and from the West and from the North and from the South and shall sit at the Kingdome of God Luke 13.28 The promise is made unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre off c. Acts 2 3â— In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Acts 10.35 and that the Church as it hath been from the worlds beginning e Rev. 13.8 so shall it continue to the end f Matth. 28.20 And this is the confession of the Churches g Confess Helv. 2. c. 17. Bohem. c. 8. Belg ar 27. Wittemb ar 32. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Vnsound be they inreligion therefore which have and doe as it were tye the Church to a certaine a Aug lib. 2. con Pet. c 15. country as the Donatists did to Africa a people as the Iewes to themselves b Clenard op lib. 2. 190. persons place calling or time as doe the Papists To certaine persons when they sey The Church is founded upon Peter and his successors c Confess Petrocenien c. 29 All that will be saved must of necessity be subject to the Bishop of Rome d Bonifac. c. 8. Vnam extra de major obed The true Church is united to the obedience of the Pope of Rome e Bel. de eccl milit c 2. To a certaine place when they sey The Church of Rome is the Catholike Church f Test Rhem. an 1 Tim. 345 The Church of Rome is the mother of faith g Jus canonic distinct 22. To a certaine calling by their Petrus à Soto to Bishops and Prelates h Pet à Soto asser p. 133. To a certaine time as when the said Papists affirme how The time was when holinesse was only in the Virgin Mary i Cost r. enchir con when faith rested onely in the Virgin Mary k Disput Concil Basil Acts and Monu in K.H. 6. f. 7. 96. when all the faith was lost save onely in our Lady l Festival ser 4. post festum Palmarum It is a bold assertion also and very presumptuous of Apostata Hill that in England all men were Papists without exception from the first Christening thereof untill the age of King Henry the eighth 4. Propositon m Hilâ—quaâ—t 1. reas p. 5. The Word of God was and for time is before the Church The proofe from Gods Word FOrasmuch as the visible Church of Christ is a Congregation of men either in the eyes of God or in the judgment of the godly faithfull it followeth that the Word of God must be afore the Church for time as likewise the authoritie For time because Gods Word is the Seed the faithfull the Corne a Luk. 8.11 12 and the Children b 1 Pet. 1 1â— Gods Word is the Rocke or Foundation c Math. 16 1â— Eph. 1.20 the Faithfull the House d Eph. 2.21 For authoritie also the Word is before the Church because the voyce of the Church is the voyce of man who hath erred and may erre from the truth but the voyce of the Word is Gods voyce e 2 Tim. 3.10 2 Pet. 1.21 who cannot deceive nor be deceived Of this judgement be the Churches reformed f Conf. Helv. 1 ar 14. 2. c. 13.17 Bohe. c. 1.8 Gal. ar 7 Bolg ar 3.7 Saxon ar 1.11 â—â—â—ev ar 1. The adversaries unto this truth This maketh to the strengthning of us against those Popish assertions oâ— Viguerius and such like viz. that the Church was before the Word for time and is above the Word for authoritie a Viguer In ad Chr. Theo. 10. sect 3. v. 10. fol 83. a. 5. Proposition The markes and tokens of the visible Church are the due and true administration of the Word and Sacraments The proofe from Gods Word THere is the visible Church of Christ where the Word of God sincerely is preached and the Sacraments instituted by our Saviour are duely administred Hence it is that our Lord and Saviour calleth them his mother and his brethren which heare the Word of God and doe it a Luke 8.21 and saith He that is of God heareth Gods Word John 8.47 also My sheepe heare my voyce c Iohn 10.27 and How shal they heare without a Preacher saith S. Paul d Rom. 10.14 Likewise the Apostle S. Iohn He that knoweth God heareth us hee that is not of God heareth us not e 1 John â— 9 Again they are of the world therefore speak they of the world and the world heareth them f Ibâ—b v. 5. And touching the Sacraments first of Baptisme Goe therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and the Sonne and the holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you g Matth. 28.17 20. We have been baptized into Iesus Christ h Rom. 6.3 yee are washed ye are sanctified i 1 Cor 6.13 By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body k 1 Cor. 11.13 Next of the Lords Supper The Lord Iesus in the night that hee was betrayed tooke bread and when hee had given thanks hee brake it and said Take eate this is my body which is broken for you this doe in remembrance of me After the same manner also he tooke the cup when he had Supped saying This is the New Testament in my blood this doe as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me l 1 Cor. 11.23.24 25. Luke 22 1â— The Christians in all reformed Churches acknowledge these things m Conf Helv. 1. ar 14. and 2. cap. 17 Bohe. c 8. Gal. ar 27.28 Saxon ar 11. Wittemb ar 12. Suev ar 13. Some and they also many of them very godly men adde Ecclesiasticall discipline for a note of the visible Church But because the said Discipline in part is included in the markes here mentioned both we and in effect all other wel ordered Churches over-passe it in this place as no token simply of the visible Church Neither tye we the Church so strictly to the signes articulate that wee think all those to be without the Church and no Christians which neither doe heare the Word ordinarily and publikely read and preached nor participate in the Sacraments if so be they would and yet can neither heare the one nor receive the other as it falleth out sometimes especially in the times of blindnesse and persecution The errors and adversaries unto this truth Wee renounce therefore as altogether unsound and Antichristian the opinions 1. Of the Papists who both denie the pure preaching of Gods Word and the administration of the Sacraments among Protestants to be the markes of Christ his visible Church a Petrus a Soto assert de Eccl. and affirme the tokens hereof to be Antiquity Vnity Vniversality Succession c. as doth Stapleton b In his Fortresse Bristow c In his Motives Bozius d De
the day of Iudgement Pope Iohn the 23. denies the soules immortality k B. Jewel def fol 6 5. i Gerson ser 1. Pasch And some worldly prophane and devilish Atheists For Sixtus 4. builded a Male stewes l Acts Mon. Paul 3. received a monethly pension for 45000. whores at Rome m D. Sparke against Id. Albine p. 399. Leo the 10. made a Fable of the Gospel of Christ n Smeton contra Hamilt p. 104. Hence it proceeded that Rome hath bin called Babylon both by S. Augustine o De civit Dei lib. 18. and Hierome p Praes lib. de Sp. S. and by Pope Pius 5. was said Magis Gentilizare quà m Christianizare rather to Gentilize or to be a City of Heathens rather then of Christians q Chr. Franck. praef ad Paradox St. Bernard said how the Romans in his time were hatefull unto heaven and earth yea and hurtfull unto both wicked against God rash against holy things and seditious among themselves r De consid ad Eugen. Genebrard himselfe an Antichristian Romanist writeth that 50 Popes successively and within the space of 150 yeeres departed from the vertue of their Elders and shewed themselves Abjurers of Christianity and Apostataes rather then Catholike Bishops a Chron. lib. 4. p. 817. The Pope was proclaimed Antichrist at Rhemes by the Councell there under Hugh Capet b Arnolph in Conâ— Rhem. inter opera Bernardi Errors and adversaries unto this truth What the Papists are then it appeareth whose doctrine as hath beene shewne is that the Church of Rome neither hath nor can erre Erraverunt aliae ecclesiae saith Di. Stella other Churches as Antioch Alexandria Constantinople c. have erred sed nunquam ecclesia Romana but the Church of Rome never yet erred c Stella in Luâ—a 9. fol. 430. Id constanter negamus saith Costerus the Iesuite wee constantly denie that Christ his Vicars and Peters successors the Bishops of Rome have either taught heresies or can propound errors d Eâ—chirid controvers c. 3. de summo Pontif. p. 136. God preserveth the truth of Christian Religion in the Apostolike Sea of Rome e Test Rhem. an Matth. 23 2 and it is not possible that the Church meaning the Church of Rome can erre or hath erred at any time in any point say the Rhemists f Ibid. an mar p. 164. 20. Article Of the authority of the Church 1 The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies 2 and authority in controversies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church 3 to ordain any thing that is contrary to Gods Word 4 neither may it so expound one place of Scripture 5 that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although 6 the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy Writ yet as it ought not to decree any thing against the same so 7 besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be beleeved for necessity of salvation The Propositions 1. The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies 2. The Church may not ordaine what rites or ceremonies she will 3. The Church hath authority to judge and determine in controversies of faith 4. The Church hath power to interpret and expound the Word of God 5. The Analogie of faith must be respected in the exposition of the Scripture 6. The Church is the witnesse and keeper of Gods written Word 7. The Church may not enforce any thing to be beleeved as necessary unto salvation that is either contrary or besides the Word of God 1. Proposition The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies The proofe from Gods Word THE Churches authority to decree rites or ceremonies is warranted in the Word of God first by the example of the Apostles who did ordaine rites and ceremonies among other things that In the Church men should not be covered a 1 Cor. 11.4 7 14 c. Women should keepe silence b 1 Cor. 14.34 and be covered c 1 Cor. 11.5 A knowne tongue understood of the common auditorie should be used d 1 Cor. 1.24 with other things e 1 Cor. 22.2 3 4. Next by the generall and binding commandement of God himselfe who at all times will have every thing in the Church to bee done unto edifying f 1 Cor. 14.26 honesty and by order g Ibid. v. 40. as being not the author of confusion but of peace h Ibid. v. 33. All Protestant Churches confesse the same i Confes Helv. 1. ar 13. 2. c. 22 23 24. Basil ar 10. Bohem. c. 15.17 Gal. ar 32. Belg. ar 32. Aug. ar 4.57.15 Saxon. ar 20. Suev c. 8.14 Wittemb c. 27.31 Errors and adversaries unto this truth This power being given by the supreme Authority unto the Church they doe greatly offend which doe condemne either generally all d R H. on Psal 122. or particularly some rites and ceremonies orderly and lawfully established of the former sort are e Such a one was that Scottish Minister which said unto the head of K. Iames how he would hold conformitie with his Majesties ordinances for matters of doctrine but for matters of ceremony they were to be left in Christian liberty unto every man This D. Barlow reporteth in the summe of the Confer p. 21. 1. The Family of Love who say of themselves how they are a free people a H N. Sp. land c. 31. ss 6. in bondage unto no creature nor to any created thing b Ibid. cap. 40. sect 7. they have no severall dissenting or variable religions or ceremoniesc. 2. The Brownists who teach that every Christian is to joyne himselfe unto that people among whom the Lords worship is free and not bound or withholden with any jurisdiction of this world 3. The Puritants whereof some would have all matters of ceremonies to be left in Christian liberty unto every man Others would have both temples to bee left without Service Sermons and Sacraments and Princes to â—e scarred with the feare of uproares and sedition and all because they would be freed from the obedience unto ceremonies not impious of themselves imposed by the Church the Father of these men was Illyricus of whom Melancton writeth f Ep. ad Pium. Lect. p. 455. Of the latter kinde be 1. The Family of Love againe who utterly dislike our Churches or Temples also our Liturgies and formes of serving our God and finally our designed times of meeting together for the worship of God Our Churches they blasphemously terme common houses and so we terme Brothel-houses or the stewes g H. N. Speland c. 5. l 5. Our Lyturgies and manner of serving of God they call foolishnesse of taken on services h Ibid. false seducing Gods services i H N exhor c. 15. sect 2 3. of no man to be ordained k Ib. cap. 16. sect 14. nor to be obeyed or used when they are established l
