The Ministry of the Church of England — Francis Johnson

The Ministry of the Church of England · Francis Johnson

Mr. H. his letter. Section. 3.

TO vvhichwhich purpose also I besech you to consider, that althoug there is not the least part of Christs ordinances that can be neglected vvithout grievous sinne yet the vvant or neglect of some of these ordinances of Christ, vvhichwhich concerne the discipline of his Church and the outvvard calling of the ministers, is no such sinne, as can make eyther the ministers, and governours of our Church Antichrists, or our Church an Antichristian and false Church. And although divers corruptions remayne in our Church, vvhichwhich vvere derived to vsus from the Papi…es (the least vvhereof I vvill not take vponupon me to defendt, yet are they not of that nature that can make vsus an Antichristian Church.

For first, no one place of Scripture can be found, vvherein he is called a… Antichrist or Antichristian, vvho holding the truth of doctrine, and professing those articles of religion that are fundamētall as you knovv vve do) doth … eyther in iudgment or practise from that rule that Christ hath given for the Discipline of his Church. In the prophecy of Daniel, Antichrist is described by his Doctrine, Dan. 7. 8. 25.

So is he in the epistle to the Thessalonians, 2 Thes. 2. 10. 11.

And in the epistle to Timothy, 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3.

And in the Epistles of Iohn, 1 Ioh. 2. 22. and 4. 3. and 2▪ Ioh. 7.

And in the book of Revelation: chap 13. 5. 6.

Neyther can you fynd any Antichrist mentioned in the Scripture, vvhose doctrine vvas sound▪ Our Saviour Christ calleth him a true Pastour, and no hi…ling vvho leadeth the sheep in at the doore, Ioh. 10. 2. that is, vvho teacheth no other meanes of salvation, but Christ onelyonly, vvho is the doore of the sheep, Ioh. 10. 7. 9.

He affirmeth also that vvhosoever beleveth in his heart, and confesseth vvith his mouth, that he is that Christ and Messiah promised, is a true member of his Church and built vponupon a rock, against vvhichwhich the gates of hell shall not prevaile. If then the doctrine of our Church be sound, vvhat vvarrant have you to call…s Antichrists? If our pastours offer to lead you vntounto salvation through no other doore then Christ, hovy dare you that say you are Christs, refuse to be guyded by them? If our asse…blyes be built vponupon that rock, hov… can you deny them to be true Churches?

Aunswer to Section, 3.

IT is to be noted here, first that Mr. H. denyeth not but they stand in grievous sinne, by neglecting Christs ordināces: secondly, that he graunteth they retayne divers corruptions in theyr Church, which were derived to them from the Papists. How theyr case standing thus by his own confession, how can he peswade you or any other tovRev. 18. 4. and 14. 9. 20. partake with them in such sinnes, vnles he would have you also to receiv of theyr plagnes.

Agayn it is to be observed, that …r. H. faith here, he will not take vponupon him to defend the least of theyr popish corruptions: And yet doth cleane otherwise throughout this letter, chiefly in his aunswer to the second part of the reason. But to omitt this, I would desier to have noted down in particular, the corruptions remayning in theyr Church, which he confesseth were derived to them from the Papists. And then, let it be iudged whether they be Antichristian.

Here also it is to be mynded, that the ministery and constitution of theyr Church is not charged to be Antichristian, because of this, that they want or neglect some of Christs ordinances (as here he may seem to insinuate) but because they have and submitt vntounto Antichrists: as will appeare in the discussing of them. In the meane tyme (to omitt many other) let him consider, first, that theyr forcing and confounding in the body of their Church all maner people though never so wicked, to stand members thereof, is meerlyvvRev. 13. 16. and 18 2 Antichristian, and directly contrary to the order of Iesus Christ, who hath commanded his people toxAd. 2. 40 41. Rev. 18. 4. 2. Cor. 6. 1…. E…ra. 6. 21. and 9. 14. Psal. 119. 113 128. separate willingly from the world and all false wayes. Secondly that the offices ofy2. Thes. 2. 4. Rev. 9. 3. vvith 1. Cor. 12 5. Ephe. 4. 5. 11 1. Pet. 5. 3. 4. Archbishops, Lordbishops, Archdeacons and theyr Officials (in whom resteth the chief ecclesiasticall power among them) are also Antichristian, and were never sett by Christ in his Church. Thirdly, that the offices, of thezRev. 18. 11. and 17. 1. &c. ād 9. 3. compared vvith Heb. 7 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8 Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 1. Tim. 5. 17. Priests, Deacons, Dicars, s…ipendaryes, and the rest of the inferiour ministery among them, theyr entrance also into theyr offices, theyr administration of them, and maintenance in them, are not found in the Testament of Christ nor in the Primitive Churches planted by the Apostles, but derived from and belonging to the aposta…y of Antichrist, and found in his popish pontifi…all and assemblyes even vntounto this day.

Next towching theyr profession he speaketh of, I aunswer: first, that the verball profession of the articles of religion that are fundamentall, will no more help them then it doth the Papists: who do also verbally and daily repeat and professe in generall the articles of faith, called the Apostles treed, and the Creed of Athanasius, of Nice, and Calcedon: wherein are briefly and generally conteyned the fudamentall poynts of Christian religion. But what avayleth this eyther the one or the other, when otherwise in particular, all of them in practise, and some in judgment deny Christ to be that eternall Prophet, Priest, and king of his Church, howsoeuer in word and generall they both do professe it.

Secondly I aunswer, that the very strength of delusion, ād depth of the subtilty of Antichrist (by which he deceyveth) stā deth in this, that he pretendeth to be for ād with Christ, ād teacheth many excelēt truths▪ otherwise he would soone be espyed and forsaken: whereas now it is a mystery (as the Scripture a2. Thes. 2. 7. Rev. 17. 5.saith) hardly discerned, and hardlyer avoyded. Hereupon it is that among the Papists, so many of them are deluded, whi… the Pope professeth he is not against Christ, but for him, even his vica…, and Peters successor: that his Church is the Catholik Church, out of which there is no salvation, and such like. And among these in England likewise, whiles theyr ministers pretend to be the ministers of Christ, and professe to bring his Gospell with them: when as in deed they revile and persecute the true and sy…cexe practise of it even vntounto death.

Thirdly I aske, whether the ministery worship and government appoynted by Christ for his Church vnderunder the gospell, be not asmuch of the foundation, as the ministery, worship, and government appoynted by Moses for the tyme of the law? And if they be, whether they are not as faithfully sett down by Christ as the other were by Moses, and as carefully to be observed by vsus, as the other were by the Iewes: or rather much more, in asmuch asbHeb. 3 1 2. 3. Christ the Sonne is wor…y of more glory and honour, then Moses the servant.

Fourthly I aske, what fundamentall articles of religion Moses and Aar on with the rest of the Iewes ioyning with them held, thatcNum. 16. 1. 2. 3. &c. Corah, Dathan, Abiram… and theyr company held not: differing onelyonly from them concerning the office of Priesthood and Ministery thereof, a matter of the Discipline, as these men…call it. Yet were they with all that departed not from theyr tents destroyed by the iust iudgment of God. The like may be seen in other poynts of the Discipline of the Church, in the examples ofdLe…. 10. 1 2. Nadab and Abihu, of e2 King. 16. 10. &c.…zziah the priest, and off2 Chron, 26. 18. 19. …zziah the king. Which examples of all sorts are written for our learning, that people of all estates might know and remember, thatg1 Sam. 15 22. 23. to obey the temmaundements of God in whatsoever thing he hath enioyned, is better then sacrifice, and to hear…en better then the fa… of rammes; whereas disobedience and rebellion against the, commaundements of God is as the sinne of witchcraft, vnderunder what pretence soever it be, and transgression is wickednes and Idolatry, how lightly soever men account thereof.

