A necessitie of separation from the Church of England, prooved by the nonconformists principles Specially opposed vnto Dr. Ames, his Fresh suit against humane ceremonies, in the point of separation only. Also Dr. Laiton, Mr. Dayrel, and Mr. Bradshaw, are here answered, wherein they have written against us. With a table in the later end, of the principal occurrents in this treatise. By Iohn Canne, pastor of the ancient English church, in Amsterdam.

SECTION. III.

ANd first of the Scriptures. To communicate in a false ministery, is certainly a breach of the second commaundement. For what doe they, but indeed sett vp an idoll, yea and bow downe vnto it, which serve God in, and by, a devised or vsurped ministerie. In Song. 1. 7. 8. The faithfull intreat Christ to be shewed where he, by his ministery, with his spirit, word, seales, censures, &c. feedeth his flock, that there they might place themselves for instruction and government, and not turne aside to the flocks of his companions, that is, the* 1.1 congregations of false Christs and false Prophets, which come in his name saying, I am Christ and deceive many:* 1.2 Againe. Ephraim is joyned to idols, what were they? among other, the new Preists which Ieroboam, ordai∣ned for the high places: what followes? let him alone, that is, have no communiō with him either in his false* 1.3 ministerie, or other idolatrie. Often do the Prophets, Christ, and his Apostles, forbid men to heare those which thrust themselves into ministeriall offices not beeing sent of God and from the Church.

Secondly the reasons. 1. To communicate in a false

ministery is to doe a vaine worship: and therefore vnacceptable altogether to the Lord. 2. In this, men* 1.4 doe abet the party in his sin, and so make it their owne by imputation, and inwrap themselves in the same guilt with the offender. 3. God hath promised no blessing to his word but in his owne ordinance, though I confesse he may, yea and doth grant oft times that, through his infinite goodnesse, which no man can chalendge by an ordinary promise. 4. To doe* 1.5 otherwise, is to rebel greivously against the Lord, and to vphold what in vs lyeth that which the Lord will consume, therefore as no good subject should assist or communicate with any person in the administra∣tion of civil justice to the Kings subjects (no not though he administred the same never so legally, justly, impartially) except the same person had a commission from the King so to doe: so neither ought the sub∣jects of Christs Kingdome, to partake with any person whatsoever in the dispensation of any spirituall ordi∣nance (though in it selfe never so holy) without suffi∣cient warrant and commission from the most absolute and sovereigne King of his Church Christ Iesus. 5. Such as have spirituall communion in a false ministery, doe embrace the bosome of a stranger, and so committ spiri∣tuall whoredome against the Lord. 6. Christ setteth* 1.6 it downe as a property of his sheepe to be observed, that they follow not strangers, but flee from them, for that they know not their voyce.

Thirdly, the Learned generally doe affirme this same thing. Par••••s in his Commentary upon Mathew,

* 1.7 sayth: that all those without doubt, are to be taken for de∣ceivers, who take vpon them the office of teaching without a true calling; and a little after he sayth, that so much being discovered: a Christian must shutt his care against them, and fly from them as from wolves. Musculus on the place sayth the like: One note of a false Prophet is, that he comes, not beeing lawfully called and sent, and whereas Christ bidds us to beware of such, he meanes, sayth he, that we should not heare them, but avoyd them as most certaine* 1.8 plagues. Cope, a learned minister in France, speaketh as much: and gives this reason for it, because they destroy both bodies and soules of as many as either beleeve or reve∣rence them. And thus much is acknowledged of the* 1.9 Papists; For thus they write, whosoever taketh vpon him to preach without a lawfull sending, breaketh in by force or fa∣vour of men, and by humane Lawes, he is a theef and a mur∣derer.* 1.10 And how men are to walke towards them, they shew in another place of that booke: In matter of religion, in praying, reading their bookes, hearing their ser∣mons presence as their service, partaking of their Sacra∣ments, and all other communicating with them in spirituall things, is a great damnable sinne to deale with them. And heere it is to be observed, that M^r. Cartwright on this place in Answere to the Rhem. Test. grants all this to be true.

* 1.11 Other Testimonies I could alleage, but it needs not; For the Nonconformists affirme as much: We may not (say they) adventure to goe vnto him for those things, which he hath no commission to deliver. Another sayth, that whosoever preacheth by an unlawfull calling:

ought not to be heard, although he speaketh the truth, no more then the devill was to be suffered, although he professed Christ. As the firmenesse of the seale, standeth not in the print or forme it maketh: but specially that it be sett on by one that hath authority therevnto: So much more it is in the case of the Sacraments: for to receive the same in a false ministery, is to deny Gods ministery, and to give the glory of* 1.12 it there, where he hath not given it: and to deprive our selves of this comfort; that our hearts may say: Gods solemne* 1.13 voyce speaketh, his solemne hand offereth and giveth, which is here the lively stay of our fayth.

By this it appeareth, that the daunger is marvelous great, to communicate in a false ministery, a man would pull a sore punishment upon his head, if he should have a hand to putt by a Princes lawfull officer (whether Iudge, Mayor, Bayliefe, &c.) and sett up a re∣bel in the roome thereof, and come to him for justice. He that receives in a false ministery denies Gods ministe∣ry, sayth the former Author; And so puts a traitor in his place, and takes the holy things from the handes of a traitor, which is a fearfull transgression, and surely will procure extreame wrath, without true and sound re∣pentance. From all that hath beene before spoken, we may here frame this Argument.

