Counterpoison Considerations, Arguments 3 – Treatise 2
ARGVMENTS Disprouing the present estate and constitution of the CHVRCH of ENGLAND
EVery true Church, is the body of Christ, and hath him for the head thereof: For …t is wr…tten, (God) hath appoynted him ouer all …h…ngs the head of the church which is his body Eph, 1, 22, 23 and agayn, to the church of Corinth it is sayd, y… are the b…dy of Christ 1 Cor, 12, 27.
But the church of England, is not the body of Christ, neyther hath him for the h…ad thereof. Because, it wa… first constituted as now it standeth, of the members of Antichrist; namely the idolatrous Pap…sts, which openly professed Antichristian sme in Q. Maries dayes, ha…ing aReu 9, 11Abadden the Pope for their head; and spilled much christian blood, that they might mainteyn their Romish abominations. Who all (except some few that of themselues refused,) were at the beginning of Q. Elisabeths reign, rece… ued into the body of the church, and so hauehave continued, they and their seed euer since. Yet did they not then, enter in by repentance and faith in Christ, (which two things bHeb, 6, 1, Mar. 1.15,are the beginning and foundation of the kingdome of God,) but by the commandement of the Magistrate, were compelled vntounto the Church, sacraments, ministery &c. which then were by law establ…shed and euer since continewed. Now the Magistrates law, cannot work faith in any; seing faith is the cEph. 2.8,gift of God, and by dRom. 10, 17.his word onelyonly is wrought in mans hart So that the Magistrate though he ou…th to abolish idolatr…e, and set vp Gods true worship, to suppresse all errours, and cause the truth to be taught, yet cannot he constreyn men to ioyne vntounto the church, but they must doe it ePsa 110, 3 Act, 2, 41, Gen. 9, 27.willi…gly and gladly, the Lord perswading them herevnto. And these, (of whome we speak) not being perswaded by the Lord and his word, but (…s the worldly multitude alway is,) be…ng ready to receiue any religion the prince wo…ld establish, rather then they would suffer persecution, wherein that their popish estate, the body of Antichrist, yet then compelled and vn…ted vntounto this church. Agayn, not onelyonly those that were popishly … and superstitious; but such also as were profane and irrelig…ous, atheists, blasphemers, whoremongers, theeues, drunkards, witches, and all other vngodly persons, of which then were and still are too too many in the land these al, though by reason of their wicked and miserable estate, …hey w…rlimmes of Satan, and (as the scripture calleth such,) children f1 Ioh 3, 10 Ioh. 8, 44,of the Diuill, were yet receiued, into the Church likeweise, they and …heir seed & so continew; as the state of that Church plainely sheweth. For e…en to this day, profane people, mockers and contemners of religion, tha… blasphem God and his holy name even in the streets as they walk; such as cal themselues the donned crew, Familists, Athe…sts, and all other sorts of miscreants and wicked liuers, are members of the Church of En…land, vnited with the body and partakers of the sacraments, and other holy act…ons of the same.
Now these children of wrath, this sinnfull generation, cannot possibly be members of the body of Christ, nor hauehave him for their head, seing they are not partakers of his life and spirit, nor called to his faith, neither admitteth he any such vntounto him vntil they repent; he hath no cōcord a2 Cor, 6 15.with Belial, therefore not with the children of Belial: the members of his glorious body must not be the dead, st…nking, and abominable members of Satan Light and darknes, heauen and hel, will as soon be vnited togither. Neyther will it be yenough to say that some are affected to reli…ion, are of better life, and conuersation &c. and that for their sakes, the residew are sanct…fied, and may be ioyned vntounto, and reputed Christs body and Church: for they that professe more sincerity, yet are not come to a true …rofe…sion of the Gospell, or reno…ncing of Idolatrie; but after the…r false and popish manner, worship God with the rest, remayning one body one Church with them. Now we are taught of God that the religious are so farr from sanctifying the wicked, as contrariweise the wicked doe pollute them, whatsoeuer the vnclean person toucheth sayth the Lord,) bNum. 19.22. 2 Cor 6.17.18.shalbe vnclean, and the person which toucheth him shalbe vncleane: … wherefore come out from among them, and separate your selues, and touch no vncl…ane thing, and I will receiue you, and I will be a Father vntounto you and ye shalbe my sonns and daughters, sayth the Lord almighty. So then the religious and well affected people must separate from the rest, if they would be acknowledged of God for his and not think by their holynes, to sanctify the profane.
