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First I deny the Proposition, The true and best Mini∣sters of Iesus Christ, that ever were or shall bee since the Apostles, may in their ignorance, or weacknes, do some act in their Ministry, that may bring some speciall ho∣nor to Antichrist, and yet Christians may lawfully, and without sinne pertake with such in their Ministery. It being not necessary, that who soever pertaketh, with a
Ministery should pertake also with the accidentall cor∣ruptions therof.
Hee tels vs like a bould and blind biard. That the Pro∣position is manifest and clear to any that haue an ey of Reason, and any light of divinitie shining in it. And yet it hath not so much as any colour of truth, but in the eyes of such owles and bats as himselfe is; [Arg. 2] The Proposition in the twelue Arguments vnto which hee would equall and paralel his, is this, It is a sinne against God, for him that is by way of excellency a Servant of Iesus Christ (without a precise and directe warrant from him at any time especially in the So∣lemne worship of God) to give speciall honour to Antichrist and his members; What? must it needs follow vpon this, That it is a sinne to pertake any manner of way with such a ones Ministery, as shall in any measure commit such a sinne? must the joining with them in any other parts of their Ministery needs bee a communicating with them in this sinne? Hee bids vs see for this 2. Cor. 6.14.17. Rev. 18.4. but what is this to the twelue Arguments, from which hee saith this reason is taken? And to what end should wee see those places, except hee had first made vs to see, That our Ministers in their Ministery are Infi∣dels and Belials. That their Ministery for the substance therof is vnrighteousnes and darknesse. That the God wee serued in our Ministery is an Idoll, That our Assemblies are Babylon. And all this because some thing happily is donne, by our Ministers, which (and yet contrary to their intent) is some honour to Antichrist. For except all this bee graunted vnto him, theis Texts are of noe force to confirme the Preposition.
The Assumption is as fals as the Proposition,
Nether doth it follow from the Assumption, of that Argument of the 12. from which hee would ground it. For though it should bee graunted, That to vse the Cere∣monies in Controversie in manner and forme prescribed were to give speciall honors to Antichrist and his officers. Yet it doth not follow, That the Ministery of our Church Assem∣blies, are such that in the execution of their Ministery giue speciall honour to Antichrist, and his officers. For some of our Ministers, from whom hee seperateth, do not in the execution of their Ministery vse the said Ce∣remonies at any time, Nether do any of our Ministers at all times in the execution therof, vse them, nether are required so to doe. The Assumption not-withstanding hee proceedeth to proue thus.