a perfum'd breath and richness of Language as if they were made with the first Adam speak of the Dictates of the Patriarchs and Testimonies of the Prophets but in vain do any boast they are descended from Abraham since he is not a Jew who is one outward in the flesh bur inward in the Spirit as our Saviour told the Pharisees vaunting of Antiquity Joh. 8. except they did the works of Abraham and abide in the Truth Truth then is the Child of Time and as there is Antiquity of Time so also of Truth and Doctrine And so long as the Romish Church continued in the profession and practice of Apostolical purity i. e. of Faith and Doctrine which was once given to the Saints all other Christian Churches held Communion with her for the Church of Rome did not anciently in former Ages hold all these Doctrines which now she owns The ancient Church of Rome was but a Member of the Catholick Church of God of which Jesus Christ was Head But the now Roman Church does at this day what S. Augustine * De Vnit Eccles cap. 6. told to the Donatists inclose the Catholick Church within their own circuits and usurps it wholly to her self of which the Pope is Head And the Papacy will have their Pope by reason of the Kingdom of Christ to be the Head and King of the Church in ordine ad Spiritualia and consequently the Supreme Civil Power over the Monarchs of the Earth in ordine ad Temporalia to be the Head and King of the Church Such a Church was never in Rome for many hundred years after our Saviour no Bishop ‖ Gregory Bishop of Rome Ego fidenter dico quia quisquis se universalem Sacerdotem vocat vel vocari desiderat in elatione sâ—â Antichristum praecurrit Pope Pelagius distinct 99. Vniversalis autem nec etiam Romanus Pontifex appelletur Cyril Patriarch of Constantinople 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did assume Christs Title to be the Head of the Church till Boniface the Third who not contenting himself with his Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical and fulness of Spiritual Power but his towring Ambition aspires yet higher and with much contention obtained of the Rebel Phocas about the year 604. who murder'd Maurice the Emperour the Title of Universal The Pope looking for Primacy on Earth is very unlike his heavenly Master whose Vicar he pretends to be Christ paid Tribute unto Caesar Luke 20.25 but the Pope that Prevaricator of the Apostolick See exacts it from them and Caesar pays unto him Our Saviour wash'd his Disciples feet but the Bishop of Rome in these days with imaginary Supremacy causes the greatest Princes and mightiest Emperors do him Homage and swear Allegiance * Clement the Fifth call'd a Council at Vienna An. 1311. in which it was ordained and decreed That the Emperour his Lord should give his Oath of Allegiance to the Pope for being not content with his Primacy abused Religion into Policy and casting off all moderation the Pope devoured the Emperour Thus the Head of the Church degenerated into a Monster and in reaching at Temporal Soveraignty he broke the Spiritual Unity contrary to the Divine Authority and Majesty of the Scripture Let every Soul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. and to the King as Supreme 1 Pet. 2.13 As Heathen Rome under the Emperours Domitian and others would be adored as Gods though never so impious so Rome Christian falls under the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Apostle Sitting in the Temple of God as God 2 Thess 2.4 and exalting himself above all that is called God * Zacharias Papa ex authoritate Sancti Petri Apostoli mandat populo Francorum ut Pepinus qui potestate Regiâ utebatur etiam nominis dignitate frueretur Ita Hildericus ultimus Merovingorum qui Francis imperabat depositus est in monasterio missus est Marian. Scot. Hist lib. 3. Lambertus Danaeus in his Response to Bellarmine the great Master of Controversie contending that Childerick was lawfully deposed by Pope Zacharias Can Zachary saith he have Authority in France being a Stranger Can he depose the publick Magistrate being but a private person though he were Bishop of Rome or transfer that Principality to Pepin that he hath no Right unto and commit so many Sacriledges and Impieties stealing from Childerick and giving to Pepin another mans Right Authorizing Subjects to violate their Oaths which they had sworn to their King Transposing Kingdoms from one man to another whereas it doth only belong to God