might if they would and yet scorne and reject them as follie and matters of reproach and worthy correction persecution it is a plaine treading vnder foote the Sonne of God who hath * Reu. 1.1.11.19 and Ioh. 16.13 reuealed the Father in theese things and counting the blood of the couenant an vnholy thing wherewith the new Testament was sanctified confirmed or dedicated as the first covenant was with the blood of beasts yea this is to doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace which first shewes vs Gods grace in ordaining these things and after in promises of restoring them And indeede seeing it is manifest Act. 14. chap. 20.28 1. Pet. 5.2 Tit. 1.9 that the Apostles ordained Elders in euery Church that theire office was to feede the flock ouer which the Holy Ghost made them Bishops that they were to take the oversight thereof by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers reproue correct and instruct in righteousnes and if this would not serue after the first and second admonition to excommunicate in and with the consent of the congregation who can denie but that all this is of the substance of religion necessarie to the salvation of the people and proper to euery Prosbyter Euery man will be readie to confesse that it is better there be a Pilot a Maister and a Maisters mate in euery ship to watch ouer the same and all that is in it as the Lord in Wisdom ordained Elders to be Bishops in euery Church or congregation to watch over it and all the Soules therin leaving them in his Testament a card and rules to steere and saile by the word of God beeing theire Rudder then that there should be but one in a whole fleete one Bishop in a diocesse and all the rest but shadowes or lesser wheeles to be led and moved by him as it came to passe by the wisdom and encroachments of men wherby Bishops neither leaving the brethren nor yet the presbyters any voice in censures or part in the government doe themselves bring in the inventions and evils Christ would keepe out get dominion over mens faith and by theire power and traditions make the word of none effect in divers perticulars A thing which is expresly forbidden in the new Testament My brethren be not many Maisters knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation Iam. 3.1 that is because in the causes and controversies of hereticks Psal 100. Schismatiks and other delinquents it is saide of the word Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies He shall judge amonge the nations the Presbyters and members of the church doe but rule and judge by him as steeres men by the Rudder judges and jurots by the law not by theire owne inventions or pretended authority And therfore our saviour who was against all such dominion in the church saith to his Disciples Mat. 20.25 Chap. 123.8 The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them But ye shall not not be so Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren Therfore when there is cause of accusing or censuring any he doth not say Tell the Bishops but Tell the church And accordingly in the times of the Apostles Chap. 18.17 and longe after as the epistles of Cyprian do manifest they were judged by the word in an assemblie of presbyters and brethren as the incestuous Corinthian which shewes us that neither one man nor the presbiters alone were judges in such cases but the church which by the Scriptures either cleered or censured any person accused as by the word of God he appeared either guiltie or not guiltie for so doth the word judge among the nations And therfore seeing God hath so ordained and it was in the primitive church so practised it is not a thing indifferent as some thinke whether Presbyters or diocessan Bishops hold the government but in effect a matter of salvation espetially to every church and by consequence to every Soule in it as the well or ill guiding of a ship concerneth the salvation of every passenger embarqued in it For though in a tempest some are saved without good Pilots and some in the shipwrack by a board yet others are not without skilfull sea men and soe in the church but for the most part not without helpes in government God hath in nothing given this to one in a diocesse and his officials but to the presbyters of every church elected according to his ordinance For though the provision of Bishops and Pastors have beene somtime in the hands of the Clergie and people somtimes in the hands of K ngs and Patrons then in the hands of Popes and then againe in the hands of Kings and patrons as now in England yâ—t as many have proved for the first seaven or eight hundred yeares after Christ the people in most places did choose them according to the practise of the primative church and the power given them in the new Testament For so saith Cyprian The people have principallie the power either to choose such priests as are worthy or to refuse such as are vnworthy Cypri 1. Epist 4. Act. 14.23 Beza Annot in Act. 14. Tit. 1. And so saith Luke They ordained them Elders in every church by election Where saith Beza the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be noted that wee may know that Paul and Barnabas caried nothing by private will nor exercised any tyranie in the church nor lastly did any such thing as at this day the Romish harlot or her pages doe whome they call ordinaries And by this place saith he must that be vnderstood I left thee in Creete to ordaine them Elders in everie citie as I had appointed thee that is by election as the Apostles left it to the church and people there assembled to choose one in the place