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
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
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
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
wherwith the whole world is now so deeplie delighted wholy carried away nothing els being welcome or acceptable vnto their earthly séses or ytching humorous eares which caÌ„not bâ—…ooke wholsome doctrine or suffer the wordes of exhortation I haue not desired to speake in the wordes taught by humane wisdome but in the words taught of the Holie Ghost From which where I haue swerued as my vnsanctified lippes no doubt too ofteÌ„ haue or which wherin I haue abused as fooles knowe not to vse a parable aright I humbly craue the Christian correction rather then the pardon of the reader for yt ought to goe before and shall be more profitable vnto me Great euerie way shal â—…he benefite hereof be both to me to the whole Church I being instructed shal through the grace of God both repent learne to amend my faultes the Church shall reape the fruits of Gods graces much more plentifullie in others which if I may any way stir vp I shal not iudg my labour wholy lost The diffuse and disorderly handling of these points will also no doubt be yrksonne vnto the Reader neither in deed take I anie pleasure therin but let that be partly imputed to the confuse subiect â—…ou know what BABEL signifieth but chieflie to my waÌ„t of skill that knew not how to do yt better I am coÌ„tent to beare that blame so others may reape anie good by the rest If some vnperfect senteÌ„ces or superfluous repetitions arise in the reading attribute those to his weakned memorie that is but a litle cherished as also to the incoÌ„uenience of the place through the iniquitie of the times where such was the rage of the enimie as he might not keepe one sheade by him whiles he was writinge of an other hauinge also as euill meanes to reuise or retract that he had written so no woÌ„der though manie thinges escaped which might with more dilligence haue beene preuented Let these also be the writers blame deseruedlie which he for thy good thinketh not much to sustaine But now remaineth the verie Argument subiect of this Booke w ch of â—…l other will be most disliked held most odious heinous of all sorts of men who wil neuer endure to heare the magnificence of the false Church wherin they haue so long beene nouriâ—…hed in so great delight reprooued cast downe So throughlie are they intoxicate vvith the wine of her abhominations and all their senses bownd in the fetters of her fornications that they haue no eies to see eares to heare or hearts to beleeue the truth But especiallie the shipmaisters the marriners merchantmen and all the people that reigne row are caried in this false Church they will neuer indure to see fire cast into her theâ—… wil neuer indure to suffer losse of their daintie pretious merchaÌ„dise but rather will raise vp no small tumultes and stirres against the seruantes of God seeking their blood by all subtill violent meanes as we reade in the scriptures their predecessors haue alwaies donne accusing them of treason troubling the state schisme heresie and vvhat not But vnto all the power learning deceipt rage of the false Church vve oppose that litle Booke of Gods vvorde which as the light shall reueale her as the fire consume her as an heauy milstone shall presse her and all her children louers partakers abettors downe to hell which Booke we willinglie receiue as the iudge of al our controuersies knowing that all men shall one day that ere long be iudged by the same by this Booke who so is found in error or transgression let them haue sentence accordinglie Neither let the dreadfull seuere iugments of GOD be lesse feared or esteemed because they are pronounced by a frayle weake man or that man or messenger be hardlier entreated or iudged too seuere because he doth deliuer the message of his Lord. The Lord assuredlie doth ratifie in heauen whatsoeuer he pronounceth heere or earth neither hath anie seruant of GOD power to alter change his maisters wil they cannot loose that he bindeth or lighten his yoke Let then that state people or person that findeth himself greeued at anie thing heere said first inquire the truth therof in the word of GOD so giue credit obedience accordingly for wheÌ„ the Lion roreth vvho should not feare when the Lord hath spoken vvho should not prophecie Let him that heareth therfore heare and he that leaueth off let him leaue off yet let all know the Lion roreth not in the forest if no pray be present neither the young Lion out of his denne if he be not about to take And when the Lion of the Tribe of IVDA is once raised vp vvho shall then find Argumentes to plead or vveapons of defence yt is a most fearfull thing to fall into the handes of the liuing GOD. Great is the mercie of GOD that bloweth the trumpet and giueth warning before he â—…ring the euill vpon vs yea great is his mercie patience that yet continueth to speake knock and call we hauing so long skorned his messengers despised his words c. Only now let all men in whome is anie feare or loue of GOD anie care of their owne saluation tremble at the word of GOD let them be warned feareâ—… leâ—… them ponder their owne waies depart from euill least the finall wrath of God preuent them Let them consider the further they go on iâ—… error the further they depart from the truth and the harder they shall find yt to returne Let them not be perswaded to continue in euill by the authoritie wisdome pretended learning or holines of anie neither by the numbers and multitudes after they haue once heard or seene the error of their way the Lord keepe all his from presumptuous sinne Long hath that great milstone of the Lordes fearfull iudgmentes beene lift vp on high in the eies of all men ouer this presumptuous confuse BABEL wherin they continue long hath the Lord called commaunded all his people to goe yea to flee out of her Many they see by Gods mightie hand escaped deliuered and marching with the banner of the Gospell displaied before all the inchanters of Egipt PHARAOH his troupes Let the rest no longer â—…empt GOD or be held vnder the dint compasse of this dreadfull milstone by anie perswasions but let them saue their soules out of this accursed false Church with all speed whiles yet grace and time is offred and ioine themselues vnto the faithfull seruantes of CHRIST vnder his conduct Gospell that he may lead them out of the howse of this spirituall bondage into the gloriâ—…us libertie of the sonnes of GOD vnto that desired TZION there together to serue God lead their liues in holines according to Gods owne wil to the comfort assurance of their owne soules the glorie of his name Amen Let the vniust do vniustlie yet and
the filthie do filthilie yet and let the iust do iustice yet and let the holie be sanctified yet Behold I come shortlie and my revvard with me to render vnto euerie one according as his worke shalbe Apoc. 22. 11. 12. SEing we haue receaued a most sure word of the Lord our GOD It behoueth vs to geue heede thervnto as vnto a light that shineth in darke places whiles we trauell in the dangerous wildernes of this world In which word the whole wisdome and conncells of GOD for our direction and instruction in all thinges are fully reuealed vnto vs. So that now we are not to say in our heartes who shall goe vp for vs to heauen and bring yt vs or who shall goe ouer the sea bring yt vs cause vs to heare yt that we may obey yt For loe yt is neere vs euen in our mouth in our heart and set before our eies for to do yt the sound of the Gospell hauing beene long since caried forth through al the Regions of the whole earth So that no nation â—…halbe excused which will not serue obey vnto the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST which being proclaimed with his owne blessed mouth sealed with his owne heart blood writteÌ„ with the pen of the holy Ghost deliuered incommended by his holy Apostles Prophets vnto vs all posterities as his last wil Testament wherunto nothing may be added nothing diminished aâ—…tered or changed violate or wilfully neglected according to fleshly wisdome or vvorldly pollicie without most heinous transgression sacriledge and impietie For as all degrees of men without respect or exception of any person are bound vnto the same as vnto the Scepter of our soueraigne Lord IESVS CHRIST who is King ouer all blessed for euer Amen so shall all men in particular be iudged by the same of all things done in this mortall life Neither hath any Angel in heauen any mortall man no nor the whole Church power or prerogatiue to alter or neglect the least iote or title therof But GOD hath especially coÌ„mitted these holy oracles to the carefâ—…l custody of the Church there to be inuiolably preserued as in the side of the Arke purely taught expounded deliuered without corrupting mixing hiding obscuring peruerting wresting there to be precisely obserued with all reuerence and feare without any willing or knoweÌ„ transgression or swaruing either to the right hand or to the left of the whole Church or any member therof And heervnto is the whole Church and euerie particular member therof both iointly and seuerally bound both because they haue all of them interest in the tree and riuer of life all are bound to the maintenance of the faith which is giuen is coÌ„mon to al Sainctes and because they are all of them the members of CHRIST and togeather his bodie each others meÌ„bers in him Therfore are they so often by the Apostles charged stirred vp to exhort edifie and admoniâ—…h one an other to staÌ„d vpoÌ„ the watch-towre of their faith to scowte and obserue them diligently which cause diuisions offences coÌ„trarie to the doctrine which they haue learned to trie the spirites to examine the doctrine whether any man teach otherwise coÌ„sent not vnto the wholsome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according to godlines Many waightie and graue reasons are added to induce them to be the more vigilant 〈◊〉 the doctrine being likened to the light of the eies to the food yea to the life of the foule as also error corruptioÌ„ resembled to daâ—…knes leauen poison c. Moreouer such teachers to false and deceitful workmeÌ„ blind vnfaithful guides to greeuous rauening wolues to thieues murtherers c. what counterfeit titles â—…heepes clothing soeuer they take and get ynto them yet the holy Ghost speakes euidently euerie where warneth that these builders shal destroie the Temple of God vvhose howse and workâ—… vve are c. these guides shall seduce mislead vs in the waies of death destruction these thieues and vvolues shal spoile murther vs. Now by how much these goods are spiritual this death of the soule by so much are they more carefully to be auoided shuÌ„ned eschewed Therfore our sauiour CHRIST his Apostles as they were most vigilant faithful ministers did both preuent and foresee diuers dangers great euils to come so gaue they verie earnest and often warnings hereof vnto the disciples vnto the Churches coÌ„manding the porter yea euerie seruant of the house to watch to beware to take heed shewing them that manie false CHRISTES should arise many false prophets shewing great signes woÌ„ders wherby to deceaue if yt were possible the verie elect He fore told them of Antichristes original increase exaltation how he should be haue himself vvhat hauock he should keâ—…p in the Church of God as also of the general defection euen of the verie beginning therof How immediatly after the tribulation of those daies namely the destruction desosatioÌ„ of the earthly material 〈◊〉 the Sunne shoud be darkned the moone should not giue her light the starrs should fal from heauen the powers of heauen should be shaken and thâ—… beauâ—…ie therof wrapped vp as a scroule that the whole world should be drowned in sensualitie and securitie as in the daies of NOAH because iniquitie shalbe increased faith scarse found vpon the earth at his coming So that if those daies should not be shortned there shoud no flesh be saued Yâ—…t that al these things must should vndoubtedly come to pass he shewed yt by the nearer thinges namely the destructioÌ„ of Ierusalem the temple there c. as also confirmed yt by the truth stedfastnes of his word shewing how the heauen earth should passe away but his wordes should not passe away neither should this generatioÌ„ passe vntil al these thinges were fulfilled Of these things the Prophets spake before though more darkly as a far off by diuers types as Isa. 14. 13. 14. Naâ—…um 3. 4. 5 6 7. Daâ—… 9. 27 â—…lso Isa. 13. 10. â—…4 4. Ezek. 32. 7. Ioel 2. 31. 3 14. 15. But the Apostles gaue much more euident plaine warning of these things chiefly they that liued longest and came nearest to these times As the Apostle Paul to the Elders of Ephes ' Act. 20. 29. 30. 31. in al his Epistles pleâ—…tifully the Apostle Peter in his 2. Epistle 2. 3. Chapt. The Apostle Iude Ihon in al his Epistles but especially in that heauenly Book of the Reuelation vvherin he most liuely describeth these thinges euen from the original in seueral visions according to the seueral times y t should ensue vvherin he sheweth the happy estate of the Church whiles Gods glorious throne was in the midst
