CHRISTS CONFESSION AND COMPLAINT Concerning HIS KINGDOM AND SERVANTS Conuincing Iewes of obstinacie Romish Catholickes of Conspiracie Seducers of Sedition Arminians of Apostacie and diuers others of Coldnes Schisme Treachery Hypocrisie By J. P. 1. TIM 6.13 Hee witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate Bernard De ordine vitae Vbinam quaeso vera prudentia nisi in Christi doctrina Soli ergo qui eius doctrina imbuti sunt prudentes dicendi sunt Printed M.DC.XXIX TO THE HONOVR OF ALMIGHTIE GOD. ETERNALL and incomprehensible Lord God who hast giuen to thine only begotten Sonne Iesus Christ dominion and a Kingdome that all people Nations and languages should serue and obey him and who hauing first sent this Kingdome to the Iewes who reiected it and since to diuers other Nations that haue fallen a way froÌ„ it and follo wed Antichrist hast of they great goodnesse vouchsafed among other places to haue thy Kingdome now these many yeeres in this Iland yet haue not we O Lord in humilitie and thankefulnesse in all matters of faith and saluation subiected our selues to the same but the Corner stone hath beene in sundrie points of diuers Builders refused who haue brought in new and contrarie doctrines against the word of they Grace and Kingdome and many O Lord haue followed their pernicious wayes We haue sinned and done wickedly and haue rebelled by departing from thy Precepts and thereby haue deserued that thy Kingdome should also be taken froÌ„ vs and giuen to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof But O Lord God if the foundations be destroyed yet what hath the Righteous done What hath they holy SoÌ„ne Iesus done that he should lose his Kingdome so many people here and in other Nations or if he lose none that thou hast giuen him yet that he should not haue them to serue him with more freedome He is worthy to be serued of all without feare of Enemies vvho redeemed vs to thee by his blood out of euery kindred and tongue and people and Nation It hath beene said The Kingdomes of this world are become the Kingdomes of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for euer Wee know O Lord that thou wilt make good they Word and if we beleeue not yet thou abidest faithfull Neuerthelesse the Kings of the earth haue set themselues and the Rulers take counsell together against thee and thy Christ In many Kingdomes and Prouinces where the Gospell hath beene lately preached they seeme to haue preuailed and reduced people to Antichristian slauery but thou O Lord hast promised to speake vnto them in thy wrath and by thy Word to ouercome them Vp Lord therefore and let not man haue the vpper hand Awake awake put on strength O Arme of the Lord awake as in the ancient dayes when thou didst deuide the Sea and brakest the heads of the Egyptian Dragons in the waters take vnto thee againe O Lord they great power and raigne ouer all Nations Iewes and Gentiles though they and we haue deserued no such King but rather the most contrary yet in the multitude of they mercies burie the multitude of all our transgressions suffer not them nor vs to walke in darkenesse but for thine owne Names sake send out thy light and thy Truth and let them leade vs and bring vs to the sauing knowledge and obedience of thee and thy Christ Giue a blessing O Lord to all good meanes conducing to the same namely to these few proofes obseruations gathered by thy assistance from the Confession and Complaint of thy deare Sonne In them O God defend what is thine owne And let not those O Lord God of hosts that put their trust in thee de ashamed of the Truth because of me for who am I dust and ashes one of the lowest ranke of thy Seruants that when many great and learned dare not or doe not I should aduenture to shew the wrongs done to the Kingdome of my Sauiour that am not able of my selfe to thinke a good thought Thou knowest O Lord that most men haue the faith of our Lord Iesus Christ with respect of persons looking more who writeth then what is written though they confesse that it oft pleaseth thee out of the mouthes of Babes and sucklings to ordaine strength because of thine enemies for their greater shame and confusion that so thou mightest still the enemie and auenger when they shall see that if they could get all the wise and learned and mightie men in the world to be on their side yet thou canst choose and enable the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the things that aâ—e not to bring to nought the things that are Thou O Lord God art to such weakeones the best Patron the surest Shâ—eld and Buckler Shew therefore thy marueilous louing kindnesse O thou that sauest them that trust in thee from those that resist thy right hand Thou that canst manifest thy might in weakenesse Bow the heauens O Lord and come downe and make thy Name knowne to thine aduersaries that the Nations may tremble at thy presence Cast downe the strong holds and high conceits of proud Heretickes exalted against the knowledge of thee the only true God and thy Sonne Iesus Christ whom thou hast sent Bring into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of thy Christ for thine O Lord is the Kingdome that then thou shouldest rule all thine the power and the glorie of giuing and effecting all good things to thee O Father together with thy Sonne our Sauiour and thy holy Spirit three Persons one true and euerliuing God be giuen as due is all obedience honour praise and glorie now and for euer Amen TO THE HIGH AND MIGHTIE PRINCE CHARLES by the grace of God King of great Britaine France and Ireland Defendor of the Faith c. THere was a Law Dread Soueraigne among the Romans Gueuara in his Epistles That vpon paine of death none should presume to approach the Tent where the Emperour did eate sleepe except such as did serue him by day and guard him by night The Emperour Aurelius being in the warres in Asia against Cenobia in the night a certaine Greeke Souldier entred the Emperours Tent who being taken to be executed for the same the Emperour from his bed cried out with a loude voyce If his man did come to sue for any thing for himselfe let him die but if for another let him liue The matter being examined it was found that the poore man came to sue for his three companions that were taken sleeping in the watch who therevpon were then all saued whereby that good Prince got to himselfe an immortall name of clemencie Novv seeing I also a common Souldier come not to sue for my selfe but my Sauiour nor in my ovvne Name and vvords but in his Confession and Complaint and aboute those who if not in your Maiesties seruice yet in Christs Camp haue been taken asleep being of the watch no
be delivered to the Iewes but now is my Kingdom not from hence Pilate therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered Thou sayeest that I am a King To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice THAT which S. Paul saith of all holy Scripture 2. Tim. 3.15 can not but be verified in this that it is giueÌ„ by inspiratioÌ„ of God and is proffitable for doctrine for reproefe for correction for instruction in righteousnes That the man of God may be perfect because in saying that Iesus Christ witnessed a GOOD confession before Pontius Pilate 1. Tim. 5.6.13 he must needes haue respect to this here prefixed for there is noe other mencioned by all the other Euangelist saue this that when Pilate asked him Art thou the Kinge of the Iewes he answered him Thou saist it Which is comprehended in this confession recorded by S. Iohn for theese words of our Sauiour Christ spokeÌ„ in the morning of his PassioÌ„ vnto Pilate sitting in the iugemeÌ„t hall are an answer to that questioÌ„ asked by Pilate in the forgoeing vers Ioh. 18.13 Art thou the King of the Iewes to which questioÌ„ Christ answers first by a question neither plainely affirming himselfe to be the King of the Iewes least beeing misâ—enderstood of the worldly Kingdom he should offer them some shew of cause of putting him to death because that Kingdom was accounted CÄ™sars nor yet denying the truth but rather confessing and implying himselfe to be a King saying Sayest thou this thing of thy selfe or did others tell it thee of me vers 34. As if he saide Doest thou thy selfe imagin it doest thou thinke it or haue others told it to thee that I am a King or haue made my selfe one that thou askest me this question either as thinking me to be King of the Iewes or seeking to haue wherewithall to condemne me doest thou aske this question of thy selfe to get matter out of my owne mouth against me as the high Preist did Vers 35. or did others tell it thee of mee At which manner of speaking Pilate somwhat offended answered Am I a Iew that is either in opinion and religion as some are who thinke thee to be the King of the Iewes Math. 27.17 and their expected King or Messiah as he saith who is called Christ and whom yee call King of the Iewes or in mallice as others are who beeing of a contrarie faith hate thee and seek thy life because thou art thought to be that King and better then themselues they therfore make it matter of accusation I though a Gentile and Cesars Deputie haue not sought out this thinge nor thee to finde matter against thee Ioh. 18.35 but thine owne natioÌ„ the cheifs Preists haue deliuered thee vnto me As if he saide The enuie is not mine but theires for he know that for enuie they had deliuered him Mat. 27.18 Yet to satiffie them in examining him he addeth What hast thou donne as if he saide to make thy selfe King of the Iewes and thereby an offendour against Cesar To which Iesus then answered more directly and plainely saying My Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were c. The causes of this Confession THE causes that both moued Pilate to examin him vpon this point and Christ to make this answer were the invectiue exclamations and accusatioÌ„s of his obstinate enemies the Iewes who saide Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying that he himselfe is Christ a King They here accuse him of three things 1. They say they found him peruerting the nation 2. Forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar 3. Saying that himselfe is Christ a King Or if you will they accuse him of perverting the nation which they would seeme to proue by theese two that he forbiddeth to giue tribute to Cesar and that he saith that himselfe is Christ a King That of the tribute was a most false accusation and only a charging of him with that which they would haue had him to say not with that which he did say for when they fauninglie applauded his integritie and the truth of his doctrine then they saide Tell vs therfore what thinkest thou Mat. 22 16. Is it lawfull to giue tribute vnto Cesar or not But he perceiuing theire wickednes saide Why tempt ye me ye hypocrits Ye that pretend that ye thinke me true and that I teach the way of God in truth that in respect of it I care not for any man nor regard the person of man so as for mans sake to bauke or wrest the truth of God A thing indeed as odious wicked and detestable as theire dissembling who doe not now speake lies in hypocrisie but truth in hypocrisie for what they saide of Christ was noe lie he was true taught the way fo God in truth and in respect thereof cared not for any man but was indeed Doctor resolutus and therein a perfect patterne for all his Elect to imitate as besides oâ—her times appeared now in his confession first before the high Preist and after before Pilate where he would speake the tâ—uth though he knew it would cost him his life and yet as they speake these words they are lies yea they are also lies spoken in hypocrisie because they doe not speake the truth that is in theire heart they doe not thinke as they speake but speake against their seared consciences which will needes be perswaded notwithstanding all good proefes of life myracles and doctrine that he is a deceiuer or if some of them were thereby conuicted in their consciences that he was true c. yet they enuie and hate him for these things there is noe loue noe desire to learne or be informed but rather to catch and ensnare and soe noe truth but trocherie in theese their speeches and euen in that respect they are Hipocrits and Liars conuicted for examples to vs and that by Christ himselfe who at the generall day will thus iudge of all that speake well to an ill ende He asketh to see the tribute money they shew him he asketh whose Image and superscription it is They say vnto him Cesars Mâ—t. 22. Then saith he vnto them giue vnto Cesar the things that are Cesars * Caesari nummos Deo vosipsos Aug. in Ioan Tract 40. and vnto God the things that are Gods This is not to forbid tribute to Cesar they could proue noe such thinge out of theese words Pilate hâ—mselfe that heard all they could suggest cleares him hereof while after examination he saith I finde noe fault in this man They therefore knowing they could not pâ—oue it directly goe about in thâ—s theire accusation to proue it indirectly and by consequence saying Wee found this fellow peruerting the nation and forbidding to giue tribute to Cesar saying
