The Differences of the Churches of the Separation, Part 1

The Differences of the Churches of the Separation · Part 1

p. 1THE FIRST PART. concerning the Leitourgie of the Church

Cap. 1. of the Kingdom of the Saynts.

The viſible Church by the Apoſtle is called a Kingly preiſthood. 1. pet. 2.9. and the Saynts are Kings & Preiſts vntounto God. Revel. 1.6.

The Saynts as Kings …ule the viſible Church. 1. Cor. 5.12. pſal. 149.9. Mat. 18.15-17. 1. Cor. 6.1.-9.

The viſible Church is Chriſts Kingdom. Mat. 8.12. Ioh. 18.33-37. Act. 1.3, 1. Cor. 15.24.25. Hebr. 12.28.

The members of the viſible Church are called the children of the Kingdom. Mat. 8.12. And are vnderunder the government of the Church: Marc. 13.34, 1. Cor. 6.1.9. & vnderunder the governmēnt of Chriſt. Luk. 19.27.

The actions of the Church in adminiſtring the Kingdom are actions of oppoſition, difference, plea, & ſtrif: as in admonition, examination, excommunication, pacification, abſolution, &c. 1. Cor. 5.3-5. & 6.1-9. & 2. Ep. 2.6.7. Mat. 18-15-17. Revel. 2.2, 2. Chron. 19.10-11.

Hethetto aperteyneth conference & diſputation. Luc. 2.46.47. Act. 6.9. & 17: 2, compared with pſ…l. 122.5. 1. King. 3.16-27.

In examination of opinions & facts alſo in conference & diſputation evidences of all ſorts may be produced for finding out of the truth. Revel. 2.2. 1. King. 3.25-27.

Evidences are of divers natures: as confesſions & lotts: Ioſh. 7.16-21. Oathes: Exod. …2.10.11. bookes of all ſortes. Dan, 9 2-1, King. 14.19. Act. 7.22. & 17.28. 1. Cor. 15.33. Tit. 1.12. Iude. verſ. 14. compared with 1. Timoth. 1.4. & Luk. 3.25-27. namly tranſlations, dictionaries, hiſtories, chronicles, commentaries, &c, all which may for evidence of the truth be brought into the Church by neceſſary conſequence.

Actions of adminiſtring the Church or Kingdom are not actions of ſpirituall worſhip properly ſo called, for as the Kingdome and Preiſthood of the old Teſtament were diſtinct as alſo their actions ſeverall: Heb. 7.14. Gen. 49.10. Deut. 33.8-11. 2. Chron. 26.18. pſal. 122 4-5: So are the Kingdom & Preiſthood of the new Teſtament & their actions alſo: which were typed by the other. Heb. 5.4.5. Act. 15.7-29. with 13.2, 3.

Chap. 2. of the Preiſthood of the ſaynts.

Thus much of the Kingdom: now followeth the Preiſthood of the Church.

The ſaynts as Preiſts offer vp ſpirituall ſacrifices acceptable to God by Ieſus Chriſt. 1. pet. 2.5.

Spirituall ſacrifices are ſuch as originally proceed from the ſpirit: & they are called ſpirituall in oppoſition to the carnall or literall ſacrifices performed by the ſacrificing Preiſts of the old Teſtament: which originally proceeded from the lettre: by proportion alſo ſee, Ioh. 1.17, 2. Cor. 3.6. Gal. 3.5. Ioh. 4.20-24.

p. 2The actions of the Church in diſpencing the preiſthood are actions of concord or vnion: Act. 4.24-32. philip. 3.16. Epheſ. 4.3-6.

Actions of the Preiſthood of the ſaynts are actions of ſpirituall worſhip properly ſo called. Deu…. 33.10. 1. pet. 2.5. compared with Revel. 8.3. Heb. 13.10. philip. 2.17. Act. 13.2, 1. Cor. 11.4. & 14.15.22.26-31.

In the worſhip of God properly ſo called the ſaynts are not to oppoſe, contradict, examine, or cenſure: to propound doubtfull & controverſall points of doctryne: but in vnion ſpirituall to offer vp one & the ſame ſpirituall ſacryfice to the Lord. Act. 4.24-32. 1. Cor. 11.18-20. & 10.16.17.

If any thing doubtfull or falſe be delivered in tyme of ſpirituall worſhip it is to be examyned & cenſured afterward. 1. Cor. 14.31-33.40. compared with Revel. 2.2. Act. 17.11.

Chap. 3. of Spirituall worſhip & of the Spirit.

Concerning ſpirituall worſhip conſider theſe things following.

1. The Fountayne from whence it proceedeth.

2. The helpes wherby it is ſupported or furthered,

3. The eſſence or nature wherin properly it couſiſteth.

The Fountayne from whence ſpirituall worſhip proceedeth is the ſpirit. Act. 1.4.5. & 2.4.17.18, 1. Cor. 12.4, 7.11. Eph. 5.18.19.

The ſpirit ſignifieth 2. things. 1. the ſpirit of God. 2. the ſpirit of man: that is the regenerate part of the ſoule. Act. 2.17.18, 1. Cor. 12.4. Rom. 7.6. Galath. 3.2.3.

The Regenerate part of the ſoule is eyther the ſanctified memory, the ſanctified judgment, the ſanctified hart & affections, the ſanctified conſcience: from all theſe muſt ſpirituall worſhip proceed. Pſal. 103.1. 2. Mat. 22 37, 1. Timoth. 1.5.

The work of the holy ſpirit is to ſuggeſt matter & to move the regenerate part of the ſoule, 1. Cor. 12.8-11, Ioh. 14.26, Luk. 24.32-45.

The work of the memory is to have in a readyneſſe ſufficiency of fit matter for the ſpirituall worſhip, pſal. 103.2, & 119.16.93.

The work of the judgment or vnderſtanding is to diſcerne & judge truth from falſehood, right from wrong, good from bad, fit from vnſit, 1. Cor. 14.29-32, & 11.29, Coloſ. 1.9. & 3.16, Philip. 1.9.10.

The work of the hart & affections is to be moved according to the qualitie of the matter & kind of the worſhip. Iam. 5.13, Ezra. 3.10-13, 1. Cor. 14.24.25.

The work of the conſcience is a ſorowfull or confortable teſtimony anſwerable to the matter handled, 1. Timoth. 1.5. Act. 23.1.

Finally the work of the Regenerat part of the ſoule is an Eccho correſpondent to the work of the holy Spirit & the condition of the word of God which in tyme of ſpiri…uall worſhip is adminiſtred. pſal. 27.8. Eſay. 66.5. Mat. 13.9. Heb. 10.5-7. Caut. 5.4.

Chap. 4. of quenching the Spirit.

In performing ſpirituall worſhip wee muſt take heed of quenching the ſpirit. 1. Theſ. ….19. 1. Cor. 14.30. Iob 32.18-20.

p. 3The Spirit is quenched two wayes: By ſilence. By ſet formes of worſhip. Pſal. 40.1-3. 1. Cor. 14.29-32. compared with. 1 Theſ. 5.19.20.

The Spirit is quenched by ſilence when fit matter is revealed to one that ſitteth by & he wthholdeth it in tyme of prophecying:

The Spirit is quenched by ſett formes of worſhip, for therein the ſpirit is not at liberty to vtter it ſelf, but is bounded in: contrary to. Act. 2.4. & 2. Cor. 3.17. compared with Ioh. 4.24. & Gal. 4.31. &. 5.1.

Sett formes of worſhip are eyther in the memory, or in the book.

Saying ſet formes, of worſhip by rote is quenching the Spirit: & Reading ſett formes of worſhip out of a book is quenching the Spirit: for in the one the Spirit is not manifeſted but the ſtrength of the memory, in the other the matter is not brought out of the ha…, but out of the book: & ſo in neyther of them the Spirit is at liberty.

Chap. 5. of the helps of Spiritual worſhip.

Thus much concerning the Fountayne from whence Spiritual worſhip commeth: now follow the helps wherby Spiritual worſhip is furthered or ſupported.

The helps are eyther inward or outward.

The inward helps are only the word & the ſpirit. Eph. 5.18.19. Col. 3.16. Rom. 8.26.

The outward helps are the manifeſtation of the Spirit: & the ſeales of the covenant: 1. Cor. 12.7. & 2.4. & Act. 2.4.42. with the inſtruments creatures & actions apperteyning therto.

