and 6. 13. 14. 15. with 2 Tim. 2. 2. Act. 5. 29. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Mar. 8. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Esa. 51. 1â— 13 Luk 12. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. and 21. 12. 13. Psal. 2. 10. 11. 12. Rev. 12. 11. 17. and 14. 12. 15 That the Apoâ—ryphal books which have in them errours vntruths Blasphemy magick and contradiction to the Canonicall Scriptures may be vsed in the publik worship of God Which is contrary to 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Gal. 3. 15. Rev. 22. 18. d19 2. Pet. 1. 16. 19. 20. 21. 1 Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. Rom. 3. 2. with Deut. 4. 2. 5. 6. Pro 30 5. 6. Psal. 19. 7. 8. 9. 16 That there may be a prescript leiturgy and sett forme of service in the Church devised and imposed by maÌ„ for the worship of God Which doctrine is contrary to these Scriptures Esa. 29. 13. 14. Mat. 15. 9. Exod. 10. 4. 5. 6. Psal. 119. 21. 113. 128. Gal. 3. 15. Ephes. 4. 7. 8. 17 That the book of common prayer taken owt of the Popes porâ—uis is the true worship and service of God for his Church and people Which is contrary to Deut. 12. 30. 31. Rev. 14. 9. 10. 11. and 22. 18. 19. 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. Ier. 51. 26. Ioh 4. 23. 24. Mat. 15. 9. and 28. 20. 18 That one may read other mens words vpon a book and offer them vp to God as theyr own prayers and sacrifices Which doctrine is contrary to Rom. 8. 26. 27. 1. Pet. 2. 5. 1 Cor. 14. 15. 1 Sam. 1. 15. Psal. 66. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Esa 29. 13. 14. Rev. 8. 3. 4. 19 That the most wicked and theyr seed may be compelled and receyved to be members of the Church Which is contrary to Psal. 110. 3. Act. 2. 40. 41. 47. and 19. 9. Lev. 20. 26. Ezra 6 21. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 17. and 9. 13. Ioh. 15. 19. 20 That mariage may be forbidden at certayne seasons of the yeare as in lent Adveâ— Rogation week etc. which Doctrine is contrary to 1 Cor. 7. â— Heb. 13. 4. with 1 Tim. 4. 3. and Dan. 7. 25. 21 That mariage is an ecclesiasticalâ— not a civill action neyther lawfull except it be solemnized vp a Priest which is contrary to â—uth 4. 1. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Pro. 3. 17. Mal. 2. 14. Deut. 22. 23. 24. Hev 13. 4. Gen. 29. 21. 22. 2. Tim. 3. 16. 17. Deut. 12. 32. 22 That women may administer the Sacrament of Baptisme Which is contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 34. 35. 1 Tim. 2. â—2 Mat. 28. 18. 19. 20. Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 23 That Baptisme is to be administred with a crosse in the forehead aÌ„d that also as a symbolical signe which is contrary to Mat. 28. 18. 19. Reb. 14. 9. and 22. 18. Rom. 4. 〈◊〉 with 1 Cor. 2. 13. Exod. 20. 4. 5. 6. Psal. 119. 113. 128. 24 That the Lords super is to be administred with these words The body of our Lord Iesus Christ which was given for thee preserue thy body and soule etc That is with other words then those of Christs institution yea with such as are taken out of the Popes masse book Which is contrary to 1 Cor. 11. 23. 24. 5. Luk 22. 19. 20. Deut. 12. 30. 31. with 2. Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. 25 That the Sacrament of the Lords supper may be administred to one alone as to the sick man ready to dy etc. which is contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 16. 17. and 11. 33. Mat. 26. 26. 27. Act. 2. 42. and 20. 7. 26 That the Lords supper is to be receyved kneeling which is contrary to Mar. 14. 18. 22. 23. 1 Cor. 10. 21. and 11. 20. and 14. 40. Exod. 20. 4. 5. 1 Thes. 5. 22. 27 That though the open notorious obstinate offenders be partakers of the Sacraments yet neyther the Sacraments nor the people that ioyne with them are defiled thereby Which doctrine is contrary to 1 Cor. 10. 17. â—ag 2. 14. 15. 1 Cor. 5. 6. Eccles. 10. 1. Mat. 18. 8. 9. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. Exod. 12. 43. Ezra 6. 21. 22. Lam. 1. 10. Lev. 11. 24. and 13. 45. 46. and 15. 4. 5. 6. 7. 31. and 19. 7. Numb 5. 2. 3. and 19. 21. 22. Iosua 7. 11. 12. 28 That prayer is to be used over the dead at buriall Which is contrary to Exod. 20. 7. with Eccles. 11. 3. and Luk. 16. 26. Hos. 9. 4. Mat. 6. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 1 Ioh. 5. 14. Iam. 1. 6. with Rom. 14. 23. 29 That there may be holy dayes appoynted to the virgin mary to Iohn Baptist to the Apostles and all Saints and Angels together also with fasts on theyr tves on Ember dayes Frydayes Saterdayes and Lent Which doctrine is contrary to Exod. 20. 8. 9. 10. 11. Galat. 4. 10. 11. Col. 2. 16. 18. 21. 23. with 1. Tim 4. 1. 2. 3. Act. 20. 7. 1. Cor. 16. 1. 2. Rev 1. 10. and 19. 10. and 22. 18. 19. 30 That the coap surplice tippett rochet square cap and such like are meet and decent ornaments for the worship of God and ministery of the Gospell which is contrary to Esa. 30. 22. Exod. 20. 4. 5. Deut. 12. 30. 32. Psal. 119. 113. 128. 1 Tim. 3. 2. 31 That the oth ex officio in theyr ecclesiasticall courts making men sweare to accuse themselues etc. is lawfull and to be used which is contrary to Exod. 20. 7. Ier. 4. 2. Ioh. 18. 19 20. 21. 22. 23. with mat 26. 63. Act. 23. 35. and 24. 13. and 25. 16. Deut. 19. 15. These and divers other false doctrines do the lawes of theyr Church allow to be taught And if any among them teach otherwise they are subiect to be suspended excommunicated degraded deprived by theyr Lords the Prelates theyr Chauncelours and Officials And we because we teach and walk otherwise are haled to prisons and gallowes banished and rayled upon yea hated of all men for the truths sake Now as you see the lawes of theyr Church allow false doctrine to be taught so for theyr preaching also of the truth consider I pray you what themselues haue heretofore written of themselues In an admonition to the Parliament they say and write of theyr Church estate as followeth We are say they so scarce com to the outward face of a Church rightly reformed that although some truth be taught by some preachers yet no preacher may without great daunger of the lawes utter all the truth comprised in the book of God It is so circumscribed and wrapt within the compasse of such articles such penaltyes such Injunctious such advertissements such articles such canons such sober caveats and such manifold pamphlets that in maner it doth but peep out from behind the skreen The lawes of the land the book of common prayer the Queens Injunctious the Commissioners advertissements the Bishops canons Liâ—woods provincials every Bishops articles in his dioces my Lord of Canterburyes sober caveats his licences to preachers aÌ„d
his high court of prerogative or grave fatherly faculties these together or the worst of them as some of them be to bad may not be broken or offended against but with more daunger then to offend against the Bible To these subscribing and subscribing again and the third subscribing are required for these preachers and others are indited are fined are prisoned are excommunicated are banished and haue worse things threatned them And the Bible that must haue no further scope then by these it is assigned Is this to professe Gods word Is this a reformation He that could not abide straunge fyer in the old law but burnt them that used it what vvill he do to us in the nevv lavv that erect a nevv and straunge course or vvord to rule his Church by What did the Pope but so He did suffer Gods vvord to haue a course as far as it pleased him so that he might haue the vvhole authority aboue it So did the popish Church But vve say the vvord is aboue the Church Then suerly it is about the English Church and aboue all these books afore rehearsed If it be so vvhy are not they ouer-ruled by it and not it by them These are theyr own words and that in an admonition to the high court of parliament So as we holding our peace you may by this perceiue in what estate they stand by the lawes and present constitution of theyr Church But Mr. H. addeth moreover that they all professe Christ to be the onely lavv giver vnto the conscience Is this so in deed How is it then that Mathew Sutcliffe Deane of Exceâ—er a chief officer in theyr Church is not afrayd nor ashamed to publish in print that it soundeth harsh in Christian eaâ—es to call Christ a Lavvgiuer But to let him alone with his blasphemous contradiction to the Scriptures and Spirit of God let us consider a litle the profâ—ssion they make herein And first I aske what if the Papists professe as much Will such profession in word help any thing when in deed by theyr works they deny it Secondly let Mr H. remember that some of themselues affirme vvhiles they professe Christ to be a king and per submitt not to the lavves he hath prescribed in his vvord they make him an Idoll and putt a scepter of reed in his hand Thirdly do not they fynd fault with the Papists aÌ„d prove them to bend true Church though they professe in word that Christ is the king of his Church becouse in deed they obey not his lawes but have invented and use theyr own canons and constitutions for government of the Church Mark well theyr own words in a treatise lately published wherein they prove the Church of â—ome not to be the true Church by this reason following The Papists in vvord vvill not deny but Christ is a king vvhich hath all povver in heaven and in earth But in deed it appeareth they do exile and banish him out of his kingdome or at least leav him but a small portion or rather none at all For in respect that he is a spirituall king and the king of his Church he is also as Iames speaketh the onely lavvgiâ—er thereunto and therefore by his lavves onely the Church is to be governed Which they cannot abide For they adde their popish Canous constitutions and customes vvhereby they vvill haue the Church governed Yea they vvill haue these take place though they utterly displace the vvord of God for the maintenance of them These are theyr own words in that treatise Thus they reason against the Papists And is not this reason I pray you as strong against themselues and against theyr own Church Prelates and Clergy Yea are not theyr ecclesiasticall assemblyes daughters of the Church of â—ome in this behalf Or have theâ— more priviledge by theyr verball profession to be exâ—mpt from the obedience of Christ and his lawes then the Papists havâ— Lastly seing Mr H. saith they professe Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Let him in syncerity of heart as before God aunswer vs these few questions 1 Whether then obedience be not to be given to the Lord Iesus in whatsoever he hath commaunded and all his lawes and ordinances to be observed though all the Princes on earth should forbid it 2 Why then they abstayne from the observation of those Lawes and ordinances which themselves have taught and written to be appoynted by Iesus Christ to be kept vnblameable and without spott vntill his appearing yea though it be with the losse of wealth honour liberty and life it self 3 Whether the Lord Iesus the lawgiver of his Church have not set in his Church to continew to the end of the world the offices of Pastours Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers together with theyr entrance works and maintenance for the administration of his holy things 4 Whether the Offices of Archbishops Lord bisshops priests deacons vicars and the rest now had in England theyr maner of entrance into them theyr administration of them by theyr popish canons and book of common prayer theyr maintenance in them by tithes Lordships Chrismes offrings aÌ„d such like be appoynted by Christ that onely Lawgiver to his Church and in what places of his Testament 5 Whether being not prescribed by Christ but derived from and belonging to Antichrist any can eyther administer or joyne vnto them in that estate and yet in truth acknowledg Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience 6 Fynally whether they which abyde one with the world and false Church not separating themselves from them according to the commaundement of Christ which administer or receyv the word or Sacraments in or from a false ministery which how down vnto traditions and false worship devised and imposed by man which stand subiect to be silenced and excommunicated by the Prelates theyr Chauncelours and Archdeacons whether these I say can be said in truth to hold Christ to be the onely lawgiver to the conscience Or whether they receyv not the mark of the Beast and as yet stand subjects of his kingdome submitting to his Antichristian lawes and constitutions In the last place Mr. H. addeth that nothing among them is vrged to be done vpon payne of damnation but onely the word and law of God To which I aunswer first that if this were true yet it is not to the purpose seing many things among them contrary to the word of God are vrged to be done vpon payne of imprisonment confiscation of Goods and lands banishment death and such like Secondly I aunswer that they do require men to be subiect to theyr excommunication vpon payne of damnation as theyr own words in theyr writs of excommunication do show Now it is evident and confessed by the best of themselves that they have not Christs power to excommunicate but execute it contrary to the word of God by an Archdeacon or Lordly Prelate according to theyr
be judges The other is that he would a litle pawse and take view of that themselves have published towching theyr Priests heretofore for whom now he pleadeth As for example to give him a tast they write that theyr Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stypendaryes with the rest came from the Pope as out of the Trojane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome Also that the Church of God never knevv them but that they are the Prelates new creatures Yet see how now all of a sodepne Mr. H. would perswade us they are become Pastors those auncyent officers whâ—m Christ appoynted and the Apostles planted in the Primitive Churches of old Are these things sutable one with another Doth not theyr contradiction discover it self And do not themselves proclayme to the world theyr deceytfull dawbing theyr halting and vnfaythfulnes The Lord give them to lay it to hart and to amend Now to proceed it followeth in his writing thus ¶ Mr. H. his letter Section 8. Tâ—ll vs not then that the same name is given to our office as to the popish sacrificers Do you think the vvorse of your self because you are called Brovvâ—ists And shall the holy office and calling vvhich is so agreable to the vvord be misliked because it is called a Priesthood coâ—sidering that though it agree in name yet it differeth in nature and substaâ—ce as much from the popish priesthood as light doth from darknes Aunswer to Section 8. YEs sure we must tell them agayn and agayn that they are Priests both in name and office But be it that they were not Priests by office yet seing the very name of Priests being applyed to a Ministery of the Gospell among men is eyther a calling back of the Leviticall priesthoâ—d which were to deny Christ to be come in the flesh or els a monument and remembraÌ„ce of that priesthood of Antichrist which is odious to Christ and all good Christians with what conscience can they still retayne or plead for so vnchristian and abominable a name Have they forgotten or do they not regard that among the marks of that great whore the Romish Babylon this is one that she is full of names of blasphemy And among these names of hers is not this of Priest being spoken of an office of Ministery among men vnder the Gospell one of them that is most blasphemous for the reasons before alledged Hath not God also threatned that they shall drink of the cup of his wrath and have no rest day nor might not onely which worship the beast and his image but even whosoever receyveth the print of his name Let them therefore make as light account hereof as they please Yet dare not we but mislike and abhorre this and the rest of the Names of blaâ—phemy retayned among them And yet to we neyther do neyther need think the worse of our selves because we are called Brownists It is one thing to be rayled vpon and miscalled by the adversaryes of the truth another to borrow from them and retayne with them theyr names of blasphemy It is one thing to be reviled by nickâ—â—mes and sclaunders another to be called by fitt and proper names It is one thing to be falsely and vnjustly termed this or that another to be truly and justly so termed â—e are reviled and termed Brownists by the enemyes of the truth falsely and vnjustly therefore there is no cause why it should mâ—ve vs. The Apostles themselves and the Christians with them in the Prâ—â—itive Churches were likewise called a sect of Nazarites and every where spoken against And at this day by the sclaunderous papists are the names of Calvinists Lutherans Zwinglians and the like attributed to them that consent to the doctrine of truth taught by Calvin Luther Zwinglius etc. God knoweth we hold not this truth we professe of Brown or any man whatsoever but because it is the â—octrine and commaundement of Christ revealed in his word and given to his Church We blesse God for any instruments he vseth to manifest his truth to the world but we rejoyce not in men neyther theyr persons nor names We are baptized into the â—ame of Christ and are called Christians as were the Disciples in the Primitive Churches The slaundâ—rous names given to them in that age or to vs or any other Disciples of Christ in this or any other age we acknowledg not It is the malice and subtilty of Sathan and his instruments by such sclaunders and nicknames to make the truth and servants of God odious and abhorred of the world Therefore regard we 〈◊〉 not but with the Apostle we do freely confesse that after the way which they call Heresy so worship we God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ beleving all things that are written in the Law in the Prophets and Apostles and endevoring our selves to have alway a cleare conscience toward God and toward men Let men therefore call vs Brownists or what they please it troubleth not vs seing we are so termed vntruly and vnjustly But for theyr name of Priests it is far otherwise They are truly and justly so called and that for these causes following First for that the Law whereto Mr. H. appealeth for theyr defence alloweth no other orders of Ministery in the land but of Deacons which is the way to the priesthood and of Priests so made and ordeyned by the Prelates Secondly because at theyr ordination the Archdeacon presenting them to the Lordbishop vseth these words Reverend father I present these men vnto you to be admitted to the order of Priesthood Thirdly for that the Prelates by whom they are ordeyned admitt them to no other office For after the Archdeacon hath presented them as is aforesaid then the Prelate speaking to the people sayth thus Good people these be they whom we purpose God willing to receyve this day vnto the holy office of Priesthood Fourthly because theyr book of ordination both in the title of it and els where throughout the book showeth they receyv no other office And therefore calleâ—h and accounteth them priests As doth also theyr book of common prayer and theyr other books of Articles and Iniâ—â—ctions almost iâ— every page Lastly because the most popish priests whether they have ben so made hereâ—ofore in England in â— Maryes dayes or els be so made at Rhemes or Rome or any sucâ— place in these daâ—es yet if they renounce onely those poynts of popery that this land hath reiected are receyved and retayned for priests without any new ordination to administer in these asemblyes to offer vp theyr prayers to deliver theyr SacrmeÌ„ts to them to preach to enter vpon any benâ—fice in the land to enioy the commodityes thereof and to performe the dutyes therevnto belonging Proof hereof we have seen not onely in â— Mary priests so retayned from the begining of her Maiestyes raigne vnto this day but also in divers popish priests of this age as Tirell Tither Nichols
