march 6. 1632. Yea a greate Bishop in a sermon before the King charged one that writ for the presbyterie with Arianisme whether truly or no I know not for he namd not the man nor the book for feare least his proofes of the presbiterie should be looked into So much do they bewray the rottennesse of theire cause that will not endure touching nor to be looked vpon and in the meane call vpon men to frequent common prayer be obedient and conformable to theire mother the Church c. Beeing willingly ignorant that when of old som began to finde fault with the increase of superstition and tyranie in Romish Prelates Canons they reckoned them Schismatikes willed men to seeke peace stirred them vp to love of common prayer conformitie in ceremonies and externall devotions building of Churches c. Whereby ignorance increased and the truth was daily more and more betrayed and sold till it was too late to reforme them Princes and noble men could not doe it because they beeing nourished in this ceremonious and superstitious part of religion fell themselves into ignorance and so into many quarrels and noisom lusts like the Prelates one growing dissolute another vsuâ—ping another circumventing killing warring as in France betweene the Kings and the Duks of Burgundie and other Princes In England betweene the howses of yorke and Lancaster the Kings and Rebels they had not a Gospell truly preached to order and aw them so they could not see that all these errours in the Clergie and indeede in themselves came from altering the presbyterall government and giveing such authority to Bishops who for theire owne ends were readie to side with any of them So Protestants in other countries have observed that when the Palatinate was loosing the churches in Germanie France and other parts in greate miserie yet the church of Prelates theire adherents in England did litle helpe them but rather hindred such as would siding with the Duke and others charged by the parliaments to practise secretly for the popish partie or a newtralitie vnder colour that they were conformable to the English discipline and therfore Protestants but at the best that is indeede such as the hierarchie bringeth forth either newters or men of a mixed religion partly popish in the hierarchie Canons and ceremonies most followed and maintained and partly protestant in som points of faith more coldly defended by the most who also seemed to thinke it dangerours to maintaine ancient and honest priveliedges as free elections free speaking and parliamentarie power in searching out and reforming corruptions in church and common wealth both the one and the other beeing by som factious cunningly accounted a puritanicall zeale and a trenching vpon the prerogative of Princes when indeede the prerogative themselves sought to maintaine was only that of corrupt Prelates and favourits who have abused our Kings with such incensings and whisperings as the protestations of the parliaments laboured to manifest It is no neede to tell how they were prevented or that thereupon greate divisions followed both at that time and since especially in religion The Prelates not enduring that the howse of Commons should medle with it nor with the most notorious delinquents that did but favour theire partie who thus strove to helpe and vphold one another what ever became of the cause of Christ at home or abroade Gal. 5.9 Not to mention what boldnes and corruption this hath since bred in other inferiour bodies and government A litle leaven leaveneth the whole lumpe The french and other Protestants say theese are the fruits of maintaining the hierarchie and ceremonies which are Popish and so serve many for a cloak of poperie or trecherie or Arminianisme or prevarication or persecution or newtralitie or what a man will whereby the English haue beene brought into greate contempt theire peace thus attained beeing scorned as savouring of corruption or Newtralite in Religion and as more helping to support then ruin Babylon and her chiefe fort and wall the howse of Austria and as thus haveing lost theire honour both abroade and at home The Bishops could cover all this and turne the fault vpon the puritans that would not flatter as themselves did And yet in all this like the Romanists they bluster with the name authority and wisdom of Christs Church whether they be truly of it or the world The name Church if the Greeke word be considered signifieth coetus evocatus a companie or people called out Coetus evocatus as Israel out of Egypt or men out of darknesse ignorance or worldlinesse How few are thus called out of poperie temporising and earthlinesse I know divers Ministers that have subscribed are in all other things of the reformed Religion and thorowly called out of poperie save onely that for feare of loosing theire liveings they dare not see one part of it in the case of the hierarchie things that are against the presbiterie But consider the Church of England as the Bishops that govern it account it in themselves and theire adherents in a Synod called the Church representative and maintaining theire power canons and ceremonies with the fruits and practises of them who can say it is coetus evocatus Much lesse if you vnderstand it of halfe a dozen of Prelates that are courtiers in a manner ruling all are followed and flattered by many temporising Clergie men and a world of ignorant gentlemen and people And what if one corrupt Bishop get into such favour as to rule all the rest shall he like the Pope account himselfe the Church Not onely all these ill fruits but all that are in the Church of Rome came from altering that order of Bishops which the Apostles left by setting one presbyter of a greate citie over the rest and giving him first a litle authority as President of theire councell and then a litle more till he came to be accounted the sole Bishop of a diocesse And therfore as cunning Clarks as they make themselves our saviour may in these cases say of them If you were blinde Ioh. 9.41 if ye did confesse your blindnesse if ye had not the light of Gods word to shew it to you ye should haue no sinne But now ye say wee see chap. 101. therfore your sinne remaineth He that entreth not by the doore into the sheepefold but climeth vp another way the same is a thiefe and a robber I am the doore As he is the word of the father that revealeth him so is he the doore If a man come with any other Doctrine then the word revealed or enter by any other way to be a Pastor or Governour of the Church then such lawfull election and mission as is ordained in the word if he enter by any other rule office authority or title then such as the word alloweth he is a theefe and a robber that commeth not but for to steale a hireling as the Pharises were They complaine of lecturers as vnlawfull yet none
into that her first errour yea though they should be at enmitie with her for her after errours or not know her there are none exempted that fall into the same errour only As many as have not this doctrine marke and so for the doctrine of the Nicolaitans of Babylon or any other therefore if a man forsake all Babylons errours save one if he hold but one of the first as this aboute Bishops which is the roote of all the rest he committeth adulterie with her in that he pertaketh of her sinnes and may receive of her plagues She hath many others It is true that all nations have drunk of them The reformed churches have therefore discovered and abandoned them Among which the church of England will not acknowledge that though she retaine diocessan Bishops theire courts power in imposing divers Romish customs canons and ceremonies that yet theese are any part of the Babylonian corruptions for which she is taxed in the holy Scriptures and at the last rewarded Some seeing Bishops beare such sway in the church of England do plainly affirme that they are of God and ordained in the new Testament knowing that otherwise so greate power and authority in the church cannot be lawfull Gal. 3.15 seeing the Apostle saith though it be a mans Testament yet if it be confirmed no man dissanulleth