hardly stir from thence till they die except some greater advance offer it self also Commissaries Procters Parotters and these are subservient to the former then Chancellors Vice-chancellors Doctors of Divinity Batchelors of Divinity Doctors of Art Masters of Art Batchelors of Art Graduates under-graduates and these belong to the former then Prelates Parsons Vicars Priests Curates and Church wardens all which titles and names and Officers if they be but compared with the Scripture there will be hardly any parallel either concerning office work or Doctrine and notwithstanding all these orders and sorts who are fitted by humane learning or natural study though divers years exercised therein are not skilled in the word of righteousnesse neither hath the tongue of the learned to administer a word in season to the weary nor to turn the sinner from his sins and thus the form of things titles and names are holden up but who seeks after the power of God or to be made able Ministers of the Spirit Literal Ministers enough while maintenance lasts but the ministration of the Spirit few is acquainted with and if there be any such it is well if they be not Persecuted So in that which I have said the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy since the Apostles dayes in the Ministry in Doctrine in Worship and practice divers of which I have touched upon to the intent that they that enquire after the Lord may depart out of the mist of ignorance and come to worship God in spirit and truth and in the Temple made without hands and be joyned to the Church which is in God which the Gates of Hell prevails not against though many will claim Authority from the Apostles few will own their life neither walk after their example so take but a few more Institutions which is called Apostolick to this day among them called Christian Churches Clatus the third Bishop of Rome was the first that wrote this tittle that is greeting and Apostolick blessing he ordained the order of Priesthood Everastus the fifth Bishop ordained that Priests should be honoured and that they should be shaven Alexander the sixth Bishop of Rome ordained that Matrimony should be only solemnized and that the married should be Blessed with the Priest there was the beginning of being married by Priests Sextus about the year 114. after Christ the seventh Bishop of Rome ordained Holy Water and ordered that it should be strowed abroad in Christians houses and when the People met to worship Telesphorus the eight Bishop of Rome ordained that the Communion should be laid upon an Altar and that Lay people should not touch the Holy vessels nor the Holy Garments of the Priests he ordained Lent which was to be kept by the Clergy in the year one hundred forty two Higinus the ninth Bishop ordained the Communion to be celebrated three times at Christmas and that Lent should be fasted Pius about the year 147 after Christ the tenth Bishop ordained that Crism should be Ministred as Baptism and that Children should have God-fathers and God mothers here was the beginning of this great Ordinance and he ordained that Easter-day should be kept on the Sunday Urbanus the seventeenth Bishop of Rome ordained Church-yards to be hallowed and forbad marriage of Priests Pontianus the eighteenth Bishop ordained that Psalms and Mattens should be sung in Church night and day to drive away evil spirits Sextus the twenty fourth Bishop in the year 222. after Christ ordained that Priests should wear Holy Garments as Coops and divers other things in imitation of Aaron and then came up surplices he commanded Images to be set up in Churches Foelix the twenty sixth Bishop of Rome ordained division of Parish Churchres and Diocesses to Bishops Leo the Emperor gave Commandment that all Images and Pictures of Saints should be taken out of the Churches for the avoiding of Idolatry but the Bishop of Rome withstood the Emperor the Emperor for his confirmation of taking of Images away called a Councel of Bishops about three hundred and thirty and they ordained and decreed that all Images should be taken away and burned in the 740. But in the year 769. Gregory the third called a Council together at Rome near a thousand Bishops and condemned Leo the Emperor and three hundred Bishops for taking Images out of the Churches and yet the former Counsel and this all of one Faith and Church which they use to say could not erre and the latter decreed they should be adored and Worshiped with all reverence Boniface the eighth he gave licence to the mendicant Friars to hear the private Confession of sins that people should confess to them Pope Alexander gave commandment that the Sacrament should be made of the Sweet Bread and commanded that water should be mingled with wine Innocentius the third ordained that People should confess their sins to a Priest once a year in the year at the least And these kinds of Decrees stand for Apostolical to this day among the Apostates and the reformed Churches so called do own many things that are too near a kin to them and preffeth them for Ordinances and holy Institutions yea in many Countries the self same things are both owned and practised in many particulars which I have mentioned before in other parts of this Book and are looked upon as divine service and holy Worship which the Ministers of Christ who have the word of reconciliation to publish are ashamed of knowing them to be such things as never was practised nor holden out by Christ or his Apostles but are brought in since darkness hath over-spread the Earth and the Power of God hath been lost And at the first Institution thereof though there might be some shew of a good intention in the formers of them but now they are become absolute Idols and however at the first some of the things mentioned might seem to some to be indifferent yet now being prest of necessity as the Ordinances of God they are become Idols and ought to be thrown away and departed from by all that professeth the Gospel of Christ Jesus and the worship of God in the Spirit For the Lord God hath drawn away his presence out of all formal and visible appearance since Antichrist and the false Church hath got them on for a Garment and to cover themselves withall to the deceiving of the Nations And now in this the day of his power hath appeared in a more mysterious and secret and hidden way and in a more spiritual appearance Into this deceit cannot enter nor transform and therefore all Babylons Merchants are angry and Antichrists followers are full of Wrath and the Dragon cast out floods after the heir and her that brings him forth and makes War with her Seed but the Lord is putting on her Beautiful Garments and Marrying her to himself and she shall reign and her Seed who are born of the Spirit when she that sat as a Queen upon the