thy Name Ioh. 12.28 Then came here a voice from heauen saying I haâ—e glorifie bit and will glorifie it again He had glorified the word which is also the Fathers Name because it is his word when so greate myracles were denne by it and so many conueâ—ted thereby and so it was glorified againe after his death by the miâ—istrie of his Apostles and others to the healing of many and the conuersion of millions of people Lastly at his transfiguration on the mount Mat. 17.5 beholdâ— a voice out of the cloude which saide This is my beloued Sonne in whome I â—m well pleased heare ye him As if he saide for he is the promised woâ—d To his Apostles which heard him were witnesses of his resurrection he gaue commissioÌ„ to preach to all nations and so his myracles Heb. 2.3.4 life doctrine and resurrection were confirmed to â—s by them that heard him who also sealed the Truth of all with theire bloods God also bearing them witnes both with signes and wonders and with diuers myracles and gifts of the holy Ghost As the heaâ—ing of a man lame from his mothers wombe and many others manifested to his and theiâ—e aduersaries All which proued that Iesus was as he taught the word and that word the Sonne the Messiah which was to come and that he did not blaspheme when he câ—â—fest as much to the high Priest Mat. 26.69 For this yet doe they pâ—esently spit in his fâ—ce buffet hâ—m smite reuile him and leade him a â—ay to Pilate to be for this only thinge put to death this beeing all they could proue or he finde and that not that he made himselfe a temporall Kinge but spiritual for when he vâ—ged him with theese words Art thou the King of the Iewes what hast thou donne Iesus answered my Kingdom is not of this world if my Kingdom were of this world c. and when Pilate gathering by theese words that he confest himselfe to be a King therefore saide vnto him Art thou a Kinge then Iesus answered thou sâ—iest that I am a Kinge As if he saide and I must not denie it for to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice This then beeing his plaine answer concerning his Kingdom and the true subjects thereof wee may consider in this confession theese things 1. A KingdoÌ„ acknowledged in theese words my Kingdom which are thrice repeated in the former of theese verses 2. That this Kingdom is not of this world as he saith my Kingdâ—â— is not of this world â— A proofe or reason thereof in theese words for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my subiects fight that I should not be deliâ—ered to the Iewes 4 A conclusion following from the premises in theese words but now is my Kingdom not from hence In the first there is the Kingdom of the Messiah and that claimed by out Sauiour who here calleth it his as he saith my Kingdom First then wee will endeauour to finde out of the old Testament what the Kingdom of the Messiah was to be whether spirituall or temporall and where the seate thereof should be And secondly whether this Kingdom properly belonge to Iesus the Sonne of Marie who claimes it while he confesseth himselfe to be the Christ and saith my Kingdom Where first ye know it is already manifested The Kingdom of the Messiah that the Mâ—ssiah was to be the Word and that therefore his Kingdom and gouernment must needes be spirituall ruling mens soules for God his Fatheâ— as was proued from tho second Psalme where indeed the Father also calleth him his Kinge that is one ruling for him saying I haue set my Kinge vpon my holy hill of Sion psa 2. Isa 40.10 where also while he saith my holy hill of Sion he sheweth it to be his Kingdom So of the Father it is saide His Arme that is his word shall rale for him It is his Kingdom for the Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Gouerno or of his people Therefore it is added vers 11. He shall feede hâ—s flocke like a Shepheard he shall gather the Lambes with his Arme to shew that Christ succeedes Dauid as a Shepheard of the people feeding theÌ„ with the spirituall foode of the word Fzech 34.23 chap. 37.21.24 and so ruleth in his throne spiritually He shoul be theire Shepheard â—zek 34.23 and Chap. 2â— 22.24 So Dauid saith The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou on my right hand that is rule thou for me vntil I make hâ—â—â— enemies thy footestoole psa 110.1 Thereby intimating that all enemâ—es of the word shall be either subiected to the word or confounded thereby Therefore it is added vers 2. The Lord shall seâ—de the Râ—d of thy strength viz. the Word out of Zionâ— to this word therefore he there speaketh saying Rule thou in the middest of thine eâ—emâ—es Isa 2. Mic. 4. aâ—cording to that of the Prophets Isaiah and Micah Thâ— Lâ—â—â— shall gâ—efoorâ—h of Sion anâ— the word of the Lord out of Hierâ—sâ—em Aâ—d he shall iudge â—monge the Nations He the word shall as the Father saith Miâ—e Arme thaâ— is my Word shal iudge the people From which places wee may see that this Kingdom was to begin to be preached in Sion and Ierusalem vnto it was the Kingdom and dominion first to comâ— Mica 4.8 and thence to goe Foorth into all the World haâ—eâ—ng noe other certaine seate then there wheresoeuer the Word should enlighten and rule the Soules of men Isa 42.6 therefore the Lord saith to him I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to vpâ—n the blinde eyes c. Isa 55.3.4 And in another place I will make an euerlasting couenant with you euen the suâ—e Mercies of Dauid Behold I haue giuen hiâ— viz. the Word or couenant For a witnesse to the people a leader and a commaunder to the people Viz. a spirituall leader therefore he saith to him in the following words vers 5. Behoâ—d thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not and nations that knew not thee shall runne vnto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the holy one of Israel for he hath glorified thee this then is the gloâ—ie that he giâ—es the Messiah who is the Word that he should call nations to the knowledge and obedience of the Woâ—d therefore in this sense God saith to the Word in the second Psalme Psa 2.8.9 Ask of me and I will giue thee the heathen For thâ—ne inheritance and the vâ—termâ—st parts of the earth for thy posession the most remote nations shall come to the knowledge and obedience of thee or else as it is added Thou shalt bâ—eake them with a Rod of yron that is with thy owne power as he saith elsewhere with the Rod of thy
then by the Word and soe reiecting Christ and his Kingdom they breake his bands asunder and cast his cords froÌ„ them In further proofe whereof Psa 2.3 obserue He who is the Word saith to his Disciples Luk. 10.8.9 Into whatsoeuer citie ye enter and they receiue you say vnto them the Kingdom of God is come neere vnto you that is because in theire preaching the Word is come to rule and enlighten them in all things needefull to saluation the Arme that should rule for God is come the Word of which is saide He shall iudge amonge the nations and to whome is saide Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies vers 16. for he saide then to his Apostles He that heareth you heareth me viz. me the Word and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me viz. whos 's Word I am vers 11. and who should rule for him therefore he saith there And if they receiue you not say vnto them the verrie dust of youre citie wee wâ—pe of against you notwithstanding be ye sure of this that the Kingdom of God is come nigh vnto you viz. in the Word there preached though they will not receiue him to rule them but * Psal 107.11 Dan. 9 5. Rom. 10.21 Mat. 21.43 Chap. 23.37 rebell against the Word and conspire to expell him and his Kingdom out of theire citie First then wee see that this beeing the fault of Ierusalem of the cheife Preists and other Iewes who gainsaied his doctrine put him to death and persecuted his seruants Therefore saith he say I vnto you The Kingdom of God shall be takeÌ„ from you and giuen to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Often would I haue gathered thy children together as c. and ye would not Behold youre howse is left vnto you desolate for I say vnto you you shall not henceforth see me viz. me the Word till ye say blessed is he that commeth in the Name of the Lord. viz. with the Word and Truth reuealed And secondly hereby also wee may see the greate wickednes of the Pope and Church of Rome Vers 13. who also shut vp the Kingdom of God against men like the Scribes and Pharises Luk. 11.52 neither entring in themselues nor suffering others that would for they also take away the key of knowledge they will not suffer the Word manifested in Scriptures in diuers points of faith and saluation to be preached amonge theÌ„ nor read in a knowne tounge but fight against the doctrine of Christ and his Apostles persecute the professors thereof giue theire traditions * Concil Tri. Sess 4. Mark 7.13 equall authoritie and reuerence with the Word obey them more and indeede make the Word of God of none effect with theire traditions and in all theese things conspire and rebell against the Word and expell him and his Kingdom out of all theire Cities Vilages and Howses Which in some degree is also donne by such carnall and feigned Gospellers as call themselues Protestants and yet are enemies to preaching hearing and writing or what worse is set vp new and contrarie doctrines against the Word of Grace such as those of Pelagius Arminius and others for false doctrines are by Christ called tares Mat. 13.25 and he that soweth them is iudged an enemie of Christ and his Kingdom and if that be true which our Sauiour saith of Neuters and lukewarme Ministers Who doe not seeke the Kingdom of God and the righteousnes thereof but their owne gaine ease or honour He that is not with me is against me Mar. 12.30 and he that gathereth not with me scattereth How much more will they be found against the Word who either oppose and scorne preaching or set vp new and contrary doctrines hindring his absolute raigne and the peace of his Kingdom this doe all Hereticks and Seducers who bringe in another word to rule in matters of faith and saluation Theire word eates at the Word and Kingdom of God 2. Tim. 2.17 and so at the roote like a canker or gangrene and therfore they are seditious Preachers in Gods Kingdom moueing people to fall from Gods word obedience to theires and what in them is â— Thef 2.16 Forbidding men to speake to people some things of the Gospell that they might be saued to fill vp theire sinnes alway for the wrath is come vpon them to the vttermost This Kingdom Christ had in some Christ had and hath this Kingdom as in the Apostles many other Disciples beleeuers who by the Word were regenerated gouerned in all matters of faith and saluation and to such he the Word Mat. 19 2â— saith Ye which haue followed me in the regeneration when the Sonne of man shall sit in the throne of his glory ye shall also sit c. and inherit euerlasting life Chap. 24.14 This Gospell of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witnesse to all Nations Walke worthy of God 1. Thes 2.12 who hath called you to his Kingdom and glorie Who hath deliuered vs froÌ„ the power of darknes Col. 2.13 hath translated vs into the Kingdom of his deere SoÌ„ne This Kingdom he coÌ„mended to his Apostles Ministers saying Seeke ye the KingdoÌ„ of God the righteousnes thereof All power is giuen to me in Heauen in Earth Goe ye therfore teach all nations baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the Holy Ghost Teaching them to obserue all things whatsoeuer I haue commaunded you and loe I viz. the Word am with you allwayes euen vnto the end of the World As if he saide because all power is giuen to me therefore ye may goe into all Kingdoms of the world and teach the Gospel noe man noe King ought to forbid you because if they doe not subiect to him it is saide Psal 2. He shall bruise them with a rod of yron and againe Be wise now therefore ô ye Kings Kisse the Sonne lest he be angrie c. And when after his resurrection they asked of him Act. 1.6.7 saying Lord wilt thou at this time restore againe the Kingdom to Israel He saide vnto them it is not for you to know the times and the seasons which the Father hath put in his owne power But ye shall receiue power after that the Holy Ghost is come vpoÌ„ you and ye shall be witnesses vnto me both in Ierusalem and in all Iudea and in Samaria and vnto the vttermost part of the Earth Act. 26.17 I now send thee to the Gentiles to open theire eies to turne them Dan. 7.27 c. Wherein that of Daniel was fulfilled The greatnes of the KingdoÌ„ vnder the whole heaueÌ„ shall be giueÌ„ to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an euerlasting Kingdom and all dominions shall serue obey him For theese brought whole NatioÌ„s to
glorie wee may as it were here him againe againe complaining and resounding theese words against those Potentates and States that are cold in defending and maintaining his cause My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered in Garmanie Bohemia Silesia the Palatinate Denmarke Rochel and other parts to the Emperour the Duke of Bauaria the French King the King of Spaine and other Champions of the Romish religion who subiect all they can to the Romish Beast and his religion If my Kingdom were of this world that men might get Earldoms Dukedoms and other places of proffit or honour by fighting for me as the Duke of Bauaria Spinola Tillie and some others haue gotten by fighting on the contrarie part then would my Seruants truly fight for me that I should not be deliuered in my Gospel my Kingdom my Body my Church and members to the Pope and theese Popish Princes that fight feircely to subiect people to him as if I were euer to suffer and as if Princes had beene perswaded that they doe God seruice who doe not fight so earnestly and seriously for me but suffer me to be deliuered to mine aduersaries Antichrist and his Adherents If there haue beene any such perswaders in Princes Courts who to get money or preferment of some Popishly affected haue hindred timely supplies by casting in flattering scruples exclaiming against theese defensiue and aiding wars extolling peace or the like while the aduersaries haue proceded and preuailed they haue cause to feare that the iust Iudge of all the world will finde this litle better then plaine treacherie that howseuer it may also be saide to them by Christ my Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would theese be my Seruants and fight for me at least by theire perswasions councels and purses that I should not be deliuered to Antichrist or his champions For wee may be sure Act. 9.4 that he that saide Saul Saul why persecutest thou me is sensible of all the miseries that his Church and euery member thereof haue of late suffered by trecherie officious flatterie want of supplies or the like and that he is yesterday and to day and the same also for euer in whose Word this is written Curse ye Meroz Iud. 5.23 saide the Angel of the Lord curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof because they came not to the helpe of the Lord to the helpe of the Lord against the mightie Secondly that Princes ought themselues to maintaime the truth of the Gospel and to suffer any of theire subiects to maintaine it against all Heriticks and seducers this is plaine by many places of Scripture by this that they are enioined to be nursing Fathers and nursing mothers Isa 49.23 Chap. 60.16 by this that Dauid Ieboshaphat Hezechia and Iosias did maintaine the truth of Gods Word putting downe false prophets and Idollators and commaunding others to instruct people in the true knowledge of Gods Word that those that put downe idollatrie and false Prophets are commended those that suffered them or but the high places are condemned by this that the Angels of the seauen Churches are blamed Reu. 2.14 one for suffering there some that taught the doctrine of Balaam â—ors 20. others to hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans another for suffering the woman Iezabel to seduce For if theese things were found faults in the Angels which were Pastors or Bishops how much more may Christ lay them or the like faults to Princes and States who are armed with more power to represse punish and helpe such things and who beeing â—ursing Fathers should striue to saue the Church and members thereof from Antichrist and all Herticks and seducers as parents and nurses doe theire children from beasts and wicked people that would bite deuoure and misleade them Neither ought they to hinder any of his Seruants from fighting for him with the sword of the spirit Ephes 6.17 which Sainct Paul commaunded the Ephesians to take saying also to the Philipians Philip. 