people saying this is the blood of the Testament which God hath enioyned vnto you That was a type of this Testament sealed and dedicated to all mākinde in Christs blood which sprinckleth both the Testament as a witnesse and seale of it and the people as redeemed and sealed vnto therefore this blood of the euerlasting couenant is called a witnessing Heb. 12.24 a speaking blood The blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel It witnesseth the Truth of all things declared in the new Testament and so speaketh reconcilliation grace peace life to the consciences of all them that receiue the same Testament and the loue of the Truth therein manifested in all things necessary to saluation See that ye refuse not him that speaketh vers 25. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not wee if wee turne away from him that speaketh from Heauen viz. by this blood and the representatiue signes thereof in his Sacraments therefore Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and theese three agree in one They all witnesse and seale the same thinge they agree in witnesse of one Truth one Testament Ioh. 14.26 chap. 16.13 The Spirit that is the holy Ghost that brought all things to the mindes of the Apostles that Christ had told them and that witnesseth the same Word and noe other vnto vs for he guided them into all Truth he was not to speake of himselfe but to take of Christs and shew vnto them nothing but that which Christ had * Ioh. 15.15 made knowne vnto them saue only that he should shew them things to come viz. touching the comming of the man of sinne his lying wonders him that letted Seducing Spirits that should forbid marriage and some meates the seauen seales the 7. Triumpets the 7. Vials the Dragon with tenne hornes the Beast his marke them that receiue it Babylons Ruin and the like Whereof our Lord speaketh when he saith I haue yet many things to say vnto you Ioh. 16.12 but ye can not beare them now theese can not be as the greate whore and her members most impudently affirme the traditions of the Church of Rome as inuocation of saints single life of Preists distinction of meates theire obserued fasts and feasts the Popes succession in Peters chaire as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie c. For this is a bold diuination for thire owne proffit any other Hereticks may say as much for theire herefies if that would serue and to disproue them all our Sauiour speaking of things absolutely necessary to saluation saith All things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 15.15 theese the Spirit brought to theire mindes and in theire writings * Act. 20.27 1. Ioh. 1.3 chap. 2.27 Charac of a Christian p. 86.96.106.110 they manifested them to vs and to theese the Spirit beareth witnesse on earth And the water viz. in Baptisme it is a seale of that Couenant and Truth it exhibiteth and witnesseth the same things vissiblie and to the Soule in a sealing signe that the Testament doth And the blood this did Christs bloods shed on the Crosse and this doth the cup in the Sacrament for therefore Christ giueth to the signe the name and sealing virtue of the thinge signified saying This is my blood of the new Testament viz. that witnesseth and confirmeth the truth of it and of all that it offereth and teacheth to youre Soules This cup is the new Testament in my blood the Testament witnessed sealed confirmed and dedicated to you in my blood as the first Testament was in the blood of Calues of Goates c. and therefore Saint Iohn there addeth If wee receiue the witnesse of men 1. Ioh. 5.9 the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he testifieth of his Sonne that is which he testifieth of the Word of the Truth which is his Sonne and which God witnessed and sealed vnto vs not only by voices from Heauen and myracles but also by the blood of his Sonne and now by his Spirit by the water of Baptisme and by the cup in the Lords Supper therefore it is saide Him hath God the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 and therefore John Baptist saith of Christ Ioh. 3.33 He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true that is true in his Word and true in the sealing that he giues to it he iustifieth him in his sayings Rom. 3.4 He that beleeueth him not in euery thinge he hath saide but reiecteth the Testament the Truth in any point of faith and saluation he beleeueth not God but hath made him a liar vers 10. because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne He beleeueth not the witnesse of the Spirit of the water of the cup not the witnes which Christ bare vnto the Truth in his blood he refuseth him that speaketh by theese yea he reiecteth Christ the faithfull and true witnesse and the Seale or marke of God Reu. 1.5 euen the testimonie of Iesus * chap. 19.10 see Character of a Christian pag. 228. receiued by all them that are in a right and saueing manner of the true Church Wherein there is noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation but Gods Testament Noe vaine brags of the spirit but by the Scriptures the * 1. Ioh. 4.1.6 Act. 17.11 1. Thes 5.21 Isa 8.20 Spirits are tried To the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is noe light in them And consequently noe spirit of prophesie in them If a man be well skilled or mightie in the proofes power of the new Testament as Apollos was saide to be mightie in the Scriptures Act. 18.24 then he hath the spirit of prophesie otherwise not for that true member of the true church endued with such excellent knowledge that Iohn would haue worshipped him Reu. 12.9 chap. 19.10 saith I am of thy Brethren the Prophets of them that keepe the sayings of this booke Which expoundeth that I am of thy Brethren that haue the testimonie of Jesus he had nothing else but his Testament he came out from the Arke of his Testament out of that Temple wherein was noe other Word he was powerfull in that nor would he allow any doctrine which was not agreeable thereto to be of the Spirit therefore he saith for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophesie noe other If therefore men bringe not that testimonie they vainly talke of the Spirit of prophesie as Papists for theire traditions Anabaptists for theire dreames and others for theire Heresies wherein they reiect the testimonie of Iesus doe despite to the Spirit of grace Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb.
make them Mediatours Gods Couenant alloweth †1. Tim. 3.2.12 Marriage to all they forbid it to Preists A man would thinke this were not to depart from the faith to forsake the foundation But though sinnes of infirmitie against the new Couenant are not a departing from it yet as for teaching or receiuing any new or contrarie doctrine and not * 1. Tim. 6.3 consenting to Christs in all things in this case it is with the new Couenant as it was with the Law Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27. Iam. 2.10 Cursed is euery one that continueth not in all things which are written in it and whosoeuer shall keepe the whole Law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all and must haue forer punishment Reu. 22.16.18 as one that tradeth vnderfoote the Sonne of God c. vt supra For the Angell and Christ by him assureth eternall plauges to him that shall adde to his Word or take away from the words of his booke Saint Paul saith of theese that giue beede to such as forbid marriage and some meats that they depart from the faith Much more if they doe it in other points also as the Papists doe who in many greate points of faith and saluation doe not continue in the Word but * 1. Tim. 6.3 teach other wise consent not to the wholsom words of our Lord Jesus Christ but are gainsayers with Core Iude 11. Gods Covenant witnesseth that he doth freely iustifie his by the blood of Christ and his free grace therein Rom. 5.9 Rom. 3.24.28 Gal. 2.16 and on our part by faith only without the workes of the Law for Saint Iames speakes of our iustification before men shew me thy faith by the workes Iam. 2.18 make it appeare to vs by thy workes that it is not a dead faith Rom. 4.2 but true liueing and saueing If Abraham were iustified by workes he hath wherein to reioyce but not afore God Yet they will haue a man to be iustified afore God not by his free grace and only by faith therein but by the workes of the Law Which is against the maine scoape of the Gospell and Truth of God touching saluation and so against the foundation as also in other points Heb. 7.27 chap. 9.26.28 chap. 10.12.14 The Couenant of God witnesseth that Christ was once offered after he had offered one Sacrifice for simes for euer he sate downe at the right hand of God By one offering he perfected for euer them that are sanctified The Papists will yet daily offer him by the hands of the Preist a propitiatorie sacrifice for the sinnes of the quick and dead to get remission by an idoll or false Christ of theire owne making Ioh. 8.32 see Charac of a Christian pag. 329. c. ad finem and so by a new price of redemption The Couenant of God witnesseth that the Truth maketh men free and free indeede from the seruitude and imputation of sinne that men can not otherwise haue true freedom but as if it did not the Papists will haue freedom by pardons merrits satisfactions masses c. Surely this is to forsake the true foundation of assurance for a false one of theire owne Yet some vnaduisedly say they hold the foundation which can not be maintained For Christ is the eternall Word and Truth reuealed and that Word is in himselfe most simple and indiuisible one foundation not to be diuided though wee can not come in any measure to know the same but as it is reuealed for our weake and finite vnderstanding as it were by parts and principles yet it is true in them all and in euery part he was and is eternally that Truth of God and other foundation can noe man laie theÌ„ that is laied which is Iesus Christ Now therefore whoseuer in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in any one principle and insteade thereof intrudeth another for men to build vpon he forsaketh and opposeth Christ the eternall foundation and thrusts in another for men to build vpon and they that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they forsake Christ the eternall foundation build vpon the other intruded but the Popish clergie in points of faith and saluation forsake and oppose that foundation in diuers principles and insteade thereof intrude others for men to build on therefore they forsake and oppose Christ the eternall foundation and thrust in another for men to build vpon and the Papists that in matters of faith and saluation receiue and build vpon the intruded foundation they also forsake Christ the eternall foundation and build vpon the intruded If an Executour or one that hath diuers legacies giuen him reiect a dead mans Testament in any one thinge to get the same by some other right and title or adde one thinge to it wee say he forsakes breakes and dissanuls the will or Testament and so the verrie foundation of all he hath by it much more if he doe it in many as the Papists doe by Christ who reiect his Testament in diuers maine points of faith and saluation to hold the legacies thereof by other doctrines and titles and adde to it theire owne traditions which they will haue receiued pari pietatis affectu ac reuerentia For faith S. Paul If it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed noe man dissanulleth or addeth vnto it Gal. 3.15 Much lesse to Gods Testament which is the Truth Christ spake and confirmed in his blood seeing indeede Christ himselfe is the Truth which he spake as * Aug. in 10. trac 41. Bâ—da Feria 5 poâ—t â—â—uocauâ—t Aug. in Ioan. trâ—c 115. cum Chrutus c. Ioh. 8. Angustine and Beda shew on the words I speake that which I haue seene with my Father and as the same Augustine on theese words doth well vnderstand when Christ beareth witnesse to the Truth truly he beareth witnesse to himselfe for surely it is his owne voice I am the Truth And he also saith in another place I am one that beareth witnesse of my selfe Which needeth noe further proofe here because in sundrie places aboue he is manifested to be the Word and that Word the Truth Now seeing he bare witnesse to that Truth to the Testament with his blood and this Testament beeing the doctrine taught by him and his Apostles and Euangelists and by them left in writing is called * Reu. 19.10 chap. 22.9 Character of a Christian pag. 228. the testimonie of Iesus receiued by all that are his as of one that is therefore called the faithfull and true witnesse Reuel 1.5 one that should be beleeued and obeied in all matters of faith and saluation therfore against all opposers and Hereticks who refuse his testimonie in any point he addeth Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voice That is euerie one that is of me and so is a true Christian in beeing of the Truth
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as