Rome And when any Kings or Princes had displeased him he hath excommunicated them and given away their Kingdomes to some other teaching their people to rebell and also instigating other Princes to make war against them and to kill one another for trifles and if any displeased him he caused many Kings to do penance and to pay great summes of money to get an absolution from excommunication and the Rule and power of the Empire which gave him first his being to be universal Bishop and to be called Pope he hath raised war often against and if he like not the Election of the Emperour he hath deposed them and one he brought into such subjection that he caused him to hold his stirrop a thing that the Emperour was not accustomed with he happened to hold it on the wrong side for which he received a sharp reproof by his holiness Likewise some difference being between Pope Innocent the fourth in the year 1250 and the Emperour Frederick the second the Pope would not be reconciled though the King of France strongly interceded and offered full satisfaction for all pretended wrongs would go out of his Empire if the Pope could not endure him there never to return into Europe again so as that his son with the popes approbation might but succeed him in the Empire which the Pope would not do And how England and diverse Nations hath been troubled with his oppression is well known and what exactions and great sums of mony there hath been enhaused and squeezed out of the Dominions where he had power the Nations well remembers to maintain the pride of his Court at Rome which abounded with all manner of vitiousness in so much that it was grown to that height that Vincentius Clemence the popes Legate said it was now too late and past reforming But to take the Legates own words as follows against his Master the pope and his Court W. H. in his book called a description of England in the 136 page saith thus that this Vincentius Clement in the year 1452 being Legate for the pope was here in England about the popes business and hearing that the Clergy had given the King two tenths for the repaying of his losses which he had sustained in France and for the recovering of Bouâ—deox this Legate Vincentiâ—s coming into the Convocation house he earnestly required the Clergy to be no less favourable to their Spiritual Father the Pope and their Mother the See of Rome then they had been to his vassal and inferiour meaning the King and in his speech in the Convocation he shewed them how that his holiness the pope was much disturbed and in daily danger of his life by cut-throats varlors and harlots which did much abound as he said in Rome but the Clergy in the Convocation slighted his speech and said how should we contribute towards the suppression of such whenas he and such as you continually uphold them I grant saith the Legate that there wanteth just reformation of many things in the City of Rome which would have been made sooner but now it is too late and past reforming nevertheless I beseech you send the Legate to write unto his holiness the Pope to request him that he would abandon and leave that Babyâ—on which is but a sink of mischief and of all ungodlinesse and keep his Court elsewhere in some place of better fame and this is the Legates testimony of the seat of the Mother Church of Rome Besides many of her own Members in England in the year 1245 do manifest what exaction has been upon this Nation as may be seen in a supplication written in the names of the Nobles and Commons of England to Pope Innocent the fourth shewing how many Subsidies and taxes had been levied and sent out of the Râ—alm and how they had been liberally paid they complaining also how he sent Italians and forraigners to possess their Churches and Benefices in England who had no regard of peoples souls and so were no good Shepherds as they said and how the Italians received threescore thousand Marks by the year besides other vails and excises they do reap more rents then the King himself and so when he could not have his subsidies and raise all the sums which he exacted from year to year Pope Innocent perswades the French King to make warre with the King of England for his not condiscending to the pope in all things although he was then one of his sons and of his Church but enough of this it were large to enumerate the actions and cruelties the oppressions which hath been done in that which is called Christendom since the Emperour gave unto the Pope his power and how much idolatry supersttion herâ—sie and Doctrines of Devils hath been spread over the Nations these many hundreds of years and how many have been put to cruel death for not obeying and conforming to the said Doctrines and practices Injunctions and Ordinances and how many he this falle Church hath stirred up to kill one another and destroy one another about these things which hath been put upon people under the name of Divine Authority and holy subjection and Apostolical Institutions by what as iâ— written all may see that these things are in the Apostacy and in the fall in the cuâ—se and in the night of darknesse wherein all this wickedness hath been wrought by the false Church which the Lord God will reward