A COPY Of two writes sent to the PARLIAMENT. The one entitled Motions for reforming of the Church of England in this present PARLIAMENT: Most taken out of Irenaeus Philadelphus. THE OTHER A Humble PETITION unto the PARLIAMENT, for reforming of the Church of England: All taken out of the holy Scriptures. NEHEMIAH 13.14. Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the House of my God, and for the Offices thereof. PSAL. 137, 8, 9 O Daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed: Blessed shall he be that repayeth unto thee thy reward, which thou hast rewarded unto us. O blessed shall he be, that taketh and dasheth in-peeces thy Babe against the Rock. Printed in the Year MDC.XLI. The humbly Supplication of sundry of his Majesty's Faithful Subjects, who have now along time been constrained to live as exiles abroad, or to endure other grievous Persecutions at home, for bearing witness to the truth of Christ, against the corruptions of Antichrist, yet remaining in the Church of England. To the Honourable and High Court of Parliament: CRaving pardon upon our knees for our boldness, we most humbly beseech you to hear us a little with patience. What DAVID spoke in his own defence, when his elder brother charged him with Pride & haughtiness of heart: 1 Sam. 17 28, Is our answer now unto all such as shall lay upon us the like accusation: what have we now done? Is there not a cause? Sundry CAUSES there are which have moved us in all dutiful manner to become instant suitors to his Highness, and to you in the Cause of Jesus Christ. 1. 1: Cause of our Petition. The great hope which his Majesty hath given of much good to be done through the mercy of God, by your means in Church and Commonwealth. 2. We take ourselves bound in conscience to speak at this present: Fearing lest otherwise through our silence, 2: Cause. the Motions which some have made, might prove hurtful and perilous both to Church and State. How fare the Motioners are from speaking according to the law & to the testimony, and seeking to have things reform in the Church of England, Esa: 8, 20 agreeable to the Pattern of the new Testament. We shall show in our next Petition. Only two things we desire, may be here considered, as being the special drift and main of their Motions. First, in the whole there is much selfseeking: For to what end is it motioned to have the Parish-ministers raised up to an equal height (as it were) of power and authority with the Bishops? But that they and the Bishops together (keeping from the people their Rights and Liberties in the Gospel) may equally LORD it, and do what they please, without control. But our hope is that the PARLIAMENT, Psal: 122.8. being men in whom the Lord hath put wisdom and understanding, will for their Brethren and Companions sake, yea and for their own soul's sake too, prudently foresee the evil, and prevent the Motion, and not put authority into their hands, who willbe (if they have it) as great persecutors of the Saints, as the Prelates formerly have been; and so instead of one Lordly and Domineering Bishop in a Diocese, we shall then have one in every Parish, & in some more, to oppress & suppress all such as walk up to their light, more closely and conscionably in all God's ways then themselves: We know what we speak, and we speak no more than what we have had woeful experience off, and can make good by proof. The next is their mixing of Heaven & Earth together: Motioning for a discipline, which is a very hotchpotch, a gallemowfry; compounded of Episcopie, Presbytery, and Popery, thinking (in likelihood) to please all sides, by framing (like the Samaritants) a worship of sundry religions. But the Lord sees their halting, Mal. 1, 14. and will one day reward them for it, in their own bosom as they have deserved. Cursed is the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing. 3. Cause. A third CAUSE moving us to Petition, is in regard of you who are our PARLIAMENT-MEN, What Paul said to Agrippa, we say to you; we think ourselves happy, because we shall answer for ourselves this day before you, whom we know to be expert in all customs and questions that are amongst us. In what a forlorn and desperate State our Kingdom was come unto, before you came together, we are all very senceable off. And howsoever many true Causes thereof, have been already discovered by your deep wisdom and diligence: Notwithstanding give us leave to add this unto the rest: That because the glorious Sceptre of the Lord jesus, hath not been hitherto advanced in our Land as it should have been; our blessings have been the fewer, 1 Sam. 2, 30. and our crosses the more. Them that honour me (saith the Lord) I will honour; and them that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. And how fare it shall please God to go forth now in the work of reformation by you, we know not; But this we know, if you altogether hold your peace at this time, yet shall enlargement and deliverance arise unto the Kingdom of Christ from some other place. And truly just it willbe with the Lord, to purge away such dross & filth of the scarlet whore, with the blood of the Nation, which through your neglect shallbe left in the Land. Zach. 1, 14. Psal. 2. For thus saith the Lord of Hosts, I am jealous for jerusalem and for Zion with great jealousy; and the Nations which will not kiss the Son, and come under the sweet and easy Yoke of the Gospel, he will break them in pieces with a red of Iron. Oh that you would look but to former PARLIAMENTS, and consider how their Statutes and Acts made about Religion, have occasioned afterwards sore troubles in the Land. And why? But because they were not made conformable to the will and Testament of jesus Christ. And what better success may we now expect, unless looking beyond State Policy, and carnal reason, there