without freedome without practise without light You see how they subiect Church Gospel Christ to the apostaticall chaire of Antichrist making Christ both a minister to al their abhominations and to iustifie and daw be them vp with the Gospell Infinite were the labour to reckon vp all the forgeries they build vpō this foundation this Christ this Gospel or to shew how these wretches munge corrupt peruert wrast falsifie abuse y e scripturs how they roile yea poison the pure fountaines or to recite the sundrie errors they heerby fall into For whiles they thus blasphemously denie in deed and practise the whole annointing of Christ namely his three offices his kingdome priesthood and prophecie standing the sworne waged marked seruants of that aduersarie that Antichrist that beast these Bishops deriuing their forged false ministerie from them prophecijng by their licence limitation c therby they fla◅ly denie the kingdom Priesthood and prophecie of Christ for two contrarie Maisters they cannot obey they cannot be subiect both to Christ and Antichrist two diuerse and contrarie ministeries they cannot execute the ministerie of Christ and the ministerie of Antichrist at the same time neither cā they prophecie in bot◅ their names c. Many are their forged cauillations which they invent vnto themselues to hide this their perfidy all which as not recking them wor◅hie the reciting I leaue to be refuted by their owne practise comp◅red to the word of God as I might also vnto their owne alligations excuses God hauing so deuided their tongues made them so contrarie one vnto an other as yt is an impossible thing to find two of thē of one mind yea or any one of them con◅tant in that he affirmeth So are these accustomed to doe all things without ground or assurance following the traditions writings examples of others neuer looking how consonant they be vnto Godes word This maketh them thus ignorant and blind in all the lawes and ordinances of Christ touching the true gathering building and gouerning the Church of Christ that they know not the doctrines euē of the beginnings of Christ of repentance from dead workes faith towardes God of baptisme and laying on of handes This maketh them not to know so much as the stones wherof Christs Church must be built nor the true foundation wherupō to build them as you may see by that which hath beene said cōcerning their outward estate practise much lesse know they the true forme fashion of the house least of all the true administratiō ordinances therof as apeareth euidently by their receauing of administring vnto this mōstrous confuse bodie of their profane rowtes of people by their exercising this their false and antichristian ministerie and that after such an idolatrous blasphemous symoniacal maner as also by receauing Antichrists yoke traditions ordinances wherby as hath beene shewed they deny Christ in the flesh by denijng his offices his annointing they denie his ministerie his ordinances his whole Testament by receauing an other ministerie other lawes then s◅ch as he there hath prescribed Or els they must affirme that earthly mē may admit into make members of the Church whome they please and wil that they also may alter add to detract yea abrogate and disanul what part of Christs Testament they lift that they may erect a new ministerie a new forme of administration of sacraments of worship of government Of al which seuerally to intreat and set downe their particular errors and enormities no pen of man sufficeth I refer heerin the reader partly to that which heer is already vvritten concerning their ministerie ordination ministration sa◅raments worship c. but chiefly to his own◅ more neere view and diligent search of their doings by the light of Gods word They holde also that the true Church of Christ may be built and established without the outward offices and gouernment he hath prescribed in his Testament yea that in stead of them yt may receaue a false and adulterate ministerie be gouerned by other Officers and lawes then he hath appointed in his word They holde that yt may be a true Church though both ministerie ministration and government be thus wholy corrupted and forged and though yt haue neuer entred or smitten couenant with Christ but stil and euer haue remained in subiection vnto Antichrist in one false shape or other whose yoke they hold ought not to be cast off to redresse any sin or abuse amōg them or put in practise any more of CHRISTS Testamēt then is by publike authoritie permitted yea in this confusion idolatrie subiection though neither the people be called vnto nor ioined in the faith though neither ministerie ministration nor any thing be aright according to the word amongst them though their Church abound with all manner of sin abhomination and abhominable persons though they haue neither power to seperate the most vncleane to censure or cast out anie offendor or off◅nce to redresse any thing be yt neuer so odious hateful and apparantly ill nor yet haue libertie to put in practise any of Christs heauenly ordinances notwithstanding all this they hold yt with maine force and outcries to be a true established church of Christ though there be neuer a true stone nor any one pin or nayle o◅ the true tabernacle aright amongst them as their adulterate ministerie office election ordination administration worship sacramentes pr◅iers fasting abuse of the word read abuse of the word preached which they corrupt roile distort peruert wrast leauen falsifie poison abuse prophane abrogate exclude at their wils d◅clare Of all which what vnsound opinions they hold their present practise compared to the word of God manifesteth yea they wil stil be the true Church ministers of CHRIST though they reiect his word remaine obstinate in their sinne defend plead for iustifie the same persecute blaspheme mu◅ther CHRISTS seruants that speake vnto them in the name of CHRIST exhort them to amendement Thus you may see into what hardnes blindnes of heart extreame vtter darknes the Lord hath cast these your Seers because they haue loued darknes more then light neither haue trembled at his word but walked in the presumption of their owne heart committing arrogancie in their wrath O how great is that darknes when the verie light of your Church is such darknes as yt is but that verie smoke of the bottomle◅ pit when yt is duly examined For as you haue heard al their worship ministerie praiers sacraments fastes to be but counterfait abhomination so yet of all other you may perceaue this their preaching of the Gospell to be most detestable pe◅nitious euē the strongest snare delusion of Satan wherby he allureth deceaueth and holdeth captiue the miserable world in the chaines of transgression error idolatrie abhomination impenitencie vnto iudgment This preaching of theirs as yt is exercised in a false ministerie a false
al the land both great and small rich and poore priest and people in most seruile subiectioÌ„ therfore in this estate cannot be held or numbred among Christes faithful seruantes vvhich are fully redeemed by the price of his pretious blood from al these bondages and intanglementes vvhich they by a shew of volunâ—…arie religion and counterfeit holines vvould impose vpon mens consciences Neither may such be held the seruaÌ„tes of CHRIST vvhich stand subiect vnto his enimie Antichrist beare his yoke receaue his ministerie vvares c. or vvhich contend not for the maintenance of the true faith for the sincere practise of the Gospel with freedome in al patieÌ„t maner vnto the death suffring rather anie thing then themselues to be defiled with his abhominations How then should this people as they generally stand in the publique estate of this land in this subiection to Antichrist in this idolatry sacriledg al kind of excesse and sinne euen in al degrees without repentance faith obedience knowledg be receaued held or esteemed the redeemed called faithful free obedient louing subiects and people of the Lord or how may CHRISTES true faithful seruantes haue any spirituall communion or fellowship with them in thys estate vvithout open sacriledg most hainous impietie and high profanation of the holy things of God For if into the material temple no profane or polluted person might enter and osfer vntill he had imbraced the faith and beene clensed from his filthines how much more ought this profane ignorant vnholy wicked disobedient rowte be kept out of the Church of CHRIST froÌ„ al intermedling with the holy things of GOD which in this estate belong not vnto them But as these vngodly priestes of these times haue entred and do administer vnto this profane people for the lucre of their goodes tithes wages hire so waÌ„t not these Balaams sundrie diuelish shiftes and cauils for the maintenance of their doinges least by this doctrine their portion should be reprooued their vantage for diuining cease as also their sinne and shame be made manifest Amongst an heape of their forged excuses they set this for doctrine in the fore â—…ront THAT vvhere â—… Christian Prince is vvhich maiâ—…taineth the Gospel and â—…he whole land or estate not resisting this commandement reueâ—…enceth the word sacrameÌ„tes there the whole multitude of such â—… land or state are without doubt to be esteemed and iudged a true Church This reason they confirme not with any proofes of the â—…cripture but by M r. CALVINS authoritie who giueth these reasons â—…herof because saith he yâ—… is certaine the word and sacramentes â—…re not without fruit and that by this meanes vnitie is preserued to â—…he vniuersall Church Touching the person of the Author alledged I gladly acknowledg â—…im a painful and profitable instrument in the thinges he saw and â—…imes he serued in yet not without his manie errors ignorances â—…specially touching the planting gouernment and ordering of the Church of CHRIST And no meruaile for being so newly escaped out of the smoky fornace of poperie he could not so sodeinly see or attaine vnto the perfect beawtie of Sion But seeing my hope is GOD hath pardoned all his errors c. my purpose is not with these wicked men to reuiue and broach them a fresh or make them preâ—…identes and by them take boldnes to commit the like or worse ofâ—…ences nor yet to discouer NOAH his shame and nakednes So also concerning matters of faith would I be loth to build vpon or be â—…ressed by the doctrines and examples of men the best wherof we â—…ee to be subiect to their errors and faults For as faith only beleeueth and resteth vpon the holy word of God so are we by the same to examine al the doctrines and doinges of men yea of the vvhole Church and accordingly to approue or refuse the same Touching this doctrine then that a Christian Prince which publisheth and maintaineth the Gospell doth forthwith make all that realme which with open force resisteth not his proceedinges to be held a Church to whome an holy ministerie and sacramentes belong without further more particular and personal trial examination confession c. This doctrine we find by the word of God to be most false corrupt vncleane dangerous pernicious doctrine contrarie to the whole course practise and lawes both of the old newe Testament breaking at once al Christian order corrupting poisoning al Christian communion fellowship sacrilegiously profaning the holy thinges of God First we know that no Prince or mortal man caÌ„ make any a member of the Church they may by their godly gouernment greatly help further the Church greatly comfort the faithful aduance the gospel c. But to chuse or refuse to cal or hardeÌ„ that the eternal and almightie ruler of heauen and earth keepeth in his owne handes and giueth not this power vnto any other This also vve know that whome the Lord hath before al worldes chosen them â—…e wil in his due time and meanes cal by his word and whome he â—…alleth them he sealeth with this seale to depart from iniquitie to beleeue and lay hold of CHRIST IESVS as their alone sauiour to honour and obâ—…y him as their annointed King Priest Prophet to submit théselues vnto him in all thinges to be reformed corrected gouerned directed by his most holy vvord vowing their faithful obedience vnto the same as yt shalbe reuealed vnto them By this faith confession profession euerie member of CHRIST from the greatest vnto the least without respect of persons entereth into standeth in the Church In this faith haue all the faithfull congregations in the world and true members of the same bodie fellowship communion each with other and out of this faith haue the true seruantes of GOD no fellowship no communion with any congregation or member how florishing titles or faire shewes soeuer they make heere in the flesh None as hath beene prooued vncircumcised or polluted in flesh might enter into the temple or tast of the passouer or other sacrifices how neere soeuer they were in consanguinitie affinitie or subiection In King DAVIDS time the Edomites Moabites Ammonites Philistims were brought vnder obedience subiection yet were none of them admitted into the temple c. but such as imbraced the faith King HEZEKIAS and IOSIAH two famous godly Kings after they had rightly reformed the corrupt estate admitted none to the passouer but such as purified sanctified themselues according to the law The like we reade of the children of the captiuitie after they had finished the temple set the priests in their order thâ—… Leuites in their courses c. they keâ—…t the passouer together with all such as had seperated themselueâ—… vnto them from the fiilthines of the heathen of the land to seeke the Lord GOD of Israel These