Fifthly whereas Mr H. saith there is no Antichrist whose Doctrine is sound: I willingly graunt it, and have already showed their case to be such. Yet with all I wish Mr H. to marke, that even Antichrist that man of …inne professeth many notable truths and foundamentall articles of religion, as that there is a God, one in essence, three in persons, the Father, Sonne, and holy Ghost: that Christ is God and Man, Prophet, Priest, and king of his Church: that the holy Ghost is present with the Church of Christ to the end of the world: that there shall be a resurectiō of iust and vniust, etc. And yet notwithstanding standeth he with all his followers in defection from the truth and obedience of Christ, even to destruction. By all which is manifest, that the verball profession helpeth litle, when men in practise and particulars deny that, which inword in generall they … to hold, and thereby de…ive the world, as if they held the truth, when indeed they fight against it.

Finally therefore on the one hand vnderstanding by the Discipline of the Church (as we ought) the auncyent and holy order and ordinances, which Christ Iesus by his last Testament hath given to his Church, for the administration of his holy things, and for the keeping of his people in the obedience of faith: and considering on the other hand, thath2 The… 2. 3. 4. Rev. 17. 4. 5. Antichrist hath perverted that holy order, and made apostasy from those holy lawes, advauncing himself and his own constitutions above them, and that also in the ministery, worship and government of the Church, aswell as in other parts thereof: it doth and must needs follow herevpon, that whosoever do not onelyonly not keep that holy order and appointement of Christ, but also bow down to the confusion and false Ministery of Antichrist, they stand in Antichrian estate, notwithstanding any truths they teach, professe, or mainteyne. So as then the Ministery of the Church of England being never ordeyned by Christ, but derived from Antichrist that man of …, it helps them not in this behalf, that they teach and receiv much truth therein: as we see it helpeth not the papists, that theyr priests teach, there is a God, a Christ an holy Spirit; & Church, a resurrection, and many other fundamentall … of Christian religion, as before hath ben said.

But now let vsus come to examine, whether in the Scriptures here alledged by Mr H. Antichrist be not described to be against Iesus Christ, even in that which they call the discipline of the Church, as in other things also agreing to them in theyr estate. The first Scripture he alledgeth, is out of the iDan. 7. 8 25.prophecy of Daniel. The words are these:

I considered the hornes, and behold, another home, a litle one, came vp among them, and three of the first hornes were pluckt away before it. And loe, eyes like the eyes of a man were in that home, and a mouth speaking presumptuous things,

Dan. 7. 8.

And he shall speak words against the most High, and consume the Saints of the most High, and think to alter the tymes and law: and they shalbe given into his hand for a tyme, and tymes, and half a tyme,

Dan. 7. 25.

Now although this Scripture seem first to be vnderstood of Antiochus Ep…hanes, and of his pride and tyranny against the truth and people of God: yet may it also fi…ly be applyed further and compared with the description of the beast in the kRev. 13. Cap. and 9. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.Revelatiō, and so with the Antichristian prelacy and pri… hood from tyme to tyme. For (to omitt other things that might here be observed, and to note onelyonly such things as art most evident) we see here that horne of the beast described to have eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking presumtuous things. Even so the ministers of Antichrist (who will needs be the eyes of the people and light of the world) pretend to be the ministers of Christ: and not that onelyonly, but hauehave also (aswell as that horne) a mouth speaking presumptuous things, even against the most High. See it in these particulars following, and such like which are rise among them: that the true ministery and syncere practise of the Gospell of Christ, is schisme, heresy, fancy, rebellion, insurrection, sedition, subversion of the State, and what not? that Christ the Sonne hath ben lesse faithfull then Moses the servant, in setting down any prescript ministery and order for the Church vnderunder the Gospell perpetually to be kept: that Christ who hath all power i… heaven and in …arth, is not to be submitted vntounto in that ministery order and discipline which he hath given to his Church, if Princes on earth forbid or refuse to establish it: that the ministery of Antichrist is to be receyved and ioyned vntounto, being appointed by Christian Princes for the service of God: that it is lawfull for others to be Archbishops and Lordbishops over the Church and ministers of the Gospell, besides Iesus Christ: that a priesthood, a stinted number of words and prayers, tithes, and such like are appointed for the ministery of the Gospell of Christ: that Christ shall not reigne over them by his offices and ordinances prescribed in his word: that Christ in his soule went down into hell, whiles his body remayned in the grave: wherevnto may be added the blasphemous speach of theyr prelates to such as they make priests, when they say vntounto them Receyv the holy Ghost, as if the holy Ghost were in theyr power to give to whom and when they please. Now let all men that have any spark of knowledg or feare of God in theyr hearts iudge whether these and such like among them be not presumptuous speaches, even against the most High, and consequently whether this Scripture be not verifyed of them, that they have a mouth speaking presumptuous things.

But besides theyr speaches, to come also to theyr actions noted in this Scripture: do they not consume the Saints of the most High, in theyr prisons, at theyr gallowes, by tossing them vp and down, keeping them from theyr trades, driving them into banishment, and infinite such calamityes? Do they not think they may chaunge the tymes and Law, as Daniel here speaketh? Els whence are come theyr chaunging of working dayes into holy day…s, theyr fasting da…es also and forbidding of Mariage in Lent, Advent, and other seasons of the yeare? Whence likewise have proceeded theyr chaunging and refusing of the Lawes of Christ appoynted in his word for the ministery and order of his Church: and the receyving and practising of other lawes, offices, canons, constitutions, facultyes, dispensations, and a thousand such like never appoynted by God? Thus we see the testimony of Damel here alledged by Mr H. maketh altogether against themselves, and in a few words effectually describeth theyr most scarefull estate.

Wherevnto vponupon this occasion we may fitly adde other like prophecyes of Daniel, and apply them also in like maner to this purpose: as for example, lDan. 8. 10. vvith Rev. 6 13. 14. and 13. 7their growth and tyranny against the army of heaven, that is, the true Church and people of God: theyr casting down to the g…ound some of the army and of the starres, that is, some of the true Church and ministers thereof: theyr stamping vponupon them in all pride and cruelty: the mDan. 8. 11. …ith… 2. Thes. 2. 4.exaltation of the preary and other Clergy above the Prince of the army, even the Lord Iesus Christ and his holy ordinances: theyr nDan. 11. 31. and 8. 11 … Rev. 13. 6. 15.polluting and casting down of the Sanctuary of strength, even of the true Church and temple of God: their taking away of the true spirituall worship of God, sweet in the nos…r…is of God and acceptable to him, as the daily sacrifice: their setting vp of theyr own abominable in…en…ions, even the Desolation of Gods true service: and finally theyr in the Prelacy and other ministery of this age, notwithstanding that few now dare or will acknowledg it. Hitherto of the testimony alledged out of the Prophet Daniel: which, as hath ben showed, is wholy against themselves.

In they2. Thes. 2. 10. 11. epistle to the Thessalo…ans, which is next alledged, the Apostle among other propertyes and works of Antichrist, describeth his coming to be by the vvorking of Sathan,

In all deceiveablenes of vn…ighteousnes, among them that perish, because they receyved not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And therefore God vvill send vponupon them the effectuall working of delusion, that they should beleev…lyes.

