yt is vsed according to his ordinance yt neuer being so â—…pened touched or heard without great fruit yt being the verie tree â—… riuer of life with the abundaÌ„t fruites flowing graces wherof the â—…hole church is nourished watered that therfore the like commaÌ„â—…nt or blessing is of their leauâ—…ned Leitourgies or because God 〈◊〉 the infancie of his church prescribâ—…d certaine scripturâ—…s and psalâ—…es to be read sung vpon their sabath day solemne feastes c. yea â—… at other times of their great affliction oppression calamitie cauâ—…d certaine coÌ„fortable 〈◊〉 to be read in the assâ—…mblie sor the â—…rengthning of the faithful both that they should not be dismaied at 〈◊〉 greatnes coÌ„tinuance of these troubles or think theÌ„ straÌ„ge or els â—…ppose that God were either offâ—…nded with or vnmindful of theÌ„ or 〈◊〉 â—…is mercies c. that therfore now they may vpoÌ„ such feastes saboâ—…s daies times troubles enioyne that I no more meÌ„tioÌ„ their owne â—…auened leitourgies these or any other scriptures by stint measure 〈◊〉 iniunctioÌ„ law vpoÌ„ thâ—… church of God now Is the church of God 〈◊〉 in wardship such infaÌ„cie shut vp as vnder a garrisoÌ„ that yt must â—…ue such Tutors rudimentes Is not Christ now dead risen and â—…ended and hath freed his church from such tutelship he himself now becomming their lawgiuer and minister in person and hath now giuen them his holy word Spirit to administer wisdome vnto them in al freedome to vse the same his word according to his wil their owne occasions vnto his glorie and their comfortes And what can now be a greater bondage to the church iniurie vnto Christ and vnto the Spirit of God then thus to limit to stint circumscribe the church of God the ministerie of Christ the spirit of God by apportioning rating enioyning by way of subiection commandemeÌ„t this scripture in this number quantitie for this day feast fast calamitie c. where haue they any rule for this in the TestameÌ„t of Christ They wil say yt sufficeth that they haue warraÌ„t for yt in the old Testament where these perscript limited scriptures at such daies feastes times occasions were commanded inioined in the church c. But I hope they caÌ„ put differeÌ„ce betwixt the estate lawes of the church vnder Moses now vnder Christ that they wil not now reserue â—…eviue and apply those lawes belonging to the TeÌ„ple the ministerie therof now to the church ministerie of Christ. But they take not these to be ceremonial lawes but â—…ather morall which commandeth scriptures to be read praiers to be made in the church of God these scriptures which they inioyne are such therfore may so be vsed True yt is the moral law both commanded the name of God to bâ—… called vpon and the word of God to be read c. and this to al tiâ—…s estates persons indifferently as wel to that ministery vnder the law as to this vnder the gospel leauing the particular maner order therâ—…f to the wisdoÌ„ directioÌ„ reuelation of the holy Ghost from time to time as seemed good vnto him Now yt pleased God to giue those rudimentes of the vse of certaine scriptures psalmes c. to the ministerie of that church commanding such scriptures to be there read vpon such daies occasiones c. such psalmes to be sung by such Leuites of such an order of ASAPH HEMAN or IEDVTHVN to be sung in such a time with such musickes such instrumentes c. Al which I am sure they cannot deny to be inseperably ioyned vsed to those scriptures in that Temple and ministerie and were meerly ceremonial now vtterly abrogate with that Temple and ministerie and no way belong to the ministerie or Church of Christ. Those stinted lawes and customes I say I would not be vnderstood of the precious word of God wherof euerie iode and title abideth for euer and is of vse and fruite in the church of God which scriptures and figures are not without their especial profite in their spiritual sense and vnderstanding al and ech of which scriptures are now freely to be vsed withouâ—… stint or limitation in the Church of Christ as his spirit giueth wisdom grace and vtterance and not to be restreined and aportionate by way of prescription and commandement without the losse of Christian libertie of the truth of the Gospel the abusing the word of God vnto idolatrie making yt an Idol But heere they wil say that the reading of the scriptures and â—…inging of Psalmes is also coÌ„manded in the Church of CHRIST This â—…ath beene long since granted yet no such stinted and limited reading â—… singing thus thus much this day at that time c. as they inioine â—…ell yet seing they are still coÌ„manded though at our libertie what â—…heÌ„ to reade or sing them many of them being godly praiers we may â—…et pray by the booke and by written praiers As this word prayer by 〈◊〉 general constructioÌ„ may be vnderstood I graunt they may be called â—…raiers in that they conteine fit matter rules instructions for praier â—…nd were to that end by the holy Ghost written yet can they not be â—…ied our praiers or my particulaâ—… praier because they neither expresse â—…ur present wantes according to the present estate of our heartes neiâ—…her can be said the liuely graces worke of Gods spirit in vs so much â—…s the power of Gods word and Spirit vnto vs. My meaning is they â—…re not dâ—…awen or powred out of our heartes as out of a fountaine buâ—…â—…ather drawen out of the fountaine of Gods word powred into our â—…eartes as a vessel therfore can not be said our praier which must proâ—…eed from the present estate of our heart They are not our wordes by â—…s offred vnto God but Godes word by him offred vnto vs therfore â—…annot be said our praiers But ô how hard a thing is yt for carnal men to discerne spiritual â—…hinges They can by no meanes be made to put difference betwixt the â—…ord of God and their Apocryphâ—… Leitourgies which they falsly vaunt to â—…e according to the word of God betwixt reading singing praying 〈◊〉 the present liuely graces of Gods Spirit in vs and their old â—…enned dead writinges betwixt Gods word to vs instructing vs accorâ—…ing to our infirmities by way of petition and our wordes vnto God by â—…aithfull praier And this vale being layd ouer their eies and heartes â—…hese blind guides â—…ot only affirme but condemne thinges they know â—…ot the one in setting vp their owne rotten Leitourgies abusing the â—…ord of God to in the same c. the other in crying out with open â—…outh against such as reproâ—…e them and will not partake with them â—…n their idolatrie Insomuch as Doctor ROBERT SOME confesseth very â—…illingly and freely that he was amased when he heard vs affirme that â—…art of holy