law into whose handes they were for a season deliuered c. After these visions Daâ—…iel was shewed how this presumptuous horne was consumed destroied with y â— fiery streame that proceeded from the ancient of daies and how this vnlawfull dominion was taken from the other beasts and giuen to him that came fâ—…om heaueÌ„ and hauing finished the ful redemption of his â—…aints being ascended vp againe and set at the right hand of his Father there was giuen vnto him dominion and glorie and a kingdome that all people nations and tongues should serue him whose dominion is a perpetual dominion that passeth not away his kingdome is â—…euer corrupted Ver. 14. Also Ver 27. What caÌ„ be more diâ—…ect for the perpetuity of the gouernmeÌ„t ordinances that Christ hath left apointed in his new Testament for his châ—…rch which whosoeuer presumeth to againâ—… or violate much more to innouate or change shall he not be vnder the same sinne damnatioÌ„ curse with this presumptuous blasphemous horne The Prophet zachariah also in the eleuenth of his prophecie sheweth that all CHRISTS â—…heep are gouerned and kept vnder our cheif shepeheards pastorall staues Beawtie Bands All other are out of his protection deliuered vp in his wrath to be guided by the instruments of foolish idol shepheards whose right arme shalbe without strength and whithered vp their right eie shalbe vtterlie darkened there shall be no light in them Both these shepheards their flockes euen all such as are misled by with them are giuen vp of the Lord to vtter destructioÌ„ because they cast the Lords coards from them would not be bound in his bands their soule abhorred the Lord they would not haue him to reigne ouer them therfore his soule abhorred them he gaue them vp to their owne lusts insnared them in their owne pollicies For all the wisdome of all flesh without the Lord is madnes their most exquisite plattes of gouernment which they can deuise vnto themselues are but the instruments of foolish sheepheards to their owne perdition of as manie as are gouerned by them These things are so manifest in that Chapter the true shepheard gouernment sheepe as also the false shephearde gouernmet sheepe with the diuers endes of both being there described the one in y e person of our Sauiour his disciples the other in the Priests rulers phariseis people of the Iewes with their verie maner of reiecting betraiâ—…ng him so liuelie set downe as none can cauill at theâ—…e things or mistake them â—…o grosly againe as one of these foolish shepheardes D. SOME hath done taking his chapter to be vnderstood of the estate of the Iewes in zecheriâ—…hs time the 1â—… 13. verse of 〈◊〉 person wages Who if he had but compared this chapter in yt self much more to the discourse of the Prophet precedent subsequent but especially to the euident euent perimplishing in by our Sauiour Christ Math. 21. 23. 24 26. Chapters he would neuer haue iustified tithes by the 12 13 verses of of this eleuenth Chapter of zechariah If any doubt of the interpretatioÌ„ of these two staues 〈◊〉 Bands let him consider the allegorie how shepheards vse their staues hookes or rather let him waigh the 7 ver where he shall find that Christ with these staues fed gouerned and defended those sheepe his Father gaue him as also verse 14 the interpretation end of the staffe Bâ—…ndes how there can be no true coÌ„munion where they are not knit together in the faith order gouernment and loue of Christ. But if he compare this prophecie to the euent fulfilling therof by our Sauiour Christ his Apostles that called al men from the shadowes figures of the Temple vnto the kingdome Church of Christ he shall manifestlie see that this sense in all things accordeth and no other can be made to agree to the words and Argument of this Prophet in this Chapter Noteâ—… might plentifullie be drawen manie waightie Arguments framed from these allegories as also froÌ„ the eâ—…ymologie of these words to shew the excellencie amenitie pleasantnes comlines congruence vtilitie necessity perpetuity of CHRISTS pastorall gouernment of his Church and how disorderly and vnnaturall a thing yt were for the sheepe to disobey especially to controule and teach their shepheard But I hope the iudgments denounced in that chapter for such faultes and the plaine demonstration of the danger error folly horror of all other gouernments and instruments whatsoeuer may suffice to satisfie the godly in this point and to restraine them from such presumption and rebellion either to reiect or to innouate or alter CHRISTS holy gouernment order and ordinances As for the vnperswaded and disobedient I leaue them to their accompt when they shall see him whome they haue perced through come with clowdes and in the meane while will addresse my self to prooue by sundry expresse places of the new Testament y â— the ordinances the Apostles left for the building administration gouernment of the Church are the coÌ„mandements of God perpetual inuiolable to be obserued and not to be willingly neglected or changed vnto the worlds end Our Sauiour CHRIST hauing finiâ—…hed whatsoeuer was needful here vpon earth to be â—…one in his person either for the worke of our redemption or for the remouing abolishing all the legal shadowâ—…s ceremonial worship or for the ratifijng his Gospel the gathering plaÌ„ting establishing his Church hauing chosen apointed and perfectly instructed his Apostles of all things belonging thervnto In the 28 chap. according vnto Mathew Vers. 1â—… 19. 20. he vsed this speach vnto them And â—…esus comming spake vnto them saying all authority in heauen in earth is giuen vnto me Go therfore teach ye all the nations baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Spirit teaching them to keep all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world Amen Omitting the sundry necessary circumstances and manifold profitable doctrines that might from this scripture be obserued and drawen to hold me to the present purpose we heere may see not only the Apostles personal power and authority but the warrant and dignity of all things they taught or did in this brief of their commission and ministery which we heere see to be deriued from founded vpon our Sauiour CHRISTS sacred person and soueraigne power We heere see whome they were to teach whome to baptise how to baptise how and what to â—…each the baptised and how to leaue such as they had thus taught gathered and instructed In summe we here â—…ee the very maner and order of winning receauing gathering ordering instructing building vp and establishing the Church of CHRIST We heere see all the orders and ordinances which the Apostles practised in and left vnto the Churches by our Sauiouâ—… owne moâ—…th pronounced to be
his Commandements and those per◅etuall such as he will haue to continue and be obserued of all his seruantes vnto the worlds end We see them no◅ onlie commāded vnto his Apostles that they should practise and teach them in their time or in time of per◅ecution but he chargeth his Apostles to teach all churches all Christians to keepe and obserue them at all times vntill the consummation and end of the world giuing vnto al his seruantes and churches the same power to practise and obserue all these his comandementes that he gaue vnto his Apostles plighting vpon such their faith and obedience his presence protection vnto them in these wordes And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world sealing the truth both of these his commandemetes and ordinances and also of this his couenant and protection vnto all ages with this his authentike seale with this word of all truth Amen So that me thinkes all the blasphemous reproches and cauils of al sortes of enemies vnto the sacred inviolable gouernment and order of our Sauiour CHRIST deliuered and practised by his Apostles in his churches are vtterlie by this one place of scripture if so be there were no more to the same effect taken out of the way both they that denie the continance or necessitie heerof in all ages and places they that would make these Apostolike ordinances but matters of forme not matters of faith or of substance as they speake they being heere confirmed commanded by that Lord of all truth of all power in heauē and in earth Peraduenture that old Saducee that ◅hus sophisticallie hath propounded these questiōs in that 74 leafe of his answere vnto MARTIN will stūble as he ordinarilie doth at the word of God at these wordes al things whatsoeuer I haue cōmanded you collecting that because the Apostles had not as yet receiued the exp◅esse rules commandments for al the things they afterward taught practised that therfore this commandement cannot be vnderstood or applied to such things as they afterward taught and so nothing or litle serueth to the outward forme of gouernment order of the Church Although yt were not hard from this verie place necessarilie to cōfirme the intendement commandement of all the ordinances and rules which the Apostles after taught prescribed vnto the churches euen by that which is heere expressed concerning the ministerie baptisme c. which heere are commanded al churches to be obserued in that manner as the Apostles taught them which ministers sacramēts ministerie could not in and by these churches be had or practised without the obseruation of these rules ordinances as the election probation of such ministers by the flockes where they are to administer c. which were not al that time set downe by the holy Ghost or practised by the Apostles as yet Although I could also shew that our Sauiour Christ had alreadie instructed his Apostles that he had chosen and set a part to that worke of all things belonging to his kingdome Act. 1. 2. and had giuen thē his holie spirit in abundāt measure to this their ministerie which should teach them al things b◅ing al things to their remembrance Ioh. 20. 22. which he had tould thē Yet mine awnswere heere is y t if our sauiour Christ in these wordes Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue commanded you had respect onlie vnto such precepts as he had then at that time giuē thē not vnto al other things which he should afterward reueale vnto thē by his holy spirit also yt were both cōtrarie to their commission charge they deliuered which as is saied vvas that they should win gather together build order instruct establish his Church according to the rules cōmandements of his wil Testament which could not at al be done by thē if al these lawes rules were not alike cōfirmed of cōmāded by him as also if these words Al whatsoeuer ◅ haue comanded c. should so be restrained yt were to make the other holie lawes ordināces which he afterward shewed to his Apostles they by the same spirit both shewed recorded vnto the churches of Christ of lesse valew and authoritie then those former to make some part of holie scripture more true holy authentical thē other yea yt were vtterlie to abrogate disfrāchize these latter scriptures Furthermore I suppose yt were a hard matter for anie man to dis◅sse set downe what things Christ had at that time taught these Apostles what he had as yet cōcealed So that this cauil can no way put off this most direct and expresse place let me therfore proceed to others The Apostle Paul 1. Tim. 5. 21. chargeth Timothy before God the Lord Iesus Christ the elect Angels that he k◅epe these things without preiudice doing nothing according to inclination c. Also Chap. 6. ver 13. he vseth these wordes vnto him ◅ cōmand thee before God that ◅uickneth al things Christ ◅esus that testified before Pontius Pilate that good confession to keepe the commandement without spot vnrebukeable vnt◅l the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ which in due time that blessed onlie mightie that King of Kings and Lord of Lords shal shew c. Likewise 1 Cor. 14. 37. he hath these wordes If anie mā seeme to be a prophet or spiritua◅ let him acknowledg the th◅ngs I write vnto you because they are the cōmādemētes of God but if anie man be ignorāt let him be ignorāt With what greater authoritie or waight of wordes could the Apostle either confirme or incōmend vnto the Church in all ages these cannons ordināces which he in these epistles hath set downe for the building order gouernment of all churches of al the officers people actions of the same to be religiously inviolably kept as the cōmandemēts of that great dreadfull God as the lawes of that our Lord and King vntill his appearing in glorie Who can anie longer doubt that vvil either rest in the manifest testimonies of the holie Ghost giue credite to the resolute affirmations and eare to the vehement charges of the Apostle or that will duly expend either the general scope of these epistles or dulie weigh the manifold rules in particular and the manner of deliuering them that these cannons and ordinances are the absolute lawes and holie commandements of CHRIST for the building and gouernment of his Church so necessarie inviolable perpetuall as without which or with anie other his Church can neither be built nor kept Are not all these p◅rticular rules for the seueral offi◅es persons qualities for their maner of election probation ordination administration c. set downe in way of cōmandement and law with as great authoritie credite reuerēce as anie other part of Christs Testament or Gods word So that the Apostles whole ministerie may with as much right or reason be called into doubt or question as