3. and 6. by King Richard the 2. by King Henry the 4. 6. and 8. by Queene Elizabeth and by our most Noble King Iames. His pride and intolerable supremacie over all Christian people is renounced and condemned as well by the mouthes as writings of all the purer Churches i Conf Helv. 1 ar 18 2. c. 17 18. Bohe. c. 8.9 Belg. ar 28.32 Wittem ar 31. August de Abus ar 7. and that deservedly The Errors and adversaries unto this truth But with the Papists the Bishop of Rome hee is forsooth for supremacie Abel for governing the Arke Noah for Patriarch-ship Abraham for order Melchisedech for dignity Aaron for authority Moses for justice Samuel for zeale Elias for humility David for power Peter for his unction Christ a Majoran clyd milit Ec lib. 3 c. 35. the generall Pastor the common Father of all Christians the high Pastor of Gods universall Church the Prince of Gods people b Ans to the execu of lust for title God even the Lord God the Pope c Panorm de transl praef c. Q anto for power God For By him Kings raigne d Cerc l. 1. c. 2. hee may iudge all men but must of none bee iudged e Distin 40. c. 5. Papa hee can doe what him list as well as God except sinne f Extravag de cranst Episâ— cap. Quanto His jurisdiction is universall even over the whole world g Test Rhem. annot marg p. 2â—0 Him upon paine of eternall damnation all Christians are to obey h Bor if 8 cau de major obed in Extravag And by his Soveraigne authority both all Papists in England were discharged from their obedience and subjection unto Queene Elizabeth and the same Queene disabled to governe her owne people and dominions i Bristow motive 40. 6. Proposition By the lawes of this Realme Christian men for hainous and grievous offences may be put to death The proofe from Gods Word AS the natures of men be divers and some sinnes in some countries more abound then in others so are the punishments to bee imposed upon malefactors according to the quantity and quality of their offences and any Countrey and Kingdome may punish offenders even with death if the Lawes thereof and their offence doe require it For All that take the sword shall perish with the sword a Math. 25.52 Governours bee sent of the King for the punishment of evill doers b 1 Pet. 2.14 A wise King scattereth the wicked and causeth the wheele to turne over them c Prov. 20.26 The Magistrate beareth not the sword for nought and is the Minister of God to take vengeance on them that doe evill d Rom. 13.4 Which punishments testifie to the world that God is just which will have some sinnes more severely punished then others and the Magistrates to cut off dangerous and ungodly members God is mercifull and hath care both of his servants and of humane society God is all wise and holy in that hee will have it knowne who are just who wicked who holy and who prophane by cherishing and preserving of the one and by punishing and rooting out of the other Our godly and Christian brethren in other Countries approve this doctrine e Confes Helv. 1. ar 24 26. 2. c. 30. Basi c. 7. Bohe. c 16. Gal. ar 39. Belg. ar 36. August ar 16. Sax ar 23. The adversaries unto this truth The adversaries of this doctrine be divers For Some are of opinion that no man for any offence should be put to death Such in old time were the Manichies and the Donatists a D. August in Iohan 11. and such in our dayes be the Anabaptists b Confe Helv. 2. c. 30. And some doe thinke that howsoever for their offences against the second Table malefactors may bee put to death yet for hereticall and erroneous opinions in points of Religion none are so to suffer Of this minde are the Familists For They hold that no man should be put to death for his opinions c Display lib. They blame Mr. Granmer and Ridley for burning Ioane of Kent for an heretike d Ibid. It is not Christian-like that one man should persecute another for any cause touching conscience e Fam. 2. letter unto M. Ro. Is not that punishment sufficient say they which God hath ordained but that one Christian must vexe torment belye and persecute another f Ibid. 7. Proposition It is lawfull for Christian men at the commandement of the Magistrates to weare weapons and serve in warres The proofe from Gods Word There is saith K. Salomon a time of warre and a time of peace a Eccles 2.8 and Princes are by warre and weapons to represse the power of enemies whether forraigne or intestine For they are in authority placed for the defence of quiet and harmelesse subiects as also to remove the violence of oppressors and enemies whatsoever they be For these causes have they Horses prepared for the battell b Prov 2.31 Tribute paide them as well for Christians c Rom. 13.6 7. as others and subiects to serve them in their warres of what nature soever Cornelius being a Christian d Acts 10. was not forbidden to play the Centurion or bidden to forsake his profession e Luke 3.14 nor the souldiers that came unto Iohns baptisme willed to leave the warres but to offer no violence unto any man This truth is granted by the Church f Confes Helv. 2. â— 30 Bohe. c. 16. Sâ—x ar 23 The aduersaries vnto this truth Many are against this assertion whereof some doubt of the truth thereof as Ludovicus Vives a Arma Christianum virum tractare nâ—sâ—â—o â—n â—â—s sit Lud. Vâ—ves Instuut suâ—m Chr. â— 1. Others denie it altogether as untrue So did in ancient time the Manichies whose doctrine was that no man might goe to warre b D. Aug. contra Manich. l. 22. c. 74 Lactartius thought it altogether unlawful for a good man or a Christian either to goe to warre or to bring any man to a violent death though by law he were adiudged to dye c Lactan. de vero cultuâ—e 20 In these dayes the Anabaptists thinke it to be a thing most execrable for Christians to take weapons to goe to warre d Confes Helv. 2. c 30. The Family of Love also doe so condemne all warres as the time was when they would not beare or weare a weapon e Display H. 5.5 b. and they write first of themselves how all their nature is Love and peace f H.N. spi lan c. 37. sect 2. and that they are people peaceable g Ibid prae sect 3â— but all other men in the world besides they doe wage warre kill and destroy for which ends they have divers sorts of Swords Halberds Speares Bowes and Arrowes Guns Pellets and Gunpowder Armour Harnesse and Goâ—gets h Ibid. cap. 4.
A TREATISE VPON SVNDRY MATTERS CONTAINED IN THE THIRTY NINE Articles of Religion which are professed in the Church of ENGLAND Long since written and published by THOMAS ROGERS Rom. 16. verse 17. I beseech you brethren marke them diligently which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have received and avoide them LONDON Printed by JOHN LEGATT and are to be sold by RICHARD THRALE at the signe of the Crosse-keyes at Pauls Gate 1639. TO THE MOST REVEREND FATHER in God and his Right Honourable good Lord RICHARD by the Divine providence Archb. of Canterbury and Primate of England and Counceller to the most High and Mighty Prince JAMES King of Great Britaine France and Ireland MOst Reverend Father in God there is no one thing in this world that of men truely zealous and Christian in these latter dayes of the world with greater earnestnesse hath bin desired then that by a joynt and common consent of all the Churches rightly and according to the Canons of the sacred Scriptures reformed there might be a draught made and divulged containing and expressing the sum and substance of that Religion which they doe both concordably teach and uniformely maintaine That holy man of happy remembrance D. Cranmer who sometime enjoyed that roome in our Church Arch. Cranmer which your Grace now worthily possesseth in the dayes of that most godly yong Prince K. Edward the sixt employed a great part of his time and study for the effecting of that work and imparted his thoughts with the most principall persons and of rarest note in those dayes for their wisedome piety and credit among the people of God throughout Christendome Mr. Calvin understanding of his intent addressed his letters unto the said Archbishop and offred his service saying That might his labours stand the Church in stead Ne decem quidem maria it would not grieve him to saile over ten Seas to such a purpose But this proving a worke of much difficulty if not altogether impossible in mens eyes especially in those dayes to be brought about Vnity of doctrine in all Churches reformed the next course and resolution was that every Kingdome and free State or Principality which had abandoned the superstitions and Antichristian Religion of the Church of Rome and embraced the Gospell of Christ should divulge a Briefe of that Religion which among themselves was taught and beleeved and whereby through the mercy of God in Christ they did hope to be saved Which to Gods great glory and the singular benefit and comfort of all Churches both present and to come as the extant Harmony of all their confessions doth most sweetly record with no great labour was notably performed This worke of theirs told the Churches in those dayes and doth us and will informe our posterity that not only in every particular State and Kingdom but also throughout Christendome Ab initio reformationis ardebant amore veritatis omnes Politici Ecclesiastici Plebeii Jezler de diutur belli Euchar pag. 49. Vnity of doctrine in the Church of England in King Edward the sixt his dayes where the Gospel was entertained the Primitive and Apostolicall daies of the Church were again restored For the multitudes of them that did beleeve I speake both joyntly of all and severally of each reformed people not of every particular person fantastique false apostles and perverse teachers or professors in any Church who were not wanting even in the Apostles dayes touching the maine and fundamentall points of true Religion were then of one heart and of one soule and did think and speake one thing and live in peace 3. The said Archbishop for unto whom better after God and the King can we ascribe the glory of this worthy Act wrought this Vnity Vniformity of doctrine in this Kingdome in the Halcyon dayes of our English Iosias K. Edward the sixt of that name and the same doctrine so by his meanes established in the time of peace a notable work of peace like a manly heroicall and heavenly Captaine under our Generall Iesus Christ he resolutely even with his heart bloud and in the fiery torments afterwards confirmed in the dayes of persecution A certain learned man Anno 1552. speaking of the Religion here then professed and writing unto the Lords of our late Queenes Councell doth say he meaning the Papist his adversary who charged our Church with discord and disagreements about matters of Religion K. Edward the 6. Hee ought said he if hee had beene able to have brought out the publike Confession and Articles of faith agreed in K. Edwards time and have shewed any in England that professing the Gospel dissenteth from the same So esteemed he and with him many thousands of learned and judicious men of the doctrine then ratified by authority and professed in this Kingdome But those dayes of our Churches peace continued not long through our unthankfulnesse Q. Mary and sinnes neither on the other side was our persecution permanent through the goodnesse of God though for the time exceeding vehement and violent For nubecula fuit citò transiit It vanished away quickly as doe many raging stormes even upon the sudden yet not through the power of Gunpowder and treasons but through the force of ardent prayers unto the Almighty For arma ecclesiae preces 4. We find that Mr. Latimer that sacred The prayers of the persecuted Saints for the reducing of true Religion into the Realme F. Latimer and reverend Father addicted himselfe very seriously in those dayes unto the exercise of prayer and his principall and most usuall prayers were first for himselfe next for the afflicted Church of England and lastly for Lady Elizabeth that deceased King Edwards and Queene Maries sister For himselfe he prayed that as God had made him 〈◊〉 Minister and Preacher of his truth so hee might constantly beare witnesse unto the same and have the grace power to maintain it in the face of the world even till the houre of his death For the Church of England he prayed that God would be pleased once againe to restore the free preaching of the Gospell to this Realme and this with all possible fervency of Spirit he craved at the hands of God And for Lady Elizabeth that he would preserue and make her a comfort to his then comfortlesse people in England And the Almighty and our heavenly Father both heard and granted all and every of his petitions Mr. Gualter that learned painfull and excellent Divine at Tigure dedicating his holy and Christian Comments upon the lesser Prophets unto D. Parkhurst B. Parkhurst Bishop of Norwich who in the dayes of the forementioned Q. Mary voluntarily had exiled himselfe so farre as Switzerland for his preservation if it might be unto better times saith of the said Parkhurst that when he lived in Tigure Lady Elizabeth was ever in his mouth her Faith her wisedome her magnanimous spirit her virgineous and chaste behaviour he would
offreth it selfe by their ministery to the view of the whole world which afore did but peepe out at the Screene and what the things be which they of meane gifts doe see and our Fathers and the Martyrs Bishops and Preachers both in King Edwards dayes and afterwards knowne and acknowledged to be men of excellent parts either did not see at all or ouersee and what likewise the points of doctrine newly now reuealed their aternum Euangelium which without great danger may not be preached in England no more then the doctrine and Articles of the Church of England may be preached at Rome and for defence whereof they ought to afford euen their very liues were they so many as the haires of euery of their heads is and be they demonstrate themselues to be most childishly vaine and idle in their imaginations which they take yet to bee illuminations of the spirit 13. For all their doings The vncouth doctrine of the factious Brethren and discourses to say the best of them are but to erect a new which they tearme a true ministery and their Discipline among vs. Themselues doe say The controuersie betwixt them and vs is not as the Bishops and their wil-willers they would beare the world in hand for a Cap a Tippet or a Surplesse but for greater matters concerning a true ministery and regiment of the Church according to the word the one whereof that is a true ministery they shall neuer haue till Archbishops and Bishops be put downe and all ministers made equall the other also will neuer be brought to passe till Kings and Queenes doe subiect themselues vnto the Church and submit their scepters and throw downe their Crownes before the Church and lick vp the dust of the feete of the Church and willingly abide the censures of the Church that is of the Presbytery For as the Church is subiect vnto the ciuill magistrate in respect of his civill authority so must the Magistrate the King and Queene subiect themselues and be obedient to the iust and lawfull authority of the Church The ciuill magistrate is none officer at all of the Church For Church-officers be non Magnates aut Tetrarchae not gracious or honorable Lords but Ministers of the Church The Presbytery is the Church and euery Congregation or Church should and must in it haue a Presbytery This is the Light which indeed the Martyrs neuer saw the Religion which our Brethren striue for the Truth which they may not preach not childish doctrine like the Bishops Articles but the wise Gospel the maine and materiall points of Religion now in the dayes last of all yea after the eighth Thorow breaking of H. N. his Euangelium regni reuealed and for furtherance whereof they are to lend and spend euen all their liues if occasion be ministred 14. Strange and strong delusions First to take these and other such assertions for Truths and heauenly mysteries which are but the fancies of troubled braines not grounded nor truly gathered from Gods Word Next to teach one another and all their fauourers how they should be as ready and prepared euen for these matters to give other their liuings and to giue their liues were they as many as the haires of all their heads as Cranmer Ridly Latimer did and Parker Grindall and all other Preachers would and euery Christian man and woman should if they be called thereunto for the Apostolicall and Catholique doctrine of our Church which all Gods people doe know and the Brethren themselues as afore hath bin noted doe confesse is originally from God and his written Word These and many moe too many here to be recapitulated such phantasies of theirs or phrensies rather this first subscription brought first to light and yet happy had it bin for Gods Church and people they had neuer bin broached Of the second Subscription vrged an 84. 