the Scriptures without the Spirit were sufficient to enable men by their own wisedome to preach the Gospel why should the holy Ghost be sent down from Heaven for men to preach the Gospell by without which it cannot be done as by the Scriptures aforesaid is plain Knowing this first that no prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation therefore the Scriptures are not to be interpreted in the words which mans wisedome teacheth but in the words which the holy Ghost teacheth so that man by his wisedome is no true Interpreter of Scriptures therefore the right of interpreting Scriptures belongs not to men by vertue of their humane learning that speaks and teaches the words of mans wisedome but the true right of interpreting Scriptures belongs to them that have received Gods holy Spirit to give them the knowledge of them and be a guide unto them both in the administration and interpretation of Scriptures for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man 2 Pet. 1.20,21 therefore man by his will cannot interpret the Scriptures but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost so that the Holy Ghost in them was the moving cause of their speaking forth Scriptures and without the Holy Ghost Scriptures cannot be rightly known and interpreted by Men for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God and God hath given his Spirit and also revealed deep things to his Ministers by his own Spirit for as no man can know the things of God but by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.9,10,11,12,13 so the Scriptues being of the things of God no man without the spirit can truly know them according to the mind of God therefore the right of interpreting Scriptures belongs unto men by vertue of the spirit of God from whence Scripture prophecies proceeded 2 Pet. 1.20,21 1 Pet. 1.10,11,12 1 Pet. 4.10,11 1 Pet. 1.10,11,12 No man is to minister from God to the Souls of the People but them to whom the gift of Ministration is given and all men have a true right from God to minister from him to the People unto whom the gift of Ministration is given who are to preach the Gospel with the holy Ghost sent down from Heaven for the Peoples Salvation of which Salvation the Prophets have inquired and searched diligently who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signifie when it testified before hand the suffering of Christ and the Glory that should follow unto whom it was revealed that not unto themselves but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven as every man hath received the gift even so minister the same one unto another as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God 1 Pet. 4.10,11 whereby it is evident that Preaching is not an art but a gift and they have a true right to be Preachers unto whom the gift of Ministration for that end is given by the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven The Ministers of Christ unto whom the gift of Ministratio is given who are to preach the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven they ought not to be forbidden by Men nor punished for Preaching the Gospel And what Law doth prohibit the preaching of Gods Word and the Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same if any Law should do so would it not concontradict the Liturgy of the Church and the Lawes and Statutes of England because both the Liturgy of the Church and the Laws and Statutes of England allowes of Preaching the Gospel of Christ the power of God unto Salvation the pure Word of God and the Holy Scriptures and what is either agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon Then to preach the Gospel the pure Word of God and the Holy Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same is no matter of fact because it is not to preach contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom What the Liturgy of the Church of England allowes of that the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom allowes of but the Liturgy of the Church of England allowes of Christian Religions Meetings in greater or lesser numbers for the service and Worship of God according to the Scriptures and of Preaching the Gospel to render thanks unto God in Godly Assemblies or Christian Religious Meetings for the great Benefits that we have received at the hands of God to set forth his most worthy praise to hear his most holy Word and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary both for Soul and Body being the chiefe ends of Christian Religious Meetings as the Liturgy alloweth therefore the Scriptures and Lawes of the Kingdom alloweth of the same what the Scriptures doth allow of that the Liturgy of the Church of England alloweth of but the Scripture doth allow of gifted men to preach the Gospel with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven therefore the Liturgy of the Church of England alloweth of the same for it is declared and said in the Liturgy that nothing is ordained to be read or observed but the very pure Word of God the holy Scriptures or that which is either agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon See that called the service of the Church See the Order for Morning Pâ—ayer See St. Peters day Collect. 1. Pet. 4.10,11 To Preach contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom is it seems matter of fact punishable by the late Act but to preach the Gospel of Christ or the very pure Word of God and the holy Scriptures or what is agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon is not it seemes to preach contrary to the Liturgy and Lawes of the Kingdom therefore it is no matter of fact nor punishable by the late Act for godly Ministers who are rightly ordained to preach the Gospel of Christ and the very pure Word of God not being contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom because both the Liturgy of the Church and the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom allowes of the same as the right matter of Preaching And as for the manner or places for godly Ministers to pray or preach in the Lord hath not limited or bound them up to Parish Churches and Chappels to assemble together to preach and pray in or else be forbidden and cast out by the great God of Heaven for refusing the same for though Solomon built him an House how be it the most High dwelleth not now in Temples made with hands as saith the Lord the Prophet Acts 7.47,48,49,50 Heaven is my throne and Earth is my footstool what house will you build me saith the Lord or where is the place of my rest hath not mine hands made all these things Acts