None may heare or joyn in spirituall communion with that ministery, which hath not a true vocation and calling: by e∣lection, approbation, and ordination of that faithfull people, where he is to administer. But the present ministery of the ecclesiasticall assemblies of England hath not a true voca∣tion and calling, by election, approbation, and ordination of a

faithfull people, where they administer. Therefore none may hear or joyne in spirituall communion, with the present mi∣nisterie of the Ecclesiasticall assemblies of England.

Which of the propositions the Nonconformists will deny I know not: but sure I am, they are both Theirs: Howbeit (it may be) they doe not so well weigh their owne principles, as they should; And hence it is, that their practice is not strictly answereable to their pro∣fession, and therefore doe give just occasion (I speake it with greife) unto the Prelates and their Parasites, to insinuate against them, hypocriticall ends, in condem∣ning so greivously the ministery, worship & government of the English Church, and yet to partake in the knowne evills and abuses thereof. But for my part I am other∣wise minded then the Bishops in this thing, and doe thinke, that they doe of conscience condemne the state of that Church: But doe not maturely consider the re∣sponsive conclusions, which follow upon their prin∣ciples.

For which cause I haue written of purpose this treatise, to prove that they cannot justify their Tenets against that Church, and stand members lawfully thereof. Concerning their ministerie, I have shewed before, that by their owne confession it is false, and so not to be joyned with. And if I should here end the point, I thinke every indifferent reader would suffi∣ciently be satisfied. But because I judge the same to be of importance, to justifie a seperation from them: and also that their ministers, are of sundry sorts & degrees, therfore I will speake a little more thereof and prove

further from their writings that every kind & degree of their ministery is false and Antichristian.

* 1.14 According to the Prelates Canons, their ministers are divided into. 3. Heads or orders. Namely Bishops, Preists, and deacons. The first comprehends the superiour, the other two the inferior ministers. What the supe∣rior are, few but know, viz. Archbishops, and Lord∣bishops, against whose courses and callings, whole books have beene written, to manifest the same to be evill and vnlawfull. I shall onely here breifly lay downe some of their passages touching both, referring the reader for more full satisfaction, to that which is publi∣shed at large by them. As for their Bishops if they be as the Nonconformists report of them, surely they are not fitt for Church or common wealth, for they oppose (say they) with tooth and nayle every thing that is good. They* 1.15 have had their hand in all the great evils that hath befallen their Church and state: never any good thing prospered that they put their hand too, the King & state stood never in need, but they allwayes deceived thē: & if oppertunity serve, they will make peace with their head (he meanes the Pope) if it be with the losse of all their heads, if they continue their places: And hence it is that all the professed enimies of state and Church make vse of them to effect their evill ends as David sayd of Goliahs sword, there is none to that, fo sayth the Pope, Spaniard, and Arminian, for overturning of* 1.16 a state, and making havock of a Church, there is none to a Bishop, give them that.

To the same purpose others. They are the greatest and most pestilent enimies that the state hath, and are likely

* 1.17 to be the ruin thereof. Take them for better who will they are no other then a remnant of Antichrists brood, a viperous generatiō, Caterpillers, Moaths, Canker wormes, sonnes of that monstrous Giant the man of sinne, men of bloods, base fel∣lowes, murderous tyrants, vsurpers, time servers, cages of vn∣cleane birds, vnnaturall, false, and bastardly governors, Lordly Epicures, proud, Popish, presumtious, perfidious, Pro∣phane, Paltry, and pernitious Prelates, open enimies to the sincere preaching of the gospell, the scepter of Christs Kingdom, and the glory of the Land, men con∣tented to be bawdes vnto all kind of sinnes, and there∣fore all the professed and notorious, Atheists, Papists, blashemers, adulterers, drunkards, and most infamous per∣sons in the Kingdom are with them, they have further with them the counsell of Achitophel, the courting of Shebna, the roaring and brawling of Goliah, the cruell pride and vanity of Hamon, the flattery of Amaziah, the falshood of Samaiah, and the bloody cunning of Doeg, these wax worse and worse, and growe to a height of iniquity, greiving at the encrease of good men, and persecute nothing more then holinesse, they care not for King, country, nor their own souls, but for a Bishoprick. And therefore if they can by flatteries invectives, whisperings, or other evill courses, keepe the King and counsel, so ignorant and blind as to be firme on their side, they care for no more, to be short, the best of them, in some sort are the worst, because, they hold vp the reputation, of that vnlawfull office and make way for more wicked successours and their traditions.

Much more then this, yea and worse too, is sayd of* 1.18 their Bb. but I passe it over, as blushing to speake it. On∣ly I here thinke of that saying in the Proverbes, when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. It was just so with the Israelites, when Pharaoh sett cruell tas kemai∣sters* 1.19 over them: And it seemes their case is much like unto it: indeed some difference there is, for the Egyp∣tian* 1.20 Lords, onely beate the Lords people; But their Pre∣lates (say they) imprison and kill them also. I should won∣der at such horrible injuries, committed in any com∣mon wealth; but that the scripture sayth, the Kings of the earth shall give their strenght and power to the beast;* 1.21 The truth whereof many can witnesse by wofull expe∣rience: For Princes generally in those dayes, have gi∣ven so much authority unto the Hierarchie, that they have scarse left themselves power to defend many times, the innocent cause of their best subjects, or to punish justly the vilest offender: We would thinke him a man sencelesse, that should give up willingly his weapons into the hand of his enimie; For to doe so, were to be murdered himselfe, and to be accessarie to it: The Bishops are proved to be the greatest enimies that the King and State hath; Surely then (with reve∣rence be it spoken) it is not wisely done, that any power is given unto them. For by this meanes in all likelihood many will be killed: and not in their bodies only, but in their soules also.

