Eauen c. teachinge the church and ministrie to pray by nomber slint and proportioÌ„ it is not onely popish but most friuolous and vaine disgracing and not instructing the Church and ministerie 3. In that by this their Leitourgie they prescribe vnto the Church what Scriptures publiquelie to read and vvhen to reade them as these Chapters and Psalmes at their matteÌ„s before noone those at afternoone c. On all the dayes that they have publique meetings and service through the yeere and so from yeere to yeere They therebie take from the Church the â—olie and free vse both of the Scriptures and spirit off God They therbie conceale and shut out of the Church a great part off Gods holie worde which they reade not As also abuse without order those Scriptures they enioyne to be read 4. In that they shread rend and dismember the scriptures from the holie Order and natural sense of their context to make them Epistles Gospels Lessons select Psalmes to their festivals and idol worship aboue-said They most heinouslie pervert and abuse the Scriptures to the high dishonor of God their owne feareful iudgment 5. In that they bring in aÌ„d coÌ„maunde the Apocrypha writings to be publiquelie read in the Church They both mainetaine and publiquelie teach the dangerous errors therin contayned to the poysoning and subverting of the faith of the church They thrust these devises of meÌ„ into the place of Gods worde causing the people therebie to reverence and esteeme theÌ„ as the holie Oracles of God of like aucthoritie dignitie and truth and to resorte vnto theÌ„ to builde their faith thervpoÌ„ and therbie they bring in an other foundation into the Church besides the high iniurie donne vnto God therbie 6. Finallie in that by this their Leitourgie they bring in erect aÌ„d enioyne a nevv straÌ„ge kinde of administratioÌ„ as is aboue proued in the perticulars They make and erect a new Gospel and so must needes also erect vnto yt a new ministrie For the ministrie of Christ is oÌ„ly bounde vnto aÌ„d vvil onlie administer by Christes Testament vvherein they haue a most perfect Leitourgie for the vvhole administration of his Church Therfore this present Leitourgie and ministrie of EnglaÌ„d are by al these reasons in general and particular founde aÌ„d proved at once to be counterfeite vngodlie and Antichristian Hitherto Mr. Barrow aÌ„d much more in his books afore named as the reader there may fynd Now to conclude the end of publishing these things is to stirre vp al that feare God seriously to mynd what true prayer is and to be carefull to vse it aright according to the word off God which in al thinges faith without which it is imyossible to please God must alway respect and build vpoÌ„ Rom. 10.17 and 14.23 Heb. 11.6 Iosh. 1.7.8 That so we may in this as in all other dutyes of godlynes learne to performe it so as whereby we may be coÌ„forted of God and God may be glorifyed off vs in Iesus Christ. 1603. FINIS ¶ TO THE CHRISTIAN READER TOvvching the treatises follovving know Good Reader that Mr. GREENVVOODS first vvriting concerning read prayer c. vvas by the Prelates taken from him Wherevpon he desired Mr. GIFFORD vvho vvrote against him and had the copy of it to publish it also to the vvorld But he vvould not do it and so by their meanes it yet remayneth suppressed For vvhat cause thou mayest vvell conjecture vvith thy selfe These things Mr. GREENVVOOD himself signifyeth here in the Treatise ensuing Novv if by any meanes that first of his come into thy handes be thou entreated for the truths sake eyther thy selfe to publish it or to deliver it to such as vvill That so the vvhole matter and cariage of it may better appeare to all men for the â—urther manifestation of the truth in this behalf In the meane tyme these are published for thy benefit The Lord give thee so to vse them as may be for his prayse and thy comfort in Christ Remembring alvvay that he is Mediator not for any false vvorship vvhatsoever but for that onely vvhich is according to his vvord Which poynt vvell mynded as it ought vvould soone end the question here controverted and all other the like vvith all such as feare God Mynd it therefore and so farevvell in the Lord. The preface 1. Cor. 2. 11. What man knoweth the things of a man if not the Spirit of man which is in himself Euen so the things of GOD knoweth no man if not the Spirit of GOD. 12. Now we haue receiued not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that we might knowe the thinges of GOD giuen vnto vs. 13. Which things we also speak not in the words taught of mans wisdome but in wordes taught of the Holy Ghost we compare spiritual thinges to spiritual thinges My first writing being about that spiritual exercise of praier and true inuocacion of Gods reuerend name whereby the distressed soule of man loaden with the burden of sinne compassed also about with so many deceitfull enimies contynual assaults of Satan rebellion of the flesh entisements of the world etc. seeketh daylie help of God the Father giuer of all good giftes hauing thorough IESVS CHRIST free accesse by the direction of his holy spirit for all occasions to vnburden yt self of whatsoeuer grief or occasion of thankes yt is moued with I ought still and by Gods assistance shall keepe me in the meeknes of the spirit not witstanding his vnchristian railinges sclanders and reproches against me and the truth I then shewed that no other prayer could vtter and ease the seuerall occasions and distresses of this conscience and that no other mans writing could speake for this soule vnto God but the heart and mouth of him that prayeth for himself or is chosen the mouth of many vttering to God his or ther mindes for their present wantes or occasions of thanckes giuing according to the will of God as neede and occasion vrgeth and the spirit giueth vtterance And I furder proved that onlie this prayer pleaseth God and is grounded of faith to this effect I brought many reasons out of Gods worde admiring the ignorance of this age wherin hauing had the gospell of Christ thus manie yeares in our owne language to search and try al things by whole congregations do make no other prayer to God then reading ouer certeine numbers of wordes vpon a booke from yeare to yeare moneth to moneth day to day c. the same matter and words as they were stinted euen out of that Portâ—is englished out of Antichrists masse-booke besides priuate reading of mens writings instead of praying And seing this counterfeit shew of worship and pretended prayers was made common marchandize in euery assemblie by this Antichristian priesthood and that al men euery where were compelled to bowe downe herevnto and to offer by such counterfeit sacrifices I perceaved the first principle of Religion which is to inuocate the name of