Agayn, it is as easy to make peace & agreement between Christ & the Diuil, as between Christ and such open obstinate synners, the d1 Ioh 3.10children of the Diuill; yea it ouerturneth at once the first promise of saluation made by God, and so the uery ground of Christian religion. For when God first promised redemption to mankind; it was by Christ the eGen 3.15seed of the woman that should crush the serpents head, who in due time appeared for this purpose, that he might f1 I…h. 3, 8. Heb 2, 14.loose the works of the Diuill; & destroy and abolish him And as then the Lord put enmity between Christ and the serpent so did he also between him and the serpents gGen. 3, 15seed that is w…cked men, which being h.Ioh, 8, 44children of the Diuill would take the Diu…ls part to hate and kill Christ, and root out his ch…ldren and reli…ion: acc…rding to wh…ch decree and word of his Father, o…r Lord Iesus set himselfe not onelyonly aga…nst the Serpent. but against s…ch wicked men also, as would not be turned from their impietie; therefore he sayth by his pro…hets iPsa, 139; 21, 22.D…e not I hate them that hate thee ô Lor… ? &c, I hate th…m with an vnfeighned hatred, as they were myn… vtter enemies. I hate the assembly of e…il doers, and company not with the wicked; kPsa 26, 5Betim…s wil I destroy all the wicked of th… land, that I may cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of the Lord; lPsa. 101 8 Zach, 11, 8.Three shepheards I cut of in one monethmonth, and my sowl loathed loathed them, and their sowl abhorred me: with many such like speeches, throughout the scriptures; whereby Christ shewed how farr he was and would be, from being head vntounto such wretches, or any way admitting them vntounto his body, or the communion of h…s Church. And for his arch-enemy the Romane Antichrist and his adherents, the Lord Iesus Faithfull and true that iudgeth and warreth righteously, aReu 19.11.14.he with his heauenly warriours after him, fighteth with that Beast, and with the kings of the earth that make battel against him; and is so farr from peace with them, as he giueth vntounto all the fowles of heauen for to eat, bver. 18.the flesh of the Kings & hie captayns, the flesh of mighty men, and of horses and those that sit on them, the flesh of all freemen and bondmen, of small and great; and casteth cver, 20.the beast into the lake of fyre. By this may appear that Christ is no head of such Antichristians, nor of any other profane wicked worldlings; seing his spirith giues them not life and motion, but they are caried by the spirit of Satan that possesseth them; and warred against with the sword that commeth out of Christs mouth neyther can they be knit vntounto him by ioynts or bands; as dCol 2, 19.al his body and members thereof ar: & consequently that the Popish and profane multitude of the Realme of England, which at Q. Maries death, were made and esteemed a Church; and they and their seed euer since without separation so continewing; and at this day al the notorious wicked st…ll commingled with the rest; that this Church cannot be sayd to hauehave Christ for the head, neyther is it his body.
Therefore the Church of England, is not the true Church of God.
EVery true Church of God, hath Christ for the mediator and Aduocate of the same. For it is written f1 Tim 2, 5there is one God, & on mediator between God & man, which is the man Christ Iesus; and g1 Ioh. 2, 1if any man sinne, we hauehave an Aduocate with the Father, Iesus Christ the iust. Neyther is there saluation in any other; for among men there is giuen no other name vnderunder heaven, whereby we must be saued, Act. 4.12.
But the Church of England hath not Christ for the mediator and Advocate of the same, Because, Christ is not Mediator of any other couenant or testament, then that which God promised by his prophits to make with the house of Israel, nor of any other people, then of such as are vnderunder that couenant promised, which was g that he would put his law in their inward parts (or mind) and write it in their harts, and be would be their God, and they should be his people, and that hIer 31, …3 Heb. 8, 10.he would forgiue their iniquity, and remember their sinns no more. Of this new testament or couenant, established vponupon iver, 34.better promises then was the old, is Christ the Mediator, (as the Apostle kHeb, 8, 6.teacheth) and not of any other humane or profane couenant,lHeb 9, 15. made by or among the sonns of Adam. Now that the Church of England, (as it is publickly and generally constituted,) is not as yet come vnderunder this covenant, may appear by the …articular conditions of the same. First, let the exceeding profanenes and irreligion irreligion that is among them, the open contempt of God, blaspheming of h…s name, despising of his word, and innumerable wicked acts, without fear or shame committed, besides the idolatrous false worship performed by all in their publick assemblies, according to their stinted popish leitoargie, learned and receiued from the Romane Antichrist: let these (I say) and the like, speake to eueryevery christian conscience, whither Gods law be written in the mind or inward parts of such, which is one aIer 31, 33part of the co…enant, whereof Christ is Mediator; and which grace he promised by his bEze. 36, 25, 26, 27, 28,Prophets to bestow vponupon his Church and people, when he sho…ld be their God: and when the grace of God, that bringeth saluation vntounto all men, did appear; it cTit, 2, 11 12,taught so much.
Secondly, that th…s church of England, hath no promise that their sins and iniq…ities are forgiuen, which is dIer. 31, 3…an other part of the couenant, appeareth by their impenitency in this euill estate. For the profane, scoff at repentance, and scorne all admonition, they despise wisdomes counsel, and such as reproue, they turne agayne and rent them. And for the idolatries and false worship of the whole; the great iniquities in the hierarchie ministery, orders, rites, ceremonies &c, they are farr from repentāce wh…ch wil here no reproof, nor suffer any to speak against their corruptions, but hauehave generally agreed and decreed such eeanons in anno. 1603 See also before pag. 56to be excommunicated, as shall affirme any of these things to be wicked or id…latrous; and they that would call them to repentance for their sinns, or refuse to communicate with them in these euils, are persecuted, imprisoned, banished, and hauehave long suffred at their hands many calamities. And all people are forced by fayr and colourable pretenses or by threatning and punishments, to walk still in these sinns. Thus want they the foundation of fHeb, 6, 1.repentance from dead works, and consequently of faith towards God for without repentance there is no promise of pardon; & without promise, ther can be no faith; and without faith; no couenant or test…ment confirme… with them or their seed, as all the scriptures shew; & if no Couenan…, then also no Mediator.