7.47,48,49,50 Is it not therefore plain by the Scriptures or may we not learn from hence that the Lord hath not limited or bound up his Preachers and People to Parish Churches and Chappels or any particular house for his Service to be performed in under the Gospel dispensation since Christs death Resurrection and Ascension but rather left them to their freedom concerning that thing who hath owned and justified his Preachers and People in forsaking the outward Temple at Jerusalem Acts 7.48,49 Act. 17.24,25 in sending his Ministers to preach it down Acts 7.48,49 Acts 17.24,25 and hath highly owned his People in Meeting and Preaching in upper Chambers and private Houses wherein they have met and assembled together since Christs Ascension for the Service and Worship of God but he hath not bound them up or limited them to any one place as the appointed place of his Worship under the Gospel dispensation since Christs Ascension that in the Scriptures or Writings of the Apostles we can any where read of since he sent them to preach down the Temple at Jerusalem The Liturgy of the Church of England saith nothing is ordained to be read or observed amongst Christians about the Service of the Church but the very pure word of God the holy Scriptures or that which is either agreeable to the same or evidently grounded thereupon and that Christs Gospell is not a Ceremoniall Law See that concerning the Service of the Church and that of Ceremonies and the Epistle collect for the 2d Sunday in Advent as much of Moses Law was but it is a Religion to serve God not in bondage of the figure or shaddow but in freedome of the spirit and likewise it is said both in the Scriptures and Liturgy of the Church that whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our Learning whereby it is evident that whatsoever is agreeable to the holy Scriptures and pure Word of God is ordained to be read or observed in Christian Assemblies and religious Practices 2ly That Christians are not to be bound up and tyed to the observation of the Figure shadow or ceremonies or brought in bondage of the figure or shadow of things about the service of God 3ly That Christians are to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath set them free and not to be intangled with figures shadowes or ceremonies which may hinder them from the Service of God which stands in the freedom of the Spirit 4ly That the holy Scriptures which were written aforetime are to be observed by Christians because they were written for our instruction or learning as both the Liturgy and Scriptures are evident and plain Now seeing it is so we find it written in the holy Scriptures and left upon record there for our instruction or learning about the true Ordination of Gospel Ministers or their call to the work of the Ministry since Christs Ascension Acts 13. First That the Holy Ghost is of Councel with the true Church and hath a ruling power therein for ordering and governing the same and that the Liturgy agreeth with because it saith the Church is the houshold and family of God and that the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God See Good Friday the Collect. whereby it appears that the true Church is a sanctified body and under a Spiritual order and Government and that Church and Ministry which hath Christs spiritual Presence with them is the true Church and Ministry of Christ Matt. 28.18,19,20 because he hath promised to be alwaies with them even to the end of the world as by the Spirit that is of Councel with the Church and the holy Scriptures we are instructed and have learned of them the knowledg thereof Secondly We are instructed and have learned by the spirit from whence the holy Scriptures proceeded and by the Scriptures which aforetime were written and proceeded therefrom that as the holy Ghost is of councel with the true Church so the true Church doth take councel of the holy Ghost and is obedient and subject to the holy Ghosts order authority and appointment Acts 13.1,2,3,4 now there were in the Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers as Barnabas and Simeon that was called Niger and Lucius of Cyrene and Manaen which had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch and Saul as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the mork whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so they being sent forth by the holy Ghost departed unto Seleucia and from thence they sailed to Cyprus as it is written and left upon record in Scripture Acts 13.1,2,3,4 Whereby we are instructed or from whence we do observe and may learn that in the true Church of Christ which was at Antioch there were certain Prophets and Teachers which were not Parish Priests or bound up and tyed to one particular Parish to stay and continue there preaching for Tithes Easter reckonings and Midsumer dues all the dayes of their lives Secondly That those Prophets and Teachers which were in the true Church of which Christ Jesus is head they attended upon the work of the Lord and both fasted and ministred unto him and did not sue people for Tithes nor cast them into Prison for we do not learn by the Scriptures that true Gospel Preachers were ever found in any such actions Thirdly That as they ministred to the Lord and fasted the holy Ghost manifested his mind to the Church being of counsel with the same requiring obedience of the Church as a manifestation of their subjection to the holy Ghosts Order and Authority who manifested the right that he had in the true and right Ordination of Ministers or calling of them to the work of the Ministry and sending them abroad to preach the Gospel for the holy Ghost said to the Church Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them from whence we are instructed and do observe or learn First That the holy Ghost hath a true Right and Authority to Ordain Ministers of the Gospel of Christ or call them to the work of the Ministry and send them to Preach Secondly That these Ministers who are called by the holy Ghost to the work of the Ministry and sent forth to preach as such were they are rightly and truly ordained and sent forth to preach and ought neither to be forbiden to preach the pure word of God nor punished for so doing because we find in the Scripture which the Liturgie saith was written aforetime for our learning that such as have the word of God to speak ought not to be forbiden to preach it for as much as the Lord commands them to speak it Jer. 23.28,29,30,31,32 is not my word like a Fire saith the Lord and like a Hammer that breaketh the Rock
not after man for I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by Revelation of Jesus Christ as it is written Gal. 1.11,12 Whereby it is evident or from hence we may observe and learn first that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth wherein the Righteousness of God is revealed 2ly That Revelation is not ceased because that in the Ministration of the Gospel which is the power of God unto Salvation as aforesaid Gods Righteousness is revealed 3ly That the Gospel is to be received before it can be preached and it is to be revealed before it can be received or preached 4ly That the Gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto Salvation is neither received nor taught after Men but by Revelation 5ly That they who deny Revelation they have neither received the Gospel which is the power wherein the Righteousness of God is revealed nor the Righteousness of God which is revealed in the Gospel of Christ as aforesaid for saith the Apostle who received the Gospel of Christ Gal. 1.15,16 I neither received it of man neither was I taught it but by Revelation Gal. 1.11,12 And when it pleased God who seperated me from my Mothers womb and called me by his grace to reveal his Son in me that I might preach Him among the Heathen immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were Apostles before me but I went into Arabia c. Gal. 1.15,16 whereby it is evident and from hence we may observe and learn that the Gospel is known by Revelation 2ly That they who deny Revelation are no true Ministers of the Gospel of Christ 3ly That it is the good pleasure of God to call such as he makes choice of to serve in the work of the Gospel of Christ 41y That the call to the Ministry is not an act of Nature but of Grace 5ly That Christ is revealed in a true Gospel Minister before he be at fit Preacher 6ly .. That after a Minister be called by the Grace of God to the work of the Ministry and Christ Jesus revealed spiritually in him he is a fit Preacher without going to Men for their Approbation concerning the same Now if either ignorance or wilfulness should object and say Mat. 11.27 