A true CONFESSION OF THE FAITH, AND humble ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE allegiance, which we hir majesties Subjects, falsely called Brownists, do hold towards God, and yield to hir majesty and all other that are over us in the Lord. Set down in Articles or Positions, for the better& more easy understanding of those that shall red yt: And published for the cleared of ourselves from those vnchristian slanders of heresy, schism, pride, obstinacy, disloyalty, sedition, &c. which by our adversaries are in all places given out against vs. wee beleeue therfore haue we spoken. 2 Cor. 4, 13. But, who hath believed our report, and unto whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Isai. 53, 1. M.D.XCVI. To all that desire to fear, to love,& to obey our Lord Iesus Christ, grace, wisdom and understanding. THou canst not lightly bee ignorant( gentle Reader) what evils and afflictions/ for our profession and saith towards God wee haue sustcined at the hands of our own Nation: How bitterly wee haue been/ an yet are/ accused/ reproached and persecuted which such mortal hatred/ as yf wee were the most notorious obstinate heretics/ and disloyal subiects to our gracious Queen Elizabeth/ that are this day to bee found in all the Land. And therfore/ besides the daily ignominy wet sustain at the hands of the Preachers and Prophers of our time/ who have given their tongnes the rems to spearke despitefully of us/ wee haue been further miserable entreated by the prelates and chief of the clergy: They shut 〈◇〉 out lyv●● in the Dung●●● they cast a ston vpon us La●. 3.53. some of us cast into most vile and noisome prisons and dungcons/ laden with irons/ and there/ without all piti●/ detained many yeeres/ no man remembering our affaction: until our God released some of us out of their cruel bands by death/ as the Cities of London/ Norwich/ G●ocester/ Bury/ and many other places if the land can testify. Yet here the malice of Satan stayed not itself/ but raised up against us a more grievous persecution/ even unto the violent death of some/ and lamentable exile of us all; 〈◇〉 159●. April. 10. causing heavy decrees to come forth against us/ that wee should forswear our own country& depart/ or else bee slain therein. This have our adversaries used/ as their last and best argument against us/( when all other failed) following the steps of their bloody Prodecessors/ the popish Priests and prelates. Now therfore that the true cause of this their hostility& hard usage of us may apppecre unto all men; wee haue at length amyds our many doubles/ through Gods favour/ obtained to publish unto the view of the world/ 〈◇〉 confession of our faith& hope in Christ/ and loyal harts/ to wards our Prince/ the rather to stop the mouths of impious and unreasonable men/ who have not ceased some of them/ both openly in their Sermons& printed pamphlets/ notoriously to accuse and defame us/ as also by all indirect means secretly to suggest the malice of their own evil harts/ thereby invegling our sovereign Prince and Ru●●s against us: Gen. 4. Num. 12. that when the true state of the controversy between them and us shalbe manifested/ the christian( or but indifficent) Reader may iuge whether our adversaries haue not followed the way of Cain and a Balaam/ to kill and curse us Gods sernants without cause. For if in this our Confession appear no matter ●orthie such mortal immitie and persecution/ then wee protest( good Reader) that/ to our knowledge/ they neither haue cause nor colour of cause so to entreat us/ the nayneand entire difference betwixt their Synagogs and us/ being in these Ar●cles fully& wholly comprised. An other motive inducing us to the publication of this our testimony/ is/ the ru●●●● estate of our poor Contrymen/ who remain yet fast locked in egypt/ that ●ous of servants/ in slavish subjection to strange LLs.& laws/ enforced to bear the burdens and intolerable yoke of their popish canons& decrees/ being subject every day they rise to Arch B●●. ●. Bvs. Suffragan●/ 〈◇〉/ Deance/ Arch. Deac●●/ Commissarics/ Officials/ Doctors/ Proctor●/ Registres/ scribe●/ Pute chants/ Summon●●●/ Subdeancs/ chaplains/ Part ●. daries/ Cannons/ P●●i-Canons/ ●ospellers/ pist●●le ●●/ Chant●●s/ Sub-chanters/ Wergiers/ 〈◇〉. ●●n-players/ Qu●●●sters/ Persons/ Vicars/ curates/ Stidendarics/ Dagrant. Preachers/ Priests/ De ●cons/ or half Priests/ Church wardens/ Sidem● Collectors/ Clerks/ Se●tins. 38. antichristian ecclesiastical offices/ and many mot Romish statutes and traditions/ almost without number: besides their high transgression daily in their vain will worship of God/ by reading over a few prescribed prayers and collects/ which they haue translated verbatim out of the Mass-book/ and which are yet tainted with man●● popish heretical errors and superstions/ in stead of true spiratuall invocation vpon the name of the Lord. These and many other grievous enormities are amongst them/ not suffered only but with a high hand mainterned/ and Gods servants/ which by the power of his word and Spirit witness against& condemn such abominations/ are both they& their testimony/ rejected/ persecuted& plasphemed. What a woeful plight then are such people in/ how great is their iniquity/ how fearful iudgments do ab●● them? wee have therfore/ for their sakes/ manifested this our Confession of 〈◇〉 vowed obedience unto that faith which was once given unto the Iude. 3. Daincts/ whereby they may bee drawn( God showing mercy unto them) unto the same faith and obedience with us/ that they perish not in their sins. For how could wee behold so many souls of our dear Contr●inen to die before our eyes& wee ho●● our peace? And whereas they have been hecrtofore greatly abused by their tymeserving Priests/ being given to understand that wee were a dangerous people/ holding many errors/ renting ourselves from the tue Church/ because of some m●●mities in men/ some faults in their worship/ ministery/ Church gouvernment/ ●●. that wee were Donatists/ Anabaptists/ Brownists/ schismatics/ &c. these few leaves( wee trust) shal now clear us of these and such like criminations/ and satisfy any godly hart/ yea every reasonable man/ that will but with an indifferent ear hear our cause. For wee have always protested/ and do by these presents testify vn to all men/ that wee neither ourselves do/ neither account it lawful for others to seprate from any true church of christ/ for infirmities faults or errors whatsoever except their iniquity bee come to such an heith/ that for obstinatie they cease to be a true visible Church/ and bee refused and forsaken of God. Conferences betwixt certain Preachers and innkeepers Marc. 1590. Discovercy of the false Church 1590. Refutaton of Mr. Gi●●ed pryn●●d. 1591. And for this their renowined Church of England/ wee a have both by word and writing/ proved it unto them to bee false and counterfeit/ deceyving hir children with va●● titles of the word/ Sacraments/ ministery &c. having indeed none of these in the ordinance and power of Christ amongst them. They have been shewed/ that the people in Their Parish-assemblies/ neither were nor are meet stones for Gods house/ meet members for Christs glorious body/ until 1 Peter. 1/ 23. John. 3.3 they bee begotten by the seed of his word unto faith/ and renewed by repentance. Their general irreligious profanne● ignorance/ atheism and Machevelisine on the one side/& public Idolitrie/ usual blasphemy/ swearing/ lying/ killing/ stealing/ whoring/ an● all maner of imptetie on the other side/ Revel. 21/ 27 2. Cor. 5/ 17. Ezech. 44/ 9. Act. 8/ 37. utterly disableth them from being Citizens in the new jerusalem/ sons of God& heires with Christ and his Saints/ until they become new creatures. Their slavish bondage unto the antichristian● tyrannous prelates/ whom they celibrate and honour as their Lords& rever●●n Fathers spiritual/ accepting their popish Canons and injunctions for laws 〈◇〉 their Church/ their marcked Priests/ Preachers/ Parsons/ ●●ars &c. unlewe of Christs true Pastors and Teachers/ running to their Courts and Confisterits at every summons &c. do manifest Rom. 6.16. Mat. 6/ 24. Reue 13.16/& 14.9.10. & ●. whose servants they are/& to whom they yield their obedience. Their learned ministery even from the highest Arch-prelat to the lowest vicar& half-Priest th●th been●by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ-cast down into the smoky furnace of that pit of bottomless diepth See Revel. 9.3. with their ●une annotacation/ vponthat place. 