of Iudas Beza Annot in Act. 1. And they appointed two Nothing saith Beza is here caried privately by Peter as by one endued with a more excellent dignitie but publickly and by the suffrages of the whole church So as he sheweth were the seaven Deacons chosen and so is that to be vnderstood Lay hands sodainly on no man that is to make him a presbyter amd so give him a part in this charge of the Eldership till he be tried the church or people have chosen him and praier be made for him as at the election of Mathias and the seaven Deacons It is ill for the Soules of Kings Bishops and patrons and indeede worse for the church that any one of these have the choice or confirmation of Pastors helpers Elders which are lawfull callings or of diocessan Bishops Deanes prebends and others which are vnlawfull For this makes divines flatter all such Princes Patrons and Prelates or theire favourites and so is cause of exceeding greate corruption and hipocrisie in church and common wealth For by this meanes Princes Prelates and theire favourites though they
march 6. 1632. Yea a greate Bishop in a sermon before the King charged one that writ for the presbyterie with Arianisme whether truly or no I know not for he namd not the man nor the book for feare least his proofes of the presbiterie should be looked into So much do they bewray the rottennesse of theire cause that will not endure touching nor to be looked vpon and in the meane call vpon men to frequent common prayer be obedient and conformable to theire mother the Church c. Beeing willingly ignorant that when of old som began to finde fault with the increase of superstition and tyranie in Romish Prelates Canons they reckoned them Schismatikes willed men to seeke peace stirred them vp to love of common prayer conformitie in ceremonies and externall devotions building of Churches c. Whereby ignorance increased and the truth was daily more and more betrayed and sold till it was too late to reforme them Princes and noble men could not doe it because they beeing nourished in this ceremonious and superstitious part of religion fell themselves into ignorance and so into many quarrels and noisom lusts like the Prelates one growing dissolute another vsuâ—ping another circumventing killing warring as in France betweene the Kings and the Duks of Burgundie and other Princes In England betweene the howses of yorke and Lancaster the Kings and Rebels they had not a Gospell truly preached to order and aw them so they could not see that all these errours in the Clergie and indeede in themselves came from altering the presbyterall government and giveing such authority to Bishops who for theire owne ends were readie to side with any of them So Protestants in other countries have observed that when the Palatinate was loosing the churches in Germanie France and other parts in greate miserie yet the church of Prelates theire adherents in England did litle helpe them but rather hindred such as would siding with the Duke and others charged by the parliaments to practise secretly for the popish partie or a newtralitie vnder colour that they were conformable to the English discipline and therfore Protestants but at the best that is indeede such as the hierarchie bringeth forth either newters or men of a mixed religion partly popish in the hierarchie Canons and ceremonies most followed and maintained and partly protestant in som points of faith more coldly defended by the most who also seemed to thinke it dangerours to maintaine ancient and honest priveliedges as free elections free speaking and parliamentarie power in searching out and reforming corruptions in church and common wealth both the one and the other beeing by som factious cunningly accounted a puritanicall zeale and a trenching vpon the prerogative of Princes when indeede the prerogative themselves sought to maintaine was only that of corrupt Prelates and favourits who have abused our Kings with such incensings and whisperings as the protestations of the parliaments laboured to manifest It is no neede to tell how they were prevented or that thereupon greate divisions followed both at that time and since especially in religion The Prelates not enduring that the howse of Commons should medle with it nor with the most notorious delinquents that did but favour theire partie who thus strove to helpe and vphold one another what ever became of the cause of Christ at home or abroade Gal. 5.9 Not to mention what boldnes and corruption this hath since bred in other inferiour bodies and government A litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe The french and other Protestants say theese are the fruits of maintaining the hierarchie and ceremonies which are Popish and so serve many for a cloak of poperie or trecherie or Arminianisme or prevarication or persecution or newtralitie or what a man will whereby the English haue beene brought into greate contempt theire peace thus attained beeing scorned as savouring of corruption or Newtralite in Religion and as more helping to support then ruin Babylon and her chiefe fort and wall the howse of Austria and as thus haveing lost theire honour both abroade and at home The Bishops could cover all this and turne the fault vpon the puritans that would not flatter as themselves did And yet in all this like the Romanists they bluster with the name authority and wisdom of Christs Church whether they be truly of it or the world The name Church if the Greeke word be considered signifieth coetus evocatus a companie or people called out Coetus evocatus as Israel out of Egypt or men