or addeth thereto much lesse to Gods Others there are that if you tell them it was an invention of the Romanists and other Clergie men after the death of the Apostles they so much reverence that church of Martyrs that they care not much whether it be of the Apostles or them which is a verie greate follie and vanitie seeing our Lord taxeth so many churches of those times with greate corruptions and it hath beene manifested that the church of Rome both in this case and many others did quickly grow worse then them all that many were the presumptions and burdens she laide on the church that the foundation of diocessan episcopacie was making the pastors of greate cities to be alwaies presidents of Sinods which so increased theire authority that in time the title of Bishops came to be restrained to them who beeing in such power were as readie to take it as others in flatterie to give it And why then should so much be ascribed to theire Synods seeing so many foolish and presumptious things were determined by them As abouts Temples Altars Masses vestments holy water orders Metropolitans all verie superstitious and so much for theire owne glorie that An ichrist rose out of them Our Lord saith he that speaketh of him selfe seeketh his owne glorie Ioh. 7.18 but he that seeketh his glorie that sent him by speaking his truth as in the two verses before the same is true and no vnrighteousnes is in him which argues Also chap. 8.38 that they who speake any thing besides his revealed will who speake any thing besides his truth or commaund what he hath not commaunded they are false and seeke theire owne glorie yea there is much vnrighteousnes in them they defile a church they speake that which they have seene with theire father and that therefore those prelates who ordained these things sought theire owne glorie defiled the church and were guided by other spirits then the Spirit of Christ who only taks of Christs and shewes vnto men Chap. 16.13.14 Which is also plaine by this that to theire owne glorie they are more observed then the commaundements of God as Lent and other things then devised So Telesphorus sought his owne glorie Platina in Telesphor when he ordained That in the night of Christs birth day three massos should be celebrated the first at midnight when Christ was borne in Bethelem the second at the breake of day when he was known to the Shepheards the third at the time of the day when he was nailed on the crosse for after that hower it was forbidden to celebrate it Because Paul saith As oft as ye eate this bread and drinke this cup ye shew the Lords death therefore in the primative church they oft received the Sacrament commonly once every Lords day which was well But this was no warrant for them to devise to shew his death by a kinde of Sacrifice as Alexander first invented See Platiin Alex. and somtime twise or thrise in a morning in this superstitious manner which soone served hypocrits for a pretence of lesse preaching or hearinge the word growing ignorant and making the masse ordained in those times the chiefe part of their religion which must needes be much to theire glorie in an Antichristian sense that speaking of themselves devised it and were so followed in it Idem in Eleuther And so in ordaining diocessan Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs after the example of the flamins Archflamins and Protoflamins as Platina and others shew Indeede all ordinances did greatly increase theire glorie were they never so foolish because they beeing in honour had st ll flatterers to defend them and perswade obedience to them Therefore reade Damasus Platina and others that write theire lives and you shall finde there was then scarse any B. of Rome that did not invent som ordinaÌ„ce least he should be thought an ill husband in increasing the glorie of his Sea Idem in Zepherin an 198. Idem in Calist and in Steph. 1 Zepherinus ordained that the cup in the Sacrament should be of glasse and no more of wood as it was before This was after altered and commaunded to be of gold silver or pewter Calistus ordained that there should be a fast thrise a yeare on the saturday for corne wine and oyle which after was changed to the fast at fower times Stephen 1. ordained that Priests should not weare holy garments but in the church and in celebrating holy rites least if they did otherwise they should fall into the sinne of Balthasar who touched the holy vessels with prophane hands In the times of the Apostles before presbyters wore such garments bâ—fore Surplesses coapes and such vestments were taken from the hâ—athen there was litle neede of such an ordinance Howsoever the Scriptures do so forbid prophane cariage at all times and in all Christians that this needed not to keepe priests from beeing drunke in theire Surplesses What should I speak of hallowing grapes on the Altar and such like foolish ordinances The verie shame of those ages and of them that so much reverence theire inventions and canons for theire Antiquitie But it is rather because Vrbanus made one which enricheth the Prelates because Dionisius limited the confines of divers diocesses and Cajus distinguished the orders because though in all these things they spake of them selves yet they were confirmed in the councell of Nice who indeede sought Christs glorie and spake out of his Testament in her creede But whether she spake of her selfe or of theese Bishops of Rome and theire inventions and customs in her other Canons aboute Bishops the Reader
might if they would and yet scorne and reject them as follie and matters of reproach and worthy correction persecution it is a plaine treading vnder foote the Sonne of God who hath * Reu. 1.1.11.19 and Ioh. 16.13 reuealed the Father in theese things and counting the blood of the couenant an vnholy thing wherewith the new Testament was sanctified confirmed or dedicated as the first covenant was with the blood of beasts yea this is to doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace which first shewes vs Gods grace in ordaining these things and after in promises of restoring them And indeede seeing it is manifest Act. 14. chap. 20.28 1. Pet. 5.2 Tit. 1.9 that the Apostles ordained Elders in euery Church that theire office was to feede the flock ouer which the Holy Ghost made them Bishops that they were to take the oversight thereof by sound Doctrine to convince the gainsayers reproue correct and instruct in righteousnes and if this would not serue after the first and second admonition to excommunicate in and with the consent of the congregation who can denie but that all this is of the substance of religion necessarie to the salvation of the people and proper to euery Prosbyter Euery man will be readie to confesse that it is better there be a Pilot a Maister and a Maisters mate in euery ship to watch ouer the same and all that is in it as the Lord in Wisdom ordained Elders to be Bishops in euery Church or congregation to watch over it and all the Soules therin leaving them in his Testament a card and rules to steere and saile by the word of God beeing theire Rudder then that there should be but one in a whole fleete one Bishop in a diocesse and all the rest but shadowes or lesser wheeles to be led and moved by him as it came to passe by the wisdom and encroachments of men wherby Bishops neither leaving the brethren nor yet the presbyters any voice in censures or part in the government doe themselves bring in the inventions and evils Christ would keepe out get dominion over mens faith and by theire power and traditions make the word of none effect in divers perticulars A thing which is expresly forbidden in the new Testament My brethren be not many Maisters knowing that wee shall receive the greater condemnation Iam. 3.1 that is because in the causes and controversies of hereticks Psal 100. Schismatiks and other delinquents it is saide of the word Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies He shall judge amonge the nations the Presbyters and members of the church doe but rule and judge by him as steeres men by the Rudder