double and dry up her waters under which she sits and make her seat desolate and throw down her pride who hath drunk the blood of the Martyrs and shed the bloud of the Saints and devoured the Lambs of Christ and made merchandize of souls and therefore all who are in part departed from her stay not in the Suburbs but come out of her-City and the Adjacent places thereof that ye be not partakers of the Judgement which is to come upon her But Oh abundance of darkness remains yet in the Nations and even in the Protestant Churches who hold up things yet which was invented by her insomuch that one belonging to the Church of Rome Dionysius Petavius 〈◊〉 Cardinall layes claim to the Ceremonies which were practiced in England in the Bishops time For saith he in his book called the History of the World the Religion of England and Doctrine is Calvinisâ—â— the Doctrine of Geneva but the Ceremonies are of Rome as they were practiced in England in the year 1640. In the time of Leo the fourth Edelwâ—lphus King of England went to Rome for performance of a vow that he had made and was courteously received and accepted by the Pope Leo For which cause he ordained atribute to be paid yearly to the Pope to wit a penny sterling for every house in England that kindled a Fire New Protestants look to your Easter reckonings you have denied the Popes supremacy and yet Vicars and Parsons receives his tribute of every house that kindles a Fire and this stands yet as a good and
in that which is spiritual in thy self through which the things of God are made manifest for with that I have unity and in that as thou livest and walkest I bid thee farewell F. H. The Principal Heads treated upon in this following Discourse 1. THe State of the Church from the manifestation of Christ in the flesh to the end of the Apostles briefly discovered 2. The entring in of the Apostacy and the declination from that purity and Doctrine Worship and practise downward unto this present age and time 3. The Reformed and separated Congregations called Parochial proved in the Apostacy compared with the Primitive times in Worship and Practise 4. A few words unto all how they may come out of the Apostacy to the true Church which is in God the Lambs wife 5. Concerning Baptizing or sprinkling Infants 6. Concerning the sign of the Crosse and ordaining of Parishes and Parochial Churches 7. Concerning swearing by the Gospel as it is called and kissing the Book and Bishopping of Children the first Authors shewn 8. Concerning Fasts and Feasts and Holy dayes their Institutions and founders in the Apostacy 9. Concerning Priests Vestures and Garments and Bells their Authors shewn which are practised amongst Christians as Apostolick Institutions 10. Concerning the Mattens and singing of Psalms by course in Musical tunes and supplications and short Prayers called Lettanies their Authors shewn 11. Conrerning the Passeover and the Lords Supper and the Ceremonies about it 12. Concerning Ministers and their Office under the Law and under the Gospel 13. Concerning the ten Persecutions under the Heathen Emperours and how diverse vain Traditions and Institutions got up among the Christians in those times and Constitution amongst the East and Western Churches after the Apostacy was entered in the first 300. and 400. years after Christ. 14. Of the decrees of the Church of Rome and Ordinances which are held as Apostolick Institutions 15. Concerning the general Councils since the Apostles dayes which belonged to the Church of Rome their Decrees not infallible but are contradicting one another 16. Concerning the worship of God and whether Kings and Rulers ought to compel in Spiritual things declared and some Scriptures cleared and divers objections answered about this thing 17. Concerning Oaths in the first Covenant and the Lawfulness thereof and the unlawfulness thereof discovered in the new Covenant in the Gospel times though the Apostates mingle the Ordinances of both together 18. Tythes in their first Institution unto whom they were due according to the Command of God declared And that Tythes are no way lawful to be received neither sought for by any who are Ministers of the new Covenant and the everlasting Gospel proved out of the Scripture and Antiquity 19. Respecting of Persons and Complemental bowings and worshipping one another and flattering Titles no good manners but are in the transgression and hath been antiently reproved and condemned 20. Universities and Schools of Natural Learning are of no use as to the making of Ministers of Christ in the Primitive times but a thing introduced and brought in in latter ages by the Apostates who had erred from the Spirit who then admired and set up natural Languages and Philosophy that thereby they might be furnished to make discourses speeches and Sermons to get money by and as they are holden up at this day are made an absolute Idol and as to their Practise it s generally known to be prophane and no way meet to advance the Church of Christ. CHAP. I. The State of the true Church from the manifestation of Christ in the flesh to the end of the Apostles dayes briefly discovered GOd according to his determinate will and everlasting Counsel in the fulness of time sent his onely begotten Son into the World to be the Light of the World and to be a Leader to the People and to be a Propitiation for the sins of the whole World Who obeyed the will of the Father in all things according as it was testified of him by Moses and the Prophets and as it was said by David concerning him in the volumn of thy Book it is written concerning me I come to do thy will O God Psal. 40. 7. And so he did as it was written of him he fulfilled all righteousness and ended all the Types and Figures and Shadows and Worship of the first Covenant as the Apostle testifieth of him Heb. 7. 