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A79864 A rod discovered, found, and set forth to whip the idolaters till they leave off their idolatry (which yet remains in the rulers of England, their ministers, and the people who follow thier wayes) which doth consist in the houses of high places, falsly called churches; the two universities, Cambridge and Oxford, (and their ministers, which are made by man, and not of God) and their ministers maintenance (not the ministers of Christs) which is portions of lands, tythes, offrings, oblations, obventions, and great houses for a certain dwelling place on the earth, and forms of oathes, all which is the fruit of idolaters, and the abomination of the heathen. So likewise here is described the true magistrate and his work; and the way (for he who is not) to become such a one; and likewise, the way for all people to come out of their idolatry, vo worship the true God in spirit and truth. Written by me Henry Clark. Unto which is prefixed the epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Laodiceans. Clark, Henry, 17th cent. 1657 (1657) Wing C4457; Thomason E926_1; ESTC R207580 107,831 79

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give to the Priests and the Levites their portion that they might be incouraged in the law of the Lord as soon as the commandment came abroad the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of Corn Wine and Oyle and Hony and of all the encrease of the field and the tythe of all things brought they in abundantly and the children of Israel and Judah that dwelt in the Cities of Judah they also brought in tythes of Oxen and Sheep and the tythe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God and laid them by heaps and Azariah the Priest said to the King and the Princes Since the people began to bring the Offrings into the House of the Lord we have had enough to eat and have left plenty for the Lord hath blessed his people of that which is left is this great store Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare Chambers in the House of the Lord they prepared them they brought in the Offrings and the Tythes the dedicated things faithfully into the House of God over which Azariah was Ruler And after the children of Israels return out of captivity from Babylon when they had builded up the Walls of Ierusalem and that they were setled again every one in their places Nehemiah went the two and thirtieth year to the King of Babylon and after certain dayes he obtained leave of the King Neh 10 12 13. chap. and he came again to Jerusalem and he found the House of God forsaken and perceived that the portions was not given to the Levites because that the Levites was fled every man to his field then Nehemiah contended with the Rulers and said Why is the House of G d forsak●n and he gathered them together and set them in their places and then brought all Judah the tythes of their Corn and the New Wine and the Oyle into the treasuries Now God had commanded to bring all ●he tythes into the Store-House Mal. 3.10 that there might be meat in his House And Nehemiah and the Rulers made Ordinances accordingly and r●qui●ed the people the children of Israel to bring the first fruits of their ground and the firrst fruits of all their trees year by year unto the House of the Lord and that they should bring the firstlings of their Herds and of their Flocks to the House of God unto the Priests that ministred in the House of God and that they should bring the first fruits of their Dough and their Off●●i●gs ●n● th● fruit of all manner of trees of Wine and of Oyle unto the Priests to the Chambers of the House of God and the tythes of their ground they were to bring unto the Levites that the same Levites might have the tythes in all the cities of their tillage and the Priest the son of Aaron was to be with the levites when the levites took tythes and the levites was to bring up the ●ythe of tythes unto the House of God into the Chambers of the treasure-House And so much I have in part set forth to shew what God did do and required to be done in his worship and service of which the Scripture speaks more at large And now I come to shew how that the Kings and Rulers of the earth who forsake the onely true God to serve strange gods were the onely and chief Ring-leaders of the people from the true God and his way of Worship to worship the Images that they had set up And likewise how they in their imaginations have in their actions imitated to do the like things for the worship and service of their false gods that they set up as was done for the worship and service of the onely true God by his Command And now I will lay down the particular things to shew wherein the Kings and Rulers of the earth have acted in their own wills by their imaginations to do those things for the worship of their false gods which things that by them done were sin and what things they are doing for a false worshipping of the onely true God which is sin and such as God never required at their hands The first is The building and repairing of the Houses of High Places 2. Kings 17.12 15. Jer. 19.5 Jer. 7.31 32. called Churches for the worshipping of their false gods in or otherwayes for a pretence of worshipping the true God which thing God never required at their hands to do For God dwells not in Temples made with hands nor is he worshipped in Temples made with hands but he is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth and such worshippers the Father looks for dmells with him that is of an humble contrite spirit Ioh. 4.20 21 22 23 24. Acts 7.47 48 49. Isa 57.15 The second is Their consecrating and making Priests to offer up Sacrifices to preach in those Hgh Places called Churches for money and tythes is a thing that God never required at their hands to do and therefore it is a sin for them so to do 1 K ngs 13.33 34. Matth. 