we must be separated thirdly the corruption of nature in our selues the lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes and the pride of life all which are of the world and whâ—ch we must hate and crucifie so turne and become like little children euen borne agayn that we may see the kingdome of God 16. The estate wherevnto God called his church in this life is generally to the communion or fellowhsip of his sonne Iesus Christ as being their onely mediator and Sauiour the Prophet Priest and King of the church which they beleeuâ—ng and professing are alâ—o made partakers in a proportion and in their measure of these three offices with him 17. Iesus Christ is the Prophet raâ—sed vp of God vnto his people to teach them all that God commanded him which also he did both by himselfe and by the Mâ—nistery of his seruants sent of him And as all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge are hid in him so him the church mâ—st hear for all heauenly wisdome and knowledge is to be learned of him and every person which shall not hear this Prophet shall be destroyed out of the people 18 This Prophet call office of Christ he hath communicated with the church by giuing to the same his word for their instruction and comfort and graffing the same within them his spirit also as an Anoynting to teach them all things giuing gifts also or ministers to open and apply the same vnto their sowles likewise power and freedome by witnes profession and practise to hold forth that word of life as lights in the world thereby to preach vnto others the faâ—th of Christ to edâ—fy and build vp one another dayly therein to prouoke vnto loue and to good works to admonish and reprehend for evill and iniquity to forgiue and comfort one another in the bowels of Christ whose word therefore all ought to labour that it may dwel plenteously in them that if any man speak it may be as the words of Gâ—d 19. Iesus the son of God is also the great high priest or Sacrificer of the Church by whose obedience and sacrifice or oblation of hâ—s own body and blood the church is clensed from all sinn and reconciled to God by whose intercession the church with the holy actions oblations of the same are accepted of God and made heires of blessing 20. And this his Prâ—estly office is 〈◊〉 imparted to his church as they haue not onely interest in his death and suffrings whereby they are reconciled to God but also are themselues made a holy priesthood to offer vp spirituall sacriâ—ices acceptable to God by him giuing vp their own bodies a liuing sacrifice mortifying their members whâ—ch are on earth and crucifyâ—ng the flesh with thâ— affections and lâ—sts offring vp contrite and broken hâ—rts with sacrifices of praise confeâ—sing to his name and praying not oâ—â—ly every man for himself but one for another doing good and dâ—stributing to the neceâ—sities of the Saincts suffring afflâ—ction for the Gospell and fynally if they be called therevnto powring out the r soules vnto death fâ—r the truthes sake 21. The Lord Iesus Christ is also the gouernour and king ouer Sion Gods hâ—ly mount and sitteth at his Fathers right hand and reigneth till all his enimies be made his footstool being a King iudge and lawgiuâ—r to hâ—s people commanding and ruling them by his word and spirit jâ—dging them in iustice and equâ—ty preseruing and defendâ—ng them by his almighty power from all their enimies 22. And this his kingly office he so communicateth with hâ—s church as they are by him preserâ—ed and defended from all aduersarie Pâ—wer freed from the dominion of sinne and tyrannie of Satan from subiection to the world and seruitude vnto men and restored to the ioyfull libâ—rty of the Châ—ldren of God the world and all things in it made theirs that howsoeuer they haue still to combate with the Diuill to wraâ—tel against principallities powers to suffer hatred affliction of the world anâ— to warr with the fleshly lusts which fight against the soâ—l yet neither deaâ—h nor life nor Angels nor principallities nor powerâ— nor things present nor things to come nor heigth nor depth nor any other creatâ—re shal be able to separate them from the loue of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord who hath made them Kâ—ngs and Priâ—sâ—s vnto God even his father and they shall reign on the earth till hâ—uinâ— serâ—ed here theâ—r time they come to reign with him in glorâ— in â—he heauens for euer 2â— Vnto the participation of these promises and heauenly graces are all peoâ—les â—râ—uoked by the Gospell â—reached and such as obey the câ—lâ—â—ng of Gâ—d anâ— come vnto Chrâ—st are vnited vnto him theâ—r head and â—edâ—atâ—r from whomâ— proceedeth the Iustification and sanctificatioâ— of tâ—e Churcâ— 24. Iustification is the partaking of Christs justâ—ce or righteousnes â—n his fulfilling and obeyinâ— the law of God and dâ—schargâ—ng all ouâ— depts and trespasses by his death so freeing vs from the curse and