THE CONFESSION of faith of certain English people, living in exile, in the Low countries. Together with a brief note of the special heads of those things wherein we differ from the Church of England. 2 Cor. 4, 13. We believe: therefore have we spoken. Harmony of Confess. in the preface set before it, in the Name of the French & Belgic Churches. The Prelates & Priests alway cry out, that we are Heretics, Schismatics, and sectaries. Howbeit let them know that the crime of Heresy is not to be imputed to them whose faith doth wholly rely upon most sure grounds of the Scripture; That they are not Schismatics, who entirely cleave to the true Church of God, such as the Prophets & Apostles do describe unto us; Nor they to be counted sectaries, who embrace the truth of God which is one and always like itself. Reprinted in the year. 1607. To the reverend and learned men, Students of holy Scripture, in the Christian Universities, of Leyden in Holland, of Sanctandrewes in Scotland, of Heidelberg, Geneva, and other the like famous schools of learning in the Low countries. Scotland, Germany, & France. The English people exiled, in the Low countries, wish grace and peace in jesus Christ. THis true Confession of our faith, in our judgement wholly agreeable to the sacred Scripture, we here exhibit unto all to be discussed: and unto you (reverend Sirs) we dedicate it for two causes. First, for that we know you are able in respect of your singular knowledge in the Scriptures, and hope you are willing in respect of your sincere piety, to convince our errors by the light of God's word, if any where we err out of the way. Secondly, that this testimony of Christian faith, if you also find it to agree with the word of truth, may by you be approved, either in silence or by writing, as you shall think best. It may be, we shall be thought very bold, that being despised of all, yet doubted not to solicit you so many and so great learned men. But this we did, partly at the request of others to whom we would not deny it; partly with desire to have the truth through your help more defended & further spread abroad; partly constrained by our exile & other calamities almost infinite; partly also moved with love of our native country, and of these wherein now we live and others else where; wishing that all may walk with a right foot to the truth of ehe G●sspel, & praying daily unto God, that the great work of restoring religion & the Church decayed, which he hath happily begun in these latter times, by our Gracious Sovereign and the other Princes of these countries & ages (his servants) he would fully accomplish, to the glory of his name & ●ternal salvation in Christ of his elect in all places of the earth. Touching the causes which moved us to publish this Confession of faith, & to forsake the Church of Eugland as now it standeth, we have truly & as briefly as we could related them, in the Preface to the Reader, hereafter following: & therefore thought here to omit the repetition of them. The Lord jesus alway preserve you & your universities to the praise of his name, the ornament of good learning, th● propagation & maintenance of his pure Religion. From Amsterdam in the low countries. The year of the last patience of the saints, 1598. ❧ The preface to the Christian Reader. IT may seem strange unto thee (Christian Reader) that any of the English nation should for the truth of the Gospel be forced to forsake their native country, & live in exile, especially in these days when the Gospel seemeth to have free passage & flourish in that land. And for this cause have our exile been hardly thought of by many, and evil spoken of by some, who know not (as it seemeth) either the true estate of the Church of England, or causes of our forsaking and separation from the same, but hearing this sect (as they call it) to be every where spoken against, Act. 28 2 have (without all further search) accounted and divulged us as heretics, or schismatics at the least. Yea some (and such as worst might) have sought the increase of our afflictions, even here also if they could: which thing they have both secretly and openly attempted. This hath Satan added unto all our former sorrows, envying that we should have rest in any part of the inhabited world, and therefore ceaseth not to make war with the remnant of the woman's seed, Rev, 〈…〉 which keep the comcommaundements of, God and the testimony of jesus Christ. ●al. 105. ●, 14. But the Lord that brought his former Israel out of Egypt & when they walked about from nation to nation, from one Kingdom to an other people, suffered no man to do them wrong, but reproved Kings for their sakes: the same Lord yet liveth to maintain the right of his afflicted servants, whom he hath severed, and daily gathereth out of the world, Pet. 2, 9 to be unto himself a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, Psal. 46, 1 a peculiar people & Israel of God: He is our hope and strength and help in troubles ready to be found, he will hide us under his wings, and under his feathers we shall be sure, until these miseries be overpast. And though we could for our parts well have borne this rebuke of Christ in silence, and left our cause to him who judgeth justly all the children of men: yet for the manifestation & clearing of the truth of God from reproaches of men, and for the bringing others together with ourselves to the same knowledge and fellowship off the Gospel, we have thought it needful & our duty to make known unto the world, our unfeigned faith in God, and loyal obedience towards our Prince and all Governors set over us in the Lord, together with the reasons of our leaving the Ministry worship and Church of England. Which are not (as they pretend) for some few faults & corcorruptions remaining, such as we acknowledge may be found in the perfectest Church on earth: Neither count we it lawful for any member to forsake the fellowship off the Church for blemishes and imperfections, which every one according to his calling should studiously seek to cure, and to expect and further it, until either there follow redress or the disease be grow incurable, Rev. 2. 5. & the candlestick be moved out of the place. But we having through God's mercy learned to discern betwixr * 2 Cor. 6. 1. ●▪ 15. etc. Psa. 94. 20. the true worship of God & the Antichristian leitourgy; the true ministry of Christ & Antichristian prelacy; 2 Thes. 2. 3. the ordinances of Christ's testament & Popish canons: have also learned to leave | Ps. 37. 2●▪ jer. 51. 6. the evil & choose the good, to forsake Babel the land of our captivity, & get us unto Zion the mount of the lords holiness, Rev. 18. 4. & 14. 1. and place where his honour dwelleth. But first we desire thee, good Reader, to understand, and mind that we have not in any dislike of the Civil estate and politic government in that Common wealth, which we much like and love, separated ourselves from that Church: Neither have we shaken of our allegiance and dutiful obedience to our Sovereign PRINCE, the honourable Counsellors, and other Magistrates set over us, but have always and still do reverence love and obey them every one in the Lord, opposing ourselves against all enemies foreign or domestical: against all invasions, insurrections, treasons or conspiracies by whomsoever intended against the Prince and the State, and are ready to adventure our lives in their defence, if need require. Neither have our greatest adversaries ever been able to attaint us of the least disloyalty in this regard. And though now we be exiled, yet do we daily pray & will for the preservation peace & prosperity of our Sovereign Prince & all the dominions of that kingdom. And whereas we have been accused of intrusion into the Magistrate's office, as going about ourselves to reform the abuses in that land, it is a mere malicious calumny, which our adversaries have forged out of their own heart. Neh. 6. 6. 7. ●. We have always both by word & practice showed the contrary, neither ever attempted or purposed any such thing: but have endeavoured thus only to reform ourselves and our lives according to the rule of God's word, by abstaining from all evil & keeping the commandments of jesus: leaving the suppressing and casting out of those remnants of Idolatry, unto the Magistrates, to whom it belongeth. And further we testify by these presents unto all men, & desire them to take knowledge hereof, that we have not forsaken any point of the true Ancient Catholic and Apostolic faith professed in our land: but hold the same grounds of Christian religion with them still, agreeing likewise herein, with the Dutch, Harmon. of Confes. Scottish, German, French, Helvetian, and all other Christian reform Churches round about us, whose Confessions published, we call to witness our agreement with them, in matters of greatest moment, being conferred with these Articles of our saith following. The things then only against which we contend, & which we mislike in the English parish assemblies, are many relics of that m●n of sin (whom they pretend to have abandoned) yet retained among them, and with a high hand maintained, upholden, and imposed. The particulars whereof (being almost infinite) cannot well of us be set down, and would be tedious and irksome to thee (good Reader:) But the principal heads we will truly relate, and that ●o briefly as in so large and confuse a subject we can. First, in the planting and constituting of their Church (at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign) they received at once into the body of that Church, as members, the whole land, which generally then stood for the most part professed Papists, who had revolted from the profession, which they made in the days of King Edward of happy memory, and shed much blood of many Christian Martyrs in Queen mary's days. This people yet standing in this fearful sinful state, in Idolatry, blindness, superstition, and all manner wickedness, without any professed repentance, and without the means thereof, namely the preaching of the word going before, were by force & authority of Law only compelled, and together received into the bosom and body of the Church, their seed baptized, themselves receved and compelled to the Lords supper, had this ministry and service (which now they use) enjoined & set over them, and ever since they and their seed remain in this estate, being all but one body commonly called the Church of England. Here are none exempted or excluded, be they never so profane or wretched, no Atheist, adulterer, thief, or murderer, no liar, perjurer, Witch or conjurer, etc.