please the papists yet they satisfie them not but only imbolden them to get greater advantages for their Religion to encroach demand practise and by degrees prevaile by corrupting such luke-warme newters that all these things are the fruits of the English hierarchie and traditions the Achans and Babylonish garments that trouble Israel an hierarchie and traditions which taking their greatest authoritie from Romish usurpation and superstition bring forth such Protestants and which therefore is a Church planted accordingly For say they in England it hath beene and is taken for a sufficient conversion from poperie to come to the Church to the service and Sacrament whereas in France and other reformed Churches before any papist is received and counted a protestant he is presented in the congregation before the preacher who asketh him question to this purpose First whether he hold the doctrine taught in the old new Testament to be Gods and sufficient to salvation 2ly whether he hold that the reformed Churches teach and hold the same doctrine in theire Religion and he desire to bee of it 3 whether he hold the Pope to bee Antichrist and the Church of Rome the whore of Babylon And so he consenting to all this is received with joy and there is no danger that he should be false or popish who makes this profession whereas in England where allare admitted without any such profession they may be true or false as they list If they doe but come to the Church to the service sacrament though they secretly favour the Romish religion it appeare to many in their practise they may nevertheles be chosen parliament men if they doe but take the oath of allegiance as verie many papists have donne who dares question them which is the reason there hath beene so much disturbance in all the late assemblies of Parliament and so little fruit by them Some say they not only in private parishes but ever in the court have come to church like Hēry Earle of Northāpton he Duke of Buck others and have favoured the hierarchie service spake well of them of some mēs bookes sermons as little or nothing repugnant to poperie and for it were content to bee reckoned protestants that so they might get offices honours trust and power in great affaires make some pretences for the good of our Religion or the state but secretly carrie them for the advancement of the Romish cause To effect it the better and withall to save themselves from danger these say they beeing great and able to helpe others to offices and honour plant such about Kings as themselves are and have had enow to applaude second and justifie them in their proceeding for as the Apostle saith A little leaven leaveth the whole lumpe Gal. 5. ◠how soever these getting to be the Major and predominant part will in time worke that there shal be no other but such unles perhaps some that are neither hot nor cold in religion or being poore or lesse potent are forced for their owne private interests to be silent in time to depend on them or beswaied by them and then they all thus ingaged in any cause are prone to justifie theire owne acts for good policies and there is so little hope of getting sounder men into their places that it must needes bee as hard and dangerous to convince them as for an inhabitant of Rome to convince that Church of any errour a Parliament of wise men sufficeth not to doe it which hath beene the losse of the Palatinate and the cause of all the evill our Religion hath suffered in Bohemia Germanie Frāce at home Eor say the forraigne protestants if the house of Austria the French had not beene sure they had such freinds in England they durst never have attemtped that they did that they that are such or flatter such as are much infected with avarice ambition lust must needes be blinde in spirituall things especially in the matter of the hierarchies wherein the devill labours to keepe them more blind then others that so they may be unfit judges in the cause and he may thereby set up traditions to make the word of none effect eftablish the tyrannie of the Bishops in the Church against the Eldership and all the friends thereof keepe men lukewarme and newters if not thus false betweene Christ and Antichrist and so make way to bring England againe to Romish errour or somwhat as bad that such Lords were ever in grace with the Bishops and the Bishops with them because it troubles them not to have fellowship with Church papists so unlike are they to Saint Iohn that would not come in the bath where Cerinthus was that divers chaplaines preachers also set up fitted for their turnes seeing them able to advance whom they would have for their favour broached maintained Arminian and popish tenets wresting the Articles and the very Scriptures to confirme them and thus say they the English hierarchie and service bring forth such counsellors and protestants and such counsellours bring forth such Bishops and Chaplaines For if Princes or their favourites be but corrupted in religion they cannot want flatterers both of the Clergie and others to corrupt and be corrupted to conforme and be conformed to them For one that is against them they shall have hundreds with them as in Ahabs time so miserable a thing it is when they will not conforme their opinions to Gods word but it to their policies and opinions as one said to Micajah 1 Kings 22 13. The words of the Prophete declare good unto the King with one mouth let thy word I pray thee be like the word of one of them Constantius fell into Arianisme the Rivers and fountaines the Bishop and teachers were corrupted To omit other instances this desire of authoritie honour and precedence was the bane of the Church of Rome who being drunke with that poison and thereby swolme with a monstrous greatnes gave the cup to others a cup that all nations are but to prove to drinke of And indeed so much doe the favour of Princes and honours more then all other gifts blind the eyes of the wise and bring them to temporising and spirituall ignorance that it may be counted a worke of Gods speciall grace that any that seeke or attaine wealth honour and authoritie should have the true knowledge and feare of God seeing as Paul saith of them that wil be rich 1. Tim. 9.6 so it may be said of them that wil be honourable and great they fall into temptations and snares and many foolish and noysome lusts that drowne men in perdition And indeed such doe commonly so abound in sensualitie that it may be said of the most part of them Psal 49.20 Man being in honour hath no understanding but is compared to the beasts that perish For nothing makes a man more like a beast then spirituall ignorance and sensualitie Nothing makes a
by the bountie and favour of Constantine and his Princes the Bishop of Rome was made rich and great but so were other Bishops also And as he began to have a tribunall and courts and causes so did others also and thence grew corruption upon corruption contention upon contention appeale upon appeale division upon division He grew to be reckoned a Patriarch but the Bishops of Alexandria and Antioch had the like priviledges given them which soone after was also bestowed on the Bishop of Constantinople because it was become the Imperiall Cittie as Rome had beene before And though the Greek Bishops would never acknowledge the Pope for their head because there was no reason they should yet they must needes confesse that his rising was theires Their rising and greatnes was but an imitation of his and so is that of the Archbishops of Toledo Paris Collen Mentz Trier Canterburie Yorke and others as also of the Bishops of Angiers London Winchester and Durham and all others in the Christian world according to the greatnes of the Provinces Cities and Countries whereof they obtained the title and jurisdiction The Pope was the Beast and Antichrist before he got the title of universall Bishop which made him theire head the grand Antichrist