that they have these offices in their Church yet they neyther have agreed nor can agree among themselves who they be that have them whether the prelates or the other priests c. but are at a great jarre and in deed at a playne contradiction among themselves hereabout Many of the Prelates and Formalists say * Bridges Bilson c. that their Archbishops and Bishops are Pastors Teachers Some of them say ‖ Whitgift against T.C. p. 137. Andr. in the 2. Confer with M. Barrow that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor Many of the Reformists say that ‡ Mr. Sperin M. Egerton in the Confer M. Hilders M. Iacob in their writings the learned and painful Parsons of Parishes and Lecturing preachers among them are Pastors and Teachers Others of them say †Mr. Chaderton in the Sermon on Rom. 12. p. 33. c. Admon to the Parliam 1. 2. they want Pastors and Teachers and all the offices appointed by Christ to his Church that the Prelates robbe the Church of of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons that their Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stipendaries and the rest came from the Pope as out of the Troiane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome that they are the Prelates new creatures and that the Church of God never knew them And all the seekers of Reformation have shewed to the Parliament heretofore that the names and offices of Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops and the rest are together with their government drawen out of the Popes shop and contrary to the Scriptures that the Parsons Vicars Parish priests and Stipendaries be birds of the same fether and that â—hey have an Antichristian hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers strange from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world Thus are themselves confounded and thus are their tounges divided Yet cease they not still to plead for Baal and to bring balme for the sore of Babel which cannot be healed Ier. 51.8.9.58.64 with Rev. 18. chap. And now to proceed we wil shew by the Scriptures that none of the Ministers of that Church have the office of Pastors or Teachers spoken of by the Apostle Ephe. 4.11 which we prove thus 1. The Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 have their offices callings administration and maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament But the Prelates Priests Deacons of the Church of England have not their offices callings ministration maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament Therfore the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The truth of the Proposition appeareth by that place of Ephe. 4.8.11.12 Rom. 12.7.8 Act. 14.23 and 20. â—7 28 Heb. .5.4 Col. 4.17 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Pet. 5. â— 2.3 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. and 22.18.19 1 Cor. 4.1.2 and â— 4.5 and 9.14 and 11.23.24.25.26 and 12.28 Gal. 6. â— and throughout the Epistles to Timothee and Titus with other â—ike Scriptures The truth of the Assumption appeareth by their constitution and practise inasmuch as their offices of Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry their calling entrance according to their Pontificall and Book of consecrating Bishops and Archbishops and ordering Priests and Deacons as also that which some of them pretend to have by the ‡ Mr. Hilders letter sect 10. Mr. Iacobs comparison of Mariage and Pastorall calling His Reasons for necessity of reformation pag. 50. Offer of Conference pag. 39. choise acceptance and consent of their people who stand themselves vnder Antichrist and vnseparated from the world and are no true visible Churches of Christ their ministration by their owne and other popish Canons Articles Injunctions and Book of coÌ„mon prayer their Maintenance by Tithes Lordships c. were never ordeyned by Christ for his Ministerie of the Gospell but derived from Antichrist and his apostasie as hath been proved * The Discovery The Refutation of Mr. Giff. Answ to Mr. Hilders And to Mr. Iacob The Apologie c. by vs in divers Treatises published heretofore And if they still be otherwise mynded it lyeth vpon them to shew that Christ in his Testament hath appointed these their offices things aforesaid for his Ministerie Which none of them have yet done nor ever wil be able to do 2. Againe The Ministerie of Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 is the ordinarie and perpetual ministerie given by Christ to his Church such as the Princes of the earth neyther may nor ever shal be able to abolish seing Christ hath appointed it to continue to the end of the world Ephes 4.11.12.13 Rom. 12.5.7.8 and 13.3 Heb. 12.28 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17 and 6.13.14 with Mat. 28.20 But the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry of the church of England is not the ordinarie and perpetual Ministerie given by Christ to his Church but such as the Princes of the earth may and ought to abolish out of their Dominions Rev. 17.16 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 with 1 King 23. â— c. Deut. 12.2.3.4 Psal 72.1 c. Therfore the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry of the Church of England is not the Ministerie of Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 3. Also The offices of Pastors Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament are such as did and could â—tand with and vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Ephe. 4.11 Act. 15.4.6.22.23 20.17.28 Heb. â—3 7.17.23 Epist to Tim. Tit. 1 Pet. 5.1 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. But the offices of the Prelates Priests and Deacons of â—he Church of England are not such as did or could stand â—ith or vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangeâ—â—sts Which if any deny let them shew the contrary â—y the scriptures Light hath no fellowship with darknes nor Christ with Antichrist And suppose the Apostles were alive in their persons as they are in their writings and were in England it were worth the knowing whether they and the ordinances given by them should give place to the Prelates and their Canons and constitutions and whether they should be suffred to preach the Gospel and minister the Sacraments without acknowledging the Prelates authority subscribing to their Articles wearing of the Surplice signing with the Crosse in Baptisme c. for if we look to their * Canons of the yeare 1603. Can. 6.7.14 30.36.37.50.57.58 c. Canons Lawes practise and Church-constitutioÌ„ these tel all men playnely they must yeeld vnto theÌ„ that vnder payne of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ ipso facto c. Not to speak of their imprisoning persecuting of such as witnes the truth against them eveÌ„ vnto death Therfore they are not the Pastors and Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament 4. Moreover The offices of true Pastors and Teachers are by the ordinance of Christ set in the Church and employed in the Ministery of the word and Sacraments and Church goverment so as they may not with their
with their walking it is more then tyme needfull that they did it that they did it soundly from the word of God For as yet what do they els but with one mouth both blesse and curse and with the one hand build vp that which with the other they destroy and so make themselves trespassers Gal. 2.18 The seventh Argument taken out of Mr Bradsh book aforesaid vidz vide licet out of the tenth Argument of that Treatise IT is a sinne against Christ the sole Head of the Church to have spirituall communion with those Ministers which in the administration of Divine things do eyther by word or deed solemnely professe yeeld a spirituall Homage to an vsurped spirituall authority in the Church But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authority of Lord Archbishops and Bishops which is vsurped Ergo It is a sinne against Christ the sole head of the Church to have spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church assemblies of England The Proposition may not be gainesaid For all spirituall power vsurped over the Churches of God is an Antichristian authority and to communicate with those Ministers which professe spirituall homage therevnto is to communicate with such as professe spiritual homage vnto Antichrist which must needs be a sin against Christ the sole head of the Church The Assumption hath two parts 1. That the Ministers of the Church of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authoritie of Archbishops and Lord Bishops Which is most evident because they preach the word and administer the Sacraments by vertue of their calling received from the Archbishops and Bishops who give them authority herevnto at their ordination saying to every one of them * Book of ordering Priests fol. 14. Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to Minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed Which things themselves cannot deny to be meer Ecclesiasticall Religious and spirituall Actions injoyned among them to be done by offices callings received from the Prelates Ecclesiasticall and spirituall authority So as the doing of them by vertue thereof must needs be a solemne declaration of spirituall homage yeelded to the same authority 2. The second part of the Assumption is That the authority of their Lord Archbishops and Bishops is an vsurped authority The confirmation whereof Mr Bradsh setteth downe in these words following This is sufficiently proved of late by Mr Iacob in his 1. Assertion by many reasons Onely because the weight of the Argument leaneth vpon it I will vse one Reason Those Officers Rulers in the Church that make claime to be of Divine institution chalenge to themselves Apostolicall authority and iurisdiction as the onely Successours of the Apostles to sit onely in Moses chaire To have sole power of the Keyes To cut from the visible Church and receive againe To have power of creating displacing all other ecclesiasticall officers To be the Vniversall Pastors of whole Dukedomes and Kingdomes vnder whom all other Pastors are as Curates c. And yet for all this are such as stand and are supported onely by humane Traditions Ceremonies such as a civill Magistrate may without sinne put out of the Church and such as the true Churches of God may renounce and yet continue the true Church as Antichristian Vsurpers spirituall Tyrants I say all such Officers and Rulers exercise an vsurped authoritie in the Church But our Archbishops Bishops are such Rulers and Officers as are aforesaid Ergo They execute an Vsurped power over the Church The Proposition may easily be iustified For if inferiour officers vidz vide licet Pastors of particular Congregations have had may have firme continuance