out of darknesse ignorance or worldlinesse How few are thus called out of poperie temporising and earthlinesse I know divers Ministers that have subscribed are in all other things of the reformed Religion and thorowly called out of poperie save onely that for feare of loosing theire liveings they dare not see one part of it in the case of the hierarchie things that are against the presbiterie But consider the Church of England as the Bishops that govern it account it in themselves and theire adherents in a Synod called the Church representative and maintaining theire power canons and ceremonies with the fruits and practises of them who can say it is coetus evocatus Much lesse if you vnderstand it of halfe a dozen of Prelates that are courtiers in a manner ruling all are followed and flattered by many temporising Clergie men and a world of ignorant gentlemen and people And what if one corrupt Bishop get into such favour as to rule all the rest shall he like the Pope account himselfe the Church Not onely all these ill fruits but all that are in the Church of Rome came from altering that order of Bishops which the Apostles left by setting one presbyter of a greate citie over the rest and giving him first a litle authority as President of theire councell and then a litle more till he came to be accounted the sole Bishop of a diocesse And therfore as cunning Clarks as they make themselves our saviour may in these cases say of them If you were blinde Ioh. 9.41 if ye did confesse your blindnesse if ye had not the light of Gods word to shew it to you ye should haue no sinne But now ye say wee see chap. 101. therfore your sinne remaineth He that entreth not by the doore into the sheepefold but climeth vp another way the same is a thiefe and a robber I am the doore As he is the word of the father that revealeth him so is he the doore If a man come with any other Doctrine then the word revealed or enter by any other way to be a Pastor or Governour of the Church then such lawfull election and mission as is ordained in the word if he enter by any other rule office authority or title then such as the word alloweth he is a theefe and a robber that commeth not but for to steale a hireling as the Pharises were They complaine of lecturers as vnlawfull yet none
into that her first errour yea though they should be at enmitie with her for her after errours or not know her there are none exempted that fall into the same errour only As many as have not this doctrine marke and so for the doctrine of the Nicolaitans of Babylon or any other therefore if a man forsake all Babylons errours save one if he hold but one of the first as this aboute Bishops which is the roote of all the rest he committeth adulterie with her in that he pertaketh of her sinnes and may receive of her plagues She hath many others It is true that all nations have drunk of them The reformed churches have therefore discovered and abandoned them Among which the church of England will not acknowledge that though she retaine diocessan Bishops theire courts power in imposing divers Romish customs canons and ceremonies that yet theese are any part of the Babylonian corruptions for which she is taxed in the holy Scriptures and at the last rewarded Some seeing Bishops beare such sway in the church of England do plainly affirme that they are of God and ordained in the new Testament knowing that otherwise so greate power and authority in the church cannot be lawfull Gal. 3.15 seeing the Apostle saith though it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man dissanulleth or addeth thereto much lesse to Gods Others there are that if you tell them it was an invention of the Romanists and other Clergie men after the death of the Apostles they so much reverence that church of Martyrs that they care not much whether it be of the Apostles or them which is a verie greate follie and vanitie seeing our Lord taxeth so many churches of those times with greate corruptions and it hath beene manifested that the church of Rome both in this case and many others did quickly grow worse then them all that many were the presumptions and burdens she laide on the church that the foundation of diocessan episcopacie was making the pastors of greate cities to be alwaies presidents of Sinods which so increased theire authority that in time the title of Bishops came to be restrained to them who beeing in such power were as readie to take it as others in flatterie to give it And why then should so much be ascribed to theire Synods seeing so many foolish and presumptious things were determined by them As abouts Temples Altars Masses vestments holy water orders Metropolitans all verie superstitious and so much for theire owne glorie that An ichrist rose out of them Our Lord saith he that speaketh of him selfe seeketh his owne glorie Ioh. 7.18 but he that seeketh his glorie that sent him by speaking his truth as in the two verses before the same is true and no vnrighteousnes is in him which argues Also chap. 8.38 that they who speake any thing besides his revealed will who speake any thing besides his truth or commaund what he hath not commaunded they are false and seeke theire owne glorie yea there is much vnrighteousnes in them they defile a church they speake that which they have seene with theire father and that therefore those prelates who ordained these things sought theire owne glorie defiled the church and were guided by other spirits then the Spirit of Christ who only taks of Christs and shewes vnto men Chap. 16.13.14 Which is also plaine by this that to theire owne