chosen and called by Christ to be an Apostle commissionated by him to preach but the present Ministers of England are not so as hath been proved So that this is not at all to the business in hand Object 6. But there are some good men amongst them and such as belong to God may we not hear good men To which briefly Answer 1. That there are some amongst the present Preachers of this day that are good men we shall not stand to deny Yet 2. We crave leave to say That they are all of them such as are sadly polluted and defiled by their Complyance in respect of their standing in the Ministry Antichristian whose teachings Saints have no warrant to attend upon 3. The greater hopes we have of their goodness the more cautelous should we be of encouraging them in a false way that they by our relinquishment of them and separating from them after we have discharged all other duties we are satisfied are incumbent upon us to perform towards them may come to see their sin repent and do their first works that God and we may again receive them 4. Yet the goodness of any as to the main is no warrant for any to hold communion with them or attend upon their teachings There are Brethren that walk disorderly whom 't is the duty of Saints to separate from that the very best of the Ministers of England do so will not be denied The Incestuous person 1 Cor. 5. was as to the main for ought I know a good man yet were not the Saints at Corinth to hold communion with him till upon his repentance he was again received 2 Cor. 2. 6. 5. 'T is utterly unlawful to communicate with a devised Ministry upon what pretext soever 6. So is it for any to partake in other mens sins as hath been proved but every usurped Ministry is the sin of him though never so holy a person that exerciseth it Object 7. But many Learned and Good men and such as in conscience could not conform to the Ceremonies of the Church of England have in dayes past and do now hear the present Ministers thereof To which we answer 1. That the greatest Scholars and most accomplished for humane Wisdom Parts yea visible Holiness have not been alwayes on the Lords side following him in paths of his own appointment but many times have been found the greatest Persecutors and Opposers of Christ the most stupendously ignorant of the Will of God in respect of the Truth and Work of their Generation of any persons in the world Witness the Scribes and Pharisees the Learned Rabbies and Profound Doctors of that day with what virulency did they oppose Christ and the Doctrine of the Gospel preached by him 2. That persons of as great Holiness and renown for Learning and all manner of Accomplishments as learned Ainsworth Cotton c. have been and are of the same apprehension with us in this matter Not to mention the Reformed Churches who generally renounce the Ministry of the Church of England not admitting any by vertue of it to the charge of souls as they speak But 3. To the Law and to the Testimony Isa 8. 20. if they speak not according to this Rule though Angels for knowledge and holiness they are not to be received or heeded One word from the Lord is of more weight to hearts made truly tender than the Example of an hundred Professors can be 't is possible these may erre be yea and nay but so cannot the Truth of God which is alwayes the same and will abide so for ever 4. The Apostle hath long since determined this case 1 Cor. 11. 1. Be ye followers of me as I am of Christ So far as Saints follow Christ I may and ought to follow them but no further So that the Learning Parts or Holiness of any that attend upon the present Ministers of England is no warrant for me so to do nor will ever be a satisfactory answer to that enquiry Who hath required these things at your hands Object 8. But the Magistrate commands us and ought we not to obey Magistrates Answer 1. That Magistrates have no power to command in matters of instituted Worship where Christ is silent or to govern in his Church is affirmed by many 2. The Commands of Magistrates when contrary to the Will and Way of Christ are not to be subjected to This case is long since stated and resolved by the Apostle Acts 4. 19 20. and 5. 29. and Spirit of the Lord breathing long before in his renouned Witnesses Dan. 3. 16 17. and 6. 10. nor is it denied by any that are sober or juditious Whether the hearing of the present Ministers of England be contrary to the Word of God the Will and Way of Christ we leave from what hath been offered to the considerate Reader to judge And shall onely adde what was long since asserted by Augustine in this matter who August do Verb. Domini Serm. 6. was herein fully of the same mind with us Sed timeo inquies ne offendas Majorem time prorsus ne offendas Majorem non offendes Deum Quid enim times ne offendas Majorem Vide ne forsan major sit isto quem times offendere Majorem certe noli offendere quis est inquies Major eo qui me genuit a an ille qui Teipsum creavit qui enim resistit Potestati Dei Ordinationi resistit sed quid si illud jubeat quod non debes facere timondo postestatem ipsos humanarum rerum gradus advertite si aliquid jusserit Curator nonne faciendum est tam et si contra Proconsul jubeat at non utique contemnis potestatem sed eligis Majori servire nec hinc debet Minor irasci si Major praelata est Rursum si aliquid ipse Proconsul jubeat aliud subeat Imperator numquid dubitatur in illo contemptu illi esse serviendum Ergo si aliud Imperator aliud Deus quid judicatis solve tributum est mihi in obsequio rectè Sed non in Idolio in Idolio prohibet quis prohibet Major Potestas Da veniam tu cancerum ille gehennam minatur He tells us plainly that such as fear to offend their Superiours should much more fear to offend God who is greater than all The Emperours and Monarchs of the VVorld threaten us with a Prison if we disobey them the LORD threatens us with Hell upon our disobedience of Him Object 9. But the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers for they convert souls which the Apostle makes the Seal of his Ministry or Apostleship Therefore it is lawful to hear them To this we say That the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers is absolutely denied by us what is offered in this Objection proves nothing 1. Paul makes not the Conversion of the Church of Corinth singly a sufficient Demonstration or convincing Argument of his Apostleship he only useth it as what was most likely to win and
Law-giver hath enjoyned to be observed touching the Orders and Ordinances of his House deny the Prophetical and Kingly Office of Christ Deut. 18. 18. Acts 3. 22. Isa 9. 6. But the present Ministers of England hearken and conform not to the Revelation Christ hath made touching the Orders and Ordinances of his House Therefore T is the minor or second Proposition that in the thoughts of some is capable of a denial but the verity thereof shines forth as the Sun in its brightness in the review of the Orders and Ordinances of the House of Christ appointed by himself and the present frame and deportment of the Ministers of England with respect thereunto Which of them have they not made void by their Traditions This is that which Christ hath said 1. That all power for the Calling Institution Order and Government of his Church is invested solely in him as the alone Lord Sovereign-Ruler and Head thereof Mat. 28. 19. 1 Tim. 6. 14 15. John 3. 35. Acts 3. 22. and 5. 31. T is upon this foot of account that Christ chargeth his Disciples not to be called of men Rabbi nor to call any Father viz. not to impose their Authority upon any or suffer themselves to be imposed upon by any in the matters of their God Mat. 23. 8 9 10. because one is their Master and Lord viz. Christ Hence also the Apostles lay the weight of their Exhortations upon the Commandment of Christ 1 Cor. 11. 23. and 14. 37. proclaim all to be accursed that preach any other Gospel Gal. 1. 8. yea though Angels from Heaven should they live and speak as such charge those to whom they write Not to receive any into their houses that bring any other Doctrine much more not to receive them as their Teachers 2 John 10. yea the Spirit of the Lord in the close of the last Revelation of his Will it pleased this great King and Lawgiver in such a way to give forth testifies That if any man shall adde unto these things the Lord shall adde unto him the Plagues that are written in his Book Rev. 22. 18. Do the present Ministers of England conform unto this great Institution in words indeed they do so But what meaneth the bleating of the sheep and lowing of the Oxen in our ears Do they not own other Lords Heads and Governors that have a Law-making power and would enforce the consciences of the Free-born Subjects of Christ over his Churches besides him What doth this less than evidently proclaim their disobedience and rebellion which is as the sin of Witchcraft against the KING of Kings and their rejection of his Scepter and Soveraign Authority over them But of this more hereafter 2. This great Prophet and King hath also revealed and proclaimed That 't is his Will that those whom he hath called by his Word should separate from the world walk together in particular Societies and Churches having given up themselves to the Lord and one another according to the Will of God for their mutual Edification and comfort in the Lord. The truth of this Soveraign Institution of Christ he that runs may reade in the Scriptures hereunto annexed 1 Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 12. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. John 15. 19. and 17. 6. Acts 2. 40. and 19. 9. Phil. 1. 5. Act. 2. 41. and 17. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 5. with many more In the proof of this matter we might be copious but that we study brevity The diligent Reader knows where to find this theam at large treated of by learned Ainsworth Bartlet Cotten Rogers c. How do the Ministers of England acquit themselves in respect of this Solemn Appointment of the Lord alas who sees not that they are in their practice at open defiance herewith have it in derision and contempt making no difference betwixt the Holy and Prophane admitting persons led captive by the Devil at his will that openly blaspheme the Spirit of the Lord and deride its effectual opperation in the consciences of men into their Society Are any too vile except such as truly fear God and desire to press after Holiness to be admitted by them into their Communion Is not their Church-State so unlike is it to the Institution of Christ a very Babel a Den of Dragons and Hold of Unclean-Beasts 3. That he hath entrusted them so called and united together with Power and given them Rules for the due and right exerting thereof for the carring on the Worship of his House to chuse Officers over them to act in the Holy Things of God for and to them of which more shall be spoken in its proper place to admit Members excommunicate Offenders c. all which we find shining forth in brightness in the ensuing Scriptures Act. 1. 23. and 6. 3 5. and 14. 23. 2 Cor. 8. 19. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. Do the present Ministers of England conform unto this Institution of Christ nothing less is there any thing like this in the whole oeconomie invented and practised by them do they not to the utmost of their power labour to break this Bond of Christ asunder cast away this Cord from them by stirring up the Magistrate to persecute by Fines Imprisonments Banishment c. the precious People of the Lord that desire to be found in the practice of this Law of Christ branding them with the odious names of Phanaticks Sectaries Schismaticks c. 4. That the Officers of his appointment are only such as these Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons Widdows or Helpers Who as they are in one particular Congregation so they have not any Lordship or lordly Authority over each other being all Brethren Ephes 4. 11. Rom. 12. 7. and 16. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Pet. 5. 1 2 3. Acts 6. 5. and 15. 2. and 20. 17. and 28. 21 28. 1 Tim. 3 chap. and 5. 9 10 17. This Law of Christ so clearly revealed in the Scripture they are so far from subjecting to that they have neither the name nor thing required by him therein Set up other Officers and Offices as if in open contempt and defiance of his Authority of which it may righteously be said He did at no time command them neither did it ever enter into his heart so to do 5. That these Officers be chosen by the common Suffrage of the Church of Christ and solemnly set apart by Fasting and Prayer this is evidently comprized in the ensuing Scriptures Acts 1. 15. and 6. 1 2 3 5. and 14. 23. and 1. 23 26. and 9. 26 27. In conformity whereunto we find the Saints for many centuries of years after Christ in the peaceable possession of this their Priviledge and Right Clemens in his Epistle to the Church of Corinth p. 57. saith Our Apostles also knew by our Lord Jesus Christ that contention will be about the name of Episcopal-Charge Therefore for this reason having received a full predetermination they constituted such as were fore nominated and in