which hinders not but that before and since they by their office might be pettie Antichrists This would quickly appeare if men would trie the spirits trie the doctrines trie the callings and say The calling of Diocessan Bishops is it of God or of men But if Bishops may have their wills you shall neither trie their callings nor their doctrines by the Scriptures I wonder therefore that Princes and people of the reformed religion should have their doctrines and ceremonies in such admiration because of their persons and offices as if Gods spirit must needes be with them more then with others when they should rather thinke it to be lesse with them whose calling and dominion is not of God then with others and that if their doctrines traditions and ceremonies agree not with the Scriptures they cannot bee of God 2 Ioh. 9. Ioh. 8.44 Acts. 14.23 Act. 20.17.28 seing their authoritie and office that impose them is not of God but of the same spirit that ruleth in Antichrist they abide not in the government of Christ but are enemies to it For the Apostles ordained them Presbiters that is Elders in every Church by election Paul saith to the Presbiters to the Elders Take heede therefore unto your selves and to all the flock over which the holy Ghost hath made you Bishops the word is the same that is used 1. Tim. 3.1.2 and may be translated a Bishop or an overseer even as in the Greeke a presbiter is an Elder There were divers of them over one flock Therefore he saith To the saints that are at Philippi Phil. 1.1 Tit. 1.5 with the Bishops and Deacons the presbiters were then the Bishops which is cleere by that I left thee in Crete that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting and ordaine them Presbiters in every Cittie that is by election according to Act. 14.23 Act. 1.23 Chap. 6.5 and 1. Tim. 4.14 as Beza well proveth it Vers 6.7 in his Annotations on these places and so Paul addeth If any be blamelesse Act. 20. Phil. 1. for a Bishop that is the presbiter aforenamed must be blamelesse which is so cleere that Bellarm. that would faine denie it Bellarm. de Clericis lib. 1. c. 14. is forced to coÌ„fess that in all these three places the presbiters are called Bishops and consequently when Paul saieth 1. Tim. 3. He that desireth the office of a Bishop desireth a good worke that is the office of a Presbiter they were one and the fame as Hierom and others cited by Bellarmin have affirmed Otherwise Paull would not have them passed 1. Tim. 3. as he doth from the office of a Bishop to the office of a Deacon but first from the office of a Bishop to the office of a Presbiter and then to Deacons but there he only speakes of Bishops and Deacons because a Bishop and a Presbiter is one and the same thing It is true that Timothie was an Euangelist which is greater then a Bishop but as he is called a Bishop that is a presbiter Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was giveÌ„ thee by prophecie with the laying on of the hands of the Presbiterie Chap. 4.14 The presbiters ye see were then the Bishops that ordained presbiters that is Bishops and in that sense Titus a presbiter that is a Bishop was left to ordaine them presbiters in every Cittie that is Bishops but Titus was not a Bishop of Bishops for if any of them were taken in a fault the consistorie of presbiters were to looke to it Acts 20.28 So it is said against an Elder receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses 1 Tim. 5.19 which is not to set one over the rest to make a Bishop of Bishops but as if an Apostle should write to a senator of Venice against a Senator receive not an accusation but before two or three witnesses which were to teach him and all Senators their dutie Christ saith of the holy Ghost Ioh. 16. he shall not speake of himself he shall take of mine to shew unto you to teach us that the holy Ghost bringeth no new doctrine or ordinance that stands not with the old for Christ changeth not he is the same yesterday and to day for ever But Paul saith of the Elders The holy Ghost hath made you Bishops this ordinance therefore is unalterable Hebr. 13. â—â— Act. 20. They ought to have the government and the honour due to Elders so Paul saith Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour 1 Tim. 5.15 especially they who labour in the word and doctrine Next to the Apostles and Euangelists the Eldership was the place of greatest honour in the Church None of the Apostles are called Bishops but Elders they disdained not the title but reckoned it an honour 2. Ioh. 1. The Elder to the Elect Ladie and saint Pet. saith The Elders which are among you I exhort who am also an Elder the Greeke word signifies a fellow elder The Apostles and Elders came together to consider of this matter Act. 15.8.22.23 The chosen menand decrees went out in all their names Some object that Bishops succede the Apostles and Presbiters the seaventie Disciples This is but a conceite For Presbiters were the Bishops ordained of God to succeede the Apostles Christ saith to them Loe I am with you alwaies to the end of the world Mat. 28.20 That is in their successors such as should teach their doctrine baptise and governe according to his ordinance the Eldership so they may have successors but not as they were Apostles and over Elders that is over Bishops for as Beza observeth the Apostles excercised no
THE CURTAINE OF CHVRCH-POVVER AND AVTHORITIE IN THINGS CALLED INDIFFERENT Drawne and laid open to shew the many infectious sores and maladies they bring in and cover Together with sundry infallible reasons proving that the service of God and the generall good of the Church and Common wealth require that they should be abolished By Ia Henric. Isai 29.13 14. Forasmuch as this people draw neere me with their mouth and with their lips doe honour me but have removed their heart far from me and their feare towards me is taught by the precepts of men Therefore behold I will proceed to doe a marvellous worke amongst this people for the wisedome of their wisemen shall perish and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid Ier. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Physitian there Why then is 〈…〉 health of the daughter of my people recovered Printed MDCXXXII To the Christian Reader VVEe may see cleerly how it oft fareth betweene Christ and the Churches by that which he said against the Scribes and Pharises when he proved that in divers particulars they had made the word of God of none effect through theire traditions The Church of Rome hath in that evill exceeded them Marc. 8.6 to 14. Bellarmin in his 4 book of the unwritten word of God Chap. 2. making three sorts of traditions calleth one Ecclesiastical which he saith are introduced from ancient customes by the Prelates or by the people and creepingly by the silent and unquestioning agreement of the people have gained as it were strength of law with such are wee to deale Sess 21. Chap. 1.2 The Councell of Trent declareth that this power hath the Church alwayes had in ministring of the Sacraments haveing their substance to ordaine or alter that which she judged to be most expedient for the vtilitie of those that receive them I could wish the Church of England at least in her practise had never inclined to such kind of opinions and traditions But considering how things goe there I thought my selfe so much bound to Christ my Saviour that I must discover the mischeivous wounds and soares they bring in and cover that by the mercie of God and care of them that are sensible of the hurts there may happily be found balme in Gilead to cure them Ier. 8.22 Lame 1.12 For stay and consider all ye that passe by If the Church of England like the man m the Gospel that went downe from Ierusalem to Iericho be not fallen among theeues Luc 10.30 31.32 that have stripped her of her raiment wounded her whether many Priests and Levits have not come downe that way and seene her and