AN ADVERTISEMENT TO EVERY GODLY READER OF Mr. Thomas Brightman his book. namely, A REVELATION OF THE APOCALYPSE.  
In which advertisement is showed how corruptly he teacheth, that notwithstanding all the sins & abominations that are in the Church of England, and by him showed, yet that it is blasphemous to separate from it.  1 King. 18.21. How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal be he, then go after him. 
Imprinted in the year 1612.   

AN EPISTLE To the Reader.  
GEntle Reader, the causes that have moved me to put forth this short writing, are chiefly three; the first, the glory of the Lord my God, 
Lev. 19.2. 1 Pet. 1.15.16.  who as he is holy, so doth he require that all his people should be holy, in all manner of conversation: and that all those that call upon the name of Christ should departed from iniquity. 2 Tim. 2.19. The second, the fervent desire which I have of the salvation of men's souls, & gainning of them unto God; the means whereof being, 
jam. 5.19.20.  in showing unto them their erring from the truth, and to convert them from going astray, out of the way. The third, is in respect of myself; for having had a hand both in the translating and printing of M. B. book, and there being in it, as I am fully persuaded, & as by the grace of God I shall show, out of the holy scriptures, errors and abberations from the truth of the living God; If I had held my peace and said nothing, I could not have cleared myself from partaking with other men's sins; and so should have done, contrary unto that holy commandment of the Apostle to Timothy. 
1 Tim. 5.22   
To the end therefore, that the reader may the better perceive the thing intended in this writing, namely, how corruptly Mr. Brightman, doth teach, not to separate from the Church of Engl. notwithstanding all the corruptions which he shows to be in her; this is the order that I shall observe, to wit, that first I will set down some of the particulars whereby he blames that Church of England, for partaking with the corruptions and manner of government of Antichrist. Secondly I shall show some of the praises, which notwithstanding these corruptions, he gives unto the same. And thirdly what is the collection or conclusion that he gathers thereupon: which having done I shall also declare my mind concerning these things. And thus (Christian Reader) I shall commit the approving, or censuring of all, to thy godly wisdom, grounded upon the canon and holy writings of the holy Prophets and Apostles. Far well.  
Thine as thou art the Lords jean de Lescluse.   

An Advertisement concerning M. Brightman upon the Apocalypse.  
FOr to come therefore unto the matter I will begin with that which is written in the 103 page of his book, translated into English, where he showed the most fearful estate of the Church of England in these words: I could not but mourn from the bottom of mine heart when I beheld in her, Christ 
* fastidientem.  loathing us, and very greatly provoked against us.  
The second blame which he layeth upon the back of the Church of England is, that the most mighty King Henry had expelled the Pope, but retained the popish superstition; pag. 104 of the said book.  
The third evil wherewith he chargeth that Church of England is, that there is such a form of Church established as is neither cold nor hot, but set in the mids, and made of both: and again in the same place about 2. or 3 lines after he hath these words: Hot in deed she is not, whose outward government for the most part is yet still Romish: In the degrees of their Clergy, in Elections, and ordinations, and whole administration of the Censures: which 
† temperatio purioris doctrinae.  mixing of the pure doctrine, and Romish regiment together, maketh this lukewarmness, whereby we stand in the mids between cold and hot, between the Romish and the reformed Churches, of both which we are 
* conflamur.  composed: and a few lines after he produceth the testimony of the learned and godly, Martin Bucer, in a letter of his written to a friend at Cambridge in the year 1550, where he complaineth of the corruption of the Church of England, in these words; There be some who by most human wisdom and vanishing cogitations, would join together God and Belial, by the leaven of Antichrist: Such are the words of Martin Bucer: which are thus confirmed by Mr Brightmen: These things he did write, which we at this day find by experience too true. pa. 108. of his book.  
4. He maketh the condition of the poor blind Papists, to be far better, than the condition of the Angels of the Church of England; in these words, for in this place Christ preferreth the blind Papists, before those Angels, who bewitched with ambition and covetousness, do refuse holy reformation. pag. 109. And in the 111 pag, speaking of the punishment to be inflicted upon this English Angel for his sins, he speaketh also thus of the whole Church. It is also to be feared, that the Church may feel some adversity through contagion and consenting to. Such as are the Angels, such becometh she for the most part: and none is so ignorant of the matters, that seethe not plainly, that the whole body is sick of the same disease. And so by his own grant, the whole state of that Church to be worse than that of the Church of Rome.  
5. In the 112 page be showeth what is the cause of the lukewarmness of the Church of England in these words: In our England the congruency is so manifest, that nothing could have been expressed more lively: for what other cause can we bring of our lukewarmness, the Popish government mingled with the pure doctrine than the love of riches and honours? etc.  
