according to their pollicies receaue reiect or innouate these c. Were not this to prefer the ministerie of Leuy those outward ordinances and beggerlie rudiments in dignitie to the sacred ministerie and ordinances of Christ inasmuch as they are made more holie congruent necessarie inuiolable then Christs But the holie Ghost throughout the whole epistle to the Hebrewes handeling this verie subiect conuinceth instructeth and exhorteth the Iewes to leaue al superstitious foreconceaued opinions of their Temple ministerie ordinaÌ„ces wholy with reuerence to embrace behaue themselues in the Church ministerie ordinances of Christ. Herevnto he perswadeth by the incomparable excellencie glorie prâ—…eminence perpeâ—…uitie of Christs person Church ministerie Testament which can neuer be shakeÌ„ or remoued compared vnto the weakenes basenes impotencie vanitie of MOSES person that Temple ministerie TestameÌ„t which were temporarie caduke to be abolished and to giue place vnto these which they but prefigured wherevnto they led and serued this being the beginning the end of their erection Manie most graue exhortations and weightie charges doth the holie Ghost there giue vnto vs concerning the reuerence feare faithfull holie obedient diligent orderlie constant walking behauiour that we ought to shew in the Church of Christ vnto his word TestameÌ„â—… drawing Argumentes both from the vnspeakeable glorie maiestie excellencie beawtie ioy of Christs church aâ—… also from the terror
seuerity of God who is the iudg beholder of this church against all inordinate walkers contumatious offendors therin From euerie word almost of which epistle may an argument be drawen to proue the inuiolable excellencie perpetual necessitie of Christs orders and ordinances left in his Testament for the building direction gouernment of his Church It will not heere helpe them to say that the ministerie gouernment of Christ are eternall in respect of the couenant end in that they lead to the kingdome of heauen or in respect of the perpetuitie of the doctrine of the Gospell or in respect of the inward rule worke his holy Spirit hath in our heartes and is not vnderstood of the perpetuitie and necessitie of that outward order of gouernment administration left and practized by Christs Apostles These ignorant cauils will not helpe them For this self same couenant of life euerlasting touching the end had the Iewes and all the faithful that euer were They were all ◅aued through faith in Christ seene apprehended by the eie of faith though not yet exhibited in the flesh vnto them The difference of the couenant thē was not in the e◅d to which yt tended so mu◅h as in the present Church ministerie things administred orders ordinances worship worshippers c. the couenāt being made to these outward ritual figures and ceremonies but vntil the substance should be Ihewed and Christs heauenlie Church ministerie erected to which then the Iewes al men were called to which now the couenant is only made As for the truth perpetuitie of the doctrines of the gospel they were the same from the beginning that they are now Christ was before all beginnings that wisdome word of God Christ was the fulfilling of al the Prophets who foreshewed of him But if they meane by doctrine Gospell that heauenly ministerie sacramentes exercises and cōmunion of the Church which are peculiar vnto the Gospell according to the rules prescribed in Christs Testament then is the question graunted me without the due obseruati◅n of which rules they can haue no true ministerie sacraments exercises communion Gospel as I shall straight way shew Now as fo◅ this inward gouernment sanctificatiō they speake of where Christ reigneth in their hearts by the power of his Spirit c. I say that the Spirit of God may not cānot be seuered from the word of God They that openly willingly breake the least of Gods lawes boast of a false gift when they speake of their inward sanctification Christ doth not reigne in the heart of anie that wil not submit all their outward actions to be ruled by him also Christ will haue the whole man both bodie soule to serue him he parteth not with Antichrist or Beliall This is one of the Anabaptistical errors wherby the reforming prea◅ers defend their popish ministerie They say they haue Christ◅ inward calling to the ministerie in that they haue gifts learning and fitnes therfore though they want his outward calling which they say is not of the substance of the ministerie yea though they haue a false antichristian outward calling yet are they to be esteemed as the minister◅ of CHRIST Might they not as tollerably yea with lesse offence both to God and man vsurpe the magistrates chaire without a calling inasmuch as yt is of no such excellencie or worthines as the heauenlie ministerie of CHRIST because they haue wisdome and fitnes c. But to returne againe to our purpose This inward gouernment sanctification of the Spirit had the faithful Iewes before Christ came in our flesh and before they were called to the Church and ministerie of Christ Therfore either these are no answeres or els the whole scope of that epistle to the Hebrues is vaine◅ for all these things the Iewes enioyed before they had the same couenant of saluation the same perpetuall true doctrines Gospel the same inward gouernmēt sanc◅ification of the Spirit that we haue Only because they wanted the heauenly practise ministerie of the Gospel the heauenly orders exercises and cōmunion of the Church of Christ they were called from those ritual types figuratiue shadowes wherby in their infancie and ◅onage they were trained shut vp vnto the open sight and cleare beholding of the glorie of the Lord with open face all vailes being takē away and vnto the free orderlie practise of the same Gospel according to Christs new Testamēt al trumperie traditions being abolished With what extreame desire haue all the Prophets longed after and great delight written of the excellent beawtie heauenlie gouernmēt inuiolable order of this Church How often hath Dauid in his Psalmes remembred the same with what admiration hath he expressed the absolute perfect structure of that compact citie as Salomon also liuelie described the beawtie pretiousnes iuncture of al her parts How plentifully haue the Prophets Isaiah Ezekiel zachariah and others euen with an open eye described the whole forme of the building of this Church as also all of them giuē euident testimonies of the perpetuitie of the gouernment ordinances therof How oft doth Dauid exhorte the Saint◅ to celebrate y ◠excellencie perpetuitie of Christs gouernmēt throne by how many testimonies doth he extoll proue the same as is euerie where found in the psalmes sundrie wherof the author to the Hebrewes as also the other Apostles in their sermons writings haue vsed both to proue the excellencie necessitie eternitie of and to draw mē vnto this heauenly gouernment of CHRIST in his Church The prophet Isai◅h in the 33 of his prophecie v◅rs 20. c. willeth the ◅ewes in al their calamities to behold Sio◅ that citie of their assemblies to cause their eies looke vpon Ierusalem that quiet fould that tent that shall neuer be disseuered of whose pins or stakes not one may be taken away neither shall anie of the coards therof be broken but there the mightie IEHOVAH shalbe vnto vs in place of floods of broade riuers wherin shal passe no naui◅ with oares neither shall anie great ship pass◅ through yt for IEHOVAH is our reuenger IEHOVAH is our Lawgiuer IEHOVAH is our King he shall saue vs. What can be said more plainly ◅or the inuiolable perpetuitie both of the order forme of building and also for the gouernment administratiō ordinances of CHRISTS Church Of al which as God himself is the author so you see he voweth to be the defendor and reuenger against all the power of tyrants o◅ anie mortal man whosoeuer Likewise the prophe◅ Da◅iel in his 7 chapter after he had beene shewed the calamitie tyrannie oppression done vnto the Saintes by the 4 beasts but especially by that presumptuous horne that liuelie figure foretreader of Antichrist whose mouth spake presumptuous words against the most high and consumed the ◅aints of the most high that thought he might chāge the times the
his Commandements and those per◅etuall such as he will haue to continue and be obserued of all his seruantes vnto the worlds end We see them no◅ onlie commāded vnto his Apostles that they should practise and teach them in their time or in time of per◅ecution but he chargeth his Apostles to teach all churches all Christians to keepe and obserue them at all times vntill the consummation and end of the world giuing vnto al his seruantes and churches the same power to practise and obserue all these his comandementes that he gaue vnto his Apostles plighting vpon such their faith and obedience his presence protection vnto them in these wordes And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world sealing the truth both of these his commandemetes and ordinances and also of this his couenant and protection vnto all ages with this his authentike seale with this word of all truth Amen So that me thinkes all the blasphemous reproches and cauils of al sortes of enemies vnto the sacred inviolable gouernment and order of our Sauiour CHRIST deliuered and practised by his Apostles in his churches are vtterlie by this one place of scripture if so be there were no more to the same effect taken out of the way both they that denie the continance or necessitie heerof in all ages and places they that would make these Apostolike ordinances but matters of forme not matters of faith or of substance as they speake they being heere confirmed commanded by that Lord of all truth of all power in heauē and in earth Peraduenture that old Saducee that ◅hus sophisticallie hath propounded these questiōs in that 74 leafe of his answere vnto MARTIN will stūble as he ordinarilie doth at the word of God at these wordes al things whatsoeuer I haue cōmanded you collecting that because the Apostles had not as yet receiued the exp◅esse rules commandments for al the things they afterward taught practised that therfore this commandement cannot be vnderstood or applied to such things as they afterward taught and so nothing or litle serueth to the outward forme of gouernment order of the Church Although yt were not hard from this verie place necessarilie to cōfirme the intendement commandement of all the ordinances and rules which the Apostles after taught prescribed vnto the churches euen by that which is heere expressed concerning the ministerie baptisme c. which heere are commanded al churches to be obserued in that manner as the Apostles taught them which ministers sacramēts ministerie could not in and by these churches be had or practised without the obseruation of these rules ordinances as the election probation of such ministers by the flockes where they are to administer c. which were not al that time set downe by the holy Ghost or practised by the Apostles as yet Although I could also shew that our Sauiour Christ had alreadie instructed his Apostles that he had chosen and set a part to that worke of all things belonging to his kingdome Act. 1. 2. and had giuen thē his holie spirit in abundāt measure to this their ministerie which should teach them al things b◅ing al things to their remembrance Ioh. 20. 22. which he had tould thē Yet mine awnswere heere is y t if our sauiour Christ in these wordes Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue commanded you had respect onlie vnto such precepts as he had then at that time giuē thē not vnto al other things which he should afterward reueale vnto thē by his holy spirit also yt were both cōtrarie to their commission charge they deliuered which as is saied vvas that they should win gather together build order instruct establish his Church according to the rules cōmandements of his wil Testament which could not at al be done by thē if al these lawes rules were not alike cōfirmed of cōmāded by him as also if these words Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue comanded c. should so be restrained yt were to make the other holie lawes ordināces which he afterward shewed to his Apostles they by the same spirit both shewed recorded vnto the churches of Christ of lesse valew and authoritie then those former to make some part of holie scripture more true holy authentical thē other yea yt were vtterlie to abrogate disfrāchize these latter scriptures Furthermore I suppose yt were a hard matter for anie man to dis◅sse set downe what things Christ had at that time taught these Apostles what he had as yet cōcealed So that this cauil can no way put off this most direct and expresse place let me therfore proceed to others The Apostle Paul 1. Tim. 5. 