1.7 In the defence and confirmation of the Gospell ye all are pertakers of my grace Therefore he willeth them to stand fast in one spirit with one minde striueing together for the faith of the Gospell Vers 27. And in nothing terrified by theire aduersaries Not to multiplie many proefes in a point so cleare Saint Iude in his generall Epistle saith vnto all It was needefull for me to write vnto you Iude 3. and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith that was once deliuered to the Saints that is against all new and contrarie doctrines Yet neither by theese nor by any other places doe I vnderstand with any Seperatists or other Sectaries that lay men may preach but that they or rather such only of them as God hath enabled may contest and write in defense of the faith against all aduersaries Those foolish weake things of the world 1. Cor. 1.27.28 Ioh. 3.8 haue of God a calling as they are Christians to confound the wise and mightie for the Corinthians had it The winde bloweth where it listeth so doth the Spirit * 1. Cor. 12.11 1. Pet. 4.10 diuiding to euery man seuerally as he will And thus Saint Peter saith in his generall Epistle to all As euery man hath receiued the gift euen soe minister the same to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God If any man speake let him speake as the oracles of God At our Baptisme wee all when wee are receiued into the congregation of Christs flocke are obliged not to be ashamed to confesse the faith of Christ crucified and manfully to fight vnder his banner against sinne the world and the Deuil to continue Christs faithfull Souldiers and Seruants to our liues ende And if lay men espetially those to whome God hath giuen gifts fitting be thus obliged how much more are all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church they are Souldiers so bound to it that they should not intangle themselues with the affaires of this life as the Apostle saith to Timothie 2. Tim. 2.3.4 Noe man that warreth intangleth himselfe with the affaires of this life They are blamed if they suffer any errour in doctrine as ye may see in the Epistles to the seauen Churches of Asia where perticular Pastors or Bishops are taxed of negligence herein Act. 20.17.28.29.30 and in the charge Paul giues to the Elders to take heede to the flocke ouer which the holy Ghost had made them ouerseers or Bishops to feede the flocke and to keepe them from Wolues and speakers of pernerse things Also to Timothie and Titus 1. Tim. 1.18 chap 2.3.25 Tit. 1.9 2. Cor. 10. that they should warre a good warfare as good Souldiers of Iesus Christ instructing those that oppose themselues and conuincing the gainsayers such as Himeneus Philetus and others
by the fire are made to be in some sort greeted Gods how is not that God whereby they are made hot If lights illuminated be Gods is not that light which doth illuminate them God thou commest to the light and art illuminated and art reckened among the Sonnes of God c. If therefore the word of God make you Gods how is not the word of God GOD And indeed such must needes be the meaning of our Lord that the same word of the Father was incarnate and sent into the world because his Disciple Euangclist S. Ioh. 1. Iohn affirmeth him to be the word yea the word by which all things were made Reu. 19.13 and saith plainly His Name is called the word of God Reu. 19.13 and that indeed because when he himselfe was asked by some Iewes Ioh. 8.25 what art thou he answered From the beginning that viz. that word of God which I speake vnto you therein as also in diuers other places affirming and proueing himselfe to be from eternitie the very wisdom and word of God which he speake and declared vnto them and the same to be the Sonne of God and the promised Messiah which point though it be proued more at large by Scriptures and Fathers in another * Character of a Christian pag 25. to pag. 88. treatise yet may it not be wholly omitted here because ye see it is the only thinge for which he is accused before Pilate deliuered to death and euer since rejected by the Iewes and it is a shame for Christians to be ignorant in that principle which distinguisheth thâ—m from Iewes and wherein Iewes are to be conuinâ—â—d The things then that wee haue to proue at least breifely before wee come to the other part of his confession are 1. That the prâ—mised Messiah was to be the word of God and that way the King and Gonvernour of his people viz spiritually 2. That Iesus Christ was this word incarnate the true Messiah Whence theese things will follow which are in his confession that he is King of the Iewes and indeed of the Gentiles also that he had and hath a Kingdom that his Kingdom is not of this world c. as he confesseth before Pilate For the first It is said in the second Psalme Christ was to be the Sonne the Word Psal 2. I will declare of the Decree Law or Word the Lord saide vnto me thou art my Sonne Wherein it is spoken of the Decree or Word thou art my Sonne And so indeed el in the Hebrew is taken for of Gen. 20.2 Abraham saide of Sarah his wife she is my Sister And twise in another Chapter Iob 42.7.8 also 2. King 19.32 Others reade it more plainely thus I will preach the Law Decree or Word whereof the Lord hath saide vnto me thou art my Sonne That is of which Law Decree or Word the Lord hath saide vnto me thou art my Sonne And thus it is read in the translation appointed to be read in the Churches of England And indeed the very name Sonne is so â—endred by some vers 12. for that which is saide there Kisse the Sonne the Septuagint reades receiue instruction and the Chalde receiue doctrine as if they both saide receiue and embrace the word of God which is the Sonne of God Also Psal 7. where it is saide Iehovah shall iudge the people the Chalde readeth Psal 7.9 the word of the Lord shall iudge the people And indeed the Prophets Isaiah Isa 2.3.4 Mich. 4.2.3 and Micah doe plainly affirme as much saying The Law shall goe foorth of Zion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem And he shall iudge amonge the nations He that is he the word who indeede is the Arme of the Lord he shal iudge According to which our Sauiour saith Ioh. 5.22 first The Father iudgeth noe man but heâ—h committed all iugment to the Sonne the Father only iudgeth by Christ Rom. 2 16. and then sheweth who the Sonâ—e is Ioh. 12.48 saying He that reicteth me and receiueth not my words hath one that iudgeth him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word which I haue spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He shall iudge him in the last dâ—y Amonge which words there is an emphasis and a verrie gâ—eate proofe in the pronoune relatiue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which pointing out a verrie person and namely the person spoken of before proueth the word which he spake to be a person yea to be that person spoken of before August in Ioh. Tract 54. the one that should iudge Saint Augustine on theese words comparing the places together shewes they must needes be vnderstood thus and therefore concludes he hath sâ—oken hâ—mselfe he hath shewen himselfe c. * Idem Tract 41. And he is the word of the Father which he spake to men Wherein therefore Christ shewes that â—errie word which he spak to be the Sonne and that verrie woâ—d where of the Prophets prophesied The law shall goe forth of Zion and the word of the Lord out of Ierusalem And he viz. the same word shall iudge amonge the nations Act. 10 42. whereof Peter sâ—â—th It is he which was ordained of God to be the iudge of qâ—ick dead and whereof the Father himselfe saith I haue set my Kinge vpon my holâ—hil of Zion Psal 2.6 euen the word to whome in the next words he saith â—hou art my Sonne Isa â—1 4.5 of whome also he saith A law shall proceede from me and I will make my iudgment to rest for a light of the people My righteousnes is neere my saluation is gone forth and mine Armes shall iudge the people the Iles shall waite vpon me and on mine Arme shall they trust That is on my word on the Sonne as Psal 2. Blessed are all they that trust in him Therefore the Prophet speakâ— and praies to this person euen vnto the word of the Lord when he saith in the same Chapter Vâ—rs 9. Awake awake put on strâ—ng O Arme of the Lord awake as in the ancient dayes in the generations of old Art not thou he that hath cut Rahab and wounded the Dragon Art not thou he which hath dried the Sea c. to shew vs that as God made all things soe did all his great wonders by this person the Word which brought lice and locusts on the Egyptians Psal â—05 31.34 Which also was he that went before them into Canaan Exod. 23.20.21 chap. 33.2 as Captaine of the Lords host IoshuÄ™ 5.14 This Arme is the glorie of the Lord which taking flesh should be reuealed Isa 40.5 and after pâ—t to death according to the flesh as the Prophet saith Who hâ—â—h beleeued our report Isa 53.1.2 3. and to whome hath the Arme of the Lord beene reuealed that is beeing incarnate for saith Isaiah He shall grow vp befo rt him as a tender plant c. that is he the Arme shall Cyprianâ— adveâ—â— Iudaeos liâ— 2. cap 1.
the same person as heâ—s nâ—aÌ„ shâ—ll gâ—ow though he be wounded and suffer for vs as it fâ—llowe hâ— there Weâ—l therfore doth Saint Cyprian vnderstand that Christ the Sonâ—e is the Arme mencioned here and also chap. 52. Isa 52 1â— The Lord hath made bare his holy Arme viz his holy word in the eyes of all nations and all the ends of the Earth shall see the saluation of our God And indeed Saint Iohn seemeth to vndeâ—staâ—d Châ—ist to be this Arme while he saith of the vnbeleeuing Iewes They beleeuâ—d not on him that the saying of Esaias might be fulfilled whâ—ch hâ— spake Iâ—â— 12 3â— 38. Lord who hath beleeued ouâ— report and to whome hath thâ— Arme of Lord beene reuealed For saith Saint Augustin on this place August in Ioan. Tâ—aâ—t 53. The Soâ—ne is the Arme because all thâ—â—gâ—wâ—re made by him lâ—ke as that is called thy Arme by which thou workest soe the Arme of God is hâ—s word becaâ—se by the word he made the world And indeed the Word is the Arme 1. Cor. 1.24 the power and wisdom whereby God maâ—e the World and doth all things and soe as the Apostle saith Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God Isa 40 10. Ioh. 12 48.49 And soe Isaiah saith of the Father The Lord God will come with stronge hand and his Arme shall rule for him That is his word shall rule foâ— him Therefore Christ who is the Word saith The word that I haue spoken he shall iudge for I haueâ— or spoken of my selfe c. therefoâ—e as in the following words he proues the word he spake to be the Fathers and the same to be * Si ergo vita aeterna est ipse Filius vita aeterna est mandatum Panis quid alind dictuÌ„ est quam ego sum mandatum Patris Aug. in Ioan Tract 54. Eternall life so also in foregoeing verses he that is the Word saâ—th there vers 44. He that beleeueth on me beleeueth not on me but on him that sent me that is whose Word I am as Augustine excellently vnderstandeth the like * Quid est audit verbum meum nisi audit me credit autem ei qui misit me quia cum illi credit verbo eâ—us credit cuÌ„ auteÌ„ verbo eâ—us credit mihi credit quia verbuÌ„ Patris ego sum Aug. in Ioâ—â— 19 words Ioh. 5.24 for wee beleeue him whose word wee beleeue and wee vndeâ—stand and see him whose word wee vnderstand hâ—t declares him therefore Christ addeth vers 45.46 And he that seeth me seeth him that sâ—nt me I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on me should not abide in darkenesse as Iohn saith of the word That was the true light which lighteth euery man that commeth into the world And so indeed wee may heare God saying to the Messiah Isa 42.6 7.17 I will giue thee for a couenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes to bringe out the prisâ—oâ—s from the prâ—son and him that sitteth in darknesse out of the prâ—son howse Where ye may see that both here also Isa 49.8.9 it is expresly shâ—wed that he is the Covenant viz. the Word and â—herein the Light that reueales the Father touching the Saluation of sinners and that the end of his comming should be to enâ—ighten those nations and people Iewes and Gentiles which lay bound and overwhelmed in the prison of sinne and ignorance as it followeth there I will brâ—nge the blinde by a way that they haue not knowne I will make darkenesse light before them and crooked things straight And chap. 25.7.8 He will destroy in thâ—â— mountaine the face of the couering cast ouer all people and the vaile that is spread â—uer all nations To the like effect chap. 29.8.24 chap. 〈…〉 chap. 11.9 All this should be as he saith chap. 40 5.10 When the glorie viz. the Word of the Lord should be reuealed and all flesh should see it together when his Arme should rule for him and be made bare chap. 52.10 for therefore is the Faâ—her called the Father of glorie Ephes 1.17 and Châ—ist is saide to be raised from the dead by the glorie of the Father Rom. 6. that is by the almightie Word of the Father which is the Sonne and the Fathers glorie as our Woâ—d or tounge is caâ—lâ—d our glorie because it * SpeculuÌ„ enim mentis plerunque in verbis refulget Bernard de ordine vitae Psal 66.7 expressâ—th and â—eâ—ealeth vs and somtimes ruleth for vs Psal 16 9. howsoeuer Gods Word ruleth for him for as he made all things by hiâ— Word which is his power so saith the Psalmist He ruleâ—h by his power for euer that is by his Word which is the power of God Now if he rule by his power for euer then the Messiah who should rule for euer for him must needes be his power but he doth rule by his power for euer therefore the Messiah should be his power And that the Messiah should be the word of God the auncient Iewe The auncient Iewes proue him to be the Word Isa 45.17 Hos 1.7 proue out of Isaiah where it is saide Israel shall be saued by the Lord with aâ— euerlasting saluation And also our of Hosea I will saue them by the Lord thâ—re God Both which sayings Ionathas translateth by the word of the Lord theâ—â—e God And it is not to be doubted but that by the saide word they meant the Messiah For in psa 110. which as themselues affirme conteineth the mysteries of the Messiah Psal 110. where it is saide The Lord saide vnto my Lord c. Ionathas readeth The Lord saide vnto his woâ—rd sit thou on my right hand til c. And soe indeede howsoeuer the words be The Lord saide vnto my Lord sit thou c. to shew that this person though he be Dauids Sâ—nne iâ— Dauids Lord yet seeing it followes there Rule thâ—u in the midst of thine-enemies it must needes be meant of the word of the Lord because it is saide His Arme shall rule for him that is his word Isa 40.10 chap. 2.3.4 chap 51.5 which he saith shall iudge amonge the nations and whereof he saith mine Armes â—hall iudge the people and on mine Arme shall they trust the word bâ—eing the Sonne and the Kinge mencioned Psa 2. as was shewed before And Rabbi Isaack Arama vpon Genesis 47. expounding this text of Psa 14â— He sâ—ndeth out hâ—s word saith expresly that this Word is the Messiah who should be Gods word Iob 19.26 So likewise that of Iob I shall see God in my flesh c. Rabbi Sâ—meâ—n vpâ—n Genesis â—oâ— gathereth therevpon that the Word of God shall â—â—k flâ—sh in a womans wombe Philo that leaâ—ned Iew shall ende thâ—â— point touching the nature and person of the Messiah as himselfe writeth in hâ—s booke De Exulibus By tradâ—â—on wee haueâ— saâ—t â—he that wee must expect the
