Not Lawful to Hear of Have Spiritual Communion With the Church of England, Reason 1

Not Lawful to Hear of Have Spiritual Communion With the Church of England · Reason 1

The firſt Reaſon.

ALl are bound in the worship of God to hear and communicate onelyonly with that Miniſterie which Chriſt hath given, and ſet in his Church, for that work.

But the preſent Miniſterie of the Church-aſſemblies of England is not that which Chriſt hath given, and ſet in his Church, for the work of his Miniſtery.

Therfore it is not lawful for any in the worship of God to hear or communicate with the preſent Miniſtery of the Church-aſſemblyes of England.

The proof and declaration of this Reaſon, in the ſeveral parts thereof.

THe Propoſition or firſt part of the Reaſon is evident and certayn: 1. Becauſe Chriſt hath given his Miniſterie to his Church, as a fruit and confirmation of his aſcenſion into heaven, whoſe gift therfore cannot therin be refuſed without denying or derogating from the truth and benefit of that his aſcenſion. Ephe. 4.8,—12. with Pſ. 68.18. 1 Cor. 12.4. Rev. 1.13.16.17.18.20.

2. Becauſe he hath ſet his Miniſterie in his Church, as Lord and King therof, whoſe appointment therefore p. 2may not be altered or diſobeyed. 1 Cor. 12.5.28. with Heb. 3.5.6. & 9.10.11. Mal. 1.6. Luk. 6.46. and 19.27. Col. 4.17. 1 Theſſ. 5.12. Rev. 1.5.13.16. & 22.18.19.

3. Becauſe he buildeth and worketh by and in his owne Miniſterie, as God, who is gracious and powerful, working all in all, to whom therfore in his worſhip all ſubmiſſion and obedience is to be yeelded in his own Miniſterie onelyonly, and in no other whatſoever. 1. Cor. 12.6.28. with Heb. 3.3.4. 1 Theſſ. 4.8. 1 Tim. 3.1,—15. Rev. 1.8.16.20. and 2.1. & 3.1.14.

4. Becauſe to his owne Miniſterie onelyonly, he calleth his people and promiſeth his preſence and bleſſing: ſo as in rejecting it & admitting another, men do (as much as in them lyeth) reject and refuſe his bleſſed preſence, and deny the obedience which they ow vntounto him. Mat. 28.20. Luk. 10.16. Ioh. 13.20. 1 Tim. 3.1.15. & 6.3.4.5.13.14. Rev. 2.1. and 3.1. with Lev. 26.11.12.15.16. Deut. 33.10.11. Iſa. 62.6.7.8. Ier. 3.15. Zach. 14.20.21. 2 Theſ. 2.3.4.10.15.16.17. Rev. 22.18.19.20.

THe Aſſumption or latter part of the Reaſon, is proved thus:

The Miniſterie which Chriſt hath given and ſet in his Church, is of Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors, and Teachers, ſpoken of Epheſ. 4.11.12.

But the preſent Miniſterie of the Church of England is none of thoſe, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.12.

Therfore it is not the Miniſterie which Chriſt hath given and ſet in his Church.

The Propoſition is playn and vndenyable. The Aſſumption is ſhewed thus:

p. 3The preſent Miniſtery of the Church of Engl. is of Prelates, Prieſts, and Deacons:

But neyther the Prelates, Prieſts, nor Deacons of that Church be Apoſtles, Prophets, Evangeliſts, Paſtors or Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.12.

Therfore the preſent Miniſtery of that Church is none of thoſe, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.12.

The Propoſition is manifeſt by their Law, & conſtitution. The Law of that Church eſtabliſheth not nor admitteth any other Miniſtery, but that of their Prelacy Prieſthood and Deaconry, received among themſelves or from the Papiſts. Their conſtitution is ſuch, as al the Miniſters of that Church muſt be Prieſts or Deacons. And theſe alſo eyther in a ſuperiour degree, as the Prelates, the Lordbiſhops, Archbs, Suffraganes, &c. or in an inferiour, as the Parſons, Vicars, Stipendaries, Chapleynes, &c.

