by the constitution Canons and observation of that Church And to the end that this poynt may the better be considered because it giveth great light and proof to the whole controversie concerning the Antichristianity of their estate I wil here note a few special things which among many other apperteyning to their office calling may to this purpose be observed First for their Deacons they are at their entrance into that office presented to the Prelate by an Archdeacon or his deputy saying Reverend father in God I present vnto you these persons present to be admitted Deacons 2. Then the Bishop commending them to the prayers of the Congregation with the Clerks people present is to say or sing the Letanie and Suffrages with the communion of the day and a number of stinted prayers Collects borrowed from the Papists 3. They promise that they wil reverently obey their Ordinary other chief Ministers of the Church that is the Lord Bishop of the Dioces the Archbishop Archdeacon Chancelor Commissarie the rest of that sort whose offices are Antichristian 4. After this promise made they are then ordeyned Deacons by the Lord Bishop or his Suffragane laying his hands vpon their head and saying Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God committed vnto thee in the name of the Father the sonne and the holy Ghost Amen 5. And then the Bishop delivereth to every one of them the new Testament saying Take thou authority to read the Gospel in the Church of God and to preach the same if thou be therevnto ordinarily commaunded 6. Then one of them appoynted by the Bishop reads the Gospel of that day And they al are injoyned to receive the communion with the Bishop 7. Also among the works and duties of their office they are appoynted to read Homilies and divine service to instruct the youth in the Catechisme to Baptise and to preach if they be admitted thereto by the Bishop Whereas it cannot be shewed that the Apostles ever layd these dutyes vpon the Deacons but such as are * Act. 6.2.3.4 Rom. 12.8 plainely opposed to the ministerie of the word and prayer namely the charge of the poor and Church treasure for the gathering and distribution of the Churches benevolence Wherevpon some of themselves seeking reformation have published heretofore that ‡ Defence of Eccles Discip pag. 102. their Deaconship is a mere humane institution a degree to the Priesthood and nothing like the ordinance of God that †Admon to Parliam first treatise though the name of Deacons be remayning among them yet the office is fowly perverted turned vpside downe and that * Defence of godly Minist pag. 108. it is manifestly contrarie to the word of God The example of Philip who was one of the seven Deacons preached baptized which by some is alledged for approbation of their practise wil not help them For he was in a true and lawfull office not in an Antichristian he had a lawful calling by the Church not an vnlawful entrance by Prelates as these have whē where he was Deacō the Apostles ministred the word and baptized neither was he then ordeyned to the administration thereof but attended to the tables of the poor and afterwards when he preached and baptized he did the work and office of an Evangelist by which name the Scripture expresly calleth him Act. 6 2-6 2.14.40.41.42 21.8 with 8.5 6 7.12 26 29. c. Next for the Priests first they must be Deacons that is set by the Prelates in the office and after the maner aforesayd 2. Then having continued in that office the space of a yeare except it seem otherwise good to the Ordinary they are agayne presented to the Bishop or his Suffragane by an Archdeacon or his deputy saying Reverend father in God I present these persons present to be admitted to the Order of Priesthood 3. Afterward there followeth the Letany and some Collects and stinted prayers taken out of the Popes pontificall with an exhortation an Epistle and Gospell wherein they abuse and pervert the Scripture 4. Then the Prelate asketh them Do you think in your hart that you be truly called according to the wil of our Lord Iesus Christ and the order of this Church of England to the Ministery of Priesthood And the partyes that are to be ordeyned answer every one for himself I think it 5. At which tyme also they promise agayne reverently to obey their Ordinary other chief Ministers of the Church that is the Prelates and other Officers aforesaid 6. So after a few questions made and prayers read they kneel downe vpon their knees at the Prelates feet he with the Priests present lay hands severally vpon the head of every one of them that receiveth orders saying vnto them Receive the holy Ghost whose sinnes thou doest forgive they are forgiven and whose sinnes thou doest reteyne they are reteyned be thou a faithfull dispensour of the word of God and of his holy Sacraments In the name of the Father of the sonne and of the holy Ghost Amen 7. And then the Prelate delivereth to each of them the Bible in his hand saying Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to minister the holy Sacraments in the congregation where thou * Note how they may be made Priests though yet they have no charge or flock to attend vnto shalt be so appointed Thus are they made Priests when at any tyme they enter into a benefice they must besides have the Presentation of the Patrone who may be a Papist or Familist c. the institution of the Prelate who is an Antichrist to whome now also they sweare to yeeld Canonicall obedience by whom otherwise they stand alway subject to be silenced suspended degraded and deprived And for the works of their calling some are such as Christ hath not prescribed to his Ministers in his Testament such as be their solemnization of mariage buriall of the dead churching of women reading of homilies stinted prayers c. some being such as Christ hath prescribed yet at they not so administred as he in his word hath ordeyned but according as is appointed in their book of Common prayer in their Canons Injunctions Advertisements c. according to which they are bound to pray and to administer the word Sacraments and censures among them Other particulars many and straunge vsed in the entrance and performance of their Office of Priesthood I omit Onely I will annex this one thing more how by their Canons they have now provided further and made it a constitution of their Church * Canons of Anno 1603. Can. 36. †That no person shall be received into the Ministery nor admitted to any Ecclesiasticall living nor suffred to preach except he be licenced by the Archbishop or Bishop of the Dioces c. and except he shall first subscribe That
with their walking it is more then tyme needfull that they did it that they did it soundly from the word of God For as yet what do they els but with one mouth both blesse and curse and with the one hand build vp that which with the other they destroy and so make themselves trespassers Gal. 2.18 The seventh Argument taken out of Mr Bradsh book aforesaid vidz vide licet out of the tenth Argument of that Treatise IT is a sinne against Christ the sole Head of the Church to have spirituall communion with those Ministers which in the administration of Divine things do eyther by word or deed solemnely professe yeeld a spirituall Homage to an vsurped spirituall authority in the Church But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authority of Lord Archbishops and Bishops which is vsurped Ergo It is a sinne against Christ the sole head of the Church to have spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church assemblies of England The Proposition may not be gainesaid For all spirituall power vsurped over the Churches of God is an Antichristian authority and to communicate with those Ministers which professe spirituall homage therevnto is to communicate with such as professe spiritual homage vnto Antichrist which must needs be a sin against Christ the sole head of the Church The Assumption hath two parts 1. That the Ministers of the Church of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authoritie of Archbishops and Lord Bishops Which is most evident because they preach the word and administer the Sacraments by vertue of their calling received from the Archbishops and Bishops who give them authority herevnto at their ordination saying to every one of them * Book of ordering Priests fol. 14. Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to Minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed Which things themselves cannot deny to be meer Ecclesiasticall Religious and spirituall Actions injoyned among them to be done by offices callings received from the Prelates Ecclesiasticall and spirituall authority So as the doing of them by vertue thereof must needs be a solemne declaration of spirituall homage yeelded to the same authority 2. The second part of the Assumption is That the authority of their Lord Archbishops and Bishops is an vsurped authority The confirmation whereof Mr Bradsh setteth downe in these words following This is sufficiently proved of late by Mr Iacob in his 1. Assertion by many reasons Onely because the weight of the Argument leaneth vpon it I will vse one Reason Those Officers Rulers in the Church that make claime to be of Divine institution chalenge to themselves Apostolicall authority and iurisdiction as the onely Successours of the Apostles to sit onely in Moses chaire To have sole power of the Keyes To cut from the visible Church and receive againe To have power of creating displacing all other ecclesiasticall officers To be the Vniversall Pastors of whole Dukedomes and Kingdomes vnder whom all other Pastors are as Curates c. And yet for all this are such as stand and are supported onely by humane Traditions Ceremonies such as a civill Magistrate may without sinne put out of the Church and such as the true Churches of God may renounce and yet continue the true Church as Antichristian Vsurpers spirituall Tyrants I say all such Officers and Rulers exercise an vsurped authoritie in the Church But our Archbishops Bishops are such Rulers and Officers as are aforesaid Ergo They execute an Vsurped power over the Church The Proposition may easily be iustified For if inferiour officers vidz vide licet Pastors of particular Congregations have had may have firme continuance in the Church without these humane devises and inventions If the Magistrate cannot without sinn put them out of the Church And if those can be no true Churches that renounce to have particular Pastours and Ministers over them it must much more hold in such Church-officers and Rulers as these are if their authority be lawfull good For whilest the Apostles lived they needed not any humane Traditions and devises to support their authority The Magistrates that sought to put them downe sinned with a high hand And that was no Church that renounced and disclaimed their Office Authoritie and Iurisdiction The Assumption is as easily justified For 1. they make claime Title to all those Prerogatives before rehearsed in the first part of the Proposition and vnto more then that as shal be proved if it be denied 2. It is an Embleme of their owne NO CEREMONIE NO BISHOP Ergo No humane Tradition and Invention no Bishop Ergo The office of a Bishop is supported by them eyther onely or specially 3. Their Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction is derived from the King els it is a flat deniall of his Supremacie Also themselves graunt in their last Tables of Discipline That the King hath power to increase or diminish the Circuit of a Bishoprick That he may make two or more Bishopricks of one one Bishoprick to be two or more Yea what should hinder but that he may divide the Bishoprick of London into 800. For where God hath not defined the number of Parishes that a Bishop is to reign over it must needs be a thing indifferent In which by their owne Doctrines the King hath authority without sinne to dispose If therefore the King may as well notwithstanding any thing in the Law of God give the Keyes of the Church to everie particular Pastour of a Congregation over his owne Congregation as to a Bishop over a Diocesse which taketh away the very Essence of an English Bishop He may without sinne take away the very Office of the Bishop which consists in having jurisdiction over many Congregations c. 4. There is no true sober Christians but will say that the Churches of Scotland Fraunce the low Countries and other places that renounce such Archbishops and Bishops as ours are as Antichristian vsurping Prelates are true Churches of God Which they could not be if the authoritie and prerogatives they claime to themselves were of Christ and not vsurped For if it were the ordinance of Christ Iesus that in every Kingdome that receiveth the Gospel there should be one Archbishop over the whole Kingdome One Bishop over many hundred Pastors in a Kingdome and all they invested with that authority and jurisdiction Apostolicall which they claime iure Divino to be due vnto them and to reside in them by the ordinance of Christ certainely that Church that should renounce and disclaime such an authority ordeyned in the Church cannot be a true Church but a Synagogue of Sathan For they that should renounce and deny such must needs therein renounce and deny
as Lord and King therof whose appointment therefore may not be altered or disobeyed 1 Cor. 12.5.28 with Heb. 3.5 6. 9.10.11 Mal. 1.6 Luk. 6.46 and 19.27 Col. 4.17 1 Thess 5.12 Rev. 1.5.13.16 22.18.19 3. Because he buildeth and worketh by and in his owne Ministerie as God who is gracious and powerful working all in all to whom therfore in his worship all submission and obedience is to be yeelded in his own Ministerie onely and in no other whatsoever 1. Cor. 12.6.28 with Heb. 3.3.4 1 Thess 4.8 1 Tim. 3.1 15. Rev. 1.8.16.20 and 2.1 3.1.14 4. Because to his owne Ministerie onely he calleth his people and promiseth his presence and blessing so as in rejecting it admitting another men do as much as in them lyeth reject and refuse his blessed presence and deny the obedience which they ow vnto him Mat. 28.20 Luk. 10.16 Ioh. 13.20 1 Tim. 3.1.15 6.3.4.5.13.14 Rev. 2.1 and 3.1 with Lev. 26.11.12.15.16 Deut. 33.10.11 Isa 62.6.7.8 Ier. 3.15 Zach. 14.20.21 2 Thes 2.3.4.10.15.16.17 Rev. 22.18.19.20 THe Assumption or latter part of the Reason is proved thus The Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church is of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephes 4.11.12 But the present Ministerie of the Church of England is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore it is not the Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church The Proposition is playn and vndenyable The Assumption is shewed thus The present Ministery of the Church of Engl. is of Prelates Priests and Deacons But neyther the Prelates Priests nor Deacons of that Church be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors or Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore the present Ministery of that Church is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 The Proposition is manifest by their Law constitution The Law of that Church establisheth not nor admitteth any other Ministery but that of their Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry received among themselves or from the Papists Their constitution is such as al the Ministers of that Church must be Priests or Deacons And these also eyther in a superiour degree as the Prelates the Lordbishops Archbs Suffraganes c. or in an inferiour as the Parsons Vicars Stipendaries Chapleynes c. The Assumption is thus proved And first concerning the three first spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The offices of the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists were extraordinary the chiefest appointed by christ for special imploymēt in laying the foundatiō of the christiā church religiō through the world preaching the Gospel every where erecting the kingdom of God in al nations opening foretelling the things revealed vnto them by the holy Ghost planting the Primitive Churches and setling them in the faith and ordinance of Iesus Christ which should continue to the end of the world c. But such are not the offices of the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 More particularly The Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as every one of them had were to have these properties That with their eyes they had seen the L. Iesus 1 Ioh. 1.1 1 Cor. 9.1 and 15.7.8.9 Act. 10.39.40.41 That by him immediately they were appointed to that office Mat. 28.18.19 Act. 1.2.24 25.26 with Prov. 16.33 Gal. 1.1 That of him and not of man they received the doctrine and commandements which they delivered to the Churches Mat. 28.20 Act. 1.2 4.13 Gal. 1.12 2.6 c. That they were sent into the whole world to preach the Gospel to everie creature to the Iewes and Gentiles of all nations Mat. 28.19.20 Mar. 16.15 Rom. 15.19 Act. 9.15 and 13. and 14 chap. c. That as Maister-builders they layd the foundation which should alway continue to the end Math. 28.19.20 with 1 Cor. 3.10.11 Ephe. 2.20 4.11.12.13 Rev. 21.14 That they should all be of equall authority Mat. 20.25.26.27 2 Cor 12.11 Gal. 2.9 Rev. 21.14 That they were filled with the gifts of the holy Ghost with variety of tongues ability to prophecy power to work miracles and to shew vndoubted argumēts of their Apostleship c. Act. 2. 3. 4. 5. ch c. with Ioh. 16.13 20.21.22 1 Cor. 14.18 2 Cor. 12.11.12 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons in the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 And Paul sayth that God set forth him and Barnabas the last Apostles appointed to death c. 1 Cor. 4.9 If they were the last how shal we now look for any mo after them Or if any wil yet so think of themselves or others we may be sure the tryall of them by the word of God wil evince them to be such as the Church of Ephesus foūd to be lyars which said they were Apostles but were not to in deed Rev. 2.2 The Prophets spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as with the Apostles had the Gospel revealed vnto them by the Spirit and delivered it for the foundation of the Christian Churches and religion and by speciall revelation opened applyed the Scriptures of the former Prophets and in waighty cases foretold things to come as by the holy Ghost was shewed vnto them Ephes 3.5 and 2.20 with 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 Act. 11.28 and 21.10.11 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Prophets spokē of Ephe. 4.11 The Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as having appointment direction by the Spirit or the Apostles preached the Gospel abroad and brought the Churches to a setled estate according to the order prescribed them by the Apostles whose companions and assistants they were going whither they sent them and returning whither they would have them Act. 21.8 with chap. 8.5.12.26 29.30.35.39.40 2 Tim. 4.5.9.10.11 with Rom. 16.21 1 Cor. 4.17 and 16.10 2 Cor. 1.1.19 Phil. 2.19.22 1 Thes 3.2.6 1 Tim. 1.2.3 c. and with Act. 16.1.3 and 17.14.15 and 18.5 and 19.22 and 20.4 Col. 4.10.11 with Act. 15.39.40 Tit. 1.4.5 and 3.12 with 2 Cor. 8.23 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Evangelists spoken of Ephe 4.11 The Propositions of these particular reasons are evident by the scriptures annexed vnto them The Assumptions are so playne as they need no proof at all And if any would deny them they ar bound themselves to shew the contrary by the Scriptures Which none can ever do Now as the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 so neyther are they Pastors or Teachers there spoken of by the Apostle Which now we wil also prove But first for further clearing of the truth and better discerning of their estate it is to be observed here that albeit themselves take it for granted