Thirdly, that the summe of the Couenant, (namely gHeb, 8, 10I will be their God and th…y shall be my people;) is wantin… also vntounto these, may be seen by the…r estate compared with th' Apostles doctrine, who vponupon h2 Cor, 6 16.this prom…se, …resently inferreth vers. 17.a comm…ng out, and separation of themselues, from the world, if they would hauehave the Lord to receiue them. Which separation from the vngodly, as it was not at the kAs in the former argument is shewedfirst constituting of this Church obserued, so vntounto this day it is resisted, and pleaded against, and the holy scriptures vnsufferable abused to mayteyn a confuse mixed multitude of all sorts of people to be a true church. But, Christ is no Mediator for such a mixture, as himself sayd to his Father lIoh. 17, 9 16.I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast giuen me for th…y are thin…; and they are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
Fourthly the Church of England is not vnderunder this co…enan…, because every eueryevery couenant is made vponupon conditions wllingly agreed and assented vntounto on both parties, as was in that couenant aExo…. 19. Deut. 26, 1…, 18.made between God and the Israel…tes of old. For God being a s…irit, must be couenanted w…th & worshipped in b1 Cor 6, 17 Ioh. 4.24,spirit, he requireth the hart and minde, which if it be not freely giuen him, all rel…gion is in vayn. But this harty and willing submission cPsa 110.3foretold to be, and dActs, 41,seen in Gods people heretofore, was not seen in this Church, which was by law of man compelled, not by louelove of Christ constreyned to enter into this communion and religion, at the beginning of Q Elis reign, as in the former argument is shewed. Such complusion vntounto religion, where God perswadeth not the hart, maketh men hypocrites, not true christians: which not onelyonly Gods word, but even l…ght of reason teacheth, as Themistius a Philoso…her acknowledged, when he sayd of state professors, that follow the Emperours religions, that eNon Deum sed, our puram coluisse Socrat hist. eccles l 3. c 1.they worship not God, but the purple robe, that is the authority and persons of Pr…nces.
Moreouer the church of England hath not Christ for their Mediator, because they cannot come vntounto God by him, nor hauehave assurance by faith that he maketh intercession for them; for that they offer vntounto God, a worship or seruice which themselues hauehave made and taken by im…tation out of Ant…christs Massebook; which Leit…rgie or Diuine seru…ce, hauing in it also many erroneous, superstitious and idolatrous ordi…ances, rites, and ceremonies,) being not required of God, nor warrantable by Christs testament; they read out of their book dayly in the…r a…semblies, and offer or obtrude …t vponupon God. By meanes whereof they also extinguish the true way of calling vponupon God, by the help of his sp…rit, (as the Apostle fRom, 8, 26.teacheth; and bring in a fleshly and dead kind of seruice, reading other mens words instead of their own praying and calling on the name of the Lord. Which humane devise, is contrary to the second commandement, that forbiddeth vsus to make or submit vntounto any similitude or likenes of any thing in heauen, Exod. 20,earth or vnderunder the earth, in matters concerning the worsh…p of God. And it, being against the old couenant or testament, which Christ hath confirmed vntounto gMat, 5.17.18 19eueryevery …od and …; against the new testament also, which calleth vsus vntounto a worship of God, hIoh. 4.24 Phil. 1.3,in spirit and truth: hath no promise to be sanctified by Christs Med…ation, who sanctifieth no idols, nor idol seruice or false worshi…, but contrariweise hath testified, iPsal 16.4their offrings of blood, will I not offer, nor by make mention of their names with my lipps. For asmuch then, as the people which worshippeth, is not the called, iustified, sanct…fied pe…ple of G…d; but an vnlawfull c…mmixture … fall sorts of …ers…ns, and forasmuch as the worship it self which they read with and before …he holy bible, and thrust vponupon God whither he like it or not, is a false dead and vayne inuented worship of their own, not commanded of God not iustifiable by his word: it cannot be by the doctrine of the scripture or a any prom…ses therein, that Christ should be Mediator for such worship or worshipp…rs, or put any aRev. 8.3,odours vntounto such prayers.
Ther…fore the church of England is not the true church of God.
EVery true church of God, hath Christ for the Prophet of the same For of … it is written, I will raise them vp a Prophet from among th…ir brethren &c. and every person which shal not hear that Prophet shalbe desered … the people. D…ut, 18.18. Act, 3 23.