Inſtruments: as the tong & eare, to ſpeake, heate & taſt withal: Act. 2.4.8. 1. cor. 11.24.

Creatures as bread, wine, water: Act. 8.36-39. 1. Cor. 11.23. Mat. 26.27-29.

Actions as ſpeaking, hearing, breaking bread, powring out wine, eating, drincking, waſhing with water, by conſequent from the former places.

The publiſhing of the covenant of grace & the putting to of the ſeales is only one concrete action or part of worſhip, for the publiſhing of the covenant giveth being …o the ſeales, otherwiſe breaking bread & baptiſing are but putting of ſeales to a blanck.

Chap. 6. concerning bookes & writing.

Here a queſtion is to be diſcuſſed: wither a book be a lawful help to further vsus in tyme of ſpiritual worſhip. Revel. 10.10.11. Ezech. 3.3.4.

Bookes or writings are ſignes or pictures of things ſignified therby.

Writings are to be conſidered in the concrete or in the abſtract.

In the concrete writings import both the ſigne & the thing ſignified therby, that is both the characters & the matter.

In the abſtract writings import the ſigne in relation to the thing ſignified therby: vis: lettres, ſillables, wordes, ſyntaxe.

Every writing is compounded of wordes.

Every worde is made of lettres & ſillables except that ſome lettres & ſillables are wordes.

Lettres or characters are ſignificative. Revel. 1.8, & 13.18. Alpha, Omega, Chi. Xi, …. p. 4ſignify, firſt, laſt, 600, 60, 6.

Wordes are ſignificative in the firſt or ſecond intention: as Amen in the firſt intention ſignifieth truth or truly. Mat. 5.18. Amen in the ſecond intention ſignifieth Chriſt Revel. 3.14. So doth Logos ſignify alſo and many other wordes of Scripture.

Syntaxe or joyning of wordes in order ſignifieth diſcourſe,

As ſingle wordes ſignify Logicall relations or arguments. So Syntaxe or wordes compounded in ſentence ſignifieth Axiomes, Syllogiſmes, Methode.

Therefore wordes and ſyntaxe are ſignes of thinges, and of the relations and reaſon of thinges

Hence it followeth that bookes or writinges are in the nature of picturer or Images & therefore in the nature of ceremonies: & ſo by conſequent reading a booke is ceremoniall. For as the Beaſt in the Sacrifices of the ould Teſtament was ceremoniall ſo was the killing of the Beaſt ceremoniall.

Chap. 7. Of the kindes of bookes or writinges.

Thus much of the nature of bookes or writinges: Now follow the kindes of bookes or the diſtribution of writinges.

writinges may bee diſtinguiſhed according to the ſubject or efficient.

The ſubject of writinges are paper, parchment, wood, ſtone, metall. &c

If writinges bee in paper or parchment they bee called bookes, as may bee gathered from. Deut. 31.24-26. Ierem 36.4.

If writinges be ingraven in ſtone wood or metal it is caled graving or carving: Exo. 28.11. 2. Cor. 3.7. Ioſh. 8.32.

The efficient of writinges are two: God, or Man.

God himſelfe firſt engraved the law in tables of ſtone. Exod. 31.18.

Men are of two ſortes: Inſpired, or ordinary men.

Men Inſpired by the Holy Ghoſt are the Holy Prophets & Apoſtles who wrote the holy ſcriptures by inſpiration. 2. Pet. 1.21. 2 Tim. 3.16. Rom. 1.2. namely the Hebrue of the ould teſtament & the greeke of the new Teſtament.

The Holy Scriptures viz. the Originalls Hebrew & Greek are given by Divine inſpiration & in their firſt donation were without error moſt perfect & therefore Canonicall.

Ordinary men write bookes of divers kindes among the reſt ſuch as have the word of God or Holy Scriptures for their object are called Theological writinges: among them Tranſlations of the Holy Scriptures into the mother tong are cheifly to be eſteemed, as beeing the moſt principall, yet only as the ſtreame iſsuing from the fountayne, or as the greateſt river of the mayne ſea.

No writinges of ordinary men how holy or good ſoever are given by inſpiration, & therefore are ſubject to error & imperfect & ſo Apocrypha.

Chap. 8. Of the Originalls or Holy Scriptures, & of the partes of Holy Scripture.

Holy Scriptures (as all other writinges whatſoever,) conſiſt of two partes: of the tong & character & of the ſubſtance or matter ſignified by the character.

p. 5The tong or character hath apertaining to it the grammar and the Rhethorick wher of the tong or character is the ſubiect.

The matter or ſubſtance of the ſcripture hath in it, Logick, Hiſtory, Cronology, Coſ mography, Genealogy, Philoſophy, Theologie and other like matter.

The principall parte of the matter is the Theologie

A Translation of the holy originalls may expreſse very much of the matter contayned in or ſignified by the originall characters: it can expreſse alſo much of the Rhethorickas Tropes & Figures of ſentence.

No Translation can poſsibly expreſse all the matter of the holy originalls, nor a thouſand thinges in the Grammar, Rhethorick, & characte… of the tong.

A Translation ſo far forth as it doth truly & fully expreſse any thing of the originals may be ſaide inſpired of God & no further.

Hence it followeth that a tranſlation be it never ſo good is mixt with mens deviſes, imperfect, not equipollent to the originalles in a thouſand particulars.

The holy originalles ſignifie and repreſent to our eyes heavenly things therfor the book of the law is called a ſimilitude of an heavenly thing. Heb. 9.19-23.

Holy Scriptures or writings beganne with Moſes. Exob. 24.4. & 31.18. Ioh. 1.17. 2. Cor. 3.7.

Before Moſes holy men propheſyed out of their harts & receaved & kept the truth of doctryne by tradition from hand to hand: 2. Pet. 2.5. Iude verſ. 14.15. Deut. 31.24.

When Moſes had written the lawe, he cauſed it to be put by the arke in the moſt holy place, as a witneſſe againſt the people. deut. 31.26. therfor the Apoſtle calleth it the handwriting in ordinances which was contrary to vsus, which Chriſt nayled to his croſſe. Col. 2.14. Eph. 2.15.

Hence it followeth that the holy originals the Hebrue ſcriptures of the old teſtament are ceremonyes. 2. Cor. 3.3.7. Nomb. 5.23.24. & by neceſſary conſequent.

The book or tables of ſtone typed vntounto the Iewes their hard hart voyde of the true vnderſtanding of the lawe. 2. Cor. 3.3. Heb. 8.10. Ezech. 36.26.27. 2. Cor. 3.14.15.

The Inck wherewith the lettres were written ſignified the Spirit of God: 2. Cor, 3.3. Heb. 8.10. compared with Exod. 31.18.

The lettres written or characters engraven ſignifieth the work of the Spirit, who alone doth write the law in our harts. by proportion: alſo Deut 9.10. compared with Heb. 8.10

Reading the words of the law out of the book ſignifieth the vttering of the word of God out of the hart: by proportion. ſee alſo. 2. Cor. 3.2.3.6. 1. Cor. 12.7.

The writings of the old Teſtament being ceremonial are therfor abolished by Chriſt only ſo far forth as they are ceremonial: Col. 2.14 20. Gal. 4.9.

The thing ſignified by the book viz: the law of God & the new teſtament remayneth 2 Cor. 3: 11.7. Heb. 8.6.7.13.

Chap. 9, How the Originalls or Holy Scriptures are to be vſed.

The Scriptures of the old Teſtament are commaunded to the Church 2. Pet. 1.19.…0 p. 6&. 2. Timoth. 3.16. as alſo the Scriptures of the new Teſtament: 1. Theſ. 5.27. Col. 4.16. & by proportion.

Heer conſider theſe things,

1. How the Scriptures are to be vſed: 2. How they are not to be vſed.

The Holy Scriptures are the Fountayne of all truth, Ioh. 17.17. compared with 2. Timoth. 3.16.17.

They are the ground & foundacion of our fayth, Epheſ. 2.20. compared with Ioh. 5.39. & 17.3.

By them all doctrynes & every Spiritt is to be judged: Eſay 8.20. 1. Ioh. 4.1. Act. 17.11.

