Heresiography, Description of sect 2

Heresiography · Description of sect 2

p. 48In describing of the Brownists I purpose to set downe:

1. Their Originall, and why called Brownists.

2. Called also Separatists, and why.

3. Their agreement with the Donatists.

4. Their agreement with the Anabaptists.

5. Great In…ovators.

6. Some of their errors set downe by Mr. White.

7. They are bitter Railers.

8. Magnifie their owne Sect.

9. Criminate the Dutch and French Churches.

10. They pretend Scripture.

11. Blame our Congregation for prophanenesse.

12. The prophanenesse, impietyl, dissentions, and lewdnesse of their own Sect.

13. Their equivocating and palliating their owne wickednesse.

14. Blame the Conversations of our Ministers.

15. Except against our Ministers Ordination.

16. Noveltie of their Ordinations.

17. Their singing of Psalmes.

18. Their Prophesying.

19. Their blaming set Prayers.

20. Their blaspheming the Lords Prayer.

21. The tyranny of the Separation.

22. Divers sorts of Brownists.

23. How great a sin Schisme is.

p. 4924. How they have been suppressed and punished in times past.

25. Mr. Scots description of a Brownist.

26. Of the Semi-separatists.

1. Their Originall.

THese Sectaries are called Brownists from on… Master Robert Brown, a Northamptonshire man, who was Schoolemaster of the Free-Schole of St. Olaves in Southwark, This Browne seducing certaine people, preached to them in a gravelpit neare Islington; (and by their Tenets was not the holy Catholike Church of God included at that time in the for…said gravell-pit?) Also when the whimseyes came first into his head? he was advised by some of his friends to conferre with Master Fox; and having been with him, he reported that hee had been with a mad-man, who thrust him out of his doores, telling him that he would prove a fire-brand in Gods Church.

Before his departure out of the Kingdome he acquainted also one Mr. Greenham, a pious Divine with his intentions, who disswaded him from his Separation, using many reasons to stay him; among others, that what grace he had received, hee had it from the Church of England; but finding him obstinate, he told him that for himselfe he doubted not (although he went away in his hot zeale) but that being better informed, he might returne againe unto his Mother Church; but bad him bethinke himselfe what should become of those poore soules whom he had seduced, and was carrying away. Master Greenham's words preved true: for Master Browne returned, God giving him grace to renounce his errors) and dyed lately a Member of the Church of England, being Parson of a Church in Northampton shire; But his Sect remaineth to the great disturbance of our Church: For those errors that Browne recanted and vomited up, many p. 50male-contented simple men supped up and swallowed downe, poysoning their selves and others.

2. Called also Separatists.2. Called also Separatists.

THese Sectaries are also called Separatists, and this name they arrogate to themselves, like the Pharisees of old; and wel may they be called Separatists, because they separate themselves not onelyonly from their Mother-Church in which they were baptized; and brought up, and fed with the pure milke of Gods Word; but also from all the Reformed Churches beyond the Seas, for they carry their simple seduced people not to any of those holy Churches to bee members of their Congregations; but to Conventicles, for which they are termed by a learned man separata factio defectorum.

2. They may also be called Separaticts, not onelyonly by reason of the separation they make from the Church of England, and all other the Reformed Churches; but also by reason of the grievous separations and divisions they make among themselves: for example sake; what an evill spirit of hatefull and fiery contention was raised between the Brothers, the Iohnsons, which burnt up both spirituall and naturall love; as the one of them, being the younger, forgetting his profession and brotherly love became a Libeller, loading his brother and others with reproaches, shame and Infamy, and that iin Print to abide for ever, as Master Thomas White in his discovery of Brown…sme doth relate? The other separated himselfe, and broke fellowship with his brother and father, and cursed them with all the curses in Gods Book: This separation was confimed by the heavy sentence of Excommunication, by which he …id give his father and brother to the devill. The Dutch and French Ministers in Amsterdam went about to reconcile Francis Iohnson and his Father, as appeareth by their Letter:Proph schisme. p. 60. Narravit-nobis Io…nnes I…sonius Anglus se hominem septuagena…um ex Anglia in hanc Vrbem difficili itinere venisse, ut p. 51duos filios suos, Franciscum, & Georgium dissidentes in gratiam reduceret. &c. But their labour was in vaine; His sonne Francis pe…sisting obstinately untill the death of his Father, sending him downe to the grave with a curse, as if it were engraving the sentence of Excommunication upon his Fathers Tombe, &c.

3. Agree with the Donatists.3. Their agreement with the Donatists.

THe Separatists or Brownists agree in many things with the Donatists, who confined the holy Catholike Church to a corner of Africa, as the Brownists doe confine the Church of God to their Conventibles, excluding all other Christians pale of the Church that are not o… their Sect.

May not I say, to these Brow…sts, as Constantine the E… perour to Acefius: Capa scalas & ascende coelum solus take ladders and mount heaven alone; who dreame that t…ey have ladders or something else to en…er heaven alone? They believe not (with the Donatists) the Article of faith, viz. That …he Church of God is Catholike, but uncharitably put all the Christians of the world into the estate of damnation th… are not of their Sect. Of their agreement with the Donac…sts, Master Gifford late Minister of the Word of God at Malden, hath set forth a Treatise at large, which you may puruse if you please.

4. They comply with the Anabaptists.4. Their agreement with the Anabptists.

TH… Separatists doe comply in many things with the Anabaptists, & these Maximes following they have from them.

As they separate themselves from the Papists; so also from all Protestant Churches.

They affirme, that theirs is the true Church onelyonly, and the Gospell to be no where truely preached but by them.

p. 52To receive the Communion with prophane persons is to par…ake of … prop…anenesse.

That all … preach; having gifts.

That in the Church there should be a par…ty.

