the Bishops iniunctions and decrees of the high commission by which your Church is wholy oâ—…erruled vnto which your king Câ—…rist himself whiles he is amoÌ„gst you must be subiect or els there is no place for him CHRIST giueth lawes vnto his seruants ordereth al things in his Church according to his owne will but you giue lawes to your CHRIST set strange ordinances ouer his Church yea you haue not anie one thing there either in order or administratioÌ„ according to his Testament Againe CHRIST hath giuen ful power libertie to all and euerie one of his seruantes to put in pâ—…actise whatsoeuer he commandeth as also to reforme to reproue censure and cast out whatsoeuer is found to be coÌ„trarie repugnant vnto his word though al the powers in the earth or in hell withstand yt But the CHRIST these men preach you is vtterly without power to put any thing of his owne will in practise but is sold as a bondslaue to these antichristian Bishops and preachers his enemies He cannot by vertue of his owne word authoritie redresse any thing be yt neuer so heinous or enormous neither can he establish or bring in any thing that is wanting be yt neuer so necessarie important without humble sute and attendance vnto the high Court of parliament or vpon the high Court of commission Yf they reiect his sute though yt be by 30 yeâ—…es together and that in these two reasonable requests that they would remoue their heinous blasphemous idolatries from before his face and giue him leaue to rule them by his owne officâ—…rs lawes yet must this poore CHRIST with all his seruants euen the whole Church stil surcease the practise of the Gospel and continue vnder these abhominations yea if he anger his Lords the Bishops much he shalbe whipped with scorpions with new rods and this by the vniuersal consent of all his learned preachers in the laÌ„d who are at a ful point haue set yt downe as a resolute decree not to stir a foot forward vntil they haue the princes power the consent of parliament Then they will bring him in with horsemen and charets with belles bonefires How like you this your worthy King trow you that euer PILATE araied him worse when they clad him in purple put a scepter of a râ—…d in his hand a crowne of thornes vpoÌ„ his head bowed the knee before him hailed him a King yea wrytt him one in three languages Hebrew Greek 〈◊〉 or the chief priestes and phariseis when they bâ—…indfolded him buffâ—…d scourged him spatt in his face blasphemed him or the people that with one consent demanded him vnto the death preferred the seditious murtherer BARRABAS before him haled him to the crosse despighted reuiled him vpon the crosse A King he is without power a King without lawes a King without officers a King without subiectes yea a slaue he is made to euerie slaue He hath strange officers straunge lawes that he is not acquainted with set ouer him imposed vpon him whether he wil or â—…o which not only rule his heritage but ouerrule him aâ—…ter their owne lustes He is fashoned to the common welth not the coÌ„mon welth vnto him and in the Church he is but an idol king an idol Christ and hath not there so much honour giuen him as the players doe vnto their kinges vpon the stage And as for the priestly office he should execute amoÌ„gst theÌ„ therein they abuse him yet worse for a new ministerie they erect in stead of his parsons or mercenarie rouing preachers in stead of Pastors and faithful Teachers As for the other rable that serue in stead of Elders with their multitudes of attendants as also their other inferiour new found officers would fill a booke but to describe theÌ„ their offices Thus make they him a minister after an other order theÌ„ that which he hath set downe in his Testament then that wherunto he was annointed of his Father that with an othe that for euer They impose also vpon him a new ministration strange worship more displeasing vnto God then Nadabs fire theÌ„ Vzzahs altar euen al that idolatrous booke of that coÌ„mon seruice which he must wil he nil he administer in maner forme abouesaid Thus make they him a minifter of al their idolatries abhomination by him they offer vp vnto God all this their wil worship poperie superstition Moreouer they make him a mediatour of an other Testament then that of his owne binding him to this english masse booke and to al the iniunctions of the BB s. the high commission convocatioÌ„ house Finally they make him a priest a mediatour a sauiour to all the prophane atheistes idolators miscreantes wicked persons coniurers witches heretikes who not al being receaued into the bozome of their Church whomâ—… they blesse in his name with his peace to whome for mony they sell deliuer their sacraments and thus by al these waies they most impiously deny sacrilegiously defile y â— holy priesthood of Christ. What kind of prophecie he exerciseth amongst them may appeare by that which is already said They make him takâ—… vpon him the ministerie of Antichrist euen that the Pope left in the Land they wil not suffer nor receaue his ministerie which he hath in his Testament apointed for his Church They set lawes not only ouer him in this ministerie they apoint him but also ouer the Gospell yt self both by aportionating how much of his word shalbe read in what oder and time c. And this order being through the yeere and permanent they therby abrogate no small part of the Bible and take yt cleane away from the Church in that by their law they apoint what shalbe read for euer casting the rest quite out of the Church allowing yt no time or place to be publikely read They bring in also in stead therof diuers apocrypha writings and reade them in their Church in the place of canonical scriptures They reade also as part of their publike ministerie of their Church not only their abhominable seruice booke but the blasphemous iniunctions of their Bishops and are not ashamed to preach and publikely to expound in the Church their fond Apocripha Catâ—…chismes To coÌ„clude they mussell bridle vp their Christs mouth by publike law power forbidding him to teach any thing coÌ„trarie vnto or to find fault with any thing by publike authoritie established or to be established swearing him dayly to execute their iniunctioÌ„s thus ioining the Gospel to al the idolatrie abhominatioÌ„ blasphemie as you see to all the sinne iniquitie mischief of the land wherby they make Christ a false prophet an idolater a blasphemer and guiltie yea a ringleader to al this ill Thus you see what kind of Christ they teach you without poweâ—… holines truth what kind of Gospel
