did pul downe and destroy for they did not imprison nor burne nor hang nor yet caused to be bannished any of the kings subjects that would not worship them as these Idol Bishops doe And out of doubt these Bishops are greater Idols then the golden calfe Aaron made and offred vnto for the calfe did not persequte nor ver such as did not acknowledge it for their Lord as the Bishops doe neyther did the Calfe reygne and rule by force over the consciences of the people as these Idol Bishops doe Besides the Calfe was set vp in steed of Moses who brought the people out of Egypt and shewed them the wil of God but these Bbs are set vp in steed of Christ who have brought vs out of the bondage of hel and who sheweth vs his Fathers wil in his new Testament the which these jdol Bs wil not suffer vs to obey but in steed therof wil force vs to faldown worship and obey ther Father Antychrists wil and old testameÌ„t which stinks in the nostrels of al reformed strangers that heare thereof as wel as in ours that have taken our flight from it Therfore these spirituall lords and Idol Bishops ought to be pulled downe and suppressed like the Abbots their lordly brethren though not sacrificed vnto the Lord in Smithfeild as the Godly king Iosias sacrificed the Idol Priests of the high places on the Altars therof And I doe verely beleeve that if free liberty of coÌ„science be granted that the spiritual kingdom of these Idol Bs will in tyme fal to the ground of it self as the jdol Dagon fal before the Arke for throug the knowledge of Gods word wil al godly people with draw themselves in al peceable and godly wise from the spiritual obedience of these spiritual lords and Idol Bbs and quietly betake themselves vnto the obedience of the onely spiritual lord Iesus Messiah But howsoever it be I shal be contented therewith and so I wish al others for we al ought to be content if we obtayne freedom of conscience and therefore to give god prayse coÌ„tinualy that hath wroght so blessed a worke in the hearts of the King and ParliameÌ„t for whoÌ„ as the scripture teacheth we ought to make supplications prayers and intercessions that they may com to the knowledge of the truth and that we may lead a peaceable and quiet life in al godlines and honesty And vnto whoÌ„ we ought to give by the law of God al earthly honor feare and reverence and willingly to paytribute and custoÌ„ tax and tol so much and so often as it shal please his Majesty and parliam to appoint and gather by any officer or officers whatsoever For whom also and for the whole common wealth of al his Kingdoms we ought to be diligent and ready to hazard and lay downe not onely our goods but also our lives at al tymes and occasioÌ„s For Christ hath onely set vs free from al ecclesiastical lawes and ordinances which himself hath not commanded in his last wil and Testament Yea from the ecclesiastical lawes and commandements of the old Testament how much more hath he set vs free from the ecclesiastical lawes and ordinances of Antichrist but he hath not set vs free from the Moral and Iudicial law of God for that the king is bound to execute and we are bound to obey and for want of the execution therof there are in our land many whores and whorekeepers aÌ„d many childreÌ„ murdered besides the death aÌ„d vndoeing of many persons about whores Wherfore I humbly desier that the Morall and and Iudicial low of God may be practised and executed of al degrees both high and low without respect of persons according the mynd of Christ For the Lord wil have that evry man shal love him above al and his neyghbor as himself and Christ saith as ye would that men shold do to you so do ye to them likewise Therfore as the king wold not have his subjects to take away his life because he is contrary to them in religioÌ„ So let not the king take away his subjects lives because they are contrary to the king in religion and as you wold not men shold force you to a religion against your consciences so doe not you force men to a religion against their consciences And as it is the duty of subjects to seeke the conversion of their king aÌ„d State by the word of God and not his and their destruction by fyer aÌ„d sword So it is the duty of the king and state to seek the conversion of of their subjects by the word of God and not their destruction by fier aÌ„d sword as the Pope and his Prelats doe teach whose vassals therin both Emperors and Kings as wel as people have bene a long tyme both to the destruction of theÌ„selfs aÌ„d their subjects For who knoweth not that prelats and preists haue perswaded subjects to destroy their kings and princes as wel as kings and princes to destroy their subiects but 〈◊〉 pray theÌ„ both to take notice that the scrip saith he that destroyeth the Temple of God him wil God destroy Let not therfore kings princes nor subjects bee any longer perswaded to destroy one aÌ„other through the suttelty of Bs and their mi who most of theÌ„ onely seeke the security of their owne poÌ„p and glory aÌ„d the stablishmeÌ„t of their spiritual thrones therin for so long as they may confirm that they passe not who perish whether king prince or people Againe therfore I humbly pray his Ma and par to repeale and make voyd al popish lawes and canons and to see the moral and Iucial law of god both firmly enacted ad carefully practised after the minde of Chr and then shal Christs spiritual throne be stablished in the hearts consciences both of king prince and people so as the Chu Christs spiritual kingdom shal increace in the knowledge of faith and obedieÌ„ce therof with al loue peace aÌ„d charity one towards another And the coÌ„moÌ„ wealth of his Ma King wil florish and prosper aÌ„d also his throne be constaÌ„tly stablished both to him and his heyres through out al his dominions in a suer land of peace and love thoâ—e with and towards another to the glory of God and the coÌ„fort of his Maj and of al his subjects aÌ„d also to a famous aÌ„d excellent glorious paterne of govermeÌ„t to al kingdoÌ„s natioÌ„s aÌ„d contries round about as in the dayes of SalomoÌ„ king of Israel For if the holi lawes of Gods word be practised and executed after Christs wil theÌ„ shal neither king prince nor people be destroyed for differeÌ„ce in religion then Treason RebellioÌ„ as wel as burn ban han and impri for difference in religion wil cease and be laid downe then shal not meÌ„ womeÌ„ and youth be haÌ„ged for theft then shal not the poore lame sik and weake ones be stocked and whipped neither shal the poore stranger
