might if they would and yet scorne and reject them as follie and matters of reproach and worthy correction persecution it is a plaine treading vnder foote the Sonne of God who hath * Reu. 1.1.11.19 and Ioh. 16.13 reuealed the Father in theese things and counting the blood of the couenant an vnholy thing wherewith the new Testament was sanctified confirmed or dedicated as the first covenant was with the blood of beasts yea this is to doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace which first shewes vs Gods grace in ordaining these things and after in promises of restoring them And indeede seeing it is manifest Act. 14. chap. 20.28 1. Pet. 5.2 Tit. 1.9 that the Apostles ordained Elders in euery Church that theire office was to feede the flock ouer which the Holy Ghost made them Bishops that they were to take the oversight thereof by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers reproue correct and instruct in righteousnes and if this would not serue after the first and second admonition to excommunicate in and with the consent of the congregation who can denie but that all this is of the substance of religion necessarie to the salvation of the people and proper to euery Prosbyter Euery man will be readie to confesse that it is better there be a Pilot a Maister and a Maisters mate in euery ship to watch ouer the same and all that is in it as the Lord in Wisdom ordained Elders to be Bishops in euery Church or congregation to watch over it and all the Soules therin leaving them in his Testament a card and rules to steere and saile by the word of God beeing theire Rudder then that there should be but one in a whole fleete one Bishop in a diocesse and all the rest but shadowes or lesser wheeles to be led and moved by him as it came to passe by the wisdom and encroachments of men wherby Bishops neither leaving the brethren nor yet the presbyters any voice in censures or part in the government doe themselves bring in the inventions and evils Christ would keepe out get dominion over mens faith and by theire power and traditions make the word of none effect in divers perticulars A thing which is expresly forbidden in the new Testament My brethren be not many Maisters knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation Iam. 3.1 that is because in the causes and controversies of hereticks Psal 100. Schismatiks and other delinquents it is saide of the word Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies He shall judge amonge the nations the Presbyters and members of the church doe but rule and judge by him as steeres men by the Rudder judges and jurots by the law not by theire owne inventions or pretended authority And therfore our saviour who was against all such dominion in the church saith to his Disciples Mat. 20.25 Chap. 123.8 The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them But ye shall not not be so Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren Therfore when there is cause of accusing or censuring any he doth not say Tell the Bishops but Tell the church And accordingly in the times of the Apostles Chap. 18.17 and longe after as the epistles of Cyprian do manifest they were judged by the word in an assemblie of presbyters and brethren as the incestuous Corinthian which shewes us that neither one man nor the presbiters alone were judges in such cases but the church which by the Scriptures either cleered or censured any person accused as by the word of God he appeared either guiltie or not guiltie for so doth the word judge among the nations And therfore seeing God hath so ordained and it was in the primitive church so practised it is not a thing indifferent as some thinke whether Presbyters or diocessan Bishops hold the government but in effect a matter of salvation espetially to every church and by consequence to every Soule in it as the well or ill guiding of a ship concerneth the salvation of every passenger embarqued in it For though in a tempest some are saved without good Pilots and some in the shipwrack by a board yet others are not without skilfull sea men and soe in the church but for the most part not without helpes in government God hath in nothing given this to one in a diocesse and his officials but to the presbyters of every church elected according to his ordinance For though the provision of Bishops and Pastors have beene somtime in the hands of the Clergie and people somtimes in the hands of K ngs and Patrons then in the hands of Popes and then againe in the hands of Kings and patrons as now in England yâ—t as many have proved for the first seaven or eight hundred yeares after Christ the people in most places did choose them according to the practise of the primative church and the power given them in the new Testament For so saith Cyprian The people have principallie the power either to choose such priests as are worthy or to refuse such as are vnworthy Cypri 1. Epist 4. Act. 14.23 Beza Annot in Act. 14. Tit. 1. And so saith Luke They ordained them Elders in every church by election Where saith Beza the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be noted that wee may know that Paul and Barnabas caried nothing by private will nor exercised any tyranie in the church nor lastly did any such thing as at this day the Romish harlot or her pages doe whome they call ordinaries And by this place saith he must that be vnderstood I left thee in Creete to ordaine them Elders in everie citie as I had appointed thee that is by election as the Apostles left it to the church and people there assembled to choose one in the place of Iudas Beza Annot in Act. 1. And they appointed two Nothing saith Beza is here caried privately by Peter as by one endued with a more excellent dignitie but publickly and by the suffrages of the whole church So as he sheweth were the seaven Deacons chosen and so is that to be vnderstood Lay hands sodainly on no man that is to make him a presbyter amd so give him a part in this charge of the Eldership till he be tried the church or people have chosen him and praier be made for him as at the election of Mathias and the seaven Deacons It is ill for the Soules of Kings Bishops and patrons and indeede worse for the church that any one of these have the choice or confirmation of Pastors helpers Elders which are lawfull callings or of diocessan Bishops Deanes prebends and others which are vnlawfull For this makes divines flatter all such Princes Patrons and Prelates or theire favourites and so is cause of exceeding greate corruption and hipocrisie in church and common wealth For by this meanes Princes Prelates and theire favourites though they
out of the Church millitant against Antichrist and his adherents And if he come thence he is certainly one of them that worship therein keepe his sayings and contend for the truth which things men doe He is a man for so he saith J am thy fellow Servant and of thy brethren the Prophets and of them that keepe the sayings of this booke that haue the Testimonie of Iesus As all those must needes haue that haue the marke of God they are such as continue in the word such as are the true Church because they continue in the word defend ma ntaine it and no other as the Church doth which is called the pillar of truth 1 Tim. 3 15 And not as some in England doe who serve for little else then to defend theire owne ambition canons and ceremonies and yet would be called the Church of Christ If one of theese through flatterie grow so greate in favour with his Prince as to rule all as he list to turne Religion into Popish complement and ceremonies to mould it after his owne humour If therefore many out of feare flatterie or hope of favour follow and justifie him is he the Church not he nor he and all his flatterers If he could bring fower or five or all the Bishops to his Religion are they the Church They might see that so the Church of Rome came to be corrupted That theese in the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie are onely the true Church because they continue in the word and will receive no other that the same must needes be the marke of the true Church which is here the marke of true Christians These as wee have seene are set out by the Iewes the first Testament who neither in doctrine nor ceremonies might receive