an instrument theie that receiue Baptisme rightlie are graffed into the Church the promises of forgiuenes of sinne and of our adoption to bee the sonnes of God by the holie Ghoste are visiblie signed and sealed faith is confirmed and grace encreased by vertue of praier vnto God 3 The Baptisme of yong children is in anie wise to bee retained in the Church as most agreeable with th institution of Christ. The Propositions 1 Baptisme is á signe of profession and marke of difference whereby Christian men are discerned from other men that be not Christians 2 Baptisme is à signe or seale of the regeneration or newe birth of Christians 3 Infants are to be Baptized by the word of God 1 Howe the Sacramentes are tokens and therefore Baptisme is á signe of the true Church which be christians it maie be read Out of the vvord of God in the fifth proposition of the 19. Article In the publique vvritinges of the Protestant Churches Confes Heluet art 20. Heluet. 2. cap 19. 20. Basil. art 5. sect 2. France art 35. Flan. art 34. Ausburg art 13. Saxon. art 1â— This declareth that vvee are Christians and Not Nazarens who were And so as Hierome noted of them wet neither Iewes noâ— Christians with the Iewes circumcised VVith the christians baptized Not Euchyts who condemn Baptisme Not Maniâ—â—â—ans vvhich baptize not anie Not Cataphrygians vvhich baptize the dead Not Papists that baptize Bâ—lâ— and babels where-as none but reasonable creatures to be incorporated into the visible Church are to be baptized Not of Tho. Aquinas opinion that maketh the vovv or profescion of Moncherie as good à token of Christians as baptisme Not of OrigeÌ„ his mind vvhich Deâ—endeth à Baptisme of fire Thinketh hovv after the resurrection vvee shall haue neede of Baptisme 2 Baptisme of S. Paul is called the washing of the nevve birth Tit. 3. 5. of others the Sacrament of the nevve birth to signifie hovve theie which rightlie as al do not See art 25. pro. 3 â—â— receaue the same are ingrafted into the church 1. Cor. 12. 13. Are as by a seal from God assured That their sins be pardoned forgiuen Act. 2 38. Hovv theie are addopted to be children of god Tit. 3. 5. Are confirmed in faith Mat 16. 16. Doe encrease in grace by vertue of praier vnto Cod. Act. 22. 1. 9 This do the Churches reformed by subscription approoue Confes. of Heluet. 1. art 21. Heluet. 2. c. 20. Bohem. cap. 12. France art 35. 38. Flan. art 34. Ausburgh art 9. Saxon. art 13 VVittem c. 10 Sueau cap. 17. But no parte of the true Church doth thinke That Baptisme is onely à badge of our profession and nothing auaileable vnto euerlasting life as some Libertines do hold which the Bannisht do saie That the vvater at Baptisme is not holie in respect that it is applied to an holie vse That th' ordinarie and common vvorthines among the Turkes and Ievves is the same to them that baptisme is to vs. That of so great efficacie is the Coole or hood of S. Francis as the Baptisme of Christe as the Franciscanes do reach That Original sin is not pardoned in infants at Baptisme because theie haue none original sinne at al vvhich the Pelagians deliuer As the Papistis do publish That none can enter into the state of grace vnlesee he bee baptized That Baptisme serueth to the putting avvaie of Original sinne onelie and not of actual sinnes besides vvhich the children of God do and shal commit That Baptisme bringeth grace exopere operato euen because it is ministred and receaued That being once baptized vvee can no more be tempted vvhich error the Iouinians did maintaine 3 Although by expresâ—â— tearmes vvee bee not commaunded to baptize yong Children yet vvee beleeue theie are to bee baptized For in asmuch as in the word of God vvee finde that The gracâ— of God iâ— vniuersal and partaineth vnto al therfore the siâ—ne or seale of graâ—e is vniuersal belongeth vnto al so vvel yong as old Baptisme is vnto vs as Circumcision was vnto the Iewes but th'infantes of the Iewes vvere circumcised therefore the children of Christians are to be baptized Children belong to the kingdom of heauen Mat. 19. 14. are in the couenant Therefore the signe of the couenant is not to bee denied them Christ gaue in commaundement that vvithout exception al should be baptized Math. 28. 