Cathedrall and Parishionall Assemblies in this confusion are a strange Antichristian Ministerie and Offices and are not that Ministerie above named instituted in Christs Testament nor placed in or over his Church XXX These their Popish Offices Entrance Administration and Maintenance with their names titles privileges prerogatives also the power and rule they vsurp over and in these Ecclesiasticall assemblies over the whole Ministration and affaires therof yea one over another creating Priests citing suspeÌ„ding silencing deposing absolving excommunicating c Their confounding of Ecclesiasticall Civill jurisdiction causes and procedings in their persons Courts CoÌ„missions Visitations the Priests of lesse rule taking their Ministery from exercising it vnder them by their prescription limitation swearing Canonical obedience vnto theÌ„ administring by their devised imposed stinted popish Leitourgie c. Finally the dispensations which they vse for Plurality of benefices licences of Non residency Licences to mary and eat flesh both which with them are on certain dayes tymes forbidden c These we say are sufficient proofes of the former assertion the particulars therin being duly examined by compared to the rules of Christs Testament Not to speak here of their private Baptisme of the signe of the Crosse vsed in Baptisme of questions propounded to the infants of the Priests surplice prayer over the dead at buriall kneeling at the Lords supper and other the like popish corruptions almost infinite reteyned and allowed among them XXXI These Ecclesiastical Assemblies remayning thus in confusion bondage vnder this Antichristian Ministerie Courts Canons worship Ordinances c. without freedom and power to redresse any enormitie among them cannot be said in this confusion and subiection truly to have Christ their Prophet Priest and King neither can be in this estate whilest we judg them by the rules of Gods word estemed the true visible orderly gathered or coÌ„stituted Churches of Christ whereof the faithful may become or staÌ„d Members or have anie spirituall communion with them in their publick worship and Administration XXXII Therfore are al that will be saved bound by Gods commandement with speed to come forth of this Antichristian estate leaving the suppression of it vnto the Magistrate to whom it belongeth And all such also as have received or exercised any of these false Offices or any pretended function or Ministerie in or to this false and Antichristian constitution are willingly in Gods feare to give over aud leave those vnlawfull Offices and no longer to minister in this maner to these assemblies in this estate Neyther may any of what sort or conditioÌ„ soever give any part of their goods Lands Money or money worth to the maintenance of this false Ministerie and worship vpon any coÌ„mandement or vnder any colour whatsoever XXXIII And being come forth of this AntichristiaÌ„-estate vnto the freedom true profession of Christ besides the instructing and well guyding of their owne families they are willingly to ioyne together in Christian communion and orderly covenant and by free confession of the faith obedience of Christ to vnite themselves into peculiar visible Congregations wherin as meÌ„bers of one body wherof Christ is the only head they are to worship and serve God according to his word remeÌ„bring to keep holy the Lords day XXXIIII Then also such to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures tryed in the exercise of Prophecy attending to studie and learning may and ought by the appointment of the Congregation to prophesie according to the proportion of faith and so to teach publickly the word of God for the edification exhortation and comfort of the Church Vntill such tyme as the people be meet for and God manifest men with able gifts and fitnes to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the publick Ministerie of his Church But no Sacraments to be administred vntil the Pastors or Teachers be chosen and ordeined into their Office XXXV And then wheresoever there shall be a people fit and men furnished with meet and necessary gifts they are not onely still to continue the exercise of Prophesy aforesayd but also vpon due tryal to proceed vnto choyce and ordination of Officers for the Ministery and service of the Church according to the rule of Gods word so hold on stil to walk forward in the wayes of Christ for their mutuall edification and comfort as it shall please God to give knowledg and grace therevnto And particularly that such as be of the seed or vnder the government of any of the Church be even in their infancie received to Baptisme and made partakers of the signe of Gods covenant made with the Faithful their seed throughout all generations And that al of the Church that are of yeares and able to examine themselves dâ— communicate also in the Lords supper both men and women and in both kindeâ— bread and wine In which clements as also in the water of baptisme even after they are consecrate