But th… …hurch of England hath not Christ for the Prophet of the same. Because it hath neyther himself in his own person, to teach them, (for he is now in hea…en, and there must be bAct 3, 21.vntill the time that all things be restored;) neyther hath it his appoynted ordinan…e of teaching by cRom 12.6 7prophesie or office; which if it had, Christ were the Prophet of the same, as himself sayd dIoh 13.20if I send any, he that receiueth him receiueth me. The church of England h…th not Christs ordinance of prophesie without office; for it is vnknowen, vnpractised, and vnsufferable among them, for priuate men to preach in their a…emblies, they must be ministers allowed by the Ordinary, els it is punishable by the law of their church, though by the law of Christ, all men may prophesie in his church, which is to speake to edifying, to exhortation and to comfort, and all men are exhorted to couet this m…re then other spirituall gifts. 1. Cor. 14 vers. 31.3.1.39, Neyther hath the ch…rch of England Christs appoynted officers to teach, which are set down in scripture to be these, Apostles, Prophets, Euangelists Pastors, and Teachers, Ephe 4.11. (Of which the first three serued for the first publishing of the g…spel throughout the world;See for this point of the ministery of Englād, an other treatise purposely handling this argument: intiled Reasōs &c. shewing that it is not lawful to hear the Ministery of England. the latter two continue st…ll vntounto the worlds end,) but in stead of these it hath the hierarchie and ministery of Antichrist to teach the same; namely Metropolitan Archbishops, Lord Bish…ps, Deanes &c. Priests; and Deacons; which is none of Christs Ministery, eyther in name, office, calling, administration or mayntenance, but the very ministery of the man of sinne as he left it in the land, and as is to be seen at this day in Rome and other his dominions, and in the lawes and canons of the popish church, wher ar all the offices that now be in England. Thus hauing not the ministery giuen of Christ, but a different ministery giuen of Antichrist, it followeth also by proportion from Christs words, saying he that receiueth him (that I send) cIoh 13, 20receiueth me, and he that receiueth me, receiueth him that sent me: that the church of England receiuing such as Antichrist the Pope did send hath receiued Antichrist himselfe, and so hath intertayned him for their Prophet and not Christ.
Now where it is obiected, that there are many excellent truthes publikly taught in this church and by this ministery of England; it is answered that is not yenough vnlesse it were taught in and according to the ordinance of God. For false Prophets teach much truth, as is to be seen among Papists, Anabaptists, Arians, and other like heretiks. And as the morall good works which heathens doe, in honouring their parents and Magistrates, giuing almose, absteyning from and punishing murder, adultery, theft, &c. are not inded good works, according to christian religion, because they are not done in obedience to Gods word, by persons that are called iustified and sanctified by that word, and so not done in faith, and consequently aHeb 11.6cannot please God: even so the theologicall works which Antichristians doe, in preaching the truth, praying, ministring the sacraments, &c. are not indeed, works pleasing vntounto God, because they are not done by persons that please him, (for alwayes the bGen 4, 4, 5 Heb, 11.4.man must be accepted before his work can be;) and such persons please him not, as without his cHeb, 5, 4.calling and dRom, 10, 15,sending presume to administer his holy things. It is not therefore the work, but the word of God that sanctifieth the work, which we must look vntounto; for as by this the vertuous heroik and religious acts of the Patr…archs and other holy men, differ from the like acts of Pagans, and infidels: so also by this, the difference i… to be put between the works and administrations of tr…e and false Christians. And seing the ministers of England are not by Christ called and sent, (as the better sort of themselues heretofore hauehave confessed,) & so hauehave not his word to warrant their administration: whatsoeuer good doctrine they teach, it proues them no more to be true ministers, then the excellent doctrines and prophesies of the soothsayer eNum. 23Balaam, will proue him to be a true minister of God, or that the Moabites or Madianites hauing him to sacrifice, prophesie and teach among them, had an ordinance or prophet of God. See Deut. 18, 10.11.14.15. &c.
Agayn Christ is not the Prophet of this church, because a great part of his word and scriptures, and of the graces of his spirit, are here neuer spoken nor heard nor suffred to be vttered: and contrariweise much of mans word and writing is brought in; as Aprocrypha books made of old the Seruice and homily books made of late, in which also there be manifest fTh…se things are more particularly manifested in other treatises as Di… c…u, of the false Ch. Refut of Mr Gifford. And by the Ministers thē selues See among other The Abridgement of the book which the Ministers of Lincolnsh deliuered to his Maiesty, printed. 