THE POPE'S Pedigree, Usurpation, & abominable Pride; The Forerunner of His 〈…〉 Down-fall. Briefly declaring the first rising, and the ripening of Popery; in a true and short Collection of the names, wicked lives, and Decrees of most of the Popes of Rome, their adding to, and altering the Ordinances of Christ. Also fourteen Questions proposed, and a friendly advice given. John 3. 19 And this is condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, etc. Rome, Rome, beware of sixty three and three, Mark the number of the Beast. Printed in the year, 1664. Of Rome's great fear. Light is sown. OUR Heavenly Sower makes all men's hearts his field by inward teaching, to beget in them an humble submission to his will, with all other spiritual fruit, Mat. 13. 3, 4. Rom. ●. 14. Col. 1. 6. Secondly, Out of this field he Nationally culled the Jews for a Vineyard, by miracles, to outward teachings, for the aforesaid end, in profession of the Levitical Law, Deut. 7. 6, 7, 8. Isa. 5. 1. Rom. 3. 1, 2, 3. Heb. 7. 10. Thirdly, Out of Field and Vineyard, he personally culls Disciples into Churches (as it were Gardens) by outward teaching, for the same end, under profession of Christianity; in which profession First, Christ only is High Priest, and chief Bishop: All Disciples, Preachers, and Hearers, are Brethren, and fellow-servants; none to be called Lord, Master, or Doctor, Heb. 3. 1. 1 Pet. 5. 3, 4. Mat. 23. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, & 24. 49. Secondly, Christ's Command is the only rule to walk by; what is imposed more, is vain worship, John 15. 14. Mat. 15. 9 Thirdly, Beside the Ten Commands, and standing Ordinances, Praver and Praise, he ordered Disciples by preaching and baptising to Disciplise others in all Nations, and that they also observe the same things, which he had commanded them to enjoy his spiritual presence to the world's end, Mat. 28. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20. John 20. 23. (not meaning Spirit Baptism, as some say,) that is Christ's gift, and our enjoyment; only water Baptism is his Command, and our duty, and part of Disciplising, Mat. 3. John 3. 22, 23. & 4. 1. Also he bade them Break and eat bread, bless the Cup and drink, to remember him, 1 Cor. 11. 24. Men love darkness. But contrary to expectation, his Field bore Weeds, his Vineyard wild Grapes, Isa. 5. And his Gardens, the chief weed, selfship. That, culled out of his Vineyard, bore dispute for greatness, but Christ cut it down, and other Gardens bore the same weed, with buds; for Diotrephes, loving pre-eminence, prates against the Apostles, rejects the Brethren, and excludes them that received them; but John cuts it down, 3 John 9, 10. In his Garden at Rome, it grew so numerous, and rooted so deep, before the Apostles died, that Paul could not fallen it; wherefore he bade the faithful to mark and avoid such as caused divisions and offences, contrary to received truth; because pretending to serve Christ, they served their own bellies, and by fair speech deceived the simple, Rom. 16. 17, 18. And now, these being avoided, the faithful become Separates of Separates. But the outside Christians claim Churchship, and reckon the faithful Schismatics. Yea like the fallen Tribes of Israel, they take to themselves Authority to make Bishops. For in Anno 68 they make Linus their first Bishop, and he ordains. That women come covered into the Assemblies. Now selfship is knuckle high, and hath two great arms, to wit, a worldly Church, and a carnal Ministry. In Christianity each Assembly is a visible Church: And a Church could come at one time, into one place, 1 Cor. 11. 20. But Linus his Church contains several Assemblies 2. Christ requires all aged men in his Churches, to watch over, and guide the younger, at least by example, if they cannot by preaching; and many Elders or Watchmen were in one Assembly, 1 Pet. 5. 1, 2. 5. Phil. 1. 1. But this Church will have but one Bp. (not to watch, but) to rule over many Assemblies. And so Titus 1. 