that they have these offices in their Church yet they neyther have agreed nor can agree among themselves who they be that have them whether the prelates or the other priests c. but are at a great jarre and in deed at a playne contradiction among themselves hereabout Many of the Prelates and Formalists say * Bridges Bilson c. that their Archbishops and Bishops are Pastors Teachers Some of them say ‖ Whitgift against T.C. p. 137. Andr. in the 2. Confer with M. Barrow that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor Many of the Reformists say that ‡ Mr. Sperin M. Egerton in the Confer M. Hilders M. Iacob in their writings the learned and painful Parsons of Parishes and Lecturing preachers among them are Pastors and Teachers Others of them say †Mr. Chaderton in the Sermon on Rom. 12. p. 33. c. Admon to the Parliam 1. 2. they want Pastors and Teachers and all the offices appointed by Christ to his Church that the Prelates robbe the Church of of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons that their Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stipendaries and the rest came from the Pope as out of the Troiane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome that they are the Prelates new creatures and that the Church of God never knew them And all the seekers of Reformation have shewed to the Parliament heretofore that the names and offices of Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops and the rest are together with their government drawen out of the Popes shop and contrary to the Scriptures that the Parsons Vicars Parish priests and Stipendaries be birds of the same fether and that â—hey have an Antichristian hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers strange from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world Thus are themselves confounded and thus are their tounges divided Yet cease they not still to plead for Baal and to bring balme for the sore of Babel which cannot be healed Ier. 51.8.9.58.64 with Rev. 18. chap. And now to proceed we wil shew by the Scriptures that none of the Ministers of that Church have the office of Pastors or Teachers spoken of by the Apostle Ephe. 4.11 which we prove thus 1. The Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 have their offices callings administration and maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament But the Prelates Priests Deacons of the Church of England have not their offices callings ministration maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament Therfore the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The truth of the Proposition appeareth by that place of Ephe. 4.8.11.12 Rom. 12.7.8 Act. 14.23 and 20. â—7 28 Heb. .5.4 Col. 4.17 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Pet. 5. â— 2.3 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. and 22.18.19 1 Cor. 4.1.2 and â— 4.5 and 9.14 and 11.23.24.25.26 and 12.28 Gal. 6. â— and throughout the Epistles to Timothee and Titus with other â—ike Scriptures The truth of the Assumption appeareth by their constitution and practise inasmuch as their offices of Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry their calling entrance according to their Pontificall and Book of consecrating Bishops and Archbishops and ordering Priests and Deacons as also that which some of them pretend to have by the ‡ Mr. Hilders letter sect 10. Mr. Iacobs comparison of Mariage and Pastorall calling His Reasons for necessity of reformation pag. 50. Offer of Conference pag. 39. choise acceptance and consent of their people who stand themselves vnder Antichrist and vnseparated from the world and are no true visible Churches of Christ their ministration by their owne and other popish Canons Articles Injunctions and Book of coÌ„mon prayer their Maintenance by Tithes Lordships c. were never ordeyned by Christ for his Ministerie of the Gospell but derived from Antichrist and his apostasie as hath been proved * The Discovery The Refutation of Mr. Giff. Answ to Mr. Hilders And to Mr. Iacob The Apologie c. by vs in divers Treatises published heretofore And if they still be otherwise mynded it lyeth vpon them to shew that Christ in his Testament hath appointed these their offices things aforesaid for his Ministerie Which none of them have yet done nor ever wil be able to do 2. Againe The Ministerie of Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 is the ordinarie and perpetual ministerie given by Christ to his Church such as the Princes of the earth neyther may nor ever shal be able to abolish seing Christ hath appointed it to continue to the end of the world Ephes 4.11.12.13 Rom. 12.5.7.8 and 13.3 Heb. 12.28 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17 and 6.13.14 with Mat. 28.20 But the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry of the church of England is not the ordinarie and perpetual Ministerie given by Christ to his Church but such as the Princes of the earth may and ought to abolish out of their Dominions Rev. 17.16 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 with 1 King 23. â— c. Deut. 12.2.3.4 Psal 72.1 c. Therfore the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry of the Church of England is not the Ministerie of Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 3. Also The offices of Pastors Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament are such as did and could â—tand with and vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Ephe. 4.11 Act. 15.4.6.22.23 20.17.28 Heb. â—3 7.17.23 Epist to Tim. Tit. 1 Pet. 5.1 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. But the offices of the Prelates Priests and Deacons of â—he Church of England are not such as did or could stand â—ith or vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangeâ—â—sts Which if any deny let them shew the contrary â—y the scriptures Light hath no fellowship with darknes nor Christ with Antichrist And suppose the Apostles were alive in their persons as they are in their writings and were in England it were worth the knowing whether they and the ordinances given by them should give place to the Prelates and their Canons and constitutions and whether they should be suffred to preach the Gospel and minister the Sacraments without acknowledging the Prelates authority subscribing to their Articles wearing of the Surplice signing with the Crosse in Baptisme c. for if we look to their * Canons of the yeare 1603. Can. 6.7.14 30.36.37.50.57.58 c. Canons Lawes practise and Church-constitutioÌ„ these tel all men playnely they must yeeld vnto theÌ„ that vnder payne of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ ipso facto c. Not to speak of their imprisoning persecuting of such as witnes the truth against them eveÌ„ vnto death Therfore they are not the Pastors and Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament 4. Moreover The offices of true Pastors and Teachers are by the ordinance of Christ set in the Church and employed in the Ministery of the word and Sacraments and Church goverment so as they may not with their
Prelates therevnto is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto Therfore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition of this Argument is proved first thus 1. The Ministerie of Deacons and Priests which accounts it self to be Christs yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs and yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministerie Therfore the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie The Proposition none can deny The Assumption hath two parts The one that the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs Ministery Which themselves will graunt The other that this was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery Which is proved already in the first Reason here before and in other Reasons hereafter following Agayne the Proposition of the Argument is proved secondly thus 2. If the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie then the Ministery ordeyned by them therevnto must needs be the Ministery of that Apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie Therfore the Ministery ordeyned by them is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie The consequence of the Proposition is manifest because the fruit musts needs be such as is the tree Neyther do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles Mat. 7.16.17.18 And who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Not any one Iob. 14.4 The Assumption is proved first thus 1. Whosoever besides Christ Iesus himself have such offices and government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords they have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie are indeed very Antichrists themselves But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie and are indeed very Antichrists themselves The Proposition is proved by the Scriptures which teach that there is but one Lord the Lord Iesus Christ Ephe. 4.5 1 Cor. 8.6 and 12.5 2 Cor. 3.17.18 with Psal 110.1 Micah 5.2 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 Ioh. 20.22.23 1 Cor. 11.23 