They dislike marriages in Churches, and to serve God in Churches that have been polluted by the Papists.

Whereas the Anabaptists forbeare one Petition of the Lords Prayer, viz. Forgive us our trespassas, the Brownists refuse the whole Lords Prayer.

Although they beare with temporall Magistrates; yet they abhor spirituall government.

Lastly, they like not payment of Tythes▪ reserved by God himself for the for the maintenance of his Ministers, paid before the Law, commanded in the Law, and allowed by Christ himselfe, Matth. 23. But disallowed by the Anabaptists.**The Brownists … re…ibap.

5. They are Innovators.5. … …nnovators.

MAy not these Separatists be also called Novat…res, by reason of the great Innovations made by them? they can not abide no old things heretofore used in Gods Church. They cannot abide our Fonts, nor our Churches, (steeple-houses some call them) nor our Bels, (I hear of a Sect that are called together by a Sow-gelders horne) nor our marriage, nor our administration of the Sacraments in our Churches, nor our burials, nor our Prayers taken out of holy Scriptures, and commanded by Christ himselfe, as the Lords Prayer.

6. Some of their Errors set down by Mr. White.6. Some of their …rrors.

1. THey hold it lawfull for a man to live with her that is not his wise, …ather then to reveale himselfe.

2. That there are qualities in God no… essentiall, and that p. 53love in God is not of his being, but that the selfe same love that is in God is … in us.

3. That i… is not lawfull for the innocent parties to retain the offendor as the wife the husband, or the husband the wife of either party that hath committed adultery; though the innocent party upon the others repentance forg…ving the other sinne, bee desirous still to live with the other party in marriage Covenant, as before, but have excommunicated the parties innocent for so doing.

7. Bitter Railers.7. Bitter …ail…rs. Prophane schisme, cap. 12.

THese new Sectaries are bitter Railers, and especially upon their Mother the Church o… England, calling her Apostate Israel, Sodom, Bobylon, murthering Step-mothers, Idolatrous Antich…istian &c. They judge and condemne them that are better then themselves, far excelling in the gifts and graces of God; yea they condemne and sl…nder our whole nation, as a false Church, false Christians, a Synogogue of Satan, a people in a damnable estate, exempting none: neither the learned'st, nor the holiest, but condemne all.

Th…y boast much of the Spirit but by their virulent and venomous tongues you may see what spirit is in them, viz. That Spirit that ruleth in the children of disobedience.

Michael t…e Arch-Angel durst not give the Devill such cursed language as the Brownists give their mother, The poyson of Aspes are under their lips.

Barrow and Greenwood were possessed with a spirit of railing and scoffing,Mr. Ba…. Separ. schisme. terming set Prayers the smoak of the bottomlesse pit; preaching preachment and sermocination; the Preachers deliverie of the word, the distilling and dropping downe of old Parables from his mouth; the time of preaching, disputing with the houre-glasse, the Pulpit a prescript place like a Tub, solemne Fasts hyporiticall Fasts, and a stageplay wherein one playeth sin, another judgement, another the p. 54Gospell, the singing of Psalmes harmonizing of pleasant ballads; our Churches styes, & our Baptisme adulterate baptisme; the receiving the holy Sacrament of the Lords Supper a two-penny Feast; the worship of God Idolatry, and us Idolaters, yea Sodomites, Canaanites, Beliamites, Chamites… Cainites.

8. Magnifie their Sect.8. Magnifit their owne Sect;

AS these Sectaries villefie others, so they magnifie themselves, like those men of whom the Prophet speaketh, Isa. 65. Stand further off▪ I am holier then thou. And with the Pharisee▪ they tha…ke God that they are not lik… other men. Or with S…mon Magus gave out that they are the great power of God. These cry up their owne Sect to the Skies.Iohn Robinsons a swer to R. B… page 213. On Mr. Bernard (saith Mr. Robinson) if ever you saw the beauty of Sion, and …he glory of God filling his Taber…acle, it hath beene in the manifesta…ion of d…vers graces of God in our Church in that heavenly harmony and comely order, wherein by the grace of God we are set a…d walke. Likewise heare Mr. Smith: Oh Mr. Bernard,Iohn Smiths p…allei. p 17. if you knew but the power and comfort of Gods Ordinance as we doe, &c. Touching both these boasters of their popular Government,Pro…ha…e schisme. …. 47. hear the censure of Mr, Iohnson, who sheweth them to be Korites, a bellious rout, pleaders for confusion, &c. Also Mr. Daniel Studl…y, Ibidem p. 76.Mr. Iohnsons second, describeth Mr Samuel Fuller a Deacon of Mr. Robinsons company with his friends to be ignorant Idiots, noddy Nabalites, dogged Doegs, fainfaced Pharisces, shamelesse Shimeites, malicious Machavilians.

9. Criminate the Dutch and French Church.9. They criminate the Dutch and French Churches.

IN their separations they carry not their seduced people from us to the Dutch or French, nor to any Reformed Churches to have Communion, They are as malevolent to Dutch and French Churches as to us: many crimes they do lay upon them, as for example.

p. 551. That their Assemblies are so contrived,Fran… Iohnsons Ar…i…les against the Dutch and French Churches. that the whole Church continue…h not together, so that the Ministers cannot …ogether with their flock sanctifie the Lords day. The presence of the members cannot be knowne, and finally no publick action, whether excommunication or any other cannot bee rightly done:Vid. Dr. Halls Apology against the Browniste. page 797▪ can they say worse of us? the Lords day cannot be rightly observed, nor presence nor absence known, nor any holy action rightly performed: what can there be in their Churches but meere confusion? See what dirt these Separatists cast upon the Church that harboureth them.