be a full closing with God in the truths of the Gospel. Prov. 21, 30. There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor Counsel against the Lord. We therefore before God and the Lord jesus Christ, and the elect Angels, beseech you to mind the necessity of a right and full reformation. For if your care and strive tend this way, then shall the Earth yield her increase, and God, even our God, shall bless us. 4: Cause. Our 4. and last CAUSE of Petitioning, is, for Zions sake the Mount of the Lords holiness, and the place where his Honour dwelleth. That which we desire herein, is, that removing the Hierarchy and devised Liturgy, Christ true Ministry, Worship, & Government, may be by Act established. But if it be doubtful to you whether our request be lawful. Then our humble supplication is that it will please his majesty and the PARLIAMENT to have the difference on both sides tried and examined. as either that our Propositions and reasons may be given to our opposites to answer, and their arguments (if they will set down any) to us, to answer by the word of God. Or that a conference may be had in writing, & the questions being first agreed upon, and the arguments and answers advisedly set down till both parties have fully said, (laying aside all by-matters) and so the whole exhibited to the PARLIAMEMT, to judge off. Or any other course which by you shall be thought meetest, for the finding out of the truth by the sacred Scriptures. And if this may not be granted us, than our last request is, for our return out of exile, and releasement out of bands, and that we may be suffered in peace under his majestiss government within his dominions (which we had rather than under any other whatsoever) to walk in the faith of the Gospel, according to the testimony of Christ: we carrying ourselves in all loyalty peace & godliness as becometh the faithful subjects of the Lord. And this we hope will not be denied, seeing strangers are suffered which differ (as well as we) from the Hierarchy & worship there established, we being his majesties natural subjects. But howsoever it be, we will not cease to pray for you. And that the Lord willbe favourable to the land, and take away his wrath from it. Motions for Reforming of the Church of England in this present PARLIAMENT: most taken out of Irenaeus a Quae. 1, ●●ether ●renaeus be a fit man to be followed in the point of discipline; seeing none of the Fathers in his time ●rote 〈◊〉 more corruptly in the thing than he. Philadelphus. MOTIONERS. 1. THat since the first reformation in King Edward's days was rather of the doctrine the of the discipline, and of the rites that were palpable gross, which yet were retained with a purpose they should be removed afterwards, and for to unloose by degrees the fast hold to the Romish Church: now since every Protestant is well informed of the change made in religion, that whatsoever in the religion or tending to the disturbing of the peace of the Church and the maintaining of heretical doctrines be redressed. 2. That in that great work of Reformation, which is of moment and consequence fare beyond the settling of civil affairs, there be appointed by both the Houses a Committee or Convocation, or meeting of 40 or 50 English Divines; Men that were not of the late Convocation, and such as be unpartial, learned, and uncorrupt in their lives and Doctrines, such as Dr. Usher, Arch. B. of Armach, Dr. Williams a Quae. 2, Archb. & Bb. and men conformable to the Popish Ceremonies be fit to have special hand in framing a settled platform of Church government. B. of Lincoln, Dr. Precheaux, Dr. Twisse, and the like. With 10 Scots Divines, to which be called 8 Foreign Divines, of the most learned and famous, Such as Rivetus, Primrose, Moulin, and the like, who may treat and agree upon a settled platform of Church Government,, suitable to the Monarchy of Great Britain, which ought to be ratified and enacted by Parliament. 3. That the Church's Discipline being established, a Nationall Synod be convocate that may frame a Confession of Faith, and reform if need be b Quae. 3, whether such as doubt, whether it be needful to have the English Letturgie reform, be not corrupt men, & unfit to motion for reformation the English Liturgy, that without exception it be received through out the K. Dominions; to which Synod may be called a competent number of Foreign Divines. However, since so many have been so earnest of late to be in Charity with the Roman Church, that they have been uncharitable to the Reformed Churches. Let Cannons be made in the Synod, and an act of Parliament for Union with other Protestant Churches in matter of Doctrine. And all the firebrands of these late innovations in the Church, that have made us a laughing stock to the neighbour-Churches, be sharply censured, if not cut of as banes of the Church; Especially the first raysers of Altars. Such as Heylen, Pocklington, and the like. a) Queen 4, ●hether 〈◊〉 B●, ●ting ●em 〈◊〉 ●rke, de●●t ●ot man-eater sithment. 4. That the pleasures of our late Sovereign King james, of blessed memory, be executed, who sent his Divines to the Synod of Dort. That the Church of England afterwards should be bound by the decisions made there, and that Cannons be made conformable to the determinations of the Divines in that Synod. 5. If Bishops be retained (a) Quae. 5 whether men wishing the Bb. to be retained, are not herein enemies to the State, and seek to hinder reformation (as it is to be wished) there be no more distance between a Bishop and an ordinary minister; & that Bishops be no more called Lords, & that they be enjoined to preach diligently as the duty of their place and office is. 6. That if some sit in Parliament, It must be upon wool Sacks and have no more privilege by their office, and places then the judges the Lord Keepers & Treasurers, & that a certain number of deputies from the national Synod, b Quae. 6, whether ministers more than other private men, aught to have either place or voice in Parliament. whether Bishops or others be assisting both in the higher and the lower house, for delivering their advices upon any claws of acts that may entrench upon the Church's privileges, or are contrary to doctrine or good manners. 