Prelates c. Their administration of the word prayer Sacraments and censures according to their Constitutions book of Common prayer Injunctions Canons c. For this is the way this only to warrant their estate stablish the cōscience of such as are troubled about it Yet this they doe not but partly by cavils and exceptions against the truth and witnesses of it partly by vaine pretences of antiquity and humane authority partly by abuse and false gloses of Scripture partly by reproches and persecutions of all sorts set themselves to obscure the light of the truth now manifested and to turne away the people from the knowledge and obedience thereof Which is the more lamentable considering what divers of them have judged and written of these things themselves One thus * T. C. first reply p. 83. The Ministerie of the Gospell and the functions there of ought to be from heaven of God not invented by the brayne of men From heaven I say and heavenly because although it be executed by earthly men and the Ministers also are chosen by men like vnto themselves yet because it is done by the word and institution of God that hath †Note this not onely ordeyned that the word should be preached but hath ordeyned also in what order and by whom it should be preached it may well be accounted to come from heaven and from God Seing therefore that these functions of the Archbishop and Archdeacon are not in the word of God it followeth that they are of the earth and so can do no good but much harme in the Church Another thus ‖ Demonstr of Discipl in the Preface to the Reader Albeit many nations that have renounced that whore of Rome are heynously sinful against the glorious Maiesty of Iesus Christ yet is there none in the whole world so far out of square as England in reteyning that popish hierarchie first coyned in the midst of the mysterie of iniquity and that filthy sink of the Canon Law which was invented patched together for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichrist Wherein as great indignity is offered vnto Iesus Christ in committing his Church vnto the government of the same as can be by meane vnderlings vnto a King in committing his beloved spouse vnto the direction of the mistresse of the Stewes and inforcing her to live after the orders of a brothelhouse A third thus * Removall of Imputations laid vpon the Minist of Devon and Cornwall pag. 22. It is a matter which by all the straynings of men therein employed could never yet be cleared that Provinciall and Diocesan Bishops are by Divine Right rather then by Humane Pollicie We for our parts hold these things firme First that that Church-calling for which the scripture giveth no expresse warrant is meerly vsurped and vtterly vnlawfull The office of Iohn though it were extraordinary yet we see the care of the holy Ghost to prove it by the Scripture ‡ Mat. 3 3◠This is he of whom it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias Let any divine tell me what doctrine he would collect if he were to preach vpon that place Secondly that the Holy writt makes no mention of any such B. as is now amongst vs. Shew me who can the title Episcopus or Bishop given there to any mortall men in respect of other Pastors and not wholy and onely in respect of the flock And divers others of them thus †Admon 1. and 2. Not onely the office of Elders but their name also is out of this English Church vtterly removed and in stead of them in every Church the Pope hath brought in and they in England yet mainteyne the Lordship of one man over many Churches Which Lordbishops being not able as the Elders to execute their offices in their owne persons without substitutes have therefore their vnder officers as Suffraganes Chancelours Archdeacons Officials Commissaries and such like Also They with their Canons and Courts are drawen out of the Popes shop take vpon them which is most horrible the rule of Gods Church thrusting away most sacrilegiously that order which Christ hath left in his Church and which the Primitive Church hath vsed yea robbing the Church of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons And In a few words to speak what we meane Eyther must we have a right ministery of God a right government of his Church according to the Scriptures set vp both which we lack or els there can be no right Religion nor yet for contempt thereof can Gods plagues be from vs any while deferred Thus much more have sundry of themselves written in former tymes how ever it be that now they would seem to plead otherwise But to let them alone by this may appeare how needfull it is for all both Ministers and people to take heed to their wayes and to lay them to heart Towching the Ministers it should herein be with them as it was with Iohn Baptist who proved his calling by the word to be from heaven Ioh. 1.22.23 with Mat. 21.25 And they that are in deed true Ministers will have speciall care and alway be able to shew their offices and callings to be of the Lord from heaven approved by his word So were the Priests and Prophets in the tyme of the Law So were also the Apostles and Ministers of the Primitive Churches vnder the Gospell Yea Christ himself likewise And if we may certainely affirme that the Christ who cannot approve his calling by the Scripture is not the true Christ but a false Christ and therefore to be avoyded notwithstanding any truth he professeth and publisheth then may we as surely conclude that the Ministers which cannot prove their callings by the word of God are false Ministers and therefore not to be joyned withall whatsoever truth they teach or bring with them otherwise And if the Prophets Apostles Iohn Baptist Christ himself would not take this honour vnto them to be priviledged from having and shewing warrant of their callings out of the word of God who and what are the Ministers of the Church of England that they should be exempt from this so equall so needfull so generall a condition And if they be not exempt why are they not ready and carefull to shew it for the satisfying of others and defence of themselves And for the people howsoever the Ministers do it should be with them as it was with the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and half tribe of Manasses who sayd God forbid that we should rebell against the Lord turne away this day from the Lord to build an altar for burnt offring for meat offring or for sacrifice save the altar of the Lord our God that is before his tabernacle Iosh 22.29 So should all Christians be likewise mynded and say Far be it from vs that we should rebell against the Lord Iesus Christ turne this day from him in appointing
ioyning together in the true worship of God And that all such Churches and Congregations communicating after that maner together in divine worship are in all ecclesiasticall matters equall and of the same power and authority and that by the word and will of God they ought to have the same spiritual priviledges prerogatives officers administrations orders and Formes of divine worship 5. That every established Church or Congregation ought to have those spirituall officers and Ministers which are enioyned by Christ in the new Testament and no other 6. That the ground of Church-government is the Kingly function of Christ who is the Head of the Church and whom it properly concernes to make lawes by which to governe the Church 7. That the Scripture hath delivered an exact platforme of Pollicie for the House of God which is the Church And The word of God describeth perfitly vnto vs that form of governing the Church which is lawful the officers that are to execute the same from the which no Christian Church ought to swarve 8. That the forme of Church-governement in England is an Humane ordināce yea the very same by which Antichrist rose vnto his intollerable Tyranny in Gods Church 9. That it robbeth the Church of lawfull Pastors Elders and Deacons 10. That Diocesan Bishops have not any place nor part at all in any true and proper visible Church of Christ. 11. That it is the naturall and immutable office of a Pastor both to Teach and to Governe with the assistance of other Elders his owne flock 12. That the right true Discipline Ecclesiasticall in each proper Visible Church is one mayne part of the ordinarie meanes of salvation appointed by God for every soule and that this in the Church of England is vtterly wanting 13. That Diocesan Bishops c. do by necessarie consequence deny Christ the Saviour to be our intire and perfect Prophet and spirituall King by taking away from him some proper parts of his Propheticall and Kingly Offices impugne the Foundation of saving faith and are contrarie to Gods word 14. That Christ is the onely teacher of his Church and appointer of all meanes whereby we should be taught and admonished of any holy dutie whatsoever he hath thought good to teach his Church and the meanes whereby he hath perfitly set downe in the holy Scriptures so that to acknowledge any other meanes of teaching and admonishing vs of our duty then such as he hath appointed is to receive another teacher into the the Church besides him and to confesse some imperfection in those meanes he hath ordeyned to teach vs by If these Assertions I say be true then is it vnlawfull to have communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England But the foresaid Assertions are true Therefore it is vnlawfull to have communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England The Proposition agreeth with that of the former Argument and addeth weight vnto it For besides that which there is sayd it cannot stand with the Homage due vnto Christ the King and Head of the Church with the sound acknowledgement of the sufficiency of the Scripture word of God with the carefull vsing of the means of salvation appointed by God for every soule with the faithfull renouncing of all humane ordinances in Gods worship and vtter detestation of Antichrist c. to have cōmunion with the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England seing they are not lawfull Pastors or Ministers having the naturall and immutable Offices appointed by Christ nor performing the worship of God according to the Canon of his word but stand in subiection to Provinciall and Diocesan Bishops receiving their Ministery from them and executing it vnder them who are contrary to Gods word and against the Prophecy Kingdome of Iesus Christ c. So as to heare and communicate with their Ministery were to worship God after an vnlawfull maner and to acknowledge other offices and meanes of teaching and governing the Church then such as Christ hath appointed and consequently to receive an other Teacher King into the Church besides him and to confesse some imperfection in those offices and meanes which he hath ordeyned to teach governe vs by c. The Assumption is their owne acknowledged confirmed by themselves in divers of their books Namely The Removall of certaine Imputations layd vpon the Ministers of Devon and Cornwall pag. 22. 