word made flesh that reveale the father for thou shalt worship the Lord thy God Mat. 4. and him only shalt thou serve And above all in this in beleeving his word only who can not deceive nor be deceived Otherwise though thou pray vnto him and vse all externall devotions he will not account that service or following him but following a man knowes not who what or wherefore for how shall they call on him in whome they have not beleeved Rom. 10.14.15 And how shall they beleeve in him of whome they have not heard there can therefore be no true serving him without hearing and beleeving nor no hearing to salvation without hearing of him nor indeede without obeying or following for therfore it is added But they have not all obeied the Gospel Some obey it not at all as Iewes others would serve God and Mammon others Christ and Antichrist others Gods word and the precepts of men but this is not to obeie the Gospell to follow Christ to worship him aright for he saith In vaine they worship me who teach for doctrines the commandements of men Thus doe they who teach that diocessan Bishops should be received and obeied Mat. 15 9. which make Gods word of the presbiterie of none effect and this they also doe by other theire traditions and precepts which not only crosse the Gospel in other things See the crowne of a Christian Martyr but serve men for a religion and so make the word of God of none effect And while they hold that Gods will is that they should be obeied that is in effect to teach them for doctrines they are no longer things indifferent but necessarie or rather presumptions that turne from the truth Mar. 7.8 and make men lay aside the word of God for laying aside the commandements of God ye hold the tradition of men As if he saide ye cannot hold the tradition of men but ye lay aside the commandement of God as wee finde true in matter of the presbiterie and other things Againe No man hath seene God at any time Ioh. 1.18 the only begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him All things are delivered vnto me of my father and no man knoweth the father save the Sonne Mat. 11.27 Ioh. 15.15 and he to whome the Sonne will reveale him But he saith to his Apostles All things that I have heard of my father J have made knowne vnto you so he hath fullie declared him And the Apostles have declared vnto vs in the new Testament all the counsell of God If therfore the Sonne Act. 20.27 have not revealed these traditions and precepts of men in his Testament it is a greate presumtion to say they may be imposed or that Gods will is that they should be obeied For because Christ only is the word that revealeth the father therefore that only should be taught which he hath revealed by his Apostles Evangelists but he hath not revealed these precepts of men and therfore he saith In vaine they worship me who teach for doctrines commandements of men As if he saide rejecting God his word ye worship him whose traditions ye receive Ioh. 4. and that with the greatest and trewest worship The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and truth Viz. in obeying the truth and yealding themselves to be wholly governed by it as by a perfect and necessarie rule which requireth not a difference of meates or such triviall things but righteousnes and peace Rom. 14 16.18 ioy in the holy Ghost He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God He is a true worshipper For so Paul saith After the way that they call heresie so worship I the God of my fathers beleeving all things that are written To beleeve the Testaments and no more Obejed is the true worship This must needes be the worship vsed by them who are saide to worship in the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie Rev. 11.1.19 because there was nothing seene in it but the Arke of his Testament they beleeved and obeied all things that were written therein and no more 1. Sam. 15.22 To beleeve and to obey is better then Sacrifice and to hearken then the fat of rammes It is the best service and worship as the very Iesuits prove from this place Ignati de obed virtute sect 5 and thereby condemne themselves who give this best service to theire superiour by beleeving and obeying him as one that can not be deceived though they cannot perceive but he commaunds things contrarie to God and so make him theire God Thus the Pope sits in the Temple of God as God or as men say most maister in things and thus papists worship the Beast and his image For his servants ye are to whome ye obey And yet this worship in matters of religion is only due vnto God whose word alone is the spirit that giveth life yea men have more or lesse the Spirit of prophecâ—e 〈◊〉 â—â—â—uld be obeied as they speake according to that word and thâ—â—â—fore the Angel saith worship God for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophecie Rev. 19 His testimonie and no other For the church is subject to Christ not to the preceps of men This testimonie