The History of Korah — John Penry

The History of Korah · John Penry

THE HISTORIE OF CORAH &c. Numb. 16. chap. Applied to the Church-aſſemblies of England.

IT is certayne and apparant that this age cannot in any wiſe brook to have the truth manifeſted & ſpoken in the ſame, except it be by peece meales: So that if ever it were ſaid to the Seers, See not, & to the prophets, propheſie not unto us right things, Iſa. 30.10.but ſpeak flatteries, propheſie errors, depart out of the way, go aſide out of the path, cauſe the holy one of Jſraell to ceaſſe, fom vsus, the very ſame is now ſayd and ſtood vntounto in theſe miſerable dayes: nay thoſe that would be reconed our leaders our eyes our guides, are nowe become the men of Anathoth, and ſay plainelie,Jer. 11.21. propheſie not in the name of the Lord, that thou dy not by our hands.

All eſtates and ſorts of men, high and low, have reaſons why to reiect the truth, why to condemne it, why to tread it vnderunder foot, and to perſecute the ſame. It is not pleaſant, it is odious, it is offenſive, it is hard, knotty, uncivil, proud, hauty, and what not? It is not pleaſant, becauſe it draweth men into incouveniences, it reproveth them to their faces, diſcovereth their evil walking: it in dangereth thoſe that profeſſe the ſame: it carrieth but a mean trayn after it. It is odious and offenſive, for the ſame cauſes: It is vncivil, proud and haughtie, becauſe it wil correct and reform all: it wil alter ſtates: it regardeth not the years, learning, credite, wiſdome, and eſtimation of thoſe that ſtand againſt it, but goeth about to bring all under foot, and to make them all to ſtoop unto it, or els threatneth to break thē like a potters veſſel: it wil not be ſilent at their commaundement, but contrary wiſe enforceth them to flee her preſence, and not to hauehave a word to ſpeak that they dare ſtand unto while ſhe is in place.

Theſe and ſuch like are the cauſes why the truth of God is ſo meanly attended upon, and utterly caſt off among men in our dayes: for what reaſon is there (as men uſually conclude) that thoſe who in the eſtimation of the moſt, are learned, godly, religious &c. ſhould have their practiſes reproved and themſelves condemned as violaters of the Lords morall commandements, ſeing they are eſpecially deemed to urge the obſervatiō of them?

As an anſwer to all theſe frivolous cavils of feſh and blood, I oppoſe once for all THE WORD OF GOD and the truth therof, wherby I doubt not but to ſtop the mouth of proud fleſh, and to preſſe the ſame with the mace of Gods iudgements for evermore, except they imbrace and obey the truth.

And therfore I do here in the preſence of God & his Angels charge thē whoſoever they be into whoſe hāds this preſent treatiſe ſhal come, that they preſume not to ſuffer the former cavils to hauehave paſſage out of their lippes, as being reaſōs of any force, why the truth of God ſhould be beaten back, ſmothered and kept in, becauſe men do account the ſame to be mean, odious, offenſive, ſterne, proud, &c. For why ſhould not all the world lay their hand upon their mouthes, when the GOD OF HEAVEN ſpeaketh, and labour to frame themſelves and their affections meet to receive his truth, and to be obedient to the ſame? Shall proud men reiect it, becauſe it derogateth from their ruinous credite? Shal they ſeek to keep it under, becauſe they will not come under the line and direction of the ſame? Shall that be accounted odious, which is moſt amiable, moſt bewtifull, to be deſired above fine gold,Job. 28.19. yea of more valew then the Topaz of Aethiopia or the moſt pure wedge of the gold of Ophir, and that onelyonly becauſe vaine men hate to be reformed by it? Shall that be accounted proud, offenſive, and haughty, wherat none poſſiblie can ſtumble but proud ſcribes and phariſees, or ignorant and worldly minded Diſciples, who wil not ſtick to ſay to the Lord himſelf, that his ſayings are hard and who can hear them? Nay let vaine men labour to hauehave the eare of the learned, that they may break in pieces their turning away, to their ſhame & confuſion of face, their hard intreaty of the truth and thoſe that profeſſe the ſame, by revilings, ſlanders, impriſonments &c. to their everlaſting perdition, without the Lords great mercy in turning them unto him, which I earneſtly wiſh them.

And as the whole truth oppugned in theſe dayes, is in the eyes men of the nature and qualitie before mentioned, ſo is this in particular, for the clearing wherof I am to deal at this preſent.

The point is,

That it is unlawfull for any of what eſtate, ſex, degree, & condition ſoever they be, to communicate in any action of religion, as in hearing trueth taught, in receiving the Sacraments, praying, &c. Within any of the publik meetings of the Land, as now they ſtand by Law:

And therfore that this preſent Parliament &c.

The reaſons of the firſt degree alleadged to prove the contrary wil be theſe, namely that the aſſertion is traiterous, ſeditious, ſchiſmatical: that it is Browniſme, that it is odious, offenſive &c. that it cōdemneth the doings of the children of God, & the practiſes of the moſt notable ſervāts of Chriſt: accuſeth them all this while to have erred & gone aſtray: that it croſſeth the iudgemēt of reformed Churches; who are better perſwaded of the aſſēblies of the land: that excellent and famous men ſawe not this: that they were of an other mind &c.

But what is all this to the truth? is it any new thing to ſee the truth arraigned, indighted, condemned, and executed for treaſon and ſedition, though never convinced of the ſame? We conſider not whether kingdomes & ſtates be ſo out of order as that the truth cannot come to light, but it wil be accoūted traiterous among them, The onelyonly thing that we eſpecially reſpect is, whether it be truth or not, the which being found, hold it we muſt, defend it we muſt, whatſoever account mans corruption maketh therof. And therfore here is no more ſaid againſt it, but what in all ages hath bene falſly vttered againſt the truth. Falſey I ſay, becauſe no truth can be traiterous unto the ſtate of any Prince or Potentate. And as vntounto this in particular, it ſhalbe found to cary vndoubted ſtability with it, for the vpholding of her MAIESTIES crowne, authority, priviledges, preheminences within all her Realmes and Dominions, and to be accompanied with the allowance of her Royall Lawes, if it might hauehave the particular benefit of them.

Touching the crime of Browniſme, Schiſme, &c. It is an vnconſcionable ſlaunder, for truth holdeth of no creature, it is derived onelyonly from that head in whom all the treaſures of wiſedome and knowledge are hidden, that is from IESVS CHRIST: yet this I know to be the vſuall badge of the truth, to be called after the names of men, to be accounted ſchiſmatical, that thereby the harts of the ſimple may be alienated from the ſame. And Satan in this latter age hath bene a mervelous cunning Rhetoriciā this way, there hath bene no truth brought to light, but he ha…h taken paines to paint it out for Zwinglianiſme Luther aniſme, Calviniſme, Browniſme, &c.

Odious and offenſive it hath bene already graunted to be, onelyonly in their eyes who refuſe to be guided by the line and rule of the Maiſter builder: wheras otherwiſe it is precious vntounto them, that labour to ſquare themſelves and their actions according to the paterne of the holy ſanctuary and temple.

And to pretend againſt the truth, that it condemneth the doings of men, is nothing els but a manifeſt teſtimony that truth is truth: who muſt bear rule, and bring all into order: yea let all men in the world be liars, and let the Lord in this truth of his ordinances be iuſtified and prevaile.2 Sam. 11.17. & 12.9.11. David is a godlie man, he is the ſweet ſinger of Iſrael, a man according to Gods own hart, wel eſteemed of, wel reputed: may he therfore do what he wil? may he continue in ſinne, and muſt not the light reproove him? Peter is the notable embaſsadour of Ieſus Chriſt,Gal. 2.11.14. a great inſtrument and furtherer of the truth: but may he therefore clayme libertie not to be withſtood to his face in his hypocriſie? If this could be once graunted, that the credit of men might cover their open breach of Gods lawe, and their continuance therin, it were but vaine to bring the truth to light. Nay let the credit of the captaynes of the congregation be hanged againſt the ſunne, rather then their place eſtimation and the good opinion which men hauehave received of them ſhould defend the whoring of the people with the daughters of Moab,Num. 28.4. eſpecially their ſpiritual whordome with the ordinances of Antichriſt, and their proud reiecting of Ieſus Chriſt.

Touching reformed Churches, we are to walk by the line of the word, and not after the iudgements of men: When they have anſwered ſwered the reaſons ſet downe in this treatiſe, and have learned aright in what ſta…e the aſſemblies of the land do ſtand, we wil give ſome better doome vntounto their opiniōs. In the mean time we have a ſure word of the Prophets, wherevnto all thoſe are to give eare,2 Pet. 1.19. who purpoſe to folow the light of the true day ſtarr. If men ſpeak not according to this word, but wilfully runne from the light therof, to ſee what cloak they may have from Churches or men to cover their nakednes, we muſt needs tel them with the holy Prophet, that they do this,Iſa. 8.20. becauſe there is not a glimſe of light in them: And that they do not ſuffer themſelves to be tried by the light of the word, becauſe their works are in darknes. The caſe is marveilous ſtrange, that we having the written word of God at home, and the things accuſed by the ſame to be out of order, preſent before our eyes, ſhall runne from the word, and from common ſenſe, ſo farr alſo from home, to ask the iudgements of men, in that caſe which on the one ſide they know not aright, and therfore cannot pronounce an equal ſentence therof, yea when their iudgements are gotten, there is no more had but the concluſions of men againſt the direct warrant of the word. The hierarchie hath ſo long time fought with this weapō, as it is a wonderfull caſe that thoſe who have dulled the edge therof by the buckler of the word, ar not aſhamed to take it vp themſelves. But what ſhift can there be ſo mean that Satan wil not vſe, for the covering of his ſhifting polluted marchandiſe? Yet is he and his vtterly beſides the mark if they think that we regard the perſons of men in this truth which we have in hand. Nay, if they were Angels from heaven, accurſed be they, if they go about in the leaſt point to ſeduce vsus from the truth and word of Ieſus Chriſt our Maiſter.

In whoſe behalf at this inſtant, I do here in his preſence before heaven and earth, arraigne and convince the whole pariſh-aſſemblies of this Land, and the members therof, as traytors and conſpiring with Antichriſt againſt his Maieſty, and conſequently as being ſuch at this preſent, as from whome every member of CHRIST is to ſeparate himſelf vnderunder paine of Gods everlaſting wrath.

Wherfore hearken ye ô heavens, and hear thou ô earth, & let poſteritie bear witnes (ſeing this age ſtoppeth her eares) that I accuſe theſe pariſh-aſſemblies of being guilty of a greater conſpiracy againſt the Maieſtie of Ieſus Chriſt, then that of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram was againſt Moſes: And therfore alſo of being in danger of the Lords indignation in a more fearful ſort thē were thoſe who abode with Corah and his company. The caſe with Corah, Dathan, and Abiram was thus.

There were three eſpeciall prerogatives belonging vntounto the ſonnes of Iſrael,Gen. 49.3.4. 1 Chron. 5. I. the kingdome. 2. the birthright. 3. the holy office of the Prieſthood. Reuben the firſt borne ſhould have bene excellent in ſome of theſe, as the Spirit of God recordeth, had he not defiled his fathers bed, but for this his ſinn he loſt his preferment. Symeon being the next, loſt the ſame in like manner for his ſlaughter of the Schecemites, in ſuch ſort as he was diſperſed in Iacob & ſcattered in Iſrael, having never any proper tribe or inheritance after their owne name. Levi being a brother in miſcheif with him was alſo ſcattered: yet the Lord in mercy vouchſafed him the dignity of the Prieſthood,1 Chron. 5.1. as he did the Kingdome vntounto Iuda, and the Birthright vntounto Ioſeph, who had two tribes, and ſo a double portion amongeſt the children of his people.

