conversion of his power and not of mans free will that men doe beleeve and persevere because they were predestinated though they be plainly taught in the Scripture yet they will not have them nor the like points cleared by Preachers in Pulpit nor Print nor by Divines in the Vniversities no not in a time when Papists Arminians corrupt men in them but they must be left to them the Fathers and Rulers as if diocessan Bishops never ordained of God being many of them Courtiers swolne with ambition depending on the interests of favourites such as the Duke parties in such factions corrupted with flatteries contesting against the endeavours of Parliaments daily busied at the Councell table in the Star chamber or high Commission Court should better know how to cleere and determine these and other high points then Preachers that study nothing else but Divinity and are not led by such particular interests There is no man that hath but an indifferent judgement and any sparke of true love to Gods Kingdome but will say it is impossible that these men or their flatterers should bee fit Iudges or give just lawes to men in such cases yet they governe all in Synods and elsewhere and if they have but colourable pretences like the Papists who doe resist or question them These are they that ruling all and having many things in their gift are sure to be flattered and followed in Court Synods and Vniversities and if as the Appealer doth they can but alledge the opinion of Bishop Bancraft or any such politician Prelate like themselves they care for no better authority Onely strengthned by the secular arme they know how to prevaile by power All which considered it is no marvell that they have decreed so many things to so little profit yea to so great damage to the Church and kingdome of God And all true Christians are the rather to take heed of them and their decrees and not to say it is either necessary to have Bishops or a thing indifferent seeing they so much endanger the faith and that in these respects it greatly concernes the faith and all the faithfull to have their government abolished and the Eldership restored lest by them as by the Bishops in the Church of Rome religion come to be corrupted It will be objected the most ancient Councels were governed by Bishops I answer that otherwise Popish errours could not have beene established nor so long maintained against the truth that at first Presbyters had their voices in them that Bishops of old differed little from Presbyters had pastorall charges and were not like ours but onely began to decline and therefore I wonder not that Nazianzen so long since observed that there came little good yea much hurt of them and that contentions have alwayes beene encreased by the Episcopall assemblies as also Bishop Iewel proves in many particulars In an Epistle annexed to the history of the Counc of Trent I wonder not if in our dayes some Bishops are learned affect some good things make some good bookes and tollerable constitutions For some of them have beene great Divines Pastors and of a good conscience in many things but might not a man have found the like in some of the Sadduces Heredians Arrians 〈…〉 Pâ—pists and other heretikes that is take them out of their heresies in such things as they hold common with other Iewes or Christians yet many things determined by them were dangerous so must it needs be in the diocessan Bishops of England who are of a humane law and heretikes in matter of the Eldership if not Arminians Therefore in this cause that may be said of them which Paul 4. said of the Bishops of his time that it was a vanity to assemble 60. Pa. 339. Bishops of the least able and 40. Doctors of the most insufficient as was twice done already in Trent and to beleeve that by those things could bee well regulated All which considered who can thinke that the Hierarchy or any Synod of English Bishops can be for the service of God In the meane the Churches or at least many thousands in them in their practice receive the hierarchy ceremonies and traditions Pari pietatis affectu ac reverentiae with like affection of piety and reverence as the written word of God and many with greater There are foure pillars that uphold the Hierarchy 1. Traditions and ceremonies 2. Spirituall ignorance and blinde devotion in the Nobility and Laity For that makes them take it for granted that Bishops and obedience to their traditions are de jure divino hence proceedes a 3. Riches and authority and from these a 4. reciprocall resolution combination with such Statesmen as the Duke and his confederates so to maintaine each others cause against al accusers as if they were one and they each others Advocates And as a branch of this the severe suppression of all bookes and complaints that discover their errors or practices There is no need to prove further that the three last are against the service of God it will suffice to shew that they are against the service of the King and State But first of ceremonies and traditions received in the Church of England Histor of the Councell of Trent pag. 259. It is remarkable that when some German Protestants for feare received those appointed in the Interim saying after they were indifferent Others whom necessity had not compelled said it was true that indifferent things concerne not salvation yet by meanes of them pernicious things are brought in and going on they framed this generall conclusion That ceremonies and rites though by nature indifferent doe then become bad when he that useth them hath an opinion that they are good or necessary Which hath beene proved of them in England and that generally they are men popish neutrall or of least sincerity that stand most for them as for the best meanes to uphold the hierarchy because they know that rule to be true No ceremonie no Bishop which as it seemes is the reason that the Bishops looke to little else though that bee to confesse that they serve for nothing but to uphold their owne traditions and ceremonies wherein they are very zealous like the Trent Bishops that anathematized them that say that the ceremonies Pa. 574. vestments or externall signes used in the Masse are rather incitements to ungodlinesse Pa. 548. then offices of piety Where if by ungodlinesse you understand superstition and ignorance the Trent censure is extreame harsh the rather because Antonius of Veltelina a Dominican had proved unto them that the Rite of Rome had beene received to gratifie the Pope but not in all places and by a booke called Ordo Romanus that it hath had great alterations not onely in ancient times but even in the latter ages also that the Roman Rite observed within 300. yeares is not that which is now observed by the Priests in that City For the vestments vessels and other
