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
A TREATISE ⧠Of the Ministery of the Church of England Wherein is handled this question Whether it be to be separated from or joyned vnto Which is discussed in two letters the one written for it the other against it Whervnto is annexed after the preface A brief declaration of the ordinary officers of the Church of Christ And A few positions Also in the end of the treatise Some notes touching the Lordes prayer SEVEN QVESTIONS A table of some principal thinges conteyned in this treatise Trie all thinges keep that vvhich is good 1 Thes. 5. 21. If the Prophets had stood in my counsell then should they have caused my people to heare my vvordes and have turned them from theyr evil vvay and from the vvickednes of theyr inventions 22. Ierem. 23. Lord who hath beleeved our report and to whom is the arme of the Lord reveled Esa. 53. 1. Ioh. 12. 38. Rom. 10. 16. THE PREFACE To the Christian reader grace and peace from Iesus Christ our Lord. GReat strife there is at this day about the ministery of the Church of England vvhether it be the same that Christ hath ordeyned in his Testament or an other And many by conference some also by vvriting have controverted this question There coming to my hands these tvvo Letters follovving the one vvritten in defence of the said ministerie the other as aunsvver therto and disproving the same I have thought them meet and needfull to be published for thy good gentle reader that the truth in this point may appeare Neyther will they that vvrote these thinges blame me for thus doing I trust seing the matter 〈◊〉 off it ovvne nature publik and concerneth al men 2. besides both of them doubtlesse have set dovvne that vvhich they are persvvaded is the truth and vvhich they vvould vvish others vvith them to receyve and follovv 3. and sundry copies especially of the first letter are already spred abroad in vvriting vnto the handes of many The ground and occasion of these letters as I vnderstand and as may be perceived also by the vvritinges themselves vvas this Theâ—e vvas a gentlevvoman imprisoned because she vvould not ioyne vvith the publick ministerie of England in the vvorship of God She being much sollicited to the contrarie gave in vvriting a reason of that her faith and practise to one Mr A H. a minister and a man very learned The reason vvas this as may also be seen 〈◊〉 the letters follovving Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy thinges 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 receyue and joyne themselves vnto But al the ministers that stand ouer the Church-assemblyes in England deale with the holy thinges of God and worke vpon mens consciences by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling Therefore the people of God ought not to receive them or ioyne themselves vnto them VNto this argument Mr H. made aunsvver by a letter vnto her vvhich follovveth The letter she communicated vvith some of her friendes they together advised to get it aunsâ—â—ered vvhich vvas obteyned of one Mr. F Io. prisoner for the same cause vvho also directed 〈◊〉 aunsvver to the foresayd gentlevvoman Both of these vvith some fevv other things are 〈◊〉 set forth for thy benefit good reader that comparing one vvith an other and vveyghing thinges by the vvord of truth thovv maist discerne the right through the helpe of God and 〈◊〉 of his grace vvhich it shalbe thy dutie instantly to crave that so knovving his heaven 〈◊〉 vvil in these things thovv maist also be blessed doing the same Iohn 13. 17. Farevvell Desier the peace of Ierusalem let them be prospered that love thee Let peace be in thy fort tranquillitie in thy pallaces Because of my brethren and my fellow-friendes I will speak now peace in thee Because of the howse of the Lord owr God I will seek-out good for thee Psal. 122. 6. 7. 8. 9. A brief declaration of the ordinary officers of the Church of Christ. The ordinary offices besides the private members had in the Primitive Churches planted by the Apostles were these Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Widowes or Helpers 1 Pastors In the Churches of Ephesus Ephes. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 17. with cap. 1. 3. Rev. 2. 1. Rome Rom. 12. 8. Colosse Col. 1. 7. Corinth 1 Cor. 3. 5. 6. and 12. 8. â—hessalonica 1 Thes. 5. 12. Creta Tit. 1. 7. 8. 9. The dispersed Iewes 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. 4 Heb 1â— 7. 17. 2 Teachers In the Churches of Ephesus Ephes. 4. 11. 1 Tim. 5. 17. Rome Rom. 12. 7. Antiochia Act. 13. 1. Corinth 1 Cor. 12. 8. 28. Galatia Gal. 6. 6. Creta Tit. 1. 7. 8. 9. The dispersed Iewes 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. 4. Heb. 13. 7. 17. 3 Elders In the Churches of Ephesus Act. 20. 17. 1. Tim. 5. 17. Rome Rom. 12. 8. Ierusalem Act. 11. 30. and 21. 18. Corinth 1 Cor. 12. 28. Thessalonica 1 Thes. 5. 12. 14. The dispersed Iewes Iam. 5. 14. 1 Pet. 5. 1. 4 Deacons In the Churches of Ephesus 1 Tim. 3. 8. with chap. 1. 