ministration of the Church and shall all be held g◅iltie punished for the publike transgressions abuses of the Church seing ◅uerie member is bound to the edification seruice and vtilitie of the bodie seing euerie member of the Church is commanded to watch to trie the Spirits to contend for the maintenance of the faith once indifferently giuen to all saintes to auoide false teachers false Prophets c. seing they are cōmanded not to follow the multitude or mightie in euil seing they are commanded to reproue their brother playnly to bind their sinnes by the word euen their Princes in those chaines and nobles in those fetters to say to ARCHIPPVS looke to thy ministerie that thou hast receaued in the Lord that thou fulfil yt yea though an Apostle or an Angel from heauen should ◅each either other doctrine or after an other maner then is in CHRISTS Testament prescribed to hold and pronounce him accursed To conclude the point seing the praiers sacraments sermons of such wicked or hereticall ministers are sacriledg and abhomiuation in Gods sight and that all which communicate ioine to heare or suffer such ministers are alike guiltie of this sinne sacriledg who can doubt but that euerie Christian hath power and authoritie in due time and place not disturbing CHRISTS holy order in his Church publikely to reproue any publike ◅ransgression of anie member of the Church or of the whole Church as also to di◅couer and refute any error escaped or deliuered in publike doctrine yet this as is said in due time order giuing leaue and place vnto the Elders and Prophets of the said Congregation fir◅t who if they neglect or ouerpasse such publike transgression or error then may any one of the congregation or any Chri◅tian who◅oeuer yea he ought to reproue such transgression and error vnles he wilbe guiltie of betraying the faith of CHRIST of the distruction of the whole congregation knowing the danger of such leauen the sodennes of the wrath of God for such things Heere will be grosly obiected that the common people are ignorant not able to iudg betwixt truth error disordered variable easie to be deuided led into sects and therfore they are not to intermedle with the iudgmen◅ and reproof of faults and errors escaped in the ministerie or with the censuring their persons That their people are blind ignorant seditious headstrong I readily grant neither ca◅ yt be otherwise hauing such blind guides co◅rupt teachers as all they are I grant also that neither the people nor they ought in thi◅ estate to meddle with the word of God or take his blessed name in their mouth without most high and vnsufferable profa◅ation of the same But for the people of CHRIST they are all inlightned with that bright morning star that sonne of righteousnes The eye of their faith is single and the whole bodie is light They a◅e an humble meek obedient people they will heare and follow the true shepheard but a stranger they will not heare They reioice loue e◅nestly in the truth ◅a by no meanes be drawē to do any thing against the truth And therfore hath God amongst them bownd vp the testimonie and sealed vp the law To them he hath committed the charge and keeping of his holy oracles to them and euerie one of them he hath giuen his holy sanctifi◅ng Spirit to open vnto them and to lead them into al truth to thē he hath giuē his Sonne to be ther King Priest and Prophet who hath made them vnto him Kings Priests But if they were so blind and ignorant as these men would make them how could they then discerne truth from error how could they approue truth or refute error transgression Happily for all this heere will be saied that the common fort of CHRIST◅ seruantes either haue not this knowledg or haue yt but in small measure and therfore are vnfit to deale in the◅e high matters and can not doe yt orderly soberly To this I answere that they are to reproue no more then their assured knowledg leadeth them vnto If they transgresse the limits either of their knowledg in reprouing that which deserueth no reproofe or breake the established order of the Church by rashnes intemperance c. then are they for so doing subiect to reproofe censure for abusing their libertie for breaking order the Churches of God haue no custome to be contentious But if they should be debarred of this power libertie and dutie because they are not so learned as the priests and haue not beene at the vniuersitie c. by that popish reason were the word of God to be shut vp from al lay men as they cal them that no man might reade or speake therof in his house or family because they haue not knowledg to vnderstand yt open yt after their schoole maner the word of God being such an abysme of wisdome and of so great dignitie reuerence that in al places alike And should they not by this reason also shut yt vp from themselues and from al men in this life for he that knoweth most knoweth here but in part yea of that part he knoweth nothing as he ought to know But they are to vnderstand that God hath not giuē vs his word that yt should be perfected or receaue grace from vs but y t yt should bring grace vnto vs build vp accomplish our faith nourish vs vnto eternal life that yt should be milke to the weake vnexpert strong meate to them of riper age According to this word who so speaketh not yt is because their is no light in them By this word what so is reproued or affirmed the basenes or ignorance of the speaker is not to be regarded it no way diminisheth any thing from the dignitie truth of the word to which as the only obiect the Church is to cast their eye As for these learned diuines of our age I refer them vnto or rather oppose vnto them the wisdome word of God who you see hath giuen vnto al his seruantes this libertie power yea rather hath layd vpon them this charge duty to reproue censure any error or transgression which is committed by the whole Church or any member of the Church contrarie to the word of God by the same word But yet are not our learned Reformists satissied for ◅oe they fetch a reason somwhat more subtilly though altogether as far frō the truth as the other from 1 Cor. 14. 32. where yt is ◅aid The Spirits of the Prophets ar◅ subiect to the Prophets therfore conclude they that the people are not to reproue iudge or cēsure the doctrine of the minister but only an assembly of ministers a schoole of Prophets as they call yt Before I shew their
grosse mistaking peruerting this place of scripture I dismisse their Argument by denying the consequent therof That because the Spirit of the Prophets are subiect to the Prophets y t is such as haue the gift of vtterance expounding scriptures ought principally especially to iudg of that exercise and to speake in that exercise as in way of prophecie Therfore the whole Church besides nor any member therof ought not to reproue and censure such errors as haue escaped the Prophets are reuealed vnto them And for this I insist in the former reasons expresse places of scripture alledged Very hard yt were that y t heauenly and most blessed exercise of prophecie which was instituted of God for the singular comfort general inlightning of the whole Church should through the pride and arrogancie of a few be turned to the vtter subuersion of the faith of the whole Church and the desolation therof For what part can there be pure where the doctrine is not sound or what can be more miserable then to see with others mens eies to beleeue vvith other mens hearts yea to be brought into that slauerie and subiection that they must receaue and beleeue whatsoeuer the prophets or ministers speake and agree vpon be yt neuer so dissonant and repugnant to the word of God This were right after the manner of the Atheists of these daies to hire into their parish a learned preacher though al the rest of the parish be neuer so blind prophane wretched yet where this burning lampe is they are all in happy state and safe inough because they haue the Gospell preached amongst them they are a famous Church But our Sauiour Christ his Apostles submitted their ministerie doctrine to the trial censure and iudgment of al by the scriptures yea most commended and reioiced in these hearers that were most diligent to examine and try their doctrine And I would faine know what iniurie yt were vnto any if the Church stil reteined that libertie not disturbing the holy order therof But these priestes they will not only not submit their persons doctrine to the censure of the Church where they administer for they must haue a iurie of clarkes a Classis of Priestes to goe vpon them but they bind their poore Church to their lipps and build yt vpon themselues and vvith their blazing light strike al y e r est of their hearers followers sta◅ke blind Now let me returne to this place of the Corinths which they so falsely interpret miserably misuse and most perniciously peruert The prophets they giue out to be vnderstood of such ministers only as haue the gift of preaching as they call yt holding yt lawful for none els to speake of the scriptures by way of interpretation and prophecie especially