to vse their libertie to the edification not the confusion of the Church for God is not the author of disorder but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saintes They then that thus preâ—…mptuously either innouate or abuse this blessed ordinaÌ„ce of CHRIST find fault with controule the commandements of God and charge God with confusion who is the author of this exercise order libertie But D. SOME hath by the priuiledg of the Church of EnglaÌ„d published yt vtterly vnlawful for any that is not a minister to deale with the interpretation of scriptures what giftes soeuer God hath giueÌ„ him thervnto and saith these absurdities would ensue therof that woâ—… may then also preach in the Church that those men that thus speake in way of prophecie vsurpe the ministers office with Corath offer vzziahs incense may also by this meanes enter into the Councel chamber and intrude into the ciuil magistrates office for to giue councel also is euerie Christians dutie c. What can be more blasphemously reprochfullie repugnant to the word order of CHRIST who you see is the author of this exercise in this maner hath for euer left yt as a coÌ„mandemeÌ„t vnto al churches For saith the Apostle vers 37. If any man seeme to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledg what I write vnto you because they are the commandements of God c. But if anie man be ignorant let him bâ—… ignorant Therfore my brethren couet ye to prophecie and to speake with tongues forbid not Let al things be done comely and according to order For D. SOMES first absurditie womeÌ„ are expresly forbidden to speake by way or in the exercise of this prophâ—… in the Church vers 34. 35. So then this is but a reproch of his owne absurd brayne to bring thâ—… truth into slaunder That such as speake in this exercise of prophecie doe not anie way vsurpe the ministers office hath beene largly shewed by the discourâ—… of this whole Chapter Neither hath he brought any peece of a reason to proue that only ministers ought to speake of the scriptures in â—…he Church For his third impiâ—…us odious calumniation that such as presume to speake in the Church not being ministers may as well intrude into the Councel chamber magistrats 〈◊〉 yt is in yt felf so false foolish absurd as yt deserâ—…eth none answere It is but the venome of his serpâ—…â—…ongue the Addâ—… poison that is vnder his lipps wherâ—…y he seeketh to draw the truth of CHRIST and the professors therof into hatred He might as wel say that because CHRIST hath made vs all Kings Priests vnto him therfore we will heere vsurpe the ciuill magistrats and ecclesiastical ministers office These are but the malicious collections vaine conclusions of his idle head graceles heart thus to blaspheme the holy ordinances of CHRIST to call yt Anabaptistical the deprauing of the holy scriptures abusing of the auditors disturbing both of Church common welth calling such Christian assemblies as practise this coÌ„mandement 〈◊〉 conuenticles although he neuer in his life was present at any of their exercises nor is able to charge any one of them with any one 〈◊〉 error as they by his owne mouth are able to charge him all this antichristian ministerie of England which exercise a ministerie without a lawfull calling thervnto by vertue of their inward calling which is their learning sufficiencie as though CHRIST did not know the end vse measure of the gifts he hath giuen them In the Church of CHRIST there are none suffered to speake by way of prophecie but such as haue the gift of prophecie and to forbid such to â—…peake were to stop vp the conductes springs of the Church or rather of Gods graces wherby the Church should be watered and refreshed so far is this exercise from dâ—…prauing the scriptures or abusing the auditorie The rest of his vituperie he hath layd vpon CHRIST the author of this exercise and to him shall answere for the same at that day of reckoning accompt Yf none but Ministers may speake publikly in the Church by way of prophecie how should the people haue trial of the gifts of any how should any ministers in this generall apostaciâ—… and departure be râ—…stored yea how should there euer be any other then now are For if the people may not heare their gifts how should they iudg them â—…f they may not vtter their gifts how should the people heare them Heere I shall by both sorts of our priestes aswell Pontifical as 〈◊〉 be answered that the law is not so generall but that there are exceptions vnto the same The Pontificall will alledg That their mother the Vniuersitie their father the Bishop haue authoritie to giue liceÌ„ce to preach in any Church whersoeuer they become before thâ—…y be either full ministers or haue any office as the engliâ—…h Deacon or half priestes the cathedral Prebends the commoÌ„ Curates or rouing Preachers AmoÌ„gst which you must note a double mysterie Some of them are full ministers without either certayne chaâ—…ge place or office Others haue a certayne yea a pastors charge and office and yet are not full ministers of which sect are the Prebendes ciuil Doctors who may haue parsonages and yet be no ministers The Reformists they wil likewise answere me that their mother the Vniuersitie she hath power to giue leaâ—…e to preach vniuersally through all Churches and also the Select Clâ—…ssis yea peraduenture this schoole of Prophets asâ—…embled haue power to admit some one pickâ—…d maÌ„ to their mysteries which is no priest to giue him leaue to speake amongst them yet hereof I doubt and therfore wil not stand and thus may the people by both sides haue triall of their gifts Great reason that they which maâ—…e the law should also make and take â—…xceptions at their pleasure But wel what booteth this trial that they allow the people when neither of them giue the pâ—…ople liberty to iudg or reproue their doctrine when both sides both Bishops and this new Classis take vpon them to make ministers without the people without any charge place or office certayne But let this matter rest I would know of both or any of them what this their mother they so much boast of is where she had this high authority aboue other women Hâ—… they wil with one voice answere that the Vniuersities are the seminaries of religion of the ministerie of the land the schooles and colledges of learning wherin the sonnes of the Prophets are trained vp as they were in Naiotâ—… in Bethâ—…l Iericho Ierusalem Coriâ—…th If the â—…ree be knowen by the fruite the Cockatriâ—…e by the poisoned egges the Viper by the spawne thâ—… nest by the birdes then let the religion and priestes of the land shew what kind of seminaries colledges these Vniuersities are If these be the bâ—…st fiuite and famousest men that are instructed in nothing but to
actiō of the Church to approue or orderly to reproue any action or person of the Church and that publikly if need so require how cā any from this place draw that the reproofe of Elders only belōgeth to Elders or how could this popish prelate collect that this power was only giuen to Timot◅y when Timothy and the Apostles themselues were subiect to the reproofe of the least where these transgressed from the word wil of God how could he from hence deriue his absolute power ouer all Churches Priests when no such thing is heere by this commandement giuen to Timothy how could this old dreamer from hence deriue or hereby defend these romish brawling bawdy courts with all their popish cānons customes pleadings pleaders euen al that swarme of vermine that liue attend vpon the same courts I hope if we granted him his owne most false interpretation that Timothy had sole power and by vertue of this commandement exercised absolute iurisdiction ouer the whole Church the other Elders that yet he did yt not after this antichristian vngodly maner as he and his brethren Bishops doe by such mercenarie romish Doctors pleaders proctors c. which are to couller plead the most vile hatefull causes which a christians eare abhorreth to heare of or by such wicked blasphemous customes othes purgations c. These I suppose he can not proue to be vsed in Timothies courte neither can he deriue any of this doung from that holy cōmandemēt of God for thē◅ight euery christiā keepe such a court ouer against BBs c. seing they may reproue and rebuke the greatest Bishop in the Church that transgresseth against the word of God No let him looke into the 9. chapter of the Reuelation there he shall see his owne al these poisoned armed locusts original to haue come out of the smoke of the bottomles pyt c. Further to discusse the poperie wickednes folly of this reason or the vnlawfullnes