The Aſſumption is thus proved:

And firſt concerning the three firſt ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

The offices of the Apoſtles, Prophets, and Evangeliſts, were extraordinary & the chiefeſt appointed by chriſt, for ſpecial imploymēt, in laying the foundatiō of the chriſtiā church & religiō through the world, preaching the Goſpel every where, erecting the kingdom of God in al nations, opening & foretelling the things revealed vntounto them by the holy Ghoſt, planting the Primitive Churches, and ſetling them in the faith and ordinance of Ieſus Chriſt which ſhould continue to the end of the world, &c.

But ſuch are not the offices of the Prelates, Prieſts, or Deacons of the Church of England.

p. 4Therfore they are not the Apoſtles, Prophets, or Evangeliſts, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

More particularly:

The Apoſtles ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. were ſuch, as every one of them had & were to have theſe properties, That with their eyes they had ſeen the L. Ieſus, 1 Ioh. 1.1. 1 Cor. 9.1. and 15.7.8.9. Act. 10.39.40.41. That by him immediately they were appointed to that office, Mat. 28.18.19. Act. 1.2.24 25.26. with Prov. 16.33. Gal. 1.1. That of him (and not of man) they received the doctrine and commandements which they delivered to the Churches, Mat. 28.20. Act. 1.2. & 4.13. Gal. 1.12. & 2.6. &c. That they were ſent into the whole world to preach the Goſpel to everie creature, to the Iewes and Gentiles of all nations, Mat. 28.19.20. Mar. 16.15. Rom. 15.19. Act. 9.15. and 13. and 14 chap. &c. That as Maiſter-builders they layd the foundation which ſhould alway continue to the end, Math. 28.19.20. with 1 Cor. 3.10.11. Ephe. 2.20. & 4.11.12.13. Rev. 21.14. That they ſhould all be of equall authority, Mat. 20.25.26.27. 2 Cor 12.11. Gal. 2.9. Rev. 21.14. That they were filled with the gifts of the holy Ghoſt, with variety of tongues, ability to prophecy, power to work miracles, and to ſhew vndoubted argumēts of their Apoſtleſhip, &c. Act. 2. & 3. & 4. & 5. ch. &c. with Ioh. 16.13 & 20.21.22. 1 Cor. 14.18. & 2 Cor. 12.11.12.

But ſuch are not the Prelates Prieſts or Deacons in the Church of England.

Therfore they are not the Apoſtles, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. And Paul ſayth, that God ſet forth him and Barnabas the laſt Apoſtles, appointed to death, &c. 1 Cor. 4.9. If they were the laſt, how ſhal we now look for any mo after them? Or if any wil yet ſo think of themſelves or others, we may be ſure the tryall of them by the word of God p. 5wil evince them to be ſuch as the Church of Epheſus foūd to be lyars, which ſaid they were Apoſtles, but were not to in deed. Rev. 2.2.

The Prophets, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. were ſuch as (with the Apoſtles) had the Goſpel revealed vntounto them by the Spirit, and delivered it for the foundation of the Chriſtian Churches and religion, and by ſpeciall revelation opened & applyed the Scriptures of the former Prophets, and in waighty caſes foretold things to come, as by the holy Ghoſt was ſhewed vntounto them. Epheſ. 3.5. and 2.20. with 4.11.12. 1 Cor. 12.28. Act. 11.28. and 21.10.11.

But ſuch are not the Prelates Prieſts or Deacons of the Church of England.

Therfore they are not the Prophets, ſpokē of Ephe. 4.11.

The Evangeliſts, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. were ſuch as having appointment & direction by the Spirit or the Apoſtles, preached the Goſpel abroad, and brought the Churches to a ſetled eſtate, according to the order preſcribed them by the Apoſtles, whoſe companions and aſſiſtants they were, going whither they ſent them, and returning whither they would have them. Act. 21.8. with chap. 8.5.12.26 29.30.35.39.40. 2 Tim. 4.5.9.10.11. with Rom. 16.21. 1 Cor. 4.17. and 16.10. 2 Cor. 1.1.19. Phil. 2.19.22. 1 Theſ. 3.2.6. 1 Tim. 1.2.3. &c. and with Act. 16.1.3, and 17.14.15. and 18.5. and 19.22. and 20.4. Col. 4.10.11. with Act. 15.39.40. Tit. 1.4.5. and 3.12. with 2 Cor. 8.23.