to expound them in the Church or Congregation This exercise spoken of heere by the Apostle they say is vnders◅ood of such propheticall ministers only is instituted only for such and belongeth only vnto such The place of such exercise they terme a schoole or colledg of prophets Heerupon they abuse this heauenly glorious exercise in that they shut yt vp amongst a few of them shut out the people from yt vtterly making yt like OSYRIS mysteries Besides that they heere amongst themselues vnsufferably corrupt all the scriptures they intreate of by their Rhetorical figures deuisions demonstrations humane traditional writings wherin all their vniuersitie learning consisteth This place they most pernitiously peruert in that from hence they deriue their Prophetical Conuenticles and Classical Synods assuming heerby into their owne hands the key of al knowledg and shutting vp the scripturs yea all Gods graces euē the holy Ghost yt self amongst thēselues in these their schooles of prophets as also into their Classes of select priests the sc◅pter of Christ and absolute gouernment of al churches to whome yt is left but to receaue execute the reuerēt decrees of this famous Classes of priestes And now let this ◅cripture wherupō they build al this stuffe be duly searched pondered you shall find yt in all these things direct flat against them First that the prophets there spoken of by the Apostle that are to speake in and iudg of this exercise were not only ministers is gathered by the whole scope of the chapter where euerie brother is incited to emulate spiritual gifts the rather that they might prophecie and helpe to edifie the Church this gift by manie reasons being preferred to all other gifts prooued far most excellēt both in yt self to others c. Moreouer in this exercise of prophecie which was instituted for the instruction and comfort of all the Apostle saith that Three Prophe◅s may speake in due order one after an other at one time y e others are to iudg c. Three ministers I am sure in any one church there cannot be that by office are to attēd vnto the ministratiō of the word The pastor the Teacher are the only offices that I now know appointed to the ministerie of the word therfore euen by this place more besides the ministers of the Church may speake in the way yea in this publike exercise of prophecie Neither ought this to seeme strange in the eares of anie that knowe what belongeth to the exercise of prophecie or order of the Church It is no other thing thē Christ hath instituted the Apostles euerie where taught and that by most sensible reasons For as the bodie consisteth of manie members al the members haue not one office c so the members of the Church being diuers hauing receaued diuers gifts are according vnto the grace that is giuē to euerie one to serue the Church or rather y e Lord with the same as good disposers of the manifold grace of God If they haue the gift of prophecie then are they to exercise yt according to the proportion of faith speaking as the wordes of God alwaies keeping themselues within the bound of sobrietie truth who so doth otherwise is subiect to censure reproofe We see the practise heerof not only in Corinth but in Antiochia Rome no doubt by the same rule in other churches In Anti◅chia we reade of sūdrie prophets teachers Barnabas Symeō Lucius Mana◅en Paul Act. 13. 1. 15. 32. of Iudas Silas that exhorted taught in that Church That there were sundrie also that taught in Rome appeareth Philip. 1. 14. 15 ◅ Neither hath this beene strange euen vnder the law we see God chose his prophets of al tribes whose doctrine was to be tried by Gods word Their prophecies of future things by the euent we see our Sauiour Christ his Apostles disciples did the like throughout al the cities synagogues of the Iewes Yf vnto this yt be answered that our sauiour Christ was Lord of the law of the
to vse their libertie to the edification not the confusion of the Church for God is not the author of disorder but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saintes They then that thus preâ—…mptuously either innouate or abuse this blessed ordinaÌ„ce of CHRIST find fault with controule the commandements of God and charge God with confusion who is the author of this exercise order libertie But D. SOME hath by the priuiledg of the Church of EnglaÌ„d published yt vtterly vnlawful for any that is not a minister to deale with the interpretation of scriptures what giftes soeuer God hath giueÌ„ him thervnto and saith these absurdities would ensue therof that woâ—… may then also preach in the Church that those men that thus speake in way of prophecie vsurpe the ministers office with Corath offer vzziahs incense may also by this meanes enter into the Councel chamber and intrude into the ciuil magistrates office for to giue councel also is euerie Christians dutie c. What can be more blasphemously reprochfullie repugnant to the word order of CHRIST who you see is the author of this exercise in this maner hath for euer left yt as a coÌ„mandemeÌ„t vnto al churches For saith the Apostle vers 37. If any man seeme to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledg what I write vnto you because they are the commandements of God c. But if anie man be ignorant let him bâ—… ignorant Therfore my brethren couet ye to prophecie and to speake with tongues forbid not Let al things be done comely and according to order For D. SOMES first absurditie womeÌ„ are expresly forbidden to speake by way or in the exercise of this prophâ—… in the Church vers 34. 35. So then this is but a reproch of his owne absurd brayne to bring thâ—… truth into slaunder That such as speake in this exercise of prophecie doe not anie way vsurpe the ministers office hath beene largly shewed by the discourâ—… of this whole Chapter Neither hath he brought any peece of a reason to proue that only ministers ought to speake of the scriptures in â—…he Church For his third impiâ—…us odious calumniation that such as presume to speake in the Church not being ministers may as well intrude into the Councel chamber magistrats 〈◊〉 yt is in yt felf so false foolish absurd as yt deserâ—…eth none answere It is but the venome of his serpâ—…â—…ongue the Addâ—… poison that is vnder his lipps wherâ—…y he seeketh to draw the truth of CHRIST and the professors therof into hatred He might as wel say that because CHRIST hath made vs all Kings Priests vnto him therfore we will heere vsurpe the ciuill magistrats and ecclesiastical ministers office These are but the malicious collections vaine conclusions of his idle head graceles heart thus to blaspheme the holy ordinances of CHRIST to call yt Anabaptistical the deprauing of the holy scriptures abusing of the auditors disturbing both of Church common welth calling such Christian assemblies as practise this coÌ„mandement 〈◊〉 conuenticles although he neuer in his life was present at any of their exercises nor is able to charge any one of them with any one 〈◊〉 error as they by his owne mouth are able to charge him all this antichristian ministerie of England which exercise a ministerie without a lawfull calling thervnto by vertue of their inward calling which is their learning sufficiencie as though CHRIST did not know the end vse measure of the gifts he hath giuen them In the Church of CHRIST there are none suffered to speake by way of prophecie but such as haue the gift of prophecie and to forbid such to â—…peake were to stop vp the conductes springs of the Church or rather of Gods graces wherby the Church should be watered and refreshed so far is this exercise from dâ—…prauing the scriptures or abusing the auditorie The rest of his vituperie he hath layd vpon CHRIST the author of this exercise and to him shall answere for the same at that day of reckoning accompt Yf none but Ministers may speake publikly in the Church by way of prophecie how should the people haue trial of the gifts of any how should any ministers in this generall apostaciâ—… and departure be râ—…stored yea how should there euer be any other then now are For if the people may not heare their gifts how should they iudg them â—…f they may not vtter their gifts how should the people heare them Heere I shall by both sorts of our priestes aswell Pontifical as 〈◊〉 be answered that the law is not so generall but that there are exceptions vnto the same The Pontificall will alledg That their mother the Vniuersitie their father the Bishop haue authoritie to giue liceÌ„ce to preach in any Church whersoeuer they become before thâ—…y be either full ministers or haue any office as the engliâ—…h Deacon or half priestes the cathedral Prebends the commoÌ„ Curates or rouing Preachers AmoÌ„gst which you must note a double mysterie Some of them are full ministers without either certayne chaâ—…ge place or office Others haue a certayne yea a pastors charge and office and yet are not full ministers of which sect are the Prebendes ciuil Doctors who may haue parsonages and yet be no ministers The Reformists they wil likewise answere me that their mother