strength Psa 110. thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potters veâ—â—â—ll that is if they goe aboute to hâ—nder thy Kingdom will not suffer the Word to rule in theire dominions but either hinder the preaching thereof and soe the raigne of the Word or doe not further it but sâ—t vp or suffer another Word new and contrarie doctrines a thinge endangering the bruising and ruin of any Kingdom or nation as it was of the cheife Preists and Iewes and may be of others as it followeth vers 10.11 Be wise now therefore ô ye Kings be wise in this point be instructed ye Iudges of the earth be contenâ—ed to be instructed in the Word Serue the Lord wiâ—h feare viz in obeying and farthering his Word and veâ—â—yce with tremblâ—ng Be glad his Kingdom may come into youres embrace it for it will honour and strengten youres and noe way endanger it vnles when ye neglect it vers 12. therefore he addeth Kâ—sse the Sonne lest he be angri and ye perish from the way c. Where to Kisse the Sonne is nothing else them to receiue and embrace the Word of God as ye saw proued aboue All this is confirmed vnto vs in the vision which Daniel saw that is to say that the Messiah was to be such and such his Kingdom for when Daniel had beheld the fower beasts See willer on Dan. 7. which were fower Kingdoms the last of them beeing indeede that of the Selucians and Pâ—olomies signified also by the two legs Dan 2.33.40.44 the Dominion whereof should * vers 12. vers 13.14 be taken away aboute the time that Christs Kingdom should come â—he addeth I saw in the night visions and behold one like the Sonne of man came with the clouds of heauen and came to the Ancient of dayâ—s and they brought him before him And there was giuen him Dominion and glorie and a Kingdom that all people and naâ—ion and languages should serue him hâ—â— dominion is an euerlasting dominion which shall not passe awâ—y and his Kingdom that which shall not be dâ—stroied Loe this Kingdom of the Mâ—ssiah must endure for euer but then it must needâ—s bespirituall and last after his death for it is after shewed him that the Messiah should soone be cut off euen a litle before the destruction of the citie and sanctuary chap 9.26 and the Prophet Isaiah saith plainely Isa 53. that he should die for our sinnes Isa 53.8.9 that he was cut off out of the land of the liueâ—ng for the transgression of my people was he stricken And he made his graue with the wicked c. But though he should suffer and die according to the flesh yet he should rule still as he is the Word and more after his death then before as it followeth He shall see his seede vers 11. men begotten againe by the Word He shall see the trauaile of his Soule vers 12. the fruite of his death and sufferings for when he had saide He shall beare theiâ—e iniquities the Lord addeth therefore will I diuide him a pertion with the greate and he shall diuide the Spoile with the stronge because he powred out his Soule vnto death he should haue the heathen to his inheritance the vtmost part of the earth to his posessioÌ„ His Apostles and ministers should conquer Kingdoms and bringe whole nations to be subiect to the Word Dâ—n 7.18 vers 27. Which thinge is soe expounded there vnto Daniel But the Saints of the most high shal take the Kingdom and posesse it for euer and againe And the Kingdom and dominion and the greatnes of the Kingdom vnder the whole heauen shall be giuen to the people of the Saints of the most high whose Kingdom is an buerlasting Kingdom and all dominions shall serue and obey him Loe the greatenes of the Kingdom vnder the whole heaâ—en is giuen to the Saints for Christ theire Maister is out of this World yet they shall subiect people to him whose Kingdâ—m is euerlastiâ—g therefore it is added all dominion shall serue and obey him the Kingdom is giuen to them yet the subiects thereof serue hiâ— which could not be after his death vnles he were the Word and his Kingdom truly spâ—rituall Gods Kingdom Which is answerable to that Prophesie or promise â—â—z k. â—4 Ezech. 34.23.24 I will seâ— vp one Shepheard ouer them and he shall feede them euen my seruant Dauid he shall feede them Dauid the type of Christ was now dead therefore this was meant of the Messiah who was to be Dauids Sonne soe it is added And he shall be theire Shepheâ—rd And I the Lord will be theire God and my Seruant Dauid a Prince amonge them One * Chap. 37.22.24.25 c. King shall be Kinge to them all they shaâ—l haue one Shepheard who should clense them and make them walke in his iudgments and obserue hâ—s Sâ—atutes soe his Tabernacle should be with them aâ—d he would betheire God There is but one cheife Shepheard the rest are his ministeâ—s and they â—ubâ—ect people to hâ—m they are all gouerned and fed by the Word as well after his asâ—ention as before Thus the Angel saide to Marie He shall be greate and shal be called the Sonne of the highest Luk. 1.32 and the Lord God shall giue vnto hâ—m the throne of his Father Dauid And he shall raigne ouer the howse of Iacob for â—uer For that is he the Word should raigne for euer as the one and only Spirituall Kinge and Shepheard And indeed at last when the Iewish nation that had refused him and was therefore scattered should be called and brought back into theire owne Land Mic. 4.6 then as it is added The Lord shall raigne ouer them in mount Zion from hence forth euen for euer Where he that is called the Word that should rule and iudge amonge the nations vers 2.3 is now affirmed to be the Lord to shew that he is God and Lord and indeed that his Kingdom is the Kingdom of God his Father and that it is so meant in those places of Ezechiel aboue mentioned and in others that speake of the Messiah and his Kingdom Now wee haue already shewed that Iesus was the promised Messiah Iesus Christ preached the same Kingdom and consequently that he had and hath this Kingdom but to proue that accordingly he preached the same ye may finde that when he the Word was come in the flesh and now ready to be baptised and so to enter vpon his ministration and gouernment by reuealing himselfe and thereby the Father his pâ—ecursor Iohn Baptist came preaching in the Wildernes of Iudea Mat. 3.1 Mark 1.2 Mal. 3.1 And saying Repent ye for the Kingdom of God is at hand As it is writen in the Prophets Behold I sende my Messenger and he shall prepare the way before me And the Lord whome ye seeke viz the Messiah shall suddenly come to his Temple viz * Ioh. 18.20 there to teach
enioine subiection to Princes Christs Kingdō stablisheth Caesars then Gods Kingdom ratifieth and establisheth Cesars Kingdom and Christ the Word who ruleth for God ruleth people in this point and maketh them more obedient then otherwise they would be for there is noe greater tie of subiection in subiects to Princes in children to Parents in wiues to husbands in servants to Maisters then the bond of religion because theese and all others that owe subiection to any shall finde theire duties commanded in the Word * 1. Pet. 2.13.17.18 c. Ephes 6.1.5 Rom 13.1 as they are often so that if either Princes Parents or Maisters doe not finde them selues duly obeied let them confes that it is because they seeke not Gods Kingdom they doe not carefully cause theire subiects children and seruants to heare and reuerence the Word which enioineth subiection in all theese and namely in subiects to Princes and Magistrates while he who is the Word of God saith Giue unto Cesar the things that are Cesars Viz. tribute subiection honour c. and after by his Apostle Let euery Soule be subiect to the higher powers c. for this cause pay ye tribute also c. to the like effect in diuers others places whereof more in the sequel Therfore not only to Pilates questiō but also against the accusations suggestions of the Iewes all others he saith * Audite Iudaei Gentes audi circumcisio praeputium audite omniae regna terrena non impedio dominationem vestram in hoc mundo regnū enim meum non est de hoe mundo Aug. in Ioan. Tract 115. Regnum se Christus habere concedit sed non qui alios expellat Tol. in 10.18 My Kingdom is not of this world as if he saide mine accusers pretend loue and true allegiance to Cesar in haueing greate care of his right that I should not vsurpe nor disturbe his Kingdō nor any part of his gouerment nor did I euer for my Kingdō is not of this world The Kingdoms of this world often endamage endanger one another by worldly polecies secret practises opē hostilities whereby the greatnes of one Kingdom oftē rises out of the ruins of another and imbred rebels somtime accheiue theire Soueraignes throne by clandestine practises and crafty insinuations but there were noe such deuices vsed by Christ he did not as Absolon 1. Sam. 15.2.3 who rose early and stood by the way of the gate and when he saw any man that had a controuersie to come before the Kinge for iudgment he called him and with insinuating speeches inueighed against the gouernment and wished himselfe a Iudge to helpe them but on the contrarie when one came to Christ saying Maister cause my Brother to diuide the inheritance he answered Who made me a Iudge or a diuider so far was he from seeking any worldly gouernment Luk. 22.24 Neither did his doctrine allow but expresly forbid it in his Disciples For when there was a strife among them which of them should be gratest He saide the Kings of the Gentiles excercise Lordship ouer them and they that exercise authority ouer them are called Benefactors But ye shall not be so but he that is greatest among you let him be as the younger and he that is cheife as he that doth serue 1. Pet. 5.3 Where whatsoeuer the Papists say to the contrarie he would haue among them noe supremacie or dominion as Lords one ouer another like as in the Kingdoms of this World but he that was greatest among them by reason of his age or beeing first called which is all the greatnes or Prioritie Christ would here acknowledge he should be as the younger that did serue in some kinde Rightly therefore doth he say against the suggestions of his Accusers my Kingdom is not of this world thereby shewing that his Kingdom hath noe worldly or pompeous dominion so doth nothing hinder nor hurt Caesars as euen Pilate himselfe foūd testified whē after examinatiō had of the matter He went out vnto the Iewes Io◠18.38 and saith vnto thē I finde in him noe fault at all Chap. 19.12 Which thinge he affirmed twise or thrise yet for all this his aduersaries enuying hating his doctrine and fame Cry out saying If thou let this man goe thou art not Cesars freind whosoeuer maketh himselfe a King speaketh against Caesar As if they saide Cesar is King here In this land wee haue noe Kinge but Caesar He therefore that makes himselfe a Kinge here speakes against the right and prerogatiue of Cesar whose Kingdom can not be in safety while this man is suffered to preach his doctrine draweth them to the obedience of another King and it standeth not with the safety and polecie of a Kingdom to suffer it for when Pilate saide he found not that fault in him Luk. 23.5 this is all the proose they bringe of peruerting the Nation saying He stirreth vp the people teaching thorowout all Iury. His teaching is that which they will needes account dangerous This is that which they and other obstinate enemies of the Truth did euer pretend that the Kingdom of God Iewes account Christs preaching dangerous to the Nation viz. the preaching of the Word disturbeth and hindreth the peace of Kingdoms and endangereth theire beeing at least theire well beeing First because they wilfully perswade themselues that the Neighbouring Kingdoms which are of contrarie religions will the sooner inuade and spoile them Secondly because they also will needes be perswaded that the daily preaching of the Word makes the hearers stout stuborne against theire Kings and Gouernours For the first They say that it would cause an inuation this was the wilfull opinion of the cheise Preists and Pharises that if Christs doctrine were suffered to be preached and followed the heathen who were otherwise affected would inuade and ruin them therefore vpon report of that greate myracle of raising Lazarus they say What doe we for this man doth many miracles If wee let him thus alone all men will beleeue on him Ioh. 11.42 and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation therefore die he must What doe we as if they saide what sluggish Gouernours are wee how dull how sleepie how negligent in our offices how careles of our countries safety how improuident in preuenting foraigne inuasion that wee suffer this doctrine to carrie so many away after it to incense the Romans that worship other Gods and that are so zealous of theire honour that they brooke not to see any more honoured then theire owne idols and that if a few follow him it must needes vexe them but if wee let him thus alone thus to worke myracles for confirmation of his Doctrine all men will beleeue in him it can not be auoided and then the greate and iuuincible nation the most puislant Romans must of necessitie be much more ptouoked to Ielousie enuie and wrath
