shal haue recouered your senses froÌ„ the amazement wherinto you were smitten with this strange Doctrine touchnig praier to a further consideration of the matter to see if you can bring any better reasons or repaire these in your third booke against the poore persecuted seruantes of Christ whome you vntruly accuse blaspheme publish for Anabaptists what not in these youâ—… priuiledged poisoned writings I haue sufficiently as I hope shewed the vnlawfulnes of bringing into or reading in the church these stinted numbred praiers and set seruice in their written diuised Leitourgies both because they wanâ—… warrant in the Testament of Christ practise of the Apostles and are contrarie to the same being Apochrypha not the liuely graces of Gods Spirit being contrary to al the rules of praier yea to the Spirit yt selâ—… christian libertie not being drawen from the Spirit of God in vs according to the necessities present estate of the church or of our heartes as the Spirit giueth vtterance but rather teaching the Spirit wordes vsurping the office therof in the consciences of meÌ„ yea setting stintes lawes vpon the Spirit church prescribing this thus much to be said this day in the morning at afternone thus many collectes or Pater nosters heer a Creed a Tâ—… deum c. I haue shewed the supertition idolatrie abhominacion of the best of theÌ„ how they are buâ—… as a dead stinking carion not a liuely acceptable sacrifice vnto the Lord so abhominacion wil worship not required at our handes so superstitioÌ„ brought into standing in the church of God for that they are not namly as rules lawes of the church as holy praiers and incense of the Saintes as the liuely graces present worke of the Spirit so idolatrie I haue shewed that those scriptures vsed in them do no way iustifie theÌ„ no more then they doe the masse-booke or a Coniures magical incantatioÌ„s which haue also holy psalmes scriptures as vnreprooueable praiâ—…rs but rather that they make theÌ„ the more heinous in that they so rende mangle peruert the scriptures to such blasphemous abuses I haue shewed that such written stinted stuffe cannot be said the praiâ—…rs oâ—… the Saintes neither do any good either instruct or help the weakâ—… coÌ„sciences of any but are rather the very leauen poison of their heartes soules the very cradles and cushions of these graceles Priestes Atheistes to rock them asleepâ—… in their sinnes securitie neuer touching the heart or conscieÌ„ce but teaching them to prate ouer vpon the booke or by rote their certayne nuÌ„ber of wordes to the Lord as though the booke were their heart vtterly quenching the Spirit of God and al the light that is in them They make theÌ„ bâ—…leeue that this prescript praier is good at this time that at an other time this when they rise or at dinner the tother when they goe to supper or to sleepe this when they are sick that is special good to be read or saied at the point and hower of death Thus abuse they misleade men keep them wholy from the exercise of the Spiâ—…it of God in them from the searching and powring out theyr heartes â—…efore the Lord from the due confession sorrow repentance for â—…heyr sinnes froÌ„ the true knowledg or any vse or benefite of that blesâ—…ed benefite holy exercise of praier and wholy from receauing any â—…crease blessing or grace froÌ„ God as the preseÌ„t estate of their church â—…heir faith soules sheweth euideÌ„tly being by their stinted Leiâ—…ourgie â—…coÌ„sidered at the best that they can imagine or speake for theÌ„selues â—…ept at a stay alwaies in one estate hauing neither more nor lesse of â—…ods grace but eueÌ„ the self same stil. Thus are they neuer led forth â—…ne step towardes perfection vntil a new Leitourgie be made where â—…hey haue al thinges prescribed both what to doe how to doe what 〈◊〉 say how much to say wheÌ„ to say wheÌ„ to make an end Thus iugâ—…le they mock with God behold how the Lord deludeth deâ—… them withholdeth the early latter rayne of his blessinges froÌ„â—…eÌ„ the coÌ„tinual spring haruest of his fruitful gracâ—…s they being â—…holy emptie destitute therof depriued of light truâ—… knowledg â—…ea coÌ„mon sense feeling their consciences being seared as with an â—…ote yron their heartes paued hardned in their sinnes which they â—…oÌ„mit â—…ueÌ„ with gâ—…eedines hauing left theÌ„ no sight iudgmeÌ„t or power 〈◊〉 theÌ„selues to discerne betwixt good euil nether to looke or know â—…hat 〈◊〉 wil of God is for any thing they doe or leaue vndone Neither â—…aue they power to practise yt but depend wholy vppon others for al 〈◊〉 things to theÌ„ they goe to inquire as they say so yt is without any â—…oubt so yt must be done without any coÌ„traditioÌ„ Thus is their faith â—…at inwrapped faith of the papistâ—…s to belâ—…ue as the church 〈◊〉 without knowing what y â— church belâ—…eueth to beleeue doe â—…s such a preacher such a Rabbine beleeueth doeth Ó he is a learâ—…ed an holy maÌ„ he would not doâ—… otherwise theÌ„ wel for al the world â—…uch a Martyre made this such a maÌ„ that yt caÌ„not be but good say â—…od what he wil. They see with other meÌ„s eies speak with other mens â—…outhes pray beleeue with other meÌ„s heartes Thus doe they al by â—…rescript custome traditioÌ„ without regard to y e rules of Gods word â—…hus build they their house faith vpon thâ—… sandes thus are they by â—…heir blind guides deluded led out of y e way thus are they cast into â—…tter dâ—…knes held in y e chaines of sinne vnto iudgmeÌ„t their haÌ„des â—…ies heartes al their senses powers being fast bouÌ„d by thesâ—… Egipâ—…iaÌ„ in chaÌ„tâ—…rs their delusions And now that we haue thus largely set â—…ut the vâ—…lawfulnes inconuenieÌ„ces of al prescript Leiâ—…ourgies that all 〈◊〉 prâ—…tences may be remooued out of the way me thinkes yt â—…s now time to returne to this Leiâ—…ourgie of â—…he church of ENGLAND and â—…o consider somwhat more particularly of yt wherby we shal discerne â—…hat kind of faith they haue professe exercise AND HERE IN to dealâ—… with euery particular error therof or to medâ—…le with the patcheries innumerable trumpeâ—…ies therin or al their â—…rosse sollies more then childish euen apish triflinges or their friâ—…olous constitutions customes wheruÌ„to they bind lesson the paâ—…ish priest to say his matteÌ„s eueÌ„song in order to begin with this confession throughout the yeare nay throughout their life TheÌ„ cometh the priestes general pardon thorough the power that his lord Bishop hath comitted vnto him so he proceedeth to his stinted psalmes Lessons with his certaine of Paternosters euer among of CREEDES their forged patcherie coÌ„moÌ„ly calcd the Apostles Creed or SYMâ—…OLE ATHANASIVS CREED the NICENE CREED sometimes sayde in prose
as also to call such of the people as belong to the kingdom of Christ from their apostatical antichristian throne What hath beene said of the names offices of these magnificenâ—… Prelates these great Lords the same for auoiding tedious repetition is to be iudged of al the crue of their associates assistantes attendants inferior priestes officers of whose names or offices we find no mâ—…tioÌ„ in Châ—…ists TestameÌ„t no vse or place in Christs church yet because some of them make a fairer shew in the flesh vnder counterfaiâ—… shew of holines deceaue the simple leade captiue many a stule I wil leaue for a while these great peeres mightie estates with all their collegues followers in their grosse wickednes which is apparant and odious vnto all men in whome is any sparck of light or grace and wil now addresse my self to pul of the visardes of these disguised hypochrites these rauening wolues which come to vs in sheepes clothing vnder glorious and swelling titles of Pastors Teachers Preachers and Ministers of the gospâ—…l men of great learning of very holy life and of great sinceriâ—…ie seâ—…kers â—…ighers foâ—… reformation snch as abhor and cry out against the Bishops theiâ—… proceedinges c. These Phariseis these Sectaries are they which mislead the people in â—…heir crooked and bye pathes os death wil neither lead theâ—… nor suffer them to enter into the peaceable strait waies of the Lord buâ—… keep them alwaies learning neuer bring `them to the sight oâ—… acknowledging of the truth c. as when we come to examine theiâ—… manner of theaching shal appeare In the meane while let vs a litlâ—… goe back againe as yt were that we may the more orderly proceed and consider in a word or two of these Rabbines persons education learning training wherby they are made fit to these great offices then of the offices themselues of their calling entrance therunto last of al of their administration how they behaue themselues therin And this but by way of a summarie and most brief recital ffor if â—… should stand to lay open their dealing at large though yt were without either prouing or disprouing for this in matters so maniâ—…est need not yt would make in yt self a most large discourse and were a subiect too great for any mâ—…ns capacitie to handle to set downe theâ—… monstrous transgreâ—…siones disorders in particular much more in â—…heir heinousnes indignity which do euen fil the great flyng bokâ—… of Gods cuâ—…se the Prophet speaketh of But to giue you a blush of some of them and to open you a way the better at your further leasure by your further and more diligoâ—…t â—…earch to looke into theiâ—… dealings I wil God so willing of many set you downe a few FIRST FOR their persons we find them all generally the seed and â—…fspring of the vnbeleeuers of men without the faith without the â—…hurch of these confuse idolatrous multitudes aboue spoken of â—…s the vnchristian education of these ympes maketh manifâ—…st who â—…uen from their cradles aâ—…e nourished in al maner of prophanenes eathenisme vaine vngodly sciences literature osteÌ„tation pride â—…ore then monkish that I say not Sodomitish idlenes superstiâ—…oÌ„ idolatrie c. This their vngodly nurture in their coÌ„mon scholes where they must learne the latine or greeke tongue from lasciuius Poets heathenish philosophers sheweth euidently With this quor are their pitchers at the first seasoned when they haue beene â—…ell nouseled in these aud haue orderly passed to the highest forme â—…en are they fit for one of the Vniuersities where they being placed 〈◊〉 some one Colledg as they tearme them or other after they haue â—…eene solemnely Matriculate and sworne vpon the Proctors Booke to â—…eir mother the Vniuersatie to coÌ„ceale and keepe close her secretes 〈◊〉 mysteries as also to be obedient to her statutes and orders theâ—… are they trained vp in Logick Rhetorick Philosophy which lear â—…ings they draw from Aristotle Ciceâ—…o and such like There they â—…arne to reason and speake by art by Sylogismes and Tropes which â—…tes when they haue gotteÌ„ or at the least spent some apointed time 〈◊〉 the Vniuersites then they commence Bachelors or Maisters of â—… Now if they continue still with their mother and giue their â—…inde to the studie of diuinitie as they cal yt which is as much to â—…y as the rearding of mens writinges such as are best esteemed of in â—…ese times with those feathers they flie aud with those eies they see â—…hich bookes being taken from them they are as mute as fishes as â—…ind as moles But when once they are growen skilful in this traditional diuiniâ—…e that they dare vndertake vpoÌ„ some moneths warning to speake â—…n howre vpon some tâ—…xt and that they dare trust their memories 〈◊〉 deliuer no worse stuffe then they haue read in the commentaries â—…nd common places of thâ—…se Authors then vpon a litle practise they row bould to set vp their bylles of chalenge vpon the schole dores â—…at they purpose to dispute for their degree and to maintaine â—…taine hard pointes of diuinitie generally consented vnto and reeaâ—…ed of all men which questions as also the whole scriptures â—…ust in these their schooles disputations be vnsufferably corrupâ—…d abused wrested peruerted blasphemed according to the lusteâ—…â—…f these Philosophical heathen disputers which heâ—…r must haâ—…le diuide vtter and discusse according â—…o their vaine affected 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Logick Rhetorick Wel when they haue thus performed their artes either in Luce or 〈◊〉 and that their solemne day of their commencement drawâ—…h neeâ—…e there some worthy Chaplen or other to winne the spurres 〈◊〉 a Deanry at the least when yt fâ—…lleth vndertaketh to dâ—…fend Non râ—…sidencie or Pluralitie of beâ—…efices or some other to confirme the faith of the Church of England vndertaketh to defend THAT the apostolicall discipline as they tearme yt or gouernmeÌ„t order which is set downe in CHRISTES Testâ—…ment for his Church vnto the worldes end is noâ—… perpetuall or of necessite but may be altered according to the will of Princes estates c. also that CHRIST descended into hell during that time his body laye in the graue These such like damnable heresies and blasphemies are confirmed in the eies of the whole land who resort thiâ—…her to see this stage play where the fencers fight bootie the persons that shall dispute being purposely apointed the time set how long they shall dispute the dogs being to be puld off either by masse vicechancellor or M r. PROCTOR as the arguments by any thing strong or the disputers distressed Now here must also be considered that al these prizes are plaied in latine that the learning may the more and their folly the lesse appeare least euen the common people should hisse them of the stage if they spake english But why doe I thus reueale their mother OSYRIS secretes some of them will say I am an vnnatural
true natural members of Christs bodie these reuerēd Lord Bishops cut off and cast away I speake heere concerning their offices ministery iurisdiction and so forth which these men sue vnto the Court parliamēt to haue vtterly remoued yf they be of Christ then without the abrogation of his Testament how should they be taken away If he haue in his Testament set downe that he wil haue in and ouer his Church L. Archbishops Lord Bishops thus attendend waited on to rule reigne in his absence to make lawes to make ministers c. then what Prince in the world ca◅ pluck away these L. Archbb s. Lord Bi◅hops from the Church without they likewise cast CHRIST out of dores For CHRIST wil not be diuided nor halfed in this sort If we will haue him we must take him with all his members we cannot take one part of him refuse an other he will not abide with th◅m that thus dismember him What kind of councel then do these men giue vnto the Prince which thus draw her into battell against God his Christ in aduising her to cast out of the land the true ministerie of Christ how can the Church of Christ misse these precious members or stand without them how can she suffer them to be rent from her how can they rather offer this violence to their naturall mother so to wound dismember her yea vnto the body of Christ and vnto their owne members if they likewise belong to that bodie what outrage what vnnaturalnes what furie what madnes we◅e this what high impietie against God heauen Wil not heere be matter ynough for al the pulpets in the land stationers shoppes in London how will they now do with these vnmerciful DD. who now they haue them thus bound fettered wil lay on loade vpon them They wil now haue the popish baptisme and all ere they let them goe and that thus Those Archbish. L. BBs and all the rable of Priestes ministers which flow from their seate haue no ◅ther foundatiō or warrant for their offices ordinatiō then y ◠which they had in the Church of Rome but these Archb L. BB. and PP in these offices with that calling ordination they had in the Church of Rome administer true sacramentes heere so are by them approued for true ministers therfore there vvas a true ministery in the Church of Rome This cannot be denied for that Church which hath not a tru◅ but altogether a false ministery in yt cannot in deliuering their owne ministerie deliuer a true ministerie but the Church of Rome in deliuering their owne ministerie as Archbishops L. Bishops parish priestes and hireling preachers or curates Church wardens side men parish Clarkes c. ◅eliuered a true ministerie els could neither these offices remayne in the Church of Christ or these mē administer in these offices by vertue of that calling therfore yt may be conclud◅d there vvas a true ministerie in the Church of Rome To alledg that these men were called to the true faith will ◅ot help this for vve reason not heere of the men nor of their faith but of their offices and ordination ◅oth which they found in fetched from the Church of Rome and now they administer in the same offices and by vertue of the same ordination therfore if this ministerie of the Church of ENGLAND be ◅rue there must needes haue beene be a true ministery in y ◠Church of Rome seeing yt is the self fame in respect of the offices and ordination neither can any false minister ordeine a true minister Well then hauing obteined and conuinced a true ministerie to be in the Church of Rom◅ for els neither can these Bishops or their creatures be true ministers or the sacramentes by them or any of them administred to the Queene and the land be true sacramentes now let D. BRIDGES or D. ROBERT alone with you for all the rest for th◅y will haue both the Church sacramentes of Rome on foot agayne The true Church onlie can ordeine true ministers but y ◠Church of Rome ordeined true ministers as our L. Bishops and al their priestes and ministerie of this land therfore the Church of Rome is a true Church How shal these learned Doctors be answered Againe such sacrament◅ as are administred in the true Church are alwaies true sacraments sealing the fauor and blessing of God vnto them therfore the sacramentes but especially the baptisme there deliuered for to that aboue the other these Doctors haue an especiall liking is a true sacrament What a quandare haue you now brought your selues vnto you must either denie all the ministerie of the Church of England vvhich are not only ordeined by these Bishops but alike vvith them deriued from the Church of Rome or els you must affirme these L. Bishops to be the true mi◅isters of the Gosp◅ll I speake in respect of their office which then cannot be taken away and then are all they seditious persons disturbers of the peace of the Church and quiet of the common welth that seeke to disturbe or remoue these offices which Christ hath placed and planted in his Church For if thc parson of or any other learned minister that you think best of whither Doctor or other be to be held true ministers then haue they a lawful calling ordination to a lawful office c. If their calling ordination be approued then are the Bishops iustified for no false or vnlawfull minister can ordeine a true Minister as hath beene proued So then if the BB s. be allowed for true ministers needes must the Church of Rome the ministerie and sacramentes therof be ratified by necessarie consequence Vt supra No middle course as you affirme may heere be taken we must either make y e tree good or euill these ministers of the Church of England true or false yf false then deliuer they no true sacramentes then is all their administration sacramentes sermons accursed how holy soeuer or neere the truth in outward shew then are they the ministers of Sathan of Antichrist sent of God in his wrath to deceaue destroie such as are ordeined to death then ought al Christs true sheepe to flee and auoide them then ought not the Prince either to punish such as flee auoide them for that doing neither her self to repaire to their sermons or sacramentes for comfort then is all the comfort she there taketh but delusion euen the deceit of Sathan to the destructiō of all such as take comfort in vnrighteousnes and that which displeaseth the Lord Then are all they seducers which egge perswade the Queene through their hipocrisie and flatterie vnto them as wherby they draw her into the wrath of God eminent danger ineuitable destruction except she forsake them and this is the sound councell they giue her to betray her soule to these wolues these deceauers So long as she is
prophannesse excesse in gluttonie in apparel let the idlenes wantonnes vanitie with the idolatrie aboue spoken of vsed vpon the Lords day shew how well the fourth commandement is taught and obserued in the Church of England Let the common ryot headstrong disobedien◅e and contempt of al the children and seruants euen of al the youth of the land the due punishment wherof is here neither spoken of nor executed let their profane vaine idle educatiō shew how wel the 5 Cōmandement is taught and obserued in the Church of England Let the continual open iarres fraies murther bloodshed in euerie corner of the land without either censu◅e or p◅nishment yea the vsual pardons that they giue for the same shew how well the sixth Commandement is taught in the Church of England Not heere to speake of the cōmon contentions wrangles iarres sutes wrongs of the wrath heartburning malice enuie cursed speaking reuiling nicknaming reproching blaspheming that are rife amongst them Let the general vnclennes whoredome adulterie which neuer abounded more in SODOME so that almost there is not one amongst them that hath his wife chast or their bed priuate Let their maner of punishing purging this sinne shew how wel they teach and keep this commandement Not here to speake of their exquisite arts and curiositie in setting out their beautie to the view their prodigious shapes whorish atyres dissolute immodest behauiours entising and alluring wordes wherwith they prouoke vnto lust all which in this Church are made no sinnes but matters of comlines curtesie loue c. And that your grauest best conscienced preachers think not themselues in this case without blame let them examine their corrupt consciences how m◅ny of their cheif hearers deuou◅ proselites they know both men women that know such crimes ech by other and yet for filthie lucre or fleshly respects continue together Let the publike open general thefts violence robberies wrongs and either their permission or their corrupt and vnlawfull punishing the ◅ame shew how the eyght cōmandemēt is tought Not here to speake of the priuy more secret nay truly of the opē falshode deceit couē in all trades offices callings estates degrees persons What should I ◅tand to prosecute the rest Let the generall deceit swearing forswearing backbiting slaundering the insatiate coueting lusting c. shew ◅ow well they teach obserue the other lawes And as they deale with the lawes and iudgmentes so handle they in like maner the ◅rophets which are the faithful expounders of the lawes al which to demonstrate in particuler were an endles vnacheuable laboure And if these general corruptions errors transgressiōs be so infinite what is to be thought of their perticuler personal errors which they in their publicke doctrine and daily ministery sparse abrode euen as that flood of bitter wate◅s which the Dragō casteth forth of his mouth and the miserable people of the earth swallow vp partly through their general blindnes partly through their seruile subiection which haue not the power or libertie publikely to controule or censure any error be yt neuer so blasphemous Whervpon is come about that euerie one taketh boldnes to vtter in their pulpyts what him listeth so he speake not against any thing by publick authoritie established he may handle the word of God after his owne fancie and abownd in his owne sense Whervpō arise such an innumerable heape of errors so m◅nie diuerse variable inconstant contrarie opinions amongst them that as the ignorant papistes say yt is impossible to find two of them in one mind and iudgment yea in any two Churches of the land to heare the same doctrines taught because in deed they preach either their owne dreames and phantasies or els their lucubrations out of humane writings who are almost of as diuers sundrie opinions as themselues Yet if any of these authors be with the BB◅ priuiledg then are they authentick irrefragable called by both sides the faith of the Church of England and not to be impugned or gainsayed without the censure of most high presumption Thus hath God in his iust iudgment deuided the tongues confounded the language of these Babiloni◅h builders that they almost agree not in or vpon any thing one preaching one thing an other the quite contrarie one building after this sort another after that one calling for this law this thing an other for that Thus is their kingdome deuided their estate confused and their house shal shortly be left vnto them desolate Many and innumerable excuses shifts cauils they daily knit wea◅e and forge to couer their detestable dealings and hide their waies from the Lord both by peruerting the scriptures thervnto and diuerting them by their sophistrie and putting them away be they neuer so directly against them with all which their poisoned diuises yt is not my purpose nor yet in my power here to meddle they being already so infinite and their forge daily going to frame new Only this from the mouth of the Lord I warne al men of They are but Cockatrice egges that they disclose hatch but spiders webbes that they weaue their egges are full of deadly poison he that eateth of them dieth he that is but sprinkled with them or treadeth vpon them is as if he were stung with a Viper or Scorpion their webbes shall not be for cloth neither shal they couer thēselues with their deeds their workes are the works of iniquitie and the worke of violence in their hands c. The work the workmen shalbe consumed together The wall th◅ dawbers shall both fal and be ouerthrowne in the storme of the Lords wrath all their turning of diuises though they build as high as heauen dig as deep as hell shall not couer them from the eies or defend them from the hand of the Lord but rather as the Prophet saith in an other place they shall pull al downe vpon their heads by the same meanes wherby they thought to vphold yt For saith he this iniquitie shalbe vnto them as a breach that falleth as a swelling in an high wall whose breaking cōmeth sodainly in a moment the sentence is gone out from the Lord yt ◅asteneth to be performed BABILON shal fall be vtterlie destroied together with al their substance people pleasures euil cōmeth vpon her and she shall not know the morning therof destruction shal fall vpon her sodainly ere she be aware the multitude of her diuines and inchanters shall neither deliuer her from nor discouer vnto her these euils but they shalbe as stubble and the fire shall burne them together with her This is the end of all their cunning learning which you see they employ not to publish and proclaime the Lords truth so much as to suppresse darken the same hoping therby to hide their owne counterfait dealing which the Lord wil haue no longer couered but reuealeth their wickednes vnto all men that those which haue any feare or
this coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of Artaxerxes who no doubt vsed such words in this coÌ„mission as agreed to the lawes iudgmentes of Persiâ—… rather then of knowledg in Gods law be made either ecclesiastical censures or any way be executed in any Christian pollitike regiment otherwise theÌ„ they are found to accord with the lawes iudgments of God prescribed in his word But this new diuised high ecclesiastical Commission doth not only ceÌ„sure punish al faultes of their churches by these iudgmeÌ„ts penalties but doth inflict theÌ„ in what measure manner they lust vpon al persons for al cawses whatsoeuer whether cawses of religion as opeÌ„ idolatrie popish masse c. or contempt of their iniunctions decrees in not resorting to their worship sacraments or administring them after any other maÌ„ner theÌ„ they haue prescribed c. whither for ciuil offences be they neuer so hainous abhominable as most odious incests adulteries polygamies c. Al these by this commission are punished by the purse by the prison for the law of God for idolatours adulterers were al to sharpe therfore this holy councel guided belike by some better wiser spirit haue found out this more mitigate course repressing these sinnes But if any vpon faith and conscience towards God refraine their idolatrous deuises there can for such be found out no kind of hostility confiscation perpetual close imprisonment sufficient for their faultes Thus no way can this high CoÌ„mission of the church of England be iustified by these examples of 〈◊〉 Artaxerâ—…es neither hath yt any more defence in the new Testament where is no mention of any such councel or Court set ouer all churches ouer euery méber minister cause affaire ceÌ„sure therof to impose depose determine iudge censure punish at their pleasure whome what they lust without coÌ„tradiction or controlement We reade in the practise of the Apostles of a synode or councell of â—…undry churches for the deciding of controuersies doubtes where certaine chosen Elders of the churches are thervnto assembled together with such faithfull of any church as will be present without shutting out of any of them neither are these Elders here gathered in any such stagelike or pontisicall maner as these our Prelates are in this CoÌ„mission but in this christiaÌ„ councel or assembly ech one hath free liberty and place to relate or debate his owne cause without interruption or preiudice neither is any thing heere decreâ—…d by the wil of any man but only by the wil of God that vpon euident demonstratioÌ„ of the word otherwise no credite or obedience giuen to any thing they set downe or determine During y e time of which couÌ„cel at any time after w tout any preiudice any christiaÌ„ hath freedome and liberty in due time place not disturbing the peaceable order of ChristiaÌ„ assemblies to speake according to the word of God either in approbatioÌ„ or reproofe of any thing to be done or done in y t councel Which councel or synode as yt hath not power to erect or bring in any new decrees or ordinaÌ„ces into the church besides those which are prescribed in y e booke of God which are alsufficieÌ„t for al times occasions vnto the worlds end so hath not this councel any power or authority ouer any church or any member of the church to censure excoÌ„municate erect or depose any This councel or assembly is only ordained for the helpe quiet of churches to discusse questioÌ„s to decide doubtes as they fall out arise that so all churches in all places might walke by one rule in the vnitie of the spirit This couÌ„cel is not permanent or alwaies setled in one place but to be vsed by any Churches at any time or place vpoÌ„ due occasions Neither is this councel so subsisting of the presbitery ortied to the persons of any that the least meÌ„ber of Christ is therby shut out not suffred to heare or to speake or any way preiudiced neither is any Church by this councell either depriued of their high power authority which Christ hath giueÌ„ to euery seuerall congregatioÌ„ alike or forestalled froÌ„ the due execution therof towards any member of their congregation or cause that ariseth amongst theÌ„ But as is said this councel is only a brothâ—…rly peaceable meeting of sundry churches for the better more asâ—…ured deciding discussing of doubtes and questions that arise leauing the whole practise due execution of al things to euery particular congregation in that order maner that Christ hath prescribed in his Testament These occasions rules and proceedings of Synodes councels or meetings of diuers Churcheâ—… we find left vnto vs in that holy patterne Act. 15. where though the chiefe builders y â— Apostles themselues were yet euen there were al things handled with this order modesty sobriety freedome c. But now if we compare their high ecclesiastical Commission vnto this holy councell and meeting how vnlike in al their orders proceedings and actions shall yt be found Their Commission being made a continuall setled permanent Court hauing strange Iudges aduocates officers iuriâ—…diction pleas processe c. vsurping and exercising supreme power absolute authority ouer al churcheâ—… ministers persons lawes doctrines to ratifie or disanull to establish or reiect to erect or depose whome what they lust executing al the censures offices of the Church changing bringing in and setting vp what they please shutting out the sentence of all Churches Christians allowing them neither interest electioÌ„ voice or presence in this their councell thrusting their decrees and constitutions as most holy vpon all Churches the consciences of all men with an high strong hand to be receiued without contradiction or question adiuring examâ—…ning suspending deposing fining emprisoning persecuting with all hostility all such as receaue not their constitutions submit not vnto their power Now let any christian iudge whether this Commission be not more like vnto the high court of the Beast then vnto an holy peaceable orderly assembly of christiaÌ„s met in the feare of God and guided by his Spirit to enquire search out Gods wil and humbly to rest in the same The ciuill magistrats power or presence can no way iâ—…stifie this CoÌ„mission or their proceedings being found so directly contrary to the TestameÌ„t of CHRIST vnto which yt is now lawfull for no man or Angel to superordeine alter or pluck away any thing without hainouâ—… sacrilege This monstrous coÌ„mixture then of these distinct powers in one court or person together with this confuse practise barbarous hauock tyranny they make exercise ouer Gods heritage Christâ—… poore seruants doe euidently denote and as by the very steppes trase out vnto all men the person throne and power of that Antichrist that aduersary that beast accordingly as they are described foreshewed vnto vs in the scriptures Math. 24. 15. 2 Thess. 2. how Antichrist should presume into the very
words hath arisen amongst them without end or edifying Therfore let vs for the apeasing and assurance of our consciences giue heed to the word of God and by that golden reed measure our temple our altar our worshippers euen by these rules wherby the Apostles ◅hose excellent perfect workmē planted built the first churches comparing the synagogues of this lād vnto them in the people the ministerie administration order gouernment c. This way cannot deceau◅ vs for neit◅er can the simplest erre therin neither any pol◅uted how subtle and cunning soeuer passe by yt vnespied vnre◅rooued For as ther is but one truth ◅o whatsoeuer is diuerse more or less th◅n that truth is faultie and to be repented FIRST THERFORE because euerie building consisteth of stones let vs examine of vvhat kinde of stones this Church of Eng◅and as they terme yt consisteth and is compact vvhether of such elect precious liuing stones vvhich are gathered vnto and ◅uilt vpon CHRIST IESVS and in him grow vnto an holy and spi◅itual temple vnto GOD c. or of common Babilonish repro◅ate stones wherof the Lord hath sworne that not one of them ◅halbe taken for a corner or for a foundation in his house The material temple which was but a type of this vve ◅eade to be built from the verie foundation of choice costly perfect stones the beames rafters of choise Cedars Algummin trees No cōmon or vile thing vvas vsed towardes yt neither might any profane polluted enter into yt But of the incomparable bewtie vnvtterable excellencie of this spiritual Temple vnder the holy ministerie and happy perfect gouernment of CHRIST all the prophetes haue with great delight spoken fore told and with extreme desire inquired longed to see the reuelatiō of these ioies graces which they in the spirit foresaw foreshewed vnto vs to whome they should be performed The prophet I saiah speaking of the excellēcie therof breaketh forth into these vvordes Behold I vvill lay thy stones vvith the Carbuncle thy foundatiōs with saphirs I will make thy vvindowes of Esmeraldes thy gates of shining stones and al thy borders of pretious stones and thy children shalbe taught of the Lord much peace shalbe to thy children And in an other place speaking of the excellent glorie of this spirituall temple he vseth these wordes For brasse I vvill bring gold for yron I vvil bring siluer for vvood brasse for stones yron I vvill make also thy gouerment of peace thine exactors of righteous◅es c. thy people also shalbe all righteous they shall possesse the land for eue◅ the graffe of my planting shalbe the work of mine handes that I may be glorified And againe For thornes there shal grow firr trees for nettles shal grow the myrrh tree yt shalbe to the Lord for a name for an euerlasting signe that shall not be taken away Al the plantes of this orcha◅d shalbe of the Lordes planting they shal all be incense Aloe trees pomgranates and fir trees which shal cōtinually bring forth pleasant newe fre◅h fruit because they grow by the sides of the riuer of life are watered with the dewe of heauen and refreshed vvith the windes of godes spirit They come not nor grow not heere vntil they be first cut off from their corrupt natural stock vvhere they grewe before be ingrafted into ◅he true ol◅ue tree the true vine yea being planted and ingrafted that plāt that branch that bringeth not forth good fruit shalbe hewen downe shalbe cut off cast out c. Into this mountaine entereth no venemous or harmfull creature the cockatrice aspe the Lion Leopard enter not and lodge not heere vntill they haue left their poison their fiercenes c. so that the sucking child may pla◅ vpon the hole of the Aspe the weaned child pu◅ his hand vpō the hole of the Cockatrice the lambe and the wolfe dwel togither the kid the Leopard ◅at straw together and a litle child shal lead them Ther may none be admitted into the church of CHRIST but such as enter by publike profession of the tru◅ faith None remayne there but such as bring forth the fruites of faith The forerunner Ihon the baptist first preached repentance to prepare the way and make strait the pa◅hes of the Lord before he baptised any The like did our Sauiour Christ and his disciples The Apostles also first gathered a people by preaching vnto the faith then receaued and ioyned them to the Church and administred vnto them the holy pledges of the faith baptisme as a seale of their ing◅affing into CHRIST the holy supper as a symbole of their communion with CHRIST and al his faithful seruantes Thus see we vvhat kinde of stones vvhat manner of people the Lord will haue built receaued into his Church Now yt remaineth tha◅ vve by these rules examine the stones and people of the Church of England whether they be such chosen pretious stones as we see here described as the high priest caried in his broidered brestplate vvhether they be such a chosen redeemed faithful free holy people as are called vnto and walke in the faith of CHRIST IESVS or they be rather of the reffuse common pibble chalke stones which cannot be vsed to any sownd and sure building euen al the profane and wicked of the land Atheistes Papistes Anabaptistes heretikes of al sortes gluttōs riot◅urs blasphemers periures couetous extortioners thieues whores witches coniurers c. and who not that dwelleth within this Iland or is within the Queenes dominion All without exception or respect of person are receiued into and nourished in the bosome of this Church with the word and sacramentes None are here refused none kept out This Church as the prophet saith openeth her knees to euerie passenger furnisheth a table to the multitude and drink offerings to the numbers she keepeth open house to all commers bread and wine and welcome Neither is she more dainty of her stollen waters then of her hid bread of her adulterate baptisme then of her Sheshak supper not denying baptisme to the seed euen of whores and vvitches she receaueth thē al into her couenāt vvhich is not w t GOD but with death and hell giuing them her peace selling them her wares c. This is their communion of saintes their holy fellowship thus are they bound enchained togither in opē sacriledge idolatrie impietie euen al estates Prince priestes and people and as the Prophet saith euen vvreathed togither as in a strong cable of iniquitie and folded one vvithin an other as thornes in an hedg or rather vvrapped and plighted together as thornes to the fire of Godes wrathfull iudgmentes For whither vve consider the vvhole estate or any particuler part therof vve shall find yt wholy corrupte deeply s◅ as in