of these antichristian courts were labour needles they being so grosse of thēselues as by the first bringing the heauenly light vnto them they are discouered therby chased away as the darknes of the night by the sunne rising the grosse vapours by the wind They haue no foundation of the word and therfore must needs fall the word of God wil beare no such rotten stubble and filthy doung therfore I leaue this reason to remaine to his perpetual shame and the shame of all the brood houshold of Anak who if they could be drawē but to any peaceable opening the booke of God but with y ◠least christian I would not now be vnderstood of any learned Priest of the opposite faction who hauing deriued all their ministerie ministration from them and exercising the same vnder them cā neuer preuaile against their fathers as in all their conflicts hath beene seene because in deed they take not the whole cause and right groundworke therfore they cannot further the Gospel or bring glory to God But if the least Christian whome both factions so depise perfecute might haue but free orderly triall with either or both sides and factions I doubt not but God would giue such blessing and power to his word which he would put in their mouthes as their counterfait and wicked dealings should be discouered yea albeit both sides hate the light and flee this christian peaceable triall wherby they plainly bewray of what Spirit they are though they digge as deepe as hel to hide their deuises y◅t God will disclose them and that euen by their owne pennes and tongues rather then he will want instruments An other fleshly reason he bringeth frō the lawfulnes of these courts y t is frō the Princes authority A christian Prince that alloweth the free course of the Gospel cōmandeth them therfore euery godly subiect ought to obey thē The Gospel cānot haue free course whiles these antichristiā courts Bishops ministery stand yf the Gospel had free course they should all be abolished But is this a Bishoply or Christian reason a godly Prince commandeth them therfore they ought to be obeyed why haue Princes authoritie to command what they list or if they doe ought christians to obey any vngodly decree I had thought that both they ought to cōmand we to obey in the Lord alwaies but especially may Princes bring in any new ordinances at their pleasure into the Church of CHRIST what can the Pope say more for his sackfull of traditions make you this vnlawfull in the person of the Pope that maketh some more shew of learning knowledg and religion and hath his learned councell of cardinals about him and yet make yt lawfull in a christian Prince to innouate or abrogate the Testament of CHRIST in this maner to bring in or keepe out of the Church what ordinances they list you shew your self a faithfull watchman and Bishop ouer the Church vnto your Princes soule y t suffer such rule to be kept in the Church without blowing the trumpet of Gods word against yt that suffer your Prince thus to runne into and remaine in the wrath of God vnadmonished vnreproued You learned this of no true Prophets no faithful Bishops let yt remaine then vpon you for an vndoubted marke of a false Prophet a Balaamite a wolfe a murtherer of soules And as for your authoritie know seing yt hath no better ground in the world of God yt shall all fall to the ground al the Princes of the world or powers of hell ◅hall not be able to vphold yt Babilon shall fall and all her pompe shall vanish though her princes and shipmasters or bishops and all her mariners ministers and marchandmen howle and wayle therfore for the God that condemneth her is a strong Lord as for the King of Egipt he is a man and not God almightie and their horses flesh but not Spirit wherfore when IEHOVAH shall stretch forth his hand the helper shall fall and the helped shall fall and all these shall faile together Let vs now proceed to the censures of the church of England which wholly consist in the Bishops hand who executeth them by himself or his Commissarie they are not exercised for obstinacie ioyned to sin or error but lightly if not altogether for contempt of their courtes either in not appearing at or obeijng their commandements and decrees or els for some transgressions against their idoll seruice booke in speaking against yt or against their ordinarie or his stubstitute M◅ Commissarie or the parish priest or such like or els for not obseruing their idoll holy daies or not receauing with their parson or not hauing their children baptised c. For these and such like they shalbe conuented and very seuerely punished either by mulct or excommunication or imprisonmēt there are no other sins amongst the people that deserue excommunication they haue other punishments for sin besides excōmunication as to fine them punish them by the
â— vnto their aduersaries yet wil these graceles Bishops inforce this othe first by way of perswasion by Abrahams Iaacobs exaÌ„ples who caused the one his seâ—…uaÌ„t y e other his sonne to sweare putting their haÌ„d vnder their theigh c. and by the Angels lifting vp his haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ to sweare If vnto the fiâ—…st they be answered that AbrahaÌ„ Iaacob ioyned not this ceremony vnto the othe so much as to exact the fidelitie performance of the othe seijng God himself sware vnto Abraham without this ceremonie Gen 15 17 as also Ishaac sware Iaacob sware without this ceremonie Gen. 26. 31. Gen. 31. 53 so that there caÌ„ be no law drawen or exaÌ„ple made of Abraham Iaacob heerin especially seing this was before the law was giueÌ„ but now we â—…aue an absolute law giuen of God for the forme of othes froÌ„ which law we ought not to swerue Yf vnto the secoÌ„d namely the Angels lifting vp the haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ whiles he sware yt be likewise answered y t no law caÌ„ be inforced froÌ„ heÌ„ce or any new ceremony inioyned in swearing nothing being done heere contrarie to the law of God neither any example giueÌ„ to breake or alter y â— law giueÌ„ of God seing now both al superstitious ceremonies idolatrous othes are forbiddeÌ„ vs by our Sauiour Christ his Apostles Math. 5. 34. 3. 5 Mat. 23. Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 20. Their next reason is draweÌ„ froÌ„ the Princes priuiledg y t the Prince hath power to make lawes of indiffereÌ„t things is therin to be obeied this maner of othe is shewed to be no indiffereÌ„t thing but altogether vnlawful prohibited for the reasons aboue alledged But if yt were a thing indiffereÌ„t as they suppose so to sweare or not so to sweare yet were yt not lawfull for any mortal man to bind that by way of law which God hath left in our libertie much lesse to bring in new ceremonies or diuises into the worship of God for so might al the Popes traditioÌ„s be brought in iustified WheÌ„ these reasons wil not serue to perswade oâ—… assure the conscience theÌ„ these holy fathers these teÌ„der hearted christian BBs are driueÌ„ to their last argumeÌ„t wherby they vphold their antichristiaÌ„ throne Viz. the ciuil power authoritie which is committed into their murtherous handes Then are they forthwith committed vnto close prison there to remaine vntil they either yeild or die and this without respect of age sexe or degree especially if they be conveÌ„ted for refusing or speaking against the BBs Popelike authoritie antichristian decrees idolatrous iniunctions c such with mortall hatred they persecute much more â—…hen they doe the most hainous malefactors traiterous Papists such they opeÌ„ly publish to be sectaries scismatikes