39. T. C. reply 1. Pag. 83. English Puritanisme p. 1. 5. 6. 12. 13. 24. The Demonstrat of Discipl pag 1. Admonit to the Parliam treatise 1. and 2. Sermon on Rom. 12. pag. 36. 37. Mr Iacobs Reasons proving necessity of reforming the Churches in England pag. 33. 35. 51. 52. 53. The Abridgement of the Book delivered to his Maiesty by the Lincolnshire Minist pag. 31. 32. 77. 78. c. And let it here be observed that although the case be thus cleare by their owne writings against their Church and Ministery yet * Mr. Bradsh Argum. 12. London Ministers Protest Mr Iacobs Mr Hilders Mr Stones others writings c. they cease not to impute schisme vnto vs for separating from them in such estate they pretend that the mayne cause of our separation is because of their Ceremonies they hold and plead that the Churches of England as they be established by publik Authority are true visible Churches of Christ and that their Ministers are faithfull Pastors and true Ministers of Christ c. Accusations pretences opinions and pleas that sort very ill with their Propositions and Assertions and are so much the more straunge in them as they have besides all the former Positions many other the like affirmed expressely that they lack both a right Ministerie of God a right governmēt of his Church according to the Scriptures that they have an Antichristian hierarchie a Leiturgy culled picked out of the Popish dunghil the Massebook full of all abominations and that the controversie betwixt the Prelates them is not for a cap a tippet or a surplus but for greater matters concerning a true Ministerie and Regiment of the Church according to the word Which being once established the other melt away of themselves Admon to the Parliam treatise 1. 2. Thus have they written and iudged themselves heretofore Now if their Church and Ministery were altered it would be knowen But seing it is not how is it that they keep not more to the greater matters in controversie but insist so much vpon the lesser which would melt away of themselves if the other were once established And why blame they vs for separating from their false Ministerie vnlawfull worship and Babylonish constitution of their Church Or why consider they not that the extent of their Propositions and Assertions reacheth not onely to their Ceremonies but also to their Ministery Leiturgie and Church it self Now therefore if they can make to accord together their judgement with their practise their writings
some Archdeacons some Lordbishops some Archbishops c. 2. Now these be such offices as were left in England by the Pope and are still reteyned in the kingdome of Antichrist neyther were knowen in the Churches of Christ planted by the Apostles but rose vp with the body of Antichrist perteyne therevnto as hath bene handled before 3. And the Scripture teacheth plainly that Sathan out of the bottomeles pit is the author and head of those offices and functions which were formed and erected in the kingdome of Antichrist the man of sinne and consequently of the offices aforesaid yet remayning in the Church of England 2 Thes 2.9 Rev. 9.2.3.11.20 and 13.11 and 18.2 20.10 4. And if Sathan be the erecter and head of these offices and functions then it is certayne that Iesus Christ is not For what concord hath Christ with Sathan 2 Cor. 6.15 1 Ioh. 3.8 Wherevpon ensueth that whosoever administer by vertue of the offices aforesaid as the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of Engl. do they derive not their power and authority from Iesus Christ the head of the Church which is his body even the fulnes of him that filleth all in all things but from the dragon that old serpent Sathan the head of the body kingdome of Antichrist the Prince of darknes even the spirit that worketh in the children of disobedience And this have the seekers of reformation a long time synce vnderstood and published to the world who speaking of the ecclesiasticall government of the Church of England say it is * Admon to the Parliam sect 14-20 T C first reply pag. 88. 204. Mr. Fenners Answer to the Confut. of Nichols recant pag 61. c. Antichristian and divelish and contrarie to the Scriptures That whatsoever commeth from the Pope who is Antichrist cōmeth first from the Divell and out of the bottomles pit That the Names and Offices of Archbishops Lordbishops Archdeacons Commissaries Deanes Prebendaries Parsons Vicars Stipendaries and Parish priests c. came from the Pope and are an Antichristian hierarchie That Sathan is the authour of the false Ministerie in the apostasie of the Man of sinne and in the kingdome of Antichrist the beast That their offices and callings be such as were first devised and still are reteyned in the kingdome of Antichrist whereof they cannot deny but Sathan is the head Now therefore let all men judge whether any can with a good conscience heare the word receive the Sacraments or have any spirituall communion with their Ministery in this estate yea though the men that be in it be of never so great gifts and teach never so much truth Is it divelish and may the people of God joyne vnto it Came it out of the bottomles pit shall we serve the God of heaven by it Do they which preach by vertue thereof derive their power from another head then Iesus Christ even from Sathan the head of the false Church and shall the members of Christ his Church by hearing or otherwise submit their soules and consciences to be wrought vpon by it God forbid Know we not that as the true Ministery was ordeyned by our Saviour Christ for the edification of the Church salvation of the hearers so the false Ministery hath ben erected by Sathan and is reteyned by Antichrist for the subversion of the Church the deceiving and destruction of the hearers We deny not but many of these Ministers be men of good gifts and preach much truth and comfortable doctrine but this we say and it is found too true that the more gifts and truths they bring with them the more they vphold this mystery of iniquity Ministery of Sathan the more deeply they inthrall the hearers vnder the bondage of Antichrist and the longer they deteyne them from the way and ordinances of Iesus Christ For who seeth not that the dumbe Ministers though they have the same kind of Ministery among them as the rest even the same Deaconry and Priesthood received of the Prelates there being no other allowed in that Church yet being of no gifts to call and intise them that passe by the way to come vnto them are therefore much despised and rejected of the best and most forward of the people And would not the preachers also who by their gifts allure the passers by to come and heare them be as much despised and rejected Prov. ◠13.14.15.16.17 if they should teach falsehood onely and no truth impiety and no godlynes But how could they then so colourably entise and entertayne their guests as now they do how could then their stollen waters and hid bread be so sweet pleasant as now it is how could they so greatly vphold this work of Sathan and so long deteyne their hearers in subjection to Antichrists Ministery and in defection from the way of Christ as now they have done So as all may see that by reason of the gifts they have and of the truth they teach the abomination of their Ministery and Church-government is so coloured as few consider it is * 2 Thes 2.7 a mystery of iniquity few conceive it is ‡ Ibid. ver 9. the work of Sathan few know that †Prov. 9.18 the dead are in their assemblies and that their guests are in the depth of hell And Sathan himself that subtill serpent and deceiver perceiving how by falsehood onely he cannot continew those offices and ordinances which for deceiving of the world he hath framed set vp in the kingdome of Antichrist is content for the vpholding of his work to receive many truths to have the word preached and sacraments administred so as it be by his owne offices according to his owne ordinances because by this meanes his wayes and constitutions are reteyned rather then by abandoning the truth vtterly to have all his Ministery and works of iniquity discovered and quite abolished Neyther can we think otherwise but he wil rather choose to maynteyne the strength of his kingdome in reteyning his officers and ordinances though it be with losse of some false doctrine and admission of some truths for a tyme then otherwise by an vtter refusall hereof to suffer losse of all his merchandize at once not onely of his false doctrines but of his false offices also and constitutions by which he ruleth and administreth his Antichristian kingdome and hopeth by them in tyme vpon fit opportunity agayne to bring in his former heresies to remove those doctrines of truth which for a season he hath in a sort ben forced to admit He that can * 2 Cor. 11.14 transform himself into an Angel of light can be content to yeeld something for a tyme vnto the truth that afterwards he may have the more advantage against it and them that professe it Therefore also it is no great thing though ‡ Ibidem ver 15. his Ministers transforme themselves as though they were the Ministers of righteousnes whose end shal be
with their walking it is more then tyme needfull that they did it that they did it soundly from the word of God For as yet what do they els but with one mouth both blesse and curse and with the one hand build vp that which with the other they destroy and so make themselves trespassers Gal. 2.18 The seventh Argument taken out of Mr Bradsh book aforesaid vidz vide licet out of the tenth Argument of that Treatise IT is a sinne against Christ the sole Head of the Church to have spirituall communion with those Ministers which in the administration of Divine things do eyther by word or deed solemnely professe yeeld a spirituall Homage to an vsurped spirituall authority in the Church But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authority of Lord Archbishops and Bishops which is vsurped Ergo It is a sinne against Christ the sole head of the Church to have spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church assemblies of England The Proposition may not be gainesaid For all spirituall power vsurped over the Churches of God is an Antichristian authority and to communicate with those Ministers which professe spirituall homage therevnto is to communicate with such as professe spiritual homage vnto Antichrist which must needs be a sin against Christ the sole head of the Church The Assumption hath two parts 1. That the Ministers of the Church of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authoritie of Archbishops and Lord Bishops Which is most evident because they preach the word and administer the Sacraments by vertue of their calling received from the Archbishops and Bishops who give them authority herevnto at their ordination saying to every one of them * Book of ordering Priests fol. 14. Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to Minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed Which things themselves cannot deny to be meer Ecclesiasticall Religious and spirituall Actions injoyned among them to be done by offices callings received from the Prelates Ecclesiasticall and spirituall authority So as the doing of them by vertue thereof must needs be a solemne declaration of spirituall homage yeelded to the same authority 2. The second part of the Assumption is That the authority of their Lord Archbishops and Bishops is an vsurped authority The confirmation whereof Mr Bradsh setteth downe in these words following This is sufficiently proved of late by Mr Iacob in his 1. Assertion by many reasons Onely because the weight of the Argument leaneth vpon it I will vse one Reason Those Officers Rulers in the Church that make claime to be of Divine institution chalenge to themselves Apostolicall authority and iurisdiction as the onely Successours of the Apostles to sit onely in Moses chaire To have sole power of the Keyes To cut from the visible Church and receive againe To have power of creating displacing all other ecclesiasticall officers To be the Vniversall Pastors of whole Dukedomes and Kingdomes vnder whom all other Pastors are as Curates c. And yet for all this are such as stand and are supported onely by humane Traditions Ceremonies such as a civill Magistrate may without sinne put out of the Church and such as the true Churches of God may renounce and yet continue the true Church as Antichristian Vsurpers spirituall Tyrants I say all such Officers and Rulers exercise an vsurped authoritie in the Church But our Archbishops Bishops are such Rulers and Officers as are aforesaid Ergo They execute an Vsurped power over the Church The Proposition may easily be iustified For if inferiour officers vidz vide licet Pastors of particular Congregations have had may have firme continuance in the Church without these humane devises and inventions If the Magistrate cannot without sinn put them out of the Church And if those can be no true Churches that renounce to have particular Pastours and Ministers over them it must much more hold in such Church-officers and Rulers as these are if their authority be lawfull good For whilest the Apostles lived they needed not any humane Traditions and devises to support their authority The Magistrates that sought to put them downe sinned with a high hand And that was no Church that renounced and disclaimed their Office Authoritie and Iurisdiction The Assumption is as easily justified For 1. they make claime Title to all those Prerogatives before rehearsed in the first part of the Proposition and vnto more then that as shal be proved if it be denied 2. It is an Embleme of their owne NO CEREMONIE NO BISHOP Ergo No humane Tradition and Invention no Bishop Ergo The office of a Bishop is supported by them eyther onely or specially 3. Their Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction is derived from the King els it is a flat deniall of his Supremacie Also themselves graunt in their last Tables of Discipline That the King hath power to increase or diminish the Circuit of a Bishoprick That he may make two or more Bishopricks of one one Bishoprick to be two or more Yea what should hinder but that he may divide the Bishoprick of London into 800. For where God hath not defined the number of Parishes that a Bishop is to reign over it must needs be a thing indifferent In which by their owne Doctrines the King hath authority without sinne to dispose If therefore the King may as well notwithstanding any thing in the Law of God give the Keyes of the Church to everie particular Pastour of a Congregation over his owne Congregation as to a Bishop over a Diocesse which taketh away the very Essence of an English Bishop He may without sinne take away the very Office of the Bishop which consists in having jurisdiction over many Congregations c. 4. There is no true sober Christians but will say that the Churches of Scotland Fraunce the low Countries and other places that renounce such Archbishops and Bishops as ours are as Antichristian vsurping Prelates are true Churches of God Which they could not be if the authoritie and prerogatives they claime to themselves were of Christ and not vsurped For if it were the ordinance of Christ Iesus that in every Kingdome that receiveth the Gospel there should be one Archbishop over the whole Kingdome One Bishop over many hundred Pastors in a Kingdome and all they invested with that authority and jurisdiction Apostolicall which they claime iure Divino to be due vnto them and to reside in them by the ordinance of Christ certainely that Church that should renounce and disclaime such an authority ordeyned in the Church cannot be a true Church but a Synagogue of Sathan For they that should renounce and deny such must needs therein renounce and deny
as Lord and King therof whose appointment therefore may not be altered or disobeyed 1 Cor. 12.5.28 with Heb. 3.5 6. 9.10.11 Mal. 1.6 Luk. 6.46 and 19.27 Col. 4.17 1 Thess 5.12 Rev. 1.5.13.16 22.18.19 3. Because he buildeth and worketh by and in his owne Ministerie as God who is gracious and powerful working all in all to whom therfore in his worship all submission and obedience is to be yeelded in his own Ministerie onely and in no other whatsoever 1. Cor. 12.6.28 with Heb. 3.3.4 1 Thess 4.8 1 Tim. 3.1 15. Rev. 1.8.16.20 and 2.1 3.1.14 4. Because to his owne Ministerie onely he calleth his people and promiseth his presence and blessing so as in rejecting it admitting another men do as much as in them lyeth reject and refuse his blessed presence and deny the obedience which they ow vnto him Mat. 28.20 Luk. 10.16 Ioh. 13.20 1 Tim. 3.1.15 6.3.4.5.13.14 Rev. 2.1 and 3.1 with Lev. 26.11.12.15.16 Deut. 33.10.11 Isa 62.6.7.8 Ier. 3.15 Zach. 14.20.21 2 Thes 2.3.4.10.15.16.17 Rev. 22.18.19.20 THe Assumption or latter part of the Reason is proved thus The Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church is of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephes 4.11.12 But the present Ministerie of the Church of England is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore it is not the Ministerie which Christ hath given and set in his Church The Proposition is playn and vndenyable The Assumption is shewed thus The present Ministery of the Church of Engl. is of Prelates Priests and Deacons But neyther the Prelates Priests nor Deacons of that Church be Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors or Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 Therfore the present Ministery of that Church is none of those spoken of Ephe. 4.11.12 The Proposition is manifest by their Law constitution The Law of that Church establisheth not nor admitteth any other Ministery but that of their Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry received among themselves or from the Papists Their constitution is such as al the Ministers of that Church must be Priests or Deacons And these also eyther in a superiour degree as the Prelates the Lordbishops Archbs Suffraganes c. or in an inferiour as the Parsons Vicars Stipendaries Chapleynes c. The Assumption is thus proved And first concerning the three first spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The offices of the Apostles Prophets and Evangelists were extraordinary the chiefest appointed by christ for special imploymēt in laying the foundatiō of the christiā church religiō through the world preaching the Gospel every where erecting the kingdom of God in al nations opening foretelling the things revealed vnto them by the holy Ghost planting the Primitive Churches and setling them in the faith and ordinance of Iesus Christ which should continue to the end of the world c. But such are not the offices of the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 More particularly The Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as every one of them had were to have these properties That with their eyes they had seen the L. Iesus 1 Ioh. 1.1 1 Cor. 9.1 and 15.7.8.9 Act. 10.39.40.41 That by him immediately they were appointed to that office Mat. 28.18.19 Act. 1.2.24 25.26 with Prov. 16.33 Gal. 1.1 That of him and not of man they received the doctrine and commandements which they delivered to the Churches Mat. 28.20 Act. 1.2 4.13 Gal. 1.12 2.6 c. That they were sent into the whole world to preach the Gospel to everie creature to the Iewes and Gentiles of all nations Mat. 28.19.20 Mar. 16.15 Rom. 15.19 Act. 9.15 and 13. and 14 chap. c. That as Maister-builders they layd the foundation which should alway continue to the end Math. 28.19.20 with 1 Cor. 3.10.11 Ephe. 2.20 4.11.12.13 Rev. 21.14 That they should all be of equall authority Mat. 20.25.26.27 2 Cor 12.11 Gal. 2.9 Rev. 21.14 That they were filled with the gifts of the holy Ghost with variety of tongues ability to prophecy power to work miracles and to shew vndoubted argumēts of their Apostleship c. Act. 2. 3. 4. 5. ch c. with Ioh. 16.13 20.21.22 1 Cor. 14.18 2 Cor. 12.11.12 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons in the Church of England Therfore they are not the Apostles spoken of Ephe. 4.11 And Paul sayth that God set forth him and Barnabas the last Apostles appointed to death c. 1 Cor. 4.9 If they were the last how shal we now look for any mo after them Or if any wil yet so think of themselves or others we may be sure the tryall of them by the word of God wil evince them to be such as the Church of Ephesus foūd to be lyars which said they were Apostles but were not to in deed Rev. 2.2 The Prophets spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as with the Apostles had the Gospel revealed vnto them by the Spirit and delivered it for the foundation of the Christian Churches and religion and by speciall revelation opened applyed the Scriptures of the former Prophets and in waighty cases foretold things to come as by the holy Ghost was shewed vnto them Ephes 3.5 and 2.20 with 4.11 12. 1 Cor. 12.28 Act. 11.28 and 21.10.11 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Prophets spokē of Ephe. 4.11 The Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 were such as having appointment direction by the Spirit or the Apostles preached the Gospel abroad and brought the Churches to a setled estate according to the order prescribed them by the Apostles whose companions and assistants they were going whither they sent them and returning whither they would have them Act. 21.8 with chap. 8.5.12.26 29.30.35.39.40 2 Tim. 4.5.9.10.11 with Rom. 16.21 1 Cor. 4.17 and 16.10 2 Cor. 1.1.19 Phil. 2.19.22 1 Thes 3.2.6 1 Tim. 1.2.3 c. and with Act. 16.1.3 and 17.14.15 and 18.5 and 19.22 and 20.4 Col. 4.10.11 with Act. 15.39.40 Tit. 1.4.5 and 3.12 with 2 Cor. 8.23 But such are not the Prelates Priests or Deacons of the Church of England Therfore they are not the Evangelists spoken of Ephe 4.11 The Propositions of these particular reasons are evident by the scriptures annexed vnto them The Assumptions are so playne as they need no proof at all And if any would deny them they ar bound themselves to shew the contrary by the Scriptures Which none can ever do Now as the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Apostles Prophets or Evangelists spoken of Ephe. 4.11 so neyther are they Pastors or Teachers there spoken of by the Apostle Which now we wil also prove But first for further clearing of the truth and better discerning of their estate it is to be observed here that albeit themselves take it for granted
