things which are held abonte them But righteousnesse and peace c. Soe may it be saide for other traditions and preceps of men the Kingdom of God is not the single life of Romish Preists theire obserued fasts and feasts inuocation of Saints the Popes succession in Peters chaiâ—e as head of the Church priuate masses drawing Soules out of purgatorie and the like which as themselues confesse are not commaunded in the Word but righteousnes peace and all such things as are taught in the Gospell Ministers must be faithfull Stewards and dispensers thereof by preaching and others that haue the gift by perswading exhorting writing and the like As euery man hath receiued the gift 1. Pet. 4.10 euen so should he minister the same vnto another as good steward of the manifold grace of God He that had one talent dit not so others did The Citizens in the parable that hated him and saide wee will not haue this man to raigne ouer vs were such as opposed the Woâ—d or any part or portion thereof deliuered in tâ—â—ents hâ—ting the light manifested by them which is to despise and reâ—ect him the Word that commeth to rule theire hearts to enlighten them and raigne there of whome therefore he saith Those mine eâ—emies that would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. All which proofes of Gods Kingdom duely considered doe manifest that the Pope and church of Rome doe grosely deceiue and are deceiued The Pope can not be Christs Vicar nor the Church of Rome his Kingdom who oppose the Word of grace reuealed in teaching for doctrines those precepts traditions of men aboue mentioued and diuers other strange doctrines of free will ignorance force of theire traditions merrits worshipping of Images with many the like not commaunded but forbidden and confuted in the Word and yet beaâ—e the World in hand that the Pope is Christs vicaâ—generall head of the church that the church of Rome is the true church of Chrâ—st and so that Rome is the seate of Christs Kingdom that Gods Kingdom is there when yet God by the Apostles saith 2. Ioh 9. 1. Tim. 6.3 He that abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God If any man teach otherwise and consent not to the wholesome words euen to the words of our Lord Iesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godlinesse he is proud knowing nothing the man of sinne and his ministers proud aboue all other hereticks and ye see Gods Kingdom is there only where though men so nâ—ime sinne of infirmitie yet as is requiâ—ed the Word of God is consented to receiued in all things not reiected in any thinge it teaches From all which wee may reason thus Christ is the Word reuealed in Scriptures and that Word aloâ—e must rule in all matters of faith and saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall not consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but shall of his owne pretended authoritie set vp for doctrines any that are not taught in the Word or that are new or contrarie therevnto he is rebellious and an vsurping Autichrist and he that doth it in most points and so as none other doth he is the grand Antichrist But the Pope doth nâ—t consent to that Word in all matters of faith and saluation but of his owne pretended authority sets vp for Doctrines many others that are not taught in the Word and that are new and contrarie therevnto therefore he is rebellious and an vsurping Antichrist yea the grand Antichrist because he doth it in more points then euer any did and so as none euer did as in those perticulars aboue mentioned diuers others which wee shall haue occasion to pâ—oue in the sequell here it needes not because also many haue sufficiently donne it Now from this proposition and conclusion followes another They that doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—ie sets vp they are conspiring rebels and giue him the Kingdom he power and the glory of commaunding and beeing obeyed in such things But the Papists doe not consent to the Word in all matters of faith and saluation but receiue for Doctrines those new and contrarie precepts of the Pope which he of his owne pretended authoriâ—â—e sets vp therefore they are conspiring Rebels and giue him the Kingdom the Power and the gloâ—â—e of commaundâ—ng and beeing obeyed in such things Both theese are so manifestly true that all that are of any reasonable vnderstanding must needes perceiue and confesse as much vnlesse because they haue not receiued the Loue of the Truth nor continued in the Word they can not know the Truth but are by God giuen ouer to beleeâ—e lies or because they teaching or receâ—â—ing for doctrines precepts of men the wisdom of theire wâ—se men iâ— hid and they in Gods iust iudgment are giuen ouer â—o such blindnes that they can not see things see euident that is to say Rom. 10.11 Psa 66.7 that they are rebellious and conspiring vsurpers a disobedient and gainesaying people * Psal 33.6 Heb. 1.3 Rom 1.16 1. Cor. 1.18 Heb. 1.3 2. Peâ— 3.7 see Character of a Christian pag. 47. For God ruleth by his power for euer that is by the Word which is his power whereby he hath made gouernned and vpheld all things and Christ is that Word the power of God and the wisdom of God 1. Cor. 1.24 therefore when he had saide he ruleth by his power for euer his eyes behold the nations who obey it and who not he addeth let not the rebellions exalt themselues viz. against it or aboue it in any point as psa 107.11 they rebelled against the words of God that is against the power by which he ruleth against Christ But in the Pope of Romes Kingdom the Word is not consented to â—n all things as is requâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 Tim. 6.3 But reiected and opposed he * IdeÌ„ pag. 249. 293. and they are rebellious and exalt themselues against the word in many greate maâ—ters of saith and saluation which it teacheth and so aboue all that is called God so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God as God shewing himselfe that he is God viz. most maister in theese things one whose Word is the supreame law must be beleeued and obeied which the Turke doth not he giues not foorth his words for lawes binding the conscience in matters of faith and saluation as the Pope doth and soe taketh the Kingdom the power and glorie from God and his Word to himselfe and his errours therefore Gods Kingdom is not in the Romish church the Pope is an vsurper and Papists that defend or follow his lawes and doctrines against the Word are rebellious conspirators giueing to the Pope Christs gouernment the Kingdom the power and the glorie choosing rather to be ruled by him
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
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