people grieuously with them transgressed and were together with them defiled nâ—…ither could they iudge or cry out against the sinnes of the time when they thâ—…mselues were alike guilâ—…ie and partakers with them in these sinnes With what conscience then or fâ—…are of God can they perswade vs to sinne by the Prophetts examples May they not as wâ—…ll by the examâ—…les of the Patriarches DAVID c. perswâ—…de vs to incesâ—… 〈◊〉 murther if yt weâ—…e sinne in them shal yt bâ—… lâ—…sse iâ—… vs arâ—… these 〈◊〉 and examples well vsed or applied by them But how wil they now doâ—… when euen that stone which they had set vs as a triumphant monument of their vicâ—…orie is rouled vpon their â—…ead and shall gâ—…ind them to dust except thâ—…y râ—…tire and repent For whiles thâ—…y affirme our Sauiour CHRIST to haue communicated with â—…he wicked polluted priâ—…stes pâ—…ople in feastes and their sacrifices â—…hat at such a time saith their Author as al estatâ—…s were throughly corâ—…upt and desperatly incurable how shal they in this case cleare him of grieuous sinne and pollution or themselues rather of most accursed â—…nd vnsufferable blasphemy Great corruption there was no doubt in the ciuiâ—… estate by reason that the ciuil gouermeÌ„t was in the Gentileâ—… haâ—…des the prophane Romaines that knew not God and therby also great slacknes defaultes euen amongst the priestes rulers of the TeÌ„ple as apeared by the sectes errors amongst them by the many trâ—…ditions brought in y e great more waighty things of the law as mercy iudgmeÌ„t neglected Great also was their blindnes hardnes of heart obstinacie which not only did not acknowledg but refused murthered the Lord of life himself that flourishing tree of all righteousnes that innocent in whome was found no sinne Yet notwithstanding al this I caÌ„not find by the hystories of the EuaÌ„gelistes but that the outward ordinaÌ„ces of the Temple were indifferetly well kept and obserued especially about the time of Christes birth when were found diuers godly priestes holy iust men women that administred offred in the Temple To take all doubt controuersie away the holy Ghost recordeth that all thinges about him were done according to the law We reade also that his parentes accustomably resorted vp to Ierusalem at the feastes which they being godly would not haue done if they had not beene kept according to the law So that heere was no apparant or lawful cause to driue away the godly froÌ„ the Temple sacrifices neither any comparison betwixt the outward estate of the Temple the outward estate of those Congregations which receaue and admit the open wicked vnworthy to the sacrameÌ„tes wil not be admonished or redresse the same But to come to our Sauiour Christes person I reade not any where that he communicated or offred with the priestes pâ—…ople in the Temple neither bringeth M r. CALVINE any proof therof saue that he weÌ„t vp vnto the feastes But we reade not that he went vp to offer or communicate with them according to the law but rather to teach instruct them to call them to repentaÌ„ce amendment of life We euerie where reade how sharply he reproued both priestes people insomuch as they euen at the beginning of his ministerie sought to kill him which they would not haue done if he had consented or communicated with theÌ„ We reade not y t either he or his disciples no nor Iohn the Baptist receaued or baptised any but such as repeÌ„ted beleeued We see that neither he nor his disciples kept the traditions or customes of the Iewes of washing fasting c. We see that he receaued such as the Iewes had excommunicate namely the blind man after their obstinacie was apparant both seperated his disciples from them openly euerie where denounced against them We reade againe that they sought to kill him because so many went from them after him As for his going vp to their feastes yt is apparant that yt was not to offer and communicate with them so much as to teach the people there hauing the fittest oportunitie and greatest concurse He went not according to the order of the law but sometime at the midfeast somtime noâ—… at all We may see in that discoutse Ioh. 7. betwixt his kinsfolk him â—…oth by their speach and his answere that his custome was not to goe â—…o offer so much as to teach When he came there he reproued and â—…eformed some things amisse as the tables of the mony changers and â—…hem that sold doues c. In the great day of their feast of Tabernaâ—…les he called them from their superstitious drawing water in their â—…ell of Siloam vnto himself that liuely spring of liuing waters c. As for their feast of the Passouer he kept yt not with them but a part â—…y himself with his disciples in a priuate place To which reasous if we add the continual debate and hostilitie betwixt him the priestes â—…hariseis their proselites and all sortes of ministers rulers of the TeÌ„ple with the maner of their reasoning their spurning against him with enuie he confuting their errors convincing their wickednes with power yea iudging and condemning them for their wickednes â—…bstinacie crueltie coÌ„tempt of God his word as in the 21. 22. 23. chapters of Mathew apeare By all which reasons circumstaÌ„ces many other that may be drawen out of the Euangelie I thinke we may rather deeme yea coÌ„clude that Christ did not coÌ„municate with â—…hose wicked priestes and people at their feastes and sacrifices rather â—…hen vpoÌ„ M â— CALVINS bare report to beleeue he did But whether he did or did not yt were blasphemie to thinke or affirme that he euer â—…oyned vnto them in any actioÌ„ where they brake the least iode of his Fathers law for then should he be with them guilty of transgressioÌ„ sinne as is aboue proued then the moÌ„strous doctrines that would â—…nsue hereof no christian eares can endure to heare And sure their sinne is not much lesse which goe about to draw such poisoned docâ—…rines diuelish coÌ„clusions froÌ„ him to make him an author of sinn â—…ea of most impious sacriledge and profanatioÌ„ of Gods name and all maner headstrong wickednes abhominatioÌ„ which these wâ—…etches would couller tollerate vnder his name examples Thus hauing dispatched these foraine cauils of these our English Romish priestes not so much for their sakes to whome by M r. CALVINS owne iudgmeÌ„t they apertaine not as for the truthes sake which â—…y such false smoky reasons is grieuously obscured yt is now high â—…me wee looke homeward vnto the present matter in hand namly by the rules of the word to examine this their church of EnglaÌ„d Which as we haue found to consist of al the prophane and wicked people of the land all without any choice or differeÌ„ce being alike receaued nourished
in the bozome of their Church c. so if we by the rules of Christs TestameÌ„t duly examine this their flanting ministerie wherof their Church so boasteth I doubt not but that we shal find them as counterfeit prodigious antichristian and rightly fitting to this monstrous confuse bodie of the multitudes this harlot their Church sittetâ—… on Which ministerie to describe in their coullers were a fitter Argument for a stage play to bring forth these hypocrits out of their dennes and to make them play their partes in the light then for any sober christiaÌ„ discourse who abhor to raue in their vncleane cages filthy kennels yet that they may the sodainlyer apeare of what soâ—… they are we the soner haue done with them let vs first coÌ„sider what maner of officers CHRIST hath apointed in the Church of God then how thâ—…se ought to enter then how to administer and so briefly by these rules examine the ministerie of their Church of England The ministerie apointed vnto the gouernmeÌ„t seruice of y e Church of CHRIST we find to be of two sortes Elders Deaâ—…ons the Elders some of them to giue attendance vnto the publike ministerie of the word sacrameÌ„tes as the Pastor Teacher the other Elders together with them to giue attendance to the publike order gouernmeÌ„t of the Church the Deacons to attend the gathering and distributing the goodes of the Church Now these Officers are first duly proued examined compared by to these rules set downe in the Testament of CHRIST both in apparant graces by the manifestation of the spirit as also in al vnreproueable conuersation witnessed wel aproued vnto that flock of which they are chosen to serue attend This done with praier fasting they are chosen ordenied in the same CongregatioÌ„ by publike consent They being thus chosen ordeined by all are now diligently faithsully to execute their office vnto all not preiudicing the libertie of any â—…mbitiously assuming any inordinate authoritie or abusing or neglecting their office neither holding or executing yt in regard or in respect of person but vprightly and indifferently performing yt vnto all men as in the eies of God whose word they purely and sinâ—…erely teach faithfully precisely obserue to their vttermost knowledg and power If in any thing they transgresse or offend they are as well as any other members liable to the censure of the Church which is to reproue depose or excommunicate them according to the qualitie of the sinne estate of the offenders c. Now to come to the ministerie of the Church of England which is so manifold diuers as I know not how to begin to describe yt But let yt first be diuided into these 3 sorts 1. Reigning or Gouerning 2 Seruing 3 Collegiate 1. Of the reigning gouerning minifters are Arch-Bishops Lord Bishops Arch-Deacons Chancellers Commissaries all of the high Commission as likewise such ciuil Doctors Proctors Registers Scribes Pursuiuantes Sumners as attend vpon their Courtâ—…s of faculties prerogatiue Archies delegates c. 2 Of the seruing sort are Parsons Vickars Curates hireling Lecturers vagrant mercenarie Preachers house priestes Chaplens half-Priestes or catechisers Church-wardens sidemen questmen paâ—…ish Clarkes 3 Of the ministerie colâ—…egiate are Lord Bishops Deanes Sub-Deanes Prebendaries Canons petie ChaÌ„nons Gospellers Pistellers Singing meÌ„ Singing boies Vergiers Sextines This diuisioÌ„ I suppose wil wel neere suffice for their officers But now how to diuide or distinguish their offices I know not I am so vnlearned ignorant of such great secrets high misteries Neither yet haue I skil to â—…arshial theÌ„ in their degrees of honour which I haue heard say they haue both in the coÌ„mon welth in their schooles as â—…eir Primate their Mettopolitane graces their Palatine Lordbishops 〈◊〉 their Baronny Lordships al which I weene be Peeres of the realme 〈◊〉 estates of the Land Now there are also certayne Doctors of diuiâ—…tie Bachelors of diuinitie which haue many great priuileges â—…ogatiues of the cappe the skatlet gowne the hood the habbite the â—…pet c. the ring the chaire the one of theÌ„ being a Kinghts fellow â—…e other an Esquires in any ground in England Also how capable â—…ese are by statute of how many benefices I cannot tell Neither haue I the cunning to deriue their genealogies and pedeâ—…ies as they tooke beginning in the ages succeeding the Apostles in â—…e first 4. or 500. yeres only because I want that deep learning I must â—…ntent my self to goe to that old book of Gods word There in deed â—…emember Reuel 9. that I read of a Sar that fell from heauen vnto the â—…rth which had the key of the bottomles pyt giuen vnto him who â—…hen he had opened that bottomles pyt there arose the smoke of â—…e pyt as the smoke of a great fornace wherwith the Sunne and â—…e aire were darkned Out of which smoke of the said pyt I read 〈◊〉 at al these monstrous armed crowned poisoned Locustes Scorâ—…oÌ„ns issued c. Now as they tooke beginning with Antichrisâ—… vnder â—…eir king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Apolluon so tooke they increase together with him â—…or when Sathan had enthronized him giueÌ„ him his high CoÌ„missioÌ„ 〈◊〉 made him his LieftenaÌ„t general in earth c. then these his Peeres 〈◊〉 câ—…ptaines compassed about guarded his throne did miracles â—…efore the Beast deceauing with the effectual power of their errors â—…l such as receaued the Beastes marke or worshipped his image and â—…ried forth his image far an neere and set yt vp in al places where his â—…rson could not be coÌ„pelled al both smal great rich poore 〈◊〉 receiue the Beastes mark worship his image this I read in the 13 â—…f the Reue. Now in the 16. Chapter of the said booke after that yâ—… viâ—…s of Gods wrathful iudgmeÌ„tes had beene powred out vpoÌ„ the earth â—…oÌ„ the sea vpoÌ„ the riuers fountaines ef waters vpoÌ„ the Sunne vpoÌ„â—…e Throne of the Beast vpon their great riuer Euphrates I read that â—…ese vncleane spirites that came out of the mouth of that Dragon â—…nd out of the mouth of that Beast and out of the mouth of that false â—…rophet â—…hich are y c spirites of Deuils working miracles should goe â—…rth vnto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather â—…em vnto the battel of that geat day of God almightie yea and in â—…e 17. of the Reuelation that they should cause these kings those ten â—…ornes to hate the whore to make her desolate and naked to burne â—…e whore with fire euen that faire harlot of whose cup they haâ—…â—…runke and with whome they had coÌ„mitted foâ—…ation so many â—…eares before and to giue their kingdomes power and authoritie vnâ—…o the Beast vntil the woâ—…des of God be accoÌ„plished In the 19. 20. â—…hapters of this
child an ill bird c. when I come there mine intertainement shalbe accordingly for this geare Well I am content heere to cease yt neither being my purpose nor to the purpose heere to set downe all their magical ceremonial rites vsed due vnto such seueral degree c. To returne therfore againe to these our commenced diuines who when they haue once gotten this degree vpoÌ„ them there is now neueâ—… a benefice in a shire but if yt be ready for them they are fit for yt There is now no question to be made before any ordinarie in England of their learning They need not now be posed by the doctors by masse chancelor or masse CoÌ„missarie how many sâ—…nes Noah had or whether they can reade distinctly the homilies Iniunctions and seruice booke all this they could do whiles they were bible clarkes fellowes in the Colledge euerie morning next their heâ—…rtes they said ouer this geare Neither shal they be inioined to conne certayne chapters of the Testament without booke their hood and tippet sheweâ—…h they haue learning inough and together with their mother the vniuersities licence to preach excuseth them of all this stirre which other poore priestes do passe but vnto them yt could not without the dishonour of the vniuersitie shame of their degree be offred They therfore now if before this time they haue not had the ful order of priest-hood easily obâ—…eine yt without any difficultie Only they must now kneelâ—… downe at their holy Father the Bishops feâ—…t who solemnely sitting in a chaire layeth his Simoniacal handes vpon him deliuereth him the bâ—…ble into his handes breathâ—…th vpoÌ„ him giâ—…eth or rather selleth him his vnholy ghost as he shal know by the price of his boxe writinges ere he goe I had like to haue forgotten the cheese matter of al without which yt could haue beene no bargaine namely his soâ—…mne and corporal othe vpon the couer of the bible or seruice booke to be buxome and obedient to his ordinarie and his substitutes to vow his canonical obedience to all â—…ch ecclesiasticall orders iniunctions and â—…egrees as either are by publike authoritie established set forth or â—…ereafter shalbe by the said authotitie made set forth That he shal â—…ot preach any seditious or contentious doctrines neither any thing â—…n reproofe of the proceedinges orders iniunctiones by publike â—…uthoritie allowed but shal exhort al men vnto the obedience of the â—…ame c. These thinges being done his dimissaries paied for he â—…iseth vp a ful priest in any ground of EnglaÌ„d get him now a benefice â—…r a cure where he can He is now a priest sufficiently capable of any kind of office in any Church or Churches whatsoeuer whether to be a Deane or an Archâ—…eacon of many hundred Churches whether to be a parson of one or moe parishes whether to be an hired preacher comonly called a GEâ—…EVA Doctor for froÌ„ thence this new office is vnwitting to his Grace of Canterburie stollen into the Church of England except peraduenâ—…ure they stand before him but for mungrel curates still Wel if they will haue a personage they must either now become Chaplaines to â—…ome great BAAL or â—…her that hath store in his gift or els make â—…riendship for loue or mony to some inferior BAAI that is such a Lord of some towne or towneâ—… or els enter in chaffaire with some â—…ther priest for his roomth And somwhat here would be said of these 〈◊〉 or Lord Patronâ—… what kind of office they haue in the Church of England least hereafter I forget as I doe sundrie other thinges It is not needfull heere to dispute of these Lord Patrons when oâ—…â—…ow they tooke beginning whither at the beginning of the defection â—…hen the people first slacted neglected their dutie and gaue vp their â—…hristiaÌ„ libertie power interest in al the Church affaires the choice â—…ensuring depofing their officers c. into the handes of their presâ—…itry as is aboue declared or at the flowing in of the deluge of the Gentiles when the prouincial Bishops Archbishops metropolitanes â—…prang vp or when the Pope was by the general consent of al Princes made supreme head of the Church the great tributes out of al lands â—…aied vnto him c. that then peraduenture he to graâ—…isie these Princes Lordes of his meere benignitie granted vnto them the nomination vnto bishoprickes personages c. But how or when they sprang vp â—…t â—…killeth not we finding them as Antichristian as any of the other No such office we euer read of to belong to the Church of Christ neither any such Lord there to take away all the libertie interest of the people in the choice of their pastor CHRITS seruantes are now no longer wardes neither are in this maner to be bought sold as open and sheep in a faire or market But see when the Lordes beauâ—…ful staffe of his holy gouernment order is broken how he dissanulleth his couenant with those people and deliuerâ—…th them vp to the destroiers to these greedy wolues hungrie foxes as a pray For these Lordes Patrons to whome these aduowsens belong are to apoint present their clarkes vnto these benefices who being admitted instituted by the Bishop c. the people haâ—…e no more power in the negatiue to refuse or depose him be he neuer so vnable or vnworthy then they had before in the affirmatiue to chuse or elect their minister But these Lord Patrons may alien or sell their aduowsons by the law of the land euen as any other part of their inheritance or possessions yea be these Patrons neuer so infamously notoriously wicked gluttons couetous prophane Atheistes c. Yea if he haue 40 of these aduowsons and those distant many hundred miles euen to the vttermost boundes of the land yet is he to all these townes to present their priestes except he make Lapse and then falleth yt into the Bishop of that Diocesse his handes Thus must the greatest Doctor clerke of them that wil haue a benefice enter and be presented thervnto by some of these Baals or other vnto the Ordinarie or Bishop of that Diocesse by whose letters of institution he is inducted ringeth his belles c. payeth his first fruites after the Iewish or rather popish maner hâ—… pâ—…oxes procurations c. Now the parsonage or vicarage to which they enter is to be townepriest or Parson or vickar of a certaine parish to reade them their seruice according to the times and maner apointed to marrie to burie to christen to deliuer their other sacrament of their communion to visit and housel their sick with the said booke and sacrament to receaue their tithes offringes mortuaries c. Then if he be so cunning and as he can intend and afford yt to preach them a sermon of an hower long but that is in his libertie â—…ow seldome he wil except his benefice be a certayne of poundes
the one estate of the other this matter is otherwise prouided they together releeving him according to his present need he together wiâ—…h them bearing the burthen of their present and common pouertie â—…uerie one that is taught-in the â—…ord â—…reely contributing and impâ—…rting euen of al their goodes to â—…he competent mainâ—…enance of such as instruct them in the word â—…nd haue the ouersight of them not vnto riot and excesse but vnto â—…fficiencie Which contribution as yt is a dutie of the Saintes so is â—…t also in the maner of yt a free offring of their beneuolence and an â—…oly almes vnto the Lord by which almes and contribution our Saâ—…iour Christ himself his Apostles and al the ministers or officers of â—…he church of Christ which liue or receaue any thing of the church â—…ere and are to be maintained Within the boundes of which sober â—…ediocritie and christian modestie whiles these prowd Prelates and â—…reedy priestes wil not be held the one sort breaketh out into al exâ—…esse and riot the other into miserable rapine and extortion thrusâ—…ng their flesh hook into euerie poore bodies kettle and as yt were â—…lucking the bread from them and their childrens mouthes 〈◊〉 they should be sustained besides the heinous vnlawfulnes of â—…he very action yt self high sacriledge they commit therin which â—…hiles a certaine Doctor of theirs hath of late laâ—…ored to approue the â—…icked man hath termâ—…d this blessed almes and holy contribution â—…f the Saintes in contempt therof and of them which are or haue â—…eene sustained therby the â—…lmes 〈◊〉 yea to disgrace the truth and â—…o hide the superfluitie excesse pride and vnsatiate couetise of the â—…nglish Clergie he maketh yt a common custome in his slanderous â—…aÌ„phlet to leaue out or take inn at his pleasure or mistake where â—…hat seemeth good vnto him As heere he hath done the 9. Chapt. â—…f the â—… Corinâ—…h for the 9. Chapter of the 1. Corinth and so still fighteth â—…ith himself and confuteth his owne idle fantacies The one place â—…eaketh of the general charitie we ought to carrie towardes al â—…aintes euen â—…o them of other Congregations and Countries the â—…ther of the peculier maintenance of the Minister of Christ how he â—…ught to be maintained by that flock to which he administreth and â—…ot by infidels or wicked persons to whome his ministerie belongeth â—…ot Likewise that place Gallat 6. vers 6. where they that are taught in â—…he word are commanded to impart of al their goodes vnto them that â—…nstruct them in the word which place euidently sheweth what kind â—…f maintenance belongeth to the ministers of the gospell who ought â—…o contribute in what maner and how far Namely al such faithful â—…o whome this ministerie belongeth and they not by any rated proâ—…ortions as tenthes or thyrdes c. but euen in loue to make him â—…artaker of that litle or much the Lord sendeth according to his preâ—…ent wantes and necessary vses who if he haue to food and â—…ayment â—…ught to be therwith content This place this Chemâ—…rim would put â—…way with a maruailing at our folly in quoting yt in the side of â—…is former booke against the stinted tithes and accursed goodes â—…ffringes of the prophane wicked wherof he and his fellow priestes â—…re maintained Wherby yt is euident that these priestes which thus are maintained either by these Iewish tithes offringes as at the baptisme oâ—… children and purification of women or by the goodes and wages of the profane and wicked are not the ministers of Christ. For faith the holy Ghost If there be a change of the priesthood then of necessitie must there be a chaÌ„ge of the law But these men both priesteâ—… and people which either pay or receaue these tithes and offringeâ—… c. still keepe these leuitical lawes for the maintenance of the ministerie therfore they not hauing made a change of those lawes belong not to the ministerie and kingdom of Christ. For as I haue shewed these are not the lawes which Christ hath instituted for thâ—… maintenance of the ministerie of the Gospel neither can these laweâ—… now be ioined vnto or made to accord with the gospâ—…ll For in reteining the gospel we abâ—…ogate the ceremonial law in reâ—…uing the ceremonial law or any part therof we reuiue the Leuitical ministerie and therby abolish the gospel and ministerie of Christ yea in retaining and cleauing vnto the shadow we loose the substance and so are left and shut vp vnder the law and are abolished â—…rom Christ whome we denie to be either come dead risen againe or ascended whiles we stil retaine the ceremonie and shadow Now it is apparanâ—… that tithes and offringes were meerly ceremonial and instituted for the maintenaÌ„ce of the leuitical ministerie and belong not to the ministerie of Christ neither haue any reseruation in the Testament of Christ but sundrie expresse places there are against them in place therof we haue as hath been said the free contribution of al the faithful not limited or stinted but extending to the communication of al the goodes they haue But these priestes people stil retainâ—… the leuitical decimations in the same forme to the same endeâ—… c. therfore must they needes be vnder that dangerous estate obouâ—… declared Neither wil their Doctors popish distinction help the matter Saieth he the Church of EnglaÌ„d reteineth not tithes as any paâ—… of the ceremonial law but as a stipeÌ„d for the ministers Why I besech him how did the Iewes reteine vse theÌ„ was yt not as a stipeÌ„d likewisâ—… for their ministers may this law this stipend now fit the ministerie of Christ why hath Christ then made new or how is the old law changed with the old ministerie if the law of tithes be stil kepâ—… Might not this Doctor as wel bring in the cities and subvrbs which were giueÌ„ to the Leuites priestes for them their families to dweâ—… in or any other Leuitical ceremonie by the same excuse I doubâ—… not but they would do so also were yt not y â— they haue already much more aÌ„ple allowance in the stead therof in euerie Citie towne of the laÌ„d where the parsoÌ„ yea some where both parsoÌ„ vickar is indowed with houses gleab landes besides their tythes not to speakâ—… of the whole lordships townes that the Collegiate priesthood poâ—…sesse yet these cormoraÌ„tes are neuer satisfied these horsleaches stil suck though blood in abundaâ—…ce runne out of their wide mouthes And heere also by the wayâ—… the vnlawfulnes of their gleebes would â—…e noted both in that they haue no warrant in â—…he Testament of CHRISâ—… being so fixed and certaine he hauing there set downe an â—…ther kind of maintenance not fixed nor certaine but according to â—…he present wantes and occasiones c as also that that tying of land â—…n a parish to the
sometimes songe in meter on their festiuals their Epistles their Gospels the one to be read with the priestes face toward the weast the other with his face toward the east with their versicles one to be said by the priest the other by the parish clarke or people with their time◅ when to kneele when to sit when to stand when to cursy at the name of IESVS when to glorie their Lord at the beginning of their Gospel or at the end of their psalmes with their Collectes Anthemes this in their ordinary iournal that in their festiuals this at morne that a◅ euen c. With these grosseries follies yt is not my purpose to meddle the worke is to great for me if I should begin I should not know when to make an end Only Here by way of question I wold know of them where they learned thus to limit and apportion scripture this Chapter to be read on this day that vpon their next sunday this for the first lesson that for the second these on the morning that at euēsong I would moreouer know of thē where they learned to hew out dismember the scriptures in this maner to pluck them from the context with such violence without al ◅ense order or cause to make that their Gospel of the day more then any other Scripture of the new Testament or then a whole Chapter of one of the Euangelistes cōmonly read for their second lesson at their mattens to giue more honor to this shred al the people being bound to stand vp vpon their feet alowd to glorie God where they take their ease sit stil at the other say neuer a word vnto yt I would also know of them how their peeces of the prophecies became Epistles where they learned to make thus many Pistles Gospels I would also know of them where they learned to cannonize reade the APOCRYPHA writinges which swarme with vnsufferable forgeries lies and errors in the church if not of the MASSE-BOOK wherof in deed this their Portuise is a right graffe In the new Testamēt I am sure they find none of these customes they haue no presidēt there thus to distort abuse prophane dismember rend the holy Scriptures or to thrust them by stint limitation to daies times in this childish maner vpon the church neither to reade nor bring in the erroneous deuises of men into the church and set yt vp as the word of God Yet are these patches and shreddes euē y ◠very bad best partes of their seruice or worship euē the vnsufferable best vse they make of the Scriptures which they not only thus rend dismēber apportion stint limite this thus much on this day in the morning in this or that place of their morow masse c. But yet see how they abuse yt to more accursed idolatry and abhominaciō as to their idol feastes both Iewish and popish their fastes ◅f all sortes their holy daies All which because they celebrate so◅mnize in their Church yt shall not be amisse a litle by the light of the ◅ord to examine what kind of stuffe they are First therfore I will begin with the Iewi◅h feastes they stil retaine as ◅heir Easter Pentecost Of these solemnities feastes we reade Exod. ◅2 Leu. 23. Numb 28. Deut. 26. that they belonged were inioined to the ◅ewes vnder the law were meerly ceremonial ritual figuring Christs ◅erson belonging to the Leuitical ministerie such as appertaine not ◅nto neither are to be reteined in the church or ministerie of CHRIST ◅ithout the vtter losse of CHRIST and vtter denial of him to be as yet ◅ome in the flesh c. But heer peraduenture they will vse their Doc◅ors foresaid Catholike distinction viz. that they keep not these feasts daies after the Leuitical maner neither vnto those endes but rather ◅n the one to celebrate the resurrection of our Sauiour CHRIST in the ◅ther the glorious miracle of y e giuing the holy Ghost vnto the Apost◅es c. and this their seruice vpon these daies sheweth playnly Of ◅hese endes vses seruice at and of these feastes daies which are a ◅reat deale more abhominable then those of the Iewes hereafter for ◅ith al these floorishes cannot I be satisfied concerning the very feastes daies of Easter and whitsontide which still reteine the same names ◅ascha and Pentecostes the same times solemnities cessations the same so◅emne Sabothes or Sundaies y t the Iewes did keeping their Passouer ◅n the first month of the Iewes the first day more solemne then the rest ◅umbring seuē weekes iust after the same vnto their Pētecost whose first ◅day they keep in like maner Al these ceremonies the lawes places a◅boue alledged shew euidētly to be deriued from thē Iewes We find no ◅uch customes no such cōmandemēts in the new Testamēt We there ◅eade that if we obserue or be brought in bondage of such feastes daies c. we turne from Christ he profiteth vs nothing But they obserue ◅hese feastes of E◅ster Pētecost as our Sauiour Christ his Apostles did so haue warrant sufficient inough for that they do Is yt so Then ◅hey obserue their Easter wholly after the Iewish maner for so did our Sauiour CHRIST being made vnder the law But our Sauiour CHRIST ◅here instituted this feast to be kept that after an other maner as the ◅institution of the Supper declared how yt ought to be kept in the ministerie of the gospel I neuer found any such thing in the text Neither did the Apostles who deliuered as they had receaued euer giue any such cōmandment or tied the celebrating the Supper to y t feast that day as y ◠Church of England doth but left the day time to the libertie of the Church If yt be to be kept in y t maner thē is yt to be kept in y e night after supper If the feast day stil remaine then doth the Pasouer still remaine for both were alike by our Sauiour obserued at that time but if the Passouer be abrogate Christ our Passouer be offred for vs then is that feast day also abrogate and we to keep the feast euen al the daies of our life in sinceritie truth other obseruation of the day I neuer found in all the practise of the Apostles or Churches For the other feast of their Penticost they haue litle help from the second of the Acts for the Disciples assembling in that priuate maner could not be to keep that publike feast of their first fruites where they were to make publike ◅olemne offringes according to the law c. so much as according to the commandement of our Sauiour CHRIT to wait for the promise of the Father c. which not being as yet performed they could not keep that day as in cōmemoratiō of the great wonders the Lord thē shewed
