in other places of the reformed Church name lie in the Confes. of VVittem art 32. Sueuin art 15. Sound in iudgment therefore theie are not VVhich being not of the Church of Christ wil notwithstanding take vpon them to iudg yea to condemne the doctrine of the Church of God as do The Machiauils The Iewes The Turkes The Papists The Fam. of Loue. The Anab. VVhich hold that the Pope alone hath power To iudg al men and matters but maie be iudged of none To make reuoke at his pâ—â—suâ—e what articles of Religion him listeth and that without controlment VVhich suppose there is No iudgment but in the Clergie so called None auctoritie to determine of controuersies in Religion but by the bookes of the dead Fathers Doctors Schole men as Thâ—â— Aquinas â—coâ—â—â— c. 4 To interpret the word of God is à peculiar blessing giueÌ„ by God onelie to the church or companie of the faithful though not to al and euerie of them For Saith our Sauiour Of men in general No man knoweth the Sonne but the Father neither knoweth anie man the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the Sonne wil reueile him Mat. 11. 27. Of his faithful disciples It is giuen to you to know the secrets of heauen but to them it is not giuen Matth. 13 11. Saith S. Paul vnto the church at Corinth The manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euerie man to profit withal For to one is giuen by the Spirit the worde of wisedome c. And to another prophecie 1. Cor. 12. 7 c. If anie thing be reueiled to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace 1. Cor. 14. 30. The Apostles Iames and Iohn do write vnto al the Church or people of God If anie man lacke wisdome let him aske of God Iam. 1 5. Ye haue an ointment from him that is holie and yee haue knowne al things c ye know the truth c ye need not that anie man teach you 1. Iohn 2. ver 20 21 27. Hereunto subscribe the Churches in Heluet. Confes. 2. c. 7. Bohem. Confes. c. 1. VVitteÌ„ Confes. c. 30. Al of vs iointlie opposing our selues Against those men which thinke that to expound the word of God is so easie à matter as anie student indued with à good natural wit by diligence maie do the same Against them that teach how to interpret or expound the Scriptures is too hard à thing for anie mortal man to attaine vnto such VVas Iohannes de VVessalia Are manie of the Anabaptists Against the fam of Loue who though they grant some can expound or open so far as is conuenient for man to know the meaning of God in his word yet that Some there saie are themselues and none other Against the Papists VVhich thinke that to interpret the holie scripture is not so much à special gift of God vpoÌ„ some chosen persons as an ordinarie power annexed to the state of Popes Bishops General Councels That are so far from giuing the people of God not being of the Clergie power to expound that theie vvil not suffer them to read no not so much as to haue the Scriptures in à vulgar tongue except it be their ovvne most corrupt and barbarous translation vvhich but of late yeeres neither and that in part too is granted But for the Scripture of God in place theie obtruded Festiuals Legends Rosaries Horaries Psalâ—eries of our Ladie 5 Forsomuch as no prophecie is of anie priuate motion 2. Pet. 1. 20. and whatsoeuer interpretation man giueth not agreeing to Th'analogie of faith which S. Paul from God gaue in commandement to be obserued Rom. 12. 6. is à priuate interpretation special heed is to be had that one place of Scripture be so expounded as it agree with another and al to the proportion of faith This do the Churches protestant so like of as theie approue the same by publique Subscription as maie appeare in the Confession of Heluet. 1. art 2. Heluet. 2. c 2. France art 7. Saxon. art 1. VVittem ca. 30. 31. 