people grieuously with them transgressed and were together with them defiled nâ—…ither could they iudge or cry out against the sinnes of the time when they thâ—…mselues were alike guilâ—…ie and partakers with them in these sinnes With what conscience then or fâ—…are of God can they perswade vs to sinne by the Prophetts examples May they not as wâ—…ll by the examâ—…les of the Patriarches DAVID c. perswâ—…de vs to incesâ—… 〈◊〉 murther if yt weâ—…e sinne in them shal yt bâ—… lâ—…sse iâ—… vs arâ—… these 〈◊〉 and examples well vsed or applied by them But how wil they now doâ—… when euen that stone which they had set vs as a triumphant monument of their vicâ—…orie is rouled vpon their â—…ead and shall gâ—…ind them to dust except thâ—…y râ—…tire and repent For whiles thâ—…y affirme our Sauiour CHRIST to haue communicated with â—…he wicked polluted priâ—…stes pâ—…ople in feastes and their sacrifices â—…hat at such a time saith their Author as al estatâ—…s were throughly corâ—…upt and desperatly incurable how shal they in this case cleare him of grieuous sinne and pollution or themselues rather of most accursed â—…nd vnsufferable blasphemy Great corruption there was no doubt in the ciuiâ—… estate by reason that the ciuil gouermeÌ„t was in the Gentileâ—… haâ—…des the prophane Romaines that knew not God and therby also great slacknes defaultes euen amongst the priestes rulers of the TeÌ„ple as apeared by the sectes errors amongst them by the many trâ—…ditions brought in y e great more waighty things of the law as mercy iudgmeÌ„t neglected Great also was their blindnes hardnes of heart obstinacie which not only did not acknowledg but refused murthered the Lord of life himself that flourishing tree of all righteousnes that innocent in whome was found no sinne Yet notwithstanding al this I caÌ„not find by the hystories of the EuaÌ„gelistes but that the outward ordinaÌ„ces of the Temple were indifferetly well kept and obserued especially about the time of Christes birth when were found diuers godly priestes holy iust men women that administred offred in the Temple To take all doubt controuersie away the holy Ghost recordeth that all thinges about him were done according to the law We reade also that his parentes accustomably resorted vp to Ierusalem at the feastes which they being godly would not haue done if they had not beene kept according to the law So that heere was no apparant or lawful cause to driue away the godly froÌ„ the Temple sacrifices neither any comparison betwixt the outward estate of the Temple the outward estate of those Congregations which receaue and admit the open wicked vnworthy to the sacrameÌ„tes wil not be admonished or redresse the same But to come to our Sauiour Christes person I reade not any where that he communicated or offred with the priestes pâ—…ople in the Temple neither bringeth M r. CALVINE any proof therof saue that he weÌ„t vp vnto the feastes But we reade not that he went vp to offer or communicate with them according to the law but rather to teach instruct them to call them to repentaÌ„ce amendment of life We euerie where reade how sharply he reproued both priestes people insomuch as they euen at the beginning of his ministerie sought to kill him which they would not haue done if he had consented or communicated with theÌ„ We reade not y t either he or his disciples no nor Iohn the Baptist receaued or baptised any but such as repeÌ„ted beleeued We see that neither he nor his disciples kept the traditions or customes of the Iewes of washing fasting c. We see that he receaued such as the Iewes had excommunicate namely the blind man after their obstinacie was apparant both seperated his disciples from them openly euerie where denounced against them We reade againe that they sought to kill him because so many went from them after him As for his going vp to their feastes yt is apparant that yt was not to offer and communicate with them so much as to teach the people there hauing the fittest oportunitie and greatest concurse He went not according to the order of the law but sometime at the midfeast somtime noâ—… at all We may see in that discoutse Ioh. 7. betwixt his kinsfolk him â—…oth by their speach and his answere that his custome was not to goe â—…o offer so much as to teach When he came there he reproued and â—…eformed some things amisse as the tables of the mony changers and â—…hem that sold doues c. In the great day of their feast of Tabernaâ—…les he called them from their superstitious drawing water in their â—…ell of Siloam vnto himself that liuely spring of liuing waters c. As for their feast of the Passouer he kept yt not with them but a part â—…y himself with his disciples in a priuate place To which reasous if we add the continual debate and hostilitie betwixt him the priestes â—…hariseis their proselites and all sortes of ministers rulers of the TeÌ„ple with the maner of their reasoning their spurning against him with enuie he confuting their errors convincing their wickednes with power yea iudging and condemning them for their wickednes â—…bstinacie crueltie coÌ„tempt of God his word as in the 21. 22. 23. chapters of Mathew apeare By all which reasons circumstaÌ„ces many other that may be drawen out of the Euangelie I thinke we may rather deeme yea coÌ„clude that Christ did not coÌ„municate with â—…hose wicked priestes and people at their feastes and sacrifices rather â—…hen vpoÌ„ M â— CALVINS bare report to beleeue he did But whether he did or did not yt were blasphemie to thinke or affirme that he euer â—…oyned vnto them in any actioÌ„ where they brake the least iode of his Fathers law for then should he be with them guilty of transgressioÌ„ sinne as is aboue proued then the moÌ„strous doctrines that would â—…nsue hereof no christian eares can endure to heare And sure their sinne is not much lesse which goe about to draw such poisoned docâ—…rines diuelish coÌ„clusions froÌ„ him to make him an author of sinn â—…ea of most impious sacriledge and profanatioÌ„ of Gods name and all maner headstrong wickednes abhominatioÌ„ which these wâ—…etches would couller tollerate vnder his name examples Thus hauing dispatched these foraine cauils of these our English Romish priestes not so much for their sakes to whome by M r. CALVINS owne iudgmeÌ„t they apertaine not as for the truthes sake which â—…y such false smoky reasons is grieuously obscured yt is now high â—…me wee looke homeward vnto the present matter in hand namly by the rules of the word to examine this their church of EnglaÌ„d Which as we haue found to consist of al the prophane and wicked people of the land all without any choice or differeÌ„ce being alike receaued nourished
as also to call such of the people as belong to the kingdom of Christ from their apostatical antichristian throne What hath beene said of the names offices of these magnificenâ—… Prelates these great Lords the same for auoiding tedious repetition is to be iudged of al the crue of their associates assistantes attendants inferior priestes officers of whose names or offices we find no mâ—…tioÌ„ in Châ—…ists TestameÌ„t no vse or place in Christs church yet because some of them make a fairer shew in the flesh vnder counterfaiâ—… shew of holines deceaue the simple leade captiue many a stule I wil leaue for a while these great peeres mightie estates with all their collegues followers in their grosse wickednes which is apparant and odious vnto all men in whome is any sparck of light or grace and wil now addresse my self to pul of the visardes of these disguised hypochrites these rauening wolues which come to vs in sheepes clothing vnder glorious and swelling titles of Pastors Teachers Preachers and Ministers of the gospâ—…l men of great learning of very holy life and of great sinceriâ—…ie seâ—…kers â—…ighers foâ—… reformation snch as abhor and cry out against the Bishops theiâ—… proceedinges c. These Phariseis these Sectaries are they which mislead the people in â—…heir crooked and bye pathes os death wil neither lead theâ—… nor suffer them to enter into the peaceable strait waies of the Lord buâ—… keep them alwaies learning neuer bring `them to the sight oâ—… acknowledging of the truth c. as when we come to examine theiâ—… manner of theaching shal appeare In the meane while let vs a litlâ—… goe back againe as yt were that we may the more orderly proceed and consider in a word or two of these Rabbines persons education learning training wherby they are made fit to these great offices then of the offices themselues of their calling entrance therunto last of al of their administration how they behaue themselues therin And this but by way of a summarie and most brief recital ffor if â—… should stand to lay open their dealing at large though yt were without either prouing or disprouing for this in matters so maniâ—…est need not yt would make in yt self a most large discourse and were a subiect too great for any mâ—…ns capacitie to handle to set downe theâ—… monstrous transgreâ—…siones disorders in particular much more in â—…heir heinousnes indignity which do euen fil the great flyng bokâ—… of Gods cuâ—…se the Prophet speaketh of But to giue you a blush of some of them and to open you a way the better at your further leasure by your further and more diligoâ—…t â—…earch to looke into theiâ—… dealings I wil God so willing of many set you downe a few FIRST FOR their persons we find them all generally the seed and â—…fspring of the vnbeleeuers of men without the faith without the â—…hurch of these confuse idolatrous multitudes aboue spoken of â—…s the vnchristian education of these ympes maketh manifâ—…st who â—…uen from their cradles aâ—…e nourished in al maner of prophanenes eathenisme vaine vngodly sciences literature osteÌ„tation pride â—…ore then monkish that I say not Sodomitish idlenes superstiâ—…oÌ„ idolatrie c. This their vngodly nurture in their coÌ„mon scholes where they must learne the latine or greeke tongue from lasciuius Poets heathenish philosophers sheweth euidently With this quor are their pitchers at the first seasoned when they haue beene â—…ell nouseled in these aud haue orderly passed to the highest forme â—…en are they fit for one of the Vniuersities where they being placed 〈◊〉 some one Colledg as they tearme them or other after they haue â—…eene solemnely Matriculate and sworne vpon the Proctors Booke to â—…eir mother the Vniuersatie to coÌ„ceale and keepe close her secretes 〈◊〉 mysteries as also to be obedient to her statutes and orders theâ—… are they trained vp in Logick Rhetorick Philosophy which lear â—…ings they draw from Aristotle Ciceâ—…o and such like There they â—…arne to reason and speake by art by Sylogismes and Tropes which â—…tes when they haue gotteÌ„ or at the least spent some apointed time 〈◊〉 the Vniuersites then they commence Bachelors or Maisters of â—… Now if they continue still with their mother and giue their â—…inde to the studie of diuinitie as they cal yt which is as much to â—…y as the rearding of mens writinges such as are best esteemed of in â—…ese times with those feathers they flie aud with those eies they see â—…hich bookes being taken from them they are as mute as fishes as â—…ind as moles But when once they are growen skilful in this traditional diuiniâ—…e that they dare vndertake vpoÌ„ some moneths warning to speake â—…n howre vpon some tâ—…xt and that they dare trust their memories 〈◊〉 deliuer no worse stuffe then they haue read in the commentaries â—…nd common places of thâ—…se Authors then vpon a litle practise they row bould to set vp their bylles of chalenge vpon the schole dores â—…at they purpose to dispute for their degree and to maintaine â—…taine hard pointes of diuinitie generally consented vnto and reeaâ—…ed of all men which questions as also the whole scriptures â—…ust in these their schooles disputations be vnsufferably corrupâ—…d abused wrested peruerted blasphemed according to the lusteâ—…â—…f these Philosophical heathen disputers which heâ—…r must haâ—…le diuide vtter and discusse according â—…o their vaine affected 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Logick Rhetorick Wel when they haue thus performed their artes either in Luce or 〈◊〉 and that their solemne day of their commencement drawâ—…h neeâ—…e there some worthy Chaplen or other to winne the spurres 〈◊〉 a Deanry at the least when yt fâ—…lleth vndertaketh to dâ—…fend Non râ—…sidencie or Pluralitie of beâ—…efices or some other to confirme the faith of the Church of England vndertaketh to defend THAT the apostolicall discipline as they tearme yt or gouernmeÌ„t order which is set downe in CHRISTES Testâ—…ment for his Church vnto the worldes end is noâ—… perpetuall or of necessite but may be altered according to the will of Princes estates c. also that CHRIST descended into hell during that time his body laye in the graue These such like damnable heresies and blasphemies are confirmed in the eies of the whole land who resort thiâ—…her to see this stage play where the fencers fight bootie the persons that shall dispute being purposely apointed the time set how long they shall dispute the dogs being to be puld off either by masse vicechancellor or M r. PROCTOR as the arguments by any thing strong or the disputers distressed Now here must also be considered that al these prizes are plaied in latine that the learning may the more and their folly the lesse appeare least euen the common people should hisse them of the stage if they spake english But why doe I thus reueale their mother OSYRIS secretes some of them will say I am an vnnatural
yt is vsed according to his ordinance yt neuer being so â—…pened touched or heard without great fruit yt being the verie tree â—… riuer of life with the abundaÌ„t fruites flowing graces wherof the â—…hole church is nourished watered that therfore the like commaÌ„â—…nt or blessing is of their leauâ—…ned Leitourgies or because God 〈◊〉 the infancie of his church prescribâ—…d certaine scripturâ—…s and psalâ—…es to be read sung vpon their sabath day solemne feastes c. yea â—… at other times of their great affliction oppression calamitie cauâ—…d certaine coÌ„fortable 〈◊〉 to be read in the assâ—…mblie sor the â—…rengthning of the faithful both that they should not be dismaied at 〈◊〉 greatnes coÌ„tinuance of these troubles or think theÌ„ straÌ„ge or els â—…ppose that God were either offâ—…nded with or vnmindful of theÌ„ or 〈◊〉 â—…is mercies c. that therfore now they may vpoÌ„ such feastes saboâ—…s daies times troubles enioyne that I no more meÌ„tioÌ„ their owne â—…auened leitourgies these or any other scriptures by stint measure 〈◊〉 iniunctioÌ„ law vpoÌ„ thâ—… church of God now Is the church of God 〈◊〉 in wardship such infaÌ„cie shut vp as vnder a garrisoÌ„ that yt must â—…ue such Tutors rudimentes Is not Christ now dead risen and â—…ended and hath freed his church from such tutelship he himself now becomming their lawgiuer and minister in person and hath now giuen them his holy word Spirit to administer wisdome vnto them in al freedome to vse the same his word according to his wil their owne occasions vnto his glorie and their comfortes And what can now be a greater bondage to the church iniurie vnto Christ and vnto the Spirit of God then thus to limit to stint circumscribe the church of God the ministerie of Christ the spirit of God by apportioning rating enioyning by way of subiection commandemeÌ„t this scripture in this number quantitie for this day feast fast calamitie c. where haue they any rule for this in the TestameÌ„t of Christ They wil say yt sufficeth that they haue warraÌ„t for yt in the old Testament where these perscript limited scriptures at such daies feastes times occasions were commanded inioined in the church c. But I hope they caÌ„ put differeÌ„ce betwixt the estate lawes of the church vnder Moses now vnder Christ that they wil not now reserue â—…eviue and apply those lawes belonging to the TeÌ„ple the ministerie therof now to the church ministerie of Christ. But they take not these to be ceremonial lawes but â—…ather morall which commandeth scriptures to be read praiers to be made in the church of God these scriptures which they inioyne are such therfore may so be vsed True yt is the moral law both commanded the name of God to bâ—… called vpon and the word of God to be read c. and this to al tiâ—…s estates persons indifferently as wel to that ministery vnder the law as to this vnder the gospel leauing the particular maner order therâ—…f to the wisdoÌ„ directioÌ„ reuelation of the holy Ghost from time to time as seemed