Of Religious Communion Private and Public, Part 2

Of Religious Communion Private and Public · Part 2

p. 17Of publique Communion.

AS vve are then to ioyn our selves vvith them, wherein God hath ioyned vsus; so are we, wherein he severeth vsus, to sequester & sever our selves. And this I verily beleiv he doth in theyr, & our Church Communion, Service, Order of Government, Ministery, & Ministrations. If the parrish assemblyes gathered by compulsion, of all the parrishioners promiscuously: the Provinciall, Diocesan, & Lordly government: the Ministery thence derived, with …e service-book, & administrations accordingly, be of God; then is our …lowship, onelyonly of persons sanctifyed (at least outwardly) ioyning them…ves by voluntary profession vnderunder the government, & Ministery of an …ership; cōceaving prayers & thankesegivings, according to the Churches …esent occasions) by the teachings of the spirit, & so administering the …craments accordeing to the simplicity of the gospell, not of God, nor …m heaven. If on the contrary, ours be of God, & of his Christ; then is …eyrs of Anti-Christ, Gods, & Christs adversary. Eyther the one or other … plantings, which God hath not planted, & shalbe rooted vp. We will breifly con…er of the particulars.

And first, the word, kahall, in Hebrew; in Greek Ecclesia, in English, Church; …nifyeth a company of people called out; & that in respect both of the …ce, or will of the Caller, & obedience of the Called: & so, restreyned to …gious vse, signifyeth a company of people called, & come out of the …e of nature, into the state of grace; out of the world, into the kingdom … Christ. Who are therefore entituled,††1. Cor. … 2. Eph 2. 19 20. 21. 1. Tim. 3. 15. Math. 13 24. & 2… 43. Act. 1. 3.1 Cor 2Eph 2:191 Tim 3:15Matt 13:24Matt 2:43Acts 1:3 Saynts by calling, & sanctifyed, or se…ated, in Christ Iesus: the temple, house, & houshould of God, & kingdom of hea…, & of God. And since the Church is neyther a naturall, nor a civill, but …pirituall state, it must not be gathered, nor consist, of naturall, or civill, …other then spirituall persons. And this will yet better appear, if we con…er it (as the scriptures direct vsus) as††Eph. 1… 22. 23. & 4 15. 16. Col. 1. 24 Eph 4. 16Eph 1:22Eph 1:23Eph 4:15Eph 4:16Col 1:24 the body of Christ, vnderunder him the head; to which therefore it must be conformable in every part, by the indwelling of … spirit, effectually workeing in the measure thereof.

2^dly, vntounto the true Church**Rō. 9. 4. 1 Cor 3… 21. 22.1 Cor 3:211 Cor 3:22 apperteyn the Covenant, & promises, the …nistery, sacraments, & services of God, with all the holy things of God of Christ: which must therefore be gathered, & consist of such persons, vntounto which these things belong in communion, & by common right. p. 18And both the Scriptures, & common reason teach, that whomsoever th… Lord doth call, & vse to, & in any speciall work, & imployment, he doth in a speciall manner separate, & sanctify them therevnto. And so the C… being to be imployed in the speciall service of God, to the glory of his … ciall love, & mercy in theyr happines, & to shew forth his vertues, must be… such persons, as by, & in whom, he will, & may thus be worshipped glorifyed: & as are by him both in theyr persons, & fellowship, sepa…ted, & sanctifyed therevnto.

But here the Authours of a certayn treatise published agaynst M^r Ch… charg A sheild …f Defē ce &c. …ag. 8….him with much falsehood, for affirming all true Churches from the beginning of the world to have been established by this separation, which we (whom the… call Brownists, as the Church of Engl: calles them Puritans) do desyre. A… for this they desyre it may be shewed, how the Church of God before the flood … gathered by such a separation, to wit, of the godly, from the prophane; … this is the separation, we desyre. And know they not that God in establishingANSW. the first Church of the Gospell††Gen. 3. …5 & 4. 12. …6. …oh 8. 44.Gen 3:5Gen 4:12Gen 4:6 put emnity (which is more then separation) between the seed of the woman, Christ & the faythfull in him: & the se… of the Serpent, Sathan, & the wicked with him theyr father? Which separation also stood so firm, as the sons of God, might not so much as take th… wives of the daughters of men. Or if these men will have mariage (as byGen. 6. 2. …. 45.Gen 6:2Gen 6:45 theyr practise they make it) a Church action, then they see an expresse separation for Ch: Communion before the flood.

And where they further alledg that the Dutch, & French Churches which we acknowledg for true Ch: were not established by such a separation, as we make they accuse them vniustly, to excuse themselves.

They were at the first established of a sanctifyed people by voluntar… profession separateing themselves into particular Churches from the pro… phane multitudes in the places, & parrishes where they lived, (& th… with great persequution:) & so do still continue a separated people… though thorough continuance of tyme, & peace, they (as all othe… Churches vse to do) have lost of theyr first purity, & Zeal. Were, or an… any commpelled into them by penall lawes? Or do they consist of all… the parrish inhabitants, as the Engl: Parrishionall Churches were, & do… Doth not M^r Cluse, & we all, & these men themselves know, that scar… one of ten in the parrish, is of the Church in the whole cuntry through out? How do they then reproach the Churches of God (contrary t… theyr own, & all mens knowledg) as not being a separated people fro… the prophane multitude? The thing is, they would by casting dirt, & myr… in other mens faces, make theyr own seem the fayrer.

p. 19That the Dutch, & French Churches condemn our separation, as schism, is ney…her to the purpose, nor true: neyther can they name one Church that ever …assed any such Censure vppon vsus: neyther hath any one learned, & godly …an amongst them (to my knowledg) ever gone about to refute our pra…tise, or confession (though published both in Dutch, & Latin vntounto them) …hich notwithstanding they have done in theyr publique wryteings ge…erally agaynst such Heretiques, & Schismatiques, as have been amongst …hem. It is more both pertinent, & true, that the Ch: of Engl: (for which …hese men plead) condemns them her proctours as Schismatiques, & excom…unicates, for theyr wicked errours.

If M^c Iohnson confesse (as they tell vsus) the Ch: of Engl: a true Church, he …ust be able to prove it established by separation, & a seperated body, in the …onstitution. He with the rest have formerly defyned a true visible Ch: a com…any of people called, & separated from the world by the word of God, &c: & provedApol. 3… Posit. Confe… of fay… Art. 17. …he same by many scriptures.

And to conceav of a Church (which is the body of Christ, & houshould of God) not separated from the prophane††1. Ioh. 19. world, which lyeth in wickednes, is …o confound heaven, & earth, & to agree Christ, with Beliall: & in truth, the …ost prophane, & daungerous errour, which, this day, prevayles amongst …hem, that fear God: & by which Christianity is more exposed to the con…empt of Turkes & Iewes then by any other evill.

But here a defence by many made, & much set by, must be consideredOBI. …f; which is, that the wicked, & prophane in the parrishes (though frequenting the …ame place with the rest) are not of the Church; but onelyonly they who fear God, & make …onscience of theyr wayes.

