why are not subjects also freed from subjection and allegeance to their Princes being excomunicate if excomunication be Christs Lawe to all alike that wil be saved without respect off persons And also is not that lawe off Christ herein to be observed That whatsoever ye would men should do to you even so do you to them Mat. 7.12 And therefore as Princes would that all their subjects should bee faithfull and obedient vnto theÌ„ so ought Princes to be just and equall to all their subjects in mainteyning them in every just and equall cause betwene man and man For for his cause not for Religion saith Thappostle the saints at Rome paied their tribute to Cesar their heatheÌ„ Prince who was against them in Religion Shall they not escape damnatioÌ„ for this accursed doctrine and practice aÌ„d thinke you you shall thou that judgest another judgest them not thy self By this it may appeare as also by exceeding many other doctrines aÌ„d practices how neere you are to that bloody spirituall power what pretences to the contrary soever you make A. It vvere a lamentable thinge if that bloodie Religion should bee practiced againe in this Nation C. I acknowledg it a bloodie Religion but God hath cast down the power thereof in this kingdome blessed be his name but I would you could see your owne cruell bloodie religion but that God of his mercy hath restrained it by the kings Ma tie who thirsteth not after blood how many onely for seeking reformation in religion hath bene put to death by your power in the daies of Q. Eliz aÌ„d how many both then aÌ„d since have bene coÌ„sumed to death in prisons yâ—a since that cruel spiritual power hath bene ser â—p that not hanging burning exile imprisonments and al manner of contempt bene vsed and al for religion although some for grevious errors aÌ„d yet you see not this to be a bloodie religion further you cry out of their bloodie cruelty the reason is because you wil not bee of their religion and when you have done are most blodie cruell so far as is in your power because wee and al men will not bee of your religion A. If men hold errors vvill not obey the truth do they not sin against God deserve punishment C. Yes such deserve punishment but God hath apointed their punishment and the time thereof Their punishment Rom. 2.8.9 To them that are contentious disobey the truth obey vnrighteousnes shal be indignation wrath tribulatioÌ„ anguish shal be vpon the soule of every one that doth evil Mark 16.16 He that will not beleeve shal be damned 2. Thes 1.8 In flaming fire rendring veÌ„geance vnto them that knowe no God obey not the gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ which shall bee punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord the glorie of his power The time thereof the last place recited vers 7. When the Lord Iesus shal shewe himself from heaven with his mightie Angels and Rom. 2.5 The day of wrath and vers 16 At that day when God shall judg the secrets of men by Iesus Christ and Mat. â—3 40.41 At the end of this VVorld the sonne of man shall send furth his Angels they shall gather out of his Kingdome al thinges that offend them that doe iniquitie shall cast them into a furnace of Fire c. Here is shewed the punisher the punishment and the time thereoff This punisher hath comaunded you to wait for their repentance by his owne example which is in his hands to give them and not to cut them of and send them to hell as you teach and practice which is contrary to God who is patient towards mockers which walke after ther lusts 2. Pet. 3. Because he would have no maÌ„ to perish but would that all men whatsoever should come to repentance but you contrary to him vse all the meanes you can to cut Men of that they might perish in that you seke to destroy their bodies whilst they remaine in their errors A. I confesse that God commaundeth Mat. 13 That the good bad must grovv together vnto the end of the VVorld but that is in the Church C. Wel if that be the true exposition I pray you why do you then excomunicate any out off your Churche contrary to your owne acknowledg And here let all Men take notice that by this exposition you overthrowe your owne excomunication quite and accuse Christ for giveing a rule Mat. 18. and Th-appostle Paul and the church of Corinth for practizing that rule â— Cor 5. In casâ—ing out of the Church For you say all must growe together to the end in the Church But the exposition of the Law-giver himselff is against you that the â—eild is the world vers 38. Yet in that you confesse that the wicked aÌ„d the Godly must be lâ—t alone in the Church vnto the end much more in the world vnto the end For if the wicked pollute not the Church sure it is they pollute not the world This then you are comaunded vnto vers 29.30 Nay gather them not let them growe together vnto the end of the world A. Let them come to Church they shall grovve together vnto the end C. Indeed I thinke so hereby you manifest you regard not how wicked and vngodlie men be so they come to your Church you wil not destroy theÌ„ though they remaine in their abhominable lusts but if they will not come to your Chur let theÌ„ be wheate or tares you wil gather theÌ„ and as much as in you is send them to burâ—â—nâ— Herein al meÌ„ may see as I said before that you seeke your owne glorie and obedience not gods aÌ„d so exalt your selves above God 2. thes 2 I. Wel I blesse God I see this as clearly as the sunne shyning in his brightnes that it is to feight against God to compel any contrarie to their consciences to performe any service vnto him in that there are so many places of Scripture comaunding the contrary C The whole new Testament throughout in all the doctrines and practices of Christ aÌ„d his disciples teach no such thinge as coÌ„pelling men by persecutions aÌ„d afflictions to obey the go pel but the direct coÌ„trary viz to suffer at the haÌ„ds of the wicked wheÌ„ they were persecuted for righteousnes sake to suffer it when the vnbeleevers aÌ„d wicked curse them to blesse pray for their repentance that God would forgive them never lay these sinnes to their charge as our Saviour Luk. 23 34. Stephen Act. 7.60 and the rest did And for a conclusioÌ„ of this point that your faith may bee full herein consider that wee are to wait for the Iewes conversion and not to destroy theÌ„ I. It is true that might give all men satisfaction in these thinges C. Oh yes if Men had any regard of God or his word they would never deale more in this thinge the lord wee see RoÌ„ 11. hath promised that
which reason men might set vp as truely the whole law as some parte and vtterly abolish Christ I pray you seriously consider what is here said A. Hath not the King the same â—ovver that the Kings of Israel had who coÌ„pelled meÌ„ to the observation of the lavv of God C. First I answere you that the kings off Israel had never power from God to set vp any thinge in or for the service of God bur that onely which was comaunded by God Dewt. 4.2 No not so much as the manner of any law Num. 15 16. and 9.14 and therefore this will not serve your purpose that Kings may set vp within their dominions such spirituall lords and lawes for the serveing of God no nor the manner there of as may best please theÌ„selves vnder what pretence soever thereby makeing God for his worship subject to their pleasures And his Ma tie acknowledgeth that Christs Church after the establishing of it by miracles in the primitive time was ever after to be governed within the limits of his revealed will Speach at Parl Anno 1609 Secondly the Kings of Israell might compell men to the sacrifices and ordinances of the old Testament all which were carnall and purged not the conscience Heb. 9.9.10 as circumcision the passover etc But no mortall Man whatsoever he be can compel any maÌ„ to offer the sacrifices of the new Testament which are spiritual and purge the conscience except he can beget faith in him and convert his soule The ordinances of the old Testament were to be performed by the posteritie of Abra. according to the flesh that thereby they might be taught Christ but the ordinaÌ„ces of he new TestameÌ„t are to be performed onely by the posterity of AbrahaÌ„ according to the faith that have