to aske and vse theÌ„ that be needfull you caÌ„ make no stinted prayers for them Giue â—are then to the Scripture in this pointe 1. Corinth 2.11 For what man knoweth the thinges of a man if not the spirit of maÌ„ which is in himself c. Agayne who knoweth what shal be to morow Whiles you then thought to haue founde out more then the only wise gouernour of his house sawe needfull for his worship in his Church and of euerie soule you haue lifted vp your self into his seate and taken the office of his spirite vpon you who searcheth the heartes and knoweth the reynes and teacheth his people how and when to aske according to his will and eheir needs Rom. 8.26.27 also the spirit helpeth our infirmities for what we should pray as we ought we know not But the spirit it self maketh request for vs with sighes groanes which caÌ„not be expressed Yet searching the heartes knoweth the meaning of the spirit because he maketh request for the saincts according to the wil of God And wher you say then that if we marck the prescript forme of prayers of all Churches we shall see this regard that nothing be left out which is necessarie etc. This bewrayeth your shallownes the wisedome of the flesh is foolishnes with God who hath searched the depth of Gods spirit or knowne the minde of man who caÌ„ prescribe the estate of al Churches and what euery moment is needfull to be praied forâ— Odious then is such drosse of a fleshly mans heart Your secoÌ„d provision that nothing be prayed for in your liturgy that falleth seldom out but they are limited to the time Your Church hath not this provision you compel men to pray against thunder and lightning at midd winter and in your most solemne feastes against sodeine death But the truth is till you amend your wayes God will accept no sacrifice of you much lesse requireth this at your handes to do more in his worship then he hath commaunded And where you say in the Church of England the preachers are not limyted touching the matter of their praiers it is not true you are all sworne to your portuis howsoeuer you may omitt some of yt for your Sermons and vnder pretext therof what part you will And why is ther not a forme for prayer prescribed to be vsed after and before your Sermons ys it because the text is not allwaies the same or that the speaker is not in like fitnes or the auditorie in the same preparednes I assure you these thinges might be sufficyent cause why you cannot use alwaies the same wordes and pray according to your necessities and even so standeth the case for al other affaires in the Church The disposition of the soule and the distresses therof continue not in one state one howre But let me tell you whie you haue no forme of praier for your preachings In manie of your parishes or as you would have them Churches Sermons are of those rare thinges wherof you saye ther caÌ„ be no proscript forme of prayer yea your liturgie approueth a ministerie and sufficyent administration without anie doctrine which sheweth yt came out of the diuells forge and not out of Christes Testament But seing you would take vpon you to set so manie perscript formes of prayer as ther is thinges necessarie for euerie assemblie to pray for wher Christ hath set none And if yt were a thing so necessarie to have prescript wordes at the administration of the Sacraments I asked you whether our sauiour Christ had not forgott himself as you thought that when he commaunded his ministers to go preach and baptise and shewed them the words of institution and the Elementes to be vsed with all things thervnto needfull he did not prescribe some forme of wordes for prayer in particular In the tabernacle euerie pinne was prescribed so that ether such formes of praier are not necessarie or Christes Testament hath some wants To this you answere that yt is not of necessitie ther should be a sett forme of prayer prescibed for the administration of the Sacraments The minister may conceive prayer etc. Hold you to this that it is not of necessity you will denie it againe the next Argument Well here you graunt yt is not of necessitie But you haue not answered me till you tell me whether you hold it necessarie or no if yl be at all times necessarie the Testament is not perfect Againe do you not hold yt of necessitie when you eycommunicate men and depose your ministery for not observing yt But you saye yt is for conueniencye If it be a part of Gods worship and all tymes convenieÌ„t then is it necessarie and if yt be not necessarie put such conueniency in your cornerd Capp or surplus Nowe if yt be necessarie at all times you must proue yt is commaunded in Gods worde or els say that all thinges necessarie in Gods worship be not coÌ„teyned in Gods worde which were-blasphemous and papisticall to affirme To this you graunt all things necessarie and convenient are conteyned and aske if I be ignorant that ther be manie thinges conteyned in the scriptures that are not expressed in particulars but be gathered from the generall rules No I am not ignoraÌ„t of this but if it may be gathered ether by expresse wordes or by general rule that ther should be prescript formes of praier for the administration of the Sacraments or anie other particular action of the Church then must yt be so of necessitie because God hath commaunded yt though not in particular yet in generall rules But you graunt yt is not of necessity therfore yt is not commaunded in particular nor conteyned in anie generall rule Yet you demaunde of me if one should obiect that ther were not coÌ„maundement in the Scriptures nor example for anie praiers to be made at all before preaching etc. I would say he should lye against God we have both For the Apostle sheweth yt was the chief part of their office to perdure in the worde aÌ„d prayer Act. 6.4 1. Cor. 14. and 1. Tim. 2.1 Acts. 2.42 besides all things are saÌ„ctified vnto vs by the word and praier And because they never vsed doctrine in Church but prayer weÌ„t before their meetings is said to be vnto prayer Some things ther are I graunt that are not prescribed in particular and yet are commaunded by general doctrine as baptisme of Infants But whatsoeuer is commaunded ether in particular or necessarie collections from general rules are of necessitie to be obeyed as the commaundements of God and may not be altered but your particular formes of prescript wordes have no such warrant Nowe seing you would have no prescript wordes of prayer for the minister to vse before his preaching nor of necessitie for the Sacraments and haue none for excommunicatioÌ„ etc. I wondred wherof your Portuis is made and wherto yt should serue except for churchings and burialls and such popery wherby you leaue the
