Christian Advertisements and Counsels of Peace, Tract 1 · Part 2 · Subpart 2

Christian Advertisements and Counsels of Peace · Tract 1 · Part 2 · Subpart 2

p. 44Reaſons not to runne that courſe.

NOw follow certain reaſons of moreReaſons not to runne that courſe. force, then bare probabilities, to keepe men backe from that way.

I. Becauſe of the great euils whichThe entrance is very ſinfull and curſed. inſueth vponupon the firſt entrance thereunto: which are eſpecially two.

I. Is not onelyonly an vtter diſclaiming and condemning of corruptions and the notorious wicked (for which who doth not lament, mourning alſo as did Dauid, Pſal. 119. 136. that men keepe not Gods law?) but alſo a forſaking of all former Chriſtian profeſſion amongſt vsus. Thou muſt caſt off that word here with vsus which made thee aliue; alſo the faithfull meſſengers of God, the Fathers (1. Cor. 4. 9.) which begat thee, who hauehave the words of eternal life; and whither wilt thou goe? yea thou muſt renounce al fellowſhip of the godly here, who hauehave been formerly approoued of thee; and ſuch as hauehave receiued fully as good teſtimonies of Gods merciemercy and p. 45grace as any in that way, and not onelyonlyReader weigh theſe things, with Chriſts compaſſion, with the Apoſtles commiſeration, with the ancient Fathers toleration, with thy own hart, bearing with thy own ſelfe, and Gods merciemercy towards all, and thou wilt neuer do ſo wickedly. …, but thou muſt euer after iudge thē falſe Chriſtians and Idolaters; hauing a falſe faith, falſe repentance, and falſe baptiſme; and ſo ſeparate from all ſpirituall communion with them, as wicked men. Thus muſt parents and children, husband and wife, brother and ſiſter, iudge one of another; though all profeſſe one Lord Ieſus Chriſt, all bee baptiſed after one manner, all renouncing Antichriſt, & all ſuch hauehave tokens of Gods grace. O accurſed beginning, ſo vncharitable, ſo vnnaturall, and ſo vngodly! hee that begins ſo ill, can neuer ſpeed well. That we ſhould forſake father and mother, and all for Chriſt and the Goſpell is not denied: but hauing Ieſus Chriſt and the Goſpell, to forſake father and mother and all our Chriſtian brethren and ſiſters with a falſe condemnation, for mens deuices intituled with Chriſt and his Goſpell, that we do denie: for here amongſt vsus is cauſe of reioycing in Chriſt: Rom. 15. 17. 18. I hauehave therefore whereof I may reioyce in Chriſt Ieſus in thoſe things which pertaine to God. For I dare not ſpeake of any thing p. 46which Chriſt hath not wrought by mee, … make the Gentiles obedient in word a… deede. And Act. 10. 34. 35. Of a truth perceiue that God is no accepter of perſon… but in eueryevery nation, he that feareth him an… worketh righteouſneſſe is accepted wit… him. And Rom. 14. 17. 18. For the kingdome of God is not meate, nor drinke, b… righteouſnes, and peace, and ioy in the hol… Ghoſt. For whoſoeuer in theſe things ſerueth Chriſt, is acceptable, &c.

II. With ſuch a renunciation of truthThey which enter that way, muſt approoue of many vntruths. muſt bee intertained much vntruth, th… deceiueableneſſe of that way, as ſhal appeare afterwards: as firſt, thou muſt beleeue their way to be the truth of God though it be but the error of their own minde: then condemne our Church as falſe Church; when (in the end of th… confeſſion of their faith) they hauehave publiſhed vnderunder their owne hand, that th… differences betweene vsus and them, a… onelyonly ſuch corruptions, as are by the… ſet downe **In their little booke of the confeſſion of their faith.. Now corruptions doe no… make a falſe Church, but a corrup… Church, (make the worſt of it that ca… be) as corruptions in a man, maketh b… a corrupt man, and not a falſe man.

p. 47By thus entring, a man muſt ceaſe to walke this way, ending towards vsus in vncharitablenes, and begin a new way with them, and enter with lies. Such a …ate is the entrie to death, and not that …raite way, which they inſult of, leading to life.

I know no corruptions here ſo ill, which men are tied to entertaine, as the entrance into that way with theſe conditions. Diſcerne, Reader, wiſely; and iudge the courſe rightly, and God giuegive mee vnderſtanding in all things.

II. Reaſon is grounded vponupon one ofThe ſecond reaſon not to ioyne with them. their own chiefe principles, and a great point of their practiſe: that is, that wee are not to conioyne our ſelues with open wicked, obſtinatly maintaining their corruptions, whether the ſame be in ill life, or doctrine: for vponupon this ground doe they forſake vsus, and keepe off from all reformed Churches.

Now then from their owne ground …trong enough to keepe men back, ex…pt any will goe by receiued principles …his owne way, to profeſſe condemna…on againſt himſelfe) they may not bee ioyned with, becauſe who doth ſo, muſt p. 48partake of their very great and grieuou… ſinnes, wherewith they be polluted, and doe not reforme themſelues. The ſinne… are theſe:

I. Is that wofull entrance before named.1 The grieuous ſinnes of the Separators, wherewithall they that go that way, are polluted. We enter by baptiſme, renouncing the diuell and ſinne; but they witha… (in part) doe here renounce Gods mercies and all good men, with eueryevery good thing in them, as ſtained and polluted ſo as no holy communion can bee ha… with it: but what God hath clenſed, le… not them make vncleane, Act. 10. 15.

