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The Ministry of the Church of England · Francis Johnson

The Ministry of the Church of England, Section 5

Mr. H. his letter. Section, 5.

THirdly, if it be a sinne for an vvhole Church to account any private man for an heathen or publicane though he be knovven to have grievously sinned xMat. 18. 15. 16. 17.(Mat. 18) till such tyme as by despising all lavvf…ll meanes that can be vsed for reclayming him, he shall be found to sinne of obstinacy: then must it needs be a sinne for any private members (such as you are) to account an vvhole Church and so many famous assemblyes to be all as heathens and publicanes and Antichrists, before theyr sinne hath ben manifested vntounto them and they proceeded against according to the rule of Christ.

Novv this hath not ben done vntounto vsus: for many there are of the ministers in England, that are not yet in theyr iudgement persvvaded of the discipline: and many that do yeeld vntounto it in iudgment and desier hartily the establishment of it, ād the removall of all corruptiōs, cānot yet see hovv they may vvith a good conscience forsake the callings and roomes they occupy, for the vvant of the discipline. If these sinne, they sinne but of ignorance, and therefore may not for this sinne be accounted for heathens and publicanes.

But admitt our sinne had ben manifested vntounto vsus: by vvhom have vve ben ensured for it? A private member may not be cast out till he have despised the censure of the Church, though he have despised the admonition and counsell of sundry private Christians: Then suerly an vvhole nation may not be cast out of the Church, though it have not hearkned to the reproof of many private Christians, till it shalbe found to have despised the censure of other more famous Churches professing the Gospell. And vvhat such Church is there in the vvorld that …ath censured vsus? Nay it is most evident that all those Churches in Christendome that have in most syncerity receyved and mainteyned the doctrine and discipline of Christ, have alvvayes accounted our Church for a sister, and given vntounto her the right hand of fellovvship.

I deny not but a private Christian may …islike the corruptions that are allovved and practised by an vvhole Church, he may refuse to subscribe or yeeld his consent vntounto them, he may by prayer and all other good meanes seek the reformation of them: but that any one private Christian or some fevv severall assemblyes, vvhereyn also there are some learned men, may account all the Churches …at are in an vvhole nation to be either as heathens (that is, such as are destitu…e of the vvord and Sacraments and service of God) or as publicanes (that is, such as vvith vvhom they may not lavvfully commanicate and ioyne in the said service of God) that do I vtterly deny.

And vvhereas the chief thing vvhereof you boast your selves against vsus, is that you have Christs discipline practised among you, vvhichwhich vve vvant: I affirme and date bynd my self to prove it, that there is nothing practised amongst vsus so contrary to the discipline, as there is amongst you. For proof vvhereof (to omitt sundry of your practises and the extream confusion that is to be seen in your best reformed assemblyes) let this suffice that hath ben already mentioned.

S. PeteryAct. 2. 29 and 3. 17. calleth those Ievves that had crucified Christ, breth…en. Act. 2. 29. and 3. 17. And PaulzGala. 1. 2 and 5. 2. accounteth the Galathians a true Church, vvhen the errours that they vvere fallen into vvere matters fundamentall. Gal. 1. 2. and 5. 2. And this account did these tvvo holy Apostles make of them, because they had not ben yet convinced and reiected by the iudgment of the Church. And vvhy should you or any of your company (vvho for authority you knovv are not to be compared vvith those holy Apostles) disdayne to call vsus brethren, and to account vsus a Church, till such tyme as vve have ben convinced of error, and reiected by the iudgment of other Churches?

VVhen there grevv controversy in the Church of Antiochia, the brethren aAct. 11. 21. 26. and 15. 2. 4. 23.thought it not fitt to proceed in iudgment against them of the circumcision though theyr errors vvere far greater then any are in our Church, and though the belevers there vvere more in number and of greater graces then ever those vvere of your company, Act. 11. 21. 26. and 15. 23. and so might vvith more cō sent and authority have ended the matter at home vvithout seeking further to other Churches, yea though they had Paul and Barnabas (men better able to decide and determine the matter then ever you had any in your assemblyes): yet vvould they not (I say) proceed, till they had made other Churches, and na…ely that famous Church of Ierusalem acquainted vvith the matter, and required theyr advise and authority to decide and overrule it, Act. 15. 2. 4. And might it not asvvell have beseemed those of your company that first entended a separation from our Church (a matter of so great vvaight and consequence) to have sought the advise of the Churches of Geneva, and Fraunce, and Germany, and Helvetia, and Scotland in the matter, and to have stayed theyr separation till such tyme as those Churches had proceeded against vsus according to the rule of Christs discipline? May I not vvell say, as the Apostleb1. Cor. 14 36. doth to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 14. 36. Came the vvord of God our from you? eyther came it vntounto you onelyonly?

And this I hope may be sufficient to shovv hovv*That vvhichwhich Mr H. saith here is vntrue, he yeelded vntounto it before as being true Pag. 5. Marke this contradiction, vntrue that is, vvhichwhich is affirmed in the first part of the reason vsed in your vvriting, viz: Whosoever worketh vponupon the consriences of men by vertue of an Antichristian office ād calling, he is an Antichristiā Minister, whatsoever truth he bringeth with him.

Aunswer to Section, 5.

IN this third exception according to theyr vsuall maner, Mr H. taketh for graunted that which he should prove, to witt, that theyr ecclesiasticall assemblyes be the Churches of Christ sett in his order and constitution: Which thing we deny. And till they prove it, themselves may see, they can not thus reason fromcMatt. 18. 15. 16 17. this Scripture of Mat. 18. as here he doth. For although from thence it may be gathered, that the Churches of Christ are not for corruptions arising in them to be forsaken, but first theyr redresse is by all good meanes to be sought: yet it followeth not therevpō that the Synagogues of Antichrist are in like maner to be proceeded withall, and not forthwith to be avoyded. This (I say) followeth not of the other any more then if one should reason thus: A brother being knowen to have sinned is not to be accounted as an heathen or publicane, till being duly proceded with, he have contemned the voyce of the Church: Therefore also one that is an heathen or publicane, yet notwithstanding is not so to be accounted, till he have ben likewise admonished and proceded withall. As there is no consequence in this, so neyther is there in the other. The samed1. Cor. 5 12. Scripture which saith, Do ye not iudge them that are vvithin? saith it not also, What have I to do to judge them that are vvithout? Now then as we are to carry our selves after one maner towards particular men that are within, and after another towards them that are without: so have we also different rules and courses prescribed by God ād to be followed by vsus, how to walk after one maner towards the Churches of Christ, when corruptions be found among them, and after another towards the Synagogues of Antichrist which are fallen into defection from the way of Iesus Christ.

