the Church as also to bayte the wolfe from the fould and not to suffer him to enter much lesse to teach or exercise anie office there come he neuer so disguised in sheepes clothing wrapped in Samuels mantel or in a rough hayrie garment to deceaue Yf their examples for their incomparable preeminence be not allowed me to follow yet their doctrines cannot be so taken from the least of Christs seruants For a pâ—…rticular instance I insiâ—…t among many other scriptures vpoÌ„ Zacar 13. 2. 3. Verses where they may see an expresse warrant for this my maner of dealing w t these maner of meÌ„ as also the â—…oueraigne vertue effect of this sharpe medecine olde corrupt sores must not be cured w t skinning plaisters or sweet ointmeÌ„ts If I should obey their ambitious appetite therin I should destroie both theÌ„ my self their seared consciences must be wounded their rough garment and counterfait ministerie which they for gaine vainglorie so corruptly execute must be plucked from them they shewed the heigth of their sinne the wrath of God due vnto the same for the high profâ—…nation of his holy name word the misleading murthering so many soules c. that so they may if they belong to Gods election to CHRISTS kingdome be humbled for their sinnes and betake them to some more godly trade of liuing vntill CHRIST thinke them worthy and call them to the worke of his ministerie This grace effect with my whole heart I wish them beseeching theÌ„ in the meane while not to fixe their eies vpon my basenes and ignorance which bring the message so much as vpon their owne miserable estate the message that God vouchsafeth euen by me to send them least they be offended at my basenes folly which is euetie way greater then they â—…aÌ„ imagine or I vtter so in the pride of their owne wisdome and presumption of their owne hearts in disdayning me they stumble at the words of God despise his grace against their owne soules The basenes of CHRISTS choice hath euer beene no small offence to the learned Phaâ—…seis their proselites that he should begin his glorious ministery kingdome in GALILE and that amongst a sort of the most despised simple artificers leauing reiecting the great learned Phariseis Scribes Priests who where the greatest enemies and persecutors of him his Gospel c. The scripture also speaketh euidently that in these latter daies when the viallâ—… of Gods iudgments shalbe powred vpon the false Church that the most part of the men that haue receaued the marke of the Beast and worshipped his image shall not repent of their works but breake out into noisome greeuous sores botches â—…nd shallbe so tormented with heaâ—…e that their tongues shalbe smitten with venemous bliâ—…ters that they shal blaspheme the God of heauen for their paine sores c. The truth of this prophecie and terror of these iudgmentes I behold with griefe executed euen vpoÌ„ the cheefest learnedest of your ministerie striken with such blindnes as they grope their way in the noone light and reele like drunken men in their pathes they are hardned with ambition and couetise as they can find no grace nor place to repentance yea that I euen trâ—…mble to thinke of possessed which such madnes as they that sometimes to our seeming sought reformation and the kingdome of CHRIST IESVS are now become of al others the most pernicious enâ—…mies therof daily studâ—…jng for new caâ—…illes and shiftes to hide their wretchednes and to keep back and misleade the people yea to weaken and discourage the hearts handes of such as in the loue feare truth of God haue begiâ—…ne to build the Lords Temple despising accusing slandering reproching them worse then euer the Amonites Samaritaâ—…es did the Iewes yea euen blaspheming the truth of the Lord when they see they can by no meanes preuaile against yt For all which their impious deeds hard sayings they shal shortly giue accompt to him that is coÌ„ming with thowsands of his saints THVS HAVING discored vnto you the true estate of the people ministerie worship ministration of the church of England yt remaineth now that we take a litle view of the 〈◊〉 gouernmeÌ„t ordinances of this their Church which though they may partly appeare by that which is already written concerning other pointes yet if they be brought a litle neerer the light and compared to these orders ordinances that our Sauiour CHRIST hath set downe in his last wil Testament and incommended to his Church for euer then shal they most eâ—…idétly easily be discerned of all men no labor learning or power can then any longer iustifie couller or vphold them Great hath beene their craft manifold their deuises to couer their antichristian practises and to vphold this their ruinous and tirannous kingdome I had need expresse my meâ—…ning to be of their false ecclesiasticall regiment the kingdome of the Beast least they be my interpretors draw me within dager of treason so like are they vnto their predecessors the Priests Phariseis so apt as the Prophet saith to lay a snare for him that rebuketh in the gate to coÌ„demne him as guilty for the word c. First they sought to darken the true light by terming this heauenly gouernment of CHRIâ—…T and holy ordâ—…rs ordinances of his Testament The outward discipline vsed in the primitiue Churches especially in the time of Lent c. then to keepe the Magistrates the people vtterlie from all sight knowledg hereof both by inhibiting all their priests to preach therof and not suffring any such places of scripture as make expresse mention therof to be so much as read in their Church as â—…om 12. 