II. Is a hie degree of vnthankfulne… 2 They are very vnthankfull to God.firſt to God that begat thē by his word either by denying their conuerſion, o… elſe accounting it a falſe conuerſion, … if the Lord did but counterfeit with them, when they hauehave felt good token of grace, and outward fruit proceedin… from thence. Is not this to hauehave a bla… phemous conceit of the bleſſed wor… of God, to dare to call it a falſe conue… ſion, where it appeareth to be true, eue… experimentally in a mans ſelfe? Secondly,To the Church of God. this vnthankfulneſſe is alſo to the mother, this Church of England, th… bare them, which they deſire to make p. 49whore, before Chriſt her husband ſo cō demne her: they forſake her, before he refuſe her, and giuegive her a bill of diuorcement; for till then, they ought to ſtay.

But are not theſe children worthie to be accounted baſtards, that wil needs denie their father that begat them, and alſo gladly would hauehave all to take their mother for a whore that bare them, and would vnbowell her of all her deare children viperouſly? Oh vnkinde and vnnatural childrē, vnworthie to breathe in their fathers aire, or to inhabite neere the skirts of their mother! Some there be who are offended when any doth openly and ſharply reprooue them: but ſuch I wiſh to cōſider, with what meeknes they can in naturall louelove heare their mother, an honeſt woman, called a whore, and their brethren made baſtards; if they cannot, why louelove we leſſe our ſpirituall mother and brethren, ſo much abuſed by theſe men?

III. Reaſon, is the ſinne of ſpirituallThey are full of ſpirituall vncharitableneſſe. vncharitablenes, the contrary whereunto is ſpiritull louelove, which the holy Apoſtle preferreth before any externall conſtitution, before almes deedes, before p. 50preaching, yea before ſuffering perſecution, and mens giuing their bodies to bee burned, ſaying, all profit nothing without it, 1. Cor. 13. 1. 2. 3. And in this ſpirituall vncharitablenes doe they exceedingly tranſgreſſe.

I. Towards vsus, who approue not, orIn audacious cenſuring. will not go their way, nor be inclinable to them, whom they doe deeply cenſure, and deadly condemne; of which there be three ſorts: 1. Such as know it1. The ignorant. not; and thoſe they thus condemne, asThis can I ſhew vnderunder hand writing: nothing heere ſpoken without booke, or by vncertaine he are ſay. 2. Such as know their way. men blinded by the god of this world, that is, the diuell, and ſo ſuch to be loſt, for that their way (which they call the Goſpell) is hidden, ſay they, to none but ſuch as are loſt. 2. Such as ſee the way and doe not yeeld, theſe they condemne as worldlings, fearefull, conuinced in conſcience, and yet go on in ſinne wilfully and in preſumption. For hereof (Reader) take notice, that this is taken as granted, that whoſoeuer knoweth their way directly, muſt needes know i… for the truth, yea for the Goſpel of God, there is no remedie; ſo as forſake it, forſake Chriſt and the Goſpell, and in their iudgement (as farre as man can ſee) thin… p. 51owne euerlaſting ſaluation. 3. Such as3. Such as oppoſe themſelues againſt them. hauehave had a little taſte of the way and affection to the ſame, miſled by imagined truths, and by the honeſtie of the men for their liues, and ſome former familiaritie had with them in an euen way, (which indeede are the ordinarie baits by which many are catched) yet at lēgth perceiuing the falſhood thereof, which is called Browniſme, they hauehave vponupon good conſideration deliberated, and in deliberation and ſearching found out the errors thereof, and ſo left them: theſe they condemne as Apoſtats, and what not? But if they oppoſe againſt them; not of hatred, not of malice, not of purpoſe to vexe them, or to increaſe their affliction, (God is witneſſe; the Lord is iudge, who wil giuegive ſentence betweene one and another) but onelyonly to let them ſee their errors, and to reclaime them, (if God be pleaſed) and to keepe other backe, then ſuch they terme godleſſe men, depriued of their vnderſtanding, perſecutors, hunters after their ſoules, and dare boldly pronounce ſentence againſt them, that they ſhall grow worſe and worſe, ſo as men ſhall ſay, God is p. 52auenged on them. What a degree of deadly vncharitable cenſure is this? Is here louelove? LoueLove thinketh no ill, ſaith1. Cor. 13.1 Cor 13 the Apoſtle, louelove hopeth all things; louelove doth nothing contumeliouſly.

II. Point (which is yet a higher degree)In deſiring the hindrance, or rather extinguiſhing of all the ſpirituall good we publikely enioy. of vncharitablenes ſpiritual is this: A moſt vngodlie deſire (as euer was heard of) to hauehave the Word vtterly extinguiſhed amongſt vsus, Egyptian darkneſſe to come ouer vsus, rather then it ſhould bee preached by ſuch as doe not fauour their courſe, though it be taught faithfully, and that men ſee Gods bleſſing vponupon the ſame, and their liues alſo anſwerable thereunto.