discovered or reproved besides their diligence in suppressing of bookes they have got the Court and Crosse supplied with Preachers for their owne turne yea caused some mens sermons to be perused beforehand according to the policy used in the third convocation of the Councell of Trent Histor of the Councell of Trent pag. 468. where the Bishop of Modena was appointed to peruse every sermon and whatsoever else was to be delivered in publike By all which he that will may see that as it was ever in the hierarchy so hath it beene is and will be in this the more Bishop and hierarchy the lesse King the lesse good order in Church and Commonwealth For they have beene in effect the Kings nothing must bee preferred or heard against them or such friends of theirs as the Duke and others but still they pretend that these complaints are not so much against them as against the Kings government and prerogative which is a meere trick and colour to engage the King in their cause and so to save them their friends and practices from comming to triall and so in conclusion it comes to be their prerogative that must not bee touched by the Parliament nor indeed by the word of God Is not this to bring all out of order And which makes the evill seeme the more incurable no man dares manifest so much so able are they to undoe him Which is a power the devill hath purchased them that they and others may boldly proceed to propagate other errours and doe what evill they list without controule like the Church of Rome and that to maintaine them their pontificall greatnesse their Pallaces and Coaches religion may abide in their power be made a leaden rule for them to turne which way they list the truest lovers of Truth oppressed the kingdome of God invaded and usurped and the whole Christian world disturbed and afflicted Are not men ashamed that living in the light of the Gospel the love of Christ constraines them not to be against these men but that they should neverthelesse suffer themselves to be made the friends and protectors of them and their hierarchy and to thinke that therein they either serve God or the King and State as they ought For first that their hierarchy is against the service of God if enough hath not beene said this may be added that while the office of Diocessan Bishops is falsly held to be ex jure divino as we have proved Gods ordinances and officers being rejected the Church is governed by their greatest adversaries who also having gotten the ruling and descissive voices in Councels which should rather belong to those true Bishops and Pastors the Presbyters make their owne opinions and errours of Bishops and traditions to bee received for matters of faith as in the Councel of Trent For though some hold that it is no matter of faith but rather indifferent and at the pleasure of Kings whether they or Elders should governe the Church yet it is of no lesse consequence because even in England they make their Articles to bee received and in a wrested or doubtfull sense to be a sure Rule and so matters of faith as themselves interpret them yea this to be granted that themselves and their adherents assembled in Convocation as the Church representative which if it make other Articles more unsound or savouring of Arminianisme or other errour will thinke they should bee received especially in matters of their authority for who can hinder it or dare say they have not power to decide what is the faith when indeed seeing the institution of Diocessan Bishops is of a positive law and not de jure divino men should rather consider the consequences which were very aptly set forth in the Councell of Trent Hist of the Councell of Trent pag. 608. where the Papalins maintaining that the institution and jurisdiction of Bishops were not de jure divino but that Bishops had their jurisdiction from the Pope and that hee onely had received institution and jurisdiction from Christ in the person of Peter the Bishop of Segna replyed That if they have it not from Christ neither can the Councell have any from him which consisteth of Bishops that if Bishops are not instituted by Christ the authority of them is altogether humane and he that heareth it spoken that Bishops are not instituted by Christ must needs thinke that this Synod is a congregation of prophane men in which Christ doth not preside but a power received precarily from men and it would be a great illusion generally of all Christendome to propose it not onely as the best but as the onely and necessary meanes to decide controversies That hee would never have come to the Councell if he had not beleeved that Christ had beene in the midst of it that if any Bishop should beleeve and thinke his authority to bee humane it had beene great boldnesse in him to denounce in the former difficulties anathematismes and not rather refer all to him who had greater authority Now howsoever the opinion of the Papalins that the Pope is the onely Bishop jure divino and that others ought to have institution from him is most erroneous yet seeing it is