They are to be read in the Church & to be interpeted: Col. 4.16. compared with Luk. 24.27. & 1. Cor. 14, 27. & 12.10. by proportion. 2. Pet. 3.16.

Nevertheleſſe the Holy Scriptures are not reteyned as helps before the eye in tyme of Spirituall worship: Reaſons are theſe.

Chap. 10. Reaſons proving the Originals not to be given as helps before the eye in worship.

1. Bicauſe Chriſt vſed the book to fulfill all righteouſnes Mat. 3.15. & having by the vſe of the book fulfilled the law of reading he ſhut the book in the Synagogue, to ſignifie that that ceremony of bookworship, or the miniſterie of the lettre was now exſpired, & finished. Luk. 4.20. Ioh, 19.30.

3. Bicauſe reading wordes out of a book is the miniſtration of the lettre, 2. Cor. 3.6. namely a part of the miniſterie of the old Teſtament which is abolished: Heb. 8.13: 2: cor. 3.11.13. & the miniſtery of the new teſtament is the miniſterie of the ſpirit. 2. Cor. 3.6.

3. Bicauſe vppon the day of Pentecoſt & many yeeres after the churches of the new teſtament did vſe no bookes in tyme of ſpiritual worship but prayed, propheſyed, & ſang Pſalmes meerely out of their harts. Act. 2.4.42. & 10.44-48. & 19.6. 1. cor. 14.15-17.26.37

4. Bicauſe no example of the Scripture can be ſhewed of any man ordinary or extraordinary that at or after the day of Pentecoſt vſed a book in praying, propheſying & ſing…ng Pſalmes: if yea: let it be done & wee yeeld.

5. Bicauſe none of the books of the new Teſtament were written many yeeres after the day of Pentecoſt, at the leaſt ſeaven yeeres: & the Churches all that tyme could not vſe the books of the new Teſtament which they had not:

6. Bicauſe the Churches of the Greekes had no bookes to vſe that they might vſe …awfully: for they vnderſtood not Hebrue: & the Septuagints tranſlation ought not to be vſed or made, & the Apoſtles made no Greek tranſlation: And if the Apoſtles read the Hebrue an vnknowne tong in the Greek Churches it could not be a lawfull worship, bicauſe it edified not: if they had the Hebrue before their eyes & interpeted Greek, let it be ſhewed when & where & wee yeeld vntounto it.

7. Bicauſe as in prayer the ſpirit only is our help & ther is no outward help given of God for that kind of worship: So alſo in propheſying & ſinging. 1. Cor. 11.4. & 14.16,

8. Bicauſe it is againſt the nature of ſpiritual worship: for when we read wee receave matter from the book into the hart, when we pray propheſy or ſing we utter matter out of the hart vntounto the eare of the Church; Ezech, 2.8-19, & 3.1-4. Revel. 10.8-11.

p. 79. Bicauſe vponupon the day of Pentecoſt fyerie cloven tongs did appeare, not fiery cloven bookes. Ac…. 2.3. & alwaies ther muſt be a proportion betwixt the type and the thing typed: vponupon the day of Pentecoſt the fiery law was given in bookes Deut: 33.2. Exo: 24.4.12. vponupon the day of Pentecoſt the fiery goſpel was given in tonges Act: 2.3. Mat: 3 11. Act: 1.5. the booke therefore was proper for them, the tonge for vsus … 10. Bicauſe as all the worſhip which Moſes taught began in the letter outwardly, & ſo proceeded inwardly to the ſpirit of the faithfull: ſo contrariwiſe all the worſhip of the new teſtament ſignified by that typicall worſhip of Moſes muſt beginne at the Spirit, & not at the letter originally. 2. Cor: 3.6.8. 1. Cor: 12.7. or els the heavenly thinge is not anſwerable to the ſimilitude thereof:

Therfor as in prayer the book is laid aſide, & that by the confeſſion of the auncient brethren of the ſeperation: ſo muſt it be alſo in propheſying & ſinging of Pſalmes as we are perſwaded. 1. Cor. 11.4. & 14.15.16.26.

Quere, whither the Prophets of the Church may not in tyme of Spiritual worſhip, take the originals, & interpret out of them a text, & then ſhut the book & propheſy from that ground of holy Scripture ſo interpreted. Luk. 4.16-20.

Chap. 11. objections for book worſhip anſwered.

The firſt objection.

Reading in the old Teſtament was commaunded by Moſes. Deut. 31.9-13. was amplified by David. 1. Chron. 16. & 25. was practiſed by Ioſiah 2. Chron. 34.30. by Ezra & Nehemiah Nehem. 8.8. & 9.3. allowed by our Savior Chriſt Luk. 4.16. & by the Apoſtles, Act. 13.14.15. &c reported as a thing of auncient approved continuance. Act. 15.21.

Anſwer to the firſt objection.

Firſt the reading commaunded by Moſes was only once every ſeaven yeere. Deut. 31.10.11 & therfor it was no part of ordinary worſhip, & ther is no commaundement in Moſes given eyther to the Preiſts or Levites for ordinary reading of the law in the Tabernacle.

Secondly: Hence it followeth that reading in the old Teſtament was no part of the worſhip of the tabernacle or temple, or of the ſervice performed by the Prieſts therein, for all the worſhip that was appointed by Moſes for the Preiſts was limited to the holy place, whither the people were not admitted.

Thirdly: therfor reading was of another nature performed in the vtter court or Synagogue or els where, eyther by the levites or any other learned men of what tribe ſeever: Mat. 23.2. Luk. 4.16. Act. 13-15. compared with. Act. 15-21. Deut. 31 9-11.1. Chron. 10.4.7.37.39. & 15.1-8. & 28.13.2. Chron. 34.14.30.31. Nehem. 8. & 9. ſo no part of worſhip properly ſo called, but only a ceremoniall ground or ſoundation, of inward or outward ſpiritual worſhip common to the Churches of all ages.

Laſtly: it is not denyed but that reading now is to be vſed in the Church: only we ſay it is not a part of ſpiritual worſhip, or a lawful meanes in tyme of ſpiritual worſhip.

p. 8The ſecond objection

Reading is commaunded in the new teſtament Coloſ: 4.16. 1. Theſ: 5.27. and a bleſſing prom…ſed thereto Revel: 1.3. and the commaundement is that it be practiſed in the church: therefore it is a part or meanes of the worſhip of the new teſtament.

Anſwer to the ſecond objection.

Not euerie thinge performed in the church is a parte of ſpirituall worſhip, forall the partes of publique adminiſtratiō of the Kingdome are done in the church, and yet cannot be ſayd to be partes of ſpirituall worſhip properly ſo called. Chap: 1. and 2.

Moreover when he commaundeth his Epiſtles to be read in the Churches, his meaning is not ſtrictly literall: that is, that the very wordes which he wrote ſhould be repeated verbatim out of the booke: but his meaning is that the fenſe of the wordes or the meaning of the Apoſtle ſhould be related to the brethrē, whither by reading the verywordes, by expounding the meaning by interpreting or tranſlating. For if his meaning be that the very wordes he wrote be literaly read: thē the Greek wordes muſt be repeated out of the booke to all nations: which is contrary to. 1. Cor. 14.26. If his meaning be, that the ſenſe ſhould be given any way, by tranſlating, by reading the tranſlation, by interpreting his meaning in a paraphraſe, commentary &c. then how will it follow that reading the Greek tong which is not vnderſtood in the Engliſh Churches is a law full part of ſpirituall worship according to the literall ſignification of readings?

Further the Apoſtle wrote his Epiſtles to the Colloſſians, & Theſſalonians & the other Churches vppon particular occaſions for partcular endes, and the commaundement of reading then was ſpeciall in thoſe reſpects to them: and the intent of the Apoſtle is not to enioyne the reading of them every day & in tyme of Spiritual worſhip to al Churches: yet wee do acknowledg the abſolute neceſſity of reading & ſearching the Scriptures, Ioh. 5.39.

Againe that reading is a lawful yea neceſſary meanes or help to further vsus to Spiritual worship is not denyed, but this is denyed that it is a lawful help in tyme of worship, or a lawful part of Spiritual worship. For it is confeſſed & defended by the auncient brethrē of the ſeperation, that the originals are no lawful help in tyme of prayer: So ſay we they are no lawful help in tyme of propheſying & ſinging Pſalmes, & that by equal proportion for ther is the ſame reaſon of helps in all the parts of Spiritual worship, during the tyme of performing the worship.