good vnto him Now yt pleased God to giue those rudimentes of the vse of certaine scriptures psalmes c. to the ministerie of that church commanding such scriptures to be there read vpon such daies occasiones c. such psalmes to be sung by such Leuites of such an order of ASAPH HEMAN or IEDVTHVN to be sung in such a time with such musickes such instrumentes c. Al which I am sure they cannot deny to be inseperably ioyned vsed to those scriptures in that Temple and ministerie and were meerly ceremonial now vtterly abrogate with that Temple and ministerie and no way belong to the ministerie or Church of Christ. Those stinted lawes and customes I say I would not be vnderstood of the precious word of God wherof euerie iode and title abideth for euer and is of vse and fruite in the church of God which scriptures and figures are not without their especial profite in their spiritual sense and vnderstanding al and ech of which scriptures are now freely to be vsed withouâ—… stint or limitation in the Church of Christ as his spirit giueth wisdom grace and vtterance and not to be restreined and aportionate by way of prescription and commandement without the losse of Christian libertie of the truth of the Gospel the abusing the word of God vnto idolatrie making yt an Idol But heere they wil say that the reading of the scriptures and â—…inging of Psalmes is also coÌ„manded in the Church of CHRIST This â—…ath beene long since granted yet no such stinted and limited reading â—… singing thus thus much this day at that time c. as they inioine â—…ell yet seing they are still coÌ„manded though at our libertie what â—…heÌ„ to reade or sing them many of them being godly praiers we may â—…et pray by the booke and by written praiers As this word prayer by 〈◊〉 general constructioÌ„ may be vnderstood I graunt they may be called â—…raiers in that they conteine fit matter rules instructions for praier â—…nd were to that end by the holy Ghost written yet can they not be â—…ied our praiers or my particulaâ—… praier because they neither expresse â—…ur present wantes according to the present estate of our heartes neiâ—…her can be said the liuely graces worke of Gods spirit in vs so much â—…s the power of Gods word and Spirit vnto vs. My meaning is they â—…re not dâ—…awen or powred out of our heartes as out of a fountaine buâ—…â—…ather drawen out of the fountaine of Gods word powred into our â—…eartes as a vessel therfore can not be said our praier which must proâ—…eed from the present estate of our heart They are not our wordes by â—…s offred vnto God but Godes word by him offred vnto vs therfore â—…annot be said our praiers But ô how hard a thing is yt for carnal men to discerne spiritual â—…hinges They can by no meanes be made to put difference betwixt the â—…ord of God and their Apocryphâ—… Leitourgies which they falsly vaunt to â—…e according to the word of God betwixt reading singing praying 〈◊〉 the present liuely graces of Gods Spirit in vs and their old â—…enned dead writinges betwixt Gods word to vs instructing vs accorâ—…ing to our infirmities by way of petition and our wordes vnto God by â—…aithfull praier And this vale being layd ouer their eies and heartes â—…hese blind guides â—…ot only affirme but condemne thinges they know â—…ot the one in setting vp their owne rotten Leitourgies abusing the â—…ord of God to in the same c. the other in crying out with open â—…outh against such as reproâ—…e them and will not partake with them â—…n their idolatrie Insomuch as Doctor ROBERT SOME confesseth very â—…illingly and freely that he was amased when he heard vs affirme that â—…art of holy
baptised with the inward baptisme of the Spirit though she want the outward neuer seek yt it skilleth not Wil not the two learned Doctors iudge this to be flat Anabaptistrie to seperate from and oppose the inward Spirit against the reuealed word of God as though they that had that inward grace and earnest of their adoption need not the outward signe ought not to seek yt yea that which yet is more deeply set will they not and may they not iustly say that you hould and teach the verie maine groundes of all Anabaptistriâ—… namly that so they be moued by the inward spirit they may go to any vnlawful action so their owne heart coÌ„demne them not they need not feare though the action be euil other men condemne them for they stand or fall to their owne maister els would you neuer haue giuen the Prince councell being in your iudgment vnbaptised because â—…he hath receaued inward grace as you say therfore not to seeke the outward seale which euerie member of the established Church must receaue Because she hath this inward grace therfore she may without doubting present her self to the Lordes Table to receaue the holy supper though she haue not beene ingraffed or receaued into the Church by outward baptisme especially that she will still perswade her self that she in the popish Church receaued yt for tâ—…is is in her no sinful ignorance that seing she hath receaued great comfort often times in the communion in that manner by these ministers aboue said administred vnto her in this estate she may stil vpon the scholler of Oxford his warrant aduenture to fetch more there be the action neuer so sacrilegious execrable and repugnant to Gods word Shal not these grosse blind Doctors who are in deed y e verie sepulchre of all rottennes yet explode and detest these Anabaptistical phantâ—…sies shal not the glorious 〈◊〉 of Christ which you would seeme to affect and plead though I 〈◊〉 heard of such scoffing diuines to help vp Christs kingdome through this your hatefull flattery hypocrisie dissembling suffer great blame and reproch because in deed you feare the faces of men more then you feare God dare more bouldly preach these and manie other apparant lies then the truth which are better accepted of all men in these miserable and corrupt times To their appetites and humors you transforme and apply Christ making him a Sauiour to euery rich glutton liue as profanely and wickedly as he list for your bellies sake You seek to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh and not by the power of his word and vertue of his Spirit into the heartes and coâ—…sciences of men because in deed you dare not publish that truth you know practise yt in a good conscience enduring cheerfully with patience what soeuer may be inflicted vpon you for the same by this euil and sinful generation wheras now you dare neither belieue nor affirme any more of Gods truth then either is already publikely receaued or els confirmed by some of your authentike Authors M â— CALVINE M r BEZA D. FVLKE thus holding dissembling the faith of Christ in respect of persons times and I wote not what pollicies As though the truth of God were not alwaies in season alwaies necessarie alwaies authentike And therfore God hath taken you in your owne pollicies and subtelties deliuered you into the handes of your â—…nemies whome you so skoffed and skorned and certainly vnles you repent and turne vnto him he wil make you euen a reproch vnto al men as vnsauorie salt that can neither season nor be seasoned with any thing And in deed we poore persecuted ChristiaÌ„s whome you so despise and blasphemie baptising vs into the name of Browne as though we had either deriued or hold our faith of him or any mortal man or elâ—… were detected and convinced of some notorious heresies thus adding afflictions vnto our bandes whereas your selues dare not affirme nor abide by that Christ is the Sonne of God if any persecution should arise therfore we poore persecuted Christians I say are so far from reioicing to see you thus ensnared and foiled that we euen grieue and blush for shame that so glorious a cause should be so euil handled of you Why could not the sacred scriptures haue giueÌ„ light to the deciding this doubt and vndoing this knot but that the one side must runne to M r. CALVINE aâ—…d he must be iâ—…star mille the other to D. FVLKE â—…d he must be put in the other ballance as a counterpoise and these being directly contrarie the one to the other the one holding the Church of Rome to be a Church though corrupted defaced with other such ignorant rotten tearmes that belong not to a true Church the baptisme there deliuered to be a true sacrament though there were neither lawful minister faithful people nor the institution of Christ kept in the elementes and manner of deliuering In which opinion though yt be altogether without grownd of the word or common sense yet the one he wil rest because yt best fitteth his popish turne and fleshly appetite to couer al the abhominations which are deriued from the Church of Rome and stil as holy relikeâ—… kept reserued and worshipped in this Church of England The other side erecteth D. FVLKE as their patrone and giueth him a garland in his graue because he hath vtterlie denied the Church of Rome in any sort to be held a true Church brought in that famous monument of that pontifical prelate the dowghtie S. Ihon of Beuerlay that depriued the ignorant doggbolt priest as he termeth him disanulled the Baptisme that he had deliuered and rebaptised the yongman Now though no one iote of this priest of Beuerlay his doing be allowable by Godes word for there it is not found that either one man may make or depriue a minister in the Church of God or that the outward signe of Baptisme thus giuen ought to be repeated yet because this verie wel fitteth their humors to disgrace the dumb priestes and magnifie the preaching priestes and for some other private respectes therfore forsooth this side wil as peremptorily with as litle truth rest in M EVLK his iudgment and he shal want no figures nor flowres y t CaÌ„bridg or Oxford caÌ„ afford to deck his hearse withal And when think you if both sides thus confidently betake them to their captaines shall they be accorded and meet in the truth when they are both so wilful and thus far from yt or how shal the poore people which are led by these miserable guides euer come to the sight of the truth Vndoubtedly Christ is not thus deuided neither is the spirit of God thus diuers and contrary or the word of God yea and nay There is but one truth one way which neither of these aduerse guides haue as yet found and as yt should seeme though yt
were shewed them they would in this presumptiō of their heartes rather run on headlong vnto death in this their headstrong course then by repentāce turne into the waies of life that they might be saued For besides the manifold errors of ech of these factions which haue beene shewed in part mark I besech you into what present mischief and ineuitable dāgers ech course leadeth all that hold the same vnto The one side that holdeth with Docter ROBERT SOME THAT the baptisme deliuered in the Church of Rome was a true Sacrament not only therby inclose themselues in schisme by such violent deuiding in ◅uch hostile maner from the true Church yea and euen therby conclude against the Church of England that yt is not a true Church because there is but one true Church through the world as ther is but one God one Spirit one CHRIST CHRIST cannot stand an head to two so diuers and contrarie bodies as these two Churches would seeme to be Now they confessing the Church of Rome to be a true Church do hereby acknowledg themselues both in schisme a false Church Besides that they vtterlie subuert the whole Testament of CHRIST by bringing a new ministrie and new manner of administration into the Church c. The other side that denijng the Church of Rome or any couenant or seales to belong vnto her doe also deny that any outward baptisme is there deliuered and doe therby affirme al the people that now are in our knowen parts of the world to be vnbaptised which receaued none other then that baptisme and then seing there is no lawfull minister to baptise this people for none vnbaptised may be a minister or baptise neither haue an vnbaptised p◅ople power to elect or ordeine a ministerie amongst them Of this can no rule president or example be shewed in the scriptures but all to the expresse cōtrarie especially since al extraordinarie offices haue ceased and so must all the building of CHRISTS Church and the worke of the ministerie cease vntill some second Ihon Baptist or new Apostles be sent vs downe from heauen except peraduenture they after their long trauel bring vs forth some new Euangelist and sure if they make a new ministery they must also make a new Gospell and confirme yt with new miracles Well thus we see the error danger of both these waies neither of which lead vnto life therfore neither to be followed We may not followe the first sort of guides least they lead vs back againe to EGIPT SODOME BABILON from vvhence we were escaped or rather wherin we are by them still detayned We may not commit our selues to the other guides least we be not led forward toward persection but deluded with their doublings and windinges as in a maze alwaies going alwaies learning yet neuer the further on our way or neerer our iournaies end neuer taught or brought to the acknowlegment and right practise of the truth What then is to be done in this distresse surely euen this when men are at their wits endes to flee vnto God for councel and direction whose word if we el◅uate as our lodestar we shall no doubt by the light therof Gods gracious Spirit blowing vpon the sailes of our faith safely saile through all these difficulties euen with a straight course to the free and sincere practise of the Gospel neither striking against the rockes of poperie nor falling vp on the shelues quicksandes of Anabaptistrie For he that is ascended vpon high hath not left his house destitute of councel and direction ◅or all affaires and occasions in all times and estates whatsoeuer but hath in his word left most perfect rules and absolute lawes for all things So that though he for the iudgmēt of the world the trial of his seruants the manifestatiō of his owne power bring his seruants into Babilon yet knoweth he how to preserue and deliuer his seruantes without either iustifijng of Babilon with D.R.S. his disciples or re◅ming of Babilō with these learned priestes of the time and their followers and hauing brought them forth to lead them forth to Sion and to reare vp the decaied tabernacles of Dauid that were fallen downe without vsing one stone of Babel in the worke for a corner or for a foundation So then we now being fallen into found in that general defectiō apostacie wherof we were warned by our Sauiour Christ his Prophets Apostles yt remaineth that vve search the scriptures vvhether we can there find any presidentes of any such times and see whether we can there fetch any better direction then these learned men abouesaid haue giuen vs in this case We reade in the time of Ezechiah that the kingdome of Israe◅ had a long time remained in schisme apostacie hauing forsaken that true Temple and erected vnto themselues new Temples new Altars n◅w ministerie c. neither could by any warnings threats or corrections be r◅claimed Yet such of them as left their false vvorship and returned to the true Temple to vvorship God there were receaued and admitted to the passouer without either gathering correcting or repeating the circumcisiō they had receaued in y ◠time of this their schisme and apostacie The like we reade to be done in the times of Iosiah of Ezra of N◅hemiah whē they had yet longer cōtinued in their schisme and idolatrie vpon their returne out of their dispersion captiuitie vnto the Lorde And yet no doubt to those men in these times and in this estate could the circūcision they there receaued shal I speake according to the times say be no true sacrament or rather leaue that traditional word which engendreth strife rather then godly edifying say be no true seale of the couenant of Gods fauour vnto them being added to their false worship idolatrie schisme apostacie obstinacie contempt This I think wil be easily graunted of all handes For Gods couenant is no longer made or continued with any Church or people then they remaine in his faith and obedience yet you sce this circumcision thus receaued not to be reiterate when they came vnto the true faith Wherby we are euidently taught both that such baptisme as is deliuered in the false Church is no true seale of Gods couenant cōmonly called a true sacrament yet also that such outward washing or baptisme deliuered after their supe◅stitious maner in that idolatrous place ought not vnto such to be repeted as afterward forsake the false Church and ioine vnto the Church of God Thus me thinkes this hard difficult knot is euen with a trise vn done when we take the true light right way vnto yt Which whiles these learned Doctors diep diuines as they in their stile and banner write themselues haue labored by the light of their owne pregnāt wittes to vnlose they haue the further encombred themselues intangled their miserable followers For what cause
