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truth_n	church_n	doctrine_n	hold_v	3,934	5	6.1946	4	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A04026	Informations, or a protestation, and a treatise from Scotland Seconded with D. Reignoldes his letter to Sir Francis Knollis. And Sir Francis Knollis his speach in Parliament. All suggesting the vsurpation of papal bishops.	Knollys, Francis, Sir, d. 1643.; Rainolds, John, 1549-1607.; Simson, Patrick, 1556-1618.	1608 (1608)	STC 14084; ESTC S107421	32,696	102

writers As for the new obtruded Lord Bishops to the Kirk of this Realme we haue not heard much of their reasoning as yet for their part only shreuding them selfe by authority and arme of man whence they alledge Donation with power c. To the quhilk albeit many things may be replyed yet we answer thus only with the Apostle The weapons of our warfaire are not carnall 2 Cor 10. 4. The abuse present practise the more is to be lamē ted that such injquity is done in so great light of the Gospell after long profession of the same that in place of light men should imbrace darknes loue the honor of the world more thā the honor of Christ Iesus not onely comming against the truth but also against their owne profession avoument having preached and practised the true Christian Discipline by Ministers and Elders according to the word and Institution of Christ opponing them selfes alwayes unto Antichristiā authority practise of Papal Bishops Is not this to begine in the spirit end in the flesh And who hath bewitched you so Now for conclusion seeyng holy scripture practise of the Apostolicall and Primitiue Kirk and Christian Kirkes in succeeding times the learned sincere Antiquitie both in Councells and by writing with all reformed Kirkes every where truely professing the Gospell with the best of the leater writers of our time Forrain within this Yle stand on our side for Kirk governement by Ministers assisting Elders according to the word against the Governement of Lord Bishops their authority practis in the Kirk of Christ we being I say compassed with such great cloud of witnesses let us hold fast the true profession of Doctrine Discipline according to the word without wavering or halting praying continually That the God of our Lord lesus Christ the Father of glory might giue unto us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the acknow ledgment of him strenthned with all might throw his glorious power that we being like mindit having the same loue being of one accord and of the same iudgment we may doe that which is pleasant and acceptable in his sight through Christ to whom be praise for ever and ever Amen DOCTOR REIGNOLDS HIS LETTER TO SIR FRAVNcis Knollis concerning Doctor Bancrofts Sermon at Paules crosse 9. Feb 1588. In the Parliament time ALbeit Right Honorable I take greater comforte in labouring to discover and overthrow the Errors of Iesuites and Papists enemyes of Religion thā of the Ministers of Christ yet seeing it hath pleased your Honor to requyer me to shew mine opinion of some thinges which certeine of these men mainteyne stand in I thought it my duty by the example of Levie who sayd of his Father and Mother I regard them not nor acknowledged he his brethren to declare the truth without respect of persons Of the two poynts therfore in Doctor Bancrofts Sermon which your Honor mentioneth one is concernning that he seemeth to avouch The superioritie which Bishops haue among us over the Clergie to be Gods owne Ordinance though not by expresse words yet by necessary consequence In that he affir meth their opiniō who oppugne that that superiority to be Heresie Wherin I must confesse he hath committed an oversight in my judgment and himselfe I thinke if he be advertised ther of will acknowledge it For having said first that Aerius affirmeth that ther was no differēce by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop and afterward that Martin and his companions do mainteine this opinion of Aerius he addeth that Aerius persisting therein was condemned for an heretike by the generall consent of the whole Church and likwise that Martins and all his companions opini on hath herein been condemned for heresie Touching Martine if any man behaue himselfe otherwayes than in discretion and charitie he ought let the blame be layd where the fault is I defend him not but if by the way he utter a truth mingled with whatsoever else it is not reason that that which is of God should be cōdemned for that which is of man no more thá the doctrine of the resurrection should be reproved because and held by the Pharises Wherefore removing the odious name of Martin from that which in sincerity and loue is to be dealt with it appeareth by the aforesayd words of D. Bancroft that he avoucheth the Superiority which Bishops haue over the Cleargie to be of Gods owne ordinance For he improveth the impugners of it as holding with Aerius that there is no difference by the word of God betwixt a Preist and a Bishop which he could not doe with reason unlesse he himselfe appro ved the Bishops superiority as established by Gods word and he addeth that their opinion who gayne say it is Heresie wherof