9.37 38. The third is the Laws that the Kings and ●ulers with the Pope and Bishops of the earth who sate in counsel together have made by which they compel the people of God to pay the Priests or Ministers that they have made tythes and Hire by which are contrary to God and Christ and such Laws God never required them to sit together to make against him and against his anointed and therefore I say that those Laws are unrighteous unjust unholy because they are not of God but contrary to God and therefore they are not to be obeyed for God is to be obeyed rather then man Isa 10.1 2. Mic. 6.16 Amos 8.4 5 6. Isa 1.12 But of tythes I have something more to w●ite hereafter in its place First God exal●ed from among the people of Israel Jereboam the son of Nebat one of King Solomons servants 1 King 11. ch 14.7 8 9.10 and made him Prince over the people Israel but Jeroboam turned away from the Lord God and followed not the Lord to kee● his Com●andments with all his heart nor stood in his counsel who had exalted him from all the people but Jeroboam lightly esteemed of the Lord a●d set his counsel at naught and set himself to do evil above all that were before him and rebelled against the Lord then the loss of Jeroboams Kingdom was set before him and the fear of his life was upon him and thus being surprised with fear on evevy side he said in his heart Now shall the Kingdom ●eturn to the House of David for said he If this people go up to do sacrifice at Ierusalem then shall the hearts of this people return again unto their Lord Rehoboam King of Judah and they will kill me 1 King 12. chh and go to Rehoboam King of Iudah again W●ereupon Ieroboam took counsel but not of the Lord God who exalted him and made two Calves
A ROD Discovered found and set forth to whip the Idolaters till they leave off their Idolatry which yet remains in the Rulers of England their Ministers and the people who follow their wayes which doth consist in the Houses of High Places falsly called Churches the two Universities Cambridge and Oxford and their Ministers which are made by man and not of God and their Ministers maintenance not the Ministers of Christs which is portions of Lands Tythes Offrings Oblations Obventions and great Houses for a certain dwelling place on the earth and forms of oathes all which is the fruit of Idolaters and the abomination of the Heathen So likewise here is described the true Magistrate and his Work and the way for he who is not to become such a one and likewise the way for all people to come out of their Idolatry to worship the true God in spirit and in truth Reward her as she hath rewarded you and double unto her double according to her works Rev. 18.6 7 8 9. The commandment is a Lamp and the Law is light and reproofs of Instruction are the way of life Pro. 6.23 The Rod and Reproof gives wisdom let the righteous smite me and it shall be a kindness let him reprove me it shall be an excellent Oyle VVhen the righteous are in Authority the people rejoyce but when the wicked bear rule the people mourn Psal 141.5 Prov. 29.2.15 Written by me HENRY CLARK Unto which is prefixed the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the LAODICEANS LONDON printed for the Author the sixth Month in the Year 1657. THE EPISTLE OF PAUL TO THE LAODICEANS 1 PAUL an Apostle not of man nor by man but by Iesus Christ 2 To the Brethren which are at LAODICEA Grace and peace be with you from God the Father and the Lord Iesus Christ 3 I thank my God in all my Prayers that you remain stedfast in him and in all his works waiting upon his Promises to the day of judgement 4 And be not seduced by some unprofitable talkers who go about to cause you to fall from the Gospel which was preached unto you by me 5 Oh that they that were inctructed by me might serve to the profit of the Gospel of truth and become diligent in good works of eternal life 6 And henceforth are my bonds manifest which I suffer for Christs sake 7 Whereof I rejoice in heart and account it eternal salvation 8 That such is done through your prayers by the working of the holy Spirit whether by life or death 9 For I have a will and a joy to dye in Christ who will through the same mercy give you to have the same love and to be of one mind 10 Therefore beloved brethren as you have heard in my presence that keep and finish in the fear of God so shall you have eternal life for God will work it and perfect it in you without delay 11 My beloved rejoice in the Lord and take heed of them that are desirous after filthy lucre 12 Let your prayers be manifest unto God and remain firm in the knowledge of Christ. 