presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his
by the fire are made to be in some sort greeted Gods how is not that God whereby they are made hot If lights illuminated be Gods is not that light which doth illuminate them God thou commest to the light and art illuminated and art reckened among the Sonnes of God c. If therefore the word of God make you Gods how is not the word of God GOD And indeed such must needes be the meaning of our Lord that the same word of the Father was incarnate and sent into the world because his Disciple Euangclist S. Ioh. 1. Iohn affirmeth him to be the word yea the word by which all things were made Reu. 19.13 and saith plainly His Name is called the word of God Reu. 19.13 and that indeed because when he himselfe was asked by some Iewes Ioh. 8.25 what art thou he answered From the beginning that viz. that word of God which I speake vnto you therein as also in diuers other places affirming and proueing himselfe to be from eternitie the very wisdom and word of God which he speake and declared vnto them and the same to be the Sonne of God and the promised Messiah which point though it be proued more at large by Scriptures and Fathers in another * Character of a Christian pag 25. to pag. 88. treatise yet may it not be wholly omitted here because ye see it is the only thinge for which he is accused before Pilate deliuered to death and euer since rejected by the Iewes and it is a shame for Christians to be ignorant in that principle which distinguisheth thâ—m from Iewes and wherein Iewes are to be conuinâ—â—d The things then that wee haue to proue at least breifely before wee come to the other part of his confession are 1. That the prâ—mised Messiah was to be the word of God and that way the King and Gonvernour of his people viz spiritually 2. That Iesus Christ was this word incarnate the true Messiah Whence theese things will follow which are in his confession that he is King of the Iewes and indeed of the Gentiles also that he had and hath a Kingdom that his Kingdom is not of this world c. as he confesseth before Pilate For the first It is said in the second Psalme Christ was to be the Sonne the Word Psal 2. I will declare of the Decree Law or Word the Lord saide vnto me thou art my Sonne Wherein it is spoken of the Decree or Word thou art my Sonne And so indeed el in the Hebrew is taken for of Gen. 20.2 Abraham saide of Sarah his wife she is my Sister And twise in another Chapter Iob 42.7.8 also 2. King 19.32 Others reade it more plainely thus I will preach the Law Decree or Word whereof the Lord hath saide vnto me thou art my Sonne That is of which Law Decree or Word the Lord hath saide vnto me thou art my Sonne And thus it is read in the translation appointed to be read in the Churches of England And indeed the very name Sonne is so â—endred by some vers 12. for that which is saide there Kisse the Sonne the Septuagint reades receiue instruction and the Chalde receiue doctrine as if they both saide receiue and embrace the word of God which is the Sonne of God Also Psal 7. where it is saide Iehovah shall iudge the people the Chalde readeth Psal 7.9 the word of the Lord shall iudge the people And indeed the Prophets Isaiah Isa 2.3.4 Mich. 4.2.3 and Micah doe plainly affirme as much saying The Law shall goe foorth of Zion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem And he shall iudge amonge the nations He that is he the word who indeede is the Arme of the Lord he shal iudge According to which our Sauiour saith Ioh. 5.22 first The Father iudgeth noe man but heâ—h committed all iugment to the Sonne the Father only iudgeth by Christ Rom. 2 16. and then sheweth who the Sonâ—e is Ioh. 12.48 saying He that reicteth me and receiueth not my words hath one that iudgeth him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word which I haue spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He shall iudge him in the last dâ—y Amonge which words there is an emphasis and a verrie gâ—eate proofe in the pronoune relatiue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which pointing out a verrie person and namely the person spoken of before proueth the word which he spake to be a person yea to be that person spoken of before August in Ioh. Tract 54. the one that should iudge Saint Augustine on theese words comparing the places together shewes they must needes be vnderstood thus and therefore concludes he hath sâ—oken hâ—mselfe he hath shewen himselfe c. * Idem Tract 41. And he is the word of the Father which he spake to men Wherein therefore Christ shewes that â—errie word which he spak to be the Sonne and that verrie woâ—d where of the Prophets prophesied The law shall goe forth of Zion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem And he viz. the same word shall iudge amonge the nations Act. 10 42. whereof Peter sâ—â—th It is he which was ordained of God to be the iudge of qâ—ick dead and whereof the Father himselfe saith I haue set my Kinge vpon my holâ—hil of Zion Psal 2.6 euen the word to whome in the next words he saith â—hou art my Sonne Isa â—1 4.5 of whome also he saith A law shall proceede from me and I will make my iudgment to rest for a light of the people My righteousnes is neere my saluation is gone forth and mine Armes shall iudge the people the Iles shall waite vpon me and on mine Arme shall they trust That is on my word on the Sonne as Psal 2. Blessed are all they that trust in him Therefore the Prophet speakâ— and praies to this person euen vnto the word of the Lord when he saith in the same Chapter Vâ—rs 9. Awake awake put on strâ—ng O Arme of the Lord awake as in the ancient dayes in the generations of old Art not thou he that hath cut Rahab and wounded the Dragon Art not thou he which hath dried the Sea c. to shew vs that as God made all things soe did all his great wonders by this person the Word which brought lice and locusts on the Egyptians Psal â—05 31.34 Which also was he that went before them into Canaan Exod. 23.20.21 chap. 33.2 as Captaine of the Lords host IoshuÄ™ 5.14 This Arme is the glorie of the Lord which taking flesh should be reuealed Isa 40.5 and after pâ—t to death according to the flesh as the Prophet saith Who hâ—â—h beleeued our report Isa 53.1.2 3. and to whome hath the Arme of the Lord beene reuealed that is beeing incarnate for saith Isaiah He shall grow vp befo rt him as a tender plant c. that is he the Arme shall Cyprianâ— adveâ—â— Iudaeos liâ— 2. cap 1.
get the Appealers booke called in but soe fauourablâ— as the like was neuer seene men must bringe them to the Bishops of â—uerie Diocesse or to theire Chauncellors or to the Chancelors or Vicechancelors of the vniuersities which they knew few oâ—none would doe for who would bringe any to the Appealer himselfe or to B. White and such others to burne them as we 〈◊〉 both Iudges and parties in the cause which made men say it 〈◊〉 longe eare this came and then this was not to suppresse a booke Whereas when any booke hath but neuer so litle touched theire owne glorie or ceremonies what exceeding dilligence hath beene vsed for suppressing it as that of the originall of Idollatries wherein if it were grauted that it was vniustly fathered on Causabon that there was somwhat in it that seemed to make against some of the constitutions rites and ceremonies of the Church of England that the same rites are all tollerable yet how litle is there in that booke that maketh against any of them nauertheles what greate zeale and care was vsed in suppressing of it a most dilligent search was made through the whole companie of the Stationers for them the printer was examined what number were printed he for whome they were printed was examined to what Stationers he deliuered of them how many each man had and they were examined to whome they were sold that soe they might be fetched from the buiers all with such exact care and dilligence that if it had beene the most blasphemous hereticall dangerous booke that euer was published more could hardly haue beene donne to suppresse it Wherein yet if any thinge did touch any rite or ceremonie that was but against things which themselues confesse to be indifferent not matters of faith saluation yet ô the zeale but all this was for theire owne Hierarchie constitutions they fight not soe eagerly against Pelagian and Popish errours which are against the Scriptures in matters of faith and saluation and indeede exceedingly against Gods Kingdom and the Word of his grace the Appealers bookes were not searched for at all when they were called in but euen in the Parliament time to be sold in euery booke sellers shop that would and soe were other Popish Aaminâ—an bookes as the Stationers proued in Parliament and that they licenced and let passe theese but would not license such as in defence of the Truth were written against them that in others they put out whole pages wâ—itteÌ„ to shew the vtillity and necessity of preaching and hearing as in Doctor Maiers booke All which things are soe apparent that both in Parliament elswhere men haue cried out there is trecherie vsed in Religion and towards the Kingdom of God As also because the tenets of theese Seducers haue beene soe weake and stubble like 1. Cor. 3.12.13 Ier. 23.29 vnable to endure the fierie triall of Gods Word that when the Parliament hath approched then they haue laboured by all the pretexts that could be inuented to get it dissolured or adiourned if not then they seeke protection and pardon and when the â—owse haue complained of