there is neyther transubstantiation into nor consubstantiation with the body and blood of Iesus Christ whom the heavens must conteyn vntil the time that all things be restored But they are in the ordinance of God signes and seales of Gods everlasting covenant with vs representing offring to all the receivers but exhibiting only to the true beleevers the Lord Iesus Christ al his benefits vnto righteousnes sanctification and eternal lyfe through faith in his name to the glorie and prayse of God XXXVI Thus being rightly gathered established stil proceeding in Christian coÌ„munion and obedience of the Gospell of Christ none is to separate for faults and corruptioÌ„s which may so long as the Church consisteth of mortall men will fall out arise among them even in true constituted Churches but by due order to seeke redresâ—e thereof XXXVII Such as yet see not the truth may not withstanding heare the publik doctrine and prayers of the church and with a meeknes are to bee sought by al meanes Yet none who are growen in yeares may be received into their coÌ„munion as members but such as do make confession of their faith publickly desiring to be received as members and promising to walk in the obedience of Christ. Neyther any infants but such as are the seed of the faithfull by one of the parents or vnder their education and government And further not any from one congregation to be received members in another without bringing certificate of their former estate present purpose XXXVIII And although the particular Congregations be thus distinct and severall bodies every one as a compact and knit citie in it self yet are they al to walke by one and the same rule and by all meanes convenient to have the counsel and help one of another in all needfull affaires of the Church as members of one body in the common faith
cannot preach so vpon their displeasure and for not obeying their injunctions they are many tymes suspended degraded and if they will not be ruled put in prison so that sundry of theÌ„ have ben suspended and imprisoned for preaching against the Prelats not subscribing to their devised Articles and Booke of coÌ„mon prayer not wearing the sqare cap and surplice not reading the service booke be tyed to the same not coming to the Bbs courts visitations inquisitions c. tyll now of late being wearyed with these troubles they give place to their tyranny and are content to conforme themselves and yeeld their canonical obedience according to their oath â—eeping now silence yea going back bearing bolstering the things which heretofore by word and wryting they stood against so long as there was any hope that the Prince Counsel would have heaâ—kened vnto them and put these adversary Prelats out of the Church Fourthly for administratioÌ„ which is by Law imposed vpon all both Clergie and Laitie for so they distinguish them they have gathered their Service book verbatim out of the Masse book turning out of Latine into English the Suffrages Prayers Let any Collects c. leaving out some of the gross pointes therin keping still the old fashioâ— of Psalmes Chapters Pistles Gospellâ— versicles respondes also Tâ— Deum Benedâ—â—tus Magnificat Nunc dimittis Our Father Lord have mercy vpon vs The Lord be wiâ— you O Lord open thâ—w my lyps Glory to God â— high Lyft vp your harts O come let vs reioycâ— Glory be to the Father Quicunque vult â— These doe they read dayly morninge anâ— evening all the yeare long in their priestâ— vestures Surplice cope c. some theâ— saye and some they sing having in the Cathedrall Churches the Organs Querâ—â—ters singing men and boyes as in tymes paâ— in popeâ—y Many popish errors yet remayn in that book which their own preacher have noted found fault with There aâ— they prescribed what prayers to read ovâ— the dead over the coâ—n grasse some time in the yeare By it are they injoyned â— keep their holy dayes to their Lady â— they cal her to all Saincts and Angelâ— to all Christs Apostles except Paul aâ— Barnabas whose eyes they are coÌ„mandeâ— to fast as also their Lent Ember dayâ— besides frydayes and saturdayes througâ— out the whole year By this book are tâ—â— Ministers instructed how to marry wiâ— the signe of the Ring c. to baptise the hallowed Font with signe of 〈◊〉 crosse with Godfathers and Godmothers asking the child whether it wil forsake the devil and all his works c. to minister also their other sacrament or communion to the people kneling as when in popery they received their maker the words of Christs institution altered and others in stead of them taken out of the popes portuis with innumerable such like enormities and fopperies wherewith it swarmeth And this is all the worship and service which many parishes have vsually except peradventure some written Homilies which the vnlearned Priests read vnto them This service must first be read and hath the preeminence even on the Lords dayes before any preaching yea before the Bible it self He that can read this bookâ— distinctly is fit ynough with them