19. Therefore yong children are not to be exempted Christe hath shed his blood aswel â—â—r washing-awaie the sinnes of Children as of th' elder sort Therefore it is verie necessarie that theâ—e should be partakers of the Sacrament thereof This good Christians which â—â—aue renounced poperie as theie like of so theie allovv the Baptisme of yong Children as maie appear in the Confession of Heluet. â— aâ— 21. Heluet. 2. c. 20 Bohem. c. 12. France art 35. Fland. art 34. Ausb art 9 Saxon. art 13. VVittem cap. 10. Sueau cap 17. Oppugned iâ— this truth by The pelagians The Herâ—deonâ— Th'anabaptists The F. of Loue VVho denie the baptism of infants or yong children 28 ARTICLE Of the Lordes Supper THE Supper of the L. is not 1 onelie à signe of the loue that Christians ought to haue among themselues one t'another but rather 2 it is à Sacrament of our redemption by Christs death Insomuch that such as rightlie worthilie and with faith receiue the same the bread which we break is à partaking of the bodie of Christ and likewise the cup of blessing is à partaking of the blood of Christ. 3 Transubstantiation or the chaunge of the substaunce of bread and wine in the Supper of the Lord cannot be proued by holie writ but it is repugnaunt to the plaine wordes of Scripture ouerthroweth the nature of à Sacrament and hath giuen occasion to manie superstitions 4 The bodie of Christ is giuen taken and eaten in the Supper onelie after an heauenlie and spiritual manner and the meane whereby the bodie of Christ is receiued and eaten in the Supper is Faith 5 The Sacrament of the Lords Supper was not by Christes ordinance reserued carried-about lifted-up or worshipped The Propositions 1 The Supper of the L. is à signe of the loue that Christians ought to haue among themselues 2 The L. Supper is à Sacrament of our redemption by Christes death and to them which receiue the same worthelie by faith à partaking of the bodie and blood of Christe 3 The bread and wine in the L. Supper be not changed into another substance 4 The bodie of Christe is giuen taken and eaten after an heauenlie and spiritual and not after à carnal sorte 5 To reserue carie-about lift-up or worship the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is contrarie to th'ordinaunce of Christe 1 The Supper of the Lord is à token of the loue that Christians ought to haue among them selues For vvhich cause it is called The Lordes table 1. Cor 10. 21 The Lordes Supper 1. Cor. 11. 20. A communion of the Saints of God 1. cor
10. v. 16. This is the doctrine also of other Churches besides as mai appear by the â—onfession of Heluet. 2. c. 21. Basil. art 6. Bohe. c. 13 Fland. art 35. Saxon. art 14. Sueau c. 18 So think not those men VVhich contemne this Sacrament of Loue with Th'anabaptistes vvhich rail vpon it being vsed after the institution of Christe and call it VVith the Papistes A Table Prophane Detestable The cup of diuels A kinde of idolatrous meates VVhich denie it manie Christians and all owe it onelie to à few Antichristian shauelings VVhich abuse it with Halters and hollow harted Christians Corinthians that wil Drinke the cup of the Lord and the cup of the diuels Participate at the Lords table and at the table of diuels 2 The Supper of the Lord Is to al christians à Sacrament of our redemption by Iesus Christe Math. 26. 28. Luke 22. ver 19. 20. Marke 14. 24 1. Cor. 11. 24 To such as receue the same It is the partaking of the bodie blood of Christ. 1. cor 10. 16. worthelie 1. Cor. 11. 28. c. By faith 2. Cor. 13. 5. Iohn 6. 35 A trueth this is not onelie in harte beleeued but by publik writings al so testified to the vvorld by our neighbour Churches Confes of Heluet. 2. cap. 11. Heluet. 1 art 22. Basil. art 6. Bohem. ca 13. France art 37. Flan. art 35. Ausb touching the Masce art 1. 