15. Semblably the next subscription called for by the last Archb. your L. predecessor an 84. discouered euen the very thoughts and desires of those Brethren before but now stiled faithfull Brethren which haue and doe seeke for the Discipline reformation of the Church Many Treatises afore but now and diuers yeeres ensuing they flew about and abroad like Atomies and by them the same things which afore but in a differing sort and in other words they publish For touching Church officers they name who and how many sorts they be of them viz. Doctors Pastors Gouernors Deacons and Widdowes no moe no fewer They say euery Church must be furnished with a Teacher and a Pastor as with two eyes with elders as with feet with Deacons as with hands Euery Congregation must haue eyes hands and feete and yet neither all nor at all any Congregation is to haue an Head answerable to those Feet Hands and Eyes The Doctor by their doctrine must be a distinct minister from the pastor and onely teach true doctrine and neither exhort nor apply his doctrine according to the times and his auditory nor minister the Sacraments For these things the pastor is to performe Which pastor also whensoeuer he administreth the Sacraments must necessarily make a Sermon or else he committeth Sacriledge And concerning discipline by their doctrine euery Congregation must haue absolute authority to admonish to censure to excommunicate and to anathematize all offending persons yea euen Kings and Princes if they be of the Congregation And no Prince but must be of some Parish and vnder one Presbytery or other alwayes Where this power is not in their iudgements one of the tokens of a true Church is wanting For this Discipline with them is a marke of the Church and numbred among the Articles of their Faith 16. This say they is the great cause the holy cause which they wil neuer leaue suing for though there should be a thousand Parliaments in their dayes vntil either they obtaine it or bring the Lord in vengeance and blood against the State and the whole land for repelling the same The Brethrens diuine conceipts of their Discipline The discipline is Gods holy yoke Gods scepter the kingdome and throne of Christ Our controuersie say they whether Iesus Christ shall be King or no. Againe the end of all our trauell is to build vp the walles of Ierusalem and to set vp thē Throne of Iesus Christ our heauenly King in the midst thereof the aduancing whereof is a testimony vnto vs that we shall haue part in that glory which shall be reuealed hereafter So learne we now from their said bookes learned and demonstratiue discourses which the Fathers and our forefathers neuer saw nor had learned both that their Discipline established and exercised is a visible marke of a true Church and to desire the aduancement of the same an inuisible token of an elect childe of God so as neither is that a Church at least no true Church where their Discipline is not neither they but titular Christians no true Christians indeed which either sigh or seeke not to
established which at the Kings first arriuall among vs was so much desired by the Brethren And finally being the same let vs not doubt but perswade our selues that we shal find the Antichristian Church of Rome too the same which for the same doctrine and for none other cause persecuteth al Christian Churches but ours of England especially with sword fire and power in most horrible yea and hellish manner the effect of whose hatred against vs as we have often seene so especially had we felt the same the next yeere after our Kings ratification of these Articles had not our euer mercifull God most miraculously detected both the Treason and Traitors Ann. 1605 For which his fauours his holy Name be glorified of vs and our posterity throughout all generations The Brethren no changelings 36. So our Church is the same But the Brethren the faithfull and godly Brethren too the same now which they haue also beene If they be then will they not deny which An. 72. they writ that we hold the substance of religion with them nor which An. 602. they published and is afore remembred that the true Faith by which we may be saued and the true doctrine of the Sacraments and pure worship of God be truely taught that by publike authority and retained in the booke of Articles And in this Confession I pray God they may constantly perseuere Howbeit euen these men which in a generality doe allow the doctrine of our Church being called by authority to acknowledge their assent vnto every Article thereof in particular they doe not a little debase the estimation of this doctrine of ours and shew themselues but too apparent and professed dissentors from the same And though all of them doe and will approoue some yet not one of them will subscribe vnto all and every of the Articles For vnto the articles of religion and the Kings supremacy they are willing to subscribe And they may subscribe as afore hath beene noted vnto such of them as containe the summe of Christian Faith the doctrine of the Sacraments But vnto the same Articles for number 36. agreed vpon in this Conuocation at London an 62. they neither wil nor dare nor may subscribe For neither the rest of the Articles in that booke nor the Booke of common prayer may be allowed no though a man should be depriued from his ministery for it say the said brethren in a certaine Classicall decree of theirs The late Polititian is not afraid to mooue the high and most honorable Court of Parliament that Impropriation may bee let to Ferme vnto incumbent ministers viz. which faithfully preach in the Churches the true doctrine of the Gospell according to the Articles of Religion concerning faith and Sacraments meaning that such Ministers as preach the same doctrine if they proceed to the rest of the Articles concerning either Conformitie in externall and ceremoniall matters or Vniformitie in other points of doctrine contained in that booke should not be partakers of that benefit or of Benefices Impropriate 31. If it be demanded what the causes may be Why the Br. will subscrib vnto some but not vnto all the Articles why they will vnto some but will not vnto all or why they will vnto those Articles which concerne Faith and the Sacraments but will not vnto the rest subscribe The reasons thereof be two whereof The one is for that in their opinion there is no Law to compell them to subscribe vnto all For say the Brethren resiant I know not where Wee have alwayes beene ready to subscribe to the Articles of Religion concerning the doctrine of Faith and of the Sacraments which is all that is required by Law Also the Brethren in Deuonshire and Cornewall We are ready say they to subscribe to the third which concerneth the Booke of Articles of Religion so farre as wee are bound by Statute concerning the same viz. as they concerne the doctrin of the Sacraments and the confession of the true faith And the 22. London Brethren tell King Iames to his head how the Subscription which he calleth for is more then the Law requireth Their other reason is because as the Lincolnshire doe say sundry as the London Brethren affirme many things in that booke be not agreeable but contrary to Gods Word 32. If these things be true which they doe alleadge surely then are those men to be chronicled for the Faithfull the godly and innocent Brethren indeed whom neither present Benefices can allure nor the angry countenance and displeasure of a King even of the puissant powerful King of great Brittaine can force to doe anything at his becke and pleasure either against Law or for which there is no law and who had rather to forgoe all their earthly commodities liuings yea and to goe from their charges and ministery and to expose themselues their wiues and children to the miseries of this world grieuous for our flesh and blood to endure then to approue any thing fob true sound by their hands which is opposite or not agreeable to the reuealed will and Scriptures of God But if these allegations of theirs be but weake and sinfull surmises or rather apparantly most false scandalous and slanderous imputations to their Prince their mother Church and this State then doubtlesse as they euen Christians now liuing cannot but take them so ages to come will euerlastingly note and censure them both for disloyall Subiects that so traduce a truly and most Christianly religious King ill deseruing children that so abuse their honorable and reuerand Fathers and superiours of State and authority turbulent spirits not peaceable men which raise such broiles troubles and diuisions in the Church and Kingdome the issues whereof no tongue can foretell and are fearefull being thought of without cause and finally neither faithfull nor godly Preachers but vngodly broachers of vntruthes and slanders and the very authors and fautors of horrible confusion and faction in Gods Church whose peace they should seeke and promote euen with their dearest blood 33. Since the Statute for Vniformity in rites and doctrine was first enacted moe then 35. yeeres haue passed in all which space neither the Brethren now being nor the Brethren afore them liuing haue hitherto shewne of the 39. Articles for names and titles Which for number How many the Articles be which Ecclesiasticall Ministers necessarily must how many which they may not or need not vnlesse they list subscribe vnto which I am sure they or some of them at one time or other would have expressed had the Law fauoured there recusancy and they bin able to have justified their Maxime which is That they are not compellable by subscription to approoue them all Againe since the first establishment of that Statute Law the most reuerend Fathers and truly reformed Ministers of this Church sound for iudgement profound for learning zealous for affection sincere for religion faithfull in their Churches painefull in their charges more
Preacher Canticles or Song of Solomon 4. Prophets the greater 12. Prophets the lesse And the other bookes Hierome saith the Church doth reade for example of life and instruction of manners but yet doth it not apply to stablish any doctrine such are these following The 3. Booke of Esdras The 4. Booke of Esdras The Booke of Tobias The Booke of Iudith The rest of the Book of Hester The Booke of Wisdome Iesus the Sonne of Sirach Baruch the Prophet Song of the 3. Children The Story of Susanna Of Bel and the Dragon The Prayer of Manasses The 1. Booke of Maccabees The 2. Booke of Maccabees 4 All the Bookes of the new Testament as they are commonly received we doe receive and accompt them for Canonicall The Proposition 1. The sacred Scripture containeth all things necessary to be knowne and beleeved for the salvation of man 2. All the bookes in the volume of the Bible are not Canonicall but some and namely those here specified are 3 The third and fourth Bookes of Esdras the Booke of Tobias c. are Apocryphal 4. Of the New Testament all the Bookes are Canonicall 1. Proposition The sacred Scripture containeth all things necessary to be knowne and beleeved for the salvation of man The proofe from Gods Word THe holy Scriptures to be sufficient to instruct us in all things necessary to be knowne and beleeved for mans salvation the Word of God teacheth Ye shall put nothing unto the Word which I command you saith the Lord neither shall ye take ought there from Whatsoever I command you take heed you doe it thou shalt put nothing thereto nor take ought therefrom Thou shalt not turne away from it to the right hand not to the left that thou maiest prosper whithersoever thou goest c Jos 1.7 Every Word of God is pure c. Put nothing unto his words lest he reproove thee and thou be found a lyer d Prov. 30.5 6. These things are written that ye might beleeve c. and that in beleeving ye might have life through his Name e Joh. 20.31 The whole Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to improove to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute being made perfect unto all good workes f 2 Tim. 3.16 17. If any man shall adde unto these things God shall adde unto him the plagues that are written in this booke and if any man shall diminish of the words of this booke God shall take away his part out of the booke of life and out of the holy Citie and from those things which are written in this booke g Rev. 22.18 Hereunto Gods people both alwayes have and at this present doe subscribe h Confes Helv. 1 ar l 4. 20. 1. Basil ar 10. Boke c. 1 Gal. ar 2. 4 5. Bel. ar 7. Saxon. ar â— Wittemb c. 30. Suev ar 1. The Errors and adversaries â—â—â—o this truth Therefore adversaries be we to all adversaries to this truth especially To such as scorne and contemptuously reject the booke of God as both did the Circumcellians which defaced and burnt the holy Scriptures a Aug. contra Pâ—â—â—ll 1. c. 27. and Pope Leo the tenth who tearmed the holy Gospel a fable of Christ b Apol. Steph. fol 3. 