and burne incense to the Queene of heauen And that they might not faile at time of need see they make all the Sâ—…intes InnoceÌ„tes in heauen their frieÌ„des on their side celebrating to the Innocentes one day of their soleÌ„ne Christmas vnto all Saintes because none should be forgotteÌ„ they are many in nuÌ„ber they keep an especial principal feast day with a deuout fast vpoÌ„ the eaue c. yet least some of the chief Santes as â—…hon the Baptist and the twelue Apostles might be displeased in that they are numbred passed ouer with other common Saintes they severally remember them againe in their tourne with their peculiar eaues daies fastes feâ—…stes worship Heere is yet also an other Saint whome I had like to haue ouâ—…rskipped the Captaine of theÌ„ al S t. GEORGE their Borrowgh the patrone of the laÌ„d a worthy warriour our Ladies knight I wene This Saint hath heere no smal intertainemeÌ„t with his soleÌ„ne processioÌ„ that by no smal states but eueÌ„ the greatest of the laÌ„d with his cornets trumpets harpe shackbutes psalteâ—…ies dulcimer al instrumentes of Musick c. This Saint besides his noble order of knighthood hath also his famous peculiar Chaplain Palatine of the order who is to weare a goldring on his thomb what a famâ—…us feast they keep vnto this Saint there is none in Court or Countrie caÌ„ be ignorant Because I â—…m no good Heralt I wil not vndertake to blazon his armes the red Crosse in white field that he beareth in banner displaied nor yet his woâ—…hy 〈◊〉 For all those â—… refer you to his Lâ—…gend Aâ—…d heere me thinkes before we goe any further we had need enquire â—…ome learned Doctors opinion of this geare leaâ—…t we that be silly and â—…ooke no further then the word of God giueth vs to see take yt for â—…ost grosse idolatrie abhominatioÌ„ because in al the booke of God 〈◊〉 the beginning to the ending we find no such presideÌ„t or coÌ„manâ—…emeÌ„t therfore if yt please you because DO ROBERT SOME hath â—…ndertakeÌ„ the matter we wil heare his learned iudgmeÌ„t of this stuffe This learned Doctor who hath this wit for the most part with him â—…o take no more of a matter then he is able to deale with frameth an â—…rgument in the name of an other thus The church of England maketh meÌ„â—…ioÌ„ of Saintes deceased viz. Apost Martyres c. in some of their pubâ—…ike praiers therfore the church of England doth worship Saintes â—…eceased His answere is they are mentioned to stir vs vp not to worâ—…hip theÌ„ but to tread in the steps of their vertue religion so conâ—…ludeth the ArgumeÌ„t very weake sylly But how if this Argument â—…roue his owne what opinion shal we then hold of his Doctorhood â—…ot to speak of his euil coÌ„scieÌ„ce who to coullor that the cannot iusâ—…ifie to passe by that he caÌ„not gainesay or disproue is not ashamed â—…sually throughout his writinges to father the forgeries of his owne â—…dle head vpoÌ„ others thinking by deprauing the poore professors of â—…he truth to suppresse yt or at the least to get credite and promotion â—…nto himself But I would know of his euil conscience wich shal ere â—…ong be araigned for all these thinges before him that is greater then â—…is coÌ„science whether he neuer heard other reasons froÌ„ some of theÌ„ â—…o proue this their celebratioÌ„ coÌ„memoration of Angels deceasâ—…d â—…aintes to be idolatrous blaspheamous abhominable euen to the â—…hief Authors of this stuffe that in the presence of some verie hoâ—…orable namely because they dedicate to these Angels dead Saints 〈◊〉 peculiar Eaue Day caling theÌ„ after their names therby impropriâ—…ting giuing that to the creature which is only due reserued in â—…he hand possessioÌ„ of the Creator 2 because vpon their Eaues they â—…nioyne bid in their church vpon their sunday a publike fast and 〈◊〉 in thâ—…se Angels and Saintes names 3 bâ—…cause vpon their day which they cal an holy day they proclaime a soleÌ„ne feast to be kept â—…ith general cessatioÌ„ froÌ„ their labours in their trades as vpoÌ„ y e Lords day by the 4 commandement 4 this by a publike law not to menâ—…ion al the fleshly and lewd behauiour idlenes pride vanitie excesse â—…pely seene suffered vpon these their feastiuals holy daies 5 beâ—…ause vpon these daies they haue a peculiar prescript deuised worship â—…o each seueral Saint that they thus celebrate not heere to mention â—…heir vnsufferable shredding dismembâ—…ing rending peruerting of â—…criptures to clowte vp this idolatrie These reasons if either those two â—…reat BBs to whome they were propounded or this Doctor which theÌ„â—…eard them had soundly confuted iustified this their maner of ceâ—…ebrating worshipping dead Saintes Angels in their church then â—…ad the Antichristian tyranny of the one the repâ—…ochful blasphemie 〈◊〉 the other some colour which now are odious vnto God man But now seing these Argumentes still remaine with them vnanswered and that they are so loth to meddle with them I would now only learne of this Doctor where he in al the scripture hath found this idolatrous custome of theirs to celebrate the memorial of any one deceased Saint that vpon one set day yearly in this maner we reade not that the Fathers before the flood vsed yt neither yet after y e flood bâ—…fore the law yet were they verie godly men of great vertue such as instructed their children in the true worship waies of God such as their children honoured reuerenced whilest they liued did all filial duties vnto them being dead decently buried them but neuer after kept any aÌ„nual or set day in their remembrance The like vnder the law we reade of Moses Samuel Dauid c. men verie famous renowmed for their vertue godlines greatly honored of all whiles they liued no such matter done to theÌ„ after they were dead yet were they presidentes by their vertue euen vnto all ages vnto the worldes end The Apostles also whome they so especialy aboue al other Saintes prefer celebrate being dead yea taken away as famous martyres neuer in this maner vpon one special set day celebrated their constaÌ„cie in the faith vertue as we may see by the Apostle Iames and the Martyre 〈◊〉 Likewise the Apostles Paul Peter being ready to suffer for the Gospel left no such commandemeÌ„tes vnto the churches that any such praiers festiuals should be kept to them or their remembrance being dead but rather stirred vp admonished the churches whiles they liued disired the churches prayers for theÌ„ whiles they liued So that we seing no ground for this stuffe in the word of God see not otherwise but to hold them for detestable idolatries forgeries abhominations for the reasons aboue recited And now because I haue beene somwhat longer euen in the bare recital of these trumperies then I thought I wil passe ouer the
rest of their grosse trash as their christing their Synagogues and Belles into the names of sundrie Saintes both men and women Saintes euen all in the Popes Calender their solemne visiting their speciall Saintes toÌ„bes monumeÌ„tes as their S t. Edwine his tombe in S t. Paul his church in London by the Maior verie solemnely vpon Candlemasse night kneeling downe thereat saying a Pater noster Likewise the yerely coÌ„memoration of the Founders benefactors of Colledges in the vniversities with their solemne praiers purposely as also their other idol feastes vnto S t. Michael al Angels which they adore and celebrate in like maner with their eaue their fast their holy day worship feast What wil this learned Doctor say to this is this also to immtate their religion vertue where learned he this immtacioÌ„ this religioÌ„ if not in the massebooke where they fetch the rest this is deepe diuinitye in deed far passing all humane capacitie No maruaile though he to whome such misteries be reuealed chaleng to himself to be a Doctor of diuinitie aduancing himself in the thinges he neuer sawe being rashly puffed vp with his fleshly mind And now hauing taken a view of their solemne idol feaâ—…es yt remaineth that in a word or two we consider of their hypocritish pharisaicall 〈◊〉 which are in diuers sortes as their Saintes and festiuall eaues their embers or Quatuor tempora their lent fast and their ordinarie fridaies Of all which curiously to inquire by whome and vpon what occasioÌ„s their fastes were first instituted or inuented how they grew into this abuse would but minister matter to iangle and were nothing to the purpose yt is ynough that we find them vaine ful of hipocrisie superstition idolatrie without ground and from the â—…ules of the scriptures Hauing shewed the feastes to which these eâ—…ue fastes leade are a preparatioÌ„ to be heathenish popish idolatrous yt sufficeth to proue these faâ—…tes which haue the same beginning vse end and are of the same conspiracie to be alike guiltie yet I must say they haue more colour shew of probatilitie then any of the other insomuch as in outward pretence they might seeme to humble and prepare the peoples heartes to the hearing of Gods word to withdraw them froÌ„ worldly encombrances by attending both to publike priuate earnest pâ—…aier c. But as is shewed the very feast vvorship to vvhich they lead being so blasphemous idolatrous as also kept and spent in al maner â—…ewdnes ryote excesse voluptuousnes idlenes and sinne this fast must needes be alike superstitious abusiue abhominable For their Emâ—…ers they are so grosly popish as there can nothing be said for theÌ„ vnâ—…es yt be Doctor Roberts popeholy excuse w ch he maketh for the lent â—…ast al the fasting daies eaues that are kept in England at once This great clearke saith they are inioined not for religion but for â—…ollicie vz. yâ—… maintenance of the nauigatioÌ„ so referreth vnto a Staâ—…ute made in that behalf I perceaue now the greatest clarkes are not alwaies the vvisest men I vvil be iudged euen by any that neuer commenced Doctor vvhether this be a sufficient reason or not The Prince â—…y act commandeth al these popish fasting daies to be kept therfore al â—…hese fasting daies â—…ent all are ciuil actions The Prince coÌ„mandeth â—…ll the Bishops ceremonies gouernment iniunctions seruicebook c â—…o be obserued therfore they are all ciuill actions and not to be kept or â—…efused as in conscience towardes God but as in regard of the outward court by M r. SOME his reasons Yf he vvere not better seene in â—…he Statute of nonresidencie then in the Statute of Nauigation vvel might he â—…e his GRACELES ChapleÌ„ but neuer shal he be a true Pastor whilest he â—…akes this course It should seeme this popish Doctor either cannot â—…ut difference betwixt the first and second Table or els suppoâ—…eth that no lay men as he termeth them may medle with the first Table els vvould he neuer be so grosse as to conclude because the Prince commandeth yt therfore yt is a ciuil action yea and an other more blasâ—…heamous conclusion thervpon The prince commandeth yt therfore yt is no matter of conâ—…cience but ought without scruple to be done for saith this Doctor he is a simple Diuiâ—…e that cannot distinguish â—…etwixt the external Court and the Court of conscience Might he not thâ—…s bring in â—…l maner idolatrie humane traditioÌ„s being coÌ„manded by the Princeâ—… and no man ought to refuse the same and stand for the maintenance of the faith because now the action concerneth not the conscience but the outward obedience to the magistrate But of that point hereafter First let me shew that publike fasting is an action belonging to the Church to be vsed vpon â—…pecial occasions as in time of some publike calamitie great transgression c. with great reuerence preparation of the heart soule praier and other holy exercises That publike fastes â—…aue alwaies beloÌ„ged to the Church beene exercised therin plentifully apeareth in the old new Testament as Leuit. 16. 29. 23. 7. Numb 29 7. 1 Sam. 7. 6. Ester 4. 16. 17. Neâ—…em 9. Ezra 8. 21. Mat. 9. 15. Act. 13. 2. 3. 14. 23. Besides these examples vve haue many doctrines rules set vs downe in the word how to vse what thinges to eschew both in publike and priuate fastes Isa. 58. Ioel 1. 2 Chap. Zach. 7. Dâ—…n 9. Math. 6. 16. Lâ—…k 5. 35. Math. 17. 21. 1 Cor. 7. 5. So that he is a very young Christian in my iudgmeÌ„t not worthy to be a teacher in the Church of God that taketh the publike fastes of the Church to be ciuil actions not to concerne the coÌ„science But let me yet come neerer vnto this Doctor vse more familiar reasons vnto him wherwith he is better acquainted then with the vvord of God Are not al his fasting daies fasting eaues as they arise in their Calender solemnely biddeÌ„ in their Church by the Priest after his second lesson on the sonday are not the people commanded there to fast vpon such holy tydes to resort to Church to pray heare their diuine serâ—…ice what thinkes he are these ciuil actions Well and now to his lent fast which he would put away with abstinence from flesh and that not for religion but for maintenance of the Nauie c. I would first know of Mr. Doctor whither he findeth in his bookes that the Lent vvas hrst found out for the maintenance of nauigation and whither yt was brought receaued in England for that purpose He vvill say that although yt hath beene popiâ—…hly superstitiously vsed heretofore in the Church of England yet now yt is vsed for the maintenâ—…nce of nauigation this is a thing not denied So was yt also in the most popish and blind time of all and that much more then yt is now
vvhen scarse one in a land durâ—…t eate flesh without the Popes especiall dispensation Men could then no more then now â—…ate fiâ—…h except some went to sea to take yt But shall I therfoâ—…e say that the fast inioyned by vsed in the Church is a ciuill action how coÌ„meth yt to passe then that yt is so solemnly obserued in holy Church vpon the first day therof commonly called Ashwednesday in stead of the popish shrift displing and asshes they vse an especiall communion vvherin the people are inuited to do their repentance Bitter curses and execratioÌ„s be read and pronounced against certaine sinnes vvherof neuer a one in the Church is free or euer yet repented of them and there made to acknowledg and confirme their owne damâ—…ation by ratifying the curse with their owne mouth saying Amen vnto â—…hem And this as they most grosly beare themselues and the people â—…n hand that in the primitiue Church was vsed a godly discipline that â—…t the beginning of Lent such persons as were notorious sinners were â—…ut to open pennance and punished in this world c. that their â—…oules might be saued in the day of the Lord c. This stuffe by the â—…riest must be read in the pulpet vpon their Ashwednesday Where find â—…hey this in all the new Testament in the practise of the primitiue â—…hurches there Know they what either the primitiue Churches or â—…he gouernment of CHRIST meaneth that thus popishly dreame of â—… discipline vpon that day especially of such a corporall pennance of a â—…ent c. vvhere find they this trumperie in CHRISTS Testament But â—…is wretch that in his conscience knew the idolatrie and these grosse â—…oleries wel inough thought to hide that he could not defend by â—…ying the Lent was but abstinence from flesh at the Princes commanâ—…ement Let him reade the last Collect of their commination vpon â—…shwednesday and see there if they desire not God to be fauorable to his â—…eople which turne to him in weeping fasting and praying Is this â—…ut to abstaine from flesh Let him looke their Epistle and Gospell â—…pon the same day the one taken out of the Prophet Ioâ—…l Chap. 2. vers â—… Turne you vnto me vvith all your heartes with fasting weeping mourâ—…ing â—… the other out of Math. 6. 16. VVhen ye fast be nâ—…t sâ—…d c. Let â—…im yet further pervse his portuise vpon the first sunday in Lent he â—…all find their Collect of the day as they cal yt to begin thus â—… Lord â—…vhich for our sakes didst fast 40. daâ—…es and 40. nights giue vs grace to â—…se such abstinence that our flesh being subdued c. their Gospell â—…f the same day taken out of Math 4. sheweth the hystorie of CHRIST â—…ast and temptation c. Let him yet turne his portâ—…se and see if â—…e find not there an especiall communion for euerie day in their 〈◊〉 weeke and vpon their good friday a trental of Collectes â—…re all these but ciuill actions but abstinence from flesh for the â—…aintenance of NAVIGATION Doth the statute by him alledged coÌ„â—…and these things or is yt the priestes office to meddle with that staâ—…te yf all this were yet could they not help or hide this grosse popeâ—… and heinous idolatrie which they in these their blasphemous â—…ent fast â—… wherof because this Doctor was either ashamed or â—…feard to meddle which being such abhominable stuffe as can find â—…o defence or excuse I also will not meddle with the further discoâ—…erie or refutacion therof as taking no pleasure to raue in their filthy â—…hannels YET remaine two pointes of his deep and pestilent diuinitie to bâ—…â—…xamined the one whether Princes may set any permanent possitiue â—…wes set daies times when what time of the yeare how long to â—…ast the other whither the Princes lawfull constitutions concerning â—…utward things bind the conscience The first ROBERT SOME affirâ—…eth and therby ratifieth his Lent fast embers eaue fasts and friday â—…astes The other he saith toucheth noâ—… the couscience making a subtil distinction betweene the EXTERNAL COVRT and the COVRT of CONSCIENCE To follow him so far as the error vvickednes of these two positions would leade would make of yt self too wide a gap in the worke we haue in hand I will therfore handle the first point so far as yt maketh to this present matter and the second very briefly by way of digression Before I come to his diuinitie I would know of this learned Doctor whither if the Prince ratifie command the Popes blasphemous decrees abhominations vvhither this doth either alter the propertie or qualitie of them or such coÌ„mandement bindeth not the coÌ„science I need not here stand to shew these his popeholy fastes of the Church of England to be idolatrous in the first inuentâ—…on now more abhominable in the present vse such stuffe as he will not file his hands with the defence of them now whether these be bettered in that they are commanded by act of parliament c. But to come to the matter in hand whither the Prince or vvhole Church may make permaneÌ„t lawes for y e yearly mâ—…ncthly or weekly fastes to be still obserued vpon this or that day I haue aboue shewed that fastes are vpon especial and present occasions actions calamities c. to be exercised to the humbling preparing the bodie and soule vnto true repentance praier other holy exercises This all the practise of the Iewes in their Temple sheweth vvho vpon especial occasioÌ„s as vvar plague c. vsed fasting That these set fastes vvere not perdurable any longer then vpon these present occasions vve also find For the fastes that EZRA NEâ—…EMIAH inâ—…tituted were not coÌ„tinued from yere to yere vnto the posteritie This very question also the Lord by his Prophet Zachary fully resolueth in the 7. 8. Chapters of his prophecie where the Iewes sending vnto the Temple to know whither y â— fast instituted in the fift moneth for the destruction of their Temple were still to be obserued the Temple being againe built after their returne out of Babilon to vvhome the Prophet after he had reproued their former sinne obstinacie supâ—…rstitious abuse both of â—…asting al the worship of God which were vnauaileable and did but aggrauate their iudgmentes so long as they continued in their sinnes shewed them that yt was not their fasting froÌ„ meat or eating that made them more or lesse acceptable to God but their faithful obedience vnto his vvord that his kingdome consistâ—…th not in meates and drinkes c. as also instructing them of the true vse endes of fasting praier in the end concludeth chap. 8. 19. c. that all their former fastes of the 4. 5. 7. and 10. moneth were now to cease promising vnto them in stead therof a continuall feast with his abundant blessinges so long as they walked faithfully with the Lord comparing in that Chapter his former plagues to their former
heartes abounding vvith luâ—…tes or set vpon the vvorld We are not to offer our offring vpon the Altar vntill vve haue satiâ—…fied our iniuried or offended Brother and made agreement with our conscience vvhile vve are in the vvay vve cannot loue God whome we haue not seene if vve loue not our Brother c. Thus we see how God himself hath ioined the Tables together and inioined them vpon the consciences of all men as wherby they shalbe iudged before him â—… speake not now concerning the heauie waight of Gods law vvhich â—…one of our Fathers were able to beare or the strait exaction of the â—…erimplishment therof the best of vs not beiâ—…g able to answere him one of a thowsand from both which the death of IESVS CHRIST hath set vs free Yet hath not our Lord IESVS CHRIST abrogate one title of his Fathers law neither exempt the consciences of men from the second Table and bound them with and vnto the first Table only If the transgression of the least of Gods lawes be death and this death extend both vnto the bodie and soule who can deliuer exempt our consciences from a carefull and most strict obseruation of all Gods lawes euen with all our strength and the vtmost power God hath giuen vs daily examining our consciences euen to euery idle word or â—…aine thought powring out vnfolding our hearts before the Lord â—…ndighting arraigning and iudging our owne heartes before him the knower searcher of them that so we may haue our debt-book cancelled and all our sinnes blotted out through the blood and mediation of that immaculate Lamb that taketh away the sinnes of the world Moreouer there is no consequent because the ciuill Court or outward action concerneth men only is done vnto them that therfore those lawes and actions bind not the conscience For both we are bidden to obey the Magistrate for conscience sake from the heart to behaue our selues towardes al men that we may haue the testimonie of â—… cleere conscieÌ„ce It sufficeth not to do the thing we are commanded but we must doe yt cheerfully with a good heart vve must not only doe that which is good but doe yt wel as we ought to doe The ciuil Magistrate in puniâ—…hing an offendor may yet do yt with such affections as he may before God murther him vve also in all duties of â—…haritie must do them vvith a single heart and eie for els yt auaileth â—…s not If vve doe them grudgingly as of constreint or to be seene or praised of men or of custome with others not of câ—…oscience towards God our neighbour they profit vs nothing And this holdeth aâ—… wel in the first as in the second Table Our religion is vaine though yt be outwardly neuer so vnreproueable if our heart stand not sound vpright A strange doctrine yt is to seuer the conscience the law the conscience the outward action they may aswel heere whiles we liue seuer the bodie the soule which though they are distinct thinges 〈◊〉 can they not be heere seperate The bodie shall rue the thoughtes of the soule the soule shal rue the sinnes of the bodie the bodie soule together make a man the man both body soule are liable vnto al Gods lawes and shalbe iudged for the breach of the least Hath God commanded yt vve must obey do his commandement with all our soule that with such circumstances affections as the Lord requireth be the actioÌ„ neuer so sleight bodily in our seeming yet yt must be done in singlenes of heart as in the eies name of God yea saith the Apostle as vnto God himself to whome we shall accompt for all thinges done in this mortall flesh Knowing then this terror of the Lord yt behooueth vs to take heed what we put vpon the file of that record against that day to examine our owne heartes conscienceâ—… daily least they be hardened through the deceitfulnes of sinn to iudge our selues heere how we doe the wil of God in al thinges not to put off through securitie vntil we be iudged of God And sure if this doctrine were sincerely soundly taught yt would stay the rage of sinne which now breaketh out as the bakers ouen whiles yt is not tended both in Magistrates people The Magistrate would be wel aduised what lawes he maketh the people how they obey knowing that both shal answere vnto the great Iudge wheras now by this deepe learning of Doctor SOME the conscience not being bound by the Princes law but the outward temporal action only the Prince may make what lawes he lust for ciuill pollicie the people ought without all scruple to obey seing their lawes bind not the eonscience c. But if â—…e Princes lawes be contrary or diuers to the lawes of God then is not our conscience or body bound by or vnto them then are we not to obey such lawes but stand for our Christian libertie and the maintenance of the faith in all patient maner rather induring the wrath of man then procuring the wrath of God The vaine pretence of ciuil pollicie wil nâ—…ither excuse them nor vs before God the Iudge of al with whome wâ—… haue to doe He will haue his lawes statutes iudgmentes kept not altered innouate or neglected according to humane wisdome the state pollicies of times humors of men which varie turne with the wind making lawes to day and abrogating them to morrow one Prince after one manner an other quite contrarie But the statutes iudgmentes of God which are deliuered expounded vnâ—…o vs by his holy Prophetts endure for euer the pure wisdome the vpright iâ—…stice the true exposition faithful execution of his moral law which lawes were not made for the Iewes state only as M r CALVINE hath taught but for all maÌ„kind especially for al y â— Israel of God froÌ„ which lawes yt is not lawful in iudgment to varie or decline either to the one haÌ„d or to the other For what doe we therby but controle the wisdome equitie of Gods waies prefer think our owne more wise and equal â—…brogate his set vp our owne instead therof frame God to y e common welth not the common welth to the wil of God Thus by the neglect of Gods Lawes doâ—…h the whole world oueâ—…flow with al maner sinne plunged deeply vnrecouerably into Gods wrath euâ—…n hastneth him vnto final iudgmentes vengeance These are the best fruites that are reaped by this Doctors deep diuinitie whiles he seueâ—…eth the conscience froÌ„ the law making the law to bind the outward action but not the conscience BVT SEE NOW through this Doctors Cauils I haue beene drawen â—…rom the present purpose which was to consider what kind of fastes â—…re vsed in this their Church of England which as we haue hitherto
wordes which the Lord of hostes sendeth ◅n his spirit by the ministrie of his seruantes resisting the holy Ghost a◅ their forefathers haue done persecuting at all handes and smiting with the fist of wickednes such as speake vnto them in the name of God for the redresse and amendment of their liues THVS HAVING seene these solemne fastes what kind of stuffe they are let vs now a litle while turne our eies to the publike Sacramentes of this famous Church of England Which that they may the sooner appeare let vs see in a word or two what the ordinance of Christ is cōcerning the outward administratiō therof Wee find in his Testament vnto euerie true Sacrament required 1. a lawful minister of the Gospel to deliuer them 2. a faithful people or their seed to receaue them 3. the outward elemētes forme of wordes which our Sauiour Christ hath ordeined therunto As in baptisme to baptise them vvith cleane vvater in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost Vnto the supper of the Lord are required the elemēts of bread and wine which bread after thankes giuing is to be broken and to be deliuered with such vvordes of exhortatiō as are thervnto prescribed and the cup to be deliuered in like manner Now where any of these vvanteth either a lawful minister of the Gospel to deliuer thē a faithful people holy congregatiō ioyned together in the faith and order of Christ to receaue them or any other forme of administration either in the elementes or order be vsed then our Sauiour Christ in his Testament hath inioined to be vsed we may boldly affirme that such are adulterate false Sacramentes And now let vs but euen as briefly compare these Sacramentes of the Church of Englād to these rules They there haue to begin with an antichristian Romish ministerie such as the Pope left them as is abouesaid a profane cōfuse people their seed to receaue them For who with them that is able to pay for the Chrisme is not baptised the seed of heretikes witches coniurers c. who with them is not admitred to their communion of the supper that wil pay his offertorie And to come to their forme of administration what a sort of fond trifling ceremonies are added to their Sacramentes as to their publike baptisme yt must be done in their coniured hallowed Font with a special Gospel taken o◅t of the 10 Chapter after Mark the water being wel coniured hallowed to the mystical washing away of sinne c. special Gossipes called and chosen which are godfathers godmothers which must publikely there vndertake for y t child that he shall forsake the deuil al his workes cōstantly beleeue Gods holy word obediently keep his commandementes Where after this prety dialogue betwixt the parish priest the parish clarke these godfathers godmothers which answere for the infant the priest baptiseth yt in the name of the Father of the Sonne of the holy Ghost and of the holy Crosse chargeth these godfathers c. to teach the infant the Creed Lords praier tenne commandementes All which when he can say haue learned also some of that worthy Catachisme which is set out for that purpose then must he be brought to the Bishop to receaue his second Baptisme which they cal Bishoping or confirmation wherunto also he must haue a new Godfather c. Then after ◅e hath beene posed by the Bishop wh◅ther he cā say his geare aboue prescribed the childe kneeling downe this reuerēd B◅ layeth his holy hands vpō his head saith a certayne Collect ouer him cōfirmeth his former baptisme giuing him his blessing dismisseth him Yet is there a third and fourth kind of baptisme in the Church of England namely the hasty baptisme done by the midwife who if she see the childe in peril and like to dye before yt can be brought to the Church then is she to bestir her giue the child the christendome least yt neuer come in heauen and this baptisme is warranted by their seruice-Boke to be lawful and sufficient baptisme and the Priest finding yt orderly done by the cunning midwife is to publish yt in the Church to be verie good allowable and to commend them that so orderly did yt at that time of necessitie But if the Priest vpon the examination of the matter find that the midwife was not cunning in this trade but for haste or feare forgot or left out some of her accomplementes then must he according to the ◅orme prescribed in their publike baptisme proceed with the Godfathers Godmothers c. saue that whē he cōmeth to dip yt he must say N. If thou be not baptised already I baptise thee c. And this may be termed baptisme by supposition Their other sacrament of the supper also is not free of the like found trifling superstitious additions and is by their SERVICE-BOOK diuided into 2 sortes publike of al together in their Synagogue priuate in their houses called the communion of the sick In their publike communiō the Priest araied in his ministerial vesture is placed at the north end of the Table and there is to read his certayne He is there nurtured vvhen to turne to the Table when to the people when to stand when to kneele vvhat and vvhen to say The people after they haue offred to the priest are in their place to kneele downe to say and answere the Priest at his turnes times as is prescribed in their Masse-book vvhere after Sr. priest hath taken a say and begun to the people he deliuereth vnto them as they kneele their maker after the old popish manner altering the wordes and forme of institution deliuered by our Sauiour and his Apostles saying THE BODY of our Lord IESVS CHRIST which was giuen for thee c. It were long to set downe their preambles and seuerall Collectes at this their communion as at their Christ-masse day their Easter day Assention day vvhite-sunday Trinitie sunday and how the whole queir priest people glorie God with Angels Archangelles and all the companie of heauen c. and after they haue receiued the priestes blessing they are all dismissed with peace But now their priuate communion or housling of the sick is after a more cursorie briefe maner with a short litle pistle gospel and nothing so manie Pater nosters Creedes Collectes Anthemes nor such solemne exhortations because the sick desires to haue yt with him out of the vvorld He must prouide the implementes and some of his frendes if he may be so much beholding vnto them to take part with him But if his disease be such or fauor not such as that he cannot get them vnto him th◅ yet may he the Priest dispatch the matter together and yt shalbe neuer the lesse wholsome to the sicke man These are the holy sacramentes the Church of England boasteth of which how
vvelly they agree to the institutiō of CHRIST I hope by this sleight repetition of some of their popish trumperies and corruptions apeareth So that yt were but a wearines either to rip vp the rest of their blasphemous Leiturgie in discussing y ◠manifold errors which aboūd in their collectes exhortations abuse of scriptures vnto the same or to shew forth their v◅reasonable profanation and high sacriledg in these thinges which are already shewed Which be so repugnantly con◅rarie to the institutiō of CHRIST euerie way so popishly grosse as no pretext or excuse can be forged for them except yt be the prerogatiue of the Apostatical Sea of Rome which by the high Cōmission of Sathan hath power to forge a new ministerie new sacramentes new lawes and cannons where in deed this ministerie of theirs these sacr◅mentes worship orders c. were minted stamped And so may they draw an argument from thence for them al thus They that were baptised in the Church of Rome when afterward they came vnto the true faith were not to be rebaptised Therefore though this baptisme in the church of Rome were done by a worse ministery in worse maner then theirs yet is yt of al men esteemed for a true and auaileable sacrament and so if this baptisme be allowable much more the baptisme of the Church of England which is done in much purer maner then theirs Well seing comparisons be odious and I might be thought partiall to speake what I think and know of the matter I remit the ful deciding of this controuersie vnto the 23. Chapter of Ezechiels prophecie where you shall see whither Aholah or Aholibah were the honester woman Only before I come to this stout reason let me a litle turne yt vpon themselues All that were baptised in the Church of Rome when they come vnto the true faith are not to be rebaptised but haue reaceaued a true Sacrament therfore the Church of Rome is the true Church of CHRIST for the seales of the couenant only belongeth to that Church or people to whome the couenant belongeth but the couenant only belongeth to the true Church to them that are in the true faith therfore now by this reason are they all in schisme by diuiding themselues from this their holy mother Church of Rome Doctor ROBERT SOME in his first infamous booke against the Anabaptisticall recusantes as he of his charitie calleth them proueth the sacramentes deliuered by the dumb english priestes to be true sacramentes because the baptisme in the Church of Rome is true baptisme for that they baptise in the name of the Father of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost But in certayne marginal notes added to this great clarkes booke was this inconuenience among many other moued vnto his further cōsideration how he would then ward the blow of flat schisme but he of his discretion tooke further time in his next booke which in deed I suppose was written but in some splene peraduenture in the meane time vpon further aduise the wind may blow in such a quarter as he will be ready together with his Lordes Grace to goe back againe and so auoide this danger of schisme well inough Yet I must say this D. was frendly aduised when yt was though he of his collerick nature took yt not so but called him ignorant bould Anabaptisticall wrangler for his good will to spare this deep diuinitie deriued from M r. CALVINE and other writers of these times least in deed he opened such a gap to the papistes as neither the Church of England nor of GENEVA nor any that hold this opinion shall euer be able to shut For see if this baptisme thus deliuered in the Church of Rome be a true and an auaileable sacrament then may yt be a true sa◅rament without a lawfull minister to deliuer yt vnles they allow also popi◅h prie◅tes to be true ministers then may the seale of the couenant be giuen to open idolaters vnles they will also make the papistes true and faithfull Christians then doth Gods couenant of peace and loue belong vnto this Apostaticall Babilonish harlot vnles they will make the Church of Rome the spowse of CHRIST Then hath CHRIST many bodies many spowses or els cannot three so diuerse Churches as the Church of Rome the Church of England the Church of Geneua all or any two I wil not say any one of them be true Churches or els also must CHRIST be deuided and stand an head an husband to all these Churches so be one in one place an other in an other place yea then may CHRIST be an husband where his wiues rule and set vp and pluck downe bring in cast out what whome they wil without his leaue or will Infinite other absurdities and blasphemies would then insue euen all maner corruptions abhominations would then proue lawfull And let me add yet this vnto the rest Yf the baptisme of the Church of Rome be a true sacrament then haue they one true sacrament an other false For I am sure or atleast I thinke they are not so grosse and shameles in the Church of England to hold that breaden God that magicall coniuration vpon their Altar to be a true Sacrament Good in substance bad in forme will not salue this sore for then I may cōclude that by this sophistry a lawful minister to deliuer a faithful people to receaue the simple pure element and forme of administration which CHRIST hath instituted were not necessarily required to a true sacrament or seale of the couenant or as they in their logick terme yt of the substance of a sacrament so may nay is al CHRITS Testament vtterly abrogate at once then haue mortal men power both to reiect the ministery and lawes of CHRIST and to erect new in stead therof in the Church Neither yet will this cauil good to the faithful receauer or vnto the receauer after he hath faith help y e ma◅ter for first we heere reason not of the persons receauing but of ◅the thing receaued not of the time to come but of the time present namly whither this baptisme thus deliuered in that place be a true sacrament when and as yt is deliuered or no. And sure if then yt be not good in that maner yt cannot afterward be made good by any future faith neither yet can in the present time be receaued of faith for faith neither alloweth nor iustifieth sinne If the actiō be euil a faithful man may neither doe yt nor ioine in the action with to them that do yt How then should these false sacraments be sayde good to the faithfull receiuer when the actiō is euil the faithful are vtterly forbiddē to receaue yt neither cā they receaue yt without most heinous sacriledge Ag◅ine how should faith reioice in or iustifie a wicked vngodly actiō thē how should this sacrilegious sacram◅t be auaileable or