3. Sax. art 14. VVittem cap. 19. Suca c. 19. This proposition diuerslie hath bin assailed For Some either deniing or not acknowledgeing the benefits of this so heaueÌ„ly à Sacrament doe saie It is not à seale of spiritual graces but onelie à signe of Christian profession It is to bee receaued onelie for obedience take to the Princes procedings but is of non effect to the perfect ones an opinion of the Family It doth neither good nor hurt to the receauers the Mescalians error It is not à signe assuring the harts of the faithful hovv their sinnes bee forgiuen For vvee must alvvaies doubt of the remission of our sinns saie the Papists It is to bee receaued to the comfort of the bodie onelie but is no refreshing of the soule Som haue conceaued doe hold most erroneous opinions touching the manner of receuing the same deliuering to the world that It can profite such as haue no faith euen Babes or infants in this error wer the Nectorians Graecians Moranians that I saie not Cyprian Origen Austine VViked men destitute of al knoledge true sense of godlines and for no cause but onlie because theie receaue the same The dead bodies of men th' error of certaine condemned long agoe It can benefit such as recaue it not at al if it be ministred on their behalf being Theis errors the Papistes stifelie doe defend Absent vppon the seas in wars yea by death Praesent and yet do not participate but the Priest for them 3 Transsubstâ—tiation or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the supper of the Lorde we do vtterlie denie and the reasons mouing vs thereunto are for that It is repugnant to the plaine wordes of the Scripture For I wil not drinke hence-forth of this fruit of the vine saith our Sauiour Christ Matt. 26 29. Mar. 14 25. which fruit had it realie bine either the blood oâ— by waie of concomitance the verie bodie and blood of Iesus Christ then our Lorde and Sauiour had eaten himselfe vvhich is not onelie blasphemous to be spoken but also impossible to be done and directlie against the word of God vvhere commandement is often giuen that the blood with flesh not of beast much lesse of man must not bee eaten Gen. 9 4. Leuit. 17 14. The heauen muste conteine Iesus Christ vntil the time that al things be restored saith Saint Peter Acts. 3. 21. If Christ corporalie according to his humanitie be in heauen then is he not in the Sacrament As often as yee shal eate this bread ' not Christ his real bodie and drinke this cup not the real blood of Christ ye shew the Lords death til he come saith Saint Paul â— Cor. 11 20. Therefore he is not come which he must be being vnder the formes of bread and wine It ouerthrovveth the nature of à Sacrament For where there is none element there can be no Sacrament Because the word comming vnto Th'element maketh a Sacrament It hath bine the occasion of manie superstitions For from hence proceeded The reseruing of the transsubstantiated bread for sundrie superstitious ends Th' adoring of the bread euen as God himselfe and that of priest and people The carieng-about in pompous procession of their waâ—er God The popish feast called Corpus Christi daie The due coÌ„sideration hereof hath moued the reformed Churches to detest transsubstantiation as in hart word so by writing Confes of Hel. 2. cap. 21. Hel. 1. art 22. Basil. art 6. Bohem c. 13. VVittem c. 19. Abominable therfore be the popish errors that In Th'eucharist there is not the substance of bread and wine but onelie the meere accidents and qualities Substancialie realie the bodie blood together with the soule and diuinitie of our L. Iesus Christ and therfore whole Christ is conteined in the sacrament of Eucharist Vnder each kind and vnder euerie part of each kinde seueralie whole Christ is comprised After the consecration in the wonderful Sacrament of Th'ucharist the bodie blood of our Lorde Iesus Christ is and that not onelie in the vse while it is taken but afore also after in the hostes or consecrated peeces reserued or remaining after the communion In the holie Sacrament Christ th' onelie begotten sonne of God is to be adored with the verie worship of Latria Marcus also that detestable haeretike held that the wine of the lords Supper was conuerted into blood 4 Although our Sauior Christ bee in heauen as hath bine proued and therfore can not corporalie be giuen taken and eaten yet we beleeue that by à secret and incomprehensible vertue of thâ— holie Ghost hee doth nurish quicken vs by his verie bodie and blood apprehended by à liuelie faith For the better vnderstanding of this great mysterie wee are to note that the regenerate haue à double life with in them whereof One is carnal and temporarie vvhich theie haue brought with them from their first comming into the world This life is common to al men good bad and is praeserued by earthlie and material bread common also to al and euerie man One is spiritual and heauenlie giuen vnto them in their second birth which is through the worde 1 Pet. 1. 