The prophâ—nenesse of their Sect. THis fault they finde with the Protestants of our Congregations but how they have avoyded this in their own Conventicles Mr. White Mr. Iohnson and Mr. Smith and many others will tell you whose plentifull reports of their known uncleanenesse smothered mischiefs malicious proceedings corrupt preachings communicating with known offenders bolstering of sins and willing coâ—nivences as they are shamefull to relate so they might well have stopt their mouthes from excepting against our communion with the prophane To use some of Mr. Whites words These that pretend such sincerity of Religion doe abound above others with all kinde of debate malice adulteries cozenage uncleannesse so that saith he that W. C. complained that hee had thought that they had been â—ll Saints but I see they are all devills These are the Assemblies to which they carry the poore soules whom they doe seduce Extracted out of a Letter of Master Whites the 20th of July I desire God to keep all people from such a Congregation where Adulteries Cozenages and Thefts are in such abundance as in the English Congregation of Amsterdam that I speak not of Brokerage of whores and other filthinesse too too bad This is true there is no Sect in Amcterdam though many in such contempt for filthy life as the English are viz. the Brownists c. The author of this Letter Master White was sued for slander by Francis Iohnson Henrie Aainsworth Francis Blakewell Daniel Studley Christopher Bowman Iane Nicolas Iudith Holder William Barbons and Thomas Bishop But after Master White had brought in witnesses before the Burgomasters who did testifie upon their Oathes and depositions confirme what Master White had written he was discharged and had charges given him by the Magistrates A briefe discovery under the hand of the Secretary and seale of the City of Amsterdam 1. Of some of the abhominations dayly practised and increased amongst the English company of the separation remaining for the present at Amsterdam in Holland 2. That they abouâ—d above all others with all kinde of debate malice adulteries cozenages and such other like enormities c. The testimony of the Dutch Church concerning the Brownists when as they sent their Messengers with some questions to their Eldership they received this answer from them That they did not acknowledge theirs to be an Ecclesiasticall Assembly or a laâ—full Church The testimony of the Magistrates of Amsterdam concerninâ— the Brownists both of old in their suit against Master White and now in their late suit for their meeting-house when they sought to lay their Action in the name of a Church they were repelled by the Magistrates that are members of the Dutch Church they would not receive complaint from them in the name of a Church or in the name of an Elder or a Deacon but from private men The Magistrates told them that they held them not as a Church but as a Sect. 13. Their Equivocaâ—ing I Might here set down theirâ—â—quivocaâ—ing and palliating their wickednesse as one Geoffry Whâ—â—acres of Master Iohnsons Congregation being found in bed with one Iudith Holder another mans wife for which matter he affirmeâ— that he did it not to satisfie his lust but to comfort Iudith being â—ickly and to keep her warme as though hee had sought to performe a Christian duty of love and not an action of uncleannesse Again when Mr. Studley a chieâ—e Prophet of Mr. Iohnsons Congregation was found hidden behind a Baskeâ— in Iudiths house he had this holy pretence that he hid himselfe to see the behavioâ—â— of G. P. who caâ— thither after him he being an Elder would be a watchfull Over-seer Again M. â— being in a whore-â—â—use and creeping out at a window the Elder D. S. excused â—im alledging in his defâ—nce the example of St. Paul Aâ—ts 9. 25. Who was by the Disciples let down over the wal â—n a Basket Mr. Iohnson sought to cleare the uncleannesse of a man found a bed with another mans wife to diminiâ—h the sin distinguished between lying with a woman and in a woman And old Father Brown being reproved for beating his old wife distinguished that he did not beate her as his wife but as a curst old woman Also Daâ—iel Studley went about to palliate his filtinesse with his Wives Daughter ungodlily alledging the Holy Scripture Let it not be offensive to the good Reader to see a childe to vindicate the foule aspersions cast upon his Mother from whom he had his soules spirituall birth and breeding by setting forth by what manner of men his Mother-Church is scandalized 14. Blame the Conversation of our Ministers AGaine although in the Visible Church the evill ever mingled with the good and sometime the evill have chief Authority in administration of the Word and Sacraments yet forasmuch as they doe not the same in their owne name but in Christs and doe administer by his Commission and outhority we may use their Ministery both in hearing the Word of God and receiving the Sacraments neither is the effect of Christs Ordinance taken away by their wickednesse nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith rightly