any thing which God had not commaunded but were to hold in all things to his first ordinances and institutions Crowne of a Christian Martyr wherein when they failed they were plagued and that it would be so with Christians if they changed Christs ordinances or let in any innovations hath appeared by his constant comparison to the seaven Churches and others of Churches compared to a Ierusalem and an harlot to the Temple of God and the Synagogue of Satan to the inner Temple and the court without he will not yeald theese later to be Iewes that is Christians because of other Lords they hold other Lawes in Religion in order in ceremonies and other things they doe not hold fast the word and ordinances which he left without receiving innovations or inventions of men therefore they are not of that part of his Temple which he alloweth to be accounted his Church but of the court without which is giuen to the Gentiles Reu 11. that is to Antichrist and others who in Gods account are as Gentiles such as in divers things will not heare his word but make it of none effect with theire dominion and traditions They hold som Christian truths but not all Those in England that are defenders of the hierarchie or Arminians hold more then the Papists yet not all Christ will not yeald som to be Iewes who perhaps failed in fewer things Iudge therefore I pray you whether they be not of that sort or like them of whome Christ speaketh Chap 2 which say they are Iewes and are not of the true Temple are not viz. not of those secret parts of the Temple 1 King 8 8 As there was nothing in the Arke saue the two tables of Stone so there is nothing in the church of Christ in this Temple but the Testimonie of Iesus and his government the Eldership no Popish dominion nor traditions If there had Iohn who tooke exact measure of it saw it opened would haue reuealed it in his Revelation but there was nothing else seene save that and them that worship therein Who therefore must needes be those that from the heart receive and obey that word and no other for there is no other there This was then so greate an honour that Iohn was readie to worship him that was such a one as if that were the best nobilitie to be thus stamped sealed with the Image of God in all doctrines and Lawes of Religion Act. 17.11 to haue recourse to the Law and to the Testament like the men of Berea to see if the Teachers taught according to this word And yet in England he that is such a one is in contempt called a Puritan hated and scorned and that by the Prelates themselves who therefore despise all that are of this Temple Because indeede if diocessan Bishops theire power canons and ceremonies be not according to this word they that are of this Temple care not for them Ephes 6. Phil. 1.27 They have theire loines girt about with the Truth they stand fast in one Spirit with one minde striveing together for the faith of the Gospel they have the testimonie of Iesus as here one of them saith they continue in his word and so are Disciples indeede They confesse and professe this word and so have his name and marke on theire forheads to which the binding of the law to the hand and forhead did point in a figure Deut. 6.8 and both that and this doe shew that in matters of religion the Lord is our Iudge the Lord is our King the Lord is our lawgiver 1. Tim. 1.17 Phil. 3.16 He is the King only wise Every man had neede to beleeve and receive this and to say with Paul let vs walke by the same rule let vs minde the same thing for this ye see is the marke of a Christian And by the Rule of contraries the marke of Antichrist must needes be an impression of that his doctrine law and superstitious rites which is more then the word revealed or against the same the profession and observation thereof is the marke as the observation of the heathenish rites is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Mac. 4.20 the character or marke of the Grecians The Pope would that all men should receive defend and professe his doctrine and superstitious rites and so should receive his marke in theire right hand and forheads For in the forhead that is by profession and in the right hand that is by operation as the ordinarie glosse expoundeth Antonius also and Lyra teach that A character or marke is a certaine manner of liveing according to the law of any Agâ—tho in epist inter acta sextae Synodi constantinop Bonifac 8. in extran de maior obed Clement in lib. 5. ad nostruÌ„ in gloss D. 18. c. si qui sunt whereby men are distinguished from others So the Pope causeth all men to take his marke for he saith Everie soule that would be saved must confesse the forme of the Roman tradition Wee affirme define and pronounce that it is altogether necessarie to salvation for every humane creature to be subject to the Pope of Rome
leaves and barke of the tree of life and all tree Religion would be lost if theese be not observed But a liar must haue a good memorie For when on the otherside wee tell them the Apostles ordained Elders to be Bishops in everie Church to rule by the word and that this ordinance was to be as the barke to the tree of life that betweene the same and the stock of the tree the sap might passe so as the fruite of righteousnesse might be brought forth and the propper leaues of the tree kept greene and in esteeme that this tree had its propper leaves the new Testament its proper ceremonies in the primitive age In Churches then established Christian Religion was compleate Col. 2.5 things were donne decently in such order and with such due ceremonies as was Pauls joy to behold they scoffe vs with noveltie and say they were never since the time of Christ or his Apostles But by theire leaves this scoffe proves them to be the old and good way that shortly after began to be changed to another framed and ratified by the depths of Satan as they spake That to the Bride is graunted to be araied in pure and fine linnen Reu. 19. white and cleane by beeing reduced to this old way to this old righteousnes of the Saints by walking in all the commaundements and ordinances of God Luke 1. as Zacharie and Elizabeth did and indeede as not onely the Churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia but divers in Sardis did who held fast that which Christ left Reu. 3. without receiving other seeing the best of mens inventions and presumptions are but stumbling blocks â—om 14. â—â— and occasions laide in mens wayes by the cunning of Sathan to make them fall to greater presumption and superstition as both hath appeared and will yet further appeare by those which are received in England and therefore indeede to draw the Bride and all others to the puritie and simplicitie of the first Christians it is added for the fine linnen is the righteousnes of the Saints Reu. 19. The first government the presbiterie the first ceremonies with the old order in choyce of ministers are then restored It is then graunted to the Church to come to this righteousnes of the Saints Whatsoever is spoken of them and theire Churches and ordinarie orders theese are all the true sayings of God to be observed Humane inventions will worship and presumptions in Gods service as lies devised by men are to be rejected Reu. 22. And therefore it is added Blessed are they that doe his commaundements he doth not say mens but his in opposition to theyres that they may haue right to the tree of life as if he saide otherwise they can haue no right to the tree of life nor to enter through the gates into the citie but doe remaine without among dogges sorcerers and others they are there so called because they neither are nor will wee be arayed in that white linnen which is the righteousnes of the Saints such as those in Smyrna Philadelphia and som in Sardis who held fast that which Christ left but are enemies to such righteousnes and yet do vainly beleeve that they are holy and as good Christians as the best because they loue common prayer and some other things If God had ordained that verie forme of prayer as he did the Iewish sacrifices yea if it were so greate a part of true religion that as these sacrifices it were oft put for the whole yet they in other things changing the ordinances and breaking the everlasting covenant must know that of such it is saide Pro. 15.8 