13 And do that which is mete convenient just and reasonable and what you have heard and received that keep in your hearts so shall you have praise 14 The Grace of God and our Lord Iesus Christ be with your spirits Amen Cause this Epistle to be read unto the Colossians and read you that which is written unto the Colossians Read Col. 4.16 This Epistle of Paul to the Laodiceans was found in the oldest Bible that was Printed at Worms IN a translation of the New-Testament into both Latine and English each correspondent one to another after the vulgar Text commonly called St. Ieroms faithfully translated by Iohn Hollybush 1538. and printed in Southwark by Iames Nicolson and set forth by the Kings licence I finde in the sixt Chapter of Luke it is thus in the Margent after the fifth and sixth verses after these words The Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath viz. in one of the Greek Copies this followeth Iesus seeing a cortain man working on the Sabbath-day said unto him O man if thou didst know indeed what thou dost thou wert happy but if thou knowest not thou art accursed and a transgressor of the Law A Rod discovered found and set forth c. WHen man hath forsaken the counsel of the Lord Deut. 9.12 16. Exod. 32.1 8. Psal 106.13 21. ver Numb 25.4 Iudg. 2.10 11 12 13. Psal 2.2 3. 1 Kings 11.38 12.28 29. 2 Chron. 12 1. 2 Kings 21. ch Read of Manassah and Amon and turned from the onely true God his Maker then he runs into the transgression and takes counsel of man and sets himself to act against the Lord and his annointed and in his imaginations he sets up other Gods for to worship and serve and this hath been the practise of the Kings and Rulers of the Earth and their Priests who have been the onely instruments together and the very Ring-Leaders of the people from the onely true God and his worship to fall down and worship the gods that they in their imaginations have set up which is Idolatry So likewise the Kings and Rulers of the Earth have done and do now in these dayes for the worship and service of their false gods and in pretence of worshipping the true God have those things in imitation which the only true God did do and required to be done for his worship and service but all those things which they in their imaginations did do in imitation of God was their sin for which the wrath of God was kindled up against them to cut them off and to destroy them And now I will instance some particular things that the onely true God did do and required to be done for his worship and service and afterwards shew how the Kings and Rulers of the earth have devised in their hearts to do the like for the worship of their false gods which was of their own setting up and a grievous sin they did commit in so doing And the Lord spake unto Moses saying Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an Offring Exod. 25 26 27 28. chap. and ye shall take my Offring of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart they were to take the offering of him that gave it willingly with his heart and with that willing offring that came from the heart they were to make the Lord God a Sanctuary that he might dwell amongst them And the Lord said unto Moses According to all that I shew thee after the pattern of the Tabernacle and the pattern of all the Instruments thereof even so shall ye make it and ye shall make the Ark of Shittim Wood and God shewed unto Moses the pattern of the Tabernacle how it should be built and of what it should be made of and all things belonging to it And when Moses went about to make the Tabernacle he was
reigned in Jerusalem and he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord after the abominations of the heathen for he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his Father had destroyed and he reared up the Altars for Baal and made a Grove as Ahab King of Israel did and worshipped all the host of heaven and he seduced the people to do more evil then did the Nations whom the Lord destroyed before all the Nations and made Judah also to sin with his Idols and he used inchantments Read 2 Kings 21. chap. and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards and observed times Now was not Manasseh one that did forsake the Lord and his commandments and did not he lead the peoplc on seduced them to do wickedly in serving strange gods and worshipping Idols in the houses of high places and thus you may see that the ground and foundation of the houses of high places which we in England call Cathedral Churches Churshes and Chappels was from the heathen and Idolatrous Kings and Rulers and popish Kings and others built up to worship their Idols in now in these our days are upheld in pretence to worship the true God in but I say that God dwells not in temples made with hands neither is he worshipped in them with those that assemble together in them for God is a Spirit and is wor●hipped in spirit and in truth And now I will compare those houses of high places which Jeroboam Ahab Manasseh and the heathens made with those that we have in England which are falsly called Churches and see how far short they have fallen and how far they do now fall short of being the same or such like as they were First The founders or builders of those houses of high places that the Scripture speak of that I have before mentioned were built up by the heathen and idolatrous people at the command of the wicked and ungodly Kings and Rulers of the Earth such as Jeroboam Rehoboam Ahab and Manasseh were and now by hypocritical Kings and Rulers and idolatrous Kings are upheld and maintained So these that we have here in England were all of them built up by the popish Saxon Kings and other Idolaters I will onely instance some particulars of them as I sound them written in our English Histories About the year 604. by two of the Saxon Kings viz. Etholbert King of Kent and Segebert King of Essex was founded the greatest house of high places in London falsely called by the name of the Cathedral Church FOXES Acts Monumen●s Vol. 1. or St. Pauls Church and through the instigation of Etholbert King of Kent a Citizen of London began in the year 614. to build the house of high places at Westminster falsly called a Church