ye ought to beleeve and obey Ephes 5.24 as Paul did in beleewing all things that are written and so to worship God in Spirit and truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him The Papists then in receiving and teaching for Doctrines precepts and traditions of the Pope and Church of Rome so contrarie to the word do certainly giue them this true and greate worship which only belongs to God and so are like them who changed the truth of God into a lie Rom. 1.25 and worshipped and served the creature more then the creator who is blessed for ever Thus they are saide to worship the Beast and his Image Many thinke that some such thing is done by those in England that defend teach the authority of the Bishops theire hierarchie Canons decrees and ceremonies because many of them are popish and more pressed by many then some points of the Gospel And though divers doe not doe this with a purpose to set vp poperie vnlesse in a few things neither can be perswaded that the hierarchie is a limbe of the Beast yet the obedience to it in these things if they or it be not of God is a worship to it and a serving the creature more then the creator which indeede is much more donne by the Papists to the Beast and his Image And here by the way it is a thing worthy observation that if in the primative ages of the church vnder the first Christian Emperours some were touched with some of the popish opinions as very few were and those only in some things yet they did neither maintaine them against such light of doctrine
as is manifested now a daies nor give theire false doctrines and interpretations for lawes as they have donne in these later ages and since the councell of Trent which is the thing that makes them and theire followers so abhominable Therfore after one Angel haveing an everlasting Gospel to preach had cried feare God Rev. 14.6 7.8.9 and worship him and that the second had denounced the fall of Babylon by which two seeming to be wicklife Luther and theire followers came greate light of doctrine The third Angel followed them and denounced eternall damnation to every one that should after this time worship the Beast and his Image and receive his marke And because some would rather suffer martyrdom then doe it that is added Here is the patience and the faith of the saincts vers 12.13 Here are they that keepe the commandements of God and the faith of Jesus Blessed are the dead which henceforth die in the Lord or as others reade for the Lords cause Here then wee may see theire impietie and danger who continue not in the word but either more or lesse receive and professe the Doctrine and superstion of the Pope and Church of Rome which is not taught in the holy Scriptures they receive the marke of the Beast and worship him and his Image To receive and haue which marke is to receive or have an impression of the Popish Doctrine and Religion in part or in whole either in profession which is to haue the marke in the forhead or by defending or helping the same by som meanes which is to haue the marke in the right hand as will appeare by shewing how men haue the Seale or marke of God The eternall word and Wisdom of the Father is his expresse Image with which the elect are sealed in theire forheads by saueing knowledge and profession thereof with faith and full assurance Which is when they receive the Doctrine of the holy Scripture and it leaues such an impression in them that they professe they will receive it and no other vnder any pretence of the Spirit vnlesse it follow from the same Testament of Christ who to shew that the Holy Ghost brings no other Doctrine he the truth calleth him the Spirit of truth and saith He shall not speake of himselfe Ioh. 16.13 But he shall receive of mine and shall shew it vnto you He shall bring all things to your remembrance whatsoeuer J haue saide vnto you So he leadeth into all truth And he shall shew you the things to come that is touching the generall Apostacie vnder Antichrist and such other things in the Revelation Councels therefore doe vainly pretend the Spirit if they speake not according to the Testament of Christ The word was made flesh Ioh. 1. the Disciples saw the glorie thereof in his Doctrine and miracles full of grace and Truth This cannot be saide of the canons and inventions of men Of his fulnesse saith Iohn haue all wee receiued Grace and Truth came by Iesus Christ Whosoeuer brings not this word 1. Ioh. 2.24 this truth of God is a deceiver But the anointing which ye haue receiued of him abideth in you and ye neede not that any man teach you but as the same annointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie Idaicus taketh Christ to be the anointing here meant and Lorinus on the place giues good reasons why the word is saide to be the Anointing Indeede the Spouse saith to him Thy Name is an ointment powred forth Cant. 1.3 Now wee know his Name is called the word of God And indeede this eternall word seemeth to be the