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A00289 A very lively portrayture, of the most reverend arch-bishops, the right reverend bs. of the Church of England set forth in XX. irrefragable positions, concerning their authority, power, and practise, as they onely are our diocesan lord bishops, so grounded upon Scripture, reason, and experience, by evident demonstrative practises, as their troublesome opposites, may cleerely see, how greatly they are deceived in all these. A labour undertaken for the peace of all Gods people, and for a just condemnation of al those, that cause division, and offences, contrary to the doctrine and discipline of Christs Church. 1640 (1640) STC 10406; ESTC R212270 37,262 65

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Go●… and founded upon the onely politique 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 Lastly 〈◊〉 Doctor 〈◊〉 is hold to 〈◊〉 that our 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Bish●… do●… d●…ive their 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and from the Pope of 〈◊〉 and therefore must Bis●…s bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 over other Ministers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may know if he will that Peter was 〈◊〉 at 〈◊〉 proved to his h●…d and 〈◊〉 inferiour to his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And as for the Pope he is proved to be 〈◊〉 by many learned Divines and is judged to b●… the man of 〈◊〉 in 2. Th●…ss 2. and the 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 speaking like the Dragon Rev. 13. and 〈◊〉 Bish●… p●…ceeding from him 〈◊〉 needs 〈◊〉 such jure divi●… because his 〈◊〉 is from the 〈◊〉 POSITION 2. They are Di●…cesan Bishop●…by divi●… right 1 BEcause they know 〈◊〉 hold that a Di●…san Bishop is one over many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 it written that the holy Ghost set many Bishops and Elders ov●… 〈◊〉 flocke and Church at 〈◊〉 one Church Act 12. 47. and 15. 2●… and therein m●…y Eld●…s Acts 15. 6. 2●… 23. at 〈◊〉 one Church Eph 1. 1. R●…v 2. 5. but many Elders Act●… 20. 17. or 〈◊〉 verse 28. At Philippi many Bishops yet but on●… Church Phil. 1. 1. and Saint 〈◊〉 when he had planted Churches appointed T●… to ordaine Eld●… Bishops in every City more than one Tit. 1. 5. ●… as the Apostle himselfe did in every Church Elders Acts 14. 23. who kept one way and co●…rse al●…ke in all ●…nd ev●…ry Church 1 Cor. 4. 17. and 7. 17. Now so many in one Church could not be Di●…san Bishops 2. Because neither Christ nor his Apostles ever ordained any ordinary Ecclesia●… function to bee ever continued in any Church which he that was appointed thereunto could not in his owne person performe without substitut●… But a Discos●… Bishop takes more upon him then he can by himselfe discharge but must have his substitutes by reason of the largenesse of his ju●…isdiction over hundred●… of congregations 3. Bec●…e 〈◊〉 Postscripts to Saint Pauls Epistles the one to Timoth●… and the other to Titus are the words of men ●…humane testimo●…ies and false too as is proved fully by the learned and therefore cannot confirme a Dis●… Bishop to b●…of divine authority and of divine right 4. Because they ●…nne upon meere suppositions taking for granted what yet they have not proved nor can prove to uphold their Di●… dignity such bee these 1. That Timothy and Ti●… were not E●…angelists substituted onely for a time at Ephesus and in Creet to doe what the Apostle would have done had he been there contrarie to 2. Tim. 4. 5. in that Epistle in the Postscript whereof he is called a Bishop 2. That these two were Bishops differing from Elders when no where their consecration is mentioned and were they Bishops Di●…san because the Postscripts say they were Bishops●… but when so consecrated or how there is no mention And is it any way likely that S●… 〈◊〉 making else where A●… 20. 17. 18. 28. Elders and Bishops all one yea and that in his Epistl●… to Titus chapter 〈◊〉 5. 7. that by the false Postscript naming them Bishops we should take the name of Bishops to bee of another sor●… 〈◊〉 Saint Paul meant and had made 3. That Saint Paul 〈◊〉 to them ●…is Epistles as to di●…san Bishops and how to behave themselves in their Episcopall authority as a p●…terne in them to bee followed of such like succeeding Bishops If Paul wrote to Timothy his first Epistle from whence they fetch all their authority for ●…piscopacy why is not the Postscript put at the end of this Epistle to make him a Bishop while he was at Eph●… but at the end of the other Epistle out of which they doe make little ●…se for this their standing If he was then Bishop at Eph●… when the first Epistle was written then its cleare that Saint Paul wrote not the Epistle to him as a Bishop but as his substitute for the time in his absence 1. Tim. 3. 14. 15. To him Saint Paul wrote as also to Titus not to make them Bishops of which not one word in the Epistles written to them but what they should doe according to the present condition of the Churches and by those rules and precepts which he wrote how the Churches of Christ should be ordered for the tyme to come and not by these pre●…pts and rules to erect new Officers in Christs Church which he never ordained there is not a word in the Epistles to prove this to be the s●…ope But they having ●…ped this di●…san dignity and presumptuously practising what they doe they take to themselves what they ●…n find in the Epistles to beare them up contrary to the intention of the Apostles writing 4. That the power of ordination and jurisdiction was then 〈◊〉 Bishops and not in the Elders when in the Eldership was the power of ordination and imposition of hands 1. Tim. 4. 14. Act. 13. 3. and jurisdiction and rule in them to ●…t the Elders they which preached and laboured in word and Doctrine which fed the 〈◊〉 these were they t●…t ruled Heb. 13. 7. 1 Th. 5. 12. 1 P●… 5. ●… ●… 1. Tim. 5. 17. you such rule the Elders had as Saint Peter warneth them not to lord it over Go●… h●…tage which had beene n●…dlesse if the authority ha●… be●… in the hands of others 1 Pet. 5. 3. These be their false suppo●…tions and 〈◊〉 imaginations on which th●…y ●…ave built their rottering dig●…es 5. Bec●… thi●… setting up of one in dignity over many is an homane invention long after the Apostles dayes which was devised to prevent Schi●… say they But this invention was no●… of the spirit of Gen. First for that in the Apostles dayes there were schi●…es 1 Cor 3. 