to be a Preist yea many that have ben Artificers as Shoemakers Taylers Weavers Porters c and without any giftes or knowledg at all save only to read English have ben and are admitted to this day maynteyned by the Prelats in the Ministerie To these Churches Ministers Service must all the people there come every daye yea though they hav in the next parish a Preacher and in their own a dumb vnlearned Priest yet are they all tyed to their owne Church and Minister and must at the least twise a yeare receve the SacrameÌ„t at his haÌ„ds If they refuse this or do not ordinarily come to their parish Church theÌ„ are they suÌ„moned excoÌ„municated imprisoned tyl they become obedient In this boÌ„dage are our countrymen there held vnder their Priests and Prelats and such as by the word of God witnes against and condemne these abhominations they hate punish put to death and persecute out of the Land Who now in whom any spark of true light is cannot playnly perceive this their Ministery worship and Church to be false adulterate Doth Christs eternall testament ordeyn and approve of such popish Lordes and Prelats to reigne over his Church Are these those Christian Bishops that is Pastors Teachers and Elders which he hath set in his Church and over his owne people vnto the ende of the world Or can those Preachers which are thus created and deposed by thus sworne and obedient vnto their spirituall Lordes be deemed true Teachers of the Gospell of Christ lawfully called and ordeyned to that Ministerye Is that their English Masse the trew spirituall worship of God according to his owne wil We are taught in the scriptures that there can be no agrement made betwixt Christ and Antichrist betwixt the Lawes of God and mens traditions that the servants of Iesus may not submitt vnto or receive the marke of that Beast neyther drinke of the cup of the whore of Babylons fornications or buy any of her wares but must contend for the mayntenance of that saith which was once gyven vnto the saincts keeping their souls and bodyes pure froÌ„ AntichristiaÌ„ pollutions touching no vnclean thing nor having any fellowship with the vnfruteful works of darknes least by partaking with their synnes they receve also of their plagues drynck of the wyne of the wrath of God be tormented in fyre and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lamb for evermore If Christ be God let vs follow him but if the Pope be God what shall we say Why have we left him his Church and ministery his worship jurisdiction or what halting and mocking with the Lord is this to put away the Popes person and reteyne his Prelacy and Ministery his Lawes Traditions and Canons his worship service or at the least to frame vnto our selves a worship Ministery and Church after the patterne and mould of the Apostasy of Rome which what other thing is it then to make an Image of that wild beast and force men to worship it Thus seest thow briefely good Christian Reader the thinges which we mislike in the Church of England and for which we have separated our selves as God commaundeth To all these if we were amongst them should we be forced to submitt our bodyes soules or els suffer violence at the handes of the Prelats end our lives by violent death or most miserable imprisonment as many of our brethren before vs have done For so great is the malice and power of those Romysh Priests that they persecute vnto death such as speak against them and such poor Christians as they cast into their noysome prysons can seldome
being conceived and formed in iniquity and so by nature children of wrath and servants of sinne and subject to death and all other calamities due vnto sinne in this world and for ever V. Al mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sinne subject to the eternall wrath of God both by original and actuall corruption Yet the elect al and onely are redeemed quickned raysed vp and saved again not of themselves neyther by works least any man should boast himself but wholly and only by God of his free grace and mercy through faith in Christ Iesus who of God is made vnto vs wisdome and righteousnes and sanctification and redemption that according as it is written He that reioyceth should reioyce in the Lord. VI. This therefore is lyfe eternal to know the only true God and whom he hath sent into the world Iesus Christ. And on the contrary the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire vnto them that know not God and which obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. VII Now the rule of this knowledg faith and obedience concerning the worship and service of God and all other christian dutyes is not mens opinions devises lawes constitutions or traditions vnwritten whatsoever but only the written word of God conteined in the Canonicall books of the old and new Testament VIII In this written word God hath plainely reveled whatsoever he thought needfull for vs to know beleev and acknowledge touching the persoÌ„ Office of Iesus Christ in whoÌ„ all the promises