21. chargeth Timothy before God the Lord Iesus Christ the elect Angels that he k◅epe these things without preiudice doing nothing according to inclination c. Also Chap. 6. ver 13. he vseth these wordes vnto him ◅ cōmand thee before God that ◅uickneth al things Christ ◅esus that testified before Pontius Pilate that good confession to keepe the commandement without spot vnrebukeable vnt◅l the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ which in due time that blessed onlie mightie that King of Kings and Lord of Lords shal shew c. Likewise 1 Cor. 14. 37. he hath these wordes If anie mā seeme to be a prophet or spiritua◅ let him acknowledg the th◅ngs I write vnto you because they are the cōmādemētes of God but if anie man be ignorāt let him be ignorāt With what greater authoritie or waight of wordes could the Apostle either confirme or incōmend vnto the Church in all ages these cannons ordināces which he in these epistles hath set downe for the building order gouernment of all churches of al the officers people actions of the same to be religiously inviolably kept as the cōmandemēts of that great dreadfull God as the lawes of that our Lord and King vntill his appearing in glorie Who can anie longer doubt that vvil either rest in the manifest testimonies of the holie Ghost giue credite to the resolute affirmations and eare to the vehement charges of the Apostle or that will duly expend either the general scope of these epistles or dulie weigh the manifold rules in particular and the manner of deliuering them that these cannons and ordinances are the absolute lawes and holie commandements of CHRIST for the building and gouernment of his Church so necessarie inviolable perpetuall as without which or with anie other his Church can neither be built nor kept Are not all these p◅rticular rules for the seueral offi◅es persons qualities for their maner of election probation ordination administration c. set downe in way of cōmandement and law with as great authoritie credite reuerēce as anie other part of Christs Testament or Gods word So that the Apostles whole ministerie may with as much right or reason be called into doubt or question as
Should our infirmitie sinne oâ—… default take away the stabilitie or truth of Gods ordinances This would as wel follow of this their reason as the other that because the Church of CHRIST may at sometimes be without this established order of CHRIST and yet be held the true Church therfore that prescribed order of CHRIST is not perpetuall alwaies necessarie or conuenient thus laijng the default vpon CHRISTS sacred ordinances as though they were notalwaies holy necessarie conuenient which in deed is due to vs anâ—… our infirmitie and inhabilitie to receaue or exercise such a gratious blessed ministerie or to walke in this heauenly order Nothing is more sure then this the true Church can be established into no other order yt can receaue none other officers or lawes then are in CHRISTS Testament prescribed This hath beene already manifestly proued yet further might be by as many places of scriptures as either the true or false Church is spoken of the true of false ministerie the true or false ministration as either CHRISTS kingdome or anie of his offices are spoken of or Antichrists presumption and forgerie as yt hath beene proued by the true patterne of the house wherby euery part therof ought to be â—…ramed and put together according to the will of the Lord of the house otherwise the house will neuer hang together or be to the owners liking or the builders praise Likewise yt hath by the necessitie congruence coherence of the true and natural partes and members of the bodie beene proued how that no other can be added without making yt a monstrous bodie neither the true members be otherwise knit together placed disposed vsed without the destruction of the whole bodie and this much more of that spiritual house and bodie of CHRISTS Church which being so perfect pretious comely excellent cannot admit to be shaped fashioned framed disposed after the faâ—…sies of earthly men who the best of them that euer was alwaies excepting the head of the Church in his best consideration was but a member of the Church Neither was there euer power giuen to anie of them whether Prince or Prophet whosoeuer or authoritie to alter neglect or bring in anâ—…e pinne or hooke eueÌ„ the least thing or so much as the place therof in the Tabernacle Temple or Church of God How often doth the Church in the song of Solomon say My beloâ—…ed is miâ—… I am his how often doth she charge all her freinds to stay w tout not to stir vp her welbeloued vntil he please how ofteÌ„ doth she vow to keepe her self wholy vnto him how often doth he againe repeate the amiablenes comlines beawty congruence feaâ—…ures frâ—…itefulnes pleaâ—…antnes of all her partes euen from top to toe how greatly he is delighted in her and how the Kings of the earth should be tyed in her raâ—…ters c. Doth not he say that Solomon earthly Princes may put or let out their vineyeards not being able themselues to till and dresse them to be dressed trimmed to their seruants reseruing to themselues a rent c. But his vineyard is alwaies before him he is able to til dresse and keepe yt euery whit himself he neither letteth yt out to hire nor suffreth anie to part or possesse the fruite therof with him How many Arguments then might be drawen either from the perfection diuine order c. of the partes of the Church from the faith loue chastitie obedience vnto CHRIST as to her husband Lord King Likewise how many from his absolute power authority possessioÌ„ ouer her wholly by the right of an husband Lord King How many reasons might be draweÌ„ from the absolutnes wisdome of his lawes the graciousnes peace of his heauenly gouernment order which cannot be willingly infringed or broken without rebellion nor changed altered without presumptuous treason to proue the perpetuity necessity and fit congrueÌ„ce of those officers ordinances that he 〈◊〉 his Testament hath prescribed for the building ministery and gouernmeÌ„t of his Church and of euery member therof whither Prince or minister ouer whome CHRIST reigneth by equal right and euen the â—…ame iurisdiction that he doth ouer the least There is no exception or acceptation of persons with God That nation that kingdome that will not serâ—…e him shall perish and those nations shalbe vtterly destroied He that obeieth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth vpon him Those that will not haue him to reigne ouer them he iudgeth and destroieth as enemies CHRIST reigneth by his owne officers which yt is lawfull at no hand for his true subiects either to disobey alter or reiect Subiects and seruants are not to giue but to take lawes at their King Lord God hath made his Sonne Lord and hâ—…ire of al things and hath giuen him a name aboue euery name that at the name of IESVS euery knee should bow both of hâ—…auenly things earthly things and things vnder the earth and euery tongue should confesse that IESVS CHRIST is the Lord vnto the glorie of God his Father because all men should honour the Sonne as they honour the Father He that honoureth not the Sonne honoureth not the Father that sent him O how great then is their wickednes how pernitious their councell who for filthy lucre sake perswade Princes that they are not only not subiect themselues in person to the lawes spiritual censures of Christ in his Church but that they are not bownd to admit that order of gouernment prescribed in his Testament which they shuffle off with the terme of outward discipline in their landes May not yea doe not Princes by this meanes bouldly breake all Gods lawes and disanull anie of them at their pleasures breake that they may follow their owne hearts lusts fulfilling the inordinate appetites therof wallowing glutting themselues in all fleshlie pleasure vanitie exceâ—…e committing what wickednes they wil without admonition censure or reproofe I would heere still be vnderstood of the ecclesiastical spiritual censures by the word May they not yet proceed further and disanul which of Gods lawes they list either in common welth or Church In the common welth when they both abrogate all Gods iudicial lawes cut them off at one blow as made belonging to the coÌ„moÌ„ welth of the Iewes onlie as though God had no regard of the conversation of other Christians his seruantes also or els had left some other peculiar lawes for the manners of the Gentiles or had left them in greater libertie to be and to make lawes customes vnto themselues Heervpon yt commeth to passe that so manie wicked vngodlie lawes and customes are decreed that the whole order course of iudgment iustice is constuprate peruerted that so manie capital mischeifes as God punished by death as blaspheming the name of God open idolatrie disobedience to parents are not by law punished at al incest adulterie either
passed ouer or punished by some lighter trifling chasticement wilfull murther ofteÌ„ pardoned theft if yt be aboue 13 peÌ„ce punished by death yea this sin is punished not only in the persoÌ„ of the theefe who that wise King saied if he should steale seuen times may yet liue satisfie with his body or goodes but in the persoÌ„s of al such as this their vniust law iudgeth anie way accessarie which extendeth so far as manie honest meÌ„ may for this trifle for buynig or receauing part of these stollen goodes be also put to death forfait al the lands goodes they haue wherby their wiues children families are punished also vtterlie vndone And thus by this their pollicie are manie theeues made for one not to speake of al this guiltles blood that is vpon the head of the magistrate Iudg officers Iurie and the whole land by this meanes what should â—… stand to particulate their infinite transgressioÌ„s of Gods lawes eueÌ„ in their ciuil estate which is in much worse case then manie heatheÌ„ nations which neuer knew God or his Christ. Al this ariseth of this immunitie from the order gouernment censure of Christ in his Church froÌ„ the inordinate authoritie the apostaticall church giueth vnto Princes magistrates they assume vnto themselues so that the saying of the prophet concerning the proude Kings of Babel is now rightly verified in them Thow didst say with thy heart I wll ascend into heauen aboue the starâ—… of GOD almightie I wil exalt my throne wil sit in the mountaine of the congregation in the sides of the north I wiâ—…l ascend aboue the heigth of the clowdes I wil make my self equall vnto the most high For see whiles they take power to reiect that holie gouernmeÌ„t order officers lawes that Christ our King hath ordeined and apointed to his Church they stretch their hand also presume further to eâ—…ect a new gouernmeÌ„t new orders lawes officers ministry ministratioÌ„ c. And what is this but both to reprooue Christs lawes and to reiect his yoke from them also to take Christs offices throne Sâ—…epter from him whome the Lord hath set vpoÌ„ the throne of Dauid to order stabliâ—…h yt with iudgment iustice lâ—…id the key of gouernment vpon his shoulder that what he openeth no man should â—…hut and whâ—…t he shutteth no man should open How gâ—…eat theÌ„ is their pride presumptioÌ„ y t are so far â—…roÌ„ obeijng seing Chriâ—…s lawes executed as they vtterly abrogate them tâ—…ke thâ—…m out of the way set vp their owne idol diuisâ—…s in the stead of theÌ„ So far are they froÌ„ taking lawes at him as their King Lord as they giue lawes of him as King Lord. Is not this to denie nay to put an end to his ministerie kingdome to his ministery by taking away y t which he established bringing in a new into the church to his kingdome by abrogating his lawes offices ordinances by bringing in establishing their owne In so much as through y e odious flâ—…tery of these their priests some of them haue suffered themselues to be called the supreme head of 〈◊〉 Church in earth as though Christs Church had one head in earth an other in heaueÌ„ or that Christ were not the head of his Church here in earth also But the wretched Priests would excuse this iâ—…audible blasphemie with this interpretatioÌ„ which yet they expresse not 1. vnder Christ as though Christs Church might haue two heades an vpper an vnder head one aboue an other were not this to make her a monster like their Church which hath mâ—…nie heads vpoÌ„ them writteÌ„ names of blasphemy as supreme head of the Church primate Bishop metropolitane Bishop Lord Archbishops grace Lord Bish. Archdeacon c. Al which heads but especially that their supreme head of the church may they say make lawes for the church And al this execrable blasphemy they hide vnder the title office of the ciuil magistrate who