Sauiour Christ of negligence who seeking by this question to strengthen all the Apostles in the faith towards himselfe should haue giuen them no strength neither by experience of the worke of God within themselues nor by the glorious promises which he annexed to this confession vnlesse he had in Peters answere receiued the answere of others Secondly when it appeareth other where by Peters owne confession that the rest knew that Christ was the sonne of the liuing God as well as he himselfe Ioh. 6.67.68.69 what should hinder them not to make confession of it as well as did Peter If Peter were chiefe of all doth it follow that the Pope of Rome should be so No verily for howsoeuer they say Peter was Bishop of Rome yet indeed that cannot be proued by Scripture rather the contrarie for if Peter had been at Rome when Paul was there amongst many others hee would not haue forgotten to make mention of him vpon diuers occasions he had thereof Especially he would not haue wrapped him in the common charge that all had forsaken him Also his proper charge being amongst the Iewes who were neuer frequent or many in Rome and after the few that were there banished from thence what likelihood is there that Peter would most reside there where hee had least to do And if he had been there yet would he not be Bishop there the Bishopricke being a degree of Ministerie far vnder the Apostleship wherunto he was called But grant hee were Bishop of Rome doth it follow thereof that the Bishop of Rome must bee his successor No for first it should haue beene but a personall right And secondly if it belonged to his successors Ierusalem and Antioch where he sat before he is supposed to sit at Rome might challenge it as well as they of Rome Neither can his death which they suppose to haue beene at Rome giue that priuiledge to him aboue them more then the death of Christ priuiledged Ierusalem which by the iust iudgement of God for the same cause was made an heape of stones And thirdly if it did belong to his successors at Rome yet it belongeth to his successors in doctrine and not in place only Consider more that if the Church were builded vpon Peter it was in respect of the doctrine he taught Hitherto of the Apostles Now who are the Prophets Such as besides an extraordinarie gift of preaching had a speciall gift of prophecying Hitherto of those immediately called VVho are those that are called by the meanes of men The Euangelists Who are the Euangelists Such as were ordained and directed of the Apostles for watering that which they had planted and confirming those whom they had conuerted What is the particular Church It is that which beside the fellowship in one spirit hath some other outward knot wherein they are more neerely tied then the rest of the vniuersall is and it is either of one nation or of a narrower compasse What is a Church of one nation It is that which is gathered vnder one politicke or ciuill gouernment What is that of a more narrow compasse It is such a companie of beleeuers as dwelling in one place may be conueniently at one time taught by one mouth of a Minister What is common to all the members of this Church That euery one be wise vnto sobriety behauing himselfe according to the measure of grace that is bestowed vpon him What persons make default against this point Two sorts especially the one of such as ouerweene thinking better of themselues and taking a greater state vpon them then they are worthie of The other of such as abasing themselues too much doe thinke themselues vnfit to such duties as they are called vnto How is the truth of this doctrine cleared By comparison of the Church which is the mysticall body of Christ vnto the naturall bodie of a man How many waies doth this comparison hold Sundrie waies First as in a perfect body of a naturall man there is full furniture of all members needefull to the discharge of their seuerall duties which are knowne both how manie they are and what they are so it is in the Church of God What gather you of this First that as a superfluous member in a mans body as two thumbes or a finger more then enough in one hand ingendreth horror euen so superfluous members in the Church of Christ must needs bee faultie and horrible What further As the want of a naturall member of an hand breeds griefe so the want of any the appointed members in the Church must needs bee faultie and grieuous Proceed to the other comparisons Seeing the disorder of a member as to haue an eie where the nose should bee or a foot for the hand causeth both horror and griefe so the like disorder in the Church of Christ must needs be horrible Wherein doth this comparison further hold That as in the body of a mā euery member hath his owne seuerall function to discharge and no member can well and fitly discharge the duety of another so it must be in the Church of God and as all the seuerall members of the bodie are knit and vnited to their head so are all the members of the Church vnto their head Christ Remaineth there yet any