seale the blessing of God to faith to come when God only blesseth his owne ordinance curseth al transgression therof therfore faith is rather to purge yt by bitter teares repentance then to ioy in yt iustifie yt But here then wil dangerous concâ—…usions be drawen against vs if pâ—…pish baptisme be no true sacrament THEN IS THE Prince and all the ancient peeres of the laÌ„d vnbaptised yea they wil conclude against our selues that we also are vnbaptised seing we for the reasons aboue said hold not the sacramentes administred in the Church of England at this present to be true seales of the couenant and fauor of God then ought all vpon paine of neglect of the holy ordinance of God to seeke the seale of the couenaÌ„t but this now cannot be had because we haue now in all Europe no ministery to deliuer ytâ—… â—…all the ministerie both of this land and al these knowen partes of the world being sprung from and ordained by the Church of Rome For all the protestantes when they forsooke the Sea of Rome yet left not that ministerie they then had but exercised by vertue of that ministerie without any new ordination c. But if we denie the Church of Rome to be a Church then how should the ministerie made by yt be a true ministerie and so is all the ministerie of this laÌ„d throwne to the â—…arth both LL. BB s. parish priestes curates preachers all Neither saith D. S. can this euer be recouered For if the baptisme in the Church of Rome be not a true sacrament then are all the people vnbaptised If the people be vnbaptised then can they not chuse a minister because saith he they are not as yet by baptisme ingraffed into the visible Church neither may they vntil they be baptised be admitted to the communion c. These reasons no doubt are strong and sure if we find not a better solution then the CLERK of OXENFORD hath as yet made in the behalf of M r. PENRY For if the church of Rome be no true Church 〈◊〉 the ministers made therin are no true ministers for by his owne aâ—…d that a true position WHERE THERE IS no Church there is no calling but all the ministers of the Church of England were made either in the Church of Rome or by vertue of that ministerie fetched from the Church of Rome that within the memorie yea within half the age of a man therfore we may by his owne reason conclude all this ministerie both BB s. PP s. to be Romish antichristian false so the sacramentes by them deliuered are no true sacramentes Let him by all the vvit craft and sophistrie in his budget auoid this reason Againe if the baptisme of the Church of Rome were not true baptisme then were all the people vpon the change of that Religion vnbaptised for ther was no other baptisme then deliuered but that being vnbaptised they haue neither right nor power to chuse or execute any ministerie deliuer or receaue the other Sacrament vntil they haue baptisme For none vncircumcised in flesh might eate the Passouer or offer any maner of gift in the Temple And thus we see neither haue these ministers of the Church of England power to deliuer Sacramentes they themselues being both vnbaptised and also no true ministers as aboue is manifestly conuinced neither haue the people vnbaptised any power to receaue the Sacraments or meanes to redresse these mischiefes vntil either a third Eliah or second Ihon Baptist come downe from heauen to restore this defection YfM â— Penrie prouide not better stuffe for his owne defence then his frend of Oxenford hath as yet brought I can tell him this that both he his coÌ„panions must become Brownistes as they to the dishonour of Christ terme vs or els this popish Doctor wil preuaile against theÌ„ for that most odious and vnchristian flatterie of her Maiestie wil neither couer nor cure this sore It wil not suffise to say that her maiestie is perswaded in conscience that she is baptised therfore she need no other baptisme though she as yet haue receaued none Neither wil yt help the matter to say the Bishop or priest which administreth the communion vnto her knoweth not so much therfore shee may still run on in this course vnbaptised Neither will al the colourable and deceitful ArgumeÌ„tes drawen for the assurance of her saluation help this case or doe her any good if she remayne and be found in open and wilful yea presumptuons transgression contempt or neglect of Gods ordinance There is but one common saluation for all men of all degrees both Prince and people the law of God remaineth sure foreuer can for no estate or person be changed None can be a member of a planted Church but such as are baptised This we see by circuÌ„cisioÌ„ y e commoÌ„ seale to al that were within the couenaÌ„t to the Church their seed This was the practise of Christ his Apostles they that were baptised were added nuÌ„bred to the Church not vntil theÌ„ receaued into y e fellowship how frendly and wel affected soeuer they were vnto the Church Now then the state standing thus that the baptiâ—…me dâ—…livered in the Church of Rome is no baptisme the ministerie there giueÌ„ no ministerie c this so apparantly prooued after his syllogistical manner by this Scholler of Oxenford how can her Maiestie any longer be ignorant or that Congregation to which she ioineth if ther were any such that she they all are vnbaptised Seing the matter is published in print spread abroad through al partes of the land the glooue cast downe with open challenge to maintaine the same against al opponentes wel this being knowen with what conscience can either that minister deliueâ—… or she that people receaue the Lordes supper in this estateâ—… seing none vnbaptised may receaue yt but is subiect to the same cuâ—…se that the vncircumcised were which were admitted to the Passouer how caÌ„ they now that they see thsn estate commit further sinne sacriledge and violate the whole order Testament of Christ by plunging themselues into further transgression and seking no remedie to auoide this Baptisme he saith is not the cause but the seale of saluation they may be saued which were neuer baptised I graunt all this where yt can by no meanes to had but I hope they wil not so say that yt can not be had with them and that the matter is not come to that passe from the most floorishing estate of a Church in Europe and that so sodainly with opening but one gap Then haue Mr. Peâ—…rie and D. S. spunne a faire thred let them take heed for a few of these ArgumeÌ„tes wil make as many as haue sight grace or câ—…science Brownictes as this schâ—…ller blasphemeth them But what remedie for this mischeif seing al now are vnbaptised where
shal we come by baptisme and that must be had before either entrāce or proceeding to any ministe◅ie or Church It sufficeth not heere to say that we may be saued without yt that we neither neglect or despise yt for one ynch can we not stirre in this building and busines of the Church vntil we be baptised Most pestilēt pernicious is that councel giuē vnto her maiestie y t where she hath receaued comfort to her soule thither she may stil resort for fur◅her cōfort Is this the ◅est councel helpe you cā afford her then as I◅b saith miserable comforters are you al. Is this sound doctrine to say that where she hath receaued or rather supposed cōfort thither she may stil resort for more Is this to measure the action and the comfort by the rules of Gods word what if the action be vnlawful she take comfort in vnrighteousnes may she still continue in sinne may she not thus iustifie any wickednes for what superstitious papist wil not say that he hath taken comfort before his shrines roodes yea how many teares in that cōceited superstition wil they shed before them for very ioy imagined shal they for this cause not depart from their idolatrie when yr is reproued by the word because they haue receaued comfort But me thinkes I see the schollers solution of this his meaning and word◅s both were of such a sound inward comfort in Christ her Saviour built vpō his promises word as doth throughly appease her conscience acquiet her soule Wel then we are agreed of the point that there is no ◅rue cōfort but that which is g◅ounded vpō the promises of God no cōfort or blessing promised to any actiō but where yt is done ◅ccording to the ordinance wil of God in his word Go◅ only blessing his owne ordinance Now thē I hope he can ap◅oue this proceeding without baptisme vnto the supper of the Lord to be warrantable lawful by the word of God that where the want of this baptisme is not only in the receauers but in the ministers yea where he is no minister of the Gospel that administreth this Sacrament also or el◅ there is no comfort to her maiestie in this action which is so openly repugnāt to al the rules of Christes Testament which is heere most wittingly presumptuously broken so nothing from thence to be expected but a fearful looking for of iudgment I wil not heere vrge either the general vnlawfulnes of the whole ministerie of E◅glād either the strāgenes or vnlawfulnes of the office vnto which they are called or of the vnlawfulnes of their ordination and entrance nor of the most abhominable administration of their offices Neither wil I here vrge this want of baptisme both in people minister nor yet the open breach of Christs institution both in the maner wordes therof in the deliuerance of yt Only I wil come to this Scholler in a playne point that he and I shall agree of least he escape me through his learning wind him self away by his sophi◅trie for he that so pregnātly defendeth is frend I suppose wil do more for himself when need shal so require The point then wherin I would be satisfied at his hand is whether he take the Lord Archb. of Canterb his g◅ce or the LL. BB. his brethrē to be true ministers of the Gospel Church of Christ or no if he be M r PENRIE ◅ is friend he wil say no surely I wil say Amen vnto yt for in the Testament of Christ did I neuer read of any Lord Bishop but Christ which is Lord ouer al neither of any Archb. but the ArB. of our soules Christ Iesus to let passe the vnlawfulnes of their office function c. Now then I would know whether this L. Archb. may deliuer the Sacramētes whither he would aduise our Soueraigne Prince to receaue them at his hand or no Sure if she may frequent or take cōfort in this Sacrament then to let passe al the other heape of faults which to lay opē would fill a volume is the Lord Archb a true minister this a true and holy Sacrament or els he through flatterie perswadeth his Prince to sacriledge and transgression in encouraging her both stil to receaue this sacrilegious Sacrament in this manner defiled by these Romish BB Priestes also to continue remaine vnbaptised although that she now know be persuaded through this mans strōge prooues that she as yet hath receiued no baptisme Either he is to prooue that an vnbaptised people euē such a people where not one of them is baptised neither can baptisme be administred or held amongst them may ioine together erect a ministerie administer receaue the other Sacrament c. or els y t her Maiestie this Church of England hath some special immunitie priuilege to proceed without baptisme Sure euen the two grosse Doctors whome he so derideth wil think this strange stuffe there was neuer any such Church or proceedings read or heard of in the Testament of Christ. And see how the skornful by the iust iudgm◅t of God are takē insnared in their owne delusions For what cou◅ D. Ihō Bridges or D. R. S. haue deuised more corruptly or vnfaith◅ully either towardes God or their Prince the whole lād for iustifijng their op◅ wilful breach of Christs Testament al their poperie abhominations then this Your Maie◅tie ◅aith he though the playne euidence of Godes word be brought into your eares to the contrarie yet is perswaded in cōsciece that you in the popish Church receaued the true Sacrament of baptisme Therfore vpō this perswasion your maiestie need not seeke the outward signe especially seing God be thanked your Maiestie hath receaued the inward grace assured testimonie of your saluation in your soule therfore your Maiestie now hath no need of the outward signe for that were a going back againe yea a putting necessitie of saluation in the outward element which is nothing without the inward grace y t he is able to make so manie sillogismes for your Maiesties saluation as you need not to be bound to the straight keeping of Christs Testament neither feare any danger that may insue For you haue done inough alreadie for the assurance of your saluation in putting downe the latine masse and thrusting the Pope out of the land though we haue an english masse and english Popes in stead therof you haue done inough in publishing professing the gospel though al free sincere practise therof be vtterly debarred out of the land could neuer by any sute be obteined yt CHRIST might reigne in his owne Church by his owne ministerie lawes you haue done inough in nourishing so many strangers preseruing their liues vnder your protection though here within the land your owne natural true hearted subiectes CHRISTS most faithful seruantes be daily
baptised with the inward baptisme of the Spirit though she want the outward neuer seek yt it skilleth not Wil not the two learned Doctors iudge this to be flat Anabaptistrie to seperate from and oppose the inward Spirit against the reuealed word of God as though they that had that inward grace and earnest of their adoption need not the outward signe ought not to seek yt yea that which yet is more deeply set will they not and may they not iustly say that you hould and teach the verie maine groundes of all Anabaptistriâ—… namly that so they be moued by the inward spirit they may go to any vnlawful action so their owne heart coÌ„demne them not they need not feare though the action be euil other men condemne them for they stand or fall to their owne maister els would you neuer haue giuen the Prince councell being in your iudgment vnbaptised because â—…he hath receaued inward grace as you say therfore not to seeke the outward seale which euerie member of the established Church must receaue Because she hath this inward grace therfore she may without doubting present her self to the Lordes Table to receaue the holy supper though she haue not beene ingraffed or receaued into the Church by outward baptisme especially that she will still perswade her self that she in the popish Church receaued yt for tâ—…is is in her no sinful ignorance that seing she hath receaued great comfort often times in the communion in that manner by these ministers aboue said administred vnto her in this estate she may stil vpon the scholler of Oxford his warrant aduenture to fetch more there be the action neuer so sacrilegious execrable and repugnant to Gods word Shal not these grosse blind Doctors who are in deed y e verie sepulchre of all rottennes yet explode and detest these Anabaptistical phantâ—…sies shal not the glorious 〈◊〉 of Christ which you would seeme to affect and plead though I 〈◊〉 heard of such scoffing diuines to help vp Christs kingdome through this your hatefull flattery hypocrisie dissembling suffer great blame and reproch because in deed you feare the faces of men more then you feare God dare more bouldly preach these and manie other apparant lies then the truth which are better accepted of all men in these miserable and corrupt times To their appetites and humors you transforme and apply Christ making him a Sauiour to euery rich glutton liue as profanely and wickedly as he list for your bellies sake You seek to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh and not by the power of his word and vertue of his Spirit into the heartes and coâ—…sciences of men because in deed you dare not publish that truth you know practise yt in a good conscience enduring cheerfully with patience what soeuer may be inflicted vpon you for the same by this euil and sinful generation wheras now you dare neither belieue nor affirme any more of Gods truth then either is already publikely receaued or els confirmed by some of your authentike Authors M â— CALVINE M r BEZA D. FVLKE thus holding dissembling the faith of Christ in respect of persons times and I wote not what pollicies As though the truth of God were not alwaies in season alwaies necessarie alwaies authentike And therfore God hath taken you in your owne pollicies and subtelties deliuered you into the handes of your â—…nemies whome you so skoffed and skorned and certainly vnles you repent and turne vnto him he wil make you euen a reproch vnto al men as vnsauorie salt that can neither season nor be seasoned with any thing And in deed we poore persecuted ChristiaÌ„s whome you so despise and blasphemie baptising vs into the name of Browne as though we had either deriued or hold our faith of him or any mortal man or elâ—… were detected and convinced of some notorious heresies thus adding afflictions vnto our bandes whereas your selues dare not affirme nor abide by that Christ is the Sonne of God if any persecution should arise therfore we poore persecuted Christians I say are so far from reioicing to see you thus ensnared and foiled that we euen grieue and blush for shame that so glorious a cause should be so euil handled of you Why could not the sacred scriptures haue giueÌ„ light to the deciding this doubt and vndoing this knot but that the one side must runne to M r. CALVINE aâ—…d he must be iâ—…star mille the other to D. FVLKE â—…d he must be put in the other ballance as a counterpoise and these being directly contrarie the one to the other the one holding the Church of Rome to be a Church though corrupted defaced with other such ignorant rotten tearmes that belong not to a true Church the baptisme there deliuered to be a true sacrament though there were neither lawful minister faithful people nor the institution of Christ kept in the elementes and manner of deliuering In which opinion though yt be altogether without grownd of the word or common sense yet the one he wil rest because yt best fitteth his popish turne and fleshly appetite to couer al the abhominations which are deriued from the Church of Rome and stil as holy relikeâ—… kept reserued and worshipped in this Church of England The other side erecteth D. FVLKE as their patrone and giueth him a garland in his graue because he hath vtterlie denied the Church of Rome in any sort to be held a true Church brought in that famous monument of that pontifical prelate the dowghtie S. Ihon of Beuerlay that depriued the ignorant doggbolt priest as he termeth him disanulled the Baptisme that he had deliuered and rebaptised the yongman Now though no one iote of this priest of Beuerlay his doing be allowable by Godes word for there it is not found that either one man may make or depriue a minister in the Church of God or that the outward signe of Baptisme thus giuen ought to be repeated yet because this verie wel fitteth their humors to disgrace the dumb priestes and magnifie the preaching priestes and for some other private respectes therfore forsooth this side wil as peremptorily with as litle truth rest in M EVLK his iudgment and he shal want no figures nor flowres y t CaÌ„bridg or Oxford caÌ„ afford to deck his hearse withal And when think you if both sides thus confidently betake them to their captaines shall they be accorded and meet in the truth when they are both so wilful and thus far from yt or how shal the poore people which are led by these miserable guides euer come to the sight of the truth Vndoubtedly Christ is not thus deuided neither is the spirit of God thus diuers and contrary or the word of God yea and nay There is but one truth one way which neither of these aduerse guides haue as yet found and as yt should seeme though yt
were shewed them they would in this presumptiō of their heartes rather run on headlong vnto death in this their headstrong course then by repentāce turne into the waies of life that they might be saued For besides the manifold errors of ech of these factions which haue beene shewed in part mark I besech you into what present mischief and ineuitable dāgers ech course leadeth all that hold the same vnto The one side that holdeth with Docter ROBERT SOME THAT the baptisme deliuered in the Church of Rome was a true Sacrament not only therby inclose themselues in schisme by such violent deuiding in ◅uch hostile maner from the true Church yea and euen therby conclude against the Church of England that yt is not a true Church because there is but one true Church through the world as ther is but one God one Spirit one CHRIST CHRIST cannot stand an head to two so diuers and contrarie bodies as these two Churches would seeme to be Now they confessing the Church of Rome to be a true Church do hereby acknowledg themselues both in schisme a false Church Besides that they vtterlie subuert the whole Testament of CHRIST by bringing a new ministrie and new manner of administration into the Church c. The other side that denijng the Church of Rome or any couenant or seales to belong vnto her doe also deny that any outward baptisme is there deliuered and doe therby affirme al the people that now are in our knowen parts of the world to be vnbaptised which receaued none other then that baptisme and then seing there is no lawfull minister to baptise this people for none vnbaptised may be a minister or baptise neither haue an vnbaptised p◅ople power to elect or ordeine a ministerie amongst them Of this can no rule president or example be shewed in the scriptures but all to the expresse cōtrarie especially since al extraordinarie offices haue ceased and so must all the building of CHRISTS Church and the worke of the ministerie cease vntill some second Ihon Baptist or new Apostles be sent vs downe from heauen except peraduenture they after their long trauel bring vs forth some new Euangelist and sure if they make a new ministery they must also make a new Gospell and confirme yt with new miracles Well thus we see the error danger of both these waies neither of which lead vnto life therfore neither to be followed We may not followe the first sort of guides least they lead vs back againe to EGIPT SODOME BABILON from vvhence we were escaped or rather wherin we are by them still detayned We may not commit our selues to the other guides least we be not led forward toward persection but deluded with their doublings and windinges as in a maze alwaies going alwaies learning yet neuer the further on our way or neerer our iournaies end neuer taught or brought to the acknowlegment and right practise of the truth What then is to be done in this distresse surely euen this when men are at their wits endes to flee vnto God for councel and direction whose word if we el◅uate as our lodestar we shall no doubt by the light therof Gods gracious Spirit blowing vpon the sailes of our faith safely saile through all these difficulties euen with a straight course to the free and sincere practise of the Gospel neither striking against the rockes of poperie nor falling vp on the shelues quicksandes of Anabaptistrie For he that is ascended vpon high hath not left his house destitute of councel and direction ◅or all affaires and occasions in all times and estates whatsoeuer but hath in his word left most perfect rules and absolute lawes for all things So that though he for the iudgmēt of the world the trial of his seruants the manifestatiō of his owne power bring his seruants into Babilon yet knoweth he how to preserue and deliuer his seruantes without either iustifijng of Babilon with D.R.S. his disciples or re◅ming of Babilō with these learned priestes of the time and their followers and hauing brought them forth to lead them forth to Sion and to reare vp the decaied tabernacles of Dauid that were fallen downe without vsing one stone of Babel in the worke for a corner or for a foundation So then we now being fallen into found in that general defectiō apostacie wherof we were warned by our Sauiour Christ his Prophets Apostles yt remaineth that vve search the scriptures vvhether we can there find any presidentes of any such times and see whether we can there fetch any better direction then these learned men abouesaid haue giuen vs in this case We reade in the time of Ezechiah that the kingdome of Israe◅ had a long time remained in schisme apostacie hauing forsaken that true Temple and erected vnto themselues new Temples new Altars n◅w ministerie c. neither could by any warnings threats or corrections be r◅claimed Yet such of them as left their false vvorship and returned to the true Temple to vvorship God there were receaued and admitted to the passouer without either gathering correcting or repeating the circumcisiō they had receaued in y ◠time of this their schisme and apostacie The like we reade to be done in the times of Iosiah of Ezra of N◅hemiah whē they had yet longer cōtinued in their schisme and idolatrie vpon their returne out of their dispersion captiuitie vnto the Lorde And yet no doubt to those men in these times and in this estate could the circūcision they there receaued shal I speake according to the times say be no true sacrament or rather leaue that traditional word which engendreth strife rather then godly edifying say be no true seale of the couenant of Gods fauour vnto them being added to their false worship idolatrie schisme apostacie obstinacie contempt This I think wil be easily graunted of all handes For Gods couenant is no longer made or continued with any Church or people then they remaine in his faith and obedience yet you sce this circumcision thus receaued not to be reiterate when they came vnto the true faith Wherby we are euidently taught both that such baptisme as is deliuered in the false Church is no true seale of Gods couenant cōmonly called a true sacrament yet also that such outward washing or baptisme deliuered after their supe◅stitious maner in that idolatrous place ought not vnto such to be repeted as afterward forsake the false Church and ioine vnto the Church of God Thus me thinkes this hard difficult knot is euen with a trise vn done when we take the true light right way vnto yt Which whiles these learned Doctors diep diuines as they in their stile and banner write themselues haue labored by the light of their owne pregnāt wittes to vnlose they haue the further encombred themselues intangled their miserable followers For what cause
hath D.R. SOME now to contend that the baptisme deliuered in the false Church should be a true seale of the couenant or what occasion hath Mr. PENRIES Proctor to denie that such as there receaued that baptisme are not touching the outward action baptised they must heere shew some sufficient discrepance betwixt these examples alledged out of the scriptures the estate of the present question or els with reuerence rest in the practise of the holy Ghost though neither they nor I be able to arriue to the wisdome therof As for D. SOME I see not what he can say vnles he either affirme y ◠circumcisiō in that apostacie of Israel to be a true seale of the couenant which if he doe then I oppose vnto him not only the through corruption of their estate but also the publike repudiation bil of diuorce which the Lord sent them by his Prophets or els he must in deed shew himself a worthy champion prefer his mother Church of Rome to the defected estate of Israel which if he doe then must we send to E◅dor to call vp Amasiah the priest of Bethel to debate the matter with him And vntil they meet I leaue vpō him the 17 Chapter of the Reuelation where the holy Ghost as liuely describing y t Citie Church of Rome in their scituation and collers as if he had named them calleth the one the Beast the other the Harlo◅ or great whore in that vision Now if she be an whore as I must beleeue God rather then D.S. then can she not be the spouse of CHRIST the true Church Then for the rest let Bethel Rome striue in hell for the preemin◅ce I haue nought to do to iudg them that are without But now M r. PENRIES aduocate D. SOME his aduersarie who hath chosen the much more reasonable extreme peraduenture wil not be so soone satisfied It is an hard matter to perswade sense where faith is wanting But I for this matter must hold him still hard to the places of scripture alledged so that he must shew me some sufficient difference b◅twixt these cases or els yeild vnto or reproue the holy Ghost If he put difference yt must be either in the estate of the place of the people or of the thinges deliuered and compared For the place though Israel were part of the promised land yet that could no way sanctifie the Israelites or better their state or defend them from the wrath of God due to their sinnes It was also accursed of God together with and for them deliuered into y ◠handes of the heathē as we reade Neither was yt euer more holy then Rome or any place where the Church of God was or is seing Gods blessing is eu◅r with his Church therfore y e place can put no difference For the people as they were somtimes Gods chosen peculiar people so were somtimes the people of the Church of Rome also both of them apostatate both in transgression though yt may be not in like depth yet both of them out of the fauour in the wrath of God It were in vaine to plead which of them were worse the best place out of the Church of God they shal◅ find ill inough Though I easilie yeild Rome or the fairest of her Daughters though yt be the Church of England to be w tout all comparison worse For the thing◅ deliuered compared both circumcision baptisme were seales annexed to the Lords couenant both signes and markes which all that were receaued into the communion of Gods seruantes ought to haue both signifijng a putting away the shame of Egip◅ a cutting washing away our original natural corruption our ingraffing into CHRISTS death resurrection both through with him of our dijng vnto sin liuing vnto righteousnes as also a verie putting on of CHRIST with the ful benefite of his merits passiō to the perfect redemptiō of our soules bodies ful appeasing of our consciences from the wrath of God the rigour of the law for all the sinnes that euer we haue cōmitted as fully assuredly as we our selues had fulfilled the law satisfied the wrath iustice of God c. what then should be the impediment why the outward baptisme deliuered in the false and apostaticall Church which I only properly count y ◠false Church as the outward circumcision deliuered in the false apostaticall Church should now more be denied this more then that Peraduenture yt will heere be alledged that the circumcision there was much more lawfully done better then this baptisme I will not stand vpon y t yt being nothing to our purpose I wil not stand vpon tearmes of better more lawful in cōparing thē one with an other It sufficeth me y t in comparing them vnto iudging them by the law of God neither of them are found either good or lawful For vnlawful yt was to administer circumcision vnto opē idolaters or apostataes or vnto their seed vntil they were renewed by faith repentance So is y◅ stil in baptisme the lawfulnes of circumcisiō or the holines of y e word of God doth not iustifie the action or the people where the one or the other are abused As in the false Church circumcision is good the word of God is most holy but to receaue circumcision or to heare the word of God in y e false Church is to apostatate from CHRITS to ioine to Gods enemies to forsake the true church He cānot haue fellowship with both at one time at what time he ioineth to the one he forsaketh the other Nothing done in y e false Church be it neuer so holy in shew is iustified either by them or to them but euē the calling vpō y ◠name of God the reading scriptures the administring baptisme c. is turned into sinne presumptiō profanatiō of Gods name ordinance vnto them whiles they remaine in their inquitie There was nothing in the false Church either in their maner of doing yt that made this circumcisiō receaued allowable or not to be repeted neither did the faith subsequent iustifie the action past of circumcision done to in the false Church It was the meere mercie of God y t pardoned and purged the sinne to the faithful penitent It was the wisdom of God the sin abuse of the action thus done receaued in y e false church being thus purged to reserue his owne ordinance not to reiterate y e action of circumcision They that giue a natural cause therof as of the impossibility of reiterating circumcision so put difference betweene circumcision baptisme the one being impossible to be done againe the other not so greatly erre in iudgment misse the point For both ◅he Apostle in expresse words sheweth experience in Chirurgeric confirmeth the same that circumcision may be gath◅red so
children of death hel c. These thinges ought not to be forgotten or as the budget at our back to be cast behind vs but both with griefe to be remembred y t we vile wretches should so highly haue profaned Gods name with them of the false Church also with ioy that God hath shewed this mercie vnto vs to redeeme deliuer vs out of these snares of SathaÌ„ but especially to coÌ„sider wheÌ„ we come to y e supper of the Lord both what y e thing is we do receiue how with whome in what manner we ought to receaue yt Now if we be ignorant of the doctrines of baptisme but much more if we haue not receaued baptisme how should we be held worthy receiuers of those high misteries of y e body blood of our Lord Iesus Christ The watch rules of the word are ill kept in that Church which admitteth any much more many into their coÌ„munioÌ„ w t out ful assuraÌ„ce of their baptisme But what kind of Church is that which consisteth wholy of a people vnbaptised for so by his argument are al they that were baptised in the popish churches And then al the land being such at the first receiuing of the Gâ—…spel as they imagine to themselues how should an vnbaptised people chuse from amoÌ„g themselues able ministers to baptise Is yt not likely that this famous scholler knew ful litle what belonged either to the Church ministerie or sacramentes of Christ that wrote this learned discourse hath not the Church of EnglaÌ„d gotteÌ„ a worthy champioÌ„ that thus learnedly defendeth her her proceedings with one word of his mouth pronounceth al such Brownists as denie this their Câ—…rch of England euen the eldest daughter of the Church of Rome together with her mother to be the true spouse of Christ and therfore both reprooue by the word of God refraine according to the same word al their abhominations suffring in al patieÌ„t maner whatsoeuer may be done or said against vs for the same by the handes of these Cainites mouthes of these Balaamites rather theÌ„ defiling our soules with their abhominations Which as yt were a wearines for any man but to recite and bring to light these hellish mistes and fogs these secret mysteries of their ministerie and worship which they exercise in their Temples so is yt an impossibilitie for this learned clerke with al his cunning or the greatest priest of them to defeÌ„d the same when the light of the word is but once brought vnto them so sodainly are they therby discouered of what sort they are Let theÌ„ therfore that thus contend for their whorish Church approue and iustifie hereby the word of God and theÌ„ surely I wil yeild them to deserue the garland of a bishoprick or els let them assure themselues y â— yt is neither their tyraÌ„nie railing or sophistrie can either couer or excuse their shame from his fierie eies with whome they haue to do or lay that blame reproch vpon others which they indeuour To returne therfore againe to that from which we haue beene somwhat with drawen by these occurrentes yt remaineth that we proceed in the examination of the publike ministration of this famous Church of England Of their sacrameÌ„tes we haue heard but they haue besides these certayne half sacrameÌ„tes or high misteries vnto which belong set prescript communions which to performe execute are no small part of the priestes office Not to speake of their orders or iniunctions which are fower times in the yeare to be solemnely read not to repeat their sacrament of Peonance with their bitter curses and comminations going before their Lent fast They haue yet the holy sacrament of marriage solemnly kept in the holy church for the most part vpoÌ„ the Lordes day an especial Leitoâ—…rgie or coÌ„munioÌ„ framed to the same This action is to be done by the priest c. who instructing the parties to be ioined in wedlock whaâ—… to say when to pray c. teacheth the man to wed his wife with a ring In the name of the Faâ—…her the Sonne and of 〈◊〉 â—…oly Ghost which ring must before by the man be layd vpon the seruice booke together with his offring vnto the priest Clarke The booke serueth in stead of holy water to hallow the ring The ring thus hallowed serueth in stead of an element to this sacrament being ioined to these wordes In the name of the Father of the Sonne of the holy Ghost especialy when al the collectes special psalme blessinges are said by the priest the maried couple deuoutly kneeling in the meane while at the communioÌ„ table c. But here wil be answered that the reformed better sort of priestes wil not marry with the ring here must then be noted that they breake their other of their Cannonical obedience which they tooke before the Bishop when they receiued their priesthood Moreouer y â— for their default herein they are to be censured and reproued by their Church namly their CoÌ„missarie his Court before whome such defaultes are to be presented by the Churchwardens questmen vnles they also will be forsworne for company Moreouer these reformed well conscienced priestes though they reiect this ring as an idolatrous relique yet dare they not by the word pronouÌ„ce the vnlawfulnes therof that others also might leaue detest the same That would cost blowes the Bishop would not suffâ—…r that therfore they for the peace of their Church ioine to them in the coÌ„munion c. that vse this execrable idolatrie But well let me not discourage them in well doing least vve take them not ofteÌ„ in that fault leaft if the Bishop once heare of yt yt then become but a matter indifferent theÌ„ they for the peace of the Church the sauing their benefice their skinnes whole vse yt againe for companie But heere in the meane time I would know of y e learnedest of them where they find in the old or new Testament that marriage is an ecclesiastical action belonging to the worship of God in his Church to be done by the minister as part of his office function that in the Church but especially vpoÌ„ the Lordes day with such a set Leitourgie of Collectes exhortations psalmes anthemes blessings framed to the purpose I hope they found not this in the 4 Chapter of the booke of Ruth yet I doubt not but both Booz and Ruth were godly persons and very lawfully famously maried They vsed no priest in this busines nor yet made yt a matter belonging to the tabernacle or worship of God I haue alwaies found yt the parentes office to prouide mariages for their children whiles they remaine in their charge gouernmeÌ„t and that the parties themselues affianced betrothed ech other in the feare of God the pâ—…esence of such witnesses as were present and that in their parentes or other priuate houses without running to
