I was with him shewing great trouble in minde yet not without comfort in the Lord whose servant I doubt not but he dyed The vvords uttered by him and other circumstances mentioned in the Letter aforesaid vve spare yet to set dovvne as vve vvould also still have done the thing it self but that vve are thus continually provoked hereunto and that vve hope it vvill be for the good of others to stay them from such courses and above all to the glorie of God vvhich is to be observed and acknovvledged in all his vvorks And vvhereas it is so often objected by M. Bernard M. Hall M. White Christopher Lawne and others that the Pastors brother vvas excommunicated among us and his father also it is to be noted that yet never a one of them hath undertaken to shevve the causes to be unjust or the thing unlavvfull Nay vvhen Mr. VVhite made it one head of his book to except vvhat he could about the excommunications that had passed in this Church and vvrote of sundrie persons their causes in particular yet it may be observed that he doth not so much as once offer to insist upon theirs vvhich of all others no doubt he vvould most of all have done if he had thought he could have made any plea thereabout And vvho vvill not consider that such as vvould thus blame the excommunicating of any persons should first be able and carefull to shevv the causes thereof and the proceeding against them to be unjust For othervvise if they be just and lavvfull so as none can except thereagainst it is the more godly and commendable though accompanied vvith greater tryall vvhen neyther father nor mother brother nor sister sonne nor daughter are spared As in the Scriptures vve read hovv Moses commended and God blessed Levi for not knovving his ovvne father or mother brethren or children but observed the vvord of God and did his vvill against them though it vvere to the inflicting of death upon them Deut. 33.8.9 with Exod. 32 26-29 Eyther therefore let men by the vvord of God disprove the causes and proceeding in the excommunications they except against at any time or els being not able so to doe the more they vvrite against us the more it maketh for us in deede and so vvill be observed by them that are vvise according to godlynes Besides seeing the parties here spokē of are novv departed this life if M. Iohnson should vvrite any thing about thē by vvhich they should novv be foūd blame vvorthy vvho can not perceive that this then also vvould be abused against him and that men vvould not stick to saye that novv he might speak vvhat he vvould of them vvhen they vvere not living to ansvver for themselves and that although they vvere novv dead so neare unto him as they vvere yet he vvould vvrite thus and thus of them c. For they that spare not so to abuse him as novv they do even about things publikely heard and knovven vvhereof there are so manie vvitnesses yet living hovv vvould they much more abuse any thing that he should novv say or vvrite concerning them vvhen they are gone and departed this life They that observe hovv he and the rest of us are dealt vvithall vvill consider these things And it shall be good for him and us all to possesse our soules vvith pacience to vvaite on the Lord trusting in his mercie making our refuge in the shadovve of his vvings till our calamities be overpast and that it please the Lord to save us from the reproch of them that vvould svvallovve us up For doubtles God vvill send forth his mercie and his truth as he hath hitherto graciously delivered our soules from death our feet from falling that vve may vvalke before him in the light of the living Psal 57. The other that vvrote in like sorte as these have done vvas Thomas White spoken off before vvho after his living here and vvriting so ungodly as he did returned and lived a Minister at London under the Prelates vvhere vvhen he had after some vvhile gottē a benefice in such sort as he did the Lord soon ended his daies These things I thought thus briefly to mention being it may be of some not regarded as they should And hovv ever the Lord spare such mē let thē goe on in their course a vvhile yet in the end if they repent not his hand vvill finde them out and bring their vvaies upon their ovvn heads as throughout the Scriptures vve may read Psal 52. 55 12.13.14.15-23 But novv omitting to vvrite any thing more of them that have thus dealt vvith us leaving them to the Lord I vvill proceede to the next and last speciall matter vvhich at this time I purpose to speake of And that is about the persons spoken of in this last book vvho of late divided them selves from us and have since that time given forth some exceptions and Articles of difference both here at Amsterdam and othervvhere Here they gave out some vvhich vve heard of but never had copie of them untill novv that these men have printed them being taken as they say from the originall copie Othervvise also they have given out the like in letters sent into England as vve have heard by meanes of one there to vvhom they sent had certaine knovvledge thereof vvho dealt more godly and indifferently thereabout then any other of them that have in such sorte ben