Church to the priest after this manner I euer tooke marriage for an ordinance action of the second Table and see not why they might not as well set vp the tables of the money changers or bring in any other ciuil busines or chaffaire as this into their church But see what these Balaamites wil not doe for gaine both make God a new diuised worship setting vp and bringing in their owne diuises and Burning incense therunto and holding the people in such blindnes and superstition as they beleeue not themselues to be rightly married except yt be done by a priest after the prescribed manner and the in the due seasons also namely in the forenoone at morning praier whē mattēs is done next before the communion as they call yt this not vpon any forbidden tydes as in the holy time of lent c. when men ought to fast without an especial licence from the sea of Can◅erburie which Popedome hath power both to restraine meates and marriage and ag◅ine to permit them vpon graue waighty considerations to such as wil pay roundly for the same THE PRIEST hath also in this their portuise a prescript forme of visiting the sicke with perfect instructions what to say at the first step into the sick man his house what when he commeth into the sick mans presence how vvithout any questioning of his estate whether he be asleepe or awake aliue or dead vvithout any wordes vnto the sick person the priest must doune vpō his mary bones desire God to forgiue the sick man his sinnes and also to forgiue the sinnes of his forefathers vvith his due number of Lord haue mercie vpon vs Christ haue ◅ercie vpon vs his Pater noster vvith his versicles and response or aides to this masse for the quick and the dead Which being ended he procedeth to his prescript exhortation vvhich because yt is almost a leafe long the priest to make short vvorke if the partie be passing away c. may cut off two partes of yt and say a creede then exhort him to temember his debtes and to make his wil and to giue to the poore which being done then by that special authoritie cōmitted to him by his lord Bishop to absolue the sick person of al his sinnes and so with a special psalme and his certaine of collectes to conclude the matter This is the ordinarie Visitatiō ouer besides that especial housell or Communion of the sick aboue spoken of And heere before we proceed further me thinkes there would be somthing said concerning this power of binding and loosing sinnes which the priestes of the Church of England and also of the Church of Rome challenge vnto themselues as incidēt to their office by vertue of some especial graunt and prerogatiue made vnto them aboue other Christians Which vnlesse they together with their holy Father the Pope should fetch frō the keies giuē to Pe◅er Math. 16. 19. or frō Iob. 20. 23 I neuer could heare of any euidēce they had to shew For y e first place I think they wil not say that the promise was made to Peter only for then yt should be contrarie to the second where the same power is giuen to more Besides that yt is an vsual doctrine in their pulpets to confute the Popes false vnderstāding of that place And for the place of Ihon I trow they cannot prooue this power there giuen only to the Apostles there being many disciples both men womē in the place I hope also that they are not so grosse to suppose this power giuen to the persons of men for then yt must haue died and ceased with the Apostles seing we reade not in al the Testament of any speciel or personal bequest made by them to any degree of men one more thē another and so they challenge yt by an old worthles title so much as to the truth and power of the word of God which word being beleeued and apprehended by faith looseth vs from al our sinnes through that blood of Christ our Lord which word also being reiected or transgressed bindeth our sinnes vnto the iudgment seate of Christ without repentance which word is bound sealed vp amongst Christs disciples Neither is yt giuen or committed vnto the ministe◅s of the Church only for then none could haue faith but ministers none ought to professe publish or stand for the maintenance of the faith but ministers But we see this power the word the faith committed to the whole Church and euerie member therof all being commanded to watch to publish defend and practise the Gospell to the vttermost of their power to admonish reprooue one another c. Now how should this be done but by the power of the word Moreouer our Sauiour Christ in sending forth the 70. gaue y e self same power vnto their word that he did vnto the 12. to such as receaued the Gospel peace with remissiō of sinnes to such as receaued yt not the shaking off the dust of the feet against them But yt wil peradventure be said that in as much as the ministerie of the word is chiefly committed vnto them therfore the power of binding loosing also To this I answere that I haue not learned in the word so to tye the power to the person of the man This power is not of man but of God The least in the Church hath as much power by this word of God to bind the sinne of the Pastor and vpon his repentance to pronounce cōfort peace vnto him as he hath to remit or bind the sinne of the least So that monstrous is their presumption that assume vnto themselues not only the power giuen vnto the whole Church as shall be shewed hereafter but vsurpe I wote not what peculiar power oboue all other to bind or remit sinnes yea to remit for wage the sinnes of euerie prophane glutton and wicked Atheist which will send for the priest at the howre of death to reade his Masse-booke ouer him c. LIKEVVISE ALSO as these Priests visit and houfel their sick by this booke so doe they in like maner burie their dead by the same booke The priest meeting the corps at the Church stile in white aray his ministring vesture with a solemne song or els reading alowde certayne of their fragmentes of scripture so carrie the corps either to the graue made in their holy cemitery hallowed Churchyard or els if he be a rich man carry his bodie into the Church Ech where his dirige trental is read ouer him after they haue takē off the holy couering cloth the linnen crosses wherwith the corps is dressed vntill yt come vnto the Churchyard or Church into that holy ground least sprights in the meane time should carrie yt away the priest there pronounceth that almightie God hath taken the soule of that their brother or sister vnto him be he heretike witch coniurer and desiring to meete
put in practise in all these duties of the second Table I doubt me much that if they should but once sincerely faithfully deale w t any one text the saying would be so hard as they should loose numbers of their disciples if not the whole multitude of their hearers and I doubt me not be halfe so welcome to their glâ—…ttons houses as they are at this day But now for such sinnes as either these chief of their auditorie are not apparantly infected with or els caÌ„â—…ndure to be weaned of for this you must alwaies note to their appetite must the whole feast be prepared for such sinnes let their preachers alone they wil rowze handle them to the quicke As if they whome they seeke to please be rathâ—…r giuen to prodigalitie profusion inordinate wasting in excesse pride vanitie ô so they will then be bait the couetous scraping drudges out of the Church And so of the contrarie where the chief of their auditory are more parcimonious couetous theÌ„ wil they as much câ—…y out of wast excesse riot in apparel diet c. theÌ„ may not a great ruffe looke into the Church least they wil do pennance that were yt Generally els where they light on gentle tractable soules which in deed beare a loue to the truth vnto such as most sincerely teach yt here wil they first by their vtmost art seek to bring themselues into credit estimatioÌ„ for heere wil they take bouldnes to speake though colourably and but in faint doubtful tearmes against many corruptions in their Church as the dumb miniâ—…trye Crosse in baptisâ—…e versing canting their psalmes anthems from one to an other as tenâ—…isballs against the organs cappe tippet surplesse and such like They wil also put on such an outside of grauitie and a good conscience they wil rebuke swearing and before such as these dislike of vaine apparel peraduenture also of idle gaming exhort to diligent hearing of the word preached making the poore soules beleeue that euen by this outward hearing they are in a straight course and ready way to saluation though they neither practise that litle truth they heare neither vnderstand the word or be able to know therby when they do well or euil yet into such a superstitious feare are they brought and such a conceit opinion of these mens sinceritie great knowledg and good conscience that they euen depend on their mouthes beleeue all true that they say without questioÌ„ or trial therof by the word of God neither dare they beleeue the expresse scriptures when they are brought to reproue their doings In such reuerence and estimation haue they these good men Whose counterfet and corrupt dealing as you haue somwhat heard yt in the second Table so if you now but turne your eie a litle to the first Table you shall see they deale much worse in the worship seruice of God For stand not they ministers to al this abhominable stuffe that hath beene aboue recited It is the verie proper ministration belonging inioined to their ministerie vnto which by office and othe they stand bound and not vnto preaching of the word of God for that is a thing voluntarie supererogatorie but this is a thing of necessitie by law by othe by presentment by visitation inioined seene to be obserued yt must alwaies goe before and take the preeminence of the word of God And if the word of God happen to follow yt by your leaue yt may not be so bould as controwle yt for if yt doe I know who goeth out of dores And marke the precisest best of your preachers well you shall see they will meddle with yt as litle as may be Or if they doe at any time yt shalbe but rather to prune or lop some water boughes that are superfluous of a tender care to preserue pollish yt not to lay the axe to the roote bulke off the tree For I tell you if yt fall downe goes ministerie sacraments Church altogether and ò what a fall would that be It standes them vpon therfore to take heed how they deale with this geare least they open such a gap as they be neuer able to shut with all the learning they wante No maruaile therfore though they deale daintily in ambiguous and doubtful termes with such counterfait stuffe for if they should bring yt either to the touchstone or to the light yt would at the first blush bewray yt self In the meane time what good preaching is this of theirs that haue had the Gospel thus long amongst them daily taught and preached and haue not in 32 yeres space as yet discouered this abhominable odious idolatrie most grosse stinking poperie Must you not needes now condemne these your preachers either of ignorance or perfidy of ignorance if they know or see not these abhominations yet you see they dare aduenture both to practise administer this stuffe vnto others yea to reproch slander and reuile all such as of coÌ„science vnto God refuse to partake with them and receaue at their handes this trumperie Now then if they be thus blind as they cannot discerne these things how dare you any longer follow or vse theÌ„ for guides If the blind lead the blind shal not both fall into the ditch but if they say they see how heinous then is their sinne how great their perfidy and treachery vnto God man vnto God both in that they thus presumptuously of set purpose with most high contempt violate his lawes and tread vnder foot his Testament and also abuse his most sacred word in ioyning yt to such abhominatioÌ„s yea not only not discouer cast out these idolatries filthie doung therwith but in stead therof daube soder vp all the ryftes leakes therwith It is most certayne that the word of God in the mouthes of all his true ministers seruantes is as fire an hammer as fire to consume all stubble trash as an haÌ„mer to breake in sunder whatsoeuer opposeth yt self against the truth of Gods word It is manifest therfore that they preach their owne deuises not the word of God sincerely for the Arke of God DAGON cannot stand vp together such light such darknes cannot be mixed Againe if they had stood in the councell of the Lord and had declared his word vnto his people they should haue turned them from their euil waies and from the wickednes of their inuentions But they haue fortified and sodered the people therwith in all these sinnes and abhominations giuing them their peace and blessing and pardon euerie day they come to Church so that none can depart from iniquitie Therfore the greater is their treason to God man in drawing theÌ„ into the high transgression of Gods lawes and in keeping them in the wrath of God Now who is so desperate as knowing the perfidy and treacherie of