And in the year 636. King Gilsus King of the Moreians began and founded the house of high places falsly called a Church at Winchester but it was finished by his son Kenwalcus And about the year 932. by King Athelstone was founded and by him builded the Cathedral at Exceter HOLLINS Chr. pag. 1009. as said Hollingshood in his Chronicle who hath said likewise that it is recorded in the History of the said Cathedral thus as followeth Atholstone the Cornish being subdued returned to the City which anciently was called Monbeton but now Exceter and the●e sitting down Anno Dom. 932. he repaired the Walls of the same City not much torn also he gave a certain pension for the sounding a Monestry for the Monks of the Family of God and St. Peter alias who served God and St. Peter And Hollingshood saith that in the year 1198. Pope Innocent the third established the erroneous Doctrine of Transubstantiation and as it appeareth in the Decratals made it an Article of the Symbole And in the year 1218. his next successor Honorius the third did confirm the same and by a Decree also did establish Reservation Candle-light and praying for the dead by which means the great number of Sacrificing and Massing p●iests did not onely encrease but Churches falsly so called and Chappels began in all places every-where to be builded and erected for to wor●hip Images in and the Saxon Kings and others built Monasteries Abbies Nunneries Chantry-houses and Fryer-houses for their Monks Nunnes Priests Fryars Abbots And thus the founders or builders of your false Churches were Idolaters as those were spoken of in the Scriptures and it was one and the same Spirit of Error and Witchcraft that guided them to do them in rebellion against God for God never required it at their hands to do 2 King 17.12.15 Jer. 7.31 19.5 Secondly The Houses of high places that the heathen and the Idolatrous Kings of Israel built up were built so large for height length and breadth and so strange withall Iudges 16. 1 Sam. 5. that they did contain and hold thousands of people for the House that Dagon the god of the Philistine stood in was so large that it held about three thousand men and women upon the Roof and the House was full of men and women and the Lords of the Philistines were there And Jehu he proclaimed a solemn assembly for Baal 2 Kings 10. 1 Kings 18.22 and Jehu sent through all Israel and called for all the Prophets of Baal and all his servants and all the Priests of Baal and all the worshippers of Baal and they came all into the House of Baal and the House of Baal was filled from one end to another Now the prophets of Baal was in the dayes of Ahab four hundred and fifty men and sure his priests and his servants and his worshippers were many more for the House was filled with them from one end to the other as saith the Scripture So likewise the Houses of high places here in England which are falsly called Churches are for height length and breadth builded so strong especially the Cathedrals and some of the others that above in their Galleries and below they will hold thousands of men yea and the Princes and the Rulers and the Nobles and the Judges and the Priests that preach in them for hire and the Prophets that study or divine for money all in a Parish will but scarce fill them up from one end to the other and another to help them Thirdly The Houses of high places that Jeroboam and Ahab built they had Vestries and Vestments belonging to them and likewise they had men that had the charge over them take one for a pattern of all the rest 2 Kings 10 2● And Jehu said unto him that was over the Vestry Bring forth Vestments for all the worshippers of Baal and he brought them forth Vestments So likewise the Houses of high places falsly called Churches here in England they have men appointed to take the charge of them and their Vestries too who are called by the Name of Churchwardens Vestry-men Clarks and Sexstones and these with Priests and the Vestry-men are the Rulers of
c. and the like power and command they received from other Kings Queens and Parliaments afterward but not from Jesus Christ for they whom Christ sent out to preach to them he gave power and to them he gave some Apostles some prophets and some Evangelists Pastors and Teachers But those who were made by the power and command of the pope the kings and rulers of the earth they were called cardinals arch-bishops bishops suffragans priors covents deanes and chapters deacons arch-deacons prebends parsons vicars priests rectors clarks ministers c. And the Assembly of presbyter Divines so called and the Commissioners for approbation of publike preachers they received their power rule and command to ordain ministers and preachers and to set them solemnly and sacredly apart to the office and work of the Ministry from the Rulers of the earth as you may read at large in the two Ordinances made one by the parliament of Lords and Commons and the other by Oliver protector and his counsel by them they had their power and command See JOHN GOODVVIN's Book of TRIERS pag. 5. and not from Christ for without their power and command they did not act and by that rule viz. Acts and Ordinances that the Rulers of the earth set them they acted by and not by the power or spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ as did the Apostles and therefore all both popes emperors kings queens counsels parliaments or rulers bishops assembly of divines protector counsels and commmissioners their works that they have done herein are abomination unto the Lord because they are not done by his