5. is turned aside like soft wax. Paul bad Titus stay in Crete, to set things wanting in order, to order watchmans to be blameless, as God's Stewards, not to be self-willed, or be scon angry, no wike-bibber, striker, or covetous person; but they dare order who shall be their Bp. and who not; and from these arms of selfship sprout many worldly Ordinances; for, 70. Their second Bp. Anacletus ordains, That each City or Village, have a Priest openly made to teach, and administer Sacraments, and excommunicates such as hinder visiting Saints Sepulchers. Christ makes all faithful Christians a Royal Priesthood, 1 Pet. 5. 2, 5, 9 But contrary wise, he divides his Saints into Clergy and Laity. 2. Christ commissionated men, as Disciples, to preach, baptise, bind, or lose, John 20. 19, 21, 23. But he bounds these things to his new fashioned Priests. 3. Jew-like, he hates Saints, but honours Sepulchers. And more buds yet; for Anno 92. The third Bp. Clement, divides Parishes in Rome, adds Oil and Cream to Baptism; but Infant Baptism is not yet thought on. 118. Alexander will have Communion-Wine mixed with Water, brings up purging water to sprinkle people after Mass, to make them holy, and to be reserved to drive the Devil out of men's houses, and out of the hearts of the faithful; and yet not holy enough to touch holy things; for Anno 130. Sextus ordains fine Linen for Mass, and that Laymen or women touch not Church-Ordinances, or hallowed things. 139. Tillisphorus ordains three Masses for Christmas day, and Lent to be fasted, and that Priests fast a week longer. And the next buds are wooden Churches, and childish Baptism; for 150. Higinus hallowed Churches, brought up Godfathers in Baptism, but children's baptism was not yet in force, not tised by considerate people; for Pancrates a Christians Son, 15 years old, was by Cornelius Catechised 20 days, and then baptised. And Pontus the son of Marchus a Christian, was by Bp. Pontianus first instructed, and then baptised. Anno 233. And Nazarius son to Perpetua a Christian, was first instructed, then baptised. And Lionella a Christian had three Grand Children, Sosippus, Cleosippus, and Melosippus, first Catechised, Anno 244. And thus they writ: The Primitive Church used to baptise at Penticost, and all the children of the Church, which in the whole year were by the Word moved, gave in their names at Easter, and till Penticost were instructed in the rules of Faith, and then baptised. Augustine thus preached, Juniors, Before we dipped your bodies in sacred water, we asked you, Believe you in God the Father Almighty? believe you in Jesus Christ his Son, conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? believe you in the Holy Ghost? And to each question every one answered, I believe. This we did according to our Saviour's Command, Mat. 28. etc. 154. Pius brought up keeping of Easter, ordained, That if Sacramental Wine be spilt, the Priest must lick it up; and brought the Font into the Church, but not so small a Font as now is; for Ciriachus Marcellus his Deacon baptising Tobia the King of Persia's Daughter in a silver Font; asked her, Tobia, believest thou in God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? she answered, I believe; Ciriachus asked, Believest thois the Resurrection of the body? she said, I believe; then being dipped, and listed out of the water, she said, Jesus whom Ciriach preacheth, is God. 195. Victor commands that Baptism be not administered till Easter, except need be; then at any time, and by Laymen, or women, and in hallowed, or unhallowed water. 203. Zopherimus brought up glass Chalices, because Christ's blood might soak into wood; and ordered that all called Christians receive the Sacrament at 12 years of age. The wine is now turned bloody, but not yet confirmed for an Article. But more buds still. For 218. Calextus brought up hallowing of Church yards; and Vrban their 16 Bp. appoints Silver and Gold Chalices. 233. Pontian ordains, That Psalms be sung in Church's night and day; and that none but Priests, may accuse a Priest. 258. Steven condemns Church-robbers, as man-slayers. 261. Sextus' 2d ordains, That the Communion be celebrated on an Altar. And 273. Foelix will not have it on an unhallowed Altar, or any unhallowed place; nor by any but a Priest, except need be. 275. Eutichianus blest new fruits, as Grapes and Beans on the Altar. And more buds still. For 283. Gaius decreed none to be made Priest, that hath not been 1. A Doorkeeper. 2. A Reader. 3. A Conjurer. 4. A Candle-Carrier. 5. A sub-Deacon. 