found in Israel to serue the Lord their God 2. Chro. 34. 33. VVith the K. of Nihiuch for th'auoiding of th'imment vengeance of God Ionas 3. 7. c. Proclaime a general Fast. Command euerie man to turn from his euil waie and from the wikednes that is in his handes Herun to subscribe the Churches ptotestant Confe of Heluet. 1 arâ— 26. Heluet. 2. c. 30 Basil. art 7. Bohem. cap. 16. France art 39. Flan. art 36. Saxon. art 23. VVitte cap. 35. The Papists as in other pointes so herein disceÌ„t altogether from the true Church of God For thei teach that No Queen No King None Emperor Hath anie â—uctoâ—tie to deliberate or define in mâ—tters of Religion or to make anie lawes for th'aduancemeÌ„t of the same religion yea vvhat Prince soeuer doth so he shal bee damned saie theie vndoubtedly except theie do repent 4 Th' office of the ciuil Magistrate hath in part alrea die bin declared in this article in part also this proposition she vveth namely that hee is to restraine and if need be to punish the disturbers of the quiet peace of his Common-vvealth and that if occasion do require By force of armes if th' enemies of his State be Foraine Domestical And theie gathered together be Manie Mightie To this end principallie theie haue Men Munition Subsidies Tributs Thus against th' enemies of God good men vvent of Israel Iudah The valiant Iudges The noble and puissant Kinges Princes By executing of wholsome lawes vpon the Goods Cattel Lands Bodies Of their disobedient subiects For he is the minister of God to take vengance on him that doeth euil Rom. 13. 4. Therefore Princes are to be feared Not of them vvhich do wel Rom. 13. 3. Of such as doe vvickedlie Rom. 13. vâ—â— 3. 4. Theie vvhich haue profited in the schoole of Christianitie novvhit doue heereof Confe of Heluet 1 ar 24. 26 Heluet. 2. c. 30. Basil. art 7. Bohem. cap. 16. France art 39. Flan. art 36. Ausb ar 16. Saxon. art 23. But The Cresconians are of an opinion that the Magistrates ar to punish no malefactors Rabanus drea meth that magistracy is not th'ordinaunce of God for the good but an humane inuention for the hurt of man Th'anab aptists deliuer that before the resurrectioÌ„ther shalnot be anie magistrats for al the wiked shal be rooted out The like fancie haue the Fam. of Loue. The Papists think that the Cleargie are not to be punished or corrected of the ciuil magistrate 5 The Bishop of Rome did he Preach the Gospel 1. Cor 9 v. 16 17. 1. Tim. 4 2. Mat. 28. 19 Labor in the Lorde his haruest Mat. 9 38. Diuide the word of God aâ—ight â— Tim. â— 15. Minister the Sacraments instituted by Christ that syncerelie Matt. 28 19. 1. Cor. 10 16. Shew by his life the goodfruits of à godly Bishop 1. Tim. 3 2. c. Tit. 1 7. c Doubtles hee were worthie of double honor by the word of God 1. Tim 5. 17 yet wil not the same worde of God were he neuer so holie religious warrant him anie iurisdictioÌ„ within this realme much lesse when hee doth execute no part of à Christian but euerie part of an Antichristian Bishop In corrupting the doctrin of the truth with errors cursed opinions In defacing the sacrameÌ„ts of the church by supersticious ceremonies In persecuting the Church of Christ with fire and sword In making marchandise of the soules of men thorough couetousnes 2 Pet. 2 3. In plâ—ieng the Lorde ouer gods heretage 1. Pet. 5. 3. In sitting in the temple of God as God shewing himself that hee is God 2. Thes. 2 4. In exalting himself against al that is called god or that is worshipped 2. Thes. 2 4. In respect of which fruits of impietie the pope of Rome He is described in the holie scripture to be verie Antichrist eueÌ„ The wikedman That man of sinne The son of pâ—idition Th' aduersarie of God 2. Thes. 2 3. c. Hee was openlie proclaimed Antichrist by à councel in France in the raigne of Capet He is called by the godlie learned The prince among al the children of pride Verie Lucifer The Basiliske of the Church The plague of the world Neither the head nor the taile of the Church of God His iurisdiction hath bine and is banished out oâ— Englande by manie kings parliments namelie by K. Edwarde the 1. 3. 