am contented with any thing that is reasonable but because thou doest wrongfully charge me to fauour any religion but that onely which I professe I must tell thee brother before we part seeing that thou art neither conformable vnto the Law of God nor man I say thou art no better then a flourishing tree without fruit Puri Wherein canst thou prooue me a flourishing tree without fruit seeing that I preach the Word of God very zealously and lead my life very strictly PRO. I am able by the Spirit of God to reproue thee both in thy life and doctrine Puri As how PRO. In thy doctrine concerning thy rashe iudgements against the members of Christ and in thy disobedience against man being the principal member thereof In a word I am ready to reprehend thee for thy disobedience against both God and man according to our Sauiour Christs owne words Hee that despiseth you despiseth mee and hee that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Puri I perceiue that thou beginnest to bee angrie but if I had better remembred my selfe I would haue giuen thee no aduantage of my words PRO. I looke for no aduantage in thy words for denying in thy practice a thing lawfully commanded it matters not whether thou hold thy peace or seeme to excuse it with thy tongue Puri Wherein canst thou disprooue mee for any thing lawfully commanded PRO. I can iustly reprooue thee in many things but two or three shal be sufficient to proue thee but a flourishing tree and a wandring star first thy disobedience vnto eccle siasticall gouernement which the Church of his Land hath commanded Secondly thy want of charitie hauing seuered thy selfe from Christ in pronouncing rash and accusing iudgements against his members Thirdly thy contradiction against Christ in the length of thy praiers with the manner and likewise of thy behauiour therein Puri I had thought we might haue conferred after another manner but I perceiue now that I haue kept thee cōpany but too long Thou hast promised to goe forward therein thou maist please thy selfe for I am pleased to turne my backe PRO. Brother thou hast not deceiued mee for as Salomon saith Ineuer tooke thee for any other but for such a one as scornes reproofe Prou. 9. 8. But seeing that thou hast so scornfully turned thy backe and separated thy selfe without iust cause denying to haue any more conference wherein thou deseruest iustly to bee reproued I will not faile by Gods assistāce to let the world see that thou art no better as Saint Iude saith Then a whithered tree twice dead and fit to bee plucked vp by the rootes Iude 13. v. Now because thou shalt take no exception wherein I may offer thee the least wrong I am ready to reprehend both thy life and doctrine onely by example in the Scripture and therefore let mee intreate thy patience if thou haue any for the thing that I ayme at is thy conuersion and not thy destruction And as wee are taught in the Word of God to reproue either friend or foe with the words of meekenesse euen so my elder brother I am willing and ready to reprehend thee onely with the words of meeknesse and loue and although thou doest not thinke thy selfe vnworthy of reprehension because thou carriest thy offences behinde thee yet seeing that others doe see that in thee which thou canst not perceiue thy selfe I haue presumed to lay open vnto the view of the whole world that a publike offence deserues an open rebuke LOuing and faithfull Christian I must tell thee before I goe any further that whereas I was determined to goe forward after a dialogue maner thou seest here how that my elder brother hath already preuented mee and therefore am constrained to take another course intending by God◅ permission to goe forward wherein I haue promised The Spirit of God saith I haue chosen the foolisb things of this world to confound the wise and weak things to confound the mightie Louing Christian beeing no Scholler thou must not expect that at my hand◅ which I haue not onely my good will wherein the Lord hath enabled me by his holy Spirit that specially by his especiall grace I will freely offer thee but being not fit to ◅iscourse of things at large I will only point at some heads wherin thou maist plainly perceiue the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error and for this purpose thou must vnderstand that there are in this land two sorts of teachers amongst vs the one sort is reformed and the other sort much deformed the one sort doth teach in Christs Schole with the words of meeknesse the other seemeth to teach therein with the words of accusing Iudgements the one is guided with the spirit of humilitie the other with the spirit of iniquitie the one with the spirit of obedience the other with the spirit of disobedience the one teacheth and resteth himselfe in the schole of Christ the other maketh but a proud flourish therein resting himself in hi◅ owne conceite in a word the one hath the Spirit of truth and the other but the spirit of error And first against the spirit of errour our blessed Sauiour himself Saint Paul