possessed and praejudiced against us And as that party dealt vvell vvith us in acquainting us vvith those things vvhich thus covertly vvere vvritten given out against us so did vve also for his better satisfying vvrite unto him againe in particular thereabout The vvhich both Articles and Ansvveres thereunto vve haue thought good to keep them by our selues hitherto But seeing that other the like in effect though increased in nūber are thus published to the vvorld and that therein they have not as they ought handled justifyed the causes for vvhich they separated from us vvhich vvere annexed at the end of the treatise upon Mat. 18.17 and shall also be againe annexed here but haue gone about also to possesse the vvorld vvith other matters then those for vvhich they made their breach and by these their courses doe impute blame unto our doctrine as if vve mainteyned opinions contrarie to the truth labouring thereby to sette a more glorious shevv upon their popular government and pleadings and that thereby vve perceive the truth is much hindered and vve injuried and many by their meanes and opinions so deceived that they despise the holy government of Christ vvhich he hath set in his Church to be administred by the Elders thereof refuse to submit thereunto and that not onely they vvho have thus vvritten dealt here but others also in our ovvn coūtrie praejudiced vvith these matters and sinisterly possessed vvith some of their vvritings against us and our cause are likevvise corrupted and so have shevved it
both vvhen occasionally some of us haue been vvith them there and also among them selues as vve hear vve haue therefore for these and other the like reasons thought it good not to keepe these things any longer private by us but for the better satisfying of all touching the things vve hold and the clearing of our selves from the imputations layed upon us hereabout and removing the scandall vvhich some have taken are like yet more to take upon the publishing of this vvriting of theirs novv therefore to print also the said Ansvver to their exceptions that men may see and be able the better to judge beÌ„tvveen us them vvhen they shall haue heard both of us speak shall have asvvell our ansvvers as their objections to read and consider of by the vvord of God And though it haue thus fallen out betvveen us and our brethren they grovven to that height that they vvould not be persvvaded to continevv vvith us in coÌ„munion vvise men vvill consider it is but an auncient practise of Sathan thus to disquiet and trouble the Church of God In the Church at Corinth vvere contentions and dissensions raised up amongst the brethren so that some held of one Teacher some of an other 1 Cor. 1 10-12 And aftervvard vvhat contention grevve betvveene the eastern and vvestern Churches about the time of keeping the feast of Easter none can be ignorant that hath read thereabout the auncient histories Also vvhat fell out betvveene our ovvne countrimen at Franckfurt in the daies of Q. Marie they beeing then in exile for the truth as novv vve are their troubles and contentions are extant in print thereabout Yea our Saviour himself sayth it must needs be that offences come Mat. 18.7 And the Apostle sayth there must be schismes and heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest 1 Cor. 11.18.19 Novv seeing the like troubles divisions and disagreements have fallen out in former times in the Churches of God and that men have their infirmities though othervvise being religious and fearing God they vvhich are of a spirituall discerning vvill not upon everie occasion that ariseth amongst the professors of Christ by reason of their vveaknesses and personall sinnes and infirmities open their mouthes to speake evil of the vvaie of God though some take pleasure therein vvho shall finde one daie the avenging hand of God upon them if they repent not And touching these persons aforesaid that have so separated from us and thus offensively vvritten I persvvade my self that manie of them are persvvaded though deceived by the subtiltie of Sathan that they have the truth and that they did runne at the first into these extremities being carried as the Anabaptists and others also haue been vvith a zeale for the truth glorie of God against that Antichristian Apostasie governmeÌ„t vvhich formerly the Prelates ministers of that usurped authoritie oppressed theÌ„ vvithall And for myne ovvne part I hope that so manie of them as are the Lords elect he vvill in time by the meanes used for their good give them to see both their errours they stand in their grievous sinne in so rashly and unjustly breaking off them selves from the Church vvhereof they stood members that others by their example vvill take heed of the like hereafter These things I thus vvrite not to excuse evil in any but to take avvay occasion froÌ„ them that seek occasion to rayse up sclander against the cause of God by reason of these things thus falling out amongst us and that men should knovve that the vvaie of God hangeth not upon the lives of men but is to be regarded in respect of the Lord the author thereof Verie evill therefore doe