2. They baptize the seed of them that are no members of the visible Church, of whom they have no care as of members, neither admit their Parents to the Lords Supper. Is not this mee… Babylonisme? how is the Church of Amsterdam separated from the World?

3. That rule and commandement of Christ, Matth. 18. 15. If thy brother offend thee, goe and tell his fault, &c. They neither observe, nor suffer to be observed: behold, what they complain of us, they find the same in the Church of Amsterdam.

4. They worship God in the Idol Temples of Anti-christ, so that the wine is marred with the vessels, is not this an abhomination? yea, the Anti-christian stones have some of them the ornaments of the Roma… harlot upon them remaining.

5. Their Ministers have set maintenance.

6. Ty…hes, or a maintenance as ill: Tythes were commanded by God, and never repealed; but this they have lea…n… of their Tutors the Anabaptists.

7. Their Elders change yearely, which is not according to the Doctrine of the Apost…es; what? can our Church have wor…e then false Governours?

8. They celebrate marriage in the Church, is not this a foul fault? Is it not better to be married in the Congr…gation with prayers and Gods blessing pronounced upon them by the Minister, then to be contracted privately, and … into a booke as men doe horses in Smithfield?

9. They use a new censure of suspension which Christ hath not appointed: a great presumption, s…y they.

p. 5610. They receive unrepentant Excommunicants to bee members of thir Church, by which meanes they become the body with them that are delivered over to Satan.

Thus these Seperatists besmeare the Church at Amsterdam: yea, they count it a great Apostacy for one of them so much as once to heare a Sermon in any of the Dutch or French Churches.

10. Pretend Scripture.10. Pretend Sc…ip…ure.

AND whereas they doe pretend Scripture for their novelties while the world standeth (saith a learned man) it connot be shewed out of Gods sacred book, that he hath commanded any of these following:

1. L…t all decisions, excommunications, yea, and ordinations be performed by the multitude.

2. Let evey Assembly have a Doctor and a Pastor distinct in charge and office.

3. Let private Christians agree among themselves to set over themselves a Postor chosen by themselves.

4. To this I may adde; where or when did our Lord take the keyes from the Church and give them to the multitude? how dare any Lay-man presume to ordaine Ministers to binde and loose? &c.

11. Thy avoyd our Congregations as prophane.11. Blame our congregations fo… p…ophanenesse.

ONe speciall cause of their Separation they pretend to be the mixt Congregations of men, holy and prophane, with whom they will nor communicate, lest they should be defiled. You have heard of the resemblances that have been made of Gods Church: as namely, it is compared to a field, in which are some Tares as well as whea…: to a net, wherein are contained p. 57bad fish as well as good; to a fold, having in it Goats as well as sheep: yet is not the field to be spo…led because of Tares; nor the net to be broken because of the bad fish; nor the fold to be broken because of the Goats: no, we are not to depart from any Church of Christ for any scandall given to us by the members and professors therein, except for extreame errors of doctrine, or ungodly practises professed in it.

12. The proph…nenesse of their Sect.12. The prophanenesse of t…eir Sect.

THis fault they finde with the Protestants of our Congregations; but how they have avoyded this in their own Conventicles, Mr. White, Mr. Iohnson, and Mr. Smith, and many others will tell you, whose plentifull reports of their known uncleanenesse, smothered mischiefs, malicious proceedings, corrupt preachings, communicating with known offenders, bolstering of sins, and willing co…nivences, as they are shamefull to relate; so they might well have stopt their mouthes from excepting against our communion with the prophane.

To use some of Mr. Whites words,Mr. White. These that pretend such sincerity of Religion, doe abound above others with all kinde of debate, malice, adulteries, cozenage, uncleannesse, so that (saith he) that W. C. complained that hee had thought that they had been …ll Saints; but, I see, they are all devills. These are the Assemblies to which they carry the poore soules whom they doe seduce.

Extracted out of a Letter of Master Whites the 20^th of July.Vid. P…phane Schisme of the Brownists p, 27.

I desire God to keep all people from such a Congregation, where Adulteries, Cozenages, and Thefts are in such abundance as in the English Congregation of Amsterdam: that I speak not of Brokerage of whores, and other filthinesse, too too bad.

This is true,Ibid page …7. there is no Sect in Amcterdam (though many in such contempt for filthy life as the English are, viz. the Brownists, &c.

p. 58The author of this Letter, Master White, was sued for slander by Francis Iohnson, Henrie Aainsworth, Francis Blakewell, Daniel Studley, Christopher Bowman, Iane Nicolas, Iudith Holder, William Barbons, and Thomas Bishop. But after Master White had brought in witnesses before the Burgomasters, who did testifie, & upon their Oathes and depositions confirme what Master White had written,Ac…um. 25. …eb▪ 1606. he was discharged, and had charges given him by the Magistrates.

A briefe discovery under the hand of the Secretary and seale of the City of Amsterdam.

1. Of some of the abhominations dayly practised and increased amongst the English company of the separation, remaining for the present at Amsterdam in Holland.

2. That they abou…d above all others, with all kinde of debate, malice, adulteries, cozenages, and such other like enormities, &c.

The testimony of the Dutch Church concerning the Brownists, The testimony of the …utch Church co…ce… ning the Browni…s.when as they sent their Messengers with some questions to their Eldership, they received this answer from them; That they did not acknowledge theirs to be an Ecclesiasticall Assembly, or a la…full Church.

The testimony of the Magistrates of Amsterdam concernin… the Brownists, Of the Magistrates of Amsterdam Vid. proph. schi…m. page 21.both of old, in their suit against Master White, and now in their late suit for their meeting-house, when they sought to lay their Action in the name of a Church; they were repelled by the Magistrates that are members of the Dutch Church; they would not receive complaint from them in the name of a Church, or in the name of an Elder, or a Deacon; but from private men; The Magistrates told them, that they held them not as a Church, but as a Sect.

