Lord Bishops None of the Lords Bishops, Chapter 7

Lord Bishops None of the Lords Bishops · Chapter 7

CHAP. VII.

Wherein is shewed, that the Prelates are no lesse contrary to the Practise of the Apostles (whose Successors notwithstanding they pretend to be) then they are to their Doctrines; as hath been proved.

FOr the more cleare demonstration hereof, we will consider the Practise of the Apostles in a twofold notion: 1. the Practise of their Ministry: 2. the Practise of their life and conversation. First, for their Ministry: that also we consider in a double respect: 1. of Doctrine. 2. of Discipline. Of these being to speake, we will first consider the Apostles two wayes: 1. as they were Apostles: and 2. as they were Ministers. First, as they were Apostles, to speake in a strict and proper sence, they left no Successors behind them. For as Apostles, 1. they had their immediate Calling from Christ: 2. they did**1 Cor. 9. 1.1 Cor 9:1 see Christ with their bodily eyes: 3. they were inspired immediately from Christ with Apostolicall Gifts and Graces of the Holy Ghost,‡‡Iohn 16. 13.John 16:13 which led them into all truth, so as their judgement was infallible, they could not erre: 4. they were made the Pen-men of the Scripture: 5. They had a power given them to appoint Euangelists to attend their Apostleship in the Gospell, to settle and water, where the Apostles had planted, and where they appointed them: 6. They had‡‡Act. 8. 26. & 16. 6.Acts 8:26Acts 16:6 immediate direction from the Holy Ghost where to preach at such, or such a time: 7 They had their§§Mat. 28. 19. 20.Matt 28:19Matt 28:20 Commision immediately from Ch…st, which was to preach the Gospell throughout the world, though the††Act. 13. 2…Acts 13:2 Holy Ghost did more particularly dispose of them to severall Countries. Now in all these respects the Apostles, as Apostles left no Successors behind them. For after the decease of Apostles, and so also of the Euangelists (some whereof writ the Gospell, and some preached the Gospell, and did other things at the Apostles appointment; whereof we shall have occasion to speake more anon) their Office of Apostles and Euangelists, ceased. So as, never since they lived, have there beene any Apostles or Euangelists, properly so called. Though in a generall notion all true Preachers of the Gospell, in asmuch as they have a Calling from God, being sent of him, though mediately by the Church, may be called Apostoli, that is, sent, (as the Apostle called Epaphroditus ‡‡Phil. 2. 25.Phil 2:25A'póstolon, the Philippìans Apostle, which our English translates a Messenger, because they had sent him to him) as they are called in the selfe same respect Aggeloi, **Revel. 1. 20.Rev 1:20Angels, or Messengers: and they may be called also for the same reason Euangelists, because they are Preachers of the Gospell. But I say, strictly and properly the Apostles onelyonly were called Apostles, and the Euangelists Euangelists, for the reasons aforesaid. So as after their decease, the ordinary Ministers of the Word which God appointed to succeed them in their Ministry, were called Pastors and Teachers, as Eph. 4. 11. and somtimes Presbyters or Elders, and Overseers, or Episcopi, set over their severall Congregations respectively as aforesaid) and somtimes‡‡An. 26. 1…. Col. 1. 23.Col 1:23 u…pereta, or díakoni, Ministers of the Word; as the Apostle often styles himselfe.

So as in the Second place we come to speake of the practise of the Apostles, as they were Ministers of the Gospel, whose examample all true Ministers imitating, are said to be their true Successors. But before we speake thereof, one Objection crosseth us in our way, which is this. We noted before, that one peculiar priviledge and badge of an Apostle… properly so called, was, that he had the Holy Ghost immediately inspired into him by Christ, so as it led him into all truth, that he could not erre in his preaching, or writing of the word of God. Now it is Objected, that the promise of **Mat. 28. 20. Objection.Matt 28:20Christs Spirituall presence, and so of the Holy Ghost, is made to the Apostles, but to all the succeeding generations of all their true Successors to the end of the world. Upon which promise (but most falsely applyed) the Pope doth build his Imaginary Infallibility, of a power of not erring in the faith.