2. King. 16/ 10 11. &c. Reu. 13/ 14. from whence they arose/ revealed by the light of his word/ to bee strange/ false/ popish& antichristian/ the very same/ and no other then we●e hatched and advanced in their metropolitan synagogue of Rome/ from whence they have feched the very pattern and ●●ould of their Church/ ministery/ Service& Regiment/ even the very express Character and image of that first wild beast of Italy/ as all in whom an●● sp●rk of true light is/ may easily discern. With mese and many other like weighty arguments have wee pleaded against that our whorish mother/ hir Priests and Pre●●te/ which as a heavy mylstone presseth hir down to hell: ●pos. 1/ 2. for the vyalls of Gods wrathful iudgments are powred vpon them/ which maketh them so to storm rage and curse/ gna●ing their tongues for sorrow& pain of these wounds/ and not yet finding grace to repent of and turn from their sins. Men. 16/ 10. 〈◇〉. In Newgat● Mr. Crane a man about 60 yeers of age Richard Iacson/ Thomas Stevens William ●●owton/ The mas Drewe●/ John Swalter/ Roger Ryppon/ ●●bert ●woburne/ Scipio Bellot/ Robert BowleIohn barns beeingsic/ unto death/ was carried fort●● depatred 〈◇〉 ●●f. shortly ●after. Mothor Menet of 60. yeers. 〈◇〉 Roc of 60. yeers moths Tailont/ Iudeth My●●er. Margaret Farret-beeing ●●ch unto death was carried forth/ and ended hir lyfs 〈◇〉 a day or two after. John Purdy in B●●dw●l. Mr. Denfordin the Gatehouse about 60. yeers of age. Father Debnham in the white-lyon about 70. yeers/ George Bryty in Counter woodstreet. ●enry Tho●son in the 〈◇〉 John Chandice in the Count. Pou●●… y/ being sick unto death was carried forth& dyed within few dayes. Waltar Lanc in the Fleet. Thomas ●… bewet in Countee Woodstreet. For when wee have proclaimed this our testimony against them/ how have they behaved themselves/ but as savage beasts renting and tearing us with their teeth/ never daring to come unto the trial of the word of God/ either by free writing or conference/ but greedily hunting after Christs poor lambs/ and so many as they could get into their paws/ misvsing their bodies with all exqvisite tyranny in long and lamentable imprisonment/ bedsies despite and reproaches without measure. So that through their barbarous cruelty Och that they were wise/ then would they vnderstend this●… ●… ey would consider their later end. Deut. 32.9. 24. souls have penshed in their prisons/ with in the city of London only/( besides other places of the Land)& that of late yeeres. many also have they/ by their immamtie/ caused to blaspheme and forsake the hath of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ/ and many mo they terrify and keep from the same. For all this/ yet were not these savage men satisfied/ though blood in abonndance ran out of their wide mouths/ but they procured certain of us( after name yeeres imprisonment) to be indighted/ arrayned/ condemned and hanged as scious/( how unjustly/ thou Lord just and true knowest) Henry Barrow/ John Greenwood( and John Penry) whose particular examinations/ araignments and maner of execution/ with the circumstances about them/ if thou didst truly understand( gentle Reader) it would make thy hart to bleed/ considering their vnchristi●●and unnatural usage. About the same time they executed also one william Deus/ at Thetford in norfolk/ and long before they killed two men/ at Bury in ●uffol●/ Coppyn and Elias/ for the like testimony. Others they detain in their ●●ysons to this day/ who look for the like measure at their mercelesse hands/ yf God in mercy release them not before. Our God( wee trust) will one day raise by an other John For/ to gather and compile the acts and Monuments of his later Martyrs/ for the view of posterity/ tho yet they seem to bee buried in obli●ion/ and sleep in the dust. Then will this last infernal Cergie also appear in their proper colours/ and befound nothing inferior to their bloody predecessors ●poysoned mal●ce and and tyranny but rather even to exceed them/ in regard of the time. Alas for our poor Contreye/ that it should bee so again defiled with the blood of the scients/ which crieth loud from under the Altar/ and speaketh no letter things for it/ then did the blood of Gen. 4●10. Habel. Needs must the righteons Lord referue a scarfull vengeance for such a Land/ and make it an example to all Natons/ yf speedily they ●urge not thewselnes by notable repentance. But oh how far are they from this/ which harden their ●arts against us/ as did the egyptians/ and cease not to add unto their formor iniquities/ still pursuing us with their accusio●ed hatred/ who seek the welfare of their souls/& Offer them the things which concern their peace/ which they refuse. Thy peace o England hat hoorought thy ●oe/ and thy long prosperity/ thy ruin/ thou hast been fat●thou hast waxed gross/ thy hart is covered/ thow hast forsaken the God that made thee●and despised the rock of thy falvation/ thy sins have reached up to Heaven/& God hath remembered thine iniquities to give unto thee according to thy worcks. Behold/ the tempest of the Lord is gon forth with wrath/ the wirle wind that hangeth over ●●ll light vpon the heads of the wicked/ the indignation of the Lords wrath shall not return until he haue done/ and until he haue performed the intents of his hart: In the later dayes thow shait understand it.● Our God show mercy to them that are his in thee/ and hastily draw them out of the fire/ that they perish not ●●●… hy sins. And most of all wee are sorry for our dread sovereign Queen/ whom ●… ee haue alwayed loved/ reverenced and obeied in the Lord that shee should so bee ●… own by the subtle suggestion of the prelates to smite hir faithfullest subieers having hir finger so deep in the blood of Gods children/ whereby shee hath not only befiled hir precious soul in the eyes of hir God/ but also brought an evil name vpon h●r meck and peaceable Government here on Earth/ in all Nations rown about hir who do with grief behold that Land to persecute and waste true Christians now which was erewhiles an harbour and refuge for Christians perse●ted in other places. But as wee are verily persuaded that hir Ma●s. clemenc● hath been much abused by the wretched vnconcionable false reports and instiga●ons of the Priests/ so will wee not cease( though wee bee exiled hir Dommions) with fervent harts to desire hir Nighnesse prosperity& pray that hir sins ma● bee forgiven hir/ lamenting that Gods benefits/ and great d●●yverances/ should 〈◇〉 foone of hir bee for gotten/& so ill requited/ by this hard usage of his poor servants for his fave. And if shee proceed in this course/ alas how shall shee ever bee able t● behold the face of hir God with comfort? wherefore our souls shall weep in secret for hir/ and wee will not ce●se to pray the Lord to show hir mercy/ and open hir eyes before shee die. And lykewuse for those honourable peers hir grave Councellors/ who also have consented to this our hard measure/ although our innocency hath been sufficiently manifested unto the consciences of some of the chiefest of thē/ our humble request is/ that they in the scar of God may weigh their proceedings against us/& remember their account that they shall shortly make unto the judge of hea●● and earth/ where Christ will reckon unto them al the tribulations of his poor despised members on earth/ as if they had been inflicted vpon his own glorious person/ and will render reward accordingly. ●●at. 10.40. 〈◇〉& 25.44.45. The Lord give them true wisdom/ th●● they may learn/ at last/ to kiss the soon before he bee angry/ and they prrish in the way. Psal. 2.10. As for the Priests and Preachers of the land/ they/ of all other me●/ haue bewrayed their notable hypocrisy/ that standing erewhile against the English Romish hierachie/ and their popish abominations/ haue now so readily submytted themselves to the Beast and are not only content to yield their canonical obedience unto him/ and receive his mark but in most hostile maner oppose and s●t themselves against us/ not ceasing to add unto our afflictions/ scorning and reviling us/ and alienating the minds of many 〈◇〉 ●pic hearted people/ who are( wee doubt not) iuchnable enough unto the truth/ were it not that these their lying Proph●●s did strengthen their hands/ that they may not return from their wicked ways/ by promising them life and peace/ where no peace to. These haue long busic● themselves in seeking out new shifts and cavils to turn away the truth/ which presseth them so sore and hauc at last been dryven to palpable& gross absurditie●/ seeking to daub up that ruinous antichristian muddy Wall/ which themselves d●● once craftily under mine. And herein wee report us to the learned discourses of Do. Robert Some/ and Mr. Gistard who haue so refereed their writings with reproaches/ slanderous untruths/ and false collections on the one side/ and manifest digressions/ shiftings& turnings from the state of the question in hand/ on