judges and jurots by the law not by theire owne inventions or pretended authority And therfore our saviour who was against all such dominion in the church saith to his Disciples Mat. 20.25 Chap. 123.8 The Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them But ye shall not not be so Be not ye called Rabbi for one is your Maister even Christ and all ye are brethren Therfore when there is cause of accusing or censuring any he doth not say Tell the Bishops but Tell the church And accordingly in the times of the Apostles Chap. 18.17 and longe after as the epistles of Cyprian do manifest they were judged by the word in an assemblie of presbyters and brethren as the incestuous Corinthian which shewes us that neither one man nor the presbiters alone were judges in such cases but the church which by the Scriptures either cleered or censured any person accused as by the word of God he appeared either guiltie or not guiltie for so doth the word judge among the nations And therfore seeing God hath so ordained and it was in the primitive church so practised it is not a thing indifferent as some thinke whether Presbyters or diocessan Bishops hold the government but in effect a matter of salvation espetially to every church and by consequence to every Soule in it as the well or ill guiding of a ship concerneth the salvation of every passenger embarqued in it For though in a tempest some are saved without good Pilots and some in the shipwrack by a board yet others are not without skilfull sea men and soe in the church but for the most part not without helpes in government God hath in nothing given this to one in a diocesse and his officials but to the presbyters of every church elected according to his ordinance For though the provision of Bishops and Pastors have beene somtime in the hands of the Clergie and people somtimes in the hands of K ngs and Patrons then in the hands of Popes and then againe in the hands of Kings and patrons as now in England yâ—t as many have proved for the first seaven or eight hundred yeares after Christ the people in most places did choose them according to the practise of the primative church and the power given them in the new Testament For so saith Cyprian The people have principallie the power either to choose such priests as are worthy or to refuse such as are vnworthy Cypri 1. Epist 4. Act. 14.23 Beza Annot in Act. 14. Tit. 1. And so saith Luke They ordained them Elders in every church by election Where saith Beza the force of the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is to be noted that wee may know that Paul and Barnabas caried nothing by private will nor exercised any tyranie in the church nor lastly did any such thing as at this day the Romish harlot or her pages doe whome they call ordinaries And by this place saith he must that be vnderstood I left thee in Creete to ordaine them Elders in everie citie as I had appointed thee that is by election as the Apostles left it to the church and people there assembled to choose one in the place of Iudas Beza Annot in Act. 1. And they appointed two Nothing saith Beza is here caried privately by Peter as by one endued with a more excellent dignitie but publickly and by the suffrages of the whole church So as he sheweth were the seaven Deacons chosen and so is that to be vnderstood Lay hands sodainly on no man that is to make him a presbyter amd so give him a part in this charge of the Eldership till he be tried the church or people have chosen him and praier be made for him as at the election of Mathias and the seaven Deacons It is ill for the Soules of Kings Bishops and patrons and indeede worse for the church that any one of these have the choice or confirmation of Pastors helpers Elders which are lawfull callings or of diocessan Bishops Deanes prebends and others which are vnlawfull For this makes divines flatter all such Princes Patrons and Prelates or theire favourites and so is cause of exceeding greate corruption and hipocrisie in church and common wealth For by this meanes Princes Prelates and theire favourites though they
to his word Mar. 13.34 because himselfe gave authority to his servants the Apostles and to every man his worke Ephes 4.11.12 And by them he hath set sufficient officers in the church for the perfecting of the saints for the worke of the ministrie c. And what can wee have more If men would but see it the Elders in the Reformed churches do better looke to the order God requireth then diocessan Bishops do or can For this order is shewed in his Testament That is perâ—â—â—â— and he saith Deut. 12.32 Gal. 3.15 Thou shalt not adde thereto nor dimâ—â—â—sh frâ—m it It 〈◊〉 true Bâ—◠〈◊〉 us like Vzzâ— doe more then Goâ— commaundeth â—â—ey look to diverâ— things that Elders doe not once look afteâ— but 〈◊〉 is then after mens traditions and commaundements which turne from the truth are popish tyranical and superfluous while by obstinate defending these they make divisions and contentions contrarie to the Apostolike doctrine and so â—â—â—ve not the Lord Jesus Christ Rom. 16. but theire owne bellie and by good words and faire speeches deceive the hearts of the simple this is not to vphold the church of Christ but theire owne kingdom It will be saide some of them haâ—e both 〈…〉 â—d written well yea confirmed 〈◊〉 supâ—â—essed Heretâ—â—◠〈…〉 but theire numbe◠〈…〉 â—h as 〈◊〉 did in the churâ—h of Rome wherein ma◠〈◊〉 arâ—â—aâ—â— Bishops Monkes and Iesuits confute som heâ—â—â—â—â—ks and preach well in all things save for the maintenance of â—â—â—ire orders and superstition So doe English prelats How soeâ—â—â—â—â—at hath beene as well if not better performed by other miniâ—â—â—â— at home and in the reformed churches Histor of the coun of Trent p. 24. There have beene divers honest Popes who have confest som errours in the power and practise of the church as of late Adrian 6. who sending to the Diet of Noremberg confesseth many corruptions in the sea and Church of Rome and promiseth reformation But this makes the calling of Popes neuer a whit the more Lawfull or necessarie As it was with Popes so it is with Bishops the better som of them haue beene the worse for the Church for they doe but hold vp the reputation of the office and so hold way for worse successors theire traditions Neyther is it better for the suppressing of heritikes and leude liuers that one in a diocesse hath this power for he cannot looke to all the Clergie much lesse to all the people though he should minde nothing else How then can he doe it if he be a counsellour of Estate and a judge in the Starchamber and high commission Among the Clergie in England and much more among the people many are saide to be drunkards coueteous contentious hereticall Arminians non residents dumbe ministers zealous defenders of canons and ceremonies preaching litle else Popelings dunces drones persecutors of those that preach and heare the word diligently If the Bishop who cannot looke to all see not the most of them countenaÌ„ce others or be by any meanes made to connive they may keepe theire Churches and others from preaching in them and doe no good but much hurt in them which is not so in the Churches of France where there are few or rather none of this kinde that discipline hath easy meanes to remedie these things both in the Clergie and people or rather indeede it preventeth them so much better is that which God ordained then that which men after invented to mend it Againe because the Bishop might be hereticall or wicked to helpe that they ordained Archbishops and because some Archbishops might be such they ordained Patriarchs and because some of them might be corrupted as they were they admitted of Appeales and ordained a Pope and then because he might erre or be wicked as Liberius Honorius Iohn 13 and others they were forced to affirme the Pope cannot erre and in all these things men were still perswaded to contribute to theire honour wealth and power as necessarie to the kingdom of God and therfore still as this honour and power increased the Scriptures were by flatterers wrested to defend it