But enough of their persons: Let us heare what they speake of their callings: The offices (say they) of Arch-Bishops and Lord Bishops, &c. be rather members and

part of the whore and strumpet of Rome, then of the pure vir∣gin * 1.22 & spouse of the immaculat Lamb. Their calling indeed is meerly Antichristian, false, divelish, contrary to the word of God, taken out of the Popes shop, with their names also; yea it came frō the bottomlesse pit. I say frō heathens, frō darknesse, & the devil, a thing degenerate, and grown out of kind, a humane creature, an addition, an insti∣tution, an ordinance of Kings and Princes; As it began with oppressing the onely lawfull pollicy and administration of the church, so the end of it hath been the most proud and ambitious tyranny that ever was in the world. It is as clear as the light, that they are no brā∣ches of Gods engrafting; their ministery hath no root in Christs testament, but of the earth, new devised, and which can doe no good.

As for the Apostles they never knew them, Syon hath not heard of them, Ierusalem, which is above, will not acknowledge them, and no marvail, for Antichrist, and they are of one, and the same brood and offspring, of one and the same foundation, his rysing was their rysing &c. and their traditions and ceremonies are his,* 1.23 they had them from him, they are installed, after the same manner of Popish Bishops, creäted with the most of the same ceremonies, they are trimmed up with the same trappings, they have the like attendants, the like armes and observancy, they vsurpe the same power & jurisdiction, and exercise the like tyranny over mini∣sters and people. All their principall reasons brought* 1.24 to prove their standing, are the same that Turrianus & other Popish writers alleadg for the Popes supremacy,

as indeed they must stand or fall together. It is evi∣dent therefore, that they are no ministers at all in the * 1.25 church of Christ, but have and doe usurpe and invade the name and seat of the ministery, beeing doubtlesse very theeves, robbers, wolves, and worriers of the Flocks: The Magistrate therefore is to doe to them as our Saviour dealt (Ioh. 2.) in whipping out buyers, and sellers, and mony changers, those might better come into the Temple then these Bishops into the church of God, and had more necessarie use: but they had abused holy things, and made it a den of theeves.

Not only is this barely affirmed of them: but also they doe lay downe many singular arguments and reasons to prove it; To instance these. Those offices and callings are Antichristian, without which all forms of Go∣vernments are perfect, save onely the government of the Kingdome of Antichrist.

But such are the callings of Lord Archbishops and Bi∣shops, as all forme of Governments may be perfect without them, save onely the Antichristian Kingdome where in no case they can be missed. For the Government both of the Church and common wealth can well spare* 1.26 them, and be never a whitt the more unperfect.

Therefore the callings of Archbs. and Bs. doe only belong vnto the Kingdome of Antichrist.

Those Governours are justly called Antichristian, who are* 1.27 assistant to the Pope in his vniversall government.

But Bishops, Archbs. &c. are assistante to the Pope in his vniversall Government.

Therefore Bishops, Archbs. &c. are justly called Anti∣christian.

* 1.28 That ministerry, which all Christian men and women are bound to submitt and yeeld obedience unto, is to be found in the word of God.

But the ministery of Archbishops, Bs. is not to be found in the word of God. Ergo, there ought not to be obedience yeel∣ded to it. He that desires to see the Prelates arguments answered, and soundly refuted, which they alleadge to uphold their vnsanctifyed places and standings. Let him read Mr. Baynes his Diocesans triall, the first and second reply to Doct. Downenams Sermon, M^r. Parkers Eccles. Polit▪ and there he shal receive satisfaction to the full.

* 1.29 Moreover such is their certainty of this thing, that they have often chalenged, yea dared the Prelates vnto disputation: offering to adventure their lives, if the other would but their Bishopricks, to prove that they are neither Pastors nor Teachers, but officers erected against the word of God, the ancient fathers, & the moderne most learned, and godly divines: And the like they speak of Archdeacons, deanes, prebanes, canons, and the whole Hierarchye: of which more hereafter.

If this be so, then by the reasons before shewed, it is evident, and most certaine, that no man can lawfully cōmunicate, at any time, in the ministery of these men, and so much they acknowledge. Why should Gods* 1.30 people of what degree soever subject their neck to a Babilonish yoke, should they not stand fast in the liberty wherein Christ hath set them free? if they sit not in Moyses chayr, why should they heare them? If they bring not a lawfull warrant of their calling,

why should they be obeyed? to heare and obey Christ, coming in his fathers name, and Antichristian Prelates coming in their owne name, cannot subsist together.

But because the thing is allready sufficiently pro∣ved, we will therefore proceed to a second sort of their ministers. Yet by the way I desire the reader to take knowledge of one thing. To weet, that the Noncon∣sormists, by these positions laid downe against their Pre∣lates, doe herein certainly condemne their whole mi∣nistery allowed by the Lawes of the Land: for if the calling and office of their Bishops be (as they say it is) of the earth, false, divilish, Antichristian, &c. Then it followes, that their calling and office, must necessarily be of the same qualitie, nature, and condition, to weet, of the earth, false, divilish Antichristian, which is wholy derived from it, which receives (I say) and takes its life and beeing of it onely: and no where else. For if their Bishops have not a right power in themselves, then can they not transferre it to an other, as the Law saith, nemo potest plus juris transferre in alium, quam sibi competere* 1.31 dignoscatur. No man can give more to an∣other then he hath himselfe. If Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, when they vsurped the Preisthood and Gover∣ment* 1.32 of the Church, should (by that false power which they assumed) have ordained some of the people vnto the Preists office: no doubt all the Israelites which feared the Lord, would have judged their place and standing vnlawfull: and why: because they which made them had no commission from God so to doe: the case of their ministery is just so. And it must needs

be vnlawfull, seeing it is made by them, who like the rebels before named, doe vsurpe the Preisthood and Government of the Church: and therefore have no more authority to give an Ecclesiasticall function vnto any man: then the former had, and so much is testi∣fyed by themselves, for they say that their Priests and Deacons, Bishops and Archbishops, are not made according to the word of God. And they give rea∣sons that it is not lawfull for any one to be ordained by them.