setâ—ing vs in full fauour with God and vnder his blesâ—â—ng which righteousnesse of Christs is fully made ours and impâ—ted to vs by faith for our justification 25. Sanctification is the partakâ—ng of Christs holynes by being graffed with him to the simillâ—tude of his death and resurrection whereby the corruption of nature or old man in vs becometh crucified and buried with him and the new man or image of God is put on and renewed dayly in a holy conuersation 26. Hâ—thâ—rto of the Churches union and communion with Christ her head now followeth the union of the churches memberâ— one with another which is theirâ— couâ—ling togither as one body by the communion of one and the same spirit faith and loue 27. The vnion of the members one with another is to be considered generally or totally and particularly Generally as the châ—rch is called vniuersall or caâ—holik comprehending the whole family of God in heauen and in earth and the fraternity or brotherhood of all Christians which are â—n the world in whome there is but one faith in one and the same God by that one Lord Iesâ—s Christ throuâ—h one Spâ—rit Thus haue they all one Father which is God one mother Ierusalem which is aboue and by the mediation of Chrâ—st are all made one baptised by one spirit into one body and al made to drink into one spirit 28 More Particularly they that are called of God and members oâ—â—he Church vniversall are vnited and gathered into many churches or congregatioÌ„s in several cities countrâ—es every
comfort one another in the faith and feare of God whose power and presence they haue with them in all estates and places 44 So to conclude a true church is a sacred communiallty consociate and knit togither into a mistical body whose head is Christ whose members christians of any nation or condition whose soul is the word and whose spirit is the spirit of the liuing God who gathereth togither dry desolate bones layeth synewes on them makes flesh to grow and couereth them with skin and putteth breath in them that they may liue and stand vpon their feet an exceeding great army Vnto him for all his blessings be praise in his churches throughout all generations Amen Amen ARGVMENTS Disprouing the present estate and constitution of the CHVRCH of ENGLAND EVery true Church is the body of Christ and hath him for the head thereof For â—t is wrâ—tten God hath appoynted him ouer all â—hâ—ngs the head of the church which is his body Eph 1 22 23 and agayn to the church of Corinth it is sayd yâ— are the bâ—dy of Christ 1 Cor 12 27. But the church of England is not the body of Christ neyther hath him for the hâ—ad thereof Because it waâ— first constituted as now it standeth of the members of Antichrist namely the idolatrous Papâ—sts which openly professed Antichristian sme in Q. Maries dayes haâ—ing Abadden the Pope for their head and spilled much christian blood that they might mainteyn their Romish abominations Who all except some few that of themselues refused were at the beginning of Q. Elisabeths reign receâ—ued into the body of the church and so haue continued they and their seed euer since Yet did they not then enter in by repentance and faith in Christ which two things are the beginning and foundation of the kingdome of God but by the commandement of the Magistrate were compelled vnto the Church sacraments ministery c. which then were by law establâ—shed and euer since continewed Now the Magistrates law cannot work faith in any seing faith is the gift of God and by his word onely is wrought in mans hart So that the Magistrate though he ouâ—th to abolish idolatrâ—e and set vp Gods true worship to suppresse all errours and cause the truth to be taught yet cannot he constreyn men to ioyne vnto the church but they must doe it williâ—gly and gladly the Lord perswading them herevnto And these of whome we speak not being perswaded by the Lord and his word but â—s the worldly multitude alway is beâ—ng ready to receiue any religion the prince woâ—ld establish rather then they would suffer persecution wherein that their popish estate the body of Antichrist yet then compelled and vnâ—ted vnto this church Agayn not onely those that were popishly 〈◊〉 and superstitious but such also as were profane and irreligâ—ous atheists blasphemers whoremongers theeues drunkards witches and all other vngodly persons of which then were and still are too too many in the land these al though by reason of their wicked and miserable estate â—hey wâ—rlimmes of Satan and as the scripture calleth such children of the Diuill were yet receiued into the Church likeweise they and â—heir seed so continew as the state of that Church plainely sheweth For eâ—en to this day profane people mockers and contemners of religion thaâ— blasphem God and his holy name even in the streets as they walk such as cal themselues the donned crew Familists Atheâ—sts and all other sorts of miscreants and wicked liuers are members of the Church