base a conceit of others who advise them better Secondly for yourself well may you think as we all ought that it is no disgrace vnto vs that our knowledg is imperfect and our judgment weak seing the Apostle saith even off himself as of all others now we know but in part and now we see through a glasse darkely Yet also would I desier Mr. H. remember and you to note it for your comfort that God so disposeth for his glory as euen the private members of the true Church yea women are found walking in the truth as we have receyved a commaundement from the Father when many deceyvers though men and in publick office are abroad in the world and false Church which confesse not in truth and in deed Iesus Christ come in the flesh that onely Prophett Priest and king whom God hath giuen to his Church forever Thirdly towching them whom God vsed as his instruments to draw you out off the bypaâ—â—s of these assemblyes into the way of truth wherein you now walk as you have iust cause to blesse God for them so I pray you also regard not so much who they be as what they say And in any case take heed that you never have the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons neyther of Princes nor prelates nor any other though otherwise learned rich or famous any maner way Neyther let the heat of the adversaryes persecution nor the coldnes of the tyme servers swallowing vp all the abominations yet abiding among them nor the love of this present world nor the colourable perswasion of any though never so dare vnto you neyther any other thing whatsoever ensnare you to be wrapped in like errour with them but remember alway as is here well noted vnto you that the written word of God onely is to be the rule of our Life and Religion Lastly concerning Mr. H. who wrote this letter vnto you as you shall do well to take it that he erreth of ignorance and not of malice etc. as he desireth to be taken so of him I would desier for the taking away of this vayle from his eyes that he do heedfully look into the perfitt law of liberty not onely the better to see the filthynes of theyr corruptions that he may avoyd them but to behold also what orders and offices Christ Iesus hath sett in his Church to keep and observ them To which end he shall do well himself to Consider that which here he hath sett down vnto you concerning the writteÌ„ word of God According to which if he shall examine the particulars of theyr Church-constitution of which more God willing hereafter I hope he will no more say in this case that as of syncerity as of God in the sight of God so writeth he of these things but will rather acknowledg that whosoever go about to bring colour out of the Scriptures for them they do therein no other but make marchandize of the word of God And therefore will eyther stay his talâ—â— and lay his hand on his mouth or if he speak will speak to his own soule aÌ„d say Wilt thou plead Antichrists cause or wilt thou save him If he be of Christ let him plead for himself against them that by the word of theyr testimony destroy his ordinaÌ„ces Thus much to the entrance of this letter The rest of it is spent in laboring to disprove the writing which it seemeth you gaue him in defence of your separation from the ministery of these assemblyes Which after he hath well propounded in forme of reasoning he then bringeth some show of answer therevnto and of defence of theyr Ministery Wherein although I might in few lynes shortly have noted the subtilty and vnsoundnes of his answers yet have I chosen rather to write somewhat largely both for your sake and his own and for others also into whose hands these writings may coâ—â— And this haue I thought to be the more needfull because he doth here so earnestly both protest the syncerity of his affection and make promise that nothing shalbe brought to perswade you but the word of God Now of the syncerity of his affection I make no doubt but do vertly thinck that he writeth and walketh as he is perswaded Onely where he promiseth and pretendeth to bring the word of God for the perswasion of your soule and performeth it not in deed and yet hath such obiections and pretence off Scripture and reason as greater in this case I thinck neyther have ben neyther can well be brought thereâ—ore have I thought it best for better clearing of the truth to prosecute his annswers from poynt to poyut And although it wil be the more tedious yet to take this course therein first to sett down in his own words his aunswers to the reason you gaue him and then to examine and take them away by the light of the Scriptures For your self it shalbe your part as he desireth you to lay apart all sinister affection and with meeknes to receyv the word of truth grafted in you and able to save your soule Consider therefore well what is said and the Lord give you vnderstanding in all things Now to proceed it followeth in his letter to you thus Mr. H. his letter Section 2. The summe of the vvhole vvriting you gaue me is a reason to prove the lavvfulnes of your separation from our assemblyes because vve have no such minissters as you may lavvfully ioyne vvhithall and for plainenes it may fitly be coÌ„cluded in this forme Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy things of God and worketh vpon the Consciences of men by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling him the people of God ought not to receyv or ioyne themselves vnto 2 Thes. 2. 4 10. But all the ministers that stand ouer the Church assemblyes in England deale with the holy things of God and work vpon mens consciences by vertue of an Antichristian power office calling Therefore the people of God ought not to receyv them or ioyne themselves vnto them The first part of this reason as I am not vnvvilling to yeeld vnto so do I affirme that the vvords of the Apostle vvritten 2. Thes. 2. 4. 10. are for the proof thereof vvâ—ested and perverted from the right sence For the Apostle there describeth Antichrist nor by his unlavvfull onâ—vvard calling or office that he should exercise in the Church but first by the false doctrine he should teach as appeareth plainely by the 10 and 11 verses and secondly by the authority he should vsurpe to give lavves vnto mens consciences and to rule in the harts of men as God as you may see in the 4. verse VVhich tvvo maâ—ks of Antichrist as they may evidently be discerned in the papacy so admitt all the outvvard calling and offices in the Church of England exercised vvere faulty and vnvvarrantable by the vvord yet you in your ovvn Conscience knovv that these marks
of Antichrist can not be found amongst the vvorst of our ministers For neyther do the lavves of our Church allovv any to teach false doctrine and vve all professe Christ to be the onely lavv giver to the conscience neyther is any thing amongst us vrged to be done vpon payne of damnation but onely the vvord and lavv of God Answer to the 2. Section MAyster H. sayth here he is not vnwilling to yeeld to the first part of the reason Yet afterward in his letter when he hath taken some exception agaynst the prooff off it contradicting himselff he hath these words And this I hope may be sufficient to show how vntrue that is which is affirmed in the first part of the reason c. Now to yeeld to the first part of the reason as being true and to hold that which is affirmed in it to be vntrue what are these but contradictary the one to the other But to let this passe because it may be I mistake his meaning or he forgott himselff I com to show that the words off the Apostle written 2. Thes. 2. 4. c. do fitly and directly proue the first part off the reason and therefore are not for the proof thereof wrested and perverted from the right sence as he taketh exception I prove it thus first If this Scripture teach that such as receyv or ioyne vnto Antichrist that man of sinne in his apostasy opposition and exaltation above all that is called God and that is holy that such I say shall perish because they receyv not the love off the truth but are caryed with a strong delusion to beleev lies and to please themselues in that transgression of the lawes and ordinances off God then it proueth that the people off God may not receyv or ioyne vnto any which deale with the holy things off God aÌ„d work vpon mens coÌ„sciences by vertue off any off that Antichrists power offices and callings because in so doyng they cannot but haue fellowship in that apostasy opposition and exaltation off Antichrist and thereby stand subiect to perish eternally forasmuch as they receyv not the loue off the truth but in a strong delusion please themselues in vntruth and vnrighteousnes even in Antichrists traÌ„sgression off the lawes and ordinances off Iesus Christ. But the former is true as may appeare by comparing together vers 3. 4. 7. 8. with vers 10. 11. 12. Therefore also the latter Next for proof hereoff let us marke how the Apostle describeth Antichrist in this Scripture Which we fynd to be by many mo effects and propertyes then Mr. H. hath noted and such also as do plainely show that this Scripture proveth the truth of the first part of the reason for which it is alledged 1. As first that Antichrist shall make Apostasy and departure from the faith and order off Iesus Christ prescribed to his Church Which whether he haue not done it in the offices of ministery in the entrance into them in the works and maintenance off them aswell as in other poynts off the faith and commaundements of Christ let the things themselues speak 2. Secondly that he shall be a man of sinne Where it is to be obserued that as the true Church of Christ is compared to the body of a man and together with Christ the head thereof is called by the name of Christ 1. Cor 12. 12. so the false Church of Antechrist is compared also to the body of a man and consisting of all the parts together is called a man of sinne even wholy given and caryed to sinne and transgression of the law of God Which as in other parts it is to be seen so also in the offices and functions of that body of Antechrist that man of sinne 3. Thirdly that he shall first work as it were in secrett â—n a mystery by little and litle gaynesaying and corrupting the â—aith and ordinances of Iesus Christ. 4. Fourthly that afterward when that which hindreth â—s taken away he shall then be manifested and at length exalted â—n his throne being in his ministery worship lawes and coÌ„â—titutions opposed against and lifted vp aboue the Lord Iesus â—nd his true faith servants ministery ordinaÌ„ces and all holy â—hings he hath given to his Church 5. Fiftly that he shall thus be exalted not without â—he Church among the heathen or Iewish infidels but in the â—osome of the Church amoÌ„g them that professe Christ so as he â—hall sit in the Temple of God preteÌ„ding that he is as God giving â—les aÌ„d lawes to the consciences of meÌ„ for the service of God 6. Sixtly that he shall be A lawles man who will not 〈◊〉 tyed to the lawes and ordinances off Iesus Christ but will â—spise and opyugne them and sett vp others off his own at â—s pleasure 7. Seventhly that Sathan shall set all his power and cunning as to erect and establish so also to vphold this throne and kingdome of Antichrist And that with such power and lying wonders as if it were possible the very elect should be deceyved 8. Moreover that notwithstanding all the power of Sathan auÌ„d the Apostasy subtilâ—y opposition exaltation and iniquity of the man of sinne yet at length he shall with all his offices and constitutions be vtterly consumed by the spirit and povver of Christ Iesus appearing in the brightnes of his Gospell before the last day Wherevpon also he is here called the sonne of perdition being by God foreappoynted to be destroyed and abolished 9. Finally that they which partake in his apostasy and iniquity shall justly perish because they receyv not the love of the truth to obey Iesus Christ that they might be saved but being strongly deluded beleev and please themselves in the lyes and vnrighteousnes of Antichrist vnto condemnation By all which it appeareth both how vnperfitly Mr. H. hath noted down the marks of Antichrist described in this place and that Antichrist is here described to haue vnlawfull callingâ— and offices For otherwise how should he stand in apostasy from the true callings and offices aswell as from the other ordinances appoynted by Iesus Christ how els should he stand so directly in opposition against and so proudly in exaltation aboue all that is called God and that is holy how should he els be said to be lavvles contemning and treading vnder foot the lawes and commaundements of Iesus Christ Yea how should he els deceyv the world so as he doth in all deceyveablenes of vnrighteousnes if he had not vnlawfull callings and offices wherein to teach and reigne over the people â—educed by him which yet they beleving lyes should count to be lawfull as they do even vnto this day But to let other reasons alone and to take the marks of Antichrist which Mr. H. hath himself here set down I would aske first how Antichrist shall teach his false doctrine which here Mr. H. noteth to be one marke whether in the