certaine that the institution and jurisdiction of diocessan Bishops are not from Christ but of a positive law all those consequences alledged by the Bishop of Segna doe follow thereupon and those also which the Bishop of Paris added against the tenet of Laynez Generall of the Iesuites who exceeded in maintaining the cause against the Bishops Pag. 614. That in stead of a celestiall kingdome for so the Church is called it maketh it not a kingdome but a temporall tyranny that it taketh from the Church the title of the Spouse of Christ and maketh it a servant prostituted to man whence it followes that the English Hierarchy having no authority from Christ is a temporall tyranny and the Spouse of Christ is made a servant and subjected to it It is true that where two or three are gathered together in Christs name there is he in the midst but to bee truly gathered together in his name requireth that their office be de jure divino and they hare power from him to assemble and handle such matters this he never gave to diocessan Bishops for he never ordained them they are but intruders usurping that which by Gods institution belonged to Pastors that are Presbyters With the Trent Fathers they pretend right by that place Take heed to your selves and to all the flocke over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Bishops to feed the Church of God Act. 20.28 which is spoken to Presbyters and yet by usurping these letters patents of the Presbyters diocessan Bishops take the charge from them exclude the Presbyters to whom they were granted and what worse is reigne over them as over their subjects who must not preach any thing that dislikes them That election is of Gods free grace regeneration and
ornaments of the Ministers and Altars it appeareth not by bookes onely but by statues and pictures that they are so changed that if the Ancients should returne into the world they could not know them Therefore he concluded that to bind all to approve the Rites which the Church of Rome used might be reprehended as a condemnation of antiquity and of the use of other Churches His discourse displeased but the Bishop of the five Churches justified him If English Bishops would but with the Friar consider the consequences that follow their inforcing of their Rites they would not bee so extreame in them And indeed in those wherein they differ from the Reformed Churches they doe but mocke the Christian world while with the Papists they hold that they ought to be so strictly received and reverenced and yet abrogate others more necessary Pag. 163. seeing as one saith of the Papists they grant not to the people the election of the Minister which certainly was an Apostolicall institution continued more then eight hundred yeares but deny it to them with as good right as the Papists doe both that and the use of the cup which had beene continued as long It is a seemly thing to see the Temples where Christians use to meet in good repaire frequented with grave devout humble and religious behaviour in the worship of God the table covered with cleane linnen when the Sacrament is administred the cup decent and not of the basest metall But these and the like things are the more acceptable to God when the Church is not spoiled of her better ornaments diligent preaching and hearing soundnesse in the faith knowledge zeale and holinesse of life For if the Temples be never so glorious in structure the table of the finest wood and workmanship the cup of gold the Ministers in glorious vestments the service full of grave and devout ceremonies and all things else in the most plausible manner for outward ornament God is but mocked for all these if those better ornaments be neglected and despised When the Church of Rome began to abound in wealth and authority to have pluralities to maintaine their dignities to leaue poore hirelings in their cures to neglect soundnesse in doctrine knowledge and the like graces that they might seeme no lesse religious they began in stead thereof to be exercised in new manners of devotion See Plessis myst of iniquity pregress 24. looking out of relickes traditions and ceremonies to erect stately Temples Organs and Altars to guild and adorne them with images of Saints to have golden Chalices and wooden Priests to multiply feasts and holidayes to invent new orders and formes of will-worship to use all severity in bodily worship devout posture and demure cariage and to make all men conformable in those things to ordaine a world of superfluous constitutions But how was God mocked in all these while they did eate out religion For people being taken up in those his ordinances were the lesse regarded and while the stately Temples were erected in Cities Rev. 12. the Church was faine to flee into the wildernesse while the beauty of the outward stones were maintained 1 Pet. 2.5 the living stones were trodden under feet and despised while lights were set up in Churches people sate in darknesse and ignorance while traditions were observed Gods word was the lesse respected and in time could neither bee obeyed nor heard while the tables and Priests were adorned men of knowledge and other the best gifts were least esteemed while dead images of Saints were set up in the Church beautified and worshipped the true and living Saints such as the Waldenses Hussites and Calvenists were persecuted and martyred and the very faith it selfe called heresie Looke now a little upon the Church of England see how they abandon the cause of religion abroad and at home despise and persecute such as seeke that the ordinances of God may be restored Elders received Popery Arminianisme pluralities and non-residency excluded the true faith preached and maintained in Sermons and Lectures knowledge faith zeale and other graces nourished and increased and in the meane seem no lesse religious fall to building Temples Organs Tables Altars to satiate if it