of God are Yea and in whom they are Amen to the prayse of God through vs. IX Touching his Person the Lord Iesus of whom Moses the Prophets wrote and whom the Apostles preached is the everlasting Sonne of God the father by eternal generation the brightnes of his glorie the engraven forme of his Person coessential coequal coeternal God with him and with the holy Ghost By whom he made the worlds by whom he vpholdeth and governeth all the works he hath made Who also when the fulnes of tyme was come was made man of a woman of the Tribe of Iudah of the seed of David and Abraham to wyt of Mary that blessed Virgin by the holy Ghost comming vpon her the power of the most High overshadowing her and was also in all things like vnto vs sinne only excepted X Touching his Office Iesus Christ only is made the Mediator of the new TestameÌ„t even of the everlasting Covenant of grace between God Man to be perfectly and fully the Prophet Priest and King of the Church of God for evermore XI Vnto this office he was from everlasting by the iust and sufficieÌ„t authority of the Father in respect of his Manhood from the woÌ„b called separated anoynted also most fully abundantly with all neâ—cessary gifts as it is writteÌ„ God hath not measured out the Spirit vnto him XII This office to be Mediator that is Prophet Priest and King of the Church of God is so proper to Christ as neyther in the whole not in any part thereof it can be transferred from him to any other XIII Touching his Prophecie Christ hath perfectly revealed out of the bosome of his Father the whole word and will of God that is needfull for his servants eyther joyntly or severally to know beleev or obey He also hath spoken and doth speak to his Church in his own ordinance by his own Ministers and instruments onely and not by any false Ministerie at any tyme. XIIII Touching his Priesthood Christ being consecrated hath appeared once to put away sinne by the offring and sacrificing of himself and to this end hath fully performed suffred all those things by which God through the blood of that his crosse in an acceptable sacrifice might be reconciled to his elect and the blessing of Abraham come vpon vs to eternal life wherefore also having broken down thâ— partition wal and therewith finished and removed all those rites shadowes and ceremonies he is now entred within the vayle into the holy of holies that is tâ— the very heaven and presence of God where hee for ever liveth and sitteth aâ— the right hand of Majestie appearing before the face of his Father to make intercession for such as come vnto the throne of grace by that new and living way and not that onely but maketh his people aspiritual howse an holy Priesthood to offer vp spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through him Neyther doth the Father accept or Christ offer vnto the Father any other worship or worshippers XV. Towching his Kingdome Christ being â—isen from the dead ascended into heaven set at the right hand of God the Father having al power in heaven and earth given vnto him he doth spiritually govern his Church exercising his power over all Angels and men good and bad tâ— the preservation and salvation of the elect to the overruling and destruction of thâ— reprobate communicating applying the benefits vertue frute of his prophecy and priesthood vnto his elect namely to thâ— remissioÌ„ subduing taking away of theiâ— syns to their iustificatioÌ„ adoptioÌ„ of soÌ„nes regeneration sanctificatioÌ„ preservation strengthning in all their conflicts against Sathan the world the flesh the temptations of them continually dwelling in governing and keeping their harts in hâ—â— true faith fear by his holy spirit which having once given it hee never takeâ— away from them but by it still begetteâ— and norisheth in them repentance faith love obedience comfort peace ioy hope and all Christian vertues vnto imâ—mortalitie notwithstanding that it bâ— somtymes through sinne and tentatioâ— interrupted smothered and as it were oâ—erwhelmed for the tyme. And on thâ— contrary ruling in the world over 〈◊〉 enemies Sathan and all the vessels of wrath limiting vsing restreyning them â—y his mighty power as seemeth good â—n his divine wisdome and justice to the execution of his determinate counsell â—o wit to their seduction hardning and condemnation delivering them vp to a reprobate mynd to be kept through their â—wn desert in darcknes sinne and sensualitie vnto judgment XVI The Kingdome shal be then fully perfected when he shal the second tyme come in glorie with his mightie Angels to judg both quick and dead to abolish a rule authoritie and power to put all his enemies vnder his feet to separate and free all his chosen from them for everâ— to punish the wicked with everlasting perdition from his presence to gather ioyne and carry the godly with himselâ— into endles glory and then to deliveâ— vp the kingdome to God even the Faâ—ther that so the glorie of the Father maâ— be full and perfect in the Sonne the gloâ—rie of the Sonne in all his members God be all in all XVII In the meane tyme besides his absolute rule in the world Christ hath herâ— in