Saint Peter Saint Iohn and Saint Iude with others hauing prophesied of these very last times wherein we liue doth tel vs in plaine words the qualities and conditions of such false prophets as are now resident amongst vs. And now to our elder brother to whom I must tell thee before I proceede that seeing it is a thing subiect to flesh and bloud not onely to passe ouer offences vnto others from themselues but likewise imputeth many faul◅s only to one whi◅h somtimes appertaine vnto diuers herein doth shew it self ◅ great indiscretion of iudgement as appeareth sometimes in quotation of our English Bibles for example S. Peter saith in the◅e words and chiefly th◅m which walk after the flesh in the l◅st of vncleann◅sse and d◅spise gouernmen◅ which are bold and stand in their owne conceit not fearing to speake euill of dignities 2. Pet. 2 10 Herein I know that the Church of Rome iustly and worthily deserues this imputation Now who is so blind and seeth not how that thou likewise art not onely fleshly minded and despisest dominion as S. Iude saith but likewise agreeable vnto Saint Pauls words resistest the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. And to proue this further bec◅use thou art ready to take exception without cause S. Peter speaking of the Ministery doth seeme to teach thee thy dutie both to superiour and inferiour Magistrates his words are these Submit your selues vnto all manner ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1. Pet. 2. 13. And in the verse going before he giues a reason why the words are these That they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your obedience which they shall see glorifie God in the day of visitation therefore saith hee submit your selues 1. Pet. 2. 12. This word
vnderstand that both the true Church and the false is in this little Iland called England and as there are many false Churches in the world and but onely one true The world may likewise perceiue that as the true Church of GOD is alwaies accompanied as Saint Paul saith with some heresies for the better triall thereof 1. Cor. 11. 19. So now especially is it at this present time for there are three sorts of Teachers amongst vs whereof one of these is the true Church of Christ and the other two with all the rest doe but oppose themselues Now of these two latter being both false the one of them doth teach in priuate the other doth preach in publike Now for this priuate teacher it is needelesse to speake any thing of him seeing that the Church of God doth know him sufficiently how that he degrading Christ of his Offices challengeth such prerogatiues vnto himselfe as are onely peculiar vnto Christ and therefore no true member thereof And as this priuate teacher is a knowne enemie vnto Iesus Christ so likewise I am readie to prooue by the Word of God that thou who restest in thy owne conceit hauing separated thy selfe from thy brethren being become a rash accusing iudger of them that thou art so farre off from being either a teacher or a scholer in the Schoole of Christ that thou art an enemie thereunto teaching onely in the vanitie of thy owne imagination And that this is true our blessed Sauiour seeming to teach the whole world the way vnto the Kingdome of heauen hath erected vnto the view of the whole world a large free Schoole wherein he teacheth that whosoeuer would bee a teacher or a scholler therein must learne this lesson of meekenesse and lowlinesse Matth. 11. 29. And lest his children should swerue or goe astray from this his milde Commandement hee giues a speciall warning in the sixth Chapter of Saint Lukes Gospell and thirtie seuenth verse in these words Iudge not that yee bee not iudged condemne not and yee shall not be condemned forgiue and yee shall be forgiuen Luk. 6. 37. Now there are diuers and sundrie sorts of people which doe perswade themselues that they are true teachers in this schoole of Christ which indeed are not and therfore to resolue a doubt which may either arise in thâ—…â—…gnorant or in such wâ—…ich doâ—… misâ—… 〈◊〉 aâ—… the Papiâ—… and diuâ—…rs doe I will therefore make plaine one place of Sâ—…ripture that the ignorant may not onely be better satisfied but likewise that their vnderstaÌ„dings may be more apt to conceiue of things afterwards And for this purpose Saint Iohn saith Trie the Spirits whether they bee of God or not 1. Ioh. 4. 1. and in the next verse he saith Heereby shall yee know the Spirit of God Euery spirit which confesseth that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God 1. Ioh. 4. 2. Now heere thou must take heede how thou vnderstandest these words if thou take them litterally as the Papists doe in the sixt Chapter of Saint Iohns Gospell concerning the Sacrament then thou art in an errour for theÌ„ not only the Papists but specially the Puritan with diuers other sects should receiue benefit by Christs death which being rightly vnderstood thou maist plainly perceiue that they haue no right nor interest therein For they that degrade Christ of his offices as the Papists doe or seeme to to seuer that vnion betwixt Christs members as the Puritan doth doe separate themselues both from Iesus Christ and hâ—…s members And therfore to cleare this point before I proceede the Prophet Esay saith This people come neere me with their mouth and honour me with their lippes but their heart is farre from me Esa. 29. 