passe by on the other side Whether I seeing the wouâ—â— thâ—â—â—re herein manifested Vers 37. could doe lesse then have compassion on her whether I have not as far as God hath enabled me bound them vp and powred into them the wine of his law and the oyle of the Gospel whether I had not reason to complaine of them that have so cruelly hurt her and if in ought I have donne the part of a neighbour remember what our Lord saith goe thou doe likewise Be not of them that cover with a covering Isai 30.1 but not of Gods Spirit But rather remember Christs words beware of false Prophets that come to you in sheepes clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves ye shal know them by theire fruits Math. 7.15 16.18 Doe men gather grapes of thornes or figs of Thistles A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit The presbiterie and the hierarchie may bee theese two trees which thou shalt know by theire fruits he that seekes the good hath adversaries about the bad I may find such in this worke but he that shall judge both them and me is able to defend it If then they constraine me to say with my Leader I have laboured in vaine Isa 49.3 I have spent my strength for nought I shal adde yet surely my jugment is with the Lord and my worke with my God To his grace therefore and protection I must commend it and rest Thine in the Lord IA HENRIC THE CVRTAINE OF CHVRCH-POWER AND Authority in things called indifferent drawne and laid open to shew the many infectious soares and maladies they bring in and cover I Deny not but that the Church may make ordinances when they be but few easie innocent and tend onely to the keeping of that which is in effect required though not in termes expressed in Gods word Aug. confess lib. 1. c. 11. In the primitive Church many put off their Baptisme either till age when the heat of sinne was well over or till they were sicke and in danger of death because they had a conceit that sinnes after Baptisme were greater that in Baptisme all sinnes and staines were washed away and in the meane they might give more scope to their lusts whereupon the Church made a Canon that none might bee a Bishop who had beene baptized in his bed because such a one seemed to be baptized rather of necessity then faith and love which was a scandall deserving such an ordinance against it because those who are chosen to that office should be blamelesse c. 1 Tim 3.2 Tit. 1.7 It is also a great scandall to Christianity that there are many Christians so called who are common dicers that in halfe an houre deprive men their wives and children of halfe sometime of their whole estates a vice that is oft accompanied with cursing swearing fighting killing and such fearfull concomitants Synod CoÌ„stantinop 6. c 50. Concil Elib c. 79. In remedy whereof Councels have ordained that such should be put from the Communion What Christian will deny but that there is need of such an ordinance as being in effect required 1 Cor. 5.5.7.11.13 Other instances might be given of the like nature As touching points of faith and salvation determined by Councels against heretikes such as the Arians Pelagians Arminians c. they are not so much to bee observed because the Councell hath so determined as because it is decreed according to Gods word which the Councell cleereth from false glosses that so the obedience in such cases may not be to mens ordinances but to the word of God Isa 2.4 that should judge amongst the nations and no man or company of men may sit in the temple of God as God ordaining lawes and pointes of faith binding the conscience The decrees of that Councell Act. 15. bound not but for a time touching abstinence from blood See Moulin Buckler of faith Sect. 91. and things strangled And everie Councell may not thinke it sufficient in like cases to say as the Apostles might It seemed good unto the Holy Ghost Act. 15.25 and to us The Apostles had a more warrantable authority and commission then provinciall Bishops have The first Councell of Nice determined well
dominion of Antichrist nourish superstition errour and ignorance are against Christs Kingdome and ordinances or in any particular make the word of none effect whence it must needes follow that because they like the Church of Rome 2. Thess 2.10 received not the love of the truth in these things therefore God must needes give them over to beleeve lies in other points and because in these things their feare toward God is taught by the traditions of men therefore the wisdome of their wisemen must needes decay Isa 29.13 Mat. 15.8 and perish A proofe whereof wee have seene in the Appealer now B. of Chichester Dr. Iackson and others justified in their errours by the reward they obtayned for them as also in their approved friend the Bishop of London who besides the erecting of Altars and Images hath not shamed to urge the Edict forbidding to write dispute or preach against the Arminians And to put Mr. Davis by the lecture at Christs Church because he would not subscribe to this that in baptisme orginall sin is wholie taken away in all Infants baptised Which is as much as to say that the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato to overthrow all that the Scriptures say of Gods eternall election of some and leaving of others It is true that when the parish besought the Bishop to admit Mr. Davis answer was made he had not satisfyed his poser in that point of baptisme where one may see that whereas some say there must bee Bishops to trie such as would be admitted to cures or lectures this is but a mockerie the Bishops stand like great Andirens in a chimney which only serve for pompe and shew all the burthen lies on the creepers their Chaplaines which worke might be better and more uncorruptly performed by three or fower learned Ministers dwelling neere the parish and being such as doe the worke of Christ in their owne charges For though the Bishops have not yet put that to every one which was put to Mr. Davis certainly if their Hierarchie stand the power therof must needes increase till they force all to subscribe to these or worse things or suffer themselves to bee silenced And how prone divines are to follow and flatter them is manifest in this B. of London who being in high favour mighty and able to reward whom he list is flattered and humoured like a Pope by the Bishops Prelates and Preachers And because he is in such honour and authoritie therefore it is held great presumption to taske or question any thing he doth the Prelates that are best affected dare not lest they should be counted captious envious and factious puritanes ordinary Ministers are over-awed by his power And yet because some have adventured it he shamed not openly to complaine of them to the King Feb. 15. 