For AnswereAnswer. hereunto briefly. First, neither the Pope, nor any Prelate, have any thing to doe with this promise. For they have no Calling from Christ, as hath been proved; and they are Antichrists, and so led by another spirit, to wit, of him, of whom they have their Calling, and tha… is, of the great red Dragon; as remaines yet further to be cleared Secondly, concerning this promise made immediately by Christ to his Apostles, that he would be with them to the end of the world, and that the Holy Ghost should lead them into all truth: we must distinguish between the Apos…les, and all Succeeding true Ministers. First, this promise was actua…ly fullfilled to the Apostles, so as they neither erred in their preaching, nor in their writing of the word of God; and the substance of all their preaching (so farre as it is necessary for the salvation of Gods Chruch to the end of the world) is by them left in writing to be a rule of our faith, and the ground of all holy and saving knowledge. Now then all true Ministers, succeeding the Apostles in all ages, and also all true Beleevers, though they neither receive the Holy Ghost inmiediately from Christ as the Apostles did, nor are any to expect to receive it in that extraordinary way: yet all true beleeving both Ministers and People doe receive the Holy Ghost. But how? By what meanes? The Apostle tells us,‡‡Gal 3. 2.Gal 3:2 By the hearing of Faith preached; that is, by hearing the Gospell (which is the ground of Faith) preached, Act. 10. 44.Acts 10:44we receive both faith, and the Holy Ghost. Now as we received the Holy Ghost by hearing of Faith preached: So this Spirit of God doth guide us into all truth, by and according unto the Scripture. And as the Holy Ghost is (as I may so say)§§Gal. 4. 19…Gal 4:19 begotten in us by the Seed of Gods word Sown in our hearts (though properly we are begotten again by the Holy Ghost) so this Holy Ghost is as it were, nourished and preserved in us by and through the word of God, even as the light of the Lamp is nourished by the Oyle, or as the breath goeth with the voyce or word spoken; or as the blood hath its course in the veins, or the vitall Spirits have their S…at in the heart; or as the Animall Spirits in the braine, when they are derived into all the parts of the body in the Arteries and veines, so as all the members are thereby actuated and moved. And as the Philosopher saith of naturall bodies, **Aristot. D… Ortu. & in teritu. lib. 2.A'panta trephétas tois a…utois, e'x o`pér e`isi: All things are nourished by selfe same Substance, whereof they are begotten, or have their beginning or beeing: So in a sort it may truly be said, that as we begin Spiritually to live by the Holy Ghost through Faith by the Preaching of the word of God: So this Holy Ghost in the severall graces and operations there of is preserved, and as it were nourished in us by the continuall ministration of the food of the same word in our Soules: Or in a word, the Holy Ghost hath no operation in us, either for instruction, or illumination, or consolation, or corroboration of any Grace in our Soules, but in and by, or according to the word of God. So as besides Gods written word, there are no revelations of the Spirit to be expected in Gods true Church. Secondly therefore, the promise of the Holy Ghost to Christs true Church and Children, succeeding the Apostles even to the end of the world, is made good to all and every particular member of Christs Mysticall body, whether Ministers or People: so as in the matter of their faith, and whatsoever appertains to their salvation, they are by Christs Spirit guided into all truth, being led by the rule and light of Gods word, which to those that are in Christ never goes unaccompanied with the Holy Ghost. For, even as**Rom. 8. 14…Rom 8:14 so many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God… So as, If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his: So none are led by the Spirit of God, but those that are led by the word of God. And therefore as Christs Spirit dwells in all his, so his‡‡Ioh. 15. 7.John 15:7 Word also. For these two are inseperable; the Holy Ghost teaching us no other things, but what we find written in the word of Christ. To which purpose Christ saith, When §§Iob. 16. 13.Job 16:13the Spirit of Truth is come, be will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speake of himselfe: but whatsoever he shall heare, that shall he speake. Now the whole Scripture is Christs word: this the Holy Ghost receiving from Christ revealed to his Apostles, or (as Christ saith)††Ioh, 14. 26. brought to their remembrance: and the Apostles commited those things to writing (as the Holy Ghost directed them) for our both instruction, and remembrance. So as if **Isa. 8. 20.Isa 8:20any Speake not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Whatever Spirit men bragge of, not indurcing the Law and Testimony of the Scripture, it is without light, a counterfet Spirit, a lying spirit. And this is that very Spirit of Antichrist, and of his Prelates, who to advance their own Canons and Decrees, and to cry up their usurped Antichristian Authority, in taking upon them to be the onelyonly visible Iudges in matters of faith (as**Cap. 3. before we have noted of our Prelate of Cant… ) as if they had the Spirit of Infallibility, and were the onelyonly men of Gods Privy Counsell, and the onelyonly Privilegiats not to erre: doe so much depresse, vi…ifie and cry down the Authority and Sufficiencie of the Scripture, as if it were a‡‡See the Prelates Relation. Sect. 16. throughout. dumbe, dead, and blind Iu…ge, having not so much light in it, as is sufficient to demonstrate it to be the word of God, but what it must be beholden to the Authority and Tradition of the present Prelaticall Church …or. But … ye blind Guides, §§Esa. 8. 20.Isa 8:20To the Law, and to the Testimony: for while ye Speake not accordiag to this word, but contrariwise blaspheme the same: it is a manifest signe, that there is neither light, nor‡‡Ioh. 6. 53.John 6:53 life in you,

Come we now to prosecute the remainder of the former particulars propounded: the second generall whereof is, the Practise of the Apostles, as they were Ministers of the Gospell, whose example all true Ministers imitating, are said to be their true Successors. And first of this Practise in regard of Doctrine, to wit, in their Ministy of the Word, and Sacraments. First for their Doctrine, it was sound and sincere, the very word of God, which they preached with all diligence, and good Conscience; exhorting other Ministers also to the like diligence and faithfullnesse in preaching: as 2 Tim… 4. 1, 2. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Iesus Christ, &c. Preach the word, be instant, in season, out of season, &c. Thus did the Apostles. But doe our Prelates thus? First, do they preach diligently? Are their Sermons, any more, then 2 or 3 Festivalls in the yeare? And doe they preach sound Doctrine? Nay as the Apostle there saith, They will not indure sound doctrine; they neither preach it themselves, nor permit others. And instead of exhorting Ministers to be diligent in preaching, and teaching the people, they flatly forbid them to preach so of…en, as twice on the Sabbath, or to expound the Catechisine, for instructing the People. Thus they are enemies of Gods word, and so of the salvation of Gods people. Are these men then Successors of the Apostles? Againe, for the two Sacraments, the Apostles administred them duly according to‡‡1 Cor. 11. 231 Cor 11:23 Christs institution, not varying one title from it; they neither detracted any thing from i…, nor added ought of their own inventions. Now doth the Prelaticall Catholicke Church, (wherein that of England, and of Rome are both one and the same, and doe professe one and the same faith and Religion, as our great Prelate saith; noted before) thus? Now Romes detractions and additions, we all know. But what hath the Prelaticall Church of England done in this kind? 1. Doe they not detract both from Christs institution, and from the dignity of the Sacraments, while they set dumb Priests, no better then Masse-Priests, to administer? Doe they not detract from Baptisme, while they doe as much debase it in comparison of the Lords Supper, as they doe exalt this (which they **Relation of the Conf. p. 136.call the Great Eucharist) in comparison of that? Do they not administer that, neere the Belfrey, or Church-door, the lowest part of the Church, as they estimate it: and this at the end of the Chancel, their highest part of the Church? Secondly, do they not alter Christs institution by adding to the Sacraments of their own superstitious inventions? Doe they not adde an empty and … figne of the Crosse to Baptisme, the o mission whereof is no lesse heinous, then of Baptisme it selfe? And have they not added a long Forme of Liturgie to the administration of both the Sacraments? Have they not altered the Table for the Lords Supper, into an Altar for a sacrifice, which is also as great a derogation from the sufficiencie of Christs onelyonly sacrifice on the Crosse, as it is an alteration, yea and an annihilation of this Sacrament, which is to be administred as a supper, on a Table, not as a sacrifice, on an Altar. And this they doe also, in imposing a necessity of kne…eling at the receiving of the Sacrament, whereby they overthrow the nature of a Supper. To omit their necessity of private Baptisme, and of carrying their Host to a man on his death bed: would they not also of‡‡As in Dr. Coosins Booke of Private Devotions, or Canonicall, Houres. late yeares have brought againe into the Church of England the other 5 Sacraments of the Romish Church, that so the Church of England and of Rome might in nothing be unlike in their practise, as they are not in profession, as our said Prelate saith: Thus are our Prelates herein Successors of the Apostles?