forbidden espetially when Pelagian Popish errours are set vp against them and driuen in like the sharpe point of a wedge to make the thicker ende that is the whole thicknes and breadth of Poperie to follow If a Towne or Castle be beleaguered a breach made doe not men run to it and maintaine that place of all others shall any man be blamed for so doeing and if any whether Gouernour Captaine or Citizen shall forbid them and vnder some pretext commaund them to laie downe armes and quit the place is he not counted trecherours to the Towne and King thereof So is it in Gods Church and Kingdom beseiged by Hereticks who shoote at the faith and make greate breaches Tit. 1.11 2. Tim. 2.17 subuerting whole howses for theire word doth eate as a gangrene But for the maintenance of the Truth and the keeping of Gods fauour to the people that hold it fast the Lord saith Hoâ— 6.6.7 I desired the knowledge of God which of old some hindring Luk. 19.41 There saith he haue they dealt trecherously with me Christ shewes that to manifest the mysteries he taught is to make men know the things that belonge to theire peace that when they are hid from theire eyes sedition and ruin follow taking away the key of knowledge causeth trouble and that the Iesuits know to well Besides the Apealer drawes the sword of errour sets vp vnsound tenets of free will praedestination falling away and the like imprudently * See Bishop Carlton Exam. of the Appeal pag. 62.137.149.225.231.233 peruerts the Articles for his tenets and then he and his faction get it held fit that theese things should not be disputed and written against as curious desperate c. that so he and they may preuaile carry his and such like doctrines away vndiscouered vnuanquished by the Word Whereby intime as Bishop Carlton obserued Idem pag. 126. in place of Communio Sanctorum may creepe in Apostasia and all our religion might in like sort be lost and sunke into Poperie The late Duke theire honoured Lord while he liued to such ends as it seemes fauoured theise theire opinions and deuotions though perhaps he did not well vnderstand them and willingly suffered none to be preferred but such as would maintaine them or conuiue at them Which could not but be pleasing to the Countesse his Mother and her Preists and hence it came that he beeing greate in this World and able to aduance men to honour offices and wealth wanted not Schollars and Courtiers to fight by disputes reasons for theese errours Who can thinke but that he would strengthen himselfe in Court and Vniuersities with such men and theese beeing by his meanes engaged in the cause while he liued to saue theire owne stakes and reputations vphold it what they can now he is dead though it be against the honour of God against Christ the Word and his Kingdom yea and against the truest honour of theire Royal Maister whose honour they pretend to seeke and whome they would seeme to loue and against the peace and strength of his Kingdoms by them thus dangerously diuided and weakened in themselues Here yet let vs not to much wonder that so many wise and learned men of our time should be so far ouercome by theese preferments and hopes as to consent to theese doctrines or conniue at them For hopes of preferment and gifts blinde the eyes of the wise Men are apt * Ioh. 10. Phil. 2.21 Sunt quidam Ecclefia propofiti de quibus Paulus Apostolus dicit sua quaerentes noÌ„ quae Iesu Christi quid est â—ua quaerentes non ChristuÌ„ gratis diligentes non Deum propter Deum quaerentes temporalia commoda sectantes â—ucrâ—s inhiantes honores ab hominibus appetentes quisquis est talis inercenarius est August in Ioan. Tra. 45. like Hirelings to seeke theire owne not the things which are Christs who saith Ioh. 5.44 How can ye beleeue which receiue honour one of another and seeke not the honour that commeth from God only they seeke theire owne not the Kingdom that is not of this world But if it were of this World then they would seeke it Our Sauiours owne Disciples left him for a short time and made him say If my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight that I should not be deliuered to the Iewes who accuse him and his doctrine of peruerting the Nation His Seruants did not then fight for him by arguments or otherwise to cleare him in this therefore he concludes But now my Kingdom is not from hence As if he saide that all my Seruants leaue me and neither fight for me by sword or word it is manifest that is not of this World nor praeiudiciall to Caesars this argues it is not from hence that they looke not for any thinge by it here in this World He had told them that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion and authoritie ouer them But it shall not be so amonge you but that they should be deliuered vp Mat. 20.25 Mat. 25.9 killed hated and betraied for his names sake Therefore now they leaue him and fight not for him any way to rescue him Which proued that his Kingdom was not from hence who hereby inferreth that in the Kingdoms of this World Seruants and Subiects will fight in hope of the riches and honours they afford to theire defenders And here let not Papists brag to much of theire late acheiuments by sword or practises whereby they daily subiect many to the Pope For if our religion haue beene weakely theires thorowly maintained it argues that ours is of Christs Kingdom not from hence theires of this World and of Antichrist and that therefore Princes and Preists fight for them and not for Christ because they haue riches honours and such worldly rewards to giue them for theire Seruices as one proueth at * Relation of the Religion vsed in the West large Neither is it any such strange thinge that the Iesuits and other of theire Clergie and Church who effect theese things should goe in the way of Kain perish in the gainsaying of Core and be cast away by the deceitfulnes of Balaams wages Here therefore not to speake of the many greate Countries Prouinces Kingdoms titles dignities and other rewards that the Church of Rome hath conferred on such Princes Captains and Souldiers as haue defended them and theire cause with the Sword such as were Pepin Charles his Sonne and diuers other her Champions wherein yet she hath still cut large thonges out of other mens hides I will passe by that part of theire auarice pride and arrogancie who not content to get to themselues and theire Monasteries Orders by fables and flatterie the greatest part of the riches and Lands in the Kingdoms of this World haue taken on them to take the verrie Kingdoms themselues with theire titles and proffits from the right owners and giue them to
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
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
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.