wherwith the whole world is now so deeplie delighted wholy carried away nothing els being welcome or acceptable vnto their earthly séses or ytching humorous eares which caÌ„not bâ—…ooke wholsome doctrine or suffer the wordes of exhortation I haue not desired to speake in the wordes taught by humane wisdome but in the words taught of the Holie Ghost From which where I haue swerued as my vnsanctified lippes no doubt too ofteÌ„ haue or which wherin I haue abused as fooles knowe not to vse a parable aright I humbly craue the Christian correction rather then the pardon of the reader for yt ought to goe before and shall be more profitable vnto me Great euerie way shal â—…he benefite hereof be both to me to the whole Church I being instructed shal through the grace of God both repent learne to amend my faultes the Church shall reape the fruits of Gods graces much more plentifullie in others which if I may any way stir vp I shal not iudg my labour wholy lost The diffuse and disorderly handling of these points will also no doubt be yrksonne vnto the Reader neither in deed take I anie pleasure therin but let that be partly imputed to the confuse subiect â—…ou know what BABEL signifieth but chieflie to my waÌ„t of skill that knew not how to do yt better I am coÌ„tent to beare that blame so others may reape anie good by the rest If some vnperfect senteÌ„ces or superfluous repetitions arise in the reading attribute those to his weakned memorie that is but a litle cherished as also to the incoÌ„uenience of the place through the iniquitie of the times where such was the rage of the enimie as he might not keepe one sheade by him whiles he was writinge of an other hauinge also as euill meanes to reuise or retract that he had written so no woÌ„der though manie thinges escaped which might with more dilligence haue beene preuented Let these also be the writers blame deseruedlie which he for thy good thinketh not much to sustaine But now remaineth the verie Argument subiect of this Booke w ch of â—…l other will be most disliked held most odious heinous of all sorts of men who wil neuer endure to heare the magnificence of the false Church wherin they haue so long beene nouriâ—…hed in so great delight reprooued cast downe So throughlie are they intoxicate vvith the wine of her abhominations and all their senses bownd in the fetters of her fornications that they haue no eies to see eares to heare or hearts to beleeue the truth But especiallie the shipmaisters the marriners merchantmen and all the people that reigne row are caried in this false Church they will neuer indure to see fire cast into her theâ—… wil neuer indure to suffer losse of their daintie pretious merchaÌ„dise but rather will raise vp no small tumultes and stirres against the seruantes of God seeking their blood by all subtill violent meanes as we reade in the scriptures their predecessors haue alwaies donne accusing them of treason troubling the state schisme heresie and vvhat not But vnto all the power learning deceipt rage of the false Church vve oppose that litle Booke of Gods vvorde which as the light shall reueale her as the fire consume her as an heauy milstone shall presse her and all her children louers partakers abettors downe to hell which Booke we willinglie receiue as the iudge of al our controuersies knowing that all men shall one day that ere long be iudged by the same by this Booke who so is found in error or transgression let them haue sentence accordinglie Neither let the dreadfull seuere iugments of GOD be lesse feared or esteemed because they are pronounced by a frayle weake man or that man or messenger be hardlier entreated or iudged too seuere because he doth deliuer the message of his Lord. The Lord assuredlie doth ratifie in heauen whatsoeuer he pronounceth heere or earth neither hath anie seruant of GOD power to alter change his maisters wil they cannot loose that he bindeth or lighten his yoke Let then that state people or person that findeth himself greeued at anie thing heere said first inquire the truth therof in the word of GOD so giue credit obedience accordingly for wheÌ„ the Lion roreth vvho should not feare when the Lord hath spoken vvho should not prophecie Let him that heareth therfore heare and he that leaueth off let him leaue off yet let all know the Lion roreth not in the forest if no pray be present neither the young Lion out of his denne if he be not about to take And when the Lion of the Tribe of IVDA is once raised vp vvho shall then find Argumentes to plead or vveapons of defence yt is a most fearfull thing to fall into the handes of the liuing GOD. Great is the mercie of GOD that bloweth the trumpet and giueth warning before he â—…ring the euill vpon vs yea great is his mercie patience that yet continueth to speake knock and call we hauing so long skorned his messengers despised his words c. Only now let all men in whome is anie feare or loue of GOD anie care of their owne saluation tremble at the word of GOD let them be warned feareâ—… leâ—… them ponder their owne waies depart from euill least the finall wrath of God preuent them Let them consider the further they go on iâ—… error the further they depart from the truth and the harder they shall find yt to returne Let them not be perswaded to continue in euill by the authoritie wisdome pretended learning or holines of anie neither by the numbers and multitudes after they haue once heard or seene the error of their way the Lord keepe all his from presumptuous sinne Long hath that great milstone of the Lordes fearfull iudgmentes beene lift vp on high in the eies of all men ouer this presumptuous confuse BABEL wherin they continue long hath the Lord called commaunded all his people to goe yea to flee out of her Many they see by Gods mightie hand escaped deliuered and marching with the banner of the Gospell displaied before all the inchanters of Egipt PHARAOH his troupes Let the rest no longer â—…empt GOD or be held vnder the dint compasse of this dreadfull milstone by anie perswasions but let them saue their soules out of this accursed false Church with all speed whiles yet grace and time is offred and ioine themselues vnto the faithfull seruantes of CHRIST vnder his conduct Gospell that he may lead them out of the howse of this spirituall bondage into the gloriâ—…us libertie of the sonnes of GOD vnto that desired TZION there together to serue God lead their liues in holines according to Gods owne wil to the comfort assurance of their owne soules the glorie of his name Amen Let the vniust do vniustlie yet and