heretikes Anabaptists disobedient to magistrates seditious conventiclers c. and al because they will not beare Antichristes yoke nor carie the Beastes marke nor bow downe vnto worship his image Such therfore they hunt pursue aâ—…rode by their spiaâ—…s pursyuants and hauing caught theÌ„ vse with al eâ—…quisite tyranny neuer suffring theÌ„ to depart out of theiâ—… haÌ„ds vntil they either deny y e faith or be fetched froÌ„ theÌ„ by the Lords peremptorie messenger Death Long yt were to relate their fine spanish arts to molest these constant witnesses faithfull seruaÌ„ts of Christ when they get them in their prisons by shutting them vp long close by causing them to be produced and indicted at the general sessions vpoÌ„ the statute of recusansy hauing made some of the Iudgâ—…s on their part although this statute was made for Christs and her Ma ties â—…nemies the Papists recusants of all christian veritie When vpon this statute they haue gotten them indicted and vpon the execution therof cast into prisons yet heâ—…re their malice ceaseth not but although they be the Q. prisoners in her execution yet will they contrarie to all law assume them back againe into thâ—…ir handes and by thâ—…ir sole authoritie without anie cause alledged commit them perpetuall close prisoners therby to shorten their liues and to cut off all meanes either of their owne maintenance from them or wherby they might any way satisfie the Queâ—…ne Thus play they with poore Christians as the catte doth with the moâ—…se boldly committing them vnto and taking them fâ—…om the seculer powers at their owne pleasure abusing the Queenes lawes and most faithfull subiâ—…ctes at their owne lust without checke or controulement they being subiect and liable to no lawe To such a heigth is this strange Romish spanish Court now growne vnder colour of â—…eforming â—…cclesiasticall abusâ—…s that yt vsurpeth absolute power ouer al lawâ—…s causâ—…s persons 〈◊〉 yea and becommeth the very fountaine or synke rather from whence flow al errors abuses and disorders into the whole laÌ„d yt being the very bane poyson both of the church and common welth that â—…uer going forge of Sathan wherin he daily mintâ—…th al his antichrâ—…stian new deuises decrees for this monstrous harlot the false Church that Senate wherin all their affaires are consâ—…lted that Councel wherin all their decrees are concluded a Synode wherin all causes are debated a schoole wherin al questions are disputed a fayre wherin all their wares are sould This monstrous Court taketh vtterly away the power and stoppeth the course of Gods word of his Church and of the godly lawes of the land preiudicial yt is to the prerogatiue of the Prince to the iurisdiction of her â—…oyall Courts to the libertie of her free subiects to the great Chaâ—…r of England as their practise euidently sheweth How contrarie yt is vnto God vnto al the rules of his word euen by this summarie recitall insufficient description of their doings at the first reading may appeare to al men that wil bring them to the light So barbarous is thâ—…ir power so odious their proceedings as no apologie caÌ„ be made for them vnlesse by the same they wil also iustifie the authoritie of the Pope and proceedings of the spanish inquisition both vvhich yet heerin they exceed in that this Court hath power to make lawes oâ—…dinaÌ„ces for al churches without their consent which the Pope cannot doe as also in that this Court hath power iurisdiction ouer many almost al ciuil causes which the spanish inquisition hath not Let not my words be wrasted or misconstrued to the reproch of these honorable personages such ciuile magistrates as are of this CoÌ„mission whose ciuil offices persons we from our hearts vnfainedly honour and reuerence yet can the authority of their personages no way iustifie the vnlawfulnes of this Commission or hide the vngodlines of the BBs proceedings therin with whose crafty practises we suppose they are not made acquainted being tised into this CoÌ„mission by the subâ—…ilty of the BBs who suppose to fortifie their antiâ—…hristian power popish regiment by the authority and countenance of the these honorable reuerend men
sinnes c. So then we see how â—…sting is vpon especial present occasions to be vsed those or such like occasions â—…asing not to be continued without end or vse for that were not only to make positiue lawes to bind that which God hath left at libertie but also to put holines in the verie action of fasting without right end or true vse Further the practise vse of fasting in the church of Christ vnder the Gospel sheweth that there can be no permanent lawes of the time day made therof For they not only vpoÌ„ such present publike occasions of calamitie are to vse yt but also in some especial waightie actions wherof dependeth the good or euil estate of that church or congregation as vpon the choice of the Officers Elders of the Church That peculiar Congregation in such actions at such â—…imes is to humble themselues with fasting praier and yet this fast â—…either to be enioined to others which haue not that occasioÌ„ of such â—…ike action neither to be annually monethly c. coÌ„tinued of theÌ„ after that action performed Therfore we may conclude that neither the magistrate nor the whole church may set positiue lawes of publike â—…astes to be holdeÌ„ vpoÌ„ such a day or such a moneth froÌ„ yeare to yeare â—…eing they are vpoÌ„ present vrgent especial occasions to be vsed And as for priuate fastes seing they are wholy put in euerie Christians liâ—…ertie and the occasions neither concerning others nor publikely knowne of them there can much lesse be any positiue lawes made to â—…ast this or that day of necessitie what gaineth then this learned Docâ—…or by this euasion THAT THE PRINCE commandeth these yearly monethly and weekly fastes vnles yt be to lay that blame blasphemie which before was due vnto the Pope their Founder now vpoÌ„ the Prince Do not these priestes an high piece of seruice vnto her Maiesty â—…eerin But this profound Diuine hath yet one trick in his budget to â—…alue al this matter that is the Prince doth not coÌ„mand theÌ„ to fast â—…ut only vpon such daies to abstaime from flesh How false this is by â—…heir especial deuotioâ—…s vpon such daies the priestes solemne bidding â—…heÌ„ in open church c. hath beene sully already coÌ„uinced Moreouer â—… would know of him if he can tel me if the action should be meerly â—…iuil as he would haue yt what the church hath to doe with yt to puâ—…lish them to assemble pray c. on those daies Also why the very â—…aues daies in time nomber as the Pope vsed left them are stil â—…y them so reteined vsed were not this to offend the consciences of â—…he faithful to nourish others in their foreconceiued superstition and â—…dolatrie Is not this the verie cause that maketh so manie papistes in â—…hat so manie popish relikes stil remaine And now further I would know of Mr. Doctor how he can prooue by the law of God that the Prince may forbid his subiectes to eate â—…lesh vpon such daies such times c. I demaund not now any polliâ—…ike reasons for then he would smite me downe with these two for â—…he sparing the yong increase of beastes for the maintenance of the Nauie but my conscience caÌ„not rest vpon theÌ„ I had rather haue one â—…ule or example out of the word of God where I can find no such preâ—…ident vnles yt be king Sauleâ—… who indâ—…ed by solemne curse forbad the â—…sraelites to tast food but for one day that vpoÌ„ as vâ—…gent occasion as I suppose possibly caÌ„ be alledged namly during the battel prusuiâ—…e