It they sayd, no other should be of the Church: though comeing intoANSW …he same place, it were true: but to argue from that which should be, to …hat which is, when that is not, which should be, is vnsound, & presump…uous: as is that indeed of all other defences, most frivolous. Thus might …he Cor: have answered Paul, that the incestuous mā was none of the Ch: though 1. Cor. ……e frequented the same place with them. And if this defence were good, the greatest part of the Ministers of the Church should not be of the Church: …or the greatest part from the Prelate to the Paritour, are (God knoweth) irreligious, & vnconscionable persons. For conclusion then: we all know, …hat the Ministers, Parsons, Vicars, or Curats, are appoynted, & so called …he Parrish Preists, & are accordeingly to Minister: Offering vp the Parrish Prayers, & Sacrifices: & of the Parrishes to receav tithes, & offerings, …s theyr duetyes: to Marry, Church after Childe-byrth, Baptize, & bury …ll that are maryed delivered of Childe, born, & do dy in theyr parrishes: & so to give the Lords supper to every one of them at sixteen years ould. p. 20If it be sayd, the Minister may suspend, & so procure (if they reform not the excommunication of all vnworthy persons: admit it; & even this proves, the whole parrish yea the most wicked with the rest, to be the Church▪ For otherwise what needed they be suspended, or how could they be ex… communicated; since the Ch: is not to iudg them, which are without, but the… which are within?

Let all them then who fear God, know, & consider, that when th… come to worship in the parrish assemblyes, they ioyn themselves where C… hath not ioyned them: & acknowledg that society for the true Ch: of God & communion of Saynts, which he hath not sanctifyed for that purpose… that, they offer theyr solemn sacrifices out of the true temple, made of liv… stones: where alone they should present them: that in††…. Pet 2. 5 Deut. 1…. 5. 6. 7. …1. Cor. 10. 17.Deut 1:5Deut 1:6Deut 1:71 Cor 10:17 eating of one brea… they make themselves one body with them: & them members of Christ, wh… are (for the present) apparent lims of Sathan: & that in saying Our Fath… with them, they acknowledg them for the children of God, who in th… perswasion of theyr own consciences, are‡‡Ioh. 8. …4.John 8:4 of theyr father the divell, & do … lustes.

And (which is most of all to be observed, & wherein those parrish assemblyes do differ from all true Churches in the world) this mischef is no… casuall, & falling in by occasion, but of the very first frame, & constitution into which,Gal. 2. 4 Iude. 4.Gal 2:4Jude 1:4 false brethren, & wickedmen have not crept privily, as into th… Churches of God of ould, & of late also; but have been, & are, by bodily punishments publiquely, & openly, into them constreyned, & in the… continued. Neyther in this confusion, did the wicked intrude, & thru… themselves into the fellowship of holy assemblyes, as in true Churches … too commonly to be seen: but on the contrary, the godly (few as they were, & yet are in comparison) did vnite, & mingle themselves (after they… dispersion in popery) in, & into the prophane parrishes, where theyr ou…ward estates, & occasions lay. And 2^dly, whereas the trueMath. …8. 17. 1. Cor. 5. …. 5. Heb. 12. …5. Gal. 5. 11. 1. Thess. 3 14.Matt 8:171 Cor 5Heb 12:5Gal 5:111 Thess 3:14 Churches … Christ enioy his presence, & power, for the purgeing out of persons ap… pearing vngodly, & incorrigible; these parrishonall assemblyes want no… onelyonly all such power in them, or theyr Ministers (which the Prelates, & theyr substitutes have seazed into theyr hands, & for the stablishing … whose state, & advantage of whose honour, & profit it is, to have them n… better) but even all possibility of reformation, except they cease to be g…thered by theyr parrish perambulation, as they are, instead of holy, volu… tary, & personall profession of fayth, & confession of sins as, they should be.

Now touching theyr solemn, & set book-service, thus much. Since th… Lord hath no where commaunded, or requyred in his word (which is th… p. 21onelyonly Rule for his worship) any humayn, & apochripha wryteings to be …sed in his Church to worship him by, much lesse to be read, by stint, for prayer, it is vnlawfull for any of Gods servants to††Col. … 23. submit vntounto any such voluntary religion, through humblenes of mynde, or for any other cause: or to partake in the holy things of God by it administred: lest‡‡Math. … 9.Matt 9 they worship in …ayn, & God reprove them saying, who hath requyred these things at your …ands?

But they tell vsus, that Christ hath taught his disciples when they prayed, to …y Our Father &c. True, but I deny it to be Christs meaning to bynde themOBI. …o these very words: as the ministers are bound to say theyr Certayn. ForANSW. …eyther do the two Evangelists vse the very same words: neyther, if that were Christs meaning, were it lawfull to vse any other form of words.

For he sayth when you pray that is, whensoever you pray, say: & he whoLuke. 1… 2.Luke 1:2 …rayes not, as Christ there teacheth, offers strang fyre before the Lord. He …hen there teacheth to pray without hypocrisy, & vayn babling, & with fayth, & perseverance: though I doubt not, but these words also, being applyed …o present occasions, & without opinion of necessity, may be vsed. But ad…it Christs meaning were to ty his disciples to a form of words: will the Byshops therefore presume to impose vppon men, another form of words, … so an other form, & manner of worship? which (if Christ tyed his di…ciples to worship him by a certayn form of words, they appoynting an …ther form of words for his worship) they vndenyably do. Will they thus …alk cheek by iowl with Christ in his house, & set vp theyr threshoulds by Gods, Ezech. 4. 8.Ezek 4:8… appoynt a new manner of worshiping God, & so a new will of God, as …deed they do?

M^r Cluses forenamed adversaryes demaund touching a prayer of his in …he end of his book, whether any of his flock in reading of that his prayer, may lift A sheil… &c. pag. 38. 39.…p theyr heart, & say Amen to his petition. If not, then (say they) it is a sorry …ayer &c: if they may, then according to our doctrine, he sets vp a goulden Calf, … erects an Idoll, by setting down this form of prayer: & they, which in the reading … it, lift vp theyr hearts in prayer to desyre the same thing, commit Idolatry.

Nothing is absolutely, or in it self, an Idoll: but in relation to, & re…ectANSW. of the end, to which it is appoynted, & vsed. And we do therefore re…ute the service book an Idoll, because it is, & is appoynted to be read by the Minister, for his, & the Churches prayers. But what proportionable to his hath M^r Cluses prayer? Is it appoynted by him to this end, or by the …h: with him so vsed? It is published by him for the manifestation vntounto …thers of his desyre, that they by reading the same privately, might be admonished of, & provoked vntounto theyr duety. It is his prayer, but theyr in…ruction, & provocation: & so by them to be read, & vsed. And for the p. 22inward listing vp of the heart, is nothing to the question in hand; which is about the outward exercise, & manifestation of prayer. A man in reading or hearing read, Pauls Epistles: or in singing, or hearing sung Davids Psa… mes, or in opening, or hearing opened those, or any other Scriptures i… the Church may say Amen to any truth, or desyre in his heart that th… good things in them conteyned may be accomplished, & come to passe… Are therefore these scriptures, & sermons the prayers of the Church? … (which is the very poynt) is the reading, singing, preaching, & hearing o… them the Churches exercise of prayer, or praying? we doubt not but it i… lawfull to read privately the prayers, or sermons of any godly men th… come to our hands for instruction, & provocation in & vntounto any good du… …ty, & to have the heart therewith affected accordeingly: but to conclude… that therefore it is lawfull to bring the some into the Ch: & to read the… publiquely for that end, & (which is more) that the so reading of them … the preaching, & praying which the Ministers of Christ are to give themselv… Act. 6. 4. …. Cor. 12 …. 7. 8.Acts 6:4vntounto: & for theyr furnishing wherevnto, he giveth them the speciall gifis … his spirit, is to make ropes of sand: both will hould alike, & are indeed … like childeish. But let vsus a litle further wey theyr words. They call it Decluses prayer, because he penned it: acknowleding therin that theyr Chur… Service is the prayers of the Byshop or Chaplin that penned them: & th… manifestation of the spirit given to him, that is dead, & rotten. Whereas the Ministers of Christ have receaved theyr proper measure of the manifestation of the spirit to profit withall: by which theyr infirmityes are holpen, & the… …taught to pray, as they ought, & as are the Ch: necessityes, & occasions.

They further call this the reading of Decluses prayer: & therein confes… Rom. 8. …8.Rom 8:8theyr Ch: praying to be reading. And is reading praying? or are not these two distinct exercises, & for divers ends? Do men read to God, (whic… if to read be to pray) they must do? In praying, we powr matter out … the heart: but in reading we receav matter in: as common reason teach…eth. How ignorant then or obstinate soever men are in theyr custome… & traditions receaved from theyr auncestours, theyr set service read f… prayer is but an humayn devise for Gods worship (& that vnreasonab… also:) & so an Idoll & agaynst the 2^d Commaundment; with which … fellowship is to be had. Which whilst these men, & others will not lea… of God, by vsus, whose persons they despise, but will still plead for it, … they do; most iustly do they provoke God to punish them, & theyr f… lowes by it, as he doth, It is iust, that whilst one kindleth, & another blo…eth & a third offereth this strange fyre, they should together be scorch… with the flame of it.

It now remayns I ad a few things touching the government Ecclesia… p. 23…all, & Ministery. But for that it becometh all honest, & modest men to be more forward in defending theyr own, then in reproveing other mens …oeings; & that many lowd clamours of Anabaptistry, & Popularity are …aysed agaynst our government, I think it meet breisly to insert a few things …ouching our profession, & practise therein.

The government of the Church then, as it is taken most strictly for the outward ordering, directing, & guidance of the same Ch: in her affayres … for in a more generall sence the whole administration of Christs kingdom …y himself, or others, inwardly, or outwardly, publiquely, or privately, …ay be comprehended vnderunder the government of the Church) we place in …e Byshops, or Elders thereof, called by Christ, & the Ch: to feed, that is to …ach, Act 20. 17. 20. 1 Tim. 5 17.Acts 20:17Acts 20:201 Tim 5:17& rule the same. Which theyr government, & the nature thereof, I …ill playnly lay down in such particulars, as wherein the peoples liberty is …reatest: which are reduced to these three heads; 1. Exercise of prophecying: …. Choyce of Officers: & 3. Censureing of offendours.

And 1. for the Exercise of prophecying; wherein men though not in of…ce) have liberty to move, & propound theyr questions, & doubts for satis…ction,Luke 2. 46.Luke 2:46 as also haveing receaved a gift, to administer the same, vntounto edification, ex…rtation, Rom. 12. …Rom 12& comfort. As then Paul, 1. Pet. 4. 10.1 Pet 4:10& Barnabas comeing into the Synagogue of the …wes (where they were no Officers) the Rulers of the Synagogue sent vntounto …em after the lecture of the law, 1. Cor. 1… Act. 13. 14. 15.1 Cor 1Acts 13:14Acts 13:15if they had any word of exhortation to the people, to …y on: (which order the Iewes also observ in theyr Synagogues at this day) … with vsus, the Officers after theyr ordinary teaching, signify, & exhort vntounto …e vse of, the like liberty, in that, & the other particulars formerly named: …so (as there is occasion) open, & explayn things obscure, & doubtfull: …prove things vnsound, & impertinent: & so order moderate, & derter…ine the whole exercise by the word of God. And in this I suppose it ap…ears to all men, that the Officers govern.

For the choyce of Officers, we do take for our directions the practises of the …ostles, & Apostolicall Ch: Act. 1. & 6. & 14. grounded vppon a perpetuall …uity, that men should chuse them vnderunder Christ, vntounto whose faythfulnes, …der the same Christ, & by his appoyntment, they are to commit themsel…s, & theyr soules: & them, as Christs, & theyr servants to maynteyn: in …y one of which examples the conscience of a godly man is better esta…ished, then in all the Canons of Popes, or Prelates, or other devises of Politique …en whatsoever, departeing from the Apostolicall simplicity. I will instance … one example where this poynt is most largely, & clearly set down; vntounto …hich therefore the rest must be referred, & by it other places (handling the …me matter more breifly) explaned, & opened. We do read. Act. 6. how the …postles call together the multitude; shew them the necessity of Ch…esing Deacons, p. 24what theyr work is, & how they must be qualifyed, & how many they woul… have chosen: whom, being chosen accordingly, by the multitude, they ordey… sanctifying the whole action with prayer. Where it is evident, that though the calling did cheifly depend vppon the multitude, yet did the government of the whole action ly vppon the Officers. Conformable wherevnto is on… practise, so near as we can, vppon the like occasion.

Lastly, for our direction in the publique vse of the Censures, we propound to our selves the Rule of Christ Math. 18. 17. touching sins privat… in themselves, but to be made publique by the sinners refuseing to hear admonition: & with it, the practise thereof, by the doctrine of his Apostle… 1. Cor. 5. about a sin of publique nature. For the not Censureing where… he sharply reproveth the Church; vehemently exhorting them, that bein… come together in the name of the Lord Iesus, they would by his power (for the vse whereof he shewes his iudgment, for his parte severally, & promiseth hi… ioynt assent in theyr publique assembly) excommunicate the offendour. For neyther could the Apostle being but one, be the Church, or Congregation, which consists of two or three that is a company (though never s… small) gathered together in Christs name, …ath. 18 ….as he expounds himself: neyther di… he seaze into his own hands the liberty of the Corinth: for theyr neglecting it; as oppressours vse to deal with theyr tenants, & debtors, takeing the advantages of forfaytures agaynst them: neyther indeed could the Apostl… with any equity, or iustice proceed to any Censure agaynst the offender, … not being before sufficiently convinced of, & rebuked for his sin, as he shoul… have been.…. Tim. 5. ….

Answerable to the course by Christ & the Apostle there directed, & by the Corinth: observed, as appeareth 2. Cor: 2. 6. we desyre our practise may be. In which, sins scandalous (if in themselves of publique nature) a… brought to the Ch: by one of the Officers: or (if private, & to be mad… publique by the sinners impenitency) by the brother offended, & his witnesses, at the Officers appoyntment. Where, the sin (being manifested, … (for fact orderly proved agaynst the offender) is by the elders condemned, & rebuked by the word of God, & the sinner exhorted to repentance accordeing to the quality of the sin. In which conviction, & admonitio… lawfully, & sufficiently made, the Ch: resteth: the men manifesting they assent therevnto by some convement word, or signe, & the woemen by …lence. And so the admonition which before was Christs, & the Officers becomes the Churches: following the other as theyr governours, & no… otherwise.

Vppon which admonition if it please God to give the sinner repent … …. Tim. 2. ….answerable, & that he so manifest, God thereby receaveth glory, who wa… p. 25…ishonoured by his sin, & men who were offended, satisfaction: & so all …urther proceeding is stayed, & the person exhorted (& others by his ex…mple) to sin no more lest a worse thing happen vntounto him. But if he remayn ob…inate, & refuse to hear the Ch: & in it Christ, admonishing him, then with …orrow for the hardnes of his heart, (all long sufferance, & patience in the …ean while vsed, accordeing to the nature, & circunstances of the offence,) …y the power of the L: Iesus (not given to his Ch: in vayn) the impenitent …nner is, for his humbling, to be cut of, & excommunicated from the fel…owship of the Church: the Elders as governours goeing before in decre…g the sentence, & so one of them (vppon the peoples assent, as in admo…ition) pronounceing it in the name of Christ, & his Church.