therfore though in the invention of diocessan Bishops there was not so greate coueteousnes ambition and wickednes yet the prosecution of it to bring it to its grouth was onely to make themselves fat with the offerings of the people 1. Sam. 2.29 as God saith of the presumptious innovations and coveteous desires of Elies Sonnes Thus from the first step in ordaining diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest till it came to the height Some will say it hath not yet donne so in England But what remedie is there in the meane against the Appealer or any wicked Prelate non resident or other delinquent If as of late in the Star-chamber Bishops set themselves to defend the vse of Images in Churches yea those of the Trinitie what other Bishops or Ministers dare oppose them in pulpit or print They beeing greate and able to prefer others are sure to be flattered and followed and by this meanes theire honour and power beeing daily increased they may prevaile in these and many other cases as the Church of Rome did in theese and the like theire office therfore doth not make ready a people prepared for Christ Reu. 11. but rather for Antichrist If the witnesses will Prophesie against them it must also be in sackcloth bonds and imprisonment for they haue obtained or rather retained so much Romish power as to bring them to it and punish all that reproue them God telleth them of Babylon the greate the Mother of Harlots Chap. 17 to shew them she may haue daughters there may be Babylon the lesse yea many lesser Babylons Harlots in corruptions and fornications The counsellors of the Parliament of Paris opposed against the authority that the councell of Trent gaue to the Bishops in this kinde where the Ecclesiasticall authority they saide Histor of the councell of Trent lib. 8. p. 819. was enlarged beyond its bounds with the wrong and diminution of the temporall by giueing power to Bishops to proceede to pecuniarie mulcts and imprisonment against the laitye whereas no authority was giuen by Christ to his ministers but meere and pure spirituall that when the Clergie was made a member and part of the policie the Princes did by fauour allow the Bishops to punish inferiour Clergie men with temporall punishments but to vse such kinde of punishments against the laiques they had neither from the Law of God nor of man but by vsurpation onely Yet commonly the most grievous they inflict is for taking part with the Apostles in defense of the presbiterie taxing the Prelates of worldly policie and tyranie or for some disobedience or irregularity to theire power inventions and ceremonies wherein note theire hypocrisie who in the meane will not permit men to preach against images Altars bowing to them c. Much lesse any thing that sheweth the presbiterall gouernment
must complaine of them Men will not see theese things This peoples heart Mat. 13.15 saith he is waxed grosse and theire eares are dull of hearing and theire eyes haue they closed c. When Christ commeth he will distinguish the sheepe from the goates and know them by this mark as himselfe saith My sheepe heare my voice If ye continue in my word then are ye my Disciples indeede my sheepe indeede otherwise not This is as well true of them that are at Synods as at Sermons both the one and the other beeing but conventicles if they continue not in the word but teach or receive for doctrines precepts of men A diocessan Bishop would like a player seeme to be that which he is not namely a Bishop of the new Testament when yet he makes them of none effect and so is an hypocrit by his office one that saith not against him that would have presbyters restored this man is against Gods ordinance but against the Doctrine of our Church a custom or a canon of a councell and therfore an hipocrit but if Christ shall say to this vsurper depart I know you not I ordained no such offices no such canons who is then the hypocrit It is true indeede that among the many orders of the Popish Religion diocessan Bishops and theire officials are the most ancient and that secular Priests which anciently were presbyters did before the Nicene councell differ litle from the presbiters Christ ordained save that Bishops had wrunge most of the government out of they re hands but when loosing power in excommunication they also became subject to the Bishops and to be governed by theire Lawes Rules and canons as they all by the Pope they left and lost Christs marke tooke on them the marke of the Beast But then as they had made the presbiterie of none effect so the Regulars supplanted them There are many orders of these Regulars or Monles who haveing obtained of Boniface 4. and others after him to have the administation of the word and Sacraments got the hearing of mens confessions and by degrees stole from Bishops and Priests all that reputation which they had with the people and became the stoutest champions of the papacie in all the designes thereof as is at large proved in Plesses his Historie of the papacie progress 51. c. These were the Augustines Benedictines Iacobines Heremits Carthusians but especially the Dominicans and Franciscans Cordiliers and Capuchins and last of all the Iesuits and fathers of the Oratorie These and others have all theire severall Rules and so are severall Religions Yet they all have the marke of the Beast They all hold of him and for him not of Gods word nor for it And so ye have seene also that English Bishops and theire officials Deanes Prebends Subdeanes Archdeacons pettie canons and the like doe not hold theire authority and right in theire orders to execute theire offices from Gods word but from other rotten principles and have taken them from the custom and authority of the Pope Church of Rome or from a child or a woman Edward 6. or Queene Elizabeth that to hold them vpon any such humane authority or to say the word of God giveth leave so to hold them is to change the truth of God into a lie and to worship serve the creature more then the creator For of Christs Testament they doe not nor cannot hold them If they say from the Nicence councell wee have seene the weaknes of that hold in this perticular and indeede that as well many of the ancient as of the later councels have in many things beene carried by mens private interests and practises as appeareth among other Testimonies by an Epistle of Bishop Iewel annexed to the Historie of the councell of Trent and further that Bishops had not then theire courts and such power as afterwards and as they now have in England where in the Reformation it was set vp in the same power the Popish Bishops had enjoyed if not in greater because they were freed from the tyranie of the Pope and lastly that none of all these have the Testimonie of Iesus for theire orders offices and Rules They are not of that Temple or Church militant which Iohn saw but of the owter court though neerer the Temple and Altar then the Papists For all that are of that Temple have the Testimonie of Iesus as well for theire offices as Doctrines which you see none other have but presbiters Pastors helpers and Deacons Not excluding such Majestrates and people as are of the reformed Religion these church orders and no other have his marke who when he is ready to powre out his last plague on Babylon and other cities saith behold I come as a theife Rev. 16.15.16 Where I thinke he meaneth in that last plague against all Antichristian adversaries and in the voyces thunders the exceeding greate earthquake and haile and the fall of Babylon which are of it accompanie it or follow soone after it as Revel 2. Repent or else I will come vnto thee quickly and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth For then it is that the Angel crieth Babylon the greate is fallen is fallen and is become the habitation of deuils c. Then Babylon comes in remembrance before God to give her the cup of the wine of the fircenesse of his wrath and therefore he addeth Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments least he walke naked and they see his shame that is in lusts and ignorance or worshipping the Beast