of Enâ—land vnited with the body and partakers of the sacraments and other holy actâ—ons of the same Now these children of wrath this sinnfull generation cannot possibly be members of the body of Christ nor haue him for their head seing they are not partakers of his life and spirit nor called to his faith neither admitteth he any such vnto him vntil they repent he hath no coÌ„cord with Belial therefore not with the children of Belial the members of his glorious body must not be the dead stâ—nking and abominable members of Satan Light and darknes heauen and hel will as soon be vnited togither Neyther will it be yenough to say that some are affected to reliâ—ion are of better life and conuersation c. and that for their sakes the residew are sanctâ—fied and may be ioyned vnto and reputed Christs body and Church for they that professe more sincerity yet are not come to a true â—rofeâ—sion of the Gospell or renoâ—ncing of Idolatrie but after theâ—r false and popish manner worship God with the rest remayning one body one Church with them Now we are taught of God that the religious are so farr from sanctifying the wicked as contrariweise the wicked doe pollute them whatsoeuer the vnclean person toucheth sayth the Lord shal be vnclean and the person which toucheth him shal be vncleane â— wherefore come out from among them and separate your selues and touch no vnclâ—ane thing and I will receiue you and I will be a Father vnto you and ye shal be my sonns and daughters sayth the Lord almighty So then the religious and well affected people must separate from the rest if they would be acknowledged of God for his and not think by their holynes to sanctify the profane Agayn it is as easy to make peace agreement between Christ the Diuil as between Christ and such open obstinate synners the children of the Diuill yea it ouerturneth at once the first promise of saluation made by God and so the uery ground of Christian religion For when God first promised redemption to mankind it was by Christ the seed of the woman that should crush the serpents head who in due time appeared for this purpose that he might loose the works of the Diuill destroy and abolish him And as then the Lord put enmity between Christ and the serpent so did he also between him and the serpents seed that is wâ—cked men which being children of the Diuill would take the Diuâ—ls part to hate and kill Christ and root out his châ—ldren and reliâ—ion accâ—rding to whâ—ch decree and word of his Father oâ—r Lord Iesus set himselfe not onely agaâ—nst the Serpent but against sâ—ch wicked men also as would not be turned from their impietie therefore he sayth by his proâ—hets Dâ—e not I hate them that hate thee ô Lorâ— c I hate thâ—m with an vnfeighned hatred as they were mynâ— vtter enemies I hate the assembly of eâ—il doers and company not with the wicked Betimâ—s wil I destroy all the wicked of thâ— land that I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord Three shepheards I cut of in one moneth and my sowl loathed loathed them and their sowl abhorred me with many such like speeches throughout the scriptures whereby Christ shewed how farr he was and would be from being head vnto
God who took our nature of the Virgin Mary is our onely and alsufficient Sauiour For proof of this they first allege that thâ—y receiue this truth are the people of God and in the state of saluation they that receiue it not cannot possibly be saued Mat. 16.18 Mark 16.16 1 Iâ—h 4.2 Col 2.7 But first none of these scriptures doe say that this one article which these ministers haue set downe in this forme of words is the onely fundamentall truth in religion Neyther doth any other scripture that I know of so speake for though Christ onely is the foundation of the Christian church and though as they secondly allege no other point of religion is necessary otherwise then as it tendeth necessarily to teach or confirme this one truth yet foloweth it not but other points also are fundamental truthes the denyall of which will abolish from Christ. Secondly they haue altered added to and omitted some of the words of these scriptures for their own aduantage For fearing that we would as indeed we mean to doe presse them with the profession of the Anabaptists Papists and other heretiks they thinke to preuent vs. And first against the Anabaptists which deny that Christ took our flesh these men haue added who took our nature of the Virgin Mary Then against the papists which hold merit of works they adioyne these words our onely and alsufficient Sauiour And this because the church of England mainteyneth the truth in these points against those fore sayd heretiks On the other hand to help themselues in their corrupt Antichristian walking and false constitution they omit and mention not th' Apostles words Col. 2. wher he sayth As ye haue receiued Christ Iesus the Lord so walke in him rooted and built in him and stablished in the faith as ye haue been taught c The discreet reader may soon espy their purpose in this cunning cariage For let the position be set downe in the scripture termes and we shall see how weake their plea will be The onely fundamentall truth in religion is this That Iesus is the Christ the sonne of the liuing God comen in the flesh in whom we must beleeue and h walke being rooted and build in him and stablished in the faith as we are taught in the new testament If now these ministers will insist vpon the three first scriptures onely and generall terms that are in them it is apparant that the Papists Anabaptists and many other miscreants doe hold and professe them absolutely absolutely But if they joyne with them Colos. 