* 1.33 And here I must confesse that the conformists, keepe much better to their grounds then the other doe: for they professe downeright that their ministery is from the Church of Rome: so that if the Popish Bishops, Preists and deacons, be good: theirs are good also, they beeing from them. Now no doubt these men doe wel per∣ceive that their ministery cannot possibly be justified, vnlesse it be by this way of dispute: in this respect their judgment and practice is one, and so far they are to be commended, and I verily thinke, that if they were sure that their ministery brought into the land by the Prelates from Rome is false and Antichristian, as the Nonconformists affirme it to be▪ that many of them would not hereafter ever have any spirituall commu∣nion with it. Truely it would make a man admire, if he should vnderstandly compare together, the wri∣tings of these two companies, touching a church ministery, for in their opinions about it, they are as contrary each to other as light is to darkenes, Christ to Belial, righteousnesse, to unrighteousnes, notwithstanding though

so different in judgment, yet they will communicate together in one ministery, but one of these against knowledge offends surely, and let them look well to it. for to him that knoweth to doe good and doth it not, to* 1.34 him it is sinne, that is, his fault is so much the more, and proportionablie his condemnation shall be without repentance.

* 1.35 We come now to their inferiour ministers, and will begin first with their bare readers: these poore creatures the Nonconformists doe call idle idols, yea bastardly idols, greedy curres, dumb dogs, slayers of the people, wolves, igno∣rant asses, silthy swine, such as are not worthy to live in a well ordered common wealth, foolish sheapheards, vnsaverie salt, good for nothing, but to be cast out to the dunghill, cankers of their Church, a swarme of caterpillers, the trash and riffe∣raffe of their nation, a wofull crew, a ragged regiment, which have even covered the Land like the frogs of Aegypt, leading many thousands with themselves into the ditch. It can hardly be expressed how base and vile* 1.36 these are generally reputed, indeed they are held no better then theeues and murderers, which live by the ruin and spoyle of the people. Somtime ye shall heare them in their pulpits so terribly spoken against, that one would thinke they would rather returne vnto their old former occupation of husbandry, cobling, coo∣••ery, &c. then ever come againe to their Churches or to read, mattens, and evening song. And touching he Prelates they are esteemed as base and contemptible, ••very way for putting such dunsticall and vnlettered ••^r. Iohns in their ministery: I could relate many instan∣ces

of their infamous caryages therein but it is not my purpose to rake into their dung. The Nonconformists have don it sufficiently, in so much as they doe stinke horribly for it in the nostrels of the people. But to our purpose: If things be so, is not the ministery then of such men to be left? Yea surely. A man that is fallen into the hands of theeves & murderers, if by any means he can escape with his life from them, shall therein be justified by the Law of God, of nature, and nations, now by how much a spirituall life is better then a cor∣porall: by so much are they to be commended above the other, which come away from these soule slayers, and place themselves vnder the ministery of true and lawfull Pastors.

And for further proofe of what I say, I desire the reader to marke well, what is sayd first against the cal∣ling of these men. 2. what, against that worke and service which they doe. Their calling, is sayd to be* 1.37 from the Pope a meere human invention, taken vp with∣out any warrant from Gods word, and brought into the Church by the boldnesse of men. And to prove that these are vnlawfull ministers, many reasons are rendered for it. 1. Because they want the very life, essence, and beeing, whereby a minister, is a minister. 2. The common law, Provinciall law, civill law, and statute law, pronounce all with one voyce and consent, that they have no approbation or allowance, no favour or enter∣tainment from them, or by their authority &c. But beeing found culpable they are by definitive sentencs on the part and behoofe of the law, not onely to be

adjudged guilty of voluntary intrusion into the right and possession of others, but also to be punished for* 1.38 taking vpon them offices without any lawfull calling. 3. They can doe nothing, which appertaineth to the charge and office of true and faithfull sheepheards, and therefore justly called idols. For they stand for that, and make shew of that which they are not. 4. It is a like to have no minister at all, as to have an idol in the place of a true minister, yea and in some case it is worse, for those that be vtterly destitute of ministers will be diligent to search for them: But those which have a vaine shadow, doe commonly without further care, content themselves with the same, and so re∣maine they continually deceived, thinking they have a minister when in very deed they have none. For we cannot judge him a dispensator of Gods misteries, that in no wise can breake the bread of life to the fain∣ting and hungring soules, neither thinke we that the sacraments can be rightly administred by him, in whose mouth God hath put no sermon of Exhorta∣tion.* 1.39 5. God rejecteth them and pronounceth that they shall be no ministers to him. Hos. 4. 6. The re∣tayning of such is a manifest token of the vengeance of God against all them which do it. 7. Their name & office is taken only of the Pope that Roman Antichrist, never by God erected in his Church.

Many other reasons they give, to prove them to be vnlawfull and false Officers, not sent of* 1.40 Christ (forall whome he sendeth he furnisheth with gifts) no better then Ie••oboams Preists. And there∣fore

vtterly to be removed, if ever such a reformation be minded as God shall be therby glorified and his Church edified.

If any should object that the Prelates, have layd their hands upon them, and therefore they are ministers. To* 1.41 this the Nonconformists doe answere, that when the Bishop hath laid his hands on them, that then, they are no more ministers then they were before.

