alloweth They therfore should now sin greeuously against the iustice maiestie of God they should draw themselues into Gods wrath hardē y e heart destroie the soule of the other yea ◅uē opē a gap wide doore vnto the whole church to sin who seing such foreslacking of iudgment would take boldnes vpō hope to find repentance time inough They that giue anie further time vpon pitie or anie other fleshlie reason cōdemne the Lord of cruelty rashnes who giueth no further time after publike reproofe exhortation despised So that to y t ◅eaden ◅ule of proceeding to excommnnication with a leaden heele whē the sin is thus ripe I oppose this golden rule to remooue sinne out of the church with the wings of a Storke the wind vnder their wings yet first that the Epha be lifted vp betwixt the earth the heauē that the sin be publikly seene publiklie censured Now for this same new found cēsure of suspension which they these Reformists would bring in exercise in stead of excommunicatiō or as they pr◅tend as a preparatiue to excommunicatiō wherby they may first be shut out from the holiest of all out of the chancel where the Priest by sole authoritie raigneth so by degrees proceed to excommunication to shut him out of the church also if he repent not what doth this their wisdome pi◅ie but comdemne the Lord of follie crueltie or rather shew forth their owne presumption follie y t thus forsake condemne the waies of the Lord as vnequall by bringing in following their owne waies as more equall How can these forgers th◅se coyners of religion seeme sue to cast out the heape of humane traditions as contrarie such as cannot be ioined vnto or with the Testament of Christ yet bring in these forgeries of their owne for so I may iustlie cal them from whencesoeuer they haue deriued them if not from the booke of God But least I be noted of preiudice to find fault with the thing I know not to condemne before I haue conuinced let vs in a word or two see how thi◅ timber of these accordeth to the rest of the building and vpon vvhat socket or foundation yt standeth This suspension we find to be a publike seperation putting away of some opē offendor vnworthie receauer frō the Table of y ◠Lord by the Pastor before excōmunication he yet being held a member of their Church cōmunicating with thē in praiers cōtributiō c. Heere I must not be vnderstood of the yonger sort which are not as yet admitted to the Table of the Lord the seed of the faithful of thē called Cate◅umenoi but of such as haue beene partakers therof and are vnder the censures of the Church Let vs now see how lawful yt is for the whole Church but especiallie for anie one mēber as of his owne sole authoritie to shut out such members from the Table of the Lord before or otherwise then by excommunication That this may be done let vs see wh◅t the Table of the Lord is The Apostle thus defineth yt The cup of blessing which we blefs◅ is yt not the communiō of the blood of CHRIST the bread which we breake is yt not the communion of the bodie of CHRIST because we manie are one bread one bodie for al participate of one bread Heere we see this Table or Sup◅ of the Lord a liuelie and most comfortable s◅mbole of our communion with CHRIST as also ech with other in Christ excellently shewing vnto vs the meanes mauer of our redemption to stir vs vp vnto thankfulnes to reioice in our God praise his name therfore to the generall strengthning of all our faithes and to the mutuall binding vs together in all holie duties and loue c. Here we see the Table of the Lord to be publike free open alike cōmon to all Saints ech one hauing a like interest necessity vse comfort therof the least as wel asmuch as the greatest CHRIST hauing alike died paied one and the same ransome for them all that they all might haue a like interest in him feed and feast through one and the same Spirit faith hope ioy in him Which interest power ioy c. no mo◅tall man not the whole Church much lesse any member therof no nor hell gates shalbe able to plucke from the least member of CHRIST whiles he remaineth and abideth in the body A most vnnaturall part were yt in the mother to plucke away the brest from the child wherby yt should be nourished but though y e mother might do this murther her owne child without blame yet the whole Church cannot driue away or keep out the least of these mēbers frō any publike action of the Church much les◅e seperate them frō this heauēly comfort free publike cōmunion whiles they remaine members of CHRIST are not cut off from his body Further seing this Table is called The communion of the body blood of Christ as also the communion of the whole church who can keepe back any such member as still remaineth in the body of CHRIST in his Church without depriuing him of this cōmuniō of CHRIST of the Church and so of life for except they ◅ate the flesh of the Sonne of man and drinke his blood they can haue no life in them But these men keepe them from the body blood of