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A62876 Theodulia, or, A just defence of hearing the sermons and other teaching of the present ministers of England against a book unjustly entituled (in Greek) A Christian testimony against them that serve the image of the beast, (in English) A Christian and sober testimony against sinful complyance, wherein the unlawfulness of hearing the present ministers of England is pretended to be clearly demonstrated by an author termed by himself Christophilus Antichristomachus / by John Tombes. Tombes, John, 1603?-1676. 1667 (1667) Wing T1822; ESTC R33692 356,941 415

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Supremacy in the proof of the fourth and fifth Propositions and if the Church as the Church be comprised under every soul Rom. 13.1 they are Governours of the Church as the Church that is as they are a Company of m●n that profess Faith in Christ. Not as if we acknowledged that Kings had a lawful power to prescribe another Faith or Worship besides Christs but as Physitians are said to be subject to the King as Physitians because he can prescribe rules with penalties in the use of that Art they practise according to Hippocrates his Aphorisms so the King is Governour over the Church as such by prescribing rules about the profession and exercise of that Faith and Worship they learn only from Christ in things undetermined by him and serving for the ends which they are to aim at Nor do I perceive that in so doing any more i● usurped by them than is ascribed by this Author unto the Church from Mat. 18.17 18. mistaken by him and therefore owning such a power under Christ as given to the Church is as much a denial of Christs Kingly Office as when it is given to the King yea it is more absurd to ascribe such a power to the Church over the Church as such than to ascribe it to the King it being a confounding of Governours and Governed Head and Body which were monstrous 2. Though I deny not that the Headship pleaded for by the Church of Rome is pretended to be under Christ and the Pope terms himself Vicar of Christ yet it is in the foregoing Section shewed that they usurp a power not only equal but in some respects rather superiour to Christs in their dispensing with the keeping of lawful Oaths and allowing of incestuous Marriages none of which is claimed by those whom the Ministers acknowledge as Heads besides Christ and therefore it is false that the Headship pleaded for by the Church of Rome is no other than what the Ministers own 3. His proofs have been examined before and shewed defective 4. The terms Head and Body being used only metaphorically there 's no more monstrosity in making a Head under a Head than in making a Governour under a Governour used by St. Peter 1 Epist 2.13 14. or making more Fathers of the Church one under another Sect. 14. The Kings Supremacy is such as was allowed the Kings of Israel He ends this Chapter thus If it be said Object 2. That the Kings of Israel were the Heads successively of the then Church and therefore a visible Headship over the Churches of Christ in the New Testament is lawful We answer 1. That betwixt the Oeconomy of the Law and Gospel there is a vast disproportion many things were lawful in that day which to do or subject to now were no less than a denial of Christ come in the flesh 2. The Kings of Israel were types of Christ. 3. That the Kings of Israel were Heads of the Church is false God was its alone Head and King Hence their Historian saith their Government was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and when they would needs chuse a King God said they rejected him to whom even as to their political Head a Sicle was paid yearly as a Tribute called The Sicle of the Sanctuary True indeed as they were a political Body they had visible Political Governours who when they ceased their Policy was at an end but that these had any Headship over them to make any Laws introduce Constitutions of their own framing in matters relating to Worship will never be proved Answ. 1. That there is any such disproportion between the Oeconomy of the Law and Gospel as makes the same power which the Kings of Israel exercised lawfully to be now unlawful to the Kings of England is falsely and vainly asserted sith there is nothing therein ceremonial and temporary peculiar to the Jewish Oeconomy as appears in that all Nations have ascribed to their chief Rulers dominion about things sacred as is proved by me in the Assertion of the fifth Proposition in my Book of the Serious Consideration of the Oath of the Kings Supremacy from that which is ascribed to Cyrus Isa. 44.28 and 45.1 to the King of Niniveh Jon. 3.7 8. and others Ezra 6.7 c. and 7.13 c. Dan. 3.29 6.26 and that Christianity alters not civil relations or Estates 1 Cor 7.24 Parents and Masters have the like power Ephes. 