in the Church without these humane devises and inventions If the Magistrate cannot without sinn put them out of the Church And if those can be no true Churches that renounce to have particular Pastours and Ministers over them it must much more hold in such Church-officers and Rulers as these are if their authority be lawfull good For whilest the Apostles lived they needed not any humane Traditions and devises to support their authority The Magistrates that sought to put them downe sinned with a high hand And that was no Church that renounced and disclaimed their Office Authoritie and Iurisdiction The Assumption is as easily justified For 1. they make claime Title to all those Prerogatives before rehearsed in the first part of the Proposition and vnto more then that as shal be proved if it be denied 2. It is an Embleme of their owne NO CEREMONIE NO BISHOP Ergo No humane Tradition and Invention no Bishop Ergo The office of a Bishop is supported by them eyther onely or specially 3. Their Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction is derived from the King els it is a flat deniall of his Supremacie Also themselves graunt in their last Tables of Discipline That the King hath power to increase or diminish the Circuit of a Bishoprick That he may make two or more Bishopricks of one one Bishoprick to be two or more Yea what should hinder but that he may divide the Bishoprick of London into 800. For where God hath not defined the number of Parishes that a Bishop is to reign over it must needs be a thing indifferent In which by their owne Doctrines the King hath authority without sinne to dispose If therefore the King may as well notwithstanding any thing in the Law of God give the Keyes of the Church to everie particular Pastour of a Congregation over his owne Congregation as to a Bishop over a Diocesse which taketh away the very Essence of an English Bishop He may without sinne take away the very Office of the Bishop which consists in having jurisdiction over many Congregations c. 4. There is no true sober Christians but will say that the Churches of Scotland Fraunce the low Countries and other places that renounce such Archbishops and Bishops as ours are as Antichristian vsurping Prelates are true Churches of God Which they could not be if the authoritie and prerogatives they claime to themselves were of Christ and not vsurped For if it were the ordinance of Christ Iesus that in every Kingdome that receiveth the Gospel there should be one Archbishop over the whole Kingdome One Bishop over many hundred Pastors in a Kingdome and all they invested with that authority and jurisdiction Apostolicall which they claime iure Divino to be due vnto them and to reside in them by the ordinance of Christ certainely that Church that should renounce and disclaime such an authority ordeyned in the Church cannot be a true Church but a Synagogue of Sathan For they that should renounce and deny such must needs therein renounce and deny Christ himself Thus the Assumption is cleared And thus the cause is yeelded by themselves who in their owne writings speak and reason in
CERTAYNE REASONS and Arguments Proving that it is not lawfull to heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church of England Ier. 50.14.15 Put your selves in aray against Babel round about all that bend the bow shoot at her spare not arrowes for she hath sinned against the Lord. Cry against her round about she hath given her hand her foundations be fallen her walles be destroyed because it is the vengeance of the Lord take vengeance vpon her as she hath done do vnto her Rev. 18.6 Reward her even as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her doubles according to her workes in the cup wherein she hath mixed mixe her the double Printed In the yeare of our Lord 1608. To the Christian Reader grace and peace in our Lord Iesus Christ THe Reasons following I have published gentle Reader for thy good and for the truthes sake which we witnes to the world The causes of our separation from the Church of England are divers as in other Books already printed may be seen This treatise handleth purposely but one of them which is concerning their present Ministerie and was for the substance of it written long synce in nine Reasons which now I have revised and reduced to seven In the propounding and handling whereof I have both inserted divers things which I met with in some writings of Mr Iohn Penry that faithfull Martyr of Iesus Christ and annexed sundry testimonies and Arguments out of the Books of the forward Preachers now abroad in mens hands The third Reason which is taken out of Rev. 14.9.10.11 hath his weight according to the right vnderstanding of that place Concerning which as Mr Ridley that blessed Martyr of Christ †See hereafter p. 59. did in his time I will commit the judgement thereof and of all the rest to the spirituall man to be tryed and judged by the word of God which is the onely rule of truth and so to be received and approved as they shal be found to beare weight being layd in the skoales of Gods sanctuary not any otherwise or further at all The Reasons are set downe in the forme of Syllogismes And the two first which conteyne in them the grounds of the rest have more specially the confirmation of them also handled after the same manner A course that some have desired for the further tryall of our cause Which now I wish it may help them forward to yeeld vnto the truth And if thy self Christian Reader reapest any fruit by our labours give God praise and pray for vs the vnworthiest of his servants who are every where contemned blasphemed and oppugned for the Name of Christ Ier. 30.17 Mat. 5.12 and 10.25 Heb. 12.2 1 Pet. 4.12 c. As hath ben the lot of the Churches and servants of God in all ages yea and of Christ our Lord himself But it is ynough for the disciple to be as his Maister and the servant as his Lord. Therefore will we beare it with pacience and rejoyce in it wayting till the Lord our God bring forth his truth as the light our judgement as the noone day Great we know is the truth and strong is the Lord that will destroy Babylon and will mainteyne the cause and avenge the blood of his servants Rev. 17. and 18. and 19. chap. with Ier. 50. and 51. ch Now therefore let me exhort all both Preachers and people high and low to compare together the Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles concerning the work of God and fall of Babylon past and to come and to take heed vnto themselves that they harden not their hearts but whiles it is called To day to hearken vnto the voice of the Lord who sayth vnto vs concerning the spirituall Babylon all her assemblies and worship Go out of her my people that yee partake not with her sinnes and that ye receive not of her plagues as of old he sayd to the Iewes concerning Babylon in Chaldea Go out of the middes of her my people deliver ye every man his soule frō the fierce wrath of the Lord. Rev. 18.4 with Ier. 51.45 And let there be heard * Ier. 50.28 with Rev. 19 ◠◠the voyce of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babel to declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God the vengeance of his Temple For it is written Thus saith the Lord of hosts The thick walles of Babel shal be broken downe and her high gates shal be burnt with fire and the people shall labour in vayne and the folk in the fire and shal be weary Ier. 51.58 Which how true it is wil be found in the Antichristian Babylon as it hath ben in the Chaldean let all that are wise observe make good vse thereof vnto themselves And in speciall as now I have occasion let me intreat the Preachers seeking reformation seriously to mynd the Books which many of them selves have written against their present estate with indifferency to judge whether their owne Arguments howsoever intended or alledged otherwise by themselves rely not vpon such grounds as are in very deed against their Ministery aswell as against their Ceremonies against the executing of the one aswel as against the vsing of the other withall against the keeping of communion with them in such estate albeit they have not hitherto so applyed or acknowledged it thēselves Which God in his tyme give them to do for their owne comfort benefit of others And the Lord guyde vs in these and all other things by his word and spirit in the way of his truth keeping vs from errour and every evill way and preserving vs to his heavenly kingdome by Iesus Christ who is the way the truth and the life Amen Thyne in the Lord Francis Iohnson REASONS and proofes from the Scriptures and other testimonies Shewing that it is not lawful to heare or have any spiritual communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The first Reason ALl are bound in the worship of God to hear and communicate onely with that Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church for that work But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is not that which Christ hath given and set in his Church for the work of his Ministery Therfore it is not lawful for any in the worship of God to hear or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England The proof and declaration of this Reason in the several parts thereof THe Proposition or first part of the Reason is evident and certayn 1. Because Christ hath given his Ministerie to his Church as a fruit and confirmation of his ascension into heaven whose gift therfore cannot therin be refused without denying or derogating from the truth and benefit of that his ascension Ephe. 4.8 12. with Ps 68.18 1 Cor. 12.4 Rev. 1.13.16.17.18.20 2. Because he hath set his Ministerie in his Church