CHRIST from the communion of CHRIST and of the Church therfore also frō life yt self and so in seeming to correct him lightly they kill him out right for more then this can they not do by this orderly excōmunication which they hold so rigoious Such as shall cauil at these words Except ye shall eate the flesh of the Sonne of man c. saijng that I popishly abuse the place let them cauil though I acknowledg that many thowsands that neuer attained y e symbole of the supper yet do feed of that body blood of CHRIST by faith vnto eternall life yet this I say that such as by censure are put backe from the Table of the Lord are cut from the communion of CHRIST of his Church and so from life For if he haue not communion with Christ and his Church he can haue no life he cannot be both thus s◅perate from their communion and haue yt together They that pluck away the seale cancell the deed but they pluck away the seale of the couenant in that for his sin they debarre him from this comfortable communion which is yet more then the seale in that yt bringeth such present effect and comfort Therfore they as far as man can doe cut him from Christ his couenant by this their idol suspension Now then hauing thus shut him out of their cōmunion how should they hold him in ythauing thus cut him off from Christ and the bandes that should bind him to Christ to the Saints how can they hold him a
then is not God serued with his owne â—…est gifâ—…s Is not the iudgment of the Prophet then vpoÌ„ them which â—…aith Cursed be the deceiuer which hath in his flock a male yet voweth and â—…acrificeth vnto the Lord a corrupt thing Is this old rotten Leitâ—…urgis their new songs they sing vnto the Lord with and for his graces May fuch old written rotten stuffe be called â—…ier the odours of the Saintes burnt with that heauenly fire of the â—…ltar the liuely graces of the spirit c. may reading be said praying â—…ay such apocrypha trumperie be brought into the church os God there be read reuerenced receaued as the sacred word of God â—…hrust vpon mens consciences yea vpon God himself whether he wil oâ—… no Is not this presumptuously to vndertake to teach the Spirit of God to take away his office which as hath beene said instructeth â—…l the children of God to pray eneÌ„ with inward sighes grones 〈◊〉 giueth both wordes vtteraÌ„ce yea as the Apostle 〈◊〉 â—…th we need no other teacher to these thinges then that annoinâ—…ing which we haue receaued and dwâ—…lleth in vs. Is not this if â—…hey wil haue their written stuffe to be held vsed as praier to bind â—…he holy Ghost to the froth leaueÌ„ of their lips as yt were to the holy â—…ord of God Is it not vtterly to quench extinguish the Spirit of God both in the ministerie people whiles they tye both theÌ„ God â—…o â—…heir stinted numbred praiers Is this the 〈◊〉 vnisormitie that ought to be in al Churches â—…s amongst al Christes seruantes to make them agree in a stinking 〈◊〉 diuisâ—…d apocrypha Leituâ—…gie good for nothing but for cushâ—… pillowes for the idle priestes profane carnal Atheistes to rock them a sleepe and keep them in securitieâ—… wherby the coÌ„science is no way either touched edified or bettered Truly I am ashamed to think much more to write of so grosse filthie abhominacion so generally receaued euen of al estates of these partes of the world who haue by a popish custom tradition receaued yt one of from an other without any warrant from the word For the Apostles I am sure these maister builders haue left no such president in or coÌ„mandement vnto the churches neither giueÌ„ theÌ„ any such power to bring in or set vp any such apocrypha Lyturgie in the church of God They alwaies vsed spiritual praiers according to their present wantes occasions so taught all churches to pray alwaies with all maner of praier supplication in the spirit therby to make knowen theiâ—… wantes shew their requestes in al thinges vnto God their heauenly father Our Sauiour Christ also he taught his disciples that God is a Spirit wil be worshipped in spirit truth He hath likewise set downe most excellent rules a most absolute forme for al praiers in that part of scripture Math. 6. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. commonly but falsly called the Lords praier wherin he hath most notably instructed directed and restrained our ignorant inordinate desires to those excellent heades In which whatsoeuer is needful for vs to desire or lawful foâ—… vs to pray is in some one or other of those branches included eueriâ—… one of them being a base foundatioÌ„ whervpoÌ„ wherby to frame many millions of seueral pâ—…ticions according to the seueral wantes occasions at such seueral times as the Saintes haue cause to pray They are all of them so many euerrunning fountaines from which Godes seruantes by the holy Ghost deriue draw continually fresh new graces are al together such an abisme vnmeasured sea of wisdome from which al Christes seruantes thorough the world haue