Secondly, for the Apostles practise in point of Discipline. And this is either in Ordination of Ministers, or Reformation and correction of manners, or imposition of Ceremonies. For the first, Ordination of Ministers, we read, of Timothies ordination no lesse by the imposition of the hands of the Presbytery, then of Paul himselfe. Titus indeed was appointed by Paul to ordaine Elders in every City in Creet (as was noted before) but if he did this alone, without the Presbytery, 2 necessity must needs be supposed, which is neither Rule nor Law in ordinary Cases. And by the way, whether Titus and Tim…thy were Diocesan Bishops, as the Prelates pretend, we shall see in a more fit place. And for Ordination this we are sure of, that whoever have the charge of it, Prelates have nothing at all to doe with it, because (as is already proved) they are no lawfull Ministers of Christ, much lesse Successors of the Apostles. Againe, whom did the Apostles, and Presbytery ordaine Ministers of the word, but such, as were every way qualified with gifts and graces for preaching, and the like; as we see prescribed in 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1? They were not like to Ierobeams Priests, nor any of those, whom the Prelates doe make Priests, which are**Esa. 56. 10, 11, 12.Isa 56:10Isa 56:11Isa 56:12 dumb dogs (as the Prophet calls them) blind watchmen, that love to s…ep, to take their ease, greedy dogs, that are never satisfied with heaping up Living upon Living, they fill themselves with strong drinke, and are good Fellows, not good Ministers. Yea such as are truly qualified, either Prelates doe not ordaine them: or they doe afterwards, seeing how they prove painfull in their Ministry, put them to silence, or suspend and persecute them, as before is noted. And againe Thirdly, The Apostles, and Presbyters in their time, Ordayned none for money; for offering whereof‡‡Act. 8.Acts 8 Simon Magus was accursed; but our Prelates Ordaine tag and rag for money, so as the ordinary Fees come to 3, 4, 5, or 6 pounds. So as in point of Ordination how doe our Prelates prove themselves to be Successors of the Apostles? And lastly, the Apostles and their lawfull successors Ordained none, but lawfull Ministers of the Gospell: but our Prelates do ordaine a new Order of Priests, bringing in, and setting up a new Priesthood, which is Antichristian, not having any foundation in the Sccripture. Prelates therefore in Ordrnation are no Successors of the Apostles.

Secondly, for matter of Censure, or for Reformation and correction of Manners, as for instance, in the Censure of Excommunication, the Apostles, though as Apostles, they might doe of themselves, yet as Ministers they did it not, but with the whole Congregation; or else the Congregation with the Presbyters; as we see 1 Cor. 5 3. 4. 5. Insomuch, as even Prelates themselves, after they first had taken footing, as being the time of their Innocency (as I may say) observed this Order. So as Cyprian, who lived about 250. yeares after Christs nativity, would doe nothing in this kind, without the consent both of the Presbytery and people. This lasted during the 10. Persecutions: but Peace and Prosperity Succeding, it degenerated into that height of Tyranny by degrees… to which we see it arrived at this day. Secondly, Excommunication was for weighty Causes, as in the same place; and 1 Tim. 1. 20. The Apostles had no Prelates Courts, or Consistories, where they did Privately by themselves, or by a dumb Priest Excommunicatt for every trifle, and especially for the least breach of a Canon, and the like (as we noted before) but the Consistory was the whole Congregation solemnly assembled, where no Censure was imposed, but for great offences, and those breaches of Gods Laws, and of Christs Ordinance. Nor were those Censures remitted, but in and by the whole Congregation, after publick satisfaction given by the offender to the offended. Whereas our Prelates, in all, doe quite contrary, absolving also great offenders for a fee, without any signes of Repentance, much lesse fruits of Reformation, and satisfaction made to the Congregation offended. Whereas the Apostles absolved none, before the Congregation was first satisfied by, and so pacified towards the offender; as 2 Tim. 2. 10. Do our Prelates thus? No such thing. Therfore no Successor of the Apostles.

Thirdly, for Imposition of Ceremonies in the worship of God, the Apostles were so farre from laying any such yoake, upon Christians necks, or any such snares for their feet, as they did utterly condemne all humane Rites and Ordinances whatsoever in Gods service, laying also a speciall charge upon Christians not to put their necks under such yoakes, unlesse thereby they would renounce Iesus Christ for their onelyonly King, and Lord over their Consciences and Soules in all matters of faith, and the worship of God. In one Chapter (Colloss. 2.) the Apostle beats them all down, whether they be old Iewish Ordinances (now abolished under the Gospell) or of mans devising, and imposing. First, for Iewish Ceremonies, he saith, they are**Verse 16, 17. Shadows, which now upon the death of Christ are all vanished, and abolished. Secondly, all other Rites and Ceremonies, which are of mans devising, he calls them‡‡verse 8. Philosophy, and vaine deceit, traditions of men, rudiments of the world; not after Christ: a‡‡v. 18. voluntary humility, as worshiping of Angels, and so Idolatry; an intrusion into things not seen in Scripture; of a fleshly mind vainly puft up; which seperate from the §§v. 19.head, Christ; they ††v. 20.evacuate Christs death, wherein he did ‡‡v. 14.blot out the handwriting of all such Ordinan…es, nayling it to his Crosse, &c. So as now to be subject to such, is to renounce Christs death, and make it of none effect: and they **v. 22.perish with the using, are good for nothing, being after the Commandements and D…ctrines of men: they have but a meere shew of wisdome in will-worship and humility, and hypocrisie in not sparing the body, and onelyonly serve to satisfie the flesh. Arguments Sufficient to any one, that feares God, and hopes to be saved by Iesus Christ, to**v. 8. Beware of being Spoyled, and made a prey (as the word signifieth) of being ‡‡v. 18.heguiled of their reward by such a bondage and Slavery. Thus the Apostle so damning all manner of Rites and Ceremonies imposed on the Conscience in the worship of God, so as he shews it to be a very Apostacy from Christ, of such as hold not the Head: with what face can our Lord Prelates (the great Masters of all manner of Superstitious and Idolatrous, both Iewish, and Heathenish, Romish and Antichristian Ceremonies) beare themselves to be the Successors of the Apostles, while not onelyonly they erect such Superstitions, but with all rigour impose them upon mens Consciences as a most insupportable burthen, and intolerable bondage, and with all severity and cruelty inflict terrible punishments upon those, that refuse to performe the Tasks of such Egyptian Taskmasters? Or how dare they affirme, that they have such their Iurisdiction from Christ, while in so doing, usurping such a Power over mens Consciences, they thrust Iesus Christ out of his Throne? But we shall have occasion to speake more of this hereafter. Thus we see in the meane time what kind of Vice-Roys of Christ, and Successors of his Apostles, the Prelates prove themselves to be, in Lording over the Consciences of Gods people by their Superstitious Ceremonies, and Romish Rites.