one against the other For whiles the spirit striueth against sinne and raigneth in vs thoughe the fleshe rebell and cause vs to sinne seauen times a daye yet are we not ouercome of sinne so to remayne in bondage to sinne that it should contynue to reigne in vs as you may see in the same chapter Rom. 7.5.6 Where you alleage then that Paul saw a lawe in his members which did lead him captiue vnto sinne you do falsifie the text for he saith leading me captiue and not did leade etc. for ther was a stronger man or a stronger then man that suffered not the lawe of his members to reigne for saith he I my self in my minde serue the law of God but in the flesh the law of sinne so that the whole man could not be said to serue sinne But say you afterward as concerning then the inner man we may be said to serue the lawe of God and thervpon be called the free seruantes of Christ notwithstanding this corruption of sinne in the flesh So the whole man by reasoÌ„ of our imperfectnes may be said to be the servants of sinne No yt is not true for the whole man is called after the part thath hat greather rule in vs as if the fleshe rule in vs we are the servaunts of sinne and ledd by Satan at his pleasure but if the Spirit rule in vs we are the seruauntes of God Sonnes of God Sainctes of God Citizens of Ierusalem holie and free people Kinges and Priests not that we are perfect or sinne not but that sinne reygneth not in vs but the spirit wherby we suppresse sinne reprove sinne striue against sinne subdue sinne and though we fall seuen times yet we rise againe by repentance and serue not sinne Rightly therfore did I saye that no man can serve two masters for his servantes we are to whom we gyue â— our selues as seruants to obey whether yt be of sinne vnto death or of obedience vnto righteousnes Rom. 6.16.18 being made free from sinne we are made the servantes of righteousnes So that the regenerat man or he that is by outward profession the servant of Christ cannot be called the servant of sinne by reason of the coâ—â—uption of the old man and dregges of sinne neither can he that standeth in boÌ„dage to anie sinne and giueth himself ouer to yt be called in that estate the servant of Christ till he repent but the servant of sinne 2. Pet. 2.19 Therfore you must recant your false interpretation of Paul in the 7. to the Rom. and cease your blasphemous raylings in calling the trueth of God the rocke of Brownisme And consider the height of your sinne by concluding a bondage vnto sinne of the wholeman for the corruptions of the fleshe which through the worke of the Spirit is daylie subdued though never vtterly rooted out of our earthlie members and from the committing sinne through frayltie an obstinate professed bondage to the false Church false gouernment false ministerie etc. which is plainly the marck of the Beast to whom with outward obedience they bowe downe and stand servants in his kingdome Revel 14.9.11.12 As for the 4. of the Galat. 26. where the Apostle saith Ierusalem which is aboue is free with her Children yo udurst not open yt nor expound yt but blaspheame raile and sclander as though we should pleade for such a freedome as should detract from Magistrates lawfull aucthorities from having Gods ordinances established by commaundement vpon the Church etc. yea that we should hold Anabaptisticall freedome as though we had power not to committ or consent vnto sinne wheras we haue euerie where by practise and protestation by word and writing testified to our Souereigne Prince and to all men the contrary But Satan that old accuser and detracter of Gods children to deceaue the world sendeth out such lyinge spirites to deface the trueth We with all subiection and willinge obedience to our souereigne Prince teach all men their obedience to the higher powers Subiectes to Magistrates Flocke to Ouerseers children to PareÌ„tes wines to their husbands servantes to their Masters etc. in all things in the Lorde and if they commaund vs anie thing contrary to the lawe of God we then patientlie suffer without resistance or rebellious thaughtes The freedome then we haue to speake of here which Christ hath purchased for vs is first that triumphe ouer Hell Deathe aÌ„d damnatioÌ„ through the merites of Christ apprehended by faith wayted for in hope Rom. 8. Secondly that because we were sonnes by election he giueth vs the spirit of adoption and sanctification wherebie we mortifie the fleshe have reigne and dominion ouer sinne that yt shall never reigne in vs more vnto condemnation repenting daylie our trespasses and crauing pardon for our hidden sinnes and secret faultes Thirdly we are throughe the same spirit and worde of trueth deliuered from all subiection of Antichist of the false Church false ministerie false gouernment etc. And. they that haue not this freedome are not by outward profession the seruauntes of Christ. Furder we haue freedome from all traditions of men that seing we are bought with a pryce we are no longer seruants of men to be in bondage to anie beggerly rudimentes or devises of meÌ„ but in all peaceable maner to worship and serve God within the limites of our callings according to the word of God as yt is reuealed vnto vs We haue freedome to speake the trueth with all boldnes though all men should inhibite vs we would not haue the doctrine limited stinted bought and sold for Iewishe tythes or mercenarie stipendes We have freedome to seperate from such false Prophetts as your self to come out of Babel etc. And in the true Church to reproue and withstand anie sinne