power nor his spirit but by the imaginations and devisings of their own hearts w●ich by the light are seen and made manifest to the children of the day whom Cod hath by his spirit called out from amongst the Babylonians to dwell in the city of God and to worship him in spirit and in truth for God dwells not in temples made with hands nor is he worshipped in these churches that are made with hands And now I shall come to shew you something of what I have both heard read and seen and understand by the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford and likewise of their teaching and bringing up and their making of young men Masters preachers Doctors c. As for the two Vniversities they were founded by the popish Saxon Kings and other popish Kings Bishops Knights c. men and women The first common School in Cambridge was founded by Sigisbert King of the East-Angles and the Vniversity colledge in Oxford was founded by Allured one of the Saxon Kings and Baylie colledge at Oxford was founded by Iohn Bailiol King of the Scots and it is recorded That Queens Colledge at Cambridge was founded by Margaret the Wife of King Henry the sixth and finished by Elizabeth the Wife of King Edward the fourth and the Brazen-Nose-Colledge at Oxford was founded by William Smith bishop of Lincoln but St. Iohns colledge at Oxford was founded by Sir Thomas White Alderman and late before Mayor of London and for the other Colledges they were founded in the honor of one Saint or another and called by their Names viz. St. Iohns Colledge All-Souls Colledge Magdalene Colledge and another is called falsly by the Name of Trinity Colledge and another by the Name of Jesus Colledge and one by the Name of Christs Colledge and one by the name of Corpus Christi Colledge that is the Body of Christs colledge and another by the Name of Christs Colledge So by these Names and Titles ye may see what the founders were and what their religion was and now you shall see hereafter by the practise that is in these colledges that the great and wise men of the world so highly esteem of for their works sake are But first you shall see what the learned themselves have writ of them Wickliffe terms the Vniversities to be the Synagogue of Satan and John Hus. called them Lievetenants of Antichrist And Luther called them the Gates of Hell the Stews of Antichrist Houses of Lyes for said he TINDALL in his Book of The Revelation of ANTICHRIST They are all Heretical by their School-Divinity and they are Dens of Thieves said he And Tindal said That whosoever ordained Vniversities be it Alexander at Halis St. Thomas or any other he was a star that fell from Heaven to the earth for there are brought in said he moral vertues for faith and opinions for truth and said he The Vniversities are the very confused Cloud and opened Gate of Hell and said he This Cloak meaning the Vniversities is of all other most noysome and doth most hurt and damage for said he All moral Divines have a wicked conscience full of scrupulosity And Will Dell sayes That yet the Vniversities are the strongest holds that Antichrist hath had amongst us So that notwithstanding all their reformation in their Religion the Vniversities remain in a manner as bad as they were Now for their works first When any Schollar comes to any of these colledges he is examined of his Latine and Greek and Hebrew Tongues and if he be a good schollar and perfect in his answers he is approved of and when he has got him a Gown and a pair of Cuffs he is admitted into the colledge to be a Student and if he be a great mans son or one that can make great friends to the Vice-chancellor or the head-man of an House then he gets the greater place in the colledge but if he be a poor young man and of mean parentage then a mean place must serve his turn So that in their Fountains of learning to be Ministers is respecting of persons for there is saying to the rich Sit or be thou here and to the poor Be thou in one of the meanest places And then they are set to study Logick that is the Art of Reason Philosoyhy that is studying for Wisdom And there they read Aristotle and Plato's Works and others that they may become able disputants that they may dispute at Schools and make Theams and Verses And in that time called Lent one colledge disputes against another Now do but observe a little of their behaviour and carriage in that time of their disputations Those colledges who are to dispute one against another makes choice of one amongst themselves in each colledge to dispute that by their disputations it may be seen which is the greatest schollar And he that they have made choice of to dispute they take him up upon their shoulders carry him out of the school and in the time of their disputing there is such hissing and shouting like a company of Gamesters at play and when they cannot get mastery with their tongues by disputing then they fall together a fighting for mastery and teares the Gowns from one anothers backs and lose their hats and beats one another along the streets and some of them go away with black eyes And at the end of four years if