6. Richard the 2. Henrie the 4 8. His pride and intollerable supremacie is renounced by al the true seruants of God by mouth and writing Confel of Hel. 1. 2. 18 Helue 2 c. 17. 18. Boh. c. 8. 9 Fland art 28. 31. VVittem art 31. Ausburg touching abuses 1 art 7. And that vpon good cause he is thus detested it appeareth as by that alreadie setdowne so by that which the Papists themselues giue out of their holie father as namelie that The pope is In supremacle Abel In gouerning of the Aâ—ke Noah In patriarkship Abraham In Order Melchisedech In dignitie Aaron In auctoritie Moses In iudgement Samuel In zeale Helias In humilitie Dauid In power Peter In respect of his vnâ—tion Christ. The general pastor The common father of al Christians The high pastor of Gods vniuersal Church The prince of Gods people God In title God euen the Lorde God the Pope For power god By him kings raigne He maie iudge al but must be iudged of none He can do what him list as wel as God except sin He hath vniuersal iurisdiction ouer the whole world Vpon paine of damnation al christians are to yeeld obedience to the Pope 6 As the natures of men be diuers and sometimes in some countries more abund than in other so are the punishments to bee imposed vpon malefactors according to the quantitie and qualitie of th'offeÌ„ce and anie countrie and realm maie punish offendors and that with death is the laws thereof do so command and the case requireth For Al that take the sword shal perish with the sworde Matth. 26 52. Gouernors are seÌ„t of the king 1. Pet. 2 14. For The punishmeÌ„t of euil doers The praise of them that do wel A wise king scattereth the wiked and causeth the wheele to turne ouer them Rom. 20 26. The magistrate Rom 13 4. He beareth not the sworde for nought He is the minister of God to takeven geance on theÌ„ that do euil In regarde wherof in some places before the magistrats are borne Rods to correct them which be reformable To cut of such as are past recouerie and rotten meÌ„bers Axes Hatchets Halberds Swords but not bare and naked but in the scabberd to signifie That theie are to haue death which deserue the same yet coÌ„meth the magistrate to that execution vrged therunto by necessitie rather than willinglie VVhich punishments do testifie to the world that God is al iust which wil haue Some sinnes more seuerelie punished than others The magistrat to cut of dangerous and vngodly members God is merciful and hath à care
vpon the word of god is to speake soule errors vntruths For in al the holie Scripture there is no mention It is an error to saie there is anie other ointmeÌ„t giuen to the strengthning of the church militant besides the holie Ghost 1. Iohn 2 27 Of the matter that it must be Chrisme that made of Oliue oile and Baulme and consecrated of à Bishop Of the forme that either the Bishop must signe him that is to bee confirmeâ— vvith the signe of the Crosse or that anie Godfather c should be thâ— at c. Of the minister that 〈◊〉 must be à Bishop thaâ—â— to confirme Of th' effects that therebie Sinnes are pardoned 〈◊〉 â—emised The grace Baptisme iâ— made perfeâ—â— c. It is an error to thinke that anie 〈…〉 can giue heauenly graces to any 〈…〉 It is an error t'ascribe saluatioÌ„ to 〈…〉 and not onelie to Christ. It sauoreth of Donatisme to measures dignitie of the Sacraments by the 〈…〉 thinesse of the Ministers It is an error that men cannot be 〈…〉 fect Christians vvithout Popish Câ—â—mation It is an error that by Confirmation holie Ghost is giuen to the ful â— The Sacrament of Repentance which is baptisme Luk. 3 3. we allow but that Popish poenance is à Sacrament we altogither denie As of CoÌ„firmation so of PoenaÌ„â—e th' aduersaries do publish foure things to be noted and none of theÌ„ trulie grounded vpon the word of God First the matter which of the Papists some do saie is Th'actioÌ„s of the poenitent person that is to saie Th'absolution by the Priest Sufficient contrition of hart Perfect CoÌ„fession Of al sinnes and that in particular Of al circumstances as of place time c Satisfactions in works vvhich maketh à ful amends for al offences Secondlie the forme which In the Priest is the words of absolutioÌ„ which the priest vttereth ouer the sinner In the persoÌ„ poenitent