to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms Thou mayest see Bellarmine how many outrages this thy Zachary hath committed Resp Danae ad Bellar. lib. 2. cap. 17. pag. 316. in a superlative Greatness and that not of order and precedency only as to Ecclesiastical Regency stretching his Diocese over all Bishops and Churches in the Christian World but of absolute Authority claiming universal Jurisdiction in a Monarchiâ—al Superintendency or Regality over all Christendom with a Power to depose Kings and dispose of Crowns and Kingdoms for the benefit of the Church is a Title only of Usurpation without any ground of Scripture or Antiquity First Christ was no Temporal Monarch but an Eternal King to rescue us from the thraldom of sin the sorcery of the flesh and the Curse of the Law Christ was no earthly King and left no Regal Power to S. Peter therefore the Pope can have no Civil Power or Temporal Dominion as the Vicegerent of Christ and consequently overturns and destroys the Doctrine of Supremacy The Lawgiver himself even Ipse Ille that bare rule in Heaven the incarnate and crucified Messias Joh. 12.36 saith My Kingdom is not of this World Whereas that Sect of Politicians the Romanists turns the Kingdom of Christ into outward Pomp and Bravery and they to have the Managery and Government of it as if the now See of Rome should be known to be the most Christian Bishop not in having with Christ no Temporalties but an absolute Soveraignty to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms which is nothing less than a strange Usurpation for the Son of God did never impose such a hard duty and condition to Kings that were to become Christians as to forsake their Imperial Crowns and Diadems except in their hearts and affections and in comparison of the Kingdom of God O Eternal Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light of Truth inspire the Universal Church with the Spirit of Truth Unity and Concord and grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the Truth of thy holy Word and live in unity and godly love Secondly View it in relation to the Apostles who were the Patriarchs of the Church And the Evangelists make special mention of their Names as those to whom we owe great honour and veneration being conversant with Christ and daily instructed by him who continued with him unto his Passion and Crucifixion and after his Resurrection
sway the Royal Scepter so also to yield Protection for the King is Custos utriusque Tabúlae Defender of the Faith and a Nursing Father to the Church And the Princely Power and Soveraign Authority with God's Blessing may still preserve the true and ancient Constitution both of Church and State from Anarchy and Disorder from Popish Superstition and Fanatical Faction For the King has his Authority over us from Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord sets up Kings saith the Father And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Kings are from God says the Heathen Therefore I must be subject purely out of Conscience for the Lord's sake The Religion of the Church of Rome like the Laws of Draco are written in Blood and advanced by Policy and propagated by Violence their Vow of Poverty is such as to covet Kingdoms their Humility is such that they tread upon the necks of Emperours their Charity is such as to kill Kings making black TREASON a glorious Act and to merit the brightest Crown of Immortality and highest Seat in Heaven Whereas Christianity never used the Sword the Kingdom of Heaven is another kind of Warfare Christianity came attired into the World with the white of meekness 2 Cor. 10.4 humility and patience Christ the Prince of Peace never pull'd the Crown from any Prince's head but commands the payment of all Duties to Caesar and acknowledgeth Pilate's power to be from above Nay when our blessed Lord had power with his Ego sum to strike all his Adversaries to the ground or caused Legions of Angels to have stood in his just defence to revenge the injury of the People the violence of the Souldiers Mat. 26.53 Joh. 19.15 Mat. 27.27 28 29. Luke 23.11 Mark 15 15. the scorn of Herod the judgment of Pilate yet he yielded himself patiently to suffer to teach all his Disciples that resistance is an affront to Divine Authority This was the Spirit of the great Exemplar of our Religion this was the Genius of his Doctrine and his practice Nor did any of his Followers ever rebel against their Prince usurp the State or disturb the Government