3. and 1●… 1●… and 〈◊〉 R●… 1●… 17. yet the holy Ghost did not direct the Apostle to ordaine any di●… Bishop to prevent Schis●… neither there where he mentions those schi●…es and divi●… as 〈◊〉 nor any such rem●…y in his Epistles●…to Ti●…hy and T●… 2. Be●…se as Doctor Whit●… hath written the 〈◊〉 devised hath proved worse than the disease which doth never happen to that remedie whereof the h●…ly Ghos●… is the Author 3. Because the holy Spirit which could foresee what evill would en●…r upon this devise would not ordaine that for a remedie to prevent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and diss●… which was never ●…erto found an effectuall remedy for it but 〈◊〉 her begate pride 〈◊〉 and other evills in the Church even to this day 4. For that this devise was from the spirit of Antichrist Satan taking advantage upon this gro●…d to raise up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all and so a 〈◊〉 government for the reason is alike for Arch-Bishops over Bishops Pat●…ks ov●…r Arch-Bishops P●… over Patriarks as Bishops over 〈◊〉 except men would va●…ly imagine that schis●… would onely arise among Pas●…rs and not among Bishops Arch. Bishops 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 too contrary to experience and
A VERY LIVELY PORTRAYTVRE OF THE MOST REVEREND ARCH-BISHOPS THE RIGHT REVEREND Bs. OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Set forth in XX irrefragable positions concerning their Authority power and practise as they onely are our Diocesan Lord Bishops so grounded upon Scripture Reason and Experience by evident demonstrative practises as their troublesome opposites may cleerely see how greatly they are deceived in all these A Labour undertaken for the peace of all GODS people and for a just condemnation of al those that cause division and offences contrary to the Doctrine and Discipline of CHRISTS CHURCH Printed in the Yeare 1640. THE NAME of Bishop is found in the New Testament so as the controversie is not about the name whether one may bee called a Bishop nor whether Bishops in the true sense have beene in the Church from the Apostles dayes for this is fully agreed upon But the positions following and here handled are such as have beene much controverted but now so cleerely manifest that every indifferent and impartiall judicious Reader may discernt plainely on which side the truth is POSITION 1. That Bishops jure Divino are Superiours to other Ministers 1. BEcause our Saviour made severall degrees in the ministerie which the Apostle mentioneth Ephes. 4. 11. Yet in the same degree he set none over another not one Apostle over another not one Evangelist over another 〈◊〉 not one Elder or Bishop over another 2. Because the Apostle in reckoning up the dignities in the Ministery from Christ mentioneth no Bishops as degrees in the ministery differing from the rest but Apostles 〈◊〉 Evangeliste which were extraordinary then Pasters and Teachers ordinary Eph. 4 11. 3. Because the name of Bishops is given onely to those who are called Eld●… Act 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 28. Tit 1. 5. 7. Now Elders were all of equall Authority Such the Ap●…stles 〈◊〉 and more th●… on●… in every Citie Act. 14. 23. and had charge given ●…ot one over ●…ther but over the fl●…ck over the which th●… holy 〈◊〉 had made them Overseers O●…Bishops Act. 20. 〈◊〉 4. The Apostle placeth Bishops onely before 〈◊〉 Ph●…l I. 1. I Tim. 3. 1. 8. but no where b●…fore Elders as Superiours to them 5. The office and quality of a Bishop described 〈◊〉 that which equally and alike agreeth to all teaching Elders 1 Tim. 3. 1. 2. 7. Tit. 1. 5 6 7 8 9. and not to a speciall function in superiority before an Elder For Titus was appointed to ordaine Elders and the Apostle telleth him what a 〈◊〉 a Bishop meaning an Elder should b●… as making an Elder and Bishop one and the same It cannot be proved by S●…riptura that in the A●…stles dayes Elders and Bishops were degrees one ov●…r another nor by Historie 200. yeares after that they were distinguished by degrees 6. Because such as 〈◊〉 Elders were next to the Apostles in the Councel at 〈◊〉 and sate with them as next to them Acts 15. 23. Bishops here were none except included within the name of Elders and so all one 7. The double honour which Saint Paul speaks of he alloweth it to teaching Elders 1 Tim. 5. 17. which dutie of teaching Bishops affect not and yet claime double honour 8. Because these Elders Acts 20. 17. came to bee called Bishops not in respect of any superiority they had one over another but to mind them of their watchfulnesse and care over their flock in respect of which flock and not in respect of their fellow Ministers they were called by Saint P●…l who first g●…ue them th●…t title Ov●…seers or Bishops Acts 20. 28. 9. Because Tim●…ie and Titus from whom they would derive the superiority of Bishop●…●…ver Elders were Euangel●…s 2 Tim. 4. 5. a dignity above other Churches Offic●…s Eld●…s O●…Bis●…s or P●…stors all one and 〈◊〉 Eph. 4. 11. now why 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 higher degree ●…hould be made Bis●…ps and so put in a lower for me wa●…th 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 perswade the reunto 10. Because the Postscripts to the second Epistl●… to Tim. and that to Ti●… are worthy of no credit in this case to prove Tim. and Tit. Bis●…ps For these be no Scriptura nor of divine authority but added by some private uncertaine S●…ribe and so bring of humane authority they c●…nnot stablish Tim. and Tit. Bishops jure divi●… who by divine authority were 〈◊〉 The vanity of alledging these 〈◊〉 are solidly by other confuted and not answered 11. Becaus●… the consent of the Learned is fully against this superiority of a Bishop to wit to be above an Elder or Presbyter in degree 〈◊〉 divi●… but were all one and the difference came by an humane consti●…tion 1. Of this judgement are ancient Fathers 〈◊〉 A●…stin Chrys●…stome Ambrose Seduli●…s Pri●…sius The●…ret 〈◊〉 Theophylact. 