1605errour…, l…es contradictions to the holy scriptures, idolatrous and and superst…tious doctrines, rites, ceremonses &c. taught vntounto and obserued, by th' priests & people, an idle & soul-murthering ministry maynteyned, Chr…sts spirituall graces giuen for teaching and building vp his church, quenched, with other like evils. The proof of this may be seen in their communiō book, whose Kalender alotteth what is to be read dayly and yerely in all their Assemblies: where many chapters of the Bible are wholly and perpetually excluded, many Apocrypha chapters read as holy scriptures. And by the written homilies, the graces and vtterance of Gods spirit are extinguished that mans erroneus writing may come in place. Besides this all preaching Ministers so g,See their own confes. before pag, 35,limitted and restreyned in their doctrine that they may not preach against any sinn by publick authority establ…shed, and if they doe, they are silenced hSee befor pag, 56,excommunicated &c. this indignity and dishonour Christ will not suffer at mans hands, to hauehave his word and mans word matched together, his spirit spirit & truth restreyned: he wilbe Prophet alōe or not at al. as they that with the tr…e God and his true worship, had other Gods also, & other worships, are sayd in scripture to aIs… 1, …, 1, 1…, … ▪ 13, &c.forsake the true God, and to b… b2 Chro. 15 3,without him: so they that with the true Prophet and doctor Christ and his doctrine, hauehave other also; may rightly be sayd to hauehave forsaken him and to be w…thout him. For when men set their thresholds by the Lords and their posts by his; they cEze 43.8defile his holy name with their abominations, and in dMat 15.9vayne they worship him, that teach such doctrines as be precepts of men
Moreover thi… Church wanteth part and communion with Christ in that propheticall office, which he hath imparted to his peo…le, namely power and freedom eIsa. 43, 10to witnes, f2 Cor 4.13professe, g,Mat. 28.20.practise, and hPhil 2, 16hold forth the word of life, and all that Christ hath commanded; to i,Rom, 15, 14.admonish & kLeuit, 19 17. Luk, 7.3reproue one another for sinne and transgression, and eyther if they repent to lMat, 18, 16.17.forgiue them, or if they repent not, to follow them further mIoh 17, 17vntounto the church and even to excommunication for their obstinate violating Gods law. That they hauehave not power or freedome to professe and practise the truth of the Gospel in these things, appeareth by their seruile subiection to the hierarchie, lawes and canons which are amongst them, whereby they are restreyned from professing and practising any further truth then is by law establ…shed among them, but must obey & follow all that their spirituall Lords the Bishops doe inioyne them, and may not speake against or reproue any of the abominatiōs that ar in their church worship, Ministery, ceremonies &c. neyther hauehave power to deal according to that rule of Christ Mat. 18 15. &c, for any sinne, be it never so horrible and manifest, but must leaue it to the censure of the Prelate or hi… Commissarie, who at his pleasure buyeth and selleth the sins and soules of men. This bondage the people should not be in if they had and inioyned the word of God, which is Ioh 8, 32the truth; for that truth would make them free, that they should not in this sort be o,1, Cor, 7 23,seruants of men. But now not ha…ing power to professe, much lesse to practise the truth: nor to reproue the euils that reign among them; not hauing the free vse of Gods word in priuate, nor the right and lawfull Ministery or vse therof in publick; they cannot be sayd to hauehave Christ for their Prophet, and Therefore the Church of England, is not the true Church of God.
EVery true Church of God hath Christ for the Priest and Sacrificer of the s…me, for he onelyonly is the high Priest of our profession, and to him it was sworne, thou art a Priest for euer, after the order of Melchisedek. Heb, 3, 1, &, 5.5, 6, 10, &, 9, 11. &c.
But the Church of England hath not Christ for the Priest or sacrificer of the s…me. Because the gifts and sacrifices which it offreth vntounto God, are not presented and offred vntounto him by Christ; neyther is this church reconciled reconciled vntounto God by him. And first the worship and seruice which they performe vntounto God, their prayers, prayses and confe…sions, (which now are Christ…an mens aHeb 13.5 Psal. 69, 30.31.sacrifices,) are not offred and sanctified by Christ, because they are false and id…l…trous, wherewith Christ hath no communion. For …nstead of true spir…tuall prayer and prayses the fruits of Gods spirit in his …eo…le; they read a written leiturgie translated out of the Masse book: and accord…ng as they are stinted in the same, they speak; obser…ing also the many Popish ordinances, r…tes, and ceremonies commanded in the same, as their holy and festivall dayes, holy eues and fasting d…yes, absolutiō of sinns by their priests, confirmatiō of Baptisme by the…r Prelates, profanation of the Sacraments by pri…ate administration and howsling with them, by gossips, by idolatrous signes and gestures of cro…e, kneeling &c. also marying by the Priest with signe of the ring, churching of womē, burial of the dead, read…ng curses or comminations in stead of discipline, besides the sundry errours and vntruthes in that book, vayn repet…tions in their prayers, and the like. All which being commanded and vsed dayly by law of their church, without ground from Gods word, which approueth none of these idolatries but condemneth them; are not sanctified by Christ nor presented vntounto God hi… Father; For he will bPsa, 16.4not offer the idol sacrifices, neyther will God accept such things as by his cExo. 20, 4 5. Lev. 18.3.4.law he teacheth all men to abhorr.