as Lord and King therof whose appointment therefore may not be altered or disobeyed 1 Cor. 12.5.28 with Heb. 3.5 6. 9.10.11 Mal. 1.6 Luk. 6.46 and 19.27 Col. 4.17 1 Thess 5.12 Rev. 1.5.13.16 22.18.19 3. Because he buildeth and worketh by and in his owne Ministerie as God who is gracious and powerful working all in all to whom therfore in his worship all submission and obedience is to be yeelded in his own Ministerie onely and in no other whatsoever 1. Cor. 12.6.28 with Heb. 3.3.4 1 Thess 4.8 1 Tim. 3.1 15. Rev. 1.8.16.20 and 2.1 3.1.14 4. Because to his owne Ministerie onely he calleth his people and promiseth his presence and blessing so as in rejecting it admitting another men do as much as in them lyeth reject and refuse his blessed presence and deny the obedience which they ow vnto him Mat. 28.20 Luk. 10.16 Ioh. 13.20 1 Tim. 3.1.15 6.3.4.5.13.14 Rev. 2.1 and 3.1 with Lev. 26.11.12.15.16 Deut. 33.10.11 Isa 62.6.7.8 Ier. 3.15 Zach. 14.20.21 2 Thes 2.3.4.10.15.16.17 Rev. 22.18.19.20 THe Assumption or latter part of the Reason is proved thus The Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church is of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephes 4.11.12 But the present Ministerie of the Church of England is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore it is not the Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church The Proposition is playn and vndenyable The Assumption is shewed thus The present Ministery of the Church of Engl. is of Prelates Priests and Deacons But neyther the Prelates Priests nor Deacons of that Church be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors or Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore the present Ministery of that Church is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 The Proposition is manifest by their Law constitution The Law of that Church establisheth not nor admitteth any other Ministery but that of their Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry received among themselves or from the Papists Their constitution is such as al the Ministers of that Church must be Priests or Deacons And these also eyther in a superiour degree as the Prelates the Lordbishops Archbs Suffraganes c. or in an inferiour as the Parsons Vicars Stipendaries Chapleynes c. The Assumption is thus proved And first concerning the three first spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The offices of the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists were extraordinary the chiefest appointed by christ for special imploymēt in laying the foundatiō of the christiā church religiō through the world preaching the Gospel every where erecting the kingdom of God in al nations opening foretelling the things revealed vnto them by the holy Ghost planting the Primitive Churches and setling them in the faith and ordinance of Iesus Christ which should continue to the end of the world c. But such are not the offices of the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 More particularly The Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as every one of them had were to have these properties That with their eyes they had seen the L. Iesus 1 Ioh. 1.1 1 Cor. 9.1 and 15.7.8.9 Act. 10.39.40.41 That by him immediately they were appointed to that office Mat. 28.18.19 Act. 1.2.24 25.26 with Prov. 16.33 Gal. 1.1 That of him and not of man they received the doctrine and commandements which they delivered to the Churches Mat. 28.20 Act. 1.2 4.13 Gal. 1.12 2.6 c. That they were sent into the whole world to preach the Gospel to everie creature to the Iewes and Gentiles of all nations Mat. 28.19.20 Mar. 16.15 Rom. 15.19 Act. 9.15 and 13. and 14 chap. c. That as Maister-builders they layd the foundation which should alway continue to the end Math. 28.19.20 with 1 Cor. 3.10.11 Ephe. 2.20 4.11.12.13 Rev. 21.14 That they should all be of equall authority Mat. 20.25.26.27 2 Cor 12.11 Gal. 2.9 Rev. 21.14 That they were filled with the gifts of the holy Ghost with variety of tongues ability to prophecy power to work miracles and to shew vndoubted argumēts of their Apostleship c. Act. 2. 3. 4. 5. ch c. with Ioh. 16.13 20.21.22 1 Cor. 14.18 2 Cor. 12.11.12 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons in the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 And Paul sayth that God set forth him and Barnabas the last Apostles appointed to death c. 1 Cor. 4.9 If they were the last how shal we now look for any mo after them Or if any wil yet so think of themselves or others we may be sure the tryall of them by the word of God wil evince them to be such as the Church of Ephesus foūd to be lyars which said they were Apostles but were not to in deed Rev. 2.2 The Prophets spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as with the Apostles had the Gospel revealed vnto them by the Spirit and delivered it for the foundation of the Christian Churches and religion and by speciall revelation opened applyed the Scriptures of the former Prophets and in waighty cases foretold things to come as by the holy Ghost was shewed vnto them Ephes 3.5 and 2.20 with 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 Act. 11.28 and 21.10.11 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Prophets spokē of Ephe. 4.11 The Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as having appointment direction by the Spirit or the Apostles preached the Gospel abroad and brought the Churches to a setled estate according to the order prescribed them by the Apostles whose companions and assistants they were going whither they sent them and returning whither they would have them Act. 21.8 with chap. 8.5.12.26 29.30.35.39.40 2 Tim. 4.5.9.10.11 with Rom. 16.21 1 Cor. 4.17 and 16.10 2 Cor. 1.1.19 Phil. 2.19.22 1 Thes 3.2.6 1 Tim. 1.2.3 c. and with Act. 16.1.3 and 17.14.15 and 18.5 and 19.22 and 20.4 Col. 4.10.11 with Act. 15.39.40 Tit. 1.4.5 and 3.12 with 2 Cor. 8.23 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Evangelists spoken of Ephe 4.11 The Propositions of these particular reasons are evident by the scriptures annexed vnto them The Assumptions are so playne as they need no proof at all And if any would deny them they ar bound themselves to shew the contrary by the Scriptures Which none can ever do Now as the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 so neyther are they Pastors or Teachers there spoken of by the Apostle Which now we wil also prove But first for further clearing of the truth and better discerning of their estate it is to be observed here that albeit themselves take it for granted
Treatises to which we refer the Reader Refut of Mr. Giff. pag. 104.105.106 c. Answ to Mr Hilders pag. 79 80-87-94 c. Answ to Mr. Iacob pag. 188. c. Now whereas some alledge for warrant of hearing these Ministers that the people were to hearken to the Scribes and Pharisees sitting in Moses seat c. Math. 23.2.3 it is to be noted that they were Levites Priests expounders of the Law and Iudges of the pleas and controversies of Israel And therfore had the true offices ordinances which the Lord by Moses did appoint for teaching and governing of that Church as appeareth both by the phrase it self of sitting on Moses chaire and by conference of these and the like Scriptures Deut. 10.8 17.8 12. and 33.1 8.10 2 Chron. 17.8.9 and 19. 8 11. Nehem. 8.4 8. and 9.3.4 5. with Mat. 22.34.35.41 and 23. chap. Mar. 12.28.32.35 Ioh. 1.19.24 and 3.1.10 Act. 5.34 This then is nothing at all for any false Ministerie never ordeyned by the Lord such as the present Ministerie of the Church of England is proved to be Besides to be a Pharisee was not to have a new kind of Ministerie but to be of a speciall sect among the Iewes that pretended more strict observation of the Law then others did Act. 15.5 and 26.5 And they were of any of their tribes or of the proselyte Gentiles as may be seen in Paul who was a Pharisee of the tribe of Benjamin Phil. 3.5 Act. 23. 6. and in them that were sent to Iohn Baptist who were Pharisees of the tribe of Levi being Priests and Levites Ioh. 1.19.24 and in the Proselyte Gentiles brought so to be by the Scribes and Pharisees spoken of Mat. 23.15 And further although they were verie corrupt and vngodly notwithstanding all the pretence they made so as Christ taught his disciples * Mat. 16.6.12 and 23. chap. Luk 12.1 to take heed of the leven of their doctrine and of their hypocrisy and wickednes in conversation yet did they still hold that every true Ministery must be from heaven and not of men and vrged Iohn the Baptist to warrant his calling and Ministerie by the Scriptures Luk. 20 1-7 with Ioh. 1.19 27. So far were they themselves from admitting any false ministery not appointed by God and approved in his word And this also have the forward preachers acknowledged and proved heretofore against the Prelates as appeareth by their owne words saying ‖ T. C. first reply pag. 83. The ministerie is by the word of God and heavenly and not left to the will of men to devise at their pleasure as appeareth by that which is noted of Iohn where the Pharisees coming to Iohn Baptist after that he had denyed to be eyther Christ or Elias or another Prophet * Ioh. 1.23 conclude If thou be neyther Christ nor Elias nor of the Prophets why baptizest thou Which had bene no good argument if S. Iohn might have ben of some other function then of those which were ordinarie in the Church and instituted of God And therefore he to establish his singular extraordinarie functiō alledgeth the word of God whereby appeareth that as it was not lawfull to bring in any strange dostrine so was it ‖ Note not lawfull to teach the true doctrine vnder the name of any other function then was instituted by God Let the whole practise of the Church vnder the Law be looked vpon and it shall not be found that any other ecclesiasticall ministery was appointed then those orders of hy priests and Levites c. which wer appointed by the law of God And if there were any raised vp extraordinarily the same had their calling confirmed from heaven eyther by signes or miracles or by playn and cleare testimonies of the mouth of God or by extraordinarie exciting movings of the Spirit of God So that it appeareth that the ministerie of the Gospell and the functions thereof ought to be from heaven and of God and not invented by the brayne of men Thus have themselves written heretofore and thus doth their owne testimonie agree with the word of God against their present estate and their woonted allegations for their continuing therein But of these things also we have spoken other where and wil not here further prosecute them Treatise of the Minist of Engl. p. 54.55 c. Answ to Mr. Iacob p. 195. The conclusion of all is this that seing the Lord himself ascending vp on high hath given offices of Ministerie to his Church calling requiring all his people to heare have spirituall communion with them not with any other and seing the present ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England cannot be warranted by the word of God to be that which Christ hath given and set in his Church for the work of his Ministerie we may not therefore in the worship of God heare or communicate therewith vnder any colour whatsoever The second Reason NOne may heare or have any spirituall communion with the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie Therefore none may heare or have any spirtual communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. THe Propositiō or first part of this Reason is manifest 1. Because all false Ministeries are forbidden by the Lord and stand vnder the denunciation of his curse Exod. 20.4.5 with Deut. 18 9-15 2 Kings 10 19-25 2 Chron. 13.9.10.11 Zach. 13 2-6 2 Thess 2 3-12 Rev. 9. and 17. chap. 2 Iohn ver 7.10 Deut. 7.26 and 27.26 Gal. 1.8.9 Rev. 22.18.19 2. Because we are commanded to go out of Babylon and not to partake with any of her sinns therfore not with the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie Rev. 18.4.5.6 with Ier. 51.6.9.45 2 Cor. 6 14-17 1 Iohn 4 1-6 3. Because by hearing and communicating with such a Ministerie all that do so become the servants of Antichrist as it is written His seruants ye are to whom ye obey thus become subject to the wrath of God Rom. 6.16 2 Pet. 2.19 with Rev. 14.9.10.11 4. Because to heare or joyne with that Ministerie is to honour and conspire with Antichrist against Christ and what in vs vs lyeth to vphold that which the Lord will consume 2 Thes 2.3.4.8 Rev. 13. and 14 9-12 18.4.5.6 5. Because this is not to obey the Gospel and receive the love of the truth that we may be saved but to provoke the Lord to send vs strong delusions to beleev lyes and please our selves in vnrighteousnes being carryed away in the deceitfulnes thereof among them that perish vnto condemnation For thus the scripture speaketh of such as in religion yeeld submission to Antichrist the man of sinne in his apostasie 2 Thes 2.3.9.10.11.12 Rev. 14 6-12 and 22.18.19 THe Assumption or second part of the Reason is proved by divers Arguments as followeth The first Argument I. THe Ministerie of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the