that they have these offices in their Church yet they neyther have agreed nor can agree among themselves who they be that have them whether the prelates or the other priests c. but are at a great jarre and in deed at a playne contradiction among themselves hereabout Many of the Prelates and Formalists say * Bridges Bilson c. that their Archbishops and Bishops are Pastors Teachers Some of them say ‖ Whitgift against T.C. p. 137. Andr. in the 2. Confer with M. Barrow that a Bishop is superior both in office and gifts to a Pastor Many of the Reformists say that ‡ Mr. Sperin M. Egerton in the Confer M. Hilders M. Iacob in their writings the learned and painful Parsons of Parishes and Lecturing preachers among them are Pastors and Teachers Others of them say †Mr. Chaderton in the Sermon on Rom. 12. p. 33. c. Admon to the Parliam 1. 2. they want Pastors and Teachers and all the offices appointed by Christ to his Church that the Prelates robbe the Church of of lawful Pastors Elders and Deacons that their Parsons Vicars Parish Priests Stipendaries and the rest came from the Pope as out of the Troiane horses belly to the destruction of Gods kingdome that they are the Prelates new creatures and that the Church of God never knew them And all the seekers of Reformation have shewed to the Parliament heretofore that the names and offices of Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops and the rest are together with their government drawen out of the Popes shop and contrary to the Scriptures that the Parsons Vicars Parish priests and Stipendaries be birds of the same fether and that â—hey have an Antichristian hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers strange from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world Thus are themselves confounded and thus are their tounges divided Yet cease they not still to plead for Baal and to bring balme for the sore of Babel which cannot be healed Ier. 51.8.9.58.64 with Rev. 18. chap. And now to proceed we wil shew by the Scriptures that none of the Ministers of that Church have the office of Pastors or Teachers spoken of by the Apostle Ephe. 4.11 which we prove thus 1. The Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 have their offices callings administration and maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament But the Prelates Priests Deacons of the Church of England have not their offices callings ministration maintenance ordeyned by Christ in his Testament Therfore the Prelates Priests Deacons of the church of England are not Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 The truth of the Proposition appeareth by that place of Ephe. 4.8.11.12 Rom. 12.7.8 Act. 14.23 and 20. â—7 28 Heb. .5.4 Col. 4.17 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Pet. 5. â— 2.3 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. and 22.18.19 1 Cor. 4.1.2 and â— 4.5 and 9.14 and 11.23.24.25.26 and 12.28 Gal. 6. â— and throughout the Epistles to Timothee and Titus with other â—ike Scriptures The truth of the Assumption appeareth by their constitution and practise inasmuch as their offices of Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry their calling entrance according to their Pontificall and Book of consecrating Bishops and Archbishops and ordering Priests and Deacons as also that which some of them pretend to have by the ‡ Mr. Hilders letter sect 10. Mr. Iacobs comparison of Mariage and Pastorall calling His Reasons for necessity of reformation pag. 50. Offer of Conference pag. 39. choise acceptance and consent of their people who stand themselves vnder Antichrist and vnseparated from the world and are no true visible Churches of Christ their ministration by their owne and other popish Canons Articles Injunctions and Book of coÌ„mon prayer their Maintenance by Tithes Lordships c. were never ordeyned by Christ for his Ministerie of the Gospell but derived from Antichrist and his apostasie as hath been proved * The Discovery The Refutation of Mr. Giff. Answ to Mr. Hilders And to Mr. Iacob The Apologie c. by vs in divers Treatises published heretofore And if they still be otherwise mynded it lyeth vpon them to shew that Christ in his Testament hath appointed these their offices things aforesaid for his Ministerie Which none of them have yet done nor ever wil be able to do 2. Againe The Ministerie of Pastors Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 is the ordinarie and perpetual ministerie given by Christ to his Church such as the Princes of the earth neyther may nor ever shal be able to abolish seing Christ hath appointed it to continue to the end of the world Ephes 4.11.12.13 Rom. 12.5.7.8 and 13.3 Heb. 12.28 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17 and 6.13.14 with Mat. 28.20 But the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry of the church of England is not the ordinarie and perpetual Ministerie given by Christ to his Church but such as the Princes of the earth may and ought to abolish out of their Dominions Rev. 17.16 1 Tim. 2.2 Rom. 13.4 with 1 King 23. â— c. Deut. 12.2.3.4 Psal 72.1 c. Therfore the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry of the Church of England is not the Ministerie of Pastors and Teachers spoken of Ephe. 4.11 3. Also The offices of Pastors Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament are such as did and could â—tand with and vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangelists Ephe. 4.11 Act. 15.4.6.22.23 20.17.28 Heb. â—3 7.17.23 Epist to Tim. Tit. 1 Pet. 5.1 Rev. 2. and 3. chap. But the offices of the Prelates Priests and Deacons of â—he Church of England are not such as did or could stand â—ith or vnder the offices of Apostles Prophets Evangeâ—â—sts Which if any deny let them shew the contrary â—y the scriptures Light hath no fellowship with darknes nor Christ with Antichrist And suppose the Apostles were alive in their persons as they are in their writings and were in England it were worth the knowing whether they and the ordinances given by them should give place to the Prelates and their Canons and constitutions and whether they should be suffred to preach the Gospel and minister the Sacraments without acknowledging the Prelates authority subscribing to their Articles wearing of the Surplice signing with the Crosse in Baptisme c. for if we look to their * Canons of the yeare 1603. Can. 6.7.14 30.36.37.50.57.58 c. Canons Lawes practise and Church-constitutioÌ„ these tel all men playnely they must yeeld vnto theÌ„ that vnder payne of excoÌ„municatioÌ„ ipso facto c. Not to speak of their imprisoning persecuting of such as witnes the truth against them eveÌ„ vnto death Therfore they are not the Pastors and Teachers ordeyned by Christ in his Testament 4. Moreover The offices of true Pastors and Teachers are by the ordinance of Christ set in the Church and employed in the Ministery of the word and Sacraments and Church goverment so as they may not with their
Prelates therevnto is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto Therfore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition of this Argument is proved first thus 1. The Ministerie of Deacons and Priests which accounts it self to be Christs yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs and yet was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministerie Therfore the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is the Ministery of Antichrists Apostasie The Proposition none can deny The Assumption hath two parts The one that the Ministery of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto accounts it self to be Christs Ministery Which themselves will graunt The other that this was not set by Christ in his Church for the work of his Ministery Which is proved already in the first Reason here before and in other Reasons hereafter following Agayne the Proposition of the Argument is proved secondly thus 2. If the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie then the Ministery ordeyned by them therevnto must needs be the Ministery of that Apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie Therfore the Ministery ordeyned by them is the Ministery of Antichrists apostasie The consequence of the Proposition is manifest because the fruit musts needs be such as is the tree Neyther do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles Mat. 7.16.17.18 And who can bring a cleane thing out of filthynes Not any one Iob. 14.4 The Assumption is proved first thus 1. Whosoever besides Christ Iesus himself have such offices and government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords they have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie are indeed very Antichrists themselves But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices government as thereby they clayme to be spirituall Lords Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government which are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie and are indeed very Antichrists themselves The Proposition is proved by the Scriptures which teach that there is but one Lord the Lord Iesus Christ Ephe. 4.5 1 Cor. 8.6 and 12.5 2 Cor. 3.17.18 with Psal 110.1 Micah 5.2 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 Ioh. 20.22.23 1 Cor. 11.23 14.37 Rev. 1.11.12.13 and 2.1 and 3.1.7 Now that these Scriptures and the like do speak of a spirituall Lord is playne both by the circumstances of the places themselves and because the Scripture other where giveth allowance of many civil or temporal Lords but no where of any spirituall Lord save Iesus Christ alone whose kingdome is not of this world Gen. 40.1 45.8 1 Sam. 16.16 and 26.17 1 King 1.11 Psal 149 8. Dan. 3.2 Act. 25.26 and 26.25 Rom. 13.1 1 Cor. 1.26 and 2.8 Tit. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5.13.14 Rev. 17.14 and 19.16 compared with the Scriptures here cited before And moreover whosoever is a spirituall Lord he may require spirituall honour to be yeelded vnto him and hath the Spirit of God to give vnto his people and through himself by it can sanctifie them and their actions and service of his Name c. Which things who is there that can require and effect but onely the Lord himself And who then can be a spirituall Lord but he alone So as hereby also it appeareth that all other which take vpon them to be spirituall Lords are indeed very Antichrists The Assumption is proved by the Lawes and Statutes of the Land whose words be these Be it enacted by the Kings most excellent Maiestie the Lords Spirituall and Temporall and the commons in this present Parliament assembled For by the Lords spirituall is meant here the Prelates And to the same end it is to be observed that in their Canons and practise they take vpon them as if they were spirituall Lords not onely to prescribe their own ordinances to the Church for the worship of God but also to bynd the spirit and conscience to the acknowledgment and approbation thereof and yet further in their ordination of Priests even to give the holy Ghost saying to the Priests when they ordeyne them Receive the holy Ghost c. as if it were in their power to give the Spirit of God to whom they would or that they were authorized herevnto by Iesus Christ who onely is the spirituall Lord of his Church and giveth his spirit according to his own will to whom and as it pleaseth him Ioh. 1.14.16 and 15.26 20.22 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.7 Ephe. 4.7.1 Ioh. 2.20.27 The Assumption aforesaid is proved secondly thus 2. The offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein are speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie But the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall jurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein Therfore the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident inasmuch as the offices government of such Bishops and subjection of such Ministers and Churches are onely to be found in Antichrists apostasie and were never appointed by Christ or his Apostles For now in the tyme of the Gospell Christ hath set no other forme of visible Churches to which he hath given offices of Ministery but onely particular congregations such as may come together in one and joyntly perform all publick dutyes layd vpon them by the word of God As may appeare by the constitution of †Act. 1.15 2.41.42 with 6.2.3.5 6. 11.22 and 15.22.23 21.17 18.22 And 13.1.2 14.23 16 4.5 and 20.17.28 And the epistles to the Rom. Cor. Gal. Ephe. Phil. Col. Thes c. all the Churches planted by the Apostles and written unto by them in so many severall epistles also by the Churches to whom Christ wrote by Iohn in the Revelation Rev. 1.11 with 2. and 3. chap. Other formes of Churches therefore no men have power to institute And when where they are erected what other can they be but Antichristian And as for the examples of Timothee Titus and the like vsually alleged for defence of the Prelates authority and jurisdiction they will nothing help them For these were Evangelists which the Prelates are not as we have shewed in the * Pag. 5. former Reason And the particular Churches have in
occasion and to look that they be performed by all such as they are specially layd vpon for the better service of the Lord and his church therein 2. Whether on the contrary the apostasie of Antichrist be not such touching the Ministery and government of the Church as therein they which be in the lesser offices have power and authority among them to exceed the dutyes of the office which Christ hath appointed to performe the dutyes apperteyning to the higher offices by meanes whereof both Antichrist hath risen vp to so great a height and so many orders and degrees of superior and inferior Ministers have bene received and still are reteyned in that degenerate estate and apostasie of the man of sinne as is come to passe And touching the first because the offices set by Christ in his Church be of two sorts some extraordinary and for a tyme and speciall vse some ordinary and prrpetual whether it be true in both or in the first and in them alone As for example That the Apostles who were in the greatest office ordeyned by Christ vnder the Gospel †Mat. 28.18.19.20 Ephe. 4.11.12 1 Cor. 12.28 had besides the peculiar office of Apostleship the power also and authority of the other Offices of ‖ Act. 20.29.30 Rō 11.25.26 2 Thes 2 3-8 1 Tim. 4.1.2.3 ◠Pet. 2. 3. chap. 1 Ioh. 2.18 Iude ver 17.18 Prophets * Act. 8.14.25 14.7 15.35.36 41. 16.40 Rom. 1.11.12.15 Evangelists ‡ Ioh. 21.16 Act. 1.40.42 20.2 1 Cor. 9.7 Pastors †Act. 5 42. 1 Tim. 2.7 2 Tim. 1.11 Teachers ‖ 1 Pet. 5.1 Act. 6.2.6 15.6.22 1 Tim. 4.14 with 2 Tim 1.6 Elders * Act. 4.34.35 6.2.3 4. 11.29.30 1 Cor. 16.3.4 Gal. 2.10 Deacons both to performe them vpon just occasion themselves to see thē performed by others as is aforesayd For which consider the Scriptures here quoted in the Margent And likewise that the Prophets besides their owne special office had in them the power authority of the other inferiour offices of Evangelists Pastors Teachers c. Act. 15.32.40.41 and 17.15 and 18.5.2 Cor. 1.19 Ephe. 3.5.6 4.11.12 And in like sort that the Evangelists besides their owne peculiar function had in them the power and authority of the other smaller offices of Pastors Teachers Elders c. Act. 8.35.38 with 21.8 1 Cor. 16.10 2 Cor. 1.19 8.6.16.17.23 1 Thes 3.2 with the Epist. to Tim. Tit. And it being so in the ordinary offices likewise that the Pastors therefore besides their own peculiar function have in them the power and authority of the other ordinary offices of the Teachers Elders and Deacons for performance and oversight as is aforesaid Act. 20.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5.17.22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.7.17 1 Pet. 5.1 2.3.4 Luk. 12.42 Rev. 1.20 with 2.1.8.12.18 3.1.7.14 Likewise that the Teachers have in them besides their owne speciall office the power and authority of the ruling Elders and Deacons Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 3.8.9.10 12.8.12.28 Ephe 4.11.12 1 Tim. 3.1 15. and 5.17 with 2 Tim. 2.2 Tit. 1 5-9 Heb. 13.7.17 And in like maner that the Elders besides their owne speciall functiō have in thē the power authority of the Deacons office for the doing and overseing thereof as before is spoken Act. 11.29.30 and 20.17 28. 1 Thes 5.12.13.14 1 Tim. 3 1-15 and 5 17-22 with 6.13.14 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 Finally that the Deacons as also the rest aforesayd have besides their owne peculiar office right and power to enjoy whatsoever interest the other members have in the Church for any dutyes or actions to be performed therein according to their place and condition And further that when they shall have ministred well in the Deacons office they may be called afore other of the brethren into the higher offices of the Elders being endued with giftes therevnto Act. 6.3 Rom. 12 4-8 1 Cor. 12 12-28 1 Tim. 3 8-13 But now on the contrary when such as were in the inferiour offices conteyned not themselves within compasse of their callings but took vpon themselves or had layd vpon them by others power and authority of the superiour functions then sprung vp the apostasie of Antichrist in the churches ministery and government As namely when the Pastors and Bishops of particular congregations came to have authority oversight over many Churches and over the Ministers and people therein in a kind of resemblance of the extraordinary offices already ceased Contrarie to Rev. 1.11.12.13.20 with 2.1.8.12 18. and 3.1.7.14 Act. 20.28 Ephe. 4.11.12.13 Phil. 1.1 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4 And that the ruling Elders or Presbyters now called Priests did the Ministeriall dutyes of the Pastors and Teachers in the particular Congregations Contrary to Rom. 12.7.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 And that the Deacons also baptized and were Ministers of the word which the Apostles did purposely oppose to the dutyes of that office at the institution thereof Act. 6.2.3.4 So as of these things it may be sayd as Christ did in another case From the beginning it was not so Mat. 19.8 And herevpon in tyme many sorts and degrees of inferior servile Ministers and superior Lordly Prelates grew vp encreased in that defection of the Man of sinne till Antichrist at the length was exalted in his throne From which now agayne the Lord hath begunne to bring him downe discovering and consuming that mystery of iniquity by the light and power of his Gospell and will not cease till the same be fully abolished cast into the bottomles pit from whence it first arose 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.8.9 10.11.12 and 1 Ioh. 2.18.19 with Rev. 6.12.13.14 and 8. and 9. and 13. and 14. and 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. chap. And hitherto of the Proposition of the last Syllogisme The Assumption thereof namely that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have the offices and government of such Bishops as are over Diocesan and Provinciall Churches and exercise ecclesiasticall iurisdiction over all the Ministers and people therein is evident by their Church-constitution Lawes and practise And themselves neyther will nor can deny it 3. The other Assumption aforesaid viz that the Prelates of the Church of Engl. have such offices and government as be speciall parts of Antichrists apostasie is proved thirdly by this that the offices and government of the Prelates of the Church of Engl. do not in their nature and proper vse perteyne to any society body and estate eyther civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and kingdome of Antichrist Of which as also of other reasons proving the point in hand more shal be spoken hereafter in the severall Arguments following concerning this matter And thus much concerning the Proposition of this Argument The Assumption of the Argument namely that the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England is the Ministerie of Deacons and Priests ordeyned by the Prelates therevnto is vndeniably confirmed