earth a spirituall Kingdome oecoâ—nomical regiment in his Church which he hath purchased and redemed to himâ—elf as a peculiar inheritance And albeit that many hypocrites do for the time â—urke amongst them whiles the Church 〈◊〉 militant here on earth yet Christ notwithstanding by the power of his word gathereth them which be his into the body of his Church calleth them from out of the world bringeth them to his â—â—ue faith separating them froÌ„ amongst â—nbeleevers froÌ„ idolatrie false worship â—uperstition vanitie dissolute life and 〈◊〉 works of darknes c. making them â— royal Priesthood an holy nation a peoâ—le set at libertie to shew foorth the virâ—es of him that hath called them out of â—arknes into his marvelous light gatheâ—ing and vniting them together as memâ—ers of one body in his faith love and â—oly order vnto all generall and mutuâ—l dutyes through his spirit instructing and governing them by such Officers â—awes as he hath prescribed in his word â—y which Officers and Lawes he goverâ—eth his Church and by none other XVIII To this Church hee hath made the prâ—â—mises and given the seales of his Covâ—nant presence love blessing protectiâ— Here are the holy Oracles as in tâ— Arke surely kept and puerly taught Hâ— are all the fountaynes and springs of â— grace continually replenished flowiâ— forth Heer is Christ lifted vp to all Nâ—â—tions hither hee inviteth all men to â— supper his mariage feast hither ouâ—â— all men of al estates and degrees that â— knowledge him their Prophet Priest aâ— King to repayre to be enrolled amongst his houshold servants to be vnder his heavenly conduct and government to lead their lives in his walled sheepfold and watered orchard to have communion heer with the Saincts that they may be made meet to be partakers of theyr inheritance in the kingdome of God XIX And as all his servants and subjects are called hither to present their bodies and soules and to bring the gyfts God hath given them so being come they are heer by himself bestowed in their severall order peculiar place due vse being fitly compact and knit together by every joynt of help according to thâ— effectuall work in the measure of everâ— part vnto the edification of it self in lovâ— Wherevnto when he ascended vp oâ— high he gave gifts vnto men and distributed them vnto several publik function in his Church having instituted and raâ—tified to continue vnto the worlds end only this publick ordinarie ministery oâ— Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Helpers 〈◊〉 the instruction government and service of his Church XX This Ministerie is exactly descrbed distinguished limited concerning their office their calling to their office their administration of their office and their maintenance in in their office by most perfect and plaine lawes in Gods word which lawes it is not lawfull for these Ministers or for the whole Church wittingly to neglect transgresse or violate in any part nor yet to receive any other lawes brought into the Church by any person whatsoever XXI None may vsurp or execute a ministerie but such as are rightly called by the Church wherof they stand Ministers vnto such offices and in such maner as God hath prescribed in his word And being so called they ought to giue all diligence to fulfil their Ministery to be fouÌ„d faithfull and vnblameable in all things XXII This Ministerie is alike given to every Christian congregation with like and equal power and commission to have enjoy the same as God offereth fit men and meanes the same rules given to all for the election and execution thereof in all places XXIII As every Christian congregation hath power and commandement to elect and ordeine their owne Ministerie according to the rules in Gods word prescribed whilest they shall faithfully execute their office to have them in superabundant love for their worke sake to provide for them to honour them reverence them according to the dignitie of the office they execute So have they also power and commandement when anie such default eyther in their life doctrine or administration breaketh out as by the rule of the word debarreth them from or depriveth them of their Ministerie by due order to depose them from the Ministerie they exercised yea if the case so require and they remain obstinate impenitent orderly to cut them off by excommunication XXIIII Christ hath given this power to receive in or to cut of any member to the whole body together of every Christian congregation and not to any one member apart or to more members sequestred from the whole or to any other Congregation to do it for them Yet so as ech Congregation ought to vse the best help they can heervnto and the most meet member they have to pronounce the same in their publick assembly XXV Every memberâ— of each Christian congregation how excellent great or learned soever ought to be subiect to this censure