Prelates therevnto is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto Therfore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition of this Argument is proved first thus 1. The Ministerie of Deacons and Priests which accounts it self to be Christs yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs and yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministerie Therfore the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie The Proposition none can deny The Assumption hath two parts The one that the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs Ministery Which themselves will graunt The other that this was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery Which is proved already in the first Reason here before and in other Reasons hereafter following Agayne the Proposition of the Argument is proved secondly thus 2. If the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie then the Ministery ordeyned by them therevnto must needs be the Ministery of that Apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie Therfore the Ministery ordeyned by them is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie The consequence of the Proposition is manifest because the fruit musts needs be such as is the tree Neyther do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles Mat. 7.16.17.18 And who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Not any one Iob. 14.4 The Assumption is proved first thus 1. Whosoever besides Christ Iesus himself have such offices and government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords they have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie are indeed very Antichrists themselves But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie and are indeed very Antichrists themselves The Proposition is proved by the Scriptures which teach that there is but one Lord the Lord Iesus Christ Ephe. 4.5 1 Cor. 8.6 and 12.5 2 Cor. 3.17.18 with Psal 110.1 Micah 5.2 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 Ioh. 20.22.23 1 Cor. 11.23 14.37 Rev. 1.11.12.13 and 2.1 and 3.1.7 Now that these Scriptures and the like do speak of a spirituall Lord is playne both by the circumstances of the places themselves and because the Scripture other where giveth allowance of many civil or temporal Lords but no where of any spirituall Lord save Iesus Christ alone whose kingdome is not of this world Gen. 40.1 45.8 1 Sam. 16.16 and 26.17 1 King 1.11 Psal 149 8. Dan. 3.2 Act. 25.26 and 26.25 Rom. 13.1 1 Cor. 1.26 and 2.8 Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5.13.14 Rev. 17.14 and 19.16 compared with the Scriptures here cited before And moreover whosoever is a spirituall Lord he may require spirituall honour to be yeelded vnto him and hath the Spirit of God to give vnto his people and through himself by it can sanctifie them and their actions and service of his Name c. Which things who is there that can require and effect but onely the Lord himself And who then can be a spirituall Lord but he alone So as hereby also it appeareth that all other which take vpon them to be spirituall Lords are indeed very Antichrists The Assumption is proved by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land whose words be these Be it enacted by the Kings most excellent Maiestie the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled For by the Lords spirituall is meant here the Prelates And to the same end it is to be observed that in their Canons and practise they take vpon them as if they were spirituall Lords not onely to prescribe their own ordinances to the Church for the worship of God but also to bynd the spirit and conscience to the acknowledgment and approbation thereof and yet further in their ordination of Priests even to give the holy Ghost saying to the Priests when they ordeyne them Receive the holy Ghost c. as if it were in their power to give the Spirit of God to whom they would or that they were authorized herevnto by Iesus Christ who onely is the spirituall Lord of his Church and giveth his spirit according to his own will to whom and as it pleaseth him Ioh. 1.14.16 and 15.26 20.22 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.7 Ephe. 4.7.1 Ioh. 2.20.27 The Assumption aforesaid is proved secondly thus 2. The offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident inasmuch as the offices government of such Bishops and subjection of such Ministers and Churches are onely to be found in Antichrists apostasie and were never appointed by Christ or his Apostles For now in the tyme of the Gospell Christ hath set no other forme of visible Churches to which he hath given offices of Ministery but onely particular congregations such as may come together in one and joyntly perform all publick dutyes layd vpon them by the word of God As may appeare by the constitution of †Act. 1.15 2.41.42 with 6.2.3.5 6. 11.22 and 15.22.23 21.17 18.22 And 13.1.2 14.23 16 4.5 and 20.17.28 And the epistles to the Rom. Cor. Gal. Ephe. Phil. Col. Thes c. all the Churches planted by the Apostles and written unto by them in so many severall epistles also by the Churches to whom Christ wrote by Iohn in the Revelation Rev. 1.11 with 2. and 3. chap. Other formes of Churches therefore no men have power to institute And when where they are erected what other can they be but Antichristian And as for the examples of Timothee Titus and the like vsually alleged for defence of the Prelates authority and jurisdiction they will nothing help them For these were Evangelists which the Prelates are not as we have shewed in the * Pag. 5. former Reason And the particular Churches have in
occasion and to look that they be performed by all such as they are specially layd vpon for the better service of the Lord and his church therein 2. Whether on the contrary the apostasie of Antichrist be not such touching the Ministery and government of the Church as therein they which be in the lesser offices have power and authority among them to exceed the dutyes of the office which Christ hath appointed to performe the dutyes apperteyning to the higher offices by meanes whereof both Antichrist hath risen vp to so great a height and so many orders and degrees of superior and inferior Ministers have bene received and still are reteyned in that degenerate estate and apostasie of the man of sinne as is come to passe And touching the first because the offices set by Christ in his Church be of two sorts some extraordinary and for a tyme and speciall vse some ordinary and prrpetual whether it be true in both or in the first and in them alone As for example That the Apostles who were in the greatest office ordeyned by Christ vnder the Gospel †Mat. 28.18.19.20 Ephe. 4.11.12 1 Cor. 12.28 had besides the peculiar office of Apostleship the power also and authority of the other Offices of ‖ Act. 20.29.30 Rō 11.25.26 2 Thes 2 3-8 1 Tim. 4.1.2.3 ◠Pet. 2. 3. chap. 1 Ioh. 2.18 Iude ver 17.18 Prophets * Act. 8.14.25 14.7 15.35.36 41. 16.40 Rom. 1.11.12.15 Evangelists ‡ Ioh. 21.16 Act. 1.40.42 20.2 1 Cor. 9.7 Pastors †Act. 5 42. 1 Tim. 2.7 2 Tim. 1.11 Teachers ‖ 1 Pet. 5.1 Act. 6.2.6 15.6.22 1 Tim. 4.14 with 2 Tim 1.6 Elders * Act. 4.34.35 6.2.3 4. 11.29.30 1 Cor. 16.3.4 Gal. 2.10 Deacons both to performe them vpon just occasion themselves to see thē performed by others as is aforesayd For which consider the Scriptures here quoted in the Margent And likewise that the Prophets besides their owne special office had in them the power authority of the other inferiour offices of Evangelists Pastors Teachers c. Act. 15.32.40.41 and 17.15 and 18.5.2 Cor. 1.19 Ephe. 3.5.6 4.11.12 And in like sort that the Evangelists besides their owne peculiar function had in them the power and authority of the other smaller offices of Pastors Teachers Elders c. Act. 8.35.38 with 21.8 1 Cor. 16.10 2 Cor. 1.19 8.6.16.17.23 1 Thes 3.2 with the Epist. to Tim. Tit. And it being so in the ordinary offices likewise that the Pastors therefore besides their own peculiar function have in them the power and authority of the other ordinary offices of the Teachers Elders and Deacons for performance and oversight as is aforesaid Act. 20.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5.17.22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.7.17 1 Pet. 5.1 2.3.4 Luk. 12.42 Rev. 1.20 with 2.1.8.12.18 3.1.7.14 Likewise that the Teachers have in them besides their owne speciall office the power and authority of the ruling Elders and Deacons Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 3.8.9.10 12.8.12.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3.1 15. and 5.17 with 2 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1 5-9 Heb. 13.7.17 And in like maner that the Elders besides their owne speciall functiō have in thē the power authority of the Deacons office for the doing and overseing thereof as before is spoken Act. 11.29.30 and 20.17 28. 