13. Their Equivoca…ing.13 Their equivoca…ing and palliating their wicked…esse. Vid. proph. schis page 20.

I Might here set down their… …quivoca…ing and palliating their wickednesse, as one Geoffry Wh…acres of Master Iohnsons p. 59Congregation, being found in bed with one Iudith Holder, another mans wife; for which matter he affirme… that he did it not to satisfie his lust; but to comfort Iudith, being …ickly, and to keep her warme: as though hee had sought to performe a Christian duty of love, and not an action of uncleannesse.

Again, when Mr. Studley, a chie…e Prophet of Mr. Iohnsons Prophane schis. page p. … ▪Congregation, was found hidden behind a Baske… in Iudiths house, he had this holy pretence; that he hid himselfe to see the behavio… of G. P. who ca… thither after him: he being an Elder, would be a watchfull Over-seer.

Again, M. … being in a whore-…use▪ and creeping out at a window,Ib dem. the Elder D. S. excused …im alledging in his def…nce the example of St. Paul, A…ts 9. 25. Who was by the Disciples let down over the wal; …n a Basket.

Mr. Iohnson sought to cleare the uncleannesse of a man found a bed with another mans wife;Ibid. p. 30. to dimini…h the sin distinguished between lying with a woman, and in a woman.

And old Father Brown being reproved for beating his old wife distinguished, that he did not beate her as his wife, but as a curst old woman.

Also Da…iel Studley, He did like Solomon, who would know all secrets. Proph. schsm p. 39went about to palliate his filtinesse with his Wives Daughter, ungodlily alledging the Holy Scripture.

Let it not be offensive to the good Reader to see a childe to vindicate the foule aspersions cast upon his Mother, from whom he had his soules spirituall birth and breeding, by setting forth by what manner of men his Mother-Church is scandalized.

14. Blame the Conversation of our Ministers.14. Blame the conve… sat… o… of our Ministers.

AGaine, although in the Visible Church the evill ever mingled with the good, and sometime the evill have chief Authority in administration of the Word and Sacraments; yet p. 60forasmuch as they doe not the same in their owne name, but in Christs, and doe administer by his Commission and outhority, we may use their Ministery both in hearing the Word of God▪ and receiving the Sacraments; neither is the effect of Christs Ordinance taken away by their wickednesse, nor the grace of Gods gifts diminished from such as by faith rightly doe receive the Sacraments administred unto them: The Scribes and Pharisees (saith our Lord) sit in Moses chaire; all therefore what they bid you observe, doe you, but not after their works, for they say and doe not.

15. Except against our Ordination.15. Ordination of our M…nisters.

THey except against our Ministers, because they receive their Ordination from Bishops.

To which I answer, wee have our Ordination from Christ by Bishops and Clergie-men; and for this kinde of Ordination by Bishops and Presby…ers we have the universall cons…nt the Primitive Church; by St. Paul, Timothy, and Titus were ordained.

And this has been the practice of all the Christian Churche▪ of the Universe untill the time that Anabaptists crept into the world.

But they will alledge, that we have been ordained by Antichristian Bishops, and therefore they conclude every action done by our Ministers to be Antichristian.

1. To which I answer; why is not the Ordination that our Fore-fathers had from Antichristian Bishops as effectuall as the Bap…isme that was administred by them to our Fore-fathers? D…d ever any Reformed Church re-baptize them that were baptized by them? And why should our Ministers be re-ordained mo…e then re-baptized.

2. Indeed our Ministers being ordained by Bishops and that by Protestant Bishops, such as Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley, who were holy Martyrs, who renounced all Superstition; what exceptions can be taken against them?

p. 61Neither can they find any shelter under that …oted Te…t, neglect not the gift that is in thee by the imposition of the hands of the Presbyter;… which learned Mr. Calvin expounds n…t of the men, but of the Office following: Herein Hierome, Anselm…, Ha…mo, Lyra, referring it to the gift given him, and to the Bishops & Pre…byters, which hath been the practice of the Church of England, and all Christian Churches in the world untill the Anabaptists.

To conclude, let the Brownists confesse our B…shops to be but Christians, which they cannot deny, and the Ordination of our Ministers will be lawfull by their owne rules: for if the Ordination of their Ministers by Pl…beian Artificers be lawfull how much more is the Ordination of our Ministers by Bishops and learned Ministers, qualified with learning and wisedome, and set apart to doe the same.

16. Brownists Ordination.16 Brownists Ord…nat…on▪

BUT let them shew who devised their Ordination of Ministers; I dare say, not Christ, nor his Apostles, nor their Successors.

What Church in the whole world can be produced unlesse in case of necessity, whose conspiring multitudes made them Ministers at pleasure? What rule of the Church prescribeth it? What Reformed Church ever did it, or doth practise it? What example warrants it? where have the in…eriours presumed to lay their hands upon their Superiours? It is an old policy of the faulty to complain first; certainly, there was never Popish Legend a more errand device of man then some parts of this Ministery of theirs, so much gloried in for sincere correspondency with the first Institution.

p. 6217. For their Singing.17. Their singing of Psalmes.

FOR their singing of Psalmes it is almost left among them, for in Master Iohnsons Assembly they had new r…ymes, but in so harsh and hard a phrase, that the people knew not what they meant; so that they could not sing with understanding.

2. These being in use,Propha…e schl…sme. p. 10. and the coppies being kept from the people; by that means singing of Psalmes was kept from the people, and sh…t out of private houses.

3. Againe, by reason of the uncouth and strange translation and Meetre used in them, the Congregation was made a laughing-stock unto strangers.