hidden amongst the opeÌ„ wicked vngodly as 〈◊〉 few graines of wheate lie in a great heape of chaffe c. Then â—…hich doctrine nothing can be deuised more vncleane corrupt â—…r more vnworthy the Church of CHRIST as breaking all the orâ—…inances and lawes of GOD at once and vtterly subuerting defiâ—…ng all Christian communion c. vvhich doctrine as yt is directly â—…ontrarie vnto the whole course of scriptures both for the entrance â—…to the Church and for the order conuersation in the Church 〈◊〉 can no place of scripture be applied to the vpholding and confirâ—…ation therof without vnsufferable falsifying and violent wrasting â—…e same As for this place Maâ—…hew 3. 12. yt no more prooueth this docâ—…ine then the others out of Math. 13. for here Mathew rather recorâ—…eth the conclusion of Ihon the Baptistes sermon doctrine then â—…ny way describeth the estate of the established Church of CHRIST 〈◊〉 the 11. and 12. verses shewing the incomparable excellencie of CHRISTES person and ministerie in respect of his also in the same â—…ewing the diuers effectes of Christes coÌ„ming vnto such as looked â—…or him vvho as they vvere of two sortes so had they seuerall sucâ—…esse The one sort he baptised the other he consumed with fire â—…he one sort he fanned fifted purged fined and preserued as wheat â—…nd siluer the other with the same fanne and fornace he â—…scattered â—…nd burnt vp as chaffe drosse The humble poore of the flock â—…vhich gaue eare to the voice in the wildernes which confessed â—…epented their sinnes and made strait his pathes receaued Ihons â—…aptisme those he receaued fed kept c. but those proud Phaâ—…isies learned Scribes and carnal Saâ—…uceis which thought themâ—…elues in a perfect estate and despised the councel of God against â—…hemselues and would not be baptised of Ihon those when the â—…ESSIAH also came despised and contemned him and therfore he â—…ut them off in one day yea his day was vnto them darknes and not â—…ght c. But now which way should this fowle vncleane barn-floore thus pestered ouerspred with chaffe be likened almost without blaâ—…phemie vnto y e holy Church of Christ rightly planted established gouerned according to his holy will testameÌ„t where as hath beene said all the people that enter are receaued there are chosen redeemed called out of the world from amongst the heathen Saintes by calling partakers of the same pretious faith glorious hope humble obedient louing sheepe And therfore is y â— church likened to a sheepfold which is both watched and defended to keepe out the wild beastes the wolfe and litle foxes vnto a garden shut vp welspring inclosed an orchyeard vineyard walled where al the plantes are natural sweet incense trees pomgranate al sweet fruit trees Myrrhe Aloes cynnamon with trees of chief spices Heere entereth no Cananite or profane person but euerie vessel shalbe cleane holy as bowles before the Altar c Furthermore eueÌ„ in the material temple there were ash-pannes besoms to sweep carry out al dust filth And euen in euerie barn-flore the husbandman hath his flayle his fanne his syue to tresh his wheat out of the eare to purge yt from the chaffe to seuer yt from darnel tares c. which labour if he should slack he should haue no vse of his wheat he should haue no cleane nor wholsome bread And how much more shal our heauenlie husbandman purge his seed his wheat from such reprobate chaffe giddy darnel before he receaue them into one loafe set them at his heauenly table They canot be a newe lump vnto him except they be purged from the old leuen of maliciousnes wickednes The seruantes of God can neither build the Church nor ioine in any spiritual actioÌ„ with the profane nor with such counterfeit professors as the Samaritanes nor with such bastardy false seede as that of MOAB of ASHDOD c. There may be no misseline or seedes of diuers kinds soweÌ„ in the Lordes â—…ield The God of heauen and earth requireth vnto himself a holy seed he will be sanctified of all that draw neere vnto him for euen our God is a consuming fire How then dare any admit those the Lord shutteth out of his Church or how dare they mingle and ioyneth such reprobate knowen chaffe cockle tares darnel with the Lordes wheate wittingly and wittingly which the Lord with fanne syue purgeth seuereth casteth out of his barn-flore much lesse receaueth not into his granarie But how far is their ignorant rashâ—…es or rather presumptuous boldnes proceeded which not only receaue into retaine in their Church fellowship these heapes of the wicked opeÌ„ vnworâ—… euen all the profane multitude al sortes of people that are found within their territories and iurisdiction without respect of person but euen thrust them vpon Christ whether he will or no and make him an high Priest Prophet vnto them administring vnto them and their seed the holy thinges of God as baptisme the Lordes supper Is not this to mingle heauen and earth ligh darkâ—… or â—…hat higher sacriledge can be committed shal these places thus â—…rasted falsified hide diminish their sinns or rather not agraâ—…ate make manifest their error wickednes By what sober conâ—…truction or almost coÌ„mon sense can this place Math. 3. be vnderâ—…tood of the planted and rightly ordered Church of Christ or how â—…ay such a Church be compared to a flore where in a great heape â—…f chaffe a few graines of wheate lie hid and buried we read in the â—…criptures that the righteous shall shine as starrs in the Church of God yet I willingly acknowledge that there can in this life be no wheate so pure which hath not both chaffe branne c. but that â—…n an other sense only I would know of these men that thus grossly â—…iken the Church of God what difference we may put betwixt the â—…orld and their Church In the world in deed the children of God â—…hal for a season be mingled remayn amongst the profane wicked vntil the time of their visitation calling but after they haue once giuen obedience vnto the voice of Christ then forget they forsake their old conuersation companie haue no longer felâ—…owship with the vnfruitful workes of darknes but are renned in â—…ighteousnes holines and true knowledg after the image of him that called them out of darknes into his merueilous light c. But to couer cure al this confusion disorder al this sacrilegious profanatioÌ„ portsale of the holy thinges of God al other mischeifes enormities amongst theÌ„ as also to stop the mouthes to terrifie al such as find fault with reprooue these thinges or depart from amongst them where