2 Thes. 2. 10. 11.

Of this testimony is spokenzIn the aunsvver of the second section▪ Pag. 6. 7. 8. before sufficiently. Wherevnto now I adde onelyonly these particulars concerning this Scripture and theyr estate to be duly weighed of them. First whether their Prelacy, ministery, courts and proceedings ecclesiasticall be not deceits of vnrighteousnes. Secondly, whether theyr obiections, …avils, and apposition against the truth be not also of the same nature. Thirdly, whether they receyv the love of the truth that they might be saved, when as they receyv not that ministery worship and governmēt of the Church which Christ hath appoynted therevnto: whoaHeb. 5. 9. …oh. 3. 36 vvith Matth. 28. 20. 1. Tim. 6. 13. 14. is made author of eternall salvation onelyonly vntounto them that obey him. Fourthly, whether they be not strongly deluded to beleev lyes to damnation, when as in religion they receyv and submitt vntounto the Prelacy, ministery, worship, and constitutions of men yea of that beastly man of sinne here spoken of: thebRev. 14. 9. 10. 11. Psal. 119. 21. vvith Exod. 20. 4. 5. … print of whose ordinances whosoever receiveth, maketh himself subiect to drin…k of the cup of Gods wrath for evermore.

The next place he citeth, is out of thec1. Tim. 4. …. 2. 3. first epistle to Timothey: The words are these.

Novv the Spirit speaketh evidently, that in the latter tymes some shall depart from the faith, giving heed vntounto spirits of er…our, and doctrines of divels.

Speaking lyes through hyp…crisy and having the consciences burned vvith an …teyron,

Forbidding to marry, commaunding to absteyne from mea…s, vvhichwhich God hath created to be receyved vvith thāks giving, of them vvhichwhich beleev and acknovvledg the truth▪

1. Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3.

Here we see it was foretold, first that Antichrist should make departure from the faith. Which bring done by him aswell in the ministery and worship appoynted by Christ, as in other poynts and doctrines of the Gospell: it can not be avoyded, but that the ministery and worship of these assemblyes being derived from that apostasy, they are also within compasse of this Scripture, notwithstanding they teach and professe many excellent poynts of the faith, as do also the Papists themselves not a few.

Secondly, it was foretold, that the followers of Antichrist should give heed to spirits of errour and Doctrines of divels, and speak lyes through hypocrisy having theyr consciences feared with an hott yron. Which to be verifyed of them in theyr constitution and practise, may sufficiently be seen both in their false doctrinescPag. 10. 11. 12. 13. before mentioned to which they give heed, and in that which hath bendPag. 7. 22. 23. 26. said before concerning Dan. 7. and 2 Thes. 2. To which I refer you.

Thirdly, it is here foretold, that Antichrist and his followers should forbid mariage, and meats: towching which, two this onelyonly will I say at this tyme. For the first, that as it excuseth not the Papists from being deciphered in this Scripture because they suffer mariage to the lay people (as they call them) when as they forbid it to theyr priests: so it will but litle a vayle these, that they permitt it to their ministers, and yet forbid it to fellowes of Colledges in the universityes, and to others mo among them. Besides that they forbid it to all peole whatsoever in Lent. Rogation week, and such like popish seasons: And when they do permitt it, suffer it onelyonly to be solemnized by a priest, and according to theyr book: Which is meerly popish and never appoynted by God. For the second, that is, the forbidding of meats, let them cō sider well with themselves theyr absteyning from flesch on Saints eves, Ember dayes, Fridayes and Saterdayes, more then vponupon of her dayes, and in Lent more then other seasons of the yeare: let them (I say) consider these things wel and see whether they more agree with the rule of the Apostle here set down, or with the defection of Antichrist here foretold.

Next he alledgeth divers testimonyes out ofd1 Io…. 2. 22. and 4. 3. and 2 …. 7. the epistles of Iohn. The words be these.

Who is a lyer, if not he that denyeth that Iesus is the Christ? this is the Antichrist, which denyeth the Father and the Sonne.

1 Io…. 2. 23.

By this shall ye know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth Iesus Christ come in the flesh, is of God. And every spirit which confesseth not Iesus Christ come in the flesh, is not of God: but this is the spirit of Antichrist,

1. Ioh 4. 2. 3.

Many deceyvers are entred into the world, vvhichwhich confesse not Iesus Christ come in the flesh. He that is such one, is a deceyve… and an Antichrist.

2. Ioh. 7.

HEre in few words is comprised a most notable direction how to know Antichrist, and declared also by the contrary in the fourth chapter, as is here noted down. Where the Apostle teacheth vsus to trye and know the spirits of all men by the confession they make concerning Christ: to witt, by theyr acknowledging or derogating from his person, or office. For vntounto these two heads he bringeth the whole matter, the one concerning the person, the other concerning the office of the Lord Iesus. Towching his person, that he is God and Man in one and the same person. His Godhead he noteth out in these words [Iesus Christ is come] to witt, the Sonne of God from heaven: his manhood in those words [in the flesh]: the vniting and knitting together of these two natures in one person, when speaking of one and the same Iesus Christ, he saith, he is come in the flesh.

Towching his office, that this Iesus is the CHRIST, that is, the annoynted of God, that should come into the vvorld, to be the onelyonly and sufficient Mediator betwixt God and man. Now as in the tyme of the law they were woont to annoynt thee1 King▪ 19. 16. Prophets,fExod. 29 1. 7. 21. Lev. 8. 12. 30 Priests andg1. Sam. 16. 1. 13. kings: so, these being but types of the Lord Iesus here spoken of, the Apostle would teachus, the he is in deed, and so is to be acknowledged,hAct. 2, 36 and 18, 28. Heb. 1. 9. Io…. 3. …4. …sa 11. … ād 61. 1. the annointed of God with the oyle of gladnes above his fellowes even with the Spirit of God without measure, beingiHeb. 5. 4. 5. 9. Esa. 4…. 6. called and consecrated by the Father to be the onelyonly eternallkAct. 3. 22. 23. 24. Esa. 55. 4. Ioh. 1. 18. and 4. 25. and 15. … 17. 5. Hebr. 2. 3. Prophet, l… 7. 1…. 24. and 9. and 10. …pit. Psalm. 110. 4. Rom. 8. 3….Priest, and m…. 2. 6. 1…. and 110. 1. Esa. 9. 6. 7. Act. 2. 36. and 5. 3… and 17. 7. 1 Co…. …. 1. 5. and 19. 16. Mat. 28. 18. 19. 20.king vntounto and for his Church.

This have I shortly noted for the better vnderstanding of these Scriptures, and deciding of the controversy between vsus and these assemblyes. And this to be the true meaning of these Scriptures, appeareth not onelyonly by the Argument and circumstances of the places themselues, but also by the conference of other Scriptures here quoted in the margent, and infinite such like in the Book of God. Now before I proceed to any further application of them, let me here again call to powr mynd that which hath before ben noted, that even the Papists themselves (whom these men acknowledg to be of Antichrist) affirme in generall words and will dy in it against the Iewes and Turks, that Iesus Christ is come in the flesh, the Prophet, Priest, and king of his Church. Yet will not Mr. H. or any of good knowledg say to the contrary, but the Papists notwithstanding are by these Scriptures convinced to be of Antichrist, because that although they professe thus much in generall termes, yet when as theyr estate and practise is examined by the Scriptures in particular, they are found to professe that in word which in truth and in deed they do not acknowledg. And why then may not we so reason from these Scriptures agaynst these assemblyes, which in theyr constitution and practise do likewise in deed deny that in particular, which in generall they do professe concerning Christs prophecy, priesthood, and Kingdome? Mr. Beza in his notes nBeza his notes vponupon 1 Ioh. 4. 2. 3. and vponupon 1 Ioh. 2. 22. and 2… Ioh. 7.vponupon these Scriptures, sayth thus, The Apostle here giveth a sure and perpetuall rule to discerne Antichrists and Antichristian Doctrine by, to vvitt, if the diuine or humane nature of Christ or the true vnitiug of them together be denyed, or if never so litle be derogated from the office of that our everlasting high Priest, Prophet, and King. Math this well. Thus doth Mr. Beza vnderstand these Scriptures: and thus he gathereth from them: as you may see in his notes vponupon the new Testament which are printed in English. And these Scriptures themselues we see do not poynt at the Papists alone, as if they onelyonly were culpable herein: but they concerne all others whosoever they be that come within compasse of these rules. Now to show in particulars how the Papists offend in this behalf, denying that in deed concerning Christ, which in word they do acknowledg, is altogether needles at this tyme: it being graunted on both parts, I meane, both of vsus and of them which yet stand in these assemblyes. It shalbe sufficient therefore to show that these assemblyes of England (as now they stand) do not in this theyr constitution of Church ministery, worship, and order receyv and obey▪ Iesus Christ in his own ordinance, as theyr Prophet, Priest, and King: And therefore howsoever in word generally they professe, yet in truth do not in this theyr constitution acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh: And consequently (by the rule and sentence of the Apostle in these Scriptures) are not of God, but of Antichrist.