alwaies fetched all their knowledg graces coÌ„fort assurance of and in their praiers according to the capatitie of the vessel of their faith some more some lesse al some yet haue not al of theÌ„ together much lesse any one of them is able in the litle dish of his shallow vnderstanding to comprise the vnmeasurable depth greatnes of this OceaÌ„ of al wisdome grace Wherby yt is euident as also by the circumstaÌ„ces maner of deliuering the same by our Sauiour CHRIST by his Apostles Disciples Churches spiritual vse of praier according to their present estate wantes that these prescript wordes were not giuen oâ—… inioyned as a prescript praiâ—…r so to be vsed by any euen the wiseâ—…t much lesse the simpler vnbroken vp vnexpounded c. so much as a coÌ„peÌ„dious summarie of all necessarie knowledg rules for al praier gathered by the Author of all wisdome into a brief for the directioÌ„ instruction of our weaknes ignorance Of which endes vses whiles some are ignorant or rather aâ—… their grosse idolatrie carnal dulnes superstitious presumption sheweth are ignorant either what faithful praier or the spirit of God is whiles they both popishly abuse this scripture as a principal collect in their publike leitourgiâ—… with their often idle repetition therof fiue times in their morrow masse c. also through this abuse they grow further bold to mould a new calfe a nâ—…w Leiâ—…ourgie of their owne set that vp also in the church of God as they count yt Yfyt were granted theÌ„ that this scripture sundry psalmes and other scriptures they alledg out of the prophetts were coÌ„manded â—…nioyned to be read vsed as for the very praiers of the church â—…f the Saintes then which nothing caÌ„ be more false or grosly fond to â—…onceaue yet which way if this were granted theÌ„ can they hereby â—…roue yt lawful for them to bring in their owne apocrypha diuises â—…et them yp in the church as with the holy canonical word of God May their sâ—…inking filth be compared or placed with the heauenly liâ—…ely word of God without vnsufferable blasphemie may the froth of â—…heir lips follie of their heartes be thrust vpon mens consciences â—…ea euen vpon the Spirit of God himself in this manâ—…r In the church â—…f God may nothing come or be heard but the canonical scriptures â—… liuely graces of Godes Spirit according to the same But these their â—…pocrypha Leitourgies can neither be said the word of God neither â—…e liuely graces oâ—… Gods Spirit according to the same word sâ—…ing â—…ey were made coÌ„ceiued loÌ„g before are wholy thus vsed withâ—…ut waâ—…ant example or coÌ„mandement in the word of God yea are â—…ontrary tâ—…l the rules of sor praier to the exercise vse of Gods â—…pirit directly set against al the lawes of the first Table by worshipâ—…ng God in vaine after their owne traditions preceptes diuises â—… not according to his holy Wil commandement Can these men think that because God commandeth his liuely â—…ord to be read or sung in the church promiseth a blessing therâ—…nto whiles
calleth â—…he Lords praier or any one particular branch of yt properly to be said â—… praier that is such an exercise or offring as the Saintes by the â—…orke of the Spirit in them offer vnto God through IESVS CHRIST â—…either followeth y t because euerie branch conteineth either a requesâ—… request of some benefite or the deliuerance from some euil that therfore yt is a praier For this yt is as yt is written in the booke though yt be neuer read therfore I may by M â— Some his reason Logick conclude that the booke also praieth because all these branches are in the booke and all these branches are such praiers Neither yet doth the reading of these scriptures make yt a praier any more then the reading of the scripture maketh a sermon there is required a litle more worke of the Spirit in both In the onâ—… to the explication application of the scripture read in the other to the powring out expressing the desireâ—… and estate of the heart in faith For yt sufficeth not that al our wantes or whatsoeuer we can aske or stand in need of are there expressed what booteth that me I can aske or receaue no more then mine owne faith extendeth vnto An enwrapped faith will not serue or saue me this were to conclude because iâ—… the bible is all wisdome and Doctoâ—… Some hath the bible therfore he hath al wisdome In this scripture iâ—… all praier therfore wheÌ„ I haue said or read this scripture I haue praied all maner of praier What pitifull blind yea popish pernicious reâ—…sons are these For saith this Doctor he is vnlearned that knoweth not that all petitions are contayned within the compasse of may be deduced from the Lordes praier Therfore when we reade or say the Lordes praier we pray for the Queene for the Nauie c. and all other petitioâ—…s that we need inclusiuely that vntill I can proue that all petitions are not therin concluded I gaine nothing by this reason in thaâ—… I alledge that neither our particular nor present wantes