23. This life is peculiar onlie to the elect of God and maintained by the bread of life vvhich came-downe from heauen which is Iesus Christ Iohn 6 51 He nurisheth and susteineth the spiritual life of all Christians if he be eaten that is receiued of them spiritualie through faith Iohn 6 35. Rom. 3 25 vvhich spiritual bread that he might the
THE English Creede CONSENTING WITH the true auncient Catholique and Apostolique Church in al points and articles of Religion which euerie Christian is to know and beleeue that would be saued THE SECOND PART in most loyal manner to the glorie of God credit of our Church and displaieng of al haeresies and errors both olde and newe contrarie to the faith subscribed vnto by Thomas Rogers Allowed by auctoritie 3. ESDR 4. Magna est veritas praeualet AT LONDON Printed by Robert Walde-graue for Andrew Maunsel at the Brasen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard 1587. TAM GENERE QVAM VIRTVTE PRAECELLENTI D. CHRISTOPHERO HATTONO EQVITI AVRATO REGNI ANGLIAE SVMMO CANCELLARIO ALIIS QVE MVLTIS NOMINIBVS HONORATISSIMO VIRO SVO OPTIMO MAECENATI AC PATRONO THOM AS ROGERIVS POSTERIOREM HANC SYMBOLO ANGLICANO SVBSCRIPTIONIS SVAE PARTEM HONORIS GRATIQVE ANIMI TESTIFICATIONIS ERGO DEVOTE CONSECRAVIT 20. ARTICLE Of the auctoritie of the Church THe Church hath power 1 to decree rites or ceremonies and auctoritie 3 in controuersies of faith And yet it is not laufull for the Church 2 to ordaine anie thing that is contrarie to Gods worde 4 neither maie it so expounde one place of Scripture 5 that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although 6 the Churche be à witnesse and à keeper of holie writ yet as it ought not to decree anie thing against the same so besides the same 7 ought it not to enforce anie thing to be beleeued for necessitie of saluation The Propositions 1 The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies 2 The Church maie not appoint what rites or ceremonies it will 3 The Church hath auctortie to iudge in controuersies of faith 4 The Church hath power to interprete and expound the worde of God 5 The Analogie of faith must bee expected in the exposition of the Scripture 6 The Church is the witnesse and keeper of Gods word 7 The Church may not enforce any thing to be beleued as is necessarie vnto saluation that is either contrarie or besides the word of God 1 The Churches auctoritie to decree rites or ceremonies Is warranted in the worde of God By th' example of the Apostles who did ordaine rites or ceremonies as among other thinges that in the Church Men should not be couered 1. Corinth 11. 4. c. VVomen Should be couered 1. Corinth 11. 5. Should keep silence 1. Corinth 14. 34. A known tongue should be vsed 1. Cor. 14. 1. c. By the general perpetual commaundement of God himselfe whoe at al times wil haue euery thing in the Church to be done As being the auctor not of confusion but of peace 1. Cor. 14. ver 26. 33. 40. Honestlie By order Vnto aedification Is graunted in the publique Confessions of the Churches protestant as Confession of Heluet. 1. Artic. 13. Heluet. 2. cap. 22. 23. 24. Basil art 10. Bohem. cap. 15. 17. France artic 32. Fland. artic 32 Ausburg artic 4. 5. 7. 15. Sax. artic 20. Sucuia cap. 8. 14. VVittem cap. 27. 