Secondly; whereas the bodyes and sowles of men are also spiritual dRom 12, 1and li…ing sacrifices, and the persons offred in the Church by the Ministe…y of the Gospel, should be as the eEzek 36 38.holy fl…ck, as the flock of Ierusalem in their solemne feasts, that so the oblation of them might be acceptable fRom, 15.16.being sanctified by the holy Ghost: the people offred in this church are a confuse vnsanctified m…ltitude, not separated from the world, (as before in the first argument Isa 66, 20.is shewed,) and many of them so wicked, (even by the confe…sion of their gpag, 74.own ministers, and in every honest mans conscience,hSee bef…re pag, 2. as they neyther deseru to be layd on Gods alter, nor to be touched of any true Israelite in such respect. Yet ar they by the Priests of this church offred dayly vntounto God, in their administration, and blessed in his name. Yea the precious sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ (remembred and re…resented by i1 Cor: 11, 24.26.bread and wine at his supper,) is prostitut… as if it were an vnholy thing) to the prophane and wicked in this church, which being vnworthy receiuers, are kverse, 27,guilty of the body and blood of Chr…st as were the wretche… that crucified h…m. Also Baptisme which should be an ingraffing into Christ lRom 6, 3.4.5,his death buriall and resurrection, and a s…gne mAct 22, 16, 1 Ioh, 1.7.of washing away mens sinns in his blood; is giuen to the seed of the vngodly, blasphemers, and enemies of Christ, vntounto whom by no right it doth apperteyn. Which sacrilegious prophanation of the holy misteries, sheweth a manifest contempt of Christ represented in them: who as he communicateth not himselfe with such wicked persons so neyther the signes and seales of himselfe and the redemption that he wrought for his elect. For by his suffring he consecrated them onelyonly that are aH…b 10, 14sanctified, that by bIoh 6, 53.35,faith doe eat his flesh and drinke his …lood, & the wicked which hauehave no portion in his death and oblation, when they participate in these seales of grace, doe but eat and drink iudgment to themselues; the ministers which so prostitute Christ vntounto the teeth of his enemies, and tread vnderunder foot the sonne of God, if they repent not shall not escape his hand wh…ch sayd, cHeb 10.29 30.Vengeance is myne, I will repay: & the people which by an imaginary separation are or seem to be sundred from those profane, and yet communicate together in such things, doe even by that action shew that they are one body with them; for so it is written, we that are many, are one bread and one body, because we all are partakers of one bread. 1 Cor 10, 17.
This bringing of Satans seed into the church, unto the alter of God, may further be minded as a high degree of violating the second commandement, whereby all images idols and simillitudes whatsoeuer, of the Diuils or mens inuention or forming, are seuerely forbidden to bee brought into Gods howse, or vsed in his worship. Now such images or Idols, are these wicked persons. For as children are the dGen, 5, 3.images of their parents; and all fa…thfull people called the eDeut 14.1children of God, are Gods liuely images in Christ, whose fRō 8.29,image and simillitude they carry, himselfe being truely and properly the sole gCol, 1.15.image of the invisible God his Father, and they all being borne a new of him, are changed h2 Cor 3.18into the same image from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord, being renewed in knowledge after iCol. 3.10the image of him that created them so Satans children, (as wicked worldlings be called in scripture,) are his liuely images, hauing lost the first image of God, kGen, 1, 27wherein they were created; and into the image of the Serpent are changed dayly by his spirit that ruleth in them; and him they represent in his malycious nature and actions. As it is sinne, and so esteemed, to hauehave images and representations, of beasts, of fowles, of fishes, &c. brought into the church and worship of God: so would and wel might it be esteemed more horrible if in any Christian congregation, there should be brought in pictures of the Diuill or other like helish representations. Yet men will not see the horror of this sinne, that the liuing images and pictures of the Serpent, even wicked and profane people, his seed and children, should be brought into the Church and worship of God, to hauehave part and interest in Christ and his couenant, whether he will or not; to be offred vntounto God & layd vponupon his alter for spiriritual sacrifices: though they be much more abominable then vnclean beasts were vnderunder the law, as the lAct 10.11 12.28, Leuit. 11,substance or figured thing, is more then the figure and shadow.
But doubtlesse God, who abhorreth all idols and religious images of humane devise; and Christ, who would not mEsa 16, 4offer the bloody sacrifices of idolaters; abhorreth this confusion of Satans images within his church neyther will the high-priest after the order of Melchisedek, offer such to his Father, or be priest vntounto them. Otherwise he should not be so faithfull in the house of God, as w…s Aaron, nor the sacrifice; of the Gospel, be so holy as the shadowes of the law, which aLeu. 22.19, 20.were vnblemished.
Finally, all that hauehave Christ for their Pr…est, are by him to bring their sacrifices for their sinns vntounto God, that so attōemēt may be made through his intercession. For every high Pr…est is bHeb. 5.1.ordeyned for men in things perteyning to God, that he may offer gifts and sacrifices for sinnes; and every man is appoynted of God to present his sacrifice cLeu 17, 5by the Priest, who is to dLeu 4, 26make attonement for him concerning his sinne, that it may be forgiuen him. But the church of England, (in asmuch as it persisteth in sinne, and will not repent of the many transgressions dayly committed in their publick worship and a…ministration of holy things, refuseth reconciliation by him who is the eHeb, 9, 11high Pr…est of good things to come; and fHeb 7.25able perfectly to saue them that come vntounto God by him. This their impenitency appeareth not onelyonly by their perseverance in evill doin…, notwithstanding all the a…monitions and reproofs that hauehave sounded in theyr eares these many yeares,) but aboue al, by their vngodly Canons & constitutions made by the whole representatiue chuch of Engl: and submitted vntounto by the rest of the people. Whereby they publish vntounto all the world, how they are hardned in their evils, that excommunicate p…nish and persecute all that s…eak against or refuse to communicate with their people, prelacie, priesthood, worship, ceremonies, &c. wherein are so many sinns and idolatries.
For asmuch then as the publick seruice and sacrifice of this church is idolatrous, the holy mysteries, of Christ profaned, the people vnsanctified, and their sinns vnrepented of; there is no word or promise in scripture that Christ is the Priest or sacrificer of such worship or worshippers
Therefore the Church of England is not the true Church of God.