shal haue recouered your senses froÌ„ the amazement wherinto you were smitten with this strange Doctrine touchnig praier to a further consideration of the matter to see if you can bring any better reasons or repaire these in your third booke against the poore persecuted seruantes of Christ whome you vntruly accuse blaspheme publish for Anabaptists what not in these youâ—… priuiledged poisoned writings I haue sufficiently as I hope shewed the vnlawfulnes of bringing into or reading in the church these stinted numbred praiers and set seruice in their written diuised Leitourgies both because they wanâ—… warrant in the Testament of Christ practise of the Apostles and are contrarie to the same being Apochrypha not the liuely graces of Gods Spirit being contrary to al the rules of praier yea to the Spirit yt selâ—… christian libertie not being drawen from the Spirit of God in vs according to the necessities present estate of the church or of our heartes as the Spirit giueth vtterance but rather teaching the Spirit wordes vsurping the office therof in the consciences of meÌ„ yea setting stintes lawes vpon the Spirit church prescribing this thus much to be said this day in the morning at afternone thus many collectes or Pater nosters heer a Creed a Tâ—… deum c. I haue shewed the supertition idolatrie abhominacion of the best of theÌ„ how they are buâ—… as a dead stinking carion not a liuely acceptable sacrifice vnto the Lord so abhominacion wil worship not required at our handes so superstitioÌ„ brought into standing in the church of God for that they are not namly as rules lawes of the church as holy praiers and incense of the Saintes as the liuely graces present worke of the Spirit so idolatrie I haue shewed that those scriptures vsed in them do no way iustifie theÌ„ no more then they doe the masse-booke or a Coniures magical incantatioÌ„s which haue also holy psalmes scriptures as vnreprooueable praiâ—…rs but rather that they make theÌ„ the more heinous in that they so rende mangle peruert the scriptures to such blasphemous abuses I haue shewed that such written stinted stuffe cannot be said the praiâ—…rs oâ—… the Saintes neither do any good either instruct or help the weakâ—… coÌ„sciences of any but are rather the very leauen poison of their heartes soules the very cradles and cushions of these graceles Priestes Atheistes to rock them asleepâ—… in their sinnes securitie neuer touching the heart or conscieÌ„ce but teaching them to prate ouer vpon the booke or by rote their certayne nuÌ„ber of wordes to the Lord as though the booke were their heart vtterly quenching the Spirit of God and al the light that is in them They make theÌ„ bâ—…leeue that this prescript praier is good at this time that at an other time this when they rise or at dinner the tother when they goe to supper or to sleepe this when they are sick that is special good to be read or saied at the point and hower of death Thus abuse they misleade men keep them wholy from the exercise of the Spiâ—…it of God in them from the searching and powring out theyr heartes â—…efore the Lord from the due confession sorrow repentance for â—…heyr sinnes froÌ„ the true knowledg or any vse or benefite of that blesâ—…ed benefite holy exercise of praier and wholy from receauing any â—…crease blessing or grace froÌ„ God as the preseÌ„t estate of their church â—…heir faith soules sheweth euideÌ„tly being by their stinted Leiâ—…ourgie â—…coÌ„sidered at the best that they can imagine or speake for theÌ„selues â—…ept at a stay alwaies in one estate hauing neither more nor lesse of â—…ods grace but eueÌ„ the self same stil. Thus are they neuer led forth â—…ne step towardes perfection vntil a new Leitourgie be made where â—…hey haue al thinges prescribed both what to doe how to doe what 〈◊〉 say how much to say wheÌ„ to say wheÌ„ to make an end Thus iugâ—…le they mock with God behold how the Lord deludeth deâ—… them withholdeth the early latter rayne of his blessinges froÌ„â—…eÌ„ the coÌ„tinual spring haruest of his fruitful gracâ—…s they being â—…holy emptie destitute therof depriued of light truâ—… knowledg â—…ea coÌ„mon sense feeling their consciences being seared as with an â—…ote yron their heartes paued hardned in their sinnes which they â—…oÌ„mit â—…ueÌ„ with gâ—…eedines hauing left theÌ„ no sight iudgmeÌ„t or power 〈◊〉 theÌ„selues to discerne betwixt good euil nether to looke or know â—…hat 〈◊〉 wil of God is for any thing they doe or leaue vndone Neither â—…aue they power to practise yt but depend wholy vppon others for al 〈◊〉 things to theÌ„ they goe to inquire as they say so yt is without any â—…oubt so yt must be done without any coÌ„traditioÌ„ Thus is their faith â—…at inwrapped faith of the papistâ—…s to belâ—…ue as the church 〈◊〉 without knowing what y â— church belâ—…eueth to beleeue doe â—…s such a preacher such a Rabbine beleeueth doeth Ó he is a learâ—…ed an holy maÌ„ he would not doâ—… otherwise theÌ„ wel for al the world â—…uch a Martyre made this such a maÌ„ that yt caÌ„not be but good say â—…od what he wil. They see with other meÌ„s eies speak with other mens â—…outhes pray beleeue with other meÌ„s heartes Thus doe they al by â—…rescript custome traditioÌ„ without regard to y e rules of Gods word â—…hus build they their house faith vpon thâ—… sandes thus are they by â—…heir blind guides deluded led out of y e way thus are they cast into â—…tter dâ—…knes held in y e chaines of sinne vnto iudgmeÌ„t their haÌ„des â—…ies heartes al their senses powers being fast bouÌ„d by thesâ—… Egipâ—…iaÌ„ in chaÌ„tâ—…rs their delusions And now that we haue thus largely set â—…ut the vâ—…lawfulnes inconuenieÌ„ces of al prescript Leiâ—…ourgies that all 〈◊〉 prâ—…tences may be remooued out of the way me thinkes yt â—…s now time to returne to this Leiâ—…ourgie of â—…he church of ENGLAND and â—…o consider somwhat more particularly of yt wherby we shal discerne â—…hat kind of faith they haue professe exercise AND HERE IN to dealâ—… with euery particular error therof or to medâ—…le with the patcheries innumerable trumpeâ—…ies therin or al their â—…rosse sollies more then childish euen apish triflinges or their friâ—…olous constitutions customes wheruÌ„to they bind lesson the paâ—…ish priest to say his matteÌ„s eueÌ„song in order to begin with this confession throughout the yeare nay throughout their life TheÌ„ cometh the priestes general pardon thorough the power that his lord Bishop hath comitted vnto him so he proceedeth to his stinted psalmes Lessons with his certaine of Paternosters euer among of CREEDES their forged patcherie coÌ„moÌ„ly calcd the Apostles Creed or SYMâ—…OLE ATHANASIVS CREED the NICENE CREED sometimes sayde in prose
