Page [unnumbered]
IN these times it hath been the way of men to cry down the sound and saving Truths of God and the Gospel, by branding them with terms of Novelty, and New found Notions, proudly and scornfully calling them ridiculous things, in branding the men that God reveals them to with odious names, hindring many from so much as trying the Truth; then which, Satan hath not had a greater Engine against the way of God in these last times, which the tryal of the first and purest of Antiquity will reveal unto us, and shew us how; and I shall endeavor, as my weak ability, small reading, and other great imployments will give me leave, in these few sheets of Paper fol∣lowing to manifest. And first,
THat the Government of the Church in the Primitive times, was not looked on as in these latter times it hath been (even to be a thing to be made conformal to every estate in which the Gospel is preached prudentially) which is clearly to be proved by many witnesses; but in that the Scripture saith, Ʋnder two or three witnesses every thing shall be established, I shall onely prove them by two or three, and no more, as being sufficient hereunto alone.
Tertullian, who lived about Two hundred years after Christ, saith, Nobis vero nihil ex nostro arbitrio inducere licet, sed nec eligere quod aliquis ex suo arbitrio induxerit, Apostolos Domini habemus auctores, qui nec ipsi quicquam ex suo arbitrio quod inducerent eligerunt, sed acceptam à Christo disciplinam fideliter Nationibus assignarunt ita∣{que} etiamsi Angelus de coelis aliter Evangelizaret, anathema diceretur à nobis. De Praescrip. Heret.