1631. Ier. 6.16 in his last sermon on that text of Ieremie Stand ye in the waies and see c. And first to infer that the Lent fast may be called the old and good way that yet manie are so bold as to say wee wil not walk in it That disobedience to God is commonly accompanied with disobedience to the King and disobedience to the King with disobedience to God which is true but not as he meant it that they that doe not obey the Prelates in such things are disobedient to God and the King For if Prelates bind heavie burthens on men and strive to make them subscribe to errour whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto them more then unto God judge ye Act. 4.19 Againe he inferred from his text that if Kings doe not defend the Church God justly suffers the people to disobey them which is true if you take it of such Church Governours and ordinances as Christ ordained but not as the Bishop meant it of English Bishops and their power constitutious Rites and ceremonies as if he and a few such Prelates as himself were the Church of Christ making it a great greivance that any suffered to write or preach against their practises which is the only hell they seeme to feare or to have the benefit of a prohibition when they are plagued for it in the High Commission where in though he did not plainely threaten the King yet his speech glanced that way It is true that he said much for the authoritie of Kings obedience to them and against the disobedience of subjects which doctrine he pressed not against the Papists whom he scarce named in his sermon so far is he from the old way of Protestant preaching but against such as he esteemes puritans and in such cases as were agitated the last Parliament also in prohibitions forbidding the convincing of the prelacie or their government traditions and ceremonies Arminianisme or any other points of revived Pelagianisme or poperie as an enemie of calling Parliaments of other proceedings in such cases That he said that this was a fit subject for the court for there never was disobedience abroad but there was a Court conventicle at home which was the head or cause of it striking at them Who as he said as well in State policie as in matter of Religion find out new waies and will not walke in the old and good pathes which was not so true of them against whom he intended it as of his bosome freind the late Duke of Buc or of himself and his faction as the sequell wil manifest and namely that they have traduced and wrested the most honest counsailes and indeavours of the most noble Counsellours and wisest Parliaments under pretences of maintaining the prerogative a trick that they have rather learned of Davus in the Comedie then of Christ in the Gospel or if of any in the Scriptures then of proud Haman who for his hate to Mordecai Esth 3.6.8 said unto the King touching the Iewes It is not for the Kings profit to suffer thē or of the high Preists Scribes and Pharises who with praevaricating devices would prove Christ and his Disciples that convinced them of errour and malice to bee enemies of Caesar and such as forbad tribute In the primitive Church when Christians talked of the Kingdom of Christ and the comming thereof in the free power and use of the Gospel and ordinances of Christ their enemies perswaded the Emperours that this doctrine endangered the Imperiall government the taking of the Empire from him and was against his prerogative So when any talke of the restoring of Christs Kingdome and ordinances in the government of Parochiall * Or Elders Bishops and of the abolishing of Diocessan and Provinciall Bishops and their unprofitable traditions and ceremonies the English Prelates say this endangers the Regall authority and is against the Kings prerogative and government yea that is to refuse the old paths the good way of God and their King and impudently say non ambulabimus in ea wee will not walke in it as the Bishop inferred on that text
the preaching of the word is not hindered by their praiers Whereas in many Churches they have nothing on the Lords day but the common prayer which many both of the Clergie and people doe so highy extoll that they make an entrie Religion of it and not only neglect but even despise preaching in respect thereof Many nonpreaching Ministers make it the pretext of their idlenes and others of their nonresidence and pluralities saying the people have one to read prayers and the service is performed And that say many is sufficient if they had no more It is to no end to tell them that God saieth My people are destroied or lead into Captivity for lack of knowledge Hos 4.6 Rom. 10.17 that faith comes by-hearing and preaching that certaine of the praiers are for knowledge for they yet dare say it doth more hurt then good therefore they are all for common praier which divers worldlings usurers drunkards whoremongers and other earthly and prophane people second and confirme making it their whole Religion and admiring it above measure because it doth not tax and touch their sins as preaching doth it serveth not for doctrine reproofe correction and instruction as preaching the scripture doth which therefore they have in contempt and hinder and slander the same and all the truest freinds and followers thereof and yet in the meane while they would not only be thought the better sbjects but the better Christians and the fitter to be Churchwardens yea and to beare greater offices in the Church and common wealth they count themselves more truly religious then the greatest preachers and hearers because they thinke they love the common praier booke better and it serves them for a Religion and a cloake of scoffing persecution and some of them to be Church Papists and false brethren under the name of protestants whereas if the commò praier booke were not or there were only such like common praiers as are used by the French and dutch in the pulpit they could not but make more profession of love to preaching and hearing of Gods word otherwise they would appeare to bee either without Religion or more open adversaries of our Religion and so lesse dangerous In the French and dutch Churches they are not troubled with such dumbe Ministers nonresidents Church papists and prophane mockers they that have least Religion speake no hurt of knowledge preaching and hearing for if they should they know all men would crie out of them as of papists or Atheists and order would quickly be taken with them by the Elders they could not passe as ours doe for the better men and fitter for offices The Bishops see all this and yet favour them the more of the two as being ever verie conformable and lesse dangerous to the Hierarchie so carefull are they that there may be nothing in their Church like the Eldership ordained of God Churchwardens and sidemen are but a mockerie of it these places being given to all sort of men drunkards and others when the parson also is a tiplar a nonresident or preacheth little there is a flock strangely governed And thus the word of God is made of none effect by the Hierarchie the traditious thereof and namely by the much defended Tit. 1.13 and admired book of common praier thus these ordinances of mē turne from the truth as Tit. 1.13 It wil be objected the abuse of any thing in Religion should not take away the use of it which you grant I doe so but that is in the things ordained of God as the Eldership the Lords prayer the use of the Psalmes and some formes of blessing Nomb. 6.23 Rom. 16.24 1. Cor. 16.23 like those Nomb. 6.23 Rom 16.24 Which being common prayers serve to justifie the use of a few such common praiers as may be in the reformed Churches but not the hierarchie never ordained of God nor a service booke taken out of the Romish liturgie in such a time and for such reasons as it was serving men for a whole Religion and thus making the word of none effect For if those reasons had beene good of drawing the papists the sooner to Church c. there are not the same now when almost all goe to Church the Recusants though many are nothing in comparison of those times and by Romish subtiltie the booke of service is turned to doe hurt to our religion as abovesaid Now to call for the use of the service book and extoll it is nothing else but to temporise with popelings to emulate knowledge preaching and writing and to provide one naile to drive out another at least in such points as touch mens corruptions in doctrine and practise which was a sleight used of old by the Romish clergie for when the Prelates saw preaching discovered their errours and tirannie they to put off that and yet to seeme no lesse religious fell to extoll the use of their service and masse and cried out for devotion peace and obedience to the Church and above all for praier wherein divers flattering and ambitious preachers and even most of the English Bishops themselves follow them apace and that in these daies while men complaine of corruption in the clergie and the increase of Arminianisme and poperie witnes Dr. Cousens his cousening devotions approved by the Bishops and divers sermons Speeches and