am contented with any thing that is reasonable but because thou doest wrongfully charge me to fauour any religion but that onely which I professe I must tell thee brother before we part seeing that thou art neither conformable vnto the Law of God nor man I say thou art no better then a flourishing tree without fruit Puri Wherein canst thou prooue me a flourishing tree without fruit seeing that I preach the Word of God very zealously and lead my life very strictly PRO. I am able by the Spirit of God to reproue thee both in thy life and doctrine Puri As how PRO. In thy doctrine concerning thy rashe iudgements against the members of Christ and in thy disobedience against man being the principal member thereof In a word I am ready to reprehend thee for thy disobedience against both God and man according to our Sauiour Christs owne words Hee that despiseth you despiseth mee and hee that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Puri I perceiue that thou beginnest to bee angrie but if I had better remembred my selfe I would haue giuen thee no aduantage of my words PRO. I looke for no aduantage in thy words for denying in thy practice a thing lawfully commanded it matters not whether thou hold thy peace or seeme to excuse it with thy tongue Puri Wherein canst thou disprooue mee for any thing lawfully commanded PRO. I can iustly reprooue thee in many things but two or three shal be sufficient to proue thee but a flourishing tree and a wandring star first thy disobedience vnto eccle siasticall gouernement which the Church of his Land hath commanded Secondly thy want of charitie hauing seuered thy selfe from Christ in pronouncing rash and accusing iudgements against his members Thirdly thy contradiction against Christ in the length of thy praiers with the manner and likewise of thy behauiour therein Puri I had thought we might haue conferred after another manner but I perceiue now that I haue kept thee cōpany but too long Thou hast promised to goe forward therein thou maist please thy selfe for I am pleased to turne my backe PRO. Brother thou hast not deceiued mee for as Salomon saith Ineuer tooke thee for any other but for such a one as scornes reproofe Prou. 9. 8. But seeing that thou hast so scornfully turned thy backe and separated thy selfe without iust cause denying to haue any more conference wherein thou deseruest iustly to bee reproued I will not faile by Gods assistāce to let the world see that thou art no better as Saint Iude saith Then a whithered tree twice dead and fit to bee plucked vp by the rootes Iude 13. v. Now because thou shalt take no exception wherein I may offer thee the least wrong I am ready to reprehend both thy life and doctrine onely by example in the Scripture and therefore let mee intreate thy patience if thou haue any for the thing that I ayme at is thy conuersion and not thy destruction And as wee are taught in the Word of God to reproue either friend or foe with the words of meekenesse euen so my elder brother I am willing and ready to reprehend thee onely with the words of meeknesse and loue and although thou doest not thinke thy selfe vnworthy of reprehension because thou carriest thy offences behinde thee yet seeing that others doe see that in thee which thou canst not perceiue thy selfe I haue presumed to lay open vnto the view of the whole world that a publike offence deserues an open rebuke LOuing and faithfull Christian I must tell thee before I goe any further that whereas I was determined to goe forward after a dialogue maner thou seest here how that my elder brother hath already preuented mee and therefore am constrained to take another course intending by God◅ permission to goe forward wherein I haue promised The Spirit of God saith I haue chosen the foolisb things of this world to confound the wise and weak things to confound the mightie Louing Christian beeing no Scholler thou must not expect that at my hand◅ which I haue not onely my good will wherein the Lord hath enabled me by his holy Spirit that specially by his especiall grace I will freely offer thee but being not fit to ◅iscourse of things at large I will only point at some heads wherin thou maist plainly perceiue the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error and for this purpose thou must vnderstand that there are in this land two sorts of teachers amongst vs the one sort is reformed and the other sort much deformed the one sort doth teach in Christs Schole with the words of meeknesse the other seemeth to teach therein with the words of accusing Iudgements the one is guided with the spirit of humilitie the other with the spirit of iniquitie the one with the spirit of obedience the other with the spirit of disobedience the one teacheth and resteth himselfe in the schole of Christ the other maketh but a proud flourish therein resting himself in hi◅ owne conceite in a word the one hath the Spirit of truth and the other but the spirit of error And first against the spirit of errour our blessed Sauiour himself Saint Paul Saint Peter Saint Iohn and Saint