Church to the priest after this manner I euer tooke marriage for an ordinance action of the second Table and see not why they might not as well set vp the tables of the money changers or bring in any other ciuil busines or chaffaire as this into their church But see what these Balaamites wil not doe for gaine both make God a new diuised worship setting vp and bringing in their owne diuises and Burning incense therunto and holding the people in such blindnes and superstition as they beleeue not themselues to be rightly married except yt be done by a priest after the prescribed manner and the in the due seasons also namely in the forenoone at morning praier whē mattēs is done next before the communion as they call yt this not vpon any forbidden tydes as in the holy time of lent c. when men ought to fast without an especial licence from the sea of Can◅erburie which Popedome hath power both to restraine meates and marriage and ag◅ine to permit them vpon graue waighty considerations to such as wil pay roundly for the same THE PRIEST hath also in this their portuise a prescript forme of visiting the sicke with perfect instructions what to say at the first step into the sick man his house what when he commeth into the sick mans presence how vvithout any questioning of his estate whether he be asleepe or awake aliue or dead vvithout any wordes vnto the sick person the priest must doune vpō his mary bones desire God to forgiue the sick man his sinnes and also to forgiue the sinnes of his forefathers vvith his due number of Lord haue mercie vpon vs Christ haue ◅ercie vpon vs his Pater noster vvith his versicles and response or aides to this masse for the quick and the dead Which being ended he procedeth to his prescript exhortation vvhich because yt is almost a leafe long the priest to make short vvorke if the partie be passing away c. may cut off two partes of yt and say a creede then exhort him to temember his debtes and to make his wil and to giue to the poore which being done then by that special authoritie cōmitted to him by his lord Bishop to absolue the sick person of al his sinnes and so with a special psalme and his certaine of collectes to conclude the matter This is the ordinarie Visitatiō ouer besides that especial housell or Communion of the sick aboue spoken of And heere before we proceed further me thinkes there would be somthing said concerning this power of binding and loosing sinnes which the priestes of the Church of England and also of the Church of Rome challenge vnto themselues as incidēt to their office by vertue of some especial graunt and prerogatiue made vnto them aboue other Christians Which vnlesse they together with their holy Father the Pope should fetch frō the keies giuē to Pe◅er Math. 16. 19. or frō Iob. 20. 23 I neuer could heare of any euidēce they had to shew For y e first place I think they wil not say that the promise was made to Peter only for then yt should be contrarie to the second where the same power is giuen to more Besides that yt is an vsual doctrine in their pulpets to confute the Popes false vnderstāding of that place And for the place of Ihon I trow they cannot prooue this power there giuen only to the Apostles there being many disciples both men womē in the place I hope also that they are not so grosse to suppose this power giuen to the persons of men for then yt must haue died and ceased with the Apostles seing we reade not in al the Testament of any speciel or personal bequest made by them to any degree of men one more thē another and so they challenge yt by an old worthles title so much as to the truth and power of the word of God which word being beleeued and apprehended by faith looseth vs from al our sinnes through that blood of Christ our Lord which word also being reiected or transgressed bindeth our sinnes vnto the iudgment seate of Christ without repentance which word is bound sealed vp amongst Christs disciples Neither is yt giuen or committed vnto the ministe◅s of the Church only for then none could haue faith but ministers none ought to professe publish or stand for the maintenance of the faith but ministers But we see this power the word the faith committed to the whole Church and euerie member therof all being commanded to watch to publish defend and practise the Gospell to the vttermost of their power to admonish reprooue one another c. Now how should this be done but by the power of the word Moreouer our Sauiour Christ in sending forth the 70. gaue y e self same power vnto their word that he did vnto the 12. to such as receaued the Gospel peace with remissiō of sinnes to such as receaued yt not the shaking off the dust of the feet against them But yt wil peradventure be said that in as much as the ministerie of the word is chiefly committed vnto them therfore the power of binding loosing also To this I answere that I haue not learned in the word so to tye the power to the person of the man This power is not of man but of God The least in the Church hath as much power by this word of God to bind the sinne of the Pastor and vpon his repentance to pronounce cōfort peace vnto him as he hath to remit or bind the sinne of the least So that monstrous is their presumption that assume vnto themselues not only the power giuen vnto the whole Church as shall be shewed hereafter but vsurpe I wote not what peculiar power oboue all other to bind or remit sinnes yea to remit for wage the sinnes of euerie prophane glutton and wicked Atheist which will send for the priest at the howre of death to reade his Masse-booke ouer him c. LIKEVVISE ALSO as these Priests visit and houfel their sick by this booke so doe they in like maner burie their dead by the same booke The priest meeting the corps at the Church stile in white aray his ministring vesture with a solemne song or els reading alowde certayne of their fragmentes of scripture so carrie the corps either to the graue made in their holy cemitery hallowed Churchyard or els if he be a rich man carry his bodie into the Church Ech where his dirige trental is read ouer him after they haue takē off the holy couering cloth the linnen crosses wherwith the corps is dressed vntill yt come vnto the Churchyard or Church into that holy ground least sprights in the meane time should carrie yt away the priest there pronounceth that almightie God hath taken the soule of that their brother or sister vnto him be he heretike witch coniurer and desiring to meete
him with ioy in the resurrectiō c. who after he hath cast on th◅ first shouel full of earth in his due time with his due wordes committing earth to earth ashes to ashes c. then may they bouldly proceed to couer him whiles the priest also proceedeth to reade ouer his holy geare say his Pater noster which fi◅teth al assaies his other praiers ouer the Corps That being done there is for that time no more but to pay the priest clarke their hyre As for the mortuarie the priest wil come home to the house of the dead for that wel inough But now if he be a man of welth that he make his graue with the rich in the Church he shall then pay accordingly for that ground is much more precious holy then the Churchyard hauing beene consecrate al to be sprinkled with holy water there he shal be sure to lie drie his graue being cut east and west and he so layed that he may rise with his face into the east Likewise if he haue beene any hearer of sermons in his life time haue loued them well he will be at cost to get some learned priest or other to preach ouer him at his bu◅al and that shalbe much more wholsome for him then a paltrie masse But if he be of any great degree or but stept into the gentrie then he hath accordingly his mourners yea his heraldes peraduenture carijng his cote amour streamers before him with solemne adoe and pitching them ouer his tombe as if Duke Hector or Aiax or S r. Launcelot were buried Then is the corps brought in with singing many solemne circumstances that I know not of then is masse preacher su◅e of a mourning gowne a good reward for his paines Besides all the superstition idolatrie in their Leitourgie the popish ceremonies and heathenish pompe and customes I would here faine know of our learned priestes where in all the Bible they learned to say praiers or preach ouer I wil not though I truly might say for y e dead As I take yt they haue neither president nor cōmandement for yt in the word of God yet there we read of sundrie christian burials as of our Sauiour CHRIST STEPHEN others where we reade neither of dirgies nor sermons ouer them though there were Apostles sundrie other able men to haue done yt And I think yt cannot be denied if any had deserued such cōmemoration these did But as they deriued this stuffe frō the heathens whether Persiās Athenians or Romaines I will not contend which vsed these pulpit orations for the dead so to the heathens I leaue them The next question is where I may find in the booke of God that yt belonged to the ministers office to burie the dead It was a pollution to the Leuiticall priesthood to touch a carcase or any thing about yt I neuer read in all the practise or epistles of the Apostles that yt belonged to any minister of the Church as by office to burie the dead The next question is why of all other places men must be buried in the Church or Churchyard els they haue not Christen mens burial but if they be not buried there and that by the priest with his booke then are they buried like doggs say the common people Me thinkes those of all other should not be the conuenientest places It was a thing neuer vsed vntill popery began yt is neither comly conuenient nor wholsome Well now the last question is concerning these solemne mourners araid in black many of them with hoodes caps crosses and other knackes where they learned thus to bemourne lament their dead by I know not how many moneths They will tell me tis lawfull to mourne sorrow for the dead God beareth so far with our infirmities True but yet with this Interim as Christians not as heathens with a black attire outwardly by set and stinted seasons vntill so many moneths be past Christians vse not to make such outward shew of mourning and to haue yt so far from the heart as for the most part the chief mourners the wife and the heire haue Neither do Christians vse to mourne after such a superstitious and prophane maner or to haue their mourning only in their garmentes as numbers of seruing men re◅einers mourning boies and poore men put in mourning weedes which neuer got so much by the glutton in all his life time which are so far from mourning as they are glad with al their heartes Againe how mourne Sr. Priests either the parish priest that hath his mortuarie and his fee for burijng him or the preacher that hath his mourning liuerie and his hire also Could they not let them speake of their conscience find in their heartes to be so set a worke euerie da◅ in the weeke Besides who be more curious and nicely picked to haue their mourneries fitted at an haire breadth then these mourning women you shall not haue them more choice of any garment ◅hat euer they ware then for the most part they are of this these are ◅ignes of a verie sorrowfull heart To conclude after al their praiers preachment vvhere I trow the priest bestoweth some figures in his commendations though he be with the glutton in the gulfe of hell to make him by his thetorick a better Christian in his graue then he was euer in his life or els he yerneth his money ill After al is done in Church then are they all gathered together to a costly sumptuous banquet Is not this iolly Christiā mourning who would not mourne thus euerie day in the yeare I wil not here cumber our priestes with ouer many questions least they answere me none of these As how they can proue yt now lawful to disbowel and embalme euerie rich glutton where his burijng place is hard by and there is no cause either to keep or remoue him especially seing all figures are long since in CHRIST performed and now ceased Neither wil I trouble them to shew warrant by the word for the exquisite sculpture garnishing of their toombes with ingrauing their armes and Atehea◅ements moulding their images pictures and to set these vp as monumentes in their Church vvhich Church must also vpon the day of such burials be solemnely arrayed and hanged with blacke that euen the verie stones may mourne also for companie Is not this Christian mourning thinke you els report me to the Church of England All this while we haue said nothing of the excellent vertues of the partie deceased for the priest I trow hath said inough for him in the pulpet though he were the veriest prophane atheist profuse glutton greedy extortor co◅tous scraper in all the parish where he dwelt though he neuer had any knowledg loue or feare of God in his life but liued died like a wrethched worldling yet if he be rich inough his frendes wil be at the cost with
him he ◅hal want none of this funeral furniture to help him to heauē He shal for his money want neither priest to pray for him to preach ouer him to praise him to tell the people that his soule is assuredly with God because in deed ere while vpon shrift he forgaue him al his sinnes in the name of the Father the sonne of the holy Ghost peradu◅ture housled him also with the Sacrament Al this with mourners enough both men womē boies shal he not want for his money in Church of England to be his beades men to say a paternoster for his soule desire God to haue mercie vpon yt for their liueries doles which is had at their death though in his life time the poore might goe naked or starue for anie help and releife they found of him He would not then giue least he might need himself ere he died yea at his death he shall want no ringers that vvill for money ring a soule-peale on all the hallowed belles for his soule drink a carrowse for yt also But this you must note neither rich nor poore neither young nor old can get burial vvithout money in the church of England no peny no paternoster there but please y e priest then he will burie his brother pray for and ouer him whatsoeuer he be so far as his booke wil goe There are all thinges vaenal venial for money The priest will for money pardon al his offences by the authoritie committed vnto him he will for money marrye and burie both which are become solemne actions of this Church especial partes of the worship of God as you may perceaue by their seueral Leitourgies solemnities apointed to the same YET REMAINETH also an especial part of the priestes trade againe namely the Purification or as they call yt the Churching of women who after they haue beene safely deliuered of childbirth haue lie◅ in beene shut vp their moneth of daies accomplet then are they to repaire to Church to kneele downe in some place ◅igh the Communiō Table not to speake how she cōmeth wympeled muffeled accompanied with her wiues dare not look vpon the sunne nor skie vntil the priest haue put her in possessiō againe of them vnto whome thus placed in the Church commeth Sr. Priest straight waies standeth by her readeth ouer her a certayne Psalme viz. 121. assureth her that the sunne shal not burne her by day nor the moone by night saieth his Pater◅oster with the prescribed versicles and response with his Collect. And thē she hauing offred her accustomed offringes vnto him for his labour God speed her wel she is a woman on foot againe as holy as euer she was she may now put off her vailing kerchife looke her husband neighbours in the face againe Is not this excellent stuffe to be brought into and practised in the Church What can be a more apish imitation or rather a more ful reuiuing of the Iewish purification then this both in respect of the occasion as Childbirth the time of her keeping in and seperation from the congregation namly a ful moneth the occasion maner of her comming abroade vailed accompanied with her womē neighbours repairing to the Church kneeling downe to the priest vntil he haue said his certaine ouer her then her oblation vnto the priest for the same Is not all this absolutely Iewish though in deed the priestes part sauor more of poperie Seing therfore they will not haue yt a Iewish purificatiō let yt be a mixt actiō of Iudaisme poperie This trumperie is so grosse as yt deserueth no refutation but a doung forke to c◅st yt out Yf they be ashamed of the action why doe they vse yt if she be not defiled by childbirth why doe they seperate her why doe they clense her why may she not returne vnto the Church hauing recouered strength before her moneth be expired why may she not come a◅ter ◅er accustomed maner and giue God thankes for all his benefites mercies together with others why is she inioined to come y e priest to receaue her in this prescript manner why are the women held in a superstitious opinion that this action is necessarie why is yt a statute ordinance of their Church an especial part of their worship which who so neglect either priest or people are for their such defaults punished by the Commissarie or Ordinarie To conclude why should such solemne yea publike thankes to take yt at the fairest they can make it be giuen openly in the Church more for the safe deliuerance of these women being though a singuler benefite of God y◅t a thing natural ordinarie and common more then for sundrie other strange and marueilous deliuerances from sicknes manie dangers of death and perilles both by sea and land shewed by the mighty hand of God towardes men and women daily if there lay not some high misterie and diepe point of diuinitie in the matter why should euerie priuate and ordinarie benefite be made a publike action and dutie of the Church or why should womē haue this prerogatiue if yt be but bare thancksgiuing as they whē they are called to account for this would beare vs in hand why should if that be so the women be more churched vpon that occasion then when they haue escaped some great danger of drowning burning sword enemies or when they are recouered of some extreme sicknes and disease yea why should this solemne publike peculiar thankes be more giuen for the escaping of euil then for the receauing many singuler great benefites at Gods hand which they are content be they as manie as he wil to swallow vp in obliuion and neuer to trouble him nor themselues with the matter Thus whiles they seeke to eschew the golph of Iudaisme and superstitiō they runne themselues vpō y◅ shelues of the Massaliā heresie THVS HAVING summarily runne ouer the publike worship of the Church of England prescribed in their seruice booke rather by way of discouerie then of discourse I wil now passing ouer their superstitious customes in their seueral churches some vpō this day some vpon that Eaue according as they stand affected and deuote to this peculiar Sainct or that Angel for some special wonders great miracles shewed in these seueral places as largly appeareth in their legēd addresse my self to speake a litle of these their holy Synagogues or places of assemblie commonly called their parish Church wherunto al this rabble of worshippers resort at their apointed seasons to heare this diuine booke together with their learned priestes sermons c. And in the first beginning I feare me we shal fal into such a cōtroversie as cannot easily be decided namely whether the Pagans or papistes where the first founders of them Some of thē vvhich for their fame deserued to be chronicled are recorded to haue beene deuote vnto the Godds of the heathens like
was by reason of mans sinne who is apt to lie to deceaue or not to credit ech others simple word c. To thâ—…s example this in a word â—… see not why I should be of M r. CALVINS mind touching the original of othes For the like he might say of praier of the writteÌ„ word of God yea of CHRIST himself the sacraments al holy exercises of this life If man were not iâ—… sinne he need not pray if he were not wrapped in ignorance he need not the word c. But shal I conclude herevpon that the originall of these holy things is impure sure â—…hat were vncleane doctrine These things no doubt are before all beginnings most holy layd vp with God in the bozome of CHRIST from wheÌ„ce they spring vnto vs are deriued by vs through the holy Ghost to help our infirmities to instruct our ignorance to confirme assure our heartes Yea eueÌ„ amongst our selues an othe for confirmation is an end of strife giuen to our infirmitiâ—…s that cannot see things absent or secret thinges as God doth And therfore is his holy name which seeth all things reuerently taken for confirmation not as yt is publikly vsed in the Church of England So then an othe hath not the original from man but from God himself who is the author of othes Neither is an othe giuen to the sinne of any for so should the name of God be highly prophaned and abused but yt â—…s giuen to the infirmities of all that of things vncertaine vnknowne and doubtful vnto vs vve might rest in that truth which is confirmed vnto vs in the name of the most high God c. vve may very well put difference betwixt our infirmities and our sinnes CHRIST took our infirmities yet without sinne And now not any longer insisting vpoÌ„ the doctrine of SOME his antecedent I denie his Argument at once That because the vse of many thinges whose original is impure may be pure therfore these idol places and temples may be vsed to the worship of God He seeth the lawes of God flat to the contrarie which alloweth them no vse at al either ciuil or ecclesiasticall of such idolatrous places But he proueth yt thus The 〈◊〉 were grosse idolaters but the Israelâ—…tes hauing vanquished them offred of their â—…poiles vnto the Lord c. Numb 31. therfor these idol Temples places idolatrous trumperie may be reserued vsed in the worship of God I must still denie his Argument First he hath not heere proued that this gold of the Midianites was either in any idolatrous formes or had beeâ—…e dedicate to Idols therfore from this place can conclude nothing It is easie to put difference betwixt the substance of Idolaters as gold siluer oxen sheep cattell their Idols idol places The one the captaynes of this host of the Israelites offred vnto the Lord for the sinne they had coÌ„mitted in this war in sparing the Midianitish women eueÌ„ the iewels of gold bracelets chaines rings eare rings ornaments of legges as the text recordeth the Lord accepted them But these I trow he cannot call idols or idolatrous iewels though they were the iewels of idolaters The difference is great easily put betwixt these The landes goodes cattel of idolaters we may purchase inherite vse inioy their idols euen of the most pretious mettals we are to detest destroie Yet euen here in this example they were commanded to purge all that might goe through the fire by the fire with the water of purification all other their vtilences which they got in that war to be purged with water vers 21. c. But now that second bullock which GEDEON offred is thought and alledged to haue belonged to BAAL brought for an instaÌ„ce to proue that things deuote to idols may be vsed to the worship of God To this if yt were admitted that this bullok had beloÌ„ged to BAAL which notwithstanding I see not how vt may be proued by the text I answere y t one particular example doth not take away a general law Againe that GIDEON did nothing but by the expresse coÌ„mandement of God So y t they which will inforce this example against these lawes may as wel vse yt against the law of the altar of the Place vvhere to sacrifice of the Priests vvhich ought to offer them all vvhich vvere by GIDEON much more apparantly to our seeming broken then this law vvhich in deed I cannot see that he brake yt at all Further by his example priuate meÌ„ might intrude into the magistrates office to destroie idolatrous places c. vvhich is vnlawful Yet M r. SOME thinking to make the matter more sure bringeth Corah his censors for proof because of theÌ„ vvere made plates for a couering for the altar But see how the further he goeth the more he stil mistaketh y e matter For these censors of Coraâ—…h his companie vvere neuer offred to any idols or vsed to any idolatrie but are by the testimonie of the holy Ghost pronounced holy Numb 16. 37. and therfore nothing fit his turne Many other diuine reasons he hath to proue this matter y t y e churches which idolaters buiâ—…t the landes which they gaue vnto y â— maintenancâ—… of their popish ministerie as arch-BB s. L. BB. parish priestes parsons vickars c. and also to the collegiate priestes as Deaues Prebends Cannons singing men c. ought now to be conuerted to the maintenance of these persons collegiate priestes their successors and as I heare he hath gotten himself into one of these colledges hath for his good seruice vnto BAAL and against CHRIST obteined IVDAS his roomth I meane not concerning his Apostles but his deacons office to carry the bag rob the poore Wel howsoeuer that matter standeth with him I am sure this his reason of â—…loraes legacie vnto the theatre of Rome to maintaine stage plaies where wicked filthy persons might meete deserueth no such recopence Flora saith he was an harlot in Rome verie welthy she gaue very much for the erection and continuance of a yearly spectacle in Rome By reason of grosse inconueniences that absurd shew was abolished But â—…loraes legacie was conuerted to the vse benefite of that common welth And what of all this M â— SOME Therfore may such thinges as haue beene dedicate by idolatours vnto their idol seruice and the maintenance of their idol ministery be now coÌ„uerted to the worship of God to the maintenaÌ„ce of the ministery of CHRIST It is already shewed that God will not be vvorshipped vvith such idolatrous stuffe and aboue in the handling the tithes glâ—…abes of the church of England that CHRIST hath in his Testament set downe an other kind of maintenance for the ministerie of the Gospell then such popish legacies But vvhat sequele is in this Flâ—…raes legacie vvas conuerted to a better vse therfore thinges offred by idolaters to
God incline the Prince to remoue these abuses I am loth in this place to meddle with y e priestes allegatiōs for their perfidy idolatrie which vse this reason vvith some more colours faces among many other thervnto Mine answere here is that this Argument followeth not It is one thing to abolish publike euils and an other to abstaine from publike euils only the Magistrate may pull downe the publike monuments of idolatrie yet euerie priuate Christian both may and vpon paine of damnation ought to refaine from publike idolatry or from any thing which is euil in Gods ◅ies though yt be allowed cōmanded by all the Princes of the world The godly Iewes Israelites though they could not pull downe the idolatrous places yet refrayned them as is aboue d◅clared So that King ASA his example which is brought by the Priestes to couler and tollerate their idolatrie will not help this matter or serue their turne King ASA say they though he plucked downe al the Altars built vnto strange Gods c. yet suffred y ◠high places which were built to the God of heauen to stand and was commended of the holy Ghost to haue had his heart vpright c. Therfore the Prince may suffer these synagogues which were likewise-built to y e true God though otherwise abused to idolatrie the people frequent them the idolatrie being remoued I hope they will not say that king ASA either did well or was commended for leauing those high places standing which were expresly forbidden by the law in many places and afterward pulled downe by his some IEHOSAPHAT Neither yet can they proue that either ASA or any godly Iew repaired vnto them or offred there sacrifices there for that had beene expresly against the law of God So that yt nothing maketh either for the suffring of these idoll synagogues much lesse for y e wor◅hipping in the same which can no way be purged of idolatrie superstition wherwith they are now ◅raught and highly placed in the peoples mindes vntill they be plucked downe defaced before their eies yet euen in these abhominable sties are not the best sort and the most learned of the preachers ashamed to execute their ministerie and to call the people vnto them to the open breach of Gods lawes the feeding nouri◅hing the prophane ignorant people in their old foreconceaued superstitious opinion they hold of them thinking neither the sermons nor sacraments any where els so holy as they are in thes◅ hallowed dedicate Churches Chappels and to the no smal offence wounding the heartes of al that haue any knowledge of God amōgst them which can no where els come by their sermons ministery but in these forbidden idolatrous accursed places AND NOVV THE publike worship of the Church of England being thus far discouered me thinkes yt due time most fit to examine the publike preaching of the Gospell in the said Church seing y ◠therwith as with a goodly embroidered couerlet fine sheets of Egipt they couer Iesabels bed hide al their fornications seing therwith as with a sweet whistle they allure as with a charme they retayne their auditory seingtherwith as with an angle they take vp al catch yt in their net and gather yt in their yarne wherof they reioice and are glad therfore they sacrifice vnto their nets burne incense vnto their yarne because by them their portion is made fat and their meare plenteous But these counterfait ornaments being brought to the trial of Gods word they will straight apeare but whorish skarfes to co◅er her shame filthines not those goodly broidred couerings wherwith the true tabernacle is adorned These stales being disclosed I hope they shall in vaine baite their hookes spread their nets for the birdes that are on wing through the mercie of God espie their grinnes so that from henceforth these Babilonish marchantmē shalbe dri◅en to waile and lament because no man buyeth their ware any more And sure if the Prophet Ieremie in his time were so vehemently affected with griefe that his bowels within him swelled his bones shooke and his heart for sorrow feare euē brake to behold the sinnes of y e Prophets which drew al the land into transgression held them in the wrath of God c. What would he or what ought we in these our daies to do who find not only all the markes of false Prophets which are recorded in the scriptures vpon them but euen Satans vttermost deceites effectual delusions amongst them suborning transforming them as if they were ministers of righteousnes taking vnto them the names titles of CHRISTS ministers preachers of the Gospel seekers of reformation c. wherby he deceaueth the world draweth them into most heinous sinnes high profanation of Gods name which can no other way be reformed or purged but by the vtter dissolution of the whole ◅rame whē this whole world shall be cōsumed with fire vnto y e which day yt hastneth is reserued And sure euen hereby we may assuredly know that we are fallen into the last times inasmuch as in this cleare light of the Gospell wherby the whore of Babilon is not only descried but cōsumed burnt as yt were by fire yet these deceitful workmen not only build their owne timber and stubble deuises but most highly profane that heauenly frame gracious gouernement of CHRIST in seeking to bring yt in to plant yt ouer amongst their cōfuse prophane multitudes in these their Babilonish parish assemblies Yet no doubt y t God that reuealed shewed in the heauen openly the Temple of the tabernacle of testimonie wil gather in build preserue his elect in the same euē as he did Noah his family in the Arke in the day of the flood BVT TO REturne to our present purpose which is to shew after what maner these ministers of the Church of England preach the Gospel Here must be remembred after what order they stand priestes how they entred what they vowed by othe at their entrāce what kind of office they are entred vnto likewise vnto what maner of people and how they execute these their offices not heere to speake of their maner of cōming by them Yt hath beene aboue declared how al the ministerie of the Church of England is deriued from held of these antichristian BBs by the tenure of homage fealtie at the least if not of Villenage So y t such of them as acknowledg the BBs to be antichristian do together with the same sword blow cut off al y e ministery springing proceeding frō their apostatical chaire there is no fence or ward to saue them It hath beene declared likewise how at the receauing this ministerie they solemnly vpon their knees by othe vowed their canonicall obedience to these BBs their substitutes
their orders and decrees and this not only to the obseruation of the thinges that are or shalbe by these their Lordes Superintendent◅ cōmanded them but likewise by the same to be disciplined censured chasticed for anie thing offensiue vnto them which in their ministerie they shal do or say whither by Mulct Suspension deposition or prison Furthermore from them they fetch their licence to preach with their lawes of stint limitation and praescription when to preach what to preach where and how long to preach but especially by publike doctrine not to speake against any thing by publike authoritie inioined or by the same authoritie hereafter to be inioyned as also to exhort their parishioners vnto the due obedience obseruation of such iniunctions And that this be faithfully performed their Lords the BBs haue not only the othes of the priestes to obserue c. and of the Churchwardens and sidemen to present the defaltes therof but their seuerall deputies officers as Archdeacons Chancelors Commissaries to keep their courts scenes to see these things obserued punish y e offending to which substitutes courts they are al attendant accomptable Their ordinarie offices which they execute are parsons or vickars not heere to speake of the collegiate priest◅s who may do exercise al the offices of their Church in their owne person for one man may be a person or pastor a Doctor a Deane or Deacon take D.R.S. for example As for such as terme themselues ministers or preachers they are but mercenarie men to helpe an other in his office as the no◅ residents plurified parsons or dumb ministers they haue a rouing ministerie without either certaine office or place As for their name of teacher which they coūterfait vsurpe vnto themselues to hide their wretchednes and to purchase estimatiō with the people yt is knowne their Church of England nor yet her mother of ROME hath no such office other then their popish vniuersitie Doctors who haue yt as an addition of honour not of office which name you see they hold together with far aboue their office of a Parson But euen these rouing ministers mercenarie preachers fetch their ministerie and licence to preach from the chaire of their Lord Bishop vpon the same conditions and couenant that the other yea and execute their charges when they are hired after y e same maner both in saing their ◅eruice inioyned thē c. in making their apparāce accōpt at y ◠scenes courts abo◅e said Yf some of them heere take exceptiō vnto this alledg particular instances to the contrarie who neither read the seruice booke nor yet come at the BBs courtes let these men be more neerly obserued and you shall find these but meere delusions and iugglings to bleare the eies of the simple For mark these men and I warrant you this booke must go before or after their sermon and be read either by some reading priest or els by the roring bulles of their cathedral Church for there is no Church or publike Chappell in England but is bound vnto this booke and these well conscienced how learned soeuer make no scruple to second this booke with their sermons by 30 yeres together if they haue beene priestes so long stand ministers to this people in this idolatrie idolatrous places sodomitish monkish colledges c. Is not this all one as if themselues vsed or read the booke sung withthem for companie seing they both ioine with them in praier stand a minister vnto them in these places estate yea and by their leaues the wisest of them doe both administer receaue the sacramētes after the order of this booke together with these people c. And in that they make not continual apparance vnto their Scenes courts yt is by some peculiar priuiledge grāted by the a◅ch-Bish vnto some great man or other or els by some especial prerogatiue from the Prince both with this intendement alwaies that they do nothing cōtrarie or preiudi◅iall vnto the publike course and proceedinges of the land for if they doe there is no priuiledge or prerogatiue can defend them from their arch L. Bishop his letters missi◅e messengers will soone be with them they must answere y e matter before his Highnes and that with due homage submission or els they know the price of yt c. And is not this all one in effect as if they made their monethly apparance vnto their ordinaries substitutes when we see they haue the opē marke of the Beast in their licence priuiledg c. and must preach after the same prescriptiō that other priestes do c. And when we see they do their homage in open court vnto the archbeast vpon his summons may I not then iustly conclude that all the Priestes of England haue a false antichristian ministerie vpon them exerc◅se yt in idolatrie vnto idolators haue the markes of and stand in subiectiō vnto the beast preach by his licence limitatiō c. and so ioine as the false Prophet ◅nto his throne And who now can say that these mē preach the Gospell truly sincerely whiles they remaine in this antichristian ministerie idolatrie confusion subiection But that this their preaching may more manifestly appeare vnto all men let the indifferent readers but consider with themselues of the truth of these matters whiles I but by way of a briefe repetition discouer some of their deceites shiftes and errors First therfore I must desire them duly to consider of these former circumstances as of their ministerie maner of receauing the same of their office maner of cōming by yt and of their administring in the same and vnto these to ioyne that which should haue beene first remembred their academicall education schoole learning wherof they so boast wherby they are made fit for the high worke of the ministerie and gouernement of the Church yea that most high office of Gods Dispensor or Steward These being duly considered and compared vnto the rules in CHRISTS Testament concerning the ministerie ministers of the Gospel see if they find them not perēptory lets why in this estate they cānot preach the Gospell of CHRIST sincerely which they haue not as yet truly knowne or embraced Yea let them examine them neerly by this light see if they find them not those noi◅ome egiptiā botches grieuous plague sores which by the iust iudgment of God are fallen vpon the men that haue the mark of the Beast and vpon them which worship his image and are neuer found vpon any of the children of God much lesse vpon the ministers of CHRIST Next let them consider whether these learned best reformed preachers for vnto them stil as the most pernitious deceauers I bend my speach y ◠other being so grosse as of thēselues they fal to the ground whether these learned preachers I say doe
