Error rejected by them Dr. Heylins Introduction to his Cyp. Angl. p. 36. S. 37. p. 31. Montagues Gag p. 163 164 186. Appeal p. 213 214. be certain of their eternâ—â— salvation but may totally anâ— finally fall away from the actâ— and habits of saving-grace before they dye and be eternally damned THis I renounce In which there are two notable points 〈◊〉 Popery 1. That truly regenerated persons cannot be certain of their eterâ—â— salvation which Bellarmine for Papists affirms Dr. Ames for Protestants denies Vid. Dr. Ames his Bellarmin Enervat T. 4. l. 6. de justificatione c. 2 3 4. p. 152 153 154. 1. The Church of England saith thus That the faith that doâ—â— justifie us is a sure trust and confidence in the mercies of God 〈◊〉 be saved from everlasting damnation by Christ and an aâ—â—ureâ—â— faith and trust in Christ ubi supra p. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which necessariâ—â— implies that truly regenerated persons who have this sure trust aâ—â— Homil. of Salvation of mankind p. 20. Homil of Christs Death p. 187. assured faith and confidence of their justification may be certain of their everlasting salvation 2. 'T is contrary also to the 6th Article of the Articles of Lâ—â—beth which is this A man truly believing or endued with justifying faith is certain by or with fâ—ll assurance of faith of the remissâ—â— of his sins and of everlasting salvation by Christ 3. 'T is contrary to the 37th Article of Religion of Irelanâ— A true believer may be certain by the assurance of faith of thâ— forgiveness of his sins and of his everlasting salvation 4. 'T is contrary to the Doctrine of the Synod of Dort c. 5. of perseverance Articles 9 10. Of this perseverance of the elect unto salvation and the perseverance of true believers in the faith the faithful themselves may be and are ascertained according to the measure of their faith by which they assuredly believe that they are and shall for ever continue true and lively members of the Church and that they have remission of their sins and everlasting life and therefore this certainty is not from any special Revelation made beside or without the word but from faith in Gods promises which he hath most plentifully revealed in his word for our comfort from the testimony of the holy Spirit bearing witness with our Spirit that we are the Sons of God and heirs Rom. 8. 16. Lastly From a serious and holy care of keeping a good conscience and endeavour of good works And if Gods chosen in this world should want this solid comfoâ—â—u of obtaining the victory and this infallible pledg and earnest of eternal glory they were surely of all men most miserable See also Article the 11th 5. 'T is contrary to the experience of many of Gods dear Children of Robert Glover who had assurance of Gods love in Christ in the pardon of his sins and of eternal life when he came in the sight of the place where he was to be burned for Christs sake He is come he is come said he to his friend that comforted him John Carles another holy Martyr answered Dr. Martin plainly thus That God hath predestinated me to eternal life in Jesus Christ I am most certain and even so am I sure that his holy Spirit wherewith I am sealed will so preserve me from all heresies and evil opinions that I shall dye in none at all Fox Acts and Monuments in one Volume p 1813. 1st 2d Col. 6. 'T is contrary to canonical Scriptures as Job 14. 17. But ye know him that is the Spirit for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you And v. 20. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you Rom. 8. 15 16. But ye have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry Abba Father The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God and if children then heirs heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ And v. 35 38 39. of the same Chapter Who shall separate us from the love of Christ For I am perswaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor hight nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God whicâ— is in Christ Jesus our Lord 1 Cor. 2. 12. Now we have received not 〈◊〉 spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know thâ— things that are freely given to us of God 2 Cor. 13. 5. Examine your selvâ— whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates Ephes 3. 12. In whom 〈◊〉 have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him 2 Tim. 4 7 〈◊〉 I have fought a good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousnes 1 John 3. 2â—â— But we know that when we shall appear we shall he like him and we 〈◊〉 that he was manifested to take away our sins and v. 14. of the saâ—â— Chapter We know that we have passed from death to life because 〈◊〉 love the brethren and v. 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God beâ—â— he laid down his life for us which he explicates in 1 John 4. 16. 〈◊〉 we have known and believed the love 〈◊〉 God hath tâ— us 1 John 5. 〈◊〉 He that believeth in the Son of God 〈◊〉 tâ—e witness in himself and 〈◊〉 v. 13. of that Chapter These things have I written unto you that beliâ—â— on the Name of the Son of God that ye may know that ye have eternal 〈◊〉 and that ye may believe on the Name of the Son of God 2 Pet. 1. 10. 〈◊〉 thren give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if 〈◊〉 these things ye shall never fall To pass by many other places of Sâ—â—cred Scripture which might be produced to prove this comfortâ—â— truth That truly regenerated persons may in this life be certain of 〈◊〉 eternal salvation These I have produced may if well observed and applied be sâ—â— ficient to make it good and evident A certainty of hope Papists grâ—â— but they deny a certainty of faith To which I answer 1. That if they understand by hope that which doth arise from 〈◊〉 ceitâ—ul conjectures and discourses of human reason they grant no mâ—â— to true believers in Christ than they grant to hypocrites for sâ—â— a hope may be in them 2. But if by hope they mean a true Theological infused grace whiâ—â— is the daughter of faith then they grant that which they seem to dâ—â— for the Apostle doth teach That tâ—â— that have this hope have the sâ—â— certainty with faith as Bishop * Deter 3. p. 18. Nos hac spâ— jam servatos esse Dâ—â— â—ant argueth from Rom. 8. 24. â—or we are saved by hope and this