no man to perish but would that al men come to repentāce but not by perseqution but by the word of reconciliation which he hath committed to his ministers And as kings and Bishops cannot command the winde so they cannot command faith as the winde bloweth where it listeth so is every man that is borne of the spirit You may forcemen to Church against their consciences but they wil beleeue as they did afore when they com there for God giueth a blessing onely to his owne ordinance and abhorreth Antychrists And kings are to thinck that they are men as well as Kings ād that Christ hath ordeyned the same meanes of faith for Kings which he hath for subjects and that subjects are Christs freemen as wel as Kings subjects Kings that beleeve are Christs Servants even as subjects are Kings servants and both are bought with a price therefore both ought not to bee the servants of men in matter of faith religion but Kings shal giue a greater account at the day of judgment then their subjects And to judge mē now for religion is to judge afore the tyme ād also to sit in the judgement seate of Christ to whom onely it belongeth yet not before the day appointed how much lesse to Kings and Bishops I read that Constantyne the Emperor called the greate wrought to the Bishop of Rome that he would not force and constrayne any man to the faith but onely admonish and commit the judgment to God Christes Kingdom is not of this world therefore may it not be purchased nor defended with the weapons of this world but by his word and spirit no other weapons hath he giuen to his Church which is his spiritual kingdom Therfore Christ saith He that wil not heare the church let him be to thee as a hethen a publicane he saith not bur ban hang or inpriso him that is Antichrists ordinance And though a man be an heretick yet ought he not to be bur but to be rejected after once or twise admonition that is cast out of the Church but as in the chur of Rome people of al sorts are by perseqution forced thereinto by the Bishops and ministers therof so it is in the Church of England also which sheweth that the Bs and min of Rome and Eng are of one spirit in gathering peopel to their faith and church which is the spirit of Satan who knoweth wel that his kingdom the false Church wold greatly decay if perseqution were laid downe seing himself cannot stand before the word and spirit of God much lesse his Bs and mi therfore he wil haue them for a name and shew to vse the word of God but indeed if the false interpretation and alledging of the scriptures wil not help then saith he constrayne them by fyer and sword or els if people haue liberty of consciēce they wil trye the spirits which of them is of god as the Apostle joh teacheth and then saith he the Prince as wel as people wil try all things keep that which is good and wil also prove themselves as the Apostle Paule teacheth whether they are in the Apostoliq faith or not And as the Church of Rome provoketh the Magestrats to peesequte to death such as are excōmunicated out of her so doth the Church of England provoke the Magistrats to persequte to death such as she excomunicate And as the Bs. and min of Ro wil perswade the prince and people to heare ād read none but themselves so doe the Bs and min of Eng also But the Bs ād min of the Apostoliq Church doe perswade al men to prove trye the Spirits whether they are of God which they cannot doe except they heare and read other mens doctrines as wel as the Bs ād their min neither can they if they would so long as the Bishops have power from the King and state to silence and imprison etc al preachers ād to burne al books which teach not their doctines Your Majesty and Parliament shal vnderstand that al those that confesse freely without compulsion that Iesus is the Messiah the Lord and that he came in Flesh are to be esteemed the Children of God and true Christians seeing such are borne of God and no man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost therfore not to be persequted And as Abel killed not Cayne but was killed himself ād as Isaack ād Iacob did not persequte Ismael and Esau but was persequted of Ismael and Esau who ād Caine were figuers of al persequters so the beleeving doe not persequte the vnbeleeving nor the true chur the false but the beleeving and true chur are as they have beene most often persequted thē selves of whom Abel Isaack and Iacob were figures whose childrē are al beleevers and free mē that stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made thē free ād wil not be tangled with the yoke of bondage no not with cir-cumcision much lesse with the discipline and doctrijne of the Church of Rome whose Bs are able ministers of the fyer and sword both to Prince ād people as many Historyes doe lamentably witnes to theyr vtter infamy and overthrow Also if the beleving should persequte the vnbeleving to death who shold remayne aliue then none but the beleeveing shold liue in the world and the vnbeleeveing shold dye in theyr vnbeleeif and so perish for ever the Lord wil not that the beleeveing shold live to the destructiō of the vnbeleeveing but vnto theyr conversion edificatiō and salvation And by persequting of Prince and people to death because they wil not heare and beleeve is no gayning of soules vnto God but vnto the devill And whereas ignorant and wicked Bs. may thinck to wijn soules by killing Prince and people for religion they are deceaved greatly for therby they loose many soules viz their owne and the vnbeleeving their owne they loose because they wilfully breake the Lords Commandement that saith Thou shalt not kill meaneing such as are corporal malefactors and the others which dye in their vnbeleeif they confesse themselues are eternaly lost except they as som of their minist hold a redemption after this life And the Bs. shold know that error and heresy cānot be killed by the fyer and sword but by the word and spirit of God that is the onely weapons of Christs Bs. and Ministers and such onely Christs Ministers doe vse whose liues and conversations are so harmlesse holy ād gentle that therby and by their deaths ād sufferings they wynne many soules vnto god wherby they are knowen fro al false Bs. and ministers who like wolues and beares not like sheep and lambs make pray and devour both Prince and People that are not of their kinde if they bee able to Master them Besides may it please your Majesty and Parlia to vnderstand that the beleeveing man that hath an dnbeleeveing