13 And our blessed Sauiour saith Not euery one that saith vnto me Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaueÌ„ but he that doth the will of my father which is in heauen Mat. 7. 21. And to make this more plaine our Sauiour Christ saith further Many will say vnto mee in that day that is the day of Doome Haue wee not prophesied by thy name and by thy name cast out deuils and by thy name done many great workes yet for all these outward actions wanting loue and charitie vnto the members of Christ thy answer shall be Depart from me thou worker of iniquitie I know thee not Mat. 7. 2 3. So that wee see by these proofes that it is not an outward profession only which God requireth but likewise an answerable conuersation But now to the purpose And whereas thou perswadest thy selfe to bee a Teacher in the Schole of Christ the world shall plainly see that thou dost but flatter thy self in thy owne imagination being quite contrarie minded to the true teachers therin And that this is true I will first set down a true disciple and a follower of Christ who according to our blessed Sauiours commaund approouing himselfe both in his life and doctrine teacheth with the spirit of humilitie and patience as appeareth by that blessed Apostle Saint Paul who speaking of himselfe and all true Teachers in this Schole of Christ saith in these words Wee giue no occasion of offence that our Ministerie should not be reprehâ—…nded 2. Cor. 6. 3. but in all things wee approue our selues as the Ministers of Christ in much patience 2. Cor. 6. 4. And lest others should mistake theÌ„selues who are to deale sometimes with such an aduersarie as doth oppose himselfe against the truth he likewise aduiseth Timothie To instruct such with the words of meekenes and hee hath set downe a reason why for per aduenture God may give them repentance 2. Tim. 2. 25. Now Brother whether thou art a Teacher after this manner or but a Teacher after thine owne conceit I appeale vnto such words as flow from thy fierie spirit of accusing Iudgements and likewise from such fruit as doth appeare by thy general doctrines for powring forth the Wine of Gods iustice in such fearefull manner against the wounded members of Christ as thou doest reseruing the oyle of Gods mercies without due consideration vnto thy selfe what is this but to feede thy own idle and most absurd conceit making beames in thy brothers eyes and but motes in thy owne Heerein thou makest thy selfe no better then a plaine hypocrite as appeareth by our Sauiour Christ saying in these words Hypocrite first casâ—… out that beame which is in thine owne eye and then shalt thou see more clearely to cast out the mote that is in thy brothers eie Matth. 7. 5. Here mayst thou see how opposit thou art to Christ and his followers but that as Saint Iohn saith darkenesse hath blinded thy eyes 1. Iohn 2. 11. Againe our blâ—…ssed Sauiour saith Iudge not that yee bee not iudged Mat. 7. 1. and Saint Paul as a true disciple of Christ doth giue a sufficient reason whâ—… we should not iudge of others For saith hee thou that iudgest others thou condemnest thy selfe Rom. 2. 1. Now how
ordinance is quoted in some Bibles onely of ciuill gouernement but I appeale vnto the iudicial censure of the learned whether that Caesar hath his whole right herein or not I hope there is not any that hath the Spirit of God but they wil confesse that our gracious King is as well supreme Head and Gouernor ouer all causes Ecclesiasticall as Ciuill Now this word ordinance being guarded with these two words all manner I see no reason in my iudgement of any lesse importance then both spirituall and temporall and I thinke I haue also the spirit of God But now to the point our gracious King hauing commanded many things to bee obserued in this Church of England and yet as Saint Paul saith nothing but that which is agreeable vnto the Word of God being both decent and comely I would very gladly know thy reason why thou shouldest shew thy selfe thus disobedient Salomon saith A diuine sentence shall be in the lippes of the King his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement Prou. 16. 10. Brother heere thou standest in thy owne conceit and thinkest that no King in the world is so wise as thy selfe Ergo thou wilt refuse gouernment which doth inferre that thou despisest the Gouernour Wilt thou see a samiliar example by a plaine cōparison how contrary thou art to Christs command who saith Giue vnto Caesar that which is Caesars Mat. 22. 