is the execution of the Ministerie of the Church of England Ergo It is to have conformity with Antichrist and his Officers as is aforesaid The Proposition they will not gainesay The Assumption they have graunted and published vidz vide licet That they have an Antichristian Hierarchie and popish ordering of Ministers straunge from the word of God and the vse of all well reformed Churches in the world And that their Ponticfiall whereby they consecrate Bishops and make Ministers and Deacons is nothing els but a thing word for word drawen out of the Popes pontificall wherein he sheweth himself to be Antichrist most lively Admon to Parliam treatise 2. section 14. and 20. The third Argument taken out of the same book of Mr Bradsh Twelve Arguments and out of the London Ministers Exceptions and Lincolnshire Ministers Abridgement c. IF such be the estate of the Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England as they are bound in their Ministration vnto such things as the vsing of them in Church Service in manner and forme prescribed is a Wil-worship a giving of speciall Honour to Antichrist and his members a performing of Honour more then civill even a Religious onely to an humane Power and Authority a warranting of the like vse of Iewish Turkish Paganish or Popish observations a doing of schismaticall Actions an having of spirituall Cōmuniō with the Idolatrous Papists in the mysteries of their Idolatrie and Superstition a mingling of Profane things with Divine an vsing of vnlawfull things in Divine worship an administring of Sacraments that are not of divine institution a solemne acknowledging of spirituall Homage to the spirituall vsurped authority of Lord Archbishops Bishops an vsing of humane Traditions and Rites enioyned to be performed in Gods worship as necessarie to salvation an apparant meanes of the Damnation of the sowles of infinite numbers of men confirming them in Superstition and Idolatry a disgracing of the holy Scripture a profaning of the Sacraments an approving of Popish errours and manifest vntruths an observing of a Leiturgie which in the whole matter and forme thereof is too like vnto the Masse-book and hath in it sundry things contrary to the word of God c. If such I say be the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England then is it not lawfull to communicate with them therein But such is the estate of the Ministerie of the Church-assemblies of England Ergo It is not lawfull to communicate with them therein The consequence of the Proposition is proved by sundry reasons alledged * Abridgement of the book delivered to his Maiesty by the Lincolneshire Ministers p. 17. c. by the Lincolneshire Ministers though vrged by them but against the vse of their Ceremonies which we will now apply vnto the communicating with their Ministerie and ministration aforesaid 1. By the second commandement which forbids all provocations vnto spiritual fornicatiō as the seventh doth vnto that which is carnall 2. By the commandement and direction God hath given vs in his word †to separate our selves from Idolaters and Antichristians and to be as vnlike vnto them as may be specially in their religious observations ‖ to abolish not onely all Idols but all the instruments of Idolatrie and that so as we may best shew our ‡ vtmost detestation to them and * root out the verie memory of them c. †Levit. 18.3.4 and 19.19.27 28. Exod. 23.24 Deut. 14.1 and 12.4 30 32 2 Cor. 6 14-18 Apoca. 18.4 ‖ Gen. 35.2 4. Num. 33.52 Deut. 12.2.3 2 King 23.4 5. Esa 27.9 and 30.22.23 Zeph. 1.4 Apoca. 2 14.20 ‡ Deut. 7.25.26 and 9.21 1 Chron. 14.12 2 King 18.4 and 23.6.8 Esa 30.22 Iude 23. * Exod. 23.13 Deut. 12.3 Iosh 23.7 Zach. 13.2 3. By the equity reasons of these commandements which we find set down in holy Scripture vidz vide licet 1. The detestation which the Lord our God being a jelous God beareth vnto Idolatry and all the instruments and tokens thereof as vnto spirituall whoredome Exod. 20.5.6 Deut. 7.25.26 2. That we cannot be said sincerely to have repented of the Antichristianisme Idolatrie or superstition whereby we or our forefathers have provoked the Lord vnles we be ashamed of and cast away with detestation all the instruments and monuments of it 2 Chron. 33.15 Esa 1.28.29 and 2. 6.8.9.20 and 30.9.10.11.22 2 Cor. 7.11 3. That we shal be in danger to be corrupted in Religion and doctrine and to be brought to ruine and destruction if we conforme our selves to Idolaters Antichristians in their Ministerie ministration ceremonies reteyne or partake with the monuments of their superstition yea if we shew not al detestation vnto them Exod. 34.12.15 Deut. 7.4.25.26 Iudg. 2.13 Gal. 2. 5. Rev. 18.4 4. That our keeping of communion with the Ministers in such Ministration will be a speciall meane to harden them in that vngodlynes Ezech. 16.54 1 Cor. 8.10 5. That seing the Prelates are reveiled to be great Antichrists and their Ministerie and constitutions to be great troublers of the Church at this day it cannot but be very sinfull and hurtfull to reteyne or communicate with them 2 Thes 2. 