perswade Prince and people to heare and beleeve the gospell by hisâ— word and spirit and as Ambassadors for him to beseech both Prince aÌ„d people to be reconciled vnto God and not as Tyrants to force and coÌ„strayne them by perseqution Thirdly because through perseqution it wil come to passe that the Ambassadors of the onely spiritual Lord King Iesus may be persequted and inprisoned burned haged or baÌ„nished for deliuering the message of their gratious Lord sentearly and often both to Prince and people which to doe is a more heynous fact then to persequte the Ambassadors of the greatest King and Prince in the World for insteed of hereticks they shal as they have alredy burne bannish and hang the Ambassadors of the Lord Iesus Christ who doth choose out whom he pleaseth to beare his name before Kings Rulers for a Testimonial to them Fourthly because then we cannot say we have the liberty of the Gospell in our Land seing where that is there is no perseqution for any difference in Religion nor forceâ—ing of the conscience to beleeve the gospel except by the word and spirit of God onely the which doe wound and kill the â—rrors of men and not their persons Fiftly because Christ came into the world to fave sinners aÌ„d not to destroy them though they be blasphemers seing the Lord may convert them as he did Saule after caled Paul and though they have difference in Religion or wil not heare nor beleeve in Christ that they may be converted yet ought you not to persequte them seing Christ rebuketh such and his Father sent him not into the world to condemne the world but to saue it be ye followers therefore of Christ and not of Antychrist in gathering people to the Faith Sixtly because then you shal not walke wisely towards theÌ„ that are without as the Scripture teacheth but shal offend also the Iewes and al other straÌ„gers who account it Tyranny to have their consciences forced to religion by perseqution Seaventhly because if perseqution be not laid downe and liberty of coÌ„science set vp then cannot the Iewes nor any strangers nor others contrary mynded be ever converted in our Land for so long as they know a forehand that they shal be forced to beleeve against their consciences they wil never seeke to inhabit there by which meanes you keep them from the Apostoliq saith if the Apostoliq faith bee onely taught where perseqution is Eightly because if freedom of conscience be not set vp and perseqution laid downe then al the Kings subjects and al strangers inhabiting the Land that shal beleeve the Apostoliq faith must depart the land to som free contry or els abide the danger of burning bannishing hanging and imprisoning the first will bee a great impoverishing and weakning of our land besides a losse of the faithfullest subjects and freinds the secoÌ„d wil provoke the lord to wrath by spilling the bloud of his faithful servants Ambassadors and witnesses and also open the mouthes of al straÌ„gers to speake yet more lamentably of the cruel and bloudy perseqution of our Land Ninthly because if perseqution contynue then the King aÌ„d State shal have against their wils many dissemblers in Authority and office both in court Citty and contrye yea no man of any degre shal know whether they are al faithful and true ChristiaÌ„s that are about him aÌ„d with whoÌ„ he hath to doe seing most men wil conforme themselves for feare of perseqution although in their harts they hate aÌ„d detest the religioÌ„ wherto they are forced by law the which is very dangerous and hartful both to King and State in tyme of temtation from bejond the seas and in rebellion at home for they that are not faithful to God in their ReligioÌ„ wil never bee faithful to the King and State in their alegiance specialy being tryed by a greate reward or by a myghty rebel but will to encrase their honors and reverennues conforme themselves and fome to save their honors Lands goods and lives wil yeeld and submit though against their wils even as they have done in case of Religion for through forceing men to Church by perseqution the true hearted subjects are forced out of the Land and out of the World som bannished others burned hanged and imprisoned to death Tenthly because then if there be many religions in the land as it is wel knowen there are it wil com to passe through the continance of perseqution that many religions wil be continued in the Church seeing al are forced to Church who bring their religions with them as wel as their bodies wherby al their devotion is against their consciences and all the Church is a confused Babel ful of every vncleane hateful bird even a hold of soule Spirits as the Scripture speaketh out of which the people of God are Commanded to flee least as of their sins they bee also pertakers of their plague And the Bishops the Authors of perseqution are very ignorant to thinke that when they have gotten people to their Church by perseqution that then they have gotten them to their saith and religion the which is nothing so for most people though contrary mynded to save life and goods wil dissemble their religion as for example the Iewes in Spaine and Portugale and the Papists Reformists and others in England but when they com hether or to som other free Citty or Country where praised be God is liberty of the gospel then they shew that before they dissembled to avoyd the cruel perseqution of our land Moreover the Bishops bewray great ignorance wheÌ„ they perswade the King and Parliament to force Prince and people to Church by perseqution for if that bee the meanes to com to the Church of Christ then Christ hath taught vs to fle the meanes of salvatioÌ„ seing he hath taugt vs to flee perseqution the which the Bishops and their Ministers perswade to be a great meanes to bring men to the Church Indeed I confesse it is the onely meanes to bring Prince and people to the false Chur and therefore Christ teacheth vs to flee that meanes least through perseqution which is a great temtation we be constrayned to go the broad way which is the false Church that leadeth to destruction many goe in therat and no maxvaile for there mâ—â—may be any thing except good Christians for besides Demas the worldlying and Hymeneus the blasphemer and many other sorts of indifferent Christians excommunicants covetous and profane persons there are notale rebels aÌ„d Traytors yea most cruel and desperate Traytors and Rebels as Digby Catesby Percy c whose buread and vnheard treathery wil never be forgotten which persons if they had not been forced to Church against their conscieÌ„ces had never enterprised such horribel and hateful treason And the Bbs should vnderstand that it is preaching and not persequting that getteth people to the church of Christ