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5 17-22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 Finally that the Deacons as also the rest aforesayd have besides their owne peculiar office right and power to enjoy whatsoever interest the other members have in the Church for any dutyes or actions to be performed therein according to their place and condition And further that when they shall have ministred well in the Deacons office they may be called afore other of the brethren into the higher offices of the Elders being endued with giftes therevnto Act. 6.3 Rom. 12 4-8 1 Cor. 12 12-28 1 Tim. 3 8-13 But now on the contrary when such as were in the inferiour offices conteyned not themselves within compasse of their callings but took vpon themselves or had layd vpon them by others power and authority of the superiour functions then sprung vp the apostasie of Antichrist in the churches ministery and government As namely when the Pastors and Bishops of particular congregations came to have authority oversight over many Churches and over the Ministers and people therein in a kind of resemblance of the extraordinary offices already ceased Contrarie to Rev. 1.11.12.13.20 with 2.1.8.12 18. and 3.1.7.14 Act. 20.28 Ephe. 4.11.12.13 Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 And that the ruling Elders or Presbyters now called Priests did the Ministeriall dutyes of the Pastors and Teachers in the particular Congregations Contrary to Rom. 12.7.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 And that the Deacons also baptized and were Ministers of the word which the Apostles did purposely oppose to the dutyes of that office at the institution thereof Act. 6.2.3.4 So as of these things it may be sayd as Christ did in another case From the beginning it was not so Mat. 19.8 And herevpon in tyme many sorts and degrees of inferior servile Ministers and superior Lordly Prelates grew vp encreased in that defection of the Man of sinne till Antichrist at the length was exalted in his throne From which now agayne the Lord hath begunne to bring him downe discovering and consuming that mystery of iniquity by the light and power of his Gospell and will not cease till the same be fully abolished cast into the bottomles pit from whence it first arose 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.8.9 10.11.12 and 1 Ioh. 2.18.19 with Rev. 6.12.13.14 and 8. and 9. and 13. and 14. and 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. chap. And hitherto of the Proposition of the last Syllogisme The Assumption thereof namely that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall iurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein is evident by their Church-constitution Lawes and practise And themselves neyther will nor can deny it 3. The other Assumption aforesaid viz that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie is proved thirdly by this that the offices and government of the Prelates of the Church of Engl. do not in their nature and proper vse perteyne to any society body and estate eyther civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and kingdome of Antichrist Of which as also of other reasons proving the point in hand more shal be spoken hereafter in the severall Arguments following concerning this matter And thus much concerning the Proposition of this Argument The Assumption of the Argument namely that the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is vndeniably confirmed
And themselves cannot deny but eyther they must prove their Prelacy and inferiour Ministery aforesayd to be ordeyned by Christ in his Testament and so to be the true Ministerie given by Christ to his Church or els if they affirme that the King hath not authority to suppresse and take it away they are by the sentence of their owne Canons impugners of the Kings supremacy and excommunicated ipso facto and not to be restored but after repentance and publik revocation of those wicked errours And so commeth vpon them that which Christ hath sayd Of thyne owne mouth will I iudge thee ô evill servant Luc. 19.22 And wheras by the same Canon the power of restoring such is committed onely to the Archbishop with the condition aforesaid it would be knowen if the Archbishop himself be in the same case who shall now restore him and whether it can be done to him any more then to the rest without his repentance and publick revocation of those his wicked errours Which if he and the rest had grace to revoke these questions would soon be at an end But howsoever they deale and the Kings of the earth for a while mainteyne or suffer them certaine it is that the King of Kings the Lord Iesus Christ will in his time vtterly consume and abolish that lawlesse apostasie and mystery of iniquity in all the power and tyrannicall vsurpation thereof 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.7 with Rev. 14-20 chap. From whence we will take the next and last Argument which now we will alledge The seventh Argument IF the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies VII of England be such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev. 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 then it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 Therefore it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident as may appeare by the Scriptures mentioned in it The Assumption also is manifest may thus be shewed 1. The Scripture teacheth that †2 Thes 8.3 8. with Esa 11.4 Rev. 14.6.7.8 the Lord will consume the man of sinne with the breath of his mouth in the power of his word and therefore also his counterfeit offices ordinances and authority Of which sort the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. being found to be it will follow that these shall also with the rest of that body be abolished by Christ with the brightnes of his coming with the breath of his mouth in the power of his Gospell Otherwise the man of sinne should not be consumed away as the Lord hath sayd he shal be and hath therefore called him the sonne of perdition or destruction because he is appointed to be consumed abolished 2 Thes 2.3 And seing that although in all other places of the earth all the offices parts powers and ordinances of his kingdome and religion were abolished yet so long as the present offices and functions of the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry in the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Deanes Prebendaries Parsons Vicars and the rest of that sort with their callings works maintenance assemblies Courts Canons and proceedings ecclesiasticall do continew in England the Ministery power and authority of the man of sinne were not consumed and abolished as the Scripture hath foretold shall come to passe it must needs be that these also shall go into destruction with the rest of that body For true and strong is he which hath sayd it and will performe it Rev. 18.1.2.8.20.21 and 19.1.2 with 2 Thes 2.3.8 2. Agayne seing the Scripture saith that ‖ 1 Ioh. 3.8 for this purpose the Sonne of God hath appeared that he might loose the works of the Divel and the comming of the man of sinne in all his apostasie is in another Scripture said to be by the working of Sathan 2 Thes 2.3.8.9 it followeth also herevpon that Christ the sonne of God will break and abolish the Prelacy and lying Ministery of that lawlesse one together with the rest of his apostasie wheresoever Which already we have seen to be begun in that the Lord hath now in this latter age of the world appeared according to his promise in the light of his Gospell and hath begun thereby to dissolve that work of Sathan to cast down Babylon that great city to manifest and consume that man of sinne to remove and abolish the offices callings works and livings belonging to that body and kingdom of darknes So as in divers countreyes at this day the popish Antichristian offices callings are generally rejected and abandoned And in England the Pope Cardinals Priors Abbots Monks Fryers and Nunnes together with many of the popish heresies errors superstitions are abolished cast out of the land This hath the Son of God that * Psal 24.8.10 king of glory by the shining brightnes and power of his Gospell already brought to passe in this latter age Neyther will he cease or give over this his glorious work vntil he hath evidently consumed the body of that man of sinne and discovered dissolved the work of Sathan in Antichrists kingdome throughout the world The Lord of hosts hath determined it and who shall disannull it His hand is stretched out and who shall turne it away Esa 14.27 with 2 Thes 2.8.9 Rev. 14.6.7.8 3. Moreover the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England being such in their Offices entrance administration and maintenance as the Lord never set in his church as †Reason 1. before hath bene proved therfore also it cannot be doubted but that these shal be abolished as Christ hath sayd Every planting which my heavenly Father hath not planted shal be rooted vp Mat. 15.13 4. Finally the sekers of reformation have bene if still they be not of the same judgement and expectation Els why have they sued to the Parliaments to have these parts remnants of the Popish Antichristian Kingdome yet reteyned in the land to be removed and abolished yea and have expressely written * Admon to the Parliam in the Preface that they shall downe hold they never so hard Now furthermore that this destruction of Antichrists kingdome and religion shal be seen and done by Christs appearing in the light and power of his Gospell we gather also from the Scriptures which teach ‖ Rev. 14.6.7.8 2 Thes 2.8 with Esa 11.4 that by the preaching of the Gospell Babylon falleth And for the better discerning hereof thus we shew it further First by Babylon ‡ Rev. 17.5.7 with 11.8 2 Thes 2.7 mystically and spiritually is vnderstood the city kingdome and iurisdiction of Antichrist with the offices and ordinances belonging therevnto the apostasie and authority of the man