to the testament of Christ they are for this cause evil intreated reviled and persecuted vnto death even by these who professe themselves to be Christians 2. Secondly in that their Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry is the very meanes of thrusting away keeping out of the Church the Ministery and order which Christ hath appointed in his word Which some of themselves have heretofore acknowledged and written affirming that Lord Bishops Archdeacons Commissaries Officials and the rest Admon to the Parliam thrust away most sacrilegiously the order which Christ hath left in his Church and which the Primitive Church hath vsed Sermon on Rom. 12. That they rob the Church of lawfull Pastors watchfull Elders and carefull Deacons And that by the length of their vnlawful swords they keep out the lawfull members of the body of Christ which is the Church Neyther need we seek any further proof hereof then that which is daily felt and seen in their bloody opposition and proud exaltation above the holy things ordinances and servants of Iesus Christ Who being Lord over all will bring their wayes vpon their owne heads and when they have filled vp the measure of their iniquity will judge them according to their works The fourth Argument THe Ministerie which is such as in the nature and condition thereof IIII. of it perteyneth not to any body and estate eyther civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and kingdome of Antichrist that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Mininisterie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as in the nature and condition thereof it perteyneth not to any body or estate eyther civill or ecclesiasticall but onely to the body and kingdome of Antichrist Therefore the present Ministerie of the Church-assmblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition none can deny And for it see 2 Thes 2. chap. with Rev. 13 11-18 and 14. and 16. and 17. and 18. and 19. and 21. chap. The Assumption is cleare to all that will open their eyes to see the truth of it in as much as their Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry the present Ministery of that Church is such in the nature and condition thereof as the civill estate of the Common-wealth may be perfect without them for they are ecclesiasticall functions the Church of Christ may be compleet without them and yet have all the offices appointed by Christ therevnto and the Turks and Pagans neyther have them nor require them Onely the body and kingdome of the Romish Antichrist cannot be full and furnished in all the offices thereof without them Which all men know to be true From which also an argument to the same purpose may be framed in this sort The fift Argument V. THe Ministerie which is such as the body of Antichrist the man of sinne cannot without it be compleet in all the members and Canonicall functions thereof that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as the body of Antichrist the man of sinne cannot without it be compleet in all the members and Canonicall functions thereof Therefore the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is cleare and certaine The Assumption is proved by the Canons Pontificall and estate of the Romish Antichrist the man of sinne and by the constitution of that body in the members and functions thereof As all must needs confesse that have any knowledge of the conditiō of that Church and Officers perteyning therevnto The sixt Argument THe Ministerie of Deacons Priests and Prelates VI. which accounts it self to be Christs and yet in deed is such as the Kings and Rulers of the earth may and ought to suppresse and root out of their dominions that is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is the Ministerie of Deacons Priests and Prelates which accounts it self to be Christs and yet in deed is such as the King may and ought to suppresse and roote out of his Dominions Therefore it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is proved 1. Because there is no other such Ministery but Antichrists which accounts it self to be Christs when in deed it is such as the Magistrates ought to abandon and root out of their dominions 2. Because that which is in truth the Ministery of Christ no Princes may refuse or set against But in so doing they sinne highly against the Lord and provoke his judgements against themselves their kingdomes Rev. 17.12.13.14.16.17 with Psal 2.10.11 12. and Esa 60.10.11.12 The Assumption hath two poynts to be considered The one that the Ministery of the Church of Engl. is Ministery of Deacons Priests Prelates which accounts it self to be Christs which themselves cannot nor will not deny The other that in deed it is such as the King may and ought to suppresse and root out of his dominions Which we have shewed already both in †Treatise of Minist of Engl. p. 25.105.134 Answ to Mr. Iacob p. 163.197.199 The Apologie pag. 27.52.53.54.85 c. other Treatises and in the first Reason here before And the forward preachers among them have yeelded it in their suits to the Parliament to have it removed and taken away And if the Prelates and their conforming Priests affirme the contrary they are impugners of the Kings supremacy and excommunicated ipso facto by their owne Canons the words whereof be these in the second of their ‖ Canons of Anno 1603. Can. 2. last Canons Where first the Title is thus Impugners of the Kings supremacy censured And then the Canō it self followeth thus Whosoever shall affirme that the Kings Maiestie hath not the same authority in causes ecclesiasticall that the godly Kings had amongst the Iewes and Christian Emperors in the Primitive Church c. let him be excōmunicated ipso facto and not restored but onely by the Archbishop after his repentance and publick revocation of those his wicked errours From which Canon I reason thus The godly Kings amongst the Iewes had such authority in causes Ecclesiasticall as they might suppresse within their dominions any Ministeries not ordeyned by the Lord and therefore any false Ministeries whatsoever as Iosiah did the Chemarims the Priests of Baall them that burnt incense to the host of heaven c. Therefore also seing the present Ministery of the Church of England * As hath ben proved before Pag. 2. c. is not that which Christ ordeyned and gave to his Church and consequently must needs be a false Ministery the King of England having the same authority in causes ecclesiasticall as those Kings of Iudah had may and ought to suppresse and root out of his dominions this their Ministery and Prelacy of Archbishops Lordbishops Suffraganes Priests Deacons Subdeacons Archdeacons c. Like as King Henry the eight did the Abbats Monks Nunnes c.
of sinne the bloody and adulterous estate of the whore that sitteth on many waters with whome the Kings of the earth have committed fornication and the inhabitants of the earth have bene made drunken with the wyne thereof 1 Ioh. 2.18 and 4.3 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.8.9.10.11.12 Rev. 11.8 and 14.8.9 and 17. and 18. chap. Secondly the Lord Iesus will destroy Babylon condemne the whoore and consume the man of sinne with the breath of his mouth with the bright manifestation of his comming and with the publishing of his Gospell wherein he will clearly and powerfully appeare to the comfort of his Church and destruction of the wicked Rev. 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.6.20 and 19.13.15 2 Thes 2.8 with Esa 11.4 3. As God for a tyme hath suffred the Princes and States of the world to give over their power right and soveraignty vnto the Beast to submit vnto authorize and vphold the kingdome and jurisdiction of Antichrist so God agayne in his tyme doth and will stirre vp the Princes and Magistrates to hate that harlot to make her naked and desolate of her honours dignityes and revenewes to convert and employ her Lordships lands and livings to other vses and finally to suppresse and abandon her offices works abominations which have so long deceived and defiled the world Rev. 17.15.16.17 and 18. and 19. chap. 4. Fourthly this fall of Babylon this consumption of the man of sinne and desolation of the great whore shal be performed by degrees that as it rose not wholly vp in a day but first was in a mysterie and then was revealed and afterwards exalted so it shall also decay be abolished by little and little till at length sodenly in one day even in an houre this city and kingdome of Antichrist be destroyed abolished so as it shal never be found any more as when a great milstone is cast into the sea and riseth not agayne and as of old it came to passe †Ier. 51.61.62.63.64 with Rev. 18.20.21 according to the word of the Prophet in Babylon of Chaldea which was a type and figure of this spiritual Babylon now spoken of 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.8 Rev. 14.8.9 and 18.2.7.8.20.21.22.23 with Esa 13. and 14. chap. Ier. 50. and 51. chap. Lastly at the overthrow and destruction of this Antichristian kingdome and mysticall Babylon her Kings Marchants Mariners and craftesmen shall mourne lament because of the judgement come vpon her with whome they have lived in pleasure before and no man now buyeth their ware any more but the servants of God shal be glad and rejoyce give glorie to the Lord saying Hallelu-iah salvation and glory and honour power be to the Lord our God for true and righteous are his iudgements for he hath condemned the great whore which did corrupt the earth with her fornication and hath avenged the blood of his servants of from her hand Reve. 18.9.10.11 c. with 19.1.2 c. And hitherto of the first and second Reason Both which I have prosecuted more largely as conteyning in them the speciall grounds of this controversie namely that their present Ministery is not according to the ordinance of Christ and not this onely but is also of the apostasie of Antichrist To which two heads the other Reasons here ensuing may be referred Yet the propounding handling of them apart from the other serveth more plainly to meet with some objections and more fully to insist vpon other particulars needfull in this cause to be considered And so we will now proceed to the Reasons following The third Reason VVHatsoever Ministerie is such as none can heare it or have any spirituall communion with it but in so doing he shall worship the Beasts image spoken of in the Revelation and receive his mark in his forehead or hand that Ministerie may none hear or have any spirituall communion withall But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as none can heare or have any spirituall communion therewith but in so doing he shall worship the Beasts image and receive his mark in his forehead or hand Therefore none may heare or have any spirituall communion with the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of Engl. The first part of the Reason is evident because whosoever doth so worship or receive as there is sayd bringeth himself vnder the fierce wrath of God as it is written If any worship the Beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or hand the same shall drink of the wyne of the wrath of God yea of the pure wyne which is poured into the cup of his wrath and he shal be tormented in fyer and brimstone before the holy Angels and before the Lambe and the smoke of their torment shall ascend evermore and they shall have no rest day nor night which worship the beast and his image and whosoever receiveth the print of his Name Rev. 14.9.10.11 That the truth of the second part of the Reason may better appeare we are first to consider what is meant by the Beast and his image