or his Image or receiving his marke in part or in whole For they that would not doe this though they may come into trouble for the witnesse of Iesus and for the word of God yet these seaven plagues take not hold of them Luk. 21.36 they watch and are thought worthy to escape these things they raigne with Christ and have part in the first resurrection Rev. 13. God therefore sends vs to see when this vial is powred out or at least to heare that voyce It is donne or that Babylon is fallen is fallen c. Which seeme to follow close after the powring out of the seaventh vial that it may drive vs to repentance before such lamentable iudgments fall on vs at least on all them who pertaking with her in her sinnes are sure to receive of her plagues a thing that is not enough regarded by many in England Christ also comes as a thiefe in the last day And then when he shall looke on the soules of many who have had voices in Synods upon the soules of many a preacher of many an officer and many a hearer and shall see there is little in them but the Canons and ceremonies of the pretended church and a reverent opinion of them because of theire pretended antiquitie or if they have knowledge and zeale in many other things as the Papists have in some they withall have zeale and ignorance
misteries But what then saith he doe we think will becom of our age Wherein our vices are increased to that height that they haue scarce left for vs a place of mercie with God How litle Religion is there and that rather dissembled then true he might haue saide and that rather after mens inventions then Gods ordinances what corrupt manner c. Eusebius say more yet I haue chosen to allege him in Platinaes words to keepe malicious mindes from pretending deceite in alleadging it Men may well thinke that when with constantine there entred such a deale of peace and plentie there must needes be more corruption Theire owne Authors shew it for Baronius saith Baron in 324. art 78. 79. Constantine in the 24 yeare of his raigne ordained that the Bishops should from that time forward haue the same Priueliedges which the idolatrous Priests had enjoyed in times past They had saith he as chiefe among them Rex Sacrificulus who in solemne feasts was wont to watch and haue an eye ouer the rest They had also theire Soueraigne Pontife Pontifex Maximus Arbitrator of all questions arising among them and who can think saith he that Constantine could longe endure that these should exceede Christians in pompe and glorie He might haue saide that the Bishops of Rome could long endure it Howsoeuer this was the goodly reason of theire greatnes contrarie to that of Christ Luk. 22. the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship ouer them c. but ye shall not be so Yet Baronius sheweth the Pope and Cardinals to haue the honour in riding clothing and other things that these Pontifes had It appeares in Platina on the like of Eleutherus that the power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs was taken from the example of these pagans they were then onely held in titles of like nature but now in the power pompe and riches of them Polidor Virgil also acknowledgeth that many things haue com into the Church of Rome from the Hebrewes the ancient Romans De invent rerum l. 5. c. 1. Book of the Iubile see the Root of Romish Rites and other Pagans M. Derlincourt proueth this out of the Bishop of Mande Gratian and divers others of their owne Authors and among other things that the dignities and power of Bishops Archbishops and Patriarchs were taken from the heathen And for theire wealth Cedrenus in his Historie saith that Constantine in the 26 and 27 yeares of his Empire laboured to pull downe the idols and to conuey theire rents and revenues to the Churches From this greatnes of dignitie and wealth there soone followed a greatnes of power and tyranie in imposing the Romish Lawes aboute supremacie worshipping of images praying to Saints single life of Priests purgatorie pardons and the like Was not Babylon fallen in all this Was not here a manifest change of Christs ordinances aboute Bishops and other things Excommunication was at first a punishment inflicted by many not of one But they haueing made one breach 2. Cor. 6. and 2. Thess 3 14. Histor of the counc of Trent l. 4. p. 331. to set vp a kinde of diocessan Bishops the mysterie of iniquitie could not rest there but as one saith the members of the Churches neglecting theire duties at last left all to the Bishops who out of ambition embraced it and the persecutions ceasing erected a tribunall which was much frequented That yet they judging honestly at the first Constantine made a Law that there should lie no appeale from the Sentences of the Bishops which authority they abusing that Law aboute 70 yeares after was revoked by Arcadius and Honorius and one made that they should not be thought to haue a court which was executed in Rome it selfe and after by Valentinian strengthened by another Law to that purpose This was not digging vp the roote of the mysterie of iniquitie by taking away this diocessan power and restoring the Eldership whereof not onely Princes but euen Clergie men were now growne ignorant but lopping the branches which after grew and spread more then euer for this power thus taken away was restored by Justinian who 500 yeares after Christ established vnto them a court and audience And after the power of Bishops greatly increased when they came to be Councellours to King and Princes and to beare offices vnder them as to be Chancellours Treasurors and the like Whereby theire Canons power traditions and Ceremonies came to be receiued with the greater authority and no man durst gainsay them were they never so superstitious popish and tyranicall All this came from theire first presumptions in not abiding in the ordinance and Wisdom of God touching the Edership as they were willed but giueâ—ng a kinde of authority and superintendencie to the Pastor or Bishop of greate cities ouer the lesser townes and all presbiters aboute them For thus Bishops by that meanes encroached from one step to another till at last the verie name of the presbiterie grew odious vnto them as it doth now to the Bishops and theire defenders in England where all proofes of it are prohibited and more carefully kept from Princes and people then any Popish Doctrine and as if they were as dangerous as the Blasphemies of Arrius and other monsters And thus blinded by ambition coueteousnes and flatterie they despise the Law of the Lord Amos. 2. and theire lies caused them to erre after which theire Fathers walked they would rather doe as theire Fathers had donne and taught then as God commaunded And thus wee see that the Lord may say vnto them Mal. 3.7 Euen from the dayes of your Fathers ye are gon away from mine ordinances and haue not kept them And which is a greater mischiefe the antiquitie of this wicked wandring is made an authority against the old and good way as against a foolerie and against all that seeke it as against Hypocrites fooles and Schismatikes By reason whereof Ier. 6.10 men talke in vaine that tell them of Gods ordinance or the new Ierusalem wherein they shall be restored they cannot hearken Behold the word of the Lord is vnto them a reproach Hos 6.12 they haue no delight in it God writeth to them the greate things of his Law but they are counted as a strange thing groundles and mad opinions worthy imprissonment banishment and what not It is a wonderfull thing that men should professe to liue in the light and obedience of the Gospel and yet like hypocrites despise it in any thing as they doe in matter of the presbiterie and those gracious promises of the new Ierusalem which are confirmed and sealed in the new Testament with the blood of the Sonne of God I confesse it is thus in many of the gentrie and commons because they are not suffred to see any proofes of it If any be not willing to see them that is worse But in the Prelates many Clergie men yea and som Princes who haue seene proofs of theese things or