1 Cor. 15. 12. 2 Cor. 2. Eph. 4. 2 Thes. 3. 1 Tim. 3 5. Tiâ—… â—… much lesse to be sincerely expounded made knowen vnto the Church y t they can at no hand away with scilencing suspending emprizoning such of their forsworne priests as meddle with such matters Yea the wretches perswade the magistrates that yt would breed an innouation if not a subuersion of the whole state hinder the course of the common law cut off the ciuil quite extinguish the cannon law that yt would raise continual schismes contentions and vnapeaseable troubles and tumultes that yt would innouate and alter the regiment of the coÌ„mon welth and draw yt to an Aristocraâ—…ie or Democratiâ—… c. These things these vncleane deuilish spirits thâ—…t are come speake out of the mouth of the Dragon blow into the ciuil magistrates 〈◊〉 and breath into their hearâ—…es who being a great deale more pollitike then religious the Lord knoweth with what truth sorrow of hearâ—… I speake yt are not able to discerne this most impious high blasphemie against God and his CHRIST from sacred veritie but because yt is plausible to the flesh rightly agreeth to the present
Church or to be in Gods fauor vntill they repent I haue shewed that al their praiers in this estate are accursed of God and also all such as participate with them in the same I haue shewed that the knowne and fuffered sinne of any one member is contagious vnto all such as communicate with him in that estate and maketh them all which communicate in praiers sacramentes with such an obstinate offendor as guiltie in Gods sight as he himself is I haue shewed that no faithfull man ought by any Congregation of men or Angels â—…e drawen into the least knowne transgâ—…ession of Gods law c. Which doctrines although they suffice to â—…catter and disperse these smoky erâ—…ors of M r. CALVINE and his disciples yet seing they haue so roiled the â—…ountaine as yt were darkned the sunne with these myâ—…es foggs â—…t shall not be â—…misse â—…o discusse these pointes which remaine a litle â—…urther and see what power eueâ—…ie particular member of the Church â—…ath in the Church and in the publike actions of the Church and also â—…o see wherin how long they are to keepe communion for what when to leaue the same It is manifest that all the members of the Church haue a like inâ—…erest in CHRIST in his word in the faith that they altogether make one bodie vnto him that all the affaires of the Church belong to that bodie together All the actions of the Church as praiers censures sacramentes faith c. be the actions of them all iointly and of euerie one of them seuerally although the bodie vnto diuerse actions vse such members as yt knoweth most fit to the same Al the members are iointly bound vnto edification vnto all other helpes or seruice they may do vnto the whole All are charged to watch exhort admonish stir vp reproue c. and herevnto haue the power of our Lord IESVS the keies of the kingdom of heauen euen the word of the most high therby to bind their rulers in chaines and their nobles in fetters therby to cast downe euerie strong hold high thing that is exalâ—…ed agaâ—…nst God therby to defend and maintaine the faith and euerie iode of the vvord to stand fast in their libertie to trie the spirites to auoid such as teach contrary doctrine and consent not to the vvholsome vvoâ—…des of our Lord IESVS or denie the power and practise therof to admonish the greatest euen ARCHIPPVS to looke to his ministerie and if nâ—…ed be to plead vvith their mother c. yea no further to follow her or an Angell of light then they walke with God and haue the word for their vvarrant Our communion must be in the faith and not in error or transgression we are not to follow a multitude to do euill but in all thinges to follow faith to the conseruation of our soules and to grow vp into him which is our hâ—…ad CHRIST IESVS vvhomâ—… vvhiles vve hold fast and vvhose vvord vvhiles vve hâ—…ue for the thinges vve do or refuse to doe vve need not fâ—…are the 〈◊〉 of anie vaine men neither be amazed at any vaine titles of Church sacramentes c. For this vve know that there is no Church can excuse vs for the breach of Gods law before that great Iudge Now then seeing eueriâ—… member hath interest in the publike acâ—…ions of the Chuâ—…ch and together shall beare blame for the defaltes of the same and seeing all our communion must be in the truth and that vve are not to be drawen by aâ—…ie into anie willinge or knowen transgression of Gods law vvho can denie but euerie particular member hath povver yea and ought to examine the manner of administring the sacramentes as also the estate disorder or transgressions of the whole Church yea and not to ioine in any knowen transgression with them but rather to call them all to repentance c. if he find them obstinate hardened in their sinne rather to leaue their fellowâ—…hip then to partake with them in wickednes Neither doth the place 1 Cor. 11. 28. 