But ſuch are not the Prelates Prieſts or Deacons of the Church of England.

Therfore they are not the Evangeliſts, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

The Propoſitions of theſe particular reaſons are evident p. 6by the ſcriptures annexed vntounto them.

The Aſſumptions are ſo playne as they need no proof at all. And if any would deny them, they ar bound themſelves to ſhew the contrary by the Scriptures: Which none can ever do.

Now as the Prelates Prieſts & Deacons of the church of England are not Apoſtles, Prophets, or Evangeliſts, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. ſo neyther are they Paſtors or Teachers there ſpoken of by the Apoſtle. Which now we wil alſo prove.

But firſt (for further clearing of the truth and better diſcerning of their eſtate) it is to be obſerved here, that albeit themſelves take it for granted that they have theſe offices in their Church, yet they neyther have agreed nor can agree among themſelves who they be that have them; whether the prelates, or the other prieſts, &c. but are at a great jarre and in deed at a playne contradiction among themſelves hereabout. Many of the Prelates and Formaliſts ſay,**Bridges, Bilſon &c. that their Archbishops and Bishops are Paſtors & Teachers; Some of them ſay,‖‖Whitgift againſt T.C. p. 137. Andr. in the 2. Confer. with M. Barrow. that a Bishop is ſuperior both in office and gifts to a Pastor. Many of the Reformiſts ſay, that ‡‡Mr. Sperin; M. Egerton, in the Confer. M. Hilderſ. M. Iacob, in their writings.the learned and painful Parſons of Parishes and Lecturing preachers among them are Paſtors and Teachers; Others of them ſay,††Mr. Chaderton in the Sermon on Rom. 12. p. 33. &c. Admon to the Parliam. 1. & 2.Rom 12 they want Paſtors and Teachers and all the offices appointed by Chriſt to his Church; that the Prelates robbe the Church of of lawful Paſtors Elders and Deacons; that their Parſons, Vicars, Parish Prieſts, Stipendaries, and the reſt, came from the Pope as out of the Troiane horſes belly to the deſtruction of Gods kingdome; that they are the Prelates new creatures; and that the Church of God never knew them. And all the ſeekers of Reformation have ſhewed to the Parliament heretofore, that the names and offices of Archbishops, Archdeacons, Lordbishops, and the reſt, p. 7are together with their government drawen out of the Popes shop, and contrary to the Scriptures; that the Parſons, Vicars, Parish— prieſts, and Stipendaries, be birds of the ſame fether; and that …hey have an Antichriſtian hierarchie and popish ordering of Miniſters, ſtrange from the word of God and the vſe of all well reformed Churches in the world. Thus are themſelves confounded, and thus are their tounges divided. Yet ceaſe they not ſtill to plead for Baal, and to bring balme for the ſore of Babel, which cannot be healed. Ier. 51.8.9.58.64. with Rev. 18. chap.

And now to proceed, we wil ſhew by the Scriptures, that none of the Miniſters of that Church have the office of Paſtors or Teachers ſpoken of by the Apoſtle, Ephe. 4.11. which we prove thus:

1. The Paſtors and Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. have their offices, callings, adminiſtration, and maintenance ordeyned by Chriſt in his Teſtament.

But the Prelates Prieſts & Deacons of the Church of England have not their offices, callings, miniſtration & maintenance ordeyned by Chriſt in his Teſtament.

Therfore the Prelates Prieſts & Deacons of the church of England are not Paſtors & Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

The truth of the Propoſition appeareth by that place of Ephe. 4.8.11.12. & Rom. 12.7.8. Act. 14.23. and 20.…7.28. Heb. .5.4. Col. 4.17. 1 Theſ. 5.12.13.14. 1 Pet. 5.….2.3. Rev. 2. and 3. chap. and 22.18.19. 1 Cor. 4.1.2. and ….4.5. and 9.14. and 11.23.24.25.26. and 12.28. Gal. 6.…. and throughout the Epiſtles to Timothee and Titus: with other …ike Scriptures.