58. and doe the prophane Atheists c Nâ—sh in Christ his teares p. 39. a. Also to such as debase the credit and estimation of the holy Scriptures as David George did d Hist Davidis Georg. and both doe the Papists who have an opinion that the Scriptures of God are not sufficient to instruct mankinde unto salvation e Lâ—â—â—a l. 1. c. 1. and the Anabaptists which deeme not the holy Bible to be the Word of God f Buâ—â—in cont Catabap l. 1. with the Family of Love in whose bookes nothing is more frequent then the tearming of Gods reverend ministers and preachers Scripture-learned Also to them which with Gods Word do equall their own doctrine Injunctions Precepts and Traditions as doe the Papists For of their doctrin say the Rhemists Whatsoever the lawfull Apostles Pastors or Priests of Gods Church preach in the unitie of the same Church meaning the new Church of Rome is to be taken for Gods own word g Test Rhem. anâ— 1 Thes 2 12. To the same purpose but more blasphemously Stapleton As the Iews were to beleeve Christ so are we simply and in every thing to beleeve the Church of Rome whether it teacheth truth or errors h Stapl. antid Evang in Luc. 10.16 p. 528. Whatsoever by the authoritie of the Church is commanded ought of all men to be esteemed as the very Gospel saith Abbat Trithemius i Tract de propriet Monach. c. 4. of Popish precepts and our English Rhemists k Test Rhem. an 1. Thes 4.8 He that despiseth the Churches or her lawfull Pastors precepts And of their Traditions He that refuseth Ecclesiasticall traditions deserveth to be throwne out of the Church among the heathen as well as he which refuseth the Gospel saith Didacus Stella l Stella in Luc. 10 fol. 20. and the Councell of Trent with like affection of godlinesse and reverence embrace we and worship the bookes of the Old and New Testament and Ecclesiasticall Traditions saith the Councell m Concil Trid. sess 4. The like opinion have the Moscovites of Traditions n Ruff. Com. c. 23. To them finally are we adversaries which above the Scriptures doe preferre their owne 1 inventions as did the Philosophers whereof one said of Moses That good man maketh a trim discourse but prooveth nothing and the Grecians to whom the Gospel is foolishnesse o 1 Cor. 1.23 2 and imaginations as did the Manichies p Epiphan David George q Hist Da. Geo. and doe the Turkes r Pol. of the Tur. em c. 3.23 and Family of Love Å¿ Display A. 6. 3 or Traditions as doe the Papists who more cruelly doe punish the violaters of their own Traditions and ordinances then they doe the breakers of Gods Commandements 4 or Statutes Edicts Iudgements Proclamations c. proceeding from the braine of man as Machiavell doth and his Schollers 2. Proposition All the Bookes in the volume of the Bible are not Canonicall but some are That some bookes and namely those above mentioned are Canonicall it hath bin granted by the best learned and most godly of long time And as all reformed Churches in the world are of the same judgement with us so in their publike Confessions some have so accounted and judged of them as we do a Confess Gal. ar 9. Belg. ar 4 Adversaries to this truth Therefore to speake first of the Canonicall bookes of the old Testament much have they offended which either rejected all or allowed but some of the bookes of the old Testament of the former sort were the Severians a Trit â—ur de eccles scrip Basilides b
ar 8. 2. c. in the iudgement of Gods people f Basil ar 2. Gal. ar 11. Saxon ar 11. Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth We stand therefore in this point Against the Papists who say that Originall sinne was not at all much lesse remained in the Virgin Mary a Concil Basil sest 6. Test Rhem. annot Rom. 5.14 Against Giselbertus whose doctrine is that Baptisme once receiued there is in the baptized no sinne at all either originall or actuall b Giselb lib. alte cat Synag eccles c. 8. Against the Family of Loue who affirme that the elect and regenerate sinne not c H.N. Document sent c. 2. sect â— c 13. sect 5 Against the Carpocratians whereof some boasted themselues to be euery way as innocent as our Sauiour Christ d Iren. l. c. 24. Against the Adamites both old e Epiphan and new f Aeneas Sylv. hist Bohe. c. 42. who said they were in so good a state as Adam was before his fall therefore without originall sinne Against the Begadores in Almaigne affirming they were impeceable and had attained vnto the very top and pitch of perfection in vertue and godlinesse g Carranza summa Concil 4. Proposition Concupiscence euen in the regenerate is sinne Concupiscence in whomsoeuer lusteth against the Spirit a Gal. 5.1 7. fighteth against both the soule b 1 Pet. 2.11 and the law of the mind c Rom. 7.23 and theâ—efore but that there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Iesus d Rom. 8.1 it bringeth death damnation e Gal 5.17 21. Iam. 1.14.15 Mortifie therefore your members which are vpon earth saith S. Paul Coloss 3.5 vnto the Colossians fornication vncleannesse the inordinate affection euill concupiscence c. for the which things sake the wrath of God commeth on the children of disobedience And vnto all Christians S. Peter I beseech you as strangers abstaine from fleshly lust g 1 Pet. 3.11 To the same purpose is both the doctrine and Confessions of Gods people h Confess Helv 2. c. Saxon. ar 2 10. Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth Therefore we mislike their opinions as unsound which say that concupiscence either is no sinne at all or but a veniall fin the former was an assertion of the Pelagians Confess Aug ar 2. and is of the Papists that latter was one of Glouers errors Francis the Monke of Colen counted concupiscence no sin but said it was as naturall and so no more offensiue before God for man to lust then for the Sunne to keepe his course Petrus Lombardus saith that concupiscence afore Baptisme is both a punishment and a sinne but after Baptisme is no sin but onely a punishment Lomb l. 2. dift. 32. â— Catech Trid. praecep 9. The Church of Rome both teacheth that the power of lusting is not but the vse of wicked concupiscence is euill and numbred amongst most grieuous sinnes and decreeth how Concupiscence is noâ— sinne but proceedeth from sinne and inclineth vnto sinne d Concil Trid ses S. decreto de pec Orâ—g Glouer the Brownist said that the intemperate affections of the minde issuing from concupiscence are but veniall sins e Bred. detect â—9 1 9. 10. Article Of Free-will 1 The condition of man after the Fall of Adam is such that he cannot turne prepare himself by his owne naturall strength good workes 2 to faith calling vpon God wherefore we haue no power to doe good workes pleasant and acceptable to God 3 without the grace of God preuenting vs that we may haue a good will and working with vs when we haue that good will The Propositions 1. Man of his owne strength may doe outward and euill workes before he is regenerate 2. Man cannot doe any worke that good is and godly being not yet regenerate 3. Man may performe and doe good workes when he is preuented by the grace of Christ and renewed by the holy Ghost 1. Proposition Man of his owne strength may doe outward and euill workes before he is regenerate The proofe from Gods Word VVEE deny not that man not yet regenerate hath free will to doe the workes of nature for the preseruation of the body and bodily estate which thing had and have the bruit beasts and prophane Gentiles as it is also well obserued in our neighbour Church a Confes Helv. 2. cap. 9. Aug. ar 28. Saxon. 3.4 7. Besides man hath free will to performe the workes of Satan both in thinking willing and doing that which evill is For the imaginations of the thoughts of mans heart are onely evill continually b Gen. 6.5 evill even from his youth c Confes Helv. 2. c. 9. and 1. ar 9 Bohem. c. 4. A truth confessed by our brethren Aduersaries to this truth A false perswasion is it therefore that man hath no power to mooue either his body so much as vnto ourward things as Laur. Valla dreamed a Simon Pauli meth par 2. de lib. Ar. or his minde vnto sinne as the Manichies maintained affirming how man is not voluntarily brought but necessarily driuen to sinne b Aug. epist 28 2. Proposition Man cannot doe any worke that good is and godly being not as yet regenerate The proofe from Gods Word THE wisedome of the flesh is enmity against God for it is not subiect to the Law of God neither indeed can be They that are in the flesh cannot please God a Rom. 8.7 8. â— The naturall man perceiueth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishnesse vnto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned b 1 Cor. 2.14 No man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost c 1 Cor. 12.3 We are not sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selues but our sufficiency is from God d 2 Cor. 3.5 Without me ye can doe nothing saith our Sauiour Christ e Iohn 15.5 Which is the confession of the godly reformed f Confes Helv 1. ar 9. 2. c. 9 Basil ar 2. Behem c. 4. Aug. â— ar 18. Belg. ar 14. The adversaries unto this truth Adversaries unto this truth are all such as hold that naturally there is free will in us and that unto the best things So thought the Pharises the Sadduces the Pelagians a August de pec mer. l. 3. and the Donatists b Idem contra Petil. cap 19. and the same affirme the Anabaptists c Zuing. contra Catabap and Papists For say the Papists Man by the forme and power of nature may love God above all things d Gab. Bâ—el 3. sent dist 37. Man hath free will to performe even spirituall and heavenly things e Concil Trid. sess 6. c. 1. Men beleeve not but of their own free will f Test Rhem an Mat 20.16 It is in a mans free will to beleeve or not to beleeve
saluation but to be euer doubtfull thereof e Con. Trid. sess 6. cap. 1 2. con 15. Test Rhem. an Rom. 8.38 an 1 Cor. 2.12 an Phil. 2.12 The said Papists deliuer that so many persons as are not marked with the signe of the crosse vpon their forehead are damned and reprobate f Test Rhem. an Apoc. 6.4 also that they which will be saued must be Franciscans g Conform F l. 4. fol. 10â— at leastwise become members of the Church of Rome h Ans to the exec of Iust c. 8. p. 192. Secondly the Anti-nomi which thinke the outward calling by the word though they haue not the inward calling by the Spirit and be destitute of good workes a sufficient argument of their election vnto life i Simon Pauli meth par 2. de ege Dei Thirdly the Puritanes who among other affiances giuen them from the Lord of their saluacions made their aduancinâ—â—te Presbyteriall Kingome by the putting downe of Bishops Chancellours c. a testimony that they shall haue part in that glory which shall be reuealed hereafter f Demon. of Dâ—s epist ded Fourthly the Schwenfeldians and all such as depending vpon immediate diuine reuelations condemne and contemne the ordinary calling of God by the ministery of his Word Lastly the Russians g Sartan de Relig Ruthen c. 2 Catabaptists h Zuingl contra Catabap fol. 107. and Family of Loue i Display H. 9. b D. 5. who beleeue that themselues onely and none besides shall be saued 7. Proposition The Predestinate are both iustified by faith sanctified by the Spirit and shall be glorified in the life to come The proofe from Gods Word Diuers be the effects of mans predestination but chiefly it bringeth to the elect a Know that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but by the faith of Iesus Christ Gal 2.16 They which be of faith are blessed with faithfull Abraham Eph. 2.8 iustification by faith in this life and in the life to come glorification b Moreone whom he predestinate them also he called and whom he called them also he iustified and whom he iustified them also he glorified Rom. 8.30 Come ye blessed of my Fathers inherit ye the Kingdome prepared for you Matth 25 34. alwaies a conformity to the image of the onely begotten Son of God both in suffering troubles here and in enioying immortall glory hereafter c If we be children we are also heireâ— euen the heires of God heires annexed with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may also be glorified with him Rom. 8.17 as we haue borne the image of the earthly so shall we bearâ— the image of the heauenly â—c or 15.49 as testifie all the Churches in their confessions The errors and adversaries unto this truth This is flatly against Papias a Tritcuhem de eccle scrip Iustinus b Wolf Musculus in epist â—d Phil. praef and all Millenaries Eus eccles hist l. 7. c 13. who deny the eternity of mans happinesse and dreame of I know not what blisse in this life to endure a thousand yeeres but no longer Also against the Manichies who said the soule onely shall be saued d Philastrius Also against those heretikes which deny the resurrection of the flesh as did the Carpocratians e Clem. strom lib. 4. Manichies f Aug. contra Faust l. 4 c. 16. and others g See afore ar 4. prop. 1. Likewise against the Hieracites who haue a phantasie that no children departing this life before they come vnto yeeres of discretion and knowledge shall be saued h Epiphan So the Papists doe teach i Positiones Ingolstad de Purgat that no infants dying vnbaptized doe goe to heauen but vnto another place adioyning vnto Hell called Limbus puerorum i Positiones Ingolstad de Purgat 8. Proposition The consideration of Predestination is to the godly wise most comfortable but to curious and carnall persons very dangerous The proofe from Gods Word This doctrine of Predestination is to the godly full sweet pleasant and comfortable because it greatly confirmeth their faith in Christ and encreaseth their loue toward God I account the afflictions of this present time are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed vnto vs k Rom. 8.18 If God be on our side who can be against vs who spared not his owne Sonne but gaue him for vs all to death how shall he not with him giue vs all things also who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that iustifieth who shall condemne c l Ibid. 31.34 Yee were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise which is the earnest of our inheritance vntill the redemption of the possession purchased vnto the praise of his glory m Eph. 1.13 14 Grieue not the holy Spirit of God by whom ye are sealed vnto the day of redemption n Eph. 4.30 But to the wicked and reprobate the consideration hereof is very sowre vnsauory and most vncomfortable as that which they thinke though very vntruly and sinfully causeth them either to despaire of his mercy being without faith of not to feare his iustice beeing extremely wicked where as neither from the Word of God nor any confession of the Church can any man gather that he is a vessell of wrath prepared to damnation but contrariwise by many and great arguments may perswade himselfe that God would not his destruction as in the next proposition immediately ensuing plainely may appeare Errors and aduersaries vnto this truth Therefore they are to be taken as much out of the way which say that this doctrine leadeth either vnto desperation which is without all comfort or vnto loosenesse of life so vnto Atheisme and therefore to bee published neither by mouth nor booke and so thought both the Pelagians k Prosper in Epist ad Aug. der elâ—quiâ—s Pela haeresis and the Predestinates a sort of heretikes so called in old time l Magd. eccle hist Cent. 5 c. 5. p. 620. and the Family of Loue in our daies who terme the doctrine of Predestination a licencious doctrine and say it filleth all the prisons almost in England m Display in an epist of the Families l. 7. b. 9. Proposition The generall promises of God set forth in the holy Scripture are to be embraced of vs. The proofe from Gods Word That men the better may auoide both desperation and carnall securitie they are to haue alwayes in minde that 1. The promise of grace and fauour to mankindâ— are vniuersall as Come vnto mee all yee that are weary and laden and I will ease you n Mark 11.38 God sent not his Sonne into the world that he should condemne the world but that the world through him might bee saued o Ion. 3.17 God will that all men shall be saued and come vnto the knowledge of