they that take occasion upoÌ„ such dissensions to blaspheme the truth it self The erroneous vvalking of any professors shall not excuse others that imbolden themselues thereby to stand in Apostasie and seeke not after the truth and vvaie of God that Christ hath commanded all to vvalke in Thus having good Reader praefixed this short advertisement for thy better informatioÌ„ about the things aforesaid as also about this my purpose in setting forth of this Ansvver to the Objections aforsaid receiue novv the Ansvver it self as it vvas penned by the vvriter thereof vvith some additions thereunto by the same author upon occasion of inlargeing and publishing of the said Exceptions novv printed This ansvver I pray thee Christian Reader vievv and consider vvell that if it be the vvil of God thou mayest be satisfyed of the truth vve hold about these things And if in any thing we fayle hereabout through ignorance and want of understanding we shall willingly receiue and that with thanks thy brotherly advertisement thereof And because among other things we are much abused about a particular concerning the Church of Rome wee haue therefore hereunto annexed somewhat out of the writings of M. Iunius against Bellarmine about that matter not that we relie upon the judgment of men in causes of Religion but because we knowe that manie who are caried with a praejudice against us will yet more staye them when they see what M. Iunius hath written of that argument In whose writing although there be some schoole termes hard to be englished well in our tounge for the understanding of all as we desire yet we have so done it into english as we hope the meaning thereof will by all be conceived and attayned unto And thus leaving these â—hings with the event thereof unto the Lord his good blessing of his mercie in Christ I humbly beseech the most vvise God to cause the light of his heavenly word to shine forth more and more for the discovering of all errour and false opinions courses hindering the successe of the auncient truth and so to establish the Churches of God in that old and good vvaie prescribed by the Lord and his Apostles and Prophets Amen A COPIE OF THE vvriting touching the division made among us vvhich vvas sent to a friend in England By Mr. H. A. BEcause you have heard of the sorrowes that have befallen us here M. Ains Letter whereby your grief is the more augmented and because the true report estate of things perhaps is not so well knowen unto you I will also briefly touch the smart wherewith God hath humbled us caused our breach to be as the sea which can not be cured Manie daies of comfort God gave us here together whilest in singlenes of hart we sought him in the mids of our pilgrimage with love peace But love of preheminence which hath alwaies troubled the Church of Christ hath also troubled us whilest the Governours of the Church which should serve it with meeknes would rule it with Lordship 1. Confes artic 24. Apol. pag 26.63 1 For whereas we had learned and professed that Christ hath given the power to receive in or to cut off any member to the vvhole bodie together of everie Congregation
transgressions of those Churches and members thereof vvhere novv they are or vvhere ever they should be But thus hath it pleased God to make us like in bearing reproches and calumniations to his Saincts and people of old vvho feeling the burden therof to be heavie and grievous complained unto the Lord saying How long shall the adversarie reproch shall the enemie blaspheme thy name for ever Psal 74.10 And againe they utter forth their complaint saying Wee are a reproch to our neighbours a scorne and derision to them that are round about us Psal 79.4 And even this is our case vvho also are made a reproch to our neighbours a jest and a laughing stock to them that are round about us having our soules also as they had theirs filled too full of the mocking of the vvealthie and dispitefulnes of the proud Psal 44.13 and 123.4 So that in respect hereof vve may complain vvith David vvho said I was a reproch among all myne enemies but specially among my neighbours and a feare to myne acquaintance who seeing mee in the streets fled from me And againe I am become a straunger unto my Brother even an aliant unto my mothers sonnes I became a proverbe unto them and they that sitte in the gatespake against me and the drunckards song of me Psal 31.11 and 69.7.8.11.12 And although our loving Father do thus humble chastise us justly for our sinnes yet doth he also in mercie cover them and gives us novv to beare these sclanderous reports of Schismatikes and the like for the testimonie of his truth In vvhich respect the Lord indeed honoureth us For our Churches estate and our consciences do vvitnesse vvith us and for us to God and men that vve have not vvillingly left any truth or any ordinance of God that vve had formerly received vvith others in our apostate standing but are carefull to reteyne them all vvhat in us is purged from the corruptions that vvere mixed vvith thē in our former corrupt receiving of thē Neyther have vve made division and offences contrarie to the doctrine vvhich vve