6.4 5. Gen. 35.2 4. which things are more fully vindicated by Mr. Selden in his first Book De Syned Hugo Grotius in his Book De Imperio summarum potestatum circa sacra and others 2. It is true that David is made a type of Christ but that all the Kings of Judah much less that all the Kings of Israel are made types of Christ or that Christ alone was to have that power which they used or that the Kingly Power used by them ceased upon the coming of Christ in the flesh are all most palpably false sith the Scriptures of the New Testament do plentifully assert the Dominion of Civil Powers and our Lord Christ himself and his Apostles yielded subjection to them 3. That the Church of Israel was different from the Kingdom or people of Israel is one of the Placita or proper opinions of those who would establish from that example an Ecclesiastical Independent Government in the Church distinct from the Civil Government of the State But neither the arguments of Mr. Gillespy in his Aarons Rod blossoming Book 1. c. 3. nor any other I have met with convince me that it was so Sure both David and Solomon and other Kings did exercise power over Ecclesiastical persons as in deposing Abiathar and in Ecclesiastical things about keeping the Passover 2 Chron. 29.30 30.2 and many other things which were approved by God being related in the holy Story without reproof as arguments of their integrity And therefore if the Kings of Israel were as it is said of Saul 1 Sam. 15.17 heads of the tribes of Israel they were also heads of the Church of Israel being Governours of the same persons whether of the tribe of Levi or of other tribes and about the same things to wit those of the Worship of God though they were not to meddle with the peculiar Ministry of the Priests and Levites It is true that God alone was the Head and King of the Church of Israel in some sense He was their sole supreme absolute King that had power Legislative to assign what Faith Worship Judicatories and what other things were necessary for that Congregation originally and of himself de jure communi of right common to all Nations as their Creatour and de jure speciali out of right peculiar to that people as being brought forth out of the Land of Egypt Lev. 25.55 and being joyned in Covenant with him were not to set up a King over them without his appointment and de facto he was actually their sole King till the people weary of Samuels
transgressing the precept Matth. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets What he said before against the Ministers mission chap. 3. is answered before What is pleaded about a succession from the Church of Rome is represented by many that understand not the occasion and plea as odious and a proof of the Antichristianism of their calling But they who peruse what Mr. Francis Mason against Champney and others who have answered the Papists question Whence had the Protestant Ministers their calling have written will be otherwise minded It follows Sect. 3. The Ministers not proved to commit Adultery and walk in lyes as Jer. 23.14 is meant 2. That they commit Adultery and walk in lyes Jer. 23.14 which none as I ever yet met with interpret literally of corporal whoredome and adultery but mystically of spiritual adultery a departure from the wayes and institutions of the Lord in worship to the devices and inventions of men in the Margin In an old Translation of the New Testament dedicated to Edward the Sixth the Author thereof in his Notes on Matth. 21. sayes They which in their Ministry and preaching do otherwise then God had commanded them are no true Disciples of Christ a sin usually in the Scripture expressed for the nature and greatness of it under that notion Jer. 3.8 Ezek. 23.37 Rev. 2.22 which is also in Scripture called a lye Isa. 28 15. Amos 2.4 John 8.44 the whole worship of Antichrist being patched up with such dirty inventions is so called 2 Thess. 2.11 That this character also doth rightly appertain unto the present Ministers of England the best of whom do in the sence of the spirit in the forecited Scripture commit adultery and walk in lyes hath already been proved and more hereunto shall afterwards be spoken 't were well if upon some of them it had not a literal accomplishment which of the Institutions of Christ have they not mixed with their inventions from how many have they gone a whoring is not a great part of their worship drops of the Whores Cup of Fornication and shreds of the great lye of Antichrist who that hath soberly and unbiassedly considered of these things but must acknowledge it Answ. To acquaint this Author with somewhat obvious enough yet it seems this Author met not with it I will set down the Annotation of Mr. Gataker on Jer. 23.14 inferiour to none of the Annotators of the Bible They commit Adultery Do as Eli 's sons did 1 Sam. 2.17 22. whence Adultery became so rise in the land ver 10. And walk in lyes or walk up and down with lyes Hebr. with falshood or a lye as Isa. 28.15 they utter their lyes not in Baals name but in mine and so father their lyes upon me chap. 14.14 see ver 26. Hebr. committing Adultery and walking with a lye that is at full committing they commit Adultery and walking they walk about with lyes they make a common trade and practice of either a form though defective yet very significant see on Isa. 59 11.13 See these two vile practices joyned together in the false Prophets again chap. 29.23 For those that here restrain the term of Adultery to Idolatry spiritual Adultery seem therein to wrong the Text. Now if this be the meaning of the committing Adultery it may be a signal character of a wicked man but not of a false Prophet as such But if it be understood of spiritual Adultery every departure from the wayes and institutions of the Lord in worship to be devices and inventions of men is not in this Prophet nor in any other termed committing Adultery but when that Divine Worship which is appropriated to God is given to that which is not God as may be shewed out of the 2. and 3. Chapters of Jeremiah where ch 3. 