some zealous fury that he would breake the tables or doe some mischeefe to the written Law It stung the Serpent that Gods Law should be written in tables of stone to continue that from time to time it might discouer all falfe Oracles and keepe the verity of God entire from his vnwritten vanities 2. A great Benefit to haue the Law written 2 Magnum beneficium but greater fauour that Comments also of Moses and the Prophets together with their Prophesies and the Mysteries of saluation giuen by diuine inspiration should bee committed to writing that Christ in his person might confirme his Apostles as heere with So it is written and that the Apostles vpon the same testimony might preach the same Gospell to all nations beginning at Ierusalem 3. 3. Magna misericordia But of all mercies this the greatest that to Moses and the Prophets are added Christ and the Apostles that all things needefull to saluation bee now perfected exactly written admirably preserued sealed vp with a curse in the end of the booke to any that shall adde or diminish whether of the sect of Montanus or Seruetus or any fantasticke spirit of latter time that expects further Reuelation or whether they that make the traditions of men or the voice of a Counsell equiualent that is of equall infallibilitye with the Word written this is so absolute it selfe and of it selfe that Vincentius Lirinensis so approoued by our aduersaries doth auerre Solus sufficit ad omnia satis superque An absolute canon it is but for what for the mysteries of our saluation wrought by the death and perfected by the resurrection of Christ An absolute canon for prescript of all essentiall parts of Gods worship and the directing of our soules to euerlasting life for which It is written Ioh 20 21. But shall wee therefore from sufficiency of the written word require the proofe of all particulars without limitation Doubtlesse vnder this pretence we may go too farre Must yee haue a proofe out of Scripture that the plague is not infectious or will yee not beleeue it shall wee exact a prescription out of the word of God How to build Churches for diuine seruice or How to shape decent garments for the Cleargie shall the Scripture define in particular each ceremony and circumstance any waies annexed or appertaining to externall Worship shall the Preacher looke for speciall direction out of Gods Book in what maner to branch his Text to order his speech to enforce the Argument for the best edifying of each particular auditory shall the people waite till we can giue expresse charge out of this Booke when to sit stand or kneele at diuine Seruice what euer is against the second Commandement I feare this is against the third for it takes Gods name in vaine and stands not with the Maiesty of that word written for matters of greater importance Vers 13. The Apostle being to reforme abuses concerning Praier and Prophesing in the Church of Corinth 1 Corin. 11. doth for some things referre himselfe to their owne discretion iudge in your selues is it comely doth not nature it selfe teach as if for decency in the Church common sence or the light of reason could say somewhat to which if you adde the general direction of Scripture may not the Church of Christ out of these grounds determine the particulars Nature it selfe teacheth that the most solemne act in euery kinde is most solemnely to bee performed and religion teacheth what act of religion is most solemne may not the Church then determine of particulars within the compasse of Generall rules of Scripture T was the sentence of that famous Oracle of Geneua in his comment vpon the same chapter vers the 2. where shewing the Apostle to speake de ijs quae pertinent ad ordinem politiam hee inferreth Scimus enim vnieuique ecclesiae liberum esse politiae formam inslituere sibi aptam vtilem quia Dominus nihil certi prescripserit wee know saith Caluin he makes no Quere vpon it for matters of Order we know that euery Church hath her liberty to institute a forme of gouernement fit and profitable for her selfe because the Lord hath prescribed no certaine thing Paul planteth hee left Apollos to water The Master builders haue set vp Gods house and haue left the fitting of the roomes by generall directions to the ouerseers of the building The eye of the handmaid waites vpon the hand of her mistresse not so simple as to be pointed to euery particular within compasse of discretion no shee hath beene better brought vp then so when shee was a childe shee was taught as a child but now she is stronger by the assistance of that spirit which leadeth her into all truth pray we to God for that spirit of truth and sobriety vpon his Church that shee may so carry her selfe in all her proceedings that still she haue an eye to God and his word till hee haue mercy vpon her and restore her to the Peace of Sion and so wee come vnto the worke So it is written 2 So it behoued Christ to suffer Christ is the Sonne of the liuing God The worke therefore most free not subiect to necessity necessary it is therefore that we in the first place distinguish of oportuit a necessity was of Christs suffering not imposed vpon him but assumed by him voluntarily a necessity not primatiue but by consequent not absolute but presupposing the ordinance of God which two