33. Sueauia art 1. This wil not be granted of the Antichristian synagogues whereof Some thinke that the Scripture may be expounded in what sense and to what purpose we wil as the Helchesaits Papists among whome theie be which from this opinioÌ„ do tearme the most holie word of God in reproch A shipmaÌ„â— hoase A leaden rule A nose of waxe Some condemne al interpretation of the word as vnnecessarie theie being taught as theie saie of God himseÌ„lfe such are the Libertines Some depend vpon visions and Reuelations as the Euthusiasts Anabaptists Some dislike of the literal calling it à Grammatical sense and so prefer the Allegorical exposition that theie cal it the spiritual sense of Gods word and therbie make vvhat them list of the Scriptures most monstrouslie as the Originists Fam. of Loue Some vvil haue of euerie place of Scripture an exposition Analogical Allegorical Historical Moral As the curious Thomists Monches Some are addicted to an interpretation vvhich theie cal mystical and prophetical as the Bâ—â—â—ardists Some thinke th'interpretation vvhich the Church of Rome maketh of the Scripture vvhatsoeuer it be is the od and the onelie true sense of Gods vvord as Harding doth Some deeme that as the Church by time doth alter so th'interpretation of the Scripture also maie varie vvhereby that vvhich in Th'apostles time vvas à truth in theis daies shal be an error and contrarivvise in this error vvas Cardinal Cusanus 6 Though the church hath power to heare determine in controuersies of saith as alreadie hath bine prooued yet hath the Church auctoritie nei ther to iudge the worde of God not to iudge otherwise than the word of God doth iudg For it is said To the church Novve I besceche you brethren marke theÌ„ diligentlie which cause diuision and offences contrarie to the doctrine which ye learned and auoid them Rom. 16. 7. Heare him euen Christ Math 17. 5. To him giue al the Prophets vvitnesce Act. 10. 43. Search the Scriptures Iohn 5. 39. VVhosoeuer transgresceth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God 2. Iohn vers 9. Yee are no more straungers and forreners c. and are built vpon the foundation of Th'apostles and Prophets c. Ephes. 2 19. Heereby shal yee knowe the spirite of God c. 1. Iohn 4. 2. Of the holie Scripture The worde is the truth Iohn 17. 17. The whol Scripture c is profitable to teach to improue to correct to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God maie be absolute c. 2. Tim. 6. ver 16. 17. They haue Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Luk. 16. 29. VVee haue also à most sure vvorde of the Prophets to the which ye do wel that yee take heede c. 2. Pet. 1. 19. If anie man teache otherwise consenteth not to the wholsome wordes of our L. I. Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlines he is pust vp
not in the other world For in the Scripture there is mention but onelie Of tvvo vvaies Mat 7. 13. 14. One leading vnto destruction One bringing vnto life Of tvvo sortes of men Mar 16. 16. Ioâ— 3â— 8. vvhereof Some beleeue and theie are saued Some beleeue not and theie are damned Of tvvo states in the life to come Lu. 16. One blessed where Lazarus is One cursced vvhere Diues doth abide A Third waie or sort or state cannot bee founde in the vvord of God And therefore the Purgatorie in an other world denied Hath alvvaies bine by the Greeke Churches Is at this daie by the mouthes of al and by the publique Confes. of some churches in theis parts of the vvorld Heluet. 2. cap. 26. France art 24. Saxon. ar 11. VVittem cap. 25. Ausb art 11 Therefore the Romish doctrine touching purgatorie established by the late conuenticle at Trent Decret de Purgat ses 25. ses 6. câ—n 30. cannot be warranted by the holie Scripture 2 The Papists sliding backe from the truth of God haue fallen in to manie noisome and diuers opinions in the matter of Purgatorie agreeing among themselues neither About the place where Purgatorie should be some placing the same In the bottom of the sea Neere vnto the mounte Hecla in Ireland Vpon the mount Aâ—tna in Sicil. In Hel. About the tormentors in Purgatorie who by some are thought to be Holie Angels Verie diuels About the torments For some dreame how theie are tormented VVith fire onelie VVith water and with fire About the causes of Purgatorie torments Because manie do thinke For which in this life men haue done no penance are there punished Onelie venial sinnes Venial and deadlie sinnes About the time which theie that are