Iude with others hauing prophesied of these very last times wherein we liue doth tel vs in plaine words the qualities and conditions of such false prophets as are now resident amongst vs. And now to our elder brother to whom I must tell thee before I proceede that seeing it is a thing subiect to flesh and bloud not onely to passe ouer offences vnto others from themselues but likewise imputeth many faul◅s only to one whi◅h somtimes appertaine vnto diuers herein doth shew it self ◅ great indiscretion of iudgement as appeareth sometimes in quotation of our English Bibles for example S. Peter saith in the◅e words and chiefly th◅m which walk after the flesh in the l◅st of vncleann◅sse and d◅spise gouernmen◅ which are bold and stand in their owne conceit not fearing to speake euill of dignities 2. Pet. 2 10 Herein I know that the Church of Rome iustly and worthily deserues this imputation Now who is so blind and seeth not how that thou likewise art not onely fleshly minded and despisest dominion as S. Iude saith but likewise agreeable vnto Saint Pauls words resistest the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. And to proue this further bec◅use thou art ready to take exception without cause S. Peter speaking of the Ministery doth seeme to teach thee thy dutie both to superiour and inferiour Magistrates his words are these Submit your selues vnto all manner ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1. Pet. 2. 13. And in the verse going before he giues a reason why the words are these That they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your obedience which they shall see glorifie God in the day of visitation therefore saith hee submit your selues 1. Pet. 2. 12. This word
ordinance is quoted in some Bibles onely of ciuill gouernement but I appeale vnto the iudicial censure of the learned whether that Caesar hath his whole right herein or not I hope there is not any that hath the Spirit of God but they wil confesse that our gracious King is as well supreme Head and Gouernor ouer all causes Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill Now this word ordinance being guarded with these two words all manner I see no reason in my iudgement of any lesse importance then both spirituall and temporall and I thinke I haue also the spirit of God But now to the point our gracious King hauing commanded many things to bee obserued in this Church of England and yet as Saint Paul saith nothing but that which is agreeable vnto the Word of God being both decent and comely I would very gladly know thy reason why thou shouldest shew thy selfe thus disobedient Salomon saith A diuine sentence shall be in the lippes of the King his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement Prou. 16. 10. Brother heere thou standest in thy owne conceit and thinkest that no King in the world is so wise as thy selfe Ergo thou wilt refuse gouernment which doth inferre that thou despisest the Gouernour Wilt thou see a samiliar example by a plaine cōparison how contrary thou art to Christs command who saith Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars Mat. 22. 21 Amongst the temporall Lawes of this Land it is commanded that the poore therein shall bee k◅pt maintained within their seuerall Parishes Now som sturdy beggers there be which will not submit themselues vnto this command but being guided by their own conceit wander abroad making themselues no better then Rogues by the Statute of which sort Saint Paul saith If they will not worke they must not eate 2. Thes. 3. 10. Brother what sayst thou of this disobedient begger or how likest thou of Saint Pauls prescription of this sturdy Rogues diet or what dost thou thinke of this example by thy s◅lfe Thou canst not deny how disobedient thou art vnto the Lawes and ordinances which our gracious King hath command◅d thee therfore as this sturdie begger is become a rogue by the statute of this land so thou being a conceited obstinate hast made thy selfe by the statute of God no better as S. Iude saith then a wandering starre whose dyet without repentance S. Paul hath likewise set downe in the 13. to the Rom. and 2. verse If thou bee put to silence as to be feared thou art not then thou beginn◅st to cry out as the conceited Iewes did The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7. 4. Thou criest the Lords anointed Anointed of the Lord. Now this is such a crie as may become a wonder vnto the world who seeth thee in the very height of disobedience shall a father command his childe that thing which he may very easily doe without any danger at all and shal this childe refuse his fathers command pleade not worthie correction because hee is his childe this thou wilt confesse is very absurd how canst thou then excuse thy selfe dost thou think that thy disobedience vnto our gracious King being contrary vnto CHRIST himself his command to pleade the Lords anointed because thou preachest Christ therfore worthy no correction nor punishment why this is too absurd nay Brother flatter not thy selfe for before we part I feare me that thou wilt proou◅ no better a Preacher then as Saint Paul saith of enuie and strife Phi. 1. 