7: That the principal defect of our discipline and the spring of all errors in doctrine and practice which is the want of Synods, be amended, and hereafter all vissitations of Bishops be Synods, as by right they ought to be and according to the Ancient constitutions: as it appeareth by the c Quae. 7. Whether Ministers in the Apostles time used to pay any such thing. Synodals which ministers pay at every visitation, and that at Synods all Parish ministers, be sitting and covered and have their voice and the discussing of all the affairs of the diosesse, and making orders which may not afterwards be altered by the Bishops, but only by the national Metropolitical Synods, which for the the public union; is to be kept once every two years, neither was the Church of la●● without Synods but in ENGLAND. a Quae. 8. Whither Synods as 〈◊〉 are ●w, have ●n any ●here but ●l●e, that 〈◊〉 since the apostles 〈◊〉. 8. That Bishops be Censurable by the Synod whether it be provintiall or national. b Quae. 9. ●f the mē●s of a ●tionall provin●l Synod corrupt 〈◊〉, and ●ke Ca●● against the ●ith, who 〈◊〉 cen●re them ●r it. 9 That an other course be taken for maintaining ministers and Bish: then that by tithes, c Qu. 10. Whether it ●●more ●cessary, ●at there ●t some ●rse ta● to have ●full & ●d mini●rs, than 〈◊〉 the ●tenāce ●he un●full & 〈◊〉 me● in 〈◊〉. which still causeth suits between the parishers and ministers, the patron and incumbent keeps the minister from his Church while he follows suit to London. And bring the holy ministers into obloquy and contempe, but an honourable Competent proportion, be appointed for the maintaining of each parish. Minister by the parishioners, & rated by the Parliament or Synod. And that the distinction of Deans, Archdeacon's, Parsons, Curates, Vicars, and Readers, be taken away, but let them be coequals and more or less in number in one parish, according to the greatness or wealth of the parish. 10. That as Bishops in height of jurisdiction and place by act are to be shortened, so an act be made from henceforth that all ordinary ministers which are too much vilified, d Quae. 11 Whither many of the ordinary Ministers, are not so vile as that there is no honour nor respect due to them. shall have more respect and honour then heretofore given to them, and that the ministers sons be preferred to the fellowship of Colleges 11 That the power e Qu. 12. Wither it ●e not meet ●hat they should first show by whose authority the keys belong unto th●m before the Parliament do grant such a thing. of the ecclesiastical keys such as belongs to the Bishops and ministers be restored to them according to the ancient constitutions of the primitive Churches, & that there be no Censure passed upon the Clergy or people from Synods, Bishops or p●esbiteryes, but such as is spiritual, & ●hat usual penalty of imprisonment & fines be rendered again to be righ● owner, viz: to the C●vill M gist●ate, and the abuse of excommunications and the Oath Exofficio abolished. f Qu. 13. W●●her other abuses as vile a● these should not be abolished also. g Qu. 14 Wither it be not better that the Parliament should present to the King, all the Bishoprics in the land, & he take them into his own hands. 12 That the Clergy of the Diocese shall choose their own bishops, or present to the King's Majesty two, who may choose of them whom he pleaseth, and that every parish be patron of us parish, & have the presentations of as many ministers as the floocke requireth, to the Synod or Bishop. 13. That instead of chancellors Officials, Apparators, Registors', and such like grasshoppers, there be some h Qu. 15. Wither it be not fit that these Motioners do prove the thing to be lawful, before the Parliament do grant it. lay Elders that may sit in provintial Synods, and have their voice in matter of Discipline & Church government, and that in a national Synod: there be some Laymen likewise appointed by the Parliament. 14. That a better course be taken for the providing for the poor, & that both ministers i Qu. 16. Wither their motion be not 'gainst the Word of God, Act. 6.2.4. & the chief of the Parish shall oversee how Churchwardens do dispose of the Church's Treasury, & that they be not permitted under crime of Sacrilege to spend it upon themselves, & that every month they give account of whatsoever is received and laid out. Quae. 17. Wither it ●e imaginable that ●y Minister's, if ●alled of God, as ●as Aa●on, would propound ●o rain a ●hing to a Parliament 15. That the griping of Church duties and burial Costs, exacted oftener more rigerously of the poor than the rich, be restrained, and that the ministers be contented with his yearly salary, performing all the branches of his Calling, as Baptism, Burying visiting the sick, without any further recompense but such as is tendered to him. Quae. 18. Who must present the Parish Minister, ●f he be a delinquent 〈◊〉 most are 16. That hereafter none be cited by the Synod Presbytery or spiritual Court, without the knowledge of the parish minister, who ought to present the delinquent & have his voice in the Censure. Quae. 19 Wither it be meet that such men as complain against the rigour of Bb. should be suffered to impose what they please upon others. 17. That it be not more in the power of Bishops to impose what they please upon the Clergy, with such Rigurous penalties as they have lately used for the oath of the sixth Cannon. 