Master Daniel Studley pleaded for the continuance of those rhimes, the Congregation complaining of them: For (saith my Author) he had a good veine in making thimes, especially filthy and obscene ones, which he taught unto little children his Schollers, and to Mistris May, who used in her house to sing such songs, being more fit for a common Bawde, then for a person professing the pure separation. They object against all the Churches in Amsterdam, that they have Organs to modulate their voices in singing: Sure I am, the Separatists also had need of somewhat, as a Bag-pipe, or somewhat never used by Antichrist to tune them, singing in their Conventicles like hogs against raine.

Here I might aske some questions, viz. why singing set Psalmes doth not confine the spirit, (we being commanded to sing with the spirit) as much as saying set Prayers; and why the brethren inspired with the spirit, doe not every day sing a new song, as make a new Prayer, which are set prayers to the People? and why the people may not pray together with the Minister (as it was the custome of al Christian Churches) as sing together: And lastly, why Lay-men doe not pray in the Church aswel as preach or prophesie in the Church: Do they not in forbidding p. 63the people to pray with the Minister, as the Papists do in depriving the people of the Cup in the Sacrament, and that for the honour of the Priest-hood?

18. Of their prophecying.18. Of their Pr… phe…ing.

AS the illuminated Anabaptists are called Preachers, so the fanatick Brownists take upon them to be Prophets, and to preach the word of God with all authority publikely in their Congregations: St, Panlasketh, how they can preach, except they be sent? And this standeth to good reason, every true Preacher standeth in Gods roome, being the Lords Embassador to doe his will: who dares doe this unsent? These come not from the Schooles of the Prophers; but from Mechanick trades, & set them down in Moses Chaire, as Embassadors of Jesus Christ, as Heralds of the most high God: These take upon them to reveale the secrets of the Almighty, to open & shut heaven, to save soules, But to hear these fellowes discourse of the holy Trinity, of Gods eternal Decree, & other deep poynts of Divinity, you may hear the Mad-men in Bedlam prare as wisely as they: May not Almighty God say to these mad Prophets, what hast thou to doe to take my Word in thy mought? &c. Of their confused preaching, or rather prating, heare Mr. Simpson complaine, and especially of the Prophets in Master Ainsworths Church: For our manner, (saith he) of meeting upon the Lords day, it is with such a confusion and contradiction with one another, that our profession of Separation may be overthrowne by it: For example, Thomas Cochi in his prophesie witnessing against England, their Ministery is Anti-christian, and being so, cannot beget true faith; and where there is no true faith, there is no true salvation, a fearefull sentence in my judgemnt! Again, our beloved, Mr. de Cluse in his prophesie laboured to prove separation from a true Church for any corruption, obstinately stood in this Doctrine, was by another in prophecying there shewed to be absolutely contrary to the place, Rev. 2. 24. p. 64which how unsoundly it was concluded by our Teacher▪ was …en observed by many: Also it was since by another delivered in the way a… prophesie, that even among our selves did reigne in my … as namely, fulnesse of bread pride and idlenesse; …, in that they were not satisfied with neither temporall nor …pirituall food; pride▪ in that many did strive to goe beyond their calling; idlenesse, in that many were negligent in their callings, If these things be so, and be not redressed by the … of this pro…hesie▪ we must, (according to Mr. de…Cluse his Doctrine) make a new s…paration, How oft doe the Br…thre… except one against anothers prophecying, by which, much heart-burning and strife is …indl…d between them? Th…se thi…gs being well considered, I pray you well to minde whether this new way of prophecying on the Lords day can be …or the edification of the Church or not. For this new prop…ying of the Lay people, read a Treatise newly set forth by … Apol…nij.

19. They will use no set Formes of Prayer.19. ….

THey finde fault with set Formes of Prayers, and this also they learne of the Anabaptists, who having burnt all the Books in Munster, and in the Dominions of King Iohn of Z…on (except the Bible) were compelled either to pray without book, which they call Praying with the spirit, or not at all: moreover, the Anabaptists were so ignorant, as Lambertus Hortensi… reporteth, that among the numerous multitude of them … was not one found (as it was credibly reported) that could read. So they being not able to pray within book, but all without book: They have with the Brownists invented divers arguments against set Prayers.

They pretend set Prayers to be a device of man, a muzling of the spirit, a nurse of idlenesse, and a meanes to neglect the gra…es of God that are in them▪ whereas they pretend extemporary prayers to be the work of the spirit: whereas rather thereby p. 65they …zzell the spirit of the people, being tyed to the ex tempo…e and … prayers of the Ministers.

Yea, the Brownists g…e fa… bey…nd the Anabap…sts; aff… ming set Prayers to be abhominable in the eyes of Almighty God.

To this …answer; whatsoever God hath ordained is neither abhominable nor loathsome to him; but God hath ordained set Prayers▪ therefore they are not abominable no… loathsome.

That God hath ordained set prayers▪ see Num. 6. 23▪ 24. Yee shall blesse the child…en of Israel, saying unto them, the Lord blesse thee and keep thee, the Lord make his face to shine upon t…ee and be gracious to thee, the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace, Againe, Deut. 26. 5. And thou shalt speake, and say before the Lord thy God, a Sy…ian ready to perish was my Father.

The 90. Psalme is a Prayer, even the prayer of Moses, and and used in the Jewish Church, as we use the Lords Prayer.

All the Psalmes of David▪ except some that are doctrinall) are prayers, and have beene, and shall be read in the Church of God, ma…gre all the Heriticks and Schismaticks In the World.

In the Gospell are many set prayers daily read in the Church; What? are all these abhominable? All the ancient Churches in the world, planted by the Apostles▪ have set Prayers; as the Greek Church, to whom St. Paul preached; the Indians, to whom St. Thomas brought the …ight of the Gospel; the Ethiopians; to whom St. Mark brought the knowledge of Christ; the Muscovites, who affirme, that they received the truth from S…. Andrew: These, with all ancient Churches have set prayers: their Liturgies are to be seen.

