presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as
rapins murders alterations The Popes of Rome themselues after they began to keepe the people in ignorance and to make the Word of God of none effect with theire traditions Anastatius in Vigilio haue noâ— beene free from theire outrages and insolercies as wee may see in the liues of Vâ—gâ—lius Leo the third * Zonar to 3. pag 79. Iohn the fourtenth Gregory the fift many others and indeede seeing they would not let them know the things â—hat belonged to theire peace how could it be otherwise Whereas here in England vnder the Gospell Gods Word makes the heaters luffer and be peaceable notwithstanding all those greiuances whereof the commons haue of late yeares complained soe much in Parliaments and now this last summer in theire remonstrance of diuers leuies and other things against theire priueleidges the lawes liberties and religion established of the increase of poperie the freinds that Papist Arminians haue had in court and the carriage of many things at home and abroade by the late Duke and his faction to the greate losâ—e and dishonour of this Kingdom and aduantage of the aduersaries yet blessed be God and to the honour of his Word preached it may be spoken noe man euer saw a sword drawen to remedie theese things but the commons and diuers of the Lords haue still sought redresse by humble petition and not as in time of poperie or as the Iesuits hoped and practised who loue to fish in troubled streames The Duke and others of his partie that for the most part defeated preuented the howse with whisperings and were soe greate freinds to Arminiaisme and poperie knew that the Gospell awed Protestants and kept them from armes reuenge and that they could not haue escaped with soe many iniuries donne to any other religion whatsoeuer soe vnkinde in the meane while were theese detractours to that religion by which cheifely vnder God they haue held theire liues honours without the least violence offered by such as groaned vnder theÌ„ And whereas of late there hath beene some vnrulines in Sallours and Souldiers If men consider that the remonstrance declareth the increase of poperie and Arminiaisme the fauour that those of theese religions haue found of courtiers as wel of Bishops as others that Schollars finde the latter the way to preferment that orthodoxe preachers though conformable in rites formerly commaunded are not preferred but rather molested opposed lectures bookes against theese aduersaries prohibited or hindred theÌ„ they will coÌ„fesse that this vnrulines of Saylours others comes rather from hence that the preaching of Gods Truth which restraineth all sorts of people is not so much countenanced now as formerlie but insteade thereof contrarie doctrines finde the fauour The true knowledge and worship of God beeing failed in the dayes of Salomon Rehoboam then the people began to waxe stoute to mutinie and reuolt The preaching manifestation and knowledge of Gods Word are the * Psal 2.3 cords and bands of Christ which hould restraine men so that theese things when they are countenanced preuent such mutinies and sauâ— Magistrates much labour in gouernment The knowledge of Christ who is our wisdom maketh †Soli qui ejus doctrina imbuti sunt prudentes dicendi sunt Bern. de ordi vit Psal 18. Psal 66.7 Psal 76.10.12 men wise They are easely ruled by a few whome God ruleth It is God that subdueth the people vnder me saith Dauid and it is hard to gouerne them by many and wise whom the Lord doth not gouerne restraine who ruleth by his power for euer euen the rebellious who restraineth wrath stilleth the raging of the Sea and the madnes of the people * Psal 127.1 Except the Lord build the howse they labour in vaine that are builders of it Except the Lord keepe the Citie the watchman waketh but in vaine For if they heare not Moses and the Prophets nor Christ and his Apostles neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Heb. 4. For the Word of God is mightie in operation c. †2. Co. 10.5 Rom. 1. Bringing into captinitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ and consequently to the higher powers to whom he hath commaunded euery Soule to be subiect as to the powers ordained of God And that in euery ordinance that doth not resist â—he Word or the manifestation thereof Act. 4.19 but if they doe then whether it be right to hearken vnto you more then vnto God iudge ye If any say that preaching and writing aboute Predestination Free will perseuerance and the like cause discord and trouble I answer there may be a time when men may be to buisie and curious in disputing and writing on such points that is when in them the Church is at rest in the Truth But if Pelagians haue peruerted the truth in those points and infected people with