in such danger seeing that if Princes be Hereticall and persecute the godly theire Ministers must follow them and afflict and punish them or loose theire places for when those that cleaue to Gods Word and contend for it are examined they must confesse the truth though it cost them theire liues as our Sauiour here did for when Pilate saide Art thou then a Kinge Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge af if he saide and I can not I must not dâ—nie it For To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth That is indeede to confirme the Truth and euery clause of it whereof this of his Kingdom and office is one with his blood to witnes and seale the truth of it with his blood for though he knew that to confesse this would cost him his life yet he considers that to this ende he was borne and for this cause he came in the world that he should beare witnesse to it with his blood 1. Tim. 6.13 and therefore Saint Paul saith that he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Sealed as ye see with his blood Tolet. in Ioan. VXIII Vt veritatem Dei oftenderet regnum Dei manifestarer ac tyrannidem Diaboli dolos ejus detegeret to make his witnesse the more effectuall Seeing indeede he came into the world as Tolet saith that he might shew the truth of God and manifest the Kingdom of God and discouer the tiranie of the deuil and his deceits whereby he deceiueth men whether by his owne suggestions or by his Ministers the teachers and maintainers of idollatrie errours For to this purpose the Sonne viz. the Word the Truth of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the deuill He came to confound all theese in this that he came to beare witnesse vnto Gods Kingdom vnto Gods Truth whereby all theese are confounded and those also that liue as if they were borne to noe other ende and for noe other cause came into the world then to flatter daube and temporise with sinnes and errours or which is as bad frowardly to contest against the truth with sophisticated arguments praeuaricating shifts for that they might all be sure of it and repenting receiue and confesse the Truth in all things he heere inforceth the certaintie of it with a kinde of ingemination or reinforcing of his asseueration to the Soules of men as if they could neuer enough marke remember this point saying to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth O thou eternall and almightie Sonne of God Heb. 1.2 by whome he made the worlds thou heyre of all things the brightnes of thy Fathers glorie and the expresse Image of his person thou that thoughtest it noe roberie to be held equall with God surely it was for some greate ende that thou wast borne of a Woman for some greate cause that thou camest in the World Lord let vs know it let vs heare it ô thou Kinge of Saints that wee neither despise nor slight and neglect it thou tellest vs with a witnesse and a deere witnesse it was to thee for thou sealest it with thy most pretious blood shed in the greatest paines the greatest sufferings that euer any felt in this world to see if yet wee will receiue the truth and the loue thereof 2. Thess 2.10.11 that wee may be saued and not be giuen ouer to beleeue a lye for this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Some man will say If it were to this ende that he came and thus sealed the truth what Christian is there that will not receiue the loue of the Truth that will not in all matters of faith and saluation heare his voice obey it and so receiue his testimonie I answer thou hearest him affirme it and reinforce it what then needes further witnes Luk. 19.10 for if thou say The Sonne of man came to seeke to saue that which was lost That is by shewing them Gods Truth and bearing witnesse to it and so loosing the prisnors bound and lost in the prison of sinne errour * Sedebas o homo in tenebrosis vmbra mortis per ignorantiam veritatis sedebas vinctus catenis delictorum Bernar. de ordine vitae Nos de Adam caeci nati sumus illo illuminate opus habemus Aug. in Ioan. trac 34. Act. 26.18 Mar. 10.46 Gal. 4.4 and ignorance Ioh. 12.48 He came a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not abide in darkenesse but should haue the light of life to make them children of the light God sent him for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. but that was to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance amonge them which are sanctified through faith that is in him Not otherwise The Sonne of man came to minister and giue his life a ransom for many but that was to minister the Word and to witnesse that his death was a ransom for many to seale that truth in his blood God sent his Sonne made of a Woman to redeeme them that were vnder the Law and thereby Seruants obnoxious to sinne death that they might receiue the adoption of sonnes but that is by receiuing the Word the Truth who to as many as receiue him Ioh. 1.12 giueth power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleene on his Name viz. on the Word by letting them * Chap. 8.32.34.36 Character of a Christian pag. 325. c. know the Truth that the truth might make them free and free indeede from sinne Satan errours snaring scruples c. There is noe true freedom but what the Truth giueth and it must needes be true if the Truth giue it As he there saith If the Sonne therefore shall make you free Ye shall be free indeede Thereby shewing himselfe to be the Truth as Augustine proueth on Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy Truth thy Word is Truth August in 10. trac 108. To this Truth he bare witnesse and this Truth freeth beeing beleeued knowne and receiued with loue So was it with the Corinthians who beeing inriched in all knowledge Paul saith the testimonie of Christ was confirmed in them 1. Cor. 1.6 which that wee might so receiue and obey in all that it teacheth and euery part of it he bare witnesse to it with his blood Which therefore indeede is called the blood of the Testament sealed confirmed and dedicated in blood Heb. 9.18.19 Wherevpon neither was the first Testament dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken euery precept he tooke the blood of Calues and sprinckled both the booke and the
some such as it is For first for gaine or preferment they will obscure betray sell Christ the Truth yea fight against him with errours and arguments wrest the Word to theire eronious tenets that is in effect to proue him errour and his father a liar like mercenarie Souldiers that will fight of that side which giues them most pay and then they haue wisdom to get greate ones of theire side to hinder others from confuting them and to keepe the people from knowledge that so they also may fall the sooner to theire partie and by theese things to deale trecherously with God as also by peruerting the Articles to make if they could theire mother an adultresse and the present Church of England as adulterous in Religion as themselues to extenuate the heinousnes of Poperie to draw our Religion neerer to it and thereby to get the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and Vniuersities by seditious whisperings to alienate the heart of the Prince from his most Religious and Truth seeking Subiects to get Parliaments dissolued and so ouerthrow a cheife remedie vnder God to deuide a Kingdom at vnitie in it selfe to fire all soe they may but get theire Princes fauour to rule for theire owne times and by all theese things to throw Churches Kingdoms and States into destruction to prouoke God to powre out his plauges vpon vs If this be theire wisdom and discretion surely it is not sapere adsobrietatem Iam. 3.15.17 it comes not from aboue it is not pure peaceable but earthly sensuall and deuilish But they haue one point of wisdom more to shew if not by all theese yet at least by stopping theire owne eares and other mens also what they can against the voice of the charmer by disputing and fighting against the Truth that they are not of the Truth nor of his Kingdom but of a contrarie that they ranne gredily after the errour of Balaam for reward and will perish in the gainsaying of Core vnlesse they repent Iude 11. For Christ saith Toleâ— in Ioan. 18. Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet. Therefore the Iewes beleeue not me not because I speake not true things but because they are not of the Truth It is a like saying Joh. 3. he that doth truth commeth to the light Rom. 2. 2. Thes 1.7.8 But to them that are contentious and doe not obey the Truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath Which indeede they will finde when Christ commeth taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell who shall be punished with euerlasting destruction c. Reu. 14.9.10.11 vers 12. As is saide to those his enemies that would not that he should raigne ouer them and to them that receiue the marke of the Beast and worship him and his Image in receiuing and obeying for doctrines theire commandements and traditions as they would haue all doe or suffer for refusing theÌ„ a greate triall therefore it is there added Here is the patience of the Saints Character of a Chrâ—stian pag. 282. 292. Here are they that keepe the coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts of God the faith of Iesus They that are theires heare theÌ„ * but they that are Christs will in matters of faith saluatioÌ„ only heare him as he saith Euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice Augustine Aug. in Ioan. trac 115. gratiam commendauit c. He hath commended the grace whereby he calleth according to his purpose of the which purpose the Apostle speaketh All thingâ—s worke together for good to them who are called according to his purpose to wit according to the purpose of the caller not of the called He hath called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace without doubt noe merrits goeing before least grace should not be grace For if he bad saide Euerie one which heareth my voice is of the truth he should haue beene thought to haue beene named of the Truth because he obeieth the Truth He saith not this but thus Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice And hereby he is not therefore of the Truth because he heareth his voice but he therefore heareth because he is of the Truth that is because the Truth conferreth this gift on him which what other thinge is it then Christ giueing him the gift he beleeueth in Christ This he manifests against the proud and pestilent errour of the Pelagians which taketh from God the glorie of his free grace power in election calling conuersion c. And giues theese things to theire owne free will and Foreseene faith and works and by such disputes against the Truth proue that which they denie viz. that they themselues can not heare beleene obey the truth because it is not giuen them of God because they are not Christs as he saith Ioh. 10.26.27 Ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice that is because they are of me chosen in me Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God That is indeede because ye are not of Gods elect and so of the Truth 1. Ioh. 2.19 and called according to his purpose They went out from vs because they were not of vs Act. 13.48 Act. 2.42 vers 47. for if they had beene of vs they would haue continued with vs c. As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued Such continue stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine as is expressed there Such as should be saued Others that are not so of the Truth doe not only the elect and called as he saith Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet in Ioan. 18. vide ó Pilate quos audis contra me qui ex veritute noÌ„ sunt Tolet. Behold ô Pilate whome thou hearest against me those that are not of the Truth So indeede of Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks Christ may complaine and say Behold ô ye Princes and people whome ye heare against me 2. Tim. 2.19 Ioh. 10. those that are not of the Truth The LORD knoweth them that are his Christ saith I know my sheepe that is who are giuen me who shall heare my voice and who not Act. 18.10 Yet true it is that meÌ„ commonly iudge of the tree by the fruite and so that those are not of God who heare not Gods words likewise of others because they doe heare his voice they are of the Truth 1. Ioh. 4.6 and this is good and if not opposed to the former noe way amisse He that knoweth God heareth vs he that is not of God heareth not vs hereby know wee the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of errour For Christ is knowne * Ioh. 10.14.27 Character of a Christian pag. 329. of his and when they know the Truth the Truth maketh them free free from
they require he in matters of faith and saluation keepe to the Scripture and so be of the Truth Those men therefore that slight or neglect the due preaching of Gods Word and the conuincing of Hereticks by it and insteade thereof so propose and extoll the booke of common praier and the Articles and constitutions of the Church of England that they seeme to haue litle or noe Religion besides A new sort of Scismaticks they are a new sort of Scismaticks some of which will yet be counted Pastors and Pillars far more against the booke of common praier and the Articles then any other for as much as others are against the ceremonies theese against the substance of Religion which they require others are against that forme of praier theese against the things principally praied for and enioined Psal 2. so against the Truth sealed in Christs blood which they also tread vnder foote count vnholy yea breake his bands and cast his cords from them by the geering scoffes they vse against preaching and conuincing Hereticks by Scriptures either in preaching or writing by hindring them and the slight esteeme they haue of them Yet like Hypocrits as if they would haue all as the cōpilers of the commō praier booke intended and as it should be 3. Sund. after East on Saint Iohns day in one Prayer they say God which shewest to all men that be in errour the light of thy Truth c. in another Wee beseech thee to cast thy bright beames of light vpon thy Church that it beeing lightened by the doctrine of thy holy Apostle Euangelist Iohn may attaine to thy euerlasting gifts on the day of Saint Paul That wee may follow fulfill thy holy doctrine which he hath taught of Saint Mathias Graunt that thy Church beeing alwaies preserued from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithfull true Pastors of Simon and Iude Graunt vs to be ioined in vnitie of spirit by theire doctrine of S. Andrew Graunt vnto vs all that wee beeing called by thy Holy Word may forthwith c. Also in an exhortation before the Communion they say If any of you be a blasphemer a hindrer and slanderer of his word c. come not to this holy table to the sureties of Children baptized to call vpon them to heare Sermons c. the Bishop at theire confirmation prayeth Let thy Holy Spirit be euer with them so leade them in the knowledge of thy Holie Word that in the ende c. Theese Prayers and sayings will rise in iudgment against many who extoll them vse them prefer them and yet minde nothing lesse them the things prayed for and desired in them