and though it was their unhappy Fate at first to be accused as Factious and Seditious yet none were better Subjects nor testified their Allegiance more to Authority S. Paul in the days of Heathen Persecution and Tyranny lays down this Hypothesis There is no Power but of God the Powers that be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are ordained of God If Religion be pretended an Heathen must not be resisted If Tyranny 't is damnation to oppose a Nero. They that resist shall receive Rom. 13.1 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the wrath and judgment of God saith the Apostle This made the Primitive Christians those noble Spirits where they could not comply to suffer and thought it the greatest piece of devotion to be patient under all oppositions They were so far from conspiring into tumultuous Combinations that they freely offered themselves to the fury of their Enemies and quietly suffered all extremities of death and torment chusing rather to be crown'd Martyrs for Religion than be punished as Traitors for Rebellion It was not disability * Si hostes exertos agere â—â—llemus non deesset nobis vis â—â—merorum copiarum Vestra omnia implevimus urbes insulas castella municipia conciliabula castra ipsa tribus decurias palatium senatum sorum Cui bello idonei non promâ—ti suissemus etiam impares copiis qui tam libenter trucidamur Si non apud istam disciplinam magis occidiliceret quà m occidere Tertul. but duty not want of money or Martial prowess but a reverend regard to Imperial Majesty as commanded by God caused them not to avenge themselves The ancient Martyrs in saddest days as Tertullian tells us in his Apologetical Defence of Christians had courage to say to their greatest Adversaries Cruciate torquete damnate atterite probatio est innocentiae nostrae iniquitas vestra Rack us torture us do with us what you will or what you can your iniquity is but the proof of our innocency you think to weary out the Saints of the most High Dan. 7.25 by inventing of greater torments but the Sect ‖ Exquisitior quaeque crudelitas vestra illecebra est magis sectae nostrae plures efficimur quoties morimur Tertul. Apol. of Christians is the strangest Sect that you ever read of it is allured by those miseries whereby others are terrified S. Cyprian writing to Demetrianus the Governour of Africa and Christian Persecutor God saith he is the revenger of his Servants when they are annoyed therefore none of us resists nor avengeth * Nemo nostrûm quando apprehenditur nec se adversus injuriam vestram quamvis nimius copiosus sit noster populus ulciscitur Odisse non licet nobis sic Deo placemus dum nullam pro injuria vicem reddimus S. Cypr. ad Demetr himself of your unjust violence though our people are numerous and able to do it The innocent rest content with their undeserved punishments and tortures and thus we please God the more whilst we retaliate no injury ‖ Euseh Eccles Hist l. 8. c. 9. Eusebius tells us That in the Dioclesian Persecution in Thebais which was none of the greatest Countries of Africa were slain by various methods of cruel death so many that the Executioners were tired out In the time of Trajan also Tiberius the President of Palestine gives this relation in his Letter to the Emperor I am weary with punishing and destroying the Galilaeans who are called Christians according to your Majesties Command It was the inspired patience and courage of these great †The World admires the Lacedaemonians and Romans and they that had courage in any Age or place to dye for their Country they were so esteem'd by the Heathens that they had Statues erected Pictures ingraven Titles of Honour inscribed the World doing what it could to make their Names immortal how much better to suffer for Christ What Soul would not desire to have his Name inrolled in that Catalogue among the Cloud of Witnesses who wander'd up and down destitute afflicted tormented were stoned slain with the Sword sawn asunder yet not accepting deliverance on unworthy terms because they looked for a better resurrection Heb. 11.35 37. Heroes that blunted the very edge of Persecution to tire as the hands so the wits of their Tormentors to turn their pity at their suffering into envy at their patience to hug their Stakes as so many horns of the Altar letting fall * Magni animi est injurias despicere Sen. de Ira l. 2. c. 32. Absit itaque à servo Christi tale inquinamentum ut patientia majoribus tentationibus praeparata in frivolis excidat Tertul. de bon pat not so much as a tear lest it might quench some sparkle of that fire wherein they were with Elijah to ride to Heaven as in a Chariot ignis