and consequently to take away both our place and nation Our place that is where our God is somwhat worshipped in sacrifices c. This is somwhat and better this then none at all if wee goe any further to suffer a deale of preaching of a new law and Kingdom that is further from the heathen religion and soe wee may anger them more and loose all seeing in policie to please them wee should rather come neerer them at least in things indifferent Therefore also when Paul preached at Thessalonica Act. 17.5 The Iewes which beleeued not moued with enuie gathered a Company and set all the citie on an vprore and drew out Iason and certaine brethren vnto the rulers of the citie crying Theese that haue turned the World vpside downe are come hither also and theese all doe contrary to the decrees of Cesar saying that there is another King one Iesus Whence wee may see that though they knew that Iesus had longe before left this life yet they wilfully infer that his followers contest to haue him to be another Kinge besides or against Caesar Iewes say that preaching disturbeth Caesars Kingdom and that this Kingdom in the preaching of the Word turned the World vpside downe and soe disturbed dishonoured and endangered Caesars Kingdom And this the high Preist and Elders say of saint Paul We haue found this man a pestilent fellow Act. 24.5 And moâ—eth sedition and a mouer of sedition amonge all the Iewes throughout the World and a ringleader c. That is by preaching Iesus Christ and obedience due to him as if they saide this doctrine maketh them stuborne and seditious against Câ—sar and his ministers This or the like hath beene and euer was the wilfull assertion of all enemies of the truth whether Infidels or Papists and other hereticks and prophane scoffers of preaching and hearing but against this out Sauiour saith my Kingdom is not of this World and consequently hurteth not the tranquilitie of temporall Kingdoms but rather makes them floorish and excell in Iustice and honour as the experience of all ages hath openly shewen in the sight of all traducers of the Word preached And first that the same doth not make nations of a contrarie religion the more ready to inuade them Preaching of the Gospel doth not cause inuaâ—ions or if it doe the more the true preaching of Gods Word is maintained by a Prince in any Kingdom the more doth God defend that Kinge and Kingdom from inuasion and ruin and to the honour thereof turne the destruction vpon his and theire inuaders and enemies Dauid was a greate louer and maintainer of the teaching of Gods Word also of prayer reading holy conference for theese haue theire due and how exceedingly did his Kingdom florish and he prosper and preuaile against the enemies thereof 2. Chro. 1â—2 And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord He tooke away the Altars of the strange Gods and the high places and brake downe the Images And coÌ„manded Iudah to seeke the Lord to doe the law the commandemeÌ„t And the KingdoÌ„ was quiet before him Marke here quiet free froÌ„ sedition And wheÌ„ Zerah the Ethiopian came out against him with a thousand thousand and three hundred charets Asa cried vnto the Lord and he smote the Ethiopians before Asa and Iudah So that the Prophet saide to them Chap. 15.2 Chap. 16.2.7 The Lord is with you while you be with him But if ye forsake him he will forsake you as this Asa found when after leauing to trust in God he sought to the Kinge of Syria and relied on him Chap. 17.3.4.6.7.8 The Lord was with Iehoshaphat because he walked in the first waies of his Father Dauid sought not to Balaam but to the Lord and Walked in his comandements and tooke away the high places and sent diuers preists and others who tooke the booke of the law of the Lord with them Vers 5.10 and went aboute throughout all the cities of Iudah and taught the people Therefore the Lord stablished the Kingdom in his band and all Iudah brought to Iehoshaphat presents he had riches and honour in abundance And the feare of the Lord fell vpon all the Kingdoms of the lands that were round about Iudah so that they made no war against Iehoshaphat but some of the Philistines and Arabians brought him presents and he waxed exceeding greate behold here ye traducers the fruite of due preaching and teaching Hezekiah also did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord Chap. 31.20 21. Chap. 32. Chap. 34. wrought greate reformation amonge the Preists and people to seeke God wherefore he prospered and God deliuered him and his from the greate Host of Senacherib Iosiah also purged Iudah and Ierusalem from the high places renued the couenant betweene God and the people and caused the booke of the Law to be read and obserued Wherefore it was saide to him thou shalt be gathered to thy graue in peace and that euill should not come vpon the citie in his dayes The Emperour Constantine notwithstanding that in a manner all his Predecessors were Pagans most of them persecutors Maxentius and Licinius sharers with him in the Empire heathen Tirants persecutors and his enemies and though besides an infinitie companie of heathen people almost the whole Senate of Rome were of the heathen faction and so continued after him yet did he embrace the Christian Religion fight for it seeke to propogate it called a generall Councell to repres the Arrian heresie afther the councell caused the bookes of the Arrians to be burned and greatly loued and furthered the preaching of the Gospell and all the truest Professors thereof and how exceedingly did God defend him from his mightiest enemies and bringe them into his subiection In so much that some haue thought that that which is spoken in the Reuelation of a man child Reu. 12. which the Church should bringe foorth that should rule all Nations with a rod of yron was fulfilled in him But to come neerer our owne times Popish errour and superstition had greatly corrupted the Christian Religion and doctrine in many parts thereof wheÌ„ God raised vp in France Waldo a meane maÌ„ who yet studdying the Scriptures discouered many of theire errours and abuses and had many followers who were mightely miracalously preserued for a longe time and though in the ende they were vanquished by the Beast that for a time should warre with the Saints ouercome them Reu. 13.7 yet because the Scriptures shew that the Beasts Kingdom must also goe to wrack God at last raised vp against it Luther a Meane Monke a priuate Doctor who notwithstanding that he his Protectour the Duke of Saxonie were exceedingly opposed and persecuted by the Pope the Emperour and other mightie aduersaries yet were they deliuered and wonderfully prospered and preuailed The like might be shewed of diuers other Princes of
is head of the vniuersall Church c. The fruite of this earthly wisdom was this God suffered not the Pope to stirre vp Princes to rescue him but the Emperour to be wholly left and Constantinople yea the Empire to be lost within 14 yeares after that councell The french King Henrie 4. a professed Protestant prosecuted by the leaguers that he might posesse life and Kingdom in peace went to masse and let in the Iesâ—ts the issue was God lest him and suffered him to die by a Iesuited Vilaine soe dangerous is temporising and newtralie in matters of religion And thus Barneueile others letting in Arminiaisme in the low countries the States suffering it a while seditions arose whereby they had like to haue lost those prouinces and so had if by wisdom and valour that traitour his complices had not beene sodainly subiected a Synod assembâ—ed and some of the Arminians banished since when they haue had some better successe which might be a warning to England now infested with that pernicious Sect. Thus then it is not the preaching of Gods Truth but the maintenance or sufferance of errours that hurteth and endangereth temporall Kingdoms If Princes will not suffer the Lord to come into theire Kingdome and fight against such hereticks with the Spirit of his mouth that is if they suffer not his Ministers and Seruants with the Weapens of theire warfare 2. Cor. 10. to cast downe theese stronge holds and high things exalted against the knowledge of God but forbid or hinder then then they may feare the iudgments written because this is to breake his bands asunder and cast his cords from them Heb. 10. and indeede to tread vnder foote the Sonne of God who is the Word and doe despite vnto the Spirit of grace And how then can God vphold theire Kingdom that doe not indeauour to vphold his or which doe not suffer those that would but rather hinder them Psa 2. Be wise now therefore saith he ô ye Kings c. serue the Lord with feare and trembling Kisse the Sonne lest he be angrie and they had neede so to doe Hos 13.1 for when Ephraim spake trembling he exalted himselfe in Israel but when he offended in Baal he died God turned his blessings into punishments his victories into losses his glorie into shame Now then as to the second inference which the Iewes make here before Pilate Preaching of Gods Worde doth not makâ— hearers stubborne and seditious and Heriticks and prophane persons haue made at all times and in all Kingdoms where the Gospell hath beene freely preached viz. that the daily preaching of the Woâ—d reuealed in the New Testament and the maintenance of the Truth there manifested maketh the heaâ—ers stout and stubborne if not contentious hereticall and sedâ—tious against theire Kings and Gouernours I answer that as it was in the Iewes so is it in all others a meere slander a wilfull cauill and calumnie a Macheâ—illian trick of those who loue not the Light of Gods Word and whose deedes and practises discouered thereby Ioh. 3. will not stand with it When the Kingdom of God so comes into any Kingdom of this World that the preaching of the Woâ—d is courtenanced and in all points receiued it makes the same so happy both to Prince and people that the one will not oppresse nor the other rebell though they be oppressed Here let them not tell vs of the Waldenses and others in France or Bohemia who rather then they would be compelled to idollatrie or butchered and murthered tooke vp defensiue armes for theire liues like the Iewes vnder An iochâ—â— Epiphanes of whoms is saide Dan. 11.32 The people that doe know theire God shall be stronge and doe exploicts For noe Nation or commonwealth so peaceable obedient to Princes as that wherein the Word is duly preached and raigneth God giueth this blessing to the preaching of his Word that in the Kingdoms where it is receiued and contenanced the same is a bridle holding the heart a rod awing the conscience making men suffer much rather then be rebellious witnes this Kingdom of England how free hath it beene from theese euills for theese 70. yeares wherein the Gospell hath beene preached and maintained Whereas before in the time of Poperie Where errours are maintained there rebellions haue followed how many dangerous rebellions what resisting of the higher powers what killing of Officers and Magistrates The people ioyne in rebellion with the Sonnes of Henry II. against theire owne Father diuers also tooke part with the Traitour Becket a Bishop stouter in the Popes quarrell then euer any since the falling of poperie hath beene in Christs The subiects of King Iohn rebell and many stand out against him after he was reconciled to the Pope The Baâ—onâ— and people for a few taxes and court fauories rebell against Henrie 3. in a longe and bloodie warre Also vnder Edwardâ— the barons and people rose against his fauorit Gaâ—eston cut of his head and held longe warres with the King for fauouring the Spencers at last Mortimer and the Queene are aided to depose him For a subsidie granted in Parliament to Richard 2. Iohn * Or Bâ—â—l wall a Preist easely caused that greate and dangerous rebellion of wat Tiler and his companions whome mulitudes of ignorant people followed after diuers armies are leauied by subiects against the King and his fauorits at last the people revolt and he is deposed and murdered Owen Glender and others rebell against Henrie 4. Iacke Cade and others raised diuers stout rebellions against Henrie 6. The Yorkshire men and diuers others for small causes rebell against Edward 4. After his Brother Richard practiseth murdereth and vsurpeth but not without helpe Lord Louell and others raise rebellion in the North against Henrie 7. Lambert causeth another rebellion A taxe imposed by Parliament causeth another rebellion in the worth After another small Parliamentarie taxe causeth the Cornish men rebell and come with power as far as Kent After others ioine with Perkin Warbeck Vnder Henrie 8. besides euill may day the lincoln shire men rebell and after them the northern men more then once And yet you may finde it to haue beene formerly and in this later age also much worse in other countries where poperie hath raigned or doth still raigne Soe also was it lately amonge the Turkes who for small greiuances haue deposed theire Emperours Killed Osmond and his cheife officers soe vnbridled and vnstable are all forts of people that are not guided by the Word of God And that also appeared by the most famous common wealths that euer were in the world as the auncient Lacedemonians Romans Carthaginians and others who wanting this bridle all the wisdom power and lawes of all theire greatest Princes Senators and Philosophers sufficed not to keepe the people in obedience but vpon euery light occasion they haue rebelled reuiled and killed theire Gouernours and filled theire cheife cities with harliburlies mutinies
