Parallels Censures, Letter 3
A Lettre written to certaine brethren in S.
By Iohn Smyth.
MercieMercy and peace be multiplied vntounto you.
Rethtē: I am excedingly rejoyced in my ſoule hearing of the grace of God beſtowed B vppon you: & althongh you are but few in nomber, yet conſidering that the Kingdome of heaven is as a graine of muſtard ſeed ſmal in the beginning: I do not doubt but you may in tyme grow vp to a mu…titude, and be as it weere a great t…ee full of Fruitful branches which I vnfeignedlie deſire, brethren, in your behalf at the Lords handes.
I have receaved your lettre long ſince, & I had ſēt you anſwer ere this if I had had a cō venient meſſenger, but now having fit opportunity offered I doe willingly & of duty to you my brethren, to the L. Ieſus, & his truth, make anſwer to your motion: & whereas Mr. K. is a man famous in the Churches of England for learning & ſincerity being now growen aged in them both, it might therfor be thought boldnes in mee to deale with him, yet being provoked therevnto by you & by himſelf, & by my place which I ſuſteyne in the Church of Chriſt, I durſt not refuſe, but chooſe rather to incure the vndeſerved ſuſpitiō of arrogācie (if any man dare ſo deem it) by manifeſting the truth, then the deſerved reproach of the denyal of the truth, which is committed when the t…uth is not defended vppon due calling thervnto: Firſt therfor I doe profeſſe before al men that the truth wee profeſſe is mani…eſted already ſufficiently (to all that wil but open there eyes) in the writings of thoſe worthy witneſſes of Ieſus Chriſt, who have gone before vsus in the Teſtimonie of this truth wee hold out to the world: & therfor I shal by this my writing, only doe that which is already done: & therfor this my labor might w…l have been ſpared: Secondly, nevertheleſſe bicauſe things may be further explaned & manifeſted by ſeveral gifts: I thought it not amiſſe to shew myne opinion alſo: The rather being called thervnto, by your ſelves as alſo by Mr. K. breefly therefore to come to the matter the two points to be proved are theſe.
Firſt, that ſuch matters as a…e excepted againſt in the Church of England are contrary to the word of God.
Se…ondly: That they are in ſuch ſort oppoſite therevnto as thereby it is become no Church meet for any good Chriſtian to Remaine in and to communicate with.
Theſe two points shalbe manifeſtly proved by theſe Scriptures following.
1. Firſt, your Church is not of the Apoſtolique conſtitution, but framed according to the invention of man, which is proved thus. Deut. 14.2. compared with 1. Pet. 2.9. Roman. 1.7.
1. The Churches of the Apoſtolique conſtitution conſiſted of Saints only.
The Churches of England conſiſt not of Saints only.
Therfor the Churches of England are not of the Apoſtolique conſtitution, & therfor are framed according to the invention of man.
The major is proved by the former Scriptures, for Moſes calleth the Iewes an Holy people ceremonially typing that the people of the new Teſtament should be truely holy as Peter doth expound it, and Paull exemplifie it to the Romanes and in all his Epiſtles.
The minor is manifeſt: for all ſorts of perſons, Atheiſts, Papiſts, adulterers, theeves, &c. & who not? are compelled to be & are members of the English Churches. Ergo.
2. Againe from that Church which is not of the Apoſtolique conſtitution, but of mans invention, al the faithful muſt make Seperation, 2, Chron. 13.5.-13. & 30.5-12. compared with Revel. 14.9.10. & 18.4.5.
The Churches of England are not of the Apoſtolique conſtitution, but of mans invention.
Therfor the faithful muſt make Seperation from the Churches of England.
The major is proved thus as Ezechiah perſwadeth the Iſraelites to Seperate from the Church of Ieroboams invention to joyne to the true Church of Iudah which was of Moſes conſtitution, ſo Iohn by viſion is commaunded to pronounce a woe to them that give homage to Antichriſts ordinances, and to perſwade all the faithfull to Seperate from Babylon, which is by interpretation a confuſion: Now all mens inventions are Antichriſtian, ſeing that as Chriſt & Antichriſt are oppoſite, ſo are Chriſtian & Antichriſtians. if ther for the conſtitution of the Churches of England be not of Chriſts, that is of the Apoſtolique primitive frame, it is of man, of Antichriſt, & ſo woe be to them that doe not Seperate from it.