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhomination to the Lord. But the prayer of the righteous in acceptable to him Theire prayer onely is his delight that of others is abhomination to him Much more if in this theire sacrifice theire fear towards God be taught after the inventions and precepts of men with sopperies and ceremonies which he commaunded not theese make theire sacrifice whereby they thinke to please God abhominable The Church of England speaking of ceremonies devised by man why som be abolished and som reteined Preface to the booke of common prayer in fol. Ephes 4.15.21.24 confesseth that Christs Gospel is not a ceremonial Law as much of Moses Law was but it is a Religion to serve God not in the bondags of the signe or shadow but in the freedom ef the Spirit They might haue added beeing content onely with the ceremonies of the Gospell and to grow vp vnto him in all things which is the head even Christ If so be ye haue heard him and haue beene taught by him as the Truth is in Jesus Fot so ye put on the new man which after God is cceated in righteousnes and holines of the truth But they adde beeing content onely with those ceremonies which doe serve to a decent order a godlie Discipline and such as be apt to stirre vp the dull minde of man to the remembrance of his duty to God by some notable and speciall signification whereby he might be edified And never considering that the church of Rome who invented or established and imposed them sayes the like of all other her ceremonies they wilfully take the crosse in baptisme to be of this nature and therefore say wee signe him with the signe of the crosse in token that hereafter he shall not be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and manfullie fight vnder his banner against sinne the world and the devill and to continew Christs faithfull souldier and Servant vnto his lives ende In the times of Antichrist God indeede requireth theese excellent duties of all Christians but not this signing as if beeing thus signed he should be the lesse ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and more manfully sight vnder his banner then others that are not so signed and as if this were a ceremonie and signe which would make him doe that dutie of a Christian the better which Christ requireth when he saith Rev. 2. him that ouercommeth c. For neither the Bishops who make all to be thus signed nor the English in generall haue proved more constant confessors and souldiers of Christ then the presbiters and theire people in France and Germanie they haue not more denied themselves in sinnes and worldly lusts of covetousnes ambition vaine honour dominion and the like they haue not more striven against poperie Arminianisme ignorance and errour nor in theese late wars for the defense of Christs religion and members they haue not more stirred vp theire Princes to follow Christ for they haue not donne it themselves nor suffered others that would both in theese and in matters of the presbiterie So they make men take a pretended signe of such a confession and warfare yet will not suffer them to doe the thing preteÌ„ded to be signified but scorne and persecute them that doe They therefore whome for theese things they call
saith They blaspheme against the Lord severing and dividing Iesus from Christ and Christ from the Saviour and againe the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten Now if the Bishops doe not sever the Saviour from the word and the word from the only begotten yet it is an heresie somwhat a kin to this to change the truth of God into a lie to refuse part of the Testament touching the presbiterie and to say that the same ordinances aboute this and the power of each church to choose ministers and excommunicate called the power of Christ are not now his word and ordinances nor the power of Christ to be followed of all churches that these things might be taken from them and given to one in a diocesse which is indeede to take them from Christ who hath trusted the churches with them that they are things indifferent that councels and Kings might change them or set vp others that turne from the Truth and are soe contrarie that his will is that these should now be obeied and followed and not those which himselfe ordained which is to say his will is changeable All this beeing in effect affirmed by them is downright the marke of the Beast For so papists argue in the same cases and in those of Images communion in one kinde the primacie and the like And yet we know that the new Testament and all the ordinances thereof are from everlasting yea eternall and vnchangeable Mat. 13.35 Rom. 16.35 Ephes 1.9.11.2 Tim. 1.9 Ioh. 12.48 and Ioh. 1.1.2.3 1. Cor. 2.7 Heb. 13.8 And so the Apostle saith Iesus Christ yesterday and to day and the same also for ever Thus they that in the Revelation weare white hold fast the testimonie of Jesus The Bishops neither doe so nor suffer others that would but with flaterie and threats make many preach and write in defense of theire power traditions ceremonies and so to make war against the lambe Bishops themselves therefore had neede of one in these cases to open theire eies to turne them from darknesse to light 2. Tim. 3.8 and from the power of Satan vnto God For as Iannes and Iambres withstood Moses so doe these also resist the Truth men of corrupt mindes and by theire tyranous imposing of these things cause divisions and offences Rom. 17. contrarie to the Apostolike doctrine and therein serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but theire owne bellie and with faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple I would they that are counted both learned and wise were not as commonly deceived by theire flatteries and false glosses They likewise make men bow toward the Altar and at the name of Iesus not at other names of Christ or God his father and kneele at the receiving of the Sacrament as if they did more reverence and obey Christ the word then others that doe not these things though as wee shewed it is but a popish and a late devise And yet they themselves can not bow to Christ in his ordinance of the presbiterie and the power he gave to each church nor endure to heare of it but hinder others that would Can they be Christs Bishops When Elijah heard the voice of God he wrapped his face in his mantle for the reverence that he bare to Gods word When the Spirit of the Lord came vpon Iehazel 1. King 19.2 2. Chro. 29 14.18 so that he spake the word of the Lord Iehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground and all Iudah fell before the Lord worshipping the Lord. 2. King 20.19 And when a sentence was pronounced against Hezechiah for his sinne yet he saide Good is the word of the Lord that thou hast spoken And Iohn so reverenced the word of God that he was ready to worship the Angel that shewed it him who thereupon saide see thou doe it not worship God All these and the like places shew the greate reverence that is due to the word It is the name of Christ Rev. 19. His name is called the word of God A name that could never be given to any other a name above all names and therefore this is that name of Iesus at which every knee should bow where yet it is not so much meant of bodily worship with the knee as receiving the word with faith and obedience obeying the truth is the true worship Those that doe not this are called stifnecked such as will not bow And such are the Bishops Act. 7. who yet in the meane mock God with a beggarlie signe of such obedience which therefore is not apt to stir vp the dull minde of man to a remembrance of this duty to God but is a meere complement a shew And indeede this and other theire ceremonies insteade of doeing good serve thousands for a religion or a shew of one and in place of that wich God commandeth For brevitie sake I omit to speake of other cathedrall ceremonies and to observe the like poperie tyranie and abuse in many of theire canons courts and customes as is shewed in the Curtaine of church power Curtaine of Church power certaine it is that many have litle religion besides and that many who defend them doe it on purpose to make them inductions to other poperie and because they are fit maskes to cover theire popish or prophane practises So that beeing thus grossly abused they may and by theire owne rule ought to be taken away and cleane rejected But they will have nothing reformed or changed yet they themselves as others before them have changed the ordinance of God which is a most adulterous fact and therfore whereas som say if wee goe aboute to alter or reforme any thinge wee shall never be quiet till all be brought to Annabaptisme or Brownisme I answer this is as if one should say you may not turne a woman from poperie or adulterie for feare she turne Annabaptist They should therefore deale plainly with vs and say to maintaine theire hierarchie the greatnes of a few Prelates theire pompe theire coaches and pallaces the truth must be suppressed the church and common weale corrupted and the whole world disturbed Mic. 3.11 The heads thereof judge for reward c. yet they leane vpon the Lord and say is not the Lord among vs None evill can come vpon vs. Her prophets are light and trecherous persons Zepha 3.4 Eze. 22.26 Haba 1 3. her priests have polluted the sanctuarie they have done violence to the law There are that raise vp strife and contention Therfore the law is slacked and judgment doth never go forth for the wicked compasse aboute the righteous therefore wrong judgment proceedeth They so wrest the truth to maintaine theire hierarchie and traditions and will not see the truth of God in these things that almost all men after theire example turne prevaricators Mic. 2. â— O thou that art named of the howse of Iacob is the Spirit of the Lord streitened are
these his doings do not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly Therefore trust ye not in lying words saying the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7.4 The Temple of the Lord are these as the English crie the church the church The church of the Lord are these Bishops and theire defenders Chap. 18.18 For the law shall not perish from the Priest nor counsell from the wise nor the word from the prophet The Lord answereth such proud men How doe ye say wee are wise and the Law of the Lord is with vs. Chap. 8 8.9 They have rejected the word of the Lord and what wisdom is there in them for from the least to the greatest every one is given to covetousnes from the prophet to the priest every one dealeth falsly For they have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people sleightlye saying peace peace when there is no peace They are wicked in these things Isa 57.21 and there is no peace to the wicked saith my God And therfore whereas som say there are still some good preachers yea som that are conformable I answer so were there in those first ages after Constantine But the zeale of these Canons and inventions did more and more take vp mens mindes and eate out the other It is true in this case as in that of riches The church hath brought forth riches dignities diocessan dominion Canons ceremonies cringes Altars masses c. The daughters have devoured the mother in Romish churches and so they will in England if God prevent it not And therefore whereas others say so long as wee may have the Gospel well preached in som parishes why should wee trouble our selves with these things I answer ought not such men to take care that the Gospell may be continued to them and theire children in that puritie simplicitie wherein it was left by the Apostles Which as ye see can not be Ier. 2.35 if those things be not reformed for they turne from the Truth yet thou saiest Because I am innocent surely his anger shall turne from me Constantius could never have spread the Arrian heresie so far as he did but by the helpe of Bishops For a Bishop beeing like a King or a Pope in his diocesse the most will out of feare or flatterie follow him as he doth the Prince or mightie favourite what ever his religion be because he can either raise him to more honour or trouble him And therfore it may be saide of the hierarchie ceremonies and ordinances and theire defenders If they be not with Christ and his kingdum in these cases they are against him Mat. 12.30 and if they gather not with him they scatter helpe the Adversaries For in these times those that are Christs seeke to get the victorie over the Beast and over his marke Some by preaching or writing Rev. 15.2 others by theire lawes and swords and others by theire professing and contending earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saincts others by theire praiers and other honest indeavours While on the other side Papists and popelings contend as earnestly for the observation and authority of tradâ—tions and ceremonies which is the marke of the Beast though they covering the matter call them the vnwritten word of God Bellarmin in his 4. booke of the vnwritten word of God Chap. 2 maketh three sorts of traditions 1. Divine which were spoken by Christ but not written 2 Apostolike spoken by the Apostles but not written 3. Ecclesiasticall which he saith are introduced from ancient customes by the Prelates or by the people and creepingly by the silent vnquestioning agreement of the people have gained strength of law And indeede have at one time or other beene confirmed by councels A man may here see what mischiefe followed the first vnquestioning agreement and consent of the people For of this sorte as the fountaine of all the rest is the authority of diocessan Bishops theire power in theire Courts and Canons excommunicating imprisoning c. and ruling both the ordinarie pastors and people with force and crueltie in divers things which as was shewed did creepingly by the silent and vnquestioning agreement of the people gaine the strength of law and supplanted the presbiterie ordained of God and the power of each congregation in choosing theire minister and excommunicating the refractarie and so made of none effect that law of Christ Tell the church the presbyters and people Ezech. 34.2 to 12. And then the diocessan office served not to feede the flock of God but themselves the flock became a prey to such Shepheards yea diocessan power beeing thus invented and established became a snare and net as the Prophet saide to the Priests and howse of the King For then followed theire traditions the distinction of meates Hos 5.1 the observation of holy daies feasts and fasts wearing the surplesse and more then sixe hundred yeares after Christ the latin service singing antemes by the sound of the organs setting vp of Altars bowing to them and at the name of Iesus building guilding adorning and consecrating of cathedrall churches endowing them with greate revenues signing themselves with the signe of the crosse setting vp Images in churches to a religions vse and likwise candles invocation of Saints and praying vpon beades the Popes succession in Peters chaire single life of Priests purgatorie and persecution to those that would not beleeve these the like things All which were introduced froÌ„ ancient customes by the Prelates or people and creepingly gained strength of law one after another and in short time served men for a religion the defence of the first making way for all the rest as men do now begin to perceive in England where as the hierarchie it selfe so divers of these things beeing popish are preached by Bishops and others and begin to get the strength of law and naturally to make way for the rest and indeede to serve men for a religion if God prevent it not 2. Cor. 11.3 So soone doth the Serpent through his subtiltie beguile men and corrupt theire mindes from the simplicitie that is in Christ for as wee shewed they doe not tend to edification as is pretended but to destruction seeing Bishops by them doe rule men with force and crueltie Ezech. 34.4 The word of God such observations as rightly arise from it doe truly edifie so doe the Sacraments to men that know the truth the inventions and ordinances of men haveing but a shew of godlinesse and Wisdom are but beggarly rudiments yea turne from the Truth Col. 1.23 Gal. 4.8 Tit. 1.14 And yet so things goe as if the authority of the Prelates which puts all men to silence or makes them flatter might give them the strength of Law and make men beleeve that Gods will is that they should be obeyed which is in effect to make them his vnwritten word For his will is his word But this is as the vnwritten