3.4.8.9.10.11 12. Apoc. 17. and 18. chap. Lev. 18.3 4. By the judgment of the godly learned of all Churches ages who have constantly taught and given testimony to this truth that Christians are bound to forsake and cast of the Ministration ceremonies religious customes of Pagans Iewes Antichristians Idolaters Hereticks and carefully to shun all conformity with them therein And hitherto of such reasons as are alledged by the Lincolneshire Ministers as is aforesaid Now for further confirmation of the Proposition I will also annex these following being of like nature with the former 1. The consideration of the many sinnes and those also great and grievous which ensue vpon such practise as may appeare by the particulars noted here in the Proposition prosecuted in their Books 2. Because the second commandement forbiddeth not onely the making but also the bowing downe to any inventions constitutions of men in the worship of God And this prohibition of bowing downe includeth not onely those that vse them but such also as communicate with them therein Exod. 20.5 3. Because the Lord requireth of vs to shew all vttermost detestation and forsaking of them both by word deed even casting them away as menstruous cloths and saying vnto them Get you hence Esa 30.22 4. Because the imposition observation of the things aforesayd is not onely vpon the Ministers but vpon the people also that both in their own persons and in their children And why should not the people aswel as the Ministers stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free and not be intangled agayne with the yoke of bondage Gal. 5.1 5. Because the Lord hath not required this at our hands that we should serve him by such a Ministerie and Ministration Esa 1.12 6. And finally
that he shal be any such brute Beast but for that he is and shal be called the child of perdition which for his cruelty and beastly maners is called the beast The carnall Iewes knew there was a promise made that Elias should come before Christ the Messias the annoynted of God to prepare his wayes they knew also there was a promise of Messias that he should come and be a King and reigne in the house of David for evermore But they vnderstood all so grossely and carnally that they neyther knew Elias nor Messias when they came for they looked for Elias to come downe from heaven in his own person and for Messias to come and reigne in worldly pompe power riches glory whenas the prophecies of both were spiritually to have bene vnderstood Of Elias that he should come not in person but in spirit that is one that should he indued with the spirit and gifts of grace of Elias which was in deed Iohn Baptist as Christ himself did declare to his Apostles And of Messias reigne all the Prophets were to be vnderstood of the reigne of his spirituall kingdome over the house of Iacob and the true Israelites for evermore And so by their grosse and carnall vnderstanding they mistook both Elias and the true Messias and when they came knew neyther of them both So likewise I feare me nay it is certayne the world that wanteth the light of the spirit of God for the world is not able to receive him saith Iohn neyther doth nor shall know the beast nor his marks though he rage cruelly and live never so beastly and though his marked men be in number like the sand of the sea The Lord therefore vouchsafe to open the eyes of the blynd with the light of grace that they may see perceive and vnderstand the words of God after the mynd of his Spirit Amen Thus farre Mr Ridley And Mr Bale an exile of Christ vnderstanding by the Beast the great Antichrist and by his image those governours which take vpon them his blasphemous titles names authority or defence applyed it also thus * Image of both Churches vpon Rev. 14.9 To receive the Beasts mark in their foreheads and hands is both to agree to such decrees traditions lawes constitutions acts and proclamations as they vnder those titles have made onely for their owne covetousnes and pompe and neyther for the glory of God nor yet for the right maintenance of the Christian common wealth And also to be sworne to the same to subscribe to it to give counsel or ayde to it to mainteyne it by learning to minister in it to execute vnder it to accuse punish put to death for it or to think it lawfull and godly with such like Thus have I somewhat largely noted down the sayings of these Martyrs of former times as being of good weight to the matter in hand For although Antichrist was not then so fuly discovered nor so deeply wounded as synce he hath ben and wil be yet daily more in this latter age of the world in which respect we are not now to be pressed with every thing which they then cōming newly out of the darknes of Popery did receive and allow Yet by these testimonies alledged and other the like in their stories it may appeare how vprightly they judged and how faithfully they walked even vnto death according to the measure of light reveiled vnto them in which respect they will rise vp in judgement to condemne this