The third objection.

The Apoſtle 1. Tim. 4.13-16. commaundeth. Timothie & ſo all Elders to attend to reading wher reading is joyned with exhortation & doctryne & ſo importeth that it is to be vnderſtood of the joyning of reading in tyme of Spiritual worship

Anſwer to the third objection.

The circūſtances of the place being …el conſidered w… afoard that Paul ſpeaketh no… p. 9of the execution of his office, but of preparing himſelf to the execution of his office: which is attayned by reading the Scriptures wherby men are fitted with matter fitt to teach & exhort: for by this meanes the gift o… prophecy was preſerved in Timothie vſus. 14. & by this meanes his proficiency ſhould be manifeſted. vſus. 15. by this meanes he ſhould the better ſave mens ſoules, vſus. 16.

The fourth objection.

Let it be graunted that the Apoſtles & Evangeliſts vſed no bookes being extraordinary men & having the extraordinary direction of the ſpirit, for they needed no ſuch helps of bookes as wee doe: Yet wee being men ordinary have need of bookes, therefor they by the direction of the Spirit both have written bookes for our vſe, & have commaunded vsus to vſe them.

Anſwer to the fourth objection.

This objection may aswell fit bringing of bookes into the tyme of prayer, frō whēce they are juſtly baniſhed: for it may be ſayd that the Apoſtles were extraordinary men, & needed no bookes for prayer, but wee need books to help our infirmity: & why may not a man aswel ſay the Apoſtle commaundeth the reading of prayers, & promiſeth a blesſing to reading of prayers in tyme of prayer as otherwiſe.

Again, though the holy Spirit be not given to vsus in the ſame manner & meaſure as to the Apoſtles, yet we have the ſame Spirit to help vsus as they had, & to the ſame ordinary purpoſes, is he ſent to vsus by Chriſt as to them: namely to help our infirmityes: Rom. 8. 26. for the work of the miniſtery: Eph. 4.12. to be our annoynting, 1. Ioh. 2.27. to lead into all truth: Ioh 16.13. to be our paraclete: Ioh. 14.16. & ſo by conſequent to help vsus to pray, propheſy, & prayſe God.

Againe this objection ſeemeth to eſtabliſh two formes of propheſying, one without bookes by the Apoſtles for many yeeres in the Church: another with bookes afterward taught by the Apoſtles: & then it followeth that the Apoſtles goſpell was yea & nay, who firſt taught & practiſed one way, & afterward taught & commaunded to practiſe another way.

Laſtly: The Apoſtles had the bookes of the Old Teſtament in the Hebrwe tong, & ſo might have vſed them before their eye in tyme of propheſying, eyther to read out of them to the Hebrues, or to tranſlate and interprett out of them to the Greecians: but they did neyther of theſe, but only propheſyed out of their harts, as the Holy Ghoſt gave them vtterance. Act. 2.4. Yea & taught the primitive Churches ſo to doe: 1. Cor. 14.26. If it can be ſhewed that they did vſe the bookes of the Old Teſtament in tyme of worship to read or interprete from them, lett it be ſhewed, & wee yeeld: if not thus wee hold & practiſe for the preſent.

Here vppon it followeth that neyther reading the originals, nor interpreting or tranſlating out of the originals the book being before the eye, is eyther a lawfull part or meanes of Spirituall worship.

p. 10Chap. 12. Of the writings of men.

Writings of men are of divers kinds: among them are tranſlations of the holy Scriptures a moſt principal.

To tranſlate the originals into any mother tong is aſwell, & aſmuch the work of a mans witt & learning, as to analyſe the Scriptures Rhetorically or Logically, to Collect doctrynes & vſes Theologically, to give expoſitions & interpretations of places doubtfull.

The tranſlator cannot conceave nor expreſſe in writing the whole mynd of the holy Spirit conteyned in the originals, but only ſome good part of it: the expoſitor, paraphraſt commētator may expreſſe aſmuch as the tranſlator, yea & in reſpect of ſome particulars, as Hebraiſmes, Greciſmes & the like conſiderations, much more.

Ther is as good warrant to tranſlate the Scriptures as to expound analyſe, & draw doctrynes & vſes from the Scriptures. Marc. 5.41, Mat. 1.23. & by proportiō from 1. Cor. 12.10. & 14.13.27.39.

Ther is no better warrant to bring tranſlations of Scripture written into the church, & to reade them as partes or helps of worship, then to bring in expoſitions, reſolutions, paraphraſts & ſermons vppon the Scripture ſeing al theſe are equally humane in reſpect of the work, equally divine in reſpect of the matter they handle.

Chap. 13. Of reading tranſlations: & of the tranſlation of the. 72. interpreters.

Hitherto apperteyneth this queſtion, whether reading a tranſlation be a lawful help or meanes in tyme of Spiritual worship or a lawful part of Spiritual worship.

If originals muſt be laid aſide as in tyme of prayer, ſo alſo in tyme of propheſying & ſinging, then much more muſt tranſlations be laid aſide at that tyme: as may further be manifeſted thus.

Bicauſe the Septuagints tranſlation was a greevous ſinne for many reaſons.

1. For that the covenant of grace ought not to have been preached vntounto the gentils til the fullnes of tyme. Mat: 10.5 6. 1. Timoth 3.16. Rom. 16.25.26 compared with, Mat. 10.5.6. & 28.19. And therfor that the Septuagints by their tranſlation did communicate it to the Grecians, before the fulnes of tyme was their greevous ſinne.

2. Bicauſe all the Gentills ought to have been proſelytes of the Iewes Church & to have come to Ieruſalem to worship▪ Exod 12.43-49. Mat. 23.15. Act. 2.10. & ought to have learned their tong & worship, which was prevented by the Septuagints tranſlation.

3. Bicauſe the Hebrue characters & writings were Ceremonyes & ſo ought not to have been profaned among the Grecians by their writings: & as the Philiſtims were juſtly plagued for the preſence of the Arke, 1. Sam. 5. So might the Lord juſtly have plagued the Grecians for that the Oracles of God were among them, & fearfully abuſed by them.

p. 114. If it were vnlawful to ſing one of Davids Pſalmes in a ſtrang nation as Babylon. pſal. 137.4. then much more vnlawfull was it to tranſlate the Scriptures into a ſtraunge tong for all the Ceremoniall law was bounded within the holy land.

5. The tranſlation of the Septuagints out of Hebrue into Greeke, is contradictory to the Lords mercy to the Iewes church & ther ſpecial Priviledges, ſee pſal. 147.19.20. Rom. 3.1.2. Act. 10.28. & 22.1.-18. Eph. 2.11-15. Act. 13.46-48. contrary alſo to Rom. 16.25.26.

6. Bicauſe that ſeing the Hebrew writings were Ceremonyes it was vnlawful for the Septuagints to chandg them from their proper kind, & to picture them out by the Greek writings for the Greeks vſe.

7. Bicauſe the Septuagints did of purpoſe conceale many things as judging the gentils vnworthy to know them fearing alſo leaſt they ſhould profane ſuch holy myſteries wherein their conſciences told them playnly that their tranſlation was their ſynne: alſo they did pervert many things of purpoſe, ad ſomthing & infinitely corrupt their tranſlation which was their greeve us ſinne.

Hence it followeth that ſeing the Septuagints tranſlation was ſo greevous a ſinne, therfor the Apoſtles would never account it holy ſcripture comming frō the holy ghoſt & ſo never approve the vſe of it in the Greek Churches.

Againe wee never heard of any other tranſlation before Chriſt, beſides the Septuagints: or if ther were any, it were vnlawful by the ſame reaſons before vſed againſt the Septuagints.

Further: ther could be no vſe of the Septuagints tranſlation for reading in the Latine Church of the Romanes.

More over the new Teſtament being not written, none of it till 7.10. or 20. yeeres after Chriſts death, not all of it till Iohn had written who was the ſurviver of the Apoſtles, how could ther bee a tranſlation of the new Teſtament written during the Apoſtles lives?

Beſides it is never mentioned that ever any Apoſtle or Apoſtolique man or Church, eyther had from the Apoſtles or vſed by their direction or approbation a tranſlation of any ſort, whathoever before the eye in tyme of Spirituall worship: if yea: let it be ſhewed.