14.37 Rev. 1.11.12.13 and 2.1 and 3.1.7 Now that these Scriptures and the like do speak of a spirituall Lord is playne both by the circumstances of the places themselves and because the Scripture other where giveth allowance of many civil or temporal Lords but no where of any spirituall Lord save Iesus Christ alone whose kingdome is not of this world Gen. 40.1 45.8 1 Sam. 16.16 and 26.17 1 King 1.11 Psal 149 8. Dan. 3.2 Act. 25.26 and 26.25 Rom. 13.1 1 Cor. 1.26 and 2.8 Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5.13.14 Rev. 17.14 and 19.16 compared with the Scriptures here cited before And moreover whosoever is a spirituall Lord he may require spirituall honour to be yeelded vnto him and hath the Spirit of God to give vnto his people and through himself by it can sanctifie them and their actions and service of his Name c. Which things who is there that can require and effect but onely the Lord himself And who then can be a spirituall Lord but he alone So as hereby also it appeareth that all other which take vpon them to be spirituall Lords are indeed very Antichrists The Assumption is proved by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land whose words be these Be it enacted by the Kings most excellent Maiestie the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled For by the Lords spirituall is meant here the Prelates And to the same end it is to be observed that in their Canons and practise they take vpon them as if they were spirituall Lords not onely to prescribe their own ordinances to the Church for the worship of God but also to bynd the spirit and conscience to the acknowledgment and approbation thereof and yet further in their ordination of Priests even to give the holy Ghost saying to the Priests when they ordeyne them Receive the holy Ghost c. as if it were in their power to give the Spirit of God to whom they would or that they were authorized herevnto by Iesus Christ who onely is the spirituall Lord of his Church and giveth his spirit according to his own will to whom and as it pleaseth him Ioh. 1.14.16 and 15.26 20.22 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.7 Ephe. 4.7.1 Ioh. 2.20.27 The Assumption aforesaid is proved secondly thus 2. The offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident inasmuch as the offices government of such Bishops and subjection of such Ministers and Churches are onely to be found in Antichrists apostasie and were never appointed by Christ or his Apostles For now in the tyme of the Gospell Christ hath set no other forme of visible Churches to which he hath given offices of Ministery but onely particular congregations such as may come together in one and joyntly perform all publick dutyes layd vpon them by the word of God As may appeare by the constitution of †Act. 1.15 2.41.42 with 6.2.3.5 6. 11.22 and 15.22.23 21.17 18.22 And 13.1.2 14.23 16 4.5 and 20.17.28 And the epistles to the Rom. Cor. Gal. Ephe. Phil. Col. Thes c. all the Churches planted by the Apostles and written unto by them in so many severall epistles also by the Churches to whom Christ wrote by Iohn in the Revelation Rev. 1.11 with 2. and 3. chap. Other formes of Churches therefore no men have power to institute And when where they are erected what other can they be but Antichristian And as for the examples of Timothee Titus and the like vsually alleged for defence of the Prelates authority and jurisdiction they will nothing help them For these were Evangelists which the Prelates are not as we have shewed in the * Pag. 5. former Reason And the particular Churches have in
Prelates c. Their administration of the word prayer Sacraments and censures according to their Constitutions book of Common prayer Injunctions Canons c. For this is the way this only to warrant their estate stablish the cōscience of such as are troubled about it Yet this they doe not but partly by cavils and exceptions against the truth and witnesses of it partly by vaine pretences of antiquity and humane authority partly by abuse and false gloses of Scripture partly by reproches and persecutions of all sorts set themselves to obscure the light of the truth now manifested and to turne away the people from the knowledge and obedience thereof Which is the more lamentable considering what divers of them have judged and written of these things themselves One thus * T. C. first reply p. 83. The Ministerie of the Gospell and the functions there of ought to be from heaven of God not invented by the brayne of men From heaven I say and heavenly because although it be executed by earthly men and the Ministers also are chosen by men like vnto themselves yet because it is done by the word and institution of God that hath †Note this not onely ordeyned that the word should be preached but hath ordeyned also in what order and by whom it should be preached it may well be accounted to come from heaven and from God Seing therefore that these functions of the Archbishop and Archdeacon are not in the word of God it followeth that they are of the earth and so can do no good but much harme in the Church Another thus ‖ Demonstr of Discipl in the Preface to the Reader Albeit many nations that have renounced that whore of Rome are heynously sinful against the glorious Maiesty of Iesus Christ yet is there none in the whole world so far out of square as England in reteyning that popish hierarchie first coyned in the midst of the mysterie of iniquity and that filthy sink of the Canon Law which was invented patched together for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichrist Wherein as great indignity is offered vnto Iesus Christ in committing his Church vnto the government of the same as can be by meane vnderlings vnto a King in committing his beloved spouse vnto the direction of the mistresse of the Stewes and inforcing her to live after the orders of a brothelhouse A third thus * Removall of Imputations laid vpon the Minist of Devon and Cornwall pag. 22. It is a matter which by all the straynings of men therein employed could never yet be cleared that Provinciall and Diocesan Bishops are by Divine Right rather then by Humane Pollicie We for our parts hold these things firme First that that Church-calling for which the scripture giveth no expresse warrant is meerly vsurped and vtterly vnlawfull The office of Iohn though it were extraordinary yet we see the care of the holy Ghost to prove it by the Scripture ‡ Mat. 3 3◠This is he of whom it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias Let any divine tell me what doctrine he would collect if he were to preach vpon that place Secondly that the Holy writt makes no mention of any such B. as is now amongst vs. Shew me who can the title Episcopus or Bishop given there to any mortall men in respect of other Pastors and not wholy and onely in respect of the flock And divers others of them thus †Admon 1. and 2. Not onely the office of Elders but their name also is out of this English Church vtterly removed and in stead of them in every Church the Pope hath brought in and they in England yet mainteyne the Lordship of one man over many Churches Which Lordbishops being not able as the Elders to execute their offices in their owne persons without substitutes have therefore their vnder officers as Suffraganes Chancelours Archdeacons Officials Commissaries and such like Also They with their Canons and Courts are drawen out of the Popes shop take vpon them which is most horrible the rule of Gods Church thrusting away most sacrilegiously that order which Christ hath left in his Church and which the Primitive Church hath vsed yea robbing the Church of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons And In a few words to speak what we meane Eyther must we have a right ministery of God a right government of his Church according to the Scriptures set vp both which we lack or els there can be no right Religion nor yet for contempt thereof can Gods plagues be from vs any while deferred Thus much more have sundry of themselves written in former tymes how ever it be that now they would seem to plead otherwise But to let them alone by this may appeare how needfull it is for all both Ministers and people to take heed to their wayes and to lay them to heart Towching the Ministers it should herein be with them as it was with Iohn Baptist who proved his calling by the word to be from heaven Ioh. 1.22.23 with Mat. 21.25 And they that are in deed true Ministers will have speciall care and alway be able to shew their offices and callings to be of the Lord from heaven approved by his word So were the Priests and Prophets in the tyme of the Law So were also the Apostles and Ministers of the Primitive Churches vnder the Gospell Yea Christ himself likewise And if we may certainely affirme that the Christ who cannot approve his calling by the Scripture is not the true Christ but a false Christ and therefore to be avoyded notwithstanding any truth he professeth and publisheth then may we as surely conclude that the Ministers which cannot prove their callings by the word of God are false Ministers and therefore not to be joyned withall whatsoever truth they teach or bring with them otherwise And if the Prophets Apostles Iohn Baptist Christ himself would not take this honour vnto them to be priviledged from having and shewing warrant of their callings out of the word of God who and what are the Ministers of the Church of England that they should be exempt from this so equall so needfull so generall a condition And if they be not exempt why are they not ready and carefull to shew it for the satisfying of others and defence of themselves And for the people howsoever the Ministers do it should be with them as it was with the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and half tribe of Manasses who sayd God forbid that we should rebell against the Lord turne away this day from the Lord to build an altar for burnt offring for meat offring or for sacrifice save the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle Iosh 22.29 So should all Christians be likewise mynded and say Far be it from vs that we should rebell against the Lord Iesus Christ turne this day from him in appointing