The truth of the Aſſumption appeareth by their conſtitution p. 8and practiſe, inaſmuch as their offices of Prelacy, Prieſthood, & Deaconry; their calling & entrance according to their Pontificall and Book of conſecrating Biſhops and Archbiſhops and ordering Prieſts and Deacons, as alſo that which ſome of them pretend to have by the ‡‡Mr. Hilderſ. letter ſect. 10. Mr. Iacobs compariſon of Mariage and Paſtorall calling. His Reaſons for neceſsity of reformation. pag. 50. Offer of Conference. pag. 39.choiſe acceptance and conſent of their people, who ſtand themſelves vnderunder Antichriſt, and vnſeparated from the world, and are no true viſible Churches of Chriſt; their miniſtration by their owne and other popiſh Canons, Articles, Injunctions, and Book of cōmon prayer; their Maintenance by Tithes, Lordſhips, &c. were never ordeyned by Chriſt for his Miniſterie of the Goſpell, but derived from Antichriſt and his apoſtaſie, as hath been proved**The Diſcovery. The Refutation of Mr. Giff. Anſw. to Mr. Hilderſ. And to Mr. Iacob. The Apologie, &c. by vsus in divers Treatiſes publiſhed heretofore. And if they ſtill be otherwiſe mynded, it lyeth vponupon them to ſhew that Chriſt in his Teſtament hath appointed theſe their offices & things aforeſaid for his Miniſterie. Which none of them have yet done, nor ever wilbe able to do.

2. Againe, The Miniſterie of Paſtors & Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. is the ordinarie and perpetual miniſterie given by Chriſt to his Church, & ſuch as the Princes of the earth neyther may nor ever ſhalbe able to aboliſh, ſeing Chriſt hath appointed it to continue to the end of the world. Epheſ. 4.11.12.13. Rom. 12.5.7.8. and 13.3. Heb. 12.28. 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17. and 6.13.14. with Mat. 28.20.

But the Prelacy Prieſthood & Deaconry of the church of England, is not the ordinarie and perpetual Miniſterie given by Chriſt to his Church, but ſuch as the Princes of the earth may and ought to aboliſh out of their Dominions. Rev. 17.16. 1 Tim. 2.2. Rom. 13.4. with 1 King. 23. p. 9…. &c. Deut. 12.2.3.4. Pſal. 72.1. &c.

Therfore the Prelacy Prieſthood and Deaconry of the Church of England is not the Miniſterie of Paſtors and Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

3. Alſo, The offices of Paſtors & Teachers ordeyned by Chriſt in his Teſtament, are ſuch as did and could …tand with and vnderunder the offices of Apoſtles Prophets & Evangeliſts, Ephe. 4.11. Act. 15.4.6.22.23. & 20.17.28. Heb. …3.7.17.23. Epiſt. to Tim. & Tit. 1 Pet. 5.1. Rev. 2. and 3. chap.

But the offices of the Prelates Prieſts and Deacons of …he Church of England, are not ſuch as did or could ſtand …ith or vnderunder the offices of Apoſtles Prophets & Evange…ſts. Which if any deny, let them ſhew the contrary …y the ſcriptures. Light hath no fellowſhip with darknes, nor Chriſt with Antichriſt. [And ſuppoſe the Apoſtles were alive in their perſons (as they are in their writings) and were in England, it were worth the knowing whether they and the ordinances given by them ſhould give place to the Prelates and their Canons and conſtitutions, and whether they ſhould be ſuffred to preach the Goſpel and miniſter the Sacraments without acknowledging the Prelates authority, ſubſcribing to their Articles, wearing of the Surplice, ſigning with the Croſſe in Baptiſme, &c. for if we look to their**Canons of the yeare, 1603. Can. 6.7.14 30.36.37.50.57.58 &c. Canons, Lawes, practiſe, and Church-conſtitutiō, theſe tel all men playnely, they muſt yeeld vntounto thē, & that vnderunder payne of excōmunicatiō ipſo facto, &c. Not to ſpeak of their impriſoning, & perſecuting of ſuch as witnes the truth againſt them evē vntounto death.]

Therfore they are not the Paſtors and Teachers ordeyned by Chriſt in his Teſtament.