▪ all are one fellowship, one body, one Church. Now let the law of God be looked into, and there willbe found, that such persons ‡ 1 Pet. 2. 5. jer. 51. 26. are not fit stones for the Lords spiritual house, no meet members for Christ's glorious body. None of years * Act. 2. 38. 40. 41. and 8. 36. 37. & 15 9 Ioh 10. 3. 4 5. Esa. 35. 8. 9 may be received into the Church without fr●e professed faith repentance and submission unto the Gospel of Christ & his heavenly ordinances. Neither may | joh. 15. 2. 5. Mat. 18. 15. 17 Lev. 13. 46. Num. 4. 13. any continue there longer than they bring forth the fruits of faith, walking as becometh the Gospel of Christ. Christ jesus † john. 15. 19 & 17. 14. 16 Mat. 3. 12. Lev. 20. 24. ●6. 1 john. 4. 5. 6. hath called & severed his servants out of and from the world. How then should this confused and mixed people be esteemed the orderly gathered true planted and right constituted Church of God? Secondly, as they have retained the whole ●rout of the popish multitude without any distinction, for members of their Church▪ so have they set over them (as reason was) the same popish Clergy & Prelacy, which they receved from the Romish Apostasy, and this day is to be found in the popish Churches: About forty ecclesiastical popish offices are at this day in the Church of England, never a one appointed by Christ in his Testament. to wit, Archbs, Primates, Bbs. metropolitans, Suffragans, Archdeacon's, Deans, chancellors, Commissaries, and the rest of that rabble, which rule and govern these assemblies according to the Popish Canons, Rites, and Customs. These have the power and authority in their hands to set forth Injunctions, to make and depose Ministers, to excommunicate both Priests and people, which they do very exquisitely, if they yield not unto them their due homage and obedience. These have both Ecclesiastical and Civil authority, to reign as Princes in the Church and live as Lords in the Common wealth, to punish, imprison, and persecute even to death all that dare but once mutter against their unlawful proceedings. Of these Prelate's tyranny cruelty & unlawful authority, the better sort both of preachers and people have cried out, and long time sued unto the Prince and Parliament to have them removed out of the Church as being the limbs of Antichrist. But not prevailing. they are now content (fo● avoiding of the cross of Christ) to submit themselves & their souls to this Antichris●tian Hierarchy, and bear the sinful yok● and burden of their traditions, and to resceive and carry about the dreadful and d●●testable mark of the Beast upon them. Thirdly, the inferior ministry of tha● Church, consisteth of Priests, Parsons, Vi●cars, Curates, hired preachers or Lecturers, with Clerks and other like Officers, which have received their offices callings and authority from their forenamed Lords the Prelates to whom they swear their canonical obedience, and promise to perform it with al● reverence and submission. Their office i● to read over the service book & Bbs Decrees thereby to worship God, With what words and rites, in what habit and gesture, these things are to be done, they are taught in their Rubrik. to marry, to bu●ry, to church women, to visit the sick, give him the Sacrament, and forgive him all his sins: & if their livings or benefices (as they are called) amount to a certain sum of money in the Prince's book, then must they preach, or get some other to preach for them four sermons in a year in their parish. Where also must be noted that the most part of these Priests are utterly unlearned, and cannot preach at all: whereby it cometh to pass that most of the people are as blind as they were in the dark days of popery. These Ministers generally, aswell preachers as other, live in fear & servitude under their foresaid Lords the Bbs. For as without their licence written and sealed they cannot preach, so upon their displeasure and for not obeying their injunctions, they are many times suspended, degraded, and if they will not be ruled, put in prison: so that sundry of them have been suspended and imprisoned for preaching against the Prelates, not subscribing to their devised Articles and Book of common prayer, not wearing the square cap and surplice, not reading the service book, & be tied to the same, not coming to the Bbs courts, visitations, inquisitions, etc. till now of late being wearied with these troubles, they give place to their tyranny, and are content to conform themselves, and yield their canonical obedience according to their oath, ●eeping now silence, yea going back, bearing & bolstering the things which heretofore by word and writing they stood against, so long as there was any hope that the Prince & Counsel would have harkened unto them, and put these adversary Prelates out of the Church. Fourthly, for administration, which is by Law imposed upon all both Clergy and Laity, (for so they distinguish them) they have gathered their Service book verbatim out of the Mass book, turning out of Latin into English the Suffrages, Prayers, Let any Collects, etc. (leaving out some of the gross points therein) keeping still the old fashion of Psalms, Chapters, Pistles, Gospell● versicles, respondes, also T● Deum, Bened●●tus, Magnificat, Nunc dimittis, Our Father Lord have mercy upon us, The Lord be wi● you, O Lord open th●w my lips, Glory to God ● high, life up your hearts, O come let us rejoice Glory be to the Father, Quicunque vult, & ● These do they read daily morning an● evening all the year long in their priest's vestures, Surplice, cope, etc. some the● say, and some they sing, having in the Cathedral Churches, the Organs, Quiristers, singing men and boys, as in times pa● in pope●y. Some of them in certain English books set forth, have reckoned above 100 popish corruptions yet retained in this Church. Many popish errors yet remain in that book, which their own preacher have noted, & found fault with. There a● they prescribed what prayers to read ov● the dead, over the co●n & grass, some time in the year. By it are they enjoined ● keep their holy days to their Lady (● they call her) to all Saints and Angel● to all Christ's Apostles, (except Paul a● Barnabas) whose eyes they are commande● to fast, as also their Lent & Ember day● besides fridays and saturdays through out the whole year. By this book are t●● Ministers instructed how to marry, wi● the sign of the Ring, etc. to baptize the hallowed Font, with sign of 〈◊〉 cross, with Godfathers and Godmothers, ask the child whether it will forsake the devil and all his works, etc. to minister also their other sacrament or communion to the people kneeling, as when in popery they received their maker, the words of Christ's institution altered, and others in stead of them taken out of the pope's portuis, with innumerable such like enormities and fopperies wherewith it swarmeth. And this is all the worship and service which many parishes have usually, except peradventure some written Homilies which the unlearned Priests read unto them. This service must first be read, and hath the pre-eminence, even on the Lords days, before any preaching, yea before the Bible itself. He that can read this book● distinctly, is fit enough with them to be a Priest, yea many that have been Artificers, as Shoemakers, Tailors, Weavers, Porters, etc., and without any gifts or knowledge at all, save only to read English, have been and are admitted, & to this day maintained by the Prelates in the ministery. To these Church's Ministers & Service must all the people there come every day, yea though they have in the next parish a Preacher, and in their own a dumb unlearned Priest, yet are they all tied to their own Church and Minister, and must at the least twice a year, receve the Sacrament at his hands. If they refuse this, or do not ordinarily come to their parish Church, them are they summoned, excommunicated, & imprisoned till they become obedient▪ In this bondage are our countrymen there held under their Priests and Prelates: and such as by the word of God witness against and condemn these abominations, they hate, punish, put to death, and persecute out of the Land. Who now in whom any spark of true light is. cannot plainly perceive this their Ministry worship and Church to be false & adulterate? Doth Christ's eternal testament ordain and approve of such popish Lords and Prelates to reign over his Church? Are these, those Christian Bishops that is * Rom. 12. 1. Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 11. 12 13. Pastors, Teachers, and Elders, which he hath set in his Church and over his own people unto the end of the world? Or can those Preachers which are thus created and deposed by, thus sworn and obedient unto their spiritual Lords, be deemed true Teachers of the Gospel of Christ lawfully called and ordained to that Ministry? Is that their English Mass the ‡ joh. 4. 24. Mat. 15. 9 true & spiritual worship of God according to his own will? We are taught in the scriptures † Deut. 6. 4. 5 Mat. 16. 6. ● Cor. 6. 14. 15. Psal. 106. 34. 35. 36. that there can be no agreement made betwixt Christ and Antichrist, betwixt the Laws of God and men's traditions; that the servants of jesus may not submit unto or receive the mark of that Beast, neither drink of the cup of the whore of Babylon's fornications, or buy any of her wares; but must | judo. vers. 3. contend for the maintenance of that saith which was once given unto the saints, keeping their souls and bodies pure from Antichristian pollutions, touching ‡ 2 Cor. 6. 17. Eph. 5. 11. no unclean thing, nor having any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, lest * Rev. 18. 4. & 14. 10, 11. by partaking with their sins they receve also of their plagues, & drynck of the wine of the wrath of God, & be tormented in fire and brimstone, before the holy Angels and before the Lamb for evermore. If Christ be God, let us follow him: but if the Pope be God, what shall we say? Why have we left him, his Church and ministry, his worship & jurisdiction, or what halting and mocking with the Lord is this, Mat. 6. 24. to put away the Pope's person, 2 Kin. 16. 10, 11, 12. Rev●l. 13. 12. 14. 15. and retain his Prelacy and Ministry, his Laws, Traditions and Canons, his worship & service: or at the least to frame unto ourselves a worship Ministry and Church after the pattern and mould of the Apostasy of Rome? which what other thing is it, then to make an Image of that wild beast, and force men to worship it? Thus seest thou briefly (good Christian Reader) the things which we mislike in the Church of England, and for which we have separated ourselves as God commandeth. 〈◊〉. 51. 6. Mi● 2. 10. Rev. 18. 4. 2 Cor. 6. 17. To all these, if we were amongst them, should we be forced to submit our bodies & souls, or else suffer violence at the hands of the Prelates, 〈…〉. 40. & end our lives by violent death or most miserable imprisonment, as many of our brethren before us have done. For so great is the malice and power of those Romish Priests, that they persecute unto death such as speak against them: and such poor Christians as they cast into their noisome prisons, can seldom or never get out (except with shipwreck of conscience) until they be carried forth upon the Bear. Neither is there any care taken for their relief in this case: but being cast into prison, there they are detained without any alloweance of meat or money for their maintenance, be their want and poverty never so great. If they have any thing of their own, there they are driven to spend it up: if they have nothing, there they are left by the Prelates to feed on the air. And that they may more readily be sterved, or weakened in the truth, they are commonly shut up in close prison, their friends & acquaintance being not suffered to come at them: Nay even their wives & children being kept and debarred from them by the tyranny of these bloody Prelates and their Instruments: whose hard hearts and unnatural cruelty, if thou didst understand (gentle Reader) as many of us have felt and to this day yet feel, it would make thy heart to bleed, considering their unmerciful and barbarous dealing. And how many souls have perished in their prisons through miserable usage, how many have been put to death, and how many banished, though we could to their eternal infamy relate to all the world, yet will we not blaze abroad their acts (for we take no delight in laying open their shame) but mourn for them in secret, committing our cause to God that judgeth justly, knowing that he that maketh inquisition for blood remembreth it, Psal. 9 12. and will not forget the complaint of the poor. And thou (Christian Reader) vouch safe to remember unto God in thy prayers such as yet remain in bands and prison amongst them for the testimony of jesus, Heb. 13. 3. enduring a hard sight of afflictions, and having the sentence of death in themselves, are like (if the Lord send not unexpected deliverance) there to end their days. Concerning ourselves, who through the mercy of God have found a place of rest in this land, for which benefit we are always and every where humbly thankful: we desire (Christian Reader) thy charitable and Christian opinion of and holy prayers unto God for us, whose kingdom we seek, whose ordinances we desire to establish and obey: protesting with good consciences, that it is the truth of his Gospel only for which we strive against those cursed relics of Antichristian apostasy: unto which we dare in no wise submit ourselves, no not for a moment. For if it be not lawful for Christians at this day to retain the ceremonies of Moses Law together with the Gospel, as the Passeover, Circumcision, the Priesthood, Sacrifices, etc. Gal. 4. 4. 5. 6. &. 5. 1. 2. Heb. 8. & 9 & 10. chap. which yet were once commanded by God himself: how can we think it tolerable to observe the odious ceremonies of Antichrist, or submit ourselves to his laws, Priesthood, Hierarchy, & traditions, which the Lord never allowed, & which never entered into his heart: yea which he hath so severely forbidden, with fearful judgements threatened unto all that shall so do. But because we have been very grievously slandered in our own nation, and the bruit thereof hath followed us unto this land, whereby we have been hardly deemed of by many without cause, we have been forced at length to publish this brief but true Confession of our faith, for the clearing of ourselves from slander, and satisfying of many who desired to know the things we hold. Wherein if in any thing we err (as who is so perfect that he erreth not) we crave (good Reader) thy Christian brotherly censure and information, promising always (through the grace of God) to yield unto the truth when it shall be further showed us, and leave our errors when by the light of his word they shallbe reproved. In like manner it shall be thy par● and duty to acknowledge and submit unto the truth, by whomsoever it is professed, looking always rather to the preciousness of the treasure itself then to the baseness of the vessels which contain it, 2. Cor. 4. ● or the infirmities of those that witness the same: in whose mortal bodies thou shalt see nothing but the marks and dying of our Lord jesus Christ. jam. 2. ●. But hold not thy faith in respect of men's persons, neither be thou moved at the evil reports which have been raised of us. Here hast thou the true sum of our Christian saith: try all things by the true light of God's word: and if thou shalt reap any profit by these our labours, give God the glory, and remember us unto him in thy prayers. Farewell in Christ jesus. 1596. THE CONFESSION of Faith of certain English people, living in the Low countries, exiled. WE believe with the heart & confess with the mouth. I. THat there is but † Deut 6. 4. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Eph. 4. 4. 5. 6. 1 Cor. ●. 6. & 12. 4. 5. 6. 13. jer. 6. 16. joh. 14. 6. one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Church, on● truth, one Faith, one true Religion, | 1 Tim. 6. 3. 13. 14. Mat. 15. 9 & 28. 20. Deut. 4. 2. 6. & 12. 32 1 Cor 4. 17. & 14. 33. 2 Tim. ● 15. 16. 17. Gal▪ 8. 9 Revel. 2● 18, 19 on● rule of godliness & obedience for all Chri●●tians, in all places, at all times, to be observed. II. God is a * joh. 4. 24. spirit, whose ‡ Exod. 3. 14. Rom. 11. 36. Act 17. 28. being is 〈◊〉 himself, and giveth being, moving, & preservation to all other things, being himself † 1 Tim. 1. 17. Esa. 6. 3. & 66 1. 2. eternal, most holy, every way infinite, in greatness, wisdom, power, goodness, justice, truth, etc. In this Godhead there be | 1 john. 5, 7. Mat. 28. 19 Pro. 8. 22. Heb. 1. 3. & 9 14. Phil. 2. 6. 1 Cor. 8. 6. Micah. 5. 2 Psal. 2. 7. Gal. 4. 6. john. 1. 1. 2. 18. & 10. 30. 38. & 15. 26. three distinct persons, coeternal, coequal, and coessential, being every one of them one and the same God, & therefore not divided but distinguished one from another by their several and peculiar property: The Father, of whom are the other persons, but he of none; the Son, begotten of the Father from everlasting; the holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son before all beginnings. III. God hath * Esa. 46. 10. Rom. 11. 34. 35. 36. Gen, 45. 5. 6. 7. 8. Mat. 10. 29 30. Eph. 1. 11 decreed in himself from everlasting touching all things, and the very lest circumstances of every thing, effectually to work and dispose them according to the counsel of his own will, to the glory of his name. And touching his chiefest creatures, GOD hath in Christ ‡ Eph. 1. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 10. 11. Mat. 25. 34. 2 Tim. 1. 9 Act. 13. 48 1 Tim. 5. 21. Col 1, 14 17 18. 19 20 & 2. 10. job 1. 6. Rev. 19 10 1 Thes. 5. 9 Rome 8. 29. 