God and man and the Canonical Institutions in this behalf accustomed That such Hereticks convict and condemned in form aforesaid ought to be burned with fire We command you as straitly as we may or can firmly injoyning you that you do cause the said William Sautre being in your custody in some publike or open place within the Liberties of your City aforesaid the cause being aforesaid published to the people to be put in the fire and there in the same fire really to be burned to the great horror of his offence and the manifest example of other Christians Fail not in the execution hereof upon the peril that will fall thereupon Teste Rege apud Westmonast 26. Febr. An. Regni sui And the like was done upon Iohn Badly a Taylor and Sir Iohn Oldcastle alias Lord Cobham and William Thorp for denying swearing by the Book and saying the Priests had no title to tythes under the Gospel was committed to prison in which it was thought that he dyed Now here I observe that in the Scriptures and in the heart it is written that Christ said Swear not at all and likewise that those Ministers that he sent out to preach the Gospel writ to the Brethren saying My Brethren swear not neither by heaven nor by earth nor by any other oath c. Now Christ that taught men they should not sweare at all he was by the Scribes and Pharisees and the high Priests who taught men to swear counted a perverter of the Nation and was vehemently accused and said that they had a Law and by that Law he ought to dye and they did not cease till that he was put to death And Iames he was by Herod slain with the sword who writ to the twelve scattered Tribes saying Above all things my brethren swear not c. And William Thorpe for denying to swear by a Book at the Pope and his Adherents command was put in Prison wherein it was thought that he dyed And now in these dayes some lye in prison because they will not swear at all Now I suppose that none will be so impudent as to say that Christ and the Apostles were not guided by the spirit of truth but that they will say on the contrary viz. That Christ and his Apostles were guided by the spirit of truth Then I say thus That the Scribes Pharisees and the high Priests and the Pope and his Adherents viz. the Rulers of the earth the Bishops and the Clergy were and are all guided by a spirit of error by which spirit of error the Scribes Pharisees chief Priests the Pope and his Adherents viz. the Bishops and the Clergy and the Rulers of the earth taught men to swear and do teach and compel men to swear by the same spirit of error And again The same spirit which Christ Jesus and his Apostles taught men that they should not swear at all taught many of the Martyrs to deny swearing at the Pope and his Adherents command And the same spirit teacheth us the people called Quakers to deny swearing at all for say we It is better to obey God rather then man and therefore we rather choose to suffer for the name of Christ then to obey man by swearing contrary to the Law written in our hearts by the spirit and by the power of the spirit of truth are we taught and do deny the paying of tythes to the priests of this Nation who are called Ministers or any other and by the power of the same spirit of truth do we so many of us as are called thereunto suffer not only bonds with patience but likewise the spoyling of our goods with cheerfulnesse for the Name of Christ Jesus our Lord our Law-giver our Judge and our Priest for ever of God by the power of an endlesse life and not by a carnal commandment as the priests of this Nation called Ministers are now made by But of tythes I have more to say hereafter and the priests likewise Anno 1540. 31. year of H. 8. April 8. And now I come to shew what an Act was made in the dayes of King Henry the 8th the popes Successor here in England who by the means of Stephen Gardiner was stirred up to shew himself severe and sharp against those new Sectaries Anabaptists and Sacramentaries as they called them and that some Articles might be set forth to confirm the ancient Catholike Faith and for this and other ends through the device of the popes Adherents the King summoned a parliament to be holden at Westminster of all the States and Burgesses of the Realm also a Synod or Convocation of all the Arch-bishops Bishops and other of the learned Clergy of this Realm to be in like manner assembled in which Parliament and Synod of the Bishops and the Clergy and by their means viz. the Bishops and Clergy it was decreed in pretence of unity among the Kings subjects That the six Articles which they had made should be received among the people and withall a penalty to be inflicted upon them that refused them which penalty and the Articles were called the Whip with six strings And the six Articles consisted the first of Transubstantiation The second of their Sacraments of both kinds FOX Act. and Mon. Vol. 2. The third about Priests Marriage The fourth was about the Vows of chastity or Widow-hood The fifth was about private Masse helping of souls out of purgatory And the sixth was about Auricular Confession And for the bloody penalty that was annexed unto those six Articles take as followeth and then judge whether the King and his Bishops and Clergy did not act like the Pope and whether they were not led all by the same spirit as the Pope was led by yea or nay Item That if any person or persons within this Realm of England or any other of the Kinge Dominions after the twelfth day of Iuly next coming by word writing printing cyphering or any other way should publish preach teach say affirm declare dispute argue or hold any opinion that the blessed Sacrament of the Altar under the form of bread and wine after the consecration thereof there is not present really the natural body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ conceived of the Virgin Mary or that after the consecration there remaineth any substance of the bread and wine or any other substance but the substance of Christ God and man or after the time abovesaid publish preach teach say affirm declare dispute argue or hold opinion that in the flesh under the form of bread is not the very blood of Christ or that with the blood of Christ under the form of Wine is not the very flesh of Christ as well apart as though they were both together or by any means abovesaid or otherwayes preach teach declare or affirm the said Sacrament to be other substance then is abovesaid or by any means contemn or deprave or despise the blessed Sacrament that then every such person or