the poisen of theire doctrines then it is noe time to forbid preaching or writing against them 1. Because Pelagian Arminian Prelates may presse such decrees with all power to suppresse Orthodoxe labours in that kinde and sparing theire owne mens works at pleasure may preuaile thereby and this were not to worke a right peace and vnion 2. Because the Truth of God must be vindicated least as a worthy Bishop inferred Bishop Carlton Examinat of the appeale pag. 126. the infection should spread further the greah mysteries of our salvation should be shakeÌ„ by giueing libertie to theese beginings a more generall apostacie should follow that as much in other points as in theese 3. Luk. 19.41 And principally because Christ with teares sayde to Ierusalem of the mysteries he taught that they were the things that belonged to her peace wishes that she had therefore knowne and receiued theÌ„ because he knew they would worke peace and that when they were hid from her eyes sedition and ruin must needes follow and soe they did as ye may see in the Acts Iosephus and others Act. 21.29.30 Besides as the faithfull Bishop proueth they are the Appealers doctrines B. Carlton in Exam. p. 214. if not confuted that endanger the State though he say they are not apâ—ae natae to breede dangers like a desperate man that sets a howse on fire and sayes there is noe danger The ignorance of Gods Word and Truth therein contained soe deepely concer uing Gods glory is able not only to breede danger but to cause destructions of Curches and States The Prophet complaineth that the people of the Iewes were destroud and led into Captiuity for want of knowledge Then the want of knowledge of God and of the holy doctrines of Gods Word is a thinge aptanata to throuw States and Kingdoms into destruction And the true knowledge thereof is a thinge apta nata to keepe States and people from destruction To preuent such ruins and the cause of them apostacie from God he saith I desired the
people saying this is the blood of the Testament which God hath enioyned vnto you That was a type of this Testament sealed and dedicated to all mākinde in Christs blood which sprinckleth both the Testament as a witnesse and seale of it and the people as redeemed and sealed vnto therefore this blood of the euerlasting couenant is called a witnessing Heb. 12.24 a speaking blood The blood of sprinckling which speaketh better things then the blood of Abel It witnesseth the Truth of all things declared in the new Testament and so speaketh reconcilliation grace peace life to the consciences of all them that receiue the same Testament and the loue of the Truth therein manifested in all things necessary to saluation See that ye refuse not him that speaketh vers 25. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth much more shall not wee if wee turne away from him that speaketh from Heauen viz. by this blood and the representatiue signes thereof in his Sacraments therefore Saint Iohn saith 1. Ioh. 5.8 There are three that beare witnesse in Earth the Spirit and the Water and the Blood and theese three agree in one They all witnesse and seale the same thinge they agree in witnesse of one Truth one Testament Ioh. 14.26 chap. 16.13 The Spirit that is the holy Ghost that brought all things to the mindes of the Apostles that Christ had told them and that witnesseth the same Word and noe other vnto vs for he guided them into all Truth he was not to speake of himselfe but to take of Christs and shew vnto them nothing but that which Christ had * Ioh. 15.15 made knowne vnto them saue only that he should shew them things to come viz. touching the comming of the man of sinne his lying wonders him that letted Seducing Spirits that should forbid marriage and some meates the seauen seales the 7. Triumpets the 7. Vials the Dragon with tenne hornes the Beast his marke them that receiue it Babylons Ruin and the like Whereof our Lord speaketh when he saith I haue yet many things to say vnto you Ioh. 16.12 but ye can not beare them now theese can not be as the greate whore and her members most impudently affirme the traditions of the Church of Rome as inuocation of saints single life of Preists distinction of meates theire obserued fasts and feasts the Popes succession in Peters chaire as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie c. For this is a bold diuination for thire owne proffit any other Hereticks may say as much for theire herefies if that would serue and to disproue them all our Sauiour speaking of things absolutely necessary to saluation saith All things that I haue heard of my Father haue I made knowne vnto you Ioh. 15.15 theese the Spirit brought to theire mindes and in theire writings * Act. 20.27 1. Ioh. 1.3 chap. 2.27 Charac of a Christian p. 86.96.106.110 