quietnesse and tranquility he is not in fire earthquakes and whirlwinds but in the soft and still voyce it s not the quaking of the body but humility and reverence of mind which he requires these Sectaries deny all ministeriall Ordinances and knowledge got by study and industry pretending an inward light from the spirit and that all our Learning got by Preaching Hearing Reading or Catechising iâ— but notionall and carnall and hanging upon the tree of knowledge they blasphemously prate also that Christ had his failings and that he distrusted God on the Crosse when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me by which they overthrow the work of our Redemption which none could perform but he that knew no sin in whose lips was found â—o guil whom his enemies could not accuse of sin They will not have Ministers to preach for titheâ— which they call wages and yet our Saviour saith That the labourer is worthy of his wages and the Apostle That they who serve at the altar should live by the alâ—ar and if they communicate of their spirituall things why should they not participate of the peoples temporall things They will not have particular houses for preaching and prayer and yet among the Iews was the temple and Synagogues and after Christianity was settled Churches were erected They cannot abide studied or methodicall Sermons nor expouâ—ding nor learning in matters of Divinity by which we see how ignorant these people are who despise such helps as God hath given for propagating the Gospel Is it not better to studie and premeditatâ— than to utter quicquid in buecam veâ—erit undigested immethodicall ignorant trash Christ and his Apostles expounded and opened the Scriptures and yet these men reject expounding these men are also against singing of Psalmes a duty practised by Christ and urged by Saint Paul and Saint Iames. They reject infant-Baptisme and yet to infants belongeth the kingdome of heaven They will have no set days for Divine worship and consequently the Lords day must be of no account with them They will have no prayer before and after Sermâ—n and yet the Apostles joyned prayer with their Doctrine and breaking of bread Acts 2. 24. neither did they ever undertake any weighty businesse without prayer They condemn set houres of prayers and yet we read in the Acts of the Apostles that the third and ninth houres were set houres of prayer but by these wild Fancies we may see how crosse-grained these people are in contradicting every thing even Gods word it self if it be not consonant to their shallow reason which they call the spirit but it is indeed the spirit of giddinesse with which they are troubled and trouble others for the rejecting of all outward forms and decent ceremonies in Religion iâ— the overthrow of Religion it self which thought it consist not in ceremonies yet without them it is like a man stript naked of his garments and so for want of them exposed to all injuries of weather and danger of death The leaves of a tree are not the fruit thereof and yet without them the fruit will not prosper Q. 14. What other opinions do the Quakers hold An. Not to mention their â—orrid blasphemies in saying that some of them are Christ some God himself and some equall with God because they have the same spirit in them which is in God They maintain that the Scripture is not the word of God that out preaching is conjuration that expounding of Scripture is adding to it that the letter of Scripture is carnall that the word is not the rule to try the spirits that the soul is a part of God and long existent before the body that there is no Trinity that Christ hath no other body but his Church that Christs coming in the flesh was but a figure that all men have a light in them sufficient to salvation that the man Christ is not ascended into heaven that there is no imputation of Christs righteousnesse that prayer for remission of sinnes 〈◊〉 needlesse that we are justified by our own inherent righteousnesse that there is no 〈◊〉 life or glory to be looked for but in this world that there is no locall heaven nor hell nor resurrection of the body that many of them cannot sin that the calling of our Ministry is Antichristian that our preaching is altogether uselesse that themselves are immediately called by God that our worshiping of God in the Church is heathenish that the of children with water in Baptisme is Antichristian that we have no Sacraments that Dâ—vids Psalms are â—arnall and noâ— to be sung that in our Churches which they â—ll breasts houses God is not worshipped 〈◊〉 Christ 〈◊〉 to destroy all propertie and that therefore all things ought to be common that no man is to be called Master or Sir or to be saluted by the way and that one man ought not to have power over another here we see that these men despise Magistracy reject the Ministry sleight all decency and ordinances in Christs Church and in a word overthrow as much as in them lyeth all Religion and piety setting up a Babel of their own full of impiety ignorance aud blasphemie these are the fruits of too much liberty and the effects of reading Scripture by ignorant and malicious spirits who like spiders suck poyson out of the sweetest and wholesomest flowers and like mad men use that sword of the word to destroy themselves and others which was ordained to saye and defend us from our enemies Q. 15 Wherein do the absurdities and impieties of their opinions consist An. 1. In rejecting all Vniversity Learning because Christ and his Apostles were never taught in Schools but this opinion is ridiculous for Christ and his Apostles taught no other Divinity for the matter than what is taught in Universities the difference is onely in the manner of attaining this knowledge for they had it by inspiration we by study labour and instruction and yet the prophets had their Schools and Colledges both on the hill of God 1 Sam. 10. 5. 10. and at Bethel 2 Kings 2. 3. and at Iericho v. 5. and at Naiâ—th 1 Sam. 14. 20. Elisha had his Colledge 2 Kings 6. 1. 2. They will not have us expound Scripture because the Apostles expoundeâ— them but this conceit is also frivolous for to what purpose did Christ appoint Doctours and Pastors to continue still with his Church if they are not to expound Scripture what the Apostles expounded briefly we expound more fully In their expositions there be many intricate obscure high and figurative passages which require a further exposition God did never reveal all his truth at one time Among the Jews we read that Ezra the Scribe and the Levites expounded the Law Neh. 8. Christ took a Text and expounded it Luke 4. and so did Philip Acts 8. 3. They will not have Ministers to be called Masters but I would know of these men whether they that labour in
of Christ upon the Earth 51. That none are damned but for rejecting the Gospel 52. That now many Christians have more knowledge then the Apostles had 53. That miracles necessarily attend the Ministry 54 That there ought to be no Churches built nor should men worship in consecrated places 55. That the Apostles were ignorant of the salvation to be revealed in the last days 56. That all men ought to have liberty of conscience and of prophesying even women also 57. That circumcision and the old covenant was onely of things temporal 58. That Paedobaptisme is unlawful and impious and that others besides Ministers may baptise and that a man may be baptised often 59. That the people should receive the Lords Supper with their hats on but the Ministers in giving it should be uncovered 60. That the Church of England is Antichristian 61. That there is no divine right to call or make Ministers that Ministers should work for their living and that Tythes are Antichristian 62 â—hat Christians are not bound to observe the Lordâ— day and that we should observe still the old Sabbath 63. That humane learning and premeditation is uselesse to preaching and that preaching should onely confist in disputing reasoning and conferring 64. That the Saints must not joyn in prayer with wicked men not receive the Sacrament with them nor with any member of the Church of England 65. That â—ublick prayers are not to be used but by such as have an inâ—allible Spirit as the Apostles had 66. That set hours of prayer are needlesse 67 That singing of Davids Psalmes or other holy songs except they be of their own making are unlawful 68. That wicked men ought not to pray at all 69. That all government in the Church ought