knowledge of God But they like men haue transgressed the couenaÌ„t there they haue dealt trecherously against me Hos 6.6 hindring knowledge peruerting his truth which beeing knowne maketh men free from feruing sinne Ioh. 8.32 Character of a Christian pag. 329. c. If therefore any that frequent sermons haue beene seditious contentious hereticall or wicked let noe man say that the preaching of the Gospell is any more the cause of it then Christs preaching was of Iudas his treason or the preaching and conuincing proofes of the Apostles of the Simonie of Simon Magus the diuisions of the Corinthians the heresies of Himeneus Philetus Cernithus and Ebion the worldlines of Demas and insolencie of Diotrephes when indeede the due preaching of the Word and conuincing of Hereticks by it are as ye see by our Sauiours words to Ierusalem the best meanes to restraine and amend such disorders and to worke peace As therefore it was of old a meere trick and cauill of the Iewes to infer that preaching of the Gospell maketh hearers seditious or disobedient and fleeting soe is it in theese dayes in such as are the fauourers or flaterers of poperie or Arminiaisme and theire supporters Who though they know that Arminianisme is a meere stirrop to helpe men into the saddle of poperie that to suffer theese is to prouide the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and countrie to make diuisions in counsaile and action and soe to make some swaied by conscience giue them intelligence and aduantage in all treaties and warres that theese sects must needes fructifie and increase if by preaching writing disputing countenance authoritie they be not the sooner silenced yet they striue by deuises and calumnies to make Princes discountenance the preaching of the Word and confutation of Hereticks by it and rather in polecie to temporise with Popish Princes in some points of doctrine which they are pleased to stile indifferent and reconcileable or at least disputable arbitrarie and fit to procure peace and vnion with the more moderate Papists if not theire conuersion Neuer considering or at least not regarding 1. Cor 1.30 Vbinam qâ—â—â—â—o vera prudentia nisi in Christi doctrina Bernar vbi supra Reu. 2.14 that Papists doe not the like by vs that it rather makes them more obstinate and proud that Christ the Truth is wisdom vnto vs that therefore Christians must not in polecie admit communion with the least errour in faith much lesse with theese Pelagian Blasphemes that to call for some yealding and vnion in theese things is Balaams doctrine to cast a stumbling blocke before people to make them fall to spirituall fornication for this is to make way for mens falling to Arminianisme soe to poperie for the increase of theese Sects and theire partie and freinds and finally that all this is the direct way to prouoke the Lord who is a iealous God to visit theese sinnes wheresoeuer they be as he hath in all ages donne the like * Ephes 5.6 to the greate punishment of some Kingdoms and ruin of others as was instanced in sundrie examples and in a Word that such worldly pollecies can not be of God nor make for his Kingdom and seruice who against all theese and the like faith my Kingdom is not of this World If my Kingdom were of this world Christs proofe then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered to he Iewes This is Christs proofe or reason as if he saide If my Kingdom were of this world and as the Iewes pretend deragatorie or praeiudiall to Caesars by the power thereof which power in Kingdoms of this World doth commonly consist of strength in subiects then would mine fight for theire King in hope of offices or honours at least of Wordly protection vnder him but behold they doe not fight for me as not expecting for theire seruice any such things but rather * Ioh. 16.33 affliction as I haue taught them therefore they haue all forsaken me and are fled from me the Shepheard is smitten and the sheepe are scattered there is not one man stands to me to defend me from the Iewes by sword or Word that I should not be deliuered to them This is somwhat a passionate speech proceeding from the greate discomfort of his Soule that not one stuck to him for though it be true that when one that was with him drew his sword and stroke a seruant of the high Preist and cut of his eare he healed him and checked the smiter yet the same as well as the rest forsooke him and fled or denied him and that could not choose but greiue him yea that they did not so much as stay with him to witnesse speake and contest for his innocencie and so fight the good fight of faith for him with the sword of the Spirit 1. Tim. 6.12 2. Tim. 2.1.3 like good Souldiers of Christ at least by confessing him in that day of his sorrow and bitter Passion when he was so extremely reuiled and slandered but on the contrary one denies him all forsake him this was a greate greife though he had donne noe violence Isa 53.9.10 neither was any deceite in his mouth yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him and put him to greife namely to this greife of beeing forsaken of all them to whome he had beene so loueing and gracious and for whom he was now ready to lay downe his life to free them from the bondage of sinne and Satan from the wrath of God and hell fire and to purchase heauen and euerlasting glory for them yet not one to fight for him nec gladiâ—s nec argumentis Lament 1.12 O consider this all ye that passe by if there were euer sorrow like this sorrow And can it choose but greiue him now thinke wee that of them that may so few Princes fight for him with theire swords lawes so few Schollars with the sword of the Spirit nay that some who professe themselues his Ministers fight for Pellagian errours against him Others to proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ which yet they confesse to be Babylon fallen Her Bishop taking on him to be vniuersell Bishop is saide to be a starre fallen from Heauen The Church of Rome can not be a true Church of Christ Reu. 9. that must needes be from the true Church and so therefore must the membres of that Church that approue or follow him therein in other his errours for though he be saide to sit in the Temple of God this proues not the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ but the contrarie For in a vision the Church of Christ is set out to Saint Iohn by the old Temple of the Iewes Reu. 11.1.2 Character of a Christian pag. 212. But in the measuring of it The court without which of old was the greater more vissible part of the Temple that into which the people came to
pray which was called the Temple and which seemeth so to be in the vision must not be measured but Saint Iohn is commaunded to leaue or cast it out that is not to reckon it the Church of Christ as not continuing in the Word and so not in Christ but fighting against those that doe Which things are so apparant in the Church of Rome that therefore her head the Pope and her true members are in Gods account as Gentiles or heathen many of * See the Originall of Idollatries printed an 1624. whose idollatries and superstitious rites and ceremonies they haue taken vp and vsed with verrie litle alteration therefore that part of the Temple signifying this Church is reckoned heathenish not to be otherwise measured and they that are of it as heathen Gentiles for it is giuen to the Gentiles And not in the other part but in this Antichrist sits and so is saide to sit in the Temple of God in that part to which God hath right as well as to the rest though it be pofessed vsurped by one that sits as it were for Christ but commaunding things contrarie to the Word and so shewing himselfe that he is God that is most maister in those things and one whose lawes binde in matters of faith and must be obeied though this Church hold some of Christs doctrine as other hereticall churches haue donne yet by other doctrines and traditions contrarie to the Word she makes the Word of God of none effect and indeede warreth against the true Church and the members thereof and they against her Seauen Angells come out of the true Church and powre out theire vials vpon her and other enemies and her members blaspheme his Name that is his Word therefore God will not haue her reckoned to be his he will only haue the inward roomes measured for his Temple with them that worshipped therein Reu. 14.9 the holy place place the Altar with the most holy place which was the Arke of the Testament which John saw there when it was opened there was noe other Word therein none in Christs true Church but Gods Testament noe other Word receiued in matters of faith and saluation the Papists in receiuing Antichrists are not of this Church but * Character of a Christian pag. 214. and 288. are saide to haue * see pag. 292. the marke of the Beast to worship him and to fight for him against Christ especially since the Councell of Trent for which hell fire is assured to them Now it is not possible that they that are so marked soe fight shal be soe tormented should be a true Church of Christ or of it Her oft pronounced fall her scarlet die in the blood of the saints her fighting against them and against Christ that sits on the white horse and whose Name is called the Word of God her cup Reu 19. and names of blasphemie with diuers other things doe all proue the contrarie but to leaue her wee heare what Christ saith before Pilate If my Kingdom were of this world then would my seruants fight that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes Yet surely as for fighting with swords to keepe him Why Christs seruants did not then fight for him Mat. 26.53 at that time from beeing surprised taken and deliuered to the Iewes he saith to him that smote the high Preists seruant Thinkest thou not that I can not non pray to my Father and he shall presently giue me more then twelue legions of Angels But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled which shew That thus it must be and after his resurrection he saide Thus it is written and thus it behooued Christ to suffer euen thus that of his seruants not one should then fight for him to rescue him thus it behooued then not that they were bound to forsake him but that though they should haue followed and defended him by all lawfull meanes yet thus it behooued him to suffer thus forsaken of all that the Scriptures might be fulfilled But doth it behooue him now he is risen and entred into his glorie That there is not the same reason now that thus he should suffer forsakeÌ„ in his cause in his members that men should not now fight for him Surely noe For he sheweth that his seruants should stick to him and follow him better after his resurrection then they must confesse him and contest for him before Kings Princes and euen Emperours Kings and Princes should fight for him and his cause when they should embrace the Christian faith greate rewards are propounded to him thâ—t ouerommeth Reu. 2. which though it be principally meant with the sword of the Spirit yet in Princes that may draw theire swords to desend the faith it may also be taken that way When Iohn saw them that had gotten the victorie ouer the Beast Reu. 15.2 and ouer his Image and ouer the number of his Name questionles there were amonge theese some Princes Captaines Souldiers States men and Magistrates that did it or helped to doe it by theire swords lawes as well as others that did it by preaching disputing and writing for wee know the Beast and whore are both to be ouercome by fire and sword Reu. 14. cap. 18. cap. 19. and not only by the sword of the spirit Christ is the Prince of the Kings of the earth Reu. 1.5 therefore they ought all to defend the faith of Christs to defend the Word and his cause both by theire lawes and swords and also to suffer any of theire subiects to maintaine it against all Heriticks and seducers by the sword of the spirit and noe man to forbid them For the first He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords therefore they ought to follow him be led by him to fight against Antichrist and his supporters and against his other enemies yea not to fight for him and his Kingdom now may proue a curse to them as of old to Meroz and the Inhabitants thereof that came not to the helpe of the Lord against the mightie For though it be true that the ReuelatioÌ„ saith of the Kings which are the hornes of the Beast Theese haue one minde Reu. 17.13 and shall giue theire power and strength vnto the Beast Yet this doth but shew the sinne theese Kings would fall into committings Fornication with the whore by enforcing the Beasts and her lawes on theire owne subiects or suffering Antichrist and his ministers to seduce them which is accounted a wicked warre against Christ though he at the last ouercome them therefore it is added vers 14. Theese shall make warre with the lambe and the lambe shall ouercome them viz. with the spirit of his mouth the power of the Word preached and written For he is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and they that are with him viz. that fight against theese Kings with the sword of the spirit to conuince them by
preaching or writing are called and chosen and faithfull Ioh. 3.8 Called of God whose Spirit bloweth where it listeth * 1. Cor. 12.11 psa 8. mat 21. Luk. 19.40 Reu. 1.6 Diuiding to euerie man seuerally as he will and who out of the mouths of Babes and sucklings ordaineth strength and who would make the Stones to speake if theese should hold theire peace And let noe man obiect theire basenes for he hath made them Kings and preists vnto God his Father and soe much the fitter for this worke They are also Chosen by him For ye see youre calling brethren 1. Cor. 26.27 28.29 saith Paul to the Corinthians how that not many wise men after the flesh not manie mightie not many noble are called But God hath Chosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise the weake things of the world to confound the mightie c. That noe flesh should glorie in his presence They are also faithfull they doe not bauke the cause of God and for the richers or honours that theese Kings or theire fauorits or the Beast or seducers ofter them they doe not call euill good and good euill put darkenesse for light nor light for darknesse that is errour for truth and truth for errour Isa 5.20 nor doe they iustifie the wicked for a reward and take away the righteousnes of the righteous man from him but with the psalmist they speake the truth that is in theire heart * Reu. 14.5 In theire mouth was found noe guile And with Paul they set themselues against seducers as he against Elimas Act. 13. that sought to turne away the deputie from the faith and to peruert the right way of God And when some of theese Kings and States are conuerted From poperie to Christ that is when a tenth part of the citie seated on many waters fell from the Church of Rome to the Gospell Reu. 11.13.15 or soone after it is saide The Kingdoms of this world are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall raigne for euer and euer Because not the Beast but the Word doth now gouerne Soules in them They therefore that are protestant Princes and foe haue giuen theire names to Christ against Antichrist should draw theire swords and not suffer any of theese Kingdoms prouinces or cities to be woÌ„ne againe by the sword or seducers from Christ to poperie but rather indeauour to winne from the Beast and his vpholders and as soone as may be to execute vpon the whore the iudgment written seeing such honour haue all his saints Psa 149.9 Reu. 17. and it is saide they shall make her desolate and naked and burne her with fire and herein they are saide to follow Christ the warre therefore is not bloodie and vniust for it is saide there chap. 19.14 vers 11.13 In righteousnes doth he iudge and make warre and his name is called the Word of God and that the armies followed him vpon white horses clothed in fine liâ—en white and cleane and consequently the blood of theese his enemies doth not defile them for they follow the Word of God and fight for his Kingdom who is the Word against these that oppose the Word and make him and his Kingdom of none effect with theire traditions and errours Therefore though peace can neuer be sufficiently commended yet it can not be good to haue peace with her nor with those Kings that fight her battailes to support and propagate her Kingdom espetially when they are in those warres as in theese dayes striueing to bringe all to her obedience Reu. 19.6 When Rome which is the greate whore is burned a greate voice is heard Saying Alleluia for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth Whereas before not the Word but she gouerned the Soules of thousands in matters of faith and saluation And will they then be slack in giueing theire weapous moneies labours and counsailes to this worke the Papists and theire Princes are not so in theire warres against vs to bringe vs to the Popes obedience Wee are to remember what Christ saith He that is not with me is against me Epis Winton Tortura Torti in Epist And therefore as a greate Prelate saide in a like case This cause is of that kinde where when a man gathereth not with Christ he scattereth with Christs aduersarie where vnlesse one deliuer the faith neither shall he deliuer his soule Also when the common cause is brought into danger let no man be a spectatour but euery one an actour and when the cause of all men is handled there with all power and labour with all studie and indeauour to skirmish stoutly for it And herein in what low state soeuer a man be yet let him be a Christian. Aug. de peecat merit 18. And as Augustine saith Neither is there any midle place for any man that he can be with any other then the deuil who is not with Christ That also is true of Princes in this case of warre They that are with him are called and chosen and faithfull They are not like the children of Ephraim who beeing armed and carrying bowes turned back in the day of battaile Reu. 17.14 Psal 78.8.9 See Character of a Christian Pag. 217. they doe not on euery flight occasion desist and start aside like a broken bow Or which is all one they doe not trust the managing of theese wars and the counsailes thereto belonging to such as are newters lukewarme or temporising Arminians much lesse to any that are apparantly Popish and so will sooner betray forces and counsailes or bringe them to nothing then rightly vse them against the Beast or his supporters but they are like good Souldiers of Christ watchfull and carefull to doe this worke or see it donne with all zeale and diligence and like the Aduersaries they trust none to be commaunders or councellours herein but such as they finde by experience to be truly zealous in the cause of Religion whatsoeuer they doe this way in the worke of the Lord 2. Chron. 