not make marchandise of the word and open portsale of the Gospell offring their cu nning and selling their tongues like the orators and lawyers of the co mmō welth setting a price of the Gospell and compounding for their bellies before hand with the gluttons profane people to whome they administer alwaies readie vpon the hearing of a better bargaine to remoue as we haue aboue said of their parsonages deanries bishopricks and al other ecclesiastical liuings of their Church of England vntil they arriue vnto the archbishoprick of Canterburie to be Primate and Metropolitane of all England That only office is as their pole-star fixed and vnmooueable vnto and by which they direct all their course And now I leaue to your iudgment whether any such Bal◅ites and Sinioniaks can truly and sincerely preach the Gospel But all this they wil hide and salue with these two allegations that the workman is worthy of his hire and that if they should not thus cōpound the people are so vircharitable and couetous as they should want maintenance for food raiment bookes To the former yt hath already in a peculiar discourse beene shewed that the ministers of the Gospell should neither be maintained with Iewish tithes nor Balaams wages much lesse bargaine and bartre in this manner be their owne caruers To the other if the people want that charitie as not to administer vnto such of their earthly things which trea◅ out y e corne yea grind prepare and diuide vnto them their food portion and administer vnto them spirituall and heauenly things then are they vtterly vnworthy of the Gospell then belongeth not the Gospell vnto them Then why doe they administer the Gospell and stand heardes to these gadarenes why cast they their pearles before such swine why doe they sel the Gospell stand ministers yea prostitute y e body blood of Christ for wage to such open vnworthy as haue neither faith nor charitie As for their apparel yt is either too nice curious or els too affec◅ed and framed as the rough garment to deceaue For their diet they are so far from suffring these necessities and di◅tresses that famine hunger cold nakednes that labour and painfulnes c. which the Apostle susteined as they are rather of those feasters the Apostle Iude speaketh of which feed themselues without all feare Yea these ◅ycophants these trencher priestes will most cunningly insinuate into some great or noble mās house where they are sure to be wel fed and safe from all stormes euen the meanest of them will neuer be without their good hosts dames where they may lay their knife aboard fil their belly of the best Infinite are ◅heir ar◅es both to get retayne such friēds neuer were there in any ◅ge such priests for the welthie sort but as for the poore these pharise is will haue no medling with them further then whiles they bring their offringes or pay their tithes Sure they will be to haue Christ a cooke vnto them as for hauing him to be their King y e shall be but by way of inscription in a peece of paper or in the pulpit some time yet euen there meddle they as litle with Christs offices as may be Now for their bookes where in deed lieth all their learning and cunning without which they are as blind as moles as mute as fishes yt is no maruaile though they cal for them for therin consiseth ◅all their glorie he that can most learnedly fetch out his sermon ◅frō◅thē and preach their notes in manner of discourse he is the only man he hitteth the point aright though the text be neuer touched or broken vp Neither is yt a smal matter that wil ◅urnish one of these learned preachers of bookes they wil not stick to bestow more welth in their studie then many a godly christian and good house keeper hath to maintaine his familie to relieue his neighbours with But they edifie and build vp the Church heerby which is much more pretious then earthly sustenance I beleeue yt wel for vpon such sandy foundations is both their owne faith and their whole Church built and not vpon the sure rock of Christs Testament vvhat good and sound stuffe they pick from thence partly may appeare by the discussing of sundrie errors which euē the chief verie best of a◅ their writers haue held partly shall more appeare when we come to the examination of their pulpe◅ doctrines Only in this place I set downe my simple iudgment that yt were much better for the whole Church and themselues also that for prophecie doctrine they la◅d aside all authors and betake them wholy of all handes to the booke of God So should that booke be more soundly vnderstood and opened euerie word and leafe of the tree of life haue his due vertue so should they see with their owne eies and not with other mens speake with their owne tongues c. so should they and their whole auditorie haue greater assurance for the things they doe or leaue vndone so should there be many fewer of these blind guides these traditional preachers Furthermore heer is to be obserued how these priests or preachers not only take their licence to preach at their lordes these antichristia Bishops handes againe at their pleasure are deposed scilenced submit their doctrine to their censure the Gospell to th◅ir limitation prescrip◅iō preaching nothing that may breed either y e BB s dislike or their owne vnquiet c but with their sermons deck vp adorne the whore heale the wound of the beast curse reproach and slander Christs most faithful seruātes blesse Christs enemies euē al the prophane of the land Finally they therwith dawbe vp al the sinne of the land ioine the Gospell to all the abhomination of the time The former part of these hath beene often shewed need neither proofe nor repetition their b◅e with their paper licence their o◅he o◅ canonical obedience their publike iniunctions c. declare The other part their present administration the lamentable estate of the whole land being through their deceit so deeply set and strongly held in apostacie transgression and ignorance manifesteth without further proofe Let the grosse idolatrie miserable seruitude to the antichristian yoke of these Bishops the more then Babilonish confusiō the Sodomitish pride excesse the opē pe◅uerting of iudgment iustice the through corruption of all estates the deluge and height of sinne neuer heard nor read of the like in any nation or time going before shewe what Kind of Gospell they preach or rather how they preach the Gospell There is no man so sinful and wretched that will come and heare their cunning in the pulpit whome they sēd not away with
the peace blessing of God There is no people within the compace of the whole land that will fee and feed them well to whome they wil not at the first sight administer deliuer them the sacraments c yea be he neuer so notoriously wicked impenitent vnworthy vnto with whome they wil not communicate Yea let him be welthie and one that wil entertaine countenance the preacher receaue him vnto house resort to his sermons what life may not this man lead euen before M r. Preacher his face What gluttony riot excesse idlenes profannes pride what crueltie oppression wrōg couetousnes pleasure vanitie delight euē al y e apples ripe authūne fruites their soules can lust after or desire may they not gather vvith full hand by M r. Preachers permissiō yea so they be riche of authoritie or noble then wil he help to reach him downe the boughes and prepare them to his appetite which way soeuer his humor stand For they are cunning physicians wil verie soone espie the cōstitution inclinatiō of their patientes which being found then physick diet al shalbe prepared accordingly which way soeuer his appetite chiefly tendeth that shal not be crossed I warrāt you but finely fed nourished If he be ambitious discontented with his present estate still aspiring and climing to fu◅ther honour that is imputed to his vertuous honorable mind which no meane thing can content or suffice what soeuer office or many offices he thus attaineth they a◅ al in him the redward of vertue y e especial fauour blessing of God towardes him wherwith God doth most highly honour esteeme and aduance him before al other men Let him execute these offices as negligently nay as vniustly corruptly with as great extortiō wrōg violence as apparantly as may be peruerting yea selling iustice so that iudgment is turned into gall and the fruite of righteousnes into wormwood all this geare belongeth not to M r. Preacher to intermedle with matters too high for them Yf they should reprooue these thinges yt were the next way to bring him in dislike with the Gospell to bring in poperie againe so should the preachers want countenance so far are they from reprouing him by name or their Church from calling these great states to accompt for these or any other particular sinne that so they might either be turned from their euil waies by r◅pentance or els receaue that publike reproofe and ecclesiastical censure that belongeth to the same according to the cōmandement and power of our Lord Iesus Christ for the humbling of his flesh But sure I weene this case is a Demurrur in the Church of England ye◅ vtterlie denied to be lawful or sufferable that the magistrate should be excōmunicate they therfore in stead hereof receaue them in this estate to their sermons praiers sacramentes in hope of secret repētance as they say for what though they haue vsed yt al their life and giue no outward figne of amendement yet repentance may come in the twinkling of an eie Well now if these noble or rich men be giuen to riote gluttonie with all manner of delicate fare pampering vp the slesh c. that in them is but good houskeeping if they their retinew exceed in mōstrous and vaine apparell yt is but raiment fit to their degree age or sexe If they keep nourish troupes of idle seruingmen followers this still belongeth to their degree if they and their whole houshold spend al their life time in fleshly vaine sportes and gaming so that numbers of men haue no other trade and be wholy employed to the keeping of hawkes doggs to serue the lust of these mē al this is couered vnder christian recreation pastime and is tollerable inough so he wil heare a sermon and cal his familie to a lecture yea the priest will not then stick to stay looke on vntil the games at tables or set at cardes be done yea or at some odd time to make their exercise gi◅e place to an enterlude As for their common table talke they may there be as prophane as Esau and vse there what merrimentes scoffes iesting vaine speach they list al is in the way of mirth good fellowship wrapt vp in the cloth and sanctified with M r. Preachers short grace As for most insatiable and greedy couetousnes in purchasing and ioining not field vnto field but towne vnto towne vntil they be Lords of a whole countrie that is but good hu◅bandrie wise foresight and allowable prouidence for them their posteritie Be the sinne neuer so odious and apparant if yt be in a man of au◅horitie these prophets these preachers dare not reprooue yt for that were both to transgresse their commission forfait their letters pattentes If these sinnes be found vpon any of their patrons proselites or hearers then for loue they must winke at them and not find faul◅ especially if they be any of these inherent or inbred sinnes which cleaue close to the soule cannot without great strift dislike vnto the flesh be left With these sinnes these Predicantes wil not meddle as if they be giuen to pride to exhort them to lowlines humblenes to cast away these ornaments which nourish that sinne vvherin the flesh delighteth and to get vnto them the iewels of godly knowledg Christian vertues to deck garnish their soules therwith if they be giuē to ryot fleshly lustes vanities spending their time therin to councel them to redeeme the time whiles yt is called to day to subdue the flesh bring yt into obedience mortifie the lustes therof shewing them the end of such pleasures delights to be bitternes death c. Yf they be giuen to couetous hoording vp treasures purchasing landes building sumptuous houses and garnishing them c. to shew them that the couetous shall not enter into the kingdome of God that these vncertaine riches can neither help them nor establish their posteritie no not in this world God hauing so many meanes to take their welth from them and them from their welth in the twinkling of an eie much lesse make them the more acceptable vnto God shewing them that they are but the Lords stewards and bayliues of them and shall accompt vnto him for the vse of euerie farthing and therfore yt behoueth them to be careful that they bestow them according to their M r. his wil otherwise the mispēce or miskeeping of them shal fret their soule rise vp in iudgment against them yea euē in this life they shal be but snares to them their posteritie to bring and hale them to more sure damnation c. Fie these were too sowre vnpleasant doctrines especially when they come to be
Church as yt proceedeth from the chaire of Antichrist so is yt wholy subiect therunto both the person doctrine of the preacher Their person either to be still approued licenciate or els silenced suspended depriued their doctrine to be allowed or condemned as pleaseth their Lords Ordinaries in whose pontifical brests and handes standeth the whole doctrine of the church of England what they shal receaue what they shal reiect what they shall say what they shal leaue vnsaied c. The word of God Church ministerie preaching and al are wholy in the handes of these lawlesâ—…e Lordes to abrogate establish bring in cast out depose suspend without controlement or accompt A greater power then euer was giueÌ„ vnto or exercised by any of CHRISTS Apostles who alwaies submitted their doctrine practise persons vnto the trial and censure of the word and that by any Christian. They neuer exercised domioÌ„ oâ—…er the faith of any or layd anie other burden vpon the Church theÌ„ what they either read in the word of God or acknowledged to be the will of God But heere in the Church of Englâ—…d yt is held a small thing to haue a strange ministerye worship lawes orders gouernment imposed vpon them to haue a great part of Gods word quite banishâ—…d the Church the rest that is allowed them but by shredds patches at â—…tarts braydes to haue their preaching by stint prescription limitation to haue the whole doctrine subiect not to the wil of God but to the wil of these their Ordinarieâ—… who they may be sure wil allow no more none otherwise then shal agree to their apostatical throne The ministers of this Church may not preach the people beleeue much lesse practise any more of the word of God theÌ„ what is confirmed by these their Ordinaries The poore parish oâ—… congregation where these priestes serue may not meddle or haue to do with the election administration or deposing of these their ministers for why they are lay meÌ„ haue no skil neither ought to intermeddle with ecclesiasticall affaires or with the word of God Be their minister neuer so blind vnsufficient or vile a wretch detected of neuer so horrible sinnes yet may not they remoue him their only help is to complayne to their Lord Ordinarie in the meane while they must ioine to the wretâ—…h in praiers in sacramentes yea still for euer if yt pleasâ—… not their said Lord to giue eare to their complaint Let their minister preach neuer such damnable or hereticall doctrine wrest peruert corrupt falsifie the scriptures neuer so violently and heinously all the Church no though there be all the priests in a countrie as at a Scene hath no authoritie nay is by expresse law forbidden to reproue this doctrine presently or publikely or yet to forbid him to deale with the scriptures their remedy is stil to complaine to their Ordinarie and vntil yt please him to take order therin the whole congregation is stil bound to frequent his heretical sermoÌ„s ministerie yea al the priestes of the land both pontifical and reformistes agree in this point coÌ„clude that the lay people as they terme them ought not to intermedle either with y e deposing their minister or reproof of hiâ—… doctrine The one sort as you haue heard sendeth them to their Lords these Bishops the other referreth them ouer for these manie other cases vndâ—…r hand to a prouincial or classical Synode or permanent councel of priests c. Amongst whome all these affaires must be debated after they are agreed vpon the point then their decrees to be brought forth solemnely published pronounced to the people who must attend vpon awayte receaue these Oracles as most holy canonical They haue no remedie if they also be contrarie to the truth but to appeale to a councel in the meane while still ioyning to such a wretch such an heretike and that in the high profanatioÌ„ of Gods holy name word ordinances But my purpose is not in this place either to refute the popish prelacie of the one sort or the deuilish forgerie of the other hoping to find a more fit place for both so much as to shew that euerie Christian congregation hath power in themselues and of duty ought presently publikly to censure any false or vnsound doctrine that is publikly deliuered or maintained amongst them if yt be knowen discerned vnto them yea anie one member in the Church hath this power whatsoeuer he be Pastor or Prophet that vttereth yt as also to shew how far this their pulpet preaching differeth from that heaueÌ„ly blessed exercise of expounding scriptures or prophecie in the Church of CHâ—…IST The first me thinkes alreadie verie fully proued in all these places where our Sauiour CHRIST hath giuen vnto his Church and to euerie particular congregation therof himself his word his power with expresse charge to put in practise whatsoeuer he hath coÌ„manded them and threatned his wrath and displeasure against that whole congregation which neglecteth or breaketh any of his coÌ„mandements or suffreth any seene transgression or error or incorrigible impenitent offendor Also where he commanded all men to informe that Church wherof they are members of fuch transgressions offences enormities as arise amongst them This he in vaine had commanded and they in â—…aine should do this except he had giueÌ„ both absolute authority expresse charge vnto the Church to redresse and take order in the same In as many places alâ—…o as he hath coÌ„manded the whole church euerie member therof to watch to scowte and obserue their teachers to trie the Spirits to marke theÌ„ diligently which cause diuisioÌ„ offences contrarie to the doctrine which they haue learned to seperate themâ—… from â—…uch as teach after an other maner or consent not vnto the wholâ—…ome wordes of our Lord IESVS CHRIST to the doctrine which is according vnto godlines to hold theÌ„ accursed that peâ—…uert the Gospell of CHRIST or preach any thing besides that hath beene taught by CHRIST his Apostles to reiect an hereticke after one the second admonitioÌ„to haue in a readines due vengeance against al disobedieÌ„ce c. In al these and sundrie other places most euidently apeareth that CHRIST hath giueÌ„ ful power absolute authoritie and expresse coÌ„mandement vnto his Church eueÌ„ to euerie particular congregatioÌ„ to cenâ—…ure both the persons doctrines of their ministers of euery member of their said coÌ„gregations He sendeth them not heere â—…o these popish ordinaries neâ—…ther yet to a prouincial Synode or a Classis of priests there are other vses of Synods or councels as shal in due place be declared They can neither ad to nor diminish from the power of the Church or execute alter any part of the Churches dutie ‡ Moreouer sith euerie member hath like interest in CHRIST in his word the publike doctrine
to vse their libertie to the edification not the confusion of the Church for God is not the author of disorder but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saintes They then that thus preâ—…mptuously either innouate or abuse this blessed ordinaÌ„ce of CHRIST find fault with controule the commandements of God and charge God with confusion who is the author of this exercise order libertie But D. SOME hath by the priuiledg of the Church of EnglaÌ„d published yt vtterly vnlawful for any that is not a minister to deale with the interpretation of scriptures what giftes soeuer God hath giueÌ„ him thervnto and saith these absurdities would ensue therof that woâ—… may then also preach in the Church that those men that thus speake in way of prophecie vsurpe the ministers office with Corath offer vzziahs incense may also by this meanes enter into the Councel chamber and intrude into the ciuil magistrates office for to giue councel also is euerie Christians dutie c. What can be more blasphemously reprochfullie repugnant to the word order of CHRIST who you see is the author of this exercise in this maner hath for euer left yt as a coÌ„mandemeÌ„t vnto al churches For saith the Apostle vers 37. If any man seeme to be a Prophet or spiritual let him acknowledg what I write vnto you because they are the commandements of God c. But if anie man be ignorant let him bâ—… ignorant Therfore my brethren couet ye to prophecie and to speake with tongues forbid not Let al things be done comely and according to order For D. SOMES first absurditie womeÌ„ are expresly forbidden to speake by way or in the exercise of this prophâ—… in the Church vers 34. 35. So then this is but a reproch of his owne absurd brayne to bring thâ—… truth into slaunder That such as speake in this exercise of prophecie doe not anie way vsurpe the ministers office hath beene largly shewed by the discourâ—… of this whole Chapter Neither hath he brought any peece of a reason to proue that only ministers ought to speake of the scriptures in â—…he Church For his third impiâ—…us odious calumniation that such as presume to speake in the Church not being ministers may as well intrude into the Councel chamber magistrats 〈◊〉 yt is in yt felf so false foolish absurd as yt deserâ—…eth none answere It is but the venome of his serpâ—…â—…ongue the Addâ—… poison that is vnder his lipps wherâ—…y he seeketh to draw the truth of CHRIST and the professors therof into hatred He might as wel say that because CHRIST hath made vs all Kings Priests vnto him therfore we will heere vsurpe the ciuill magistrats and ecclesiastical ministers office These are but the malicious collections vaine conclusions of his idle head graceles heart thus to blaspheme the holy ordinances of CHRIST to call yt Anabaptistical the deprauing of the holy scriptures abusing of the auditors disturbing both of Church common welth calling such Christian assemblies as practise this coÌ„mandement 〈◊〉 conuenticles although he neuer in his life was present at any of their exercises nor is able to charge any one of them with any one 〈◊〉 error as they by his owne mouth are able to charge him all this antichristian ministerie of England which exercise a ministerie without a lawfull calling thervnto by vertue of their inward calling which is their learning sufficiencie as though CHRIST did not know the end vse measure of the gifts he hath giuen them In the Church of CHRIST there are none suffered to speake by way of prophecie but such as haue the gift of prophecie and to forbid such to â—…peake were to stop vp the conductes springs of the Church or rather of Gods graces wherby the Church should be watered and refreshed so far is this exercise from dâ—…prauing the scriptures or abusing the auditorie The rest of his vituperie he hath layd vpon CHRIST the author of this exercise and to him shall answere for the same at that day of reckoning accompt Yf none but Ministers may speake publikly in the Church by way of prophecie how should the people haue trial of the gifts of any how should any ministers in this generall apostaciâ—… and departure be râ—…stored yea how should there euer be any other then now are For if the people may not heare their gifts how should they iudg them â—…f they may not vtter their gifts how should the people heare them Heere I shall by both sorts of our priestes aswell Pontifical as 〈◊〉 be answered that the law is not so generall but that there are exceptions vnto the same The Pontificall will alledg That their mother the Vniuersitie their father the Bishop haue authoritie to giue liceÌ„ce to preach in any Church whersoeuer they become before thâ—…y be either full ministers or haue any office as the engliâ—…h Deacon or half priestes the cathedral Prebends the commoÌ„ Curates or rouing Preachers AmoÌ„gst which you must note a double mysterie Some of them are full ministers without either certayne chaâ—…ge place or office Others haue a certayne yea a pastors charge and office and yet are not full ministers of which sect are the Prebendes ciuil Doctors who may haue parsonages and yet be no ministers The Reformists they wil likewise answere me that their mother the Vniuersitie she hath power to giue leaâ—…e to preach vniuersally through all Churches and also the Select Clâ—…ssis yea peraduenture this schoole of Prophets asâ—…embled haue power to admit some one pickâ—…d maÌ„ to their mysteries which is no priest to giue him leaue to speake amongst them yet hereof I doubt and therfore wil not stand and thus may the people by both sides haue triall of their gifts Great reason that they which maâ—…e the law should also make and take â—…xceptions at their pleasure But wel what booteth this trial that they allow the people when neither of them giue the pâ—…ople liberty to iudg or reproue their doctrine when both sides both Bishops and this new Classis take vpon them to make ministers without the people without any charge place or office certayne But let this matter rest I would know of both or any of them what this their mother they so much boast of is where she had this high authority aboue other women Hâ—… they wil with one voice answere that the Vniuersities are the seminaries of religion of the ministerie of the land the schooles and colledges of learning wherin the sonnes of the Prophets are trained vp as they were in Naiotâ—… in Bethâ—…l Iericho Ierusalem Coriâ—…th If the â—…ree be knowen by the fruite the Cockatriâ—…e by the poisoned egges the Viper by the spawne thâ—… nest by the birdes then let the religion and priestes of the land shew what kind of seminaries colledges these Vniuersities are If these be the bâ—…st fiuite and famousest men that are instructed in nothing but to
priests we haue scene how wickedly they corrupt peruert abuse that scripture holy exercise Now yt remaineth but in a line or two cōpare their publike preaching in their Synagogues to this heauēly exercise of prophecie instituted in the churches of Christ. First these parish priests or hired preachers al of them preach vnder their ordinaries licence stint limitation as hath beene shewed Thē they are prescribed their time when to begin They haue a prescript place like a tubbe called their pulpyt for y e most part able to receaue no more then one person except yt be a suggestor or prompter as in some special places Neither doe they ordinarily speake any more thē one he for the most part disputes to the howerglasse which being runne his sermocination must be at an end Preach this priest neuer so vnsound corrupt or heretical doctrine there is no present or publike controulement or retractation to be had Handle he the scripture neuer so vnsufficiently or vnsauorilye peruert mistake or falsifie he yt neuer so grieuously there is no amendes or supplie of others to be looked for none els being suffered to speake The Church hath no power either to approoue or reprooue any doctrine deliuered thē be yt neuer so consonant to or dissonant from the word of God Here would not be forgotten also the sweete psalmodical harmonie of the Vultures Crowes Gleades Owles Ge◅se of the Leopards Beares Wolues Dogs Foxes Swine Goates pardō me for thus y e holy Ghost termeth likeneth the proph◅ne cōfuse multitudes assembled in the false Church All these together with one accord sympathie harmonie sing some pleasant ballade or els vnto DAVIDS melodious Harpe some psalme in ◅ime I say not rithme now or meetre wel concinnate to the eare though neuer a whit to the sens◅ purpose or true vse of the psalme before the sermon to stir vp the spirit of their worthy priest or preacher Who being thus ◅apt or rauished with this harmonie goes to his geare in forme aboue◅aid vvhere his mouth distilles his lips drop downe such olde parables such premeditate wel studied chosen sentēces as shal displease no partie vnlesse he be of too suspitious a nature or howsoeuer I warrant you he hath his learned priuiledged author and that at his fingers endes for his discharge Thus haue you briefly seene the vsual order of your publike prophecie If you compare yt now to the rules and orders set downe by the Apostle for that blessed exercise vnto al churches in that 1. Cor. 14. ver 26. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33 then may you iudg of your selues what is right or amisse and ease me of further trouble to raue in this filthie doung and to bring this counterfait stuffe in particular to the triall Great were the labour and far exceeding my slender capacitie especially my decaied memorie but euen summarily to recount all the principall and speciall heades of their falfe doctrines false practise from whence flow infinite errors and enormities euen as the innumerable drops of a fountaine yea but to prosecute and goe forward in this disordered mane◅ to search out and ◅me vp those which yet are wanting All which I rather leaue to the more diligent fruitful inuestigatiō of such as God hath endued with a greater i◅dgment more cleare sight confessing my self both wearied ouercharged with the greatnes of the worke For whiles I haue indeuored but to giue you as yt were a blush of their coūterfait antichristian ministerie and to shew the error of their educatiō election ordin◅tion and administration throughout of the blasphemous and idolatrous worship they vse of their sacrilegious and adulterate sacramēts their prostituting selling them the Gospel themselues of their profanation of praier the name and word of God both read and preached abrogating excluding part mankeling dismembring distorting peruerting the rest to th◅ir idol feasts sacramēts marijng burijng visiting churching charming the fields how they preach the word by stint limitation subiectiō both of themselues their doctrine to their antichristiā ordinaries whose apostati◅al throne they vphold dawbe therwith as also gild adorne the whore the false Church ioining yt to all the abhomination sin of the land hiding stealing concealing obscuring wrasting munging corrupting leauening selling the Gospel as also their abusing counterfaiting peruerting the holie exercise of prophecie Al which when I had but lightly touched discouered according to my purpose hoping that so I might haue made an end of this odious and yrksome argument these things being so manifest heinous in themselues that I need not stād either to proue or disproue them or to shew the indignitie danger enormities that ensue therof Euen then lo is the whole word of God the Law the Gospel presented vnto me most wretchedly corrupted abused violate troden vnder foot by them by your preachers I say euen your learnedst best Good men that you so esteeme of I still speake would be vnderstood of the generall publike errors transgressions of this Church which if I ◅hould goe about to particulate I could not hope to liue vntil I had made an end And that you may not think I speake by the figure hyperboie as they vse I earnestly bes◅ech any one in whom◅ is any sparke of light grace conscience loue or feare of God to consider examine by the word of God or rather to lament deplore with me the through corruptiō vniuersal transgression of al Gods lawes both in the Church cōmon welth as the present estate of ech doth shew The one I hope this present treatise shal somwhat reueale discouer the other shal be as manifest if by this light with a single eye you but pervse y e publike lawes iudgments pleas trials customes orders trades estates degrees still I speake generally of the whole body which hath not from the crowne of the head to the sole of the feet one sownd parte but all is full of wounds swellings vlcers corruption so that he that feareth God cannot in this cōmon welth keepe a good cōscience liue amōgst them whether he buy sel lend borrow hire worke for hire giue take sue or be s◅ed The Lawes Courts Iudges Iuries Aduocates generally all estate◅ from the highest to the lowest are so throughly corrupt Not to speake heere of the particula◅ sinnes the heigth qualitie vniuersalitie of them which were infinite let the idolatrous blasphemous worship yea the idolatrous blasphemous oathes publikly admitted giuen required and receiued of all persons in all causes so contrarie to the law of God in the maner all the circumstances shew how soundly the fir◅t Table of the law is taught in the Church of England Not to speake of the common and vsual swearing forswearing blaspheming cursing for euerie trif◅e cause yea without anie cause vsed through the whole land without controlement rebuke censure punishment Let the generall