12. The Law was changed and the Priest-hood changed in that they were but Figures and Shadows of Good things to come and in regard that they were faulty and did not make the comers thereunto perfect as pertaining to the conscience but the bringing in of a better hope did and the better Covenant to wit the Covenant of life and peace which the Prophets by the Spirit had testified of from Moses to Samuel and till John and John likewise bore Testimony of him who was the Lamb o God that took away the sins of the world Joh. 1. 29. 36. And now he being come â—o whom the Prophers testified who was not made by a carnal Commandment as was Aaron and the rest of the Priests under the Law but after the power of an endless life offered up himself once for all putting an end to all the offerings of the first Covenant for the perfecting them that are Sanctified Heb. 10. 14. Now he being come into the fulness of time manifest according to the Testimony of the Prophets he fulfilled all things which the Prophets Testified of him and his works did Testifie of him that he was the Son of God Now he declared the will of the Father and discoursed with them who were Doctors and Ministers of the first Covenant declaring unto them divers times and shewing unto them in divers places that the Kingdom of God was at hand and to be manifest in power and testified of himself and the Father also with him and his works declared the same that he was the everlasting high Priest which put an end to all the first Priest-hood Covenant and Ordinances thereof and he preached the word of the Kingdom and declared against them who sticked behind in the figures and types and shadows and did reprove them to wit the professors of the first Covenant who were searchers of the Scriptures and said you will not come unto me that you may have life I am the bread of Life that came down from above and came to fulfill the Law and all righteousness and to publish the word of Faith which did not make void the Law but establish it which was new And so he said while you have the â—ight believe in the Light that you may be children of the Light And this he spoke to the Pharisees which had the Law and the Prophets and were acting in the Types and Figures which were shadows of the thing it self but not the very thing but he preached the very thing The word of the Kingdom the word of power and the word of life and many
Dionysius writes unto him how that all Cilicia Cappadocia Galatia and the bordering Nations how great Synods had decreed that they would not communicate with them because they rebaptized Hereticks and saith further the greatest Synods of Bishops hath decreed that such as renounce any heresie should first be instructed and then Washed and Purged of their impure leaven and thus they Wrangled and Jangled about things with one another and brake into Fractions notwithstanding many of these men Suffered under the merciless Cruelty of the Heathen Emperor likewise they excommunicated one another and called Councils and censured one another and hurt the spreadng of Truth amongst them that believed in the Name of Jesus all this is to shew that they were declining and coming to loss in this time though so near the Apostles time and though they suffered under the Emperors and found peace with the Lord yet many practices and institutions were made which are not according to the Primitive times which ought not to be binding to all generations afterwards because of the Antiquity of them as the now called Church of Rome would have all to receive as Apostolick Doctrine But to return to Constantine the Emperor when peace was established in the Empire he set forth a general Proclamation or Edict not constraining therein any man fro any Religion but giving liberty to all men to exercise their Religion whether Christians or others which thing was taken well by the Romans and all wise men this Licinius joyned with Constantine in the Government of the Empire and seemingly favoured the Christians and joyned with Constantine in setting forth an edict for the Christians liberty yet afterwards he had great hatred towards Constantine and conspired his death rejecting the Christian Religion and Persecuted them who said he would become an Enemy to the Christians for that in their Meetings and Assemblies they prayed not for him but for Constantine so cast the Christians into Prison and Persecuted them within his Dominions and many were put to death but at length he was slain after several battels between him and Constantine by the souldiers in the year 324. Constantius the Emperor the Father of Constantine dyed a natural death and was buried at York Dioclcesian died at Salena as some say by his own Poyson in the year 319. he was the chief of the seven Tyrants in the tenth Persecution Maximinian the second who was hanged at Mazilla by Constantine in the year 310. Thirdly Galerius who was plagued with a terrible disease Severus the fourth was slain by Maximinian the father of Maxentius the wicked Tyrant who was Banished by Constantine in the year 318. The sixth was Maxentius who dyed not long atfer in the year 320. Lastly Licinius was overcome by Constantine and slain about the year 324. And thus the Lord Plagued the cruelty of the Heathen Emperors who knew not God but hated his appearance and rewarded them according to their deeds The Christians in these three hundred years wherein was the ten Persecutions they were sufferers under the Power of the Dragon who ruled in the Emperors and then they were not Persecutors having not the outward power in their hand but when they had the outward power then they turned Persecutors especially the Bishops of Rome when they had the outward power on their side then they were worse then Constantine the great who gave liberty to all Christians and others to Worship God without forcing of any as their actions following afterwards makes it appear for being countenanced by the Emperor they grew proud and lordly and increasing in power and outward Authority though set up at first by the Emperor at last excluded him for having any Authority or Power over the See of Rome as after a season may be made appear In