that things were made known in the Apostles time by Revelation but it is ceased since then and there is no such thing to be expected or looked for now I answer thereunto Christ Jesus hath said Luk. 10.22 No man knows the Father but the Son neither knoweth any man the Son but the Father and he to whom he is pleased to reveal him Therefore they that say Revelation is ceased do in effect say that the way and means to attain to the knowledge of God is ceased for no man can come to the knowledg of God but by Revelation and if Revelation be ceased then no man can come to the knowledg of God but remain in ignorance of him and perish for want of knowledg Hosea 4.6 Thirdly As to that of Preachers who have received the Gospel it is ordained that they who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel and not of Tythes because they are no Gospel maintenance for they who are ordained of God to preach the Gospel which is the power of God unto Salvation they do minister the Spirit and Power of God unto Believers Therefore they that live of the Gospel do live of the free gift of the Power which opens the hearts of their Hearers freely to communicate to them Therefore it 's said let him that is taught in the Word communicate to him that teacheth in all gord things Gal. 6.6 Whereby it is evident or from hence we may observe and learn first that people are not injoyned by the Gospel to communicate any thing to any man as a Preacher by whom they were never taught in the Word 2ly That none ought to communicate any thing upon the account of Preaching but such as are taught in the Word 3ly That Believers are not compelled by the Gospel nor compellable to communicate to Preachers but are left to the powerful opperation of the Word of God as it may open their hearts and dispose of them in that respect 4ly That they are not to give place to any thing that would obstruct the office of love begotten in their hearts by the preaching of the Word of God unto them but are to let it shew forth its fruit and freeness in the act of Communicating unto them â—…l 6.6 Fourthly Concerning Christian Religious Meetings and preaching in Houses c. Whereas it is declared by Act of Parliament to be an offence against Law and punishable with Imprisonment Fines and Banishment for Persons to meet together to the number of five or above beside them of the Houshold under pretence of Religious exercise in other manner then is allowed by the Liturgie of the Church of England Then it is no offence against Law nor punishable thereby to meet in greater numbers upon the account of Religion and Worship of God So that the manner of their Meeting be allowed by the Liturgie What is contained in the Liturgy as to the manner of Christian Religious Meetings is allowed by the Liturgie But the manner of Meeting by Christ and his Apostles and the Primitive Christians in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels is contained in the Liturgie Therefore the manner of Christian Religious Meetings in other places then in Parish Churches and Chappels is allowed by the Liturgie so that such Meetings ought not to be accounted seditious Conventicles nor punishable by Law That which is contained in the Liturgie and ordained to be read as part of the practise or service of the Church of England is owned and allowed by the Liturgie and practise of the Church But the manner of the Meetings Assemblies and Preachings by Christ and his Apostles to and amongst the Primitive Christians and such as came to hear the word of God spoken unto them upon Mountains and by the Sea side and also in private Houses and other places is contained in the Liturgie and ordained to be read as part of the practise or service of the Church of England Therfore such manner of Meetings Assemblies or Preachings or the manner of such Christian Religious Meetings Assemblies and practises are no seditious Conventicles nor punishable by Law because they are owned and allowedly the Liturgy and practise of the Church as aforesaid That the manner of Christian Religious Meetings Assemblies and practises in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels is contained in the Liturgie and ordained to be read as part of the practise or service of the Church of England and therefore owned and allowed as aforesaid is very plain and apparently proved both by the Scripture and Liturgy First By the Scriptures it is apparent and evident that Christ and his
Apostles did meet and assemble with the primitive Christians and such as came to hear the word of God preached in private Houses and upon Mountains and by the Sea side as well as other places and they left their manner of Christian Religious Meetings Assemblies and practises in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels upon Record in Scripture as an example for Christians to follow Because the Apostles of Christ who had the spirit and mind of Christ Jesus commands the true Christians and Believers in Christ to walk as they have them for example as by the Scripture is plainly apparent Phil. 3.17 For Christ and his Apostles met and assembled together with the Primitive Christians and others and preached in Houses and out of houses on Mountains and by the Sea side and in great multitudes as you may read Matth. 5.1,2 Matth. 3. Matth. 8.1 Matth. 11.1 Matth. 13.1,2,3 Matth. 19. Matth. 24.3,4 c. And again he entred into Capernaum after some dayes and it was noised that he was in the House and streight way many were gathered together in so much that there was no room to receive them not so much as about the Door and he preached the word unto them as you may read Mark 2.1,2 and he began to teach by the Sea side and there was gathered unto him a great multitude and he taught them there also as you may read Mark 4. see also Mark 10.1 and he came down with them and stood in the plain and the company of his Disciples and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem and from the Coast of Tire and Sidon came to hear him as it is written Luk. 6.17 and he arose from thence and cometh into the Coasts of Judea by the farther fide of Jordan and the people resorted to him again and as he was wont he taught them again Mark 1â— And when much people were gathered together and were come to him out of every City he preached unto them and he went thorough every City and Village preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdome of God and the twelve were with him as you may read Luk. 8.1,4 Whereby it is evident that Christ did not limit the people to come to Parish Churches to hear the Word preached nor the Ministers of the Gospel to preach it there neither did he ordain punishments for the Preachers or hearers if they did not preach and hear in Parish Churches and not else where but to the number of three or four for when they were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people in so much that they erode one upon another he began to say unto his Disciples first of all beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed neither hid that shall not be known as you may read Luke 12 Luke 15. Luke 8.1 And after Christs Death Resurrection and Ascention the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians did Assemble and meet together to preach and pray and performe religions exercise to the number of five and above and not in Parish Churches nor Chapels but in private houses and uper chambers and such like places and such godly Meetings were no seditious Conventicles but according to the example and practise ordained of Christ Jesus for he shewed himself alive after his passion unto them by many infallible proof being seen of