kindes were distinguished by Christ at his Passion 1 In the fourteenth of Marke Mar. 14.36 Abba Father al things are possible to thee take away this Cup therefore no absolute necessity to drinke of it 2 In the 26. of Matthew Father if this Cup cannot passe but I must drinke of it thy will be done therefore a secondary necessity there was 1 Of the first in the 53. verse Thinkest thou that I cannot pray to my Father and he will giue me more then twelue Legions of Angels therefore not an absolute necessity to yeeld himselfe 2 Of the second in the 54. verse How then shall the Scripture be fulfilled which is the very consequent of this Text So it is written therefore So it behooued So God hath ordeined whose decree is vnchangeable so hath he reuealed his Ordinance by writing whereof one title shall not passe therefore So behoued Christ to suffer The reasons of this necessity will appeare in the consideration of the three points implied in this sentence 1 It behooued there should be a suffering 2 That Christ should suffer 3 That he should so suffer Sic oportuit Christum pati 1 The Law of God was broken by sinne which behooued vs to haue kept therefore it must be restored by iudgement the glory of God was obscured by sinne therefore it must be cleared by expiation The iustice of God was offended by sinne therefore it must bee satisfied by punishment The wrath of God was kindled by sinne therefore
knowes so long as the Church is firmely built vpon this the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it Now as the graine of mustard-seede groweth so must we proceede from faith to knowledge vnaduised they are that would haue vs prescribe a scantling of Faith and knowledge as if eyther more were needlesse or lesse damnable but God in wisedome thought it meet to prescribe no such certainety and that for two reasons 1 To stirre vp our sluggish nature To forget that is behind and endeauonr to that which is before Philip 3 13 It is perfectio viatoris the perfection of a traueller still to goe on what need we goe to Church I know the summe of all beleeue in Christ Iesus c. Such sluggards shall neuer grow rich in grace that good corne shall neuer prosper in their hearts because they are so ouer-growne with thornes and thistles 2 Because God would not limit his mercies As it pleaseth him to saue infants without any knowledge so also to saue some in all degrees of knowledge ioyning wisedome mercy in proportioning somthing to the Times ages wherein men liue some to the place where some to the capacities of the persons themselues God exacts not so much knowledge of the woman of Samaria as of Nicodemus Iohn the 3. Art thou a Doctor in Israell nor so much of them that dwell in the middest of Spaine as of them in the heart of England nor of those that liued in the time of superstition as of vs that are in the Sunshine of the Gospell It is a sure rule if wee hold the foundation sure and conforme our liues and affections thereafter the ignorance of other branches shall neuer condemne vs except it be wilfull or affected ignorance 1 Wilfull ignorance in such as eyther contemn or neglect the meanes of further knowledge or such as in doubtfull cases will venter without aduice and then say I meant no hurt 2 Affected ignorance when wee suffer our affections to blinde our vnderstanding Act 19 25. like Demetrius that perswaded the crafts-men not to heare the Apostles because they liued in a profitable trade But simple ignorance in a well meaning Christian is eyther passed ouer in mercy or more knowledge reuealed in time as the Prophet in the Psalms To him that ordereth his conuersation aright Psal 50. vlt will I show the saluation of God Cornelius Acts 10.4 Thy prayers and almes-deedes The two wings of deuotion flye vp to heauen together for as it is in supplication Forgiue vs as wee forgiue so in almes Giue vs as we giue them rather then Cornelius shal want knowledge for saluation God will send Peter from Ioppa If any man doubt let him begin with the feare of the Lord and practise those grounds he knowes well and then by degrees learne to goe on and build vpon them as in Hebr. 6.13 Hebr 6.1.3 beeing the doctrine of the beginning of Iesus Christ Let vs goe on and pray to God that we may lay the foundation safely and surely that in Faith and charity wee may be knit altogether in the body of Christ TRACT II. WEE haue in the former exercise found the Rocke whereon wee may safely build vpon this Rocke must the maine grunsels bee laide such principles of Christianity and Articles of Faith as bee expressed in Scripture in the plainest places after compiled by the Church into a little body or short forme such as Irenaeus first sets downe as receiued of all churches about 178. which he testifies to be so vniformely professed in all Churches as if all Christians had but one soule and one mouth In Germany France East and West Europe and Asia and in all places of the world As there is but one Sun to euery nature so there is but one Faith to euery Christian hee that is most powerfull in speech can say no more and they that are most simple meane no lesse Tertullian expresseth another thing to the same effect Anno 210. after that the Fathers of the Nycen Counsell Anno 324. after that Athanasius made his Creede more fully designing the persons in Trinity against Arrius Anno 333. These ancient knowen verities being agreed vpon of all Churches long before these distractions Let vnstable mindes that finde their soules wauering in Religion giue attention 1 Cor. 9.22 for such I make inquirie as Paul 1. Corin. 