and godly feâ— 2 Pet. 3. 18 But grow in grace 2. That the * Aquinas 12ae q. 114. a. 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Medina in 12ae q. 114. a. 3. Schoolmen speak of 〈◊〉 twofold merit whereof the 1 Is Meritum de congruo merit oâ— congruity which is not truly and properly merit but such as it is 't is defined to be this That it is congruous convenient Dr. Davenant de justitia c 6. p 603. â—emble of Justification c. 1. S. 2. p. 163. or agreeable to goodness that Gâ—l do reward a man working according to his vertue or power â—â—at he hath Which many learned men do deny to be truly and properly merit For that is truly and properly meritorious that doth properly and absolutely for it self deserve a reward or which doth in its formal reason include equality or condignity to that reward of which it is said to be meritorious But merits of congruity do not truly and properly deserve a reward or carry an equality or proportion with the thing said to be merited the grace of God and therefore are not truly and properly merits their merit of congruity is nothing else but fitness for which they have no ground in Scripture or right reason yet Bellarmine the Council of Trent and other Papists retain the name and give it chiefly to those dispositions and preparations which they say go before Justification according to which they say grace is ex congruo due and so comply with Pelagius his false Doctrine long since condemned Gratiam secundum merita dari i. e. Grace is Aug. Epist 106 107. contra duas Epistolas Pelagianorum lib. 2. c. 8. to be given according to merits That is it 's congruous or fit that grace or favour be bestowed upon men by God according to their deservings For if those dispositions be merits and if according to them grace be given as the Council of Trent * Secundum propriam cujusque dispositionem Sess 6. cap. 7. defineth do they not plainly hold that grace is given to men of God according to their merits 2. Meritum de condigno Merit of condignity is that which includes in its formal reason equality condignity or worthiness proportionable to the thing of which 't is said to be meritorious And thus they say the good works of regenerate men do merit heaven of which hereafter Not to trouble you with a full confutation of this Scriptureless and reasonless distinction of merits but to apply it to our present purpose in hand I say 1. That good * I call them good works so quoad substantiam but formally are evil because they call them so works done by an unregenerate man before the grace of Christ be received or the inspiration of his Spirit do not ex congruo merit the favour of God For 1. there is no proportion between them 2. Then our Election should not be of Grace as 't is said to be by the unerring Spirit of God Rom. 11. 5. but of sinful mans sinful works which they call deserts confuted before in Article the sixth 2. That good works of unregenerate men before the saving grace of Jesus Christ be infused into them 〈◊〉 Quia ego volo Deus me adjuvat est Pelagianorum Alvarez de auxiliis Divinae gratiae l. 1. disp 1. p. 11. wrought in them by his holy Spirit 〈◊〉 received by them do not merit ex câ—â—gruo or deserve grace that is saving grace of congruity Papists indeed 〈◊〉 hold that good works done by man before he receive the spâ—â— grace of Christ do provoke God to bestow his saving grace 〈◊〉 him and that the man himself a 〈◊〉 tle * The Synod of Dort reject as an error the Doctrine of them that teach that in spiritual death no spiritual gifts were separated from the will of man for that the will of it self was never corrupted but only INCUMBRED by the darkness of the understanding and unruliness of the affections which IMPEDIMENTS BEING REMOVED the will may put in ure her own inbred faculty of freedom that is of her self will or nill chuse or refuse any kind of good set before her Which they say is contrary to Jer. 17. 9. Ephes 2. 3. Chap. 3 4. Errour 3d. hindrance being taken away 〈◊〉 rendred disposed to receive the graâ—â— of God Hence is that of some Schoâ—â— men of some I say for they do not agree but some are sounder than Jesuits and Arminians that God doth not deny grace to him that doth endeavour to do what is in him to obtain it And he doth what is in him that doth forsake the act of sin the will of 〈◊〉 ning and doth endeavour to do good and to convert himself to God He that doth this deserves grace say they by this merit of congruity because it is congruous say they that to a man acting according to his vertue God should give a reward according to the excellency of his vertue And also because it were incongruous or unfit 〈◊〉 give grace to them that neglect to 〈◊〉 these things and voluntarily oppoâ—â— grace offered And this merit of congruity was brought into the Church by some erroneous Schoolmen and 〈◊〉 others made use of that some reason might be given or shewed of mans part why to sâ—â— grace is given and to others not given and so they make the first 〈◊〉 ving cause of grace taken either for the favour of God or gifts of grace of God Spirit to be in man and in mans own natural power or free will Which I suppose is sufficiently confuted before Articles the sixth and seventh 3. That good works done before the saving grace of Christ received and wrought in a man â—o make him meet to receive the saving grace of God These works I call good according to them which may be good quoâ—â— substantiam materialiter but are evil quoad modum formaliter because not done to Gods glory in faith and in love and obedience to God and his will Now these Errors I renounce because they are contrary to the Doctrine of the Church of England 1. In her 13th Article which is this Works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his 〈◊〉 are not pleasant to God forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesâ—â— Crist neither do they make men meet to receive grace or as the School-Aâ—rthor say deserve grace of congruity yea rather for that they are not 〈◊〉 â—s God hath willed and commanded them to be done we doubt not but they have the nature of sin In which Article are these three Conclusions 1. That works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasant unto God 2. That works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of 〈◊〉 Spirit do not make men meet to receive grace or do not deserve grace of congruity 3. That works done before the grace of Christ and the inspiration of 〈◊〉 Spirit have the nature of sin
that which was set down by the Reverend Assembly of Divines the Confession of Faith c. 3. a. 1. God from all eternity did the most wise and holy counsel of his own will freely and unchâ—â—geably ordain whatsoever comes to pass yet so as thereby neiâ—â— is God the Author of sin nor of violence offered to the will of 〈◊〉 creatures nor is the liberty or contingenâ—y of second causes taâ—â— away but rather established And this Doctrine is clear in 〈◊〉 25. 34. Come ye blessed of my Father inherit ye the kingdom prepared you from the foundations of the world Ephes 1. 4. God hath chosen 〈◊〉 him that is in Jesus Christ before the foundations of the world 2 Tâ—â— 1. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not accoâ—â— to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was gâ—â— us in Christ Jesus before the world began Which is directly contrary the erroneous Doctrine of those who teach That God chuseth 〈◊〉 this or that particular person before others till he see whether he 〈◊〉 believe or not and persevere in the faith who make a persevering liever in the point of death to be the object of Gods peremptory complâ—â— full and irrevocable election unto life condemned the Synod of Dort in the Remonstrants who teaâ—â— Acta Remonst a. 1. p. 7. That Gods Election unto salvation is manifoâ—â— one general and indefinite another singular anâ—â— definite and this again either incomplete revocable not peremptory or conditional or else complete irrevocable peremptory oâ—â— absolute likewise that there is one election unto faith anothâ—â— unto salvation so that election unto justifying faith may be witâ—â— out a peremptory election unto salvation for this saith the Synoâ—â— is of mans brain devised without any ground in the Scriptures coâ—rupting the Doctrine of Election and breaking that golden chain of salvation Rom. 8. 