the year 367. Damasus was Bishop of Rome 18. years Also in the first three or four hundred years before ever the Bshop of Rome did get so high as to be called universal Bishop abundance of Darkness spread over and abundance of Idolatry and superstitious things was invented and abundance of Orders as Friars and Monks and Monasteries and Nunneries wherein they were diverted from the order of the Gospel and a great Apostacy came in In the year 260. Anthony is called the Father of the Monks who followed the Example of Paulus born at Thebes in Egypt who retired himself to a private Gave under the foot of a Rock in the seventh Persecution by Decius And one called Basil is said to be the first that built Monasteries and ordained vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience and these are called the Monks of Basils Order and are bound to abstain from all kinde of Flesh and here began this Doctrine of Devils contrary to the Doctrines of the Apostles of Christ. The next who prescribed Orders was Augustine born in the year 350. this order was called Austin Fryars they wear a Lethern girdle to distinguish them from the Monks the first Order of the Eriars was Mendicants the third that Prescribed Orders was Benedict in the year 472. and out of this Order did spring the Monks of Benedict and divers other Orders which I have mentioned before in the former part of the Book The fourth that Prescribed Orders was Francis of Assis these are called Franciscans or Grey Friars their rule and order was confirmed by Innocent the third these are the fourth Order of Friars Mendicants or begging Friars and from this order sprung Friars Miniries and Capouchen Friars Miniries were ordered by Franciscus de Pola and Capouchens were ordained by one Matthew Basa of Acona The Jesuites were first founded by Ignatius Loyolla born in Navar they were first confirmed by Paul the third The Nuns first Author was one Clare the Daughter of Asses who forsoke her Fathers House and devised an Order of religious Women who vowed Poverty and Virginity they were confirmed by Honorius the third but many of these being mentioned and their Practices which are contrary to the Primitive time is mentioned before in this Book and so let them pass and to return to the Bishops of Rome but divers contentions and sects began to breake forth and the Bishops not only of Rome but of Alexandria and Nicomedia and Miletus and one clashing against another Alexander Bishop of Alexandria and Eusebins Bishop of Nicomedia and many Bishops in other places joyning one to one side and one to another and envying one another insomuch that as Eusebius saith a man might have seen not only the Presidents and chief Rulers of the Churches envying one against another with spightful approbrious Terms and also the Multitude severed into parts that the Christian Religion was openly derided of all Men and so called Councils and Synods and condemned one another and excommunicated one another as Hereticks and so went out of the Long-suffering and Patience and forbearance which the Apostle exhorted unto And so no less then four hundred years many run wholly out into contention about
the first rise of the Pope But Phocas for his murther was justly rewarded for Heraclius the Emperour cut off his hands and feet and cast him into the Sea but Rome would not so soon loose her supremacy once given as the giver lost his life and ever since that time the Popes have holden defended and maintained the same by all force pollicy and cruelty that possible can be this was in the year 606. And so the Bishop now became Pope his rise was not because of his holiness or righteousness or doctrine or holy practices suitable unto Peter whom he saith he succeeded for his Doctrine and practice Peter had condemned the same things before Boniface was but his rise was by a Heathen Emperor who had Command over a great party at that time and so by the force of his edict he claims authority Vitilianus the eleventh Pope in the year 657 he confirmed that practice which was set up before by some other of the Bishops of Rome that organs should be set up in Churches Paschal in the year 817 was the first that appointed Cardinals to be in number 70. Adrian the third the 47 Pope in the year 884 ordained that the Emperour of Rome from thenceforth should have no more to do with the election or confirmation of the Pope but that it should be left wholly to the Romane Clergy So now that which first gave the Pope power to wit the Emperour he now throws off the yoak and if the Emperour please not him hath stirred up the people to mannage war against him and against divers Princes as may be seen in the histories of latter ages Sergius the third was the first who ordained bearing of Candles in the feast of the purification of Mary thence called Candlemas day Calistine the second in the year 1143 was the first inventer of cursing or anathamizing any who received not his Ordinances with Bell Book and Candle Innocent the third 1198 was the first that brought in the Doctrine of Transubstantiation and imposed auricular confession upon the people Clement the fifth 1350 was the first that sold indulgencies and pardons Sixtus the fourth 1471 brought in the beads to be numbred when they prayed authorized the Ladies psalter Leo the tenth in the year 1553 set Indulgencies and pardons on sale in Germany and France which things caused Luther in Germany and Zunglius amongst the Switzers to write against the Popes Ministers and afterwards questioned many points of the Popish Doctrine upon which the Pope burned Luthers writings and condemned him for an Heretick and Luther burned the Popes Canon Law at Wittenburg and declared the Pope to be a persecutor and a very Antichrist The Inquisition began first in Spain which was set up by the Papists there to terrifie the Moors who had inhabited Spain for 760 years and so long Spain was governed by the Emperour of the Moors in Africa until the year 1492. And after this time the inquisttion