is His kneeling down at the priests feet His making the sign of the crosse vpoÌ„ his breast His saieng benedicite to his ghost lie father The priest beareth the person of God is the lavvful iudge ouer the poenitent and may Absolue from the gilt of sinne Inflict à punishment according to th' offence Thirdly the Minister who Ordinarilie is the Curat of euerie parish Extraordinarilie and in the time of extreeme necessitie or by licence anie Priest Yet some sinnes are so grecuous that non may absolue them but The Pope oâ— his Legat as Burning of Churches Violent striking of à Priest CouÌ„ter feâ—ting the pops Buls The bishop or his poenitentiarie as Incest Breaking of vowes Robbers of churchs Haeretikes Adulterers c. Fourthlie th'affect Hereby they say à poenitent sinner is FroÌ„ al sin as when he was newly baptized Purged Absolued Made cleane Enriched vvith spiritual gifts and graces The consideratioÌ„ here of hath moued the churches reformed to condemne this Antichristan Sacrament of paenance as hauing no vvarrant froÌ„ the word of God Confes of Heluet. 2. c. 14. 19. Behem cap. 4. Ausburg art 3. 11. 12. Saxon. ar 16. 17. VVittem art 13. 14. 15. Sueaue cap. 20. The blasphemies are outragious and th' error manie monstrous comprised in this doc trine of popish poenance For VVhereas they saie the Sacrament of poenance was instituted by christ himself it is most false For as they teach it neither the matter noâ— the form noâ— the Priest noâ— th' effect thereof can bee drawne from the vvord of God They say Poenance is a Sacrament yet can they shevv no element it hath to make it à Scacrament Popish Contrition is against the truth For none is sufficientlie contrite for his sinnes To confes al sinnes and that one after another with al circuÌ„stances vnto à priest as it is vnpossible so is it erroneous and neuer enioined by God nor practised by anie of God his Saints that vve can find in the holie Scripture That anie man can satisfie for his sinnes it is blasphemous against the merits of Christ yet do the Papists teach it and besides that one man maie satisfie for another An vntruth is it that any priest Bishop or Pope hath povver to forgiue sinnes or can enioine anic punishment that can make an amends to God for the least offence If Poenance purge men and make them cleane from al sin then is there à time when meÌ„ in this life be perfect which tendeth greatlie to th' error of the Catharans Donatists and Pelagians That Baptisme is à token that original sinne onelie and not actual sins besides vvhich th'elect seruants of God shal commit are pardoned it is against the vvord of God The doctrine that they vvhich vvillinglie depart out of this vvorlde vvith-out shrife are damned vvhich thing the Papists do hold is à damnable doctrine and to be eschevveda â— The church of England and of other places reformed do acknoledge an order of making miâ—â—â—ers in the Church of God where al things are to be done by order But that order is à Sacrament none but disordered Papists wil grant and yet they obserue none order in speaking of the â—ame For among them Some do make 7. orders whereof some be Inferior as th' order of Porters whose office is To keepe the doore T' expel the wiked To let-in the faithful 2 Exorcists or Coniurers which haue power t' expel diuels 3 Lectors or Readers who are to read lessons and scripture in the Church 4 Acolytes or Candle-bearers hauing auctoritie To beare cruets to th' altar with wine and water To beare candles and tapers Superior as th' order of 5 Subdeacons who are To read Th'epistle To prepare necessaries for ministration T' assist the Priest in ministration 6 Deacons their dutie is To read the Gospel T' assist the Priest in ministration 7 Priests to whom auctoritie is giuen to minister Sacraments that is to saie Baptisme Poenance The SacrameÌ„t of Th' alter and to sacrifice for the quicke and the dead Annealing of the sicke Matrimonie Theis 7 Orders say some of the Papists Are 7. Sacraments as Lombardus so there be 13. Sacraments Make but one Sacrament VVere not onelie instituted but entered-into by Christ himselfe Some numbring the seuen Sacraments do quite ouerpasse in silence