but are rather against them and so against Christs Kingdom against his raigne who is the Word and who saith Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. They therefore that scoffe geere at diligent preachers and hearers call them Puritans and despise them let them know Christs Disciples are commaunded to teach all Nations Mat. 28. to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commaunded them Ephes 4.14 that wee are not to be tossed to fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of me but following the Truth in loue to grow vp into him in all things who is the Head that the Scriptures make wise vnto saluation c. that He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law Pro. 28.9 euen his praier shall be abhomination If he will not heare nor be willing that others should heare God in all matters of faith saluation God will not heare him that Christ saith against such reuiling and selfe conceited Pharises Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice and by consequence that such as they who make noe more account of it can not well be saide to be of the Truth Theese two last clauses of Christs bearing witnesse to the Truth and this conclusion of hearing his voice which he maketh therevpon are a large feild which for breuitie I haue runne ouer only pointing at some of the good seede and some of the tares Mar. 4.26 Mat. 13.24 which enemies haue sowed while men stept that so those that haue authority may see what is amisse at home and seeke reformation Which God knowes I haue not attempted out of any forwardnes to be medling in matters of this kinde but only vpon sight and sense of the wronge donne to my Sauiour and his Kingdom to my Soueraigne Lord the Kinge and to the Church and Countrie wherein I was bred by the Doctrines and palliated practises of close walking Popelings Arminians and theire Supporters many of them beeing disguised vnder the name of conformable Protestants and Welwillers of the Church and State Which droue me in silent sorrow to meditate on theese passages of holy Scripture Then finding that of our Lord to be true Ioh. 15.5 1. Cor. 12 3. without me ye can doe nothing Noe man can say that Iesus is the Lord much lesse proue it but by the Holie Ghost and so that I could neuer haue drawne so much hony out of theese flowers vules God hath beene with me I thought I must carrie it to the hiue though I knew that in this case I was like to finde that true Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit yet I might not aduenture the euerlasting punishment of an vnproffitable seruant Mat. 25.24.30 by burying this one talent in a napkin seeing it appeared to be Christs whose Confession and Complaint is here exhibited with proofes and consequences so following from the same that there needes noe further witnesse noe inquirie of the vnworthy and instrumentall Exhibiter for the conuincing proofes are Christs the conuinced and Delinquents well knowne by other Complaints that haue beene oft made against them if not to the Kinge yet at least to the High Court of Parliament wherein greate things haue beene offered to be proued and if a free speaking and hearing be not there permitted then if any should vnder colour of seruing his Kinge and Countrie be as false to both and withall to Religion at least for some secret loue to Rome as euer that greate fauorite Duke Edrick was Edrick Duke of Mercia See Speedes Chron. who sold both to the Danes yet men that could discouer them fearing that they should not be thorowly heard but rather imprisoned and crushed would perhaps hold theire peace till it were to late to helpe Which hath made men say the Kinges eares are so guarded by whisperers by preuenting and praeuaricating expositors of complaints that truth may despaire of an effectuall hearing God Almightie giue vnto the Kings Maiestie a heart to heare see and reforme what is most amisse wheresoeuer and in whomesoeuer the fault be To conclude to be of Truth is to continue in the Word and in all matters of faith and saluation to cleaue to it professing and maintaining it in the whole and in euery part of it which is to haue Gods marke in the forehead as on the contrarie to receiue and maintaine the Popish lawes and doctrine is to haue the marke of the Beast for thus a Christian is not only distinguished from a Iew but also from a marked slaue of Antichrist as ye may see proued in that litle booke called The Character of a Christian pag. 206.282.296 Saint Paul saith well Brethren marke them which cause diuisions and offences Rom. 16.17.18 contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoide them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but theire owne belly by good words and faire speeches deceiue the hearts of the simple 2. Tim. 2.17.18 For theire word will eate as doth a gangrene who concerning the Truth haue erred And therefore when Arminians or other Hereticks and prophane persons commaund and teach one thinge and Christ another the Pope one thinge Christ another the Church of Rome calleth for all mens obedience to her and Christ to all to come out of Babell Reu. 18. Iesuits and Popish Preistes call to Princes and States to serue her and Christ to serue her as she hath serued them to fill her double Some follow Seducers but ye heare what the Sauiour of the World saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice FINIS Faults escaped in the printing Pag. 1. for Euangelist reade Euangelists p.2.l.2 for mislender reade misvnderstood l. 23 for cheifs cheife p.3.17 for fo reade of p.6.l.29 for reckened read reckoned p.15.l.18 for tho read the p.19.l.13 for deser at read desart a p.21.l.27 for abonte re aboute p.23.l.35 for rebellions re rebellious p.32.l.19 for thas re thus.l.23.re.seditious.p.33.l.8 for thousand reade a thousand thousand p. 34.l.13.for meant re meane l. 35.for tough read though p.36 in marg re vniuersum p. 37.in mar re persuadere p. 41.l.34.for reuelt reuolt p.47.l.2 for greah rea greate p. 52.l.11 for Christs re Christ l. 22.re.committing p.53.l.9 for ofter re offer l. 3 for fiue limen re fine linnen p.55.l.17 for here rea heare p.61.l.4 for grauted graunted l. 28.re Armin p. 86.l.1 for honeur re honour p.85.l.35.re.beleeue p.88.l.5.rea Christianity Besides some letters that did not print so well off in the first sixe sheetes as in the Proofes
be delivered to the Iewes but now is my Kingdom not from hence Pilate therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered Thou sayeest that I am a King To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice THAT which S. Paul saith of all holy Scripture 2. Tim. 3.15 can not but be verified in this that it is giueÌ„ by inspiratioÌ„ of God and is proffitable for doctrine for reproefe for correction for instruction in righteousnes That the man of God may be perfect because in saying that Iesus Christ witnessed a GOOD confession before Pontius Pilate 1. Tim. 5.6.13 he must needes haue respect to this here prefixed for there is noe other mencioned by all the other Euangelist saue this that when Pilate asked him Art thou the Kinge of the Iewes he answered him Thou saist it Which is comprehended in this confession recorded by S. Iohn for theese words of our Sauiour Christ spokeÌ„ in the morning of his PassioÌ„ vnto Pilate sitting in the iugemeÌ„t hall are an answer to that questioÌ„ asked by Pilate in the forgoeing vers Ioh. 18.13 Art thou the King of the Iewes to which questioÌ„ Christ answers first by a question neither plainely affirming himselfe to be the King of the Iewes least beeing misâ—enderstood of the worldly Kingdom he should offer them some shew of cause of putting him to death because that Kingdom was accounted CÄ™sars nor yet denying the truth but rather confessing and implying himselfe to be a King saying Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe or did others tell it thee of me vers 34. As if he saide Doest thou thy selfe imagin it doest thou thinke it or haue others told it to thee that I am a King or haue made my selfe one that thou askest me this question either as thinking me to be King of the Iewes or seeking to haue wherewithall to condemne me doest thou aske this question of thy selfe to get matter out of my owne mouth against me as the high Preist did Vers 35. or did others tell it thee of mee At which manner of speaking Pilate somwhat offended answered Am I a Iew that is either in opinion and religion as some are who thinke thee to be the King of the Iewes Math. 27.17 and their expected King or Messiah as he saith who is called Christ and whom yee call King of the Iewes or in mallice as others are who beeing of a contrarie faith hate thee and seek thy life because thou art thought to be that King and better then themselues they therfore make it matter of accusation I though a Gentile and Cesars Deputie haue not sought out this thinge nor thee to finde matter against thee Ioh. 18.35 but thine owne natioÌ„ the cheifs Preists haue deliuered thee vnto me As if he saide The enuie is not mine but theires for he know that for enuie they had deliuered him Mat. 27.18 Yet to satiffie them in examining him he addeth What hast thou donne as if he saide to make thy selfe King of the Iewes and thereby an offendour against Cesar To which Iesus then answered more directly and plainely saying My Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were c. The causes of this Confession THE causes that both moued Pilate to examin him vpon this point and Christ to make this answer were the invectiue exclamations and accusatioÌ„s of his obstinate enemies the Iewes who saide Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying that he himselfe is Christ a King They here accuse him of three things 1. They say they found him peruerting the nation 2. Forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar 3. Saying that himselfe is Christ a King Or if you will they accuse him of perverting the nation which they would seeme to proue by theese two that he forbiddeth to giue tribute to Cesar and that he saith that himselfe is Christ a King That of the tribute was a most false accusation and only a charging of him with that which they would haue had him to say not with that which he did say for when they fauninglie applauded his integritie and the truth of his doctrine then they saide Tell vs therfore what thinkest thou Mat. 22 16. Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar or not But he perceiuing theire wickednes saide Why tempt ye me ye hypocrits Ye that pretend that ye thinke me true and that I teach the way of God in truth that in respect of it I care not for any man nor regard the person of man so as for mans sake to bauke or wrest the truth of God A thing indeed as odious wicked and detestable as theire dissembling who doe not now speake lies in hypocrisie but truth in hypocrisie for what they saide of Christ was noe lie he was true taught the way fo God in truth and in respect thereof cared not for any man but was indeed Doctor resolutus and therein a perfect patterne for all his Elect to imitate as besides oâ—her times appeared now in his confession first before the high Preist and after before Pilate where he would speake the tâ—uth though he knew it would cost him his life and yet as they speake these words they are lies yea they are also lies spoken in hypocrisie because they doe not speake the truth that is in theire heart they doe not thinke as they speake but speake against their seared consciences which will needes be perswaded notwithstanding all good proefes of life myracles and doctrine that he is a deceiuer or if some of them were thereby conuicted in their consciences that he was true c. yet they enuie and hate him for these things there is noe loue noe desire to learne or be informed but rather to catch and ensnare and soe noe truth but trocherie in theese their speeches and euen in that respect they are Hipocrits and Liars conuicted for examples to vs and that by Christ himselfe who at the generall day will thus iudge of all that speake well to an ill ende He asketh to see the tribute money they shew him he asketh whose Image and superscription it is They say vnto him Cesars Mâ—t. 22. Then saith he vnto them giue vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars * Caesari nummos Deo vosipsos Aug. in Ioan Tract 40. and vnto God the things that are Gods This is not to forbid tribute to Cesar they could proue noe such thinge out of theese words Pilate hâ—mselfe that heard all they could suggest cleares him hereof while after examination he saith I finde noe fault in this man They therefore knowing they could not pâ—oue it directly goe about in thâ—s theire accusation to proue it indirectly and by consequence saying Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying
death of a high Preâ—st who shall be the verâ— Word of Gâ—d voide of all â—nne as well willing as vnwiâ—â—ing whose Father sâ—ould be God and this Word shall be the Fathers wâ—sâ—em by which all things â—n this world were created Now that Christ Iesus was this Word incarnate That Iesus was the word the true Messiah whâ—ch as Iohn saith reuealeth the Father our Saâ—â—our himselfe further proueth while when he had shewed himselâ—e to be the Word and therein the Sonne of God as aboue saide to those Iewes that counted this blasphemie he added Ioh. 10.36.37.38 If I dâ—e not the workes of my Father beleeue me not But if I doe though ye beleeue not me beleeue the workes that ye may know and beleeue that the Father is in me and I in him As if he saide the works proue it Theâ—efore in another place he saith I haue a greater wiâ—nesse then that of Iohn Ioh. 5 3â— for the works which the Father hath giuen me to finâ—sh the same works that I doe beare witnesse of me that the Father hath sent me and c. Now therefore let vs take a short view of some few of those works or witnesses to see how they proue it and so proceede to the rest of the confession before Pilate Luk. 11.13 When he had cast out a Deuil out of one that was dumbe some of them saide he casteth out Deuils through Beelzebub the cheife of the Deuils to which he answered But if I with the finger of God cast out Deuils noe doub but the Kingdom of God is come vpon you that is noâ— doubt but the Word is now incarnate which should come and rule for God for the Word is the finger Arms or power by which he made and gâ—â—erned all things Psa 66. Luk. 4.33 He ruleâ—h by his power for euer Theâ—efore the Messiah who was to beâ—hâ—s Power â—s come and worketh by â—t becauseâ— by that power cast out Deuils Therefore â—n the Sâ—nagouge the Deuil in one posessed criâ—d out what haue wee to doe wiâ—h thee thou Iesâ—s of Nazareth â—rt thou câ—me to destroy vs I know thee who thouâ—rt the holy one of God And Iesâ—s rebâ—ked him sâ—ying Hoâ—d thy peace and come out of him And when the Deuil hâ—d hrowen him in the midst he came out of him And they were all amazed and spake amonge themselues saying * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 What a Word is thâ—â— Our Euangelâ—st will answer All things were mâ—de by him In him was life and the life was the light of men The life of the Word was here manifested in the sight of many while so greate a miracle was donne thereby and the liâ—e was the light of men to theiâ—e convertion whâ—le in amazement they say What a Word is this for with authority and power he commaundeth â—he vncleane spirits and thâ—y come out The Euang list will answer againe The wâ—rd was made flesh and wee behold his glorie the glorie as of the only bego tâ—n of the Father full of grâ—ce and truth vers 32. And so when he â—auâ—ht Thâ—y were astonâ—â—d at his dâ—ctrine for his word was with power There was life therein accoâ—ding aâ— Châ—â—st saiâ—e The words thâ—â— I speake they are Spiriâ— and they are life yea eternall life Ioh 12 5â— as Peter saiâ—h Thou hast the words of etâ—rn â—ll life and wee beleeue viz. and therefore wee bâ—leâ—ue and are sure thâ— uâ—râ— the Christ the Sonne of the liueing God Sâ—â—nt Mathew saith Mat. 8.17 Thâ—y brought to him many that were posessed with Deuils and he cast out the Spirits wiâ—h his Word and healed all that were sieck wiâ—h his Word that is with the power by which God the Father worketh Io◠〈◊〉 .5 At the poole of Bethesda there was a Man that had â—â—en lame eight and thirâ—ie yeares Iesus saiâ—h vnto him Rise take vp thy Bed and walke And immediately the man was made whole and walked This could be donne by noe other then the Word of God whereof the Psalmist saith when theire Fathers were in like distresse psa 107 20. He sent his Word and healed them Vpon this myracle there was greate dispute betweene our Sauiour and the Iewes Aug. in Ioan. Tract 19.20.21 c. whereâ—n he proued himselfe to be the Word of the Father as Saint Avgustin shâ—weth on that Gospel See also the Character of a Christian. pag 63. c. Iesâ—s with clay made of spiâ—te healed a man that was bâ—rne blinde Ioh. 9.6 Veâ—â— 3â— 3â— Which man beeing brought befoâ—e the Phariâ—es reasoned thuâ— Wee know that God heareth not sinners but if a man be a worshipper of God and doe his will him he heareth Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of the blinde If this man were not of God he could doe nothing This vnlearned man could not giue such diuine proofes but by Gods Spirit that thus makes the Pharises his aduersaries more inexcusable Lazarus had lien fower dayes in the graue And when Iesus was come with Martha Marie and diuers Iewes to the place where they had layed him at last Ioh. 11.30 He cried with a loude voice Lazarus come forth And he that was dead came forth Vers 43. What Word could dâ—â—e this or any worke so greate but the mightie Woâ—d of God which made the World If then Ieâ—us did it by his Word it is plaine that in him the Word was made flesh and they saw the glâ—rie thereof in this myracle the glorie as of the only begotten of God But that he did it is manifest for some of the Iewes that saw it went theire wayes to the Pharises and told them Vâ—rs 46.47 therevpon the Cheife Preists gathered a counsell and saide What doe wee for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone Vers 53. all men â—ill beleeue on him And the Romans shall come and take away both our place and Nations From that day they tooke counsâ—ll to put him to death and did it But this polecie brought on them the iudgement it went abâ—ute to preuent and so must all such polecies needes doe which for worldlâ—e respects any way hinder Gods Kingdom Now then seeing Iesus did so greate workes by his Word it is plaine that he was the Word and that Word the Sonne that should come in the flesh and be the Mâ—ssiah Which thinge the Father himselfe openly witnessed by voices from Heaven first at his Baptisme when he came out of the water Mat. â—3 16 and loe a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33 This is my beloued Sonne in whom I am well pleased Iohn Baptist heard this and thâ—n saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a doue and therefore bare record that this is the Sonne of God Now noe man could except against Iohns testimonie he was so generally beleeued to be holy iust and a Propheâ— Agaâ—ne when Iesus praied Father gloriâ—ie
thy Name Ioh. 12.28 Then came here a voice from heauen saying I haâ—e glorifie bit and will glorifie it again He had glorified the word which is also the Fathers Name because it is his word when so greate myracles were denne by it and so many conueâ—ted thereby and so it was glorified againe after his death by the miâ—istrie of his Apostles and others to the healing of many and the conuersion of millions of people Lastly at his transfiguration on the mount Mat. 17.5 beholdâ— a voice out of the cloude which saide This is my beloued Sonne in whome I â—m well pleased heare ye him As if he saide for he is the promised woâ—d To his Apostles which heard him were witnesses of his resurrection he gaue commissioÌ„ to preach to all nations and so his myracles Heb. 2.3.4 life doctrine and resurrection were confirmed to â—s by them that heard him who also sealed the Truth of all with theire bloods God also bearing them witnes both with signes and wonders and with diuers myracles and gifts of the holy Ghost As the heaâ—ing of a man lame from his mothers wombe and many others manifested to his and theiâ—e aduersaries All which proued that Iesus was as he taught the word and that word the Sonne the Messiah which was to come and that he did not blaspheme when he câ—â—fest as much to the high Priest Mat. 26.69 For this yet doe they pâ—esently spit in his fâ—ce buffet hâ—m smite reuile him and leade him a â—ay to Pilate to be for this only thinge put to death this beeing all they could proue or he finde and that not that he made himselfe a temporall Kinge but spiritual for when he vâ—ged him with theese words Art thou the King of the Iewes what hast thou donne Iesus answered my Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world c. and when Pilate gathering by theese words that he confest himselfe to be a King therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered thou sâ—iest that I am a Kinge As if he saide and I must not denie it for to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice This then beeing his plaine answer concerning his Kingdom and the true subjects thereof wee may consider in this confession theese things 1. A KingdoÌ„ acknowledged in theese words my Kingdom which are thrice repeated in the former of theese verses 2. That this Kingdom is not of this world as he saith my Kingdâ—â— is not of this world â— A proofe or reason thereof in theese words for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my subiects fight that I should not be deliâ—ered to the Iewes 4 A conclusion following from the premises in theese words but now is my Kingdom not from hence In the first there is the Kingdom of the Messiah and that claimed by out Sauiour who here calleth it his as he saith my Kingdom First then wee will endeauour to finde out of the old Testament what the Kingdom of the Messiah was to be whether spirituall or temporall and where the seate thereof should be And secondly whether this Kingdom properly belonge to Iesus the Sonne of Marie who claimes it while he confesseth himselfe to be the Christ and saith my Kingdom Where first ye know it is already manifested The Kingdom of the Messiah that the Mâ—ssiah was to be the Word and that therefore his Kingdom and gouernment must needes be spirituall ruling mens soules for God his Fatheâ— as was proued from tho second Psalme where indeed the Father also calleth him his Kinge that is one ruling for him saying I haue set my Kinge vpon my holy hill of Sion psa 2. Isa 40.10 where also while he saith my holy hill of Sion he sheweth it to be his Kingdom So of the Father it is saide His Arme that is his word shall rale for him It is his Kingdom for the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Gouerno or of his people Therefore it is added vers 11. He shall feede hâ—s flocke like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambes with his Arme to shew that Christ succeedes Dauid as a Shepheard of the people feeding theÌ„ with the spirituall foode of the word Fzech 34.23 chap. 37.21.24 and so ruleth in his throne spiritually He shoul be theire Shepheard â—zek 34.23 and Chap. 2â— 22.24 So Dauid saith The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is rule thou for me vntil I make hâ—â—â— enemies thy footestoole psa 110.1 Thereby intimating that all enemâ—es of the word shall be either subiected to the word or confounded thereby Therefore it is added vers 2. The Lord shall seâ—de the Râ—d of thy strength viz. the Word out of Zionâ— to this word therefore he there speaketh saying Rule thou in the middest of thine eâ—emâ—es Isa 2. Mic. 4. aâ—cording to that of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah Thâ— Lâ—â—â— shall gâ—efoorâ—h of Sion anâ— the word of the Lord out of Hierâ—sâ—em Aâ—d he shall iudge â—monge the Nations He the word shall as the Father saith Miâ—e Arme thaâ— is my Word shal iudge the people From which places wee may see that this Kingdom was to begin to be preached in Sion and Ierusalem vnto it was the Kingdom and dominion first to comâ— Mica 4.8 and thence to goe Foorth into all the World haâ—eâ—ng noe other certaine seate then there wheresoeuer the Word should enlighten and rule the Soules of men Isa 42.6 therefore the Lord saith to him I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to vpâ—n the blinde eyes c. Isa 55.3.4 And in another place I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the suâ—e Mercies of Dauid Behold I haue giuen hiâ— viz. the Word or couenant For a witnesse to the people a leader and a commaunder to the people Viz. a spirituall leader therefore he saith to him in the following words vers 5. Behoâ—d thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall runne vnto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee this then is the gloâ—ie that he giâ—es the Messiah who is the Word that he should call nations to the knowledge and obedience of the Woâ—d therefore in this sense God saith to the Word in the second Psalme Psa 2.8.9 Ask of me and I will giue thee the heathen For thâ—ne inheritance and the vâ—termâ—st parts of the earth for thy posession the most remote nations shall come to the knowledge and obedience of thee or else as it is added Thou shalt bâ—eake them with a Rod of yron that is with thy owne power as he saith elsewhere with the Rod of thy
and rule spiritually this Temple beeing indeed a figure of the Chuâ—ch where in he should rule which came to passe not when Antichrâ—st came to sit in the Temple of God as God whereof in the sâ—quel but when Iesus Christ who is the Word came and declaâ—ed himselfe in the Temple and thereby signified his owne gouernment in his Church which is there where the Woâ—d ruleth this was accomplished suddenly after the preaching of his forrunner Iohn Baptist Luk. 3.4 who came ye see as it is written in the booke of Esayas the Prophet saying The voice of him that crieth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord make straight in the desart a high way for our God Euery valley shall be exalted Isa 40.3 4 5. and euery Mountaiâ—e and hill made low and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plaine the Scriptures should be so clearely expounded And the glory viz the Word of the Lord shall be reuealed and all flesh shall see it together And a litle after vers 9. Say vnto the cities of Iudah behold youre God Behold the Lord God will come with stronge hand And his Arme viz. the Word which is his Sonne shall rule for him For that wee might be sure that this Kingdom belonged to Iesus Christ Iohn preached I baptize with water Ioh. 1. but there standeth one amonge you mightier then I whose shooes lachet I am not worthy to vnloose this was Christ who could not haue vndeâ—stood by Scriptures what manner of King the Messiah should be noâ— haue preached and wrought myracles so according to the Prophesies of him if he had beene a deceiuer and had not bâ—ene the Christ the Sonne of God but he was approued to be the Châ—ist For when Iesus was baptized of Iohn in Ioâ—dan Mâ—k 1.10 â— and came out of the water Iohn saw the Heauens opened and the Spirit like a doue descending vpon him And theâ—e came a voice from Heauen saying Ioh. 1.33.34 Thouart my welbeloued Sonne iâ— whome I am well pleased Which comming to paâ—â—e as God foretold Iohn he saith I saw and bare record thâ—t this is the Sâ—nne of God and consequently that his is the promised Kingdom of the Mâ—ssiah Which was soone manifested for after Iohn was put in prison by Herod Mark 1.14 Luk. 4.43 Iesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God That is the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God Aâ—d so he saith I must preach the Kingdom of God to other cities also Therefore he calleth his doctrine the Word of the Kingdom saying Mat. 13.19 When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom and vnderstandeth it not So he saith Euery Scribe which is instructed vnto the Kingdom of God is like