to be civil not Ecclesiastical 70 That the power of the keyes is as well in six or seven gathered together as in the greatest congregation 71. That neither miracles nor visions nor anointing the sick with oyl are ceased 72. That in these days many are with Paul rapt up into the third Heaven 73 That the Magistrate is not to meddle with matters of Religion nor forms of Church government which if they do they are not to be obeyed 74. That there ought to be a community of Goods seeing all the Earth is the Saints 75. That a man upon slight causes may put away his wife and that one man may have two wives 76. That children ought not at all to obey their parents if wicked 77. That parents should not instruct their children but leave them to God 78. That Christians ought not to maintain Religion by the sword nor to fight for their lives and liberties noâ— to fight at all nor to kil any thing nay not a chicken for our use 79. That it stands not with Gods goodness to damn his own creatures eternally 80. That i'ts unlawful for a Christian to be a Magistrate 81. That man lost no more by Adams fall then the rest of the whole creation 82 That Christ hath not purchased eternal life for man more then for the rest of the creation and that he offered up himselfe a full and perfect sacrifice not only for man but for all that man kept even the whole creation 83. None are sent to hell before the last judgment 84. It is not the Law but the Gospel which threatens us with Hell fire 85. If God shew not mercy to all he is not infinite 86. Christians are not bound to meet one day in seven for publick worship 87. The Saints are justified not by Christs obedience but by the essential righteousness of God 88. A woman committeth not adultery in lying with another man if her husband be a sleep 89. That the Saints may put away their unbeleeving wives or husbands 90. There is no other seale but the Spirit the Sacraments are no seales at all 91. The Magistrate may not put to death a murtherer being a member of the Church till first he be cast out of the Church 92. The promises belong to sinners as sinners and not as repenting sinners 93. Apocrypha books are canonical Scripture 94. To use set forms of prayer even the Lords prayer is Idolatry 95. Bells Churches and Church-yards preaching in Pulpits in Gowns by an hour-glasse the names of our months and days are all idolatry 96. That the Apostles Creed is to be rejected as erroneous 97. That there ought to be no other laws among Christians but the judicial Law of Moses and that the Magistrate hath no legislative power at all 98. That all Learning Schools Universities Arts Degrees are to be rejected as pernicious 99. That Angels and Devils are not substances but meer qualities and that mens soules are but terrestrial vapours perishing with the bodies 100. That some in this life are perfect without all sin and need not pray for pardon 101. That in God there is some composition and corporiety and mutability also 102. That Christ took not his flesh of the Virgin Mary but that his body was created without all consanguinity with the first Adam 103. That God doth personally subsist in every creature 104. That the world is eternal 105. That the Lords Supper may be celebrated in Inns rather then Churches and that in the end of a feast 106. That the Devils have no sinne But I will leave these Divels though I could mention many more but that it delights not my selfe nor can it the Reader to be raking in such filthy mire and dirt These are some of the poysonous weeds which have too much of late infested our English Garden I mean the Church once admired both at home and abroad for the beauty of her Doctrine and Disciplin and envied of none but ignorants or men of perverse minds The Poet bewailing the ruins of Troy said Seges ubi Troi a fuit Corn grows where Troy stood but I may sadly complain that in stead of corn that is sound and wholsom doctrine which should be the food of our souls now grows Tares and Weeds that choak the good word with which we were formerly fed and might have been unto a life of glory everlasting if we had therein abode But least I should bring thee into danger by giving thee onely a fight of these Rocks and Precepices to prevent that I shall commend to thy serious perusal Master Wollebius his Abridgement of Christian Divinity which for the good of my country men I Englished Enlarged and cleared in obscure places and have now fitted for a second impression A book worthy to be written in Letters of gold and imprinted in the heart of every good Christian The knowledge therein contained by prayer and through the assistance of Gods spirit will root and establish the in every good word and work to the comming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ which God of his infiniâ—e mercy grant The Contents of the Thirteenth Section The Doctrine of the Church of Rome concerning the Scriptures 2. Their tenets concerning predestination
the same kidney That the world was to be reformed by their means which done and the wicked utterly cut off from the face of the earth it should be governed â—y Justice it self All that gave not up their names and embraced their Sect they branded with the name of ungodly Out of this Sodomitical lake sprung THOMAS MVNTZER one that boasted that he had had communication with God This mans doctrine incredibly spred as being in the first place levell'd at the holy Doctors of the reformed Religion And from thence discharged at the Magistrates themseves for the Christian flock being once deprived of these two constitutions of men there were nothing to hinder the greedy wolves to break out into all rapine and oppression And this is the reason why the wolves that is to say the false Teachers have ever most violently opposed the Ministry and the Magistracy in hopes if possible to draw these from the care and charge of their flocks or at least to bring them into contempt with their sheep which by that meanes should stray into their parties This Muntzer did both by his teachings and writings publickly affirm that the Preachers of that time that contributed their endeavours to the advancement of the Gospel were not sent by God but were meer Scribes and impertinent Interpreters of the Scriptures That the Scriptures and the written word were not the pure word of God but only a bare Testimony of the true word that the true reall word was something that were intrinse call and heavenly and immediately proceeding out of the mouth of God and consequently to be learned intrinsecally and not out of the Scriptures or by any humane suggestion With the same breath he brought Baptisme into contempt most inconvincibly affirming that there was no warrant from God for Paedobaptisme or baptisme of children and that they ought to be baptized after a spirituall and more excellent dispensation He further endeavoured to teach that Christs satisfaâ—ction for us was unnecessary whatever honest and weak understanding men could urge to the contrary That matrimony in the unfaithful and incontinent was a pollution meretricious and diabolical That God discovered his will by dreames whence it was that he was mightily infatuated with them holding that those were as it were communicated by the holy Ghost Hereupon was he acknowledged by his followers for some heavenly and spiritual Prophet and it was believed that he was thus taught by the spirit of God without any humane assistance This doctrine did he disperse throughout all Germany by printed books and Epistles which the tinder-brain'd disciples of his seditious sect were soon fir'd with read approved and propagated The same man in the yeares M.D.XXIII â—nd M.D.XXIV taught at Alsted which is a City in Saxony near Thuringia and when not only the Ministers but also the Magistrates lay under the lash of his calumny insomuch that his Sermons were stuff'd with most seditious and bitter invectives against them and pretending to groan for the return of lost liberty and for the insufferable pressures of the people under Tyranny he complained of it as a great grievance that their wealth and estates were the prey of the Magistrate and therefore would perswade them that a remedy was timely to be applied to these things Being for this doctrine dispatched out of Alsted he comes to Norimberg and thence without discontinuing his journey into Basil and thence into Switzerland from whence at length he came to Cracovia where at a certain â—own