6. Observe also in the same page a short description of the Angel of the Church of Engl. in these words. But our Bishops are Peers of the Realm, superior in honour to many great states: also in riches, company of men and maid servants, in magnificence of houses, and all the other pomp of the world, equal to any, even the greatest Earls. How rich is the rest of the Clergy? The Deans, archdeacons, Prebendaries, Chaplains, etc. And that these and the like are the Angel of the Church of England whereof he speaketh so often in this book, it appeareth by that which followeth in the beginning of the page 113 in these words: Do not this amplify and increase very greatly the glory of the Church, that her Ministers do shine in garments of silk and velvet. etc. and also by that which is in pag. 117. thus, Thou art therefore a beggar o thou English Angel: comprehending under the name of this English Angel, which he calls a beggar, Curates, Prebendaries, Archdeacon's, Deacons, & the Bishops themselves, as it may be plainly seen in the 116 and 117 pages of his book, in which places observe also by the way, the manner of entrance into the Ministry of the Church of England, plainly described by Mr Brightmen.  
7. The seventh charge wherewith he dealeth with the Church of Engl. is to be seen in the 116 pa. thus: So reprehensions are silent, 
* nequitia regnat.  naughtiness reigneth, the hand of God is heavy upon us, and whither the matter will grow at last, prudent men fear not without just cause. With which is to be added that which he saith in the pag. 117, namely that the laws of Christ are not kept in the Ch: of Engl. in these words: we avail nothing with our Laws; where the laws of Christ are not kept.  
8. In the pag 119. he observeth, that the ordinances concerning the manner of entrance into the Ministry of the Church of England is such, as for which the other reformed Churches may be ashamed: thus, Excellent ordinances in deed; for which the reformed Churches may be ashamed.  
9 He chargeth this Church to have such officers as whose names, except the Bishop have not been heard in the Church: thus, What is this ancient use of pronouncing the sentence by them, whose names, except only the Bishop, have not been heard in deed in the Church, as long as the true honour and dignity of excommunication remained?  
The tenth and last charge of his, which I do here purpose to add, leaving the rest, because it were too long to relate them all in particular shallbe this, written in the pag 128. of his book, where he makes the Angel of the Church of Engl. a persecuter of the brethren & a deceiver of the Prince. Thus, Repent of the injuries which thou hast done to the brethren, in casting some into prison, in turning others out of their goods, in depriving many of the power to preach the word, in reproaching and traducing all with the odious names of Anabaptists etc. and in the same page a few lines after; thus he speaketh, That was a notable calumny, whereby both thou hast deceived the PRINCE, and also hast procured hatred to the brethren: etc.  
These & many the like charges are in his book, whereby he showeth the fearfulness of the estate of the Church of England.  
Now followeth to show briefly some of the praises which he also giveth unto her, whereby as with a salve, he cureth all her sores.  
And first in the very title of his Epistle dedicatory to the Churches thus he writeth, To the holy reformed Churches of etc. where note that the Church of Britain, that is the Church of England hath this honourable title given her with the rest, holy reform: unto which title add that which also he saith in the 102 pag. of this book, where he maketh the Church of England to be the Antitype of the Church of Laodicea, thus; The Antitype is the third reformed Church;  
The second good thing which he showeth to be in the Church and Kingdom of England is twofold, 
double blessings in the Church of Engl.  in the 104 & 105 pages of his book; the first in respect of earthly blessings: the second in respect of spiritual: for the first thus he speaketh: From hence the laws are in force, judgements are exercised, every one enjoyeth his own; injuries are restrained; wantonness is repressed, etc. The second is thus, 
Earthly.  And to what end were all these good things if we could not have the wholesome doctrine of truth? 
Spiritual.  But ever since the first times of our most peaceable Queen, he hath raised up continually deligent and learned Pastors & Teachers, who have preached the word purely and sincerely. Neither at this day are wanting many, by his infinite mercy, who bestow all their labour in imparting to his people the whole will of God, and that pure and uncorrupt from all leaven of falsehood. Add unto this also the sanctification of these Pastors by Christ in the 106 page, thus; But he that is a faithful and true witness, sanctifieth the Pastors with the truth beyond all hope: in whose lips he dwelleth even hitherto:  
3. But in the page 318 he is large in describing the good estate of the Church of England thus: as it came to pass in our England, to which Christ at the sound of the seventh trumpet, in the year 1558, gave the most gracious Queen Elizabeth, who again gave her Kingdom to Christ, in rooting out through all her dominions, the most part of the Romish superstitions, and in restoring to her people the sincere and wholesome truth, that we might worship the Lord our God according to his ordinance.  