frō this holy order namely the tyrannie of wicked magistrates who persecute the Church in such sort as they cannot safelie meete assemble to make choice of ministers or to exercise ◅nie ministerie But wee see the churches here vpō the first meanes neglected not either to attaine vnt◅ or exercise this order and that without staijng for the Magistrates p◅sion and were in so doing replenished with the comfort of the holy Ghost Neither yet appeareth h◅ere the certaine time when Sa◅aria was thus built It is not vnlike that yt was established into this order euen Actes 8. that he speaketh of when they receaued the gifts of the holy Ghost at Peter and Iohns being there who yt is to be iudged likewise rather helped to bestow those gifts in order to the edifijng of the whole then left them hauing fit gifts for these offices in disorder which had beene great sinne both in the Apostles in the Church of Sa◅aria The like also is to be thought of the Church at Antiochia Act. 11. they being called to the faith were a long time instructed by the Apostles Barnabas and Paule God so blessed their labours as that Church grew famous and many Prophets resorted thither from Ierusalem May we then by D. SOMES bare affirmation without any proofe affirme that this Church being so long excellently instructed by these famous men hauing so greatly profited in the faith knowledg of Christ aboue many other Churches which had this or◅er that they yet should thus long be kept from yt more thē any other Church being more fit then many yea thē any other Church at that time saue Ierusalem This were not only cōtrary to the practise of Paul Barnabas in al other churches but contrarie to the rules of Christs Testament But if we would stand vpon the point yt were not hard to proue that Antiochia was then established into order we see they there administred vnto the necessities of other Churches and sent Paul and Barnabas vpon this their busines which they hauing fulfilled returned back againe to Antiochia from whence by the whole Church they were at the commandemēt of the holy Ghost sent out with imposition of handes Afterward when they had planted and established manie Churches in Asia into this order they returned thither againe there remained a long time vntil they w◅re againe sent to Ierusalem about the question of Circumcision which being debated they with other famous men returned abode in the Church of Antiochia preaching teaching the Gospell with great ioy comfort and blessing Yet in none of these places we find mentioned that after Act. 11. they were established into this order but we see that there and in all these places they executed the duties and had the full power of a church established Therfore except we wil make the practise of the holy Ghost cōtrary vnto yt sel◅ we are not to doubt but this An◅iochia also was established in this order Doth not D. SOME then vnsufferably both falsifie and peruert these scriptures in affirming that these churches had not that established order amongst them concluding from their example that the Christian order and gouernment of Christs Testament is neither necessarie nor perpetuall But to conclude shut vp the point at once he bringeth the greatest pa rt of the reformed Churches of Christendome which haue not this christian order gouernment which he termeth forme of discipline yet are accompted holy Churches of al but Papists and Anab◅ptists Doth he not heere very learnedly proue the question by the question if his church be of God l◅t him approue yt by Gods word otherwise though he should fetch the Popes broade seale also from whome he borroweth this argument yt would not serue his turne With the estate of other Churches I am not acquainted and therfore will not meddle but how well this holy church of England is reformed you parly may perceaue by that which is aboue said and more euidently may if you measure yt by the rules of CHRISTS Testament according vnto which yt hath no one thing in due order or frame So that why either Papists or Anabaptists should denie yt I cannot see yt being an vncleane hould or prison of euerie vncleane bird of euerie fowle and hatefull Spirit except yt be as that kingdome diuided in yt self because yt consisteth of such iarring and disagreeing spirits Neither can I see how any that knoweth or wil be instructed what a true established Church of CHRIST is can anie longer mistake that adulterous Church of England that sitteth vpon all the confuse peopl◅ as vpon manie waters that is liker vnto Zennacheribs tumultuous campe then vnto the wel ordered and established Church of CHRIST which hath nothing cōmon with CHRISTS Church but the ve◅ie name only For the true Church of CHRIST we find vpon her all the markes of that harlot and of that Beast whose members image yoke she carieth and hath cast off Christ◅ yoke from her necke despising his word persecuting and murdering his seruants Wherfore vntill she bring vs either better Arguments or better fruits we are so far frō honoring her with the title of a Church as we are not abashed to rēder vnto her as she hath rendred vnto vs to double vnto her double according to her workes and in that cup wher◅n she hath mixed to mingle to her y e double So far are we from giuing that authoritie vnto her in this presumptuous sin as to draw an argument from or be induced to thinke by her example that because she casteth off CHRISTS yoke beareth Antichrists therfore the holy order ordinances of CHRIST for the building ministery gouernment of his Church is not perpetuall necessarie or alwaies expedient I grant that the true Church of Christ may sometimes vpon some necessities be without this holy order for a season as in the first gathering of the Saints especially now when we are not to expect anie such miraculous or extraordinarie giuing of Gods Spirit as was in the primitiue times whē we cannot sodenly either be made fit for these high offices or haue such perfect knowledg and probation ech of others giftes and co◅uersation as is required thervnto Also in time of persecution when the Church cannot peaceably meet either to chuse or exercise anie ministerie or that their chief and principall members be held from them in prisons or at such time as the chief Elders are taken away either by death or otherwise fall away In these and such like times the Church may for a season vpon necessitie so inforcing be without this established order but this is neither willinglie to neglect yt nor presumptuously to reiect yt Heerehence yt followeth not that this holie order is not alwaies necessarie because yt is not nor cannot be alwaies executed So they might conclude all Gods lawes not alwayes necessarie perpetuall or expedient because they are not or cannot be alwayes practised by vs.
violated reiected and blasphemed That in this estate to shew him the treasures and ordinances of this spirituall Temple is vtterly forbidden and vnlawfull appeareth Ezek. 43. 10. 11. in these words Thow Sonne of maÌ„ shew vnto the howse of Israel this 〈◊〉 wheÌ„ they shal be ashamed of their wickednes that they may measure the patterne when I say they shalbe ashamed of all they haue done make knowen vnto them the forme of the howse and the constitution therof the goings out therof and the coÌ„ming in therof and the whole forme therof and all the statuâ—…es therof and all the figures therof and all the lawes therof describe them before their eies that they may keep the whole faâ—…hion therof and al the ordinances therof and do them Therfore vntil he haue repented and forsaken his antichristiaÌ„ ministery vnlawfull Lordship iurisdictioÌ„ I hold it not lawfull whilest he reâ—…aineth in and will not come out oâ—… Babel to reason or iangle with him concerning the heauenly most holy ordinances of Sion which he doth but blaspheme reproch with his vngodly mouth that is opâ—…ned to all impietie That yt is not expedient vntill he haue yeilded vnto the former question to answere this is manifest For to what purpoâ—…e were yt to reason with him how these officers of Christâ—… Church ought to administer gouerne when he vtterly denieth that in the Church of England such offices iurisdiction were tollerable So that yt could no way edifie him but rather minister matter of cauil vnto his blasphemous mouth who seeketh nothing els in this captious yet with al most ignorant fond vaine questioÌ„ We ought not to cast our pearles before swine or to expose the Lords holy truth to reproch This is my answere to him concâ—…rning his second question Yet to remoue these stumbling blockes out of the way of others to rid them out of the snarâ—…s which this Spider hath wouen I will through Gods grace briefly â—…hew them the errors follie of this cauilling question cheifly in these 3 pointes therof First in that he requireth some particular Churches by name wherin this whole gouernment of the Church was practised c. 2 wheÌ„ yt was practised by Doctors Elders Pastors DeacoÌ„s only none other 3 where these practised yt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other In the first point he stumbleth cauilleth at this because in deed no church that euer was or shalbe vpon earth hath or can fully execute this gouernment of CHRIST but haue beene and shalbe subiâ—…ct to many defâ—…lts many transgressions taking here the gouernment of CHRIST for his whole reuealed will in his word and Testament to the faithfull obseruation of euery title wherof the Church is by couenant bound where by the way must be noted that this carping Pharisey knoweth in his corrupt festered conscience what CHRISTS true gouâ—…rnment is which he so mainly impugneth namely that righteous Scepter of his holy word which in deed bâ—…cause none of the primitiue Churchâ—…s that the Apostlâ—…s planted gouerned could euer fully keep but haue beene subiect to manie faltes and reproofes therfore this man would conclude this gouernment of CHRIST to be an vnnecessarie impossible thing which God neither would command nor we caÌ„ performe Wherin his wickâ—…dnes and impietie yet proceedeth a degree â—…urther then that of the â—…ollerating Priâ—…sts who would excuse defend their most hainous transgressioÌ„s by y e sinnes dâ—…faltes of other Churchâ—…s this man therby would vtterlie abrogate and disanull thâ—… whole law of God and Testament of Christ by which the Church ought to be gouerned vnto the faithfull practise and obseruation wherof the whole â—…hurch is bownd Can the infirmity sin â—…f any mortal creaturâ—…s taâ—…e away the truth and stâ—…bilitie of Gods lawes of Christs Testament might he not as wel concluâ—…e no Church or member of the Church hath at any time put in practise al Gods lawes aâ—…d to saâ—… as yt is are not able to keepe anie one of them tâ—…erfore the lawes of God are not pâ—…rmanent necessarie nor now commanded because no Church can keepe them all such reasons are not worthie the refuting The second part of his questioÌ„ where he demandeth to know where this gouernment of CHRIST was practised by Doctors