called Griessen he continued some weeks In the mean time he was no lesse idle then ever and that especially in the County of Sâ—uâ—ing where he sowed so much of his contagious seed among his factious disciples as afterwards thrived inâ—o an extraordinary harvest At the same time he publickly scattered abroad his doctrine of Baptisme and the word of God in such sort as we have touched before Departing out of this countrey and wandring up and down Mulhusium in the countrey of During he writ letters to some of the most confident to his Religion by whose connâ—enance and assistance factious spirits were sometimes more and more exasperated against the Magistrate Some small time before the countrey people took up arms he sent up and and down certain Briefes by Messengers wherein were divers things and among the rest was represented the greatnesse of those warlike instruments which were cast at 〈◊〉 upon occasion of this sedition so to encourage and enflame the fiery followers of his faction For having stayed two moneths at Griessen and that he thought he could not so much advance his designes if he â—eturned into Saxony because his affaires prospered not according to his desires in these places he returns back to the people of During and Mulhusium But before he was arrived thither LVTHER had by letters forewarned the reverend 〈◊〉 of Mulhusium concerning him that they should beware of him as of a destroying wolfe and fitter to be 〈◊〉 then Serpents or whatever Mankind beares any antipathy to for that both at Swickaw and not long before at Alsted he was accounted a tree sufficiently evill and corrupt which boâ—e no other fruit but 〈◊〉 and inevitable destruction and one who no more then his Comâ—â—ades could ever be brought to make any defence of their opinions among which was That they 〈◊〉 were Gods elect and that all the children of their Religion were to be called the children of God and that all others were ungodly and designed to damnation And divers other things to the same purpose were contained in the aforesaid letter which was dated from Weimaria on Sunday being the day of the Assumption of Mary in the year M.D.XXIV Muntzer in the mean time with words plausibly sweetned drew away the mindes of all he could to favour his party and by promising mountains of gold to the common people to the end they should cry him up with the general acclamations of being a true Prophet it came to passe that a very great conflux of the dregs of the people repaired to him from Mulhusium and other places nay by his subtilty and the authority he had gotten he perverted the very Magistrate of Mulhusium and made him a new abeâ—tor of his opinion And this was the first original of the mischief and thence divers other Hydra's of seditions like so many excrescencies took a suddain growth from this For all mens goods became common and he taught that no man had any propriety in what he enjoyed To which he added that it was revealed to him from God that the Empire and Principalities of this world were to be extirpated and that the sword of Gideon was put into his hands to be employed against all Tyrants for the assertion of true liberty and the restauration of the Kingdom of Christ and at this time he gave orders for the preparing of certain warlike engines While he was wholy
take it down whilest it was movable they were distinguished according to Levies three sons into the Gershonites Cohathites and Merarites the first carried the hangings and coverings The second the chief things of the Sanctuary the third had the charge of the wood-work In Davids time some were Judges some Treasurers some Singers and some Porters 1 Chron. 23. 26. The Singers and Porters were divided into 24. orderâ— 1 Chron. 25. 26. The elder Levites were to oversee and teach the younger Who from the thirtieth year of their life till the fiftieth did bear about the Tabernacle Under them were the Gibeonites or Nethinims whose office was to draw water and hew wood for the house of God Q. What were the Prophets Scribes and Pharises A. Not only were they called Prophets to whom God revealed himself and his purposes in an extraordinary way but those also that expounded the Scripture they were also called Fathers Doctors of the Law Disputers Wise men and Rabbies from their greatness in knowledge Which title the Pharisees did appropriate to themselves their Scholars were called children and sons of the Prophets The name of Scribes was given to Scriveners and publick Notaries these were called Scribes of the people Mat. 2. 4. and likewise those that did write and expound the Law such a Scribe was Esdras Esdr. 7. 6. these were called Doctors of the Law The Pharisees were so called from separation and by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is Sepaâ—â—rists for they separated themselves to a strict kind of life and to the study of the Law having no commerce with other people nor communicating with them in dyet apparrel nor customs They held a fatal necessity with the Stoicks and transammation with the Pychagoreans hence they thought that either the soul of Iohn Baptist or of Elias or of Ieremy had animated Christs body They preferred Traditions to the written Word and placed most of their holiness in washing counting it a less sin to commit fornication then to eat with unwashed hands from their daily washings they were named Hemero-Baptists they always washed when they returned from the market thinking themselves polluted with the touch of other people They are noted Mat. 9. 11. for holding it unlawful to eat with sinners and Mark 7. 4. for their superstitious washing of cups pots brazen vessels and tables and Luke 18. 12. for fasting twice in the week and Mat 23. 5. for their broad Phylacteries which were scrolls of partchment wherein the law was written so called from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to keep or reserve for by these they kept the Law in their memory they are noted also for their large borders and fringes Mat. 23. 5. they wore their Phylacteries on their foreheads and left arms and Hierom observeth in Matth. 23. that they used sharp thorns in their fringes that by the pricking thereof they might be put in minde of the commandements Q. What were the Nazarites Rechabites and Essenes A. The Nazarites were votaries Numb 6. so called from Nazar to separate for they separated themselves from wine and strong drink from coming neer the dead and from the rasor some were Nazarites for their life as Sampson Iohn Baptist c. others only for a time to wit thirty days as Absolom who cut his hair the thirtieth day of his vow such a Nazarite was Paul Act. 21. 24. Nazareth was a village in Galilee where Christ was conceived and bread and therefore was called a Nazarite Mat. 2. 23. and his Disciples Nazarites Acts 24. 5. but indeed he was the onely true Nazarite because he was pure holy and separate from sinners but he was no legal Nazarite for he drunk wine and went neer the dead These Hereticks were also called Nazarites who taught that with the Gospel should be joyned the Law of Moses Acts. 15. 2. Of the Rechabites so called from Rechab their Father We read Ierem. 35. 2 3 4 c. these neither drunk wine nor lowed seed nor built houses nor planted vineyards but like strangers lived all their days in Tents The Essenes so called from their skill in curing of diseases for they were much given to the study of Physick in their opinions were Pythagoreans ascribing all things to fate offering no sacrifices but of inanimate things shunning oathes pleasures and wine contenting themselves with water only and mean apparrel their garments were white and had all things in common amongst them They worshipped towards the East observed the Sabbath more strictly then others kept seven Pentecosts every year to wit every seventh week one and generally they abstained from marriage yet some did marry for procreation They were superstitious in preserving the names of Angels they were much given to silence with the Pythagoreans chiefly at table none were admitted into their Society without four years probation there were some of these Essenes contemplative only and lived in gardens or remote villages who contented themselves with bread and salt others were active and gave themselves to manual labours these lived in Cities and fared better and eat twice a day Q. What were the Sadducees and Samaritans A. The Sadduces were so called either from Isedek