anointing meant because he saith it is Truth and is no lie And Christ that word because he addeth and euen as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him or it in the anointing And now litle children abide in him that when he shall appeare wee may haue confidence and not be ashamed before him at his comming v. 12. to iudgment for the word shall iudge vs at the last day Ioh. 12.48 and Christ is that word as Augustin proueth on that and many other places of Iohns Gospel As many as receiued this word this eternall Truth to them he gaue power to become the Sonnes of God euē to them that beleoue in his Name whose name is called the word of God Therefore he saith to them that beleeued on him Ioh. 8.31.36 If ye continue in my word thē are ye my Disciples indeede and ye shall know the truth the truth shall make you free and sheweth the same truth to be the Sonne that maketh Sonnes free saying If the Sonne therefore shall make you free ye shall be free indeede This comes of the saueing knowledge of Gods word 1. Ioh. 3.2 Therefore Iohn saith Now wee are the Sonnes of God and it doth not yet appeare what wee shall be that is because wee know but in part But when he shall appeare we shall be like him for wee shall see him as he is And euery man that hath this hope purifieth himselfe euen as he is pure Thus as Paul saith men put on the new man Ioh. 17. which is renewed in knowledge after the Image of him that created him and that saueing knowledge is the cause of loueing and obeying him and of purifying of a mans selfe as he is pure Therefore it is that Christ saith M. Downam Guide to Godlinesse cha 5. Rom. 10. Psa 119.27.33.34 this is eternall life to know thee and him whome thou hast sent Saueing knowledge as one saith beeing the ground of obedience and the roote of faith and all other graces For how shall they call vpon him in whome they haue not beleeued and how shall they beleeue on him of whome they haue not heard Or haue no knowledge Divinely therefore saith David Make me to vnderstand they way of the precepts so shall I talke of thy wondrous works Giue me vnderstanding and I shall keepe thy Law And therefore Augustin saith that wee may loue things vnseene but not vnknowne For to shew that the first conversion of a Christian is wrought by illumination knowledge and a liuely faith that followeth thereupon Christ saith to Paul Act. 26.18 J send thee to the Gentiles to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknes to light that is from the power of darknesse to the Sonne of light as he addeth from the power of Satan vnto God Ephes 2.2 chap. 4.18 Wherefore he sheweth that the Gentiles in times past walked after the Prince of the power of the aire and were aliened from the life of God because theire vnderstanding was darkened through the ignorance that was in them because of the blindnesse of theire heart that beeing aliens from the common wealth of Israel and strangers from the couenants of promise they were at that time without Christ haveing no hope and without God in the world Hence it was that they beeing
past feeling gaue themselves ouer to worke all vncleannesse with greedinesse Which ignorance and blindnesse is so greate a sinne and so greate a cause of sinne that the Psalmist saith Psa 79.6 powre out thy wrath vpon the heathen that haue not knowen thee and vpon the Kingdoms that haue not called vpon thy name And the Apostle saith that the Lord Iesus shall come from heauen with his mightie Angels 2. Thes 1.7 8. in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God That is because they care not for this greate favour he vouchsafeth to reueale himselfe in revealing his word in theese and other things vnto sinfull men that by receiving the loue and knowledge of his eternall word and truth they may be made Sonnes and friends of God to obey him better then they haue donne For as Ioseph by the favours his maister shewed him was taught to denie to sinne with his mistresse So this greate grace of God Tit. 1.11 bringing salvation hath appeared to all men Teaching vs that denying vngodlinesse and worldly lusts wee should liue soberly righteously and godly in this present world So that the more saveing knowledge there is in a man there will be the more faith pietie righteousnesse and holinesse of the truth The Angels in heaven doe Gods will better then we because they know him better rhen we and wee shall doe it better when wee know him better when wee shall see him as he is Therefore Peter saith Grace and peace be multiplied vnto you through the knowledge of God 2. Pet. 1.2.3 Chap. 3.18 Exod. 34.6 and of Iesus our Lord. Therefore when Moses desired to see and know God he shewed himselfe in theese words The Lord Jehouah strong mercifull gracious long suffering abundant in kindnesse and truth reserving mercie for thousands forgiveing iniquitie c. This beeing a summe of the Gospell And therefore also Paul prayeth for this as one of the greatest blessings