thought had not bin own'd by any Idolater in the world viz. That Images are to be worshipped not as the representatives of the Deity c. and per accidens but properly and per se so as that they terminate the Worship Inter delicias uberis lateris Et dico si forte oculos super ubera tendo Diva parens mammae gaudia posco tuae Sed dico si deinde oculos in vulnera verto O Jesu lateris gaudia malo tui Rem scio prensabo si fas erit ubera dextrâ Laevâ prensabo vulnera si dabitur Lac matris miscere volo cum sanguine nati Non possum antidâ—to nobiliore frui Vulnera restituant turpem ulceribus mendicum Testa cui saniem radere sola potest Ubera reficient Ismaelem sitientem Quem Sara non patitur quem neque nutrit Agar Ista mihi ad pestem procul procul expungendam Ista mihi ad longas evalitura febres Ira vomit flammas sumatque libidinis Aetna Suffocare queo sanguine lacte queo Livor inexpleta rubigine saevit in artus Detergere queo lacte cruore queo Vanus honos me perpetua prurigine tentat Exsaturare queo sanguine lacte queo Ergo parens nate meis advertite votis Lac peto depereo sanguinem utrumque volo O sitio tamen O vocem sitis intercludit Natae cruore sitim comprime lacte parens Dic matri meus hic sitit optima mater Vis e fonte tuo promere deque meo Dic nato tuus his frater mi mellee fili Captivus monstrat vincula lytron habes Ergo Redemptorem monstra te jure vocari Ubera si reliquis divitiora geris O quando lactabor ab ubere vulnere pascar Deliciisque fruar mamma latusque tuis To which might be added as second hereunto the blasphemous poetry of Franciscus de Mendoza in viridario utriusque eruditionis lib. 2. Prob. 2. The usual ascription of Laus Deo Virginique matri Mariae in the close of their writings in which Divine honour with God is ascribed to the Virgin Mary is known to all Any ordinary Reader knows where to furnish himself with many more instances of the like nature equalizing if not exceeding in expression the greatest Idolaters that ever were in the world We judge it not necessary to stand longer upon this matter 't is beyond exception evident that that Assembly of men that are usually known by the name of the Church of Rome are Idolaters If there be any such in the world they are so 2. That the present Ministers of England act by vertue of an Office-Power from this Combination and Assembly of Idolaters they themselves will not deny Succession from hence being one of the best pleas they have for the justification of their Ministry which when they have proved that ever the Lord Jesus did entrust an Assembly of the greatest Murderers Adulterers and Idolaters in the world with any power for the sending forth Officers to act in the Holy Things of God to and for the Church his Spouse will be admitted but this they shall never be able to do So hugely importunate are some of them herein that they are not ashamed to ask us why Ordination may not be received from the Church so called of Rome as well as the Scripture To which we shall onely say that when it is proved that we received the Scripture from that Apostate Church by vertue of any Authority thereof as such somewhat of moment may be admitted in that enquiry but this will never be done 'T is true the Bible was kept among the People in those parts where the Pope prevaileth yet followeth it not from hence that we received it from their Authority as Ordination is received if we did why did we not keep it as delivered from them to us in the vulgar Latine so that of these things there is not the same reason It will not then be denied but the present Ministers of England act in the holy things of God by vertue of an Office-Power received by Succession from the Church of Rome and so from Idolaters that Church being eminently so as hath been proved 3. Nor can it be denied but they offer up to God a Worship meerly of Humane Composition as the Common-Prayer-Book-Worship hath been proved to be once abused to Idolatry with the Modes and Rites of Idolaters That the Common-Prayer-Book-Worship is a VVorship that was once abused to Idolatry being the VVorship of that Church whose VVorship at least in the complex thereof is so cannot with the least pretence of Reason be denied That the whole of it is derived from and taken out of the Pope's Portuis as are the Common-Prayers out of the Breviary the Administration of the Sacraments Burial Matrimony Visitation of the Sick out of the Ritual or Book of Rites The Consecration of the Lord's Supper Collects Epistles Gospels out of the Mass-Book The Ordination of Arch-Bishops Bishops and Priests out of the Romane Pontifical hath been asserted and proved by many Which might be evidenced if needful beyond exception not onely by comparing the one with the other but also from the offer was made by Pope Pius the 4th and Gregory the 13th to Q. Elizabeth to confirm the English Lyturgy which did it not symbolize with the Service of the Church of Rome they would not have done Yea when the said Queen was interdicted by the Popes Bull Secretary Walsingham procures two intelligencers from the Pope who seeing the Service of London and Canterbury in the Pomp thereof wonder that their Lord the Pope should be so unadvised as to inderdict a Prince whose Servive and Ceremonies did so symbolize with his own When they come to Rome they satisfie the Pope That they saw no Service Ceremonies or Orders in England but might very well serve in Rome upon which the Bull was recalled Not to mention what we have already minded viz. the Testimony of King Edward the 6th and his Council witnessing the English Service to be the same and no other but the old the self-same words in English that were in Latine which was the worship of England and Rome in Queen Maries dayes it 's evident that the present Ministers of England offer up a Worship to God once abused to Idolatry That they do this with the Rites Ceremonies and Modes * Maccovius loc com append de adiaph p. 860. saith Non licet mutuari aut retinere res aut ritas Sacros Idololatrarum sive Ethnicorum sive Pontificiorum c. etsi in se res fuerint adia Phorae quia vitandam esse omnem conformitatem cum Idololatris docemur Lev. 19. 4 27. and 21. 5. Deut. 14. 1. of Idolaters viz. such as are in use in that Idolatrous Church of Rome needs not many words to demonstrate what else is the Priests change of Voice Posture and Place in Worship enjoyned them not to mention their Holy Vestmentes Bowings
Brethren did formerly decry and at least seemingly abominate they judge they have just ground of Offence given to them Nor can it be denied but it is indeed so If it be yet further said Object 2. But if I do not go to hear the Preachers of this day many truly godly and sober Christians will be offended at my forbearance so that whether I hear or whether I forbear I shall offend To this I answer 1. That granting the case to be as is suggested though perhaps somewhat else upon a serious and strict search may be found to lye at the bottom of our Conformity beyond what is here pleaded I am very apt to believe were but a toleration granted 't is not the fear of offending any would cause our Conforming-Brethren to attend upon the Ministry of the present Priests of England Yet supposing it to be as is intimated we ask 1. Do you look upon your going to hear as your duty or meerly as your liberty if the first let it be proved from any positive precept of Christ and we are satisfied If the second you are bound by many solemn injunctions which are at least reduceable to the Moral Law not to use your liberty to Scandalize your Brethren Secondly Let both parties be weighed in an upright Ballance such as you judge to be offended with you for not hearing and such as are offended thereat I am bold to say That the last mentioned for Number Holiness Spirituallity and Tenderness do far surmount the former who will really be Scandalized at your forbearance Thirdly Let also the grounds of the offence on both sides be weighed the one are offended at you That you build not up in practise in a day of trouble and cause thereby the Enemies of the Lord to tryumph and blaspheme what in a day of liberty you did in your preaching and practise pull down and destroy The other because of your disobedience to what they are satisfied and you your selves once were God is calling you to viz. to have nothing to do with separate from this generation of men But Fourthly That 't is your duty especially if in a Church-Relation to meet together as a People called and picked by the Lord out of the Nations of the World in a way of distinction from them cannot be denied the neglect of which is charged by the Lord as the first step to Apostacy Heb. 10. 25. Be you in the practise of this duty and see what Spiritual Saint will be offended at you if any should you might have peace therein you doing your duty no just cause of Scandal is given Yet further Fifthly Consider on which side the Cross lies which the Flesh and fleshly interest is most opposite to whether in going or forbearing to go to hear these men and let that be chosen Usually that is the way of God that hath most of the Cross in it and the flesh is most strugling and contesting against But thus much of the seventh Argument Argument 8. That which Saints cannot do without being guilty of partaking with others in their sin is utterly unlawful for them to do But the Saints cannot attend upon the Ministry of England without being guilty of partaking with them in their sin Therefore The Major Proposition is clearly bottomed upon Scripture Psal 50. 18. Ephes 5. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 22. 2 John 11. Rev. 18. 4. which might be abundantly demonstrated were it needful Sure that God who commands me to abstain from all appearance of evil 1 Thes 5. 22. never enjoyned expects not that I should be found in the practice of what without sin cannot be performed by me The Minor Proposition viz. That the Saints cannot attend upon the present Ministry of England without being partakers with them in their sin will admit of a speedy dispatch Two things are briefly to be enquired into 1. What that or those sins are we suppose the Ministers of England to be guilty of 2. How it will appear that any person 's attending upon their Ministry renders him guilty of partaking with them therein Of the former we have already treated and proved beyond what any are able to say to the contrary That they are guilty of the sins of worshipping God in a way that is not of his appointment of acting in the Holy things of God by vertue of an Antichristian Power Office or Calling of opposing really the Prophetical and Kingly Office of Christ of using and conforming to Modes and Rites in Worship not appointed by the Lord that have been abused to Idolatry c. Nor is it denied by our Conforming-Brethren but with some of these things the present Ministers of England may be justly charged That they worship God after the way of the Common-Prayer-Book with Modes and Rites used in the Papacy cannot be denied Nor can their undue administration of that great Ordinance of our Lord Jesus of breaking Bread to all according to the form therein prescribed That they are Ordained and some of them Re-ordained by the Episcopacy is also known I ask are these things the sin and evil of these men or are they not If they are not why did not our preaching-Brethren receive the Ordination from the Bishops these received Yea why do not our half-conforming-Brethren attend upon the reading of the Service used joyn with them in the Sacrament of the Lords Supper as administred by them Doth not their absenting themselves herefrom abundantly demonstrate that they in their consciences are perswaded that 't is the sin and evil of the present Priests of England thus to act and from such a Mission in the Worship of the Lord As for the second That the hearing of the present Ministers of England is that which renders a man guilty of being partaker with them in their sin the consideration of the several wayes persons may justly be charged with being guilty of partaking with others in their sin will abundantly demonstrate the truth thereof To instance in a few particulars Then may persons justly be charged as guilty hereof 1. When they are found any way consenting with them in their sin Psal 50. 18. When thou sawest a Theif then thou consentedst with him and hast been partaker with Adulterers 'T is not the doing of the act that was done by these wicked persons that is here called partaking with them but a secret consenting with them therein 2. When they do that which hath a real tendency to encourage persons in their sin 2 John 11. Receive them not into your houses bid them not Godspeed for he that biddeth them God speed is partaker of their evil deeds 3. When they neglect the doing of those duties which the Lord requires at their hands for the reclaiming of them from their sin such are Watching over Rebuking Admonishing first privately then by two and in case of obstinacy and perseverance therein telling it to the Church which are duties eminently comprized in the ensuing Scriptures 1 Thes 5. 14. Heb. 3.