6. A Deacon; and then a Priest. 312. Melciade their 31 Bp. brought up Bishoping of children, as a greater Sacrament than Baptism. 314. Silvester makes Wednesdays and fridays fasting-dais. And now is selfship grown knee-high into an Archbishop, but a Pope or universal Bishop is not yet thought on. 336. Marchus their first Archbishop, brought up singing the Nician Creed, and Julius brought in singing Athanasius Creed; and that the Bread and Wine be received severally. And selfship buds still. For 352. Liberius the third Archbishop, ordains Procession against plague, famine, rain, or drought. And 367. Damasus appoints Gloria Patri to end every Psalm, and two Quires to sing; one to sing one verse on one side, and one to sing another verse on th'other side; set Jerom to appoint every day's Service, and how many Psalms for each day, and that all do use that form. And more buds yet. For 385. Severius admits Monks into holy Order, un-Priests such as marry twice, or a widow; decreed that Priests have not all their Orders at one time. 398. Their Archbishop Anastatius ordains standing when Gospel is read. 404. Innocent their eighth Archbishop, makes Infant-Baptisme a Law, and that the people kiss the Pax, and Priests to kiss each other; and that the sick be not anointed with unconsecrated oil. 417. Zosimus brought up Tapers. 419. Boniface a Miraculist, brings in fasting on Saints Eves; and none to be Priest before 30 years of age. And more buds yet. For 423. Celestinus the eleventh Archbishop will have none Christened, till the Priest by breathing, drive the Devil out of them. 461. Iberius' brought in the Litany. 467. Anacetus forbade Priests to have herds, or long side-hair, but shaved crowns, Not four corner'd like Simon Magus; but round like Simon Peter, (saith he) to mind them of the Crown of Glory. 492. Galatius ordains, That the Priests in Mass stretch out their arms, and hold up their hands; and by Council Enacts Baptism to be administered, but at Easter and Whitsuntide, except need be; and then on newborn Infants; and to be done freely. 499. Simonachus their last Archbishop, ordered that Pascutia's soul be chastised in Purgatory. Now is selfship grown middle-high, and turned Patriarch. 514. Hornesday their first Patriarch will have no Altar set up without a Bishop's consent. 526. Faelix 4. and third Patriarch, divided Church from Chancel. 531. John 2. wrote for equality of Father and Son. 534. Agepetus, will have people on Sunday follow the Cross in Procession. 537. Vigillius their eighth Patriarch, will have Mass said with faces Eastward. 556. Pelagius ordains Deriges, and that day's Matins for the dead. 559. John 3. and tenth Patriarch, decrees that none have the title of chief, or universal Bishop. 591. Gregory their 13. Patriarch, styled himself, Servus Servorum, opposed John of Constantinople for claiming title of Universal, yet he hallowed candles, ashes, and palms, ordained Candlemas day for people to carry lighted candles in, and ash-wednesday to be sprinkled with ashes, to mind them that they are dust and ashes, and to carry palms on palm-sunday; he put the Pater Noster to the Mass, and a candle to burn on the Altar in Mass-time, held Images to be laymen's books, but not to be worshipped, revoked his Decree against Priest's marriage, because 6000. infants skulls were found in a Fishpond: many buds at once, and yet more still; for, 604. Sabian the last Patriarch, decreed bells ringing to gather people to hear Divine Service. And selfship is now grown head-high, and turned Pope. 606. Boniface 3. and first Pope obtained chiefship of the Emperor Phocas, and that the Church of Rome he reckoed the Mother-Church; now gins we will and command you, and now Mahomet schismed from him, and joined with Sergius a Monk. Little thought Phocas that Emperors would at last be subject to Popes: but more buds yet; for Boniface 4. and second Pope, fatted Monks in a Monastery for his lust. 614. Deus dedit wills Gossips not to marry, and 618. Boniface 5. ordains Sanctuary for Men-slayers, and that none below a Deacon touch Saints relics: and Honorius ordains a feast for exalting the Crosle. 