Certain Observations, Section 7
SECTION. VII.
THus thou haſt been lead (Chriſtian Reader) a long time to ſee the nakedneſſe of theſe men, that vaunt it out ſo glor…ouſly in the world, wherby may many queſtions be reſolved.
Queſt. 1. Whether it ſtands more for the glory of God, and the good of Church, and Kingdom to ſuffer theſe men to hold the government in their hands, and not permit the Miniſters to preach and exe…ciſe diſcip…ine, or econtra?
To this it is plain, that the Magiſtrate is to doe to them, as our Saviour Chriſt dealt, Ioh. 2, in whipping out buyers and ſellers, and money-changers; theſe might better come into the Temple, then theſe Biſhops into the Churches of God, and had more neceſſary uſe, but they had abuſed holy things, and made it a den of theeues.
Firſt, conſider a little, gentle Reader, and the Lo…d remoue prejudicate opinion f…om thee, what theſe doe to the Church and Common-wealth. I appeal to every mans conſcience, wh…ther they are not, and doe not ſhew themſelues enemies to the ſincere preaching of the Goſpell, the ſcepter of Chriſts Kingdom, and the glory of our land.
Secondly, doe they not lay heavy burthens upon Authority, laying all the wrong they doe upon his Majeſty, and ſo work a hard conceit of his Majeſty in the hearts of his beſt loving ſubjects, as though it were his will men ſhould bee put out, and ſilenced, not convinced before by Scripture, which was his Majeſties pleaſure?
Thirdly, doe they not cauſe great profaneneſſe in the land, which weakens any K…ngdom?
1 By their own preaching, ſeldom, cold, generall, unfitting the times and ſeaſons, calling good evill, making ſad the hearts of Gods people, and ſt…engthning the hands of the wicked, that none can return from his wickedneſſe.
2 By their diſgracing and troubling the moſt zealous ſervants of God, which cauſeth gr…at offence; and they in this caſe are guilty of the overthrow of many a ſoule, which by ſuch perſecutions is turned out of the way.
3 By ſending forth ſuch a rude Miniſtry, as cannot deliver the counſell of the Lord, nor giuegive every one their portion in due ſeaſon, but a…e blinde guides, making many fall into the ditch with them.
4 By enacting, and continuing ſuch Canons in force as keep out many able Miniſters, thruſt out thoſe that Chriſt himſelfe hath ſent, as they cannot deny themſelues, make many a one break peace of conſcience to undergoe them, and to looſe his gifts in a great meaſure: Beſides diſcomfo…t in his calling, and grieving others, making many alſo to ſpend all their ſtudy to juſt…fie the ceremonies, which are now cont…overted, and ſetting a fire the houſe of God, and making way for Antichriſts return.
5 They bring the ordinance of God into contempt, through their ſlubbering, coveteous and profane handling of them. Who reſpects the Sabboths, miniſtry of the word, o… c…nſures of the Church?
6 Doe they not take authority from his Majeſty to execute ſtatutes againſt Papiſts, and yet ſuffer them contrary to his Majeſties pleaſure, and to the indangering of his royall perſon and State?
7 Then bad example in ſpecches, ſeeking the world, &c. and their ſervants profane licentiouſneſſe.
Fourthly, they hauehave much living, which they prodigally miſpend and ryot out in pompe and vanity, to their own hurt and othe…s.
Fifthly, doe they not oppoſe and directly deale againſt the Statute Laws of the Kingdom, and ſeek to bereaue his Majeſty, and loyall ſubjects of their inheritance?
Sixthly, doe they not impoveriſh many of the Kings ſubjects by their proceed…ngs, wh…ch h…nders them in their Callings, the common ſerv…ce all owe to the K…ng and Countrey, and diſables them from ſuch taxes as otherw…ſe they might be able to diſcharge? The Mag…ſt…ate …s bound to keep and ſee kept both Tables, and to remoue what hinders the obſervation of either; which theſe men doe, in every mans judgement well weighing things.
Wherfore the concluſion is eaſie, I doubt not, and will be aſſented unto. For what good heart can endure ſuch a heavy burthen to lie upon his Majeſty, as theſe men lay upon him: howſoever they would ſeem to be his onelyonly friends, and pleaſe him in every thing, like Baals falſe Prophets.
Queſt. 2. Whether a man may yeeld obedience unto them?
Anſw. Not in that authority which is proper to them, and comes from themſelues as they are Bi…hops: 1 This is an acknowledging of them: 2 Men muſt ſtand faſt in their Chr…ſt…an l…berty, Gal. 5.1, and not ſuffer men to rule over t…em at their pleaſure, Col. 2.
Queſt. 3. Whether are Miniſt…rs to be ordained by them?
Anſw. 1 One man onelyonly hath no authority but rather many together ought to lay on their hands.
2 All Miniſters may ordayn as well as a Dioceſan Biſhop, having the like authority and ſucceeding the Apoſtles, one as well as the other, which in the primitiue times was uſuall.
3 None may receiue their authority from them, ſo as they ſhould be their ſubſtitutes.
4 Every congregation hath power, from Chriſt as hath been ſhewed, and was practized in the primitiue church.
5 They require both canonicall obedience and ſubſcription to their decrees.
6 It is doubtfull, whether they are Miniſters or no, ſince they are not elected by any people, nor hauehave any particular flock, neither doth the holy Ghoſt ſet any ſuch over his people.
7 Ordination ought to be performed with faſting and prayer. All which he that conſiders well, and makes conſcience will diſcerne eaſily what is beſt to be done.
Qu. 4. Whether may men giuegive titl…s unto them or no?
Anſw. Conſider well the former grounds, and to this adde;
1 This is a confeſſion of the mouth.
And 2 it is an acknowledgment of ſubjection due unto them.
3 It is a lye, when they are not Lords, and we know it.
4 Though their Lordſhip ſeem to bee civill, yet the ground is ſpirituall, their Biſhoprick authority following the ſame.