Christ hath injoyned Christians not by perseqution to force other mens consciences against their wils by the irritation of the Bishops of our Land Sixteenthly because perseqution doe cause men and women to make shipwrack of faith and good consciences by forceing a religion vpon theÌ„ even against their mindes and consciences and also doe send them quike to the devil in their errors if that be heresy for which they are haÌ„ged aÌ„d burned which to doe is a most vnChristian vnnaturall cruell and tyrannous deed and I am suer you would not bee content to be so dealt with all your selves but indeed the popish and Idol Bishops are the authors hereof against the people as wel as of other persequtioÌ„ against the princes For AntychristiaÌ„ Bbs doe draw Kings aÌ„d Princes hereto against their myndes as may appeare by Edward the sixt that Godly King of famous memory who being vrged by his bloudy Bbs to subscribe to the burning of a womaÌ„ caled Ioane Butcher he answered wil you have me to send her quick to the devil in her error but when his bloud thirsty Bs wouls have no nay he said againe to Bishop Cranmer I lay al the chaledg therof on you before God and Cranmer said he had never so much to doe in al his life as to procure it whereby I doe perceave that godly Kings are drawen to battel against the Saints by Antychristian Bbs and false Prophets who otherwyse would rule and reigne more agreable to the mynde of Christ Also herby may al men perceave that the counsel and Bbs could not satisfy the Kings conscieÌ„ce by their perswasioÌ„ if they could have shewed him the word of God for burning that Christian it wold have prevailed with that godly King and he might then of faith have consented but his answer sheweth that he was not of their minde for al that they had said and therfore now if it please you to require of your Bishops warrant from the word of God for the persequting of Christians or for forceing Prince and people to church you shal find not one Bishop yea not all of them together though assisted with their Ministers wil be able to shew warrant from Gods word whereby to perswade your conscieÌ„ces therevnto and whatsoever is not of faith is sinne and whatsoever is not from Gods word cannot be of faith Seaventeenthly because perseqution of Christians by Christians doe not onely justifye papists and teach the Iewes and PagaÌ„s to persequte Christians but also doe teach the papists and others that know not the mynde of Christ and once get the vpperhaÌ„d to persequte those that persequted them yea it is a meanes as we have had lamentable experieÌ„ce to set such as are forced to Church against their consciences at deadly hatred against the King and State and vrgeth al them to treason and rebellioÌ„ that have not truly learned Christ who himself was persequted to death whose harmles crosse al true Christians must take vp aÌ„d whose gentle and humble steps they must follow aÌ„d walke in or els they caÌ„not be his disciples nor sheepe of his pasture And nether can the papists be perswaded that perseqution is a sinne so loÌ„g as they aÌ„d other Christians are also persequted by the protestants seing the papists doe build their perseqution on the same ground with the protestants but both sorts of Bbs doe erre grosly as shal be shewed Godwilling when they make their defence except heerewith their consciences be convinced to yeld as I wish they may for the salvation of their owne foules the peace both of Prince and people and the saftye of the King and State In the meane whyle it is to be observed that those Bbs aÌ„d Ministers which perswade the King and Parliament to burne bannish hang and imprison for difference of religion are bloud-suckers and manslayers and such it cannot be denyed caused Kings and Magistrats to be their excicutioners and tormentors in burning the Martyrs in former tymes even in the dayes of King Henry the eyght Queene Mary as the books of Acts MonumeÌ„ts wil witnes if they be not burned and I aske the Bbs and their Mini if the martyrs should have obeyed the King and Queene rather theÌ„ have suffered death And now I must humbly and with al reverence doe beseech his Maje and parliament advisedly to consider among themselves whether the Prince or Princesse differing with the Church now in matter of coÌ„scieÌ„ce and religion stablished by law in our land as the right noble Princesse Elizabeth did in Queene Maryes dayes doe not incurre the danger ad cruelty of the law now as that worthy Princesse did then seing that popish and cruel law standeth stil in force in most points of religion and who dare trust the Bbs and ther adhereÌ„ts in such a case the matter lyeing in their hands Let it be supposed that the Princes heart should be moved by the lord to embrace the Apostoliq faith discipline shal he be forced to beleeve as the Bishops doe against his conscience shal he bee constrayned to submit to their goverment and discipline against his conscience shal he live in vexation and perseqution and in danger of his life by the Bishops and law stablished as the Princesse Elizabeth did yea it must bee thus with our right noble Prince except there bee partiality yea it will bee thus with his Princely person except those popish and cruel lawes be repealed and extinguished Wherefore I meekly intreate seeing death is most certaine though most vncertayne when that those Antychristian and Popish Lawes may bee dissimulled and made voyd in tyme least wee all lament and bewayle it when it wil bee to late And I pray your Majesty and honors to consider that Kings and Princes hearts are in the hands of the Lord as the Ryvers of waters to turne as he will And the scripture saith The ten hornes by which I vnderstand ten Kings shall hate the whore and make her desolate and naked Likewyse the Scripture saith to Abraham the Father of beleeving Princes as well as beleeving people Also I will make thee exceeding fruitful and will make Nations of thee Yea Kings shall proceed of thee Which Scripture doe also overthrow the judgment of those men that hould a Christian may not bee a King nor Magistrate Let such consider that the Lord here speaketh of Abrahams Spirituall seed and not of his naturall seed Because if it be vnderstood of his Natural seed then cannot Abraham be o Father of many nations seeing all Abrahams natural seed are caled Iewes and are but one nation of the Iewes so that the covenant of God could not be performed that said I wil make nations of the yea Kings â—â—al proceed of thee Therefore it must be vnderstood of his spiritual seed of which may be Kings and Princes that are not naturaly descended of him as wel as people that are not