march 6. 1632. Yea a greate Bishop in a sermon before the King charged one that writ for the presbyterie with Arianisme whether truly or no I know not for he namd not the man nor the book for feare least his proofes of the presbiterie should be looked into So much do they bewray the rottennesse of theire cause that will not endure touching nor to be looked vpon and in the meane call vpon men to frequent common prayer be obedient and conformable to theire mother the Church c. Beeing willingly ignorant that when of old som began to finde fault with the increase of superstition and tyranie in Romish Prelates Canons they reckoned them Schismatikes willed men to seeke peace stirred them vp to love of common prayer conformitie in ceremonies and externall devotions building of Churches c. Whereby ignorance increased and the truth was daily more and more betrayed and sold till it was too late to reforme them Princes and noble men could not doe it because they beeing nourished in this ceremonious and superstitious part of religion fell themselves into ignorance and so into many quarrels and noisom lusts like the Prelates one growing dissolute another vsuâ—ping another circumventing killing warring as in France betweene the Kings and the Duks of Burgundie and other Princes In England betweene the howses of yorke and Lancaster the Kings and Rebels they had not a Gospell truly preached to order and aw them so they could not see that all these errours in the Clergie and indeede in themselves came from altering the presbyterall government and giveing such authority to Bishops who for theire owne ends were readie to side with any of them So Protestants in other countries have observed that when the Palatinate was loosing the churches in Germanie France and other parts in greate miserie yet the church of Prelates theire adherents in England did litle helpe them but rather hindred such as would siding with the Duke and others charged by the parliaments to practise secretly for the popish partie or a newtralitie vnder colour that they were conformable to the English discipline and therfore Protestants but at the best that is indeede such as the hierarchie bringeth forth either newters or men of a mixed religion partly popish in the hierarchie Canons and ceremonies most followed and maintained and partly protestant in som points of faith more coldly defended by the most who also seemed to thinke it dangerours to maintaine ancient and honest priveliedges as free elections free speaking and parliamentarie power in searching out and reforming corruptions in church and common wealth both the one and the other beeing by som factious cunningly accounted a puritanicall zeale and a trenching vpon the prerogative of Princes when indeede the prerogative themselves sought to maintaine was only that of corrupt Prelates and favourits who have abused our Kings with such incensings and whisperings as the protestations of the parliaments laboured to manifest It is no neede to tell how they were prevented or that thereupon greate divisions followed both at that time and since especially in religion The Prelates not enduring that the howse of Commons should medle with it nor with the most notorious delinquents that did but favour theire partie who thus strove to helpe and vphold one another what ever became of the cause of Christ at home or abroade Gal. 5.9 Not to mention what boldnes and corruption this hath since bred in other inferiour bodies and government A litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe The french and other Protestants say theese are the fruits of maintaining the hierarchie and ceremonies which are Popish and so serve many for a cloak of poperie or trecherie or Arminianisme or prevarication or persecution or newtralitie or what a man will whereby the English haue beene brought into greate contempt theire peace thus attained beeing scorned as savouring of corruption or Newtralite in Religion and as more helping to support then ruin Babylon and her chiefe fort and wall the howse of Austria and as thus haveing lost theire honour both abroade and at home The Bishops could cover all this and turne the fault vpon the puritans that would not flatter as themselves did And yet in all this like the Romanists they bluster with the name authority and wisdom of Christs Church whether they be truly of it or the world The name Church if the Greeke word be considered signifieth coetus evocatus a companie or people called out Coetus evocatus as Israel out of Egypt or men out of darknesse ignorance or worldlinesse How few are thus called out of poperie temporising and earthlinesse I know divers Ministers that have subscribed are in all other things of the reformed Religion and thorowly called out of poperie save onely that for feare of loosing theire liveings they dare not see one part of it in the case of the hierarchie things that are against the presbiterie But consider the Church of England as the Bishops that govern it account it in themselves and theire adherents in a Synod called the Church representative and maintaining theire power canons and ceremonies with the fruits and practises of them who can say it is coetus evocatus Much lesse if you vnderstand it of halfe a dozen of Prelates that are courtiers in a manner ruling all are followed and flattered by many temporising Clergie men and a world of ignorant gentlemen and people And what if one corrupt Bishop get into such favour as to rule all the rest shall he like the Pope account himselfe the Church Not onely all these ill fruits but all that are in the Church of Rome came from altering that order of Bishops which the Apostles left by setting one presbyter of a greate citie over the rest and giving him first a litle authority as President of theire councell and then a litle more till he came to be accounted the sole Bishop of a diocesse And therfore as cunning Clarks as they make themselves our saviour may in these cases say of them If you were blinde Ioh. 9.41 if ye did confesse your blindnesse if ye had not the light of Gods word to shew it to you ye should haue no sinne But now ye say wee see chap. 101. therfore your sinne remaineth He that entreth not by the doore into the sheepefold but climeth vp another way the same is a thiefe and a robber I am the doore As he is the word of the father that revealeth him so is he the doore If a man come with any other Doctrine then the word revealed or enter by any other way to be a Pastor or Governour of the Church then such lawfull election and mission as is ordained in the word if he enter by any other rule office authority or title then such as the word alloweth he is a theefe and a robber that commeth not but for to steale a hireling as the Pharises were They complaine of lecturers as vnlawfull yet none
to be ordained of God and necessary when indeede it is theire owne office that is not necessary seeing it onely serveth for such things to persecute men for the Testimonie of Iesus and more to force vnnecessarie then necessarie ceremonies For kneeling in prayer good order and reverent gesture in the Church are vsed in the french Churches as commendable and necessarie and yet in men that in those other thâ—ngs are disobedient to the truth theire verie prayers are abhominable and but mockeries much more theire owne deuised cringes and gestures as in Papists who abound in such things and as if a man should with all order and reverence bow his body to the King his chaire of Estate Image or seale and yet despise or neglect many of his wholsom Lawes and commandements The orders and ceremonies which God ordained are indeede to religion as the barke or leaues to a tree that is a comely part of it but as for other ceremonies and inventions with theire pretended significations which beeing devised by man are more then are in the reformed Churches of France or were in the Apostles time they are not to the religion and truth of God as they say like the barke to the tree which if it be taken off the tree withereth but as the ivye to the oake which seemes to adorne and embrace it but indeede binds shadowes and by degrees wasts and destroyes it For these shewes serve many for a religion and a cloake of persecution and the power of Bishops serues for a tyranous terrour to keepe men from pâ—aching and writing the truth and setting theire names