were possible the Clergy with titles of honour jurisdictions vestments revenues and riches and because a Bishop precedes a Baron to thinke that nothing is too much to maintaine his state that is not too much for a Baron and so for Deanes and Doctors according to their degrees and places which are the nurseries of pluralities and non-residency To call for observation of ceremonies canons fasts holidayes externall gesture and devotion and whatsoever else is commanded or practised in their constitutions and customes wherein though they doe not yet abound so much as the Papists yet it is the only religion in credit and fashion and as if Christ had ordained Bishops to looke to nothing else it doth and will eate out true religion and sincerity Howsoever while Prelates and others having pluralities to maintaine their dignities and leaving poore hirelings to serve their cures those better ornaments are neglected and persecuted are not these tokens that God is mocked by them I know well it is most irksome to Prelates to heare of these things they thinke no man should dare to manifest them and especially that the Eldership ought to be restored according to Gods ordinance They live as if they shunned no other plague nor feared any other purgatory then a reformation This fils their soules with Fiery indignation and makes them to be redeemed from it breake out into threats inquisitions and persecutions that they may overcome their tormentors by censures imprisonments exemplary punishments fines and torments Howsoever if they can but by flatteries invectives whisperings and other shifts keep the King and Councell so ignorant and blinde in those things that they may remaine firme on their side they care for no more But may not a man protest as plainly for God and his Church as the French Ambassador did for the priviledges of France and the French Churches in the Councell of Trent that protestation angred the Prelates but he defended it saying That those were ignorants Hist of the. Councel Pag. 771. 774. who having seene nothing but the Decretals lawes of 400. yeares did thinke that there were no Ecclesiasticall lawes before them that if any would reforme the King by the Decretals he would reforme them by the decrees and leade them also to more ancient times not onely of S. Austen but of the Apostles also Wherein the King justified him Now as the hierarchy and ceremonies make not for the true service of God but serve to eate it out by degrees as the Romish did so neither doe they make for the service of the King and State but are against it and very pernicious for every Nobleman and Ruler as appeareth 1. Because while they are by them kept from the knowledge of Gods truth in matter of the
unity of spirit by their doctrine They make men pray thus and yet are against the things praied for 2 Because they make every Bishop and every Minister at his ordinantion to promise * See the ordering of Bishops Priests and Deacons to be readie with all diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrarie to Gods word Marke all without exception which cannot be better donne then by manifesting the revealed truth of God in these points and so striving earnestlie to joyne men together in the unitie of the spirit by the doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets as is desired in prayer For what a mockerie is it first to make him thus to vow it and pray for it and then to hinder him from keeping that vow 3. Because they forbid the defence of Gods ordinances against the Hierachie and those traditions thereof which are erroneous of the world and causes of temporizing and ignorance making men ambitious that should rather with the Olive tree refuse to leave their fatnes for Dominion like their Lord who saieth Iudg. 9.8 Luc 12.14 Who made thee a judge or a divider And what a mockerie is it when Bishops that cause all to bee signed with the signe of the crosse in such a token have not beene as carefull to get our Princes people to send timely effectuall helpe to them that fought under Christs banner in the Palatinate and elsewhere but rather flattered such Courtiers and feigned freinds as underhand betraied them and the common cause in stead of an effectuall going out to the helpe of the Lord against the mightie How much better is God pleased when men are more in deeds and lesse in signe of humane invention and authoririe The article of traditions confesseth that all things ought to be done to edifying But how doth this ceremonie edifie Have Englishmen that stand so much for the Hierarchie for this signe beene made by them better souldiers of Christ then other Protestans or have they not rather proved worse and so shewed the fruits of the hierarchie and ceremonies So ordinarie is it with God that blesseth his owne ordinances to punish mens inventions and presumptions May it not be said to such maisters of ceremonies you can see the faith daily opposed religion corrupted poperye and Arminianisms increase and the poore members of Christ to fall by the sword practises yet in the meane be contented with the signe of the crosse the name of a souldier without the worke neither doing it themselves nor suffering those Ministers that would and might have prevailed by the word these things must be left to the only care and wisdom of the Prelates who are well experienced in flatterie and can best see that nothing be donne to any purpose and in the meane take it for granted that the Church might impose and adde to baptisme the signe of the crosse so superstitiously used and abused by the Papists that it is fit to uphold that and all other traditions and ceremonies of the Church though the Article confesse they may be changed according to the diversitie of countries times and mens manners and that it is authoritie enough for the use of the same now because it was ancientlie used so was salt and other Romish trash because