Now at the comming out of Aegypt, Moſes (by the commaundement of God I know) conveighed both the kingdome (that is the chief power of the civil authoritie) as alſo the prieſthood, vntounto his own fathers houſe. And in regard of the prieſthood he eſtabliſhed it for ever in the line of Aaron his brother by a covenant of ſalt. And to this purpoſe enacted that not onelyonly the whol tribe of Levi, even Gerſhom the elder brother and his ſonnes ſhould be vnderunder the iuriſdiction and commandement of Aaron and his ſonnes, in the holy ſervice of the tabernacle, but alſo that none (Aaron and his ſonnes excepted) either of the Levites,Num. 3.10: & 4.10. or of any other the tribes of Iſrael, ſhould intermeddle with the holy office of the prieſthood under paine of death.

Herevpon certain famous men of the congregation, Corah of the houſe of Levi, Dathan and Abiram of the houſe of Reuben the firſt borne,Num. 16.10. & 17.5.8. with other two hundred and fifty captaines of the aſſemblie, even all men of renowne, charged Moſes and Aaron of colluſiō & evil dealing with the Lords people, in that they had transferred the prieſthood vntounto their fathers houſe without warrant: & ſo the Lord was faine to decide the controverſie between them, not onelyonly by his iudgements vponupon the chief conſpirators and ſuch as abode in their tents, but alſo by the budding of Aarons rodde.

Now touching the controverſie between Moſes and Corah, it was not whether the God of Iſrael was to be ſerved or not, for Corah and his company granted that as well as Moſes: It was not whether forreigne Idolatrie ſhould be brought into the houſe of Iſrael, for that would Corah and his company withſtand as wel as Moſes: breifly, it was not concerning any fundamentall point of religion (as men now vſe to ſpeak) but onelyonly touching thoſe offices,Num. 16.10. and thoſe officers wherby the worſhip of God was to be performed: even touching the Prieſts office, as Moſes ſaith.

In regard of the perſons, it may ſeem to be ſomthing tolerable, they were all of them members of the true viſible Church before their conſpiracie: all famous men in the congregation:1 Chon. 6.39.37.38. And Corah in particular brought vp his children in the fear of God in ſuch meaſure as they wil have a famous name in the Church for evermore,Num. 26.11. as being thoſe who conſented not vntounto their fathers ſinnes, and therfore alſo periſhed not with them, but were afterward imployed in the holy offices.

Wel, the caſe of Corah being thus tollerable in the iudgement of fleſh and blood, yet was it vtterly vnlawful for any man, either to preach the truth, or to heare the truth taught within their tents. And therfore much more unlawful to preach the ſame, or to heare the ſame taught within any of the aſſemblies of England this day: Becauſe all theſe aſſemblies are not within the tents, that is vnderunder the iuriſdiction, and of the conſpiracie which Corah, Dathan & Abiram raiſed againſt Moſes: but within the tents, that is, under the power, and of the conſpiracie which the members, and officers of Antichriſt have raiſed againſt Chriſt Ieſus the ſonne of God: And that it may be ſeen that I ſpeak the truth, I appeale to the conſciences of all men in this place, whether all the Pariſh-aſſemblies of England are not, yea and continue in ſubiection vntounto theſe offices of the Antichriſtian kingdome, namely, vntounto an Archbiſhop, a Lord biſhop, a Chancellor, an Archdeacon, a Commiſſary, an Off…ciall, and an other Preiſt at the leaſt, that is eyther a Parſon, a Vicar, or a Curate. Now touching the conſpiracy wherof theſe men are guiltie, I do agayn appeale vntounto the conſciences of all men, whether it be not greater preſumption, for Lord Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Chancellors, Cōmiſſaries, Archdeacons, &c. to ſay vntounto Chriſt Ieſus, that he taketh too much vponupon him, in a peaceable kingdome, to appoint by what offices and officers he ſhould be ſerved, then for Corah, Dathan, & Abiram to ſay, Moſes and Aaron you take too much vponupon you.

I know it muſt needs be granted to be greater: for ſhall they be accounted rebels that break Moſes his law, the violaters wherof died without mercy vnderunder two or three witneſſes: and will it not be adiudged much more heynous thus to rebel againſt the ſonne of God? The Spirit of God ſayth, yea: becauſe this man, to wit,Heb. 3.3. Ieſus Chriſt is worthy of more honour then Moſes. And he that breaketh his Law, (eſpecially) entreth into conſpiracie againſt him, is a far greater traitor, then he that riſeth againſt the ordinances of Moſes.

The concluſiō then is evident, that the conſpiracy of the Archbiſhops and Biſhops of this land againſt Chriſt Ieſus, wherby they being forreigne Officers and ſtraungers from the houſe of God, by vertue of their Offices, do yet preſume to arrogate the government of his houſe into their owne hands, & to take vp weapons againſt him and his ſervants that would reſtore him into his own poſſeſsion, are greater Rebels, and guiltie of a greater ſin againſt the Maieſtie of God, then were Corah, Dathan, & Abiram & their company: And that thoſe who continue, and have eccleſiaſticall authoritie and iuriſdiction, are guilty of an high ſinne, and to expect a more fearful hand of God over them, then thoſe who remayned in the tents of Corah Dathan and Abiram.

If it be here obiected that theſe Romiſh Locuſts & their guard do not ſay that Chriſt taketh too much vponupon himſelf, in going about to plant what Offices he thinketh meet in his owne houſe, they mend not themſelves, for he that heareth you, heareth me, ſaith Chriſt Ieſus, and he that deſpiſeth his word, reiecteth him: & againe, Corah did not profeſſe himſelfe to riſe againſt the God of Iſrael, yet ſayth Moſes vntounto him, Thou and all thy company are gathered together againſt the Lord, for what is Aaron that ye murmure againſt him? So ſay we vntounto this Romiſh traine, ye and your abettors are gathered together this day againſt Ieſus Chriſt, and have wreſted the Scepter out of his hand: as for vsus that oppoſe our ſelves againſt you in our Maiſters quarrel, what are we that ye ſhould thus moleſt and perſecute vsus?

If any man ſhall plead ignorance for them, and ſay, that they ſee not what they do in theſe things: we anſwer, that the queſtion is not what they know, but what they doe. They have had ſufficient time to learne now theſe 34 yeares and vpward, wherin they hauehave continued and increaſed their rebellion, and their practiſes againſt CHRIST JESƲS & his Saints: Let them put on armour, and pitch a feild againſt her MAIESTIE, moleſt and perſequute her ſubiects, deſpiſe her proclamations, and impriſon to the death her faithfulleſt ſervants: and ſee whether pleading ignorance wil cover their attempts. Much leſſe wil it ſerve their turne in this caſe: And if they are ignorant, then ſpeak they evil of, and perſequute that which they know not, and ſo are in a fearful caſe. But Corah and his company living in a time of ſmaller light, having alſo ſome more reaſons to cover their attempts (as before hath, and agayn ſhalbe briefly touched) might plead ignorance better then our Prelacy and Preiſthood may do.

Wherfore eyther it muſt be ſayd that men may conſpire againſt IESVS CHRIST without controlment, wheras this could not be done vnderunder and againſt Moſes, without the danger of a fore recompenſe of Gods wrath, Or els it muſt be graunted that the conſpiracie of our Prelates muſt be farre greater then that of Corah Dathan and Abiram was, which can in no wiſe be denied, both becauſe it aymeth at the ſame point, that Corahs did, namely at the outward offices of the houſe of God (to ſpeak nothing here of the will-worſhip and falſe adminiſtrations, wherein theſe Romiſh Offices are imployed in the aſſemblies of this Land) and alſo in as much as it is againſt Ieſus Chriſt the Sonne, wheras the gainſaying of Corah withſtood but the ordinances appointed by Moſes the ſervant.

And therfore alſo it followeth, that ſeing the aſſemblies of this Land cannot be drawen to leave the tents of theſe wicked men, but continue in the wilful and obſtinate defence of this their doing, it followeth (I ſay) that they are alſo guilty of a greater conſpiracie, then thoſe were that abode in the tents of Corah.

What theſe pariſh aſſemblies wil be able to ſay for themſelves I know not: for it is out of controverſie true, that all of them are at the commaundement & under the iuriſdiction of theſe Antichriſtian Captaynes. They receive no Miniſterie, but what they allow, what they make, what hath authoritie from them: They receive no worſhip, & manner of ſerving the true God but what theſe Romiſh Apollyons are content ſhalbe over them. Nay, they are wholly their ſubiects, and at their call and commaundement, in every thing that apperteyneth vntounto the outward worſhip of the Lord. When this gainſaying generation graunteth the Pariſh a preaching Preiſt, they have a Preacher: when they deny the ſame, they muſt be content with reading. Not to be long in a knowen caſe, what can there be done in theſe aſſemblies, which the Prelates are not content to tollerate and allow? Nay what power hath the Pariſh or their Preiſt, to eſtabliſh any thing there, but what they derive from their Ordinary?

And as to the moſt Pariſhes in this Land, & Preiſts that ſerve in them, they profeſſedly mainteyn this conſpiracie. Some few preaching Preiſts or Deacons, and ſome ſmall number of the Pariſh, I graunt to be here and there which pretend a deſire to have this conſpiracie diſſolved, but theſe are nothing to the generall ſtate of the Land. And theſe in the mean time are alſo themſelves the cheif vpholders of this conſpiracie, holding it lawful (contrarie to the expreſſe inhibition of the word) for themſelves and all others to continue within theſe tents, in ſuch ſort as they are become the cheifeſt mainteyners of this Rebellion, & the egereſt purſuers of thoſe that leave the ſame. For if any man ſhal accuſe eyther them, or theſe famous Captaynes the Archbiſhops, and Lordbiſhops, Preiſts, Archdeacons &c. to be an Antichriſtian band riſen vp againſt Jeſus Chriſt, & therfore ſuch as from whoſe aſſemblies everie ſervant of Chriſt is to ſever himſelf: theſe preachers, and other people preſently band themſelves gainſt him for a Schiſmatick, and a Browniſt. And they wil leave no weapō vnhandeled, no meanes vnaſſayed, eyther of abuſing the word, or of fair ſpeaking, ſlandering reviling, &c vntil (if poſsibly by that furniture they may)they hav turned him into thoſe tents agayn, the which they can prove to be Schems, wherevnto the Lord hath promiſed to perſwade Japheth to enter, and not Corahs or Antichriſts, from the which and out of the which he calleth his people by a loud voice, ſaying,Num. 16.26. 2 Cor. 6.16.17. Depart now from the tentes of theſe wicked men, and touch nothing that is theirs, leaſt you periſh in all their ſinnes. And, Come out from among them, ſeparate your ſelves, and touch no vnclean thing, and I wil receive you ſayth the Lord. For what fellowſhip hath righteouſnes with vnrighteouſnes? what communion hath light with darknes? what concord hath Chriſt with Belial? Or what part hath the beleever with the infidel? So that if we conſider theſe people, although they are nothing to the aſſemblies of the Land, behold a company of conſpirators as wel as the reſt, even thoſe who are as much ſubiect vntounto the controlment, & no leſſe under the iuriſdiction of Lord Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Archdeacons, Chancellors, then any other of the land: and as to their meetings, they are the ſame with all the reſt of the ignorant ſort, who are members as wel as they.