or traditions of meÌ„ in due order only to be guided and gouerned by Christes lawes and ordinaÌ„ces In all this I trust you shall not find anie Anabaptistrie in the freedome we professe this is the truth of the Gospell wherbie we are made free Thus then we still affirme that they which stand in open knowen bondage to sinne are the seruants of sinne and not of CHRIST till they repent by outward profession Furder that allwhich stand members of your parish assemblies stand not members of CHRIST by outward profession but in bondage to a false and Antichristian ministery gouernment worship etc. and the bond woeman and her sonne must be cast out Furder for all liturgies and other devises of meÌ„ besides the canonicall Scriptures and liuely graces of his Spirit we hold they ought not to be brought into the publique assemblies nor imposed vpon mens consciences But if anie will write such or reade such let yt be for their private vse as all other mens writings we despise not any directions by word or writing that may furder vs anie way to the practize of GODS ordinances yet may they nether be imposed vpon mens consciences not be made a part of GODS worship The Lorde therfore that hath thus far
fall into any sinne except the sinne against the holye GHOST yet bee restored by repentance GODS grace so far abounding alwayes considered as then I noted that obstinacye in anye sinne make them to vs the servants of sinne whiles they so remayned not speaking this to giue leaue or incouragement to presume in the least or first step of sinne lest GOD leaue them to themselves but to giue them hope if they returne that haue so fallen hee excepteth generally against all presumptuous sinne saying of frailty Gods childrē may fall but of presumption hee maketh great doubt for anye so sinning to bee renued by repentance for it is spokē of the Maranatha to bee pronounced in this life to none but that bee in that sinne against the holye Ghost and here to fill his paper as his common shift is when hee can neither affirme nor denye hee putteth me to newe questions You must saith hee declare howe filthye incest is not sinne against the holye GHOST nor if a man kill his Father or Mother or children nor witchcraft nor familiarity with Spirits is not your meaning that the regenerate man may of presumption and obstinacy commit these If Maister Giffard shoulde thus vnderstande the worde may hee is in the same fault to say the regenerate may sinne of frailty And I answere furder hee coulde vnderstand the worde may otherwise if as in all his writinges hee caryed not this minde to take all in euil part to quarrell hee coulde have vnderstood it thus that God suffereth of his elect to fall into such sinne yet hee is able to reduce them by repentance and hath made promise to receive them iff they retourne and not haue cauilled in this maner in such thinges the horrour in the verye naming of which sinnes shaketh the flesh and bones of the godlye to heare or behold so that his drift is but to cast in a litle wormewood to deface the truth deliuered Therefore I will onlye prooue the generall doctrine before affirmed and for these perticulars let him that taketh pleasure in raking in them being sinnes not once to bee named amongst GODS children answere himself And much better might hee have put his question thus Whither wilfullye committing of sacriledge and presumptuous continuing to enchant in a false ministery with Iannes and Iambres resistinge the truth persecutinge the light against their knowledge bee not within the compasse of that sinne against the holye Ghost That GODS elect after regeneration doe fall into presumptuous sinne and for a time persist in obstinate sinne and may bee restored by repentance I thus prooue Manie of GODS children may bee excommunicat and vpon the repentance bee receiued againe as the incestuous person 1. Cor. 5. therefore do for a time remayne in obstinate sinne Againe euerie sinne is to bee prayed for but that one sinne against the holye Ghost 1. Iohn 5.16 Therfore presumptuous sinne is committed of GODS elect after regeneration That all presumptuous sinne is not sinne against the holy GHOST wee shall see by the discription of that sinne Hebr. 6. and 10. where there is dispyting of the Spirit accompting the blood of IESUS an vnholy thinge persecuting the light they haue sometimes tasted of and such like notes which are degrees further then presumption for there is presumption of ignorance of rashnes of hope of mercy and many times do the Prophets charge the people with rebellion against GOD so that all presumption cannot have the curse maranatha pronounced vpon it or the persons not to bee prayed for But sure I grant that presumption is neere to that sinne and there cannot bee that high sinue without presumption But now if all sinne but sinne of frayltie were vnpardonable your Clergie were in a wofull case that thus maynely resist the truth and persecute GODS servants Neither is this doctrine anye way contrarie to that I delyvered namelye that the regenerat man cannot bee said to stande in bondage to sinne after regeneration and the servant of GOD at the same time by outwarde profession for none are in bondage to sinne after their calling to the faith to our iudgment but suche as contynue obstinate in their open knowne sinne after due admonition that such stande not by outwarde profession the servants off CHRIST but of sinne and are to bee excommunicate hee willingly granteth and herevpon merueileth how I shoulde gather that obstinat grosse sinners shoulde not bee excommunicat which hee might playnlye perceiue if hee had eyes for if al the regenerat bee in bondage to sinne and so the servants of sinne and of Sathan howe should they cast out an other for bondage out of their fellowship by the power of CHRIST If Maister Giffard say because the obstinate is in greater bondage then the other this proueth not that the bond can cast out the bond by the power of Christ. Againe if all bee in bondage then none can bee houlden without for being in bondage to sinne so that none shoulde be excommunicat none without the worlde and the CHURCH light and darknes CHRIST and BELIALL should bee mingled together To all which hee hath made no answere but demandeth certeine questions and maketh such a formall conclusion as if all were in bondage