these miserable guides both towardes God and man that would hazard and commit his soule and body to the conduct of such blind and deceitful guydes as either cannot or will not leade them right who would commit the Citie to such blind watch mē as either cannot discerne the enemie or vnto such trecherous watchmen as wil not blow the trumpet and giue warning vnto all men to be in a readines but on the cōtrarie are in compact with the enemie hane betraied the whole Church into their handes yeilded vnto them absolute authoritie takē their lawes their peace their marke and stand now the sworne waged ma◅ked sould◅ors of Antichrist guarding his verie throne person setting vp burning ince◅se to his image gylding the harlot the false Church and araying her with all the titles ornaments euē the gold siluer precious stones pearles fine linnen purple scarlet c. that belong to the true tabernacle In her doe they offer the meat flowre wine oile honie that God hath giuen In her burne they their frankincense and sweetest perfumes In her they prepare a feast furnish a Table to the multitudes These are her chamberlaines her tapsters that stand at the doore of her house of euerie high place in the land and inuite toule in their guests which flow in vn◅o them at the sownd of their bell These cal allure such as passe by their way go right on their way to take a bay◅e at their i◅ne promising their peace offrings wisdome great cheare and verie great and good companie of the noble the rich the learned who will all be readie vpon the first blush of faire weather as soone as euer yt holdeth vp ouer head these stormes and clowdes are blowen away to go with them on that iournay whether they are trauailing for thither also are they bent and as soone as euer God shall incline the Princes heart then they wil al forsake Antichrist goe vnto CHRIST In the meane time they haue all with one consent determined not to guide forward one step Also these that go before them in the way and will not stay for this good companie ◅uch they say marre all their course and hinder the discipline they seeke And therfore they assay by all meanes to turne them out of their way which if yt wil not be then they denounce proclaime them as most bitter enemies Brownestes Schismatikes prowd and ignorant persons disobedient to Magistrates whome they in their pulpets stir vp to send out their horsemen chariors after them to bring them by force back againe into EGIPT and to hold their bodies in moist noisome vile and streight prisons except they will come to these fowlers vnto their high places For these good men would not haue CHRIST brought in in y ◠base maner by faith repentance leauing all such thinges as are contrari◅ to his will and seeking to doe the thinges that he hath commanded whosoeuer say nay to yt and whatsoeuer yt cost whether imprisonment confiscation or death bearing his crosse in all patient meek and humble maner with cheerfulnes and ioy Fie this is al too base they would bring him in with sownd of trumpet by an armie and strength by act of parliament by consent of all estates of the realme Prince Nobles Priestes people and that into these famous synagogues high places gorgeously decked for his maiestie and not in this abiect maner to runne to him into vpper chambers hooles in woodes prisons c. and that a few poore d◅spised vnlearned wretches and that not with the Magistrates leaue good will c. Thus see you how far these guides are from leading you forward in the straight waies of the Lord that with this their preaching they keep you bring you backward you see how far these watchmen are from ringing the alarme and sounding the trumpet against the enemie against any sinne in any person against Antichrist As you see they promise peace blessing to the most wicked dare not giue warning of or denounce against any si◅n either in the state I meane cōmon welth or Church or any great person in the same be the sinne neu◅r so heinous against the first or second Table but rather dawbe vp all these abhominations and all the land in their sinne keeping and houlding them ◅herin bownd as in chaines and fetters vnto the Lords fearful iudgment yea by these their sermons keeping all the people in ignorance vnfurnished of their christian armour and weapons Neither in deed need they any for you see in the happy realme of England there are no enemies ex◅ept Sathan draw mē to the◅t or murther or treason Yf they can keepe thēselues frō these faults or keep them secret why then al is well there are no other faultes or enemies Sathan hath no instruments dare not stir in this estate vnder a Christian Prince where there is such preaching of the Gospell c. you see how these your learned preachers your good men haue not with al their sermons preaching withdrawne one soule all this while from the false Chu◅ch or the abhominable idolatries therin but on the contrarie administer in the false Church dawbing her vp retaining al their auditorie in her hindering drawing back by their vttermost artes and indeuors al that seeke to walke in the straight peaceable waies of the Lord. These with the infinite enormities that ensue heerof were inough to dis◅ouer vnto you what manner of ministers these are and ministery they exercise how they prcach the Gospel But yet I must ad this vnto y e rest how with all this their preaching they haue not all this while giuē any increase to y e bodie not leading their hearers one step towardes perf◅ction but as they stood 30 yeres agoe in the self same estate are they still in the same confusion idolatrie disorder in their synagogues as appeareth by their present estate And as for other knowledg of God or his word they haue none touching the secōd table as y e innumerable multitudes of their sutes wrongs complaintes in al their courtes of plea declare which neuer were so fraught not euen vnder the most grosse poperie as they are vnder this light of their Gospell all these being members of their Church Neither is it possible that such idolaters as both priestes and people are should haue anie sound knowledg or iudgment of Gods word and truth for they that know not God aright how should they know his word aright Now the Apostle teacheth vs our common sense confirmeth that yt is vnsound milke that giueth no increase to the bodie in 30 yeres space we haue to suspect such milke to be vnholsome I trow nei◅her would any of vs in whome is any wit or loue put out our children to such nourses much lesse their
soules But they vse to stop the mouthes of their auditorie that should so say or enter into such discourse with them that if they haue not gotteÌ„ knowledg and profited in sanctification by their preaching then are they all without faith so in a woeful case in no estate of saluation bidding them prooue and examine themselues if Christ be not in them then are they reprobates c. This argument so terrifieth the poore soules consciences that neither haue knowledg to examine their waies by Godes word whether they lead vnto life or vnto death neither haue euer seene or beene taught any better course then that they are in to which if you add that general verbal knowledg of Christ and some fâ—…w other doctrinâ—…s touching faith and manners somwhat more pure then the doctrine of the papistes vvherin they haue found comfort yea and finding their consciences pricked and convinced of some sinnes they haue 〈◊〉 in their sermons haue indeuored through the grace of God to leaue thâ—…m at length gorteÌ„ victorie ouer them c. This knowledg comforâ—… remorse so worketh with these poore soules that they hold the ministers of these things in such veneration as they are ready with the people of Lystra to sacrifice vnto them not knowing in deed the effectual working of Sathans delusions with what shew of light and truth with what power signes lying vvonders he shal deceaue such as haue not receaued â—…he loue of the truth They know not that the false Church shal haue her religion vvorship also her ministers preachers of the Gospel of Christ c. y t these ministers shall transforme themselues as though they were ministers of righteousnes shall deceaue many vvith their false Christes and Gospels that they preach in these latter daies vvherof our Sauiour Christ his Apostles haue warned vs vvhy the false Church could not haue these thinges vvithout some general knowledg vvhich general knowledg shall reprooue such thinges as are contrarie to the same and yt being spiritual yt shal also haue spiritual effectes as to moue ioy or sorowe This the preaching in the popish Church also effecteth vvho hath taught your preachers this argument and hath as good right to vse yt towardes them as they vnto you or vnto vs. But can this knowledg which you get by them iustifie your vvaies your Church ministerie vvorship c. if not seing they are so directly against y e word of God what booteth this knowledg to eternal life Balaam vvith all the false prophets had and the deuils haue this faith knowledg in as great measure as the learnedst of these ministers yet the one is damned the others tremble As for the comfort receaued by their preaching yt hauing no promise of blessing in the word of God your Church whole ministerie being accursed is rather a feareful signe of the effectual working of their delusions theÌ„ any reason wherby you may assure your sâ—…lues or iustifie theÌ„ in their vngodly proceedings whome the word of God in al their workes coÌ„demneth Looke not to gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles or any good fruites of such euil trees as are not of our heauenly fathers planting therfore shalbe plucked vp by the rootes You see they haue stood teaching you day vnto day line vpon line line vpon line heere a litle there a litle yet haue neuer brought you to a cleere sight acknowledging of the truth You see they lead you in the crooked pathes of death they teach and stand ministers in the false Church of whose ministerie in this estate is no comfort but assured destructioÌ„ to be looked for they being sent of God in his wrath to deceaue the children of death the reprobate You see they are like those inchanters that resisted Moses who doe all their miracles both in Egipt and Babilon c. to deteine the people in Egipâ—… and Babilon They haue all gone out of the way they haue beene made altogether vnprofitable there is none that doth good no not one their throte is an open sepulchre they haue vsed their tongues to deceit the poison of aspes is vnder their lips whose mouth is full of cursing bitternes their feet are swift to shed blood destruction and calamitye is in their waies the way of peace they haue not knowen the feare of God is not before their eies How then should they profite this people or guide them right when they themselues know not the right way But heere they wil straight be vpon me with this question where I had my faith vnderstanding of the right course if not from them their preaching there being no other meanes left in the land to beget faith then their ordinarie preaching in this ministery this church which we now forsake The vanitie of this argument I haue euen now shewed and howe therby much rather the Church and ministerie of Rome with all the abhominations therin might be iustified seing they were much more catholike vniuersal then these But to their question I answere that God neuer leaueth himself without faithfull true witnesses which abhor iniquitie teach practise the truth so far as yt is reuealed vnto them which no doubt instruct manie and turne them from their euill waies Further we haue the holy word of God and the Lambe hath obteined to open the seales therof who hath giuen vs his Spirit to guide vs into all truth and bring all things to our remembrance that he hath taught vs. God is not tied to the lippes of these phariseis yea his glorie is to hide these things from the prowd and prudent and to reueale them to babes and sucklings The wind bloweth where yt listeth c. Faith is the only gift of God who neuer wanteth meanes to publish his truth and to saue his elect These popish priestes that stand ministers after a false and counterfait order euen after the order of Antichrist not of CHRIST and the order of his Testament that stand ministers of idolatrie vnto idolaters that hate to be reformed or reproued haue nought to doe to take God holy word in their mouthes But if they were as true famous ministers as euer spake vpon the earth yet if they should exercise such a ministerie as they do in those places after that idolatrous and corrupt maner to al the prophane and wicked Yf they had all the giftes of al men and Angels yet were they to be holden accursed to be left and not to be receaued to house c. we are to follow the Apostles no further then they walke with CHRIST no nor the whole church any further then they obserue the rules of the word vve are not to erre or be drawen into transgression with a multitude or by the mightie They breake the communion that breake the faith they breake the faith which transgresse the word But