have learned from the Apostles but do vvalke in the auncient vvaie of the primitive Churches keeping the ordinances vvorship and order of government prescribed by the Apostles vvithout the mixture of Antichristiā or other humane additions And therefore unjustly are vve termed Schismatikes If it can be shevved othervvise in any thing let the vvitnesses the vvritings of the Apostles and Prophets be brought forth against us and vve trust vve shall through the grace of God yeeld thereunto as vve have ben carefull hitherto to shevv it forth in the redressing of such things as have ben observed among us to svvarve any vvaie frō the word of God Great are our tryals by men on all hands vvhich vve suffer for our vvitnesse bearing of Iesus vvhiles besides our exile other afflictions some are speaking bitter and sclanderous vvords against us yea and our ovvne neighbours spare us not and others also sharpen their pennes to reproch us and to that ende vvrite reprochful books against us that vve may say vvith Israel If the Lord had not bene on our side when men rose up against us they had swallowed us up quick Psal 124. 1-3 Yet if these reproches hard dealings touched our selves onely and did not vvith all reach to the truth vvhich vve vvitnesse vve could and vvould rest patiently vvayting untill the Lord avenge our cause vvould not once open our mouthes or set our pennes to paper to vvrite in defence of our porsonall injuries But seeing thus together vvith detracting of us the truth of God comes to be reproched and despised in this respect if vve should passe over these things altogether vvith silence and not stand in defence of the Lords cause vve might be arraigned justly as guyltie of betraying his truth as men ashamed of Christ before men VVe dare not therefore herein be vvanting to beare vvitnesse to the vvord of truth vvhen men thus labour the darkning thereof and for the maintenance of their ovvne corruptions do set them selves to speake and vvrite against the same Of late there is come forth a pamphlet and sclanderous book full of reproches published by one Christopher Lawne and other his companions In vvhich there are conteyned sundrie things of divers sorts Some touching our generall cause about the Church of England some concerning the singing of Psalmes used among us some about personall matters concerning divers of us others some touching a divisio made lately by divers amōg us c. Concerning our generall cause although we have written often and manie treatises thereabout vvhich remaine yet unansvvered yet seeing vve are here againe thus abused about it and that not onely by the persons aforesaid vvhich vve might better passe by but by one M. Robert Parker vvhose testimonie is here inserted vve purpose therefore Godvvilling to vvrite in particular about his testimonie c so againe by this occasion to publish somevvhat more about that our generall cause aforesaid although for the present vve have both some occasions to deale in other things and some reasons to staye us yet a vvhile frō publishing of that vvhich by the grace of God vve purpose to doe In the meane time let this be noted concerning M. Parker and his testimonie hovv he hath heretofore in a large booke pleaded against the Church of England that by reason of the crosse in Baptisme other Ceremonies reteyned among them they become guiltie of the breach of all the tenne commandements as also of cōmuniō vvith Antichrist slaverie under him c. Novv vve purpose to trie hovv he can on the other hand approve the state of the same Church as novv it standeth and as it is vvitnessed against by us hovv he can vvarrant us communion vvith the same in that their estate or vvhether it may please God by this meanes to give him others better to observe and regarde their halting betvveen tvvo opinions then hitherto they have done VVe finde that for the former plea handled in his book he hath alledged the Scriptures plētifully as throughout the book may be seen but vvhether he can so doe for this latter spokē of in his testimonie against us time and further occasion vvill manifest Yet in the meane time all may see that there is not the like done against our cause eyther in his testimonie published or in the vvhole book vvherevvith his testimonie is joyned vvhich is as barren of vvarrant from the Scripture for the estate of the Church of Englād called into questiō as M. Parkers former book against it is fruitfull therein VVhich let the Reader vvell observe Touching the singing of Psalmes used amongst us vvhereof the persons aforesaid speak also their pleasure in their book vve are purposed ere long if God vvillto publish them vvhatsoever those men saye or vvould insinuate to the contrarie or in anie other respect thereabout And so vve shall leave it to the