justice because they would be accounted the onely just men in the world or from Sadock the Author of their Sect who was the scholar of Antigonus Socheus these rejected all Traditions and Scriptures except the five books of Moses denied the Resurrection paines or rewards after this life Angels and spirits fate likewise or destiny ascribing all to mans freewill They held also that the soul died and perished with the body The Samaritans held with the Sadduces that there was no Scripture but the Pentateuch that there was no Resurrection nor life Eternal nor any Traditions to be admitted yet they dissented from the Sadduces in acknowledgeing Angels in worshipping only upon mount Garizim whereas the Sadduces worshipped also in Ierusalem and kept faire correspondency with the other Jewes whereas the Samaritans and Jewes did so hate and abhor each other that there was no commerce between them but did curse and excommunicate each other Of these Jewish Sects see Iesephus Philo Drusius de trib Sect. Munster Sigonius Buxtorsius and others Q. How did they anciently observe their Sâ—bbath A. The day before was the preparation of the Sabbath called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which began about the sixth hour that is our twelfth That day they might not travel above twelve miles least by comming home too late they might want time for preparation to the Sabbath which began in the evening and which for the excellency thereof was called the Queen of Feasts and gave denomination to the whole week on the Sabbath they must not travel above two thousand paces or cubits for so far was the distance of the Ark from the Camp They were so superstitious in the keeping of their Sabbath that they would not fight that day and so suffered Ierusalem
Father of Christ and author of the Gospel but Moses Law they rejected and the old Testament as proceeding from the other god to wit of justice The Cerdonians also denyed the Resurrection of the flesh and Humanity of Christ Affirming that he was not born of a Virgin nor suffered but in shew Marcion by birth a Paphlagonian neer the Euxin Sea was Cerdons Scholar whose opinions he preferred to the Orthodox Religion out of spleen because his Father Bishop Marcion excommunicated him for Whoredom and because he could not without true repentance be received again into the Church therefore he professed and maintained Cerdons Heresies at Rome in the time of M. Antoninus Philosophus 133. years after Christ but he refined some points and added to them some of his own phansies With Cerdon he held two contrary gods and denied Christs Incarnation of the Virgin and therefore blotted his Genealogy out of the Gospel affirming his body to be from heaven not from the Virgin He denied that this world by reason of the Ataxie and Disorder in it could be the work of the good god He rejected the Old Testament and the Law as repugnant to the Gospel which is false for their is no repugnancy He denied the Resurrection and taught that Christ by descending into hell delivered from thence the souls of Cain Esau the Sodomites and other reprobates translating them into heaven He condemned the eating of flesh and the married life and renewed baptism upon every grievous fall into sin If any of the Catechumeni died some in their name were baptised by the Marcionites They also baptised and administred the Eucharist in presence of the Catechumeni against the custom of the Church They permitted Women also to baptize They condemned all Wars as unlawfull and held transanimation with the Pythagoreans Q. 15. What was the Religion of Apelles Severus and Tatianus A. Apelles whose scholars were called Apellitae was Marcions Disciple and a Syrian by birth He flourished under Commodus the Empâ—ror about 150. years after Christ. He taught that there was but one chief God to whom was subordinat a fierie God who appeared to Moses in the bush who made the world and gave the Law to the Israelites and was their God He gave to Christ a body compacted of the Stary and Elementary substance and appeared in the shape onely of man This body when he ascended he left behind him every part thereof returning to their former principles and that Christs spirit is onely in heaven He rejected the Law and Prophets and denied the Resurrection Severus author of the Severians was contemporarie with Apelles under Commodus 156. years after Christ. He used the company of one Philumena a Strumpet and Witch He taught his disciples to abstain from Wine as being poyson begot of Satan in the form of a Serpent with the Earth The world he said was made by certain Powers of Angels which he called by divers barbarous names He hated Women and Marriage denied the Resurrection the Old Testament and Prophets using in stead of them certain Apocryphall Books Tatianus a bad Scholar of a good Master Iustin Martyr was a Mesopotamian by birth and lived under M. Antoninus Philosophus 143. years after Christ his disciples were called Tatiani from him and Encratitae from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 temperance or continence for they abstain from Wine Flesh and Marriage They were called also Hydro-Paristatae users of Water for in stead of Wine they made use of Water in the Sacrament They held that Adam was never restored to mercy after his fall And that all men the sons of Adam are damned without hope of salvation except the Tatiani They condemned the Law of Moses the eating of flesh and the use of wine and held Procreation of Children to be the work of Satan yet they permitted though unwilingly Monogamy or the marrying once but never again they denied that God made male and female and that Christ was the seed of David Q. 16. Of what Religion were the Cataphrygians A. Montanus disciple to Tatianus who was his contemporary was author of this Sect who for a while were from him called Montanists but being ashamed of his wicked life and unhappy end they were afterward from the Country where he was born and which was first infected with his heresie called Cataphrygians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they were named also Tascodragitae because they used in praying to thrust their forefingers into their Nostrills to shew their devotion and anger for sin Tascus in their Language signifieth a long slick or slaff and Druggus their Nose as if you would say Perticonasati as the interpreter of Epiphanius translates it They loved to be called Spirituales because they bragged much of the gifts of the Spirit others that were not of their opinion they called naturual men This Heresie began about 145. years after Christ and lasted above 500. years He had two Strumpets which followed him to wit Prisca and Maximilla these forsook their Husbands pretending zeal to follow Montanus whereas indeed they were notorious Whoors they took upon them to prophesie and their dictates were held by Montanns as divine oracles but at last he and they for company hanged themselves He blasphemously held himself not onely to be in a higher measure inspired by the Holy Ghost then the Apostles were but also said that he was the very Spirit of God which in some small measure descended on the Apostles he condemned second marriages and yet allowed Incest He trusted altogether to Revelations and Enthusiasmes and not to the Scripture In the Eucharist these wretches mingled the Bread with Infants Blood they confounded the persons of the Trinity affirming the Father suffered Q. 17. What was the Religion of the Pepuzians Quintilians and Artotyrites A. These were disciples of the Cataphrygians Pepuzians were so called from Pepuza a town between Galatia and Cappadocia where Montanus dwelt and Quintillians from Quintilla another whorish Prophetesse and companion to Prisca and Maximilla They held Peprza to be that new Ierusalem fore told by the Prophets and mentioned in the Epistle to the Hebrews and in the Revelatien In this they said we should enjoy life eternal They perferred Women before Men affirming that Christ assumed the form of a Women not of a Man And that he was the author of their wicked Tenets They commended Eve for eating the forbidden fruit saying that by so doing she was the author of much happinesse to man They admitted Woman to Ecclesiastical functions making Bishops and Priests of them to preach and administer the Sacraments They mingled also the Sacramental Bread with humane Blood The Artotyritae were so called from offering Bread and Cheefe in the Sacrament in stead of Wine because our first Parents offered the fruits of the Earth and of sheep and because God excepted Abels sacrifice which was the fruits of his sheep of which Cheese cometh therefore they held cheese