And here, we are not to regard whether men be deſirous to be out of the tents of Corah, becauſe they had rather ioyn with Moſes, or fear the Lord wrath that is like to inſue vpō that wicked habitatiō but whether they continue there or not. If they continue there, then may we ſay vntounto them, that they ſhal periſh in all their ſinns. They muſt needs touch their vncleanneſſe, they muſt have fellowſhip, nay ſtoup and yeeld reverence and obeiſance vntounto the vnrighteous ordinances of Antichriſt, which are laid and impoſed on them in ſteed of the ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt. They appear at their Courts, pay and bring their fees, to kindle and mainteyn that fire vponupon Baals altar, which otherwiſe would be eaſily quenched. They ioyne in prayer, hearing, ſacraments, and every other action, wherby the conſpirators pollute the religiō of Chriſt, ſo that they are not ſeparated from, they are the ſame with, they come not out from among theſe Rebels. They confeſsing them ſelves to be light, have communion and fellowſhip with theſe moſt uncleane ordinances of the kingdome of darknes, which they ſhould withſtand, gainſay, reprove, and avoid, though with the peril of their lives. They participate, they communicate with the Ordinances of the vnbeleeving Antichriſtian race: nay with the Ordinances of Divels, though they confeſſe themſelves to be beleevers: The Ordinances of Divels (I ſay) for all the inventions of the kingdome of Antichriſt, all the members and officers of that child of perdition, as Archbiſhops, Lord biſhops, Chancellors, Commiſſaries, Archdeacons, Preiſts, Officials, and their iuriſdictions, were invented by the mighty power of Satan, as the Apoſtle teacheth vsus. They ſay they are Chriſtes, and yet ioyne themſelves with the ordinances of Belial, are ſubiect vntounto him, & at his commandement in his ſayd ordinances. And therfore let them ſay what they wil, theſe alſo, who would be otherwiſe accounted, ioyne light and darknes together, righteouſnes & vnrighteouſnes, Chriſt and Belial, and conſequently are vnited in the ſame band of Rebellion, and conſpiracy againſt Chriſt Ieſus, with theſe forenamed leaders. Whervpon it followeth that the whol aſſēblies of the land & every member of them, do not onelyonly continue within theſe Antichriſtian tabernacles that are pitched vp againſt Ieſus Chriſt, that is, under the iuriſdiction and at the commandement, direction, and government of thoſe Maiſterful Rebels and conſpirators, the Lord Archbiſhops, and Biſhops, Prieſts, Chancellors of the Land, but alſo are found to cary armour againſt Ieſus Chriſt and his members vnderunder the banner of theſe foreſayd Rebels.

Yet the queſtion here is not ſo much whether a Levite or any other of the children of Iſrael agreing with Corah, Dathan, and Abiram in conſent and action, might remaine within their tents, as, whether any, diſliking the conſpiracie, might yet abide in that rebellious campe, vponupon ſome other reſpect or purpoſe: it is anſwered, no: ſeing the Lord abſolutely commaundeth all to depart. So that it would not ſerve a Levite to ſay, I may here preach the truth: Corah and his company are brethren, they profeſſe the true Religion: they erre in no fundamental point: the matter of their overſight is rather in manners, then in doctrine: Though it were in doctrine, yet is it onelyonly touching the outward offices of the houſe of God: Corah thinketh it much that he and his ſhould be made perpetual ſervants, vntounto Aaron & his ſonns: There are many famous men of his iudgement, even two hundred and fifty Captaynes of the Congregation: The moſt of the people are of the ſame mind, and alas ſhould theſe want teaching? They have conceived ſuch a deep impreſsion of hatred againſt Moſes and Aaron, that as yet they wil not be gotten to come vnderunder their tents though they ſhould dy for it: The whol aſſembly of the Lords people both one & other think much that Moſes ſhould eſtabliſh both the Scepter and the Preiſtood in his own fathers houſe:Num. 16.13.14. Eſpecially Dathan & Abiram the ſonnes of Reuben the firſt borne cannot brook this: All of them charge Moſes very heavily of breach of promiſe, of ſeducing thē by faire words to come out of Egypt, that he might be made a Lord and ruler over them: He promiſed them inheritāces of fields & vineyards, & therby brought them out for a land that floweth with milke and hony, and yet behold they are all this while in a barren and fearful wilderneſſe, where they can get neither bread to eat, nor yet water to drink for themſelves and their cattel: Farre be it that we ſhould iudge all theſe to be reprobates that are of this mind. Many of them are known to be good ſoules and to carrie a good heart to the glorie of God. The time was when Moſes himſelfe was not of that mind, that he would have none to ſacrifice but Aaron and his ſonnes: Nay we would have ben glad all of vsus when we were in Egypt, to have had but halfe the libertie & quietnes to ſerve our God, that we may have within the tents of Corah: we may teach the whole ſubſtance of the truth there, yea & that alſo which cōcerneth the outward Offices, ſo that we do it wiſelie & diſcreetly. It is an hard matter therfore for vsus to leave our places here, and the good which we may do vntounto Gods glory by inſtructing the people. For alas ſhould theſe periſh for want of inſtructers? Or ſhall they be taught by none but ſuch as Corah would thruſt over them, if we give place? How then ſhal the poor people be inſtructed? If we ſhall continue a while among them, we doubt not but in ſhort ſpace to draw al of thē agayn to Moſes and Aaron, & to reſtore the true callings & functions among them. Here may a ſubſtance of a calling be had, for we are Levites, the people are the ſonnes of Iaakob, they are no Idolaters. When their heat wherein they are now carried againſt Moſes and Aaron is ſomewhat better allaied, we doubt not but to accompliſh this among them, though as yet it were folly to vrge any ſuch matter: we have other points inough wherein to teach the people.

Theſe I ſay, and ſuch like purpoſes would not ſtand a Levite in any ſtead to colour his abode amonge theſe conſpirators, nay he might be aſſured that Gods iudgements would ſeaze vponupon him in a moment, if he abide the comming thereof. And yet the Preiſts or Preachers of our time, can alleadge no other reaſons why they will continue to teach vnderunder this falſe hierarchie, and at the appointment, and direction thereof, then the former which I have ſet downe. And if they could not be of force to colour the abiding within the tentes of Corah, much leſſe ſhal they beare out the continuance within the tents of theſe conſpirators which have riſen vp againſt Chriſt Ieſus, and wil not permit him to reigne in his Ordinances. For the Proclamation is as cleere againſt the continuance within and vnderunder the Antichriſtian Dominions, as it was againſt the abode within Corahs tents. And therfore except men think that they may preſume to attempt that againſt Ieſus Chriſt which they durſt not vndertake againſt Moſes, their preſumption is highly prodigious, who dare vnderunder the ſhadow of the forenamed figge leaves exerciſe a Miniſterie (as they account it) vnderunder the iuriſdiction, and by the appointment of the forenamed Antichriſtian generation, over theſe poor, miſerable, ſeduced captives, which they keep within their conſpiring hoaſt.

They wil ſay, that the Prelates ar brethrē, that they hold the ſubſtance of Religion, that they have many of their iudgement that are none of the worſt men, that many of them teach the truth in the greateſt and weightieſt points of religion. Why? ſo might be ſayd of Corah. They wil ſay, they may teach the foundations & grounds of religion vnderunder them, even preach Chriſt Ieſus truely. How true they ſay this, ſhalbe afterward touched: but ſo they might within the tents of Corah. Breifly they can alleage nothing for themſelves this way, but what hath bene already ſet down, in the behalf of Corahs gainſaying.

Againe, touching the continuance of the miſerable people of the Land within theſe Antichriſtian aſſemblies, although their caſe be more to be pitied, then their Phariſaicall leaders: yet can they ſay nothing for themſelves alſo, but what an Iſraelite of Corahs conſpiracie might alleadge. The word they have, the ſacraments they have, corruptly they wil grant: ſo might it be ſaid of Corahs tēts. But we demand of them, whether they hauehave the ſame within theſe aſſemblies who with Archbiſhops and Biſhops hauehave conſpired to keepe out Chriſt Ieſus in his Ordinances? or els in thoſe meetings where the ſonne of God doth reigne in his owne order, It is a plaine caſe, that they hauehave theſe things in the gaynſaying aſſemblies. For as before I have ſaid and as all the world doth know, all the aſſemblies of this Land do profeſſedly continue members of this outragious conſpiracie againſt the ſonne of God. And as for the Preachers themſelves, there are none of thē but they bear office, within this rebellious band, & make vp the nūber of the cōſpirators thēſelves. What ſhould I ſay, bear office? Nay they are but ſervants & vaſſals amōg theſe cōſpiring Rebels. And whatſoever they do in theſe aſſemblies, it is no more then what thoſe forenamed Abaddons wil give them leave. For it is wel knowne that there is not a preaching Preiſt or Deacon in the land, but he is an vnderling to an Archbiſhop, a Lordbiſhop, a Chancellor, a Commiſſarie, an Archdeacon, &c. and that he can preach no otherwiſe, inſtruct his Pariſhioners no otherwiſe, take no other order with them, then thoſe his forenamed Maiſters wil give him leave. They may every one of them ſend for any Pariſh-preacher in the land, cite him, control him, cenſure him, and he dares not but obey vnderunder payne of being dumbe & ſpeechleſſe, if they lyſt to charge him vnderunder ſuch a penalty. And is he not a ſervant then?

Let it not be here obiected, that there are ſome Abbey pariſhes, Celles, Nunneries, Frieries &c where a Preacher may be exempted frō the iuriſdiction of his Ordinary, by vertue of ſome old Romiſh priviledge: for theſe are nothing to the whole caſe of the land. And there is none of theſe but the Arch-prelates know wel inough how to bring them vnderunder the ſubiection, and at the commaundement of the meaneſt Commiſſary and Archdeacon in the Land. Wherby their Romiſh priviledge can ſtand them in no ſtead. And are they not ſervants then? Nay all the forenamed Officers have more to do within any Pariſh in the land, for cenſuring, ſuſpending, excommunicating, then the Pariſh preacher hath: for he is an vnderling vntounto them all, yea a Churchwarden hath more to do in many things with his Pariſhioners, then he hath. And is he not a ſervant then? Nay hath he not his office, his flock, and the work of his Miniſtery according to the direction manner and cuſtome of theſe Tents, and no otherwiſe then theſe tents wil bear the ſame? It cannot be denied. Doth he not then bear Office within this conſpiring band, and make vp the number of theſe Rebels? Yea this is the onelyonly vſe that is made of the beſt teaching in the land at this day, that it keepeth the poore people within theſe tabernacles of the Romane hierarchie, who otherwiſe (were it not for theſe Teachers) would vtterly reiect this Antichriſtian yoke. And therfore a ſhame it is to ſpeak of the teaching of theſe times, ſeing it is apparanr to be one of the greateſt baites wherby the poor deluded people of the land that have any hart vntounto religion, are kept within the forenamed Rebellious hoaſt. And therefore the whol land, and all the aſſemblies therof are over iuſtly charged of being guiltie of a greater rebellion againſt the Maieſtie of Ieſus Chriſt, then thoſe fearfull Rebels were, which abode within the tents of Corah.

If it be here demanded what the people ſhould do, we ſay that they ſhould follow the counſell of the holy Ghoſt, who ſayth vntounto them, Depart from the Tents of theſe wicked men, And, Come out frō among them my people, and touch none vnclean thing, and I wil receiv you. And againe, Goe out of her my people, that yee be not partak…rs of her ſinnes, and that yee receive not of her plagues.