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
the knowledge obedience of Christ so that Paul saith From Ierusalem round vnto Illyricum Rom. 15.19 I haue fully preached the Gospell of Christ. He turned people from darknes to light from the power of Satan vnto God The Pope and Papists turne men from light to darknes and so from God to Satan Peter did not so And with what weapons did they subiect men The weapons of this Kingdom Heb. 4.12 saue with the sword of the spirit the Word of God which is the power of God to saluation For the Word of God is quicke powerfull sharper then any two edged sword peircing c. Therefore saint Paul saith The weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mightie through God to the pulling downe of stronge holds casting downe imaginations and euery high thinge that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God and bringing into captiuitie euery thought to the obedience of Christ viz. to the obedience of the Word for this sword or spirit of his mouth is the Rod of his strength his owne diuine power and virtue vnto whome is saide Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies As in Kingdoms of this world if any subiect hold but one castle or towne against the right and power of his lawfull Kinge he is iudged a traitour an enemy and his pertakers Conspiratours so is it if a man maintaine but one errour one stronge hold against the knowledge of God much more if he hold diuers as Pelagius did or many with a high hand as the Pope doth * Moulin Buckler of the Faith aboute free will merrits iustification purgatorie supremacie the Church of Rome Preists marriage praying to Saints worshipping Images c. Who yet will be obeied and defended in theese and other his errours and soe he is by all Papists which proueth him the grand Antichrist and them rebellious conspiratours maintaining stronge holds of errour and sinne against the Word and Kingdom of God Saint Paul saith of some that were with him Theese only are my fellow workers vnto the Kingdom of God Col. 4.11 that is in those regions where with him they preached the Gospell and stablished men in the obedience knowledge truth thereof and as Apollos who mightely coÌ„uinced the Aduersaries by the Scriptures Act. 18.28 And where as some doe not obey but resist the holy Ghost as S. Steuen saide and are gainsayers Hereticks enemies Act. 7.51 and neglectours of this free grace of God offered in the preaching and manifestation of the Word whereby men are made true Subiects of this KingdoÌ„ this coÌ„meth to passe as Christ saide to some proude and obstinate Iewes ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice I know theÌ„ and they follow me Ioh. 10.26 vers 14. Therfore he who is the Word and therein the light of the World said vnto theÌ„ I am known of mine * see charac of a Christian pag. 303. not of others to whom it is not giueÌ„ It is giueÌ„ to you to know the Mysteries of the KingdoÌ„ of heaueÌ„ but to them it is not giuen Mat. 13.11 Chap. 11.25 The Father hid them from the wise and learned and reuâ—aled them to babes because it seemed good in his sight * Rom. 11.7 Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for But the election haue obtained it and the rest were blinded Yet a litle while is the light with you walke while ye haue the light lest darknesse come vpon you for he that walketh in darknesse knoweth not whither he goeth Ioh. 12.35 Which beeing also the case of diuers proud Papists and Pelagians who doe not heare receiue and reade the Word much lesse with loueâ— of the Truth noe maruaile if they know not whether they goe that is that they talke so much against the promised perseuerance of the Saints Luk. 19.47 and certainty of saluation For such as doe not delight in the Word but rather maintaine diuers stroÌ„ge holds of errour against the same can not haue a sense thereof nor consequently that they are true Subiects of this Kingdom but rather of the contrarie for therefore Christ who is the Word saith Those mine enemies which would not that I should raigne ouer them bringe hither c. and in another place This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then light because theire deedes were euill For euery one that doth euill hateth the light neither commeth to the light lest his deedes should be reproued or discouered This shall all such know to theire cost when the Lord Iesus shall be reuealed from Heauen with his mightie Angels 2. Thess 1.7 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ and so that are not true Subiects of this Kingdom Ioh. 3. But saith Christ he that doth truth commeth to the light that his deedes may be made manifest that they are wrought in God And so that he is a loueing and an obedient subiect of this Kingdom as diuers are in diuers Cities and Kingdoms of this World and as all should be Thus then wee see that Christ had and hath the Kingdom and what it was and is Now wee are to see what it is not Christs Kingdom not of this World which our Lord telleth vs saying My Kingdom is not of this world This hath partly appeared already because as wee proued this his Kingdom is the Spirituall raigne of the Word and therefore not of this World and consequently not any thinge preiudicial or deragotory to Cesars as his accusers pretended The malitious and subtill Iewes that they might be sure to lay such things whether true or false to the charge of Christ as might certainly procure his death thought noe accusation so like to preuaile with ' Pilate Caesars Deputie as to say that he moued sedition and laboured to bringe the people from Caesers to his owne obedience and soe to get the Kingdom from Caesar to himselfe This they thought Pilate durst not but question striue to preuent though it were with the death of Christ and that whether he were found guiltie thereof or noe therefore they say wee found this follow peruerting the nation saying that himselfe is Christ a Kinge and after He that maketh himselfe a King speaketh against Caesar Luk. 23.2 Whereas that was not to moue sedition against Caesar for on the contrarie he saide Giue vnto Caesar the things that are Cesars Ioh. 19. and to God the things that are Gods Wherein though indeede he seeke Gods Kingdom also viz. that men would be ruled by Gods Word in all things and consequently his owne Kingdom because he is the Word of God by which all men should be ruled yet when he seekes this he neither hindereth nor endangereth Caesars Kingdom but rather helpeth and stablisheth it For if Gods Word
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
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
get the Appealers booke called in but soe fauourablâ— as the like was neuer seene men must bringe them to the Bishops of â—uerie Diocesse or to theire Chauncellors or to the Chancelors or Vicechancelors of the vniuersities which they knew few oâ—none would doe for who would bringe any to the Appealer himselfe or to B. White and such others to burne them as we 〈◊〉 both Iudges and parties in the cause which made men say it 〈◊〉 longe eare this came and then this was not to suppresse a booke Whereas when any booke hath but neuer so litle touched theire owne glorie or ceremonies what exceeding dilligence hath beene vsed for suppressing it as that of the originall of Idollatries wherein if it were grauted that it was vniustly fathered on Causabon that there was somwhat in it that seemed to make against some of the constitutions rites and ceremonies of the Church of England that the same rites are all tollerable yet how litle is there in that booke that maketh against any of them nauertheles what greate zeale and care was vsed in suppressing of it a most dilligent search was made through the whole companie of the Stationers for them the printer was examined what number were printed he for whome they