men and women that striue to serv God according to his wil in his word Be not your Bishops executioners in burning bannishing hanging and imprisoning of harmlesse and peaceable Christians but let them enjoy fredom of the gospell and liberty of conscience that so the Apostoliq Church which is scattered and driven into the wildernes aÌ„d desert of this world may be againe gathered togather both of Iewes and gentils into visible and stablished congregations And that the Catholiq and vniversal Church of Antychrist may bee consumed abolished by his word spirit as the holy Apostle hath foretold even the vttermost of his arival which is the Emperial triple crowne through the triple sea of Rome And againe I humbly entreate the King and parliameÌ„t to vouchsafe to heare me with patience yet a litle further If freedom of the gospel and permission of conscience might be graunted then would not Papisâ— nor any others dissemble their soules and to the greate danger both 〈◊〉 King and State seeing they are forced to Church against their consciences And may not Popish Priests and Iesuits vnawares to the Bishops become the Bishops Ministers seeing the change of their Religion and religions habit differ so litle aÌ„d so by degrees infect the people with more popish doctrine as occasion shal bee And such men wil readely imbrace the Bishops orders and so they shall readely have the Bishops favours by which meanes they may more easily aÌ„d speedly haâ— accesse vnto the court and presence of the King and Prince which indeed is very dangerous howsoever not regarded Therefore I doe according to my dewty humbly advise his Majesty not to bewtifie his couâ—â— and presence with any popish stones not with one though it be of Allâ—â—blastor But permission of Conscience and freedom and liberty of the gospeâ— will no â—ay bee dangerous to the King or State if such like rules â— these bee observed First that no people tainted with Treason doe beare any office That al sorts of people tainted with TreasoÌ„ doe at al times froÌ„ home weare ab lack hat with two whire signes the one before the other behinde in open sight That no people tainted with treason approach within ten myles of the Court without licence That no people tainted with treason doe inhabit the Citty of London nor yet within ten myles thereof That none tained with treason doe make any assembly or congregation That no person or persons in whatsoever difference by reasoning or disputing doe draw any weapon nor give any blow stroke or pushe in payne and penalty as his Majesty and Parliament thinck meet That for the more peace and quietnes and for the satisfyeing of the weake and simple among so many persons differing in Religion it bee lawfull for every person or persons yea Iewes and Papists to write dispute comfer and reason print en publish any matter touching religioÌ„ either for or against whomsoever alwayes provided they aledge no fathers for proffe of any point of religioÌ„ but onely the holy scriptures neither yet to reproch or 〈◊〉 one another nor any other person or persons but with al love gentlenes and peaceablenes enforme one another to the glory of God honor of the King and State and to their owne good and credit by which meanes both few errors and few bookes will bee written and printed seeing al false Ministers and most people have litle or nothing els besides the Fathers to build their religion and doctrine vpon or if it be once stablished by law that none shal confirme their Religion and doctrine by the Fathers and by prisons burning and bannishing etc but by the holy Scriptures then error will not bee written nor disputed except by obstinate persons and 〈◊〉 consciences seeing the word of God will bee no shelter for any error Yea I know by experience among the people caled Brownists that a Man shall not draw them to wryte though they bee desyred for one of their preachers caled Mast Rob hath had a wryting of myne in his hards above sixe Moneths and as yet I can get no answer it seemes he knoweth not how better to hide his errors then by silence and this willbee the case of all false Bishops and Ministers who had rather be mute and dumb then bee drawen into the light with their errors Therefore permission of conscience and liberty of the gospel in our laÌ„d of great Brittaine wil mightily further the advancement of the Apostoliq faith And chiefly their books whereout sufficient matter willbee drawen for the convinceing of every perticuler religioÌ„ which is against the religion stablished by Christ and his Apostles who by all meanes Lawfull sought the conversion and salvation both of Iewes and Gentils And they are vnconstant and faithles men or at least very ignorant that thinck error will ouercome and prevayle against the truth For the Abolishing of such thoughts I desper such men to coÌ„sider the mighty victory and prevailing of the truth in the tyme of Christ aÌ„d his Apostles which notwithstanding resisted and disputed against by the most part of the Priests and learned men both of Iewes and Gentils yet ouercame and prevayled against al the errors of the high priests and great learned Men both of the Iewes and gentils and the Apostle saith we cannot doe any thing against the truth but for the truth and seing it is the same truth which al good men would embrace why should we not hope the same victory by it Did not King Darius aÌ„d al the people both jewes and gentils cry out and say that truth is greate and strongest Why then should those that have the truth and those that wold have the truth be affraid of errore seing truth discovereth dark and dangerous wayes of error though abroad in open books even as light discovereth darke and dangerous places though abroad in open high wayes And as the more darke and dangerous the wayes be the more necessary and needful will light be found of al that travaile So the more darke and dangerous the errors be the more needful and profitable wil truth be found of all that would travil to heaven But som may say objection let al this be graÌ„ted yet it is no wisdom we think to bring dangerous errors into the light that so many men may stumble at them Which being not brought to light would not bee so much as knowen to som I answer no more then a Rock that lyeth hid vnder water which for want of bringing into the light many Men may make shipwrack thereoÌ„ and so stumble or fal neverthelesse though it be not so much as knowen to them before Therfore as a stock in the Seas though not so much as knowen to som yet for want of being made knowen many men stumble and fal theron aÌ„d so perish both men and goods So an error though not so much as known to som yet for wanâ— of