18. That the fountains of learning, Cambridg and Oxford be purged from superstitious rites and Popish Doctrines; and Orthodox Readers be provided. A humble Petition unto the PARLIAMENT, for the Reforming of the Church of England: all taken out of the holy Scriptures. PETITIONERS, 1. HOwsoever it cannot be denied, but some things in King Edward's days were well reform. Nevertheless many gross corruptions were still retained, both in the Church-lyturgy, discipline, ministry, and the very constitution of the Church itself. The which errors and evils have been by sun dry learned (a) Cartwright, Brightman, Parker, Vdal, Baines, Bates, Gilbie. Fenner, Ames Bastwick, Laiton, & others. and Godly men so plainly discovered, as that every sincere professor of the gospel, is now fully informed of the necessity of a change: And are humble PETITIONERS that whatsoever shall appear to be antichristian and unlawful, may by thus present Parliament, be suppressed, and the ordinances of the Gospel set up, to the honour of jesus Christ, & the perpetual peace both of Church and common wealth. 2. whereas jesus Christ Lord and King of his Church, hath set down unto us in the new testament a settled platform of Church governm: (b) M● 18, 15, 16, Eph. 11, 12, Hebr. 3, 2, 3, 4, 1 Tim. ● 15, Esa. 9, Act. ● 40. which is unchangeable, best, perpetual and common to all Churches, c Mat. 2● 18, 20, 1 Tim. 1● 16, A● 1, 3, G● 1, 8, 9, jud. 3, Rev. 14, 9 12, & 2● 18, 19 and to which all churches and people must be subject, and not to any other devised by man whatsoever: And in this respect suitable (howsoever some otherwise untruly insinuate) to the Monarchy of great Britain, and to all kinds of Civil estates in the world. It is therefore again desired, that the same be ratified and enacted by this present Parliament. But if it be thought fit by both houses that there shallbe a committee or convocation and meeting of some divines to treat of the thing: Then our request is, that some zealous and godly ministers who have been forced to fly out of the Realm, by reason of the Prelate's persecution, may be called home. Such as are known to be impartial learned and uncorrupt in life and doctrine. Men that have not maintained the open profanation of the Lords day, neither are ignorant or unsound in the point of Church government, as are our poopishly ceremonious divines, 3. We hold that there is not only need, but that it is of absolute necessity, that the English Liturgy be taken away because the same is a devised service d Ex: 20 4, 5, joh. ● 24, Rom● 8, 26, 27● jud. 24, Mal. 1, 14. Col. 2.8, 27, Gal. 3, 18. . Romish stuff & termed by King james the English Mass, and fitly so because it was culled and wicked out of the popish danghill, the por●●is & vile Mass Book full of all abominations; and peaced and patched together without reason or order of edefication. And this being abolished, our further request is, that this present PARLIAMENT will take such order as that no stinted or devised forms of prayer be by any national Synod imposed (specially upon the ministers of the Gospel) in any part of the King's Dominions: but as the Lord hath furnished them with spiritual gifts a Act. 1, 24, 28, 1 Thes. 5, 17, Rom. 8, 26, 27, 1 Tim. 7, 17, Neh. 2, 4, Exo: 14, 15, 1 Pet. 2, 5 , even so according to their present need and occasions; they may have their freedom always to pray in the spirit, through the help of the holy Ghost. For if it had seemed good to the Apostles the last Penmen of the holy Scriptures that any stinted forms or number of words should be repeated or read out of a prayer book, they would certainly have given commandment for the practice thereof but we find no prescript Liturgy in their writings nor had the primitive churches any such thing, what ever the jews fable of Ezra and the Papists of St. james and St. Peter. And as we like it well, that this PARLIAMENT should seek for union with other Protestant Churches in matters of true doctrine; so also to accord with them in all acts of their lawful discipline: and chief in this, that they do not force and compel people to become members of the Church, but let every congregation consist of a free and voluntary people, and as for such as are profane worldly and wicked, let them be kept out of the Church, until they be called of God unto repentance and faith in his promise. 4. Howsoever we agree unto the Articles of the Synod of Dort, in all points there treated and concluded against the Aruntians, yet we see not (by any warrant from the word of God) that it is lawful for the ecclesiastical officers of many churches to meet together, and by joint authority to make constitutions and laws and to impose them upon all churches. b 1 Pet. 5 2, 3, 2 Col. 5, jam. 3, 1, Rev. 14 9, 10, 11, This tyranny and usurpation we beseech the Parliament to prevent, and not to grant any liberty to convocations or Synods to make Ecclesiastical Cannons for all Churches, but let every particular congregation (as a special prerogative wherewith she is endued by Christ) be free from such bondag and burden. 5. Howsoever some wish that Bishops be retained in their places, yet sure we are, that this PARLIAMENT shall very much glorify the son of God, if as plants which the Father never planted they now root them up: For since the Prophet's Apostles and Evangelists were taken away from this world, there are not any other lawful Bishops or Church-governors than Bishops or O-verseers of particular Churches. a Act. 〈◊〉 28, P● 1, 1. 