were printed was examined to what Stationers he deliuered of them how many each man had and they were examined to whome they were sold that soe they might be fetched from the buiers all with such exact care and dilligence that if it had beene the most blasphemous hereticall dangerous booke that euer was published more could hardly haue beene donne to suppresse it Wherein yet if any thinge did touch any rite or ceremonie that was but against things which themselues confesse to be indifferent not matters of faith saluation yet ô the zeale but all this was for theire owne Hierarchie constitutions they fight not soe eagerly against Pelagian and Popish errours which are against the Scriptures in matters of faith and saluation and indeede exceedingly against Gods Kingdom and the Word of his grace the Appealers bookes were not searched for at all when they were called in but euen in the Parliament time to be sold in euery booke sellers shop that would and soe were other Popish Aaminâ—an bookes as the Stationers proued in Parliament and that they licenced and let passe theese but would not license such as in defence of the Truth were written against them that in others they put out whole pages wâ—itteÌ„ to shew the vtillity and necessity of preaching and hearing as in Doctor Maiers booke All which things are soe apparent that both in Parliament elswhere men haue cried out there is trecherie vsed in Religion and towards the Kingdom of God As also because the tenets of theese Seducers haue beene soe weake and stubble like 1. Cor. 3.12.13 Ier. 23.29 vnable to endure the fierie triall of Gods Word that when the Parliament hath approched then they haue laboured by all the pretexts that could be inuented to get it dissolured or adiourned if not then they seeke protection and pardon and when the â—owse haue complained of them then they hide theire heads and labour to haue theire tenets and practises past ouer in silence at least by caring or helping with others that the howse may haue worke enough fesides to defend theire priueleidges and throw out the bones cast in to breede diuision and beget some pretexts of accusing them to theire Prince of maleuolence and sedition and of vrging the necessity of dissoluing that assemblie all which they neither neded nor would seeke if theire doctrines were Christs and according to the Scriptures for then they would boldly and with * Zelus cum in bono accipitur est quideÌ„ fernor animi quo mens relicto humano timore pro defensione veritatis accenditur Alcuinus Aquin. in Ioan. Zeale maintaine them against Parliament and all the world But while they then willingly admit noe dispute nor appeare publikely to maintaine theÌ„ by the Scriptures fearing that the verrie Articles should proue them Apostates appeale to Bishops and others brought by the late Duke his to fauour the same opinions or conniue at them and labour by pretences of auoiding curious disputes and other deuises and shifts that theire tenets may not be then examined iudged and tried vnlesse by men made for theire partie according to the pollecie of the Trent Fathers it euidently shewes the badnes of theire cause that they doe not as they are willed Pro. 23.23 Buy the Truth but sell it for a litle preferment for a buble of honour and that they blinde the eyes of the wise that such buiers and sellers are not conuinced punished cast out of the Church * Mystice quotidie Deus spiritualiter suam ecclesiam intrat qualiter vbi vnusquisque conuersetur attendit caueamus ergo ne in ecclefia Dei fabulis vel rifibus vel odâ—is vel cupiditatibus vacemus ne improuisos veniens nos flagellat de ecclesia sua eijâ—iat Idem Ibid. God seeth this and that they doe not like his Seruants with the weapons of theire warefare cast downe theese stronge holds of Hereticks exalted against the knowledge of God and Kingdom of Christ Soe that he may now againe complaine and say My Kingdom is not of this world for if my Kingdom were of this world then would my Seruants fight some with the sword of the Spirit others with theire Lawes and authorities that I should not be deliuered in my person as I am the Truth nor in my members as they are of it to Pelagians or Demipelagians and Popelings and so by degrees to the grand Antichrist of Rome neither would theese be made such slight matters as they are in theese dayes as if it were enough that men are permitted to preach charitie patience temperance humiliation penitence mercie and against carnall filthines adultrie pride murther coueteousnes and the like allowed euen in theese dayes to be preached in Rome and so were of old among the Arrians and other Hereticks and as if for theese Pelagian and Popish opinions and tenets of free will predestination certainty of saluation perseuerance and the like it mattered not to confute them noe nor other points of Poperie but were better to forbid them as curious and vnnecessary disputes and commaund peace and vnion in theese points whereby the buisie practising Papists and Arminians are sure to get ground and strength whereas if theese reasons were sound as much might be saide for those Popish points of iustification by works the reall presence the church can not erre and such others beeing all pits that should be discouered least men fall into them and amonge Papists matters of faith and saluation but the others are so indeede and highly concerne Gods Kingdom and the glorie of his grace therefore preaching of them or writing to keepe men form errours contrarie to them and stablish men in the Truth may not be
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
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
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
naturall power is the cause of Predestination and soe in effect of redemption of vocation iustification glorification all which theire grosse errours beeing also followed and mantained by the Arminians of our times as the * Pelagius rediuiuus Parallelismus With the second Parallel Parallel proueth doe take the Kingdom honour and power from the Word of God from grace which should raigne Rom. 5.21 and giue it to nature and the foreseene works thereof yea all the honour and power of election conuersion and saluation from God and his free grace and Power in Christ and giue it to nature and the works thereof Thus while they presume to make to God a minde word out of theire owne noe maruaile if they to theese errours adde others as presumptuous against the perseuerance of the Saints and certainty of saluation For how should they beleeue perseuerance that giue so much and euen perseuerance it selfe where it is to fraile nature Men that are called into the grace of Christ Gal. 1.6 Men that stand by grace Rom. 5.2 and that are * Rom. 6.14 Gal. 5.4 Reu. 9.1 Isai 14.13.14 not vnder the Law but vnder grace will easely beleeue that they that thus highly exalt nature are fallen from grace Euen as the Starre is saide to fall from heauen who would exalt his throne aboue the Starres and be like the most high that would be vniuersall Bishop vsurpe Christs place and take the Kingdom the power and the glorie from the Father and his Word and giue it to himselfe and his traditions and errours of free will merrits satisfactions c. And how then should they but fall away and doubt of the certainty of saluation who build vpon such rotten foundations of theire owne the Saints may be more certaine for theire perseuerance and assurance is built vpon a surer Word and not on such Pelagian and Popish dreames nouelties which indeed are doctrines of this World and Antichristian not the Word of that Kingdom which is not of this World Ioh. 8.44 but errours comming from the Father of lies doctrines of deuils and so meere Idols cleane contrarie ye see and opposit to the whole purpose and scoape of Gods truth and new couenant of