are therin expressed and therfore yt cannot be said our praier Doth this Doctoâ—… know what either faith or praier meaneth Can any thing be deuised more popish or idolatrous then this popish in that he maketh praieâ—… without faith vnderstanding or knowledg of the thing we say yea giueth meed to the verie saijng ouer these wordes Idolatrous in that hâ—… putteth holines and vertue in the wordes vnderstood For let me aske of him which way that can be said a priuate praier where my wordâ—… expresse not my heart were yt not rather an idle superstitious or fond futilitie a taking of the Lordes name in vaine I would also vnderstand of him whether any such publike praier may be vsed in the congregation which is not vnderstood of all and whither to the simpleâ—… sort he might not almost pray in an vnknowen tongue as well or hoâ—… should they vnderstand this without some particuler explicatioÌ„ or application Therfore by these vnfallible reasons we may conclude thâ—… this scripture neither any other can be vsed either priuatly or publikly as our praier without some further worke of the Spirit in vs. But he hath for this an euasioÌ„ namely that our knowledg is here buâ—… in part and therfore we may vnderstand in measure and so haue vse oâ—… this as a praier If he meane priuate praier though I in some measuâ—… may by such a speedy reading vnderstand somwhat yet this vnderstanding nothing expresseth so much as instructeth my present heaâ—… therfore yt cannot be said or vsed as my praier For euerie knowledg â—…r vnderstanding maketh not praier neither doe we heere reason of â—…ecret or inward praier but of pronounced praier Yf he meane pubâ—…ike praier yt is manifest that whole Ioaues vnbroken vp or vndeuiâ—…ed may not be set before children especially in their praiers which 〈◊〉 a publike actioÌ„ of the whole church must be vnderstood of the â—…hole church But be yt graÌ„ted him to be vnderstod of al the church â—…et euerie braÌ„ch being so infinite froÌ„ whence spring are deriued so â—…any infinite petitioÌ„s how now in this case shal they al w th one heart â—…e mind and one mouth be said to praise God when their mindes 〈◊〉 thus discracted their thoughtes dispersed one about one thing 〈◊〉 other about an other euen so many seueral as there are diuersitie â—…f thinges in the world of conceites and armies of thoughts in men â—…me shal aske priuate thinges whiles others aske publike How â—…ould this be auoided though al the church were as learned as this â—…octor mistaketh himself to be And this we know that publike praiâ—…rs must so be made as they may be with ane accord that all may be â—…nderstood that all may say Amen But saith this Doctor I then take away the vse of this Scripture â—…o but the abuse rather For how should yt now be vsed as a praier â—…ithout these popish errors grosse absurdities and heinous idolatrie â—…herin this popish Doctor al the priestes of the laÌ„d fal whiles they â—…se yt some of them saying yt for all their wantes at once that they â—…ight soone haue done others fiue times in a morning next their â—…eart for al the weeke after or vntil wednesday or friday that they â—…aue seruice againe Other more smooth hypocrites yet as grosse dolaters vse yt as a close or supplie forsooth to their loÌ„g prolixe â—…raiers coÌ„ceaued before with this preaÌ„ble FOR THESE al other graâ—…es necessarie let vs say the Lords praier What can be more grosse â—…opish idolatrous supersticious theÌ„ this doe they not heerby put hoâ—…nes in the wordes why should they els vse theÌ„ after they haue praieâ—…â—…s God hath giuen theÌ„ vtterance by his Spirit doe they not fall into â—…he same errors abuses inconueniences aboue shewed confuted Heere I had like to haue forgotteÌ„ one of our Doctors maine reaâ—…ons which he bringeth to shut vp the point that is this yt hath â—…men added in the end therfore yt is a praier Had yt not beene pittie â—…o haue lost this reason why your A. b. c. before the catechisme of the â—…hurch of England hath both the signe of the crosse â—…ittle title est Amen â—…et I neuer heard yt taken for a praier Christ himself is called Amen â—…hal I therfore say that he or the whole written word of God which is â—…alled Amen also is a praier Moreouer I find yt after Luke without AmeÌ„ â—…ea without For thine is the kingdome the power c. now would I know of â—…ou after which Euangelist I must say yt And thus being wearied â—…ith your friuolous reasoÌ„s nothing refreshed with your vnsauorie â—…arren notes wherwith whiles you would haue opened you haue roiâ—…ed shut vp those heauenly puâ—…e fountaines neither yet resting in â—…our interpretation of much lesse in your collection from this word Amen I betake you when you