2. and compare the walking rooting building and stablishing in the faith taught by th' Apostles with the Popish church or with their own it wil be found that neyther of them hold the foâ—ndation Christ aright Themselues wâ—ll grant it of the Papâ—sts and other heretiks and for their own church it is before in this treatise proued So then to come agayn vnto their reason that they hold â—eâ—ch and mainteyn euery part of Gods holy truth which is fundamâ—ntall whereby they woulâ— conclâ—de themselues to be a true chrâ—ch the arâ—ument is deneyed Fâ—r first if â—t were granted that thâ—y hâ—ld â—aught and maiâ—teynâ—d every part of fundâ—â—ental truth which yet with them is but one article onely as we haue heard it wâ—ll not follow necessaryly that therefore they are a true châ—rch or that they truely professe the Christ an faith There wanâ— two things 1 obedience to the truth professed withoâ—t which men shal be damned whatsoeuer they professe 2 and a right profession of the true faith onely without errâ—urs adioyned that ouerthrow the same faith and obedience thereto For if a people profeâ—sing that onely fundamentall truth which these ministers speake of should withall professe Mahomet the prophet of the Turks or H. N. the God of the Familists or any other like abomination were this misceline profession of Christ and Belial togither a true and sound profeâ—sion I trow not So then these ministers must alter their plea thus that they hold teach mainteyn and obey every part of the fundamentall truth and nothing els with it that ouerthrowes the same If now they say this they doe I haue before in this treatise disproued it and here agayn will briefly disproue it thus They professe to beleeu the Communion of Saincts and that the visible church is a congregation of faithfull people Yet contrariweise they hold teach and mainteyne that their own church is a true church of Christ though it consists as wel of vnholy as holy infidels as beleeuers and innumerable wicked persons openly seen and known That this they hold mainteyn is proâ—ed by their continual clamors and reprochful writings against vs that call vpon them for a separation of light from darknesse It is proued by Dr Wâ—itgifts plea before mentioned that the children of Papists heretiks and other wicked persons are and ought to be baptised amoÌ„g theâ— It is further proued by the visible estate of their church knowne vnto all among them and testâ—fied by her dearest freinds fauourers Mâ— Gifford speaking to his brethren â—f the Communion of Saincts in Engl. sayth Yee would euen powr out your stinâ—ing and râ—tâ—en pâ—yson like blaspemous and venemous beasts ye would speake after this manner you that are so full of the spirit you that are Saincts and suâ—h like What are you Diâ—ils are ye of the flesh No doâ—ut ye are vntill God convert ye But we may se how diuiâ—ishly men ar become wicked when a man cannot make any appearance to be godly and holy but it is reproched as though it were a shamefull thing to be lead by the spirit c. These and the like records with the continuance continuance in this confused estate plainely proue an ouerthrow of that article of the true church which is the body of Christ and the body being disanulled Christ the head cannot soundly be reteyned Agayn they professe in Engl. that the puâ—e word of God is to be preached the sacraments duely administred c. also that in our doings that will of God is to be followed which we haue expresly decleared vnto vs in the word of God Yet withall they professe and practise in that church to read the Apocrypha â—criptures in which are found vntruthes and errors when many parts of the authentik scripture are neuer read among them they haue also written homilies in sted of preaching a written Leâ—tourgâ—e Letany collects c. in sted of praying which Leitoargie with all the popish contents therein must be approued and vsed by all the Priests and people and God serued by it euery day They haue also an antichristian clergie caâ—led and ordeyned according to their pontifical or book of ordination which â—n their beleef hath not any thing that of it selfe is sâ—perstitious and vngodly c. Finally all the Romish reliques yet in England to be seen in the