29. THAT EVERIE one ought to examine himself c. hinder either their Christian libertie or publike dutie for these rules are generall the wordes are general alike giuen to euerie member and vnto all the members of the Church without respect or exception of any either Pastor or others So that by this reason neither Pastor nor any were to look vnto the life conuersation estate of an other neither can these rules or wordes any way be restrained to one more then an other much lesse may such corrupt doctrines and false conclusions be drawen from them THAT BECAVSE euerie maÌ„ is to examine himself therfore no man is to looke to an other Euerie man eateth either to his owne saluation or damnation therfore the open sinnes of minister or people do neither hurt the sacramentes there administred nor the godly conscience of the receiuers What sense or sequele is in these reasons what can be deuised more false or foolish because euerie one is to looke to his owne priuate estate therfore no man may meddle with an other mans 〈◊〉 with the publike estate Were he not as foolish that could be led or caried wiâ—…h these reasons as they that made them But being granted them what kind of Church what communion what duty what law or feare of God would there remaine If the second weâ—…e granted that the open yea the obstinate sinnes of others do hurt neither the sacrament nor godly receiuers what doth yt then skil who they be that administer or recâ—…aue theÌ„ or where they be administred whether in the popish or turkish assemblies A godly man as they count him may resort to what idolatrous or sacrilegious assemblies he will so he in his heart go to worship God yt skilleth not what outward sinn there be coÌ„mitted or he ioineth vnto that hurteth him nothing What blasphemous hellish doctrines are these which take away at once the whole Testament of Christ and word of God or tollerate the open breach of them which take away all Christian libertie dutie communion May we ioine to open sacriledge most heinous profanation of Godes ordinances that with the open wicked impeniteâ—…t and not be guiltie Call they this to examine our seluâ—…s or to eate to our owne saluation they make a faire interpretation of and collection from these places But might yt not better be comprised within the examination of our selues to examine looke how we dischardge both our publike and priuate duties towardes God and our brethren c. which how can I thinke I any way discharge vnto them that suffer my brethreâ—… euen before my face wittingly willingly â—…o runne headlong into assured destruction to eate their bane damnation yea giue consent thervnto O what a cruel and vnmeâ—…ciful part were this Call they this to â—…eepe the vnitie of the
yt is vsed according to his ordinance yt neuer being so â—…pened touched or heard without great fruit yt being the verie tree â—… riuer of life with the abundaÌ„t fruites flowing graces wherof the â—…hole church is nourished watered that therfore the like commaÌ„â—…nt or blessing is of their leauâ—…ned Leitourgies or because God 〈◊〉 the infancie of his church prescribâ—…d certaine scripturâ—…s and psalâ—…es to be read sung vpon their sabath day solemne feastes c. yea â—… at other times of their great affliction oppression calamitie cauâ—…d certaine coÌ„fortable 〈◊〉 to be read in the assâ—…mblie sor the â—…rengthning of the faithful both that they should not be dismaied at 〈◊〉 greatnes coÌ„tinuance of these troubles or think theÌ„ straÌ„ge or els â—…ppose that God were either offâ—…nded with or vnmindful of theÌ„ or 〈◊〉 â—…is mercies c. that therfore now they may vpoÌ„ such feastes saboâ—…s daies times troubles enioyne that I no more meÌ„tioÌ„ their owne â—…auened leitourgies these or any other scriptures by stint measure 〈◊〉 iniunctioÌ„ law vpoÌ„ thâ—… church of God now Is the church of God 〈◊〉 in wardship such infaÌ„cie shut vp as vnder a garrisoÌ„ that yt must â—…ue such Tutors rudimentes Is not Christ now dead risen and â—…ended and hath freed his church from such tutelship he himself now becomming their lawgiuer and minister in person and hath now giuen them his holy word Spirit to administer wisdome vnto them in al freedome to vse the same his word according to his wil their owne occasions vnto his glorie and their comfortes And what can now be a greater bondage to the church iniurie vnto Christ and vnto the Spirit of God then thus to limit to stint circumscribe the church of God the ministerie of Christ the spirit of God by apportioning rating enioyning by way of subiection commandemeÌ„t this scripture in this number quantitie for this day feast fast calamitie c. where haue they any rule for this in the TestameÌ„t of Christ They wil say yt sufficeth that they haue warraÌ„t for yt in the old Testament where these perscript limited scriptures at such daies feastes times occasions were commanded inioined in the church c. But I hope they caÌ„ put differeÌ„ce betwixt the estate lawes of the church vnder Moses now vnder Christ that they wil not now reserue â—…eviue and apply those lawes belonging to the TeÌ„ple the ministerie therof now to the church ministerie of Christ. But they take not these to be ceremonial lawes but â—…ather morall which commandeth scriptures to be read praiers to be made in the church of God these scriptures which they inioyne are such therfore