vnto sinne His questions I grant all affirmantiuely yet denye his consequence Let him plainely proue therfore by euidence of SCRIPTURE that all that do sinne are bondslaues of sinne and when hee hath so done I shall therevpon conclude him a flat Anabaptist in the cheif ground of their profession Verye gladlye therefore woulde hee leave out the worde bondage and falslye accuseth and sclandereth mee in saying I holde that men can not outwardly appeare sinners and stand the servants of CHRIST both at a time which is an open vntruth Yt is hee that cannot put difference betwene sinning and bondage vnto sinne so that in one worde all his questions are answered If anie bee in bondage to sinne hee standeth a seruant thereof Now for the 7. to the Romanes the APOSTLE setting forth the strift betwene the flesh and the Spirit speaketh somtimes in the person of the one if I may so speake and somtimes of the other somtimes of the newe man or regenerat part or of himself so far as hee is regenerat somtimes of the olde man which is not wholly slayne but ful of rebellion striueth for maisterie Nowe I must demand of him whether of these two haue the preheminence dominion and rule in the regenerat the graces of the Spirit or the rebellions of the flesh The same APOSTLE saith the SPIRIT and that part off the man renewed there with which wee call the inner man In the 8. Cap. he maketh it playne The lawe of the spirit of life in CHRIST hath freed mee from the lawe of sinne and of death What is the lawe of the Spirit but the powre rule and dominion of the Spirit of GOD in vs And what is the lawe of sinne but the powre of sinne and bondage wherewith
wee were somtimes led headlong by Sathan at his pleasure but are nowe freed that it no more doth reigne or beare rule in vs vnto condemnation Againe whosoeuer are ledd by the Spirit of GOD are the sonnes of God and in the 7. Cap. 4. and 6. Cap. 16. Knowe you not that to whome you exhibit your selves servants vnto obedience his servants you are to whome you giue your selves obedient David feeling the great assaultes of sinne in his flesh and his inhabilitie to keepe the Lawe of GOD earnestlye prayeth vnto the Lorde Direct my steppes in thy worde saith hee and let none iniquitie haue dominion over mee After the stronge man is cast out CHRIST beareth the rule over vs and in vs by his Spirit So the scripture euerye where pronounceth vs Saincts by calling Kinges and Priestes a people set free not that wee sinne not in thought word and deede howrely and daylie but that sinne hath not dominion ouer vs If then wee were in bondage to sinne wee are the servantes of sinne and of death which GOD forbid Where Maister Giffard therfore reasoneth thus the regeneration is imperfect therefore the freedome is imperfect therefore there is some bondage yt is blasphemie For first our freedome is perfect in CHRIST ells his death is not sufficient Then though our sanctification bee not perfect yet is there no bondage but a rebellion of sinne which if yt shoulde reigne wee were not the servantes of CHRIST And while it seemeth for a time to reigne and wee obstinatly to cleaue vnto yt wee are iudged soe far as men can iudge the servantes of yt and so gyuen ouer from CHRIST vnto Satan till the grace of the Spirit againe to our iudgement appeare to beare rule As for David in the whole yeare after hee had commytted adulterye and murther hee never pleaded for his sinne when hee was reproued not did no longer cleaue vnto yt Soe likewise though wee fall and sinne and bee ledd awaye with sinne yet are wee not in bondage therevnto vntil wee obstinatly and wilfully give our selues vnto yt from CHRIST which you finde not in the 7. to the Roman but resisting of sinne a hatred of sinne a will to doe good a repentance and contynuall recouerye of himself and flying vnto Christ. Soe that your doctrine is false to saye the Apostle stoode in some spirituall bondage and my Argument still firme that these Ministers and people which stande in a professed bondage to a false governmeÌ„t their praiers are an abhomination vnto the Lorde till they repent and submit themselues vnto CHRIST and his lawes and ordinances Whiche the Lorde gyue them grace to doe euen speedely to depart out of the house of bondage and from all subiection of his Antichristian Hierarchie Christs vnvvorthie vvitnes for the truth of his Gospell IOHN GREENVVOOD FINIS Levi. 1.2.3 4. Chapt. 1. Cor. 6 19. 1. Petri 2 5. 〈◊〉 21 10. â—om 12.1 Rom. 8 26.15 Ephe. 4 7.8 etc. Isa. 28 9. etc. Hebr. 5.13 â— Corin. 3 2 Heb. 4 16 2 Eph. 3 12 1 Iohn 2 â— Ephes. 6 18. Phil. 4 6 The whole book of Psalmes Lament 3.40.41 Ioel â— 14 Moses 14 â— Prov. 4 18 19. Luke 11 2â— 1 Petri 2 2 Ephes. 4 13. Mala. 1 14. RoÌ„ 8 26 27 1 Ioh. 2 27 1. Tim. 2.1 Hebr. 13.15 Ephes. 6.18 Philip. 4 6 1. Cor. 14 15 Iohn 4.24 Rom. 8.26 Gal. 4.6 2. Cor. 4.13 Psalm 5â— 17. Psalm 4â— ende 43 1. Sam 1.17 Psalm 119 Rev. 2 7.11 1. Tim 3.15 Other foundatioÌ„ can no man laye c. Gallat 3.15 â—ebr 2.3.4 and 9.14 Matt 5.18 2. Timot 3.15.16.17 rev 22.18.19 2. Pet. 1.20 1. Cori 12.7 Ian. 5.13 Exo. 23.2 7. Argu. G. Gifford I. Greenwood Ia. 4.14 Rom. 8.7 and 11.34 1. Cor 2.16 â—â—d 3.19 1. Tim. 4.5 Act. 16.13 â—6 1. 〈◊〉 â— 1.2.3.4.5 â— Argu G. Giâ—â—ford I. Greenwood Gal 1.8.2 Heb. 22.18.19 2. tim 1.13 1 tim 6.14 2. Tes. 2.4 G. Gifford I. Greenwood â— Cor 2.16 〈◊〉 2.20 M. Barrowes refutation discovery etc. Rev. 14.9 10 11.1â—â— Esa 52.11 Jerem 51.6.45 Mal 12.6