that can be that the Father of glorie may giue vnto you the Spirit of Wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him Ephes 1.17 the eyes of your vnderstanding beeing inlightened that you may know what is the hope of his calling and what the exceeding greatnesse of his power to vs ward that beleeve That wee may be filled with the knowledge of Gods will Col. 1.9 in all Wisdom and spirituall vnderstanding Knowing as was shewed that this worketh sanctification that the Image of God is renewed in knowledge Ephes 4.24 and thereby in righteousnesse and holinesse of the truth Not holinesse of mens inventions and traditions but in holinesse of the truth Which is when they are confident that they neede not that any man teach them but as the same Truth teacheth them of all things and is truth and is no lie That while Prelates teach other things it is more then needeth That wee should all speake the same thing to avoide divisions but that must be the Testimonie of God 1. Cor. 2.1 which the Apostles declared vnto vs otherwise divisions cannot be avoided For men must contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the Saints holding i◠fast and when they professe as much that is to haue the Seale name or marke of God in theire forheads For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Character or marke comes of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to make a deepe impression Letters are therefore called Characters because those elements wee first learne leave a stronge seale in our memories So doth the Doctrine of God in the heart and Soule where he promised to write it Ier. 31.33 I will put my Law in theire inward parts and write it in theire hearts So doth he his promises whereby wee are made to beleeve obey and consequently sealed with the marke or Image of God Ephes 1.13 In whome also ye trusted after that ye heard the word of truth in whome also after that ye beleeved ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise Thus the Lord sealeth men by the ministrie or his word and cooperation of the Holy Ghost God saith Paul 2. Cor. 3.3 6 17.18 hath made vs able ministers of the new Testament not of the letter but of the Spirit which giveth life and consequently sealeth Now the Lord that is Christ the word is that Spirit Namely which wee administer to the Soule and vnderstanding and which sealeth Wherefore he addeth That is the word of the Lord. wee all with open face beholding as in a glasse the glorie of the Lord are changed into the same Image and consequently sealed therewith And that seale is in theire forheads when they professe it and that they will receive it and no other So it is saide Hurt not the earth nor the Sea nor the trees till wee haue sealed the Servants of our God in theire forheads Theese are such as receive the Testimonie of Christ and no other Doctrine vnlesse it follow from the same Such behoulding Romish superstition prophesied in Sackcloth yet could not be hurt by the locusts the Monkes and Friars all theire tales of purgaterie affright not them They haue the Fathers name written in theire forheads because the word is called his name and expresseth him as an Image on a Seale doth him whose Image it is I haue manifested thy name vnto the men which thou gavest me Ioh. 17.6.8.11 that is thy word as it followeth I haue giuen them the words which thou gauest me they haue received them Keepe through thine owne name those which thou hast giuen me That is through thy word 1. Pet. 1.5 Heb. 1.2 who are kept by the povver of God that is by the word of God by which all things were made and are vpheld Now then this eternall and divine word by which the world was made and is vpheld is called the Fathers Name as beeing his word the brightnesse of his glorie and Character of his substance that is his expresse Character which expresseth him and wherewith wee are sealed which Character or word the Sonne is therefore they are also saide to haue the Sonnes name on theire forheads Reu. 19. Now on his head were many crownes and a name written v. 12. which shewed what he was and his name is called the word of God Of which therefore and for which all Kings should hold theire crownes and not of the Pope nor for his traditions and service Thus Iohn saith He that continueth in the Doctrine of Christ he hath both the Father and the Sonne 2. Ioh. the Father and his word Therefore it must needes be the marke of God Reu. 19. Chap. 15.6 chap. 11. Reu. 21.17 Chap. 22. which he had who saith J am thy fellow Servant and of thy brethren which haue the Testimonie of Iesus And that is also proved by this that he is one of the seaven Angels that commeth out of the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie that is