8 9. it is said they committed adultery with stocks and stones Ezek. 23.37 with Idols Now if he can prove that the present Ministers do thus commit Adultery are Idolaters in their Worship I will yield they and their Worship are to be separated from and if they teach it not to be heard What he saith he hath proved before is answered before what he saith in the next Chapter will be then discussed The words in the Margin may be right yet impertinent As for walking in lyes I grant it to be a signal character of a false Prophet understanding it of lyes in doctrine opposite to the principles of Theology and if he can prove the present Ministers do walk in such lyes I shall yield them to be false Prophets and not to be heard But yet he hath not done that nor goes about it That which he produceth out of Isa. 28.15 Amos 2.4 John 8.44 2 Thess. 2.11 proves not every device and invention of men in worship to be meant by lyes Jer. 23.14 Isa. 28.15 By lyes some understand their Idols some their treachery in dissembling and compliance with the adverse party some their crafty shifts and wily devices Mr Gataker conceives most likely their strength raised and wealth gotten by fraudulent and deceitful courses Amos 2.4 Diodati Annot. Their lyes namely their Idols false worships and superstitions John 8.44 is meant of any lyes but chiefly that which is opposed to the truth of Gods word in the Gospel not meant as this Authour applies it 2 Thess. 2.11 is manifestly understood of a lye opposite to the truth by which they might be saved that is the Gospel v. 10.12 and so notes anti-evangelical doctrine though I deny not the whole worship of Antichrist being patch'd up with such dirty inventions may be so called But to his Queries I answer To the first which of the Institutions of Christ have not the present Ministers mixed with their inventions 1. It concerns him that accuseth to shew which they have so mixed 2. That I think the Institution of preaching the Gospel which is that about which is the present question they have not so mixed Sure if they preach such doctrine of Faith as they subscribe to they do not mix their doctrine with their own inventions yet if any do while he holds the foundation though he build some hay and stubble he is not to be charged to walk in lyes I conceive the Preachers of the Congregational Churches have been as guilty of Antinomian Arminian and other errors as the Prelatical To the 2. From how many have they gone a whoring 1. It concerns him that accuseth to shew 2. They have not gone a whoring from the Lords Supper to the Mass by Transubstantiation and the unbloody propitiatory Sacrifice for Quick and Dead and adoration of the breaden-god To the third Is not a great part of their Worship drops of the Whores Cup of Fornication and shreds of the great lye of Antichrist The whores Cup of Fornication and great lye of Antichrist are according to Brightman Mede and others their idolatries in Invocation of Saints Worshipping Images Reliques the Crucifix the Host in their Herisies about Justification Merit the Popes Supremacy and
the Church of Rome And therefore if it be unlawful to hear the present Ministers the Papists have a just plea for their not coming to Church which evacuates all the Laws and Government requiring it It is added Sect. 13. Conformists Ministry hath been instrumental to Convert Souls Object 9. But the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers for they convert Souls which the Apostle makes the Seal of his Ministry or Apostleship therefore it is lawful to hear them To this we say 1. That the Ministers of England are true Gospel-Ministers is absolutely denyed by us what is offered in this Objection proves nothing 1. Paul makes not the Conversion of the Church of Corinth singly a sufficient demonstration or convincing argument of his Apostleship he only useth it as what was most likely to win and work upon their affections who upon other accounts could not but know that he was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus 2. Conversion of Souls is no argument either of a lawfull call to an Apostleship or Ministry of Christ. For 1. Many have converted Souls that were not Apostles as ordinary Ministers 2. The Lord hath used private brethren women yea some remarkable providences as instruments in his hand for the conversion of many Souls yet who will say that private brethren women or Divine Providences are Apostles or Ministers of the Lord Jesus But 3. Should it be granted that conversion of Souls is an argument of a lawfull Ministry where are the Churches nay where are the particular persons converted by them We have not heard of any nor will it be an easie task for the