judgment of Christ Yet ought not the Church without great care and due advise to proced against such publick persons XXVI As Christ hath for the keeping of this Church in holy and orderly communion placed some speciall men over the Church who by their office are to governe oversee visite watch c. So lykewise for the better keeping thereof in all places by all the members hee hath given authority and layd duty vpon them all to watch one over another XXVII Finally whilest the Ministers people thus remayne together in this holy order Christian communion ech one endevoring to do the wil of God in their calling and thus to walke to the glory of God in the obedience of faith Christ hath promised to be present with them to blesse defend them against all fraud and force of theyr enemyes so as the gates of hell shall not prevaile against theÌ„ XXVIII But when and where this holy order and diligent watch was intermitted neglected violated Antichrist that man of sinne did together with other points of Christian faith corrupt also and alter the holy ordinances offices and administrations of the Church and in stead thereof brought in and erected a strange new forged ministerie Leitourgie and government Yea and the nations kingdoms and inhabitants of the earth were made druncken with this cup of fornications and abominations and al people enforced to receive the Beasts mark and worship his image and so brought into confusion and Babylonish bondage XXIX The present Hierarchie reteyned and vsed in England of Archbs Primates Lordbps Metropolitanes Suffraganes Deanes Prebendaries Canons Peticanons ArchdeacoÌ„s Chancellors Commissaries Priests Deacons or Halfpriests Parsons Vicars Curats Hierling roving Preachers Church-wardeÌ„s Parish-clerks Also their Doctors Proctors and other Officers of their spiritual Courts as they call them together with the whole rable of the Prelats and their Servitours from and vnder them set over these
vnder Christ their onely head XXXIX It is the office and duty of Princes Magistrates who by the ordinance of God are supreme governours vnder him over all persons and causes within their Realmes and dominions to suppresse and root out by their authoritie al false Ministeries voluntarie religions counterfeit worship of God to abolish and destroy the Idol Temples Images Altars Vestments all other monuments of Idolatry and superstition and to take and convert to their own civill vses not only the benefit of all such idolatrous buildings and monuments but also the Revenues Demeanes Lordships Possessions Gleabes and Maintenance of any false Ministeries and vnlawfull ecclesiasticall functions whatsoever within their dominions And on the other hand to stablish and mainteyn by their lawes every part of Gods word his Christian Religion pure worship and true Ministery described in his word to cherish and protect all such as are careful to worship God according to his word and to lead a godly lyfe in al peace and loyalty yea to enforce al their subjects whether Ecclesiasticall or Civil to do their dutyes to God and men protecting mainteining the good punishing and restreyning the evil according as God hath commaunded whose Lieutenants they are here on earth XL. And thus the protectioÌ„ coÌ„mandement of the Princes and Magistrates maketh it much more peaceable though no whit at all more lawfull to walke in the wayes and ordinances of Iesus Christ which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and vurebukeable vntill his appearing in the end of the world And in this behalf therefore the brethren thus mynded and proceding as is before said are both coÌ„tinually to supplicate to God and as they may to their Princes Governors that thus vnder theÌ„ they may lead a quiet and peaceable lyfe in al godlines and honestie XLI And if God encline the Magigstrates hearts to the allowance and protection of the Church therein it ought to be accouÌ„ted a singular happy blessing of God who graÌ„teth such noursing Fathers Mothers to his Church And it behoveth al to be careful to walk worthie so great a mercy of God in all thankfulnes and obedience XLII But if God withold the Magistrates allowance furtherance herein yet must wee notwithstanding proceed together in Christian covenant coÌ„munion thus to walke in the obedience of Christ and confession of his faith and Gospel even through the middest of all tryalls afflictioÌ„s not accounting our goods lands wives children Fathers Mothers brethren sisters no nor our lives dear vnto vs so as wee may finish our course with joy remembring alwayes that we ought to obey God rather then man grounding vpon the commandement commission promise of our Saviour Christ who as he hath all power in heaven and in earth so hath also promised if we keep his commandements which hee hath given without limitation of tyme place Magistrates allowance or disallowance to be with vs vnto the end of the world and when we have finished our course and kept the faith to give vs the crown of righteousnes which