The fourth good thing which he mentioneth to be in the Church of England, is the preaching of the word & the lawful administration of the sacraments, in these words; These things therefore do prove, that a double and great good thing do abide in the English Church, that is to say, the preaching of the word, and the lawful administration of the sacraments: In both which Christ bestoweth himself upon his people, keeping a mutual feast with them, he first being received of us by hearing of the word; secondly, entertaining us again with the supper of his body.  
And thus much touching some of the praises which he giveth unto that Church of England: now let the godly see in these words of his following, what conclusion he maketh hereupon; which may be read in the 131 pag. of his book thus: Therefore wicked and blasphemous is their error, who do fall away so from this Church, as if Christ were banished wholly from hence; and that there could not be any hope of salvation for them that tarry there. Let them mind here Christ feasting with his people. Will they be ashamed to sit down there, where they see Christ not to be ashamed? Are they purer and holier than he? etc.  
These things being thus set down, it resteth now that according to my promise, I do also show my mind concerning them? thus therefore, first to begin with that which I have set for the first charge, which he layeth upon the Church of England; I desire the reader to observe the word which he useth of Christ loathing them, 
fastidientem nostri.  which word of loathing seemeth to be taken from the 95. Psal. ver. 10. where the Prophet speaking in the person of the Lord himself, saith that fowrty years long he had loathed that generation: saying that they are a people erring in heart, and not knowing his ways, wherefore he swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest. So that by M. Brightmen own grant this Church of England is in no better estate than were those rebels in the wilderness, all which were consumed and entered not into his rest, as he had sworn.  
But that the Lord hath more just cause to loathe the Church of England, then that of the Israelites in the wilderness, let the reader observe it in these particulars; first that that Church had a true Ministry, and true Offices and Officers; and so hath not the Church of England by M. Brightmen own grant: Secondly the Officers of that Church never persecuted the faithful jews for practising the holy ordinances of God; as he affirmeth that the Angel of the Ch: of England doth, those that will not submit to their government. Thirdly, their government was not a mixed government partly of the Egyptians, partly of the Moabites, and Edomites or Cananeans, but simple and pure according to the true pattern showed to Moses in the mount: but that of England is not so, for Mr Brightman affirmeth it to be partly Romish and partly reform, and so not the true government which Christ hath appointed in his eternal Testament: Fourthly, none of that Church were admitted unto any office but only such as were lawfully called thereunto as Aaron was, but so it is not in the Church of England, for such Offices and Officers are there admitted as are unknown unto the true Church of Christ by Mr Brightmen own doctrine. Therefore it doth necessarily follow that the estate of the Church of England is worse than was the estate of those rebels in the wilderness, and that there is nothing to be expected from Christ, by any member thereof, but a pouring out of his eternal wrath upon them.  
Concerning his second charge of King Henry expelling the Pope but retaining the popish superstition; this is that which I say, that the Pope cannot properly be said to be expelled when his doctrine & superstition is retained; for as concerning the Popes own person he could not be expelled from England for he was never there. But it may be that Mr Brightman meaneth that some of the Monks & Friars were driven out and their revenues taken away from them; as also that their manner of worshipping of God which was in the Latin tongue, was then translated into English: but what of all this? can this be said to be an expelling of the Pope? No; for in deed & properly, it is the doctrine & superstition of the Pope which doth corrupt the hearts and souls of men, which can be done either in a Kingdom or in a Province or in a parish, or in a house without the presence either of the Pope himself or of any of his Monks and Friars, by their doctrine, superstitions, false manner of worship, which are spread too far abroad in the world by their books and writings, and even now retained ●o this day in England, as Mr. Brightman himself do write.  
The third is that the established form of the Church of England is neither cold nor hot, and again, that she is not hot whose outward government for the most part is yet still Romish; and again that this mixing of the pure doctrine and Romish government together maketh this lukewarmness; whereby they stand between cold and hot, between the Romish and the reformed Churches, of both which they are composed: join with this th●● which we have set for the fift charge where he saith, that no other cause can be brought of their lukewarmness, the Popish government mingled with the pure doctrine, than the love of riches and honours?  
Now I beseech the reader to compare this with his first praise of the Church of England which is in the very title of his Epistle dedicatory, where he entitled the Church of England to be a reformed Church. Is it possible that holiness and unholynes can reign together? Is there any communion between Christ and Antichrist? between light and darkness? between Idols and the true God? Can any Kingdom, any Church, any family, any man submit unto the government, of Antichrist and not be defiled thereby? No God himself and his Prophets; Christ and his Apostles do teach otherwise, therefore let all such as do so teach, remember that saying of the Prophet Isayas, Woe unto him that calleth evil good, etc.  