If you aske, what these rules be that are given to be observed when errors and enormityes are espyed in a true Church: I aunswer, these and the like, thateLev. 4. 13. 14. Act. 6 1. 2. 3. 2 Chro. 13. 2 3. vvith 15. 3. 11. 12. 13. they which espy them, are not therevpon to forsake the Church, but must first give the Church knowledg thereof out of the word of God: and that also according to due order, as first tof1 Cor 1. 11. vvith Rev 2. 1. &c. Zach. 7. 2. 3. Heb 13. 17. make it knowen vntounto them to whom the oversight of the Church is committed: who, if they be perswaded, areg1. Cor. 5. 1. 4. 5. and 11 18. &c. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 17. then by duty bound to advertise the Church thereof and to see it redressed in all good maner. If they be not perswaded, thenhMat. 18. 16. 17. vvith 2 Cor. 13. 1. Lev. 4. 13. 14 having taken some others with them and not prevayling, they are afterward to bring it before the whole Church and to show them theyr estate, wherein it swarveth from the rules of Gods Law: who fynding it so to be, are bound to acknowledg and amend it. Yet if this way they prevayle not, then are they to vse (if they may) the help ofiAct. 15. 2. &c. 1. Cor. 14. 33. 36. Zach. 7. 2. 3. De…t. 17. 8. 9 10. 11. Psal. 122. 3 4. 5. other Churches to advise of the matter and to admouish that Church of theyr estate, out of the Scriptutes. Now these things being done as they ought, we may hope by the blessing of God that issue will follow which thek2 Co…. 7▪ 8. 11. Act. 11. 18. and 15. 31 Levi…. 4. 13. 14. 15. Scriptures show hath followed vponupon such proceeding heretofore, that is that they will not now wilfully stand in knowen transgression convinced vntounto them out of the word of God by so many witnesses: but will rather sorrow for theyr sinne, and reioyce for the consolation they shall fynd by receyving the truth and walking in the way thereof showed vntounto them out of the Scriptures. But if they will not amend, the Lord Iesus Christ, who walketh in the nuddes of the golden candelsticks and hath all power given him in heaven and in earth, hathlRev. 2. 5, Mat. 21. 43. threatned to remove the candelstick out of his place, and to take the kingdome of God from them and to give it to such as will bring forth the fruits thereof: And then to such as are willing to obey the truth, he hath in such cases given directmAct. 2. 40. Psa. 8. 12. 16. commaundement, to save themselves from such a froward generation: and to bynd vp the testimony, and seale vp the Law among his disciples. And these are the rules (so far as I have observed) given vsus for our walking in and toward the Churches of Christ, when errors and corruptions be found among them.

Now towching such assemblyes as stand in false constitution or apostasy from the way of Christ, the former rules are not given vsus to be vsed in ād with them: but concerning such, there is one onelyonly rule prescribed by God for our carriage towards them, which is,nRev. 18. 4. …os. 4. 15. A…os. 4. 4. 5 and 5. 5. 15. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 20. 4. with all speed to separate and depart from them, and in no case to partake in theyr sinnes, but to witnes against them even vntounto death. Forasmuch then as these assemblyes (how famous so ever he account them) stand in a false constitution, even in apostasy from that true ministery and from those holy ordināces appoynted by Christ to his Church, it is cl…are as the sunne that the golden rules of such proceding as is before described belong not vntounto them in this estate, but that all men ought vponupon payne of damnation without delay to depart out of them, least if they still partake in theyr sinnes, they receyv also of theyr plagues. By which also appeareth how the reason here vsed by Mr H. out of Mat. 18. belongeth not to theyr assemblyes, as now they stand, and therefore in this case helpeth them nothing at all.

Nay furthermore I dare affirme and bynd my self to prove by this Scripture, that there is not (in theyr constitution) any ecclesiasticall assembly in this land that can be accounted a true Church, whereyn this rule here given by Christ can be practised. And thus I prove it:

Every true Church of Christ hath Christs power here spoken of, to cast out obstinate sinners from among them.

But no ecclesiasticall assembly in this land hath (in their constitution) this power of Christ here spoken of, to cast out obstinate sinners from among them.

Therefore no ecclesiasticall assembly in this land can (in their constitution) be accounted a true Church of Christ.

The proposition or first part of the reason is proved byoMat. 18. 17. 18. 19. 20. this place of Scripture: as also by 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. and Mat. 28. 20. The assumption or latter part of the reason I prove thus: First, the power of excommunication among them resteth in the Lordbishop and in his Chauncelor ād Archdeacon, whose offices and authority Christ never ordeyned in his Church: therefore can not they (in theyr constitution) have the power of Christ here spoken of. Secondly, the offices ād authority of the Prelates aforesaid are Antichristian: therefore also cā they not in such estate have this power of Christ: Forp2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. what fellowship can there be between Christ and Antichrist? Thirdly, let vsus suppose, that some of theyr Church committeth a sinne, ād is admonished to repent of it by another of them: the sinner repenteth not, the other taketh with him one or two to admonish and witnes against him: the sinner notwithstanding still persisteth: Now what shall the other do, or whither shall they go? If to the Prelates and theyr Officials, who among them have the power of excommunication in theyr hands, that is not to follow this rule of Christ, but to show theyr subiection to Antichrist: If to that parish whereof the party is a member (as for example, let vsus suppose the best among them, as Blackfryers or Mary Overyes in London, or Ashby de la zouch in Lepcester shire, or Maldon in Essex, or Coventry in warwick shire, or any other) alas what are they the nearer? Though they would, yet in theyr constitution can they do nothing, but eyther go themselves or bid the other go and complayne to the Lordbishop theyr Ordinary, or to his Chauncelor or Archdeacon, who have the government of the Church committed vntounto them. Or if they should offer to proceed other wise to excommunication of the party, they are so far from having power to do it, as neyther were such a one by the Law of theyr Church to be accounted excommunicate, and they also whosoever should attempt so to do, were subiect for this cause to be excommunicate themselves, yea and to be imprisoned ād further punished by theyr Lords the Prelates. Lo here how these assemblyes (even the best of them) in theyr constitution can not practiseqMat. 18. 15. 16. 17. this rule of Christ, which he hath given vntounto, and may be practised by, every true Church of his. The Lord give them eyes to see it, and hearts to depart from the tents of such vngodlynes.