35. This power being giuen by the supreme auctoritie vnto the Churche theie doe greatly offend VVho by an extreme detestation conceaued against ceremonies do condemne Generallie al rites or ceremonies as do some fantastical spirites Particularlie some commendable ceremonies so is the celebration of the Sabbat disliked of certaine Familists VVhiche thinke the Church is tied precisely to obserue the ceremonies Of the Iewes so Did the False Apostles Cerdonits Cerinthians Nazarens Doe the Iewes Turkes Armenians Of the Romish synagogue in which error be The hot Papists The halfe Papistes the Fam of Loue. VVhich holde that either any one man or any certaine callinge hath power to decree appoint rites or ceremonies though of themselues good vnto the whole Church of God 2. As it is à cleere truth that the church maie ordaine ceremonies So true it is also that the Church hath no power to appoint what rites or ceremonies it will but they must make To the Nourishing and increase of loue and friendship among men Such Reteining of the faithful in the holie feare of God Such In the primatiue Church were the rites principalie about Baptisme Excommunication The L. Supper In these dais in the reformed Churches are the ceremonies touching For the Church to meete in The times The places In the Church The praiers The seruice The persons Not to the vpholding of vice or superstitious vanities among the people as theie do If of themselues theie be meetlie wiked and vngodlie as are Popish Masses Images in the Church If being in their owne nature indifferent yet being supersticiouslie vsed are vngodlie as are the difference of daies and meates and apparel c. when it is thought that such rites Do deserue remission of sinnes Are th'acceptable seruice of God Be of necessitie vnder the paine of Gods eternal cursse to be obserued of al and euerie man This is consonantor agreeable To the worde of God Eze 20 v. 18. 19 Matth. 15. 13. Mat. 7. 7 c. Luke 11. 46. Gal. 51. Col. 2. 8. c. Tit. 1. 14. To the sound CoÌ„fessions of Christ his church CoÌ„fes of Heluet. 2. c. 15. France art 33. Flan. art 32. Ausb art 7. 15 Sax. art 20. VVitteÌ„ art 35. Sueuia c. 14. But as light is vnto darkenes coÌ„traeie to al such As are of opinion that the Church hath absolute auctoritie to ordaine what lawes rites or ceremonies it thinketh good As wil make and that as theie saie by thâ—auctoritie giuen vnto the church of à ceremonie à matter of substance and of à thing of substance à ceremonie as theie do which turne the 2 commandemeÌ„ts of the Decaloge into à ceremonial lawe As both obscure the glorie of God by their Masses inuocatioÌ„ of creatures c. and frustrate the merits of our Sauior by their meritorious pardons fasting pilgrimages c. deface the holie Sacraments of Christ by the vain ceremonies of Antichrist hinder the preaching of Gods word by ouer mâ—nie tedious traditions and keep the people of God in daÌ„nable ignorance by preferring the ordinances of meÌ„ before th'institution of God and leaue that vndone which God hath commanded to be done to performe that which the Church hath coÌ„manded such are the Papists 3 Auctoritie is giuen to the Church and to euerie member of iudgement in the same to iudge in controuersies of faith and so in their places To embrace the truth To auoid and improue Antichristianitie errors And this is not the priuate opinion of our Church but The straight coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of God himselfe To teachers â— Tim. 4. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 20 Tit. 1. 9. Tit. 3. 10. To heaters Hier. 23 16. Matth 7. 15 Ioh. 10. 3 c Phil. 3 2. Heb. 13 9. 2. Pet. 3 17. 2 Iohn ver 10. To the whole Church Matt. 24. 23 1. Cor. 14. v. 20. 23. 24. 1. Thes. 5 21 Iam. 5 19. Iudes epist. Reuel 18 4. 1. Cor. 10. 15 The iudgement of our godlie brethren
in other places of the reformed Church name lie in the Confes. of VVittem art 32. Sueuin art 15. Sound in iudgment therefore theie are not VVhich being not of the Church of Christ wil notwithstanding take vpon them to iudg yea to condemne the doctrine of the Church of God as do The Machiauils The Iewes The Turkes The Papists The Fam. of Loue. The Anab. VVhich hold that the Pope alone hath power To iudg al men and matters but maie be iudged of none To make reuoke at his pâ—â—suâ—e what articles of Religion him listeth and that without controlment VVhich suppose there is No iudgment but in the Clergie so called None auctoritie to determine of controuersies in Religion but by the bookes of the dead Fathers Doctors Schole men as Thâ—â— Aquinas â—coâ—â—â— c. 4 To interpret the word of God is à peculiar blessing giueÌ„ by God onelie to the church or companie of the faithful though not to al and euerie of them For Saith our Sauiour Of men in general No man knoweth the Sonne but the Father neither knoweth anie man the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the Sonne wil reueile him Mat. 11. 