canons Wherevpon also to note it by the way it followeth that they are not a true Church of Christ. For Christs Church hath alwayes Christs power to excommunicate Whereas these assenblyes have no other power to excommunicate but by the Archdeacon or Lordbischop whose offices be Antichristian And herevpon it is that the more religious any is among them the more he contemneth theyr excommunication Which were a fearefull sinne if theyr Church were a true Church whose bynding on earth were such as bound also in heaven Thirdly I aunswer if theyr ministery and worship of God were according to the word aÌ„d law of God then ought all vpon payne of damnation to submit aÌ„d ioyne vnto it Now if they do not so vrge it themselves do thereby acknowledg that it is not of God If they do so â—rgeit then they vrge vpon payne of damnation that which is contrary to the word and law of God as hath ben and shall more be showed hereafter Now it followeth in his letter thus Mr. H. his letter Section 3. TO vvhich purpose also I besech you to consider that althoug there is not the least part of Christs ordinances that can be neglected vvithout grievous sinne yet the vvant or neglect of some of these ordinances of Christ vvhich concerne the discipline of his Church and the outvvard calling of the ministers is no such sinne as can make eyther the ministers and governours of our Church Antichrists or our Church an Antichristian and false Church And although divers corruptions remayne in our Church vvhich vvere derived to vs from the Papiâ—es the least vvhereof I vvill not take vpon me to defendt yet are they not of that nature that can make vs an Antichristian Church For first no one place of Scripture can be found vvherein he is called aâ— Antichrist or Antichristian vvho holding the truth of doctrine and professing those articles of religion that are fundameÌ„tall as you knovv vve do doth 〈◊〉 eyther in iudgment or practise from that rule that Christ hath given for the Discipline of his Church In the prophecy of Daniel Antichrist is described by his Doctrine Dan. 7. 8. 25. So is he in the epistle to the Thessalonians 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11. And in the epistle to Timothy 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3. And in the Epistles of Iohn 1 Ioh. 2. 22. and 4. 3. and 2 Ioh. 7. And in the book of Revelation chap 13. 5. 6. Neyther can you fynd any Antichrist mentioned in the Scripture vvhose doctrine vvas sound Our Saviour Christ calleth him a true Pastour and no hiâ—â—ling vvho leadeth the sheep in at the doore Ioh. 10. 2. that is vvho teacheth no other meanes of salvation but Christ onely vvho is the doore of the sheep Ioh. 10. 7. 9. He affirmeth also that vvhosoever beleveth in his heart and confesseth vvith his mouth that he is that Christ and Messiah promised is a true member of his Church and built vpon a rock against vvhich the gates of hell shall not prevaile If then the doctrine of our Church be sound vvhat vvarrant have you to callâ—s Antichrists If our pastours offer to lead you vnto salvation through no other doore then Christ hovy dare you that say you are Christs refuse to be guyded by them If our asseâ—blyes be built vpon that rock hovâ— can you deny them to be true Churches Aunswer to Section 3. IT is to be noted here first that Mr. H. denyeth not but they stand in grievous sinne by neglecting Christs ordinaÌ„ces secondly that he graunteth they retayne divers corruptions in theyr Church which were derived to them from the Papists How theyr case standing thus by his own confession how can he peswade you or any other to partake with them in such sinnes vnles he would have you also to receiv of theyr plagnes Agayn it is to be observed that â—r H. faith here he will not take vpon him to defend the least of theyr popish corruptions And yet doth cleane otherwise throughout this letter chiefly in his aunswer to the second part of the reason But to omitt this I would desier to have noted down in particular the corruptions remayning in theyr Church which he confesseth were derived to them from the Papists And then let it be iudged whether they be Antichristian Here also it is to be mynded that the ministery and constitution of theyr Church is not charged to be Antichristian because of this that they want or neglect some of Christs ordinances as here he may seem to insinuate but because they have and submitt vnto Antichrists as will appeare in the discussing of them In the meane tyme to omitt many other let him consider first that theyr forcing and confounding in the body of their Church all maner people though never so wicked to stand members thereof is meerly Antichristian and directly contrary to the order of Iesus Christ who hath commanded his people to separate willingly from the world and all false wayes Secondly that the offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons and theyr Officials in whom resteth the chief ecclesiasticall power among them are also Antichristian and were never sett by Christ in his Church Thirdly that the offices of the Priests Deacons Dicars sâ—ipendaryes and the rest of the inferiour ministery among them theyr entrance also into theyr offices theyr administration of them and maintenance in them are not found in the Testament of Christ nor in the Primitive Churches planted by the Apostles but derived from and belonging to the apostaâ—y of Antichrist and found in his popish pontifiâ—all and assemblyes even vnto this day Next towching theyr profession he speaketh of I aunswer first that the verball profession of the articles of religion that are fundamentall will no more help them then it doth the Papists who do also verbally and daily repeat and professe in generall the articles of faith called the Apostles treed and the Creed of Athanasius of Nice and Calcedon wherein are briefly and generally conteyned the fudamentall poynts of Christian religion But what avayleth this eyther the one or the other when otherwise in particular all of them in practise and some in judgment deny Christ to be that eternall Prophet Priest and king of his Church howsoeuer in word and generall they both do professe it Secondly I aunswer that the very strength of delusion aÌ„d depth of the subtilty of Antichrist by which he deceyveth staÌ„deth in this that he pretendeth to be for aÌ„d with Christ aÌ„d teacheth many exceleÌ„t truths otherwise he would soone be espyed and forsaken whereas now it is a mystery as the Scripture saith hardly discerned and hardlyer avoyded Hereupon it is that among the Papists so many of them are deluded whiâ—â—â— the Pope professeth he is not against Christ but for him even his vicaâ— and Peters successor that his Church is the Catholik Church out of which there is no salvation and such like And among these in England likewise whiles theyr
ministers pretend to be the ministers of Christ and professe to bring his Gospell with them when as in deed they revile and persecute the true and syâ—cexe practise of it even vnto death Thirdly I aske whether the ministery worship and government appoynted by Christ for his Church vnder the gospell be not asmuch of the foundation as the ministery worship and government appoynted by Moses for the tyme of the law And if they be whether they are not as faithfully sett down by Christ as the other were by Moses and as carefully to be observed by vs as the other were by the Iewes or rather much more in asmuch as Christ the Sonne is worâ—â—â—y of more glory and honour then Moses the servant Fourthly I aske what fundamentall articles of religion Moses and Aar on with the rest of the Iewes ioyning with them held that Corah Dathan Abiramâ— and theyr company held not differing onely from them concerning the office of Priesthood and Ministery thereof a matter of the Discipline as these menâ—call it Yet were they with all that departed not from theyr tents destroyed by the iust iudgment of God The like may be seen in other poynts of the Discipline of the Church in the examples of Nadab and Abihu of â—zziah the priest and of â—zziah the king Which examples of all sorts are written for our learning that people of all estates might know and remember that to obey the temmaundements of God in whatsoever thing he hath enioyned is better then sacrifice and to hearâ—en better then the faâ—â— of rammes whereas disobedience and rebellion against the commaundements of God is as the sinne of witchcraft vnder what pretence soever it be and transgression is wickednes and Idolatry how lightly soever men account thereof Fifthly whereas Mr H. saith there is no Antichrist whose Doctrine is sound I willingly graunt it and have already showed their case to be such Yet with all I wish Mr H. to marke that even Antichrist that man of â—inne professeth many notable truths and foundamentall articles of religion as that there is a God one in essence three in persons the Father Sonne and holy Ghost that Christ is God and Man Prophet Priest and king of his Church that the holy Ghost is present with the Church of Christ to the end of the world that there shall be a resurectioÌ„ of iust and vniust etc. And yet notwithstanding standeth he with all his followers in defection from the truth and obedience of Christ even to destruction By all which is manifest that the verball profession helpeth litle when men in practise and particulars deny that which inword in generall they 〈◊〉 to hold and thereby deâ—â—ive the world as if they held the truth when indeed they fight against it Finally therefore on the one hand vnderstanding by the Discipline of the Church as we ought the auncyent and holy order and ordinances which Christ Iesus by his last Testament hath given to his Church for the administration of his holy things and for the keeping of his people in the obedience of faith and considering on the other hand that Antichrist hath perverted that holy order and made apostasy from those holy lawes advauncing himself and his own constitutions above them and that also in the ministery worship and government of the Church aswell as in other parts thereof it doth and must needs follow herevpon that whosoever do not onely not keep that holy order and appointement of Christ but also bow down to the confusion and false Ministery of Antichrist they stand in Antichrian estate notwithstanding any truths they teach professe or mainteyne So as then the Ministery of the Church of England being never ordeyned by Christ but derived from Antichrist that man of 〈◊〉 it helps them not in this behalf that they teach and receiv much truth therein as we see it helpeth not the papists that theyr priests teach there is a God a Christ an holy Spirit Church a resurrection and many other fundamentall 〈◊〉 of Christian religion as before hath ben said But now let vs come to examine whether in the Scriptures here alledged by Mr H. Antichrist be not described to be against Iesus Christ even in that which they call the discipline of the Church as in other things also agreing to them in theyr estate The first Scripture he alledgeth is out of the prophecy of Daniel The words are these I considered the hornes and behold another home a litle one came vp among them and three of the first hornes were pluckt away before it And loe eyes like the eyes of a man were in that home and a mouth speaking presumptuous things Dan. 7. 8. And he shall speak words against the most High and consume the Saints of the most High and think to alter the tymes and law and they shalbe given into his hand for a tyme and tymes and half a tyme Dan. 7. 25. Now although this Scripture seem first to be vnderstood of Antiochus Epâ—hanes and of his pride and tyranny against the truth and people of God yet may it also fiâ—ly be applyed further and compared with the description of the beast in the RevelatioÌ„ and so with the Antichristian prelacy and priâ—â—â—hood from tyme to tyme. For to omitt other things that might here be observed and to note onely such things as art most evident we see here that horne of the beast described to have eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth speaking presumtuous things Even so the ministers of Antichrist who will needs be the eyes of the people and light of the world pretend to be the ministers of Christ and not that onely but haue also aswell as that horne a mouth speaking presumptuous things even against the most High See it in these particulars following and such like which are rise among them that the true ministery and syncere practise of the Gospell of Christ is schisme heresy fancy rebellion insurrection sedition subversion of the State and what not that Christ the Sonne hath ben lesse faithfull then Moses the servant in setting down any prescript ministery and order for the Church vnder the Gospell perpetually to be kept that Christ who hath all power iâ— heaven and in â—arth is not to be submitted vnto in that ministery order and discipline which he hath given to his Church if Princes on earth forbid or refuse to establish it that the ministery of Antichrist is to be receyved and ioyned vnto being appointed by Christian Princes for the service of God that it is lawfull for others to be Archbishops and Lordbishops over the Church and ministers of the Gospell besides Iesus Christ that a priesthood a stinted number of words and prayers tithes and such like are appointed for the ministery of the Gospell of Christ that Christ shall not reigne over them by his offices and ordinances prescribed in his word that Christ in his soule went down into hell
this is the Antichrist which denyeth the Father and the Sonne 1 Ioâ— 2. 23. By this shall ye know the Spirit of God Every spirit that confesseth Iesus Christ come in the flesh is of God And every spirit which confesseth not Iesus Christ come in the flesh is not of God but this is the spirit of Antichrist 1. Ioh 4. 2. 3. Many deceyvers are entred into the world vvhich confesse not Iesus Christ come in the flesh He that is such one is a deceyveâ— and an Antichrist 2. Ioh. 7. HEre in few words is comprised a most notable direction how to know Antichrist and declared also by the contrary in the fourth chapter as is here noted down Where the Apostle teacheth vs to trye and know the spirits of all men by the confession they make concerning Christ to witt by theyr acknowledging or derogating from his person or office For vnto these two heads he bringeth the whole matter the one concerning the person the other concerning the office of the Lord Iesus Towching his person that he is God and Man in one and the same person His Godhead he noteth out in these words Iesus Christ is come to witt the Sonne of God from heaven his manhood in those words in the flesh the vniting and knitting together of these two natures in one person when speaking of one and the same Iesus Christ he saith he is come in the flesh Towching his office that this Iesus is the CHRIST that is the annoynted of God that should come into the vvorld to be the onely and sufficient Mediator betwixt God and man Now as in the tyme of the law they were woont to annoynt the Prophets Priests and kings so these being but types of the Lord Iesus here spoken of the Apostle would teachus the he is in deed and so is to be acknowledged the annointed of God with the oyle of gladnes above his fellowes even with the Spirit of God without measure being called and consecrated by the Father to be the onely eternall Prophet Priest and king vnto and for his Church This have I shortly noted for the better vnderstanding of these Scriptures and deciding of the controversy between vs and these assemblyes And this to be the true meaning of these Scriptures appeareth not onely by the Argument and circumstances of the places themselues but also by the conference of other Scriptures here quoted in the margent and infinite such like in the Book of God Now before I proceed to any further application of them let me here again call to powr mynd that which hath before ben noted that even the Papists themselves whom these men acknowledg to be of Antichrist affirme in generall words and will dy in it against the Iewes and Turks that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh the Prophet Priest and king of his Church Yet will not Mr. H. or any of good knowledg say to the contrary but the Papists notwithstanding are by these Scriptures convinced to be of Antichrist because that although they professe thus much in generall termes yet when as theyr estate and practise is examined by the Scriptures in particular they are found to professe that in word which in truth and in deed they do not acknowledg And why then may not we so reason from these Scriptures agaynst these assemblyes which in theyr constitution and practise do likewise in deed deny that in particular which in generall they do professe concerning Christs prophecy priesthood and Kingdome Mr. Beza in his notes vpon these Scriptures sayth thus The Apostle here giveth a sure and perpetuall rule to discerne Antichrists and Antichristian Doctrine by to vvitt if the diuine or humane nature of Christ or the true vnitiug of them together be denyed or if never so litle be derogated from the office of that our everlasting high Priest Prophet and King Math this well Thus doth Mr. Beza vnderstand these Scriptures and thus he gathereth from them as you may see in his notes vpon the new Testament which are printed in English And these Scriptures themselues we see do not poynt at the Papists alone as if they onely were culpable herein but they concerne all others whosoever they be that come within compasse of these rules Now to show in particulars how the Papists offend in this behalf denying that in deed concerning Christ which in word they do acknowledg is altogether needles at this tyme it being graunted on both parts I meane both of vs and of them which yet stand in these assemblyes It shalbe sufficient therefore to show that these assemblyes of England as now they stand do not in this theyr constitution of Church ministery worship and order receyv and obey Iesus Christ in his own ordinance as theyr Prophet Priest and King And therefore howsoever in word generally they professe yet in truth do not in this theyr constitution acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh And consequently by the rule and sentence of the Apostle in these Scriptures are not of God but of Antichrist First therefore concerning Christs Prophecey that they do not receyv and hearken vnto him in his own ordinaÌ„ce as their Prophett is to lamentably evident by this that they do not receyv and submitt vnto that ecclesiasticall order ministery and government which Christ Iesus that Prophet of his Church hath revealed from God the Father in his word and prescribed to his Church to be kept to the end of the world This I show two wayes First by theyr Church constitution then by theyr own confession The present constitutioÌ„ of their Church assemblyes throughout the land is such as they stand every one of them subâ—ect to the ministery and government of another Archbishop and Lord bishop then Iesus Christ of an Archdeacon and a parson vitar or stipendery being eyther priest or deacon so maâ—â— by the Prelates also to their devised â—â—â—ted book worship and administration to theyr ceclesiasticall courts canons excommunications absolutions and such other theyr procedings Which are not onely not found in the Testament of Christ appoynted by that Prophet but were derived from Antichrist that lyar and deceyver of the world Theyr confession is manifest in theyr books and writings wherein they have published to the view of the world 〈◊〉 there is no certayne and perfitt kind of government prescribed in the Scriptures to the Church of Christ vvhich must oâ— necessity be perpetually obserued Agayne that the exteâ—â—â— government of the Church vnder a Christian magistrate must be according to the kind and forme of the government vsed in thâ— common vvealth Moreover that the Apostles neyther 〈◊〉 vvriting nor practise did ever establish an vniformity of extemaâ— Church discipline and that perpetually to hold This they â—â—te and thus they walk Which is directly contrary to the 〈◊〉 fice of Christs Prophecey and highly derogatory to his faitâ—full performance thereof As is evident by these Scriptuâ—â— compared together Deut.