baptised with the inward baptisme of the Spirit though she want the outward neuer seek yt it skilleth not Wil not the two learned Doctors iudge this to be flat Anabaptistrie to seperate from and oppose the inward Spirit against the reuealed word of God as though they that had that inward grace and earnest of their adoption need not the outward signe ought not to seek yt yea that which yet is more deeply set will they not and may they not iustly say that you hould and teach the verie maine groundes of all Anabaptistriâ—… namly that so they be moued by the inward spirit they may go to any vnlawful action so their owne heart coÌ„demne them not they need not feare though the action be euil other men condemne them for they stand or fall to their owne maister els would you neuer haue giuen the Prince councell being in your iudgment vnbaptised because â—…he hath receaued inward grace as you say therfore not to seeke the outward seale which euerie member of the established Church must receaue Because she hath this inward grace therfore she may without doubting present her self to the Lordes Table to receaue the holy supper though she haue not beene ingraffed or receaued into the Church by outward baptisme especially that she will still perswade her self that she in the popish Church receaued yt for tâ—…is is in her no sinful ignorance that seing she hath receaued great comfort often times in the communion in that manner by these ministers aboue said administred vnto her in this estate she may stil vpon the scholler of Oxford his warrant aduenture to fetch more there be the action neuer so sacrilegious execrable and repugnant to Gods word Shal not these grosse blind Doctors who are in deed y e verie sepulchre of all rottennes yet explode and detest these Anabaptistical phantâ—…sies shal not the glorious 〈◊〉 of Christ which you would seeme to affect and plead though I 〈◊〉 heard of such scoffing diuines to help vp Christs kingdome through this your hatefull flattery hypocrisie dissembling suffer great blame and reproch because in deed you feare the faces of men more then you feare God dare more bouldly preach these and manie other apparant lies then the truth which are better accepted of all men in these miserable and corrupt times To their appetites and humors you transforme and apply Christ making him a Sauiour to euery rich glutton liue as profanely and wickedly as he list for your bellies sake You seek to bring Christ in by the arme of flesh and not by the power of his word and vertue of his Spirit into the heartes and coâ—…sciences of men because in deed you dare not publish that truth you know practise yt in a good conscience enduring cheerfully with patience what soeuer may be inflicted vpon you for the same by this euil and sinful generation wheras now you dare neither belieue nor affirme any more of Gods truth then either is already publikely receaued or els confirmed by some of your authentike Authors M â— CALVINE M r BEZA D. FVLKE thus holding dissembling the faith of Christ in respect of persons times and I wote not what pollicies As though the truth of God were not alwaies in season alwaies necessarie alwaies authentike And therfore God hath taken you in your owne pollicies and subtelties deliuered you into the handes of your â—…nemies whome you so skoffed and skorned and certainly vnles you repent and turne vnto him he wil make you euen a reproch vnto al men as vnsauorie salt that can neither season nor be seasoned with any thing And in deed we poore persecuted ChristiaÌ„s whome you so despise and blasphemie baptising vs into the name of Browne as though we had either deriued or hold our faith of him or any mortal man or elâ—… were detected and convinced of some notorious heresies thus adding afflictions vnto our bandes whereas your selues dare not affirme nor abide by that Christ is the Sonne of God if any persecution should arise therfore we poore persecuted Christians I say are so far from reioicing to see you thus ensnared and foiled that we euen grieue and blush for shame that so glorious a cause should be so euil handled of you Why could not the sacred scriptures haue giueÌ„ light to the deciding this doubt and vndoing this knot but that the one side must runne to M r. CALVINE aâ—…d he must be iâ—…star mille the other to D. FVLKE â—…d he must be put in the other ballance as a counterpoise and these being directly contrarie the one to the other the one holding the Church of Rome to be a Church though corrupted defaced with other such ignorant rotten tearmes that belong not to a true Church the baptisme there deliuered to be a true sacrament though there were neither lawful minister faithful people nor the institution of Christ kept in the elementes and manner of deliuering In which opinion though yt be altogether without grownd of the word or common sense yet the one he wil rest because yt best fitteth his popish turne and fleshly appetite to couer al the abhominations which are deriued from the Church of Rome and stil as holy relikeâ—… kept reserued and worshipped in this Church of England The other side erecteth D. FVLKE as their patrone and giueth him a garland in his graue because he hath vtterlie denied the Church of Rome in any sort to be held a true Church brought in that famous monument of that pontifical prelate the dowghtie S. Ihon of Beuerlay that depriued the ignorant doggbolt priest as he termeth him disanulled the Baptisme that he had deliuered and rebaptised the yongman Now though no one iote of this priest of Beuerlay his doing be allowable by Godes word for there it is not found that either one man may make or depriue a minister in the Church of God or that the outward signe of Baptisme thus giuen ought to be repeated yet because this verie wel fitteth their humors to disgrace the dumb priestes and magnifie the preaching priestes and for some other private respectes therfore forsooth this side wil as peremptorily with as litle truth rest in M EVLK his iudgment and he shal want no figures nor flowres y t CaÌ„bridg or Oxford caÌ„ afford to deck his hearse withal And when think you if both sides thus confidently betake them to their captaines shall they be accorded and meet in the truth when they are both so wilful and thus far from yt or how shal the poore people which are led by these miserable guides euer come to the sight of the truth Vndoubtedly Christ is not thus deuided neither is the spirit of God thus diuers and contrary or the word of God yea and nay There is but one truth one way which neither of these aduerse guides haue as yet found and as yt should seeme though yt