But perhaps they will object the Apostles determination (Act. 15.) concerning the Gentiles newly converted to Christianity, that they should abstaine from eating of blood, and things strangled, which was a Mosaicall Rite. To which I answere: First, that the Apostles in the§§v. 10. same place do shew, that that burthen of Legall Ceremonies was removed by the death of Christ, and buried in his Grave. Secondly, they did this, in regard of the Iews, which dwelt among those Christians, for the time being for peace-sake, untill the††v. 21. Christian Iews were better confirmed in the faith and knowledge of Christ. Thirdly, they did it by the speciall direction of the‡‡v. 2…. Holy Ghost, for the reason alledged. So as that example being extraordinary, and for the time of the Infancie of the Gospell, it is no rule for us to follow now, after so long a shining forth of the Gospell. And I might adde this moreover, that the Apostles did not this alone, but with the whole Congregation, the Presbyters, or Elders, and Brethren being …oyned with them. Whereas our Prelates, though they confesse that a**Con. pag. 261. Generall Councel hath no immediate Institution from Christ to determine Controversies; but that it was prudently taken up in the Church, from the Apostles example, Act. 15. yet for all their prudence in taking up that, which belongs not unto them, they shew themselves very unfaithfull, while they follow not the example of the Apostles in determining alone, and not with the whole Congregation; and therefore Christians have the lesse reason to captivate their faith to Prelaticall Decrees, either in a Generall Councel, where the Pope of Rome, and of Canterbury are the rulers of the rost, or in a Convocation, where the Pope of Canterbury is Prime, Primate, Metropolitan, and All, who without the Holy Ghost (which is never given to any such Antichristian Assemblies) whatever they decree in point of faith, or otherwise, be it never so erronious, yet they enjoyne obedience thereunto by all men; as our‡‡Confer pag 226. 227. Prelate affirmeth.

But he will not be so easily beaten off from his Ceremonies: For in his§§Epist. Dedi… pag. 19. 20. Epistle Dedicatory he tells the King, That Ceremonies are ne…essary for the setting out of Gods worship His Great Witnesse to the world that our heare stands right in that Service of God, to wit, the inward worship. Take this away or b…ing it into contempt, and what light is there left to shine before men, that they may see our Devotion, and glorifie our Father which is in heaven. And to deale clearely with your Majesty, these thoughts are they, and no other, which have made me labour so much as I have done, for Decency, and an Orderly Settlement of the externall worship of God in the Church; which cannot be without some Ceremonies, &c. For Ceremonies are the hedge, that feare the Substance of Religion, &c. And a great weaknesse it is, not to see the strength, which Ceremonies adde even to Religion itselfe, &c. So and much more the Prelate… Whence it appeareth, that had he not Ceremonies to garnish his worship of God (as he calls it the world could not see how right his heart stands, nor yet see his good works; because instead of good works perverting Christs word) he puts his Devotion, and his Devotion stands in his Ceremonies; which he saith must not be too few, for then they leave his Service naked, and therfore to avoyd that he must have both a Surplice, and Hood, and Cope, to cover that nakednesse. So as all his light is in his Externall worship shining forth in his brave Garbe of Ceremonies; as that of the Pharises in their broad Philacteries. So as without this, men (in truth) could not so easily see the pride, vanity, Superstition, and hyprcrisie, which lurketh in the Prelates …re, and bewrayeth it selfe in his many inventions of Superstitious Ceremonies, the very Ideas and Idols of his profane heart. And Antiquity was the Mystery of Iniquity; if that will doe them any pleasure. This we generally touched before in the Third Chapter.

But for the Second, That the Prelacie is this Mystery of Iniquity, let us a little examine what is meant by this Mystery of Iniquity. This Mystery of Iniquity is opposed to the Mystery of Godlinesse, of which the Apostle speaks, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Iniquity is opposit to Godlinesse: but both Godlinesse and Iniquity are called a Mystery. Yet in a different respect. The Mystery of Godlinesse is so called, because of its deepnesse, and difficulty to be understood, but by Gods **1 Cor. 2. 9. 10.1 Cor 2:91 Cor 2:10Spirit reuealing the same: but the Mystery of Iniquity is so called, because Iniquity is vailed under a pretence and shew of Godlinesse, by which‡‡Rev. 13. 8. 2 Thes. 2. 10.Rev 13:82 Thess 2:10 many are deceived,§§Mat. 24. 5.Matt 24:5 whose names are not written in the booke of life. As Christ saith,† Many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many. And thus doe all Prelates come in Christs Name, while they pretend Christs Authority, and usurpe Christs throne over his People. And the great Antichrist is so called, because though he be against Christ, yet he saith, he is for Christ, as being Christs Vicar; even as Antichristus in the Greeke is a compound word, the Preposition Anti signifying both for, or instead, and against. And so is Antichrist, in pretence for Christ, but in practise against Christ: and so are all our Prelates; as shall yet further appeare. And this is truly and properly the Mystery of Iniquity. In which respect the Turke, and other profest Enemies of Christ, and Christian Religion cannot come within the compasse of this Mystery of Iniquity, and so cannot be full Antichrists, because they doe gumme kephale, openly, without any vaile, professe this Iniquity, of being Adversaries to Christ.

And for the further application of this Mysterie of Iniquity to the Prelates, we come to the third Proposition: That, What is spoken of the great Antichrist himselfe, is spoken of all Prelates, as members of the same Head, or as so many inferiour antichrists, though in themselves great enough. Let us therefore see the properties of Antichrist here described by the Apostle. First he is called, That man of Sinne: And this is Antichrist in two respects: 1. in respect of himselfe, as being carnall, proud, covetous, ambitious, voluptuous, and a most malicious hater, and most cruel persecuter of the Saints and Servants of Christ, a proper Sinne of Antichrist… These Sinnes and Lusts are the proper Sinnes of a Prelate, and common to every Prelate, and especially those of the latter Stamp, since Antichrist mounted aloft, now for above 600. yeares, yea a 1000. yeares from Boniface 3. Secondly, Antichrist is that man of Sin, in respect of others, as being a prime instrument of causing others to Sin: as by giving Indulgence, Dispensation, and Liberty to men to Sin, and by suppressing the means whereby they should be kept from Sin. The Pope is notorious for this. And our Prelates come not farre behind him. For they allow profane sports on the Lords day, by which the 4th Commandement is broken: and that to Servants and Ch…ldren so as their Parents and Masters may not restraine them; which is a manifest breach of the Fift Commandement: so as by this means many other Commandements are broken in committing many Sinnes. Thus they both**Math… breake the greatest Commandements, and teach men so. Againe instead of suppessing of sports, they restraine and Suppresse the Preaching of Gods word, whereby men should be kept from Sinne, and learne to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, denying all ungodlinesse and worldly lusts. Thus Antichrist is that man of Sinne.