to theire bookes in the cases of the hierarchie traditions Altars images pelagianisme or the like and consequently to beget flatterie and lukewarmnesse in Clergie and people and eate out that loue and zeale of the truth in all things that they either doe now or may hereafter prohibit or maintaine Such was and such is the fruite of theire power and therfore certainly it is not of God but of men of the world of the coueteous lust of the eyes and of the pride of life and therfore what matters it who gaue it them whether councels or Kings they cannot make black white nor euill good nor that Lawfull which is so unlawfull and pernicious to the Kingdom of God Constantine no doubt thought he had offered a greate sacrifice to God in giueing them so much as he did other Emperours Kings therfore haue augmented it But he that forbiddeth to adde to his word or take from it saith to obey is better then sacrifice 1. Sam. 15. Therfore Asa to doe that which was right in the eyes of God did not vrge his owne or other mens inventions 2. Chro. 14.3.4 but tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and Images other Kings had erected and commaunded Judah to seeke the Lord God of theire Fathers and to doe the Law marke and the commaundement Chr st beeing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords though Kinges as his deputies haue greate power in matters of Religion yet that is so as in theese things not so seeke theire owne but Gods will donne in earâ—h as it is in heauen I saith he Ioh. 8.26 chap. 6.34 Tract 40.41.54 speake to the world those things which I haue heard of him J came not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me He saiâ—e this that was the eternall word and Wisdom of God yea verie God and eternall l fe For indeede he was not his owne wisdom word but the Fathers as August n doth mâ—nâ—fest on theese the like places of the Gosspell And shall not Kings then who are but his Deputies much more say it yea doe it either by causing the word of God to be faithfully taught in theire cities as David and Iehoshaphat or by rooting out all monuments and stumbling blocks of superstition and idollatrie and by suffering theire subjects to preach freely against them and to worship the Lord in the beautie of holinesse as Hezechiah and Iosiah did that is in a word by causing theire subjects to worship God aright and take his marke in the puritie of his ordinances and not to worship the Beast and take his mark in receiving professing and defending his corrupt traditions and ceremonies For to serve God and make others serve him in the beautie of holinesse Psa 110.3 is to make men serve him in the holinesse of the truth according to all that is written in his Testament Ios 1.8 and not with cathedrall service and musick after the pompous traditions and inventions of Prelates and theire Canons as some infer For the Image of God is renewed in all righteousnesse and holines of the truth Ephes 4.24 and if God would not that wee should be again in bondage to the rudiments which himselfe ordained in the ceremoniall law Christ haveing nailed them to his crosse much lesse to those which the pope and church of Rome or other men have invented or established It were good that Princes and theire chaplains would think of that Ezra 7.21 whatsoever is commaunded by the God of heaven that is in matters of religion let it be diligently donne where mark he saith not commaunded by Kings for why should there be wrath against the Realme of the King and his Sonnes That is either for neglecting Gods commaund or vrging inventions of men for therfore wee are willed not to thinke of men and theire power above that is written 1 Cor. 4.6 It is the necessity of conformitie imposed upon Ministers that furnisheth them as it did the Papists with arguments to defend traditions humane precepts and Canons against this truth and so to make a fearfull war against God Which I observe not so much of them who haveing subscribed follow theire ministrie preach the word and never speake of English traditions hopeing God will reforme them as of those that defend and preach them Isa 1. never thinking that God may say vnto them who required these things at your hands What Gospell is this How doth it helpe the Kingdom of God What knowledge what fai h what holinesse of the truth doth it worke They yet strive to justifie these ordinances and all the power of the prelates 1. Cor. 14.40 saying the Apostle saiâ—h Let all things be donne decently and in order therfore Synods may ordaine diocessan Bishops and all such Canons as are in England and doubtlesse the will of God is that they should be obeied I nswer the Apostle by this decencie and order can not meane any thing that shall overthrow any of the ordinances of God or make his word of none effect in any particular He speakes it of things before mencioned in his Epistle Chap. 11.21 Chap. 12. There were divers who did eate theire suppers when they came to the Sacrament one is hungrie and another is drunken this was not decently and in order If any
word made flesh that reveale the father for thou shalt worship the Lord thy God Mat. 4. and him only shalt thou serve And above all in this in beleeving his word only who can not deceive nor be deceived Otherwise though thou pray vnto him and vse all externall devotions he will not account that service or following him but following a man knowes not who what or wherefore for how shall they call on him in whome they have not beleeved Rom. 10.14.15 And how shall they beleeve in him of whome they have not heard there can therefore be no true serving him without hearing and beleeving nor no hearing to salvation without hearing of him nor indeede without obeying or following for therfore it is added But they have not all obeied the Gospel Some obey it not at all as Iewes others would serve God and Mammon others Christ and Antichrist others Gods word and the precepts of men but this is not to obeie the Gospell to follow Christ to worship him aright for he saith In vaine they worship me who teach for doctrines the commandements of men Thus doe they who teach that diocessan Bishops should be received and obeied Mat. 15 9. which make Gods word of the presbiterie of none effect and this they also doe by other theire traditions and precepts which not only crosse the Gospel in other things See the crowne of a Christian Martyr but serve men for a religion and so make the word of God of none effect And while they hold that Gods will is that they should be obeied that is in effect to teach them for doctrines they are no longer things indifferent but necessarie or rather presumptions that turne from the truth Mar. 7.8 and make men lay aside the word of God for laying aside the commandements of God ye hold the tradition of men As if he saide ye cannot hold the tradition of men but ye lay aside the commandement of God as wee finde true in matter of the presbiterie and other things Againe No man hath seene God at any time Ioh. 1.18 the only begotten Sonne which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him All things are delivered vnto me of my father and no man knoweth the father save the Sonne Mat. 11.27 Ioh. 15.15 and he to whome the Sonne will reveale him But he saith to his Apostles All things that I have heard of my father J have made knowne vnto you so he hath fullie declared him And the Apostles have declared vnto vs in the new Testament all the counsell of God If therfore the Sonne Act. 20.27 have not revealed these traditions and precepts of men in his Testament it is a greate presumtion to say they may be imposed or that Gods will is that they should be obeied For because Christ only is the word that revealeth the father therefore that only should be taught which he hath revealed by his Apostles Evangelists but he hath not revealed these precepts of men and therfore he saith In vaine they worship me who teach for doctrines commandements of men As if he saide rejecting God his word ye worship him whose traditions ye receive Ioh. 4. and that with the greatest and trewest worship The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirit and truth Viz. in obeying the truth and yealding themselves to be wholly governed by it as by a perfect and necessarie rule which requireth not a