Thus having showed that there is no more strength of proof in this third exception, then was in the former: I might proceed to that which followeth in his letter, save that a few things which he hath here inserted by the way, seem needfull first to be to wched. As first, where speaking of vsus, he termeth a Church sett in the order of Christ to be private members. Towching which this I thought to note, that a company of faithfull people (though considered apart by themselves they be private men, yet) being gathered together in the Name of Christ, and joyned together in fellowship of his Gospell, they are ar1. Cor. 12 27. Roma. 12 5. Hebr. 12. 22. 28. Mat. 5. 14. ād 18. 17. 20. 1. Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 4. Phil. 1. 1. 5. Act. 2. 41. 42 47. and 17. 4 publik body, a Church, a citty, a kingdome, and that of Iesus Christ, who is present among them to guyde blesse and confirme what they do on earth in his Name and by his power. So that like as in a Citty, the citizens considered apart are commonly private members, yet ioyntly together are the corporation and publik body of that town: so is it also in the Church of Christ, whether it consist of mo or of fewer, yea though they be butsMat. 18. 19. 20. two or three: so as they be joyned together in communion of the Gospell, and gathered together in the Name of Iesus Christ, as before is said.

Secondly, where he accounteth themselves a true Church, having many famous assemblyes, and to be proceeded against by the rule of Christ, Mat. 18. I have already aunswered and showed that first he must prove theyr assemblyes to be sett in the way of Christ, afore these sayings can be verifyed of them, or applyed to them. Many there are in deed amōg them famous for theyr gifts, learning, wisdome, sobriery etc. but they also stand subject to the same Antichristian disorder and confusion that the rest do. Neyther doubt I but in the most popish assemblyes there be also many famous for theyr gifts and otherwise: which yet can no way justify theyr Antichristian estate. The Lord in mercy graunt, that such as belong to him, may bring themselves and theyr gifts vntounto Zion for the help and beauty thereof: and no more employ them (as they have done) to the adorning of Babel, that whoore and strumpett appoynted to destruction, with all her ordinances and constitutions wheresoever.

Thirdly where he saith, there be many of the Ministers in England that are not yet in theyr judgment perswaded of the discipline: I aske, whether he think not also there be many of the Ministers in Rome, Spayne, and els where, that likewise are not in theyr judgmēt perswaded of sundry other most excellent doctrines of the Gospell? And whether therefore all other that see them, must stay from acknowledging and observing them, vntill such also be perswaded of them. If Iohn wickleff, William Swinderby, Walter Brute, Iohn Claydon, Martin Luther, Iohn Hus, Ierome of Prage, William Tyndall, Iohn Frith, Robert Barnes, Iohn Rogers, Hugh Latymer, Iohn Bradford, Rowland Taylour, Iohn Philpott, and other the faithfull servants and Martyrs of Iesus Christ, should in theyr severall ages have stayed from obeying the Gospell, so far as God revealed vntounto them out of his word, vponupon this and such like pretences of the ignorance and error of others: I would know, whether in so doing they had ben faithfull to God, as they ought. But besides these, I would also aske, whether it might not with as great colour (if not greater in some respect) have ben said to the Apostles and Primitive Churches, that the Priests and Levites of the Iewes were not perswaded in iudgment that Iesus was the Christ? To conclude, is it not straunge that in so great alight, they should still labour with such, figge tree leaves to cover the nakednes of theyr filthy abominations?

The next exception he taketh (when he saith, that other of theyr ministers do yeeld vntounto the discipline in iudgment, and desier hartely the establishment of it and the removall of all corruptions, yet cannot see how they may with a good conscience forsake the callings and roomes they occupy, for the want of the discipline) This exception, I say, which also might be alledged for the papists, is of like nature with the former: or rather much worse, inasmuch as he graunteth they yeeld to the truth in iudgment, and deny it in practise. They know (by his graunt) that Christ hath appoynted an order of Ministery and government to his Church, for the administration of his holy things and for keping his people in the obedience of faith, with commaundment to observe it to the end of the world (for this theytIn all theyr treat…ses of this arg…m…. do and must vnderstand by the discipline): Yet in theyr practise they yeeld not vntounto it: for himself saith here, they want it. And not that onelyonly, but they submitt also to another ministery worship and government (here called theyr corruptions): Which seing it cā not be Christs, which they want, whose can it be but the Romish Antichrists, with whose cup of abominations this land as the other nations of the earth hath ben made drunck? God give them in tyme to make conscience of retayning such Antichristian callings and roomes, that they may cast of theyrvZech. 13 4. 5. Rev. 9. 3. 7. and 18. 4. 5. 6 11. rough garments and false offices, wherein they have so long tyme deceyved the people, and may throughly see and consider in theyr hearts how wittingly they stand in disobedience against Christ: whiles he graunteth they vvant that holy order of ministery and government (here called the discipline) which Christ hathvv1. Tim. 6. 13. 14. Mat. 28. 20. straitly charged to be kept inviolable vntill his appearing, and whilest they think there shalbexIer. 51. 26 taken from Babel a stone for a corner or for a foundation in Zion. Whether this now be a sinne of ignorance in them, let themselves examine. Yet if it were, they must remember that even thatyLuk. 12. 47. 48. servant that knoweth not his masters will, and yet committeth things worthy of stripes, shalbe beat: though in deed with fewer … pes then he which knoweth it, and prepareth not himself neyther doth according therevnto. Let them therefore look to it and take heed they neytherzI…r. 9. 6. refuse knowledge, nor forgett a2. Pet. 1. 5. 6. Ioh. 13. 17.with knowledg to ioyne obedience: least in the end they feel that which isb2. Thes. 2. 8. written, that God will render vengeaunce both to them that knovv him not, and to such as obey not the Gospell of our Lord Iesus Christ.