tormented shal abide in Purgatorie For some haue giuen-out that the poore soules there Be continualie in torments Haue rest sometime as vpon Sondaies Holy daies In time shal be set at libertie because their punishment is but temporarie Maie be deliuered at anie time if Their friends with monie wil buie-out their paines The Priests wil praie for them The Pope wil but saie the word About the state of the soules in Purgatotie For Our English Papists at Rhemes do thinke those in Purgatorie to be in à more happie and blessed state than anie that do liue in this world Some as Thomas Aquinas saie the paine of hel fire and the paine of the fire of Purgatorie are al one and that theie differ nothing but that th' one is but temporal and th' other not so And others put in choise either to tarâ—ie in Purgatorie à daie or to suffer the miseries of this world an 100 yeeres haue chosen th'affliction of this life for an hundred yeeres together than the paines of Purgatorie for one winters daie Therefore in this contrarietie of opinioÌ„s some of them th' aduersaries themselues cannot denie must be wee saie al of them are contrarie to the worde of God Besids they nourish most cursed and damnable errors as that Al the soules of the faithful separated from their bodies are not at rest Theis are purged in purgatorie Al sinnes in their owne nature are not mortal or deadlie Some sinnes deserue not euerlasting punishment One sinful man may saue another and that easilie by Some thing for them Praieng Saieng Doing If friends in this world wil do nothing for poore soules in paine yet maie they come vnto life at length by abiding their deserued torments vntil th' end in purgatorie The Pope is God in that he can at his pleasure deliuer From the guilâ— of sinne From the punishments due to sinne 3 Such hath bine th'exceeding mercie and loue of God tovvards man that as hee hath purged vs from all guiltines of sinn by the bloud So hath he pardoned vs from th'euer lasting punishment due to sinn by the pains of Christ. For There is saluation in none other For among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen vvhereby wee must be saued Act. 4. 12. Through his Name al that beleue shal receiue remiscion of sinnes Act 10. 43. Hee hath purchased the Church by his owne bloud Act. 20. 28. VVith his stripes vvee are healed Isa. 53. 5. Hee that beleeueth in him shal not Be condemned Iohn 3. 18 Be ashamed Rom. 10. 11. Therefore Come vnto me al yee that are wearie and laden and I wil case you c. And yee shall finde reste for your soules saith our Sauiour Christ. Mar 11. v. 28. 29. If thou shalt confesce vvith thie mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt beleeue in thine heart that God raised him vp froÌ„ the dead thou shalt bee saued saith S. Paule Rom. 10. 9. This beeing the doctrine of god himselfe and of his Church See art 2. proposit 4. art 11. proposit 1. art 22. proposit 1. we maie euidentlie perceaue hovve not onelie vain but besides not onelie besides but against the word of god the Romish doctrine concerning Pardons is For that doeth teach vs To seeke saluation not at God alone but at the handes of sinful man For would vvee haue pardon That we maie be our ovvne Sauiors So did that of purgatorie For the sinnes of 40. daies A Bishop maie giue it For the sinnes of an 100 daies A Cardinal maie graunt it For al our synnes committed or to be committed From the Pope wee maie haue it Here are his pardons if you respecte Time for yeares 40 50 100 1000 1000 10000 Offences For Parricide Homicide Treason The sinne of Sodome Periurie c. Howe the precious blood of Christe was shed in vaine For corruptible golde and siluer maie and wil saue vs. That repentance is not of necessitie to the saluatioÌ„ of man For without the same à popishe pardon maie saue but without either à pardon from the Pope or absolution of á Priest there is no saluation 4 Images are such an abomi natioÌ„â— to the Lord that he To make them among al men odioâ—â— describeth the vanitie of theÌ„ by his prophets as that Theie are Ierem. 10. vers 8. 15. The doctrine of vanitie The work of errors The teachers of lies Hab. 2. 