The rasing of the foundations of Brovvnisme Wherein, against all the writings of the principall masters of that sect, those chiefe conclusions in the next page, are, (amongst sundry other matters, worthie the readers knowledge) purposely handled, and soundely prooued. Also their contrarie arguments and obiections deliberately examined, and clearly refelled by the word of God.

To the 104.105.106.

12 The second point, wherin the admonition proueth his vnconstancy, is this: that he once held it a tempting of God, for any that followed his course, to tarry in Eng∣land: and since againe, both himselfe is returned, dwel∣leth heere, heareth our Sermons, and hath by priuate writings counsailed others so to doe. These contrarie courses (I say) considered with this, that notwithstan∣ding hys later practise, the man remayneth of the same iudgement against the English assemblyes, which he helde before, when he passed the Seas, and called hys chickens after hym: let the godly iudge, whether his footesteppes may sauoure of the guiding of Gods spirite, and so argue that same assurance in the con∣science, which the Apostle Paule calleth for in all our actions, yea or no. Hys aunswere for thys is lyke the

former, euen with a cauterized conscience, denying that, which he knoweth to be true. The bare quotations in the admonition made him bold: but he ought to haue remembred, that there might come a day, wherein they should be enlarged, and set downe to his shame. Now, that he prouoked to flee out of England, let these his words be first considered: Therefore thus saith the Lord, I feed not my flocke at Paules Crosse in London, or S. Ma∣ryes in Cambridge, or in your English parishes. O yee my sheepe, goe yee not thither, as though there were my folde, and there I rested, and fed my flocke, for there be Shepheards and flocks also that follow them, whith are not of Christ, for they hold of An∣tichrist. Also he sayth, If in all England or in some more fa∣mous places of England, whether great Cities or Vniuersities, or the Court it selfe, we see not the Kingdome of God maintai∣ned, but persecuted, and the true worship of God refused, a false worship and idoll seruice wilfully suffered, and many Popish abhominations vpheld and established, from thence the Lord doth take away his kingdome, as it is written: The kingdome of God shall be taken from you, and giuen to a nation which shall bring foorth the fruites thereof. Yea, none may continue to preach the truth vnto those, when once they haue boldly testified it, and they put it from them, &c. Afterward he sheweth his mea∣ning more cleerely thus: In Aegipt the whole Church was in bondage, and it wholly departed, yet did Pharao giue leaue there to worship God rightly, but answere was made, it is not meete so to doe in this place: for loe, can we sacrifice the abho∣mination of the Aegyptians before their eyes, and they not stone vs? so also in England, though the Magistrates should giue vs leaue to worship God rightly, yet the true worship and reforma∣tion of the Church is abhomination to the Bishops, and other wicked Preachers and people, and what stirrings and hurly bur∣lyes would they make? but they say, we must abide such troubles. In deede, we must heare them, when we cannot auoyde them, and in auoyding them, we must take heed to hold still a good consci∣ence: but we tempt God, as did many of the Iewes, if when we may go out of Aegipt, and auoide such troubles, we will not, or

murmure against it. Yet if this be not playne ynough, that he vnderstandeth England for Aegipt, let him re∣member where he confesseth, He was accused of false do∣ctrine (by his owne company) because he sayd, that Eng∣land was as Aegipt, both for the outward bondage and oppres∣sion of the Church, by Popish forcing, lawes, and penalties, and for all kinde of wickednesse, and because he sayd they did sinne, which had a full purpose to dwell still in England, when the Lord did call them away, and they had libertie to depart. Now when he accompteth them called away, his owne penne also hath instructed vs, namely, in these his words follo∣wing. Yea though the Magistrate giue them leaue there to dwell as they liked, yet the lawes and disorders abiding still the same, they could not there tarrie. Also in another place: but if it be sayd, what if some desire the truth, must they also be for∣saken? I aunswere, that if they desire the Kingdome, and sell not all they haue to buy it, and the place where it is, and will not come and dwell there (now that was beyond Sea where he was at that time) they are vnworthy thereof. It is come to passe vpon those as it is written, that they desire to see one day of the Sonne of man, and cannot see it. If the whole Church (which you must vnderstand to be those of his iudgement) be persecuted, it ought wholly to flee, and if lawes be made against all, though as yet they be not executed on some, yet the perse∣cution is generall, and they are called away. Now Browne shall doo well to tell vs, what bands of lawes were then so straight, and now relaxed, that they should then flee out of England, as out of Aegipt, and now dwell with vs againe, as in Ierusalem. Till he shew vs this, he must be contented to haue it written as in great letters vpon his forehead: A wauering minded man is vnconstant in all his wayes.

Notes

• Brownes se∣cond contra∣diction proued.
• Rom. 14.5.23.
• Titl. against disordred prea∣ching at Paules &c.

  England by Brownes wri∣tings is Aegipt, but by his pra∣ctise Ierusalem. In the same title.
• Decl. of gathe∣ring and ioy∣ning together of certaine per∣sons, &c.
• Title against disordred preaching at Paules Crosse. &c.