Thus in ſeeking their owne glorie,A wiſh againſt God Commandement, the Apoſtles ioy, and the peoples ſaluation. and the honour of their owne way, they wiſh deſtruction vntounto the people, who without viſion periſh, Prou. 29. 18. They are farre from the Apoſtles reioycing, Phil. 1. 18. and ſo from his ſpirit. They are farre from the compaſſion of Chriſt, who ſeeing the people as ſheepe without a ſhepheard, ſate downe and taught them, Matth. 9. 36. They be farre from his commandement, willing men to ſeeke for the foode of life, Ioh. 6. 7. not p. 53for a conſtitution before it. Bleſſed is he that heareth the word of God (ſaith he) and keepeth it, Luk. 11. 28. Bleſſed is he that readeth, and they that heare, Reuel. 1. 3. His word he preferres before a conſtitution, as a teſtimonie of his ſpeciall louelove. Pſal. 147. 19. 20. He ſhewed his word vntounto Iacob, his ſtatutes and his iudgements vntounto Iſrael; Hee hath not dealt ſo with eueryevery nation, &c. And for a great curſe, hee threatneth a famine of his word, not the taking away of a right conſtitution, Amos 8. 11. Nay our Sauiour did not forbid, or euer wiſh, either the Scribes and Phariſies not to teach at all, or the people not to heare them; but reprehends the one, and giueth libertie with caueats to the other, Matth. 23. Aquila and Priſcilla hauing heard Apollos, they inquired not of what conſtitution hee was, but wherein hee did not ſufficientlie teach, they did better inſtruct him, and incourage him to the work of the Lord, which was to preach by the Scriptures, not a conſtitution, but that Ieſus was that Chriſt. See the place Act. 18. 24. 28.

The Diſciples that went and preached, p. 54Act. 8. 1. 4. ſtoode not vponupon eueryevery ſpeciall point in entering ſo orderly vntounto the worke, as theſe men would hauehave it, without which they hold all as nothing. See verſe 12. neither did the people enquire thereof, but are commended for hearing and receiuing the word, and for beleeuing in Chriſt Ieſus, Act. 17. 11. and 13. 43. 48.

To conclude, what in all the new teſtament is ſo vrged, ſo commaunded, ſo commended, ſuch promiſes of bleſſing annexed thereto? what made ſo neceſſarie as the preaching and hearing of Gods word? And what leſſe talked on any where, then a conſtitution? Yet theſe men without this, wiſh an ouerthrow of all, and doe deſpiſe the word and holy Sacraments with vsus.

This yet I ſpeake not, that men mayThat which is the more neceſſarie, is to be preferred before the leſſe neceſſarie; and neither of them to bee deſpiſed. runne out diſorderly, that eueryevery man may take vponupon him to preach and expound Scripture (as very weake and ſimple men amongſt them preſume to doe) nor that obſeruation of order is a thing lightly to bee regarded. It is much to be wiſhed, that eueryevery thing be done decently, in order, to Gods glorie, p. 55and the Churches edification: but therefore hauehave I thus written to magnifie the word preached as it deſerueth, aboue forme and faſhion, ſo it be not wholly vnorderly; and not to caſt off the one for want of exactneſſe in the other: this is for the tithing of mint, anniſe and cummin, to leaue waightier matters: (I ſpeake here comparatiuely betweene conſtitution and preaching) not, that I valew a right orderly proceeding at no more worth then anniſe and cummin; theſe ought to be done, but at no hand for want hereof to leaue the other vndone, both to the extinguiſhing of the truth and the increaſe of ignorance, and alſo the intertainement of Poperie; which ſome of them, as hath been ſaid, would rather embrace, then to returne to vsus againe, ſo great hatred is bred in them, againſt our way and ſtanding euen in the beſt things, which are all one as the worſt, to them; which, they ſay, are the deceiueableneſſe of vnrighteouſneſſe.

Is this louelove? louelove ſeeketh not her own1. Cor. 13.1 Cor 13 things, as theſe onelyonly doe, condemning all not transformed into their ſhape: p. 56louelove reioyceth in the truth; but theſe rather in the aboliſhing of the meanes, which only driueth away error and ignorance, and vpholdeth truth. LoueLove ſuffereth all things; louelove endureth all things; but theſe cannot endure that we ſhould enioy the very truth of God, rather then that their way ſhould be hindered.

III. And the laſt point of this vncharitablenesIn enuying, contemning, and condemning the beſt, for the beſt graces of God in them. (which is the higheſt degre… of all) is, that they are ſorie and enuious that the good things of God do proſpe… with vsus; yea the more religious men b… in this way, the more are they grieued which is apparent by this; that Barro… doth not more vilely abuſe, or raile vponupon any, or more blaſphemouſly ſcoffe a… the good graces of God, and holy exerciſes in any, then in them; as ſhall be… after noted to the view of the world, either to reclaime them, or to make the… aſhamed, if in any thing they will ſo themſelues, and if God will open their eyes to behold what is amiſſe in themſelues. This is not Barrows veine of ol… but euen y^e ſame ſpirit doth poſſeſſe, n… the meaneſt of the lateſt companie, ſco… ſing p. 57at the argument of the conuerſion of ſoules, as if it were but a dreame of vsus, or in it ſelfe a toy, without their conſtitution.