communicated onely to such as far as men can â—udge by theyr outward profession to whom Christ himself belongeth among vs the holy Sacraments are communicated with the Papists the holy mysteryes of God profaned the Gentiles enter into the Temple of God the holy things are indiffereÌ„tly communicated with cleane aÌ„d vncleane circumcised and vncircvmcised And as another among them sticketh not to affirme and mainteyne that now the Church is full of drunkerds whooremougers Idolaters superstitious persons papists Atheists and such like This is theyr own confession besides theyr estate concerning the first Towching the second that is Christs Intercession with the father they profane it likewise two wayes first by retaining a priesthood as an office of ministery to offer by theyr publick prayers and other service vnto God which now can be nothing els but eyther a continuing of the Iewish priesthood abolished by Christ who enduring for ever 〈◊〉 a priesthood that can not passe from one to another or els a retayning of the popish priesthood devised by Antichrist Of which sort indeed it is as hereafter will appeare aÌ„d as theÌ„selves have heretofore writteÌ„ aÌ„d acknowleged Neyther will it any white make for them that now all the faithfull are by Christ made Priests to offer vp spirituall sacrifices vnto God For eveÌ„ by this it appeareth that now the ministery aÌ„d priesthood differ betweeÌ„ themselves the one to witt the priesthood being commoÌ„ to all the faithfull the other that is the ministery being proper to such as are according to the word of God sett apart therevnto The second way whereby they profane Christ his Intercession is by offring vp in Christs name aÌ„d mediatioÌ„ their devised stinted popish worship aÌ„d ministratioÌ„ Which being never appoynted by Christ but devised by man is abominatioÌ„ vnto God whereas on the contrary Iesus Christ that everlasting Priest maketh his people an holy prâ—esthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable vnto God through himself This also have the forward preachers and people among them heretofore avowched affirming to the Parliament that their book of Common prayer wherein theyr publik worship aÌ„d ministration is set down is culled aÌ„d picked out of that popish dunghill the masse book full of abominations Yet do they still offer it vp to God in the mediation of Christ as is manifest both by the book it self and in theyr continuall practise And thus have we seen with what iâ—piety they carry themselves also towching the Priesthood of Iesus Christ. Lasily concerning his kingdome howsoever they speak of the guydance of his Spirit yet in deed and in truth they refuse to be subiect to him as Lord and King of his Church And this they manifest to all men in that they refuse to submite to the offices lawes and order of government which he as Lord and king of his Church hath appoyâ—ted therevnto and not that onely but do also subiect themselves to the ministery disorder and constitutions which Antichrist that sonne of perdition hath invented and brought into the false Church The proof hereof is evident first in theyr constitutions and practise then by theyr own confession and writings Concerning both which first I refer you to that which was said before towching Christs Prâ—phery as also to that which is spoken of this matter every where throughout this treaâ—ise And then I pray you consider both the Scriptures quoted in the margent and these sayings of theyrs in theyr own writings which directly concerne the poynt we have in hand and see if they witnes not as much themselves as they are charged withall by vs. On the one hand thus they write that they must eyther confesse that Christ hath left vs an order to live by or els spoyle him of his Kingly office That Christ the King and governour of his Church must rule it by his oâ—n offices and by his own lawes till his comming at the last day That Christ is a king who hath prescribed lawes vnto his Church for the government of the same and will have them tyed to no other neyther to disobey them which he hath sett down Yet on the other hand as towching theyr 〈◊〉 estate they write thus of themselves That theyr worâ—â— and works are divorced That they do not in deed obey his precepts and lawes whom in words they acknowledg to be theyr King That they do not onely want the offices appoynted by Christ to witt Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Attenders vpon the poore but also remayne in and vnder the confusions and Antichristian offices of Archbishops Bishops Dâ—anes Archdeacons Deacons Chauncelours Commissaryes Officials vvhich be rather members and parts of the whore and strumpett of Rome then of the pure virgin and spouse of the immaculate Lamb That the government of theyr Church is not taken out of Gods word but out of the Canon lavves and decrees of Popes Finally that they reiect Christs yoke and retayne that popish hierarchy first coyned in the midst of the mystery of iniquity and that filthy sinke of the Canon law vvhich vvas invented and patched together for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichrist Wherein as great indignity is offred vnto Iesus Christ in committing his Church vnto the government of the same as caÌ„ be by meane vnderlings vnto a king in committing his beloved spouse vnto the direction of the Mistres of the Stevves and enforcing her to live after the orders of a brothel hovvse These are their own sayings And therefore even by theyr own confession it is to true among them in this respect which one of themselves said that turning out the orders vvhich Christ hath prescribed in his vvord for the ruling of his Church they give him the title of a King but deny him the authority belonging to the same and so in truth make him an Idoll making him to carry a shovv of that he is not and vvith the crucifyers of him putting a reed in his hand in stead of his yron rod and crovvning him vvith thorneâ— in stead of the crovvn of greatest glory Thus have we showed that in theyr constitution of Christ ministery worship and government they do not receyv and â—bey Iesus Christ in his own ordinance as theyr Prophet Priest and king And therefore as they say of the papists so let them look it be not verifyed of themselves in this respect that howsoever in words generally they professe yet in deed and verity they do not acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh that Prophet Priest and king of the Church and consequently by the rule and judgment of the Apostle sett down in the Scriptures here alledged by â—r H. are in this behalf not of God but of Antichrist The next Scripture Mr H. citeth is from the book of RebelatioÌ„ The words be these speaking of the beast here described There was given vnto him a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemyes and power was given vnto him to do two and fourty moneths And he opened his mouth vnto blasphemy against God to blaspheme his Name and his tabernacle and them that dwell in heaven Rev. 13. 5. 6. This book of the Revelation whosoever readeth over with a single heart and compareth with it the event of things partly come to passe already partly morefully yet to be accomplished considering on the one hand that the whore of Babilon hath made all nations of the earth drunk with the cup of her fornications that she hath already begun to fall and daily more and more inclyneth to her full desolation and destruction which yet can never wholy be accomplished so long as the Babylonish offices of Archbisâ—hops Lordbishops Archdeacons and the rest with theyr courts canons worship and procedings do continew And on the other hand that the Lord Iesus will by the light aÌ„d power of his gospell condemne and abolish that Babiloâ—ish whore with all her false offices and constitutions and will also raigne in his Church by his own offices and lawes with his crown of glory vpon his head aÌ„d his scepter of righteousnes in his haÌ„d vntill he give vp the kingdome to God even the Father that God may be all in all Who so I say readeth this book and considereth these and such like prophecyes therein coÌ„teyned in part already fulfilled and yet morefully to be effected shall playnely see that this book of all other most playnely deciphâ—reth and condemneth the Babylonish Antichristian estate and constitution of these assemblyes as they now stand vnder this Prelaâ—y and other false ministery of the land Now in particular for the place of this book here alledged that it likewise is verisfyd of theyr ecclesiâ—sticall estate aÌ„d dealings at this day as heretofore it hath beÌ„ in the Romane Empire and Apostasy elswhere may sufficiently be seen by that which hath before ben said towching Daniels like prophetyes where you may perceyv by the spâ—rialtyes there expressed how these men in theyr estate at this day have a mouth that speaketh great things and blasphemyes against God to blaspheme his name in speaking yll of his truth and ordinances and his Tabernacle that is his Church which is the house of the living God aÌ„d Tabernacle wherein he dwelleth among the sonnes of men on earth and them that dvvell in heaven that is the Lords secret ones whose conversation is in heaven whiles they live here on earth keeping the â—â—mmaundements of God and having the testimony of Iesus Christ whom they look for from the heaveÌ„s for theyr full redemptioÌ„ But these things being before in the handling of Daniels prophery declared in many particulars it shall not be needfull here agayn to repeat them Onely in this place it shall be good to note this moreover that in this chapter and book Mr. H. might have sett down many other places describing the propertyes of Antichrist and that not onely in regard of his doctrine and deceit thereof but also in respect of his tolourable pretence to be of Christ and for him yet forcing all people to stand subiect to his own adulterate discipline ordinances and jurisdiction To which end it is to be observed that Antichrist is here described to have two hornes like the lambe pretending his ministery and authority to be of Christ â—nd for him but yet shall speak like the dragon in his false doctrines imposed traditions blaspheming the truth reviling the witnesses thereof and advauncing himself and his own inventions above God and his commaundemeÌ„ts Moreover that he shall make all both small and great rich and poore bond and free to take his mark in theyr forehead aÌ„d haÌ„d and so to submitt to his ministery leiturgy courts excommunitations and the rest of the actions of his vsurped authority Or els killeth banisheth aÌ„d imprisoneth all such as refuse so to do not suffring them eyther to enioy any liberty oâ—priviledg in the world or to performe any worship to God but according to his own in ventions aÌ„d apostasy Which hâ—w true they arâ— of the Prelacy and other Clergy of these assenblpes let theyr estate and daily actions be witnesses Hitherto also might be referred other scriptures of this book verifyed in them likewise for example that as the 〈◊〉 spoken of in the ninth of this book were like vnto horses prepared to battayle having on theyr heads crownes like vnto gold and faces like men and haire as womeÌ„ and teeth as lyons aÌ„d habergions of yron and tayles as scorpions with stings in them having power to hurt for a season so the Prelates aÌ„d other Clergy of Antichrist are fâ—erce as horses to fight against the truth and people of God having rule and dominion with Lordly titles and princely dignities in outward face aÌ„d show pretending to be the Ministers of Christ and his Church but in deed being deceitfull entising and lascivious as harlots and ravenous cruell poysonfull and singing as Lyons and scorpions having powr to hurt and deceyue for a season albeyt their 〈◊〉 aÌ„d malice be limited aÌ„d repressed by the providence and power of the most High Agayne that as those locusts with mens faces were all of them vnder AbaddoÌ„ their King the Angel of the bottomles pitt so the Prelates and other Clergy of Antichrist howsoever they pretend to be the Ministers of righteousnes are in deed the subjects of Sathan the Prince of darâ—nes who yet transformeth himself into an Angell of light Moreover that they as well as other people and nations of the earth haue committed fornication vvith that vvhore of Babylon spoken of in this book and haue receyued of her names of blasphemy such as be the names of Archbishops and Lord bisshops and Priests when it is ascribed to an office of Ministery of the Gospell and haue drunk of her golden cupfull of abominations whence haue proceeded theyr Ministery book of common prayer book of ordering Priests and consecrating Archbishops and Bishops excommunications by Archdeacons and Lordbishops theyr courts of facultyes Commissary courts and such like among them and finaâ—â— have ben made drunken vvith the blood of the Saints and vvith the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus So as these assemblyes in theyr ecclesiasticall constitutioÌ„ and procedings have showed themselves to be the naturall daughters of Babylon that mother of vvhoredomes and abominations of the earth howsoever as a Mystery it ly much hid and is not easily espyed vnleâ— Christ Iesus annoynt ovvreyes vvith ey salue that we may perceyv it and carry us forth as it vvere into the vvildernes in the Spirit to take a view of it by the light of his word aÌ„d not as it maketh show aÌ„d is esteemed among men in the world And thus much of this place aÌ„d book of the RevelatioÌ„ here alledgeâ— Now before Mr. H. cometh to any other Scriptures 〈◊〉 this conclusion of the former that