21 Amongst the temporall Lawes of this Land it is commanded that the poore therein shall bee k◅pt maintained within their seuerall Parishes Now som sturdy beggers there be which will not submit themselues vnto this command but being guided by their own conceit wander abroad making themselues no better then Rogues by the Statute of which sort Saint Paul saith If they will not worke they must not eate 2. Thes. 3. 10. Brother what sayst thou of this disobedient begger or how likest thou of Saint Pauls prescription of this sturdy Rogues diet or what dost thou thinke of this example by thy s◅lfe Thou canst not deny how disobedient thou art vnto the Lawes and ordinances which our gracious King hath command◅d thee therfore as this sturdie begger is become a rogue by the statute of this land so thou being a conceited obstinate hast made thy selfe by the statute of God no better as S. Iude saith then a wandering starre whose dyet without repentance S. Paul hath likewise set downe in the 13. to the Rom. and 2. verse If thou bee put to silence as to be feared thou art not then thou beginn◅st to cry out as the conceited Iewes did The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord Ier. 7. 4. Thou criest the Lords anointed Anointed of the Lord. Now this is such a crie as may become a wonder vnto the world who seeth thee in the very height of disobedience shall a father command his childe that thing which he may very easily doe without any danger at all and shal this childe refuse his fathers command pleade not worthie correction because hee is his childe this thou wilt confesse is very absurd how canst thou then excuse thy selfe dost thou think that thy disobedience vnto our gracious King being contrary vnto CHRIST himself his command to pleade the Lords anointed because thou preachest Christ therfore worthy no correction nor punishment why this is too absurd nay Brother flatter not thy selfe for before we part I feare me that thou wilt proou◅ no better a Preacher then as Saint Paul saith of enuie and strife Phi. 1. 15. Therfore bee aduised by the Prophet Ieremy Amend your waies and your workes and no doubt as he saith there ye may dwel in this place Ier. 7. 3. Otherwise what may bee expected but a casting away of your selues as of the whole seede of Ephraim Ier. 7. 15 If our gracious King had denied vs any fundamentall point of Religion the which thou wilt confesse he doth not or decr◅d any thing which as the Prophet Esay saith had been grieuous in keeping backe the poore from iudgement or any such like things which wicked Kings doe Esai 10 1 2. then mightest thou haue had iust cause to complaine and we al cause to lament But seeing hee is so merciful and so louing vnto all his subiects commāding nothing but that which is agreeable vnto the word of God who art thou and what a contradicted spirit art thou of that in stead of loyall dutie and loue art become thus disobedient vnto so louing and gracious a King But alas what hast thou done Hast thou not with all those disobedient spirits in the old Testament transgressed most fearefully against both God and good men nay further thou hast swerued from the cōmandement of Christ Matth. 22. 21. and as Saint Paul saith resisted the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. striuing against principalities and powers Titus 3. 1. speaking as S. Peter saith against dignities 2. Peter 2. 10. despising dominion lude the 8. verse boasting thy selfe as Salomon saith before the King Pro. 25. 6. in a word thou hast in the very height of pride transcended thy selfe aboue all power exalting thy selte aboue measure And now what may be expected thinkest thou without a speedie and sodain repentance but such a most fearefull fall for this thy disobedience as Saint Iude hath alreadie prescribed euen blacknesse and darknesse for euer Iude the 13. verse Brother I will shew thee such an ensample of obedience that if there be but one spark of grace in thee thou wilt neuer deny to follow him For behold our blessed Sauiour himselfe although a free-man frō all Subsidies or Taxes or what else which was due vnto Caesar by strangers yet rather then he would seeme to disturbe a common peace or become an example of offence in the least degree he commanded Peter to cast his angle into the water and the first Fish saith hee thou takest open his mouth wherein thou shalt finde a piece of Siluer of twenty pence take it and pay for mee and thee Mat. 17. 25 26. verses Thou seest heere how willing and ready our blessed Sauiour was in Obedience in his owne person thou seest him pay tribute vnto Caesar although a free-man nay further rather then hee would becom an ensāple of the least offence thou maist perceiue him yeelding vnto a base Publican Now if our Sauiour Christ did not think that ciuill policie was taken away by the Gospell what may the whole world thinke of thee in denving obedience refusing but rites and ceremonies which are seemly in the Church beeing lawfully commanded I am sory to see thee moūt thy selfe into this verie height of pride thou art become little inferiour vnto those disobedient spirits that for their pride fell from Heauen to Hel. Thou hast as the Prophet D◅uid saith banded and io◅ned thy selfe with the wicked of this world against the Lord and his Anointed Psal. 2. 2. Nay thou hast done much more then I haue yet spoken of For thou hast