soone after the death of the Apostles or at least soone after the victorie of Constantine Aug. confes lib. when divers Iewes and heathen mocked the Christians with a crucified God and Redeemer they signed themselves to shew they were not ashamed of him when who sees not that if their reason were then good not superstitious yet there is not the same now in England Seeing there men live not amongst such mocking Iewes heathen unles it bee among such as scorne and mock them with the name of Professors Disciples and factious Puritains who strive against Arminianisme or the hierachie and ceremonies Indeed these are so much scorned and persecuted that no men in England do more truly beare the crosse of Christ for his names sake then they whereas their adversaries strive by all meanes to divert all men from bearing the crosse in this manner and by allurements and threats to make them leave the cause and temporise as themselves doe who are therein enemies of the crosse of Christ Phil. 3.18 whose glorie is their shame For they in the meane while have only borne the crosse in a signe made with the hand like the Papists which is but a mockerie in respect of the other Besides no man ever as yet maintained that the Apostles or any in their time used the crosse in baptisme much lesse in signe only without the worke pretended to be signifed Object It will be saide In some cases the Bishops stand for the truth as against Anabaptists and other hereticks Answ So doe the Romish Bishops and Iesuites who likewise have many painfull writers and preachers and are not behind them in stirring up Princes to fortitude temperance holines justice and other vertues but they will suffer nothing against the tenets practises of their hierarchie no more will the English Bishops who therin are also stout souldiers but that is in their owne cause not in Gods Iohn seeth many in white Rev. 7. and is told Rev. 7.13.14 These are they which come out of great tribulation and have washed their roabes white in the blood of the Lambe Chap. 6. This is a garment of joy and triumph given by the merits of Christ to them that have had not the signe and name but the worke of a souldier in confessing and defending the faith and cause of Christ against all opposers If I should say there may bee amongst them some English Martyrs that have striven against Arminianisme or at least against the hierarchie and have suffered for it the Bishops could not prove the contrarie So that it is no wonder if men doe not now offer to dispute with them nor alwaies set their names to their bookes seeing the power of the Prelates to be great as that of the inquisition very dangerous and the Bishops themselves so obstinate and mightie in friends that they keepe their adversaries bookes and arguments from being seene or regarded and so plague them that all their opposers seeme to have lost their labour and doe litle other good then increase the number of those Martyrs in white Rev. 7. This is one of the places alleadged for the wearing of the surplesse but here still they dwell in the signe they will not doe the worke of those Martyrs but rather are against some of them and therefore because they can not looke to weare the white roabe hereafter they will weare and make others weare an unprofitable signe of it now though men prove it to be a rite taken from the Iewes and ancient heathen See the root of Romish Rites as other of their pontificall garments and ceremonies are It is a custome in England to
excusable that they doe not pretend Peters chaire or that their Church cannot erre All which I urge not to drive men to helplesse opposition now much lesse to separation but to perswade all to seeke and pray for an effectuall reformation For can these things become necessary pleasing to God being coÌ„manded by authority which thus make the word ordinances of God of none effect are an unnecessary and a popish yoak and only pretended to be done unto edifying 1 Cor. 14. â—6 Indeed the Apostle saith Let all things be done unto edifying But these things as you have seene doe not edifie but hinder the free preaching of the Gospell in divers particulars as also diligent hearing faith knowledge and other graces nourish ambition temporizing lukewarmnesse and ignorance and withall carie this mischiefe along with them that be they never so unnecessary and hurtfull yet God must not have one servant to manifest so much no nor to speake in his cause For if any doe presently to choake him they brand him with the name of a Puritan and a factious fellow and if that will not serve they can suppresse him with power he is troubled and silenced the Church must bee deprived of him for stumbling at a popish ceremony though he be otherwise never so peaceable sincere learned painfull and powerfull when Diocessan Bishops were first ordained they had not this power much lesse in such cases In the booke of the ordering of Priests and Deacons they say there were alwaies Priests that must needs bee Presbyters in the Church If so what a mockery is it to retaine the name Priest as an order of the New Testament and neither distinguish that name from the sacrificers of the Law nor let them exercise the office of the Presbyters which was as well to rule their owne flocks as to preach and administer the Sacraments what a mockery is it to stand so much on the surplesse the hood tippet and square cap worne with such glory and superstition by the Papists and in the meane by all these things to bring religion out of square and deprive the Church of her better ornaments good Preachers Elders hearers faith knowledge humility zeale and other graces what a mockery is it to ordaine Can. 48. that no Curate or Minister shall bee permitted to serve in any place without examination and admission of the Bishop of the Diocesse or Ordinarie in writing under hand and seale Can. 51. That no strangers shall preach in Cathedrall