And here I would know what it is that keepeth them here: If they ſay, the word and ſacraments, they are anſwered againe, that they traffique in other merchandiſe of Antichriſts meere invention beſides theſe. For they go unto Corahs owne Courts, and are at Abaddons commaundement, in the things which he himſelf hath invented, as well as in thoſe points wherin he turneth himſelf into an Angel of light, and becommeth like the Miniſter of righteouſnes. And if it be for the Word and Sacraments onelyonly, that they remaine, then I truſt they wil hold it vnlawful for them ſelves, or for any other to communicate in the merchandiſe which is meerly whooriſh and Antichriſtian, as reſorting to the Prelates Courts to be cenſured by them, comunicating with them &c. It is the Prieſt onelyonly or the Deacon that adminiſtreth the word and the Sacraments. If they continue within theſe tents onelyonly for the love that they have vntounto theſe things, then I truſt they will have nothing to do with the Lord Archbiſhop, the Lordbiſhop, the Commiſſarie, Chancellor, Archdeacon, Official &c. and their traffique they bring with them. Let them withdraw themſelves from under their iuriſdiction, & they ſhall ſee how long they can have quietnes within theſe tents.

But if they think (as it is the practiſe of all) that they may alſo be at the commaundement of theſe forenamed Corahs, Dathans and Abirams, then have they nothing to cover their wicked hypocriſie, but they muſt be inforced to confeſſe that they are not perſwaded in their conſciences, but that they may be members of thoſe aſſemblies which conſpire againſt Chriſt Jeſus: Whereas they durſt not preſume to continue within the tents of thoſe that aſſembled themſelves againſt Moſes the ſervant. And ſo they reſt in undoubted expectation of a more fearefull judgement againſt them, then fel vponupon thoſe that would not depart from the Tents of Corah Dathan and Abiram.

And what they ſpeak of the word & ſacraments, is before anſwered, in as much as they of Corahs conſpiracie might as well hav ſtaied within their tents for theſe reſpects, as they may within the aſſemblies of England. And the point is not what they may have in theſe aſſemblies, but whether they may ſtay there or not, whatſoever is there to be found? We ſay, they ought not to ſtay. They ſeeme not to deny it, in that they bring no reaſon out of the word to prove the lawfulnes of their abode there, but onelyonly reaſō frō that which they may have there. Wheras firſt they ſhould prove, that they may ſtay in a cōſpiring & peſtilēt aſſēbly, before they tell vsus what it is that they may have in the ſame. They are ſimply inſtructed in the truth which is according to godlines, that have not as yet learned that the whoriſh ſynagogues are decked with many of the Iewels that belong to the true ſpouſe.

But touching the word and Sacraments, which they ſeem to poſſeſſe there, I ſay that within the tents of Corah, though the Levites do teach the truth and adminiſter circumciſion, yet is not this that truth or that circumciſion which hath the promiſe annexed vntounto them, and therefore not that truth or thoſe ſacraments wherewith any of the children of God may participate as long as they are adminiſtred in that gainſaying Aſſemblie. Let thoſe truthes which they teach and thoſe ſacraments which they adminiſter be brought out of theſe wicked tents, and brought before the Lords Tabernacle as he commandeth: and then are they to be received, to be embraced, and accounted more pretious then much fine gold, and ſweeter then the hony, or the hony combe: Otherwiſe the Saints of God are not to taſt of them. Not that they ſhould reiect the truth at any tyme, but that they may not be deceived by an abuſed truth and an abuſed ordinance to pollute the holy things of God, and to violate the commaundements of Ieſus Christ.

The like is to be ſaid of the truth taught, and the Sacraments adminiſtred in the aſſemblies of this Land: they are abuſed truthes, abuſed Sacraments, even ſuch truthes, and ſuch Sacraments, as wherby Satan would draw vsus to be of the conſpiracie which is raiſed vp & mainteyned here againſt Ieſus Chriſt. They are ſuch truthes and ſuch Sacraments, as are within the tents, that is, vnderunder the iuriſdiction of the kingdome of Antichriſt, adminiſtred onelyonly vntounto ſuch, as will receive the marks and badge of that kingdome, and vntounto none other. For he that will not confeſſe himſelf even by his deedes to be a member of that aſſemblie wherin an Archbiſhop is an Officer, a Lord Biſhop is an Officer, a Chancellor is an officer, an Archdeacon is an Officer, a Cōmiſſary is an Officer, a Preiſt is an Officer, &c. he cannot receive them. And theſe abuſed truthes & Sacraments are by the vnſpeakable ſubtiltie of Sathan reteyned in theſe ſynagogues, to the end that they may be made a bait to draw men, & a grin to enſnare them to be ſubiect vntounto Antichriſt in theſe his Ordinances before named.

And therfore whereas men and women do pretend that they have the word and Sacraments here, it is but the net of deluſion which they weave to catch their owne ſoules and to keep themſelves ſubiect vntounto Satan. For it is not a bare truth, and a bare Sacrament that we are to ſeek after, but a truth, and a ſacrament that hath the warrant of the word with it. But as the outward man liveth not by bread, but by the word and promiſe of God that ſanctifieth bread vntounto his vſe, So doth not the inward man of the ſoule live onelyonly by the truth made knowen, or by the Sacraments adminiſtred, but much more by the word and promiſe of GOD, which make theſe effectuall when they are adminiſtred according to the ordinances of GOD. Theeves and robbers are fed we know to their ſacietie with the bread of violence and robberie, but they have no warrant of the word to eat any ſuch bread. So I know that the truth of God may be taught, and the Sacraments adminiſtred (I meane the ſacraments which he appointed and none other,) among thoſe which are fallen away from him, which have conſpired againſt him. And the people of theſe aſſemblies may eſteem of them, & think themſelves highly favoured, that they have them, and yet in the mean time have they no warrant that any ſuch truthes or Sacraments wilbe ſanctified vntounto them, and ſo no warrant to receive them.

And therfore when we ſpeak of the word and ſacraments, we muſt firſt of all lay downe the promiſes of God and the commandement of God, wherby we may aſſure our owne ſoules that this word and theſe ſacraments, are ſanctified vntounto vsus. Be it then that the word and ſacraments may be had in the aſſemblies of this land, yet is not that the point that we call in queſtion, but whether this word, and theſe ſacraments may be had here according to the ordinances of God or not: otherwiſe we muſt not receive them, we muſt refuſe them, not that we are at any time to reiect and refuſe the holy things of God, but that we are to reiect the abuſe of them, & to take heed that in receiving of them, we be not drawen to break Gods ordinances. For when we cannot poſſeſſe the word and the ſacraments without ſinne, we muſt not do evil, that is, break the Lawe of our God, that good may come vntounto vsus thereof. The word is taught in the tents of Corah, circumciſion is adminiſtred there, it is not to be heard, not to be received, and why? becauſe they who adminiſter the ſame are a company of conſpirators againſt the God of Iſrael, at the leaſt they are in thoſe tents wherof the Lord hath ſayd, Come not neare the tents of theſe wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, least yee be partakers in all their ſinnes.

The caſe is the ſame with the aſſemblies of this land: the truth is taught ther, the ſacraments ar adminiſtred, or rather profaned, we wil in no wiſe communicate with them, becauſe theſe things are done within the Tents not of Corah, but of the Officers & members of the kingdome of Antichriſt, which ſay that Chriſt Ieſus taketh too much vponupon him if he will go about to appoint by what Offices his owne houſe and Church ſhould be ruled. They are under their iuriſdictions and their Offices of whome the Lord hath ſaid vntounto vsus, Come out from among them and touch no vnclean thing, for what communion hath the light of my word with the Tents of mine enemies, the puritie of my Sacraments, with thoſe polluted caves and dennes. So that from theſe things this Argument doth ariſe:

It is at the leaſt as vnlawful, if not much more for any to communicate in the word and ſacraments, or in any other action of religion, within the tents of the Kingdome of Antichriſt, as within the tents of Corah Dathan and Abiram.

But to communicate in any of the Pariſh-aſſemblies of England is to communicate within the tents, that is, under the iuriſdiction of the Kingdome of Antichrist.

And therfore as vnlawful, or rather much more to communicate in the actions of Religion, within theſe aſſemblies then it was within the tents of Corah, Dathan and Abiram.

What wil be here called into queſtion, I know not: if the firſt men think the tents of Corah were to be approched vntounto, the caſe would be ſhameful, and the ignorance not to be heard, ſeing the Lord hath plainly inhibited the ſame, as hath bene ſet down. And if this were once graunted, then hath the Lord appointed his Ordinances, and his Miniſtery in vaine, and without cauſe, ſeing men may of their owne heads appoint what Miniſterie they think meet, and continue vnderunder the ſame. Neither let it be here ſaid that the conſpiracy of Corah prevailed not, or that there were not many that agreed therevnto. For firſt as touching the la…t…r point, the whole congregation were ſo affected towards theſe factious rebels, that the next day after the Lord had exerciſed his fearful iudgements vponupon them, the whole congregatiō (I ſay) accuſed Moſes & Aaron that they had ſlaine the Lords people, meaning Corah and his company, and fourteen thouſand of the people were conſumed for this their murmuring, which ſheweth what harts they bare vntounto Corah, & how likely he was to prevail with the whole rebellious hoaſt, had not the Lord by his iudgements from heaven ſtaied the iniquitie. His conſpiracie continued not I graunt, and yet a greater, that is the conſpiracie of Antichriſt againſt Chriſt Ieſus hath continued now for many yeares. And the Lord hath ſet Corahs overthrowe for a ſigne vntounto the rebellious childrē, (eſpecially vntounto the Cōſpirators that ar riſen vp againſt Chriſt Ieſus,) that their ruine and fal ſhalbe in a moment, when they little exſpect the ſame. It is not to be doubted but it would have prevailed and continued (ſuch was the working of Satan in the harts of that murmuring hoaſt) had not the Lord ſtayed it by the preſent ſtreame of his fierie indignation.

Neither is the conſpiracie of Antichriſt and his members to be thought more tollerable then that of Corahs, becauſe the Lord pleadeth not againſt the ſame with his viſible iudgements from heaven, as he did againſt the other, but wee are rather to learne, that what the Lord effected vnderunder the Law by his viſible iudgements, or other outward meanes being the rudiments of the world, as the Apoſtle calleth the things of this nature, the verie ſame doth the Lord accompliſh vnderunder the Goſpell againſt the ſonne of Perdition and his body by the ſpirit of his mouth, that is,2 Theſſ. 2.8. by his mighty word and the operation thereof. And therfore although he overthrew and diſſolved that moſt fearfull conſpiracie of Corah Dathan & Abiram by the arme of his dreadfull iudgements in a moment, yet farre be it that we ſhould think the conſpiracie of the members of Antichriſt againſt the right heire of the houſe of David, to be leſſe diſpleaſing in the ſight of God , becauſe in ſome meaſure he doth and of a long time hath with held the hand of his outward iudgements from the ſame, as having determined vtterlie to conſume and aboliſh that Apoſtaticall body, by no other ſpeciall meanes then by the brightnes of his appearing and comming in the Miniſterie of his Goſpell.

And therefore the Propoſition abideth firme and ſure, that if it was vnlawful for any to communicate in the Actions of religion within the tents of Corah, it is much more vnlawfull for any to do ſo within and vnderunder the tents of Antichriſt, the great and high enemy of Ieſus Chriſt. For may we not have any communion with them and their Tabernacles who ſay, Moſes and Aaron, you take too much vponupon you: & may we have fellowſhip with that campe who hath pitched a field againſt Ieſus Chriſt? and beare both Prince and people in hand that he taketh too much vponupon him, in appointing who ſhall approch to miniſter in his preſence vnderunder the civil authoritie of a Chriſtian Prince? Could not the children of God have any ſanctified uſe of the Tents of Corah: and may they have the ſame of the tabernacles of Antichriſt which are invented and ordeyned to the overthrow of the prerogative of Ieſus, who is God over all bleſſed for evermore? This were nothing but to account Moſes to be the Lord, that is, to be eſteemed, reverenced, and had in eſtimation; and to reckon Chriſt Ieſus execrable, that is, baſe, contemptible, and mean, ſuch as whoſe lawes and ordinances may be violated, caſt of, & troden vnderunder foot with leſſe perill then Moſes his might, which no man ſpeaking by the Spirit of God can hold and avouch.