the other side/ as wee think the like presidents can hardly be shewed in any writings of controversy in these t●●es and specially Mr. Gistards last answer/ which( 〈◇〉 secmeth) he did in hast: wherein 〈…〉 boyes play/ in skipping over many whole leaves of ●●s abversaries book/( leaving thē both unanswered& untouched) he hath so wisely carried hunself in those tuings winch he professeth to answer as a man afraid once to come neers the battle and main coutroversie in hand/ run●●ing our into vain and frutlesse excursories/ never approving by the word of God t●● places and offices of his Lords the prelates/ with their retinue/ Courts/ Ci●●n● &c. neither the public 〈◇〉 ministery or people of this their Church of England. Fro bee knew well 〈◇〉 adve●●aries were fast locked& wa●hed in pry●o● from writing any more/ and their books intercepted/ so that few men could ame to the brew of them: he might therfore deal as he listed himself for as own best ad vantage/ and be are the people in hand that he had confuted his Brownists and Donatists/ for the print was as free for him/ as the close prison or them. But God( wee trust) will give means one day/ that some things/ ●… ch as yet are hide/ shall come to light. In the mean time/ thow for thy satis●… king( Christian Reader) examine the mans writings/ and see how he hath an●… eared unto these criminations/ or purged his Church of them. Look what scriptures he hath brought for defence of his spiritual Lords/ their places and proce●… gs/ their Courts/ Cannons/ Dignities/ &c. what warrant in Christs Testa●… ent he hath found for his service-booke and all the abominable rites therin●… his Angelies/ Saincts and Lady days/ popish fasts/ Lent/ Embers and ●… ves: How he hath approved their English missal Prayers/ litany/ Collects ●… d trentals/ their mar●ng/ burying/ churching of women/ wretched abuse of ●… th Sacraments/ their Romish Goss●pps/ hollowed Font/ cross/ enchanted Collects/ their processions/ bishoping of children/ and a thousand such like trnm●… es/ which were all blamed unto him. Yea/ come unto their own Ministeric/& ●… hold from whence he hath fetched the genealogy of those Anakims and horned ●… ds of the beast. Arch bbs. Lord bbs. deans/ Arch-Deacons/ Chancel●… s/ &c. or of their Mr. person/ Vicar/ Curat/ and the rest of that rabit: How ●… e opproveth their offices/ ellections/ callings/ entrance/ ad●umst● ations/ Bishop●… ks/ Dcanries/ Prebends benefice/ &c. by the ordinance of our Lord Iesus in 〈…〉 new Testament Mat. 18. ●●. ●eb. 1.2. Eph. 4. 〈◇〉 13. Gal.〈…〉. 10. left unto his Church to the worlds end. These are some of the innumerable abominations/ wherewith wee charged ●… rr Church/ which they must either justify by Gods word/ or clear their Church of them. Now he that findeth not these things approved in his wryings/ ●… ay easily perceive how he hath uever meddled with the main coutroversie be een vs. wherefore either let him discharged ●ns Church of these accusations/ ●… ne must wee and all Gods children still by the power of the word of God con●… ne them/ and sand home again these Rounsh wears into the Land of Shinar 〈…〉 whence they came/ and the Lord that condemneth them is a strong God. Zach. 5. 1●●. On the other side wee desire thē that they would show us by the Scriptures ●… r errors wherewith they charged us/& for which they thus hate us/ what they ●… ove in our Doctrine or practise. As for ourselves/ wee protest with simplo ●… ts in the presence of God/ and his holy angels/ unto al men/ that wee do 〈…〉 witting& willingly mantame any one error against the word of truth( though ●… ee doubt not but as all other men wee are liable to error/ which our God wee ●… st will in mercy forgive unto us/) but hold the grounds of Christian Religion ●… th all Gods ancient Churches in judea, Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Gala●a, Pontus, Cappadocia, Asia and Bythinia, and with all faithful people at his day in germany, France, Scotland, the Low-Contries, Bohemia, Watmande of Confect. 〈…〉 other Christian Churches round about us/ whose con●essions published wee 〈…〉 here to witness the sincerity of our aith/ and our agreement and unity with ●●em in the points of greatest moment and controversy between us and our adver●… ies. And whereas our Preachers were wont to tell us/ that their Church ●… death the foundation and substantial grounds of Rilligion/ Faith in God and justification by Christ alone/ &c. and therfore/ norwithstanding their wants and ●… ruptions/ they had the essence/ life and being of a true people of God: wet ●… ust now they will let us that make the like plea/ find the like favour/& account 〈…〉 as a true Cougregation of Christ/ and blaspheme us no longer by the names of Broswnists/ Donalists/ Anabaptists/ schismatics &c. for will they slay th●… that Christ giveth life unto? shall profession of faith save them/ and shall yt 〈…〉 us likewise/ that make the same profession? Or yf theytake exception at our●… let them show what one truth they hold/ where in wee agree not with thē/ or wh●… good thu●g they have in practise/ that wee do not the sainew. et worship the tru●… God in spirit and truth/ having his word truly taught/ his Sacraments right administered( at such time as our God douchafeth us the means for administration of thē at all:) Tho● Lord preparest a table before us in sight of one adversaries Psal. 23.5. That ministery of Pastors, Teachers/ Elders/ Deacons/ 〈…〉 which they sometimes stood for/ wee( through Gods great mercy) obtained th●… before their faces/ which they yet never did. That government of Christ by 〈…〉 own laws/ ordinances/& holy cenfures( which they call Discipline) wee fa●… fully obey and execute: Bee. ●. 41. receiving into our society all that with faith and re●… tance come unto us willingly: Mat. 18.8.17/ ●. Cor. 5.4.5/ Tit 3.10. Rom. 16.17. casting out again/ and removing by the power 〈…〉 our Lord Iesus Christ all notorious& obstinate sinners/ heretics/ schismatick●… or wicked lyvers whosoever/ without respect of persons. Only wee reject the 〈…〉 bominable Romish relics which they yet retain and maintain/ to the high●… honour of God. And for the sins wherewith wee charge them/ they are so app●rant/ as even our foreste addersarie sometimes confessed and complained of them 〈…〉 that in great measure openly/ muchmore secretly amongst themselves/ as is 〈…〉 known. But let us hear themselves speak/ as they have published in print to the view of the world. Of their people/ the members of their Church they give this commendation. ● Dialogue of the Ocife of their church page.. 99. The greaeest multitude, by many partes do not understand the Lords prayer, the ten Commandements, or the articles of the faith, 〈…〉 the Doctrine and use of the Sacraments, in any competent measu●… There bee thou wsands, which bee men& woemen growne, which if a man ask them bow they shalbee saved, they cannot tell. Are not these meet stones now for gods bous? ●1. Pet. 2.5.9. Heb. 8.11. As for lewdness in pride, euvie, hatred, and all fins that can bee name almost, yt doth overflow:& yet you are not ashamed to say, are they not Christians? Concerning their own ministery and government, they haue likewise Edmonition to the Part. in the Preface/ defended by T. C. complained how they lack both a right ministery of God, and a right government of his Church, according to the Schriptures. More pertienlarly Table of Reeicles propounded by the Divinirie Readee in Cambridg. T. C. That that profane iurisdi●tion of Lordly Lord Arch. bb s. Bb s. Arch-Deacous, Chancellors Officials, &c. a●… contrary to Gods government, and wonderfully vnderpropt by the Cano● and popish law, and withall joined with hypocrisy, vainglory, lordlynes& tyranny, even for these respects, if ther were no more, are to bee v●terly rooted out of the Church, except possible wee mean by reconciliation to make Christ and antichrist friends. Item In the same Table. that that ugly& ylfauored hyerarchie or Church-princelynes, which instituted at the fi●… by Antichrists device, did afterward vilely serve the Pope of Rome to 〈…〉 complishe the myst●rie of iniquity, and to destroy the Church 〈…〉 Christ, and doth yet still at this day serve him, must bee so abolished that no remnants, ne yet any show therofremayne, yf so bee wee wil●… ●… aue Christ to reign over vs. Item Martles Marprelat. that the Lord governors of their Church bee Peti-Popes,& Peti-Antichrists, and Bishops of the devill. These Testimonies have wee from their own writings/& many such like. For these impieties haue wee separated ourselves from those tages of unclean birds/ ●… llowing the ● Sen 19/ 14 Isa. 52/ 11. Iir. 51/ 9. Act. 2/ 40. 