into that her first errour yea though they should be at enmitie with her for her after errours or not know her there are none exempted that fall into the same errour only As many as have not this doctrine marke and so for the doctrine of the Nicolaitans of Babylon or any other therefore if a man forsake all Babylons errours save one if he hold but one of the first as this aboute Bishops which is the roote of all the rest he committeth adulterie with her in that he pertaketh of her sinnes and may receive of her plagues She hath many others It is true that all nations have drunk of them The reformed churches have therefore discovered and abandoned them Among which the church of England will not acknowledge that though she retaine diocessan Bishops theire courts power in imposing divers Romish customs canons and ceremonies that yet theese are any part of the Babylonian corruptions for which she is taxed in the holy Scriptures and at the last rewarded Some seeing Bishops beare such sway in the church of England do plainly affirme that they are of God and ordained in the new Testament knowing that otherwise so greate power and authority in the church cannot be lawfull Gal. 3.15 seeing the Apostle saith though it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man dissanulleth or addeth thereto much lesse to Gods Others there are that if you tell them it was an invention of the Romanists and other Clergie men after the death of the Apostles they so much reverence that church of Martyrs that they care not much whether it be of the Apostles or them which is a verie greate follie and vanitie seeing our Lord taxeth so many churches of those times with greate corruptions and it hath beene manifested that the church of Rome both in this case and many others did quickly grow worse then them all that many were the presumptions and burdens she laide on the church that the foundation of diocessan episcopacie was making the pastors of greate cities to be alwaies presidents of Sinods which so increased theire authority that in time the title of Bishops came to be restrained to them who beeing in such power were as readie to take it as others in flatterie to give it And why then should so much be ascribed to theire Synods seeing so many foolish and presumptious things were determined by them As abouts Temples Altars Masses vestments holy water orders Metropolitans all verie superstitious and so much for theire owne glorie that An ichrist rose out of them Our Lord saith he that speaketh of him selfe seeketh his owne glorie Ioh. 7.18 but he that seeketh his glorie that sent him by speaking his truth as in the two verses before the same is true and no vnrighteousnes is in him which argues Also chap. 8.38 that they who speake any thing besides his revealed will who speake any thing besides his truth or commaund what he hath not commaunded they are false and seeke theire owne glorie yea there is much vnrighteousnes in them they defile a church they speake that which they have seene with theire father and that therefore those prelates who ordained these things sought theire owne glorie defiled the church and were guided by other spirits then the Spirit of Christ who only taks of Christs and shewes vnto men Chap. 16.13.14 Which is also plaine by this that to theire owne glorie they are more observed then the commaundements of God as Lent and other things then devised So Telesphorus sought his owne glorie Platina in Telesphor when he ordained That in the night of Christs birth day three massos should be celebrated the first at midnight when Christ was borne in Bethelem the second at the breake of day when he was known to the Shepheards the third at the time of the day when he was nailed on the crosse for after that hower it was forbidden to celebrate it Because Paul saith As oft as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the Lords death therefore in the primative church they oft received the Sacrament commonly once every Lords day which was well But this was no warrant for them to devise to shew his death by a kinde of Sacrifice as Alexander first invented See Platiin Alex. and somtime twise or thrise in a morning in this superstitious manner which soone served hypocrits for a pretence of lesse preaching or hearinge the word growing ignorant and making the masse ordained in those times the chiefe part of their religion which must needes be much to theire glorie in an Antichristian sense that speaking of themselves devised it and were so followed in it Idem in Eleuther And so in ordaining diocessan Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs after the example of the flamins Archflamins and Protoflamins as Platina and others shew Indeede all ordinances did greatly increase theire glorie were they never so foolish because they beeing in honour had st ll flatterers to defend them and perswade obedience to them Therefore reade Damasus Platina and others that write theire lives and you shall finde there was then scarse any B. of Rome that did not invent som ordinaÌ„ce least he should be thought an ill husband in increasing the glorie of his Sea Idem in Zepherin an 198. Idem in Calist and in Steph. 