Orat. 2. time we had no other weapon nor wall nor bulwark but our hope in God left us whom could we have either to hear our prayers or to protect our persons but him August in Psal 124. And S. Austin saith That though Julian was an Apostate an Idolater and a wicked man the Christians were subject to him their Temporal Lord out of respect to their Eternal Lord. Rogamus Auguste non pugnamus non timemus sed rogamus S. Ambr. l. 5. ep 33. We intreat O Emperour say the Souldiers in Ambrose his Cause against the Arians we fight not neither fear we and yet we intreat only We will stand to it and fight it out even to death Stahimus pugnabimus usque ad mortem si ita oportuerit pro matre nostra non scutis gladiis sed precibus fletibusque ad Deum S. Bern. Epist 221. if need be saith S. Bernard for our Mother the Church but with such weapons as we may not with Sword and Target but with tears and prayers to God These were the weapons of the old Christian Martyrs Tertullian also to Scapula the Viceroy of Carthage Absit ut ultionem nos aliquam machinemur quam à Deo expectamus Far be it for us to attempt or plot any revenge of our wrongs which we expect from God We saith he are defamed for seditious against Imperial Majesty * Circa Majestatem Imperatoris infamamur tamen nunquam Albiniani nec Nigriani nec Cassiani inveniri potuerunt Christiani Christianus nullius est hoslis nedum Imperatoris quem sciens à Deo suo constitui necesse est ut ipsum diligat revereatur honoret salvum velit cum toto Romano Imperio quousque seculum stabit Colimus ergo Imperatorem sic quomodo nobis licet ipsi expedit ut hominem à Deo secundum quicquid est à Deo constitutum solo Deo minorem Tertul. ad Scap. and yet never were the Christians Rebels as several of your own Religion have been Albinus Niger Cassius were Traitors against Marcus Antonius Commodus Pertinax and Severus the Emperours A Christian is Enemy to no man much less the Emperours knowing that Regal Dignity is constituted and ordained of God and therefore necessarily to be loved reverenced and honoured whose prosperity together with the welfare of all the Roman Empire we wish and desire so long as the World shall endure We honour and worship the Emperour so as it is lawful for us and expedient for him as a mortal man next unto God of whom he holds all his Authority only subject to God and so we make him Soveraign over all And it is manifest we live according to the Discipline of Divine patience whilst being so great a multitude we behave our selves with peace and submission This hath been the practice of good Christians in all Ages and to do otherwise is to sit in the Throne of the Almighty and to slight the Legislative Power turning God out of his Soveraignty affronting him in his Authority and in his Laws making themselves the sure Heirs of Heaven because the Apostle saith They that resist shall receive damnation All Subjects Prelates Peers and People are forbidden with the tongue to revile Kings Exod. 22.28 with the heart to think ill of them Eccles 10.20 or with the hand to resist them Rom. 13.2 It is not the wickedness * Si à saevo Principe crudeliter torquemur c. subeat primum delictorum nostrorum recordatio quae talibus haud dubie Domini flagellis castigantur inde humilitas impatientiam nostram fraenabit nobis nullum aliud quà m parendi patiendi datum est mandatum Calv. Instit of the Prince should cause any to neglect their duty to his Person nor the injuries done by him tempt them to forget their Allegiance because in the worst ‖ In homine deterrimo honoreque omni indignissimo penes quem modò sit publica potestas praeclara illa divina potestas residet quam Dominus justitiae judicii sui ministris verbo suo detulit proinde à subditis eadem in reverentia dignitate habendus quantum ad publicam obedientiam attinet quâ optimum Regem si daretur habituri essent Calv. Instit and most unworthy King the Divine Authority resides which God in his Word hath given to righteous Magistrates and therefore Subjects are to have the same reverence for him as far as it belongs unto publick obedience as for the best King The Divine Wisdom by the Tyranny of cruel Kings †Etsi non loquatur Dominus satis tamen flagellis ipsis plagis vocat ut enim Scripturam nobis omnem Prophetas Doctores Monitores