Moreover in his fourth charge where he maketh the state of the poor blind Papists far better, than the condition of the Angel of the Church of England, and that also such as are the Angels such becometh the Church for the most part, I do observe that by his own doctrine the estate of the Church of England is worse than Babylon itself; which Babylon is granted by all to be that Synagogue and Church of Antichrist devoted unto destruction in the day of the eternal wrath of the Lamb. And where are then those great praises of all manner of blessings upon that Church rehearsed in the second article, but chiefly these spiritual blessings of the word purely and sincerely taught in it? Yea in that Church of which he saith in the seventh article of his charges, that naughtiness reigneth in it, the hand of God is heavy upon it and again, that in her the laws of Christ are not kept. But what is there then to be done, even this, that every soul who hath any care of salvation and of escaping the eternal flames of everlasting damnation be careful to come out with speed from Babylon and not to partake any longer with her sins, lest they patake also of her plagues. For it is impossible to be both a holy member of Christ, and worse than a Papist; Christ nor his members cannot be coupled with a harlot and her members, & whosoever coupleth himself with a harlot, is made one body with her, as witnesseth the holy Apostle.  
As concerning therefore the outward blessings of peace and prosperity in earthly things, let every godly mind that by it no Church, no man, can have any assurance to be in the favour of God: but let every soul be sure that where there is no repentance from evil works they are but fatlings against the day of slaughter.  
But because I do see that this writing enlargeth itself beyond that which I had determined, I shall now begin to draw to an end concerning his charges against the Church of England and the Angel thereof: and therefore will here bring the rest into a short sum, and they at these, first, that the entrance into the Ministry of the Church of England is such as for which the other reformed Churches may be ashamed: secondly that the names of the officers of that Church have not been heard in the Church, but only the Bishops; finally that the Angel of that Church, is both a persecuter of the brethren, and a deceiver of the Prince: when I do consider these things and others also which I have both seen and heard, I cannot but lament & deplore the estate both of those most noble Princes of England as also of their poor subjects, which are thus misused by those sons of Anak though I be but a stranger unto them and under the jurisdiction of an other Prince. It is now 46 years ago that indeed the reformed Churches began to be ashamed of some things which they had but heard concerning the estate of the Church of England, as namely the plurality of benefices, licences of non residency, licences to contract marriages, the use of meats and the like, which things they then judged, not to be a corruption of Christianity, but a manifest apostasy from Christ: for which see my countryman of famous & happy memory Theodorus Beza in his Epistle to Edmund Grindal then Bishop of London. Epist. ●. towards the end. And if these things were thus written so many years ago, what may all the reformed Churches now say of the estate of that of England which they have as yet embraced as their sister hitherto, when they shall both see & know by this man even a professed friend of hers, thus to speak, concerning her estate: But yet concerning this point I must needs say, that in deed the reformed Churches have not dealt with that Church of England so sincerely & plainly as they should have done. For what is it, if one or two of the most famous members of them have thus in a few words and as it were by the way set down some few of her corruptions? Have they not many thousands of them both learned and unlearned, seen and heard the estate of the officers of that Ch: to be Antichristian? & that the very offspring of every one of them is from the Archbishops, which very name may not be attributed unto any either man or Angel without blasphemy against Christ jesus who is the alone head and chief of all Bishops and Pastors? Have they not also seen that the manner of worshipping God in their Cathedral Churches, as they call them, with singing men, and singing boys clothed with white surplices, with Organs and all manner of music? Have they not seen and heard that all manner of wicked livers both Papists and others are compelled to partake with the rest, and of a confused multitude, to make the Church and body of Christ, and so force and compel men to take their condemnation and judgement? Have they not also heard and known that the Archbishops and Bishops and others of the officers of that Church have so many years continually opposed and showed themselves to be deadly enemies unto all godly reformation? Yea doubtless, they do know and have known all these things and many more: But how have they dealt in this respect? Have they at any time Christianly & sound admonished, reproved, convinced that Church of their corruptions by the law and word of God as they ought to have done? not at all; but they have rather either held their peace or flattered them in their sins, or so little spoken or written of them, as that they may well and justly be ashamed, of their unkindness in this respect towards that Kingdom and people of whom they have received so many benefits in time of their calamities & banishments. Concerning the names of the officers of that Church, they were (saith he) unknown unto the Church of Christ. etc. And what is this? Shall then any soul in whom there is but a very small sparkle of the fear of God, be so bold as to dare submit under the government and guidance of such unlawful Ministers and Ministry? Are they not all thiefs & robbers which enter not in by the door, but climb up another way? And will any man of wisdom commit unto the protection and keeping of thiefs the least part of his worldly goods? No, none willbe so unwise, for every one knoweth that they will but make a pray of them and spoil and rob them. And shall any than be so careful for things of so small importance, and shall he not care unto whom he doth commit the guidance of that which is the principal, namely of his soul? Let them alone therefore, for as our saviour Christ saith, they are blind leaders of the blind: and both of them shall surely fall into the pit.  