9.22 Became all things to all men So we wil doubt with the doubtfull stand vpon indifferent ground looke on both sides with a single eye that we may the better discerne the true way of a Christian resolution Be wee sure then to hold the foundation and to build vpon these truths which all Churches in all ages haue agreed vpon Heere take we footing as vpon firme ground and looke a little about vs before we resolue where to light These parts of the Church within our view doe each of them becken vs to their side The Church of Rome bids vs returne to our olde mother as onely true Catholike The Brownist cries come to our congregation we are euen iump as it was in the Apostles time nay to ours sayes the Anabaptist Lo heere is Christ lo there It is the plea of euery Church But of all the Church of Rome cries loudest and if her challenge be true it stands vs in hand to listen to it for it concernes vs as much as euerlasting life is worth Extra Ecclesiam Romanam non est salus Without the Church of Rome is no saluation Yet she must pardon vs though we make a pause and do not presently make it an article of our Faith because wee finde it not in any of our ancient Creeds nor in any plaine text of Scripture in any translation theirs or ours what chymicall witts may extract thence wee will not now dispute A Catholicke Church wee finde but a Romish Catholike Church we find not That all Christians haue such necessary dependance vpon any place or person Rome or Bishop of Rome and vnder such a penalty of eternall damnation It seemes then this is the Rocke without which all other articles will not saue vs and yet the auncient Church hath forgotten to put it in any of her Creedes It is not in the Apostles Creede Irenaeus hath left it out of his Tertullian out of his the Nycene theirs Athanasius out of his And Peter out of his Catholicke Epistle 2 Pet. 1.13 when at the time of his departure out of this life hee tooke his last farwell of the Church First one Church we acknowledge built vpon Christ the sonne of God Eph. 4.4 fully described in the 4 of the Ephesians by one Body one Spirit one Lord one Faith one Baptisme one Father 1 One body because a Church is nothing else but a society of beleeuers called out of the rest of the world by the word of God and though it run as the Sea through many Countries and thence receiues many names like the seuen Churches of
of euidence they bring and accordingly frame our Faith That I cannot be saued except I be subiect to the Bishop of Rome as head of the Church He must pretend then a title from Christ as he is Vicar for spirituall matters it is euident that Christ while he liued on earth was the visible head for Temporalls himselfe concludes Who made me a Iudge My kingdome is not of this world therefore so farre as he medleth with kingdomes he cannot claime that from Christ It is confessed that while Christ was on earth hee was the visible head of the whole Church so as no soule could bee without necessary dependance on him but whether at his departure he committed the supremacy to any man on earth If hee did whether in whole or part to whom whether to the Apostles in generall equally or to one aboue the rest and who that was 1 Their point is that Christ left it to Peter alone to no other Apostle in that degree This is cleer out of Scripture That the rest of the Apostles as Apostles are equall but as Bishop he aboue them note that a Bishop aboue an Apostle Linus aboue the Euangelist Iohn who liued in his time 2 Admitte the Supremacy in Peter whether it died with him as the Apostleship did or left it to his successors The difference is they put the rest out of special fauor They might haue as great power but it was for terme of life Peter had it for him and his successors for euer But this must be cleered that Peter had power to leaue it to his successors and none but he If this be not proued why not Iohns successors in the Churches of Asia or of Iames in Ierusalem or any of the Apostles in other places as well as he to his The reason is Though Peter by vertue of his fiery tongue was able to gouerne the whole Church in his daies being but small yet hee knew the charge in time would grow so great and the circuit so large that Peters spirit had neede be doubled vpon those that should succeed him If he had one clouen tongue his successors neede to haue twelue so we might say of the least of his successors A greater then Peter is heere Peter was not alone during his life there were the eleuen Apostles Bel. l. 1. c. 21 and Paul as great an Apostle as himselfe as Bellarmine confesses and greater because hee writ more then Peter hee planted more Churches then Peter he laboured more aboundantly then they all for hee preached from Ierusalem Rom. 15.19 round about to Illiricum as Hierome auouches from the redde Sea to the great Ocean so farre as there is any land Amos. c. 5. And that all the charge of Peter and Paul and all that the rest had should lye vpon the shoulders of one