3. Rome Rom. 12. 8. Ierusalem Act. 6. 2. 3. 5. 6. Philippi Phil. 1. 1. 5 Widowes or Helpers In the Churches of Ephesus 1 Tim. 5. 3. etc. with chap. 1. 3. Rome Rom. 12. 8. Corinth 1 Cor. 12. 28. Cenchrea Rom. 16. 1. The other members of the Church commonly called Brethren the Saints the multitude the flock or by such like name In the Churches of Ephesus Act. 20. 28. with ver 17. Rome Rom. 16. 14. 15. Ierusalem Act. 6. 2. 5. and 15. 22. 23. and 21. 17. 22. Philippi Phil. 1. 1. The dispersed Iewes Iam. 1. 2. Heb. 13. 24. And almost every where throughout the Epistles and Acts of the Apostles The whole body of the Church joyntly together In the Churches of Corinth 1 Cor. 5. 4. and 11. 20 3â— and 12. 27. and 14. 2â— Ierusalem Act. 1. 15. and 15. 22. â—ystra Iconiuâ—â— Antiochia Act. 14. 21. 23. 27. and 15. 3. Ephesus Ephes. 2. 19 22. and 4. 16. Galatia Gal. 12. 1 Cor. 16. 1. Rome Rom. 12. 5. Collosse Col. 2. 5. The dispersed Iewes Iam. 1. 1. with Heb. 13. 24. And so in all other Churches of Christ wheresoever Mat. 18. 17. 1. Cor. 4. 17. and 14. 33. 35. 2 Cor. 8. 19. The Eldership to whom the oversight and guyding of the Church is committed consisting of the teaching and ruling Elders that is of the Pastors Teachers and Elders aforesaid In the Churches of Ephesus 1 Tim. 4. 14. and 5. 17. Act. 20. 17. 28. Ierusalem Act. 15. 4. 6. 22. 23. and 16. 4. and 21. 18. Rome Rom. 12. 7. 8. Iconium â—ystra Antioch Act. 14. 21. 23. Philippi Phil. 1. 1. Thessalonica 1 Thes. 5. 12. 13. 14. Corinth 1 Cor. 12. 28. The dispersed Iewes 1 Pet. 5. 1. 2. 3. Iam. 5. 14. Heb. 13. 17. 24. And so in the rest of the Churches planted
the people These and any other faults escaped in the printing I pray thee gentle Reader correct with thy yen A letter sent by M r. H. a Minister to M ris N. a Gentlewoman imprisoned for this that in the worship of God she wold not partake with the publick ministery of these assemblyes THE ENTRANCE OF THE LETTER Section 1. GIve me leav to apply that to you vvhom I take to be a Sister and vvhose vvelfare in the Lord I hartely desier vvhich the Apostle vvriteth to the Brethren Iam. 1. 19. Let every man be swift to heare slow to speak and slow to wrath 20. For the wrath of man doth not accomplish the righteousnes of God 21. Wherefore lay aside all filthynes and superfluity of maliciousnes and receyv with meeknes the word which is grafted â—â—porâ— which is able to save your soules Tvvo faults there be that are vvoâ—nt to make good counsell and advise fruitles and vnprofitable to high a concey of ourselues and to base a conceyt of them that give vs advise Of yourself I besech you iudge thus you are but a private member in Gods Church you are also a vvoman and therefore it is no disgrace to you if your knovvledg be vnperfect and your judgment vveak especially in such controversyes as these that are betvvixt us And as for them that have turned you out of the vvay vvherein once you vvalâ—â—ed vvith us and vnto vvhose guydance you stll gladly commit your self examine I beâ—ech you not vvho they be but vvhat they say Haue not the faith of our gloriâ—s Lord Iesus Christ in respeckt of persons Iam. 2. Let not their zeale and detestation of all corruptions that are amoâ—gst us not theyr vvillingnes to endure trouble fortheyr conscience deceyv you considering that not the example of any godly man but the written word of God onely is to be the rule of one life and religion Of me if you can not esteem as of a Minister of Christ yet let me entreat you to conceyv thus of me If in these matters I erre I erre of ignorance I erre neyther of malice nor of covetousnes not of feare of trouble Glad vvould I be to learne of you or of any much inferior to you that could make knovven my error unto me and direct me into a better vvay That vvhich I shall sett dovvn in aunsvver to the vvriting you gaue me procedeth not from an hearâ— desirous to deceyve you or to darken and obscure the knovven truth or to plead for any knovven corruption in my self or others For alas vvhat should I gayne by seducing or deceyving you or vvhat shold move me to put out the lightâ— that shineth in myne ovvn conscience but as of syncerity but as of God in the sight of God so vvrite I of these things And as I haue made manifest 〈◊〉 affection herein vnto God so do I hartely desier that I may make it manifest vnto your conscieÌ„ce VVherefore lay apart pride and all high conceit of your ovvn knovvledg lay apart vvrath and malice vvhich you haue conceyved eyther against our vvhole Church or against men of my calling or against myself in particular And seing nothing shalbe brought to persvvade you but the vvordvvhich is grafted in you vvhich is able to save your soule reâ—eyâ— it vvith meeknes I besech you Consider vvhat I say and the Lord give you vnderstanding in all things 2. Tim. 2. 