18. Psal 135. 15. Siluer and golde The work of mans hands Vanitie Isa. 44. 10 c Theie haue Psal. 135. 16. A mouth and speake not Eies and see not Eares and heare not Psal. 115. 7. Handes touch not Feete and walke not Theie that make them are like vnto them so are al thei which trust in theÌ„ Psalm 115. 8. 135. 18. Giueth á straight commandement Not to bowe down to them not worship them Erod 20. 5. 1. Cor. 10. v. 7. 14 Not to make them Exod. 20. 5. Deut. 4. ve 14. 15. c. To flie from them 1. Iohn 5. 21. 1. Cor 10. 14. To destroie The images Deut. 7. 5. 12 ve 2. 3. Iosh. 24. 24. The idolaters Deut. 17. vers 2. c. The enticers vnto idolatrie Deut. 13. 5. c. Commended greatlie and praiseth such as haue Destroied images â— King 18. v.
Matth. 8 14. Paul Phil 4 3. and the rest of Th'apostles 1. Cor. 9 5. which vvere al maried men Iohn Th'auangelist onelie except as some do suppose The syncere churches of God both by practise do honor by writings commend the wedded state of ecclesiastical Ministerâ— Confes. of Heluet. 2. ca. â—9 Heluet. 1. ar 37. Basil. art 10. sect 1. 2. Bohem. c. 9. 19. France art 14. Ausb art 4. 5. touching abuses Saxon. ar 18. 21 VVitt. c. 21. 26. Sueaue cap. 12. And no Protestant church is of the mind of the Vigilantians that al and euerie one of the Cleargie is necessarilie to be maried or not to be admitted for à Minister Of the Papists wherof some do say that From Th'apostles time it was not lawful for anie Priest to marie Maâ—oranus report The 3 Orders Of Deacons Of Sub deacoÌ„s Of Priests Are boâ—d to chastitie that is not to marie After Orders taken to marie It is not lawful It is to turne backe vnto Satan It is Apostacie None maie be made à Priest though he wil vovv à single life if hee haue bin not à whoremonger but à maried man Mariage is not à Sacrament yet Sacred persons maie not marie For à Priest to plaie the whoremonger it is à lesse offence than to take an honest woman to wife The blasphemie of Pighius The darnel of the Rhemish Seminaries 2 As maie the ministers Ecclesiastical so are al other men women to marrie together at theire owne discretion in the fear of god So faith the spirit of god in the holy scripture vnto al men womeÌ„ in all ages Bring forth fruit and multiplie fil th' earth Gen. 1 28. Mariage is honourable among al men and the bed vndefiled Heb. 13 4. 1. Coâ— 7 2. T' auoid fornicatioÌ„ Let euerie man haue his wife Let euerie woman haue her husband If theie can not absteine let them marie 1. Cor 7 9. Particularlie because most questions are about them marie maie Bishops 1. Tim. 3. 2. c. Elders Tit. 1 9. Deacons 1. Tim. 3 v. 11 12. Virgins 1. Cor. 7 v. 28 36. VVidows 1. Cor. 7 ver 8 9. 1. Tim. 5 14. In saieng that Christians may marie at their discretion the meaning is not that anie marie if theie thinke good within the degrees of kinred and affinitie prohibited by wholesome lawes VVithout the consent of parents or other in the room of parents if theie bevnder tuition To other ends thaÌ„ God hath prefixed So testifie the reformed Churches by their publique writings Confes. of Heluet. 1. ar 37 Heluet. 2. c. 29. Bohem. cap. 19. France art 24. Ausb tuching abuses ar 4. 5. Saxon. art 18. VVitt. cap. 21. 26. Sueaue cap. 22. Nothing liked and instituted of God hath euerie way bin more inuaded than holie Matrimonie For Some vtterlie condemâ— mariage as The Gnostikes The Hieracites The Priscillianites The Montanists The Saturnians Th'apostolikes who excoÌ„municated out of their assemblies al maried folkes Some alowed the wedded life yet Not To euerie state or calling Betweene spiritual kinsfolks as The godfather the goddaughter The godmother and the godson The god-brother and the godfather c. As the Papists Alow theie no man to marie-again his first wife beeing dead such haeretiks were the Catharans Originists Tertulianists Theie thinke that al wiues should be coÌ„mon th' error of the Nicalaitans Dauigeor gians Theie are of opinion that neither the husband should knovve his wife nor the wife her husbande as man and wife are to know one th' other A fancie of Th'abeloites Theie wil not marie