here spoken of what by the worshipping of it and what by receiving his mark in the forehead or hand and then to apply it to the present purpose And first that these and the like speaches are not to be taken litterally but in a mysticall and spirituall signification the Spirit of God teacheth vs in playne words in divers places of this book Rev. 14.8.9 with chap. 17.5.15.18 and 11.8 and 1.20 besides that it may be shewed by necessary collection also as will appeare in that which followeth By Beasts the Scripture often figureth out men kingdomes of beastly qualities and conditions so resembling them for their foolish ignorance savage cruelty gredynes of prey beastlynes of life certainty of destruction c. Dan. 7.17 8.20.21.22.23 with Ier. 10.14 Luk. 13.31.32 2 Tim. 4.17 Tit. 1.12 And so here by the beast his image we may vnderstand the Romane dominiō Antichristiā hierarchie resembling it the body of the man of sin with all the offices functions lawes constitutions power authority apperteyning therevnto For which compare this Scripture of Rev. 14. with 2 Thes 2.3.4.8.9 1 Tim. 4.1.2.3 1 Ioh. 2.18.22 and 4.3 2 Ioh. ver 6.7 Rev. 11.8 and 13.1.2.5.6.11.15.16.17 and 17.1.2.3.4.5.6.7 c. and 18.2 c. and 19.2.20.21 c. 20.4 And thus have the Martyrs of former ages also vnderstood it as may be seen in Act. Monum edit 5. p. 161 5. c. By worshipping the Beasts image may be vnderstood the yeelding of spirituall subjection homage obedience to that Antichristian kingdome in the lawes rules offices orders power and jurisdiction thereof And so this word worship is much vsed in the Scripture Exod. 20.5 Deut. 12.30 13.2.4 Iosh 22.5.27 Iudg. 2.11 2 King 17 33-41 Ezech. 8.16 and 20.32 Mat. 15.9 Act. 7.43 Col. 2 18-23 By receiving of the mark in the forehead or hand may be vnderstood the receiving of their ordinances
according to their works In the meane tyme let none marveile if they see the estate of things in the world to be such as plainly bewray that Sathan and Antichrist so as they may have their Ministery reteyned chuse rather when they cannot otherwise do withall to have some truths of the Gospell taught by their Officers therein then to have both their Ministery refused and every truth of the Gospell freely taught by the Officers of Christ thinking it to be better for them to continue their constitutions with admission of some truths then that both Christs ordinances should be received and the whole truth yeelded vnto in obedience of faith But let all yet in the feare of God take heed vnto themselves how vnder colour of learning the truth hearing the word enjoying the Sacraments and the like perswasions they be drawen to have any spirituall communion with that Ministery aforesaid seing they derive not their Ministeriall functions and authority from Christ the head of the Church but from Sathan the Prince of the world so as none can heare the word receive the Sacraments or learne the truth from their Ministery in this estate but they shall therein submit themselves to that Ministery which Sathan hath set vp in the kingdome of Antichrist and continueth vnder these and the like pretences among his subjects Fearful to be remembred alway is the verdict of the Apostle * 2 Thes 2.10.11.12 that God wil send them the efficacie of delusion that they shal beleeve lies be damned because they beleeve not nor receive the love of the truth that they might be saved And hitherto of this further declaration of the Assumption Another cōfirmatiō therof is that the Church-assēblies of Engl. whervnto their Ministery belongeth are not true visible Churches of Christ as now they stand Therefore also it cannot be that the Ministers thereof can in such estate derive their Ministery frō Christ for the edificatiō of those Churches as being his body wherof he is the head That their Church-assemblies are not in their estate true visible Churches of Christ hath often ben proved heretofore and may be seen in that they are vnseparated from the world not joyned together in cōmunion of the Gospel by voluntrrie profession of the faith of Christ submission to the government which he hath prescribed to his Church not having the power of Christs Churches for the receiving of any truth or redressing of any evil among them but standing in bondage vnder Antichrist in their Prelacy Preisthood Worship ecclesiastical Courts Canōs Officers proceedings c. The further handling whereof may be had ‡ The Apologie to Oxf. Doctors pag. 44. c. Refut of M Giff. Answ to Mr. Stone Mr Iacob Mr Hild. p. 62. c. Counterpoys to Consid Argum. p. 127. c. in sundry other Treatises to which I refer the Reader entreating all carefully to observe this here that the Ministers of the Church of Engl. not deriving their functions of Ministery from Christ the head for the edification of the Church which is his body it must needs be vnlawfull for any and specially for the members of the body of Christ to hear or otherwise to comunicate with thē in their worship vnder any pretēce whatsoever The fift Reason NOne may heare or have any spiritual communion with those Ministers which minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England minister the holy things of God and work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of a false spiritual calling Therfore none may heare or have any spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England The Major or first part of the Reason is proved 1. Because the ministration of the holy things of God is a speciall part of Gods spiritual worship and therfore neyther to be done by any false spirituall calling nor to be received from any so ministring Mat. 28.18.19.20 Act. 20.17.28 Ephes 4. 11.12 1 Cor. 3.8.9 4.1 5.3.4.5 11.23 24. 25. 12.4.5.6.13.18.28 2 Cor. 5.19.20 Col. 4.17 1 Tim. 3.15 and 6.13 16. 2 Tim. 4.3.4.5 Heb. 5.4 with Nū 16.40 Ier. 23.16.21.22 Ezech. 43.8 44.6.7 8. 9. Rev. 2.1.2.7 c. 2. Because the consciences of the people of God are the Temples of the living God wherin he dwelleth by his Spirit ought therfore only to be subiect to the Lord and taught by him in his owne ordinance 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16.17.18 with 5.20 Ioh. 13.20 Heb. 13.7.17 Rev. 22.16.17.18.19 3. Because the Lord Iesus Christ alone must have this preeminence the Church may not suffer any whomsoever to beare rule over them at their owne pleasure Col. 1.18.19 and 2.18.19 4. Because in submitting the soule to a false spirituall Ministery men defile the Temple of God and withdraw their subjection from Christ and become the subjects of Antichrists as it is written The Temple of God is holy which ye are And No man can serve two maisters for eyther he shall hate the one and love the other or els he shall leane to the one and despise the other And of whomsoever a man is overcome even to the same is he in bondage 1 Cor. 3.16 17.18 and 2 Cor. 6.16.17 with Mat. 6.24 Luk. 6.46 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 6. 16. 2 Thess 2.3.4 2 Pet. 2.19 The Minor or second part of the reason is proved because they minister the holy things of God work vpon the consciences of men by vertue of their Ministery received of the Prelates frō their spiritual authority which is vsurped and Antichristian and therfore by vertue of a false spirituall calling as hath ben shewed before in the second Reason and is proved in * Mr Bradsh Argum. 10. Mr Iacobs Reasons for necess of reform p. 4.44.52 c. divers of their owne writings Yet here is somewhat to be annexed for the clearing of some exceptions specially concerning such as are of greatest forwardnes among them Some there be which say they preach not by vertue of their Ministerie taken from the Prelates but by vertue of some other calling and authority Let such consider and answer 1. Why they would seem to renounce that calling received of the Prelates 2. Secondly if they disclayme that Ministery appointed by Law of the land why they blame vs for doing the like 3. Thirdly if they preach by vertue of another calling then that they have received of the Prelates how then they stand Ministers of that Church where no other is allowed and how they impose themselves vpon any of their parishes or assemblies seing the lawes of the land allow onely the Prelacy Priesthood Deaconry aforesaid 4. Fourthly how they can avoyd but needs they must be therein both intruders hypocrites Intruders because they take vpon them exercise a publick office in that Church against the publick lawes and constitutions thereof Hypocrites
Levite and Dathan and Abiram of the tribe of Reuben with other famous men of the Congregation conspire and strive against Moses and Aaron touching the Priesthood challenging them that they took too much vpon them because as they thought the Priesthood belonged not to Aaron and his sonnes onely as Moses had appointed it but seing all the Congregation was holy and that the Lord was among them therefore others of them also might have and execute it Where further it is to be noted that Corah Dathan Abiram and the rest differed not from Moses neyther strove with him in any point of Religion but towching the Priesthood and Ministery onely They held that the true God onely was to be worshipped and not after any idolatrous maner but according to his owne will with the sacrifices and the incense which he had appointed and in all other points of Religion accounted fundamentall they agreed with Moses Onely in this they differed opposed concerning those offices and Officers by which the incense was to be offered and other duties of Gods worship to be performed that is as towching the Priests office Moses holding that the Priesthood perteyned to Aaron and his sonnes Corah his company thinking otherwise The matter is brought by Moses before the Lord to be decided He ended the controversie first by bringing destruction vpon Corah Dathan Abiram and such as abode in their tents secondly by the budding of Aarons rod and the not budding of the other rods of the Princes of Israel and herevpon also giveth strait charge that no straunger come neare to do the Priests office or if any do come neare that he dye for it Num. 16. 