the scripture hath foretold 〈◊〉 it is to be noted that the scripture hath also foretold of the consumatioÌ„ 〈◊〉 abolition of this Antychrist the man of sin his mistery of iniquity with theâ— most of his arival or hyghest top of dignity he is come vnto and this shal be done by the spirit of the Lord in the mouth of his servants For when 〈◊〉 words of God be fulfilled then shal the servants of the lord prevaile by his word and spirit with ten kings that shal hate make the whore desolate which sitteth in the hearts and consciences of peoples multitudes nations and this whore is the woman caled the great Citty which reigneth over the Kings of the earth meaning the chur of Rtome by her false faith aÌ„d disciplin which is so fast setleds in the hearts and consciences of the Kings of the earth that they think they doe God good service in killing and burning his servants that do speak against her faith disciplyne that wil not bay any of her wares that is her Antychristian doctrines aÌ„d ordinances But as she hath had her exaltation and arival to the heyght and dignity of the 〈◊〉 Empire of Rome by the love of kings who have given their power and authority vnto her and who have fought for her against the Saints servants of Iesus So she shal have her consumation and abolition from that height and dignity by the hatred of kings who againe shal take their power and authority from her and therwith defend the peace and persons of the Saints servants of Iesus noâ— for religions peace wil use their power and authority against the bloudy perseqution of Antychrist and al his bloudy Bishops and Ministers aÌ„d so becom nursing fathers vnto the church of Christ And as it hath pleased God to give his Majesty peace round about as he did vnto King Cyrus in whose dayes the material Temple began to be repared which was a figuer of the spiritual temple So I pray it may please him also in the peaceable dayes of king Iames to begin to repayre the spiritual Temple the Apostoliq church scattered and dryven abroad into the wildernes of this world whose caâ—ing and gathering together must be by the preaching of the word of God both to jewes and gentils and not by the sword of the kings of the earth as Antychrist and his Ministers have now along tyme perswaded and prevailed wherby not onely the jewes and infidels but also papists and other false Christians are hindred and deprived from the knowledg of the Apostoliq faith And it is be noted that David might not build Gods temple because he had spilt much blood which sheweth no blood ought to be spilt for the building of the spiritual temple 1. Cro. 28. 3. ergo peace in religion is a good meanes to make a vnity of religion among so many Christian sects And it is wel worthy consideration that as in the tyme of the old Testament the Lord would not have his offrings by constraint but of every man whose heart gave it freely so now in tyme of the gospel he wil not have the people constrayned but as many as receave the word gladly they are to be added to the Church by baptisme and therfore Christ commanded his disciples to teach al nations baptise them that is to preach the word of salvatioÌ„ to evry creature of al sorts of natioÌ„s that are worthy and willing to receave it And such as shal willing and gladly receave it he hath commanded to be baptised in the water that is dipped for dead in the water aÌ„d therfore the apostle saith Els what shal they do which are baptised for dead if the dead be not raised why are they baptised for dead And therfore also he saith we are buried theÌ„ with him by baptisme c and it is to be wel observed that when Christ wold have preached the word of salvation to the gadereÌ„s he did not compel them when they refused but finding them vnwilling to receave him and his word he turned from them without hurting theÌ„ also wheÌ„ Iames and Iohn saw that som of the Samaritaneâ— refused Christ they wold have commanded fyer from heaven to consume them as Elias did But Christ rebuked theÌ„ and said ye know not of what spirit ye are For the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them By al which it may please his Majesty and Parliament to take knowledge that Christ wil haue none consumed with fyer and sword for not heareing and not receaveing his word And that howsoever it hath bene the mynde of Antychrist to destroy mens liues for religion and therein haue not spared neither prince nor people yet it is not the mynde of Christ that princes should destroy their subiects nor yet that subiects shold destroy their Princes for difference in religion And therfore why shold Bishops perswade Princes and people and why shold king prince and people be perswaded by their Bishops and Ministers to be contrary mynded to Christ verily it is a notorious aÌ„d playne token of a false faith and discipline that is defended by fyer and sword the power and authority of Princes And they cannot be Christs Bs and preachers that perswade princes and peoples to such Antychristian tyranny and cruelty And it is very evident that those Bs and Mm which giue ouer men and women to the Magistrate to be perswaded by perseqution doe shew clearly that their doctrine is not good and that they want the word aÌ„d spirit of God aÌ„d therfore flee to the Magist sword for the forceing of them to their faith and disciplyne and as the wyne is not good which we are forced to drink so those doctrynes are not good which we are forced to beleeue But it may be by this tyme al those Bishops who vnfainedly feare God and truly love the king will haste and make speed to come vnto his Majesty for pardon acknowledging the truth of this booke confesseing their ignoraace and arrogance in the knowledge of Gods word and in compelling the people to heare the word preached and for impri burn bannis and hang for religion coÌ„trary to the minde of Christ aÌ„d also for stopping the mouthes of meÌ„ aÌ„d burning their books that preach aÌ„d wryte contrary to their myndes aÌ„d wils yea it may be they wil also confesse and say Oh most gratious king we beseech your Maiesty to shew vs mercy and to forgiue vs our spirituall pride and ambition in that we haue thus long vsurped the blasphemous titles of spirituallords and lords graces the which Tytles we now to the glory of God aÌ„d honor of the King do with Vntained hearts confesse to be due and belong onely to Christ himself and that the name and Tytle of spiritual lord cannot belong to any earthly Creature no not to the
King or Emperor because it is an heavenly name and tytle how much lesse can it beloÌ„g or be due vnto vs your Maiestys vnworthy subjects and schollers And for so much as we now vnderstand the Lord be praysed therfore that the holy and heavenly name and devine tytle of spiritual lord is as much yea as high and greate as the name and tytle of a spiritual God and also that it is a name aboue evry name which God the Father hath given vnto Christ onely to the end that evry knee shold bow vnto that onely and heavenly name and that evry tongue shold confesse that Iesus is the Messiah the Lord vnto the glory of God the Father that in al things Christ might have the preheminence for he alone is the head of the Chuach which is his body The which cannot bee so long as we or any other Bishops do hold and retayne that devine high and super excellent name and tytle of spiritual lord Because then it caÌ„not be said that God hath so highly exalted him as to give him a name aboue evry name seeing our names and tytles are also spiritual and are caled spiritual lords so wel as the son of God Iesus the Messiah The remembrance hereof most gratious soueraigne doe make vs to tremble before God and the king And therfore we most earnstly desire your sacred Majesty and the whole Parliament to dischardge