First therefore concerning Christs Prophecey, that they do not receyv and hearken vntounto him in his own ordināce as their Prophett, is to lamentably evident by this, that they do not receyv and submitt vntounto that ecclesiasticall order, ministery, and government, which Christ Iesus that Prophet of his Church hath revealed from God the Father in his word, and prescribed to his Church to be kept to the end of the world. This I show two wayes: First, by theyr Church constitution: then by theyr own confession.

The present constitutiō of their Church assemblyes throughout the land is such, as they stand every one of them sub…ect to the ministery and government of another Archbishop and Lord bishop then Iesus Christ, of an Archdeacon, and a parson, vitar, or stipendery, being eyther priest or deacon, so ma… by the Prelates: also to their devised …ted book worship and administration, to theyr ceclesiasticall courts, canons, excommunications, absolutions, and such other theyr procedings. Which are not onelyonly not found in the Testament of Christ appoynted by that Prophet: but were derived from Antichrist that lyar and deceyver of the world.

Theyr confession is manifest in theyr books and writings, wherein they have published to the view of the world, … oVVh…g. defence against T. C. pag. 658.there is no certayne and perfitt kind of government prescribed in the Scriptures to the Church of Christ, vvhichwhich must o… necessity be perpetually obserued. Agayne, thatpIbid. pag 389. the exte… government of the Church vnderunder a Christian magistrate must be according to the kind and forme of the government vsed in th… common vvealth. Moreover, thatqRemōst. cap. 1. pag. 11 the Apostles neyther … vvriting nor practise did ever establish an vniformity of extema… Church discipline, and that perpetually to hold. This they … te: and thus they walk. Which is directly contrary to the … fice of Christs Prophecey, and highly derogatory to his fait… full performance thereof. As is evident by these Scriptu… compared together, Deut. 18. 18. 19. and Act. 3. 22. 23. 24. … Hebr. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Mat. 17. 5 and Ioh. 15. 15. Math. 28. … Ephes. 4. 11▪ 12. 13. Rom. 12. 7. 8. 1. Cor. 4. 17. and 9. 14. and 1… 5. 18. …8. and 14. 33. 37. and 16. 1. 2. 1. Tim. 3. 14. 15. and 4. 13. 14. and 5. 3. 9. 10. 17. 19. 21. 22. Tit. 1. 5. Act. 6. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. and 14. 23. and 20. 17. 28. 2. Cor. 6. 17. 18 Rev. 18. 4. and 14. 12. with 1 Tim. 6. 13. 14.

But it will be sayd here, that rThe forvvard preachers ād professors.some among them are otherwise mynded hereyn: and have sD…clar. of Eccles. discrip. pag. 8. and 9. Demōstr. cap. 1. T. C. first and second reply.published that Christ is that Prophet like vntounto Moses, vvho hath plainely and perfitly declared vntounto us from God (as all other things vvhichwhich belong vntounto our dutyes, so also) vvhatsoeuer is needfull for the government of the Church: vvhom vve ought to heare and obey. And that if they should not acknovvledg thus, they should …ob him of some part of his propheticall office, or prefer a servant before the onelyonly begotten Sonne. Which they do, vvho think that Moses left all things perfitt, but Christ eyther began them not, or did not finish that he began.

Thus I graunt some others of the better sort among them have written aud published. But these theyr books and writings are not allowed among them, but cald in and repressed by publik authority. And that which is more in this case, such …fession and writing doth not onelyonly affoord them no help in …heyr estate, but doth rather make theyr sinne the more grie…ous, inasmuch as professing they know these things, they re…use nothwithstāding to walk accordingly: whereas the Lord Iesus that Prophet, is not onelyonly in word to be acknowledged … have left a perfitt order vntounto his Church, but is also in deed … be hearkned vntounto and obeyed thereyn, and in no other. For avDeut. 18. 18 19. vvith Act. 3. 22. 23 spake the Lord vntounto Moses concerning Iesus Christ, …ying: I vvill rayse them vp a Prophett from among theyr bre…ten like vntounto thee, and vvill put my vvords in his mouth, and … shall speak vntounto them all that I shall commaund him. And …hosoeuer vvill not hearken vntounto my vvords vvhichwhich he shall …eak in my Name, I vvill requier it of him. Iohn Baptist li…wise vvIoh. 13. 36. vvith Psal. 2. 12.testifyed concerning Christ thus, He that beleeveth … the sonne bath everlasting life: and he that obeyeth not the …onne, shall not see life, but the vvrath of God abideth on him. …here is to be observed how the Spirit of God describeth sa…ng faith by the obedience of Christ: teaching us that they …hich obey not the Sonne in deed, whatsoever profession they …ake of him in word, cannot assure themselues they beleev in … to eternall life. The same is taught in the Epistle to the …ewes. Where it isxHeb. 5. 9. sayd of Christ the Sonne, that being …secrate, he vvas made author of eternall salvation to all that … him. To which purpose we may also observ in the yRom. 1. 5. and 16. 26. He…. 11. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. &c. 1. Pet. 2▪ 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.Scriptures the often joyning of these two together, faith, and the obedience of faith. But this being noted by the way concerning that testimony of Iohn: I proceed yet further to show that Christ that Prophet requireth not onelyonly acknowledgment in word, but obedience indeed to all his ordināces given to his Church. This we learne both of Christ himself and of his Apostles. Of Christ himself, in hiszM…t. 28. 1…. 19. 20. last and great commission given to his Apostles, when he sent them into the world, to publish his faith, and plant his Churches therein. In which he straitly charged them to teach all his people baptized in his name, not to acknowledg onelyonly but, to keep and observ vvhatsoever he had commaunded them: and that even to the end of the vvorld: not making any exception of Christian or heathen Magistrates, of theyr allowance or disallowance, or of any other worldly respects whatsoever. The Apostles also as they were commaunded, so they performed: botha1 Cor. 4. 17. et. 11. 1. 2. 23. et. 12. 5. 18. 28. et. 14. 33. 37. Col. 2. 5. Gal. 1. 11. 12. Eph. 4. 11 12. Tit. 1. 5. Act. 14. 23. et 20. 17. 27. 28. 1 Pet. 1. 13. et. 5. 1. 2. 3 4. 12. plāting the Churches in that faith ād order which Christ prescribed them, ādb1. Tim. 6 3. 4. 5. 13. 14. Col. 2. 8. 18. &c. 1 Cor. 14 37. Ephes. 4. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 2 Thes. 2 1. 2. 3. Act. 20. 17. 27. 28 29. 30. 31. 32. Iud…. ver. 3. Gal. 1. 8 9. Rev. 22. 18. 19. requiring of the Churches so planted and of all other after them to the end of the world to keep that faith and order wherein they were sett, and to admitt of no other whatsoever, but to keep that vvithout spot ād vnrebukeable, vntill the appearing of ovvr Lord Iesus Christ. And thus much concerning this matter. OnelyOnly I will now adde the confession and testimony of these men themselues concerning this poynt in hand, This have cDem…ns. cap. 1. pro. 1.they written and published, From that forme of governing the Church, vvhichwhich together vvith the offices that are to execute the same, the vvord of God perfitly descubeth vntounto vsus, no Christian Church ought to svvarue. Now herewith compare their estate and practise, and you shall fynd that they do not onelyonly swarue from that forme of government appoynted by Christ to his Church and so hearken not vntounto him as their Prophet: but do also receyv and submitt vntounto another, even a false one, derived from Antichrist: as themselves have dAdmon. to the Parl. T. C. first and secōd reply. Sermon on Rom. 12.taught, and therefore have sued to the Parliament to have it removed. Thus we see how theyr sinne is made far the greater and more fearfull, whiles contrary to theyr knowled… they wittingly persist in disobedience against Iesus Christ that Prophet of his Church: as if he were not come in the flesh, or as if not he, but man, yea the man of sinne we… to be hearkned vntounto. And hitherto concerning Christ… Prophecy.