the Vniuersitie she hath power to giue leaâ—…e to preach vniuersally through all Churches and also the Select Clâ—…ssis yea peraduenture this schoole of Prophets asâ—…embled haue power to admit some one pickâ—…d maÌ„ to their mysteries which is no priest to giue him leaue to speake amongst them yet hereof I doubt and therfore wil not stand and thus may the people by both sides haue triall of their gifts Great reason that they which maâ—…e the law should also make and take â—…xceptions at their pleasure But wel what booteth this trial that they allow the people when neither of them giue the pâ—…ople liberty to iudg or reproue their doctrine when both sides both Bishops and this new Classis take vpon them to make ministers without the people without any charge place or office certayne But let this matter rest I would know of both or any of them what this their mother they so much boast of is where she had this high authority aboue other women Hâ—… they wil with one voice answere that the Vniuersities are the seminaries of religion of the ministerie of the land the schooles and colledges of learning wherin the sonnes of the Prophets are trained vp as they were in Naiotâ—… in Bethâ—…l Iericho Ierusalem Coriâ—…th If the â—…ree be knowen by the fruite the Cockatriâ—…e by the poisoned egges the Viper by the spawne thâ—… nest by the birdes then let the religion and priestes of the land shew what kind of seminaries colledges these Vniuersities are If these be the bâ—…st fiuite and famousest men that are instructed in nothing but to
see into what straites absurdities they fall whith goe about to tollerate or plead for the least sinne yea see how the fuâ—…ther they wade striue herein the further they intangle and ensnare themselves falsifijng perverting the scriptures to the vpholding of their erroneous corrupt doctrines FOR THEIR next shift to couller hide their sacrilegd is to hood wink draw a vaile ouer the eies of the receaver A PRIVATE Mâ—…N say they HATH not to meddle whith the publike actiones affaires of the Church which if they be amisse he is patiently to beaâ—…e to mourne grone with loue vntil God either amend or correct them whese office it is to roote out the tares c but he is not for the sinne of others to forsake the fellowship of the Church which God will haue kept by al that shalbe partakers of his kingdom It sufficeth that eveâ—…ie priuate man looke to himself examin himself when he eateth of that bread and drinketh of that cup least he eate vnto his owne iudgmeÌ„t damnation Heere the Apostle saith their Author willeth them not to enter into the examinatioÌ„ of other men neither saith that they shalbe iudged for other mens faultes or that the tâ—…ble of the Lord is to be left for the wicked yea or that the wicked for some one or fewe sinnes are to be left In this case Charity is to iudg the best to thinke that in so great an heape of chaffe there lye many good graines of wheate yea to perswade himfelf that eueÌ„ of those wicked many do inwardly repent of their sinnes although they haue â—…ot power to amend their liues The best man of vs al is subiect to many sinnes the sinnes of others cannot take away the vertuâ—… of the ministerie and of the holy mysteries which are not to be left for the sinne of anie but such wicked rather to be shunned and auoided in commom bread and conversation but the Sacramentes are NOT BEcause of them to be refused c. This and such like detestable stuffe hath M r CALVINE in his ignoâ—…ance partly to suppresse and confute that damnable sect of the Anaâ—…aptistes which fantastically dreame vnto theÌ„selues a Church in this â—…ife without spot and for euerie transgression that ariseth are ready to â—…eaue forsake the fellowship of the Church without due orderâ—…y reproofe c. partly also is this stuffe brought to defend his owne â—…ash disorderly proceedinges at GENEVA whiles he at the first dash made no scruple to receaue al the whole state euen al the profane igâ—…orant people into the bozome of the Church to administer the saâ—…ramentes vnto them which confuse rowt could not fit with Christes â—…eauenly gouerment neither could yt by any meanes agree vnto theÌ„â—…n this estate but that monstrous disorders and heinous enormities daily insued therof wherby this their Church became a iust reproch â—…o all men euen to these wicked hereâ—…ikes c. yea that which is â—…orse and more to be lamented yt became a miserable president â—…nd pernitious example euen vnto all Europe to fall into the like â—…ransgression as the confused estate of all those regions where the â—…ospel is tâ—…us disorderly taught declareth In which sorowful specâ—…acle we may liuely behold what the wisdome of the most learned â—…s where they swerue neuer so litle from the heauenly wisdoÌ„ of God â—…nd what the most glorious and sure buildinges of man are when â—…hey are not wholy layd vpon that firme rock and foundation of Godes word We may heere also cleerly see what yt is to receaue â—…ur Faith by tradition to fetch the rules of our actiones from the â—…xamples and practise of men and not from the pure word of â—…od â—…or behold how these wretched disciples of CALVIN three fold more corrupted and peruerted then he who as yt is to be thought would neuer haue opened his mouth against so cleare truth being â—…rought vnto him oppose with mayne force and bitternes these his writinges against the manifest truth of God yea contend more for 〈◊〉 crooked practise of theÌ„ as their suting to parliamentes for this reâ—…ormation declareth 〈◊〉 for that holy perfect patterne of Christes Testament to the vpright practise wherof they wil at no hand be â—…rought But let me returne againe to these doctrines of M r. CALVINE â—…rom which by reason of these circumstances I was a litle digressed â—… haue already often and I hope sufficiently shewed how corruptly M â— CALVINE thought of the Church or rather how ignorant he was therof by these his odious simileas and comparisons I haue shewed that into the Church of CHRIST al must enter by the dore open profession of the true faith and by the same faith obedience stand therâ—… how no â—…rofane or wicked person may be receiued or reteined into that fellowâ—…hip I haue shewed that the ministerie and sacramentes of CHRIST belong not vnto this people or Congâ—…egation and how such sacramentes and ministerie aâ—…e sacrilegious and vngodly yea pernitious and damnable to the whole Congregation and all the communicantes vnlesse they repent and redresse these faultes I haue shewed touching his markes of the Church that whersoeuer the word is soundly taught there is not by and by a Church but only vvhere a faithful people are gathered by the same word vnto CHRIST submitting themselues in all thinges to be ordered ruled and gouâ—…ned by his word as yt shall from faith to faith be reuealed vnto them Which people thus gathered and leading their liues â—…ogether are to be esteemed an holy Church and haue power both to receaue into and cast out of their fellowship c. although they haue as yet obteined to haue neither a ministerie nor sacramentes among them alwaies proâ—…ided that this be not by any default or negligence in them they alwaies being ready as GOD administreth men meanes to procced vnto that holy order commanded in the word wherby apeareth that the Church vpon some occasions may be without sacramentes and that they are not a perpetual marke of the Church so of necessitie that yt should be no Church if vpon some occasions yt be for a season without them I haue also shewed that without this holy power of CHRIST to censure and redâ—…esse faultes and offendors there can be no Church no ministerie no communion that the word without practise is an idol praiers and sacramentes deliuered in obstinate sinne are abhomination and sacriledge in Gods sight and that yt is vnpossible to haue the word sincerely taught and the sacramentes purely administred where â—…ny open sinne or sinner is maintained or reteined vvhich must needes be where the carefull watch against sinne and power to reforme defaultes is neglected or left I haue shewed that the whole Church hath no power to dispence with the breach of the least commandement and that such obstinate sinne in the whole Church breaketh the couenant with God and maketh yt cease to be a