6. And seeing they are no Ministers at all in the Church of God: but have and do usurp the name and seat of the ministry. Their calling being Antichristian and contrary to the word of God, b 2 T● 2, 3, 4● 1 Pet. 1, 4, I● 22, 25 26, Ep● 8, 11, ● 13, R● 9, 3, & 11, 17, ● 14, 9, ● we therefore most humbly beseech this present PARLIAMENT: not only to take from them (as they justly deserve) all Civil authority: but also to do to them as our Saviour dealt (joh. 2.) in whipping out the buyers and sellers and money-changer. For of a certainty, they might better come into the Temple, than any Metropolitan or Diocesan Bishop into the Church of God: yea and had more necessary use, but they had abused holy things and made it a den of thiefs. 7. The principal defect of discipline and the spring of all errors in doctrine and practice is not the want of Synods but rather of the knowledge of the Scriptures, For the testament of Christ shows us no Provintiall, national, imperial and mother like Church having sundry meetings or assemblies and special Pastors over the same. Neither hath Christ jesus subjected any Church or Congregation of his, to any other Superior Ecclesiastical jurisdictinn then unto that which is with in itself: So that if a whole Church or congregation shall err in any matter of Faith and Religion, no other Convocations, Societies, Combinations, or Assemblies whatsoever have (by any Commandment from the Lord) power to censure, punish, or control the same; but are only to admonish them in a brotherly way, and so to leave them to the immediate judgement of Christ. For Bishop's therefore and Parish Ministers to come together to discuss of the affairs of the Diocese, make orders, and decide and determine among themselves the cases and controverses of sundry congregations. It is a practice which the Apostles never knew, Zion hath not heard of it, jerusalem which is above will not acknowledge it, but as it began with the oppressing the only lawful polity of the Church, so the use of it hitherto hath been the cruelest and most ambitious tyranny in the world. And therefore the Parliament is humbly desired not to countenance so injurious & a course: but to stand earnestly zealous for the precious liberty and privilege of the Saints, the which Christ hath purchased for them with his own blood. 8. As the Scriptures a Act. 20 28. Rom. 12.8.7. Phil. 1.1. acknowledge no other for lawful Bishops, but such only as stand ministers to some particular Congregation, so neither do they acknowledge any Ecclesiastical censure rightly pronounced against them, unless it be done by that Church, of which they are members, b Mat. 18 17.18. 1 Cor. 4.5.12.13. 2 Thes. 3.6. with Leu. 24.14.15.16 23. Iosh. 7 11.25. and by which they were elected into Office. As for deposition, excommunicaton, and the like, done by Synods, whether Provincial or Nationall, it is but of the Earth, newly devised, an addition, an institution, an ordinance of Kings and Princes. And this needs must be so, because Christ hath not placed this power any other where, but in a true visible Church. Now there is no true visible Church, but a particular Congregation, Company, or Assembly of men, ordinarily joining together in the true Worship of God. As for other Convocations, Synods, Societies, Combinations, etc. the Title of a visible Church is improperly, and untruly attributed unto them. Of this judgement are our English best Divines. c D. Ames Eng. puritne. Baines Diocese. p 12. repl. to Down. Offer for conference, p. 2. 9 The right course for the due maintenance of ministers, is by the free and voluntary Contribution of the Church: d 1 Cor. 9 7.14. Gal. 6.6. 1 Thes. 5.13. 1 Tim. 5.15. with Pro. 3.9.10. Num. 18.8.32. Not that Parliaments or Synods should impose any certain rate or sum upon any man, how much he should pay, but this is to be left unto the Church, for every one to give according to the blessing which he hath received of the Lord. And so Christ hath ordained, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel, and not by Popish Lordships and Live, or jewish Tithes and Offerings: As for the Law of Tithes, it did cease with the change of the levitical Preisthood. e Heb. 11. It is therefore humbly desired that the Land and revenues of the Prelates and Clergy yet remaining, may now by this Parliament f 2 Co● 31. D● 17. 1● 19.20. Esa. 19 23. Ps. 3.4. Ez 20.4, 5 Pro. 3 10. Rev 17. 1● be taken away and converted to better use. As those of the Abbeys & Nunneries have been by former Parliaments: Their original being one and the same. And further it is desired, that not the distinction alone of Deans, Archdeacon's, Parsons, Vicars, and Readers be taken away, but their offices and places also: g Rev 11.18.14.8. ● 10.12 16.10 & 17.18. & Chap. 2 Th● 3.8. in regard they are not elected, called, or ordained, according to God's Word; but their entrance into the Ministry is by a Popish and unlawful vocation, strange from the Scriptures, and never heard off in the primitive Church. 10. No doubt but it is the office & duty of this present Parliament, to cherish and protect the true ministers of Christ; h Esa. 23. & 3 10.12. D● 17.14 19, 20 Ps, 2, 11.12 72, & and on the other hand to suppress and root out by their authority all false Ministers, and unlawful Ecclesiastical functions whatsoever. i 2 C● 29, & chap, Therefore our humble Request is, that all Popish Offices, entrance, administration, and maintenance, with their Names, Titles, and Privileges, may be now abolished, and that every Christian Congregation may have freedom to enjoy the public ordinary ministry of Pastors, k Act. 17. 2● Rom, ● 7, 8 & Teachers, Elders, Deacons, and Helpers; as those only which Christ hath appointed in his Testament, for the feeding, governing, and building up of his Church. And as every Congregation hath power l Act. 5. & 23. & 22.2 with 1.15. in Christ to take unto themselves meet and sufficient men into those offices, so (the Hierarchy, and their dependant Offices being all unlawful and Antichristian, in the height of jurisdiction and place be taken away,) an act of Parliament be made, that from henceforth these true Ministers which are too much vilified, shall have more honour & respect then heretofore. 