may so be vsed True yt is the moral law both commanded the name of God to bâ—… called vpon and the word of God to be read c. and this to al tiâ—…s estates persons indifferently as wel to that ministery vnder the law as to this vnder the gospel leauing the particular maner order therâ—…f to the wisdoÌ„ directioÌ„ reuelation of the holy Ghost from time to time as seemed good vnto him Now yt pleased God to giue those rudimentes of the vse of certaine scriptures psalmes c. to the ministerie of that church commanding such scriptures to be there read vpon such daies occasiones c. such psalmes to be sung by such Leuites of such an order of ASAPH HEMAN or IEDVTHVN to be sung in such a time with such musickes such instrumentes c. Al which I am sure they cannot deny to be inseperably ioyned vsed to those scriptures in that Temple and ministerie and were meerly ceremonial now vtterly abrogate with that Temple and ministerie and no way belong to the ministerie or Church of Christ. Those stinted lawes and customes I say I would not be vnderstood of the precious word of God wherof euerie iode and title abideth for euer and is of vse and fruite in the church of God which scriptures and figures are not without their especial profite in their spiritual sense and vnderstanding al and ech of which scriptures are now freely to be vsed withouâ—… stint or limitation in the Church of Christ as his spirit giueth wisdom grace and vtterance and not to be restreined and aportionate by way of prescription and commandement without the losse of Christian libertie of the truth of the Gospel the abusing the word of God vnto idolatrie making yt an Idol But heere they wil say that the reading of the scriptures and â—…inging of Psalmes is also coÌ„manded in the Church of CHRIST This â—…ath beene long since granted yet no such stinted and limited reading â—… singing thus thus much this day at that time c. as they inioine â—…ell yet seing they are still coÌ„manded though at our libertie what â—…heÌ„ to reade or sing them many of them being godly praiers we may â—…et pray by the booke and by written praiers As this word prayer by 〈◊〉 general constructioÌ„ may be vnderstood I graunt they may be called â—…raiers in that they conteine fit matter rules instructions for praier â—…nd were to that end by the holy Ghost written yet can they not be â—…ied our praiers or my particulaâ—… praier because they neither expresse â—…ur present wantes according to the present estate of our heartes neiâ—…her can be said the liuely graces worke of Gods spirit in vs so much â—…s the power of Gods word and Spirit vnto vs. My meaning is they â—…re not dâ—…awen or powred out of our heartes as out of a fountaine buâ—…â—…ather drawen out of the fountaine of Gods word powred into our â—…eartes as a vessel therfore can not be said our praier which must proâ—…eed from the present estate of our heart They are not our wordes by â—…s offred vnto God but Godes word by him offred vnto vs therfore â—…annot be said our praiers But ô how hard a thing is yt for carnal men to discerne spiritual â—…hinges They can by no meanes be made to put difference betwixt the â—…ord of God and their Apocryphâ—… Leitourgies which they falsly vaunt to â—…e according to the word of God betwixt reading singing praying 〈◊〉 the present liuely graces of Gods Spirit in vs and their old â—…enned dead writinges betwixt Gods word to vs instructing vs accorâ—…ing to our infirmities by way of petition and our wordes vnto God by â—…aithfull praier And this vale being layd ouer their eies and heartes â—…hese blind guides â—…ot only affirme but condemne thinges they know â—…ot the one in setting vp their owne rotten Leitourgies abusing the â—…ord of God to in the same c. the other in crying out with open â—…outh against such as reproâ—…e them and will not partake with them â—…n their idolatrie Insomuch as Doctor ROBERT SOME confesseth very â—…illingly and freely that he was amased when he heard vs affirme that â—…art of holy
distribute not to gouerne The third point in this cauilling questiō is to know where these officers aboue said practised that gouernmēt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other It hath beene euen now shewed how this gouernment belongeth is committed to the whole bodie how their office consisteth to teach the Church how to practise yt to see yt obserued by al in due order and not ambitiously to assume yt wholy into their owne hands For the rest though there be a communion in the Church yet there is no equalitie The Church knoweth how to giue honour reuerence vnto their Elders especially to them y t labor in the word doctrine The Church of CHRIST is taught to obey submit vnto their leaders to acknowledg them that labour amongst them that are set ouer them in the Lord to admonish them and to hold those in superabundant loue for their worke sake The Elders also amongst themselues know how to giue honour one vnto another by going before yet al this without preiudice to themselues that giue or detrimēt to him that receaueth yt without the losse of the least iote of their owne libertie or puffing him vp or setting him in anie vnlawfull authoritie They giue yt to his labor diligence vertue and desert which ceassing they straight withdraw their praise