27. Of his faithful disciples It is giuen to you to know the secrets of heauen but to them it is not giuen Matth. 13 11. Saith S. Paul vnto the church at Corinth The manifestation of the Spirit is giuen to euerie man to profit withal For to one is giuen by the Spirit the worde of wisedome c. And to another prophecie 1. Cor. 12. 7 c. If anie thing be reueiled to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace 1. Cor. 14. 30. The Apostles Iames and Iohn do write vnto al the Church or people of God If anie man lacke wisdome let him aske of God Iam. 1 5. Ye haue an ointment from him that is holie and yee haue knowne al things c ye know the truth c ye need not that anie man teach you 1. Iohn 2. ver 20 21 27. Hereunto subscribe the Churches in Heluet. Confes. 2. c. 7. Bohem. Confes. c. 1. VVitteÌ„ Confes. c. 30. Al of vs iointlie opposing our selues Against those men which thinke that to expound the word of God is so easie à matter as anie student indued with à good natural wit by diligence maie do the same Against them that teach how to interpret or expound the Scriptures is too hard à thing for anie mortal man to attaine vnto such VVas Iohannes de VVessalia Are manie of the Anabaptists Against the fam of Loue who though they grant some can expound or open so far as is conuenient for man to know the meaning of God in his word yet that Some there saie are themselues and none other Against the Papists VVhich thinke that to interpret the holie scripture is not so much à special gift of God vpoÌ„ some chosen persons as an ordinarie power annexed to the state of Popes Bishops General Councels That are so far from giuing the people of God not being of the Clergie power to expound that theie vvil not suffer them to read no not so much as to haue the Scriptures in à vulgar tongue except it be their ovvne most corrupt and barbarous translation vvhich but of late yeeres neither and that in part too is granted But for the Scripture of God in place theie obtruded Festiuals Legends Rosaries Horaries Psalâ—eries of our Ladie 5 Forsomuch as no prophecie is of anie priuate motion 2. Pet. 1. 20. and whatsoeuer interpretation man giueth not agreeing to Th'analogie of faith which S. Paul from God gaue in commandement to be obserued Rom. 12. 6. is à priuate interpretation special heed is to be had that one place of Scripture be so expounded as it agree with another and al to the proportion of faith This do the Churches protestant so like of as theie approue the same by publique Subscription as maie appeare in the Confession of Heluet. 1. art 2. Heluet. 2. c 2. France art 7. Saxon. art 1. VVittem ca. 30. 31. 33. Sueauia art 1. This wil not be granted of the Antichristian synagogues whereof Some thinke that the Scripture may be expounded in what sense and to what purpose we wil as the Helchesaits Papists among whome theie be which from this opinioÌ„ do tearme the most holie word of God in reproch A shipmaÌ„â— hoase A leaden rule A nose of waxe Some condemne al interpretation of the word as vnnecessarie theie being taught as theie saie of God himseÌ„lfe such are the Libertines Some depend vpon visions and Reuelations as the Euthusiasts Anabaptists Some dislike of the literal calling it à Grammatical sense and so prefer the Allegorical exposition that theie cal it the spiritual sense of Gods word and therbie make vvhat them list of the Scriptures most monstrouslie as the Originists Fam. of Loue Some vvil haue of euerie place of Scripture an exposition Analogical Allegorical Historical Moral As the curious Thomists Monches Some are addicted to an interpretation vvhich theie cal mystical and prophetical as the Bâ—â—â—ardists Some thinke th'interpretation vvhich the Church of Rome maketh of the Scripture