Pope and yet neuer a clouen tongue to his head Sure say That a greater then Peter is heere Bellarmine proued well from the election of Matthias in the first of the Acts De Pont. 4.23 that the Apostles were not chosen by Peter and Paul was Galathians the first Paul an Apostle not of men nor by men but by Iesus Christ Those that came in after the death of Christ Matthias and Paul were not but all the Apostles successors must now deriue their power from the Pope Therefore a greater then Peter is heere 3 Admit while the body of the Church carried any proportion to a visible head as in the Apostles time it might and some time after for auoyding of factions a Monarchicall gouernment might stand but when it is so dispersed that amongst the Antipodes for ought we know may be Christians that such a burthen of gouernment should rest vpon the shoulders of any one mortall wight it is strange It must be cleered out of the booke of God for the Testimony of their Church in her owne case is silent That Peter did not impart his supremacy to diuers in diuers Churches which he planted but wholly committed it to one in one place 4 If to one we must know where that one is Certitudine fidei else wee are neuer a whit the neerer Whether Peter left it amongst the lewes till they fell being himselfe the Preacher of the Circumcision If not because hee saw they would reuolt why not at Antioch a Church of his owne planting Paul had as much to doe at Rome as he Antioch had the Primacy Act. 11.27 for they were first called Christians at Antioch and it was a famous Patriarchall Church Why not Marke the Euangelist Peters Disciple who writ the Gospell from his mouth in that famous Church of Alexandria It is cleere then that Rome and no other Church doth enioy that Bishop who succeeds Peter in that great office But now wherein a lay man may receiue satisfaction the Scripture is silent It is not found in our Creede The testimony of the Church is laid by in this point Bellarmine saies Bel. 2. de Rep. c. 12. that the Bishop of Rome alone doth succeede Peter in the Supremacie is not found in Scripture but to be beleeued vpon tradition I thought wee should returne thither againe it is hard that they will not spare their own testimony in their own case Seeing Christ did spare it in his case I hope we may be saued without it 5 Admit this could be cleared yet that Church doth not agree who was Bishop Linus or Clemens or Cletus after three Popes at once Benet the ninth Siluester the third and Iohn Then two in a schisme betwixt Vrban and Clement The first in Italy the second in France after that three againe hard to iudge who was the true one Such vncertainties must there needs bee when Religion depends vpon any mans person in this troublesome world 6 Admit it can be demonstrated to my conscience that this Pope is lawfully chosen and vndoubtedly succeedes Bishop Linus and Peter by a lineall succession of true Popes for 500 yeares without any materiall interruption yet neuer the neerer except they doe succeede as well in Faith and doctrine as in place and person else they could not exclude vs from the Church for we show personall succession as well as they Cranmer consecrated Barlo Scony and Couerdale These consecrated Parker Parker other Bishops these made Priests euery Act of Priesthood ratified by their owne Canons is Valide factum though not Licite Quis enim Catholicorum ignor at ordinatos ab Episcopo haeretico verê esse ordinatos That those that are ordained Priests of an haereticall Bishop are truely ordained no Catholike is ignorant So they exclude vs as heretiques as not embracing their doctrine so by their owne rule they grant that the Church and the Bishop of Rome must succeede Peter as well in Faith and Doctrine as in time and place else wee are not bound in conscience to cleaue to them you see by how many sequels and degrees of consequent they must proceede before it be
Gentile made one Church then the Partition wall was broken downe and all respect of persons remoued then was Ierusalem to be inhabited without wals for the multitude of inhabitants Then did the Church of Christ become Catholique Zach. 2.4 dispersed farre and wide ouer the face of the whole earth Then was the manifold wisedom of God made manifest to the Angels in heauen by this mystery which was kept secret in God from the beginning of the world hence was the mystery of saluation reuealed and deriued to vs that dwell in the ends of the world shut vp in another world like fishes in the Sea so that wee from the North as well as from the East and West shall replenish the kingdome of God and to our comfort be it spoken Luc. 13.29 that heauenly Ierusalem described Reuelations the 21. hath as many gates and as open on the North side as any other part vnder heauen in the 13. verse of that Chapter I haue swiftly passed ouer the former points as more familiarly knowne amongest you giue mee leaue by your honourable patience now I am come to the last point a little to pause vpon it Beginning at Ierusalem By this diuine dispensation I perceiue the truth of Gods promise performed vnto the Iewes The righteousnesse of God shewed to his Sonne The wisedom of God for spreading of the Gospell and the goodnesse of God towards the sinners of the Gentiles in that