2. John 〈◊〉 and the Wald●…ses 3. The learned Divines beyond the Seas Luther 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 H●…minglus Gnalter M●…sculus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●… and others 4. Learned Divinesin our Land D. 〈◊〉 D. Reynolds Doctor Holland D. Fulk D. Whitacres D. Willes and many moe Our Bishops here Bish. 〈◊〉 Bis●…p Peacock T●…stal shop Bil●…n once so held when he wrote against the Seminaries Bishop 〈◊〉 now living yea and Arch. Bishop Whit●…gift 〈◊〉 as much Yea the Arch-Bishops all the Bishops and the Clergie of E●…gland acknowledged Bishops and Pres●…rs to bee Besides the 〈◊〉 of our La●… in 37. H●… 8. C●… 17. in 〈◊〉 of Edward 6. 〈◊〉 2. 1. and 1. of Eli●… 1. have resolved the same against Bishops authority 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. Orthodox 〈◊〉 reformed wi●…eth th●… much by their doctrine and practise Monarchies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which have cast them out So 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and of late ●…ates of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and many other Churches Shall we think●… that all these have 〈◊〉 in this point so ma●…y so 〈◊〉 m●…n and whole Churches 11. 〈◊〉 non●… but Papists among us maintaine the p●…sition and such as be popishly affected or are of 〈◊〉 mind ●…oving to have the preheminence 3. I●…hn 9. or ●…ch as flatter for favour and pre●…rment And yet here may be produced against them 1. The Canon Law which telleth ●…s that superior●…ty of Bish●…s over other Ministers is of 〈◊〉 Law which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 out of 〈◊〉 fourth Councell at Car●…hage 2. The coun●…ell of 〈◊〉 and B●…il 〈◊〉 it ●…o 3. Two famous Doctors of the civill Law 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are of this judgement with us 4. Some great Papists 〈◊〉 Hug●… Cardi●… ●… Bish●… of Civil G●…rg 〈◊〉 hold their authority to be by positive Law and came in after the Apo●…les dayes The Ancients alledged for this superiority speake but of their owne times long after the Ap●…les dayes or ●…lse they judged of the times before by a mi●…ke that ●… in their dayes which was nothing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 200. yeares after Chri●… 12. Becaus●…Bis●… 〈◊〉 of S●…int 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his dignity and ●…owledged 〈◊〉 that the Superiority of Bishops over Ministers was 〈◊〉 of all 〈◊〉 of the word of
truth of Histories 6 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 dayes all the Church●… in Ci the Beleevers met in one place as Par●…oners d●…●…ow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cities were 〈◊〉 then Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops in those dayes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if 〈◊〉 bee denyed that then there were no Parish●… 〈◊〉 must deny di●…cesan Bishops because ther 's no Di●…cesse where there be no Parishes 7. Because all the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 beyond the 〈◊〉 no such Bishops and shall we thinke that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 all such famous Churches in so foule an errour as to cast 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we have no sound 〈◊〉 so to 〈◊〉 8. his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Church 〈◊〉 For Christs primitive Church in all the first hundred of 〈◊〉 and after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kind of Bishop It s wanting in all reformed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Such 〈◊〉 are cast out of the Church in 〈◊〉 not onely as 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 Here in England in every 〈◊〉 at s●…verall tim●…s there have beene a vacancy of Bis●… and that so●… for 2. yeares some for 3. 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 10. 〈◊〉 some for 〈◊〉 yeares as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by some observed and 〈◊〉 downe throughout all the 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 Lastly what good doe they which may not be done without them as it was wh●… they were not and where in ●…her pl●…ces they be not●… There is theref●…re 〈◊〉 need of them To conclude all that which hath beene said in the former position against a Bishops superiority over●… 〈◊〉 in their owne congregations ●…re against 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whose 〈◊〉 we●… see to be divine by the so many good 〈◊〉 made against it and therefore bee they not to●… blame who are so much offended with th●…r so overtopping 〈◊〉 and goodne●… It were ●…ch to 〈◊〉 that all could see it for the Churches peace which is heartily de●…red and prayed for POSITION 3. They are 〈◊〉 called Lord 〈◊〉 1. BEcause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Christ said to his Disciples 〈◊〉 know that the Princes of the Gentiles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ship but it shall 〈◊〉 be so with you 〈◊〉 rebuking them fo●… seeking after gre●…tnesse and chiefedome Mat. 20. 2. 5 26. Mar. 10. 42 43. Luke 22. 2●… 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from whom they say they can fetch their greatnesse forbids them to bee Lords over Gon●… h●…ritage 1. Pet. 5 3. 3. Because St. John the Apot wrote to L●…dly 〈◊〉 who loved to have the preheminence in receiving forbidding and casting men out of the Church that hee would when he came remember his deeds done and his pr●…ing against the 〈◊〉 and others with malicious words 3. I●…hn 9. 10. for those that love the prehemine●… cannot but ●…tter their malice against them that find fault with their proud deeds and words 4. Because Father 〈◊〉 gave cou●…ell to King Edward to us lord all the Lordly Bishops to remov●…●…hem 5. 〈…〉 〈◊〉 POSITION 4. 1. 2. 3. 〈…〉 4. 5. 〈◊〉 in the con●…cration of Bishops there is not one word of liberty this way but exhortations and prayers made onely for executing the office of a Bishop which he promiseth to doe by the grace of God by the help of God God being his helper which they very faithfully performe in being civi●… Magistrates and sittin●… in the seat of ju●…ice to heare temporall causes 6. 