vvhatsoeuer it be is the od and the onelie true sense of Gods vvord as Harding doth Some deeme that as the Church by time doth alter so th'interpretation of the Scripture also maie varie vvhereby that vvhich in Th'apostles time vvas à truth in theis daies shal be an error and contrarivvise in this error vvas Cardinal Cusanus 6 Though the church hath power to heare determine in controuersies of saith as alreadie hath bine prooued yet hath the Church auctoritie nei ther to iudge the worde of God not to iudge otherwise than the word of God doth iudg For it is said To the church Novve I besceche you brethren marke theÌ„ diligentlie which cause diuision and offences contrarie to the doctrine which ye learned and auoid them Rom. 16. 7. Heare him euen Christ Math 17. 5. To him giue al the Prophets vvitnesce Act. 10. 43. Search the Scriptures Iohn 5. 39. VVhosoeuer transgresceth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God 2. Iohn vers 9. Yee are no more straungers and forreners c. and are built vpon the foundation of Th'apostles and Prophets c. Ephes. 2 19. Heereby shal yee knowe the spirite of God c. 1. Iohn 4. 2. Of the holie Scripture The worde is the truth Iohn 17. 17. The whol Scripture c is profitable to teach to improue to correct to instruct in righteousnes that the man of God maie be absolute c. 2. Tim. 6. ver 16. 17. They haue Moses and the Prophets let them hear them Luk. 16. 29. VVee haue also à most sure vvorde of the Prophets to the which ye do wel that yee take heede c. 2. Pet. 1. 19. If anie man teache otherwise consenteth not to the wholsome wordes of our L. I. Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlines he is pust vp
Baptist. Inioined to preache not in one or a fevve places but ouer the whole vvorlde so were th'apostles but not Iesus Christ. 2 Of men as they be who are sent of men not auctorized thereunto by the vvord of God that to the disquieting of the good estate of Christ his Church such In Th'apostles time vvere the false Apostles In our daies are the S. Augustine saith Al which are thus sent are Liars And their calling is vnlawful Annabaptistes Iesuites Seminarie priests 3 By men so in the primiâ—lue Church by Th'apostles vvere Pastors and Elders ordained vvho by the same auctoritie ordained other Pastors and teachers VVhence it is that the Church as it hath bine so it shal â—â—l th' end of the vvorlde â—e prouided for They who are thus called haue povver neither to vvorke miracles as Th'apostles had noâ— to preach and minister the Sacraments vvhere theie vvil as Th'apostles might but theâ—e are tied euerie man to his charge vvhich theâ—e must faithfullie attende vpon except vrgent occasion do enforce the contrarie The calling of theis men is tearmed à general calling and it is th' ordinarie and in theis daies the lawful calling allowed by the word of God So â—eâ—â—fie with vs the true Churches else-where in the vvorld Confession of Heluet. 1. art 17. Heluet. 2. cap. 18. Bohem. cap. 9 France art 31. Fland. art 31 Ausburg art 1â— VVittemb art 20. Sueaue art 13 This truth manie vvaies hath bine resisted For there be which thinke There is no calling but th'extraordinarie and special calling in theis daies Al are to be taken for which are not sacrificing Priestes annointed by the Antichristian Bishops of the Romish lynagogue VVolues Hieâ—lings Lai-men Intruders That so manie as are sent by the Church are sent of the holie Ghost vvhen vve knovve hovve often times the CHVRCHE sendeth for Laborers idle workmen Frendes enemies Phisitions murtherers True Pastors vvolues and Apostataes Theie maie take the charge of Congregations and yet performe no duetie That no Bishop or Minister should remaine still in one place but vvander An error of the Familie 6 Though it bee in the power of them which haue publique auctoritie in the Church t' appoint Ministers in the Congregation yet maie theie admit neither whom they wil nor as they wil themselues but they are both deliberatelie to chuse and orderlie to cal such as theie haue chosen This made Th'apostles Elders in the primitiue Church Straightlie to charge that suddenlie hands should be laid vpon no man 1. Tim 5. 