to be ordained of God and necessary when indeede it is theire owne office that is not necessary seeing it onely serveth for such things to persecute men for the Testimonie of Iesus and more to force vnnecessarie then necessarie ceremonies For kneeling in prayer good order and reverent gesture in the Church are vsed in the french Churches as commendable and necessarie and yet in men that in those other thâ—ngs are disobedient to the truth theire verie prayers are abhominable and but mockeries much more theire owne deuised cringes and gestures as in Papists who abound in such things and as if a man should with all order and reverence bow his body to the King his chaire of Estate Image or seale and yet despise or neglect many of his wholsom Lawes and commandements The orders and ceremonies which God ordained are indeede to religion as the barke or leaues to a tree that is a comely part of it but as for other ceremonies and inventions with theire pretended significations which beeing devised by man are more then are in the reformed Churches of France or were in the Apostles time they are not to the religion and truth of God as they say like the barke to the tree which if it be taken off the tree withereth but as the ivye to the oake which seemes to adorne and embrace it but indeede binds shadowes and by degrees wasts and destroyes it For these shewes serve many for a religion and a cloake of persecution and the power of Bishops serues for a tyranous terrour to keepe men from pâ—aching and writing the truth and setting theire names to theire bookes in the cases of the hierarchie traditions Altars images pelagianisme or the like and consequently to beget flatterie and lukewarmnesse in Clergie and people and eate out that loue and zeale of the truth in all things that they either doe now or may hereafter prohibit or maintaine Such was and such is the fruite of theire power and therfore certainly it is not of God but of men of the world of the coueteous lust of the eyes and of the pride of life and therfore what matters it who gaue it them whether councels or Kings they cannot make black white nor euill good nor that Lawfull which is so unlawfull and pernicious to the Kingdom of God Constantine no doubt thought he had offered a greate sacrifice to God in giueing them so much as he did other Emperours Kings therfore haue augmented it But he that forbiddeth to adde to his word or take from it saith to obey is better then sacrifice 1. Sam. 15. Therfore Asa to doe that which was right in the eyes of God did not vrge his owne or other mens inventions 2. Chro. 14.3.4 but tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and Images other Kings had erected and commaunded Judah to seeke the Lord God of theire Fathers and to doe the Law marke and the commaundement Chr st beeing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords though Kinges as his deputies haue greate power in matters of Religion yet that is so as in theese things not so seeke theire owne but Gods will donne in earâ—h as it is in heauen I saith he Ioh. 8.26 chap. 6.34 Tract 40.41.54 speake to the world those things which I haue heard of him J came not to doe mine owne will but the will of him that sent me He saiâ—e this that was the eternall word and Wisdom of God yea verie God and eternall l fe For indeede he was not his owne wisdom word but the Fathers as August n doth mâ—nâ—fest on theese the like places of the Gosspell And shall not Kings then who are but his Deputies much more say it yea doe it either by causing the word of God to be faithfully taught in theire cities as David and Iehoshaphat or by rooting out all monuments and stumbling blocks of superstition and idollatrie and by suffering theire subjects to preach freely against them and to worship the Lord in the beautie of holinesse as Hezechiah and Iosiah did that is in a word by causing theire subjects to worship God aright and take his marke in the puritie of his ordinances and not to worship the Beast and take his mark in receiving professing and defending his corrupt traditions and ceremonies For to serve God and make others serve him in the beautie of holinesse Psa 110.3 is to make men serve him in the holinesse of the truth according to all that is written in his Testament Ios 1.8 and not with cathedrall service and musick after the pompous traditions and inventions of Prelates and theire Canons as some infer For the Image of God is renewed in all righteousnesse and holines of the truth Ephes 4.24 and if God would not that wee should be again in bondage to the rudiments which himselfe ordained in the ceremoniall law Christ haveing nailed them to his crosse much lesse to those which the pope and church of Rome or other men have invented or established It were good that Princes and theire chaplains would think of that Ezra 7.21 whatsoever is commaunded by the God of heaven that is in matters of religion let it be diligently donne where mark he saith not commaunded by Kings for why should there be wrath against the Realme of the King and his Sonnes That is either for neglecting Gods commaund or vrging inventions of men for therfore wee are willed not to thinke of men and theire power above that is written 1 Cor. 4.6 It is the necessity of conformitie imposed upon Ministers that furnisheth them as it did the Papists with arguments to defend traditions humane precepts and Canons against this truth and so to make a fearfull war against God Which I observe not so much of them who haveing subscribed follow theire ministrie preach the word and never speake of English traditions hopeing God will reforme them as of those that defend and preach them Isa 1. never thinking that God may say vnto them who required these things at your hands What Gospell is this How doth it helpe the Kingdom of God What knowledge what fai h what holinesse of the truth doth it worke They yet strive to justifie these ordinances and all the power of the prelates 1. Cor. 14.40 saying the Apostle saiâ—h Let all things be donne decently and in order therfore Synods may ordaine diocessan Bishops and all such Canons as are in England and doubtlesse the will of God is that they should be obeied I nswer the Apostle by this decencie and order can not meane any thing that shall overthrow any of the ordinances of God or make his word of none effect in any particular He speakes it of things before mencioned in his Epistle Chap. 11.21 Chap. 12. There were divers who did eate theire suppers when they came to the Sacrament one is hungrie and another is drunken this was not decently and in order If any
man hunger let him eate at home The holy Ghost giveth divers gifts of wisdom knowledge healing faâ—th prophecie tongues c. to divers members of the same body If the one of them should say of the other I have no neede of thee this were not to doe things decently and in order He wisheth them to covet the best gifts rather to prophecie then to speake with tongues that men praying or prophecying should be vncovered Chap. 14. that women should be covered and not speake in the church and above all he there speaketh of prophecying one by one of others holding theire peace and judging or trying the Spirits And so of these and the like things then in vse Rev. 2.24 he saith let all things be donne decently and in order As for these new inventions of Bishops and Synods Chr st himselfe saith I will put vpon you no other burden but that which ye have alreadie hold fast till J come And shall men thinke that they may doe it Are there any true Christians that will not see that the offices of dâ—ocessan Bishops who burden the church with sup rsti ious rites are not de jure divino not of God but of men That they w re raised to this height and power after the example of the Bishop and church of Rome who in those first ages was imitâ—tâ—d by the most So truly is she called the mother of fornications and abhominations of the earth That they beeing armed with power serve chiefely to suppresse the truth in these other po nts to get and have dominion over mens faith bring in Arminianisme or other like errours forbid confutation