17. and 18 1-7 Now to apply this to the question in hand we may thus consider of it That now the controversie conspiracy being not against Moses the servāt but against Christ the sonne not about the persons who are to be in the true offices but about holding keeping in of false offices not by Corah Dathan Abirā others sometymes visible mēbers famous men in the true Church but by the officers of Antichrist the great enemy of Iesus Christ yea by Antichrist himself in his officers in the false Church That therfore if the people then were bound to hearken vnto Moses †Num. 16.25.26 perswading thē to depart from the tents of those wicked men and to touch nothing of theirs least they perished in their sinnes then it behooveth the people of God now to obey Iesus Christ ‖ Rev. 18.4 requiring vs to depart out of Babylon and not to partake in her sinnes least we receive also of her plagues and therfore not to abide or have any spirituall communion within the tents that is vnder the jurisdiction in the conspiracy of Antichrist yea not so much as to heare the word or receive the Sacraments ministred in a true Church of Christ by any officer of the kingdome of Antichrist such as the present Ministery in question hath been proved to be For if at that time none of the children of Israel might execute the Priests office being strangers as touching it then now may no Canaanite no stranger specially by office administer before Iesus Christ nor be received into his Church But all the vessels brought before the Lord must be holy vnto him and therfore must be clensed first and purged from the filthynes of Antichrist before they may be vsed in the house of the Lord of hosts Numb 16.40 with Ioel. 3.17 Zach. 14.21 Esa 35.8 52.11 and 66.20 with Heb. 3.1.2.3 and 5.4 If any think that yet notwithstanding they may present their bodyes at these assemblies so as they do not hearken nor cōsent with the heart to that which is done among them they both deceive themselves and dissemble with others and above all sinne against God who in the second commandement hath straitly forbidden vs to submit eyther body or soule to any straunge worship or inventions of man in religion Exod. 20.4.5 As accordingly the Prophets in the defection of Israell taught the people not to come to Gilgal nor to go vp to Beth-aven vnles they would multiply their transgressions Hos 4.15 Amos 4.4 and 5.15 And the Apostles likewise have taught all Christians what to do in such cases Save your selves from this froward generation Come out from among them and separate your selves and touch no vncleane thing And Goe out of Babylon that ye be not partakers in her sinnes Act. 2.40 2 Cor. 6.17 Rev. 18.4 Even as in the history of Corah Dathā Abiram the rest hath ben seen what heavie destructiō came vpon such as departed not from their tents but continued with them Neyther wil it help to say that they which were in that company of Corah and his complices consented with them in their conspiracy which these pretend they do not For it is playne notwithstāding that when once they were warned to depart from their tents such as departed not were destroyed in that destruction all of them even to the young children who having not vnderstanding could not give consent to that which was done Num. 16.26.27.32 c. Neyther can the example of Naaman sometymes alledged warrant such practise For first it is manifest that Naaman spake of two things wherevnto the Prophet giveth but one answer The first that there might be given him two miles load of the earth of Israel because he would thenceforth offer no burnt offring or sacrifice vnto any other God save vnto the Lord. The other that the Lord would be mercifull vnto him when his Maister went into the house of Rimmon to worship there leaned on his hand he bowed downe in the house of Rimmon that when he bowed downe in the house of Rimmō the Lord would be merciful to him in that matter Which two things when Naaman had propounded Elishaes answer vnto him was thus Goe in peace 2 King 5.17.18.19 Now whatsoever men would think of the latter of these yet the first is such as all will graunt to be superstitious and vnlawfull For there was no holynes in the earth it self and Ierusalem onely was the place appointed for sacrifice at that tyme. So as by the Prophets answer whether it were onely according to their woonted maner of bidding one another farewell or to be further otherwise mynded yet there cannot be proved a consent approbation given to the things spoken of Next let vs suppose that Naamans bowing down in the house of Rimmon may have a double consideration one as being a religious action the other as being civill Religious if Naaman himself worshipped there Civil if the King onely worshipped and no other with him so as Naaman now was with him but for to leane vpon there as in other places at other tymes Which being admitted yet then if it be considered as a religious action in him all know it to be vnlawful * 1 King 19.18 Rom. 11.4 to bow the knee
And themselves cannot deny but eyther they must prove their Prelacy and inferiour Ministery aforesayd to be ordeyned by Christ in his Testament and so to be the true Ministerie given by Christ to his Church or els if they affirme that the King hath not authority to suppresse and take it away they are by the sentence of their owne Canons impugners of the Kings supremacy and excommunicated ipso facto and not to be restored but after repentance and publik revocation of those wicked errours And so commeth vpon them that which Christ hath sayd Of thyne owne mouth will I iudge thee ô evill servant Luc. 19.22 And wheras by the same Canon the power of restoring such is committed onely to the Archbishop with the condition aforesaid it would be knowen if the Archbishop himself be in the same case who shall now restore him and whether it can be done to him any more then to the rest without his repentance and publick revocation of those his wicked errours Which if he and the rest had grace to revoke these questions would soon be at an end But howsoever they deale and the Kings of the earth for a while mainteyne or suffer them certaine it is that the King of Kings the Lord Iesus Christ will in his time vtterly consume and abolish that lawlesse apostasie and mystery of iniquity in all the power and tyrannicall vsurpation thereof 2 Thes 2.3.4.7.7 with Rev. 14-20 chap. From whence we will take the next and last Argument which now we will alledge The seventh Argument IF the present Ministerie of the Church-assemblies VII of England be such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev. 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 then it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. is such as it shal be abolished by the Lord through the light and power of his Gospell according to that which is written 2 Thes 2.3.8 with Rev 14.6.7.8 and 18.4.5.20 Therefore it is the Ministerie of Antichrists apostasie The Proposition is evident as may appeare by the Scriptures mentioned in it The Assumption also is manifest may thus be shewed 1. The Scripture teacheth that †2 Thes 8.3 8. with Esa 11.4 Rev. 14.6.7.8 the Lord will consume the man of sinne with the breath of his mouth in the power of his word and therefore also his counterfeit offices ordinances and authority Of which sort the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. being found to be it will follow that these shall also with the rest of that body be abolished by Christ with the brightnes of his coming with the breath of his mouth in the power of his Gospell Otherwise the man of sinne should not be consumed away as the Lord hath sayd he shal be and hath therefore called him the sonne of perdition or destruction because he is appointed to be consumed abolished 2 Thes 2.3 And seing that although in all other places of the earth all the offices parts powers and ordinances of his kingdome and religion were abolished yet so long as the present offices and functions of the Prelacy Priesthood and Deaconry in the Archbishops Archdeacons Lordbishops Deanes Prebendaries Parsons Vicars and the rest of that sort with their callings works maintenance assemblies Courts Canons and proceedings ecclesiasticall do continew in England the Ministery power and authority of the man of sinne were not consumed and abolished as the Scripture hath foretold shall come to passe it must needs be that these also shall go into destruction with the rest of that body For true and strong is he which hath sayd it and will performe it Rev. 18.1.2.8.20.21 and 19.1.2 with 2 Thes 2.3.8 2. Agayne seing the Scripture saith that ‖ 1 Ioh. 3.8 for this purpose the Sonne of God hath appeared that he might loose the works of the Divel and the comming of the man of sinne in all his apostasie is in another Scripture said to be by the working of Sathan 2 Thes 2.3.8.9 it followeth also herevpon that Christ the sonne of God will break and abolish the Prelacy and lying Ministery of that lawlesse one together with the rest of his apostasie wheresoever Which already we have seen to be begun in that the Lord hath now in this latter age of the world appeared according to his promise in the light of his Gospell and hath begun thereby to dissolve that work of Sathan to cast down Babylon that great city to manifest and consume that man of sinne to remove and abolish the offices callings works and livings belonging to that body and kingdom of darknes So as in divers countreyes at this day the popish Antichristian offices callings are generally rejected and abandoned And in England the Pope Cardinals Priors Abbots Monks Fryers and Nunnes together with many of the popish heresies errors superstitions are abolished cast out of the land This hath the Son of God that * Psal 24.8.10 king of glory by the shining brightnes and power of his Gospell already brought to passe in this latter age Neyther will he cease or give over this his glorious work vntil he hath evidently consumed the body of that man of sinne and discovered dissolved the work of Sathan in Antichrists kingdome throughout the world The Lord of hosts hath determined it and who shall disannull it His hand is stretched out and who shall turne it away Esa 14.27 with 2 Thes 2.8.9 Rev. 14.6.7.8 3. Moreover the present Ministery of the Church-assemblyes of England being such in their Offices entrance administration and maintenance as the Lord never set in his church as †Reason 1. before hath bene proved therfore also it cannot be doubted but that these shal be abolished as Christ hath sayd Every planting which my heavenly Father hath not planted shal be rooted vp Mat. 15.13 4. Finally the sekers of reformation have bene if still they be not of the same judgement and expectation Els why have they sued to the Parliaments to have these parts remnants of the Popish Antichristian Kingdome yet reteyned in the land to be removed and abolished yea and have expressely written * Admon to the Parliam in the Preface that they shall downe hold they never so hard Now furthermore that this destruction of Antichrists kingdome and religion shal be seen and done by Christs appearing in the light and power of his Gospell we gather also from the Scriptures which teach ‖ Rev. 14.6.7.8 2 Thes 2.8 with Esa 11.4 that by the preaching of the Gospell Babylon falleth And for the better discerning hereof thus we shew it further First by Babylon ‡ Rev. 17.5.7 with 11.8 2 Thes 2.7 mystically and spiritually is vnderstood the city kingdome and iurisdiction of Antichrist with the offices and ordinances belonging therevnto the apostasie and authority of the man