but Christ onely who is the doore of the sheep whether such a one I say were therefore to be reputed a Pastour and minister of Christ lawfully sett in that office I am assured Mr H. will not say it For that were both to give allowance of intrusion which Christ â—ondemneth and to open a doore to the annihilating of that order with Christ hath appoynted his Church for the entrante into his ministery And now if such a one were not therefore to be accounted in such office of ministery much lesse will such teaching approve him that standeth in an Antichristian office to be a Pastor or Minister of Iesus Christ. It may also further be observed that Christ in this Scripture speaketh of such as be shepeards of sheep and therefore that it helpeth not the ministers of these assemblies who commonly stand heards of swyne theyr Church being an hold of all foule spirits and a cage of every vncleane and hatefull bird Besides that they all even the most religious among them so long as they continew members of that Church stand subiect to theyr ecclesiasticall courts officers canons worship and the rest of theyr abominations and therefore as yet in that respect can not be accounted the sheep of Christ hearing his voyce and obeying his precepts The next and last Scripture here alledged is out of the 16. of Mathew Where Christ as king his Disciples whom they said he was Peter aunswered Thou art the Christ the Sonne of the living God Wherevpon Christ said agayn I say vnto thee that thou art Peter and vpon this rocke will I build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevayle against it Mat. 16. 18. Here we are taught vpon what rock the true Church and lively members thereof are built to witt vpon this confession that Iesus is the Christ the Sonne of the living God Now here we are to remember that Christ is described both by his person and office Of which I have spoken before at large vpon like occasion concerning the testimonyes alledged out of the Epistles of Iohn To which therefore I refer you not purposing here agayn to make repetition thereof Onely thus much concerning this Scripture I will further note that as we learned out of Ieâ—us epistles to discerne the Spirit of GOD from the spirit of Antichrist so here we are taught how to know the true Church of God and so to discerâ—e it from the false Synagogues of Antichrist that is by considering whether it be built vpon the rock Iesus Christ that Propher Priest and king of his Church For as the Apostle saith other foundation can no man lay then that vvhich is layd vvhich is Iesus Christ. But as before we showed so here we are to remember that a verball and generall profession of Christ in word being denyed in practise will not avayle to make eyther the popish or these assemblyes the true Churches of God and not the apostate Synagogues of the man of sinne The Apostle Peter to whom with the other disciples this was spoken although in the maner of speach Christ alluded to Peters name as signifying a stone or rock he laying this foundation in the Churches which he planted Iesus Christ that chief corner stone elect and precious doth thus further apply it vnto them saying Vnto you which beleev it is precious but vnto them that be disobedient the stone which the builders disallowed the same is become the head of the corner and a stone to stumble at and a rock of offence even to them which stumble at the word being disobedient Where he plainely teacheth it is the obedience of faith which is required of all such as are truly baylt vpon this rock and corner stone Iesus Christ. And this hath Christ himself also taught vs when he likeâ—ed him that heareth his words and doth them vnto a wise man which hath built his house on a rock against which the rayne and floods and wynds prevayle not to cast it 〈◊〉 and him that heareth his words and doth them not vnto a foolish man which hath built his house vpon the sand against which the rayne and floods easily prevayle to beat it down So in like maner we are to know for the question in hand that the true Church of CHrist is as a wise woman and faithfull wife which hearkning to the voyce of her husband yeeldeth obedience vnto him and as an house built vpon the rock against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevayle Whereas the false Church of Antichrist is as the foolish woman and harlott which howsoever she pretend to heare the voyce of Christ yet in deed followeth the lust of her own eyes and goeth a whoring after her own inventions yea and pretending onely the name of Christ but in deed not receyving him as her Prophet Priest and king is as an house built vpon the sand which the breath of Christs mouth and wynd of his judgments will in the end consume and scatter abroad as the dust It is not then a verball profession in generall that will serve where an actuall denyall in practise is ioyned withall But the true Church which is built vpon the rock doth in deed and truth obey the Lord Iesus acknowledging him to be such as he is revealed vnto vs in the word of God This the Apostle Paul likewise teacheth vs when he saith the Church is built vpon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Iesus Christ himself being the head corner stone Wherein he giveth vs to learne that that is in deed the true Church which is so built vpon Iesus Christ as the Apostles and Prophets have layd him for the foundation and head stone in the corner that is have taught him to be the Sonne of God come in the flesh the Prophett Priest and king of his Church for ever Which forasmuch as these together with the popish assemblyes do not in deed and verity acknowledg howsoever in words generally they professe as hath before at large ben proâ—ed it therefore followeth that in this estate they cannot be esteemed truly built vpon the rock Iesus Christ and therefore cannot be counted the true Churches of God whiles we try them by the rules given vs by the Prophets and Apostles and by Christ Iesus himselfe And thus have I showed the severall Scriptures here â—iâ—ed by Mr H. to be so many witnesses against themselves Thus also have we seen both their doctrine to be vnsound and theyr ministery and Church constitution to be such as was never appoynted by Christ but derived from Antichrist And therefore by none to be continued in but of all to be separated from and that vpon payne of everlasting condemnation For so hath the Scripture testifyed Hitherto of Mr H. his first exception Now his second followeth in these words ¶ M r. H. his letter Section 4. SEcondly vve are able to prove that greater corruptions haue ben
out of the RevelatioÌ„ Which because they are of one sort towching the question in hand therefore will I speak of them together The words be these first in the epistle to the Corinthians where the Apostle reproving theyr abuses about the Lords supper saith thus vnto them Every one when they should eat taketh his ovvn supper afore and one is hungry and another drunken Have ye not houses to eat and drink in despiâ—e ye the Church of God and shame them that have not What shall I say to you shall I prayse you in this I prayse not 1 Cor. 11. 21. 22. And agayne to the â—orinthians among whom some denyed the resurrection of the body thinking that the soule onely should live for ever in the world to come the Apostle writeth thus concerning that matter in the place alledged If Christ be preached that he is risen from the dead hovv say some among you that there is not a resurrection of the dead 1. Cor. 15. 12. And in the second of the Revelation first to the Angell of the Church of Pergainus Christ thus writeth I have against thee a fevv things because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam vvhich taught Balac to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel that they should eat of the things sacrificed to Idols and commit fornication So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans vvhich thing I hare Rev. 2. 14. 15. Then to the Angell of the Church of Thyatira thus he saith I have against thee a fevv things that thou suffrest the vvoman Iezabel vvhich calleth herself a Propheresse to teach and to deceyve my servants that they should committ fornication and eat of the things sacrificed to Idols And I gave her tyme that she should repent of her fornication but she repented not Rev. 2. 20. 21. These Scriptures show errors and corruptions in such Churches as were planted in the faith and order of Christ. Which nothing helpeth to mainteyne the Antichristian â—state of these â—ssemblyes as is before declared at large in the generall aunswer concerning all these testimonyes We neuer doubted but the best Churches on earth have fallen and still are subiect to fall into corruptions and transgressions of the Law of God And how can it be otherwise when as they consist of sinfull and mortall men who both know but in part and in the knowledg we have walk with much weaknes aÌ„d imperfection But what is this to iustify Antichrists apostasy or to encourage any to partake in his sinnes We must alway remember that as it is one thing when a true Christian is overtaken with a sinne and another when such as pretend to be Christians live as the heathen and sell themselves to work wickednes so also towching a Church it is one thing wheÌ„ a people are setled in the order of Christ but through weaknes fall into divers enormityes and another when a people stand in the defection of Antichrist aÌ„d receyve the print of his ordinances in theyr hands and foreheads Eyther therefore must they prove the constitution of theyr Church to be of Christ and not Antichristian or els these examples in theyr estate will give them no succour at all For it will nothing avayle BabyloÌ„ or such as commâ—â— fornicatioÌ„ with her to show that Zion hath her breaches or her children theyr infirmityes SecoÌ„dly in these Scriptures is to be mynded that but some of the Corinthians and some of them of Pergamus and Thyatira were infected with the errors and corruptions here recorded and not the whole Churches generally And this is the lot and tryall of the Church of God in all ages that unto it do creep men of corrupt mynds who vnder a show of holynes often breed schismes and errors in the Church and in theyr lives turâ—â—e the grace of God into waÌ„tonnes through hypocrisy Thus it pleaseth God to try and exercise his Church from tyme to tyme that they which are approved might be knowen Henre it is that in the Church of Corinth spring vp schismes and heresyes that in the Church of Ephesus arise men speaking perverse things to draw disciples after them that in the Churches of Pergamus and Thyatira be found such as hold the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicoiaitans teaching the people to eat things sacrificed to Idols and to committ fornication And such also in these dayes have crept in among vs vnder pretence of godlynes who after a while vpon one occasion or other have manifested theyr vngodly contentious and fantasticall spirits and that commonly with great trouble of the Church being authors of grievous schismes and other impietyes for which the truth and Church have ben and still are evill spokeÌ„ of But these being but the personal sinnes of some particular men not the publik estate and constitution of the whole Churches what comparison is there between them and these assemblyes whose very constitution is Antichristian and out of which God hath absolutely commaunded all that will be saved to depart Whereas from the other separation may not be made but first redresse is duly to be sought that such old leaven being purged out they may still be a new lampe vnto the Lord. Thirdly here is to be observed that it is said these Churches suffred such amoÌ„g them Which as it manifesteth what was theyr sinne so it showeth also they had power aÌ„d should vse it for the reclayming or casting out of such from among them Whereas these assemblyes have not power to redresse any abominations or to excommunicate any persons though never so wicked but the whole ecclesiasticall power and iurisdiction among them is committed onely to the Ordinary that is to an Antichristian Prelate and to his Chauncelour and Archdeacon So as by this also appeareth there is no comparison between them Fynally it is to be remembred that even in these and the like Churches where they do not repent and amend but continew in corruption and iniquity Christ hath threatned to remove his caÌ„delstick aÌ„d to take his kingdome from among them And if God thus deale with his own Churches stablished in his faith and order when they come obstinately to persist in sinne aÌ„d impiety what shall be the end of the Synagognes of Antichrist which staÌ„d in emnity against Iesus Christ and in apostasy from his truth and will not be reclaymed If God will not spare but come against Corinth Pergamus aÌ„d Thyatira will he let Babylon that mother of whoredomes or any of her daughters escape If Ierusalem for her sinne be made to drink the cup of Gods wrath shall Edom Moaâ— or Ammon go free They shall not saith the Lord of hostes Iere. 25. 15. 18. 21. 29. And thus much to M r. H. his second exception Now followeth his third in these words M r. H. his letter Section 5. THirdly if it be a sinne for an vvhole Church to account any private
receyving them to his Baptisme though he bed them not leav theyr calling but deale faithfully in it How well this was done of the Iewes to absteyne from the Publicanes in theyr civill conversation whom they admitted to theyr publik worship I stand not here to enquyer Onely this would I show that whereas Christs speach when he saith Let him be to thee as an heathen and publicane is taken from the custome and practise of the Iewes who had no spirituall fellowship with the heathen nor civill with the Publicanâ—s therefore the meaning of these words Let him be to thee as a publicane is that with such as contemne the Churches voyce we should have no familiar civill converâ—ation Which the Apostle also teacheth when he requireth that with such as are cast out of the Church we should not eat or company together So as then Christs speach being taken from the costome of the Iewes which his disciples could not but know the meaning of his words when he said Let him be to thee as an heathen with whom the Iewes had no spirituall communion and as a publicane with whom they had no civill conversation must needs be this that they should neyther have spirituall nor civill fellowship with such as despising the voyce of the Church where Christ is present to ratify what is done according to his word were therefore iustly put away from amongst them This I thought good and needfull to note concerning the true meaning of Christs words in this place both because they are here by M r H. some what mistaken and others among them namely Bilson of Winchester to the eÌ„d thei might with ani colour hide the truth from the eyes of the simple have most absurdli aÌ„d in deed very wickedly interpreted them as I doubt not will appeare vnto any that fearing God shall compare together this explication of Christs words which I have here noted from the Scriptures and Bilsons sundry expositions of them mentioned in his book which are such as if Christ had eyther in that one speach had three or fower meanings or had sent his disciples at that tyme to the Romane Magistrates for help to reclaime one another from sinne aÌ„d had not giveÌ„ a perpetual rule to his Church for the casting out of obstinate sinners from among them neyther made a promise of his continuall presence with his Church to confirme in heaven that which they should do on earth in his Name But this by the way Next after this M r. H. affirmeth and byndeth himself to prove it that there is nothing practised amongst them so conâ—ary to the discipline as there is amongst vs. For proof whereof having belike good store he is content first to omit sundry of our practises which it may be if he had named he perceyveth they would have ben so many witnesses against himself and for us Secondly he is content likewise to omit the extreem confusion which he saith is to be seen in our best reformed assemblyes He saith it I say but proveth it not which in so greaâ— an accusation should not have ben omitted specially when he byndeth himself to make proof of that which he affirmeth It may be he perceyved also in this that if he had noted that down which he calleth extreem confusion it might have ben found to be that holy order which Christ hath sett in his Church and therefore chose rather to omit then to expresse it Yet that the truth in this behalf may better be knowen I will vpoÌ„ this occasion show the order of our assemblyes wherein we walk and then let the godly mynded judge whether it be an extreem confusion or not First according to the ordinance of Christ our assemblyes consist of i a company of faithfull people called out and separated from the world and all the false wayes of Antichrist k gathered and joyned together in an holy covenant and fellowship of the Gospell of Christ by l voluntary publik profession of our â—aith and purpose to live and walk together in the obedience of Christ according to his word to the prayse and glory of his name i 1 Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 12. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. Ioh. 15. 19. and 17. 6. Act. 2. 40. and 19. 9. k Esa. 60. 4. Phil. 1. 5. Act. 2. 41. and 17. 4. Neh. 8. 39. Col. 1. 2. l Psal. 110. 3. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Esa. 44. 5. Neh. 10. 28. 29. Act. 2. 41. Col. 2. 5. Rom 16. 26. Mat. 18. 17. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 15. 16. 17. Secondly being thus ioyned together we do m according to the appoyntment of Christ by a free and voluntary election of the Church sett apart from amongst our selves some to the n offices of Pastors and Teachers for the work of the ministery some to be Elders for the oversight and guydance of the Church together with the Pastors and Teachers aforesaid and others to be Deacons for gathering and distributing the benevolence of the Church according to the ability and necessity of the Saints specially taking care that the poore sick and needy be relieved and holpen according to the Churches ability and theyr severall occasions and necessityes In respect whereof we purpose when God shall give vs such as for theyr yeares and otherwise are fitt to be Widovves and Helpers of the Church in this behalf to designe and employ them herevnto m Mat. 28. 20. Heb. 5. 4. Act. 6. 3. 5. and 14. 23. and 15. 22. 2 Cor. 8. 19. 1 Tim. 3. 10. 15. and 6. 13. 14. n Ephes. 4. 11. 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8. and 16. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Per. 5. 1. 2. 3. Act. 6. 5. and 15. 2. and 20. 17. 28. and 21. 18. 1 Tim. 3. Cap. and 4. 14. and 5. 9. 10. 17. Thirdly our prayers preaching of the word administring of the Sacraments exercise of prophecy vse of the Censures etc. is not according to the inventions book worship canons or constitutions of any men whatsoever but onely according to the Testament of Christ as he hath dealt to vs the measure of grace Ephes. 4. 7. 8. 11. 12. Iude ver 20. Rom 8. 26. 27. and 12 6. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. and 3. 15. 1 Cor. 4. 17. and 5. 4. and 11. 23. c. and 14. Chap. 1 Pet. 4. 10. 11. Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. and 28. 18. 19. 20. Finally we o all of vs labour to build vp one another in our most holy faith and when p any of vs fall eyther into error in iudgment or offence in practise against any article of faith commaundement of God or publick good order of the Church or Common-wealth if the sinne be private the party is admonished thereof by such as are privy vnto 〈◊〉 whom if he heare not then taking one or two witnesses they admonish him agayn and seek to draw him from his sinne If he heare not them as also if the sinne be publick then is