22. To make special choise oftwaine where of one was to be elected into the place of Iudas Acts. 1. 23. By election to ordaine Elders in euery church and by To commend them to the Lord. Acts. 14 23. Praier Fasting Laieng on of hands 1. Tim. 4 14. to consecrate them To describe who were to be chosen called For theie are to be Men not â—oies VVomen 1. Tim 2. 12. Men of good behauior 1. Tim. 3. 2 c Not incontinent Not giuen to vvine Not strikers Not couerous Not proud 1. Peâ— 5. 3. Titus 1 7. Not froward Not iâ—eâ—ul No giuers of offence 2. Cor. 6 3. Men of special gifts Apt to teach 1. Tim. 3. 2. Able to exhort Tit 1. 9. VVise to diuide the vvord of God aâ—ight 2. Tim. 2. 15. Bold to reproue 1. Tim. 5. 21. Tit. 1 9. VVilling to take paines Matt. 9 38. 2. Tim 4 2. VVatchful to ouersee Acts. 20 28. Patient to suffer Acts. 5 41. 2. Tim. 4 8. Constant to endure al maner of afflictions 2. Cor. 11 23. c. They who are â—o chosen called maie fightlie be numbred among the lavvful ministers On th' other side in an error they remaine vvhich thinke That the due election and calling of Ministers according to the vvorde of God is of no such necessitie to the making of Ministers That women maie bee In vvhich error the Pepuzians vvere Elders Bishops That à special care is not to bee had both of the life and of the learning of men or that vviked men of euil life or ignorant men vvithout learning or Asses of no gifts or loitereâ—s vvhich do no good or fauourers of superstition vvhich do great hurt are to bee admitted into or maintained in the holie ministerie That they are causes vvhich in deede aâ— none to keepe men fró the Ecclesiastical function as if men They may not bee priests say the Papists Be maried Haue had certaine wiues Haue not al outvvarde gifts of the bodie thogh endued with heauenlie talents Haue bine baptized of haeretiks c Theis ought not to busie themselues about the word saie the Familists Haue not bine trained vp in the Familie Are not Elders in the Familie of Loue. This do the Churches protestant by their publike Confessions approue Hel. 2. c. 18. Hel. 1. ar 25. Bohem. c. 9. Franc. ar 3. 1. Fland. art 31. Ausb art 14. VVitt. ar 20. Sueau ar 13. 24. ARTICLE Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people vnderstand not IT is à thing plainlie repugnant to the worde of God and the custome of the primitiue church to haue publike praier in the church or to minister the Sacraments in à tongue not vnderstanded of the people The Propositions Publique praier and the Sacraments must be ministred in á knowen tongue This article needeth smal proofe For who so is perswaded as al true christians of vnderstanding are that what is done publiklie by á strange language in the Church not vnderstood of the people Profiteth not the Congregation 1. Cor. 14 ver 6. 9. 14. Aedifieth not the weake 1. Cor. 14. ver 4 17 26. Instructeth not th' ignorant 1. Cor. 14. 19. Inflameth not the zeale 1. Co 14. 9. Offendeth the hearers 1. Cor. 14. ver 7. â—1 Abuseth the people 1. Cor. 14. ver 1. 16. Displeaseth God Matth. 15. 8. Bringeth religion into contempt 1. Cor. 14. 23. Easilie wil thinke that where the praiers be said or the Sacraments administred in à tongue not vnderstood of the people there The word of God is not regarded The custome of the primitiue churche is not obserued This article as al true Christians doe beleeue so some by pub Confessions doe graunt Con. of Helnet 2. c. 22. VVittem cap. 27. Ausburg de Misca art 3. Sueaue c. 21. But there is nothing so apparent which hath not by some aduersaries bine denied So contrarie to this article Some as the Marcosians at the ministration of Baptisme haue vsed certaine Hebrue wordes not to aedifie but to terifie and astonishe the mindes of the weake and ignorant people Some theie be the papists wil haue al seruice praiers and Sacraments that throughout the world ministred in an vnknowen tongue And among theis papists There bee which holde that the lesse theie vnderstande the more deuout the people wil be For ignorance is the mother of deuotion There bee which write that praiers not vnderstood of the people are acceptable of Satan I