Is this louelove? LoueLove enuieth not; but1. Cor. 13.1 Cor 13 theſe like nothing well what wee doe: but indeed the better it is, the more they doe deteſt it, for that they ſuppoſe it is the greateſt let to hold men from them.

Therefore here prophane and ſecure worldlings, and Atheiſts neede not to feare, that men painfull and conſcionable in their Miniſterie, yea and conformable in their liues, will breed Browniſts, and further Browniſme, no more then the truth can bring forth error, or ſoundneſſe corruption properly, or brethren in vnitie ſubſtantially, can breed Schiſmatikes eſſentially.

Indeed by the beames of the Sunne, being one & the ſame, the earth which the husband tilleth and ſoweth with good ſeed, in ſome part bringeth foorth good corne, and in another breedeth weedes; but the fault is in the earth, not in the Sunne or husbandman: So of one ſweete flowre the Bee gathereth honie, p. 58and the Spider poyſon, yet the flowr… keepeth it owne nature.

If by the wholeſome doctrine of painfull Teachers, ſome, as ill earth be more weedie, ſome, as ſpiders gather poiſon; neither are they nor their doctrine to be blamed. But to proceed; is this louelove? LoueLove reioyceth not in iniquitie, it is not1. Cor. 13.1 Cor 13 prouoked to anger; but theſe men are glad, when wee contend amongſt our ſelues, neuer praying for peace, nor the welfare of the Miniſterie, becauſeHow men come to bee Schiſmatikes, or Heretikes. they do thinke, (as iudging others out of themſelues, prouoked to anger) that troubles will breede diſcontentment; diſcontentment ſetteth heads on working; this cauſeth ſearching, (but with preiudice againſt one part offended) ſearching draweth men to a liking of that by paſſionate impatiencie, which iudiciouſly in peace they do not louelove; and ſo runneth into crooked by-pathes, to the hurt of themſelues and offence of other.

Such a ſpirit of vncharitableneſſe, neuer was in any of the holy men of God in the Primitiue time, who reioyced at the bleſſings vponupon the Teachers, and at p. 59the peoples receiuing of the Goſpell, …ot at their ſtanding in a conſtitution, …ct. 11. 20. 21. 23. In which place is gi…en a reaſon of Barnabas his reioycing, …r that he was a good man, and full of …e holy Ghoſt, verſ. 24. for indeed men …dued with Gods Spirit, & good men …ter God, will reioyce in good things; …hriſt will not quench the ſmoaking axe, nor breake the bruiſed reed; but …ill check his Diſciples, for raſhly for…dding one to caſt out diuels in his …me, becauſe hee followed not them, …d wil bid them ſuffer him, giuing this …aſon, that, he that is with Chriſt is not …ainſt him, no, nor againſt his Diſci…es, though one follow not another; ſo …e it, wee all follow Chriſt. And thus …uch for their vncharitablenes againſt ….

Perhaps they will ſay they pray for vsusTheir louelove to vsus, is but as to ſtrangers out of the Couenant: and what ſpeciall thing is that? M. Smith. …en hartely, and profeſſe with proteſta…n that they do louelove vsus.

I thinke they do louelove vsus, but it is on… in hope, or for ſome by-reſpect; for o…rwiſe one of them writeth, that cer…nly he cannot by the Word bee per…aded, y^t any one of vsus hath either true p. 60faith or feare of God; then how can the truly louelove vsus in the ſpirit, who iudge t… bond broken, and the communion v… lawfull?

I thinke they doe pray for vsus, but it to bring vsus vntounto them; ſo will they pr… for Papiſts, Atheiſts, Iewes and Turke… ſo will any ſect, to hauehave men to come … them. They pray for vsus, but not as viſib… members of Gods Church; they w… not pray with vsus, that is, ioyne to o… prayers, nor ioyne vsus with them. Th… louelove vsus, but not as in the communion Saints: their louelove therefore is not bee eſteemed of. Conſider how th… iudge of eueryevery one of vsus, euen of hi… that moſt ſeeketh, in our Church, to a… uance Religion, to liue religiouſly, a… hauehave peace with all men in holineſſe, much as is poſſible.

But doth this vncharitablenes exte… This ſpirituall vncharitableneſſe is alſo amongſt themſelues one to another.it ſelfe only to thoſe, which they iud… without? Nay it breaketh out amon… themſelues euen towards one anot… in their cuſtomarie excommunicatio… not onelyonly for notorious crimes in … wilfull and obſtinate; but euen for lig… offences in ſome, albeit other obſtin… p. 61…n be let paſſe: contrary to the practiſe …f the Primitiue Church, where wee …ade neither of ſuch ſharpe cenſuring,Reade George Iohnſons book, pag. 15. and ſee horrible ſin daubed vp. A bodie naturall doth not eaſily cut off a member, though very noyſome, not after the firſt meanes bee vſed in the beſt manner, but after long triall of the ſame, & what poſſiblie may be. …or of ſuch partiall dealing, that men …ould bee reprehended, and that no ſin …e ſuffered to be openly practiſed, who …nieth? but that men ſhould be haſtily …ſt out, or for and vponupon eueryevery light of…nce, of what nature ſoeuer, (albeit the …rtie offending be through ignorance, … elſe of a peeuiſh nature ſomewhat …ilfull) we wiſh it ſhould not be. It is …ot a point of louelove, ſo eaſily to loſe a …hriſtian member, and to caſt him to …e diuell, iudging him vnworthie to … accounted a viſible profeſſor in the …hurch of Chriſt.