of which churches being joyned togither in the profession and practise of the Gospel of Christ haue his power and presence with them and is to conuene or come togither in one for the worshâ—p of God and performance of publick duties 29. Whatsoeuer promise or blessing of God is bestowed on the church on earth generally considered the same may be apprehended injoyed by every particular church though not in like measure by all as the promises generall and examples particular of the church in Corinth and others mentioned in the scrâ—pture doe confirme 30. The Testament of Christ sheweth vs no Prouintiall Nationall Emâ—erial or other lâ—ke Church hauing seuerall meetings or aâ—â—emblies and special Pastors ouer the same neither since thâ— Apostles Prophets â—vangelists were taken from this world are there any other lawful Bishops or Church-gouernours then the Bishops or Overseers of the particular churches neyther euer was ther other lawful Head Lord or Lords spirituall of the Church then Iesus Chrâ—st alone 31 Vnto the châ—rch are to be admitted all vnto whome the couenant and promise of God doth apperteyn and they are so many as the Lord our God shall call and all those are called in the iudgment of man which hauing heard the word of God doe professe repentance from dead works and faith in God by Iesus Christ the alone Sauiour of â—he world and promise obedience to the word through the holy Ghost the sanctifier of the elect Such of all sorts and estates of people in the world are with their seed to be receiued into and nourished â—n the church their ignorance being holpen by instruction their weaknes borne by lenity their faults corrected i with loue and meeknes and their feeble consciences comforted with the promises of God 3â— Out of the Châ—rch are all sâ—ch to be kept as are profane worldly and wicked vntill they be called of God vnto repentance faith in his promise and out of it are to be cast all such as sinne against the law of Goâ— by errour or corruption in doctrine or conuersation and will not by prâ—uate or publick admonistion be reclaymed and amended 33 Every particular church or congregation throughout the world hauâ—ng equall interest in Christ and in his word or couenant consequently haâ—e equall power and ought to haue a lâ—ke care to practise all the commandements and ordinances of the Lord standing fast in the lâ—berty where with Christ hath made them free 34 Every one that would be saued ought to joyne himself vnto some particular church where Gods name is seâ— and knowen and called vpon that in and with the same he may grow vp in the faâ—th and loue of Christ vnto saluation 35. Although the church consisteth onely of sâ—ch as are called yet these are of two sorts some outwardly onely and for a tyme which though they be in the church yet are they not indeed of the Church othersome called also inwardly effectually and for ever So that the churches on earth haue many hypocrites and reprobates for members of them whose secret sinns defile themselues alone Howbeit the Lord knoweth them that are his a true Christian may by the word 〈◊〉 spirit of the Lord and fruites of his faith haue assurance that himself is the Lords of others he is for their outward good profession and conversation which he seeth to hope and judge as of himself leauinâ— the finall doom and iudgment vntill the Lord come who will lâ—â—hten things that are hid in darknes and make the counsels of the harts manifest and will reward every man according as his works shal be 36 The best churches on eart are alwayes subiect to haue open greeuous sinas of all sorts break out in them all which â—niquitieâ— mâ—st speedily be redressed and euery church purged by repentance or casting out of the impenitent least wrath doe come on all the congregation 37. For churches by sinning and impenitencie therein may forfeyt their couenant and be forsaken of God and for their adulteries by dâ—uorced from Christ and so left of his people the candlestick being remoued out of the place 38 By this which hath been sayd may appear that euery people called of God into couenant and communion with Christ and one with another and so walking though with much weaknes ignorance and dayly syn is to be esteemed a true church of God but they that are not so called and come into couenant with the Lord howsoeuer they may professe many excellent truthes yet want they the mayne essentiall thing which makes a true church 39 A church thus hauing the essence or being by refâ—rence vnto or coniunction with Christ which is a secret and spirituall thing cannot now as it is a church properly be seen with carnall eye Whereas then the church is sayd to be visible it is figuratiuely spoken and after a sort to weet so farr as by a peoples profession and conuersation seen or heard men may discerne and iudge by the rules of Gods word 40. As Christ the head and sauiour of his body cannot be found or knowen by the wit or wisdom