the Sacrament of Order and in place thereof mention the Sacrament of Priest-hood Alwhich things are both besides and also coÌ„trarie to the word of god For in the Scripture VVhere can it bee showen that either Orders as some caÌ„ make either one or 7. Sacraments or Priest-hood as others thinke is à Sacrament what element hath it what forme what promise what institution from Christ VVhere can anie of those hideous titles of Porter Exorcists c. be found ascribed to any minister of the new Testament or the maner of creating or their offices established Some papists do write that al th' inferior Orders are not grounded vpoÌ„ scripture but come by traditioÌ„ Clypeus Milit. Ec. l. 1. c. 9 Lomb. saith plainlie that fiue of the 7. Orders neither
Crosces To vvhich theie giue diuine adoration Theis are flatlie forbidden of the Lord. Exod. 20. 4. Some are of things neither commanded nor forbidden as Of eating or not eating fleshe Of wearing or not wea ring some apparel Of keeping or not keeping of some daies holie c. VVhich are not to bee obserued vvhen it is deliuered as sound doctrine that such workes Do merit remission of sinnes Are th'acceptable seruice of God Do more please than th'obseruation of the lawes of God Are necessarilie to be done insomuch that theie are damned which do them not For th'auoiding of al theis vve muste remember that vvee are bought with a price and therfore maie not be the seruaunts of men 1. Cor. 7. 23. and that none humain constitution in the church doth binde anie man to break the least commaundement of God Act. 5. 29. The consideration heere of hath caused other Churches also with à svveete consent to coÌ„demne suche wiked ceremonies of man Confel of Heluet. 2. c 2. 24. 27. Heluet â— ar 4. Basil art 5 sect 3. art 10 Bohem. c. 15 Franc. art 24. 33. Flan. art 7. 29 32 Ausb art â—5 VVittem art 28. 29. 32. 3â— Suca c. 8 c. 14 15 Such vngodlie traditions and ceremonies in à manner be al the ceremonies and traditions of Th'antichristian Synagogue of Rome and therefore to be abandoned of vs al. 4 It hath pleased our most merciful Lord Sauior Christe for the maintenance of his Church militant that tvvo sortes of rites or ceremonies should be vsed wherof Some God his most excellent maiestie himselfe hath ordained such is the ceremonie of Baptisme The L. Supper VVhich are til th' end of the vvorlde vvithout al addition diminution alteration with al zeale religion to bee obserued Some bee ordained by the auctoritie of each prouincial or nationall Church that for The Comlines of the Church that is to saie that By those helps the people of God maie the better be inflamed with à god lie zeale Sobrenes and grauitie maie appeare in the wel handling of Ecclesiastical matters Order sake euen That gouernors maie haue rules directions how to gouerne by That auditors may know how to prepare and behaue themselues in diuine seruice That à ioiful peace maie bee among al men by the wel ordering of Church affaires VVe haue proued alreadie that such traditions maie bee made and changed augmented and diminished as fit time and oportunitie shal bee ministred and that not by the Catholique for that is and hath alwaies bin impossible but by particular Churches Th' effect here of vvee maie reade in the Confes of Heluet. 2. c. 27 Bohem. c. 15. Fran. art 32. Flan. art 32. Ausbur touching abuses ar 7. VVitte art 35. Sueaue ca. 14. This sheweth th'intolerable arrogancy of the Church of Rome which dare take vpon her To alter the Sacramentes ordained eueÌ„ by Christe himselfe To praescribe rites and ceremonies not to some particular churches but to the whole church militant 35 ARTICLE Of Homilies THE seconde booke of Homilies the seueral title whereof we haue ioyned vnder this article doth containe à godlie and wholsome doctrine and necessarie for these times as doth the former booke of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edwarde the sixte and therefore we iudge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligentlie and distinctlie that there maie be vnderstanded of the people Of the names of the Homilies 1 Of the right vse of the Church 2 Against peril of Idolatrie 3 Of the