15. Therfore bee aduised by the Prophet Ieremy Amend your waies and your workes and no doubt as he saith there ye may dwel in this place Ier. 7. 3. Otherwise what may bee expected but a casting away of your selues as of the whole seede of Ephraim Ier. 7. 15 If our gracious King had denied vs any fundamentall point of Religion the which thou wilt confesse he doth not or decr◅d any thing which as the Prophet Esay saith had been grieuous in keeping backe the poore from iudgement or any such like things which wicked Kings doe Esai 10 1 2. then mightest thou haue had iust cause to complaine and we al cause to lament But seeing hee is so merciful and so louing vnto all his subiects commāding nothing but that which is agreeable vnto the word of God who art thou and what a contradicted spirit art thou of that in stead of loyall dutie and loue art become thus disobedient vnto so louing and gracious a King But alas what hast thou done Hast thou not with all those disobedient spirits in the old Testament transgressed most fearefully against both God and good men nay further thou hast swerued from the cōmandement of Christ Matth. 22. 21. and as Saint Paul saith resisted the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. striuing against principalities and powers Titus 3. 1. speaking as S. Peter saith against dignities 2. Peter 2. 10. despising dominion lude the 8. verse boasting thy selfe as Salomon saith before the King Pro. 25. 6. in a word thou hast in the very height of pride transcended thy selfe aboue all power exalting thy selte aboue measure And now what may be expected thinkest thou without a speedie and sodain repentance but such a most fearefull fall for this thy disobedience as Saint Iude hath alreadie prescribed euen blacknesse and darknesse for euer Iude the 13. verse Brother I will shew thee such an ensample of obedience that if there be but one spark of grace in thee thou wilt neuer deny to follow him For behold our blessed Sauiour himselfe although a free-man frō all Subsidies or Taxes or what else which was due vnto Caesar by strangers yet rather then he would seeme to disturbe a common peace or become an example of offence in the least degree he commanded Peter to cast his angle into the water and the first Fish saith hee thou takest open his mouth wherein thou shalt finde a piece of Siluer of twenty pence take it and pay for mee and thee Mat. 17. 25 26. verses Thou seest heere how willing and ready our blessed Sauiour was in Obedience in his owne person thou seest him pay tribute vnto Caesar although a free-man nay further rather then hee would becom an ensāple of the least offence thou maist perceiue him yeelding vnto a base Publican Now if our Sauiour Christ did not think that ciuill policie was taken away by the Gospell what may the whole world thinke of thee in denving obedience refusing but rites and ceremonies which are seemly in the Church beeing lawfully commanded I am sory to see thee moūt thy selfe into this verie height of pride thou art become little inferiour vnto those disobedient spirits that for their pride fell from Heauen to Hel. Thou hast as the Prophet D◅uid saith banded and io◅ned thy selfe with the wicked of this world against the Lord and his Anointed Psal. 2. 2. Nay thou hast done much more then I haue yet spoken of For thou hast
with Iannes and Iambres not onely withstood Mos◅s in resisting the truet◅ thy selfe But lik◅ w◅se by thy inchantments hast dost draw dayly infinite of multitudes vnto thi◅ thy wilfull disobedi◅nce in so much that thou hast iustly caused our gracious King not onely to cry out with the Prophet Da◅id Lord how are they increased that t◅ouble me many are they that rise against mee Psal. 3. 1. But likewise as iustly caused him with the same Prophet to say Woe is mee that I am constrained to dwell in Mesech and to haue my habitation in the Tents of Kedar And thus thou hast by thy disobedient inchantments caused such a contention in this Land that thou hast iustly deserued with Mesech and Kedar those Israelites which did degenerate from their godly Fathers beeing hatefull and contemning the faithfull that most fearefull Iron rodde of Gods wrath to bruise thee in pieces sodainely I must tell thee Brother and I am sorry that thou hast giuen mee such iust cause to tell thee so that if it were not for one crying sinne which that bloody and wandering Cain is branded in the fore-head withal I meane that most monsterous Beast of Babylon who denyeth the Offices of our Redeemer I say and speake it from the Spirit of God that thou art become so little inferiour in persecuting and murdering the soules of Christs members that thou hast not onely pledged the Pope of ROME a full health of the dregges of your conceited inuentions and false imaginations but as thou hast pledged him herein I feare me it will proue before wee part that thou hast begun another halfe pot to him againe And although thou doest not runne on with him in deniall of some fundamentall points of Religion yet I dare vndertake that thou resting thy selfe in thy owne conceit denying but the circumstances shaddowes therof whose substances cannot bee without dost more hurt by thy disobedience amongst vs herein then he doth or can doe being so publikely knowne as hee is And here as our Sauior Christ saith Thou art but a blind guide which straines out a gnat and swallows a Camell Mat. 23. 