of them exalt humane traditions Romish inventions and ceremonies and like Egiptian taskemaisters to burden the churches with them make ministors that they dare not see these evils least it should hinder theire preferment or they should be deprived of theire liveings or silenced for speaking against them whilest they see that others flatter or extoll them and they serve thousands for a religion and insteade of that which Christ ordained as also for a cloake of poperie mocking and persecution It will be saide the Canons ceremonies are not imposed as matters of faith but of order and are counted things indifferent and therfore innocent and not so hurtfull as you make them I answer 1. So were they at the first in the Roman church but they grew into greater authority and so do these among thousands in England as sleight a matter as some make of them If things indifferent and innocent why are they pressed with such power For they are more vrged and observed by many then the Gospel In whose mindes these imposers preachers of ceremonies only leave Christ a name while like vsurpers they carrie away the power of a King and kingdom and therfore an offence against them is more punished and more skorned by such popelings newters and temporisers then an offence against the Gospel who yet in all these things count themselves the better subjects the better Christians 2. That in the booke of Articles which is of matters of faith ministers are made to subscribe to this that the church hath authority to ordaine these things that must be by som power given them in Gods word and that is as much as to make them matters of faith and necessity For that is in effect implied If as they say God have given every national church this authority then his will is that these things should be religiously observed and obeiâ—d and to breake them is sinne Thus they are or ought to be of faith Rom. 14.23 for whatsoever is not of faith is sinne But as wee proved the Papists take many of these ceremonies and even the office of diocessan Bishops and Archbishops from the heathen and from the daily encroachings of prelates therefore how should the subscribing to them in this tyranie be of faith no sinne especially seeing they doe many waies turne from God I denie not but that som things that the Apostles vsed are indifferent and may be altered for time and place as preaching and administring the Sacraments in the night and in mens howses Act. 8.36 This may be donne in the day and in Temples Philip and the Eunuch went both downe into the water others neede not to doe soe But such things altered or added by Synods ought to be verie few and such onely as necessity and not pretended conveniencie require For so say the Apostles and Elders Act. 15.22 28. with the whole Church at Ierusalem It seemed good to the Holy Ghost to vs to lay vpon you no greater burden then theese necessarie things Marke they say necessarie things I grant that some things the Church hath altered are necessarie in some Churches as that the whole body should not be dipped in Baptisme nor men forced to stand vncouered in such cold countries as Russia and Sweden while Moses and the Apostles are read as they did of old and as now they doe in prayer and singing of Psalmes other order may be taken for a Reader to reade the Scriptures and begin the Psalmes also for the manner of collecting almes setting vp a pulpit with water for Baptisme and a table conveniently placed on the communion day for at other times there needes none But vnder pretext that the Church hath this power it is most absurd to say it may giue authority to diocessan Bishops and Archbishops theire courts power and proceedings the oath ex officio theire fining imprisoning suspending silencing and so many ceremonies Altars canons customes and traditions as are in England more then were in the Apostles time or then are in the reformed Churches of France Germanie Belgia and other countries and whereof there is no necessitie but much mischiefe as beeing many of them Popish and snares tending to poperie tyrannicall and causing grievous schismes Which if Queene Elizabeth did not abolish consider how she found the land what policies and tempers she vsed how she suffered as King Edward had donne Cand. lib. 1. p. 16.28 and 77. the same service in English which was before in Latin some vaine things omitted Popish Priests to hold theire liueings if they would but take the oath of supremacie that there wâ—re therfore but 80. in the whole land that refused it how the Iudges and many of the nobilitie Iudges in Parliament were still Papists for many yeares after her coronation as the Reader may finde in Camden withall that notwithstanding all theese tempers which she thought those times required she so loued the Gospell and was so far from beeing an enemie to the reformation of Geneva that she as a meanes vnder God established it in Scotland France and the Netherlands her forces did it Againe consider that the best acts that euer any King of Iudah did in the reformation of religion were no excuse for his or theire leauing the high places vntaken away that prouinciall and diocessan Bishops
originall and first authority from her who taxing the offices and ordinances of Christ of insufficiencie for the government of the Church is the mother of fornications and abhominations of the earth that the mysterie of iniquitie began to worke in these things and when they are vtterly confuted or taken away it will begin to cease working Rev. 16.17 In that theire last plague this voyce will be heard It is donne That while Christ is thus spoken against in his officers and ordinances the hearts of many are discovered that they stand not so much for the truth of God as the traditions of men That they in England who make these things indifferent innocent and trifles doe cover with a covertng but not of his Spirit they full of wrath doe not favour the powring out of the last vial much lesse pray for it though it be a greate mercie to his people and onely full of wrath to his enimies That the Kingdom of God and the righteousnes thereof which all Christians should seeke doth suffer more prejudice by such temporising and daubing then by the malice of such as are the profest enemies of religion That they have hereby so vpheld the power and rigour of the Prelates that men begin to crie out that vnder colour of maintaining theire authority they shake the defence of Religion against Papists and bring in the defense of Altars Images such precisenes in ceremonies that wee are like to be coosoned of our Religion and loose it in the fire of humane inventions diocessan power superstition avarice ambition and persecution as by the same meanes and the like the Church of Rome lost the love of the truth and was given over to strong delusions to beleeve lies vnto the everlasting ruin of many millions of Soules which is an evill so greate and so sure a roote of all evils that the Church of England and all the Soules therein should rather seeke to prevent it by watchfulnes and due reformation then by mocking and scorning the reasons of reformists as groundles opinions full of curiositie schisme and puritanisme to discover theire owne shame and keepe the way broade to her owne corruption and ruin or at least to the corruption and destruction of many thousands of Soules who live in the pale of that Church and covering themselves vnder the vaile of conformitie are Popish or newters or meere civil men or Prophane or persecutors and will not be made to see that in this manner the church of Rome began to be Babylon And yet in the meane by her prosperitie and deliverance from heathen persecutions she iudged her selfe to be beloved of God and that he was well pleased with the authority of her Prelates traditions inventions and ceremonies as Philip King of Spaine hardly escaping a danger at sea saide Histor of the counc of Trent lib. 5. pag. 417. he was delivered by the singular providence of God to roote out Lutheranisme which he presently sought to doe as English Prelates thinke God hath longe preserved them