7. POSITION 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. Divines witnessed by Chri●… the great Bish●…p of o●… soules who spent hi●… time ●…n preaching day by day and made it the great●…st test●…mony of Peters love to him t●… fee●… h●…s La●… Ioh●…●…1 15 16 17. ●…lso man●…fest by Saint P●…l 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 frequent p●…aching and in his so charging 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 before and in alloting double honour especially to the 〈◊〉 that labou●…s in word and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 5. 17. 〈◊〉 likewise by St. Pet●… who 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 then even ●…he that was the Bishop of Rome the great 〈◊〉 of Chri●… if the 〈◊〉 writers li●… not to feed the flock of Chri●… taki●…g the oversight thereof a●…Bishops not by constraint but 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of ●…die mi●…●… 〈◊〉 ●…●… 3. 5. 〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is consecrated he is charged to take heed to teaching and to bee diligent therein that he might s●…ve himselfe and them that heare him and that the encr●…se 〈◊〉 thereby might appeare to all men and to become unto the flock of Christ a 〈◊〉 ●…nd no●… 〈◊〉 Wolfe 〈◊〉 to feed them and not to d●…●…voure them to hold up the weake to hea●…e the sick to build up the broken-hearted to se●…ke the lost and to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All this the A●…-Bishop be●… of G●… fo●… 〈◊〉 ●…nd desires the L●…ord to endue the Bishop with his ●…oly spirit that he may preach the word and bids him take the holy spir●…t and to remember to 6. Because Father Lati●…er said the very Dive●…l himselfe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God setup the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…ching pr●…lacie and if they preach not ●…aith Thomas Bec●… it s an evid●…t tok●…●…hat Chri●… sent them not but Antichrist and the D●…ll 7. Because th●… very Councell of Trent set this down for 〈◊〉 truth that the preaching of G●…ds word was the principall part of a Bishops Office adding many words to shew the necessity of their preaching And therefore the positio●… is as true as lead is steele That Bishops 〈◊〉 not preach but seldome or ●…ever as it pleaseth them POSITION 6. They are Priests and may so bee rightly called Though they be Bishops yet they forget not their Priesthood but will be called Priests 1. B B●…cause the Scriptures of the N●… Testament have given them their names befitting their Office which men may not vary from to miscall them by another name not befitting their function we may not presume to spe●…ke otherwise of G●…ds Minist●…rs than he hath taught us to call them except wee thinke we can better know how to impose names on them than hee himselfe wee m●…y not in such cases presume above that which is written 1 C●…r 4. 6. 2. B●…ause when Christ ascended up into Heaven and gave gifts for the Ministerie Eph. 4. 11. the Apostl●… mentioneth what he g●…ve but among these neither a Pri●…sthood nor Priest hee n●…meth Apostles Pr●…phets Euangelists Pa●…ours Tea●…hers and elsewhere Bishops Phil. 1. 1. T●… 1●…7 Ti●… 〈◊〉 1. 2. and Elders 1. Tim. 5. 17. but no wher●… put he the name of Priest upon any of them 3. Because ●…he name Priest often mentioned in S●…ripture cannot in any acc●…ption of the name bee rightly applyed to any one in 〈◊〉 minister●…all function under the Gospell for the name Pr●…sts are one of these sorts Either Patriar●…hal as was 〈◊〉 before the Law Ge●… 14. Or A●…ical under the Law which God appointed by the ●…and of Moses Exod. 28. 1. Or Diab●…licall as were the Priests of Ba●…l and of Jupit●…r 2 K 11. 18. ●…cts 14. 13. Or huatheni●… like as the Pr●… of 〈◊〉 1 King 11. 15. Or the Evangelicall and
gift of the holy Ghost Act. 8 18 19. 4. Because they greatly extoll the dignity of Lord Bishops by writing for it by preaching alowd for it in high places and cannot or will not otherwise beleeve but that they bee such 〈◊〉 Lords jur●… divin●… for they find it written how can 〈◊〉 beleeve which receive honour one from another and seeke not the honour which commeth from God alone Iohn 5. 44. Now all these so lawfull meanes they use because they would be knowne to come with no greedy desire to such honour And therefore before their consecration they hypocritically refuse it three times because they have either read or heard of as it hath bintold them that really and in earnest some ancient Bishops have had Bi●…p-ricks forced upon them against their wills as had Saint Augusti●… Ambrose Athanasius Gregorie 〈◊〉 Father and many moe some utterly have refused and by no perswa●…ons would take diverse great and wealthie Bishop-ricks as on●…Ephraim Syrus Ny●… and Saint Bernard who did refuse the Bishoprick of 〈◊〉 and Mill●… as also did Adrian the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury with others moe but more fooles they for their 〈◊〉 shame none now or very few to seeke 〈◊〉 after Bishop-ricks and to use such blessed meanes as are afore mentioned to obtaine them For they find it written that in the last dayes men shall be lovers of their 〈◊〉 s●…lves 〈◊〉 and so forth 2 Tim. 3. 1. 2. POSITION 11. They may not forsake their so warra●…table Lordly Prelaticall standing 1. BEcause they read the complaint they ceased ●…ot from their 〈◊〉 doings nor from their stubborne way 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2. Because Christ hath said 〈◊〉 plant which my heavenly Father hath not planted shall be 〈◊〉 up M●… 15. 13. 3. Because they know the lo●…e to be great both of wealth honour and ple●…sure and they read that Chri●… Discipl●…●…sooke all to follow him Mat 19 27. And 〈◊〉 voluntarily left his honour and the pleasures of sinne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the reproach of Christ with the people of God Heb. 11. 25. 26. 4. Because they find it written thou 〈◊〉 not the things which be of God but these things which bee of men Mat 16. 23. 5. Because they are taught a good lesson by Saint 〈◊〉 saying love not the World nor the things that are in the World that is the lust of the eyes the lust of the eyes and the pride of life if any man love the world the love of God the Father is not in him 1 John 2 15. 