themselves ech of them full interest and power from Christ to enjoy and practise all his ordinances for Ministery worship government and whatsoever he hath given his Church to be observed therein to the end of the world Mat. 18 17-20 and 28.20 with Act. 6 3-6 14.23 20.17.28 Rom. 12 4-8 1 Cor. 3.21.22.23 and 4.17 5.4.11.12 and 11.2.23.24.25.26 12.27 14.33.36 16.1 1 Tim. 3.15 and 6.13.14 Rev. 1.11 20. with 2. 3. chap. And wheras the extraordinary offices of Apostles Prophets and Evangelists are ceased yet ‡ Ioh. 15.16 The Acts and Epistles of the Apostles c. their fruit remayneth still and we have the benefit of it for our direction by their writings which the Churches then had by their bodily presence To which end may be observed also how †1 Cor. 1.1 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.1 Philem. ver 1. some of the epistles are written in the Name of Paul Timothee an Apostle and an Evangelist and ‖ 1 Thes 1.1 2 Thes 1.1 some of them in the Name of Paul Silvanus and Timothee * 1 Cor. 4.9 1 Tim. 2.7 an Apostle ‡ Silvanus being the same with Silas as is like by the Name the placing of thē and the historie Act. 15.32.40 and 16.19 and 17.4.10.14.15 18.5 a Prophet and an †2 Tim. 4.5 Evangelist which three also are ioyned togither for the constant teaching of one and the same truth in Christ 2 Cor. 1.19 And withall that the Apostles did then so write and mind as purposely intending the instructions and commandements given by them should be observed of all Churches both of the Ministers and other members thereof according to their places to the end of the world Rō 12 3-8 15.4 1 Cor. 4.6.17 11 23-26 14.37 Gal. 1.8.9 and 6.16.17 Ephe. 3 chap. and 4.11.12.13 Col. 1 23-29 and 2.1.2 4.16.17 2 Thes 2.15 1 Tim. 3.14.15 and 5.21 and 6.3.5.13.14 and 2 Tim. 2.2 and 3.1.15.16.17 and 4.5.6 Titus Epist Heb. 2 1-4 and 3 1-6 and 13.8 1 Pet. 5.12 2 Pet. 1 12-21 and 2.1 and 3.1.2.3.15.16 1 Ioh. 2.1.12.13.14 and 4 1-6 Iude ver 3.17.18.19.20.21 Rev. 1.3 and 2. 3. chap. and 22.18.19.20 So as now there can be no need or lawfull vse of any Diocesan Provinciall Nationall or Vniversall Bishops And for any reason or proof that the Prelates or any for them have brought or can bring from the Scripture for their Prelacy it will aswell follow that as they have now their Bishops over Dioceses and Archbishops over Provinces so if the King would he might have a Primate or Archprelate over all his Dominions and if there were a Monarch over Europe he might have a Patriarch over all the Prelates therein and so an Emperour over the world if there were any might also have an Oecumenicall or Vniversall Bishop and Pope over all the rest And Timothees example would aswel warrant these as it will the other seing there was not any Church in the world whither his office and the dutyes therof might not extend as his calling and employment was Of whom the Scripture sheweth that he was and did the dutyes of his office sometimes in one part of the world sometymes in another sometymes in Asia and sometymes in Europe as may be seen by the countreyes where he was at sundry tymes As in Asia being in divers countreyes and parts thereof in Phrygia Galatia Mysia Ionia c. And in Europe likewise in Macedonia Achaia Italie c. And in these countreyes and nations sometymes in one city and with one church and sometymes with another as namely at Thessalonica at Athens at Corinth at Ephesus at Rome at Philippi c. Also sometymes being with the Apostle Paul where he was himself sometymes left behind him when he went other whither sometymes sent for to come vnto him to such place as he appointed somtymes sent away from him to other places where he would employ him c. And this sometymes to bring the Churches into a setled order according to the Apostles direction sometymes to stablish and comfort them being already in such estate sometymes to know their state and to put them in remembrance of the Apostles wayes sometymes to look that none taught otherwise but that the doctrine and order delivered by the Apostles were reteyned among them c. By all which appeareth both what the office and employment of an Evangelist was and that Timothee was not a Bishop in ordinary office perteyning to any one certayne place people but an Evangelist in extraoadinary function employed sometymes in one countrey part of the world and sometymes in another sometimes with one Church and people and sometymes with another according as he had direction appointment by the Apostle Paul whose companion and assistant he was For all which see these Scriptures Act. 16. chap. and 17.14.15 and 18.5 and 19.22 and 20.4 Rom. 16.21 1 Cor. 4.17 and 16.10.11 2 Cor. 1.19 Phil. 1.1 and 2.19.22.23 1 Thes 3.1.2.6 with both the Epistles written by Paul vnto Timothee The like may be observed concerning Titus who was sometymes with the Apostle Paul himself sometymes left behind him when he departed other whither sometymes called vnto him sometymes sent away from him c. being thus sometymes in Europe sometymes in Asia And in Europe being also at divers places as at Corinth in Achaia at Rome in Italie in Creta Dalmatia c. And in Asia likewise at Ierusalem in Iudea at Nicopolis in Armenia c. As appeareth by these Scriptures 2 Cor. 8.23.24 and 12.18 Gal. 2.1 2 Tim. 4.10 Tit. 1.4.5 3.12 with the whole Epistle to Titus And the like may be seen also in Marcus Aristarchus Tychicus others whose examples they might aswel alledge as those of Timothee Titus Act. 12.25 and 13.5 and 15.37.39 and 20.4.5 and 27. 2. Ephe. 6.21.22 Col. 4.7.8.10.11 2 Tim. 4.11.12 Tit. 3.12 Philem. ver 24. But by such allegations they let all men know how near they are driven that can fynd no warrant in the Scripture for Diocesan and Provinciall Bishops and therefore are glad to lay hold on the Evangelists office in Timothee and Titus from which notwithstanding they and their Churches and Ministers are as farr as cloudy darknes is from the cleare light of the Sun For the further declaration whereof besides that which hath ben sayd here before and in other Treatises written of this argument I will by way of question propound some things to be considered by such as are of judgement which as they shal be found may give more light to these and other poynts sometymes called in question The things are these 1. Whether the ordinance of Christ be not such as therein they which be in the greater offices have besides their owne peculiar function wherevnto they ought to attend power and authority both themselves to performe the dutyes of any the inferiour offices when there is just and needfull
occasion and to look that they be performed by all such as they are specially layd vpon for the better service of the Lord and his church therein 2. Whether on the contrary the apostasie of Antichrist be not such touching the Ministery and government of the Church as therein they which be in the lesser offices have power and authority among them to exceed the dutyes of the office which Christ hath appointed to performe the dutyes apperteyning to the higher offices by meanes whereof both Antichrist hath risen vp to so great a height and so many orders and degrees of superior and inferior Ministers have bene received and still are reteyned in that degenerate estate and apostasie of the man of sinne as is come to passe And touching the first because the offices set by Christ in his Church be of two sorts some extraordinary and for a tyme and speciall vse some ordinary and prrpetual whether it be true in both or in the first and in them alone As for example That the Apostles who were in the greatest office ordeyned by Christ vnder the Gospel †Mat. 28.18.19.20 Ephe. 4.11.12 1 Cor. 12.28 had besides the peculiar office of Apostleship the power also and authority of the other Offices of ‖ Act. 20.29.30 Rō 11.25.26 2 Thes 2 3-8 1 Tim. 4.1.2.3 ◠Pet. 2. 3. chap. 1 Ioh. 2.18 Iude ver 17.18 Prophets * Act. 8.14.25 14.7 15.35.36 41. 16.40 Rom. 1.11.12.15 Evangelists ‡ Ioh. 21.16 Act. 1.40.42 20.2 1 Cor. 9.7 Pastors †Act. 5 42. 1 Tim. 2.7 2 Tim. 1.11 Teachers ‖ 1 Pet. 5.1 Act. 6.2.6 15.6.22 1 Tim. 4.14 with 2 Tim 1.6 Elders * Act. 4.34.35 6.2.3 4. 11.29.30 1 Cor. 16.3.4 Gal. 2.10 Deacons both to performe them vpon just occasion themselves to see thē performed by others as is aforesayd For which consider the Scriptures here quoted in the Margent And likewise that the Prophets besides their owne special office had in them the power authority of the other inferiour offices of Evangelists Pastors Teachers c. Act. 15.32.40.41 and 17.15 and 18.5.2 Cor. 1.19 Ephe. 3.5.6 4.11.12 And in like sort that the Evangelists besides their owne peculiar function had in them the power and authority of the other smaller offices of Pastors Teachers Elders c. Act. 8.35.38 with 21.8 1 Cor. 16.10 2 Cor. 1.19 8.6.16.17.23 1 Thes 3.2 with the Epist. to Tim. Tit. And it being so in the ordinary offices likewise that the Pastors therefore besides their own peculiar function have in them the power and authority of the other ordinary offices of the Teachers Elders and Deacons for performance and oversight as is aforesaid Act. 20.