But for that the Officers are frayl men, & those††1. Pet. 3.1 Pet 3 nor Lords over Gods he…tage, as are Princes, & Magistrates over theyr Subjects, but‡‡1. Cor. …. 1. & 2. cor. 4. 1 Ministers, … Servants of Christ the housband, & the Church the wife, whom the thing …oncerns in theyr places, as well as them) we think it lawfull for the bre…hren eyther doubtfull of any thing in the Officers administrations, to pro…ound theyr doubt for satisfaction; or seing them fayling in any materiall …hing, to admonish them of theyr duety & that they**Col. 4. 17.Col 4:17 look to their Office, …r (if need stand) to supply the same for the further clearing of things. …nd this whole proceedings we make, & vse ordinarily on the Lords day, …s being properly the L: work, a work of religion, directly respecting the …ul, & conscience: & of spirituall nature, as being an administration of Christs kingdom, which is not of this world. And this also when the whole Ch: … gathered together, as which it concerneth many wayes.Ioh 15. 36.John 15:36 1. Because the Ch: which is offended by publique sins, must be publiquely satisfyed.1. Cor. 4 4. 5.1 Cor 4:41 Cor 4:5 2. A …le leven, leveneth the whole lump (to wit of the Ch:) being vnpurged out. …. ‖‖1 Tim. 5. 20.1 Tim 5:20They that sin must be rebuked openly, that the rest may fear. 4. The Elders, or …sh…ps are to feed the flock by government publiquely, as well as by doctri…e; & being by them, over whom they are, to be highly loved for theyr work …ke, 1. Thi. … 12. 13.theyr work of government must be seen by the Ch: which is for the …me so to esteem them. And thus we beleiv, & practise accordingly, though … we confesse) with great weaknes. By which our weaknes it cometh also …o passe, that this comely order is sometymes interrupted, & humayn frayl…es intermingle themselves, eyther by the Officers fault in not govern…g, or the peoples in not obeying as they ought: so as we are at tymes …vertaken with some things both disorderly, & difficult to determine; as … also cometh to passe in all societyes, & governments of, & by men, what…oever. And as in nature, the corruption of the best thing is the worst, so …n the breach of the most comely order, there is the greatest both vncome…nes, & disorder. But things are not to be defined by theyr abuses (as the p. 26phylosophers teach, & all wise men know: (so neyther must the L: ordinances be esteemed by the disorders personall incident vntounto them, but as they are in theyr right state, & lawfull vse.

The order of our government then being such, as I have described it, let every indifferent Reader iudg, whether or no, in respect of outward order, it be popular, & wherein the people govern, as many please to reproach us, & it. But if men will still shut their eyes agaynst the things we playnly, & simply lay down, & yet open theyr mouthes agaynst vsus for popularity, & Anabaptistry, we can but (makeing this & the like our iust defences) commit both our selves, & cause to God.

And thus much of our order of government. I will now go on where I left, to shew, that the L: people may not communicate with the Church of Engl: in regard of the government Ecclesiasticall, & Ministery thence derived.

IAnd 1. the Scriptures teach vsus, that the††1. Act 20. …. 20. 14. 23 … 1. 1. Tim. 5. 7.Acts 201 Tim 5:7 H: Ghost hath appoynted sundry, Overseers, or Byshops over one flock to feed, that is, to teach, & govern it: of which it also standeth in need. It is then the vnholy Ghost of Anti-Christ, which hath devised one Byshop over many flockes, which he cannot possibly feed, if he would. OnelyOnly for his government he hath this help, that he is a Lord over them, & not a Minister, & servant vntounto them, & so bears more sway over the prophane multitude,…t. 1. 5. whereof those Churches most what consist, by Lording it with his imperious Canons, & purse penaltyes, then many true Byshops could do, by theyr faythfull ministery, & service, according to Christs testament.

It is written Eph: 4. 8. 11. 12. 13. that Christ when he ascended on high, II.gave gifts to men: some Apostles, & some Prophets, & some Evangelists, & some Pastours, & Teacher: for the work of the Ministery, &c. vntill all the Saym… were met together vntounto a perfit man, &c. Where the Apostle teacheth, how… Christ the king of his Ch: hath set in it certayn orders of officers (answerably gifted extraordinarily, & ordinarily) & those also there to be, … continue in their tyme, till the same Ch: & body of Christ were complete, both for number of persons, & measure of graces. Now if the Byshop… be Pastours, or sheepheards, & Teachers, (as some would make them) over their Provinces, & Diocesses, how will they answer the Lord for not teaching them? Or how hath the Lord appoynted such a Ministery (being an office of trust, & wherein the personall ability, & faythfulnes o… the Minister is requyred) as which he that receaved it, cannot possibly fulfill if he would? Or if the Byshops be of the order of Pastours, & Teachers,Col. 4. 17.Col 4:17 (which are he lowest Ministers) of what order are the parrishion… Ministers, which are below them? And for the first three, Apostles, Prophets, p. 27& Evangelists, they were extraordinary, for the first††Math. …. 19. 1. Cor. 6.1 Cor 6 planting, & wa…ering of the Churches. The Apostles, & Prophets laying the foundation, by doctrine infallibly true: & the Evangelists employed by the Apostles direction, here, & there, for the perfiting of their work, as there was need. Neyther were they, one, or other, tyed to any particular flock, Diocesse,Eph. 2 … 1. Cor. 10 11. Math 19.Eph 21 Cor 10:11Matt 19 Province, or Nation; but were generall men, & for all places; being there…nto furnished with the knowledg, & vse of all tongues, as there was occasion. So that whilst our Engl: Byshops plead their Provinciall, & Diocesan Iurisdiction from the commission of the Apostles, & Evangelists,Act. 16 23. Rom. 1. 21. 1 cor. 10. 2. Cor. 6. 16. 2 & ch. … 28. 2. Tim. 5. 21. Tit. 1 5… & 3. 1Acts 16:23Rom 1:21Rom 1:12 Cor 6:162 Cor 6:2Titus 1:5Titus 3:1 they are found to be of their number, who‡‡Rev. 2Rev 2 sayd they were Apostles, & were not. They then, in their order of ministery, are not of the gifts, which Christ the king of his Ch: gave, when he ascended on high, but of the gifts of Anti-Christ in his ascent to the throne of his Apostacy: Of whose body also they are naturall members, without which it cannot consist: as may all other bodyes, whether Civill, or Ecclesiasticall. And since the Officers of the Ch: are. members of the body of Christ, as the eyes, mouth, hand, &c. he who ads to, or takes from the Ch: an order of Ministery, or Office, presumes to ad to, or take from Christs body, a member: & so abolishing a member of the body, he doth also abolish a gift, & grace of the spirit, working effectually accordeing to the measure, or proportion of every part; or adding a member, he must be able to quicken, & furnish …t with a proportionable gift of that same spirit, who distributeth to every member, as it pleaseth. v. 11.1 Co… 12. 1… 27. 28.1 Cor 12:1 And so where the Apostle sayth, v. 4. 5. that there are Diversityes of gifts, but the same spirit: & diverstyes of ministeryes, but the same Lord: he playnly teacheth these two things. 1. That all lawfull Ministeryes in the Ch: are of Christ: 2^dly, that none may appoynt a Ministery …n the Ch: but he who can bestow an answerable gift of qualification: which is not in the power of any man, or angell.