of Christ 145. They rejected all married people as uncapable of Heaven and held that the Apostles perpetually abstained from marriage They had all things in common holding those unfit for Heaven who had any thing peculiar to themselves They denied repentance and reconciliation to those that fell after Baptism In stead of the Evangelists they used Apocrypha books as the Gospel according to the Egyptians the act of Andrew and Thomas These Hereticks were called also Apotactitae by the Latines and by the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from renouncing of the world Q. 22. What was the Religion of the Sabellians Originians and Originists A. The Sabellians were indeed all one in opinion with the Noetians but this name grew more famous then the other for Sabellius an African by birth was a better scholar then Noetus Sabellianisme began to be known about the year of Christ 224. under the persecution of Valerian They held there was but one person in the Trintry whence it followeth that the Father suffered therefore they were named Patripassiani This one Person or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say they is called by divers names as occasion serves The Originians were so called from one Origines a Monk who lived in Egypt and was disciple to Antony These condemned marriage extolled concubinat and yet were enemies to propagation committing the sin of Onan They also reject such books of the old and new Testament as seem to favour marriage The Origenists or Adamantians wree so called from that famous Origen who for his constancy in times of persecution and for his inexhausted labours was named Adamantïus His errours began to spred about the year of Christ 247. under Aurelian the Emperour and continued above 334. years They were condemned first in the council of Alexandria 200. years after his death and again in the fifth generall council of Constantinople under Iustinian the first they held 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a Revolution of souls from their estate and condition after death into the bodies again to converse in the world and so by denying the perpetuity of our future estate either in heaven or hell by consequence they denyed the Resurrection of the flesh They held also that the punishments of the Devils and Reprobates should last only a 1000. years and then should be saved They taught that Christ and the holy Ghost do no more see the Father then we see the Angels that the Son is coessential to the Father but not coeternal because say they the Father created him as he did also the holy Spirit That the soules were created long before this world and for sinning in Heaven were sent down into their bodies as into prisons They did also overthrow the whole historical truth of Scriptures by their allegories Q. 23. What was the Religion of the Samosatenians and Photinians A. Paulus Samosatenus was so called from Samosata where he was born near Euphrates His Scholars were called Paulinians and Samosatenians and afterward Photinians Lucians and Marcellians from these new teachers Their beleef was that Christ was meerly man and had no being till his incarnation This Heresie was taught 60. years before Samosatenus by Artemon and was propagated afterward by Photinus Lucian and Marcellus Arrius and Mahomet They held that the Godhead dwelt not in Christ bodily but as in the Prophets of old by grace and efficacy and that he was onely the external not the internal word of God Therefore they did not baptize in his name for which cause the Councel of Nice rejected their baptisme as none and ordered they should be rebaptiâ— zed who were baptized by them This heresie under the name of Samosatenus brake out about 232. years after Christ and hath continued in the Eastern parts ever since The Photinians so called from Photinus born in the lesser Galatia held the same heresie with Samosatenus and began to propagate it about the year of Christ 323. at Syrmium where he was Bishop under Canstantius the Emperor and before him Marcellus his master under Constantine the great publickly taught it affirming also that the Trinity was the extention of the divinity which is dilated into three and contracted again into one like wax being contracted may be dilated by heat This heresie was much spread under Valens the Arrian Emperor 343. years after Christ. Q. 24. What was the Manichean Religion A. Manes a Persian by birth and a Servant by condition was Father of the Manichean Sect which was the sink of almost all the former heresies for from the Marcionites they derived their opinion of two Principles or gods one good the other bad With the Encratites they condemned the eating of flesh egges and milk they held also with the Anthropomorphites that God had members and that he was substantially in every thing though never so base as dung and dirt but was separated from them by Christs comming and by the Elect Manicheaâ—s eating of the fruits of the Earth whose intestins had in them a cleansing and separating vertue They condemned also the use of wine as being the gall of the Princes of darknesse With Marcion also they rejected the Old Testament and currilated the New by excluding Christs Genealogies and said that he who gave the Law was not the true God They babled also that there was a great combat between the Princes of darknesse and of light in which they who held for God were taken captives for whose redemption God laboureth still With the Ophites they held that Christ was the Serpent which deceived our first Parents and with divers of the precedent Hereticks not onely did they deny Christs Divinity but his Humanity also affirming that he fained himself to suffer die and rise again and that it was the Devil who truly was crucified With Valentinus they taught that Christs body was fixed to the Stars and that he redeemed only our souls not our bodies With the former Hereticks they denyed the Resurrection and with Pythagoras held transanimation With Montanus Manes held that he was the true Paraâ—let or comforter which Christ promised to send With the Gentiles they worshipped the Sun Moon and some Idols With Anaxagoâ—As they held the Sun and Moon to be ships and taught that one Schacla made Adam and Eve They make no scruple to swear by the creatures they give to every man two contrary souls which still struggle in him With the Poets they held that the heaven was supported by the shoulders of one whom they called Laturanius They make the soul of man and of a tree the same in essence as being both of them a part of God with the former hereticks also they condemned marriage and permitted promiscuous copulation and that not for procreation but for pleasure They rejected baptisme as needlesse and condemned alms-giving or works of charity they make our will to sin natural and not acquired by our fall as for sin they make it a
George Maior one of Luthers disciples who taught that no man nay not infants can be saved without good works But it s ridiculous to expect good works from Infants who have not as yet the use of reason nor organs fit for operation 4. Osiandrists so called from Andrew Osiander a Lutheran who taught that Christs body in the Sacrament suffered was corruptible and died again directly against Scripture saying that Christ being risen from the dead dieth no more death hath no more dominion over him He taught also that we are not justified by faith or works but by the essential righteousnesse of Christ dwelling in us But the essential righteousnesse of Christ is the righteousnesse of his divinity which is not communicable nor separable from him 5. Augustinians in Bohemia these taught that none went to heaven or hell till after the last judgement whereas Christ tells the contrary to the good thiefe this day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and affirmeth that the soul of Lazarus was carried by Angels into Abrahams bosom and Dives into hell Wherefore did Christ ascend to heaven but that we might be where he is They make also dormice or swallows of mens souls saying that they sleep till the resurrection if Saint Steven when he was dying had known this Doctrin he would not have called upon the Lord Jesus to receive his spirit The story also of Lazarus and Dives doth overthrow this conceit They say also that Christs human nature is not as yet ascended into heaven which directly overthroweth our Creed in that article as likewise the Scriptures and withall the hope and comfort of a Christian. 