Pastors Elders Deacons only none other is so full oâ—… vanitie follie as yt deserueth none answere For my part I neuer read nor heard of any such Church I euer thought that euerie member of the Church without exception or exemption of anie one person had beene all alike bound to the obedience of Gods word the practise of CHRISTS gouernment to be instructed ruled by him in all things euery one walking within the bounds of his calling I neuer thought that the practise of Christs gouernment belonged only to these officers I rather thought yt had beene their dutie office to haue sâ—…ene this gouernment faithfully orderly practised by all the members of the Church Why we â—…ee Christs ecclesiastical gouernment is not only tied to the publike actions of the whole congregatioÌ„ but extendâ—…th to euerie action of euery Christian wherof CHRIST is the beholder and Iudg yea and for euerie knowne transgression and disobedience hath due vengeance ready whither by reproof or excoÌ„munication I euer thought that the execution of Christs gouernment and iudgments had belonged to the whole bodie of the Church which assigneth the publike ordering therof as the ministery c. to the proper and fit members ech one in their due functions not hereby resigning vp her power authority gouernment wholy into their hands but still reseruing the right in the wholâ—… body together in euery member apart So that if these officers or anie of them transgresse the church reserueth power to euery member freely â—…ccording to the quality of the offence the rules of the word to admonish and reproue the whole to censure excoÌ„municaâ—…e such officers so offending Which officers in executâ—…oÌ„ of their office functâ—…oÌ„ do rather reserue this liberty and power to the whole Church and euerie member therof in due order theÌ„ any way diminish or pluâ—…k away the same froÌ„ the least It were a disorderly part against nâ—…ture for any member to arrogate the power of the whole body vnto yt self Such presumption was not heard of in the church of CHRIST vntill Antichrist sprong vp neither wil yt be remoued vntil he be aboliâ—…hed Elders are apointed to see the gouernment order of CHRIST obserued not to take yt al into their hands One other grosse error and ignorance in this branch is to be obseruâ—…d that is he numbreth the Dâ—…acons amongst the gouerning officers of the Church this he neuer leâ—…rned in Christs Testament well may yt be the practise of the Church of Rome England where are such iolly archdeacons and ruffling Deanes The Deacons office in the Church is to gather
whome they perswade that they shal do much good herein before whome they bring none but the most heinous fowle causes as incest plurality of wiues papistry c. neuer suffring them to looke into the secrets mysteries of their kingdome or to heare the iust complaints of the Q. oppressed subiects by their tyranny These as is aboue said they wil not suffer so much as to expose their griefes vtter their wrongs or to plead defend their owne cause before these câ—…uil magistrates no not in this their owne courte where the Archbishop is in his exaltation and their chiefe aduersaries are Iudges so fearful are they least the light should breake forth and all their packing and wickednes be bewâ—…aied But he that discloseth all secrets will I doubt not shortly reueale all their doings and make them as odious as they are now honorable At which time such as now ioine to them and vphold them shall stand far off for feare of their torments when the wrath of God shalbe reueled from heauen against all the impiety and iniustice of these men that withhold the truth in vnrighteousnes For sure if the Prince Magistrats but knew the vnlawfulnes of this CoÌ„mission â—…ither in the persons power or practise therof they would â—…oone withdraw their power fâ—…om the beast and would not in this maner vphold or 〈◊〉 vnto the throne of Antichrist that forgeth wrong besâ—…des law The ecclesiasticall persons of this Commission we haâ—…e by expressâ—… scriptures shewed neither to be true ministers of the Gospell neitheâ—… true members of the Church of Christ. Both which though they were yet could they not receaue or exercise such antichristian power inordinate authority ouer all or any one congregation of Christ much lesse in the estate they stand For the ciuiil magistrates that are of this Commission though they may as members together with those congregations whervnto they are ioined iointly with the whole Church exercise such spiritual power to censure faltes discusse matters and determine of such affaires as belong vnto arise in their congregations c. yet can they not as by vertue of their ciuil office exercise these spirituall censures power which Christ hath giueÌ„ belongeth vnto the whole Church much lesse assume into their owne hands and plucke from the whole Church this power which Christ hath giuen them So then all the persons of this Commission both ecclesiastical ciuil are â—…tterly vncapable of this inordinaâ—…e power iurisdictioÌ„ which being so monâ—…trous heinouâ—… ouer al churches al 〈◊〉 causes persons doctrines to ratifie or diâ—…anul erect or pull downe bring in or cast out of the Church handle hold plea of many ciuile causes also and that after so blasphemous vnchristian a maner by administring enforcing their idolatrous booke othe by prohibiting somuch as to speake for themselues or in their owne causes by inflicting penalties fines by incarcerating whome for what they list and there deteining them as close as long as they list and that without bayle mainprise or trial which monstrous confused power belongeth rather vnto is more fit for y t Antichrist that Beast and vnto the false church then vnto any member of CHRIST or of his church God hath pur difference though no disagreement betwixt thâ—…â—…hurch and the coÌ„mon welth betwixt the ministers iurisdictioÌ„ censures of ech of them hauing set vnto ech sort their due bounds officers and limits which they ought not after this maner to transgresse or confound making I know not what coÌ„mixture of persons offices causes in this monstrous Commission where the ciuil magistrate is made a Iudg minister of ecclesiastical causes their church ministers of ciuill coÌ„moÌ„ welth matters al vnder pretext of the coÌ„mission of y e Prince who because he hath power ouer all causes persons both of the Church coÌ„mon welth â—…herfore these meÌ„ suppose that he may make what new lawes decrees orders for both Church common welth that he list change the ordinances decrees of God at his pleasure especially if he be a christian Prince for then he is no way bownd to the lawes of God or limits of his calling But against such deuilish doctrines we haue ofteÌ„ in this treatise proued that though the Prince be placed of God in the most high authority both oâ—…er y e church coÌ„mon welth here vpon earth yet he is but â—…he seruaÌ„t of God circumscribed with lawes as one that shal render an â—…ccompt be iudged before the Lord of all his doings as any other Though the Prince haue the booke of God â—…oÌ„mitted vnto him with charge to see yt duly executed by euery one in his calling yet hath he â—…t to keepe obserue not to breake or chaÌ„ge We haue also proued all the lawes of God to be most holy inuiolable and al sufficient both for the church coÌ„mon welth the perfect instruction of euery officer member of the same in their seueral duties callings so that nothing is now left vnto aâ—… mortal man of what high dignity calling soeuer but to fulfil execute the will of God in his word in their places callings which word being now perfected in y e heauenly ministery of Christ nothing may be added to or takeÌ„ from the same without most high sacriledg impiety the vtter abrogating of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t no new deuise how holy or necessary â—…oeuer to our earthly seeming is now to be brought in or required at our hands our obedience being more acceptable vnto God then our sacrifice Which way â—…en can this strange monstrous CoÌ„mission neuer read nor heard of in the new Testament of Christ or whole word of God so vnlawfull in the persons y t are y e CoÌ„missioners in the power authority they exercise in al their proceedings so pernicious to y â— whole church so dirâ—…ctly contrary to y â— word of God to y â— vtter subuersioÌ„ taking out of the way y â— whole TestameÌ„t ordinaÌ„ces of Christ how may this coÌ„missioÌ„ I say be set oâ—…er y â— whole church or be iustified by y e Princes authority But to proue y t this ecclesiastical high CoÌ„mission is no antichristian vngodly or new diuise Mr. SOME hath taken some paines bestowed vpon vs a few reasons such as they are Saith he this CoÌ„mission is deriued from our gracious soueraigne Q. ELISABETH to whome the Antichrist of Rome is a professed enemy and is directed to honorable reuerend wise men of the clergie temporalty therfore yt is not antichristian Againe sundry branches of this CoÌ„mission are godly as to preserue Gods religion whole sound from popery Anabaptistry c. to meete with suppresse notable disorders as incests polygamies oppressioÌ„ of the ministers c. and to giue defence countenance to the good therfore this CoÌ„mission is very godly Thirdly high Commissions
this coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of Artaxerxes who no doubt vsed such words in this coÌ„mission as agreed to the lawes iudgmentes of Persiâ—… rather then of knowledg in Gods law be made either ecclesiastical censures or any way be executed in any Christian pollitike regiment otherwise theÌ„ they are found to accord with the lawes iudgments of God prescribed in his word But this new diuised high ecclesiastical Commission doth not only ceÌ„sure punish al faultes of their churches by these iudgmeÌ„ts penalties but doth inflict theÌ„ in what measure manner they lust vpon al persons for al cawses whatsoeuer whether cawses of religion as opeÌ„ idolatrie popish masse c. or contempt of their iniunctions decrees in not resorting to their worship sacraments or administring them after any other maÌ„ner theÌ„ they haue prescribed c. whither for ciuil offences be they neuer so hainous abhominable as most odious incests adulteries polygamies c. Al these by this commission are punished by the purse by the prison for the law of God for idolatours adulterers were al to sharpe therfore this holy councel guided belike by some better wiser spirit haue found out this more mitigate course repressing these sinnes But if any vpon faith and conscience towards God refraine their idolatrous deuises there can for such be found out no kind of hostility confiscation perpetual close imprisonment sufficient for their faultes Thus no way can this high CoÌ„mission of the church of England be iustified by these examples of 〈◊〉 Artaxerâ—…es neither hath yt any more defence in the new Testament where is no mention of any such councel or Court set ouer all churches ouer euery méber minister cause affaire ceÌ„sure therof to impose depose determine iudge censure punish at their pleasure whome what they lust without coÌ„tradiction or controlement We reade in the practise of the Apostles of a synode or councell of â—…undry churches for the deciding of controuersies doubtes where certaine chosen Elders of the churches are thervnto assembled together with such faithfull of any church as will be present without shutting out of any of them neither are these Elders here gathered in any such stagelike or pontisicall maner as these our Prelates are in this CoÌ„mission but in this christiaÌ„ councel or assembly ech one hath free liberty and place to relate or debate his owne cause without interruption or preiudice neither is any thing heere decreâ—…d by the wil of any man but only by the wil of God that vpon euident demonstratioÌ„ of the word otherwise no credite or obedience giuen to any thing they set downe or determine During y e time of which couÌ„cel at any time after w tout any preiudice any christiaÌ„ hath freedome and liberty in due time place not disturbing the peaceable order of ChristiaÌ„ assemblies to speake according to the word of God either in approbatioÌ„ or reproofe of any thing to be done or done in y t councel Which councel or synode as yt hath not power to erect or bring in any new decrees or ordinaÌ„ces into the church besides those which are prescribed in y e booke of God which are alsufficieÌ„t for al times occasions vnto the worlds end so hath not this councel any power or authority ouer any church or any member of the church to censure excoÌ„municate erect or depose any This councel or assembly is only ordained for the helpe quiet of churches