of election only inioyning them to choose some vniuersitie clarke one of these colledg birds of their owne brood or els comes a Synode in the necke of them and â—…dnihilats the election whatsoeueâ—…â—…t be They haue also a trick to stoppe yt before yt come so far namely in the ordinatioÌ„ which must forsooth needes be done by other Priâ—…sts for the Church that chooseth him hath no power to ordeyne him And this makes the mother Church of Geneuâ—… and the Duch classes I dare not say the secrete classes in England to make ministers for vs in England And these ministers when they are come ouer are receaued and esteemed as Angels in hell shine as bright starrs in these smoky Egyptian fornaces wherin the miserable people of the land are kept in most harde seruitude daily new taskes layd vpoÌ„ them by this spiritual 〈◊〉 Antichrist so far are these new guides whome they trust froÌ„ leading them freely with the Lordes banner of the Gospell displaied before them as you see they would be glad of anie of Pharaohs coÌ„ditions their suite at the best intendement and vttermost course being but to worship God in Egipt to haue these tyrannous taske-maisters their Lord Bishops their attendants takeÌ„ from them Most willing they are with al their people to remaine in spiritual bondage to the ciuil magistrate I would not heere be misvnderstood of that lawful bodily obedience which al Christians owe in al lawful things vnto the ciuil magistrate But these vncleane spirites are gone out vnto the Kinges of y e earth to gather them into battell against God his Christ to make thâ—…m not only to cast Christs bandes from them but to tie him in their bâ—…ndes keeping awaie vpon their regal authoritie what part of Christs lawes they lyst from the Church and laying what lawes of their owne they lyst vpoÌ„ the Church Alas what a dangerous fearful abuse of their authoritie is this they are not made Kinges to reigne ouer Christ or to giuâ—… him lawes but to honour and worship the sonne to cast downe their Scepters at his feete not to disturbe or hinder his saintes from the free and sincere practise of his Testament but to incourage them and goe before them therin as king Dauid did dauncing recoicing before the Arke Princes are equally bound to the keeping of all Godes lawes as the meanest or any other shal for the breaâ—…h therof not escape the iudgment of that Lion of the tribe of Iudâ—… whâ—… wil tread vpon Princes as the prophet saith as clay when he treadeth the great winepresse without the citie This is the portioÌ„ of al the Lordes enemies to this banket doe these false Prophets with their perfidie and â—…latterie bring them that they cannot endure to be reprooued of God himself by his word to which they can at no hand endure to be made subiect Therfore they hate persecute him that rebukerh in the gate they abhor him that speaketh vprightly and rule all thinges after their owne lustes And sure eueÌ„ this incorrigible pride wickednes of Princes magistrates which would by no meanes be brought to the obedience of the Gospel first draue the Anabaptistes into their deuili h conceits of theÌ„ that no Prince or magistrate could be saued afterward thâ—…t theiâ—… veriâ—… office functioÌ„ are vtterlie vnlawful in the kingdome of Christ which wicked heresies as they haue no ground in y â— word of God the ciuil magistracie being the blessed ordinance of God for the defence of Christs Gospel Sainctes therfore al humble obedieÌ„ce therunto coÌ„maÌ„ded as vnto the Lord himself this both by our Sauiour Christâ—… owne exaÌ„ple the continual exhortations coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„ts of his Apostles in al their epistles vnto the churches so caÌ„ these Anabâ—…ptistical heresies no way be better refuted takeÌ„ out of the hearts of al meÌ„ at once theÌ„ by the humble submissioÌ„ of Princes magistrates vnto the Throne Scâ—…pter of Christ theÌ„ by bringing their glorie honour vnto y e church according to the coÌ„fortable prophecies of the scriptures O what â—… coÌ„fort were this to Christs poore laÌ„bes to â—…ee the LioÌ„ so humbled as to eate hay together with theÌ„ in the mountaine of the Lord not to liue of y e rauine spoile of y â— poore sheepe so as they dare not come aneere theÌ„ for their fiercenes What a ioy were yt to see Gods ordinaÌ„ces thus vnited to see Moses Aaroâ—… brethren this in the glorious spirituall Temple of God where Christ shalbe Hhimmanuel God with vs rule guide feed sanctifie vs euery one in their callings O what a heauenlie communion should this be what a beautie what a ioy to the whole earth But ô how far are we from this coÌ„fort our magistrates froÌ„ this happines whiles they giue their eare to the serpent speaking out of the mouth of the false prophet that blasphemeth Christ his ordinances accuseth his saints vnto theÌ„ whiles they giue their power vnto the Beast y t traÌ„pleth Christs Testamet vnder their feete couÌ„teth y â— blood therof as a coÌ„moÌ„ thing y â— setteth vp the image of his owne deuises causeth al meÌ„ of al degrees to worship the same al such as in feare faith vnto God refuse so to doe those in al hostile maÌ„ner they confiscate persecute imprison inclose make away without