4. Moreover, The offices of true Paſtors and Teachers, are by the ordinance of Chriſt ſet in the Church, p. 10and employed in the Miniſtery of the word and Sacraments and Church goverment, ſo as they may not (with their eccleſiaſtical functiōs) receiv civil offices & callings, nor take vntounto them princely titles & dignityes. Ephe. 4.11.12.13. 1 Pet. 5.1.2.3.4. Rom. 12.7.8. 1 Cor. …2.5.8.28. 1 Tim. 4.13.15.16. 2 Tim. 2.4. Luk. 12.14. and 22.25.26.

But the offices of the Prelates Prieſts and Deacons of the Church of England, are not ſo: but by their own conſtitution are ſet in that Church, and employed in the Miniſterie of the word Sacraments & Church government, ſo as they may alſo (together with their eccleſiaſtical functions) receive civill offices and callings, (as to be Iuſtices of peace, County palatines, Lords of the Counſel, &c.) & take vntounto them Princely titles and dignityes (as of Grace, Lordſhip, &c.). Which al men ſee and know to be thus.

Therfore they are not true Paſtors and Teachers.

5. Againe, The Miniſtery of Chriſtian Paſtors & Teachers, ſtandeth by the word and ordinance of Chriſt, ſo as al Churches vnderunder heaven are bound to receive & ſubmit therevnto, and to no other whatſoever. Epheſ. 4.11.12.13. Rom. 12.5.6.7.8. 1 Cor. 12.5.28. 1 Tim. 3. chap. and 5.17. and 6.13.14.

But the Prelacy Prieſthood & Deaconry of the Church of England ſtandeth onelyonly by the authority and Law of man, ſo as other Churches els where neyther ar nor need to be ſubject therevnto. Which even themſelves of all ſorts have acknowledged. For which, ſee, Whitgifts Defence in the Preface. The Anſwer to the Abſtract, pag. 58. The Admon to the Parliam. The Defence of godly Minist. The Demonſtration, &c.

Therfore their Prelacy Prieſthood & Deaconry is not the Miniſtery of Chriſtian Paſtors and Teachers.

p. 116. Furthermore, The offices of Paſtors and Teachers which Chriſt hath appointed, are ſuch as they which have them muſt be members of a true viſible Church, and bound to one particular Congregation for the Miniſtery & governmēt therof. Rom. 12.4.5.6.7.8. 1 Cor. 12.5.8.12.18. Act. 14.23. & 20.28. Col. 4.17. Heb. 13.17. 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3, 4.

But the offices of the Prelates Prieſts and Deacons of the Church of England are ſuch as they which have them need not be (neyther in their eſtate can be) members of a true viſible Church, but of a falſe, nor are bound to one particular Congregation for the Miniſterie & governement thereof, but the Prelates are over whole provinces and Dioceſes &c. and the other inferiour Prieſts may have (in that eſtate) plurality of benefices & eccleſiaſticall cures, &c. Which none can deny.

Therefore they are not the Paſtors & Teachers which Chriſt hath appointed.

7. Finally, The offices condition and government of Paſtors and Teachers, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. are ſuch as no way empaire the authority Supremacy or dignity of Kings or any other civil Magiſtrates, eyther in civil or eccleſiaſtical cauſes. Epheſ. 4.11, 12. and Rom. 12.7, 8. with 13.1. & Tit. 1.5, 9. with 3.1. & 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3. with 2.13.14.

But the offices condition & government of the Prelates Prieſts and Deacons of the Church of England, are ſuch as do many wayes empaire the authoritie ſupremacy and dignity of Kings and all other Magiſtrates, both in civill & eccleſiaſticall cauſes. And for an inſtance take theſe particulars, That the Prelates will have their preſence, voyce, & authority to be at Parliaments, for enacting of Lawes & ſtatutes for the cōmon wealth, &c. That they are rulers of whole Provinces & Dioceſes in the eccleſiasticall cauſes therof; That in civill eſtate p. 12and government, ſome of them are above all, and all of them above ſome of the Nobles, Iuſtices, and other Magistrates of the land; That themſelves, their Courts, and officers, handle & determine ſundry civill cauſes and affaires pertayning to the civill Magiſtracy; That they inflict civil mulcts and punishments; That in their forbidden times they give licences to matry, &c. That the beneficed Priests ſweare Canonical obedience to the Prelates; That all the Prieſts and Deacons are exempt from the Magiſtrates iuriſdiction in divers things apperteyning vntounto them, and anſwerable onelyonly or chiefly to the Prelates and their Officers, &c.