abhominations which haue beene recited from the beginning of this treatise To conclude though they remaine presumptuously obstinate in all these horrible transgression◅ if by any this their shameles ass◅rtion namely that they hold the foundation to saluation be with neuer so playne proof of scripture denied and they louingly admonished and exhorted against such they whe◅ their viperous tongues powre out all the venome of their railings reproches slaunders and most shameles lies wherof their owne festered consciences accuse them in their pulpyts priuie meetings machinating deuising against them as against open professed enemies and all because they reproue them of their counterfait walking which they cannot nor dare not in any Christian and peaceable maner enterprise by the word of God to approue iustifie But as you haue heard how they generally vse esteeme y ◠word of God so let me briefly shew you what kind of CHRIST they preach you Generally and verbally they hold confesse him in both his natures verie God verie mā to the word of their redemtiō saluatiō as the papistes also doe though somwhat diuersly stumbling contending rather about wordes then about any material difference whē they are pressed For CHRIST they wil consesse their only redeemer fully sufficiently to haue wrought their saluatiō though by by stumbling at the phrase of some scriptures they will ioine vnto him their owne beggerie workes merites c. Both of them generally and verbally cōfesse CHRIST in his 3 offices viz. to be their only King Priest Prophet but when yt cōmeth to the practise obedience then they both with one consent send an embaslage after him saying that we wil not haue this man to reigne ou◅r vs Cause the holy one of Israel to cease from vs let vs breake his bandes cast his cordes from vs this is the heire come let vs kill him and let vs take his inheritance c. I know our english priestes wil haue many fine floorishes to hide this treacherie as that they acknowledg him their only Priest Mediator to haue with that one oblation of his owne pretious bodie once offred fully satisfied the iustice appeased the wrath of his Father Yea they acknowledg him to be the verie first fruites sanctifier of the whole heape clothing all his with his righteousnes that he is entered into the heauens into the v◅rie throne of God there offreth vp the praiers maketh intercession for all them Likewise that he is heire and King ouer al both mē Ang◅ls that he hath in this his or rather oure flesh vanquished al our enemies Satan sin death hel triumphed ouer them in that his crosse that he is ascended vp on high sitteth at the right hād of God frō whence he shal come to iudge the quick y e dead And for his proph◅cie y t he is the end of al prophecies to whome they were directed the fulnes and fountaine of al wisdome whome we ought to heare and how by that his heauenly word he begetteth vs to life euerlasting c. These many other comfortable true doctrines they can doe deliuer touching the offices of CHRIST but all these you must vnderstand I pray you obserue wel for so shal you cleerly espie their error deceit are still but what CHRIST hath done in his owne person for his elect here is not one word spoken what he doth in his elect how he teacheth sanctifieth ruleth them by the scepter of his word how he is a King Priest Prophet heere on earth exerciseth the offices here in his Church amongst his seruantes the Saints how he is their pastour their teacher their King how he feedeth reigneth in SION yea maketh all his children kings priests prophets Kings in y t he hath giuē them his word into their hearts mouthes wherby as w t a sharpe two edged sword they cut off sin fight against al errors wherby they reigne ouer their owne affectiōs subdue y t flesh cast downe euerie imagination that is exalted against the knowledg of God bring into captiuitie euerie thought to the obedience of Christ wherby they vnpartially censure iudge cast out al maner of sin as yt ariseth apeareth amongst them binding their rulers in chaines and their nobles in fetters of yron executing vpō them the iudgments that are writtē yea therby condemning euerie weapon tongue that shal arise in iudgment against the truth This is the heritage of the Lords seruants this honor shalbe to al his Saintes Priestes he maketh them in y t he annointeth them with his owne holy spirit wherby they both offer vp their praiers praises through him vnto God their owne bodies soules as liuing sacrifices vnto him daily which is their reasonable seruing of God Prophets he maketh them in that he reuealeth his truth vnto them cōmandeth them to witnesse yt spread yt forth in all places to his glorie One word of these heauenly effects in amongst them of their dutie obedience loue and faithfulnes they owe ought againe on their parts to performe vnto him they al this while shew not and how without this there is no comfort or benefit to be expected or receaued by Christ without this faith loue obedience none can haue him a King vnto thē to rule defend them none can haue him a Prophet to teach instructe them none cā haue him a priest to sanctifie blesse them none can haue him a Sauiour But al they that either acknowledg not the Lord Iesus Christ or obey not vnto his eternal Gospel but withhold the truth in vnrighteousnes shalbe punished with euerlasting perditiō from the presence of the Lord from the glorie of his power when he shal come to be glorified in his saintes to be made meruailous in al them that beleeue But alas how is yt possible y ◠they should know or see this beautie of y e King in Sion whiles they remaine in Babilon how is yt possible that they should teach this submission obedience vnto Christ Iesus when they themselues remaine the bondseruants sworne soldiours of Antichrist in such maner as hath beene rehearsed How then in this estate should they stand the faithfull ministers of Christ or preach him sincerely Can there be any accord betwixt C◅rist Antichrist can they both reigne together in one Church or these men stand ministers vnto both at one time If Christ be their King vvhere is then his honour where is his obedience CHRIST reigneth ouer none but his owne seruantes and them he ruleth by the scepte◅ of his holy word but heere with them his scepter is wrested ou◅ of his hand and a Scepter of reed giuen him the canons of the pope
Church as yt proceedeth from the chaire of Antichrist so is yt wholy subiect therunto both the person doctrine of the preacher Their person either to be still approued licenciate or els silenced suspended depriued their doctrine to be allowed or condemned as pleaseth their Lords Ordinaries in whose pontifical brests and handes standeth the whole doctrine of the church of England what they shal receaue what they shal reiect what they shall say what they shal leaue vnsaied c. The word of God Church ministerie preaching and al are wholy in the handes of these lawlesâ—…e Lordes to abrogate establish bring in cast out depose suspend without controlement or accompt A greater power then euer was giueÌ„ vnto or exercised by any of CHRISTS Apostles who alwaies submitted their doctrine practise persons vnto the trial and censure of the word and that by any Christian. They neuer exercised domioÌ„ oâ—…er the faith of any or layd anie other burden vpon the Church theÌ„ what they either read in the word of God or acknowledged to be the will of God But heere in the Church of Englâ—…d yt is held a small thing to haue a strange ministerye worship lawes orders gouernment imposed vpon them to haue a great part of Gods word quite banishâ—…d the Church the rest that is allowed them but by shredds patches at â—…tarts braydes to haue their preaching by stint prescription limitation to haue the whole doctrine subiect not to the wil of God but to the wil of these their Ordinarieâ—… who they may be sure wil allow no more none otherwise then shal agree to their apostatical throne The ministers of this Church may not preach the people beleeue much lesse practise any more of the word of God theÌ„ what is confirmed by these their Ordinaries The poore parish oâ—… congregation where these priestes serue may not meddle or haue to do with the election administration or deposing of these their ministers for why they are lay meÌ„ haue no skil neither ought to intermeddle with ecclesiasticall affaires or with the word of God Be their minister neuer so blind vnsufficient or vile a wretch detected of neuer so horrible sinnes yet may not they remoue him their only help is to complayne to their Lord Ordinarie in the meane while they must ioine to the wretâ—…h in praiers in sacramentes yea still for euer if yt pleasâ—… not their said Lord to giue eare to their complaint Let their minister preach neuer such damnable or hereticall doctrine wrest peruert corrupt falsifie the scriptures neuer so violently and heinously all the Church no though there be all the priests in a countrie as at a Scene hath no authoritie nay is by expresse law forbidden to reproue this doctrine presently or publikely or yet to forbid him to deale with the scriptures their remedy is stil to complaine to their Ordinarie and vntil yt please him to take order therin the whole congregation is stil bound to frequent his heretical sermoÌ„s ministerie yea al the priestes of the land both pontifical and reformistes agree in this point coÌ„clude that the lay people as they terme them ought not to intermedle either with y e deposing their minister or reproof of hiâ—… doctrine The one sort as you haue heard sendeth them to their Lords these Bishops the other referreth them ouer for these manie other cases vndâ—…r hand to a prouincial or classical Synode or permanent councel of priests c. Amongst whome all these affaires must be debated after they are agreed vpon the point then their decrees to be brought forth solemnely published pronounced to the people who must attend vpon awayte receaue these Oracles as most holy canonical They haue no remedie if they also be contrarie to the truth but to appeale to a councel in the meane while still ioyning to such a wretch such an heretike and that in the high profanatioÌ„ of Gods holy name word ordinances But my purpose is not in this place either to refute the popish prelacie of the one sort or the deuilish forgerie of the other hoping to find a more fit place for both so much as to shew that euerie Christian congregation hath power in themselues and of duty ought presently publikly to censure any false or vnsound doctrine that is publikly deliuered or maintained amongst them if yt be knowen discerned vnto them yea anie one member in the Church hath this power whatsoeuer he be Pastor or Prophet that vttereth yt as also to shew how far this their pulpet preaching differeth from that heaueÌ„ly blessed exercise of expounding scriptures or prophecie in the Church of CHâ—…IST The first me thinkes alreadie verie fully proued in all these places where our Sauiour CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church and to euerie particular congregation therof himself his word his power with expresse charge to put in practise whatsoeuer he hath coÌ„manded them and threatned his wrath and displeasure against that whole congregation which neglecteth or breaketh any of his coÌ„mandements or suffreth any seene transgression or error or incorrigible impenitent offendor Also where he commanded all men to informe that Church wherof they are members of fuch transgressions offences enormities as arise amongst them This he in vaine had commanded and they in â—…aine should do this except he had giueÌ„ both absolute authority expresse charge vnto the Church to redresse and take order in the same In as many places alâ—…o as he hath coÌ„manded the whole church euerie member therof to watch to scowte and obserue their teachers to trie the Spirits to marke theÌ„ diligently which cause diuisioÌ„ offences contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned to seperate themâ—… from â—…uch as teach after an other maner or consent not vnto the wholâ—…ome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according vnto godlines to hold theÌ„ accursed that peâ—…uert the Gospell of CHRIST or preach any thing besides that hath beene taught by CHRIST his Apostles to reiect an hereticke after one the second admonitioÌ„to haue in a readines due vengeance against al disobedieÌ„ce c. In al these and sundrie other places most euidently apeareth that CHRIST hath giueÌ„ ful power absolute authoritie and expresse coÌ„mandement vnto his Church eueÌ„ to euerie particular congregatioÌ„ to cenâ—…ure both the persons doctrines of their ministers of euery member of their said coÌ„gregations He sendeth them not heere â—…o these popish ordinaries neâ—…ther yet to a prouincial Synode or a Classis of priests there are other vses of Synods or councels as shal in due place be declared They can neither ad to nor diminish from the power of the Church or execute alter any part of the Churches dutie ‡ Moreouer sith euerie member hath like interest in CHRIST in his word the publike doctrine
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
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
corrupt estate both of Church coÌ„mon welth and in nothing disturbeth the strong man thaâ—… holdeth theÌ„ al in peace they readily iâ—…brace yt publish maintaine their deuilish decrees giue their power vnto the Beast wherby he warreth against CHRIST his Gospel saints And thus are they drawen by them into the great day of God almightie euen against CHRIST and them that are of his side whome they daily persecute and murther in â—…heir prisons and therfore shalbe slayne with that sharpe sword of him that ridâ—…th vpoÌ„ the white horse they shal in the iust iudgment of God â—…e made a pray eueÌ„ a quarry a feast to these vncleane spirits to these greedie rauenous foules which as that scripture saith shall feed 〈◊〉 their rauenous appetites vpoÌ„ them yea these vncleane spirits shal draw them together with the Beast and the false Prophet into battel against CHRIST against his armie of saints These blasphemous wretches not to darkeÌ„ only buâ—… to reproch the truth yet further proceed giue out that the heaueÌ„ly order ordinances which Christ hath apointed in his TestameÌ„t y e gouernmeÌ„t of his Church which they call discipline are but accidental no essential marke of y e established Church but that yt may be a Church planted without them yea that the true Church of Christ may take an other order of gouernment other ordinances then Christ hath apointed in his Testament that this order of Christs gouernment is neither permanent perpetual nor necessarie but that yt is in a Christian magistrats power to keepe out Christs gouernment to erect establish an other after their willes These hellish blasphemous doctrines doe al the Priests Preachers of the laÌ„d giue out publish els could they not either esteeme the Church of EnglaÌ„d in this estate as yt receaueth Antichristes yoke this popish hierarchie in the true Church of Christ neither would they exercise any ministerie in this Church in this estate or sue vnto and stay for the Prince and parliameÌ„t to bring themselues vuder Christs saâ—…red gouernment But the Pontificals proceed yet further to open their mouthes vnto more accursed blasphemie which would make a Christian heart to rend his clothes to heare that Christs blessed order wherin the Apostles planted establisâ—…ed the first churches is not only not necessary but intollerable now vnder a christiaÌ„ Prince as bringing not only al these publike perturbations mischiefes vnto the common welth which are aboue recited they haue suggested vnto the magistrates but also innumerable other incoÌ„uenieÌ„ces which would proceed yf the people should haue election of their owne ministerie Church officâ—…rs if the affaires of the church should be directed by a councell or companie of Elders if the doubtes of the churches should be decided by an assembly of other churches which they cal a Synode a Councel if faults should be censured by excommunication c. Thus is Antichriâ—…t exalted openeth his mouth against God al his ordinances Thus are the tongues of the false Prophets feâ—… on fire of hell Many other impossibilities are there brought by y e Potificals against y e Reformicts why this their course which they seeke to bring in by parliament ought not cannot be admitted in this land Al which because they neither concerne nor hinder the truth but rather through the mercie of God stoppe make head to the new diuised forgeries of these Reformistes I wâ—…llingly passe ouer in sâ—…ilence leauing the deuided kingdome to tâ—…ie out the matter amongst themselues Yet now before I proceed further let me in a word or two giue yoâ—… warning