The Lord by his Apostle hath ordered, that the Elders, or Byshops IIIwhich labour in the word, & doctrine, should have double honour, specially,1. Tim. 17. 1. Tim. 1.1 Tim 1 & above them that Rule, though well: & that vppon a ground of perpetuall equity, that since the Byshops, or Elders office is a work, the cheif work, which preaching is, should have the cheif honour. But this order of Christ, & of nature it self is clean subverted by the order of the Prelacy, & Ministery in Engl: where ten-fould honour is given to ruleing, though not well, above the most paynfull labouring in the word, & doctrine. It well suites with the spirit of Anti-Christ that imperious Lording over the soules, & consciences of men should be advanced above the base, & burdensom work of Preaching Gods word.

p. 28Lastly, the rights, & libertyes, wherewith Christ the Lord hath in … word endowed his Church (the Elders for theyr government, & the people… for theyr liberty) for the calling of Officers, & Censureing of offenders these oppressours spirituall have seazed into theyr own hands, as theyr peculiars:Cor. 5. Act. 1. & …Acts 1 in, & vppon which theyr vsurpation (which is specially to be noted) theyr very office, & order is founded.††…er. 22. Wo be so him (sayth the Lord) that buildeth his house by vnrighteouses, & his Chambers by wrong: how much more then vntounto them, who build theyr high pallaces by such spirituall injury agaynst the Lord, his house, ministers, & people, as they apparently do.

For conclusion; the tree is known by the fruits: & too evident it is by they fruits, vppon what root the Prelates tree groweth. Theyr preferring (… that in theyr most folemn Constitutions) the wearing of a surplice, or makeing a Crosse in a Babes forehead by the Minister, before the preaching of the gospell: of bowing the knee by the people to, or at the Lords supper before the most worthy receaving otherwise; the reading, & hearing o… theyr (rayther then Gods) service, by the one, & other, above the performance of any part of Gods worship appoynted in his word, by eyther o… them, do declare them to be no mean members of that man of sin, & adversary, who exalteth himself above all that is called God.… Thes. 2. …4.

Theyr constreyning the Ministers to receav from them, & by theyr sol… authority, theyr order of preisthood, & institution to theyr cures, with theyr licences to preach: enforceing them to subscribe, & that from they hearts, to theyr devised government, Service, & Ceremonyes, & even … swear Canonicall obedience to them therein; & both them, & the people to obey theyr Summons, & Citations, running, & rydeing to, & fro, … sue, & serv in theyr Courts: to take the oath ex Officio, to accuse themselves, & theyr freinds, & that often for well-doeing: to submit to they Censures of all sortes, & not so much as to dare to speak agaynst theyr tyrannyes, & superstitions, vnderunder Peyn of Excommunication, ipso facto, … proclaym vntounto all men that have ears to hear, that they are in a great measure, spirituall Babilonish Lords, causing all both small, & great, rich, & pore, … receav theyr mark in theyr right hand, or forehead, & otherwise not suffering them eyther to buy, or sell.…ev. 13. …. 17.

Theyr sale of Orders, & Institutions, & that most what vntounto person vtterly vnworthy: (to the destruction of how many thousand soules fo… whom Christ dyed, eyther by starving them thorough ignorance, or poysoneing them by profane example?) of dispensations for pluralityes, … non-residencyes, of licences to preach vp, & down the cuntry, & to man… at tymes by theyr Canons prohibited: of pardons, & absolutions, whe… p. 29…en are excommunicated, & sometymes when they are dead, before they …an have Christian buryall: with theyr extorted fees, & purse-penaltyes the very sinewes of theyr kingdom) do clearly pronounce agaynst them, …at they, & theyr subordinates are merchants of that great Citty Babilon, traf…ueing for all manner of ware, & for the soules of men.Ch. 18. 1 11. 12. 1

Now touching the Parochiall Ministers I have proved agaynst M^r Ber…rd, that neyther theyr office, nor calling by which they administer it, is of …hrist.††1. Ti… 3. 1. The office of the Byshop is a work: & this work stands in ‡‡Act. 2… 28.Acts 2:28feeding the …ck; & this feeding in preaching, & ruleing. Now as the government of …heyr flockes is not so much as permitted vntounto them, so neyther is preach…ng …g any naturall, or necessary part of theyr office: but an accessory, & ca…all ornament: & which may be, or may not be, as the persons can, or …ill. And for theyr calling, whether to theyr preisthood at larg, by the …rch-Deacons presentation, & Byshops ordination; or to theyr speciall …harges; eyther by the Patrons presentation, Byshops Institution, & Arch-…eacons Induction, or by the Byshops sole licence; the very nameing of …e means by which it is had,Luke 2 4.Luke 2:4 sufficiently proves it not to be … from heaven, …ut of mans, even the man of sin his vayn devise. But I will for the present …sist onelyonly vppon this consideration, that the parishionall Ministery is a …ranch of the prelacy; & so all communion with the one, as other, to be …oyded, by Gods people.

And for the better discerning of things, it must be observed, that as the …hole Nation is devided into two Provinces, vnderunder the two Arch-Byshops, … the two Provinces into Sundry Diocesses, vnderunder the Byshops, & they in… theyr severall parrishes vnderunder the Ministers thereof; so do the Arch-By…hops, & Byshops share out vntounto the parrish Preistes in theyr ordination a …art of theyr Charg, to wit, so much as concerns the ordinary service of the …arrish: as they do also vntounto theyr Chauncelours, Commissaryes, & …rch-Deacons, an other part for inferiour government: reserving vntounto …hemselves the Lordship over both, for the best advātage of theyr own ho…our, & profit. So that the Chauncelour in the consistory, & the preist in …he Pulpit or Desk, doth administer by one, & the same power: namely …hat of the Prelate; which, from, & by him, both the one, & other doth …eceav. And as Christ tould the twelv, when he sent them to preach, that …e who receaved them, Mat 10. 4….Matt 10:4receaved him, & that he, who receaved him, receaved him …at sent him: so he that receavs or communicates with the Minister in any …arrish of the land, receavs the Byshop, that sent him, & so indeed origi…ally, the Pope, that sent him; & of whose sending the Pope is, they, & we …ake no question. The Prelacy then being to be rooted out, as a plant, which God hath not planted, & the ministery in the order, & office, (of which we p. 30speak) being a braunch of it, can the braunch survive, if the root be plucked vp? or shall any of Gods people by their mayntenance of it, submission vntounto it, or communion with it, give therevnto any life, or preservation?

But here sundry defences are made by them, who in iudgment, word, & wryteing, & some practises, dislike the prelacy: as that they are not subject to theyr government: that the Ministers do not stand by the ordination, & power receaved from, & by them, but by the peoples acceptation: that these things are but matters of outward order, & government, which though they may something concern the Ministers themselves, yet are they litle, or nothing to private persons.

We will breifly consider of these defences: & let them who make them, consider, & beware, they be not of them, who will not be reformed, but seck excuses aster theyr own heart.

And, first, they who thus disclaym in word the Byshops government, confesse themselves therein to be vnderunder no spirituall externall government at all: & so be lawles persons, & inordinate walkers, & such as have neyther that conscience, which is meet, of the Commaundements of Christ,1. Tim. 5. 17. Hebr. 13. 17.1 Tim 5:17Heb 13:17 by his Apostles, to give due honour to them who rule well: & to submit themselves to these, who are over them in the Lord: nor of their own fraylty, & in what need they stand of the Lords ordinances, & of this in speciall, for their guidance, & conservation in his wayes. 2^dly, the dayly practise of these men (every one of them lesse or more) in the sight of the Sun, is a sufficient conviction of their vnhonest excuse. Their Obedience vntounto the Summons, & Citations (vntounto their spirituall Courts) of the Prelates, & their Deputyes; their sueing, or appearing there by themselves, or their proctours; the submission of the Ministers to their suspensions, & deprivations, & both of Ministers, & people to their excommunications, do really plead their spirituall subjection to their Iurisdiction. Yea so far are the people from freing the Ministers by theyr acceptation, from the Prelates iurisdiction, as on the contrary, they enthrall them much more vnderunder the same: not onelyonly by accepting them at the first vnderunder their mark of Institution, or licence, but even ever after, year, by year, by chuseing a Church-warden, or Side-man, (as they call him) to present both their own, & Ministers defaults in & vntounto their Consistoryes, & Visitations: as doth the Minister also chuse another for th… same Purpose: for the performance of which presentations, they are t… bynde themselves by oath, & so ordinarily do. So that, howsoever many are ashamed of their Lords, & Maysters; both Ministers, & people (n… actually separated, from the parrish assemblyes) stand in spirituall subjection p. 31to the Prelates, & receiv theyr mark, though some in theyr forehead, & more professedly; & others as effectually, though more covertly, in theyr right hand.