to discusse questioÌ„s to decide doubtes as they fall out arise that so all churches in all places might walke by one rule in the vnitie of the spirit This couÌ„cel is not permanent or alwaies setled in one place but to be vsed by any Churches at any time or place vpoÌ„ due occasions Neither is this councel so subsisting of the presbitery ortied to the persons of any that the least meÌ„ber of Christ is therby shut out not suffred to heare or to speake or any way preiudiced neither is any Church by this councell either depriued of their high power authority which Christ hath giueÌ„ to euery seuerall congregatioÌ„ alike or forestalled froÌ„ the due execution therof towards any member of their congregation or cause that ariseth amongst theÌ„ But as is said this councel is only a brothâ—…rly peaceable meeting of sundry churches for the better more asâ—…ured deciding discussing of doubtes and questions that arise leauing the whole practise due execution of al things to euery particular congregation in that order maner that Christ hath prescribed in his Testament These occasions rules and proceedings of Synodes councels or meetings of diuers Churcheâ—… we find left vnto vs in that holy patterne Act. 15. where though the chiefe builders y â— Apostles themselues were yet euen there were al things handled with this order modesty sobriety freedome c. But now if we compare their high ecclesiastical Commission vnto this holy councell and meeting how vnlike in al their orders proceedings and actions shall yt be found Their Commission being made a continuall setled permanent Court hauing strange Iudges aduocates officers iuriâ—…diction pleas processe c. vsurping and exercising supreme power absolute authority ouer al churcheâ—… ministers persons lawes doctrines to ratifie or disanull to establish or reiect to erect or depose whome what they lust executing al the censures offices of the Church changing bringing in and setting vp what they please shutting out the sentence of all Churches Christians allowing them neither interest electioÌ„ voice or presence in this their councell thrusting their decrees and constitutions as most holy vpon all Churches the consciences of all men with an high strong hand to be receiued without contradiction or question adiuring examâ—…ning suspending deposing fining emprisoning persecuting with all hostility all such as receaue not their constitutions submit not vnto their power Now let any christian iudge whether this Commission be not more like vnto the high court of the Beast then vnto an holy peaceable orderly assembly of christiaÌ„s met in the feare of God and guided by his Spirit to enquire search out Gods wil and humbly to rest in the same The ciuill magistrats power or presence can no way iâ—…stifie this CoÌ„mission or their proceedings being found so directly contrary to the TestameÌ„t of CHRIST vnto which yt is now lawfull for no man or Angel to superordeine alter or pluck away any thing without hainouâ—… sacrilege This monstrous coÌ„mixture then of these distinct powers in one court or person together with this confuse practise barbarous hauock tyranny they make exercise ouer Gods heritage Christâ—… poore seruants doe euidently denote and as by the very steppes trase out vnto all men the person throne and power of that Antichrist that aduersary that beast accordingly as they are described foreshewed vnto vs in the scriptures Math. 24. 15. 2 Thess. 2. how Antichrist should presume into the very
〈◊〉 of the lampe and also eâ—…chued in ciuil meates But such prophane 〈◊〉 wicked which haue not yet imbraced the faith such are to be kept 〈◊〉 of the Church and from the Table of the Lord though otherwise 〈◊〉 are not so to abhortheir ciuil conuersation seeing we may haue so â—…any occasions thervnro whiles we remayne in this world Whether 〈◊〉 â—…hall vve beleeue M r. CALVINE or the Apostle they being so diâ—…ctly coâ—…trarie For the other point of forsaking the Table of the â—…rd I iâ—…sist in that which is already said still saying they ought in â—…erie true Church to be kept from yt especially vpon obstinacie â—…ter admonition BVT YET M r. CALVINE thus giueth not ouer the matter but indeuoreth to proue that the godly may ought to coÌ„municate with the open wickeâ—… and yet shall not be defiled therby by the examples of the Prophets in the corrupt times before the captiuity of our sauiour CHRIST while he liued heere who in the most corrupt times refrained not the sacrifices prayers or publike ministery of the Temple for the wickednes either of priestes or people but nauing regard to the vnitie of the Church vnto the ordinances of GOD they held vp pure hands in a wicked assembly â—…irst I cannot perceaue that in all this M r. CALVINE hath proued â—…at the Prophets or our Sauiour CHRIST haue at any time ioined â—…to or with any vnlawfull or pulluted priestes or pâ—…ople such as by 〈◊〉 law of God ought not to administer or offer in y â— Temple neither 〈◊〉 to any vnlawful praiers or sacrifices which ought not to be offered â—…ere And so all these examples are to no purpose alledged make â—…thing for him For we still by the rules of CHRISTS Testament hold 〈◊〉 vtterly vnlawfull to receaue or reteine any profane or wicked perâ—…n to administer vnto or coÌ„municate with such in the sacramentes 〈◊〉 that all whosoeuer so doth most heinously breake Gods law 〈◊〉 all guiltie of high sacriledg c. Into which manifâ—…st wilfull transâ—…essions neither the vaine titles of the Church neither the false flag 〈◊〉 the gospel sacramentes ought to draw or allure vs. As for these times vnder thâ—… law wherof he speaketh the worship 〈◊〉 God then consisted in outward legall ceremonies concerning the â—…me place priestes people sacrifices Altar c. with prescript lawes 〈◊〉 euâ—…rie thing which outward ordinances if they diligenrly kept 〈◊〉 obserued there was then no cause why such sacrifices should be left insomuch as they were in that outward worshipp altogeather vnrâ—…proueable Other faultes of maners except such as ouâ—…wardly defiled the bodie or were contrarie to the lawes of the Temple as bastardy whordome idolatrie c. the priestes or ecclesiastical estate then medled not with They belonged to the ciuil magistrates whose office yt was then both to censure punish such offendors accordiâ—…g to the law Whiles then the ecclesiasticall lawes which God in that estate apointed were duly obserued there was no cause why the Prophets or any should refraine that worship yet were the Prophets which were apointed of God to instruâ—…t both the eccsesiastical ciuil estate to admonish and reproue the ciuil magistrates and to cry out against them to denounce Gods iudgmentes against the one the other to shew theÌ„ that neither Temple nor sacrifice neither fathers nor couenant could excuse or deliuer them froÌ„ the wrath curse of God whiles they continued in these sinnes deferred to repent But now vnder the gospel where al things are become new spiritual where CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church vnto all his faithfull seruantes his poweâ—… authoritie spiritually to censure al manner of sinne sinners he hath giuen them his holy word made them all Kings Priestes thervnto he hath coÌ„manded them to watch and diligently to take heed that no profane or wicked impenitent person be admitted vnto or kept in his church but diligently to watch both without within that the one sort be kept out the other cast out of his Church The legal pollutions leprosies vlcers running issues infections vncleane diseases for which then the people were seperated from the Temple the Congregation are now in this Church all maner knowen sinnes obstinatly held maintained which are far more infectious contagious vnto the soules of the whole Church then those filthy diseases were vnto the bodie Neither is the Lord our God lesse ielous or will be lesse offended for keeping such in his Church admitting them vnto his table now then he was in those daies when the leprous plaguy or polluted were kept in the Congregation admitted to the altar especially seing he hath now giuen as great charge as prescript lawes both whome when and how to cast out as he did then So that as abhominable should our worship and offring now be vnto the Lord all we in as great blame seing vnto all his seruantes this charge this watch this power these lawes are giuen as they in the former times for the transgressions aforesaid But now peraduenture these disciples of M r. CALVINE will from their maisters mouth affirme for so in deed his wordes and writings apparantly import els as we haueÌ„ shewed these examples are brought to no purpose that the Prophetes our sauiour Christ in those most sinful times where al estates persons were throughly wholy corrupt al the lawes of God both concerning the Church and common welth the worship of God ciual conuersation boldly broken by al without any regard or coÌ„science that yet in these times the Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIT coÌ„municated with these priestâ—…s people in these sinnes and were not defiled with their sinnes but held vp pure handes amongst them Before I shew the mâ—…nifest vntruth the pestilent errors vnsufferable blasphemie of these doctrines I demaund of them how they proue that the Prophets and our Sauiour CHRIT communicated in these times with these priestes people thus defiled and corrupted thus openly breaking Gods lawes ordinances both concerning his worship in the Temple the gouernment of the commoÌ„ welth I see no proof alledged except yt be this they built not other Churches they erected not other Altars where they might haue their seueral sacrifices What of all this They built not other Temples Altars therfore they coÌ„municated with the abhominatioÌ„s in the Temple they had no priuate sacrifices therfore they resorted vnto the polluâ—…ed and corrupt sacrifices vsed at these times in the Temple Are these â—…heir best reasons that because they did not one sinne therfore they did â—…n other Can these men find no meane course What if the Prophets in these times did neither of both shall not the ignorance falshood boldnes of these men then apeare which thus slander the Prophetes â—…alsifie peruert the scriptures to maintaine these damnable errors wicked dealinge The first
in the bozome of their Church c. so if we by the rules of Christs TestameÌ„t duly examine this their flanting ministerie wherof their Church so boasteth I doubt not but that we shal find them as counterfeit prodigious antichristian and rightly fitting to this monstrous confuse bodie of the multitudes this harlot their Church sittetâ—… on Which ministerie to describe in their coullers were a fitter Argument for a stage play to bring forth these hypocrits out of their dennes and to make them play their partes in the light then for any sober christiaÌ„ discourse who abhor to raue in their vncleane cages filthy kennels yet that they may the sodainlyer apeare of what soâ—… they are we the soner haue done with them let vs first coÌ„sider what maner of officers CHRIST hath apointed in the Church of God then how thâ—…se ought to enter then how to administer and so briefly by these rules examine the ministerie of their Church of England The ministerie apointed vnto the gouernmeÌ„t seruice of y e Church of CHRIST we find to be of two sortes Elders Deaâ—…ons the Elders some of them to giue attendance vnto the publike ministerie of the word sacrameÌ„tes as the Pastor Teacher the other Elders together with them to giue attendance to the publike order gouernmeÌ„t of the Church the Deacons to attend the gathering and distributing the goodes of the Church Now these Officers are first duly proued examined compared by to these rules set downe in the Testament of CHRIST both in apparant graces by the manifestation of the spirit as also in al vnreproueable conuersation witnessed wel aproued vnto that flock of which they are chosen to serue attend This done with praier fasting they are chosen ordenied in the same CongregatioÌ„ by publike consent They being thus chosen ordeined by all are now diligently faithsully to execute their office vnto all not preiudicing the libertie of any â—…mbitiously assuming any inordinate authoritie or abusing or neglecting their office neither holding or executing yt in regard or in respect of person but vprightly and indifferently performing yt vnto all men as in the eies of God whose word they purely and sinâ—…erely teach faithfully precisely obserue to their vttermost knowledg and power If in any thing they transgresse or offend they are as well as any other members liable to the censure of the Church which is to reproue