2. Cor. 6/ 17. Rev. 18/ 4. counsel of the Holy-Gost/ lest-wee should communicate with their sins/ and bee partakers of their plagues. With what equity now can these Priests so blaspheme and persecute us for rejecting the heavy yoke of their tyra●… us prelates/ whom they themselves call antichristian& Bishops of the devil: ●… r forsaking their Priesthood/ which they haue complained is not the right Mi●… erie. with what conscience could master Giffard( of all other men) answer to the Browni●●s/ pag. 4.& 50. so be mently charge us with intolerable pride/ presumption/ and intrusion into Gods ●… dgment seat/ to judge and condemn whole assemblies which profess the Faith of Christ sincerely &c. in most sa●age and desperate maner to rend and tear up the ●eake plants &c. The Lord rebuk satan/ and judge betwixt vs. Our enemies ●… fest arguments against us hitherto/ haue been reproach and cursed speaking/ with violence and oppression. But let them know and understand/ that for all these ●… ings God will bring them unto iudgment/ when they shall receive such recompense of their error and wickedness as is meet. The last and great scandal which offendeth many and turneth them out of the ●ay/ is the seed of discord which Satan hath sought to sow amongst ourselves/ ●… tting variance among brethren/ prevailing mightily in the children of perdition/ whom he hath either turned back into apostasy/ or dryven into heresy or schism. ●eerby he hath caused the truth of God to bee much evil spoken of/ and to suffer ●●eat reproach at our aduersaries hands/ who haue long wailed for our halting. Such things( good Reader) are neither new nor strong unto us/( though much is bee laiuented/) yt being the lot of Christs Church to haue such troubles within yt self/ and as incident to the same as is the cross of outward tribulation. Dan. 11/ 34 neither can any that knoweth the state of Gods people/ or the word of God aright/ ●… ke for other things in this world/ where wee are but strangers& pylgrims/ warting against manic and nughtie adversaries/ even the Prince of darkness/ with his 〈◇〉 of spiritual wickednesses. Wee are taught of God ● 1 Cor. 11/ ●●. that ther must bee discen●●●& heresies amongst ourselves/ that they which are approbed may bee known/ ●… that grievous woldes should enter in amongst us/ and of ourselves men arise/ speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Act. 20/ 29.30. By such sukorned ●… sts of satan doth our Deut. 13.3. Lord sift& try us/ whither wee love him with our whole ●… rts or no. wherefore though joh. 6/ 66. never so many forsake us/& our Lam. 1/ 7. own friends dole ●… faithfully with us/ Psal. 73/ 1. yet wee know assuredly it shalbe well with I sraell/ even to the pure in hart. when wee call to ●ynde/ Gen. 4. the murder of Cain. Gen. 9 the deriding of Cham/ Gen. 21. the flowting of I sinacl/ Gen. 27. the hatred of Esau/ Gen 3●. the envy of the Patri●… rks/ Num. 16. the rebellien of Corah/ 2. Sam. 15. the conspiracy of Absalon/ Mat. 16. the treason of ju●… es/ Act. 5. the hypocrisy of Ananias and Saphira/ 2. Tim. 42. the apostasy of Demas/ ●●vel. 2. the ●eresie of Nicholas/ and many suchlike mischevous practices in old time with in ●… e housholds of the Saincts/ and Churches of God/ wee mervell not though in ●… ease last& evil dayes some children of Belial/ that were of old ordained unto this ●… ndernmation/ rise up in the Church and work the unrest and sorrow of the same. The time is come that iudgment must begin at the house of God/ the Lord will ●… ove us to the utmost/ and suffer satan to wynnow us as wheat/ but Peters faith is prayed for that it fail not/ and he that shall continue to the end/ he shal●… saved. This is our comfort that God will hereby purge his vine and disclofe the disguised hypocrites which come unto us in sheeps garments/ but his own portion he will brin I thoro v. Thes. 2.10.11.12. the fire/ and fine them as the Silver is fined/ and will try them as the Gold is tried/ to the prase& glory of his own great name. These things are stumbling blocks unto the blind and hard hearted worldlings/ who haue no love unto the truth/ nor willbee brought unto the obedience of the same. It is 〈◇〉 with God to let them bee octended by such things. But he knoweth to deliver the godly out of temptation. 2. Pet. 2.9. Let him therfore that readeth consider/& the Lord give him understanding in all. Weigh all things uprightly in the balance of the sanctuary/ and judge righteous iudgment. Bee not offended at the simplicity of the gospel/ neither hold the Faith of our glorious Lord Iesus Christ in respect of meas persons. Gods cause shall stand when al that handle yt amiss shall fall before 〈◇〉. m. 11.5.6. Wee offer here our faith to the view and trial of all men. trial things and keep that ●●●ch is good: and yf thou shalt reap any fruit by these our labours( gentel Reader) give God the glory. Though Babael should mount up to heaven, and thou she should defend hir strength on high, Yet from me shall hir destroyers come saith the Lord Ierem. 51.53. save us o Lord our God and gather us from among the nations, for to celebrate thy holy name, For to glory in thy praise. Psal. 106.47. A true CONFESSION OF THE FAITH, AND humble ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE allegiance, which we hir majesties Subjects, falsely called Browniste, do hold towards God, and yield to hir majesty and all other that are over us in the Lord. Set down in Articles or Positions, for the better& more easy understanding of those that shall red yt: And published for the cleared of ourselves from those vnchristian slanders of heresy, schism, pride, obstinacy, disloyalty, sedition, &c. which by our adversaries are in all places given out against vs. Wee beleeue with our hearts& confess with our mouths. THat ther is but Deut. 6/ 4. Bos. 13/ 4. Ma●k. 12/ 29 32. Eph. 4/ 4.5.6 ●. Cor. 12/ 13. one God, one Christ, one Spirit, one Church, one truth, one Faith, Rom. 16/ 16. 1. cor. 4/ 17.& 16. ● Gal. 1/ 8 9. one Rule of obedience to all Christians, in all places. 2 That God is a John. 4/ 24. Spirit, whose Exod. 3/ 14. Es● 43/ 10/ 11. being is of himself, and ●●om. 11.36. Act 17/ 28. Gen. 1. giveth being moving, and preservation to all other things being himself 1. tim. 1/ 17. Reu. 4/ 8. Es. 6 3. and 66.1.2. Psal. 145/ 3.8.9.17.& 147.5. Rom. 1/ 20. eternal, most holy, every way infinite, in greatness, wildome, powre, goodness, justice, truth, &c. And that in this Godhead there bee three 1. joh. 5/ 7 Mat 18/ 19. ●ag. 2/ 5.6 ●eb. 9/ 14. distinct persons Pro. 8/ 22. joh. 1/ 1 Heb. 9/ 14. coeternal, coequal,& joh. 10/ 30.38. 1 corinth. 2/ 11.12. ●eb. 1/ 3. coessential, being every one of thē one& the same God,& therfore not divided but distinguished one from another by their several& peculiar property: The job. 5/ 26. 1. C●● 8/ 6. Father of none, the son joh. 1/ 14. 1●. 〈◇〉 3.16. M●ca. 5/ ●● Psal. 2/ ●. begotten of the Father from everlasting, the holy joh. 14/ 26. & 〈◇〉 16. Gal. 4/ 6. ghost proceeding from the Father and the son before all beginnings. 3 That God Esa. 46/ 10. 〈◇〉. 11/ 34.35.36. ●●t. 15/ 18.& 2/ 23. Gen. 45/ .6.7.8. Mat 10/ 10.30. and 20 15. Eph. 1/ 11. hath decreed in himself from everlasting touching all things, and the very least circumstances of every thing, effectually to work and dispose thē according to the counsel of his own will, to the praise and glory of his great name. And touching his chiefest Creatures that God hath in Eph. 1/ 3 4.11. Christ ibid& wat. ●●/ 34 before the foundation of the world, Eph. 1/ 5. 〈◇〉 9/ 11.12.13. Mal. ●/ 2. 2/ Tim. 1/ 9. according to the good pleasure of his will, Act. 13/ 48. Eph 1/ 4.5. 1. Tim. 5/ 21. Mat. 25/ 31.34. ordained some men and Angells, to eternal life to bee Ephes. 1/ 5.7.10 Col. 1/ 14.17.18.19.& 2.10. Rom. ●. 19.30. R●b. 19.10 accomplished through Iesus Christ, to the eph. 1/ 6. to 9/ ●● praise of the glory of his grace. And on tother hand hath likewise Iud. yet. 4. before of old according R●m. 9/ 11.12.13.17.18. with. ●●al. 1/ 3. Exod. ●. 16. to his just purpose job. goody. 4/ ● 〈◇〉 9/ 22. mat. 25/ 41 92. Pet. 2/ 1●. 2. Cor. 4/ 3.4. ●. pet. 2/ 8. iod. 3.10 ordained other both Angels and men to, eternal condemnation, to bee; accomplished through their own corruption to the Pro. 16/ 4. rom 2/ 5. and 9.22. praise of his iustice. 4 That in the Gen. 1. Col. 1/ 16 Esa. 35/ 11. Heb. 11/ 3. Revel. 4/ 11. beginning God made all things of nothing very good: and Gen. 1/ 26.27. Eph. 4/ 24. accles. 7/ 31. created man after his own image and likeness in righteousness and holynes of truth. That Gen. 3/ 1.4.5. 1 Cor. 11/ 3. joh. 8/ 4●. streight ways after by the subtlety of the Serpent which satan used as his instrument 2. Pet. 2/ 4. joh 8/ 44. Iud. 6. himself with his Angells having sinned before and not kept their first estate, but left their own babitation; first Ge●●. 