it being a Prophecy expresly relating to the Jews and their miraculous Conversion if there be no such thing as a National Church of the Institution of Christ as most certain it is there is not the Assertion whereof is wholly destructive of Gospel-Administrations Then 2. Whether National Ministers are the Ministers of Christ or whether there can be a true Ministry in a false Church as a National-Church must be if not of Divine Institution upon what pretence soever it be so denominated 3. Whether God doth not bear as much love to and exercise as much faithfulness over his New-Testament-Churches as over the National-Church of the Jews If so Then 4. Whether he hath not as of old he did with reference unto the then Church determined the whole of the Worship appertaining unto them to whose Institutions without any humane additions it s the duty of souls soley to conform Yea 5. Whether he hath not now as then designed the several Officers and Offices his Wisdom thought sufficient for the management of the affairs of his House so that the invention of new ones by the sons of men is not only needless but a daring advance against the Soveraignty Care and Wisdom of God over his Churches 6. Whether the Priviledges of Saints be not every way as great and extensive under the Gospel as those under the Law if so then Whether the solemn deputation of men signally pointed out by the Lord for the administration of holy things in his House by the Body of his Church be not now as then their peculiar Priviledge 7. VVhether any Church in the World we speak of a visible instituted Church hath greater security against Apostacy from God and that sore Judgment of having its Candlestick removed and being unchurched than that People of the Jews had if not then whether supposing a National Church to be of the Institution of Christ it may not so come to pass that it may be so over-spread with corruptions that it may lose the Essence of a Church and justly be disrobed of that appellation 8. VVhether the Ecclesiastick and Spiritual Rulers Governours and Officers of such a Collapsed Church may not righteously as of old be accounted and esteemed as false Prophets that go about to cause the people to forget the Name of the Lord or his pure Worship by their Lies or unscriptural Traditions Innovasions and Ceremonious Pageantries 9. VVhether Separation from such a Collasped Church in respect of its Worship Ministers and Ministry be not only justifiable but as of old the duty of the Lord 's faithful Remnant that desire to worship him according to his Appointments Yea 10. VVhether supposing a Church so called thus dreadfully as aforesaid departed from the pure Institutions of Christ never to be according to Truth a visible instituted Church of Christ and the Lord 's poor People living in the Nation never by their free consent Members thereof as it is on the pretended Churches part most unheard-of-Cruelty to compel them so it be not on the part of the free-born Children of God most stupendous folly and disvaluation of the Institutions of Christ and ingratitude to God for the Light and Liberty from the Yokes of men received imaginable to joyn affinity with it in Worship or attend upon the self-invented Ministry that appertains thereunto Many more Questions of the like nature and importance might unto these be added CHAP. I. The great care of Souls in their Accesses to God should be to sanctifie his Name Divine Institution to be heeded in the whole of our Worship The Question proposed That 't is lawful to hear the present Ministers of England denied one Argument proposed to consideration Nothing may be practised in instituted Worship but what is warranted by the Scripture The Testimonies of the Ancients produced That Hearing is part of instituted Worship proved THis is that which the Lord hath said I will be sanctified in all that draw nigh me and before all the People will I be glorified The great care of Saints in matter of Worship is to sanctifie the Name of the Lord therein This is the great thing that God looks at the omission whereof he often severely punishes the children of men for now in order hereunto it 's necessary that in all our approaches to God we see to the Institution of the Lord both in respect of the matter and manner of Worship that it be according to Divine Prescript else we cannot sanctifie the Name of God therein nor glorifie him before the people Hearing as was said and shall beyond contradiction in its proper place be evinced is part of instituted Worship it therefore more nearly concerns Saints than many are aware of to have their consciences resolved from the Scriptures of God in the matter under enquiry Whether it be lawful for the Saints to hear the present Ministers of England 'T is the Negative we have received under our maintenance because we are satisfied Christ hath so To the proof whereof we now address our selves Argument 1. That which there is no warrant for in the Scripture being part of instituted Worship is not lawful for the Saints to practise But there is no warrant in the Scripture for hearing the present Ministers or England and hearing is part of instituted Worship Therefore The major or first Proposition is evident 1. From the nature of instituted Worship which consists in this that it be of Divine Revelation else whatever it is it is not instituted Worship 2. From the Verdict of Christ who pronounces all the Worship of man to be vain and fruitless and so unlawful that is bottom'd on any thing but Divine Revelation Mark 7. 7. 3. If it be lawful to conform to any one part of instituted Worship without warrant from Scripture 't is also lawful to conform to another a third the whole which would banish instituted Worship out of the world 4. To assert that it is lawful to conform to any part of instituted Worship without warrant from Scripture reflects sadly upon the Wisdom and Faithfulness of Christ for either he was not wise enough to foresee that such a part of Worship was or would be requisite or had not faithfulness enough to reveal it though the Scripture compares him to Moses for faithfulness who revealed the whole Will of God to the making of a pin in the Tabernacle 6. It pours out contempt upon the Care of God over the New-Testament Churches as if it were less to these then to the Church under the Law and the Oeconomie of the Gospel as not so compleat as that of old the whole of whose VVorship Orders and Ordinances as was said was bottom'd upon pure Revelation 7. It carries with it a sad reflection upon the Authority of the Scripture as not thorowly furnished to make the man of God perfect 8. The Lord condemns not only that which is done against the warrant and direction of the VVord but also that which is done beside it
Deut. 4. 2. and 12. 32. Mat. 15. 9. Lev. 10. 1. their sin lay not in this that they offered strange fire which was forbidden but which God commanded them not Prov. 30. 6. Jer. 7. 31. 9. Of the same mind with us in this matter are the renowned VVitnesses of Christ in all ages generally all that write upon the second Commandment speak fully hereunto Cyprian in his Epist to Caecilius de Sacram. sayes roundly Et quod Christus solus c. i. e. that Christ alone ought to be heard we have the Father himself witnessing from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son hear him Wherefore if Christ only be to be heard we ought not to attend to what others did before us but what he hath prescribed Beza on Phil. 1. 1. sayes Episcopos igitur c. The Apostle meaneth by Bishops such as were set over others in the preaching the VVord viz. Pastors Teachers and Elders for so were Bishops of old called until he which for Polities sake did preside in the Assembly began peculiarly to be call'd Bishop hereof the Devil began to lay the first foundation of Tyranny in the Church of God Behold sayes he of how great moment it is to decline from the Word of God though but an hairs breadth So he To whom may be added the Testimony of that lively Witness of Christ Martin Luther †In a Translation of the New-Testament in Edward the 6ths time the Author of the Notes on Matth. 15. saith God will not be worshipped after the doctrine precepts of men but as he himself hath prescribed and taught us in his Word who sayes on 1 Pet. 4. 11. To the Office of preaching that properly belongs which the Apostle Peter prescribeth viz. unto whomsoever the vocation and charge of Preaching the Word is allotted let him speak as the Words of God which Caveat and Lesson ought most carefully to be taken heed unto that no man presume to preach and teach any thing whereto he hath not the express words of God for his warrant and except he be most certain that the same be directly to be avouched out of the sacred Scriptures Which being so what may be thought of the Pope we may add of the Hierarchy and his dirty Traditions And anon after he saith A Bishop ought to do nothing in the Church unless he be certain and sure of the warrantise thereof by God's Word for God cannot abide to have his Service jumbled and mingled at pleasure with every foolish gewgaw and light trumpery yea further saith he And therefore we are strictly forbidden not to rely unto nor to allow whatsoever decree or constitution the Bishops list to obtrude and enjoyn unless they stand upon a sure ground that the things which they do are allowed of God and unless they be able to say Do this for it is the Will and Commandment of God and we have his express Word and Commandment for our warrant if they be not able to say thus they ought to be accounted as Liars and Deceivers much less ought any Christian to yeeld unto them therein any obedience or subscription And afterwards There is nothing saith he so pernitious nothing so monstrous nothing so beastly as to go about to govern the Church of God without the Warrant of God's own Word Of the same mind is learned Whitaker We acknowledge saith he no Oyl in God's Service because we reade nothing of Oyl in the Scriptures can you shew that ever Christ or his Apostles used it To whom many others might be added The minor or second Proposition consists of two parts 1. That Hearing is part of instituted Worship one would wonder should it be denied however 't is evident it is so from the light of this single demonstration That in which we wait upon God in the way of an Ordinance for the communication of good beyond the vertue of any creature to conveigh to us is part of the instituted Worship of God for what I wait for not being in the thing it self in which I am waiting no ground can be assigned for my expecting of good through it but Divine Institution but in the Hearing of the Word we wait upon God in the way of an Ordinance for the communication of good beyond the vertue of any creature to conveigh to us Therefore 2. That Hearing the present Ministers of England is not warranted in the Scripture This will be manifested when we come to the ventilating and scanning of those places which are usually produced for the abetting of the practice of some in this matter in the mean while we crave liberty to profess that it is not opinionativeness singularity vain-glory uncharitableness or any thing of that nature as some are apt uncharitably enough to censure but the dread and awe of God who is a jealous God and especially in point of Worship and an holy fear of offending him that hinders us from complying in these matters could but one word tittle or iota be produced from the Scriptures of God for the warranting the Hearing the present Ministers of England we should quickly lay our mouths in the dust confess and bewail our guilt and folly in refusing to conform thereunto but this we are fully assured those that dissent from us are not able to do what they say herein shall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be sifted to the uttermost CHAP. II. A second Argument proposed to consideration That 't is not lawful to hear the present Ministers of England as Ministers of Christ nor as Gifted Brethren proved A Separation from them if Brethren evinced That the best of them walk disorderly proved Argument 2. IF it be lawful to hear the present Ministers of England 't is lawful to hear them either as Ministers of the Gospel or as gifted Brethren But 't is not lawful to hear them either as Ministers of the Gospel or as Gifted-Brethren Therefore The major or first Proposition will not be denied That Christ hath appointed some as Ministers by vertue of an Office-power to dispense the Ordinances of the Gospel until his second coming is granted by all that 't is permitted to others as their liberty enjoyned them as their duty having received Gifts and Enablements from the Lord thereunto to improve those Gifts in preaching praying c. for the Edification of the Body of Christ though not solemnly invested into Office is assented unto at least by some of those with whom we have to do whence a lawfulness to hear them as Ministers or as Gifted-Brethren doth necessarily arise 'T is the minor or second Proposition that is capable in the thoughts of some of a denial which we prove per partes thus 1. 'T is not lawful to hear them as Ministers of the Gospel they are not such therefore may not be heard as such That they are not Ministers of the Gospel but Thieves and Robbers is manifest Such as come not in by the Door which is Christ Joh. 10. 9. viz. by
vertue of any Authority derived to them from him are not Ministers of the Gospel but Thieves and Robbers Joh. 10. 1. from whom 't is the property of the Sheep to flee ver 4. But the present Ministers of England come not in by the Door Therefore That they come not in by the Door viz. by vertue of any Authority derived to them from Christ is evident If they have received any such Authority or Commission from him they have received it either mediately or immediately the latter will not be asserted nor without the working of Miracles should it so be would it to the world's end be made good 'T is the former must be fixt upon viz. That they have received their Authority or Commission mediately from Christ but to as little purpose for those that receive Authority to preach the Gospel mediately from Christ have it from some particular instituted Church of Christ to whom power is soley delegated for the electing of their own Officers according to the tenour of the ensuing Scriptures Acts 6. 5. 14. 23. These men as it 's known have no such Authority pretend not to it have it in derision come barely with a Presentation from a Patron and Ordination Institution and Induction from a Lord-Bishop things forreign to the Scripture and impose themselves upon the people whether they will or no. 2. 'T is not lawful to hear them as Gifted-Brethren 1. The most of them are not gifted nor 2. Brethren being Canonical-Drunkards Swearers Gamsters c. 3. The best of them cannot by Saints in respect of Gospel-communion be so accounted for 1. There was never any giving up of our selves each to other according to the will of God and primitive Example whence such a Brotherhood doth result 2. We cannot as things stand perform the duties of Brethren to them according to Mat. 18. nor will they or can they in the state in which they stand to us 3. If we acknowledge the best of them for such we must also acknowledge the worst of them for 1. They are all Members of the same Church 2. Profess themselves to be one Brotherhood so sayes their Rime upon the Lord's Prayer Our Father which in Heaven art And mak'st us all one Brotherhood c. Nay 3. we cannot so acknowledge them but we must also acknowledge the Bishops for our Reverend Fathers for theirs they are which how abhorring it is to any tender enlightned soul may easily be conjectured But to hear this Plea speak its uttermost let it be granted they are Brethren and may be so esteemed They are Brethren that walk disorderly or they do not That they walk disorderly cannot be denied by such as pretend to Reformation If submitting to Ordination or Re-ordination by a Lord Bishop covenanting and protesting with detestation against a Reformation according to the Scripture and the best Reformed Churches to own as consonant to Scripture a Lyturgy or stinted Forms of Prayer in the Church and read them to wear the Surplice c. be disorderly walking they are the very best of them beyond contradiction to be reputed in the number of disorderly walkers And so after due admonition according to the Scripture and a perseverance in their sin to be separated from by vertue of positive and express Precepts of Christ Mat. 18. 