1 Zepherinus ordained that the cup in the Sacrament should be of glasse and no more of wood as it was before This was after altered and commaunded to be of gold silver or pewter Calistus ordained that there should be a fast thrise a yeare on the saturday for corne wine and oyle which after was changed to the fast at fower times Stephen 1. ordained that Priests should not weare holy garments but in the church and in celebrating holy rites least if they did otherwise they should fall into the sinne of Balthasar who touched the holy vessels with prophane hands In the times of the Apostles before presbyters wore such garments bâ—fore Surplesses coapes and such vestments were taken from the hâ—athen there was litle neede of such an ordinance Howsoever the Scriptures do so forbid prophane cariage at all times and in all Christians that this needed not to keepe priests from beeing drunke in theire Surplesses What should I speak of hallowing grapes on the Altar and such like foolish ordinances The verie shame of those ages and of them that so much reverence theire inventions and canons for theire Antiquitie But it is rather because Vrbanus made one which enricheth the Prelates because Dionisius limited the confines of divers diocesses and Cajus distinguished the orders because though in all these things they spake of them selves yet they were confirmed in the councell of Nice who indeede sought Christs glorie and spake out of his Testament in her creede But whether she spake of her selfe or of theese Bishops of Rome and theire inventions and customs in her other Canons aboute Bishops the Reader
might if they would and yet scorne and reject them as follie and matters of reproach and worthy correction persecution it is a plaine treading vnder foote the Sonne of God who hath * Reu. 1.1.11.19 and Ioh. 16.13 reuealed the Father in theese things and counting the blood of the couenant an vnholy thing wherewith the new Testament was sanctified confirmed or dedicated as the first covenant was with the blood of beasts yea this is to doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace which first shewes vs Gods grace in ordaining these things and after in promises of restoring them And indeede seeing it is manifest Act. 14. chap. 20.28 1. Pet. 5.2 Tit. 1.9 that the Apostles ordained Elders in euery Church that theire office was to feede the flock ouer which the Holy Ghost made them Bishops that they were to take the oversight thereof by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers reproue correct and instruct in righteousnes and if this would not serue after the first and second admonition to excommunicate in and with the consent of the congregation who can denie but that all this is of the substance of religion necessarie to the salvation of the people and proper to euery Prosbyter Euery man will be readie to confesse that it is better there be a Pilot a Maister and a Maisters mate in euery ship to watch ouer the same and all that is in it as the Lord in Wisdom ordained Elders to be Bishops in euery Church or congregation to watch over it and all the Soules therin leaving them in his Testament a card and rules to steere and saile by the word of God beeing theire Rudder then that there should be but one in a whole fleete one Bishop in a diocesse and all the rest but shadowes or lesser wheeles to be led and moved by him as it came to passe by the wisdom and encroachments of men wherby Bishops neither leaving the brethren nor yet the presbyters any voice in censures or part in the government doe themselves bring in the inventions and evils Christ would keepe out get dominion over mens faith and by theire power and traditions make the word of none effect in divers perticulars A thing which is expresly forbidden in the new Testament My brethren be not many Maisters knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation Iam. 3.1 that is because in the causes and controversies of hereticks Psal 100. Schismatiks and other delinquents it is saide of the word Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies He shall judge amonge the nations the Presbyters and members of the church doe but rule and judge by him as steeres men by the Rudder judges and jurots by the law not by theire owne inventions or pretended authority And therfore our saviour who was against all such dominion in the church saith to his Disciples Mat. 20.25 Chap. 123.8 The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them But ye shall not not be so Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren Therfore when there is cause of accusing or censuring any he doth not say Tell the Bishops but Tell the church And accordingly in the times of the Apostles Chap. 18.17 and longe after as the epistles of Cyprian do manifest they were judged by the word in an assemblie of presbyters and brethren as the incestuous Corinthian which shewes us that neither one man nor the presbiters