practises of theirs to the like purpose But marke what God saith He that turneth away his eare from the hearing of the Law even his praier shal be abomination Pro. 28.9 What will become then of their devotion who not only turne away their owne eares but even the eares of others also frō hearing the oracles of God both in this point of the Eldership and in those maine points of the Gospel touching Gods free grace and power in election conversion perseverance c. It troubles them much that men should have knowledge preach or write in these points while in the meane they can let the contrarie doctrines passe in the books of the Appealer Dr. Iackson and others these trouble them not in a time when papists Arminians strive to infect Princes people with such Pelagian and popish opinion God commands to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints Iude. 3. they yet presume that it may be forbidden in these cases so the people be stirred up to praier peace and obedience to the Church I know the daylie exercise of praier may be much urged but by whom by men that sincerely love preaching and hearing in all things that God hath revealed taught and do not set the ordinances of God one against an other that is doe not urge praier as enemies of preaching in many points like the papists norn aemulation thereof as those that oppose praier to preaching to eat out knowledge and bring-in blind devotion these have but a forme of Godlines and scarce that wee had need to pray continually that God would purge rid the
man more ignorant in spirituall things nor more sensuall then thirst after great places Libido dominandi bestia ferocissima It is with this lust after honour as with that of uncleannes the mind is so takē up with it that there is little roome for better thoughts and the spirit of God will not dwell in that soule which is filled with such vainities growes more and more emptye of grace For surely many are cast away by the deceitfulnes of Balaams wages And God knowes that it is too manifest that many in the Church of England have beene made drunke with those Romish dignities and rewards that remaine therein that men bewitched with these or the desire of them stumble into Arminianisme and other errours at the pleasure of them that can advance them such are the fruits of those great places in the Hierarchie For though the Duke were oft accused in Parliament as an open favourer of Arminianisme and a secret practiser by that and other meanes to advance Romish Religion other notorious crimes yet many divines continued his constant freinds and advocates and have directly or indirectly maintained propagated the same opinion and which is most miserable the cheife of that faction being Bishops and heads of Colledges are they which now beare greatest sway in Religion governe the Church of England silence and trouble whom they list and in a manner give lawes to the whole Church in his Majesties Dominions Neither can it be better til Achan be found out the corrupting and Romish places of the hierarchie and such unprofitable traditions and ceremonies taken away but ever worse and worse For these things that were at first held indifferent and ordained to make Papists come the sooner to Church and to keepe unitie and uniformitie are now got into the place of the Scriptures the Appealer alleadgeth the Articles wrested and Dr. Iackson certaine clauses of the booke of comon praiers for Arminianisme with such authoritie as if they were the words of the Apostles making the Church of England to meane what they list and her meaning or rather theirs to be sufficient authoritie in points of faith against them that bring Scriptures to the contrarie as the Church of Rome did of old to establish her tenets and when these and the like have beene questioned in Parliament some to encourage others to follow them have counsailed to reward them with Bishopricks denaries Maisterships of Colledges Rev. 2.14 or fat benefices wherein they deale like Balaam that taught Balack to laie a stumbling block before the children of Israel For when divines see these thus rewarded this workes upon corrupt nature which being prone to covetuouses and ambition first makes the differences seeme small or not worth opposition and then drawes the mind to run headlong into the same opinions and to thinke they doe well enough in the conformitie Hence also it comes that though forraigne Princes and States have oft desired aide of England that it would joine with them in serving the Pope and his champions as they served them nothing was ever effectually enterprised by the English because such Courtiers as secretly favoured Rome have ever beene flattered by the Bishops and Clergie when the Palatinate should have beene defended and after recovered by the swotd these flatterers hindered it by crying out of wars of Chtistian against Christian and saying it would bring in the Turke that it were better all should joyne against him and speake lesse of the Romish Antichrist or Romes ruine as also by extolling peace and King Iames his indeavouts by Embassages and treaties which all men said would come to nothing and but make the adversaries to gaine time deceive us and grow more resolute cruell and mightie And indeed it is impossible that the English Hierarchie should ever seeke Romes ruine and not rather hinder it all they can because the great places thereof are Romish and a Diocessan Bishop as they are now is no other then the Pope of a shire or province and to shew reasons why Rome should bee ruined were to argue against themselves trench upon their owne hierarchie and seeke to ruine it They teach that their Hierrarchie and Rites ought to be maintained now the Romish is but an excesse in these things which the nobilitie perceiving can find no reason why men should bee so hot against Rome The Hierarchie of the Old fathers was positive the English is comparative the Romish superlative for as some have proved if you grant the one to be lawfull the other followes to bee as lawfull save in the degree of impietie as in that between fornication and adulterie or incest And therefore it is that Bishops cannot endure that Princes and Nobles should know the charter of the Elders nor the mischeife of the Hierarchie that they beare more with Church papists and whoremongers then any such puritanicall spirits with grosse ignorance then such knowledge with such as would set up poperie then such as would pull downe the Hierarchie or that of Rome If such a one as the Duke hindered wars with Rome or her chife champion the Spaniard they wil be his helpers so he will but stick to them against the freinds of the Eldership And therefore the Hierarchie and traditions with doctrine and arguments that maintaine them are like the great river Euphrates that hindred the sacking of Babylon For heathen Babylon lying on the one side of Euphrates betweene Assiria and Chaldea was fortified by that river So that Cirus the first vanquisher thereof had not wonne it but by a device of drayning the river above by sundrie artificiall sluces giveing his men in charge whom he left before the Cittie that when they should observe the river to be decreased and fourdable they should presently take the opportunitie to wade over and suddenly surprise Babylon And the Hierarchie I say is like this river for Bishops and teachers with their doctrines are called rivers and fountaines Divers of these rivelets meeting in one make a great river as many of them in a generall councell make a sea of doctrines canons and traditions the English hierarchie therefore having but a few Bishops and fewer canons and traditions then any popish Kingdom can not bee called a sea but is a great river and as a river oft parteth two Kingdomes or provinces pertaketh of both soiles watereth them both and keepes the one from invading the other so dothe the Hierarchie and the doctrines and traditions thereof which mistically lieth both to the Protestant and Romish shores watereth both is as pleasing and helpefull to Papists as to the reformation if not more the great power and places thereof are Romish so are the traditions canons and arguments they use to defend it they serve as well for the Papists as for the English Bishops for indeed they spring out of that sea out of the which the beast arose who alwaies alleadged the ancient customes and counsells and they naturally run againe into the same