them forty dayes and speaking of the things partaining to the Kingdome of God as you may read Acts 1.1,2,3 and being assembled with them after his Resurrection when he was ready to ascend up into Heaven he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the holy Ghost from Heaven the promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me and they returned to Jerusalem in obedience to that command from the Mount called Olivet after Christ was ascended but they did not go into a Parish Church or a Chappel nor into the Temple at Jerusalem to wait for the promise of the Father Therefore Christ did not command them to go into a Parish Church or Chappel nor into the Temple at Jerusalem to wait upon God to receive the promise for if he had no doubt but they would have obeyed his command in that respect They were commanded to wait at Jerusalem for the promise of the Father and they did so in obedience to the command of Christ Jesus but they were not commanded by Christ to wait in the Temple at Jerusalem nor in a Parish Church for the receiving of the promise of the Father or the holy Ghost but rather in a private House Therefore neither the Temple at Jerusalem nor a Parish Church was the place appointed for them to meet in to wait for the promise of the Father but rather an uper Chamber or a private House Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet and when they were come in they went up into an uper Room where abode both Peter and James and John and Andrew Phillip and Thomas Bartholomew and Matthew James the Son of Alpheus and Simon Zelotes and Judas the brother of James these were met together to perform service to God for they continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the Women and Mary the Mother of Jesus and with his brethren and there were met and assembled together upon the account of the exercise of Religion to the number of five and above besideâ— them of the Houshold in that upper Chamber where they were together for in those dayes Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples and spoak the number of Names together were about one hundred and twenty and when the day of Pentecoast was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and the place where they were when they received the holy Ghost was neither a Parish Church nor a Chapel but a private House and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty Wind and it filled all the House where they were siting and there they received the promise of the Father for they were all filled with the Holy Ghost as both by the Scriptures and Liturgie is apparent and evident see for proof thereof Acts 1. and Acts 2. And to prove that the Liturgy alloweth of Meeting in upper Rooms and private Houses for the exercise of Religion as aforesaid because it alloweth of such godly Assemblies and Meetings though not in Parish Churches or Chappels as were practiced by the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians as aforesaid for proof thereof see in the Liturgie the Epistle for Whitsunday and for St. Mathias day the Epistle The Liturgie also alloweth of the manner of Meetings and Preaching both in great numbers and multitudes and in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels because it alloweth of the manner of Meetings and Preaching by Christ and his Apostles amongst the Primitive Christians and others First
and preaching in Houses and the true Gospel Ministers said walk as ye have us for examples Phil. 3.17 who did frequently meet and preach in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels therefore to meet and preach in houses is very justifiable by the example and practices of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians and owned by signal Testimonies from Heaven and ought not therefore to be condemned or forbidden by Men. POSTSCRIPT MEetings barely and simply considered as meetings upon the account of Religious exercise without an intent precedent to do some unlawful action or mischief when they are assembled together is no offence it seems against Law or punishable thereby Anno 16. Car 2. fol. 25 26. For first the Title of the Act is to prevent and suppress seditions Conventicles so that Conventicles or meetings for the service of God are not to be prevented and suppressed by the said Act but seditious Conventicles are to be prevented and suppressed thereby 2ly The remedies or penalties provided by the said Act are against the growing and dangerous practices of seditious sectaries and other disloyal persons who under pretence of tender Consciences do at their Meetings contrive Insurrections as late experience hath shewed so that those are seditious sectaries and disloyal persons against whom the penalties of the Act in that case are made and provided who under pretence of tender Consciences do at their meetings contrive Insurrections as aforesaid Whereby it may appear that for persons to meet and assemble together upon the account of Religious exercise to the number of five and above besides them of the houshold in other manner then is allowed by the Liturgy of the Church of England is to meet and assemble together under such a pretence to contrive Insurrections or do some mischievous actions under so fair a pretence as aforesaid For thirdly the tenor or execution of the Act Anno 16. Caâ— 2. fol. â—4 is to prevent the mischiefs which may grow by such seditious and tumultuous meetings under pretence of Religious Worship Whereby it is evident that the meetings punishable by the said Act are to be seditious tumultuous meetings which tends to mischievous actions so that the manner of meeting must be a seditious and tumultuous manner and the matter enacted done or performed at the meeting must be teaching or acting sedition insurrection or mischief or else how is it punishable by the said Act aforementioned And as to the matter of fact against preaching persons prohibited or to be restrained from coming within five miles of Cities and Towns Corporate or within five miles of any Parish Town or place wherein they have been Parsons Vicars Curats Stipendaries Lecturers possessed of any Ecclesiastical or Spiritual Promotions c. is it not to be proved as matter of fact against such preaching persons prohibited and to be restrained as aforesaid First that they take upon them to preach without any right or authority from God 2ly that they preach contrary to the lawes and statutes of this Kingdom 3ly that the meetings wherein they so preach are unlawful Assembles or Conventicles 4ly that such preaching persons have been possessed of some Ecclesiastical or spiritual promotions 5ly that they have been in holy Orders or pretend to be in holy Orders in a National or Parochial way 6. that they are setled persons or have setled themselves sometimes by three or more in Corporations thereby taking an opportunity to distill the poysonous principles of Schisme Rebellion into the hearts of the people to the great danger of the Church and Kingdom 7ly What it is to preach contrary to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdom as to the matter of preaching must it not be to preach Schisme and Rebellion or insurrection and sedition that is the matter punishable because preaching the Gospel of Christ and the pure Word of God is not the matter of preaching forbidden Written from a Principle of Truth Righteousness and peace on the behalf of true Christians and godly Preachers and owned by Christian Moderation Something more by way of Addition and Confirmation wherein also is answered some great Objections c. NOw if Christian Religious Meetings and Preaching