3/ 1.2.3.6 1. Tim. 2/ 14. Eccles. 7/ ●●. Gal. 3/ 22. Eva, then Adam by hir means, did witting& willingly fall into disobedience& transgression of the commadement of God. For the which death Rom. 5/ 12.18.19. and 6.23. with Gen. 2/ 17. reigneth over all: yea even yea even Rom. 5.14. and 9/ 1●. over infants also, which haue not sinned, after the like maner of the transgression of Adam, that is, a tually: Yet are, all since the fall of Adam begotten in his own likeness after his image, being conceived and born in iniquity, and so by nature the children of wrath and servants of sin, and subject to death, and all other calamities due unto sin in this world and for ever. 5 That all mankind being thus fallen and become altogether dead in sin,& subject to the eternal wrath of God both by original and actual corruption: The Gen. 5/ 15. Eph. 2/ 4.5. Gea. 15.6. with Rom. 4/ 2. 3 4. ●. and 3.14. 25.26. Joh. 3/ 16. elect are redeemed, quickened, raised up and saved again, not of themselves, neither by works, lest a nigh man should boast himself; but wonderfully and only by God of his free grace and mercy through faith in Christ Iesus, 1. Cor. 1/ 30.31 Phst. 3. ●/ 9.30.11 Iit. 23.5.6. and 9 23.24. Gen. 5/ 5. Psal. 51/ 5. Eph. 2/ 3. who of Good is made unto us wisdom,& righteousness,& sanctification,& redemption, that according as it is written, he that rejoiceth let him rejoice in the Lord. 6 That this therfore only is life joh. 17/ 3. and ● 36. Isr. 31/ 33.34. eternal to know the only true God, 〈◇〉 whom he hath sent into the world Iesus christ. And that on the contrary the 2. Thes. 1/ 8. ●eph. 1/ 6. joh. 3/ 36. Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire unto them that know not God,& which obey not the gospel of our Lord Iesus Christ. 7 That the rule of this knowledge faith& obedience, concerning the Exod. 20/ 4.5.6. Deu. 4/ 2.5.6. Gen. 6/ 11. Exod. 39/ 42.43. 1. Chron. 28.19. worship& service of God& Psal. 119.105. all other christian duties, is not the Esa. 29/ 13. Mar. 15/ 9. joh. 5/ 39. ●. Pet. 16/ 19. 2. 〈◇〉 3/ 16.17. opinionis, devices, laws, or constitutions of men, but the written word of the everlyving God, contained in the canonical books of the old and new Testament. 8 That in thus word s Deut. 18/ 18. joh. 1/ 18.& 15/ 15.& 4.15. Act. 3.22. Iesus Christ hath reveled whatsoever his father thought needful for us to know, beleeue& obey as touching his the whole Epish. le to the webr. the oughout. person& Offices, in 2. Cor. 1/ 20. whom all the promises of God are yea,& in whom they are Amen to the praise of God through vs. 9 That touching his person, the Lord Iesus, of whom Zuk. 24/ 44. joh. 5/ 46. Act. 10/ 42.43. Moses& the Prophets wrote,& whom the Apostles preached, is the Pro. 9/ 22. mica. 5/ 2. joh. 1/ 1.2.3. Heb. 1. Collos. 1/ 15.16.17. everlasting son of God, by eternal generation, the brightness of his Fathers glory,& the engraven form of his Person; coessential, coequal,& coeternal, god with him& with the holy ghost, by whom he hath made the worlds, by whom he vphouldeth and governeth all the works he hath made; who also when the Gal. 4/ 4. Gen. 3/ 15. fullness of time was come, was made man of a woman, of Web. 7.14. Revel. 5/ 5. the Tribe of judah, Rom. 1/ 3. Gen. 22/ 18. Mat. 2.1. etc. Luk. 3/ 23. etc. Esa. 7/ 14. Luk. 1.26.17. etc. ●ebr. 2/ 16. of the ●seed of david& Abraham, to wyt of Mary that blessed Virgin, by the holy Ghost coming vpon hir,& the powre of the most high ouershadowing hir;& was also ● Web. 4.15. Esa. 53/ 3.4.9. Phil. 2.7.8. in all things like unto us, sin only excepted. 10 That touching his Office, he 1. Tim. 2/ 5. Web 9.15.& 13.20. Dan 9.14.25. only is made the Mediator of the new Testament, even of the everlasting covenant of grace between God& man, to bee perfectly& fully the Deut. 18/ 15.18. Psal 110.4. Psel. 45/ Esa. 9/ 6.—. Act. 5.31. Esa. 55.4. Heb. 7/ 24. Luk. 1/ 32.33. Prophet, Priest& King of the Church of God for evermore. 11 That he Pro. 8.23. Esa. 42/ 6.& 49.1.5. and 11/ 2.3.4.6. Act. 10.38. was from everlasting, by the just& sufficient authority of the father,& in respect of his manhood from the womb, called& separated hereunto,& anointed also most fully& abundantly with all necessary gifts, as it is joh. 3.34. written; God hath not measured out the Spirit unto him. 12 That this 1. Tim. 2.5. which— .24. Pan. 7.14. Act. 4/ 12. Esa. 4●. 11. Luk. 1/ 33. Office, to bee Mediator, that is, Prophet, Priest and King of the Church of God, is so proper to him, as neither in the ●hol, nor in any part therof, it can be transferred from him to any other. 13 That touching his Deu. 16/ 15.18. Act. 3/ 12.13.14. stlat. 3/ 1—. joh. 1.18.& 17.8. Eph. 1.8.9. 2. Tim. 3.15.16/ 17. prophecy, Christ hath perfectly revealed out of the bozome of his father, the wholl word& will of God, that is needful for his seruants, either jointly or severally to know, beleeue& obey: That he hath spoken& doth speak to his Church in his own Pro. 9/ 3. joh. 13.20. Luk. 10.16. Mat. 10 40.41. Deu. 33/ 8.10. ordinance, by his own ministers and instruments only, and not by any salse Mat. 7/ 15.16.& 24.23.24. 2. Pet. 2. 2. Tim. 4.3.4. Rom. 10/ 14.15. ●er. 23/ 21. 1. joh. to ministry at any time. 14 That toching his joh. 17/ 18. heb. 5/ 7.8.9.& 91.1. Esa. 53/ ●● 5/ 19. 1. Pet. 1/ 2. Collos. 1/ 20. Eph. 5/ 2. Priesthood, beein consecrated, he hath appeared once to put a way sin, by offering& sacrificing of himsell; and to this end hath fully performed and suffered all those things, by which God through the blood of that his cross, in an acceptable satrifice, might bee reconciled to his elect;& having Eph. 2/ 1 4.15.16. ●ch. 9.& 10. broken down the partition wall,& ther with finished& removed al those legal rites, shadowes,& ceremonies, is now ● Se●. 4/ 14.16.& 9.24. and 10.19.20. entred within the veil into the holy of Holies to the very heaven, and presence of God, where he for ever liveth, and sitteth at the right hand of majesty Rom. 8/ 34 appearing before the face of his Father, to make intercession for such as come unto the Throne of grace by that new& living way And not that only, but maketh his people a 1. Pet. 2/ 5. Rev. 1/ 5. ●. and 8. ●. 4. Rom. 12/ 1. Mar. 9/ 49.50. Mal. 1/ 14. joh. ●. 23.24. Mat. 7/ 6.7.8. Es●. 1/ 12, etc. spiritual howse, a●… holy Priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through him. Neither doth the Father accept, or Christ offer ani●… other sacrifice, worship, or worshippers 15 That touching his 1. Cor. 15/ 4. etc. ●. Pet. 3/ 2●. 2●. Mat. 28/ 18.20. Kingdom, being risen, ascended, entre●… into glory, set at the right hand of God, al powre in Heaven an●… earth given unto him; whith powre he ● josh. 5/ 14. Zech 1/ 8. etc. Math. 1/ ●7. ●eb. 1/ 14. now exerciseth over 〈…〉 Angells and men, good and dad, to the preservation and salvation o●… the elect, to the overruling and destruction of the reprobate; s Eph. 5/ 26/ 27 Ro. 5/ and 6. and 7. and 8. Chap. Rom. 14/ 17. Gal 5/ 22.23. 1. joh. 4/ 13. etc. communicating and applying the benefits, virtue and fruits of his prophesy and Priesthood unto his elect, namely to the remission, subduing, and taking away of their sins, to their justification, adoption-of-sonnes, regeneration, sanctification, preservation& strengthening in all their spiritual conflicts against satan, the world& th●… flesh &c continually dwelling in, governing& keeping their heart in his tue faith and fear by his holy spirit, which having Psal. 51/ 10.11.12 and 89.30.31.32.33.34. job. 33/ 29.30. Esa. 5 4/ 8.9.10. joh. 13/ 1. and 16.31.32. with luke. 22/ 31.32.40. 2. Cor. 12/ 7.8.9. Eph. 6/ 10.11. etc. Rom. 11/ 29. Gal. 5/ 17.22.23. once give yt, he never taketh away from them, but by yt still begette●… and nourisheth in them repentance, faith, love, obedience, comfo●… peace, ioy, hope, and all christian virtues, unto immortallitie, not withstanding that yt be sometimes through sin and tentation, interrupted, smothered, and as yt were overwhelmed for the time. again on the contrary, job. 1/ 6. and 2. Chap. 1. Ring. 22.19. Esa. 10/ 5.15. Rom. 9/ 17.18. Rom. 1/ 21. and 2.4.5.6. Eph. 4/ 17.18.19. 2 Pet. ●/ 3. 1. Thess. 5/ 3.7. Esa. 57/ 20.21. 2. Pet. 2/ the whole Chapter. ruling in the world over his enemies, satan, and all the vessels of wrath; limiting, using, restraining the●… by his mighty powre, as seemeth good in his divine wisdom and iustice, to the execution of his determinate counsel, to wit to their seduction, hardening& condemnation, delyvering them up to a reprobate mind, to bee kept in darkness, sin and sensuallitie unto iudgment. 16 That this Kingdom shall bee then fully perfected when he shal the Dan. 12/ 2.3/ joh 5/ 22.28.29. Mat. 25/ 31. 