aniâ—… equal hearing of their cause or once bringing yt to light This their blasphemous writings sermoÌ„s y e publike worship estate of their church their prisons generally through London the land declare They haue published in their writings That the orders ordinances which Christ hath inâ—…is Testament left vnto â—…is Church were but temporarie whiles â—…he Church â—…as vnder heathen tyrants and that where the Gospel is embraced by a Christian Prince they are not onliâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but inconvenient yea intollerable as bringing the vtter subuersioÌ„ of the land 〈◊〉 vp tumulâ—… 〈◊〉 withdrawing the people from obedience vnto their magiâ—… a nuÌ„ber of such like execrable mandible blasphemies Reade that most blasphemous Pareâ—…thesis of T. C. esteemed the Bishop of Winchester beginning at y e73 page vnto y â— 84 of y t his Booke which he writ against the Libeller MARTIN MARPRELATE The wickednes falshood of whose deuilish calumniations y â— they may eueÌ„ sodenly appeare I wil adresse my self to prooue vnto him by the vndoubted euideÌ„ce of Gods word yâ—…strange PropositioÌ„ which he so coÌ„fidently coÌ„deÌ„neth in way of reprochful chaleÌ„ge to al Christs seruaÌ„tes propouÌ„deth namelie That there ought throughout alâ—…ges estates of y â— world in al places to be one y â— same forme of outward gouernmet in al true churches of Christ vnto the worlds end Scilicet thaâ—… Apostolike priminue patterne lefâ—… vnto 〈◊〉 in Christs new Testament none other And this through the assistance of Gods spirit
his Commandements and those per◅etuall such as he will haue to continue and be obserued of all his seruantes vnto the worlds end We see them no◅ onlie commāded vnto his Apostles that they should practise and teach them in their time or in time of per◅ecution but he chargeth his Apostles to teach all churches all Christians to keepe and obserue them at all times vntill the consummation and end of the world giuing vnto al his seruantes and churches the same power to practise and obserue all these his comandementes that he gaue vnto his Apostles plighting vpon such their faith and obedience his presence protection vnto them in these wordes And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world sealing the truth both of these his commandemetes and ordinances and also of this his couenant and protection vnto all ages with this his authentike seale with this word of all truth Amen So that me thinkes all the blasphemous reproches and cauils of al sortes of enemies vnto the sacred inviolable gouernment and order of our Sauiour CHRIST deliuered and practised by his Apostles in his churches are vtterlie by this one place of scripture if so be there were no more to the same effect taken out of the way both they that denie the continance or necessitie heerof in all ages and places they that would make these Apostolike ordinances but matters of forme not matters of faith or of substance as they speake they being heere confirmed commanded by that Lord of all truth of all power in heauē and in earth Peraduenture that old Saducee that ◅hus sophisticallie hath propounded these questiōs in that 74 leafe of his answere vnto MARTIN will stūble as he ordinarilie doth at the word of God at these wordes al things whatsoeuer I haue cōmanded you collecting that because the Apostles had not as yet receiued the exp◅esse rules commandments for al the things they afterward taught practised that therfore this commandement cannot be vnderstood or applied to such things as they afterward taught and so nothing or litle serueth to the outward forme of gouernment order of the Church Although yt were not hard from this verie place necessarilie to cōfirme the intendement commandement of all the ordinances and rules which the Apostles after taught prescribed vnto the churches euen by that which is heere expressed concerning the ministerie baptisme c. which heere are commanded al churches to be obserued in that manner as the Apostles taught them which ministers sacramēts ministerie could not in and by these churches be had or practised without the obseruation of these rules ordinances as the election probation of such ministers by the flockes where they are to administer c. which were not al that time set downe by the holy Ghost or practised by the Apostles as yet Although I could also shew that our Sauiour Christ had alreadie instructed his Apostles that he had chosen and set a part to that worke of all things belonging to his kingdome Act. 1. 2. and had giuen thē his holie spirit in abundāt measure to this their ministerie which should teach them al things b◅ing al things to their remembrance Ioh. 20. 