freely preached in all other things and no Minister hindred in them but now it is come to another evill the bondage and limitations are more increased For the Clergy and especially the Bishops have not onely temporised with the Duke and other hispaniolized and popish agents and practisers but even for their favour let in Arminianisme neither opposing it themselves nor suffering others that would but because light remedies alwayes cherish an evil they got the King to prohibite disputes on both sides not to hinder Arminianisme for the bookes of Doctor Iackson and others were suffered to come out after that but others from confuting it in their disputations books and sermons and in stead of the Scriptures to make the Articles the Rule and them the interpreters of them who have not onely protected the Appealer Doctor Iackson Doctor Cousens and some others that savour of Arminianisme and Popery hindred the Parliament and others from convincing them of errour and so emboldned others to broach worse errours in flattery of mighty favourites helped to get Parliaments dissolved wherein men had some hope of remedy but have themselves preached some passages savouring of Romish and Trent corruption seeming to approve the vulgar edition that the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato and to tye the understanding of the Scriptures to the interpretation of the Fathers to make the best of moderne Divines little regarded In these and the like they being powerfull in Court cannot want followers and flatterers and therefore men of understanding say they are not so well read in the Rules of piety as in those of policy used against the desired reformation in the time of Luther which being set forth in the history of the Councell of Trent though it anger the Papists in regard it discovereth a world of their various dissimulations cunning shifts and devices yet it pleaseth them in this that they serve to teach the Bishops and Arminians how to frustrate and delude all the fairest proofes and attempts of their adversaries And because some have written to discover the errours practices and dangers they have not onely put all they could catch in the high Commission but lest such should get out and themselves be any way hindred or discovered in such proceedings they have obtained authority that if any writer Printer or Book-seller come with a prohibition he shall be presently censured Some will say this is but reason I anwser true if their hierarchie and practices were according to Gods word and they seditious and hereticall that they trouble but being as it is and this power seldome or never extended against any but such as stand for Gods truth against Arminians popish practisers and defenders of the hierarchy they abuse the King and Councell in getting them to be their protectors and are themselves blinde and Antichristian tyrants Such as in stead of following the rules of the Gospell seeme rather to encline to that of Paul 4. who set on foot the Inquisition Hist of the Councell of Trent pag. 405. 409. which he said was the principall secret and mystery of the Papacy the true Ramme to beat down heresie and defend the Apostolike sea by advancing another which like it shall prevaile by power and terrour in stead of good reason namely the high Commission Court The Councellors of the Parliament of Paris seeing the Articles of reformation published in the Councell of Trent opposed saying the Ecclesiasticall authority was enlarged beyond its bounds with the wrong and diminution of the temporall by giving power to Bishops to proceed to pecuniary mulcts and imprisonment against the laity whereas no authority was given by Christ to his Ministers but meere and pure spirituall that when the Clergy was made a member of the policy the Princes did by favour allow the Bishops to punish inferiour Clergy men with temporall punishments that discipline might be observed amongst them but to use such kinde of punishment against the laickes they had neither from the law of God nor of man but by usurpation onely All which sheweth that diocessan Bishops are great impostors though the Pope bee indeed the grand impostor And let men be sure that as they and their hierarchy are more and more defended so will their power encrease and grow more popish blinde erroneous and Antichristian as that of the Church of Rome did their feare towards God being in these things taught by the precepts of men the wisedome of them and their supporters must needs decay and perish to the extreame danger of the Church and Commonwealth By all which may bee seene that the kingdome of God in the true free and full power of the word preached is incompatible with the hierarchy they cannot stand together but the maintenance of the one is the breaking of the bands of the other and of the true peace and happinesse of the Church and State and that therefore there is necessity of a reformation in the Church and restoring the ordinances of God to that forme which not any humane but his divine wisdome ordained Some have pretended that it is good policy to uphold the Hierarchy for say they no Bishop no King there must be order in the Church and Bishops are they that preserve it This is that bulwark which they used to beat off all just complaints and save themselves their cause their friends and followers such as the Duke the Appealer and Cousens from the parliamentary power Crushed and dissolved it must be rather then such a one or his trechery be brought to triall though they thereby make such the more bold to attempt the like or worse evills overthrow the power and use of Parliaments that confirmed their hierarchy a requitall not so strange in them as just with God and so alienate the heart of the King from his subjects and the subjects from the King though they know a kingdome divided in it felfe cannot stand that having their hearts hee is strong and a King indeed that otherwise hee cannot well subsist as a King should nor be supplied with money and men but must bee forced to make peace with the enemies of religion on the harder conditions and home-bred Papists and Arminians would thereby grow the bolder to encrease their religions and parties the Palatinate could not well be recovered but the enemy must needs be made the more absolute and resolute to root out our religion and brethren in forraigne parts and at last seeing division in England to venture thither to endanger the Church and Commonweale the Kingdome and all Wherein what have the Prelates shewed lesse then that they had rather all these should be shaken and endangered then their hierarchy or then one proud Appealer one popish Cousens should be questioned in disparagement thereof For these evils could not have beene effected against so many endeavours of Parliaments without the helpe of their religious pretences nor passed without the cloake of their Episcopall gravity And lest things should bee