it began at Ierusalem 1 It could not bee that the wickednesse of men could make the promise of God of none effect therefore seeing the inhabitants of Ierusalem were the children of the Prophets and of the Couenant made with their Fathers true Oliue branches springing out of the roote of Abraham to whom did appertaine the adoption the glory the giuing of the Law the seruice of God and the promises Christ to performe this promise beginneth at Ierusalem 2 As God a righteous iudge honoured him in recompence of his humiliation so did he honour him in the same place he suffered In Ierusalem was he despised at his Passion In Ierusalem shall he be glorified by his Gospell In Ierusalem in the assembly of much people at the solemne feast of Easter did Christ suffer a publique execrable shamefull death of the Crosse therefore at the feast of Whitsuntide before the assembly of many nations in the famous City of Ietusalem shall his name be first honoured in preaching of the Gospell 3. The manifolde wisdome of God is heere manifested as well for the publishing as the confirmation of the same 1. If God would haue his Gospell spred amongst all nations like the riuer of Eden where shall we make the head of the spring but at Ierusalem Acts 2.5 where was dwelling euery nation vnder heauen 2. If he would haue the truth of the Gospell tried before men of knowledge amongst the Doctours in the Law and these that were skilfull in all science where should he make the first probation but at Ierusalem The truth of God seekes no corners nor auoydes the light like the Oracles of the Diuels in the 45. of Esay Esa 45.19 It seekes not to establish it selfe in weake places it creepes not priuily amongst the people like the heresies of the false Prophets 2 Pet. 2. but as Christ when he first shewed himselfe was seene amongst the Doctors at Ierusalem and as Paul when his Doctrine was called in question Gal. 2 2. hee went and conferred with the best at Ierusalem So for this cause also the Gospell of Christ began at Ierusalem 3. If he desire to fettle his Gospell in the world shall not choose the City before the Countrey the famous City of Ierusalem there is the strongest hold get that and the rest will yeeld Act. 17.16 When was the spirit of Paul stirred within him but when hee came to Athens There hee laboured more earnestly with all kinde of men with all kinde of Sects being the Seminary of learning a plentifull haruest as at Ierusalem 4. If hee would make a way that the Athenians and the rest of the Gentiles should receiue the Faith what greater argument could bee vsed then this That it was receiued before at Ierusalem that the Iewe the very professed enemies of Christ recanted embraced the Faith and beleeued him whom they crucified what secondary meanes made Paul so powerfull among the Gentiles but this That Saul a lew a learned lew Gamaliels scholler a religious lew of the strict Sect of the Pharisies a zealous lew persecuting this way vnto the death became so earnest a professour of the same 5. What greater encouragement for vs sinners of the Gentiles that saluation was first offered in Ierusalem to them that were his murtherers why then should wee sinners despaire of his mercy when the theefe on the crosse saw him not onely forgiue but pray for those that did torment him he laies in for himselfe Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdome there is hope for Theeues and Murtherers if for these and doubtlesse saluation will bee easily attained if for Ierusalem It began at Ierusalem but it flowed ouer the face of the earth yet is heere no footing for vniuersality to bee an infallible marke of the truth of Religion for the Gospell doth not spred at once ouer all nations like Noahs floud but like riuers of waters winning ground in one place and losing in another dried vp at Ierusalem and Samaria and flowing in other places The triple estate of Christs Church is well shadowed in the three famous figures of the same Shee was in her infancy being a little flocke tossed like Noahs Arke in mans iudgement ready euery moment to bee swallowed vp 2. She shall be in her triumphant estate like Salomous Temple on Mount Sion that cannot be mooued but in the mean time she is Moses Tabernacle in the wildernesse mooueable from place to place first pitched at Ierusalem and in the East parts of the world after that in the West since remooued into the North amongst vs and S. Paul tels vs It shall returne to the Iewes from whence it came so all Israel shall be saued Rom. 11.26 there is not any place or people vnder the Sunne that can challenge the Residence of the Church of Christ Admit Peter liued and died and was crucified at Rome what then did not a greater then Peter liue and die and was crucified at Ierusalem did hee not rise the third day did hee not appoynt Apostles send downe his Spirit plant his Church at Ierusalem yet it is remooued thence long since It beganne at Ierusalem went through other places now among vs. Wherefore now it behooueth vs to looke about vs and consider this poynt what can wee say for our selues why this Candle-sticke should not be remooued from this place also A notable place there is in Ezechiel Ezech. 9.3 as it was in Ierusalem so with vs hee rose from them twice and then went away