Next for his Priesthood, that towching it they do likewise▪ will thus appeare. The office of the Priesthood of Christ consisteth in two things: first, theeEphe…. 1. 7. and 5. 2. Col. 1. 20 Heb. 9. 28. Rom. 8. 34 1 Ioh. 2. 2. Redemption he hath made for the world in the blood of his crosse, appearing once to put away sinne, by the sacrifice of himself: secondly, thefHeb. 7. 25 and 9. 24. Rom. 8. 34. 1. Ioh. 2. 1. 1. Tim. 2▪ 5. Intercession he maketh with the father, being entred int… heaven, to appeare now before the face of God for vsus. Now towching the first, that is, the work of Redemption, as if they counted the blood, of the Testa…ent an vnholy thing, they profane …ingRev. 14. 9 Num. 16. 40. Ezech. 44. 7. ād 2. Ioh. 7. compared vvith Ephes. 4. 11. 12. administring and receyving the word ād Sacramēts of that reconcilation in and from an Antichristian ministery: and more particularly in the Sacraments, theyhLament. 1. 10. Ezech. 16. 19. and 22. 26. Ier. 23. 17. 2. Cor 6. 14. 15. 16. compared vvith 1. Pet. 1▪ 18. 19. Math. 7. 6. prostitute that precious blood of the crosse of Christ (even of that Lamb vndefiled) vntounto Atheists, Idolaters, persecuters, whoremongers, drunkards, sorterers, witches and the most profane of the land and theyr seed. That it is thus with them, may be seen not onelyonly in theyr vngodly continuall practise: but even by theyr own confession and writings. Towching theyr ministery thus theyiAdmon. to Parliam. treatise 2. section, 14. 15. 16. 17. 20. write, We have an Antichristianhierarchy and a popish ordering of ministers, straunge from the word of God never heard of in the Primitive Churches, but taken out of the Popes shop to the destruction of Gods kingdome. Yet in and from this ministery they minister and receyv the word and Sacraments. Towching the other also, thuskA playne declaration of Eccles. discip. pag. 172 T. C. first …eply. pag. 167. they write of themselves and theyr estate, whereas in the holy Communion of the Lords supper, Christ the true Paschall lambe ought to be communicated onelyonly to such (as far as men can …udge by theyr outward profession) to whom Christ himself belongeth: among vsus the holy Sacraments are communicated with the Papists; the holy mysteryes of God profaned, the Gentiles enter into the Temple of God, the holy things are indifferētly communicated with cleane ād vncleane, circumcised and vncircvmcised. And aslVVhi…g. defence against T. C. pag. 176. 178 639. 646. another among them sticketh not to affirme and mainteyne, that now the Church is full of drunkerds, whooremougers, Idolaters, superstitious persons, papists Atheists, and such like. This is theyr own confession, besides theyr estate, concerning the first.

Towching the second, that is, Christs Intercession with the father, they profane it likewise two wayes: first, by retaining amBook of ordering Priests. An… book of common prayer. priesthood, as an office of ministery, to offer by theyr publick prayers and other service vntounto God: which now can be nothing els, but eyther a continuing of the Iewish priesthood abolished by Christ, whonHeb. 7. 11. 12. 24. and 10. 11. 12 13. 14. enduring for ever … a priesthood that can not passe from one to another), or els a retayning of the popish priesthood devised by Antichrist: Of which sort indeed it is, as hereafter will appeare, ād asoAdmon. to Parliam. …eatise 2. thēselves have heretofore writtē ād acknowleged. Neyther will it any white make for them, thatpRev. 1. 6. and 1. Pet. 2. 5. now all the faithfull are by Christ made Priests to offer vp spirituall sacrifices vntounto God For evē by this it appeareth, that now the ministery ād priesthood differ betweē themselves: the one, to witt the priesthood, being commō to all the faithfull, the other, that is the ministery, being proper to such as are according to the word of God sett apart therevnto. The second way, whereby they profane Christ his Intercession, is by offring vp in Christs name ād mediatiō their devised stinted popish worship ād ministratiō Which qEsa. 29. 13. Mat. 15. 9 Deut. 12. 30. 31. 32. Ier. 7. 30. 31. Mal. 1. 7. 8. Rev. 22. 18. 19.being never appoynted by Christ, but devised by man, is abominatiō vntounto God: whereas on the contrary, Iesus Christ that everlasting Priest, makethr1 Pe… 2. 5 Heb. 13. 15. Rev. 8. 3. 4. his people an holy pr…esthood to offer vp spirituall sacrifices acceptable vntounto God through himself. This also have the forward preachers and people among them heretofore avowched, affirming to the Parliament, thatsAdmon. to Pa…liam. treatise. 2. and T. C. first reply▪ pag. 131. &c. their book of Common prayer (wherein theyr publik worship ād ministration is set down) is culled ād picked out of that popish dunghill the masse book, full of abominations. Yet do they still offer it vp to God in the mediation of Christ: as is manifest both by the book it self and in theyr continuall practise. And thus have we seen with what i…piety they carry themselves also towching the Priesthood of Iesus Christ.

Lasily, concerning his kingdome, howsoever they speak of the guydance of his Spirit, yet in deed and in truth they refuse to be subiect to him as Lord and King of his Church. And this they manifest to all men, in that theytLuk. 19. 27. and 22. 25. 26. Mal. 1. 6. mat. 28. 20. vvith Ephes. 4. 8. 11 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8. 1. Cot. 12 5. 18. 28 and 9. 14. 1 Tim. 3. cap. et 5. 17. and 6. 13 14. 15. 1 …et. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. Act. 6. 2. 3. 5 and 14. 23. also 2 Thes. 2 3. 4. Rev. 9. 3. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. and 13. 11. 16 17. and 14. 9. 10 11. 12. refuse to submite to the offices, lawes, and order of government, which he as Lord and king of his Church hath appoy…ted therevnto: and not that onelyonly but do also subiect themselves to the ministery, disorder, and constitutions, which Antichrist that sonne of perdition hath invented and brought into the false Church. The proof hereof is evident, first in theyr constitutions and practise: then by theyr own confession and writings. Concerning both which first I refer you to that which was saidvPag. 30 before towching Christs Pr…phery: as also to that which is spoken of this matter every where throughout this trea…ise. And then I pray you consider both the Scriptures quoted in the margent, and these sayings of theyrs in theyr own writings, which directly concerne the poynt we have in hand: and see if they witnes not as much themselves as they are charged withall by vsus.

On the one hand thus they write, that vv… of Eccle. discip. p. …. 9they must eyther confesse that Christ hath left vsus an order to live by, or els spoyle him of his Kingly office: That xSe… …. on Rom. 12. pag. 17.Christ the King and governour of his Church, must rule it by his o…n offices and by his own lawes, till his comming at the last day. That y… cap 1. reason. 13.Christ is a king, who hath prescribed lawes vntounto his Church for the government of the same, and will have them tyed to no other, neyther to disobey them which he hath sett down.