grace reuealed in the Gospel as might be shewed more at large if many others had not alreadie donne it The Pelagians therefore and Demipelagians Papists Arminians and others of that stampe who thus bringe doctrines contrarie to the Word of grace Act. 13.8.10 as with Elimas the sorcerer they turne away Princes and Magistrates from the faith and are therein children of the deuill and enemies of all righteousnes peruerting the right waies of God soe doe they not lesse then set vp Idols other words to rule mens soules and to be reuerenced beleeued followed and consequently draw the iudgments of God on that Kingdom or nation whereinto they intrude theÌ„ and are therein noe better then seditious preachers in Christs Kingdom mouers of rebellion and apostacie against Christ if not traitors to those Princes also whome they perswade to receiue them to the extreme danger and hazard of theire Kingdoms as Bishop Carlton also proueth pag. 214. against the Appealer because God almightie that is euer iust must needes doe to them if they doe not repent and amend as he did to those Emperours and Kings that suffered theese and the like errours in Saint Augustines dayes when the Gothes and Vandals ouerran all and as before that he had donne to Salomon and others in like case 1. King 12.27.28 and namely to Ieroboam who when he and his councell in polecie to preserue his owne Kingdom brought in some new doctrine and worship set vp Idols stretched out his hand against the prophet Chap. 13.33.34 Chap. 16.2.3 made preists of the lowest of the people and ordained high places the text saith This thinge became sinne vnto the howse of Ieroboam euen to cut it off and to destroy it from of the face of the earth Soe was it with Baasha and others And seing the Apostle saith let noe maÌ„ deceiue you with vaine words for because of theese things commeth the wrath of God Ephes 5.6 so must it needes be in the Christian Church with them that maintaine or suffer errouâ—s for therfore Christs saith to the Church of Thyatira which suffered the woman Iezabel to teach and to seduce his sernants Behold I will cast her into a bed and them that commit adultry with her into greate tribulation except they repent of theire deedes And I will kill her children with death c. Thus therefore must it needes fall out with those Churches and states that suffer the Bomish superstition and lawes or other heresies to be taught in theire dominions much more if they maintaine them and soe coÌ„mit fornication with that whore or any other hereticall teachers And this as I saide haue those Emperors Kings and Princes found that haue either receiued whether in polecie or otherwise the errours of Heriticks or the Antichristian doctrine of Rome as for suffering of heresies was instanced in some Emperours and might be in many others Now for poperie it would be to longe to recite the examples of Gods iudgments that fell vpon those Emperours Kings and Princes or on theire issue and Kingdoms in Germanie England France Spaine and other parts who subiected themselues oâ— theire people and Kingdoms to the Popes Supremacie and to his superstitions lawes rites and errours or temporised with him in some of them therefore omitting the most obserue only theese few The Easterne Emperours Iudgments that fell on temporisors in religion Iustinian and after him Phocas in polecie the better to recouer and keepe Italie did the Popes much honour and greatly furthered theire supremacie who soone after by Gods iust iudgment in requitall setting themselues against the Emperours theire successors in the cause of Images made the greatest part of Italie reuolt from the Emperours obedience After this the Emperour Constantine 7. and his mother Irene to get the Popes fouour and thereby to recouer some parts of the western Empire or keepe those they had from reuolting summon a second councell at Nice and there with stronge hand they get the worshipping of Images established which temporising God soe cursed that within twelue yeares after God suffered the more full reuâ—lt and the Pope to crowne Charles the greate Emperour of the Wâ—st The Emperours of Greece had longe held warre with the Turkes at last leauing to trust in God and relying on humane polecie to get the Popes fauour and by his meanes the aide of Christian Princes the Emperour Iohn Paleologus brings the Easterne Bishops to reconcile in all differences the Greeke Church to the Latâ— Concil Floâ— anno 1439. and there in the councell of Florence he gets them besides other articles to agree that the soules of the faithfull that haue not yet satisfied for their sinnes goe to purgatorie that the Pope of Rome
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
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
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
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
neither lie nor aequiuocate he knew noe sinne neither was any deceite in his mouth and in this case keepe silence he might not he must needes confesse the truth because that was for the honour of God his Father for whome he ruled and therefore not to haue acknowledged this Kingdom was to haue denied his Fathers Kingdom and right to rule all men therefore he addeth that he was borne to beare witnesse vnto the Truth Yet that he might not in the least measure be guiltie of his owne death he thrice affirmed that his Kingdom was not of this world and consequently not praeiudiciall to Caesars nor to the right he chalenged in the temporall Kingdom and that Pilate well vnderstood when in that sense he saide Art thou then a Kinge for when in that sense Iesus answered thou saiest that I am a Kinge as * Pilaâ—um credisse Christum Regem esse non tameÌ„ ejus regnum aduersarium esse regno Caesaris sed pertinere ad quandam singularem Iudaeorum religioneÌ„ id probat quod perseueranter euÌ„ Regem appellauit Ecce Rex vester Regem vestrum crucifigam Iesus Nazarenus Rex IudaeoruÌ„ Tolet. in 10.18 Ioh. 19.4 vers 6. Vers 7.12 one that talked more of it then Christ did Pilate went out againe and saith to the Iewes I finde in him noe fault at all and Luk. 23.14 Ye haue brought this man vnto me as one that peruerteth the people and behold I haueing examined him haue found noe fault in him touching those things whereof ye accuse him Noe nor yet Herod for I sent you to him and loe nothing worthy of death And after when they cried not him but Barabas he when he had scourged him went foorth againe saying I bringe him foorth to you that ye may know that I finde noe fault in him Why then did he against law and conscience scourge him and when they seeing him cried crucifie him he saide againe Take ye him and crucifie him for I find noe fault in him And after when they saide by our law he ought to die because he made himselfe the Sonne of God Pilate was the more afraide and sought to release him But the Iewes cried out if thou let this man goe thou art not Caesars freind whosoeuer maketh himselfe a Kinge speaketh against Caesar When Pilate heard that his desire of freeing Iesus begaÌ„ to stagger though he beleeued that if he had any Kingdom it was not of this world yet as thinking that if he should not proceede it might worke him Caesars displeasure therefore bringing him foorth he saith not now as before behold the man but behold youre Kinge and after shall I crucifie youre Kinge The cheife Preists answered Vers 14. wee haue noe Kinge but Caesar Yet he washed his hands and then with this inducement Mat. 27.24 Luk. 23.23 he willing to content the people deliuered him to be crucified For the voices of them and of the cheife Preists preuailed Whence wee may behold the miserie that oft followes greatnes The miserie of greatnes appearing both in the cheife Preists and Pilate the one carried a way with such extreme enuie implacable hatred that the