6. Because they 〈◊〉 or may read of very many Bishops in former times who voluntarily renounced their places not onely Bishops in other Countries but ours here in our owne Nation as of foure Arch-Bishops of Canterbury foure of Yorke two of London two of Lincolne two of Coventry and Litchfield two of Worcoster three of Rochester and others to the number of 37. or 38. Bishops Putta a Bishop of Rochester left his place and turned a Schole Master all his daves Father Latimer gave over his Bishoprick of Worcester and blessed God that gave him that grace to resigne it and to make himselfe a quondam Bishop But when our Reverend Lordly Fathers thinke on thes●… they oppose Lordly 〈◊〉 a better example for them to follow for hee as they doe loved to have the preheminence 3 Iohn 9. and they looke upon hundreds of others more worthie imitation wiser men who learned the words of our Saviour Christ without booke The Children of this world are wiser in their generation then the Children of the light Luke 16. 8. 7. Because they know that this Lordlynesse and their secular employments hinder greatly the spirituall function and almost quite taketh them off from it as the Kings of Denmarke and Sweden found to be true and as wee find it if wee will judge aright and as the now most reverend Arch-Bishop of Canterbury acknowledgeth in his dedicatory Epistle before his late published booke that by such occasions he was made too much a stranger to his Bookes 8. Because they know what great good they may do to settle peace betweene his Majesty and his Subjects and prevent much evill which may fall out upon both Nations if they would freely and truely confesse these three things 1. That their Lordly standing is not jure divine but an hum 〈◊〉 invention as hath beene heretofore acknowledged by Bishops by holy Martyrs learned Doctours in this our Church 2. That true religion with the saving knowledge of Christ might be more propagated Gods holy worship more purely preserved without them then with them as the Church of Scotland hath found true by experience and doth testifie as much 3. That the Civill estate may bee most peaceably governed and Monarchicall government made to slourish in piety and plenty without their great Lordships If the Cathedrall great revenues might be employed to the training up of young Divines and thence Pastours chosen when places are void in Parishes If Bishops Palaces might be for Schooles of Learning and the Temporalities bestowed to the maintenance thereof and other pious uses as by the wisedome of the state in Parliament should be thought most fit among other godly acts to help to enlarge the maintenance of many poore Ministers who have livings of very small value of only ten pound or twelve pound per annum and some no more numeratis 〈◊〉 out of which they pay Tenths and Subsidies yea and some where at a new Bishops enterance they pay him a benevolence the tenth of their poore maintenance which their gracious good Lordships will not remit one penny off POSITION 12. No Bishops no King this is undeniable FOR they support the Throne of Kings this is an undoubted truth the reasons are very manifest 1. Because its 〈◊〉 in Revel. 17. 12. that the ten hornes are ten Kings which receive power as Kings at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with the Beast 2. Because they raigne as Kings without the King for 1. They keepe their Courts and Visitations without speciall patent under the broad Seale 2. They print Articles upon their owne authority and minister oathes upon them 3. They send out processes in their owne name and many other things they doe contrary to the Statutes of the 〈◊〉 as hath by some learned in the Law beene fully proved by which they doe rule over his Majesties good Subjects contrary to his Crowne and Dignity 3. Because Kings may very well and safely reigne without them for 1. The Roman Emperours did reigne a long time before there were any Lord Bishops 2. King 〈◊〉 here the first Christian King reigned without them and it was hee that made some Bishops some Arch-Bishops and not they him a King 3. 〈◊〉 and others States in reformed Churches doe subsist without them and cannot Kings be Kings without such Lord like Bishops they may if they have but eyes to see it 4. As spirituall Lords they have nothing to doe in Civill causes and as they be Barons by their ●…lities they be made
〈◊〉 in the Stocks and all was because hee preached against wicked Priests wicked false Prophets the wicked high Priest and against the superstition and 〈◊〉 of the times for which great wrath came upon them the sword 〈◊〉 and captivity 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 them in their 〈◊〉 be●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 did so with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thus wee see how they encourage diligent Ministers and what 〈◊〉 they be to the idle Ministers Non-residents and 〈◊〉 being all faithfull men to them but not of God to their 〈◊〉 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. 〈…〉 life and such wee have frequenting Tavernes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Alehouses drinking till some be drunke falling to 〈◊〉 and sometimes to fighting for they know it s written that a Minister is to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of good 〈◊〉 not given to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 striker 1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. 3. Some other of these so conformable yet of an other temper they beare with all being as one of themselves complaine 〈◊〉 and ambitious in heaping together Benefices and promotions 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to discharge their dutie either by their owne persons or by entertaining or providing able and sufficient 〈◊〉 for they find it written these 〈◊〉 are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 never having enough which looke 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and every one of them 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esay 56. 11. And they find it complained of by Saint Paul that all seeke their owne and not the things that are Iesus Christ Phil 2. 20. and the same Apostle tells them that they should not be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 but as men of God to 〈◊〉 these things 1. Tim. 6. 12. Tit 1. 