30. Whom he hath predestinated them also he hath called and whom he hath called them also he hath justified and whom he hath justified them also he hath glorified 3. That they that are predestinated to everlasting salvation cannot perish eternally or be damned for the Article saith plainly That God hath constantly decreed by his counsel to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour Now this is also consonant to holy canonical Scripture in those places before alledged and also many others as Mat. 16. 18. The gates of Hell all the power and policy of the Devil and his instruments shall not prevail against it that is against the Church of Jesus Christ and Mat. 24 If it were possible they shall deceive the very elect where note that it is impossible totally and finally to deceive the elect of God unto eternal life John 10. 28 29. And I give unto my sheep eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any pluck them out of my hand My Father which gave them me is greater than all and none is able to pluck them out of my Fathers hand 1 Pet. 1. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 John 2. 27 But the annointing which ye have received abideth in you the grace of God abideth in him that is truly sanctified by Gods Spirit 1 John 3. 9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaineth in him that is the seed of Gods Spirit and Word saving grace so remaineth in him that he doth not commit sin as the Devil doth studiously purposely affectionately impenitently and maliciously he committeth not the sin unto death the sin against the Holy Ghost 1 John 5. 18. He that is born of God cannot commit and live and lie down in sin as the Devil and the wicked do but though he fall into sin yet he riseth again Jer. 32. 40. I will put my fear in their heart that they shall not depart from me Rom. 5. 8 While we were yet sinners Christ died for us much more then being now justified by his blood we shall be saved from wrath through him and according to this is the 5th Arâ—icle of Lambeth and the 38th Article of Religion of the Church of Ireland A true lively justifying faith and the sanctifying Spirit of God is not extinguished nor vanisheth away in the elect or regenerate either totally or finally â—nd because Dr. Heylin most falsly saith That this Doctrine of the Papists and Arminians was the Doctrine which our godly Reformers and Martyrs taught and sealed with their blood I shall give you a little of what they 〈◊〉 lieved said and sealed with their blood Thomas Whittell Priest 〈◊〉 Martyr in his Letter to John Carles saith thus That God sufferâ—â— his to fall but not finally to perish Fox Book of Martyrs in one Wâ—â— lume p. 1742. and John Carles aâ—â— swered Dr. Martin who examiâ—â— King James in his Paraphrase upon Revel c. 9. p. 27. saith That these spiritual grashoppers shall be so bridled that they shall not have power to pervert the elect of whatsoever degree or sort but their power shall extend only upon them that bear not the mark or seal of God upon their foreheads so on c. 13. p. 41. him about Predestination thus believe that Almighty God our 〈◊〉 dear loving Father of his grâ—â— mercy and infinite goodness did eâ—â— in Christ before the foundation the earth was laid a Church 〈◊〉 Congregation which he doth câ—â—tinually guide and govern by 〈◊〉 grace and holy Spirit so that 〈◊〉 one of them shall ever finally peâ—â— and otherwise he holdeth not Aâ—â— John Philpot that learned Martyr maintained the Doctrine of Prâ—â— stination which Calvin taught in his Institutions to be agreeing with tâ—â— which the Doctors of the Church did teach and the holy Scriptures and wâ—â— he sealed with his blood as I shewed you before out of Mr. Fox his Boâ—â— of Martyrs p. 1697. 2 Col. and p. 17â— 1722. John â—â— â—greeable to * John Bradford Martyr in his Letter to N. and his Wife saith thus This is the difference betwixt Gods children which are regenerate and elect before all times in Christ and the wicked cast-aways that the elect lie not still in their sin continually as do the wicked but at length do return again by reason of Gods seed which is in them hid as a sparkle of fire in the ashes as we may see in David Peter Paul Mary Magdalen and others Fox his Book of Martyrs p. 1573. one Volume thâ—â— also is the Doctrine of the Synod oâ—â— Dort c. 5. of the perseverance of the Saints Canons 6 7 8. For Gâ—â— who is rich in mercy according 〈◊〉 the unchangeable purpose of Electioâ—â— doth not wholly take away his hoâ—â— Spirit from his no not in their grâ—â— vous slips nor suffers them to waâ—â— der so far as to fall away from thâ—â— grace of adoption and state
of jusâ—â— fication or to commit the sin unâ—â— death or against the Holy Ghost oâ—â— to be altogether forsaken of him and throw themselves headlong into everlasting destruction c. 7. For first 〈◊〉 all in these slips he preserveth 〈◊〉 them that his immortal seed bâ— which they were once born again that it die not nor be lost by them afterward by his Word and Spirit he effectually and certainly reneweth them again unto repentance so that they do heartily and according unto God grieve for their sins committed and with a contrite heart by faith in the blood of the Mediator craving forgiveness of them obtain it recover the apprehension of the favour of God reconciled unto them adore his mercies and faithfulness and from thenceforward more carefully work out their salvation with fear and trembling Canon 8. So not by their own merits or strength but by Gods free mercy they obtain thus much That they neither totally fall from faith and grace nor continue to the end in their falls and perish which in regard of themselves not only full easily might but doubtless would come to pass yet in respect of God it cannot so fall out since neither his counsel can be changed nor his promise fail nor the calling according to his purpose be revoked nor Christs merit intercession and custody be made of none effect nor the sealing of the holy Spirit be frustrated or defaced 4. That they that are predestinated unto everlasting life be or shall be effectually called according to Gods purpose by his Spirit working in due season they through grace obey the calling they be justified freely they be made Sons of God by adoption and they be made like the Image of his only begotten Son Jesus Christ they walk religiously in good works and at length by Gods mercy they attain to everlasting felicity Which Doctrine is not only contrary to that false Doctrine of the Papists and Arminians before renounced but 't is also agreeable to the Doctrine taught by St. Paul Rom. 8. 30. Whom he did predestinate them he also called Rom. 8. 15 16 17. Gal. 4. 6 7. and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified and therefore they cannot fall away from saving grace totally and finally and be damned 5. That 't is of the meer will or purpose or good pleasure of God that some men are in Christ Jesus elected and not others unto salvation for here you see this Election is called Gods purpose and his counsel to deliver from damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation Which is not only contrary to that erroneous Doctrine of the Papists before confuted and renounced viz. That God did elect men unto salvation for their foreseen faith good works and perseverance that would be in them but 〈◊〉 also consonant to canonical Scripture Rom. 9. 11 15. Luke 12. 〈◊〉 Ephes 1. 5. 2 Tim. 1. 