and release vs of these fearful names and tytles that doe onely belong to the Son of God Iesus the onely spiritual lord that God hath given vnto his Church Moreover we doe according to the truth acknowledge that if wee shold any longer retayne these devine and high names of spiritual lords and lords graces we shold therin be intiteled not onely with a name equal to our lord Iesus the onely begotten Son of God but also we shold be intytled with a name and tytle above your right excellent Maiesty yea above al Emperors Kings aÌ„d Princes of the earth The which alone we doe acknowledge to be a sufficient cause to put vs downe and to depriâ—ue vs of these vsuâ—ped names and blasâ—hemous tytles Also we doe confesse that our pomp and state wherin we now live is more like the Bishops of the Catholiq Church of Antychrist then any way like vnto the Bishops of the Apostoliq Church of Christ vnto whom we acknowledge we ought to bee made like and also to be qualified with the like gifts and graces of the spirit or els in no â—ase we can be meet Bishops for the Church of Christ as the Apostle plainly teacheth both to Tymothy and Tytus c And we must further acknowledge and confesse that our howses howsholds and revenues are more fit aÌ„d meet for princes Dukes and Earles then for the Bishops of Christ VVherfore being moved and stirred vp hereto by the feare of God we earnestly beseech your Majesty and parliament also to disburden vs of this great pomp and state and of our great and Princelyke howses howshols and revenues that so we may be made equal aÌ„d conformable to the Ministers of Christ and then we shal have both hope and coÌ„fort of the world to come although but litle in this except your Majesty and Parliament doe grant free liberty of conscience the which we now do also with the poore distressed Christians most humbly entreat and desire and that for these 4. reasons First because therby the gospel of Christ wil bee set free and at liberty wherby al people both Iewes and Gentils wil be gathered to the Apostoliq faith Church and discipline Secondly because many of your Maj subjects both Men and women who now are forced to disseÌ„ble their religion for feare of our perseqution wil be released and set free from their spiritual bondage aÌ„d slavery wherin we now do hold theÌ„ against their consciences and so they wil becom more faith ful Christians to God and more loyal subjects to your Maj then ever they were before to the salvation of their soules and the saefty of the Crowne and State Thirdly because the poore distressed Christians now bannished and dispersed out of their Fatherland over the face of the earth wil be redeemed froÌ„ greate misery and bondage wherin now no doubt they live and abide because they wil not be in bondage to any other spiritual lord or head then the lord Iesus Messiah alone whose faith and disciplyne they desier onely to learne and obey Fourthy because therby great benefit and comodity wil redound both to your Majesty and to all your subjects within your highnes dominions by the great commerce in trade trafiq both of Iewes and al people which now forâ—ant of liberty of conscience are forced and dryven els where and also from the revennues liveings which we and our glergie doe possesse and from the courts and offiices we hold aÌ„d keep great profit and commodity wil redound both to your highnes and to al your kingdoms we say more profit and commodity then we or any man is able to expresse And therfore we also desier al his maiestyes subjects both greath smale in al love ad feare of God not to be offeÌ„ded or any way moved or grieved when they shal see such a reformation of vs as that famous King Henry the eyght did make of our lordly brethren the Abbots and their Clergye For indeed such a reformation ought to come among vs and our glergy seeing we are no way agreable to the new Testament of the onely spiritual lord Iesus Messiah but are limbs and fellow members of that Antychristian aÌ„d Romish church which in the scriptures is Prophecyed to be abolished and destroyd Now therfore we pray you all let not King David say the Sons of Seruiah are to strong for him for that wil bee vnprofitable for you al. And for conclusion we entreat his Ma and Parlia to enact that as our adversaries com against vs onely with the word of God so we go against them onely with the word of God and not as we have done by civil authority for so our selves may be forced to dissemble Thus it may be the lord wil perswade and work in the hearts of some of the Bishops who wil willingly resigne their Antychristian tytles and Popish pomp and State with their princelike howses aÌ„d lyveings into the hands of the King without any compulsion or constraint But if they doe not yet if it please God to open the kings heart to see their Antichristian and Idol estate aÌ„d the danger aÌ„d damage they cause both to the King Prince and People they wil be compelled therto eveÌ„ as their lordly brethren the Abbots in King Henry dayes were And howsoever it be not regarded or perhaps not descerned yet in the sight of God aÌ„d his people they are greater Idols then their lordly bretheren the Abbots yea greater Idols then the Images of wood and stoone which that famous aÌ„d Godly King Edward
are in affliction as if ye were also afflicted in the body And to shew them mercy for mercy rejoyceth against judgement but judgment mercyles shal be to them that shew no mercy If ye be friendly to your brethren onely what singuler thing do you doe not the sinners the same be not like vnto them but vnto your heavenly father whose wisdom love and mercy I beseech him to grant you that so you may come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved And that we your Majestis faithful subjects may lead a peaceable and quiet life even in our owne nation in al Godlynes and honesty Amen Now them that are persequted I exhort with the words of the Apostle Peter dearely beloved thinck it not straÌ„ge concerning the fiery trial that is among you to prove you as though som strange thing were com vnto you but rejoyce in as much as ye are pertakers of Christs suffrings that when his glory shal appeere ye may â—e glad and rejoyce If ye bee rayled vpon for the name of Christ blessed are ye for the spirit of glory aÌ„d of God resteth vpon you which on their part is evil spokeÌ„ of but on your part is glorifyed but let no man suffer as an evil doer or as a murtherer or as a busy body in others matters but iâ— one suffer as a Christian let him not be a shamed but let him glorifye God in that behalf For al the Marâ—rs of the Apostoliq Church have suffered as evil doers and as heretiks For the time is that judgment must begin at the howse of God If it first begin at vs saith the apostle what shal the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God And if the righteous scarsly be saved where shall the vngodly and sinner appeere wherfore let them that suffer according to the 〈◊〉 of God commit their soules vnto him in weldoeing as vnto a faithful Creator Read Esay 2. 