began against the Moors which was not so cruel at first as afterwards it began to be against the Protestants and is now accounted the greatest violence and torture and the greatest Tyranny and severest kind of persecution upon the Earth insomuch that many papists abhor the very name and mention of it and to the death withstand the bringing in of this slavery amongst them the extremity and rigor of this inquisition untill the year 1609. in Philip the third King of Spains time notwithstanding though the Moors did make a shew of the Papists Religion because of the Inquisition yet eleven hundred thousand of them was forced to quit the Country it was so dreadful And all these kind of Ordinances and Institutions before mentioned compare them with the Scriptures and the cruelty and severity which hath been exercised towards them who could not receive them none who have their eyes open in any measure but must needs conclude that all this is in the Apostacy and so all who prosess reformation flee from these things and from this Spirit and from this Church who forces and kills all them that oppose who are under his power and why should any plead for the holding up of those practices as good and warrantable when as so many has been killed about them and so many has been led from the life and power of godliness while they received and practised these humane inventions vain and customary traditions for the Doctrine of Christ and for Apostolick Ordinances and must it not needs be concluded them who would tye people up and bind men to observe such and such things as is mentioned before in this book and persecute for not observing that they are they who draws back to perdition and keeps people from laying hold upon eternal life Many more vain practises and Doctrines which have been brought in since the Apostles dayes might be mentioned but in that which is said already the understanding will see that there hath been a great Apostacy both in life doctrine and practise from the Apostles time downward untill now that which is called the Catholick Church in Rome is in it And likewise diverse of them who are separated from her sticks too much in these things because of the custom Tradition and Antiquity of them In part I have shewn their Antiquiry and their rise and also shewn that which is more antient then they from which they have swarved to the intent that all may come out of Babylon and drink no more of the cup nor buy no more of the Merchandize nor wear no more the harlots cognizance nor the false Churches at tire but that all may come to see before this heap of dark confusion and beyond the vain observations which hath been introduced which maketh no man through the observation thereof more acceptable unto God but rather twofold more like children of the wicked one who abode not in the truth CHAP. XIIII Something further of the Decrees and Ordinances of the Church of Rome which are holden out for Apostolical Ordinances POpe Paul about the year 757 condemned the Councel at Constantinople for condemning worshipping of Images he wrote a book of the worshipping and vitility of Images calling them the Laymens Kalendar Pope Adrian about the year 770 cloathed the image of Saint Peter with silver and covered the Altar of Saint Paul with a pall of gold and condemned them for Hereticks who kept Peter and Pauls Doctrine which declared against idols Pope Nicholas about the year 858 enlarged the Popes Decrees equaling them to the writings of the Apostles he decreed that service should be said in Latine And although by the Emperours the Pope was first elected yet now having got head did climb up so high in power and pride and arrogancy endeavoured that no Emperour should be crowned without his leave in Germany And Pope Clement the fifth excommunicated Andronicus Peleologus Emperour of Constantinople as a Heretick because he would not suffer the Greek Church to appeal to
did proclaim it in their Assemblies let none that is wise enter none that is learned none that is prudent for thus it is appointed us in the Gospel but if there be any unwise unlearned any foolish let him approach with confidence for these were fit to be the servants of God Ouzetius in his Animadversions page 25 saith that the Gentiles did object against the Christians their rude stile their harsh Language and how they were destitute of all Addresses calling them Rusticks and Clowns So the Christians did again term the Gentiles the Politie the Eloquent and the Learned Clemence Romanus saith in his writing lib. 2. chap 6. Abstain from all the Books of the Gentiles for what have you to do with strange discourses or Laws or false Prophets which Seduce weak men from the Truth In the Council at Carthage there was a Canon made distinct 37. cap. Epist. citante Jac. Laurentio de lib. gentil page 41. Let not a Bishop read Heathen Authors Gracian saith we see that the Priests of the Lord neglecting the Gospel and the Prophets they read Comedies and read love verses out of Beuchlies they peruse Virgil And what is a sin of enforced necessity in Children is become their delight doth not he seem to walk in vanity and darknesse of mind who vexes himself day and night in the study of Lodgick who in the persuit of Phisicall Speculations one while elevates himself beyond the highest Heavens and afterwards precipitates himself below the neather parts of the Earth and diveth into the Abisse and chargeth his memory with the distinct knowledge of verses Petrus Belonius saith in Greece amongst the Christians which were very many there were very few learned men because they esteemed not of it as of nenessity to Christianity though they could speak Greek and some Latine but few could write or read in their Libraries were severall manuscrips of Divinity but no Historians no Philosophers for those were anathomized And all Christians were exhorted not to study Poetry nor Philosophy Yet Reader thou mayest understand that the Greek Church is highly owned for a true Christian