But there is no need, to spend much time, to prove* 1.42 these mens ministerie, false and vnlawfull: seeing none will replie for thē, that have any spark of pietie to God, or pittie towards his people: onely some non-residents that keepe poore vnderlings, or greedie Patrons, that would have the light of the gospell die: or poore igno∣rant people that would live at their owne wils, in all licentiousnesse, these happilie would vndertake the plea against Christ, but it were better their tongue should cleave to the roofe of their mouth, then that they should once dare goe about the overthrow of Christs ministerie.

And is not this a ground of separation? yes verely, and if the Nonconformists will stand to it, I will hence prove a necessity to separate from all spirituall communion, with the greatest number of their parish assemblies: and thus I reason.

A dumb ministerie beeing vnlawfull and false, is to be seperated from: their ministers for the greatest part are dumb ministers: therefore it is lawfull to seperate from the greatest part of their ministers. The proposition is manifest and cleare, and I dare say they will not deny it: For be∣sides

the reasons already given, it is confidently by them affirmed that a reading ministery cannot deliver the Lords holy seales vnto the people without great sacrilege, nor the people, receive at the hands of such without dread∣full sinnes, and whosoever listeth to read the place, he* 1.43 shall see many effectuall arguments laid downe by the author to prove it, and this is not the judgment of one alone, but others of them affirme it to be an vnlawfull thing, to joyne with reading ministers in any ministeriall duty, either in praying, or administring* 1.44 the sacraments, and he gives 10 worthy reasons for it.

The assumption I prove also by their owne testi∣mony: For they say, that generally throughout the Land* 1.45 there are six reading Preists to one preacher. Yea others of them doe affirme, that where the Bb. ordaine one minister that can preach, they make twenty that can not; so that there are many thousand churches in England with∣out preachers, (Defenc. Pet. for refor. 130.) and in some shyres, people must goe 14 or 20 miles to heare a Ser∣mon. defenc. Against Bridg. p. 49.

Now, I wish them to consider well of thes things, & to labour what they can for their brethrens delive∣rance out of these spirituall robbers and murderers hands.

He that should come to a deepe pitt or wel, wherein doe lye many people, almost perished, if he should see there, some of them com forth from the rest, would we not judge him an unmercifull and cruell man, if he should rather seeke to cast them in againe, then to help out the other behind in miserie: Such as live under a

dumbe ministerie (by the Nonconformists confession) are in a farre worse case; Therefore I hope here∣after they will give no more carnall counsell, to per∣swade those, which are escaped, to com back into that pitt againe, but rather will seeke to draw out the rest, as their duty is to doe.

Secondly, for the work which these idle readers doe, we shall have a fit place herafter to speak of it. Only by the way, I thinke good to sett downe heere one of their passages, which is, that bare reading of the word, and single service saying, it is bare feeding, and rather an En∣glish* 1.46 Poperie, than a true Christian ministerie; yea it is as evill as playing vpon a stage, and worse too: For players learn their parts without booke, but these (at least many of them)* 1.47 can scarse read within booke; how! is their service saying as bad as stage playing? What, and worse too! truely then it is bad enough▪ and farre be it from the Lords people to heare it. For if they should doe so, they would sacrifice vnto the Lord a corrupt thing, and so be lyable justly to* 1.48 that curse in Malachi.

Thus much for their dumb ministerie. It followes next, that we speak of their parsons, vicars, parish preists, stipendaries, and chaplines. If you will know (say the Nonconformists) whence all these came, we can ea∣sily* 1.49 answere you, that they came from the Pope, as out of the Trojan horses belly to the destruction of Gods Kingdom, It is certaine, that their names and office is wholy* 1.50 from that Roman Antichrist, never instituted, either by Christ or his Apostles. For the church of God never knew them, neither doth any reformed church in the

world know them. These are clouds without raine, trees without fruit, painted sepulchres, full of dead bones, fatted in all abundance of iniquity; Such as seeke not the Lord Iesus, but their owne bellies.

M^r. Bale, in his exposition upon the Revelation,* 1.51 speakes the same, that these are the very names of Blas∣phemie, written upon the Beasts head, against the Lord and his Christ: Their offices are not appointed by the holy Ghost, nor yet mentioned in the scriptures.

Here is enough spoken for the condemnation of their calling, and for the justification of seperation from all communion therewith: From hence I might frame this argument, Whosoever he be that dealeth with the holy thinges of God, and worketh vpon the consciences of men, by vertue of an Antichristian power, office, and calling, him the people of God ought not to receive, or joyne them∣selves vnto. But all the parsons, vicars, Parish Preists, sti∣pendaries, &c. that stand over the church assemblies in Eng∣land, deale with the holy things of God, and worke upon mens consciences, by vertue of an Antichristian power, office, and calling; Therefoee the people of God ought not to receive them, or to joyne themselves vnto them.

The first part of this reason the Nonconformists do yeeld willingly unto, as it is to be seen in a Treatise be∣tweene Mr. Fr. Io. and Mr. Hild, about the ministerie of England: As for the other part, I hope they will not now deny it, seeing they have published it openly and often to the world: yea and many of them suffered greevous persecutions at the hands of the Prelates, for affirming it, and other truths of this nature.