30. & 9 23. before the foundation of the world, according to the good pleasure of his will, foreordeyned some men and Angels, to eternal life, to be accomplished through jesus Christ, to the praise of the glory of his grace. And hath also † jud. v. 4. & 6. Rom. 9 11. 12. 13. 17. 18. 22. with Exod. 9 16. Mal. 1. 3. Mat. 25. 41. job 4. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 4. 12. 1 Peter 2. 8. joh. 3. 19 Rom. 2. 5. Prov. 16. 4. of old according to his just purpose foreappointed other both Angels and men, to eternal condemnation, to be accomplished through their own corruption and desert, to the praise of his justice. FOUR In the | Gen. 1. chap. Col. 1. 16. Hebr. 11. 3. Esa. 45. 12 Rev. 4. 11. beginning, God made all things of nothing very good: and created man * Gen. 1. 26. 27. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Eccles. 7. 31. after his own image and likeness in righteousness and holiness of truth. But ‡ Gen 3. 1. 4. 5. 2 Cor. 11. 3. straightways after, by the subtlety of the serpent which Satan used as his instrument ( † 2 Pet. 2. 4. jud vers. 6. john. 8. 44. himself with his Angels having sinned before, & not kept their first estate, but left their own habitation:) first | Gen. 3. 1. 2. 3. 6 1 Tim. 2. 14. Ec. 7. 31. Gal. 3. 22. Eva, than Adam being seduced, did wittingly and willingly fall into disobedience and transgression of the commandment of God. For the which, * Rom. 5. 12. 18 19 & 6. 23. with Gen. 2. 17. death came upon all, and reigneth over all: yea even ‡ Rom. 5. 14. & 9 11. over infants also, which have not sinned after the like manner of the transgression of Adam, that is, actually: Hence also it is, that all since the fall of Adam, are begotten † Gen. 5. 3. & 6 5. Psal. 51. 5. Eph. 2. 3. Rom. 5. 12. Deut. 27. 26. & 28. 15. etc. in his own likeness after his image, being conceived and form in iniquity, and so by nature children of wrath and servants of sin, and subject to death, and all other calamities due unto sin, in this world and for ever. V. All mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sin, & subject to the eternal wrath of God, both by original and actual corruption: Yet * Gen. 3. 15. Eph 1. 3-7. & 2-49 1 Thes. 5. 9 1 Pet 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Gen. 15. 6. with Rom. 4 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 22. 23. 24. 25. Act. 13. 38. 39 48. Rom. 3. 24. 25. 26. 2 Tim. 1. 9 Phil. 3. 8.— 11, the elect, all and only, are redeemed, quickened, raised up and saved again, not of themselves, neither by works (lest any man should boast himself) but wholly and only by God, of his free grace and mercy; through faith in Christ jesus, † 1 Cor. 1. 30. 31. 2 Cor. 5. 21. jer. 23. 5. 6. & 9 23. 24. who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that according as it is written, He that rejoiceth should rejoice in the Lord. VI This therefore is * joh. 17. 3. Heb. 5. 9 jer. 23. 5. 6. life eternal, to know the only true God, and whom he hath sent into the world jesus Christ. And on the contrary, the ‡ 2 Thes. 1. 8. john. 3. 36. Zep. 1. 4. 5. 6. Rom. 2. 8. 9 Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire unto them that know not God, and which obey not the Gospel of our Lord jesus Christ. VII. Now the rule of this knowledge faith and obedience, concerning the worship and service of God and all other christian duties, is not men's opinions, devises, laws, constitutions, or traditions unwritten whatsoever, but only the written word of God, contained in the Canonical books of the old and new Testament. joh. 5. 39 2 Tim 3. 15. 16. 17. Deut. 4. 2. 5. 6. Gen. 6. 22. Exod 20. 4. 5. 6. & 39 42. 43. 1 Chro. 28. 19 Psal. 119 in the whole Psa Esa 8. 19 20. & ●9. 13. Mat. 15. 9 Col. 2. 8. 18. 23. Luk. 16. 29. 30. 31. Gal. 1. 8. 9 2 Pet. 1. 16. 19 & 3. 2. Rev. 22. 18. 19 VIII. In this written word, God hath plainly reveled whatsoever he thought needful for us to know believe and acknowledge, touching the person & Office of jesus Christ; in whom all the promises of God are Yea, and in whom they are Amen, to the praise of God through us. Deut. 18. 18. Act. 3. 22. 23. Heb. 1●. 2. and through the Epistle. joh. 1. 1. 14. 18. & 12. 49. 50 & 15, 15 & 20. 31. Prov. 8. 8. 9 and 30. 5 6. 2 Tim. 3. 15. 16. 17. 2 Cor. 1. 20. IX. Touching his Person, the Lord jesus, of whom ‡ Gen. 3. 15. & 22, 18. & 49. 10, Dan 7. 13. & 9 24. 25. 26. Ier, 23. 5. 6. Psa. 2. 2. 6. 7. 12. & 16. 10. & 110. with Luk. 24. 44 joh. 5. 46. Acts. 10. 42. 43. & 13. 33. etc. and 17. 3. Moses & the Prophets wrote, and whom the Apostles preached, is the ‡ Pro. 8. 22. Mic. 5. 2. job. 1. 1. 2, 3 & 12. 37-41. with Esa. 6. 1. 1● and with Act. 28 25. Heb. 1. chap. Col. 1. 15. 16. 17 & 2. 9 everlasting Son of God the father by eternal generation, the brightness of his glory, & the engraven form of his Person, coessential coequal & coeternal God with him and with the holy Ghost: By whom he made the worlds, by whom he upholdeth and governeth all the works he hath made: Who also, † Gal. 4. 4. Gen. 3. 15. when the fullness of time was come, was made man of a woman, of the | Heb. 7. 14. Rev. 5. 5. with Gen. 49. 9 10. Tribe of judah, of * Rom. 1. 3. & 9 5. Gen. 22 18. Gal. 3. 16. Mat. 1. 1. etc. Luk 3. 23. etc. Esa. 7. 14. Luk. 1, 26, etc., Heb, 2, 16. the seed of David and Abraham, to wit, of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Ghost coming upon her, & the power of the most High overshadowing her: and was also † Heb, 4, 15, Esa, 53, 3, 4, 9, Phil, 2, 7, 8. in all things like unto us, sin only excepted. X Touching his Office, jesus Christ * 1 Tim. 2, 5. Heb 9 ●5. and 13. 20 Dan, 9 24. 25. Ioh 14. 6. Act. 4. 12. only is made the Mediator of the new Testament, even of the everlasting Covenant of grace between God & Man, to be ‡ Heb. 1. 2. &. 3. 1, 2. 3. &. 7, 24. & 12. 24— 28. Psal. 110. 1. 2. 4 &. 45. Deu. 18. 15. 18. Esa. 9 6, 7. Act. 5. 31. Esa 55. 4 Dan. 7. 13. 14. Luk, 1. 32. 3●. perfectly and fully the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God for evermore. XI. Unto this office, he was from everlasting * Pro. ●. 23. Esa. 42. 6. & 49. 1, 5 Heb. 5, 5, 6. by the just and sufficient authority of the Father, & in respect of his Manhood, from the womb, called & separated ‡ Esa. 11. 2. 5 & 61. 1, 2, 3. with Luk. 4, 17. 22. Act. 10. 38. joh. 1. 14. 16. & 3. 34. & anointed also most fully & abundantly with all ne●cessary gifts, as it is written, God hath not measured out the Spirit unto him. XII, This office to be Mediator, that is, Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, as neither in the whole, not in any part thereof, it can be transferred from him to any other. 1 Tim, 2, 5, Heb, 7, 24. Dan. 7, 14, Act, 4, 12, Esa. 43. 11. Luk, 1, 33. john. 14. 6, XIII. Touching his Prophecy, Christ * joh. 1. 18. & 12 49. 50. & 15, 15 and 17, 8. Deut. 18. 15. 18 19 Act. 3, 22, 23, 24 Mat. 17 5. Eph. 1 8, 9 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. 17. hath perfectly revealed out of the bosom of his Father, the whole word and will of God, that is needful for his servants, either jointly or severally to know believe or obey: He also † Prov. 9 3. joh. 13. 20. Luk. 10. 16. Mat. 10. 40, 41. & 28. 18. 20 Deut. 33. 8. 10. Eph. 4. 7, 8, 11, 12, 13. hath spoken and doth speak to his Church in his own ordinance, by his own Ministers and instruments only, and not by | Mat. 7. 15, 16. &. ●4. 23, 24. 2 Pet. 2. chap. Tim. 4, 3. 4. Ro● 10. 14, 15. & 1● 17. 1 Tim. 6. 3, ● 5. jer. 23 21. 〈◊〉 10, 1- 5. Rev. ● 3. etc. any false ministery at any tyme. XIIII. Touching his Priesthood, Christ * joh. 17. 19 Heb ●. 7. 8. 9 and 9 ●6. Esa. 53▪ chap. Rom. 5. 19 1 Pet ●. 2. 19 Eph. 5. 2. Col. 1, 20. Gal. 3. ●3. 14. being consecrated, hath appeared once to put away sin, by the offering and sacrificing of himself: and to this end hath fully performed & suffered all those things by which God through the blood of that his cross, in an acceptable sacrifice, might be reconciled to his elect, and the blessing of Abraham come upon us to eternal life wherefore also having † Eph. 2. 14. 15. 16. Dan. 9 24. 27. Heb. 9 & 10 chap. Rome▪ 8. 34 Heb. 4. 14. 16. & 7. 25. Ph. 2. 8-11. broken down th● partition wall, and therewith finished and removed all those rites, shadows, and ceremonies, he is now entered within the veil into the holy of holies, that is t● the very heaven, and presence of God where he for ever liveth and sitteth a● the right hand of Majesty appearing before the face of his Father, to make intercession for such as come unto the throne of grace by that new and living way: and not that only, but maketh | 1 Pet. 2. 5. Rev. 1. 5, 6. and 8 3 4 Rome▪ 12-1. 12. Mar. 9 49-50. Mal. 1. 14. joh. 4 23. 24. Mar. 7. 6 7. 8. Esa. 1. 12. etc. his people aspiritual house, an holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through him. Neither doth the Father accept or Christ offer unto the Father any other worship, or worshippers. XV. touching his Kingdom, Christ * 1 Cor, 15. 4. etc. 1 Pet. 3. 21. ●2. Mat. 28. 18. 19 20, Psal. 2. 6, Act. 5. 30. 31. Ioh ●9-36, Rev, 19, ●6. Rome, 14, 17, being ●isen from the dead, ascended into heaven, set at the right hand of God the Father, having all power in heaven and earth given unto him, he doth spiritually govern his Church: exercising his power ‡ jos, 5, 14, Zac. ● 8, etc., Mar, 1, ●7, Heb. 1. 