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5.17.22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.7.17 1 Pet. 5.1 2.3.4 Luk. 12.42 Rev. 1.20 with 2.1.8.12.18 3.1.7.14 Likewise that the Teachers have in them besides their owne speciall office the power and authority of the ruling Elders and Deacons Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 3.8.9.10 12.8.12.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3.1 15. and 5.17 with 2 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1 5-9 Heb. 13.7.17 And in like maner that the Elders besides their owne speciall functiō have in thē the power authority of the Deacons office for the doing and overseing thereof as before is spoken Act. 11.29.30 and 20.17 28. 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5 17-22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 Finally that the Deacons as also the rest aforesayd have besides their owne peculiar office right and power to enjoy whatsoever interest the other members have in the Church for any dutyes or actions to be performed therein according to their place and condition And further that when they shall have ministred well in the Deacons office they may be called afore other of the brethren into the higher offices of the Elders being endued with giftes therevnto Act. 6.3 Rom. 12 4-8 1 Cor. 12 12-28 1 Tim. 3 8-13 But now on the contrary when such as were in the inferiour offices conteyned not themselves within compasse of their callings but took vpon themselves or had layd vpon them by others power and authority of the superiour functions then sprung vp the apostasie of Antichrist in the churches ministery and government As namely when the Pastors and Bishops of particular congregations came to have authority oversight over many Churches and over the Ministers and people therein in a kind of resemblance of the extraordinary offices already ceased Contrarie to Rev. 1.11.12.13.20 with 2.1.8.12 18. and 3.1.7.14 Act. 20.28 Ephe. 4.11.12.13 Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 And that the ruling Elders or Presbyters now called Priests did the Ministeriall dutyes of the Pastors and Teachers in the particular Congregations Contrary to Rom. 12.7.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 And that the Deacons also baptized and were Ministers of the word which the Apostles did purposely oppose to the dutyes of that office at the institution thereof Act. 6.2.3.4 So as of these things it may be sayd as Christ did in another case From the beginning it was not so Mat. 19.8 And herevpon in tyme many sorts and degrees of inferior servile Ministers and superior Lordly Prelates grew vp encreased in that defection of the Man of sinne till Antichrist at the length was exalted in his throne From which now agayne the Lord hath begunne to bring him downe discovering and consuming that mystery of iniquity by the light and power of his Gospell and will not cease till the same be fully abolished cast into the bottomles pit from whence it first arose 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.8.9 10.11.12 and 1 Ioh. 2.18.19 with Rev. 6.12.13.14 and 8. and 9. and 13. and 14. and 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. chap. And hitherto of the Proposition of the last Syllogisme The Assumption thereof namely that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall iurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein is evident by their Church-constitution Lawes and practise And themselves neyther will nor can deny it 3. The other Assumption aforesaid viz that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie is proved thirdly by this that the offices and government of the Prelates of the Church of Engl. do not in their nature and proper vse perteyne to any society body and estate eyther civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and kingdome of Antichrist Of which as also of other reasons proving the point in hand more shal be spoken hereafter in the severall Arguments following concerning this matter And thus much concerning the Proposition of this Argument The Assumption of the Argument namely that the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is vndeniably confirmed
according to their works In the meane tyme let none marveile if they see the estate of things in the world to be such as plainly bewray that Sathan and Antichrist so as they may have their Ministery reteyned chuse rather when they cannot otherwise do withall to have some truths of the Gospell taught by their Officers therein then to have both their Ministery refused and every truth of the Gospell freely taught by the Officers of Christ thinking it to be better for them to continue their constitutions with admission of some truths then that both Christs ordinances should be received and the whole truth yeelded vnto in obedience of faith But let all yet in the feare of God take heed vnto themselves how vnder colour of learning the truth hearing the word enjoying the Sacraments and the like perswasions they be drawen to have any spirituall communion with that Ministery aforesaid seing they derive not their Ministeriall functions and authority from Christ the head of the Church but from Sathan the Prince of the world so as none can heare the word receive the Sacraments or learne the truth from their Ministery in this estate but they shall therein submit themselves to that Ministery which Sathan hath set vp in the kingdome of Antichrist and continueth vnder these and the like pretences among his subjects Fearful to be remembred alway is the verdict of the Apostle * 2 Thes 2.10.11.12 that God wil send them the efficacie of delusion that they shal beleeve lies be damned because they beleeve not nor receive the love of the truth that they might be saved And hitherto of this further declaration of the Assumption Another cōfirmatiō therof is that the Church-assēblies of Engl. whervnto their Ministery belongeth are not true visible Churches of Christ as now they stand Therefore also it cannot be that the Ministers thereof can in such estate derive their Ministery frō Christ for the edificatiō of those Churches as being his body wherof he is the head That their Church-assemblies are not in their estate true visible Churches of Christ hath often ben proved heretofore and may be seen in that they are vnseparated from the world not joyned together in cōmunion of the Gospel by voluntrrie profession of the faith of Christ submission to the government which he hath prescribed to his Church not having the power of Christs Churches for the receiving of any truth or redressing of any evil among them but standing in bondage vnder Antichrist in their Prelacy Preisthood Worship ecclesiastical Courts Canōs Officers proceedings c. The further handling whereof may be had ‡ The Apologie to Oxf. Doctors pag. 44. c. Refut of M Giff. Answ to Mr. Stone Mr Iacob Mr Hild. p. 62. c. Counterpoys to Consid Argum. p. 127. c. in sundry other Treatises to which I refer the Reader entreating all carefully to observe this here that the Ministers of the Church of Engl. not deriving their functions of Ministery from Christ the head for the edification of the Church which is his body it must needs be vnlawfull for any and specially for the members of the body of Christ to hear or otherwise to comunicate with thē in their worship vnder any pretēce whatsoever The fift Reason NOne may heare or have any spiritual communion with those Ministers which minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England minister the holy things of God and work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling Therfore none may heare or have any spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England The Major or first part of the Reason is proved 1. Because the ministration of the holy things of God is a speciall part of Gods spiritual worship and therfore neyther to be done by any false spirituall calling nor to be received from any so ministring Mat. 28.18.19.20 Act. 20.17.28 Ephes 4. 11.12 1 Cor. 3.8.9 4.1 5.3.4.5 11.23 24. 25. 12.4.5.6.13.18.28 2 Cor. 5.19.20 Col. 4.17 1 Tim. 3.15 and 6.13 16. 2 Tim. 4.3.4.5 Heb. 5.4 with Nū 16.40 Ier. 23.16.21.22 Ezech. 43.8 44.6.7 8. 9. Rev. 2.1.2.7 c. 2. Because the consciences of the people of God are the Temples of the living God wherin he dwelleth by his Spirit ought therfore only to be subiect to the Lord and taught by him in his owne ordinance 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16.17.18 with 5.20 Ioh. 13.20 Heb. 13.7.17 Rev. 22.16.17.18.19 3. Because the Lord Iesus Christ alone must have this preeminence the Church may not suffer any whomsoever to beare rule over them at their owne pleasure Col. 1.18.19 and 2.18.19 4. Because in submitting the soule to a false spirituall Ministery men defile the Temple of God and withdraw their subjection from Christ and become the subjects of Antichrists as it is written The Temple of God is holy which ye are And No man can serve two maisters for eyther he shall hate the one and love the other or els he shall leane to the one and despise the other And of whomsoever a man is overcome even to the same is he in bondage 1 Cor. 3.16 17.18 and 2 Cor. 6.16.17 with Mat. 6.24 Luk. 6.46 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 6. 16. 2 Thess 2.3.4 2 Pet. 2.19 The Minor or second part of the reason is proved because they minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of their Ministery received of the Prelates frō their spiritual authority which is vsurped and Antichristian and therfore by vertue of a false spirituall calling as hath ben shewed before in the second Reason and is proved in * Mr Bradsh Argum. 10. Mr Iacobs Reasons for necess of reform p. 4.44.52 c. divers of their owne writings Yet here is somewhat to be annexed for the clearing of some exceptions specially concerning such as are of greatest forwardnes among them Some there be which say they preach not by vertue of their Ministerie taken from the Prelates but by vertue of some other calling and authority Let such consider and answer 1. Why they would seem to renounce that calling received of the Prelates 2. Secondly if they disclayme that Ministery appointed by Law of the land why they blame vs for doing the like 3. Thirdly if they preach by vertue of another calling then that they have received of the Prelates how then they stand Ministers of that Church where no other is allowed and how they impose themselves vpon any of their parishes or assemblies seing the lawes of the land allow onely the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry aforesaid 4. Fourthly how they can avoyd but needs they must be therein both intruders hypocrites Intruders because they take vpon them exercise a publick office in that Church against the publick lawes and constitutions thereof Hypocrites