glorie they are more observed then the commaundements of God as Lent and other things then devised So Telesphorus sought his owne glorie Platina in Telesphor when he ordained That in the night of Christs birth day three massos should be celebrated the first at midnight when Christ was borne in Bethelem the second at the breake of day when he was known to the Shepheards the third at the time of the day when he was nailed on the crosse for after that hower it was forbidden to celebrate it Because Paul saith As oft as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the Lords death therefore in the primative church they oft received the Sacrament commonly once every Lords day which was well But this was no warrant for them to devise to shew his death by a kinde of Sacrifice as Alexander first invented See Platiin Alex. and somtime twise or thrise in a morning in this superstitious manner which soone served hypocrits for a pretence of lesse preaching or hearinge the word growing ignorant and making the masse ordained in those times the chiefe part of their religion which must needes be much to theire glorie in an Antichristian sense that speaking of themselves devised it and were so followed in it Idem in Eleuther And so in ordaining diocessan Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs after the example of the flamins Archflamins and Protoflamins as Platina and others shew Indeede all ordinances did greatly increase theire glorie were they never so foolish because they beeing in honour had st ll flatterers to defend them and perswade obedience to them Therefore reade Damasus Platina and others that write theire lives and you shall finde there was then scarse any B. of Rome that did not invent som ordinaÌ„ce least he should be thought an ill husband in increasing the glorie of his Sea Idem in Zepherin an 198. Idem in Calist and in Steph. 1 Zepherinus ordained that the cup in the Sacrament should be of glasse and no more of wood as it was before This was after altered and commaunded to be of gold silver or pewter Calistus ordained that there should be a fast thrise a yeare on the saturday for corne wine and oyle which after was changed to the fast at fower times Stephen 1. ordained that Priests should not weare holy garments but in the church and in celebrating holy rites least if they did otherwise they should fall into the sinne of Balthasar who touched the holy vessels with prophane hands In the times of the Apostles before presbyters wore such garments bâ—fore Surplesses coapes and such vestments were taken from the hâ—athen there was litle neede of such an ordinance Howsoever the Scriptures do so forbid prophane cariage at all times and in all Christians that this needed not to keepe priests from beeing drunke in theire Surplesses What should I speak of hallowing grapes on the Altar and such like foolish ordinances The verie shame of those ages and of them that so much reverence theire inventions and canons for theire Antiquitie But it is rather because Vrbanus made one which enricheth the Prelates because Dionisius limited the confines of divers diocesses and Cajus distinguished the orders because though in all these things they spake of them selves yet they were confirmed in the councell of Nice who indeede sought Christs glorie and spake out of his Testament in her creede But whether she spake of her selfe or of theese Bishops of Rome and theire inventions and customs in her other Canons aboute Bishops the Reader
misteries But what then saith he doe we think will becom of our age Wherein our vices are increased to that height that they haue scarce left for vs a place of mercie with God How litle Religion is there and that rather dissembled then true he might haue saide and that rather after mens inventions then Gods ordinances what corrupt manner c. Eusebius say more yet I haue chosen to allege him in Platinaes words to keepe malicious mindes from pretending deceite in alleadging it Men may well thinke that when with constantine there entred such a deale of peace and plentie there must needes be more corruption Theire owne Authors shew it for Baronius saith Baron in 324. art 78. 79. Constantine in the 24 yeare of his raigne ordained that the Bishops should from that time forward haue the same Priueliedges which the idolatrous Priests had enjoyed in times past They had saith he as chiefe among them Rex Sacrificulus who in solemne feasts was wont to watch and haue an eye ouer the rest They had also theire Soueraigne Pontife Pontifex Maximus Arbitrator of all questions arising among them and who can think saith he that Constantine could longe endure that these should exceede Christians in pompe and glorie He might haue saide that the Bishops of Rome could long endure it Howsoeuer this was the goodly reason of theire greatnes contrarie to that of Christ Luk. 22. the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship ouer them c. but ye shall not be so Yet Baronius sheweth the Pope and Cardinals to haue the honour in riding clothing and other things that these Pontifes had It appeares in Platina on the like of Eleutherus that the power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs was taken from the example of these pagans they were then onely held in titles of like nature but now in the power pompe and riches of them Polidor Virgil also acknowledgeth that many things haue com into the Church of Rome from the Hebrewes the ancient Romans De invent rerum l. 5. c. 1. Book of the Iubile see the Root of Romish Rites and other Pagans M. Derlincourt proueth this out of the