1. Cor. 15.24. Mat. 13/ 41.49. 2. Thes. 1/ 9.10 1. Thes. 4/ 17. joh 17/ 22.23. 1. Cor. 15/ 2●. second time come in glory with his mighty Angells unto iudgment, to abolish all rule, authority and powre, to put all hi●… enemies under his feet, to separate and free all his chosen from then for ever, to punish the wicked with everlasting perdition from hi●… presence, to gather, join, and carry the godly with himself into end less glory, and then to delyver up the kingdom to God, even th●… Father, that so the glory of the father may bee full and perfect in th●… son, the glory of the son in all his members, and God bee a in all. 17 That in the mean time, bisides his absolute rule in the world, Christ hath here in earth a joh. 18.36. Mth 3/ 6. and 10.21. 1. Tim. 3/ 15. Zach 4/ 7. spiritual kingdom and a canonical regiment in his Church over his servants, which Church he hath A●t. 20/ 28. Tit. 2/ 14. purchased and redeemed to himself, as a peculiar inheritance( notwithstanding Mat. 13/ 47. and 22.12. Luk. 13/ 25. many hypocrites do for the time lurk amongst thē) Mar. 16/ 15.16. Col. 1/ 21/ 1. Cor. 6 11. Tit. 3/ 3.4.5. calling and winning them by the power of his word unto the faith, Esa. 52.11/ Ezr. 6/ 21. Act. 2/ 40. 2. Cor. 6/ 14. Act. 17/ 3.4. and 19.9. 1. Pet. 2/ 4.5.9.25. separating them from amongst unbelievers, from idolitrie, false worship, superstition, vanity, dissolute life,& works of darkness, &c; making them a royal Priesthood, an holy Nation, a people set at liberty to show forth the virtues of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvelous light, Esa. 60/ 4.8. Psal. 110/ 3. Act. 2 41. Eph 4/ 16. Co●. 2/ 5.6. gathering and uniting thē together as members of one body in his faith, love and holy order, unto all general and mutual duties, Esa. 6●/ 6. jer 3/ 1●/ Ezek 34. Zech 11.8. ●eb. 12/ 28.29. Mat. 28/ 20. instructing& governing thē by such officers and laws as he hath prescribed in his word; by which Officers and laws he governeth his Church, and by Wat. 7/ 15. and 24.23.24. ●. Tim. 4/ 3.4. jer. 7/ 30.31. and 23.21. Den. 12/ 3●. run. 2/ 2.& 22.18.19. none other. 18 That to ●●v 26/ 11.12. ●●●●s. 18/ 19.20. vi●●●. ●/ 4. Ezek. 48.35/ 2. Cor. 6.18 this Church he hath made the promises, and given the seals of his Covenant, presence, 〈◇〉 blessing and protection: Esa. 3/ 16. 1. tim 3/ 15. and 4.16.& 6.3.5. ●. Tim. 2/ 15 Tit. 1/ 9. Deu. 31.26. here are the holy Oracles as in the 〈◇〉 of the ark, s●e●ly kept& puerly taught. here are Psal. 46/ 4.5. Ezek. 47/ 1. etc. job. 38/ 39. all the 〈…〉 and sp s of his grace continually replenished and flowing forth. here is Ish. 11/ 12. joh. 3/ 1●. Isa. 49/ 22. he listed up to all Nations, hither he E●●. 55.1. Mat. 6/ 33.& 22.1. Pro. 9/ 4. ●. job. 7/ 37. inviteth all men to his supper, his marriage seast: hither ought Den. 12/ 5.11. Esa. 2/ 1.3. Zach. 14/ 16.17.18.10. all men of all estates and degrees that acknowledge him their Prophet, Priest and King to repair, to bee Esa. 44/ 5. Psal 8●/ 5.6. Can. 4.12 Gal. 6/ 10. Col. 1/ 12.13. Eph. 2/ 19. enrolled ●mongst his household seruants, to bee under his heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in his walled sheepfold,& watered orchard, to haue communion heer with the Saincts, that they may bee made meet to bee partakers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God. 19 That as See the 18. ●rticle before/ and Exod. 25.2. and 35.5. 1. Cor. 12/ 4.5.6.7.12.18 Rom. 12.4.5.6. ●. Pet. 4.16. Eph. 4/ 16. Colos 2/ 5. all his seruants and subiects are called hither, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring the guyfts God hath given them; so being come, they are heer by himself bestowed in their several order, peculiar place, due use, being fitly compact and knit together by every joint of help, according to the effectual work in the measure of every parte, unto the edification of yt self in love; whereunto when he Eph. 4/ ●. 10.11.12.13. Rom. 12/ 7.8.& 16.1.1. Cor. 12.4.5.6.7.8.11.14.15.16.17.18.28. 1. Tim. 3/ ● 5.3.9.17.21. Act. 6/ 2.3. ● 14.13. and 20.27.28. Phil. 1/ ●● ascended up on high he gave gifts unto men, that he might fill all these things, and hath distributed these gifts, unto several functions in his Church, having instituted and ratified to Rev. 11/ 18.19. Mar. 28/ 20. 1. Tim. 6/ 13.14. continue unto the worlds end, only this public ordinary ministery of Pastors, Teachers, Elders, Deacons, Helpers to the instruction, government, and service of his Church. 20 That this ministery is exactly described, Pro. ●/ 8.9. heb. 3.2.6. the first worstle to Th●omy wholly. Act. 6/ 3.5.6.& 14.23.& 10.17. etc. 1. pet. 5/ 2.3. 1. Cor. 5/ 4.5.11.12.13. etc. and 9.7.9.14. described, distinguished, limited, concerning their office, their calling to their office, ther administration of their office, and their maintenance in their office, by most perfect and plain s Web. 2.3. and 3.3. and 12.25. etc. 2. Tim. 3/ 14.15. Gil. 1/ 8.9. 1. tim. 6.13.14. Deut. 12/ 32. and 4 2. ●evel. 21/ 18.19 laws in Gods word, which laws it is not lawful for these Ministers, or for the whole Church wittinly to neglect, transgress, or violate in any parte; nor yet to receive any other laws brought into the Church by any person whatsoever. 21 That Num. 16/ 5.40.& 1●. 7. 2. Chron. 26.18. jo●. 10.1.2 and. 2.17. Web. 5.4. Ret. 6/ 3.5.6.& 14.23. Tit. 1/ 5 none may usurp or execute a ministery but such as are rightly called by the Church whereof they stand ministers; and that such so called ought to give all diligence to ● Bet. 2. ●8. 1. cor. 4/ 1.2. Col. 4/ 17. 1. Tim. 1/ 18.19.& 4.12. and 5.11& 6.11.12.13.14. 2. Tim. 1/ 13.14. and 3.14. and 4.5/ ●. P●t. 5/ 1.2.3.4. fulfil ther ministery, to bee found faithful and unblamable in all things. 22. That this ministery is alike given to every Christian congregation, with like powre and commission to haue and enjoy the same, as God offereth fit men and means, the same r●les given to all for the election and execution therof in all places. 23 That as every christian Congregation Act. 6/ 3.5.6.& 14.23. 2. Cor. 8.19. ●et. 15.2/ 3.22.25. 1. Tim. 3/ 10. and 4.14/& 5.22 ●●n n. 8/ 9.10. hath powre and commandement to elect and ordain their own ministery according to the rules prescribed, and ●. Thes. 5/ 12.13. 1. Tun. 5/ 3.17. ●eb. 13/ 17. 1. cor. 9. Gal. 6.6.31. Tim. 3/ 10. and 5.22. ●om. 16/ 17 Phyl. ●/ 2.18.19. 1. Tim. ●3/ 5. Tech. 4●/ 1: .13. Mat. 1●/ 17. whilst they shal faithfully execute their office, to haue them in diamond love for their work sake, to provide for them, Mat. 28/ 20.1. cor 14/ 33.36. 1. ●or. 12/ 4 5.6.7. and 4 17. and. 16.1 cyd 4/ 10.11.12.13. 1. cor. 3/ 21.22.23. ●at. 18.17. see Article. 20. to honour them and reverence them, according to the dignity of the office they execute. So have they also 1. Tim. 3/ 10. and 5.22. Rom. 16/ 17 Ph●l. ●/ 2.18.19. 1. Tim. 〈◇〉 3.5. T●ch. 4 1/ 11.13. Mat. 13/ 17. prowre and commandement when any such default, either in their life, Doctrine, or administration breaketh out, as by the rule of the word debarreth them from, or depriveth them of their ministery, by due order to depose them from the ministery they exercised; yea if the case so require, and they remain obstinate and impenitent, orderly to cut them off by excommunication. 24 That Psal. 122.3. Acts/ 47. Rom. 16/ ● Leb. 0/ 4.5.& 24.14. Num. 5 3. Der. 3/ 9. Mat. 18/ 17. 1. cor 5/ 4. 2. cor. 2/ 6 7.8. Christ hath given this powre to receive in or to cut off any member, to the wholl body together of every Christian Congregation, and not to any one member apart, or to more members sequestered from the wholl, or to any other Congregation to do it for thē: yet that 1. Cor. 3/ 21.22.23. Act 15.1. cor. 3/ 4.5.& 12.20. each Congregation ought to use the best help they can heer unto, and the most meet member they haue to pronounce the same in their public ●●●embly. 25 That every member of each Christian Congregation, Lev. 4. P●l. 141/ 5. and 1.10.11.12.& 1. 〈◇〉 8.9. 2. Chro 26/ ●0. Act. ●●/ 2.4 2. Tim. 5/ 19.20.21. how excellent, great, or learned soever, ought to be subject to this censure& iudgment of Christ; Yet ought not the Church without great care& due advice to procede against such public persons. 26 That for the C●rt. 3/ 3. Esa. 62/ 6 Exc. 33.2. Mat. 14/ 45. Luk. 12/ 42. Act. 20/ 28 web. 13/ 17. keeping of this Church in holy& orderly communion, as Christ hath placed some special men over the Church, who by their office are to govern, oversee, visit, watch &c. So Mar. 13/ 34.37. Luk. 17/ 3. 1. Thes 5/ 14. Gal. 6/ 1. judas. 3/ 20. ●ebr. 10/ 24. 2●.& 12.15. lykewise for the better keeping therof in all places, by all the members, he hath given authority& laid duty vpon thē all to watch one over another. 