they manifested them to vs and to theese the Spirit beareth witnesse on earth And the water viz. in Baptisme it is a seale of that Couenant and Truth it exhibiteth and witnesseth the same things vissiblie and to the Soule in a sealing signe that the Testament doth And the blood this did Christs bloods shed on the Crosse and this doth the cup in the Sacrament for therefore Christ giueth to the signe the name and sealing virtue of the thinge signified saying This is my blood of the new Testament viz. that witnesseth and confirmeth the truth of it and of all that it offereth and teacheth to youre Soules This cup is the new Testament in my blood the Testament witnessed sealed confirmed and dedicated to you in my blood as the first Testament was in the blood of Calues of Goates c. and therefore Saint Iohn there addeth If wee receiue the witnesse of men 1. Ioh. 5.9 the witnesse of God is greater for this is the witnesse of God which he testifieth of his Sonne that is which he testifieth of the Word of the Truth which is his Sonne and which God witnessed and sealed vnto vs not only by voices from Heauen and myracles but also by the blood of his Sonne and now by his Spirit by the water of Baptisme and by the cup in the Lords Supper therefore it is saide Him hath God the Father sealed Ioh. 6.27 and therefore John Baptist saith of Christ Ioh. 3.33 He that receiued his testimonie hath set to his seale that God is true that is true in his Word and true in the sealing that he giues to it he iustifieth him in his sayings Rom. 3.4 He that beleeueth him not in euery thinge he hath saide but reiecteth the Testament the Truth in any point of faith and saluation he beleeueth not God but hath made him a liar vers 10. because he beleeueth not the record that God gaue of his Sonne He beleeueth not the witnesse of the Spirit of the water of the cup not the witnes which Christ bare vnto the Truth in his blood he refuseth him that speaketh by theese yea he reiecteth Christ the faithfull and true witnesse and the Seale or marke of God Reu. 1.5 euen the testimonie of Iesus * chap. 19.10 see Character of a Christian pag. 228. receiued by all them that are in a right and saueing manner of the true Church Wherein there is noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation but Gods Testament Noe vaine brags of the spirit but by the Scriptures the * 1. Ioh. 4.1.6 Act. 17.11 1. Thes 5.21 Isa 8.20 Spirits are tried To the Law and to the testimonie if they speake not according to this word it is because there is noe light in them And consequently noe spirit of prophesie in them If a man be well skilled or mightie in the proofes power of the new Testament as Apollos was saide to be mightie in the Scriptures Act. 18.24 then he hath the spirit of prophesie otherwise not for that true member of the true church endued with such excellent knowledge that Iohn would haue worshipped him Reu. 12.9 chap. 19.10 saith I am of thy Brethren the Prophets of them that keepe the sayings of this booke Which expoundeth that I am of thy Brethren that haue the testimonie of Jesus he had nothing else but his Testament he came out from the Arke of his Testament out of that Temple wherein was noe other Word he was powerfull in that nor would he allow any doctrine which was not agreeable thereto to be of the Spirit therefore he saith for the testimonie of Iesus is the Spirit of prophesie noe other If therefore men bringe not that testimonie they vainly talke of the Spirit of prophesie as Papists for theire traditions Anabaptists for theire dreames and others for theire Heresies wherein they reiect the testimonie of Iesus doe despite to the Spirit of grace Wherefore the Apostle saith Heb.
Those are not such who for a while receiue the Word with ioy as the stonie ground doth the seede Mat. 13. but when persecution ariseth because of the Word by by they are offended Some with the verrie manifestation of the Word that the poore haue the Gospell preached vnto them the Truth manifested to them chap. 11.5.6 he therefore who is the Word who is the Truth saith Blessed is he whosoeuer shall not be offended in me And in another place If ye continue in my Word Ioh. 31. then are ye my Disciples indeede that is Christians of me Character of a Christian pag. 199. c. that am Christ the Truth for so he addeth And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free * Act. 11.26 In Antioch the Disciples were first called Christians As a Disciple of Plato is called a Platonist of Arrius an Arrian and as the Disciples of Nicolas all that held his doctrine were by the holy Ghost called Nicolaitans Reu. 2.6.15 so the Disciples of Christ that in all things consent to his Word and continue therein are of him the Truth so called Christians One is youre