repairing and keeping clean of the Churches 4 Of good workes first of Fasting 5 Against gluttonie and drunkennes 6 Against excesse of apparel 7 Of Praier 8 Of the place and time of praier 9 That common prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministred in à knowen tongue 10 Of the reuerent aestimation of gods word 11 Of Almes doing 12 Of the Natiuitie of Christe 13 Of the Pascion of Christe 14 Of the Resurrection of Christe 15 Of the worthie receiuing of the Sacrament of the bodie and blood of Christe 16 Of the giftes of the holie Ghoste 17 For the Rogation daies 18 Of the state of Matrimonie 19 Of Repentaunce 20 Against Idlenesse 21 Against Rebellion The seconde booke of Homilies as also the former I doubt not containe godlie and wholsome doctrine necessarie for this time But for somuch as this is none Article of the Catholique Religion but à priuate Article for our Church neither yet for the whol church of England but for some places where and for some time when able and fit Ministers are not praesent to preach the worde of God and serueth onelie as both from the booke of CoÌ„mon praier maie wel be gathered experience proueth for an Interim as it were til fit Pastors be prouided for and again because most of those Homilies according to their seueral titles haue bine alreadie handled in this and th' other part of my subscription I cease from further wrighting of the same in this place 36 ARTICLE Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers THE booke of Consecration of Archbishopps and Bishops and ordering of Priests and deacons latelie set forth in the time of Edward the sixt and confirmed at the same time by auctoritie of parliament doth containe al things necessarie to such consecration and ordering neither hath it anie thing that of it selfe is superstitious or vngodlie And therefore whosoeuer are consecrated or ordered according to the rites of that booke since the second yeere of the afore-named K. Edward vnto this time or hereafter shal be consecrated or ordered according to the same rites we decree al such to be rightlie orderlie and lawfullie consecrated and ordered This Article simplie is none Article of the Catholique Church and so much thereof as vniuersalie is receiued hath alreadie both by the holie Scripture bin confirmed alowed by our neighbour Churches in the 23. Article 37 ARTICLE Of the ciuil Magistrate THe Queenes M. 1hath the chiefe power in this realme of Eng. and other her dominions 2vnto whom the chiefe gouerment of al estates of this realm whether theie be Ecclesiastical or ciuil in al causes doth appertaine and is not nor ought to be subiect to anie foraine iurisdiction Where we attribute to the Queenes M. the chiefe gouerment by which titles we vnderstand the mindes of some slaunderous folks to be offended 3we giue not to our Princes the ministring either of Gods worde or of Sacraments the which Th' iniunctions also latelie set forth by Elizabeth our Q. doth most plainlie testifie but that onelie prerogatiue which we see to haue bine giuen alwaies to al godlie princes in holie Scriptures by God himselfe that is that theie should rule al estates and degrees committed to their charge by God whether theie be Ecclesiastical or temporal 4and restraine with the ciuil sword the stubborne and euil doers 5The ' Bishop of Rome hath no iurisdiction in this realme of Eng. 6The lawes of the realme
THE English Creede CONSENTING WITH the true auncient Catholique and Apostolique Church in al points and articles of Religion which euerie Christian is to know and beleeue that would be saued THE SECOND PART in most loyal manner to the glorie of God credit of our Church and displaieng of al haeresies and errors both olde and newe contrarie to the faith subscribed vnto by Thomas Rogers Allowed by auctoritie 3. ESDR 4. Magna est veritas praeualet AT LONDON Printed by Robert Walde-graue for Andrew Maunsel at the Brasen Serpent in Pauls Church-yard 1587. TAM GENERE QVAM VIRTVTE PRAECELLENTI D. CHRISTOPHERO HATTONO EQVITI AVRATO REGNI ANGLIAE SVMMO CANCELLARIO ALIIS QVE MVLTIS NOMINIBVS HONORATISSIMO VIRO SVO OPTIMO MAECENATI AC PATRONO THOM AS ROGERIVS POSTERIOREM