2 Thess 3. 6. Now we command you Brethren in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that you withdraw your selves from every Brother that walketh disorderly and not after the tradition he received of us With what vehemency authority and holy earnestness doth the Apostle press separation from Brethren that walk disorderly We command you and we command you in the Name of the Lord Jesus and we command you Brethren by vertue of our relation to each other and that love and endearment that is betwixt us as Brethren that you withdraw your selves c. I scarce know any one thing pressed by the Apostle with greater vehemency than what is here instanc'd in wherein we have also an undeniable convincing Argument that the persons of whom we are treating walk disorderly Those that walk not after the tradition received from the Apostles we may adde and the Primitive Church for above three hundred years after Christ but according to the traditions of the old Bawd and Strumpet of Rome are such as walk disorderly But the present Ministers of England walk not after the Tradition received from the Apostles but after the Traditions of the Whorish-Church of Rome Therefore they are such as walk disorderly What Apostolical Tradition have we for stinted Forms of Prayer or Lyturgies in the Church did they frame any those that are ascribed to some of them are all spurious as hath been over and over proved for Surplice crossing in Baptism and many other gewgaws used by them if they have any Apostolical written tradition for these things let them produce it and we shall lay our mouths in the dust and for ever be silent as to a charge of this nature If they have not as there is nothing more certain they are disorderly walkers if the Apostles Argument be valid We command you to withdraw from such as walk disorderly But who I pray are these disorderly walkers how shall we know them they are sayes the Apostle such as walk not after the tradition received from us CHAP. III. A third Argument proving the unlawfulness of hearing the present Ministers of England produced That they act by vertue of an Antichristian Office and Calling proved Their perfect agreement with the Popish Priests in seventeen Particulars demonstrated That the Office of Lord Bishops is Antichristian proved The Testimonies of the Ancients produced Whence the Antichristianism of the Office of the Ministers of England is evinced An Objection answered Argument 3. THose that act in the holy things of God by vertue of an Antichristian Power Office or Calling are not to be heard but to be separated from but the present Ministers of England act in the Holy Things of God by vertue of an Antichristian Power Office or Calling Therefore The Major is evident For 1. The Power Office and Calling of Antichrist is opposite and contrary unto the Power Office and Calling of Christ Not to separate from such as act by vertue of such an Office-Power is to stand by and plead for Antichrist against Christ 2. It s unlawful to attend upon the teachings of Antichrist therefore upon the teachings of such as act by vertue of a Power derived from him 3. Christ calls and solemnly charges his upon the penalty of most dreadful Judgments to separate from every thing of Antichrist Rev. 18. 4. and 14. 9 10 11. 4. There is not a command in the Scripture enjoyning Saints to take heed of being deceived to try the spirits because many Antichrists are gone abroad into the World but is an abundant demonstration of the truth of this Assertion 5. The institution of Officers of his own by Christ to be continued in the
Benefices and betake themselves to some other of greater value A symmetrie with them herein is visible by the frequent practise of the Ministers of England 13. The Popish Priests though ordained to preach must have special Licence from the Prelates so to do So must the Priests of England 14. The Popish Priests are subject to be silenced suspended deprived and degraded by the Prelates as are the present Ministers of England 15. The Popish Priests are not of like and equal Power Degree and Authority amongst themselves but are some of them inferior to others herein as Parsons to Archdeacons Archdeacons to Lord Bishops Lord-Bishops to Archbishops So the Priests of England 16. The Popish Priests must be distinguished from other People by their Vestments as Surplice Tippet c. So must the Priests of England 17. The Popish Priests are tyed to a Book of stinted Prayers and a prescript Order devised by man for their Worship and Ministration So are the Ministers of England and that to such an one as is taken out of the Popes Portuis as hath been proved by divers That the Common-Prayer-Book in Edward the 6ths time was so you have his with his Councils Testimony for it thus they write As for the Service in the English Tongue it hath manifest Reasons for it and yet perchance it seemeth to you a New Service and indeed is no other but the Old the same words in English which were in Latine If the Service of the Church were good in Latine it is good in English How little different the Common-Prayer-Book now in use is thereunto they that wil take pains to compare the one with the other may be satisfied To these parallel particulars might be added sundry more wherein there is an exact symmetry betwixt the Popish Priests and the present Ministers of England but Ex ungue Leonem The sum of what we have been offering in this matter is this First Those Ministers that in their Names Offices admission into their Offices are not to be found in the Scripture are not Ministers of Christ act not by vertue of an Authority Office Power Calling received from him Secondly Those Minsters that in their Names Office admission into their Office are at a perfect agreement with the Ministers of Antichrist such are the Popish Priests acknowledged to be by those with whom we have to do are not the Ministers of Christ have not received any Power Office or Calling from him to act in the holy things of God But such as hath been abundantly demonstrated are the present Ministers of England Therefore these have received no Power Office or Calling from Christ and so are Antichristian Quod erat demonstrandum Secondly Those that receive their Power Office and Calling from a Lord-Bishop and act in the holy things of God by vertue of that Power Office or Calling act in the holy things of God by vertue of an Antichristian Power Office and Calling But the present Ministers of England receive their Power Office and Calling from a Lord-Bishop and act in the Holy Things of God by vertue of that Power Office and Calling Therefore The consequence of the major or first Proposition is manifest the Office of Lord-Bishops is Antichristian therefore those that act by vertue of a Power Office or Calling received from them act by vertue of an Antichristian Power Office or Calling That the Office of Lord-Bishops is Antichristian one would wonder should be denied in such a day as this after so full a demonstration thereof by many Witnesses of Christ who have wrote so cleerly in this matter as if they carried the Sun beams in their right hand especially that it should be denied by persons of Presbyterian and Congregational Principles if indeed any of them do deny it To prosecute this matter to the uttermost is not our present intendment the intelligent Reader knows where to find it done already to our hand and if after all that hath been said any through self-love or fear of persecution will herein be ignorant we might say Let them be ignorant But we shall propose briefly a word or two in this matter 1. That Office that is not to be found in the Scriptures of the institution of Christ but is contrary to express precepts and commands of his is Antichristian But the Office of Lord-Bishops is not to be found in the Scriptures is contrary to express Precepts Therefore The minor Proposition consists of two parts 1. That the Office of Lord Bishops is not to be found in the Scripture of the institution of Christ He gave indeed Apostles Prophets Pastors and Teachers Ephes 4. 11. of Pastors and Teachers we reade Rom. 12. 7 8. Eph. 4. 8. Bishops also and Deacons without the interposition of any other order we find 1 Tim. 3. 12. Deacons we have appointed Acts 7. Elders Acts 14. 23. those who are Bishops we find called Presbyters Tit. 1. 5 7. and those who are Presbyters we find termed Bishops Acts 20. 28. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishops but where the Office of Lord-Bishops was instituted by Christ we are yet to seek indeed some appearances of a spirit striving to ascend into this Chair of wickedness was seen in Diotrephes and others in the Apostles time but these were the Antichrists that were then gone abroad into the world The Scripture before mentioned Ephes 4. 11. speaks as fully to the Officers and Offices instituted by Christ as any we meet with Fail they in their deduction of their Office from hence and they will undoubtedly prove succesless in their attempts Let us then fix here a little mention we find here of Apostles Prophets Pastors and Teachers none at all either here or elsewhere of Lord-Bishops But perhaps their Office though they are called by another name is comprized in some one or other of these let that then be considered Are they Prophets that in the sence of the Spirit in this place they will not pretend to Are they Pastors or Teachers this is too great a debasement of their Lordships their Parochial Priests over whom they preside are supposed to be Officers in that degree What then are they Apostles Their Successors they do indeed boast themselves to be and are so accounted by their Abbettors and so doth the Pope himself but how prove they their Succession from them if they derive it through the Papacy who sees not the invalidity thereof How lubricous and uncertain is that their Succession how do they therein proclaim their shame and yield the matter in controversie what clearer Argument that they are Antichristian if the Pope be the Antichristian Head over many Countries as is by the generality of Protestants believed and will not by themselves be gainsayed But in what sence do they pretend to be the Apostles Successors do they succeed them as Christians that is not the thing in question they stand or fall in respect thereof to their own Master herein we have no controversie with them as
Church of Geneva That the Hierarchie is devilish Confusion stablished as it were in despight of God and to the mocking and reproach of all Christian Religion The Seekers of Reformation in Queen Elizabeths time speak fully hereunto 2 Adm. to Parl. We have an Antichristian and Popish ordering of Priests strange from the Word of God never heard of in the Primative Church taken out of the Popes shop to the destruction of Gods Kingdome The names and offices of Arch-Bishops Arch-Deacons Lord-Bishops c. are together with their Government drawn out of the Popes shop Antichristian Devilish and contrary to the Scriptures Parsons Vicars Parish-Priests are birds of the same feather to whom might be added many others Object One stone of offence must be removed out of our way ere we pass on further it is this Though Lord Bishops are Antichristian yet it doth not follow that the Office and Ministry derived from them is so For they are also Presbyters and ordain as Presbyters Answ Give me leave to say That were not men resolved to say any thing that they might be thought to have somewhat to say we had not heard of this Objection For 1. That they act in the capacity of Presbyters in the matter of Ordination is false 1. Contrary to their own avowed principles their Lordships think it too great a debasement to be degraded from their Lordly Dignity to so mean an Office 2. Contrary to the known Law of the Land by which they receive power to act therein in which they are known and owned onely in the capacity of Lord-Bishops 3. Contrary to their late practice whereby they have sufficiently declared the nullity of a Ministerial Office received from the hands of a Presbyterie in thrusting out of doors several hundreds of Ministers so ordained Strange that it should be pleaded they act as Presbyters in the matter of Ordination and yet they themselves judge a Presbyterian-Ordination invalid But 2. What if this should be granted it would avail nothing except it can be proved that they are and act as Presbyters of the Institution of Christ which these being only in a particular institued Church of Christ will never be to the worlds end Thus far of the third Argument CHAP. IV. A fourth Argument proving the unlawfulness of hearing the present Ministers of England A twofold denial of the Offices of Christ asserted That the present Ministers deny his Kingly and Prophetical Office proved from their Non-conformity to the Orders and Ordinances appointed by Christ for his House Several Institutions of Christ remarked Their Non-Conformity thereunto manifested An Objection answered Argument 4. THose that oppugn or deny any of the Offices of Jesus Christ are not to be heard but separated from but the present Ministers of England oppugn and deny some of the Offices of Jesus Christ Therefore Before we come to clear the several parts of this Argument we shall crave liberty breifly to premise First That there is a twofold denying or oppugning of the Offices of Christ 1. Verbal and Professional Such was and is that of the Jews the Papists are not guilty hereof in words they own preach up plead for all the Offices of Christ as much as any So do also the present Ministers of England This is not then the denial of the Offices of Christ we implede them as guilty of 2. Real and actual when persons do that which enwraps in the bowels of it an impugning and denial of the Offices of Christ This the Romish Synagogue are eminently guilty of So are the present Ministers of England as shall we doubt not be clearly demonstrated in its proper place Secondly That a Verbal Professional acknowledgement of the Offices of Christ is nothing when contradicted in practice This the Apostle avowedly asserts in respect of the knowledge of God Tit. 1. 16. They profess they know God but in works they deny him And may congruously enough be applied to the matter in hand This as applied to the Combination and Synagogue of Rome some of themselves have long since acknowledged Whilst they profess Christ to be King and submit not to the Laws he hath prescribed in his Word they make him an Idol and put a Scepter of reed in his hand So some of their own But I interrogate What if a man should with the greatest earnestness profess and in the height of a confident Spirit aver That he were Born again of God Washed Sanctified in the Blood of Christ and by the Spirit of the Lord that he did receive and own Christ as his King and Lawgiver when I see this man at the same time walking in a way of Rebellion against Christ in open contempt and defiance of his Laws and Government subjecting to the Yoak of other Lords and Lawgivers Shall his Plea be admitted surely no! Quid verba audiam cum facta videam T is long since decided by Christ That False-Prophets are to be descried Not by their words they may speak like Angels cry Hail Master kiss him yet be False Prophets yea Judasses to him but by their fruits Let them profess a thousand times over That they own all the Offices of Christ if they are in the mean while found in the practise of those things that are inconsistent with the truth of such a Profession they are really Deniers and Opposers of the Offices of Christ This is that then we affirm in this matter 1. That those that do really oppose any of the Offices of Christ are not to be heard but separated from This carrying a brightness along with it that is sufficient to convince all except such whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded that its original is from God we shall take for granted will not be denied by a Professing Enlightened People though otherwise it were easie to multiply Arguments for its demonstration 1. To oppose Christ in any of his Offices bespeaks such as are guilty thereof to be Antichrists 1 John 2. 22. and 4. 2 3. 2 John 7. of the same mind with us herein is learned Beza upon the forecited Scriptures and none will surely be so inconsiderate not to say worse as to assert It 's lawful to attend upon the Ministry of Antichrist 2. To hear such is to strengthen and encourage them in that their denial of and opposition unto the Offices of Christ and thereby become partakers with them in their sin The thought of which cannot but be grievous to the poor Lambs of Christ. But this will not be denied 'T is the second thing may sound harsh in the ears of some as did some Sayings of Christ but if Truth where God shall give the seeing eye and hearing eare 't will be received viz. 2. That the present Ministers of England do oppose and deny some of the Offices of Christ viz. His Kingly and Prophetical Office which we come now to the proof of Argument 1. Those that hearken not to the Revelation Christ hath made and as Supream Lord and