difference of meates or such triviall things but righteousnes and peace Rom. 14 16.18 ioy in the holy Ghost He that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God He is a true worshipper For so Paul saith After the way that they call heresie so worship I the God of my fathers beleeving all things that are written To beleeve the Testaments and no more Obejed is the true worship This must needes be the worship vsed by them who are saide to worship in the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimonie Rev. 11.1.19 because there was nothing seene in it but the Arke of his Testament they beleeved and obeied all things that were written therein and no more 1. Sam. 15.22 To beleeve and to obey is better then Sacrifice and to hearken then the fat of rammes It is the best service and worship as the very Iesuits prove from this place Ignati de obed virtute sect 5 and thereby condemne themselves who give this best service to theire superiour by beleeving and obeying him as one that can not be deceived though they cannot perceive but he commaunds things contrarie to God and so make him theire God Thus the Pope sits in the Temple of God as God or as men say most maister in things and thus papists worship the Beast and his image For his servants ye are to whome ye obey And yet this worship in matters of religion is only due vnto God whose word alone is the spirit that giveth life yea men have more or lesse the Spirit of prophecâ—e 〈◊〉 â—â—â—uld be obeied as they speake according to that word and thâ—â—â—fore the Angel saith worship God for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophecie Rev. 19 His testimonie and no other For the church is subject to Christ not to the preceps of men This testimonie ye ought to beleeve and obey Ephes 5.24 as Paul did in beleewing all things that are written and so to worship God in Spirit and truth For the Father seeketh such to worship him The Papists then in receiving and teaching for Doctrines precepts and traditions of the Pope and Church of Rome so contrarie to the word do certainly giue them this true and greate worship which only belongs to God and so are like them who changed the truth of God into a lie Rom. 1.25 and worshipped and served the creature more then the creator who is blessed for ever Thus they are saide to worship the Beast and his Image Many thinke that some such thing is done by those in England that defend teach the authority of the Bishops theire hierarchie Canons decrees and ceremonies because many of them are popish and more pressed by many then some points of the Gospel And though divers doe not doe this with a purpose to set vp poperie vnlesse in a few things neither can be perswaded that the hierarchie is a limbe of the Beast yet the obedience to it in these things if they or it be not of God is a worship to it and a serving the creature more then the creator which indeede is much more donne by the Papists to the Beast and his Image And here by the way it is a thing worthy observation that if in the primative ages of the church vnder the first Christian Emperours some were touched with some of the popish opinions as very few were and those only in some things yet they did neither maintaine them against such light of doctrine
offer to him that overcommeth and that questionles as well by war as spirituall weapons He that is called faithfull and true Chap. 19. doth in righteousnesse judge and make war against her that sitteth on many waters and so doe these that fight his battails To them that voyce crieth Reward her as she hath rewarded you and double vnto her double according vnto her works In the cup c. For she saith in her heart I sit as a Queene and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Therefore shall her plagues come in one day death and mourning and famine and she shall be vtterly burnt with fire for strong is the Lord who judgeth her Notwithstanding that she seemeth daily to strengthen her selfe by plots devises and friends by Iesuiticall and Spanish practises yet fall she must Many thinke this cannot yet be because England doth not yet set against her as if God could not fulfill his worke without the ayde of lukewarme helpers Ioh. 18. and newters Christ saith Euerie one that is of the truth heareth my voyce Therefore if English Prelates and others that beare sway there doe not heare it in theese things they haue cause to doubt that they are not in all things of the truth nor quite come out of Babylon I wonder how they can evince vnto themselves that they are not of Babylon the greate nor pertake of her sinnes who haue no more zeale against her Marvaile not that they doe not desire to have swords drawen against her who scarce endure that the sword of the Spirit should be vnsheathed against Babylon much lesse against those tenets of theire owne which are Romish and Antichristian The ministers of the french and dutch churches though they be not wholly excercised in points controverted which were no wisdom seeing there are many other points of faith and salvation wherein the people are also to be built vp and fortified yet they scarce make a Sermon but in somthing or other they confute poperie and establish the people in the truth as God requireth If English Prelates have not made this course to be in a sort forbidden yet men say that by discountenancing of such preaching they have at least put it out of fashion as foolish and vnproffitable while in the meane they are contented and desirous that men should preach and contend for the authority of theire hierarchie traditions and ceremonies if not for Arminian tenets A thinge that pleaseth papists who looke for fruite of them knowing them to be popish yea many are so foolish as to love and praise this kinde of preaching and to loath the confutation of it as God complained of the Iewes Ier. 5.31 The prophets prophecie falsly and the Priests beare rule by theire meanes and my people love to have it soe and what will ye doe in the end thereof That is when destruction comes on you for it It is strange that men will not see that this theire preaching and contending for humane inventions and errours is to offer strange fire and the entrance way to all corruption as it was in the Church of Rome whose superstition errours crept in by degrees by degrees did eate out true Religion It will be saide it hath not yet donne so in England both the citie and countrie haue many zealous Christians yea many that are conformable I answer true yet they are verie few in respect of the rest and such as beare the Sway who count zeale against poperie puritanisme and are ready to say with them in the Gospell Ioh. 7.48 Act. 28.20 Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharises run this course but this people who knoweth not the Law are cursed Because they walke not after the high Priests the Bishops For as concerning this sect wee know it is every where spoken against And howsoever these called puritans whether they be conformable or peaceable reformists are such as will be religious whether the Bishops like it or noe as som Iewes would be Disciples for all the high Priests Elders and Pharises therefore this is no thanks to Bishops no fruite of theire government who like better of civill and ceremonious men such as pretend love of common prayer though they haue neither knowledge true loue of the word nor affection to defend religion against Papists and theire practises and like hypocrites doe but pretend a love to prayer For in those prayers they say that in knowledge of him standeth our eternall life Graunt vs in this world knowledge of thy truth And yet are enemies to this knowledge and the meanes of it preaching hearing conference and reading of some good bookes They pray for increase of grace to heare meekely his word receive it with pure affection and bring forth the fruits of the Spirit Yet theire life and actions shew that they are so far from loveing these things that they mock and persecute all those that doe as knaves and hypocrites Yet in some cases as God saith of such men Isa 58. they seeke me daily and delight to know my wayes as a nation that did righteousnes and forsooke not the ordinance of theire God they aske of me the ordinance of justice they take delight in approching to God They fast and