HANC SYMBOLO ANGLICANO SVBSCRIPTIONIS SVAE PARTEM HONORIS GRATIQVE ANIMI TESTIFICATIONIS ERGO DEVOTE CONSECRAVIT 20. ARTICLE Of the auctoritie of the Church THe Church hath power 1 to decree rites or ceremonies and auctoritie 3 in controuersies of faith And yet it is not laufull for the Church 2 to ordaine anie thing that is contrarie to Gods worde 4 neither maie it so expounde one place of Scripture 5 that it be repugnant to another Wherefore although 6 the Churche be à witnesse and à keeper of holie writ yet as it ought not to decree anie thing against the same so besides the same 7 ought it not to enforce anie thing to be beleeued for necessitie of saluation The Propositions 1 The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies 2 The Church maie not appoint what rites or ceremonies it will 3 The Church hath auctortie to iudge in controuersies of faith 4 The Church hath power to interprete and expound the worde of God 5 The Analogie of faith must bee expected in the exposition of the Scripture 6 The Church is the witnesse and keeper of Gods word 7 The Church may not enforce any thing to be beleued as is necessarie vnto saluation that is either contrarie or besides the word of God 1 The Churches auctoritie to decree rites or ceremonies Is warranted in the worde of God By th' example of the Apostles who did ordaine rites or ceremonies as among other thinges that in the Church Men should not be couered 1. Corinth 11. 4. c. VVomen Should be couered 1. Corinth 11. 5. Should keep silence 1. Corinth 14. 34. A known tongue should be vsed 1. Cor. 14. 1. c. By the general perpetual commaundement of God himselfe whoe at al times wil haue euery thing in the Church to be done As being the auctor not of confusion but of peace 1. Cor. 14. ver 26. 33. 40. Honestlie By order Vnto aedification Is graunted in the publique Confessions of the Churches protestant as Confession of Heluet. 1. Artic. 13. Heluet. 2. cap. 22. 23. 24. Basil art 10. Bohem. cap. 15. 17. France artic 32. Fland. artic 32 Ausburg artic 4. 5. 7. 15. Sax. artic 20. Sucuia cap. 8. 14. VVittem cap. 27. 35. This power being giuen by the supreme auctoritie vnto the Churche theie doe greatly offend VVho by an extreme detestation conceaued against ceremonies do condemne Generallie al rites or ceremonies as do some fantastical spirites Particularlie some commendable ceremonies so is the celebration of the Sabbat disliked of certaine Familists VVhiche thinke the Church is tied precisely to obserue the ceremonies Of the Iewes so Did the False Apostles Cerdonits Cerinthians Nazarens Doe the Iewes Turkes Armenians Of the Romish synagogue in which error be The hot Papists The halfe Papistes the Fam of Loue. VVhich holde that either any one man or any certaine callinge hath power to decree appoint rites or ceremonies though of themselues good vnto the whole Church of God 2. As it is à cleere truth that the church maie ordaine ceremonies So true it is also that the Church hath no power to appoint what rites or ceremonies it will but they must make To the Nourishing and increase of loue and friendship among men Such Reteining of the faithful in the holie feare of God Such In the primatiue Church were the rites principalie about Baptisme Excommunication The L. Supper In these dais in the reformed Churches are the ceremonies touching For the Church to meete in The times The places In the Church The praiers The seruice The persons Not to the vpholding of vice or superstitious vanities among the people as theie do If of themselues theie be meetlie wiked and vngodlie as are Popish Masses Images in the Church If being in their owne nature indifferent yet being supersticiouslie vsed are vngodlie as are the difference of daies and meates and apparel c. when it is thought that such rites Do deserue remission of sinnes Are th'acceptable seruice of God Be of necessitie vnder the paine of Gods eternal cursse to be obserued of al and euerie man This is consonantor agreeable To the worde of God Eze 20 v. 18. 19 Matth. 15. 13. Mat. 7. 7 c. Luke 11. 46. Gal. 51. Col. 2. 8. c. Tit. 1. 14. To the sound CoÌ„fessions of Christ his church CoÌ„fes of Heluet. 