11. Howsoever the Papists do place the power of the Keys in the Pope, the Protestants in the Bishops, and the Reformed Churches in the Presbytery, Classes, and Synods: notwithstanding according to the Apostolic institution, every particular Congregation m 1 Co 5.4.11.12, 13. & Mat. 18.17. 1 Cor. 16.3, 2 Cor. 8.19. Act. 18.23. & 15.23. & 18.22. hath power in and for itself immediately from Christ, to exercise Ecclesiastical government, and all other religions Ordinances: So that the power of Excommunication is in the body of the Church, whereof the parties that are to be cast out, are members. And so fare is the power of Ecclesiastical K●yes from belonging solely to Bishops and Ministers, as that they themselves stand under it. For the Congregation, which did elect and ordain them, may (if the cause so require) depose them from the M nistery they exercise; n 1 Tim. 3, 10. & 5, 22. Rom. 16.16. Phil. 3, 2. 1 Tim. 6.3, 5. Eze. 44, 12.13 Mat. 18.16. and if they remain obstinate and impenitent, orderly cut them off by Excommunication. And this is a truth, so clear and manifest, viz. that according to the ancient constitution of the primitive Church, the power of he ecclesiastical Keys is given to the whole body of every Christian Congregation, o Ps. 122.3. Act. 2.47. Rom. 16.2. Mat. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.4. etc. (and not to any member apart,, or to more members sequestered from the whole, or to any other Congregation to do it for them.) As that the learned on all sides, as Papists, Lutherans, Calvinists, Conformists, Non-Conformists, ancient Writers, with the public Confession of all the Reformed Churches (what ever their practice be) give Testimony hereto, as we have it in our hands to show, if the Parliament be pleased to call for it. 12. That there ought to be no Nationall, Provintiall, or Diocesian Bishops, we have showed before: neither are Churches to be made by the bounds and limits of Parishes, (for that is an ordinance of man, even the man of sin, and contrary to the faith and order of the Gospel) but to consist of a company of people called and separated from the world by the Word of God, p Act. 2.39. & 19.9. Rom. 1.6.7. & 10 14, etc. and joined together by voluntary profession of the faith of Christ in the fellowship and practice of the Gospel: and therefore no drunkards, no whoremongers, no profane persons: at least, which are known, may be received, retained or compelled to be members in the Church of Christ, q Mat. 3.7. 2 Cor. 6.14. Rev. 21. ult. num. 15, 27, & 22, 15. Esa. 35.8 9, etc. which is his body, whereof he is head, and his temple wherein he dwelleth by his Spirit: but the House of God must be kept as near as it is possible, free and clean from all pollutions and profanations whatsoever. And to this Church Christ hath given his power to choose and call into office among themselves, such as are fit, without going to Synods or Bishops, with Presentations of any, for that is but a humane device, and therefore by the Parliament not to be tolerated. 13. That in stead of Lay Elders to sit in Nationall and Provintiall Synods, (an office that hath no root in Christ's Testament) let it be appointed by the Parliament, that every Christian Congregation shall have free liberty to elect and ordain (as the Word requireth) Governors, or ruling Elders: r Act. ● 28. R● 12.8. Phil. 1. 1 Tim. 17. Ep● 11.12. 1 Cor. 28. n● 12.24, 2● Exod. 3● 42. De● 1.13. being men of life unreprovable, sober, gentle, loving, temperate: men of wisdom, knowledge, and sound judgement: that may sit in the Church, to see the Congregation holily and quietly ordered, discern between cause and cause, plea and plea, and accordingly prevent and redress evils. 14. A better course cannot be taken for providing for the poor, then that the Ordinance of the Gospel be observed: which is, that Deacons be chosen in every Congregation s Act. 6. 1 Tim, 8.9. Ro● 12.8. 1 Cor. ● 28. Ph● 1.1. being men of honest report, grave, temperate, not given to excess, nor to filthy lucre; let these gather and collect by the ordinance of the Church, the goods and benevolence of the faithful, and faithfully distribute the same according to the necessity of the Saints, For Churchwardens, Sidemen, and Collectors, their offices are unlawful and hurtful: unlawful because they are counterfeits of God's true Officers, namely, Elders and Deacons, also retain the mark of the Beast in part, as fictions devised by men, and coming from Rome; hurtful, because they are bound to most unlawful conditions, for necessarily either they must be perjured, or sin grossly; as to present both Minister and people, if they be not superstitious and profane: and thus they serve the tyranny of the Hierarchy, and minister matter of filthy lucre to the Harpies of the Prelate's Courts, in so much that the more honest and better sort, avoid such places, as knowing they cannot expect any blessing or protection from God therein. 15 Touching burial of the dead, a Gen, 23, 3, 4, 5, 9, 17, 18, 9, & 29, 21, 22, & 44 45. Luke 9, 60. it is no branch of a Ministers calling, nor doth any Church duty belong unto it. For all prayers, either over, or for the dead, are superstitious and vain no such thing was used in the Apostles time: neither do the Reformed Churches practise the same. The like may be said of the celebration of marriage; b Gen, 2, 2 23. Ruth 4, 1, 2, 9, 10, 12, 13. joh, 2, 1, 2, 3. Heb, 13.14. it is no Ecclesiastical action appertaining to the Ministry, but civil, and so to be performed. For Baptism as it is an ordinance of God: so it is humbly desired that it may be purged from all childish and superstitious toys: and that no infant be admitted unto Baptism, whose Parents (one at least) are not members of some particular Church. For the visiting of the sick, seeing the prescript service of it is taken out of the Mass-book, we trust the Parliament will take course to have the same suppressed. That so as it is Gods will we should visit the sick, so we may do both his will, and work in his own way. 16. For spiritual Courts so called, they are humane devises, c Matth, 28, 20. with 6, 24 joh, 3, 35, 36, & 10, 4, 5, & 15 14, Rom, 6, 16. 