deesse fingamus aerumnis tamen calamitatibus nos erudit ut breviter definire possimus plagam vocationem ad poenitentiam esse Calvin Wicked Princes by Divine permission are exalted to punish the sins of the people tollenda est igitur culpa ut cesset Tyrannorum plaga Aquin. de Regim Princ. l. 1. c. 6. makes tryal of the Vertues and Graces of his Saints and people that they who are found patient in tribulation constant in truth loyal in subjection may be crown'd with glory and happiness It was the height of Caesar's ambition to walk in the steps of Alexander and of the Turkish Emperour to walk in the steps of Caesar and of Themistocles to walk in the steps of Miltiades so it is the height of a Christians glory to be a follower of Christ who is the Mirrour of Angels and Beauty of Heaven whose life is the perfect Idea of all Vertue and exact Pattern of holy living tread therefore in the holy steps of the blessed Jesus the Saviour of Mankind whose actions should be our instruction and the patience and obedience practised by our Lord the rule of our imitation Leo in Serm. de Nat. Dom. Frustra appellamur Christiani si imitatores non fuerimus Christi Christ and his Apostles both by Precept and Example left to all succeeding generations Christian obedience and subjection Had the Language of the Scripture and sacred Oracle of the Word so positively declared against Conformity as it has REBELLION the Dissenters of this Age would have got into the Revelations to loosen the Seals pour out the Vials and phantastically interpreted the Fates of Kingdoms and Churches ruine God is angry with them says the elegant Moralist Plutarch that counterfeit his Thunder and Lightning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his Scepter his Thunderbolt and his Trident he will not let them meddle with these he does not love they should imitate him in his absolute Dominion and Soveraignty in the arm of his Power or finger of his Miracles but loves to see them darting out those amiable and cherishing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those beamings out of justice goodness and clemency imitating his meekness and humility long-suffering and
Testamentum nuncupant qui mortem Testatoris negant Quomodo libertatem usurpant qui negant sanguinem quo redempti sunt * Ambros ep 73. lib. 9. S. Ambrose says That he who receives the Mystery otherwise than Christ appointed i. e. in one kind when Christ has appointed two is unworthy of the Lord and he cannot have devotion It s innovation and novelty is clearly manifest if we look into the Glass of Antiquity but from the beginning it was not so ‖ Mat. 19.8 See the Reverend Dr. Pierce in his primitive Rule of Reformation as our Saviour said of Divorce which is a sufficient confutation Cassander * Ecclesia Orientalis in hunc usque diem Occidentalis verò sive Romana mille amplius annis continuis non aliter quà m sub duplici specie in conventu Ecclesiae Sacramentum hoc Dominici corporis sanguinis administrasse legitur c. Consult de utraque Spec. says That the Eastern Church to this day and the Western or Roman Church for more than a thousand years did exhibit the Sacrament in both Elements to all the Members of Christs Church S. Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Body and one Cup is given to all Pope Calixtus * Peractâ consecratione omnes communicent qui noluerint Ecclesiasticis carere hominibus sic autem etiam Apostoli statuerunt Sancta Romana tenet Ecclesia De Consecrat dist cap. 2. speaks fully When the Consecration is finish'd let all communicate that will not be thrust from the bounds of the Church for so the Apostles appointed and so the holy Church of Rome does hold Pope Gelasius ‖ Comperimus quòd quidam sumptâ tantummodo corporis sacri portione à calice sacri cruoris abstineant Qui pro culdubio quoniam nescio quâ superstitione docentur astricti aut integra Sacramenta percipiant aut ab integris arceantur quod divisio unius ejusdemque mysterii sine grandi non sit sacrilegio De Cons dist cap. 2. Some taking saith he a portion only of the sacred Body do abstain from the Chalice of the sacred Blood I know not by what Superstition they are obliged let them either receive the intire Sacrament or be kept from the whole because the division of one and the same Mystery cannot be without grand Sacriledge Nothing can be a greater cause of wonder and amazement in the consideration of it than that the Church of Rome should seek to obscure the