learned Christ and have put on Christ and so haveing him all thinges els apperteyneth to them But one thinge I demaunde of you who now is King of Israel A. I confesse Christ is King of Israel C. Yes Christ alone is King of Israell that sits vpoÌ„ Davids throne and therefore mark the true proportion In the time of the old TestameÌ„t the Kings of Israell had power from God to compel all to the ordinances of God or to cut them of by their sword from the earthly Land of Canaan and the promisses thereof So in the new Testament the King of Israel Christ Iesus hath power from the Father to compell all to the ordinances of God or to cut them of by his sword from the Heavenly Land of Canaan and the promisses thereof The Kings of Israel onely had this power vnder the law and the King of Israell onely hath this power vnder the gospell And therefore whosoever will challenge this power vnder the gospel he must be the king of Israel in the time of the gospell which is particulier onely to Iesus Christ vnto whome all power in Heaven and in Earth is given And let it be here well observed that by this opinion of yours you make the Kingdome and ordinances of Israel vnder the Law and the Kingdome and ordinances of Israell vnder the gospell allone directly contrary to the whole Scripture for the Kingdome and ordinances of Israell vnder the lawe were of this world but the Kingdome and ordinances of Israell vnder the gospell are not of this world as Christ the King thereof himself testifieth Iohn 28. And therefore you setting vp a worldly King over this Heavenly Kingdome and ordinances you and all of your profession declare your selves to be of that worldly kingdome and so to looke for that Heavenly and spirituall King yet to come in the flesh being of the number of those that deny him to be come in the flesh anb so are deceivers and Antichrists whatsoever you say to the contrarie A. Well yet I cannot see but that as the Kings of Israel hath power from God to compell all their subjects to the vvorship then appointed so the King being a a ChristiaÌ„ King hath povver to compel his subjects to the vvorship novv appointed C. You may see if you shur not your eies that what power the Kings of Israel had vnder the law in matters of Religion Christ Iesus the King of Israell hath vnder the gospell but I pray you let me aske you this question You say the Kings Ma tie hath this power as he is a Christian King My question is whether it apperteyne vnto him as he is a King or as he is a Christian A. Neither simple as he is a Kinge nor as he is a Christian but jointly as he is compleate in them both for I grant that no heathen Kinge hath power to compell in matters of Religion but a Christian King hath C. Then you confesse that of a ChristiaÌ„ king may be deprived of his Christianitie for of his Kingdome or kingly power or any part thereof I affirme he may not be deprived he hath lost this power you plead for in compelling Men in matters of religion what say you to this A. I confesse if he may be deprived of his Christianitie he hath not this povver I pleade for C. Then I demaund this question whether every ChristiaÌ„ without respect of persons ought not to bee subject to Christs Lawes for his salvation A. Yes it cannot be denyed C. Christ hath given his censure Excomunication for the salvation of every Christian that he that will not heare the Church is to bee as a heathen and a Publicane that is hath lost all right and title in Christ and in his Church till he repent now I knowe it caÌ„no be denyed but every Christian whatsoever is subject to sin and so to excomunication to be as a Heathen etc If you say that Kings either are not subject to sin and to impenitency therein and so to this ceÌ„sure of Christ of excomunication for their impenitent sin then consider what you make them and God you make a lyer If you graut as you cannot deny that Kings aswell as others are subject to impenitent sin and so to excomunication for the same then they being deprived of their Christianity by your owne confession they are deprived of power to compel in matters of Religion the which if it were any part of their Kingly power they might be deprived of a part of their Kingly power by being excomunicate consider what a wicked doctrine you teach herein A. Doth not the Prophet say that Kings shal be nursing Fathers Queenes nursing Mothers to the Church And also it is said that kings shal hate the vvhore make her desolate eate hir flesh burne hir vvith fire VVhere vvee see that kings that have power authoritie shal destroy Antichrists kingdome nurrish cherish Christs kingdome C. Most true it is the lord hath spoken it and therefore it ought to be great comfort to Gods people but what is this to the purpose in hand namely that Kings may persecute the contrary mynded the words of the Prophet Esa proves that Kings aÌ„d
Lvk. 20.25 Now if al the outward man bee Cesars and the inward man too so that he must be obeyed in his owne matters and in Gods matters also then tell vs what shall be given to God If you or any maÌ„ will give him more power or authority then I give him then you give him more then his Ma tie requireth as shal bee shewed A. Wee do not say that the King can compell the Soule but onely the outward Man C. If he cannot compel my soule he cannot compel me to worship God for God cannot bee worshipped without the soule Ioh. 4 24. jf you say he may compel me to offer vp a worship onely with my bodie for the spirit you confesse he cannot compell to whome is that worship not to God Then consider you who they worship that are thus compelled say you by the King Let it well be here observed that you make the King a comaunder of such worship as is not to God contrary to his Ma ties owne mynd manifest in his writings But this you do not to advance Gods glory nor the kings honor but your owne cursed kingdome of darknes which you hold by flattery aÌ„d falshood For if this coÌ„pelled worship which is not to God were takeÌ„ away then your kingdome would fal to hel froÌ„ wheÌ„ce it came and therefore all Men map here see it is supported onely by wickednes A. I confesse the Kings authority is earthly but he is head over the Church vnder Christ C. God forbid that any mortall Man should so equallize himself with Christ who allone is Head of his church as the Husband is of the VVife Ephe. 5 23. And hath left no oâ—e-gecent in that his office for he is never absent froÌ„ his Church Mat. 18.20 and 28.20 All that any mortal MaÌ„ can be is to be a subject of his Kingdome for their is but one Lord. 1. Cor. 12.5 one law-giver Iam. 3.12 And that this is so his Ma tie confirmeth by his owne testimony in his Apologie for the oath of allegeance Pag. 46.47 But as I wel allowe of the Hyrarchie of the church for distjuctioÌ„ of orders for so I vnderstand it so I vtterly deny that there is any earthly Monarch thereof whose word must bee a law and who cannot err in his sentence by an infallibility of spiritâ— because earthly kingdomes must have earthly Monarchs it doth not followe that the church must have a visible Monarch too For the VVorld hath not one earthly temporall Monarch Christ is his Churches Monarch the Holy ghost his deputie The Kings of the gentiles reigne over them but ye shall not be so Luk. 22.25 Christ did not promisse before his assention to leave Peter with them to direct instruct them in all thinges but he promissed to send the Holy ghost vnto them for that end These are his highnes owne words whereby it evidently appeareth his Ma tie challengeth no supremacie over the Church but laboreth to overthrowe that abhominable exaltacion of that Man of sin in the Romish professioÌ„ for Christ hath given no supremacie in or over his Church to any mortall man but expresly commaunded the contrary as the place of Luk mencioned by his Ma tie plainely declareth His highnes is supreame head and gouvernor over all his subjects bodies and goods within his dominions and therein I detest and abhorr all forraigne powers whatsoever But now for the thinge in controversie betwixt you and me of compelling Men by persecutions to do service to God as is pretended wherein they have not faith it shal be manifest not to be of God in that