of man but by the revelation of God so the Church which is his body kingdome and spowse caâ—â—ot be discerned by naturall or humane skill but by the manifestation of God alone through his word and spirit 41 Hence it is that the true churches of God are both contemned and condemned of the world as heretiks schismatiks sedetious c. when the false antichrâ—stian assemblies are highly honoured and regarded For they whâ—ch vnderstand not the word of God whâ—ch natural men doe not nor haue the spirit of God which naturall men haue not how should they rightly judge of or discerne the Church of God 42. And Satan to deceiue the simple doth deck his synagogues with many ornaments of the church of Christ as the preaching of the word prayers sacraments discipline he procureth them also honour amplitude and prosperity when from the true church oftimes he taketh not onely outward peace and glory but bereaueth the same of Christs publicke ministery of the word and sacraments by persecuting imprisoning banishing and killing the officers of the Church and scatteting the members 43. Yet is not Satans synagogue for all the pomp thereof a church of God because it inioyeth and useth not his word and holy things aright according to his heauenly ordinance Neyther can the true churches be spoiled or depriued of the word of God which is graffed in them and able to saue their sowles is seed immortall and endureth for ever but in the mids of their many afflictions they both hold forth that word of life as lights vnto the world and by the same doe edify and
reâ—roched the Protestants as labouring to bring all things vnder the rule of the rash vnconstant people and vnlearned multitude and to make the church democraticall and popular because every one of the people by his priuate spirit is supreme iudge and head in matters of religion Our different judgement and practise from the church of Engl. wher all â—y men as they call them are forbidden all speaking or expounding of the word in the publik assemblies and where a Bishop Chancellor or Commissary hath power to excommunicate by a Latin writ c. Our difference also and dislike of the Presbyteries practise whereby people are excluded and depriued of a great part of their Christian liberty and benefit thereby is in other books largely treated of with scriptures reasons many which M Bern. neyther orderly handleth nor soundly confuteth as the wise reader may see but ignorantly and confusedly shuffleth them ouer running into by matters and vniust calumniations I will end therefore with the words of one of his fellow ministers who touching this poynt of Church gouernment writeth much more soundly then by Mr. Bern. in his blindenes hath done Mr Iacob I mean which sayth It is childish and without all wit to cry out aganst vs â—us our adueâ—saries doe Popularity Anarchie c. for our so wel grounded and so approued an assertion That the sinne of one man publâ—ckly and obstinately stood in bâ—ing not reformed nor the offender cast out â—oth sâ— pâ—llute the whole congregation that none may commuâ—â—cate with hâ— same in any of the holy â—hings of God though it be a church râ—ghtly conâ—â—ituted till the party be excommunâ—cated I deney agayn this to be eyther our iudgement or practise Mr. Bern. sayth the formâ—r position is the ground of this and so it seemeth he câ—lumniating vs in the forâ—er thouâ—ht he might doe likeweise in this We professe and haue long since publâ—shed that none is to separate for fâ—â—lts corruâ—tioÌ„s which may so long as the Church coÌ„sistâ—th of mâ—rtall men will fall out and arisâ— among them but by due order to sâ—â—k râ—dresse thâ—reof Now that euery Chrâ—stian not onely may bâ— tought to rebuke his neighbour for sinne we haâ—e playn lawes both â—n the old Testament and the new Leuit. 19.17 Luk. 17.3 That sinners not repenting are after the second admonition to be signified vnto the church is also Christs ordinance Mat. 18 15.17 But what â—f â—he church will not cast him out I answer Synns are eyther conâ—rouertible or manifest If controuertible and dâ—ubtfâ—ll men ought to bear one with anothers different judgement if they doe not but any for this make a breach or separation they syn But if the sinne be manifest as for example a man is conuict of adultery blasphemy theft or the like and the church will not rebuke him nor cast him out but suffer him obstinate and impenitent in his wickednes and plead for him agaâ—nst such us call vpon them for iudgemâ—nt then are all such abettors of the wicked sinners themselues and that in a high degree as th' Apostle noteth Rom. 1 31 the whole lump is leuened 1 Cor. 5 1 6. c. and now not that one mans sinne but the sinne of them all is that which polluteth them for they fauour and iustify a wicked man more then God therefore woe is vnto them and Solomon sayth He that sayth to the wicked thou art righteous him shall the people curse and the multitude shall abhorr him