85. consider of the errours for redresse The Prelates made the Collection in writing the Pope proposed it in the Consistorie But Nicholas Scomberg a Dominican and a Cardinal opposed the reformation saying It would give occasion to the Lutherans to brag they had inforced the Pope to make that reformation and above all it would be a beginning to take away not only the abuses but the good uses also and to endanger the whole state of religion For by the reformation it would be confessed that the things provided against were deservedly reprehended by the Lutherans which would be a great abetting to theire whole Doctrine In the councell after celebrated divers things were found amisse Sess 22. Can. 9. The Bishops and Fathers of the CouÌ„cell made a decree for a reformatioÌ„ but little could be obtained much was shufled of because it could not be effected but the authoritie and practise of the Pope and Cardinals must be questioned and reformed if not overthrowen The like may be said of the Reformation of the Church of England many things have beene propounded in Bookes and Parliaments but little or nothing can be heard or reformed least a gap should be opened whereby the authoritie practise of the Bishops should be questioned and overthrowen and if any Bishops be better inclined to reformation then others they shal be sure to be hindred by the rest as these Popes were by the Cardinals and with like reasons For English Bishops in like wisdom will not be knowen of any errour in the hierarchie canons traditions ceremonies and government but maintaine all least confessing somewhat amisse they should loose all and be reduced to the government of other reformed churches There was a fault that hindred the Church of Rome from yeilding to reformation Cassander consult 56. and 57. And the fault saith Cassander a learned Papist is to be laid upon those which being puft up with vaine insolent conceits of theire Ecclesiasticall power proudely and scornfully contemned and rejected them which did rightly and modestly admonish the reformation That the Church can never hope for any firme peace unles they begin to make it which have given cause of that distraction That this cannot be effected vnlesse those that are in place of Ecclesiastical government would be content to remit somthing of their too much rigour and yeild somwhat to the peace of the Church and hearken to the earnest prayers and admonitions of godly men will set themselves to correct manifest abuses according to the rule of the divine Scriptures and the primitive Church from which they have swerved He might have said till the Kings hate the whore make her desolate naked and burne her with fire Shall I say this may also be said of English Bishops in case of theire hierarchie and traditions I may add this to it that God can never be pleased nor the Church and State of great Britaine enjoy true happines till the Prelates cast their crownes at the feet of the Lord Iesus or rather because men dispaire of that till they be taken from them and they subjected to the ordinances of God Rev. 5.6 least otherwise Christ that hath the Elders about his throne and is in the midst of them say in his wrath Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne over them bring hither c. When reformation is desired some flattering preachers Canti 8.4 Chap. 1. to make men desist put it off with preaching on those passages and the like I charge you o daughters of IerusaleÌ„ that ye stir not up nor awake my love vntill he please I am black but comly c. The church hath spots but they should not be mentioned Pray for the peace for Ierusalem they shall prosper that love it which if they of the Church of Rome had not in like manner a bused they could not have proceeded so far in errour as they did and yet they might as well alleadge these plates and the like to prove that prelates ought to procede Earles and Barons to have pallaces and coaches as to hinder and reprove men that seeke a due reformation Others would have the people beleeve in this point as the Church beleeveth to relie on the understanding and judgment of the preists and prelates like the papists Mal. 2.7 alleadging that place The preists lips should keepe knowledge and they should seeke the law at his mouth which doth as well serve the papists Buckler of faith as them in this point For as maister Moulin observeth this is not a promisse but a commaundement shewing preists their dutie which they had not observed as the following words manifest But ye are departed out of the way ye have caused men to stumble which is as true in this point of the Prelates and others in England as of the Papists in the same point and in others We are therefore to remeÌ„ber that rule 1 Ioh. 4.1 Beleeve not every Spirit but trie the Spirits God gives such knowledge to whom he pleaseth the wind bloweth where it listeth Iohn 3. They may perhaps find some other arguments to prove that the hierarchie traditions and ceremonies should be upheld but none fairely deducted from the holy Scriptures but rather grounded on humane policie which therefore are not worth the answering For wee know likewise the papists presse many faire-seeming reasons for the Popes supremacie and succession in Peters chaire merits praying to Saints forbidding mariage to Preists and other points of poperie To which it is answer enough to prove that those reasons fight against the word and ordinance of God and so doe theirs that pleade for the English hierarchie and traditions as is already proved Men therefore should not be caried away with them nor with an opinion of their learning and multitude that preach them but rather thinke Surely their kingdom is of this world It makes so many that fight for it because there are in it many places of profit honour and authoritie to reward them like as in the Romish Church that if Christs kingdome were of this world he should have as many for him that to bee well informed in these points it is no asking of them who are interessed and partiall in the cause but to remember what God saith Isa 8. Should not a people seeke unto theire God To the lâ—w and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Which in these points may be said of 100 many to theire great shame because it so muth concerneth the faith and all the faithfull to have them well knowne as is proved above least by the power and great names of the Bishops the faith come to be corrupted the name of the Church and the holy Ghost usurped and abused as they have beene in divers Synods of Bishops to the destruction of many soules Let us therefore pray earnestly and uncessantly to Almighty God the giver of all grace to purge the Church of England and the members thereof that they with the reformed Churches may be like minded in seeking the kingdom of God and the righteousnes thereof And seeing questionles that God hath many of his deare and elect people there that are only blind in some few things let us beg of God that they may now see the things that belong to their peace 1 Cor. 1 9. Heb. 10.23 1 Thes 5.24 Isa 25.6 least after they should be hid from theire eyes And let us aske with confidence that he is faithfull that hath promised who will also doe it For it is said In this mountaine shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of wine on the lees of fat things full of marrow of wine on the lees well refined Seeing therefore his ordinances are corrupted with mens inventions wee may presse him with this promise that he will give us wine fined and purified even his purest ordinances as also with that which followeth vers 7. And he will destroy in this mountayne the face of the covering cast over all people and the vaile that is spread over all nations Chap. 30.21 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee sayinge This is the way walke yein it when ye turne to the right hand and when ye turne to the left And though wee feare Satan will hinder it what he can Rom. 16.20 let us beleeve that promise The God of peace shall shortly bruise Satan under your feet Neither thinke this impossible because yet not only the Prelates but divers religious Ministers have neglected this knowledge and reasoned against it so that there is great difference about these things for God hath said I will give them one hart and one way Ier. 32 39. I will give you pastors according to mine hart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Cha. 