7. Yet these three sorts of godly Ministers and that in great number are nourished up in the bosome of our Church almost if not altogether without controule For they know all these three forts to bee for their Lordships their standing is secured by being over blind prophane worldly and 〈◊〉 affected Ministers These they trouble not for they read that the zeale of the Bishop of Ephesus would not permit him to suffer those that were evill Rev. 2. 1. These keepe people in ignorance a grounded stadle for superstition will-worship 〈◊〉 if you will and whatoever devised formes and gestures their Lordships please to put upon them yea the silly people devoutly make them acts of religion which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their good Lordships for they know that these miserable sort of people doe worship as did the 〈◊〉 they know not what John 4. 22. and that they may ride upon them as Balaam upon his Asse POSITION 14. They hate to 〈◊〉 the King 1. BEcause when they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as they ever 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they 〈◊〉 before the King but not to the King but ever for the King 2. Because they studie the as one of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 what may 〈◊〉 please they 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Prophet 〈◊〉 with his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in his 〈◊〉 to his 〈◊〉 1. King 22. 11. 12. 3. If any other bee admitted to preach before the the King 1. They either must be 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 knowing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 High way 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 how to 〈◊〉 before King for they have 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 and can say it perfectly without booke and without the 〈◊〉 of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for each things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 30. 10. 2. 〈◊〉 they be such of whom there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then these mens 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 most be 〈◊〉 or a premonition given them to be very 〈◊〉 for offending for they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King 〈◊〉 advised 〈◊〉 to doe as the false 〈◊〉 did to say as they said and to speake good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 3. Or they be such for all the forewarning as will speake some what 〈◊〉 as an 〈◊〉 which is hardly ever knowne in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of Bethel will take him to 〈◊〉 hee must be complained of to the King be held unsufferable 〈◊〉 sent away with an inhibition for they find it written in 〈◊〉 letters 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any more in Bethel for it is the Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is the Kings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4. Because where they find in 〈◊〉 any titles of Honour and praise given to Kings 〈◊〉 what they should be they apply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King beleeve that every way he is such a one Judge you that heare them preach or read their printed 〈◊〉 made before the King for they find it written there is no 〈…〉 Ps. 5. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they have 〈◊〉 out of 〈…〉 Joh. 32. 21. 22. 〈…〉 5. Because they teach the power of Kings to bee 〈◊〉 for they 〈…〉 the Throne is established by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 16. 〈◊〉 〈…〉 And they may 〈◊〉 it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God did use 〈…〉 4. 〈◊〉 they 〈…〉 As 〈◊〉 did David Samuel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Esay 39. 13. 19. 〈◊〉 24. 20. The 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sharply by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for his 〈◊〉 1 Chro. 〈◊〉 19. K. 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 7. Therefore can they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the 〈◊〉 ones without their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 find 〈◊〉 as a 〈◊〉 〈…〉 So 〈◊〉 that is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 still Rev. 22. 11. for they are not full of power by the 〈◊〉 of God to declare unto Iacob his 〈◊〉 and to 〈◊〉 his sinnes as 〈◊〉 did 〈◊〉 3. 8. 11. and as God by Esay commanded Esay 58. 1. POSITION 15. They greatly further the peoples knowledge in divine things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their ignorance 〈◊〉 1. BEcause they make such ignorant Ministers and tollerate these sorts afore mentioned to bee their Ministers 2. Because they as you have heard 〈◊〉 so much godly and painefull 〈◊〉 whom they often displace and put wicked ones into their roomes their now daily practise 3. Because 〈◊〉 are put downe by some of them and wholy throughout 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with a thanks be to God that they have 〈◊〉 within their 〈◊〉 for they read how their 〈◊〉 shut up the Kingdome of God against men Mat. 23. 13. and 〈◊〉 away the key of knowledge Luke 11. 50. 〈◊〉 themselves but did hinder others that would have entered 4. Because they make reading preaching for they find in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that when the 〈◊〉 were read they had 〈◊〉 that preached unto 〈◊〉 Act. 15. 21. and 13. 15. 5. Because they at 〈◊〉 some of them preferre set payers read before preaching holding prayers to be Gods service and preaching no part of his service For that they may read 〈◊〉 preaching was ever before set 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 300 yeares after 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spent himselfe in preaching hee sent his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and charged it upon others with great 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Moreover they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 10. 14. knowledge and 〈…〉 6. Because they forbid preaching in the afternoone for they find it written that 〈◊〉 Paul preached in the afternoone Act. 20. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Peter and 〈◊〉 who went up