As to the Aſſumption, That the Pariſh aſſemblies of England are under the iuriſdiction of the kingdome of Antichriſt: For the proof we are to ſet downe theſe groundes: Firſt that this manner of regiment by Archbiſhops, Lordbiſhops, Chancellors, Archdeacons, Commiſſaries, is not any civill conſtitution, but an eccleſiaſticall, as all men know. For their Courts are ſpirituall Courts, and they ſpirituall Lords, and ſpirituall Rulers, deriving their offices in deed from that Spirit that ruleth in the aire. Next, being eccleſiaſticall, they belong either vntounto the true Church of Chriſt, or to ſome malignant ſynagogue: but not to the true Church of CHRIST, for we know that the LORD when he furniſhed his body with all the members meet for the ſame, and beſtowed all the Offices thereon, wherewith it was at any time to be indued unto his ſecond comming, appointed no ſuch offices therin as theſe Locuſts are. Beſides, they are a meer ſuperfluous and curſed addition vntounto the Teſtament of Ieſus Chriſt, as all men that ever read the old and new Teſtament do know. For there are no ſuch Officers, or ſuch offices mentioned therin. And therfore they are the Tares which Satan the enemy of Ieſus Chriſt ſowed & brought foorth, even the plantes which the Lord God hath not planted, & ſo muſt be and ſhalbe rooted out of his vineyard: Yea they are no other thē the Locuſts that came out of the bottomleſſe pit upon the opening thereof by that darkened ſtarre,Rev. 9.3. unto whom the key of the ſame pit was committed. Thirdly, belonging vntounto the malignant Church, they apperteyn either vntounto the heatheniſh Pagan religion, or vntounto the aſſemblie of Antichriſt that great Traitor & enemie of Ieſus Chriſt: But not vntounto the heathen religion, for there are no ſuch Offices, Officers, and forme of regiment to be found among them.

Wherfore they do belong vntounto no other body eccleſiaſticall or civill, but onelyonly vntounto that apoſtaticall kingdome which aroſe vp, and ſtil continueth vnderunder the name of Chriſt Ieſus, that is, the kingdome of Antichriſt. We are able to ſhew them their originall with our finger, and alſo all the world will beare vsus witnes that the Pope left them here to keep poſſeſſion for him, when at the beginning of her Maieſties reign he was throwen out with the reſt of his guard, the Cardinalls, Abbots, Priors, Monks, Friers, &c. Further all ſocieties both eccleſiaſticall and civil can be perfect without theſe Offices, and this forme of Regiment, ſave onelyonly that right and well ordered ſocietie of the man of ſinne and his members. For the Church of Chriſt may be perfect and abſolute without theſe Egyptian graſhoppers: the civil Magiſtracie may be perfect without them: ſo may the heathen idolatrie too: But as for the hoaſt of the Romane Antichriſt, it ſhalbe altogether vnperfect, maimed and wanting the cheif members thereof, if it want Lord Archbiſhops and Biſhops, Deanes, Archdeacons, Chancellors, Commiſſaries, Officialls, to ſpeak nothing in this place of Preiſtes & Deacons, & ſo of Chapleines, Parſons, Vicars, Curates, Canons, Prebendes, Singing men, Queriſters, Virgiers, which are conſpicuous markes whereby the beaſt is knowen, the name and number of his name made up and accompliſhed.

Wherfore the concluſion is evident, that to cōmunicate in any action of religion within any of the Pariſh aſſemblies of this land is to cōmunicate & be a member within the Tents, that is, under the iuriſdiction, power, and authoritie of the kingdome of that Romane Antichriſt the direct enimie of Ieſus Chriſt, and ſo to be in a more fearefull caſe, and in greater danger of the Lords wrath, then thoſe who remained within the Tentes of Corah, Dathan, and Abiram.

Now to come to your Honours of this high Court of Parliamēt, I take heaven & earth to witnes againſt you this day, that I have here on the behalf of my maiſter the Lord Ieſus Chriſt cōmenced a true action againſt the Pariſh-aſſemblies of this Land, even ſuch as you cannot deny to be true. For yee cannot denie the Aſſemblies of the Land to be ſubject unto the forenamed officers, and forme of Regiment, which being eccleſiaſticall, and not civill, as I have declared, the verie light of cōmon ſenſe and experience doth ſhewe unto you apperteine & belong not unto the Church of Chriſt, nor unto any heathen Idolatrie, but onelyonly unto the kingdome of Babell, that band of graven Images and ſea of Idolatrie. And would you have us to continue in Babell, ſeing our God calleth us out of the ſame by a mightie voice? telling us that he maketh no other account of any that continue within theſe Territorie, but as of thoſe that are become poiſoned Dragons, unclean and polluted noiſome foules, and ſuch as hauehave cōmunion and fellowſhip with Divels: Threatning utter ruine unto us and our ſoules for evermore, if we ſhall any longer abide within theſe wicked bandes. Nay wil you of this Parliament ſuffer this curſed Iericho to ſtand any longer? will you ſuffer theſe tēts to be pitched? this hoſt of Cōſpirators to be maintained any longer within this Iland, againſt Ieſus Chriſt and his Saintes? Nay will you your ſelves continue any longer within this rebellious campe, and not rather ſet theſe Midianitiſh Tentes on fire, & throwe your ſelves downe & theſe Rebellious Capteines alſo before the feet of IESVS CHRIST the true Captayn of the Lords hoaſt?

For (my Lords, and you the reſt of this honourable aſſemblie,) I am ſo far from doubting whether I & my brethren have done amiſſe in leaving theſe Pariſhes of the Land, that I dare arreſt your Honours and all others for conſpiring againſt the glory of the ſonne of God, and ſo againſt your owne ſalvation, whoſoever you be that will preſume any longer to continue members of theſe diſordered rebellious ſynagogues: And therfore do here, for the diſcharge of my duetie towards the Lord, & you whom he hath placed in authoritie over me, require you to be ſo farre from following the humour of Adoni-bezek and the reſt of his proud confederates in making war againſt vsus the poor Gibeonites (who daring no lōger to ſtād out againſt the living God, have thrown our ſelves down at his feet that our ſoules might live) as you wil alſo take the ſame courſe with vsus. For queſtionleſſe you ſhall find it true,Act. 3.22. Deut. 18.19. with Eſa. 60.12. that that Nation and that Perſon which will not heare and be obedient vntounto this Prophet, and this King which the Lord hath raiſed vp to ſit vponupon the throne of David, and to rule the ſame, ſhall be cut of from among his people. And touching the kingdome and the government, which his father hath given unto him, it cannot be transferred vntounto another people, but it will break and deſtroy all the kingdomes that ſtand againſt it,Dan. 2.44. and it ſhall ſtand for evermore.

Wherfore (my Lords) if you purpoſe to ſet vp a kingdome for him, I do here in his name charge you to be ſo far from enacting any thing againſt vsus in this preſent Parliament, who now oppoſe our ſelves vntounto the forenamed Rebels, as you wil decree in his behalf at the leaſt as much as Nebuchad-netſer & Darius being heathen Princes did eſtabliſh:Dan. 6.26. And that is, that in all the Dominions of this her Maieſties Kingdome, all men of what eſtate and condition ſoever they be, tremble feare before the God of Queen Elizabeth, becauſe he is the living God which remayneth for ever, & his kingdome ſhall not periſh, his Dominion ſhalbe everlaſting; & that whoſoever ſhall wilfully and wittinglie ſpeake any blaſphemy, (much more, if they ſhall preſume to take armour againſt him as this gaineſaying generation now doth) ſhalbe drawen in pieces, and their houſes be made a ſinck. Know my Lords, that if you ſhall do otherwiſe theſe heathen Kinges will accuſe you in the day of the Lord: and take heed that none of your actes & ſtatutes be found written with the bloud of the Saintes. For great Babylon & her warriours, Corah and his mainteiners, ſhall come to remembrance, & the Lord wil reward them according unto their deedes.

And as in the former reſpectes I call your Honours to record with mee, ſo alſo herein I beſeech you to teſtifie the trueth on my behalfe, that I make an utter ſeparation betweene her Maieſties Civill Authoritie and the Eccleſiaſticall juriſdictiō of theſe Corahs, theſe Dathans, theſe Abirams. The which I ſet downe, becauſe wee can no ſooner account the falſe Miniſterie of the Romiſh Church to be Antichriſtian as it is, but evill diſpoſed uncōſcionable men wilbe readie to ſelander us that we account her MAIESTIES authoritie to be ſo too: as though her Majeſties power were eccleſiaſticall and not civil, or that this Romiſh band were Princes by their authoritie. What kinges and Princes do eſtabliſh is one thing, their Authoritie & power wherby they do this, is another. They may of overſight or otherwiſe ſet up the power of Satan by mainteyning falſe religion, worſhip, ordinances &c. Yet their Power, that is, their Civill Authority whereby, they do this, is the Ordinance of God, though herein they highlie abuſe the ſame, and ſhall anſwere for it without their repentance.

Her majeſtie, & this high Court of Parliament, hath hitherto eſtabliſhed this Eccleſiaſticall regiment of the Kingdome of Antichriſt, & this band of Conſpiratours againſt the Majeſtie of Ieſus Chriſt, but this Conſpiracie is one thing, the authoritie whereby the ſame is eſtabliſhed is another. The Conſpiracie & the Offices ther of are wholy from Satan, from the Dragon, from the beaſt, from the falſe prophet, out of whole mouthes theſe frogges iſſued; and ſo to be rejected. The Civill authoritie of her MAIESTIE and the Parliament wherby this treacherie (of overſight I truſt) is upheld, is the holy ordinance of GOD, (notwithſtanding it faileth herein) and therefore to be embraced, to be obeied, and had in reverence: yet are they betimes to redreſſe the abuſe, before the Lord breake forth upon us in his wrath.

And the Ordinances of Antichriſt eſtabliſhed by the lawful civill authoritie, do yet continue Antichriſtian and unlawfull. Becauſe falſe religion, and falſe ordinances Reteine their Nature by what power ſoever they be eſtabliſhed. The breach of Gods Law is the ſame by whom ſoever it be countenanced, enacted, commanded. The ſtatutes of Omry, the maner of the houſe of Ahab, the Damaſcene Altar, are ſtill Idolatrous monuments and conſtitutions, by whomſoever they be enacted, though by Ezekiah, Ioſiah, or by any other the Godly Princes of Iudah. And therefore the pretence which ſome alledge, contrary (I feare me) to the light of their owne knowledge, to cover their ſubmiſſion unto the forenamed Antichriſtian ordinances; that Archbiſhops, and Biſhops, Chancellors, Commiſſaries &c. which her Majeſties Lawes do allowe, are become civill conſtitutions and not eccleſiaſticall, is altogither vaine and frivolous.

For firſt no part of Poperie was ever impoſed upon us to be received of any the ſubjects of this Land, but what her Majeſties Predeceſſors the Kinges and Princes of this Land did by Law enact among their Subjectes.

Againe, her Majeſtie doth eſtabliſh this as an eccleſiaſticall power, and not as any civill. Thirdly being an Antichriſtian Conſtitution in it ſelfe, the power of man enacting the ſame cannot make it to be otherwiſe. Breifely, Maſſe, or any their Heathen Ordinances being enacted by Civil authoritie may by this reaſon be frequented alſo, as being a civil thing, and not any Antichriſtian ordinance. And therefore men cannot better themſelves by this iugling.