6. Stancarians so called from one Francis Stancarus a Mantuan who taught that Christ justifieth us and is our mediator only according to his humane nature whereas our redemption is the work of the whole person and not of one natâ—re alone 7. Adamites so called from one Adam author of the Sect they use to be naked in their Stoves and Conventicles after the example of Adam and Eve in Paradise And therefore when they marry they stand under a Tree naked having onely leaves of trees upon their privities they are admitted as brethren and sisters who can without lust look upon each others nakedness but if they cannot they are rejected 8. Sabbatharâ—anâ— so called because they reject the observation of the Lords day as not being commanded in Scripture and keep holy the Sabbath day onely because God himselfe rested on that day and commanded it to be kept But they forget that Christ came to destroy the Ceremonial Law wherof the Sabbath in respect of the seventh day was a branch and therefore Christ himself brake it when he commanded the sick man whom he cured to carry home his bed on that very day 9. Clancuâ—arii were those who professed no religion with their mouth thinking it sufficient to have it in their heart They avoid all Churches and publick meetings to serve God thinking their private houses to be better then Temples whereas they should remember that private prayers cannot be so effectual as publick neither is it enough to believe with the heart except we also confesse with the mouth for he that is ashamed to confesse Christ before men shall not be confessed by Christ before his Father and his holy Angels 10. Davidistae so called from one David George a Hollâ—nder he gave himselfe our to be the Messiah sent by the holy Spirt to restore the house of Israel that the Scriptures were imperwect and that he vas sent to bring the true Law and Doctrine that the â—oul was pure from sin and that the body onely sinned whereas indeed they both concur in the act of sinning and therefore are both punishable especially the Soul which is the chiefe agent the body is but the instrument He taught also that a man may have many Wives to replenish spiritual Paradise that it was no sin to deny Christ with the mouth so long as they believed on him in their heart He rejected also the books of Moses 11. Mennonists so called from one Mennon a Fâ—â—eslander These deny Christ to be born of Mary affiâ—ming that he brought his flesh from Heaven he called himselfe the Judge of men and Angels 12. Qeistae and 〈◊〉 who taught there were three distinct Gods differing in degrees One George Paul of Cracovia is held to be author of this Sect. 13. Antitrinitarians these being the spawn of the old Arrians and Samosatenians deny the Trinity of Persons and the two natures of Christ their author was Michael Servetus a Spaniard who was burned at Geneva 14. Antimarians who denied Maries Virginity affirming she had other children besides Christ because there is mention made of Christs brethren in the Gospel this is the old Heresie of Cerinthus and Helvidius whereas they consider not that in Scripture those of the same kinred are called brothers So is Lot called Abrahams brother and Lâ—â—an Iacobs Unckle is called his brother 15. Antinomians who reject the Law affirming there is nothing required of us but faith this is to open a wide gap for all â—mpiety Christ came not as he saith himselfe to abolish the Law but to fulfil it If there be no use of the Law then they must deny Gods justice and that it is now an uselesse attribute of the divinity â—16 Infernaleâ— these held that Christ descended into no other hell but into the grave onely and that there is no other hel but an evil conscience whereas the Scripture speaketh of hell fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels and calls it the bottomlesse pit c. 17. Bequinians so called from one Boquinus their Master who taught that Christ did not die for the wicked but only for the faithful so they make him not to be the Saviour of mankind and of the world but a particular Saviour only of some wheras Saint Iohn saith that Christ is the reconciliation for our sins and not for ours onely but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Iohn 2. 2. 18. Hutistes so called from one Iohn Hut who take upon them to prefix the very day of Christs comming to judgement whereas of that day and hour knoweth no man nay not the Angels in Heaven 19. Invisibiles so called because they hold that the Church of Christ is invisible which if it be in vain did he compare it to a City built upon a hill â—â—in vain also doth he counsel us to tell the Church if our brother wil not be reformed in vain also doth the Apostle warn Bishops Presbyteries to look to their stock to rule the Church which Christ hath purchased with his blood Act. 20. How can he be called the sheepherd of that â—â—ock which he neveâ— saw 20. Qnintinistae so called from one Quintinus of Bicardy a Tailour He was author of the Libertins who admit of all Religions Some of them mock at all Religions at that Lucianist who â—rot a book of the three Impostors
this life our sinnes are still inherent in us though they be not imputed to us that wee are justified by faith without works and that faith is never without charity that the best of our works deserve damnation that here we may be assured of our justification and salvation that the Church Liturgy ought not to be read in Latin but in the vulgar tongue that faith is a more excellent vertue then charity that there is no merit in us that in this life we cannot possibly fulfil the Law that to invocate the Saints to worship Images and Reliques or the Crosse is Idolatry that usury is not altogether unlawful that Lent and other set Fasts are not to be kept that there be onely two Scaraments Baptisme and the Lords supper and that the Sacraments cannot justifie or confer grace that the Baptisme of water is not of absolute necessity nor depends the efficacy of it from the intention of the Minister nor ought it to be administered by private men or women in private houses That Christ is not corporally in the Eucharist that in the want of Bread and wine other materials may be used and that Wine alone without Water is to be used that there is no Transubstantiation nor ought to be any adoration of the Bread that the â—up should be administred to all that Extream Unction was onely temporary in the Church that the Clergy ought to marry He rejected also the Church-Hierarchy and Ceremonies and exorcisms Penance also Confirmation Orders Matrimony and Extream Unction from being Sacraments Q. 15. What other opinions in Religion were held this age A. Servetus a Spaniard who was burned at Genevâ— taught with the Sabellians that there was but one Person in God and that there was in Christ but one nature with Eutychees he denied the holy Ghost and Baptisme to Infants which he would have to be deferred till the thirtieth year of their age He held also that God was Essential in every creature Brentius a Lutheran taught that Christs body after its ascension is every where whence sprung up the Vbiquitaries Castelliâ— a School-Master in Geneva held that the Canticles was not Scripture but a Love Ballade between Solomon and one of his Concubines One Postellus taught that men of all Sects and Professions should be saved by Christ. Oâ—iander held that we were justified not by â—aith but by the Essential righteousnesse of God which he said was the formal cause of our justification One 〈◊〉 a Maâ—tuan taught that Christ justified us not as he was God but as he was man Amsdorphius wrot a Book to prove that good works were pernicious to salvation One George Maiâ—r taught that Infants could not be justified for want of good works Iohn Agricâ—â—â— affirmed that the Law was altogether needlesse and that Christians were not tied to the observation thereof Hence sprung up the Antinomians One Steunbergetus in Morâ—via denyed the Trinity the Divinity of Christ the holy Ghost and Virginity of Mary he rejected also Baptisme and the Lords day affirming we had no command in Scripture to keep that but the Sabbath onely One Oâ—inus taught that â—olygamy or multiplicity