although men heare much truth from them yet in yeelding to heare receive it from Antichrists Ministery they defile the Temple of God in themselves if they be the Lords even their soules and consciences and become the subjects of Antichrist the sonne of perdition Not to speak of the many errors and falsehoods which they also teach and mainteyne And for the truth which they preach it is no new thing as we have shewed before that the Ministers of Antichrist should in divers things teach and bring the truth with them For when Sathan cannot by falsehood vtter his wares merchandize ordinances Ministery worship c. he will be glad to vtter the same by teaching the truth He is beyond measure skilfull in framing delusions and making them meet that they may be received therefore when he perceiveth that he cannot get men to submit thēselves to his ordinances by heresies falsehood he yeeldeth himself to bring the truth with him to the intent that his ordinances may thereby be received which otherwise would be rejected and to the end they may be had in estimation and obyed even for the truths sake which they bring with them Of which thing see what is further spoken here before in the other Reason Pag. 66. c. And Mr Beza against Saravia hath a good saying concerning this point which he sheweth by the practise of Christ and his Apostles spoken of in Mark 1.24.25 Luk. 4.34.35 Act. 16.16.17.18 vidz vide licet that although Antichrist teach that which is most true as sometimes he doth to the end he may vnder colour of the truth more easily seduce men to beleev his lyes yet the truth is not to be heard and received from his month but even then ought we to stop our eares least vnder this pretence talking with him we be deceived by him for the truth is not to be received from the spirit of lies and vntruth And I would to God saith he that this were diligently observed of those wise Mediatours who think that composition and agreement may be made with Antichrist seeking a mean there where it is not at all to be found Beza contra Sarav cap. 25. p. 193. Moreover who knoweth not that Antichrist and his Ministers have bene and still are in show hypocriticall frends but in deed great enemies of Iesus Christ even vnder the name of Christ fighting against Christ Which thing how could they do if they did not professe and teach many truthes of the Gospell of Christ For if they should deny every truth thereof and say plainely that they were not the Church and Ministers of Christ then were they presently espyed to be such as they are who would follow them any longer But Babylon is * Rev 17.5 2 Thes 2.7 a mystery and therefore not easily perceived or avoyded till God reveale it and draw vs out of it And whosoever will aright discerne the condition of Antichrists apostasie must with Iohn be caried as into the wildernes in the spirit that we may look vpon it not according to the show and account it hath in the world but as it is in deed esteemed of the Lord and discovered in his word Rev. 17.3.4.5.6 And when it is shewed vnto vs yet are we in our selves like Lot lingring and finding delayes till God being mercifull vnto vs take and draw vs as it were out of Sodom whereas we should be like mynded as David who said I have considered my wayes and turned my feet into thy testimonies I made hast and delayed not to keep thy commaundements Psal 119.59.60 with Gen. 19 1-16 Rev. 11.8 and 18.4.5 The sixt Reason IF the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. be a straunge Ministery then is it not lawfull in the worship of God to heare it or have any spirituall communion therewith But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is a straunge Ministery Therfore it is not lawfull in the worship of God to heare it or have any spirituall communion therewith The consequence of the Proposition is necessary and cannot be denyed 1. Because Christ setteth it downe as a property of his sheep to be observed that they follow not straungers but flee from them for that they know not their voyce Ioh. 10.5 Rev. 2.2 2. Because he that ministreth in the Church being a straunger presumptuously approcheth to minister before the Lord and polluteth the Sanctuary and holy things of God Num. 16. chap. and 18.4.5 Ezech. 44.7 with Rev. 17.1.2 and 19.2.20 3. Because by having spirituall communion with such we embrace the bosome of a straunger and so commit spirituall whoredome against the Lord. Prov. 5.20 with Num. 15.9 Psal 106.39 The truth of the Assumption is manifest if we consider what a straunge Ministery is namely that which is not by the Lord ordeyned and given for that work As some of themselves have published heretofore that the holy Scripture accounteth such for straungers in the Ministery which have not their offices limited by the prescript of Gods word And it is all new which is straunge and straunge which is not commaunded by the word of God T.C. his 2. reply pag. 438.439 And here before we have proved * Reason 1. that their Ministery is not appointed by Christ in his word Which themselves also have confessed and published writing in an Admonition to the Parliament ‡ Admon to the Parliam treatise 2. section 20.21 that they have an Antichristian hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world Where also they call all the Ministers made by the Prelates and others their Church hath none by the name of New creatures And in †Sermon on Rom. 12. another treatise speaking of divers of their chiefest offices they write that the Apostles never knew them Sion hath not heard of them Ierusalem which is above will not acknowledge them that the watchmen being a sleep they crept into the city of the Lord and have no title nor interest in the Church as publick members but are rather members and parts of the strumpet whoore of Rome then of the pure virgin spouse of the immaculate Lambe Thus was their judgement heretofore If now they be otherwise mynded eyther they must shew out of the word of God the offices entrance administration and maintenance of their Church-Ministery or els seing this cannot be done the sheep of Christ must and will account them as strangers and therefore flee from them and the tents of their assemblies least otherwise they perish in their sinnes Ioh. 10.5 with Numb 16.26 and 18.7 Rev. 18.4 And to the end this thing may the better be observed let vs here a little consider the history and conspiracy of Corah Dathan Abiram recorded in the book of Nūbers ch 16. When God by the hand of Moses had appointed Aaron his sonnes to the office of the Priesthood Corah a
because the Lord hath straitly enjoyned vs to forsake all humane devises in his worship and not at all to partake with any of the sinnes of Babylon Deut. 4. chap. Rev. 18.4 and 22.18.19 Of which sort both they and we have proved that these are as may be seen in their books and ours written hereabout And thus much of the Proposition The Assumption is proved by Mr Bradsh in his Twelve Arguments by the London Ministers in their Exceptions and by the Lincolneshire Ministers in their Abridgement of the Book delivered to his Maiesty pag. 2-70 c. compared with the Canons of Anno 1603. c. The Arguments other Treatises of the Ministers shew the nature and vse of the things enioyned to be of such consequence The Canons of the Convocation and other Lawes and constitutions of their Church shew that the Ministers are bound to such a Ministration And that vpon payne of suspension deprivation degradation excommunication c. Wherevpon some of them have written that * Removal of Imput of Devon Cornwall Minist p. 36. not Paul himself if he were living should be permitted to continue his function if he would not conforme And ‡ Mr Bradsh Argum. 