Secondly, Antichrist is called the Son of Perdition For as he is that man of Sinne: so by consequence he is that Son of Perdition' and that in both the foresaid respects, as of Sinning, so of Perishing: for as he both Sins himselfe, and causes others to Sin: so he both perisheth himselfe, and causeth others to perish, as 2 Thess. 2. 10. And this is proper to the Pope in the first place, whose necessity of perishing is such, that himselfe confesseth an impossibility of amendment. As is noted of Adrian 6. who said, **Hist. Concil. Trid. lib. 1.That the condition of Popes was miserable, seeing it was evident, that they could not doe good, though they desired and indeavoured it never so much. And Pope‡‡In Platina, of the lives of the Popes. Marcell flapping his hand on the Table, said, It was impossible, that any one Sitting in that Chaire could be Saved. And his own Decretalls say, That if the Pope carry with him millions of Soules to be tormented with the great Devil, no man may reprove him. So incorrigible he is. And this is according to Christs saying,§§Mat. 19. 24.Matt 19:24 That it is easier for a Camel to goe through the …ye of a needle, then for a Rich man to goe into the Kingdome of heaven. And are Prelates in any better condition? Is there any more hope of them, then of the Pope, that ever they can or will repent? If they will repen… indeed, that they may not be the Sons of perdition, either in themselves, or also in others, they must get them out of the Chaire of Pestilence, they must in one word, abandon their Prelacie, and Prelaticall practises. Will they doe this, and so cease both to Sinne themselves, and to cause others …o Sin? This were happy for them. And this were the onelyonly way to free them from being the Sons of Perdition, namely by ceaseing to be those men of Sin. But if Chrysostome said of Prelates in his dayes, that he wondred, if any of them could be saved: then what would he have said of the Prelates in our dayes?

Thirdly, Antichrist is called o `antikeímenos, that Adversary. But still under a pretext of being a friend; as before is noted. Thus Antichrist is the grand Adversary, … a'ntikeímenos, opposit, or set against. But against whom? Against Christ, against his word, against his Ministers, against his people, even all true professors of the Gospell, against all true Religion. Such is the Pope, and such are the Prelates, as their practises doe plainly prove, and openly proclaime them to be.

And Fourthly, here is added by a Copulative, kaì u`prairomenos, and He that exalts himselfe (as our English renders it) Over whom? Over all that is called God, or that is worshiped. Epìpantà, Over all, or against all (as some Translation hath it) that is called God. For the Preposition e'pì may signifie both. But for Against we have a'ntikeímenos, opposite, and so this we may take for lifting himselfe up over all that is called God, or that is worshiped; which we may understand two wayes, either over all Religion (as before we noted) or over all Policy, and Civill Government, over Kings, and Princes and Magistrates, who are**Psal. 82.Ps 82 called Gods, and over the Emperour himselfe, who is called s…bastos, which is venerable, or worshipfull; and the honour of Caesar which is called sèbasma (as in the Text) over which this Antichrist exalts himselfe. Now that this is verified of the Pope, it needs no proofe, as being as cleare as the Sun at noone day, and which Impudencie it selfe hath not the face to deny. But now for our Prelates, how is this verified of them? For they would seem to be friends to Kings and Princes, insomuch as they are by Princes themselves openly proclaimed to be a holy Order most Christian in it selfe, most peaceable in Civil States, and most consonant to Minarchie, or the like. For answere whereunto: First, if the Pope their Sire be such an Adversary, and so exalted, how can the Prelates be excused, seeing they are of the same Spirit, as the members actuated by the Head? Secondly, if Prelates be (as their ordinary practises doe shew) Adversaries and opposits to Christ, and to his word, aswell as the Pope is (as before is noted) how can their Hierarchie be said to be either most Christian in itselfe, or most peaceable to Civil States, or most consonant to Monarchie? Can such an Hierarchie be most Christian, which is most Antichristian? Or can it be peaceable for a Civil State, that professeth Christianity, yea and the true Religion, to uphold and maintaine such as are most notorious Adversaries to Christ, and to the Gospel? Or can that be most Copsonant to a Monarchy (professing to be under Christ the onelyonly Monarch, on whom all others depend, and to be governed by good and just Lawes, and not by a Lawlesse Tyranny, which it selfe is an Hierarchicall Tyranny, and such as Tyranniseth over soules, bodies, and estates? Or can Prelates be true Friends to Princes, who under a false vizard of Friendship labour to corrupt them by their flattery, to make them forget they are men, to make them disaffected with their good Subjects, to make them the Authors of Innovation in Religion, by suppressing the Truth by their publicke Edicts, which tends to fill the People with discontents, and to stirre up Sedition, and the like? Can this be safe for Monarchie, or peaceable for the Civil State, or a thing in it selfe most Christian? Nor is it so onelyonly with our present Prelates. Revolve all Histories since Antichrists exaltation, and ye shall find that never any great Treasons have been, either against the persons of Princes, or their Civil States (if they were but suspected of disaffection to the Papacy, or Romish Religion) but either a Prelate, or some of his faction had his finger in it. But there it may suffice, that our eyes have been witnesses of the effects of Prelaticall pranks and practises, in being so busie and bold to bring in againe the Romish Religion, and after the Gospel had taken such deep rooting. So as if our Kings wisdome had not been the greater in composing things in a peaceable way (as foreseeing the dangerous Consequences that might have ensued, in case he should have by a strong hand gone about to have reduced that Antic bristian Government into that Kingdome, which it had now cast out) God knows what wofull calamities such a Warre might have produced. But blessed be God, for preventing it.