of Wives was lawful One Valentinus Gentilâ—â— of Naples denied the Trinity and rejected the Creed of Athâ—â—â—â—ius One 〈◊〉 of Cracovia in â—oland denyed also the Trinity and thâ—â—ty of Essence and taught that neither the Second nor Third Person were God that Satan was created evil that mans intellect is eternal that our free will was a passive power moved necessarily by the appetite that God was the Author of sin and that the will of man in sinning was conformable to the will of God that it was not adultery to lie with another mans Wife that we must belive nothing but what is evident to sense or reason that the same body which dieth riseth not again that the soul perished with the body that there should be no care had of burial that separated souls could not suffer corporeal fire and that God being a Spirit should not be invocated by our mouth but by our heart One Swenkfeldius taught that the Scripture was not the Word of God nor that our faith depended on it but it rather on our faith That Christ brought his body with him from Heaven That Christs humanity became God after his ascension that every man was endowed with the same essential vertues of justice wisdom c. which were in God That the power and efficacy of Gods word preached was the very Son of God In Moravia there started up some professors called Nudipedales because they went bare-footed these in imitation of the Apostles forsook houses Lands Businesse and Children and lived together in common avoiding the society of other people Another Sect sprung up which called themselves Free Men teaching that they were freed from obedience to Magistrates from Taxes Tythes and other duties that after baptisme they could not sin That they were not onely like God but already deified And that it was lawful among themselves but no where else to have women in common Q. 16. Were there no other opinions held this Century A. Yes many more so vain and luxuriant are the wits of men in finding out many inventions and shaping to themselves forms and Ideas of Religions every one esteeming his own the best and as much in love with his own imaginations as Narcissus was with his shadow in the Water or Dercalion with his own picture Some reject Scriptures others admit no other writings but Scriptures Some say the Devits shall be saved others that they shall be damned others that there are no Devils at all Some hold that it is lawful to dissemble in Religion others the contrary Some say Antichrist is come some say not others that he is a particular man others that he is not a man but the Devil and others that by Antichrist is meant a succession of men some will have him to be Nero some Caligula some Mahomet some the Pope some Luther some the Turk some of the Tribe of Dan and so each man according to his fancy will make an Antichrist Some onely will observe the Lords day some onely the Sabbath some both and some neither Some will have all things in common some not Some will have Christs body onely in Heaven some everywhere some in the Bread others with the bread others about the bread others under the Bread and others that Christs body is the bread or the bread his body And others again that his body is transformed into his divinity Some wil have the Eucharist administred in both kinds some in one some not at all Some will have Christ descend to Hell in respect of his soul some onely in his power some in his divinity some in his body some not at all some by Hell understand the place of the damned some Limbus Patrum others the wrath of God others the state of the dead others the grave Some wil make Christ two Persons some give him but
5. They hold Baptisme a pure legal administration not proceeding from Christ but from Iohn 6. They jest the Scriptures that divine Legacy of our salvation out of all life reverence and authority quoting it in driblets and shreds to make it the more ridiculous In their Letters they endeavour to be strangely prophane and blasphemous uttering Athiesticall curses and impâ—ecations which is a kind of canting among them as among Cypsies as for exampe in one you have this stile My own heart blood from whom I daily receive life and being to whom is ascribed all honour c. thou art my garment of needle work my garment of salvation Eternal plagues consume you all rot sink damne your bodies and souls into devouring fire where none but those who walk uprightly can enter The Lord grant that we may know the worth of Hell that we may scorn heaven 7. Sinne is onely what a man imagines and conceives to be so within himself 8. Ordinances they account poore low things nay the perfections of the Scriptures is so inconsiderable in their apprehensions that they prâ—â—ead to lâ—ve above them their lives witnesse they live without them 9. If you ask them what christian Liberty is they will tell you that it consists in a community of all things and among the rest of women which they paint over with an expression call'd The enjoyment of the fellow creature 10. The enjoyment of the Fellow-creature cannot but be seconded with lascivious songs drinking of healths musick dancing and bawdry Lastly They are with the Anabaptists those that most of all kick against the pricks of Authority for Magistracy cannot have in it any thing more sacred than the Ministry so that they wish as much policy in the State as government in the Church which is none at all so to bring an Eygyptian darknes upon both that the world might be the less scandalised at their madnessâ—s extravagancies But this age which is much more fruitfull of Religions than of good works of Scripture-phrases than of Scripture practises of opinions than of piety hath spawned more religions than that Lady of Holland did Inâ—ant to mention all which were to weary both my self and the reader therefore I will content my self to mention some few more as the Independents Presbyterians c. Q. 17. What are the opinions of the Independents A. 1. These are so called because they will have every particular Congregation to be ruled by their own laws without dependence upon any other in Church matters 2. They prefer their own gathered Churches as they call them in private places to the publick congregations in Churches which they flight calling them steeple-houses 3. They hold there is no use of learning or degrees in Schools for preaching of the Gospel and withall that maintenance of the Ministry by Tithes is Superstitious and Judaicall 4. They are against set forms of prayer chiefly the Lords prayer accounting such forms a choaking of the spirit 5. They give power to private men who are neither Magistrates nor Ministers to erect and gather Churches and to these also they give the power of election and ordination if we may call this ordination of deposition also and excommunication even of their own officers and finall determination of all Church causes 6. They commit the power of the Keyes in some places to women and publickly to debate and determine Ecclesiastick causes 7. They admit private men to administer the Sacraments and Magistrates to perform the Ministers office in marrying 8. They permit divorces in slight cases 9. They hold Independency to be the beginning of Christs Kingdome which is to be here on earth a thousand years 10. They place much Religion in names for they do not like the old names of Churches of the dayes of the week of the moneths of the year of Christmasse Michaelmasse Candlemasse c 11. In preaching they will not be tyed to a Text nor to prayer but they make one to preach another to pray a third to prophesie a fourth to direct the Psalm and another to blesse the people 12. They permit all gifted men as they call them to preach and pray and then after prophesying is ended they question the preacher in the points of his Doctrine 13. some of them allow no Psalms at all to be â—â—ng in publick calamities and will not suffer Woâ—â—en to sing Psalms at all 14 They will baptise no children but those of their own Congregations whom they esteem not members of their Church untill they have taken their Covenant 15. They in divers places communicate every Sunday among themselves but will not communicate with any of the reformed Churches 16. Whilest they are communicating there is neither reading exhortation nor singing not have they any preparation nor catechising before the communion and either they sit at Table or have no Table at all and because they would not seem to be superstitious in the