that he shal be any such brute Beast but for that he is and shal be called the child of perdition which for his cruelty and beastly maners is called the beast The carnall Iewes knew there was a promise made that Elias should come before Christ the Messias the annoynted of God to prepare his wayes they knew also there was a promise of Messias that he should come and be a King and reigne in the house of David for evermore But they vnderstood all so grossely and carnally that they neyther knew Elias nor Messias when they came for they looked for Elias to come downe from heaven in his own person and for Messias to come and reigne in worldly pompe power riches glory whenas the prophecies of both were spiritually to have bene vnderstood Of Elias that he should come not in person but in spirit that is one that should he indued with the spirit and gifts of grace of Elias which was in deed Iohn Baptist as Christ himself did declare to his Apostles And of Messias reigne all the Prophets were to be vnderstood of the reigne of his spirituall kingdome over the house of Iacob and the true Israelites for evermore And so by their grosse and carnall vnderstanding they mistook both Elias and the true Messias and when they came knew neyther of them both So likewise I feare me nay it is certayne the world that wanteth the light of the spirit of God for the world is not able to receive him saith Iohn neyther doth nor shall know the beast nor his marks though he rage cruelly and live never so beastly and though his marked men be in number like the sand of the sea The Lord therefore vouchsafe to open the eyes of the blynd with the light of grace that they may see perceive and vnderstand the words of God after the mynd of his Spirit Amen Thus farre Mr Ridley And Mr Bale an exile of Christ vnderstanding by the Beast the great Antichrist and by his image those governours which take vpon them his blasphemous titles names authority or defence applyed it also thus * Image of both Churches vpon Rev. 14.9 To receive the Beasts mark in their foreheads and hands is both to agree to such decrees traditions lawes constitutions acts and proclamations as they vnder those titles have made onely for their owne covetousnes and pompe and neyther for the glory of God nor yet for the right maintenance of the Christian common wealth And also to be sworne to the same to subscribe to it to give counsel or ayde to it to mainteyne it by learning to minister in it to execute vnder it to accuse punish put to death for it or to think it lawfull and godly with such like Thus have I somewhat largely noted down the sayings of these Martyrs of former times as being of good weight to the matter in hand For although Antichrist was not then so fuly discovered nor so deeply wounded as synce he hath ben and wil be yet daily more in this latter age of the world in which respect we are not now to be pressed with every thing which they then cōming newly out of the darknes of Popery did receive and allow Yet by these testimonies alledged and other the like in their stories it may appeare how vprightly they judged and how faithfully they walked even vnto death according to the measure of light reveiled vnto them in which respect they will rise vp in judgement to condemne this age wherein notwithstanding that Antichrist be plainlyer manifested and more consumed as yet stil he wil be more more til he be abolished †2 Thes 2.8 Rev. 14.6.7.8 by the brightnes of Christs appearing in the light and power of his Gospell yet as if no such thing were or should be or as if men ‖ Esa 6.9.10 Mat. 13.14.15 Act. 28.26.27 had eyes and saw not eares heard not harts and vnderstood not who is there that do not still take pleasure in that vnrighteousnes of Antichrist disobeying the truth of the Gospell of Christ worshipping the image of the Beast and receiving his mark in their forehead or hand For which howsoever men do plead yet let all remember and consider how the Spirit of God hath foretold the end and fruict therof to be this to stand vnder the wrath and judgement of God to be tormented before the holy Angels and before the Lambe for evermore Rev. 14.9.10.11 with 2 Thes 1.8.9 2 Thes 2 3-12 The fourth Reason None may heare or ioyne in any spirituall communion with that Ministerie which deriveth not their power and functions of Ministery from Christ which is the head for the edification of the Church which is his body But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. deriveth not their power functions of Ministery from Christ which is the head for the edification of the Church which is his body Therefore none may heare or ioyne in any spirituall communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. The Proposition or first part of the Reason can not be denyed 1. Because none may be subject to any power or head in religion save onely to Iesus Christ who is the alone head of the Church in whome all fulnes of power dwelleth and from whom alone the Church receiveth her life and strength Ephe. 1.22.23 and 4.8.11.12.15.16 Col. 1.18.19 and 2.18.19 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.12.27 2. Because the Ministers which derive not their power from this head to the execution of an office in his body are vsurpers of that which perteyneth not vnto them enemies of Christs soveraigne authority and the people which heare them or otherwise submit to their power and Ministery become guilty with them of treason against the King of Kings the Lord Iesus Christ Mat. 28.18.19.20 1 Cor 12.5 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 with Exod. 20.4.5 2 Thes 2.3.4.9.10.11.12 Rev. 13. 14. 17. and 18. and 19. chap. 3. Because God disposeth the members every one of them in the body at his pleasure and hath fully furnished his Church with all offices needfull so as it is not in the power of any creature to give or take away any members to or from Christs body or to approve by any practise such giving or taking away vnder any colour whatsoever Rom. 12 3-8 1 Cor. 12.6.12.18.27.28 Ephe. 4 4-16 1 Tim. 3. 5. 6.13.14 Rev. 22.18.19 The Assumption or latter part of the Reason is proved not onely by this That the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England have not those offices and callings which Christ hath given to his Church for the work of his Ministery as hath bene shewed before in the first Reason to which this may be referred but may also be made manifest further and shewed by the contrary after this maner 1. First the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England is of Deacons and Priests made by the Prelates some of them being Curates some Vicars some Parsons
according to their works In the meane tyme let none marveile if they see the estate of things in the world to be such as plainly bewray that Sathan and Antichrist so as they may have their Ministery reteyned chuse rather when they cannot otherwise do withall to have some truths of the Gospell taught by their Officers therein then to have both their Ministery refused and every truth of the Gospell freely taught by the Officers of Christ thinking it to be better for them to continue their constitutions with admission of some truths then that both Christs ordinances should be received and the whole truth yeelded vnto in obedience of faith But let all yet in the feare of God take heed vnto themselves how vnder colour of learning the truth hearing the word enjoying the Sacraments and the like perswasions they be drawen to have any spirituall communion with that Ministery aforesaid seing they derive not their Ministeriall functions and authority from Christ the head of the Church but from Sathan the Prince of the world so as none can heare the word receive the Sacraments or learne the truth from their Ministery in this estate but they shall therein submit themselves to that Ministery which Sathan hath set vp in the kingdome of Antichrist and continueth vnder these and the like pretences among his subjects Fearful to be remembred alway is the verdict of the Apostle * 2 Thes 2.10.11.12 that God wil send them the efficacie of delusion that they shal beleeve lies be damned because they beleeve not nor receive the love of the truth that they might be saved And hitherto of this further declaration of the Assumption Another cōfirmatiō therof is that the Church-assēblies of Engl. whervnto their Ministery belongeth are not true visible Churches of Christ as now they stand Therefore also it cannot be that the Ministers thereof can in such estate derive their Ministery frō Christ for the edificatiō of those Churches as being his body wherof he is the head That their Church-assemblies are not in their estate true visible Churches of Christ hath often ben proved heretofore and may be seen in that they are vnseparated from the world not joyned together in cōmunion of the Gospel by voluntrrie profession of the faith of Christ submission to the government which he hath prescribed to his Church not having the power of Christs Churches for the receiving of any truth or redressing of any evil among them but standing in bondage vnder Antichrist in their Prelacy Preisthood Worship ecclesiastical Courts Canōs Officers proceedings c. The further handling whereof may be had ‡ The Apologie to Oxf. Doctors pag. 44. c. Refut of M Giff. Answ to Mr. Stone Mr Iacob Mr Hild. p. 62. c. Counterpoys to Consid Argum. p. 127. c. in sundry other Treatises to which I refer the Reader entreating all carefully to observe this here that the Ministers of the Church of Engl. not deriving their functions of Ministery from Christ the head for the edification of the Church which is his body it must needs be vnlawfull for any and specially for the members of the body of Christ to hear or otherwise to comunicate with thē in their worship vnder any pretēce whatsoever The fift Reason NOne may heare or have any spiritual communion with those Ministers which minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England minister the holy things of God and work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling Therfore none may heare or have any spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England The Major or first part of the Reason is proved 1. Because the ministration of the holy things of God is a speciall part of Gods spiritual worship and therfore neyther to be done by any false spirituall calling nor to be received from any so ministring Mat. 28.18.19.20 Act. 20.17.28 Ephes 4. 11.12 1 Cor. 3.8.9 4.1 5.3.4.5 11.23 24. 25. 12.4.5.6.13.18.28 2 Cor. 5.19.20 Col. 4.17 1 Tim. 3.15 and 6.13 16. 2 Tim. 4.3.4.5 Heb. 5.4 with Nū 16.40 Ier. 23.16.21.22 Ezech. 43.8 44.6.7 8. 9. Rev. 2.1.2.7 c. 2. Because the consciences of the people of God are the Temples of the living God wherin he dwelleth by his Spirit ought therfore only to be subiect to the Lord and taught by him in his owne ordinance 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16.17.18 with 5.20 Ioh. 13.20 Heb. 13.7.17 Rev. 22.16.17.18.19 3. Because the Lord Iesus Christ alone must have this preeminence the Church may not suffer any whomsoever to beare rule over them at their owne pleasure Col. 1.18.19 and 2.18.19 4. Because in submitting the soule to a false spirituall Ministery men defile the Temple of God and withdraw their subjection from Christ and become the subjects of Antichrists as it is written The Temple of God is holy which ye are And No man can serve two maisters for eyther he shall hate the one and love the other or els he shall leane to the one and despise the other And of whomsoever a man is overcome even to the same is he in bondage 1 Cor. 3.16 17.18 and 2 Cor. 6.16.17 with Mat. 6.24 Luk. 6.46 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 6. 16. 2 Thess 2.3.4 2 Pet. 2.19 The Minor or second part of the reason is proved because they minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of their Ministery received of the Prelates frō their spiritual authority which is vsurped and Antichristian and therfore by vertue of a false spirituall calling as hath ben shewed before in the second Reason and is proved in * Mr Bradsh Argum. 10. Mr Iacobs Reasons for necess of reform p. 4.44.52 c. divers of their owne writings Yet here is somewhat to be annexed for the clearing of some exceptions specially concerning such as are of greatest forwardnes among them Some there be which say they preach not by vertue of their Ministerie taken from the Prelates but by vertue of some other calling and authority Let such consider and answer 1. Why they would seem to renounce that calling received of the Prelates 2. Secondly if they disclayme that Ministery appointed by Law of the land why they blame vs for doing the like 3. Thirdly if they preach by vertue of another calling then that they have received of the Prelates how then they stand Ministers of that Church where no other is allowed and how they impose themselves vpon any of their parishes or assemblies seing the lawes of the land allow onely the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry aforesaid 4. Fourthly how they can avoyd but needs they must be therein both intruders hypocrites Intruders because they take vpon them exercise a publick office in that Church against the publick lawes and constitutions thereof Hypocrites