Yet on the other hand (as towching theyr … estate they write thus of themselves: That zAdmon. to P…lias. trea…ise. 2. Artic. 3.theyr wor… and works are divorced: That aDeclar. of eccl…. discip. Pag. 70.they do not in deed obey his precepts and lawes, whom in words they acknowledg to be theyr King: That bSermo. 1 on Rom. 12. p. 33. 34. 65. 66. 67. 72. …3they do not onelyonly want the offices appoynted by Christ, to witt, Pastors, Teachers, Elders Deacons, Attenders vponupon the poore: but also remayne in and vnderunder the confusions and Antichristian offices of Archbishops, Bishops, D…anes, Archdeacons, Deacons, Chauncelours, Commissaryes, Officials, vvhichwhich be rather members and parts of the whore and strumpett of Rome, then of the pure virgin and spouse of the immaculate Lamb: That c…. of eccles. discip. pag. 15.the government of theyr Church is not taken out of Gods word, but out of the Canon lavves and decrees of Popes: Finally, thatdDem…s. inpre…. to s…pposed Gover. they reiect Christs yoke, andeDe monstr. i… pr…f. to the Reader. retayne that popish hierarchy first coyned in the midst of the mystery of iniquity, and that filthy sinke of the Canon law vvhichwhich vvas invented and patched together for the confirming and increasing of the kingdome of Antichrist. Wherein as great indignity is offred vntounto Iesus Christ, in committing his Church vntounto the government of the same, as cā be by meane vnderlings vntounto a king in committing his beloved spouse vntounto the direction of the Mistres of the Stevves, and enforcing her to live after the orders of a brothel hovvse.

These are their own sayings. And therefore even by theyr own confession it is to true among them in this respect, which fDemōstra in … p…eef…ce a foresaid.one of themselves said: that turning out the orders vvhichwhich Christ hath prescribed in his vvord for the ruling of his Church, they give him the title of a King, but deny him the authority belonging to the same: and so in truth make him an Idoll, making him to carry a shovv of that he is not, and vvith the crucifyers of him putting a reed in his hand in stead of his yron rod, and crovvning him vvith thorne… in stead of the crovvn of greatest glory.

Thus have we showed, that in theyr constitution of Christ ministery, worship, and government, they do not receyv and …bey Iesus Christ in his own ordinance, as theyr Prophet, Priest, and king. And therefore as they say of the papists, so let them look it be not verifyed of themselves, in this respect, that howsoever in words generally they professe, yet in deed and verity they do not acknowledg Iesus Christ come in the flesh, that Prophet, Priest, and king of the Church: and consequently (by the rule and judgment of the Apostle sett down in the Scriptures here alledged by …r H.) are in this behalf not of God, but of Antichrist.

The next Scripture Mr H. citeth is from thegRev. 13. 5. 6. book of Rebelatiō. The words be these, speaking of the beast here described.

There was given vntounto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemyes, and power was given vntounto him to do two and fourty moneths.

And he opened his mouth vntounto blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his Name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Rev. 13. 5. 6.

This book of the Revelation whosoever readeth over with a single heart, and compareth with it the event of things partly come to passe already, partly morefully yet to be accomplished: considering on the one hand thathRev. 17. 1. …. and 13. 16 17. the whore of Babilon hath made all nations of the earth drunk with the cup of her fornications: thatiRev. 14. 8 and 17. and 18. cap. she hath already begun to fall, and daily more and more inclyneth to her full desolation and destruction, which yet can never wholy be accomplished so long as the Babylonish offices of Archbis…hops, Lordbishops, Archdeacons, and the rest, with theyr courts, canons, worship, and procedings do continew: And on the other hand thatkRev. 14. 6. 7. ād 11. 15. and 19. chap vvith 2. Thes 2. 8. and 1. Co…. 15. 24. 28. the Lord Iesus will by the light ād power of his gospell condemne and abolish that Babilo…ish whore with all her false offices and constitutions, and will also raigne in his Church by his own offices and lawes, with his crown of glory vponupon his head, ād his scepter of righteousnes in his hād, vntill he give vp the kingdome to God even the Father, that God may be all in all. Who so (I say) readeth this book, and considereth these and such like prophecyes therein cōteyned in part already fulfilled, and yet morefully to be effected: shall playnely see, that this book of all other most playnely deciph… reth and condemneth the Babylonish Antichristian estate and constitution of these assemblyes, as they now stand vnderunder this Prela…y and other false ministery of the land.

Now in particular for thelRev. 1…. 5. 6. place of this book here alledged, that it likewise is verisfyd of theyr ecclesi…sticall estate ād dealings at this day, as heretofore it hath bē in the Romane Empire and Apostasy elswhere, may sufficiently be seen by that which hathmPag. 22. 23. before ben said towching Daniels like prophetyes, where you may perceyv by the sp…rialtyes there expressed how these men in theyr estate at this day have a mouth that speaketh great things and blasphemyes against God, to blaspheme his nLev. 22. 31. 32. Act. 26. 9. 1… vvith 2 Thes 2. 4 mal. 1. 11. 12.name, in speaking yll of his truth and ordinances: and his Tabernacle, that is, hiso1 Tim. 3. 15. Lev. 26. 11. 12. Ezec… 37 26. 27. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Church, which is the house of the living God, ād Tabernacle wherein he dwelleth among the sonnes of men on earth: and them that dvvell in heaven, that is, thepPsal. 83. 3. vvith Phil. 3. 20. Rev. 11. 19. and 12. 17. Luk. 21. 27. 28. Lords secret ones, whose conversation is in heaven, whiles they live here on earth keeping the …mmaundements of God, and having the testimony of Iesus Christ, whom they look for from the heavēs for theyr full redemptiō. But these things being before in the handling of Daniels prophery declared in many particulars, it shall not be needfull here agayn to repeat them. OnelyOnly in this place it shall be good to note this moreover, that in this chapter and book Mr. H. might have sett down many other places describing the propertyes of Antichrist: and that not onelyonly in regard of his doctrine and deceit thereof, but also in respect of his tolourable pretence to be of Christ and for him, yet forcing all people to stand subiect to his own adulterate discipline, ordinances, and jurisdiction. To which end it is to be observed, that Antichrist is here described to havenRev. 1…. 11. two hornes like the lambe, pretending his ministery and authority to be of Christ …nd for him, but yet shall speak like the dragon, in his false doctrines, imposed traditions, blaspheming the truth, reviling the witnesses thereof, and advauncing himself and his own inventions above God and his commaundemēts. Moreover that he shalloRev. 13. 16. make all both small and great, rich and poore, bond and free, to take his mark in theyr forehead ād hād, and so to submitt to his ministery, leiturgy, courts, excommunitations, and the rest of the actions of his vsurped authority: Or elspRev. 13. 10. 15. 17. killeth, banisheth, ād imprisoneth all such as refuse so to do, not suffring them eyther to enioy any liberty o…priviledg in the world, or to performe any worship to God, but according to his own in ventions ād apostasy. Which h…w true they ar… of the Prelacy and other Clergy of these assenblpes, let theyr estate and daily actions be witnesses.