Christ Iesus himself the onely Lord and law-giver to the soule neither had any such power and authority neither taught any such thinge to his Disciples but the contrary First Mat. 28.18.19 All power is given me in Heaven in earth Go therefore teach all Nations and 2. Cor. 10.4 The VVeapons of our war fare are not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe Holds c. Here wee see Christ hath no Worldly power nor Worldly Weapons 2ly He practised and taught the contrary VVhen the Samaritanes would not receive him goeing to Ierusalem Luk. 9. his disciples would have had fire come downe from heaven devoured them Christ rebuked them said ye knowe not of what spirit ye are the Son off man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them And the Appostle by the Spirit of Christ 2. Tim. 2.24 Comaundeth the servants off the lord not to strive but to bee gentle towards all men apt to teach suffering the evil men patiently instructing them vvith meeknes that are contrary mynded proveing if God at any time vvil give them repentance that they may knowe the truth come to amendment out of the Devils snare c. These Scriptures need no explanation for this most evident truth A. VVell yet notvvithstanding all this it is manifest in the Scriptures by the example of Thappostle Peter smiting Ananias and Saphira to death Act. 5. of Th-appostle Paul striking Flymas the socerer blind Act. 13 11. And also by delivering Hemineus Alexander vnto Sathan for the destruction of the Flesh that punishment vpon the body may bee vsed the flesh destroyed For if it were lawful for them to smite to death the like though by extraordinary meanes then it must be lawful for vs by ordinary meanes since extraordinary meanes now failed If you say it be not Lawfull for vs then you must say it was not Lawfull for them that vvere to accuse them of laying a false foundation vvhich none fearing God wil affirme C. I dare not once admit of such a thought as to disallowe the truth off that foundation which th-â—oposties as skilfull maister builders have said But for your argument of Peters extraordinary smiting of Ananias and Saphira he neither laid hand vpon them nor threatned them by word onely declared what should be san them from God and therefore serveth no thing to your purpose also that of Paul to Elimas he laid no hands vpon him but onely declared the Lords hand vpon him and the judgment that should followe If you can so pronounce and it so come to passe vpon any do it and then it may bee you may bee accounted maister builders and layers of a new foundation or another gospell And for Th-appostle Paul his delivering Hymeneus and Alexander vnto Sathan 1. Tim. 1.20 It was not by any temporall sword or power but even by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ in his name by the sword of the Spirit 1. Cor. 5.4 And this was not extraordinary but ordinarye to continue in all churches to the end and not to destroy the outward Man as you teach and practice but to destroy those iustfull affections which dwell in the flesh that so the flesh being mortified the Spirit may bee quickned and the Soule saved in the day of the Lord Iesus And whereas you say that
Queenes that have formerly persecuted ād destroyed the church their harts shal be turned by the power of Gods word to be lovers and preservers of the Church ād the other place Revel 17.16 proves that Kings shal make that whore desolate etc. not by their tēporal authority or sword as some say that make more shewe of religiō then you do although thēselves be now persecuted yet if kings were of their mynds would be as cruell as you for they maintaine the same thinge but by the spirit of the lords moueth the brightnes of his cominge 2. Thes 2.8 For this kingdome of Antichrist shal be destroyed without hand Dan. 8.25 onely by the everlasting gospell the true armor indeed wherewith the witnesses feight against the Antichrist As the Kings Ma tie acknowledgeth Apol. Pag. 93. A. You are so stiffe against vseing off outvvard weapons in Church matters did not our Saviour Christ make a vvhipp of smale cords vvhipp the byers sellers out of the Temple And vvhy may not wee followe his example C. In this and many other actions of Christ our Saviour wee are to consider him as the fulfiller and ender of the law as in the actiō of the Passover sending him that was clensed of his Leprosie to offer to the Preist the gift that Moses comaunded in which thinges wee are not to ymitate him for by him the Ceremonies are fulfilled and abolished and the everlasting gospel established in the which wee are to walke and it were more then foolish to reason thus Christ whipped wicked Men out of Gods Temple made with hands with whips made of cord therefore wee may whipe wicked Men out of Gods Temple made without hands with whips made of cord There is a whole some doctrine to bee collected from the Tipe to the Truth as thus Christ drive out wicked Men out of the Temple made with hands by a carnall or worldly whipp so Christ by his people must drive wicked Men out of the Temple made without hands by a Spirituall whipp evē his word which is called a whip or rode Revel 2.27 and Psal 2.9 so is excomunication 1. Cor. 4.21 An. Iff fredome off Religion should bee granted there vvould bee such devisions as vvould bread sedition inovatiō in the State C. Thus when your shewes out of the scriptures are answered then you runne to conceits and ymaginations of sedition innovation and the like thinkeing thereby to diswade Princes and ali t◠at are in authority there from knoweing els your kingdome of iniquity would fal But that it may appeare to all that you deale deceitfully herein let vs consider first the scriptures secondly behold the successe of suffering of of Religion free in other Counries And first Christ our Saviour who is that Prince of peace Esa 9.6 not of sedition hath taught Mat. 10. and Luk. 12. That he came not to send peace on the Earth but debate to devide Fyve in one house two against three three against two the Father against the Sonne c. And a mans enimies shall bee they of his owne housholde And his desire is that the Fire of such sedition should bee kindled where wee see this Prince of peace putteth difference in Religion by preaching his Gospell which some receive as the savour of life vnto them others refuse it and so become enemies vnto the truth and witnesses thereoff as they did to Christ Iesus himselfe and his Disciples and as you do to me and others Secondly behold the Nations where freedome off Religion is permitted and you may see there are not more florishinge and prosperous Nations vnder the heavens then they are I. The convocation of Bishops and the rest have made a Canō that whosoever shal affirme that the Kings Ma tie hath not the same power in causes Eccleciasticall vnder the Gospell that the godly Kings of Israell had vnder the law let him be excomunicate Ipso facto C. Yes they have so In the beginning off his Ma ties raigne when they had got him sure vnto them of the which they so much doubted as with my owne eares I heard some of their cheife followers say whē his highnes was comming into England Now must steples downe wee shall have no more high commission with lamentation they spake it then they made this Canon because their consciences are convinced that they stand onely by his power and if his hand bee turned their Spirituall power of darknes falleth to the pit of darknes from whence it came and whether it must go there being never so much meanes vsed for the supporting off it for the stronge Lord hath spoken it Revel 18. As for their sending Men to Hell as they suppose with their ipso facto excomunications iff they had no stronger weapon for the supporting of their Kingdome it would stand but a short space If Israell now were of this world as it was vnder the lawe then they said somethinge but iff it bee not of this World as it is not Ioh. 17.14 Then the King is not off this world for when this King came the worldly Israell knewe him not I. I see evidently that al are but cavels and that no mortall Man can make any Man offer Sacrifices vnder the new Testament vntill he bee a beleever and converted for he must bee in Christ before he may offer sacrifices for in Chri onely the Father accepteth vs but what say you have they not power to compell Men to come to the place where the word is publiquely taught that they may be converted C. Wel then you see that the example of the kings of Israel who had power to compel thē to sacrifice or to cut them of applyed to earthly Princes is gone as a meere doctrine of man ād not of God And for compelling mē to heare that they be converted wee can learne of no better then of him who if wee heare not wee shal have a dreadful recompence He had al power in heaven and in earth for converting soules givē vn-him and sent his Disciples as his Father sent him Ioh. 20.21 Charging thē that whē they should come into a City etc. if they would not receive them nor their word to shake of the dust of their feet for a witnes against them saying it should bee easier for Sodom Gomorah in the day of judgmēt then for that Citie or house And so th-Apostles went from City to City accordingly Here was no Temples made nor worldly power to compel al to come vnto them to heare the word off the Lord but they comaunded to goe from City to City and from house to house I In those daies the Magistrats were vnbeleevers but the question is where Magistrats be beleevers C. Christ had al power needful for that worke if Magistracie were a power needfull for that worke thē Christ had not al power magistracy is Gods blessed ordinance in it right place but let not vs be wiser thē God to device him a
OBIECTIONS Answered by way of Dialogue wherein is proved By the Law of God By the law of our Land And by his Ma ties many testimonies That no man ought to be persecuted for his religion so he testifie his allegeance by the Oath appointed by Law 〈◊〉 2.4 He shal judg amonge the Nations reâ—uke many people they shal breake their swords also into mattocks their speares into sithes Nation shall not lift vp a sword against Nation neither shall they learne to feight any more 〈◊〉 11.9 Then shall none hurt nor destroy in all my Holy mountaine â— Cor. 10.4 For the weapons of our warrfare are not carnall but mighty through God to cast downe holds Printed 1615. To all that truely wish Ierusalems prosperity Babilons destruction wisedome vnderstanding be multiplied vpon you IN these days if ever that is true which the wisemaÌ„ said Eccl. 12.12 there is none eÌ„d in makeing many bookes much reading is a wearines to the flesh yet considering how heynous it is in the sight of the lord to force meÌ„ aÌ„d wemeÌ„ by cruell persecutioÌ„s to bring their bodies to a worship wherevnto they cannot bring their spirits wee thought it our duety for Gods glory the reformation thereof in this our owne natioÌ„ to publish this litle writing following wherein is manifestly proved by the law of God the law of our laÌ„d his Maties owne divers testimonies that no maÌ„ ought to be persecuted for his religioÌ„ be it true or false so they testifie their faithful allegiance to the King What shal men do striveing about matters of religion til this be ended For if this be truth that the kings of the earth have power froÌ„ God to coÌ„pel by persecution all their subjects to beleeve as they beleeve then wicked is it to resist aÌ„d the persecutioÌ„s of such is iustly vpon theÌ„ and the Magistrats that execute the same are clere froÌ„ their blood aÌ„d it is vpoÌ„ their owne heads but if the kings of the Earth have not power from God to compel by persecution any of their subjects to beleeve as they beleeve seeing faith is the worke of God then no lesse wicked is it in the sight of God to disobey and the persecutions of such are vpoÌ„ the Magistrats the blood of the persecuted crieth vnto the lord and wil be required at the Magistrats hands Wherefore in al humility revereÌ„ce aÌ„d loyalty wee do humbly desire of our soveraign lord the K aÌ„d al Gods ministers vnder him as Iudges Iustices of peace etc. by whome this persecutioÌ„ is executed theÌ„selves to coÌ„sider not whether herein they please lord Bbs but whether they please the lord Iesus Christ who after a little whyle shall judg all judges according to their workes without respect of persons aÌ„d therefore are comaunded to kisse the sonne least he be angrie they pâ—rish in the way psa 2. our humble desire is that they would consider what is testified in the scriptures that The kings of the Earth shall give their power vnto the Beast til the words of God be fulfilled theÌ„ shal they take their power from hir If it be granted as it is that the kings of this nation formerly have given their power vnto that Romish Beast it shal evidently appeare that our lord the king and al Magistrats vnder him do give their power to the saÌ„e beast though the Beast be in another shape For as that spiritual power or beast of Rome sets vp a worship as they pretend for God and force al therto by cruel persecutioÌ„s the kings of the earth giveing their power therevnto so this spirituall power or beast of EnglaÌ„d sets vp a worship as they pretend for God and force al thereto by cruel persecutioÌ„s the kings Ma tie giveing his power here vnto Oh that al that are in authority would but coÌ„sider by the word of God which shal judg them at the last day what they do when they force men against their soules aÌ„d consciences to dissemble to beleeve as they beleeve or as the K and state beleeves they would withdrawe their hands aÌ„d harts therefrom aÌ„d never do as they have done partely through inconsideration and partely to please lord Bbs being in favour with the King It cannot but with high thaÌ„k fulnes to God aÌ„d to the king be aknowledged of al that the kings Ma tie is no blood thirsty man for if he were bodily destruction should be the portion of al that feare God and endeavor to walke in his waies as may be seene in the primitive time of this spirituall power or beast of England after that king Henry de 8. had cast of the Romish beast aÌ„d since so far as leave hath bene graunted them by hanging burning banishing imprisoning aÌ„d what not as the particulars might bee named Yet our most humble desire of our lord the king is that he would not give his power to force his faithful subjects to dissemble to beleeve as he beleeves in the least measure of persecution though it is no smale persecution to lye many yeares in filthy prisons in hunger cold jdlenes devided from wife family calling left in continual meseries aÌ„d teÌ„ptations so as death would be to many lesse persecution seeing his Ma tie confesseth that to change the mynd must bee the work of God And of the lord Bbs wee desire that they would a little leave of persecuringe those that cannot beleeve as they til they have proved that God is welpleased therewith and the soules of such as submit in safety from condeÌ„nation let them prove this and wee protest we wil for ever submit vnto them and so wil thousands and therefore if there bee any sparke off grace in theÌ„ let theÌ„ set theÌ„selves to give satisfaction either by word or writing or both But if they wil not but continue their cruel courses as they have done let them yet remeÌ„ber that they must come to judgment and have their abhominations set in order before them aÌ„d be torne in peeces when none shal deliver them And whereas they have no other cullor of ground out of the scriptures then that they have Canoâ—â—zed a law viz that whosoever shal affirme hat the K Ma hath not the same power oveâ— the church that the godly kings of Israel had vnder the law c Let him be excomunicate ipso facto The vnsound 〈…〉 s of which ground is manifested in this Dialogue followeing wherein is shewed their palâ—able ignorance in that they knowe not the mi 〈…〉 iay of God and therefore have they made this canon in flattery to the king onely to support their pride and cruelty for if the kingdome or and of Israell or Canaan now vnder the gospel be an earthly kingdome or land or Israel now a worldly or fleshly Israell as both were vnder the law Then wee would confesse there should be an earthly king therof but if the king some of Israel now be not earthly but heaveÌ„ly Ioh. 18.36