because they pretend in show one thing to the Prince people and State and yet performe another thing in deed They pretend and seem to stand by the Princes lawes by the authority of their calling had from the Prelates for otherwise they could not stand Ministers in any of those assēblies and yet they practise the contrary if they stand not by this but by vertue of some other calling and authority as sometymes they affirme But let vs suppose that which is not namely that they had some other calling which were lawfull yet also receiving or reteyning this vnlawful calling of the Prelates this were but to halt between two opinions and to set their thresholds by Gods thresholds and their posts by Gods posts even their inventions by Gods ordinances Of which kind of worship the Scripture witnesseth that it is nothing els but to set a wall between God and them and to defile his holy name with their abominations Ezech. 43.8 with 1 King 18.21 Finally whatsoever they pretend of another calling ‡ Mr Hild. to Mrs N. Mr Iacobs comparison of mariage His Reasons for necess of reform p. 50. Offer of Conf. pag. 39. by their Churches or peoples chusing accepting willing subiecting to their Ministery c. yet it is evident that in very deed they preach the word minister the Sacraments and execute all duties of their Ministery by vertue of their calling taken from the Prelates As may appeare by these reasons following 1. Because they cannot stand publick Ministers of the Church-assemblies of Engl. vnlesse they receive of the Prelates the Deaconry Preisthood aforesaid And at their ordination they have this authority given them of the Prelates when the Bishop delivereth to every one of them the Bible in his hand saying * Book of ordering priests fol. 14. Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to minister the holy sacraments in the congregation where thou shalt be so appointed 2. Because that also by the law of their Church they are †Canons of Anno 1603. Can. 8. excommunicated ipso facto if they affirme that they who are made Bishops Priests or Deacons after their fourme of making and consecrating them are not lawfully made nor to be accounted by themselves or others to be truely Bishops Priests or Deacons vntill they have some other calling to those Offices 3. Because the people even the best most religious among them as now they stand in the confusion and bondage of those ecclesiasticall assemblies officers canons proceedings have not the liberty of the Churches of Christ nor power in that estate to choose and submit vnto the true and lawful Ministery appointed by Christ Of which point see further in the Treatise of the Ministery of the Church of Engl. p. 119.120.121 4. And lastly because without against the peoples consent by whose approbation and subjection to their Ministery they would seem to stand they are by the Prelates alone silenced deprived and degraded from exercising any Ministery in those assemblies Whereby even themselves professe to the world that they have their Ministery from the Prelates that they exercise it by vertue of their calling received from them that they still remayne in bondage vnder their Antichristian authority Not to shew further in particulars how their estate is such whatsoever they think or pretend otherwise as both themselves their Ministery and people stand all of them subiect to the Prelates and to their Antichristian Courts suspensions excōmunications absolutions and all other their proceedings officers canons and constitutions ecclesiasticall In the Scriptures wee read that the Apostles being true Ministers of Christ would not at the commaundement and threatning of the lawfull Magistrates and Rulers leave of to preach in the Name of Iesus Act. 4.5.6.7 8. c. And why should not these preachers if they were in a true Ministerie much more refuse to leave it at the appointment of the Prelates who are vnlawfull vsurpers of the jurisdiction which they challenge and exercise in the Church Yea if so be their offices and authority were lawfull yet when they forbid that which God hath commanded all the Scripture teacheth in such cases not to yeeld obedience vnto them any more then the Apostles did to the Rulers of Israel in the matter afore said If it be said that the Apostles had an immediate calling of Christ and therefore refused to obey the Rulers We answer that they had in deed an immediate calling of the Lord but they made not this the ground of their refusall neyther might so have done if the Magistrate cōmaundement sayd vpon them had ben lawfull Here therfore two things are to be observed First that in all lawfull things the Apostles aswell as any other Christians were bound to obey the Magistrates in the Lord. And so they both did themselves and taught others to do saying Let every soule be subiect to the higher powers Every soule aswell the Apostles and Prophets as any other whosoeuer Rom. 13.1 1 Pet. 2 13-17 Secondly the Apostles being at that tyme so injoyned and threatned by the Governours of Israel layd this for the foundation and ground of their answer and refusall that they ought to obey God rather then men Act. 4.19 and Act. 5.29 Which is a duty as necessarily required of all Ministers and Christians as it was of the Apostles namely to obey God and not Man when Man forbiddeth that which God commaundeth or commaundeth that which God forbiddeth An example in deed there is of Uriah the Priest who at the commaundement of the King of Iudah made an altar after the fashion of that of Damascus and sacrificed thereon 2 King 16.10.11 But therein he sinned greatly notwithstanding that he offered vpon that altar to the Lord such burnt-offerings meat-offerings peace-offerings and at such tymes of the morning and evening sacrifice as God himself had appointed And if in that tyme of the Law he ought not to have done this though the King of Iudah commanded it but should rather have lost his life for refusing it much lesse may the Church-Ministery now vnder the Gospell at the appointment of any Princes Christian or other beframed or exercised after any new maner devised by Man and least of all after Antichrists that Man of sinne Yea though in that Ministery many doctrines of the Gospel be taught and such Sacraments administred as Christ hath ordeyned For the other was but contrary to an ordinance given by Moses whereas this is contrary to an ordinance given by Iesus Christ who being the sonne is worthy of more honour then Moses the servant Heb. 3.3 And here agayne concerning such as plead that they teach the truth and many excellent points of doctrine It is to be observed that yet none may therefore heare their Ministery vnder colour of learning the truth and receiving comfort from them neyther may for this cause cōtinue in subjection to their Ministery and ordinances because that
for our selves or submitting our selves vnto any office or calling for the administration of the word prayer or Sacraments save onely that Ministery which Christ our Saviour hath appointed in his word Of which sort because these Ministers of the Church of England are not far be it that we should rebell against the Lord our God and turne away frō him in receiving of them in mainteyning or submitting our selves vnto them by hearing of them or communicating with them in their Ministery any other wayes If it be sayd that all that these Ministers do is to the Lord and that the things which they do are such as he hath commaunded as reading the Scriptures teaching the truth praying baptizing c. yet this doth not help them nor covereth their sinne For besides that which hath ben spoken before concerning this poynt we may see here by this example how the Reubenites and the rest confessed that although they had built their Altar for the true God and to serve him by no other sacrifices then he required yet their attempt therein should notwithstanding be rebellion against the Lord and apostasie from their God The same likewise is to be mynded for all false Ministeries devises of men in the worship of God vnder the Gospel For whatsoever things ar written aforetyme they are afore-written for our learning and instruction Rom. 15.4 And hitherto of these Reasons Now the God of all grace give vs to agree and be like mynded in the truth and syncerity of the Gospell of Iesus Christ that wee may set our hearts to receive keep whatsoever the Lord hath commanded and in one accord with one mouth may praise God even the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ To whom be glory and dominion for ever ever Amen OTHER ARGVMENTS and Reasons taken out of divers Books old and new written by the forward Preachers concerning the Ceremonies Ministery and government of the Church of England Tending to the same end and proving the same thing with the Reasons here before alledged vidz vide licet That it is notlawfull to heare or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England The first Argument taken out of Mr W. Br. Twelve Arguments made by him against their Ceremonies and thus applyed vnto their Ministery ALl Wil. worship is sinne To heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England in Church Service in maner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship Ergo To heare or communicate with that Ministerie is sinne The Proposition cannot be denied for the Apostle Paul plainely condemneth Wil worship The Assumption may thus be proved All pars of Divine Service and Worship imposed onely by the will and pleasure of Man vpon the communicants in Divine Service