walk by and therefore really disown the Kingly and Prophetical Office of Christ But perhaps to these things some may say These are but small matters good men differ amongst themselves herein To which we answer 1. That they are part of the Instituted Worship of God the Orders he hath left his Children to conform to hath already been proved to say that any part of the instituted Worship of Christ is a small matter is no small derogation to the Wisdom of the Lawgiver that gave it forth 2. What if it should appear that as small as these things seem to be they are the great Grounds of the late Controversies of God pleaded with Fire and Sword in most of the Europaean Kingdoms this may perhaps a little stay sober persons from so rash a conclusion that these are small matters A serious review of the late Contests of God in the Nations with the consideration of the Grounds and Rise of them will to persons of sobriety sufficiently evince the truth of the Suggestion 3. As small matters as these have been severely punished by the Lord he is a jealous God and stands upon Punctilio's if I may so call them in his Worship hence is that expression Ye cannot serve the Lord for he is a jealous God Josh 24. 19. What should I mention the case of Vzziah 2 Chr. 26. 16. of Corah Dathan and Abiram Numb 16. of Uzzah whose sin lay meerly in whose judgment was singly upon this foot of account his not seeking the Lord after the due order 1 Chron. 15. 13. God commands that when the Ark was removed it should be covered by the Priests that no hand touch it that it be carried upon mens shoulders Numb 4. 11 15. which Order was violated when they brought it from the house of Abinadab 't was Uncovered and upon a Cart after the manner of the Egyptians 1 Sam. 8. 7. for which breach of Order Vzzah is struck dead 4. As small matters as these when once commanded by the Lord are of that force as not only to deface the wel-being but to overturn the true-being of the Worship of God Take one pregnant instance herein The Lord commanded the Israelites by Moses to bring their Sacrifices to the place that he should chuse and offer them there which in it self was but a circumstance of place yet all the Sacrifices offered elsewhere were a stink in the nostrils of God and not accounted by him as any Worship performed unto him 5. But the Objection is altogether impertinent we are not debating the greatness of the sin but the truth of what is charged upon the present Ministers of England what we have mentioned are either the Appointments of Christ or they are not if they are as hath been proved the present Ministers conform to them or they do not if they do not as nothing more sure they conform not to the Orders and Ordinances Christ hath left his People to walk by which is the thing in debate and therefore really deny his Kingly and Prophetical Office As for what is added that good men differ amongst themselves in this matter it 's of no more weight than what went before for 1. 'T is not at all to the business in hand 2. 'T is possible good men may for a while do that which really enwraps in the bowels of it a denial of the Offices of Christ We shall not deny but some of the Ministers of England may be so in the account of God 3. That good men differ is an Argument of their Ignorance and Darkness which though in some cases it excuses a tanto yet not a toto it may alter the degree never the nature of the sin 4. 'T is false that good men pressing after Reformation and the restitution of the Worship of God according to the Primitive Pattern do differ touching the substance of the things instanc'd in Were but the pride and passion of mens spirits a little more allaied and they disentangled more from their selfish interests a greater harmony would appear amongst them in these matters But 5ly as was said The particulars instanc'd in are commanded by Christ or they are not if they are as hath been proved doth it in the least discharge persons that conform not to them from the charge they are impleded as guilty viz. Non-conformity to the Laws of Christ that good men differ in these matters i. e. some good men transgress the Laws of Christ which is sure no part of their goodness nor any warrant to justifie me in the doing of what may strengthen their hands in such a Non-conformity CHAP. V. A second Argument demonstrating that the present Ministers of England deny the Prophetical and Kingly Office of Christ That they own submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances that are not of Christ's revealing proved by the induction of 14 Particulars An Objection answered That they own Laws and Institutions contrary to the Institutions of Christ proved by the induction of 10 Particulars A 3d Argument proving their denial of the Offices of Christ produced That there is no other Head of the Church but Christ proved Objections answered THat the Ministers of England deny the Kingly and Prophetical Offices of Christ and therefore are not to be heard but separated from hath been asserted and by one Argument proved in the foregoing Chapter To the further evidence whereof a few things more are to be offered in this Argument 2. Those who own submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances which not only are not of Christ's revealing but contrary thereunto do really deny and oppose the Prophetical and Kingly Office of Christ But the present Ministers of England do own submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances that are not only not of Christ's revealing but contrary thereunto Therefore The major or first Proposition is beyond exception If an owning submitting and subscribing to Orders and Ordinances that are not onely not of Christ's revealing but contrary thereunto be not a denial of his Kingly and Prophetical Office I must profess I know not what is Suppose the Chief Magistrate or Magistrates of a Nation should give forth a Declaration of their will touching this or that other concern were not persons Non-conformity thereunto supposing it to be what lies within the verge of their Authority and power to command and may righteously be exacted of them whose Conformity is thereunto required a silent opposition of their Authority but should any presume to give forth Laws of their own without the least stamp of Authority upon them yea contrary unto the Statutes and Declarations of their Governours would not all conclude that these persons and their Abettors were guilty of Rebellion against their Rulers and did really deny the lawfulness of their Authority This is the present case if men shall be found traversing paths in the possession and practice of Orders and Constitutions that are forreign to the Edicts of Christ yea contrary thereunto shall we not as
rationally conclude that these persons are really opposers of his Soveraign Authority and Government doubtless so 'T is the minor or second Proposition that may be under suspition amongst some viz. That the present Ministers of England the very best of them do own submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances that are not only not of Christs revealing but contrary thereunto In which two things are incumbent upon us to prove 1. That the present Ministers of England do own submit and subscribe to Orders and Ordinances that are not of Christ's revealing This being a charge as to matter of Fact the production of a few Particulars that lie near at hand for its confirmation will give it a speedy dispatch 1. They own submit and subscribe to the Orders and Offices of Archbishops Bishops Deans Arch-Deacons Eccles Canons Can. 7. with many others appertaining unto this Hierarchie as Orders needful and necessary in the Church of Christ and promise subjection and obedience unto them 2. They own and submit Can. 4. to a Lyturgy or Prescript form of Worship devised by men and imposed solely by their Authority to which they tie themselves neither diminishing nor adding any thing in the matter or form thereof 3. They own submit engage to conform to all the Orders Rites and Ceremonies prescribed in the said Book of Common-Prayer Can. 36. such as bowing at the Name of JESUS using the Cross in Baptism kneeling at the Lords Supper which though we do not some would say smells very strong of the Popish Leven and is but one peg beneath the adoration of their Breaden-god wearing the Surplice c. 4. They own that the Office of a Deacon is the first step or degree to the Ministry Can. 32. 36. to which they are to submit and subscribe before they are made Priests 5. That no person be admitted to expound the Scripture though judged worthy of the Cure of Souls as they speak Can. 49. without License from the Bishop thereunto 6. That there be some lawful Ministers which are no Preachers Can. 49. 57. 7. That these unpreaching Ministers Can. 57. may lawfully administer the Ordinances of Baptisme and the Lord's Supper 8. That persons refusing to have their Children Baptised by such dumb Ministers or receive the Communion from them worthily deserve Excommunication if they shall persist herein Can. 57. 9. That Confirmation by Diocesan Bishops is an Ordinance of God Can. 60. 10. That it appertains to the Office of Ministers to Marry Can. 62. 11. That the Bishop of the Diocess may lawfully for a while suspend a Minister from his Ministry for refusing to Bury the Dead Can. 68. 12. That 't is not lawful for Ministers to preach or administer the Communion in private houses except in times of necessity Can. 71. 13. That no Minister may lawfully appoint or keep any solemn private Fasts or be wittingly present at any of them nor hold any meetings for Sermons in market Towns or other places which if he do and persevere therein he may lawfully be deposed from his Ministry Can. 72. 14. That Ministers ought to be distinguished by their Vestments and Apparel as Gowns Hoods Tippets Square-Caps and in their journeys Cloaks with sleeves called Priests Cloaks Can. 74. with many more that might be added to which the Ministers of England are to subscribe and own as agreeable to the Word of God before their admission into the Ministry according to the 38th Canon Eccleasiastical Are any of these Ordinances and Constitutions of the appointment of Christ when or where were they instituted by him that these are posts set by the Lord's posts and thresholds by his thresholds of which the Lord complains Ezek. 43. 8. who sees not That the present Ministers of England do conform and subscribe hereunto cannot be denied and thence an owning subscribing and submitting to Orders and Constitutions that are not of Christs appointment is evidently evinced Object If it be said That though these Canons and Constitutions owned by the Ministers of England be not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be found in the Scripture of the Institution of Christ in so many words yet by consequence they may rationally be deduced from thence As where it is commanded That all things be done decently and in order 1 Cor. 14. 40. which 'tis the duty of the Church to make Rules and Constitutions about which when it hath done it is the duty of every Son thereof to own or subject to without questioning its Authority Ans That there is any thing of moment in this Objection though their Achilles in this matter and that which they are upon every turn producing is easily demonstrated The whole of it being built upon as uncertain principles yea upon as notoriously false suppositions as ever objection in so weighty a case was built upon 1. 'T is supposed that Christ hath not determined in the Scripture how the Affairs of his House should be managed with decency and order as well as commanded that they be so which is 1. No small derogation to the perfection of the Scriptures 2. To the Wisdom and Faithfulness of Christ debasing of him herein below Moses though the Scripture in this respect prefers him before him 3. Diametrically opposite to the Scripture instanc'd in which stands as a two-edged Sword to cut the throat of their cause in its approaches thereto for shelter Of which take this brief account The Apostle having in the beginning of the chapter prest the Church of Corinth to follow after Spiritual Gifts but especially that they might prophecy the liberty of the Saints therein being fully asserted and several directions thereabout given he condemns their disorderly practise in respect of this important Duty and Priviledge ver 26. and gives direction touching its regular performance and this he doth first generally ver 26. Let all things be done to edifying which with a little alteration he re-presses ver 40. Let all things be done decently and in order Secondly Particularly by telling them how they ought to manage this affair in a way of Decency Order and Edification wherein several Rules are comprized too long to be here insisted on as in cases of speaking in an unknown Tongue ver 27 28. of prophesying by two or three ver 29 30. of the duties of Women with respect thereunto ver 34 35. that from hence a power invested in the Church for the binding of the consciences of men touching ceremonies in Worship should be regularly deduced is the first-born of improbabilities and absurdities 1. Paul speaking by an infallible Spirit of Prophecy advises the Church of Corinth that all things be done decently and in order therefore persons that have not pretend not to such a Spirit may of their own heads bind our consciences by Laws and Rules of their own in the service of God 2. Paul doth not onely tell them that all things ought to be done decently and in order but discovers to them wherein that Decency and