Fourthly where he excepteth, that they havve not ben censured by other Churches, and therefore are not thus to be refused: besides that which hath ben aunswered before towching their Antichristian estate, in respect whereof they are to be departed from without any other censuring: Besides this (I say) I would know, by what Churches the assemblyes in Rome, Germany, Fraunce, and England were censured, when Arnoldus de villa nova, Ierome of Prage, Martin Luther, Iohn Calvin, William Tyndall, the Baldenses, and the Bohemians, with many other the servants of God in former ages left and forsook them? Or whether they should still have remayned in Babylon, till by some Churches she had ben censured? Yea, and how there could ever be a true visible Church agayne vponupon the earth after the generall apostasy wherein all nations were made drunken with Babels cup, if the people of God should not at hiscRev▪ 18. 4 commaundment depart out of Babylon, without staying till there were some Churches to lay open her abominations before her face and to censure her for them. EverydIer. 50. 8. ād 51. 6. 8. 9. vvith Rev. 18 4. 5. one of Gods people ought in such case ād estate to deliver theyr own soule, and to be as an hee-goat before the rest, to lead them the way out of Babel. So far ought we to be from bringing balme to cure her, or abiding in her vnderunder any pretence: least if we should still take part in her sinnes, we should in the ende drinck also of the cup of her sorrowes. Whene1▪ King. 19. 9. 10. Israel stood in defection, should Eliah have committed like transgression with them, pretending they had not ben censured by other Churches? Whenf…. 8. 11. 16. Iudah stood in apostasy, should the disciples of God, among whom the Law was sealed vp, have walked in the way of the rest of the people, till by some Churches they had ben censured? Finally wheng2. T…es. 2. 3. 10. 11. Antichrist that man of sinne hath made depar…ure from the faith ād obedience of Christ, should the people of God beleev his lyes and please themselves in the dec…ivablenes of his vnrighteousnes, till he be censured by others? Suerly the Scripture teacheth, and the people of God in all ages have taken another course: as we also must do at this day, vnles we set light both of obeying Gods commaundment which chargeth vsus to depart out of every false Church, ād of vndergoing his wrath which he will powre vponupon all that have spirituall communion with any such. Hos. 4. 15. Amos. 4. 4. 5. 6. and 5. 5. 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 14. 9. 10. 11 and 18. 4. 5. Let them therefore eyther prove the constitution of theyr Church to be a true one according to the Testamēt of Christ, or els let them know that we must depart from thē, ād every false Church, though they had never ben putt in mynd by any other Churches or Christians of theyr Antichristian estate.

This might suffice though there were no more to be said in this matter. But now what will Mr H. say to the multitude of Christians in our own countrey that have testifyed against theyr Antichristian constitution even to imprsonment, banishment, and death it self? Or, because the testim… ny of our own countreymen is litle regarded with them, what will he say to the publik profession and practise of the reformed Churches abroad, who thereby have sufficiently advertised England and all other people so walking of theyr fearfull estate?

And because he saith here, the best reformed Churches have not onelyonly not cēsured thē, but also account theyr Church a Sister, and give her the right hand of fellovvship, it will be good in this place to consider what the publik confession and estate of those Churches is: thereby to see whether they and the Church of England be in deed sisters of one Mother, and ioyned together in the fellowship of one faith and obedience of Christ, as Mr H. and others generally would beare vsus in hand.

First therefore on the one hand, we fynd that the reformed Churches do h… of Confessions: Sect. 10. Belgick, a…tia. 28. and French, … 26.hold and publikly professe that it is the part and duty of every faithfull man to separate himself according to Gods vvord from all those vvhichwhich are vvithout the Church, ād to couple himself to the company of the faithfull (whom they describe to be such as submit thēselves to the doctrine ād discipline of the Church appointed by Christ) vvheresoever God hath placed it: yea though the cōtrary edicts of Princes ād Magistrates do forbid them vpō payne of death. Now on the other hand when we look at the estate of the Church of England, first we can not fynd it to consist of a company of faithfull people so separated according to the word of God and the vse of the reformed Churches, but to stand in confusion of all sorts of people, good and bad, even of the greatest persecuters and most profane of the land, after the maner of Antichrist and his Babylonish assemblyes: secondly we cannot see that notwithstanding the prohibition of Princes and Magistrates, they submitt themselves to the doctrine and discipline of the Church appoynted by Christ, but that they stand in subiection to the ministery ād discipline of Antichrist. Wherevpon it followeth that in this constitution they cannot iustly be deemed a Sister of the reformed Churches abroad, but of the daughters of the great Babylon spoken of in the book of the Revelation, chap. 17.

Next, towching the Ministery and government, which Christ hath given to his Church, the reformed Churches iIn the same book: Section, 11. French and Belgick confession.beleeve and professe, that the true CHVRCH ought to be governed by that regiment or discipline, which our Lord Iesus hath established, to witt, so that there be in it Pastors, Elders, and Deacons: That all true Pastors in what place soever they be placed, have the same and aequall authority among them selves given vntounto them vnderunder Iesus Christ the onelyonly head and the chief and alone vniversall Bishop: And that the Ministers, Elders, and deacons ought to be called to those theyr functions, ād by the lawfull election of the Church to be advaunced into those roomes, earnest prayer being made vntounto God, and after the order and maner which is sett down vntounto vsus in the word of God. And on the other side, kIn the same book: Sect. 11. Helvetia: the latter confes. Capit. 18.towching the new ministeryes brought into the Church and devised by men, as Patriarks, Archbishops, Suffraganes, Metropolitanes, Archpriests, Deacons, Subdeacons, and the rest of that sort, higher and lower: towching all these (say they) we passe not a rush, what they have ben in tymes past, or what they are now: the Apostles doctrine concerning Ministers sufficeth vsus. And no man can by any right forbid vsus to returne to the auncient constitution of the Church of God, and rather to receyv it then the custome of man. And moreover in the Church of Geneva they*In the forme of Confession of faith vvherevnto all subscribe that are receyued to be Schollers in the Vniuersity of Gaueva. professe that they detest the Hierarchy, as a divolish confusion stablished as it were in despire of God, and to the mocking and reproch of all Christian religion. Thus we see what the reformed Churches professe to be theyr faith iudgment and practise in these things. With which if we compare the present constitution of the ecclesiasticall assemblyes of this land, wherein are not onelyonly wanting the aforesaid true offices of Pastors, Elders, Deacons, together with the calling and administration appoynted by Christ and acknowledged by the reformed Churches: but are also remayning the false offices and vsurped authority of Archbisho…s, Lordbishops, Deanes, Archdeacons, Commissaryes, Parsons, …icars, Priests, and the rest of that rable (for which these reformed Churches professe they passe not at all, and which they have reiected as Antichristiā) together with theyr popish canons and constitutions: if (I say) we compare these together, who cannot see that the reformed Churches are in these things so far from giving to these assemblyes the right hand of fellowship, as they do rather with the left hand put them over to Antichrist with whom they communicate and vntounto whom they belong in this behalf?