31.21 with Hezechiah they doe it with all theire heart and like those first conuerts in the Acts who did things with gladnes and singlenes of heart Act. 2 46 Thus faithfull are they that are with Christ in his warres against the Beast and his adherents But to leaue the further prosecution of this point to a Treatise of Romes Ruin Notwithstanding all theese things and diuers others that might be alleadged to this purpose the Papists without any greate resistance of auxiliarie forces haue acheiued many notable victories and greatly triumph in the Prouinces and Cities they haue reduced to the Romish obedience In diuers Kingdoms Prouinces and Cities where the Gospell of the Kingdom hath beene freely preached where the Word hath raigned they haue in a manner excluded him and his Kingdom and subiected the people to Popish superstition errour and seruitude so that though Christ be now in his
That to this ende the weapons of * Ideo fortes esse dicuntur quia Praelati Sancti Ecclesiae perfecti sunt in obseruatione mandaroruÌ„ Domini omnes tenentes gladios id est spirituale verbum quia predicando vitia Subditorum debent reprimere Bernard de obedien Serm. 19. theire warfare are mightie to cast downe the stronge holds and high things of Hereticks which exalt themselues against the knowledge of Christ. Indeede if Princes will not suffer theese of the Clergie or others to cast downe theese Holds of Hereticks with the sword of the spirit but like the Arrian Emperours and others will kicke against the pricks and with Saul breath out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord such as are subiects of this Kingdom or labour to bringe others to the true knowledge and obedience of the Word if they will aduenture to prouoke God by such persecutions to the danger of theire owne Kingdoms who shall hinder them theire subiects may speake in Gods cause but if that will not serue they must suffer not resist by the sword not run into rebellion Yet ought they to confesse Christs name who is the Word before Kings and Rulers and euen to fight against the mightiest of them with the sword of the spirit Reu. 17.14 chap. 19.21 Because so the Lambe ouercomes them who is the King of Kings Wee all ought to beare witnesse vnto the Truth though it cost vs our liues Bishops and Ministers more espetially who are * Isa 62.6 and Heb. 13.17 Mat. 28.18.19.20 watchman set which should neuer hold there peace not keepe silence as they that must giue account For he is the Lord of Lords who saith All power is giuen to him in Heauen and in Earth and who therefore bids his Disciples goe into all the world and reach all Nations to obserue all things that he commaunded them who after his Ascention carried themselues accordingly For when the Rulers examined them Act. 4.11.12 they contended stoutly to proue Christ a stone of them reiected ver 18.19 to be the Head of the corner And after when they and the high Preists called them and commaunded them not to speake at all nor teach in his Name they answered Whether it be right in the sight of God to bearken vnto you more then vnto God iudge ye for wee can not but speake the things which wee haue seene and beard Act. 5.28 And after when for teaching in the Temple they were questioned by the High Preist saying Did wee not straightly commaund you that you should not teach in his Name And behold ye haue filled Ierusalem with youre doctrine Peter and the other Apostles answered and saide wee ought to obey God rather then men The God of our Fathers raised vp Iesus Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince viz. to rule in all matters of faith and salnation Behold now againe againe they contest and fight with the sword of the Spirit for him his Kingdom against his greatest opposers and were therein examples to all ministers and Seruants of Christ to the worlds ende This did the man borne blinde before Christs death that by good proofes Steuen Act. 7. chap. 18.26.28 Apollos and many others did as much after his resurrection against opposers and Hereticks The Apostles Paul Peter Iohn Iude wrote and contended against Hereticks and peruerters of the Scriptures and commaunded others to doe soe but more espetially Bishops to hold fast the faithfull Word taught them Tit. 1.7.9.10 chap. 3.10 to looke to deceiuers whose mouthes must be stopped who subuert whole howses teaching things which they ought not for filthie lucres sake Act. 20. to reiect Hereticks as beeing Wolues Theeues and Speakers of peruerse things Iudge yet whe ther many such haue not crept in who came not with the Spirit of Truth but with the Spirit of errour as the Appealer Cosens and others who entred not by the Word that is by Christ the doore of the sheepe but rather by errour and the Father thereof who abode not in the Truth and whether Bishops that would be counted Christs Watchmen and Seruants haue not slept while enemies haue sowed tares The Remonstrance of the Parliament in summerlast manifested that many Arminians and Popish teachers haue risen in theese our dayes with theire cousening tenets and deuotions and yet haue not the Bishops theire superiours and ouerseers that should watch ouer mens soules Heb. 13.17 as they that must giue account reproued and conuinced nor suffered others to publish bookes to confute them but rather preferred the Seducers and hindred the preferment of theire opposers so far hath hopes of preferment from some courtiers and other gifts blinded theese men as of old it did some Pharises and after them the Bishops and Clarks of Italie to iustify the wicked or theire doctrines and practises for a reward Indeede the Archbishop of Canterburie shewed his dislike of theese Seducers and theire bookes Bishop Carlton writ against the Appealer and proued him a dangerous peruerter of the Scriptures and of the Articles and it may be there are two or three Bishops more that haue shewed some litle distastof theire tenets and practises but by meanes of the late Duke and other Courtiers the greater number haue gonne the cleane contrarie way Doctor White that for the Dukes fauour approued the Appealers booke was in recompence of that * 1. Tim. 1.19 Shipwracke he sustained elected Bishop of Carlile made Amner and since translated to Norwich Other freinds of theese Pelagian and Popish teachers tenets haue also had theire reward Mr. Cosens his Maister Doctor Neale was remoued to Winchester Doc. Laude to London Doctor Feild to S. Dauids Doctor Buckridge to Elie Doctor Mountaine to Yorke after his death Doctor Harsnet was translated to Yorke Doctor Howson to Durham Doctor Maw Chosen Bish of Bath and Wels Doctor Corbet B. of Oxford and Doctour Curle late Prolocutor in the conuocation howse for his fauourable carriage in that place towards theese new Maisters was promoted to the See of Rochester Doctor Lindsey and others haue acheiued Denaries or other preferments On the other side theese and some others soe wrought that the Archbishop of Cant was put besides the execution of his place and the Appealer himselfe was set vp in his verrie seate that writ against him and that presently after that the Parliament that coâ—â—â—â—â—ned of him and them was prorogued which Schollars in thâ—â—â— iuersities and other parts perceiuing according to the deuiâ—◠〈◊〉 the pioiectors bent theire studdies toward the mount or raâ—◠〈◊〉 molehill of preferment When the Parliament approched theâ— laboured to haue it put off or if not that the howse might noâ—â—â—estion such men nor others preach dispute or write against theire tenets and peruerting faculties but that themselues might be the only Iudges in theire owne cause yet for feare of the worst they at last
theire Champions and come to that which now they seeme to haue of theire owne How many greate dignities and officies haue they in theire Church endowed with proportionable meanes for theite greate estates What a greate number of Cardinals are there who from a meane place * See the Apologie for the oath of allegiance also Tortura Torti pag. 2. office and begining are come to be held in dignitie equall to Kings besides a number of Arch-Bishopwricks Bishopwricks verrie rich and potent in this world as Cullen Ments Treuiere and others with an number of other places of proffit and honour in Cathedrall Churches Colledges Monasteries and orders of religious howses The hope of rising to some of theese makes a greate number of Preists Iesuits friars and others contest practise and striue to intrude propogate and increase in all contries the Popes Kingdom and prower with all the labour and might they can inuent or procure often venturing theire liues I might say theire Soules to worke his ends and bringe people to his obedience because they see he and his cheife prelates haue wherewithall to reward theire greatest seruices Noe Friar soe meane but he may hope for his deligence and seruice to be Prior of his Couent the Prior to be prouincial the prouincial to become General of that order And soe Preists and Iesuits may in like manner hope to come by degrees to be Bishops and Cardinals and some to clime to the verrie papall throne What will not fraile men doe for such rewards Which made many that were noe true Pastors but * Ioh. 10.12 Sunt enim nonnulli qui dum plus terranneam substantiam quam oues diligunt meritò nomen Pastor is perdunt non enim Pastor sed mer cenarius vocatur qui nō pro amore intimo oues dominicas sed ad tem porales mercedes pascit mercenarius quippe est qui Pastor is locu tenet sed lucrum animarū non quaerit terrenis commidis inhiat honore praelationis gaudet Gregori hom 14. Aquin in Ioa. 10. hirelings contest daube excuse practise by hooke or crooke maintaine points in the councell of Trent who were after rewarded according to theire seruice and some before hand as the historie sheweth For they followed the way of Balaam who loued the wages of vnrighteousnes 2. Pet. 2.15 And thus both before and since in theire diucrs cases causes Which hath made many venture far Wee haue seene also that those follewers of the Trent practises the Arminians haue had theire rewards for straining theire wits and consciences And true it is that both the one the other may rise in iudgment with many who professe themselues theire aduersaries and Christs Seruants against Antichrist and all opposers and yet doe not striue soe much nor with such true zeale to winne Princes people by all honest and lawfull meanes from Poperie and Arminiaisme to the obedience of the Word nor indeede to strengthen keepe and confirme such as doe yet embrace the Truth and not oppose it in those points nor in others but rather by theire slacknes and coldnes suffer them to preuaile daily and proceede further and further in conquests and practises which the Aduersaries doe prosecute with feruent zeale to aduance and propogate theire religion for theire Kingdom is of this world Luk. 16.8 it is from hence And as our Lord saith The children of this world are wiser in theire generation then the children of light more vigilant more zealous more circumspect and constant in the prosecution of theire ends and in perseuerance therein because thereby they attaine and keepe a little momentarie bubble of wealth and honour then Christs Seruants are for the seeking of that Kingdom and the righteousnes thereof which makes truly rich and honourable here and rewards those with euerlasting life and happines hereafter who fight the good fight of faith for Christ and his Kingdom for so inseperable are the worke and the reward that Saint Paul saith to Timothie Fight the good fight of faith 1. Tim. 6.12 lay hold on eternall life To shew that to fight this good fight is to lay hold of eternall life to make our calling and election sure and therefore he saith I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course 2. Tim. 4.7 I haue kept the faith Hence forth there is laide vp for me a crowne of righteousnes which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day and not to me only but vnto them also that loue his appearing And so liue as those that loue it and looke for it But the children of this World that fight for other Kingdoms that giue them somwhat in present they will haue somwhat in hand they will haue wealth and honour heere And so they that will be honourable and haue commaund as they that will be rich 1. Tim. 6.9 fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts which drowne men in destruction and perdition this also doth the loue of a money the roote of all euill which some coueting haue erred from the faith Amonge other lusts they fall into this of fighting for Antichrist or Hereticks for the present honeur or proffit they hope to haue by it the loue of theese makes Iesuits and others venture to disturbe Kingdoms and States to further the Popes Kingdom that rewards them And this is a maine reason that moues some Kings Ren. 17.14 free Princes States to hate the whore and make her desolate and naked and burne her with fire That is to take all from her and fire her that she may not haue to giue rewards to them that disturbe theire Kingdoms and hinder the Kingdom of God and his blessings from theire Kingdoms which they should be sure to enioy in all peace and plentie if in matters of faith and saluotion they were only gouerned by him who the more to animate them to those warrs hath giuen them all the riches that are hers and indeede her champions also for therefore they are also called to the Supper of the greate God Reu. 19. to eate the flesh of Kings and the flesh or Captaines c. That is to take theire wealth riches and honours and posesse them which besides the heauenly reward is a feast of fat things that God will then make them But in the meane while Christ while he is to suffer giueth noe such things and therefore saith But now my Kingdom is not from hence Pilate therefore saide vnto him Art thou a King then Pilate therfore asked this question because Christ in saying and thrice repeating theese words my Kingdom had confessed that he had a Kingdom and consequently that himselfe was a Kinge and yet not out of any ostentation or desire that he had to speake thereof here before Pilate where he was sure it would cost him his life but beeing vrged by theire examinations to tell them Isa 53.9 he would