27 That subtilest the Ministers and people thus remain together in this holy order and christian communion, each one endeavouring to do the will of God in their calling,& thus to walk in the obedience of faith Christ hath promised to bee present with them, Don. 28/ 1. e●e. Mat. 28/ 20. Luk. 12/ 35.36.37.38. Mat. 16.18. Zach 2/ 5.& 12/ 2.3.4. Psal. 125/ 2.& 131.12.13. e●c. to bless& defend them against all adversary powre,& that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against them. 28 But when& where this holy order& diligent wretch was intermitted, neglected, violated. Antichrist that man of sin corrupted& altered the holy ordinances, offices, Re●. 9.& 13/& 17.& 18.2. Thes. 2/ 3.4.9.10.11.12. Psal. 74. Esa. 14.13.14. Dan. 7.25. ●●d●. 10.11.12.& 11. 3●. 1. Tim. 4/ 1.2. 1. jo●. 2/ 18.22.& 4.3 & administrations of the church brought in& erected a strange new forged ministery, liturgy and government& the Nations Kingdoms& inhabitants of the earth, were made drunken with this cup of fornications& abominations,& all people enforced to receive the Beasts mark and worship his image& so brought into confusion& babylonish bondage. 29 That the present ministery retained& used in Englad of Arch. b●● lob. deans, Prebendaries, Canons, Peti-Canons, Re●●●. 9/ 3 etc.& 13.15.16.17.& 18.1.17. compaced with Rom. 12/ 7.8. ●ph. 4/ 11.12. 1. T●m. 3/ 15.& 5.17. Con●●ate this Art. with the 1.7.12.13.14.19.20.21.22.23.24.28. Artities aforesaid. Arch-Deatons, Chancellors, Commissaries, Priests, Deacons, Parsons, Viccars curates, Hireling roving Preachers, Church-wardens, Parish-clerkes their Doctors, Proctors,& whole rabble of those Courts with all from& under them set over these Cathedrall& parishional Assemblies in this confusion, are a strange& Antichristian ministery& offices;& are not that ministery above name instituted in Christs Testament, or allowed in or over his Church. 30 That their Cempare with Articies 1/ 7.12.13.14.19. etc. Rev. 9.3/ ●●c.& 18.14.17. I Joh. 10/ 1. Dan. 7/ 8. ●●. a●. and 8.10.11.12. 2 Thes. 2.3.4.8.9. 〈◇〉 17/ 4.5.16. Offices, Entrance, Administration and maintenance, with their K●b. 22/ 25.26. Rev. 14.11& 17.3.4.5.& 13.15.16.17 1. Pet. 5/ 3. with joh. 3/ 29. & with Rev. 2.1. 1. Ring. 22.27. 〈◇〉 11.15.16. names, titles, privileges,& prerogatives the powre& rule they usurp over and in these ecclesiastical assemblies over the whole ministery, whole ministration and affairs therof, yea one over another by their making Priests, citing, fuspending, silencing, deposing, absolving, excommunicating, &c. Their confounding of ecclesiastical and Civile jurisdiction, causes& proceedings in ther persons, courts, commissions, Visitations, the rest of less rule, taking their ministery from and exercising it under them by their Reb. 13/ 15.16.17. Esa. 29.13. Mar. 7/ 7.8. Ga. 1/ 10. etc. and 2/ 4.5. Col. 2/ 20.22.23. Ezek. 8/ 5.& 13.9.10.11.18.19. Mica 2/ 11. mal. 1/ 8.13.14 prescription and limitation, swearing canonical obedience unto them, administering by their devised imposed, stinted popish liturgy, &c. are sufficient proofs of the former assertion, the particulars therein being duly examined by and compared to the Rules of Christs Testament. 31 That these Ecclesiastiall Assemblies, Rev. 18/ 2. 1. Cor. 14/ 11. Tit. 15/ 19. Mal. 1/ 4.6.8. Wos. 4/ 14. etc. Rom. 6/ 16. 2. Pet 2/ 19. compare with. Art. 1.7.11.12.13.14.15.17.18.19.20.24.28.29.30. aforesaid. remaining in confusion and bondage under this Antichristian ministery, Courts, Canons, worship, Ordinances. &c. without freedom or powre to redress any enormity, haue not in this confusion and subiection, Christ their Prophet, Priest, and King, neither can bee in this estate,( whilst wee judge them by the rules of Gods word) esteemed the true, orderly gathered, or constituted churches of Christ, whereof the faithful ought to beecome or stand Members, or to haue Levit. 17/ Mos. 4/ 15/ 1. Cor. 10.18 19.20. 2. Cor. 6/ 14.15/ 16. Rev. 18/ 4. Cant. 1/ 6.7. any spiritual communion with them in their public worship and Administration. 32 That Reu. 18/ 4. Esa. 48/ 20. and 52.11. Ile. 50/ 8.& 51.6.45. Zech. 1/ 6. ●2. Cord. 15/. and 17.6.2. King. 23/ 5 etc. Rom. 13/ 4. Mat. 22/ 21. rev. 27/ 16. by Gods Commandement all that will bee saved, must with speed come forth of this Antichristian estate, Zech. 1●/ 2.4.5.6. J●●. 51/ 26. Psal 119/ 59.60.128. Prov. 5/ 10. Es●. ●/ 11.12 and 35.8. Zach. 14/ 21. Pro. 3/ 9.16. psal. 16.3/ 4. compared 〈◇〉 Exod. ●0. 4/ 5. judge. 17. ●. 4.5. Eyed. 16.17 18.19. 1. Cor. 10. 1●.10.21.22. compared with Hov. ●●/ 10. & with ●. Cor. 2.3.4.5. ●. Tim. 5/ 17. leaving the suppression of it unto the Magistrate to whom it belongeth. And that both all such as haue received or exercised any of these false Offices or any pretended function or ministery in or to this false and Antichristian constitution, are willingly in Gods fear, to give over and leave those vnlawfull Offices, and no longer to minister in this maner to these Assemblies in this estate And that none also, of what sort or condition soever, do give any part of their Goods, Lands, Money, or money worth to the maintenance of this false ministery and worship vpon any Commandement, or under any colour whatsoever. 33 That being come forth of this antichristian estate unto the freedom and true profession of Christ, besides the Gen. 18.19. Exod. 13/ 8 14. Pro. 31/ 26.17. Eph. 6/ 4. Deut. 6/ 7. Psal. 78/ 9.4 instructing and well guiding of their own Families, they are Ru●. 17.37. Psal. 110/ 3 Mas. ●/ Esa. 44.5. Act. 2/ 41.42. Iis. 50/ 4.5. Neh. 9/ 38. Act. 2/ 41.42. willingly to join together in christian communion and orderly covenant, and by confession of Faith and obedience of Christ, to 1. Cor. 1/ 2. and 11.14. Rev. 1/ 20 and 2.1.8.12.18.& 3.1.7.14. Eph. 2/ 19. Ccl. 2/ 19. unite themselves into peculiar Congregations; wherein, as members of one body knowledge Christ is the only head, they are to worship and serve God according to his word, remembringto Exod. 20/ 8. Rev. 1/ 10. Act. 20.7. 1. Cor. 16/ ● keep holy the Lords day. 34 That such as 1. Cor. 14/ tem. 12.6. 1. Cor. 12/ 7. 1. Pet. 4/ 10. Act. 13.15. 1. Thes. 5/ 20 God hath given gifts to enterpret the Scriptures, tried in the exercise of prophecy, giving attendance to study and learning, may and ought by the appointment of the Congregation, to teach publicly the word, until the people bee meet for, and God manifest men with able gifts and fitness to such Office or Offices as Christ hath appointed to the public ministery of his church; but Num. 16/ 10.39.40. Rom. 12.7. ●ch. 5/ 4. joh. 1/ 23.25. no Sacraments to bee administered until the Pastors or Teachers bee chosen and ordained into their Office. 35 That s Rev. ●. Act. 6/ 3.5.6.& 14.21.22.23. Tit. 1/ 5. etc. 1. Cor. 12/ 7.8.14.15. 1. Tim. 3. chambermaids ther shalbee a people fit, and men furnished with meet and necessary gifts, they do not only still continue the exercise of prophecy aforesaid, but do also vpon due trial, proceed unto choice and ordination of Officiers for the ministery and servise of the Church, according to the rule of Gods word; And that so they Col. 2/ 5.6.7. 2. Thes. 2/ 15. Iud. ●/ etc. Mat. 28/ 2●. hold on still to walk forward in the ways of Christ for their mutual edification and comfort, as it shall please God to give knowledge and grace thereunto. And particularly, that Act. 2/ 38.39. 1. Cor. 7/ 14. Rom. 11/ 16/ Gen. 17/ 7.11.27. 1. corre/ 2. Psal. 12/ 30. Exod. 12/ 48.49. Act. 16/ 15.33. 1. Cor. 1/ 16. Mar. 10/ 13/ 14.15.16. Gal. 3/ 29. such as bee of the seed, or under the government of any of the Church, bee even in their infancy received to baptism, and made partakers of the sign of Gods covenant made with the saithfull and their seed throvghout all Generations. And that Mat. 26/ 26.27. 1. Cor. 11.28. and 10.3.4.16.17. act. 2/ 42.& 20.7.8 all of the Church that are of yeeres, and able to examine themselves, do communicate also in the Lords Supper both men ●al. 3/ 28. Act. 2/ 42. with 1.14. 1. Cor. 12/ 13. and women, and in Mat. 26/ 26.27. 1. Cor. 10/ 3.4.16.& 11.23.24.25.26.27.28.29. both kindes bread and wyne in which 1. Cor. 10/ 16.17.& 11.23 24.25.26, etc. Mat. 26/ 26.27.29.& 15.17. Job. 12/ 8. Elements, as also in the water of baptism, even after their are consecrate, there is neither transubstantiation into, nor Consubstantiation with the body and blood of Iesus Christ; whom Act. 3/ 11.57.56 the Heauens must contain; until the time that al things bee restored. Sea. 17/ 11. tom. 4/ 11. Exod. 12/ 13. with ●eb. 13/ 20. 〈◇〉. Cor. 11/ 26.27.28.29.& 10.3.4.5. ●om. 2.28.29. Act. 15.9. Rom. 5/&. 6.7.