spirit is by the worke of the spirit to bring fourth of our hearts praier to God which is than in truth when yt agreeth to Gods word But reading is another matter namely a receauing of instruccion into the heart from the booke Out of the first Mr. GIFFORD maketh men beleeue he hath fetched two heresies the one a perfection of faith the other that faith cannot be ioyned vnto or stand vvith anie outvvard helpes for the encrease therof Litle marueile he found so mâ—nie heresies in our whole writinges that could finde two or three in my first reason but that you may remember your self better though you had two yeares to consider I will bring the wordes before you againe if peradventure you may have grace to call backe yourself I said if the sighes and groanes in that kinde of praying were of faith yt would minister matter without a booke this sentence I may confirme by manie testimonies of scripture that no peruerted spirit can gainesay or resist the scripture teacheth vs euery where that in praying the spirit onlie helpeth our infirmities no other helpes mentioned or can be collected in the present action of prayer through the Scripture He hath sent into our hearts the spirit of his Sonne crying ABBA Father vve beleeue therfore vve speake Yet here is not anie shew of perfectioÌ„ of faith but of the contrary praying for our wantes But this may be gathered that God onely accepteth the fruits of his owne spirit in prayer and requireth no more of anie but that euerie one according to the proportion of faith pray vnto him as occasion in them requireth Nowe to conclude that because in praying we neede not a booke to speake for vs when the heart it self and booke of our Conscience speaketh with God that therefore fayth neuer needeth instruction but is perfect were sclanderous false and senselesse The cause then of these heresies proceed hereof that your selfe Mr. GIFFORD would needes frame two syllogismes and in the moodes of your malice coÌ„straine the proposition of the present action in praying to a general sentence of all times and actions though both our question here was of the verie action of praying and in the conclusion of that very poynt within six lynes after this you had these wordes Euen in the time of their begging at Gods hands so that these heresies must be Mr. Giffords and not myne seeing they are found to be coyned of his idle brayne and godles heart only to defame the trueth But say you the most part are ignorant weake short of memorie c. therefore need al helps to stir them vp to pray c. where by your own confession reading is not praying but a help to stir vp to pray And euen hereupon all our errours arise that you cannot discerne the difference of spirituall gifts with the distinct vse of them We doubt not but before prayer and all the dayes of our life we haue neede of helps of instruction to praye aright and for the fitnes of the mind and bodie often fasting reading meditating etc. are great helpes to go before to humble our selues in praying but in the present action of prayer when the heart is talking with God the eyes hands etc. with attention lift vp to heaueÌ„ al the powers of our soules and bodies conuersant with God to take a booke and read cannot be called in this action a help but a confounding of the mind of Gods ordinances and a doing we know not what though before and after it be an excellent meanes ordeyned of God to instruct vs to pray and al other dueties As for the confirmation you talke of where I alleadged that a troubled minde is the penne of a readie writer therfore needeth not a booke to speake for yt in the action of praying By troubled minde i vnderstood such a minde as is preseÌ„tly moued with the sight of some sinne or vrged by other occasion a broken spirit a broken and contrite heart aÌ„d not such a minde as in dispayre or doubt ys perplexed and that the heart which is moued in faith with present occasion to call vpon God is the penne of a readie writer that is hath matter aÌ„d wordes enough without a boocâ— to vtter yt owne wantes we may reade throughout the Psalmes My throte is dry saith David I am vvearie with crying c. But here againe instead of answere you tell me I runne vppon the rocke of an hereticall opinioÌ„ of perfection Wherin i wonder but that i perceaue your right eye is blinded you should be so carelesse what you say nay what after two yeares studie you put in prynt Doth it follow that because the heart moued with occasion through the worke of faith hath wordes and matter enough in praying without a booke to speake for yt that therfore faith is perfect let equal Iudges coÌ„sider Here you say manie are so troubled perplexed in minde that they cannot pray till they haue some consolation by the direction of others which wheÌ„ they cannot haue reading vpon a booke is a notable help I allowe al this and agree if you would make reading one thing and prayer an other divers exercises of the spirit etc. But in the verie action of praying to haue an other speake vnto vs never so good wordes of exhortation were but a confounding of the minde and actioÌ„ and an abuse of both those holie exercises Euen so by your owne comparison reading vpon a booke in the action of praying seing we cannot do both at once Yt is the Spirit of God in the verie action of prayer that helpeth our infirmities David in praying finding his soule heauie stirreth vp himself thus My soule whie art thou cast downe whie art thou disquieted within me waite on God For I will yet giue him thaÌ„kes my preseÌ„t help and my God He had a troubled minde his mouth wanted no wordes to prouoke the Lorde to heare his complaint and his heart to waite vpon the Lorde and so through all the Psalmes you shall finde the conversing of the soule with God to be such as yt were a mockery to think reading vpon a booke could haue anie place in that action or that anie mans writing could lay out the present estate of the soule with the passions therof The Priest may say my booke whie art thou so euill prynted for wheÌ„ they reade the heart caÌ„not reasoÌ„ and talke with God To the second poynt which was but your bare assuming of the question to say a man may pray by the spirit vpon a booke c. I alleadged that to worship God in spirit is when the inward faith of the heart bringeth fourth true invocation etc. this you graunt to be most true and that none other is accepted of GOD then that which proceedeth from the inward faith of our owne heart But you think that reading vpon a booke is to bring fourth of the heart true inuocatioÌ„ This cannot be if we consider the difference