642. Theodorus wills none to marry that Maid, to whom his father was Godfather: and yet more buddings; for, 649. Martin the ninth Pope, decked Churches, appoints more holidays, and Priests to keep single, and sing Mass aloud, and no man to lie with his wife, till a Priest bless them, and hollow their bed. 654. Eugenius ordered Bps to imprison bold Priests. 665. Vitalian brought into the Church Organs, and Pricksong, and Latin Service in England. 669. Deo, or Theodatus, hath Mass sung in Latin, and debars Ravena Bps of Christian burial, for not stooping to Rome's Sea. 678. Pope Agatho subjected Ravena-Churches, and put out the Bps eyes that withstood it. 683. Leo 2. and 15. Pope, opposed Western Priests marriages. 684. Pope Benedict got the stile of Christ's Vicar. 688. Sergius, or Swine's snout, settles Candlemass-day Customs, gets Shrines to put relics in: and lofty budding yet, for, 708. Constantine permits Justinian to kiss his feet. 731. Gregory 3. decreed that people offer derige groats, and mass-pences, for their dead friends souls, and that Priests do pray and sacrifice for the dead, and that Images be worshipped. 752. Steven 2. was the first carried on men's shoulders. 757. Pope Paul made legends for Saints, and Service for Lent. 767. Steven 3. settled Image-worship. 772. Adrian the 30. Pope, wrote a Book for Images, and will have Western Churches put off all fashions of massing, save that fashion that Gregory 1. had ordained. 792. Pope Leo 3. brought up Censers. 817. Pascalis put Saints relics to sale. and Gregory 4. wills Priests to go homely like Christ, without Rings or costliness. 844. Sergius 2. the first that changed his name for the Popedom, and selfship is now full crown-high; for, 847. Leo 4. brought up Peter's penny, offers Princes his feet to kiss, let's none come in the Chancel while Mass is saying. 855. Pope Joan, and 862. Benedict 3. gives security that he is a male, order the Clergy to be at the burial of Bps, and sing derige for their souls, and Bps to do so for the Clergy. 864. Nicholas complains of neglect in registering Popes, and orders Baptism, administered by pagan or infidel is not null, and that Pope's decrees be equal to Scripture. 891. Formasus, and 896. Steven 6. took Formasus up, cuts off his consecrating finger, and casts him into Tiber. 910. Sergius 3. took him up again, cuts off his other right hand fingers, and casts him again into Tiber, and new ordains whom he ordained. 939. Steven 8. cuts off men's hands, and pulls out their eyes for inclining to Otho, made boys Bps for money, defiled his father's Concubine, put out his ghostly father benedict's eyes, broke windows in the night, set houses on fire, drank healths to Satan; but a resolute man found him nought with his wife, and dispatched him; but, 965. Leo 8. Crowned Otho, and admitted him right to choose Popes. 965. John 14. begins to name and baptise bells. 999. Silvester 2. and 73 Pope, defeats a Sarazen of a conjuring book, agreed with Satan to be wholly his, if he bring him back and promote him: and did return, and taught the black art to Theophilact, Laurence, Braesutus, and John Gratian, by whose help he came to be Bp of Reams, then Archbp of Ravena, and next Pope of Rome; used the art secretly, till ask how long he should live, was told, till he said Mass at Jerusalem; he thought to live long, but in Lent, said Mass at St Cross (sometime called Jerusalem) where Satan seized on him. 1003. John 18. made a fast for all souls, took the people from choosing Popes, saying, The people must be taught, and not followed: and now Purgatory sprouts apace: for, 1003. John 19 called also Fastinus, is said to raise souls, and 1012. Benedict 8 is said to be seen a horseback after death, telling a Bp he was tormented, wishing that Odels would pray for him, and bad that his brother John take a treasure hid in such a place, and distribute it to the poor for his soul. Benedict 9 made Laurence and Gratian (his fellow-conjurers) Cardinals, invocates Satan in a Wood, makes women run after him, was selling his Popedom, and in the interim steps in Silvester; then Gregory gets the keys; three Popes at once, called the twenty schism; but Benedict fled, Gregory was banished, and Silvester stood. 1047. Clement 2. makes the Romans forswear a right to choose Popes; but the Emperor quelled him. 1049. Leo 9 appoints Priests to dwell nigh the Church. 