Christ are to be admonished and redresse of theyr â—ormityes duly to be sought must therefore the Synagogues of Antichrist make clayme to the same priviledges and maner of proceding Or because the members of true Churches are to be accounted brethren till having wilfully refused to repent they eyther be cast out or having leavened the whole lumpe the candelstick be removed from them all must therefore the members of Antichristian assemblyes be had in the same account who never yet were ioyned to any true visible Church in fellowship of the Gospell but stand in confusion with the world and subiection to the Beast howsoever in such estate they teach and professe some poynts of the truth and Christian religion Then sure let the Papists also be accounted brethren and no longer the children of the whores fornications But to conclude did not the Apostle in that epistle to the Galatians charge them to stand fast in theyr liberty and not to be entangled agayne with the yoke of bondage but to abhorre all such and count them accursed who should preach or lead them otherwise then he had preached and they had receyved towching theyr liberty and freedome by the Gospell from the ceremonyes of the Law Now if they must abhorre and 〈◊〉 of all such as would bring in agayne the abolished ceremonyes of the Law which once were commaunded by God how should such be accounted as brethren which retayne and inforce the ordinances of Antichrist never appoynted by God but invented by Sathan that Prince of the children of disobedience That which Mr. H. next obiecteth about the handling of the controversy in the Church of Antiochea hoth the same aunswer with the former Onely where he saith that the errors in that Church were far greater then any be in theyrs let him well consider with himself whether the error of vrging and receyving circuâ—cision and other ceremonyes of the Law before tyme the holy ordinances of God and now but newly abolished was greater then the vrging aÌ„d receyving of the Apostasy of Antichrist that great enemy of Iesus Christ in his ministery worship and government of the Church which is such as God never ordeyned but straitly forbiddeth vpon payne of eternall condemnation Lastly for our separation from them which he so earnestly obiecteth against vs and contrary to GOds word sendeth vs beyond the sea to enguyre his will therâ—about we have not onely if need were that which he so much requireth the approbation of the reformed Churches of Geneva Fraunce Belgia Helvetia and the rest as before hath ben showed by theyr own publick confessions but we have also that which is much more and which alone were sufficient I meane the warrant of the Scriptures and the like practise of the Churches and people of God in all ages first before the stood and then after the flood both in the tyme of the Law and afterward vnder the Gospell and that also first in the Primative Churches planted by the Apostles themselves and now agayne in all the Churches and people which synce the apostasy of the man of sinne have made departure out of the spirituall Babylon as it is written Go out of her my people that ye be not partakers in her sinnes and that ye receyv not of her plagues Now therefore to omitt M r H. his vnseasonable vse of Pauls reproof in this place may not we well say of these things as the Apostle doth to the Corinthians in the words immediately following those which are here vsed If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spirituall let him acknowledg that these things are the commaundements of the Lord And if any beignorant let him beignorant And thus much in defence of the first parâ— of the reason which was this Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy things of God and worketh vpon the consciences of men by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling him the people of God ought not to receyv or joyâ—e themselues vnto or as M H. hath here sett it down to like effect he is an Antichristian minister whatsoever truth he bringeth with him Now it remayneth likewise to defend the second part of the reaâ—on which was this But all the ministers that staÌ„d over the Church-assemblyes in England deale with the holy things of God and work vpon mens consciences by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling Concerning which and the proof thereof first let vs see how M r. H. setteth them down and aunswereth vnto them generally then let vs come to the particulars by which he endevoreth to approve theyr office and calling of ministery from the word of God It followeth therefore in his letter thus ¶ M r. H. his letter Section 6. THe second part of the reason is this But all the ministers in England work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of an Antichristian office and calling Hovv is this proved First they have no other office in the Church then that which the lawes of the land allow and they allow none but the Prelaâ—p Priesthood and â—eaconry which are all Antichristiaâ— offices Secondly they all enter vpon theyr office by the Ordinary the Bishop whose office is also Antichristian To the first of these reasons I aunsvver that although the name of Priests belong not to the true ministers of the Gospell because it hath ben generally in our language given to the popish Sacrificers and although there be sundry circumstances and ceremonyes appoynted by the lavv to be vsed at they ordination vvhich I cannot iustify and many of those good orders neglected vvhich the Scripture prescribeth in this case yet is that office vvhich the lavves of our land call the office of the Priesthood the very same in substance vvith the Pastors office described in the vvord and the maner of outvvard calling vnto that office vvhich the Lavv allovveth is the very same in substance vvith that vvhich is sett dovvn in the vvord Aunswer to Section 6. THis is M r H. his generall aunswer to the secoÌ„d part of the reason which is needfull first to be considered before we come to the particulars which follow that so both the streÌ„gth of the truth aÌ„d the subtilty of his aunswer may better appeare First he yeeldeth as needs he must that they have no other office in the Church then that which the Lawes of the land allow For this is alledged in the proof of the second part of the reason and is not at all gaynesayed by him Yet most of them which are of the better sort among them when they are somewhat pressed about theyr ministery disclayme their offices and callings receyved from and by the Prelates which onely are allowed by the Lawes of the land and fly to I know not what office and calling receyved from some of theyr forward Ministers and people as himself also doth in this his writing afterward where he saith that many ministers in
come thereon of whom the Apostle sayth the damnation of such is just Suerly the grace that bringeth salvation teacheth otherwise even to deny all vngodlynes and not to have any fellowship with the vnfruitfull works of darknes but to reprove them rather So the Apostle chargeth Timothy and in him all Ministers to keep themselves pure and not to communicate with other mens sinnes And the Lord from heaven hath commaunded all his servants to go out of Babylon and not to partake in her sinnes that they receyv not of her plagues Howsoever therefore M r. H. aÌ„d the rest of them account of this theyr dealing sure we are that before GOd it is grievous transgression aÌ„d therefore to be shunned of all such as have care to keep faith and a good conscience and the contrary to be witnessed in testimony of the truth of Iesus Christ whose servants we are Finally it is here to be observed how they would beare the world in hand that they fayle but in circumstances and ceremonyes not in the substance of the ministery Where we may first consider how these forward preachers are now driven to the same shift wherevnto they drove the Prelates and Formalists heretofore The forward preachers proved this Ministery aÌ„d worship to be Antichristian The Prelates and theyr Proctors pleaded that they fayled but in circumstance and not in substance Secondly it is to be noted how they would vnder the name of ceremonyes and circumstances subtilly hide that fowle heap of abominations which they have taken out of the whores cup of BabyloÌ„ many particulars whereof have before divers tymes ben handled and therefore need not here agayn be mentioned Thirdly if it were so that they fayled but in circumstances and ceremonyes yet they should remember that the iudgment of God overtook Nadab Abihu Uzziah and others recorded in the Scripture for transgressing in matters of ceremony and circumstance And what priviledge have they now above others to stand in knowen and grievous sinne against the Lord Iesus and his ordinances Or are they stronger then God that they will thus still provoke him to anger Fourthly it is to be knowen and they should do well to sett down what they account the substance of the Ministery Mr. H. afterward speaking of the entrance into the Ministery setteth down three substantiall parts thereof as he calleth them first a due tryall secondly the choyse of the people it seemeth he meaneth a true visible Church els he speaketh not to the purpose thirdly a right ordinatioÌ„ Of which three seing in his own vnderstanding as appeareth afterward he can not himself deny but most of theyr Ministers want all and all theyr Ministers want some to witt the choyse of a true visible Church aÌ„d a right ordination it is evident by his own graunt they want the substance of a true calling to the Ministery and therefore fayle not onely in circumstance as he would pretend But that we may the better try out the truth in this poynt I will here sett down what I take to be substantiall in the ministery And that is first that it be a true and lawfull office of ministery which is receyved aÌ„d executed that is that it be such as Christ in his Testament hath given to his Church for the work of his ministery secondly that there be a lawfull calling and entraÌ„ce into such office as is aforesaid thirdly that the administration thereof be according to the Testament of Christ. Other things there be also which are of great waight towthing the ministery but these three specially I take to be such as are substantiall vnto it Insomuch as none of these can be wanting to the execution of a true ministery For towching the first that is a true and lawfull office prescribed by Christ if it might be wanting in a true ministery to what end were it that Christ hath given to his Church certayne and distinct offices for the work of the ministery to the end of the world Or how should it be true in this case which the Apostle saith of all the offices appoynted by Christ that God hath sett them in his Church and agayne that there are diverâ—ityes of ministeryes but the same Lord Otherwise also what a wide doore would be opened to the receyving aÌ„d executing in the Church of any false offices whatsoever even for men after theyr own lusts to get them an heap of teachers and so to go a whoring after theyr own inventioâ—s in the worship of God Finally how should men for conscience sake honour obey and submitt vnto them which have the oversight of the Church if they be not over them in the Lord and consequently in true and lawfull offices ordeyned by Christ For the second that is a true and lavvfull calling and entrance into theyr office if it might be wanting in a true ministery why saith the Scripture No man taketh this honour vnto himself but â—e that is called of God as was Aaron Yea that Christ did not attribute this honour to himself to be made the high Priest but was called of him that said vnto him Thou art my sonne this day begat â— thee Why also doth Christ account them for straâ—ngers thieves and robbers which enter not in by the doore into the sheepfold but clymbe vp another way Or to what end should it be that Christ so earnestly said Verily Verily I say vnto you If I send any he that receyveth him receyveth me and he that receyveth me receyveth him that sent me aÌ„d agayn He that despiseth him despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Or why hath God by the Prophet Ieremy complayned against and reiected the false Prophets in this respect saying I have not sent these Prophets yet they ranne I have not spoken vnto them yet they prophecy Lastly if a true and lawfull calling were not substantiall and necessary to the execution of a true ministery then why might not men devise new kinds of entrance or intrude themselves into the ministery at theyr pleasure Both which are vnlawfull For the third that is a lavvfull administration according to the Testament of Christ that it also cannot be wanting the Scripture showeth many tymes and sundry wayes First in that the Apostle chargeth Timothy to keep the true patterne of wholsome words delivered by the Apostles and that if any teach othervvise and condiscend not to the wholsome words of our Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlynes they should be separated from aÌ„d holden to be accursed Secondly in that the Apostle saith that for this very cause he wrote vnto Timothy and in him to all the ministers of the Gospell in ages following that they might know how they ought to behave themselves in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of truth And herevpon