doe receive the Sacraments administred unto them The Scribes and Pharisees saith our Lord sit in Moses chaire all therefore what they bid you observe doe you but not after their works for they say and doe not 15. Except against our Ordination THey except against our Ministers because they receive their Ordination from Bishops To which I answer wee have our Ordination from Christ by Bishops and Clergie-men and for this kinde of Ordination by Bishops and Presbyâ—ers we have the universall consâ—nt the Primitive Church by St. Paul Timothy and Titus were ordained And this has been the practice of all the Christian Churche of the Universe untill the time that Anabaptists crept into the world But they will alledge that we have been ordained by Antichristian Bishops and therefore they conclude every action done by our Ministers to be Antichristian 1. To which I answer why is not the Ordination that our Fore-fathers had from Antichristian Bishops as effectuall as the Bapâ—isme that was administred by them to our Fore-fathers Dâ—d ever any Reformed Church re-baptize them that were baptized by them And why should our Ministers be re-ordained moâ—e then re-baptized 2. Indeed our Ministers being ordained by Bishops and that by Protestant Bishops such as Cranmer Latimer and Ridley who were holy Martyrs who renounced all Superstition what exceptions can be taken against them Neither can they find any shelter under that â—oted Teâ—t neglect not the gift that is in thee by the imposition of the hands of the Presbyter which learned Mr. Calvin expounds nâ—t of the men but of the Office following Herein Hierome Anselmâ— Haâ—mo Lyra referring it to the gift given him and to the Bishops Preâ—byters which hath been the practice of the Church of England and all
Yea the Brownists gâ—e faâ— beyâ—nd the Anabapâ—â—sts affâ—â—ming set Prayers to be abhominable in the eyes of Almighty God To this â—â—â—answer whatsoever God hath ordained is neither abhominable nor loathsome to him but God hath ordained set Prayers therefore they are not abominable noâ— loathsome That God hath ordained set prayers see Num. 6. 23 24. Yee shall blesse the childâ—en of Israel saying unto them the Lord blesse thee and keep thee the Lord make his face to shine upon tâ—ee and be gracious to thee the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace Againe Deut. 26. 5. And thou shalt speake and say before the Lord thy God a Syâ—ian ready to perish was my Father The 90. Psalme is a Prayer even the prayer of Moses and and used in the Jewish Church as we use the Lords Prayer All the Psalmes of David except some that are doctrinall are prayers and have beene and shall be read in the Church of God maâ—gre all the Heriticks and Schismaticks In the World In the Gospell are many set prayers daily read in the Church What are all these abhominable All the ancient Churches in the world planted by the Apostles have set Prayers as the Greek Church to whom St. Paul preached the Indians to whom St. Thomas brought the â—ight of the Gospel the Ethiopians to whom St. Mark brought the knowledge of Christ the Muscovites who affirme that they received the truth from Sâ— Andrew These with all ancient Churches have set prayers their Liturgies are to be seen Yea all the Reformed Churches the Duâ—ch the French the Danâ—sh the Swedish the Scotâ—ish c have set Prayers onely these Sectaries will speak to God ex tempore In my Christianography you may see dâ—vers Liturgies as a Liturgy attributed to St. Iamesâ—he â—he first Bishop of â—erusalem set forth by Victorius Scâ—atâ—â—us the Maronite The Apdâ—â—le Iames was commonly called Iacobus Liturgus that is Iames the Service-maker which beginneth O Lord doe not despise me defiled with the multitude of my sins c. Again the service the Muscovites use taken out of the Commentaries of Sigismund Liberus The Ethiopian Liturgie or Service written by Francis Alvares The Copâ—s Liturgy set forth by Kircherus The Armenian Service set downe by Odoardus Barâ—osa The Armenian Service set downe by Peter Bellonius lib. 3. cap. 12. The Liturgy of Severus sometime Patriarch of Alexandria written in Syriak and translated into Latine by Guido Subritius But to shew you a patterne of some of their new Prayers one of them cryeth out in his prayer O Lord thou knoweâ—â— good Lord that we never had the truth preached among us untill now c. Whereas the Doctrine of the Church of England is Gods truth as the learned Assembly of Divines doe restifie howsoever in our Discipline there may need Reformation Another cryeth out in his prayer Good Lord good Lord deliver this Congregation from this man who is unlearned unpowerfull unprofitable c. This spirituall Prayer was made for my selfe in my owne Church in my owne Pulpit in my owne hearing To conclude this with the counsell of the holy Ghost Bee not rash with thy mouth nor let thine heart be hasty to utter a thing before Gâ—d for God is in the heavens and thou art 〈◊〉 the earth Therefore let thy words be few for as a dreame commeth by the multitude of businesse so the voyce of a foole is known