in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels be accounted seditious Conventicles because of the manner of meeting and preaching when both the matter and manner of meeting and preaching is according to the holy Scriptures and the practice of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians what just ground or reason from the holy Scriptures can be produced for the proof of the same to make persons guilty of punishment either by imprisonment sines or Banishment for so doing Object Perhaps some may object or say its no matter though the holy Scriptures and practice of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians do allow of the manner of Christian Religious Meeting and Preaching in upper Chambers and in private Houses so that there is no just ground or reason to be produced from the holy Scriptures or practice of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians to prove Christian Regions Meetings and preaching in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels to be seditious Conventicles and unlawful assemblies when both the manner and matter of meeting and preaching is according to the holy Scriptures yet there is an Act or Ordinance of Man made against the same and the Scripture saith Be subject to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake and therefore by that Act or Ordinance they are punishable for meeting and preaching in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels according to our apprehensions Ans In answer thereunto we say that forasmuch as every Ordinance of man ought to be submitted unto for the Lords sake how careful ought men in Authority to be who profess themselves Christian Magistrates too to enact and ordain nothing about the Service and Worship of God but what is according to the mind spirit and word of God seeing that the motive to subjection to such Ordinances of men is for the Lords sake and how can they be submitted unto for the Lords sake if they be contrary to the mind spirit and word of God because the Apostle Peter â— Pet. 2.13 â—…,15,16 who exhorts to subjection to the Ordinances of Men upon that consideration 1 Pet. 2.13,14,15,16 was one of the first that denyed subjection to that Ordinance made against preaching or was chiefly concerned in refusing subjection to the command or ordinance of Men when they commanded Peter for one to preach no more in the Name of Jesus for the Apostle Peter â—ct 4.17,18 â—…,20 could not submit himself to such a command or ordinance of men for the Lords sake when he knew it to be contrary to the mind and spirit of God in forbidding them to preach as aforesaid therefore may it not be concluded upon just grounds from the Scriptures and practice of the Apostles of Christ that they did not intend a subjection to the
Ordinances of Men for the Lords sake when they viz. mens Ordinances were against preaching in the Name of Christ Jesus and in opposition to the requirings of God and contrary to the Word of the Lord for when the Apostles of Christ were forbidden to preach and commanded by the Magistrates then not to teach at all in the Name of Jesus Acts 4.17,18 they put the Magistrates to be their own Judges concerning that thing however they could not be subject unto them concerning the same so as to give over preaching because God requires it of them for first the Apostles of Christ spoke to the Magistrates by way of enquiry to make them their own Judges of their unreasonableness and injustice concerning the same saying whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you so as to give over preaching in the name of Jesus when you forbid us to preach more then unto God judge ye Secondly they spoke by way of affirmation and justification of preaching when the Magistrates forbad them to preach and could not give over Preaching though men did prohibit them from preaching which may serve as an use of reproof to many hypocritical Priests of this Generation for said the true Gospel Ministers to the Magistrates who forbad them to preach We cannot but speak the thing which we have heard and seen as by the Scriptures is evident and plain see Acts 4. from verse the 1. to the 21. Thirdly The Apostles of Christ and true Gospel Preachers did never intend that Christians and Believers in Christ should be judged as seditious Sectaries and punished by Fines Imprisonment ' and Banishment under pretence of being at seditious Conventicles for meeting and preaching in houses or other places then Parish Churches and Chappels when both the manner of their meeting and matter of preaching is according to the Scriptures and mind of Christ Jesus for it was the practice of Christ and his Apostles to meet together with the Primitive Christians and preach in houses and other places then Parish Churches and Chappels and the Apostles of Christ who had the mind of Christ Jesus commands us to walk as we have them for example Phil. 3.17 and must we be punished for so doing that is to say for meeting and preaching in houses and out of houses as Christ and his Apostles and the Primitive Christians did seeing it was the practice of true Christians and Ministers of the Gospel of Christ so to do whose example is left upon record in Scripture and they have given commandment to Christians to walk as they have them for an example whose godly meetings were lawful assemblies how then can such godly meetings be seditious Conventicles which be according to such good examples Object Now if any object and say that Preaching must not be in Houses but in the visible Church of Christ Jesus in Answer thereunto we may say unto such Answer That the Parish meeting places are not the visible Church of Christ Jesus first because the Liturgy saith that the Church is the houshold and family of God See the Liturgy on Good Friday the Collects so called 2ly That the whole body of the Church is governed and sanctified by the Spirit of God but so are not the Parish meeting places how then can they be said to be Christs visible Church For 3ly it is declared by the Arch-Bishops and Bishops of both Provinces and the whole Clergy in the Convocation holden at London in the year 1562. in the 19 th Article of the Church Article 19. that the visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of faithful men in the which the pure Word of God is preached is not therefore the preaching of the pure word of God in a Congregation of faithful men the preaching of it in the visible Church of Christ as aforesaid though they be not met and assembled together in a Parish Church or a Chappel The Bishops and Clergie in that Convocation said and in the 13 th Article it is declared Article 13. that works done before the Grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasant to God here they own inspiration and forasmuch as preaching is a work do not the Arch-Bishops and Bishops own and declare in effect that none can preach aright so as to be well pleasing unto God untill they be inspired by the spirit of God though they may preach in a Parish Church or a Chappel In thâ— 34 th Article they say Article 34. that nothing is to be ordained against Gods Word now then if any thing be ordained by men against the Worship of God is not that ordained against Gods Word Again in the 6. Article the Bishops and Clergy have declared Article 6. that whatsoever is not read in the Scriptures nor may be proved thereby is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an Article of the Faith or to be thought requisite or necessary to Salvation And in the same Convocation they have agreed and declared in the 20 th Article Article 20. that it is not lawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods Word written and as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation If nothing ought to be ordained that is contrary to the Word of God Article 34. then if an Ordinance be made against meeting and preaching in Houses and upper Chambers Article 20. or in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels is not that Ordinance made against the Word of God because the holy Scriptures are said to be the Word of God against which nothing ought to be ordained as aforesaid and by the holy Scriptures it is evident and plain that it was the practice of the Primitive Christians and Apostles of Christ to assemble together and meet in private Houses and upper Chambers to Preach and Pray and perform service to God and their practice is left upon record in Scripture as a godly Christian example for Believers to follow and they have commanded true christians to walk as they have them for an ensample Phil. 3.17 If it be not lawful for the Church of England to ordain any thing against the word of God written Article 34. then if they ordain that Christians must not meet and assemble together to preach and pray Article 6. and performe service to God in any place but a Parâ—sh Church or a Chappel is not such an ordinance against the Word of God written because the Apostles of Christ saith to the Saints and Believers in Christ Phil. 3.17 walk as ye have us for an ensample And they met together to preach and pray in Houses and upper Chambers and not in Parish Churches and Chappels for they preached down the outward Temple Article 19. Acts 7.41.47 Acts 17.24,25 If the visible Church of Christ be a Congregation of faithful men in the which the pure Word of God is preached and if none can preach the same so as to be well pleasing unto God before they be inspired by the spirit of God do not such as be inspired by the Spirit of God most truly preach the Word of God though not in a Parish Church or a Chappel and do not they come to the Church of Christ who meet and assemble together with a Congregation of faithful men to hear the Word of God preached by such as are inspired by the Spirit of God as aforesaid Article 34. Article 6. Article 20. though in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels and if nothing ought to be ordained contrary to Gods word is it not plain that every Ordinance of man which is to be submitted unto for the Lords sake should answer the mind of God by being according to the Word of God as aforesaid because the Bishops and Clergie in their Convocation have agreed and declared that it is unlawful for the Church to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods Word written and as they ought not to decree any thing against the Word of God so besides the same they ought not to enforce anything as aforesaid as by the Scriptures and the said Articles is evident and plain THE END
in pieces therefore behold I am against the Prophets saith the Lord that steale my words every one from his neighbour who use their tongues and say he saith whom I never commanded nor sent saith the Lord who hath also said that such false Teachers do cause the People to erre by their lyes and by their lightness and such the Lord is against as you may read but he that hath my word let him speak my word faithfully what is the Chaff to the Wheat saith the Lord Jer. 23.28,29,30,31,32 Thirdly The holy Ghost spake to the Church whereby it is evident that the holy Ghost speaks in the true Church and the Church is acquainted with the holy Ghost and his teachings and therefore stands not to dispute its commands or disobey the holy Ghosts Order and Authority Acts 13. but being commanded by the holy Ghost to separate Barnabas and Saul for the work of the Ministry whereunto the holy Ghost had ordained or called them the true Church never questioned whether such a Call was sufficient without a signification of the consent and allowance of Arch-Bishops and Bishops in a Nationall way or as the manner now is amongst such as may be will deny the way and manner of the proceedings of the holy Ghost in that case of calling and sending forth Ministers as aforesaid to preach the Gospel of Christ Acts 13 1,2,3,4 1 Tim. 3.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 Tit. 1 7,8,9 but if they do is it not below a true Gospel Bishop so to do who ought not to shew a dislike unto and disesteem of what the holy Ghost and the true Church of Christ and the Scripture do justify and own concerning the same but I hope it may be well for them who are so in account to take it into due consideration so as not to condemn but rather allow of the holy Ghosts order and proceedings and the true Churches example or practise therein seeing that what the holy Scripture allowes of that the Liturgie of the Church of England allowes of and it is evident that the holy Scriptures allowes of the same as aforesaid for the Holy Ghost said to the Church separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them and when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them they sent them away so they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost departed and when they were at Salamis they preached the Word of God to the People Acts 13.1,2,3,4 Whereby it is evident that the Holy Ghost hath a true right to call to the work of the Ministry of Christ and that they who are called to that work by the Holy Ghost ought not to be forbidden to preach because they are both truly ordained and sent and have the Word of God to preach to the people being also accompanied with a true spiritual power and filled with the Holy Ghost that hath called and sent them to preach as aforesaid after they were at Salamis and had gone through the Island unto Paphos they found a certain Sorcerer a false Prophet a Jew with the Deputy of the Country a prudent Man who called for Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear the Word of God but Elimus the Sorcerer withstood them seeking to turn away the Deputy from the faith as false teachers geting into favour with Governours and Deputy Governours and great persons often times endeavour to do then Saul who is also called Paul who was filled with the Holy Ghost that called and sent him to preach said unto the false Prophet that sought to turn away the Deputy Governour from the faith Oh full of all subtlety and all mischief thou child of the Devil thou enemy of all Righteousness wilt thou not cease to pervert the right wayes of the Lord Acts 13.6,7,8,9,10 Whereby it is evident and plain that the Holy Ghost filleth true Preachers with spiritual boldness sharply to reprove and testifie against a false Prophet in the presence of a Deputy or Governour of a Country They who are ordained and sent of God as aforesaid ought not to be forbidden to preach or punished for preaching the word of the Lord to the People because they preach the Everlasting Gospel and thereby do minister the Spirit and power of God to Salvation unto Believers and such have not dominion over the faith of their hearers but are appointed of God to be helpers of the joy of Believers 2ly They ought not to be forbidden to preach the Word of God to the people because that by vertue of their preaching the Lord opperating with them in their Ministry â—cts 26.16 â—7,18 â—…m 5.20 they do convert people from the evil of their wayes and doings by turning them from darkness unto light and so from the power of Satan unto God whereby it may be observed that to hinder such Ministers from Preaching would be to hinder the work of conversion and so to oppose the work of the Lord Mat. 18.3 Luke 22.32 3ly They ought not to be hindered from preaching who have