iudgment of innocencie often pronounced by a Iudge would not satisfie them the other with importunitie and respects of contenting appeasing gratifying others and preuenting complaints to Caesar of suffering another Kinge to an act of iniustice soe much aginst his owne conscience and often reiterated sentence of aquitment A poore fruite to often following the greate and vncessant labours of ambitious climing when for feare or fauour to gratifie or content they are oft faine to punish innocents and acquit men guiltie and wicked and somtime in matters of Christs cause and Religion Yet am I not of theire opinion who thinke a States man can not be an honest man For vnder Godly Kings walking in the right path of Religion as faithfull to theire maker such as Dauid Iehoshaphat Hezekiah Iosias and others they may carrie themselues iustly and doe God greate seruice such Kings moue them not to any act of iniustice nor to maintaine Idols or Heresies much lesse to punish or molest true beleeuers and innocents But if the Prince they serue be an Idolater an Heretick or Wicked they can hardly hold theire places and keepe a good conscience 1. King 21.8 c. For when Ahab raignes Iezabel writes her letters to the Elders and Nobles to subborne false witnesses and to stone innocent Naboth and it is donne Iehu writes to the Elders to kill all Ahabs children and it is donne Diuers Kings were displeased with Prophets and the Nobles wronge them as they did Ieremie and others Ioh. 12.42 Amonge the Cheife Rulers many beleeued on Christ but because of the Pharises they did not confesse him lest they should be put out of the Sinagonge For they loued the praise of men more then the praise of God Act. 24.27 Felix willing to shew the Iewes a pleasure left Paul bound When Iustine the Emperour had depriued the Arrians of those Churches they held in Greece Theodorick King of Italie Liber Pontif. in Iohan. I. sent Iohn Bishop of Rome assisted with Senators to intreate him to restore them if not to tell him he would serue the Catholicks with the like sauce The Pontificall booke saith they intreated the Emperour with teares and preuailed that is to haue wolues restored to the Sheepe Belisarius by the commaund of the Empresse Theodora an Eutichean thrust out Siluerius placed Vigilius in the Popedom that he might according to promise condemne the Councell of Chalcedon and write Letters in confirmation of the Eutichean faith Baron Vol. 7. ann 538. art 20. wherevpon Baronius calls Vigilius a Theefe a Wolfe an Antichrist Ye haue seene that the Easterne Emperours made theire Bishops consent to the Pope in worshipping of Images and at last in Purgatorie Superemacie and other articles and what followed It would be to longe to relate how the Iudges nobles and prelates vnder Emperours and Kings haue made Preists abandon theire wiues and people receiue his other lawes errours when theire Princes in feare or flaterie temporised with the Pope For Prelates nobles and people are naturally prone to fashion themselues into the religion of theire Princes and patrons and that hath made Iesuited Spirits practise to make reformed Princes luke-warme Popish or Arminians 2. King 16.10 For when Kinge Ahaz seeing a strange Altar at Damascus sent the Patterne of it to Vrijah the Preist to make such a one and offer on it he not minding that theese things ought not to haue differed from * Exod. 25 4â— Act. 7.44 the patterne giuen to Moses that noe other things wer to be intruded into the Temple of the Lord refuseth not but doth it be it neuer soe bad Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis A wonder therefore it is that men be soe ambitious of these places wherein theire soules are
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
some such as it is For first for gaine or preferment they will obscure betray sell Christ the Truth yea fight against him with errours and arguments wrest the Word to theire eronious tenets that is in effect to proue him errour and his father a liar like mercenarie Souldiers that will fight of that side which giues them most pay and then they haue wisdom to get greate ones of theire side to hinder others from confuting them and to keepe the people from knowledge that so they also may fall the sooner to theire partie and by theese things to deale trecherously with God as also by peruerting the Articles to make if they could theire mother an adultresse and the present Church of England as adulterous in Religion as themselues to extenuate the heinousnes of Poperie to draw our Religion neerer to it and thereby to get the Romish Aduersaries freinds in Court and Vniuersities by seditious whisperings to alienate the heart of the Prince from his most Religious and Truth seeking Subiects to get Parliaments dissolued and so ouerthrow a cheife remedie vnder God to deuide a Kingdom at vnitie in it selfe to fire all soe they may but get theire Princes fauour to rule for theire owne times and by all theese things to throw Churches Kingdoms and States into destruction to prouoke God to powre out his plauges vpon vs If this be theire wisdom and discretion surely it is not sapere adsobrietatem Iam. 3.15.17 it comes not from aboue it is not pure peaceable but earthly sensuall and deuilish But they haue one point of wisdom more to shew if not by all theese yet at least by stopping theire owne eares and other mens also what they can against the voice of the charmer by disputing and fighting against the Truth that they are not of the Truth nor of his Kingdom but of a contrarie that they ranne gredily after the errour of Balaam for reward and will perish in the gainsaying of Core vnlesse they repent Iude 11. For Christ saith Toleâ— in Ioan. 18. Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet. Therefore the Iewes beleeue not me not because I speake not true things but because they are not of the Truth It is a like saying Joh. 3. he that doth truth commeth to the light Rom. 2. 2. Thes 1.7.8 But to them that are contentious and doe not obey the Truth but obey vnrighteousnesse indignation and wrath Which indeede they will finde when Christ commeth taking vengeance on them that know not God and that obey not the Gospell who shall be punished with euerlasting destruction c. Reu. 14.9.10.11 vers 12. As is saide to those his enemies that would not that he should raigne ouer them and to them that receiue the marke of the Beast and worship him and his Image in receiuing and obeying for doctrines theire commandements and traditions as they would haue all doe or suffer for refusing theÌ„ a greate triall therefore it is there added Here is the patience of the Saints Character of a Chrâ—stian pag. 282. 