Maister euen Christ. Wee must not be of Paul nor of Apollos nor of Cephas which is Peter much lesse of his supposed Successour or any other Heretick as those that will be called Latine or Romane Catholicks that is vniuersalls in theire relation to theire holding of him and his See after whome all the world wondreth and who is called the vniuersall Latine or Romane Bishop and so haue the name of the Beast and are more truly called Papists then Christians because they heare obey him more then Christ and against Christ Wee must not in matters of faith and saluation heare any mans voice Ephes 2.20 further then he commeth with the Truth of God to which Christ bare witnesse with his blood the Truth which is the foundation laide in the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and Prophets and in building or seeming to build therevpon the same must not be wrested 1. Cor. 3.10.11 but euery man must take heede how he buildeth therevpon for other foundation can noe man lay then that is layde which is Iesus Christ Noe other word Saint Paul will haue vs to be of none but of God chap. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ who of God is made vnto vs wisdom It is wisdom in a man to be of this wisdom of the Word of the Truth and so of God for it is Gods Truth Ye are Christs chap. 3.23 and Christ is Gods Therefore he saith here Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice He therefore that will not in all matters of faith and saluation be truly a Disciple of Truth but teaches new or contrarie doctrine he becomes a Maister of errour and they that receiue it and abide in it are his not Christs His Seruants ye are to whome ye obey Rom. 6.16 whether Christ or Antichrist the true Shepbeard or a Seducer though it be but in one or two points as the followers of Nicolas though they held all the rest sound they presently loose the name of Christians and are called Nicolaitans for one stronge hold held against such a Kinge is enough to make the Captaine that holds it and all his followers to loose the name of Subiects and to be rightly called Traitours men can not serue two Maisters not God and Mammon much lesse Christ and Antichrist the Truth and errour if he cleaue to errour he despiseth and hateth the Truth which is not the fault of one sort of Hereticks and euill doers Ioh. 3.20 but of all Euery one that euill doth hateth the light neither commeth to the light Theese things me thinks should fill the Papists and our new Maisters the Arminians with horrour For though Christ say As Moses lift vp the Serpent in the wildernesse vers 14. see Charac of a Christian pag. 205. Ioh. 5.24 so must the Sonne of man be lifted vp That WHOSOEVER beleeueth on him should not perish but haue eternall life and of a beleeuer in the present tense He that beareth my word and beleeueth on him that sent me HATH euerlasting life and shall NOT come into condemnation but IS passed from death to life And by his Apostles Rom. 8.30 Whome he did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also iustified and whom he iustified them he also glorified For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance Whosoeuer is borne of God chap. 11.29 1. Ioh. 3.9 sinneth not viz. the sinne vnto death for his seede remaineth in him and he can not sinne because he is borne of God To shew that a true beleeuer called and iustified may be certaine of his saluation and can not fall away totally and finally Yet our Arminian Pelagians and the Papists feare not to maintaine that persons truly iustified can not be certaine of theire saluation and that they may neuertheles fall away totally and finally wherein many follow them and therein follow new Maisters and like rebels maintaine stronge holds of errour against the knowledge of God and obedience of Christ the Truth But they say that to preach theese doctrines of certainty of saluation perseuerance as also of election conuersion of grace and not of workes not of free will if they were true doctrines which they will not graunt yet they who teach thē to the people teach desperate doctrines and open a gap to all licentiousnes carelesnes prophanenes neglect of holy life and shew a greate wāt of wisdom and discretion or to the like effect Here I might tell them that theire owne broaching and maintaining of errours in theese points haue caused more preaching writing to defende the Truth and to keepe people from theire errours and apostacie then otherwise had beene requisite But I answer they see not or will not see that this is in effect to charge Christ with want of wisdom and discretion who in the infancie of the Church did himselfe and by his Apostles teach all theese things by preaching and writing vnto the people that whatsoeuer his Word be it still ministreth grace to those hearers that are his Sheepe * Tit. 2.11.12 teaching them to denie vngodlines and worldly lusts it softeneth molefieth theire hearts as the Sunne softeneth waxe that * 2. pet 2.20 they escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Christ that those that are not Christs are as well hardened by other points as by theese euen as the sunne hardeneth clay and so it doth theese new Maisters and theire followers for the more the Truth is manifested the more they hate that light and Truth and would hinder the setting of it forth in Sermons and Bookes the more they despise Christ who is the Truth and rebell against him Is this theire wisdom and discretion I confesse they haue
