Lord Bishops None of the Lords Bishops, Title page – Dedication
LORD BISHOPS, NONE OF THE LORDS BISHOPS. OR A SHORT DISCOVRSE, WHERIN IS PROVED THAT PRELATICALL JURISDICTION, IS NOT OF DIVINE Institution, but forbidden by Christ himselfe, as Heathenish, and branded by his Apostles for Antichristian; wherin also sundry notable passages of the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury in his late Booke, Intituled, A Relation of a Conference, &c. are by the way met withall.
MATH. 20. 25, 26. Iesus said to his Disciples, ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise Authority upon them: But it shall not be so among you: But whosoever wilbe Great among you, let him be your Servant.
1 Joh. 2. 18, 19. Even as there are many Antichrists: They went out from us, but they were not of us.
BERN. Praelati Pilati: non Pastores, sed Impostores.
Printed in the MonethMonth of November, 1640.
TO THE HIGH AND HONOVRABLE COURT OF PARLIAMENT, THE NOBILITIE AND GENTRIE NOVV Assembled in both the Houses, Grace, Mercy and Peace be multiplyed.
MOST Noble Senare, and right worthy Pattiots, who both feare your GOD, and honour your King; He who truly honours you, and dayly prayes for a blessed successe of this your Meeting, humbly presents you here with a Cause, which well weighed in your maturest judgements, may prove one of those greatest Parliament Businesses, which your most pious and prudent thoughts and Consultations are taken up withall. When you have perused this short Discourse concerning Prelaticall Authority, whence it is, and if it shall appeare by cleare evidence of Scripture, justly compared with their Prelaticall properties, and practises, that they are the Seed of Antichrist, the Mystery of Iniquity; a more then Heathenish Tyranny over Soules, bodies, and estates; a meere enmity (but under the veile of Hypoerisie) against Christ, against his Word, against his Ministers, against his People, and the Salvation of their Soulee; yea against the peace and prosperity of Civil States, by their Factious and Seditious practises, and the like: Your Wisdome, your Piety, your Zeale for GOD, your Love to Christ, your Loyalty to your King, your tender compassion towards your poore Country, your Christian care of your own Soules, and of your Posterities, will all of them call and cry for a serious Consultation, and a speedy resolution what is to be done herein, as you shall apprehend the Prosperity, or Calamity of this whole Church and State, and the happy or miserable issues of Parlliaments to depend upon it. A word to the wise. What I would further say, I will turne into continuall Supplication to the Great President of Councels JESUS CHRIST, that he will send his Spirit of Wisdome and Vnderstanding, the Spirit of Councel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Feare of the Lord: that Antichrists throne being quite cast out, and Christs alone set up, the King may be established in perpetuall Peace and Prosperity to himselfe and Royall Posterity, 'till the coming of Him, who shall put an end to Times and Kingdomes; and with whom all that truly serve him here, shall raigne for evermore.
Your Honours and Worships faithfull Orator till death.