I ſpeake not this to leſſen ſinne, or to …lerate it, but to ſtay ſo great a cen…e, that it bee neither executed lightly …d raſhly, nor vſed with the rigour of …e law in the vtmoſt period of the right … cenſure.

I may not paſſe by the witneſſe ofM. White as I remember. …me againſt them, teſtifying that one …lfe excommunicated another ſome…e: a very fearfull thing, and vnheard amongſt men of wiſedome and moderation. p. 62If they did excommunica… for ſinne, it were yet leſſe: but I maru… that they will vſe this cenſure, (the p… wer of Ieſus Chriſt, deliuering men v… to Satan) for doing the worke of God which is for hearing Gods word by th… miniſterie of others, which are out … their way, though the Preacher deliu… nothing but the true word of God, a… ſo, as the hearers do receiue much go… thereby.

This their practiſe cannot bee wa… rantableSearch the Scriptures, whether there be any word forbidding to heare one that preacheth the true Word only. See more pag. 64. from the word of God: Tr… Prophets neuer forbad to heare ſuch ſpake truly; Chriſt neuer condemn… ſuch as ſpake the truth in his name, f… want of a conſtitution; the Apoſtle P… forbad not to heare ſuch as preach… Chriſt for lack therof, neither euer ga… caueat to the Church that ſhe ſho… marke that as a note, and to beware ſuch Teachers vnderunder paine of exco… munication, and not to heare them.

Where is the hearing of the t… word of God only preached made a … I would gladly ſee, where they cā pro… that men hearing Chriſts voyce, … which they hauehave receiued life, ſho… p. 63for that, bee caſt out of a Church that …rofeſſeth Chriſt. The Scribes and Pha…ſies did not ſo with any for hearing Chriſt, though they did hate him; why …hould it bee done by ſuch as profeſſe Chriſt, to ſuch as now deſire to heare …im? But in hearing the word of God …om vsus they hold no neceſſitie, becauſeThis Anabaptiſticall aſſertion, maketh the common ſort of them too oue… bold with Gods moſt holie word. …ey teach their ſimple ſchollers to be…eue, that they hauehave in that way the an…ointing, which will teach them all …ings; and thereupon a ſillie ſort mee…ng amongſt themſelues, will content …emſelues with themſelues, and ſo will …point one, who will preſume, vponupon …is imagined ſpirit, to teach; albeit …ard by, they may hauehave the word pub…kely and profitablie deliuered vntounto …em: yea if one of them abide alone …ongſt vsus, and cannot reade, yet muſt …ch a one rather liue vponupon his or her …iuate meditations, then to goe and …are any of vsus. Is this louelove?

If a familie together, hauing ſufficient …ode, ſhould forbid any member there…, farre from it, not being able to come …ther for foode, to receiue foode good …d wholeſome (ſo by triall knowne p. 64to be) from other, but not of the houſ… hold, ſhould be bound either to liue … what the ſame members had eaten, … elſe to periſh; were this charitie? or r… ther a point of great crueltie? And th… much for their vncharitablenes.

Peraduenture it will be ſaid, that theThey louelove one another, but marke how, and why. louelove one another very much: it is n… denied: elſe cannot their courſe co… tinue: if this partiall louelove were n… the practiſe of that vncharitableneſ… would ſoone breake the new couena… made betweene them: For the louelove cōmunicating of their goods, it is gre… ter amongſt the Familiſts, it is mu… with the Papiſts; And Salomon ſhewe… that ſo very wretched creatures, a… companions in euill, will tie themſel… one to another, **Do not take this place otherwiſe then I do intend it.Prou. 1. 14. and companions hauehave a louelove amongſt the… ſelues, euen inwardly as farre as they one, to preſerue their bodie and ſo… tie: elſe a kingdome, diuided again… ſelfe, will ſoone come to ruine.

Let not this their louelove therfore, w… in themſelues, and towards one ano… moue thee, without the truth of cauſe firſt conuincing thee; for iud… ment p. 65muſt euer lead affection, and louelove muſt be beſtowed worthily in the Lord, elſe is it not at all acceptable to God.

IV. Reaſon, is their ſinne in abuſingThe fourth kind of ſinne, with which they are polluted. of the Word, of which they are all guiltie: for as the places of Scripture miſalledged and wreſted, are deliuered by the Teachers, ſo the reſt doe receiue them, and learne ſo to applie them. Of the knowledge more or leſſe, or degree of ſinne herein, I do not ſpeake, but that …t is a ſin, and whereof ſome (as before …s ſaid) hauehave accuſed ſome of the principals with, cannot be denied, but muſt be granted.