with Iannes and Iambres not onely withstood Mos◅s in resisting the truet◅ thy selfe But lik◅ w◅se by thy inchantments hast dost draw dayly infinite of multitudes vnto thi◅ thy wilfull disobedi◅nce in so much that thou hast iustly caused our gracious King not onely to cry out with the Prophet Da◅id Lord how are they increased that t◅ouble me many are they that rise against mee Psal. 3. 1. But likewise as iustly caused him with the same Prophet to say Woe is mee that I am constrained to dwell in Mesech and to haue my habitation in the Tents of Kedar And thus thou hast by thy disobedient inchantments caused such a contention in this Land that thou hast iustly deserued with Mesech and Kedar those Israelites which did degenerate from their godly Fathers beeing hatefull and contemning the faithfull that most fearefull Iron rodde of Gods wrath to bruise thee in pieces sodainely I must tell thee Brother and I am sorry that thou hast giuen mee such iust cause to tell thee so that if it were not for one crying sinne which that bloody and wandering Cain is branded in the fore-head withal I meane that most monsterous Beast of Babylon who denyeth the Offices of our Redeemer I say and speake it from the Spirit of God that thou art become so little inferiour in persecuting and murdering the soules of Christs members that thou hast not onely pledged the Pope of ROME a full health of the dregges of your conceited inuentions and false imaginations but as thou hast pledged him herein I feare me it will proue before wee part that thou hast begun another halfe pot to him againe And although thou doest not runne on with him in deniall of some fundamentall points of Religion yet I dare vndertake that thou resting thy selfe in thy owne conceit denying but the circumstances shaddowes therof whose substances cannot bee without dost more hurt by thy disobedience amongst vs herein then he doth or can doe being so publikely knowne as hee is And here as our Sauior Christ saith Thou art but a blind guide which straines out a gnat and swallows a Camell Mat. 23. 24. Thus Brother thou carriest this offence of disobedience vpon thy back and therefore thou canst not perceiue it thy selfe Now I haue made bold comming behinde thee to take it off haue layed the same as thou now seest before thy face For which if thou wouldst so keepe there and cast it no more behinde thee I shall be glad that it was my chance to remoue the same But if thou rest thy selfe in thy owne conceit casting obedience from thee and so become a carrier still of thy offences behind thee then wilt thou enforce mee to say with Salomon That there is more hope in a very naturall foole then of him that is conceited Pro. 26. 12. ver And this shall serue for a taste of thy disobedience and to let the world see That as Saint Iude saith Hauing separated thy selfe from the true members of Christ thou art become no better then a wandring Starre whose portion without repentance is blacknesse of darknesse for euer Iude 13. vers And therfore Brother let mee aduise thee to learne a lesson of that Starre which guided the Wise men from the East Countrie vnto Bethlem where our blessed Sauior CHRIST was as that Star did stand still when it came iust ouer where the Babe was and so left them there so thou who doest rest thy selfe but in thy owne conceit denying obedience vnto supreme power let it now be sufficient too much that thou hast settled thy affections in that East countrie of thy owne imaginations where nothing can bee found but Inchanters and Sorcerers And heere I must leaue thee and turne my self vnto those of whom as Saint Paul saith I perswade my self better things Heb 6 9. And thus faithfull Christian thou seest what great danger the children of disobedience haue broughtthemselues into Thou seest that our elder brother for his disobedience is counted no better in the iudgement of Saint Iude then a wandring Starre Thou seest what such haue prescribed in the Scriptures for their diet after this life S. Paul saith condemnation Rom. 13. 2. Saint Peter and Saint Iude saith blacknesse of darknesse for euer 2. Pet. 2. 17. Iude the thirteenth Verse Thou seest these blessed Apostles so speaking against these disobedient spirits as worthy of these fearefull iudgements And in briefe thou seest how truely these holy Apostles hath prophesied of these disobedient spirits in these very last times And againe thou seest how opposite these spirits are vnto the obedience of our blessed Sauiour Christ himselfe who paied Tribute vnto Caesar in his owne person who rather then hee would bee an ensample of the least offence although a freeman yeelded himselfe vnto a base Publican And thus may all men see the King of all Kings an ensample of obedience vnto the whole world And yet behold heere thou seest a disobedient spirit so full of contradiction that hee will transcend aboue principalities and powers But faithful Christian let this fearefull example be such a speciall warning vnto thee that thou keepe thy selfe in all loyall obedience vnto Princes especially and likewise let this example bee a warning vnto all sorts of people that they yeeld obedience vnto whom soeuer it is due As Children to Parents and Parents to their Children Wiues to their Husbands and Husbands to their Wiues Seruants to their Masters and Masters to their Seruants Col. 3. 