is layd vp for all that love his appearing XLIII Vnto al men is to be given whatsoever is due vnto them Tributes Customes and all other such lawfull accustomed dutyes ought willingly and orderly to be payed and performed Our lands goods and bodyes to be submitted in the Lord to the Magistrates pleasure And the Magistrates themselves every way to be acknowledged reverenced and obeyed according to godlines not because of wrath onely but also for conscience sake And finally all men so to be estemed and regarded as is due and meet for their place age estate and condition XLIIII And thus we labour to giue vnto God y t which is Gods vnto Cesar that which is Cesars and vnto all men that which belongeth vnto them Endevoring our selves to have alwayes a cleare conscience towards God and towards men And having hope in God that the resurrection of the dead shal be of the just vnto life of the vnjust vnto condemnation everlasting Now if any take this to be heresie then do we with the Apostle freely confesse that after the way which they call heresie we worship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ beleeving all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets and Apostles and whatsoever is according to this rule of truth published in our owne countrey or holden by any reformed Churches in their Confessions abroad in the world We do also reiect and detest all straunge and heretical opinions doctrines of all Hereticks both old and new whatsoever XLV Finally whereas we are much slaundered and traduced as if we denyed or misliked that forme of prayer commonly called the Lords prayer we thought it needful here also coÌ„cerning it to make known that we beleev and acknowledg it to be a most absolute and most excellent forme of prayer such as no men nor Angels can set downe the like And that it was taught and appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ not that we should be tyed to the vse of those very words but that we should according to that rule make all our requests and thankesgiving vnto God forasmuch as it is a perfect forme patterne conteining in it plaine sufficient directions of prayer for all occasions necessities that have ben are or shal be to the Church of God or any member therof to the end of the world Now vnto him that is able to keep vs that woe fal 〈◊〉 and to present vs faultlesse before the presence of his glory with ioy that is to God only wise our Saviour be glory and maiestie and dominion power both now 〈◊〉 for ever Amen ¶ The heads of the differences between vs and the Church of England as it standeth at this day concerning divers corruptions of Antichrist yet remayning among them I. THat Christ the Lord hath by his last Testament given to his Church and set therein sufficient ordinary Offices with the maner of calling or Entrance Works and Maintenance for the administration of his holy things and for the sufficient ordinary instruction guydance service of his Church to the end of the world 2. That every particular Church hath like full interest power to enioy and practise all the ordinances of Christ given by him to his Church to be observed therein perpetually 3. That a true visible Church is a company of people called and separated from the world by the word of God and ioyned together by voluntarie profession of the faith of Christ in the fellowship of the Gospell And that therefore no prophane persons vnbeleevers or wicked livers may be received reteyned or câ—Ì„pelled to be members in the Church of Christ which is his body God having in all ages appointed made a separation of his people from the world before the Law vnder
the Law now in the tyme of the Gospel 4. That discreet faithfull able men though not yet in office of Ministerie may preach the Gospell and whole truth of God that men being first brought to knowledg converted to the Lord may then be ioyned together in holy comunion with Christ our head and one with another 5. That being thus ioyned every Church hath power in Christ to chuse and take vnto themselves meet and sufficient persons into the Offices and functions of Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers as those which Christ hath appointed in his Testament for the feeding governing serving building vp of his Church And that no Antichristian Hierarchie or ministerie of Popes Arch-bishops Lord bishops Suffraganes Deanes Arch-deacons Chauncellors Parsons Vicars Priests Dumb-ministers or any such like may be set over the Spouse Church of Christ nor reteined therein 6. That the Ministers aforesaid being lawfully called by the Church where they are to administer ought to continew in their functions according to Gods ordinance and carefully to fâ—ed the flock of Christ coÌ„mitted vnto them being not inioyned or suffred to beare Civil offices withall neither burthened with the execution of Civil affaires as the celebration of mariage buâ—ying the dead c. which things belong aswel to those without as within the Church 7. That the due maintenance of