14, john, 16, 7— 15. over all Angels and men, good and bad, t● the preservation and salvation of the elect to the overruling and destruction of th● reprobate: | Eph, 5, ●6, 27 Rome, 5, & 6, & ● & 8, chap, & 14, 17, Gal, 5, 22 23, 1 Ioh, 4, 13, etc. communicating & applying the benefits, virtue, & fruit of his prophecy and priesthood unto his elect, namely to th● remission, subduing, & taking away of thei● sins, to their justification, adoption of sons regeneration, sanctification, preservation & strengthening in all their conflicts against Satan, the world, the flesh, & the temptations of them: continually dwelling in governing, and keeping their hearts in h●● true faith & fear by his holy spirit: which having ‡ Ioh, 13, 1, & 10, 28, 29, and 14, 16, 17, & 16 31, 32, with Luk, 22, 31, 32, 40. Rome, 11, 29, Psa, 51, 10, 11, 12. & 89, 30-34, job, 33. 29, 30, Esa, 54, 8, 9, 10, 2 Cor 12, 7, 8▪ 9, Eph, 6 10. etc. Gal, 5, 17, 22. 23. once given it, he never take● away from them, but by it still begetter and nourisheth in them repentance, faith love, obedience, comfort, peace, joy hope, and all Christian virtues, unto im●mortalitie; notwithstanding that it b● sometimes through sin and tentation interrupted, smothered, and as it were o●erwhelmed for the tyme. And on th● contrary, † job, 1, 6, and 2, chap, 1 Kin. ●, 19, Esa, 10, 5 15, Rome, 1, 2, & 2, 4. 5, 6 & 9, 17, 18, Eph, 4, 17, 18. 19, Esa, 57, 2●, 21, 2 Peter. 2, chap, ruling in the world over 〈◊〉 enemies, Satan, and all the vessels of wrath, limiting, using, restraining them ●y his mighty power, as seemeth good ●n his divine wisdom and justice, to the execution of his determinate counsel, ●o wit, to their seduction, hardening, and condemnation, delivering them up to a reprobate mind, to be kept through their ●wn desert in darkness, sin, and sensuality, unto judgement. XVI The Kingdom shallbe then fully perfected, when he shall the second time come in glory with his mighty Angels, to judge both quick and dead, to abolish a rule authority and power, to put all his enemies under his feet, to separate and free all his chosen from them for ever● to punish the wicked with everlasting perdition from his presence, to gather join, and carry the godly with himself into endless glory, and then to deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Farther, that so the glory of the Father ma● be full and perfect in the Son, the glo●rie of the Son in all his members, & God be all in all. 1 Cor, 15, 24, 28, Dan, 12, 2, 3. Ioh, 5, 22, 28, 29 Heb, 9, 28, 2 Thes 1, 9, 10, Mat, 13, 41, 49, & 25, 31. 1 Thes, 4, 15 16, 17, john, 17, 21,— 26 1 Cor, 15. 28. XVII. In the mean time, besides his absolute rule in the world, Christ hath her● in earth * Ioh, 18, 36, 1 Tim. 3. 15, Heb 3, 6, 9 & 10. 21 Zach, 4, 7, Act, 20, 28. 'tis 2, ●4, a spiritual Kingdom & oeco●nomical regiment in his Church, which he hath purchased and redeemed to himself, as a peculiar inheritance. And albeit that many hypocrites do for the time ●urke amongst them ‡ Mat, 13, 25, 47, & 22, 12, Luk, 13, 25, 2 Tim, 2, 20, whiles the Church 〈◊〉 militant here on earth, yet Christ notwithstanding | Mar, 16, 15, 16 Col, 1, 21, 1 Cor, 6, 11, Tit, 3, 3. 4, 5. by the power of his word gathereth them which be his into the body of his Church, calleth them from out of the world, bringeth them to his ●●ue faith, separating them * Esa, 52, 11, Ezra. 6, 21, Act, 2, 40, & 17, 3, 4. & 19, 9, 2 Cor, 6, 14-18 1 Pet, 2, 4, 5, 9, 25. from amongst unbelievers, from idolatry, false worship. superstition, vanity, dissolute life, and 〈◊〉 works of darkness, etc. making them ● royal Priesthood, an holy nation, a people set at liberty, to show forth the verses of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light; gathering and uniting them together, as † Eph. 4, 12, 16, Esa, 60, 4, 8, Psa, 110, 3, Act, 2, 41 Col, 2. 5, 6, members of one body, in his faith, love, and ●oly order, unto all general and mutu●l duties, Esa, 59, 21, & 62, 6. 1 john. 2. 27, Ephes. 4, 7. 8, 11, 12, jer. 3, 15, Ezek, ● chap, Zach, 11 Heb. ●2. 28. 2 Mat. 28, 20 1 Tim, 6, 13, ● through his spirit instructing and governing them by such Officers & ●awes as he hath prescribed in his word, ●y which Officers and Laws he governeth his Church, and by ‡ Mat. 7, 15. 24, 23, 24, 2●. 4, 3, 4. Ier, ● 30, 31, and 21, Deut. 12▪ 32. Rev. ● 2, and 22, ●9. none other. XVIII. To this Church he hath made the * Lev. 26, 11, 12. Mat, 28, 18. 19, 20. Rome, 9 4. Esa 59, 20, 21, Ezek. 48. 35, 2 Cor. 6, 18. pr●●mises, and given the seals of his Cov●nant, presence, love, blessing & protecti● Here are the ‡ Esa, 8, 16, 1 Tim, 3, 15, & 4, 16, & 6-3, 5, 2 Tim, 2. 15. Tit, 1, 9 Deu, 31. 26. holy Oracles, as in t● Ark, surely kept and poorly taught. H● are all the † Psal, 46, 4, 5 Ezek 47, 1, etc. Ioh, 1, 16, and 7, 38. 39, Ep 4. 4. 7 fountains and springs of ● grace continually replenished & flowi● forth. Here is Christ | Esa, 11, 12, Ioh, 3, 14, & 12, 32, Esa, 49, 22, lifted up to all Nuncheons, hither * Esa 55, 1, Mat 6, 33, & 22, 2, etc., Prov, 9, 4, 5, Ioh 7▪ 37, he inviteth all men to ● supper, his marriage feast: hither ou●● ‡ Deut, 12, 5, 11, Esa, 2, 2, 3, & 14 1, & 44, 5, zach, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, Act 2, 41 47, Heb, 12, 22, etc., Psal. 87, 5, 6, Song, 4, 12. Gal, 6, 10, Eph, 2 19, Col, 1, 12, 13. all men of all estates and degrees, that ● knowledge him their Prophet, Priest a● King to repair, to be enroled amongst his household servants, to be under his heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in his walled sheepfold and watered orchard, to have communion here with the Saints, that they may be made meet to be partakers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God. XIX. And as * See Article 18 afore. & Exo. 25 2. & 35. 5. 1 Cor. 12. 4. 5. 6 7. 12. 18. Rom. 12. 4. 5. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 10. Ephes. 4. 16. Col. 2. 5. 6. 19 all his servants and subjects are called hither, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring the gifts God hath given them, so being come, they are here by himself bestowed in their several order, peculiar place, due use, being fitly compact and knit together by every joint of help, according to th● effectual work in the measure of ever● part, unto the edification of itself in lov● Whereunto when he † Eph. 4. 8. 10. 11. 12. 13. Rom. 12. 7. 8. & 16. 1 1 Cor. 12. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 11. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 28. Act. 6. 2. 3. & 14, 23. & 20. 1●▪ 28. Phil. 1. 1. 1 Pet. ●. 1. 2. ● 4. 1 Tim. 3. ch● & 5. 3. 9 17. 〈◊〉 with 6. 13. 1●▪ Rev 22. 18. 1●▪ Mat. 28. 20. ascended up o● high he gave gifts unto men, and distributed them unto several public function in his Church, having instituted and ra●tified to continue unto the world's end only this public ordinary ministry o● Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, Helpers, 〈◊〉 the instruction, government, and service of his Church. XX, This ministery is exactly * Rome, 12, 7. 8 Eph, 4, 11. 12, with the Epis, to Tim, and Tit, A●t, 6, 3, 5, 6, & 14. 23. & 20 17, etc. 1 Pet. 5 1, 2, 3, 1 Cor, 5, 4, etc., and 9, 7 9 14, and 12, 4 etc., & Heb. 3. 2 6. & Pro, 8, 8, 9 descrbed distinguished, limited concerning their office, their calling to their office their administration of their office, and their maintenance in in their office, by most perfect and plain laws in God's word: which ‡ Heb, 2, 3, and 3, 3, and, 1●,. 25, etc. 1 Tim 14-15. & 6. 13. 14. 2 Tim. 3, 14— 17, Gal, 1, 8, 9, Deut, 4 2, and 12, 32. Revel, 22, 18, 19 laws it is not lawful for these Ministers, or for the whole Church wittingly to neglect, transgress, or violate in any part, nor yet to receive any other laws brought into the Church by any person whatsoever. XXI. None * Heb. 5. 4. Num 16, 5. 40. & 18. 7. 2 Chron. 26. 18. john. 10. 1. 2. and 3. 27. Act. 6. 3. 5. 6. & 14. 23. Tit. 1. 5. jer. 23. 21. Num. 8. 9 10. may usurp or execute a ministery, but such as are rightly called by the Church whereof they stand Ministers, unto such offices, and in such manner, as God hath prescribed in his word. And being so called, they ought to give all diligence to fulfil their Ministry to be found faithful and unblamable in all things. † Act. 20. 28. 1 Cor. 4. 1. 2. Col. 4. 17. 1 Tim. 1. 18. 19 & 4. 12▪ & 5. 21. & 6. 11-14. 2 Tim. 1, 13. 14. & 3. 14▪ & 4. 5. 1 Pet 5. 14▪ Ro● 12. 7. 8 XXII. This ministery is alike given to every Christian congregation, with like and equal Mat. 28. 20. 1 Cor. 4, 17, & 12 4-7▪ & 14. 33. 36 & 16, 1, Eph. 4. 10-13. Rev. 1. 20, & 2 & 3. chap. 1 Cor, 3. 21. 22. 23. Mat, 18, 17. See beside these, the Article 20. before. power and commission to have & enjoy the same, as God offereth fit men and means, the same rules given to all for the election and execution thereof in all places. XXIII, As every Christian congregation * Act. 6. 3. 5. 6. & 14. 23, & 15 2. 〈◊〉. 23. 2 Cor 8. 19 1 Tim. 3. 10. and 4. 14. & 5. 22. Num. 8. 9 10. 1 Cor. 16. 3. hath power and commandment to elect and ordain their own ministery according to the rules in God's word prescribed, & whilst they shall faithfully execute their office, to have them † 1 Thes. 5. 12. 13. 1 Tim. 5. 3. 17. 18. Heb. 13 17. 1 Cor. 9 7. etc. Gal. 6. 6. in superabundant love for their work sake, to provide for them, to honour them & reverence them, according to the dignity of the office they execute: So have they also | 1 Tim. 3. 10. & 5. 22. Rom. 16. 17. Phil. 3. 2 1 Tim. 6. 3. 5. Ezech. 44. 12. 13. Mat. 18. 