18 19 20. And in a word al in general to our most gracious King Now that we may the better performe these duties let vs take counsell of that blessed Apostle St. Paul who speaking against such disobedient spirits saith Turne away from such 2. Tim. 3. 5. And thus faithful brother thou seest what danger our elder brother hath brought himselfe vnto in despising gouernment It resteth now in the second place to let thee see his disobedience in his doctrine and as in briefe thou seest his disobedience against man thou shalt likewise by Gods assistance see his disobediē◅e against both God and man who perseeuteth Christ in his members both thou and I haue felt the smart but faithfull brother I must leaue thee for a while And now brother by Gods assistance according to my promise I am readie to encounter with thee this second time And wheras I haue already reproued thee for thy disobedience against man not finding thee in this Combate to yeeld beeing prouoked further I am readie to manifest vnto the whole world how contrarie thou art to Christ and all good men by thy disobedience in thy Doctrine Likewise shewing the difference betwixt the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error But before I proceede I am to meete with an obiection which the whole world who being against the truth may propound and that is where the true Church of Christ is and therefore to giue satisfaction herein the world shall
mee is against mee Mat. 12. 30. And Saint Iohn saith There are many Antichrisâ—…s whereby we know that it is the last time I. Ioh. 2. 18. in the beginning of the next verse he saith They went from vs but they were not of vs. Now if any would know who these specially are which are against CHRIST and so as Saint Iohn saith become Antichrists Saint Paul Saint Peter and Saint Iude prophesying of these last times plainely describe and haue set them down by their qualities and conditions all agreeing as it were with one consent saying that they are spirits of disobedience as appeareth in the thirteenth to the Romans and second verse and in the second of Peter the second Chapter and the tenth verse And in Iudes Epistle the eighth Verse Now Saint Iude goeth on farther agreeing with Saint Iohns words and saith in the nineteenth verse that they haue separated themselues vpon which words of these two blessed Apostles Saint Iohn and Saint Iude I gather and finde that there is no sect vnder the whole cope of heauen which can so iustly deserue the title of this seuered imputation as this Sect now resident amongst vs commonly called Puritanes For although the Pope of Rome is not onely a disobedient spirit but likewise deserueth the highest roome amongst the Antichrists yet to say properly hee is gone from vs would but proue an improper speech because hee neuer was of vs now for this our elder brother it may truely and properly bee said how that hee is gone from vs for agreeing in this word onely in Christ may truely be said that he was of vs. Now the question is how and why he is gone from vs but the question is needelesse For who seeth not how that vaine glory and the very darknesse of his owne conceite hath so bewitched him that as Saint Paul saith hee hath but a shew of godlinesse denying the power therof 2. Tim. 3. 5. that as the dogge who had the substance but in his mouth seeing the shaddow in the water snatcht thereat and solost both euen so hath he done for hauing the substance no lowersettled then in his mouth spying some outward obseruations in that waterie ayre of his owne conceit hath leaped thereat so farre from Christ that according to the Prophet Esayes speech who saith They come neere mee with their mouth and honour mee with their lips but their heart is farre from mee Esai 29. 13. So that like hatefull Esau hauing sold his birth-right for meere vanitie Gen. 25. â—…4 is now become such a disobedient spirit and so fleshly minded as Saint Peter and Saint Iude saith 2. Pet. 2. 10. that he is not afraid to speake euil of dignities and despise Dominion Iude the eight verse who resisting power as Saint Paul saith resisteth the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. So that it may be gathered by these blessed Apostles and finding it true by wofull experience that as Saint Iohn and Saint Iude say he being gone from vs in separating himselfe is now become such a sect that who seeth not how that both by his life doctrine hee doth nothing else but breake that vnion which ought to bee betwixt the members of Christ so that it may most truely bee said of him and al the rest of this sect especially that according to S. Iudes words They are become but wandring Starres Iude verse 13. being as our blessed Sauiour saith Starres fallen from heauen Mat. 24. 