Againe. As the Pope lifts up himselfe above and against all Emperious Kings, and Princes; yea setting his feet on their necks, causing them to hold his stirrop, to lead his palfrey, and doe such like Offices (as his Holinesse Booke of Ceremonies, and other Histories shew) to hold their Kingdomes in Fee from him, and the like: and as his Cardinalls take place of Kings, his Archprelates of Dukes, his Prelates of Lords: So our Prelates (which come from them, and pro…esse still to be of one and the same Church with them, of one and the same Hierarchicall Catholicke Church, of one and the same Faith and Religion, as before is noted) doe they not the like, according to their proportion, and degree? Doe duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page not Archprelates take place of Dukes, and Prelats of Lords? Nay, doe they not set their feet upon the neck of the Kings Laws, while they (though as yet de jure they cannot, yet de facto they doe) exempt themselves from them, in that they by their power in Court, and threatnings in their own Courts, so terrifie all Prohibitions, that they dare not peep, or shew their Faces in the High-Commission; as the Author of the**See the Apologie. His Epistle to the Iudges. His Sermons. Apologie, and Two Sermons, For God and the King, hath observed, though he hath payd dearely for his truth telling? Thus doe they not u`praírethai, highly exalt themselves above all that is called God (as above Kings and Civil States) while they dare thus withdraw their necks from under the obedience of their good and just Laws (the benefit whereof the Kings good Subjects should enjoy in relieving themselves, and their innocent Cause from the Prelates unjust and tyrannicall oppressions in the lawlesse proceeding in their Courts) and so set their proud feet upon the Kings both Laws, which are the sinews, and loyall People, which are the members of the same Body Politick, whereof the King is the Head? Do they not herein come neere their Father Pope, who trampleth upon Emperours necks, when they dare tread upon the Kings feet, as‡‡Gen. 3. 15.Gen 3:15 the Serpent did upon Christs heele? And for this Cause is the Hierarchie, or Antichristianisme, called by the Apostle, the Mysterie of Iniquity. Yea the Mystery tes a'nomías, of Lawlessenesse; for which cause the Head of this Mystery, to wit, the Grand Antichrist, or the Pope, is called o`anomos, that Lawlesse one, which our English turnes, That wi…ked.

So as here may fitly come in Antichrists Fift Title o` a'nomos, that Lawlesse one. This the Pope proves himselfe to be, as being subject to no Laws, either of God, or man. So as (he saith) he hath all Laws folded up in the Cabinet of his own brest, as being the great Oracle of the world, and the onelyonly infallible Iudge in matters of Faith; at least, when he Sits in Peters Chaire; and that he can dispense with the Apos…, and the like. But how doth his agree with our Prelates? Are they also such a'nomi, such Lawlesse ones, as to merit the next place to the Pope, for the Title of Antichrist? Yes surely, they hold a correspondence with their Syre, so as in all things they doe patrifare, shew themselves to be his Sons. Of their Lawlessenesse, in regard of Subjection to Princes Laws, we spake but now. And now remaines to shew how they are Lawlesse, in regard of Gods Laws. First, their Hierarch…e is … at all, nor in any thing (as neither g…o…ded; so) regulated by the Law of God, and of C…ist, but meerly by their own Lawlesse Canons, which are the Laws of their Lawlesse Kingdome. Yea, and when they list, they have a Prerogative to goe either beyond, or against their Canons, in case their lust find not scope enough. Secondly, (as is noted before) they not onelyonly can dispense with Gods Law, but dare and doe annihilate it, and make it of no authority. For they doe unmoralize the 4th Commandement, as concerning the Sabbath day for Christians: they allow profane Sports thereon, which Gods Law hath altogether forbidden: they forbid preaching on that day, which Gods word commandeth to be both in season, and out of season: they altogether forbid preaching of the Doctrines of Grace, which Gods word commends unto us, and commands to be preached: they Suspend the sense of the Articles of Religion touching. Gods free Grace, thereby giving way to the contrary Errours, which they forbid Preachers to confute, flatly against **Tit. 1. 9.Titus 1:9Gods Commandement: they dispense with the fift Commandement, dissolving the bond of obedience in Children and Servants to the Parents and Masters, and stripping those Governours of their Authority over them, while they give them liberty to Sport, and run riot on the Lords day, and threaten all that shall dare to controule them. And herein also, they destroy Mans Law: for the Law of the Land no where, either allows any such profane Sports on the Lords dayes, but flatly forbids them: or forbids Parents and Masters to restraine their youth from such profanati…ns, or to correct them, if they offend, and will not obey then Lawfull Commands: nor much lesse hath the Law of the Land given any such power and authority to any Civil Magistrate, or other, to punish those, that shalbe brought before them, for exercising their lawfull authority over those under their charge. And we all know, that the Prelates had the chiefe hand, not onelyonly in penning, but in publishing that Booke for Sports on the Lords day, which is an open proclaiming of Warre against God, against Christ, against his holy Laws, against all holinesse, against our Christian vow in Baptisme, against the good Laws of the Land, and Acts of Parliament, and against the very bonds of all Civill and Natural Societies. And thus our Prelates are the most notorious Lawlesse men (onelyonly excepting the Grand Antichrist, the Pope, unlesse in some things they doe outstrip him) that ever were in any Age of the world.