EVery true church of God, hath Christ for the King thereof; For of him the Father sayth gPsal, 2.6.I hauehave set my King vponupon Zion my holy, mountayn; and he must r…ign, till he hath put all his enemies vnderunder his feet, and shall sit vpō the throne of Dauid & vponupon his kingdome,h1 Cor, 15 24. to order it and to establish it with judgement and with justice, from henceforth even for ever, Isa. 9.7.
But the church of England hath not Christ for the King thereof. first, because it hath not these officers which he hath appoynted to gouerne his, church vnderunder him, namely, iEph. 4, 11, 1…. 1 Tim. 5.17.Pastors, Teachers, and Elders: but in stead of them it hath the hierarchie or Prelacye of Antichrist, Archbishops, Lord Bishops, Chane…llors, Archdeacons, Commissaries, &c. who reign or tyrannize ouer the sowles of men by their vnlawfull jurisdiction, ruling ouer many Churches making them constitutions and canons prescribing them words, both for prayer and doctrine; summoning, censuring censuring, excommunicating, absoluing, both priests and people, making and deposing ministers, giuing the holy Ghost excercising also civill offices in the common wealth, and carying the titles both of Christ, and of the Gods, aPsa, 82.6the Magistrates, into whose places they intrude‘ hauing no warrant for their spirituall Lordships in the Testament of Christ. Secondly, because this church hath not the Lawes and statutes of Christ for to gouerne the same; for although they hauehave the holy Bible among them, yet are not the ordinances therein written, practised or suffred to be practised in these assemblyes. As for an instance, the way and meanes which Christ hath appoynted for repressing of sin (that enemy which his scepter alway bRom. 6, 6 &c.beateth down) namely first cMat 18.15 16, &c.priuate admon…tion. Secondly with witnesses, Thirdly by telling the Church, and then if the sinner be not reclaymed, casting him out or deliuering d1 Cor 5.4, 5.12.13him to Satan by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ, giuen to eueryevery congregation; this holy and orderly walking, is vnknowen, this power is wanting in all these Parishes, who cannot excommunicate any person be he neuer so profane wicked or blasphemous. But contrariweise …ll must repayr to the Bishops Chancellors or Commissaries courts, where things are handled and judged according to their own lawes and canons, and not by the rules of Christ.
Thirdly, because the people of this church were and are (euen by the confession of our aduersari…s) of all sorts of people, as well wicked as Godly, and sins of al sorts doe abound and reign among them that if the good lawes of the common wealth did not repre…se them, there would be no liuing in peace among them. Such profane worldly people. are not the subiects of Christ, his kingdome is eIoh 18.36not of the world, neyther is it fReu. 21.27.for the open wicked, but for the gMar, 1, 15repentant and beleeuing, for the hMat, 5, 3 &c.poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the persecuted for rightiousne…; sake not for persecuters haters & cōtemners of the truth. If thus it should be then were Christs kingdome diuided in & against it selfe, and so could iLuk 11, 17not endure & be perpetuall, as the scripture sayth kDan 7, 14it shalbe. For both by the oracle of God, Gen 3, and by experience we learne and see there is continuall warr between the womans seed and the serpents, Christians and the Antichristians, the children of God and the children of Belial or impiety so that the hauing of such sinfull in the church, is the bane and ruine of Christs kingdome and religion. The couenant made with the howse of Dauid (on whose throne lLuk 1, 32 33.Christ sitteth for euer) is an euerlasting couenāt m2 Sam, 23, 5,perfit in all poynts & sure, but the wicked shalbe every one nverse, 6,…as thornes thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands, but the man that shall touch them must be defended with yron and with the shaft of a spear: and they shall be burnt with fyre in the same place.
Finally, this Church wanteth Christs power agaynst Syn, Satan, and …ntichrist; if any would deal against sinne and synners, he hath no w…y, but by complaint to the Antichristian spirituall courts. (for the ciuill magistrate punisheth civilly, and not with ecclesiasticall censure, which is the power and scepter whereof we speak,) and if those courts refuse to censure the sinner (as they seldome cast out any except it be for wel doing, or not appearing at their Summons,) there is no redresse of any evil among them As for ecclesiasticall matters, and the many abuses and abominations that are in the church, ministery, worship, ceremonies &c. the Priests and people of the parishes are in bondage to the Prelates, in seruile subjection to theyr vngodly decrees, censures and cursing Canons; no spirituall Christian power hauehave they against this tyranny, but are fayn to seek to the arme of flesh, the Prince and Parliament, for redresse; who if they refuse or neglect to help them; then remayn they vnderunder the Prelates Antichristian yoke still, as hath now appeared by their practise these many yeares. But if they had Christ for their King, his aIoh. 8.32truth, his word, would make them free, he would make them also bReu. 1, 6.Kings and Priests vntounto God his Father; that howsoeuer the supressing & abolishing of this vnruly hierarchie with their many abominations, is to be left vntounto the Magistrate who onelyonly hath power from God cRom. 13.3, &cto execute this vengeance, yet every man should deliuer dIer. 51.6.his own sowl, absteyning eDeut. 5, 7 8.9, &cfrom errour, false worship, superstition, popish thraldome & all other evill whatsoeuer, though with f2 Tim 3, 12affliction, bonds, banishment &c. and stand fast in the liberty gGal. 5, 1.wherewith Christ hath made him free, without yoke of thraldome. For he will reign in the midds hPsa 110.1of his enemies; Satan and sinne he hath subdued, as for himselfe so for all his people and subiects, whome he hath redeemed out of all Satanean and Balylonian bondage, that sinne should reign hPsa 110.1no more over them. But if they forsak this fredom, & take vpō them th' yoke of Antichrist, his seruāts they ar iRom 6.14 22.to whom they obey, Which this church doing to the Antichristian Prelates whome they acknowledge for their spirituall Lords, receiuing and obeying their hests and canons, reteyning and nourishing such as be enemyes and rebells against Christ,kRom 6.16 and remayning in spirituall bondage: cannot be sayd to hauehave Christ for theyr King and Lawgiuer, Therefore the Church of England is not the true Church of God.