Churches but such as are allowed by the Archbishop or Bishop Can. 52. That the names of all Preachers strangers that shall preach in any Church shall bee taken by the Churchwardens c. when all this is extended against few or none but such as stumble at some rites or ceremonies to keepe them from preaching and have them silenced and in the meane while divers ignorant and idle drones non-residents yea Arminian and popish teachers such as Doctor Price of Westminster lately deceased are admitted to have and hold the cure of soules and the Bishops use this their power to hinder the people from choosing zealous Ministers that subscribe to be their Pastors or helping Lecturers they reckon such dangerous and if they have got admission they shall be watched yea made offendors for a word Isa 29.21 and turned aside for a thing of naught If in the meane they will needs bee diligent they may with much adoe preach the Gospell and apply it against Poperie but not the whole counsell of God not a word against growing Arminianisme much lesse for the Eldership or against the Hierarchie and traditions What a mockerie is it to appropriate unto themselves and their Officials all Ecclesiasticall discipline and especially that sacred and dreadfull power of excommunication when in the meane they exercise it against few but such as are against their hierarchie rites and ceremonies or men that have failed to appear to answer for the opening of a shop doore on a holy day or some such triviall offence If a man plead necessity and want constrained him to it or that God saith Six dayes shalt thou labour c. neither reason nor the holy Scripture can be heard against their government and traditions but they know how to geere him out like the proud pharises that said Thou wast altogether borne in sinnes Ioh. 9. and dost thou teach us And indeed an incorrigible swearer fornicator drunkard blasphemer or heretike may more easily escape their power then such a Puritan as they terme him And if he offer to prove that in this or any other thing belonging to their government or ordinances they are somewhat Antichristian Doctor Lambe or any like monster may live more peaceably amidst all his known abominations then such a wicked Puritan heretike as they call him And in the meane while they are ashamed to make the name of a reformation as odious to all as it is to themselves and even to glory in their Church as the most pure and Apostolike that ever was since the Apostles not counting it in those Pastors and people that zealously and religiously preach and heare the word to have it followed for the Prelates would not have such counted to be the Church of England nor scarce of it but themselves assembled in a Synod which they call the Church representative or as they are considered with all their traditions and all the most conformable observers and maintainers of them These make that Church that so glorifieth her selfe like Laodicea Rev. 3.17 that said I am rich and increased with goods have need of nothing and knew not that shee was wretched and miserable and poore and blinde and naked Wherein they that are so mighty in power and so able to reward men cannot want flatterers and learned champions and so the great places of the hierarchy serve to corrupt men and to make them mould religion after such mens pleasures as can advance them like as wofull experience hath also shewed in the Arminians Isa 29.13.14 Their feare towards God hath beene long taught by the precepts of men and so because they as the Papists received not the love of the truth in matter of the Eldership Hierarchie traditions ceremonies 2 Thess 2.10 therefore God gave them over to strong delusions to beleeve popish and Arminian lies and because they received not the love of the truth against those Arminian errours God that is ever just must needs give them over to greater blindesse and error Such are the fruits of the Hierarchie and the humane invention and defence thereof Reverend Hooker as they call him shall in those cases bee of more authority with these men then St. Paul so much are they wedded to the traditions and ceremonies of their Church All these traditions inventions officers Courts and superstitious rites were not invented much lesse proposed to be received as lawes in the time of the Fathers as now by the
the preaching of the word is not hindered by their praiers Whereas in many Churches they have nothing on the Lords day but the common prayer which many both of the Clergie and people doe so highy extoll that they make an entrie Religion of it and not only neglect but even despise preaching in respect thereof Many nonpreaching Ministers make it the pretext of their idlenes and others of their nonresidence and pluralities saying the people have one to read prayers and the service is performed And that say many is sufficient if they had no more It is to no end to tell them that God saieth My people are destroied or lead into Captivity for lack of knowledge Hos 4.6 Rom. 10.17 that faith comes by-hearing and preaching that certaine of the praiers are for knowledge for they yet dare say it doth more hurt then good therefore they are all for common praier which divers worldlings usurers drunkards whoremongers and other earthly and prophane people second and confirme making it their whole Religion and admiring it above measure because it doth not tax and touch their sins as preaching doth it serveth not for doctrine reproofe correction and instruction as preaching the scripture doth which therefore they have in contempt and hinder and slander the same and all the truest freinds and followers thereof and yet in the meane while they would not only be thought the better sbjects but the better Christians and the fitter to be Churchwardens yea and to beare greater offices in the Church and common wealth they count themselves more truly religious then the greatest preachers