depose or excommunicate them according to the qualitie of the sinne estate of the offenders c. Now to come to the ministerie of the Church of England which is so manifold diuers as I know not how to begin to describe yt But let yt first be diuided into these 3 sorts 1. Reigning or Gouerning 2 Seruing 3 Collegiate 1. Of the reigning gouerning minifters are Arch-Bishops Lord Bishops Arch-Deacons Chancellers Commissaries all of the high Commission as likewise such ciuil Doctors Proctors Registers Scribes Pursuiuantes Sumners as attend vpon their Courtâ—…s of faculties prerogatiue Archies delegates c. 2 Of the seruing sort are Parsons Vickars Curates hireling Lecturers vagrant mercenarie Preachers house priestes Chaplens half-Priestes or catechisers Church-wardens sidemen questmen paâ—…ish Clarkes 3 Of the ministerie colâ—…egiate are Lord Bishops Deanes Sub-Deanes Prebendaries Canons petie ChaÌ„nons Gospellers Pistellers Singing meÌ„ Singing boies Vergiers Sextines This diuisioÌ„ I suppose wil wel neere suffice for their officers But now how to diuide or distinguish their offices I know not I am so vnlearned ignorant of such great secrets high misteries Neither yet haue I skil to â—…arshial theÌ„ in their degrees of honour which I haue heard say they haue both in the coÌ„mon welth in their schooles as â—…eir Primate their Mettopolitane graces their Palatine Lordbishops 〈◊〉 their Baronny Lordships al which I weene be Peeres of the realme 〈◊〉 estates of the Land Now there are also certayne Doctors of diuiâ—…tie Bachelors of diuinitie which haue many great priuileges â—…ogatiues of the cappe the skatlet gowne the hood the habbite the â—…pet c. the ring the chaire the one of theÌ„ being a Kinghts fellow â—…e other an Esquires in any ground in England Also how capable â—…ese are by statute of how many benefices I cannot tell Neither haue I the cunning to deriue their genealogies and pedeâ—…ies as they tooke beginning in the ages succeeding the Apostles in â—…e first 4. or 500. yeres only because I want that deep learning I must â—…ntent my self to goe to that old book of Gods word There in deed â—…emember Reuel 9. that I read of a Sar that fell from heauen vnto the â—…rth which had the key of the bottomles pyt giuen vnto him who â—…hen he had opened that bottomles pyt there arose the smoke of â—…e pyt as the smoke of a great fornace wherwith the Sunne and â—…e aire were darkned Out of which smoke of the said pyt I read 〈◊〉 at al these monstrous armed crowned poisoned Locustes Scorâ—…oÌ„ns issued c. Now as they tooke beginning with Antichrisâ—… vnder â—…eir king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apolluon so tooke they increase together with him â—…or when Sathan had enthronized him giueÌ„ him his high CoÌ„missioÌ„ 〈◊〉 made him his LieftenaÌ„t general in earth c. then these his Peeres 〈◊〉 câ—…ptaines compassed about guarded his throne did miracles â—…efore the Beast deceauing with the effectual power of their errors â—…l such as receaued the Beastes marke or worshipped his image and â—…ried forth his image far an neere and set yt vp in al places where his â—…rson could not be coÌ„pelled al both smal great rich poore 〈◊〉 receiue the Beastes mark worship his image this I read in the 13 â—…f the Reue. Now in the 16. Chapter of the said booke after that yâ—… viâ—…s of Gods wrathful iudgmeÌ„tes had beene powred out vpoÌ„ the earth â—…oÌ„ the sea vpoÌ„ the riuers fountaines ef waters vpoÌ„ the Sunne vpoÌ„â—…e Throne of the Beast vpon their great riuer Euphrates I read that â—…ese vncleane spirites that came out of the mouth of that Dragon â—…nd out of the mouth of that Beast and out of the mouth of that false â—…rophet â—…hich are y c spirites of Deuils working miracles should goe â—…rth vnto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather â—…em vnto the battel of that geat day of God almightie yea and in â—…e 17. of the Reuelation that they should cause these kings those ten â—…ornes to hate the whore to make her desolate and naked to burne â—…e whore with fire euen that faire harlot of whose cup they haâ—…â—…runke and with whome they had coÌ„mitted foâ—…ation so many â—…eares before and to giue their kingdomes power and authoritie vnâ—…o the Beast vntil the woâ—…des of God be accoÌ„plished In the 19. 20. â—…hapters of this
prophannesse excesse in gluttonie in apparel let the idlenes wantonnes vanitie with the idolatrie aboue spoken of vsed vpon the Lords day shew how well the fourth commandement is taught and obserued in the Church of England Let the common ryot headstrong disobedien◅e and contempt of al the children and seruants euen of al the youth of the land the due punishment wherof is here neither spoken of nor executed let their profane vaine idle educatiō shew how wel the 5 Cōmandement is taught and obserued in the Church of England Let the continual open iarres fraies murther bloodshed in euerie corner of the land without either censu◅e or p◅nishment yea the vsual pardons that they giue for the same shew how well the sixth Commandement is taught in the Church of England Not heere to speake of the cōmon contentions wrangles iarres sutes wrongs of the wrath heartburning malice enuie cursed speaking reuiling nicknaming reproching blaspheming that are rife amongst them Let the general vnclennes whoredome adulterie which neuer abounded more in SODOME so that almost there is not one amongst them that hath his wife chast or their bed priuate Let their maner of punishing purging this sinne shew how wel they teach and keep this commandement Not here to speake of their exquisite arts and curiositie in setting out their beautie to the view their prodigious shapes whorish atyres dissolute immodest behauiours entising and alluring wordes wherwith they prouoke vnto lust all which in this Church are made no sinnes but matters of comlines curtesie loue c. And that your grauest best conscienced preachers think not themselues in this case without blame let them examine their corrupt consciences how m◅ny of their cheif hearers deuou◅ proselites they know both men women that know such crimes ech by other and yet for filthie lucre or fleshly respects continue together Let the publike open general thefts violence robberies wrongs and either their permission or their corrupt and vnlawfull punishing the ◅ame shew how the eyght cōmandemēt is tought Not here to speake of the priuy more secret nay truly of the opē falshode deceit couē in all trades offices callings estates degrees persons What should I ◅tand to prosecute the rest Let the generall deceit swearing forswearing backbiting slaundering the insatiate coueting lusting c. shew ◅ow well they teach obserue the other lawes And as they deale with the lawes and iudgmentes so handle they in like maner the ◅rophets which are the faithful expounders of the lawes al which to demonstrate in particuler were an endles vnacheuable laboure And if these general corruptions errors transgressiōs be so infinite what is to be thought of their perticuler personal errors which they in their publicke doctrine and daily ministery sparse abrode euen as that flood of bitter wate◅s which the Dragō casteth forth of his mouth and the miserable people of the earth swallow vp partly through their general blindnes partly through their seruile subiection which haue not the power or libertie publikely to controule or censure any error be yt neuer so blasphemous Whervpon is come about that euerie one taketh boldnes to vtter in their pulpyts what him listeth so he speake not against any thing by publick authoritie established he may handle the word of God after his owne fancie and abownd in his owne sense Whervpō arise such an innumerable heape of errors so m◅nie diuerse variable inconstant contrarie opinions amongst them that as the ignorant papistes say yt is impossible to find two of them in one mind and iudgment yea in any two Churches of the land to heare the same doctrines taught because in deed they preach either their owne dreames and phantasies or els their lucubrations out of humane writings who are almost of as diuers sundrie opinions as themselues Yet if any of these authors be with the BB◅ priuiledg then are they authentick irrefragable called by both sides the faith of the Church of England and not to be impugned or gainsayed without the censure of most high presumption Thus hath God in his iust iudgment deuided the tongues confounded the language of these Babiloni◅h builders that they almost agree not in or vpon any thing one preaching one thing an other the quite contrarie one building after this sort another after that one calling for this law this thing an other for that Thus is their kingdome deuided their estate confused and their house shal shortly be left vnto them desolate Many and innumerable excuses shifts cauils they daily knit wea◅e and forge to couer their detestable dealings and hide their waies from the Lord both by peruerting the scriptures thervnto and diuerting them by their sophistrie and putting them away be they neuer so directly against them with all which their poisoned diuises yt is not my purpose nor yet in my power here to meddle they being already so infinite and their forge daily going to frame new Only this from the mouth of the Lord I warne al men of They are but Cockatrice egges that they disclose hatch but spiders webbes that they weaue their egges are full of deadly poison he that eateth of them dieth he that is but sprinkled with them or treadeth vpon them is as if he were stung with a Viper or Scorpion their webbes shall not be for cloth neither shal they couer thēselues with their deeds their workes are the works of iniquitie and the worke of violence in their hands c. The work the workmen shalbe consumed together The wall th◅ dawbers shall both fal and be ouerthrowne in the storme of the Lords wrath all their turning of diuises though they build as high as heauen dig as deep as hell shall not couer them from the eies or defend them from the hand of the Lord but rather as the Prophet saith in an other place they shall pull al downe vpon their heads by the same meanes wherby they thought to vphold yt For saith he this iniquitie shalbe vnto them as a breach that falleth as a swelling in an high wall whose breaking cōmeth sodainly in a moment the sentence is gone out from the Lord yt ◅asteneth to be performed BABILON shal fall be vtterlie destroied together with al their substance people pleasures euil cōmeth vpon her and she shall not know the morning therof destruction shal fall vpon her sodainly ere she be aware the multitude of her diuines and inchanters shall neither deliuer her from nor discouer vnto her these euils but they shalbe as stubble and the fire shall burne them together with her This is the end of all their cunning learning which you see they employ not to publish and proclaime the Lords truth so much as to suppresse darken the same hoping therby to hide their owne counterfait dealing which the Lord wil haue no longer couered but reuealeth their wickednes vnto all men that those which haue any feare or