2. c. 15. France art 33. Flan. art 32. Ausb art 7. 15 Sax. art 20. VVitteÌ„ art 35. Sueuia c. 14. But as light is vnto darkenes coÌ„traeie to al such As are of opinion that the Church hath absolute auctoritie to ordaine what lawes rites or ceremonies it thinketh good As wil make and that as theie saie by thâ—auctoritie giuen vnto the church of à ceremonie à matter of substance and of à thing of substance à ceremonie as theie do which turne the 2 commandemeÌ„ts of the Decaloge into à ceremonial lawe As both obscure the glorie of God by their Masses inuocatioÌ„ of creatures c. and frustrate the merits of our Sauior by their meritorious pardons fasting pilgrimages c. deface the holie Sacraments of Christ by the vain ceremonies of Antichrist hinder the preaching of Gods word by ouer mâ—nie tedious traditions and keep the people of God in daÌ„nable ignorance by preferring the ordinances of meÌ„ before th'institution of God and leaue that vndone which God hath commanded to be done to performe that which the Church hath coÌ„manded such are the Papists 3 Auctoritie is giuen to the Church and to euerie member of iudgement in the same to iudge in controuersies of faith and so in their places To embrace the truth To auoid and improue Antichristianitie errors And this is not the priuate opinion of our Church but The straight coÌ„mandemeÌ„t of God himselfe To teachers â— Tim. 4. 7. 1 Tim. 6. 20 Tit. 1. 9. Tit. 3. 10. To heaters Hier. 23 16. Matth 7. 15 Ioh. 10. 3 c Phil. 3 2. Heb. 13 9. 2. Pet. 3 17. 2 Iohn ver 10. To the whole Church Matt. 24. 23 1. Cor. 14. v. 20. 23. 24. 1. Thes. 5 21 Iam. 5 19. Iudes epist. Reuel 18 4. 1. Cor. 10. 15 The iudgement of our godlie brethren
Th'angel of Pergamus for suffering the Balaamites Nioclaitans Reuel â— 14. Th'angel of Laodicea for beeing neither hot nor cold Reue. â— 14. Had in great reuerence and estimation of the faithful seruants of Iesus Christ as maie appeare in the Confessions of the Godlie Confes of Heluet. 1. art 19. Heluet. 2. cap. 17. 18. Bohem. c. 8. 14. France ar 29. 33. Fland. art 30. 32. Saâ—on ar 11. 17. Ausburg touching ab uses art 7. VVittem art 31. 2 Sundrie bee the reasons and â—â—â—es vvhic excommunication is vsed as That à vviked liuer to the reproch of the Gospel bee not suffered among the professors of true religion and manie good bee not euil spoken of for a â—evve bad That the good be not corrupted or infected through the continual or often familiaritie of the vviked 1. Cor. â— 6. That he vvhich hath fallen through shame of the world maie at the length Learne to to blaspheam no more 1. Tim. 1. 20. Through repentaÌ„ce be saued 1 Cor. 5. 5. Among al other causes therefore of excommunicatioÌ„ one is that the person excommunicate maie not bee condemned vtterlie but returne vnto the Lord by repentance and so bee receaued againe into the visible Church as S. Paul willed th' incestuous maÌ„ shuld be 1. Cor. 2. 7. c This truth I knovve none that denieth vnlesse it be certaine Montanistes Nouatians Fantastical Anabaptistes vvhich are of opinion that al theie vvhich sinne after baptisme vvithout al hope of reconciliation bee damned 34 ARTICLE Of the traditions of the Church IT is not necessarie that traditions and ceremonies 1 be in al places one or vtterlie like for at al times theie haue bin diuers and maie be changed according to the diuersities of Countries times and mens maners so that nothing be ordained against Gods word 2 Whosoeuer through his priuate iudgement willinglie and purposelie doth openlie breake the traditions and ceremonies of the Church 3 which be not repugnant to the worde of God and be ordained and appointed by common auctoritie ought to bee â—ebuked openlie that other maie feare to do the like as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church and hurteth th'auctoritie of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of the weake brethren 4 Eueâ—e particular or national Church hath auctoritie to ordaine chaunge and â—bolish ceremonies or rites ordained onelie by mans auctoritie so that al â—hings be done to aedifieng The Propositions The same traditions or ceremonics are not to be like in al places No priuate