they require he in matters of faith and saluation keepe to the Scripture and so be of the Truth Those men therefore that slight or neglect the due preaching of Gods Word and the conuincing of Hereticks by it and insteade thereof so propose and extoll the booke of common praier and the Articles and constitutions of the Church of England that they seeme to haue litle or noe Religion besides A new sort of Scismaticks they are a new sort of Scismaticks some of which will yet be counted Pastors and Pillars far more against the booke of common praier and the Articles then any other for as much as others are against the ceremonies theese against the substance of Religion which they require others are against that forme of praier theese against the things principally praied for and enioined Psal 2. so against the Truth sealed in Christs blood which they also tread vnder foote count vnholy yea breake his bands and cast his cords from them by the geering scoffes they vse against preaching and conuincing Hereticks by Scriptures either in preaching or writing by hindring them and the slight esteeme they haue of them Yet like Hypocrits as if they would haue all as the cōpilers of the commō praier booke intended and as it should be 3. Sund. after East on Saint Iohns day in one Prayer they say God which shewest to all men that be in errour the light of thy Truth c. in another Wee beseech thee to cast thy bright beames of light vpon thy Church that it beeing lightened by the doctrine of thy holy Apostle Euangelist Iohn may attaine to thy euerlasting gifts on the day of Saint Paul That wee may follow fulfill thy holy doctrine which he hath taught of Saint Mathias Graunt that thy Church beeing alwaies preserued from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithfull true Pastors of Simon and Iude Graunt vs to be ioined in vnitie of spirit by theire doctrine of S. Andrew Graunt vnto vs all that wee beeing called by thy Holy Word may forthwith c. Also in an exhortation before the Communion they say If any of you be a blasphemer a hindrer and slanderer of his word c. come not to this holy table to the sureties of Children baptized to call vpon them to heare Sermons c. the Bishop at theire confirmation prayeth Let thy Holy Spirit be euer with them so leade them in the knowledge of thy Holie Word that in the ende c. Theese Prayers and sayings will rise in iudgment against many who extoll them vse them prefer them and yet minde nothing lesse them the things prayed for and desired in them but are rather against them and so against Christs Kingdom against his raigne who is the Word and who saith Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. They therefore that scoffe geere at diligent preachers and hearers call them Puritans and despise them let them know Christs Disciples are commaunded to teach all Nations Mat. 28. to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commaunded them Ephes 4.14 that wee are not to be tossed to fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of me but following the Truth in loue to grow vp into him in all things who is the Head that the Scriptures make wise vnto saluation c. that He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law Pro. 28.9 euen his praier shall be abhomination If he will not heare nor be willing that others should heare God in all matters of faith saluation God will not heare him that Christ saith against such reuiling and selfe conceited Pharises Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice and by consequence that such as they who make noe more account of it can not well be saide to be of the Truth Theese two last clauses of Christs bearing witnesse to the Truth and this conclusion of hearing his voice which he maketh therevpon are a large feild which for breuitie I haue runne ouer only pointing at some of the good seede and some of the tares Mar. 4.26 Mat. 13.24 which enemies haue sowed while men stept that so those that haue authority may see what is amisse at home and seeke reformation Which God knowes I haue not attempted out of any