24. Thus Brother thou carriest this offence of disobedience vpon thy back and therefore thou canst not perceiue it thy selfe Now I haue made bold comming behinde thee to take it off haue layed the same as thou now seest before thy face For which if thou wouldst so keepe there and cast it no more behinde thee I shall be glad that it was my chance to remoue the same But if thou rest thy selfe in thy owne conceit casting obedience from thee and so become a carrier still of thy offences behind thee then wilt thou enforce mee to say with Salomon That there is more hope in a very naturall foole then of him that is conceited Pro. 26. 12. ver And this shall serue for a taste of thy disobedience and to let the world see That as Saint Iude saith Hauing separated thy selfe from the true members of Christ thou art become no better then a wandring Starre whose portion without repentance is blacknesse of darknesse for euer Iude 13. vers And therfore Brother let mee aduise thee to learne a lesson of that Starre which guided the Wise men from the East Countrie vnto Bethlem where our blessed Sauior CHRIST was as that Star did stand still when it came iust ouer where the Babe was and so left them there so thou who doest rest thy selfe but in thy owne conceit denying obedience vnto supreme power let it now be sufficient too much that thou hast settled thy affections in that East countrie of thy owne imaginations where nothing can bee found but Inchanters and Sorcerers And heere I must leaue thee and turne my self vnto those of whom as Saint Paul saith I perswade my self better things Heb 6 9. And thus faithfull Christian thou seest what great danger the children of disobedience haue broughtthemselues into Thou seest that our elder brother for his disobedience is counted no better in the iudgement of Saint Iude then a wandring Starre Thou seest what such haue prescribed in the Scriptures for their diet after this life S. Paul saith condemnation Rom. 13. 2. Saint Peter and Saint Iude saith blacknesse of darknesse for euer 2. Pet. 2. 17. Iude the thirteenth Verse Thou seest these blessed Apostles so speaking against these disobedient spirits as worthy of these fearefull iudgements And in briefe thou seest how truely these holy Apostles hath prophesied of these disobedient spirits in these very last times And againe thou seest how opposite these spirits are vnto the obedience of our blessed Sauiour Christ himselfe who paied Tribute vnto Caesar in his owne person who rather then hee would bee an ensample of the least offence although a freeman yeelded himselfe vnto a base Publican And thus may all men see the King of all Kings an ensample of obedience vnto the whole world And yet behold heere thou seest a disobedient spirit so full of contradiction that hee will transcend aboue principalities and powers But faithful Christian let this fearefull example be such a speciall warning vnto thee that thou keepe thy selfe in all loyall obedience vnto Princes especially and likewise let this example bee a warning vnto all sorts of people that they yeeld obedience vnto whom soeuer it is due As Children to Parents and Parents to their Children Wiues to their Husbands and Husbands to their Wiues Seruants to their Masters and Masters to their Seruants Col. 3. 18 19 20. And in a word al in general to our most gracious King Now that we may the better performe these duties let vs take counsell of that blessed Apostle St. Paul who speaking against such disobedient spirits saith Turne away from such 2. Tim. 3. 5. And thus faithful brother thou seest what danger our elder brother hath brought himselfe vnto in despising gouernment It resteth now in the second place to let thee see his disobedience in his doctrine and as in briefe thou seest his disobedience against man thou shalt likewise by Gods assistance see his disobediē◅e against both God and man who perseeuteth Christ in his members both thou and I haue felt the smart but faithfull brother I must leaue thee for a while And now brother by Gods assistance according to my promise I am readie to encounter with thee this second time And wheras I haue already reproued thee for thy disobedience against man not finding thee in this Combate to yeeld beeing prouoked further I am readie to manifest vnto the whole world how contrarie thou art to Christ and all good men by thy disobedience in thy Doctrine Likewise shewing the difference betwixt the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error But before I proceede I am to meete with an obiection which the whole world who being against the truth may propound and that is where the true Church of Christ is and therefore to giue satisfaction herein the world shall