Finally, for the whole worship of God, the reformed ChurcheslHarmony of Confess. Sect. 1. in the Be… gick and French confessions. professe that the whole maner of worshipping God which God requireth at the hands of the faithfull, is in the written word of God most exquisitly and at large set dovvn: and that therefore it is not lawfull for any man or Angel to teach otherwise, to adde or to detract therefrom, it being perfit and absolute in all poynts and parcels thereof. So as no other vvritings of men although never so holy, no custome, no multitude, no mās vvisdome, no antiquity, no prescription of tyme, no personall succession, no counsels, visions, miracles, and to conclude, no decrees, statutes, or ordinances of men, are to matched vvith or opposed vntounto the holy Scriptures and bare truth of God: but that all things ought to be examined and tryed by the rule and square thereof. For all men are by nature ly…rs and more vayne then vanity it self. Thus do the reformed Churches hold and professe. Whereas on the contrary in England the maner of worship and administration, is not according to the word of God, but according to theyr book of common prayer taken out of the Papists Masse book, together with other theyr Canons, Articles, and Constitutions, which God hath neyther himself appoynted in his word nor therein given authority to any other so to prescribe. And thus have I showed by the publik confessions and iudgment of the reformed Churches themselves, that it is far otherwise then as these men would beare the world in hand: and that in deed the Church-assemblyes in England in this constitution can not rightly be counted sisters of the reformed Churches abroad, but rather daughters ofmRev. 17 5. Babylon that mother of whoredomes and abominations of the earth.

Next where Mr H. showeth how a private Christian should carry himself towardan whole Church towching corruptiōs, I have before spokē of that matter ād noted two maners of proceding to be appoynted by God, one toward such Churches as be set in the order of Christ but walk in it corruptly, another toward such as stād in the apostasy of Antichrist though with some show of holynes. This therefore being before hādled, shal not need to be repeated. By it may appeare how vnsound a directiō he hath here prescribed: besides that what he sayth, may with like colour be alledged for abiding in any the most popish assemblyes wheresoever. For might not such alledge for themselves, that they mislike the corruptions in those Churches, that they refuse to subscribe or yeeld consent vntounto them, that by prayer and all other good meanes they seek the reformation of them: Yet that being private Christians, or a fevv severall assemblyes, they may not account the Churches that are in an vvhole nation to be as beathens or publicanes: ād that therefore they will abide in them still? If this be a sufficient rule, then suerly the Martyrs were deceyved in former ages, and the godly Christians at this day in Spayne, Italy, and such places, which content not themselves with misliking and seeking redresse of the corruptions in theyr popish assemblyes, but refuse altogether to have any spirituall fellowship with them, and chuse rather to suffer affliction for bearing witnes agaynst them.

Secondly how can they be sayd to mislike the corruptions, wherevnto many of them subscribe with theyr hands, and all of them joyne in theyr practise? Or how do they refuse to yeeld consent to the corruptions, which by word and deed they receyv, allow, and vphold?

Thirdly where he insinuateth that by prayer and other good meanes they seek a reformation, I would aske, with what comfort they can come before God in prayer, when they do not onelyonly stand subject to Antichrist (in respect whereof theyrnPro. 28. 9. vvith Rev. 14. 9. 10. Iohan. 9. 31. Psal. 66. 18. sacrifices of prayer must needs be abominable), but by their continuall practise seem to deale like those Iewes of whom weoIer. 42. 2. 5. 6. vvith vers. 20. 21. read in Ieremy the Prophet, that by theyr requests they made show as if they would know the will of God to obey it, and yet when they knew it, would not observ it. If by other good meanes, he vnderstand theyr suits to the Parliament, as it is anpRev. 17. 16 1 Tim. 2. 2. 3. 2 King. 23. Cap. happy thing and greatly to be desired that the Magistrates would abolish this false ecclesiasticall Ministery, worship, and government: so yet if they do it not, we must notwithstāding at theqAct. 2. 40 41 47. Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. Psa. 119. 113. 128. commaundement of God leave all false, wicked, and Antichristian wayes, and peaceably yeeld obediēce to Christ in his own ordināce: though we berMat. 5. 11 12. Luk. 21. 12. 16. Rev. 13. 15. and 20 4. Rom. 8. 36. for this cause reviled, imprisoned, banished, ād killed all day long, being counted as sheep for the slaughter. 1. For in this case must alway be remēbred, thatsAct. 4. 19. Rev. 14. 12. Mat. 22. 21. we must obey God rather then Man: ād that the cōmaundement or permissiō of the Magistrate maketh not the way of God any whit more lawful, but onelyonly more free from trouble. 2. Agayn, if the lawes of men do once enact ād establish the true ministery ād ordinā ces of Christ, then must all be forced to submit thereūto, whether it were Christs or not: So as to withold our obedience from Christ till the Law enact it, is nothing els but to stay till we be forced by man to the obedience of God. 3. Furthermore, what if the Magistrates would never establish that ministery ād order which Christ hath appoynted to his Church: should we therefore never observ and submitt vntounto it? To what end then hath ChristtMat. 28. 20. enioyned vsus (without any exceptiō of the Magistrates Law) to keep whatsoever he hath cōmaunded, to the end of the world? And why hath the Apostle sov1. Tim. 6 13. 14. straitly charged Timothy (ād in himvv2 Tim. 2. 2. all others) before God ād Iesus Christ, to keep the cōmaundments which he hath givē towching the Ministery order and governmēt of the Church, without spot and vnblameable, vntill the appearing of our Lord Iesus? 4. To cōclude this poynt, if without the Magistrates allowāce we might not observ whatsoever Christ hath cōmaunded, what were this els but toxIam. 2. 1. have the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of persons? Which Mr H.*Section. 1. before in the beginning of his leter according to the Apostles counsell wisheth in any case to be avoyded. And thus much by the way towching the obedience which all Christians are bound themselves to yeeld vntounto Christ, leaving the generall reformatiō of the Lād to the Magistrates to whom it belōgeth.