22. which he had tould thē Yet mine awnswere heere is y t if our sauiour Christ in these wordes Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue commanded you had respect onlie vnto such precepts as he had then at that time giuē thē not vnto al other things which he should afterward reueale vnto thē by his holy spirit also yt were both cōtrarie to their commission charge they deliuered which as is saied vvas that they should win gather together build order instruct establish his Church according to the rules cōmandements of his wil Testament which could not at al be done by thē if al these lawes rules were not alike cōfirmed of cōmāded by him as also if these words Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue comanded c. should so be restrained yt were to make the other holie lawes ordināces which he afterward shewed to his Apostles they by the same spirit both shewed recorded vnto the churches of Christ of lesse valew and authoritie then those former to make some part of holie scripture more true holy authentical thē other yea yt were vtterlie to abrogate disfrāchize these latter scriptures Furthermore I suppose yt were a hard matter for anie man to dis◅sse set downe what things Christ had at that time taught these Apostles what he had as yet cōcealed So that this cauil can no way put off this most direct and expresse place let me therfore proceed to others The Apostle Paul 1. Tim. 5. 21. chargeth Timothy before God the Lord Iesus Christ the elect Angels that he k◅epe these things without preiudice doing nothing according to inclination c. Also Chap. 6. ver 13. he vseth these wordes vnto him ◅ cōmand thee before God that ◅uickneth al things Christ ◅esus that testified before Pontius Pilate that good confession to keepe the commandement without spot vnrebukeable vnt◅l the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ which in due time that blessed onlie mightie that King of Kings and Lord of Lords shal shew c. Likewise 1 Cor. 14. 37. he hath these wordes If anie mā seeme to be a prophet or spiritua◅ let him acknowledg the th◅ngs I write vnto you because they are the cōmādemētes of God but if anie man be ignorāt let him be ignorāt With what greater authoritie or waight of wordes could the Apostle either confirme or incōmend vnto the Church in all ages these cannons ordināces which he in these epistles hath set downe for the building order gouernment of all churches of al the officers people actions of the same to be religiously inviolably kept as the cōmandemēts of that great dreadfull God as the lawes of that our Lord and King vntill his appearing in glorie Who can anie longer doubt that vvil either rest in the manifest testimonies of the holie Ghost giue credite to the resolute affirmations and eare to the vehement charges of the Apostle or that will duly expend either the general scope of these epistles or dulie weigh the manifold rules in particular and the manner of deliuering them that these cannons and ordinances are the absolute lawes and holie commandements of CHRIST for the building and gouernment of his Church so necessarie inviolable perpetuall as without which or with anie other his Church can neither be built nor kept Are not all these p◅rticular rules for the seueral offi◅es persons qualities for their maner of election probation ordination administration c. set downe in way of cōmandement and law with as great authoritie credite reuerēce as anie other part of Christs Testament or Gods word So that the Apostles whole ministerie may with as much right or reason be called into doubt or question as
before the partie offending be duly convinced admonished exhorted But when the sin thus appeareth becommeth publike the sinner is thus convinced admonished exhorted still continueth obstinate impenitent theÌ„ is the Church without delay or paâ—…tialitie to proceed by the power of our Lord â—…esus Christ with one consent to cast oâ—…t such a one deliuer him vnto Sathan for the humbling of the flesh y t the spirit might be saued in the day of the Lord yea to auoid fâ—…om themselues both the contagion and iudgmentes following his sin Now then seeing this censure of excommunication is an especiall part of the iudgment power Scepter of Christ seing Christ hath committed yt vnto his Church euen vnto euerie Christian congregation whether yt be established in order or yt be indeuoring into oâ—…der as a most necessarie meanes to preserue keepe them in the vâ—…itie of the faith godlines without which power the due executioÌ„ therof yt is impossible to kâ—…epe aâ—…e communion how great is their sin against Christ his Church that thus presumptuously wrast the sword out of Christs hand take yt into their owne furious handes that thus vtterly depriue the Church of all vse of yt saue that they smite wound the poore lambes and seruantes of CHRIST with yt or rather with that great sword giuen vnto their father the deuil to shed innocent blood But especially what iniurie doe they vnto their Princes and magistrates that thus depriue exempt theÌ„ froÌ„ the heauenlie gouernmeÌ„t of Christ if so be this their ecclesiasticall discipline Church gouernment be the true gouernment of Christ as they vaunt and giue out doe