Order lies therefore the Church hath power to determine in this matter are such Non-sequiturs as will not in hast be made good But let this be granted suppose that 't is the priviledge and duty of the Church to make Laws and Constitutions for the binding of the consciences of men in matters of Decency and Order this Church herein is bounded by the Scripture or it is not If it be †Learned Maccovius in loc com cap. 83. p. 851. sayes Leges secundum quas judicare debent rectores Ecclesiae sunt leges in verbo Dei praescriptae The Laws he tells you by which the Governours of the Church are to judge are such as are prescribed in the Word of GOD. bounded by the Scripture then when it hath no prescription therein for its commands it s not to be obeyed and so we are where we were before that Decency and Order is to be determined by the Scripture If it be not bounded therby then whatever Ceremonies it introduceth not directly contrary thereunto they must be subjected to which how fair an inlet it is to the whole Farago of Popish Inventions who sees not yet were this also yielded them they were never a jot nearer the mark aimed at except it can be proved that supposing a power of introducing Ceremonies to be invested in the Church thence a power for the institution of new Orders and Ordinances the introducing of Heathenish Jewish and superstitious practices in the Worship of God may be evinced And yet should all this be yeelded them none of which will they be able to prove to the worlds end how will they manifest those Lordly Commands and Constitutions are the Constitutions of a truly-constituted Church of Christ a strong supposition hereof is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the present Objection and yet fail they in the making good their ground herein who sees not that their plea hitherto impleaded sinks of it self what is it then they mean by the Church whose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 we are without disputing to subject to is it the National Church of England But where find they any National-Church of the institution of Christ in the Oeconomie of the Gospel how prove they that the Church of England is so Yet should this also be granted where are the Constitutions and Laws of this Church that we may pay the homage to them as is meet when was it assembled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the same place together in its several Members freely to debate 1 Cor. 11. 20. 14. 23. and †Maccovius in loc com append de Adi p. 861. sayes Conditio tertia quae requiritur in adiaphoris est haec quod haec non debeant introduci in Ecclesiam nisi communi consensu Ecclesiae Acts 15. Things indifferent he tells you ought not to be introduced into the Church but by the common consent thereof according to Acts 15. determine what Laws and Constitutions were fit to be observed by them If it be said That this is not requisit it is enough that it be assembled in its several Officers or such as shall be chosen by their Officers whose Laws every Member is bound to be obedient to We answer But these Officers are the Church or they are not if they are not as there is nothing more sure I owe no subjection to their Laws or Constitutions it being pleaded that 't is the Church that hath only power in this matter if they are the Church let them by one Scripture prove they are so or where the true Officers of a true Church are so called and as Nonius saith out of Naevius to them Dum vivebo fidelis ero Yet except this also be yeelded them there is nothing of moment in the Objection produced It remaineth therefore that the present Ministers of England submit own and subscribe to Laws and Constitutions that are not in any sense of Christ's revealing and therefore oppose the Kingly Prophetical Office of Christ But this is not all 2dly The present Ministers of England do own submit and subscribe to Laws Constitutions and Ordinances that are contrary to the Revelation of Christ whence an opposition to the Kingly and Prophetical Office of Christ may rationally be concluded This also by the induction of a few particular instances will be evinced beyond exception They own and acknowledge 1. That there may be other Arch-Bishops and Lord-Bishops in the Church of Christ besides himself which is contrary to 1 Pet. 5. 3. 1 Cor. 12. 5. Eph. 4. 5. Heb. 3. 1. Luk. 22. 25 26. 2. That men may and ought to be made Ministers only by these Lord-Bishops which is contrary to Heb. 5. 4. Joh. 10. 1 7. 13. 20. 14. 6. Act. 14. 23. with 6. 3 5. 3. That Prelates their Chancellors and Officers have power from Christ to cast out of the Church of God contrary to Mat. 18. 16 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 4. That the Office of Suffragans Deans Canons Petty-Canons Prebendaries Queristers Organists Arch-deacons Commissaries Officials Parsons Vicars and Curats are lawful and necessary to be had in the Church evidently contrary to 1 Cor. 12. 18 28. Rom. 12. 7. Eph. 4. 11. The Officers instituted by Christ are sufficient for the edification and perfecting of the Saints till they all come unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ ver 12 13. in what sense the fore-mentioned being not one of them of the institution of Christ may be owned as lawful or necessary without an high contempt of the Wisdom and Soveraignty of Christ cannot by such dull persons as my self be conjectured That any others see them any way useful to the Church of Christ may be imputed to such a sharp-sightedness as was that of Caius Caligula to whom when he enquired of Vitellius whether he saw him not imbracing the Moon 't was answered Solis Domine vobis Diis licet se invicem videre 5. That the Office of Deacons in the Church is to be imployed in publick Praying Administration of Baptism and Preaching if licensed by the Bishop thereunto Contrary to Act. 6. 2. Eph. 4. 11. 6. That the Ordinance of Breaking-Bread or the Sacrament of the Lords Supper may be administred to one alone as to a sick-man ready to dye which is diametrically opposit to the nature and institution of that Ordinance 1 Cor. 10. 16. 11. 33. Mat. 26. 26. Act. 2. 42. 20. 7. 7. That a prescript form of words in Prayer a ceremonious pompous Worship devised by Man and abused to Idolatry is according to the will of God and may lawfully be used under the New-Testament-dispensation contrary to Mat. 15. 9. 28. 20. John 4. 23. Deut. 12. 32. Jer. 51. 26. Rom. 8. 26. 1 Cor. 14. 15. 8. That wicked and ungodly persons and their Seed are lawfull Members of the Church and if they consent not willingly to be so they may be compell'd thereunto contrary to
men truly fearing God because they cannot conform to them How desperately are the hands of the wicked hereby strengthned So that none indeed doth return from his wickedness How rare a thing is it to hear of one soul that is brought over to God by all their preaching so that visibly that Judgment of God seems to be upon them ver 32. therefore they shall not at all profit this People 4. That they prophesie placentia smooth things according to the desires tempers and lusts of men to the pleasing of whom they addict themselves Jer. 6. 14. and 27. 9. Ezek. 13. 10 11. and 22. 28. What visible lineaments of such a frame of spirit are drawn upon the faces of that Generation of men concerning whom we are now discoursing Have they not been of all others I am now speaking of such as are look'd upon by Professors as men of the greatest parts and holiness the most ready to strike in with preach up and plead for what was most suitable unto the spirits of such upon whom they have had a dependance 'T were indeed well for them could they in their present standing and practise acquit themselves from that sore crime of seeking to please men which if they do they cannot be the Servants of Christ Gal. 1. 10. 5. That they are greedy Dogs that can never have enough and look every man for In a Translation of the N. T. dedicated to Edw. 6th the Authour of the Notes on chap. 10. sayes We must preach the Truth with out any respect of reward or gaines They therefore that preach for their bellies sake or preach after the prescript of man are not the Disciples of Christ his gain from his quarter Isa 56. 11. seeking and serving themselves in their Ministration Ezek. 13. 19. Mich. 3. 5 11. That herein there is a perfect harmony betwixt these false Prophets and the present Ministers of England cannot be denied What means else their frequent Calls from places of less to places of greater value their gaping and greedy desires after preferment the vexations they put poor men to that cannot in conscience put into their mouths preparing War against them 6. That they sadden the hearts of the Righteous Ezek. 13. 22 What need I turn aside to make application of this to the Prophets of this day who that is serious doth not experiment the truth thereof in his own soul to see the Name and Ordinances of God prophaned the Ceremonies and Inventions of man subjected unto by such as pretend to be Ministers of Christ would make an heart of stone to bleed much more those whose hearts are made tender by the Lord. Those of our Brethren that as yet attend upon their Ministry will tell us they are troubled at their Compliance and Conformity all that look in the least after Reformation say they could wish it were otherwise so that this character also is visibly upon them 7. That they mix the Word of God with their * The Notes on Matth. 28. in the foresaid Translation are Here do all Preachers learn what they should teach nothing else but God's Word nothing else but that the Lord hath commanded them Not their own Dreams and Inventions Dreams Jer. 23. 25 29. So do the present Ministers of England as hath been proved 8. That they come in Sheeps cloathing having the horns of a Lamb but are inwardly ravening Wolves and speak like Dragons i. e. pretend to the Holiness and Meekness of Christ and Saints but are inwardly full of Raven and Cruelty yea terrible in their Edicts and Laws stirring up making use of the Powers of the world to persecute kill destroy the Saints Mat. 7. 15. Rev. 13. 11. which second Beast is no other than the false Prophet mentioned Rev. 19. 20. as might easily be demonstrated As face answers face in a Glass so do the present Ministers of England the False Prophets there spoken of Are not all the Persecutions Imprisonments Slaughters and Butcheries of the Children of God that the first Beast hath exercised upon the Saints for this 1260 years to be charged upon this Generation of men yea who do more eagerly press a rigid Conformity not only contrary to the Kings Declaration from Breda and others since published by him but also as is thought to his natural temper and the inclination and bent of his spirit though to the infringing of the Liberty the Banishment the taking away of the Lives of the Saints who love Truth and Peace and humbly beg That they may be suffered for the Tribute they pay as in the Dominion of the Grand Seignior they are in quietness to serve God according to their perswasions 9. That they put no difference betwixt the Holy and Prophane Ezek. 22. 26. Do not even the Ministers of England the same Are not All their dear Brethren and Sisters living and dead though Drunkards Swearers Adulterers and Adulteresses c. Are not as was said the Children of them all admitted to the Font and they themselves to the Lord's Table Is not the Childrens meat frequently given by them unto Dogs and the holy Ordinances prostituted to be polluted by the worst of men 10. That they exercise not pity to the weak broken scattered Sheep of Christ nor shew bowels in their recovery but with Force and Cruelty rule over them Ezek. 34. 4. One would think the former part of the chapter were rather an History of what is practised by the false Shepherds of this day than otherwise so perfect an Agreement is there betwixt their practice and this Prophecy of the Lord. They tell us 't is our weakness and distemper that we conform not to their Worship that we are persons gone astray VVe profess to them that we would not give way to Spiritual distempers nor stray one step from the wayes of God might we but know it we would thank any to convince us of our mistakes and reduce us to the true Sheepfold if we are gone astray Do they seek after us in a spirit of tenderness labour to convince us and carry us in their bosoms like tender Shepherds to the true Fold what less with force and cruelty they rule over us threaten us with Excommunications Imprisonments Banishments dispoiling us of what God hath graciously given us yea condemning us to Death in all which through the Grace of God we can rejoyce though they thereby abundantly demonstrate that they are the successors of the false Shepherds here spoken of VVhat should I mention 11. That they come up out of the Earth Rev. 13. 11. are raised up by men of earthly spirits and principles 12. That they exercise the power of the first Beast or make use of the Civil Power for their supportment ver 13. 13. That they make an Image to the Beast v. 14 15. i. e. erect an Ecclesiastical State of Government in a proportionableness to and resemblance of the Civil State 14. That they compel all under the penalty of
to communicate and God accepted of them in Christ granting to them a general Repentance for those Iniquities they saw not to be so knew not themselves guilty of Which is all we shall at present say hereunto The intelligent Reader knows that these things are not of any moment for the invalidating of what hath been offered upon this subject Thus far of this eighth Argument The present Ministers of England are guilty of Idolatry therefore 't is the duty of Saints not to hear but separate from them CHAP. VIII A 7th Argument against hearing the present Ministers of England 'T is an offence grief and cause of stumbling to the Saints proved Two Objections answered The nature of Scandal given An eighth Argument proposed to consideration The various wayes of partaking with others in their sin considered That hearing the present Ministers is a partaking with them in their sin proved Argument 7. 'T Is not lawful for Saints to do any thing for the doing whereof there is no positive Precept in the Scripture that is an Offence Grief Scandal and cause of stumbling to their Brethren But the hearing the present Ministers of England as there is no positive Precept in the Scripture for it so it is an Offence Grief Scandal and cause of stumbling to the Brethren Therefore The Major or first Proposition is bottom'd upon express Precepts in the Scripture Rom. 14. 13 15 20. 1 Cor. 8. 9 13. and 10. 24. The Minor or second Proposition consists of two parts 1. That for hearing the present Ministers of England there is no positive warrant in the Scripture if there be let it be produced and this Controversie is at an end The contrary thereunto hath all along been manifest in this present Discourse It cannot enter into our hearts to imagin that the Lord Jesus having instituted Officers of his own for the management of Affairs in his House should ordain that any of his Houshold should attend upon the Ministry of such as are not of his institution as hath been abundantly demonstrated touching the present Ministers of England that they are not nor is it by many pleaded as their duty so to do but onely as their Liberty which they judge they may or they may not do without sin 2. That for the Saints such as are visibly so profess themselves to be such to hear the present Ministers of England is an Offence Grief Scandal and occasion of stumbling to their Brethren This is too evident to be denied to how many thousands in England for whom those that as yet attend upon the present Ministry thereof dare not but think Christ dyed is the practise of some herein a Grief Scandal and occasion of Stumbling Their groans and tears alone and together upon this foot of account will better demonstrate the truth hereof than our words can Yea how many poor souls have been drawn by reason of the practise of some Leading Brethren in this matter against the checks of their own consciences to a Conformity herein to their after-grief and wounding Upon whose doors 't is to be feared and we wish they would in the fear of God lay it to heart may be written THE BLOOD OF SOULS If it be said Object That there is a twofold Scandal 1. Scandalum acceptum a Scandal or Offence taken 2. Scandalum datum a Scandal or Offence given In respect of the former possibly many may be offended at their practise in the matter treated of and so would some or other whatever is done by them 'T is impossible but Offences should come that there is any just Offence given by them herein is denied To this we answer Answ 1. That as we admit of the distinction so no doubt there is a truth in what is suggested thereupon That whatever I do some one or other will be offended at it There are a generation of men whom the doing of my duty will offend and cause to blaspheme these are not to be minded but to be pitied Christ himself was to some a Rock of Offence and Stone of Stumbling 2. But 't is not yet proved nor like to be that the Scandal treated of is a Scandal taken and not given the very nature of Scandal given as is confest by all and evident beyond exception from the Apostles discourse 1 Cor. 8. 