Bishop of Mande Gratian and divers others of their owne Authors and among other things that the dignities and power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs were taken from the heathen And for theire wealth Cedrenus in his Historie saith that Constantine in the 26 and 27 yeares of his Empire laboured to pull downe the idols and to conuey theire rents and revenues to the Churches From this greatnes of dignitie and wealth there soone followed a greatnes of power and tyranie in imposing the Romish Lawes aboute supremacie worshipping of images praying to Saints single life of Priests purgatorie pardons and the like Was not Babylon fallen in all this Was not here a manifest change of Christs ordinances aboute Bishops and other things Excommunication was at first a punishment inflicted by many not of one But they haueing made one breach 2. Cor. 6. and 2. Thess 3 14. Histor of the counc of Trent l. 4. p. 331. to set vp a kinde of diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest there but as one saith the members of the Churches neglecting theire duties at last left all to the Bishops who out of ambition embraced it and the persecutions ceasing erected a tribunall which was much frequented That yet they judging honestly at the first Constantine made a Law that there should lie no appeale from the Sentences of the Bishops which authority they abusing that Law aboute 70 yeares after was revoked by Arcadius and Honorius and one made that they should not be thought to haue a court which was executed in Rome it selfe and after by Valentinian strengthened by another Law to that purpose This was not digging vp the roote of the mysterie of iniquitie by taking away this diocessan power and restoring the Eldership whereof not onely Princes but euen Clergie men were now growne ignorant but lopping the branches which after grew and spread more then euer for this power thus taken away was restored by Justinian who 500 yeares after Christ established vnto them a court and audience And after the power of Bishops greatly increased when they came to be Councellours to King and Princes and to beare offices vnder them as to be Chancellours Treasurors and the like Whereby theire Canons power traditions and Ceremonies came to be receiued with the greater authority and no man durst gainsay them were they never so superstitious popish and tyranicall All this came from theire first presumptions in not abiding in the ordinance and Wisdom of God touching the Edership as they were willed but giueâ—ng a kinde of authority and superintendencie to the Pastor or Bishop of greate cities ouer the lesser townes and all presbiters aboute them For thus Bishops by that meanes encroached from one step to another till at last the verie name of the presbiterie grew odious vnto them as it doth now to the Bishops and theire defenders in England where all proofes of it are prohibited and more carefully kept from Princes and people then any Popish Doctrine and as if they were as dangerous as the Blasphemies of Arrius and other monsters And thus blinded by ambition coueteousnes and flatterie they despise the Law of the Lord Amos. 2. and theire lies caused them to erre after which theire Fathers walked they would rather doe as theire Fathers had donne and taught then as God commaunded And thus wee see that the Lord may say vnto them Mal. 3.7 Euen from the dayes of your Fathers ye are gon away from mine ordinances and haue not kept them And which is a greater mischiefe the antiquitie of this wicked wandring is made an authority against the old and good way as against a foolerie and against all that seeke it as against Hypocrites fooles and Schismatikes By reason whereof Ier. 6.10 men talke in vaine that tell them of Gods ordinance or the new Ierusalem wherein they shall be restored they cannot hearken Behold the word of the Lord is vnto them a reproach Hos 6.12 they haue no delight in it God writeth to them the greate things of his Law but they are counted as a strange thing groundles and mad opinions worthy imprissonment banishment and what not It is a wonderfull thing that men should professe to liue in the light and obedience of the Gospel and yet like hypocrites despise it in any thing as they doe in matter of the presbiterie and those gracious promises of the new Ierusalem which are confirmed and sealed in the new Testament with the blood of the Sonne of God I confesse it is thus in many of the gentrie and commons because they are not suffred to see any proofes of it If any be not willing to see them that is worse But in the Prelates many Clergie men yea and som Princes who haue seene proofs of theese things or
these his doings do not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly Therefore trust ye not in lying words saying the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7.4 The Temple of the Lord are these as the English crie the church the church The church of the Lord are these Bishops and theire defenders Chap. 18.18 For the law shall not perish from the Priest nor counsell from the wise nor the word from the prophet The Lord answereth such proud men How doe ye say wee are wise and the Law of the Lord is with vs. Chap. 8 8.9 They have rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is there in them for from the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousnes from the prophet to the priest every one dealeth falsly For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people sleightlye saying peace peace when there is no peace They are wicked in these things Isa 57.21 and there