Prou 24 24 If M Bern think the sinne is the lesse because a church maynteyns it he is much deceiued evill the more common it is the worse â—t is because God is more dishonoured and mens sowles more endangered If he think men should regard and reuerence the church in this case the law teacheth every man not to follow the many or the mighty to doe euill nor agree in a controuersie to decline after many and ouerthrow the right The â—round of all this is playn in Gods law if any one of the people sinned against any of the commandements of the Lord and one shewed him his sinne which he had committed he was to bring his sacrifice a testification of his repentance If a ruler sinned or the high priest himselfe they were to doe likewise If the whole Congregation sinned the like law was for them God respected no persons but if they that sinned were greater or moe in number they were so farr from being sauoured as they had the greater sacrifice inioyned them a priuate man offred a shee-goat a ruler a hee-goat the high Priest and the Congregation a yong bâ—llock These lawes were giuen to all sorts of persons for all manner sinns‘ and the law was agayn repeated and stablished from that day forward throughout their generations Num. 15.22.23 c. But if any man despised this law and sinned with a high hand the same blasphemed the Lord and was to be cut off from among his peoâ—le Num. 15.30.31 Now further that the whol congregation taking Part with wicked men in syn after due admonition are all defiled and subiect to like iudgement we haue a playn example in the whole Tribe of Beniamin where in Gibeâ—h one of their towns filthines was committed the Tribe was called vpon to deliuer thâ—se wicked men to death that evill might be put away from Israel â—â—t when they would not deliuer them all the other tribes warred against that trâ—be and almost rooted out every man of the same Likeweise the trâ—bes of Israel in an other case sayd to some of their brethren seeing ye rebel to day against the Lord euen tomorrow he wil be wroth with all the Congregation of Israel Did not Achan sinne c. and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel and this man alone perished not in his wickednes What Mr Bern. seeth or how he readeth the scriptures I cannot tel but if he knew the contagion of sinne or guilt of the same he would neuer haue writien as he hath done Now where he pleadeth that men should not for the offender refreyn the holy things of God abhâ—rr the sacrifices c. We grant it The holy things are alwayes to be reuerenced Gods house and sacrifices frequented when we may without sinne But we deny such an assembly to be Gods church as with a high hand sinneth and blasphemeth the Lord. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination And it cannot be said that any holy thing is lawfully administred in such a society where all agree together to mayntein open iniquity and doe despise the word of the Lord calling them to repentance If they doe not thus we hold it not lawfull to separate from them nor in any weise at any time till all holy and orderly meanes be vsed for their reclayming That euery of their assemblies are false churches This we hold indeed being
more to separate from theâ— being maynteyned in a false vnleâ—se a false Church haue more privâ—lige tâ—en â— crâ—e And we consider that our separation is from the corrâ—â—ptioÌ„ of â— false Church 2. The scrâ—ptures also are playn that we must separate and forsake all false Churches as well as corruâ—tions in a true 2. Cor. 6 17. Come out from among them and separate your sâ—lues saith the Lord and touch no unclean thâ—ng and I will receiue you Reuelation 18 4 Goe out of her my people that ye receive not of her plagues Hosea 4.15 Come not ye vnto Gilgal neither give vp to Bethâ—ven and many the like How rightly then doe you allege scriptures as if they taught vs separation in a Church onely and not out of it also when it is false and Idolatroâ—s 3. Yoâ—r selues are a president to vs of like practise in separating not in but out of the Church of Rome as yoâ— haue dealt with the mother so doe we with the daughter because like mother like daughter according to the prouerb Eze. 16.44 4. You allege thâ— examples of all the prophâ—ts yet shew you not any that â—alâ—ed by your râ—le to seâ—arate in the Church and not out of it Wee are sure they called the people out of the Church of Israel when it was idolatrous aâ—d forbad them to come at their aâ—semblies Hos 2.2.3.4 4 15.17 Amos. 5.5 And how they coâ—ld themselues joyn with that Church from which they separated others is strange uÌ„to us especially coÌ„siâ—erinâ— that Israel in that estate is noted by the proâ—het Azariah to be withâ—ut the true God without Pâ—â—ist to teach â—nd wihtâ—ut law 1 Chro. 15.3 and may we thinke he separated not from that Church The Israelites thâ—n sacrâ—â—iced to Divils not to Gâ—â— Deut. 3â— 17. Chron. 