in such danger seeing that if Princes be Hereticall and persecute the godly theire Ministers must follow them and afflict and punish them or loose theire places for when those that cleaue to Gods Word and contend for it are examined they must confesse the truth though it cost them theire liues as our Sauiour here did for when Pilate saide Art thou then a Kinge Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge af if he saide and I can not I must not dâ—nie it For To this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth That is indeede to confirme the Truth and euery clause of it whereof this of his Kingdom and office is one with his blood to witnes and seale the truth of it with his blood for though he knew that to confesse this would cost him his life yet he considers that to this ende he was borne and for this cause he came in the world that he should beare witnesse to it with his blood 1. Tim. 6.13 and therefore Saint Paul saith that he witnessed a good confession before Pontius Pilate Sealed as ye see with his blood Tolet. in Ioan. VXIII Vt veritatem Dei oftenderet regnum Dei manifestarer ac tyrannidem Diaboli dolos ejus detegeret to make his witnesse the more effectuall Seeing indeede he came into the world as Tolet saith that he might shew the truth of God and manifest the Kingdom of God and discouer the tiranie of the deuil and his deceits whereby he deceiueth men whether by his owne suggestions or by his Ministers the teachers and maintainers of idollatrie errours For to this purpose the Sonne viz. the Word the Truth of God was manifested that he might destroy the workes of the deuill He came to confound all theese in this that he came to beare witnesse vnto Gods Kingdom vnto Gods Truth whereby all theese are confounded and those also that liue as if they were borne to noe other ende and for noe other cause came into the world then to flatter daube and temporise with sinnes and errours or which is as bad frowardly to contest against the truth with sophisticated arguments praeuaricating shifts for that they might all be sure of it and repenting receiue and confesse the Truth in all things he heere inforceth the certaintie of it with a kinde of ingemination or reinforcing of his asseueration to the Soules of men as if they could neuer enough marke remember this point saying to this ende was I borne and for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth O thou eternall and almightie Sonne of God Heb. 1.2 by whome he made the worlds thou heyre of all things the brightnes of thy Fathers glorie and the expresse Image of his person thou that thoughtest it noe roberie to be held equall with God surely it was for some greate ende that thou wast borne of a Woman for some greate cause that thou camest in the World Lord let vs know it let vs heare it ô thou Kinge of Saints that wee neither despise nor slight and neglect it thou tellest vs with a witnesse and a deere witnesse it was to thee for thou sealest it with thy most pretious blood shed in the greatest paines the greatest sufferings that euer any felt in this world to see if yet wee will receiue the truth and the loue thereof 2. Thess 2.10.11 that wee may be saued and not be giuen ouer to beleeue a lye for this cause was I borne and for this cause came I into the World that I should beare witnesse vnto the Truth Some man will say If it were to this ende that he came and thus sealed the truth what Christian is there that will not receiue the loue of the Truth that will not in all matters of faith and saluation heare his voice obey it and so receiue his testimonie I answer thou hearest him affirme it and reinforce it what then needes further witnes Luk. 19.10 for if thou say The Sonne of man came to seeke to saue that which was lost That is by shewing them Gods Truth and bearing witnesse to it and so loosing the prisnors bound and lost in the prison of sinne errour * Sedebas o homo in tenebrosis vmbra mortis per ignorantiam veritatis sedebas vinctus catenis delictorum Bernar. de ordine vitae Nos de Adam caeci nati sumus illo illuminate opus habemus Aug. in Ioan. trac 34. Act. 26.18 Mar. 10.46 Gal. 4.4 and ignorance Ioh. 12.48 He came a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not abide in darkenesse but should haue the light of life to make them children of the light God sent him for a light of the Gentiles Isa 42. but that was to open theire eyes and to turne them from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan vnto God that they may receiue forgiuenesse of sinnes and inheritance amonge them which are sanctified through faith that is in him Not otherwise The Sonne of man came to minister and giue his life a ransom for many but that was to minister the Word and to witnesse that his death was a ransom for many to seale that truth in his blood God sent his Sonne made of a Woman to redeeme them that were vnder the Law and thereby Seruants obnoxious to sinne death that they might receiue the adoption of sonnes but that is by receiuing the Word the Truth who to as many as receiue him Ioh. 1.12 giueth power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleene on his Name viz. on the Word by letting them * Chap. 8.32.34.36 Character of a Christian pag. 325. c. know the Truth that the truth might make them free and free indeede from sinne Satan errours snaring scruples c. There is noe true freedom but what the Truth giueth and it must needes be true if the Truth giue it As he there saith If the Sonne therefore shall make you free Ye shall be free indeede Thereby shewing himselfe to be the Truth as Augustine proueth on Ioh. 17.17 Sanctifie them in thy Truth thy Word is Truth August in 10. trac 108. To this Truth he bare witnesse and this Truth freeth beeing beleeued knowne and receiued with loue So was it with the Corinthians who beeing inriched in all knowledge Paul saith the testimonie of Christ was confirmed in them 1. Cor. 1.6 which that wee might so receiue and obey in all that it teacheth and euery part of it he bare witnesse to it with his blood Which therefore indeede is called the blood of the Testament sealed confirmed and dedicated in blood Heb. 9.18.19 Wherevpon neither was the first Testament dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken euery precept he tooke the blood of Calues and sprinckled both the booke and the
man will I hope be so rash as to conceite that your Maiestie a Christian King should not ouercome a Pagan Prince in that much honoured vertue much lesse so far to forget the duty of a subiect as to infer from this example that we vnder the Gospell of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ haue liued to a time vvhen it should be accounted a crime in any Christian to confesse and defend the faith of Christ crucified IdeÌ„ in orat ad Câ—rol 5. inter Epist Youre Maiestie by youre Roiall title is Defender of the faith and consequently of all those youre Maiesties subiects that professe and maintaine the same Then saith Gueuara is the Prince naturall of the Kingdom when he doth obserue and defend the Gospell of Christ I confesse right high and mightie Monarch youre Maiesties affaires are many important that amonge many things offered to youre Princely coÌ„sideration some may be of greater consequence in the conceite of the preferrers then in true substance and may perhaps be therefore answered with parturiunt montes nascetur rediculus mus or with that Non vacat exiguis rebus adesse Ioui But this Confession amonge other things manifesteth that the successe and safety of temporall Kingdoms depende on the due receiuing and maintenance of Christs and extirpation of all the open secret enemies thereof Knowing then that in this Island Christ hath had a Kingdom theese seauenty yeares or vpwards that there is noe true Christian nor good subiect but would be loth to see it eaten out by Iesuiticall or Pelagian practises what honourable or loial Seruant is there in youreâ— Maiesties Court that if a man Ieh 9.1.30 as weake as he that was blinde from his birth should by Gods assistance pleade Christs cause to the Rulers with good proofes would not take that of our Sauiour into consideration chap. 12.48 He that reiecteth me and receiueth not my words bath one that iudgeth him the Word that I haue spoken the same shall iudge him in the last day The first part vvhich conuinceth the Iewes may seeme at first sight to make nothing for or against any here nor much to coÌ„cerne Christs cause in this Island but as it like a greate wheele moueth all the lesser and like a Roote yealdeth sap and life to all the branches the worke it selfe is but litle and that subiect fills not a fifth part of it vouchsafe therefore greate Kinge youre Roiall and Princely patience and youre Maiestie shall soone see how reuiued heresies doe eate at the roote both of Church and State and that vvith noe ordinarie danger Yet doe I not strike at the Arminians but through the sides of the Pelagians nor soe much at theire tenets as at theire practises nor at them but as they are against the Kingdom of God the honour of youre Maiestie the peace safety and strength of youre Kingdoms Neither is that donne by me but by Christs owne Confession and Complaint and such consequences as necessarily follow froÌ„ the same the examples out of holy writ and other Histories here gathered beeing only Instances of the neuerfailing truth of that which Christ in his Confession denied or affirmed Now therefore the greate God of heauen and earth in whose hands are the hearts of Kings giue youre Maiestie to see embrace and establish the things that belonge to the peace of youre Kingdoms Luk 19 42. and now perplexed subiects which is the thinge herein desired and daily begd of God in continuall prayers by youre Maiesties most humble subiect and Vassall To the Christian Reader CHRISTIAN and Truth-louing Reader I offer here to thy most retired and serious considerations the Confession and Complaint of Christ Iesus our Sauiour with such vndeniable consequences as necessarily follow from the same that so thou maiest obserue from his mouth who is the best Pilote what course to steere in this troublesom and tempestious age to bringe that pretious Iewell Vessell of thine thy yet floting Soule vnto the Hauen of true happines that it may not be surprised by Seducers suffer shipwrack against the Rocks or late sunke Vessels of errour nor runne a ground in the shallowes of ignorance Ephes 4.14 That wee henceforth be noe more children tossed to and fro and carried aboute with euery winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse whereby they lie in waite to deceiue But following the Truth in loue may grow vp into him in all things which is the head euen Christ A worke that might haue beene vndertaken by one more experienced in such sacred mysteries and better qualified for them then I am Yet if a man that is but an ordinarie Passenger in a ship shall espie it to be neere a Rocke a Ship sunke or some other Sea marke set vp to discouer a danger who will blame him if while others that should watch are sleeping or otherwise buisied he giue notice thereof to them that are with him embarked in the same Ship or in any other within hearing that the dangers may be auoided Such as beare good will to Sion pray for truly seeke the peace of our Ierusalem will soone perceiue that my indeauours herein are only exercised in seeking the Kingdom of God the honour and safety of our Soueraigne Lord the Kinge the peace and happines of his Maiesties Kingdoms and of Gods Church in them together with the conuiction and amendment of such as haue donne euill offices to any of theese 2. Tim. 2.25 If God peraduenture will giue them repentance to the acknowledging of the Truth and that they may recouer themselues out of the snare of the Deuill who are taken captiue by him at his will But on the other side if any that haue exchanged theire best iudgments for such honours and other gifts of the World as blinde the eyes of the wise or for the hopes of them If any who are Iesuited or poisened with Romish or Pelagian errours finding themselues touched with theese lines shall make a worse construction of them to cleare themselues or theire adherents then can with good Conscience be giuen and framing a minde to me out of theire owne shall therevpon begin to inueigh against this litle tratise or the composer thereof the Booke it selfe will I hope say enough to stop such mens mouthes and if that doe not I know a longe Epistle can not doe it I will therefore leaue all further Apollogies and appealing from them to God to whome all hearts lie open implore his almightie protection In the meane time hopeing such things of thee as accompany saluation and beseeching thee to excuse and correct with thy pen such faults as not without wronge donne to me haue escaped the Printer in the printing I rest Thine in Christ Iesus I. P. CHRISTS CONFESSION AND COMPLAINT Ioh. 18.36.37 Iesus answered My Kingdom is not of this world If my Kingdom were of this worâ—d then would my Servants fight that I should not