This whol Antichriſtian band in the time of Poperie, did not onelyonly withſtand Ieſus Chriſt in the poinct of the outward offices, being the extremitie of Corahs ſinne, but alſo denied him the preferment to lodge any wiſe in the heartes of any men within theſe Tentes. Nay theſe Tentes in thoſe daies were nothing elſe but a receptacle of all the inventions which Satan could deviſe for the diſhonour of Ieſus Chriſt.

In conſideration whereof, her Majeſtie, and the ſtate thought they had done well that they emptied thoſe tentes of the greateſt part of the fearfull ab hominations remayning in them, overthrewe ſome of them, as the Papacie, the Cardinalſhip, Monkery, &c. and planted the moſt of the veſſels of the houſe of God, that is the greateſt part of the doctrine of the truth in them: but the Tents and the Conſpiracie ſtill remaine in as direct a ſort againſt the glorie of God as that of Corah was; Nay by all this clenſing & emptying (although we unfeighnedly praiſe our God for the ſame, and confeſſe it to have been a great worke) they have not as yet brought them into that puritie, and that ſoundnes of Religion, that the Tents of Corah were in, as it will eaſilie appeare unto any that will conſider, that Corah ſtrove with Moſes but touching the Office of the Prieſthood onelyonly, whereas theſe men overthrowe the whole face of the Church of Chriſt, perſecute the Truth, and maintayne publikly many horrible ſinnes (whereat Corah would have bluſhed,) as the Idoll-preiſthood, non-reſidencie, the deſcending of Chriſt into Hell after he gave up the ghoſt upon the Croſſe, and had ſaid All was finiſhed.

But touching the Authoritie of the civill power and particularly of her right excellent Majeſty; I am in this place, for the ſtopping of all ſclaunderous mouthes, who have or would report otherwiſe of me, inforced to ſet downe what I hold and beleeve according to the word of God.

I do therefore here acknowledge her Mejeſties Sovereigntie and regall Authoritie to be the Ordinance of the God of Heaven, whereunto all perſons without exceptiō within her Realmes and Dominions are to be ſubject & to yeeld obedience in the Lord, not only for feare of puniſhment, but even for conſcience ſake, becauſe her forenamed authoritie & power, is derived from the King of Kings, even the Lord Ieſus, who hath all power in heaven and earth in his owne handes.

I doe alſo avouch that no forreigne power, Prince, potentate, or ſtate hath, or poſſiblie can have, any authoritie, within the Territories of her dominions, over any perſon, or in any cauſe, ſave onelyonly what by ſpecial graunt he deriveth from her, and her Roiall Lawes.

Her foreſaid authoritie I acknowledge to ſtretch it ſelfe, not onelyonly ever all perſons, within her Dominions, but alſo over all cauſes as wel eccleſiaſtical as civil in ſuch ſort, as nothing is to be eſtabliſhed among her ſubiects, either in eccleſiaſticall or civil cauſes, publikl, or privately, but what belongeth vntounto her power to correct, order, & enact according vntounto the written word of God, and the rules of common equide and iuſtice. So that, it doth no whit infringe her royal power and authoritie, to deny that ſhe hath any warrant, any power, any ſword, granted her of God to eſtabliſh either falſe Religion, falſe & Antichriſtian ordinances, or yet any other vnwarrantable, or vniuſt conſtitutiō.

Yet, if of overſight ſhe hath impoſed any ſuch thing vponupon her ſubiects, and inflicted a penaltie vponupon them for not obeying that wherto they cannot yeeld any ſubmiſſiō without the breach of Gods lawe, I hold it to be the duty of private men to ſuller patiently the ſtroke of her ſword, and in no wiſe to withſtand the power thereof, either by open force, or ſecret practiſes, but only to betake themſelves and their cauſe vntounto the Lord God, earneſtly deſiring him, to paſſe by her overſight, and to encline her heart and hand to embrace and mainteyue his truth, and to ſuppreſſe all falſhood, violence, and oppreſſion.

Now if her Maieſtie and this high Court, require of vsus that we reſort vntounto the publick aſſemblies of the land, and ſo to enter (as hath ben ſhewed) into the tents of the Antichriſtian band, & continue therein: I anſwer againe, that this is againſt the written word of God, and therfore that her Maieſtie hath no power, no authoritie from the Lord to require this at our hands. We are puniſhed for it: we anſwer againe that the ſword is given for our wealth, and not for our hurt, that it ought not to be drawen againſt vsus for well doing: yet we paciently, and quietly bear the ſtroke, we dare not reſiſt, we dare not rebel againſt the Powers; Nay, we intreat our God day and night for the proſperity of her Maieſties crowne, deſiring him in mercy to paſſe by this blemiſh of her government, and not to lay it to her charge; earneſtly craving that her eyes and the eyes of your Honours may be opened to ſee our innocency, and the truth wherein we ſtand, admoniſhing both Her, and you, that although we for our parts knowe our ſelves bound even in nature to pacifie the hard dealing of our Prince and country towards vsus by ſuffring, and bearing of their iniuries, as we would do our parents, that yet the Lord God who iudgeth without reſpect of perſōs, is an avenger of al ſuch things.

In reſpect wherof, we dare notbut endeavour to the uttermoſt of our power to pull her and you from this conſuming fire of his judgements that hang over your heads even for the maintenance of this Antichriſtian merchandiſe within this Land, much more for purſuing vsus, that will not trafique and intermedle with the ſaid wares.

Hitherto I have ſhewed the Pariſh-aſſemblies of the Land, to be of a moſt feareful conſpiracie, againſt Ieſus Chriſt, and therefore to be diſſolved by your Honours, and avoided in the meane time, by all the Servants of Chriſt. But I would this preheminence, that theſe forreigne Romiſh Captaines have over them, were the only thing which maketh them vnclean vntounto the Saints of God. Their caſe in the next place then is now to be conſidered, for the vnderſtading wherof I am to ſet down theſe groūds following.

1. That as the Lord hath appointed his word and trueth to be taught, his Sacraments to be adminiſtred, and the holy Order appointed by himſelf to be kept in his houſe and body; ſo he hath ordeyned a Power and authoritie, that is, certaine offices, by vertue whereof theſe things are to be done.

2. Next, that Chriſt Ieſus, being the head of his Church, hath ill fulnes of power, preheminence & authority dwelling in himſelf, in ſuch ſort as his body and ſpouſe is to ſubmit her ſelf unto no power in religion ſave onelyonly vntounto that power which is derived from him that is her head. So that, as the Church is to receive no doctrines, no ſacraments, no order, but what the Lord hath anpointed to be in his houſe; ſo alſo hee hath forbidden his ſaid Church to receive & be ſubiect vntounto any power & authority ſave onelyonly unto the power which is derived frō the head therof. For it is no leſſe derogatory vntounto the Majeſty of Chriſt Ieſus for the Church to ſubmit her ſelf vntounto the power of another head, though conveighing the truth with it, then to receive the falſe doctrines and falſe ſacraments of ſome other Religion or God.

3. Thirdly, that Satan in bringing the myſterie of iniquity to light, and in advancing the ſonne of perdition into his chaire of peſtilence, did not onelyonly appoint falſe Sacraments, falſe worſhip, but alſo a falſe head, and a falſe power, that is, falſe Offices, by vertue wherof, both thoſe things were to be done, as alſo the Lords true inſtitutions and ordinances were to be violated in the Antichriſtian Synagogue.

4. That thoſe who preach the truth, adminiſter the ſacraments of baptiſme, and the Lords ſupper, and none other, by vertue of any of the falſe offices invented and reteyned in the kingdome of the Romane Antichriſt, derive their power wherby they doe theſe things from Antichriſt and not from Chriſt Ieſus. And therfore that ſuch working by vertue of a falſe power is not to be received of the church of Chriſt.

Now to come to the Pariſh-aſſemblies of this land, admit that ARCH BISHOPS, LORD BISHOPS &c. bare no ſuch rule & authority over them as now they do, and that there were none but Preachers in them, yet we demaund of theſe Preachers by what authoritie they preach, baptize &c, that is, we demand what office they have ſo to do? whether this office of theirs be an office derived frō Chirſt Ieſus, or a power left here by Antichriſt. I ſay, that whatſoever they do, they doe the ſame by vertue of an Antichriſtian power, office, and calling, & none other, That is, they do it either as they are Deacons, Preiſts, or as having a priviledged immunitie, licence, and diſpenſation counterveyling a Deaconry or a Preiſthood. I adde this priviledged Licenſe, becauſe ſome one among ten thouſand (it may be) being neither Preiſt nor Deacon, by vertue of a Licenſe from his Ordinarie doth ſerve a cure. Yet (if there be any ſuch) they are not capable of any charge, and what they do, they do it by this power of the beaſt. And here becauſe I deale in a matter of fact, I call but day light, and common ſenſe to decide this whole controverſie which is conteyned in theſe two points.

1. Whether at the expelling of the Pope out of this Land, by her Maiesties ſaves, the Popiſh offices of Preists and Deacons were expelled alſo out of the Pariſh-aſſemblies, or reteyned?

2. Whether at the ſame tyme, or ſithence, any of the true offices of the Church of Chriſt, were instituted and ordeyned in the Pariſh-aſſemblies of the Land?

The caſe is cleere, that the Popiſh offices, of Preiſts and Deacons were reteyned, and that the offices of Chriſts kingdome were not reſtored. And it is by vertue of the Popiſh offices of the Preiſthood, and Deaconrie, that the whole worſhip of God is performed, or rather polluted, and prophaned in all the Aſſemblies of this Land: for the proofe whereof, I call not onelie her Majeſtie, her lawes, and this high Court of Parliament to witnes, but alſo the cheifeſt mainteiners of the pariſh-Aſſemblies, namely, the forwardeſt Preachers of the Land, who in times paſt confeſſed (whatſoever they do now) that the offices of Chriſt were not planted, and therefore laboured to her Majeſtie, and the Parlement to have them eſtabliſhed in the pariſh aſſemblies.

In regard of her Majeſties lawes, the caſe is cleere, that the State then being led by the ſight of our fathers in king Edwards daies, accounted the popiſh Church to be the Church of Chriſt, though corrupt, popiſh offices of Biſhops, Preiſtes, and Deacons to be the offices of the Church of Chriſt, and therfore retained them, for ſo we find it ſet downe in the booke of ordering Biſhops and Preiſtes made in King Edwardes time, and eſtabliſhed by her Majeſtes Lawes, as the ground & rule whence, and according to the which all the Miniſteriall offices of the pariſh meetings, yea of the whole Land muſt be ſquared. The book ſaith,

That it is evident to all men diligentlie reading the holie Scripture, and the auncient authors,In the Preface. that from the Apoſtles time there have bene theſe orders of Miniſters in the Church of Chriſt, Biſhops, Preiſtes, & Deacons. And therfore (ſaith the booke) to the intent that theſe orders ſhould be ſtil continued, reverentlie uſed, & eſteemedin the Church of England it is requiſite that no man (not being at that preſent, Biſhop, Preiſt, or Deacon) ſhould execute any of them, except he be tried, examined, & admitted, according to this booke.