Yea all the Reformed Churches; the Du…ch, the French, the Dan…sh, the Swedish, the Scot…ish &c have set Prayers; onelyonly these Sectaries will speak to God ex tempore.

In my Christianography you may see d…vers Liturgies: as a Liturgy attributed to St. Iames …he first Bishop of …erusalem, set forth by Victorius Sc…at…us the Maronite, The Apd…le p. 66Iames was commonly called Iacobus Liturgus, that is, Iames the Service-maker, which beginneth, O Lord doe not despise me defiled with the multitude of my sins, &c.

Again, the service the Muscovites use, taken out of the Commentaries of Sigismund Liberus.

The Ethiopian Liturgie or Service, written by Francis Alvares.

The Cop…s Liturgy set forth by Kircherus.

The Armenian Service, set downe by Odoardus Bar…osa.

The Armenian Service, set downe by Peter Bellonius, lib. 3. cap. 12.

The Liturgy of Severus, sometime Patriarch of Alexandria, written in Syriak, and translated into Latine by Guido Subritius.

But to shew you a patterne of some of their new Prayers; one of them cryeth out in his prayer; O Lord, thou knowe…, good Lord, that we never had the truth preached among us untill now. &c. Whereas the Doctrine of the Church of England is Gods truth, as the learned Assembly of Divines doe restifie, howsoever in our Discipline there may need Reformation.

Another cryeth out in his prayer; Good Lord, good Lord, deliver this Congregation from this man, who is unlearned, unpowerfull, unprofitable, &c. This spirituall Prayer was made for my selfe, in my owne Church, in my owne Pulpit, in my owne hearing.

To conclude this with the counsell of the holy Ghost; Bee not rash with thy mouth, nor let thine heart be hasty to utter a thing before G…d, Eccles. …for God is in the heavens, and thou art … the earth: Therefore let thy words be few: for as a dreame commeth by the multitude of businesse; so the voyce of a foole is known by many words.

p. 6720. They quarrell at the Lords Prayer.

BUT what need I complaine of their blaspheming of set Prayers? whereas our Lord taught his Disciples a set Forme of Prayer, the perfectest and exactest of all that can bee made, it being compiled by the Sonne of God, who is the wisedome of the Father. For perfection, it containeth all that can be asked, or prayed against. For acceptation, it containeth the words of Christ the Son of God, in whom the Father is well pleased.

These Sectaries quarrell at this prayer, and will nor say it; as Barrow & Greenwood affirme it to be abominable, and as lo…thsome unto God as swines-flesh to a Jew.

Apollina…ius the Heritick equalled his songs with holy Scripture: but I never heard of any Heretick that…prefer'd his owne works before holy Scripture: Doe not these Heriticks preferre their owne Prayers before our Lords? If our Lords Pr…yer be better then theirs, why doe they not say it according to our Lords Commandement, Luke 11? Or if they will pray after the same manner as is commanded, Matth. 6. Why doe they use so many vaine repetitions there by him forbidden?

I have read that St. Peter used no other prayer at the Communion, but this Prayer which his Master taught him; and the Greeks in Calabria used the same: But now it is not used by some at the ministration of the Sacrament. I am sure this prayer is perfect, and all other devised by them not so perfect. Let us not neglect that perfect forme which our Lord hath left us, or pray at least-wise after that manner, not using vaine repititions by him forbidden, as before.

p. 6821. Of the Tyranny and ill-usage of some of them to their VVives and Servants.

MAny there be that are taken in the B…iars of this propane Schisme,…. that wish they had never met with the separation of that Schismaticall body, and would flye, so that they might escape without excommunication, with which they ter…ifie them so, that they dare not so much as whisper, or as much as …uffe against it. You may read in the Boook called (The prophane Schisme of the Brownists) how cruelly also they used their servants for not doing their taskes; as some they hang up by the hands, and whip them stark naked, being women grown; yea they spare not the…r wives, but correct them, Read the story of Seudley, and Mansfield. It may be they learn… this of their Patriarch, Father Browne, who would cu…stly correct his old wife, as before.

22. There are divers sorts of Separatists.

THere are divers sorts of these Sectaries;Bpownists. for every day begets a new fancy or opinion, it …a…ing with them usually as with all other Hereticks, who having once forsaken the Truth, wander from one error to another: as Mr. Smith, one of their Grandees, from a Protestant he turned Brownist; and from a Brownist he turned Anabaptist; yea, a Sebaptist, and re-baptized himselfe.

The first sort of Separatists affirme the abominations of the Church of England to be so great, that they will …ot come within their Church doores to heare any of their Ministers, but …y themselves wholly to their owne Conventicles. The root of this Sect was one Mr. Robert Browne, before named: from p. 69whom are risen many Sects, for every day begets a new fancy and conceit. These say that England was once the Lords wi…e, but that he hath given her a Bill of divorce and put her away. These deny all communion with her; but private communion they hold lawfull with her members.

As for the ancient company of Brownists that were under the feeding of Master Browne himselfe, they were swept away as dung by the Testimony of Master George Iohnson, and not one of them left alive that continued faithfull, but became Apostates.

The second sort of Brownists may bee called Barrawists Barrowists.from their Protomartyr Barrow, whose censures are more desperate then the former, who say that the Church of England is Sodome, Babylon, and Aegypt, and that shee was never the Lords wife, nor he her husband; but that she is at the best a murthering Step-mother; Therefore they say, what communion hath light with darknesse? …hrist with Belial? Beleevers with Infidels? And therefore they proclaime the former Sect, (for not judging the Church of England so desperately as they judge her) to be partakers of her adulteries, and that they must receive of her plagues.