THE summe of all that which hath beene sayd, is this, That Church which hath not Christ for th' Head, Mediator, Prophet Priest & King of the same; hath not God his Father for God of the same: because the Father and the sonne are one. Ioh. 10.…0, and whosoeuer hath not the Sonne hath not the Father, 1 Ioh. 2 23.3 Ioh, 9.
But the Church of England hath not Christ for the head, Mediator, Prophet, Priest or King of th' same as by the former Arguments hath ben proued.
Wherefore it hath not God the Father for God of the same, and consequently is not his Church.
THat church which is not the true church of Christ and of God; ought not by any true Christian to be continued or communicated with: but must be forsaken & separated from; & a true church of God sought and ioyned vntounto, wher Christ and saluation by him, may vndoubtedly be had. Because we are willed to absteyn and separate from the false church, 2, Cor 6 1…, 17; Reu. 18, 4 Hos 4.15. Isa. 48, 20. Ier 51.45, Zach. 2.6, 7, 1 Cor 10.20, 1, &c. We are willed also to seek and ioyne vntounto a true church, Deut. 12, 5 Song. 1.6. Ier 50 4, 5. Isa, 65, 9. Psal. 26, 5.6, & 87, 2, 5 6, Act, 2, 47.
But the church of Engl. is before proued not to be the true church of Christ and of God. Therefore it ought to be separated from; & a true church sought for, and ioyned to, of such as would be saued.
THose Ministers which hauehave and execute the ministery of a fals church are not the true ministers of Christ, & consequently not to be heard or obeyed as shepheards of our sowles. Because the ministery of a false church, must needs be false also, seing the church hauing no interest in Christ, can hauehave no interest in a Christian ministery. Besides Christ hath giuen his ministery to his own church onelyonly, Eph 4.11.12, 14.15, 16. 1 Cor. 12, 27, 28. See also Ioh, 10.1, 4.5, Act, 20, 28. Ioh. 21, 15, 16.
But all the ministers of the church of England, hauehave and execute the ministery of a fals church; for so by the former argumēts that church is proued.
Therefore they are not the true ministers of Christ, and consequently not to be heard or obeyed as shepheards of our soules.
For the further descrying of the false ministery of this church, I referr the (good reader) to a treatise lately published intituled, Reasons and Arguments prouing that it is not lawfull to hear the Ministerie of Engl.
And to an other heretofore published, called A treatise of the Ministerie of the Church of England.
I will put enimitie between thee (ô Serpent) and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: He, shall crush thy head; and thou, shalt crush his heel. Gen. 3.15.
Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also (Christ) himselfe likew…ise took part of the same: that through death he might abolish him that had the power of death, that is, the Diuil; and that he might deliuer them all which fo… fear of death all their life time were subiect to bondage. Heb. 2.14:15.
And there was warr in heauen: Michael and his Angels warred against the Dragon; the Dragon also warred, & his Angels; but preuailed not, neither was their place found any more in heauen And cast was the great Dragon, that old Serpent, called Diuill and Satan, that deceaueth the whole world: cast was he into the earth, and his Angels were cast with him Reu, 12.7.8, 9.
A BRIEF ANSWER TO Mr BERNARDS BOOK; INTI…VLED, The Separati…ts Sc…isme.
WHen the former treatise was almost finished; among other aduersaries Mr Bernard commeth forth to fight against the truth, which but a while since he would needs seem to fauour: but things not succeeding to his exspe… tation, he hath changed his louelove into hatred, And in the bitternes of his zele, he ha…h sent out a treatise conteyning Disswasions from the practise of the Gospel, which he pleaseth to call The separatists schisme, or Brownisme. Though in his book ther be little weight of reason or truth to be seen, nor any thing which may grealy trouble a discreet reader, who is but meanely acquainted without cause: yet both for the stopping of the mans mouth, if it may be, who maketh huy and crie after some of vsus, as in his Prooeme to the reader he proclaymeth; and for help of the simple who may be offended at the truth, not discerning his frawd. I thought it needful to obserue and answer briefly, the principall things by him obiected; many of which are before in this treatise, and in other books more largely refuted; and all of …hem may, if need require, hereafter by some other, be particularly refelled. Herein now the Lord giuegive me wisdom, to discouer this adversaries falsehood; and thee (good reader) vnderstanding to discerne it.