Objectors to produce instances in this matter I reply That the Ministers of England who preach the Gospel truely are true Gospel Ministers may be denied absolutely but not justly their preaching the Gospel truely being it which alone is the form denominating a Minister a true Gospel Minister though more be required to his regularity Election by a Congregational Church Ordination by an Eldership or Bishop do not make a true Gospel Minister without it and it doth it notwithstanding some other defects But conversion of Souls is no certain sign of a true Gospel Minister or the defect of it an argument against it nor do I alledge 1 Cor. 9.1 2. to prove either Yet when the Gospel of Christ is truly preached and so blessed an effect follows on their labours who do so it is a good motive to the converted to hear them who have been instruments of their conversion and is an engagement to them to follow their doctrine and conversation 1 Cor. 4.15 16. Heb. 13.7.17 1 Thes. 5.12 13. And if this Author or any other do separate from them who have been instruments of their conversion and continue still to preach the Gospel truly because they abide in their station without renouncing Episcopal Ordination or accepting of an election by a congregational Church they do it unwarrantably and injuriously As for the words of the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.1 2. the Apostles aime is to shew he was as free and might use his liberty as much as any other Apostle being as truly an Apostle as any other which might besides other evidences from the effect of his Apostleship on them appear to them so that it is an argument of his Apostleship though not singly not as this Author conceives a motive to win upon their affections yet I think it an argument from and of some thing proper to the Apostle and the Corinthians and therefore would not meerly from conversion of Souls conclude a true Gospel Ministry in all that have been instruments therein As for the demand where are the Churches where are the particular persons converted by them It may perhaps be as justly demanded of this Author where are the Churches or particular persons converted by the Ministers of the congregational Churches in old or new England or Holland Mr. Robert Baylie of Scotland in his Dissuasive from the Errors of the time Mr. Thomas Edwards in his Gangraena tell stories of the fruit of separation which I will not avow as true yet so much of truth may be picked out of them as may stop the mouths of them that extoll those Ministers and decry the best of the Conformists who yet have been if not of late yet heretofore Fathers in Christ to the Members of the Congregational Churches and to the most eminent in the Churches of old or new England But this disparagement of some and extolling of others is an odious course tending to nothing but promoting of faction and weakning the hands of them that do the work of Christ and therefore do pray that this spirit of pride and bitterness may be extinguished than in love we may serve one another and that nothing be done out of strife and vain-glory but that in lowliness of mind each may esteem others better than our selves And I wish none had vented or read such criminations as those in the book entituled Prelatical preachers none of Christs teachers in which he breaks out thus p 61. They that were ●oundly right down without any abatement or need of explication Ministers of a Prelatical Ordination have amongst them in matters of true Religion sound knowledge and piety towards God reduced the generality of the Nation to a morsel of bread All those Idolatrous and Superstitious conceits and practises all the bloody ignorance and prophaeess all that customary boldness in sinning that hatred of goodness and good men which are the nakedness and shame of the land and render it obnoxious to Divine displeasure may justly call this generation of men either fathers or foster fathers or both p. 75. he terms their Ministry a Ministry which is no where approved or sanctified by Christ in his word but obtruded upon Christians with an high hand by those who are confederate both in spirit and in practise with the scarlet coloured beast and drunken with the blood of the Saints a description which belyeth not the Prelatical Priesthood and Ministry and then applies the description Revel 13.11 to them and the warning Revel 14 9. to those who joyn to them p 76 77. he makes the Bishops to comply with Antichrist in claiming and exercising a power of imposing on men what they please in matters of Religion or faith and worship under what penalties they please also makes those ordained and Ministers under them and by them to receive the mark of the beast p. 52. though God did before the discovery of the evil of Prelacy benefit Souls by them yet not after But enough of this there remains yet that which follows Sect. 14. To the observation of the Lords day hearing the present Ministers as the case now is may be requisite Object 10. But our Ministers are removed and we know not where to go to hear would you have us sit at home idle We cannot so spend the Lords day Answ. To which we would humbly offer a few things 1. That though we are