But to keepe them to their owne grounds, in the assumption: I will here lay downe another argu∣ment. If their parsons, vicars, parish Preists, stipendaries &c. Be neither in election nor ordination made ministers agreeablie to Gods word, thē is their ministerie false, vnlaw∣full, Antichristian, and so consequently they deale with the holy things of God &c. As is before sayd. But neither in their election nor ordination are they made ministers accor∣ding to Gods word. Therefore is their ministery false vn∣lawful, Antichristian, &c. Both these propositions I will prove true by their owne writings, of the first thus they say. A due examination of learning and life, going before the free consent of the Church, whome it con∣cerneth: and ordination or laying on of hands by these to whome it appertayneth is so required, as if default be made either in the examination or election, the whole action is disanulled and made voyd. I desire the reader to note* 1.52 well, what they say here: viz. so necessarie is a right election and ordination, to euery Ecclesiasticall office▪* 1.53 that without the same, it cannot possibly be true and lawfull. The same they doe againe affirme, a little be∣fore the place cited. Indeed if their evill had bin onely in life (meaning Popish Preists) or in some principall points of doctrine it were somthing: but their defect is in the very calling: For Christ beeing the doore, and God that ope∣neth to the Pastors that enter by it, and all that enter other∣wise are theeves and murderers.

We have also to prove the minor, their owne testi∣mony, for they say directly that not any one of the* 1.54 forenamed officers are either, proved, elected, called or

ordained according to Gods word, but after the old Popish* 1.55 order, and for this cause, doe confesse that they have not a right ministerie among them.

It was a great fault in Pharaoh, when he had given his consent vnto the Israelites, that they should freely depart out of Aegypt, and goe vnto Canaan according to Gods appointment, that he should afterward vse all the meanes he could to gett them back into their for∣mer miserable servitude: I haue shewed by the Non∣conformists grounds, that our seperation from their mi∣nistery is with their leave and approbation: and there∣fore they doe not well to seeke our bondage and mi∣sery again, the same thing we shall prove, touching their worship, Government, and Church, in order and place.

If therefore they would have vs in earnest, returne vnto them: Let them first by the Scriptures justify the things which they haue condemned, I say refute their owne bookes, and build againe the thinges which they have destroyed: and when they have made themselves transgressors: if we be not able by Gods word to prove that the things, which we refraine from, are every way as evill as they have testified, we will (by his grace) acknowledge our error and re∣turne againe vnto them, in the meane while we shall judge wel of our order and manner of walking: and put vp our dayly petitions, vnto the father our of Lord Iesus C. in behalf of all Gods elect yet in Babilon, that they may com out from that vnholy state, and doe the Lords worke in his owne way.

It remaines to speake now of their deacons office,

the which (as the rest before) is wholy condemned of the Nonconformists. For they ••say, that those ordained deacons in their Church, Never purpose in their life, to execute any part of a deacons office, neither are chosen for that end: but onely that within a short time after they may be made Preists: nothing in the world, differing from* 1.56 the superstition of popery: where the office of a deacon was conferred onely as a step vnto Preisthood, as though it were necessarie, that every one which is ordained an elder should first be deacon, and yet when he is made a deacon, he is but an idoll, yea scarse an idol of a deacon, having noresemblance at all vnto a deacon indeed, but that he is a man. This pro∣phaning* 1.57 of Gods institution, God will not allwayes suffer vnpunished, especially when it is not maintained of igno∣rance or infirmity, but defended against knowledge & vpon* 1.58 willfulnesse. Others of them doe affirme the like: That they have thrust vpon them a counterfeyt and Po∣pish deaconship, a meere humane institution: Foolish, and made according to Antichrists Canons, without any ground for it out of the Scriptures, nothing like the ordinance of God for the releefe of the poore. And therefore they have desired that it might be vtterly abolished and taken a way.

That a man from those principles may inferre a law∣full separation, from all spirituall communion in the ministerie of their English deaconship, I think every one (if he vnderstand what a principle is) will freely grant it. But if there be any that beleeves the former posi∣tions to be true, and yet will vndertake to prove by Gods word that it may warrantably be joyned with,

I shall be willing to read what he can say herein; pro∣mising (if I live) either to yeeld, or reply againe, accor∣ding to the worth or weaknesse, which I shall see to be in the writing for the thing: And because he may not want matter to begin with, I will lay downe this argument for him.

If the present deaconry of the Church assemblies of En∣gland be a meere human institution, and no ordinance of God, but an office taken onely of the Pope, that Roman Anti∣christ, &c. Then it is not lawfull in the worship of God to have any spirituall communion therewith. But the present deaconry of the Church assemblies of England, is a meere human institution, and no ordinance of God, but an office ta∣ken onely of the Pope, that Roman Antichrist, therefore it is not lawfull in the worship of God to have any communion there with.

The proposition is evident and certaine, and cannot be denied. for no man can lawfully joyne in com∣munion with a false ministerie. As it hath bin formerly proved, by Scriptures, reasons, and the testimony, of the Learned. The assumption is wholy taken from their owne writings. The which if they should deny: yet can we justify the same against all men.

It may be some will exspect that I should write som∣thing of their Lecturers: And the rather, because they in the judgment of many, are thought to be the best ministers, of their life and doctrine I say nothing: but as for their ministerie surely it is new and strange, as King Iames, was wont to say of it. For the original of their name, manner of enterance, and administration, is vn∣knowne

wholy to the Scriptures, & I thinke never be∣fore heard of till in these later broken and confused times.

Therefore it is no marvaile, when the question hath* 1.59 been propounded to some of them, as it was by the Pharises, to Iohn, Who art thou? that they have not been able for their life to answere the point, neither could agree among themselves, what kind of ministerie it is that they have taken up; and beeing hard pressed for resolution, they have ingeniously confessed, that unlesse they be Evangelists, they could not see how their ministery doth accord with any ministerie men∣tioned in the New Testament. This I write upon my owne certaine knowledge, the persons I thinke are yet liveing, whose names for some reason I forbeare to expresse. Howbeit I can and will doe it, if I see there be a just and necessarie occasion.