no sect euer erred or were out of the way to heauen a fancy of the Rhetorians k D. Aug ep ad Quod vult 1. Proposition No man euer was is or shall be saued but onely by the name or Faith of Iesus Christ The proofes from Gods Word This we cannot but acknowledge to be true if also we beleeue the Scriptures which say that Among men there is giuen none other name vnder heauen whereby we must be saued a Acts. 4.12 Through Iesus Christ his name all that beleeue in him shall receiue remission of sinnes b Acts 10.43 In thee viz. Christ Iesus shall all the Gentiles be blessed c Gal. 3.8 And this is the Faith and confession of the reformed Churches d Conâ— s Helv. 2. ar 10 11. 2 cap. 11.13 Basil ar 4 Bohem c. 4.10 Gal. ar 13.16 17 Belg. ar 17.20 21.22 August an ar 3. Saxon. â—r 3. Wittemb c. 8. Suc vica â—r 9. sect 2. they revolted The errors and adversaries unto this truth Many wayes this truth very heretically is oppugned For Some teach that we are saved not by Christ but as the Valentinians said by the labour of their hands and by their own good works a Iren lib. 1. as Simon Magus boasted by his faire Helene b Iren. as Matthew H manâ— heâ—d by other meanes and that all persons which worshipped Christ are abominable Idolaters c Holinsh chro fol. 299. as Nâ—userus and Silvanus beleeved by Mahomet d â— za resp ad repetit Io. And. Cal. p. â— and therefore he revolted from Christianity unto Turcisme Others confesse that wee are saved by the name of Christ but either not by the right and true Christ for they said themselves and every of themselves were Christ and in old time did Saturnius e Epiphanâ— Manes f Euseb l. 7. c. 31. Desider Burdâ—gal and Eudo de Stella g Genebr chr l. 3. p 358. 709. and of late yeares as Basil David George h Hist David Georgii and in England first one Iohn Moore i Sâ—ow and afterward William Hacket k Conspit for pretend reforâ— the former was whipt for the same at Bethlehem in the second of Queene Elizabeth the other hanged and quartered in Cheap side Ann. 1591. Or by the true Christ but either distinguish betweene Iesus and Christ saying Iesus was one man and Christ another as did the Marcionites l Philaster Or say there be two Christs one revealed already in the dayes of Tiberius the Emperour who came for the salvation of the Gentiles another yet to come for the redemption of the Iewes so tho ght the same Marcionites m Tertul. l. 4. contr Marc. Nestorius held also there were two Christs whereof one was very God the other very man borne of a woman n Vincen. Liâ— adv haereses Or publish how 〈◊〉 â—e were saved by the true Christ till the 15. yeare of the foresaid Tiberius an heresie of Manes and his company o Epiphan Others besides as the Family of Love understand all things written of Christ allegorically and not according to the letter of Gods Word For they teach that whatsoever is written of Christ must in us and with us be fulfilled p H.N. proph of the Spi. c. 7. sect 3. Others have thought yea have spoken blasphemously of the constant and holy Martyrs who for the Name of Christ gave their lives in England in the raigne of Queene Mary some saying They were starke fooles as did Christopher Vitel a chiefe Elder in the Family of Love q Ans to the Fam. let l 3. a. others as West phalus and Morbachius that they were the Divels martyrs r Sturmius anâ—â— ap 4. par 3. p. 189. 19. Article Of the Church 1 The visible 2 Church of Christ 3 is a congregation 4 of faithfull men in the which 5 the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance in all those things that of necessitie are requisite to the same As 6 the Church of Ierusalem Alexandria and Antioch hath erred so also 7 the Church of Rome hath erred not onely in their living and manner of ceremonies but also in matters of Faith The Propositions 1. There is a Church of Christ not onely invisible but also visible 2. There is but one Church 3. The visible Church is a Catholike Church 4. The Word of God was and for time is before the Church 5. The markes and tokens of the visible Church are the due and true administration of the Word and Sacraments 6. The visible Church may and from time to time hath erred both in doctrine and conversation 7. The Church of Rome most shamefully hath erred in life ceremonies and matters of faith 1. Proposition There is a Church of Christ both invisible and visible The proofe from Gods Word A True saying it is The Lord onely knoweth who are his For to man the Church of Christ is partly invisible and visible partly The visible are all the Elect who be or shall be either in heaven triumphing or on earth fighting against the flesh the world and the Divell These as members of the Church are said to be invisible not because the men be not seene but for that their faith and conscience to Godward is not perfectly knowne unto us The members of the visible Church are some of them for God and some against God all of them notwithstanding deemed parts of the Church and accounted faithfull so long as they make no manifest and open rebellion against the Gospel of Christ All this we gather from the holy Scripture where mention is made of the Church invisible and triumphing Rev. 2.26 28. and 3.5 12. and 7.14 15. invisible and militant in the Epistles of St. Paul a Gal. 4.29 Eph. 6.10 c. 2 Tim. 3.12 Peter b 1 Pet. 5.9.10 and book of St. Iohns Revelations c Rev. 1â— 7 11 17 17.14 also of the Church visible and mixed with good and bad by the Parable of the Sower d Matth. 13. of the Marriage e Matth. 22. and of the Vrgins f Matth 25. as also by the saying of our Saviour Christ g Have not I chosen you twelve and one of you is a divell John 10. and of S. Paul h For he knew who should betray him therefore said Ye are not cleane John 13.11 In a great house are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some for honour and some unto dishonor 2 Tim. 2.20 Confess l. Helv. 1. ar 14. 2. c. 17. Bohem. c. 8. Gal. ar 27. Belg. ar 27. August ar 7. Saxon. ar 11. Wit ar 32. Suâ—vica ar 15. The Churches beare witnesse hereuntoi. Errors and adversaries unto this truth This truth hath many adversaries whereof S me â—en unâ—â— our Christ the Saviâ—ur of mankinde and so thinke his
pâ—â—ple are not the Church as the Iewes Turkes and Hereâ—ikes have done a See art 2. pr p â— ar 18. pr p â— Some acknowledge no triumphing state of the godly in heaven but dreame of an ever-glorious condition in this world as the Family of Love b L n. Ramseâ— and I Alâ— sâ—â—â—f Alsâ— H N dâ—â—â—â—mâ—â— sâ—n â— 6 sect 1. c. 3 sect â— Spâ—l and c. 44. sâ—ct 12. Prov. â—â—s c. 5. sect 15. Proph â— 1â— sect 8. Some thinke the Church Catholike to be visible as the Papistsc. Some imagine the Church Militant is not visible at all as the Libertines Some give out that the visible Church is devoyde of sinne and sinners as did the Donatists d Vaux cateth â— 1. Test Phem. an act 11.24 and doe Anabaptist e August contra Peril cap. 19 Calv contra Liberâ— Family of Love f H. N. 1 exhort c. 13. sect 10. â— ep st proâ—f Brownists g A confused gathering together of good and had an publike assemâ—â—◠〈◊〉 no Church The Brownists answer 〈◊〉 Master Cart Bright p. 39. and Barrowists h The assemâ—l◠〈◊〉 of good and bad together are no Churches but heapes of prophane people saith barrow in his discovery pag 33. 4. Propositon There is but one Church The proofe from Gods Word VVHen we doe say that the Church is visible invisible and that there is a Western East Greek La in English Church we meane not that there be divers Churches of Christ but that one and the same Church is diversly taken and understood and also hath many particular Churches as the Sea many Rivers and armes branching from it For the visible Church is not many congregations but one company of the faithfull We being many are one Body in Christ and every one one anothers members a Rom. 12.5 We that are many are one Body b â— Cor. 10. â—â— For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of the body which is one though they be many yet are but one body even so is Christ For by one spirit are we all bapt zed into one body c. Now ye are the body of C rist and members for your part c 1 Cor. 12.12 13 17. For as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same office so we being many are one body in Christ and every one one anothers members d Rom. 23 4 5. There is neither Iew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for ye all are one in Christ Iesus e Gal. â— 28 All Gods people agree with us in this point f Conf. Helv. 2. c. 17. Bohe. cap. 8. Gal ar 26. Bel. ar 27. Wattemb ar 32 Suâ—v ar 15. Errors and adversaries of this truth The adversaries unto the 28. Article be also for a great part adversaries unto this truth Furthermore althoâ—gh it be acknowledged by many and they too baptized for Christians that there is but one Church yet the same persons doe erre which condemne so many as no members of Christs Church which joyâ—e not with them in their singular and private opinions arrogating the stile and title unto themselves onely and denying all other men to be either the Church or members of the body of Christ Such are The Russians who boast how themselves with the Grecians are the onely Church of God a Alex. Gagu de relig Mosc â— 2 â— 1. themselves onely are the men who shall be saved b Sacramus de relig Ruthen cap. p. 88. all Christians beside themselves are no better then Turks c Russie Com. c 2â— p 1. 103. The Papists also which say that The present Church of Rome is Gods Church d Test Rhem. an mar p. 321. Gods Catholike Church e Ans to the recul of Inst c. 8 n. 15. 21. the mysticall body of Christ f Qâ—odlibets p 34. Papists Catholikes and truâ— Christians are all one g Test Rhem. an mar p 322. Muncer and the Anabaptists tearmed themselves cleane opposite to the Church of Christ the elect of God and said tâ—at all oâ—her men were wicked and worthy to be slaine h Slerdan hist lib. 5. The Family of Love who publish how themselves onely are the Church and all other men are Heathen i Allens con and Beasts k Display H. 6. themselves only are the Catholike Church of God l Vitels letter display D. 5. the Saints of God and his acceptable people m H N instru ar 8. sect 35. ar 1. sect 35 ar 7. sect 36. and that such as are no Familists they have no living God n Fidel. declar c. 4. sect 11. and shall perish o H. N. evang c. sect 7. The Puritanes finally say they If God have any Church or people in the land no doubt the title Puritane is given them p Dial concer the strife p. 10. Notable words either God hath no Church in England or Puritanes are the Church The Mar-prelate is not afraid to utter this speech They against whom I deale namely the ecclesiasticall officers as Bishops and their favourers and partakers have so provoked the anger of the Lord and Prayers of his Church as stand long they cannot q Protest p. 16. others of the said Bishâ—ps and the like write thus They bid battell to Christ and his Church and it must bid defiance to them till they yeeld r 2. Ad non 3. Propositon The visible Church is a Catholike Church The proofe from Gods Word THe visible Church properly understood is but a part of the Catholike yet forasmuch as it is a Congregation of the faithfull who are for calling Governours and subjects noble and base rich and poore teachers and learners for sex men and women for age old and young for nation Iewes and Gentiles Grecians and Barbarians for time and continuance in all ages even from our first parents it may rightly be callled a Catholike Church This is grounded upon Gods Word where we finde that excluded is no calling a Preach the Gospel to every creature Mark 16 15. Teach all nations Mat. 28.19 Not many yet some wise men after the flesh not many yet some mighty or many yet some noble are called 1. Cor. 2. â—6 no sex b Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved Act. 2 2â— The Gospel is the power of God to salvation to every one that beleeveth Rom. 1.16 There is neither Jew nor Grecian there is neither bond nor free there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus Gal. 3.28 none age c He that shall beleeve and is baptized shall be saved Mar. 16.16 By him every one that beleeveth is justified Act 13.39 He is the head of the Law to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10 4 no nation d They shall come from the East