Laſtly tranſlations therfor beganne in the Church after the Apoſtles dayes in tyme of worship, & ſo were not from the beginning, in reſpect whereof they are a part of the myſtery of iniquity in worship.

Chap. 14. Of other arguments againſt reading tranſlations in tyme of worship.

1. 1, Theſ. 5.21. Try all things, keep that good thing. But no man ignorant of the tongs can try whether the tranſlation be fit or good: & therfor no man ignorant of the tongs can ſtrictly keep or read a tranſlation in tyme of worship.

2. Rom. 14.23. 1. Timoth. 1.4.-7. Heb. 11.6. whatſoever commeth not from fayth is ſinne. But no man ignorant of the tongs can of faith vſe the tranſlation ſeing he cannot examyne it whether it be good or bad, & ſo beleeve or refuſe it. Therfore it is not of p. 12fayth in him & ſo it is ſynne for him to vſe it before the eye in tyme of worship.

3. A translation made verbatim from the originalls is abſurd by reaſon of the difference of the dialects: & therefore vnlaw…ull ſeing it edifieth not. 1. Cor. 14.26. A translation paraphraſtical or a paraphraſt if it be lawful in time of worship to be read then why not a written ſermon.

4. A paraphraſt, comētarie or expoſition vponupon a chapter which contayneth more of the contentes of the originalles & the holy ghoſtes meaning is vnlawfull to be read in time of worship: therefore a tranſlation of a chapter which contayneth leſſe is vnlawful alſo to be read in time of worship.

5. Levit. 22.22. Malach. 1.8.13.14. Mat. 22.37. Rom. 12.1.2. Pſal. 119.45. & 103.1. God wil be ſerved with the beſt we have. But ther is no one translation the beſt we have: ſeing the Lord may in tyme of worship miniſter better to him that adminiſtreth, if hee vnderſtand the originalls if he vnde…ſtand not the originalls he hath it not at all: for it is another mans worke: & therefore no one translation written may be read in tyme of worship.

6. Deut. 16 16. 1. Chron 21.24. Eph 4 8. Rom. 12.3. we muſt worship God with our own not with another mans with that which coſt vsus ſom…hing not with that which coſt vsus nothing. But for one ignorant of the tongs to read the trans…ation & offer it to God is to offer to God: not he mans labor not his owne: that which coſt him nothing but is another mans coſt: therfore it is vnl…w…ull.

7. Reading a translation is not commaunded nor was ever practiſed by Chriſt, the Apoſtles, or th… p…imitive Chu…ches in tyme of worship: & ſo being deviſed by man is in the account of vayre worship. Mat. 15.9 & w…ll-worship. Col. 2.23. & ſo a kynd of Idolatry & therefore the translation it ſelfe before the eye in tyme o… worship an Idoll & ſo hath a curſe denounced againſt the vſe of it in tyme o… worship. Revel. 22.18. Exod. 20.4.5.

8. A translation being the worke of a mans witt & learning is aſmuch & as truly an humane writing as the Apocrypha (ſo commonly called) writings are: & ſeing it hath not the allowance of holy men inſpired, but is of an hidden authority: it may be juſtly called Apocryphon, for the ſignification of the word importeth ſo much & therefore not …o be brought into the worship of God to be read.

9. All the arguments vſed agaynſt the reading of homilies & prayers may be applyed …gaynſt the reading of translations in tyme of w…rship As:

1. They do ſt…nt or quench the ſpirit which is contrary to. 1. Theſ. 5.19.20. 2 Cor. 3.17.

2. They are not the pure word of God & ſo contrary to Eccleſ. 12.10. Mat. 15.9.

3. They are the private workes of men: contrary to. 1. Cor 12.7.8. 2 Pet. 1.20,

4. They are the private openings or interpretations of the propheſies of Scripture: …ontrary to. 2 pet 1.20.

5. They contradict the giftes beſtowed by Chriſt vppon the Church for the work of …e miniſtery: con…trary to. Eph. 4.8.11.12. Act. 2.4. Ioh. 16.7.

6 They derogate from the vertue of Chriſts Aſcētion & dignitie of his Kingdome: con…ary to Eph. 4.8.

7. They blemish Chriſts bounty to & care of his church. contrary to. Ioh. 14.16.18.26

8. They diſgrace the Spirit of God ſetting him to ſchoole. contrary to. 1: Ioh. 2.27.

p. 139. They bring into the Church a ſtraunge miniſtratiō contrary to. 1. Cor. 12.5. & ſo a new part of the goſpel or covenant con…rary to, Gal. 3.15.

10. They do not manifeſt the ſpirit which commeth from within, but manifeſteth the lettre which commeth from without. 2. Cor. 3.6.

11. Therefore they are not ſpiritual worship Ioh. 4.24. compared with. 2. Cor. 3▪ 1…. Gal. 5.1. & 4.31.

12. Children may read a translation perfectly wel: But children cannot perform a… part of Spiritual worship: therfor reading a tranſlation is no part of Spiritual worship.

Quere: whither between the parts of Spiritual worship, that is between prayer, propheſying & ſinging Pſalmes, a man may not inte…poſe the reading of a ſcripture or chapter not intending it as worship, but as a fu…ther prepara…on to worship.

Chap. 15. Objections for tranſlations anſwered.

The firſt Objection.

Rom. 4.3. What fayth the Scripture & then followeth the Septuagints tranſlation Heb. 3.7. The holy ghoſt faith & then follow the wo…des of the Septuagints tranſlation: & it is obſerved that the Ap…ſtles quote the wordes of the Septuagints tranſlation, not only wher they expound the meaning of the holy ghoſt: as Heb. 10.5. & Rom. 4.3. Wher the Apoſtles follow the Septuagints not the Hebrue, but alſo in their deviſes beſides the original: as in the ſecond Caynan Luk. 3.36.37. & in the 75. perſons of Iacobs Family, Act. 7.24. where as ther is, but one caynan & 70. perſon… in the Hebrue.

Anſwer to the firſt Objection.

If the originals themſelves are not to be vſed as helps in tyme of Spiritual worship, as hath been proved then this objection is of no force …or tranſlations.

Secondly: if it were of force to bring tranſlations to be read in the tyme of worship …t were avay leable thus far even to bring in to the tyme of worship the errors of the …ranſlations: for ſo this objection importeth that the Apoſtles quote the Septuagints …rrors, & wheras it is ſaid by ſome that in the Apoſtles intention it is no error, ſith …riting to Theophilus & the Grecians, rather then he would haza…d their fayth by …aundging the Septuagints errors & corre&ing ſuch an approved Tranſlation, he … ought it meet to follow that receaved deviſe of theirs contrary to the truth the …oly Ghoſt th…rein yeelding to mans infirmity as in the caſes of Polyga…y. & Diverce, … fury in the Old Teſtament: It is thus anſwered th…t the Holy Ghoſt needeth … the lyes of men, to work his work, nor the Septuagints errors to ſupport the fayth … …heophilus & the Grecians: And this miſcheef followeth herevppon that rather … the …ayth of Theophilus & the Grecians, ſhould be endaungered the credit o… the … Scriptu…es ſhould be hazarded their being found in then ſuch deviſes errors and c…radictions. And further it is t…e thing by connivency to paſſe by ſinne …s wa… the co…ation of Polygamy Divo…ce & Vſu…y: See Act. 17.30. Another thing to tranſlate … from a tranſlation into thē original, which is to approve them, & this whoſoever p. 14affirmeth, ſpeaketh litle leſſe then blaſphemy.

Thirdly: therfor as Antiehriſt hath polluted all Gods ordinances ſo hath he violated the original criptures: And therfor one Caynan muſt be put out: For ſo me auncient copies have it not: & for 75. Ther muſt be read ſeaventy all: Pente for Pantes: as Rom. 12.11. Kairo, Kurio, & it is posſible eaſily to miſtake ſo ſmall a matter in copying out any thing as experience teacheth.

Laſtly fully to anſwer the objection whatſoever is good in the Septuagints tranſlation was taken out of the New Teſtament, & auncient Fathers of the Greek Church: For it is manifeſt by hiſtoryes that the Septuagints translation is loſt, & this that goeth vnderunder the name of the Septuagint is a patchery made out of auncient writings: and therfor the Holy Ghoſt doth not ayme at the Septuagints Translation at all as is imported in the Objection.