Further, two wayes more doe the Prelates prove themselves to be o`i a'nomei, those Lawlesse men. As first, in hanging the Keys of Scripture at their Girdle, saying, that the Credit and belie… of Scripture to be the word of God, doth necessarily depend upon the Authority and Tradition of the present Church, as the prime inducing cause to that bel…f. This our great Prelate in his said Book boldly affirmeth… and often repeateth, saying withall, that the Scripture hath not light enough in it selfe, is not sufficient to shew and prove it selfe to be the word of God. So as the whole Authority of Scripture… depending upon Church-Tradition, and Authority, is necessarily made subject to Episcopall Power, and so consequently the Law of God contained therein, shall not be Divine, unlesse it please their good Lordships to give their good word for it, and to make it of so much credit, by the vote of their Authority and Tradition, as that men may beleeve it to be Gods Law. And upon this ground it is, that if the Prelates shall pronounce the 4th Commandement not to be Morall for the sanctifying of a Seventh day, yea the first day of the weeke, for Sabbath, and that Servants, and Children are not bound to yeeld obedience to their Masters and Parents on that day, in Case Civil or Ecclesiasticall Authority shall dispense with them to be free that day for their Sports. then all men must be of their opinion, that those Commandements are none of Gods Commandements. The second way, whereby Prelates doe shew themselves Lawlesse men, is by denying the Scripture to be Iudge in Controversus of Faith. For the said Prelate pe…emptorily saith,**pag. 378. I absolutely make a lawfull and free Generall Councel Iudge of Controversies, by and according to Scriptures. Which [By and according to the Scriptures] come in by the By, and are meere Cyphers. For by these words he either meanes, That By and according to the Scriptures hee absolutely makes, &c. which is most false: for by and according to the Scripture no Generall Councel is Iudge of Coneroversies; Neither by and according to the Scriptures hath the Prelate power absolutely to make a Generall Councel Iudge of Controversies: or els, by these words he doth but cast a …yst before his Readers eyes to make him beleeve upon the first rebound of his words, that he makes Scripture the Rule, for Generall Councels to determine Controversies by. Whereas he meanes no such thing. For elswhere he hath sundry speeches to the contrary: as‡‡pag. 31. The Churches Declaration can bind us to peace, and externall obedience, where there is not expresse letter of Scripture, and s…nce agreed upon. And againe, If there be a a…eal…usie or doubt of the sense of Scripture, a Generall Councel must judge the Difference: onelyonly Scripture must be the Rule. Now if Scripture be doubtfull, and not cleare, how can it be a rule to others, to judge by? But if Scripture be sufficiently and aboundantly cleare in it selfe in resolving of matters of faith for salvation, how come men to take upon them to be Iudges? But that the Scripture it selfe should be Iudge, the Prelate in no case, in no place of his Booke will allow of that: OnelyOnly he confesseth, that the Scripture is a **pag. 80. & 194.Iudge, but without light Sufficient: visible, but not living, not speaking but by the Church. So as the Iudge he makes upon the matter both blind, and dead, and dumb. As the‡‡Lighius. Hosius. de expresso Dei Verbo. Papists make it a dead letter, and Leaden or Lesbian Rule, that so they may set the Church above it, to be Supreme Iudge. Thus our Prelates (if they will allow their Primate to speake for them) have made the Scripture, and so Gods word of no Authority in and of it selfe, when it must depend both for its Authority, and Sense upon the Church and that the Prelaticall Church, or that Catholicke, wherein the Church Prelaticall of England, and of Rome, are one and the Same. Are not the Prelates then, next after the Pope, those Lawlesse men, branded here by the Apostle, under the name of that Lawlesse one?

We come now to the Sixth note of Antichrist in the Text: which is… that he at God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe, that he is God. Now the‡‡1 Cor. 3. 10. 17. & 6. 19. 2 Cor. 6. 16.1 Cor 3:101 Cor 3:171 Cor 6:192 Cor 6:16 Temple of God, properly, according to the New Testament (the ancient Temple of the Iews being abolished) is the Soule and Conscience of every beleever: or true Christian, namely a Spirttuall Temple. Now all that beare but the beare name of Christians, as Papists doe, doe also participate of the bare Name of such, as are the true Temples: and so in that respect, Antichrist is said to sit in, or upon or over the Temple of God. For sitting, argues a Seat, Chaire, or Throne, which Antichrist sets up in the Soules and Consciences of all Papists, Sitting and raigning as King over them in all matters of faith. So as thus he makes himselfe a Spirituall Lord, or King over them. And thus by Antichrists sitting is understood his raingning, as the Scripture doth often use this Terme: as Revel. 17. 1. 3. 15. and 18. 7. And so in other places of Scripture, by sitting, is understood raigning, as Heb. 1. 13. 1. Rev. 1. 13. Now that the Pope doth thus set up his throne, and sit and raigne in the Consciences of men, who are the Subjects and vassalls of his Spirituall Kingdome, himselfe cannot, will not deny. And he sits, as God, that is, assumes and exercises that power and authority over the Conscience, which appertaines to God, to Christ alone. And thus he makes shew, that he is God, as to whom God hath committed all his Power and authority unto. As the Pope calls himselfe Vice-God, Christs Vicar, and the like, usurping whatsoever Titles of Power Christ hath in the Scripture: as we read of Leo 10, in the Councel of Lateran, calling himselfe the Lyon of the Tribe of Iudah, and the like. And Bellarmine blusheth not to say, and therein to Blas-Pheme, that what soever is attributed to Christ in the Scripture, is communicated to his Vicar, the Pope. And thus is fullfilled that, which Christ, foretold,**Mat. 24. 5.Matt 24:5 Many shall come in my Name, saying, I am, or I am Christ, and shall deceive many. Thus for the Pope, that man of Sinne, Mark 13. 6.Mark 13:6that Sonne of Perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himselfe, ab…ve all that is called God, Luk. 21. 8.Luke 21:8or that is worshiped, that Lawlesse one, that as God sits in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe, that he is God… Now for our Prelates, are they not herein also, as in all the rest, at least petty Gods Sitting in the Temple of God, shewing themselvs to be so many Gods? As for their materiall Princely Thrones in materiall Temples, they have them set up in great State. But this is nothing to that Throne, which they have set up, and wherein they sit and raigne, over the Consciences and Soules of Gods people; their multitude of Canons and Ceremonies being so many Laws by which they rule over them, and so many bonds or Chaines, whereby they hold them in Spirituall bondage. And thus they sit also as God, in the Timple of God, shewing themselves to be God, in saying they are Christs Vice-Roys, and the Apostles Successors, having Authority from Christ to exercise that their Iurisdiction and Power over Gods People, who are the living Temples of the living God. Thus we see all along, how this Army of Priests (as G…egory and others call them) the Prelates, do follow their Captain and King Antichrist step by step, in all his properties here described by the Apostle.

The last thing we propounded here to speake of, is, That Apostacie must goe before to strow the way, to the full revealation of the Mystery of Iniquity, and so of Antichrist, which Apostacie was partly and primarily the Prelacie. I say, partly and primarily. For partly the removall of the Imperiall Seat, from Rome to Constan…inople by Constantine, and partly the decaying and declyning of the Empire, and partly the defection of sundry Kingdomes from the Empire, made way for Antichrists greatnesse, to which he grew not but by degrees, and that through many Ages. Yet the prime foundation of his Babylonian Tower was layd in the Apostles own times, they labouring to hinder it all they could, but not prevailing herein, they preached and writ against it, and so forewarned Gods people to beware of it. And this foundation so long agoe begun to be layd, was the Prelacie, or rather the Spirit of Prelacie, which had a time of working even while the Apostles lived, and became to be as it were an Embrio or little Masse, but did not receice the forme of a body, till afterwards, and was long a growing up, untill it came to the full stature. Now (I say) the spirit of Prelacie was the very beginning of the Apostacie, which was Antichrists way-maker.