Therefore they are not the Paſtors and Teachers ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11.

And to this end might divers other reaſons be alledged from particular conſideration of theſe ſeverall offices. As for example, if any for the Prelates would perſwade, that their Archbiſhops have the Paſtors office, then would it follow that they have but two Paſtors in the land, becauſe they have but two Archbiſhops. Or if they ſay, the Lordbiſhops be Paſtors, then have they but ſixe and twenty or thereabout: and what office then have the Archbiſhops above them?

If others ſay, the Prieſts (whether Parſons, Vicars, or Stipendaries) be Paſtors, then let them tell vsus what office their Archbiſhops & Lordbiſhops have amōg them, ſeing Chriſt hath appointed in his Church no ordinarie eccleſiaſticall office for any one perſon, greater then the Paſtors; nor ſet the Paſtors one of them above another in any reſpect of Miniſtery power or government, but made them all equall therein. Rev. 2.1.8.12.18. and 3.1.7.14. with Epheſ. 4.11, 12, 13. Act. 20.17.28. 1 Tim. 5.17. 1 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3, 4. and Luk. 22.24.25, 26, 27.

p. 13And thus much is acknowledged and publiſhed alſo by ſome of themſelves, both heretofore in divers of their books, and now of late in an Offer of conference about certayne Propoſitions, which they offer to mainteyne againſt the Prelates: Among which are theſe, namely, **Offer of Conference, p. ….That the Paſtor of a particular Congregation is the higheſt ordinarie eccleſiaſticall Officer in any true conſtituted viſible Church of Chriſt; That it is the office of every true Paſtor to teach and to governe ſpiritually onelyonly one Church or Congregation immediately vnderunder Christ; That it is ſimply vnlawful for any Paſtor vnderunder the new Teſtament to be alſo a civil Magistrate; That the Office and calling of Provinciall and Dioceſan Prelates is contrary to the word of God; &c.

Furthermore, if any would ſay, their Deacons have the Paſtors office, the ſame abſurdity followeth as in the former: and this moreover, that the works of the Deacons office are by the Apoſtles oppoſed to the work of the Miniſtery, wherein the Paſtors office is employed. Act. 6.2.3.4. with Ephe. 4.11.12. Rom. 12.8.

Likewiſe if they would ſay, they have the Teachers office, it would be knowen whether it be the Archbiſhops, Lordbiſhops, Prieſts, or Deacons, Parſons, Vicars, or Stipendaries, that have it among them; & to whom they are adjoyned for the work of Miniſterie, as‖‖Ephe. 4.11.12. Rom. 12.7.8.Eph 4:11Eph 4:12Rom 12:7Rom 12:8 the Teachers are to Paſtors, ſeing they have none in the office of Paſtors, ſpoken of Ephe. 4.11. as is proved here before; and what office of Miniſtery the reſt of their Prelates Prieſts & Deacons have whom themſelves account not to have the Teachers office; and whether the Teachers ſpoken of Epheſ. 4.11. muſt firſt be Deacons, and then Prieſts, and promiſe obedience to the Prelates, & that alſo as to their Ordinaries, and be ſilenced and depoſed at their pleaſure, &c.

p. 14But of theſe things we have ſpoken in other Treatiſes, to which we refer the Reader. Refut. of Mr. Giff. pag. 104.105.106. &c. Anſw. to Mr Hilderſ. pag. 79.80-87-94. &c. Anſw. to Mr. Iacob. pag. 188. &c.

Now whereas ſome alledge, for warrant of hearing theſe Miniſters, that the people were to hearken to the Scribes and Phariſees ſitting in Moſes ſeat, &c. Math. 23.2.3. it is to be noted, that they were Levites, Prieſts, expounders of the Law, and Iudges of the pleas and controverſies of Iſrael; And therfore had the true offices & ordinances, which the Lord by Moſes did appoint for teaching and governing of that Church: as appeareth both by the phraſe it ſelf of ſitting on Moſes chaire, and by conference of theſe and the like Scriptures, Deut. 10.8. & 17.8,—12. and 33.1.8.10. 2 Chron. 17.8.9. and 19.8,—11. Nehem. 8.4, 8. and 9.3.4.5. with Mat. 22.34.35.41. and 23. chap. Mar. 12.28.32.35. Ioh. 1.19.24. and 3.1.10. Act. 5.34. This then is nothing at all for any falſe Miniſterie, never ordeyned by the Lord: ſuch as the preſent Miniſterie of the Church of England is proved to be.