they not heerby manifest y t either Princes and magistrats are not the seruantes subiectes of Christ or els y t theÌ„selues haue y e great charteâ—… of Antichrist as well as their sire the Pope to dispense with the breach of Gods lawes to assoile Princes magistrates from the obedience and reuerence of Christ Or els peraduenture with their deepe learning they are able to prooue THAT CHRISTIAN PRINCES AND MAGISTATES EITHER CANNOT SIN in such maÌ„ner to deserue excommunication or els are not liable to the same iudgmentes of God as other Christians are for the like transgressions or els that Christ hath not made one and the same coâ—…enant with al meÌ„ but hath apointed one way for Princes magistrates to be saued an other way for inferior ChristiaÌ„s of lower callings But if the couenant law of God be one the same vnto al men if al men ought to be alike liable to the law of God subiect to the sacred person Scepter of Christ if rebellion be as the sin of witchcraft transgression as idolatrie yf Christ be an vpright and vnpartiall Iudge if Topheth be prepared of olde if yt be prepared eueÌ„ for the King deep and large c. Then most dangerous and damnable is the perfidie and fâ—…atterie of these prophets that not only pronounce peace vnto wicked magistrates in their sin but exempt Christian magistrates from subiection and obedience vnto the Scepter and gouernment of Christ in his Church wherby they draw theÌ„ into battel against Christ. For if they be not vnder his Scepter of grace then are they vnder his yroâ—…â—…od wherwith he wil bruise them to sheardes Yf they be his subiects then doth he reigne ouer them that by his owne lawes but if they wil not haue him to reigne ouer them then commeth he against theÌ„ and iudgeth them as his enemies This is the good seruice these men doe vnto their magistrates to bring them into the wrath of the Lion of the tribe of Iuda this is the care these good shephardes haue of the soules of their Prince magistrats to suffer them to runne on in their sin without coercion or reproofe yea to depriue them of the onlie meanes cure that God in his mercie wisdome hath prouided for al his seruants in that estate But these pollitike diuines make Princes beleeue that yt is no small iniurie derogation to their persons office to be subiect to the reproofe censute of Christ in his Church Excommunication of magistrates say they was an instrumeÌ„t to bring yâ—… neckes of Emperors Princes vnder the Popes girdle the onlie meane wherby he became so dreadful to al men got to himself so great authority therfore our english Pope L. Bishops though they stil retaine in their haÌ„des this popish thunderbolt of excommunicatioÌ„ yet so warily doe they vse yt as they wil not affray Princes or great personages therewith Alas caÌ„not these learned Bishops in al this light free passage of the Gospel they bost of as yet discerne or put difference betwixt Christs most lawfull sacred spiritual power and the Popes vsurped diuelish carnall powers should not magistrates be subiect to the first because they ought not to endure or suffer the second Hath not God spoken from heauen This is my beloued Sonne heare him and againe Therfore God hath highly exalted him and giuen him a name aboue euery name that in the name of IESVS euery knee should bow c and euery toâ—…gue confesse that IESVS is the Lord and speaking vnto the Sonne he saith Thy throne Ô God to the world of worldes the Scepter of thy kingdome is a rod of righteousnes and in an other place I haue annointed my King vpon Zion mine holy mountaine c. Giue heâ—…d therfore ye Kings be ye disciplined ye Iudges of the earth serue the Lord in feare reioice in trembling kisse the Sonne least that he be angire ye perish in the way It were long to recite the expresse scriptures which euery where shew that all Kings and Magistrates ought to be subiect to the Scepter and censure of CHRIST in his Church to bring their glorie honour thither and cast downe their crownes before him of whome they receaue hold their crownes euen by homage tenure froÌ„ whome they deriue al theiâ—… power therfore w t all their power ought to serue him vnto whome they shal accompt All the godly Kings of whome we read in the scriptures haue beene bownd and subiect vnto the lawes of God and censures of the Church in their calling as any other How earnestly did DAVID beseech the Lord that he would seek out his seruant when he erreth as a sheepe that the righteous might smite him for that shalbe a benefite that they might reproue him for that shalbe as a cheefe oyntment As Kings enter into the Church and are made members of CHRIST by profession true practise of the faith so when they fall and depart from the same faith and will not be reduced by admonition and reproofe they are no longer to be held of the faith of the Church but are as any other to receaue the iudgment and censure of CHRIST to be cut off and cast out as withered branches and this as the only