of the other sort of enemies of Christs kingdome y â— Phariseis of these times I meane these your great learned Preachers your Good meu that sigh grone for reformation but their handes with the fluggard denie to worke These counterfaites would raise vp a secoÌ„d erroâ—… euen as a second Beast by so much more dangâ—…rous by how much yâ—… hath more shew of the truth These men instead of this grosse antichristian gouernment which is now manifest odious vnto all men would bring in a new adulterate forged gouernmeÌ„t in shew or â—…ther in despite of Christs blessed gouernmeÌ„t which they in y â— pride rashnes ignorance and sensualitie of their fleshly heartes most miserably innouate corrupt and peruert both 1 in the verie thing they seeke 2 in their maner of seeking yt 3 in the people ouer whome they would set yt 4 in their manner of exercising yt The thing yt self they innovate corrupt in that they add new deuises of their owne as their Pastoâ—…al 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Sacraments their set coÌ„tinued Synods their seleâ—…t Clâ—…sses of ministers their setled supreame councel Their false manner of seeking yt is manifest in that they seeke to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh by suting supplicating to his vassals and seruantes if so be they will haue them or can imagine them Christians that haue not or will not suffer Christ to reigne ouer them by his owne lawes ordinances or if they iudg them not Christians then they seeke sute vnto stay vpoÌ„ his enemies vntil they wil suffer allow Christ to reâ—…gne ouer his Church according to his owne wil Testament This is not Kiâ—…e the sonne least he be angrie and ye perish in the way Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and if they refuse speake euil of the way to shake of the dust of the feet against them this is not to bring Christ in by the power of his owne word and spirit as yt hath wrought in their heartes tâ—…ue râ—…pentance and conversion by shewing them the error and danger of their waies and by calling them vnto the right practice of the Gospell Nay in stead of this these men wil not only continew suting to such despisers where God calleth them away but stay the whole land in their idolatrie from receiuing Christ vntil these men wil permit them yea they vvil so sweeten the matter and so allay yt to their fleshly appetites as â—…rist shalbe framed vnto the common welth and not the common welth vnto Câ—…rist they shall still retaine and exercise this their vngodly diuelish power to giue lawes vnto Christ and his Church and to receaue or permit no more of his lawes then standeth with their good liking so they wil but receaue this their new diuised plattforme and put downe the Bishops They also make no other choice nâ—…ither seeke further argumentâ—… of faith repentance in the people ouer whome they would set this their pretended gouernment These men still vvould haue the whole land to be the Church and euerie parrish therin a particular Congregation of the same These men would haue all redressed by vertue of one parliament one day and not by vertue of the word preached which as yt hath with them no power to effect any thing so expect they not any
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
his Commandements and those per◅etuall such as he will haue to continue and be obserued of all his seruantes vnto the worlds end We see them no◅ onlie commāded vnto his Apostles that they should practise and teach them in their time or in time of per◅ecution but he chargeth his Apostles to teach all churches all Christians to keepe and obserue them at all times vntill the consummation and end of the world giuing vnto al his seruantes and churches the same power to practise and obserue all these his comandementes that he gaue vnto his Apostles plighting vpon such their faith and obedience his presence protection vnto them in these wordes And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world sealing the truth both of these his commandemetes and ordinances and also of this his couenant and protection vnto all ages with this his authentike seale with this word of all truth Amen So that me thinkes all the blasphemous reproches and cauils of al sortes of enemies vnto the sacred inviolable gouernment and order of our Sauiour CHRIST deliuered and practised by his Apostles in his churches are vtterlie by this one place of scripture if so be there were no more to the same effect taken out of the way both they that denie the continance or necessitie heerof in all ages and places they that would make these Apostolike ordinances but matters of forme not matters of faith or of substance as they speake they being heere confirmed commanded by that Lord of all truth of all power in heauē and in earth Peraduenture that old Saducee that ◅hus sophisticallie hath propounded these questiōs in that 74 leafe of his answere vnto MARTIN will stūble as he ordinarilie doth at the word of God at these wordes al things whatsoeuer I haue cōmanded you collecting that because the Apostles had not as yet receiued the exp◅esse rules commandments for al the things they afterward taught practised that therfore this commandement cannot be vnderstood or applied to such things as they afterward taught and so nothing or litle serueth to the outward forme of gouernment order of the Church Although yt were not hard from this verie place necessarilie to cōfirme the intendement commandement of all the ordinances and rules which the Apostles after taught prescribed vnto the churches euen by that which is heere expressed concerning the ministerie baptisme c. which heere are commanded al churches to be obserued in that manner as the Apostles taught them which ministers sacramēts ministerie could not in and by these churches be had or practised without the obseruation of these rules ordinances as the election probation of such ministers by the flockes where they are to administer c. which were not al that time set downe by the holy Ghost or practised by the Apostles as yet Although I could also shew that our Sauiour Christ had alreadie instructed his Apostles that he had chosen and set a part to that worke of all things belonging to his kingdome Act. 1. 2. and had giuen thē his holie spirit in abundāt measure to this their ministerie which should teach them al things b◅ing al things to their remembrance Ioh. 20. 22. which he had tould thē Yet mine awnswere heere is y t if our sauiour Christ in these wordes Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue commanded you had respect onlie vnto such precepts as he had then at that time giuē thē not vnto al other things which he should afterward reueale vnto thē by his holy spirit also yt were both cōtrarie to their commission charge they deliuered which as is saied vvas that they should win gather together build order instruct establish his Church according to the rules cōmandements of his wil Testament which could not at al be done by thē if al these lawes rules were not alike cōfirmed of cōmāded by him as also if these words Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue comanded c. should so be restrained yt were to make the other holie lawes ordināces which he afterward shewed to his Apostles they by the same spirit both shewed recorded vnto the churches of Christ of lesse valew and authoritie then those former to make some part of holie scripture more true holy authentical thē other yea yt were vtterlie to abrogate disfrāchize these latter scriptures Furthermore I suppose yt were a hard matter for anie man to dis◅sse set downe what things Christ had at that time taught these Apostles what he had as yet cōcealed So that this cauil can no way put off this most direct and expresse place let me therfore proceed to others The Apostle Paul 1. Tim. 5. 21. chargeth Timothy before God the Lord Iesus Christ the elect Angels that he k◅epe these things without preiudice doing nothing according to inclination c. Also Chap. 6. ver 13. he vseth these wordes vnto him ◅ cōmand thee before God that ◅uickneth al things Christ ◅esus that testified before Pontius Pilate that good confession to keepe the commandement without spot vnrebukeable vnt◅l the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ which in due time that blessed onlie mightie that King of Kings and Lord of Lords shal shew c. Likewise 1 Cor. 14. 37. he hath these wordes If anie mā seeme to be a prophet or spiritua◅ let him acknowledg the th◅ngs I write vnto you because they are the cōmādemētes of God but if anie man be ignorāt let him be ignorāt With what greater authoritie or waight of wordes could the Apostle either confirme or incōmend vnto the Church in all ages these cannons ordināces which he in these epistles hath set downe for the building order gouernment of all churches of al the officers people actions of the same to be religiously inviolably kept as the cōmandemēts of that great dreadfull God as the lawes of that our Lord and King vntill his appearing in glorie Who can anie longer doubt that vvil either rest in the manifest testimonies of the holie Ghost giue credite to the resolute affirmations and eare to the vehement charges of the Apostle or that will duly expend either the general scope of these epistles or dulie weigh the manifold rules in particular and the manner of deliuering them that these cannons and ordinances are the absolute lawes and holie commandements of CHRIST for the building and gouernment of his Church so necessarie inviolable perpetuall as without which or with anie other his Church can neither be built nor kept Are not all these p◅rticular rules for the seueral offi◅es persons qualities for their maner of election probation ordination administration c. set downe in way of cōmandement and law with as great authoritie credite reuerēce as anie other part of Christs Testament or Gods word So that the Apostles whole ministerie may with as much right or reason be called into doubt or question as
distribute not to gouerne The third point in this cauilling questiō is to know where these officers aboue said practised that gouernmēt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other It hath beene euen now shewed how this gouernment belongeth is committed to the whole bodie how their office consisteth to teach the Church how to practise yt to see yt obserued by al in due order and not ambitiously to assume yt wholy into their owne hands For the rest though there be a communion in the Church yet there is no equalitie The Church knoweth how to giue honour reuerence vnto their Elders especially to them y t labor in the word doctrine The Church of CHRIST is taught to obey submit vnto their leaders to acknowledg them that labour amongst them that are set ouer them in the Lord to admonish them and to hold those in superabundant loue for their worke sake The Elders also amongst themselues know how to giue honour one vnto another by going before yet al this without preiudice to themselues that giue or detrimēt to him that receaueth yt without the losse of the least iote of their owne libertie or puffing him vp or setting him in anie vnlawfull authoritie They giue yt to his labor diligence vertue and desert which ceassing they straight withdraw their praise in the stead therof vse exhortation admonitiō yea if need be censure All the parts of mans bodie are not alike esteemed and vsed we haue much more care and tendernes ouer the eies then of the hands or feet yet may not the eye heerby refuse to doe seruice and attend to the hand or foote in all their busines and affaires neither may yt disturbe the least member of the bodie in their peculiar office functiō or intrude into their place The eye guideth directeth the hand shewing how yt ought to doe the worke the hand againe washeth wipeth and doth all louing helpe yt may vnto the eye Both eie hand euerie other part of the body are distinct members yet so knit and ioined together in the bodie as they do their due seruice vnto the eie ech vnto other in the whole not confounding the order of nature nor disturbing ech other in the worke The Church hath like care to see that inuiolable order and temper of the members in CHRISTS bodie dulie preserued the honor they gi◅e to one member is not the dishonor of another or hinderance of the whole bodie The Church neither doth neither may giue immoderate honour either in fastuous swelling titles of vanitie or any inordinate authoritie to anie member that would rather puffe vp the flesh then cheare vp the spirit All the gifts God hath giuen any member are to the seruice of the whole bodie he that will be greatest must be as the least he must wash the feet not haue his feete kissed of the least all superioritie is heere comprised within the bounds of Christian order modestie Humilitie goeth before and is the compagnion of honor honor is not heere conferred to lift vp the hear◅s of the greatest aboue the least but rather for their coūsaile care loue seruice vnto al yt is willingly giuen vnto such by all Ambition vainglorie are heere carfully auoided both by the g◅ers receauers who so seeketh the primacie with Diotrephes is heere ◅uggillate layd open resisted rebuked of al as that Antichrist that Lucifer y e greatest Elder of the Church the Pastor is but a seruant steward of the house not Lord of the heritage but a member not Lord of the bodie to be honored for his excellent place in the bodie giftes of God to be reuerenced for his fa◅thfulnes labour and diligence Yet this must euer be remembred his honour consisteth in his seruice his seruice belongeth vnto al so that the least member of the bodie hath like interest in him as he in the least member the l◅st member hath like libertie and f◅eedome with him in Christ though not like gifts or function of Christ. AND NOW this strange troublesome Proposition is thus proued That Christs Church can be established into no other order or gouerned by any other officers or ordinances then Christ in his Testam◅t hath prescribed that these great impediments difficulties are also remooued out of the way me thinckes yt time heere a fit occasion offred to goe in hand with the examination of the present established gouernmēt of the Church of England And heere to begin with the Antichristian authoritie of the chiefe rulers namelie the Bishops which they would beare away hide v◅der this word Superioritie of their lineage petigree original you haue aboue heard as also of their strange manner of offices and consecration and somwhat also of their power generally and from vvhence they deriued yt but let vs now a litle further consider therof First they take vpon them ech one of them to sit vpon as they call yt or to gouerne many hundred churches others of thē many thowsands one of them as Pope or Primate ouer al they make depose ministers by their absolute authoritie they make and disanul lawes th◅y ratifie or rei◅ct vvhat scriptures they list they confirme or refuse what doctrines they list they make what kind of vvorship ministration they list they chāge innovate coine alter bring in cast out what and whome they list without checke or controulement The truth of al these need no other proofe then their present estate the warrant of anie of these I am sure cannot be shewed in Christs Testament therfore I doubt not at one word to call them all diuelish Antichristiā To confute thē seuerallie were a labour both needles troblesome they being of themselues so apparantlie odious yet this brieflie in a word One man cannot stand a Bishop vnto diuers churches at one time no more then one eye can be a 1 member 2 doe the function at one time to diuers bodies 3 in diuers places no more then one candle can be put in two or mo diuers candlesticks 2 in diuers howses 3 and shew light vnto them al at one time Thus are Bishops in their office place ministerie called members yea the eye of the bodie lights and the candle of the howse the Church yt self also c◅lled the bodie the candlesticke in the scriptures No one shepheard can attend watch feed ouersee two or more flockes at one time in diuers places no watc◅ mā can keep watch in diuers Cities at one time Bishops are called shepheardes watchmen the Church a flock a citie in the scriptures Be◅ides CHRIST hath established an other quite contrarie order not one watchman or shepheard ouer manie churches but manie watchmen ouer one Church yet hath giuē power cōmanded euerie mēber to watch al litle enough Mo◅eouer yt is CHRISTS only office now to walke in the midst of the 7 goldē Cādlesticks he