man in an evil cause because he is poor neither is he to countenance a rich man in an evil cause because of his riches and high titles of honour neither is he to pervert the words of the righteous whether he be rich or poor Neither is he to judge for reward nor to take bribes or gifts because they blind the eye and so they cannot see to do just judgement nor to judge righteously for the Lord betwixt man and man rich and poor great and small c. 4. The Magistrate that ruleth over man must not accept the person of the wicked Psal 82.2 3 4. Deut. 16.18 19 20. but he is to defend the poor and fatherlesse and to do justice for the afflicted and needy and to deliver the poor and needy and to rid them out of the wicked speedily Therefore he is not to be afraid of the fear of man but to fear the Lord God and him alone to serve in doing of true justice and in judging righteously and he is to follow altogether that which is just that so he may leve and inherit the land which the Lord God giveth him Hear O ye Kings Rulers and Iudges of the earth the double-minded man is unstable in all his wayes he wavereth like a wave of the Sea that is driven with the winde and tossed to and fro Therefore let your eye be single that your whole body may be full of light that ye may behold the glory of God in the face of Iesus Christ and so ye may see to do true justice and judgement for the Lord betwixt man and man but if your eye be evil your whole body is full of darknesse confusion and every evil thing and so no justice nor true judgement is then done by you for the Lord. Be wise therefore O ye Rulers and Iudges of the earth serve the Lord with fear the fear of the Lord is to depart from iniquity and the beginning of wisdom Therefore kisse the Son least he be angry with you and when his wrath is kindled ye perish from the right way of truth and judgement And ye that rule while ye have time prise it and rule with diligence and be not sloathful in your businesse but be fervent in spirit serving the Lord and meddle not with things that be too high for you nor with those things which ye ought not to have to do with Read 1 King 12.31 13.33 34. 16.30 31 32 33. In the time of ignorance God winked at many things but light is now come into the world and God calls upon all men every where to repent and would have them come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved Therefore come out of Babylon my people come out of Babylon saith the Lord and return O Israel if thou wilt return return unto the Lord the onely true God who is light and in him is no darknesse at all Christ Iesus is the light of the world he and his Father is one whoso followeth him shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of life He it the light and life of men and to as many as receive him and believe in his Name to them he gives power to become the sons of God and the sons of God are led by the spirit of God and the spirit of God it leads into all truth righteousnesse and peace But they who walk in darknesse they hate the light they hate God who is light they hate Christ who is the light of the world and the Law is light the reproofs of instruction are the way of life Christ Iesus is the way the truth and the life and light of men he that believeth not is condemned al●eady because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God and this is the condemnation Yhat light is come into the world and men love darknesse rather then light because their deeds be evil Every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh he to the light lest his deeds should be reproved Whatsoever is reproved the light makes it manifest What know ye not that Christ Iesus the light is in you except ye be reprobates the reprobates know not ●hat Christ is in them for light shines in darknesse and the darknesse comprehends it not and if the Gospel be hid it is hid to them that perish neither is there any communion betwixt light and darknesse nor no fellowship hath Christ with Belial for he that believeth not is condemned already because he believeth not in the onely begotten Son of God the light and the light is the condemnation of all that hate it The light shines in the heart Christ he opened their understandings For God who commanded the light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ whatsoever is reproved the light makes it manifest that which is reproved is sin and sin is the transgression of the law that is holy just pure and good Now the light makes every transgression of the law manifest the evil thoughts are made manifest by the light the evil deeds are made manifest by the light the evil words the light makes manifest yea the light makes manifest and brings to remembrance all things that a man hath done in his life time and sets his sins in order before him although they have been done in secret So that one man cannot reprove another for the thing done in secret yet there is that in him that makes it manifest to him and reproves him for it which is the light God is light Christ is the light of the world and doth enlighten eve-very man that