you cause me to bring my bodie and not my spirit or soule so shall I come neere to the Lord with my lips when my hart shall be far from him which he accompteth vaine worship and hipocrisie Mat. 15. A. I perceive what you aime at you would have none brought to Church but such as come willingly of themselves so should every man worship God as himself pleaseth C. Your conclusion I aime not at for I acknowledg that as there is but one God so there is but one way of worshipping him out of the which way whosoever is aÌ„d repeÌ„teth not there of shal pay a deare price and therefore it staÌ„deth all Men vpon not to please themselves in worshipping him But you perceive aright that I aime at this that none should bee compelled to worship God but such as come willingly for I will by Gods assistance prove most evideÌ„tly by the Scriptures that none ought nor can bee compelled to worship God to acceptance by any worldly meanes whatsoever A Prove that C. Wel I prove that I have affirmed thus First Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is vnpossible to please God and Rom. 14.23 Whatsoever is not of faith is sin These two Scriptures prove most evideÌ„tly that whatsoever I have not faith in inworshiping God although it were vndoubtedly true I may not offer it vp vnto God for it is displeasing to him and it is sin against him as also it appeareth plainely by him that came into the Kings supper and waÌ„ted his wedding garment Mat. 22. A. It is the Kings law that you must go to Church therefore you must bee obedient C. The intent of the Kings law is not so as appeareth both by the statute for the oath of allegiance and also by his Ma ties owne words manifested in his Apologie for the oath of allegiance as hereafter is more fullie declared For if the intent of the law were to make me come to Church to worship God and not of faith the intent of the law were to coÌ„pell me to sin which his Ma tie requireth not Antic I deny not but whatsoever is not off Faith is sinne but vvee vvould have you come to Church to vvorship God of faith C. It is not so you regard not whether I have faith or no for if you did you would not vrge the Kings law against me which is but a carnal weapon and cannot beger faith aÌ„d there fore is no sure ground of faith For in my obedience to God I must not presume above that that is written 1. Cor. 4.6 For the VVord of God is the onely ground of faith Rom. 10.17 and therefore if you would have me come of faith you would onely vrge the law of the King of Kings against mee A. Hath not all the Learned of the Land considered of these things set theÌ„ dovvne are such simple men as you likely to see more then all these C. I demaund of you whether they bee not all subject to err as all men are and therefore I must try their spirits whether they er or no. 1. joh 4.1 For I may not hold either that they cannot err or that if I find them to err I must obey them notwithstanding do you not herein teach me that Popish and accursed doctrine that you invaigh so much against in the Papists that I must beleeve as the learned of the land beleeves A. I do not hold that they cannot err C. Yes you hold either that they cannot err or if they do err I must obey them for if I do not obey them you threaten me punishment A. Nay but I hold that they being learned do not err therefore you must obey them C. Then this is your argument The learned do not err and therefore must be obeyed The 2 bs and the rest of that raÌ„ck are learned aÌ„d do not err aÌ„d therefore they must be obeyed another arg as vaine as this may be collected from this ground The learned do not err and therefore must be obeyed The Pope and the rest of that rancke are learned yea as learned as yours aÌ„d do not err and therefore they must be obeyed The one is as true as the other but both abhominable If you prove that they that want this learning must not meddle with the waies of God but as these learned men teach them then indeed you said some thinge but if you cannot as most certen it is you cannot For the word of God is against you herein then for shame to God and MeÌ„ leave of your cruell persecuting for why do you persecute Men that cannot of faith submit to your direction concerning the waies of God vpon which consisteth their salvation if they walke in the true way of faith with love thereof and their condemnation if they walke in by path A. Then I perceive if a maÌ„ can pleade that he hath not faith in any thing which the King commaunds he need not be obedient C. Would God all Men could see your dealing herein this is your vsuall course wheÌ„ your mouth is stopped by the power of Gods word that you knowe not what to answere then you runn to the Kings comaund and so make your matters good like vnto your predecessors the wicked Scribes and Pharisies who when our Lord and Maister had stopped their monethes that they had no word of answere then they sought to make him a trespasser against Cesar but I have learned in some weake measure that as there is a Cesar vnto whome of conscience I must be obedieÌ„t so there is another king one Iesus that is King of Kings vnto whome if you will not be obedient in giveing vnto God that which is Gods he will teâ—râ— you in peeces when there shal bee none that can deliver you cast you into the lake that burneth with Fire brimstone for ever more where thâ—re shal be no rest day nor night and therefore agree with this your adversarie quickly whilst you are in the vvay vvith him The power aÌ„d authority of the King is earthly and God hath comaunded me to submit to all Ordinances off Man 1. Pet. 2.13 â—4 And therefore I have faith to submit to what ordinance of Man soever the King comaunds if it bee an humane Ordinance and not against the manifest word of God let him require what he will I must of coÌ„scieÌ„ce obey him with my bodie goods and all that I have But my soule wherewith I am to worship God that beloÌ„geth to another King vvhose kingdome is not off this VVorld Ioh 18.36 VVhose people must come vvillingly Psal 110.3 VVhose vveapons are not carnall but Spirituall 2. Cor. 10.4 etc. Ant. Is this all the authority that you vvill give to the King C. What authoritie can any mortall Man require more then of bodie goods life and all that apperteyneth to the outward Man The hart God requireth Pro. 23.26 He comaunded to give vnto Cesar things that are Cesars to himself the things that are his
wheÌ„ the fulnes of the gentiles is come in the jewes shal be coÌ„verted now if the jewes who are such fearefull blasphemers of Christ aÌ„d his gospel that contemne him and his TestameÌ„t with al dispyte if their conversion must be waited for aÌ„d that they may not be destroyed from the face of the Earth then who may not see iff they shut not their eies that the conversion off all is to bee waited for and that no man for blaspheming Christ aÌ„d his gospel map be destroyed or afflicted by imprisonments death or any calamitie whatsoever I. It is not to be gain-saied with any shewe of truth I would God the Kings Ma tie would consider of this point seeing that the cruel Bbs by vseing his power commit such sin against God in this thinge both in persecuting theÌ„ that cannot of faith yeild and also in foreeing them that do yeild contrary to their consciences to sin against God and to perish if they repeÌ„t not C. I am perswaded that if his highnes did but once wel wey aÌ„d consider it he would never suffer such high iniquitie to be coâ—â—iâ—ted against God contrary to his expresse comaundement aÌ„d all to bee done by â—he Kings power for nothing have they els to beare them out The Lord perswade the harts of his Ma tie and his posterity vnto it seeing his throne is established by him that he and his posterity may sit raigne over these Nations and Kingdoms till Iesus Christ the comaunder of these thinges come in his glorie to recompence every Man according to his workes without respect of persons A. If vvicked malefactors should bee let allone to the end of the vvorld then vvhere is the Magistrats svvorde it is of no force if evil men may not be cut of C. I acknowledg vnfainedly that God hath given to Magistrats a sword to cut of wicked meÌ„ and to reward the weldoers Rom. 13 chap. But this Ministery is a worldly Ministery their sword is a worldly sword their punishments can extend no further then the