11.15 and wil yoâ— sâ—y the prophets separated not from them 5. The like I Answer to the examples of Christ and his Apostles who as tâ—ey absteyned from corruptioâ—s in the Ieâ—ish Church so were they qâ—â—re sepâ—râ—teâ— from all false Churches as the Samâ—ritans and other like Mat 10 5. Ioh. 4.22 Act. 2.40 199 so theâ—r examples also doe approue our practise 6. Wâ—ere as you would haue noted that those Churches which Christ and hâ—s Apâ—stles coâ—â—unicated with were Antianosaicall as yours we â—ay ar◠〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉 tâ—e comparâ—son For â— the Iewish Church consistâ—d it all 〈…〉 the same Leuit 20 21.16 of a people separated not onely from heathens but also from fâ—lse professors heretiks and idolaters and were children of the prophets aâ—d couenant of God Iohn 4.9 Act 3.25 But your Church câ—nsâ—steth â—f an vnseparated people children of Idolatrous Priests strangers from the couenant of God 2. The Iewes then had their sacrifices seruices and solemne feasts according to Moses Law Mat 8.4 Mar 14.12 Luk 9. â—O 2.21 24 and Chrâ—st himselfe jâ—stâ—fâ—ed theâ—r worship Ioh. 4.22 but your seruice worship and fâ—stivalâ— are after Antichrists law translated out of his masse-booke 3. Theâ—r Priests were according to Moses instâ—tution of Aarons line Luk 1 5. with 1 Chro. 2.1 10 their Scribes and Pharisees sate in Moses chaâ—re Mat 23.2 your Priests after the Popes institution your prelates fit in Antichrist chair So they wer not so much against Moses as you are agaâ—nst Christ and that your Church reteyneth not the foundation Christ shal through his grace anone be proued The 2. Consideration 2. OVR Church hath the essentiall notes of a true church able to beget a true sauing faith to worke the fruites of the spirit to make a man a true and perfect Christian and last of all to saue him To the which also Christ hath tied his gracious promise and blessing to the end of the world Rom 10 13 17 Mat 28 19.20 Act 20.32 2 Tim. 3.15.16 1. Tim. 4.16 Iam. 1.21 Isa 55 11. Answer THese notes which you propound 1 are not the essentiall notes of a true Church a neyther if they were are they ordinariely found in your Church 1. These are not essentiall notes because 1 One man may haue al this you speake of and no one man is or can be a Church for that consisteth of a multitude or nuÌ„ber of persons it is an assembly or convocation joyntly together it is a body and euery one severally is but a member 1. Cor 12 20.27 That one man may haue all your esâ—entiall notes may appear in Pavls exaâ—ple who was able to bâ—get a true sauing faith to worke the fruites of the spirit and so the rest 1. Cor. 4 â—5 Gal. 3 2 5. 2. An Angel may haue all the notes you mention and no Angel is a Church For example the Angel Gabriel who was sent to giue Daniel knowledge and understanding and preached liuly of Christs death the benifits thereof Dan. 9.21.22 c 3. A wicked man may doe al that you speake of but no wicked man is a true church Iudas sent forth with the other Apostles to preach and work miracles might bring others to saluation by his doctrine though hâ—mselfe were a reâ—robate Mat. 10.5 6. c 4. A true Church is the spowse hous of Christ bringeth him forth a sâ—irituall seed But as God gaue the blessing of multiâ—lying childreÌ„ onely to lawfull maried estate yet often it commeth to passe through hâ—s almighty power and goodneâ—â—e that harlots also are partakers of this bleâ—sing and doe bring forth children so the blessing of spirituall propagation is peculiar to the true Church yet God which brought light out of darknes causeth some children to be borne and brought vp vnto him in false Churches For example the Church of Rome the mother of whordoms and abominations of the earth hath doubtles since she was wedded to Antichrist borne and brought vp by the generall true grounds of Chrstian relâ—geon taught in her many children of God and heyres of saluation This I sâ—ppose your selues will not deny neyther yet wâ—ll you say that Rome is Christ true Church Your reason then is as if Thamer should haue pleaded I am able to bear câ—ildren to nourse and brâ—ng them vp to mans estate c. therefore I am my Father Iudahâ— true and lawfull wife Gen. 38 15.18 c. 2. Now if these were essentâ—all notes which you haue set down yet helpe they you nothing for I deny that they ar ordinarily found in your Châ—rch For though I doubt not but the doctrine of your Church hath saued many yet that is Gods extraordinary blessing not the ordinarie effects of your Church This is the thinâ— you should haue proued by comparing yoâ—r Church and minâ—sterie with the Lawes and promises in Gods word which because you haue not done but onely quoted some scriptures generally which men of all religions may doe likeweise I will by one or two of the scriptâ—res that your selfe here ciâ—e shew how vnlike you are to a true Church and Ministery In Rom. 10.3.17 th' Apostle treateth of two things 1 of calling on