Hitherto also might be referred other scriptures of this book verifyed in them likewise: for example, that asgRev. 9. 3. 7. 8. 9. 10. Here see the note vpō the third verse of this chapter, in our great English Bibles. the … spoken of in the ninth of this book, were like vntounto horses prepared to battayle, having on theyr heads crownes like vntounto gold, and faces like men, and haire as womē, and teeth as lyons, ād habergions of yron, and tayles as scorpions with stings in them, having power to hurt for a season: so the Prelates ād other Clergy of Antichrist, are f…erce as horses to fight against the truth and people of God, having rule and dominion with Lordly titles and princely dignities, in outward face ād show pretending to be the Ministers of Christ and his Church, but in deed being deceitfull entising and lascivious as harlots, and ravenous cruell poysonfull and singing as Lyons and scorpions, having powr to hurt and deceyue for a season, albeyt their … ād malice be limited ād repressed by the providence and power of the most High: Agayne, that ashRev. 9. 11 those locusts with mens faces were all of them vnderunder Abaddō their King the Angel of the bottomles pitt, so the Prelates and other▪ Clergy of Antichrist howsoever they pretend to be the Ministers of righteousnes, are in deed the subjects of Sathan the Prince of dar…nes, who yet transformeth himself into an Angell of light. Moreover thatqRev. 17. 1. 2. ād 18. 3. they as well as other people and nations of the earth hauehave committed fornication vvith that vvhore of Babylon spoken of in this book: and hauehave receyued of herrRev. 17. 3. and 14. 11. names of blasphemy (such as be the names of Archbishops, and Lord bisshops, and Priests, when it is ascribed to an office of Ministery of the Gospell:) and hauehavesRev. 17. 4 and 14. 8. drunk of her golden cupfull of abominations, whence hauehave proceeded theyr Ministery, book of common prayer, book of ordering Priests and consecrating Archbishops and Bishops, excommunications by Archdeacons and Lordbishops, theyr courts, of facultyes, Commissary courts, and such like among them: and fina… have bentRev. 17. 7 and 1. 9. 2. and 20. 4. made drunken vvith the blood of the Saints, and vvith the blood of the Martyrs of Iesus. So as these assemblyes in theyr ecclesiasticall constitutiō and procedings have showed themselves to be the naturallvRev. 17. 5 vvith Ezech. 16. 44. daughters of Babylon, that mother of vvhoredomes and abominations of the earth: howsoever asvvRev. 17 5. vvith 2. Thes. 2. 7. a Mystery it ly much hid and is not easily espyed, vnle… Christ IesusxRev. 3. 18 annoynt ovvreyes vvith ey salue, that we may perceyv it, andyRev. 17. 1 3. vvith a. Thes. 4. 8. carry us forth as it vvere into the vvildernes in the Spirit, to take a view of it by the light of his word, ād not as it maketh show, ād is esteemed among men in the world. And thus much of this place ād book of the Revelatiō here alledge…

Now before Mr. H. cometh to any other Scriptures, … this conclusion of the former, that no Antichrist can be shovved vvhose doctrine is …ound. Concerning which I hauehave aunsweredopag. 1…. 11. 12. 13. before, first that theyr doctrine also is vnsound, and have showed it in divers false doctrines they hold and teach: and then that Antichrist the man of sinne teacheth many true doctrines towching God, the Creatiō, Resurrectiō and such like, yet notwithstanding is he an Antichrist, and his followers in Antichristian estate. Otherwise if the reaching of some sound doctrines would make such to be no Antichrists as do so teach, what Antichrists have there or will there ever be in the world? Hath there at any tyme ben any heretick or Antichrist, that hath not held ād professed some truth together with his here…y ād Antichristianity? Nay, is not the truth that such a one teacheth, the very meanes by which his delusion is made the stronger? Then for that truths sake he ought not the more to be hearkned vntounto (as these men reason), but the more to be avoyded (as Mr Beza hath wellzBeza against Sa…avia. cap. 25. pag. 193. noted against Sara…ia) least vnderunder pretence of hearing the truth from him, we be de…pved by him. When theaMa…. 1. 24. and 5. 7. divell himself acknowledged and said, that Christ was the Sonne of the most High, that holy one of God: or when he doth professe and teach it in the offices b2. Thes. 2. 9.he hath brought into the false Church: shall we therefore allow such as lawfull ministers of Christ and abide members of such a Church: Or ought we not rather to know that Christ … cMar. 1. 25rebuketh them ād biddeth them hold their peace, hath …lsodRev. 18. 4. and 14. 9. 10. 11. charged vsus to depart from all such ād not to partake in theyr sinnes? It neyther is nor can be vnknowen (though it be … mynded of many) that ase2. Co…. 11 14. Sathā himself is trāsformed …to an Angel of light, sofVers. 15. his ministers (even such as stand in any false ministery) can transforme themselues as though they were the ministers of righteousnes. Which they do no may more subtilly ād forcibly effect then by meanes of the true doctrines which they teach in the Antichristiā offices they hauehave …eybed. Thus we may see, that the hony of some truth being mixed with the poyson of theyr offices, we can not from them cast the sweetnes of the one, but we are withall in present dain…t to be destroyed by partaking with the other: and therefore … not in this estate to receyv, but to avoyd them altogether. …itherto of the Scriptures which Mr. H. hath brought about the description of Antichrist: ād of his conclusiō inferred therevpō. The next Scriptures he alledgeth are of another sort showing us who be true ministers, and which be true Churches. The first is out of thegIoh. 10. 2. 7. 9. tenth of Iohn: where Christ speaketh …hus.

Verily, verily, I say vntounto you, He that entreth not in by the doore into the folde of the sheep, but climeth vp another way, he is a thief and a robber.

But …e thath entreth in by the doore, is the sheepeard of the sheep Ioh. 10. 1. 2. And agayn Iesus said vntounto them.

Verily, verily, I say vntounto you, I am the doore of the sheep.

All that ever came before me, are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not heare them.

I am the doore: by me if any man enter in, he shalbe saved, and shall go in and go out, and finde pasture,

Ioh. …0. 7. 8. 9.

HEre in deed is a speciall mark to know ministers by, t… witt, if they enter in by the doore into the sheepfold, that is, vp Iesus Christ into his Church. Now to enter invp IEsus CHrist, is eytherhGal. 1. 1. Amo… 7. 15. immediately to be called by CHrist himself, as were the Prophets and Apostles: or els iAct. 6. 3. 5. and 14. 23. and 20. 28. Eph. 4. 11. 12. 1. Tim. 3. Chap. Tit. 1. 5. 6. &c.mediately to be called by his Church, to such offices as he hath given for the work of his ministery, according to such rules as he hath appoynted to that end. Seing then the publik ministers of these assemblyes are neyther immediately called by Christ himself, nor mediately by his Church: neyther to such offices as Christ hath sett in his Church: nor according to such rules as he hath prescribed therevnto: it is manifest they enter not in by the doore, that is, by IEsus CHrist, but climbe up another way, to witt, by theyrkBook of ordering priests and deacons. deaconry and priesthood receyved of the Prelates and derived from Antichrist. And therefore are not true ministers appoynted by Christ and his Church, but thieves and robbers belonging to Antichrist and his defection. The further proof whereof, besides theyr continuall practise and present estate, I refer to his proper place in that which is to be spokenlIn the aunsvver to the sixt, …ight, and ninth, sections. hereafter towching the second part of the Reason, and in that place towching theyr priesthood and entrance into the ministery. In the meane tyme onelyonly I putt them in mynd that they have graunted thus much of themselues heretofore, as I affirme, that is, thatmAdmō. to Parliam. …reatise, 2. sect. 16. they enter not in by Christ, but by a popish and vnlawfull vocation. These are theyr own words. But of this more hereafter.