H. will not say that women therefore have the substance of the Ministery of whom the Scripture saith it is a shame for them to speak in the Church and therefore doth not permitt it vnto them but requireth of them to keep silence So far is it from accounting or allowing them to have the substance of the Ministery howsoever the Lawes of men allow them to performe some actionâ— thereof The same may be said of theyr Deacons who by the Law are appoynted also to administer Baptisme and having a licence to preach the word Yet have not their Deacons therefore the substance of the Pastors office though they performe some of the dutyes thereof By this then is evident that his reason is of no waight to prove that their Priesthood is the same in substance with the Pastors office because by Law such dutyes are required to be done of it as by the word are enioyned to the other As is sayd an office is one thing and the actions or dutyes of the office another Besides that it seemeth the Law at first supposing their Priesthood to be a lawfull office of Ministery did therefore enioyne it those dutyes to be performed thereyn Whereas now it being found to be vnlawfull and altogether vnheard of in the Churches of the Gospell neyther the injoyning nor the executing of those dutyes can make it of vnlawfull to become lawfull before God any maner way 3. But furthermore doth not the Law of the Land requier these same things of theyr Archbishops also And have they therefore the substance of the Pastors office How then will it be true which some of them hold and write that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor or as others of them have proved by divers reasons against Bridges that Archbishops and Lordbishops are neyther Pastors nor Teachers Nay moreover that they rob Christs Church of lavvfull Pastors and that these theyr offices be Antichristian Divelish and contrary to the Scriptures Or if the Archbisshops have the Pastors office among them what is become then of all the rest of the Ministers of the Land For by this meanes there should be but two Pastors in the Land seyng there are but two Archbishops Or if the Lordbishops be the Pastors then are there but twenty fower Pastors or thereabout in the Land and what be the offices then of theyr inferior Priests Or if the inferior Priests be the Pastors as seemeth by this writing to be intended then what office in the Church have theyr Lordbishops Archbishops Archdeacons aÌ„d the rest of the Clergy among them Which is needfull to be considered seing themselves have written according as the truth is that our Saviour Christ hath appoynted in the ordinary guydance of the Church no office to be exercised by any one * ecclesiasticall person greater then the office of the Pastors and hath also made these all equall in every respect of ministery iurisdiction and power Whereas it is far otherwise in the Prelacy of theyr Archbischops Lordbishops and the rest having and exercising iurisdiction and power over the inferior priesthood and ministery of the land Fourthly although the word of God lay the dutyes aforesaid vpon the Pastors of the Churches of Christ yet it requireth them not at the hands of this Priesthood or any other false ministery whatsoever Therefore is it not materiall though the lawes of all the nations vnder heaven should enioyne these dutyes vnto them so long as the word of God which is the word of truth and onely rule of religion requireth them not at theyr hand Iesus Christ the Lord and King of his Church as he gave vnto it the holy things of his word prayer Sacraments etc. so hath he also given his own Ministers for the administration thereof according to his Testament At the hands of Antichrists priesthood or any other false ministery he requireth it not But rather vnto all such he saith What hast thou to do to declare myne ordinance that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth seing thou hatest to be reformed and hast cast my words behind thee And agayn to such he saith Who requireth these things at your hands If Iupiters priest of whom we read in the Acts of the Apostles or if Mahumets priests now in Turkey should by the lawes of theyr nations be enioyned and therevpon should execute the ministery of Gods word Sacraments and censures would it follow therefore that such priests had the substance of the Pastors office And why then should this priesthood of Antichrist have more priviledge then those seing the word of God hath layd these dutyes no more vpon it then vpon the other but hath left them all with theyr followers and adhereâ—ts vnder the curse Fiftly let him tell vs whether by this reason of his theyr â—umbe dogs vnpreaching Ministers substitutes non resideÌ„ts and such like among them must not be accoounted also to have the substance of the Pastors office seing they have all of them one and the same priesthood and seing the Law at theyr ordination enioyneth the same things to them all 〈◊〉 Sixtly where he saith theyr Priests are enioyned at theyr ordination to preach the word administer the Sacaments and exercise discipline If it be asked by whom they are ordeyned hereunto he must aunswer by the Prelate a Lordbishop or his Suffragane for so besides theyr practise it is required by the law he alledgeth And then must he eyther bring warrant for this from the Scripture which can not be done or els he is even in this respect never a whiâ—â— the nearer For vv if they speak not according to the Law and Testimony the light is not in them But to let passe theyr entrance and ordination till fitter occasion hereafter let vs in this place a litle observe theyr dawbing and deceitfull hiding of most filthy abominatioÌ„s vnder these generall termes of preaching the word ministring the Sacraments aud executing the censures aud discipline Theyr Priests he saith must preach the word Well but with what limits must they do this Theyr 〈◊〉 Statutes and Articles will tell you They must not speak against the Prelacy or other ministery of the Land nor against theyr book of common prayer though it be taken onâ— of the Popes portuis nor against theyr ecclesiasticall courts of Arches Facultyes Commissary courts suspensions excommunications absolutions degradations or any other theyr ecclesiasticall procedings And may not any popish priest I pray you thus preach the word at â—ome being hedged in with such limits aÌ„d cautions But what if any of our English priests do from Gods word preach against any the aforesaid abominations or the like Will the authority of the word which he saith they are ordeyned to preach heare this out among them No Uerily But they shall by theyr lawes and Canons be suspensed sileâ—â—ed deprived and degraded by the Prelates of whom they took aÌ„d vnder whom
Aunswer to Section 9. RAther by that which hath ben said we have seen such an agreement of theyr Priesthood and Law thereof with the popish Law and priesthood and such a disagreement of them both from the Law of God and Pastors office prescribed theyrin as it can not but be discerned of all whose eyes are not blynded that both the Pastors office differeth as much from theyr priesthood as light doth from darknes and that theyr Priesthood in nature and substance agreeth with the popish as daughters of one mother and fethers of one aÌ„d the same wing Now whereas in the next place Mr H. cometh to their ouward calling to that office of Priesthood and therein refereth vs to theyr book of ordering Priests aÌ„d Deacons that we might peruse and so compare together theyr law with the Law of God it is straunge to see how they do theÌ„selves discover theyr own shame even when they labour most to hide it For if any would go about to lay open the filthynes of theyr abominations which in the calling to theyr ministery they have taken out of the whores cup of Babylon it can no way better be done then by comparing that book of theyrs whereto he referreth vs with the book and Law of God on the one hand and with the Popes pontificall on the other Evidence whereof we have seen sufficient in the comparison handled before and need not repeat it Yea theyr own consciences are so convinced herein as themselves have confessed and publisht it in admonition to the Parliament that theyr Pontificall thus they call theyr book whereby they conserate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showeth himself to be Antâ—christ most lively And moreouer that they haue an Antichristian Hierarchy and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all vvel reformed Churches in the world Let these things then be layd together aÌ„d well weighed Now they would perswade vs that theyr calling to the Ministery is according to the Law of God Heretofore they published as the truth is that they have a popish ordering of ministers straunge from the word of God Now they would beare vs inhand that they have the substance of a true calling according to the ordinance of Christ Heretofore they said and truly that theyr making of Ministâ—rs is taken out of the Popes pontificall wherein he showes himself to be Aâ—tichrist most lively Is it not lamentaâ—le to see these men thus turne the truth of God into aly as if Antichrists apostasy were now sodenly become Gods ordinance or the Popes pontificall were all one with the Testament of Iesus Christ Besides this is it not straunge that in this very letter Mr H. should so forget aÌ„d contradict himself as here to say theyr Law agreeth with the Law of God as tovvching the substance of a true calling to the Ministery aÌ„d yet afterward accounting right ordination to be a substantiall part of true calling to affirme that the povver of ordination is by act of Parliament committed to the Prelates and that by the Lavv of God the Prelates are not capable of that povver and authority Is it possible to make these things accord together But because they feare not to deale thus doubly in the matters of God Let vs besides that which hath ben sayd yet a litle more examine theyr maner of calling to the Ministery even by that book of theyrs which he would have vs peruse as being agreable to the Law of God and see if God do not by themselves vncover theyr nakednes and make his truth which they would hinder yet more abound through theyr vntruth vnto his glory It were long to stand vpon all the particulars which out of that book to this end might be alledged and this writing is already much langer then at first I purposed I will therefore but give a tast of some by which you may perceyv what smack the rest have And first the very title of the book as a mark in the forehead evidently showeth the vnlawfulnes both of theyr office and of theyr entrance into it It is called thus The forme and maner of making and consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons Now if these offices and this maner of entrance were appoynted in the Testament of Christ what need or vse were there of this book and forme of theyrs But because they follow not the book of God aÌ„d the forme prescribed by Christ therefore have they framed to themselves this book and forme out of the Popes pontificall and termed it as aforesayd Now as is the title so be also the contents of that book By it as likewise by theyr practise it appeareth that theyr first office of Ministery is the Deaconship not that auncient office of Deacons appoynted by Christ but a meer invention of mans brayne and Antichristian For first that office is not imployed according to Christs ordinance in gathering and distributing the Churches benevolence but contrary to the word of God in reading theyr books of common prayer and Homilyes in administring Baptisme assisting the Priest in divine service and with the Prelates licence in preaching the word Secondly at theyr entrance and calling into that office they must be presented by an Archdeacon an Antichristion officer or his deputy Thirdly they must promise reverend obedience to theyr Ordinary and other chief Ministers of the Church that is to the Lordbishop of the Dioces to the Archbishop Archdeacon Chauncelor Commissary and the rest of that sort whose offices also are Antichristian Fourthly they must be ordeyned by a Lordbishop or his Suffragane whose office likewise is of Antichrist Fiftly they must receyv the Communion with the Lordbishop that day they are ordered And thus must they testify that they arâ— of the same â—aith and body with the Prelates who are knowen to be deadly enemyes of the truth and persecuters of the people of God Sixtly in stead of true prayer there must be sayd or sung the Letany and Suffrages with the Communion of the Day and a number of Collects and stinted prayers borrowed from the Papists Finally there must be read a Gospell and Epistle as they call theyr shredding of the Scripture in which they abuse and pervert the word of God falsely fathering vpon the Apostles an office of Deaconship which they never ordeyned that is a Deacoâ—ry whose dutyes they assigne to be to read publike prayer to baptize to assist the Priest in divine service and to preach being licensed therevnto Whereas neyther in the Apostles example nor doctrine any such dutyes are layd vpon the Deacons but such as are directly opposed to the Ministery of the word and prayer that is the having charge of the poore and Church treasure Besides that into that office of Deacons prescribed by the Apostles there is no such entrance as is aforesayd but a
his Church for trying aÌ„d chusing their own Ministers according to the rules of his TestameÌ„t Is it possible that they which staÌ„d in subjectioÌ„ to Antichrist should also be the freemen of Iesus Christ Or that the priviledges of Christs Church should belong vnto and be found in the Synagogues of Antichrist Christ aÌ„d Belial caÌ„not agree together 2. But yet further what choyse aÌ„d allowaÌ„ce is it that they pretend to have of the people Is it not a secret gathering of the coÌ„seÌ„t of some few in the towne or parish And caÌ„ this interest them to the charge of the soules of the whole towne or parish wheÌ„ most of them neyther give theyr consent nor have it asked But it may be he will say they dare not trust any herein but some few or that they account them not to be godly mynded Yet dare they Minister the Sacraments to them all and receyv them and theyr seed as members of the Church and take maintenance from them as from the Church Is this to walk vprightly before the Lord and to go with an even foot to the truth of the Gospell 3. But be it that all the people gave theyr consent yet whom and whereto do they chuse Chuse they not one that eyther is already or before he can minister to them must be made Deacon or Priest or both by a Lordbishop who also must in that Ministery administer to them theyr holy things according to theyr book of Common prayer and other theyr Canons and constitutions Now that such a choyse and approbation is a substantiall part of true calling who ever can perswade or be perswaded 4. Or doth theyr Law appoynt and allow this choyse and approbation of the people for lawfull and sufficient Who is it that knoweth not the contrary For whether it be had or not the Law requireth and they must have theyr ministery from the Prelates and when they take cure of soules the Patrones presentation and the Prelates induction into the benefice And this onely is that which standeth for sufficient in theyr Law and constitution Hence therefore agayn appeareth even by his own assertion contrary to that which before he would have proved that the Lavv appoynteth not the substance of a true calling to the Ministery neyther agreeth vvith the Lavv of God therein forasmuch as not onely it appoynteth not the peoples choyse which Gods word requireth but in stead thereof enioyneth presentatioÌ„ by a Patrone be he Papist Atheist or whatsoever and induction by a Lordbishop which God never commaunded but was and is retayned from the Popes Canons custome and pontificall 5. Moreover if the peoples choyse and approbation be the true choyse and calling as here he graunteth why then do they take that other of the Patrones and Prelates never appoynted by Christ but forged by Antichrist Is it because they would have all men know that in theyr constitution the man of sinne is exalted above God and his holy ordinances Or because they would have it seen of all that they set theyr thresholds by Gods thresholds that they may defile his Name Will they never learne that Christ and Antichrist light and darknes cannot have fellowship and concord together To end this poynt then seing the peoples choyse by his own confession is a substantiall part of true calling to the Ministery and this is to be vnderstood of such people onely as be the true visible Churches of Christ and theyr people in theyr estate can not by the word of God be accounted such but in deed to stand in spiritiall slavery to Antichrist it is evident they neyther have nor as they stand can have the substance of a true calling to the Ministery of the Gospell of Christ. Towching the last substantiall part he assigneth which is a