Now for the outward government, & ordering of the house of God, the Church; & the outward calling of the Ministers thereof, they are not so sleighty matters, as Politique men, out of theyr fleshly hearts would perswade themselves & others. The Apostle vntounto Tim: treating at larg of these things tels him, how the cause why he so wrytes is, that in his absence, 1 Tim. 3. v. 15. 16.1 Tim 3:151 Tim 3:16he might know how he ought to behave himself, in the house of God, which is the Ch: of the liveing God, the piller, & ground of truth. Where he adorneth the Church with most honourable titles, for this very end, that he, & all other Gods Ministers, & people might be admonished more carefully to preserv vnviolated that sacred oeconomy, & Ch: government there prescribed: ††Ch 5. 21obetesting, & chargeing him before God, & the L: Iesus Christ, & the elect Angels, to observ these things, vnpartially: as also wryteing vntounto the Corinth: he propounds the matters of outward‡‡1 Epist. 14 37. order, vntounto them, as the Commaundments of the Lord Iesus: which are**Math. 28. 20.Matt 28:20 all to be observed by his Disciples in their places: in whose eyesHebr. 3. 3. &c.Heb 3:3 he is worthy of more honour in his own house, & in the ordering of it, then was Moses a servant in his Maysters house: according to whose direction notwithstanding, all things were to be ordered. I ad, that the same Apostle, (whatsoever other men despiseing (it seems) his simplicity, think or say) testifyeth of the Colossians, that they had receaved Christ, as well in their order, as fayth: Col. 2. 5. 6.Col 2:5Col 2:6& reioyceth as well in their continuance in the one, as other: as on the contrary he sharply reproveth the Corinthians, for the breach of order, & neglect of Discipline, as well, as for any other evill. And see how vnequall these men are.1. Cor. 5. & 14.1 Cor 5 The Popes arrogateing to himself to be vniversall Byshop, is in it self but a matter of order, & government: & yet they generally who are soundly mynded, deem him properly Anti-Christ therein: alledging that of Gregory agaynst Iohn of Constantionople, for that purpose. And if the vniversall Byshop make Anti-Christ in the head, surely the Byshops of Diocesses, & Arch-Byshops of Provinces, & Metropolitans of Nations, may well chaleng the pars of arms, & shoulders of that body.

Now touching the Ministers outward calling: of such force it is, that he is by it alone (if at all) properly, & immediately, a true Church officer; as is the Magistrate in the Common wealth, the Captayn in the army, the steward in the family, by the outward calling of those, …n whom that right is, a true & lawfull Magistrate, Captayn, or …teward: & without, which, all, & every of them, are mere vsurpers, p. 32howsoever qualifyed in theyr persons, & serviceable in theyr administr… tions. Noman (sayth the Apostle) takes vntounto himself this honour, but he, th… is called of God, as Aaron. And let them who think it a small matter t… vsurp,…ob. 5. 4. (or being vsurped, to communicate with) a calling without order by Gods word, consider what befell them, who vsurped, (or communicated in the vsurpation of) the preistly honour not being therevnto called, as was Aaron. Numb. 11. 16. And how it lyeth all the Ministers of Chri… in hand to be able to justify theyr outward calling to theyr offices, th… Apostle teacheth by his own example, & specially in his Epistle to the Ch: … Galatia, where it was most called in question: which they also that canno… do, are to be served, as where they, who could not fynde the wryteing of they… genealogy, …al. 1. 1. &c.& were therefore put from the preisthood. Neh. 7. 64.

And, as they know who have experience thereof, what confort it ministereth agaynst the manifould tryals incident to the lawfull Ministers of Christ, that they are called by them therevnto, whom vnderunder the Lord i… most concerneth, as over whose Soules they are to watch: so on the contrary, I verily suppose, it cometh to passe, that even the best Ministers in the assemblyes, do so easily, & vnworthily forsake theyr flockes, for theyr greater ease, profit, or credit; & which not, for fear of a litle persequution? because they want this testimony, & comfort of good conscience, that they have been lawfully called to minister vntounto them.

To conclude then this poynt also: the same Scriptures, & ground… which prove the order of prelacy, & so of preisthood, (being a braunch o… it) not to be of God, do also prove it vnlawfull for the people of God t… partake in the administrations of the one, or other, & therein to submi… themselves vntounto them.

For 1. theyr very administrations by an vnlawfull calling are theyr sins I& so to pertake with them in theyr administrations, is to pertake with them in theyr sins, contrary to 1. Tim. 5. 22. Rev. 15. 4.

2^dly, the ground of submission vntounto the Officers of the Ch: is, that they ar… made Overseers of the stock by the H. Ghost, & are over it in the Lord: which subjection IItherefore neyther the Prelates,Act. 10. 17. …8 1 Thess 5. 1….Acts 10:17Acts 10:81 Thess 5:1 nor preists being appoynted b… theyr Ghosts, can chaleng, neyther can the people by fayth yeald the sam… vntounto them. The Apostle Rom. 13. vrgeing submission to all sorts of Magistrats doth it vppon this ground, that they are of God, & his ordinances: s… the ground of our submission to any office of Ministery in the Ch: & stay o… our fayth, is this, that it is of Christ the mediatour of his Ch: & one of hi… ordinances.

III3^dly, In the 2^d Commaundment of the first table are commaunded … externall spirituall ordinances, & so the externall spirituall ministery, … p. 33government of the Church: neyther can the same be referred to any other of the ten Commaundements: wherevppon I infer that every such government, & ministery not commaunded by God, & Christ, is as an Idoll, there forbidden, & all subiection vntounto it, as the bowing down vntounto an Idoll.

4^thly, they who iudg the Prelacy not to be of Christ, but of Anti-Christ, IIII& so speak, & wryte, (to whom more principally I direct my speach) & yet stand members of the parrish assemblyes vnderunder the government, & ministery thereof, do really, & indeed vnderprop, & vphould that, which in word, & wryteing they would overthrow: they would blow or dash it down with their mouthes, & pens, & yet vphould it with their shoulders. Far are they frō giving vntounto Christ his due honour in his officers, & orders, whilst they thus submit vntounto the officers, & orders of his adversary Anti-Christ, as is that whole Hierarchy & every order in it, from the Pope vntounto the Sumner. If any traytour, or rebell should now rise vp, & strive with the king for any the dignityes or prerogatives royall of the kingdom, & should so far prevayl with any able men, as that they should be content to take vppon them, by his commission, & sending, to administer iustice publiquely, were it lawfull for any the kings subiects to ioyn with, or submit vntounto them …in their ministrations, though in themselves never so iust? or were they not all, vnderunder peyn of disloyalty, bound to abondon them, & their Courts, or assemblyes, & to adioyn, & submit themselves vntounto the kings lawfull Officers, how few, or feeble so ever? Even so must all the loyall subiects of Iesus Christ the king of his Ch: withdraw themselves wholy from the powers of Anti-Christ (striveing with Christ whether shall rule by his Officers, orders, & lawes:) whatsoever truthes they teach or administer: & must adioyn themselves to the officers of Christ, lawfully called, & sent to teach, & guide his Church by his word: & therein must shew, as in other things, their loyalty, to their Lord, & king.