in deed is Gods blessed ordinance Neither wil these lymmes of y e Deuill be satisfied with any humble acknowledgmeÌ„t of y e ciuil poweâ—… or with anie christiaÌ„ submissioÌ„ vnto thâ—…â—…ame but wil extort by othe an allowance subscriptioÌ„ vnto this their vngodly power blasphemous titles antichristian decrees proceedings c. It wil not suffice to confesse that God hath made the ciuil magistrate the keeper of the booke of the law to see both y e tables therof obserued by al persons both in the Church coÌ„mon welth so hath power ouer both church coÌ„mon welth but they must haue this indefinite pâ—…oposition granted them That a Priâ—…ce hath power to make lawes for the Church By which word making is implied or rather as y e general estate both of church coÌ„moÌ„ welth shew expressed plainly that they meane that y e Prince may deuise make new lawes for the Church such as are notheard of in that booke of God By lawes they meane any traditions ordinances customes c. which are not prescribed in CHRISTS TestameÌ„t otherwise why should they vse these words or vâ—…ge that power of making lawes A godly Prince is bound â—…o Gods lawe made the keeper therof not the controler the seruant not the Lord. God hath in that booke made most perfect necessary lawes both for Church coÌ„mon welth he requireth of the King magistrate to see these lawes executed and not to make new He that makâ—…th any new lawes taketh vnâ—…o him the office of God who is the onlie law maker al men of what estate soeuer arâ—… but Gods creatures sâ—…uaÌ„tes subiectes to his law Moses â—…oshua Samuel Dauâ—…d 〈◊〉 made no new lawes but reuâ—…ued executed the olde lawes which God had made These examplâ—…s that miserable man high traâ—…tor to God his Prince ROBERT SOME citeth to prooue y â— Pâ—…nces may make laweâ—… for the church coÌ„â—…on welth tâ—…erby indâ—…uoring to 〈◊〉 hold her Ma â— and the honorable Magistrates of this land in this presumptuous breach of al Gods lâ—…wes in this church coÌ„mon welth by causing theÌ„ to ratiâ—…ie publish y e vngodlie decrees which that blasphemous high CommissioÌ„ hath made or shal heerafter make vnder this pretext that Christian Princes haue power to make lawes for the Church Whiâ—…h CommissioÌ„ al their proceedings because they caÌ„ no way be iustified by the law of God TestimeÌ„t of Christ but are directly coÌ„trarie vnto the same as shal straight way be prooued therfore y â— old lymme of Antichrist that crowned horne of the Beast that T. C. breatheth out of the mouth of the dragoÌ„ most hâ—…llish blasphemie against Christs 〈◊〉 theÌ„ that dwel in the heauen accusing Christs blessed order maÌ„ner of gouernmeÌ„t of sedition tumults disobedience vnto the ciuil estate as giuing the raines to the pâ—…oples vnbrideled inordinate appetites which can not be restâ—…eined subuerting
violated reiected and blasphemed That in this estate to shew him the treasures and ordinances of this spirituall Temple is vtterly forbidden and vnlawfull appeareth Ezek. 43. 10. 11. in these words Thow Sonne of maÌ„ shew vnto the howse of Israel this 〈◊〉 wheÌ„ they shal be ashamed of their wickednes that they may measure the patterne when I say they shalbe ashamed of all they haue done make knowen vnto them the forme of the howse and the constitution therof the goings out therof and the coÌ„ming in therof and the whole forme therof and all the statuâ—…es therof and all the figures therof and all the lawes therof describe them before their eies that they may keep the whole faâ—…hion therof and al the ordinances therof and do them Therfore vntil he haue repented and forsaken his antichristiaÌ„ ministery vnlawfull Lordship iurisdictioÌ„ I hold it not lawfull whilest he reâ—…aineth in and will not come out oâ—… Babel to reason or iangle with him concerning the heauenly most holy ordinances of Sion which he doth but blaspheme reproch with his vngodly mouth that is opâ—…ned to all impietie That yt is not expedient vntill he haue yeilded vnto the former question to answere this is manifest For to what purpoâ—…e were yt to reason with him how these officers of Christâ—… Church ought to administer gouerne when he vtterly denieth that in the Church of England such offices iurisdiction were tollerable So that yt could no way edifie him but rather minister matter of cauil vnto his blasphemous mouth who seeketh nothing els in this captious yet with al most ignorant fond vaine questioÌ„ We ought not to cast our pearles before swine or to expose the Lords holy truth to reproch This is my answere to him concâ—…rning his second question Yet to remoue these stumbling blockes out of the way of others to rid them out of the snarâ—…s which this Spider hath wouen I will through Gods grace briefly â—…hew them the errors follie of this cauilling question cheifly in these 3 pointes therof First in that he requireth some particular Churches by name wherin this whole gouernment of the Church was practised c. 2 wheÌ„ yt was practised by Doctors Elders Pastors DeacoÌ„s only none other 3 where these practised yt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other In the first point he stumbleth cauilleth at this because in deed no church that euer was or shalbe vpon earth hath or can fully execute this gouernment of CHRIST but haue beene and shalbe subiâ—…ct to many defâ—…lts many transgressions taking here the gouernment of CHRIST for his whole reuealed will in his word and Testament to the faithfull obseruation of euery title wherof the Church is by couenant bound where by the way must be noted that this carping Pharisey knoweth in his corrupt festered conscience what CHRISTS true gouâ—…rnment is which he so mainly impugneth namely that righteous Scepter of his holy word which in deed bâ—…cause none of the primitiue Churchâ—…s that the Apostlâ—…s planted gouerned could euer fully keep but haue beene subiect to manie faltes and reproofes therfore this man would conclude this gouernment of CHRIST to be an vnnecessarie impossible thing which God neither would command nor we caÌ„ performe Wherin his wickâ—…dnes and impietie yet proceedeth a degree â—…urther then that of the â—…ollerating Priâ—…sts who would excuse defend their most hainous transgressioÌ„s by y e sinnes dâ—…faltes of other Churchâ—…s this man therby would vtterlie abrogate and disanull thâ—… whole law of God and Testament of Christ by which the Church ought to be gouerned vnto the faithfull practise and obseruation wherof the whole â—…hurch is bownd Can the infirmity sin â—…f any mortal creaturâ—…s taâ—…e away the truth and stâ—…bilitie of Gods lawes of Christs Testament might he not as wel concluâ—…e no Church or member of the Church hath at any time put in practise al Gods lawes aâ—…d to saâ—… as yt is are not able to keepe anie one of them tâ—…erfore the lawes of God are not pâ—…rmanent necessarie nor now commanded because no Church can keepe them all such reasons are not worthie the refuting The second part of his questioÌ„ where he demandeth to know where this gouernment of CHRIST was practised by Doctors Pastors Elders Deacons only none other is so full oâ—… vanitie follie as yt deserueth none answere For my part I neuer read nor heard of any such Church I euer thought that euerie member of the Church without exception or exemption of anie one person had beene all alike bound to the obedience of Gods word the practise of CHRISTS gouernment to be instructed ruled by him in all things euery one walking within the bounds of his calling I neuer thought that the practise of Christs gouernment belonged only to these officers I rather thought yt had beene their dutie office to haue sâ—…ene this gouernment faithfully orderly practised by all the members of the Church Why we â—…ee Christs ecclesiastical gouernment is not only tied to the publike actions of the whole congregatioÌ„ but extendâ—…th to euerie action of euery Christian wherof CHRIST is the beholder and Iudg yea and for euerie knowne transgression and disobedience hath due vengeance ready whither by reproof or excoÌ„munication I euer thought that the execution of Christs gouernment and iudgments had belonged to the whole bodie of the Church which assigneth the publike ordering therof as the ministery c. to the proper and fit members ech one in their due functions not hereby resigning vp her power authority gouernment wholy into their hands but still reseruing the right in the wholâ—… body together in euery member apart So that if these officers or anie of them transgresse the church reserueth power to euery member freely â—…ccording to the quality of the offence the rules of the word to admonish and reproue the whole to censure excoÌ„municaâ—…e such officers so offending Which officers in executâ—…oÌ„ of their office functâ—…oÌ„ do rather reserue this liberty and power to the whole Church and euerie member therof in due order theÌ„ any way diminish or pluâ—…k away the same froÌ„ the least It were a disorderly part against nâ—…ture for any member to arrogate the power of the whole body vnto yt self Such presumption was not heard of in the church of CHRIST vntill Antichrist sprong vp neither wil yt be remoued vntil he be aboliâ—…hed Elders are apointed to see the gouernment order of CHRIST obserued not to take yt al into their hands One other grosse error and ignorance in this branch is to be obseruâ—…d that is he numbreth the Dâ—…acons amongst the gouerning officers of the Church this he neuer leâ—…rned in Christs Testament well may yt be the practise of the Church of Rome England where are such iolly archdeacons and ruffling Deanes The Deacons office in the Church is to gather
distribute not to gouerne The third point in this cauilling questiō is to know where these officers aboue said practised that gouernmēt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other It hath beene euen now shewed how this gouernment belongeth is committed to the whole bodie how their office consisteth to teach the Church how to practise yt to see yt obserued by al in due order and not ambitiously to assume yt wholy into their owne hands For the rest though there be a communion in the Church yet there is no equalitie The Church knoweth how to giue honour reuerence vnto their Elders especially to them y t labor in the word doctrine The Church of CHRIST is taught to obey submit vnto their leaders to acknowledg them that labour amongst them that are set ouer them in the Lord to admonish them and to hold those in superabundant loue for their worke sake The Elders also amongst themselues know how to giue honour one vnto another by going before yet al this without preiudice to themselues that giue or detrimēt to him that receaueth yt without the losse of the least iote of their owne libertie or puffing him vp or setting him in anie vnlawfull authoritie They giue yt to his labor diligence vertue and desert which ceassing they straight withdraw their praise in the stead therof vse exhortation admonitiō yea if need be censure All the parts of mans bodie are not alike esteemed and vsed we haue much more care and tendernes ouer the eies then of the hands or feet yet may not the eye heerby refuse to doe seruice and attend to the hand or foote in all their busines and affaires neither may yt disturbe the least member of the bodie in their peculiar office functiō or intrude into their place The eye guideth directeth the hand shewing how yt ought to doe the worke the hand againe washeth wipeth and doth all louing helpe yt may vnto the eye Both eie hand euerie other part of the body are distinct members yet so knit and ioined together in the bodie as they do their due seruice vnto the eie ech vnto other in the whole not confounding the order of nature nor disturbing ech other in the worke The Church hath like care to see that inuiolable order and temper of the members in CHRISTS bodie dulie preserued the honor they gi◅e to one member is not the dishonor of another or hinderance of the whole bodie The Church neither doth neither may giue immoderate honour either in fastuous swelling titles of vanitie or any inordinate authoritie to anie member that would rather puffe vp the flesh then cheare vp the spirit All the gifts God hath giuen any member are to the seruice of the whole bodie he that will be greatest must be as the least he must wash the feet not haue his feete kissed of the least all superioritie is heere comprised within the bounds of Christian order modestie Humilitie goeth before and is the compagnion of honor honor is not heere conferred to lift vp the hear◅s of the greatest aboue the least but rather for their coūsaile care loue seruice vnto al yt is willingly giuen vnto such by all Ambition vainglorie are heere carfully auoided both by the