Of this Sect Barrow was the Father; afterwards Greenwood, Brewer, Bois, Rutter.

A third sort of Brownists did arise from one Mr. Wilkinson, Wilkinsonia…s.whose Disciples in a short time grew so strong in the Spirit that they stoutly affirmed that they were Apostles, as Peter, & Paul, and the rest; and therefore deny communion with all others that will not give them that Title.

A fourth sort of Brownists, who say that there is not any one true Church in the world but themselves, because they say, that they are married to Christ by that one true Baptisme which consiste…h of persons confessing of faith and their sinnes; and all other Churches that baptize Infants are but Synagogues of Satan, and have never made covenant with Christ, & therefore they call the Brownists for retaining the Baptisme of children as very a Harlot as Rome or the Church of England. So name they the Brownists, Romes fairest daughter, and proclaim, p. 70that all that will be saved must come to them to be re-baptized; and condemne all other worship to be Antichristian, divellish, and ob…oxious to the wrath everlasting. Of these, there are many Sects and Heresies you shall finde in the description of the Anabaptists. Many other Sects of Bronists there are, as the Iohnsonians and their Teners, who commenced a …uit in Amsterdam against the Ainsworthians, for their Meeting House or Synagogne granted to the Brownists after the rending of that Conventicle asunder.Iohnsonians. The Iohnsonians pleaded the Synagogue belonged unto them, they being the ancient Brownists: The Ainsworthians answered,Ainsworthians. that the House belonged to them, they being the true Brownists, because they held the ancient faith upon which their Church was grounded, from which Master Iohnson and his company had fallen into Apostacy, and therefore could not bee the true Church; and they set forth a writing of the Articles forsaken by Master Iohnson.

I might speake also of Robinson Robinsoni….and his company; which Robinson protesteth against both the former, affi…ming Mr. Iohnso…s company to be bastardly runnaga…es, miserable guides, engrossers of the keyes, arrogant Zidkias laying the corner-stone of Babylon; Lucian or scoffing Atheists; Schismaticks, making the Church of God a cypher; a Hangby wanting an honest heart, like Chancellours and Officials captivating of the Church; either marked servants of the Pope, or such as care not what they say for some present advantage, using a power more execrable and accursed.

Master Smith and his Disciples doe at once as it were swallow up all the Separation besides, protesting against their false constitutions, false worship, false Ministers, and false Governours.

I might here also set downe the Heresies of Mr. Thomas Lemar described by Mr. Padget, with this Title.

p. 71The Monster of Lemarisme.

THis Monster is set downe with seven heads.

1. Mahometanisme, in that Lemar denyed the holy Trinity and eternall God-head of Christ.

2. Iudaisme, in affirmiag that Christ should come shortly in his owne person to reigne here upon earth.

3. Papisme, affirming that a meere creature may bee worshipped.

4. Lutheranisme, in maintaining the Doctrine of Consubstantiation.

5. Anabaptisme, in affirming that Christ took not flesh of the Virgin Mary.

6. Libertanisme, in holding that there is no visible Church upon earth.

7. Brownisme, in holding the Doctrine of Separation; who can recko… up their opinions, they shifting daly? Mr. Hancor will have a separation alone.

To confirm their several Sects & divisions among themselves,Their cursing one another. I might set down their uncharitable cursing one of another; not to speek of the manifold curses that flew abroad in Mr. Barro…s time, nor yet of the manifold curses which the company of Brownists remaining in London have oft laid upon one another: consider but those that remaine in the low Countreys.

Mr. Iohnson and his company are now accursed and avoided by Mr. Ainsworth and his company;Pro…hare schisme. p. 63. Mr. Ainsworth and his company excommunicated by Mr. Iohnson, and his company.

Mr. Smith and his company are rejected both of Mr. Iohnson and Mr. Ainsworth,

Mr. Robinson and his company holding Mr. Iohnson and his to be in apostacy.

And Mr. Iohnson him again for taking part in his Schisme against him,Propha…e schisme. page 64. and by this reckoning, where is almost one of them free from the curse? As for those stragling Brownists that walke alone; as they avoyd all, so they are avoyded and rejected by p. 72all the …: is not this (saith my Author) a cursing and a cursed Sect.

23. Schisme a great sinne.23. Schisme a great sinne.

I Ccould by way of counsell advise the…e Separatists who forsake the Church to consider how great a sin Schisme is, viz. greater than murther; a murther killeth one man or two, but a Schismatick goeth about, as much as in him lyes, to destroy the Church of God.

To depart from the Church of England, is a departing from the Church of God: let them consider, the Church of Corinth had many faults in it, as many as the Church of England hath, & as great ones too; & yet was Gods Church for their faults. St. Paul b…ames some there for their civill jars impetuously, they traffering them and their suits to the Courts of Infidels, 1 Cor. 6. 7. Others for their wicked connivence and indulgence towards the incestuous, 1 Cor. 5. Others for their vile prophanenesse in their sacred Assemblies, 1 Cor. 11. 32. Yea, others for heresie, 1 Cor. 15. Would any Brownist think this to be the Church of God, but a Synagogue of Satan? If our Apostle were alive now, (in which more light hath appeared) he should be taught by Father Browne and his Disciples, to give the Church of Corinth a new Title, and not Paulan Apostle of Iesus Christ to the Church of God in Corinth. But the example of Christ himselfe writing to the seven Churches of Asia may be our best direction, charging five of them with severall faults, and with crimes of a large size, yet he doth call them Churches.

Moreover, is not the forsaking the Church of God, a forsaking of God himselfe.

And lastly▪ is not excommunication one of the greatest punishments of the world, by which a man is cast out of the Church? St. Paul cals it a giving to the devill: and doe not they in their separation cast themselves out of the Church, and give themselves to the devill?

p. 7324. How these Sectaries have been punished.