292. Here are they that keepe the coÌ„mandemeÌ„ts of God the faith of Iesus They that are theires heare theÌ„ * but they that are Christs will in matters of faith saluatioÌ„ only heare him as he saith Euery one that is of the truth heareth my voice Augustine Aug. in Ioan. trac 115. gratiam commendauit c. He hath commended the grace whereby he calleth according to his purpose of the which purpose the Apostle speaketh All thingâ—s worke together for good to them who are called according to his purpose to wit according to the purpose of the caller not of the called He hath called vs with an holy calling not according to our workes but according to his owne purpose and grace without doubt noe merrits goeing before least grace should not be grace For if he bad saide Euerie one which heareth my voice is of the truth he should haue beene thought to haue beene named of the Truth because he obeieth the Truth He saith not this but thus Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice And hereby he is not therefore of the Truth because he heareth his voice but he therefore heareth because he is of the Truth that is because the Truth conferreth this gift on him which what other thinge is it then Christ giueing him the gift he beleeueth in Christ This he manifests against the proud and pestilent errour of the Pelagians which taketh from God the glorie of his free grace power in election calling conuersion c. And giues theese things to theire owne free will and Foreseene faith and works and by such disputes against the Truth proue that which they denie viz. that they themselues can not heare beleene obey the truth because it is not giuen them of God because they are not Christs as he saith Ioh. 10.26.27 Ye beleeue not because ye are not of my Sheepe My Sheepe heare my voice that is because they are of me chosen in me Ioh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods words ye therefore heare them not because ye are not of God That is indeede because ye are not of Gods elect and so of the Truth 1. Ioh. 2.19 and called according to his purpose They went out from vs because they were not of vs Act. 13.48 Act. 2.42 vers 47. for if they had beene of vs they would haue continued with vs c. As many as were ordained to eternall life beleeued Such continue stedfastly in the Apostles doctrine as is expressed there Such as should be saued Others that are not so of the Truth doe not only the elect and called as he saith Euery one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Tolet in Ioan. 18. vide ó Pilate quos audis contra me qui ex veritute noÌ„ sunt Tolet. Behold ô Pilate whome thou hearest against me those that are not of the Truth So indeede of Papists Pelagians and other Hereticks Christ may complaine and say Behold ô ye Princes and people whome ye heare against me 2. Tim. 2.19 Ioh. 10. those that are not of the Truth The LORD knoweth them that are his Christ saith I know my sheepe that is who are giuen me who shall heare my voice and who not Act. 18.10 Yet true it is that meÌ„ commonly iudge of the tree by the fruite and so that those are not of God who heare not Gods words likewise of others because they doe heare his voice they are of the Truth 1. Ioh. 4.6 and this is good and if not opposed to the former noe way amisse He that knoweth God heareth vs he that is not of God heareth not vs hereby know wee the Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of errour For Christ is knowne * Ioh. 10.14.27 Character of a Christian pag. 329. of his and when they know the Truth the Truth maketh them free free from
presumpteous sinning they heare his voice they may not nor will not soe neglect hearing holy life as presuming vpon praedestination to say desperately Si Saluabor Saluabor there is noe danger of that because they not knowing the secret counsaile of God who are elected in Christ to be called iustified sanctified and glorified and who not looke to the meanes heare his Word pray and giue all dilligence to follow it in holines of life that soe themselues and others also may know the tree by the fruite which is to make theire calling and election sure to themselues but howsoeuer both the one and the other shew that they only are of Christ be they here or elswhere that heare his voice as he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice As wee haue many liueing in our Church and pertaking with it in some outward ceremonies and seruices who for diuers respects would haue some men thinke theÌ„ Protestants yet are in heart and faith Papists abborring those doctrines of our Church which dissent from Poperie soe may Christ haue some of his elect in the Church of Rome that by that litle light they get of the Scriptures perceiue the errours of that Church and abhorre them and there may be some such in the citie of Rome it selfe when it is ready to be destroied to whome he crieth come out of her my people but where euer they be you heare he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Which may serue to answer them that would proue the Church of Rome to be a true Church of Christ because he hath people in her when indeede the Inquisitors when they finde them proue them to be rather of our faith and soe of our Church and religion Yet doe I not excuse them that holding our faith and religion in theire hearts outwardly professe poperie Christ would haue it otherwise and therefore calls to them to come out of Babel to liue where they may with more safety confesse him the Truth which indeede is to haue Gods * Charac of a Christian pag. 245. 282. Rom. 10.10 Mat. 10.32.33 marke in the forhead For with the heart man beleeueth to righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made vnto saluation Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father But whosoeuer shall denie me before men him will I also denie before my Father Which things should methinks fill all our Church Papists with horrour espeâ—ially some greate ones who would seeme to be true Protestants and for fashion sake come somtimes to Church and say ouer the prayers which some Papists thinke are not repugnant to theire Religion yea heare some mens sermons but it is that they may the better hold places and offices get the more trust in greate imploiments and counsels that soe pretending many matters for the good of our Religion they may the better vnder such colourable pretences practise and secretly carrie them to the furtherance of the Popish cause Theese are such as seeme to admire the outward rites and all the most gaudie vestments ceremonies because indeede they loue litle else in the Church would haue more of them and more neere to poperie euen such gay shewes as in Mr. Cosens set vp in the North. Yet some of the Clergie are soe fond as to crie out for litle or nothing else but the seruice the ceremonies outward habbits and Musick pretending that by pressing the vse of such things they shall the sooner draw Papists to come to Church but not to be there conuinced for points controuerted must not be preached to discouer errours they might adde that they shall thereby get some doubtfull freinds if not secret enemies and gaine as much by it as of old the Church of Rome did before the yeare 420. by imitating and vsing some rites of the heathen the sooner to winne them to embrace Christianily the issue whereof was this that God soe abhorred theire temporising that he suffered them in few yeares to be ouer flowen by a flood of Gothes Vandals and Alanes c. The Lord God deliuer vs from such an inundation of Papists I reade of some that were to be ouercome and conuerted by the sword that comes out of Christs mouth Reu. 19.21 But of none by shewes musick and ceremonies Yet I will not say that other reformed Churches that haue fewer Ceremonies gaine more conuerts but this I may say that they get such as are more sincere constant and faithfull to Church and State and further to all such Church Papists who it seeme for an aduantage get dispensations to be present at some of our Churches and Sermons that they are not Protestants vnlesse theire hearts hold the Protestant faith that if they thinke Poperie to be the true Religion why doe they not openly professe it espetially seeing they are not troubled in England for theire Religion but haue indeede to much libertie vse of it or if they doe not how can they hope in the day of iudgment to looke Christ in the face with comfort for he that is the Truth saith Mark 8.38 Whosoeuer shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinfull generation of him shall the Sonne of Man be ashamed when he commeth in the glorie of his Father If theese men were of the Truth they would not only be present at the preaching of it but also heare and obey it soe as truly to seeke the Kingdom of God yea and therewith all the promised and commaunded Ruin of Rome Antichrist and theire supporters which hinder Christs raigne and not the things which are contrarie For he saith Euerie one that is of the Truth heareth my voice Thus then though there be many Religions in the world opposing one another some in one thinge some in another yet there is but one of them of the Truth namely that alone which in all matters of faith and saluation heareth his voice who is the Truth Lately in my hearing one iestingly asked a Popish newes-monger how it went with the Catholicke Cause He in some anger more pride answered ye haue many Religions but I hope that now ye shall haue but one It was asked him if he would be of that one he replied I that I will It was asked him what Religion that was he answered The booke of common praier and the Articles One answered him wee hold with the booke of common prayer with the Articles but not after the sense of the Arminians proued to be peruerted wrested and absurd by Doctor Carlton late Bishop of Chichester in a booke abouemencioned dedicated to the Kings Maiestie And indeede whether all things be in them in that perfection that should be or noe both the one and the other send vs to the Truth of God reuealed in scripture oblige vs to be of it The booke of common praier saith that wee assemble and meeke together to heare his