by many words 20. They quarrell at the Lords Prayer BUT what need I complaine of their blaspheming of set Prayers whereas our Lord taught his Disciples a set Forme of Prayer the perfectest and exactest of all that can bee made it being compiled by the Sonne of God who is the wisedome of the Father For perfection it containeth all that can be asked or prayed against For acceptation it containeth the words of Christ the Son of God in whom the Father is well pleased These Sectaries quarrell at this prayer and will nor say it as Barrow Greenwood affirme it to be abominable and as loâ—thsome unto God as swines-flesh to a Jew Apollinaâ—ius the Heritick equalled his songs with holy Scripture but I never heard of any Heretick thatâ—prefer'd his owne works before holy Scripture Doe not these Heriticks preferre their owne Prayers before our Lords If our Lords Prâ—yer be better then theirs why doe they not say it according to our Lords Commandement Luke 11 Or if they will pray after the same manner as is commanded Matth. 6. Why doe they use so many vaine repetitions there by him forbidden I have read that St. Peter used no other prayer at the Communion but this Prayer which his Master taught him and the Greeks in Calabria used the same But now it is not used by some at the ministration of the Sacrament I am sure this prayer is perfect and all other devised by them not so perfect Let us not neglect that perfect forme which our Lord hath left us or pray at least-wise after that manner not using vaine repititions by him forbidden as before 21. Of the Tyranny and ill-usage of some of them to their VVives and Servants MAny there be that are taken in the Bâ—iars of this propane Schisme that wish they had never met with the separation of that Schismaticall body and would flye so that they might escape without excommunication with which they terâ—ifie them so that they dare not so much as whisper or as much as â—uffe against it You may read in the Boook called The prophane Schisme of the Brownists how cruelly also they used their servants for not doing their taskes as some they hang up by the hands and whip them stark naked being women grown yea they spare not theâ—r wives but correct them Read the story of Seudley and Mansfield It may be they learnâ— this of their Patriarch Father Browne who would cuâ—stly correct his old wife as before 22. There are divers sorts of Separatists THere are divers sorts of these Sectaries for every day begets a new fancy or opinion it â—aâ—ing with them usually as with all other Hereticks who having once forsaken the Truth wander from one error to another as Mr. Smith one of their Grandees from a Protestant he turned Brownist and from a Brownist he turned Anabaptist yea a Sebaptist and re-baptized himselfe The first sort of Separatists affirme the abominations of the Church of England to be so great that they will â—ot come within their Church doores to heare any of their Ministers but â—y themselves wholly to their owne Conventicles The root of this Sect was one Mr. Robert Browne before named from whom are risen many Sects for every day begets a new fancy and conceit These say that England was once the Lords wiâ—e but that he hath given her a Bill of divorce and put her away These deny all communion with her but private communion they hold lawfull with her members As for the ancient company of Brownists that were
Christian Churches in the world untill the Anabaptists To conclude let the Brownists confesse our Bâ—shops to be but Christians which they cannot deny and the Ordination of our Ministers will be lawfull by their owne rules for if the Ordination of their Ministers by Plâ—beian Artificers be lawfull how much more is the Ordination of our Ministers by Bishops and learned Ministers qualified with learning and wisedome and set apart to doe the same 16. Brownists Ordination BUT let them shew who devised their Ordination of Ministers I dare say not Christ nor his Apostles nor their Successors What Church in the whole world can be produced unlesse in case of necessity whose conspiring multitudes made them Ministers at pleasure What rule of the Church prescribeth it What Reformed Church ever did it or doth practise it What example warrants it where have the inâ—eriours presumed to lay their hands upon their Superiours It is an old policy of the faulty to complain first certainly there was never Popish Legend a more errand device of man then some parts of this Ministery of theirs so much gloried in for sincere correspondency with the first Institution 17. For their Singing FOR their singing of Psalmes it is almost left among them for in Master Iohnsons Assembly they had new râ—ymes but in so harsh and hard a phrase that the people knew not what they meant so that they could not sing with understanding 2. These being in use and the coppies being kept from the people by that means singing of Psalmes was kept from the people and shâ—t out of private houses 3. Againe by reason of the uncouth and strange translation and Meetre used in them the Congregation was made a laughing-stock