when he ordained Elders others therein were with him Acts 14. 23. 4. These have made many 〈◊〉 1. To an other kind of Office to read service for they read their Office was to care for the poore Act. 6. 2. Very young and v●…o 〈◊〉 For they find it written that the first 〈◊〉 were honest men full of the holy Ghost and wisedome Acts 6. 3. and that Paul would have them grave not light headed lads holding the Ministery of Faith with a pure conscience c. 1 Tim. 3. 8. 9. 5. These have made dumb Ministers and many other very unfit for the ministery For they find it written that Saint Paul will have his Minister Pastour and Elder to be 〈◊〉 to teach holding fast the faithfull word and to bee able by sound Doctrine to exhort and convince 〈◊〉 as also to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of good behaviour c. 1 Tim. 3. 1. ●… Tit. 1. 9. Not a Novice least being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the Devill 1 Tim. 3. 6. 6. These do●… not constantly employ themselves in the preaching of the word For they find it written that Saint Paul would with a vehement exhortation have Bishop Timothy to preach the word to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in season and out of season c. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2. and to 〈◊〉 to reading exhortation and doctrine and wholy to give himselfe 〈◊〉 1 Ti●… 4. 13. 15. 7. These at least not a few of them have their families not very orderly not very religiously demeaning themselves For they read that Saint P●…l would have ●…Bishop not given to Wine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 house ●…Tim 3. 3. 4. 8. These some of them all know are covetous not hospitall nor lovers of good-men but bitter against them For they find it written by Saint Paul that his Bishop must be given to hospitality not c●…s nor greedy of filthylucre a Lover of good men just 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3. ●… 3. Tit. ●… 8. and a patterne of good workes Tit. ●… 7. 9. These speake roughly to Elders called before them and easily receive accusations and informations against them and without proofe of witnesses will proceed against them For they find it written rebuke not an Elder but intreat him as a Father and against an Elder receive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but before 2. or 3. witnesses 1 Tim. 4. 1. 9. 10. These be deadly Enemies unto all hereticall Spirits 1. For some of them under pretence writing against Iesuites doe strike through the sides of the truely zealous defenders of the truth and the very truth it selfe cunningly upholding popish Tenents 2. For that in their late so called Sacred sy●…d they silently p●…c over 〈◊〉 the S●…n heresie not touching upon it but the favourers of this way get up to preferment 3. For that 〈◊〉 that damned and cursed heresie is not laid open to bee certainely knowne of all that it might be discovered and the Hereticks themselves be so sound out and duely punished 4. For that the A●…s and S●…s knowne as also convicted Papists are never called before them not proceeded against For they find it written by Saint Paul to Arch-Bishop Titus that a man that is an 〈◊〉 after the first and second 〈◊〉 to be rejected Tit. 3. 10. How really and exactly observant these reverend Fathers be of all S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and constitutions may hereby appeare to all their Adversaries who hitherto have so much and so often for a long time complained so bitterly against them and their sacred proceedings And who seeth not that these reverend 〈◊〉 Lord-Bishops deserve their honour that they walke worthy their places and are to bee maintained for Churches wellfare and the common wealths happinesse till Anti-Christs downefall and the utter ruine of Rome which all Christians have good cause to pray for especially if wee take into our wise consideration these few things in briefe 1 That all their proceedings are by booke even altogether contrary to that which is written as hath been declared 2. That they make Canons such as they please and without confirmation by act of Parliament and yet violently urge them as Law upon his Majesties Subjects and doe frame Articles out of them by oath to be observed 3. That whatsoever in the Statute Lawes or in their owne Canons they find usefull for themselves in their way they diligently bend themselves to have them carefully observed but as for all the rest which perhaps may be such as tend to true pietie sound doctrine faithfull discharge of good duties to God and to man and for an holy life and conversation they farre lesse regard and for the most part passe them over 4. That in afflicting punishments there is more respect to the persons hability what he is able to pay then the amendment of his life the Lord knowes it 5. That they generally suffer foule abuses in the Church not conscionably seeking a redresse thereof which yet are in their power to reforme if they would seriously as in Gods presence take it into hand and let petty matters alone and fall upon the removing of greater enormities even raigning sinnes which provoke God to wrath in all sorts of persons both of the higher degrce commonly let alone and of the lower ranke medled with onely for the purse sake 6. That they notoriously abuse generally all the people of the Land with the name of the Church of England undor which name they countenance themselves their Prelaticall power and their owne sole doings which few take notice of but all may easily observe it in their proceedings both before the convocation gathered in the time of the convocation and after its broken up Before the Convocation 1. One the greatest which aweth all the rest with the assistance of two or three Lording Spirits such as care not to turne all upside downe so they may be sure to hold their standing consult of matters which they hold most fit and having concluded what to do within themselves they propound them to the rest of the Bishops their fearfull brethren who dare not but say as they say when they meet together thus the Church beginneth 2. To further their designes Clarkes in the Countrie for the Convocation house must be chosen but not freely by the Ministers as they ought but picked out by the Bishops in their owne diocesse such as they know will bee sure cards for them and propound them to be chosen of the over-awed Parsons and Vicars who dare not for their cares gainesay them and thus the Bishops make up a Parke for their Lord-ships purposes having made ready their Clarkes they call together their su pporters all the D●…s all the Arch-Deacons and who else must be personally there in that Assembly men knowne for the most part to be very faithfull to their Lordships honourable standing to make up the representative body of the Church of England Thus they the Church forsooth goe to lay a sure foundation for themselves before the Convocation be brought