Finally, the Angel of the Church of England is both a persecuter of the brethren and a deceiver of the Prince. Marvelous; and is he still for all this, the Angel of the Church in Mr. Brightmen judgement? In mine doubtless he is altogether otherwise; even that Angel of the bottomless pit, who is a King over those Locusts spoken of in the ninth of the Revelation; like unto that wicked Haman spoken of in the book of Esther who both persecuted the brethren of the Church of God, and also deceived the King: but let these take heed, for God who hath the hearts of Kings & Princes in his hands for to turn them as the Rivers of waters, shall no doubt discover the malice of this Angel unto the Princes of that land, and then shall they be rewarded as Haman was▪ Besides let every godly Reader observe, that to be a persecuter of God's people and saints, is and hath been always a sure mark of Antichrist and of his kingdom.  
To conclude therefore this writing, I will come unto that which we have set for the fourth praise of the Church of England, and the conclusions that he doth infer thereupon, which are these. These things therefore prove that a double and great good thing doth abide in the English Church, that is to say, the preaching of the word, and the lawful administration of the sacraments: etc. his 2. conclusion followeth thereupon thus: Therefore wicked and blasphemous is their error, who do so fall away from this Church as if Christ were banished wholly from hence. etc. And so by this whatsoever sins, errors, wickednesses abominations, he hath showed before to be, both in the Angel and in the Church itself, all is now cured by this salve: o most miserable daubing with untempered mortar! Can any preach in the office of an Angel purely and sincerely who is a thief and a robber? Shall any man administer purely, who is not lawfully called thereunto as Aaron was? Can any unlawful minister administer lawfully the seals of God's Covenant unto dogs and swine purely and sincerely? O cease to do evil & learn to do good! God who is jealous of his honour and glory shall not long suffer this wickedness unpunished. Are the bodies of Idolatrous Papists, or abominable whores and whoremongers and of all manner of wicked ones, the temples of the holy Ghost? No; who soever coupleth himself with a harlot is made one body with her, as he witnesseth to the Corinthians: Therefore Christ is far from that Church in respect of any blessing or approving of their worship, howsoever Mr Brightman persuaded otherwise: And therefore the two sins whereof he accused before that Angel of the Ch: of England, are here found upon him: namely that in thus writing he hath been both a persecutor of the brethren and a deceiver of the Prince: for what greater persecution could he put upon those poor souls which have separated themselves from those evils by himself set down, then to accuse or charge them of blasphemy; yea it is such a persecution as that it is unto death; for by the law of God, a blasphemer must die. And how hath he also deceived the Princes he & others of his mind by causing them to banish and keep in banishment their most loyal and faithful subjects? And in deed although I am but a stranger unto them and one of an other people, yet the truth caused me to speak thus in their behalf, that I know not any people at this day under the Sun more loyal and faithful unto their Prince and country; and more zealous and religious towards God, than they are: and these things are seen in them and among them both privately and publicly: yea in such measure as that, I am fully persuaded that they are, and shallbe if they continue faithful unto the end, that people by which chiefly Antichrist the man of sin shallbe rooted out: for by that purity of doctrine which they do teach, & by the sincere and public administration of the glorious Kingdom of Christ publicly and before all the people; as also by professing that glorious liberty in the Gospel, that if any sin be showed or manifested unto them by the word of God is amended whatsoever opposition may be to the contrary; by those things, I say, by them professed, practised, and taught, it is impossible that where they have place, Antichrist can or have any door to come in. And for my part I do bless the day in which I had that grace from my God to know both the people & their faithful walking in their ways and religion of God; and I beseech the Lord of his grace even with tears that he vouchsafe to open the eyes of their most noble and wise Prince that he may see the justice and equity of their cause, and cause them to see his Royal face and presence again with joy and gladness of heart under his dominions and jurisdictions, Amen.  
And so I do here end, though many more things might be said touching separation from evil, and adjoining or following that which is good: and in deed in a word, we shall not read even from the beginning of the world to this day, that there was ever any true Church of God truly established but by separation: & therefore this people not to be blasphemers, but true worshippers of God.