dispensing gathering 〈◊〉 the creâ—…tu â—…es and welth therof as a Father and a Steward yet stil with this Iâ—…terim as the Steward seruaÌ„t of God according to their Maisters will as they that â—…ball accompt But heere yt may be said that the Magistrate not we shall answere for this sinne if yt be any that yt is our dutie to obey in these outward â—…hings without inquirie or questioning because y â— reason charge nor accompt of the Magistrates office is not coÌ„mitted vnto vs neither may we thus enquire into the same being priuate meÌ„ w t out apparant preâ—…mptioÌ„ secret rebellion God forbid y â— any of his seruats â—…hould be â—…tained with either of these faults we honour reuerence obey y office person of y e Magistrate I say not now worship adore as God himself In that we seek to know the Magistrates dutie c. we do not â—…herby either intermedle or intrude into his office vnlesse vve knew â—…ow to obey and how far how should we obey what is not of faith is â—…inne where should we know either his or our owne duty but in y Book of God wherby both he for coÌ„manding making vngodly deâ—…rees we for obeijng them shal be iudged Obedience must alwaies â—…e in the Lord. If the Prince demaÌ„d or coÌ„mand my body or goodes in â—…is seruice I am to yeild them both readily w out further questioning â—…f his ententes endes or purposes those belong not vnto me only I â—…m to looke to y â— outward thing which I do y t yt be lawful 〈◊〉 by the word as y â— Prince cómandeth me to make ready my weaâ—…ons to serue in the war I may not refuse but if this war be apparantly â—…nlawful as against Gods seruantes c. I may not obey The Prince â—…aketh me an officer or vnder Magistrate I am in this place to serue â—…im but not to execute any of his vnlawfull decrees c. The Prince â—…emandeth my goodes I am readily willingly to depart with them â—…l vnto him without inquirie but if the Prince command me to giue â—…y goodes to such an idol or after such a wicked maner as by way of â—…ithes to a minister or by way of pension to an antichristian minister I â—…ay not obey but rather suffer his indignatioÌ„ yea death because now â—… make my self a trâ—…passer in doing that which God forbiddâ—…th at y e â—…rinces coÌ„mandemeÌ„t So in like maner if the Prince should coÌ„mand â—…ll the goodes victuals or cattell I haue I most willingly would obey â—…nowing y â— for this he not I should accompt For I am coÌ„maÌ„ded to â—…ay tribute not set the portion how much or when my self But if â—…he Prince make a law that no maÌ„ shal eate flesh during the Lent but â—…uch as haue special liceÌ„ce from him I say this law is vniust contrarie â—…o the bountiful liberalitie of God who hath giueÌ„ al men at al times a â—…ree vse of these creatures to food It is contâ—…arie to the order of Gods â—…reation who hath therfore created ordeined them It is coÌ„trarie to Gods honour who wil haue praisâ—… thankes for the holy pure vsâ—…â—…f them It is contrarie to Gods wisdome who hath seene no such law â—…f restraint expedient It is contrarie to the libertie freedome God â—…ath giuen vs in CHRIST God hauing at al times put al his creatures for our sustenance in our choice power eueÌ„ as the greene herbe of the field Therfore I see not why the seruaÌ„tes of God should any more by this coÌ„mandemeÌ„t be restrained or forbeare then Daniel did for the decree of the King of Persia for the thirty daies inhibitioÌ„ to make sute or petition to any saue the King only We need not feare the indignation of man when God approueth the thinges we doe Pollicie must take not giue lawes vnto religion The Lord hath by his word giueÌ„ a blessing to all the creatures that they should increase multiplie by vertue therof to the vse sustenance of mankind euen of euerie liuing soule that he bringeth into y e world Yea before he made man he prouided food for him This goodnes he stil extendeth to y e good bad generally to all So that to make such pollitike lawes for y e restraint of this the Lordes bountie is not only to distrust y e Lordes pâ—…ouidence not to depend therof for the future time vsing the bread of the day with thanckfulnes in sobrietie but to ascâ—…ibe to our owne pollicie councel y t which is due to the Lord of life the gyuer of increase Famine and scarcitie are not kept away with humane pollicie they are y â— messeÌ„gers punishmeÌ„ts of God for sinne Yet speak I not heer against godly prouideÌ„ce christiaÌ„ parcimonie or sober modest vse of God his creatures al this may be done without either breach of Gods lawes or restraining â—…hat by law which God hath left at libertie Nov coÌ„meth to be coÌ„sidered that learned probleme of Do. SOME wherin he thinketh himself as safe as if he had got a castle on his back trusting more to the fame toomb of his M â— CALVINE for the defence therof then vnto his owne learning or the truth of the matter namly THAT THE conscience of man is not bound by this law but the outward action he is a simple diuine that caÌ„not distinguish betweene the external court the court of consciece For the Author of this Doctrine though I caâ—…not assent vnto him in this very point for such reasons as I shall by by shew yet is he no Patrone or Maister for such schollers as this popish Doctor yea and other diuines of these our miserable daies who doe but seek out shiftes and euasions out of his writinges to couer defend their shameful transgressions which they without conscience or feare of God commit For by this subtil distinctioÌ„ being vnderstood in the best sense hath D.R.S. both animated coÌ„firmed Princes in their wicked decrâ—…es by enioyning obedience vnto such lawes taken away al feare of Godes wrath iudgments from such as obey these lawes making them beleeue that the conscience is not heerby bound burdened or charged but only the outward action c. therfore they need to make no scruple of conscience to obey such hestes Wel that I may at once pluck froÌ„ him Aiax Sâ—…ield this is his owne profane phrase and set this his Author most sharply against him who hath especially excepted all lawes which either bind that God hath left in our libertie al traditions whatsoeuer that are brought into the church hâ—… inueigheth most grauely and worthely against 〈◊〉 such lawes and traditions and exempteth all Christians from the obedience or receauing of such lawes or traditions How will Doctor SOME do now for his lent â—…vve haue shewed yt
famished made away in your prisons by these murthering BBâ—… only because they dare not allow or ioine vnto such abhominatioÌ„s as they thrust vpoÌ„ the whole land though they daily cry in the eares of your Maiestie your honourable Councellors for some equal trial either according to y e lawes of y e laÌ„d which is graÌ„ted thieues murtherers or by the word of God y t if they hauâ—… made any crime or hould any error contrarie to the truth of the Gospel they might be censured accordingly or els deliuered from y e antichristian tyrannie of these BBâ—… malitions slanders of these PP yea though euen these strangers also whose bodies are heere preserued haue loâ—…t the freedoome of their soules are partly by the wretched example of these vnfaithfull tollerating subscribing priestes brought into the bondage of these BBâ—… as sundry of them which haue any conscience complayne What can these men say stand not these thinges thus els let their owne complaintes supplications to the ParliameÌ„tes their protestations new deuised scoffing libells be examined wherin they complaine of these enormities and their wrongs by the BBs supposing to themselues that they are those seruantes of CHRIST that are thus oppressed And how will this geare sort to the assurance of the Princes saluation not only to keep out CHRIST not to suffer him to reigne ouer her but to set vp Antichrist his enemie to giue her power vnto the Beast not only to keep out the right free practise of the Gospell but to set vp in stead therof all this heap and dounghil of romish trumperies to ratifie the Popes Cannons Courtes not only to exalt CHRISTS enemies but to persecute Christs seruantes and to arme with her sword these wolues against them What â—…ood or figure will make this geare stand before the face of Christ when he shall come to iudgmeÌ„t with his mightie Angels in flaming fire to render vengeance vnto them which do not know God which obey not vnto y e gospel of our Lord IESVS CHRIST How can they which submit to these abhominations which they see coÌ„demne be held faithful Christians how can they that thus flatter dissemble with their Prince that in such waightie and high matters which concerne her so neere be held true harted faithful subiectes how can one mouth blow forth such contraâ—…ieties how can one fountaine send forth at one place such bitâ—…er and sweet waters How can the Prince vnto vs in our eies stand â—… Principall vpholder of Antichrist and such a principall member of CHRIST at one and the same time I doubt al the Logick this scholler hath or al the learning these renowmed priestes his abettors whome he so magnifieth extolleth haue can not reconcile this geare or couer their perfidous flatterie dissimulation with God man which to all men shal euen by themselues appeare if their Theses or Mâ—…ior propositions which they vse against the Church of Rome against these their LL. BBâ—… be duly examined and indifferently applied to this their owne ministerie administration practise And sure yt were a workâ—… worthy the labout to gather and summe their Maxims together and briefly to draw their owne Arguments against themselues that so they may be haltered and iudged of their owne mouth and both their hipocrisie and sinne appeare vnto all men The Lord of his mercie deliuer preserue here Maiestie from such blind guides as the Bishoppâ—… are from such vnfaithful guides as these