10. lying in the doing of what is judged by me to be my liberty which other Saints are not fully perswaded of in their own minds to be so but are ready to conclude it to be my sin and evil and from thence have occasion of Grief or Stumbling administred to them This was the very case of the Church of Corinth upon the occasion whereof Paul writes to them 1 Cor. 8. some of them judged it their liberty to sit at meat in the Idols Temple others not being fully perswaded hereof were scandalized many wayes at this their practise which the Apostle therefore condemns as unlawful Should it for Arguments sake be granted though in truth it be not so that 't is the liberty of Saints to hear the present Ministers yet many of the sincere Lambs of Christ being stumbled grieved and Scandalized herear for that very reason if no more could be said herein it becomes our sin to be guilty whereof who can chuse but be filled with trembling that hath ever with seriousness read that terrible Commination of Christ Mat. 18. 6. Whoso shall offend one of these little Ones that believe in me it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his neck and he were drowned in the depths of the Sea especially when those that are thus scandalized are able to demonstrate that their Offence is not any pevish Humour or foolish Nicety but what is too really administred by the actions of their Brethren When they shall hear Christ commanding them to separate from every thing of Antichrist Rev. 18. 4. and therefore from his Ministry and they are in conscience perswaded the Ministers of England are such which they judge they are able to demonstrate When they consider how the Laws of their dear Lord and Law-giver are made void by the traditions of these pretended Ministers whose Kingship they see them visibly opposing when they find upon them the characters of False Prophets and Apostles and are able to manifest that they are deeply guilty of the sin of Idolatry from whom they are enjoyned by Christ to turn away yea when they take a veiw of the frame of the spirits of their now Conforming-Brethren in dayes past and the Principles were then owned by them That they did then some of them at least separate from the Assemblies of England as not true Churches of Christ and accounted the Common-Prayer-Book-Priests persons not meet to preach unworthy to be attended upon in their so doing and see them now saying A confederacy with and attending upon the ministry of those very persons and things from whom not onely Christ hath commanded them to separate but these very
12 13. and 10. 24 25. Lev. 19. 17. Mat. 18. 15 16 17. 4. When they notwitstanding all that they have done or can do being under an utter incapacity of proceeding further therein perceive them to persevere in their sin shall still continue to hold communion with them and not separate from them Rev. 18. 4. Come out of her my People lest being partakers of her sins ye receive of her plagues The abiding with obstinate persevering Offenders as it is against positive injunctions of the Most High Rom. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 16 17. 1 Tim. 6. 5. Ephes 5. 8 11. Rev. 18. 4. So is it in the last place instacn'd in assigned by the Spirit to be one way of partaking with others in their sins Not to multiply more particulars let us in a few words make Application of these remarked To the business in hand Is there any thing in the world that carries a greater brightness and evidence with it than this That the hearing the present Ministers of England is to be partakers with them in their sin is not our so doing a secret consenting with them and encouraging of them in their evil deeds Is this to discharge those duties incumbent upon us if we indeed look upon them as Brethren for their reclaiming yea is this to come out of and separate from them what less So then except it can be proved that the particulars instanc'd in are not some of those wayes whereby persons do become guilty of partaking with other mens sins or that to attend upon the present Ministers of England is not what doth symbolize with some one more or all of them which can never be done it evidently follows that 't is not lawful for Saints to hear the present Ministers of England the doing whereof is apparantly a partaking with them in their evil deeds CHAP. IX A ninth Argument against hearing the present Ministers That it casts contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions of Christ hardens persons in a false way of Worship and Rebellion against God proved A tenth Argument produced That 't is not lawful to go into the Assemblies of false Worshippers proved An eleventh Argument that there is no promise of a Blessing upon the hearing these men proved A twelfth Argument proving that so to do is the first step to Apostacy Several Queries proposed Argument 9. THat the doing whereof doth cast contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions some one or more of them of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of Worship and Rebellion against him is utterly unlawful for the Saints to do But the hearing of the present Ministers of England is that the doing whereof doth cast contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions some one or more of them of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of VVorship and Rebellion against him Therefore The major Proposition is laid down in such full clear and evident expressions bottom'd upon Scripture and right Reason as carry a brightness with them that none but such as are desperately and judicially blinded will or can gainsay The minor or second Proposition viz. That the hearing of the present Ministers of England is the doing of that which doth cast contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions of our Lord Jesus and hardens persons in a false way of VVorship and Rebellion against him is by our dissenting-Brethren gainsayed Three things are therein asserted 1. That our hearing these persons is that which casts contempt upon the VVayes and Institutions of Christ 2dly That it hardens persons in a false way of VVorship 3dly That it hardens and encourages souls in their Rebellion against the Lord. As for the first a brief Observation of some of the Institutions of Christ clearly bottom'd upon the Scripture will abundantly evince its original to be from God First then That separation from the world and men of the world from all wayes of false VVorship and the Inventions of men thereabout until the Saints of the Most-High be apparently a People dwelling alone and not reckoned amongst the Nations however it be decryed and sound harsh in the ears of carnal men is one grand Institution a man may run and reade in the following Scriptures Numb 23. 9. Joh. 15. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 14 15 17 19. Eph. 5. 8 11. 2 Tim. 3. 5. Hos 4. 15. Rev. 18. 4. Prov. 14. 7. nor is it denied by some of our Conforming-Brethren Secondly That Saints separate from the world should frequently meet together as a distinct body therefrom for the edification and building up of each other in the VVay and VVill of God according to the gifts bestowed upon them is so evidently asserted as the Institution of our alone King and Lawgiver in the Scripture that it cannot be gainsayed Mal. 3. 16. 1 Thess 5. 11. Heb. 3. 12. Jude 20. Heb. 10. 24 25. 1 Cor. 12. 9. Acts 12. 12. 18. 23. Ephes 5. 19. Jam. 5. 16. 1 Thess 5. 14. Thirdly That particular Congregations or Assemblies of Believers gathered into one body for the Celebration of the Worship of God in opposition to any National Church or Churches whatsoever is of the Appointment of Christ is alike evident as the former Act. 8. 1 3. 12. 1. 13. 14. 15. 22. 18. 22. 20. 14 28. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 6. 4. Acts 9. 1. 1 Cor. 16. 19. Rom. 16. 4. 2 Cor. 8. 1. Gal. 1. 2. Acts 16. 4 5. 14. 23. 1 Cor. 11 12. 14. 4 5 12 19. 2 Cor. 1. 1. Rev. 1. 2 3 11. Fourthly That Christ hath appointed Officers of his own to act in the Holy-things of God in and over these Assemblies whom he furnisheth with Gifts every way suiting their Imployment to whom without turning aside to the voice of strangers or attending upon the Ministery of such as are not of his Appointment it 's the duty of Saints to hearken is very conspicuous in the ensuing Scriptures Eph. 4. 11. Heb. 13. 7 13. Mat. 24. 4 5 23 24. 1 Joh. 2. 18. 4. 1. 2 Joh. 10. Acts 20. 29 30 31. Rev. 2. 14 15 16. which exactly agrees with what was practised by primitive Believers who it seems received none without the Testimony of some Brethren of known integrity in the Churches 1 Cor. 16. 3. Act. 9. 26. Not to mention more let it be weighed whether the hearing of the present Ministers of England doth not cast contempt upon these Institutions of Christ VVhat is more evidently preached forth by such a practice than 1. That separation from the Assemblies of England though in their constitution carnal and worldly and the worship thereof although false and meerly of humane invention was and is our sin and evil 2dly That 't is not by vertue of any Soveraign Institution of Christ the duty of Saints to meet together as a body distinct without going out to other Assemblies to worship with them for their mutual edification in the Lord. 3dly That particular Assemblies
are not soley of the Institution of the Lord Jesus but that National are also to be accounted as the true Churches of Christ though they have no footing in the Scripture of the New-Testament from whence the Pattern of Gospel-Churches is soley to be deduced Yea 4thly That the Officers of Christ's Appointment are not sufficient for the Saints but together with them the help of false and Idol-shepherds is to be sought after than which what greater contempt can be poured upon the forementioned Institutions of our dear Lord Yet who sees not all this to be the language which is heard and goes forth into the Nations from the practice of our Brethren in the matter we are debating If they look upon Separation in the sense before-minded to be of the Institution of Christ can they offer a greater affront thereunto than to run into the Assemblies of the Nation If they judge it their duty to meet together distinct from the World and its VVorshippers why run they thereunto If they apprehend National Churches to be the result of humane prudence without bottom in the Scripture and the Ministers of Christ to be onely in contradistinction to the Ministers that are not of his Appointment attended unto why give they the right-hand of fellowship unto such Assemblies as profess themselves to be parts of such a National Church and hear Ministers that have relation thereunto who have received as hath been proved no Mission from Christ to their Ministry If this be not evidently to pour contempt upon the Institutions of Christ and confessedly so we shall for ever dispair of success in the most facile and righteous undertaking As for the second Particular that hereby poor souls are hardened in a false way of Worship what can be thought less supposing the Worship in the Parish-Assemblies of England to be so as hath been proved when they shall see Professors that were wont to pray and preach together to profess and protest against Common-Prayer-Book-Priests and Worship to cry up or at least approve of Laws made for their ejection if guilty of no other crime than conforming to the Worship they now conform to and practise now flock unto their Assemblies and hear their Priests what can they imagine less than that these persons thus acting in a direct contrariety to their former judgement and practice do now see they were mistaken and are beginning at least to return unto those paths fom whence they departed and that these wayes in which they and their forefathers have walked are the Good Old Way in which rest is to be found Wo unto the world because of Offences wo also unto them by whom they come Nor is the third Particular viz. That hereby poor souls are hardened in their Rebellion and Blasphemy against God the Spirit his Tabernacle and them that dwell therein to be in the least questioned We every day hear to the breaking of our hearts stout words spoken against the Lord because of the practice of some in this thing What say the wicked of the world less than that Religion which many pretend to is but a Fancy that the Professors thereof are but a Generation of Hypocrites that will turn to any thing to save themselves that the spirit by which they are acted is but a spirit of Phanaticism and Delusion yea how do they bless themselves that they are not nor ever were and resolve so much the more they will never be of the number of such Professors Ask them a Reason of all this and they wonder you should ask them and speedily reply to you Do you not see how many of you for fear of Persecution have disserted your former Principles and are returned to our Assemblies and the Ministry thereof and that any of you stand out 't is from hence evident that it is from a spirit of Pride and Obstinacy and not as you pretend from Divine Tenderness and the Leadings of the Spirit of the Lord. And what can we say to all these things must we not with grief and sorrow confess that there is indeed too great an occasion administred to them for their thus speaking though this will be no plea for them in the day of Christ Blessed are they that are not offended in him It remaineth then that inasmuch as the hearing the present Ministers of England pours out contempt upon the Wayes and Institutions of Christ hardens persons in a false way of Worship Rebellion and Blasphemy against the Lord it 's utterly unlawful for Saints to be found in the practice thereof To all that hitherto hath been said we shall yet briefly add Argument 10. God calls his People out of and strictly charges them not to go to the places of False-Worship Therefore 't is unlawful for the Saints to attend upon the present Ministers of England The Antecedent is clearly proved Hos 4. 15. Amos 4. 4. The Reason of the Consequence is Because we cannot go to hear the present Ministers of England without we go to their places and assemblies of False-worship as the Common-Prayer-Book-Worship hath been proved to be Argument 11. That upon the doing whereof Saints have no promise of a Blessing not any ground to expect it is not lawful for them to do But in the hearing of these men the Saints have no promise of a Blessing nor ground to expect it Therefore The Major or first Proposition will not be denied As for the Minor or second Proposition That the Saints have no promise of a Blessing from God nor ground to expect it in the hearing of the present Ministers of England may many wayes be demonstrated If there be any promise of a Blessing upon them from God in their so doing let it be produced and we shall willingly confess there is no weight in this Argument But this we conceive to be no easie task for any to discharge and that for these Reasons 1. The Blessing of the Lord is upon Sion Psal 87. 2. and 78. 68. there he dwells Psal 9. 11. and 74. 2. Jer. 8. 19. Isa 8. 18. Joel 3. 17 21. the presence of Christ is in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1. 12 13. and 2. 1. 't is his Garden in which he feedeth and dwells Cant. 6. 2. and 8. 13. and we are not surer of any thing nor will it be denied by our Conforming Brethren many of them than we are of this That the Assemblies of England in their present constitution are so far from being the Sion of God his Candlesticks his Garden that they are a very Wilderness and that Babel out of which the Lord commands his People to hasten their escape Rev. 18. 4. 2. God never promiseth a Blessing to a People waiting upon him in that way which is polluted and not of his appointment as we have proved the Worship of England to be 3. The Lord hath expresly said concerning such as run before they are sent That they shall not profit the People Jer. 23. 32. 4.