17. power and commandment, when any such default, either in their life, doctrine, or administration breaketh out, as by the rule of the word debarreth them from, or depriveth them of their ministery, by due order to depose them from the ministery they exercised: yea if the case so require, and they remain obstinate & impenitent, orderly to cut them off by excommunication. XXIIII. Christ * Psal. 122. 3. Act. 2. 47. Rom. 16. 2. Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5. 4. 2 Cor. 2. 6. 7. 8. Lev. 20. 4. 5. & 24. 14. Num 5. 2. 3. Deut. 13. 9 hath given this power to receive in or to cut of any member, to the whole body together of every Christian congregation, and not to any one member apart, or to more members sequestered from the whole, or to any other Congregation to do it for them: Yet so, as each Congregation ought to use the ‡ Act. 15. 2. 22 with 1 Cor. 3. 5. 22. & 12. 20. & 14. 33. best help they can hereunto, and the most meet member they have to pronounce the same in their public assembly. XXV, Every members of each Christian congregation, how excellent, great, or learned soever, aught to be subject to this censure & judgement of Christ: Yet ought not the Church without great care and due advice to proceed against such public persons. Lev. 4. chap. 2 Chron. 26. 20. Psal. ●. 10. 11. 12 & 141. 5. and 149. 8. 9 Act 11 2. 4. 1 Tim. 5. 19 20. 21. XXVI, As Christ hath * Act. 20. 17. 28. Heb. 13. 17. 24 Song. 3. 3. Esa 62. 6. Ezec. 33. 2. Mat. 24. 45. Luk. 12. 42. 1 Thes. 5. 14. for the keeping of this Church in holy and orderly communion, placed some special men over the Church, who by their office are to govern, oversee, visit, watch etc. So ‡ Mar. 13. 34. 37. Luk. 17. 3. Gal. 6. 1. 1 Thes. 5. 11. Jude vers. ●. 20. Heb. 10. 24 25. & 12. 15. likewise for the better keeping thereof in all places, by all the members, he hath given authority and laid duty upon them all to watch one over another. XXVII. Finally, whilst the Ministers & people thus remain together in this holy order & Christian communion, each one endeavouring to do the will of God in their calling, and thus to walk to the glory of God, in the obedience of faith: Christ hath promised to be present with them, to bless & defend them against all fraud and force of their enemies, so as the gates of hell shall not prevail against them. Mat. 28. 20. Luk 12. 35. 36. 37. 38. Rom. 16. 19 20. Deut. 28. 1. etc. Zach. 2. 5. & 12. ●. 3. 4. Psal. 125. 2▪ and 132. 12. 13. etc. Mat. 16. 18. XXVIII. But when and where this holy order and diligent watch was intermitted, neglected, violated: Antichrist that man of sin, did together with other points of Christian faith corrupt also and alter the holy ordinances, offices, and administrations of the Church: and in stead thereof brought in, and erected a strange new forged ministery, liturgy, and government. Yea and the nations kingdoms and inhabitants of the earth were made drunken with this cup of fornications and abominations, and all people enforced to receive the Beasts mark and worship his image, and so brought into confusion and Babylonish bondage. 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4 8. 9 10. 11. 12. Rev. 9 & 13. & 17. & 18. ch. 1 Tim. 4. 1. 2. 3. Psal. 74. Esa. 14. 13. 14. Dan. 7. 25. & 8. 10. 11. 12. & 11. 31▪ 2 Pet. 2. chapt. 1 john. 2. 18. 22. & 4. 3. and 2 joh. verse. 7. 9 XXIX. The present Hierarchy retained and used in England of Archbs, Primates, Lordbps, metropolitans, Suffragans, Deans, Prebendaries, Canons, Peticanons, Archdeacon's, Chancellors, Commissaries, Priests, Deacons or Halfpriests, Parsons, Vicars, Curates, Hierling roving Preachers, Churchwardens, Parish-clerks: Also their Doctors, Proctors, and other Officers of their spiritual Courts (as they call them) together with the whole rabble of the Prelates, and their Servitors from and under them set over these Cathedral and Parishional Assemblies in this confusion, are a strange & Antichristian ministery and Offices: and are not that ministery above named, instituted in Christ's Testament, nor placed in or over his Church. Rev. 9 3. etc. & 13. 15. 16. 17 & 18. 15. 17, 2 Thes. 2. 3. 4. 8. 9 with Rom. 12 7. 8. with Eph. 4. 11. 12. 1 Tim 3. 15. & ●. 17. Let this Article be conferred with the precedent▪ & 1. 7. 12. 13. 14 19 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 28. XXX, These their Popish Offices, Entrance, Administration, and Maintenance, with their names, titles, privileges, & prerogatives: also the power and rule they usurp over and in these Ecclesiastical assemblies, over the whole Ministration and affairs thereof, yea one over another, creating Priests, citing, suspending, silencing, deposing, absolving, excommunicating, etc., Their confounding of Ecclesiastical & Civil jurisdiction, causes, and proceedings in their persons, Courts, Commissions, Visitations, the Priests of less rule taking their Ministry from & exercising it under them by their prescription & limitation, swearing Canonical obedience unto them, administering by their devised imposed stinted popish liturgy, etc. Finally the dispensations which they use for Plurality of benefices, licences of Non residency, Licences to marry and eat flesh (both which with them are on certain days & times forbidden, etc.,) These, we say, are sufficient proofs of the former assertion, the particulars therein being duly examined by & compared to the rules of Christ's Testament. Not to speak here, of their private Baptism, of the sign of the Cross used in Baptism, of questions propounded to the infants, of the Priest's surplice, prayer over the dead at burial, kneeling at the Lords supper, and other the like popish corruptions, almost infinite, retained and allowed among them. Confer this Article with the precedent 1. 7. 12. 13. 14. 19 etc. also Revel. 9 3. etc. & ●3. 11. 15. 16. 17. & 14. 9 10 11. & 17. 3, 4, ●. & 18. 15. 17 & 22. 18. 19 Io●. 10, ●1, Luk. ●2. 25. 26. Dan 7, 8. 25. &. 8. 10. 11. 12. 2 Thes 2. 3. 4, 8, 9 1 Pet. 5. 3. with Ioh, 3. 27, 29. with Rev. 2. 1. 1 King. 12. 27. etc. Zac, 11. 15. 16. Esa. 1. 12. & 29. 13. & 30. 22 Mar. 7. 7. 8. Gal 1. 8. etc. & 2. 4. 5. Col 2. 20. 22. 2●, 1 Tim, 4. 1. 2. 3. Eze, 8. 5. & 13, 9 etc. Mica. 2. 11. Malach. 1. 8. 13. 14, 1 Cor. 14. 34, 35. Exod. 20, 4. 5. 6. 7. Num. 15. 39 40. Psal. 119. 22. 113 138. Deut. 1●. 30. 31. 32. XXXI. These Ecclesiastical Assemblies, remaining thus in confusion & bondage under this Antichristian ministery, Courts, Canons, worship, Ordinances etc. without freedom and power to redress any enormity among them, cannot be said in this confusion and subjection, truly to have Christ their Prophet Priest and King, neither can be in this estate (whilst we judge them by the rules of God's word) esteemed the true, visible, orderly gathered or constituted Churches of Christ, whereof the faithful may become or stand Members, or have any spiritual communion with them in their public worship and Administration. Confer this Article with the precedent: See also Rev, 18. 2. 3. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 14 33. jer. 15, 19 Malipiero, 1. 4, 6, 8. Hos. 4. 14. 15. Rom. 6. 16. 2 Pet. 2, 19 Lev. 17. 1— 9 1 Cor. 10, 14, 17, 18. 19 20. 2 Co●. 6. 14. 15. 16. 17. Song. 1, 6. 7. XXXII. Therefore are * Rev. 18. 4. Esa. 48. 20. & 52. 11. jer. 50. 8 & 1●. 6. 45. Zach. 2. 6. 2 Cor 6. 17. all that will be saved, bound by God's commandment, with speed to come forth of this Antichristian estate, leaving the suppression of it ‡ Rev. 17. 16. Mat. 22. 21. 2 Chro. 14. 3. 4. 5. & 15. 8. 9 & 17. 6. 2 Kin. 23. 5. etc. Rome 13. 4. unto the Magistrate to whom it belongeth. And all such also as have | Rev. 18. 4. Zach. 13. 2. 4. 5. 6 & 14. 21. jer. 51. 26. Psal. 119 59 60. 128. Prov. 5. 20. Esa. 8. 11. 12. & 35. 8. received or exercised any of these false Offices or any pretended function or ministery in or to this false and Antichristian constitution, are willingly in God's fear to give over and leave those unlawful Offices, and no longer to minister in this manner to these assemblies in this estate. Neither may * Rev. 18. 11. Psal. 16. 3. 4. Prov. 3. 9 10. with Exod. 20. 4. 5. jud. 17. 3. 4. 5. Ezec. 16. 17. 18. 19 1 Cor 10. 19 20. 21. 22 with Heb. 13. 10 1 Tim. 5. 17. 2 Cor. 8, 3. 4. 5. any of what sort or condition soever, give any part of their goods, Lands, Money, or money worth to the maintenance of this false ministery and worship, upon any commandment or under any colour whatsoever. XXXIII. And being come forth of this Antichristian-estate unto the freedom & true profession of Christ, besides the * Gen 18, 19 Exod, 13. 8. 14. Pro. 31. 26. 27. Eph. ●6. 4. 9, Deut. 6. 7. Psal. 79. 3. 4. instructing and well guiding of their own families, they are willingly to ‡ Luk. 17. 37. Phil. 1. ●. jer. 50 4. 5. Act. 2. 41. 42. Psal 110. 3. Esa. 14. 1. & 44 5. Neh. 9 38. 2 Cor. 9 13. with join together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the faith & obedience of Christ to unite themselves into | 1 Cor. 1, 2, & 12 14. 27. & 14. 2●. & 16. 1. Act. 14. 23. 27. & 15. 3. 4. & 16. 5. Rom. 12. 5. Mat. 18. 17. 18. 19 20. Rev. 1. 20. & 2. 18. 12. 18 & 3.. 17. 14▪ Eph. 2. 19 Col. 2. 19, peculiar & visible Congregations: wherein, as members of one body whereof Christ is the only head, they are to worship and serve God according to his word, remembering to ‡ Exod. 20, 8. with Rev. 1. 10▪ Act. 20. 7. 1 Cor. 16. 2. keep holy the Lord's day. XXXIIII. Then also * 1 Cor. 14. chap. Rom. 12. 6. 1 Pet. 4. 10. ●1. 1 Cor. 12. 7. Act. 13. 15. 1 Thes. 5. 