the Church as also to bayte the wolfe from the fould and not to suffer him to enter much lesse to teach or exercise anie office there come he neuer so disguised in sheepes clothing wrapped in Samuels mantel or in a rough hayrie garment to deceaue Yf their examples for their incomparable preeminence be not allowed me to follow yet their doctrines cannot be so taken from the least of Christs seruants For a pâ—…rticular instance I insiâ—…t among many other scriptures vpoÌ„ Zacar 13. 2. 3. Verses where they may see an expresse warrant for this my maner of dealing w t these maner of meÌ„ as also the â—…oueraigne vertue effect of this sharpe medecine olde corrupt sores must not be cured w t skinning plaisters or sweet ointmeÌ„ts If I should obey their ambitious appetite therin I should destroie both theÌ„ my self their seared consciences must be wounded their rough garment and counterfait ministerie which they for gaine vainglorie so corruptly execute must be plucked from them they shewed the heigth of their sinne the wrath of God due vnto the same for the high profâ—…nation of his holy name word the misleading murthering so many soules c. that so they may if they belong to Gods election to CHRISTS kingdome be humbled for their sinnes and betake them to some more godly trade of liuing vntill CHRIST thinke them worthy and call them to the worke of his ministerie This grace effect with my whole heart I wish them beseeching theÌ„ in the meane while not to fixe their eies vpon my basenes and ignorance which bring the message so much as vpon their owne miserable estate the message that God vouchsafeth euen by me to send them least they be offended at my basenes folly which is euetie way greater then they â—…aÌ„ imagine or I vtter so in the pride of their owne wisdome and presumption of their owne hearts in disdayning me they stumble at the words of God despise his grace against their owne soules The basenes of CHRISTS choice hath euer beene no small offence to the learned Phaâ—…seis their proselites that he should begin his glorious ministery kingdome in GALILE and that amongst a sort of the most despised simple artificers leauing reiecting the great learned Phariseis Scribes Priests who where the greatest enemies and persecutors of him his Gospel c. The scripture also speaketh euidently that in these latter daies when the viallâ—… of Gods iudgments shalbe powred vpon the false Church that the most part of the men that haue receaued the marke of the Beast and worshipped his image shall not repent of their works but breake out into noisome greeuous sores botches â—…nd shallbe so tormented with heaâ—…e that their tongues shalbe smitten with venemous bliâ—…ters that they shal blaspheme the God of heauen for their paine sores c. The truth of this prophecie and terror of these iudgmentes I behold with griefe executed euen vpoÌ„ the cheefest learnedest of your ministerie striken with such blindnes as they grope their way in the noone light and reele like drunken men in their pathes they are hardned with ambition and couetise as they can find no grace nor place to repentance yea that I euen trâ—…mble to thinke of possessed which such madnes as they that sometimes to our seeming sought reformation and the kingdome of CHRIST IESVS are now become of al others the most pernicious enâ—…mies therof daily studâ—…jng for new caâ—…illes and shiftes to hide their wretchednes and to keep back and misleade the people yea to weaken and discourage the hearts handes of such as in the loue feare truth of God haue begiâ—…ne to build the Lords Temple despising accusing slandering reproching them worse then euer the Amonites Samaritaâ—…es did the Iewes yea euen blaspheming the truth of the Lord when they see they can by no meanes preuaile against yt For all which their impious deeds hard sayings they shal shortly giue accompt to him that is coÌ„ming with thowsands of his saints THVS HAVING discored vnto you the true estate of the people ministerie worship ministration of the church of England yt remaineth now that we take a litle view of the 〈◊〉 gouernmeÌ„t ordinances of this their Church which though they may partly appeare by that which is already written concerning other pointes yet if they be brought a litle neerer the light and compared to these orders ordinances that our Sauiour CHRIST hath set downe in his last wil Testament and incommended to his Church for euer then shal they most eâ—…idétly easily be discerned of all men no labor learning or power can then any longer iustifie couller or vphold them Great hath beene their craft manifold their deuises to couer their antichristian practises and to vphold this their ruinous and tirannous kingdome I had need expresse my meâ—…ning to be of their false ecclesiasticall regiment the kingdome of the Beast least they be my interpretors draw me within dager of treason so like are they vnto their predecessors the Priests Phariseis so apt as the Prophet saith to lay a snare for him that rebuketh in the gate to coÌ„demne him as guilty for the word c. First they sought to darken the true light by terming this heauenly gouernment of CHRIâ—…T and holy ordâ—…rs ordinances of his Testament The outward discipline vsed in the primitiue Churches especially in the time of Lent c. then to keepe the Magistrates the people vtterlie from all sight knowledg hereof both by inhibiting all their priests to preach therof and not suffring any such places of scripture as make expresse mention therof to be so much as read in their Church as â—…om 12. 1 Cor. 15. 12. 2 Cor. 2. Eph. 4. 2 Thes. 3. 1 Tim. 3 5. Tiâ—… â—… much lesse to be sincerely expounded made knowen vnto the Church y t they can at no hand away with scilencing suspending emprizoning such of their forsworne priests as meddle with such matters Yea the wretches perswade the magistrates that yt would breed an innouation if not a subuersion of the whole state hinder the course of the common law cut off the ciuil quite extinguish the cannon law that yt would raise continual schismes contentions and vnapeaseable troubles and tumultes that yt would innouate and alter the regiment of the coÌ„mon welth and draw yt to an Aristocraâ—…ie or Democratiâ—… c. These things these vncleane deuilish spirits thâ—…t are come speake out of the mouth of the Dragon blow into the ciuil magistrates 〈◊〉 and breath into their hearâ—…es who being a great deale more pollitike then religious the Lord knoweth with what truth sorrow of hearâ—… I speake yt are not able to discerne this most impious high blasphemie against God and his CHRIST from sacred veritie but because yt is plausible to the flesh rightly agreeth to the present
corrupt estate both of Church coÌ„mon welth and in nothing disturbeth the strong man thaâ—… holdeth theÌ„ al in peace they readily iâ—…brace yt publish maintaine their deuilish decrees giue their power vnto the Beast wherby he warreth against CHRIST his Gospel saints And thus are they drawen by them into the great day of God almightie euen against CHRIST and them that are of his side whome they daily persecute and murther in â—…heir prisons and therfore shalbe slayne with that sharpe sword of him that ridâ—…th vpoÌ„ the white horse they shal in the iust iudgment of God â—…e made a pray eueÌ„ a quarry a feast to these vncleane spirits to these greedie rauenous foules which as that scripture saith shall feed 〈◊〉 their rauenous appetites vpoÌ„ them yea these vncleane spirits shal draw them together with the Beast and the false Prophet into battel against CHRIST against his armie of saints These blasphemous wretches not to darkeÌ„ only buâ—… to reproch the truth yet further proceed giue out that the heaueÌ„ly order ordinances which Christ hath apointed in his TestameÌ„t y e gouernmeÌ„t of his Church which they call discipline are but accidental no essential marke of y e established Church but that yt may be a Church planted without them yea that the true Church of Christ may take an other order of gouernment other ordinances then Christ hath apointed in his Testament that this order of Christs gouernment is neither permanent perpetual nor necessarie but that yt is in a Christian magistrats power to keepe out Christs gouernment to erect establish an other after their willes These hellish blasphemous doctrines doe al the Priests Preachers of the laÌ„d giue out publish els could they not either esteeme the Church of EnglaÌ„d in this estate as yt receaueth Antichristes yoke this popish hierarchie in the true Church of Christ neither would they exercise any ministerie in this Church in this estate or sue vnto and stay for the Prince and parliameÌ„t to bring themselues vuder Christs saâ—…red gouernment But the Pontificals proceed yet further to open their mouthes vnto more accursed blasphemie which would make a Christian heart to rend his clothes to heare that Christs blessed order wherin the Apostles planted establisâ—…ed the first churches is not only not necessary but intollerable now vnder a christiaÌ„ Prince as bringing not only al these publike perturbations mischiefes vnto the common welth which are aboue recited they haue suggested vnto the magistrates but also innumerable other incoÌ„uenieÌ„ces which would proceed yf the people should haue election of their owne ministerie Church officâ—…rs if the affaires of the church should be directed by a councell or companie of Elders if the doubtes of the churches should be decided by an assembly of other churches which they cal a Synode a Councel if faults should be censured by excommunication c. Thus is Antichriâ—…t exalted openeth his mouth against God al his ordinances Thus are the tongues of the false Prophets feâ—… on fire of hell Many other impossibilities are there brought by y e Potificals against y e Reformicts why this their course which they seeke to bring in by parliament ought not cannot be admitted in this land Al which because they neither concerne nor hinder the truth but rather through the mercie of God stoppe make head to the new diuised forgeries of these Reformistes I wâ—…llingly passe ouer in sâ—…ilence leauing the deuided kingdome to tâ—…ie out the matter amongst themselues Yet now before I proceed further let me in a word or two giue yoâ—… warning of the other sort of enemies of Christs kingdome y â— Phariseis of these times I meane these your great learned Preachers your Good meu that sigh grone for reformation but their handes with the fluggard denie to worke These counterfaites would raise vp a secoÌ„d erroâ—… euen as a second Beast by so much more dangâ—…rous by how much yâ—… hath more shew of the truth These men instead of this grosse antichristian gouernment which is now manifest odious vnto all men would bring in a new adulterate forged gouernmeÌ„t in shew or â—…ther in despite of Christs blessed gouernmeÌ„t which they in y â— pride rashnes ignorance and sensualitie of their fleshly heartes most miserably innouate corrupt and peruert both 1 in the verie thing they seeke 2 in their maner of seeking yt 3 in the people ouer whome they would set yt 4 in their manner of exercising yt The thing yt self they innovate corrupt in that they add new deuises of their owne as their Pastoâ—…al 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their Sacraments their set coÌ„tinued Synods their seleâ—…t Clâ—…sses of ministers their setled supreame councel Their false manner of seeking yt is manifest in that they seeke to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh by suting supplicating to his vassals and seruantes if so be they will haue them or can imagine them Christians that haue not or will not suffer Christ to reigne ouer them by his owne lawes ordinances or if they iudg them not Christians then they seeke sute vnto stay vpoÌ„ his enemies vntil they wil suffer allow Christ to reâ—…gne ouer his Church according to his owne wil Testament This is not Kiâ—…e the sonne least he be angrie and ye perish in the way Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand and if they refuse speake euil of the way to shake of the dust of the feet against them this is not to bring Christ in by the power of his owne word and spirit as yt hath wrought in their heartes tâ—…ue râ—…pentance and conversion by shewing them the error and danger of their waies and by calling them vnto the right practice of the Gospell Nay in stead of this these men wil not only continew suting to such despisers where God calleth them away but stay the whole land in their idolatrie from receiuing Christ vntil these men wil permit them yea they vvil so sweeten the matter and so allay yt to their fleshly appetites as â—…rist shalbe framed vnto the common welth and not the common welth vnto Câ—…rist they shall still retaine and exercise this their vngodly diuelish power to giue lawes vnto Christ and his Church and to receaue or permit no more of his lawes then standeth with their good liking so they wil but receaue this their new diuised plattforme and put downe the Bishops They also make no other choice nâ—…ither seeke further argumentâ—… of faith repentance in the people ouer whome they would set this their pretended gouernment These men still vvould haue the whole land to be the Church and euerie parrish therin a particular Congregation of the same These men would haue all redressed by vertue of one parliament one day and not by vertue of the word preached which as yt hath with them no power to effect any thing so expect they not any
of election only inioyning them to choose some vniuersitie clarke one of these colledg birds of their owne brood or els comes a Synode in the necke of them and â—…dnihilats the election whatsoeueâ—…â—…t be They haue also a trick to stoppe yt before yt come so far namely in the ordinatioÌ„ which must forsooth needes be done by other Priâ—…sts for the Church that chooseth him hath no power to ordeyne him And this makes the mother Church of Geneuâ—… and the Duch classes I dare not say the secrete classes in England to make ministers for vs in England And these ministers when they are come ouer are receaued and esteemed as Angels in hell shine as bright starrs in these smoky Egyptian fornaces wherin the miserable people of the land are kept in most harde seruitude daily new taskes layd vpoÌ„ them by this spiritual 〈◊〉 Antichrist so far are these new guides whome they trust froÌ„ leading them freely with the Lordes banner of the Gospell displaied before them as you see they would be glad of anie of Pharaohs coÌ„ditions their suite at the best intendement and vttermost course being but to worship God in Egipt to haue these tyrannous taske-maisters their Lord Bishops their attendants takeÌ„ from them Most willing they are with al their people to remaine in spiritual bondage to the ciuil magistrate I would not heere be misvnderstood of that lawful bodily obedience which al Christians owe in al lawful things vnto the ciuil magistrate But these vncleane spirites are gone out vnto the Kinges of y e earth to gather them into battell against God his Christ to make thâ—…m not only to cast Christs bandes from them but to tie him in their bâ—…ndes keeping awaie vpon their regal authoritie what part of Christs lawes they lyst from the Church and laying what lawes of their owne they lyst vpoÌ„ the Church Alas what a dangerous fearful abuse of their authoritie is this they are not made Kinges to reigne ouer Christ or to giuâ—… him lawes but to honour and worship the sonne to cast downe their Scepters at his feete not to disturbe or hinder his saintes from the free and sincere practise of his Testament but to incourage them and goe before them therin as king Dauid did dauncing recoicing before the Arke Princes are equally bound to the keeping of all Godes lawes as the meanest or any other shal for the breaâ—…h therof not escape the iudgment of that Lion of the tribe of Iudâ—… whâ—… wil tread vpon Princes as the prophet saith as clay when he treadeth the great winepresse without the citie This is the portioÌ„ of al the Lordes enemies to this banket doe these false Prophets with their perfidie and â—…latterie bring them that they cannot endure to be reprooued of God himself by his word to which they can at no hand endure to be made subiect Therfore they hate persecute him that rebukerh in the gate they abhor him that speaketh vprightly and rule all thinges after their owne lustes And sure eueÌ„ this incorrigible pride wickednes of Princes magistrates which would by no meanes be brought to the obedience of the Gospel first draue the Anabaptistes into their deuili h conceits of theÌ„ that no Prince or magistrate could be saued afterward thâ—…t theiâ—… veriâ—… office functioÌ„ are vtterlie vnlawful in the kingdome of Christ which wicked heresies as they haue no ground in y â— word of God the ciuil magistracie being the blessed ordinance of God for the defence of Christs Gospel Sainctes therfore al humble obedieÌ„ce therunto coÌ„maÌ„ded as vnto the Lord himself this both by our Sauiour Christâ—… owne exaÌ„ple the continual exhortations coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„ts of his Apostles in al their epistles vnto the churches so caÌ„ these Anabâ—…ptistical heresies no way be better refuted takeÌ„ out of the hearts of al meÌ„ at once theÌ„ by the humble submissioÌ„ of Princes magistrates vnto the Throne Scâ—…pter of Christ theÌ„ by bringing their glorie honour vnto y e church according to the coÌ„fortable prophecies of the scriptures O what â—… coÌ„fort were this to Christs poore laÌ„bes to â—…ee the LioÌ„ so humbled as to eate hay together with theÌ„ in the mountaine of the Lord not to liue of y e rauine spoile of y â— poore sheepe so as they dare not come aneere theÌ„ for their fiercenes What a ioy were yt to see Gods ordinaÌ„ces thus vnited to see Moses Aaroâ—… brethren this in the glorious spirituall Temple of God where Christ shalbe Hhimmanuel God with vs rule guide feed sanctifie vs euery one in their callings O what a heauenlie communion should this be what a beautie what a ioy to the whole earth But ô how far are we from this coÌ„fort our magistrates froÌ„ this happines whiles they giue their eare to the serpent speaking out of the mouth of the false prophet that blasphemeth Christ his ordinances accuseth his saints vnto theÌ„ whiles they giue their power vnto the Beast y t traÌ„pleth Christs Testamet vnder their feete couÌ„teth y â— blood therof as a coÌ„moÌ„ thing y â— setteth vp the image of his owne deuises causeth al meÌ„ of al degrees to worship the same al such as in feare faith vnto God refuse so to doe those in al hostile maÌ„ner they confiscate persecute imprison inclose make away without aniâ—… equal hearing of their cause or once bringing yt to light This their blasphemous writings sermoÌ„s y e publike worship estate of their church their prisons generally through London the land declare They haue published in their writings That the orders ordinances which Christ hath inâ—…is Testament left vnto â—…is Church were but temporarie whiles â—…he Church â—…as vnder heathen tyrants and that where the Gospel is embraced by a Christian Prince they are not onliâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but inconvenient yea intollerable as bringing the vtter subuersioÌ„ of the land 〈◊〉 vp tumulâ—… 〈◊〉 withdrawing the people from obedience vnto their magiâ—… a nuÌ„ber of such like execrable mandible blasphemies Reade that most blasphemous Pareâ—…thesis of T. C. esteemed the Bishop of Winchester beginning at y e73 page vnto y â— 84 of y t his Booke which he writ against the Libeller MARTIN MARPRELATE The wickednes falshood of whose deuilish calumniations y â— they may eueÌ„ sodenly appeare I wil adresse my self to prooue vnto him by the vndoubted euideÌ„ce of Gods word yâ—…strange PropositioÌ„ which he so coÌ„fidently coÌ„deÌ„neth in way of reprochful chaleÌ„ge to al Christs seruaÌ„tes propouÌ„deth namelie That there ought throughout alâ—…ges estates of y â— world in al places to be one y â— same forme of outward gouernmet in al true churches of Christ vnto the worlds end Scilicet thaâ—… Apostolike priminue patterne lefâ—… vnto 〈◊〉 in Christs new Testament none other And this through the assistance of Gods spirit
these caÌ„nons ordinances which the Apostle euerie where coÌ„firmeth with the same authoritiâ—… that he doth all his writings 2 Cor. 1. 13. 1 Cor. 11. â—… 2. 2 Thâ—…s 2. 15. Coloâ—…s 2. 5. and sundrie other places which were long to recite Moreouer how carefully and by how many reasons haue the Apostles incommended these orders statutes vnto the whole Church vnto the chief workmen builders therin what perfect lawes hath he set downe in those his epistles vnto Tiâ—…othie and Titus those two excellent workmen his trained exercised children whome he therfore calleth his natural right begotten sonns and especially commendeth them vnto the Churches as to the Corinthians epistle 1. Chap. 4. vers 17. For this causâ—…â—…aue I sent vnto you Timotheus which is my beloued sonne faithfull in the Lord who will put you in remembrance of my waies which in CHRIST as I teach euerie where in euery Church And vnto the Philippians chap. 2. 22. but ye know thâ—… proofe of him because as a sonne vnto his father he hath serued with me vnto the Gospel yet notwithstanding al this their promptnes experience we see what carefull charges the Apostles layd vpon them most precisely exactly to obserue all these rules in al their actions of y e Church towards al meÌ„ that they keepe that expresse patterne of wholsome words that they had heard of him in the faith loue that is in CHRIST IESVS calling these rules the expresse patterne or engraueÌ„ forme or delineation of all things belonging vnto or to be done in the Church charging them of their fidelity and loue both vnto CHRIST IESVS and vnto those whome they are to build to keep and alwaies to haue this true patterne and forme before their eies in all things they doe commending yt for the soundnes wholsomes therof both to the builderâ—… the builded therby For yt being the true patterne forme mould for euerie thing euery part euerie member whervnto they ought to be compared fashioned cast neither can the partes haue anie right shape neither the whole any true forme if they be not framed and built according to this patterne and then how should the building either stand or agree vnto yt self much lesse please the Lord owner of the house wheÌ„ he seeth yt thus spoiled and destroied Therfore yt behooueth both the builders and euerie one that is built to consider diligentlie after what maner order he buildeth and is built For this cause the Apostle Paul 1 Cor. 3. hauing shewed how soundlie the Apostles as wiâ—…e Maister builders had laied the foundation exhorteth all that are to succeed build vpon that foundatioÌ„ to looke well how they build vpoÌ„ yt for this foundatioÌ„ wil beare nothing but gold siluer pretious stones they may not build in this house their hay timber stubble Euerie mans worke heere shalbe made manifest the day shall declare yt because yt shalbe reuealed in the fire which shall trie euery mans worke of what sort yt is Yf vpon this trial by this light yt be fownd answerable to that heauenly patterne of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t yt then abideth to the praise comfort of the workman But wherin any of these builders shal in any part of their worke whether in matter or maner as they vâ—…e to speake to couller their transgressions euen in the least thing be fownd to haue swerued froÌ„ the true patterne by this light if then vpoÌ„ such discouery made vnto them they suffer not these their workes to burne acknowledging forsaking and repenting their such errors and transgressions and withdrawing others from the like they shal not only destroie themselues by this their presumptuous sin but al such as after this discouery reproof made remaine with them and ioine vnto them in this their presumptuous sinne For saith the Apostle these mâ—… corrupt or destroie the TeÌ„ple of God which is holy which Temple ye are and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you If any maÌ„ corrupt or destroie the Temple of God him shal God destroie c. Wee see with what waightie graue plentiful reasons exhortatioÌ„s proues the Apostle affirmeth and confirmeth these things by euerie verse of that chapter yea almost by euery word of the verse which carry a seuerall consideration and especiall force in themselues but especially from the 8 verse vnto the end He there setteth downe the persons of the Apostles as a perpetuall example vnto all builders vnto the worlds end The practise of the Apostles as the true only foundation thâ—… eâ—…resse patterne for al buildings yea for euerie thing in euery true building vnto the worlds end Which foundation patterne he deriueth not from confirmeth not by the authority of man but by the authority of CHRIST shewing that yt is not in mans power either to laâ—… any other foundation or alter this that is laid calling yt but one the same in all places euen as CHRIST is one the same and calling euerie part of the word they deliuered fundamental as part of the verie foundation of this building and maketh not with the learned Pharisies and schoole Diuines of our age some part of CHRISTS Testament fundamental substantiall other parts therof accidental formal not necessary not of substance or esâ—…ence who thus with the deep learning of Satan abrogate what part of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t they please build their owne stubble diuises destroie the worke of God together with their owne soules y â— soules of as many as are built or led by theÌ„ And therfore the Apostles hâ—…ere calleth al builders buildings to this one only foundation of CHRISTS word TestameÌ„t charging them to make yt of all their actions whatsoeuer the only rule foundation and not as these false builders of the Church of England doe who reiecting the true patterne of CHRISTS TestameÌ„t in al things they do or goe about yet vainly boast that they hould the foundation preach practise the Gospell of Christ sincerly c. although as is said they reiect what part of Christs Teâ—…tament they list as not fundamental substantial 〈◊〉 abrogate the whole patterne of the Apostles practise mowld lay vnto themselues a new patterne a new foundation making not only new rules lawes orders for the gouernment whole administration of the Church but a new ministerie new officers new actions which are not read or heard of in the Testament of Christ yt neuer as â—…et being agreed amongst them what part of Christs Testament they allow hold for the foundation for the Gospel But in deed to say as yt is the foundatioÌ„ gospel of their Church is not yet layed to either side for though they all at this present generally embrace the Popes canons decrees oâ—… the high commission as the foundation certaine allowed writinges and priuiledged bookes for the Gospell of their Church yet keep the Prelates in their hand to coyne forge new lawes new
seruice of his Church But that vvere to handle the vvhole platforme and oâ—…der of Christs Testament the excellencie and perfection wherof but slightly to describe as yt far exceedeth my slender capacitie so not being to this present purpose I haue onlie indeuored to vse such general reasons as might prooue this generall PropositioÌ„ That the gouernment and ordinancâ—…s that Christ in his Testament hath set downe and apointed vnto his Church are necessare onlie fiâ—… and perpetuall and that the true Church of Christ can or may no more receaue anie other officeâ—…s gouernment and ordinances then the bodie of a man can receaue other members the members an other order or temperature then that which God hath assigned Which I hope by these places is so manifest as I need stand no longer to inforce the necessitie and onlie fit congrueÌ„ce therof vnto the bodie members of the church by shewing either the comelines beautie features of the Chucch when yt is thus furnished of these true members and the members thus placed built together ordered and vsed The necessitie of these let common sense and experience in the basâ—… patterne of our owne naturall bodie shew how ill we could either admit anie other then those members that God hath apointed thervnto or spare anie of those membersâ—… or haue them kept from their true vse and peculiar function or placed in anie other order or place or knit togetheâ—… with anie other iointes sinewes or vainâ—…s then God hath disposed for them But the heauenlie spirituall beautie order congruence and vse of these members thus commixt and contempered â—…et the 4 6. and 7 chapter of Solomons song declare From all which together â—… euerie member apart the vse administration and benefite therof as also from the disorder infinite inconueniences and mischeises that would ensue of the reiecting of this or receauing any other order gouernment administration might infinite and seuerall arguments be drawen to proue the absolute necessitie of the one the vâ—…ter inhibition vnfitnes of any other But heere now fitly commeth a certaine obiâ—…ction of the aforesaid D. R. S. â—…o be answered Saâ—…th he Yf that outward forme of discipline were of the essence of the Church then where that forme of discipline either was or is not there was and is no Church which is a grossâ—… absurditie My reasons are Samaria had not that forme of discipline but yt was a famous Church Actes 8. Antiochiâ—… had not that forme of discipline yet yt was a floorishing Church The greatest part of reformed Churches in Christendome haue not that forme of discipline yet they are accompted holie Churches of all but of the Papistes and 〈◊〉 What his Doctorhood meaneth by these disguised termes of the discipline essence of the Church I vnderstand noâ—… and therfore wil leaue them where I â—…ind them eschewing according to the Apostles rule such profane inanitie of words and oppositions of science falsly so called which somâ—… proâ—…essing haue erred about the faith But if he by these reasons suppose to haue impugned the necessitie and perpetuity of CHRISTS holie gouernment order wherinto the Apostles built all Churches and which they left vnto all Churches I shal then briefâ—…ly shew how far he faileth of that purpose and reasoneth quite to a new and diuers question and therfore can therby conclude nothing against this For our quâ—…stion heere is not whither the Church may not sometime vpon some necessities bâ—… without this order or some part therof for a season but whither the Church may receaue anie other forme of gouernment in stead of this So that if he had prooued that the Churches of Samaria and Antiochia had receaued anie other forme of gouernment and order then this Apostolick then had he in deed said somwhat although a particular instance or two may not take away or draw vs from a generall law and perpetuall rule But he trifling about the name of a Church quite forsaking the question would inser from the ambiguitie of the word that because a Church vpon some necessitieâ—… may for a season be without this 〈◊〉 ordâ—…r and gouernment therfore they may reiect this anâ—… take an other according to the pollicies of the time place How diuersly the church is read in the scriptures not heere to stand of the etymologie of the word ecclesia me thinkes this great diuine should not be ignorant how somâ—…times yt is read for all the Saints in heauen and in earth sometimes for all the Saints dispersed or gathered heere in the whole world somâ—…times for a companie of faithfull people ioined together in the 〈◊〉 coÌ„â—…union of the faith indeuoring to proceed into the order of CHRIST and in the same faithfully to walke together But coÌ„monly yt is taken for a companie of such faithful thus entered couenant established walking in due order according to the rules of Gods word of which kinde of Church we al this while reason For their church of England is not now vnestablished as Samaria and Antiochia were at these times he speaketh of but yt is established into an order ministerie and gouernment though according to the Popes cannons not according to the Testament of CHRIST So that he might as well haue reasoâ—…ed from anie of the othâ—…r readings of a Church and gained as much scilzt that becausè all the Saints in heaueÌ„ are called a Church yet they haue not Pastors Teachers c. therfore the Church of CHRIST may be established w tout these as also al the dispersed Saints are called a Church yet haue not this order gouernment therfore c. Samaria Antiochiâ—… at their first calling to the faith had not this established order and gouernment yet were held famous floorishing Churches therfore the Church may be established into an other forme of order and gouernment then that of CHRISTS Testament this if he conclude not he gaineth nothing this if he conclude I denie his Argument It followeth not because the Church is not alwaies thus established therfore yt ought not to be thus established The Churches of Samaria and Antiochia â—…either can be shewed to haue receiued anie other order or gouernment or to haue neglected this but the contrarie apeareth of Samâ—…ria Act. 9. 31. where Luke recordeth that the churches throughout al â—…udea Galile Samaria had peace being built proceeding in the feare of the Lord and were replenished with the comfort of the holy Ghost What thinketh D. S. now was not Samaria built established in this order vnles he can shew that the Apostles built the Churches in anie other order and then froÌ„ this place may he also conclude that the Churches in Iudea Galile were not thus built this scripture not secretly shewing that â—…oth they were all built alike that there was but one order of building amongst the Apostles in these wordes being edified or built Me thinks this place also sheweth some letts that sometime may hinder the Churches
frō this holy order namely the tyrannie of wicked magistrates who persecute the Church in such sort as they cannot safelie meete assemble to make choice of ministers or to exercise ◅nie ministerie But wee see the churches here vpō the first meanes neglected not either to attaine vnt◅ or exercise this order and that without staijng for the Magistrates p◅sion and were in so doing replenished with the comfort of the holy Ghost Neither yet appeareth h◅ere the certaine time when Sa◅aria was thus built It is not vnlike that yt was established into this order euen Actes 8. that he speaketh of when they receaued the gifts of the holy Ghost at Peter and Iohns being there who yt is to be iudged likewise rather helped to bestow those gifts in order to the edifijng of the whole then left them hauing fit gifts for these offices in disorder which had beene great sinne both in the Apostles in the Church of Sa◅aria The like also is to be thought of the Church at Antiochia Act. 11. they being called to the faith were a long time instructed by the Apostles Barnabas and Paule God so blessed their labours as that Church grew famous and many Prophets resorted thither from Ierusalem May we then by D. SOMES bare affirmation without any proofe affirme that this Church being so long excellently instructed by these famous men hauing so greatly profited in the faith knowledg of Christ aboue many other Churches which had this or◅er that they yet should thus long be kept from yt more thē any other Church being more fit then many yea thē any other Church at that time saue Ierusalem This were not only cōtrary to the practise of Paul Barnabas in al other churches but contrarie to the rules of Christs Testament But if we would stand vpon the point yt were not hard to proue that Antiochia was then established into order we see they there administred vnto the necessities of other Churches and sent Paul and Barnabas vpon this their busines which they hauing fulfilled returned back againe to Antiochia from whence by the whole Church they were at the commandemēt of the holy Ghost sent out with imposition of handes Afterward when they had planted and established manie Churches in Asia into this order they returned thither againe there remained a long time vntil they w◅re againe sent to Ierusalem about the question of Circumcision which being debated they with other famous men returned abode in the Church of Antiochia preaching teaching the Gospell with great ioy comfort and blessing Yet in none of these places we find mentioned that after Act. 11. they were established into this order but we see that there and in all these places they executed the duties and had the full power of a church established Therfore except we wil make the practise of the holy Ghost cōtrary vnto yt sel◅ we are not to doubt but this An◅iochia also was established in this order Doth not D. SOME then vnsufferably both falsifie and peruert these scriptures in affirming that these churches had not that established order amongst them concluding from their example that the Christian order and gouernment of Christs Testament is neither necessarie nor perpetuall But to conclude shut vp the point at once he bringeth the greatest pa rt of the reformed Churches of Christendome which haue not this christian order gouernment which he termeth forme of discipline yet are accompted holy Churches of al but Papists and Anab◅ptists Doth he not heere very learnedly proue the question by the question if his church be of God l◅t him approue yt by Gods word otherwise though he should fetch the Popes broade seale also from whome he borroweth this argument yt would not serue his turne With the estate of other Churches I am not acquainted and therfore will not meddle but how well this holy church of England is reformed you parly may perceaue by that which is aboue said and more euidently may if you measure yt by the rules of CHRISTS Testament according vnto which yt hath no one thing in due order or frame So that why either Papists or Anabaptists should denie yt I cannot see yt being an vncleane hould or prison of euerie vncleane bird of euerie fowle and hatefull Spirit except yt be as that kingdome diuided in yt self because yt consisteth of such iarring and disagreeing spirits Neither can I see how any that knoweth or wil be instructed what a true established Church of CHRIST is can anie longer mistake that adulterous Church of England that sitteth vpon all the confuse peopl◅ as vpon manie waters that is liker vnto Zennacheribs tumultuous campe then vnto the wel ordered and established Church of CHRIST which hath nothing cōmon with CHRISTS Church but the ve◅ie name only For the true Church of CHRIST we find vpon her all the markes of that harlot and of that Beast whose members image yoke she carieth and hath cast off Christ◅ yoke from her necke despising his word persecuting and murdering his seruants Wherfore vntill she bring vs either better Arguments or better fruits we are so far frō honoring her with the title of a Church as we are not abashed to rēder vnto her as she hath rendred vnto vs to double vnto her double according to her workes and in that cup wher◅n she hath mixed to mingle to her y e double So far are we from giuing that authoritie vnto her in this presumptuous sin as to draw an argument from or be induced to thinke by her example that because she casteth off CHRISTS yoke beareth Antichrists therfore the holy order ordinances of CHRIST for the building ministery gouernment of his Church is not perpetuall necessarie or alwaies expedient I grant that the true Church of Christ may sometimes vpon some necessities be without this holy order for a season as in the first gathering of the Saints especially now when we are not to expect anie such miraculous or extraordinarie giuing of Gods Spirit as was in the primitiue times whē we cannot sodenly either be made fit for these high offices or haue such perfect knowledg and probation ech of others giftes and co◅uersation as is required thervnto Also in time of persecution when the Church cannot peaceably meet either to chuse or exercise anie ministerie or that their chief and principall members be held from them in prisons or at such time as the chief Elders are taken away either by death or otherwise fall away In these and such like times the Church may for a season vpon necessitie so inforcing be without this established order but this is neither willinglie to neglect yt nor presumptuously to reiect yt Heerehence yt followeth not that this holie order is not alwaies necessarie because yt is not nor cannot be alwaies executed So they might conclude all Gods lawes not alwayes necessarie perpetuall or expedient because they are not or cannot be alwayes practised by vs.