V. Reaſon, is their wilfull perſiſtingThe fifth ſin, is wilful obſtinacie, ioyned with contempt and ſcorne of all other. …n their Schiſme, lightly regarding re…erend mens labours, and ſcornefully deſpiſing weaker meanes. See George …ohnſons teſtimonie herein, againſt his brother and the Elders, pag. 4. lin. 19. See their anſweres to learned Iunius, and to M. Gyfford, and other moe, how they ſet at naught all mens reaſons and anſwers, ſo addicted are they to what they …old, as they preuent in a preiudicate o…inion all good counſell, and foreſtall …heir thoughts with a fond perſwaſion, p. 66that hitherto neuer any could anſwer them; that none will dare, neither ca… any be able to confute them; ſo as ſay what may bee ſaid, they hauehave anſwere… readie, not without pride, ſcorne, and contempt, for any thing.

Obiect any vntounto them, who hau… How they anſwere eueryevery thing that can be obiected to the anſweres of ſuch as hauehave written againſt them, and they anſwered.written againſt them, and they any wa… made anſwere vntounto, they ſay, ſuch ha… had the foile; and why? becauſe the… anſwere not againe; as if eueryevery thin… they ſpeake were worthie of anſwear… (So thought not amongſt many othe… neither M. Perkins, nor yet Doctor W… let) or as if, they euer preuaile, who … ter the laſt words. It were better for th… to thinke, becauſe ſo many graue, lea… ned, and godly men doe ſo lightly … gard them, and their reaſons, (as th… can paſſe them by with ſilence) th… ſhould in humilitie more ſuſpect the… ſelues, and ſearch more narrowly in their courſes, and feare themſelues to out of the way.

Obiect vntounto them ſuch as they h… not anſwered, if they be famous men;To famous men vnanſwered. Doctor Whitakers, Maſter Perkins: th… ſay, they knew not their cauſe: as if p. 67…ther of them (the latter eſpecially ſpeaking in ſo many places, at diuers times againſt them) made no conſcience to ſpeake ſo much and ſo ſharply againſt an vnknowne cauſe. It were better not to beleeue their vntrue report, then to call into queſtion the iudgement and conſcience of theſe famous and approoued men.

Obiect vntounto them other, if men ofTo men of leſſe note obiected. leſſe note, them doe they deſpiſe, as ſimple, and not worthie anſwering: and yet the meaneſt of themſelues, (writing any thing) muſt be anſwered, or elſe bee iudged vnanſwerable. Miſerable partialitie!

Bring the moſt learned teſtimonie ofTo the teſtimonies of reformed Churches. worthie Diuines, and practiſe of whole Churches, they can anſwere all, with this, We are not led by men; they are …ut men; as if other men erred, and they (men alſo) did not, or were not men.

But hold them to the Scripture: IfTo Scripture obiected. the places bee euident againſt them; they doe ſeeke ſtrange expoſitions, or ſticke vponupon an other tranſlation, or the force of the word, and ſo wind out by p. 68ſhift or other, not to giuegive way vntounto the truth, which may check their conſtitution in any thing.

Conferre with them, and reaſon theNote the peruerſeneſſe of their ſpirit in conference. matter, and they wil not marke ſo much what one ſaith to them (that they may ſee their error): as they do ſtudie which way either to intrap a man, or to obiect againſt him, or how to denie what is ſpoken.

Obiect vntounto them the corruptions ofTo corruptions of other Churches obiected. Churches Apoſtolicall; and their anſwere is, either that we maintaine our corruptions, by the ſins of other Churches (miſconſtruing our intendment and why we doe ſo argue, to wit, y^t corruptions make not a falſe Church) or els they were in a true conſtitution: as if the meanes which they had, and migh… vſe to remedie ſinne, ſhould make their ſtate leſſe euil, though ſinnes were committed, and the remedy not applied: and other places more ſinfull, for want o… ſuch a conſtitution, and yet fewer by manie, and leſſer ſinnes by farre be there cōmitted publikly: and, as if a conſtitution, after their frame, made good to … man his ſtanding in a Church full o… p. 69great wickedneſſe, and the want thereof vtterly condēne him in another, though in life and doctrine no ſuch error bee amongſt them by many degrees. But when this conſtitution is truly defined, (which yet they hauehave not, that I can finde; whereof it ſtandeth they ſhew, but hauehave not defined it) and ſo made manifeſt by the plaine truth of God, the …arenes and excellencie of this miraculouſlie working conſtitution, it ſhall be …mbraced with due regard.

Obiect, the reformed Churches, whyTo an obiection made of a Church Conſtitution. they ioyne not with them, which are conſtituted; they denie not the conſtitution, (though (as you heard) Barrow and Greenwood did, whoſe iudgement is not diſclaimed, as an error yet, in any of their writings; but by their practiſe approued, howſoeuer theſe do not oppoſe againſt the conſtitution) but anſwere, that they hauehave their corruptions.