But here M^r Cluses forenamed Opposites step in, & plead for submission vntounto vnlawfull Ministers,A shei… of Defē …ce &c. Pag. 24. 25. 1. that in Christs tyme there were divers Officers whose names had not been heard of in the primative Ch: of the Iewes, nor ever were instituted by any example of former tymes, in that Church, as the names of Lewyers, Scribes of the People, & Rulers of the Synagogues, or Archy-Synagogues. 2. if the godly may lawfully submit vntounto the government, & guidance by private admonition of such or vate brethr…n, who for their sects, factions, & superstitious observations have had such names as were formerly vnknown vntounto the Ch: of God; who also in respect of their wekednes d…sirved to be cast out of the Church, & are vniustly reteyn…d (as it was in th… Communion of the godly with the Scriubes, & Pharisees) then is it also lawfull to stand vnderunder …dance, & government of vnlawfull officers.

p. 34In whose defence I observ, first, that they yeild the Ministers of Eng… to be vnlawfull, & to have had their names of Primates, Metropolitans, … Arch-Byshops L: Byshops, Deans, Arch-Deacons, Chauncelours, Commissarye… Preistes, Parsons, Vicars, Curats, given vntounto them for their sects, factions, & s… perstitious observations: & yet all of them make suit, take, pay for, & answe… to some or other of these names, with the orders to which they appertey… 2^dly, I note how vayn a pretext it is that the persons, whose names are pr… fixed, are the authours of the book, as if Iohn Fowler, & his fellowes dur… take vppon them to set down what names of Officers had been heard o… or not, in the Iewish Ch: from the first institution, till Christs tyme. 3… where in their former Reason they make the Scribes of the people Ch: Off…cers, in the 2^d Reason they make the Scribes & Pharisees, private breth… 4^thly, they graunt one private brother to be vnderunder the guidance, & government of an other, & so establish a popular government, in a sence expresly & by iust consequence, as far as we intend, & do: howsoever they reproa… vsus for popularity. Now for their Arguments, First, I deny that, which the… take for graunted, & vppon which they build, to wit, that the names … Lawyers, Scribes of the people, & Rulers of the Synagogues, were not in the Iewi… Church, before Christs tyme.

And 1. the Lawyers were such as were skilfull in the law of God, & th… Scribes such as gave themselves eyther to expound, or wryte it, or both… (being also Levites for the most parte) in which respects these their names as honourable (& not for their factions) were most fitly given them: & no… first in Christs tyme, as is affirmed, but long before, as appeareth Ier: 8. … & Ezra 7. 6. 11. 12. where Ezra is called a scribe prompt in the law of Mo… which Tremelius,…egis pe…um. & Iunius translate a Lawyer, or one skilfull in the law… as indeed these Scribes, & Lawyers were the same, as is testifyed, Math. 22… 35.foreign compared with Mark 12. 28. & so the Hebrew word may indifferent…ly be turned & is. And if there were nothing els, that which we read 1. M… chab. 5. 42 reproves these mens peremptory affirmation, that the names … Scribes of the people were not in the Ch: of the Iewes, before Christs tyme. But bo… better, & more auncient testimony may be brought agaynst it: take th… one (amongst many) in the Greek Bible, Numb. 11. 16. where the LX… Interpreters have it, foreign. So for the n…mes of Archi-Synagogues, or Rulers of the Synagogues sproken of Mark 5 22 &… the same Interpreters vse the same words Exod: 34. 31. Numb. 31. 1… &c. which the Evangelistes do wryteing in Greek, & herein without doub… following them, as in other things. And there being Synagogues of ou… amongst the Iewes, there must needs be Rulers …n & the same … called.

p. 35Touching the 2d Argument: I deny the proportion vppon which they build it. In receaving an admonition from an vnlawfull brother, (as they speak) I do submit onelyonly to that which is good in it self, & of God: but in submitting to an vnlawfull Officer, Prelate or Preist, I submit to that which is evill in it self & not of God, to wit, his very Office, or Order. The vnlawfull brother, though in sin, yet doth not perform the admonition by vertue of his sin, but out of his personall knowledg, & Zeal (at least in appearance) agaynst the sin he reproves in particular, but the vnlawfull Officer doth administer the publique doctrine, (as the Sacraments) by vertue, or rayther by vice, of his very sin immediately, & properly: wherein I may not pertake with him. These men have refused to submit to M^r Iohnsons publique Ministery, & so professe: do they therfore think it Vnlawfull to receav any information, or admonition, or reproof by the word of God for their sins, from him, or any the people with him privately, & vppon occasion? And by their larg grounds it should be lawfull to submit to the ministery of any hereticall Minister: for from such a one it is not vnlawfull to receav a private admonition for sin, vppon occasion. But how much better were it for these men, & their freinds to advance by all good means a lawfull Ministery, then thus to supporte that which is vnlawfull, by pleading for submission vntounto it. But if they needs will, (as they plead in their book submit their soules to theeves, & robbers, & to such Ministers, as were the Scribes, & Pharisees in Christes tyme, (in whom they instance) notorious Heretiques denying both the nature, Offices, & Person of the Messiah, teaching iustification by the works of the law, & power in man to keep it, let them reioyce in their Ministers, & let their Ministers also reioyce in them, as Iotham sayd of the men of Schechem, & Abimelech: but for vsus, we have learnt to give more honour to Gods ordinance, & to have more care of Christs pretious purchase, our souls, then to commit the same to such watchmens keeping.

Thus have I breifly noted down, & confirmed the principall grounds of our separation from the Communion, & order of the Ch: assemblyes, notwithstanding the admission of the personall communion before mentioned. And I have of purpose taken in, & answered the cheif Reasons brought by M^r Cluses accusers, agayust our practise, that it may appear, both how they fayl of that they promise in the Preface of their book; as also that it is a far more easy thing, to reproach mens persons, then iustly to evince their profession. And would the king but give toleration, & with-hould from bodly violence agaynst their persons & estates, I doubt not, but we should have many thousands in the land concurring with is, p. 36for substance of practise, as they do now in opinion: who would speedily vnite themselves in other spirituall societyes, then the prophane parrishes: leaving the service book, & Ceremonyes, to the Prelates, with theyr dumb prcists, & formall Clergy: withdrawing from their, & their Chauncelours, & Officials spirituall jurisdiction, neyther obeying their Summons, nor regardeing their Censures: neyther would the Ministers sue to them for their Orders, & Licences; not the people receav them of their makeing, nor present them by their Ch: wardens to their Courts, nor keep them by their leav, & vnderunder their correction: but both Ministers, & people would fynde other, & better Rules of direction in Christs testament, for their walking, & worshipping of God, then the Byshops Canons, & Iniunctions. Which so being,Psal. 72.Ps 72 he, who indeed † iudgeth his people with iustice, & his portaff…cted ones with iudgment, be iudg between them, & vsus; & whither, we (submitting ourselves, so near as we can discern, to all the Commaundments, & ordinances of Christ in his gospell) reiect them; or they vsus, who raythe… chuse the vnhollowed Ch: state, order, & ordinances in, & vnderunder which they stand, then that, & those by themselves esteemed more agreable t… the will of God, with persequution: but specially whether we, for thes… things, do deserv that cruell hatred, & those most hostile cariages, which many of them, who would be thought to mourn for reformation, do bear, & vse towards vsus: makeing it their glory to cast shame vppons vsus, & the… great matter of reioyceing to ad to our afflictions,Isa. 51. …3.Isa 51:3 & who ‡ say to our souls … the day of our sorrow, bow down, that we may go over.