Again, no man in this Land can take a ſpirituall living, either Parſonage, Vicarage, Curatſhip, but by vertue of this Preiſthood, Deaconrie, or a Popiſh licence equivalent unto this Preiſthood, ſo that if a Preacher be beneficed, the ſame day that he denieth his licence, his Preiſthood, his Deaconrie, is he alſo deprived ipſo facto if it pleaſe his Ordinarie, and another may preſentlie conveigh himſelfe into his living if it were worth millions of gold. Nay whoſoever he be that wil caſt of theſe Popiſh orders, he is but a meere lay or private man, and ſo not capable of anie office in anie of the aſſemblies of this land: for ſo her Majeſties lawes, to wit, the foreſaid book doth conclude, that theſe offices were evermore had in that reverend eſtimation that no man by his owne private authoritie might preſume to execute any of them, and conſequentlie, that all men ſhould be called to the order of the Preiſthood, Deaconrie, Prelacie, according as this book doth allow. He that is made a Miniſter in ſom reformed Church beyond the Seas, is not capable of the Cure of a pariſh aſſemblie in this land, except he ſhall receive a Deaconrie, & a Preiſthood after the order of our land, and yet he that receiveth orders in Rome is correſpondent, and anſwerable unto the pattern of our Deaconrie and Preiſthood, and ſo capable to buy & ſel, that is, to execute any publike function.

They are knowen caſes, that he who received his Preiſthood or Deaconry in King Henrie the 8 his dayes, is a Preiſt & a Deacon under King Edward, Queene Marie, & Queene Eliſabeth, by vertue of the ſame orders, and he preacheth (if he can preach) being licenſed therunto, in King Henrie, King Edward, Queen Marie, & Queen Eliſabeth their daies, by vertue of the ſame Preiſthood: for the office is the ſame, as both the booke, and everie man for the moſt part, doth account it. He that hath received but primam tonſuram, in King Henrie the VIII. or Queen Maries daies, being the firſt ſtepp of this abhominable order, may by lawe performe thoſe things under her Majeſtie which no lay man (as they call him) muſt preſume to take in hand. This caſe being cleer & apparant, if it be now demaunded, why wee will not heare the truth taught by the preachers of the land, why we wil not receive the Sacramentes at their hands, we anſwere, that this we refuſe to do, becauſe we muſt not ſubmit or conſciences, our ſoules and bodies, being the temples of the holy Ghoſt, to be wrought upō, to be ſat in, unto any power in religion, ſave only unto the power which is derived from our head Ieſus Chriſt: We anſwer that our head and Maiſter having all power dwelling in him, hath this peculiar intereſt in vsus being his members, that he onelyonly muſt ſit in our Conſciences by his ordinances. This intereſt of his he will not communicate with any creature, and therefore wee dare not though we ſhould ſuffer a thouſand deathes, to transferre the ſame unto anie, ſave unto himſelfe alone, and to joine with the popiſh aſſemblies of the Land. If the preachers do ſeeke I ESƲS CHRIST and his honour by their preaching, they wil begin firſt with a lawful calling and office, they wil derive their power from him by vertue of the offices that he ordeined in his word. When they ſhall do this, & walk according to the doctrine which is according unto godlines, wee will be the moſt willing to joine with them, the moſt glad to hear them, and to cōmunicate with them, & everie way to reverence them as the Miniſters of Ieſus Chriſt. In the meane time, let them not wonder that we hold this for undoubted truth, namely,

That whoſoever he be that ſitteth in the temple of God, that is, worketh upon the conſciences of men, by vertue of an Antichristian power, office, and calling, he is an Antichriſtian Minister, whatſoever truth he bringeth with him.

The trueth which ſuch Miniſters do teach, is but the bait whereby Satan in his myſticall deluſion & powerfull ſubtilties hideth the falſe power, by meanes whereof hee in his ordinances ruleth over thoſe that otherwiſe would yeeld him no ſubjection, none obedience. When he cannot utter his ordinances by falſehood, he is glad to make them awaie by meanes of the truth.

And he ruleth in the conſciences of men, not onelyonly by falſe doctrine, but alſo by his falſe power and ordinances. His kingdome of darknes conſiſteth not onelie in the lies, and falſe doctrine and worſhip which he hath coined, but alſo in the falſe and Antichriſtian ordinances which he hath invented for the ruling of his Idolatrous denne. And therefore the children and Saintes of God avoyd both the one, and the other. We owe him none obedience in either of them: and farre be it, even farre be it, I ſay, that we ſhould ſinne ſo treacherouſlie againſt our Lord & Maiſter, and ſo greivouſlie againſt our owne ſoules to be ſubject unto Satan in either of them, ſeing by the moſt precious bloud of Chriſt Ieſus, and by the power of his croſse and reſurrection we have bene ſet free from all ſpirituall bondage whatſoever.

Satan could not reigne in this land, by theſe his forenamed ordinances, if he brought not truth with him, & it is no marveil that he bringeth trueth unto us, rather then loſe his kingdome. He can tranſforme himſelfe we knovve into an Angell of light, but vve muſt not receiv him or his merchādiſe, vvhat glaſſe ſoever he caſteth over them; or in vvhat vveed ſoever he cloth himſelfe.

And therefore let it not be thought vvonderful, that vve reject that preaching, thoſe Sacraments, and thoſe Miniſters, that by their preaching, miniſterie, and ſacraments vvould dravve our conſciences to be ſubject unto the povver of Satan.

Nay rather vve may vvonder vvith aſtoniſhment hovv they dare preſume to miniſter before Ieſus Chriſt, in the garments, vveeds, and offices of the Locuſtes of the bottomles pit: hovv they dare preſſe to offer before the God of Iſrael, being ſtrangers from the Tabernacle by vertue of their office. It vvas a poſitive lavv under Moſes, that the ſtranger not being of the line of Aaron, yea, or not called to the holie office, that vvould intermedle vvith the office of the Preiſt, ſhould dy the death for it. Much more if he vvere an Eckronitiſh or an Aſhdodean Preiſt in his office. And is not this man vvorthie of more honour then Moſes? his ordinā ces to be yet more reverenced then Moſes his vvere? Oh then vvhat a fearful preſumption is it for the Preachers of this land (I ſpeak nothing all this vvhile of the Idol-readers, the Prelates, the Cōmiſſaries, the Chancellors, the Deanes, the Archdeacons &c) to take his vvord in their mouthes, his Sacramentes in their hands, & to miniſter in his ſight being not Aſhdodeans, or Eckronitiſh, but Antichriſtian Preiſts (which is more horrible) by vertue of their office & calling.

The ſenſible preſidents of Gods fearefull iudgements upon Corah, and the two hundred & fiftie Captaynes of the Congregation (being men that held and taught (ſuch of them as were teachers) as many points of truth, as our preachers can hold or teach, time & time being counted together. The fretting & conſuming leproſie of K. Ʋzziah are written for their inſtruction & ours, that they ſhould not preſume to intermedle with the holy things of God, eſpecially by vertue of a falſe & Antichriſtiā office.

If it be here ſaid that we have nothing to do what office they have, ſo they preach the truth, I anſwer that this is it which Satan would have, to wit, that his ordinances, his power, his Miniſterie, ſhould be received of vsus without any ſcruple or doubt what we do therby. Graunt him this once, and he wil ſoon overthrow all religion. I have ſhewed before, that a good conſcience will beginne with a lawfull calling and office, eſpecially in this holy work; and therfore if men have not forgotten to be aſhamed, let them not uſe this graceleſſe uncolourable ſhift any longer to iuſtifie their uneven walking. For if their outvvard office and calling wil not abide the fire of the word, they are but wolves and vſurpers whoſoever they be. And if they be aſhamed or think themſelves too good to derive their office, authoritie, and power from Ieſus Chriſt, the Church of Chriſt and every member therof ought to be aſhamed and afraid to receive them; Nay the Church cannot receive them, without high treaſon againſt the head thereof Chriſt Ieſus, vntounto whoſe power alone we muſt ſubmit our ſelves, for we have none other head but him, and therfore wil acknowledge no other power but his to have authoritie to work vponupon our conſciences.

They know what penaltie was to be executed vponupon him under Moſes, that ſpake in the name of other Gods unto that people: how dare they then go about to thruſt us away frō the Lord our God who hath redeemed us from the power of the grave, and to bring us into ſubjection unto the ordinances of that godleſſe Mauzzim? Do they not know, that, that Chriſt is not a true Chriſt but an Antichriſt whatſoever truth he teacheth, whatſoever miracles he worketh, which cannot prove his outward office and calling unto us out of the written word of God? What Miniſters then can they be but Antichriſtiā, whoſe office & calling cannot derive the genealogie therof out of the ſame booke of the written undoubted veritie?

Christ Ieſus telleth us that the Scriptures are they which teſtifie of him, that his power even to preach; and not his preaching onelie, is, in the verie conſcience of his adverſaries from heaven and not from men; Hee tooke not the honour of his office unto him ſelfe, but he that ſaid unto him this day have I begotten thee, gave it him, as the Apoſtle teacheth. Iohn Baptiſt confirmeth his office out of the written word, namely, that he was that voice of him that crieth in the wildernes, whereof the Prophet Iſay had foretold the Church. The holy Apoſtles confirme their office out of the written word. For they wil not onelie prove that they preach nothing but the truth, adminiſter no ſacramentes ſave the true ſacramentes onelyonly, but alſo wil ſhewe that they derive the power & authority to do this from him who hath all power in his hand, that is from Ieſus; who did not onelyonly inſtruct them what trueth the Church was to receive, but alſo gave them a Cōmiſſion to do the ſame from his owne mouth in ſaieng Go yee therefore &c. Nay they durſt not preſume to chooſe any to ſupplie the roome of Iudas among them, except they had bene able to bring the warrant of the written word for their ground, that an office was void in the houſe of God, and that another was to ſupplie that roome. Paul the Apoſtle is able to proue his office unto us out of many places of the written word. The Spirit of God teſtifieth that he is an Apoſtle of Ieſus Chriſt not at his own hand, but by the wil of God. What wil the Preachers of our time then ſay for them ſelves, why they ſhould not do the like? Many of them go about to deceive them ſelves & the ſimple people by the place of Paul, Yee are the ſeale of mine Apostleſhip. We have called many (ſay they). But by vertue of what office, ſay wee. If they allege, we have nothing to do to examine that, truth, nay cōmon ſenſe wil anſwere them, that then they are wicked intruders; that they are Lawleſſe theeves; that they are falſe Prophets; nay that they are Anabaptiſts, and that we may know them by this bitter preſumptuous fruite which cōmeth out of their mouthes. For wil they preſume to take the word of Ieſus Chriſt in their mouths, to intermedle with his Sacramentes, to rule in his houſe; and wil they not ſhewe us how they come in, by what office they doe theſe things? wil they under pretenſe of an inward power, bragge of an outward office, nay exempt themſelves from the charge of of an office in the houſe of God, under the vaile of their outward giftes; and ſo breake into the ſame, in ſteed of entring in at the doore? Wee deteſt their Anabaptiſtrie. But to anſwer the word abuſed by them, Paul was an Apoſtle, and had his office thereunto, before ever he ſaw the Corinthians, yea, he had his office from Ieſus Christ before ever he preached. This office of his he proveth unto us by the written word, although he was in no wiſe to receive the ſame his office from the Church. Now if the Corinthians or any other whom he had called unto the obedience of the Goſpell ſhould by the inſtigation of the falſe Apoſtles call his office into queſtion, under the pretenſe that they knew not whether he ſpake true in affirming that Chriſt with his own mouth appointed him thereunto, becauſe he was not able to produce any witneſſes of this Commiſſion given as the reſt of the Apoſtles were; Paul anſwereth this, that they were an evident ſeale of his office; and as touching any calling from men, he was not to receive it. They were (I ſay) the ſeale of his Apoſtleſhip. For he was made conſpicuous amongſt them, by ſignes, by wonders, by doing of miracles, They were by his Miniſterie indued with the giftes of healing, of miracles, of prophecie, of ſtrange tongues, and in theſe things inferiours unto no Church. So that although they would not beleeve his teſtimonie of him ſelfe, & the witneſſe which Luke in the written word giveth of him; yet theſe moſt excellent, rare, & ſupernaturall giftes wherewith he had furniſhed them, were a ſufficient ſeale unto their conſciences that he was the great Apoſtle of Ieſus Christ. Other witneſſes of his office was he to bring none, beſides his owne teſtimony warranted by the written word, & the great power of the Spirit accompanying his Miniſterie in a powerfull ſort. For a calling unto this office of his by the Church was he to receive none.