The ſecond Objection.

The were Greekes & Grecians: Hellenes: Kai Helleniſtai. As may appeare Act. 6. 1. Rom. 1.16. The Greekes were of the Progeny of the Greekes aſwel as of the country: The Grecians were Iewes by Progeny, & borne in Grecia: Therfor Paull calleth himſelf an Hebrew of the Hebrewes: Philip 3: 5. Now theſe Grecians had forgotten their Language & ſpake Greek only: And having Synagogues in the Cities where they dwelt, h…d the Septuagints translation read vntounto them, & the Apoſtles comming into their Synagogues did approve that act of thei…s of reading the translation & ſo it followeth that reading translations is lawfull in worship.

Anſwer to the ſecond Objection.

The diſtiction of Greekes & Grecians is vayne as appeareth by theſe places compated together: Act. 21.39. & 18.2.24. with Act. 6.1. Philip. 3.5. For Paul was borne at Tarſus in Cilicia, & Aquila at Pontus, & Apollos at Alexandria, And yet are all called Iewes not Helleniſts or Grecians: & Act. 6.1. The Heleniſts murmured againſt the Hebrues, the Heleniſts did vnderſtand the Hebrue tong, & had not forgotten their owne Language.

Secondly: it cannot be proved by Scriptures that the Heleniſts had the Greek translation read vntounto them in the Synagogues, it is manifeſtly otherwiſe by the reaſons vſed before againſt the translation of the Septuagints.

Thirdly, the worship of God properly ſo called of the whole Church of the Iewes▪ was performed in the Holy place at Ie…uſalem, & ſo that which was performed in the Synagogue was not properly the worship of the whole Church of the Iewes: but was of that nature that paſſed between Chriſt & the Doctors in the temple: Luk. 2.46. compared with Act. 17.2.

Fourthly if the Heleniſts did read the Septuagints translation as a part of ther proper worship hauing forgotten their owne Language, therin were committed theſe ſynnes.

1. Forgetting their tong one part of the ceremonial law. Nehem. 13.24.

p. 152. …tuting worship in a common tong which was as vnlawfull as ſacrif…cing a dog

3. Therefore it was a falſe worship, as it was a falſe worship to ſacrifice an vncleane beaſte vnderunder the law

Laſtly if they did reade the Septuagintes tranſlation & the Apoſtles came in & heard, it doth not follow they did allow it as a parte of the worship of the new teſtament, no more then they did allow circumciſion to be: neither did they in deede giuegive any allowance vntounto it at all, ſeing they came to the ſynagogues where was the greateſt concourſe of people not to worship, but to draw them to Chriſt, not to approue their doinges but to diſproue them.

The third obiection.

Deut: 31.12. the reaſons that are alledged for readinge the law are perpetuall, and therfore the law of reading is perpetuall: the morall reaſons are, hearing, learning, fearing god, & keepinge his lawes.

Anſwer to the third objection.

Firſt the law of reading is not moral in the parricular act, but in the equity: for it was commaunded to be done but once in ſeaven yeare at the feaſt of tabernacles Deut. 31.10. & if it had been moral in the particular act it should have been from the beginning, (which was not ſo, ſeing it beganne with Moſes,) & it ſh…uld continue a…ter the end of the world: for moralities endure for ever: But bookes & ſo reading of bookes ſhal periſh.

Secondly it is morall in the equity, that is, tha… all meanes muſt be vſed to attayne the knowledg of the truth wherof reading is a principall, & yet hence it followeth not that reading is eyther a part or meanes of Spiritual worship: For bookes are things meerely artificiall as are pictures & ymages, Geneſ. 4.22.

Finally let it be granted that reading is morall it doth not herevppon follow that it is lawfull in tyme of Spiritual worship as a part or help thereto. Seing that reading is ſearching the Scripture, or preparing to the worship, & not worship it ſelf, & ſeing that whē a man doth worship, he is not to prepare to worship as he doth that readeth: though I deny not but that one part of worship …s a preparation to another.

The fourth objection.

Reading the law was performed in the Synagogue, & it was not tyed to the temple or the holy place, which is an argument that reading is not ceremoniall but morall, for no part of ceremonial worship was performed from the tabernacle or Temple.

Anſwer to the fourth objection.

The argumēt foloweth not: for although all ceremonial worship was to be performed at Ieruſalem Ioh. 4.20, Yet it is ſo to be conſtrued as intended by the woman according to the lawes direction: namely, of the worship which the Preiſts performed as ſacrificers: p. 16… may be ſeen: D… ▪ 1….5-7. & vſus▪ 11-19. For otherwiſe ſome ceremoniall worship; as namely circumcizion was performed any where in the land of Iſrael, for the males muſt needes be circumcized at 8. dayes old, & it was imposſible to bring the males ſome of thē 100. miles within eight dayes ſpace. ſee Chap. 20.

Againe ſuppoſe reading the law to be a morall action (which yet is not ſo) hence it followeth not that reading the law is a part of Spirituall worship or a lawful help therto in tyme therof: for by the ſame reaſon every morall duty may be made a part or meanes of Spirituall worship, which is abſurd, for that is to confound the ſecond table of the lawe, & the dutyes thereof with the firſt table & the dutyes thereof & the goſpel with the law.

The fifth objection.

Luk. 4.16. Chriſt ſtood vp to read, & read his text, & then preached out of it: Now his actions are our inſtru&ions: & therfor wee are to read wordes out of a book in tyme of preaching or propheſying.

Anſwer to the fifth objection.

To this objection many things may be anſwered.

Firſt in that it was done in the Synagogue by Chriſt which was neither Preiſt not Levite, it is an argument … it was no proper pa t of the worship of the old teſtament, but of that nature a… was th…t …criſe performed by Chriſt & the Doctors in temple: ſo that reading moſt property is …ea…ching the ſcriptu…es, which is not worship.

Secondly: Chriſt had the O…g…e… the Hebrue text of Eſay the Prophet, & read or interpreted out of it, for it is doubtfull whither he vttered the Hebrue words or ſpeake the ſenſe of the Hebrue in the Syriac… dialect: & therfor from hence reading a tranſlation cannot be concluded▪ but eyther reading or interpreting the originals.

Thirdly: Hence cannot be concluded that manner of p…eaching now vſed ehat a man ſhall taKe his text, & then devide it into parts analyſing it Rhetorically, & Logically, collecting doctrynes & vſes from every member or argument or word of his text al this while he having his book before his eye… to help him at all aſſayes: a thing wherof I am aſſured the holy Scriptures yeeldeth no warrant that it may be accounted a part of Spiritual worship: For although the Scriptures may be ſo handled, & that for very profitable vſe, yet that is rather a Scholaſticall lecture, then an Eccleſiaſticall worship: it is rather an inquiſition & ſearching of the holy Spirits intent and purpoſe, then propheſying.

Laſtly: If wee muſt needes be tyed to this example of Chriſt (which I ſee no reaſon for ſeing reading was of the Old Teſtament) then the example of Chriſt ſhal bind alſo thus far, as that the book ſhal be layde aſide, ſo ſoone as the text is read, & the book that is vſed ſhalbe the Originals: which is nothing for vocall but for mental reading, or for interpreting, & which I never have thought to contradict, but wherin I am ready to be overruled: For this particular ſee the Quere in the Chap. 10.

See alſo the quere Chap. 14. For interpoſing the reading of the tranſlation between the parts of worship a… a further preparation & help to worship ſucceeding.

p. 17Thus much conce…ing the anſwer to Objections made for the lawfull vſe of … lations in tyme of worship.

Chap. 16. Of the lawfullnes of translating the Scriptures. & the vſe of translations in our account.

Although before Chriſts comming it was vnlawful to translate the Holy Originals from their ceremonial tong into any vulgar mother tong: yet the partition wall being now broken downe, translations are lawful & that for theſe reaſons.

Math. 28. Chriſt commaundeth to goe teach all nations, & therfor all nations may have the Holy Scriptures translated into their owne vernacular tong, that therby they may learne the truth.

The Scriptures are a Creature or ordinance of God: & therfor as it is lawful to picture a man, a byrd a fiſh, a fowle, an angel vertue or vice, ſo is ir lawful to picture out or reſemble the Hebrue & Greek original Scriptures by any vulgar translation of any tong or Language whatſoever.