2 Thes, 2, 3, 4, 8, Gal, 1, 8, Rev, 14, 4 2, 12. presumptuous insolences, such as were never planted by the Apostles in the Primitive Churches, but long after erected by Antichrist against God, and his Christ, to the great prejudice and hurt of his Church, and the lawful jurisdiction thereof. And therefore it is humbly petitioned, that as must profane things, they may be by this present Parliament all rooted out, and utterly overthrown, without hope of restitution. Touching Citations by Synods and Presbyteries, with the knowledge of the Parish-minister, and his presenting the delinquents, and having a voice in the Censure, &c, This neither is to be found in the Word of God, and therefore no Christian man or woman is bound to submit and yield obedience unto it. The rule of Christ for censuring delinquents, is (as we have declared) that the sentence and judgement of Christ be given by the whole Church, whereof the parties are members, provided it be executed in a due manner; namely for sin, and that also duly convicted, and obstinately stood in. 17. Our humble suit is, that it would please his Majesty, and this present Parliament, that we may be suffered to live here in peace d Ps. 41● 1. Pro, 3 8, 9 Ez● 6, 7. M● 6, 10, ● 2 Chron 19, 10. Psal, 82 3, 4. , professing and practising the truth of the Gospel, without molestation, either of Bishops, or any other, to impose what they please upon our consciences, with such rigorous penalties, as they have lately used: we carrying ourselves as loyal Subjects, and leaving the suppressing, abolishing, or reforming of the abuses that we witness against, to his Majesties and your discretion. 18. As it is very meet that all Schools and Academies be purged from superstitious rites, e Ps, 11● 9, 99, 10● 1 Sam, 1● 9, 10, 2 Kin, ● 3, 4, 5. Mat, 1● 51, 52. and Popish doctrines, and Orthodox Readers be provided: so in special, that Popish degrees in Theology, enforcement to single life f Heb, 1● 4, 1 Tim, ● 2. in Colleges, abuse of the study of profane Heathen Writers, with other like corruptions should be removed and redressed, that so they may be the Wellspring and Nurseries of true learning and godliness. POSTSCRIPT. THat we be not misunderstood touching Provintiall and Nationall Synods; As if we should condemn all use thereof: we have thought good to speak a word or two, more fully in the thing. As to show out of Antiquity how ancient they are: and what were the causes and grounds of their erection at the first: how far they are lawful and necessary in the Churches of Christ. And when and how they came to be abused. And this we will do in a very brief way: leaving a larger discourse till a more convenient time. That there were no Synods (according to the acceptation of the Word now amongst us) all the time that the Apostles lived here upon the earth, but every particular Congregation practised in, and for itself all the ordinances of God: It cannot be denied without loss of credit both to person and cause of the denier, in the eyes of all reasonable men a Whitgift against T. C. p. 180. 181. Bilson perpet. gover. cap. 15, p. 361. Sculting hier. anar. l. 11. p. 134 Sutclif. discipl. c. 8. p. 353. . If we come down from thence to Trajan's time, which was about a 100 years after Christ's Ascension: we shall not find in any approved Author, b Centur. Meydenb. count. 1. c. 4 cent. 6. 7. col. 591. so much as the name of any such thing. From Trajan pass we to Severus reign, c Cent, 2, c, 7, p 137 135, Brig, o● R●c, 12 which was about the year 195. and let the approved Auhours of that age be read, and it will appear (as clear as the Sun at noon day) that the order of government was still populary Neither was there any superior Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, above the independent power which every particular Church had in itself. Indeed between Severus and Constantine's time, we read in Eusebius, d Lib. 3. c. 22, & 5. c. 16. Irenaeus. e l. 3. c. 1. 2, 3, Nicephorus, f l. 4, c. 23 and other:: that neighbour Ministers came often together to confer of things serving for the general good. But here let it be noted: 1. This they did of liberty, ●nd not of d●tie●, as if obliedged thereunto by any law of God. g Zipperus, l. 3. c. 7, .2 It was a free for any of the brethren to be present, as for the officers. h Cyp. i, 1 Epist. 4. 3. Whatsoever they did at such meetings, the same was of no force at all, as to be counted a Church ●ct or sentence, until the whole Congregation first knew of it, and gave their free consent unto the same. i Gregor, Nazia. in orat. fun. de Patr. This ancient coming together of Ministers and Brethren (call ye it a Synod or Convocation, or what you will) we hold both lawful and necessary, the better to preserve peace k Parker Eccl. pol. pu. 329. 330. with holiness, and when any dangerous errors are broached, for to suppress them. But at these meetings of Ministers of sundry Churches, they meddled ●ot with Excommunication, l Ignat. ad Philad. ad mag. Tral, Tertu. Apol. c. 20. Atha. Ep, in pers. ad orthod. & Ep. ad Soli. vit, deg. & Ep. con. Nicae. c. 9 Eccl. hist, Bas. Epi. 58 ad Elitium. Theo. l. 1. c. 19, election, and ordination of Church officers: for all such ●hings they left as peculiar administrations to every particular Church: only if there were Heresies broached, ‡ Cent. 2. c. 9, p. 159 160. 