mee is against mee Mat. 12. 30. And Saint Iohn saith There are many Antichrisâ—…s whereby we know that it is the last time I. Ioh. 2. 18. in the beginning of the next verse he saith They went from vs but they were not of vs. Now if any would know who these specially are which are against CHRIST and so as Saint Iohn saith become Antichrists Saint Paul Saint Peter and Saint Iude prophesying of these last times plainely describe and haue set them down by their qualities and conditions all agreeing as it were with one consent saying that they are spirits of disobedience as appeareth in the thirteenth to the Romans and second verse and in the second of Peter the second Chapter and the tenth verse And in Iudes Epistle the eighth Verse Now Saint Iude goeth on farther agreeing with Saint Iohns words and saith in the nineteenth verse that they haue separated themselues vpon which words of these two blessed Apostles Saint Iohn and Saint Iude I gather and finde that there is no sect vnder the whole cope of heauen which can so iustly deserue the title of this seuered imputation as this Sect now resident amongst vs commonly called Puritanes For although the Pope of Rome is not onely a disobedient spirit but likewise deserueth the highest roome amongst the Antichrists yet to say properly hee is gone from vs would but proue an improper speech because hee neuer was of vs now for this our elder brother it may truely and properly bee said how that hee is gone from vs for agreeing in this word onely in Christ may truely be said that he was of vs. Now the question is how and why he is gone from vs but the question is needelesse For who seeth not how that vaine glory and the very darknesse of his owne conceite hath so bewitched him that as Saint Paul saith hee hath but a shew of godlinesse denying the power therof 2. Tim. 3. 5. that as the dogge who had the substance but in his mouth seeing the shaddow in the water snatcht thereat and solost both euen so hath he done for hauing the substance no lowersettled then in his mouth spying some outward obseruations in that waterie ayre of his owne conceit hath leaped thereat so farre from Christ that according to the Prophet Esayes speech who saith They come neere mee with their mouth and honour mee with their lips but their heart is farre from mee Esai 29. 13. So that like hatefull Esau hauing sold his birth-right for meere vanitie Gen. 25. â—…4 is now become such a disobedient spirit and so fleshly minded as Saint Peter and Saint Iude saith 2. Pet. 2. 10. that he is not afraid to speake euil of dignities and despise Dominion Iude the eight verse who resisting power as Saint Paul saith resisteth the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. So that it may be gathered by these blessed Apostles and finding it true by wofull experience that as Saint Iohn and Saint Iude say he being gone from vs in separating himselfe is now become such a sect that who seeth not how that both by his life doctrine hee doth nothing else but breake that vnion which ought to bee betwixt the members of Christ so that it may most truely bee said of him and al the rest of this sect especially that according to S. Iudes words They are become but wandring Starres Iude verse 13. being as our blessed Sauiour saith Starres fallen from heauen Mat. 24. 29. who resting themselues in their owne imaginations may truely be said to fall from Christ. Who hath by their disobedient practice euill conuersation darkened the Gospel ment by the Sunne and likewise smothered loue ment by the Moone who with their accusing and condemning Iudgements in their doctrin against the wounded members of Christ cause the very powers of Heauen to shake This interpretation was reueiled vnto mee by the Spirit of God I am no Scholler at all as your Honour knoweth and therefore not fit to diue into these secret mysteries I am only a poore man but yet not destitute of Gods Spirit euen on whom that old prouerbe is fallen None so wâ—…e begone As first a man and then none And therefore being in my priuate chamber musing of the causes of the sinfulnesse of this age many things came into my minde and amongst the rest I was induced to write and yet not knowing what to write the spirit suggested these things vnto mee the which I haue presumed to offer vnto your Honours view and although vnworthy to present such a weake thing vnto your iudicious eye yet for his cause who hath emboldned me I humbly intreat and craue your honourable fauor but to cast your eye thereon wherein nothing can bee found but the instruments of Sathan stil prosecuting their owne imaginations in persecuting the poore and despised members of IESVS CHRIST who by their life doctrine Gods Name is so greatly dishonored and loue and charitie so smothered that the Kingdome of Christ is hindered both in particular and in general but as that worthy Apostle Saint Paul faith Their madnesse beeing now euidently knowne vnto all men I hope they shal preuaile no longer 2. Tim. 3. 