it insueth he thinke it contrary to Gods word sith Heresy is an error repugnant to the truth of the word of God as according to the Scriptures our owne Church doth teach us Now the Argumēts which he bringeth to proue it an heresy are partely overweake partly untrue overweake that he beginneth with out of Epiphanius untrue that he adjoyneth of the general consent of the Church For though Epiphanius do say that Aerius his assertion is full of solly yet he disproveth not the reason which Aerius stood on out of the scriptures nay he dealeth so in seeking to disproue it that Bellarmine the Iesuite though desirous to make the best of Epiphanius whose opinion herein he mainteyneth against the Protestants yet is forced to confesse that Epiphanius his ans wer is not all of the wisest nor any way can fit the text As for the generall consent of the whole Church which D. Bācrost saith condemned that opinion of Aerius for an Heresy and himselfe for an Heretike because he persisted in it that is a large speach but what proofe hath he that the whole Church did so It ap peareth he saith in Epiphanius It doth not and the contrary appeareth by S. Ierome and sondry others who lived some in the same time som after Epiphanius even S. Austin himself though D. Bancroft cite him as bearing witnes therof likewise I grant S. Austin in his booke of heresies ascribeth this to Aerius for one that he sayd Presbiterum ab episcopo nulla differentia de beri discerni but it is one thing to say there ought to be no difference betwixt the which Aerius saying condemned the Churches order yea made a schisme therein and so is censured by S. Austen counting it an heresie as in Epiphaus he tooke it recorded himselfe as he witnesseth not knowing how farre the name of Heresie should be stretched another thing to say that by the word of God there is no difference betwixt them but by the order and custome of the Church which S. Austen sayth in effect himselfe so farre was he

INFORMATIONS OR A PROTESTATION AND A Treatise from Scotland SECONDED WITH D. REIGNOLDES HIS LETTER TO SIR Francis Knollis AND Sir Francis Knollis his speach in Parliament ALL Suggesting the vsurpation of Papal Bishops 1. Cor 12. 5. There are diversities of Administrations but one Lord. Math. 15. 13. Every plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be rooted out Imprinted 1608. The Printer to the Reader WHereas it hath pleased God to hide me as he did Ieremy and Baruch on this side the seas notwithstanding the Archbishop of Canterbury sent over two men to seeke me of whom I hard after they were gone hencee and I doubt not but the same God will hide me still untill I haue done his heavenly Maiestie all that servicc which in his counsell he hath appoynted me to do here I am resolved through his grace to be as helpfull as I can in pulling downe the tower of Babel Which to do I am perswaded every christian is as well bound in conscience as to build up the tower of Sion Promising withall in the presence of God to giue over this course and humbly to submit my selfe to the censure of authority for the manifesting of my repentance when I shall learne that Diocesan Bishopps are by the ordinance of God and as heretofore so hear after with all diligence and humility to informe my selfe touching that question most necessary to be knowne in these times of all those that esteeme the kingdome of Christ. If I be demaunded whither I haue not heard of or sene D. Downams Sermon at Lambith I answer I heare that many sound divines doe greiue that so learned a man should discover such weaknes But they thinke that the sermon especially the Epistle was by the instructions of the Archbishop whose chaplaine he is And I see that he doth not answer M. Iacobs reasons though he be carping at his booke and one other thing of note which was never yet heard of viz. That not one Minister of such a perticular congregation as may and ought to come togither on the Sabbath is once named or specially mentioned in all the New Testament but onely Diocesan Bishops from which Bishops those Ministers are sent as governours are sent from the King So that Mimisters are but curates to the Bishops as to those who onely hold their calling immediatly from Christ. Therefore if this Doctrine be true me thinkes one prayer in the Communion Booke should be put out viz. Almighty God who only workest great mervailes send downe vpon our Bishops and curates the healthfull spirit of thy grace For though heretofore it might seeme to us a mervaile if God blessed Diocesan Bishops and Ministers as being their curates because they were not as yet knowne to be by Gods Ordinance yet now if this doctrine be true that all having charge of congregations be either Diocesan Bishops or their curates we are not to mervaile if God blesse his owne ordinance But I hope that this doctrine and the whole Sermon and consequently the vsurpation of Papall Bishops will be impleaded at the barre of their conscience who haue a minde to reade and understanding to iudge what shal be written In meane while I thought it convenient to pubthese Informations praying the brethren of Scotland not to be offended if their be any errors in