9. Agreeable to this is the second Articlâ—â— Lambeth The moving or efficient cause of Predestination unto life 〈◊〉 the foresight of faith or of perseverance or of good works or of 〈◊〉 thing that is in the person predestinated but only the good will and 〈◊〉 sure of God Agreeable to which is also the 14 Article of Religâ—â— of the Church of Ireland drawn up by A. B. Vsher as Dr. Hâ—â— tells us to which King James gave his consent and approbatioâ— Heylins Cypr. Anglicus l. 4. p. 271. 6. That the godly consideration of Predestination and our electioâ—â— Christ is full of sweet pleasant and unspeakable comfort to godly perâ—â— confirms our faith and fervently kindles our love to God But the Doctrine of the Papists who hold that true believers in Christ may totally and finally fall away from all the acts and habits of savâ—â— grace and become damned reprobates is full of bitter unplâ—â— and unspeakahle sorrow and vexation even to godly persons 〈◊〉 doth not confirm and establish their faith of eternal salvation 〈◊〉 be enjoyed through Christ but rather fill their souls with doâ—â— of their salvation and fears of their damnation and doth 〈◊〉 fervently kindle but rather quench the fire of their love to God 〈◊〉 they shall be taught that Gods love to them dependeth not upon 〈◊〉 self but upon their uncertain love to him from which they say 〈◊〉 may totally and finally fall away and be therefore eternally damned 〈◊〉 any Doctrine that ever was preached or printed did binder Piety 〈◊〉 true Christianity and comfortable walking with God this of the Paâ—â— falling away totally and finally from saving-grace is one and 〈◊〉 well be put among the chief causes of the decay of Piety amongst 〈◊〉 and put into that golden book so intituled and its contrary put 〈◊〉 of it Further I might draw an argument or two more from what 〈◊〉 Church of England saith in her old book of Common Prayers whiâ—â— she offers to Almighty God as in the Collect for St. Simon and Jâ—â— Apostles she saith this Almighty God which hast builded thy 〈◊〉 gregation upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesâ—s Câ—â— himself being the head corner-stone And the next Collect for All-Sâ—â— day where she saith this Almighty God which hast knit togethâ—â— thy elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of thy 〈◊〉 Jesus Christ our Lord from which this argument might be frame They that are built upon the sure foundation or rock Jesus Christ and are inseparably knit together in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of Jesus Christ cannot totally and finally fall away from Christ and his Church and be damned but according to the Church of England Gods elect truly regenerated persons are so built and so united Ergo they cannot totally and finally fall away from Christ and his Church and consequently not from saving-grace by which they are so built and knit together the major is undeniable and clear by Matth. 7. 24 25. Therefoye saith Christ whosoever heareth these sayings of mine and doth them I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock and the rain descended and the floods came and the winds blew and beat upon the house and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock Upon which place * Pareus in locum Veram fidem super petra aedificatam nunquam deficere sed semper conjunctam esse cum perseverentia Pareus hath this note That a true faith built upon the rock doth never fail but is always joyned with perseverance and Mat. 16. 18. I say unto thee Thou art Peter and upon this rock that is which thou hast confessed will I build my Church and the gates of Hell that is all the power and policy of the Devil and his instruments shall not prevail against it the Minor is the Doctrine of our Church in the two Collects before alledged and Gods elect regenerate true members of
the whole Hierarchy which rides upon the Roman Empire that is rules it is a man doth that rides upon an horse and is carried supported and maintained by it There is no person or persons to whom the proper â—â—â—ks of the Babylonical Beast or Antichrist doth so properly and truly agree as to the Pope or Popes of Rome with the Popish Hierarchy and Clergy The Woman or great Whore that is the Church of Rome with her Beast with two Horns Revel 13. is in Revel 17. described 1. Generally 1. That she is a great Whore that is an abominably Idolatrous * The Church of Rome is an Idolatrous Church an Harlot as the Scripture calls her so saith our Church Homily against the peril of Idolatry Part 3. p 69. Church 2. That she sitteth upon many waters that is that she ruleth many people v. 1 15. 3. That the Kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the inhabiters of the earth been made drunk with the wine of her fornication that is with her Idolatries v. 2. 2. More particularly and thus 1. More obscurely 1. By her rule and government She sits upon a scarlet coloured beast full of the names of blasphemy having seven heads and ten horns that is the whole Roman Empire as Idolatrous with a Pagan Antichristian Idolatry that is she had the †The Emperour of Germany is the Popes Advocate sworn to defend the Pope and Church of Rome The Pope makes him swear to defend the Church of Rome to banish Hereticks and to have no company with the wicked to maintain by all means possible the dignity of the Bishop of Rome and all priviledges granted to the Church of Rome as Sleiden â—hews in his Commentaries l. 2 〈◊〉 2â— 25 26. rule and government she turned him she curbed him she spurred him she made him do what she would for the upholding of her self for the maintaining and propagating of her false Doctrine and worship and caused him to make War and Laws against those that would not obey her Decrees and submit to her power that is she guided and exercised an Imperial powerful bloody and blasphemous enemy to Christ and his Church v. 3. 2. By her pompous and whorish apparel and ornaments and the woâ—â— was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour and deckt * Homil. against the peril of Idolatry p. 69. to be seen in Article 15. p. 〈◊〉 hujus with gold and precious stone and pearls that is was a very proud and imperious and bloody Whore And so is the Pope and so are his Cardinals arrayed 3. By her inticing and intoxicating cup wherewith she allures and prepares her foolish lovers to spiritual fornication that is to Idolatry and falseness to Jesus Christ and his Interests Having a * But may it not be understood and intended of her specious pretences of Orthodoxy devotion decency and order with which she induceth her lovers to drink of her abominable cup to swallow her Heterodoxies Superstitions and Usurpations and Idolatries golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication The golden cup saith Pareus upon the place are the Popes golden titles wherewith he hath hitherto commended to the world the 〈◊〉 of his fornication viz. Pope holy Father Father of Fathers Pastor of Pastors his Holiness Christs Vicar Sâ—â— Peter's Successor c. It refers literally to the Popes triple Crown and rich Cope glittering with pearls and precious stones and to his Cardinals rich robes saith Dr. H. More 4. By her Name as Whore v. 5. and upon her forehead was her name written Mystery Babylon the * Which implies as Mr. Mede in his Comment upon Revel 14. that there may be and are other little Babylons petty Harlots with whom the inhabitants subject to each of them may be defiled with spiritual adultery i. e. Idolatry great the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth Which is an allusion to impudent and notorious Whores who had their names not only written upon their cells to be known at home but also upon their foreheads to be known abroad too as Seneca Controvers 2. l. 1. and Tertullian Lib. de pudicitia plainly shew and such an one is the Pope and his Church of Rome she is not Babylon Literal but Mystical that is she is a very impudent and notorious Idolater and the mother that is the conceiver the bringer forth and the nourisher of all Idolatries and Idols in the world and the word mystery shews that it cannot be understood of Rome-Pagan as some Papists would have it but must be understood of Rome-Christian in profession as Idolatrizing with Christian objects And one reason is because this beast comes after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the other that is after the Christian Emperour and is the last for it goeth into perdition Revel 17. 