counterfaites these false Prophets are But what wil D. BRIDGES and D. SOME say now to this geare when their greatest enemies after all this conflicting and skirmishing with them haue yeilded them the whole cause in opeÌ„ field made a more strong and vnanswerable Argument against themselues for the maintenance of the Archbishop his Grace and all his graceles proceedings then they all this while haue done with al their studie lampe-light How say they by this her Maiestie is here councelled comforted and assured euen by these men themselues to resort still to that place for the sacrament where she hath found comfort in receauing yt But she hath found comfort in receauing yt at the L. Arch-bishop graces handes with his rich cope on his shoulders beraied with al his poâ—…tifisalibus the english Masse-book in his handes yea by your leaue with the round waâ—…er I will not heere speake of attiring the Chappel high Altar that day and other Court ceremonies or whether any receaue the said sacrament togither with her Maiestie or no or whither these thinges be left But sure thus hath her Maiestie receaued yt either found comfort therin or els yt was not done of faith but if she found comfort in yt ô how wil the Arch-bishop theÌ„ reioice for theÌ„ by these mens full consent councell she is still to resort thither c. and then need they not be redressed in her daies and that is the thing he all this while feared least by the powerfull denouncing of Gods iudgmentes against these sinnes Gods grace might worke in her Maiesties heart to cast downe all this idolatrie It is as much as he desireth that he may remaine in his pallace at Lambeth stil be his calling office ministerie as repugnant to the word of God or odious in Gods eies as they will that is no matter And see what a subiect is heere offred vnto his learned Doctors to worke vpon for their extrauagant learning will not be satisfied with so litle as his Lordes grace will But they will râ—…plie and come vpon you for all olde reckoninges and not suffer you to depart vntill you haue fully â—…atisfied They will thus reason against you If yt be a true sacâ—…ment which her Maiestie hath all this while receaued at the handes of these Bishops in this maner c. where she hath found comfort then must the L. Archbish. and these L. BB â— needes be true ministers of the Gospel for by your owne reason where there is a true sacrament there must needes be a true minister but here you confesse to be the true sacrament of the â—…upper for her Maiestie can take no true comfort in a false sacrameÌ„t therfore this Archbishop these BB s that alwaies heere administer yt are true ministers of the Gospel of CHRIST And if they be true ministers of the Gospell and Church of CHRIST then ought they not and cannot be put away without open violence to the bodie of CHRIST for none of his true members may be either cut off or cast out whiles they abide in his body without iâ—…urie to his body yea such iniurie as he wil suffer at no mortall mans handes neither in deed can or will the true Church or tâ—…ue Christians commit such outrage against him So then how high is their sinne against CHRIST Prince Church which sue seeke to the Prince and Parliament to haue these
was by reason of mans sinne who is apt to lie to deceaue or not to credit ech others simple word c. To thâ—…s example this in a word â—… see not why I should be of M r. CALVINS mind touching the original of othes For the like he might say of praier of the writteÌ„ word of God yea of CHRIST himself the sacraments al holy exercises of this life If man were not iâ—… sinne he need not pray if he were not wrapped in ignorance he need not the word c. But shal I conclude herevpon that the originall of these holy things is impure sure â—…hat were vncleane doctrine These things no doubt are before all beginnings most holy layd vp with God in the bozome of CHRIST from wheÌ„ce they spring vnto vs are deriued by vs through the holy Ghost to help our infirmities to instruct our ignorance to confirme assure our heartes Yea eueÌ„ amongst our selues an othe for confirmation is an end of strife giuen to our infirmitiâ—…s that cannot see things absent or secret thinges as God doth And therfore is his holy name which seeth all things reuerently taken for confirmation not as yt is publikly vsed in the Church of England So then an othe hath not the original from man but from God himself who is the author of othes Neither is an othe giuen to the sinne of any for so should the name of God be highly prophaned and abused but yt â—…s giuen to the infirmities of all that of things vncertaine vnknowne and doubtful vnto vs vve might rest in that truth which is confirmed vnto vs in the name of the most high God c. vve may very well put difference betwixt our infirmities and our sinnes CHRIST took our infirmities yet without sinne And now not any longer insisting vpoÌ„ the doctrine of SOME his antecedent I denie his Argument at once That because the vse of many thinges whose original is impure may be pure therfore these idol places and temples may be vsed to the worship of God He seeth the lawes of God flat to the contrarie which alloweth them no vse at al either ciuil or ecclesiasticall of such idolatrous places But he proueth yt thus The 〈◊〉 were grosse idolaters but the Israelâ—…tes hauing vanquished them offred of their â—…poiles vnto the Lord c. Numb 31. therfor these idol Temples places idolatrous trumperie may be reserued vsed in the worship of God I must still denie his Argument First he hath not heere proued that this gold of the Midianites was either in any idolatrous formes or had beeâ—…e dedicate to Idols therfore from this place can conclude nothing It is easie to put difference betwixt the substance of Idolaters as gold siluer oxen sheep cattell their Idols idol places The one the captaynes of this host of the Israelites offred vnto the Lord for the sinne they had coÌ„mitted in this war in sparing the Midianitish women eueÌ„ the iewels of gold bracelets chaines rings eare rings ornaments of legges as the text recordeth the Lord accepted them But these I trow he cannot call idols or idolatrous iewels though they were the iewels of idolaters The difference is great easily put betwixt these The landes goodes cattel of idolaters we may purchase inherite vse inioy their idols euen of the most pretious mettals we are to detest destroie Yet euen here in this example they were commanded to purge all that might goe through the fire by the fire with the water of purification all other their vtilences which they got in that war to be purged with water vers 21. c. But now that second bullock which GEDEON offred is thought and alledged to haue belonged to BAAL brought for an instaÌ„ce to proue that things deuote to idols may be vsed to the worship of God To this if yt were admitted that this bullok had beloÌ„ged to BAAL which notwithstanding I see not how vt may be proued by the text I answere y t one particular example doth not take away a general law Againe that GIDEON did nothing but by the expresse coÌ„mandement of God So y t they which will inforce this example against these lawes may as wel vse yt against the law of the altar of the Place vvhere to sacrifice of the Priests vvhich ought to offer them all vvhich vvere by GIDEON much more apparantly to our seeming broken then this law vvhich in deed I cannot see that he brake yt at all Further by his example priuate meÌ„ might intrude into the magistrates office to destroie idolatrous places c. vvhich is vnlawful Yet M r. SOME thinking to make the matter more sure bringeth Corah his censors for proof because of theÌ„ vvere made plates for a couering for the altar But see how the further he goeth the more he stil mistaketh y e matter For these censors of Coraâ—…h his companie vvere neuer offred to any idols or vsed to any idolatrie but are by the testimonie of the holy Ghost pronounced holy Numb 16. 37. and therfore nothing fit his turne Many other diuine reasons he hath to proue this matter y t y e churches which idolaters buiâ—…t the landes which they gaue vnto y â— maintenancâ—… of their popish ministerie as arch-BB s. L. BB. parish priestes parsons vickars c. and also to the collegiate priestes as Deaues Prebends Cannons singing men c. ought now to be conuerted to the maintenance of these persons collegiate priestes their successors and as I heare he hath gotten himself into one of these colledges hath for his good seruice vnto BAAL and against CHRIST obteined IVDAS his roomth I meane not concerning his Apostles but his deacons office to carry the bag rob the poore Wel howsoeuer that matter standeth with him I am sure this his reason of â—…loraes legacie vnto the theatre of Rome to maintaine stage plaies where wicked filthy persons might meete deserueth no such recopence Flora saith he was an harlot in Rome verie welthy she gaue very much for the erection and continuance of a yearly spectacle in Rome By reason of grosse inconueniences that absurd shew was abolished But â—…loraes legacie was conuerted to the vse benefite of that common welth And what of all this M â— SOME Therfore may such thinges as haue beene dedicate by idolatours vnto their idol seruice and the maintenance of their idol ministery be now coÌ„uerted to the worship of God to the maintenaÌ„ce of the ministery of CHRIST It is already shewed that God will not be vvorshipped vvith such idolatrous stuffe and aboue in the handling the tithes glâ—…abes of the church of England that CHRIST hath in his Testament set downe an other kind of maintenance for the ministerie of the Gospell then such popish legacies But vvhat sequele is in this Flâ—…raes legacie vvas conuerted to a better vse therfore thinges offred by idolaters to