7. Another letter written in answer of the former and directed to the same party that it was SECTION 1. Grace and peace be with you in Iesus Christ I haue receyued and read the letter sent vnto you by Mr. H. as I vnderstand which you and others entreat me to aunswer Very vnwilling I am herevnto in divers respects And were it not for the truths sake which is called into question I should not by any meanes be drawen to write agaynst any least off all against him who I vnderstood wrote this letter vnto you For howsoeuer in these controversies of religion we do in iudgment or practise differ one from another yet for the knowledg I haue of him and the good gifts God hath given him I do and shall alway love him in the Lord. Yet notwithstanding seyng by this letter the truth of Christ is obscured and oppugned seing also by this meanes you and others might be seduced into errour and fall from your own stedfastnes I durst not in this case be wanting eyther to the defence off Christs truth or to the strengthning off you and others thereyn to the uttermost off my power Specially vnderstanding that divers copyes of this letter are spread abroad to the hurt of many and being also earnestly requested to aunswer it not by you onely but by divers others whom in this case I could not well deny Besides that myne own present estate doth not a litle vrge me hereunto for the clearing of my self who for this truth have now a long tyme suffred trouble as an evill doer euen vnto bonds But the word of God is not bound For these causes haue I ben drawen to answer this writing hoping that the truth will manifest and approue it self in the conscience of every godly one And of Mr. H. who wrote this letter I haue this hope more specially for the good things I know to be in him howsoever he have ben overtaken thus to write against the truth as my self also hertofore in ignorance have ben an adversary vnto it But God had mercy on me as I trust he will also on him and many other yet otherwise mynded To God the Father of mercyes be prayse for ever In this hope I will nou proceed by the helpe of God to make aunswer to this letter And first to the entrance of it then to the rest thereof Concernig the entrance of it these few things onely will I note First that if Mr. H. had duly considered and compared with theyr estate the words off the Apostle here alledged by him self together with the next immediately following in this place where it is further said And be ye doers of the word and not heates onely deceyving your own selues He would I hope neyther have condemned the innocent even you for your obedience of Christ and his word neyther haue suffred his pen by misalledging the Scripture thus to labor your with drawing from the obedience of faith But he would rather haue seen and acknowledged that in theyr Church estate compared with the ordinance of Christ they neyther are doers of the word but deceyvers of themselues neyther do themselues lay aside the filthynes aÌ„d superfluity of malice with meeknes to receyve the word which is able to save theyr soules but are in deed become the enemyes and persecuters of the truth and that in great wrath and subtilty howsoever in word they professe otherwise as do even the greatest papists Wherein would to God they were not also overâ—aryed with to high a conceit of themselues and to
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
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
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
no Antichrist can be shovved vvhose doctrine is â—ound Concerning which I haue aunswered before first that theyr doctrine also is vnsound and have showed it in divers false doctrines they hold and teach and then that Antichrist the man of sinne teacheth many true doctrines towching God the CreatioÌ„ ResurrectioÌ„ and such like yet notwithstanding is he an Antichrist and his followers in Antichristian estate Otherwise if the reaching of some sound doctrines would make such to be no Antichrists as do so teach what Antichrists have there or will there ever be in the world Hath there at any tyme ben any heretick or Antichrist that hath not held aÌ„d professed some truth together with his hereâ—y aÌ„d Antichristianity Nay is not the truth that such a one teacheth the very meanes by which his delusion is made the stronger Then for that truths sake he ought not the more to be hearkned vnto as these men reason but the more to be avoyded as Mr Beza hath well noted against Saraâ—ia least vnder pretence of hearing the truth from him we be deâ—â—pved by him When the divell himself acknowledged and said that Christ was the Sonne of the most High that holy one of God or when he doth professe and teach it in the offices he hath brought into the false Church shall we therefore allow such as lawfull ministers of Christ and abide members of such a Church Or ought we not rather to know that Christ 〈◊〉 rebuketh them aÌ„d biddeth them hold their peace hath â—lso charged vs to depart from all such aÌ„d not to partake in theyr sinnes It neyther is nor can be vnknowen though it be 〈◊〉 mynded of many that as SathaÌ„ himself is traÌ„sformed â—â—to an Angel of light so his ministers