20 such to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, tried in the exercise of Prophecy, attending to study and learning may and ought (by the appointment of the Congregation) to prophesy, according to the proportion of faith, and so to teach publicly the word of God, for the edification, exhortation and comfort of the Church: Until such time as the people be meet for and God manifest men with able gifts and fitness to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the public ministery of his Church: But ‡ Heb. 5. 4. Eph, 4. 11. 12. Num 16. 10. 39 40. Rom. 12. 7. john. 1. 23. 25. 1 Cor. 1. 14. 15. 16. 17. with chap. 3. 5. 6. no Sacraments to be administered until the Pastors or Teachers be chosen and ordained into their Office. XXXV. And then wheresoever there shall be a people fit, and men furnished with meet and necessary gifts, they are not only still to continue the exercise of Prophecy aforesaid, but also ‡ Act. 6. 3. 5. 6. & 14. 21. 22. 23. Tit. 1. 5. etc. Eph. 4. 11. 12. 1 Cor. 12. 7. 8. 14. 15. 28, 1 Tim. 3. & 5. chap. Lev, 8. chap. upon due trial to proceed unto choice and ordination of Officers for the Ministry and service of the Church, according to the rule of God's word: & so hold on * Col, 2. 5. 6. 7, 2 Thes. 2, 15, Jude, ver. 3, etc., Mat. 28. 20, still to walk forward in the ways of Christ for their mutual edification and comfort, as it shall please God to give knowledge and grace thereunto. And particularly, that such as be † Act, 2. 38. 39 with Rom. 9 4, & Gen, 17. 7. 12. 27. Rome, 11, 16. 1 Cor, 1, 16 & 7. 14, & 10 2. Psal, 21, 30, Col. 2, 11. 12, Exod, 12, 48, 49 Act. 16, 15, 33. Mar. 10. 13-16 Gal. 3, 28. 29. of the seed, or under the government of any of the Church, be even in their infancy received to Baptism and made partakers of the sign of God's covenant made with the Faithful & their seed throughout all generations. And that all | Mat, 26. 26. 27, 1 Cor. 11, 28. & 10. 3. 4. 16. 17 & 12. 13 Act, 2, 42, with 1, 14, & 20. 7. 8. Gal, 3. 28. of the Church that are of years, and able to examine themselves, d● communicate also in the Lord's supper, both men and women, and in ‡ Mat. 26, 26. 17. 1 Cor, 10, 3. 4. 16, & 11. 23 24-29, both kinde● bread and wine. In which * 1 Cor. 10, 16. 17, & 11. 23, 24 25. etc. Mat. 26, 26, 27. 29. & 15. 17. john. 12. 8. Act. 3, 21, & 7. 56. clements as also in the water of baptism, even after they are consecrate, there is neither transubstantiation into, nor consubstantiation with the body and blood of jesus Christ: whom the heavens must contain, until the time that all things be restored: But they are † Gen, 17. 11. Rome, 4. 11. Exo. 12. 13, with Heb 13, 20. in the ordinance of God signs and seals of Gods everlasting covenant with us, representing & offering | 1 Cor. 10, 3, 4. 5, & 11. 26. 27. 28. 29. & 12. 13. Rom. 2. 28. 29, Col. 2. 11, 12. 13. Act 8. 13. 36. 37, 38. & 15. 9 Gal. 3, 27. Rom. 5. & 6. and 7. and 8, chap. 1 Cor. 1. 30. 31. to all the receivers, but exhibiting only to the true believers the Lord jesus Christ & all his benefits unto righteousness, sanctification, and eternal life, through faith in his name, to the glory and praise of God. XXXVI. Thus being rightly gathered, established, & still proceeding in Christian communion and obedience of the Gospel of Christ, none is to separate for faults and corruptions, which may & so long as the Church consisteth of mortal men will fall out & arise among them, even in true constituted Churches, but by due order to seek redress thereof. Rev. 2, & 3● Chap. Act, 15 1, 2, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Phil. 2. 1-6. & 3, 15. 16, Heb. 10, 25, jude. ver, 19, Lev. 4, 13, etc., 2 Chron, 15. 9, 17, & 30. 18 19, 2 Cor 13, 1, 2, 1 These. 5. 14▪ 2 Thes 3. 6. 14▪ Mat. 18. 17. 1 Cor. 5, 4, 5, XXXVII. Such as yet see not the truth, may not withstanding * 1 Cor. 14. 23. 24, 25. Psal. 18. 49. Rom. 15. ● 10. 1 Tim. 2. 4. 2 Tim. 2. 25. hear the public doctrine and prayers of the church, and with a meekness are to be sought by all means Yet none who are grown in years may be received into their communion as members, ‡ 2 Cor. 6. 14. 15. 16. Ezr. 4, 3. Exod 12, 43. Lev. 22. 25, Deut, 7, chap. Exod. 34, 12, Esa. 44. 5. Psal. 47. 9, & ●10, 3. Act. 1●, 18. 19 but such as do make confession of their faith, publicly desiring to be received as members, and promising to walk in the obedience of Christ. Neither any infants, † Exod. 20, 5, 6. 1 Cor, 7, 14, Gen, 17. 7. 12. ●7, Exod, 12, 48. 49. Act, 16 15. 33. Eph, 4, 4. 5. See also Artic. 35, before. but such as are the seed of the faithful by one of the parents, or under their education and government. And further | Act. 9 26. 27. & 18. 27. Rom. 16 1. 2. 2 Cor, 8. 23. Col. 4. 10. not any from one congregation to be received members in another, without bringing certificate of their former estate & present purpose. XXXVIII. And although the particular Congregations be thus distinct and several bodies, every one as a compact and knit city in itself, yet are they all to walk by one and the same rule, and by all means convenient to have the counsel and help one of another in all needful affairs of the Church, as members of one body in the common faith, under Christ their only head. Psal, 122. 3, Song 8 8, 9 1 Cor. 4. 17 and 14, 33. 36 & 16. 1. Col. 4. 16. Mat. 28. 20 ● Tim 13. 15. & 6. 13, 14. Rev 22, 18, 19 Col. 2. 6. 19 & 4, 16 Act. 15. cap. See beside the Artic. 1. 22. 33. XXXIX. It is the office and duty of Princes & Magistrates (who by the ordinance of God are * Rom. 13, 1, 2▪ 1 Pet, 2. 13, 14, 2 Chron, 19, 4, etc. & 29, & 34, chap, judge, 17, 5, 6. Mat, 22 21. Tit. 3, 1, supreme governors under him over all persons and causes within their Realms and dominions) to † 2 King, 23, 5, etc., Deut, 12. 2, 3, with, 17. 14. 18. 19, 20. 2 Kin 10. 26. 27. 28. 2 Chron. 17. 6. Psal, 101, Pro. 16. 12. & 25. 2. 3. 4, 5, Act. 19 27. Rev, 17▪ 16 & 18. 11. 12 etc. suppress and root out by their authority all false ministries, voluntary religions, & counterfeit worship of God; to abolish and destroy the Idol Temples, Images, Altars, Vestments, & all other monuments of Idolatry and superstition; and to take and convert to their own civil uses not only the benefit of all such idolatrous buildings and monuments, but also the Revenues, demeans, Lordships, Possessions, Gleabes, and Maintenance of any false ministries, and unlawful ecclesiastical functions whatsoever within their dominions. And on the other hand, ‡ Esa. 49. 23. & 60. 3. 10. 11. 12, Rev. 21, 24. Deut. 17. 14. 18 19 20. Psal. 2. 10. 11. 12, and 72. 1, etc., & 100LS▪ jos. 1. 7. 8. 2. Chr. 17. 4,— 9, & 19 4, etc. & 29, & 30, chap. Dan 6. 25, 26, Esr, 7. 26 Pro. 16, 10, 12. 13, & 20. 28. & 29, 14. Esa. 10, 1 2, 1 Tim. 2. 2, 1 Pet. 2, 13, 14. Rome, 13. 3. 4. to 'stablish and maintain by their laws every part of God's word, his Christian Religion, pure worship, and true Ministry described in his word; to cherish and protect all such as are careful to worship God according to his word, and to lead a godly life in all peace and loyalty; yea to enforce all their subjects whether Ecclesiastical or Civil, to do their duties to God and men, protecting & maintaining the good, punishing and restraining the evil, according as God hath commanded, whose Lieutenants they are here on earth. XL. And thus the protection & commandment of the Princes and Magistrates maketh it much more * Act, 9, 31, Pro 16, 15. Esra. 5. & 6. ch, 1 Tim, 2, 2. Dan, 6, 25, 26, Rev, 21, 24, peaceable, though no whit at all ‡ Act, 4. 18, 19 & 5. 28, 29, Dan, 6, 7. 8. 9, 10, Luk. 21, 12, 13, Mat. 28. 20, 1 Tim, 5, 21, & 6. 13. 14. more lawful, to walk in the ways and ordinances of jesus Christ: which he hath commanded his Church to keep without spot and vurebukeable until his appearing in the end of the world, And in this behalf, therefore, the brethren thus minded and proceeding as is before said, are both continually to † Psa, 20, 9, & 72, 1, 1 Tim. 2. 4. 2 Chro, 15. 1, 2, Hag. 1. 1, 4. 14. & 2, 5. supplicate to God and as they may, to their Princes & Governors, that thus & under them they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. XLI. And if God incline the Magigstrates hearts to the allowance and protection of the Church therein, it ought to be accounted a singular & happy blessing of God who granteth such nursing Fathers & Mothers to his Church. And it behoveth all to be careful to walk worthy so great a mercy of God, in all thankfulness and obedience. Psal, 126, 1, etc., Esa, 49. 23 & 60, 16. Ps 21 & 72, Rom. 13. 3, 1 Tim, 2. 2. 3. 4, Act, 9 31. XLII, But if God withhold the Magistrate's allowance & furtherance herein, yet * Act, 2, 40-42 & 4, 19, & 5, 28, 29. 41, & 16. 20, etc., & 17. 6, 7. & 20, 23, 24, 1 Thes, 3. 3. Phil. 1. 27 28, 29, Dan, 3, ●6-18, & 6. 7. 10, 22, 23. 24. Luk, 14. 26, 27. & 21 12-14. 2 Tim, 2, 12. & 3. 12 Heb. 10, 32 etc., 1 Pet. 4, chap, Rev. 2, 10. 25. 26. & 6. 9, & 12. 11, 17. must we notwithstanding proceed together in Christian covenant & communion thus to walk in the obedience of Christ and confession of his faith and Gospel, even through the midst of all trials & afflictions, not accounting our goods, lands, wives, children, Fathers, Mothers, brethren, sisters, no nor our lives, dear unto us, so as we may finish our course with joy, remembering always that we ought to obey God rather than man: & grounding upon the ‡ Mat. 28. 18, 19 20, 1 Tim, 6, 13, 14▪ 15. 16 Rome, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4. 5, 6. 7. 8, 1 Cor. 14, 37 2 Tim, 4, 7, 8, Rev, 2, 10, and 14, 12. 13. & 22, 16, 17. 