the Word of the Lord to speak to the People and do preach it freely without Tithes Easier Reckonings or Midsummer dews who covet no mans Silver nor Gold for their Preaching Acts 20.27 â—8,29,30,31 â—2,33,34,35 because God hath ordained that they who preach the Gospel should deny Tythes and live of the Gospel it is necessary therefore first to know what the Gospel is 2ly Who have a right to preach the Gospel of Christ unto the people And 3ly what it is for true Preachers to live on the Gospel In Answer to the first as concerning the Gospel of Christ what it is it is declared in Scripture to be the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth wherein the Righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith as it is written Rom. 1.15,16,17 Gal. 1.6,7,8,9,10,11,12,15,16 2ly They have a true right to preach the Gospel who have rightly received the same so that the Gospel is to be rightly received before it can be rightly preached and the Gospel is not to be received of man how then can men impower to the effectual true and right Preaching of the same for Paul who was a true Gospel Preacher was taught of God how to minister from him to the People and received the Gospel by the Revelation of Christ and not of man as he hath certified to the Brethren as we said before so say I now again If any man preach any other Gospel unto you then that ye have received let him be accursed Gal 1.8,9 and before that is to say in his Epistle to the Romans he said Rom. 1.16 Gal. 1.11,12 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth Rom. 1.16 this Gospel which is the power of God is to be received of God by them that are true Preachers of the same but I certifie you brethren that the Gospel which was preached of me was
read Acts 20. That the Apostle Paul preached in a Chamber on the first day of the Week until midnight Acts 20.7,8 And Peter preached boldly and effectually in the House of Cornelius Acts 10 and Paul preached two yeares in his own hired House and received all that came unto him preaching the Kingdome of God and teaching those things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence no man forbiding him as it is written Acts 28.30,31 whereby it is evident that God owns and justifies Meetings and preaching in Houses and that a Minister of Christ may preach in other places besides Parish Churches and Chapels and in his own hired House also and there receive such as come to be instructed by him in the matters of the Kingdome of God and our Lord Jesus Christ as aforesaid First It is evident and plain therefore by the holy Scripture and also by the Liturgie of the Church of England that preaching and meeting in Houses is owned and honoured by the Lord and ought not to be condemned but justified by the true Christians and believers in Christ for to condemn the Ministers of Christ and true Christians for preaching and meeting in Houses upon the account of Religion and worship of God would be to condemn the practise of Christ and his Apostles and Primitive Christians recorded in Scriptures and it would be to deny and disallow of what God Almighty and the holy Scriptures do evidently justify and own and therefore meeting and preaching in Houses ought not to be forbiden or punished by men because such Christian Religious Meetings preaching and practises are allowed by the Liturgy and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven Secondly That which is allowed by the Liturgie and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven ought not to be forbiden and condemned by men but Christian Religious Meetings and preaching in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels are allowed by the Liturgie and owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven Therefore Christian Religious Meetings and preachings in Houses or in other places then Parish Churches and Chapels as aforesaid ought not to be forbiden and condemned by men Thirdly That the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians did frequently meet together after Christs Ascension in Houses to preach and pray and perform service to God and that such Christian Religious meetings and preaching in Houses were owned and honoured by the Lord God of Heaven is plain and clearly proved as aforesaid and therefore such Christian religious meetings and preachings are allowed by the Lord to be lawful assemblies and practises which ought to be allowed and tollerated by men because they are owned and justified by the great God of Heaven Fourthly The Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians to whom Christ appeared after his Resurrection and gave commandment to wait at Jerusalem untill they received the promise of the Father or the Holy Ghost from Heaven did in obedience to that Command return from the Mount Olivet after Christs Ascension unto Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Ghost from Heaven but they did not go into the Temple at Jerusalem nor into a Parish Church or Chappel to wait for the same but they entered into Jerusalem and went into an upper Room and was sitting together in a House when they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven as by the Scriptures are evident and plain Acts 1. and Acts 2. Whereby it appears or from hence we may observe and learn first That the Parish Churches and Chappels were not the places appointed by Christ at his Ascension to meet and assemble together in to wait upon God untill they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven 2ly That God is not bound or tyed up to Parish Churches or Chappels to wait upon him therein as the appointed place of his Worship 3ly That the Lord God Almighty hath signally owned and testified from Heaven that he owns and justifies meetings in Houses to wait upon him beause when they were met together as they sate in a House they received the Holy Ghost from Heaven and spake as the Spirit gave them utterance but we do not read in the Scriptures that Almighty God did ever at any time so wonderfully manifest himself to People in a Parish Church or Chappel as in Houses he hath done since Christs Ascension into Heaven Fifthly The Lord hath so far owned and honoured Meeting and Preaching in House since Christs Ascension that the Hearers have received the Holy Ghost at meeting and preaching in Houses as by the Scripture is evident and plain therefore meeting and preaching in Houses ought not to be forbidden but when did the Lord so evidently appear and signally own meeting and preaching in Parish Churches and Chappels as then and therein to give the Holy Ghost to the Hearers as at preaching in Houses he hath done for when Peter was preaching in the houses of Cornelius the Holy Ghost fell on al them which heard the word as you may read Acts 10. from verse 19. to verse 49. whereby it appears that meeting and preaching in houses are owned and honoured of God as by the Scriptures is apparently proved Sixthly And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven and filled all the House where they were sitting whereby it appeares that they were assembled and met in a House and that Christian meeting was no seditious Conventicle but owned and honoured by the Lord from Heaven though they were not assembled in a Parish Church or Chapel but in a House whereby it appeares that God is well pleased with meeting and preaching in Houses for they were filled with the holy Ghost and spake as the spirit gave them utterance though some mocking of them said these men are full of new Wine but Peter standing up with the Elders lift up his voice and preached unto them and when they had heard him preach the word of God unto them they were pricked in their hearts and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand soules and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship as you may read Acts 2.1,2 to the 43. Whereby it appears that the Word of God may be effectually preached in houses was there ever such a thing known at a meeting in a Parish Church or Chappel by the preaching of a Parish Priest in those places to convert at one Sermon three thousand Souls as was effectually done by the preaching of the Word by the Apostle Peter as aforesaid therefore it is apparent arid evident by the Scriptures that meeting and preaching in houses are lawful meetings and practices being so highly approv'd of and signally owned of the Lord and such meetings and preaching in Houses as are owned and approved of God ought not to be forbidden by men but rather allowed and tollerated by them Seventhly Though God Almighty did so evidently shew