together 3. But here note that the Church consists of the Laity as well as of the 〈◊〉 Acts 15. ●… so as if the house of Parlament lower and upper be not of them but secluded they are not the representative body of the Ch●… of England but of the Clergie onely and the Prel●… Church In the time of their sitting 1. All these Priests and Clarkes sit there to gaz●… 〈◊〉 upon another and to whisper of matters nothing o●… 〈◊〉 to the purpose of their meeting but wait for their 〈◊〉 from their Lordships like Schoole boyes 2. When they have received their directions a bo●… se are so seiseth upon almost all of them as thereby thy are moved to agree to contradict nothing but if it so happen that some take courage a rare vertue among them for the truth and doe oppose in some materiall things which crosse their Lordly designements Then 3. Either they labour by a strong side and more in number for the greatest and most are not ever the best to make them yeeld or to say nothing or else to get their Canons passe They devise a time when the better sort al or most are away to finish the worke thus the Church of England makes here decrees to all her beloved children but yet are of no force without an act of Parlament After the Convocation is dissolved 1. If any matter be not onely in shew questionable but is justly to bee questioned their Lordships by their sole wisedome in their severall di●…sse must interpret the meaning and men must also rest satisfied though the meaning given be absurd for its a folly to goe from a Bishop to an Arch-Bishop time hath taught men their lost la●…our therein 2. If in time the One great one and some two three or foure bethinke themselves of any course better befitting their secret plots and intentions in altering in adding or taking from in any innovation whatsoever then they have wayes to beare out all these their doings with gaining help of Royall declarations and proclamations to beare them out which being setled in peace then they become the orders allowed by the Church And thus may all wise men see who are this Church of England one with two three or foure of the diocesan lord-Lord-Bishops for they find it written with clipping the text that if two of them much more three or foure with a body of Cyphers be gathered together and agree in the Convocation house touching any thing it shall be done Mat. 18. 19. O Lord open the eyes of our 〈◊〉 both to see and consider and also to 〈◊〉 against these 〈◊〉 Lord Bishops to make them Bishops indeed or else to remove them 〈◊〉 very ill 〈◊〉 the Church and State Let them fall by their owne Councels and let all the people of God say Amen FINIS Twenty irrefragable POSITIONS 1. THat Bishops Jure divino are superiours to other Ministers 2. They are Diocesan Bishops by divine right 3. They are worthily called Lord Bishops 4. They may very well busie themselves in civill affaires and sit in Courts of Iustice 5. They need not preach often but seldome or never if they please 6. They are Priests and may be so rightly called Though they be Bishops yet they forget not their Priesthood but will be called Priests 7. They stand for and d●…c maintaine all Ceremonies upon very good grounds 8. They judge it necessary that what soever is amisse in the Church should be carefully and speedily reformed and this is evident to all 9. They may very well rule by their sole power alone 10. Their high authority so lawfull they all obtaine by very lawfull meanes 11. They may not forsake their sowarrantable Lordly Prelaticall standing 12. No Bishops no King this is undeniable 13. They stand wholy for a learned grave painefull and godly ministery 14. They hate to flatter the King 15. They greatly further the peoples knowledge in divine things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their ignorance 16. They have a speciall care that God being a spirit should have a spirituall worship and this onely according to his written word 17. They preferre the Churches union and what God requireth to be done before their owne Lordly dignity and what they themselves command 18. They be the greatest Enemies that the Church of Rome hath here amongstus 19. They abhorre all shew of idolatrie 20. They may very lawfully minister the Oath ex Officio to any whom they dare call before them They have the same name Th●… 〈◊〉 on th●… s●…me T●…●…nour and ●…ard the same They ●…ad on●… and the same charge over the flock Acts 20. 28. 1. Pet. 5. 2. Many 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ter the epi●…les were written See the unbi●… of Tim. and Tit. See the answer to Bishop D. serm. pag. 113. 114. pag. 115. See T. and T. unbish●… page 4. Ibidem 〈◊〉 Pag. 117. T. and Tit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 168. What was given them was of 〈◊〉 and not of due as an invested title Abusing Gods name by s●…eming to pray for that which never is intended Sess. 24. This rule they onely make use of when all the rest are of like authority divi●… and Apo●…ol call and delivered by the same Apostle which they take no notice of not careing to sinn●… against their brethren and against Christ 1 Cor. 8. 12. See Tim and Tit. 〈◊〉 B. M. Three grounds of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 They will 〈◊〉 call them Martyrs but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may in print call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Numb. 35. 30 Deut. 19. 15 and 17. 6 Heb. 10. 28. Plin. 〈◊〉 10. Epist. 98. Victor de persocut Vandal Jer. 4. 2. Digest lib. Decret. pag 2 Cous 23. quast 4. In Epist. 1 Cor. c1 5. Statute 15. 〈◊〉 8. ca 15 cemmen Law See 〈◊〉 touching Bishops effictalls pag 62. This master Fuller hath fud manisesled in the defence of 〈◊〉 Client Crompton 182 〈◊〉 de ●… 〈◊〉 brev. pag. 141 〈◊〉 pag. 36. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●… 1 Tim. 1. 3. and 3. 14. 15. Tit. 1 5. Laid their hands They ordained They layd their hands on them