& 8. Chap●. But they are in the ordinance of God signs and seals of Gods everlasting covenant representing and offering to all the receivers, but exhibiting only to the true believers the Lord Iesus Christ and all his benefits unto righteousness, sanctification and eternal life, through faith in his name to the glory and praise of God. 36 That thus Leb. 4.13. etc. 2. Chro. 15/ 9.17. a●d 30.18.19. 〈◇〉. ●/ and 3.1. Cor. 1.20. Phil. 2/ 1.2.3.4.5.6. and 3.15.16. heb. 10.25. sub. 19. being rightly gathered, established, and still proceeding in christian communion& obedience of the gospel of Christ, none is to separate for faults and corruptions which may and so long as the Church consisteth of mortal men, will fall out& arise among them, even in a true constituted Church, but by due 2. Cor. 13.1.2. 〈◇〉 2. and 3.1. Thes. 5.24.2. Thes. 3/ 6.14. Mat. 18/ 17. 1. Cor./ 4.5. Act. 15.1.2. order to seek redress therof. 37 That 1. cor. 14/ 24.25. Psal. 18.49. rom. 15.9.10. 1. Tim. 2/ 4. 2. Tim. 2/ 25. such as yet see not the truth, may hear the public doctrine and prayers of the church, and with al meekness are to bee sought by all means: Yet 2. Cor. 6/ 14.15.16. Ey●●. 4/ 3. Exod. 12/ 43. Lev. 21.25. Exod/ 34. none who are grown in yeeres to bee received into their communion as members, but such as do make confession of their faith, publicly desiring to bee received as members, and promising to walk in the obedience of Christ. Neither any i Infants, but such as are the seed of the faithful by one of the parents, or under their education and government. And further not any 2. Deu. 7/ ease. 44.5. Ect. 19/ 18. from one Congregation to bee received members in another, without bringing certificate of their former estate and present purpose. 38 That though Congregations bee thus distinct and several bodies, every one as a compact city in itself, yet are they all to walk by one and the same rule,& by all means convenient to haue the counsel and help one of another in all needful affairs of the Church, as members of one body in the common Faith, under Christ their head. Lo●● articles 1. ●2. 35. W●●al. 122 3. Cant. 8.8.9. 1. cor. 4/ 17. and 16.1. 39 That it is the Office and duty of Princes and magistrates, Exod. 20/ 5.6. who by the ordinance of God are supreme Governers under him over all persons and causes within their realms and Dominions, ● Rom. 13/ 3.4. ●. Pet. 2.3/ 14. 2. Chro. 19/ 4. etc. and. 29. and 34. Chap. judge. 17/ 5 ●. Math. 22.21. Tit. 3/ ●. ●. 2. King. 23.5/ etc Psal. 110. Deu. 12/ 2.3, with. 17.14.18 19.20. 2 King. 10.25.27.28. 2. Chro. ●●/ 16. ●ro. 16/ 12. and 25.2.3.4.5. Act. 19/ 27. Reb. 27.16. to m. Cor. 7/ 14. Gen. ● 7/ 7.12.27. Exod. 22/ 43.49. Act. 16/ 〈…〉. ● Act. 9/ 26.27. ●om. 16/ 1.2.2. Cor./ 13. Col. 4/ 10. suppress and root out by their authority all false ministries, voluntary Relligions and counterfeit worship of God, to abolish and destroy the idol Temples, Images, altars, Vestments, and all other monuments of idolatry and superstition and to take and convert to their own civile uses not only the benefit of all such idolitrous buildings& monuments, but also the Revenues, demeans, Lordships, Possessions, Gleabes and maintenance of any false, ministries and unlawful ecclesiastical functions whatsoever within their Dominions. And on the other hand Deut. 17.14/ 18. 19.2●. Ios●●. 1/ 7.8. 2 Chro. 17/ 4.7.8.9.& 19.4. 〈…〉 29.& 30. ●an. 6/ 25.26. Psal. 2/ 10.11.12.& 72.1. etc. Esa. 49/ 23. Rev. 21.24. Ez●a. 7.26. to establish& mayntein by their laws every part of Gods word his pure religion and true ministery to cherish and protect all such as are careful to worship God according to his word, and to lead a godly life in all peace and loyalltie; yea to enforce al their Subiects whether ecclesiastical or civile, to do their duties to God and men, protecting& maintaining the good, punishing and restreyning the evil according as God hath commanded, whose lieutenants they are heer on earth. 40 That therfore the Pro. 16/ 15. Ez● 5. and 6. Act. 9/ 31. 1. Tim. 2/ 2. 〈◇〉. 6 25.26. Rev. 21/ 24. protection& commandement of the Princes and magistrates maketh it much more peaceable, though Act. 4/ 18.19. and 5. 2●.29. Dan. 6/ 7.8 9.10.22. Luk. 21/ 12.13. Mat. 28/ 20. 1. tim. 5/ 21. and 6.13.14. no whit at all more worshipful, to walk in the ways and ordinances of Iesus Christ which he hath commanded his church to keep without spot and unrebukable until his appearing in the end of the world. Psal. 72/ ●. etc. ●. tun. 2/ 2. 2. chro. 25/ 1.2. ●ay. 1.4.14. and 2.5. And that in this behalf the brethren thus minded and proceeding as is beforesaid, do both continually supplicate to God, and as they may, to their Princes and Gouernours that thus and under them they may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 41. That if God incline the Magistrates hearts to the allowance& protection of them therein they acccmpt it a happy blessing of God who granteth such nourcing Fathers and nourcing Mothers to his Church, Psal. 126/ 1. etc. 〈◇〉. 49/ 23. and 60 16. Psal. 72/ 1. etc. ●●om. 13/ 3. 1. Tim. 2/ 2.3.4. & be careful to walk favourably so great a mercy of God in all thankfulness and obedience. 42 That if God withold the Magistrates allowance and furtherance herein, they ●ct. 2/ 40.41.42. and 4.19. 〈◇〉 5.28.29.41. and 16.20 etc. and 17.6.7. and 20.23.24. 1. Thes. 3.3. Ph●l. 1.27.28.29. ●an. 3/ 16.17.18. a●d 6.7.10.22.23.24. Luk. 14/ 26.27.& 21.12.13/ 14. 2. tim. 2/ 12. and 3/ 12. heb ●0/ 32. etc. 1. Pet. 4. Rev. 2/ 10.25.26. and. 6.9. and 12.11. yet proceed together in christian covenant& communion thus to walk in the obedience of Christ even through the midst of all trials and afflictions, not accounting their goods, Lands Wyves, Children, Fathers, Mothers, brethren, Sisters, no nor their own lives dear unto thē, so as they may finish their course with ioy, remembering always that wee s Act. 5/ 29. and 17.6. ●. ought to obey God rather thē man,& grounding ●●at. 28.18.19.20. 1. Tim. 6/ 13.14.15.16. 2. Tim. 4/ 7.8. Rev. 2/ 10. and 14.12.13. and 22.16.17.18.19.20 vpon the commandement, commission and promise of our Saviour Christ, who as he hath all powre in heaven& in earth, so hath also promised if they keep his commandements which he hath given without limitation of time, place, Magistrates allowance or disallowance, to bee with them unto the end of the world and when they haue finished their course and kept the faith, to ●ive them the crown of righteousness which is laid up for all them that love his appearing. 43 That they do also willingly and orderly pay and perform all maner of worshipful and accustomend duties unto all men, Rom. 13/ 1.5.6.7. ●at 21.21 2. chro 27/ Ezt 7.26. Tit. 2/ 1. 1. Pet. 2/ 13 etc. submitting in the Lord themselves, their bodies, lands, Goods and lives to the Magistrates pleasure. And that every way they acknowledge, reverence and obey them according to godliness, not because of wrath only but also for conscience sake. 44 And thus do we the Subiects of God and hir Matie. falsely called Brownists labour to give unto God that which is Gods,& unto Caesar that which is Caesars, endeavouring ourselves to haue always a clear conscience towards God and towards men: And if any take this to be heresy, then do we with the ● Act. 24/ 14. Apostle freely confess that after the way which they call heresy we worship God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ; believing all things that are written in the Law, and in the Prophets& Apostostles: And whatsoever is according to this word of truth published by this State or holden by any reformed churches abroad in the world. 45 Finally, Mat. 6/ 9. etc. ●nn. 11/ 2. etc. comp●red with Mat. 14/ 30. and 26.39.41. Act. 1.24.25. and 4.24. etc. 〈◇〉. 8/ 26.27. Rev. 8/ 3/ 4. Eph. 6.18/ 19. Phr●. 4/ 6. ●●b. ●●/ 18.19.20.21. 〈◇〉 vers. 24/ 25. chambermaids we are much slandered, as if we denied o● misliked that form of prayer commonly called the Lords prays we thought it needful here also concerning it to make known that we beleeue and acknowledg it to bee a most absolute& most excellent form of prayer such as no men or Angells can set down the like And that it was taught& appointed by our Lord Iesus Christ, not that we should bee tied to the use of those very words, but that we should according to that rule make all our requests& thanksgyuing unto God, forasmuch as it is a perfect form and pattern containing in it plain& sufficient directions of prayer for all occasions and necessities that haue been, are, or shalbee to the church of God, or any member therof to the end of the world. Now unto him that is able to keep us that wee fall not,& to present us faltlesse before the presence of his glory with joy; that is to God only wise our saviour, bee glory,& majesty& dominion,& power both now& for ever. Amen.