signis visib cc. Hill e In his Quartron and Alabaster f In his Motives 2. Of the Brownists who make discipline and that too of their owne devising such an essentiall argument of the visible Church as they think where that is not the Magistrates there be tyrants the Ministers false prophets no Church of God is Antichristianity doth raigne g R.H. in Psal 1.22 Bar. disco p. 86. Ans to M. Cartw. letter p. 13. 3. Of the same Brownists and Barrowists who neither allow frequenting of Sermons and ministring of the Sacraments nor have any Sacraments administred among themselves h Alison consu of Green Bar. p. 133. 116 4. Of the Family of Love which have in utter contempt and derision both the Preachers and the Sacraments scornfully tearming the Preachers Scripture learned men i H N. Evang. c. 33. sect 11. Ceremoniall and Letter-Doctors k Fam. letter to the B. of Roch. and the water at Baptisme Elementish water l H. N. Evang. c 13. sect 56. Neither doe we approve them who for the visible and externall put down invisible and spirituall tokens of the visible Church as Faith in Christ Iesus and Love towards the Saints which thing I. K. doth m In his confut of Pop. L. 4. b. 6. Proposition The visible Church may and from time to time hath erred both in doctrine and conversation The proofe from Gods Word Had not this bin most true it had never bin avouched both by our Saviour Christ and Saint Paul Our Saviour saith unto his Disciples concerning doctrine Take heed c. a Matth. 24.4 Beleeve it not b Ibid. v. 23 26. Beware of the leaven of the Pharises and of the leaven of Herod even of the doctrine of the c Mark 8.15 Pharises and Sadduces d Matth. 16.11 Many shall be deceived e Matth. 24.11 yea the very Elect if it were possible f Ibid v. 24. Shall he find faith on earth g Luke 18.8 And concerning conversation and manners he prophesied that iniquity shall be increased and the love of many shall be cold h Matth. 24.12 Saint Paul writeth touching doctrine that We know in part i 1 Cor. 13.12 Antichrist sitteth in the Temple of God k 2 Thess 2.4 c. whose comming is by the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders and in all deceiveablenesse among them that perish because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved and therfore God shall send them strong delusion that they should beleeve lyes l Ibid. v 9 10.11 Beware of dogges beware of evill workers beware of concision m Phil. 3.2 And touching conversation Restore c. lest thou also be tempted n Gal. 6.1 I doe not the good thing which I would but the evill which I would not that doe I if I doe that I would not it is no more I that doe it but the sinne that dwelleth in me o Rom. 7.19 20 There is a fight even in the best men meÌ„bers of Christ p Ibid. v. 23. Besides that Churches visible and glorious have erred it appeareth evidently by the superstition heresies yea and Atheisme now raigning at Ierusalem Alexandria and Antioch This with us the Churches in their confessions doe acknowledge q Confes Helv. 2. Saxon. ar 11. Wittemb ar 32. Suev ar 15. Errors and adversaries unto this truth The Premises will not be granted for true neither by the Papists which maintain that in faith doctrine the Church meaning thereby the visible Church a Test Rhem. an 2 Thes 2.4 whose Rector is the Pope of Rome b Ibid. an 1 Tim 3.13 never erred c Ib. an Eph. 5.24 never hath erred d Ib. an marg p. 264. Gab. Bâ—el l. 4. hist 6. quaest 2. and never can erre e Ibid. an 1 Tim. 3.3 câ—tech Trid. in exposit Symb. Apost Coster enchirid controvers c. 3. de summo Pont. p 36. Nor yet by those which say the Church cannot erre for manners such were the Donatists and are the Anabaptists with the Family of Love f See of this art prop. 1. 3. Proposition The Church of Rome most shamefully hath erred in life ceremonies and matters of faith The proofe IVstly is the Church of Rome condemned of us and all Churches reformed because she hath erred and still very badly every way doth offend 1. In life For At Rome the harlot hath a better life Then she that is a Romans wife a W. Thomas hist of Italy O Roma à Roma quantum mutata vetustaes Nunc caput es scelerum quae caput orbis eras If ye spell Roma backward saith I. Bale ye shall finde it to be Amor Love in this prodigious kinde For it is a preposterous Amor Love out of kind b Acts of the Eng. votaries 2. booke praef Hence the pasquill Poets Roma quid est Quod te docuit praeposterus ordo Quid docuit Iungas versa elementa scies Roma Amor est Amor est qualis Praeposterus Vnde hoc Roma mares Noli dicere plura scio Againe Roma vale vidi satis est vidisse Revertar Cum Leno aut meretrix Scurra Cynaedus ero 2. In ceremonies which are in number infinite Gerson writeth how divers men have runne into desperation others have killed themselves finding that they were not able to keepe and performe the ceremonies of the Romish Church c Confes Aug. ar 4. For use also they are vaine impious as their leading up and down of an Asse on Palme Sunday their battering of hell their buriall of the Crosse c. yea and damnable because Romish ceremonies are held both necessarily to be observed as well as the Lawes of God d Eckius enchir de hum const axiom 2. and also to merit heaven For sins veniall say the Rhemists be taken away by sacred Ceremonies e Test Rhem. an marg 258. 3. In doctrine For proofe hereof see the Popish errors in every article almost if not proposition of this booke Againe looke we unto the head of the Antichristian Synagogue and we shall finde that of them Some have beene Conjurours Sorcerers and Inchanters as were Pope Martin 2. Silvester the second and third Benedict 8. Iohn 19 10 21. Sergius 4. Gregory 6. and 7. and such were all the Popes even 18. for number from Silvester the second untill Gregory the seventh f Cyp. Valera in his Treatâ—se of the Pope c out of Cara. Benom Some Heretikes For Siricius Calixtus Leo 9. and Paschalic condemned the marriage of Priests Liberius was an Arrian Marcellinus an Idolater Honorius a Monotheâ—ite g Cath. Apol. 2. part p. 93. Test Rhem. an Luc. 22.31 Iohn the 22. held many errors whereof W. Occam wrote a booke h Biblioth Simleri one wherof was that the soules of the wicked should not be punished till
in iudgement are the Papists For first they maintaine That the Pope of Rome hath the power to iudge all men and matter but may be iudged of no man a Dist 40. c. Si Papa to decree without controulement against the Epistles of S. Paul b Câ—â— Ruinus to dispence even against the new Testament c Panorm fixtra de diuortris and to giue the sense and meaning of the holy Scripture to which sense or interpretation of his all and every man without contradiction must yeeld and obey d Hâ—rvaeâ— de potestate Papae Next they publish and hold that the power to iudge of religion and points of doctrine is either in Bishops onely as some of them do thinke e The mysteries of religion are committed to the trust of Bishops p â—bi tantum solendum est qâ—nd ad mâ—â—â— fâ—â—maâ— vitam perâ—â—net the common people are onely to know that which pertaineth vnto â—anne is and good behauiour saith Fryer Laâ—â—nc a Villavincence de forman conciâ—â— lib. 1. cap. 10. Nec gratia nec 〈◊〉 â—or a iâ—â—a vâ—rtus â—o quâ—endaâ—st in memoe iâ— vel ministâ—â— Ecclesie grâ—â—ter publican professionem sid iâ— It is sufficient for the members and Ministers of the Church to make open profession of the faith more is not required of them neither grace to iudge of doctrine nor any other inward vertue saith Petruâ— Ã Soâ—â— 4 Terâ— ca â—â—de Ec. The common and faithfull people may in a generality refuse and forsake all new doctrine dissenting from that which they haue learned and embraced Non autem vt doctrinam in particulari ex causis fundam mâ—â—â—â— sâ—â—s examini â—t sic proprio iudicio discuâ—â—nt quid â—rum quid sassum sit But they haue none authority to examine any doctrine in particular from the very causes and grounds and thereby search out what is true what false quod proprium est Ecclesinum â—â—ag â—â—â—is this they must leaue to the masters of the Churches to whom properly it bâ—longeth saith Stapl or in their Clergy only as others deeme Anâ—dâ—ae van Matth 7. and in the Church of Rome onely as all of them suppose g Sacrae scripturae â—â—â—sus naâ—vus indubitatus aâ— ecclâ—si◠〈◊〉 a est pâ—â—nâ—dus saith the forementioned Peâ—rus à Soâ—â— The natiue and true sense of the sacred Scripture is to be fetcht from the Catholike Church of Rome Assâ—r â—â—â—th de Eâ—c The whole Church throughout the world knoweth that the holy Church of Rome hath power to iudge of all matters nâ—que cuiquam â—ebit de eius judicio iudicare â—â—â—theâ— is at lawfull for any man to give any sentence of her iudgement â—â—la 9. q Câ—nâ—â—ia 4. Proposition The Church hath power to interpret and expound the Word of God The proofe from Gods Word TO interpret the Word of God is a peculiar blessing giuen by God onely to the Church and company of the faithfull though not to all and every of them For No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Sonne and he to whom the Sonne will reveale him a Matth. 11.27 It is given to you to know the secrets of heaven saith our Sauiour vnto his disciples but to them it is not given b Mark 13.11 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall For to one is given by the Spirit the Word of wisedome c. and to another prophesie c 1 Cor. 12.7 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his peace saith S. Paul vnto the Church at Corinth d 1 Cor. 14 30 Ye haue an oyntment from him that is holy and yee have knowne all things c ye need not that any man teach you saith the Apostle Iohn e 1 Iohn 2.20 21 27. Hereunto subscribe the Churches in Helnetia f Confe Helv. 2 cap. 2. Wittemberg Confess Wit tomb câ—p 30. Boheme h Confes Bohe cap. 1. The Errors and adversaries unto this truth Many sundry are the adversaries vnto this truth whereof Some thinke that to expound the Word of God is so easie a matter as any Student endued with a good naturall wit by diligence and industry of his owne may doe the same Some teach how to interpret the Scriptures is too hard a thing for any mortall man to attaine vnto so did Iohannes de Wassalia a Aeneas Syl. and doe many Anabaptists Some though they acknowledge that diuers haue the gift to open the sense of Gods Word yet that some say they are not the knowne Preachers and writers in the reformed and Christian assemblies whom the Family of Loue in scorne doe tearme the Scripture-learned For saith the said Family It is meere lyes vntruth c. whatsoever the Scripture-learned through their knowledge out of the Scriptures institute preach and teach b H.N. euang c. 33. sect 11. 12. 13. They preach the letter c. but not the Word of the liuing God c Idem i. ex hor. cap 16. sect 18. but themselves onely have that gift neither every one of the Family but the illuminate Elders For to them it is giuen to know the truth d Idem in his Prov. c. 21. sect 2. and they are the Elders of the Godly-vnderstanding and of the manly-wisedome the e Sp. land cap. 7. sect 10. Primates or principals in the light f 1 Exhor cap. 14. sect 1. Some doe suppose that to interpret the holy Scriptures is not so much a speciall gift of God vpon some chosen persons as an ordinary power annexed to the state and calling of Popes Bishops and Clergy men g See the proposit next immediate aforegoing Others be so farre from giuing the people of God not being of the Clergy power to expound as they will not suffer them to reade nor so much as to haue the Scriptures by them in a vulgar tongue except it be their owne most corrupt and barbarous translation which but of late yeeres neither and that in part too is granted by the Papists but in place thereof they thrust vpon the Laity their most idolatrous and blasphemous Festiuals Legends Rosaries Horaries and Psalteries of our Lady as falsly they called her 5. Proposition The analogy of faith must be respected in the exposition of the Scripture The proofe from Gods Word FOrasmuch as no prophesie is of any priuate motion a 1 Pet. 1.20 and whatsoever interpretation man giueth if it agree not to the analogy of faith which St. Paul gave in commandement to be obserued b Rom. 12.6 is priuate interpretation speciall heed is to be had that one place of Scripture be so expounded as it agree with another and all to the proportion of Faith The Churches reformed approoue this assertion by their subscriptions c Confes Helv. 1. ar 2. 2. c. 2 Gal. 1. ar 7. Sax. ar 1.
Wit c. 30 31 33. Suev ar 1. Errors and adversaries unto this truth Of another iudgement are many For Some do thinke the Scripture may be expounded in what sense and to what purpose men list as the Pharises a D. Iren. l 4. cap. 2 5. the Severians b Euf eccl hist lib. 4. c. 29. and Papists among whom there be which from this opinion doe tearme the most holy Word and Scriptures of God most reprochfully A ship-mans hose a Leaden rule a Nose of waxe c Pighius controuer 3. de Ec. Hierac l. 3. c. 3. Lindan praef Cens Colon. Some do mislike all interpretations written Commentaries vpon the Scriptures as vnnecessary and vaine such were Servetus Valdesius Coranus with others of late yeeres d Beza epi. 59. and are the Libertines Sowenkfeldians e Ibid. and Family of Loue f H.N. 1. exhor cap. 16 sect 4. Some depend wholly vpon visions and reuelations as did the Enthusiasts g Thâ—â—d haeret fab l. 3. Nicholas Storch Thomas Monetarius the Anabaptists h D. Maior in Dom. 8. Post trinit homil fol. 440. and our late English reformer Hacket i Arthing sedu p 17. Some dislike of the literall and referre the Allegoricall sense of the Scriptures and thereby deuise what them list most monstrously from the Word of God as did the Origenists and doe the Libertines k Calv. contra Anabap. and Family of Love hence teaching one the other that the spirituall vnderstanding is the Word of God and that to embrace the literall sense is to commit Idolatary l Allens conf Some of every place of Scripture will have an exposition both Analogicall Allegoricall Historicall and Morall as the curious Thomists and Monks Some are addicted to an interpretation which they cal mysticall and propheticall as Brocardus Morelius and others Some are of mind that the Gospell or Euangelicall Word cannot be committed to letters and writing saith Lindanus m Lib. 2. c. 2. Some doe thinke as afore also hath bin shewed how that is the odde and onely true sense of the Scriptures which is made and given by the Church n Haeretici Scripturarum cognitioneÌ„ intelligentione extra Ecclesiamponunt nos autem Papistae volumus Ecclesiae Romanae esse annexam nec ab ea separari patimur Stapl. antid Euang. in Ioan 19 21. p. 418 Sicut Christo Iudaei sic nos Ecclesia Romanae simpliciter credere debemus saith Stapleton Antid in Luc. 10.16 When the authoritie of the Church leaveth the holy Scripture then are they of no more account then Aesops fables Wâ—lf Herman and Pope of Rome o Si Papam qui Christi vicarius est ac cius omnimodam potestatem habet in terris consulerent non erraâ—ent haeretici saith Stella in Lucaeus fol. 499. Some doe maintaine that as the Church in time doth alter so the interpretation of the Scripture also therewithall doth vary whereby that which in the Apostles time was a truth in these dayes shall be a falshood In which error was Cardinall Cusanus p Cusan ad Bohemos epist 2. 