Againe as God ſent the confuſion of tongs as a curſe Geneſ. 11.6.7. ſo hath he ſent the knowledg of the tongs as a bleſſing, Act. 2.6.8. & bicauſe the extraordinary knowledg of the tong is ceaſed, the ordinary knowledg of them is left for our vſe▪ which can never be attayned vntounto, but by grammars & dictionaryes whe…in the Hebrue words of the old Teſtament & Greek of the new Teſtament are interpreted, & if it be lawfull to expreſſe in our owne tong al the Hebrue & Greek words ſingly as in Grammars & Dictionarves, then it is lawful ſo to doe with thē al joyntly in ſyntaxe, & that is a translation whece it foloweth that translations of the holy ſcriptures are lawful & neceſſary.

Further: All the members of the Church cannot poſſiblie attayne the knowledg of the tongs, which notwithſtanding they muſt endevour to their vtmoſt. 1▪ Cor. 14.1.5. & ſeing the Holy Ghoſt hath commaunded al to try & ſearch & read: 1. Theſ. 5.21. Ioh. ….39. Coloſ. 4.16, & all cannot trye, ſearch, or read the originals, they muſt needes have translations & other Theological writings, for their better help to the true vnderſtanding of the original Scriptures.

Laſtly: theſe places of ſcripture compared together are ſufficient warrant for the law fulnes of translations: Mat. 1.23. Marc, 5.41. 1. Cor. 14, 27.

Now further wee have the translations of Holy Scripture in this account: viz: The translation agreable to the originals.

1. Is a ſecondary Scripture, yet much inferior to the originals.

2. It may be read in the Church & ſung in times.

3. It may be expounded in the Church.

4. It may be ſo vſed as a meanes to prepare vsus to ſpiritual worship.

5. That the matter of the translation agreable to the originals is inſpired: but not the writing or character.

6. That it may be made the ground of our fayth.

7. That it may be made an inſtrument to trye doctryne by.

This wee hold affirmatively: Negatively wee hold thus.

…. That reading the Engliſh translatinon is no part of the ſpiritual worship of the new p. 18Teſtament properly ſo called: viz: o… prayer, propheſy, ſinging of Pſalmes.

…. That reading the Engliſh translation is no lawful meanes or help in tyme of Spiri…al worship.

3▪ That the worship of the New Teſtament muſt not beginne in the book or lettre outwardly: but muſt proceed originally from the hart & Spirit:

Al other publique & private vſes of translations wee allow.

Chap. 17. Concerning the vſe of the translations for the hearers.

Hitherto aperteyneth another queſtion: whither the hearers may have their translations or the originals to read or ſearch in tyme of propheſy.

The anſwer is Negative that it is not lawful for theſe reaſons.

Firſt: the Prophets & Apoſtles wrote bookes, but did never devide their bookes int… chapters or verſes: Henry Stephen firſt made the verſes of the new Teſtament: Seing therfor that chapter & verſe were of mans invention, hence it followeth before chapter & verſe came in the hearers could not turne to ſearch their bookes in tyme of hearing.

Secondly: the Apoſtles in quoting teſtimonyes of the Prophets doe not quote chapter & verſe, but only ſay: it is written: by Zachary, by Ieremy. The Scripture ſaith: The Holy Ghoſt ſaith, &c. Therby teaching vsus that there is no vſe of Chapter and verſe for ſearching in tyme of hearing: For no doubt they preached as they wrote.

Thirdly: never was ther any mention made of any hearer that ever had his booke to ſearch in tyme of hearing.

Fourthly: Searching quotations hindereth attention: for the mynd & affections are diſtracted from hearing by ſeeking the places: ſeing the mynd & hart ſhould follow …he voyce of the ſpeaker, as in prayer, ſo alſo in Prophefying. Nehem. 8.3.

Laſtly manuſcripts being few & very deere & large (ther being yet no printing found out) all could not have or bring their bookes, but there is only one kind of true & profitable hearing, eyther all to have bookes and ſearch, or none to have them:

Seing therfor bringing bookes & ſearching them in tyme of hearing was not from the beginning: Therfor that alſo is a part of the myſtery of iniquity in hearing the word.

Chap. 18. Of the nature of eſſence of Spiritual worship & the eſſentiall cauſſes & kinds thereo:

Thus much concerning the helps of Spirituall wor…hip: Now followeth to be conſidered the nature or eſſence thereof, which may appeare in two particulars: viz:

Firſt in the eſſentiall cauſſes of Spiritual worship.

Secondly in the proper kinds or parrs of the worship of the new Teſtament.

p. 19The eſſentiall cauſſes of Spiritual worship are the matter and the ſo….

The matter of Gods worship is the holy Scriptu…es which cont…neth the word o… God, or the Goſpel, the ſubject whereof is Chriſt Ieſus:

The forme or ſoule that quickeneth it is the Spirit. Coloſ. 3.16. compared with Eph. 5.18.19.20.

This may be illuſtrated by the ceremoniall worship of the Old Teſtament & the eſſentiall cauſſes thereof.

The matter of the ceremonial worship of the Old Teſtament was the beaſts, incenſe, Oyle, fatt; corne, wine, & the like Creatures wherof the ſacrifices, offerings, perfumes, lampes, & bread were made, with al the actions therto aperteyning.

Proportionable hereto is the matter of our ſpiritual worship Chriſt Ieſus & his merits: the word of God conteyned in the Scriptures which offereth Chriſt Ieſus vntounto vsus: the ſeales of the covenant with all the actions therto aperteyning.

The form of the ceremonial worship of the Old Teſtament conſiſting in Sacrifices, (beſides the manner of doing) appeared in 4. things: two wherof muſt be abſent for the moſt part viz: honey & leaven: two muſt alwayes be preſent: fire & ſalt: Marc: 9.49. compared with Leuit. 2.11.13, & 9.24. 1. Cor. 5.6 -8.

Proportionable herevnto the forme of our Spiritual worship conſiſteth in the fire of the Spirit working with the word: Act. 2.3.4. Mat. 3.11. Luk. 12.49▪ 50. & 24.32. 2. Tim. 2.6.7. Ierem. 23.29.

In the ſalt of ſound doctryne & grace. Mat. 5.13. Coloſ. 4.6.

In the vnleavened bread of ſynce…ity & truth. 1. Cor. 5.8. which was alſo ſignified by abſence of honey which hath a faculty to leaven.

As the fire came downe from heaven, whe…with the ſacrifices were off…red; Ievit. 9.24 So the holy Ghoſt like fire came downe vppon the primitive Church, to make their Spiritual ſacrifices acceptable: So muſt it doe alſo vppon ours: A…. 2.3.4.

As the fire was dayly preſerved to offer withall. Levit. 6.12 13. & ſtraunge fire might not be offered: Levit. 10.1. So whatſoever worship is offered vp & is not kindled with the Spirit of grace in our harts is abhominable: 1. Cor. 12.7.10. 1. Pet. 2.5.

Hence it followeth that the worship that beginneth in the book or tranſlation commeth not originally from the Spirit, but from the lettre or ceremony, & ſo is not properly of the new Teſtament, but of the Old: 2. Corinth. 3.6. If the tranſlation be made by one without, it commeth from a ſtraunge fire, & cannot be accepted, but is ſubject to a curſe.

Thus much of the eſſential cauſſes: now follow the kinds of Spiritual worship, which are 3▪ Praying, Propheſying, & ſinging Pſalmes: Pſal. 50.14 17. 1. Cor. 11.4. & 14 15-17 26. Iam. 5.13. Revel. 19.10.

Therfor praying & propheſying are joyned together as parts of worship: 1. Cor. 11.4 & men muſt be …ncovered at both of them.

Likewiſe praying & ſinging Pſalmes are put together in the ſame ſenſe: 1. Cor. 14.15.17. Iam. 5.13. Act. 16.25:

Finally: Propheſying & Pſalmes are coupled together for the ſame purpoſe, 1. Cor. 14.26.

p. 20Prayer is the showing of our requeſts to: God by the manifeſtation of the ſpirit: Phil. ….…. Rom. 8.26.27. 1 Cor. 14.15.

Singing Pſalmes is the shewing of our thankſgiving to God by the manifeſtation of the ſpirit. Phil. 4.6. 1. Cor. 14.15-17.