more comparison That as in the naturall body euery seuerall member is as it were the member of euery other in seruing to their good as the eye will see the hand will take the mouth will speake for the good of any other member so it is in the Church of God So much of the properties and qualities common to all the members of a particular Church What are the parts of it They are partly such as are aboue and partly such as are vnder VVho are those that haue preheminence Those whom Christ hath appointed for the continuance of the Churches which were builded by the extraordinarie officers to the worlds end VVhat things are common to all these ordinarie officers First that they be vnblameable of life 1. Tim. 3.2 1. Tim. 3.10 which being required of all Christians is in greater measure required of them as of the lights of the Church Secondly examination whether by gifts especially for the office they are to be called to that office or no. Act. 14.23 VVhat is prayer It is a calling vpon God alone in the name of Christ by the titles wherewith in the Scripture he is set forth vnto vs as well thereby to doe seruice and homage vnto the Lord as to obtaine those further things and graces that are necessarie for vs. VVhat haue we first to consider heere Esa 42.8 48.11 Rom. 10.14 That wee are to pray to God alone and not to communicate his honour to Saints or Angels which is detestable and abominable Which reason is also for vowes annexed to prayer VVhat things must we come to God in prayer for Those which God hath made vs promise of either belonging to this present life or
make cleane the body so doth the accomplishment of the law by Christ make vs righteous VVhat pledge is there in Baptisme of our sanctification Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 3. 1. Cor. 10. Matth. 3. Mark 1. The water lying vpon the childs head declareth that the old Adam in the baptized is buried with our Sauiour Christ and as it were drowned with the old Pharao and the Egyptians as the water after shed from the body the body appeareth white and clean so doe we appeare in newnesse of life from whence it is called a Sacrament of repentance VVhat learne you thereby That although sinne rise and rebell in vs yet if we bee the children of God it shall bee killed by the death of our Sauiour Christ and although wee bee sluggish to good things yet shall wee bee quickened by him So much of the sacrament of Baptisme What is the preparation to it The dueties of it arise according to the persons VVhat are they First the baptized secondly the companie present The baptized what are they Either the children of the faithfull or conuerted to the truth What belongeth to the children of the faithfull In the action nothing but sufferance after the action when they come to age they must know the benefits and fauour of God receiued in their baptisme VVhat are the conuerted to the truth to performe before the action Acts. ◠First to examine themselues whether they be in Christ and Christ in them VVhat in and after the action In the action to haue regard to the graces offered after it to comfort themselues daily in the grace that God hath offered them VVhat are the companie present The parent or the rest of the Church VVhat is the parent to performe First to consider that God hath not receiued him onely but his child and therefore to reioyce in the loue and fauour of God and then to confirme himselfe that as God hath quickened him after his baptisme so will he his child Secondly to present the child Thirdly to giue or to take order for the giuing of some such godly name as may put the child in remembrance of some good duetie Fourthly after Baptism when the child is capable to catechise his child and to bring it vp in the feare and information of the Lord. What are the duties of the rest of the Church First to reioyce and to be glad at the increase of Gods Church Secondly to giue attendance to the doctrine and to pray that the child may bee quickened Thirdly when it commeth to age to do such duties as one member oweth to another So much for Baptisme What is the Lords Supper It is the second Sacrament of the Gospell wherby is sealed vnto vs our continuance with increase in the body of Christ which is his Church Are there diuers graces offered vnto vs in Baptisme and the Lords Supper No but the same graces to diuers ends in Baptisme to the inuesting and entring of vs into Christianitie in the Lords supper to the nourishing and continuing of vs in it And therefore as vnto the Sacrament of Baptisme so vnto this of the Lords Supper the Popish fained Sacrament of confirmation is notablie iniurious What things are to be considered in this Sacrament First the time and then the things that are to bee done The time of the administration of this Sacrament seemeth not to agree with that which hath beene generally taught of the Sacraments for this was by our Sauiour Christ not ministred on the Lords day and it was also ministred at night Although our Sauiour Christ did so yet hee