AN ADVERTISEMENT CONCERNING A BOOK LATELY PVblished by Christopher Lawne and others against the English exiled Church at Amsterdam By Richard Clyfton Teacher of the same Church Psal 57.4 My soule is among Lyons I lye among them that are set on fyre even the sonnes of men vvhose teeth are speares and arrovves and their tongue a sharp svvord Esa 50.6 I gave my back vnto the smyters my cheeks to them that plucked off the hayre I hid not my face from shame and spitting Mat. 10.24.25 The disciple is not above his master nor the servant above his Lord. It is ynough for the disciple that he be as his master is and the servant as his Lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub hovv much more them of his houshold PRINTED In the yeare of our Lord 1612. The Preface to the Reader CHristian Reader it is not unknowen that when Thomas White published his Book called A Discoverie of Brownisme as now againe of late Christopher Lawne others with him have done theirs that there was an Inquirie Answer thereof written by the Pastour of this Church wherein he followed the particulars from point to point In which regarde it may be thought lesse needefull to write any thing about this latter Book being of like matter and argument with the other Yet in some respects we have thought it not amisse now to give thee this short advertisement and the few observations following about the contents of this latter Book also especially about that poynt of the division made lately among us and the articles given out thereabout Concerning which there was not such occasion before eyther in that Answer to Thomas VVhite or in any other of our writings to publish somewhat thereabout as there was about the other matters cōteyned in this Book of theirs And therefore for thy better stay and information is the advertisement following now given thee about these things where they are more at large though yet but briefly spoken of Which thou shal◠do well to consider of indifferently and be not caried from the truth or against it by any sinister meanes used to that purpose but remember what hath ben the lot of the truth and servants of God in all ages And as thy love is to the Lord Iesus Christ so let it appeare in the imbracing of his truth revealed and i◠giving witnesse unto the same And the Lord our God increase in thyne hart the riches of the full assurance of understanding to knowe the mysterie of God Col. 2.2 even the father and of Christ and to rejoyce in the faith and order prescribed in his word And he give thee to discerne thereof aright that the entiseing words of mans wisdome deceive thee not but goe to the lavv and to the testimonie if they speak not according to this vvord it is because there is no light in them Esa 8.20 So mayest thou soundly judge of things that differ And the Lord give thee understanding in all all things 2 Tim. 2.7 AN ADVERTISEMENT CONcerning a Book lately published by Christopher Lavvne and others against the English exiled Church at Amsterdam WHen it pleased the Lord Iesus to reveale the vvord of his truth unto the Gentiles by the ministerie of his servants the Apostles there arose up adversaries to vvithstand the same and to abuse his vvitnesses thereof VVhē Paul and Barnabas vvere sent forth by the Lord to preach the Gospel to the nations they cōming to Paphus the Deputie Sergius Paulus called them unto him and desired to heare the vvord of God then Sathan stirred up his instrument Elymas a false Prophet and a sorcerer vvho vvithstood them sought to turne avvay the Deputie from the fayth Act. 13 6-10 The like also did some of the Ievves at Antiochia vvho seeing the vvord of God to prevayle amongst the Gentiles and them desirous of further instructiō therein vvere full of envie spake against those things vvhich vvere spoken of Paul contradicting blaspheming ver 45. Like enemies did Paul again finde at Ephesus of the Ievves For he having spoken boldly in their Synagogue for the space of three moonths disputing persvvading the things concerning the kingdome of God then certaine of the Ievves having their harts hardened not onely disobeyed and beleeved not the vvord but spake evill of that vvaie before the multitude Act. 19.8.9 And manie other the like exāples of men opposing against the vvord of truth and of haters persecuters of the professors thereof might be shevved both out of the Scriptures and ecclesiasticall histories And as then it vvas in the first opening of the light to the Gentiles that Sathan by his Ministers vvithstood the preaching thereof so novv since that the Lord in mercie hath discovered the man of sinne and caused his truth obscured by the darke mistes of Poperie againe to be revealed to us in these last tymes sending his first Apoc. 14.6 c. second and third Angels to preach an everlasting Gospel to thē that dvvell on the earth that vvere overspread in Apostasie vvith the errors abhominations of the man of sinne and to teach us to vvalke in the vvaies of God calling us from the vvorship of the beast and receiving of his marke to keepe the commandements of God and the faith of Iesus c. even novv also I say have there risen up enemies of all sortes to stoppe this vvaie of truth to reproch vexe and persequute the vvitnesses thereof For to passe by all those hard speaches and ungodly deeds that have bene since before the dayes of Luther against the Saincts and faith of Iesus I vvill come to our ovvne particular case and state vvhereof there be manie of us that by experience can give