according to Gods word but think that one man at one and the same time maie haue manie wiues in which error are The Her mogenians The Turkes The Ochinites 33 ARTICLE Of Excommunicate persons how theie are to be auoided THe person 1 which by open denownciation of the Churche is rightlie cut-of from th'unitie of the Church and Excommunicated ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faythful as are heathen and Publicane 2 vntil he be openlie reconciled by Poenaunce and receiued into the Church by à iudge that hath auctoritie thereunto The Propositions 1 The person that is rightlie by the Church Excommunicate is of al the faithful to be taken for an Heathen and Publicane 2 An Excommunicate person truelie repenting is to be receiued into the Church againe 1 The most seuere vttermost punishmeÌ„t that the visible Church can inflict vppon the vviked and vngodlie oâ— this world is excommunication à part of discipline to be exercised that vpoÌ„ most vrgent occasions and it is CoÌ„mended to the Church euen by God himself who in his word hath prescribed VVho are to excomunicate â—â—â—elie such as haue auctoritie in the Church Matth. 18 vet 17 1. Cor. 5 ver 4 5. 2. Cor. 3. ver 13 14. 2. Thes. 3. 6. VVho are to be excommunicate euen tvvo sorts of meÌ„ wherof Some pâ—ruâ—rt the sounde doctrine of the truth â— â—im â— 20 as Hymeneus Alexander Some are deâ—iled with notorious wickednes as that incestuous person 1. Cor 5 1. The maner of proceeding in excommunication name lie First if the fault bee not notoriouslie knowen by gentle admonition that Once or twice giuen Tit â— 10 Matt. 18 15. VVith the spirit of meâ—knesse Gal. 6 1. Euen as to à brother 2. Thes. 3 15. Next if nothing wil serue and the crime and person be verie offensiue By open reprehension 1. Tim. 5 20. By publike sentence of the church To put him awaie from the coÌ„panie of the faithful 1. Co. 5 â—3 To deliuer him vnto Satan 1 Cor. 5 5. To denunce him An heathen A publican A cursed A man so cut off froÌ„ the church and excommunicated is of euerie man to bee auoided Rom. 16 17 and Not to be eaten with al 1. Cor. 5 11. Not to bee companied withal 1. Cor 5 8. Not to bee receaued into house 2. Ioh. v 10. Adueâ— saâ—ies vnto this excommunicatioÌ„ of christ bee al theie VVhich simplie condemne al excommunication saieng the vviked are not to be excommunicate such vvere the Paulicians VVhich excommunicat either vvhome theie should not or to à wrong ende So Th'apostolikes did excommunicate al that were married and for no cause but for that theie vvere married Christ prophecied that his disciples and faithful people should be excommunicated Iohn 16. â— Dioâ—â—ephes did thrust out the brethren out of the Church 3. Iohn ver 10. So The Papistes did vvhen theie excommunicated and that being dead the dead bodies of VVicklieâ— Bucer P. Fagius The Papistes do in thundering theire Buls of excommunication against the most godlie Kinges Queenes Princes States Men. VVomen Theie do which exercise excommunication not of anie conscience but for gaine where it commeth that excommunication is Not regarded of inferiors Derided of Superiors VVhich sauour the right excommunication but exercise it not beeing bound thereunto Theis are to be rebuked as was The Corinthians of S. paul 1. Cor. 5. v. 1. 2.
Th'angel of Pergamus for suffering the Balaamites Nioclaitans Reuel â— 14. Th'angel of Laodicea for beeing neither hot nor cold Reue. â— 14. Had in great reuerence and estimation of the faithful seruants of Iesus Christ as maie appeare in the Confessions of the Godlie Confes of Heluet. 1. art 19. Heluet. 2. cap. 17. 18. Bohem. c. 8. 14. France ar 29. 33. Fland. art 30. 32. Saâ—on ar 11. 17. Ausburg touching ab uses art 7. VVittem art 31. 2 Sundrie bee the reasons and â—â—â—es vvhic excommunication is vsed as That à vviked liuer to the reproch of the Gospel bee not suffered among the professors of true religion and manie good bee not euil spoken of for a â—evve bad That the good be not corrupted or infected through the continual or often familiaritie of the vviked 1. Cor. â— 6. That he vvhich hath fallen through shame of the world maie at the length Learne to to blaspheam no more 1. Tim. 1. 