vnto a man that is an howseholder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new old New that is the treâ—sures of the Gospel and Old that is the testimonies of the Prophets which foretold and prefigured this grace that comes to vs Luk. 16 16. Luk 17.20 Since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and euery man presseth vnto it And when he was demanded of the Pharises when the Kingdom of God should come he answered them saide The Kingdom of God commeth not with obseruation Neither shall they say loe here or loe there for behold the Kingdom of God is within you That is they shall not say it is in this nation or in that in this citie or in that haueing the seate thereof here or there for the Word is within you Rom. 10.8 in your mouth and in your heart illuminating ruling some of your Soules therefore the Kingdom of God is within you And indeed God who by voices from Heauen by miracles appâ—oued him had promised foretold that so it should be for Behold the dayes come Ier. 31.31 saith the Lord that I will make a new Coâ—enant with the hoâ—se of Israel not according to the former when I brought them out of â—gypt which my coâ—enant they brake but this shall be the couenant that I will make with the howse of Israel I will put my law in theire inward parts â—ndwâ—iâ—e it in theire hearts And they shall all know me for I will forgiue theire iniquitie c. and in another place I will giue them a new heart with many the like promises Loe he would write the law in theire hearts the word should rule there and enlighten them with the * Isa 54.13 c. 53.3 c. promised knowledge of God and his remission and saluation in the death and doctrine of Christ Isa 53. and soe his Kingdom should be in theire hearts and soules within them Tit. 2.11.12 Ioh. 8.32 Character of a Christ pag. 329. c. as Christ saith that is when the grace of God bringing saluation was preached and the same taught meÌ„ to denie vngodlinesse worldly lusts The Truth knowne maketh men free from seruing sinne euen as Ioseph was taught by the fauour of his maister to denie the vngodlie lust of his mistris and escape away for soe men escape the pâ—llutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ as did Zacheus Luk. 19.8.10.11.12 to 28. soe he saith there The Sonne of Man is come to sâ—eke and saue that whâ—â—h is lost And as they heard theese things he added and spake a parable because they thought that the Kingdom of God should immediately appeare A certaine noble man went into a far countrie to receiue for himselfe a Kingdom And he called vnto him his tenne seruants and deliuered vnto the tenne pounds and saide vnto theÌ„ Occupie till I come c. This noble man was Christ who before his ascention deliuerd the Word of truth vnto his seruants and since giueth of the same Word to others by his Spirit and so will till his second coÌ„ming theese ten seruants are his ministers and other his seruants the pounds or talenâ—s were seuerall portions of the Word of grace of the mysteries of God dâ—uers * Rom. 12.3 1. Cor. 12.11 measures of the knowledge and faith of Christ wherein they ought to increase and to shew the fruite thereof in a holy life also to vse theire skill to bringe others to the knowledge and obedience of Christ which is to giue him his owne with vantage for they are Stewards of the mysteries of God 1. Cor 4 1. and it is required in Stewards that a man be found faithfull Deliuering nothing for doctrine but that which was * Chap. 11.23 receiued of the Lord by his Apostles and Prophets neither hiding his talent of doctrine nor teaching for doctrines commaundements and opinions of men things not commaunded in the Word For as when amonge the Romans there was difference aboute meates the Apostle saide The Kingdom of God is not meate and drâ—â—ke that is Rom. 14 17. the Word of God doth not commaund and teach theese
things which are held abonte them But righteousnesse and peace c. Soe may it be saide for other traditions and preceps of men the Kingdom of God is not the single life of Romish Preists theire obserued fasts and feasts inuocation of Saints the Popes succession in Peters chaiâ—e as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie and the like which as themselues confesse are not commaunded in the Word but righteousnes peace and all such things as are taught in the Gospell Ministers must be faithfull Stewards and dispensers thereof by preaching and others that haue the gift by perswading exhorting writing and the like As euery man hath receiued the gift 1. Pet. 4.10 euen so should he minister the same vnto another as good steward of the manifold grace of God He that had one talent dit not so others did The Citizens in the parable that hated him and saide wee will not haue this man to raigne ouer vs were such as opposed the Woâ—d or any part or portion thereof deliuered in tâ—â—ents hâ—ting the light manifested by them which is to despise and reâ—ect him the Word that commeth to rule theire hearts to enlighten them and raigne there of whome therefore he saith Those mine eâ—emies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. All which proofes of Gods Kingdom duely considered doe manifest that the Pope and church of Rome doe grosely deceiue and are deceiued The Pope can not be Christs Vicar nor the Church of Rome his Kingdom who oppose the Word of grace reuealed in teaching for doctrines those precepts traditions of men aboue mentioued and diuers other strange doctrines of free will ignorance force of theire traditions merrits worshipping of Images with many the like not commaunded but forbidden and confuted in the Word and yet beaâ—e the World in hand that the Pope is Christs vicaâ—generall head of the church that the church of Rome is the true church of Chrâ—st and so that Rome is the seate of Christs Kingdom that Gods Kingdom is there when yet God by the Apostles saith 2. Ioh 9. 1. Tim. 6.3 He that abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words euen to the words of our Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing the man of sinne and his ministers proud aboue all other hereticks and ye see Gods Kingdom is there only where though men so nâ—ime sinne of infirmitie yet as is requiâ—ed the Word of God is consented to receiued in all things not reiected in any thinge it teaches From all which wee may reason thus Christ is the Word reuealed in Scriptures and that Word aloâ—e must rule in all matters of faith and saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall not consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but shall of his owne pretended authoritie set vp for doctrines any that are not taught in the Word or that are new or contrarie therevnto he is rebellious and an vsurping Autichrist and he that doth it in most points and so as none other doth he is the grand Antichrist But the Pope doth nâ—t consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but of his owne pretended authority sets vp for Doctrines many others that are not taught in the Word and that are new and contrarie therevnto therefore he is rebellious and an vsurping Antichrist yea the grand Antichrist because he doth it in more points then euer any did and so as none euer did as in those perticulars aboue mentioned diuers others which wee shall haue occasion to pâ—oue in the sequell here it needes not because also many haue sufficiently donne it Now from this proposition and conclusion followes another They that doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—ie sets vp they are conspiring rebels and giue him the Kingdom he power and the glory of commaunding and beeing obeyed in such things But the Papists doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—â—e sets vp therefore they are conspiring Rebels and giue him the Kingdom the Power and the gloâ—â—e of commaundâ—ng and beeing obeyed in such things Both theese are so manifestly true that all that are of any reasonable vnderstanding must needes perceiue and confesse as much vnlesse because they haue not receiued the Loue of the Truth nor continued in the Word they can not know the Truth but are by God giuen ouer to beleeâ—e lies or because they teaching or receâ—â—ing for doctrines precepts of men the wisdom of theire wâ—se men iâ— hid and they in Gods iust iudgment are giuen ouer â—o such blindnes that they can not see things see euident that is to say Rom. 10.11 Psa 66.7 that they are rebellious and conspiring vsurpers a disobedient and gainesaying people * Psal 33.6 Heb. 1.3 Rom 1.16 1. Cor. 1.18 Heb. 1.3 2. Peâ— 3.7 see Character of a Christian pag. 47. For God ruleth by his power for euer that is by the Word which is his power whereby he hath made gouernned and vpheld all things and Christ is that Word the power of God and the wisdom of God 1. Cor. 1.24 therefore when he had saide he ruleth by his power for euer his eyes behold the nations who obey it and who not he addeth let not the rebellions exalt themselues viz. against it or aboue it in any point as psa 107.11 they rebelled against the words of God that is against the power by which he ruleth against Christ But in the Pope of Romes Kingdom the Word is not consented to â—n all things as is requâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 Tim. 6.3 But reiected and opposed he * IdeÌ„ pag. 249. 293. and they are rebellious and exalt themselues against the word in many greate maâ—ters of saith and saluation which it teacheth and so aboue all that is called God so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God as God shewing himselfe that he is God viz. most maister in theese things one whose Word is the supreame law must be beleeued and obeied which the Turke doth not he giues not foorth his words for lawes binding the conscience in matters of faith and saluation as the Pope doth and soe taketh the Kingdom the power and glorie from God and his Word to himselfe and his errours therefore Gods Kingdom is not in the Romish church the Pope is an vsurper and Papists that defend or follow his lawes and doctrines against the Word are rebellious conspirators giueing to the Pope Christs gouernment the Kingdom the power and the glorie choosing rather to be ruled by him
the knowledge obedience of Christ so that Paul saith From Ierusalem round vnto Illyricum Rom. 15.19 I haue fully preached the Gospell of Christ. He turned people from darknes to light from the power of Satan vnto God The Pope and Papists turne men from light to darknes and so from God to Satan Peter did not so And with what weapons did they subiect men The weapons of this Kingdom Heb. 4.12 saue with the sword of the spirit the Word of God which is the power of God to saluation For the Word of God is quicke powerfull sharper then any two edged sword peircing c. Therefore saint Paul saith The weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to the pulling downe of stronge holds casting downe imaginations and euery high thinge that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God and bringing into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ viz. to the obedience of the Word for this sword or spirit of his mouth is the Rod of his strength his owne diuine power and virtue vnto whome is saide Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies As in Kingdoms of this world if any subiect hold but one castle or towne against the right and power of his lawfull Kinge he is iudged a traitour an enemy and his pertakers Conspiratours so is it if a man maintaine but one errour one stronge hold against the knowledge of God much more if he hold diuers as Pelagius did or many with a high hand as the Pope doth * Moulin Buckler of the Faith aboute free will merrits iustification purgatorie supremacie the Church of Rome Preists marriage praying to Saints worshipping Images c. Who yet will be obeied and defended in theese and other his errours and soe he is by all Papists which proueth him the grand Antichrist and them rebellious conspiratours maintaining stronge holds of errour and sinne against the Word and Kingdom of God Saint Paul saith of some that were with him Theese only are my fellow workers vnto the Kingdom of God Col. 4.11 that is in those regions where with him they preached the Gospell and stablished men in the obedience knowledge truth thereof and as Apollos who mightely coÌ„uinced the Aduersaries by the Scriptures Act. 18.28 And where as some doe not obey but resist the holy Ghost as S. Steuen saide and are gainsayers Hereticks enemies Act. 7.51 and neglectours of this free grace of God offered in the preaching and manifestation of the Word whereby men are made true Subiects of this KingdoÌ„ this coÌ„meth to passe as Christ saide to some proude and obstinate Iewes ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice I know theÌ„ and they follow me Ioh. 10.26 vers 14. Therfore he who is the Word and therein the light of the World said vnto theÌ„ I am known of mine * see charac of a Christian pag. 303. not of others to whom it is not giueÌ„ It is giueÌ„ to you to know the Mysteries of the KingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ but to them it is not giuen Mat. 13.11 Chap. 11.25 The Father hid them from the wise and learned and reuâ—aled them to babes because it seemed good in his sight * Rom. 11.7 Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for But the election haue obtained it and the rest were blinded Yet a litle while is the light with you walke while ye haue the light lest darknesse come vpon you for he that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whither he goeth Ioh. 12.35 Which beeing also the case of diuers proud Papists and Pelagians who doe not heare receiue and reade the Word much lesse with loueâ— of the Truth noe maruaile if they know not whether they goe that is that they talke so much against the promised perseuerance of the Saints Luk. 19.47 and certainty of saluation For such as doe not delight in the Word but rather maintaine diuers stroÌ„ge holds of errour against the same can not haue a sense thereof nor consequently that they are true