The Lord protesteth that such as refuse to obey his Calls to come out of Babylon shall partake of her Plagues Rev. 18. 4. 5. Where the Lord is not in respect of his special Presence and Grace there is no ground to expect any Blessing but God is not so in the midst of the Parochial Assemblies of England Where are the souls that are converted comforted strengthened stablished that are waiting at the doors of their house Though many will not see it yet a sad spirit of withering and visible decaies is to be found upon many that are waiting upon the teachings of the Ministers of this day And we hope the Lord will in mercy cause those that are indeed his to see it that they may remember from whence they have fallen repent do their first works and watch to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to dye for God hath not found their works perfect before him Argument 12. That the doing whereof is one step to Apostacy is not lawful to be done But the hearing the present Ministers of England is one step to Apostacy Therefore The Major Proposition will readily be granted by all The beginnings of great evils are certainly to be resisted Apostacy is one of the greatest evils in the world The Minor or second Proposition viz. That the hearing of the present Ministers of England is one step to Apostacy is evident 1. It cannot be done especially by persons of Congregational Principles without a relinquishment of Principles owned by them as received from God That the Church of England as National is a Church of the institution of Christ That persons not called to the Office of the Ministry by the Saints are rightful Ministers of Christ must be owned and taken for granted ere the conscience can acquiesce in the hearing of the present Ministers for we suppose 't will not be asserted by those with whom we have to do that there can be a true Ministry in a False Church or that False Ministers may be heard and yet the present Ministers are Ministers in and of the National Church of England and were never solemnly deputed to that Office by the suffrage of the Lords People 2dly Nor can it be done without the neglect of that duty which with others is eminently of the appointment of the Lord to secure from Apostacy instanc'd in by the Author to the Hebrews Hebr. 10. 25. Not forsaking the assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching In which the duty of Saints assembling of themselves together as a body distinct from the world and its Assemblies as also their frequent and as often as may be exhorting one another as a medium to secure them by the blessing of the Lord thereupon from a spirit of Degeneracy and Apostacy from God is clearly asserted Whence it undeniably follows That the hearing of the present Ministers of England being inconsistent with the constant and diligient use of the means prescribed for the preservation of the Saints in the way of God for whilst they are attending upon their teachings they cannot assemble themselves according to the prescription of God in the forementioned Scripture is at least one step to the dreadful sin of Apostacy from God and therefore is it utterly unlawful for Saints so to do And thus far of the 12th Argument for the proof of the assertion under our maintenance viz. That t is not lawful for Saints to hear the present Ministers of England to which many others might be added But we doubt not to the truly tender and humble enquiring Christian what hath been offered will be abundantly sufficient to satisfie his conscience in the present enquiry We shall only in the close offer a few Queries to be in the fear of the Holy One considered by the intelligent Reader Quer. 1. Whether the Lord Jesus be not the alone Head King and Lawgiver to his Church 2. Whether the Laws Statutes Orders and Ordinances of Christ be not faithfully to be kept though all the Princes in the world should interdict and forbid it 3. Whether to introduce other Laws for the Government of the Church of Christ and the Worship of his House be not an high advance against and intrusion into his Kingship and Headship 4. Whether the Lord Jesus as King and Head over his Church hath not instituted sufficient Officers and Offices for the administration of Holy Things in his House to whom no more can be added without a desperate undervaluation and contempt of his Wisdome Headship and Soveraignty over it 5. Whether the Officers instituted by Christ are not onely Pastors Teachers Elders Deacons and Helpers 6. Whether the Offices of Arch-Bishops Lord-Bishops Deans Sub-Deans Prebendaries Chancellors Priests Deacons as an order of the first step to a Priesthood Arch-Deacons Sub-Deacons Commissaries Officials Proctors Registers Apparitors Parsons Vicars Curats Canons Petty-Canons Gospellers Epistollers Chaunters Virgers Organ-Players Queristers be Offices any where instituted by the Lord Jesus in the Scripture 7. Whether the calling and admission into these last mentioned Offices their administration and maintenance now had and received in England be according to the Word of God 8. Whether every true visible particular Church of Christ be not a select company of People called and separated from the world and False Worship thereof by the Spirit and Word of God and joyned together in the Fellowship of the Gospel by their own free and voluntary consent giving up themselves to Christ and one another according to the Will of God 9. Whether a company of People living in a Parish though the most of them be visible Drunkards Swearers c. or at least strangers to the work of regeneration upon their souls coming by compulsion or otherwise to the hearing of Publick Prayers or Preaching are in the Scripture account Saints and a Church of Christ according to the Pattern given forth by him Or rather be not to be esteemed Daughters of the old Whore and Babel spoken of in the Scriptures 10. Whether in such a Church there is or can rationally be supposed to be a true Ministry of the institution of Christ 11. Whether the Book of Common-Prayer or stinted Lyturgies be of the prescription of Christ and not of mans devising and invention 12. Whether if one part of a Worship used by a People be polluted the whole of their Worship be not to be looked upon in a Scripture account as polluted and abominable according to 1 Kings 18. 21. 2 King 17. 33. Isa 66. 3. Hos 4. 15. Ezek. 43. 8. Zeph. 1. 5 so that if their Prayers be naught and polluted their Preaching be not so too 13. Whether a Ministry set up in direct opposition unto a Ministry of Christ which riseth upon its fall and falls by its rise can by such as so account of it be lawfully joyned unto 14. Whether such as have forsworn a Covenant Reformation
VVorship of England we shall be so far from condemning them therein that we shall bless God for them But this is not to the purpose in hand the attendance of our Brethren upon the Ministry of England is quite another thing that requires other Arguments for its support than we have hitherto met with Parvas habet spes Troja si Tales habet Object 3. Paul rejoyceth at the Preaching of the Gospel though 't was preached out of envy Phil. 1. 15 16. To which briefly 1. There may be cause of rejoycing in respect of the issue and event of things by the wise Providence of God though the means used for their production be evil and not to be abetted or complyed with In what have Christians greater cause of rejoycing than in the death of Christ Yet had it been utterly unlawful to have joyn'd in counsel with or any wayes abetted or encouraged those wicked persons that crucified and slew him Should the Pope send some Jesuits into any remote parts of America to preach the Gosplel to the poor Indians there here were upon some accounts ground of rejoycing yet no ground for Saints to attend upon a Jesuitical Ministry But 2ly it appears not that these Paul speaks of were not true Gospel-Ministers and so it reacheth not the case in hand This being that we have proved the Ministers of England guilty of viz. an acting in the Holy Things of God without any Commission from Christ which when our Dissenting-Brethren prove they have we shall easily acknowledge the lawfulness of attending upon their Ministry 3ly It follows not in the least that these the Apostle speaks of were either not real Saints or not true Ministers of Christ because they are said to preach him out of envy the object whereof was not Christ for had they envied him they would never have preach'd him but Paul thinking says he to add affliction to my bonds which is consistant with Grace and a lawful Mission to the preaching of the Gospel Yet 4thly Here is not in this Scripture the least word requiring Christians to hear them That because Paul rejoyces at their preaching therefore 't is the duty of Saints to attend upon their Ministry is such a Non-sequiter as will never be made good Object 4. The Ministers of England preach Truth and is it not lawful to hear Truth preached We answer 1. That 't is lawful to hear Truth preached is readily granted but this must be done lawfully and in the way of Christ's Appointment 2ly All that preach Truth are not to be heard nor will our dissenting Brethren say they are For 1. There was never yet any Heretical-Preacher in the world but he preached some Truth is it lawful to hear such this will not be said 2. The Devil himself preached Truth yet Christ forbids him and commands that he hold his peace 3. The Popish Priests preach Truth yet who will say 't is lawful to attend upon their Ministry But 3dly As the present Ministers of England preach Truth So 1. They preach it but by halves and dare not for fear of the L. Bishops Inhibition preach any doctrine though never so clearly revealed in the Scriptures and owned by them as the Truth of Christ he commands them not to meddle with 2. The main Truths they preach at least many of them are contradicted in their practice They 'l tell you that the Lord Jesus is the great Prophet and King of his Church but how palpably this is contradicted by them in their practice conforming to Institutions and Laws that are not of his prescription who sees not This we have already abundantly demonstrated 3. With the Truth they preach they mingle many Errors directly contrary to the Scripture and the Revelation Christ hath made of his Will therein Instances of this kind have been already exhibited to which may be added many more we shall mention but a few 1. That the Ministry Worship and Government which Christ hath appointed to his Church is not to be received or joyned unto unless the Magistrates where they are reputed Christian do allow it 2. That the Apocryphal books which have in them Errors 2 Mac. 12. 44 45. 14. 41 42. Eccles 46. 20. Wisd 19. 11. Untruths 2 Esd 14. 21 22 23. 2 Macc. 2. 4-8 Tob. 5. 11 12 13. with 12. 15. Judith 8. 33. 10. 9 with v. 12. 11. 6 12 13 14 15. 1 Mac. 9. 3 18. with 2 Mac. 1. 13 to 17. 9. 1 5 7 9 28 29. Blasphemy Tob. 12. 12 15. with Rom. 8. 34. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Rev. 8. 3 4. Magick Tobit 6. 6 7 8. 9. 2 3. with 3. 7 8. 11. 10 11 13. with 2. 9 10. and contradiction to the Canonical Scriptures Judith 9. 2 3 4. compared with Gen. 49. 5 6 7. Esther in the Apocrypha chap. 12. 5. 15. 9 10. with Ester canonical chap. 6. 3. 5. 2. Eccles 46. 20. with Isa 57. 2. may be used in the Publick Worship of God 3. That the most wicked and their seed may be compelled and received to be members of the Church 4. That Marriage may be forbidden at certain seasons as in Lent Advent Rogation-week c. 5. That Baptism is to be administred with a Cross in the forehead and that as a symbolical sign 6. That though the most notorious obstinate Offenders be partakers of the Lord's Supper yet the people that joyn with them are not defiled thereby 7. That there may be Holy-dayes appointed to the Virgin Mary John Baptist to the Apostles All Saints and Angels together also with Fasts on their Eves on Ember-dayes Fridayes Saturdayes so called heathenishly enough and Lent 8. That the Cope Surplice Tippit Rocket c. are meet and decent Ornaments for the Worship of God and Ministry of the Gospel 9. That the Book of Common-Prayer is the true Worship of God 10. That Christ descended into Hell as if Christ descended into the place of the Damned as the Papists hold 11. That Lord Bishops can give the Holy-Ghost and power to forgive and retain Sins 12. That Altars Candles Organs c. are necessary and useful in the Church of God 13. That all Children †Common-Prayer-Book of Publick Baptism when baptized are regenerate and received by the Lord for his own Children by Adoption Yea 14. That Children being baptized have all things necessary for their Salvation and shall undoubtedly be saved So they profess in the Order of Confirmation in the Common-Prayer-Book with much more that might be offered in this matter Object 5. Judas preached though a wicked man and no doubt 't was lawful yea the duty of Saints to hear him To this we say No doubt but it was so But 1. Judas was not a visible wicked man at the time of his preaching but so close an Hypocrite that he was not known to be so no not to the Disciples But some of the present Ministers of England are visibly wicked and prophane 2. Judas was