alone were judges in such cases but the church which by the Scriptures either cleered or censured any person accused as by the word of God he appeared either guiltie or not guiltie for so doth the word judge among the nations And therfore seeing God hath so ordained and it was in the primitive church so practised it is not a thing indifferent as some thinke whether Presbyters or diocessan Bishops hold the government but in effect a matter of salvation espetially to every church and by consequence to every Soule in it as the well or ill guiding of a ship concerneth the salvation of every passenger embarqued in it For though in a tempest some are saved without good Pilots and some in the shipwrack by a board yet others are not without skilfull sea men and soe in the church but for the most part not without helpes in government God hath in nothing given this to one in a diocesse and his officials but to the presbyters of every church elected according to his ordinance For though the provision of Bishops and Pastors have beene somtime in the hands of the Clergie and people somtimes in the hands of K ngs and Patrons then in the hands of Popes and then againe in the hands of Kings and patrons as now in England yâ—t as many have proved for the first seaven or eight hundred yeares after Christ the people in most places did choose them according to the practise of the primative church and the power given them in the new Testament For so saith Cyprian The people have principallie the power either to choose such priests as are worthy or to refuse such as are vnworthy Cypri 1. Epist 4. Act. 14.23 Beza Annot in Act. 14. Tit. 1. And so saith Luke They ordained them Elders in every church by election Where saith Beza the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be noted that wee may know that Paul and Barnabas caried nothing by private will nor exercised any tyranie in the church nor lastly did any such thing as at this day the Romish harlot or her pages doe whome they call ordinaries And by this place saith he must that be vnderstood I left thee in Creete to ordaine them Elders in everie citie as I had appointed thee that is by election as the Apostles left it to the church and people there assembled to choose one in the place of Iudas Beza Annot in Act. 1. And they appointed two Nothing saith Beza is here caried privately by Peter as by one endued with a more excellent dignitie but publickly and by the suffrages of the whole church So as he sheweth were the seaven Deacons chosen and so is that to be vnderstood Lay hands sodainly on no man that is to make him a presbyter amd so give him a part in this charge of the Eldership till he be tried the church or people have chosen him and praier be made for him as at the election of Mathias and the seaven Deacons It is ill for the Soules of Kings Bishops and patrons and indeede worse for the church that any one of these have the choice or confirmation of Pastors helpers Elders which are lawfull callings or of diocessan Bishops Deanes prebends and others which are vnlawfull For this makes divines flatter all such Princes Patrons and Prelates or theire favourites and so is cause of exceeding greate corruption and hipocrisie in church and common wealth For by this meanes Princes Prelates and theire favourites though they
saith They blaspheme against the Lord severing and dividing Iesus from Christ and Christ from the Saviour and againe the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten Now if the Bishops doe not sever the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten yet it is an heresie somwhat a kin to this to change the truth of God into a lie to refuse part of the Testament touching the presbiterie and to say that the same ordinances aboute this and the power of each church to choose ministers and excommunicate called the power of Christ are not now his word and ordinances nor the power of Christ to be followed of all churches that these things might be taken from them and given to one in a diocesse which is indeede to take them from Christ who hath trusted the churches with them that they are things indifferent that councels and Kings might change them or set vp others that turne from the Truth and are soe contrarie that his will is that these should now be obeied and followed and not those which himselfe ordained which is to say his will is changeable All this beeing in effect affirmed by them is downright the marke of the Beast For so papists argue in the same cases and in those of Images communion in one kinde the primacie and the like And yet we know that the new Testament and all the ordinances thereof are from everlasting yea eternall and vnchangeable Mat. 13.35 Rom. 16.35 Ephes 1.9.11.2 Tim. 1.9 Ioh. 12.48 and Ioh. 1.1.2.3 1. Cor. 2.7 Heb. 13.8 And so the Apostle saith Iesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same also for ever Thus they that in the Revelation weare white hold fast