these miserable guides both towardes God and man that would hazard and commit his soule and body to the conduct of such blind and deceitful guydes as either cannot or will not leade them right who would commit the Citie to such blind watch mē as either cannot discerne the enemie or vnto such trecherous watchmen as wil not blow the trumpet and giue warning vnto all men to be in a readines but on the cōtrarie are in compact with the enemie hane betraied the whole Church into their handes yeilded vnto them absolute authoritie takē their lawes their peace their marke and stand now the sworne waged ma◅ked sould◅ors of Antichrist guarding his verie throne person setting vp burning ince◅se to his image gylding the harlot the false Church and araying her with all the titles ornaments euē the gold siluer precious stones pearles fine linnen purple scarlet c. that belong to the true tabernacle In her doe they offer the meat flowre wine oile honie that God hath giuen In her burne they their frankincense and sweetest perfumes In her they prepare a feast furnish a Table to the multitudes These are her chamberlaines her tapsters that stand at the doore of her house of euerie high place in the land and inuite toule in their guests which flow in vn◅o them at the sownd of their bell These cal allure such as passe by their way go right on their way to take a bay◅e at their i◅ne promising their peace offrings wisdome great cheare and verie great and good companie of the noble the rich the learned who will all be readie vpon the first blush of faire weather as soone as euer yt holdeth vp ouer head these stormes and clowdes are blowen away to go with them on that iournay whether they are trauailing for thither also are they bent and as soone as euer God shall incline the Princes heart then they wil al forsake Antichrist goe vnto CHRIST In the meane time they haue all with one consent determined not to guide forward one step Also these that go before them in the way and will not stay for this good companie ◅uch they say marre all their course and hinder the discipline they seeke And therfore they assay by all meanes to turne them out of their way which if yt wil not be then they denounce proclaime them as most bitter enemies Brownestes Schismatikes prowd and ignorant persons disobedient to Magistrates whome they in their pulpets stir vp to send out their horsemen chariors after them to bring them by force back againe into EGIPT and to hold their bodies in moist noisome vile and streight prisons except they will come to these fowlers vnto their high places For these good men would not haue CHRIST brought in in y ◠base maner by faith repentance leauing all such thinges as are contrari◅ to his will and seeking to doe the thinges that he hath commanded whosoeuer say nay to yt and whatsoeuer yt cost whether imprisonment confiscation or death bearing his crosse in all patient meek and humble maner with cheerfulnes and ioy Fie this is al too base they would bring him in with sownd of trumpet by an armie and strength by act of parliament by consent of all estates of the realme Prince Nobles Priestes people and that into these famous synagogues high places gorgeously decked for his maiestie and not in this abiect maner to runne to him into vpper chambers hooles in woodes prisons c. and that a few poore d◅spised vnlearned wretches and that not with the Magistrates leaue good will c. Thus see you how far these guides are from leading you forward in the straight waies of the Lord that with this their preaching they keep you bring you backward you see how far these watchmen are from ringing the alarme and sounding the trumpet against the enemie against any sinne in any person against Antichrist As you see they promise peace blessing to the most wicked dare not giue warning of or denounce against any si◅n either in the state I meane cōmon welth or Church or any great person in the same be the sinne neu◅r so heinous against the first or second Table but rather dawbe vp all these abhominations and all the land in their sinne keeping and houlding them ◅herin bownd as in chaines and fetters vnto the Lords fearful iudgment yea by these their sermons keeping all the people in ignorance vnfurnished of their christian armour and weapons Neither in deed need they any for you see in the happy realme of England there are no enemies ex◅ept Sathan draw mē to the◅t or murther or treason Yf they can keepe thēselues frō these faults or keep them secret why then al is well there are no other faultes or enemies Sathan hath no instruments dare not stir in this estate vnder a Christian Prince where there is such preaching of the Gospell c. you see how these your learned preachers your good men haue not with al their sermons preaching withdrawne one soule all this while from the false Chu◅ch or the abhominable idolatries therin but on the contrarie administer in the false Church dawbing her vp retaining al their auditorie in her hindering drawing back by their vttermost artes and indeuors al that seeke to walke in the straight peaceable waies of the Lord. These with the infinite enormities that ensue heerof were inough to dis◅ouer vnto you what manner of ministers these are and ministery they exercise how they prcach the Gospel But yet I must ad this vnto y e rest how with all this their preaching they haue not all this while giuē any increase to y e bodie not leading their hearers one step towardes perf◅ction but as they stood 30 yeres agoe in the self same estate are they still in the same confusion idolatrie disorder in their synagogues as appeareth by their present estate And as for other knowledg of God or his word they haue none touching the secōd table as y e innumerable multitudes of their sutes wrongs complaintes in al their courtes of plea declare which neuer were so fraught not euen vnder the most grosse poperie as they are vnder this light of their Gospell all these being members of their Church Neither is it possible that such idolaters as both priestes and people are should haue anie sound knowledg or iudgment of Gods word and truth for they that know not God aright how should they know his word aright Now the Apostle teacheth vs our common sense confirmeth that yt is vnsound milke that giueth no increase to the bodie in 30 yeres space we haue to suspect such milke to be vnholsome I trow nei◅her would any of vs in whome is any wit or loue put out our children to such nourses much lesse their