even such as stand in any false ministery can transforme themselues as though they were the ministers of righteousnes Which they do no may more subtilly aÌ„d forcibly effect then by meanes of the true doctrines which they teach in the AntichristiaÌ„ offices they haue â—â—eybed Thus we may see that the hony of some truth being mixed with the poyson of theyr offices we can not from them cast the sweetnes of the one but we are withall in present dainâ—â—t to be destroyed by partaking with the other and therefore 〈◊〉 not in this estate to receyv but to avoyd them altogether â—itherto of the Scriptures which Mr. H. hath brought about the description of Antichrist aÌ„d of his conclusioÌ„ inferred therevpoÌ„ The next Scriptures he alledgeth are of another sort showing us who be true ministers and which be true Churches The first is out of the tenth of Iohn where Christ speaketh â—hus Verily verily I say vnto you He that entreth not in by the doore into the folde of the sheep but climeth vp another way he is a thief and a robber But â—e thath entreth in by the doore is the sheepeard of the sheep Ioh. 10. 1. 2. And agayn Iesus said vnto them Verily verily I say vnto you I am the doore of the sheep All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not heare them I am the doore by me if any man enter in he shalbe saved and shall go in and go out and finde pasture Ioh. â—0 7. 8. 9. HEre in deed is a speciall mark to know ministers by tâ— witt if they enter in by the doore into the sheepfold that is vp Iesus Christ into his Church Now to enter invp IEsus CHrist is eyther immediately to be called by CHrist himself as were the Prophets and Apostles or els mediately to be called by his Church to such offices as he hath given for the work of his ministery according to such rules as he hath appoynted to that end Seing then the publik ministers of these assemblyes are neyther immediately called by Christ himself nor mediately by his Church neyther to such offices as Christ hath sett in his Church nor according to such rules as he hath prescribed therevnto it is manifest they enter not in by the doore that is by IEsus CHrist but climbe up another way to witt by theyr deaconry and priesthood receyved of the Prelates and derived from Antichrist And therefore are not true ministers appoynted by Christ and his Church but thieves and robbers belonging to Antichrist and his defection The further proof whereof besides theyr continuall practise and present estate I refer to his proper place in that which is to be spoken hereafter towching the second part of the Reason and in that place towching theyr priesthood and entrance into the ministery In the meane tyme onely I putt them in mynd that they have graunted thus much of themselues heretofore as I affirme that is that they enter not in by Christ but by a popish and vnlawfull vocation These are theyr own words But of this more hereafter That in this place Mr. H. translateth Christs wordâ— thus he that leadeth the sheep in at the doore albeyt the thing â—e true that the true pastors do so aÌ„d that the sheep so led fynd pasture aÌ„d salvation in Christ Yet his translation here is vntrue and some what subtill to the end as it seemeth he might with better colour have some defence for theyr ministery from this Scripture For Christs speach here is not he that leadeth in at the doore but thus he that entreth in by the doore As may be showed divers wayes first by the proper signification of the words here vsed whereof the one signifyeth to enter in or to come in not to lead in and the other signify by the doore not in at the doore secondly by the contrary which Christ opposeth vnto it in the former verse when he saith he that clymeth not he that leadeth vp another way is a thief and a robber thirdly by the severall propertyes which here Christ attributeth to all false ministers opposed to the other as first that they are thieves aÌ„d robbers that is such as burst into the howse an other way then by the doore and in stead of well ordering the house make spoyle of them that dwell in it even making marchandize of theyr soules and consciences Next that they are straungers that is such whose offices and callings are straunge from the word of God and ordinance of Christ and therefore ought alway of his Church to be accounted as straungers aÌ„d theyr voyce not to be hearkned vnto lastly that they came before Christ that is be such as do not follow after him wayâ—ing for his calling and walking in his way which he hath sett vs but do intrude themselves without him and follow another way devised by themselves and never prescribed by him Here also would I aske Mr H. whether one being in no office of ministery yet taking vpon him publikly to teach and as here he saith leading in at the doore that is teaching no other meanes of salvation
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
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
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