Yet you would make meÌ„ belieue I reasoned thus that the Apostles did not nether our Sauiour himself nor anie that we reade of vse these wordes in prayer therfore they did not use yt Nay I said they did not vse those verie wordes in their prayers but vsed other wordes according to their particular wants as our Sauiour in the 17. of Iohn is said to do therfore he nether vsed nor coÌ„maunded others to say ouer those wordes And so I may well conclude that to impose certaine wordes to be read or said by roâ—te for praying vpoÌ„ the church espeaciallie meÌ„s writings is an intollerable pride euen a setting of men in the place of God Also to vse them or bowe downe vnto them in that order is sinne and breach of Gods lawe The fourth Argument Because true prayer must be of faith vttered with heart liuely voiâ—â— It is presumptious ignorance to bring a booke to speake for vs vnto God c. The fift Argument To worship the true God afther an other maner then he hath taught is Idolatrie But he Commaundeth vs to come vnto him heavie loaden vvith contrite heartes to cry unto him for our vvantes c. Therfore we may not stand reading a dead letter instead of powring fourth our petitions The Sjxt Argument We must striue in praier with continuance c. But we cannot striue in praier be importunate with continuance reading vpon a booke Therfore we must not reade when we should pray G. Gifford These 3. I ioyned togeather as hauing no weight you say I answeare by plaine contradiction without Scripture c. And afterwardes is not my bare deniall as good as your bare affirmation c. I. Greenvvood STay your selues and wonder they are blind and make blind Is ther anie doctrine more spirituall anie more inculcated by the Holy Ghost then this accesse vnto God in the mediation of 〈…〉 owne spirit to make our mindes knowne vnto God to offer vp the 〈…〉 owne spirit in vs and fetch encrease from him by this 〈…〉 true 〈◊〉 with the heart and voiâ—e This colioquie with the highe â—â—iestie of God is it a mâ—rter of no weight to learne to discerne betweene 〈◊〉 exercises of the spirit and to exercise his graces aright according to 〈◊〉 Rightly is it â—aid the wisedome of God is foolishnes to the naturall man But Mr. GIFFORD wil say he graunteth the propositioÌ„s true and weightie matters 〈◊〉 is the Assumptions that be so friuolous and as he saith a litle after ridiculous wel let them be weyed 1. That reading instead of praying is not a powringh fourt of the heart by liuely voyce 2. That it is a quenching of the spirit to reade an other mans wordes vpon a booke in the very action of powring fourth our heart as we pretend 3. That yt is not an vnâ—ordening of a contrite heart by faith but an ignorant action to reade for praying 4. That we cannot sâ—riue in prayer continue in prayer be importunate etc by reading vpon a â—ooâ—e These are the 〈◊〉 he tâ—incketh of so litle weight the bare deniall and contradiction wherof he holdeth of such credit that it must suffice for answeere seing he sa it he hath before proued the vse of reading See here he calleth yt the vse of reading he could not say that reading is praying nethâ—r that these twoo exercises of our Faith can be vsed both in one instant as one action I haue sheweed that proâ—â—che and anâ—gnosis praying and reading are divers actioÌ„s both of the minde and body let the reader consider what weight then this matter is of to talk with the lyuing God But for the benefit of such as haue grace to sauour the things that are of God I will a litle illustrate these Assumptions at least some of them 1. That yt is a quenching of the spirit to reade an other mans wordes vpon a booke when I should powre fourth mine owne heart the word yt self must be considered the Apostle commaundeth saying 1. Thessalonians 5.19 extinguish ye not the spirit Now to suppresse and leaue vnvttered the passioÌ„s of our owne heart by the worke of the spirit giuing vs cause of prayer and instead therof to reade an other maÌ„s writing I doubt not wil be founde and judged of all that haue spirituall eyes to see a quenching of that grace yea in that action the reading hindreth vs from pleading our cause with God according to the occasions we see in our owne hearts And by not teaching men to drawe out the graces of God in theÌ„ to offer vp the sweete incense of his owne spirit in prayer but an other course deuised by fleshly pollicye the people growe in such Atheisme that they learne not all the dayes of their life to lay open their owne soule before the Lord in prayer How much more then by imposing stinted wordes to be read in the whole assemblies insteade of the liuely graces making yt a sufficient ministerie to reade ouer such beggarlie ware do you abondon Gods spirituall giftes and make an assemblie of Atheists in most places of this land yea in the best assemblies you compell such ware to be read when and where the liuely voyces of Gods present graces should only he draweÌ„ fourth as an holie odour vnto the Lorde Yea I appeale to the conscieÌ„ces of all that feare God if this haue not brought the land generally into Atheisme that not one amongst an hundred can call vpon God 2. That it is an ignorance to presume to come into so neere a conversing with God and to do one action for an other so offring the sacrifice of fooles let yt be sufficient proof that reading is not praying That yt is presumptuous to bring such lame sacrifices when you know to do better let yt be considered whether you would so vncircumspectly and carelesly approche to the presence of the Prince or any noble personage Then if he be our Lorde where is his honour his feare etc. when we will teach men and compell meÌ„ to do they knowe not what in his sight and to offer such lame sacrifice The Priestes themselues care not what offring they bring him Malach. 1. Thirdly the reading praier can be at no hand a striuing in praier for the worde agoniso which is read Rom. 15.30 signifieth to conteÌ„d in feruency both in minde and worde to preuaile with God as Iaakob wrestled with the Angell and said I will not let thee go except thou blesse me Genes 32.24.25.26 such sâ—rift you shall see through out the Psalmes in thâ— prayers of David and the Prophets alas howe this should be performed eyther in feruencie or contynuance let the wise consider 4. For importunacy and contynuaÌ„ce in prayer wherof we haue many precepts let the worde be looked vpon which is proscartâ—reo to insist by perseverance etc. as we see our Souiour Christ make plaine vnto vs by a parable Luke 11.5 6.7.8 â—nd Luke 18.1.2.3.5.7 now shall not God auendge his elect which