in the Queenes booke and then in deed is he bound to bestow a sermon on his parish fower times in the yeare either by himself or by his learned substitute By this we may also see these their parsonages and vicarages to be in name officâ—… and function as Antichristian and popish as any of the other â—…o such office or officer mentioned in the Testament of CHRIST For the men that possesse them those by common estimation euen the best most holy and learned of them I haue breefly but verie truly shewed what maner persons they are noseled euen from their mothers breastes in profanenes heathenisme vaine philosophy vngodly artes how they are trained vp in idolatrie superstition and most filthie abhominations periurie blasphemie pride vainglorie ambition studijng these vaine artes and euen diuinitye which they number among these artes for filthy lucre ostentation and their bellies sake making not only an art but a stage play and an occupation of religion with their trâ—…ditionall and philosophicall glosses corrupting obscuring and peruerting the pure text with their logicall conclusions and â—…hetorical figures giue libertie to their wittes in their learning to deface striue and dispute against the holy knowne truth of God making and tossing yt as a tennise ball amongst them both publikly in the schooles and priuatly in their Colledges at their problemâ—…s In â—…hich munkish dennes thev lurke and lead their liues in all manner 〈◊〉 idlenes and pride not to speake of those secret sinnes abhomiâ—…tioÌ„s which are coÌ„monly coÌ„mitted amongst these Sodomites which â—…e in such fellowships and fraternities where Gods pure religion â—…oly ordinance of matrimonie are banished as amongst them The â—…rticular abuses of which societes and Colleges yea euen of their vniâ—…rsite in general with all that more then heathemish disorder popish â—…hominations which are there without shame inioined and comâ—…itted wherwitth the youth yea almost all estates of the land are leaâ—…ned poisoned would in yt self require a long peculiar treatise â—…t summarily to recken vp bring to light I hope by this litle which hath beene said concerning the educaâ—…n and training of these our great diuines yt apearâ—…h vnto all men â—…hat will iudg by the word of God and are endued with the spirit of â—…od what kind of fellowships these vniuersitie Colleges are what â—…nd of cages full of vncleane birdes of foule and hateful spirites c. â—…et these learned clarkes daube them with their vntempered morter â—…hiles yet the time serueth them yet is their iudgment of the Lord â—…e word is gone out from his mouth yt hasteneth apace and cannot 〈◊〉 called back euen the same iudgment and end which are in their â—…ght executed vpon their elder brethren and sisters the Templars the â—…onkes and knightes of their St. Ihon of Ierusalem the Abbies Friâ—…ers Nunneries they had one and the self same popish orginal with â—…ese they still retaine the same damnable and incurable abuses therâ—…re the same or greater iudgmentes remayne them Let vs see if the 〈◊〉 of Peter-house be now able to ward this blow sure I doubt ELY â—…inster wil not defend him from the haile of Gods wrath in that day â—…e hath hitherto taken but half his tale with him therfore his reckoâ—…ing is behind It is but an easie point of learning both to frame and â—…nswere other mens or rather his owne Argumentes we in the counâ—…ie which are not acquainted with such figures couÌ„t such but to skirâ—…ish with their owne shadow deeme them not the wisest men in a â—…ire But this learned Doctor by the figure of Omission in an euill conâ—…ience tooke no more of the Argument then he was able to deale â—…ithall namely thus much THE VNIVERSITIES OF OXFORD AND â—…AMBRIDG haue a popish original Therfore Queene ELISABETH â—…ught to abolish them Let him now take the rest of the ArgumeÌ„t as â—…t was made in a marginal note in the side of a blasphemous booke of â—…is and put yt together thus THE VNIVERSITIES of CAMBRIDG and â—…XFORD haue the same popish idolatrous beginning yâ—… the colleges â—…f monkes Freers Nunnes those vermine had stil retaine y c same â—…nsufferable incurable abuses c. therfore Queene Elisabeth hath â—…ught by as good right to abolish them as her progenitor did the Abâ—…aies Thus was yt made before vnto him but of his doctorlie authoâ—…itie writiâ—…g with priuilege he tought he might take and leaue at his â—…leasure especially hauing to do with poore prisoners which can haue no place giuen to defend their wrongs nor to answere vnto his lies slauâ—…ders But lâ—…t him yet vpon better aduise make a better answere to this one Argument til then we will not trouble him with more I 〈◊〉 vpon a better view he shall scarse find them so like those â—…oorishing vines in the Lordes garden as vnto the vine of 〈◊〉 and the viâ—…es of Gomorrahij their grapes are poisoned grapes their clusters bitter clusters their wine is the poison of Dragons the cruel gall of Aspes Neither shall he find them so like to the scholes of the Prophets he speaketh of which purely kept and taught the word of God amongst them in those corrupt times as vnto the Popes Seminaries being as ready vpon the least change of the wheather now to serue him as euer they were being not vnlike the Turkes â—…eraglia in Constantinople in which place his Ianeâ—…saries which are the guard of his person are first trained instituted in the discipline of his war before they serue him either abroade or in his Court. And sure these Vniuersitie kinghtes are the very guard of Antichristes throne the strength of his battel his instrumentes to carry forth his wares to subdue the people vnto him keep them in his obedience as bitter enemies of the Church and seruaâ—…tes of God of all righteousnes as these Turkish Ianeizaries vnto these christened regions with whome they haue to doe But yt is time now to returne to these our vniuersitie diuines their ministerie againe being somwhat ouerlong staied by this friuolous Doctor in the way I haue already shewed their education learning degrees and also in what maner and vpon what conditions the best of them come by and hold their priesthood that is to say how they first blaspheme Gods holy name in swearing after that idolatrous maner how they solemnely and aduisedlie forswere abiure the Lord IESVS CHRIST in swearing their canonical obedience to the Antichristian throne of these Bishops their courtes cannons for two so contrarie maisters they cannot serue as CHRIST Antichrist neither haue coÌ„munion with both And how they now remaine the marked soldiers of the Beast euen in the forehead hauing taken his licence and seales how by this their othe subscription to their romish trumperie deuilish diuises they haue resolutely forsworne Godes truth made shipwrack of faith and a good conscience
if any they had before and how by taking this licence with this limitation they haue emancipate the whole word of God as much as in them lieth vnto these Bishops or rather the Popes Cannons And yet to make their sinne the more odious inexcusable these slaues to sinne are not only sworne vnto such decrees as are already made although nothing can almost be added to the wickednes and blasphemie of them but euen haue bound themselues by othe to such decrees as they hereafter shal make being by publike authoritie of the land enioined c. also how they hereby become the vowed seruantes bondmen the marked ministers waged soldiours of Antichrist I haue also shewed their ministerie to be Antichristian adulterate and vagrant wit◅out place people chardge office gouernment and how they must come by yt b◅ as vnlawful meanes euē by symonical cōpactes opē bribery extortiō as the ex cessiue price of their boxe writinges vnto the Bishop his clerke ◅heir first fruites not to speake of other secret bargaines how they come by the patrones good wil c. declare Moreouer I haue shewed how their office of Parson or Vickar is ◅s popish strange antichristian how their entrance induction is ◅s popish iewish as the rest how the function of their behauiour in this office is yet worst of all most corrupt blasphemous ab◅ominable which now but by as slight a running ouer their admini ◅tration wil euen with detestation appeare vnto al mē Whose infinite odious sinnes heerin to set downe in particuler according to ◅heir hainousnes no tongue or pen of any martal man is able for that were to momber the haires of the beast or to diuide the droppes of a ◅unning riuer If I therfore set downe some such principal especial heades fro◅ whence these mischeues their particular transgressi ◅ns flowe as I remember them who know of many but a few leauing the further search of the r◅st cōsideration of these to the further labour iudgment of the godly by the scriptures as also the more particular remorse repentance of them to their con◅ciences which haue cōmitted shal accōpt before the Lord for the same I hope I say by that time the delusionis of these Babilonish diuines Egiptian Inchanters wil apeare vnto al mē saue vnto thē that perish their madnes be made so manifest as both they their Proselites shalbe left naked without one excuse or figleafe to couer their shame Now then as the education training learning degrees ministerie maner cōditions of r◅ceauing that office maner of cōming by entrance into the same haue beene partly described so was the endes function of their ministerie and office a litle touched in a word or two Namly how they al are by othe and office bound to reade and obserue the iniunctiōs c. to reade their seruice book at their apoin ted times places and maner according to the same to administer their Sacramentes church women visit the sick burie the dead c. and only for this ministerie they receaue the offringes tithes mortuaries wages of the people Also yt hath beene shewed that preaching is no part of their office or ministerie but only in certaine special cases where y t benefice is at a certaine rate in the QVEENES book required and that not necessarily laid vpon the person of such a parson but ōly quarterly inioined at 4. solemne feastes of the yeare as at their Christmas Easter c. and may be performed or supplied by their substitute Heere also must ◅e obserued that a person or Vickar is not by law nor office inioined to be resident giue attēdance in person vnto his charge flock but may be absent at his wil where he will so he find the parish a iornay man to reade their seruice administer their Sacramentes c. yea and as he cōmeth vnto them without the people◅ priuitie wil or consent so may he stand◅ parson or ◅s these learned preachers would haue him ter◅ed a Pastor vnto thē though he neuer see his f◅ock nor his flock him So may he also by law as the best of them vsually do vpon their owne liking or disliking but especially vpon the offer of a better liuing depart from them chang◅ or sell his office without the peoples knowledge or priuitie For as their ministery is not tied to any office so is not their office tied to any charge Are not these miserable Pastors trow we or are not the people more miserable that haue such sh◅pheardes and guides se◅ ouer them whome they must wil they nil they nourish with their goodes c. to the gathering vp wherof these priestes wil looke wel enough without regard or respect of persons whether they be rich or poore old or young widowe or fatherles that is al one to them they wil not spare their due They take vp al with the angle th◅y catch yt in their net and gather yt in their yarne It skilleth not to them whose yt be whether the goodes of the infidel or of the beleeuer It skilleth not them whome they spoile whether the poore the widow or the fatherles if they fall within the boundes and precinctes of their parish they regard not by what right or after what maner they haue yt whither by Iewish tithes and offringes or popish chrismatories and mortuaries They regard not so the Princes and their lord Bishops lawes allowe them though Gods lawes expressly forbid That day of accompt they put far ◅ff and think to do wel inough then yea they in the meane while blesse themselues in the name of the Lord though they cōmit all this wickednes Of al that groweth or increaseth within the compasse of their parish whithe◅ corne wood grasse or ca◅tel the priest wil haue his part yea for whō soeuer is borne or dieth in his parish he wil haue a fee and for thi◅ geare he standeth a priest to the whole parish and al the inhabitantes therof indifferently If the d◅iul of hel would ◅ome and dwel in his parish he were a priest for him and would for his goodes administer the Sacramentes c. vnto him also But heere before I begin to deal◅ with their maner of administratiō yt were not amisse in few wordes to shew the dānable filthines of their maintenāce for their ministeri◅ Christ hauing abrogate the Leuiticall priesthood and law instituted for the gospel an other ministerie for the ministerie an other maintenāce He ordeined in his Testament that the minister of the gospel should liue of the gospel the shepheard of the flock he ◅eedeth the husbādmā of the vineyard he d◅esseth keepeth Now this flock ◅ōsisted not of gotes swine doggs wolues c. neither is this shepheard limited or sheepe constrained to a tenth or any stinted part or portiō but according to the present wāt of