Now to proceed, where he expoundeth accounting as Publicanes to be ment, accounting them such as with whom communion may not lawfully be had in the service of God, he seemeth to mistake the meaning thereof: For weyLuk. 18. 10. read that the Publicane went into the Temple to pray aswell as the Pha…isee: and that the speciall thing wherein the Iewes absteyned from company of the Publicanes was raiher in civill …onversation, then in spirituall worship: As may be gathe…ed by this, thatzMat. 9. 11. and 11. 19 the Pharisees blamed Christ for eating with Publicanes, and yet both themselvesaLuk. 18. 10. admitted them …nto the Temple, andbLuk. 3. 12. 13. and 7. 29. found not any fault with Iohn Baptist for receyving them to his Baptisme, though he bed them not leav theyr calling but deale faithfully in it. How well this was done of the Iewes to absteyne from the Publicanes in theyr civill conversation whom they admitted to theyr publik worship, I stand not here to enquyer. OnelyOnly this would I show, that whereas Christs speach (when hecMat. 18. 17. saith Let him be to thee as an heathen and publicane) is taken from the custome and practise of the Iewes, who had nodAct. 21. 27. 28. 29. spirituall fellowship with the heathen, noreMat. 9. 11. and 11. 19 civill with the Publican…s: therefore the meaning of these words (Let him be to thee as a publicane) is that with such as contemne the Churches voyce we should have no familiar civill conver…ation. Which the Apostle also teacheth when hef1 Cor. 5. 9▪ 11. requireth that with such as are cast out of the Church we should not eat or company together. So as then Christs speach being taken from the costome of the Iewes which his disciples could not but know, the meaning of his words when he said Let him be to thee as an heathen (with whom the Iewes had no spirituall communion) and as a publicane (with whom they had no civill conversation) must needs be this, that they should neyther have spirituall nor civill fellowship with such as despising the voyce of the Church (wheregMat. 1…. 18. 19. 20. Christ is present to ratify what is done according to his word) were therefore iustly put away from amongst them. This I thought good and needfull to note concerning the true meaning of Christs words in this place both because they are here by Mr H. some what mistaken, and others among them, namelyhBilsons treatise of the perpetual government of the Church▪ chap. 4. Bilson of Winchester, to the ēd thei might with ani colour hide the truth from the eyes of the simple, have most absurdli ād in deed very wickedly interpreted them: as I doubt not will appeare vntounto any that fearing God shall compare together this explication of Christs words which I have here noted from the Scriptures, and Bilsons sundry expositions of them mentioned in his book: which are such as if Christ had eyther in that one speach had three or fower meanings, or had sent his disciples at that tyme*Thus doth Bilson interpret those vvords of Christ, M…t. 18. 17. to the Romane Magistrates for help to reclaime one another from sinne: ād had not givē a perpetual rule to his Church (for the casting out of obstinate sinners from among them) neyther made a promise of his continuall presence with his Church, to confirme in heaven that which they should do on earth in his Name. But this by the way.

Next after this Mr. H. affirmeth, and byndeth himself to prove it, that there is nothing practised amongst them so con…ary to the discipline, as there is amongst vsus. For proof whereof having belike good store) he is content, first to omit sundry of our practises: which it may be if he had named, he perceyveth they would have ben so many witnesses against himself and for us. Secondly he is content likewise to omit the extreem confusion which he saith is to be seen in our best reformed assemblyes. He saith it (I say) but proveth it not: which in so grea… an accusation should not have ben omitted▪ specially when he byndeth himself to make proof of that which he affirmeth. It may be he perceyved also in this, that if he had noted that down which he calleth extreem confusion, it might have ben found to be that holy order which Christ hath sett in his Church: and therefore chose rather to omit then to expresse it. Yet that the truth in this behalf may better be knowen, I will vpō this occasion show the order of our assemblyes wherein we walk: and then let the godly mynded judge whether it be an extreem confusion, or not.

First, according to the ordinance of Christ our assemblyes consist of (i) a company of faithfull people, called out and separated from the world and all the false wayes of Antichrist. (k) gathered and joyned together in an holy covenant and fellowship of the Gospell of Christ, by (l) voluntary publik profession of our …aith and purpose to live and walk together in the obedience of Christ according to his word, to the prayse and glory of his name (i) 1 Cor. 1. 2. and 5. 12. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. Rev. 18. 4. Ioh. 15. 19. and 17. 6. Act. 2. 40. and 19. 9. (k) Esa. 60. 4. Phil. 1. 5. Act. 2. 41. and 17. 4. Neh. 8. 39. Col. 1. 2. (l) Psal. 110. 3. 2 Cor. 9. 13. Esa. 44. 5. Neh. 10. 28. 29. Act. 2. 41. Col. 2. 5. Rom 16. 26. Mat. 18. 17. 20. 1 Cor. 10. 31. Col. 3. 15. 16. 17.

Secondly, being thus ioyned together we do (m) according to the appoyntment of Christ by a free and voluntary election of the Church sett apart from amongst our selves, some to the (n) offices of Pastors and Teachers, for the work of the ministery: some to be Elders for the oversight and guydance of the Church together with the Pastors and Teachers aforesaid: and others to be Deacons, for gathering and distributing the benevolence of the Church according to the ability and necessity of the Saints, specially taking care that the poore sick and needy be relieved and holpen according to the Churches ability and theyr severall occasions and necessityes: In respect whereof we purpose, when God shall give vsus such as for theyr yeares and otherwise are fitt to be Widovves and Helpers of the Church in this behalf, to designe and employ them herevnto. (m) Mat. 28. 20. Heb. 5. 4. Act. 6. 3. 5. and 14. 23. and 15. 22. 2 Cor. 8. 19. 1 Tim. 3. 10. 15. and 6. 13. 14. (n) Ephes. 4. 11. 12. Rom. 12. 7. 8. and 16. 1. 1 Cor. 12. 28. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Per. 5. 1. 2. 3. Act. 6. 5. and 15. 2. and 20. 17. 28. and 21. 18. 1 Tim. 3. Cap. and 4. 14. and 5. 9. 10. 17.