Now, are the Miniſters of our Pariſhes Apoſtles? When ſaw they Ieſus Christ then? when ſpake he with them? what miracle can they work, what ſtrange tongues which they ſtudied not can they ſpake? whom have they healed? whom have they indued with theſe rare giftes? why take they the polluted calling of the Preiſthood, or Deaconry from men? If they be not Apoſtles, they muſt not onelyonly ſhew us their gifts, but alſo what office they have in the Church to execute the ſame. Thinke they to refuſe and caſt of the calling and order of God in his Church, by bragging of their operations? If they think themſelves bound to take an office of the Church, as their Preiſthood ſheweth they do, why will they not have us to turne over the booke of their genealogie, that we may ſee whether they be of that line of Aaron, or of the houſe of Corah? Whereas they bragge of calling and opening the eies of any, I would learn whereto they have called them? to be Chriſtians? to the Church of Chriſt? they will not (I hope) ſay that the people were unchriſtianed Panims; that the Pariſhes were no Churches, before they came among them. Whence then have they called the people? out of the tentes of Corah? out of the kingdom of Antichriſt? why, both they & their people continue their ſtill. And yf they ſay they have taught them many truethes, which they knew not; ſo may the Papiſt-preachers ſay too.

And if they have furniſhed them with any of the giftes of the Spirit, they do thereby but deck and adorne a ſtrumpet in ſteed of the true ſpouſe of Chriſt, with the Iewel… of the ſpouſe. And therefore if they wrought any knowledge in their people, let that be manifeſted by bringing them out of theſe Conſpiring Tentes, and preſenting them before the dore of the true tabernacle of Ieſus Chriſt. As to themſelves, if they wilbe the Miniſters of righteouſnes, let them not fly the light, but prove their office out of the written word. For are they diſciples and wil they be greater then their Maiſter? Are they ſervantes, and wil they be greater then their Lord; Shal we yeeld unto them that lawleſſe unwrittn prerogative, which our head and Maiſter would not claime at our handes; nay which we durſt not yeeld unto him? that is, ſhall we receive them, having no warrant of the ſcripture, no Cō miſſion from God to come unto us? They preach, they ſay, and they adminiſter the Sacraments: be it ſo. But we demaund of them by what power they do theſe thinges. If by a power, that is, by vertue of an Office comming from heaven, let them ſhew it as our Lord and maiſter Chriſt Ieſus did. If by a power cōming from men; or from the bottomleſſe pit; our Saviour Chriſt telleth us, nay even the book of Ordination & her Majeſties Lawes tell us, that they are theeves and robbers, and they come unto us in the name and by the power of another God whome we know not & will not acknowledge. And the Lord by his Prophet ſayth unto us with amighty voice, I have not ſent theſe Prophets, & yet they ranne, I have not ſpoken unto them, and yet they Prophecie. They preach the trueth, they ſay, and adminiſter the ſacraments. Be it ſo; but have they taken the honour unto themſelves, or hath it ben given unto them by him who onelyonly hath power to ſay, This day or at ſuch a time have I given thee honour & holy office of the Miniſterie in my Church?

If they can name us the time & ſhew us the office, we wil beleeve them, we will embrace them; otherwiſe we ſay unto them that no man taketh this honour unto himſelfe but he that is called of God as was Aaron, that is no man taking it, can have it; for many would take it, ſteal it &c. if ſo they might come by the ſame. This folly, this preſumption, this colluſion ſhould not be heard of in Iſrael.

They preach, and baptiſe, they ſay. We demand who ſent them, who ſaid Go, unto them? If Ieſus Christ, let them ſhewe their commiſſion from him, that he hath ſaid unto them as he did to the Apoſtles, Go ye therfore &c. If Antichriſt by vertue of an office in his body hath ſaid vntounto them, Go ye therfore, &c. they have power in deed to preach, and to adminiſter the Sacraments, unto ſuch as confeſſe themſelves to be under that head. But for our ſelves, we refuſe him and all his power, his members, his Officers. If Antichriſt ſaith vntounto any, All power over the aſſemblies of this Land is committed unto me, and becauſe many of the people would withdraw themſelves from my juriſdiction, if they had not the trueth taught vntounto them, Goe ye therefore & preach, that by meanes of your preaching, they may remaine within my Tentes: Shall we receive ſuch Preachers? God forbid. And yet ſuch are all the preachers of this Land. Shall Antichriſt ſay Goe, & ſhall we ſay Come, vntounto them? Shall they derive their power from another head, then from Christ Ieſus, & ſhall we be in ſubjecttion vntounto them?

They ſay, that they are the Miniſters of Ieſus Chriſt: but we demand by whoſe will, by whoſe commaudement, by whoſe ordinance? whether by the wil of God, by the commandement of God, by the ordinance of God; or by the wil, commandement, and ordinance of the man of ſinne that child of perdition? Their office which they have, the people over whom they are, the tents where they miniſter, the juriſdiction vnderunder which the ſubmit themſelves, the parties by whome, the place where, the time when, the ordinance wherby they are made, will eaſilie decide this controverſie, & prove vntounto their faces that they are limmes of that body in regard of their office (I ſpeak not of the mens perſons as touching the Lords election) which ſhalbe deſtroyed for evermore. And here it is to be obſerved, that when we ſpeak vntounto theſe preachers of their office, they preſently runne to the execution therof, and prove themſelves to have an office, becauſe they performe thoſe things which apperteyne unto that office. As if an intruding Iudge or Iuſtice being demanded by her Majeſtie, or her Counſaile, by what authoritie he ſat vponupon the lives & deathes of malefactors, by what authoritie he diſcharged out his warrants to call in and to reſtreine ryotous and vagrant perſons, ſhould anſwer, that he did nothing, but what was behoofull and needfull for the ſtate: which ſheweth not his authoritie power & office whereby he intermedleth with theſe things, but rather giveth evidence againſt himſelfe, that he is a lawleſſe intruder, and ſo in danger of the penaltie of her lawes and her high diſpleaſure. The like is the courſe of theſe preachers.

A ſtranger buſieth himſelfe in the Princes Court in thoſe thinges which are needfull to be done about the Princes roiall perſon, or otherwiſe. The Prince eſpieth him, and demaundeth who placed him in office, how he durſt preſume to come in preſēce, eſpecially ſo neere vntounto the chaire of ſtate without ſpeciall leave and licenſe: The ſtranger anſwereth, that he doth nothing but what is meete, lawfull, and alloweable to be done, & as for his office, the Prince is not to reſpect that, ſeing no evil is cōmitted, whatſoever it may be was purpoſed to be done, or how dangerous ſoever the preſident would be vntounto the Princes roiall ſtate and perſon. And ſhall he be tolerated that preſumeth after this ſort againſt his Prince? queſtionleſſe no. Intollerable then, is their preſumption whoſoever they be, who think that this manner of dealing will ſtand alloweable before the Prince of Princes. Offer it now vntounto thy Prince (ſaith Malachie ſpeaking of any vnmeet ſervice) and ſee whether he will accept thereof. See whether a Prince wilbe content that he ſhould be attended vponupon early and late, by no other officers then the knowen guard of the enemie; in the Liverie, and vnderunder the badge of the profeſſed enimie: no, no. For although theſe might for a time do ſome faithful ſervice, yet might the Prince be day and night in iuſt feare of trecherie, which at the length they would be aſſured to effect. Nay there were no reaſon (if they would ſerve the Prince) but they ſhould alſo caſt of the badge and liverie of his enemy, and conforme themſelves according to the will and direction, and be knowen by the cognizance of the Prince in whoſe ſervice they ſhould ſeeme to be imployed. We know the Prelacie, Preiſthood, and Deaconrie of old to have betrayed the glorie of God. We know that they were appointed for none other purpoſe then to diſhonour Ieſus Christ. Wee have late experience how trecherouſly they forſook the truth, and perſecuted the ſame after King Edwards dayes (wee ſpeak nothing of the preſent conſpiracie wherein they ſtand) And ſhould we now cōmit the ſalvatiō of our ſouls, the truth of God, the holy veſſels of the ſanctuarie, the watch and ward of the holy city, unto ſo pernicious, faithles, and trecherous a generation, which wilbe overthrowen whenſoever the Lord doth recover his, and cannot ſtand but by keeping him out of his right? If they meane to ſerve Ieſus Christ, let them enter into his houſe, and not continue in the pavilion of his enemy; let them caſt off their Antichriſtian cogniſance and office, and derive their office from him. In the mean time, let them learne that the office whatſoever it be, & the execution therof are ſo diſtinguiſhed and ſevered aſunder, that the one of them cannot poſſibly be the other. He may have a lawful office both in the Church and common wealth that never executed the ſame, as dying the ſame hower that he receiveth it, or otherwiſe. The Apoſtles had their office in the Mount, and ſo were true Officers by vertue therof before ever they executed their office, in preaching, baptiſing, &c. And if preaching and the adminiſtration of the ſacraments be the office of the Preachers of this Land, I marvel what they will have the execution of their office to bee. If preaching be their office, what Office have they when they preach not? What office have the dumbe Miniſters that cannot preach? The point is ſo groſſe and ſavoureth of ſuch groſſe ignorance, as it is wonderful that thoſe who are ready to object their want of learning vntounto their adverſaries, and to claime intereſt in ſo large a portion thereof vntounto themſelves, are not aſhamed of bewraying their weaknes in this ſort. For if preaching be their office, why are they Deacons, why are they Preiſts, why have they licenſes to preach? Why preach they not, when their Preiſthood, Deaconrie, and Licenſes are gone? If preaching be their Office, what call they the execution therof, as I have ſaid? It will ſerve them in no ſtead to deny thēſelves to have the Popiſh Office of the Prieſthood or Deaconrie, in as much as they profeſſe more truths then wilbe profeſſedly tollerated in Poperie. Becauſe this confirmeth not their office, but the execution therof to be divers from that of the Popiſh preiſthood. The office of Biſhops, Preiſts, Deacons as hath bene ſaid, were not changed vnderunder her Maieſtie, becauſe they were thought to be the offices of the Church of Christ. The true offices were not reſtored for the ſame cauſe. And therfore common experience wil convince the vaine ſophiſtrie of men in going about to prove thoſe offices to be diverſe, which neither were altered, nor yet once thought to need any change or alteration. Nay, experience wil not onelyonly teach us that our Preiſts have the ſame office with the popiſh ſacrificers, but alſo ſhew that they have many other things belonging vnt… them, which apperteyn unto none, ſave vntounto the

Thus much of the Copie I had, more of it I knew not where to have; whether it was finiſhed or not, before his death, I know not; for he was apprehended, adiudged, and executed, for witneſsing of the truth of Christ: (howſoever any other thing was pretended againſt him:) and (as I have heard) while he was about writing of this treatiſe.

End of the text · John Penry, The History of Korah (1609)

The History of Korah, Treatise

THE HISTORIE OF CORAH &c. Numb. 16. chap. Applied to the Church-aſſemblies of England.