g◅ers receauers who so seeketh the primacie with Diotrephes is heere ◅uggillate layd open resisted rebuked of al as that Antichrist that Lucifer y e greatest Elder of the Church the Pastor is but a seruant steward of the house not Lord of the heritage but a member not Lord of the bodie to be honored for his excellent place in the bodie giftes of God to be reuerenced for his fa◅thfulnes labour and diligence Yet this must euer be remembred his honour consisteth in his seruice his seruice belongeth vnto al so that the least member of the bodie hath like interest in him as he in the least member the l◅st member hath like libertie and f◅eedome with him in Christ though not like gifts or function of Christ. AND NOW this strange troublesome Proposition is thus proued That Christs Church can be established into no other order or gouerned by any other officers or ordinances then Christ in his Testam◅t hath prescribed that these great impediments difficulties are also remooued out of the way me thinckes yt time heere a fit occasion offred to goe in hand with the examination of the present established gouernmēt of the Church of England And heere to begin with the Antichristian authoritie of the chiefe rulers namelie the Bishops which they would beare away hide v◅der this word Superioritie of their lineage petigree original you haue aboue heard as also of their strange manner of offices and consecration and somwhat also of their power generally and from vvhence they deriued yt but let vs now a litle further consider therof First they take vpon them ech one of them to sit vpon as they call yt or to gouerne many hundred churches others of thē many thowsands one of them as Pope or Primate ouer al they make depose ministers by their absolute authoritie they make and disanul lawes th◅y ratifie or rei◅ct vvhat scriptures they list they confirme or refuse what doctrines they list they make what kind of vvorship ministration they list they chāge innovate coine alter bring in cast out what and whome they list without checke or controulement The truth of al these need no other proofe then their present estate the warrant of anie of these I am sure cannot be shewed in Christs Testament therfore I doubt not at one word to call them all diuelish Antichristiā To confute thē seuerallie were a labour both needles troblesome they being of themselues so apparantlie odious yet this brieflie in a word One man cannot stand a Bishop vnto diuers churches at one time no more then one eye can be a 1 member 2 doe the function at one time to diuers bodies 3 in diuers places no more then one candle can be put in two or mo diuers candlesticks 2 in diuers howses 3 and shew light vnto them al at one time Thus are Bishops in their office place ministerie called members yea the eye of the bodie lights and the candle of the howse the Church yt self also c◅lled the bodie the candlesticke in the scriptures No one shepheard can attend watch feed ouersee two or more flockes at one time in diuers places no watc◅ mā can keep watch in diuers Cities at one time Bishops are called shepheardes watchmen the Church a flock a citie in the scriptures Be◅ides CHRIST hath established an other quite contrarie order not one watchman or shepheard ouer manie churches but manie watchmen ouer one Church yet hath giuē power cōmanded euerie mēber to watch al litle enough Mo◅eouer yt is CHRISTS only office now to walke in the midst of the 7 goldē Cādlesticks he
actiō of the Church to approue or orderly to reproue any action or person of the Church and that publikly if need so require how cā any from this place draw that the reproofe of Elders only belōgeth to Elders or how could this popish prelate collect that this power was only giuen to Timot◅y when Timothy and the Apostles themselues were subiect to the reproofe of the least where these transgressed from the word wil of God how could he from hence deriue his absolute power ouer all Churches Priests when no such thing is heere by this commandement giuen to Timothy how could this old dreamer from hence deriue or hereby defend these romish brawling bawdy courts with all their popish cānons customes pleadings pleaders euen al that swarme of vermine that liue attend vpon the same courts I hope if we granted him his owne most false interpretation that Timothy had sole power and by vertue of this commandement exercised absolute iurisdiction ouer the whole Church the other Elders that yet he did yt not after this antichristian vngodly maner as he and his brethren Bishops doe by such mercenarie romish Doctors pleaders proctors c. which are to couller plead the most vile hatefull causes which a christians eare abhorreth to heare of or by such wicked blasphemous customes othes purgations c. These I suppose he can not proue to be vsed in Timothies courte neither can he deriue any of this doung from that holy cōmandemēt of God for thē◅ight euery christiā keepe such a court ouer against BBs c. seing they may reproue and rebuke the greatest Bishop in the Church that transgresseth against the word of God No let him looke into the 9. chapter of the Reuelation there he shall see his owne al these poisoned armed locusts original to haue come out of the smoke of the bottomles pyt c. Further to discusse the poperie wickednes folly of this reason or the vnlawfullnes of these antichristian courts were labour needles they being so grosse of thēselues as by the first bringing the heauenly light vnto them they are discouered therby chased away as the darknes of the night by the sunne rising the grosse vapours by the wind They haue no foundation of the word and therfore must needs fall the word of God wil beare no such rotten stubble and filthy doung therfore I leaue this reason to remaine to his perpetual shame and the shame of all the brood houshold of Anak who if they could be drawē but to any peaceable opening the booke of God but with y ◠least christian I would not now be vnderstood of any learned Priest of the opposite faction who hauing deriued all their ministerie ministration from them and exercising the same vnder them cā neuer preuaile against their fathers as in all their conflicts hath beene seene because in deed they take not the whole cause and right groundworke therfore they cannot further the Gospel or bring glory to God But if the least Christian whome both factions so depise perfecute might haue but free orderly triall with either or both sides and factions I doubt not but God would giue such blessing and power to his word which he would put in their mouthes as their counterfait and wicked dealings should be discouered yea albeit both sides hate the light and flee this christian peaceable triall wherby they plainly bewray of what Spirit they are though they digge as deepe as hel to hide their deuises y◅t God will disclose them and that euen by their owne pennes and tongues rather then he will want instruments An other fleshly reason he bringeth frō the lawfulnes of these courts y t is frō the Princes authority A christian Prince that alloweth the free course of the Gospel cōmandeth them therfore euery godly subiect ought to obey thē The Gospel cānot haue free course whiles these antichristiā courts Bishops ministery stand yf the Gospel had free course they should all be abolished But is this a Bishoply or Christian reason a godly Prince commandeth them therfore they ought to be obeyed why haue Princes authoritie to command what they list or if they doe ought christians to obey any vngodly decree I had thought that both they ought to cōmand we to obey in the Lord alwaies but especially may Princes bring in any new ordinances at their pleasure into the Church of CHRIST what can the Pope say more for his sackfull of traditions make you this vnlawfull in the person of the Pope that maketh some more shew of learning knowledg and religion and hath his learned councell of cardinals about him and yet make yt lawfull in a christian Prince to innouate or abrogate the Testament of CHRIST in this maner to bring in or keepe out of the Church what ordinances they list you shew your self a faithfull watchman and Bishop ouer the Church vnto your Princes soule y t suffer such rule to be kept in the Church without blowing the trumpet of Gods word against yt that suffer your Prince thus to runne into and remaine in the wrath of God vnadmonished vnreproued You learned this of no true Prophets no faithful Bishops let yt remaine then vpon you for an vndoubted marke of a false Prophet a Balaamite a wolfe a murtherer of soules And as for your authoritie know seing yt hath no better ground in the world of God yt shall all fall to the ground al the Princes of the world or powers of hell ◅hall not be able to vphold yt Babilon shall fall and all her pompe shall vanish though her princes and shipmasters or bishops and all her mariners ministers and marchandmen howle and wayle therfore for the God that condemneth her is a strong Lord as for the King of Egipt he is a man and not God almightie and their horses flesh but not Spirit wherfore when IEHOVAH shall stretch forth his hand the helper shall fall and the helped shall fall and all these shall faile together Let vs now proceed to the censures of the church of England which wholly consist in the Bishops hand who executeth them by himself or his Commissarie they are not exercised for obstinacie ioyned to sin or error but lightly if not altogether for contempt of their courtes either in not appearing at or obeijng their commandements and decrees or els for some transgressions against their idoll seruice booke in speaking against yt or against their ordinarie or his stubstitute M◅ Commissarie or the parish priest or such like or els for not obseruing their idoll holy daies or not receauing with their parson or not hauing their children baptised c. For these and such like they shalbe conuented and very seuerely punished either by mulct or excommunication or imprisonmēt there are no other sins amongst the people that deserue excommunication they haue other punishments for sin besides excōmunication as to fine them punish them by the
purse Neither in deed know I many sins that they vse to enquire after except yt be adultery and fornication there are no more sins worthy of ecclesiasticall censure But these they punish very sore for if he will not pay for the shooijng Mr. Commis◅aries mare he may peraduenture do his pennance before al the Sodomites in the parrish in a white sheete whiles Mr. Parson is reading his seruice book to them or els his sermon But if he speake a word in Mr. Cōmissarie his eare and wil stand vpon his purgatiō then must he get as bad brothels as himself to sweare by Mr. Cōmissaries booke that they think in their corrupt conscience that he is cleare This done and cost of the court discharged then haue he beene neuer such a whoremaister all his life time or beene neuer so manifestly or often detected or taken in this crime yet is there no credit to be giuen to anie proofe in respect of the othes of these his so domiticall companions that cleare him by othes this is called his purgation I am ashamed abhor but to thinke in my heart of that proofe of adulterie they require or els all complaint or suite is vnauaileable Thus doe these holie fathers the Bishops make adulterie either a laughing or els a pecuniarie matter purging and expiating yt by periurie or ◅korne They haue also a censure of suspensiō this is diuersly vsed somtimes towardes their Priests and Preachers by the Bishops somtimes by these Priests towardes their parishioners It is vsed towardes the Priests when they breake their orders inioyned them and wherunto they are sworne or are contumacious to their Ordinarie or his substitut◅s or Commissarie c when they refuse to weare such garmentes as are enioyned thē or to read thei◅ seruice orderlie or to administer the sacramentes after anie other manner or refuse to burie the dead to Church women with the booke or if they preach anie doctrine against anie thing by publike authoritie enioined then for such faultes is his Ordinarie to suspend him from preaching or ministring for a season vntill he be-brought into order or become confo◅mable or els to depriue him and disanul his orders and ministery The Priests they execute this suspension against open offendors such as are not in loue and charitie with their neighbours and by vertue hereof keepe them from the sacrament of the supper vnlesse they get Mr. Chancelor or Mr. Commissaries commandment vnto the Priest to receaue thē Yet in the meane while they are admitted to their publike prayers c. To the first kind of Sus◅ension al the Priests generallie except yt he some od man in the la◅d submit yet such a one ioineth vnto