the testimonie of Jesus The Bishops neither doe so nor suffer others that would but with flaterie and threats make many preach and write in defense of theire power traditions ceremonies and so to make war against the lambe Bishops themselves therefore had neede of one in these cases to open theire eies to turne them from darknesse to light 2. Tim. 3.8 and from the power of Satan vnto God For as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so doe these also resist the Truth men of corrupt mindes and by theire tyranous imposing of these things cause divisions and offences Rom. 17. contrarie to the Apostolike doctrine and therein serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but theire owne bellie and with faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple I would they that are counted both learned and wise were not as commonly deceived by theire flatteries and false glosses They likewise make men bow toward the Altar and at the name of Iesus not at other names of Christ or God his father and kneele at the receiving of the Sacrament as if they did more reverence and obey Christ the word then others that doe not these things though as wee shewed it is but a popish and a late devise And yet they themselves can not bow to Christ in his ordinance of the presbiterie and the power he gave to each church nor endure to heare of it but hinder others that would Can they be Christs Bishops When Elijah heard the voice of God he wrapped his face in his mantle for the reverence that he bare to Gods word When the Spirit of the Lord came vpon Iehazel 1. King 19.2 2. Chro. 29 14.18 so that he spake the word of the Lord Iehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and all Iudah fell before the Lord worshipping the Lord. 2. King 20.19 And when a sentence was pronounced against Hezechiah for his sinne yet he saide Good is the word of the Lord that thou hast spoken And Iohn so reverenced the word of God that he was ready to worship the Angel that shewed it him who thereupon saide see thou doe it not worship God All these and the like places shew the greate reverence that is due to the word It is the name of Christ Rev. 19. His name is called the word of God A name that could never be given to any other a name above all names and therefore this is that name of Iesus at which every knee should bow where yet it is not so much meant of bodily worship with the knee as receiving the word with faith and obedience obeying the truth is the true worship Those that doe not this are called stifnecked such as will not bow And such are the Bishops Act. 7. who yet in the meane mock God with a beggarlie signe of such obedience which therefore is not apt to stir vp the dull minde of man to a remembrance of this duty to God but is a meere complement a shew And indeede this and other theire ceremonies insteade of doeing good serve thousands for a religion or a shew of one and in place of that wich God commandeth For brevitie sake I omit to speake of other cathedrall ceremonies and to observe the like poperie tyranie and abuse in many of theire canons courts and customes as is shewed in the Curtaine of church power Curtaine of Church power certaine it is that many have litle religion besides and that many who defend them doe it on purpose to make them inductions to other poperie and because they are fit maskes to cover theire popish or prophane practises So that beeing thus grossly abused they may and by theire owne rule ought to be taken away and cleane rejected But they will have nothing reformed or changed yet they themselves as others before them have changed the ordinance of God which is a most adulterous fact and therfore whereas som say if wee goe aboute to alter or reforme any thinge wee shall never be quiet till all be brought to Annabaptisme or Brownisme I answer this is as if one should say you may not turne a woman from poperie or adulterie for feare she turne Annabaptist They should therefore deale plainly with vs and say to maintaine theire hierarchie the greatnes of a few Prelates theire pompe theire coaches and pallaces the truth must be suppressed the church and common weale corrupted and the whole world disturbed Mic. 3.11 The heads thereof judge for reward c. yet they leane vpon the Lord and say is not the Lord among vs None evill can come vpon vs. Her prophets are light and trecherous persons Zepha 3.4 Eze. 22.26 Haba 1 3. her priests have polluted the sanctuarie they have done violence to the law There are that raise vp strife and contention Therfore the law is slacked and judgment doth never go forth for the wicked compasse aboute the righteous therefore wrong judgment proceedeth They so wrest the truth to maintaine theire hierarchie and traditions and will not see the truth of God in these things that almost all men after theire example turne prevaricators Mic. 2. â— O thou that art named of the howse of Iacob is the Spirit of the Lord streitened are