20. Through repentaÌ„ce be saued 1 Cor. 5. 5. Among al other causes therefore of excommunicatioÌ„ one is that the person excommunicate maie not bee condemned vtterlie but returne vnto the Lord by repentance and so bee receaued againe into the visible Church as S. Paul willed th' incestuous maÌ„ shuld be 1. Cor. 2. 7. c This truth I knovve none that denieth vnlesse it be certaine Montanistes Nouatians Fantastical Anabaptistes vvhich are of opinion that al theie vvhich sinne after baptisme vvithout al hope of reconciliation bee damned 34 ARTICLE Of the traditions of the Church IT is not necessarie that traditions and ceremonies 1 be in al places one or vtterlie like for at al times theie haue bin diuers and maie be changed according to the diuersities of Countries times and mens maners so that nothing be ordained against Gods word 2 Whosoeuer through his priuate iudgement willinglie and purposelie doth openlie breake the traditions and ceremonies of the Church 3 which be not repugnant to the worde of God and be ordained and appointed by common auctoritie ought to bee â—ebuked openlie that other maie feare to do the like as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church and hurteth th'auctoritie of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of the weake brethren 4 Eueâ—e particular or national Church hath auctoritie to ordaine chaunge and â—bolish ceremonies or rites ordained onelie by mans auctoritie so that al â—hings be done to aedifieng The Propositions The same traditions or ceremonics are not to be like in al places No priuate man of à selfe-wil and purposelie maie in publike violate the traditions and ceremonies of the Church which by common auctoritie be allowed and are not repugnaunte to the word of God Ceremonies and traditions ordained by th'auctoritie of man if theie be repugnant to Gods worde are not to be kept and obserued of anie man Euerie particular or national Church male ordaine change and abolish ceremonies or rites ordained onelie by mans auctoritie so that al things be done to aedifieng 1 If à necessitie were laid vpon the church of God to obserue one the same traditions ceremonies at al times and in al places assuredlie The ceremonies of th' old Law had not bine as theie are novv abolished Acts. 6 14. 10 13. c. 15 1. c. Gal. 2 3. c. Ephes. 2. 14. Col 2. 16. Th'apostles wold neuer haue giueÌ„ such praesidents of altering them vpon special reasons as theie haue don For wee find that they chaÌ„ged The times and places of their assembling togither For the people of God â—et and Th'apostles preached Sometime In the weeke daies Acts. 2 46. 5 42. On the Sabboth daies Acts. 13 14 c. 43 c 17 2. 18 4. Sometime Publikelie In the temple Acts. 2 46. 3. 1. c. 5 26. In the Synagogues Act. 9 20. 14 1. 17 10 18 4 19 8. In the scholes Acts. 19 9. Priuatlie In house after house Acts. 5 42. In chambers Act. 1 13. 20 8. 28. v. 30 31. Sometime In the daie time Acts. 2 46. 3 1. c. In the night Acts. 20 7 c. The ceremonies in th'administration Of baptisme if good occasion was offred baptising In publike assemblies Acts. 2. 41. In priuate houses Act. 16 33. 10. v. 27 48. Before manie Act. 8. 12. 10. ver 27. 48. VVhen none of the faithful were praesent Acts. 8. 36. Of the L. Supper ministring the same Not alwaies at one time but sometime At midnight Acts. 20 11. In the daie time Acts. 2 46. Not alwaies in one place but sometime In the churches 1. Cor. â— 17. c. In houses Acts. 20 7. 2 46. So nothing therfore is done against gods word no doubt traditions and ceremonies according to the diuersitie of countries times and mens maners maie be changed Of this iudgment with vs bee the Churches of God about vs. Confes of Heluet. 