these other Priests as brethren though he hold the Bishops and their power antichristian they submit both their ministerie the Gospel vnto the Bishops power censure To the second kind in the hand of the Priests they al wholy cōsent in somuch as some of the cheife maisters of this faction in their bookes of church discipline haue set yt downe for a cannon and rule to suspend some such from the sac◅amēts who haue committed some publike sin and persisteth obstinatlie in the same a◅ter publike reproofe whome notwithstanding they still hold as a member and a brother with them and ioine vnto in their common praiers exercise of the word and other mutual duties as contribution for the poore First this suspension of theirs must needes be held the instrumēt ◅oole of that foolish shepheard because yt is not found nor heard of in all the practise or writings of the Apostles neither in al the Testament of Christ where y◅t a perfect gouernment and direction for the Church is s◅t downe Thē if yt be a cēsure of the Church yt is a publike censure because we see they are openlie kept backe from participation of the publike communiō If yt be a publike censure yt must be for sin publikelie knowen but Christ his Apostles haue set downe vnto the Church one only other course to be takē for publike sinn◅s namelie when he refuseth to heare the voice of the Church or rather of Christ in his Church to proceed forthwith to excōmunicatiō Therfore in this case of open obstinacie in publike sin if suspensiō be vsed yt not onlie taketh the place of excommunication but keepeth away y t onlie true course which Christ hath instituted therfore is a meere ◅orgerie and an idolatrous diuise and hath no place in the church of Christ. Yf a◅ie heere obiect that excommunication being the extreamest most seuere cēsure of the Church and an vtter cutting off therfore yt ought to be proceeded vnto with great pitie patience and long suffring trijng al meanes before we cut off a mēber In regard wherof they in their wisdome and pitie thinke yt expedient first to trie vse this censure of suspension before they proceed to cast him quite out proouing if this may draw him to repentance My answere is that we cannot be more wise patient louing tēde◅lie kind then our God is or then God wil haue vs to be If we seeke to exceed or goe beyond these rules and boundes that he hath set vs downe we are vainlie pu◅fed vp in our fleshlie mind our wisdome is turned to follie our pitie into crueltie our loue into hatred our patience into transgression wherby we destroie both our selues such as we seeke to saue God looketh for obedience rather then sacrifice at ou◅ handes he needeth no direction or instruction from vs ou◅ wisdome is to rest in the wisdome of God to be wise patient louing as he wil haue vs wise patient and louing Yf or when he commandeth to smite yt is not in mās powe◅ to sp◅re or stay so should we pull the wrath of God vpō our owne heads also we breake no loue whiles we execute Gods lawes vprightly as yt is sin to preuent so is yt to foreslowe the Lordes iudgmentes Excommunication is not mans but Gods iudgmentes though God haue committed yt vnto the church as to his ministers God hath set downe the whole processe and due time maner of sentence therof he hath left nothing therin to the discretion of the Church wherby to make al men the more to stand in awe t◅ēble at so dreadfull a sentēce of so terrible a Iudge When the sinne is come to that ripenes prescribed then is excommunicatiō due to be pronounced but when publike sin is orderly publikly reproued yet still the partie offending remaineth impenitent and will not confesse forsake his sin but despising the exhortation and censure of the Church he harden his heart in his sin then is sin at th◅t prescribed ripenes apparantly Therfore then the Church cannot neither hath in their power to protract or defer the sentence of excommunication anie longer vpon anie hope or further trial because they haue already had that triall which God
member of Christ a Saint or admit him as a brother amongst them in their praiers ministery contribution This is very strange diuinity to shut him out and yet to hold him in to cut him o◅f from the body yet to hold him of the body this may by logick be proued but yt neuer can be proued by Christs Testament Yet is there an other as strange a mysterie in the matter which I neuer learned in Christs Testament and that is ho◅ a member that is publikly cōuicted of and remaineth obstinate in opē sin should be shut out from the Table of y e Lord yet be receaued admitted as a member vnto the other ministe◅ie of the Church as to praiers contribution c. belike the other ministery praiers of the Church are not so holy as this supper y t such an offendor is held vnworthy to cōmunicate in therfore is shut out from the one but he is worthy inough for therfore is admitted vnto the other this is a strange censure a strange case as euer I heard of I had thought y t after the sin grew once publike being knowne dealt with by the Church if then such offenders remaine obstinate they had beene forthwith to be cut off cast out as dead withered branches not to be thus halfe shut out halfe kept in halfe cut off halfe remaine seperate frō the supper admitted to the ministery of the word praiers This is to make him halfe a brother halfe no brother halfe a christian halfe no christian But yet further seing this suspension is a publike censure of the Church for publike sin a seperation from publike exercises actions c. how chance yt is thus put in one mās power who by his absolute authoritie may keep back any one of the ◅locke from the Table of the Lord without the cōmandemēt yea the ◅riuitie of the whole church yet this me thinkes is the strāgest of al neuer heard of in y e church Testament of Christ. Christ hath giuen and committed his power to censure fault◅s persons as also the interest possession and gouernment of all officers actions to the whole Chur◅h I meane to euery such particular congregation and not vnto one particular special man aboue the rest or more then the rest Euery particular member of the Church hath like interest in the publike actions and ministery of the Church like power to censure the offences of the whole Church o◅ the greatest minister therof in due order and time as hath already in this treatise beene often plentifully proued and therfore cannot in this maner be kept backe by any one man as of his sole authority any more then they may keep back that man whatsoeuer he be I ◅peake not this to raise contentiō betwixt these where there ought to be loue and reuerence so much as to note out the popish pride of these pharisaicall Reformers that take vpon them to be Lords ouer the Church and this feast wherof if they were as good as they would be taken to be they were but seruants and guests at the best The Church yt self can neither receaue nor cast out a member as of themselues they doe yt by the power and commandement of Christ they must see faith profession therof before they receaue they must see sin obstinacie before they cut off vntil these be seene the whole Church nor all the men of the world haue not power to receaue or put by any one yf they doe the actiō is voide and the iudgment wrath of God resteth vpon them for that sin vntil they repent therof Likewise also when this profession of faith or this obstinacie in sinn is found in any then cannot the whole Church or all the men of the world keep out or keep in such without incurring the iudgment wrath abouesaid How great then is the sin iudgment of these popish Priests that not only pluck away the power of the Church from them but euen the power office of Christ from him and assume yt into their owne hands who thus dare innouate and abrogate Christs Testament reiect his wholsome excommunication as too rough bring in their deadly suspēsion in place therof and with that idol toole of that foolish shepheard smite keep out whome yt pleaseth them and as long as they list Their olde popish reason y t they bring from the power of the keies hath beene aboue refuted in y e discouery of their absolutiō proue◅ to be tied neither to the person or office of any man more thē to euery faithfull member seruant of Christ by the power of Gods word c. Yet haue I also sometimes read in some of their bookes of Church discipline as they tearme yt some other reasons for yt namely from y e law of seperation for vncleannes such as were defiled by y e dead by creeping vncleane things by issues c. were to absta◅e frō the Tabernacle for a season yea the Priest also vpon suspicion of leprie or other fowle disease might seclude such a one for certayne daies as we read in the bookes of the law plentifully frō whence they deriue both this power of the Pastor the censure of suspension I haue there read also or els my memorie greatly faileth me drawē frō Mat. 5. 23. 24. verses because he that had iniuried or offēded his brother was taught by our Sauiour Christ first to make satisfaction be reconciled thē to offer his gift c. that therfore such as had done wrong vnto or were not in charity with their neighbours are by the Priests to be kept from the Altar whervpon they inchanted offred their breaden God and now they popishly apply to the cōmunion table from hence draw their suspēsion But because I haue not their bookes with me would be loth any way to iniurie them or charge them falsly I will briefly shew the insufficiencie of these reasons and so proceed ◅asting to an end From those Leuitical lawes wherby the Priests secluded such as they suspected of vncleane diseases vntill proofe were made one way or other may no conclusion be drawen that therfore the Pastor now may suspend such as he suspecteth or rather knoweth to be infected with incurable deadly ◅bstinate sin from the communion board c. In the Leuiticall tabernacle y e priest◅ did nothing without prescript lawes there was nothing left to his discretion he had his certaine signes set him downe whervpon to seclude whervp on to pronounce cleane as also whervpon to pronounce vncleane But now vnder the Gospell where that priesthood and those lawes are quite taken away we haue now no such cōmandements of suspecting or suspending The causes heere of seperation are not bodily but spirituall not diseases of the bodie but diseases of the soule sinne which sinne when yt publikely appeareth obstinacy be added to the
same when yt is publikly vewed censured then hath the Church a prescript law commandemenâ—… to excoÌ„municate to cast out not the Pastor to suspend such an vncleane person therfore betwixt these suspensions as they call them that vnder the law this vnder their gospel is no proportion or comparison that being done according to Gods prescript lawes this altogether without warrant of the word except peraduenture they doe yt by warrant of these leuiticall lawes or els â—… see no cause they should thus bring them for the maine proofe of this their suspension which if they do theÌ„ are they leuitical Priests also for none els might meddle with the administration of those lawes then are they also vnder the shaddow vnder the law not vnder Christ grace the Gospell The lawes of the Leuiticall ministery cannot be exercised by the ministery of the the gospel neither any of them now receaued without y e losse of Christ. A dangerous thing yt is thus violently to wrest and misapply these Leuitical lawes figures ceremonies or to build vpon the same such stubble woodden diuises as they doe as their tithes offrings purifications feasts suspension not to speake of their ministeriall vestures holy cemitory synagogues with all the Iewes implemeÌ„ts therof wherby they innouate or rather abrogate the Testament of CHRIST coine forge a new ministerie a new worship a new Gospell for the Gospell of Christ only accordeth to his owne ministerie and the ministerie of Christ to his owne Gospell the Gospell of Christ may neither be added vnto nor diminished from the legal ceremonies and figures whiles they are soberly vnderstood and rightly applied giue a good light and gratious instruction but when they are thus rashly allegorized according to the phantasies of men and boldly applied to maintaine their diuises theâ—… become they vnto them a stone to stumble at The other reason from Maâ—…h 5. 23. 24. is altogether as false and yet rather more corrupt Our Sauiour there teacheth that God requireth mercie not sacrifice sacrifice with bloody hands or an euill heart is abhomination vnto God He therfore there exhorteth that they first make cleane their hands from oppression and make peace with their neighbour then purge their heart and make peace with God by sacrifice according to the lawes Leuiâ—… 6. 5. Num. 5. 7. 