1075. Gillibrand, or Gregory 7. and 89. Pope, by causing fire to come out of his sleeve, the people cried, Peter hath chosen Gillibrand; he had poisoned six or seven; he decreed that people come not to Mass ; he threw the Sacrament in the fire, not answering his demands, as the heathen Gods did theirs; he made the Emperor and Empress in cold weather come barefoot three days for audience, yet, at last was banished, and died miserably. 1088. urban 2. excommunicates two Emperors, and Clement the Emperor's Pope, and the people quarreled which Popes side to take; and more buds still; for▪ 1110. Petrus devised beads to say their Lady's Psalter on, and settled tithes on the Priests; but 1119. Calextus excommunicates the Emperor, makes his Pope ride backward, excommunicates all Priests that took money for baptising or burying. 1124. While Honorius sent to forbid Priests marriage in England, himself was found in bed with a slut. And selfship hath overgrown the Empire; for, 1154. Adrian 4. chid the Emperor for holding the wrong stirrup; also excommunicated him for writing his own name before his; he seeking admission, Adrian sets his foot on him, and said, On the Adder thou shalt tread, etc. also he made Consuls powerless. 1191. Silestin 3. sets on the Emperor's Crown with his feet, saying, Per●me regis regnum: and yet selfship buds apace, for, 1198. Innocent 3. settles Oricular confession, and takes the Cup from the laity, burned a hundred in one day, decreed that men believe that the words in their Mass-Canon were used by Christ, and are equal to Scripture, and that the Bread and Wine is after consecration the very flesh and blood of Christ, and not Bread or Wine; that sins be confessed to a Priest once a year, and if he publish their faults, to do penance in a Monastery till he die. 1216. Honorius 3. commands that when the Bread is lift up over the Priest's head, all people fall down and worship it, and that a woman declaring in three years after marriage, that her husband cannot give her due benevolence, shall be separate from him; and 1227. Gregory 9 orders a sacring bell to ring while the Priests lifts up bread and chalice, to stir up the people to worship it. Silvester 4. was poisoned, and the place lay void 21. weeks. 1243. Innocent 4. brought in begging Friars, Dominicans, Carmalites, and Austin's. 1271. Gregory 10. held the Holy Ghost proceeding from Father and Son, twelve times withstood before: And yet selfship buds; for, 1275. Clement 4. Granted three years pardon to all that could devoutly say some Latin Horisms; and 1277. Nicholas 3. caused a massacre in France by the toll of a bell. 1281. Martin 4. kept Nicholass Concubine, and rid from his Palace all pictures of Bears, lest she beholding it, bring forth a Bear. 1294. Boniface 8. is said to enter as a Fox, rule as a Lion, and die as a Dog, brought in the Jews Jubilee: went one day in Imperial another day in Pope's robes, and two Swords carried before him. 1316. John 22. Sainted Thomas Aquine, and in their register was now found 5555. Canonised Saints; he flaid a Bp, and then burned him, decreed that bells toll every Even, and that people straightway kneel, and say Avi Maria three times. 1334. Benedict 12. gave a great sum for a woman to make use of. 1352. Clement 7. made a holy day for the Spear that pierced Christ. 1362. urban 6. and 130. Pope, opposed France, and they chose Clement, which schism lasted nigh forty years; Clement plundered Rome, and one Pope's Bulls roared against the other. 1389. Boniface 9 could not sing or say, nor understand what was discussed before him, but could admit dolts for money. 1406. Benedict succeeds Clement. 1417. In Martin the fifth's time, a Counsel was decreed above a Pope. 1447. Nicholas 5. Celebrates a Jubilee, in which Crowd were 136. slain: and now the Turks took Constantinople. 1458. Pius 2. would have Priests to marry. 1464. Paul 2. had Jewels for his Diadem. 1470. Sextus 4 covered his concubines shoes with pearl, built Stews in Rome, which brought him in yearly 2000 ducats, he granted St Lucy a Cardinal to use unnatural lusts, each June, July, and August. 