Subiects of this Kingdom but rather of the contrarie for therefore Christ who is the Word saith Those mine enemies which would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. and in another place This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then light because theire deedes were euill For euery one that doth euill hateth the light neither commeth to the light lest his deedes should be reproued or discouered This shall all such know to theire cost when the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed from Heauen with his mightie Angels 2. Thess 1.7 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ and so that are not true Subiects of this Kingdom Ioh. 3. But saith Christ he that doth truth commeth to the light that his deedes may be made manifest that they are wrought in God And so that he is a loueing and an obedient subiect of this Kingdom as diuers are in diuers Cities and Kingdoms of this World and as all should be Thus then wee see that Christ had and hath the Kingdom and what it was and is Now wee are to see what it is not Christs Kingdom not of this World which our Lord telleth vs saying My Kingdom is not of this world This hath partly appeared already because as wee proued this his Kingdom is the Spirituall raigne of the Word and therefore not of this World and consequently not any thinge preiudicial or deragotory to Cesars as his accusers pretended The malitious and subtill Iewes that they might be sure to lay such things whether true or false to the charge of Christ as might certainly procure his death thought noe accusation so like to preuaile with ' Pilate Caesars Deputie as to say that he moued sedition and laboured to bringe the people from Caesers to his owne obedience and soe to get the Kingdom from Caesar to himselfe This they thought Pilate durst not but question striue to preuent though it were with the death of Christ and that whether he were found guiltie thereof or noe therefore they say wee found this follow peruerting the nation saying that himselfe is Christ a Kinge and after He that maketh himselfe a King speaketh against Caesar Luk. 23.2 Whereas that was not to moue sedition against Caesar for on the contrarie he saide Giue vnto Caesar the things that are Cesars Ioh. 19. and to God the things that are Gods Wherein though indeede he seeke Gods Kingdom also viz. that men would be ruled by Gods Word in all things and consequently his owne Kingdom because he is the Word of God by which all men should be ruled yet when he seekes this he neither hindereth nor endangereth Caesars Kingdom but rather helpeth and stablisheth it For if Gods Word
enioine subiection to Princes Christs Kingdō stablisheth Caesars then Gods Kingdom ratifieth and establisheth Cesars Kingdom and Christ the Word who ruleth for God ruleth people in this point and maketh them more obedient then otherwise they would be for there is noe greater tie of subiection in subiects to Princes in children to Parents in wiues to husbands in servants to Maisters then the bond of religion because theese and all others that owe subiection to any shall finde theire duties commanded in the Word * 1. Pet. 2.13.17.18 c. Ephes 6.1.5 Rom 13.1 as they are often so that if either Princes Parents or Maisters doe not finde them selues duly obeied let them confes that it is because they seeke not Gods Kingdom they doe not carefully cause theire subiects children and seruants to heare and reuerence the Word which enioineth subiection in all theese and namely in subiects to Princes and Magistrates while he who is the Word of God saith Giue unto Cesar the things that are Cesars Viz. tribute subiection honour c. and after by his Apostle Let euery Soule be subiect to the higher powers c. for this cause pay ye tribute also c. to the like effect in diuers others places whereof more in the sequel Therfore not only to Pilates questiō but also against the accusations suggestions of the Iewes all others he saith * Audite Iudaei Gentes audi circumcisio praeputium audite omniae regna terrena non impedio dominationem vestram in hoc mundo regnū enim meum non est de hoe mundo Aug. in Ioan. Tract 115. Regnum se Christus habere concedit sed non qui alios expellat Tol. in 10.18 My Kingdom is not of this world as if he saide mine accusers pretend loue and true allegiance to Cesar in haueing greate care of his right that I should not vsurpe nor disturbe his Kingdō nor any part of his gouerment nor did I euer for my Kingdō is not of this world The Kingdoms of this world often endamage endanger one another by worldly polecies secret practises opē hostilities whereby the greatnes of one Kingdom oftē rises out of the ruins of another and imbred rebels somtime accheiue theire Soueraignes throne by clandestine practises and crafty insinuations but there were noe such deuices vsed by Christ he did not as Absolon 1. Sam. 15.2.3 who rose early and stood by the way of the gate and when he saw any man that had a controuersie to come before the Kinge for iudgment he called him and with insinuating speeches inueighed against the gouernment and wished himselfe a Iudge to helpe them but on the contrarie when one came to Christ saying Maister cause my Brother to diuide the inheritance he answered Who made me a Iudge or a diuider so far was he from seeking any worldly gouernment Luk. 22.24 Neither did his doctrine allow but expresly forbid it in his Disciples For when there was a strife among them which of them should be gratest He saide the Kings of the Gentiles excercise Lordship ouer them and they that exercise authority ouer them are called Benefactors But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is cheife as he that doth serue 1. Pet. 5.3 Where whatsoeuer the Papists say to the contrarie he would haue among them noe supremacie or dominion as Lords one ouer another like as in the Kingdoms of this World but he that was greatest among them by reason of his age or beeing first called which is all the greatnes or Prioritie Christ would here acknowledge he should be as the younger that did serue in some kinde Rightly therefore doth he say against the suggestions of his Accusers my Kingdom is not of this world thereby shewing that his Kingdom hath noe worldly or pompeous dominion so doth nothing hinder nor hurt Caesars as euen Pilate himselfe foūd testified whē after examinatiō had of the matter He went out vnto the Iewes Io◠18.38 and saith vnto thē I finde in him noe fault at all Chap. 19.12 Which thinge he affirmed twise or thrise yet for all this his aduersaries enuying hating his doctrine and fame Cry out saying If thou let this man goe thou art not Cesars freind whosoeuer maketh himselfe a King speaketh against Caesar As if they saide Cesar is King here In this land wee haue noe Kinge but Caesar He therefore that makes himselfe a Kinge here speakes against the right and prerogatiue of Cesar whose Kingdom can not be in safety while this man is suffered to preach his doctrine draweth them to the obedience of another King and it standeth not with the safety and polecie of a Kingdom to suffer it for when Pilate saide he found not that fault in him Luk. 23.5 this is all the proose they bringe of peruerting the Nation saying He stirreth vp the people teaching thorowout all Iury. His teaching is that which they will needes account dangerous This is that which they and other obstinate enemies of the Truth did euer pretend that the Kingdom of God Iewes account Christs preaching dangerous to the Nation viz. the preaching of the Word disturbeth and hindreth the peace of Kingdoms and endangereth theire beeing at least theire well beeing First because they wilfully perswade themselues that the Neighbouring Kingdoms which are of contrarie religions will the sooner inuade and spoile them Secondly because they also will needes be perswaded that the daily preaching of the Word makes the hearers stout stuborne against theire Kings and Gouernours For the first They say that it would cause an inuation this was the wilfull opinion of the cheise Preists and Pharises that if Christs doctrine were suffered to be preached and followed the heathen who were otherwise affected would inuade and ruin them therefore vpon report of that greate myracle of raising Lazarus they say What doe we for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone all men will beleeue on him Ioh. 11.42 and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation therefore die he must What doe we as if they saide what sluggish Gouernours are wee how dull how sleepie how negligent in our offices how careles of our countries safety how improuident in preuenting foraigne inuasion that wee suffer this doctrine to carrie so many away after it to incense the Romans that worship other Gods and that are so zealous of theire honour that they brooke not to see any more honoured then theire owne idols and that if a few follow him it must needes vexe them but if wee let him thus alone thus to worke myracles for confirmation of his Doctrine all men will beleeue in him it can not be auoided and then the greate and iuuincible nation the most puislant Romans must of necessitie be much more ptouoked to Ielousie enuie and wrath
naturall power is the cause of Predestination and soe in effect of redemption of vocation iustification glorification all which theire grosse errours beeing also followed and mantained by the Arminians of our times as the * Pelagius rediuiuus Parallelismus With the second Parallel Parallel proueth doe take the Kingdom honour and power from the Word of God from grace which should raigne Rom. 5.21 and giue it to nature and the foreseene works thereof yea all the honour and power of election conuersion and saluation from God and his free grace and Power in Christ and giue it to nature and the works thereof Thus while they presume to make to God a minde word out of theire owne noe maruaile if they to theese errours adde others as presumptuous against the perseuerance of the Saints and certainty of saluation For how should they beleeue perseuerance that giue so much and euen perseuerance it selfe where it is to fraile nature Men that are called into the grace of Christ Gal. 1.6 Men that stand by grace Rom. 5.2 and that are * Rom. 6.14 Gal. 5.4 Reu. 9.1 Isai 14.13.14 not vnder the Law but vnder grace will easely beleeue that they that thus highly exalt nature are fallen from grace Euen as the Starre is saide to fall from heauen who would exalt his throne aboue the Starres and be like the most high that would be vniuersall Bishop vsurpe Christs place and take the Kingdom the power and the glorie from the Father and his Word and giue it to himselfe and his traditions and errours of free will merrits satisfactions c. And how then should they but fall away and doubt of the certainty of saluation who build vpon such rotten foundations of theire owne the Saints may be more certaine for theire perseuerance and assurance is built vpon a surer Word and not on such Pelagian and Popish dreames nouelties which indeed are doctrines of this World and Antichristian not the Word of that Kingdom which is not of this World Ioh. 8.44 but errours comming from the Father of lies doctrines of deuils and so meere Idols cleane contrarie ye see and opposit to the whole purpose and scoape of Gods truth and new couenant of grace reuealed in the Gospel as might be shewed more at large if many others had not alreadie donne it The Pelagians therefore and Demipelagians Papists Arminians and others of that stampe who thus bringe doctrines contrarie to the Word of grace Act. 13.8.10 as with Elimas the sorcerer they turne away Princes and Magistrates from the faith and are therein children of the deuill and enemies of all righteousnes peruerting the right waies of God soe doe they not lesse then set vp Idols other words to rule mens soules and to be reuerenced beleeued followed and consequently draw the iudgments of God on that Kingdom or nation whereinto they intrude theÌ„ and are therein noe better then seditious preachers in Christs Kingdom mouers of rebellion and apostacie against Christ if not traitors to those Princes also whome they perswade to receiue them to the extreme danger and hazard of theire Kingdoms as Bishop Carlton also proueth pag. 214. against the Appealer because God almightie that is euer iust must needes doe to them if they doe not repent and amend as he did to those Emperours and Kings that suffered theese and the like errours in Saint Augustines dayes when the Gothes and Vandals ouerran all and as before that he had donne to Salomon and others in like case 1. King 12.27.28 and namely to Ieroboam who when he and his councell in polecie to preserue his owne Kingdom brought in some new doctrine and worship set vp Idols stretched out his hand against the prophet Chap. 13.33.34 Chap. 16.2.3 made preists of the lowest of the people and ordained high places the text saith This thinge became sinne vnto the howse of Ieroboam euen to cut it off and to destroy it from of the face of the earth Soe was it with Baasha and others And seing the Apostle saith let noe maÌ„ deceiue you with vaine words for because of theese things commeth the wrath of God Ephes 5.6 so must it needes be in the Christian Church with them that maintaine or suffer errouâ—s for therfore Christs saith to the Church of Thyatira which suffered the woman Iezabel to teach and to seduce his sernants Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultry with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And I will kill her children with death c. Thus therefore must it needes fall out with those Churches and states that suffer the Bomish superstition and lawes or other heresies to be taught in theire dominions much more if they maintaine them and soe coÌ„mit fornication with that whore or any other hereticall teachers And this as I saide haue those Emperors Kings and Princes found that haue either receiued whether in polecie or otherwise the errours of Heriticks or the Antichristian doctrine of Rome as for suffering of heresies was instanced in some Emperours and might be in many others Now for poperie it would be to longe to recite the examples of Gods iudgments that fell vpon those Emperours Kings and Princes or on theire issue and Kingdoms in Germanie England France Spaine and other parts who subiected themselues oâ— theire people and Kingdoms to the Popes Supremacie and to his superstitions lawes rites and errours or temporised with him in some of them therefore omitting the most obserue only theese few The Easterne Emperours Iudgments that fell on temporisors in religion Iustinian and after him Phocas in polecie the better to recouer and keepe Italie did the Popes much honour and greatly furthered theire supremacie who soone after by Gods iust iudgment in requitall setting themselues against the Emperours theire successors in the cause of Images made the greatest part of Italie reuolt from the Emperours obedience After this the Emperour Constantine 7. and his mother Irene to get the Popes fouour and thereby to recouer some parts of the western Empire or keepe those they had from reuolting summon a second councell at Nice and there with stronge hand they get the worshipping of Images established which temporising God soe cursed that within twelue yeares after God suffered the more full reuâ—lt and the Pope to crowne Charles the greate Emperour of the Wâ—st The Emperours of Greece had longe held warre with the Turkes at last leauing to trust in God and relying on humane polecie to get the Popes fauour and by his meanes the aide of Christian Princes the Emperour Iohn Paleologus brings the Easterne Bishops to reconcile in all differences the Greeke Church to the Latâ— Concil Floâ— anno 1439. and there in the councell of Florence he gets them besides other articles to agree that the soules of the faithfull that haue not yet satisfied for their sinnes goe to purgatorie that the Pope of Rome