that do it but sinne that dwelleth in me for if the yoake wherwith he was held captiue in part could not take from him but that he was the Lordes free seruaunt it is no reasoÌ„ that some outwarde bondage should make the Church not to be the spouse of Christ. If a man commaund his wife saith he to do a thinge and ther be violent force to withhold her shee is not to be blamed Rom. 7. Mine answere to this he durst not print but peruerteth my wordes so manie as pleaseth him nether can I yet come by a copie of my former writing to shew what I theÌ„ replyed Now consider what gouernmnet is and what bondage is and then behold the wickednes of this man Spirituall gouernmet is that souereigntie Dominion and regiment that Christ Iesus by his spirit lawes ordinaÌ„ces and officers exerciseth in aÌ„d ouer hys church as yt is writteÌ„ And thou BethleeÌ„ Iuda art not the least among the Princes of Iuda for out of thee shall come a gouernour that shall gouerne my people Israell againe thy Scepter is an uer lasting Scepter I haue set my king vpon Syon my Holy mountaine Mat. 2.6 Psa. 2. and 45. and 110. these lawes aÌ„d ordinaÌ„ces wherby this kinge raigneth are caled a kingdome that caÌ„not be shakeÌ„ Heb. 12.28 they that haue not him to reigne ouer theÌ„ are by outward professioÌ„ none of his If I be your lord where is my honor againe those myne enimies which would not that I should reigne ouer theÌ„ bring bether and slay theÌ„ before me Luke 19.27 Also bondage or seruitude is to be al commaundement and to yeild obedience in subiection Now to be in outward bondage to an other outward government other lawes officers and ordinances then Christs is to be by outward subiection servantes of Antichrist which layeth an other foundation for by outward profession we cannot stand to mans iudgment professed subiects to two kings at enimitye But we must be an enimie to the one and so esteemed of all meÌ„ much lesse members vnto two divers heades This then is mine answere here 1. That it is an heresie to say a man may stand in bondage to open knowen sinne and the free seruaunt of Christ to vs by outward profession both at one instant 2. That it is a falsifying of the Scripture to say that St. Paul in the 7. to the Romanes was in bondage to sinne when he in the inner man resisted sinne and daylie preuailed against the sinne which his flesh would haue led him captiue in if there had not beene a stronger power to ouercome that enimie For he ther reasoneth of the benefite of the lawe to manifest our sinne and our conquest ouer sinne by daylie repentance and reprouing of sinne in our selues fighting against sinne victory ouer sinne thoughe yt contynuallie rebell 3. How blasphemous were yt to contynue in knowen sinne in bondage to yt and to say it is sinne that dwelleth in vs and not we and so still to blesse our selves without amendement O horrible peruertinge of the Scriptures to mens destruction 2. Pet. 3.16.4 That ther is no Argument to be drawen nor consequence to followe from the reliques of sinne and corruption of the fleshe in one man or the whole Church and a professed bondage to al false government no not betweene the open committing of sinne in the whole Church or some mâ—mbers therof and a professed homage and subiection vnto a false gouernment we cannot be partakers with the false Church and true at no hand 1. Cor. 10.21 5. Lastlie that the subiection to an other gouernement is as a wife that committeth adulterie Hosea 2. I then reason thus on the contrary with you Any man that after regeneration committeth open knowen sinne and contynueth obstinate as a bond seruaunt thervnto standeth not the professed seruaunt of Christ but of synne Ezechiel 18. till he repent so the whole Church that persisteth in open knowen sinne and persequuieth the messengers that reproue the same Then as euerie member of the false Church standeth a professed seruaunt of sinne so the whole assemblies that stand professed subiects of false gouernment no censures sf admonition belonging vnto them but calling of them to repentance and seperation from the false Church Then as the wife that geueth her self to be one with an other man is an adulteresse Rom. 7.3 so that Church that subiecteth herself to an other gouernment ordinances and lawes then Christs is an harlot Now lett all men say whether I had not iust cause to say you spake like a carnall libertine and an Athiest yea nowe as one having his conscience â—eared to affirme that the Church remayninge in open knowe bondage to a false gouernment may saye as Paul said it is not I that sinne And that contynuing in that adulterie she is the spouse of Christ by outward profession You would saye it were a false Argument to say the Church hath manie imperfections ignorances transgressions etc. therfore standeth in bondage to sinne nay standeth in bondage to an other heade and an other government then Christs Euen so to saye the Church doth sinne therfore may contynue in bondage to sinne is false doctrine nay to say it may stand in open professed subiection to Antichrist and be esteemed the CHURCH of CHRIST by outward profession in that estate is damnable doctrine It is the flat contradiction of all the rules of the Scripture to say a man may stand in bondage to sinne and the free servauntâ— of Christ by outward profession by mans iudgment at one tyme seing the obstinate offenders are to be cast out of the assemblie But nowe though the regenerate may fall into these highe sinnes and contynue in their sinne a long time yea manie yeares depriued of GODS grace to mans seeming and to vs is the seruant of Satan for anie thing wee see yet the Spirit of GOD is never vtterlie extinguished or departed after regeneration but will recouer the man againe and bring him to repentance as David after a whole yeare for the stronge man once displaced and cast out by a stronger then he the spirit neuer vtterly departeth againe for then yt were impossible that maÌ„ should be renewed Mat. 1.2.31 Heb. 10.26 and 6.4 And herevpon I might saye Paul never contynued captiue in sinne but was alwaies renewed by repentance Furder this spirit of God the sparkes wherof were never quenched vtterlie did not nor could not consent or giue place vnto sinne for here is the enimitye and battel betweene the spirite and the flesh euerie where spoken of Gal. 5,16.17 Rom. 7. May I not now say then that Paul never contynued captiue vnto sinne nor consented vnto sin concerninge the Inner man or gave place vnto sinne in that place mentioned without heresie And still reproue you that when Paul reasoneth of the old man or corruption in him you will conclude yt of the new man or inner man and of the whole man when you see euidently he opposeth the