of the Philistines but he was reproued for yt both by the holy Ghost in the mouth of Iâ—…athan when he said My Father hath troubled the land see now how mine eies are made eleere by tasting a title of this hony also by Lâ—…t from God himself the matter comming to be tried beâ—…wixt him and his sonne who had made the default when the Lord answered not by Vrim as he had couenanted and accustomed the hypocrite Saule desired the Lord to giue the perâ—… or vpright so 〈◊〉 was taken denounced by Gods owne iudgment innoceÌ„t not guiltie the wretch left as the author and cheefe in the trespasse by making that vngodly law So then if yt were not lawful for him vpon such a waightie occasion by way of law to restreine the vse of Gods creatures for one day I cannot see how vpon any pollitike cause such râ—…straintes may be made throughout from yeaâ—…e to yeare My reasons are first God hath created these creatures not man giuen to man soueraignty ouer theÌ„ to vse them to food freely therfore they which by law restraine the sober and free vse of them 1 both calback the Lords liberal gâ—…aÌ„t 2 depriue the Creator of honour praise in for the vse of them 3 make a law of that the Lord hath left in libertie 4 then the Apostle calleth such lawes as in this maner command to abstaine from meates the doctrines of diuels â—… to conclude the Apostle often chargeth vs to stand fast in our libertie not to be brought in boÌ„dage of any thing which is by God put in our powre But by such lawes our free vse of such creatures is for these times takeÌ„ away c. For which reasons I am as yet in conscieÌ„ce perswaded y â— the ciuil magistrate ought not to make permaneÌ„t lawes of y t the Lord hath left in our libertie neither by way of law to restrainâ—… theÌ„ one day for any ciuil or pollitike causes whatsoeuer I would not now be vnderstood of ecclesiastical religious fastes we haue both lawes pleÌ„tiful examples in the scriptures that the Prince church may proclaine such general fastes vpon occasions c. Neither would I heere be suspected to goe about to diminish or pluck away y â— high sacred power authoritie the Lord hath giueÌ„ to the ciuil magistrate as to his Liefâ—…enaÌ„t ouer both body life goodes â—…o much as to sheâ—… that the Princes or Magistrates power is yet by God himself limited circumâ—…cribed for the transgression wherof they shal as any other men accompt vnto the Lord in whome they are to command as we also readily in the same Lord to obey The excesse or abuse of these creatures the Magestrate may ought to punish represse because that is sinne and therfore is the law and sword of God committed vnto him but by a law of his owne wherof is no warrant in the word of God to restraine them for these or these times I thinke there he exceedeth his commission though vpon never so great colour of pollicie and that the action were purged of all this romish superstition and idolatrie wherwith nowe yt is refersed The Prince is to gouerne ouersee prouide for the common welth administring
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
by direct scriptures without anie wrasting or peruerting the same Which being done by that time I hope the innocencie of such as seeke this Christian order and communion in sinceritie as also the blasphemie of them that depraue the order accuse the seekers therof shalbe euident to al men I am not ignorant in what a sophistical Saducaical manner this horned Bishop hath propounded his questions quite from the state of the controuersie and drift of his reproches subsequeÌ„t The deceit error wherof may be more fitly laid open after this difficult proposition which he and his associates with such tyrannie impugne is prooued God we reade wheÌ„ he first erected his tabernacle amongst the Israâ—… set downe in the mountaine the perfect patterne of al things eueÌ„ to the least instrument hooke or tape vsed therin as also the whole composition and vse of euerie thing belonging therunto with all the ordinances therof He left nothing to the wil or discretion of Moses whose commendation was that he was found faithful in al his house as a seruant for a testimonie of thinges to be spoken The like vve reade of David in the distribution of the orders and functions of the Priests and Leuites Of Solomon and Zerubabel in the building the material Temple We see I say how perfectlie the Lord set downe y e matter and forme the number assize place order and vse of euerie thing belonging to his Tabernacle and Temple We see vvhat absolute lawes he set downe for euerie thing there to be done how iâ—…lous he was ouer his sanctuarie and what seuere iudgmâ—…ntes he shewed vpon them that transgressed the least of his ordinances as the exaÌ„ples of Nadab Abihu Corath Ely and his sonnes vzza sundrie others the deportation of both the kingdomes with the destruction of the Temple and at length the vtter desolation therof shew And may we suppose that God is lesse carefull prouident absolute ielous ouer this his glorious Temple vvhich consisteth of the bodies and soules of his deare 〈◊〉 Saintes for the structure instrumeÌ„tes forme order ordinances of this which abideth for euer theÌ„ he was of that other vvhich consisted but of stone and wood vvhich was to abide but a time was but a type and shadow of this If we so thinke let the new Testament of our Sauiour CHRIST conuince vs wherin is left vnto vs a most liuelie and expresse patterne for all things with the fit mould wherin euerie thing ought to be formed cast most perfect direct lawes ordinances for the number place order vse direction of al things belonging vnto CHRISTS Church Can anie imagine vnto themselues that God is lesse louing vnto delighted in or ielous ouer this Temple wherof his owne only deere sonne is builder minister head then he was ouer that base earthen Temple for so in respect of the incomparable glorie of this I may call yt wherof MOSES was the builder c. Can anie imagine the ministrie orders ordinances of CHRISTS Church deliuered by the sonne himself ratified coÌ„firmed by the voice of God from heauen by manie miracles and wonders on earth of lesse congruence necessitie or accompt then those of that TeÌ„ple deliuered by Angels or that God hath giueÌ„ now greater power or priuiledg to anie mortal creature Prince or minister in this church to neglect alter violate or innouate any of Christs lawes or bring in set vp anie of their owne in this Church then he did then to MOSES DAVID SOLOMON in that Temple If these lawes be of greater force estimation perpetuitie both in regard of the dignitie preeminence of Christ the minister of the things administred of the place I meane the spiritual Temple yet if the word spoken by Angels was sure and euerie transgression disobedience receaued iust recompence of reward If that word might at no hand either in the building reformation or administration euen in the least vilest things as the ashes of the Altar which had their apointed place iâ—…struments ministers be neglected brokeÌ„ or innouate by no mortall man of what estate or degree soeuer vpon what occasion or pollitike respect soeuer without some warrant from Gods owne mouth that gaue the Law how shall they escape or where shal they stand that not only neglect violate but despise reproch and innouate the whole established order ordinaÌ„ces that Christ hath set downe in his TestameÌ„t for this his church Shal not this be to make God more louing gracious prouident careful ielous ouer that material Temple that shadow theÌ„ he is now ouer this his Church the substance and to prefer the shadow to the