and that of necessity to be done is Wil-worship But to heare or communicate with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England in Church Service in maner forme prescribed is 1. a part of Divine Service and Worship 2. imposed onely by the pleasure will of Men vpon the Cōmunicants in Divine Service 3. of necessity to be done therin Ergo To heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church assemblies of England in maner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship The Proposition is as cleare as the Sunne at noone day The Assumption hath three parts 1. The first is That to heare or communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church of England c. is a part of Divine worship and Service Which cannot be denyed 2. The second part of the Assumption is That it is imposed onely vpon the pleasure and will of man Which is evident seing Man imposeth it vpon man God hath not in his word appointed their Offices callings and administration neyther required any to cōmunicate with them in Church service in maner and forme prescribed Towching which besides that we have spoken in the former Reasons see in their owne books what themselves have published a proof whereof in sundry particulars we have given both heretofore and in this present Treatise 3. The third part of the Assumption is That it is of necessity to be done in Divine Service Which is also out of all doubt For the people stand bound to heare cōmunicate with them vpon payne of suspension excōmunication paying twenty pound a moneth c. and God must have no solemne Worship in England except it be in communion with the same Vpon all this it followes That to heare and communicate with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England in maner forme prescribed is to do that which is a part of Divine worship imposed onely by the will of Man c. The second Argument taken out of the same Treatise IT is a sinne against God for Christians to partake with the Ministerie of such as accounting themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ yet do in the execution of their Ministery give speciall Honour to Antichrist and his Officers But the Ministerie of the Church of England is such as the Ministers account themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ and yet in the execution of their Ministerie give speciall Honour to Antichrist and his Officers Ergo It is a sinne against God for Christians to partake with the Ministerie of the Church of England The Proposition is manifest and cleare to any that have an eye of Reason and any light of Divinity shining in it For which see 2 Cor. 6 14-17 Rev. 18.4 The Assumption hath two parts First that the Ministers of the Church of England account themselves to be servants of Iesus Christ Which themselves will freely graunt For here they say that by way of Excellency they are so The second is that they do in the execution of their Ministerie give speciall honour to Antichrist his Officers Which is proved If our adversaries will graunt that the Pope is Antichrist and the Prelates Antichristian officers by this reason Such a conformity to Antichrist and his Officers in the Ministerie as is not onely besides the word of God but in a special maner derogatorie to all reformed Churches that have departed from the Synagogue of Rome is a speciall honour to Antichrist and his Officers But the execution of the Ministery of the Church of England is such a conformity to Antichrist and his Officers Ergo The execuion of that Ministerie in the manner aforesaid is to give speciall honour to Antichrist and his Officers The Proposition is without exception The Assumption is thus proved To execute a Ministerie vnder Antichrists Hierarchie and that also by vertue of a calling received according to the popish ordering of Ministers which is not onely straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed churches in the world but is also drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively that is to have conformity with Antichrist and his Officers as is aforesaid But such
is the execution of the Ministerie of the Church of England Ergo It is to have conformity with Antichrist and his Officers as is aforesaid The Proposition they will not gainesay The Assumption they have graunted and published vidz vide licet That they have an Antichristian Hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world And that their Ponticfiall whereby they consecrate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively Admon to Parliam treatise 2. section 14. and 20. The third Argument taken out of the same book of Mr Bradsh Twelve Arguments and out of the London Ministers Exceptions and Lincolnshire Ministers Abridgement c. IF such be the estate of the Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England as they are bound in their Ministration vnto such things as the vsing of them in Church Service in manner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship a giving of speciall Honour to Antichrist and his members a performing of Honour more then civill even a Religious onely to an humane Power and Authority a warranting of the like vse of Iewish Turkish Paganish or Popish observations a doing of schismaticall Actions an having of spirituall Cōmuniō with the Idolatrous Papists in the mysteries of their Idolatrie and Superstition a mingling of Profane things with Divine an vsing of vnlawfull things in Divine worship an administring of Sacraments that are not of divine institution a solemne acknowledging of spirituall Homage to the spirituall vsurped authority of Lord Archbishops Bishops an vsing of humane Traditions and Rites enioyned to be performed in Gods worship as necessarie to salvation an apparant meanes of the Damnation of the sowles of infinite numbers of men confirming them in Superstition and Idolatry a disgracing of the holy Scripture a profaning of the Sacraments an approving of Popish errours and manifest vntruths an observing of a Leiturgie which in the whole matter and forme thereof is too like vnto the Masse-book and hath in it sundry things contrary to the word of God c. If such I say be the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England then is it not lawfull to communicate with them therein But such is the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England Ergo It is not lawfull to communicate with them therein The consequence of the Proposition is proved by sundry reasons alledged * Abridgement of the book delivered to his Maiesty by the Lincolneshire Ministers p. 17. c. by the Lincolneshire Ministers though vrged by them but against the vse of their Ceremonies which we will now apply vnto the communicating with their Ministerie and ministration aforesaid 1. By the second commandement which forbids all provocations vnto spiritual fornicatiō as the seventh doth vnto that which is carnall 2. By the commandement and direction God hath given vs in his word †to separate our selves from Idolaters and Antichristians and to be as vnlike vnto them as may be specially in their religious observations ‖ to abolish not onely all Idols but all the instruments of Idolatrie and that so as we may best shew our ‡ vtmost detestation to them and * root out the verie memory of them c. †Levit. 18.3.4 and 19.19.27 28. Exod. 23.24 Deut. 14.1 and 12.4 30 32 2 Cor. 6 14-18 Apoca. 18.4 ‖ Gen. 35.2 4. Num. 33.52 Deut. 12.2.3 2 King 23.4 5. Esa 27.9 and 30.22.23 Zeph. 1.4 Apoca. 2 14.20 ‡ Deut. 7.25.26 and 9.21 1 Chron. 14.12 2 King 18.4 and 23.6.8 Esa 30.22 Iude 23. * Exod. 23.13 Deut. 12.3 Iosh 23.7 Zach. 13.2 3. By the equity reasons of these commandements which we find set down in holy Scripture vidz vide licet 1. The detestation which the Lord our God being a jelous God beareth vnto Idolatry and all the instruments and tokens thereof as vnto spirituall whoredome Exod. 20.5.6 Deut. 7.25.26 2. That we cannot be said sincerely to have repented of the Antichristianisme Idolatrie or superstition whereby we or our forefathers have provoked the Lord vnles we be ashamed of and cast away with detestation all the instruments and monuments of it 2 Chron. 33.15 Esa 1.28.29 and 2. 6.8.9.20 and 30.9.10.11.22 2 Cor. 7.11 3. That we shal be in danger to be corrupted in Religion and doctrine and to be brought to ruine and destruction if we conforme our selves to Idolaters Antichristians in their Ministerie ministration ceremonies reteyne or partake with the monuments of their superstition yea if we shew not al detestation vnto them Exod. 34.12.15 Deut. 7.4.25.26 Iudg. 2.13 Gal. 2. 5. Rev. 18.4 4. That our keeping of communion with the Ministers in such Ministration will be a speciall meane to harden them in that vngodlynes Ezech. 16.54 1 Cor. 8.10 5. That seing the Prelates are reveiled to be great Antichrists and their Ministerie and constitutions to be great troublers of the Church at this day it cannot but be very sinfull and hurtfull to reteyne or communicate with them 2 Thes 2. 3.4.8.9.10.11 12. Apoc. 17. and 18. chap. Lev. 18.3 4. By the judgment of the godly learned of all Churches ages who have constantly taught and given testimony to this truth that Christians are bound to forsake and cast of the Ministration ceremonies religious customes of Pagans Iewes Antichristians Idolaters Hereticks and carefully to shun all conformity with them therein And hitherto of such reasons as are alledged by the Lincolneshire Ministers as is aforesaid Now for further confirmation of the Proposition I will also annex these following being of like nature with the former 1. The consideration of the many sinnes and those also great and grievous which ensue vpon such practise as may appeare by the particulars noted here in the Proposition prosecuted in their Books 2. Because the second commandement forbiddeth not onely the making but also the bowing downe to any inventions constitutions of men in the worship of God And this prohibition of bowing downe includeth not onely those that vse them but such also as communicate with them therein Exod. 20.5 3. Because the Lord requireth of vs to shew all vttermost detestation and forsaking of them both by word deed even casting them away as menstruous cloths and saying vnto them Get you hence Esa 30.22 4. Because the imposition observation of the things aforesayd is not onely vpon the Ministers but vpon the people also that both in their own persons and in their children And why should not the people aswel as the Ministers stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not be intangled agayne with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 5. Because the Lord hath not required this at our hands that we should serve him by such a Ministerie and Ministration Esa 1.12 6. And finally