if these men should know the right course which in deed I cannot beleeue because the scripture speaketh euidently that God wil blind their eies and bow downe their backes c. O how high then were their sinnes which forsake the waies of life haue in the presumption of their owne heart sought out vnto themselues bye waies and lead the people astray with how many stripes are they worthy to be beaten Thus you see how this Gospell they te◅ch you is taught in a strang◅ and false ministerie in the false Church is ioyned to the throne of the beast of antichrist is ioyned vnto al the abhominatiō abhominable of the land is taught by prescription limitation and stint according to the Bishops iniunctions decrees traditions vnto which yt is together with the whole church both ministers people in bondage You see how yt hath neither light nor power in yt to discouer and cast out these most grosse damnable idolatries how yt vtterly wanteth practise in this false Church where say CHRIST what he will all must be after the pleasure of Antichrist You see how therby the bodie hath not beene edified or led forth any one step toward perfectiō but rather as by Satans most strōg delusiōs haue beene held therby in this egiptian bondage and babilonish confusion vnder Antichrist You see the ministers of these wares of what liuerie they are how they are the marked waged seruants of Antichrist the merchantmen of the who◅e to carrie abroad her abhominable wares Now remaineth that I discouer vnto you some of the gall wherwith their hony is mixed some of the leauen wherwith your milke is poisoned that you may see how the Lord in iudgment hath mingled amongst them the Spirit of error giuē them vp to the Spirit of pride fornication and caused them to erre in al their waies made night vnto them for a vision and darknes for a diuination how the sunne is gone downe ouer your Prophets and the day made dark ouer them Now that this may the sooner be brought to passe let me verie briefly shew you first what maner of CHRIST they teach you then some few of the cheif heads of the infinite errors they teach And this the rather because they say they hould the foundation and that there is nothing wanting amongst them but matters of lesse moment of no necessitie making some doctrines and some part of CHRISTS Testament fundamental substantial others accidental such as may be altered and violate without any preiudice or danger to the soule Yea such may the transgressions errors be as though they be obstinatly continued in and openly taught after they be reproued and conuinced by the word of God yea the parties die in that estate without repētance of these transgressions or errors yet may they hold the foundation be vndoubtedly saued Of this mind were still continue fiue of the verie principall best esteemed ministers of Englād both for learning and conscience although there were alledged against the same these expresse scriptures Numb 15. 30. 31. where yt is written that That soule that doth anie thing with an outstretched or high hand whether he be borne in the land or a strāger the same blaspheme◅h the Lord therfore that person shall be cut off from amongst his people because he hath despised the word of the Lord and made his commandement of none effect that person shalbe vtterly cut off his iniquit◅e shall be vpon him Exod. 23. 21. 1 Sam. 15. 22. 23. Ezek. 18. 26. where the Prophet concludeth that when a righteous man turneth away from his righteousnes cōmitteth iniquitie dyeth therin he shall die for his iniquitie that he hath done Likewise also our Sauiour CHRIST Math. 5. 1◅ 19. teacheth that one iote or title of his word shall not passe and that whosoeuer shall breake one of the least of his commandements teach mē so shalbe called least in the kingdome of heauen And the Apostle ◅ames 2. 10. teacheth that whosoeuer shal keep the whole law yet faileth in one becōmeth guiltie of all And how plentiful is the Apostle Paul in this point that whoso teacheth otherwise yeildeth not to the wholsome words of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according to godlines such are of corrupt mindes destitute of truth c. to be seperated 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. to be auoided Rom. 16. 17. to be reiected Titus 3. 10. As for offences and transgressions of the word we haue a perpetuall rule Math. 18. 17. 2 Thes. 3. 14 If he transgresse he is to be admonished reproued censured Yf he erre of ignorance he is to be instructed with meeknes vntil God re◅eale the truth also vnto him But if he not only erre but affirme teach his error wherby others are or may be infected yt is time to looke to that GANGRENE least yt fret further yt is time to purge out such leauē least yt make sowre the whole lumpe But to hold as these men doe and as they are driuen to doe when they plead for their whorish Church antichristian ministerie is not only to goe expresly contrarie to the whole scope of scriptures to infringe violate all Gods lawes couenant to hould as in deed they teach CHRIST a Sauiour without repentance to make some part of the scripture more holy more authentical more true then other in summe to submit the holy scriptures Testament of CHRIST to the wil lust of man to ratifie or abrogate them at his pleasure to make this part of substance that of forme this fundamentall that accidentall this necessarie to saluatiō that needles c. But if the whole scripture was giuen by inspiratiō of God and is profitable to teach to conuince to correct to instruct in righteousnes If yt be the groundworke foundatiō of the Church of our faith if yt be the law rule of our life the light of our eies c yf e◅erie word of God be holy pure perpetuall then is this di◅p learning of theirs diuelish and blasphemous that thus to couller couer their wickednes make some part of Gods word fundamental substancial necessarie other accidentall superficial needles especially where yt sheweth reproueth and condemneth their doinges yea which make some sinnes openly manifestly conuinced yet ohstinatly continued persisted in without any repentance in this life for all this not to be mortall or deadly as the papistes say hould Yet neuertheles wil these men be said to hold the foundation to saluation notwithstanding that they disfranchise reiect a great part of CHRIST Testament and hould yt not as fundamental necessarie and make neither cōscience nor care to transgresse the same and to bring in other lawes into the Church in stead therof yea vpon that part which they would seeme to retaine they build all this stubble trumperie
Temple and so might doe his pleasure for the prophâ—…ts Apostles disciples what they did was also by the commandemeÌ„t of God and so none of these examples to be made presidentes vnto vs without the like warrant I graunt well neither would I ground vpoÌ„ these examples if either they were coÌ„trarie to any law of God or that there were not expresse warrant in the TestameÌ„t of Christ in y e other scriptures that such as haue the gift of prophecie may and ought to exercise their gift in the Church of Christ. To that end I brought these examples to shew that yt was a thing vsual amongst the Iewes and not contrarie to anie law as Doctor SOME almost al the priests of the land very ignorantly and falsly giue out For neither can they prooue that yt was vnlawfull for any besides the priests to reade or expound the scriptures or vse exhortâ—…tion and praier in the Temple publike Synagogues of the Iewes neither yet that yt only belongeth to the ministers of the Chuâ—…ch vnder the Gospel vnlesse we wil take their bare affirmation for proof But as vnder the law I haue alledged manie examples to the coÌ„trarie so might I bring more Solomon praied 〈◊〉 exhorted in y e Temple If they think to euade by saijng they were prophets did yt by especial warrant I doubt they cannot prooue Iosiah a prophet Againe I would aske them whither this especial warrant were priuate and knowen only to themselues or publike and knowen to the people state also Publike they cannot shew yt for then would they neuer haue resisted the message and slayne the prophets c. If yt were only priuate and knowen to the prophets only then what was this to the state or people the priestes would neuer haue suffred them in this maner to haue vsurped their office Againe our Sauiour