8 10 11. 5. By her extream cruelties barbarities and bloody tyrannies and persecutions murders and detestable enormities Revel 17. 6. And I saw a woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the blood of the Martyrs of Jesus And this hath been abundantly manifested in the Popes of Rome and their agents whom they rid ruled and spurred on to most bloody and cruel murdering of the Saints of Jesus under the names of Waldenses Albigenses Wicklivists Hussits Lutherans Calvinists Hugonots Puritans and other names condemned and destroyed by the Pope of Rome's authority instigation or approbation as Hereticks or Schismaticks because they would not drink of the Church of Rome's whoring cup. Of which you may read in Mr. Fox his Books of Martyrs Mr Fuller's Holy War Sleiden's Commentaries the Supplement to Philip de Comines History where is described Papists bloody and treacherous murdering of thousands of Protestants in Paris and the parts adjoining and the relations of the bloody and barbarous Massacres in Ireland and the Vallies of Piedmont promoted by the Pope and acted by Papists Reverend Dr. Prideaux in his Sermon intituled Gowries Conspiracy upon 2 Sam. 20. 1. p. 13. saith thus Let us depend upon it as long as there is a Pope and a Devil Princes professing the Gospel shall never be secured from Gowries and Garnets And a little after that he saith thus I have gleaned these few scatterings by the way out of their own Doctrines to prove that their Doctrine directly warranteth Treason let the Traytors be what they will and that none can be an absolute Papist but if he throughly understand himself and live under a Christian Prince that hath renounced the Popes authority must needs being put to it be an absolute Traytor No persons under heaven have been more bloody and cruel to sincere Professors of pure Christianity than the Popes of Rome and Papists that they are not still the same we have no good reason to believe but more cause to take heed of them 2. She is described more plainly 1. By the Beast that carrieth her on which she rides that is the Roman Empire
as 't is Idolatrous with a new kind of Idolatry that is with a Pagano-Christian or Papal Idolatry v. 8. The Beast that thou sawest was and is not and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit and go into perdition and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world when they behold the beast that was and is not and yet is This may seem to some to be a more obscure description of the Whore than the former but you must know that this is a description of the Roman Empire not simply according to its substance and politie but formally as respecting the quondam Church of Christ as Idolatrous again but with a new form of Idolatry worshipping the true God not after his prescribed way but it s own and the Saints of Jesus with such kind of worship as the Pagans worshipped their Ethnick Deities It 's a representation of the Roman Empire degenerating from pure Christianity into Paganizing or Idolatrizing Christianity which though it profess Christianity * 'T is said of Pope Gregory the seventh thus Qui titulo Christi negotiura Antichristi agitat That under the title of Christ he doth the work of Antichrist as Aventin Annal. Boior l. 5. p. 455. speaks yet bears the Image of the ancient Pagan Idolatrous Empire The Image of the beast that was and is not and yet is exactly answer the one the other and differ only in Objects but not in form of Worship Concerning which Empire Saint John foretold it might and would be said and found â—o be true when the Woman that is the Pope and his Hierarchy shall sit upon it and rule it and be carried and supported by it it was and is not and yet is The meaning of which in short is this The Roman Empire was Idolatrous and against Christ in all her six first Heads Kings Consulâ— Dictators Decemviri Tribunes and Pagan Caesars or Emperours The Empire was then purely Paganly Idolatrous it Worshipped Heathen gods and goddesses as Jupiter Mars Saturn Venus Juâ—â— Bacchus c. as St. Augustine shews in his Book of the City of God which they looked upon as Deities and worshipped their Images or rather by in or through their Images they worshipped them as Papists now worship God by Images Crucifixes Crosses Altars c. And is not that is purely Paganly Idolatrous as 't was before for the object is Christian And yet is that is is really Idolatrous in another form that is 't is Papally Idolatrous that is it is over-run and over-ruled with Pagano-Christian Idolatry as Dr. More calls it Whereas the Empire in her first six Heads or forms of Governmenâ—â— did Idolatrize by worshipping those Heathen men and their Ghosts and Images and Altars whom they accounted excellent and hated those that were against their Idolatries and Superstitions is now in this state or condition under the seventh and last Head over-run and over-ruled with Pagano-Christian Idolatry it worshippeth the true God in by and through Images it worshippeth Saints departed this life and Angels Altars Crosses and Relicks and Ordinances of God and it hateth and persecuteth the undefiled followers of Jesus Christ who will not defile themselves with women will not drink of the Golden cup of fornication of the great Whore of Rome or of any of her sister Churches but keep themselves close to Christs pure worship and interests and follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth And this Beast as thus Idolatrous shall ascend out of the bottomless pit that is as some will have it out of the Sea Revel 13. 1. which is as a bottomless pit for multitude of people Revel 17. 15. or as most will have it out of hell because 't is said Revel 13. 2. that the Dragon that is the Devil the Angel of the bottomless pit Hell Revel 9. 11. Revel 16. 13. as well as the old bloody Pagan Emperours gave him his seat his power and authority and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder after that is follow this Idolatrous Beast and submit to and practise his Idolatrous Worships The generality of Inhabitants that is reprobates only whose names are not written in Gods book of life shall admire and follow this beast but none of Gods Elect will totally and finally follow this filthy Beast that is thus ridden and spurred to Idolatry And he shall go into perdition as he is guided by the son of perdition Antichrist 2 Thes 2. 