in the stead therof vse exhortation admonitiō yea if need be censure All the parts of mans bodie are not alike esteemed and vsed we haue much more care and tendernes ouer the eies then of the hands or feet yet may not the eye heerby refuse to doe seruice and attend to the hand or foote in all their busines and affaires neither may yt disturbe the least member of the bodie in their peculiar office functiō or intrude into their place The eye guideth directeth the hand shewing how yt ought to doe the worke the hand againe washeth wipeth and doth all louing helpe yt may vnto the eye Both eie hand euerie other part of the body are distinct members yet so knit and ioined together in the bodie as they do their due seruice vnto the eie ech vnto other in the whole not confounding the order of nature nor disturbing ech other in the worke The Church hath like care to see that inuiolable order and temper of the members in CHRISTS bodie dulie preserued the honor they gi◅e to one member is not the dishonor of another or hinderance of the whole bodie The Church neither doth neither may giue immoderate honour either in fastuous swelling titles of vanitie or any inordinate authoritie to anie member that would rather puffe vp the flesh then cheare vp the spirit All the gifts God hath giuen any member are to the seruice of the whole bodie he that will be greatest must be as the least he must wash the feet not haue his feete kissed of the least all superioritie is heere comprised within the bounds of Christian order modestie Humilitie goeth before and is the compagnion of honor honor is not heere conferred to lift vp the hear◅s of the greatest aboue the least but rather for their coūsaile care loue seruice vnto al yt is willingly giuen vnto such by all Ambition vainglorie are heere carfully auoided both by the g◅ers receauers who so seeketh the primacie with Diotrephes is heere ◅uggillate layd open resisted rebuked of al as that Antichrist that Lucifer y e greatest Elder of the Church the Pastor is but a seruant steward of the house not Lord of the heritage but a member not Lord of the bodie to be honored for his excellent place in the bodie giftes of God to be reuerenced for his fa◅thfulnes labour and diligence Yet this must euer be remembred his honour consisteth in his seruice his seruice belongeth vnto al so that the least member of the bodie hath like interest in him as he in the least member the l◅st member hath like libertie and f◅eedome with him in Christ though not like gifts or function of Christ. AND NOW this strange troublesome Proposition is thus proued That Christs Church can be established into no other order or gouerned by any other officers or ordinances then Christ in his Testam◅t hath prescribed that these great impediments difficulties are also remooued out of the way me thinckes yt time heere a fit occasion offred to goe in hand with the examination of the present established gouernmēt of the Church of England And heere to begin with the Antichristian authoritie of the chiefe rulers namelie the Bishops which they would beare away hide v◅der this word Superioritie of their lineage petigree original you haue aboue heard as also of their strange manner of offices and consecration and somwhat also of their power generally and from vvhence they deriued yt but let vs now a litle further consider therof First they take vpon them ech one of them to sit vpon as they call yt or to gouerne many hundred churches others of thē many thowsands one of them as Pope or Primate ouer al they make depose ministers by their absolute authoritie they make and disanul lawes th◅y ratifie or rei◅ct vvhat scriptures they list they confirme or refuse what doctrines they list they make what kind of vvorship ministration they list they chāge innovate coine alter bring in cast out what and whome they list without checke or controulement The truth of al these need no other proofe then their present estate the warrant of anie of these I am sure cannot be shewed in Christs Testament therfore I doubt not at one word to call them all diuelish Antichristiā To confute thē seuerallie were a labour both needles troblesome they being of themselues so apparantlie odious yet this brieflie in a word One man cannot stand a Bishop vnto diuers churches at one time no more then one eye can be a 1 member 2 doe the function at one time to diuers bodies 3 in diuers places no more then one candle can be put in two or mo diuers candlesticks 2 in diuers howses 3 and shew light vnto them al at one time Thus are Bishops in their office place ministerie called members yea the eye of the bodie lights and the candle of the howse the Church yt self also c◅lled the bodie the candlesticke in the scriptures No one shepheard can attend watch feed ouersee two or more flockes at one time in diuers places no watc◅ mā can keep watch in diuers Cities at one time Bishops are called shepheardes watchmen the Church a flock a citie in the scriptures Be◅ides CHRIST hath established an other quite contrarie order not one watchman or shepheard ouer manie churches but manie watchmen ouer one Church yet hath giuē power cōmanded euerie mēber to watch al litle enough Mo◅eouer yt is CHRISTS only office now to walke in the midst of the 7 goldē Cādlesticks he