9. And thus may your Honour see and the whole world perceiue how that God who sitteth aboue hath alreadie decreed that in despite of Pope Puritan and all the rest which withstand Iesus Christ his Anointed that his Maiestie who loueth peace shall by Gods protection liue a peaceable time amongst vs and as he hath protected and deliuered him from many dangers will continue his loue vnto him and his and keepe them safe vnder the shaddow of his wings and hereafter will that God of peace carrie him by his blessed Angels into euerlasting peace vnto which peace God of his infinite mercie bring both you and yours for his honour and blessed names sake Amen I most humbly take my leaue and rest at your Honors command IOHN WALKER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER GENTLE or vngentle Reader I am to tell thee no strange thing onely to tell thee of that which hath been from the beginning which is now at this present and which shall be vnto the worlds end how that as Esau hated his brother Iacob in the beginning of the world how that the Israel of God is hated still and that the members of Christ shall be hated so long as the Sunne and Moone indureth Faithfull Christian I was enboldened by the Spirit of G O D to write this little Booke for thy good it was intended chiefly for thy profit and so many as lâ—…ve the peace of Sion And whereas by Gods goodnesse wee are liuing in the very latter ende of the world and left here by Gods prouidence as a very few Sheepe amongst many Woolues I haue onely by the helpe of Gods Spiâ—… it set down vnto thy view not only what great danger thou art in but likewise let thee see how that thou mayest escape the same And
bidden For seeing that al things concerning both body soul are contained within this short compasse of these sixe petitions I conclude that all our prayers must of necessitie if we wil follow Christs direction be made both pythic and short And how soeuer I am not able to reason the case with a Scholler because I am no Scholler my selfe yet the Spirit of God telleth me against the greatest schollers in the world that hee is out of Christs schoole whosoeuer hee bee that doth reason to the contrarie of which sort how soeuer they may seeme to please themselues it is a sufficient argument that such neither loue Christ nor his prayer And to make my resolution good I am readie to approue it by such two sufficient witnesses that if thy eyes bee not darkened still thou wilt confesse the same My first proofe is Christ himselfe who draweth a reason from Gods omnipotencie in these words For your Father knoweth whereof ye haue need before ye aske of him Math. 6. 8. My second proofe is Salomon in these words Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thy heart be hastie to vtter a thing before God for God is in the bea◅ens and thou art on the earth therefore let thy words bee few Eccles. 5. 1. These two examples who for wisedome was neuer any comparable these iumpe both in one reason being drawne from Gods omnipotencie Now the question is whether that thou wilt rest thy self still in thy owne conceit as thou hast done or thou wilt yeeld thy selfe vnto these 2. examples I dare vndertake that for any prayer thou makest before thy Sermons deuide the same into 4. parts and as much and more may be contained in one part as is in all the rest Againe for thy followers likewise al their prayers with their families in priuate all their prayers at their meetings in publike with their thāks before and after meate though these taste very Heathenish yet rather then eyther thou or they will direct your prayers after the Lords Prayer or seeme to taste thereof you are so farre from any loue or liking therunto that your conceited noses beeing so glued vnto that Indian and most stinking weede of your owne imaginations that ye haue vtterly refused to taste of that most sweet flowre which growes in the garden of God If one should aske thee this question why thou doest not knit vp thy prayer before thy Sermons with the Lords Prayer It may truely be answered by the words going before that it is because thou neither louest Christ nor his Prayer ◅nd yet if it chance that thou doe repeate the same as seldome thou doest all that heare thee may very well perceiue that the sweetnesse thereof hath no good rellish in thy owne conceite for running it so fast ouer as though thou wert counting to twenty doth argue that thou neither takest loue or liking thereunto and therefore marke well what I say thou who refusest the counsell of Iesus Christ and wilt not be aduised by his followers resisting the Spirit of grace offered thee shalt one day without a speedy repentance so taste and drinke of that poysoned cup of thy owne conceit that very deseruedly and most worthy therof thou shalt bee excluded both from Iesus Christ and his members for euermore Now because that the world shall better perceiue how contrarie thy thoughts and conceited imaginations are vnto the true meaning of the Lords Prayer I will according to that little measure of