8. this doctrine still remaineth belongeth to euery Christian euen to the Pastor himself The Lord abhorreth all hypocrisie he looketh not to Caines sacrifice neither is pleased with Balaams Altar he will haue all that approch vnto him to draw neere with a true heart their hearts being sprinkled from an euill conscience and washed in our body with pure water c. But what of all this what place is heere found to suspension oâ—… what power is here giâ—…en to the Pastor to seperate from the coÌ„munion table in this maner vâ—…les as the papists doe they take themselues for sacrificing Priests their coÌ„munion table for the altar this their priestly power deriued from these Leuiticall lawes is aboue answered I would here know of these allegorisers what the altâ—…r in the law signified and what our Sauiour CHRIST here meant by the altar if not the whole worship of God with what seâ—…se they can thus popishly vnderstand yt of applie yt to their communion table only shutting them from that admitting them to their praiers and other exercise Heere me thinkes their answere is ready because the sacrifice of CHRISTS body is there remembred resembled It is well and will they shut such from the communion of the sacrifice of CHRISTS body whose praiers 〈◊〉 will offer vp vpon that golden altar might the Priests vnder the law receaue and burne the odours vpon the incense â—…ltar whose sacrifices they refused at the brazen altar for burnt offrings whosoeuer for vnclennes c. was seperate was seperate froÌ„ the whole tabernacle al the ministerie exercises therof How then can these blind fooliâ—…h Pharisies thus halfe Chriâ—…t to make him a minister an aduocate an altar for the praiers of such to whome he is no sacrifice no minister at thâ—… brazen altar whome he driueth from his table from his communion and will neither giue his body vnto them nor suffer them to be knit with his members vnto yt What maner of iuggling what kind of fast and loose is this what shall we thinke of the eâ—…tate of these men that are thus suspended they being halfe driuen from CHRIST halfe receaued vnto Christ halfe cast out of the Church halfe admitted in What is this estate like vnto if not to the popish purgatorie these men being neither wholy Christs nor wholy Satans And surely seing they wil with the papists froÌ„ hence take this popish Priestly power vnto theâ—…selues as also this fond toole of suspension I see not why they should dissent from them in the third namely in the purgatorie By this time I hope you perceaue what kind of stuffe this their ceâ—…sure of suspension is which both the sorts of these Priests generally allow of and receiue You see how euill yt accordeth to the heauenly frame of CHRISTS Testament and Church you may also by this which hath generally beene saied touching the most reformed vse of yt in the hands of these supposed Pastors that should be iudg what kind of â—…oole and weapon yt is in the hands of these popish Prelates the BBâ—… you may see by the exercise of yt vpon any priuate member what an odious and intollerable thing yt were to be eâ—…ercised vpon the Pastor or other ministers of the Church especially at the pleasure and lust of one man now let vs proceed to their excommunication This is executed by one man or his Commissary in their courts as hath been said neuer for any sin or error for such matters they either let passe or punish by the temporall sword by fines imprisonment or penance c. But their excommunication is altogether exercised for contumacie as for not obeijng their summons or for not satisfijng the iudgment of their couâ—…ts namely for not paying these rauenous voultures these officers theâ—…r fees or not paying the mulcts that are inflicted vpon theÌ„ in their Courts c. And as yt most coÌ„monly ariseth but about these money matters so is yt in effect but a money matter yt self you shal find M r. Commissarie if he see yt coÌ„ming no vnreasonable man he had as leeue take your money himself as an other should for this he knowes yt shalbe dispensed with for money either in his court or some where els The forme of this excommunication I cannot set downe but I weene yt be in manner of a writte in latine as also the AbsolutioÌ„ therof proclaimed in y e name of the Bishop or archbishop after the order of their mother Church of Rome these their spider webbes of their ecclesiasticall lawes iurisdiction exteÌ„d not but vnto the smaller and common flies the magistrates greater
before the partie offending be duly convinced admonished exhorted But when the sin thus appeareth becommeth publike the sinner is thus convinced admonished exhorted still continueth obstinate impenitent theÌ„ is the Church without delay or paâ—…tialitie to proceed by the power of our Lord â—…esus Christ with one consent to cast oâ—…t such a one deliuer him vnto Sathan for the humbling of the flesh y t the spirit might be saued in the day of the Lord yea to auoid fâ—…om themselues both the contagion and iudgmentes following his sin Now then seeing this censure of excommunication is an especiall part of the iudgment power Scepter of Christ seing Christ hath committed yt vnto his Church euen vnto euerie Christian congregation whether yt be established in order or yt be indeuoring into oâ—…der as a most necessarie meanes to preserue keepe them in the vâ—…itie of the faith godlines without which power the due executioÌ„ therof yt is impossible to kâ—…epe aâ—…e communion how great is their sin against Christ his Church that thus presumptuously wrast the sword out of Christs hand take yt into their owne furious handes that thus vtterly depriue the Church of all vse of yt saue that they smite wound the poore lambes and seruantes of CHRIST with yt or rather with that great sword giuen vnto their father the deuil to shed innocent blood But especially what iniurie doe they vnto their Princes and magistrates that thus depriue exempt theÌ„ froÌ„ the heauenlie gouernmeÌ„t of Christ if so be this their ecclesiasticall discipline Church gouernment be the true gouernment of Christ as they vaunt and giue out doe they not heerby manifest y t either Princes and magistrats are not the seruantes subiectes of Christ or els y t theÌ„selues haue y e great charteâ—… of Antichrist as well as their sire the Pope to dispense with the breach of Gods lawes to assoile Princes magistrates from the obedience and reuerence of Christ Or els peraduenture with their deepe learning they are able to prooue THAT CHRISTIAN PRINCES AND MAGISTATES EITHER CANNOT SIN in such maÌ„ner to deserue excommunication or els are not liable to the same iudgmentes of God as other Christians are for the like transgressions or els that Christ hath not made one and the same coâ—…enant with al meÌ„ but hath apointed one way for Princes magistrates to be saued an other way for inferior ChristiaÌ„s of lower callings But if the couenant law of God be one the same vnto al men if al men ought to be alike liable to the law of God subiect to the sacred person Scepter of Christ if rebellion be as the sin of witchcraft transgression as idolatrie yf Christ be an vpright and vnpartiall Iudge if Topheth be prepared of olde if yt be prepared eueÌ„ for the King deep and large c. Then most dangerous and damnable is the perfidie and fâ—…atterie of these prophets that not only pronounce peace vnto wicked magistrates in their sin but exempt Christian magistrates from subiection and obedience vnto the Scepter and gouernment of Christ in his Church wherby they draw theÌ„ into battel against Christ. For if they be not vnder his Scepter of grace then are they vnder his yroâ—…â—…od wherwith he wil bruise them to sheardes Yf they be his subiects then doth he reigne ouer them that by his owne lawes but if they wil not haue him to reigne ouer them then commeth he against theÌ„ and iudgeth them as his enemies This is the good seruice these men doe vnto their magistrates to bring them into the wrath of the Lion of the tribe of Iuda this is the care these good shephardes haue of the soules of their Prince magistrats to suffer them to runne on in their sin without coercion or reproofe yea to depriue them of the onlie meanes cure that God in his mercie wisdome hath prouided for al his seruants in that estate But these pollitike diuines make Princes beleeue that yt is no small iniurie derogation to their persons office to be subiect to the reproofe censute of Christ in his Church Excommunication of magistrates say they was an instrumeÌ„t to bring yâ—… neckes of Emperors Princes vnder the Popes girdle the onlie meane wherby he became so dreadful to al men got to himself so great authority therfore our english Pope L. Bishops though they stil retaine in their haÌ„des this popish thunderbolt of excommunicatioÌ„ yet so warily doe they vse yt as they wil not affray Princes or great personages therewith Alas caÌ„not these learned Bishops in al this light free passage of the Gospel they bost of as yet discerne or put difference betwixt Christs most lawfull sacred spiritual power and the Popes vsurped diuelish carnall powers should not magistrates be subiect to the first because they ought not to endure or suffer the second Hath not God spoken from heauen This is my beloued Sonne heare him and againe Therfore God hath highly exalted him and giuen him a name aboue euery name that in the name of IESVS euery knee should bow c and euery toâ—…gue confesse that IESVS is the Lord and speaking vnto the Sonne he saith Thy throne Ô God to the world of worldes the Scepter of thy kingdome is a rod of righteousnes and in an other place I haue annointed my King vpon Zion mine holy mountaine c. Giue heâ—…d therfore ye Kings be ye disciplined ye Iudges of the earth serue the Lord in feare reioice in trembling kisse the Sonne least that he be angire ye perish in the way It were long to recite the expresse scriptures which euery where shew that all Kings and Magistrates ought to be subiect to the Scepter and censure of CHRIST in his Church to bring their glorie honour thither and cast downe their crownes before him of whome they receaue hold their crownes euen by homage tenure froÌ„ whome they deriue al theiâ—… power therfore w t all their power ought to serue him vnto whome they shal accompt All the godly Kings of whome we read in the scriptures haue beene bownd and subiect vnto the lawes of God and censures of the Church in their calling as any other How earnestly did DAVID beseech the Lord that he would seek out his seruant when he erreth as a sheepe that the righteous might smite him for that shalbe a benefite that they might reproue him for that shalbe as a cheefe oyntment As Kings enter into the Church and are made members of CHRIST by profession true practise of the faith so when they fall and depart from the same faith and will not be reduced by admonition and reproofe they are no longer to be held of the faith of the Church but are as any other to receaue the iudgment and censure of CHRIST to be cut off and cast out as withered branches and this as the only