Church and highly owned by the Protestants yet neither they nor the Pickards nor Waldenses in Bohemia did value learning so far were they from esteeming of it as the proper true Religion Luther de Institu puer inter aper Wittenburg to 7. fol. 444. Paul exhorteth to beware of Philosophy and vain deceit Col. 2. He had been at Athens and had acquainted himself with that vain-glorious humane wisdome and knew the multiplicity of Contradictions which it had procured What then hath Athens to do with Jerusalem What fellowship hath the Epicures and Stoicks with the Church of Christ Jerome lib. 1. Contra Pelag. what hath Aristotle to do with Paul or Plato with Peter A multitude of Testimonies might be brought to this effect how the Christians did in former ages reject Philosophy and Heathen Authors and all such frivilous stories as no way lawfull for Christians to meddle in nor any way good to propagate Christianity Bishop Usher in Vindication of the Waldenses by way of Apologie he saith God did chuse Fisher-men that so he might not give his glory to another for asmuch as the little ones had asked breâ—d came to receive it and the learned being busied about vain contentions and disputations were sent empty away The Waldenses saith Bishop Usher de success chap. 6. 28. We are not ashamed of our Teachers because they labour with their hands procuring thereby a livelihood to themselves because both the Doctrine and example of the Apostles doth lerd us to such apprehensions And as for the Ceremonies which are found in these Universities and Colledges and popish superstitious practises I shall leave the Reader to read thém else where which are so many and so Superstitious that they come little behind Rome in Idolatry and as for their consecration of Priests and the endlesse rabble of Ceremonies which do attend as such times as they take degrees is well known to many in this Nation And yet these Universities and Schools are elevated in some mens minds as though they were the chief propagators of Christianity when as indeed they are an in-let of Heathenism and Idolatry and no way of necessity usefull for the true Church of God And it is judged by some learned men and that upon good ground that the present fashoned Universities Orders and Habits was from the Dominicans An order instituted by the Pope to suppress the Waldenses and their doctoral degrees by the learned are judged to be no other then Noval and accounted Antichristian by the reformed Churches so called in Scotland France Holland Switzerland and the Calvinists in high Germany And so many Doctors there are in the Universities who never knew how to divide the Word aright nor what it is to convert one Soul unto God A Doctor that is no Teacher he is a dumb dog and an insignificant piece of formality in the Universities which carries a shew of something but is nothing in substance and the chief practise is several ridiculous Solemnities together with constant wearing of a Coull and some other vestments fetcht out of a popish Wardrobe It was an Article of John Wicklifs condemned at Constance who suffered as a Martyr that Graduations and Doctorships in Universities and Colledges as they were in use then did conduce nothing to the Church of Christ Acts and Monuments page 449. Didoclavius in his book Alte Damascanum page 891. saith that Hoods Tippets and Square Caps were introduced by antichrist to promote his splendor and it is a Stage-play dresse and altogether ridiculous being a distinguishment of some men from others by signes useless and destitute of all Ornament Upon their shoulders saith he there hangs down a hood such as fools used to wear being neither handsome nor convenient Bucer refused to wear a square cap and being demanded the reason he answered that God had made his head round Philpot chused rather to be secludvd the Convocation of the Clergy then to wear a hood and a Tippet who died a Martyr for the faith of the Protestant Church as Fox tells us in his Acts and Monuments and the superstitious hoods is but a product of the old Monkish mettel grounded upon the superstitious exposition of that place Heb. 11. they wandred abroad in sheeps skins c. And whether such men are fit to be Ministers of Christ who gives such expositions upon the Scriptures or whether it is not altogether detestable and Idolatrous and savours altogether of Ignorance as to expound such a Scripture as this stand fast having your loyns girt c. And this must signifie the Episcoparian girdles with which they tye their Canonical Coats or long black frocks And whether this is a good foundation for the Colledge Doctors to stand booted and spurd in the Act because there is mention made in Scripture of being shod with the preparation of the Gospel See Statute Accad Oxon.
Tit. 7. parag 17. And whether this be not ridiculous and foolish to give for their armes the book with seven seales is not that a gross abuse of what is laid down in the Revelation as if the liberal Arts two whereof are Grammer and Fidling are typified by these seals which none were worthy to open but the Lamb And as for their habits and black gowns and black Coats these have been borrowed from Rome or else from the Chimerians a sort of people of old among the Jews who were Idolaters Hosea 10. 