these caÌ„nons ordinances which the Apostle euerie where coÌ„firmeth with the same authoritiâ—… that he doth all his writings 2 Cor. 1. 13. 1 Cor. 11. â—… 2. 2 Thâ—…s 2. 15. Coloâ—…s 2. 5. and sundrie other places which were long to recite Moreouer how carefully and by how many reasons haue the Apostles incommended these orders statutes vnto the whole Church vnto the chief workmen builders therin what perfect lawes hath he set downe in those his epistles vnto Tiâ—…othie and Titus those two excellent workmen his trained exercised children whome he therfore calleth his natural right begotten sonns and especially commendeth them vnto the Churches as to the Corinthians epistle 1. Chap. 4. vers 17. For this causâ—…â—…aue I sent vnto you Timotheus which is my beloued sonne faithfull in the Lord who will put you in remembrance of my waies which in CHRIST as I teach euerie where in euery Church And vnto the Philippians chap. 2. 22. but ye know thâ—… proofe of him because as a sonne vnto his father he hath serued with me vnto the Gospel yet notwithstanding al this their promptnes experience we see what carefull charges the Apostles layd vpon them most precisely exactly to obserue all these rules in al their actions of y e Church towards al meÌ„ that they keepe that expresse patterne of wholsome words that they had heard of him in the faith loue that is in CHRIST IESVS calling these rules the expresse patterne or engraueÌ„ forme or delineation of all things belonging vnto or to be done in the Church charging them of their fidelity and loue both vnto CHRIST IESVS and vnto those whome they are to build to keep and alwaies to haue this true patterne and forme before their eies in all things they doe commending yt for the soundnes wholsomes therof both to the builderâ—… the builded therby For yt being the true patterne forme mould for euerie thing euery part euerie member whervnto they ought to be compared fashioned cast neither can the partes haue anie right shape neither the whole any true forme if they be not framed and built according to this patterne and then how should the building either stand or agree vnto yt self much lesse please the Lord owner of the house wheÌ„ he seeth yt thus spoiled and destroied Therfore yt behooueth both the builders and euerie one that is built to consider diligentlie after what maner order he buildeth and is built For this cause the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 3. hauing shewed how soundlie the Apostles as wiâ—…e Maister builders had laied the foundation exhorteth all that are to succeed build vpon that foundatioÌ„ to looke well how they build vpoÌ„ yt for this foundatioÌ„ wil beare nothing but gold siluer pretious stones they may not build in this house their hay timber stubble Euerie mans worke heere shalbe made manifest the day shall declare yt because yt shalbe reuealed in the fire which shall trie euery mans worke of what sort yt is Yf vpon this trial by this light yt be fownd answerable to that heauenly patterne of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t yt then abideth to the praise comfort of the workman But wherin any of these builders shal in any part of their worke whether in matter or maner as they vâ—…e to speake to couller their transgressions euen in the least thing be fownd to haue swerued froÌ„ the true patterne by this light if then vpoÌ„ such discouery made vnto them they suffer not these their workes to burne acknowledging forsaking and repenting their such errors and transgressions and withdrawing others from the like they shal not only destroie themselues by this their presumptuous sin but al such as after this discouery reproof made remaine with them and ioine vnto them in this their presumptuous sinne For saith the Apostle these mâ—… corrupt or destroie the TeÌ„ple of God which is holy which Temple ye are and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any maÌ„ corrupt or destroie the Temple of God him shal God destroie c. Wee see with what waightie graue plentiful reasons exhortatioÌ„s proues the Apostle affirmeth and confirmeth these things by euerie verse of that chapter yea almost by euery word of the verse which carry a seuerall consideration and especiall force in themselues but especially from the 8 verse vnto the end He there setteth downe the persons of the Apostles as a perpetuall example vnto all builders vnto the worlds end The practise of the Apostles as the true only foundation thâ—… eâ—…resse patterne for al buildings yea for euerie thing in euery true building vnto the worlds end Which foundation patterne he deriueth not from confirmeth not by the authority of man but by the authority of CHRIST shewing that yt is not in mans power either to laâ—… any other foundation or alter this that is laid calling yt but one the same in all places euen as CHRIST is one the same and calling euerie part of the word they deliuered fundamental as part of the verie foundation of this building and maketh not with the learned Pharisies and schoole Diuines of our age some part of CHRISTS Testament fundamental substantiall other parts therof accidental formal not necessary not of substance or esâ—…ence who thus with the deep learning of Satan abrogate what part of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t they please build their owne stubble diuises destroie the worke of God together with their owne soules y â— soules of as many as are built or led by theÌ„ And therfore the Apostles hâ—…ere calleth al builders buildings to this one only foundation of CHRISTS word TestameÌ„t charging them to make yt of all their actions whatsoeuer the only rule foundation and not as these false builders of the Church of England doe who reiecting the true patterne of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t in al things they do or goe about yet vainly boast that they hould the foundation preach practise the Gospell of Christ sincerly c. although as is said they reiect what part of Christs Teâ—…tament they list as not fundamental substantial 〈◊〉 abrogate the whole patterne of the Apostles practise mowld lay vnto themselues a new patterne a new foundation making not only new rules lawes orders for the gouernment whole administration of the Church but a new ministerie new officers new actions which are not read or heard of in the Testament of Christ yt neuer as â—…et being agreed amongst them what part of Christs Testament they allow hold for the foundation for the Gospel But in deed to say as yt is the foundatioÌ„ gospel of their Church is not yet layed to either side for though they all at this present generally embrace the Popes canons decrees oâ—… the high commission as the foundation certaine allowed writinges and priuiledged bookes for the Gospell of their Church yet keep the Prelates in their hand to coyne forge new lawes new
doctrines what when they please as also the Reformists they sue to Prince parliameÌ„t y t they might be allowed to make bring in yet other new lawes doctrines as far froÌ„ the true patterne as these as wheÌ„ they are compared thervnto will appâ—…are But the Apostle heere as he teacheth but one foundatioÌ„ so teacheth he yt the groundworke both of the whole church of euery part therof actioÌ„ therin calling al builders herevnto charging them to take yt for the foundation of all their doings without which whatsoeuer they doe or enterprize seeme yt neuer so necessarie or expedient in their eies yet is yt but as an house without a foundation which not being laid vpoÌ„ the rock but vpon the sandes of mens wisdome wanteâ—…h a groundworke therfore cannot stand He willeth them therfore to be sure of this foundation before they build yea and to loke careâ—…ully how they build vpon yt because their worke shalbe manifested declared tryed reuealed in the day in the fire This day shal manifest and declare all their whole building both within without the whole forme and order therof Al things when they are reproued of this light are manifest for yt is the light that maketh all things manifest This fire not only trieth reuealeth al counterfait stuffe but burneth and consumeth the same their wood hay stubble cannot be vnreuealed in this day or vnconsumed in this fire To which wood hay stubble he likeneth al the deuises pollecies of mans wit how prudent or pregnant soeuer thâ—…y seeme and therfore vpon the diuers ends of such buildings and builders he exhorteth by the reward and eternitie of the one vnto the faithful and carefull keeping the true patterne by the terror losse of the other he dehorteth from all negligent but especially al wilfull and presumptuous transgression of the same shewing Gods vnpartiall examination and iudgment of euery mans worke which by how much yt is so deare vnto the Lord so pretious in his sight by so much yt behoueth all men to be the more carefull therof whose transgressions therin shall be the more hainous This worke he calleth the Temple of God which Temple we haue aboue shewed in the type to be built in euerie thing according to the patterne shewed in the mount How much more then ought yt in the true substance to be built in euery thing according to the heauenly perfect patterne of Christs Testament wherin we haue the whole mind and will of CHRIST as the Apostle saith in the last words of the second chapter of this epistle Now the Apostle heere saith this Temple of the Lord is holy but euen in the figure might no strange or pollâ—…ed thing enter yt was an abhomination vnto the Lord how much more in this excellent spiritual house ought no fleshly deuises of our owne which are wholy corrupt altogether defiled to be brought but the wisest deuises of men being set in the place of the wisdome of God or brought into his Temple are not only foolish idle vaine but abhomination to the Lord such as corrupt destroie and deface the Temple of God because the deuises of man cannot be ioined with the thoughts of God God needeth not the aduise or councell of man The wisdome of man is alwaies to rest in the wisdome of God wherin he proceedeth further yt is turned to folly and rebellion made a snare vnto themselues Now then seing the Church of Christ is the Temple of God and the Temple of God is holy and is corrupted destroied wheÌ„ man presumeth therin to be wise aboue that he ought or hath warrant to be wise the Apostle from all these places and euery word therof vseth reasons exhortations to exhort all men that enter into this Temple to obserue their feetâ—… that they be more neere to heare theÌ„ to offer the sacrifice of fooles for the Lord is more delighted with obedience then sacrifice he will be sanctified in all that come neere vnto him wilbe serued in this â—…is Temple with reuerence and feare for euen the Lord our God is a consuming fire But our learned Priests treading in the steppes of their predecessors the false Prophets are so far from being moued with reuerence and feare because of the Lords holy Temple that they from hence draw arguments to iustifie their transgressions and embolden themselues therin by the titles of the Church and Temple of God Say they the Churches of Corinth Gallatiâ—… Asia had sundrie faultes yet are they pronounced by the Apostle the Churches of CHRIST therfore much more they that teach not circumcision denie not the resurrection c. Though these arguments be largelie answered in an other place yet heere would be obserued besides the poâ—…son that they gather from these examples to tollerate and commit sin therby how litle they vnderstand the estate of these Churches chardging the whole Church with the errors of some few whome the Apostles theâ—…e coÌ„futed But if some of these were the errors of the whole Church as we doubt not but the Church may doth and shal whiles yt is in this life erre yâ—…t if yt shall persist in error after yt shall be by the word of God conuinced and reproued then we may say with the Apostles heere that such corrupt and destroie the Temple of God euen so manie soules as are by them and together with them thus misled wherof this building consisteth Therfore the Apostle heere as in sundrie other places admonisheth the whole Church euery member therof carefully to looke to their builders guides that they lead them in the right waies of the Lord and build them according to the true patterne of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t to follow them no further then they follow CHRIST haue his word for their warrant from which when they sweâ—…ue or transgresse and being admonished will not returne then is the whole Church to excommunicate such a Pastor leader builder whosoeuer and to sepeâ—…ate him or as many as cleaue vnto him or follow him in this estate The argument the Apostle vseth is of no lesse waight then the saluation of their owne soules which otherwise shóuld be destroied corrupted by them He willeth them neither to be led away with y e shew of wisdome vtilitie pollicy holines nor any pretences wherwith they shall couer their error neither with the estimatioÌ„ of their persons authority wisdome learning vertue c. For if they teach otherwise come not to the wholsome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST and to the doctrine which is according to godlines they are puft vp knowing nothing As for their person office they are not to rule ouer so much as to build vp our faith for by faith we staÌ„d they are not Lords ouer the heritage but seruants of the Church for Paul and Apollo and Cephas are ours and we Christs and Christ Gods But see whiles I thought but to haue touched the generall argumeÌ„t of