1492. Alexander 6. Plagued them that chose him, heaped up for his bastards, betrayed his brother for money to a Turk, lay with his own daughter, gave himself to Satan, etc. 1503. Julius' 2. better at war than preaching, dispensed with our Henry, who married his brother's wife, buggered two youths, Sainted mother Frances for preserving her chastity with melted lard. 1512. Leo 10. told a Cardinal, that Christianity was a profitable fable: in making thirty Cardinals, a tempest rose, and struck the keys out of his hand, and Christ's Statue out of his mother's arms: for being styled the Lion of the Tribe of Judas, Luther sell from him. 1524. Paul 3. used his own sister, also his own daughter, and poisoned her husband, but pressing on his Niece, her husband taking him in the act, gave him a mark that stuck to him till death. 1550. Julius' 3. buggered a boy, and gave him a Cardinal's Cap; his Cardinals ask his reason for it, asked them, What reason they had to make him Pope? (in his time John Cassa printed a Book to maintain Sodomy; and Francis Spira revolted) he said, He had more cause of anger, for keeping back his cold Peacock, than God had to cast Adam out of Paradise for eating of an Apple. He gave the Mother's Blessing in Queen mary's days. 1555. Marcellus 2. counts Luther worse than a Turk, discharged one Bp. for holding Scripture above Traditions; and another, for saying the Council was above the Pope. 1555. Paul 4. had stoutly opposed abuses, but the case is altered, he patronised Jesuits, and the Inquisition. 1560. Paul 5. institutes that an Oath be not kept with Heretics. 1572. Greg. 13. had a massacre in France celebrated with triumph at Rome, the Governor of Malti sang to him, For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. 1580. Sextus 5. excommunicated Henry of France, praised a Monk that killed him, comparing the act to the work of Creation, and Incarnation, and without success, blest Spain's Banner against England. More Popes have been, and more these Popes did, enough to tyre the Reader; as is shown in my chief Authors, Thomas beacons Collection, dedicated to Francis Earl of Bedford, one of Queen Elizabeth's Privy Council. And in an Introduction to the reading of Histories, out of the writings of Mathias Prideaux, sometime Fellow of Exeter College. But this is the poor man's penny, and enough to teach us to avoid selfship. From what is written, I ask, 1. Why have Popes hundreds of Ordinances that Christ commanded not? Was it from Christ's ignorance, or unfaithfulness, or from Pope's arrogancies? 2. Is their pretended succession a vain notion? or have they had no Church or Ministry, since the place lay 21 weeks void. 3. Is that Body a Monster, or no? that hath sometime a Male, sometime a Female? sometime one, sometime two, sometime three heads? 4. How are they infallible, sigh some Popes and Consuls too, oppose what others maintain, and build what others pull down? 5. How are they Catholic? whose Daughter Mahomet hath more children than she. 6. Where is their antiquity? sigh by their Register, Bishops were five hundred years older than Popes? Protestants say they, began with Luther; but they know that the way of Protestants was long before Popedom, though not called Protestants, till they protested against Pope's novelties. 7. How can they know what Religion they are of, sigh Popes alter and add what they please; and who knows the next Pope's fashion? 8. Why should their Deerees be equal to Scripture, sigh themselves heretofore held otherwise? 9 Was that consecrated Wine, the very vein-blood of Christ, which poisoned Pope Victor? 10. Did the Bell that tolled for a massacre, drive away the Devil? 11. If Bishops be not like Christ, except they go homely, who are Popes like that wear Jewels? etc. 12. Have the worst of Heathens exceeded Popes in idolatry, murder, whoredom, buggery, or witchcraft? etc. 13. Who can best judge of the sense of Scripture, whether ambitious Popes, or humble lay-men? Ps. 25. 14. How sit they in Peter's Chair? For 1. Their first Bp. Linus was mounted two years before Peter died. 2. Peter had a wife, but they must have none. 3. Peter beat down that Lordship which they have. 4. Peter had learned of his Master to sheathe the Sword, but they are bloody. 5. Peter for Conscience God-ward, submitted to Powers, but they hastened to over-top Kings, and Emperors. In a word, Peter was the Jews Apostle, and Paul to the Romans, Rom. 11. 