knowledge explaine the same in as briefe a manner as I can And first what is meant by hallowed be thy Name that is to desire with the inward affection of the heart that God alone may haue all honour and glory vnto himselfe but thou who restest in thy own conceit attributest honour vnto thy selfe herein thou art a thiefe in robbing God of his glory Againe Thy Kingdome come that is to desire with the inward affection of the heart that God would so rule and raigne both in our inward affections and outward actions as that neither Sathan nor our owne corruptions may rule or domineere against vs desiring further that hee would hasten his comming to Iudgement becau◅e his Name is so greatly dishonored Now seeing that thou refusest to desire this in thy hart which God greatly requireth or vsing to passe it ouer sometimes so slightly as thou doest it is no maruell that thou art inchanted by Sathan to follow the vaine imaginations of thy owne heart Therefore thou canst not say say truly Hasten thy Kingdome Againe Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heauen That is to desire that our wils and affections may bee framed according to Gods will and as the Angels in heauen are alwaies ready in a heauenly obedience to do Gods wil both readily willingly and gladly Euen so should we alwaies be readie in obedience wherevnto God doth command vs imitating the Angels willingly gladly readily Now how far off thou art from submitting thy wil and affection vnto Gods will doth appeare in thy disobedience against Principalities and Powers And againe how sarre thou art off from the example of the blessed Angels appeareth by the fruits both of thy life and doctrine so that thy will and affections are so contrarie vnto Gods will that they are only linked vnto the imagination of thy owne heart Againe Giue vs this day our daily bread that is to desire all things conuenient both for body and soule Heerein thou hast made thy selfe vnworthy to partake of the least of Gods benefits yet although the wicked flourish for a time and that the dearest of Gods children many times doe want these outward blessings yet it pleaseth God so to enrich them with his inward graces that outward wāts neuer trouble their mindes at all Now thou who art so disobedient both vnto God and man being but an intruder in thy calling hast tyed thy selfe in a double bond as vnworthy to partake of these outward blessings and resting thy selfe in thine own imaginations thou hast depriued thy self of the inward graces And forgiue vs our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs. Whereas wee desire here to haue our offences forgiuen vs with a condition who knoweth not that all those who are accompanied with a patient Spirit of adoption that they are so farre off from the least shaddow of reuenge that they are alwaies readie and willing to forgiue their vtter enemies But how contrarie minded thou art herein I might appeale vnto thy owne conscience if thou haddest any but seeing thou hast none the world may iudge what spirit thou art of as appeareth before concerning a Letter written vnto one of the chiefe of thy sect For which how greatly I was troubled and likewise what it cost my purse I omit to set downe because I expect no better requitall at any of your hands vntill such time as the wisest in your own conceit can prooue that grapes may growe vpon thornes and figgs
vpon thistles Againe And leade vs not into temptation but deliuer vs from all euill Here wee desire that God would not suffer Satan and our naturall corruptions to tempt vs aboue our strength and because out greatest strength is too weake to resist wee desire in the second place so to assist vs that by his speciall power he would deliuer vs from all euill Now whereas thou hast refused to pray vnto God in Christ in this most perfect prayer it is no maruaile that God in his iust iudgement hath giuen thee ouer vnto Satan and thy owne corruptions letting thee swimme in that sinfull sea of thy owne imaginations And thus may the world see how contrarie thou art to Iesus Christ and his prayer refusing the God of light betaking thy selfe to an Idol god of darknesse Our blessed Sauiour Christ saith And when thou prayest be not like the Hypocrite for they loue to stand and pray in the Synagogues Matth. 6. 5. and Saint Paul saith praving for the Ephesians I bow my knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ Eph. 3. 