them then they hide theire heads and labour to haue theire tenets and practises past ouer in silence at least by caring or helping with others that the howse may haue worke enough fesides to defend theire priueleidges and throw out the bones cast in to breede diuision and beget some pretexts of accusing them to theire Prince of maleuolence and sedition and of vrging the necessity of dissoluing that assemblie all which they neither neded nor would seeke if theire doctrines were Christs and according to the Scriptures for then they would boldly and with * Zelus cum in bono accipitur est quideÌ„ fernor animi quo mens relicto humano timore pro defensione veritatis accenditur Alcuinus Aquin. in Ioan. Zeale maintaine them against Parliament and all the world But while they then willingly admit noe dispute nor appeare publikely to maintaine theÌ„ by the Scriptures fearing that the verrie Articles should proue them Apostates appeale to Bishops and others brought by the late Duke his to fauour the same opinions or conniue at them and labour by pretences of auoiding curious disputes and other deuises and shifts that theire tenets may not be then examined iudged and tried vnlesse by men made for theire partie according to the pollecie of the Trent Fathers it euidently shewes the badnes of theire cause that they doe not as they are willed Pro. 23.23 Buy the Truth but sell it for a litle preferment for a buble of honour and that they blinde the eyes of the wise that such buiers and sellers are not conuinced punished cast out of the Church * Mystice quotidie Deus spiritualiter suam ecclesiam intrat qualiter vbi vnusquisque conuersetur attendit caueamus ergo ne in ecclefia Dei fabulis vel rifibus vel odâ—is vel cupiditatibus vacemus ne improuisos veniens nos flagellat de ecclesia sua eijâ—iat Idem Ibid. God seeth this and that they doe not like his Seruants with the weapons of theire warefare cast downe theese stronge holds of Hereticks exalted against the knowledge of God and Kingdom of Christ Soe that he may now againe complaine and say My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight some with the sword of the Spirit others with theire Lawes and authorities that I should not be deliuered in my person as I am the Truth nor in my members as they are of it to Pelagians or Demipelagians and Popelings and so by degrees to the grand Antichrist of Rome neither would theese be made such slight matters as they are in theese dayes as if it were enough that men are permitted to preach charitie patience temperance humiliation penitence mercie and against carnall filthines adultrie pride murther coueteousnes and the like allowed euen in theese dayes to be preached in Rome and so were of old among the Arrians and other Hereticks and as if for theese Pelagian and Popish opinions and tenets of free will predestination certainty of saluation perseuerance and the like it mattered not to confute them noe nor other points of Poperie but were better to forbid them as curious and vnnecessary disputes and commaund peace and vnion in theese points whereby the buisie practising Papists and Arminians are sure to get ground and strength whereas if theese reasons were sound as much might be saide for those Popish points of iustification by works the reall presence the church can not erre and such others beeing all pits that should be discouered least men fall into them and amonge Papists matters of faith and saluation but the others are so indeede and highly concerne Gods Kingdom and the glorie of his grace therefore preaching of them or writing to keepe men form errours contrarie to them and stablish men in the Truth may not be
some such as it is For first for gaine or preferment they will obscure betray sell Christ the Truth yea fight against him with errours and arguments wrest the Word to theire eronious tenets that is in effect to proue him errour and his father a liar like mercenarie Souldiers that will fight of that side which giues them most pay and then they haue wisdom to get greate ones of theire side to hinder others from confuting them and to keepe the people from knowledge that so they also may fall the sooner to theire partie and by theese things to deale trecherously with God as also by peruerting the Articles to make if they could theire mother an adultresse and the present Church of England as adulterous in Religion as themselues to extenuate the heinousnes of Poperie to draw our Religion neerer to it and thereby to get the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and Vniuersities by seditious whisperings to alienate the heart of the Prince from his most Religious and Truth seeking Subiects to get Parliaments dissolued and so ouerthrow a cheife remedie vnder God to deuide