age wherein notwithstanding that Antichrist be plainlyer manifested and more consumed as yet stil he wil be more more til he be abolished †2 Thes 2.8 Rev. 14.6.7.8 by the brightnes of Christs appearing in the light and power of his Gospell yet as if no such thing were or should be or as if men ‖ Esa 6.9.10 Mat. 13.14.15 Act. 28.26.27 had eyes and saw not eares heard not harts and vnderstood not who is there that do not still take pleasure in that vnrighteousnes of Antichrist disobeying the truth of the Gospell of Christ worshipping the image of the Beast and receiving his mark in their forehead or hand For which howsoever men do plead yet let all remember and consider how the Spirit of God hath foretold the end and fruict therof to be this to stand vnder the wrath and judgement of God to be tormented before the holy Angels and before the Lambe for evermore Rev. 14.9.10.11 with 2 Thes 1.8.9 2 Thes 2 3-12 The fourth Reason None may heare or ioyne in any spirituall communion with that Ministerie which deriveth not their power and functions of Ministery from Christ which is the head for the edification of the Church which is his body But the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. deriveth not their power functions of Ministery from Christ which is the head for the edification of the Church which is his body Therefore none may heare or ioyne in any spirituall communion with the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of Engl. The Proposition or first part of the Reason can not be denyed 1. Because none may be subject to any power or head in religion save onely to Iesus Christ who is the alone head of the Church in whome all fulnes of power dwelleth and from whom alone the Church receiveth her life and strength Ephe. 1.22.23 and 4.8.11.12.15.16 Col. 1.18.19 and 2.18.19 1 Cor. 12.4.5.6.12.27 2. Because the Ministers which derive not their power from this head to the execution of an office in his body are vsurpers of that which perteyneth not vnto them enemies of Christs soveraigne authority and the people which heare them or otherwise submit to their power and Ministery become guilty with them of treason against the King of Kings the Lord Iesus Christ Mat. 28.18.19.20 1 Cor 12.5 Luk. 19.12.13.14.27 with Exod. 20.4.5 2 Thes 2.3.4.9.10.11.12 Rev. 13. 14. 17. and 18. and 19. chap. 3. Because God disposeth the members every one of them in the body at his pleasure and hath fully furnished his Church with all offices needfull so as it is not in the power of any creature to give or take away any members to or from Christs body or to approve by any practise such giving or taking away vnder any colour whatsoever Rom. 12 3-8 1 Cor. 12.6.12.18.27.28 Ephe. 4 4-16 1 Tim. 3. 5. 6.13.14 Rev. 22.18.19 The Assumption or latter part of the Reason is proved not onely by this That the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England have not those offices and callings which Christ hath given to his Church for the work of his Ministery as hath bene shewed before in the first Reason to which this may be referred but may also be made manifest further and shewed by the contrary after this maner 1. First the present Ministery of the Church-assemblies of England is of Deacons and Priests made by the Prelates some of them being Curates some Vicars some Parsons
with their walking it is more then tyme needfull that they did it that they did it soundly from the word of God For as yet what do they els but with one mouth both blesse and curse and with the one hand build vp that which with the other they destroy and so make themselves trespassers Gal. 2.18 The seventh Argument taken out of Mr Bradsh book aforesaid vidz vide licet out of the tenth Argument of that Treatise IT is a sinne against Christ the sole Head of the Church to have spirituall communion with those Ministers which in the administration of Divine things do eyther by word or deed solemnely professe yeeld a spirituall Homage to an vsurped spirituall authority in the Church But the Ministers of the Church-assemblies of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authority of Lord Archbishops and Bishops which is vsurped Ergo It is a sinne against Christ the sole head of the Church to have spirituall communion with the Ministers of the Church assemblies of England The Proposition may not be gainesaid For all spirituall power vsurped over the Churches of God is an Antichristian authority and to communicate with those Ministers which professe spirituall homage therevnto is to communicate with such as professe spiritual homage vnto Antichrist which must needs be a sin against Christ the sole head of the Church The Assumption hath two parts 1. That the Ministers of the Church of England do even in the administration of Divine things by solemne deed professe and yeeld a spirituall Homage to the spirituall authoritie of Archbishops and Lord Bishops Which is most evident because they preach the word and administer the Sacraments by vertue of their calling received from the Archbishops and Bishops