testimonie vvhat hard measure vve have susteyned for the cause of Christ and do still undergoe reproches sclanders railings against and the like as it cannot be unknovven especially to our countrimen vvhat vve have borne at the handes of some of them vvho have manie times vvaies smitten us vvith their tongues Ier. 18.18 besides all the other troubles and persecutions susteyned by us to imprisonment banishment and death it self And vvhat is it for but because according to the measure of grace given us from above vve have separated our selves frō such corruptions of Antichrist vvherein vve formerly stood and doe vvalke in the vvaie of the Lord revealed uuto us out of his vvord vvitnessing against all false vvaies and devises of men brought into the Church for the vvorship service of God our desire and indevour being to stand and plead for that old and good vvaie of God vvherein all are bound to vvalke Ier. 6.16 For if the opposition against us vvere onely and simply for sinne and through an hatred that such men have against sinne then vvould they first begin vvith them selves both to look to their ovvne sinnes and iniquities and to take the like course against the sinnes and
not to any one or moe members sequestred from the vvhole Now we have been lately taught that the Church which Christ sendeth to for the redresse of sinnes Mat. 18.17 is not to be understood of the whole bodie of the Congregation but of the Church of Elders And it being graunted of all that with the Church is the power the Elders being the Church have the power and so not the whole bodie of the congregation together 2 We had learned 2. Treâ—â— of the Ministerie of Eng. pag. 63. Apol. pag. 63. that everie true Church of Christ hath this povver to cast out obstinate sinners from amongst theÌ„ and this not onely vvhen it hath Officers but also vvhen it vvanteth them But wow we were taught that a people without Officers have not power to cast out obstinate sinners Which doctrine amongst other evils overthroweth the constitution of the Church that so taught for it was gathered and constituted by Christians without Officers receiving in the repentant and casting out the disobedient whereas by this opinion they had power from Christ to doe neyther for they that can not cast out can not receive in one power is for both 3 We had learned that everie Christian Congregation hath povver and commandement to elect ordeyne their ovvn ministerie according to the rules of Gods vvord 3. Confes art 23. 35. Apol. pag. 46. and upon such default in life doctrine or administration as by the rule of the vvord depriveth them of the ministerie by due order to depose them from their ministerie they exercised yea if the case so require orderly to cut them off by excommunication But now it is by some mainteyned that the Congregation can neither put into office nor put out of office unlesse they have officers to doe both and can neyther for heresie nor other vvickednes excommunicate or depose their Eldership 4 We had learned that none may execute a ministerie 4. Confes art 21. but such as are rightly called by the Church vvhereof they stand ministers unto such offices and in such manner as God hath prescribed in his vvord But now those will execute a ministerie which have not rightly been called by the Church whereof they stand Ministers according to their owne account and doctrine which hold as before that a people without Officers have no warrant from God to make or depose Ministers 5 We had learned that it vvas grosse error and notorious absurditie 5. Apol. p. 113. 116 n. 112. either to hold the popish Church to be a true Church having a true ministerie and true Sacraments or els that men must admit of rebaptising But now wee have heard that the Baptisme of the Popish Church is true Baptisme by which we are bound to communion or els that men must be rebaptised and that the Church of Rome is the Church of God because Antichrist should sit in the Temple of God 6 We had learned that all particular Congregations are by all meanes convenient to have the counsel and help one of 6. Conf. art 38. another in all needfull affaires of the Church as meÌ„bers of one bodie in the coÌ„mon faith yet here when differences had arisen about our coÌ„mon faith and could not amongst our selves be coÌ„posed they would not desire nor consent to have desired the help of our sister Church at Leyden althovgh it were instantly urged by many members that their assistance should be had And when without their consent the help of that Church was obteyned they laboured our peace a waie of peace was agreed off between the Churches this agrement and peace was not stood unto but reversed by them contrarie to our wil to the wil and liking of the Church at Leyden as the same Church can testifie for us Wherefore after long disputing these matters when no waie of peace could by us be found to continue together in the truth holynes But lamentable Dissipation of the Church members began to growe to the dishonour of Gods name wounding of our harts we followed the commandement of the Apostle which sayd I beseech you brethren marke them diligently