3.15 Neither be dismaied because as yet those that have laboured most in this behalfe have beene forced into corners and to live like Banished men in murh sorrow for wee have this promise Isa 35.10 The ransomed of the Lord shall returne and come to Sion with songs and everlasting ioy shal be upon their heads Neither say how shall this be seing as yet so many greedie and corrupt shepheards are over us For thus faith the Lord God Behold I am against the shepheards and will require my flock at theire hand and cause them to ceasse from feeding the flock neither shall the Shepheards feed themselvs any more For I will deliver my flock from their mouth that they may not be meate for them Acquaint thy self with these and the like promises and beleeve that he sits at the right hand of God to intercede for the performance who saith whatsoever ye shall aske in my name Ioh. 14.13 that will I doe that the Father may be glorified in the sonne And if wee beleeve not yet he abideth faithfull 2 Tim. 2.13 he cannot denie himself To him therefore with the Father and the holy Ghost three persons and one God be rendred as due is all power might majestie and dominion now and for ever Amen
tirannous dominion Beza in Act 1.23 or Lordship in the Church but left them free voices and free election and to be an Apostle is to be sent of God with an immediate embassage to laie the foundation in practise and ordinances as Paul did but the Embassage of Bishops is mediate they have theirs from the Apostles neither can they lay another foundation nor ordaine new things though they oft assume it in some decrees canons and ceremonies as they did who established diocessan Bishops to say they might doe it or that their act was of the holy Ghost it will follow that others might with like reason ordaine Archbishops and Patriachs and in the end a Pope over all and that all these their acts were of the holy Ghost but Bishops and Councells are not Masterbuilders as the Apostles were for every one is willed to take heed how he buildeth for other foundation can no man lay 1 Cor. 3.10.11 then that is laid which is Iesus Christ. In this sense each Apostle was a generall officer in all Churches as Paul saith 2 Cor. 11.28 He had the care of all Churches But herein no Bishop will call himselfe his successour unles it be the Pope who exalts himself above all that is called God 1 Pet. 5. Peter would not have any Elder to be a Lord ouer Gods heritage much lesse ouer other Elders It shall not be so amongst you Mat. 20.25 Chap. 23.8 saith Christ One is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren There is no other Bishop over these Bishops the Presbyters or Elders He is the King of his Church and the only chiefe Bishop 1 Pet. 2.25 Chap. 5.4 It is a poore answer to all this to say this opinion was condemned for an heresie in Aerius seeing Chemnitius hath so well cleared him Chemnit examen concil Trid. Bellarm. de Clericis lib 1. cap. 14. and Medina alleadged by Bellarmine confesseth that saint Hierom was herein wholy of opinion with the Aerians and not only S. Hierom but likewise Ambrose Augustin Sedulius Primasius Chrysostome Theoderet Oecumenius and Theophilact If these or other Fathers did yet hold diocessan Episcopacie to be lawfull and necessarie it may be answered that otherwise the mysterie of iniquitie could not have proceeded as it did they lived not to see such fruits of it as wee have seene it was not then come to the height of tyrannie they therefore were more excusable then wee can be and therefore the cause is not bettered by this that English Prelates hold with Bellarmin and Rome in this point seeing other reformed Churches finde it safer in this case with Calvin Chemnitius Beza and others to cleave unto the Scriptures and be reformed by them In the Revelation Rev. 4.1.2 3.4 Cap. 5.6 saint Iohn seeing the Church that was to be after him saith Behold a Throne was set in heaven and round about the throne were foure and twentie Elders And in the midst of the throne and in the midst of the Elders stood Christ to shew they belong to his government as Diocessan Bishops to that of Antichrist for note he saith not Bishops but Elders or Presbiters lest after it should have bin taken for diocessan Bishops And whē Babylon is destroied the Elders give thankes Rev. 19.4 All this sheweth that Christs Church ought to be governed by Elders that so it was and so it shal be this is the government of Christ who is the king and annointed to it Now Diocessan and Provinciall Bishops hinder this government and are therein Antichrists therefore that is true which Iohn said in his time 1 Iohn 2.18 Even now are many Antichrists There is a veile upon some Protestants hearts a curtaine of Church power before their eyes that they cannot see this and the infectious sores and maladies that their power and ceremonies bring in and cover I hope this curtaine is now so drawne that Princes will for Christs sake lay it to heart and take away their dominion and riches which make them thus blinde and corrupt For that is the end of this worke Secondly Because it is cleare to all the wisemen in the Christian world that as many great troubles have risen in former times about Prelates as in England about Thomas of Becket Stephen Langthon and others so of late all the warres and stirres in Germany and other parts have risen from Bishops Iesuits and other Clergie men they have made the Emperour and other Princes to kill and drive the Protestants out of their Countries and livings All the doe and hurliburly is raised to restore them to their Antichristian power in Bishopricks Deanaries Cloisters and their revenues Howsoever the fire began these are the bellowes that blow it and such as minister the oyle and sulphure that have nourished and increased the flame This ambitiousnesse of the Clergy that doth so much mischiefe in the Church Common wealth is a hellish flame that cannot begin to go out til Rome be burned the Clergy reformed by the Scriptures True peace unity there can be none till their dominion riches authority be taken away and they reduced to the truth of the Gospel Looke into England and see if these vices and pride in the Clergy have not beene cause of all the dissentions and disgraces of that Country The late Duke knew well that he could not stand practise and prevaile without their countenance and authority to maintaine their greatnesse save their honour and power entire keepe their practices and corruptions in matter of religion from being questioned and reformed Parliaments must bee disturbed yea crushed and dissolved and as men say the most sincere lovers of justice and piety in that high Court must be disgraced accused and imprisoned for discovering the practices of the Arminian Popish or Spanish factions and such flatteries and errours of the Clergy as appeare in Pulpit print and practice The Bishops see all this and know that by all these meanes their power and authority is encreased as that of the Church of Rome and other popish Bishops was by the like But they that by these meanes cherish such factions countenance or suffer Arminian Bookes and practices to passe and doe little against the Popish are not so cold in defending that tradition of theirs or rather of the Papists that Diocessan Bishops and their authority in things called indifferent are of God but to shew that like the Papists they are more jealous sensible and zealous of any thing done against these then against those that are done against the kingdome word and ordinances of God they are ever watchfull carefull and zealous to hinder all bookes and discoveries that are against any of their traditions and ceremonies not one must be suffered to be seene that hath any proofe for the Eldership or against the Hierarchy pretending still they are hereticall and dangerous which is but a Popish tricke and a mockery while in the meane those