2. Secondly, your miniſterie is not of the Apoſtolique primitive inſtitution, but framed according to mans invention which is proved thus, Heb. 5.4.5. Levit. 8. compared with Eſay. 66.20.21. Act. ….3 -6. & Act. 14.23.
1. The true miniſterie of the Apoſtolique inſtitution was by election, approbation, & ordination of that particular holy people wherto they did adminiſter.
The miniſtery of the aſſemblies of England is not ſo, but after the invention of man.
Therfor the miniſterie of the aſſemblies is not the true miniſtere of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, but deviſed by man.
The major is proved by the former ſcriptures, for as that only was the true preiſthood which Moſes by the cōmaundemēt of the L. apointed in the old teſtamēt & therfor that of Ieroboams was falſe, 1. King. 12.31. & 2. Chron. 13.9. So it the new Teſtament that is only the true miniſterie which is of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, viz: by election, ordination, approbation, of that faithful & holy people wherto they adminiſter.
The minor is evident: For the miniſterie of England, viz: the Prelacie, Preiſthood, & Deaconry, like thre vncleane Spirits proceed out of the month of the beaſt, that is are by the Authority of the Romane Empyre eſtablished: Revel 16.15. out of the mouth of the falſe Prophet, that is are by Authority of the Pope of Rome eſtablished: & out of the mouth of the Dragon, that is are by the Authority of Sathan himſelf eſtablished: For ther is not a miniſter in England Elected by that faithful people wher he adminiſtreth, but is choſen by a profane mixt people, if he be choſen, & law doth not allow ſuch election: he is approved & ordeyned by Antichriſt himſelf, comming but of the mouth of the falſe Prophets the Prelates of the Land.
2. Againe, from that miniſterie which is not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, but of mans invention muſt all the good Chriſtians make Seperation, Deut. 13.3. Math. 7.15. …. Timoth. 3.5. Revel. 14.9.2. Corinth. 11.13-15. Rever. 2.2.
The Miniſterie of England is not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, but of mans invention.
Therefore all good Chriſtians muſt make Seperation from the Miniſterie of England.
The Major is proved thus: as in the old Teſtament Moſes commaundeth not to harkē to falſe Prophets, Ezechiah endevoreth to draw the people from Ieroboams Preiſt, So in the new Teſtament Chriſt willeth to take heed of falſe Prophets, Paull willeth to turne away from ſuch, & a woe is threatned by Iohn to al that receave the beaſts mark from his Miniſters.
Thirdly, you worship is not of the Apoſtolique primitive inſtitution, but is invented by man & ſo is Antichriſtian: as may be proved thus, Act. 2.4.11.42. & 10.46. & 19.6. Rom. 8.26. 1. Cor. 12.7. & 14.15.26.
1. The true worship of the Apoſtolique inſtitution proceeded meerly from the Spirit having no outward help of deviſed formes of prayers, exhortations, pſalmes, & Ceremonies.
The worship of the English aſſemblies proceedeth out of the Servicebook in deviſed formes of prayers, exhortations, & pſalmes, & other Ceremonies.
Therfor the wors his of the English aſſemblies is not the true worship of the Apoſtol…que inſtitution, but is invented by man.
The major is manifeſt by the places alledged: For vppon the day of Pentecoſt the Apoſtles had the holy Ghoſt given them in the shape of fiery & cloven tonges, & thervppon they ſpake as the holy Ghoſt gave them vtterance, manifeſting the Spirit to the hearets, & ſo was it with the Gentils afterward when the holy Ghoſt came vppon them, & ſince that tyme all the churches of the Apoſtolique inſtitutiō worshipped afther the ſame manner, for al Churches worshipped after one manner, 1. Cor. 16.1. & 14.36.37. & 11.2 16. wher note that if deviſed formes of prayers, pſalmes, exhortations, were Gods ordinā ces, the Apoſtles would have delivered them to the Churches, & they should have receaved vppon the day of Pentecoſt fiery bookes as wel as fiery tongs.
The minor is evident & needeth no proof. Ergo.
2. Againe▪ From that worship which is invented by man, & not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution muſtal the good Chriſtians Seperate, Col. 2.20-23. Mat. 15.9. Levit. 10.1.2. compared with Act. 2.3.