like the Bishops looke God should regard them for it But though men be never so religious in observing some of Gods ordinances if they despise or neglect the rest or any of them Deut. 15.21 chap. 17.1 the Lord hateth that Religion as a lame sacrifice Theire hands were full of blood and in other things they had transgressed the Lawes changed the ordinance and broken the everlasting covenant Isa 1.11.12.13.14.15 therefore he saith to what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to me I am full of the burnt offerings Bring no more vaine oblations incense is abhomination vnto me New Moones Sabbaths and appointed feasts my soule hateth And when ye make many prayers J will not heare He counteth all this but complement all religion and would not heare them in these things though he had commanded them who would not heare him in others Like the Prelates who say well that in baptisme wee promise to forsake the world and all the pompe and vanitie thereof Yet can not be perswaded by Gods word to cast theire crownes theire offices and the pompe and vanitie of them at the feete of Christ though it be proved that they are not of God but of men of the world Romish and doe much mischiefe but insteade of confuting they persecute such as pleade Christs cause in proveing these things terryfying all men of that profession more then any other with theire power in the high commission as the Papists doe Protestants with the iniquisition striveing to make them hatefull to Princes and yet keepe theire proofes from theire eyes as if they were worse then the tenets of Papists and Arminians which are not so straitly prohibited nor so narrowly looked vnto B. 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must complaine of them Men will not see theese things This peoples heart Mat. 13.15 saith he is waxed grosse and theire eares are dull of hearing and theire eyes haue they closed c. When Christ commeth he will distinguish the sheepe from the goates and know them by this mark as himselfe saith My sheepe heare my voice If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeede my sheepe indeede otherwise not This is as well true of them that are at Synods as at Sermons both the one and the other beeing but conventicles if they continue not in the word but teach or receive for doctrines precepts of men A diocessan Bishop would like a player seeme to be that which he is not namely a Bishop of the new Testament when yet he makes them of none effect and so is an hypocrit by his office one that saith not against him that would have presbyters restored this man is against Gods ordinance but against the Doctrine of our Church a custom or a canon of a councell and therfore an hipocrit but if Christ shall say to this vsurper depart I know you not I ordained no such offices no such canons who is then the hypocrit It is true indeede that among the many orders of the Popish Religion diocessan Bishops and theire officials are the most ancient and that secular Priests which anciently were presbyters did before the Nicene councell differ litle from the presbiters Christ ordained save that Bishops had wrunge most of the government out of they re hands but when loosing power in excommunication they also became subject to the Bishops and to be governed by theire Lawes Rules and canons as they all by the Pope they left and lost Christs marke tooke on them the marke of the Beast But then as they had made the presbiterie of none effect so the Regulars supplanted them There are many orders of these Regulars or Monles who haveing obtained of Boniface 4. and others after him to have the administation of the word and Sacraments got the hearing of mens confessions and by degrees stole from Bishops and Priests all that reputation which they had with the people and became the stoutest champions of the papacie in all the designes thereof as is at large proved in Plesses his Historie of the papacie progress 51. c. These were the Augustines Benedictines Iacobines Heremits Carthusians but especially the Dominicans and Franciscans Cordiliers and Capuchins and last of all the Iesuits and fathers of the Oratorie These and others have all theire severall Rules and so are severall Religions Yet they all have the marke of the Beast They all hold of him and for him not of Gods word nor for it And so ye have seene also that English Bishops and theire officials Deanes Prebends Subdeanes Archdeacons pettie canons and the like doe not hold theire authority and right in theire orders to execute theire offices from Gods word but from other rotten principles and have taken them from the custom and authority of the Pope Church of Rome or from a child or a woman Edward 6. or Queene Elizabeth that to hold them vpon any such humane authority or to say the word of God giveth leave so to hold them is to change the truth of God into a lie and to worship serve the creature more then the creator For of Christs Testament they doe not nor cannot hold them If they say from the Nicence councell wee have seene the weaknes of that hold in this perticular and indeede that as well many of the ancient as of the later councels have in many things beene carried by mens private interests and practises as appeareth among other Testimonies by an Epistle of Bishop Iewel annexed to the Historie of the councell of Trent and further that Bishops had not then theire courts and such power as afterwards and as they now have in England where in the Reformation it was set vp in the same power the Popish Bishops had enjoyed if not in greater because they were freed from the tyranie of the Pope and lastly that none of all these have the Testimonie of Iesus for theire orders offices and Rules They are not of that Temple or Church militant which Iohn saw but of the owter court though neerer the Temple and Altar then the Papists For all that are of that Temple have the Testimonie of Iesus as well for theire offices as Doctrines which you see none other have but presbiters Pastors helpers and Deacons Not excluding such Majestrates and people as are of the reformed Religion these church orders and no other have his marke who when he is ready to powre out his last plague on Babylon and other cities saith behold I come as a theife Rev. 16.15.16 Where I thinke he meaneth in that last plague against all Antichristian adversaries and in the voyces thunders the exceeding greate earthquake and haile and the fall of Babylon which are of it accompanie it or follow soone after it as Revel 2. Repent or else I will come vnto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth For then it is that the Angel crieth Babylon the greate is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of deuils c. Then Babylon comes in remembrance before God to give her the cup of the wine of the fircenesse of his wrath and therefore he addeth Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments least he walke naked and they see his shame that is in lusts and ignorance or worshipping the Beast or his Image or receiving his marke in part or in whole For they that would not doe this though they may come into trouble for the witnesse of Iesus and for the word of God yet these seaven plagues take not hold of them Luk. 21.36 they watch and are thought worthy to escape these things they raigne with Christ and have part in the first resurrection Rev. 13. God therefore sends vs to see when this vial is powred out or at least to heare that voyce It is donne or that Babylon is fallen is fallen c. Which seeme to follow close after the powring out of the seaventh vial that it may drive vs to repentance before such lamentable iudgments fall on vs at least on all them who pertaking with her in her sinnes are sure to receive of her plagues a thing that is not enough regarded by many in England Christ also comes as a thiefe in the last day And then when he shall looke on the soules of many who have had voices in Synods upon the soules of many a preacher of many an officer and many a hearer and shall see there is little in them but the Canons and ceremonies of the pretended church and a reverent opinion of them because of theire pretended antiquitie or if they have knowledge and zeale in many other things as the Papists have in some they withall have zeale and ignorance