Thirdly, our prayers, preaching of the word, administring of the Sacraments, exercise of prophecy, vse of the Censures etc. is not according to the inventions, book worship, canons, or constitutions of any men whatsoever, but onelyonly according to the Testament of Christ, as he hath dealt to vsus the measure of grace. Ephes. 4. 7. 8. 11. 12. Iude, ver. 20. Rom▪ 8. 26. 27. and 12 6. 7. 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. and 3. 15. 1 Cor. 4. 17. and 5. 4. and 11. 23. &c. and 14. Chap. 1 Pet. 4. 10. 11. Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. and 28. 18. 19. 20.

Finally, we (o) all of vsus labour to build vp one another in our most holy faith: and when (p) any of vsus fall eyther into error in iudgment, or offence in practise, against any article of faith, commaundement of God, or publick good order of the Church or Common-wealth, if the sinne be private, the party is admonished thereof by such as are privy vntounto … whom if he heare not then taking one or two witnesses, they admonish him agayn and seek to draw him from his sinne: If he heare not them, as also if the sinne be publick, then is it brought before the whole Church, whose voyce if he despise, he is cast out from among them: least by (q) retayning of such a litle leaven should leaven the whole lumpeeven them that are within: least also the name of God which is called vponupon vsus should be blasphemed among them that are without: ād to the …nd that the sinners themselves which are thus cast out of the Church should be ashamed ād repent. Which (…) if they do, thē is the Church agayne ready to receyv them and to confirme theyr love to them, as before, in the Lord (o) 1 Thes 5. 11. Iude, ver. 20. 21. 22. 23. (p) Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. Lev. 19. 17. 2 Cor. 13. 1▪ 2. Gal. 5. 12. and 6. 1. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 5. (q) 1 Cor. 5. 5. 6. Rom. 2. 24. 2 Thes. 3. 14. 1 Tim. 1. 20. (r) 2 Cor 2. 7. 8. Mat. 18. 18. 19.

And this is that order, wherein by the mercy of God we have receyved to walk: though we do it with much weaknes, through owr own coruption that hangeth so fast vponupon vsus. Now if Mr H. or any other will needs account this to be confusion, yet may not we therefore be likewise mynded: any more then Shadrach Meshach and Abedneg… were when then were charged withsDan. 3. 14. disorder because they kept the way of God and would not fall down before the Idoll of Nebuchadnezar: but we must rather with the ApostletCol. 2. 5. reioyce, beholding such an order and stedfast faith in Christ. Yet do I not deny, but there have ben and still may be among vsus many hypocrites, vngodly men creping in vnderunder pretence of religion. This hath ben the lott and estate of the Church of God in all ages: as vponupon other occasion hath ben declaredvPag. 57. 58. before. And if it were not so, what vse should there be of that power and of those rules which Christ hath giuen to his Church for the casting out of such from among them, when they burst out into manifest vngodlynes. Therefore are we not to look, that the Church shall wholy be free from such, whiles it is vponupon earth. OnelyOnly this, howsoever with glosing words and showes such hide themselves from the knowledg of men, yetvvIe…. 17. 9. 10. Mat. 13. 40. 41. God knoweth theyr hearts and wayes, and in his day will cast them all out of his kingdome: In the meane tyme,Mat. 18. 15. 16. 17. Gal. 5. 12. 1 Tim. 1. 19. 20. 1 Cor. 5. Chap. Whensoever the impiety of any such is discover…d and certainely knowen, the Church hath power and is to vse it for the purging of such leaven from among them, that they may be an holy people to the Lord. And this still is order, not confusion in the Church.

Now here on the other side might I put Mr. H. in mynd of the extreem confusion which is to be seen in theyr assemblyes: in theyr constrayning of all though never so wicked, together with theyr seed, to stand members of theyr Church: in theyr false Antichristian ministery of Archbishops, Lordbishops, Archdeacons, Priests, Parsons, Uicars, and the rest of that crew: in theyr stinted popish Leyturgy, according to which they offer vp theyr prayers, administer theyr Sacraments, vi…it the sick, bury the dead, marry etc. in theyr ordering also and making of priests and deacons, together with theyr degradations suspensions, excommunications, absolutions, dispensations, licences to marry without the parents consent: and all these by the Prelates, according to theyr popish canons and pontificall: with infinite other such like confusions. But it may be (with the Papists out of whose cup these were drawen) they take them to be an heavēly order, Yet the Scripture witnesseth they are no other but theyRev. 17. 4. 5. vvith Gen. 11. 9. abominations of Babel, that is, of confusion: And so the Church of Geneva*In the forme of Confession of faith vvherevnto all subscribe that are receyved to be schollers in the Vniversyt of Gen… va. professeth that they detest the whole order of papistry called the Hierarchy as a divelish confusion. These things whensoever Mr. H. shall duly consider and examine by the Scriptures he shall fynd true among themselves that which vntruly he obiecteth against vsus, that extream confusion is to be seen in theyr best reformed assemblyes.

His third and mayne proof whereby he would show that nothing is practised among them so contrary to the discipline as there is amongst vsus, he saith, is that vvhichwhich hath ben already mentioned: and of this he saith also, it may suffice, thinking belike that it is a very sound proof. Which whether it be so, I leave to every indifferent reader to iudge by that which hath ben already aunswered to whatsoever he hath before mentioned. And of Mr. H. himself I desier eyther yeelding to the truth, or sounder proof of the accusations he chargeth vsus withall.