The worship of the English aſſemblies is invented by man, & not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution.
Therfor from the worship of the English aſſemblies ought al good Chriſtians to Seperate.
The major is proved thus: For ſeing the worship of the aſſēblies is wil▪worship, vaine-worship, deviſed by man, not kindled with the true living fire which came downe from heaven vppon the primitive Church, but with ſuch a ſtraunge fire as Nadab and Abihu offered withal, therfor it is idolatry & ſo to be Seperated from.
4. Fourthly, the Government of the aſſemblies is Antichriſtian by the confeſſiō of thē ſelves, & therin can no good Chriſtian joyne, except it be lawful for a good Chriſtian which is or ought to be a ſubject of Chriſts Kingdom which is viſible Church, to ſubmit to the vtter enemie of Chr. & to his authority, which what is it els but to bee a traytor againſt the L. Ieſus? yet for further proof I reaſon thus from theſe places, Act. 14.23. & 20.28. Phillip. 1.1. 1. Pet. 5.1.-4.
1. The Government of the primitive Apoſtolique inſtitution was by a Colledge of paſtors, or presbytery.
The Government of the English aſſemblies is by an Antichriſtian prelate & his Officers.
Therfor the Government of the English aſſemblies is not the primitive Apoſtolique Government.
The major is evident thus: For the Apoſtles inſtituted Elders by the election of the Saints to overſee the Church & feed the Flock of one particular viſible Church only, as is manifeſt among the Ephe…ians, Philippians, Hebrues, & al Churches.
The minor is evident: For the Prelates & ther officers are not thoſe Chriſtian Bishops of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, elected by & placed over one particular Church of the Saynt, but are a deviſed …yrannical Lord…hip …uling hundreths of parishes by ther owne deviſed Canons. Ergo.
2. Againe: From the Government which is deviſed by man in the Church, & ſo is Antichriſtian, & which is not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution muſt al good Chriſtians Seperate. Luk. 19.27. 1. Cor. 7.23. Revel. 14.9.
The Government of the English aſſemblies is not of the Apoſtolique inſtitution, but is deviſed by man & Antichriſtian.
Therfor, from the Government of the English aſſemblies muſt al good Chriſtians Seperate.
The major is manifeſt by the places alledged, for ſeing Chriſt Ieſus only muſt reigne in the harts of the faythful by his own… officers & lawes: therfor good Chriſtians muſt only ſubmit to his officers, & if they ſubmit to any new officers deviſed by man, Chriſt ſaith he wil have thē ſlayne, they are the Servants of men, & obeying the Antichriſtian beaſt have a woe threatned againſt them.
Thus brethren have I written vntounto you according to your requeſt, & Mr. K. his direction proofes of thoſe two points which you expect & that in 4. mayne transgreſſions in the English aſſemblies, viz: in the conſtitution, miniſterie, worship, & Government of them: I pray you brethren keep the copie I ſend you ſafe, & let Mr. K. have a tranſcript of it, & if it pleaſe him to answer, I will be ready to explane matters more fully if ther be any ambiguity, & to confirme matters doubtful & that eſpecialy for your eſtablishment in the truth: which now bleſſed be the Lord is ſo evident that al the men vppon earth with ther learning can never be able to obſcure it: Brethren I beſeech you grow in grace & in the knowledg of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, to whome bee praiſe in his Church throughout all generations, Amen.
Your Brother in the Fayth Iohn Smyth.
The Printer to the Reader.
Though in this treatiſe ther be divers Lettes, either wanting, or ſuperfluous, or diſplaced, or changed, by reaſon whereof ſome words are corrupted: yet bicauſe English men can eaſily help that fault, I thought it needleſſe to put them in theſe Errata: Only theſe foure great overſights I deſire may be corrected, pag. 41. Lin. 1. for: Church by the Presbytery, read, Church to the Presbytery. pag, 75. Lin. 44. after the laſt words, read. So in the New Teſtament. pag. 128. Lin. 32. For Religion is &c. read, Religion is. hereſy: if this argument be falſe then is yours falſe. pag. 128. Lin. 34. For: is ſo, read, become. The leſſer faults I deſire the Reader to pardon.
End of the text · John Smyth, Parallels Censures (1609)