3. and ascended from the bottomless pit of Hell Revel 9 11. Revel 13. 2. 2 Thes 2 9. the place of perdition so he shall go into perdition he shall be destroyed as Idolatrous and be cast into everlasting perdition for his Idolatries and for his being ruled by the Woman the Pope and Hierarchy or Church of Rome and for persecuting and destroying of the faithful followers of Jesus Christ Revel 19. 20. Revel 21. 8. 2. This Beast which the Woman rides is described by the place where he sits by his seat which the Devil gave him Revel 13. 2. And this is said to be the place where the Woman that is where the Pope and his Hierarchy sit too Revel 17. 9. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth that is Rome for Rome was the ancient seat of the first six Heads of the Roman Empire and was sometimes the seat of the Roman Emperours as thus Idolatrizing with a new kind of Idolatry and it is now the seat of the Pope of Rome and of his Hierarchy Now Rome is known to be built upon seven hills which are these viz. Palatinus Capitolinus Quirinalis Caelius Esquilinus Viminalis Aventinus Septem urbs alta jugis toti quae praesideâ— orbi The City mounting on seven Hills and over-ruling the whole Earth There 's no City but Rome that was built upon seven Hills that did in St. John's time reign over the Kings and inhabitants of the earth Therefore this description most properly belongeth to the City of Rome Revel 17. ult And the seven heads do not only signifie biâ—â—s on which the chief City or seat of the Emperour in St. John's timâ— and long after of the Empire was built and which shall at this time of the state of the Empire be the seat of the Woman that is of the Pope and his Idolatrous Hierarchy but it also signifieth seveâ— Kings 3. This Beast is described by the several sorts of Government that that City built on seveâ—â— Hills in St. John ' time and the Empire had been then was and afterward was to be subject unto v. 10. Tâ—â— are seven Kings that is sorts of Governments five are fallen viz. Kings Consuls Dictators Decemviri Tribunes And one is viz. the Pagan Caesars or Emperours And the other is not yet come that is the purely Christian Emperour who shall bring the Empire into 〈◊〉 pure state of Christianity as compared to what it was in some of the former heads
Book 5. C. 16. Sec. 8. to which Book and to Mr. Potter of the Number of the Beast he refers for fuller satisfaction His Mystery of Godliness I have not seen but I have read Mr. Potter's Book of the Number of the Beast Printed at Oxford Ann. 1642 of which Book there were either but few Printed or they were suddenly bought up that 't is a hard matter to get one of them of which Book I took some scraps of which because of the scarcity of the Book I shall make bold to communicate some which are to my business in hand and the rather because the Book is so highly commended by learned Dr. Twiss Mr. Mede and Dr. More Revel 13. 18. Here is wisdom let him that hath understanding count the Number of the Beast for it is the number of a man and his number is 666. The Mystery of the number 666 is to be found out by comparing it with the number 144 to which this number 666 is as it were the autâ—â—numerus and must therefore be interpreted after the same manner and in the same particulars applied to the Synagogue of Antichrist as the number 144 ought to be applied to the Church of Christ Now the mystery of the number 144 which is the number opposed to the number 666 consists in the square-root thereof and and therefore the mystery of the number 666 must be in the square-root thereof also But now to find out the true interpretation of this number 144 it 's generally granted by all ancient and latter Interpreters that the chief if not the only cause why this number was chosen rather than any other number to be the measure of the wall of the Coelestial Jerusalem Revel 21. 17. is because this number is raised and built upon the number 12 which being multiplied into it self produceth the square-number 144. For as this number 144 is raised and built upon the number 12 only and cannot possibly admit of any other number to be the root and basis of it so neither can the Church of Christ admit of any other foundation than that which is already laid by the 12 Apostles As therefore this number 144 is built upon 12 Unities so is the Church of Christ built upon the 12 Apostles And as the number 12 is more conspicuous and remarkable in this number 144 than any other number because it measureth not only the bottom or root but the sides and ranks of it also so it 's evident that the number of 12 is more conspicuous and remarkable in the Church of God than any other number whatsoever And hence it is that this number 12 is repeated above 144 times in the Scriptures and is in them so often used and in so many and so divers particulars applied by the Spirit of God to things appertaining to the Church that we cannot but acknowledg this number to be chosen and as it were affected by the Holy Ghost rather than any other And though the number 144 may truly be said to be Gods number rather than any other numbers because it representeth the figure of the City and in general the form and structure of the Church and Hierarchy thereof yet it cannot so properly be called Gods number as the number 12 which almost in all material respects is applicable to the Church and is used in the Scriptures always as numerus certus pro certo and not as numerus certus pro incerto in which sense it must needs be granted that the number 144 doth sigâ—â—ifie and represent the Church in general And whereas the number 144 is no where mentioned in Scripture but in Revel 21. it must be granted that it is not there to be the measure of the Wall which doth in that place signifie the spiritual building of Gods Church because there then were or at any time should be precisely so many â—nd no more faithful Christians or living stones built upon the 12 foundations there named but that we might learn thence that how great or how little soever the number of faithful Christians should be yet they must be all built upon the foundation of the 12 Apostles as the number 144 is built upon 12 Unities And hence 't is granted by Interpreters that this number 144 was chosen to be the measure of the Wall of the new Jerusalem for this reason chiefly if not only because it is the only square-number which can be raised and built upon 12 Vnities as is clear to all those that have understanding to extract the root of numbers As the number 12 was the measure number and foundation of the city gates and wall of the ancient and literal Jerusalem and was in respect of the 12 Patriarchs the root from whence the 12 Tribes had their Original according to the flesh so the same number 12 should be the only conspicuous number in the foundation and structure of the spiritual and new Jerusalem in which the 12 Apostles are 12 spiritual fathers answerable to the 12 Patriarchs and are 12 foundations laid by our Saviour Christ upon which and according to which foundation that is by multiplying of the Doctrine of the Apostles by 〈◊〉 self only all the spiritual builders of Gods Church in the times 〈◊〉 come ought to erect and square their buildings And they are also placed at the 12 Gates as 12 angels to keep out as it were with a two-edged sword every thing that defileth and to admit into this Church by the gates of Baptism committed first and originally unto them and prefigured by the 12 Oxen under the brazen Sea 1200 of every Tribe that is all those faithful Christians and true Israelites which can derive their spiritual Genealogy from the faith and doctrine of the 12 Apostles And this is without all question the true and natural interpretation of the numbers and measures of the new Jerusalem spoken of Revel 21. 