in theire pompe and power to roote out reformists called puritans and iudge of the favour of God toward them theire hierarchie and traditions by the deliverances from the Marian persecution the Spanish invasion and the longe time of peace and prosperitie they the Church hath enioyed when all other Churches have beene vnder the crosse A strong evidence say they that God was therewith well pleased which is the argument of them that burnt incense to the Queene of heaven for then say they wee had plentie and were well and saw no evill Not considering that in the Spanish invasion and the powder treason the axe for some sinnes was laide to the roote of the tree that though God seeing some in that land did seeke the truth and mourne for the abhominations that were donne therein did in mercie spare the same yet his mercie and longe suffering leadeth to repentance That Rome and Italie from the time of Constantine to the inundation of the Gothes and Vandals enjoyed as greate peace and plentie and no doubt glorified her selfe therein that her hierarchie traditions and ceremonies which then had not donne much more hurt to the Kingdom and truth of God then the English now have were pleasing to God seeing while other Churches were plagued she was at rest Athanasius Basil travailing in the East and groaning vnder the burden of the Arrians and other miseries writ to the Bishops of Italie and France Basil Epi. 70. Epist 78. It beeing impossiblo say they that they should be ignorant of our miserable estate so well knowne through out the world Therefore they redoubled theire letters conjuring them to informe the Emperour of these troubles in the East from whome and not from Damasus they hoped for redresse But in the meane the Churches of Rome Italie and France beeing in prosperitie neglected theire afflicted brethren Epist 10. and were no comfort to them For if the Anger of God saith Basil continue still vpon vs what comfort will the pride of the west afford vs who neither do know neither yet will have the patience to be rightly informed of the truth of things c. wee have saith he venerable brethren set our eyes vpon you but our hope hath proved vaine c. And yet this thirteene yeares longe do wee continue in this war Which in effect hath beene the complaint of the french and German Protestants to the Prelates of England from whome they have found as litle pitie and helpe in theire distresses The arme is oft let blood to cure som part of the body 1. Pet. 4.17 If iudgment as it oft doth begin at the howse of God what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel Therefore seeing in the English reformation many Popish things were left vnreformed she hath cause to feare it will be saide of her as somtime of Iudah Ier. 3.10 Yet for all this her trecherous sister hath not turned vnto me with her whole heart but fainedly saith the Lord. But let the Church of England therfore take heede that she do not now glorifie her selfe as foolishly as the Churches of Rome and Italie then did Rev. 18. Chap. 3. and now doe to say J sit as a Queene and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow or like Laodicea who saide I am rich and increased with goods and have neede of nothing and knew not that she was wretched and miserable and poore and blinde and naked When the last plague is ready to be powred out Christ saith Behold I come as a thiefe That is to judge and plague such secure ones And indeede as now so in those dayes the Churches of Italie were in greater pompe and prosperitie then any other Christian Churches but withall theire feare toward God was more taught by the precepts of men there was more superstition and Ecclesiastical tyranie therefore they were not more happy but indeede more miserable as the
spirituall miserie doth far exceede the bodilie and temporall Is it not so in the Churches of greate Britaine in comparison of other Protestant Churches I am afraide that as in that Italian ease and rest there was a flood preparing for them which soone brake out in the inundation of the Gothes and Vandals and many strong delusions wherein they still remaine insecuritie So there may be som other a brewing for the Churches of England and Scotland As I can not conceive what they shall be For that is a secret in the power of God who onely holdeth such cups of affliction and punishment in his hand tempers them when he pleaseth maketh a nation drinke the dregs of them So I cannot see how such evils should possiblie be avoided without a serious and effectuall repentance and reformation Let not men deceive themselves to thinke because the Prelates preach some good things that therfore all both is and will goe well enough For so you may be sure did the Prelates of Rome and Italie in those times as Hierom saith There is the confession of Christ Hiero. ad Marcell Viduam but there is also ambition and tyranie They had the knowledge of God in many things and taught it but in matters of the presbiterie and the contraries Prelates canons and ceremonies they could not abide it nor that Emperours and Princes should come to the knowledge of it They geered scorned and persecuted such as laboured to bring them to that which was once delivered to the Saints cunningly putting theire owne fault vpon theire adversaries making them hypocrits filthie dreamers Iude. 8.11.12 such as speake evill of the things they know not and are as Iude speaketh Cloudes without water carried about with windes raging waves of the Sea and wandring stars Such as can make a man an offendour for a word Isa 29.21 and turne aside the just for a thing of nought and calling them hereticks or schismatikes seemed to shew mercie to them that they punished them no more Hos 6.4.5.6 But theire mercie was as a morning cloude They sacrificed to God of theire owne inventions and will worshhip But saith he I desired mercie and not sacrifice and the knowledge of God more then burnt offerings But they like men have transgressed the covenant there have they dealt trecherously with me The Italians doeing it in matters of Ecclesiasticall government and traditions it was the roote of all evils spirituall and temporall And is it not so in England and Scotland of whom God may also say as sometime of Israel and Iudah Ephraim what should I doe vnto thee O Judah what should J doe vnto thee For thy mercie is as a morning cloud as the early dew it goeth away I pray God that the churches of England and Scotland beeing in sinnes like theese and indeede like those of Italie in the times of Damasus and Syricius be not also like them in punishments spirituall and temporall and that as Ieremie saith in a like case because they were not ashamed when they had committed abhominations as in these particulars of Bishops Ier. 6.15.16 traditions and ceremonies wherein though the voice of God have cried both to the one and the other Stand ye in the wayes and see and aske for the old pathes where is the good way and walke therein and ye shall finde rest vnto your soules and hath often by his servants proved the presbiterie to be the old and good way yet be it never so old never so good they say non ambulabimus in ea wee will not walke in it I have conceived som hope of the churches and people of great Britaine that they will also now at the last begin to leave the church of Rome in these things which are part of her sinnes and the roote of them all leste still pertaking with her in them they also receive of her plagues and therfore I thought it my dutie so far as God hath enabled me to doe mine endeavour to make them see the things that belong to their peace The Lord of his mercie stir up and enable men to further so necessarie a worke and grant vnto vs that wee beeing delivered out of the hands of our ennemies may serve him without feare in holinesse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes of our life Luk. 1.74 Now unto him that is able to do abundantly above all that we can aske or thinke according to the power that worketh in vs vnto him be glorie in the church by Christ Iesus throughout all ages world without end AMEN