right ordination into theyr office if he meane of that which is had from the Prelates which onely the Law appoynteth how will he prove it to be a substantiall part of true calling to the Ministery Specially it being no ordinance of Christ but part of Antichrists apostasy as hath ben showed before and seing also the power of ordination is such as by the Law of God the Prelates are not capable thereof as him self here graunteth and affirmeth in playne words If he meane of some other besides to be had among them not from the Prelates but from some of theyr forward Preachers then first he is to mynd that here agayn he crosseth himself beause making this a substantiall part of true calling and the Law not appoynting it as it doth not it followes herevpon that the Law prescribeth not the substance of a true calling to the Ministery Which before he affirmed 2. Agayn if this be so what becometh of all the Ministers in the Land that have not this other ordination but that onely of the Prelates and Priests present as the Law appoynteth neyther have the choyse of the people nor examination and allowance of the Learned aÌ„d godly he speaketh of All such by his own account have not the substance of a true calling and therefore cannot be true Ministers for these three he saith are substantiall parts thereof Now in the Land there be an hundred of these for one of the other Is not theyr Ministery think you well holye vp by this meanes 3. Nay and what one of them all that pretend to have this other dare stand forth before theyr LOrds the Prelates and avowâ—h theyr Ministery by vertue thereof When they come before them they can show theyr letters of Orders receyved from them howsoever before theyr followers to mislead them they colour the matter otherwise 4. Furthermore have not these forward Preachers themselves receyved theyr Ministery from the Prelates and retayne it still vnto this day How then can a right ordination possibly be had from such Who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Is it possible that a lawfull ordination should be had from the Ministers and apostasy of Antichrist Eyther is this vtterly to leave aÌ„d forsake which we ought or is it not rather still to cleave vnto and retayne which vnder payne of damnation we may not the Ministery and abominations of Antichrist that sonne of perdition It remayneth then that theyr calling to the Ministery being examined by these particulars which Mr H. himself hath here assigned to be substaÌ„tiall parts of a true calling they neyther have neyther whiles they thus stand caÌ„ have a true calling to the Ministery of the Gospell Thus well hath he reasoned for theyr calling and aunswered the obiectioÌ„ framed by himself Now in his writing there followeth another obiection with his aunswer therevnto Whereyn he pleadeth agayn with as yll successe as before The obiection is this that it is affirmed they come in by the Bishops who are the limmes of Antichrist The obiection suerly is of waight and had need be soundly aunswered For if the Prelates be the limmes of
and head of his Church but Lords themselves over the Ministers aÌ„d people vnder them Will it not then seem to Mr H. that the ordination receyved from them cannot otherwise be deemed but meerly vnlawfull But such have they ben proved to be both in this and other writings heretofore to which it shall suffice to refer you and him towching this matter Or if for ani preiudice against vs he will not heare this of vs let him yet heare and consider what themselves have written aÌ„d professed heretofore in this behalf And let the controversy in this poynt be debated between him and M r Travers M r Cartwright M r Fenner M r Chaderton and all other that have sought Reformation M r Travers in his book against D. Bridges proveth by divers good and sufficient reasons that theyr Bishops are neyther Pastors nor Teachers And what ordinari Ministery of the Gospell then do they execute As for extraordinary the Prelates were not knowen when they were in the world besides that they are as vnlike them as darknes is to light M r Cartwright striking at the chief and strength of theyr Ministery that is at the Archbishops and Archdeacons vnder whom the other Bishops and Ministers execute theyr offices proveth that theyr functions are not in the vvord of God but of the earth nevv devised ministeryes and such as caÌ„ do no good Yea that the Archbishops office is the neck of the popish Hierarchy come out of the bottomles pit of hell M r Fenner hath published that if St Paul vvere novv in England and no greater man then he vvas made by Christ he might not be equall vvith these Bishops For they are spirituall Lords he vvas never so they might send for him by a pursevant lay him in the Counter or commaund him to the Fleet so could not Paul do the least Minister of the Gospell Agayn he saith speaking of theyr offices Our kind of Bishops the Commissaryes the Archdeacons and such like we account them no natural members of the body of Christs Church because they are of humane addition not borne with her nor growen vp with her from the cradle M r Chaderton writeth that the callings of Archbishops Bishops Archdeacons Deacons Chauncelors and all such be rather members and parts of the vvhore aÌ„d strumpet of Rome then of the pure virgin and spouse of the immaculate Lamb. And that they have no title nor interest in the Church as publik members but by the length of theyr vnlavvfull svvords keep out lavvfull members of the body Finally all the seekers of Reformation have in the Admonition to the Parliament professed that the Names and offices of Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops c. are together vvith theyr government dravven out of the Popes shop Antichristian divelish and contrary to the Scriptures That the Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stypendaryes c. be birds of the same fether And in a word as hath ben noted before that they have an Antichristian Hierarchy and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the vvord of God and the vse of all vvell reformed Churches in the vvorld Thus have they thought and thus have they publisshed heretofore Let M r H. therefore dispute the controversy with them And if he or any other cannot with pacyence heare the truth of vs let them yet be content to heare and take it in good part at the hands of these men of whom they have no such prejudice And then see whether it have or can have so much as any colour of truth that the Prelates should be Ministers of the Gospell or that ordination may be receyved from them who are not members much lesse officers of the body of Christs Church these men themselves beyng witnesses Not to speak here of the testimony of former tymes For which see the hystoryes of Iohn Wickleff William Swinderby the Lord Cobham Iohn Claydon etc. 2. Secondly let it herevpon agayne be noted how wavering and vnstable these men are in all theyr wayes as if IEsus Christ were Yea and Nay and not one and the same yesterday to day and for ever Heretofore they published that the Prelates vvere not Pastors not Teachers nor members of the body of CHRISTS CHVRCH but that theyr offices callings and government vvere Antichristian divelish and contrary to the Scriptures But now behold they account the PRELATES to be MINISTERS of the GOSPELL Is it not piteous to see them thus halt between two opinions and to vse such lightnes in the matmatters of God as that theyr word should thus be Yea and Nay and themselves like reeds shaken with every wynd and clouds caryed about with every tempest Let them take heed least whiles thus they dally with the Lord he take them in theyr own craftyâ—es and bring vpon them that which is written The evill men and deceyvers shall wax worse and worse deceyving and being deceyved 3. Thirdly see here agayn how they take for graunted that which they should prove to wete that the Prelates are Ministers of the Gospell For this is the poynt in controversy they being charged not onely not to be such but to be limmes of Antichrist standing in apostasy from the way and Gospell of Christ yea adversaryes against and exalted above the Lord and his holy ordinances 4. Fourthly if they were true Ministers yet it were an endles work and without all rule or example in the Scripture for a man entring into the Ministery to seek the approbation of all and every one of the Ministers of an whole land And yet if this were to be had it would make the more against Mr H. who would onely seek for the approbation of some one as here he reasonath d passe by all the rest of the Land who notwithstaÌ„ding by this meanes should have as much interest therein as the other 5 Lastly it is to be mynded here how he turneth away from the question and matter in hand telling vs of approbation when he should speak of ordination 〈◊〉 â—rdination cary with it also an approbation of partly 〈…〉 yet every approbation is not ordination as Mr H. 〈…〉 very well And hitherto of his second 〈…〉 of it Now followeth his third and last 〈…〉 there be any more strength then in the former The 〈…〉 fare these Thirdly saith Mr. H. the authority of the Christian Magistrate vvithout vvhose liking and allovvaâ—ce a Minister cannot be admitted to the 〈◊〉 in peace coming to the Bishop by Act of Parliament I may more boldly come to him for his approbation in regard of the Lavv not looking so much vnto the Man as regarding vvith reverence the povver of the Lavv and Christian Magistrate THis is Mr H. his third and last reason as also the last words of his letter that came to my hands For aunswer whereof let it be remembred how before in his first reason he confessed as the truth is that the Pâ—â—lates by the Lavv of God are not
and maner of â—ntrance into it pag. 108. The word and Sacraments administred aÌ„d receyved in the Church of Engl. in and from a false ministery Sect. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. and p. 33. 89. 90. 91. 141. Manifold abuses in their administration of the Sacraments p. 12. 13. 87. 91. Of excommunication in the Church of Eng. how coÌ„trary it is to that which Christ hath ordeyned in his Church p. 10. 17. 62. 104. Of a prescript leiturgy aÌ„d the Book of common prayer vsed in the Church of Engl. p. 12. 69. 97. 103. 141. Of the Apocrypha books vsed in theyr publick worship pag. 11. Of the holy dayes in the Church of Engl. pag. 13. Of Idoll temples pag. 46. The â—ath er officio pag. 13. The forbidding of mariage and meats at certayne seasons pag. 12. 23. 27. The Prelacy and theyr vsurped authority was in Engl. long before the raigne or birth of her Maiesty p. 127. The Prelates by the Law of God not capable of that which is committed vnto them by the Parliament pag. 117. 〈◊〉 false ministery not to be heard though the truth be taught in it Sect. 2. 3. 4. 5. and pag. 19. 39. 52. 89. Separation from the Ministery and worship of the Church of Engl. pag. 5. 16. 66. 78. 105. 122. 126. Of the name Brownists p. 94. The order of our Church who are falsely called Brownisâ—s pag. â—3 Though others be not perswaded or be ignorant of the truth of Christ yet must we obey it p. 64. What is substantiall in the Ministery p. 83. What is substantiall in the calling to it p. 116. etc. Of Elders and the Eldership p. 11. 113. 114. The ordinary offices appoynted by Christ for the administration of his holy things p. 9. 68. The tryall choyse aÌ„d ordination pag. 40 84. 100. 105. 106. 111. 112. 113. 116. 123 Their administration p. 12. 13. 85. 103. etc. Theyr maintenance p. 11. 104. Difference to be put between an office and the actions thereof p. 87. Difference to be put between true Churches having corruptions and betweeÌ„ false Churches making show of religion As also a divers maner of walking to be vsed towards them p. 45. 57. 61. Of two hy priests at once or by course etc. p. 50. What is vnderstood by this word Discipline pag. 21. Of the Lords prayer p. 138. Testimonyes of the Prelates and Formalists against themselves pag. 15. 30. 33. 88. 93. 113. Testimonyes of the forward preachers and people against themselves p. 14. 15. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 40. 51. 52. 88. 89. 93. 97. 107. 109. 110. 113. 116 130. 131. Theyr prayers and suites for â—eformation pag. 70. 113. Theyr own testimonyes which they alledg out of the Scripture for theyr defence against them Sect. 3. 4. 5. pag. 21. 63. Testimonyes of former tymes against them pag. 24. 25. 64. 66. 70. 131. For which see further in the Acts and Monuments in the hystories of Iohn VVicleff VVilliam Svvinderby Syr Iohn Old cattle Lord Cobham Iohn Claydon and other the servants of God and Martyrs of Iesus Who held aÌ„d professed that Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons c. be the disciples of Antichrist yea very Antichrists themselues That the possessions aÌ„d Lordships of the clergy are the venime of Iudas shed into the Church That the Bishops licence for a man to preach the vvord of God is the true character of the beast that is Antichrist Act and Monum edition 4. pag. 150 a. 468. b. 562. b. 563. a. 639. b. Testimonyes of the reformed Churches at this day against them pag. 67. 68. 69. We would have cured Babel but she could not be healed forsake her and deliver ye every man his soule from the fierce wrath of the Lord. Ier. 51. 9. 45. with Rev. 18. 4. 5. * Iam. 1. 19. 20. 21. Iam. 2. 1. a Iam. 1. 19. 20. 21. b Voâ— 22. c 1. Cor. 1â— 9. 12. d 2. Ioh. ver 4. and 7. e Iam. 2. â—2 f 2. Cor. 2. 17. g Iudg. 6. 31. The Reason alledged for separation from the Church ministry of England a In sectioÌ„ 5. in the end of it b 2. Thes. 2. 4. c. l 2. Thes. 2. 3. m Vers. 3. n Ver. 3. and 7. o Ver. 4. compared vvith Ver. 3. 6. 7. 8. p Ver. 4. cempared vvith Rev. 1â— 11. q Ver. 8. anomos that is savâ—les or lavvbreakes r Ver. 9. compared vvith Mat. 24. 24. s Ver. 3. and 8. compard vvith Rev. 14. 6. 7. 8. t ver 10. 11. 12. compared vvith Rev. 14. 9. 10 11. v 2. Thes. 2. 3. vv Ver. 4. x Ver. 8. y ver 10. 11 z 1. Coâ— 12. 5. 28. Ephes. 4. 8. 11. 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8. vvith 1. Tim. 3. cap. and 5. cap. and 6. 13. 14. 15. x 1. Coâ— 3. 16. 17. and 2. Cor. 6 16. 17. 18. compared vvith 2. Thes 2. 4. 10. a 2. Machab 12. 44. 45. and 14. 41. 42. Eccles siastiâ—us 46 20. vvisdoÌ„ 19. 11. b 2 Esdras 14. 21. 22. 23. 2. Machab. 2 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. To bit 5. 11. 12. 13. vvith 12 15. Iudith 8. 33. and 10. 9. vvith 10. 12. and 11. 6. 12. 13. 14. 15. aÌ„d 14. 3. 4. 1 Machab. 9. 3 18. vvith â— Mach. 1. 10. also 1 Machab 6. 4. 8. 9 16. vvith 2 Machab. 1. 13 14. 15. 16. and vvith 9. 1. 5. 7. 9. 28. 29. c Tobit 12. 1â— 15. compared vvith Rom. 8. 34. 1 Tim. 2. 5 Rev. 8. 3 4. d Tobit 6. 6. 7. 8. and 9. 2. 3. vvith 3. 7. 8. also 11. 10. 11. 12. 13. vvith 2. 9. 10. e Iudith 9. 2. 3. 4. coÌ„pared vvith GeÌ„ 49. 5. 6. 7. Ester Apocâ—â—pha 12. 5. vvith Ester Canonical 6. 3. also Ester Apoâ—â— 15. 9. 10. vvith Ester canon 5. 2. Ecclesiasticus 46. 20. vvith Esa. 57. 2. aÌ„d Eccles. 12. 7. f Second admon to the Parliam pag. 6 aÌ„d 7. g Lev. â—0 1. 2. h Ephes. 2. 20. i Sutclifs English treatise of eccles discipline pag. 7. k Esa. 33. 22. and 42 4. Gen. 49. 10. Act. 5. 31. Gal. 6. 2 Ier. 31. 33. vvith Heb. 8. 10. Iam. 4. 12. l Tit. 1. 16. m Demâ—stra in the preface to the Reader also Declar of eccses discip n Gods arrovv against A therists Papists etc. cap. 5. o I am 4. 12. p Ezech. 16. 44. vvith Rev. 17. 5. q T. C. first reply pag. 177. Declar. of â—ccles disipline etc. r Act. 2. 40. and 19. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. Rev. 18. 4. 1. Tim. 6. 3. 4. 5. s Ad salutem animae that is to the salvation of the soâ—le t 1 Cor. 5. 4. 6. Mat. 18. 17. 18. 19. 20. And this Mr H. graunteth aftervvardrin section 5. v Rev. 18. 4. and 14. 9. 20. vv Rev. 13. 16. and 18 2 x Ad. 2. 40 41. Rev. 18. 4. 2. Cor. 6. 1â— Eâ—ra 6. 21. and 9. 14. Psal. 119. 113 128. y 2. Thes. 2. 4. Rev. 9. 3. vvith 1. Cor. 12 5. Ephe. 4. 5. 11 1. Pet. 5. 3. 4. z Rev. 18. 11. and