and hearers because they thinke they love the common praier booke better and it serves them for a Religion and a cloake of scoffing persecution and some of them to be Church Papists and false brethren under the name of protestants whereas if the commò praier booke were not or there were only such like common praiers as are used by the French and dutch in the pulpit they could not but make more profession of love to preaching and hearing of Gods word otherwise they would appeare to bee either without Religion or more open adversaries of our Religion and so lesse dangerous In the French and dutch Churches they are not troubled with such dumbe Ministers nonresidents Church papists and prophane mockers they that have least Religion speake no hurt of knowledge preaching and hearing for if they should they know all men would crie out of them as of papists or Atheists and order would quickly be taken with them by the Elders they could not passe as ours doe for the better men and fitter for offices The Bishops see all this and yet favour them the more of the two as being ever verie conformable and lesse dangerous to the Hierarchie so carefull are they that there may be nothing in their Church like the Eldership ordained of God Churchwardens and sidemen are but a mockerie of it these places being given to all sort of men drunkards and others when the parson also is a tiplar a nonresident or preacheth little there is a flock strangely governed And thus the word of God is made of none effect by the Hierarchie the traditious thereof and namely by the much defended Tit. 1.13 and admired book of common praier thus these ordinances of mē turne from the truth as Tit. 1.13 It wil be objected the abuse of any thing in Religion should not take away the use of it which you grant I doe so but that is in the things ordained of God as the Eldership the Lords prayer the use of the Psalmes and some formes of blessing Nomb. 6.23 Rom. 16.24 1. Cor. 16.23 like those Nomb. 6.23 Rom 16.24 Which being common prayers serve to justifie the use of a few such common praiers as may be in the reformed Churches but not the hierarchie never ordained of God nor a service booke taken out of the Romish liturgie in such a time and for such reasons as it was serving men for a whole Religion and thus making the word of none effect For if those reasons had beene good of drawing the papists the sooner to Church c. there are not the same now when almost all goe to Church the Recusants though many are nothing in comparison of those times and by Romish subtiltie the booke of service is turned to doe hurt to our religion as abovesaid Now to call for the use of the service book and extoll it is nothing else but to temporise with popelings to emulate knowledge preaching and writing and to provide one naile to drive out another at least in such points as touch mens corruptions in doctrine and practise which was a sleight used of old by the Romish clergie for when the Prelates saw preaching discovered their errours and tirannie they to put off that and yet to seeme no lesse religious fell to extoll the use of their service and masse and cried out for devotion peace and obedience to the Church and above all for praier wherein divers flattering and ambitious preachers and even most of the English Bishops themselves follow them apace and that in these daies while men complaine of corruption in the clergie and the increase of Arminianisme and poperie witnes Dr. Cousens his cousening devotions approved by the Bishops and divers sermons Speeches and practises of theirs to the like purpose But marke what God saith He that turneth away his eare from the hearing of the Law even his praier shal be abomination Pro. 28.9 What will become then of their devotion who not only turne away their owne eares but even the eares of others also frō hearing the oracles of God both in this point of the Eldership and in those maine points of the Gospel touching Gods free grace and power in election conversion perseverance c. It troubles them much that men should have knowledge preach or write in these points while in the meane they can let the contrarie doctrines passe in the books of the Appealer Dr. Iackson and others these trouble them not in a time when papists Arminians strive to infect Princes people with such Pelagian and popish opinion God commands to contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints Iude. 3. they yet presume that it may be forbidden in these cases so the people be stirred up to praier peace and obedience to the Church I know the daylie exercise of praier may be much urged but by whom by men that sincerely love preaching and hearing in all things that God hath revealed taught and do not set the ordinances of God one against an other that is doe not urge praier as enemies of preaching in many points like the papists norn aemulation thereof as those that oppose praier to preaching to eat out knowledge and bring-in blind devotion these have but a forme of Godlines and scarce that wee had need to pray continually that God would purge rid the