remedy of their saluation for the humbling of their flesh c Yf Kings be subiect to the instruction and admonition of the Church ◅s Dauid Asa I◅oshaphat Ezekiah c. were why should they not also with Vzziah when the running vlcer◅ of fretting incurable sinne appeare vppon them be cut off from the how◅e of the Lord and seperate from the cōmunion of the Saints as he was least they defile more make the whole offrings and companie abhominable vnto the Lord. Yf in that materiall Temple where the worship consisted in externall ceremonies no degrees of persons were exempted from the obseruation of the lawes the King himself might not enter with his vncleannes vpon him but as you see was cast out according to the law how much more in this spirituall howse of CHRIST ought they to be subiect to the lawes and iudgments of CHRIST as well yea and rather more then any other To this they obiect because the King is the cheefe supreame gouernor here in earth ouer all persons and causes as well of the Church as of the commō welth vnto whome euery soule must be subiect therfore cannot the whole Church much lesfe any member therof all being his subiects censure iudg or excōmunicate the Prince the placing punishing and deposing of whome only belongeth vnto God by whome Kings r◅igne O how great is the blindnes of these Phariseis that cannot put difference betweene the spirituall iudgments of CHRIST in his Church the temporall or rather corporall iudgments of the magistrate in the cōmon welth but most grossely and wickedly oppose the one against the other Might they not as well reason and vpon the same grounds conclude that the Prince is no member of the Church neither y t the Church hath any cōmunion with him because he is supreme gouernour of the Church and all the Church are his subiects yea doe they not as much whē they giue vnto Princes s◅ch blasphemous titles popi◅h prerogatiues dispensatiōs as SVPREME HEAD OF THE CHVRCH to make lawes for the Church concerning the worship ministery ministration whole gouernment of the Church and those such as are not read of in the booke of God to be exempt from the iurisdiction cēsure of Christ in his church Now which way in this estate can they make the Prince a subiect of Christ or member of his Church whē both in titles power pregatiue they exa◅t Princes into the chaire of Christ or to say as yt is rather into the chaire of Antichrist But to come to this pollitike impediment and intollerable inconuenience that would ensue if Princes should be subiect to the excōm◅nication of y e church then say they he should be subiect to the Church and so subiect to his subiects I denie the sequele of their Argument for this censure is not the censure of the Church so much as of CHRIST in his Church so that though CHRIST vse the ministerie of his Church the Church the ministerie of some most fit memb◅r vnto this action y◅t is y◅ still the censure iudgment of CHRIST vnto which euery seruant of CHRIST member of the Church must be subiect So that they might as well reason that the Prince is subiect to the Church c. because he must be subiect to the Gospell which is also the ministerie of the Church The least member of the Church is not subiect to the church neither to follow yt further then yt followeth CHRIST But whiles some without all feare of God haue indeuored to draw and others not doubted to yeild that honour which is due vnto God vnto the persons of men herehence hath al this exaltation of Antichrist pride of the prelac◅e arisen yea these impious collections and blasphemous conclusions against Christs holy ordinances ensued to such a measure and heigth is this sin now growen that they not only cast off Christs yoke them selues but assoile Princes of their allegeance vnto him yea proclaime this most peaceable spiritual censure of CHRIST to be sed◅ious intolle◅able contrary vnto the magistracie c. Then which assertion what can be more heathen barbarous Is yt not to set their state expresly against Christ yea Christ against God cannot these carnal men consider that Christ himself whiles he was heere on earth as also his Apostles were subiect in al lawfull things vnto the ciuile magistrate taught the churches so to be vnto the worlds end yet both CHRIST his Apostles gaue perpetuall often commandements for the diligent vpright vse of this spiritual censure vnto the wo◅lds end Are they so Anabaptisticall to thinke y t there neuer were or should be magistrates of the Church or thinke they that these lawes were made for the church before the magistrates were called to the faith were not Nicodemus Ioseph of Aramathia Sergius Paulus Cornelius Dionisius Erastus c. magistrates and called to the faith yet in their tune was the vse of excommunication inioined and practised No where can they shew in all the Testament of CHRIST any exception or immunity of any one person from this spirituall censure gouernment of CHRIST which is no way contrary vnto the temporal estate ciuil degree of the Prince or magistrate Who though they be excōmunicate yet still retaine their ciuil estate dignity wherin God hath placed them and still are reuerenced and obeied of the whole church as such magistrates whome God hath set ouer them only members of the Church they cannot be held whiles they presumptuously trāsgresse or obstinately disobey CHRISTS voice It is not in the power of the Church to receaue or cast out any member before they see faith or transgression accordingly nor yet hath the Church power to keepe in any member longer then he keepeth the faith walketh orderly So then vntil they can proue that there can be no magistrates but such as are of the church or that this ecclesiastical excommunication is a depriuing deposing of the ciuil magistracy they do but reproch the truth and seduce the magistrate As these spirituall iudgments extend not vnto so the Church that pronounceth executeth the same no way medleth with the office or person of the Prince or magistrate They are taught not to lay violent hands vpon the Lords annointed but to be obedient vnto the death It alwaies hath beene the custome of the Pope his ofspring to encroch both vpon Churches and Princes to assume this antichristian power ouer both into their hāds to bind to loose to curse assoile whome they list Neither can I see the sin of these Antichristian BBs these ympes of the Pope to be lesse in discharging Princes from this holy censure of CHRIST thē◅heir Sires was in tyrannizing oppressing them therwith neither yet how these men can beate downe the tyrannous vsurped power of the Pope when they ass◅me into their owne hands and execute the self same power ouer the whole Church
â— vnto their aduersaries yet wil these graceles Bishops inforce this othe first by way of perswasion by Abrahams Iaacobs exaÌ„ples who caused the one his seâ—…uaÌ„t y e other his sonne to sweare putting their haÌ„d vnder their theigh c. and by the Angels lifting vp his haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ to sweare If vnto the fiâ—…st they be answered that AbrahaÌ„ Iaacob ioyned not this ceremony vnto the othe so much as to exact the fidelitie performance of the othe seijng God himself sware vnto Abraham without this ceremonie Gen 15 17 as also Ishaac sware Iaacob sware without this ceremonie Gen. 26. 31. Gen. 31. 53 so that there caÌ„ be no law drawen or exaÌ„ple made of Abraham Iaacob heerin especially seing this was before the law was giueÌ„ but now we â—…aue an absolute law giuen of God for the forme of othes froÌ„ which law we ought not to swerue Yf vnto the secoÌ„d namely the Angels lifting vp the haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ whiles he sware yt be likewise answered y t no law caÌ„ be inforced froÌ„ heÌ„ce or any new ceremony inioyned in swearing nothing being done heere contrarie to the law of God neither any example giueÌ„ to breake or alter y â— law giueÌ„ of God seing now both al superstitious ceremonies idolatrous othes are forbiddeÌ„ vs by our Sauiour Christ his Apostles Math. 5. 34. 3. 5 Mat. 23. Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 20. Their next reason is draweÌ„ froÌ„ the Princes priuiledg y t the Prince hath power to make lawes of indiffereÌ„t things is therin to be obeied this maner of othe is shewed to be no indiffereÌ„t thing but altogether vnlawful prohibited for the reasons aboue alledged But if yt were a thing indiffereÌ„t as they suppose so to sweare or not so to sweare yet were yt not lawfull for any mortal man to bind that by way of law which God hath left in our libertie much lesse to bring in new ceremonies or diuises into the worship of God for so might al the Popes traditioÌ„s be brought in iustified WheÌ„ these reasons wil not serue to perswade oâ—… assure the conscience theÌ„ these holy fathers these teÌ„der hearted christian BBs are driueÌ„ to their last argumeÌ„t wherby they vphold their antichristiaÌ„ throne Viz. the ciuil power authoritie which is committed into their murtherous handes Then are they forthwith committed vnto close prison there to remaine vntil they either yeild or die and this without respect of age sexe or degree especially if they be conveÌ„ted for refusing or speaking against the BBs Popelike authoritie antichristian decrees idolatrous iniunctions c such with mortall hatred they persecute much more â—…hen they doe the most hainous malefactors traiterous Papists such they opeÌ„ly publish to be sectaries scismatikes heretikes Anabaptists disobedient to magistrates seditious conventiclers c. and al because they will not beare Antichristes yoke nor carie the Beastes marke nor bow downe vnto worship his image Such therfore they hunt pursue aâ—…rode by their spiaâ—…s pursyuants and hauing caught theÌ„ vse with al eâ—…quisite tyranny neuer suffring theÌ„ to depart out of theiâ—… haÌ„ds vntil they either deny y e faith or be fetched froÌ„ theÌ„ by the Lords peremptorie messenger Death Long yt were to relate their fine spanish arts to molest these constant witnesses faithfull seruaÌ„ts of Christ when they get them in their prisons by shutting them vp long close by causing them to be produced and indicted at the general sessions vpoÌ„ the statute of recusansy hauing made some of the Iudgâ—…s on their part although this statute was made for Christs and her Ma ties â—…nemies the Papists recusants of all christian veritie When vpon this statute they haue gotten them indicted and vpon the execution therof cast into prisons yet heâ—…re their malice ceaseth not but although they be the Q. prisoners in her execution yet will they contrarie to all law assume them back againe into thâ—…ir handes and by thâ—…ir sole authoritie without anie cause alledged commit them perpetuall close prisoners therby to shorten their liues and to cut off all meanes either of their owne maintenance from them or wherby they might any way satisfie the Queâ—…ne Thus play they with poore Christians as the catte doth with the moâ—…se boldly committing them vnto and taking them fâ—…om the seculer powers at their owne pleasure abusing the Queenes lawes and most faithfull subiâ—…ctes at their owne lust without checke or controulement they being subiect and liable to no lawe To such a heigth is this strange Romish spanish Court now growne vnder colour of â—…eforming â—…cclesiasticall abusâ—…s that yt vsurpeth absolute power ouer al lawâ—…s causâ—…s persons 〈◊〉 yea and becommeth the very fountaine or synke rather from whence flow al errors abuses and disorders into the whole laÌ„d yt being the very bane poyson both of the church and common welth that â—…uer going forge of Sathan wherin he daily mintâ—…th al his antichrâ—…stian new deuises decrees for this monstrous harlot the false Church that Senate wherin all their affaires are consâ—…lted that Councel wherin all their decrees are concluded a Synode wherin all causes are debated a schoole wherin al questions are disputed a fayre wherin all their wares are sould This monstrous Court taketh vtterly away the power and stoppeth the course of Gods word of his Church and of the godly lawes of the land preiudicial yt is to the prerogatiue of the Prince to the iurisdiction of her â—…oyall Courts to the libertie of her free subiects to the great Chaâ—…r of England as their practise euidently sheweth How contrarie yt is vnto God vnto al the rules of his word euen by this summarie recitall insufficient description of their doings at the first reading may appeare to al men that wil bring them to the light So barbarous is thâ—…ir power so odious their proceedings as no apologie caÌ„ be made for them vnlesse by the same they wil also iustifie the authoritie of the Pope and proceedings of the spanish inquisition both vvhich yet heerin they exceed in that this Court hath power to make lawes oâ—…dinaÌ„ces for al churches without their consent which the Pope cannot doe as also in that this Court hath power iurisdiction ouer many almost al ciuil causes which the spanish inquisition hath not Let not my words be wrasted or misconstrued to the reproch of these honorable personages such ciuile magistrates as are of this CoÌ„mission whose ciuil offices persons we from our hearts vnfainedly honour and reuerence yet can the authority of their personages no way iustifie the vnlawfulnes of this Commission or hide the vngodlines of the BBs proceedings therin with whose crafty practises we suppose they are not made acquainted being tised into this CoÌ„mission by the subâ—…ilty of the BBs who suppose to fortifie their antiâ—…hristian power popish regiment by the authority and countenance of the these honorable reuerend men