After this, he laboreth to prove that we should account them brethren and a true Church, by the example of Peter vvho called those levves, that had crucifyed Christ, brethren, Act. …. 29 and 3. 17. and of Paul vvho accounted the Galatians a true Church, vvhen the errors they vvere fallen into vvere in matters fundamentall, Gal. 1. 2. and 5. 2. But Mr. H. should have considered, for the first, that Peter might call the levves his brethren, as Paul doth, for that they were his kinsmen according to the flesh, Rom. 9. 3. and children of the generation of Abraham, Act. 13. 26. Secondly, because thezRom. 9. 4. Act. 3. 25. and 13. 14. 15. 32. 33. Luk. 1. 8. 9. and 2. 31. &c Mat. 8. 4. vvith Levit. the vvhole book. Iewes were the Church and people of God vntounto whom the covenāts and promises belonged, who also were sett in that order of ministery, worship, and ministration which God prescribed. In respect whereof Peter was to account them as brethren, till aAct. 2. 40. and 13. 46. and 19. 9.they had wilfully reiected the Gospell of Christ, whombAct. 3. 17. and 13. 27. through ignorance they put to death. But what is this to prove that Christians should account such for brethrē as stād inc2 Thel. 2 3. 10. Rev. 17 …. 2. apostasy from the way of Iesus Christ, and in respect thereof be children of the fornications of Babylon? Or wh… should not Iohn Wickleff, Martin Luther and the rest in former ages by this reason have accounted the Papists as brethren, till they had ben convinced and reiected by the iudgment of the Church.

For the second, that is, Pauls accounting of the Galatians to be a true Church notvvithstanding some of them erred in matters that vvere fundamentall: Mr H. should also have remembred, first that it was but some of them that did so erre, and not the whole Church: secondly, that they were a Church established in the order of Christ, howsoever walking therein, some of them declyned and fell into heynous errors. So as now in regard of the ordinance of Christ wherein they stood, they were to be accounted a true Church, and first to be admonished and convinced before they could be reiected: as already hath ben showed at large. But how doth this prove, the assemblyes which stand in Antichristian defection should likewise be accounted true Churches, and admonished and cē sured by others afore any may forsake them? Is there not a dSee fo… this that vvhichwhich is said in the beginning to the aunsvver to this third sectiō. Pag. 61. 62.divers account to be made, and a divers maner of cariage and proceding to be vsed toward the Churches of Christ falling into corruptions, ād toward the assemblyes of Antichrist standing in defection from the way of Christ? Because the Churches of Christ are to be admonished and redresse of theyr …ormityes duly to be sought, must therefore the Synagogues of Antichrist make clayme to the same priviledges and maner of proceding? Or because the members of true Churches are to be accounted brethren, till having wilfully refused to repent, they eyther be cast out, or having leavened the whole lumpe, the candelstick be removed from them all: must therefore the members of Antichristian assemblyes be had in the same account, who never yet were ioyned to any true visible Church in fellowship of the Gospell, but stand in confusion with the world and subiection to the Beast, howsoever in such estate they teach and professe some poynts of the truth and Christian religion? Then sure let the Papists also be accounted brethren, and no longer theeRev. 1…. 5. vvith Hos. 2. 2. 4. children of the whores fornications. But to conclude, did not the Apostle in that epistle to the Galatians fGal. 5. 1. vvith 1. 8. 9. a…d 5. 12. and 6. 12.charge them to stand fast in theyr liberty and not to be entangled agayne with the yoke of bondage, but to abhorre all such and count them accursed who should preach or lead them otherwise, then he had preached and they had receyved, towching theyr liberty and freedome by the Gospell from the ceremonyes of the Law? Now if they must abhorre and … of all such as would bring in agayne the abolished ceremonyes of the Law, which once were commaunded▪ by God: how should such be accounted as brethren which retayne and inforce the ordinances of Antichrist, never appoynted by God but invented by Sathan that Prince of the children of disobedience?

That which Mr. H. next obiecteth about the handling of the controversy in the Church of Antiochea, hoth the same aunswer with the former. OnelyOnly where he saith, that the errors in that Church were far greater then any be in theyrs, let him well consider with himself whether the error of vrging and receyving circu…cision and other ceremonyes of the Law (before tyme the holy ordinances of God, and now but newly abolished) was greater then the vrging ād receyving of the Apostasy of Antichrist (that great enemy of Iesus Christ) in his ministery, worship, and government of the Church, which is such as God never ordeyned butgRev. 14. 9. 10. 11. and 16. 10. 11 and 17. 1. &c. straitly forbiddeth vponupon payne of eternall condemnation.

Lastly for our separation from them (which he so earnestly obiecteth against vsus, and contrary tohDeut. 30. 13. 14. GOds word sendeth vsus beyond the sea to enguyre his will ther…about) we have not onelyonly, if need were, that which he so much requireth, the approbation of the reformed Churches of Geneva, Fraunce, Belgia, Helvetia, and the rest, asiPag. 67. 68. 69. before hath ben showed by theyr own publick confessions: but we have also that which is much more and which alone were sufficient, I meane, the warrant of the Scriptures, and the like practise of the Churches and people of God in all ages: firstkGen. 6. 2 and 4. 26. vvith 2 Cor. 6. 17. 18. before the stood: and then after the flood, both in thelLevit. 20 24. 25. 26. Ezra. 6. 21. tyme of the Law; and afterward vnderunder the Gospell: and that also first in themAct. 2. 40. 41. and 19. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Primative Churches planted by the Apostles themselves, and now agayne in all the Churches and people which synce the apostasy of the man of sinne have made departure out of the spirituall Babylon, as it isnRev. 18. 4 and 14. 9. 10 11. vvith 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. written, Go out of her my people, that ye be not partakers in her sinnes, and that ye receyv not of her plagues. Now therefore (to omitt Mr H. his vnseasonable vse of Pauls reproof in this place) may not we well say of these things, as the Apostleo1 Cor. 14. 37. 38. doth to the Corinthians in the words immediately following those which are here vsed, If any man think himself to be a Prophet or spirituall, let him acknowledg that these things are the commaundements of the Lord: And if any beignorant, let him beignorant.

And thus much in defence of the first par… of the reason, which was this, Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy things of God, and worketh vponupon the consciences of men, by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling, him the people of God ought not to receyv or joy…e themselues vntounto: or as M▪ H. hath here sett it down to like effect, he is an Antichristian minister, whatsoever truth he bringeth with him. Now it remayneth likewise to defend the second part of the rea…on, which was this, But all the ministers that stād over the Churchassemblyes in England, deale with the holy things of God, and work vponupon mens consciences, by vertue of an Antichristian power office and calling. Concerning which, and the proof thereof, first let vsus see how Mr. H. setteth them down and aunswereth vntounto them generally: then let vsus come to the particulars, by which he endevoreth to approve theyr office and calling of ministery from the word of God. It followeth therefore in his letter, thus.