18. 19, 20. commandment, commission, & promise of our Saviour Christ, who as he hath all power in heaven and in earth, so hath also promised (if we keep his commandments, which he hath given without limitation of time, place, Magistrates allowance or disallowance) to be with us unto the end of the world: and when we have finished our course and kept the faith, to give us the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all that love his appearing. XLIII. Unto all men is to be given whatsoever is due unto them. Tributes, Customs, and all other such lawful & accustomed duties, ought willingly and orderly to be paid and performed: Our lands, goods, and bodies, to be submitted in the Lord to the Magistrates pleasure. And the Magistrates themselves every way to be acknowledged, reverenced, and obeyed according to godliness, not because of wrath only but also for conscience sake: And finally, all men so to be esteemed and regarded, as is due and meet for their place, age, estate and condition. R●m, 13, 1. 5. 6, 7 Mat, 22, 21. ● Chron, 27, chap. Ezra, 7. 26, Neh 9 36. 37. Tit. 3 1, 1 Pet. 2, 13, etc. Ex. 18. 12 & 20, 12. etc. Lev 19 32. job. 29, 7. etc., with 30, 1 etc., Eph, 5. 21-33, & 6. 1-9. 1 Pet. 5, 5, Tit. 2. chap, XLIIII. And thus, we labour to give unto God that which is Gods & unto Cesar that which is Caesar's, and unto all men, that which belongeth unto them: endeavouring ourselves to have always a clear conscience towards God and towards men: And having hope in God that the resurrection of the dead shallbe of the just unto life, & of the unjust unto condemnation, everlasting. Now if any take this to be heresy, then do we with the Apostle freely confess that after the way which they call heresy, we worship God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ, believing all things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets and Apostles: and whatsoever is according to this rule of truth published in our own country or holden by any reformed Churches in their Confessions abroad in the world. We do also reject and detest all strange and heretical opinions & doctrines of all Heretics both old and new whatsoever. Mat, 22, 21. Act 24. 14. 15. 16. joh. 5. 28. 29. Dan. 12. 2. 2 Cor 4. 17. 1 Tim. 6. 3 4. 5. & 2. Tim 1. 13. and 3. 14 15. 16. 17. XLV. Finally, whereas we are much slandered and traduced as if we denied or misliked that form of prayer commonly called the Lords prayer: we thought it needful here also concerning it to make known, that we believe and acknowledge it to be a most absolute and most excellent form of prayer, such as no men nor Angels can set down the like. And that it was taught and appointed by our Lord jesus Christ, not that we should be tied to the use of those very words, but that we should according to that rule make all our requests and thanksgiving unto God, forasmuch as it is a perfect form & pattern, containing in it plain & sufficient directions of prayer, for all occasions & necessities, that have been, are, or shallbe, to the Church of God, or any member thereof, to the end of the world. Mat. 6. 9-13. Luk. 11. 2. 3. 4. with Mat. 14 30. & 26. 39 42. Act. 1. 24. 25. and 4. 24. 30. & 6. 4. Rome 8. 26. 27. & 15 30. 31. 32. 1 Pet 2. 5. jam. 1. 5. 6. and 5. 13. 1 Tim. 2. 1. 2. 3. Eph. 6. 18. ●● 1 Thess. 5. 17. 18. Phil. 4. 6. Rev. 3. 4. Now unto him that is able to keep us that woe fall 〈◊〉 and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with joy, that is, to God only wise, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, and dominion, & power, both now 〈◊〉 for ever, Amen. ¶ The heads of the differences between us and the Church of England as it standeth at this day, concerning diverse corruptions of Antichrist yet remaining among them. I. THat Christ the Lord hath by his last Testament given to his Church, and set therein, sufficient ordinary Offices, with the manner of calling or Entrance, Works, and Maintenance, for the administration of his holy things, and for the sufficient ordinary instruction guidance & service of his Church, to the end of the world. 2. That every particular Church hath like & full interest & power to enjoy and practise all the ordinances of Christ given by him to his Church to be observed therein perpetually. 3. That a true visible Church, is a company of people called and separated from the world by the word of God, and joined together by voluntary profession of the faith of Christ, in the fellowship of the Gospel. And that therefore no profane persons, unbelievers or wicked livers, may be received retained or compelled to be members in the Church of Christ, which is his body; God having in all ages appointed & made a separation of his people from the world, before the Law, under the Law, & now in the time of the Gospel. 4. That discreet, faithful, & able men (though not yet in office of ministery) may preach the Gospel and whole truth of God, that men being first brought to knowledge, & converted to the Lord, may then be joined together in holy communion with Christ our head and one with another. 5. That being thus joined, every Church hath power in Christ to choose and take unto themselves meet and sufficient persons, into the Offices and functions of Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons and Helpers, as those which Christ hath appointed in his Testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, & building up of his Church. And that no Antichristian Hierarchy or ministery, of Popes. Archbishops, Lord bishops, Suffragans, Deans, archdeacons, chancellors, Parsons, Vicars, Priests, Dumb-ministers, or any such like, may be set over the Spouse & Church of Christ, nor retained therein. 6. That the Ministers aforesaid being lawfully called by the Church where they are to administer, aught to continue in their functions according to God's ordinance, and carefully to f●ed the flock of Christ committed unto them, being not enjoined or suffered to bear Civil offices withal, neither burdened with the execution of Civil affairs, as the celebration of marriage, bu●ying the dead etc. which things belong aswell to those without as within the Church. 7. That the due maintenance of the Officers aforesaid, should be of the free and voluntary contribution of the Church, that according to Christ's ordinance, they which preach the Gospel may live of the Gospel: and not by Popish Lordships and livings, or jewish Tithes & Offerings. And that therefore the Lands & other like revenues of the Prelates & Clergy yet remaining (being still also baits to allure the Jesuits & Seminaries into the Land, & incitements unto them to plot & prosecute their wonted evil courses, in hope to enjoy them in time to come) may and aught to be taken away, & converted to better use, as those of the Abbeys & Nunneries have been heretofore by the Prince's power and authority, to the honour of God & great good of the Reanlme. 8. That all particular Churches ought to be so constituted, as having their own peculiar Officers, the whole body of every Church may meet together in one place, & jointly perform their duties to God & one towards another. And that the censures of admonition and excommunication should in due manner be executed, for sin, convicted, & obstinately stood in. This power also to be in the body of the Church whereof the parties so offending & persisting are members. 9 That the Church is not to be governed by Popish Canons, Courts, Classes, Customs, or any human inventions, but by the Laws & rules which Christ hath appointed in his Testament. That no Apocrypha writings, but only the Ca●nical scriptures are to be used in the Church. And that the Lord is to be worshipped and called upon in spirit & truth, according to that form of prayer given by the Lord jesus, Mat. 6. & after the liturgy of his own Testament, not by any other framed or imposed by men, much less by one translated from the Popish 〈◊〉, as the Book of common prayer etc. 10. That the Sacraments, being seals of God's covenant, aught to be administered only to the faithful, & Baptism to their seed or those under their government. And that according to the simplicity of the Gospel, without any Popish or other abuses, in either Sacrament. 11. That the Church is not to be urged to the observation of days & times, jewish or Popish, save only to sanctify the Lords day: Neither to be laden in things indifferent, with rites & ceremonies, Whatsoever invented by men; but that christian liberty may be rete●ned: And what God hath left f●ee, none to make bound. 12. That all monuments of Idolatry in garments or any other things, all Temples, Altars, Chapels, & other places dedicated heretofore by the Heathèns or Antichristians to their fa〈…〉 worship, aught by authority to be razed & bolished, not suffered to remain, for nourishing superstition, much less employed to the tr 〈…〉 worship of God. 13. That Popish degrees in Theology, i 〈…〉 forcement to single life in Colleges, abuse the study of profane heathen Writers, which 〈…〉 other like corruptions in Schools & Academi 〈…〉 should be removed & redressed, that so th' 〈…〉 may be the wellsprings & 〈◊〉 series of true learning & godliness. 14. Finally that all Churches & people (without exception) are bound in Religion on 〈…〉 lie to receive & submit unto that constitution ministery, Worship, & order, which Christ Lord & King hath appounted unto his Church & not to any other devised by Man whatsoeve●● Let him that readeth, consider.