is no peace to the wicked saith my God And therfore whereas som say there are still some good preachers yea som that are conformable I answer so were there in those first ages after Constantine But the zeale of these Canons and inventions did more and more take vp mens mindes and eate out the other It is true in this case as in that of riches The church hath brought forth riches dignities diocessan dominion Canons ceremonies cringes Altars masses c. The daughters have devoured the mother in Romish churches and so they will in England if God prevent it not And therefore whereas others say so long as wee may have the Gospel well preached in som parishes why should wee trouble our selves with these things I answer ought not such men to take care that the Gospell may be continued to them and theire children in that puritie simplicitie wherein it was left by the Apostles Which as ye see can not be Ier. 2.35 if those things be not reformed for they turne from the Truth yet thou saiest Because I am innocent surely his anger shall turne from me Constantius could never have spread the Arrian heresie so far as he did but by the helpe of Bishops For a Bishop beeing like a King or a Pope in his diocesse the most will out of feare or flatterie follow him as he doth the Prince or mightie favourite what ever his religion be because he can either raise him to more honour or trouble him And therfore it may be saide of the hierarchie ceremonies and ordinances and theire defenders If they be not with Christ and his kingdum in these cases they are against him Mat. 12.30 and if they gather not with him they scatter helpe the Adversaries For in these times those that are Christs seeke to get the victorie over the Beast and over his marke Some by preaching or writing Rev. 15.2 others by theire lawes and swords and others by theire professing and contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saincts others by theire praiers and other honest indeavours While on the other side Papists and popelings contend as earnestly for the observation and authority of tradâ—tions and ceremonies which is the marke of the Beast though they covering the matter call them the vnwritten word of God Bellarmin in his 4. booke of the vnwritten word of God Chap. 2 maketh three sorts of traditions 1. Divine which were spoken by Christ but not written 2 Apostolike spoken by the Apostles but not written 3. Ecclesiasticall which he saith are introduced from ancient customes by the Prelates or by the people and creepingly by the silent vnquestioning agreement of the people have gained strength of law And indeede have at one time or other beene confirmed by councels A man may here see what mischiefe followed the first vnquestioning agreement and consent of the people For of this sorte as the fountaine of all the rest is the authority of diocessan Bishops theire power in theire Courts and Canons excommunicating imprisoning c. and ruling both the ordinarie pastors and people with force and crueltie in divers things which as was shewed did creepingly by the silent and vnquestioning agreement of the people gaine the strength of law and supplanted the presbiterie ordained of God and the power of each congregation in choosing theire minister and excommunicating the refractarie and so made of none effect that law of Christ Tell the church the presbyters and people Ezech. 34.2 to 12. And then the diocessan office served not to feede the flock of God but themselves the flock became a prey to such Shepheards yea diocessan power beeing thus invented and established became a snare and net as the Prophet saide to the Priests and howse of the King For then followed theire traditions the distinction of meates Hos 5.1 the observation of holy daies feasts and fasts wearing the surplesse and more then sixe hundred yeares after Christ the latin service singing antemes by the sound of the organs setting vp of Altars bowing to them and at the name of Iesus building guilding adorning and consecrating of cathedrall churches endowing them with greate revenues signing themselves with the signe of the crosse setting vp Images in churches to a religions vse and likwise candles invocation of Saints and praying vpon beades the Popes succession in Peters chaire single life of Priests purgatorie and persecution to those that would not beleeve these the like things All which were introduced froÌ„ ancient customes by the Prelates or people and creepingly gained strength of law one after another and in short time served men for a religion the defence of the first making way for all the rest as men do now begin to perceive in England where as the hierarchie it selfe so divers of these things beeing popish are preached by Bishops and others and begin to get the strength of law and naturally to make way for the rest and indeede to serve men for a religion if God prevent it not 2. Cor. 11.3 So soone doth the Serpent through his subtiltie beguile men and corrupt theire mindes from the simplicitie that is in Christ for as wee shewed they doe not tend to edification as is pretended but to destruction seeing Bishops by them doe rule men with force and crueltie Ezech. 34.4 The word of God such observations as rightly arise from it doe truly edifie so doe the Sacraments to men that know the truth the inventions and ordinances of men haveing but a shew of godlinesse and Wisdom are but beggarly rudiments yea turne from the Truth Col. 1.23 Gal. 4.8 Tit. 1.14 And yet so things goe as if the authority of the Prelates which puts all men to silence or makes them flatter might give them the strength of Law and make men beleeve that Gods will is that they should be obeyed which is in effect to make them his vnwritten word For his will is his word But this is as the vnwritten