Beſides, to be a Phariſee, was not to have a new kind of Miniſterie, but to be of a ſpeciall ſect among the Iewes that pretended more ſtrict obſervation of the Law then others did. Act. 15.5. and 26.5. And they were of any of their tribes, or of the proſelyte Gentiles: as may be ſeen in Paul, who was a Phariſee, of the tribe of Benjamin, Phil. 3.5. Act. 23.6. and in them that were ſent to Iohn Baptiſt, who were Phariſees of the tribe of Levi, being Prieſts and Levites, Ioh. 1.19.24. and in the Proſelyte Gentiles, brought ſo to be by the Scribes and Phariſees, ſpoken of Mat. 23.15.

And further, although they were verie corrupt and vngodly p. 15(notwithſtanding all the pretence they made) ſo as Chriſt taught his diſciples**Mat. 16.6.12. and 23. chap. Luk 12.1.Matt 16:6Matt 16:12Matt 16:23Luke 12:1 to take heed of the leven of their doctrine, and of their hypocriſy, and wickednes in converſation: yet did they ſtill hold, that every true Miniſtery muſt be from heaven and not of men, and vrged Iohn the Baptiſt to warrant his calling and Miniſterie by the Scriptures: Luk. 20.1-7. with Ioh. 1.19.—27. So far were they themſelves from admitting any falſe miniſtery, not appointed by God and approved in his word.

And this alſo have the forward preachers acknowledged and proved heretofore againſt the Prelates: as appeareth by their owne words, ſaying,‖‖T. C. firſt reply pag. 83. The miniſterie is by the word of God and heavenly, and not left to the will of men to deviſe at their pleaſure: as appeareth by that which is noted of Iohn, where the Phariſees coming to Iohn Baptiſt, after that he had denyed to be eyther Chriſt, or Elias, or another Prophet, **Ioh. 1.23.John 1:23conclude: If thou be neyther Chriſt, nor Elias, nor of the Prophets, why baptizeſt thou? Which had bene no good argument, if S. Iohn might have ben of ſome other function then of thoſe which were ordinarie in the Church and inſtituted of God. And therefore he to eſtablish his ſingular & extraordinarie functiō, alledgeth the word of God: whereby appeareth, that as it was not lawfull to bring in any ſtrange dostrine, ſo was it ‖‖Note.not lawfull to teach the true doctrine, vnderunder the name of any other function then was inſtituted by God. Let the whole practiſe of the Church vnderunder the Law be looked vponupon, and it ſhall not be found that any other eccleſiaſticall miniſtery was appointed, then thoſe orders of hy prieſts and Levites &c. which wer appointed by the law of God. And if there were any raiſed vp extraordinarily, the ſame had their calling confirmed from heaven, eyther by ſignes or miracles, or by playn and cleare teſtimonies of the mouth of God, or by extraordinarie exciting & movings of the Spirit of God. So that it appeareth that the miniſterie of the Goſpell and the functions thereof ought to be from p. 16heaven and of God, and not invented by the brayne of men.

Thus have themſelves written heretofore: and thus doth their owne teſtimonie agree with the word of God againſt their preſent eſtate and their woonted allegations for their continuing therein. But of theſe things alſo we have ſpoken other where: and wil not here further proſecute them. Treatiſe of the Miniſt. of Engl. p. 54.55. &c. Anſw. to Mr. Iacob. p. 195.

The concluſion of all is this, that ſeing the Lord himſelf, aſcending vp on high, hath given offices of Miniſterie to his Church, calling & requiring all his people to heare & have ſpirituall communion with them, & not with any other; and ſeing the preſent miniſterie of the Church-aſſemblies of England cannot be warranted by the word of God to be that which Chriſt hath given, and ſet in his Church, for the work of his Miniſterie, we may not therefore in the worſhip of God heare or communicate therewith, vnderunder any colour whatſoever.