a Kingdom at vnitie in it selfe to fire all soe they may but get theire Princes fauour to rule for theire owne times and by all theese things to throw Churches Kingdoms and States into destruction to prouoke God to powre out his plauges vpon vs If this be theire wisdom and discretion surely it is not sapere adsobrietatem Iam. 3.15.17 it comes not from aboue it is not pure peaceable but earthly sensuall and deuilish But they haue one point of wisdom more to shew if not by all theese yet at least by stopping theire owne eares and other mens also what they can against the voice of the charmer by disputing and fighting against the Truth that they are not of the Truth nor of his Kingdom but of a contrarie that they ranne gredily after the errour of Balaam for reward and will perish in the gainsaying of Core vnlesse they repent Iude 11. For Christ saith Toleâ— in Ioan. 18. Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet. Therefore the Iewes beleeue not me not because I speake not true things but because they are not of the Truth It is a like saying Joh. 3. he that doth truth commeth to the light Rom. 2. 2. Thes 1.7.8 But to them that are contentious and doe not obey the Truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath Which indeede they will finde when Christ commeth taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell who shall be punished with euerlasting destruction c. Reu. 14.9.10.11 vers 12. As is saide to those his enemies that would not that he should raigne ouer them and to them that receiue the marke of the Beast and worship him and his Image in receiuing and obeying for doctrines theire commandements and traditions as they would haue all doe or suffer for refusing theÌ„ a greate triall therefore it is there added Here is the patience of the Saints Character of a Chrâ—stian pag. 282. 292. Here are they that keepe the coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts of God the faith of Iesus They that are theires heare theÌ„ * but they that are Christs will in matters of faith saluatioÌ„ only heare him as he saith Euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice Augustine Aug. in Ioan. trac 115. gratiam commendauit c. He hath commended the grace whereby he calleth according to his purpose of the which purpose the Apostle speaketh All thingâ—s worke together for good to them who are called according to his purpose to wit according to the purpose of the caller not of the called He hath called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace without doubt noe merrits goeing before least grace should not be grace For if he bad saide Euerie one which heareth my voice is of the truth he should haue beene thought to haue beene named of the Truth because he obeieth the Truth He saith not this but thus Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice And hereby he is not therefore of the Truth because he heareth his voice but he therefore heareth because he is of the Truth that is because the Truth conferreth this gift on him which what other thinge is it then Christ giueing him the gift he beleeueth in Christ This he manifests against the proud and pestilent errour of the Pelagians which taketh from God the glorie of his free grace power in election calling conuersion c. And giues theese things to theire owne free will and Foreseene faith and works and by such disputes against the Truth proue that which they denie viz. that they themselues can not heare beleene obey the truth because it is not giuen them of God because they are not Christs as he saith Ioh. 10.26.27 Ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice that is because they are of me chosen in me Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God That is indeede because ye are not of Gods elect and so of the Truth 1. Ioh. 2.19 and called according to his purpose They went out from vs because they were not of vs Act. 13.48 Act. 2.42 vers 47. for if they had beene of vs they would haue continued with vs c. As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued Such continue stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine as is expressed there Such as should be saued Others that are not so of the Truth doe not only the elect and called as he saith Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet in Ioan. 18. vide ó Pilate quos audis contra me qui ex veritute noÌ„ sunt Tolet. Behold ô Pilate whome thou hearest against me those that are not of the Truth So indeede of Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks Christ may complaine and say Behold ô ye Princes and people whome ye heare against me 2. Tim. 2.19 Ioh. 10. those that are not of the Truth The LORD knoweth them that are his Christ saith I know my sheepe that is who are giuen me who shall heare my voice and who not Act. 18.10 Yet true it is that meÌ„ commonly iudge of the tree by the fruite and so that those are not of God who heare not Gods words likewise of others because they doe heare his voice they are of the Truth 1. Ioh. 4.6 and this is good and if not opposed to the former noe way amisse He that knoweth God heareth vs he that is not of God heareth not vs hereby know wee the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of errour For Christ is knowne * Ioh. 10.14.27 Character of a Christian pag. 329. of his and when they know the Truth the Truth maketh them free free from