outward man they can but kil the bodie Luk. 12.4 And therefore this Ministery and sword is apointed onely to punish the breach of worldly ordinaÌ„ces which is al that God hath given to any mortal man to punish The King may make lawes for the safetie aÌ„d good of his person state and subjects against the which whosoever is disloyall or disobedient he may dispose of at his pleasure the Lord hath given him this sword and authoritie forseeing in his eternal wisedome that if this his ordinance of Magistracie were nor there would be no liveing for men in the world and especially for the Godly aÌ„d therefore the Godly have particular cause to glorifie God for this his blessed ordinance of Magistracie and to regard it with all reverence But now the breach of Christs lawes of the which wee all this while speake which is the thinge onely I stand vpon his Kingdome is spirituall his lawes spirituall the transgressions spirituall the punishment spirituall everlasting death of soule his sword spirituall no carnall or worldly weapon is given to the supportation of his kingdome nor to punish the transgressors of the lawes of this kingdome The law-giver himself hath comaunded that the transgressors of these lawes should be set alone vntil the harvest because he knowes they that are now tares may hereafter come to repeÌ„tance and bâ—come wheat they that are now blasphemers persecutors oppressors as Paul was may by the power of Gods word become faithfull and a faithful witnes as he was They that are now fornicators etc. as some of the Corin once were 1 Cor. 6.9 may here after become washed clensed sanctified as they were they that are now to people nor vnder mercie as the Saints sometimes were 1. Pet. 2.10 may hereafter become the people of god obtaine mercie as they did all come not at the First houre some come not till the eleaventh houre if those that come not till the last houre should be destroyed because they come not at the first houre then should they never come but be prevented A. Were not blasphemers put to death in time of he lavv 1 evit 24.11 c. C. Yes an Isralite blasphemmy the Lord or doeing any thinge presumptiously which was blasphemy Num. 15.30 no sacrifice to bee offered for him but would you from hence have the kings Ma tie to put al his subjects to death that conteinne the truth of Christ If yea see what will followe All Papists ought to be put to death who are direct blasphemers Revel 16 10.11 VVhen the viall of Gods wrath was powred vpon the throne of the Beast which all England confesse is ment the Popish power they blasphemed the God of Heaven c. All the Iewes that speake many thinges blasphemously against Christ ought to be put to death Yea of what profession soever he bee doeing any thinge presumpteously against Christ ought to bee put to death by your affirmation no sacrifice to bee offered no repentance to be admitted dye he must vnder two or three witnesses but that this is most false Christ and his Appostles in his TestameÌ„t doth manifestli declare as is before shewed was no Paul a blasphemer yet received to mercie But this the Holie Ghost teacheth from blasphemy vnder the law Heb. 10. He that dispyseth Moses Lawe dieth without mercie vnder two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he bee worthy that treadeth vnder foote the Sonne of God counteth the blood off the Testament as an vnholy thinge wherewith he was sanctified doth dispite the Spirit of grace Speaking of such as had received acknowledged the truth vers 26. This is now the due proportion an Israelite according to the flesh in the time of the law presumpteously sinninge against Gods comaundemeÌ„t by his comaund must dye by the worldly sworde no sacrifice to be offered for him so in the new Testament or time of the gospel a spiritual Isralite according to the faith contempteously or dispitefully sinning against Christs commaund he hath former acknowledged dispiâ—eing and contemning them by his comaund must dye by the spirituall sword no repentance to be admitted seeing he crucifyeth againe to himself the sonne of God makes a mock of him Heb. 6.6 David and Peter came not within this compasse though they sinned off knowledg yet they did it not comtemteously or dispitefully but through frailtie If an Isralite vnder the Law did ought through ignorance as Num. 15. or through frailtie as Levit. 6. There was sacrifice for him so vnder the gospel an Isralit doeing ought through ignoraÌ„ce or through frailtie as Peter and Barnabas with the rest of the Iewes mencioned Gal. 2. or the meâ—steous person 1. Cor. 5. There is repentance for him This is it that coÌ„founds al true religioÌ„ That be cause it was so in the time of the law therefore it may be so in the time of the gospell by
meanes for the publishinge of his gospell which he that had all power had not nor hath comaunded Magistracie is a power of this world the kingdome power subjects and meanes of publishing the gospell are not of this world A. A Goodly thinge indeed that Men must go about the Countrie to preach C. In your estimation it is base and contemptible your pompe and pride will not beare this it is more ease for you to hunt after promotion till you come to the highest in getting to be cheife Bishop of Bishops within these dominions and then cometh your fall full lowe iff you repent not but the wisedome of God hath appointed the cheifest Officers of Christs Kingdome even the Appostles thus basely to go vp and downe to and fro to preach his Gospel yea that worthy Apostle Paul preached this gospel night day with many teares openly throughout every house Act. 20. I. But if this bee thus as for my owne parte I am fullie perswaded it is then I see the high commission cannot stand for as I take it it is onely for causes Ecclesiasticall C. So far as it is over Church matters it is most vnlawfull for the comission for judging and punishing of the transgressors of the lawes of Christs Church is given to Christ the Monarch thereof a parte whereof he hath left to his Disciples which is no worldly comission or power but onely the power of the Lord Iesus the vttermost of which comission is excomunication 1. Cor. 5. A. The high commission is from the King dare you once call it into question C. If I do take any authority from the kings Ma tie let me be judged worthy my desert but if I defend the authoritie of Christ Iesus over mens soules which apperteyneth to no mortall Man whatsoever then knowe you that whosoever would rob him of that honor which is not of this world he wil tread theÌ„ vnder foote Earthly authoritie belongeth to earthly Kings but spirituall authoritie belongeth to that one spirituall King who is King of Kings A. Well all your pleading vvill not serve your turne either you must come to Church or els go to prison C. I have shewed you by the law of Christ that your course is most wicked to compell any by persecution to performe any service to God as you pretend Now I desire also to shewe you that the Statute law of the land requireth onely civill obedience and his Ma ties writings mainteyning the Oath of alligience Testifieth the same The law of the laÌ„d requireth that whosoever cometh not to Church or receiveth not the Sacraments the Oath of allegeance is to bee tendered to them which that it may be manifest to 〈…〉 that not onely I but al that professe the faith with me are most willing to subscribe vnto it in faithfulnes and truth I have thought good to â—presse it The words of the Oath Anno 3. Iacobi Regis I. A. B. do truely sincerely acknowledg professe testifie declare in my conscience before God the World that our Soveraigne Lord king Iames is lawful King off this Realme of al other his Ma dominions Countries And that the Pope neither of himselfe nor by any other authoritie of the Chu or Sea off Rome or by any other meanes with any other hath any power or authoritie to depose the king or to dispose any off his Majest Kingdomes of Dominions or to authorize any forraigne Prince to invade or annoy him or his Countries or to discharge any off his subjects off their allegiance obedience to his Majest or to give licence or leave to any off theÌ„ to beare armes raise tumults or to offer any violence or hurt to