2. cap. 17 27. Bohem. c. 15. France art 32. Fland. art 32. Ausburg art 15 and art 7. touching abuses Saxon. art 20. VVittem art 35. Sueaue ca. 14. Herebie it is euident that they are greatlie deceiued vvhich thinke that The Iewish ceremonies prescribed of God himselfe for à time vnto the Iewes are vnuiolablie to be obserued of vs christians such are the Ievves Turkes Cerdonites Cerinâ—â—ians Nazariâ—â— Armenians Familists The popish ceremonies of the Romish Antichrist are vniuersaâ—â— to be kept in al placeâ— Traditions and ceremonies must euerie where be the same 2 Great is the priuilege greate also the libertie and freedom of Gods Church For it is deliuered From the cursce of the Law Gala. 3. 13. From the law Rom. 8. 2. Of sinn Of death From the Iewish Act. 15. 24. c. Rites Ceremonies From al humaine ordinaunces traditions so far forth as there binde the consciences of men Hereof speaketh S. Paul Colos. 2. 8. c. yet is the Churche bounde to th'obseruation of al traditions and ceremonies which are allowed by lavvful auctoritie and are not repugnant to the vvorde of God For he that violateth them contemneth not man but God who hath giuen power to his Church to establish whatsoeuer thinges make vnto 1 Cor. 14. ver 40. 26 Comlines Order Aedification This of our godlie brethren some doe not let by publique vvritinges to testifie Confes of Heluet. 1. art 25. Bohem. c. 15 18. Ausb art 4. 15. Fran. art 32. Heluet. 2. c. 24. Saxon. ar 20 Sueau cap. 4 Others gon-out from vs do hold that Christian Magistrates haue none auctoritie T appoint anie ceremonies Rites for the due seruice of God To exact outvvarde obedience vnto ceremonies righthe or dained The people of God are â—â—ee From all Ecclesiastical iurisdiction From the obseruation of al ceremonies and Rites 3 Of ceremonies and traditions repugnant to the word of God there be tvvo sortes vvhere of Some are of things meer lie vviked such VVas Th'israelites calfe Exod 32. 4 c. Nebuchadnezarâ— Idol Dan. 3. 1. c. Are the Papistical Images Reliques Agnus deis
found in Israel to serue the Lord their God 2. Chro. 34. 33. VVith the K. of Nihiuch for th'auoiding of th'imment vengeance of God Ionas 3. 7. c. Proclaime a general Fast. Command euerie man to turn from his euil waie and from the wikednes that is in his handes Herun to subscribe the Churches ptotestant Confe of Heluet. 1 arâ— 26. Heluet. 2. c. 30 Basil. art 7. Bohem. cap. 16. France art 39. Flan. art 36. Saxon. art 23. VVitte cap. 35. The Papists as in other pointes so herein disceÌ„t altogether from the true Church of God For thei teach that No Queen No King None Emperor Hath anie â—uctoâ—tie to deliberate or define in mâ—tters of Religion or to make anie lawes for th'aduancemeÌ„t of the same religion yea vvhat Prince soeuer doth so he shal bee damned saie theie vndoubtedly except theie do repent 4 Th' office of the ciuil Magistrate hath in part alrea die bin declared in this article in part also this proposition she vveth namely that hee is to restraine and if need be to punish the disturbers of the quiet peace of his Common-vvealth and that if occasion do require By force of armes if th' enemies of his State be Foraine Domestical And theie gathered together be Manie Mightie To this end principallie theie haue Men Munition Subsidies Tributs Thus against th' enemies of God good men vvent of Israel Iudah The valiant Iudges The noble and puissant Kinges Princes By executing of wholsome lawes vpon the Goods Cattel Lands Bodies Of their disobedient subiects For he is the minister of God to take vengance on him that doeth euil Rom. 13. 4. Therefore Princes are to be feared Not of them vvhich do wel Rom. 13. 3. Of such as doe vvickedlie Rom. 13. vâ—â— 3. 4. Theie vvhich haue profited in the schoole of Christianitie novvhit doue heereof Confe of Heluet 1 ar 24. 26 Heluet. 2. c. 30. Basil. art 7. Bohem. cap. 16. France art 39. Flan. art 36. Ausb ar 16. Saxon. art 23. But The Cresconians are of an opinion that the Magistrates ar to punish no malefactors Rabanus drea meth that magistracy is not th'ordinaunce of God for the good but an humane inuention for the hurt of man Th'anab aptists deliuer that before the resurrectioÌ„ther shalnot be anie magistrats for al the wiked shal be rooted out The like fancie haue the Fam. of Loue. The Papists think that the Cleargie are not to be punished or corrected of the ciuil magistrate 5 The Bishop of Rome did he Preach the Gospel 1. Cor 9 v. 16 17. 1. Tim. 4 2. Mat. 28. 