cometh into the world The Law it is light and I had not known sin but by the Law and the Law is written in the heart by the spirit of the living God Now the same that makes sin manifest the same reproves for sin and this that reproves of sin is the spirit of truth who reproves the world of sin of righteousnesse and of judgement God he is a spirit and he is light Christ is the light of the world the last man was made a quickning spirit the second man is the Lord from Heaven who was made a quickning spirit it is the spirit that reproves the world or every man in the world of sin and the same that reproves of sin the same condemns for sin this is the condemnation that light is come into the world God sent his son to condemn sin in the flesh the condemnation of God is to them that walk after the flesh for this purpose was the son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil but there is no condemnation to them that walk after the spirit Therefore take heed to the light that makes sin manifest believe in the light believe in God for he is light believe in Christ the light of the
world know you not that Christ Jesus is in you except you be reprobates but he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him and if we love one another God dwelleth in us and his love is perfected in us Hereby know we that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his spirit Believe therefore in the light receive the light love the light bring your deeds to the light that they may be proved whether they be wrought in God for to as many as receive Christ Jesus the light and believe in his Name to them he gives power to become the sons of God and the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God and the spirit of God leads into all truth and the spirit it teacheth to worship God in spirit and in truth and hereby know ye the spirit of God That spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and that spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God Therefore hearken to the Lord and hear what he saith incline your ear and hearken to his word that is nigh you in your hearts hear what the spirit of God saith unto you who speaketh expresly Be obedient to the spirit of God for there is no condemnation to them who walk after the spirit for the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus frees from the law of sinne and death and it is the grace of God that hath appeared unto all men that teacheth us to deny all ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin for he became the Author of eternal ●alvation unto all that obey him Therefore mind the light for they whose minds are stayed upon the Lord he keeps them in perfect peace but there is no peace to the wicked for their minds are out from God minding earthly things so that God is not in all their thoughts therefore the wicked and all that forget God shall be turned into Hell Therefore love not the world nor the things of the world for he that is a friend of the world is an enemy to God for the whole world lies in wickedness and God is of purer eyes then to behold iniquity and he that delighteth not in the Law of the Lord takes pleasure in unrighteousness and he that takes pleasure in unrighteousness will do no true justice righteousness nor judgement for the Lord betwixt man and man Wisdom is profitable to direct and it is God that gives wisdom Solomon asked of the Lord and said Give therefore thy servant wisdom and an understanding heart to judge thy peogle that I may discern between good and bad Who teacheth like God that giveth wisdom that teacheth the Senators wisdom and he is a wise man that will be ruled by the Law of God the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and he that is without this and unruled by the Law doth neither righteousnesse justice nor true judgement for the Lord God Therefore ye Rulers and Judges of the earth let wisdom guide you and the spirit of God teach you to serve the Lord and to judge for him the people at all seasons and see that ye respect not persons in judgement but hear the cause of the poor as well as the cause of the rich and rid the afflicted out of the hands of the wicked speedily and let justice be done speedily upon the evil doers and answer the people of the Land Concerning their parish-Ministers their Houses of High-places falsly called Churches and tythes oblations obventions c. as Ioash did the Midianites when his son Gideon had thrown down the Altar of Baal and cut down the Grove that was by it And Ioash said unto all that stood against him Will ye plead for Baal will ye save him He that will plead for him let him be put to death whilest it is yet morning If he be a God let him plead for himself because one hath cast down his Altar Judg. 6.28 29 30 31. And so it is concluded READER thou art desired in thy reading to take special notice of the Errata's in the ensuing pages and lines which have been committed at the Press let them and all other litteral faults which thou findest be mended with thy pen for thy own and others clear understanding viz. Pag. 5. lin the last read the hands of the Philistines p. 8. l. 33. r. House p. 9 l. last r. the Levites p. 14. l. 23. r. Kine Gilsus King of the Mercians l. 30. r. Monketon p 15. l. 3. 1. so strong p. 16. l. 3. dele formerly p. 17. l. 19. r. Legate of the See l. 27. r. Courelefu p. 19. l. 41. r. his Army l. 43. r. Iehu the Seer p 23. l. 42. r. our non-payment of tythes p. 49. l. 43. r. to bear witness of Christ p 55. l. 14. r. but onely the children of Israel p. 56. l. 33. r. the head