so loth so see any thing against them For gifts blind the eyes of the wise and their ignorance in points of nonresidencie the hierarchie and traditions is a punishment on them for their frowardnes wilfull blindnes ambition and covetousnes at least for making tradition sufficient authoritie in such cases For indeed few men such is the weaknes of corrupt nature can be willing to see that which would hinder them from subscribing having a good living or make them sorrie they had subscribed or to be adverse to that against which they may not be suffered to speake much lesse to preach or write and least of all to reforme or amend as also because if they stir never so little in these cases they are sure to loose their liveings to bee by the Bishops and their champious silenced with scoffes power and terror in stead of good arguments and so to be in more danger then popish Preists and Iesuits Some therefore will have no knowledge at all in such points least it bring them to miserie others thinke it best to keepe their knowledge to themselves leave the amendement to God and in the meane doe the best good they can by their ministerie in other matters but the most know little of this argument Math. 13.11 because it is not given them of God to know it They therefore thinke all these things to bee lawfull necessary and the obedience an acceptable service to God because commanded by authoritie and in some sort ordained and used by the ancient Church This is as if they sayd Kings and Synods may command what they lift in the Church which is as good a warrant as they had of old that made a calfe in Horeb frequented the high places or Ieroboams Calves established by authoritie It is nothing that many of these men are learned and of great knowledge and good conscience in other matters For God saith For as much as this people Isa 29.15 draw nigh to me with their mouth and with their lips doe honour me but have removed their hart far from me and their feare towards me is taught by the precepts of men therefore behold I will proceede to doe a marveilous worke among this people even a marveilous worke and a wonder for the wisdom of their Wisemen shall perish and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid Wisdom should decay in some and others should not dare to shew it God that is ever just must much rather doe it now to our learned and Wisemen seing he hath blotted out the handwriting of ordinances which was contrarie to us Col. 2.14 and tooke it out of the way nayling it to his crosse For hath he taken them away that himself ordained that men may loade us with others doth Christ say Rev. 2.24 I will put upon you none other burden but which ye have already hold fast till I come And shall men bee perswaded that they may impose such as he never ordained and as make the word of none effect The hierarchie is not only in it self a humane ordinance but the Bishops seeme to looke to nothing else but to uphold it and such canons traditions ceremonies and service as it hath invented or received from men Sometime hereticks as Anabaptists Arrians or the like and sometimes persons stained with notorious adulterie or Simonie are by them and their officials questioned and cast out as in the Church of Rome But these things to rare both may be and are much better performed by Elders in the congregations where such delinquents live as also against all notorious drunckards blasphemers swearers mockers and other profane persons of whom Bishops nor theire officials neither doe nor well can heare any thing and if they doe it is not amended and therefore Diocessan Bishops serve not to looke to them nor to nonresidents nor to hinder the growth of Arminianisme poperie c. they can see them increase and never stir against them yea religion to be corrupted more and never move to helpe it but hinder them that would If some others be better affected and would stir if they durst this is Gods mercie to his people who knowes that if all Bishops were as corrupt many would be ready to thinke sure they hold the popish or Arminian religion will serve to salvation and they are wiser then wee God therefore provides that some Bishops and conformists should a little distast their Romish practises though they doe little or no good against them but in the meane they can not bate a little of their hierarchie traditions and ceremonies ordained and commanded by men though they be proved to bee most injurious and repugnant to Gods Kingdome and the true peace of Christian Churches states and common-wealth making the word of God wherein their wel-beeing consists of none effect this is the order they preserve No proofes of holy Scripture can be heard against them either by the Bishops by the privie councell or by our Princes and Parliaments but their feare toward God is in these things taught by the commandements of men what marvaile then if not only in theire wisest councellors but even in their most learned Clergie wisdome bee hid and perished in divers points and they become the scorne of all nations and religions for upholding religion in ceremonie only letting it in the substance thereof fall dayly at home and abroade those of the papists and Arminians increase If they had not such a hierarchie such ceremonies and service to defend and serve them for an entire Religion or a cloake of one they could not for shame but defend the faith and religion it self and their brethren that professe it which seeing they do not what wonder if God plague them not only with pestilence famine and shamefull foiles in war but even with spirituall plagues that their governers both spirituall and Ecclesiasticall should not see the things that belong to their peace but have them hid from their eyes and turne religion into pollicie such poore policie as serves to cousen the land of her religion and her friends of true helpe when they have most need of it and most trust to her and to provoke the most high to bee their enemie while they seeke to please his enemies For the Spaniards and French have gotten aide of men munition and shipping against those of the reformed Religion The Protestants in other countries that thinke they may speake boldy because they have smarted for trusting to the English Say that all this shewes them to bee of a mixed or middle Religion part of the Romish in service and ceremonies which are most defended part of the Reformed in points of faith lesse regarded and part of the Arminians lately received or tollerated that as middle Counsailes and courses doe usually displease both parties and give satisfaction to neither so hath it beene in the Counsailes and courses of the English touching Religion and the defence thereof For though they somewhat