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as
they require he in matters of faith and saluation keepe to the Scripture and so be of the Truth Those men therefore that slight or neglect the due preaching of Gods Word and the conuincing of Hereticks by it and insteade thereof so propose and extoll the booke of common praier and the Articles and constitutions of the Church of England that they seeme to haue litle or noe Religion besides A new sort of Scismaticks they are a new sort of Scismaticks some of which will yet be counted Pastors and Pillars far more against the booke of common praier and the Articles then any other for as much as others are against the ceremonies theese against the substance of Religion which they require others are against that forme of praier theese against the things principally praied for and enioined Psal 2. so against the Truth sealed in Christs blood which they also tread vnder foote count vnholy yea breake his bands and cast his cords from them by the geering scoffes they vse against preaching and conuincing Hereticks by Scriptures either in preaching or writing by hindring them and the slight esteeme they haue of them Yet like Hypocrits as if they would haue all as the cōpilers of the commō praier booke intended and as it should be 3. Sund. after East on Saint Iohns day in one Prayer they say God which shewest to all men that be in errour the light of thy Truth c. in another Wee beseech thee to cast thy bright beames of light vpon thy Church that it beeing lightened by the doctrine of thy holy Apostle Euangelist Iohn may attaine to thy euerlasting gifts on the day of Saint Paul That wee may follow fulfill thy holy doctrine which he hath taught of Saint Mathias Graunt that thy Church beeing alwaies preserued from false Apostles may be ordered and guided by faithfull true Pastors of Simon and Iude Graunt vs to be ioined in vnitie of spirit by theire doctrine of S. Andrew Graunt vnto vs all that wee beeing called by thy Holy Word may forthwith c. Also in an exhortation before the Communion they say If any of you be a blasphemer a hindrer and slanderer of his word c. come not to this holy table to the sureties of Children baptized to call vpon them to heare Sermons c. the Bishop at theire confirmation prayeth Let thy Holy Spirit be euer with them so leade them in the knowledge of thy Holie Word that in the ende c. Theese Prayers and sayings will rise in iudgment against many who extoll them vse them prefer them and yet minde nothing lesse them the things prayed for and desired in them but are rather against them and so against Christs Kingdom against his raigne who is the Word and who saith Luk. 19.27 Those mine enemies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. They therefore that scoffe geere at diligent preachers and hearers call them Puritans and despise them let them know Christs Disciples are commaunded to teach all Nations Mat. 28. to obserue all things whatsoeuer he commaunded them Ephes 4.14 that wee are not to be tossed to fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of me but following the Truth in loue to grow vp into him in all things who is the Head that the Scriptures make wise vnto saluation c. that He that turneth away his eare from hearing the Law Pro. 28.9 euen his praier shall be abhomination If he will not heare nor be willing that others should heare God in all matters of faith saluation God will not heare him that Christ saith against such reuiling and selfe conceited Pharises Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice and by consequence that such as they who make noe more account of it can not well be saide to be of the Truth Theese two last clauses of Christs bearing witnesse to the Truth and this conclusion of hearing his voice which he maketh therevpon are a large feild which for breuitie I haue runne ouer only pointing at some of the good seede and some of the tares Mar. 4.26 Mat. 13.24 which enemies haue sowed while men stept that so those that haue authority may see what is amisse at home and seeke reformation Which God knowes I haue not attempted out of any