2. 4. 11. 16. He shal judge among the nations aÌ„d rebuke many people they shal break their sword into mattocks and their speares into sithes nation shal not lift vp a sword against nation neyther shal they learne to fight any more The high looks of man shal be humbled and the loftynes of man shal be abased the lord onely shal be exalted in that day for the day of the lord of hosts is vpoÌ„ al the proud and hauty and vpon al that is exalted and it shal be made low Litle David overcame great Goliah yet not brought vp in warre Vnlearned Peter confuted the learned preists yet by caling a fisher man Attend and helpe and you shal see the wonderful works of God For the foolishnes of God is wiser then men the weaknes of God is stronger then men And God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise things thaâ— are despised hath God chosen to bring to nought things that are 1. Cor. 1. 25. 28. FINIS Leonard Busher 1. Cor. 5. 5. a Ioh. 3. 3 b jam 1. 1â— c 1. Petr. 1. 3. 23. Matth. 28. Marc. 16. 2. Cor. 10. 4. Ephe. 6. 17 Heb. 4. 12. Mat. 28. 19 Mar. 16. 16 Act. 8. 12. luc 24. 4. 7. act 8. 12. 37. 2. 4. 〈…〉 Rev. 16. 14 Marc. 9. 38 39. Mat. 16. 27 Rev. 16. 14 Luce 9. 55. 56. Ioh. 12. 47. a Matt. 20. 6. 7. e Eph. 2. 8. 1. tim 1. 13 Act. 26. 〈◊〉 Iam. 5. 11. 2. Pet. 3. 9. 2. cor 5. 19 Iohn 3. 1. Sam. 15. 15. 24. Act. 9. 15. 1 tim 2. 1. 2 1. Cor. 7. 22. 23. Rom. 2. 16 Act. 10. 42 Ioh. 18. 36 Ephe. 6. 1â— 17. Mat. 18. 17 Tyt. 3. 10 1. Iohn 4. 1 2. cor 13. 1. Iohn 5. 1. Io. 4. 1 co 12. â— Gala. 4. 29 Galat. 5. â—e 18. 20 Co. 7. 16 â—att 20. 6. Tyt. 1. 7. 9. 11. Mat. 13. 29 30. 38. Act. 3. 17. Re. 12. 14. Re. 14. 20. 2. tim 3. 16. Mat. 10. 14. 15. Marc. 6. 11 act 13. 51. ther is one Furbusher a preacher in this laÌ„d 2. Cor. 5. 20 many thousand Ambassadors martyrâ— of Christ hath Bbsâ— caused to be slaine since Châ— ascended Marc. 13. 9 PersequtioÌ„ destroy Christians but not errors 2. cor 10. 4 1. Tym. 1. 13. 15. Luc. 9. 53. 55. Persequtors rebuked of Christ 1. Cor. 10. 32. Col. 4. 5. PersequtioÌ„â—lo make â—any straÌ„â—ers â—ersequtioÌ„â—â—usemani â—â—ligions 〈◊〉 the â—hurch â— v. 18. 2. 4 â—â—eter were to have â—any reliâ—oÌ„s in the â—nd theÌ„ in â—â—le Churc Mat. 10. 23 Christ teacheth to flee persequtioÌ„ ergo it cannot possible be good Mat. 7. 13 Note see 2. tim 3. 3 4. RoÌ„ 10. 17. Mat. 24. 2. thes 2. â— 1. Tym. 4. 2. Peter 2. rev 57. 13 17. Gal. 2. 3. 5. 11. â— 6. 12. Note False Bbs teach Turks and Pagans to persequte Christians Rom. 2. 4. 〈◊〉 2. 25. â— cor 11. 2 False Bbs worse then Turks and pagans Note Falss Bbs spirituall â—ornicatioÌ„ â— thes 2. 4. 1. Cor. 6. 19. 20. 1. cor 6. 16 17. with â—ev 18. 4 â— Pet. 2. 1. â— Pet. 1. 19 If Idolaters ought to be slain then ought al those that submit yeld spiritual obedience revereÌ„ce vnto these Bbs to be slaine who then shold remaine in land alive Rev. 17. 13. Note RoÌ„ 2. 1. 3. Luc. 6. 31. Or provocation King Edward was an enemy to persequtioÌ„ Acts mon pag. 1484. The ChristiaÌ„ answer of King Edward rev 16. 14. 〈…〉 RoÌ„ 14. 23. By Digby Cates by c maâ— 11. 29. Luc. 14. 27 Act. 4. 19 The Bbs as the high preists force men to obay man rather theÌ„ God Note wel Then â—ary til to morrow Rev. 17. 16 Gen. 17 â—6 Rom. 4. 17. Rom. 13. 4 PermissioÌ„ of coÌ„scieÌ„ce a furtheraÌ„ce to the gospel and a safly both to prsnce and people Rev. 12. 6. 14 13. 5. 7. 2. Cor. 11. 13. 2. thes 2. 6. 7. 2. Tes 2. 9. 1. tim 4. 1. 2. 3. 2. tim 3. 1. 4. 5. 2. pe â— 1. 3 1. john â— 1 2. john 7 Iud. 4. 11 16. 18. Note wel 1. john 4. 3 The Siriah saith came in flesh 1. john 2. 22. 23. john 17. 3. 5. 8. 1. co 15. 47 Iohn 6. 38 42. 62. 7. 26. 27 Iohn 16. 2. 3. 27. 21. 1. joh 4. 2. Ioh. 6. 62. 3. 13. Iohn 17. 5. 1. Cor. 15. 47. 49. 1. Ioh. 4. 3. 2. cor 11. 12. 15. Rev. 12. ◠〈◊〉 Rev. 12. 6. 13. 14. Rev. 12. 6. 13. 14. Note 2. The. 2. 3 6. 8. 1. Tim. 4. 1 2. 3. Rev. 12. 6. 11. 14. 17. 2. 6. 17 2. Tim. 3. 1 9. 4. 3. 4 2. pe 2. 1. 3 1. joh 2. 18 19. 4. â— 2. Iohn 7. Iude 4. 11 16. Like mother like Daughter 1. Tim. 4. 2 Rev. 2. 24 1. joh 4. 1. Fyer and sword nâ— equal weâ—pons to the spirit word Mistically psal 2. 1â— Psal 2. 2. â— 1. joh 2. 2â— Rev. 17. 1â— Rev. 12. 1. Mat. 18. 6 10. Mat. 〈◊〉 38 39. Mat. 11. 35 36. Rom. 10. 9 Luc. 18. 7. 2. Txs 2. 8 I pray the Lord to give such grace the Sea of Rome may 〈◊〉 apace Nota FroÌ„ popes submission ther is great suspiâ—ion 2. Tim. â— 24. 25. james 3. 1 Note A true signe of false Bishops an Ministers Iohn 3. 2. Iohn 3. 10 1. Cor. 9. 20 22. Act. 16. 3. 2. Cor. 13. 8 2. Esd 4. 38. 41. Answer Another true signe of false Bishops ministers The word of God the onely defender of the faith of Christ Idol Bbs false ministers authors of persequtioÌ„ Rev. 16. 14 Rom. 10. 14. 17. Mar. 16. â—6 1. tes 5. 19. â— tim 2. 24 25. 2. Cor. 10. 3. 5. Rev. 11. 2. Act. 2. 41. 47. Note Act. 2. 47. A true Church wil not persequte Mat. 12. 25 rev 18. 2. 8 1. Cor. 8. 11. 12. Luc. 10. 3 Gen. 32. 28 Rom. 13. 4 2. Tym. 2. 1. tym 4. Rev. 17. 15 2. thâ— 2. 8. Rev. 17. 16 〈◊〉 Caled the Temple of God 2. Thesa Rev. 17. 1 15. 18. Iohn 16. 2 Re. 17. 13 14. Esay 2. 4. Ezra 4. 7. Ha. 2. 4. 10. Exod. 25. â— and 35. 5 Act. 2. 40. 41. mat 28 Mar. 16. 16 Mat. 10. 11 14. 1. Co. 1â— 29 Luc. 8. 37. Luc. 9. 54. 55. Christs Bs wil not be lords over the consciences â—he Bs do â—now in â—heir consciences â—hat this 〈◊〉 true â—ob 32. 22 Phi. 2. 9. 11 Col. 1. 18. The Bs in Tytles equal to the Son of God Note Gods blessings il expected vnlesse these Idols bee rejected who are exalted above al earthly Gods 1. Tym. 3. Tit. 1. 6. 9. To greate 〈◊〉 the ods 〈◊〉 use the word against gods word The Bs greater Idols then the Abbots â—mages or goldeÌ„ calfe Ex. 32. 1 what greater idolatri theÌ„ to obai other spiritual lords then the lord Iesus 2. king 23. 17. 20. 1. sam 5. 3. 1. ty 2. 1. 2 RoÌ„ 13. 1. 7 Col. 2. 14. Heb. 8. 13. Deut. 17 18. 20. Luc. 6. 3â— Note 1. Cor. 3. 17 6. 19. 20 Frederich Iohn Palsgraves said that vnder pretext of the holi ghosts office of correction litle els was sougt theÌ„ to reygne over the coÌ„scieÌ„ces of the Magistrats subjects like as in the accursed popedom is coÌ„ to passe c. Note wel Iewes kepe back from the faith by perseqution Rev. 11. 3 and 19. 10. 2. Pet. 2. â— It is the Kings honor to search out a thing Pro. 25. Exod. 3. 6. A cryeing sinne Iohn 16. 3 〈◊〉 10. 2. 3. Iohn 6. 44 Mat. 10. 11 14. 2. â—y 2. 25. Ioh. 13. 35 1. Cor. 13 Heb. 13. 3. Iam. 2. 13. 〈◊〉 6. 32. â—7 1. Tym. 2 Pet. 4. 12 2. Pet. 2. 2. Act. 24. 14 Antychrist and his persequtioÌ„ shal bee made low 2. thes 2. 4 Gal. 6. 6 1. Cor. 9. 7.