14. Now as thou hast shewed thy selfe a contradicted spirit against both God and good men so now especially lest the world should not take more full notice of thy folly thou hast gotten thy selfe into the verie height of shame and as thy deformed conditions of disobedience haue burst out of thy in ward parts so now at last thou shewest likewise what a deformed creature thou art in thy outward parts for wheÌ„ other are at their praiers vpon their knees thou and thy followers stand vp like May-poles amongst vs as though ye had no knees at all Now how true this is it cannot bee denied for both thy selfe and infinit multitudes of thy followers in all places of this Land doe manifest the same And as this is true in thy publike prayers in the Church where specially it is forbidden so likewise at the receiuing of the Sacrament although Iesus Christ be as truly there by the eie of faith after a spirituall manner as though we did beholde him and touch him as Saint Thomas did yet thou who neither fearest God nor reuerencest man as thou hast shewed thy selfe a deformed fellow from the beginning doest not blush to stand in receiuing this holy Sacrament when others are vpon their knees Now if the Officers of the Church come to reproue these thy followers because they are an offence vnto their brethren then must their vsurping guide say Sirra let them alone and thus are almost al the places of this Land abused with this disobedient Sect and that this is true wofull experience doth manifest the same If I should aske thee this question why thou wilt not pray kneeling thou wilt answer me It is not because thou thinkest it vnlawfull but thy reason is that thou canst pray with as good a deuotion standing as I can doe kneeling I doe not deny but that one may pray standing going riding sitting or lying But whereas our Sauiour Christ coÌ„mands that we should not stand praying in the Synagogues or Churches Why wilt thou hauing conuenient roome not yeelde thy selfe vnto Christs command I did once make answere for thee before and because thou hast no good reason for thy selfe I will second an answere for thee once againe Because thou wouldest make the world beleeue that thou art better then thy neighbours in shew of thy outward actions therefore thou hast separated thy selfe from others and rather then the world should not take notice that thou art singular as Salomon saith of such in thy owne eyes still Prou. 16. 2. Thou now standest streight vp when others are kneeling that all men may now behold that thou art but a plaine Hypocrite Againe for thy behauiour both at thy first sitting down in the Church and likewise at thy appearance in the Pulpit thou art so far froÌ„ submitting thy selfe vnto God that without either priuate prayer or seeming to sing with vs there thou standest looking about thâ—…e as though thou wert come from that Indian Countrie whose praiâ—…rs thou imitatâ—…st Now seeing thou doest but intrude thy self prefuming too boldly into that place of sanctitìe if thou wilt neither pray nor sing with vs couer thy face or come there no more and bewaile these sinfull times wherein we liue as being the principall instrument for Satan thereof and be sure of this one thing that ifthou dost not feele a touch for thy sinnes vpon the sight heereof thou maiest perswade thy selfe that thou art in a most fearefull and lamentable case and be aduised how thou presumest into that holy place any more for assure thy selâ—…e that Christ whom thou hast so grieuously offended in his members will one day and that verie shortly without present repentance require their blood at thy hands and will auenge their cause in that place where all Hypocrites shall haue their portion which burneth with fire and brimstone for euer One thing more I remember which I would not willingly haue omitted how that a reformed Minister submitting himselfe at his approch into the Pulpit as his maner is one of thy chiefest followers being a Ring-leader of this crue most shamefully burst forth into a scornefull laughter This is one of thy brood that being hatcht vnder such a Cockatrice no better fruit can come therof Now seeing that all thy outward actions are but flourisht like painted sepulchres and that from all thy actions both inward and outward nothing doth proceede but enuy and strife pride and vaine-glory hatred and malice and most cruel reuenge why dost thou not begin to tremble quake for feare seeing that the axe is alreadie laid to the roote of the tree and that euery tree which bringeth not soorth good fruite must be hewne downe and cast into the fire Mat. 7. 19 Our blessed Sauiour saith Hee that is not with me is against me Ma. 12. 30 Now who is he that seeth not how that thou opposest thy selfe against Christ and therefore as Saint Iohn saith an Antichrist of whom it is said That there are many gone out into the world whereby wee know that it is the last time I. Iohn 2. 18. Againe who knoweth not that thou art a starre fallen from heauen who by thy accusing iudgements in condemning both the quicke and the dead seeming to pull that peculiar rod foorth of Gods owne hands who therewith hauing condemned the members of Iesus Christ maketh the very powers of heauen to shake Mat. 24. 29 And againe who seeth not that by the fruiâ—…s of thy life doctrine thou hast caused the Sunne to be darkened and the Moone to lose her light the Ministery of the Gospell to be bee eâ—…ill spoken of and loue and charitie to bee smothered And who is hee that doth but looke about and seeth not how that thou with the Pope of Rome are those two speciall false prophets which goe in sheepes clothing but inwardly are rauening wolues Mat. 7. 15. Whose qualities and conditions