glorie wee may as it were here him againe againe complaining and resounding theese words against those Potentates and States that are cold in defending and maintaining his cause My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered in Garmanie Bohemia Silesia the Palatinate Denmarke Rochel and other parts to the Emperour the Duke of Bauaria the French King the King of Spaine and other Champions of the Romish religion who subiect all they can to the Romish Beast and his religion If my Kingdom were of this world that men might get Earldoms Dukedoms and other places of proffit or honour by fighting for me as the Duke of Bauaria Spinola Tillie and some others haue gotten by fighting on the contrarie part then would my Seruants truly fight for me that I should not be deliuered in my Gospel my Kingdom my Body my Church and members to the Pope and theese Popish Princes that fight feircely to subiect people to him as if I were euer to suffer and as if Princes had beene perswaded that they doe God seruice who doe not fight so earnestly and seriously for me but suffer me to be deliuered to mine aduersaries Antichrist and his Adherents If there haue beene any such perswaders in Princes Courts who to get money or preferment of some Popishly affected haue hindred timely supplies by casting in flattering scruples exclaiming against theese defensiue and aiding wars extolling peace or the like while the aduersaries haue proceded and preuailed they haue cause to feare that the iust Iudge of all the world will finde this litle better then plaine treacherie that howseuer it may also be saide to them by Christ my Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would theese be my Seruants and fight for me at least by theire perswasions councels and purses that I should not be deliuered to Antichrist or his champions For wee may be sure Act. 9.4 that he that saide Saul Saul why persecutest thou me is sensible of all the miseries that his Church and euery member thereof haue of late suffered by trecherie officious flatterie want of supplies or the like and that he is yesterday and to day and the same also for euer in whose Word this is written Curse ye Meroz Iud. 5.23 saide the Angel of the Lord curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof because they came not to the helpe of the Lord to the helpe of the Lord against the mightie Secondly that Princes ought themselues to maintaime the truth of the Gospel and to suffer any of theire subiects to maintaine it against all Heriticks and seducers this is plaine by many places of Scripture by this that they are enioined to be nursing Fathers and nursing mothers Isa 49.23 Chap. 60.16 by this that Dauid Ieboshaphat Hezechia and Iosias did maintaine the truth of Gods Word putting downe false prophets and Idollators and commaunding others to instruct people in the true knowledge of Gods Word that those that put downe idollatrie and false Prophets are commended those that suffered them or but the high places are condemned by this that the Angels of the seauen Churches are blamed Reu. 2.14 one for suffering there some that taught the doctrine of Balaam â—ors 20. others to hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans another for suffering the woman Iezabel to seduce For if theese things were found faults in the Angels which were Pastors or Bishops how much more may Christ lay them or the like faults to Princes and States who are armed with more power to represse punish and helpe such things and who beeing â—ursing Fathers should striue to saue the Church and members thereof from Antichrist and all Herticks and seducers as parents and nurses doe theire children from beasts and wicked people that would bite deuoure and misleade them Neither ought they to hinder any of his Seruants from fighting for him with the sword of the spirit Ephes 6.17 which Sainct Paul commaunded the Ephesians to take saying also to the Philipians Philip. 1.7 In the defence and confirmation of the Gospell ye all are pertakers of my grace Therefore he willeth them to stand fast in one spirit with one minde striueing together for the faith of the Gospell Vers 27. And in nothing terrified by theire aduersaries Not to multiplie many proefes in a point so cleare Saint Iude in his generall Epistle saith vnto all It was needefull for me to write vnto you Iude 3. and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith that was once deliuered to the Saints that is against all new and contrarie doctrines Yet neither by theese nor by any other places doe I vnderstand with any Seperatists or other Sectaries that lay men may preach but that they or rather such only of them as God hath enabled may contest and write in defense of the faith against all aduersaries Those foolish weake things of the world 1. Cor. 1.27.28 Ioh. 3.8 haue of God a calling as they are Christians to confound the wise and mightie for the Corinthians had it The winde bloweth where it listeth so doth the Spirit * 1. Cor. 12.11 1. Pet. 4.10 diuiding to euery man seuerally as he will And thus Saint Peter saith in his generall Epistle to all As euery man hath receiued the gift euen soe minister the same to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God If any man speake let him speake as the oracles of God At our Baptisme wee all when wee are receiued into the congregation of Christs flocke are obliged not to be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and manfully to fight vnder his banner against sinne the world and the Deuil to continue Christs faithfull Souldiers and Seruants to our liues ende And if lay men espetially those to whome God hath giuen gifts fitting be thus obliged how much more are all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church they are Souldiers so bound to it that they should not intangle themselues with the affaires of this life as the Apostle saith to Timothie 2. Tim. 2.3.4 Noe man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life They are blamed if they suffer any errour in doctrine as ye may see in the Epistles to the seauen Churches of Asia where perticular Pastors or Bishops are taxed of negligence herein Act. 20.17.28.29.30 and in the charge Paul giues to the Elders to take heede to the flocke ouer which the holy Ghost had made them ouerseers or Bishops to feede the flocke and to keepe them from Wolues and speakers of pernerse things Also to Timothie and Titus 1. Tim. 1.18 chap 2.3.25 Tit. 1.9 2. Cor. 10. that they should warre a good warfare as good Souldiers of Iesus Christ instructing those that oppose themselues and conuincing the gainsayers such as Himeneus Philetus and others
That to this ende the weapons of * Ideo fortes esse dicuntur quia Praelati Sancti Ecclesiae perfecti sunt in obseruatione mandaroruÌ„ Domini omnes tenentes gladios id est spirituale verbum quia predicando vitia Subditorum debent reprimere Bernard de obedien Serm. 19. theire warfare are mightie to cast downe the stronge holds and high things of Hereticks which exalt themselues against the knowledge of Christ. Indeede if Princes will not suffer theese of the Clergie or others to cast downe theese Holds of Hereticks with the sword of the spirit but like the Arrian Emperours and others will kicke against the pricks and with Saul breath out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord such as are subiects of this Kingdom or labour to bringe others to the true knowledge and obedience of the Word if they will aduenture to prouoke God by such persecutions to the danger of theire owne Kingdoms who shall hinder them theire subiects may speake in Gods cause but if that will not serue they must suffer not resist by the sword not run into rebellion Yet ought they to confesse Christs name who is the Word before Kings and Rulers and euen to fight against the mightiest of them with the sword of the spirit Reu. 17.14 chap. 19.21 Because so the Lambe ouercomes them who is the King of Kings Wee all ought to beare witnesse vnto the Truth though it cost vs our liues Bishops and Ministers more espetially who are * Isa 62.6 and Heb. 13.17 Mat. 28.18.19.20 watchman set which should neuer hold there peace not keepe silence as they that must giue account For he is the Lord of Lords who saith All power is giuen to him in Heauen and in Earth and who therefore bids his Disciples goe into all the world and reach all Nations to obserue all things that he commaunded them who after his Ascention carried themselues accordingly For when the Rulers examined them Act. 4.11.12 they contended stoutly to proue Christ a stone of them reiected ver 18.19 to be the Head of the corner And after when they and the high Preists called them and commaunded them not to speake at all nor teach in his Name they answered Whether it be right in the sight of God to bearken vnto you more then vnto God iudge ye for wee can not but speake the things which wee haue seene and beard Act. 5.28 And after when for teaching in the Temple they were questioned by the High Preist saying Did wee not straightly commaund you that you should not teach in his Name And behold ye haue filled Ierusalem with youre doctrine Peter and the other Apostles answered and saide wee ought to obey God rather then men The God of our Fathers raised vp Iesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince viz. to rule in all matters of faith and salnation Behold now againe againe they contest and fight with the sword of the Spirit for him his Kingdom against his greatest opposers and were therein examples to all ministers and Seruants of Christ to the worlds ende This did the man borne blinde before Christs death that by good proofes Steuen Act. 7. chap. 18.26.28 Apollos and many others did as much after his resurrection against opposers and Hereticks The Apostles Paul Peter Iohn Iude wrote and contended against Hereticks and peruerters of the Scriptures and commaunded others to doe soe but more espetially Bishops to hold fast the faithfull Word taught them Tit. 1.7.9.10 chap. 3.10 to looke to deceiuers whose mouthes must be stopped who subuert whole howses teaching things which they ought not for filthie lucres sake Act. 20. to reiect Hereticks as beeing Wolues Theeues and Speakers of peruerse things Iudge yet whe ther many such haue not crept in who came not with the Spirit of Truth but with the Spirit of errour as the Appealer Cosens and others who entred not by the Word that is by Christ the doore of the sheepe but rather by errour and the Father thereof who abode not in the Truth and whether Bishops that would be counted Christs Watchmen and Seruants haue not slept while enemies haue sowed tares The Remonstrance of the Parliament in summerlast manifested that many Arminians and Popish teachers haue risen in theese our dayes with theire cousening tenets and deuotions and yet haue not the Bishops theire superiours and ouerseers that should watch ouer mens soules Heb. 13.17 as they that must giue account reproued and conuinced nor suffered others to publish bookes to confute them but rather preferred the Seducers and hindred the preferment of theire opposers so far hath hopes of preferment from some courtiers and other gifts blinded theese men as of old it did some Pharises and after them the Bishops and Clarks of Italie to iustify the wicked or theire doctrines and practises for a reward Indeede the Archbishop of Canterburie shewed his dislike of theese Seducers and theire bookes Bishop Carlton writ against the Appealer and proued him a dangerous peruerter of the Scriptures and of the Articles and it may be there are two or three Bishops more that haue shewed some litle distastof theire tenets and practises but by meanes of the late Duke and other Courtiers the greater number haue gonne the cleane contrarie way Doctor White that for the Dukes fauour approued the Appealers booke was in recompence of that * 1. Tim. 1.19 Shipwracke he sustained elected Bishop of Carlile made Amner and since translated to Norwich Other freinds of theese Pelagian and Popish teachers tenets haue also had theire reward Mr. Cosens his Maister Doctor Neale was remoued to Winchester Doc. Laude to London Doctor Feild to S. Dauids Doctor Buckridge to Elie Doctor Mountaine to Yorke after his death Doctor Harsnet was translated to Yorke Doctor Howson to Durham Doctor Maw Chosen Bish of Bath and Wels Doctor Corbet B. of Oxford and Doctour Curle late Prolocutor in the conuocation howse for his fauourable carriage in that place towards theese new Maisters was promoted to the See of Rochester Doctor Lindsey and others haue acheiued Denaries or other preferments On the other side theese and some others soe wrought that the Archbishop of Cant was put besides the execution of his place and the Appealer himselfe was set vp in his verrie seate that writ against him and that presently after that the Parliament that coâ—â—â—â—â—ned of him and them was prorogued which Schollars in thâ—â—â— iuersities and other parts perceiuing according to the deuiâ—◠〈◊〉 the pioiectors bent theire studdies toward the mount or raâ—◠〈◊〉 molehill of preferment When the Parliament approched theâ— laboured to haue it put off or if not that the howse might noâ—â—â—estion such men nor others preach dispute or write against theire tenets and peruerting faculties but that themselues might be the only Iudges in theire owne cause yet for feare of the worst they at last