11. the whole Solemne Worship and Ministerie of Iesus must stoupe and yeeld to these And these must not stoupe or yeeld to them Which howsoever they apply most vnto their Ceremonies yet the grounds of their Arguments imply it also vpon their Ministery and vpon the partakers therewith as may appeare by that which hath ben sayd before which hereafter followeth The fourth Argument taken out of the Admonitions to the Parliament written by the Preachers seeking reformation IF the Offices of the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Suffraganes Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stipendaries and the rest of that sort in the Church of England be Antichristian contrarie to the Scriptures then the people of God may not heare or otherwise partake with their Ministerie in the worship of God But the Offices of the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Suffraganes Parsons Vicars Parish priests Stipendaries and the rest of that sort in the Church of England are Antichristian and contrarie to the Scriptures Therefore the people of God may not heare or otherwise partake with their Ministery in the worship of God The Proposition needs no proof For what communion hath light with darknes And what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6 14-17 Rev. 14 9-12 and 18.4 and 22.18.19 The Assumption is their owne saying and their plea for reformation many yeares since Admonition to the Parliam treatise 1. and 2. section 14.18.20 c. The fift Argument taken out of the Offer of Conference or disputation tendered by some of the silenced deprived Ministers to the Archbishops and Bishops c. IF these Propositions be true 1. That all matters meerly Ecclesiasticall which are lawfully imposed vpon any Church are such as may be concluded necessarily from the written word of God 2. That all humane Ordinances vsed onely or specially in Gods worship wherevnto they are not necessarie of themselves are simply vnlawfull 3. That every true visible Church of Christ is such a spirituall Body politick as is specially instituted by Christ or his Apostles in the New Testament 4. That every true visible Church of Christ or ordinary Assembly of the faithfull hath by Christs ordinance power in it self immediately vnder Christ to elect and ordeyne deprive and depose their Ministers to execute all other Ecclesiasticall Censures 5. That the Pastor of a particular Congregation is the highest ordinary ecclesiasticall Officer in any true constituted visible Church of Christ 6. That it is the Office of every true Pastor to teach and to governe spiritually onely one Church or Congregation immediately vnder Christ 7. That the Office Calling of Provinciall and Diocesan Prelates is contrary to the word of God If I say these Propositions be true then it is not lawfull to hear or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England But the Propositions aforesaid are true Therefore it is not lawful to heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The Major is of necessary consequence and not to be denyed 1. Because their Ecclesiasticall matters Constitutions Offices Ministration called into question cannot be concluded from the written word of God but are Humane Ordinances never instituted by Christ or his Apostles And therefore are vnlawfull to be received or bowed vnto in Gods worship Exod. 20.4.5 and 23.13.24 Deut. 12 28-32 2 Cor. 6 14-17 1 Tim. 5.22 and 6.13.14 Iude ver 3. 23. Rev. 22.18.19 2. Because by the consequence of these Propositions they have not in their estate eyther true Churches or true Ministers And with false Churches and false Ministers we may not have any spirituall communion Hos 4.15 Amos. 4.4.5 Ioh. 10.5 Reve. 14 9-12 and 18. 4.5 3. Neyther can it be but that such practise must needs imply in them which do it that eyther they hold the Propositions aforesayd to be false which they averr to be true or at least that they walk corruptly halt between two opinions 1 King 18.21 The Minor is professed and published by themselves and offered to be mainteyned against the Archbishops and Bishops and all their adherents by the late silenced and deprived Ministers in England Offer of Conference pag. 1.2 Where also note how themselves hold it lawfull vpon the Prelates proceedings that * Offer of Conference pag. 39. both the Ministers and people of the Church-assemblies of England may leave their ordinarie standing in those Churches Which if it prove not a lawfull separation like ours it wil be found to be a very schisme among themselves The sixt Argument taken out of divers Treatises written in behalf of the Ministers of Devonshire Cornwall Lincolnshire c. also out of the Admonitions to the Parliamēt out of Mr Cartwrights Mr Vdals Mr Iacobs other of their books written of like argument IF these Assertions be true 1. That that Church-calling for which the Scripture giveth no expresse warrant is meerly vsurped vtterly vnlawfull 2. That as it is not lawful to bring in any straunge doctrine so is it not lawfull to teach the true doctrine vnder the name of any other function then is instituted by God And that God hath not onely ordeyned that the word should be preached but hath ordeyned also in what order and by whom it should be preached 3. That the Word of God conteyned in the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles is of absolute perfection given by Christ the head of the Church to be vnto the same the sole Canon and rule of all matters of Religion and the worship and service of God whatsoever And that whatsoever done in the same service and worship cannot be iustifyed by the said word is vnlawfull 4. That a true visible Church is a company of men ordinarily
Christ himself Thus the Assumption is cleared And thus the cause is yeelded by themselves who in their owne writings speak and reason in such sort as hath ben shewed Which I thought good thus to apply to their present estate further manifestation of the truth And thus much cōcerning these Argumēts Reasons Which now I leave to the consideration of all that are of judgement and conscience exhorting them as they love the truth and their owne good 1 Thes 5.21 Psal 119.59 to try all things by the word of God to consider their wayes and to turn their feet into his testimonies And I pray the Lord God of all glorie and goodnes to discover and consume the apostasie of Antichrist daily more and more to make the light and power of the Gospell of Christ shine forth and prevaile against all enemies and hinderances to give his people of all estates and nations to walk in the light and comfort thereof to the praise of his Name and eternall life by Iesus Christ who is God overall blessed for ever Amen Ier. 50.29 Call together * the mighty many against Babel all that bend the bow besiege her round about let there be no escaping for her recompense her according to her work according to all that she hath done do vnto her for she hath ben proude against the Lord against the holy one of Israel A Table of some principall things conteyned in this Treatise THat it is not lawfull to heare or have any spirituall communion with other Ministerie then that which Christ hath given vnto his Church pag. 1. 17. 51. 63. 70. 78. 87. 93. c. That the Ministery given by Christ is of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephes 4. p. 2. 4. 5. 7. 22. c. That the Ministers of the Church of England are none of these p. 3. c. Of the obiection made about hearing the Scribes and Pharisees p. 14. That the Ministery of the Church of Engl. is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie p. 18. c. Of the Prelates being spirituall Lords Diocesan and Provinciall Bishops Antichristian vsurpers c. p. 19. c. and p. 70. 71. 101. 102. 110. Of the examples of Timothee and Titus alledged for them p. 22. c. Two Questions about the ordinance of Christ and the apostasie of Antichrist touching the Ministery and governement of the Church p. 26. How the Ministers of the Church of England are made Deacons Priests Bishops and Archbishops And wherevnto they subscribe p. 30. c. That the Ministery of that Church obeyeth not Christ in his ordinance as their Prophet Priest and King p. 39. 105. That it is set against and exalted above the holy things and constitutions of Christ p. 41. That it apperteyneth not properly to any estate civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and religion of Antichrist p. 42. 43. That the King may and ought to suppresse it throughout his Dominions p. 44. That the Lord will abolish it by the light and power of his Gospell with the spirit of his mouth and brightnes of his coming p. 46. That the Ministers with the people in that estate worship the Beasts image and receive his mark in the forehead or hand p. 51. c. That they derive not their power and functions of Ministerie from Christ the head of the Church p. 63. c. That though they be of good gifts and teach many true doctrines yet it is no warrant to communicate with their Ministerie p. 66. 75. 92. That they work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spirituall calling p. 70. 109. 110. Of the Apostles not ceasing to preach in the Name of Iesus at the commandement of the Rulers of Israel p. 73. 74. That the Ministerie of the Church of Engl. is a straunge Ministery p. 78. c. Of the conspiracy of Corah Dathan Abiram c. p. 79. That it is vnlawfull to present our bodies at false worship p. 81. c. Of Naamans example alledged for that purpose p. 82. That the Ministerie of the Church of England is not from heaven but of men p. 87. That it giveth honour to Antichrist and is derogatory to the reformed Churches p. 95. Divers testimonies of their owne and of the Martyrs others against their Ministerie and Church estate p. 6. 13. 15. 21. 30. 33. 36. 41. 44. 59. 65. 73. 76. 79. 88. 93. c. Also the grounds of Mr Bradsh Arguments and of the London Lincolnshire Devonshire and other silenced Ministers their Exceptions Abridgement Answers and Offers applyed against them p. 93. c. Faultes escaped Pag. 63. lin 6. 7. read thus of Engl. is such as deriveth not Pag. 78. lin 22. Num. 15.39 Pag. 85. lin 8. will from the hote Pag. 94. line 29. annex this in such of the books where it is wanting and God must have no solemne Worship in England except it be in communion with the same Pag. 95. lin 19. put in the margent Mr Bradsh Argum. 2. Pag. 110. lin 10. annex this And their owne reasons alledged against the vse of the Ceremonies do also prove it