forwardnes to be medling in matters of this kinde but only vpon sight and sense of the wronge donne to my Sauiour and his Kingdom to my Soueraigne Lord the Kinge and to the Church and Countrie wherein I was bred by the Doctrines and palliated practises of close walking Popelings Arminians and theire Supporters many of them beeing disguised vnder the name of conformable Protestants and Welwillers of the Church and State Which droue me in silent sorrow to meditate on theese passages of holy Scripture Then finding that of our Lord to be true Ioh. 15.5 1. Cor. 12 3. without me ye can doe nothing Noe man can say that Iesus is the Lord much lesse proue it but by the Holie Ghost and so that I could neuer haue drawne so much hony out of theese flowers vules God hath beene with me I thought I must carrie it to the hiue though I knew that in this case I was like to finde that true Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit yet I might not aduenture the euerlasting punishment of an vnproffitable seruant Mat. 25.24.30 by burying this one talent in a napkin seeing it appeared to be Christs whose Confession and Complaint is here exhibited with proofes and consequences so following from the same that there needes noe further witnesse noe inquirie of the vnworthy and instrumentall Exhibiter for the conuincing proofes are Christs the conuinced and Delinquents well knowne by other Complaints that haue beene oft made against them if not to the Kinge yet at least to the High Court of Parliament wherein greate things haue beene offered to be proued and if a free speaking and hearing be not there permitted then if any should vnder colour of seruing his Kinge and Countrie be as false to both and withall to Religion at least for some secret loue to Rome as euer that greate fauorite Duke Edrick was Edrick Duke of Mercia See Speedes Chron. who sold both to the Danes yet men that could discouer them fearing that they should not be thorowly heard but rather imprisoned and crushed would perhaps hold theire peace till it were to late to helpe Which hath made men say the Kinges eares are so guarded by whisperers by preuenting and praeuaricating expositors of complaints that truth may despaire of an effectuall hearing God Almightie giue vnto the Kings Maiestie a heart to heare see and reforme what is most amisse wheresoeuer and in whomesoeuer the fault be To conclude to be of Truth is to continue in the Word and in all matters of faith and saluation to cleaue to it professing and maintaining it in the whole and in euery part of it which is to haue Gods marke in the forehead as on the contrarie to receiue and maintaine the Popish lawes and doctrine is to haue the marke of the Beast for thus a Christian is not only distinguished from a Iew but also from a marked slaue of Antichrist as ye may see proued in that litle booke called The Character of a Christian pag. 206.282.296 Saint Paul saith well Brethren marke them which cause diuisions and offences Rom. 16.17.18 contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoide them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but theire owne belly by good words and faire speeches deceiue the hearts of the simple 2. Tim. 2.17.18 For theire word will eate as doth a gangrene who concerning the Truth haue erred And therefore when Arminians or other Hereticks and prophane persons commaund and teach one thinge and Christ another the Pope one thinge Christ another the Church of Rome calleth for all mens obedience to her and Christ to all to come out of Babell Reu. 18. Iesuits and Popish Preistes call to Princes and States to serue her and Christ to serue her as she hath serued them to fill her double Some follow Seducers but ye heare what the Sauiour of the World saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice FINIS Faults escaped in the printing Pag. 1. for Euangelist reade Euangelists p.2.l.2 for mislender reade misvnderstood l. 23 for cheifs cheife p.3.17 for fo reade of p.6.l.29 for reckened read reckoned p.15.l.18 for tho read the p.19.l.13 for deser at read desart a p.21.l.27 for abonte re aboute p.23.l.35 for rebellions re rebellious p.32.l.19 for thas re thus.l.23.re.seditious.p.33.l.8 for thousand reade a thousand thousand p. 34.l.13.for meant re meane l. 35.for tough read though p.36 in marg re vniuersum p. 37.in mar re persuadere p. 41.l.34.for reuelt reuolt p.47.l.2 for greah rea greate p. 52.l.11 for Christs re Christ l. 22.re.committing p.53.l.9 for ofter re offer l. 3 for fiue limen re fine linnen p.55.l.17 for here rea heare p.61.l.4 for grauted graunted l. 28.re Armin p. 86.l.1 for honeur re honour p.85.l.35.re.beleeue p.88.l.5.rea Christianity Besides some letters that did not print so well off in the first sixe sheetes as in the Proofes