16 17 c. The new Jerusalem spoken of Revel 21. is the sAme with Jerusalem spoken of in Ezek. 48. the Church militant not triumphant is meant by it as almost every line and every word evidenceth as not only Mr. Potter and Forbs and and other Protestants but many Papists observe The number 144 is a square and perfect number built and raised upon the number 12 so the Church of Christ is a square and perfect building built upon the doctrine of the 12 Apostles It 's also true that as the number 666 is neither a square nor perfect number nor built upon the number 12 so neither is the Romish Hierarch a square and perfect building neither is it built upon the doctrine of the 〈◊〉 Apostles So Forbs and Potter p. 44. The number 666 is to be counted by extraction of the root because the opposite number 144 is so to be accounted To extract the square-root of a number given is to The root of a Number find out the greatest number which being multiplied into it self and having the fractions added to the
and dispensation of selling Pardons and Indulgences to his Cardinals saying to them as Christ said to his Apostles Whose sins ye remit they are remitted and whose sins ye retain they are retained As the Apostles truly were and are the root and foundation of the Christian Church and all jurisdiction so the Cardinals falsely pretend themselves to be and truly they are the very basis and foundation of the Romish Religion and Hierarchy and therefore the root and foundation of that superstition and impiety which being derived originally from Rome hath diffused it self into all the Christian world by them As 't is the priviledg of the 12 Apostles to be as it were 12 stars set in that crown which is mentioned Revel 12. so 't is the special priviledg of the Popes Cardinals to have their names written in the crowns of their Prince the Pope as witnesseth Jacobatius de Consil num 153. There was a twofold state and condition of the Apostles 1. They were Apostoli urbis affixed as it were to the City Jerusalem where they were to abide till * Till they received the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost they were endued with power from above but afterwards they were Apostoli Orbis So likewise the Cardinals in imitation and affectation of like honour are stiled Cardinales Vrbis Orbis They remain as it were affixed to the City of Rome until they are endued with power from above i. e. till they are sent out by the Pope as his Nuncio's and Legates into the Kingdoms of the World As the Apostles in respect of their spiritual Fatherhood are fitly answerable to the 12 Patriarchs who were the Fathers of all the Israelites according to the flesh so the Pope's Cardinals are called Patres spirituales Ecclesiae As the Apostles having supreme authority in the Church may in some sense be said to be the Judges of the world and to sit upon twelve Thrones to judg the twelve Tribes of Israel So the Cardinals make their Consistory of their Apostolical See to admit of no appeal but to be of such a Coelestial sublimity that 't is equal to the Tribunal-seat of God and therefore they are stiled Judices Orbis and they do exercise all Civil and Ecclesiastical power over the City and people of Rome which the Patriarchs did in the Literal or the Apostles in the spiritual Jerusalem There is not one of the Titles which the Apostles had but they are emulous of or else to be the image of that kind of Government which was before their lives remarkable in the City of Rome Both which Considerations are incident to the right discerning of that Antichrist who is not only to resemble some ancient Government of Rome but also to be that Synagogne of Satan mentioned Rev. 2. 2 9. which say they are Apostles but are not which say they are Jews but are the Synagogue of Satan The first number of Cardinals in their first institution is chiefly to be considered as that which doth most remarkably characterize Antichrist in his first original Now they were instituted as their own Authors * Gondisalnus de origine Cardinalatus Onuphrius Panvin de praecipuis urbis Romae Basilicis Pol. Virgil l 4. de inventoribus rerum c 9. Bibliothecarium Damasum Platina â—aron An. 378. say in the time of Pontiani Marcelli Rom. Pontif. but Isidore Muscovius saith of the Cardinals thus But others more warily have affirmed that they were first created in the time of Sylvester the first in the â—ear 314 who as they say ordained a Colledg of Cardinals according to the similitude of the Senators c. About which time the Pope divided the City and people of Rome into 25 Titles or divisions in each of which division * When these Parishes were made Diocesses then were these Priests made Cardinals saith Polidore Virgil by having a formal power and jurisdiction added to them as is apparent by like testimony of Volateranus there was a Parish-Church erected for the administration of Baptism and in every one of these Churches a several Presbyter was assigned and appointed who was called afterwards Cardinal When these Parish-Priests degenerated into Cardinals and were made a Colledg and corporation exercising a new kind of super-Episcopal jurisdiction in and over these Churches then was the birth of Antichrist then did Antichrist truly really and locally sit in these Christian Churches at Rome and from thence his Pseudo-Apostolical authority hath been obtruded and imposed upon other Churches There were in Rome according to the sense literal 25 Gates and according to the sense spiritual 25 Churches for Baptism and 25 Pastors placed in those 25 Churches and 25 Cardinals sitting and ruling in them and 25 Titles Tribes or Parishes belonging to them Jerusalem was in compass 1200 furlongs in which Christ did first and chiefly erect his Church and Hierarchy For the number 12 having 1000 of furlongs added to it is the true solid measure of an imaginary Cube which compass is equal to the compass of the City Jerusalem so the number 25 having 1000 of furlongs added to it is the true The number twenty-five notes the seat of Antichrist solid measure of that imaginary Cube whose compass is equal to the compass of the City of Rome 25000 Furlongs will make 14 miles and half and almost half a quarter which agreeth to Rome The Apostles creed which is the sum of the 12 Apostles Doctrine of Faith which Christs Church believes divides it self into 12 Articles the Papists have added 13 more and made the number of their articles of faith 25. For whether we take the Doctrine of the Council of Trent it self to be the Faith and Doctrine of the Church of Rome or that Creed which was composed by Pope Pius the fourth according to the Doctrine decreed in that Council in either of these the number of 25 is as remarkably applicable to the Romish Faith as the number 12 to the Apostles Creed And 't is their whole faith Sacrosancta oecumenica Tridentina Synodus ejus fidem confiteamur ejus decreta semper servemus Responsio patrum Semper confiteamur semper servemus Cardinal a Lothoringia Omnes ita credimus omnes id-ipsum sentimus omâ—â—s Acclamationes patrum in fine Concillii pag. 396. consentientes amplectentes subscribimus Haec est fides beati Petri Apostolorum haec est fides Patrâ—â— haec est fides orthodoxa Responsio Patrum Ita credimus ita sentimus subscribimus I pray mark this all along that the Pope of Rome divided the City of Rome into 25 Parishes and in thâ—â— placed 25 Presbyters which were first The number of Cardinals was 25 in St. Jerom's time as appears by his words upon Ezek. 11. 25. Hodie in Ecclesia quae est Dom. Dei called Parish-Priests afterward they were called Cardinal-Priests to whom was given a larger power and that these are parts of his body and his Apostles And I pray mark this