the Officers aforesayd should be of the free and voluntarie contribution of the Church that according to Christs ordinance they which preach the Gospel may live of the Gospel and not by Popish Lordships and livings or Iewish Tithes Offerings And that therefore the Lands other like revenewes of the Prelats Clergie yet remayning being still also baits to allure the Iesuites Seminaries into the Land incitements vnto them to plot prosecute their woonted evil courses in hope to enioy them in tyme to come may and ought to be taken away converted to better vse as those of the Abbeyes Nunneries have been heretofore by the Princes power and authority to the honor of God great good of the ReaÌ„lme 8. That al particular Churches ought to be so constituted as having their own peculiar Officers the whole body of every Church may meet together in one place ioyntly perform their duties to God one towards another And that the censures of admonition and excommunicatioÌ„ should in due maner be executed for sinne convicted obstinatly stood in This power also to be in the body of the Church whereof the parties so offending persisting are members 9. That the Church is not to be governed by Popish Canons Courts Classes Customes or any humane inventions but by the Lawes rules which Christ hath appointed in his Testament That no Apocrypha writings but only the Caâ—nical scriptures are to be vsed in the Church And that the Lord is to be worshipped and called vpon in spirit truth according to that forme of praier given by the Lord Iesus Mat. 6. after the Leitourgie of his own Testament not by any other framed or imposed by men much lesse by one translated from the Popish 〈◊〉 as the Book of common praier c. 10. That the Sacraments being seales of Gods covenant ought to be administred onely to the faithful Baptisme to their seed or those vnder their government And that according to the simplicitie of the Gospel without any Popish or other abuses in either Sacrament 11. That the Church is not to be vrged to the observation of dayes tymes Iewish or Popish save only to sanctify the Lords day Neyther to be laden in thinges indifferent with rites ceremonies Whatsoever invented by men but that christian libertie may be reteâ—ned And what God hath left fâ—ee none to make bound 12. That al monuments of Idolatry in garments or any other things al Temples Altars Chappels other places dedicated heertofore by the Heathèns or Antichristians to their fa 〈…〉 worship ought by aucthoritie to be rased bolished not suffered to remayne for nourishing superstition much lesse imploied to the tr 〈…〉 worship of God 13. That Popish degrees in Theologie i 〈…〉 forcement to single life in Colledges abuse the study of prophane heathen Writers w 〈…〉 other like corruptions in Schooles Academi 〈…〉 should be removed redressed that so th 〈…〉 may be the welsprings 〈◊〉 series of true leaâ—ning godlines 14. Finally that all Churches peopâ—â— without exception are bound in Religion on 〈…〉 ly to receive submit vnto that constitution Ministerie Worship order which Christ Lord King hath appovnted vnto his Churcâ— not to any other devised by Man whatsoeveâ—â— Let him that readeth consider Act. 28 2 Rev 〈…〉 â—al 105. â— 14. Pet. 2 9. Psal. 46 1 Rev. 2. 5. * 2 Cor. 6. 1. â— 15. c Psa. 94. 20. 2 Thes. 2. 3. | Ps. 37. 2â— Ier. 51. 6. Rev. 18. 4. 14. 1. Neh. 6. 6. 7. â— Harmon of Confes. ‡ 1 Pet. 2. 5. Ier. 51. 26. * Act. 2. 38. 40. 41. and 8. 36. 37. 15 9. Ioh 10. 3. 4 5. Esa. 35. 8. 9. | Ioh. 15. 2. 5. Mat. 18. 15. 17 Lev. 13. 46. Num. 4. 13. †Iohn 15. 19. 17. 14. 16 Mat. 3. 12. Lev. 20. 24. â—6 1 Iohn 4. 5. 6. About forty ecclesiasticall popish offices are at this day in the Church of England never a one appointed by Christ in his Testament With what words and rites in what habit and gesture these things are to be done they are taught in their Rubrik Some of them in certaine English books set forth have reckned above 100. popish corruptioÌ„s yet reteyned in this Church * Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 11. 12 13. ‡ Ioh. 4. 24. Mat. 15. 9. †Deut. 6. 4. 5 Mat. 16. 6. â— Cor. 6. 14. 15. Psal. 106. 34. 35. 36. | Iudo vers 3. ‡ 2 Cor. 6. 17. Eph. 5. 11. * Rev. 18. 4. 14. 10 11. Mat. 6. 24. 2 Kin. 16. 10 11 12. Revâ—l 13. 12. 14. 15. 〈◊〉 51. 6. Miâ— 2. 10. Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 17. 〈…〉 40. Psal. 9. 12. Heb. 13. 3. Gal. 4. 4. 5. 6. 5. 1. 2. Heb. 8. 9. 10. chap. 2. Cor. 4. â— Iam. 2. ◠†Deut 6. 4. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Eph. 4. 4. 5. 6. 1 Cor. â— 6. 12. 4. 5. 6. 13. Ier. 6. 16. Ioh. 14. 6. | 1 Tim. 6. 3. 13. 14. Mat. 15. 9. 28. 20. Deut. 4. 2. 6. 12. 32 1 Cor 4. 17. 14. 33. 2 Tim. â— 15. 16. 17. Gal 8. 9. Revel 2â— 18 19. * Ioh. 4. 24. ‡ Exod. 3. 14. Rom. 11. 36. Act 17. 28. †1 Tim. 1. 17. Esa. 6. 3. 66 1. 2. | 1 Iohn 5 7. Mat. 28. 19. Pro. 8. 22. Heb. 1. 3. 9. 14. Phil. 2. 6. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Micah 5. 2 Psal. 2. 7. Gal. 4. 6. Iohn 1. 1. 2. 18. 10. 30. 38. 15. 26. * Esa. 46. 10.