executed ciuile functions and so our Bishops and Priests may be Lords Iudges Iusticâ—…s of peace hold iurisdiction of ciuil causes this rable of romish ciuilians aduocates proctors c. might be officers in the stead of Leuites Further his rash inuerting the hebrew distinctions in the latter end of the â—… beginning of the 9 verse he hath so royled coÌ„founded y e tâ—…xt as no maÌ„ can vnderstand who they were that returned to Ierushalâ—…m or rather as the text is when they shâ—…uld returne to Ierushalâ—… whither these iudges CoÌ„missioners as Mr. SMOE calleth them or the other Iudges people of the land that in cases of doubt should returne to IerushaleÌ„ according to the law coÌ„mandement of God Deut. 17. 8. 9. to enquire at the priests or at y e chief Iudg c. But D. S. hauing thus troubled roilâ—…d the pure fountaine with his fâ—…te would now giue vs this muddy water to drinke that this coÌ„miâ—…ion as he termeth yt at Ieruâ—…alem was sâ—…t ouer all the Cities Iudges c. of the whole land and that these coÌ„missioners were they that returned to Ierushalâ—…m By which scripture thus deliuered vnderstood he would shape and erect this his Lords Grace high Commission But let vs now eueÌ„ a litle compare them together and see what likenes there is betwixt 〈◊〉 proceedings in Ierushalem and theirs in this high commission Iehoshaphat set Iudges in the land through all the strong cities he set in Ierushalem of the heads of the families of Israel appointing amongst thâ—…m one chiefe Iudg for al ciuil affaires and the Kings busines as the Kings 〈◊〉 He coÌ„manded also caused the Priests to remaine in their due course at Ierushalem to studie teach the law of God diligently and to see this duly done of them he set the high Priest ouer them to be the chiefe in all matters of the Lord. What of al this what new thing is heere done or besides law Exod. 18. Num. 1â—… Deut. 1. That the Prince alâ—…o is charged and of dutie ought to see the ministers of the church to doe their dutie teach the law of God diligeÌ„tly sincerely we reade Deut. 17. 1 Chron. 28. 2 Chron. 29. 30. 35. This did Iehoâ—… no other thing Now in that he placed yt at Ierusalem yt was according to the coÌ„mandment of God who had chosen that place to put his name there that the law might proceed out of Zion al people flow thither to worship God heare his word But in al this Ieâ—… hath neither commixt nor confounded the ciuil and ecclesiasticall offices in one coÌ„mission neither erected any new ecclesiastical ordinaÌ„ce besides those which God in his word had prescribed or peruerted or diuerted any ordinaÌ„ce that God hath instituted But in this high CoÌ„mission of the church of EnglaÌ„d is an opeÌ„ coÌ„mixture confusioÌ„ of ciuil ecclesiastical offices causes a new diuised ordinaÌ„ce with new officers new proceedings and a strange course not heard or read of in the whole word of God Yea by this Commission they pervert and turne away the whole practise of al the ordinances of Christ in his Church Neither will that great commission which Artaxerxes gaue vnto Heâ—… the Priest any vvhit more either couller or warrant this monstrous high Commission of theirs granted vnto their chiefe Priest arch-Bishop which Commission if yt should haue reached ouer far yet had yt rather beene to be imputed vnto y e ignoraÌ„ce of the heatheÌ„ King that knew not the lawes of God then to haue beene alledged or vrged as an exaÌ„ple for vs to follow in the sáme euil especially now vrder Christs most perfect absolute Testament ministery in his church But what was this commissioÌ„ of Artaxerxes that D. SOME so enforceth Artaxerxes granted vnto Hezra leaue by coÌ„mission to carry vp with him vnto Ierusalem al such of Israel and Iuda as were willing to goe together with al such vessels instrumeÌ„ts gold siluer or free gifts as should be giueÌ„ vnto the seruice of God by theÌ„ in Babiloâ—… as also that being come to Iernshalem he should set Iudges arbiters that might both diligeÌ„tly teach and see the lawes of God duly executed What is in this Commission found contrarie to the law of God or what did Hezra by this commission contrarie to the law of God Yt wil heere be said that Hezra being a Priest had ciuil and ecclesiastical power committed vnto him by vertue of this commission exercised both ciuil and ecclesiastical iurisdiction c. we see manifestly in the 23 25 verses that the kings commission had relation wholy to the law of God that Hezra being a man prompt therin should see al things done in the TeÌ„ple at Hierusalem in the kingdome of Iuda and Israel according to the law of God yet heere is no commission giuen him to execute both ciuil and â—…cclesiastical offices in his owne person neither reade we or may vve without sin imagine that euer he did so for that had beene an heinous breach of all Gods lawes an vnsufferable confusion of al Gods ordinances who as he hath in his word alwaies put difference distinction betwixt the ciuil ecclesiastical estates so hath he vnto ech seueral office apointed seueral ministers to atteÌ„d MoÌ„strous therfore most vngodly is that commission where both these estates offices are mingled coÌ„founded in one AntichristiaÌ„ beastlike is that person that sitteth as chiefe of this CoÌ„mission exerciseth both ciuile ecclesiastical iurisdiction by the coÌ„mandement of any mortal creature yt being so directly repugnant to the lawes of God and the TestameÌ„t of Christ so pernitious to the Church of Christ vtterly peruerting diuerting al the ordinances therof subuerting the whole libertie powers censures duties of the whole Church and of euerie meÌ„ber minister therof Euil theÌ„ may this mixt coÌ„fuse ecclesiastical high CoÌ„mission be coÌ„pared vnto or approued by this godly coÌ„missioÌ„ of Artaxerxes or this popish supremacie inordinate power ciuil iurisdictioÌ„ of this high Arch-Priest or Bishop by y â— person of Hezra who most painfully sincerely taught y e law of God most precisely practised y e same within the bouÌ„des of his calling most modestly faithfully behaued himself in al things as the scripture beareth recorde The 26 verse where the disobedieÌ„t the offendors are commaÌ„ded to haue due iudgment executioÌ„ according vnto the law of God qualitie of their offence caÌ„ by no common reason much lesse by any Christian iudgmeÌ„t be said to be coÌ„manded to be executed by Ezra his person The Priestes office as we haue said was to teach the law to exhorte al persoÌ„s to the obedieÌ„ce of the same but their office was not to erercise ciuile iurisdictioÌ„ or to execute ciuil iudgmeÌ„tes these were to be performed by ciuil magistrates Neither may these iudgmeÌ„ts of death eradication mulct of goods of bandes by
this coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of Artaxerxes who no doubt vsed such words in this coÌ„mission as agreed to the lawes iudgmentes of Persiâ—… rather then of knowledg in Gods law be made either ecclesiastical censures or any way be executed in any Christian pollitike regiment otherwise theÌ„ they are found to accord with the lawes iudgments of God prescribed in his word But this new diuised high ecclesiastical Commission doth not only ceÌ„sure punish al faultes of their churches by these iudgmeÌ„ts penalties but doth inflict theÌ„ in what measure manner they lust vpon al persons for al cawses whatsoeuer whether cawses of religion as opeÌ„ idolatrie popish masse c. or contempt of their iniunctions decrees in not resorting to their worship sacraments or administring them after any other maÌ„ner theÌ„ they haue prescribed c. whither for ciuil offences be they neuer so hainous abhominable as most odious incests adulteries polygamies c. Al these by this commission are punished by the purse by the prison for the law of God for idolatours adulterers were al to sharpe therfore this holy councel guided belike by some better wiser spirit haue found out this more mitigate course repressing these sinnes But if any vpon faith and conscience towards God refraine their idolatrous deuises there can for such be found out no kind of hostility confiscation perpetual close imprisonment sufficient for their faultes Thus no way can this high CoÌ„mission of the church of England be iustified by these examples of 〈◊〉 Artaxerâ—…es neither hath yt any more defence in the new Testament where is no mention of any such councel or Court set ouer all churches ouer euery méber minister cause affaire ceÌ„sure therof to impose depose determine iudge censure punish at their pleasure whome what they lust without coÌ„tradiction or controlement We reade in the practise of the Apostles of a synode or councell of â—…undry churches for the deciding of controuersies doubtes where certaine chosen Elders of the churches are thervnto assembled together with such faithfull of any church as will be present without shutting out of any of them neither are these Elders here gathered in any such stagelike or pontisicall maner as these our Prelates are in this CoÌ„mission but in this christiaÌ„ councel or assembly ech one hath free liberty and place to relate or debate his owne cause without interruption or preiudice neither is any thing heere decreâ—…d by the wil of any man but only by the wil of God that vpon euident demonstratioÌ„ of the word otherwise no credite or obedience giuen to any thing they set downe or determine During y e time of which couÌ„cel at any time after w tout any preiudice any christiaÌ„ hath freedome and liberty in due time place not disturbing the peaceable order of ChristiaÌ„ assemblies to speake according to the word of God either in approbatioÌ„ or reproofe of any thing to be done or done in y t councel Which councel or synode as yt hath not power to erect or bring in any new decrees or ordinaÌ„ces into the church besides those which are prescribed in y e booke of God which are alsufficieÌ„t for al times occasions vnto the worlds end so hath not this councel any power or authority ouer any church or any member of the church to censure excoÌ„municate erect or depose any This councel or assembly is only ordained for the helpe quiet of churches to discusse questioÌ„s to decide doubtes as they fall out arise that so all churches in all places might walke by one rule in the vnitie of the spirit This couÌ„cel is not permanent or alwaies setled in one place but to be vsed by any Churches at any time or place vpoÌ„ due occasions Neither is this councel so subsisting of the presbitery ortied to the persons of any that the least meÌ„ber of Christ is therby shut out not suffred to heare or to speake or any way preiudiced neither is any Church by this councell either depriued of their high power authority which Christ hath giueÌ„ to euery seuerall congregatioÌ„ alike or forestalled froÌ„ the due execution therof towards any member of their congregation or cause that ariseth amongst theÌ„ But as is said this councel is only a brothâ—…rly peaceable meeting of sundry churches for the better more asâ—…ured deciding discussing of doubtes and questions that arise leauing the whole practise due execution of al things to euery particular congregation in that order maner that Christ hath prescribed in his Testament These occasions rules and proceedings of Synodes councels or meetings of diuers Churcheâ—… we find left vnto vs in that holy patterne Act. 15. where though the chiefe builders y â— Apostles themselues were yet euen there were al things handled with this order modesty sobriety freedome c. But now if we compare their high ecclesiastical Commission vnto this holy councell and meeting how vnlike in al their orders proceedings and actions shall yt be found Their Commission being made a continuall setled permanent Court hauing strange Iudges aduocates officers iuriâ—…diction pleas processe c. vsurping and exercising supreme power absolute authority ouer al churcheâ—… ministers persons lawes doctrines to ratifie or disanull to establish or reiect to erect or depose whome what they lust executing al the censures offices of the Church changing bringing in and setting vp what they please shutting out the sentence of all Churches Christians allowing them neither interest electioÌ„ voice or presence in this their councell thrusting their decrees and constitutions as most holy vpon all Churches the consciences of all men with an high strong hand to be receiued without contradiction or question adiuring examâ—…ning suspending deposing fining emprisoning persecuting with all hostility all such as receaue not their constitutions submit not vnto their power Now let any christian iudge whether this Commission be not more like vnto the high court of the Beast then vnto an holy peaceable orderly assembly of christiaÌ„s met in the feare of God and guided by his Spirit to enquire search out Gods wil and humbly to rest in the same The ciuill magistrats power or presence can no way iâ—…stifie this CoÌ„mission or their proceedings being found so directly contrary to the TestameÌ„t of CHRIST vnto which yt is now lawfull for no man or Angel to superordeine alter or pluck away any thing without hainouâ—… sacrilege This monstrous coÌ„mixture then of these distinct powers in one court or person together with this confuse practise barbarous hauock tyranny they make exercise ouer Gods heritage Christâ—… poore seruants doe euidently denote and as by the very steppes trase out vnto all men the person throne and power of that Antichrist that aduersary that beast accordingly as they are described foreshewed vnto vs in the scriptures Math. 24. 15. 2 Thess. 2. how Antichrist should presume into the very