6. Proposition The Church is the witnesse and keeper of Gods written Word The proofe from Gods Word THough the Church hath authoritie to heare and determine in controversies of faith yet hath the Church power neither to iudge the Word of God nor to iudge otherwise then Gods Word doth iudge For it is said to the Church and people of God I beseech you brethren marke them diligently which cause diuisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine which you haue learned and auoid them a Rom. 16.7 Heare him b Math. 17.5 To him giue all the Prophets witnesse c Acts 10 43. Search the Scriptures d Iohn 5.39 whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God e 2 Iohn 5.9 Ye are c. built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets f Eph. 2.19 And of the holy Scriptures Thy word is the truth g Iohn 27.17 They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them Luke 16.29 saith our Saviour Christ Wee have also a sure word of the Prophets saith Saint Peter i 2 Pet 1.19 And Saint Paul The whole Scripture is profitable to teach c k 2 Tim. 6.16 17. If any man teach otherwise and consenteth not to the wholesome words of our Lord Iesus Christ he is puft vp and knoweth nothing c l 1 Tim. 6 3 4. And so with vs the other Churches conceiue both of the Scriptures and Church m Confe Helv. 2. cap. 1. Bohe. cap. 1. Gal ar 5 Belg. ar 7. Wittemb ar 30 31 32 Sax. ar 11. yet all of vs doe grant that the Church as a faithfull witnesse may yea of necessitie must testifie to the world what hath been the doctrine of Gods people from time to time and as a trusty Recorder is to keepe and make knowne what the Word or God which it hath received is which truly hath beene performed afore the Word was written by the Patriarchs and after the same was committed to writing before Christ his incarnation by the Iews in Christ his life time n Luke 4.17 in the Primitive Church o Acts 13.27 Acts 15.21 2 Cor. 2.15 2 Cor. 8.18 From the Apostles time by the godly Christians thorow out the world Errors and adversaries unto this truth Be it farre therefore from us to thinke which the Papists doe not stick to write and say namely that The Church is to judge the Scripures and not the Scriptures the Church a Jo. Maria Verractâ—s Pighius in controvers de Ec. The Scripture is not of the essence of the Church Because without it a Church may be though not very well So said Card. Cusan b Card. Cusan ep 2. ad Bohe. The Scripture because in their opinion it is unperfect cannot obscure may not ambiguous ought not to be the Iudge So Lindan c Lind. l. 1. c. 1. Latomus d Contra Bucer Petrus à Soto e De S. Scrip. Pighius f Eccl. Hierar l. 1. c. 4. Coster g Enchir. de S. Scrip. c. 1. c. Hee is an heretike that cleaveth to the Scriptures So said Iacobus Hoestratus Again the carefull keeping of the holy Scriptures by Gods people from age to age and time to time declareth first how the mother Church of Rome is not the onely keeper of the holy writ and next that cursedly they doe offend which either as greatly esteeme the Ethicks of Aristotle as the Commandements of God the Odes of Pindar as the Psalmes of David h Aug. Polit. the works and bookes of men as the writings of God which the Councell of Trent doth i Ses 4. or before and above the Scripture preferre unwritten Traditions Hence Petrus à Soto Tradition saith he is both more ancient and more effectuall then the holy
blood of Christ was shed in vain For corruptible gold and silver with our owne deeds and works may and will save us if we will 4. That repentance is not of necessitie unto the salvation of man For without the same a popish pardon may save But without either a pardon from the Pope or such like or absolution of a Priest there is no salvation by the doctrine of the Church of Rome b See ar 25. p. 6. A further manifestation of the vanitie and impieties of the Romish pardons from a booke of the Papists intituled Horae beatissimae Virginis Mariae secundum usum Sarum Quicunque in statu gratiae existens dixerit devotè septem orationes sequentes cum septem Pater noster totidem Ave Maria ante imaginem pietatis merebitur 56. millia annorum Indulgentiarum Iohannes Papa 12. concessit omnibus dicentibus orationem sequentem transcundo per cemiterium tot annos indulgentiarum quot faerunt ibi corpora inhumata à constitutione ipsius cemiterii Oratio pro defunctis Avete omnes animae fideles quarum corpora hic ubique requiescunt in pulvere Dominus Iesus Christus qui vos nos redemit suo pretiofissimo sanguine dignetur vos à poenis liberare inter choros suorum sanctorum angelorum collocare ibiqâ—e nostri memores suppliciter exorare ut vobis associemur vobiscum in coelis coronemur Innocentius Papa 2. concessit cuilibet qui banc orationem sequentem de votè dixerit 4000. millia annorum indulgentiarum Ave vulnus lateris nostri Salvatoris c. Quicunque devotè dixerit istam orationem habebit 3000. dicrum indulgentiarum criminalium peccatorum 2000. millia dicrum venialium à Domino Iohanne Papa 22. concessarum ut in Aâ—tidatorio animae habetur Quicunque orationem sequentem devotè dixerit promerebitur 11000 annorum indulgentiaruÌ„ c Ave Domina sancta Maria mater dei regina coeli porta paradisi domina mundi lux sempiterna imperatrix inferni c. Ora pro me Iesum Christum dilectuÌ„ filium tuum libera me ab omnil us malis ora pro peccatis meis Amen Whosoever being in the state of grace shall devoutly say the seven prayers ensuing with seven Our Fathers and as many Haile Maries afore the image of Piety shall thereby merit 56. thousand yeares of Pardons Pope Iohn the 12. hath granted to all persons which going thorow the Church-yard doe say the prayer following so many yeares of pardons as there have beene bodies buried since it was a Church-yard The prayer for the dead Haile all faithfull soules whose bodies here and every where doe rest in the dust The Lord Iesus who hath reedemed you and with his most precious blood vouchsafe to deliver you from paines and to place you in the company of his holy Angels and there being mindfull of us meekely to pray that we may both be joyned unto you and crowned with you in the heavens Pope Innocent the 2. hath granted to every one which devoutly shall say this prayer following 4000. yeares of pardons Haile wound of our Saviours side c. Whosoever devoutly shall say this prayer shall have 3000. dayes pardons of criminall sinnes and 20000. dayes of veniall offences granted by the Lord Pope Iohn the 22. as it is to be read in the Antidatory of the soule Whosoever devoutly will say the prayer following shall merit thereby 11000. yeares of pardons Haile Lady Saint Mary mother of God Queene of heaven the Gate of Paradise the Lady of the world the Light eternall the Emperesse of hell c. Pray unto thy beloved Sonne Iesus Christ for me and deliver me from all evils pray for my sinnes Amen 3. Proposition The Romish doctrine concerning Images is fond and not warranted by the holy Scriptures nor consonant but contrary unto the same The proofe from Gods Word Images are such an abomination to the Lord as to make them among all men odious he describeth the vanitie of them by his Prophets as that they are the doctrine of vanitie the worke of errors a Jer. 10.15 the teachers of lies b Hâ—b 2.18 silver and gold the worke of mens hands c Psal 135.25 vanitie d Esa 41.10 c. they have a mouth and speake not eyes and see not eares and heare not e Psal 135.16 hands and touch not feet and walke not f Psal 115.7 2. He giveth a strait commandement Not to bow downe to them nor worship them g Exod. 20.5 1 Cor. 10.7 14. nor to make them h Exod. 20.5 Deut. 4.15 c. to flie from them i 1 Iohn 5.21 1 Cor. 10.14 yea to destroy both the images themselves k Deut. 7.5 12 2â— â— the Idolaters l Deut. 17.2 3. and the Enticers unto Idolatry m Deut. 13.5 3. He commendeth greatly and praiseth such men as have destroyed images n 2 King 18.3 4. 2 Chr. 14.2 3. and not bowed unto Idols o Deut. 7.25 26. Ier. 5 1. 4. He finally curseth the Images p 1 King 19.18 Dan. 2. the Image-makers q Deut. 27.15 Esa 44. and the Image-servers or worshippers r Deut. 27.26 Psal 97.7 Esa 42.17 Hereunto with us the Protestant Churches every where doe subscribe Å¿ Conf. Helv. 2. cap 3 4. Basil ar 10.6.3 Bohem. c. 3.16 Gal. ar 1. August ar 12. Wittem c. 1.23 Suev ar 22. The adversaries unto this truth The Romish Church most fondly contrary to the word of God doth allow and not onely allow but publikely erect and not onely erect but adore a Dele statuas verserari potius quam statuarios stolidâ—m â—â—t Index expurg p. 31. and not onely adore Images but doth accuâ—se and more then so condemne to the fire yea to hell fire as heretikes such persons as will not worship images and the Images too which is most abominable Of God himselfe even of God the Father and that in the likenesse of an old man with a long white Beard of the Son in the similitude of a man hanging on the Crosse of the holy Ghost in the shape of a Dove of the wholy holy and incomprehensible Trinitie with three Faces in one head b In hoe plerisque Christianis â—â—hnicus philosophus religiosior qui etiaÌ„ Trinitatis quae mente vix coÌ„prehenditur figuras oculis â—ot poris aspectabilis Petri Rami verba in scholis physicis delcantur Index expurg pag. 149. Atque haec absurditas Patrem Filum Sp effigiantium Iacobitis à Nicephoro tributur G. Cassand consul p. 164. Also of God his creatures as of Angels alwaies with wings sometimes with a paire of ballance as S. Michael of men as of Moses as it were with hornes the Apostles with round orbes on their heads like Trenchers the blessed Virgin with frisled haire and costly garments And of other base things as Agnus deis of wax wafer cakes of flower Crosses of gold
silver stone wood paper copper c c Non inficiamâ—â— haec nos latriae admatione Câ—r sti praeclaressimam crucem â—â—re veneâ—aâ—i Aâ—drad orthodox expl lib. 9 p. 284. 4. Proposition The Romish doctrine concerning Reliques is fond and not warranted by the holy Scriptures nor consonant but contrary unto the same The proofe from Gods Word OF all the erroneour opinions among the Papists which are infinite none is more to the illusion of well meaning Christians then their doctrine concerning worshipping b Confes Helv. 1. ar 11. c. 5. Basâ— ar 10. Bohem c. 17. Gal. ar 24. and adoration of the reliques of Saints A doctrine which is so farre from being found as it is forbidden in the holy Scripture a Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him onely shalt thou serve Matth 4.20 and a doctrine in the purer times and writers of the Church no where to be found and in all the best Churches at this day utterly condemned Adversaries unto this truth Such notwithstanding is the Satanicall boldnesse of the Antichristian Synagogue of Rome that as they will delude men with the reliques of Saints which are not such so likewise they teach the people which is most offensive and execrable to give divine adoration and honour unto them a Praedâ—catio autem ecclâ—siastica hoc scâ—â—pâ—â—enâ—â—it Sanctorum reâ—iquias ess ex fide venerandas Stap â— antidot evang in Mat 8.21 p. 30 The Catholike affirmeth worshipping of Saints prayer unto them feasts of them adoration of their reliques and images the Protestant denieth all Hils quartron 14. reas p 71. Hence it is that some doe pray unto St. Benet whose Reliques they had stolne O Benedict after God our onely hope leave us not orphanes who art come hither not through our merits but for the salvation of many soules b Viâ—â— Lir. l. 23 cap. 155. Others have published that the bodies of Saints and specially the Reliques of the blessed Martyrs are with all sinc rity to be honoured as the members of Christ c. If any denie this conclusion he is to be thought not a Christian but an Eunomian and Vigilantian c Raâ—â—l 6. c. 10. de Sâ—â—â—ropâ—â— The Councell of Trent also hath decreed that they are to be taken for damned which affirme how worship and honour is not to be given unto the Reliques of Saints d Conc. Trid. sess 25. decr de Invoc c. Of this preposterous devotion they have appointed a certaine and common service for the holy Crosse whereon Christ was hanged e Massa de S. Cruce Offi ium de S. Cruce they have made a feast for the speare and Nailes wherewith Christ was fastned to the Crosse f Beâ—-hâ—ve lib. â— cap. 3. they have canonized for a Saint the chaines which bound S. Peter g â—â—racian dist 3â— Nul â—olat To say nothing of the adoration they gave unto the Haire Milke Smocke of the blessed Virgin unto the Head Haire Thombe Coate of Iohn Baptist unto the breeches of Ioseph the sword and Handkerchiefe of Saint Paul the Keyes of Saint Peter and unto many other things which of modesty I will not mention but doe over-passe 5. Proposition Invocation of Saints is a fond thing not warranted by the holy Scriptures nor consonant but contrary unto the same The proofe from Gods Word THe Christian exercise of Prayer is a duty which may not be either sâ—curely omitted or vainely abused And though many things in prayer be necessarily to be observed yet a speciall point it is that in our Supplications and Prayers we doe call onely upon God For so to doe we are both commanded even by God himselfe a Call upon me in the time of trouble Psal 50.15 After this manner â—â—ay Our Father which are in heaven c. Matth. 6.6 When ye pray 〈◊〉 Our Father 〈◊〉 are in heaâ—â—n Luk. 11 2. and thereunto also allured by manifold as well promises of large blessings b Psal 50.15 Math. 7.11 Luk 11.12 18 7 8. Ioâ—â— 16.23 24. as by the examples of godly men in all ages Patriarks Abraham c Gen. 13.4 Isaac d Gen. 26.25 c. Iacob e Gen. 32.9 Prophets as Daniel f Dan 9.16 c Elias g 1 King 18.36.37 c. Ieremy h Ier. 14.7 c. Centurions i Act. 10.2 Publicans k Luke 18.13 Apostles as Paul l Act. 16 25. and through his Epi tles Peter m Acts 1 24. c. yea of all the Elect of God in this world n Luke 1.87 On the other side to pray unto any creature that is out of this world besides Iesus Christ there is in the Scripture neither Law to command nor promise of blessing nor any example of godly men or women to provoke Finally as all Gods people in the purer and former times have so in these dayes the Protestant Churches utterly condemne the invocating of or praying unto creatures whatsoever o Confe Helv. 1. ar 1. 2. c. 5. 23. Basil ar 10 Bohe c. 2. 17. Gal. ar 14. 24. Belg. ar 20. Au. ar 21. Wit c. 23. Suc. ar 11. 21. The adversaries unto this truth Therfore the Romish doctrine that Saints are to be prayed unto a Test Rhem. pag. 187. Orationem Dominicam fundimus Sanctis Censur a Colon. f. 208. and their daily praying as occasion serveth unto S. Agatha that have sore brests unto S. Benedict that either be or feare to be poisoned unto S. Clare for them that have sore eies S. Damian that be sick for health S. Erasmus for help in the intrals S. Feriol for Geese S. Giles for women that would have children S. Hubberts for dogges S. Iob for them which have the pox S. Katherine for knowledge S. Loys for horses S. Margaret for women in travaile S. Nicholas for little children S. Otilia for the head-ach S. Petronil for the Ague S. Quintin for the cough S. Ruffin for lunacy or madnes S. Sebastian for the plague S. Thomas Becket for sinners S. Valentine for the falling sicknesse S. Winefrid for virginity S.X. or Crosse for all things it is vaine not warrantable by Gods Word but altogether repugnant to the holy Scriptures The vanity and Idolatry of the Popish Invocation further demonstrated from that booke of theirs entituled Horae beatissima virginis c. Oremus Majestatem tuam Domine suppliciter exoramus ut sicut Ecclesiae tuae beatus Andreas Apostolus tuus extitit praedicator rector ita apud te sit pro nobis perpetuus intercessor per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum Oremus Deus pro cujus Ecclesia gloriosus martyr Pontifex Thomas gladijs impiorum occubuit praesta quaesumus ut omnes qui ejus implorant auxilium piae petitionis ejus salutarem consequantur effectum per Dominum nostrum Versus Ora pro nobis beata Katherina Resp Vt digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi Versus Ora a