who give them authority herevnto at their ordination saying to every one of them * Book of ordering Priests fol. 14. Take thou authority to preach the word of God and to Minister the holy Sacraments in the Congregation where thou shalt be so appointed Which things themselves cannot deny to be meer Ecclesiasticall Religious and spirituall Actions injoyned among them to be done by offices callings received from the Prelates Ecclesiasticall and spirituall authority So as the doing of them by vertue thereof must needs be a solemne declaration of spirituall homage yeelded to the same authority 2. The second part of the Assumption is That the authority of their Lord Archbishops and Bishops is an vsurped authority The confirmation whereof Mr Bradsh setteth downe in these words following This is sufficiently proved of late by Mr Iacob in his 1. Assertion by many reasons Onely because the weight of the Argument leaneth vpon it I will vse one Reason Those Officers Rulers in the Church that make claime to be of Divine institution chalenge to themselves Apostolicall authority and iurisdiction as the onely Successours of the Apostles to sit onely in Moses chaire To have sole power of the Keyes To cut from the visible Church and receive againe To have power of creating displacing all other ecclesiasticall officers To be the Vniversall Pastors of whole Dukedomes and Kingdomes vnder whom all other Pastors are as Curates c. And yet for all this are such as stand and are supported onely by humane Traditions Ceremonies such as a civill Magistrate may without sinne put out of the Church and such as the true Churches of God may renounce and yet continue the true Church as Antichristian Vsurpers spirituall Tyrants I say all such Officers and Rulers exercise an vsurped authoritie in the Church But our Archbishops Bishops are such Rulers and Officers as are aforesaid Ergo They execute an Vsurped power over the Church The Proposition may easily be iustified For if inferiour officers vidz vide licet Pastors of particular Congregations have had may have firme continuance in the Church without these humane devises and inventions If the Magistrate cannot without sinn put them out of the Church And if those can be no true Churches that renounce to have particular Pastours and Ministers over them it must much more hold in such Church-officers and Rulers as these are if their authority be lawfull good For whilest the Apostles lived they needed not any humane Traditions and devises to support their authority The Magistrates that sought to put them downe sinned with a high hand And that was no Church that renounced and disclaimed their Office Authoritie and Iurisdiction The Assumption is as easily justified For 1. they make claime Title to all those Prerogatives before rehearsed in the first part of the Proposition and vnto more then that as shal be proved if it be denied 2. It is an Embleme of their owne NO CEREMONIE NO BISHOP Ergo No humane Tradition and Invention no Bishop Ergo The office of a Bishop is supported by them eyther onely or specially 3. Their Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction is derived from the King els it is a flat deniall of his Supremacie Also themselves graunt in their last Tables of Discipline That the King hath power to increase or diminish the Circuit of a Bishoprick That he may make two or more Bishopricks of one one Bishoprick to be two or more Yea what should hinder but that he may divide the Bishoprick of London into 800. For where God hath not defined the number of Parishes that a Bishop is to reign over it must needs be a thing indifferent In which by their owne Doctrines the King hath authority without sinne to dispose If therefore the King may as well notwithstanding any thing in the Law of God give the Keyes of the Church to everie particular Pastour of a Congregation over his owne Congregation as to a Bishop over a Diocesse which taketh away the very Essence of an English Bishop He may without sinne take away the very Office of the Bishop which consists in having jurisdiction over many Congregations c. 4. There is no true sober Christians but will say that the Churches of Scotland Fraunce the low Countries and other places that renounce such Archbishops and Bishops as ours are as Antichristian vsurping Prelates are true Churches of God Which they could not be if the authoritie and prerogatives they claime to themselves were of Christ and not vsurped For if it were the ordinance of Christ Iesus that in every Kingdome that receiveth the Gospel there should be one Archbishop over the whole Kingdome One Bishop over many hundred Pastors in a Kingdome and all they invested with that authority and jurisdiction Apostolicall which they claime iure Divino to be due vnto them and to reside in them by the ordinance of Christ certainely that Church that should renounce and disclaime such an authority ordeyned in the Church cannot be a true Church but a Synagogue of Sathan For they that should renounce and deny such must needs therein renounce and deny