13. A Loving Advice. COurteous Reader, whether Papist, Protestant, Presbyterian, Independent, Quaker, or Baptist, 'tis thy eternal good I aim at; and so doth God also: for, He desires not the death of him that dyeth, but rather that all would repent, that they might be saved, Ezek. 18. 23, 30, 31, 32. 2 Pet. 3. 9 Therefore be timely advised, 1. Not to take man's Traditions, for Christ's Commands; laying on of hands cannot make a Youth an Elder, nor confirm in Christ, the baptised person. If Paul (Jew-like) circumcised, and laid hands on Timothy, purified himself, vowed, etc. it was beyond Christ's command, and before himself was perfected; for afterward, he yielded not a jot to such Jewish Ceremonies, Gal. 2. 3, 4, 5. Salted water, a Bell tolling, or a man's breath, cannot drive away Satan, a Pope's three years' pardon avails not. Christ hath hallowed no day, save that which followeth our six day's labour; Popes hallowing of garments, persons, places, or times, is not worth a straw. Plot not against Powers, but obey them in all things lawful; submit to them in every thing, revile them not, resist them not; for, if thou dost, thou art condemned of God, Rom. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 13, 14. & 2 Pet. 2. 10. Christ's pure Ordinances, are but as Shells, and perfect purity is the Kernel? for preaching, and Church-meeting, yea, the gift of Prophets, Apostles, Gospelisers, or Teachers, is for this end given, to make men perfect, to bring them to the same fullness that is in Christ, Col. 1. 28. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 13. Therefore Rule not over men's faith, 2 Cor. 1. 24. Imprison not, kill not, fight not for shells, much less for men's inventions, which are but shadows of shells; for carnal fight bereaves (not others, but) thyself of the kernel, which is righteousness, for thy Justice causeth it, James 4. 1. And Christ's thousand years' Reign will not be set up by man's weapons; but the Lord will shortly and totally end wars and Warriors in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joel 3. 10, 11, 12. He that kills with the Sword, shall surely perish (if repentance prevent not.) Secondly, Yet slight not Christ's pure Ordinances, for the Pearl is to be found there; buy the Field for the Pearls sake; let Ordinances be as the one thing needful, thereby to enjoy the Lords beauty, to wit, righteousness, Psal. 27. 4. Thirdly, Yet rest not (as many do) in the bare purchase of the field, but therein dig for the Pearl; the form of Godliness without the power (that is, the practice of Righteousness) avails not To conclude. To make sure work for eternity, keep the Ten Commands, Matth. 19 17. Rev. 22. 14. Rom. 13. 8, 9 And use Ordinances. Baptism is one part of righteousness, Matth. 3. And they that are one bread with Christ, are to eat of the Bread, and drink of the Cup, which Disciples are (in Christ's name) to bless, etc. 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. Therefore trust not to bare believing, (though thou believest truth, (which few do) but to thy belief, add all virtue, and therein abound, and thou wilt not miscarry, Psal. 15. & 2 Pet. 1. 5, 6, 7, 8. Which is the desire of thy Friend, T. K. WOuldst thou live long, and see good days? From evil speeches cease. Eat all evil, do good always, And follow after peace. God's eye is on the Just, his ear Is open to their cry; And who will harm you if your care Be to walk uprightly. And whoso suffers for his sin, Although he patiented be, Doth not from God acceptance win, No thank thereby gets he. But he that smarts for shunning ill, And patiently it bears, Acceptance hath from God, who will Bottle up all his tears. For Christ, who died for me and thee, Did no sin, spoke no guile; When sinners did revile him, he Did not again revile. His righteous cause he did commit, Unto the righteous judge, And herein was a pattern fit, From which we should not budge. How apt is man, if wronged he be, With vengeance to repay? I'll use him, as he used me, Thus they do boldly say. And by this means blood toucheth blood, And murders do increase; Yet each side saith, My cause is good; I follow after peace. But man forgets that God alone Will the avenger be; Whose work it is for to repay, For all hearts seethe he. FINIS.