Thus like nimble Squirrils, they skip from one tree to another, to ſaue themſelues from being taken: name corruptions, they skippe to conſtitution: tell them of conſtitution, they will tell you of corruption. So as by all this we ſee, it p. 70is not poſſible by reaſon, Scripture, conference,Correction for inſtruction to theſe men is the may of life. A head gathered, whether the companie be Ciuill, or Eccleſiaſticall cannot be diſſolued, but by violence. Experience the Schoolemaſter herein. or teſtimonie of the learned, to giuegive any of them ſatisfaction: but this they muſt hauehave, becauſe they will hauehave it, that our Church is to be forſaken becauſe of a falſe cōſtitution, and the conſtitution of other Churches, becauſe o… corruptions. What muſt follow hereupon, but this? that all muſt come to them▪ as the onelyonly Church truly conſtituted and without corruption, with condemnation in theſe reſpects of all Chriſtendome. But farre be it from men of godly wiſedome, moderate zeale, and ſound learning ſo to iudge, and ſo farre to oouerſhoote themſelues.

VI. Reaſon, is their ſinne of railingThe ſixth ſin, is the ſinne of rayling, &c. and ſcoffing; yea and I may truly add… Henry Barrowes blaſphemies, who hath egregiouſly abuſed all our holieſt exerciſes of religion; taunting eueryevery ſtate and order in the Church, and in th… Schooles of learning amongſt vsus. An… that the ſpirit, wherewith hee was led may appeare not to hauehave been of God who vtterly condemneth ſuch dealing (1. Pet. 3. 10. 11. Pſal. 34. 13. Iude v. 9. Titus. 3. 2. Exod. 22. 27. Act. 23. 5. Ia. 1. 26. p. 71will, as briefly as I can, ſet downe the …utrage thereof, as it is here and there diſperſed in his booke of Diſcouerie; by which, whatſoeuer he diſcouered of o…her, he laid open a ſtrange ſpirit ruling …n himſelfe.

Biſhoppes hee calleth, Antichriſtian, proude Prelats, the taile of the beaſt. Their ſtile, Iohn by the permiſſion of God, and power of the Diuell, Biſhop of ſuch a place. The hands of a Biſhop …n ordination, he calles Simoniacall. In …is ſaying, Receiue the holy Ghoſt, hee …aith, he breatheth on them an vnholie Ghoſt: The Bible in the Biſhops hands, …ee calles a bybell: And, that they caſt …ut by the power of Satan. Yet Maſter …mith on the Lords Prayer, firſt ac…nowledgeth them to bee officers of Chriſts kingdome, called ruling Elders. …econdly, that the King hath authoritie …o ſubſtitute ſuch Eccleſiaſticall Magi…rates, according to the Word, for Church policie. Thirdly, that they may …xerciſe iuriſdiction, viſite Churches, …nd ordain Miniſters, pag. 91. And what …ore allowed them by our law?

p. 72Patrons, hee termes, The great Baals, or Lord Patrons.

All Miniſters, hee calles Prieſts, in ſcorne: and Deacons, halfe Prieſts. And not here with content, he miſcalleth and raileth vponupon Miniſters moſt ſpitefully and ſo, as cannot bee but hatefull to all that truly feare God, calling them Baalamites, Cananites, Babyloniſh Diuines, Egyptian Inchanters, limbes of the Diuell.

Others, not of his ſtraine, he tearmet… them dangerous and peſtilent ſeducers ſectarie counterfeit preachers; miſerable guides; treacherous watchmen; ſworne waged marked ſouldiers of the beaſt Scorpions, diſguiſed hypocrites; rauening wolues; deceitfull watchmen; fooliſh and preſumptuous ſhepheards; pernicious deceiuers; Sycophants, Angel… of hell, bright ſtarres of the ſmokie Egyptian fornace: and ſuch as liue mo… religiouſly amongſt vsus, hee ſcornes a… much as any other; and goeth further and ſaith, that vponupon them are the vtter moſt deceits and effectuall deluſions o… Satan.

p. 73Our diuine exerciſes and godly fruits of faith, he blaſphemouſly ſcoffes at.

Set prayers he tearmeth the ſmoke of the bottomleſſe pit: And yet MaſterPaterne of true prayer. Smith in the ſame booke in the Epiſtle …o the Reader ſaith, firſt, that a ſet forme of prayer is not vnlawfull. Secondly, he profeſſeth his diſſent from them of the ſeparation. Thirdly, he ſaith, that hee is …erely aſſured of the truth of that he affirmeth. And touching y^e Lords Prayer, pag. 33. he firſt calles it a platforme of prayer. Secondly, a prayer, and the beſt …hat euer was made, pag. 181. Thirdly, …hat Chriſt did pray it, pag. 33. and 179. Fourthly, hee that vſeth the words and matter of the Lords Prayer, prayeth well, pag. 181: and after petition made …o God, may end & conclude his prayer with the Lords Prayer. He was verely aſſured of this truth then, and now diſ…laimeth that verely aſſured truth. Reader, when may any reſt on his iudgement, and aſſure himſelfe of his aſſu…edneſſe?

Other prayers made, he calleth, long, Phariſaicall and abominable.

p. 74Preachings, preachments and ſermocinations.