Christ if yt had beene contrarie to the law would neuer haue done yt or caused his disciples to doe yt who were no where repreheÌ„ded for teaching but for their doctrine only as apeareth by the examinatioÌ„ of our Sauiour CHRIST before the high priestes neither were anie of his disciples troubled for teaching in any of the cities and synagogs where he sent them After his death also when the Apostles accustomably taught and praied in the temple being brought before the councel they were not reprooued though they were igâ—…orant and baâ—…e men of occupation in their eies because they taught praied publikly but because they taught the righteousnes and glorie of that Christ whome they had so vniustly murthered and put to death and were not forbidden simply not to teach but not to teach in his name So you see yt was not Christs warraÌ„t that stood theÌ„ in any stead for the allowaÌ„ce of this actioÌ„ either before magistrates or people who knew or acknowledged not Christ but abhorred him put him to death Yf yt had beene coÌ„trarie to the law for any but priests publikely to teach pray c. both our sauiour Christ and his disciples should haue heard of yt no doubt at the handes of these carping cauilling phariseis of those malicious murtherous priestes But we see the Apostles were euerie whâ—…re permitted to teach through all the synagogs of the Iewes inso much as the rulers of the synagogue at 〈◊〉 sent vnto Paul Barnabas willing them if they had any exhortation for the people to say This they would neither haue permitted nor done if yt had beene contrarie to their law By 〈◊〉 warraÌ„t these rulers did yt not for 〈◊〉 his name sake they persecuted afterward stoned him Let this perilous paradoxe then at length be gained Thaâ—… others which haue the gift of prophecie besides the ministers may publikly 〈◊〉 or exhort in the Church Now remainâ—…th to be shewed that this exercise of prophecie belongeth to the whole Church and ought not to be shut vp in this maner amongst the priests only the people being shut out eitheâ—… to speake or heare This the Apostle in this 14 Chapter plentifully proueth by many reasons plainly aâ—…oweth in direct words Reasons may be draweÌ„ from the verie exercise of prophâ—…cie yt self which is nothing els now with the Church then an expounding interpretation of scriptures This light I am sure they wil grant ought not to be hid vnder a bed or bushell neither to be shut vp amongst a few as these Anabâ—…ptistical preachers vse in their coÌ„uenticles at this exercise There are no eare secrets or hiddeÌ„ mysteries which are to be kept close but are to be pâ—…oclaimed published vpon the house top The endes also of this exercise of propâ—…ecie shew that yt belongeth to the whole Church and none of them ought to be shut out The endes are the edification exhortation comfort of the whole bodie what a pride insolencie yea crueltie is yt in these men that would assume vnto themselues only this bountiful grace of God and debarre 〈◊〉 from the same and that the verie Church to whome yt belongeth for whome yt was instituted wheÌ„ the Lord alloweth eueÌ„ strangers vnbeleeuers to come vnto yt lifting vp the Sonne of man therby as a standard to other nations What enemies theÌ„ are these men vnto the glorie of God and contrarie vnto all men that would take from them this most blessed meanes of their saluation The Apostle also in expresse wordes declareth that this exercise belongeth to the whole Church Vâ—…r 23. 24. If saith he when the whole Church is come together vnto the same all speake tongues there come in also they that are ignoraÌ„t or vnbeleeuers wil they not say that ye are mad but if al prophecie there come in an infidel or idiote he is conuinced of all he is iudged of all c. The 26. Ver also what is then brethren when ye come together euerie one of you hath a psalme â—…ath doctrine c. Likewise Ver. 31. For you may all by one euerie one of you prophecie that all may learne and all may be comforted What can be more manifest direct then these places that this exercise of prophecie belongeth to the whole Church that euerie faithful man â—…ath here freedome and poweâ—… both â—…o be present and to speake also as â—…eed â—…equireth and God reuealeth vnto him Are not also al the carnal reasons of these phariseis takeÌ„ away which alledg the ignorance of the most part or confusion if al might be suffred to speake To the one no maÌ„ is to speake but as the words of God according to the proportioÌ„ of faith within the boundes of sobrietie truth his wordes must be to edification els he faulteth is iudged for them For the confusion that might herevpon arise if all should haue power to speake It is not here said that euerie one which hath power should at al times vse this power that which is lawful is not alwaies expedient Christians are
loue of God or care of their owne saluatioÌ„ might saue their soules froÌ„ their murtherous mouthes and follow the deceitful miserable guides no further in the crooked mooueable pâ—…thes of their inuentions noâ—… stay any longer in the steppes of that flocke but to come forth from amongst them vnto that true shepheard of ISRAEL which so graciously seeketh calleth them that he may bring them to Zion that Citie of ioy that mountaine of holines that heauenlie inclozed paradise where he feedeth watereth his kiddes with the fruits and water of that â—…ree that riuer of life which so far passeth that earthly garden or parke where ADAM was first placâ—…d as that excelled the wildernes of Kadesh or as the heauen passeth the earth or in deed as the true substance the shadow type Which grace that you may find apprehend as yt is the chiefe end of this my present writing so is yt my continual praâ—…er vnto the Lord herein resting being assured of this that all CHRISTS sheepe will heare his voice but a false Propher or a stranger they will not heare or follow Such are al these your ministers preachers apparantly proued vnto you to be by all the markes which God in his word hath set downâ—… to know them by False Prophets they are in that they perswade vnto 1 â—…rror 2 transgressioÌ„ 3 idolatrie 4 apostacie Deut. 13. 2. False Prophets they are in that they prophecie vnto this sinfull land in this corrupt estate peâ—…ce prosperitie lâ—…r 28. 8. False Propheâ—…s they are in that couer all the â—…inne of the land with the name of the Lord of the church Gospel Sacraments c. Ier. 7. 4. 18. 18. Micah 2. 7. False Prophets they are in that they dawbe the muddy wall of this corrupt apostaticall estate with their vntempered sermoâ—…s Ezek. 13. 10. c. False Prophets they are in that they prophecie in the name of so many Baalims Baal Bishop Baal Patron those Baalims to whome they stand chaplens Ier. 23. 13. False Prophets they are in that they prophecie for hire sel their cuning Ezek. 13. 4. 19 Miâ—…h 2. 11. 3. 11. Math. 10. 8. False Prophets they are in that they handle not the word of God sincerely faithfully but ioine yt to all the wickednes of the laÌ„d c. Ier. 23. 28. 29. 1 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Ezek. 34. 18. False Prophets they are in that they blow not y e trumpet but yeild vnto the enemie are scilenced at their coÌ„mandement Ezek. 33. 6. Isa. 56. 10. Ier. 1. 17. False Prophets they are in y â— they are meÌ„ pleasers vailers pillow sowers Ezek. 13. 18. â—…al 1. 10. False Prophets they are in y â— with their sweet toÌ„guâ—…s they allure deceaue nourish and hold all the prophane people in idolatrie and sinne Ier. 23. 17. 31 32. Strangers they are from the coÌ„mon welth of 〈◊〉 in that they are not gathered to CHRIST their head but stand members of the faâ—…se Church vnder Antichrist Ephes. 2. 12. Mat. 12. 30. Strangers they are in that they execute a strange office vnheard of in the Church or Testament of CHRIST Rom. 12. 7. 8. Strangers in that they are not called of God vnto their office but entred ascended an other way Ioh. 10. 1. â—… c. Heb. 5. 4. Nu. 16. 5. 40. Stragers they are in that they exâ—…rcise a counterfait antichristian rouing idolatrous ministrie in the falâ—… Church Deut. 32. 17. 2 Chron. 11. 15. Amos. 5. 26. Iude. Strangers in that they haue thâ—…ir original fâ—…oÌ„ the apostatical chaire of Antichrist which they still guard vphould fighâ—…g vnder his flag against CHRIST his Gospel the faithâ—…ull witnesses therof Râ—…u 9. 3. 12. Reu. 13. 13. 14. 16. 1â—… Blind false guides and seducers they are in that they lead the people in the waâ—…es of darknes and death promising them liberty reformation c. when they themselues stand bondsâ—…ruants of corruption Prouerâ—… 2. 13. c. Math. 15. 14. Hebr. 6. 1. 2 Pet 2. 19. 2 Tim. 3. 6. 7. False builders deceâ—…tfull work men in that they neither gather vnto nor build vpon the true foundation CHRIST and his word but gather vnto build vpon 〈◊〉 his traditions and so destroy thesoules of al that are built in this their Church 2 Corint 1â—… 13. â—… Coriâ—…t 3. 9. c. Ephes. 2. 20. 21. 