law into whose handes they were for a season deliuered c. After these visions Daâ—…iel was shewed how this presumptuous horne was consumed destroied with y â— fiery streame that proceeded from the ancient of daies and how this vnlawfull dominion was taken from the other beasts and giuen to him that came fâ—…om heaueÌ„ and hauing finished the ful redemption of his â—…aints being ascended vp againe and set at the right hand of his Father there was giuen vnto him dominion and glorie and a kingdome that all people nations and tongues should serue him whose dominion is a perpetual dominion that passeth not away his kingdome is â—…euer corrupted Ver. 14. Also Ver 27. What caÌ„ be more diâ—…ect for the perpetuity of the gouernmeÌ„t ordinances that Christ hath left apointed in his new Testament for his châ—…rch which whosoeuer presumeth to againâ—… or violate much more to innouate or change shall he not be vnder the same sinne damnatioÌ„ curse with this presumptuous blasphemous horne The Prophet zachariah also in the eleuenth of his prophecie sheweth that all CHRISTS â—…heep are gouerned and kept vnder our cheif shepeheards pastorall staues Beawtie Bands All other are out of his protection deliuered vp in his wrath to be guided by the instruments of foolish idol shepheards whose right arme shalbe without strength and whithered vp their right eie shalbe vtterlie darkened there shall be no light in them Both these shepheards their flockes euen all such as are misled by with them are giuen vp of the Lord to vtter destructioÌ„ because they cast the Lords coards from them would not be bound in his bands their soule abhorred the Lord they would not haue him to reigne ouer them therfore his soule abhorred them he gaue them vp to their owne lusts insnared them in their owne pollicies For all the wisdome of all flesh without the Lord is madnes their most exquisite plattes of gouernment which they can deuise vnto themselues are but the instruments of foolish sheepheards to their owne perdition of as manie as are gouerned by them These things are so manifest in that Chapter the true shepheard gouernment sheepe as also the false shephearde gouernmet sheepe with the diuers endes of both being there described the one in y e person of our Sauiour his disciples the other in the Priests rulers phariseis people of the Iewes with their verie maner of reiecting betraiâ—…ng him so liuelie set downe as none can cauill at theâ—…e things or mistake them â—…o grosly againe as one of these foolish shepheardes D. SOME hath done taking his chapter to be vnderstood of the estate of the Iewes in zecheriâ—…hs time the 1â—… 13. verse of 〈◊〉 person wages Who if he had but compared this chapter in yt self much more to the discourse of the Prophet precedent subsequent but especially to the euident euent perimplishing in by our Sauiour Christ Math. 21. 23. 24 26. Chapters he would neuer haue iustified tithes by the 12 13 verses of of this eleuenth Chapter of zechariah If any doubt of the interpretatioÌ„ of these two staues 〈◊〉 Bands let him consider the allegorie how shepheards vse their staues hookes or rather let him waigh the 7 ver where he shall find that Christ with these staues fed gouerned and defended those sheepe his Father gaue him as also verse 14 the interpretation end of the staffe Bâ—…ndes how there can be no true coÌ„munion where they are not knit together in the faith order gouernment and loue of Christ. But if he compare this prophecie to the euent fulfilling therof by our Sauiour Christ his Apostles that called al men from the shadowes figures of the Temple vnto the kingdome Church of Christ he shall manifestlie see that this sense in all things accordeth and no other can be made to agree to the words and Argument of this Prophet in this Chapter Noteâ—… might plentifullie be drawen manie waightie Arguments framed from these allegories as also froÌ„ the eâ—…ymologie of these words to shew the excellencie amenitie pleasantnes comlines congruence vtilitie necessity perpetuity of CHRISTS pastorall gouernment of his Church and how disorderly and vnnaturall a thing yt were for the sheepe to disobey especially to controule and teach their shepheard But I hope the iudgments denounced in that chapter for such faultes and the plaine demonstration of the danger error folly horror of all other gouernments and instruments whatsoeuer may suffice to satisfie the godly in this point and to restraine them from such presumption and rebellion either to reiect or to innouate or alter CHRISTS holy gouernment order and ordinances As for the vnperswaded and disobedient I leaue them to their accompt when they shall see him whome they haue perced through come with clowdes and in the meane while will addresse my self to prooue by sundry expresse places of the new Testament y â— the ordinances the Apostles left for the building administration gouernment of the Church are the coÌ„mandements of God perpetual inuiolable to be obserued and not to be willingly neglected or changed vnto the worlds end Our Sauiour CHRIST hauing finiâ—…hed whatsoeuer was needful here vpon earth to be â—…one in his person either for the worke of our redemption or for the remouing abolishing all the legal shadowâ—…s ceremonial worship or for the ratifijng his Gospel the gathering plaÌ„ting establishing his Church hauing chosen apointed and perfectly instructed his Apostles of all things belonging thervnto In the 28 chap. according vnto Mathew Vers. 1â—… 19. 20. he vsed this speach vnto them And â—…esus comming spake vnto them saying all authority in heauen in earth is giuen vnto me Go therfore teach ye all the nations baptising them into the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Spirit teaching them to keep all things whatsoeuer I haue commanded you And loe I am with you all daies vntill the consummation of the world Amen Omitting the sundry necessary circumstances and manifold profitable doctrines that might from this scripture be obserued and drawen to hold me to the present purpose we heere may see not only the Apostles personal power and authority but the warrant and dignity of all things they taught or did in this brief of their commission and ministery which we heere see to be deriued from founded vpon our Sauiour CHRISTS sacred person and soueraigne power We heere see whome they were to teach whome to baptise how to baptise how and what to â—…each the baptised and how to leaue such as they had thus taught gathered and instructed In summe we here â—…ee the very maner and order of winning receauing gathering ordering instructing building vp and establishing the Church of CHRIST We heere see all the orders and ordinances which the Apostles practised in and left vnto the Churches by our Sauiouâ—… owne moâ—…th pronounced to be