I doe not thinke it strange, that they should thus speake: For indeed, I know not what they can say better in defence of their standing; Pastors, I am sure, they will not say they are. For first they doe not take any particular charge of a flock upon them. 2. They performe not the office thereof: For they agree with the people only, to preach, & not to administer, either the seales, or censures to them. 3. Their comming unto the people is in a strange sort: for they make a co∣venant each with other, for some certaine yeares; and when that time is out, both parties are free, and so may leave one the other, and doe many times. But a true Pastor may not doe so; For if he should he were

worse then an hyreling, which leaves not the sheepe till he* 1.60 see the Wolfe comming. But many of these, when they see a richer lectureship comming toward them. 4. He that is the parson or vicar, is taken generally for the minister of the place; And truly howsoever their cal∣ling be false and Antichristian (as the Nonconformists say) yet in many respects they doe better resemble a true minister, then any Lecturer whatsoever; There∣fore not without just cause doe the Reformists utterly condemne this extraordinarie office of preachers, and af∣firme,* 1.61 that they are neither Pastors or Teachers, which the scripture alloweth off. And this may be easily proved.

That ministerie which is instituted and sett vp besides those, which God hath appointed in his word, is vnlawfull and false: But ••he ministerie of the Lecturers in England is instituted and sett vp beside these, which God hath appoin∣ted in his word. Therefore that ministerie is vnlawfull and false. The proposition is plain and undeniable, and we have their owne words to confirme it; For thus they say: All the ministery is by the word of God, and not left to the will of men, to devise at their pleasure, as appea∣reth by that which is noted of Iohn, where the Pharisees com∣ming to him, after that he had denyed to be either Christ, or Eltas, or another Prophet, conclude if he be neither Christ, nor Elias, nor of the Prophets, why Baptisest thou? which had been no good argument, if Iohn might have been of som other function then of those which were ordinary in the church, and instituted of God, and therefore Iohn to establish his singular and extraordinarie function, allegeth the word

of God, whereby appeareth, that as it was not lawfull to bring-in any strange Doctrine, so was it not lawfull to teach* 1.62 the true Doctrine, vnder the name of any other function then was instituted by God. Let the whole practice of the church vnder the Law be looked vpon, and it shall not be found, that any other ecclesiasticall ministery was appointed then those officers of high Priest, & Preists & Levites, &c. which were appointed by the Law of God, and if there were any raysed ex∣traordinarily, the same had their calling confirmed from heaven, either by signes or miracles, or by plain and cleare te∣stimony of the mouth of God, or by extraordinarie exciting & movings of the spirit of God. So that it appeareth, that the ministery of the Gospell, and the function thereof, ought to be from heaven and of God, and not invented by the braine of men: From heaven I say, and heavenly, because although it* 1.63 be executed by earthly men, and the ministers also chosen by men, like vnto themselves, yet because it is done by the word and institution of God, that hath not only ordained that the word should be preached, but hath ordained also in what or∣der, and by whome it should be preached, it may well be ac∣counted to come from Heaven and from God.

Againe, to devise any other ministery then that which God hath appointed, is condemned by the se∣cond commaundement.

The assumption is thus proved, first if their Lectu∣rers, have taken ordination from the Bishops, and exer∣cise by that power onely then is their office false by the reasons before laid downe. Secondly if it be objected that they never received the Prelates orders, or have re∣pented thereof; I answere, yet this proves not that they are therefore true ministers: For as Iehu, though

he did wel to suppresse, Ahabs idolatrie, yet in that he followed the wayes of Ieroboam, he himselfe continued still a grosse idolater. Even so, howsoever som may privately report, that they stand ministers by no rela∣tion to the Bishop: yet are they notwithstanding, vn∣lawfull ministers, seeing they were never elected cho∣sen, and ordained according to Gods word: If any re∣ply that they have their calling of the people. I answere the thing is surely otherwise, as shall be manifested presently. But if this were granted, yet I deny that any Church vnder heaven, hath power from Christ to ordaine such a kind of ministerie, and therefore if any people should doe it, seeing it is against the Scripture, it must needs follow that it is an vnlawfull ministery, & so consequently not to be communicated with, and that it is so I prove it thus.

That ministery is vnlawfull which none may lawfully give, but none may lawfully bestow the ministerie of a lectu∣rer.* 1.64 Therefore that ministerie is unlawfull. The propositiō is evident by their owne principles: The assumption cannot for shame be denyed if the nature of it be con∣sidered. For as we but even now sayd, their Lecturers take no charge of a flock vpon them, they make cove∣nant with the people but for a certaine time, the pecu∣liar works of a minister is not by the people laid vpon them, neither exspected of them: If any object that they preach the word; To this Doctor Ames gives an answere fully, that the preaching of the gospell is not a worke peculiar to a minister: For such as are private men and out of office, may and ought to preach

the word as occasion is offered, and not only private∣ly,* 1.65 but (saith he) in the publick congregation, and for this thing he citeth these Scriptures, 1. Cor. 14. 23. Act. 13. 15. And yealdeth many good reasons for it also.* 1.66 Other of the Nonconformists affirme the same thing. As the Church hath need of all mens gifts, so all ought to imploy them at publick ordinary meetings, yet so, as good order be still observed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth. 24. 5 24.
• * 1.2

  Hos. 4. 17. see Iunius on the place.
• * 1.3

  Ier▪ 23. 6. Pro. 5. 3. Mat. 7. 15. Ioh. 10. 4. 5. Phil. 32.
• * 1.4

  Ioh. 4. 23. Rom. 12. 1. 2. Numb. 10. Psa. 50. 18. Tim. 5. 22.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 28. 20. Luk. 10. 16▪ 2. The••. 2. 2. 3. 4. Rea. 13. & 14. 9. 12. & 18. 4.
• * 1.6