22. They are powred out in the error of Balaâ—…m for wage in that they sel their diuinitie to Gods enemies Iude. 11. The way of Caine they follow in that they murther the faithfull by daily reproches vitupeâ—…ie and slaunders Iud 11. â—… Ioh. 3. 12. The truth of theâ—…e things you may read see in the scriptures the proof of al these you may see in their standing doctrines practise duly compared vnto truly examined by the rules of Gods word Now yt râ—…maineth that you be warned obey the calling of God disterminate your selues from amoÌ„gst them least you despise the grace of God against youâ—… owne soules and he giue you vp to their delusions Let such as take offenâ—…e at my sharpe maner of writing against these their esteemed learned preachers before they condemne my spirit 〈◊〉 yt whether these iudgments be the Lords or no. Then let them examine vnpartially whither these men be not vnder the same in such â—…aner as I haue said As for me what am I that I should alter or what is man that he should controlâ—… the Lords iudgmentâ—…s in loosing that which he bindeth or holding in veneration that which he hath in detestation or to giue titles vnto any in their sinne that were to call CHRIST execrable yea to make my self guiltie of the same sin iudgment which the Lord now coÌ„mandeth me to denounce against them Of the affection intent of my heart I make the searcher of al hearts Iudg euen whether I desire not their saluation as mine owne They that iudg the medecine too sharpe me an austere vnskilful physician should do well for the first to examine the ingredients by that heauenly herbal and the whole confection together by the practise of that great physician and his disciples For the ingredients I haue prefixed vnder euerie branche leafe the bough roote where I gathered them For the composition confection I haue desired to follow our Sauiour CHRIST in his conferences where he reproued the priests Scribes Phariseis of his time whiles he liued heere amongst them in the flesh desiring you to pervse the 21. 22. 23. chap. of Maâ—… comparing them to the other Euangelistes and vnto zach 11. I haue also followed the Prophets Apostles who alwaies dealt most sharply with the false Prophets and false Teachers of their times how great estimation or shew of learning soeuer they caried and haue leâ—…t vnto vs perpetuall doctrines to doe the like both to watch discouer auoide false Prophets which shall arise within
seuerity of God who is the iudg beholder of this church against all inordinate walkers contumatious offendors therin From euerie word almost of which epistle may an argument be drawen to proue the inuiolable excellencie perpetual necessitie of Christs orders and ordinances left in his Testament for the building direction gouernment of his Church It will not heere helpe them to say that the ministerie gouernment of Christ are eternall in respect of the couenant end in that they lead to the kingdome of heauen or in respect of the perpetuitie of the doctrine of the Gospell or in respect of the inward rule worke his holy Spirit hath in our heartes and is not vnderstood of the perpetuitie and necessitie of that outward order of gouernment administration left and practized by Christs Apostles These ignorant cauils will not helpe them For this self same couenant of life euerlasting touching the end had the Iewes and all the faithful that euer were They were all ◅aued through faith in Christ seene apprehended by the eie of faith though not yet exhibited in the flesh vnto them The difference of the couenant thē was not in the e◅d to which yt tended so mu◅h as in the present Church ministerie things administred orders ordinances worship worshippers c. the couenāt being made to these outward ritual figures and ceremonies but vntil the substance should be Ihewed and Christs heauenlie Church ministerie erected to which then the Iewes al men were called to which now the couenant is only made As for the truth perpetuitie of the doctrines of the gospel they were the same from the beginning that they are now Christ was before all beginnings that wisdome word of God Christ was the fulfilling of al the Prophets who foreshewed of him But if they meane by doctrine Gospell that heauenly ministerie sacramentes exercises and cōmunion of the Church which are peculiar vnto the Gospell according to the rules prescribed in Christs Testament then is the question graunted me without the due obseruati◅n of which rules they can haue no true ministerie sacraments exercises communion Gospel as I shall straight way shew Now as fo◅ this inward gouernment sanctificatiō they speake of where Christ reigneth in their hearts by the power of his Spirit c. I say that the Spirit of God may not cānot be seuered from the word of God They that openly willingly breake the least of Gods lawes boast of a false gift when they speake of their inward sanctification Christ doth not reigne in the heart of anie that wil not submit all their outward actions to be ruled by him also Christ will haue the whole man both bodie soule to serue him he parteth not with Antichrist or Beliall This is one of the Anabaptistical errors wherby the reforming prea◅ers defend their popish ministerie They say they haue Christ◅ inward calling to the ministerie in that they haue gifts learning and fitnes therfore though they want his outward calling which they say is not of the substance of the ministerie yea though they haue a false antichristian outward calling yet are they to be esteemed as the minister◅ of CHRIST Might they not as tollerably yea with lesse offence both to God and man vsurpe the magistrates chaire without a calling inasmuch as yt is of no such excellencie or worthines as the heauenlie ministerie of CHRIST because they haue wisdome and fitnes c. But to returne againe to our purpose This inward gouernment sanctification of the Spirit had the faithful Iewes before Christ came in our flesh and before they were called to the Church and ministerie of Christ Therfore either these are no answeres or els the whole scope of that epistle to the Hebrues is vaine◅ for all these things the Iewes enioyed before they had the same couenant of saluation the same perpetuall true doctrines Gospel the same inward gouernmēt sanc◅ification of the Spirit that we haue Only because they wanted the heauenly practise ministerie of the Gospel the heauenly orders exercises and cōmunion of the Church of Christ they were called from those ritual types figuratiue shadowes wherby in their infancie and ◅onage they were trained shut vp vnto the open sight and cleare beholding of the glorie of the Lord with open face all vailes being takē away and vnto the free orderlie practise of the same Gospel according to Christs new Testamēt al trumperie traditions being abolished With what extreame desire haue all the Prophets longed after and great delight written of the excellent beawtie heauenlie gouernmēt inuiolable order of this Church How often hath Dauid in his Psalmes remembred the same with what admiration hath he expressed the absolute perfect structure of that compact citie as Salomon also liuelie described the beawtie pretiousnes iuncture of al her parts How plentifully haue the Prophets Isaiah Ezekiel zachariah and others euen with an open eye described the whole forme of the building of this Church as also all of them giuē euident testimonies of the perpetuitie of the gouernment ordinances therof How oft doth Dauid exhorte the Saint◅ to celebrate y ◠excellencie perpetuitie of Christs gouernmēt throne by how many testimonies doth he extoll proue the same as is euerie where found in the psalmes sundrie wherof the author to the Hebrewes as also the other Apostles in their sermons writings haue vsed both to proue the excellencie necessitie eternitie of and to draw mē vnto this heauenly gouernment of CHRIST in his Church The prophet Isai◅h in the 33 of his prophecie v◅rs 20. c. willeth the ◅ewes in al their calamities to behold Sio◅ that citie of their assemblies to cause their eies looke vpon Ierusalem that quiet fould that tent that shall neuer be disseuered of whose pins or stakes not one may be taken away neither shall anie of the coards therof be broken but there the mightie IEHOVAH shalbe vnto vs in place of floods of broade riuers wherin shal passe no naui◅ with oares neither shall anie great ship pass◅ through yt for IEHOVAH is our reuenger IEHOVAH is our Lawgiuer IEHOVAH is our King he shall saue vs. What can be said more plainly ◅or the inuiolable perpetuitie both of the order forme of building and also for the gouernment administratiō ordinances of CHRISTS Church Of al which as God himself is the author so you see he voweth to be the defendor and reuenger against all the power of tyrants o◅ anie mortal man whosoeuer Likewise the prophe◅ Da◅iel in his 7 chapter after he had beene shewed the calamitie tyrannie oppression done vnto the Saintes by the 4 beasts but especially by that presumptuous horne that liuelie figure foretreader of Antichrist whose mouth spake presumptuous words against the most high and consumed the ◅aints of the most high that thought he might chāge the times the