161 or some weighty point to be determined, every one ●ave his judgement and advice, and afterwards signified what was done to the Church's, who had still their liberty to receive, or reject what was before concluded. And thus for the space of 200 or 300 years (as Brightman m on Rev. cha. 12. p. 505. 506. edit. 3. , jacob n neces. Resor. p. 57, etc. , and o●hers, have well observed) the Primitive purity of Church government was not destroyed: ●either had Satan as yet brought in Prelatical and Synodal pride into the Sheepfold of the Lord: but every Congregation was free, and subject to no other Ecclesiastical jurisdiction, then unto that which was within itself. Indeed about Constantine's time, and after; as Cyprian o Epist. de lapsis, l. 4, c. 4. , Eusaebius p l. 8. ●. 1. , and Am●rose q Com. in 1 Tim. 5. testify: and which is also affirmed by Casaubon r ad Card. Peron, obs. 4. p. 30. 31. , Whitaker s de Rom. pont. count. 4. p. 5. , Mornaeus t H●●. ●op, p. 37. 38. , Brightman, u Apoc. c, 2, p, 67. and others. Men began to devise a new order and manner of governing Churches, as they thought fittest to agree with the times, and took away by little and little, the independent power and government of particular Churches. And had now their Councils and Synods to make what Canons and Laws they listed, imposing the same (nolens volens) upon all Congregations, not permitting the people to have a●y hand in the election of Ministers, excommunication, and the like x See Beza in res. ad tract. de minst. Evan. de grad. c. 22. f. 154. 155. Synod, Laod. can, 13. . And howsoever the government left by the Apostles to the Churches, was rejected, under pretence to preserve the unity and peace of the Church y Duaraen. dist. 8. , and for the avoiding of schisms a Field of the Church, l. 3. p. 157. 158. & de visib. non. l. 5. c, 4. , factions, and for the unruliness of the people b Sculting hierarch, anar, l, 11, p, 134. , and to prevent other evils; yet whosoever will judiciously read the impartial Writers of that age, he shall find that the corrupting at first of Church government, was principally through the pride c Greg, l, 4, Epi, 38. and ambition of the Ministers, for beginning now to have some outward state and means in the world, thought it a disparagement, that the Brothers should be equal with them in the affairs of the Church: d Chrysost. in Mat, hom, ●4, Hieron, in Epi, ad Gal, cup, 4. Much less could they any longer endure to be under their admonitions and censures, how disorderly soel they walked. Add to this another cause: viz. the negligence Hieron. n Esa. l. 6 c. 30. and idleness of the people, also the number of unfit members which were daily received, such as f Chrys. in opere imperfect. hom. 44. knew 〈◊〉 what their liberty in the Gospel was: besides about this time the civil Magistrate joins with the Innovatours and corrupters of Church government, and under divers threaten, and severe penalties, commandeth every one to yield and conform themselves to the sinful devices of their NEW MASTERS. Having thus briefly declared, what was the discipline planted by the Apostolic institution, g See Cen. 5. ca 9 de Synodis. in all Christian Congregations at first, we have now only a word more to speak to the Parliament, being in hand at this present time, with the reforming of 〈◊〉 Church of England. Wise Politicians in their institutions of Government, do hold for an infallible maim, that for to reform abuses and corruptions in States, a better course cannot be ●ken, then to reduce things to their primitive original. For as one truly saith, h Field of the Church l, 2. p. 49. 〈◊〉 first in any kind or sort of things is truest and best, Now our humble request is, that leaving the MOTIONS of men's brain, you w● look bacl to the Churches of the Apostolic institution, and from them take yo● pattern and platform to walk by, for so God teacheth i Mat. 28 20. Act. 1 3. 2 Tim. 1.13. Heb. 3.5. you to do. And it is indeed the golden reed, k Rev, 11. 1. Eze. 41 which Christ now putteth into your hands: saying unto y● Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein. The authority of the Primitive Churches (saith Gerson l De vit, spirit, ) is above all Churches; 〈◊〉 therefore it is not in the power of Pope, Council, or Church, to change the doctrines and ●ditions delivered by the Apostles. Brightman m Cham 2. pag. 65. edit. 3. on the Revelation hath a singular passage to the same effect: T● first Government of the Church (saith he) is common to all times and places: and it is 〈◊〉 permitted to be at the arbitrament of men to follow what way they list, but that always informing a Church, we must have recourse to the first beginnings: to the which as our only 〈◊〉 we must call back whatsoever strayeth from it: and that they are not to be turned and 〈◊〉 according to the crookedness and jarring sound of succeeding Churches. Parker, n Pol. eccls. l, 1, ca 23. p. 59 & l. 3, pag, 95, & 30. in effect useth the very same expression. So Cartwright, o Repl. to Whitg, l, 1 p, 25, 26. and ●nolds, p Confer. with Hart pag, 195. 459. yea and some Bishops too, as jewel q Defence, Apol, par. 6, chap, 16, divis, 2, p, 762, and Bilson. r Perpet, Govern, p, 3. And Hooker s Eccles, pol, l, 4, p, 1 Cont, Mart, lib, 4, cap, 5. gi● reason for it thus: the first state of things was best, and therefore it must needs follow, customs, laws and ordinances, devised since, are not so good for the Church of Christ: b● best way is to cut off later inventions, and to reduce things to the ancient state wherein at 〈◊〉 they were. And this agrees with Tertullia's saying of old (with which we will end 〈◊〉 Petition) That is truest which is first, that is first which is from the beginning, that is fro● beginning which is from the Apostles. FINIS.