19 Labor in the Lorde his haruest Mat. 9 38. Diuide the word of God aâ—ight â— Tim. â— 15. Minister the Sacraments instituted by Christ that syncerelie Matt. 28 19. 1. Cor. 10 16. Shew by his life the goodfruits of à godly Bishop 1. Tim. 3 2. c. Tit. 1 7. c Doubtles hee were worthie of double honor by the word of God 1. Tim 5. 17 yet wil not the same worde of God were he neuer so holie religious warrant him anie iurisdictioÌ„ within this realme much lesse when hee doth execute no part of à Christian but euerie part of an Antichristian Bishop In corrupting the doctrin of the truth with errors cursed opinions In defacing the sacrameÌ„ts of the church by supersticious ceremonies In persecuting the Church of Christ with fire and sword In making marchandise of the soules of men thorough couetousnes 2 Pet. 2 3. In plâ—ieng the Lorde ouer gods heretage 1. Pet. 5. 3. In sitting in the temple of God as God shewing himself that hee is God 2. Thes. 2 4. In exalting himself against al that is called god or that is worshipped 2. Thes. 2 4. In respect of which fruits of impietie the pope of Rome He is described in the holie scripture to be verie Antichrist eueÌ„ The wikedman That man of sinne The son of pâ—idition Th' aduersarie of God 2. Thes. 2 3. c. Hee was openlie proclaimed Antichrist by à councel in France in the raigne of Capet He is called by the godlie learned The prince among al the children of pride Verie Lucifer The Basiliske of the Church The plague of the world Neither the head nor the taile of the Church of God His iurisdiction hath bine and is banished out oâ— Englande by manie kings parliments namelie by K. Edwarde the 1. 3. 6. Richard the 2. Henrie the 4 8. His pride and intollerable supremacie is renounced by al the true seruants of God by mouth and writing Confel of Hel. 1. 2. 18 Helue 2 c. 17. 18. Boh. c. 8. 9 Fland art 28. 31. VVittem art 31. Ausburg touching abuses 1 art 7. And that vpon good cause he is thus detested it appeareth as by that alreadie setdowne so by that which the Papists themselues giue out of their holie father as namelie that The pope is In supremacle Abel In gouerning of the Aâ—ke Noah In patriarkship Abraham In Order Melchisedech In dignitie Aaron In auctoritie Moses In iudgement Samuel In zeale Helias In humilitie Dauid In power Peter In respect of his vnâ—tion Christ. The general pastor The common father of al Christians The high pastor of Gods vniuersal Church The prince of Gods people God In title God euen the Lorde God the Pope For power god By him kings raigne He maie iudge al but must be iudged of none He can do what him list as wel as God except sin He hath vniuersal iurisdiction ouer the whole world Vpon paine of damnation al christians are to yeeld obedience to the Pope 6 As the natures of men be diuers and sometimes in some countries more abund than in other so are the punishments to bee imposed vpon malefactors according to the quantitie and qualitie of th'offeÌ„ce and anie countrie and realm maie punish offendors and that with death is the laws thereof do so command and the case requireth For Al that take the sword shal perish with the sworde Matth. 26 52. Gouernors are seÌ„t of the king 1. Pet. 2 14. For The punishmeÌ„t of euil doers The praise of them that do wel A wise king scattereth the wiked and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them Rom. 20 26. The magistrate Rom 13 4. He beareth not the sworde for nought He is the minister of God to takeven geance on theÌ„ that do euil In regarde wherof in some places before the magistrats are borne Rods to correct them which be reformable To cut of such as are past recouerie and rotten meÌ„bers Axes Hatchets Halberds Swords but not bare and naked but in the scabberd to signifie That theie are to haue death which deserue the same yet coÌ„meth the magistrate to that execution vrged therunto by necessitie rather than willinglie VVhich punishments do testifie to the world that God is al iust which wil haue Some sinnes more seuerelie punished than others The magistrat to cut of dangerous and vngodly members God is merciful and hath à care