The Preachers deliuerie of the word, hee calles, the diſtilling and dropping downe of old parables from his mouth.

His time of preaching, diſputing to an houre glaſſe.

The pulpit (he calleth) a preſcript place like a tub.

Solemne faſts, (he nameth) hypocritiſh faſts, and a ſtage play, where one plaieth ſinne, another iudgements, another repentance, and the laſt Goſpell.

The ſinging of Pſalmes (he calleth) harmonizing ſome pleaſant ballad, o… ſome Pſalme in ryme.

The congregation ſinging together hee likeneth to fowles; as Vultures, Crowes, Gleades, Owles, Geeſe; and to beaſts, as Leopards, Beares, Woolues▪ Foxes, Swine, Dogs, and Goates.

The receiuing of the Sacrament o… the Lords Supper, he termeth a two penie feaſt: and when the Miniſter debarreth any from the ſame, hee ſaith, the… Maſter Parſon taketh his paſtorall ſtaffe or wooden dagger of ſuſpenſion, b… p. 75which hee keepes ſuch a flouriſhing, as flies can take no reſt. Yet Maſter Smith, pag. 95. expounding the ſecond petition, ſaith, that there the Miniſters are prayed for, that they may faithfully execute their office, part whereof he maketh ſuſpenſion.

All the whole worſhip of God with vsus, is called Idolatrous, and all of vsus Ido…aters.

The honeſt conuerſation of godlie men, he calleth an outward ſhew of holineſſe, hypocriſie, vaine glorie, counterfeit ſhew of grauitie, auſterneſſe of ma…ers, and the outſide of a good conſcience.

To make vp this his ſinning in a high …egree, the fruite of our miniſterie, our …eaching and labouring, he ſaith is the …oyſoning and ſtinging of eueryevery good …onſcience, the leauen of hypocriſie: and …uch as be reformed are Proſelytes, and …ecome thereby twofold more the chil…ren of hel, then they were before. Thus …orriblie blaſpheming in ſaying, that …he preaching of Gods word, and the …pirits effectuall working, maketh men …he children of hell, and two fold worſe p. 76then before: and yet he, and all of the… (if euer conuerted) were conuerted b… thoſe men, which hee ſo raileth vpo… and by that bleſſed meanes, which he … blaſphemeth.

That he might leaue nothing vntounto… ched, he alſo abuſeth the Vniuerſities the Colledges he maketh like to the Sodomitical Monaſteries, and fellowſhip of the idolatrous Monkes and Frien… brethren of one birth, euer by both parents, that they hauehave euer been profeſſ… and bitter enemies to Chriſts kingdo…

Their exerciſes and orders he mock… at; The Commencement he likens to ſtage play; Diſputers, to Fencers, or dogge and beare; Maſter Vicechancelor he mocks, naming him Maſſe Cha… cellor; Morning prayer, he ſaith is t… reading ouer their geare; and hee th… readeth the Chapter, he cals the Bibb… Clerke.

As was the worke managed, ſo w… his managing; as was the ſpirit of err… which inuented the one, ſo was it him violent aboue meaſure, carryi… him in this maner of outrage, to defe… the ſame, and diſgrace whatſoeuer el…

p. 77With this mans ſin and ſpirit of pro…haneneſſe, are all theſe in this way de…ed: becauſe neither hee, (while he li…ed) publiſhed his repentance to the …orld in print, (as he ſinned in print) nor …et any of theſe hauehave declared their diſ…ke thereof vntounto vsus in publike, but ra…er indeede approoued thereof; ſome …ying that it was his zeale that ſo led …m, excuſing his blaſphemie with a ho…e grace of Gods Spirit, (for they …eane zeale in the beſt ſenſe); Some …ing his words amongſt vsus, accoun…ng the preaching of the Word, prayer …d catechiſing to be but a prophanati… of the Sabbath; another calleth it …e deceiueablenes of vnrighteouſnes, …luding to 2. Theſ. 2. Al of them by him …ue increaſed their diſlike and great …ntempt of eueryevery holie exerciſe, and …acious duetie amongſt vsus. Till they … therefore publiſh his repentance, or …aſe to praiſe his ſuch zeale, & temper …emſelues that way, ceaſing in this and to partake of his ill ſpirit, they …ay boaſt of a holie conſtitution: but …ee may reiect them for that kind of …rſed corruption, if they had no moe p. 78by their owne doctrine, vntill they d… openlie ſhew amendment.

Laſtlie, their verie opinions, whi… The laſt ſin is their Schiſme, conſiſting of manie errors.are the verie matter of Browniſme, … their own inuentions, vponupon which the doe build their conſtitution; and b… which they hauehave made ſo grieuous rend and ſeparation. The verie mai… and principals thereof, I will ſet down and anſwered, that ſo they may eaſ… ſee them to be errors; if they will not … preiudicial to their own ſelues throug… partialitie, and ſo be blind, when th… may ſee.

The opinions are theſe, and ſuch they hold, and cannot denie, being … readie auouched vnderunder their hands: … as I know their aſſertions, ſo will I … wrong them in ſetting them downe, miſlead any, and that they may not uoid an anſwere with this, to ſay I … ſtooke the cauſe.