agreeing with other marks of the Beast is very significant and convincing that the Pope of Rome with his apostatizing Clergy is the great Whore or Antichrist I have been so large in this point that I must for brevities sake forbear to alledg what learned King James in his Epistle to his Apology to all Christian Princes saith where he fully and clearly proves the Pope to be Antichrist And in his Paraphrase upon the Revelations in which he every where calls the Pope of Rome Antichrist and the Church of Rome the false persecuting and Antichristian Church However Dr. Heylin in his Cyprianus Anglicus endeavours dishonourably to pervert his words and works Dr. Prideaux in his Sermon upon Rev. 2. 4. p. 36. Sermonum saith thus roundly Fathers and brethren is this a time to make a doubt whether the Pope be Antichrist or no seeing his horns and marks are so apparently discovered Bishop Sanderson in his Sermon upon 1 Tim. 4. 4. p. 414. Sermonum saith thus The Apostle gives instance in two of those Antichristian Doctrines viz. a prohibition of Marriage and an injunction of abstinence from Meats which particulars being so agreeable to the present tenets of the Romish Synagogue do give even of themselves alone a strong suspition that there is the seat of Antichrist But joined unto the other prophesies of St. Paul and of St. John in other places make it so 2 Thes 2. 3. Apoc. 13. 11. unquestionable that they who will needs be so unreasonably charitable as to think the Pope is not Antichrist may at the least wonder as * Moulins Accomplishment in the Preface one saith well by what strange chance it fell out that these Apostles should draw the picture of Antichrist in every point and limb so just like the Pope and yet never think of him I have one thing more to remind you of and that is this That though the Antichristian Church of Rome do in words profess the Doctrine of the Apostles Creed yet by their other super added Doctrines they do overthrow it As is evidently to be seen in the sum of their Doctrine before recited their own 13 Articles superadded to the first 12 of the Nicene Creed do overturn and destroy in effect them Mr. Thomson in his Arraignment of Antichrist p. 96 97 c. will inform you how they cross every Article of the Creed and so will others as Hemingius Antichristi-machia Beza cap. 7. conf Dr. Abbot against Bishop Part 3. To all which let me I pray add but a little more which the Church of England plainly saith in her Homily for Whitsunday p. 213 214 215 216. where having declared three marks of a true Church whereby it may be Marks of a true Church known viz. 1. Pure and sound Doctrine preached 2. The Sacraments ministred according to Christs institution 3. The right use of Ecclesiastical Discipline It saith thus Now if ye will compare this with the Church of Rome not as it was in the beginning but as it is at present and hath been for the space of 900 years and odd you shall well perceive the state thereof to be so far wide * Rome as 't is now is no true Church this A. B. Laud contradicts in his Relation of Conf. p. 〈◊〉 and Bishop Mountague in his Gag 50. A. B. Laud saith that Papists and Protestants hold not forth a different Religion 〈◊〉 Bishop Mountague saith That the present Church of Rome is not divers from the ancient Church of Rome but remains firm in the same foundation of Doctrine and Sacraments from the nature of a true Church that nothing can be more Neither are they built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets retaining the sound and pure Doctrine of Jesus Christ neither yet do they order the Sacraments or the Ecclesiastical keys in such sort as he did first institute and ordain them but have so intermingled their own traditions and inventions by chopping and changing by adding and plucking away the now they may seem to be converted into a new guise Christ commanded unto his Church a Sacrament of his body and blood they have changed it into a †So did Gyles Widdows in his Schismatical kneeless Puritan p. 34 89. the Church is the place of Gods presence the Communion-Table the Chair of State of the Lord Jesus and his chiefest place of presence in our Church where his Priests sacrifice the Lords Supper to reconcile us to God offended with our daily sins Bp. Sparrow saith 't is an unbloody sacrifice in his Ration p 391. p. 280. he saith the Priest offers up the sacrifice of the holy Eucharist Sacrifice Christ ministred to the Apostles and the Apostles to other men indifferently under both kinds they have robbed the lay-people of the cup saying that for them one kind is sufficient Christ ordained no other element to be used in Baptism but only water whereunto when the word is joined it is made as St. Augustine saith a full and perfect Sacrament they being wiser in their own conceit than Christ think it is not well nor orderly done unless they use conjuration unless they hallow the water unless there be oyl salt spittle tapers why was the sign of the Cross left out and such other dumb ceremonies serving to no use contrary to the plain rule of St. Paul 1 Cor. 14. who willed all things to be done in the Church unto edification Christ ordained the authority of the Keys to excommunicate notorious sinners and to absolve them which are truly penitent they abuse this power at their own pleasure as well in cursing the godly with bell book and candle as also absolving the reprobate which are known to be unworthy of any Christian society whereof they that list may see examples let them search their lives To be short look what our Saviour Christ pronounced of the Scribes and Pharisees in the Gospel the same may be boldly and with safe conscience pronounced of the Bishops of Rome namely that they have forsaken and daily do forsake the commandments of God to erect and set up their own constitutions Which thing being true as all they that have any light in Gods word must needs confess we may well conclude according to the rule of Augustine that the Bishops Aug. contra Petiliam Donastae Epistol c. 4. of Rome and their adherents are NOT THE TRUE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST much less then to be taken as CHIEF HEADS AND RULERS of the same Whosoever saith he do dissent from the Scriptures concerning the Head although they be found in all places where the Church is appointed yet are not in the Church a plain place concluding directly against the Church of Rome Wheresoever ye find the spirit of arrogance and pride the spirit of envy hatred contention cruelty murther extortion witchcraft necromancy c. assure your selves that there is the spirit of the Devil and not of God albeit they pretend to the world never