distribute not to gouerne The third point in this cauilling questiō is to know where these officers aboue said practised that gouernmēt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other It hath beene euen now shewed how this gouernment belongeth is committed to the whole bodie how their office consisteth to teach the Church how to practise yt to see yt obserued by al in due order and not ambitiously to assume yt wholy into their owne hands For the rest though there be a communion in the Church yet there is no equalitie The Church knoweth how to giue honour reuerence vnto their Elders especially to them y t labor in the word doctrine The Church of CHRIST is taught to obey submit vnto their leaders to acknowledg them that labour amongst them that are set ouer them in the Lord to admonish them and to hold those in superabundant loue for their worke sake The Elders also amongst themselues know how to giue honour one vnto another by going before yet al this without preiudice to themselues that giue or detrimēt to him that receaueth yt without the losse of the least iote of their owne libertie or puffing him vp or setting him in anie vnlawfull authoritie They giue yt to his labor diligence vertue and desert which ceassing they straight withdraw their praise in the stead therof vse exhortation admonitiō yea if need be censure All the parts of mans bodie are not alike esteemed and vsed we haue much more care and tendernes ouer the eies then of the hands or feet yet may not the eye heerby refuse to doe seruice and attend to the hand or foote in all their busines and affaires neither may yt disturbe the least member of the bodie in their peculiar office functiō or intrude into their place The eye guideth directeth the hand shewing how yt ought to doe the worke the hand againe washeth wipeth and doth all louing helpe yt may vnto the eye Both eie hand euerie other part of the body are distinct members yet so knit and ioined together in the bodie as they do their due seruice vnto the eie ech vnto other in the whole not confounding the order of nature nor disturbing ech other in the worke The Church hath like care to see that inuiolable order and temper of the members in CHRISTS bodie dulie preserued the honor they gi◅e to one member is not the dishonor of another or hinderance of the whole bodie The Church neither doth neither may giue immoderate honour either in fastuous swelling titles of vanitie or any inordinate authoritie to anie member that would rather puffe vp the flesh then cheare vp the spirit All the gifts God hath giuen any member are to the seruice of the whole bodie he that will be greatest must be as the least he must wash the feet not haue his feete kissed of the least all superioritie is heere comprised within the bounds of Christian order modestie Humilitie goeth before and is the compagnion of honor honor is not heere conferred to lift vp the hear◅s of the greatest aboue the least but rather for their coūsaile care loue seruice vnto al yt is willingly giuen vnto such by all Ambition vainglorie are heere carfully auoided both by the g◅ers receauers who so seeketh the primacie with Diotrephes is heere ◅uggillate layd open resisted rebuked of al as that Antichrist that Lucifer y e greatest Elder of the Church the Pastor is but a seruant steward of the house not Lord of the heritage but a member not Lord of the bodie to be honored for his excellent place in the bodie giftes of God to be reuerenced for his fa◅thfulnes labour and diligence Yet this must euer be remembred his honour consisteth in his seruice his seruice belongeth vnto al so that the least member of the bodie hath like interest in him as he in the least member the l◅st member hath like libertie and f◅eedome with him in Christ though not like gifts or function of Christ. AND NOW this strange troublesome Proposition is thus proued That Christs Church can be established into no other order or gouerned by any other officers or ordinances then Christ in his Testam◅t hath prescribed that these great impediments difficulties are also remooued out of the way me thinckes yt time heere a fit occasion offred to goe in hand with the examination of the present established gouernmēt of the Church of England And heere to begin with the Antichristian authoritie of the chiefe rulers namelie the Bishops which they would beare away hide v◅der this word Superioritie of their lineage petigree original you haue aboue heard as also of their strange manner of offices and consecration and somwhat also of their power generally and from vvhence they deriued yt but let vs now a litle further consider therof First they take vpon them ech one of them to sit vpon as they call yt or to gouerne many hundred churches others of thē many thowsands one of them as Pope or Primate ouer al they make depose ministers by their absolute authoritie they make and disanul lawes th◅y ratifie or rei◅ct vvhat scriptures they list they confirme or refuse what doctrines they list they make what kind of vvorship ministration they list they chāge innovate coine alter bring in cast out what and whome they list without checke or controulement The truth of al these need no other proofe then their present estate the warrant of anie of these I am sure cannot be shewed in Christs Testament therfore I doubt not at one word to call them all diuelish Antichristiā To confute thē seuerallie were a labour both needles troblesome they being of themselues so apparantlie odious yet this brieflie in a word One man cannot stand a Bishop vnto diuers churches at one time no more then one eye can be a 1 member 2 doe the function at one time to diuers bodies 3 in diuers places no more then one candle can be put in two or mo diuers candlesticks 2 in diuers howses 3 and shew light vnto them al at one time Thus are Bishops in their office place ministerie called members yea the eye of the bodie lights and the candle of the howse the Church yt self also c◅lled the bodie the candlesticke in the scriptures No one shepheard can attend watch feed ouersee two or more flockes at one time in diuers places no watc◅ mā can keep watch in diuers Cities at one time Bishops are called shepheardes watchmen the Church a flock a citie in the scriptures Be◅ides CHRIST hath established an other quite contrarie order not one watchman or shepheard ouer manie churches but manie watchmen ouer one Church yet hath giuē power cōmanded euerie mēber to watch al litle enough Mo◅eouer yt is CHRISTS only office now to walke in the midst of the 7 goldē Cādlesticks he
were directed from Iehos haphat King of Iuda and from Artaxerxâ—… King of Persia therfore the high Commission of England is no new deuise 2. Chron. 19. Ezra 7. By the first reason it should seeme that M r. SOME supposeth that there is no Antichrist but the Pope of Rome neither any thing to be AntichristiaÌ„ which commeth not from him otherwise â—…here wil be litle sequele of this reason that because the Q Maiestie directeth this coÌ„mission to honorable reuerend men of the clergie temporalty therfore the high CoÌ„mission is not antichristian or vnlawfull Might not by this reason King Dauids Commission or letters mandatory vnto Ioaâ—… for the murthering of Vriah be accompted good because king Dauid was a most godly Prince if so be that the goodnes of any mortal man might make that which is euill good or iustifie any vnlawfull action We heere reason not of the goodnes of any mens personsâ—… so much as of the vnlawfulnes of this CoÌ„mission which by so many reasons being proued such can neither be iustified by the Princes authority that dirâ—…cteth yt nor by the goodnes of any to whome yt is directed but remaineth altogether vnlawful for the one to graunt for the other to accept Yet for the persons of these CoÌ„missioners we haue shewed the ciuil personages magistrates to be vtterly vncapable of any ecclesiastical functioÌ„s whiles they retaine these ciuil offices much more of such vnlawful vngodly authority iurisdiction ouer so many churches as they execute in this CoÌ„mission As for the honorable reuereÌ„d clergie this Doctor speaketh of if we had said nothing concerning their office ministery before yet this his popish teaâ—…me of clergie wherby he segregateth the ministery from the rest of the church or els only would haâ—…e them to be the Lords heritage sufficiently bewraieth froÌ„ what forge they al came plainly sheweth them to haue come from their holy father the Pope begotten and borne vpon their mother of Rome such a Lordly Clergie or clearal Prelacy not being before heard of or râ—…ad in the Teâ—…tameÌ„t of Christ and so by this reason the high CoÌ„mission is like to proue antichristian this honorable reuerend clergie which beare al the rule in this Commission being so immediatly deriued and directly discended from that Antichrist of Rome And as for this popish distinction betwixt the clergie the laitye I refer him to reade with due consideration Act. 26. 18. 1 Pet. 5. 3. There is as litle sequele of his second reason that because this Commission hath some good branches as to purge Gods religioÌ„ of popery anabaptistry to punish to suppresse notable disorders as incests polygamies oppression of ministers therfore this whole high CoÌ„mission is good godly Might not the most vngodly councels y t euer were be thus defended iustified because they decreed not some but many good things Might not any sect or heresy be thus also defended iustified because they hold teach many good things yet iudge we such ecclesiasticall councels assemblies antichristian which haue no warraÌ„t from the word of God where the holy ghost is not both the author ruler Therfore vntill this high CoÌ„mission be approued either by president or rule we must still hold yt antichristiaÌ„ vnlawful And now touching these faire pretexts wherwith this sepulchre of all rottennes is guilded this deepe graue is couered as with flowers greene grasse let euen these fairest sheweâ—… therof be examined and proued by â—…hat which hath bene said touching their seruice-booke ministery what a pure worship holy ministery this CoÌ„mission preserueth and maintaineth Let the coÌ„monnes of inceâ—…ts polygamies adulteries forâ—…ication al vncleannes y t abouÌ„deth in the land shew the great good y t this coÌ„mission doth in the land yea let their profane vngodly order that they take for the suppressing punishing these crimes shew what a holy couÌ„cel this is The Lord coÌ„mandeth odious vnnatural incests al adulteries to be puniâ—…hed with death the high CoÌ„mission punisheth the most hatefull incests poligamies by prisons or by the purse As for such incest as is not in marriage other adulteries they are but peccadilia punished by doing penance in a white sheete or els by some lesse mulct w tout impriâ—…onmeÌ„t Moreouer this coÌ„mission punisheth y e most high execrable idolatries by prisons forfaiturs making yt a pecuniary matter coÌ„trary to the law of God Deut. 1â—… Deut. 7. Now let vs come to Mr. SOMES 3 argumeÌ„t where by scripture he doth approue this high CoÌ„mission to be no new diuiâ—…e King Iehoshaphat and king Arâ—…axerxes directed high CoÌ„missions Iehoshaphâ—…t saith M r. SOME in these words In Ierushalem did Iehoshaphat sâ—…t of the Leuites of the Priests of the chiefe of the families of Israel for the iudgmeÌ„t cause of the Lord. And they returned to Ierushalem and he charged them saying c. How ignorantly if not corruptly D. S. hath inuerted this text both in the words distinctions may appeare to any that wil compare yt to the orginal He hath inuerted the wordes thus in that he saith for the iudgment cause of the Lord where the text is for the iudgmeÌ„t of y â— Lord y â— plea or strife Lemischphat Iehouah velarib He hath inuerted the diâ—…tinctions in these words And they returâ—…ed to 〈◊〉 and â—…e 〈◊〉 them saâ—…ng In which 〈◊〉 he hath put a periode where the tâ—…xt is coÌ„tinued in the verse without distinction and hath made a litle 〈◊〉 where should be an hebrew periode beginning the verse where he â—…hould not reÌ„ding part of the â—… verse giuing yt to the ninth wherby he hath dismâ—…mbred confounded the text as shal by by appeare by misplacing this word IEHOVAH and putting yt after both the iudgment the plea he hath giueÌ„ or rather takeÌ„ occasion to thinke that this was but one entire commission consisting of ecclesiastical ciuil persons ioiâ—…d together and y t this coÌ„mission had authority to handle decide both ecclesiastical ciuil causes whereas in deed â—…he word IEHOVAH is ioined to the word Misâ—… of purpose to put differeÌ„ce betwixt the ecclesiastical politicall iudgments which are expressed in the 10 verse the 11 verse also shewing the distinctioÌ„ both of these iudgments Iudges for ecclesiasticall matters sending to the people Amariah the high Priest to the Temple to the ministers therof the Priests Leuites for pollitike ciuil causes sending the people to Zebadia to those heads of y e families mencioned in y e â—… verse here called Schiâ—… rulers or Iudges which verse he also hath most corruptly deliuered both by misplacing the wordes of the text and conueijng in words of his owne especially in these words the Leuites shal be officers before you where the words lye in the text thus Iudges Leuiâ—…s â—…efore you wherby he craftily would collect that y e Leuites