The Liturgie saith it came to pass that as the People pressed upon him viz. Christ Jesus to hear the Word of God he stood by the Lake of Genesareth and saw two Ships standing by the Lake and he entered into one of the Ships which was Simons and he sate down and taught the People out of the Ship See the 5 th Sunday after Trinity the Gospel Whereby it appears that the Liturgie alloweth of the manner of meeting and preaching in a Ship and by the Sea side as aforesaid Therefore the Liturgy alloweth of the manner of Meeting and Preaching in other places besides Parish Churches and Chappels Secondly Great multitudes followed Christ as by the Liturgie appeareth See the 8 th Sunday after Trinity the Gospel and he preached unto them then drew near unto him all the Publicanes and Sinners for to hear him when he was in a Pharisees House and the Scribes and Pharisees murmured at him saying this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them then Jesus began to speak to them by a Parable as you may read see the third Sunday after Trinity the Gospel see also Luke the 14. and Luke 15. Chap. whereby it appeareth that Christ was ready to do good unto Sinners and refused not to preach unto them though he was not in a Parish Church but in a Pharisees House as aforesaid The Liturgie faith Peter opened his mouth and said of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons but in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted with him And where was Peter when he preached this Doctrine but in the House of Cornelius and not in a Parish Church or Chappel whereby it is evident that the Scriptures and Liturgy allowes of both Meeting and Preaching in private House as aforesaid see Acts 10. and Easter Munday the Epistle for proof of the same Again the Liturgie saith Christ preached on a Mountain and in great multitudes also see All-Saints day All Saints day the Gospel Whitsunday the Epistle Again for meeting in private Houses upon the account of the exercise of Religion the Liturgie saith that when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a mighty rushing wind and it filled the house where they were siting and they were all filled with the holy Ghost and began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance Whereby it is evident and apparent first That it was the practice of the Apostles of Christ and Primitive Christians to meet in private House to wait upon the Lord. 2ly That God owned and honoured such Christian Religious meetings though they were not in Parish Churches or Chappels but in private Houses and that by sending the Holy Ghost from Heaven to them as aforesaid 3ly That the Scriptures and Liturgie alloweth and owneth the manner of such Christian and religious Meetings and practices though not in Parish Churches or Chappels but in a Houses as aforesaid Likewise the Liturgie saith That in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the Disciples and said the number of them by name being about one hundred and twenty Men and Brethren this Scripture must needs be fulfilled which the Holy Ghost spake by the mouth of David And where was Peter and about one hundred and twenty more when he said so unto them were they not met together in an upper Chamber see the Liturgie St. Mathias for the Epistle and Acts 1.12,13,14,15 c. Is it not therefore according both to the manner allowed by the Scripture and Liturgy for Christians to meet and assemble together upon the account of Religion to the number of five and above over and besides them of the houshold or family where they do meet and assemble together as aforesaid Many more examples of the manner of Christian religious Meetings might be instanced out of the Liturgy but I shall only mention one other instance out of the Liturgie which I judge may be sufficient as to that matter with a few more Scripture examples concerning the manner of Christian Religious Meetings and practices to prove the lawfulness of them That which the Liturgie declares to be very meet and right to be done must needs be allowed by the same but the Liturgie declares it to be very meet and right for Christians to meet together at all times and in all places for the Service of God therefore the Liturgie alloweth of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings at any time and in any place for the service of God as aforesaid that which is declared by the Liturgie to be the duty of Christians must needs be allowed by the Liturgie but it is declared by the Liturgie to be the duty of Christians at all times and in all places to give thanks or perform service to the Almighty God therefore the Liturgie must needs allow of the same at any time and in any place to be performed and done it is very meet right and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places perform service unto the Lord for proof whereof see the Liturgie in that part called the Communion Seeing that the Liturgy alloweth of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings for the service of God at all times and in all places it allowes of Meetings in private Houses and in upper Chambers and other places as the Scriptures do or else the Liturgie would contradict and oppose the Scriptures and practices of the Apostles and Primitive Christians but they who have a reverend esteem of the Liturgie must needs say that what the holy Scriptures allowes of that the Liturgie allowes of and as the holy Scriptures allowes of the manner of Christian Religious Meetings Preachings and practices in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels so the Liturgie that it may be justified by the holy Scriptures concerning the manner of such Christian Religious meetings and practices alloweth of the same First The Apostles and Primitive Christians did meet together to preach and pray and perform duty and service to God and the manner of their Meetings were in other places then Parish Churches and Chappels and such meetings were no seditious Conventicles but lawful Assemblies Secondly They did meet and assemble together for the service and Worship of God after Christs Ascension in private Houses and upper Chambers as you may read Acts 1.13,14,15 Acts 2.1,2 Thirdly And when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were assembled together and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and they spake the word of God with boldness Acts 4.31,32 Fourthly They were lawfull Meetings though in private Houses and owned by the Lord because he filled them with the holy Ghost to speak the word of God with boldness whereby it is evident that godly Ministers are justified by the Lord and may preach the word of God boldly in uper Chambers and private Houses as you may