substance that Temple to this Church Should not this be to prefer the person Testament of MOSES to the person TestameÌ„t of Christ inasmuch as they make the one to be deliuered and confirmed with a great deale more authoritie maiestie power then the other were yt not to make MOSES more absolute faithfull in his house then Christ in his Church inasmuch as MOSES left a perfect Tabernacle Testament and did see gaue charge that al the ordinances therof should be most precisely kept obserued But Christ belike hath left an vnperfect Church and Testament in as much as he hath not taken full order for the ministerie gouernment orders and ordinances therof yea though he haue in his Testament set downe orders lawes for all these things yet they are not so authentike or irrefragable as those of Moses Princes States may according to their pollicies receaue reiect or innouate these c. Were not this to prefer the ministerie of Leuy those outward ordinances and beggerlie rudiments in dignitie to the sacred ministerie and ordinances of Christ inasmuch as they are made more holie congruent necessarie inuiolable then Christs But the holie Ghost throughout the whole epistle to the Hebrewes handeling this verie subiect conuinceth instructeth and exhorteth the Iewes to leaue al superstitious foreconceaued opinions of their Temple ministerie ordinaÌ„ces wholy with reuerence to embrace behaue themselues in the Church ministerie ordinances of Christ. Herevnto he perswadeth by the incomparable excellencie glorie prâ—…eminence perpeâ—…uitie of Christs person Church ministerie Testament which can neuer be shakeÌ„ or remoued compared vnto the weakenes basenes impotencie vanitie of MOSES person that Temple ministerie TestameÌ„t which were temporarie caduke to be abolished and to giue place vnto these which they but prefigured wherevnto they led and serued this being the beginning the end of their erection Manie most graue exhortations and weightie charges doth the holie Ghost there giue vnto vs concerning the reuerence feare faithfull holie obedient diligent orderlie constant walking behauiour that we ought to shew in the Church of Christ vnto his word TestameÌ„â—… drawing Argumentes both from the vnspeakeable glorie maiestie excellencie beawtie ioy of Christs church aâ—… also from the terror
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
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
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
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
precontractes adulteries testaments and sundry other that I know not of All which whatsoeuer an auncient Bishop of this land hath vndertaken to defend by Christs new Testament wherfore vntil we see his profes I dare not giue sentence against them or pronounce them antichristian His proofe is drawen from 1 Tim. 5. 19. Against a priest or elder receaue no accusation vnder 2 or 3 witnesses Heere saith he is an accuser here is a person accused heere are witnesses examined heere is a iudgment deciding of the matter therfore heere is an exercise of a iurisdiction and a maner of a court To make yt yet more sure he takes away an obiecton that lay in his way namely that yt was not Timothy his court only but iointly exercised with the residue of the Elders that had the gouernment This he saith cannot be because the wordes are directâ—…d to Timothy only It is pitty MARTIN his presse was gone before this reason had an answere so should he not haue lost his due shame for the same But was there euer lâ—…le portion of scripture so violently wrested distorted peruerted and that by an old Bishop I am deceaued if he fetched not this reason from the schoole of Sorbon for either my memory faileth me or I haue read their citatioÌ„s also by sumners pursyuants c. prooued by Gen. 3. 9. Adam where art thow Well to the point I cannot rest either in his traÌ„slatioÌ„ or interpretatioÌ„ of this verse they are both corrupt popishly falsâ—… The text is Against an Elder receaue not accusatioÌ„ except in 2 or 3 witnesses â—… cannot heere allow the word Priest nor spare the words exceptin his interpretation is most grosse false contrarie to the whole scope and phrase both of that chapter the whole epistle preiudicial to the perpâ—…tuity true practise of the commandement For if this lawe were directed to Timothy only and that the other Elders the Church were shut out in the examination and censuring of such faultes then how could the Church or any member therof now haue any vse of this commandement I neuer heard of any speciall bequest Timothy made to these Lord Bishops aboue all other neither can I see from hence why they should vsurpe this iurisdiction ouer their superiors namely ouer the parish Priests parsons that stad for Pastors these Bishops if they haue any office being put Elders So theÌ„ by this rule the Parson should keep court ouer the Bishops not the Bishop ouer so many Parsons But to say the truth this reason would much better fit the Pope in whome this supreme iurisdiction ouer al Churches and Elders should in one persoÌ„ be bestowed as by his saiâ—…ng yt was in Timothy rather then vnto so many Bishops who all cannot haue that sole peculiar authoritie which belonged vnto Timothy alone from which so many worthy Bishops were then shut out But why should this commandement belong more to Timothy alone thâ—…n all the other commandemeÌ„ts in this chapter that I say not in this epistle which was wholy written directed to Timothy there was bare shift wheÌ„ this was made the only reason and now further why should this commandement more theÌ„ al the rest of this chapter of the maner of rebuking elder men and elder women honoring widowes c. be tied more to Timothies person office yea or to the persons office of elders may none reprooue an Elder but a Lord Bishop or as the reformists would haue yt but a synode or councell of Priests It is plentifully aboue proued that the whole Chuâ—…ch hath power to obserue reproue censure their greatest Teachers Elders or why should this rule of hearing and receauing yl reportes so solely belong to Timothy or to other Elders more then the contrarie commandement going next before of the honour care loue due to Elders I hope they can be content to be honored prouided for and loued of the whole flocke especially for their desert and vertue surely so must they be contented to be reproued and censured of all when by euill life they deserue yt This commandement in deed willeth all Christians to be carefull what reportes and tales they heare or 〈◊〉 of their Elders and that they be sure they haue good lawful proofe in two or three witnesses c other christians had eares mouthes and hearts which had need to be gouerned as well as Timothie I graunt well that publikely in the Church the â—…rial and censuring of Elders ought châ—…efly to be done by the Elders of that Church but this neither preiudicing the libertie of anie euen the least freely to obiect or speake what he knoweth to be blamed either in the Elder accusâ—…d or in the publike action by the other Elders that trie examine much lesse to the secluding shutting out thâ—… whole Church with these wicked Priests eueÌ„ both these factions Ponâ—…ifical and Reformâ—…ts who both of them would assume the whole gouernment of the Church into their owne hands at the least vtterly debar the congregatioÌ„ where these things are amisse to intermeddle The Church must receaue what they amongst themselues haue decreed whither in their brawling courtes whither in their Seâ—…ct classes The publike censuring of anie member whither