which cause divisions offences contrarie to the doctrine which we have learned and avoyde them Rom. 16.17 And have sithens laboured to build up our selves in the holie faith whereunto God hath called us in love peace mourning for the great scandall and reproch which Sathan hath wrought by this breach amongst us Thus have I shewed you the fountaine of our sorrowes which God for our sinnes hath brought upon us He look upoÌ„ us in mercie pittie the dispersion of Sion And you as you have knowen the truth which is sealed to your conscience so abide therein faithfull unto the end knowing it is the lot of Gods people thus to be exercised with troubles in it self which if we beare with patience and constansie doe overcome our portion shall be in the tree of life which is in the midest of the Paradise of God H. A. THE ARTICLES AND OBIECTIONS About the division vvhich are published in Lawnes discoverie of schisme page 79. c. THe 23 article of the Confession of our faith whereto also our Apologie agreeth page 46.47 professeth that everie Christian congregation hath povver to elect ordeyne their ovvne ministerie c. upon desert againe to depose yea excommunicate them These have defended that a Congregation without Ministers can not ordeyne officers And that if the Eldership fall into heresie or wickednesse the whole Congregation cannot depose nor excoÌ„municate them And that a Congregation without an Eldership cannot excommunicate any wicked person whatsoever 2. The 24 article confirmed in our Apologie page 60.62.63 professeth that the povver to receiue in or to cut off any member is given to the vvhole bodie together of everie Christian Congregation Mat. 18.17 c. These have pleaded for the Eldership to be the Church Mat. 18. to have both rightfull power and able power to excommunicate though without against the consent of the bodie of the Congregation 3. The 29 article as also our Apologie page 51.52 professeth that the Hierarchie of Archbishops Lordbishoppes Priests c. are a straunge and Antichristian Ministerie Officers not instituted by Christs Testament nor placed in or over his Church These have placed over them one that was made Priest by a Lordbishops ordination so as because of it they did not ordeyne or impose hands on him when at the same time they ordeyned and imposed hands on others whom together with him they set over the Church 4. The 31 article and also our Apologie page 109. professeth that such ecclesiasticall assemblies as remaine so in coÌ„fusion bondage under that Antichristian Ministerie Courts Canons c. caÌ„not be esteemed true visible Churches c. These now pleade not onely for them but for Rome it self to be the true Church of God 5. The 32 article whereto our Apologie agreeth page
These turbulent outragious persons haue takeÌ„ counsel of Machivel Ansvv to disgrace men by clamours reproaching knovving that such things being once cast upon men though never so false and by never so vile creatures yet vvill ever after leaue some blot stayne behinde them therfore haue they also in this their eight last article besprinckled me with the poyson of asps under their tongues by falsely slaundering me herein as the Lord knoweth And these unconscionable men cannot be ignorant hovv the vvoman her self hath in our publike congregation affirmed I never gaue her that counsel besides Clement Saunders if not all the rest of them doth knowe for certaine that another of the Elders with my self brought her to the Church for her transgressing in that action And now that these my deadly adversaries haue shewed their malice against me to the full as their detestable and abhominable book so esteemed spoken of by many doth proclame unto the world let them not thinke but that themselues are such vvhose sinnes are with before the Lord the alseeing God and most just judge to whom for all their wicked speakings I leaue them eyther for mercie or for judgement according to his good wil pleasure And touching all everie one of the particulars both litle and great vvith their long lothsome coÌ„parison between me another vvherewith they haue reproached me in their book they are eyther mere lyes or falsely related or vvickedly perverted not one of them otherwise saue onely those my sinnes which I haue in this my answer coÌ„fessed VVhich sinnes of mine as I knovve am assured the Lord hath forgiven so doe I humbly beseech all those to whose eares the offence of my sinnes past are come that they also vvould forgiue me as themselues doe expect in fayth to be pardoned of God for all their sinnes and trespasses Blessed is the man that judgeth wisely of the poor the Lord shall deliver them in the time of trouble c. Psal 41.1 c. Daniel Studley THus Christian Reader I haue shewed thee M. Studleys answer draweÌ„ by himself By vvhich thou mayest perceiue the ungodly dealing of these men against him As for others among us vvhom they haue also abused in like sort see the Inquirie and Answer of Thomas Whites book Pag. 28.29.30.36 37.39.40.43.44.45 46 50.51.61 c. vvho published divers of the same things and other the like as are here novv printed againe And vvhat should I doe then repeating the same like answers to the same or like objections seing also Thomas VVhite vvas so plainly convinced of sclander bad dealing therein as he could never after open his mouth to reply or disproue the answer given Yet these men vvould make the vvorld beleeue that he had sufficiently answered the matter by his atturney brought proof of the things by witnesses depositions before the Magistrates for vvhich himself vvas never able to stand reply againe after the ansvver aforesaid vvas published And therefore whereas they insert here pag. 26. 