violated reiected and blasphemed That in this estate to shew him the treasures and ordinances of this spirituall Temple is vtterly forbidden and vnlawfull appeareth Ezek. 43. 10. 11. in these words Thow Sonne of maÌ„ shew vnto the howse of Israel this 〈◊〉 wheÌ„ they shal be ashamed of their wickednes that they may measure the patterne when I say they shalbe ashamed of all they haue done make knowen vnto them the forme of the howse and the constitution therof the goings out therof and the coÌ„ming in therof and the whole forme therof and all the statuâ—…es therof and all the figures therof and all the lawes therof describe them before their eies that they may keep the whole faâ—…hion therof and al the ordinances therof and do them Therfore vntil he haue repented and forsaken his antichristiaÌ„ ministery vnlawfull Lordship iurisdictioÌ„ I hold it not lawfull whilest he reâ—…aineth in and will not come out oâ—… Babel to reason or iangle with him concerning the heauenly most holy ordinances of Sion which he doth but blaspheme reproch with his vngodly mouth that is opâ—…ned to all impietie That yt is not expedient vntill he haue yeilded vnto the former question to answere this is manifest For to what purpoâ—…e were yt to reason with him how these officers of Christâ—… Church ought to administer gouerne when he vtterly denieth that in the Church of England such offices iurisdiction were tollerable So that yt could no way edifie him but rather minister matter of cauil vnto his blasphemous mouth who seeketh nothing els in this captious yet with al most ignorant fond vaine questioÌ„ We ought not to cast our pearles before swine or to expose the Lords holy truth to reproch This is my answere to him concâ—…rning his second question Yet to remoue these stumbling blockes out of the way of others to rid them out of the snarâ—…s which this Spider hath wouen I will through Gods grace briefly â—…hew them the errors follie of this cauilling question cheifly in these 3 pointes therof First in that he requireth some particular Churches by name wherin this whole gouernment of the Church was practised c. 2 wheÌ„ yt was practised by Doctors Elders Pastors DeacoÌ„s only none other 3 where these practised yt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other In the first point he stumbleth cauilleth at this because in deed no church that euer was or shalbe vpon earth hath or can fully execute this gouernment of CHRIST but haue beene and shalbe subiâ—…ct to many defâ—…lts many transgressions taking here the gouernment of CHRIST for his whole reuealed will in his word and Testament to the faithfull obseruation of euery title wherof the Church is by couenant bound where by the way must be noted that this carping Pharisey knoweth in his corrupt festered conscience what CHRISTS true gouâ—…rnment is which he so mainly impugneth namely that righteous Scepter of his holy word which in deed bâ—…cause none of the primitiue Churchâ—…s that the Apostlâ—…s planted gouerned could euer fully keep but haue beene subiect to manie faltes and reproofes therfore this man would conclude this gouernment of CHRIST to be an vnnecessarie impossible thing which God neither would command nor we caÌ„ performe Wherin his wickâ—…dnes and impietie yet proceedeth a degree â—…urther then that of the â—…ollerating Priâ—…sts who would excuse defend their most hainous transgressioÌ„s by y e sinnes dâ—…faltes of other Churchâ—…s this man therby would vtterlie abrogate and disanull thâ—… whole law of God and Testament of Christ by which the Church ought to be gouerned vnto the faithfull practise and obseruation wherof the whole â—…hurch is bownd Can the infirmity sin â—…f any mortal creaturâ—…s taâ—…e away the truth and stâ—…bilitie of Gods lawes of Christs Testament might he not as wel concluâ—…e no Church or member of the Church hath at any time put in practise al Gods lawes aâ—…d to saâ—… as yt is are not able to keepe anie one of them tâ—…erfore the lawes of God are not pâ—…rmanent necessarie nor now commanded because no Church can keepe them all such reasons are not worthie the refuting The second part of his questioÌ„ where he demandeth to know where this gouernment of CHRIST was practised by Doctors Pastors Elders Deacons only none other is so full oâ—… vanitie follie as yt deserueth none answere For my part I neuer read nor heard of any such Church I euer thought that euerie member of the Church without exception or exemption of anie one person had beene all alike bound to the obedience of Gods word the practise of CHRISTS gouernment to be instructed ruled by him in all things euery one walking within the bounds of his calling I neuer thought that the practise of Christs gouernment belonged only to these officers I rather thought yt had beene their dutie office to haue sâ—…ene this gouernment faithfully orderly practised by all the members of the Church Why we â—…ee Christs ecclesiastical gouernment is not only tied to the publike actions of the whole congregatioÌ„ but extendâ—…th to euerie action of euery Christian wherof CHRIST is the beholder and Iudg yea and for euerie knowne transgression and disobedience hath due vengeance ready whither by reproof or excoÌ„munication I euer thought that the execution of Christs gouernment and iudgments had belonged to the whole bodie of the Church which assigneth the publike ordering therof as the ministery c. to the proper and fit members ech one in their due functions not hereby resigning vp her power authority gouernment wholy into their hands but still reseruing the right in the wholâ—… body together in euery member apart So that if these officers or anie of them transgresse the church reserueth power to euery member freely â—…ccording to the quality of the offence the rules of the word to admonish and reproue the whole to censure excoÌ„municaâ—…e such officers so offending Which officers in executâ—…oÌ„ of their office functâ—…oÌ„ do rather reserue this liberty and power to the whole Church and euerie member therof in due order theÌ„ any way diminish or pluâ—…k away the same froÌ„ the least It were a disorderly part against nâ—…ture for any member to arrogate the power of the whole body vnto yt self Such presumption was not heard of in the church of CHRIST vntill Antichrist sprong vp neither wil yt be remoued vntil he be aboliâ—…hed Elders are apointed to see the gouernment order of CHRIST obserued not to take yt al into their hands One other grosse error and ignorance in this branch is to be obseruâ—…d that is he numbreth the Dâ—…acons amongst the gouerning officers of the Church this he neuer leâ—…rned in Christs Testament well may yt be the practise of the Church of Rome England where are such iolly archdeacons and ruffling Deanes The Deacons office in the Church is to gather
distribute not to gouerne The third point in this cauilling questiō is to know where these officers aboue said practised that gouernmēt in an equalitie without superioritie in one aboue an other It hath beene euen now shewed how this gouernment belongeth is committed to the whole bodie how their office consisteth to teach the Church how to practise yt to see yt obserued by al in due order and not ambitiously to assume yt wholy into their owne hands For the rest though there be a communion in the Church yet there is no equalitie The Church knoweth how to giue honour reuerence vnto their Elders especially to them y t labor in the word doctrine The Church of CHRIST is taught to obey submit vnto their leaders to acknowledg them that labour amongst them that are set ouer them in the Lord to admonish them and to hold those in superabundant loue for their worke sake The Elders also amongst themselues know how to giue honour one vnto another by going before yet al this without preiudice to themselues that giue or detrimēt to him that receaueth yt without the losse of the least iote of their owne libertie or puffing him vp or setting him in anie vnlawfull authoritie They giue yt to his labor diligence vertue and desert which ceassing they straight withdraw their praise in the stead therof vse exhortation admonitiō yea if need be censure All the parts of mans bodie are not alike esteemed and vsed we haue much more care and tendernes ouer the eies then of the hands or feet yet may not the eye heerby refuse to doe seruice and attend to the hand or foote in all their busines and affaires neither may yt disturbe the least member of the bodie in their peculiar office functiō or intrude into their place The eye guideth directeth the hand shewing how yt ought to doe the worke the hand againe washeth wipeth and doth all louing helpe yt may vnto the eye Both eie hand euerie other part of the body are distinct members yet so knit and ioined together in the bodie as they do their due seruice vnto the eie ech vnto other in the whole not confounding the order of nature nor disturbing ech other in the worke The Church hath like care to see that inuiolable order and temper of the members in CHRISTS bodie dulie preserued the honor they gi◅e to one member is not the dishonor of another or hinderance of the whole bodie The Church neither doth neither may giue immoderate honour either in fastuous swelling titles of vanitie or any inordinate authoritie to anie member that would rather puffe vp the flesh then cheare vp the spirit All the gifts God hath giuen any member are to the seruice of the whole bodie he that will be greatest must be as the least he must wash the feet not haue his feete kissed of the least all superioritie is heere comprised within the bounds of Christian order modestie Humilitie goeth before and is the compagnion of honor honor is not heere conferred to lift vp the hear◅s of the greatest aboue the least but rather for their coūsaile care loue seruice vnto al yt is willingly giuen vnto such by all Ambition vainglorie are heere carfully auoided both by the g◅ers receauers who so seeketh the primacie with Diotrephes is heere ◅uggillate layd open resisted rebuked of al as that Antichrist that Lucifer y e greatest Elder of the Church the Pastor is but a seruant steward of the house not Lord of the heritage but a member not Lord of the bodie to be honored for his excellent place in the bodie giftes of God to be reuerenced for his fa◅thfulnes labour and diligence Yet this must euer be remembred his honour consisteth in his seruice his seruice belongeth vnto al so that the least member of the bodie hath like interest in him as he in the least member the l◅st member hath like libertie and f◅eedome with him in Christ though not like gifts or function of Christ. AND NOW this strange troublesome Proposition is thus proued That Christs Church can be established into no other order or gouerned by any other officers or ordinances then Christ in his Testam◅t hath prescribed that these great impediments difficulties are also remooued out of the way me thinckes yt time heere a fit occasion offred to goe in hand with the examination of the present established gouernmēt of the Church of England And heere to begin with the Antichristian authoritie of the chiefe rulers namelie the Bishops which they would beare away hide v◅der this word Superioritie of their lineage petigree original you haue aboue heard as also of their strange manner of offices and consecration and somwhat also of their power generally and from vvhence they deriued yt but let vs now a litle further consider therof First they take vpon them ech one of them to sit vpon as they call yt or to gouerne many hundred churches others of thē many thowsands one of them as Pope or Primate ouer al they make depose ministers by their absolute authoritie they make and disanul lawes th◅y ratifie or rei◅ct vvhat scriptures they list they confirme or refuse what doctrines they list they make what kind of vvorship ministration they list they chāge innovate coine alter bring in cast out what and whome they list without checke or controulement The truth of al these need no other proofe then their present estate the warrant of anie of these I am sure cannot be shewed in Christs Testament therfore I doubt not at one word to call them all diuelish Antichristiā To confute thē seuerallie were a labour both needles troblesome they being of themselues so apparantlie odious yet this brieflie in a word One man cannot stand a Bishop vnto diuers churches at one time no more then one eye can be a 1 member 2 doe the function at one time to diuers bodies 3 in diuers places no more then one candle can be put in two or mo diuers candlesticks 2 in diuers howses 3 and shew light vnto them al at one time Thus are Bishops in their office place ministerie called members yea the eye of the bodie lights and the candle of the howse the Church yt self also c◅lled the bodie the candlesticke in the scriptures No one shepheard can attend watch feed ouersee two or more flockes at one time in diuers places no watc◅ mā can keep watch in diuers Cities at one time Bishops are called shepheardes watchmen the Church a flock a citie in the scriptures Be◅ides CHRIST hath established an other quite contrarie order not one watchman or shepheard ouer manie churches but manie watchmen ouer one Church yet hath giuē power cōmanded euerie mēber to watch al litle enough Mo◅eouer yt is CHRISTS only office now to walke in the midst of the 7 goldē Cādlesticks he
actiō of the Church to approue or orderly to reproue any action or person of the Church and that publikly if need so require how cā any from this place draw that the reproofe of Elders only belōgeth to Elders or how could this popish prelate collect that this power was only giuen to Timot◅y when Timothy and the Apostles themselues were subiect to the reproofe of the least where these transgressed from the word wil of God how could he from hence deriue his absolute power ouer all Churches Priests when no such thing is heere by this commandement giuen to Timothy how could this old dreamer from hence deriue or hereby defend these romish brawling bawdy courts with all their popish cānons customes pleadings pleaders euen al that swarme of vermine that liue attend vpon the same courts I hope if we granted him his owne most false interpretation that Timothy had sole power and by vertue of this commandement exercised absolute iurisdiction ouer the whole Church the other Elders that yet he did yt not after this antichristian vngodly maner as he and his brethren Bishops doe by such mercenarie romish Doctors pleaders proctors c. which are to couller plead the most vile hatefull causes which a christians eare abhorreth to heare of or by such wicked blasphemous customes othes purgations c. These I suppose he can not proue to be vsed in Timothies courte neither can he deriue any of this doung from that holy cōmandemēt of God for thē◅ight euery christiā keepe such a court ouer against BBs c. seing they may reproue and rebuke the greatest Bishop in the Church that transgresseth against the word of God No let him looke into the 9. chapter of the Reuelation there he shall see his owne al these poisoned armed locusts original to haue come out of the smoke of the bottomles pyt c. Further to discusse the poperie wickednes folly of this reason or the vnlawfullnes of these antichristian courts were labour needles they being so grosse of thēselues as by the first bringing the heauenly light vnto them they are discouered therby chased away as the darknes of the night by the sunne rising the grosse vapours by the wind They haue no foundation of the word and therfore must needs fall the word of God wil beare no such rotten stubble and filthy doung therfore I leaue this reason to remaine to his perpetual shame and the shame of all the brood houshold of Anak who if they could be drawē but to any peaceable opening the booke of God but with y ◠least christian I would not now be vnderstood of any learned Priest of the opposite faction who hauing deriued all their ministerie ministration from them and exercising the same vnder them cā neuer preuaile against their fathers as in all their conflicts hath beene seene because in deed they take not the whole cause and right groundworke therfore they cannot further the Gospel or bring glory to God But if the least Christian whome both factions so depise perfecute might haue but free orderly triall with either or both sides and factions I doubt not but God would giue such blessing and power to his word which he would put in their mouthes as their counterfait and wicked dealings should be discouered yea albeit both sides hate the light and flee this christian peaceable triall wherby they plainly bewray of what Spirit they are though they digge as deepe as hel to hide their deuises y◅t God will disclose them and that euen by their owne pennes and tongues rather then he will want instruments An other fleshly reason he bringeth frō the lawfulnes of these courts y t is frō the Princes authority A christian Prince that alloweth the free course of the Gospel cōmandeth them therfore euery godly subiect ought to obey thē The Gospel cānot haue free course whiles these antichristiā courts Bishops ministery stand yf the Gospel had free course they should all be abolished But is this a Bishoply or Christian reason a godly Prince commandeth them therfore they ought to be obeyed why haue Princes authoritie to command what they list or if they doe ought christians to obey any vngodly decree I had thought that both they ought to cōmand we to obey in the Lord alwaies but especially may Princes bring in any new ordinances at their pleasure into the Church of CHRIST what can the Pope say more for his sackfull of traditions make you this vnlawfull in the person of the Pope that maketh some more shew of learning knowledg and religion and hath his learned councell of cardinals about him and yet make yt lawfull in a christian Prince to innouate or abrogate the Testament of CHRIST in this maner to bring in or keepe out of the Church what ordinances they list you shew your self a faithfull watchman and Bishop ouer the Church vnto your Princes soule y t suffer such rule to be kept in the Church without blowing the trumpet of Gods word against yt that suffer your Prince thus to runne into and remaine in the wrath of God vnadmonished vnreproued You learned this of no true Prophets no faithful Bishops let yt remaine then vpon you for an vndoubted marke of a false Prophet a Balaamite a wolfe a murtherer of soules And as for your authoritie know seing yt hath no better ground in the world of God yt shall all fall to the ground al the Princes of the world or powers of hell ◅hall not be able to vphold yt Babilon shall fall and all her pompe shall vanish though her princes and shipmasters or bishops and all her mariners ministers and marchandmen howle and wayle therfore for the God that condemneth her is a strong Lord as for the King of Egipt he is a man and not God almightie and their horses flesh but not Spirit wherfore when IEHOVAH shall stretch forth his hand the helper shall fall and the helped shall fall and all these shall faile together Let vs now proceed to the censures of the church of England which wholly consist in the Bishops hand who executeth them by himself or his Commissarie they are not exercised for obstinacie ioyned to sin or error but lightly if not altogether for contempt of their courtes either in not appearing at or obeijng their commandements and decrees or els for some transgressions against their idoll seruice booke in speaking against yt or against their ordinarie or his stubstitute M◅ Commissarie or the parish priest or such like or els for not obseruing their idoll holy daies or not receauing with their parson or not hauing their children baptised c. For these and such like they shalbe conuented and very seuerely punished either by mulct or excommunication or imprisonmēt there are no other sins amongst the people that deserue excommunication they haue other punishments for sin besides excōmunication as to fine them punish them by the
and all the ordinances therof without accompt or 〈◊〉 as hath beene plentifully shewed in all this discouery and yet more shall appeare if we now take a litle view of thâ—…ir Commission which is the very abisme golph from whence spring flow all these innumerable enormities into euery paâ—… of this whole land their Church THIS INDEFINITE monstrous Commission I hauing neuer seene their letters pattents or any copie therof cannot othervise describe then by certaine appaâ—…ant circumstâ—…nces as the men of whome yt consisteth and that haue the chiefe rule therof the persons causes ouer which this CoÌ„mission is set and hath iurisdiction and the maner of vsing their sayd power The Commissioners are certayne ecclesiasticall ciuile persons as first the Primate of England the Arch-b of Canterburie then I suppose the Metropolitane of Yorke with certaine other Bishops as London Winchester c. certaine Deanes Arch-deacons Chancelors with sundry especial ciuile Doctors c. The ciuil persons of this Commission are now of late dayes some few of her Ma ties honorable Councell the two chiefe Iudges certaine Courtiers as the two Maisters of her Maiesties requests certaine chosen Aldermen the Recorder of London certaine other officers about the Citie as the Liâ—…ftenant of the Tower the post-Mr sundry other that I know not not heeâ—…e to recite that rabble of aduocates proctors scribes pursuyuaÌ„ts attending thervpon These thus ioined in this high great Commission haue or at the least exercise by vertue therof absolute power iurisdiction ouer the whole Church of England and euery particular congregation of the same and ouer euâ—…ry minister member of the same euen ouer al the Q. Subiects They also exercise finall iurisdiction absolute power ouer all causes ecclesiasticall whatsoeuer to handle and determine to visite enquire punish to make new lawes orders decrees and to inioine the same as authentike vpon all Churches as before the holy oracles of God They haue power also to assume any cause or plea out of any other of their inferior spiritual Courtes as they call them into their owne hands to ratifie or disanul any thing there done They haue power also to erect and to authorise new litle high Commissions in any Citie of the land where yt pleaseth them only with this excâ—…ption that they alwaies acknowledg the supreme power of their parent at Lambeth Yet further this great high Commission hath absolute power ouer sundrie and what not ciuil causes insomuch as they feare not to meddle with matters belonging to the Q. crowne or preâ—…ogatiue roial or to any of her Courts of plea whatsoeuer yea they haue not doubted to intercept causâ—…s belonging vnto depending in the high Court of parliament if Mr. PENRY in his appâ—…ale say true Thâ—…y haue power to cite summon or conuent by their pursuyuants cursitors what person of the land eithâ—…r man or woman at any time when they please they haue power to command all the Q. officers as Maiors of Cities Sherifs c. to serue attend watch ride by day or by night vpon their busines whatsoeuer also to apprehend to incarcerate or to deliuer out of prison what person or peâ—…sons how innocent or flagitious soeuer vpon their barre warrant without further enquire or delay yea they haue power to fetch vp any of these officers before theÌ„ from their charge in her Maiesties seruices there also to ymprison them if they so thinke good They haue power to authorize these rakehel â—…obbers their pursuyuants to herry molest or attach any of the Q. â—…aithful subiectts they list to breake open â—…ansack their houses by day or by night to spoyle carie away what and whome they please without controulement their warrants being made indefinite without anie certaine perscription or limitation Wel being thus furnished with this power they come together at their Session as charrets armed to the battâ—…l a great tayle of officers court of aâ—…tendants being asseÌ„bled the apparance wherof exceedeth I suppose that of the Vaticane at Rome no praier vsed before neither the booke of God opened in this their ecclesiastical councel The parties conuâ—…nted are to attend being called to appeare before them before whome being come what affaires soeuer they haue whither of a whole Church or of manie congregations what office or degree soeuer they be of they must there stand their headâ—…s discouâ—…red before them no place giuen them with or by these Commissioners Yf they be to propouÌ„d speake or complaine of any thing they muâ—…t doe yt by the officers of this Courte their Aduocates Proctors Râ—…gisters Scribes seouâ—…dum modum formam and that to no small charge by that time all these voultures haue their fees otherwise theÌ„ by these they may not plead in this Courte the iudgments of this Court they must receaue without contradictioÌ„ or gaynsaijng there is no appeale no helpâ—… no mâ—…anes to reuâ—…rse the same be they neuer so vniâ—…st Any othâ—…rs that are blamed and accused vnto this Courte haue not heâ—…re plâ—…ce to answere vnto such things as shalbe obiâ—…cted against them by their accusers bâ—…ing brought face to face or to defeÌ„d themselues according to equitie but heere they shall hardly know their accusers or accusations at anie time vntil they haue taken an othe to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demaÌ„ded of theÌ„ in that Court wherby they are driuen to accuse themselues and so minister matter abundantly vnto their aduersaries The othe that is heere administred is that laying their hand or fingeâ—…s vpon a booke they sweare by God by the contents of the booke to answere truly vnto such things as shalbe demanded of them and so kissing the booke their othe is accepted no further leisure giuen to consider what thâ—…y answere vnto their demandes But if anie make conscience or denie to receaue this idolatrous wicked othe which though yt be proued vnto them to be nâ—…uer so vnlawful and contrarie to the commandement of God Deut. 6. 13. Deâ—…t â—…0 20. to be neuer so superstitious in deuising adding yea in inioyning ceremonies where God in these lawes hath made none but coÌ„manded to sweare without anie ceremonies by the name of God only though yt be proued to be neuer so idolatrous in ioyning any thing vnto or with God in swearing by any thing besides or with God though the fearful curse of God be shewed to be denouÌ„ced against such maneâ—… of swearing swearers by the Lords prophets in these words They that sweare in the sin of Sâ—…maria that say thy God O Dan liueth and the way of Beerschebah liueth eueÌ„ they shal fal neuer â—…ise vp againe and in an other place that the Lord will cut off al that sweare by IEHOVAH as they sweare by 〈◊〉 be this othe prooued neuer so vnnecesfarie the cause not requiring anie such triall be yt proued neuer so vnnatural yt being to accuse theÌ„selues y
â— vnto their aduersaries yet wil these graceles Bishops inforce this othe first by way of perswasion by Abrahams Iaacobs exaÌ„ples who caused the one his seâ—…uaÌ„t y e other his sonne to sweare putting their haÌ„d vnder their theigh c. and by the Angels lifting vp his haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ to sweare If vnto the fiâ—…st they be answered that AbrahaÌ„ Iaacob ioyned not this ceremony vnto the othe so much as to exact the fidelitie performance of the othe seijng God himself sware vnto Abraham without this ceremonie Gen 15 17 as also Ishaac sware Iaacob sware without this ceremonie Gen. 26. 31. Gen. 31. 53 so that there caÌ„ be no law drawen or exaÌ„ple made of Abraham Iaacob heerin especially seing this was before the law was giueÌ„ but now we â—…aue an absolute law giuen of God for the forme of othes froÌ„ which law we ought not to swerue Yf vnto the secoÌ„d namely the Angels lifting vp the haÌ„d vnto heaueÌ„ whiles he sware yt be likewise answered y t no law caÌ„ be inforced froÌ„ heÌ„ce or any new ceremony inioyned in swearing nothing being done heere contrarie to the law of God neither any example giueÌ„ to breake or alter y â— law giueÌ„ of God seing now both al superstitious ceremonies idolatrous othes are forbiddeÌ„ vs by our Sauiour Christ his Apostles Math. 5. 34. 3. 5 Mat. 23. Gal. 4. 9. Col. 2. 20. Their next reason is draweÌ„ froÌ„ the Princes priuiledg y t the Prince hath power to make lawes of indiffereÌ„t things is therin to be obeied this maner of othe is shewed to be no indiffereÌ„t thing but altogether vnlawful prohibited for the reasons aboue alledged But if yt were a thing indiffereÌ„t as they suppose so to sweare or not so to sweare yet were yt not lawfull for any mortal man to bind that by way of law which God hath left in our libertie much lesse to bring in new ceremonies or diuises into the worship of God for so might al the Popes traditioÌ„s be brought in iustified WheÌ„ these reasons wil not serue to perswade oâ—… assure the conscience theÌ„ these holy fathers these teÌ„der hearted christian BBs are driueÌ„ to their last argumeÌ„t wherby they vphold their antichristiaÌ„ throne Viz. the ciuil power authoritie which is committed into their murtherous handes Then are they forthwith committed vnto close prison there to remaine vntil they either yeild or die and this without respect of age sexe or degree especially if they be conveÌ„ted for refusing or speaking against the BBs Popelike authoritie antichristian decrees idolatrous iniunctions c such with mortall hatred they persecute much more â—…hen they doe the most hainous malefactors traiterous Papists such they opeÌ„ly publish to be sectaries scismatikes heretikes Anabaptists disobedient to magistrates seditious conventiclers c. and al because they will not beare Antichristes yoke nor carie the Beastes marke nor bow downe vnto worship his image Such therfore they hunt pursue aâ—…rode by their spiaâ—…s pursyuants and hauing caught theÌ„ vse with al eâ—…quisite tyranny neuer suffring theÌ„ to depart out of theiâ—… haÌ„ds vntil they either deny y e faith or be fetched froÌ„ theÌ„ by the Lords peremptorie messenger Death Long yt were to relate their fine spanish arts to molest these constant witnesses faithfull seruaÌ„ts of Christ when they get them in their prisons by shutting them vp long close by causing them to be produced and indicted at the general sessions vpoÌ„ the statute of recusansy hauing made some of the Iudgâ—…s on their part although this statute was made for Christs and her Ma ties â—…nemies the Papists recusants of all christian veritie When vpon this statute they haue gotten them indicted and vpon the execution therof cast into prisons yet heâ—…re their malice ceaseth not but although they be the Q. prisoners in her execution yet will they contrarie to all law assume them back againe into thâ—…ir handes and by thâ—…ir sole authoritie without anie cause alledged commit them perpetuall close prisoners therby to shorten their liues and to cut off all meanes either of their owne maintenance from them or wherby they might any way satisfie the Queâ—…ne Thus play they with poore Christians as the catte doth with the moâ—…se boldly committing them vnto and taking them fâ—…om the seculer powers at their owne pleasure abusing the Queenes lawes and most faithfull subiâ—…ctes at their owne lust without checke or controulement they being subiect and liable to no lawe To such a heigth is this strange Romish spanish Court now growne vnder colour of â—…eforming â—…cclesiasticall abusâ—…s that yt vsurpeth absolute power ouer al lawâ—…s causâ—…s persons 〈◊〉 yea and becommeth the very fountaine or synke rather from whence flow al errors abuses and disorders into the whole laÌ„d yt being the very bane poyson both of the church and common welth that â—…uer going forge of Sathan wherin he daily mintâ—…th al his antichrâ—…stian new deuises decrees for this monstrous harlot the false Church that Senate wherin all their affaires are consâ—…lted that Councel wherin all their decrees are concluded a Synode wherin all causes are debated a schoole wherin al questions are disputed a fayre wherin all their wares are sould This monstrous Court taketh vtterly away the power and stoppeth the course of Gods word of his Church and of the godly lawes of the land preiudicial yt is to the prerogatiue of the Prince to the iurisdiction of her â—…oyall Courts to the libertie of her free subiects to the great Chaâ—…r of England as their practise euidently sheweth How contrarie yt is vnto God vnto al the rules of his word euen by this summarie recitall insufficient description of their doings at the first reading may appeare to al men that wil bring them to the light So barbarous is thâ—…ir power so odious their proceedings as no apologie caÌ„ be made for them vnlesse by the same they wil also iustifie the authoritie of the Pope and proceedings of the spanish inquisition both vvhich yet heerin they exceed in that this Court hath power to make lawes oâ—…dinaÌ„ces for al churches without their consent which the Pope cannot doe as also in that this Court hath power iurisdiction ouer many almost al ciuil causes which the spanish inquisition hath not Let not my words be wrasted or misconstrued to the reproch of these honorable personages such ciuile magistrates as are of this CoÌ„mission whose ciuil offices persons we from our hearts vnfainedly honour and reuerence yet can the authority of their personages no way iustifie the vnlawfulnes of this Commission or hide the vngodlines of the BBs proceedings therin with whose crafty practises we suppose they are not made acquainted being tised into this CoÌ„mission by the subâ—…ilty of the BBs who suppose to fortifie their antiâ—…hristian power popish regiment by the authority and countenance of the these honorable reuerend men
executed ciuile functions and so our Bishops and Priests may be Lords Iudges Iusticâ—…s of peace hold iurisdiction of ciuil causes this rable of romish ciuilians aduocates proctors c. might be officers in the stead of Leuites Further his rash inuerting the hebrew distinctions in the latter end of the â—… beginning of the 9 verse he hath so royled coÌ„founded y e tâ—…xt as no maÌ„ can vnderstand who they were that returned to Ierushalâ—…m or rather as the text is when they shâ—…uld returne to Ierushalâ—… whither these iudges CoÌ„missioners as Mr. SMOE calleth them or the other Iudges people of the land that in cases of doubt should returne to IerushaleÌ„ according to the law coÌ„mandement of God Deut. 17. 8. 9. to enquire at the priests or at y e chief Iudg c. But D. S. hauing thus troubled roilâ—…d the pure fountaine with his fâ—…te would now giue vs this muddy water to drinke that this coÌ„miâ—…ion as he termeth yt at Ieruâ—…alem was sâ—…t ouer all the Cities Iudges c. of the whole land and that these coÌ„missioners were they that returned to Ierushalâ—…m By which scripture thus deliuered vnderstood he would shape and erect this his Lords Grace high Commission But let vs now eueÌ„ a litle compare them together and see what likenes there is betwixt 〈◊〉 proceedings in Ierushalem and theirs in this high commission Iehoshaphat set Iudges in the land through all the strong cities he set in Ierushalem of the heads of the families of Israel appointing amongst thâ—…m one chiefe Iudg for al ciuil affaires and the Kings busines as the Kings 〈◊〉 He coÌ„manded also caused the Priests to remaine in their due course at Ierushalem to studie teach the law of God diligently and to see this duly done of them he set the high Priest ouer them to be the chiefe in all matters of the Lord. What of al this what new thing is heere done or besides law Exod. 18. Num. 1â—… Deut. 1. That the Prince alâ—…o is charged and of dutie ought to see the ministers of the church to doe their dutie teach the law of God diligeÌ„tly sincerely we reade Deut. 17. 1 Chron. 28. 2 Chron. 29. 30. 35. This did Iehoâ—… no other thing Now in that he placed yt at Ierusalem yt was according to the coÌ„mandment of God who had chosen that place to put his name there that the law might proceed out of Zion al people flow thither to worship God heare his word But in al this Ieâ—… hath neither commixt nor confounded the ciuil and ecclesiasticall offices in one coÌ„mission neither erected any new ecclesiastical ordinaÌ„ce besides those which God in his word had prescribed or peruerted or diuerted any ordinaÌ„ce that God hath instituted But in this high CoÌ„mission of the church of EnglaÌ„d is an opeÌ„ coÌ„mixture confusioÌ„ of ciuil ecclesiastical offices causes a new diuised ordinaÌ„ce with new officers new proceedings and a strange course not heard or read of in the whole word of God Yea by this Commission they pervert and turne away the whole practise of al the ordinances of Christ in his Church Neither will that great commission which Artaxerxes gaue vnto Heâ—… the Priest any vvhit more either couller or warrant this monstrous high Commission of theirs granted vnto their chiefe Priest arch-Bishop which Commission if yt should haue reached ouer far yet had yt rather beene to be imputed vnto y e ignoraÌ„ce of the heatheÌ„ King that knew not the lawes of God then to haue beene alledged or vrged as an exaÌ„ple for vs to follow in the sáme euil especially now vrder Christs most perfect absolute Testament ministery in his church But what was this commissioÌ„ of Artaxerxes that D. SOME so enforceth Artaxerxes granted vnto Hezra leaue by coÌ„mission to carry vp with him vnto Ierusalem al such of Israel and Iuda as were willing to goe together with al such vessels instrumeÌ„ts gold siluer or free gifts as should be giueÌ„ vnto the seruice of God by theÌ„ in Babiloâ—… as also that being come to Iernshalem he should set Iudges arbiters that might both diligeÌ„tly teach and see the lawes of God duly executed What is in this Commission found contrarie to the law of God or what did Hezra by this commission contrarie to the law of God Yt wil heere be said that Hezra being a Priest had ciuil and ecclesiastical power committed vnto him by vertue of this commission exercised both ciuil and ecclesiastical iurisdiction c. we see manifestly in the 23 25 verses that the kings commission had relation wholy to the law of God that Hezra being a man prompt therin should see al things done in the TeÌ„ple at Hierusalem in the kingdome of Iuda and Israel according to the law of God yet heere is no commission giuen him to execute both ciuil and â—…cclesiastical offices in his owne person neither reade we or may vve without sin imagine that euer he did so for that had beene an heinous breach of all Gods lawes an vnsufferable confusion of al Gods ordinances who as he hath in his word alwaies put difference distinction betwixt the ciuil ecclesiastical estates so hath he vnto ech seueral office apointed seueral ministers to atteÌ„d MoÌ„strous therfore most vngodly is that commission where both these estates offices are mingled coÌ„founded in one AntichristiaÌ„ beastlike is that person that sitteth as chiefe of this CoÌ„mission exerciseth both ciuile ecclesiastical iurisdiction by the coÌ„mandement of any mortal creature yt being so directly repugnant to the lawes of God and the TestameÌ„t of Christ so pernitious to the Church of Christ vtterly peruerting diuerting al the ordinances therof subuerting the whole libertie powers censures duties of the whole Church and of euerie meÌ„ber minister therof Euil theÌ„ may this mixt coÌ„fuse ecclesiastical high CoÌ„mission be coÌ„pared vnto or approued by this godly coÌ„missioÌ„ of Artaxerxes or this popish supremacie inordinate power ciuil iurisdictioÌ„ of this high Arch-Priest or Bishop by y â— person of Hezra who most painfully sincerely taught y e law of God most precisely practised y e same within the bouÌ„des of his calling most modestly faithfully behaued himself in al things as the scripture beareth recorde The 26 verse where the disobedieÌ„t the offendors are commaÌ„ded to haue due iudgment executioÌ„ according vnto the law of God qualitie of their offence caÌ„ by no common reason much lesse by any Christian iudgmeÌ„t be said to be coÌ„manded to be executed by Ezra his person The Priestes office as we haue said was to teach the law to exhorte al persoÌ„s to the obedieÌ„ce of the same but their office was not to erercise ciuile iurisdictioÌ„ or to execute ciuil iudgmeÌ„tes these were to be performed by ciuil magistrates Neither may these iudgmeÌ„ts of death eradication mulct of goods of bandes by
place and office of CHRIST shewing himself in the Church of God as God by changing the lawes and Testament of CHRIST and by bringing in new ordinances new ministery worship c. Reuel 13. Reu. 17. 12. 13. 14. 17. how Antichrist being thus exalted the Dragon should giue him his power his throne his great authority as also the Kings of the earth yea such Kings as had before burnt the whore with fire should giue vnto the Beast their power authority wherwith he should fight with the Lamb make wa◅ with the Saints opening his mouth vnto blasphemy against God and his tabernacle and them that d◅ell therin setting vp his blasphemous image in all pl◅ces c. Now as we haue by the light of Gods word in this litle y t hath beene s◅ied euidently found seene these Bi◅hops their courtes gouernment to be wholy antichristian vtterly vnlawfull but especially this their high court of Cōmissiō to be most blasphemous y e very throne of the Beast vtterly cōmingling cōfounding subuerting al Gods ord◅nances all estates and offices both of Church cōmon welth the whole liberty of Christians the power duties of the church so likewise if we by the same rules but as lightly examine measure the secret classes the ordinary set Synodes councels of ministers as they terme them selues which these Reformists now priuily bring in and would openly set vp they shall no doubt be found as new strange and antichristiā as preiudicial to the liberty of the Saints to the power right and duties of the whole Church and as contrary to the Gospell of our Lord IESVS CHRIST as these other what shew soeuer of former antiquity or of present necessity they may pretend And this if they be compared in the persons assembled and causes for which they are assembled and which they handle in the se◅ continued times place of their meeting in their order maner of proceeding iudgment in t◅eir decrees power vnto that perfect patterne of all christian councelles Act. 15. will forthwith appeare The persons assembled in these councels are only ministers al other Christians being shut out and allowed neither place voice or consent among them The causes for which they are assembled and which they handle not being doubtes or questions which arise in the Churches but al the affaires offices and duties of the Church that without making the Churches priuy wherfore they assemble or what they will t◅ere handle The time place of these councels they without the wil priuity of the Churches make setled continual permanent not leauing to the Church either the liberty when and where to keepe these councels or whome to vse in these councels The order maner of their proceeding and iudgment is first to choose erect amongst thē a Prolocutor Moderator or Iudg to gouerne order this action who whē they shall speake and when they shall cease c. where the matters being debated the greater part preuaileth and carri◅th the iudgment Their decrees are per◅mptory irreuocable most holy inviolable to be receaued embraced of all Churches without contradiction or scruple no power left to any Church to examine refuse or reuerse the same be they found neu◅r so contrary to Gods word but only either by the same councell or by act of Parliament in the meane while they all must practise obey these decrees The power of these councels is ouer all Churches persons causes doctrines to giue the right hād of fellowship as they terme yt or to send the bill of diuorce to ratifie or rei◅ct whome what they will This councel also executeth al the censures duties of the church as to make or depose ministers to censure excōmunicate c. To conclude as all these councels haue exercise power iurisdiction ouer the ch◅rch so are they in authority one aboue an other as the Synode aboue the Classes the Councell aboue the Synode to confirme abrogate or disanul whatsoeuer constitutions or actions the other ha◅h made Yea as some report vpon the e◅ormities abuse◅ y t did arise in these coūcels assemblies of Bishops were deuised erected these new strange orders degrees of Bishops Arch-bishops Patriarches Popes and all their substitutes courtes From which strange councels offices ministery courtes haue flowed forth and daily spring all these strange popish ◅ntichristian orders decrees innumerable diuises traditions daily innouations continuall changes in the worship of God all the proceedings of the Church of the whole Testament of CHRIST whiles men re◅t not in the wisdome councels of God but presume to be wise aboue that they ought to be wise some attributing vnto their Clergye as they call them others to the Prince others to the Church more then inough none yeilding vnto CHRIST that which is his due namely to suffer him to gouerne his whole Church by such officers and lawes as he hath in his Testament prescribed but rather in the presumption of their owne hearts they will set ouer him his Church such lawes officers or at the least assigne vnto him such lawes offi◅ers as they thinke best to accord and iudg most meet for their pollicie as though CHRIST could be a minister or mediatour of any other Testament thē of his owne or that any mortal men may alter change neglect or re◅ect CHRIS◅S Testament without his fearfull wrath heauy indignation for the same Wherfore seeing the whole church al the proceedings therof must be built vpon CHRISTS Testament seing euery ◅oule and euery action shalbe iudged by CHRISTS Testament seing nothing is pleasing vnto God or wil stand before the face of CHRIST that is found disagreeing to CHRISTS Testament seing also euē by this litle search superficiall view we haue takē of the present estate and pretended reformation of this their church of England all things appeare to be out of frame stil in the olde corruption and at the best but enclining to the primitiue ancient defections from CHRISTS Testament nothing being aright or according to the will of God amongst them seing we find all those scriptures that haue foreshewed of An◅ichrist his proceedings liuely fulfilled amongst them al the markes of that painted deccitful harlot the false malignant Church to be fownde vpon them as also all t◅e vials of Gods wrathfull iudgments to be powred forth vpon them and al their doings Finally seing God vouch◅afeth both to discouer and to call al men forth out of Babilon by proclaiming of his glorious Gospel and yet offr◅th more grace before he let fal the heauy milstone of his finall indignation vpon them al to grind them to dust and to presse them to the bottome of hel b◅ing ready to receaue all that come forth vnto him to esteeme guide and defend them as his deare children It behooueth al such in whome in any care of their owne saluation