light of Truth shining as clearly as the Sun in its Meridian beauty and splendor arrogating to themselves a Dominion over our Faith and introducing such Doctrines and Practices as are contrary to the Rules of Christ and his Apostles and the purest Ages of the Church As Lawgivers setting themselves down in S. Peters Chair as they pretend and magisterially decree * Si quis dixerit ex Dei praecepto vel de necessitate salutis esse omnes singulos Christi fideles utramque speciem Eucharistiae sumere debere Anathema sit Concil Trident Sess 5. Can 1. Laws and Constitutions diametrically opposite to the Divine command and Christs holy Institution When the Lamp of Reason is darkened and obscured the Soul presently embraces a cloud and courts a shadow the blackest errours and most palpable wickedness must needs cover the face of those Souls that start back and apostatize from their God and their Reason To preserve therefore its lustre and integrity in the memories of all those who bear any true love to substantial Truth the ancient Light establish'd and receiv'd in the Church of England is a secure Guide to direct us not to be weary of old Truths forsaking the ancient paths to espouse new and fond Opinions that we neither incline to the cunningly composed Charms of Popery on one hand or ignorant ‖ The Separatists and Papists have been playing at Tennis and the Government and Hierarchy are the Balls they toss The Separatist strikes them into the Popes Hazard calling them Antichristian Prelacy The Papist with vehemence rackets them back again as Schismatical but the Roman Church are the Schismaticks in renouncing alâ— communion with all Christian Churches in the World except their oâ—â—â— and iâ—l it is with us which soever wins the game The one bâ—â—â—â—s down the wall of Sion by disturbing the peace of the Reformed Câ—â—â—ch â—he other builds up the ruines of Babylon in superstitious Vanitâ—â— And they are so fast linked and tied together like Samsons Fâ—â—â—â— with Fire-brands of Sedition that if they be not quenched by thâ—â—â— wâ—r of Majesty they can't chuse when the means are fitted to thâ—â— Plot but sâ—t the Church on fire and the State in an uproar Sectarians and men of unstable minds on the other who crumbling into Conventicles are ready to joyn with every Enthusiastick Sect and so making Gods Israel to become a speckled Bird of several colours Jer. 12.9 of all varieties of Religion S. Paul has a term for them 2 Tim. 3.8 if they like it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of sick brains as well as of corrupt minds And such is the arrogant disposition of some transported humors being under the torrid Zone of unruly passion that rather than they will acknowledge their errours though never so apparent the very State and Law it self must be condemn'd and condescend to their distempers being led more by their own pleasing Fancies than right Reason or the sacred Rules of Piety and Truth who have laboured to sow the Tares of Dissention in the Vineyard of the Lord disquieting the Unity of Gods Church Division is the only musical note that sounds harmoniously in the ears of our Zimries And it is a Truth undeniable That these later times have produced a doleful Scene of various transactions and consequently discover'd and brought to light the unparalell'd designs and execrable intentions of Fanatical zeal or Democratical fury for the Dissenters in this Age have conspir'd together to untye the knot of Christian Charity and produce an unhappy Schism in the Church what else mean those strange whispers mysterious workings and grand plotting who would not only uncover the roof and take down the Pyramids and Battlements of venerable Episcopacy but like the rough Sons of Edom raze it even to the ground And under hypocritical disguises contrive the sad prodigy of Treason whereby we see that Apostates to Atheism and Revolters to Schism are Monsters of ingratitude or Fiends incarnate who could imagine mischief against so much Mercy and sin against so great Goodness requiting the Protection of a gracious Prince with traiterous Machinations * See His Majesties Declaration concerning the Treasonable Conspiracy against his Sacred Person and Government read in all Churches and Chappels within this Kingdom Septemb 9. 1683. and under the mask and specious pretences of Religion bring to ruine the Government of the Kingdom as it is by Law establish'd in Church and State Loyalty like fresh and