Propheſying is the publishing of the covenant of Grace by the manifeſtation of the Spirit, Act. 2.4.11.17.18. 1 Cor. 2.4. & 12.7.10. Gal. 3.5. & it ſerveth ſpecially & properly for them that beleeve: 1. Cor. 14.22. Pſal. 50.16.17. & it pleaſed the Holy Ghoſt to chooſe that word to ſignifie vntounto vsus, that as the Prophetts by inſpiration of the Holy Ghoſt propheſyed without bookes, ſo muſt wee: the difference is in this that thei… inſpiration was extraordinary, ours is ordinary. Revel, 19.10.

The matter of all theſe 3. parts of Spiritual worship is one & the ſame, viz: Gods word or the Scriptures, yet handled diverſ…y.

In prayer Gods word or the Scriptures are delivered by way of petition in di…ection to God, requeſting things for vsus optatively.

In thankſgiving Gods word or the Scriptures are delivered by way of recompenſe or …etribution to God, indic…tiv…ly or imperatively.

In Propheſying the word of God or the Scriptures are delivered demonſtratively, by way of doctryne, exhortation, conſolation, reprehenſion, & by ſuch like formes.

Howſoever it be handled or delivered the matter is one & the ſame the manner of delivering different: for whithor we pray, p…opheſy or ſing, it muſt be the word or ſcripture, not out of the book, but out of the hart, 1. Cor. 12.7.11.

The demonſtration of the ſpirit & powre. 1. Cor. 2.4. The manifeſtation of the ſpirit 1. Cor. 1▪ 2.7. The miniſtration of the Spirit. 2. Cor. 3.8. The adminiſtring of the ſpir t. Gal. 3.5. The miniſtration of the gift. 1. Pet. 4.10. The diſpenſation of grace. 1. Pet. 4.10. Are al one in effect, & are oppoſed to the miniſtery of the lettre or the Ceremoniall worship. 2. Cor. 3 6.

The miniſtration of the old Teſtament is called the miniſtery of the lettre, ſeing it diſp…nced the ceremonial & literal ordinances & beganne in the lettre: for the Church, Miniſtery, worship, Government, Temple, Tabernacle, Cittie, Country, Meate, Drinck, Apparel, Cattel, Fruites of the ea…th, &c. Were all literall & ceremonial.

The miniſt…ation of the New Teſtament is called the miniſtery of the Spirit: ſeing it diſpenced the true & ſpiritual ordinances typed by the foreſaid literal ordinances, & beginee… in the ſpirit originally, though prepared by the lettre. 2. Cor. 3.6 - 8.24.17. compared with Revel 10.10.11.

Hence it folleweth that all book worship is Iudaiſme, & ſo Antichriſtian, & therfore by conſequent Idolatry, now vnderunder the new Teſt…ment.

Thus much of the kinds of Spiritual worship of the new Teſtament.

Chap. 19. How the worship of the Old Teſtament did type the Spiritual worship of the new Teſtament.

The lyteral or typical worship of the Old Teſtament was performed in two places. viz: eyther in the holy place or in the court.

p. 21The Ceremoniall wor…hip performed in the holy place did type moſt properly the worship of the Church of the new Teſtament which was typed by the holy place. Revel. 11.1.2.2. Cor. 6.16. Heb. 8.2. & 9.11. 1. Pet. 2.5.

The worship of the tabernacle or holy place conſiſted of 3. parts. 1. that which per…eyned to the braſen altar. 2. that which was performed at the golden altar. 3. that which concerned the table of ſhew bread: Exod. 37. & 38. compared with Exod. 29.38. Exod. 30.7, 8 & Levit. 24.1-9. Exod. 30.34-38.

At the braſen altar were offered Sacrifices propitiatory & Euchariſtical. Levit, 1.3. & 7.1-11 which ſignified prayer for pardon of ſyn through Chriſts ſactifice. Heb. 10.4-14 22. & thankſgiving. Heb. 13.15. compared with Hoſe. 14.3. & propheſying or publishing the goſpell: Gail. 3.1. For in Preaching Chriſt is as it were anatomized.

At the golden altar was offered the ſweet perfume which ſignified prayer & thankſgiving. pſal. 141.2. Revel. 8.3.4. & by proportion. Nomb. 16.46-48 Apoc. 5.8-14. & preaching the goſpel, 2. Cor. 2.14-16.

Vppō the table of ſhewbread, was the candleſtick, & twelve loaves of vnlevened bread with incenſe: vppon every one of them, which had this ſignification.

The Candleſtick with his 7. lamps burning with oile olive continually d…eſt e…ning & morning by Aaron & his ſonnes, Levit. 24.1-9. Signified that the Church (which … the golden Candleſtick. Apoc. 1.20. Zach. 4.) by his ſeaven lamps, that is the ma…d gifts of the Spirit, Revel. 4.5. Zach. 4.6. d…eſt by Aaron & his ſonnes, that is the doc…yne of the Church, being kept pure, & cauſed to thine bright by the Prophets of the chu… Mat. 5.14.15. nouriſhed & fed continually with oile olive, that is taught dayly by the … rit, Zach. 4.14. Revel. 11.4. doth continually give light, inſtruction & direction to a…l …er members. Pſal. 119.105. Mat. 5.16. 2. Pet. 1.19.

The ſhewbread with incenſe therevppon afterward burnt vppon the golden altar, Levit. 24.7.9. Signified that the twelve tribes that is the Church continua…ly p…eſent before the Lord are accepted through Chriſts perfume, Revel. 8.3.4. are fed wi…h Chriſt Ieſus the true bread of life, Ioh. 6.35. are enlightened by his word & Spiritt, which are the true lamps of knowledg, Revel. 4.5.

Chap. 20. Of that which was performed in the court.

A… the holy place with the altar & Preiſts did properly Signify the Church, worship, & Saynts, Revel. 11.1. 1. Pet. 2.5, vnderunder the new Teſtament: So the cou…t without the holy place whither al the people came & the typical ſervice performed ther, did ſignify the confuſed aſſemblies of Antichriſtian perſecuters & their ceremonial worship, Revel 11▪ 2 which the Spirit in that place caleth gentils or heathen in thoſe reſpects.

The parts of typical ſervice performed in the court were reading & Muſick, whe…ein the Levites were cheef agents, Deut. 31.9. 1. Chron. 16.4. compared with vſus. 7.37.39-42. & Chap. 25.1-6-31. Nehem. 8.7-9.18. & 9.3-6. Though the P…eiſis alſo & any of the people might read & fing, Mat. 23.2.3. Luk. 2.46. & 4.16.17. Act. 13.14.15. Nehem. 8.8. Marc. 14.26.

The Scriptures read & tuned Muſically were, propheſies, prayers, thankſgivings, 1. p. 22Chron▪ 25.1-6. Deut. 31.10, & 2. Chron. 34.30. Pſal. 7…. for propheſies for inſtru&ion. 1. Chron. 16, 7-36. Pſal. 146.147.148.149, 150. compared with Revel. 19, 1-8, For thanksgivings: Pſal. 102. the title, & 92. title, for prayers.

As Muſicall Inſtruments & playing vppon them was typicall, bicauſe it was Artificiall: So reading of a book was typicall alſo bicauſe it is meerely Artificiall,

Hence it followeth that reading propheſies was a type of propheſying, reading pray…rs a type o… praying, & eading thanksgivings a type of praiſing God or thankfulnes

To conclude: as it followeth not that ſeing prayers were read in the old teſtament …s prayers, th…or wee may read prayers now: for prayers no more doth it follow that …hough in the old teſtament they read Pſalmes & propheſies, we may doe ſo now: name…y, in the tyme of worship, or a… parts, or helps of Spiritual worship, properly ſo called.

Therfor as the auncient brethren of the Seperation have taken all books from before …he eye in tyme of prayer, ſo doe wee take all bookes from the eye in tyme of prophe…ying & ſinging: & that by the ſame reaſon they being al equally excellent parts of Spi…tual worship, for God is aſmuch honoured in propheſying & Pſalmes, as in praying & …ey all of them remayne in the triumphant Church in heaven: even as they were all …rac…iſed by Adam in Paradiſe before his fal: & therfor are properly moral, & Spiritual worship.