29. who resting themselues in their owne imaginations may truely be said to fall from Christ. Who hath by their disobedient practice euill conuersation darkened the Gospel ment by the Sunne and likewise smothered loue ment by the Moone who with their accusing and condemning Iudgements in their doctrin against the wounded members of Christ cause the very powers of Heauen to shake This interpretation was reueiled vnto mee by the Spirit of God I am no Scholler at all as your Honour knoweth and therefore not fit to diue into these secret mysteries I am only a poore man but yet not destitute of Gods Spirit euen on whom that old prouerbe is fallen None so wâ—…e begone As first a man and then none And therefore being in my priuate chamber musing of the causes of the sinfulnesse of this age many things came into my minde and amongst the rest I was induced to write and yet not knowing what to write the spirit suggested these things vnto mee the which I haue presumed to offer vnto your Honours view and although vnworthy to present such a weake thing vnto your iudicious eye yet for his cause who hath emboldned me I humbly intreat and craue your honourable fauor but to cast your eye thereon wherein nothing can bee found but the instruments of Sathan stil prosecuting their owne imaginations in persecuting the poore and despised members of IESVS CHRIST who by their life doctrine Gods Name is so greatly dishonored and loue and charitie so smothered that the Kingdome of Christ is hindered both in particular and in general but as that worthy Apostle Saint Paul faith Their madnesse beeing now euidently knowne vnto all men I hope they shal preuaile no longer 2. Tim. 3. 9. And thus may your Honour see and the whole world perceiue how that God who sitteth aboue hath alreadie decreed that in despite of Pope Puritan and all the rest which withstand Iesus Christ his Anointed that his Maiestie who loueth peace shall by Gods protection liue a peaceable time amongst vs and as he hath protected and deliuered him from many dangers will continue his loue vnto him and his and keepe them safe vnder the shaddow of his wings and hereafter will that God of peace carrie him by his blessed Angels into euerlasting peace vnto which peace God of his infinite mercie bring both you and yours for his honour and blessed names sake Amen I most humbly take my leaue and rest at your Honors command IOHN WALKER TO THE CHRISTIAN READER GENTLE or vngentle Reader I am to tell thee no strange thing onely to tell thee of that which hath been from the beginning which is now at this present and which shall be vnto the worlds end how that as Esau hated his brother Iacob in the beginning of the world how that the Israel of God is hated still and that the members of Christ shall be hated so long as the Sunne and Moone indureth Faithfull Christian I was enboldened by the Spirit of G O D to write this little Booke for thy good it was intended chiefly for thy profit and so many as lâ—…ve the peace of Sion And whereas by Gods goodnesse wee are liuing in the very latter ende of the world and left here by Gods prouidence as a very few Sheepe amongst many Woolues I haue onely by the helpe of Gods Spiâ—… it set down vnto thy view not only what great danger thou art in but likewise let thee see how that thou mayest escape the same And
although our enemies are many in number and at the first sight not easily discerned because they goe in sheepes clothing therefore I haue set downe in plaine and few wordes the difference of the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error whereby thou ma◅st truly perceiue the tree by his fruite for he that hath a true and liuely faith in Christ is alwaies ready to manifest the same by loue and charitie vnto the Brethren Now for him that saith hee hath faith yet wanteth this duty of loue and charity his faith is but a dead faith and as Saint Iames saith shall preuaile nothing Iam. 5. 14. and therefore hee that doth not practise this second lesson of charitie let him bee what hee will and flatter himselfe neuer so much hee is no better then a breaker of that vnion and fellowship which ought to bee amongst the true members of Christ and therfore as S. Iohn saith such is gone from vs 1. Iohn 2. 19. being as S. Iude saith separated Iude 9. verse Promising as S. Peter saith libertie vnto thēselues 2. Pet. 2. 19. Hauing as Saint Paul saith but a shew of godlinesse denying the power thereof 2. Tim. 3. 