offer to him that overcommeth and that questionles as well by war as spirituall weapons He that is called faithfull and true Chap. 19. doth in righteousnesse judge and make war against her that sitteth on many waters and so doe these that fight his battails To them that voyce crieth Reward her as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her double according vnto her works In the cup c. For she saith in her heart I sit as a Queene and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be vtterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord who judgeth her Notwithstanding that she seemeth daily to strengthen her selfe by plots devises and friends by Iesuiticall and Spanish practises yet fall she must Many thinke this cannot yet be because England doth not yet set against her as if God could not fulfill his worke without the ayde of lukewarme helpers Ioh. 18. and newters Christ saith Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voyce Therefore if English Prelates and others that beare sway there doe not heare it in theese things they haue cause to doubt that they are not in all things of the truth nor quite come out of Babylon I wonder how they can evince vnto themselves that they are not of Babylon the greate nor pertake of her sinnes who haue no more zeale against her Marvaile not that they doe not desire to have swords drawen against her who scarce endure that the sword of the Spirit should be vnsheathed against Babylon much lesse against those tenets of theire owne which are Romish and Antichristian The ministers of the french and dutch churches though they be not wholly excercised in points controverted which were no wisdom seeing there are many other points of faith and salvation wherein the people are also to be built vp and fortified yet they scarce make a Sermon but in somthing or other they confute poperie and establish the people in the truth as God requireth If English Prelates have not made this course to be in a sort forbidden yet men say that by discountenancing of such preaching they have at least put it out of fashion as foolish and vnproffitable while in the meane they are contented and desirous that men should preach and contend for the authority of theire hierarchie traditions and ceremonies if not for Arminian tenets A thinge that pleaseth papists who looke for fruite of them knowing them to be popish yea many are so foolish as to love and praise this kinde of preaching and to loath the confutation of it as God complained of the Iewes Ier. 5.31 The prophets prophecie falsly and the Priests beare rule by theire meanes and my people love to have it soe and what will ye doe in the end thereof That is when destruction comes on you for it It is strange that men will not see that this theire preaching and contending for humane inventions and errours is to offer strange fire and the entrance way to all corruption as it was in the Church of Rome whose superstition errours crept in by degrees by degrees did eate out true Religion It will be saide it hath not yet donne so in England both the citie and countrie haue many zealous Christians yea many that are conformable I answer true yet they are verie few in respect of the rest and such as beare the Sway who count zeale against poperie puritanisme and are ready to say with them in the Gospell Ioh. 7.48 Act. 28.20 Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharises run this course but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Because they walke not after the high Priests the Bishops For as concerning this sect wee know it is every where spoken against And howsoever these called puritans whether they be conformable or peaceable reformists are such as will be religious whether the Bishops like it or noe as som Iewes would be Disciples for all the high Priests Elders and Pharises therefore this is no thanks to Bishops no fruite of theire government who like better of civill and ceremonious men such as pretend love of common prayer though they haue neither knowledge true loue of the word nor affection to defend religion against Papists and theire practises and like hypocrites doe but pretend a love to prayer For in those prayers they say that in knowledge of him standeth our eternall life Graunt vs in this world knowledge of thy truth And yet are enemies to this knowledge and the meanes of it preaching hearing conference and reading of some good bookes They pray for increase of grace to heare meekely his word receive it with pure affection and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit Yet theire life and actions shew that they are so far from loveing these things that they mock and persecute all those that doe as knaves and hypocrites Yet in some cases as God saith of such men Isa 58. they seeke me daily and delight to know my wayes as a nation that did righteousnes and forsooke not the ordinance of theire God they aske of me the ordinance of justice they take delight in approching to God They fast and like the Bishops looke God should regard them for it But though men be never so religious in observing some of Gods ordinances if they despise or neglect the rest or any of them Deut. 15.21 chap. 17.1 the Lord hateth that Religion as a lame sacrifice Theire hands were full of blood and in other things they had transgressed the Lawes changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant Isa 1.11.12.13.14.15 therefore he saith to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me I am full of the burnt offerings Bring no more vaine oblations incense is abhomination vnto me New Moones Sabbaths and appointed feasts my soule hateth And when ye make many prayers J will not heare He counteth all this but complement all religion and would not heare them in these things though he had commanded them who would not heare him in others Like the Prelates who say well that in baptisme wee promise to forsake the world and all the pompe and vanitie thereof Yet can not be perswaded by Gods word to cast theire crownes theire offices and the pompe and vanitie of them at the feete of Christ though it be proved that they are not of God but of men of the world Romish and doe much mischiefe but insteade of confuting they persecute such as pleade Christs cause in proveing these things terryfying all men of that profession more then any other with theire power in the high commission as the Papists doe Protestants with the iniquisition striveing to make them hatefull to Princes and yet keepe theire proofes from theire eyes as if they were worse then the tenets of Papists and Arminians which are not so straitly prohibited nor so narrowly looked vnto B. London
spirituall miserie doth far exceede the bodilie and temporall Is it not so in the Churches of greate Britaine in comparison of other Protestant Churches I am afraide that as in that Italian ease and rest there was a flood preparing for them which soone brake out in the inundation of the Gothes and Vandals and many strong delusions wherein they still remaine insecuritie So there may be som other a brewing for the Churches of England and Scotland As I can not conceive what they shall be For that is a secret in the power of God who onely holdeth such cups of affliction and punishment in his hand tempers them when he pleaseth maketh a nation drinke the dregs of them So I cannot see how such evils should possiblie be avoided without a serious and effectuall repentance and reformation Let not men deceive themselves to thinke because the Prelates preach some good things that therfore all both is and will goe well enough For so you may be sure did the Prelates of Rome and Italie in those times as Hierom saith There is the confession of Christ Hiero. ad Marcell Viduam but there is also ambition and tyranie They had the knowledge of God in many things and taught it but in matters of the presbiterie and the contraries Prelates canons and ceremonies they could not abide it nor that Emperours and Princes should come to the knowledge of it They geered scorned and persecuted such as laboured to bring them to that which was once delivered to the Saints cunningly putting theire owne fault vpon theire adversaries making them hypocrits filthie dreamers Iude. 8.11.12 such as speake evill of the things they know not and are as Iude speaketh Cloudes without water carried about with windes raging waves of the Sea and wandring stars Such as can make a man an offendour for a word Isa 29.21 and turne aside the just for a thing of nought and calling them hereticks or schismatikes seemed to shew mercie to them that they punished them no more Hos 6.4.5.6 But theire mercie was as a morning cloude They sacrificed to God of theire owne inventions and will worshhip But saith he I desired mercie and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more then burnt offerings But they like men have transgressed the covenant there have they dealt trecherously with me The Italians doeing it in matters of Ecclesiasticall government and traditions it was the roote of all evils spirituall and temporall And is it not so in England and Scotland of whom God may also say as sometime of Israel and Iudah Ephraim what should I doe vnto thee O Judah what should J doe vnto thee For thy mercie is as a morning cloud as the early dew it goeth away I pray God that the churches of England and Scotland beeing in sinnes like theese and indeede like those of Italie in the times of Damasus and Syricius be not also like them in punishments spirituall and temporall and that as Ieremie saith in a like case because they were not ashamed when they had committed abhominations as in these particulars of Bishops Ier. 6.15.16 traditions and ceremonies wherein though the voice of God have cried both to the one and the other Stand ye in the wayes and see and aske for the old pathes where is the good way and walke therein and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules and hath often by his servants proved the presbiterie to be the old and good way yet be it never so old never so good they say non ambulabimus in ea wee will not walke in it I have conceived som hope of the churches and people of great Britaine that they will also now at the last begin to leave the church of Rome in these things which are part of her sinnes and the roote of them all leste still pertaking with her in them they also receive of her plagues and therfore I thought it my dutie so far as God hath enabled me to doe mine endeavour to make them see the things that belong to their peace The Lord of his mercie stir up and enable men to further so necessarie a worke and grant vnto vs that wee beeing delivered out of the hands of our ennemies may serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Luk. 1.74 Now unto him that is able to do abundantly above all that we can aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs vnto him be glorie in the church by Christ Iesus throughout all ages world without end AMEN