the Protestation or Treatise of Kirk governement but to consider that I received them from Englishmen who haue not belike perfect intelligence of Scottish affaires but as thinges goe from hand to hand As may appeare by naming Leith to be the place where the Sermon was preached for which M. Murray is imprisoned notwithstanding the Provinciall Synod before which it was preached as I heare approved the same But that it was preached by M. Murray and at Edinburgh I heard not till after the sermon was imprinted As for the Letter and Speach mentioned in the Title page of this booke I ioyne them with the other because they likewise informe the Church of the usurpation of Papal Bishops And the rather because the Letter doth not onely make good that which towards the end of the second part of the Treatise is sayd to this effect viz That the most learned defendours of the trueth against the Romaine Antichrist condemne the said usurpation but also it confuteth sondry pointes of D. Downams Lambith Sermon And secondly Because the Letter togither with the Speach of so worthy a Counsailor of this State should be some Incitation to his Maiesties most Honorable privie Councell now being not to depend upon the mouthes of Bishops and their Chaplaines who in this case are rather to be mistrusted of godly wise men as Achabs 400. Prophets were of King Iehoshaphat but closely to sound the iudgment of learned men such as doe not'aspire to dignities and therfore doe not studie to please the mightie and then to pleade not for Baal but for Christ his Kingdome in his Church which he purchased with his most precious bloud A PROTESTATION OFFERED TO THE PARLIAMENT at S. Iohnstons 1. Iulij 1606. THe earnest desire of our hearts is to be faithfull and in case we could haue been silent and faithfull at this time when the undermined estate of Christ his Kirke craues a dutie at our handes we should haue locked up our hearts with patience and our mouthes with taciturnitie rather than to haue impeshed any with our admonition But that quhilk Christ commandeth necessitie urgeth and duetie wringeth out of us to be faithful office bearers in the Kirke of God no man can justly blame us to doe it Providing we hold our selues within the bounds of that Christian moderation quhilk followeth God without injurie done to any man specially those whō God hath lapped up within the skirts of his owne honorable stiles and names calling them Gods upon earth Now therfore my Lords convened in this present Parliament under the most High excellēt Majestie of our dread Soveraigne to your Honors is our exhortation that yee would indever with all singlenes of heart loue zeale to advāce the building of the house of God reserving alwayes into the Lord his owne hands that glorie quhilk he will communicate neither with man nor Angell to wit to prescribe from his holy mountaine a liulie patterne according to which his owne Tabernacle should be formed Remembring alwayes that there is no absolute and unbounded authority in this world except the Soveraigne authoritie of Christ the King to whō it belongeth as properly to rule the Kirke according to the good pleasure of his owne will as it belōgeth to him to saue his Kirke by the merit of his owne sufferings All other authoritie is so intrēched within the marches of divine commandement that the least overpassing of the bounds set by God himselfe bringeth men vnder the fearfull expectation of temporall and eternall judgmentes For this cause my Lords let that authority of your meeting in this present

dayly doth serue for the suppressing of the truth and faithfull professors of the same From that Antichrist this mysterie of iniquitie hath flowed to Cardinals Arch-bishops and the rest of that disordered order c. Against this injquity thus we cōclud Whosoever doth participat with the Antichrist in usurping a Civil power and practising the same in the Kirk directly against the word and Institution of Christ they are of that Antichrist and there vsurpation Antichristian But Papal Bishops and Prelates in the Kirk vsurps Civil power directly against the word Institutiō of Christ. Therefore so doing they are of that Antichrist and their vsurpation Antichristian The proofe of the Assumption quhilk the adversaries deny is playne be evident Scripture as followeth 1 Our Master Saviour Christ speaking unto his Disciples contending for honor among themselues saith Ye know that the Lords of the Gentles haue domination over thē and they that are great exercise authority over them but it shal no be so among you Math 20. 25. etc. Mar 10. 42. Luc 22. 25. etc. In quhilk words expresly he forbiddeth his Apostles Lordly or Princely Domination putting ane barr and evident difference betwixt Civil Spirituall power shewing expresely by this interdiction these two powers so to be differēt that they cannot meet in one person whatsoever Quhilk ground hath bene alwayes as ane strong wall against the Pope and Bishops of Rome exercising both the powers whereupon Barnard speaketh thus boldly to Pope Eugenius Lordship is forbiden unto the Apostles Therefore darest thou being a Lord vsurpe Apostleship or Apostolicall vsurpe Lordship Thou art plainely barred from both If thou wilt haue both thou shalt lose both Barnar lib 2. de conside cap 4. For it is not convenient saith Ambrose that one man should haue adouble profession 2 Christ saith My kingdome is not of this world Ioh 18. 