this Ma Royal person State or Goverment or to any off his Ma subjects within his Ma Dominions Also I do sweare from my hart that notwithstanding any declaration or sentence off excommunication or depravation made or granted or to bee made or granted by the Pope or his Successors or by any authority derived or pretended to bee derived froÌ„ him or his Sea against the said king his heires or Successors or any absolution off the said subjects from their obedience I wil beare faith and true allegiance to his Majesty his heires and Successors and him and them wil defend to the vttermost off my power against all conspiraces and attempts whatsoever which shal bee made against his or their persons their Crowne and dignity by reason or cullor off any such sentence or declaration or otherwise and will do my best endeavour to disclose and make knowne vnto his Majesty his Heires and Successors all treasons and traiterous conspiraces which I shal knowe or heare of to be against him or any of them And I do further sweare that I do from my hart abhor detest and abivre as impious and hereticall this damnable doctrine and position that Princes which be excommunicated or deprived by the Pope may be deposed or murthered by their subjects or any other whatsoever And I do beleeve and in conscience am resolved that neither the Pope nor any person whatsoever hath power to absolve me of this Oath or any part thereoff which I acknowledg by good and full authority to be lawfully ministred vnto me do renounce all pardons and dispensations to the contrary And all these thinges I do plainely sincerely acknowledge and sweare according to these expresse words by me spoken according to the plaine comon sense and vnderstanding off the same words without any Aequivocation or mental evasion or secret reservatioÌ„ whatsoever And I do make this recognition acknowledgment hartily willingly truely vpon the true faith of a Christian So helpe me God A. This Oath was intended for the Papists not for you C. It is not so For his Ma tie at the last Session of Parli Anno 1609. saith thus Some doubts have bene conceived anent the vseing off the oath off allegeance that parte off the Act that ordeynes the takeing thereoff is thought so obscure that no man can tell vvho ought to bee pressed therevvith c. And therefore iff there bee any cruple touching the ministering thereof I would wish it now to be cleared c. And therevpon this statute was made Anno 7. Regni Regis Iacobi c. Chap. 6. rowards the latter end And if any person or persons whatsoever of above thage of 18 yeres do now stand or at any time hereafter shal stand be pretented indighted convicted for not coming to church or receiving the lords supper according to the lawes statutes of this realme before the ordinary or any other haveing power to take such presentments or indightmeÌ„ts or iff the Minister pettie Constable or ChurchwardeÌ„s or any two of them shall at any time hereafter complaine to any Iustice of peace reare adioyning to the place where any person complained of shall dwell the said justice shal find cause of suspition that then
power off Rome The Beast or to that Spirituall cruell power off England his Image wheresoever they or eyther of them are exalted such a one and such persons shall drinke off the wine off Gods wrath and bee tormented in fire and brimstone and shall have no rest day nor night for evermore I. Your discription of the Beast the Papists will deny so will the English Lord Bbs and their followers deny your discription of his ymage but thousands will grant both and some will deny both as the Familists who say that ReligioÌ„ standeth not in outward thinges aÌ„d therefore they wil submit to any outward service and they that do not so but suffex persecution say they are iustly persecuted C. Those enimies to the Crosse of Christ are most of them not worth enformation because for the most part they are such as do with an high hand sin after enlightninge haveing forsaken the way wherein they walked because they would not beare Christs Crosse but in that some simple soules may be seduced by them let vs a little in generall compare their opinion with the scriptures True it is that religion standeth not onely in outward thinges for God requireth the hart and truth in the inward parts but that God requireth not our subjection vpon feareful punishments to those outward ordinances which he requireth is a doctrine of devils as I shall prove And first for the outward ordinances off the old TestameÌ„t which were meerly shadowes now are beggerly rudiments Gal. 4.16 what indignation the lord had towards them that transgressed Nadab and Abihu offering straing fire which the Lord hath not comaunded a fire went out from the Lord devoured them Levit. 10.1.2 The men off Bethshâ—mosh lokeing into the outward arke which God had forbidden Num 4.20 The Lord slevve fifty thousand threescore and ten of them 1. Sam. 6.19 Ozza of a good intent leaninge his shoulder to the same outward arke which God forbad the Lord slewe him 1. Chro. 13 7.-10 Ozziah the King offering vp outward incense which God comaunded onely the Preist Num. 18.3.7 The Lord smit him with leprosye vntil his death 2. Chro. 26. Corah and his company what feareful judgments came vpon theÌ„ though he a Levite for presuming to meddle with the Preists office the earth openinge and swallowing them vp Num. 16. King Saule likewise offering vp incense in time off need as he thought the Lord rent his Kingdome from him 1. SaÌ„ 13. as also for his disobedience afterwards touchinge the fat of Amelecks cattle 1. SaÌ„ 15. How often was the wrath of the Lord powred downe vpon the Isralites because off their transgression of his outward ordinances in place person and thinges for it was a Low Levit. 17.3.4 That who so brought not his sacrifice to the place viz to the doore of the tabernacle of the congregation but offered it vp other where blood should be imputed to that man he should be cut off from among his people yea such sacrifices were estemed off God as offered to devils vers 7. the lord caused them to pronounce Dewt. 27.26 cursed be he that confirmeth not al the words of thir law to do them all the people must say so be it was God thus jealous of Moses ordinances aÌ„d is the lesse jelous of Christs must he die that dispiseth Moses law and shal he escape that dispiseth Christs vpon what pretence soever And Christ saith It becometh him all his to fulfill all righteousnes in outward ordinaÌ„ces as washinge with water Mat. 3.15 whosoever saith he knoweth God keepeth not his comaundments which are outward as wel as inward he is a lyar 1. Ioh. 2.4 whosoever breakes the least comaundment and teacheth men so he shal be called the least in the kingdome of heaven Mat. 5.19 whosoever will not heare that Prophet Chr Iesus in al thinges that he shal say vnto theÌ„ shal be destroyed out off his people Act. 3.22.23 the affectioÌ„s of the soule are to be manifested by the actions of the body according to Gods word and al other good inteÌ„ts or affections are abhominable Wee may not neither can wee Worship God with our Spirits and the Devill with our Bodies For VVee are bought VVith a price and therefore must not bee the Servants off Men but must glorifie God with our bodies with out spirits for they are his 1. Cor. 6.20 and. 7.23 And this mai suffice to satisfy any coÌ„cerning the over throwe off this accursed conceit knowing also that Christ and his Apostles and all his Disciples to the end of the world might and may live peaceably enough from persecution if this doctrine might be observed viz submissioÌ„ with our bodies to any outward service The Lord discover such Hipocrites I. I blesse God I have learned of thApostle 2. Cor. 13.8 To say nothing against the truth but for the truth and therefore when I see thinges are evidently manifested by the scriptures disirous to submit aÌ„d not to cavil But you knowe it is pleaded they have the word and Sacraments in the English assemblies C. I confesse they have the scriptures in the which Gods misceries are conteyned which is locked vp from theÌ„ aÌ„d revealed to his Saincts Col. 1.26 which they woefully pervert to their owne destruction They have