Elder or other is an action of the whole Church whervnto if yt vse the most fit members or officers should such officers and members herevpon arrogate the whole action interest power to themselues secluding the whole bodie the Church whose officers members they are As when â—…he body vseth the eye y e mouth the feete to see spâ—…ake goe is not the whole bodie of consent with these actions and said to see to speake to goe although to these particular actioÌ„s yt vsâ—…th these particular members what a dismembring of the bodie and rending of the Church would these ambitious Priests make who the one would withdraw all publike actions of the Church into their popish Courtes the other into their conuenticles synodes of Priests As for reproofe by admonition anie member of the Church hath free power also to reproue the greatest Elder of the Church according to the quallitie of his offence if his offence be priuate priuatly if publike publikely Yea he is bound by the law of God so to doe and not to suffer sinne in him yet this within the bounds of modestie order as if there be others present more fit to doe yt to giue them time and place but if they neglect yt or doe yt amisse then to vse his power yea to doe his dutie Now theÌ„ seeing the whole Church hath this power to censure faultes in their hands and that yt properly belongeth vnto them as we shall haue many occasions hereafter to shew and that these Elders are but ministers seruants of the Church substituted to this other functions Seing also euery one eueÌ„ the least member in the Church hath interest power freedome in ouer this or any
personages are wholy exempt from them The other sect of these Priests the counterfait Reformists they also would exclude the Church from this al other ecclesiastical ceÌ„sures assuming theÌ„ wholy into their owne haÌ„ds either into the Priests haÌ„ds with his silly presbitery or eldership which he ouerruleth at his pleasure in euerie particular congregation or els into their synodes and councels which haue power ouer al churches euery meÌ„ber actioÌ„ theâ—…of to excommunicate absolue to make and depose to ordeine abrogate without the pâ—…iuitie coÌ„sent of the Churches other theÌ„ of their Preachers or Priests Thus both sides subuert the libertie of the Church peruert the ordinance of Christ the one sort by corrupting the other by vtterlie reiecting the vnpartial vse of true excoÌ„municatioÌ„ by euerie ChristiaÌ„ coÌ„gregation according to the rules of Chriâ—…s Testament as intollerable a mischiefe to this common welth We haue aboue larglie prooued the necessitie stabilitie perpetuitie of that order and gouernment which Chriâ—… in his Testament hath set downe for the building direction of his Church By manie places of scripture reasons we haue shewed how that order gouernmeÌ„t onlie best accordeth and fitteth to the Church of Christ in al places times whatsoeuer and how the Church can neither receaue other orders and lawes or change these which Christ hath giueÌ„ without casâ—…ing off CHRISTS yoke disanâ—…lling his Testament CHRISTS Testament and Church being for euer in all places one and the same We haue also 〈◊〉 places of this preseÌ„t writing shewed how CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church his spirituall power and authoritie with the sharpe two edged sword that proceedeth out of his mouth to cut off all transgrâ—…ssion and error as also all trespassers and heretikes that remaine obstinate and impenitent in their sinne and hath giuen them straight coÌ„mandement vigilantly vnpaâ—…tially to vse the same sword and power vnto the worldes end The necessitie of which power though yt were not confirmed by so manie direct and expresse places of scripture yet might yt to aâ—… men appeare in that without the same they caÌ„ neither receaue CHRIST who is neuer seuered froÌ„ his power neither can they keepe sound anie communion when they hâ—…ue not the power to â—…ast out seperate the plaguy leprous from amongst them Moreouer we haue shewed how this power of excoÌ„munication election ordination c. is not committed into the hands of one particular person as the Pope and his natural children our Lord Bâ—…hops now vse yt nor yet into the hands of the eldership only or of the Pastors of many particular congregations as the reforming preachers would haue yt so much as yt is giuen committed to the whole Church euen to euery particular congregation and to euery member therof alike To which holy spiritual power of CHRIST euery member of the Church seruant of Christ must be subiect alike without exception or exemption of person How contrary then vnto God preiudiciall vnto his Church is the blasphemy pride of those meÌ„ which thus presumpâ—…uously opeÌ„ their mouthes against heaueÌ„ all the ordinances of God pronouncing this spiritual heauenly censure of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ duly executed by the church according to the wil coÌ„mandement of Christ as the only meanes for the preseruation of the whole Church and of the parties so excommunicate to be intollerable in a christian realme preiudiciall to Princes and Magistrates yea that popiâ—…hly assume this sword of CHRIST this power of his Church into their owne hands and therwith of their owne sole authority smite some exempt others as they lust themselues whose monstrous enormous abuse of this heauenly ordinance caÌ„not by the pen or mouth of any be so liuely discribed as yt is with great letters to the view of all men ingraued and exposed in the daily practise of their Commissaries courtes the court of high coÌ„mission c. But that all the pretextes of this their odious blasphemy and pride may at once be plucked from them let me in a word or two by expresse scriptures shew what true excommunication is by whome vpon whome and how yt is to be executed We reade 1 Cor. 5. Titus 3. 10. 1 Tim. 1. 20. Excommunication to be an vtter disfranchizing and publike cuâ—…ting off of all conuinced obstinate offendors from all interest in CHRIST all coÌ„munion with his Church in the open congregation We reade in the said 1 Cor. 5. as also Math. 18. 17. Math. 28. 20. Rom. 16. â—…7 2 Thess. 3 6. 14. the power execution of this censure of excoÌ„munication to be coÌ„mitted to the whole Church else why should the Apostle charge blame the whole Church for y â— neglect therof and command the whole Church to execute yt why should our Sauiour CHRIST command his disciples to admonish their brâ—…thteÌ„ wheÌ„ they offend and if they repent not to complaine vnto the church He sendeth them not heere vnto the Pastor to complaine vnto him nor vnto the Bishop high commission Presbutry Synode or Councel to coÌ„plaine vnto them for redresse neither yet comitteth he here or in any other place of scripture this action vnto them or commandeth them as by vertue of their office to do yt But as may euidently appeare in these and sundry other places of scripture both this publike casting out receauing in of any member is committed and belongeth vnto the whole Church euerie member therof iointly together is not especiallie or solely committed to anie one or anie some of them anie more then vnto al the rest We see also the Pastor al the teachers other members of the Church subiect vnto this censure yea the church where these members make such offence is to proceed against them to auoide them to excommunicate them Read for further proofe of this Gal 1. 8. 9. 2 Ioh. 9. â—… 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 17. 3. 5. Coloss. 4. 17. Phillip 3. 2. 17. 18. 19. So that although y e church performe this action by the Pastor as a member most fiâ—… thâ—…r vnto yet neither the Pastor gayneth nor the Church looseth anie right or interest in this action heerby because we see euidently the church hath power to doe this action without a Pastor yea against their Pastor The maner of thiâ—… excommunication we in the said 5 of y e 1 Corinth find to be done in the publike congregation where the whole church is assembled not in anie courtes or Bishops howses in the name power of our Lord Iesus Christ not in the name and power of a Lord Bishop or arch Bishop in the vsuall tongue of that congregation as yt may best edifie and not in the romane tongue after their popish maner in forme of a writ This ceÌ„sure is not done before y e fault be publikely knowne either in the first committing of yt or els by processe for contemning admonition neither