seruice of his Church But that vvere to handle the vvhole platforme and oâ—…der of Christs Testament the excellencie and perfection wherof but slightly to describe as yt far exceedeth my slender capacitie so not being to this present purpose I haue onlie indeuored to vse such general reasons as might prooue this generall PropositioÌ„ That the gouernment and ordinancâ—…s that Christ in his Testament hath set downe and apointed vnto his Church are necessare onlie fiâ—… and perpetuall and that the true Church of Christ can or may no more receaue anie other officeâ—…s gouernment and ordinances then the bodie of a man can receaue other members the members an other order or temperature then that which God hath assigned Which I hope by these places is so manifest as I need stand no longer to inforce the necessitie and onlie fit congrueÌ„ce therof vnto the bodie members of the church by shewing either the comelines beautie features of the Chucch when yt is thus furnished of these true members and the members thus placed built together ordered and vsed The necessitie of these let common sense and experience in the basâ—… patterne of our owne naturall bodie shew how ill we could either admit anie other then those members that God hath apointed thervnto or spare anie of those membersâ—… or haue them kept from their true vse and peculiar function or placed in anie other order or place or knit togetheâ—… with anie other iointes sinewes or vainâ—…s then God hath disposed for them But the heauenlie spirituall beautie order congruence and vse of these members thus commixt and contempered â—…et the 4 6. and 7 chapter of Solomons song declare From all which together â—… euerie member apart the vse administration and benefite therof as also from the disorder infinite inconueniences and mischeises that would ensue of the reiecting of this or receauing any other order gouernment administration might infinite and seuerall arguments be drawen to proue the absolute necessitie of the one the vâ—…ter inhibition vnfitnes of any other But heere now fitly commeth a certaine obiâ—…ction of the aforesaid D. R. S. â—…o be answered Saâ—…th he Yf that outward forme of discipline were of the essence of the Church then where that forme of discipline either was or is not there was and is no Church which is a grossâ—… absurditie My reasons are Samaria had not that forme of discipline but yt was a famous Church Actes 8. Antiochiâ—… had not that forme of discipline yet yt was a floorishing Church The greatest part of reformed Churches in Christendome haue not that forme of discipline yet they are accompted holie Churches of all but of the Papistes and 〈◊〉 What his Doctorhood meaneth by these disguised termes of the discipline essence of the Church I vnderstand noâ—… and therfore wil leaue them where I â—…ind them eschewing according to the Apostles rule such profane inanitie of words and oppositions of science falsly so called which somâ—… proâ—…essing haue erred about the faith But if he by these reasons suppose to haue impugned the necessitie and perpetuity of CHRISTS holie gouernment order wherinto the Apostles built all Churches and which they left vnto all Churches I shal then briefâ—…ly shew how far he faileth of that purpose and reasoneth quite to a new and diuers question and therfore can therby conclude nothing against this For our quâ—…stion heere is not whither the Church may not sometime vpon some necessities bâ—… without this order or some part therof for a season but whither the Church may receaue anie other forme of gouernment in stead of this So that if he had prooued that the Churches of Samaria and Antiochia had receaued anie other forme of gouernment and order then this Apostolick then had he in deed said somwhat although a particular instance or two may not take away or draw vs from a generall law and perpetuall rule But he trifling about the name of a Church quite forsaking the question would inser from the ambiguitie of the word that because a Church vpon some necessitieâ—… may for a season be without this 〈◊〉 ordâ—…r and gouernment therfore they may reiect this anâ—… take an other according to the pollicies of the time place How diuersly the church is read in the scriptures not heere to stand of the etymologie of the word ecclesia me thinkes this great diuine should not be ignorant how somâ—…times yt is read for all the Saints in heauen and in earth sometimes for all the Saints dispersed or gathered heere in the whole world somâ—…times for a companie of faithfull people ioined together in the 〈◊〉 coÌ„â—…union of the faith indeuoring to proceed into the order of CHRIST and in the same faithfully to walke together But coÌ„monly yt is taken for a companie of such faithful thus entered couenant established walking in due order according to the rules of Gods word of which kinde of Church we al this while reason For their church of England is not now vnestablished as Samaria and Antiochia were at these times he speaketh of but yt is established into an order ministerie and gouernment though according to the Popes cannons not according to the Testament of CHRIST So that he might as well haue reasoâ—…ed from anie of the othâ—…r readings of a Church and gained as much scilzt that becausè all the Saints in heaueÌ„ are called a Church yet they haue not Pastors Teachers c. therfore the Church of CHRIST may be established w tout these as also al the dispersed Saints are called a Church yet haue not this order gouernment therfore c. Samaria Antiochiâ—… at their first calling to the faith had not this established order and gouernment yet were held famous floorishing Churches therfore the Church may be established into an other forme of order and gouernment then that of CHRISTS Testament this if he conclude not he gaineth nothing this if he conclude I denie his Argument It followeth not because the Church is not alwaies thus established therfore yt ought not to be thus established The Churches of Samaria and Antiochia â—…either can be shewed to haue receiued anie other order or gouernment or to haue neglected this but the contrarie apeareth of Samâ—…ria Act. 9. 31. where Luke recordeth that the churches throughout al â—…udea Galile Samaria had peace being built proceeding in the feare of the Lord and were replenished with the comfort of the holy Ghost What thinketh D. S. now was not Samaria built established in this order vnles he can shew that the Apostles built the Churches in anie other order and then froÌ„ this place may he also conclude that the Churches in Iudea Galile were not thus built this scripture not secretly shewing that â—…oth they were all built alike that there was but one order of building amongst the Apostles in these wordes being edified or built Me thinks this place also sheweth some letts that sometime may hinder the Churches