man of à selfe-wil and purposelie maie in publike violate the traditions and ceremonies of the Church which by common auctoritie be allowed and are not repugnaunte to the word of God Ceremonies and traditions ordained by th'auctoritie of man if theie be repugnant to Gods worde are not to be kept and obserued of anie man Euerie particular or national Church male ordaine change and abolish ceremonies or rites ordained onelie by mans auctoritie so that al things be done to aedifieng 1 If à necessitie were laid vpon the church of God to obserue one the same traditions ceremonies at al times and in al places assuredlie The ceremonies of th' old Law had not bine as theie are novv abolished Acts. 6 14. 10 13. c. 15 1. c. Gal. 2 3. c. Ephes. 2. 14. Col 2. 16. Th'apostles wold neuer haue giueÌ„ such praesidents of altering them vpon special reasons as theie haue don For wee find that they chaÌ„ged The times and places of their assembling togither For the people of God â—et and Th'apostles preached Sometime In the weeke daies Acts. 2 46. 5 42. On the Sabboth daies Acts. 13 14 c. 43 c 17 2. 18 4. Sometime Publikelie In the temple Acts. 2 46. 3. 1. c. 5 26. In the Synagogues Act. 9 20. 14 1. 17 10 18 4 19 8. In the scholes Acts. 19 9. Priuatlie In house after house Acts. 5 42. In chambers Act. 1 13. 20 8. 28. v. 30 31. Sometime In the daie time Acts. 2 46. 3 1. c. In the night Acts. 20 7 c. The ceremonies in th'administration Of baptisme if good occasion was offred baptising In publike assemblies Acts. 2. 41. In priuate houses Act. 16 33. 10. v. 27 48. Before manie Act. 8. 12. 10. ver 27. 48. VVhen none of the faithful were praesent Acts. 8. 36. Of the L. Supper ministring the same Not alwaies at one time but sometime At midnight Acts. 20 11. In the daie time Acts. 2 46. Not alwaies in one place but sometime In the churches 1. Cor. â— 17. c. In houses Acts. 20 7. 2 46. So nothing therfore is done against gods word no doubt traditions and ceremonies according to the diuersitie of countries times and mens maners maie be changed Of this iudgment with vs bee the Churches of God about vs. Confes of Heluet. 2. cap. 17 27. Bohem. c. 15. France art 32. Fland. art 32. Ausburg art 15 and art 7. touching abuses Saxon. art 20. VVittem art 35. Sueaue ca. 14. Herebie it is euident that they are greatlie deceiued vvhich thinke that The Iewish ceremonies prescribed of God himselfe for à time vnto the Iewes are vnuiolablie to be obserued of vs christians such are the Ievves Turkes Cerdonites Cerinâ—â—ians Nazariâ—â— Armenians Familists The popish ceremonies of the Romish Antichrist are vniuersaâ—â— to be kept in al placeâ— Traditions and ceremonies must euerie where be the same 2 Great is the priuilege greate also the libertie and freedom of Gods Church For it is deliuered From the cursce of the Law Gala. 3. 13. From the law Rom. 8. 2. Of sinn Of death From the Iewish Act. 15. 24. c. Rites Ceremonies From al humaine ordinaunces traditions so far forth as there binde the consciences of men Hereof speaketh S. Paul Colos. 2. 8. c. yet is the Churche bounde to th'obseruation of al traditions and ceremonies which are allowed by lavvful auctoritie and are not repugnant to the vvorde of God For he that violateth them contemneth not man but God who hath giuen power to his Church to establish whatsoeuer thinges make vnto 1 Cor. 14. ver 40. 26 Comlines Order Aedification This of our godlie brethren some doe not let by publique vvritinges to testifie Confes of Heluet. 1. art 25. Bohem. c. 15 18. Ausb art 4. 15. Fran. art 32. Heluet. 2. c. 24. Saxon. ar 20 Sueau cap. 4 Others gon-out from vs do hold that Christian Magistrates haue none auctoritie T appoint anie ceremonies Rites for the due seruice of God To exact outvvarde obedience vnto ceremonies righthe or dained The people of God are â—â—ee From all Ecclesiastical iurisdiction From the obseruation of al ceremonies and Rites 3 Of ceremonies and traditions repugnant to the word of God there be tvvo sortes vvhere of Some are of things meer lie vviked such VVas Th'israelites calfe Exod 32. 4 c. Nebuchadnezarâ— Idol Dan. 3. 1. c. Are the Papistical Images Reliques Agnus deis