10.26 If wee sinne willingly after wee haue receiued the knowledge of the Truth there remaineth noe more sacrifice for sinnes but a certaine fearefull looking for of iudgment and fierie indignation c. If wee fall away and reiect the truth in any point of faith saluation wee haue noe benefit of that one Sacrifice for as it was a price of redemption so ye see it was and is a seale and witnesse of the Testament that conueis the benefit of it to them that receiue that Truth not to them that despise it for it rather sealeth to them the damnation assured Mark 16.16 Ioh. 3.18.20 He that despised Moses Law vers 28. died without mercie vnder two or three witnesses though he despised but one or two commaundements thereof for that made him guiltie of all Of how much sorer puishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden vnder foote the Sonne of God viz. the Word the * Charac of a Christian p. 34. new Testament not the letter but the spirit For the Lord is that spirit 2. Cor. 3.6.17 and hath counted the blood of Couenant wherewith he was sanctified that is sealed dedicated an vnholy thinge He that reiects his testimonie in any point and takes other he departs from the faith as those doe who take theires that forbid marriage meates and so he doth this verrie thinge he maketh the blood that speaketh an insufficient witnesse and so an vnholy thinge and doth despite vnto the Spirit of grace that also witnesseth the same like as all Hereticks and hinderers and slanderers of the Word doe though Christ came with his blood and bitter passion to beare witnesle to the Truth and to make him receiue the loue of it yet he receiueth it not Marke this ye Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks and neuer tell men of youre meditations of Christs wounds hopes in his blood and sufferings and in your receiuing it in the cup nor of your prayers to be clensed by that blood if in any thinge you obstinately reiect his testimonie and receiue not the Truth to which he bare witnesse with his blood because this is not to receiue but to tread vnder foote the Sonne of God count the blood of the Couenant wherewith he was sanctified sealed and confirmed to vs an vnholy thinge How theÌ„ would they haue benefit by it God hath chosen men to saluation and so to haue benefit by the blood by the Sacrament through sanctification of the spirit and beleefe of the Truth Such as receiue the loue of the Truth haue it 2. Thes 2. not others that will not The like may be saide of theire Baptisme I meane not generally because at least some of theire children dying before they come of age to receiue or reiect the loue of the Truth may yet haue benefit of theire Baptisme to life euerlasting but they themselues that oppose the Truth in any thinge or will not heare the voice of the Charmer charme he neuer so wisely and presist therein without repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth what benefit can they haue by theire Baptisme It is not that but theire beeing * Charat of a Christian pag. 81. c. and continuing in the Word that makes them such true Christians as shall be saued For Baptisme also is a seale of the Couenant by it God beareth witnesse to his Couenant and it is of greate force and virtue to him that receiues the loue true of the Truth sealed as the seale is to a couenant of this world and to him that receiues it and whatsoeuer it conueieth But if in any point men reiect and oppose the Truth and so tread vnder foote the Sonne of God they make the Water and the Blood thereby signified an insufficent witnesse and so an vnholy thinge they refuse him that by it speaketh and beareth witnesse to his Truth and what benefit then can they haue by it without receiuing his Truth to which it is a seale He that receiues the broade seale of a Kinge if either in part or in whole he reiect oppose or disclaime the deede to which it is annexed or the things therein conueied or will not hold them so as the writing bindeth whether it be in capite or other tenute but as he list himselfe or if he cut of a peece of the writing or tread it vnder foote what good doth the Seale doe him surely none he forsakes the substance and foundation of his assurance But so doe the Papists and other Hereticks by Gods Truth and couenant as in theese examples The Couenant of God witnesseth that He hath chesen vs in him before the world not that wee were but that wee should be holy He hath saued vs and called vs with an holy calling Ephes 1.4.5.6 2. Tim. 1.9 Rom. 11.15 chap. 9.11.12 16. not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace giuen vs in Christ before the world There is a remnant acording to the election of grace and if by grace then it is no more of workes otherwise Grace is noe more grace c. Noe man can haue theese but he must thus hold them in Capite of God and that his eternall Truth and purpose but both Papists and Pelagians oppose this some more some lesse and will haue and hold this election calling and saluation from and according to foreseene faith and workes and so of and by them And is not this then to fall from God his eternall purpose and grace to themselues and theire owne workes From the fundamentall Truth and true foundation to a false one of theire owne The Couenant of God witnesseth of the elect that they are borne againe not of the will of man Ioh. 1. but of God of and by the Word Phil. 2. that God worketh in vs both to will and to doe The Pelagians and Papists will not hold this Sonneship and power to doe good soe wholly of God but of free will which at least must share with God in that power and honour Is not this to disclaime God in the foundation and the things it giueth Indeede they haue free will but it is to contend against the Word Iud. 11. and by gainsaying with Core to shew they are not of the Truth and soe to proue that they haue not this free will to good which they talke of Gods couenaÌ„t giues the cup to all Mat. 26.27 1. Cor. 11.26.27.28 saying drinke ye all of it and soe did the Corimhians eâ—ce this bread drinke this cup. The Papists yet take the cup from the laietie and so as it were what in them is both cut of a peece of the Coueant 1. Tim. 2.5 and breake of a part of the Seale yea forbid and denie it to Gods people Gods Couenant and Truth will haue them come vnto him and by Christ the * Heb. 1.4 one only Mediatour Papists will yet pray vnto Saints and
Those are not such who for a while receiue the Word with ioy as the stonie ground doth the seede Mat. 13. but when persecution ariseth because of the Word by by they are offended Some with the verrie manifestation of the Word that the poore haue the Gospell preached vnto them the Truth manifested to them chap. 11.5.6 he therefore who is the Word who is the Truth saith Blessed is he whosoeuer shall not be offended in me And in another place If ye continue in my Word Ioh. 31. then are ye my Disciples indeede that is Christians of me Character of a Christian pag. 199. c. that am Christ the Truth for so he addeth And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free * Act. 11.26 In Antioch the Disciples were first called Christians As a Disciple of Plato is called a Platonist of Arrius an Arrian and as the Disciples of Nicolas all that held his doctrine were by the holy Ghost called Nicolaitans Reu. 2.6.15 so the Disciples of Christ that in all things consent to his Word and continue therein are of him the Truth so called Christians One is youre Maister euen Christ. Wee must not be of Paul nor of Apollos nor of Cephas which is Peter much lesse of his supposed Successour or any other Heretick as those that will be called Latine or Romane Catholicks that is vniuersalls in theire relation to theire holding of him and his See after whome all the world wondreth and who is called the vniuersall Latine or Romane Bishop and so haue the name of the Beast and are more truly called Papists then Christians because they heare obey him more then Christ and against Christ Wee must not in matters of faith and saluation heare any mans voice Ephes 2.20 further then he commeth with the Truth of God to which Christ bare witnesse with his blood the Truth which is the foundation laide in the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and Prophets and in building or seeming to build therevpon the same must not be wrested 1. Cor. 3.10.11 but euery man must take heede how he buildeth therevpon for other foundation can noe man lay then that is layde which is Iesus Christ Noe other word Saint Paul will haue vs to be of none but of God chap. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ who of God is made vnto vs wisdom It is wisdom in a man to be of this wisdom of the Word of the Truth and so of God for it is Gods Truth Ye are Christs chap. 3.23 and Christ is Gods Therefore he saith here Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice He therefore that will not in all matters of faith and saluation be truly a Disciple of Truth but teaches new or contrarie doctrine he becomes a Maister of errour and they that receiue it and abide in it are his not Christs His Seruants ye are to whome ye obey Rom. 6.16 whether Christ or Antichrist the true Shepbeard or a Seducer though it be but in one or two points as the followers of Nicolas though they held all the rest sound they presently loose the name of Christians and are called Nicolaitans for one stronge hold held against such a Kinge is enough to make the Captaine that holds it and all his followers to loose the name of Subiects and to be rightly called Traitours men can not serue two Maisters not God and Mammon much lesse Christ and Antichrist the Truth and errour if he cleaue to errour he despiseth and hateth the Truth which is not the fault of one sort of Hereticks and euill doers Ioh. 3.20 but of all Euery one that euill doth hateth the light neither commeth to the light Theese things me thinks should fill the Papists and our new Maisters the Arminians with horrour For though Christ say As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse vers 14. see Charac of a Christian pag. 205. Ioh. 5.24 so must the Sonne of man be lifted vp That WHOSOEVER beleeueth on him should not perish but haue eternall life and of a beleeuer in the present tense He that beareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent me HATH euerlasting life and shall NOT come into condemnation but IS passed from death to life And by his Apostles Rom. 8.30 Whome he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Whosoeuer is borne of God chap. 11.29 1. Ioh. 3.9 sinneth not viz. the sinne vnto death for his seede remaineth in him and he can not sinne because he is borne of God To shew that a true beleeuer called and iustified may be certaine of his saluation and can not fall away totally and finally Yet our Arminian Pelagians and the Papists feare not to maintaine that persons truly iustified can not be certaine of theire saluation and that they may neuertheles fall away totally and finally wherein many follow them and therein follow new Maisters and like rebels maintaine stronge holds of errour against the knowledge of God and obedience of Christ the Truth But they say that to preach theese doctrines of certainty of saluation perseuerance as also of election conuersion of grace and not of workes not of free will if they were true doctrines which they will not graunt yet they who teach thē to the people teach desperate doctrines and open a gap to all licentiousnes carelesnes prophanenes neglect of holy life and shew a greate wāt of wisdom and discretion or to the like effect Here I might tell them that theire owne broaching and maintaining of errours in theese points haue caused more preaching writing to defende the Truth and to keepe people from theire errours and apostacie then otherwise had beene requisite But I answer they see not or will not see that this is in effect to charge Christ with want of wisdom and discretion who in the infancie of the Church did himselfe and by his Apostles teach all theese things by preaching and writing vnto the people that whatsoeuer his Word be it still ministreth grace to those hearers that are his Sheepe * Tit. 2.11.12 teaching them to denie vngodlines and worldly lusts it softeneth molefieth theire hearts as the Sunne softeneth waxe that * 2. pet 2.20 they escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ that those that are not Christs are as well hardened by other points as by theese euen as the sunne hardeneth clay and so it doth theese new Maisters and theire followers for the more the Truth is manifested the more they hate that light and Truth and would hinder the setting of it forth in Sermons and Bookes the more they despise Christ who is the Truth and rebell against him Is this theire wisdom and discretion I confesse they haue
presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his