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
place and office of CHRIST shewing himself in the Church of God as God by changing the lawes and Testament of CHRIST and by bringing in new ordinances new ministery worship c. Reuel 13. Reu. 17. 12. 13. 14. 17. how Antichrist being thus exalted the Dragon should giue him his power his throne his great authority as also the Kings of the earth yea such Kings as had before burnt the whore with fire should giue vnto the Beast their power authority wherwith he should fight with the Lamb make wa◅ with the Saints opening his mouth vnto blasphemy against God and his tabernacle and them that d◅ell therin setting vp his blasphemous image in all pl◅ces c. Now as we haue by the light of Gods word in this litle y t hath beene s◅ied euidently found seene these Bi◅hops their courtes gouernment to be wholy antichristian vtterly vnlawfull but especially this their high court of Cōmissiō to be most blasphemous y e very throne of the Beast vtterly cōmingling cōfounding subuerting al Gods ord◅nances all estates and offices both of Church cōmon welth the whole liberty of Christians the power duties of the church so likewise if we by the same rules but as lightly examine measure the secret classes the ordinary set Synodes councels of ministers as they terme them selues which these Reformists now priuily bring in and would openly set vp they shall no doubt be found as new strange and antichristiā as preiudicial to the liberty of the Saints to the power right and duties of the whole Church and as contrary to the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST as these other what shew soeuer of former antiquity or of present necessity they may pretend And this if they be compared in the persons assembled and causes for which they are assembled and which they handle in the se◅ continued times place of their meeting in their order maner of proceeding iudgment in t◅eir decrees power vnto that perfect patterne of all christian councelles Act. 15. will forthwith appeare The persons assembled in these councels are only ministers al other Christians being shut out and allowed neither place voice or consent among them The causes for which they are assembled and which they handle not being doubtes or questions which arise in the Churches but al the affaires offices and duties of the Church that without making the Churches priuy wherfore they assemble or what they will t◅ere handle The time place of these councels they without the wil priuity of the Churches make setled continual permanent not leauing to the Church either the liberty when and where to keepe these councels or whome to vse in these councels The order maner of their proceeding and iudgment is first to choose erect amongst thē a Prolocutor Moderator or Iudg to gouerne order this action who whē they shall speake and when they shall cease c. where the matters being debated the greater part preuaileth and carri◅th the iudgment Their decrees are per◅mptory irreuocable most holy inviolable to be receaued embraced of all Churches without contradiction or scruple no power left to any Church to examine refuse or reuerse the same be they found neu◅r so contrary to Gods word but only either by the same councell or by act of Parliament in the meane while they all must practise obey these decrees The power of these councels is ouer all Churches persons causes doctrines to giue the right hād of fellowship as they terme yt or to send the bill of diuorce to ratifie or rei◅ct whome what they will This councel also executeth al the censures duties of the church as to make or depose ministers to censure excōmunicate c. To conclude as all these councels haue exercise power iurisdiction ouer the ch◅rch so are they in authority one aboue an other as the Synode aboue the Classes the Councell aboue the Synode to confirme abrogate or disanul whatsoeuer constitutions or actions the other ha◅h made Yea as some report vpon the e◅ormities abuse◅ y t did arise in these coūcels assemblies of Bishops were deuised erected these new strange orders degrees of Bishops Arch-bishops Patriarches Popes and all their substitutes courtes From which strange councels offices ministery courtes haue flowed forth and daily spring all these strange popish ◅ntichristian orders decrees innumerable diuises traditions daily innouations continuall changes in the worship of God all the proceedings of the Church of the whole Testament of CHRIST whiles men re◅t not in the wisdome councels of God but presume to be wise aboue that they ought to be wise some attributing vnto their Clergye as they call them others to the Prince others to the Church more then inough none yeilding vnto CHRIST that which is his due namely to suffer him to gouerne his whole Church by such officers and lawes as he hath in his Testament prescribed but rather in the presumption of their owne hearts they will set ouer him his Church such lawes officers or at the least assigne vnto him such lawes offi◅ers as they thinke best to accord and iudg most meet for their pollicie as though CHRIST could be a minister or mediatour of any other Testament thē of his owne or that any mortal men may alter change neglect or re◅ect CHRIS◅S Testament without his fearfull wrath heauy indignation for the same Wherfore seeing the whole church al the proceedings therof must be built vpon CHRISTS Testament seing euery ◅oule and euery action shalbe iudged by CHRISTS Testament seing nothing is pleasing vnto God or wil stand before the face of CHRIST that is found disagreeing to CHRISTS Testament seing also euē by this litle search superficiall view we haue takē of the present estate and pretended reformation of this their church of England all things appeare to be out of frame stil in the olde corruption and at the best but enclining to the primitiue ancient defections from CHRISTS Testament nothing being aright or according to the will of God amongst them seing we find all those scriptures that haue foreshewed of An◅ichrist his proceedings liuely fulfilled amongst them al the markes of that painted deccitful harlot the false malignant Church to be fownde vpon them as also all t◅e vials of Gods wrathfull iudgments to be powred forth vpon them and al their doings Finally seing God vouch◅afeth both to discouer and to call al men forth out of Babilon by proclaiming of his glorious Gospel and yet offr◅th more grace before he let fal the heauy milstone of his finall indignation vpon them al to grind them to dust and to presse them to the bottome of hel b◅ing ready to receaue all that come forth vnto him to esteeme guide and defend them as his deare children It behooueth al such in whome in any care of their owne saluation