forwardnes to be medling in matters of this kinde but only vpon sight and sense of the wronge donne to my Sauiour and his Kingdom to my Soueraigne Lord the Kinge and to the Church and Countrie wherein I was bred by the Doctrines and palliated practises of close walking Popelings Arminians and theire Supporters many of them beeing disguised vnder the name of conformable Protestants and Welwillers of the Church and State Which droue me in silent sorrow to meditate on theese passages of holy Scripture Then finding that of our Lord to be true Ioh. 15.5 1. Cor. 12 3. without me ye can doe nothing Noe man can say that Iesus is the Lord much lesse proue it but by the Holie Ghost and so that I could neuer haue drawne so much hony out of theese flowers vules God hath beene with me I thought I must carrie it to the hiue though I knew that in this case I was like to finde that true Obsequium amicos veritas odium parit yet I might not aduenture the euerlasting punishment of an vnproffitable seruant Mat. 25.24.30 by burying this one talent in a napkin seeing it appeared to be Christs whose Confession and Complaint is here exhibited with proofes and consequences so following from the same that there needes noe further witnesse noe inquirie of the vnworthy and instrumentall Exhibiter for the conuincing proofes are Christs the conuinced and Delinquents well knowne by other Complaints that haue beene oft made against them if not to the Kinge yet at least to the High Court of Parliament wherein greate things haue beene offered to be proued and if a free speaking and hearing be not there permitted then if any should vnder colour of seruing his Kinge and Countrie be as false to both and withall to Religion at least for some secret loue to Rome as euer that greate fauorite Duke Edrick was Edrick Duke of Mercia See Speedes Chron. who sold both to the Danes yet men that could discouer them fearing that they should not be thorowly heard but rather imprisoned and crushed would perhaps hold theire peace till it were to late to helpe Which hath made men say the Kinges eares are so guarded by whisperers by preuenting and praeuaricating expositors of complaints that truth may despaire of an effectuall hearing God Almightie giue vnto the Kings Maiestie a heart to heare see and reforme what is most amisse wheresoeuer and in whomesoeuer the fault be To conclude to be of Truth is to continue in the Word and in all matters of faith and saluation to cleaue to it professing and maintaining it in the whole and in euery part of it which is to haue Gods marke in the forehead as on the contrarie to receiue and maintaine the Popish lawes and doctrine is to haue the marke of the Beast for thus a Christian is not only distinguished from a Iew but also from a marked slaue of Antichrist as ye may see proued in that litle booke called The Character of a Christian pag. 206.282.296 Saint Paul saith well Brethren marke them which cause diuisions and offences Rom. 16.17.18 contrary to the doctrine which ye haue learned and auoide them For they that are such serue not the Lord Iesus Christ but theire owne belly by good words and faire speeches deceiue the hearts of the simple 2. Tim. 2.17.18 For theire word will eate as doth a gangrene who concerning the Truth haue erred And therefore when Arminians or other Hereticks and prophane persons commaund and teach one thinge and Christ another the Pope one thinge Christ another the Church of Rome calleth for all mens obedience to her and Christ to all to come out of Babell Reu. 18. Iesuits and Popish Preistes call to Princes and States to serue her and Christ to serue her as she hath serued them to fill her double Some follow Seducers but ye heare what the Sauiour of the World saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice FINIS Faults escaped in the printing Pag. 1. for Euangelist reade Euangelists p.2.l.2 for mislender reade misvnderstood l. 23 for cheifs cheife p.3.17 for fo reade of p.6.l.29 for reckened read reckoned p.15.l.18 for tho read the p.19.l.13 for deser at read desart a p.21.l.27 for abonte re aboute p.23.l.35 for rebellions re rebellious p.32.l.19 for thas re thus.l.23.re.seditious.p.33.l.8 for thousand reade a thousand thousand p. 34.l.13.for meant re meane l. 35.for tough read though p.36 in marg re vniuersum p. 37.in mar re persuadere p. 41.l.34.for reuelt reuolt p.47.l.2 for greah rea greate p. 52.l.11 for Christs re Christ l. 22.re.committing p.53.l.9 for ofter re offer l. 3 for fiue limen re fine linnen p.55.l.17 for here rea heare p.61.l.4 for grauted graunted l. 28.re Armin p. 86.l.1 for honeur re honour p.85.l.35.re.beleeue p.88.l.5.rea Christianity Besides some letters that did not print so well off in the first sixe sheetes as in the Proofes