27. certayne things extracted out of Whites book Lawnes discoverie c. thou art to knovve that they are the verie things for vvhich some of us so abused did bring him before the Magistrates for justice by vvhom how he was rebuked is as vvell knovven to us as it is unto all that he was left unpunished unprosequâ—â—ed othervvise then he deserved pag. 28. And vvhere they bring out a court roule as they say that the judges gaue default for not appearing against Francis Iohnson and Henrie Ainsworth The opposant was Tho. White and in regard thereof discharged the Opposant of the Arrest done on his person condemning the Arresters in costs and charges of the suit c. I am certainly informed by the parties themselues yet living here namely M. Iohnson and M. Ainsworth that they never arrested Th. White so neyther vvere nor could be condeÌ„ned in costs charges of the suit And that such others of us as did indeed arrest bring him for justice before the Magistrates as is aforesaid did never hear of being condemned in costs charges afore they sawe it in this printed book By vvhich such as are vvise vvill obserue the dealing cariage of those things VVhich vve leane unto God omitting to speak vvhat vve could further of these other matters in this book of theirs Thus gentle Reader I haue giuen thee this advertisement concerning the book aforesaid vvhich my self others of us thought good at this time to be done VVhich we vvould not haue thee so take it as if we would still follovv such persons vvith ansvver after ansvver as novv vve haue done the second time VVe must remember both those Proverbs of Salomon vvhich he hath Prov. 26.4.5 one for answering and an other for not answering as I noted here before in the beginning Neyther let any that loue the truth be moved or discouraged vvith the contumelies oppositions or other persecutions that vve or other the people of God are still subject unto If such reproachfull courses should haue ben taken against Iacobs familie against the people of Israel against the Churches of Corinth Galatia others heretofore or at this daye vvhat volumes invectines might be vvritten and spread over the vvorld from age to age And if sinnes and sinners of all sorts should not fall out and be found in the Church vvhy appointed God such lavves and punishments for sinners in Israel vvhy hath he given censures to his church still to be had and continued therein from time to time Finally if vvhen men haue sinned neither the repentance of the penitent nor the censures upon the impenitent shall be regarded or rested in but that both the persons and churches that are carefull so to vvalk shall be thus abused besides all the lyes sclanders annexed vvith all vvhat may vve thinke but that vve haue to deale with beasts rather then men or vvith Chams Doegs Schemeis Rabshakees Sanballats and the like And vvhat can such look for if they repent not but that as Peter sayd they shall utterly perish in their ovvne corruption and as David sayd that God vvill take pluck them out of the Tabernacle and roote them out of the land of the living Selah 2 Pet. 2 12. Psal 52.5 The Lord our God the God of glorie father of mercie work all our things to his praise furtherance of his truth make us partakers of his grace mercie in Christ turne al the enmitie and cursing of men into a favour and blessing upon us increase in us the knovvledge obedience of his vvill in all godlines strengthen us in for his truth unto the end after vve haue suffered here a vvhile bring us to his heavenly rest kingdome for ever Amen 1 Tim. 4.10 For this cause vve both labour suffer reproach because vve trust in the living God vvho is the Saviour of all men specially of those that be leeue Iam. 1.12 Blessed is the man that indureth tentation for vvhen he is tryed he shall receiue the crovvne of life which the Lord hath promised to them that loue him ERRATA Pag. 17. l. 11. read Othervvhere l. 24. in all other places of the book where there is speach of the printed copie of the Articles or Objections about the division understand or put in the margent Lavvnes discoverie of schisme pag. 79. c. Pag. 21. l. 1. themselues Pag. 28. l. 19. more members Pag. 30. l. 20. Mat. 21.42 and lin 21. Eph. 2.12 P. 36. l. 28. 21.19.20 22 15-19 25.7 8 9. Ios 20. P. 37. l. 16. Psa 82.1 Deut. 19. P. 44. l. 7. questions P. 59. l. 17. 14.1 and in the margent Rom. 1.8 P. 64. l. 10.33.44 and l. 17.14.1 l. 22. 1 Pet. 3.18 P. 65. l. 3. Ezec. 29 3. Rev. 13.1 2. P. 76. l. 3. coÌ„ceived P. 94. l. 26. by the Church whereupon afterward they divided themselues from us P. 102. l. 14. contingent