unto strangers Master Daniel Studley pleaded for the continuance of those rhimes the Congregation complaining of them For saith my Author he had a good veine in making thimes especially filthy and obscene ones which he taught unto little children his Schollers and to Mistris May who used in her house to sing such songs being more fit for a common Bawde then for a person professing the pure separation They object against all the Churches in Amsterdam that they have Organs to modulate their voices in singing Sure I am the Separatists also had need of somewhat as a Bag-pipe or somewhat never used by Antichrist to tune them singing in their Conventicles like hogs against raine Here I might aske some questions viz. why singing set Psalmes doth not confine the spirit we being commanded to sing with the spirit as much as saying set Prayers and why the brethren inspired with the spirit doe not every day sing a new song as make a new Prayer which are set prayers to the People and why the people may not pray together with the Minister as it was the custome of al Christian Churches as sing together And lastly why Lay-men doe not pray in the Church aswel as preach or prophesie in the Church Do they not in forbidding the people to pray with the Minister as the Papists do in depriving the people of the Cup in the Sacrament and that for the honour of the Priest-hood 18. Of their prophecying AS the illuminated Anabaptists are called Preachers so the fanatick Brownists take upon them to be Prophets and to preach the word of God with all authority publikely in their Congregations St Panlasketh how they can preach except they be sent And this standeth to good reason every true Preacher standeth in Gods roome being the Lords Embassador to doe his will who dares doe this unsent These come not from the Schooles of the Prophers but from Mechanick trades set them down in Moses Chaire as Embassadors of Jesus Christ as Heralds of the most high God These take upon them to reveale the secrets of the Almighty to open shut heaven to save soules But to hear these fellowes discourse of the holy Trinity of Gods eternal Decree other deep poynts of Divinity you may hear the Mad-men in Bedlam prare as wisely as they May not Almighty God say to these mad Prophets what hast thou to doe to take my Word in thy mought c. Of their confused preaching or rather prating heare Mr. Simpson complaine and especially of the Prophets in Master Ainsworths Church For our manner saith he of meeting upon the Lords day it is with such a confusion and contradiction with one another that our profession of Separation may be overthrowne by it For example Thomas Cochi in his prophesie witnessing against England their Ministery is Anti-christian and being so cannot beget true faith and where there is no true faith there is no true salvation a fearefull sentence in my judgemnt Again our beloved Mr. de Cluse in his prophesie laboured to prove separation from a true Church for any corruption obstinately stood in this Doctrine was by another in prophecying there shewed to be absolutely contrary to the place Rev. 2. 24. which how unsoundly it was concluded by our Teacher was â—â—en observed by many Also it was since by another delivered in the way aâ— prophesie that even among our selves did reigne in my 〈◊〉 as namely fulnesse of bread pride and idlenesse 〈…〉 in that they were not satisfied with neither temporall nor â—pirituall food pride in that many did strive to goe beyond their calling idlenesse in that many were negligent in their callings If these things be so and be not redressed by the 〈◊〉 of this proâ—hesie we must according to Mr. deâ—Cluse his Doctrine make a new sâ—paration How oft doe the Brâ—threâ— except one against anothers prophecying by which much heart-burning and strife is â—indlâ—d between them Thâ—se thiâ—gs being well considered I pray you well to minde whether this new way of prophecying on the Lords day can be â—or the edification of the Church or not For this new propâ—â—ying of the Lay people read a Treatise newly set forth by 〈◊〉 Apolâ—nij 19. They will use no set Formes of Prayer THey finde fault with set Formes of Prayers and this also they learne of the Anabaptists who having burnt all the Books in Munster and in the Dominions of King Iohn of Zâ—â—on except the Bible were compelled either to pray without book which they call Praying with the spirit or not at all moreover the Anabaptists were so ignorant as Lambertus Hortensiâ—â— reporteth that among the numerous multitude of them 〈◊〉 was not one found as it was credibly reported that could read So they being not able to pray within book but all without book They have with the Brownists invented divers arguments against set Prayers They pretend set Prayers to be a device of man a muzling of the spirit a nurse of idlenesse and a meanes to neglect the graâ—es of God that are in them whereas they pretend extemporary prayers to be the work of the spirit whereas rather thereby they â—â—zzell the spirit of the people being tyed to the ex tempoâ—e and 〈◊〉 prayers of the Ministers