most holy Word and to aske thoose things c. In the Lords praier diuers times there vsed wee pray Hallowed be thy Name they Kingdom come they will be donne and soe that his Word may be had in honour and his Kingdom come amonge vs in the due preaching thereof and into our Soules to rule vs in all things necessarie to saluation For his is the Kingdom the power and glorie The Psalme read saith to day if ye will heare his voice hearden not c. The praier for peace In knowledge of whome standeth our eternall life another Granting vs in this world knowledge of they truth the letanie That is would please him to illuminate all Bishops Pastors and Ministers of the Church with true knowledge and vnderstanding of his Word and what to treasure and monopolize it vp in themselues noe but that by theire preaching liueiug they may set it forth and shew it accordingly as in a prayer at the communion That they may both by theire life and doctrine set foorth they true and liuely Word In another for all the congration 2. Sund. in Aduent Blessed Lord which hast caused all holy Scripture to be written for our learning grant that wee may in such wise heare them reade c. To passe by that on 5. Sund after Epiph. which Against Pelagian pride saith That they which doe leane only on the hope of they heauenly grace may euermore c. On good Friday is begd of him That he would take from Iewes Turkes Infidels and Hereticks ignorance heardnesse of heart and contempt of his Word but not in desire to retaine it in our selues The booke of Articles saith Art 2. The Sonne is the Word of the Father begotten c. Art 6. Holy Scripture containeth all things necessarie to saluation soe that whatsoeuer is not read therein nor may be proued thereby is not required of any man that it should be beleeued as an article of faith or be thought requisite or necessarie to saluation Soe also the Articles of Ireland Art 1. The ground of our Religion and the Rule of faith and all saueing truth is the Word of God contained in holy Scripture In both theese bookes by the name of holy Scripture the Compilers vnderstand all the canonicall bookes of the old and new Testament in them recited Now that which thus bindeth vs to another Rule and warrant doth not make it selfe the Rule and warrant nor permit any Rule and warrant in matters of faith and saluation besides that to which it bindeth vs but the booke of the Articles doth thus binde to another Rule and warrant ergo For further proofe whereof obserue Art 22. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory c. is a fonde thinge Now this Article is not the Rule and warrant why that doctrine must not be receiued but the Word for soe it followeth as beeing vainely inuented and grounded vpon noe warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God Art 8. saith The three creedes ought throughly to be receiued and beleeued but why the article sends to the warrant and rule saying For they may be proued by most certaine warrants of holy Scripture Wherevpon Ministers Catechising men in that called the Apostles creede doe accordingly proue the matter by the Scriptures Art 18. counteth them accursed that presume to say that euery man shall be saned by the law or sect which he professeth where the Article is not the Rule or warrant but plainely telleth you of another saying For holy Scripture doth set out vnto vs only the Name of Iesus Christ whereby men must be saued This man then that hoped that wee should haue noe other Religion then the booke of Articles and the common praier hoped it seemes that wee should not haue them as they were at first intended nor in that which they require and binde men to viz. in matter of faith and saluation to build only on the Scripture which ye see is plainely and euidently intended by the compilers of the Articles By this man one may gather the hopes of the Papists for it was Mr. Burgen theire known Newes-monger one that is frequent amonge them and heares theire mindes that preaching to aedifie some and confute others by Scripture and writing to conuince some and establish others which haue soe weakened discoured them would now be out of countenance and fashion that though wee pray for theese things yet there should be nothing lesse minded and practised that soe they and the Arminians might preuaile vnconfuted vnreproued because theese bookes though agreable to Scripture are not as ye see warrants Rules of faith they doe not quote places of Scripture to proue or confute and so consume Antichrist and Hereticks by the Spirit of Christs mouth nor indeede recite all theire errours that yet theese bookes would come to be the Rule of faith and soe ouerthrow that which the 6. Article saies of the Scripture that wee should not soe much as vrge them in theire true grammaticall sense that by this meanes Arminian prelates might hold them to theire sense that if according to Trent practises some more Arminians and Popelings could be intruded into Bishops Sees and conuocations then any thinge that they vnder the Name of the Church of England should teach or ordaine might also in time become rules and Articels of faith and at last not the Scripture but theire iniunctions should be alleadged to proue points of faith after the Manner of the Church of Rome and the Scriptures pinned to them and in some points noe further admitted or taught then agreable to them that insteade of the authoritey of Scripture the authoritie sense and iniunctions of the Church might be interposed he iudged an Heretick that should not receiue them what euer they be without further dispute and soe that wee should shortly loose our Religion and all be brought by degrees and deuises as the Churches of Italie and others were of old to the Popes tenets Whereas on the contrarie the booke of Articles saith Art 19. The vissible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithfull men in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministred according to Christs ordinance Art 20. The Church heath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authoritie in controuersies of faith And yet it is not lawfull for the Church to ordaine any thinge that is contrarie to Gods Word written neither may it soe expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although the Church be a witnes and a keeper of holy writ Yet as it ought not to decree any thinge against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thinge to be beleeued for necessity of saluation Art 21. Generall councells may erre and somtime haue erred Much more particular Thus then the booke of common prayer the Articles binde Men to be of Gods Truth neither doth any man rightly hold them vnlesse as