FIrst, Brown their Patriarke was taken and laid in the Gaol, and his disciples were made to f…ve; Bolton, whom some would make their Author, dyed as Iudas did;aaHowes Chro…. p. …65▪ He…r. Barrow, Gent. Iohn Greenwood Clerk, two of the Authors of this opinion, that set Prayers are abominable; Daniel Studley Girdler, Saxio Billet, Gent. Robert Bowlie Fish-monger, were indicted of Felony at the Sessions Hall without New-gate, London, before the Lord Major, and the two Lord chiefe Justices of both Benches, and sundry of the Judges and other Commissioners of Oyer and Term…ner. The said Barrow and Greenwood, for writing sundry seditious seditious Books, tending to the slander of the Queens Majesty and State: Studley, Billet▪ and Bowly for publishing the said Books, on the 23. day of March they were all arrigned at New-gate, and found guilty, and had judgement: Henry Barrow and Iohn Greenwood on the last of March were brought to Tiburne in a Cart and carried backe againe, and were afterwards hanged on the sixt day of April.

And about the same time one Penrie, How. Ch…on. p. 766.a Welch-man, a principal penner and publisher of a Book called Martine Marprelate, was apprehended at St…bben-hea…h, and commited to …: in the monethmonth of May he was a…raigned at the King… Bench at Westminister, condemned of Felony, and af…erwards conveyed from the Gaole of the Kings Bench in Southwarke to St. Thomas Waterings, and there hanged: Elias Thack…r was hanged at St. Edmonds-bury in Suffolk on the fourth of …: and Iohn Copping on the first of the same mo…eth, for spreading of certain seditious books penned by one Robert Brown against the Book of Common-prayer established by the Laws of the Realm, their books as many as could be found, were burnt before them; Examples how this Sect was supprest in Queene Elizabeth … many. They that would know more of p. 74these Sectaries, let them read these books following.

First, a book called a discovery of Brownisme, or a briefe Declaration of the errors and … dayly practised & encreased among the English company of the separation, remaining at this present at Amsterdam in Holland, by Mr. White.

A Book called the raising of the foundation of Brownisme, by S. B. Printed by Henr. Windet. 1588.

A plaine Decla…ati…n that our Brownists be full Donatists, by comparing them together from po…nt to point, out of the writings of St. Augustine, by George Gifford Minister of Gods Word at Malden.

An Apology of the Church of England against the Brownists, written by Doctor Hall now Lord Bishop of Norwich.

Master Bernards Separatists Schisme.

The prophane Schisme of the Brownists or Separatists, with the impyety, dissentions… lewd and abominable vices of that impure Sect, discovered by Christopher Lawne, Iohn Fowler, Clement Sanders, and Robert Bulward.

Item, A book called the shield of defence: written against Master de le Cluse, in defence of Mr. Brightman. Printed 1612.

25. Mr. Tho. Scots description of a Brownist.25. Sco…s description of a Brownist.

THe Cameleon is in England a F…milist, at Amsterdam a Brownist.

He lives by the ay…e, & there he builds Castles and Churches; none on the earth will please him: he would be of the triumphant and glorious Church, but not of the …errene militant Church, which is subject to storms, deformities, and many violences and alterations of time: he must finde out Sir Tho. Moores Utopia, or rather Plato's Community, and be an Elder there. In this poynt, and in that of resisting Civill Governours, he seems the same with the Romish Catholike. But they are tyed only by the tiles, like Sampso…s …oxes, their heads like …anus, look divers wayes: they are Boute…ews, & carry betwixt them a fire-brand p. 75to enflame all Christendome: they have in their imaginations an Idea of such a Church, and such keyes as the Romanists madly boast they possesse, but they will not have them the same, not to resemble their foolish Alchymists: they are both seeking a Philosophers stone, and neglecting the true Elixa… the corner-stone; they boast to build gold on the foundation, when what they dawbe on is adulterate stuffe besides the foundation: they begger themselves in seeking for wealth abroad, whilst at home they neglect that pearle of inestimable price, for which the wise Merchant gives all that he is worth. If ever I could heare Papist clear the Pope from being Antichrist, and prove he must be one singular person, I would then beleeve that he should not spring from a Jew of the Tribe of Dan, as they Fable, but from a promiscuous conjuction betwixt two Fugitives to Amsterdam and Rome.

26. Of the Semi-separatists.26 Of the Semiseparat…sts.

THese halt between two opinions, they are neither wholly for the Separation, nor wholly against it. Master Iacob is said to have been of this Sect called Iacobites; and therefore in his writings we finde that he mis-liked our Church-government: but in his Declaration hee affirmeth; Although (saith he) I know they of the Separation be very far from being so evill, as commonly they are held to be: yet I deny not but in some matters they are straiter then I wish they were. Howsoever in the poynt of Separation, I for my part never was, nor am separated from all publike communion with the Congregations of England. I acknowledge therefore that in England are true visible Churches and Ministers accidentally, yea such as I refuse not to communicate with: for his comming to our Church, I heard once a Minister complaine to me of Doctor Bancroft Bishop of London, for not doing that Justice that he would have had him to doe upon Mr. Iacob, of whom he had complained, (as far as I remember) for not kneeling at the Communi…n▪ p. 76This … having prosecuted his complaint, and finding nothing done against Mr. Iacob, went to the Bishop, telling him wh…t a great deale of paines he had taken in vaine, and asking of the Bishop what he would counsell him to doe, who bid him goe home and trouble not himself…, but leave such things to his Church-wardens.

There is a sort of Semi-separatists, that will heare our Serm…ns, but not our Common-prayers; and of these you may see every Sunday in our streets, sitting and standing about our doores; who when the Prayers are done rush into our Churches to heare our Sermons.