  Ioh. 10. 5.
• * 1.7

  Chap. 7. 15
• * 1.8

  In Pro. 10. 20.
• * 1.9

  Rhemist Tost. Ioh. 10. An. 1.
• * 1.10

  2 Ioh. 10.
• * 1.11

  Exhort. Gover. W. p. 46. Admon. p. 27.
• * 1.12

  Note.
• * 1.13

  Fenner Doct. upō the Sacra▪ p. 127.
• * 1.14

  Preface▪ before the forme and man. of ord. B. P. & D.
• * 1.15

  Syonsple•• p. 216.
• * 1.16

  Id. 232.
• * 1.17

  Hay any work. p. 14. &c. 2. Admon. to parl. 54. Syons pl. 342. & 337. & 292. Alt▪ Dam. 35. Rep. to Mor. p. 21 Pref. Ans. Bancr. Pref. offer for conf. Demonst. dis. 79. Mart. Epist. & 33. 37. M. Bates 84. D. State Chu. 20. Offer for confor. 20. 7. 4. Syons pl. 292. Curt. Ch. pow. 49. Fall Bab. 22.
• * 1.18

  Read Mar∣tin Mar-Prelates works.
• * 1.19

  Pro. 29. 2. Exo. 2, 23.
• * 1.20

  Def. peti. 261. Epist. Syons plea &c. p. 26••
• * 1.21

  Revel. 17. 13.
• * 1.22

  D. Chad. Ser. Rom. 12. p. 33.

  Vdal. Diol. 2. stat. Ch. p. 20. Offer con∣fer. 2. 1 Admo. p. 13. T. C. li. 1. p. 88. Curt. Ch. po. 76. Disc. of a∣bus. Ch. 71 & 91.

  Defen. disc. 71. D. Ch. ser. Rō. 12. 37 Curt. Ch. po. p. 64. Repl. to Mort. 85.
• * 1.23

  Syons pl. 69.
• * 1.24

  Def. disc. p. 165.
• * 1.25

  Strife of the church Prefa.

  Reprofe of Mart. Iunior. Mr. Bates 55.
• * 1.26

  Answ. to Bancr. Ser. p. 30. T. C. 85.
• * 1.27

  Syons pl. 11.
• * 1.28

  Demonst. disc. p. 12. 13.
• * 1.29

  Preface demonst. Defen. Ec. gov. ag.

  Bridg. p. 88. Protest. Scott. p. 11 T. C. l. 1. p. 96. D. Cha. Rō. 12. 33.

  Second book. dis. p. 85.
• * 1.30

  Syons plea p. 283.
• * 1.31

  Rex Iu∣ris. 79.
• * 1.32

  Num. 16.
• * 1.33

  Cathol. confer. p. 130.

  Yates mod. of div. p. 257.

  See Mr. Masons booke of succession of Bishops, published by autho∣rity Anno 1614.
• * 1.34

  Iam. 4. vlt.
• * 1.35

  Modest. off. Adm. 10. Eccles. Gor. 45. Syon pl. 107. T. C. l. 134. pref. dem. de Eccles. 60. 47. 50. 39. Rem. imp. D. C. 277.
• * 1.36

  Atters. Phile. v. 6. p. 136.
• * 1.37

  Adm. 15. 16. Eccl. Gov. 44. Neces. dis. 45. Exh. Gov. 10. 14. M. Bates p. 155.
• * 1.38

  Abstr. p. 16. 19. Eccl. Gov. 46. 47. T. C. l. i. p. 70. Eccles. Gov. 46. First book of disc. 30. 31.
• * 1.39

  Sol. Barw. Adm. p. 47 T. C. l. 1. p. 33. dia▪ str. Ch. 93.
• * 1.40

  Def. per. for ref. 98. 99. 106.
• * 1.41

  T. C. l. 1. p. 61.
• * 1.42

  M. Bates 154.
• * 1.43

  Exhor. Gov. W. 26.
• * 1.44

  Mr. Bates, p. 159. 160, &c.
• * 1.45

  Repl. to Powel. 74. Petit. Q. 5.
• * 1.46

  Sol. Barv.
• * 1.47

  Admon. p. 10.
• * 1.48

  chap. 1. 14.
• * 1.49

  Admo. p. 15, 16.
• * 1.50

  Sol. Barv.
• * 1.51

  Chap. 13.
• * 1.52

  Defen. of discip. aga. p. Bridg. 109.
• * 1.53

  p. 108.
• * 1.54

  ••. Adm. 17
• * 1.55

  Prefac. Admon to the Parl.
• * 1.56

  Note.
• * 1.57

  Dis. Eccl. Gov. p. 108.
• * 1.58

  Tab. div. Rea. Ca. Des. dis. 92. def. Godly mi. ag. Br. 108. Adm. 1. p. 5. & l. 2. p. 61.
• * 1.59

  Ioh. 1.
• * 1.60

  Iohn. 10. 12.
• * 1.61

  Neces. disc. 74.
• * 1.62

  Mind this ye Lectu∣rers.
• * 1.63

  T. C. l. 1. p. 83. Eccl. Gov. p. 7. Demons. disc. 7. Mr. Bat. 102. Cartw. Chr. rel. ch. 16. p. 28.
• * 1.64

  Demons. dis, 13.
• * 1.65

  De consc. l. 4. c. 25. p. 215.
• * 1.66

  Mr. Bates. 134. Def. of disc. ag. D. Bridg. 129.