〈◊〉 Some of the Kings of Israel who drew people into Idolatry and countenanced Idolatrous Priests 2 Kings 23. Who were attired in black These were prophesied against by Hosea 10. chap 5. They were supprest by Josiah and Zephany chap. 14. saith he stretch forth his hand upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and cut off the remnant of Baal and the name of the Chimerims or black-coats with the Priests Jerome bids Nepotian being to enter upon the Clergy to avoid black attire In Tertullians time every one that did turn Christian or was made a Presbyter did renounce his gown which was the Romane vestment and afterwards the Clergy relinquisht dark coloured cloaks for Coats and the Clergy and Laity in fine were both alike habited And a Bishop was condemned of the Council of Gaâ—grae for introducing the fashon of long sad coloured Cloaks that was condemned by the Assembly unbeseeming the Priesthood all this is clear out of Tertullians writings de pallio with the notes of Salmasius thereon And all these things had but a bad Original and were never commanded by God And seeing they are made such Idols of ought no longer to be imitated but to be quite abolished But some may object though the original were popish and Antichristian yet since they are employed to better uses viz for distinction order and decency they may lawfully enough be retained To this is answered might not the Jews have given the same reason to their reformers that the Golden Calfs and their Groves might not be consumed and turned into ashes because they might be better employed to good uses afterwards or might not the Brazen Serpent have continued as well as the pots of Maâ—na Yet when it was become an Idâ—l away it must go but the sum of all is all these habits attir's have been used for superstitious ends and pride and pomp and vain glory So they that retain them they do no more then the Levite that stole away Michals Gods from Mount Ephraim and set them up at Dan where Idolatry became a more publick worship So all this innovated superstitious trumpery is no way advantagious to the Church of Christ neither conduceth to any true order neither hath any congruity with the primitive times is to be denied by all that comes out of Babylon and out of the Apostacy into the primitive Order and the true Churches practice and the Saints example As for Parish Churches which I mentioned before some say it was the Decree of the Lattern Council in the year 1180. But Cambden saith that Dyonysius did onely distribute into Diocesses and others judge into Parishes and as concerning Church-yards to bury the dead its Original is Superstitious and all the ringing and singing and the reading before and over the dead is Iddlatrous and Superstitions Gaudentius saith that of old times and so saith the Scriptures they did bury their dead in their own ground which custome was taken away by Pope Innoteat the third he prohibited that any should cause themselves to be buried in unconsecrated ground forsaking the Sepulchers of their Fathers Hospinian saith that at last it became so superstitious in being buried in order near the Church that they judged it material even to their salvation De Orig. Temple lib. 3. chap. 1. The Waldenses said the uses of Church-yards is superstitious and invented only for Lucre sake and it is no matter in what ground any one is buried see Usher de Sucâ—es Eccles. Christ. chap 6. And how much there is of this superstition in England now and what excessive rates are paid for breaking up ground all is sensible of that it is only one of the Popish nets which is holden up to get money by And so I shall conclude these things and say with John Come out of of Babylon and be not partaker of her sins least you be partakers of her Plaâ—â—es for the hour of her judgment is come and the time wherein her filthiness and loathsomeness shall be made manifest to the Nations and her skirts shall be uncovered and her abominable practises discovered of which in part I have declared unto all in this discourse that all may see the abominations and depart out of the snares that leads to death and these practises which tends to destruction THE END Claudius Espontius ordainâ—d aâ—a counsel at Pysoy in France that Infants baptism should be received by tradition because it could not be proved as a command from the Scriptures Ignatius Bishop of Rome was the first ordainer of Infants baptism and that they should have Godfathers and Godmothers c. Victor Bishop of Rome instituted that children might be christned by Lay-men and Lay-women in case of necessity Pius Bishop of Rome built the first Temple after the Apostacy in bonour to Prudentia Dionysius in the year 267 divided both in Rome and other places into Parishes and Dioceses for Bishops Abraham and his Wife buried in Hebron in a piece of ground he bought Justinian the Emperour ordained that men should swear by the Gospel or Book called the Gospel and lay their hands thereon and kiss it saying So help me God Silvester Bishop of Rome ordained that all Churches should be Christned and should be anointed with oyl Clement Bishop ordained Confirmation of Children and said none was a perfect Christian if he wanted this and thus Children should be smoâ—e on the cheek signed with this Cross. * At Lions in France they apointed holy dayes to increase their Religion Boniface the fourth ordained Stephen Innocents Lawrence Michael Martin John Baptists and All Saints to be kept holy Corpus Christi day ordained by Urbanus the fourth Sylvester Bishop ordained Lammas day in memorial of Peters painâ— Gregory ordained that Mass or short prayer should be said over the Tombs of the dead Gregory appointed wednesday and friday should be fasted Soulmass day was ordained by Odilo Sextus Commanded that no Lay-people should touch the Priests Garments Sabinianus ordained that people should come together to hear Service by ringing Bells John 22. Bishop ordained bells to be tol'd three times a day Singing of Mattens at set times Hierom appointed Pelagius the second commanded Priests to say them dayly â—elesphorus appointed that Lent should be kept before Easter and fasted Concerning Mass and Letany many Authors patched it up at sundry times Acts and Monuments vol. 2. Fol. 55. Euseb. lib. 6. chap. pag. 98. In his book de succes cap. 6. Acts and Monuments vol. 1. fol. 527. Fol. 653. Exodus 20. 7. Acts and Monuments vol. 2. fol. 701. De succes cap. 6. Acts 11. 29. 1 Cor. 16. 2. Eusebius lib. 4. chap. 22. Cyprian Epist. 27. 34. 36. Hom. 11. in actn Hom. 16. in Evan. and dist 5. de consecr Acts and Mon. p. 435. Acts and Mon. p. 536 537. Prosper de vita contempt lib. 2. chap. 14. Cyril de adorat in spir ver lib. 4. ad finem Origen homil 15 in Levit.