did not bid vs so to doe but the Apostles example and religious practise herein is to be followed which did celebrate the supper of the Lord vpon the Lords day But yet it seemeth that both the example of Christ and of his Apostles doth tie vs to the time of the night Nothing lesse for our Sauiour did minister it after supper for that it was to come in liew and stead of the Passeouer and therefore was presently after the eating of it Secondly that it might goe immediately before his passion the better to shew whereunto it should haue relation Where also is another difference our Sauiour Christs supper representing his death which followed the supper and was to come our Sacrament representing the death of Christ already suffered and past What cause had the Apostles to minister it after supper which we haue not The Apostles did it in the night because it was not safe for the Church to meet in the day for feare of persecution wherefore herein the laudable custome of the Church of administring it in the morning when our wits and capacities are best is to bee followed In which respect also there is some difference betweene this Sacrament and the Sacrament of Baptisme which may without any inconuenience be administred in the after noone Is there nothing to bee learned in that our Sauiour Christ and his Apostles administred it after supper Yes verily for thereby wee learne that wee must not come for our bellies but haue our minds lifted vp from these earthly elements to our Sauiour Christ represented by them for men after supper set not bread and wine but banquetting dishes vpon the table What vse is there of this First to reproue such profane persons as come for a draught of wine alone Secondly those that rest onely on the outward elements So much of the time now to the things to be done in the Lords Supper and how shall wee consider them First what is generally to be done of all both Minister and Communicants Secondly what is to be done of the Minister What is generally to be done There must be a careful preparation before the action great heed in the action and a ioyful thankfull close and shutting vp of it In the two former whereof there is great difference betweene our Sauiour Christ and all other Ministers who hauing no battell of the spirit with the flesh in him but being alwaies prepared vnto euery good worke had no need of them the Ministers hauing as much neede as the people How are we to prepare our selues to this Sacrament We are before wee come vnto it to examine our wisedome and knowledge in this Sacrament whether wee can giue a reason of the representation of Christ in the bread and wine and bring the resemblance and difference of the proportion of the bread and wine with the body and blood of Christ and of the eating and drinking of the elements with the partaking of the spirituall things What further examination is to bee vsed before wee come All that come to this holy Sacrament must examine themselues of their faith and repentance for their particular sins to bewaile them and to iudge themselues for them lest in comming otherwise they procure the wrath of God against them and those that belong vnto them although not in condemnation in the world to come which the faithfull notwithstanding their
if wee haue growne in the knowledge of the truth And secondly of our affections if we hate Poperie and loue the truth vnfainedly And so let euery one iudge himselfe that wee bee not iudged as wee must expect an harder iudgment according to the long patience of God What further That there can bee no sound agreement betwixt Poperie and the profession of the Gospell no more then betwixt light and darkenes falshood and truth God and Belial and therefore no reconciliation can be deuised betwixt them for if the members of Antichrist shall bee destroyed wee cannot in any sort communicate with their errors vnles we beare them companie in their destruction Why doth euery errour destroy the soule No verily for as euery wound killeth not the man 2. Pet. 2. so euery errour depriueth not a man of saluation but as the vitall parts being wounded or infected bring death so those errours that destroy the fundamentall points and heads of the truth bring euerlasting destruction in which kind is poperie as that which sundrilie ouerthroweth the principles and grounds of our holy faith and therefore tearmed an apostasie or departure from the faith Heere then may be asked whether the Pope may bee saued It is not impossible his sinne being not necessarily against the holy Ghost to which onely repentance is denied for some no doubt haue entred into that see ignorantly and therefore find place to repentance So much of the Antichrist what he is towards others What is he in himselfe That is set downe by two effects First that hee is vicegerent vnto Christ not by any right but by vsurpation and therefore also an aduersarie as also the word implieth both so much more dangerous as hee exerciseth his enmitie vnder the colour and pretence of Christ Wherein is he aduersarie vnto Christ Euery way in life and in office How in life In that Christ being most pure holy and holinesse it selfe the popes although in truth most filthie and abominable in blaspheming coniuring murdering whoring and that incestuously and Sodomitically yet will they in titles bee called holy yea as Christ holines it selfe How in office First in his kingdome Christs kingdome is without all outward shew or pompe but the Popes kingdome consisteth wholly in pompe and shewes as imitating his predecessors the emperors of Rome in his proud stately and lordly offices Princelie traines and outragious expences in euery sort How else in his office In raising vp another sacrifice then Christ another priesthood then his other mediators then him Is there any thing else wherein hee taketh vpon him the office of Christ Yes in that he teacheth cleane contrarie to him Christ taught nothing but what hee receiued of his father the Pope setteth out his owne canons and decrees of councels What is the second effect That he is exceedingly lift vp against all that is called God which also proueth the former exposition for Christ being very God abaseth himselfe vnto the nature of man the Pope a vile man aduanceth himselfe to the throne of God Christ being aboue secular power paid tribute and was taxed euen in his mothers wombe and suffered himselfe to be crowned with a crowne of thornes and bare his owne crosse But the Pope being vnder all secular power exalteth himselfe aboue all secular powers exacteth tribute of Kings setteth his foote on the necke of Emperours carrieth a triple crowne of gold and is borne vpon mens sholders Is not the Pope humble when he calleth himselfe the seruant of seruants No for by his owne Canonists hee doth it but dissemblingly with hypocrisie which is double iniquitie for they say that hee doth in humility say so not that he is so indeed What other answere doe they make to this obiection His seruice being limited and tied onely to Peter and Paul he needeth not to feare lest by this humiliation he be put to much paines seeing he hath wisely made himselfe seruant to those that can aske him nothing and to whom hee can performe nothing What are the effects of this his pride They are two first hee sitteth in the Church as God when as hee bindeth the consciences of men by his decrees which no Princes lawes meerely ciuill can do for these men are discharged of in the paiment of the penaltie prescribed in them By this it seemeth that the Church of Rome is yet the Church of God although corrupt seeing it is said that he sitteth in the temple of God No verily it beareth only the name of it for the Scripture giueth the name to a thing according to that it hath beene as when Christ saith the abomination shall stand in the holy place he meaneth not that the temple was then holy which at that time being no figure nor shadow of Christ and his Church was prophaned but that it had beene holy so wee confesse there hath beene a true Church in Rome which is now no Church of Christ but the Synagogue of Satan Which is the other effect He boasteth that he is God as the Popes flatterers in the Canon law cal him Our Lord God the Pope Neither is this his church-pride only in challenging the name of God but also he challengeth to himselfe things proper to God as the title of holines also to forgiue sinnes and to carrie infinit soules to hel without check or controlement and to make of nothing somthing and the scripture to be no scripture and no scripture to be scripture at his pleasure yea to make of a creature the Creator It may seeme to bee an impossible thing that men should be carried away from the faith of the Gospell by one so monstrous and directlie opposite to Christ. If at once and at a sudden he had shewed himselfe in such sort of foule colours it might haue bin doubted and therefore by certaine degrees of iniquitie he in the end came to this height of wickednesse How is that The Apostle sheweth of two courses the diuell held to bring this to passe one secret and couert before this man of sinne was reuealed the other when he was reuealed and set vp in his seate What were the waies of Antichrists comming before he was reuealed Those seuerall errours which were spread partly in the Apostles time and partly after their time therby to make a way for his comming And in this respect this mysterie of iniquitie was begun to bee wrought as it were vnder the ground and secretly in the Apostles time How was this mysterie of iniquitie wrought in the Apostles time By diuers errors sowne by heretikes as it were pettie Antichrists in that some were desirous to bee Lords ouer the Church some held iustification by works some held the worshipping of Angels some put religion in meates and some had a speciall liking of virginitie and misliking of mariage all which were beginnings and grounds of Poperie and Antichristianisme What gather you of all these That those whom God hath freed from the bondage of Poperie should striue