That in this place Mr. H. translateth ChristsnIo…. 10. 2 word… thus (he that leadeth the sheep in at the doore) albeyt the thing …e true that the true pastors do so ād that the sheep so led fynd pasture ād salvation in Christ: Yet his translation here is vntrue, and some what subtill, to the end (as it seemeth) he might with better colour have some defence for theyr ministery from this Scripture. For Christs speach here is not, he that leadeth in at the doore, but thus, he that entreth in by the doore, As may be showed divers wayes: first by the proper signification of the words here vsed, whereof theoE…serchome. 1…5. one signifyeth to enter in or to come in (not, to lead in,) and thepDiates …huras. other signify, by the doore (not, in at the doore:) secondly by the contrary which Christ opposeth vntounto it in theqIoh. 10. 1 former verse, when he saith, he thatrAna…ain…n. clymeth (not, he that leadeth vp) another way is a thief and a robber: thirdly by the severall propertyes which here Christ attributeth to all false ministers opposed to the other, as first, that they aresIoh. 10. 1. 8. thieves ād robbers, that is, such as burst into the howse an other way then by the doore, and in stead of well ordering the house, make spoyle of them that dwell in it, even making marchandize of theyr soules and consciences: Next, that they aretVer. 5. straungers; that is such whose offices and callings are straunge from the word of God and ordinance of Christ, and therefore ought alway of his Church to be accounted as straungers, ād theyr voyce not to be hearkned vntounto: lastly, that theyvVer. 8. came before Christ, that is, be such as do not follow after him, way…ing for his calling, and walking in his way which he hath sett vsus, but do intrude themselves without him and follow another way devised by themselves and never prescribed by him.

Here also would I aske Mr H. whether one being in no office of ministery, yet taking vponupon him publikly to teach, and (as here he saith) leading in at the doore, that is, teaching no other meanes of salvation but Christ onelyonly who is the doore of the sheep: whether such a one (I say) were therefore to be reputed a Pastour and, minister of Christ, lawfully sett in that office? I am assured Mr H. will not say it. For that were both to give allowance of intrusion, which Christ …ondemneth: and to open a doore to the annihilating of that order with Christ hath appoynted his Church for the entrante into his ministery. And now if such a one were not therefore to be accounted in such office of ministery, much lesse will such teaching approve him that standeth in an Antichristian office, to be a Pastor or Minister of Iesus Christ.

It may also further be observed, that Christ in thisvvIoh. 10. 2. Scripture speaketh of such as be shepeards of sheep: and therefore that it helpeth not the ministers of these assemblies, who commonly stand heards of swyne, theyr Church being an hold of all foule spirits, and a cage of every vncleane and hatefull bird. Besides that they all, even the most religious among them, so long as they continew members of that Church, stand subiect to theyr ecclesiasticall courts, officers canons, worship, and the rest of theyr abominations, and therefore as yet in that respect can not be accounted the sheep of Christ, hearing his voyce and obeying his precepts.

The next and last Scripture here alledged is out of the xMat. 16. 18.16. of Mathew. Where Christ as king his Disciples whom they said he was: Peter aunswered, Thou art the Christ, the Sonne of the living God. Wherevpon Christ said agayn,

I say vntounto thee, that thou art Peter, and vponupon this rocke will I build my Church: and the gates of hell shall not prevayle against it.

Mat. 16. 18.

Here we are taught vponupon what rock the true Church and lively members thereof are built, to witt, vponupon this confession, that Iesus is the Christ the Sonne of the living God. Now here we are to remember that Christ is described both by his person, and office. Of which I have spoken yPag. 28. etc. In the explication of 1 Ioh. 4. 2.before at large vponupon like occasion concerning the testimonyes alledged out of the Epistles of Iohn. To which therefore I refer you, not purposing here agayn to make repetition thereof. OnelyOnly thus much concerning this Scripture I will further note: that as we learned out of Ie…us epistles to discerne the Spirit of GOD from the spirit of Antichrist, so here we are taught how to know the true Church of God, and so to discer…e it from the false Synagogues of Antichrist: that is, by considering whether it be built vponupon the rock Iesus Christ, that Propher, Priest, and king of his Church. For (as the Apostlez1 Cor. …. 11. saith) other foundation can no man lay, then that vvhichwhich is layd, vvhichwhich is Iesus Christ. But as before we showed, so here we are to remember, that a verball and generall profession of Christ in word being denyed in practise, will not avayle to make eyther the popish or these assemblyes the true Churches of God, and not the apostate Synagogues of the man of sinne.

The Apostle Peter (to whom with the other disciples this was spoken, although in the maner of speach Christ alluded to Peters name, as signifying a stone or rock) he laying this foundation in the Churches which he planted, Iesus Christ, that chief corner stone, elect and precious, doth 1 Pet. 2. 6. 7. 8.thus further apply it vntounto them, saying, VntoUnto you which beleev it is precious: but vntounto them that be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is become the head of the corner: and a stone to stumble at, and a rock of offence even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient. Where he plainely teacheth, it is the obedience of faith; which is required of all such as are truly baylt vponupon this rock and corner stone, Iesus Christ.

And this hath Christ himself also taught vsus, when he aMat. 7. 24. 25. 26. 27like…ed him that heareth his words and doth them vntounto a wise man which hath built his house on a rock, against which the rayne and floods and wynds prevayle not to cast it …: and him that heareth his words and doth them not, vntounto a foolish man which hath built his house vponupon the sand, against which the rayne and floods easily prevayle to beat it down. So in like maner we are to know for the question in hand, that the true Church of CHrist is as abPro 9. 1 and 31. 10. 11. 12. Ephes. 5. 23. 24. wise woman and faithfull wife which hearkning to the voyce of her husband yeeldeth obedience vntounto him, and as ancMat. 16. 18. vvich pro 9. 1. house built vponupon the rock, against which the gates of hell shall not be able to prevayle: Whereas the false Church of Antichrist is as thedPro. 9. 13—18. and 7. 10—23. Hos. 2. 2. foolish woman and harlott, which howsoever she pretend to heare the voyce of Christ, yet in deed followeth the lust of her own eyes and goeth a whoring after her own inventions: yea and pretending onelyonly the name of Christ, but in deed not receyving him as her Prophet, Priest, and king, is as an house built vponupon the sand, which thee2 Thes. 2. 8. Rev. 18 8 21. Esa. 13. 19. breath of Christs mouth and wynd of his judgments will in the end consume and scatter abroad as the dust. It is not then a verball profession in generall that will serve, where an actuall denyall in practise is ioyned withall. But the true Church which is built vponupon the rock doth in deed and truth obey the Lord Iesus acknowledging him to be such as he is revealed vntounto vsus in the word of God.

This the Apostle Paul likewise teacheth vsus, when hefEphes. 2. 20. saith, the Church is built vponupon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Iesus Christ himself being the head corner stone. Wherein he giveth vsus to learne that that is in deed the true Church which is so built vponupon Iesus Christ, as the Apostles and Prophets have layd him for the foundation and head stone in the corner, that is, have taught him to be the Sonne of God come in the flesh, the Prophett, Priest and king of his Church for ever. Which forasmuch as these together with the popish assemblyes do not in deed and verity acknowledg, howsoever in words generally they professe, as hathgPag. 30. &c. before at large ben pro…ed: it therefore followeth, that in this estate they cannot be esteemed truly built vponupon the rock Iesus Christ: and therefore cannot be counted the true Churches of God, whiles we try them by the rules given vsus by the Prophets and Apostles, and by Christ Iesus himselfe.

And thus have I showed the severall Scriptures here …i…ed by Mr H. to be so many witnesses against themselves. Thus also have we seen both their doctrine to be vnsound, and theyr ministery and Church constitution to be such as was never appoynted by Christ, but derived from Antichrist. And therefore by none to be continued in, but of all to be separated from, and that vponupon payne of everlasting condemnation. For so hath theh2 thes. 2. 10 11. 12. Rev. 13. 8. 9. and 14. 9. 10. 11. and 18. 4 5. Scripture testifyed.

Hitherto of Mr H. his first exception. Now his second followeth in these words.

The Ministry of the Church of England, Section 3

p. 17Mr. H. his letter. Section. 3.

Aunswer to Section, 3.

Mr. H. his letter. Section. 3.