36. Christ refused to accept the honor of a worldly kingdom Iohn 6. 15. That he might admonish us saith Chrysostom to cōtemne humaine dignities shew us that we need no wordly affaires Hom 42. in Iohan. Item Tertull de Idolat cap. 8. Christ hath manifested that the glorie of the world is not cōpetent to him selfe and his How may thē a Bishop or Minister accept that honor quhilk his Master hath refused For no servant is aboue his Master Math. 10. 24. 3. Christ being requyred in partition of an heritage betwixt brethren refuseth flatly to be Iudge saying who made me Iudge or devider over you For this same cause Christ as Minister of the Gospell refuseth to condemne the Adulteresse woman what presumption is it then to our Papal Bishops to exercise ane Lordly authority and Civil power in judging upon matters civil criminall treasonable in Court or Parliament Secrete Counsell conventiōs of Estate in Courts of Stenartrie Regalitie upon wrongs injuries of bloud infestments of land c. as the practise be Papal Bishops is begune in this Realme Quhilk can no wayes be compitent to the Disciples Ministers and servants of Christ Iesus quhilk the Master Christ Iesus hath for saken Therefore this usurpation must be of the Antichrist Hilarius ad Auxent I pray you Bishopps who beleiue these thinges what votes had the Apostles to preach the Evangel With what Commissions were they authorized when they preached Christ and converted almost all the Gentles from Idols to God Singing an Himne to God in prison among chaines after whippes tooke they any dignity from the Pallace They will not shew where any of the Apostles sat at any time as iudge of men or divider of bounds or distributer of landes To cōclude Ireade that the Apostles stood to be iudged that they sat in iudgmēt I doe not reade Barnard de consid lib. 2. 4. The whole charge of the Minister of the Gospell is restrayned to the cōtinuall exercise of ane spiritual calling and Ministerie only 1. Tim 4. 13. etc 2. Tim 2. 3. 4. et 4. 1. 2. c and therfore not onely Civill Domination but all handling also and medling with secular and worldly affaires is contrary unto this charge Chrysost Hom 11. ad Eph. 4. Doctrine by Sermons is commended unto us not rule or the authority of ruling 5. No man saith the Apostle that war reth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life because he would please him that hath chosen him to be a souldiour 2. Tim 2 4. Hiercm expoūding this place concludeth Much more ought we to be free from worldly businesses that we may please Christ. Ambrose addeth ane cleare distinction of the functions and cause thereof Let a Minister approue himselfe to God that devoted to him he may fulfil his Ministery which he hath undertaken being careful in Gods matters free from worldly busines For it is not convenient that one man should haue a double profession 6 For this purpose serues whatsoever is writtē in scripture anent the calling office and exercise of the Ministery of the word the greatnes thereof and the necssitie injoyned to Ministers to Preach the Gospell continually In so much that the Apostle sayth Wo be to me if I preach not the Evangell 1. Cor 9 16. Hence it is that the manifold duetyes of the Ministers of the Evangell are declared by similitudes of workemen in the Vineyards of husband men of builders of souldiers and watchmen and other such importing continuall labor paines and travell Math 9. 38. 10. 10. 2. Tim. 2. 15. 7. Some of the ancient Councellers also haue taken a streait order for restraint of Ecclesiasticall persons from handling or medling with any secular honor or affaires The fourth Oecumenical or vniversal councel holden at Chal cedon 450. yeares after Christ his birth where were assembled 630. Bishopps forbiddeth expresly ane Minister or Ecclesiasticall person upon paine of Excommunication to resaue any secular honor Concil Chalced Can 7. In like manner in the same Councel it is more particularly decided and precise ly decreed Concil Chalced. Can. 3. That no clarke or any bearing spirituall function should undergoe so much as the Tutership or curatrie of one Orphan Quhilk decree seameth to be very precise and strait against ane naturall duty and charity Yet the spirit of God hath directed the Councell be the light of the truth to keepe rightly the distinction that is betwixt Civil and Ecclesiasticall office and function holding fast the grounds of scripture afore alleadged And for this cause it is decreed in an other coū sell that a Bishope should only attend unto Prayer reading and preaching Concil Carth 4 cap 20. Thus much for overthrowing the first Horne of the Beast to witt Civilpower usurped by Prelates and Bishops c. Now let us assay the force strength of the Second Horne of spirituall power and Iurisdiction quhilk Prelates and Bishops following in this also the Antichrist usurp aboue the disposers of the mysteries of Christ Pastors Ministers and Teachers c and not over