also imitations of Gods ordinances as water bread and wine aÌ„d other thinges which they use after their owne inveÌ„tions which thinges maketh them boast so much of their Christianity and of their Church and which maketh them reason thus Wee are Gods people for wee have the word and Sacraments The Philistimes might better have reasoned 1. SaÌ„ 5. who had the true arke of God amongst them these have but a shewe Wee are Gods people for wee have Gods Arke and holy Oracles amongst vs. But I thinke they had no great cause to rejoyce there of in the eÌ„d No more shal these have in the end when God recompenceth al that with hold the truth in vnrighteousnes Gods dealing is not now as it was of old he now reserveth punishmeÌ„t to the last day he is patieÌ„t and would have men repent but they despise his bountifulnes and long suffering preaching peace when there is no peace I. It cannot be denyed but that the ministers preach many excellent truths and do bring people to much reformation in many thinges C. True it cannot be denyed For if the devil should come in his owne likenes men would resist him but because he traÌ„sformeth himselfe into an Angel of light therefore he deceiveth So his ministers if they should teach al lyes meÌ„ would not be deceived by them nor plead for them but because they teach many truths people receive them but first for whatsoever they teach they neither could nor should teach publiquely their moueths should be stopped if they received not that their power to teach such truths froÌ„ those the Dragon sends aÌ„d therefore none caÌ„ receive those truths from theÌ„
his iudgmeÌ„ts upon him for his obedieÌ„ce to Sathan God creating him therevnto Now for vs Adams posteritie it is graunted of all that wee have the same will or power to evill that Adam had or rather worse though not the wil to good he had and therefore men may and doe resist God in his effectuall calling of them as AdaÌ„ did in Gods effectuall forbidding him that tree God is no respecter of persons he calleth all effectually and in good earnest and whosoever holdeth otherwise he hath an evill conceit of God I. I praise God you have given me great satisfaction in these things what must we do after our baptisme C. As the Saints our predecessors did They that gladly received the word were baptized and they continued in the Apostles doctrine fellowship breaking of bread and prayers Act. 2. walking in fear towards God and in love in word and deed one towards another according to the blessed rules in Christs Testament and also justly and unblameably towards all men that they may cause their conversatioÌ„ aswell as their doctrine to shine before men that men may set their good works glorify their father which is in heaven without the which conversation all profession is nothing A. It is a great stumbling block to many that divers who professe Religion walk corruptly in their conversation it is great cause that the wicked open their mouthes against Gods truth C. Alas it is most lamentable but Gods people must knowe it hath bene and will be so vnto the end of the world And therefore hath Christ Iesus appointed meanes for the redressing thereof in his Church Mat. 18. 1. Cor. 5. c. And we may not justify or condemne any Religion whatsoever by mens personall walkings May we say the Religion of the Philoâ—â—phers was good because of their morall verâ—es or that the Religion that Iudah and Daâ—â—d professed was evill because of Iudahs inâ—est and Davids adulterie and murther Gen. â—â— 2 Sam. 11. or the Religion of Christ evill because that one that professed it fell into incest â— Cor. 5. Gods people had need to take heed assuming whereby to cause the adversaries to â—laspheme for the which God may make them â—xamples to all succeeding ages A. I give you hartie thankes for your paines with me in these things and I trust I shall not let them slip but remember them all my life and put them in practise C. The glory and thanks thereof onely be 〈…〉 ngeth to God for to him it is due but this I desire you to consider that the knowing of the 〈…〉 ll of God without practising of it doth vs 〈…〉 ther hurt then good the scripture saith Not 〈…〉 he knowers but the doers are justifyed RoÌ„ 2.13 â—am 1.12 And he that knowes his maisters wil doth not shal be beaten with many stripes May there be in this nation with greefe of soule I speak it that acknowledge and confesse the truth but practise it not for some respects or other the Lord perswade all your harts to the speedy practise thereof and that by many examples that are left vnto you David that maÌ„ of God saith I made haist delayed not to keep thy coÌ„maundements Psal 119.60 The Disciples Mat. 4. ymmediately without tarrying followed Christ The three thowsand the same day â—hey were enformed obeyed the Lord and were baptized Act. 2. The Samaritanes Act. â— 11 assoone as they beleeved were baptized both mâ—â— and women The Eunuch likewise ver 38. 〈…〉 Iaylor Lydia Paul and a clowd of witness 〈…〉 comming not with flesh and blood but obey the Lord assoone as they beleeved Here w 〈…〉 no staying to heare what this and that learn 〈…〉 man could say against it as now a daies but they were confidently perswaded thereof th 〈…〉 obeyed And so I am assured it shal be by lit 〈…〉 and little as the kingdome of the Beast diminisheth I. I hope I shall testify to all my spedie walking 〈◊〉 the steps of these holie men but one thing there is yet which hath much troubled me and others and in my judgemâ—â—â— hath much hindred the growth of godlines in this kingdom and that is that many so soone as they see or feare 〈◊〉 will ensue they flie into another Nation who cannot 〈◊〉 their conversation and thereby deprive many poore igâ—â—rant soules in their own Nation of their information 〈◊〉 of their conversation amongst them C. Oh that hath bene the overthrowe 〈◊〉 Religion in this land the best able and great 〈…〉 part being gone and leaving behind them some fewe who by the others departure have ha 〈…〉 their afflictions and contempt increased which hath bene the cause of many falling back and oâ— the adversaries exalting but they wil tell vs we are not to iudge things by the effects therefore we must prove that their flight vnlawfull or we say nothing And first whereas it is said by some of these fliers that many of the people of God fled into forraine countries and that God gave approbation thereof as Moses David our Saviour Christ in his infancie others thinking hereâ—y to justify this their flight I answere God â—eserved Moses and the rest in their flight till â—etime was come that he imployed them in his â—â—rvice then in no case he would suffer them to 〈…〉 e as when Moses manifested his exceeding ackwardnes to the Lords work in helping his â—eople out of bondage vsing many excuses the Lord was very angry with him Exod. 4.10 15. â—nd whither did our Saviour flie when the â—ime came that he was to shewe himselfe to Israell Luk. 1.80 If any of these men can prove the Lord requireth no work at their hands to be 〈…〉 e for his glorie and the salvation of thousaÌ„ds of ignorant soules in their owne Nation let theÌ„â—tay in forraine countries But I trust Gods people have learned not to say the time is not yet come that Babell should be destroyed and the Lords house builded but that the time is come to build the Lords house and not to dwell in seiled houses Hag 1. or any way to seek our outward promotion which if it be granted that the time is come not onely to come out of Babel but to destroy her all these objections are nothing except they prove that when God called any of his people to his work they left it for feare of trouble This doctrine was not approved of God when the time came that his adversaries were to be rooted out and that his people had gotten some victory The Rubenites and the Gadites could have been content to have remayned to their most peace coÌ„moditie NuÌ„ 32. But Moses sayd vnto them Shall your brethren goe to warre and ye tarie here wherefore now discourage ye the harts of the children of Israel c. sharplie reproving them as an increase of sinful men risen up in their fathers steads still to augment the feirce wrath of the Lord and Moses would not be satisfied