5. Therfore saith he turne away from such And therefore faithfull Christian whose number is but small let mee intreate thee as thou tenderest thy owne soule to be very carefull and circumspect to keepe in this candle of loue especially vnto thy brethren then shalt thou haue peace of conscience in this world and euerlasting peace in the world to come but deferre no time for our time is but very short and if thou profit any thing herein giue God praise and thou hast giuen me good satisfaction and thus vnto all those that truly loue the Gospell the Lord protect and guide with his grace Amen Thine in Christ I. W. THE ENGLISH PHARISE OR RELIGIOVS APE PROTESTANT GOOD morrow brother Puritane Good morrow PRO. Well met good brother but mee thinke thou speakest as taking some thing offensiuely Puri No truely thou art but mistaken it is our manner to returne an answere in few words or none at all Pro. I did propound no question and therefore did expect no answere onely such salutation as thou receiuest I expected no lesse backe againe Puri The same which I receiued thou hadst againe onely the word awanting I owe vnto none but to such as are of the same opinion that Iam. PRO. To know what opinion thou art of I would gladly haue some conference for I doe perswade my selfe that thy religion is groūded more vpon a singular conceit then approoued by the Word of God Puri That is not so for wee are readie to approoue our Religion only by the Word of God PRO. Why dost thou then denie me to bee thy brother seeing that wee are brethren not onely of one Nation but likewise brethren in Christ. Pu. We may be brethren of one Nation as we are both confesse Christ yet for all this not both true members of Christ. PRO. Yet being brethren of one nation as it were twins of one womb born and dwelling together and that by one and the same profession both acknowledge Christ it shewes great want of charitie in the denying me to be thy brother Puri I doe not absolutely denie thee to bee my brother in Christ because thou onely belecuest in him for saluation but seeing thy life is not strict and being too familiar in frequenting companie I doc not take thee to be my brother PRO. Thou dost confesse that I am thy brother in Christ because I hope oncly in him for saluation but thou findest fault with me being too familiar in frequenting companie I would gladly knowe thy reason wherein thou art offended seeing that my ordinarie companie is with such as do professe Christ as we both doe Puri Although thy ordinarie companie is with such as doe professe Christ as wee both doe yet sometimes I can espie thee conuersing with a Papist the which I ha◅e with a deadly hate PRO. Why dost thou not hold it lawfull to conuerse with an aduersarie Puri I am so far from conuersing that as I said before I hate and vtterly detest their companie PRO. I pray thee let me aske thee a question whether doest thou thinke that onely those of thy profession and life shal be sau◅d Puri Thou hast made a verie idle question for I thinke no lesse PRO. I will then demand of thee another question how is it possible that such as are not of thy profession should come to bee conuerted seeing that thou refusest to conuerse Puri I perceiue that thou beginnest to cauill about questions if thou wouldeft haue my companie thou must giue them ouer PRO. I would be sorrie to become offensiue in the least degree therfore I pray thee let vs haue some further conference seeing that thou canst not abide to cōuerse with a Papist yet because thou and I doe agree in this word onely in Christ I pray thee let vs examine this faith by the word of God because Saint Iohn saith Beleeue not euerie spirit but trie the spirits whether they be of God or not 1. Ioh. 4. 1. Puri Although I am contented that our doctrine shall bee approued by the Word of God yet because I doe perswade my selfe that thou art a fauourer of the Papists therefore I make neither barrel better hearing and therefore I hate thee likewise as a mēber thereof PRO. Me think brother I find thee greatly out of charitie for although the Papist bee foorth of the way as I know he is yet if my cōferring be but to bring him into the way againe I see no reason why thou shouldest become thus offended it too plainly appeares that thou art much too blame Puri Thou mistakes◅ me for my meaning is not that I altogether hate the persons of men I onely dislike your company and hate your conditions PRO. Brother thou saiest that I mistake thee but it will appeare that thou mistakest thy selfe for suppose that thou art in the right way to heauen and I my selfe in the wrong thou saiest thou louest my person and hatest my conditions Now whether art thou bound in loue to my person to bring mee into the right way againe or rather bound to let mee alone hating my conditions Puri I must of necessitie let thee alone for I know that there is no hope in thee PRO. Brother here appeares but small charitie thy answer is too peremptorie thou mightst haue done much better first to haue done the part of a friend in some Christian reproof thē seem thus to disgrace me as being void of hope thou hast accused me without a cause therfore thy error in my iudgement is very great Puri I passe not for thy iudgement therefore keepe thy selfe satisfied for I am no chāgeling as thou supposest for what I haue spoken thou knowest but what else thou shalt not therefore rest thy selfe contented PRO. I