afterward though daily they receive the Sacraments will have faith such are like unto Iudas k Ioh 12.26 Ananias and Sapphira l Acts 5. Simon Magus m Acts 1 13. the old Israelites n 1 Cor 10 5. and the wicked Corinthians o 1 Cor. 11 37. In some the Sacraments doe effectually work in processe of time by the helpe of Gods Word read or preached which engendreth faith p Rom. 10 1â— such is the estate principally of Infants elected unto life and salvation and increasing in yeares The adversaries unto this truth Therefore doe they erre which teach or hold that They never goe to heaven which die without the Seales of the covenant so thinke the Papists of infants which dye unbaptized a Iavel Phil. Contract 4. de relicit Chr c. 3 Tigner instituâ— Theol. c. 16. sect 4 c. Spec peregr quaeâ—t doc 1. c. 3 q. 5. They are damned though they receive the Sacraments that will not receive them after the received and appointed manner of the Church of Rome b Concil Trid. sess 7. c. 13. There is no way of salvation but by faith c Lear disc hereby excluding infinite soules from the kingdome of heaven which depart from this world before they doe beleeve None beleeve but such as are baptized say the Papists d Test Rhem. an Gal. 5.27 as heare the Word of God preached say the Puritanes e Lear. ds c. p. 3. The Sacraments give grace ex opere operato f Test Rhem. an mar p. 357. and bring faith ex opere operato g Ibid. an mar p. 391. The Sacrament of Baptisme is the cause of the salvation of Infants h Ibid an 1. Pet. â— 21 4 Proposition Christ hath ordained but two Sacraments in his Gospel The proofe from Gods Word A Sacrament according to the etymologie of the word as the Schoolemen doe write is a signe of an holy thing which being true then have there bin and still are by so many above either two or seven Sacraments as there be and have beene above two or seven things which are signes of sacred and holy things But according to the nature thereof a Sacrament is a covenant of God his favour to man-ward confirmed by some outward signe or Seale instituted by himselfe which also hath been sometimes speciall either to some men and that extraordinarily by things naturall sometimes as the tree of Life was to Adam a Gâ—n 2.3 and the Rainbow to Noah b Gen. 9.9 13. and sometimes by things supernaturall as the smoaking furnace was to Abraham c Gen. 15.17 18. the Fleece of wooll to Gedeon d Iudg 6.37 and the Diall to Ezeckiah e 2 King 20 7.11 Isa 38.8 or to some Nation as the Sacrifices Circumcision and the Paschall Lambe was to the Iewes And sometimes generall to the whole Church Militant and ordinary as in the time of the Gospel And then a Sacrament is defined to be a ceremony ordained immediately by Christ himselfe who by some earthly and outward element doth promise everlasting favour and felicitie to such as with true faith and repentance doe receive the same And such Sacraments in the New Testament we finde only to be Baptisme f Matth. 18.19 Mark 16.16 â— Ioh. 3.5 Acts 2.38 and the Lords Supper g Luke 22.19 Joh. 6.53 1 Cor. 11.24 This is the judgement also of the Churches Protestant h Conf. Helv. 1. ar 20. 2. c. 19 Basil ar 5. sect 2. Gal. ar 35. Belg ar 33. Saxon ar 12. Suev ar 16. Errors and adversaries unto this truth In a contrary opinion are divers and namely The Iewes and Turks for they deny all the Sacraments of the Church as we doe hold them The Eutychites who say that prayer onely and not the Sacraments are to be used a Theodoret. The Schwenkfeldians who contemne not onely the word preached but the Sacraments also as superfluous depending wholly upon revelations The Banisterians who thinke there will be a time and that in this world when we shall need no Sacraments b Vnfold of untruths The Papists who publish That wee leave out no lesse then sixe of the seven Sacraments c How let reas 7. How there be seven Sacraments of the New Testament d Catech. Canis Vaux That he is accursed that shall say there be either more or fewer then seven Sacraments or that any of them is not verily and properly a sacrament or that they be not all seven instituted of Christ himselfe e Test Rhem. an Jam 4.24 Concil Trid. sess cap. 1. That there are seven Sacraments whereof two are voluntary and at the discretion of men to be taken or not as Matrimony and holy Orders and five are necessary and must be taken and of these five three to wit Baptisme Confirmation and Orders are but once to be taken because they imprint an indelible Character in the soule of the receivers and foure be reiterable and may often be received as the Sacrament Eucharisticall Matrimony Penance and extreme Vnction because at their first ministration they leave in the soule no indelible Character f Stella Cleticorum 5. Proposition Confirmation is no Sacrament Touching Confirmation the sentence and judgement of the true Church is that rightly used as it was in the Primitive Chured it is no Sacrament but a part of Christian discipline profitable for the whole Church of God For the ancient Confirmation was nothing else then an examination of such as in their infancie had received the Sacrament of Baptisme and were then being of good discretion able to yeeld an account of their beliefe and to testifie with their own mouthes what their Sureties in their names had promised at their Baptisme which confession being made and a promise of perseverance in the Faith by them given the Bishop by sound doctrine gave advice and godly exhortations confirmed them in that good profession and laying his hands upon them prayed for the encrease of Gods gifts and graces in their minds The Popish confirmation all Churches of God with us utterly doe dislike as no Sacrament at all instituted by Christ a Conf. Saxon. ar 16. Wittem c. 11. See the Prop. immediately precedent Errors and adversaries of this truth Contrariwise the Synagogue of Rome teacheth that Confirmation is a Sacrament whereby the grace that was given in Baptisme is confirmed and made strong by the seven gifts of of the holy Ghost Of which their Confirmation they give us foure things principally to observe viz. 1. The substance or matter which is holy Chrisme confect as they say and made of Oyle olive and Balme consecrated by a Bishop See Canis catech chap. 4 2. The forme and manner of ministring the same consisting of the words of the Bishop which are I signe thee with the signe of the Crosse and confirme thee with the Chrisme of salvation in the name of
Ibid sect â—â— with these joyne the Brownists who doe write that to haue Liturgies and formes of common prayer is to haue another Gospell and another Testament m Barrowes refâ—t p. 244. Our Sabbaths they contemne yea they condemne for they say There ought to be no Sabbath day n Zispl H. 8. â— Our Sabbatarians goe not so farre yet come they neere unto these Familists when they divulge that The Church hath no authoritie ordinarily and perpetually to sanctifie any day but the seventh day which the Lord himselfe hath sanctified o D. B doct of the Sab. 1. boâ—ke p. 31. The Church cannot take away this liberty of working sixe daies in the weeke p T.C. 1. replic p. 120. These assertions are against all holy daies lawfully established Barrow yet goeth further then doe these men for he saith how the obseruing of times as it is in our Church is an errour fundamentall q Bar. ref p. 36. They also be alike culpable who approuing some rites and ceremonies doe yet tie the Church or people of God to the observation of the ceremonies either Mosaicall as many have done and doe r See art 7. prop. 3. or of the Romish Church as doe the Papists Å¿ Conc. Trid. sess 7. can 13. and the halfe Papists the Family of Love t H.N. euang c. 3 â— sect 1. Finally they are out of the way which thinke that either one man as the Pope or any certaine calling of men as the Clergie hath power to decree and appoint rites or ceremonies though of themselues good unto the whole Church of God dispersed over the vniuersall world 2. Proposition The Church may not ordaine what rites and ceremonies she will The proofe from Gods Word AS it is a cleere truth that the Church may ordaine ceremonies so true it is also that the Church hath no power to appoint what rites or ceremonies she will For shee must decree none which be Either for their owne nature impious like the ordinances manners and idols of our fore fathers a Walke ye not in the ordinances of your fathers neither obserue their manners not defile your selues with their idols Ezek. 30.18 teachers of vanitie b Ier 10.8 and of lies c Heb. 3.10 Or for vse superstitious like the brazen Serpent which King Ezechiah brake in pieces d 2 King 18.4 Or for their weight ouer-heauy and grieuous to be borne like the Iewish constitutions e Ye lade men with burdens grieuous to be borne Luke 11.46 Why tempt yee God to lay a yoake on the Disciples neâ—kes which neither our fathers nor we were able to beare Acts 15.10 Why as though ye liued in the world are ye burdened with traditions Col. 2.20 Or for their worthinesse in the eyes of the ordainers either of equall price or of more account then the very ordinances of God so as for the performance of them the lawes of God must be left vndone such were many of the Pharisaicall rites and traditions f Ye lay the Commandement of God apart and obserue the traditions of men as the washing of pots and of cups and many other such like things ye doe Marke 7.8 Yee reiect the Commandements of God that yee may obserue your owne traditions c. making the Word of God of none authoritie by your traditions which you have ordained Ibid. 9.13 Or against the libertie of Christians and to the entangling of them againe with the yoke of seruile bondage g Stand in the libertie wherewith Christ hath made vs free and be not intangled againe with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 Or last of all any way contrary to the Commandements Word and Will of God h Every plant which my Father hath not planted shall be rooted vp Matth. 15.13.11 Cor. 14.14 But the rites ceremonies and constitutions of the Church they must make altogether and tend both to the nourishing and encrease of loue friendship and quietnesse among Christians and also to the retaining of Gods people in the holy seruice worship and feare of God according to the rule of the Apostle afore mentioned Let all things be done honestly and by orderi. All Churches reformed consent hereunto k Confes Helv. 2 cap. 1. Gal. ar 33. Belg. ar 33. August ar 7. 15. Sax. ar 20. Wittemb ar 35. Suevica c. 14. The Errors and adversaries vnto this truth The premises being as they are most true most false then is it which the Papsts doe publish viz. that The Church hath power to change the Sacraments ordained euen by Christ himselfe Conc. Trid. â—st 5 cap. 2. Whatsoever the Apostles and Rulers of the Church command is to be kept a Test Rhem. an marg p. 336. and obeyedb. The authority of the Church is greater then of the Sacred Scripture c Confess Patrocemen 15. 3. Proposition The Church hath authority to iudge and to determine in controuersies of faith The proofe from Gods Word AVthority is given to the Church and to every member of sound iudgement in the same to iudge in controuersies of faith and so in their places to embrace the truth and to auoid and improue Antichristianity and errors and this is not the priuate opinion of our Church but both the straight commandement of God himselfe particularly vnto all Teachers a and hearers b Cast away prophane and old wives fables 1 Tim 4.7 O Timothy keepe that which is committed unto thee 1 Tim. 6.20 A Bishop must c. hold fast the faithfull word according to doctrine that he also may be able to exhort with wholesome doctrine and improue them that say against it c. Tit. 1.9 c. Heare not the words of the prophets that prophesie vnto you and teach you vanities they speake the vision of their owne heart and not of the mouth of the Lord Ier. 23.19 Beware of false prophets Matth. 7.15 Beware of dogges beware of euill workers Phil. 3.2 The sheepe know the shepherds voyce and they will not follow a stranger but they flye from him for they know not the voyce of strangers Iohn 10.4 5. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines Heb. 13.9 Beware lest you be also plucked away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your own stedfastnesse 2 Pet. 3.17 If there come any vnto you and bring not this doctrine receive him not to house neither bid him God speed 2 Iohn 10. If any shall say vnto you Loe here is Christ or there beleeve him not For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets Matth. 2.4.23.24 I speake vnto them which have understanding iudge ye what I say 1 Cor. 10 15. Try all things and keepe that which is good 1 Thess 5.21 of Gods Word and generally vnto the whole Church c and also the iudgement of our godly brethren in foraigne countries d Confess Wittemb ar 32. Sucviar 15. The errors and adversaries vnto this truth Vnsound therefore