time of administration they are covered 17. They allow their Ministers to sit in civil Courts and to voice in the choosing of Magistrates 18. They are against violent courses in matters of Religion nor will they have the conscience to be forced with fear or punishment but gently to be inclined by perswasion and force of argument in which point I commend their Christian moderation for in propagating the Gospel neither Christ nor his Apostles nor the Church for many hundred years did use any other sword but the word to bring men to Christ. Q. 18. What Tenets are held by the Independents of New England An. Besides those opinions which they hold with other Independent they teach that the spirit of God dwells personally in all the Godly 2. That their Revelations are equall in Authority with the Scriptures 3. That no man ought to be troubled in his Conscience for sinne being he is under the Covenant of grace 4. That the Law is no rule of our conversation 5. That no Christian should be prest to practise holy duties 6. That the Soul dieth with the body 7. That all the Saints upon earth have two bodies 8. That Christ is not united to our fleshly body but to the new body after the manner that his Humanity is united to his Divinity 9. That Christs Humanity is not in heaven 10. That he hath no other body but his Church 11. They reckon all Reformed Churches except themselves profane and unclean All these opinions savour of nothing but of pride carnall security blasphemy and slighting of Gods written word which is able to make the man of God perfect and wise unto salvation Q. 19. Vpon what grounds do the Independents forsake our churches An. Because they do not see the signes of grace in every one of our members but this ground is childdish for many are in the state of grace in whom we see no outward signes so was Saul when he persecuted the Church he was then a vessel of mercy and many in whom we
lyable to be censered as a brother Hence King Vzziah was excommunicate by the Priest Azariah and Theodâ—sius the Emperor by Ambrose Q. Will it follow that there must be no excommunication because Christ will not have the Tares plucked up till the Harvest A. 1. No for Christ speaketh there of Hypocâ—its which cannot be plucked up by the Church because she knoweth them not but in the great Harvest they shall be pluckt up by the Angels at his command who knows the secrets of the heart 2. If the place be meant of Hereticks they are not to be plucked up at such times as may endanger the Churches peace but they must be left to a convenient time when the Church may excommunicate them without danger or else left to the judgement of the great day 3. All Tares cannot be pluckt up whilest the Church is here Militant for there will be found still some Tares amongst the Corn some Goats among the Sheep a Iudas among the Apostles as there were Cananites and Iebusites among the Israelites 4. Christ by this condemns their rashnesse who presently go to pluck up and flye to excommunication before they use reproofe and admonition Q. Can the Minister exclude any man from the Kingdome of God A. 1. He cannot by his own power but by the power of him whose Minister he is 2. He cannot exclude any man from Heaven but he can pronounce and declare that such a man is excluded thence Q. Can the delivering of a man over to Satan be a means to save his spirit A. Yes accidentally for God can draw good out of evil and light out of darknesse thus the bufferings which Paul suffered by the Angel of Satan caused him to pray heartily it is the special work of Gods mercy to save our souls by affliction and misery Q. Can an excommunicate person be accounted as a Brother A. Yes for excommunication takes not away true Brotherly love and affection an excommunicate person may be shut out of Heaven but not out of hope we may exclude him out of our Society but not of our â—owels of compassion and mercy we draw the Sword of excommunication against him not to kill but to cure him Who would be more fully resolved of these Presbyterian Tenets let him read their own writings Q. How many Erroneous opinions in Religion have been lately revived or hatched since the fall of our Church government A. It were almost endlesse to number every particular it may suffice that I shall name more then one hundred of the most ordinary and latest received of them which are 1. That the Scriptures are a humane invention insufficient and uncertain and do not contain half of his revealed will 2. That they are all allegoricall and written according to the private spirit of the pen-men and not as moved by the Holy Ghost And that the Old Testament is now of no force 3. That reason is the rule of faith 4. That Scripture binds us no further then the Spirit assureth us that such is Scripture 5. That Scripture should not be read to a mixt Congregation without present exposition 6. That God is the Author of the pravity and sinfulnesse of mens actions 7. That Turks Jewes Pagans and others are not to be forced from their opinions 8. That God loves a crawling worme as well as a holy Saint 9. That Gods will not sin is the cause of mans damnation 10. That man was a living 〈◊〉 before God breathed into him and that which God breathed was a part of his divine essence 11. That God is the onely Spirit and that Prince of the aire who ruleth in the children of disobedience 12. That the soul dieth with the body 13. That reprobation cannot be proved out of Scripture 14. That there is no Trinity of persons in God 15. That every creature is God as every drop in the River is water 16. That Christ is not essentially but nominally God 17. That Christ was polluted with original sin 18. That Christ was true man when he created the world yet without flesh 19. That Christ died onely for sinners and not for unbelievers for sins past before our conversion but not for sins done after conversion 20. That no man is damned but for unbeliefe and that man can satisfie for his own unbeliefe 21. That Heathens have the knowledge of Christ by the Sun Moon and Stars 22. That the end of Christs comming was to preach Gods love to us and not to procure it for us therefore did not obtain life for the Elect but a resurrection only and deliverance us from death temporal 23. That Christ preached not the Gospel but the Law for the Gospel was taught by his Apostles 24. That our unction is all one with Christs Divinity 25. That Christ with the Church of Jewes and Gentiles shall reigne one Earth a 1000 years in carnall pleasures 26. That the Heathens are saved without Christ. 27. That the Spirit of God neither dwells nor works in any but it is our own spirit which both works in the children of disobedience and sanctifies the Elect. 28. That God seeth no sin in his Elect. 29. That a man baptized with the Holy Ghost knows all things as God doth 30. That we may be saved without the word prayer Sacraments c. 31. That there is no inherent sanctification in believers but all is in Christ. 32. That Adam had died though he had not sinned 33. That we have no original sin nor is any man punished for Adams sin 34. That Gods Image consisteth onely in the face which Image was never lost 35. That men who know the Gospel are of themselves able to believe 36. That one man is not more spiâ—itual then another 37. That we have no free will not so much as in our natural estate 38. That the moral Law is of no use among Christians 39. That we are not justified by faith and that neither faith nor holinesse nor repentance are required in Christians 40. That the childe of God can no more sin then Christ himselfe can 41 That there should be no fasting days under the Gospel 42. That God doth not chastise his children for sin 43. That God loves his children as well when they sin as when they do well and therefore Abraham in denying his Wife sinned not 44. That Gods children ought not to ask pardon for their sinnes for though they have sin in the flesh they have none in the conscience 45. That the body of iniquity is the great Antichrist mentioned in Scripture 46. That men shal have other bodies given them in the resurrection and not the same they had here on Earth 47. That Heaven is empty of souls till the resurrection 48. That Infants shall not rise at all yet Beasts and Birds shall rise againe 49. That after this life there is neither Heaven nor Hell nor Devil but Hell is in this life in the terrours of conscience 50. That there is no true Ministery nor Church