There is yet another danger, into which men may easily fall by occasio… of the former doctrine: which is, in takeing liberty to with-hould, or withdraw from the Church of God, & Ministery thereof: satisfying themselves in that their private fellowship with the better sorte of people: wit… whom by this means they may converse with more cōfort to themselves, & contentment to them. For the preventing of which evill, I will here anner… few Reasons to enforce the necessity, & cōscience of liveing, & walking wit… the Ch: of God, & so vnderunder the ministery therevnto given, if it can be had…

And 1. the Scriptures calling**1. Tim. …. 15. the Church, the house, Temple, & Tab… nacle of the liveing God, where he hath promised that most full presence of hi… grace,…. Cor. 6. …6. & to dwell with, & amongst men, & in the middest of them, as theyr Go… do therein effectually admonish the people of God to beware,Rev. 2…. 3.Rev 2:3 that by the… own default they do not any way deprive themselves of the fruit of thi… Gods so gratious promise,Math. 18 …0.Matt 18 & presence, in the true visible Church, his house… & temple:…. Cor. 5. …. eyther by not adioyning themselves therevnto, as members or being members, by with-drawing from her actuall Communion: there in makeing themselves (to speak as the truth is) but Idoll members, & … p. 37eyes which see not, ears which hear not, & feet, which walk not, at least, in respect of the body, whereof they are. And if we look to the most worthy servants of God, for our examples, we shall fynde them alwayes to have had a most ardent desyre vntounto, & vehement delight in this visible presence of God in his Church, & ordinances: the necessary vse, & sweet fruit whereof they so sensibly found in their own experience. Take we David for an instance: Whose love was such to††Psal. 4. & 2…Ps 4 the mansion of Gods house, & place of the habitation of his glory, as that it was the onelyonly thing he desyred, in comparison, that he might dwell in the Lords ho…se all the dayes of his life, & there behould his glory: Professing in his absence from it, that‡‡Ps. 4…. 2.Ps 4:2 the thirsty hynde did not more bray after the rivers of waters, then did his soul for Gods presence, & that he might appear before his face in his Tabernacle: deeming them most happy, who did alwayes, byde in Gods house; & himself in that his sequestration more miserable then**Ps 84… 2. &c.Ps 84:2 the sparrewes, & swallowes, which could nestle, & lay theyr young were Gods Altars. And yet was he a most excellent Prophet himself, & so could aboundantly instr…ct both himself, & them with him. It is likewise testifyed of Moses the servant of God, that he rayther chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, Hebr. 1… 25. …6.Heb 1:25Heb 1:6then to enioy the pleasures of sin for a season: esteeming the reb…ke of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egipt. A playn, & lowd testimony agaynst them who because they would not bear their part in the rebuke of Christ, & afflictions of his people, do rayther with-draw or with-hould themselves from Christs Church, & ordinances; or (which is worse) defyle themselves with the pleasures of sin in Egipt spirituall: Of whom without their repentance,Luke 9… 26.Luke 9:26 Christ Iesus wilbe ashamed, before his father, & the holy Angels.

That which the wise man speaketh more generally,Eccl. 9. 10. &…Eccl 9:10 we be to him that is alone, for he falleth, & there is not a second to lift him vp; but if two be together, the other lifteth vp his fellow, when he falleth, is of speciall vse, this way. And considering how subiect even the strongest are to fall, by occasion,1. Cor. 12.1 Cor 12 it is most necessary all so walk in the Communion of saynts as that others vppon such occasion, may by the hand of their godly admonitions, & exhortations reached out vntounto them, agayn restore them: or if need so requyre, that they may have vse of the stronger hand of the Church, & Ministery, strengthened with Christs power, for theyr recovery: thorough the want whereof, how many fall, & perish: which by it, & the blessing of God therevppon, might be restored, as we doubt not but we may truely affirm from experience? And if any man think himself to have receaved that steength of grace, that he stands in no great need of these helpes, let him that thinks be stands, take heed, lest he fall: & let him also in love consider, that the lesse need he hath of the Ch: by reason of his greater measure of grace, the more need the Ch: hath of him, & it, vntounto which, & whose service, they of due belong.

p. 38† When the L: Iesus ascended on high, he gave gifts to men (to wit, his Ministers IIIgifted accordeingly) for the edification of the body, & help of the ioy of the faythfull, & furtherance of theyr salvation: vntounto whom they are bound therefore to submit, & them in the Lord to obey, for theyr own so great good Frō whom,…ph. 4. 8 &c. Cor. 1. & whose ministrations whilst men without iust, & necessary cause,Tim 4. with-draw themselves, they break Christs Commaundment, loose this fruit of his ascension, & fayl their own edification,…br. 13 …. & salvation many wayes.

This duety yet lyeth more specially vppon them that have familyes, & children about them: whom they shall hardly govern at home in private, Vas they desyre, if they have not publique encouragement, & help from abroad, but they shall have them still in daunger to be corrupted with the superstitions of the tymes, or with greater evils, or both. Which daungers yet wilbe the greater (& that of the first kynde almost inevitable) if the Parents dy, whilst theyr children are young, & vnestablished in the truth; whereas liveing with the Ch: they might much more easily dispose of them for theyr education, & establishment in the wayes, & ordinances of the Lord: into the fellowship whereof together with themselves,… 17. 10. they are VItaken.

Lastly it is a great offence to all, who have known men formerly zealous hearers of Gods word in the parrish assemblyes, to see them hear the same in no assemblyes, or where no publique ministery is in vse: & this more specially to the better sorte of people, who will run, & ryde to hear a sermon, if they want at home, though they go but a borrowing of him, who hath indeed no right himself so to dispence it publiquely, or any other holy thing of God, as he doth.

But it will here be obiected, that the Ch: ministery, & ordinances,OBI. are indeed to be desyred, if men could enioy thē in theyr own cuntry, & amongst theyr freinds; otherwise it seems better to witnes the truth, & suffer persequution at home, though without them, then for the vse of them to fly into a strang Cuntry.…NSW.

It must here be known that the truth of the Lord is witnessed two wayes: first when men walk in the obedience of it, & of all the ordinances thereof, roundly, & holily: & 2^dly, when men (being called therevnto) suffer persequution for the same.…ut. 28. And of these two, the former is the more necessary,Math 28 …0. &c. …0. …s. 119. …. 6.Matt 28 as being commaunded of God, & by men to be desyred, & prayed for: the latter not so. For neyther doth God commaund persequution, neyther are we to desyre it, or to pray for it, but to avoyd it by all good means; & being layd vppon vsus by the Lord, with patience to be… it. Yet they that desyre to please God, & to walk roundly in his appoyntments, shall not want persequution of sundry kyndes: neyther if th… world thought we did, would so many with-hould, or with-draw fro… p. 39vsus, as do, some vnderunder one, & some vnderunder another pretext, besydes those who are perswaded indeed of the vnlawfulnes of flight.

Now touching our Cuntry, & freinds, our answer is, that we deem the want of them a greivons losse, which we would also redeem at a great rate. Yet for our Cuntry, we do not forsake it, but are by it forsaken & expelled by most extream lawes, & violent proscriptions contrived, & exequuted by the Prelates, & on their behalf. And for private freinds thus we iudg: that the wife is no way to leav her housband, but to give him, as the head, the honour of chuseing probabely, the place of they cohabitation: nor Children, & Servants theyr Parents, & Maysters to their preiudice, without their consent, or an apparent impossibility of doeing them service: nor at all, where thorough their absence, they shall want necessary help, & comfort. But for those, who are eyther the governours of others, or free, we think they may vse greater liberty.