But how doth it appeare, that this spirit of the Prelacie began to worke in the Apostles dayes? And then secondly, how will it appeare, that this spirit of the Prelacy was and is an Apostacie? For answere: First, that the Prelacie began to get life in the Aposiles time, it is manifest by sundry places of Scripture. As 2. Cor. 11. 20. Ye suffer (saith the Apostle to the Corinthians) if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devoure you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himselfe, if a man smite you on the face. Now the Apostle meanes here of those immediately mentioned before, to wit, false Ministers, whom he calls false Apostles, deceitfull work…rs is transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ, v. 13. 15. These (as young Prelates) would be Apostolic…ll men; and they have the qualities of Prelates, they Captivate Gods people (as before) they devoure, take, exalt themselves, smite… just Prelate-like. And for brevity (to omit sundry other places) we find one pretty briske Prelaticall man in 3. Iob. 9. 10. his Name was Diotrephes, and he did beare himselfe according to his Name, as one of Iupiters nurslings: his qualities are these: 1. He loveth to have the preeminence. 2. he receiveth not the Apostles, and brethren: 3. he prateth against them with malicious words: 4. he neither receiveth the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would: 5. he casteth them out of the Church. Loe here a pretty well grown Prelaticall Child, a pregnant Sparke to make a Lord Prelate of. For all his Properties are proper to a Prelate: for a Prelate, first, loves the preeminence: 2. though he pretend to Succeed the Apostles, yet his deeds shew, that he hates both their Doctrine, and Example, persecuting them in their true Successors: 3. he receiveth not the brethren: yea 4. he so hates the very name of holy brethren, that he forbids all men to receive them: and 5. he casteth them out of the Church, he playes fy gib with his thunderbolt of Excommunication. I might insist more, and inlarge all these particulars: but this may suffice to shew, that the Spirit of the Prelacie was stirring in the wombe of the Church, even while the Apostles lived.

Now for the Second, it is no lesse true, that the Spirit of the Prelacy was and is an Apostacy from Christ. This first appeares by the Apostles former words of falling away first, which made way for Antichrist. And this began in the Prelacie: for the Prelacy is the setting up of a new Church, a new Kingdome, turning Christs heavenly Kingdome into an earthly, and the Spirituall into a carnall, and the Kingdome of Grace, into a Kingdome of terrene glory, and the Church militant into a Church malignant and triumphant (as before is noted) and the true Catholicke Church which we beleeve to consist of all the Elect onelyonly, Christs living members) into a new Catholicke visible Church of all nominall Christians, tagge and ragge, Papists and others: and in a word, the Church of Christ into the Church and Synogogue of Antichrist. Is not here then a fearefull Apostacie, and falling from Christ? Time calls me off, and therefore I must be very briefe. I will adde therefore but one place more for the proofe of this, That Prelacy is Apostacy from Christ. It is in 1 Io. 2. 18. Little children, it is the last time, and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists, whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us; but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest, that they were not all of us. Loe, here is an Apostacie, and it is of certaine Antichrists, that were then sprung up, even many Antichrists. But how doth this concerne our Prelates? Let us looke but a little lower, and as before we found them wrapped in the Swadling Clouts of the Mystery of Iniquity: So here we shall behold them in the very robes of Antichrist. For v. 22. Who is a lyar, but he that denyeth, that Iesus is the Christ: He is Antichrist, &c. Now what is it to deny Iesus to be the Christ? Surely we must so take these words, as we hold the Analogie of faith, and so, as they crosse not the Mystery of Iniquity, which we shewed before to be a denying of Christ, under a colour of confessing him. Now then there is a twofold denyall of Christ: one in words, another in works. So the Apostle saith of such,**Tit. 2. 16.Titus 2:16 They porfesse that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good worke reprobate. So as there is a denyall of Christ in deeds. But what it is to deny, that Iesus is the Christ? This is a point indeed very considerable. To deny that Iesus is the Christ, is to deny, that Iesus is the Auointed King Priest and Prophet; So, as never any were anointed, to all these 3 Offices. And therefore Christ was said to be‡‡Psal. 45.Ps 45 anointed above his fellows. And for that cause he is called here, o' Kristòs, The Anointed. Now then to deny that Iesus is the Christ, is to deny, that Iesus is the onelyonly King, the onelyonly High Priest, aud the onelyonly Prophet of his Church. But ( to apply this) doth the Pope, and so our Prelates, deny that Iesus is thus the Chirst? Yes, they do. First, for the Pope, it is manifest, that he denyes Iesus to be the only King of his Church: because himselfe takes upon him to be King over the Church, sitting as God in the Temple of God, shewing himselfe, that he is God; as before is shewed. Secondly, he not onelyonly sets up other High-Priests in heaven, as whom he makes Mediators of Interc…ssion: and so he denyes Christs High priesthood in heaven, whose Office alone it is to make Intercession within the v…ile, as was typed by the High Priest, Heb. 9. but the Pope also makes himselfe the High Priest on Earth, in forgiving of Sins, and in Sacrificing and offering up a Breaden Christ for a propitiatory Sacrifice, wherein also every Masse-Priest usurps Christs Priesthood on the Crosse. And Thirdly, he denyeth Iesus to be the onelyonly Prophet to teach his Church, taking upon him to be the Sole Oracle, and unerring Iudge in matters of Faith. These might be inlarged, but I hasten. And a word in things so cleare, is sufficient. Now for our Prelates: Do not they too deny, that Iesus is the Christ? Doe not they deny him to be the only King of his Church, by their usurping of his throne and dominion over the Consciences of Gods people in matters of faith and Religion, by imposing their manifold Canons, and Ceremonies, as before is shewed? And Secondly, do they not deny, that Iesus is the onelyonly High Priest, while themselves with the Pope, and their false Priesthood, take upon them to forgive Sins? Yea and doe they not labour to come home to Rome, in setting up their Altars, with their Priests, which must needs have a sutable Sacrifice, some Host: so as thereby Christ is denyed to be the onelyonly High Priest, who offered up himselfe on the Crosse once for all? Thirdly, and Lastly, doe they not deny Iesus to be the onelyonly Prophet of his Church, while themselves usurpe the Office of being Iudges of the S…ripture, and of the Controversies of Faith, making their Dictates to be received for Doctrines, and their determinations (though in things erronious in the Faith) to bind all men to peace and obedience? Which being so: the Conclusion is, that as the Pope is the grand Antichrist, so Prelates are so many Antichrists. For (saith the Apostle) Who is a lyer, but he that denyeth, that Iesus is the Christ? He is Antichrist. And thus we see, how these hypocrites, who are so Superstitiously and Idolatrously devout in their worshiping of the Name JESUS, prove themselves notorions. Antichrists, in denying Iesus to be the Christ, to be the only King, Priest and Prophet of his Church.